Recovery rate improves to 40.32%, lockdown gainfully utilised: Ministry

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Recovery rate improves to 40.32%, lockdown gainfully utilised: Ministry

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday said the period of lockdown has been gainfully utilized to ramp up the health infrastructure in the country. In a press statement the Health Ministry said the recovery rate in the country improved up to 40.32%.

“There are reports in a section of media about some decisions of the government regarding the lockdown implementation and response to COVID-19 management. The period of the lockdown has been gainfully utilized to ramp up the health infrastructure in the country. As on date, 45,299 people have been cured, taking our recovery rate to 40.32%.”

The ministry said as on May 21,26,15,920 samples have been tested and 1,03,532 have been tested in the last 24 hours, through 555 testing labs (391 in the government sector and 164 private labs).

It also said that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with the Health Ministry and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with support from State health departments and key stakeholders including WHO, is conducting a community-based serosurvey to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Indian population.

It said at least 3,027 dedicated COVID hospitals and COVID health centers along with 7,013 COVID care centers have been identified. Additionally, more than 2.81 lakh isolation beds, over 31,250 ICU beds, and 11,387 oxygen supported beds have already been identified in Dedicated COVID Hospitals and COVID health centres.

The government supplied 65 lakh PPE coveralls and 101.07 lakh N95 masks to the states. “Nearly 3 lakh PPE coveralls and 3 lakh N95 masks are now being manufactured per day by domestic producers, although they were not produced in the country earlier”.

In addition, the Government is consulting and involving epidemiologists actively at all levels in order to combat COVID-19. The National Task Force (NTF) for COVID-19 constituted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has held 20 meetings since mid-March and has systematically and effectively contributed towards the scientific and technical response to the pandemic,” said the Health Ministry.

It said a team, including researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) — an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) — has developed a heuristic predictive model for COVID-19 that provides short-term predictions about the evolution of the disease and the medical needs that are generated as a consequence.

The ministry stated that the Department of Bio-Technology and its PSU, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have announced a COVID-19 Research Consortium Call to support diagnostics, vaccines, novel therapeutics, repurposing of drugs or any other intervention for control of COVID-19.

The Health Ministry had hitherto maintained that the lockdown was to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 and was often asked the rationale behind the lockdown when cases continued to be reported over 4 to 5 thousand per day. However experts at various times have said that the numbers would have spiked exponentially sans lockdown, as it was seen in other parts of the world.

Cummins hopeful of playing IPL before T20 World Cup

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Cummins hopeful of playing IPL before T20 World Cup

Australia pacer Pat Cummins once again has expressed his desire to play for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In normal circumstances, he would have been currently playing in the cash-rich league but due to coronavirus pandemic, the tournament stands currently indefinitely suspended.

Cummins revealed he has been in touch with the KKR officials and stated he has always received positive news from them regarding the fate of the tournament.

“Whenever I speak to the owners of the team and the staff there, they’re still really confident that it can be played at some stage this year,” Cummins told SEN on Thursday.

“I was really looking forward to playing it for many obvious reasons, hopefully, it goes ahead.”

Cummins also explained how playing T20 cricket after enforced break won’t put too much pressure on them as compared to other formats.

He also expressed his desire to play as many T20 matches as possible before the showpiece event in Australia which is currently scheduled to be played in October-November.

“It could be a great way to get back into playing cricket (after the COVID-19 stoppage). It’s T20, not as cumbersome on your body. We’ve got a big World Cup that is going to be played at some stage, so playing as much high-quality T20 cricket as we can is great.”

In December last year, Cummins became the most expensive foreign player in the history of the IPL after he was snapped up by KKR for Rs 15.5 crores in the auction.

The speedster had attracted a bidding war from franchises before the two-time champions beat Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore to acquire his services.

Japan lifts COVID-19 state of emergency for 3 prefectures

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Japan lifts COVID-19 state of emergency for 3 prefectures

The Japanese government on Thursday lifted a state of emergency in Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures as the number of COVID-19 infections has remained low.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that the emergency measure may end in Tokyo and its three prefectural neighbors of Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa as well as the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido as early as May 25 after a fresh review by a government panel of health experts, reports Xinhua news agency.

