Coronavirus updates| August 27, 2020, West Bengal government extended the lockdown in the state till the middle of September

-

August 27, 2020

North Korea’s state media has released new photos of supreme leader Kim Jong UN amid rumours of his deteriorating health, underscoring how little the world knows about the secretive state.

Recently, reports stating Kim Jong Un is in come surfaced after an ex-South Korean diplomat claimed to have gotten the information from China.

Now, the pictures released by Kim’s regime appear to put rumours to an end as they show the 36-year-old looking in the pink of health while he held a meeting on Tuesday of the poiltburo of the workers party to call for prevention efforts against the coronavirus and typhoon Bhavi, Korean Central News Agency.

The meeting assessed “some defects in the state emergency anti-epidemic work for checking the inroads of the malignant virus,” KCNA said in a statement.

The pictures still remain suspicious as they were syndicated through the Associated Press which said no independent journalist was allowed to attend the meeting. And going by the history, it is not new for North Korea to manipulate state media reports for political purposes.

The confusion remain reminiscent after Seoul-based news site Daily NK reported in April that Kim had undergone what they said was a failed “cardiovascular surgical procedure”, leaving him bed ridden. The statement was supported by his less public appearances this year including events honoring his grandfather. But North Korea in their own subtlety refuted rumours by releasing pictures of the leader looking healthy during inauguration of a fertilizer factory in May. However the South Korean diplomat has claimed that his subsequent public appearances were previously recorded.

Meanwhile, North Korea on Wednesday issued alert for most regions in preparation for Typhoon Bavi, which is set to hit the country later this week.

North Korean daily, the Rodong Sinumun, reported that various sectors are rolling out damage prevention before the typhoon hist the country. These sectors include coal mining and extractive industries, thermopower and hydropower.

In other news related to North Korea, the country hasn’t reported a single case of the novel coronavirus that has claimed hundreds of thousand lives worldwide. The country had, however, enforced strict lockdown in Pyongnang in July after what they said was first suspected case of coronavirus. The reports of the suspected case were indecisive.

India to take part in combat drills with China in Russia, first time troops of two countries will see each other in a friendly exercise after LAC dispute

By

-

August 27, 2020

Amidst the ongoing military confrontation with China and Pakistan, India has decided to take part in combat drills with armed forces personnel with both the countries in a multi-nation exercise being organised by Russia next month.

Preparations for #Kazkaz2020 Strategic Command & Control Exercise are underway in Russia. Indian military representatives among the participants. https://t.co/4uVteVg0Z4
— Russia in India (@RusEmbIndia) August 25, 2020

This will be the first time that troops of the two countries will see each other in a friendly exercise since tensions began along the LAC in Ladakh early May.

A tri-Service Indian contingent of around 200 officers and troops will take part in the Kavkaz 2020 (Caucasus 2020) “strategic command-post exercise”. The exercise will take place in the Astrakhan region of south Russia from September 15 to 26, as per the report by TOI.

India’s participation in the exercise has amazed some countries. China, in fact, is learnt to be sending a large contingent, along with three ships, for the exercise.

“But it’s not as if our troops are going to exercise with just Chinese and Pakistani soldiers. It’s a multilateral exercise being hosted by Russia, with participation from at least 18 countries,” said a senior officer.

In all, 13,000 troops will participate in the exercise, sources in the defence establishment said.

Along with India, china and Pakistan Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Belarus, Turkey, Armenia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are also set to take part in Kavkaz 2020.

The Russian Embassy in India has tweeted that almost a month before the Kavkaz 2020 kicks off, “VI international military forum Army-2020 – first major defence expo this year – opened near Moscow. 1,500 companies, over 28,000 pieces of hardware and weaponry, 18 foreign delegations. Indian delegation is led by Raj Kumar, Secretary, Defence Production in India. Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Raj Kumar and Ambassador inaugurated the India Pavilion at #Army2020 outside Moscow and visited other pavilions showcased at the exhibition, including #IndiaRussia #Brahmos JV pavilion.”

Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Raj Kumar and Ambassador inaugurated the India Pavilion at #Army2020 outside Moscow and visited other pavilions showcased at the exhibition, including #IndiaRussia #Brahmos JV pavilion @PMOIndia @DefenceMinIndia @DefProdnIndia @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/Jqiy8Ki4jG
— India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) August 23, 2020

James Anderson made it clear that he wants to enter in the 700 club

By

-

August 26, 2020

After becoming the first fast bowler to take 600 wickets in Test cricket, James Anderson said that he can also join the 700 wicket club where only two legendary spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne have reached so far. England fast bowler Anderson took his 600th wicket by dismissing Pakistani captain Azhar Ali during the third Test match on Tuesday. He is now fourth in the list of highest wicket-taking bowlers after Muralitharan (800), Warne (708) and Anil Kumble (619).

This 38-year-old bowler clearly stated his intentions after the match draw ended. According to ESPNcricinfo, Anderson said, “I talked to Joe (Root) about this and he said that he would like to see me in Australia next year’s Ashes series. I don’t see any reason why I can’t be in the team. I am working hard on my fitness as always. I’m working hard on my game as well.”

He said, “I could not bowl like I wanted to do this summer, but in this Test, I really felt that I can still contribute to this team. As long as I keep feeling like this then I would like to stay in the game. I don’t think I have won my last Test match as an England cricketer. Can I reach 700 wickets? Why not?’

Anderson took five or more wickets in the innings for the 29th time in the third Test. Among the fast bowlers, only Richard Hadley is ahead of them in this matter. He said that the hunger for his wickets will never reduce yet and that is the reason he is playing even now. He said, “Right now the Test Championship is going on we need to play in the Test series and win the Test matches. I am interested in all of them. I still like going to practice every day, working hard, and being in the team to win for England.”

Anderson said, “I only think about it. I will continue to work hard in the gym and keep myself available for selection. It is for the selectors, coaches, and captain to decide how they want to take the team forward, but as long as they want me in the team, I will keep working hard and try to prove that I am on this team I am able to play from.

IPL 2020: Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royal have completed their quarantine 6-day-period

By

-

August 26, 2020

Players of Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals (RR), who arrived in Dubai last week, have completed the mandatory 6-day quarantine and during this time they also went through the mandatory COVID-19 test, successfully all the players and support staffs are tested negative for the COVID-19.

To avoid the heat of Dubai, these teams have planned to practice in the evening. Kings XI and Royals were among the early teams to reach UAE. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team also reached the UAE last Thursday.

According to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Cricket Board of India, the players were tested on the first, third, and sixth days after arriving here, and after getting negative in all three tests, players of Kings XI and Royals are preparing for practice.

Players were not allowed to leave their rooms during the six-day stay. A source said in reference to the Royals, “All the players who have arrived here from India have been tested thrice and they will start practice now.”

The Royals team will practice at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai. South African cricketer David Miller, who joined the Royals this year, arrived here on Tuesday and will be able to practice only after completing his segregation. Kings XI South African player Hards Viljoen who came late will also have to go through such a process.

Reserve Bank of India | GDP to contract in the second quarter too

By

-

August 26, 2020

The economy could turn around and inflation could ease by the fourth quarter of the ongoing financial year, according to the RBI’s model that most closely reflects reality.

Economic upticks visible in May and June after the easing of coronavirus-related lockdown appear to have lost strength in July and August, mainly due to the re-imposition of restrictions, the Reserve Bank of India said on Tuesday. That suggested the GDP likely to contract in the second quarter as well, the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI) said in its annual report released.

The release of the central bank’s annual report comes days ahead of the release of official data on GDP for the quarter ended June 30.

Bank frauds, in value terms involving an amount of Rs 1 lakh and above, have more than doubled in 2019-20 period to Rs 1.85 trillion from Rs 71,543 crore in 2018-19 period, up 159 per cent. In volume terms, however, the total fraud cases have jumped 28 per cent to 8,707 in 2019-20 from 6,799 in 2018-19, revealed the annual report of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the year 2019-20.

