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February 28, 2026
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US President Donald Trump calls contracting covid-19 a “blessing from God”

U.S President Donald Trump released a video on Wednesday saying that catching coronavirus was a “blessing from God”. It helped him in experiencing the experimental treatments that he vowed would become free for all Americans.

Trump, after his release from Walter Reed military hospital, shared his experience of treatment and journey of his recovery so far.

“I think this was a blessing from God that I caught it. This was a blessing in disguise,” Trump said, adding that his use of the medication from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc had allowed him to experience first-hand how effective it could be.Trump, who has been widely criticized for a slow response to the pandemic that has killed more than 210,000 Americans and putting his own staff at risk by discouraging the use of masks in the White House and on the campaign trail, also cited similar medication from Eli Lilly and Co.

Commenting on the drug, he said: “I spent four days there (in hospital) and I wasn’t feeling so hot and within a very short period of time they gave me Regeneron. It was like, unbelievable. I felt good. Immediately. I felt as good, three days ago as I do now.”
“I want to get for you what I got. And I’m going to make it free,” Trump said, at one point calling the unapproved medicine a “cure.”

The White House assures president is back at the Oval office on Wednesday, being briefed about the economic stimulus and Hurricane Delta.

Despite his illness, Trump has been looking for ways to get his election message out and cut into Biden’s lead in battleground states, advisers said. His video message appeared to be a step in that direction.

UGC declares 24 universities as fake

The University Grants Commission has announced a list of total 24 unrecognised universities in the country. UGC now termed them as fake. Notably maximum of fake universities operating from Uttar Pradesh and then followed by Delhi.

Meanwhile, eight of these universities are from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi has seven, and Odisha and West Bengal two each.Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry and Maharashtra have one such fake university each.

“Students and public are informed that currently 24 self-styled, unrecognised institutions are functioning in contravention of the UGC Act, which have been declared as fake universities and these are not empowered to confer any degree,” UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain said.

Here is the full list of fake universities declared by the UGC:

Delhi

  1. Commercial University Ltd. Daryaganj, Delhi
  2. United Nations University, Delhi
  3. Vocational University, Delhi
  4. ADR-Centric Juridical University, Address – ADR House, 8J, Gopala Tower, 25, Rajendra Place, New Delhi — 110 008
  5. Indian Institution of Science and Engineering, New Delhi
  6. Viswakarma Open University for Self-employment, Address – India, Rozgar Sewasadan, 672, Sanjay Enclave, Opp. GTK Depot, New Delhi — 110 033
  7. Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya (Spiritual University),Address – 351-352, Phase-1, Block-A, Vijay Vihar, Rithala, Rohini, Delhi — 110 085

Karnataka

  1. Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokak, Belgaum

Kerala

  1. St. John’s University, Kishanattam, Kerala

Maharashtra

  1. Raja Arabic University, Nagpur

West Bengal

  1. Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Address – 80, Chowringhee Road, Kolkata — 20
  2. Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research, Address – 8-A, Diamond Harbor Road Builtech inn, 24 Floor, Thakurpukur, Kolkata — 700 063

Uttar Pradesh

  1. Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyala, Varanasi, U.P./Jagatpuri, Delhi
  2. Mahila Gram Vidyapith/Vishwavidyalaya, (Women’s University) Prayag, Allahabad (U.P.)
  3. Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad (U.P.)
  4. National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Kanpur
  5. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Achaltal, Aligarh (U.P.)
  6. Uttar Pradesh Vishwavidyalaya, Kosi Kalan, Mathura (U.P.)
  7. Maharana Partap Shiksha Niketan Vishwavidyalaya, Pratapgarh (U.P.)
  8. Indraprastha Shiksha Parishad, Institutional Area, Khoda, Makanpur, Noida Phase-2, (U.P.)

Odisha

  1. Nababharat Shiksha Parishad, Anupoorna Bhawan, Address – Plot No. 242, Pani Tanki Road, Shakti Nagar, Rourkela — 769 014
  2. North Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Address – University Road Baripada, Distt. Mayurbhanj, Odisha — 757 003

Puducherry

  1. Sree Bodhi academy of Higher Education, Address – No. 186, Thilaspet, Vazhuthavoor Road, Puducheey — 605 009

Andhra Pradesh

  1. Christ New Testament Deemed University, Address – # 32-23-2003, 7″ Lane, Kakumanuvarithota, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh — 522 002 or # fit No. 301, Grace Villa Apts., 7/5, Srinagar, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh — 522 002

Bihar Assembly Election 2020 – JDU has given seven seats to Jitan Ram Manjhi’s party

The first phase of Bihar will be crucial for Jitan Ram Manjhi in the NDA as he had breaked ties with the Grand Alliance. JDU has given total seven assembly seats to Jitan Ram Manjhi’s party Hindustan Awam Morcha out of its quota, out of which six seats are to be held in the first phase itself.

