Happy Birthday Sonu Sood: Wishes pour in for the real-life-superhero on his special day

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July 30, 2020

The car-size Perseverance rover launched atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station today at 7:50 a.m.

After touching down inside the 28-mile-wide (45 kilometers) Jezero Crater in February 2021, Perseverance will do things no Mars rover has ever done — hunt for signs of life it will also collect samples for future return to Earth and deploy a miniature helicopter.

“These are very, very exciting times,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said during a news conference on Monday (July 27).

Perseverance is a “very important mission for the United States of America, and, of course, a very, very important mission for the world.”

Matt Wallace, the mission’s deputy project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said the rover has already lived up to its name, as engineers persevered through the pandemic to ready the spacecraft for its much-anticipated launch.

“Nothing prepared us for what we had to deal with in the middle of March as the pandemic struck — not just our team, but communities across the country and the world,” Wallace said. “At that point in the mission, we were in our final assembly activities.

This launch marked NASA’s ninth journey to the Mars surface.

Perseverance is due to land at the base of an 820-foot-deep (250 meters) crater called Jezero. Even a former lake from 3.5 billion years ago that scientists suspect could bear evidence of potential past microbial life on Mars.

Meanwhile scientists have long debated whether Mars – once a much more hospitable place than it is today – ever harbored life. Water is considered a key ingredient for life and Mars had lots of it.

Hardik Pandya and Natasha Blessed With Baby Boy

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July 30, 2020

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder India cricketer, posted on social media to share that his partner Natasa Stankovic has given birth to a baby boy. “We are blessed with our baby boy,”.

https://twitter.com/hardikpandya7/status/1288778836872634368?s=20

Hardik Pandya captioned the picture of his new-born son. Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic, had announced their engagement on 1st January. And they revealed in May that they were expecting a baby.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2khRLFsAz/

Since after their announcement, couple has been sharing loved-up posts on social media. Recently they have even shared the pictures of their maternity shoot.

The couple had announced in May that they were expecting a child. Hardik announced the news on his Instagram profile, writing, “Natasa and I had a great journey together and it is just about to get better. Together we are excited to welcome a new life into our lives very soon. We’re thrilled for this new phase of our life and seek your blessings and wishes.”

Meanwhile, just after annoucement wishes started pouring.

India captain Virat Kohli wrote responding to the photo of Hardik’s baby boy “Congratulations to you both,”.

Yuzvendra Chahal also congratulate him on becoming a father.

“Congratulations my brother @hardikpandya7 on the birth of your son! Lots of love to Natasa, the beautiful boy and you. Hope everyone is healthy,” Opener Shikhar Dhawan wrote.

Navy steps up Indian Ocean operations

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July 30, 2020

A decisive message has been sent to China with the deployment of Indian Navy in strength in the Indian Ocean Region, with prime sources saying there is no rationale for concern as far as PLA presence is concerned and the strategic Malacca strait is being kept under strict observation.

The Indian Navy deployed a range of its front-line warships and submarines in the IOR when the border tension escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 in which 20 Indian army personnel were killed.

Also, the move suggests that India is tightening its grip on the Malacca Strait, a development that will clearly set off alarm bells in Beijing.

Sources in the defence and security establishment said that the “message has been registered” by China, ThePrint reported.

Jammu-Kashmir Reports 540 New COVID-19 Cases

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July 30, 2020

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded 540 fresh positive cases of Coronavirus, by this the total number of positive cases rises to 19,419. AIR reports that 11 more deaths were reported due to COVID-19, thus taking the number of people who died of the infection is 352 including 327 from Kashmir and 25 from Jammu division.

India is currently around five lakh Covid-19 tests every day and the plan is to double the number in next one-two months, Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.

During the launch of a compendium on ‘Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Technologies for Covid-19 Mitigation’, Vardhan said the country’s recovery rate of over 64 per cent is the best in the world while the fatality rate is nearly 2.2 per cent.

India has recorded 15,83,792 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 34,193 deaths.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Gujarat have reported the highest number of cases today. However, infections are rising rapidly in states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.While India’s recovery rate continues to rise and now stands at 64.4 percent.

Globally, there have been over 1.69 crore confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 6.63 lakh people have died so far.

