News Flash (30th July 2020): Top 10 Stories Of The Day

1. India allows foreign universities to open campuses in the country under new NEP

The new National Education Policy or NEP states that the world’s top 100 universities will be allowed to operate in the country through a new law. NEP marks a significant shift in the format of undergraduate education. Four years multi-disciplinary Bachelor’s programme with exit options will be reintroduced. Similarly, high performing Indian universities will be encouraged to set up campuses in other countries.

2. Delhi University’s academic year to begin from 10 August

DU will commence the new academic session for the existing batch of students in third, fifth and seventh semesters in undergraduate courses and third semester for postgraduate courses. The university has not yet revealed the date from which the session for new batches will begin. The decision to start the session comes even with new UGC guidelines being opposed in the Supreme Court.

3. National Board of Examinations extends application deadline till 7 August

The NBE has deferred  the deadline to submit applications for the ongoing recruitment process till August 7. The initial deadline for the application was scheduled for July 31. The written exam part of the selection process will be conducted on 31 August by TCS.  Candidates who qualify the exam will have to appear for a skill test.

4. India to add 35000 additional troops along China border as tensions simmer

India is readying itself to place more 35,000 troops along the Himalayan border with China as the possibility for resolution of tensions fade. This move will change situations along the 3488 km Line of Actual Control and stretch the existing tight budget of defence. Currently the two sides are actively preparing for round five of commander talks to resolve issues on the ground.

5. Legendary chess master Vishwanathan Anand loses to Vasyl Ivanchuk in the final round

Indian chess ace Vishwanath Anand came second from bottom after a disappointing campaign at the Legends of Chess online tournament ended with him losing to long time rival Vasyl Ivanchul in the ninth and final round. After all the four games ended in draws, the contest went into a tie-breaker also called Armageddon. This was Anand’s eighth loss in the 150,000 USD tournament. 

6. Russian Covid vaccine to be ready by 12 August

The vaccine developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute is most likely to be registered by 12 August. It would then be approved for use, even as phase 3 trials are carried out. The vaccine has already claimed to have successfully completed human trials of phase 1. Its phase 2 trials began on 13 July. The production of the vaccine is expected to begin in September.

7. SC rejects plea to transfer Sushant Singh’s case to Central Bureau of Investigation

The Supreme Court has rejected  a petition seeking CBI enquiry into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s case. A three judge bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde dismissed the plea and asked to let police do its job. The PIL was filed by Alka Priya who was suggested to file a petition in the Bombay High Court.

8. Maharashtra govt to begin largest plasma trial across 21 medical colleges

The state of Maharashtra will start clinical trials using convalescent plasma therapy for severely ill 472 patients across 21 medical colleges next week. To encourage donors, the state government has incentivised the donation program wherein each plasma donor will get Rs 2000. The state government has already prepared a list of 3000 eligible donors and hope at least 20% will be ready post counselling.

9. UK PM rides made-in-India cycle at the launch of the anti-obesity scheme

Boris Johnson, Prime minister of the United Kingdom, rode a made-in-India cycle during the launch of a two billion pounds cycling and walking scheme as part of the government’s new anti-obesity campaign. The PM rode Insync’s cycle designed in Manchester and made in India by parent company Hero Cycles. Pankaj Munjal, CMD, Hero said that the scheme would be a landmark moment for cycling in the UK.

10. Samsung launches Galaxy M31s in India

South Korean company Samsung has introduced the Galaxy M31s with a 600mAh battery and an sAMOLED display. The smartphone was launched under the new mid range M-series today starting at Rs 19499 for 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage and variant with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage at Rs 21499. The device will be available in Mirage blue and Mirage black colours at Amazon.in, Samsung.com and select retail outlets from 12 noon, 6th August.