Currency notes of ₹2,000 denomination were not printed in 2019-20 and the circulation of these notes have declined over the years, according to RBI’s annual report.

The number of ₹2,000 currency notes in circulation has come down from 33,632 lakh pieces at end-March 2018 to 32,910 lakh pieces at end-March 2019 and further to 27,398 lakh pieces at end-March 2020, the RBI Annual Report said.

Pointing to the weakness in indicators of investment demand and capital expenditure in the economy, it said there was a need for a government-led investment revival. “The corporate tax cut of September 2019 has been utilised in debt servicing, build-up of cash balances and other current assets rather than restarting the capex cycle,” the RBI said.

Meanwhile, Financial liabilities of Indian households dropped in the previous fiscal in another indicator of weak demand even before the pandemic disrupted economic activity.

Net financial savings of households are estimated to improve to 7.6% of the gross national disposable income in fiscal 2019-20, according to preliminary estimates published by the Reserve Bank of India in its annual report. This is a reversion to trend after the indicator fell to 6.4%, the lowest in the current GDP series, in 2018-19.

Afghanistan is all set to play a Test match in Australia

By

-

August 26, 2020

Afghanistan could play their first Test match with Australia later this year. According to the website ESPNcricinfo’s, this test match between the two teams can be played in Perth from 7 to 11 December.

As per the website, the cricket boards of the two countries are at the final point of discussion on this tour and the only thing that has to be decided is whether the match will be played in a day-night format or a normal Test match.

According to the future tour schedule, Australia was supposed to host Afghanistan in November, soon after the postponed T20 World Cup. This World Cup has been postponed due to COVID-19 and due to this the schedule many bilateral series has been are postponed.

This proposed Test match, however, will not be a part of the ongoing ICC Test Championship, as only the top nine teams are participating in this championship and it does not include three full members – Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.

If there is a Test match with Australia, it will be Afghanistan’s fifth Test match. They played their first Test match against India. Apart from this, they also played Test matches against West Indies, Ireland and Bangladesh.

IPL 2020: Delhi capital assistant coach Mohammad Kaif wants practice matches before the start of the mega tournament

By

-

August 26, 2020

Mohammad Kaif, assistant coach of IPL team Delhi Capitals, has said that this time everyone has the responsibility to make the league a success. Due to COVID-19, this time the IPL is being organized in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The teams have reached the UAE and are currently in the BioSecure bubble. Kaif said that everyone is curious about the league.

Kaif said, “Yes, quite curious. This is a very difficult challenge for the players because they have to follow a lot of guidelines. Many tests are being held for the players and support staff, two or three days a week. But I am still very happy that IPL is happening and fans will get a chance to watch IPL once again.

Kaif told that after not playing cricket for several months, the performance of players will be affected at the beginning of IPL. He said that it would be good to have some practice matches. The 39-year-old Kaif said, “This is not normal. The players’ bodies are not been in use for four to five months and this will affect their performance on the field. Some practice matches should also be organized to deal with this, so the difference can be seen on the field.

Pulwama probe: NIA used DNA, other forensic tests to trace evidence that had ‘blown to pieces’

By

-

August 26, 2020

According to the chargesheet made by NIA, Mohammed Umar Farooq, the nephew of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, had received Rs 10 lakh in his bank accounts in Pakistan to execute the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in February last year.

The case posed unique challenges, such as a lot of evidence having blown to pieces in the suicide attack and seven accused being subsequently killed in encounters. However, the central agency used forensic tests including DNA profiling of the meagre evidence to breach the dead ends.

The first challenge was to establish the ownership of the car used by Adil Ahmad Dar, the suicide bomber, according to the chargesheet in the case filed by the NIA in a special court in Jammu on Tuesday.

The official said that the JeM terrorists also wanted to make an audio-video clip on suicide bomber Aadil Ahmed Dar, who rammed the explosive-laden car into a security convoy bus on 14 February in 2019, in Kashmiri language to motivate the youths in the Valley.