These include also the seats of Samadhin and Damad.

Jitanram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha has got seven seats in seat sharing in Bihar. These include Tikari, Imamganj, Barachatti, Makhdumpur, Sikandra, Kasba and Kutumba seats, out of which 5 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes while Tikari and Kutumba are for general castes. Not only this, all the 6 seats except Kutumba are to be voted in the first phase i.e. on October 28.

Jitan Ram Manjhi is the only MLA in seven seats won by Nitish Kumar’s quota. Notably in 2015, Manjhi won from Imamganj seat. At the same time, his Samadhin Jyoti Devi is contesting from Barachatti seat and Devendra Kumar, his son-in-law from Makhdumpur seat. Former minister Anil Kumar is trying his luck before Techari.

At Indian Air Force’s 88th Anniversary, know about IAF

Indian Air Force Day is celebrated every year on 8 October in our country. Today, the Indian Air Force is celebrating its 88th Foundation Day. Spectacular parades and grand air shows are organized on the occasion of Air Force Day. Like every year, this time also the Air Force display its bravery at Hindon Base. One to one aircraft and jawans of the Air Force seen doing amazing tricks in the air.

The Air Force was established on 8 October 1932. The Air Force was earlier called the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) before the country became independent.

On 1 April 1933, the first squadron of the Air Force was formed, which included 6 AF-Trend officers and 19 airmen. After independence, the word “Royal” was dropped from the Air Force’s name to just “Indian Airforce”. The Indian Air Force also played an important role during the Second World War.

The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force. At the same time, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Four Star Rank, heads the Air Chief Marshal Air Force and is responsible for all its functioning. There is never more than one Air Chief Marshal in the Indian Air Force. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi. The President of India serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force.

The motto of the Indian Air Force is ‘Nabah Sprishnam Deeptam’ in Sanskrit. In English it means ‘touch the sky with glory’.

According to the information given on the official website of the Indian Air Force, the motto of the Indian Air Force is taken from the eleventh chapter of the Gita and it is a part of the sermon given by Lord Shri Krishna to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra during the great war of Mahabharata.

Scientists win historic Nobel chemistry prize for ‘genetic scissors’

The Nobel Prize in chemistry went to two researchers Wednesday for a gene-editing tool that has revolutionized science by providing a way to alter DNA, the code of life—the technology already being used to try to cure a host of diseases and raise better crops and livestock.

Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A Doudna will share the 10m Swedish kronor (£870,000) prize announced on Wednesday by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.

The researchers won the prize for “the development of a method for genome editing”, according to the formal citation from the Nobel committee.

Charpentier and Doudna were working independently when they stumbled upon different pieces of information that later came together to be developed into this technology.

Charpentier, a biologist then working at a laboratory in Sweden, needed the expertise of a biochemist to process the new information she had got on the genetic sequences in a particular bacteria she had been working on called Streptococcus pyogenes.

Previous winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

2019 – John B Goodenough, M Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino share the prize for their work on lithium-ion batteries.

2018 – Discoveries about enzymes earned Frances Arnold, George P Smith and Gregory Winter the prize.

2017 – Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson were awarded the prize for improving images of biological molecules.

2016 – Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart and Bernard Feringa shared the prize for the making machines on a molecular scale.

2015 – Discoveries in DNA repair earned Tomas Lindahl and Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar the award.

2014 – Eric Betzig, Stefan Hell and William Moerner were awarded the prize for improving the resolution of optical microscopes.

2013 – Michael Levitt, Martin Karplus and Arieh Warshel shared the prize, for devising computer simulations of chemical processes.

2012 – Work that revealed how protein receptors pass signals between living cells and the environment won the prize for Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka.

Prof. Charpentier, 51, and Prof. Doudna, 56, are just the sixth and seventh women to receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and this is the first time a Nobel science prize goes to a women-only team.

Prof. Charpentier told reporters she considered herself “a scientist” first, but hoped the prize would provide “a really strong message for young girls”.

PM Modi launches Jan Andolan campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a campaign today by way of a Tweet on Jan Andolan for COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour.

Significance

The campaign has been launched in view of the upcoming festivals and winter season as well as the opening up of the economy during COVID-19 pandemic.

Launching a ‘Jan Andolan’ campaign for COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, the PM made the appeal to people to follow social distancing norms and expressed confidence that the fight against the pandemic will be won.