Abe first declared a month-long state of emergency for Tokyo and six other prefectures on April 7, but this was expanded to cover the entire nation on April 16.

The state of emergency was originally scheduled to end on May 6, and the government extended it through May 31.

Last week, the Japanese government decided to lift the state of emergency ahead of the planned deadline for 39 of the country’s 47 prefectures as the coronavirus has been less prevalent in those areas.

Japan has reported a total of 16,385 COVID-19 cases with 771 deaths.

NASA renames WFIRST telescope after Nancy Grace Roman

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NASA renames WFIRST telescope after Nancy Grace Roman

NASA has renamed its Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), a next-generation space telescope set to launch in 2025, in honor of Nancy Grace Roman, the US space agency’s first chief astronomer, who paved the way for space telescopes focused on the broader universe.

The newly named Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope — or Roman Space Telescope, for short — will investigate long-standing astronomical mysteries, such as the force behind the universe’s expansion, and search for distant planets beyond our solar system, NASA said on Wednesday.

Considered the “mother” of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, which launched 30 years ago, Roman tirelessly advocated for new tools that would allow scientists to study the broader universe from space.

She left behind a tremendous legacy in the scientific community when she died in 2018.

“It is because of Nancy Grace Roman’s leadership and vision that NASA became a pioneer in astrophysics and launched Hubble, the world’s most powerful and productive space telescope,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.

“I can think of no better name for WFIRST, which will be the successor to NASA’s Hubble and Webb Telescopes.”

Who was Nancy Grace Roman?

Born on May 16, 1925, in Nashville, Tennessee, Roman consistently persevered in the face of challenges that plagued many women of her generation interested in science.

By seventh grade, she knew she wanted to be an astronomer. Despite being discouraged about going into science, Roman earned a bachelor’s degree in astronomy from Swarthmore in 1946 and a doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1949.

The head of Swarthmore College’s physics department told her he usually dissuaded girls from majoring in physics but thought that she “might make it”.

Knowing that her chances of achieving tenure at a university as a woman were slim at that time, she took a position at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and made strides in researching cosmic questions through radio waves.

Roman came to NASA in 1959, just six months after the agency had been established. At that time, she served as the chief of astronomy and relativity in the Office of Space Science, managing astronomy-related programs and grants.

“I knew that taking on this responsibility would mean that I could no longer do research, but the challenge of formulating a program from scratch that I believed would influence astronomy for decades to come was too great to resist,” she said in a NASA interview.

This was a difficult era for women who wanted to advance in scientific research.

While Roman said that men generally treated her equally at NASA, she also revealed in one interview that she had to use the prefix “Dr.” with her name because “otherwise, I could not get past the secretaries.”

But she persisted in her vision to establish new ways to probe the secrets of the universe.

Through Roman’s leadership, NASA launched four Orbiting Astronomical Observatories between 1966 and 1972.

While only two of the four were successful, they demonstrated the value of space-based astrophysics and represented the precursors to Hubble.

Roman is credited with making the Hubble Space Telescope a reality. It turned out to be the most scientifically revolutionary space telescope of all time.

Ed Weiler, Hubble’s chief scientist until 1998, called Roman “the mother of the Hubble Space Telescope.”

ICMR comes up with fully indigenous diagnostic platform for COVID-19

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ICMR comes up with fully indigenous diagnostic platform for COVID-19

The Indian Council of Medical research on Thursday said that it has validated a completely indigenous diagnostic platform for COVID-19 diagnosis. The apex medical research body in the country said the platform offers a reliable and affordable option to augment the SARS-CoV-2 testing capacity in India.

In a press statement, ICMR said “This fully indigenous diagnostic platform offers a reliable and affordable option to augment the SARS-CoV-2 testing capacity in India. The platform comprises a TrueNat machine, inbuilt RNA extraction system, RT-PCR chips, collection swabs and viral lysis medium (VLM).

