Category: Media & Entertainment

International Viral

Did US Buy Substandard Drugs For COVID-19?

HT News

Bayer AG made a hefty donation of chloroquine drugs after the President Donald Trump touted the tablet as a “gamechanger” in their fight against COVID-19. But the chief of staff of the US Food and Drug Administration, Keagan Lenihan, was found alerting the government about the need for 3-4 days of testing of the drugs.

FDA alerts the US government

Reuters reviewed the emails among federal health officials in which the FDA chief was seen alerting the administration. Bayer had since donated 3 million tablets of Resochin to add to the US stockpile of COVID-19 drugs. Also, the US government approved use of those medicines on an emergency basis. But three US government sources raised serious concerns about the quality of the drugs.

Concerns raised by US officials

The drug Resochin is made in India and Pakistan and according to the sources, the FDA dropped its quality-standards to get the drugs. But the fact is that the plants that make Resochin in India and Pakistan have never been registered or inspected by FDA.

Drugs Regulatory Authority of Pakistan noticed gross failure in manufacturing process of Resochin in a Pakistani plant in 2015. In India, Resochi is made in Indore. The US agency that inspected that plant found serious deficiencies including falsification of records during 2014 to 2019.

On questioning about the email messages by Reuters, the FDA spokesperson Michael Felberbaum said that the agency didn’t respond to the leaked emails. Also, the spokesperson said that the donated drugs met the quality standards of FDA.

Source: https://bit.ly/2Vhs5XF

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Viral

Sushmita Sen Got Her Winning Gown Stitched From A Local Tailor

HT News

Sushmita Sen’s winning gown was stitched by a local tailor in Sarojini Nagar, Delhi. The former Miss Indian 1994 made this stunning revelation during a conversation with late actor Farooq Shaikh in a talk show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai.

Old video of Sushmita Sen

The video of the talk show is trending on social media after 26 years the actress won the title. She was talking to Farooq Shaikh and she minced no words in speaking up to her mind. She said that her Miss India winning gown was made by a local tailor who used to work from a makeshift shop in a garage.

She said that she needed four different designer outfits for the contest but she couldn’t because of her middleclass family background. She said that her family didn’t had the money needed to buy designer dresses. But her mother encouraged her by saying that the audiences wanted to see Sushmita Sen and not the dress. Her mother even helped her in designing her dresses.

Winning gown of Sushmita Sen

The fabric for the gown was bought from Sarojini Nagar market known for its affordability. The mother-daughter duo approached a local tailor who used to stitch petticoats for gown and the tailor did a … Read the rest

News & Politics Technology Viral

Critics Point To Security Lapses In Arogya Setu App

HT News

Survey of India has made public a trove of maps related to the Arogya Setu App that helps in tracing COVID-19 patients. The officials associated with the project said that it would improve geospatial data as well as develop maps customized to different COVID-19 related applications like healthcare facilities, infection clusters and disaster management.

Advantage of Arogya Setu App

The maps released by Survey of India, the apex map making body of India, wouldn’t be directly useful for general public as they are aimed to help government agencies in getting geospatial information related to COVID-19 spread.

The app is developed with the aim to strengthen the public health delivery system of state and central governments by facilitating geospatial information related to health, socio-economic distress and livelihood challenges. The PM in his address to the nation on April 14 urged people to download the Arogya Setu App in their mobiles.

Users need to keep the Bluetooth and location history “on” as much as possible. The app will alert the users if they are in the vicinity of a COVID-19 patient. The app will also help in tracking those quarantined and helping in executing quarantine.

Critical reception of the application

According to critics, the Arogya Setu App and other apps related to it like Sahyog could compromise on the privacy of the users. They said that there was no clarity on how the data would be shared and used. The pointed that transferring data from Arogya Setu App to others could be a problem.

Source: https://bit.ly/3bnAM84

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International Media & Entertainment

White House Follows Narendra Modi On Twitter

HT News

The only world leader, White House follows on Twitter is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. White House is official residence of President of US and a major power center in the world.

World leaders followed by White House

The White House boasts of having 21 million followers on Twitter but it follows only 19 people and 16 of those are Americans. And the exception remaining three includes PM Narendra Modi. It proves that US gives priority to India over other countries.

In addition to PM Modi, the White House also follows President Ramnath Kovind and Prime Minister’s Office. It also follows Indian Embassy in USA and Indians in USA.

Modi Trump bonhomie

Both the leaders share a good rapport. They have met several times on different occasions. Also, they have jointly addressed two massive informal gatherings – first in the US and the second in India.