The messages were shared in the form of audio clips through WhatsApp used on Pakistani SIM cards, which Farooq used after his ingress into India.

“However, this plan was shelved due to the Balakot air strikes as they were told to lie low,” the official said.

The terror attack was initially probed by the J&K police in partnership with the CRPF, the Army, other security forces and intelligence agencies. However, the case was soon handed over to the NIA for investigation by the Union Home Ministry.

The chargesheet has been filed after the case was registered against the accused under various sections of J&K’s (now defunct) Ranbir Penal Code, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Foreigners Act and J&K Public Property (Prevention of Damages) Act.

India invites Vietnam to be part of Indo Pacific Oceans initiative

By

Neha Kumari

-

August 26, 2020

India has invited Vietnam to part of its Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the East Asia Summit in Bangkok.

Increasing trade connectivity- maritime transport and Maritime security are among the seven key pillars of the initiative. Other five are– Maritime ecology, maritime resources, capacity building and resource sharing, disaster risk reduction and management, science, technology and academic cooperation.

Although, invitation was extended during the 17th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting led by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Vietnam’s foreign minister Pham Binh Minh.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “India and Vietnam agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in line with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region.”

Invitation to Vietnam comes even as both New Delhi and Hanoi deal with an aggressive China.

Both sides have increased engagement in the last few years with a high-level visit such as the visit of Vietnam’s President to India and Indian PM visit to Vietnam.

The ED has charged Ami Modi for conspiring and money laundering

By

-

August 26, 2020

An Interpol global arrest warrant has been issued against Ami Modi, wife of Nirav Modi, prime accused in the over USD 2 billion PNB bank fraud case, on charges of money laundering, officials said on Tuesday. As per TOI.

Official said the ‘red notice’ has been issued by the global police body on the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Ami Modi, who was reportedly last seen in the United States in 2019, is stated to have left country soon after the alleged bank fraud case came into light in 2018.

The enforcement agency has charged Ami Modi for conspiring and money laundering with her husband Nirav Modi apart from his uncle Mehul Choksi and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The businessman, Choksi and others are being probed by the ED on money laundering charges in connection with an over USD 2 billion alleged bank fraud at a PNB branch in Mumbai.

According to source, similar Interpol notices have been earlier been issued against Nirav Modi’s younger brother Nehal Modi and sister Purvi Modi.

Accenture to lay off 5 percent of its global staff; 10,000 employees from India to lose their jobs

By

-

August 26, 2020

IT major Accenture has announced to fire 5 per cent of its workforce globally amid the coronavirus pandemic. Around 10,000 employees will lose their job as company has continues to suffer economic crisis in the wake of covid-19 pandemic.

According to a report of TOI, Accenture employees in India will most likely be asked to go after the conclusion of the appraisal cycle that is underway.

The Australian Financial Review(AFR) has reported that during an internal team meeting in mid-August, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet revealed that 4 per cent of company’s global workforce might be fired.

“In a normal year, we transition out about 5% and we hire to replace them because we are in a demand scenario. Right now, we’re not in a demand scenario, so if we manage out the same percentage of people and don’t replace them, it allows us to continue to invest and preserve some people who have lower chargeability for when the market comes back,” said Accenture CEO.

When TOI asked the India management of Accenture what criteria would be selected to lay off , it said, “Employees with worst performance score might be the ones who would end up losing their jobs.
In a statement, Accenture India said, “Every year, as part of our performance process, we have conversations with our people about how they are performing, areas for improvement, their potential to progress, and whether they are a long-term fit for Accenture. This year, across all parts of our business and all career levels, we will identify approximately 5% of our people as our lowest performers, and these individuals will transition out of Accenture. This is consistent with our actions each year.”

Accenture currently has 5 lakh employees globally, and firing 5 percent would lead to 25,000 employees losing their jobs. Out of 5 lakh, 2 lakh employees in Accenture are from India, there fore a major section of the employees asked to leave will be from India.