“Single assay has a turnaround time of 35-50 minutes for 1-4 samples with a total of 12-48 samples being tested per day, depending upon the type of machine. It also added that the biosafety and biosecurity requirements are minimal in view of the sample being collected in viral lysis medium (VLM), which inactivates the virus. The test can be used at the level of district hospitals and primary health centers also.”

ICMR has now recommended the TrueNat COVID-19 test as a two-step test: step one i.e. E gene screening assay for all COVID-19 suspect samples to be followed by step two for the RdRp based confirmatory test in all E gene positives.

As the COVID-19 pandemic is expanding, there is a global shortfall of diagnostic supplies. It is critical for countries to strengthen indigenous production of diagnostic material to ensure uninterrupted availability. During the initial few weeks of the pandemic, it was a huge challenge to access and stockpile diagnostic commodities to meet National.

Indigenous diagnostic assays were prioritized to reduce dependence on other countries. A total of 11 RT-PCR based indigenous assays were validated and recommended for COVID19 testing. ICMR had earlier validated the indigenous TrueNat assay for Tuberculosis. The test is WHO pre-qualified and is included as a reliable and accurate method for quick screening of TB patients.

The TrueNat assay has also been validated by ICMR-NIV as a point of care test for Nipah virus disease. In April 2020, the indigenous manufacturer developed TrueNat assay for screening of SARSCoV-2, causing COVID-19. ICMR undertook successful validation of the E gene screening assay, following which TrueNat based testing has been initiated by the states for SARS-CoV2 detection.

From April 2020 till date, more than 1.3 lakh screening tests have been conducted by states. However, the rate limiting step has been the lack of TrueNat confirmatory assay. All the TrueNat positive samples had to be confirmed by RT-PCR based tests either located in the same or different laboratory. That is one of the reasons ICMR recommended the TrueNat COVID-19 test as a two-step test.

Seems a safe environment, says Maguire after training return

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Seems a safe environment, says Maguire after training return

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has revealed that the club followed all necessary government protocols before players returned to training at their Carrington base Carrington on Wednesday.

All football has been suspended in the country due to coronavirus pandemic and Premier League authorities are targetting mid-June as a possible date to resume the season.

Maguire revealed the players did well on their first day after returning to training and they have so far found the conditions to be safe for everyone.

“It’s been a strange few months, but it has been a protocol which the club has followed. It seems such a safe environment,” Maguire told MUTV in a video uploaded on their Instagram handle.

“It’s our first day back but it seems so safe and everyone is respecting it so well, so long may that continue and I’m sure no one will have any problems.”

The England defender also revealed the players have tested negative for the virus and he also gave an insight into how the players went about their training on an opening day.

“The safety, it seems really well organized. Like you said, we all got tested before we came in, so everyone in the changing room has a negative test,” Maguire said.

“There are a lot fewer people at the training ground. Today I was in a group of four, working with one coach, so not many people.

“It’s the first step. We’re in phase one, let’s get through this phase without any troubles. It’s only the first day, but it’s been a good start for me.”

Manchester United currently occupy the fifth place in the Premier League table with 45 points in 29 matches. Liverpool lead the race with 82 points, followed by Manchester City (57), Leicester City (53) and Chelsea (48).

Hydroxychloroquine trial begins in the UK

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Hydroxychloroquine trial begins in the UK

A trial to see whether two anti-malarial drugs — chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine — could prevent the novel coronavirus has begun in the UK’s Brighton and Oxford.

The first UK participants in the global trial are being enrolled on Thursday at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals and the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, reports the BBC.

They will be given either hydroxychloroquine or a placebo for three months.

These are the first of a planned 25 UK sites, with results expected by the end of the year.

The trial is open to anyone delivering direct care to coronavirus patients in the UK, as long as they have not been diagnosed with COVID-19.

It will test whether the drugs can prevent healthcare workers exposed to the virus from contracting it.

One of the study’s leaders, Professor Nicholas White at the University of Oxford said: “We really do not know if chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine are beneficial or harmful against COVID-19.”

But, he said, a randomized controlled trial such as this one, where neither the participant nor the researchers know who has been given the drug or a placebo, was the best way to find out.