Earlier this week, President Trump said that he would be surprised, if the PM Modi stood firm on his ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine that is an anti-malaria drug but considered useful for treating COVID-19 patients.

Trump threatened Modi of retaliation

US President Donald Trump was speaking to media persons at White House when he indirectly threatened India of retaliation, if his demand for drugs wasn’t fulfilled. He said that he talked to PM Modi and that Modi assured him of help.

Hours after the press briefing, India lifted the ban from hydroxychloroquine and allowed its export to USA and other countries. The US President said that he bought more than 29 million tablets.

Source: https://bit.ly/34tbVND

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Media & Entertainment Today's Special

PM Will Announce His Decision On Coronavirus Lockdown In His Address To Nation

HT News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will convey his decision on ending the coronavirus lockdown on the coming Tuesday in his address to the nation. The PM is likely to meet with Chief Ministers via video conference tomorrow to discuss the state of affairs post coronavirus lockdown.

Uncertainty over coronavirus lockdown

According to sources, the lockdown could be extended but with many changes like interstate movement will remain restricted and educational institutions are likely to stay closed. But PM could provide sector specific relaxation to ease the industry from the massive economic fallout of the prolonged shutdown but with social distancing norms.

The PM said that life wouldn’t be the same again after COVID-19. Massive behavioral, social and personal changes would have to take place, the PM said to political leaders in video conference.

Additional Secretary in Foreign Ministry, Vikas Swarup said that PM Modi’s decision to order the three-week lockdown had helped slow the infection rate but it had impacted the economy and thousands of poor workers. He said that millions of people lost their jobs and many of the daily wage workers had fled to their villages.

States want to extend lockdown

The three-week coronavirus lockdown ends on Tuesday April 14 but states want to extend the lockdown. Odisha had already announced extension of lockdown till April 30. Karnataka is expected to extend the lockdown today. Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have also called for a longer lockdown.

Source: https://bit.ly/3aZGkW9

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Business Media & Entertainment

Traders Ask To Extend Lockdown To April 30 But With Relief Package

HT News

Confederation of All India Traders (CAT) stands with the government in the time of COVID-19 spread. National General Secretary of CAT, Pravin Khandelwal, wrote to the PM to extend the lockdown period to April 30.

CAT supports extension of lockdown

A survey conducted among traders and business leaders of various states, the business community said that they want the lockdown to be extended beyond the 21-day period. They said that the current situation of novel coronavirus spread demands stricter measures to contain the spread of the deadly disease. And the business community was unanimous in the decision to extend the lockdown period.

The CAT assured that the traders would leave no stone unturned to deal with the virus. Also, the confederation assured the PM that India would be victorious in its fight against the spread of novel coronavirus.

Challenges ahead

In a letter to the PM the confederation mentioned the hardships that the small and medium scale traders would have to face in the fight against the pandemic. The lockdown period would result in slowdown of business resulting in big losses. But the increasing number of coronavirus cases demand strict measures to control the spread. Despite the hardships, the merchant class stood with the country in containing the virus spread, said the letter.

Pravin Khandelwal sent memorandum

Pravin Khandelwal wrote in the letter that he had already sent a memorandum to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman seeking financial relief for the merchants of India.

Source: https://bit.ly/2JP71kr

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Media & Entertainment News & Politics Sports

Twitter War Between Congress Leader Alka Lamba And Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt

HT News

Former AamAadmi Party MLA Alka Lamba is being trolled for her lewd remarks over the PM Narendra Modi. She also didn’t spare wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt when he tried to intervene and stopper her from making objectionable remarks against the PM.

Alka Lamba’s tweet

She tweeted a picture of Narendra Modi in the Sangh’s uniform and speaking from a dais to comment on the RSS and BJP. She said that the Sangh had nothing to do with politics but the truth was that that all the BJP leaders were the birth of the Sangh! @#$.

Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt tweeted

The wrestler wrote !@#$$ who’s born is evident from your words Alka Lamba. And this thinking exposes your upbringing. You must have seen the love of the country for the person you are writing for. The whole country stands together with him except a few mental patients like you.

An irritated Alka Lamba retweeted the wrestler

A socked Alka Lamba rushed to reply Yogeshwar Dutt but in a very mean language. She said, “Abe Yogeshwar Dutt, ask your mother who your father is. Are you ashamed of putting your DP with your father? If your mother says that the person with who you have put your DP is your father, you should take is as true as mother never lies. It will cause less pain to you.

Alka Lamba trending on Twitter

After her reply, Twitterati start trolling Alka Lamba. She received replies for her lewd remarks over the PM and the wrestler. Also, some people supported the Congress leader Alka Lamba.

