News Flash (28th January 2021): Top 10 Stories Of The Day

1. Health Ministry says, “India’s COVID-19 recovery rate now nearly 97%”

Speaking on how India was now dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health said that the country’s COVID-19 recovery rate currently stands at 97%, that it is one of the highest in the world. The health ministry further informed that the number of cases recovering daily are more than the new infections being recorded daily. “[At least] 1,03,73,606 people have recovered and 14,301 patients have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours,” the ministry said. 

2. Bombay HC rules, “Holding hands, unzipping pants not sexual assault under POCSO”

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has ruled yet another observation stating that holding the hands of a minor girl and opening of the pant’s zip cannot be called a ‘sexual assault’ or ‘aggravated sexual assault’ of the POCSO Act. The observation was made by Justice Pushpa Ganediwala when she was passing an order on an appeal filed by a 50-year-old accused who had challenged a sessions court’s verdict of convicting him for sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl.

3. France delivers 3 more Rafale jets to India, IAF informs

On Thursday, France delivered 3 Rafale aircraft to India after flying non-stop with mid-air refueling, the Indian Air Force (IAF) informed. These newly arrived jets will be added to the current fleet of eight Rafale jets. 

4. Bail plea of Comedian Munawar Faruqui’s rejected by Madhya Pradesh HC

On Thursday, the bail application of comedian Munawar Faruqui and Indore resident Nalin Yadav was rejected by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The comedians were arrested on 1st January, after a complaint was filed against them for allegedly hurting Hindu religious sentiments while doing a standup comedy set in Indore. 

5. ICMR study proves Covaxin to be effective against UK’s new COVID-19 strain

An ICMR study has proved that Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is effective against the new variant of COVID-19 that originated in the UK. “Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech with ICMR, has equivalent immunogenicity against the UK-variant and circulating strains of SARS-COV-2 in India,” ICMR tweeted.

6. Delhi CM said, “Whatever happened on R-Day cannot stop farmers’ movement”

Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal commented on the violence that occurred in the capital on Republic Day during the tractor valley saying, “Whatever happened on that day cannot stop this movement. We all should support farmers but in a peaceful manner.” The CM further, “The violence of January 26 is unfortunate and strict action should be taken against anyone who is actually responsible for it.”

7. Quarantine period of WHO team that arrived in China ends; begins COVID-19 probe

The two-week quarantine period of the team of the World Health Organization (WHO) that has arrived in China’s city of Wuhan for investigating the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, has ended. The team has begun their fieldwork. The team of scientists is going to interview people from research institutes, hospitals, and the seafood market linked to the initial outbreak of the virus.

8. Union Education Minister  to announce CBSE 10th, 12th board exams dates on Feb 2

Ramesh Pokhriyal, the Union Education Minister informed the students that he will be releasing the dates of the CBSE class 10 and 12 board examination on February 2, 2021. This announcement was made during his live interaction session with the principals of the country’s CBSE school. During this interaction, the education minister discussed the changes in the CBSE curriculum for the academic year 2021-22, keeping in mind the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 

9. Sri Lanka receives the first 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine from India

The president of Sri Lanka opened the country’s gate to welcome the first 500,000 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine donated by India. The country has donated the shots to eight more countries in the region. Serum Institute of India’s Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was delivered to Sri Lanka. The president announced that 150,000 health workers and 115,000 selected military and police troops will be inoculated first at six hospitals in Colombo and its suburbs.

10. 1st ever private flight to Space Station will be paying $55 million to each from the crew

Crew for the first private space station crew that was introduced on Tuesday will be carrying three 3 men, each to be paid $55 million to fly on a SpaceX rocket. A former NASA astronaut now working for Axiom Space will be leading them.