“A widely available, safe, and the effective vaccine may be a long way off,” the BBC quoted Professor Martin Llewelyn from Brighton and Sussex Medical School, who is also leading the study.

“If drugs as well-tolerated as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could reduce the chances of catching COVID-19, this would be incredibly valuable.”

Tokyo 2020 CEO denounces cancellation claim

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Tokyo 2020 CEO denounces cancellation claim

Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto on Thursday denounced claims that the International Olympic Council (IOC) will have the Olympic Games canceled if it is not held in 2021.

In an interview with the BBC earlier, IOC President Thomas Bach said that the Games might be canceled if the coronavirus cannot be controlled next year.

“You cannot every year change the entire sports schedule worldwide of all the major federations. You cannot have the athletes being in uncertainty,” Bach said.

That actually echoed the view of Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori, who told Japan Nikkan Sports Daily last month when he was asked the same question. “In that case, it’s canceled,” Mori said.

But Muto told reporters in an online news conference that there is no “common understanding” between the IOC and Tokyo 2020 about canceling the Games beyond 2021, reports Xinhua news agency.

“Mr. Mori was trying to say is that we should have the mentality to prepare the Games so that it can take place next year,” Muto said.

“I don’t think they have a common understanding about canceling the Games.”

Asked if the Games could be held behind closed doors, Muto said, “We have more than one year until the Games, it is too early to have such discussion.”

“We need to carry out measures to fight COVID-19,” he said. “However, we don’t believe it is time to answer specific questions related to countermeasures.”

In the interview, Bach said staging the Games without fans is just “speculation”.

“This is not what we want,” Bach said. “Because the Olympic spirit is about also uniting the fans and this is what makes the Games so unique that they’re in an Olympic Stadium, all the fans from all over the world are together.

“But when it then would come to the decision… I would ask you to give me some more time for consultation with the athletes, with the World Health Organisation, with the Japanese partners.”

The Olympic Games was postponed by one year and will be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021.

Kriti Sanon gets ‘quarantine’ haircut from sister Nupur

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Kriti Sanon gets ‘quarantine’ haircut from sister Nupur

Actress Kriti Sanon got a “quarantine cut” from her sister, singer Nupur Sanon, amid lockdown.

Kriti took to Instagram Stories, where she shared a boomerang video and pictures of herself along with Nupur.

In the boomerang video, Nupur holds a pair of scissors and a spray bottle of water even as Kriti gestures with her fingers to suggest a haircut.

With a “quarantine cut” sticker on the image, Kriti wrote: “Let’s do this!!! @nupursanon.”

In the second image, Nupur is seen chopping Kriti’s long tresses even as the actress seems nervous.

“Wait for it a lil longer… Gonna post the look tomorrow,” she wrote.

On the work front, Kriti will next be seen in “Mimi”, directed by Laxman Utekar. The film is a remake of the National Award-winning 2011 Marathi film “Mala Aai Vhhaychay”.

Defence manufacturing affected by COVID-19: Rajnath

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Defence manufacturing affected by COVID-19: Rajnath

Acknowledging the hardships faced by the defence industry, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday the manufacturing sector has been affected the most due to lockdown and disruption in existing supply chains.

While addressing through video conference of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) E-conclave in Delhi, Singh said: “The defence sector is no exception to this. Rather, it can be said that the defence sector is more aggravated than other sectors as the only buyer of defence products is the government.”

The minister said to tackle these challenges, MoD has taken several steps for industries, especially MSMEs. He said steps such as extension of response dates of RFP/RFI and early clearance of pending payments will help the industry.

“In this crisis, several financial support measures have been announced by the government and RBI to reduce the financial burden of the industries. These will provide some relief due to the availability of additional working capital and deferment in interest payments,” Singh said.

The minister said the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will provide many opportunities to Indian industry and will help in restoring millions of jobs.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for being ‘vocal for local’ in this direction. I would like to say that we have to have our indigenous products, but before that in our own life, ‘local’ has to be focal — we have to adopt ‘swadeshi’ products in our life. There is no doubt that MSMEs have a very important role in the goal of indigenous manufacturing, and in the goal of self-reliant India.”

