News Flash (30th April 2020): Top 11 Stories Of The Day

1.UGC to commence academic year of 2020-21 for old students from August 1

The academic year of 2020-21 is going to commence from August 1 for old students of UGC (University Grants Commission). The academic year for the new students of UGC will begin from September 1, the admission process for which will begin from 1st August and go on till 30th August. For the examinations of UGC that are still left pending, will take place in the month of July and August. 

2. Remdesivir, a drug found by the US speeds recovery of COVID-19 patients

A drug called Remdesivir, claims US’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, to be beneficial in providing speedy recovery to COVID-19 patients. The scientists of WHO have also found the drug Remdesivir to be promising. The use of this drug has found to be about 30 percent faster than other drugs that are currently used for the recovery of COVID-19 patients. “The data shows that remdesivir has a clear-cut, significant, positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci. This has upped the hopes of countries across the globe. 

3. The students of IIT Jammu develop face-shield for police on trial basis

Students of IIT Jammu along with the help of the faculty have designed a face-shield to help the police to protect themselves from Coronavirus and will be provided to them on a trail basis soon. These shields are produced using 3D printers and can be produced on a mass scale. Apart from the face shields, various other teams of IIT Jammu are also interested in developing ventilators, UV sanitation chambers, PPEs and few other products.

4. Microsoft CEO Nadella says, “We saw two years of digital transformation in two months.”

The CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella has said that “Microsoft has witnessed two years’ worth of digital transformation in just two months of its third-quarter.” In addition to this he added, “’From remote teamwork and learning to sales and customer service to critical cloud infrastructure and security, we are working alongside customers every day to help them stay open for business in a world of remote everything,” This is observed as an effect of worldwide lockdown. People now are changing their current work environment and have understood the importance of building a comprehensive solution to bring together businesses, communications, collaboration built on a foundation of security and privacy.

5. Films screened online to be eligible for the entry at 93rd Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has allowed the films released and streamed online to enter the forthcoming 93rd Oscars, considering the shutdown of the movie industry due to the spread of Coronavirus. The organizers of this award show said that this is a ‘temporary exception’ taken due to the shut down of theatres. “The Academy supports our members and colleagues during this time of uncertainty. We recognize the importance of their work being seen and also celebrated, especially now, when audiences appreciate movies more than ever,” said the Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson while making this announcement. 

6. Elon Musk calls imposing lockdowns ‘fascist’ and ‘undemocratic’.

Tesla company’s billionaire CEO Elon Musk has criticized the US government for taking such an undemocratic move of imposing countrywide lockdown as a measure to contain the spread of Coronavirus. He has called this decision ‘fascist’ and said that people were denied are their right to freedom of movement in their own country. This he said will also heavily damage the economy of the country. “They should be allowed to stay in the house and they should not be compelled to leave. But to say that they cannot leave their house, and they will be arrested if they do, this is fascist. This is not democratic. This is not freedom. Give people back their goddamn freedom.” said the Tesla chief during his earnings update for the electric carmaker.

7. Since Feb, 700 died from drinking methanol believing it to a cure for COVID-19: Iran

More than 700 people have died in Iran since February because of the consumption and ingesting of Methanol as a false belief of it being a cure for Coronavirus. Iran is amongst the worst-hit nation in the Middle-East for Coronavirus with around 99,000 confirmed cases and about 5000 reported deaths. 

8. Chan Zuckerberg initiative to offer $13.6 million to fund two COVID-19 studies

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s and his wife Priscilla Chan’s ‘Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’ has decided to offer a sum of $13.6 million to fund two coronavirus studies. The first study is said to provide information related to the changing rates of infections to policymakers and executors to help them decide how to safely reopen the economy based on these rates. The second study is to focus on healthcare workers and examine whether antibodies are capable of protecting individuals against future infections.

9. India loses yet another legend with passing away of Rishi Kapoor at age 67

Veteran Bollywood actor, Rishi Kapoor passed away today at 8:45 am at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai after battling with Leukemia for two long years. The news has left not just India but the world in a shock. The actor had retired to India last year in September after taking a treatment for Leukemia in New York. A few days back, since Rishi Kapoor’s health deteriorated, he was admitted to the hospital. After his death, the family in its statement to the fans said, “The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last,”. The statement also appealed to his fans to stay indoors and pay tribute to the actor, given the lockdown situation in India.

10. Japan confers Indian doctor, the order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays’

Indian doctor from Manipul named Thangjam Dhabali Singh has been conferred the ‘Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays’ by the Japanese government for promoting friendly relations between Japan and India and deepening ties between the two countries. The ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ is conferred on people who carry achievements in international relations, promote Japanese culture environmental preservation and achieve a feat in their respective fields. 

11. T S Trimurthi appointed as India’s permanent representative to UN

Diplomat T S Tirumurti, currently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs has now been appointed as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. This position is currently held by Syed Akbaruddin who is soon to retire in the coming month. He has been serving as India’s Permanent Representative to the UN since January 2016.