SLZ vs TKR Dream11 Team Prediction: CPL 2020 St Lucia Zouks vs Trinbago Knight Riders Fantasy cricket tips

By

-

August 26, 2020

St Lucia Zouks will march against the Trinago Knight Riders in the 13th match of the Caribbean Premier League at Port of Spain, Trinidad. Trinabgo Knights are the table toppers while the St Lucia Zouks is at the second position in the points tally.

With 6 points in their three games, TKR is the most successful team in this league so far. TKR won the last game against the Barbados Trident by 19 runs. Trinbago Knights have a very strong batting lineup and the likes of Sunil Narine in the starting line up has been the asset for TKR. Colin Munro and captain Kieron Pollard had also done the job for the team.

St Lucia Zouks are successful in winning the 3 games out of their 4. Rostan Chase and Mohammad Nabi had done the job for the team with both bat and ball. In the last game, Rostan Chase scored a sensational 66 when the team was reduced for 42-4 in just the seventh over of the match.

The match will start at 7:30 PM IST on August 26.

Dream11 Prediction for St Lucia Zouks vs Trinbago Knight RidersAndre Fletcher(captain), Darren Bravo(vice-captain), Mark Deyal, Najibullah Zadran, Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine, Mohammad Nabi, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ali Khan, Fawad Ahmed, and Chemar Holder

Predicted XI for both teams

St Lucia Zouks: Rakheem Cornwall, Andre Fletcher, Mark Deyal, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Darren Sammy (C), Scott Kuggeleijn, Roston Chase, Chemar Holder, Zahir Khan, and Kesrick Williams

Trinbago Knight Riders: Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons, Colin Munro, Kieron Pollard (C), Darren Bravo, Tim Seifert, Khary Pierre, Dwayne Bravo, Ali Khan, Jayden Seales, and Fawad Ahmed

SQUADS-

St Lucia Zouks: Roston Chase, Mohammad Nabi, Daren Sammy, Andre Fletcher, Najibullah Zadran, Kesrick Williams, Scott Kuggeleijn, Chemar Holder, Obed McCoy, Rahkeem Cornwall, Mark Deyal, Zahir Khan, Kimani Melius, Leniko Boucher, Kavem Hodge, Javelle Glen, Saad Bin Zafar

Trinbago Knight Riders: Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Tim Seifert, Sikandar Raza, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Fawad Ahmed, Anderson Phillip, Pravin Tambe, Jayden Seales, Amir Jangoo, Tion Webster, Akeal Hosein, Muhammad Ali Khan

Mother Teresa birth anniversary: Moving quotes by the saint that will restore your faith in generosity

By

-

August 26, 2020

Today marks 110th birth-anniversary of one of the greatest reformers the world has seen – Mother Teresa. Born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, Mother Teresa belonged to a family of ethnic Albanians in Skopje. She left her home at the age of 18 and later joined the Sisters of Loreto located in Ireland’s Rathfarnham. Teresa moved to India in the late 1920s and taught history and geography for almost two-decades at Calcutta’s St Mary`s High School.

Though Teresa loved being a teacher, her ultimate goal was to serve to the needy and poor. Therefore, in 1948, she decided to leave the Church and made her way to Kolkata where she began to help needy.

In 1950 she founded the Roman Catholic religious congregation which later went on to be known as Missionaries of Charity. From setting up homes for poor to help people battling diseases, Mother Teresa made many notable contributions across India.

When she won the Nobel Peace Prize “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitutes a threat to peace” in 1979, she refused the prize money of $192,000 and asked for it to be donated to the poor in India.

In September 2017, Mother Teresa was declared Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Calcutta by the Vatican Pope for her selfless service towards the helpless people.

On her birth anniversary, let us remember some of the most inspiring quotes by the Saint:

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

“God doesn’t require us to succed, he only requires that you try. “

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your stregth lies.”

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather he will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?”

“If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are.”

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

Sushant Singh Rajput’s lookalike Sachin Tiwari accuses producer Sanoj Mishra of fraudery over film based on actor’s life

By