Singh mentioned some of the measures announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ scheme.

Collateral-free loans of Rs 3 lakh crore for MSMEs will be effective in re-establishing about 45 lakh units and saving employment. Subordinate debt provision of Rs 20,000 crore has been announced for two lakh MSMEs and this will help stressed MSMEs.

Equity infusion of Rs 50,000 crore will be provided through the ‘Mother-Daughter Fund’ for the purpose of benefiting the needy MSMEs.

“A Rs 10,000-crore ‘Fund of Funds’ will be set up to help increase the capacity of these units and for marketing,” the minister said.

The definition of MSME has been revised so that MSMEs can be expanded.

At the same time there will be no distinction between manufacturing and services sector MSMEs. In government contracts (procurements) worth Rs 200 crore or less, global tenders will not be allowed.

This will help MSMEs to grow their business.

In the event of being unable to participate in trade fairs due to COVID-19, e-market linkages will be ensured. The government and PSUs will also ensure the clearance of all outstanding payments in the next 45 days.

The theme of the E-conclave was ‘Business Continuity for MSMEs in Defence and Aerospace Sector’ in which more than 800 defence MSMEs participated. The conclave was jointly organized by Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Department of Defence Production.

Manushi Chhillar joins Lionel Messi, Rohit Sharma in global campaign against COVID-19

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Manushi Chhillar joins Lionel Messi, Rohit Sharma in global campaign against COVID-19

Former Miss World and Bollywood debutant Manushi Chhillar has been roped in for a global campaign against the novel coronavirus. She joins Indian cricket superstar Rohit Sharma, besides global football icons Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale, David Beckham and Mesut Ozil among others in the effort.

Manushi has joined a fitness brand for a super star-studded initiative aimed at raising funds for those affected by a coronavirus. She is part of a global campaign titled Home Team Hero.

Manushi says: “Super excited to become a part of the global Adidas campaign Home Team Hero Challenge. It is an opportunity for the world’s athletes and creators to unite and help make a difference with their workouts for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic globally and I’m proud to be doing my bit for the #COVID19FUND.”

Manushi said that she likes to follow football as a sport.

She said: “No one knows this but I’m actually a very sporty person and I do like football as a sport. So, it’s thrilling to be associated with an initiative that has so many sporting legends and icons of the world coming forward to help.”

Manushi added that the world “needs each and every individual to stand up and support those in need and I am pleased to be working towards this common goal through the challenge”.

Manushi is all set to make her Bollywood debut opposite superstar Akshay Kumar in the upcoming film “Prithviraj”.

Directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, “Prithviraj” is based on the life of king Prithviraj Chauhan. It stars Akshay as Prithviraj, while Manushi will play the role of the Sanyogita, the love of his life.

People in containment zone not allowed air travel (Ld)

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People in containment zone not allowed air travel (Ld)

As domestic flight services resume on May 25 with one-third of capacity, it will not allow people to stay in containment zones to board a flight as they will not be eligible for travel.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday came up with a detailed guideline for the airlines and passengers, where it said passengers would have to certify their status in terms of coronavirus infection through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form.

“The passenger shall not travel if he/she is staying in a containment zone. Also, they should not travel if they have been tested positive for COVID-l9. The passengers are expected to certify the status of their health through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form,” it said.

If a passenger, who is not permitted to fly, undertakes an air journey, he or she shall be liable for penal action, as per the guidelines.

Further, passengers will have to wear protective gear, or a face mask before entering the terminal as per the prevailing requirement and he/she will continue to wear the mask throughout the journey.

During transit to the airport, the passenger should take all precautions to prevent infection.

In the initial stage passenger would be entitled to carry a maximum of one hand baggage and one checked-in baggage as per the specifications by the airline of his travel.

The ministry also said that limited passenger flight operations of about one-third of capacity would be permitted to operate on May 25.

In a general set of guidelines for passengers and stakeholders issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Centre said: “On the day of commencement, limited operations (about l/3rd) would be permitted.”