Jan Andolan campaign: Key Highlights

The campaign includes region-specific targeted communication in high case-load districts, simple and easily understandable messages to reach every citizen.

Dissemination throughout the country using all media platforms, banners and posters at public places involving frontline workers, and targeting beneficiaries of government schemes.

The campaign also involves putting up of hoardings, wall paintings, electronic display boards in government premises, the involvement of local and national influencers to drive home the message, running mobile vans for regular awareness generation, audio messages, pamphlets and brochures for awareness

It would also involve seeking the support of local cable operators for running COVID messages and coordinated media campaign across platforms for effective outreach and impact.

The campaign is aimed to encourage people’s participation or a Jan Andolan.

It endeavours to be a low-cost, high-intensity campaign with the key messages of ‘Wear a mask, follow physical distancing and maintaining hand hygiene’

A concerted action plan will be implemented by Central government ministries, departments, state governments and Union territories.

The campaign would also seek the support of local cable operators to run COVID messages and coordinated media campaign across platforms for effective outreach and impact.

Wipro announces plans to buyback shares

Wipro Ltd will discuss on 13 October a proposal to buy back its equity shares, the software services company said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

This follows larger peer Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Ltd approving in a board meeting earlier in the day a ₹16,000 crore programme to buy back equity shares at ₹3,000 apiece.

The Bengaluru-headquartered company will also announce its earnings for the quarter ended September on the same day, it said in an exchange filing on Oct. 7, while not revealing other details about the buyback.

The Azim Premji-founded company had, as on Sept. 30, net cash reserves of Rs 29,900 crore.

The announcement comes on a day when larger rival Tata Consultancy Services Board has cleared an up to Rs 16,000 crore buyback plan.

“…the Board of Directors will be considering a proposal of buyback of equity shares of the company at the…meeting scheduled to be held on October 13, 2020,” Wipro said in a regulatory filing. However, no other details were provided.

“The outcome of the Board meeting will be communicated to the stock exchanges soon after the conclusion of the Board meeting on October 13, 2020,” it added. Wipro is also slated to announce its results for the September quarter that day.

Meanwhile, ICICI Securities expects Wipro’s global IT services revenues to increase 1.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) in constant currency mainly led by project ramp-ups and lower base in the previous quarter.

Further, with the cross-currency tailwind, the brokerage firm expects dollar revenues to increase by 2.4 per cent QoQ. EBIT margins in global IT services are expected to increase 20 basis points QoQ to 19.2 per cent, mainly led by operating leverage benefit.

Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy slams Indian channel for censorship on the show

Dan Levy, the star and co-creator of the beloved television series “Schitt’s Creek,” was not happy to find out that a channel in India had removed a gay kiss scene from the Emmy Award-winning show.

“You showed the kiss between two women, you showed the kiss between a woman and a man, then removed the kiss between two men? This is a show about the power of inclusivity. The censorship of gay intimacy is making a harmful statement against that message. #loveislove,” he wrote.

Levy had pointed out a snippet from the show that Comedy Central India had shared on Twitter in March 2019 when the show was being aired on the channel.

Last year, Comedy Central India had shared a three-minute-long clip on Twitter from one of the episodes of the show’s fifth season.

But apparently, a kissing scene between Levy’s character David and actor Dustin Milligan’s Ted had been edited from the clip.

Schitt’s Creek swept up all seven major comedy awards at the 2020 Emmys for its final season, with acting wins for all four lead stars.

The Canadian comedy series has been praised for its positive representation of LGBTQ+ communities.

Covid-19 update: India records 78,524 cases in last 24-hour

India’s Covid-19 tally crosses 68-lakh mark with a spike of 78,524 new cases & 971 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, according to the latest data from the health ministry.

Total case tally stands at 68,35,656 including 9,02,425 active cases, 58,27,705 cured/discharged/migrated cases & 1,05,526 deaths: Union Health Ministry

11,94,321 samples tested for Covid-19 yesterday. Total 8,34,65,975 samples tested in the country up to 7th October: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

More than 75,000 recoveries are being recorded in the country everyday which are 6.3 times of the number of active cases.

Here’re more updates related to Covid-19

*Kerala ministers MM Maniand K T Jaleel tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday. Five members of the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet have been infected with the virus so far.

*CM Kejriwal allowed restaurants to open 24/7 as a part of Unlock 5.0.

*Kerala for the first time reocrded over 10,000 coronavirus cases on Wednesday.

*The US president Donald Trump once again lashed out at China accusing them of spreading the coronavirus disease.