Unlock phase 3 guidelines: Gyms to resume; schools, colleges to remain shut till 31 August

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July 30, 2020

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued fresh guidelines for phase 3 of unlock, relaxing the lockdown restrictions in areas outside containment zones amid the coronavirus outbreak. Unlock 3 guidelines will come into effect from August 1. the guidelines have been decided after balanced discussion with all the state governments, UTs, and central ministers.

What’s allowed?

Gymnaisum and Yoga centres will be allowed to open from August 5. However, a standard operating procedure for their opening will be issued by Minister of Health and Family Welfare.

NighUnder the new guidelines, government announced that night curfews imposed in the country to curb the virus will now be revoked. People can now freely move at night, and shops and commercial establishments will also be allowed to open till late in the night.

There shall be no restrictions of intra-state or inter-state of people or goods across the country and no additional pass or e-permit will be required for such movement, the order stated.

Here are the things that are not allowed:

Operations of Metro rail, cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditorium, assembly halls, and similar places shall continue to prohibited, the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered.o

“Social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations” shall also not be allowed.

Schools, colleges and coaching centres will also remain shut till August 31.

International air travel will continue to remain suspended until further notice. However, Vande Bharat Services will continue to be available for passengers.

According to the order, all other activities except the ones listed under prohibition shall be permitted outside the containment zones. Lockdown in containment zones will stay imposed till August 31, 2020. Within the premises of containement zones, strict socilal distancing and other norms shall be followed, the order said.

Meanwhile, India recorded the biggest surge in fresh Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, breaching the 52,000-mark for the first time, taking the total cases to 15,83,792. Government data shows 775 have died in the last 24 hours; the total casualties are now 34,968.

War memorial-Soldiers Martyred in Galwan clash will be honoured at war memorial

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July 30, 2020

The names of the 20 Indian soldiers martyred in the deadly Galwan Valley clash with Chinese troops in Ladakh on June 15 will be inscribed on the National War Memorial in Delhi, officials said on Wednesday.

The soldiers face-off numerically superior Chinese troops in the remote sector.

Colonel B Santosh Babu and the commanding officer of 16 Bihar, was among the 20 soldiers martyred in the seven-hour conflict near Patrolling Point 14 in Galwan Valley. Also Indian troops inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The names of all battle soldiers are inscribed on the memorial, the officials said.

Among the 20 Indian soldiers martyred in the incident, Col B Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of 16 Bihar was also the one to be martyred clash.

The War Memorial has been built to give tribute to the soldiers killed during the Indo-China War in 1962, the Indo-Pak Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, the Kargil Conflict in 1999, and the Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka.

Assembling of World’s Largest Fusion Reactor starts in French

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July 30, 2020

The truly huge International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) has arrived its years-long assembly phase. The fusion reactor has millions of distinctive parts that will eventually form the world’s largest tokamak, a plasma reactor was extremely hot, charged plasma creates the conditions necessary for atoms to fuse and release considerable amounts of energy.

The groundbreaking multinational experiment, known as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), has seen components arrive in the tiny commune of Saint-Paul-Les-Durance from production sites worldwide in recent months.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a recorded address, spoke on Tuesday of the project’s potential.

“Imagine, if the experience works, if it can find industrial applications, we will have developed a non-polluting, carbon-free, safe and almost waste-free energy, that will simultaneously meet the needs of all areas of the globe and meet the climate challenge and preserve natural resources,” he said.

The project involves international collaboration, which PM said it is a perfect symbol of Indian belief ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means the world is one family. The project is located in Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, Provence, southern France.

Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms combine to form a new atom and a neutron

The atoms are fired into a plasma where extreme temperatures overcome their repulsion and force them together

The fusion releases about four times the energy produced in atom-splitting nuclear fission, per gramme of fuel.

Jammu & Kashmir extends ban on 3G, 4G internet services till August 19

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July 30, 2020

The Jamu and Kashmir governement on Wednesday extended ban on high sped internet data in the union territory till August 19,2020. Internet remains restricted to 2G speed for post-paid sim cards and verified pre-paid sim cards. This decision came after anti-national activities witness rise over the coming weeks events inlcuding Article one year anniversaty of scrapping of article 370 and Independece Day.

Internet access across the Union Territory of J&K shall be made available; however, internet speed shall be restricted to 2G only and post-paid sim card holders shall be provided with access to internet: Jammu & Kashmir Government, ” ANI reported.