“Further augmentation of flights will be done in a calibrated manner.”

The guidelines advised “Vulnerable” persons, such as very elderly, pregnant ladies, passengers with health issues to avoid air travel.

Furthermore, it detailed that no physical check-in counters would be allowed at the airport.

“Only those passengers with confirmed web check-in shall be allowed to enter the airport,” it said.

Besides, the Centre advised the airlines to adhere to the lower and upper limits of fares prescribed by the Ministry during the period of COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidelines come a day after Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said: “Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday, 25th May 2020.”

Ever since the imposition of the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country on March 25, passenger air services were suspended for both scheduled domestic and international flights.

Have more resources invested in diversity than ever: Google CEO

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Have more resources invested in diversity than ever: Google CEO

Amid reports that Google has reduced diversity and inclusion training programs fearing a conservative backlash, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sundar Pichai, has denied any digression from the company’s commitment to promoting diversity within the organization.

In an interview to The Verge, Pichai said the company probably has more resources invested in diversity now than ever.

“Diversity is a foundational value for us. Given the scale at which we build products and the fact we do it locally for our users, we are deeply committed to having that representation in our workforce,” Pichai was quoted as saying.

Pichai’s response came after NBC News, citing former and current Google employees, last week reported that one well-liked diversity training program at the company, called Sojourn, was cut entirely.

The report also said that Google has reduced internal diversity and inclusion training programs since 2018.

Google denied the allegation that it has scaled back inclusion and diversity efforts.

But the report led 10 US lawmakers to send a letter to Pichai this week demanding answers to several questions, including why previous diversity programs were scaled back or cut entirely, what type of diversity initiative is offered to new hires, how Google plans to address lack of diversity and inclusion at the company and whether employees working on Artificial Intelligence undergo additional bias training.

“It is troublesome to hear that Google, an industry leader, plans to scale back efforts to address their lack of diversity when you have previously stated a corporate commitment to improving in this very area,” the House Democrats said in the letter on Monday.

“In 2019, according to Google’s own diversity report, only 3.3 percent of your workforce identifies as Black, 5.7 percent are Latins, .08 percent are Native American, and 31.6 percent are women. In order to promote effective and inclusive economic practices, Google’s workforce should reflect the racial diversity of America,” wrote the lawmakers who are members of the House Tech Accountability Caucus.

However, conservative politicians have accused US tech giants of being biased against conservative viewpoints.

Google was even threatened with penalties for allegedly making “anti-conservative” moderation decisions on platforms like YouTube, The Verge reported.

Maulana Azad RDA writes to Minister against Delhi govt order

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Maulana Azad RDA writes to Minister against Delhi govt order

The Resident Doctors Association of Maulana Azad Medical College and associated hospitals on Thursday wrote to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan against Delhi government’s order for vacating the hospital-provided quarantine facilities.

In the letter, the RDA cited the government order dated May 20 stating that doctors residing in Hotel Lalit have to vacate the rooms by 12 noon on May 21. “Apart from being given at a short notice, this order is inhuman and blatantly undermines the persistent effort put in by the corona warriors providing treatment at the largest COVID facility of Delhi government,” said the association.

“Doctors working here are at great mental stress due to a huge load of severely ill corona patients. Such an order has only worsened the mental state of doctors on COVID duty,” said the association.

Delhi Government’s Health Secretary Padmini Singla on May 20 issued an order wherein it was written that regular quarantine of healthcare workers after performing duty in COVID-19 areas “is not warranted”. Therefore, all categories of staff on quarantine are directed to vacate the hospital- provided accommodations in hotels and dharmashalas latest by 12 noon on May 21.

The order was issued citing the revised guidelines on the quarantine of healthcare workers by the Health Ministry.

The RDA in the letter to the Minister said that there is abundant evidence of COVID positivity in asymptomatic HCWs wearing proper PPEs, some of them are reported positive on Day 11-14 even when their first report was negative.

“We cannot risk the transmission of infection to them and eventually to the community. Therefore, we request you to revoke the order or provide for alternative accommodation for the period of quarantine,” said the letter.