“It was China’s fault. And China’s going to pay a big price for what they’ve done to this country. China is going to pay a big price for what they’ve done to the world. This was China’s fault. Just remember that,” Trump said in the video message.

*Researchers have found long-term exposure to urban air pollution may have made COVID-19 virus more deadly.

*Maharashtra has become the first state to regulate the rates of face masks amid the pandemic.

*Brazil – the second-worst country by the pandemic — crossed 5 million mark of confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday. the country is also inching close to recording 150,000 deaths.

*Health minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday said India’s continuously rising recovery rate and falling active cases is the result of Centre-led COVID-19 containment strategy.

Protestors can’t block public spaces, peaceful protest allowed: SC

In a major decision, the Supreme Court, on Wednesday, ruled out that authorities should not let protestors block public spaces like they did in Shaheen Bagh, while emphasising peaceful protests are allowed to take place at designated areas.

The court called Shaheen Bagh protest against the citizenship law a failing on the part of administration which resulted into major inconvenience for localites.

The apex court was hearing a bunch of petitions which sought directives from the court on right to protest at public spaces.

The bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Aniruddha Bose and Krishna Murari said that staging protests is a democratic right and the petitions challenging the CAA before the apex court can nor take away the right of citizens to protest.

However, it asserted that blocking public spaces and roads cannot be resorted in the name of democracy. One has to be obligated to perform fundamental duties as well as per the constitution, the bench said.

“Democracy and dissent go hand in hand… (But) Occupying public places like Shaheen Bagh for protests is not acceptable… Authorities have to act on their own and cannot hide behind courts… Public places cannot be occupied indefinitely like during the Shaheen Bagh protests,” the Supreme Court said.

Writing the judgment for the bench, Justice Kaul said, “Such kind of occupation of public ways, whether at the site in question or anywhere else, for protests is not acceptable and the administration ought to take action to keep areas calear of enroachments or obstructions… We hope such a situation does not arise in future and protests are subject to legal position as enunciated above, with some sympathy and dialogue, but are not permitted to get out of hand.”

Last winter, massive protests were held in Shaheen Bagh area of Delhi against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). The sit-in protest, led by women lasted for nearly four months.

SC to hear plea seeking CBI probe into Disha Salian’s death

The Supreme Court will hear a plea which demanded a court-monitored probe into the alleged mysterious death of Sushant Singh Rajput’s former manager Disha Salian. The PIL sought Disha’s case’s investigation along with Sushant’s death case as both are claimed to be “inter-linked”.

The plea will be produced before a bench of 3 judges headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde.

Disha died by suicide a week before Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his apartment. Following which, many suspected foul play and since then, conspiracy theories claiming both the cases are interlinked have been floating on the internet.

However, Disha’s parents did not suspect any foul play and had denied any probe into her death.

Her father in an interview with India today said that her death has been used by people to take mileage.

“Please don’t defame our daughter and take mileage (meri beti ko badnam Kar ke apna fayda mat uthayi) do not play with her, ” he had said.

They added, “She was our only child, we lost our only daughter, now they have tarnished her image badly and now after her death they are after us. They want to kill us by harassing us like this.”

Meanwhile, the plea filed by Puneet Kaur Danda through advocate Vineet Dhanda has sought court to order Mumbai Police to carry out a thorough probe into her death, after it was reported that her case file has been misplaced.

“According to a family statement given to Mumbai Police, the family was happy with the relationship. The couple was waiting for the lockdown to get over and wanted to get married immediately. Just before the lockdown, Disha and Rohan had brought 2 BHK flat in the Regent Galaxy building at Malad West…..”, said the plea.

“The Bihar Police reached Malwani Police Station to seek details about Sushant’s ex-manager’s death. However, the Mumbai Police told Bihar Police that the description of her case has been ‘deleted by accident’ and cannot be retrieved. This is to be noted that the Mumbai Police investigating officer initially was ready to share the details of the case but things changed after he received a call,” the plea claimed.

IPL 2020: Rohit Sharma impressed Suryakumar Yadav’s shot selection

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma commented that Suryakumar Yadav’s shot selection has been perfect during their last match against Rajasthan Royals.

“It (a big knock) was coming… I spoke to him (Surya) before the game as well. He was batting really well all these games. He got off to a good start and it was just about making sure that the shot-making sometimes can be very-very important and today his shot-making was perfect,” Rohit said after the match.

“We wanted him to bat till the end because of those innovative shots that he has, it was quite handy towards the end.”

Rohit stated that the UAE pitches are favoring the fast bowlers more than spinners.

“When we knew that the IPL is going to happen in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, we were not sure how the pitches were going to be, whether the pace battery we have got will be helpful or not. But coming here and looking at the pitches here, it is quite helpful for the seamers.