Internet access across the Union Territory of J&K shall be made available; however, internet speed shall be restricted to 2G only and post-paid sim card holders shall be provided with access to internet: Jammu & Kashmir Government pic.twitter.com/5Oy55DeF4s
— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2020

Earlier, centre had told Supreme Court that it would verify media reports quoting J&K Lieutenant-Governor G.C. Murmu saying 4G Internet speed shout be restored in the UT. It also sought time to file a reply to the rejoinder affidavit filed by an NGO. A bench of justices N V Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai adjourned the hearing for August 7.

The ban on high speed internet would complete one year on August 5 as the centre revoked special status of the former state under Article 370 and downgraded it two UTs – J&K and Ladakh last year.

The Principal Secretary Home Department Shaleen Kabra in an order said that 2G speed across the J&K would be made available with certain condition till August 19.

The order said “restrictions on access to internet through mobile data services have been necessitated” in view of its “misuse in planning and executing terror acts, including attacks on security forces, political workers and innocent civilians, propagation of ideologies inimical to the interests of the country, misguiding the youth to join terrorist ranks, communicating and coordinating with handlers across the border to facilitate infiltration”.

Wednesday’s order has come at a time when expectations were high that 4G high speed internet access would be restored in the UT shortly.

Khadi in demand- Red Cross to buy 1.80 lakh face masks

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July 30, 2020

As the popularity of the Khadi face masks grows across India because of its good quality and reasonable price. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has received purchase order from Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) for the supply of 1.80 lakh face masks.

IRCS demand that the masks should be made of 100% double-twisted handcrafted cotton fabric in brown colour with red piping. KVIC has especially designed these double-layered cotton masks for the IRCS . The mask will have suitably printed IRCS logo on the left side and the Khadi India tag on the right side. The supply of masks will begin by august.

The execution of this order will require over 20,000 meter of the fabric which will generate 9000 additional man-days for the Khadi artisans.

KVIC Chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena said that he welcomed the order from the IRCS and said the huge demand of Khadi Face Masks will play a major step in “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. “This order will help our Khadi artisans to produce more yarn and fabric and will further add to their income in these difficult times,” Saxena said.

Also KVIC has sold over 10 lakh face masks which includes double-layered Cotton Masks and triple-layered Silk Masks. The biggest order for face masks that the KVIC received was from the Jammu & Kashmir Government for 7 lakh masks.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered 700,000 khadi masks.

Previously buyers have been the Indian Railways, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Prime Minister’s Office, and several Central government ministries.

Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife MacKenzie Scott donates $1.7 billion of her wealth to various charities

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July 30, 2020

Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife MacKenzie Scott has donated $1.7 billion of her wealth to different causes, including racial equality, LGBTQ rights, public health and climate change, she revealed in a blog post.

“Like many, I watched the first half of 2020 with a mixture of heartbreak and horror,” she wrote.

“I began work to complete my pledge with the belief that my life had yielded two assets that could be of particular value to others: the money these systems helped deliver to me, and a conviction that people who have experience with inequities are the ones best equipped to design solutions,” she continued.

“Last fall, I asked a team of non-profit advisors with key representation from historically marginalized race, gender, and sexual identity groups to help me find and assess organizations having major impact on a variety of causes. Though this work is ongoing and will last for years, I’m posting an update today because my own reflection after recent events revealed a dividend of privilege I’d been overlooking: the attention I can call to organizations and leaders driving change,” the 50-year-old novelist added.

In her blog post, Scott has listed a total of 116 organizations that she has donated to. She also broke down how much she has donated to various causes by category, the top three causes Scott donated to were: racial equity ($587 million), economic mobility ($400 millon), and gender equity ($133 million).

Following up on the commitment I made last year to give away the majority of my wealth in my lifetime: https://t.co/Ocb8eU5UR1. (Note my Medium account is under my new last name — changed back to middle name I grew up with, after my grandfather Scott.)
— MacKenzie Scott (@mackenziebezos) July 28, 2020

Scott and Bezos divorced last year after 25 years of marriage, leaving her with a fortune of about $36 billion and making her the 13th-richest person in the world. Since then, her fortune has grown to more than $60 billion with a jump in Amazon’s shares this year. Bezos’ fortune has also skyrocketed.

