News Flash (31st July 2020): Top 10 Stories Of The Day

1. UGC directs all universities to conduct week-long Sanskrit celebrations

UGC or the Union Grants Commission has directed all varsities to conduct a week-long virtual celebration of Sanksrit language commencing from Friday. UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain, in a letter to the vice-chancellors of all universities, has informed the universities that the Consortium of Sanskrit Universities has decided to celebrate the World Sanskrit Day by conducting week-long celebrations from July 31 to August 6. The letter further stated, “you are requested to organize activities in online mode on promotion of Sanskrit and cherish the glory of this great language.”

2. Schedule for CAT 2020 released, online registration to commence from August 5

Indian Institutes of Management will be conducting their common admissions test 2020 on 29 November 2020 as per the schedule that was released yesterday. The registration process will begin from August 20 and will end by September 15 of this year. Students will be able to access their admit cards by October 28 and the results of the entrance test will be out by the first or the second week of January.

3. Ban on international flights extended in India till August 31

With the number of coronavirus cases reaching an all-time high with more than fifteen lakh cases , most of the major cities including Delhi and Mumbai are still under strict lockdown. This might be one of the reasons for the DGMC’s decision on banning travel of International Commercial flights till August 31st. The claims of herd immunity sound impressive but experts say that its life would be short nevertheless.

4. Pak says, India gathering military capabilities beyond its security need

On hearing India’s acquisition of Rafale jets,Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson’s speech reflected fear and jealousy to a certain extent as his exact words were-“It is disturbing to note that India continues to amass military capabilities beyond its genuine security requirement,”The official spokesperson went to add that Pakistan isn’t affected by the South Asian Arms race and is confident in its own abilities.

5. Guinness records world’s tallest 12-yr-old giraffe of the height 18 ft 8 inches

A 12-year-old giraffe named Forest was deemed as the tallest living giraffe standing proud and tall with a height of 5.7metres. This Australian national’s has been now recorded in the Guinness world records and became an international icon overnight.

6. Revenue of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, falls for the first time ever

Alphabet, Google’s parent company’s revenue fell for the first time in history after the advertising revenues took spiked during the pandemic. Alphabet’s ad sales fell 8.1% year-on-year to $29.9 billion in the June quarter, while the overall revenue plunged down by 2% to $38.3 billion. The revenue from its Google segment stood at $38 billion, down 2% year-on-year.

7. US musician records meteorite shooting across night sky

An American musician named Amber Coffman has captured a spectacular video of a meteorite, which is now widely being shared on social media platforms. The musician shot the glowing meteorite shooting across the night sky and shared the video online. The video has received a huge number of views reaching the million figure. Describing the phenomenon as “one of the craziest things we have ever seen in our lives”, Amber Coffman said that it was a “meteor for the ages!”

8. Scientists say 11 of 47 native mammals are at risk of extinction in Britain

According to the first official Red List of UK mammals released by the country, 11 out of 47 mammals belonging to Britain have been categorized as being at imminent risk of extinction. Another five species, which include mountain hare and harvest mouse, have been labeled critically endangered. Others among the critically endangered are the wildcat and greater mouse-eared bat.

9. NASA’s Mars rover carrying a device capable of making oxygen from CO2 in Martian atmosphere

Reports mention that recently launched NASA’s Perseverance rover is carrying an experimental tool that has the ability to produce oxygen from the carbon dioxide present in Martian atmosphere. Nearly 96% of the gas in Mars’ atmosphere comprises of Carbon dioxide while oxygen is only 0.13%, compared to 21% on Earth. The device name “MOXIE”, is said to electrochemically split CO2 into oxygen and carbon monoxide molecules.

10. Cricket commentator Sanjay Manjrekar appeals to BCCI to rehire him for IPL

Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian batsman and now a commentator, has appealed to the BCCI to rehire him as a commentator for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). Earlier this year in March, the BCCI, without providing any explanation had sacked Sanjay Manjrekar. Sanjay however chose to break the silence and tweeted, “I have always considered commentary as a great privilege, but never an entitlement. It is up to my employers whether they choose to have me or not & I will always respect that. Maybe BCCI has not been happy with my performance of late. I accept that as a professional”.