News Flash (28th August 2020): Top 10 Stories Of The Day

1. Supreme Court denies permission to states to promote students without final-year exam

Backing UGC’s decision, the Supreme Court ruled that states should not promote students without conducting final-year university examinations. However, it gave the states the option to approach the University Grants Commission requesting an extension to its September 30 deadline for holding the examination considering the pandemic. The UC had taken this decision of carrying out the exams by stating that it was in the best interest of the students.

2. IIT Kharagpur invents micro-needle, thinner than a human hair to inject drug painlessly

Indian Institute of Technology at Kharagpur researchers have created a micro-needle, thinner than a human hair, and a micro-pump for injecting drugs in the patients’ body without causing any pain.

Researchers of electronics and electrical communication engineering came up with the micro-pump and the micro-needle.

3. 4 states including West Bengal & Punjab file review petition in SC over JEE, NEET

6 states of the opposition party have filed a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging the centre’s decision of conducting JEE (Main) and NEET exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The six states to file the petition are West Bengal, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Punjab. 

4. 10L masks, 6.6K litres of sanitizer arranged by NTA for JEE (Main)

Keeping in mind the safety of students during JEE (Main) exam, the National Testing Agency (NTA), has made arrangements for 10 lakh pairs of masks, 1,300 infrared thermometer guns, 6,600 litres of sanitiser, 6,600 sponges, 3,300 spray bottles and 3,300 cleaning staff. JEE (Main) is scheduled to be conducted at 660 test centres. 

5. Noor Inayat, 1st Indian-origin spy to get a memorial plaque in the UK

Noor Inayat Khan, Britain’s World War II spy, has become the first Indian-origin woman to be honoured with a memorial Blue Plaque at her former family home in London. She was posted to Nazi-occupied France in 1943 as an undercover radio operator for the British. The Blue Plaque scheme awards notable people who were connected with particular buildings across London.

6. 150-foot superyacht burns and sinks in the Mediterranean Sea, 17 people rescued

A video of a 150-foot superyacht burning in flames, was shared by the Italian Coast Guard. This superyacht identified with the name ‘Lady MM’ sank in the Mediterranean Sea. The yacht was headed to Sardinia from Capri when a fire broke out. Nine crew members and eight Kazakh nationals on the yacht had already abandoned the superyacht and were in a life raft waiting for the Coast Guard to arrive.

7. Indian Air Force to formally induct Rafale fighters on September 10

As per the information given by the sources to ANI, five Rafale fighter aircraft will be formally inducted by the Defense minister Rajnath Singh, into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 10th September at the Ambala airbase in Haryana in a ceremony. French Defence Minister Florence Parly is also likely to attend the ceremony. These 5 fighter aircraft that arrived in Indian on July 29 are a part of the 17 Golden Arrows squadron of the Air Force.

8. With 42.5-inch mohawk, US man breaks Guinness World Record

A man named Joseph Grisamore from Minnesota (USA) has set the Guinness World Record for having the world’s tallest full Mohican Mohawk. “My favourite thing about the mohawk is just the rarity of it,” Joseph said. Joseph has been trying to break this record since 2007.

9. Japan PM Shinzo Abe resigns due to depleting health condition 

Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe resigned fro, the chair due to his depleting health condition. He has been battling with the disease ulcerative colitis for years, which has now once agai resurfaced. Due to this, he has resigned from his post. “I cannot be prime minister if I cannot make the best decisions for the people. I have decided to step down from my post,” said Shinzo in a press conference. 

10. Broadcast minister says fake news more dangerous than paid news

Prakash Javadekar, Information and Broadcasting Minister said that fake news is more damaging than paid news and called for self-regulation while publishing digital content to keep any harm from occuring at bay. “Paid news is much milder than what fake news is. Fake news has a very potent power of disturbing the peace. The manipulation of public opinion over social media platforms has emerged as a critical threat to public life,” the minister said at a virtual event conducted by industry body IAMAI.