Source:- https://bit.ly/2RlCLCa

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Viral

COVID-19 Lockdown Prevents Muslims To Stay Indoors During Shab-e-Barat

HT News

Muslim community in the national capital is advised to celebrate Shab-e-Barat in the lockdown state. Delhi Police have appealed to the community that Muslims should avoid venturing out during the celebration.

Delhi Police asked for support

Delhi Police approached Muslim community to get support in their fight against COVID-19. A tweet shared by Delhi Police said that lockdown would remain enforced on the sacred night of Shab-e-Barat on April 8 and 9, 2020.

The police have been successful in keeping people restricted to their homes during lockdown period. They didn’t allow the Hindu community to congregate in temples during the holy festival of Navratri and Ram Navami on April 2. Also, the Hindu community didn’t host any rallies or congregationsduring the festival.

Shab-e-Barat celebrations

In Islam, it is called Night of Forgiveness of the Day of Atonement. For Muslims, it is an occasion when the Almighty forgives sinners, if they pray. During Shab-e-Barat, Muslims in large numbers congregate in mosques and visit graves of their departed loved ones.

Roads leading to mosques and cemeteries see large crowds of devotees. During normal time, the police were deployed close to mosques and cemeteries to ensure law and order in the Muslim community. But this year, the Muslims are asked to remain in their homes due to lockdown orders.

India is under 21-day lockdown announced by PM Modi on March 24. The lockdown will remain enforced until April 14. The government is seriously mulling over lifting lockdown on April 15.

Source: https://bit.ly/34duCEQ

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International Media & Entertainment

Pakistan Salutes To Air India Flights Carrying COVID-19 Relief Material

HT News

National Carrier Air India received accolades from the world community for its relief and evacuation flight in these difficult times. The countries that praised Air India for its effort include Pakistan that even helped in operating the flights.

Pakistan praised Air India

On April 2, Air India operated two flights from Mumbai to Frankfurt in Germany to evacuate European nationals stranded in India and carry relief materials. The flight took at 1430 hours and entered Pakistan airspace at 1700 hours. The flight captain contacted the Pakistan ATC that replied “As-salamu alaykum” (Peace be upon you). That was Karachi control welcoming Air India flight.

The Air India captain was asked to confirm that he was operating a relief flight. The Air India captain confirmed. Also, the Pakistan ATC told the Indian pilots that they were proud of Indian pilots operating flights in difficult times. They also bode Good Luck to Air India flight operators.

Pakistan ATC saved Air India 15 minutes flying time by allowing the flight to fly closer to Karachi. Also, the Pakistan ATC came forward to help Air India flight enter Iranian airspace. When Air India reached Iran, it tried to contact Iran authorities but couldn’t. Then Pakistan ATC came for help. They contacted Iran and saved many flying hours to Air India.

Air India received praises from the world

Turkish and German Air Traffic Controllers also praised Air India for carrying relief material. The flight was scheduled to reach Frankfurt at 0915 hours but it landed at 0835 hours.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3aOnIbK

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Media & Entertainment

Watch The Best TV Series In March On Amazon Prime Video

HT News

In India, Amazon Prime is the most popular online content streaming service. It has added more features in March, and it costs only Rs. 999 per year. What is more amazing is that it allows viewing content in HD or 4K without any additional charge.

If you haven’t subscribed to Amazon Prime, then you should do it now and enjoy the following TV shows….

4 Blocks (2017-Present)

It is a German language crime-drama set in the Berlin borough of Neukolin. A Lebanese drug cartel wants to exit the violent life for the sake of his wife and daughter. But he was pulled in the mud by a police operation.

The Adventures of Tintin (1991-1992)

Co-produced by Belgium, Canada and France, it is the cartoonist adaptation of the most famous work of cartoonist Georges Prosper Remi. Spread over 39 half-hour episodes, the show delivers amazing adventures.

The Affair (2014-Present)

A schoolteacher and a budding novelist enter an extramarital relationship with a young waitress. The story is about how they try piecing her together her life.

The Big Bang Theory (2007-2009)

This story is both loved and hated by viewers. It is about the lives of two physicists with an aspiring actress neighbour and a few geeky friends that include an aerospace engineer and an astrophysicist.

Bosch (2014-Present)

Inspired from the novels of Michael Connelly, it is the story of a Lost Angeles Police detective and a Gulf War and Afghanistan veteran Hieronymus “Harry Bosch”. He solves inscrutable cases.

Source: https://bit.ly/3by5gnD

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