Royals skipper Steve Smith alleges that their top order failed to perform and that is the result of their third straight defeat.

“Obviously, losing wickets early does not help us. We haven’t been able to get off to a good start in the last three games. So outside of Jos (Buttler) and Jofra (Archer) in the end there, we have got to do a bit of work with our batting,” said Smith.

“I don’t think we need to panic too much. It is just about implementing our plans and playing some good cricket for longer, we have not been able to do that in the last three games and we got to turn that around quickly.”  

Rohan Jaitley files nomination for DDCA President’s post

Arun Jaitley, son Rohan Jaitley who is also an advocate has filed his nomination papers — two sets of papers — for Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president’s post, a position that his father held for almost 14 years before his political career.

“I have filed the nominations because one has to work. Cricket administration is not easy. Things need to be done that are appropriate to the requirement of the subject here [DDCA],” said Rohan Jaitley.

Shashi Khanna, the wife of former acting BCCI president and ex-DDCA vice-president CK Khanna, has also taken part in DDCA nominations. She is also one of the strongest candidates for the DDCA treasurer’s post. She is likely to face Gautam Gambhir’s uncle Pawan Gulati,

“I am definitely contesting for the treasurer’s post. I have filed two sets of papers only to be on the safer side. Some other individuals have also filled their papers for this post, but most of them are individuals and don’t belong to any groups. Individuals are weaker candidates than those fielded by groups. So, they are expected to eventually withdraw,” Shashi Khanna said.

IPL 2020: Ponting in talks with ICC to bring runs penalty says Ashwin

IPL 2020 update, Ricky Ponting, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashwin on mankind
IPL 2020 update, Ricky Ponting, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashwin on mankind

Ravichandran Ashwin said the Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting is pitching ICC (International Cricket Council) to bring in a run penalty for batsmen going ahead of the crease.

Ashwin had had warned Aaron Finch for moving out of the crease before he bowled his delivery. In last year’s IPL, he polarised opinion by makinding Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler in a similar fashion.

“He (Finch) has been a good friend since we played together for KXIP. So I let it slide as a final warning. Punishment should be severe, dock 10 runs for backing up. Nobody will do that. Getting batsmen like this is not a skill. But no options for the bowler either,” he said.

“I will say this. Can’t stop thefts till thieves repent. I cannot be police forever. I tagged Ponting in the tweet. He said he would have asked me to run him out. He said ‘a wrong is a wrong’. He’s talking to the ICC committee about a penalty. He is really trying hard to keep his promise.”

Ashwin said that he always knew the batsmen would move out of the crease due to the nature of grounds in Dubai.

“When we played (against RCB), one side of the ground was big, I knew someone would back up because scoring boundaries was not that easy. They had guys who could convert twos. So I knew it would happen. I went into my jump while delivering the ball and a gold helmet floated past. I stopped and thought, he was still outside the crease, just staring,” he said.

TCS Announces Salary Hike for Its Employees From October 1

India’s biggest IT company today said that salary hike for its employees will be rolled out effective October 1. TCS consolidated headcount stood at 453,540 as of September 30, 2020.

“The salary increase will across all bands of employees and it (the quantum) will be similar to what we had done in the past,” said Milind Lakkad, the chief human resource officer at the Tata Group company. 

With this, TCS has become the first among the Indian IT firms to announce a pay increase. 

It further added that investments in people, progressive HR policies and an empowering culture have made TCS the global industry benchmark in talent retention. In Q2, its IT Services attrition rate (LTM) was at 8.9%, an all-time low.

“We want to thank all TCSers for the incredible resilience they have shown during these trying times. We are happy to announce that we will be rolling out salary increases, effective October 1st,” it said.

In April, TCS had decided to freeze salary hikes this year due to uncertainty stemming from the pandemic. It had assured employees that there will be no layoffs and neither will the job offers to 40,000 new hires be rescinded.

India’s largest software services outsourcer has seen its profit rise and margin bounce back in the July-September period on the back of strong deal wins and smoothening of supply-side constraints.

The filing said the Board has approved a buyback plan of up to Rs 16,000 crore, priced at Rs 3,000 per equity share.

This is 9 per cent higher than the closing price of TCS shares on BSE on Wednesday.

TCS shares closed at Rs 2,737.4 apiece on Wednesday.

“The Board has approved a proposal to buy back up to 5,33,33,333 equity shares of TCS, being 1.42 per cent of the total paid-up equity share capital, at Rs 3,000 per equity share for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs 16,000 crore,” it said.

The company has also announced an interim dividend of Rs 12 per share.