MacKenzie Scott had joined the Giving Pledge – a list of billionaires who pledge to donate half of their fortune to those in need last year following her divorce. the Giving Pledge was started by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates in 2019.

Happy Friendship Day 2020: Quotes and images to share with your friends

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July 30, 2020

July 30 is celebrated as International Friendship Day, whereas in India the it is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. It will be celebrated on August 2 in India this year.

Friendship day is a much-awaited occasion to celebrate the special relationship with friends who stick with us through thick and thin. Friends, who are also known as our chosen family, play an important role in our life. It’s because of them we never feel alone and can always have someone to rely on. It’s difficult to tell our parents each and everything, moreover, they fail to understand us many-a-times due to the generation gap. But friends can truly relate to all our concerns.

Happy #FriendshipDay!

A year ago today young people around the world joined @bts_twt to show the power of kindness, respect and support. #BTSLoveMyself #ENDviolence pic.twitter.com/7F0xH5qzFS
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) July 30, 2020

Friendship Day is celebrated across several countries. It was first proposed in Paraguay in 1958 as International Friendship Day. It is, however, known to have originated from Hallmark Cards, by Joyce Hall, in 1930.

In 1998, Nane Annan, the wife of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, declared Winnie the Pooh as the global Ambassador of Friendship at the UN.

In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly (UN) designated July 30 as the International Day of Friendship to “promote a shared spirit of human solidarity in the form of friendship.” The sole idea to celebrate this day was to inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities across the world.e

On this day, people send greetings and gifts to their friends as a sign of acknowledgement. Children also tie friendship bands on each others’ wrist while some also gift chocolates and flowers. However, it might be difficult to meet your friends due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, but make sure to call them on this Friendship Day and let them know they’re never alone.

Thursday is #FriendshipDay! 🤗

Physical distancing during #COVID19 does not have to mean social or emotional isolation.
📲Connect with your friends
💙Be kind

We are in this together — & we will get through this together. https://t.co/7sFzedeiQL

🎨: Leyah Mirza pic.twitter.com/SzM9zIkRbD
— United Nations (@UN) July 30, 2020

As you celebrate this day, share these quotes and images with your friends to remind them of their value in your life.

Quotes

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival.”

“True friendship isn’t about being inseparable, it’s being separated and nothing changes.”

“The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.”

“You’re my bread when I’m hungry, you’re my shelter from troubled winds, you’re my anchor in life’s ocean, but most of all you’re my best friend.”

“Your friendship is a special gift generously given…happily accepted and deeply appreciated.”

Images

Maharashtra extends lockdown till 31 August

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July 30, 2020

Maharashtra state government on Wednesday extended the lockdown till August 31. Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar said the state remains “threatened with the spread of Covid-19”, adding that restrictions would be eased in a “phase-wise manner with SOPs”.

The advancement came hours after the Central government disclosed guidelines for ‘Unlock 3.0′. The decision to extend the lockdown has been taken as an ’emergency step to prevent and contain’ the spread of COVID-19.

A medical survey of nearly 7,000 people in Mumbai says that one in six or about 16 per cent of residents in the city had contracted the coronavirus. In slum areas, where lakhs of people live in cramped spaces usually sharing toilets, the number was a whopping 57 per cent.

As per new guidelines, movement of persons for the purpose of non-essential activities like shopping and outdoor exercises shall be restricted within neighbourhood area limits with mandatory precautions of wearing masks, social distancing and personal hygiene.

All necessary shops, e-commerce activity for essential and non-essential items, all industrial units which are presently operational and home delivery of food will be permitted.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, at the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday, told ministers he preferred a “gradual and calibrated” process of reopening.

Uddhav Thackeray also asked people not to get complacent in their fight against coronavirus and advised them to follow all the standards laid out by govt to fight the pandemic. “Even if I am not using the term lockdown, do not misunderstand and lower your guard. In fact, we need to show more stringent discipline,” he said.

Govt of Maharashtra issues directions to extend the lockdown, with amendments, to operationalize MISSION BEGIN AGAIN for easing of restrictions and phase-wise opening, till 31 August, 2020. pic.twitter.com/Dg13hUTPBe
— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2020

India, Cabinet unveils new National Education Policy 2020

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