Yogi transfers money for self-help groups

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Yogi transfers money for self-help groups

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday, transferred online a sum of Rs 218.50 crore to the Revolving Fund and Community Investment Fund for 31,938 self-help groups (SHGs).

The Chief Minister also interacted with various SHGs and transferred the online fund to them.

“We have to break the chain of this virus. Our frontline warriors are continuously working in this direction. People working in public places include the corona warriors, businessmen, or the general public. In order to provide them with masks, women SHGs have worked with great strength. Some of them have also developed the PPE kits,” he said.

The Chief Minister lauded the self-help groups and said, “They have done a great job. If these women SHGs get a little bit of guidance and encouragement, they can do anything. I also interacted with them today along with other people and I have realized that they can reach great heights.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the Chief Minister had launched Uttar Pradesh Startup Fund and handed over the first installment of Rs 15 crore to the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

The Central government had established a Startup India portal and is providing online courses for young entrepreneurs on topics ranging from data analytics to designing.

The government hopes to establish it as a one-stop platform for all stakeholders in the startup ecosystem to interact with each other, exchange knowledge and form successful partnerships in a highly dynamic environment.

Apple may delay iPhone 12 announcements until October

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Apple may delay iPhone 12 announcements until October

Cupertino based tech giant Apple may push the September “iPhone 12” event into early October due to global coronavirus pandemic.

Apple is considering pushing the announcement into October to avoid a gap between the event and handsets reaching store shelves and the iPhone maker will have more stores reopened by that point as well, according to Jon Prosser, a reliable Apple insider.

Prosser, who correctly reported the release date of the iPhone SE said that there is also the possibility that a later iPhone 12 launch event could allow more reporters and analysts to attend in person.

According to Posser, 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 models will be available with 128GB or 256GB of storage and that 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro models will have 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options.

Prosser has claimed that the upcoming 5.4-inch iPhone 12 may start from $649 while 6.1-inch iPhone 12 may come with a price tag of $749.

Like the 5.4-inch iPhone, the 6.1-inch device will sport 5G connectivity and a dual-camera setup at the rear.

The only difference is that it would come with a bigger 6.1-inch OLED display, said Prosser.

There will be two ‘pro’ iPhone 12 models as well.

Intel acquires Rivet Networks to boost home Wi-Fi for gaming, streaming

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Intel acquires Rivet Networks to boost home Wi-Fi for gaming, streaming

To ensure fast, reliable and secure Wi-Fi connectivity for smooth gaming and streaming experience at home, chip giant Intel has acquired Rivet Networks, the company that made the Killer brand of gaming-centric networking cards, for an undisclosed sum.

Rivet Networks’ key products, including its Killer brand, will integrate into Intel’s broader PC Wi-Fi portfolio.

Intel and Rivet Networks will build the ‘Killer AX1650 Wi-Fi’ solution, which delivers immersive entertainment and gaming experiences along with powerful Wi-Fi 6 technology.

Rivet Networks’ capabilities, including its software, are complementary to Intel’s wireless products and capabilities, the chip-maker said on Wednesday.

“Rivet Networks is a terrific complement to our existing Wi-Fi products and helps us further our vision of delivering PC platforms that power every person’s greatest contribution,” said Chris Walker, corporate vice president and general manager of the Mobile Client Platforms Group at Intel Corporation.

Rivet Networks’ products deliver speed, intelligence and control for gamers and performance users.

“Its products maximize Wi-Fi bandwidth utilization and optimize the wireless network connection on your platform. In addition, Rivet Networks’ products can also utilize the combination of Ethernet and Wi-Fi to prioritize traffic over both connections,” Walker explained.

Over the past few months, Comcast has reported that Wi-Fi-connected video calls and video conferencing have increased over 283 percent, and Charter Communications reports that over 90 percent of the traffic on its ISP network is Wi-Fi-based.

Even in the case of your phone, more than 70 percent of your mobile (cellular) data traffic runs on Wi-Fi.

Intel which has been investing and contributing to the evolution of Wi-Fi for more than 20 years said that the Rivet Networks team will join its Wireless Solutions Group within the Client Computing Group.

