News Flash (29th May 2020): Top 9 Stories Of The Day

1. 4 districts of Himachal under high alert over expected locust attack

Considering the locust swarm attack, the state of Himachal Pradesh has declared a red alert in its four districts of Kangra, Una, Bilaspur and Solan. R K Koundal, state Agriculture Director said in a statement that a massive swarm of locust has been ruining crops in the neighbouring states and may spread to Himachal Pradesh soon. He further added that the desert locust usually fly with the wind at a speed of about 16 to 19 km per hour depending on the wind. Farmers have bee asked to report any kind of locust attack to the nearby agriculture officers immediately. 

2. World’s largest all-electric plane takes its first successful flight.

On Thursday the world’s largest all-electric plane took its first victorious flight, lasting for about 30 minutes. The aircraft named ‘eCaravan’, is a Cessna 208 Caravan plane, which was fitted with a 750-horsepower electric motor manufactured by US-based startup MagniX and modified by AeroTEC, an aerospace engineering firm. The aircraft, which is about 37 feet long, has the capacity to hold nine passengers.

3. Google launches an experimental AR tool, ‘Sodar’ to help users keep social distance

Google has introduced an experimental AR app named Sodar that helps users gauge what a 2-meter distance looks like in actuality. The tool shows a line that suggests the distance you need to maintain. While using it, the line will move with the user and enable him/her to see the distance to maintain in every direction he/she goes in. 

4. Digital rights of Akshay Kumar’s ‘Laxmmi Bomb’ sold for Rs125 crore

Laxmmi Bomb starring Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani that was reported to be released online is said to have sold its digital rights for Rs 125 crore. A spokesperson for Disney+Hostar however has said that these are mere “hearsay and speculations.” The film is a remake of Tamil film Muni 2: Kanchana, originally directed by Raghava Lawrence. 

5. India to play T20I series from October 11 in Australia.

Cricket Australia has announced its international tournaments for the year 20-21 that involves 3 T20Is, 4 Tests and 3 ODIs against India men’s cricket team between October 11 and January 17. CA said that it is confident of conducting safe and successful games that promise to thrill cricket fans across the globe. India will commence their tour of Australia in the month of October. Further, the 4-Test series will begin from December 3. “The anticipated arrival of superpower India to play the Australian men’s teams across all formats, as well as the return of Australia’s all-conquering women’s team, are among the highlights scheduled for this summer,” the CA mentioned in its release. 

6. Researchers claim to have created 1st 3D map of neurons in a rat’s heart

Thomas Jefferson University researchers and their collaborators have claimed that they have created the first 3D map of the intracardiac nervous system (ICN) or “little brain” of a rat’s heart. The team has revealed the so far “unknown complexity of ICN”. Researchers found the location of neurons and sex-specific differences in the way neurons were organized, both spatially and by genders’ gene expression.

7. Researchers say they have found world’s oldest ‘bug’ fossil

A team of researchers of The University of Texas at Austin have said that they have found the world’s oldest “bug” fossil of a millipede. The 425-million-year-old fossil, belonging to the Scottish island of Kerrera, is older than any known fossil of an insect, arachnid, or other related organisms. Their discovery suggests that the bugs and plants evolved much more speedily than some scientists believe. 

8. India removes restrictions on the export of paracetamol APIs

The Indian Government on Thursday lifted restrictions on the export of paracetamol APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients). API is an active ingredient that is present in the medicines. On March 3, restrictions were imposed on the export of paracetamol and formulations made from the compound, by the government to increase domestic supplies amid the coronavirus outbreak in the nation. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stated, “The notification dated March 3 is “further amended to remove restriction on export of Paracetamol APIs, making its export free with immediate effect.” Paracetamol is a medicine used commonly to treat body pain and fever. Apart from Hydroxychloroquine India has also supplied Paracetamol to over 120 countries in the last two months as these two medicines are in huge demand to treat COVID-19. 

9. Henry Cavill may return as Superman in upcoming DC film: Reports

Actor Henry Cavill who played the lead in film Man of Steel released in 2013 is said to make a comeback as Superman in the upcoming DC film. This news comes days after Snyder made an announcement of the long-rumoured Snyder Cut of Justice League for HBO Max. However inside sources close to the actor state that Henry would not be gearing up for the director’s cut. Instead, it will be a cameo in one of DC’s upcoming films, which include Black Adam, Aquaman 2, The Suicide Squad, and The Batman.