“With the addition of Rivet Networks’ software, we will license its software to customers and develop new solutions for broader PC connectivity enhancement,” said Intel.

AAI asks passengers to reach airport 2 hrs prior to departure

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AAI asks passengers to reach airport 2 hrs prior to departure

State-run Airports Authority of India has advised passengers-to reach the airport 2 hours prior to departure.

In its standard operating procedures (SoPs), the state-run firm also asked passengers to install the Aarogya Setu mobile app without which they won’t be allowed entry into the terminal building.

Even those passengers coming from non-green zones will not be allowed entry.

Besides, all passengers will be required to go in for a thermal check before entering the terminal.

The AAI’s SoPs comes a day after Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said: “Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday, 25th May 2020.”

“All airports & air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May,” he said.

Furthermore, the minister said the SOPs for the passenger movement would be issued soon.

Ever since the imposition of the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country on March 25, passenger air services were suspended for both scheduled domestic and international flights.

Athletic Club legend Aritz Aduriz announces retirement

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Athletic Club legend Aritz Aduriz announces retirement

Athletic Club Bilbao’s veteran striker, Aritz Aduriz, has announced his retirement from the game with immediate effect.

The 39-year-old announced his decision in a communique in which he said, “sometimes football leaves you, before you leave it,” and explained doctors had told him he needs a hip replacement operation, reports Xinhua news agency.

Aduriz had said in September that he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, but he will now miss the last 11 games of the campaign, as well as the final of the Copa del Rey which will see Athletic play Real Sociedad at a yet to be confirmed date.

“Sadly, my body has said ‘enough,'” explained the striker, who 172 goals for Athletic in 405 appearances for the club, who he represented in three different stages of his career.

Nicknamed ‘the Fox’ he also played for Burgos, Valladolid, Mallorca, and Valencia and represented Spain on 13 occasions.

Aduriz only scored one goal this season, but his last goal was arguably the best of his career: a spectacular 89th overhead kick to give Athletic a 1-0 win at home to FC Barcelona in the opening game of the season.

Microsoft to unify app development for 1 billion Windows 10 devices

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Microsoft to unify app development for 1 billion Windows 10 devices

To help developers build apps for modern work using Microsoft 365 and Windows platforms, Microsoft has unveiled Project Reunion to unifying app development across one billion Windows 10 devices.

Project Reunion will make it easier to build great apps that work across all the Windows 10 versions and devices people use.

“For the past couple of years, we have been breaking down the barrier between Win32 (also called the Windows API) and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) APIs. Project Reunion expands this effort to make it easier to build a great Windows app,” the company announced during its ‘Build 2020′ developer conference.

It will unify access to existing Win32 and UWP APIs and make them available decoupled from the OS, via tools like “NuGet”. This will provide a common platform for new apps.

“Plus, it will help you update and modernize your existing apps with the latest functionality, whether they’re C++, .NET (including WPF, Windows Forms, and UWP) or React Native,” said Microsoft.

One of the first components in the Project Reunion journey is WinUI 3 Preview 1, the high performant, Fluent-optimized native UI framework for Windows.

With WinUI developers can build great user experiences that adapt and scale across devices, whether they are starting a new project, or modernizing an existing app, according to the company.

Microsoft also expanded WebView2 (another component in the Project Reunion journey) with a new .NET Preview.

Now, any Windows app can embed web content with the power of Microsoft Edge and Chromium.

As organizations shift to enable remote work, Windows Virtual Desktop, built on Azure, has provided the ability to provision and scale virtual desktops and apps faster than was previously possible.

“Because scalability is so important, we introduced a feature called MSIX App Attach. The MSIX App Attach Preview will optimize people’s experiences by untangling the OS image that organizations deploy in the cloud from the apps that people need to access,” informed Microsoft.

With Microsoft PowerToys (0.18), app developers can customize the Windows 10 shell for personal workflows.

“Today’s updates add two new utilities: Keyboard Remapper and PowerToys Run. You can remap key to key and shortcut to shortcut using Keyboard Remapper,” said Microsoft.

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