News in Short

• Reliance Industries is expected to repay its entire reported net debt even if the Saudi Aramco deal is delayed, based on selling shares worth ? 1.3 lakh crores.
• The company has sold minority stakes in its digital arm to Facebook and private equity firms such as Silver Lake, Vista Equity, KKR and General Atlantic to raise a cumulative ? 78,562 crore. Also, the company is raising ? 53,125 crore through a rights issue.
• The balance shortfall of ? 27,700 crore can be raised through three avenues, stake sale to Aramco, sale of fibre OCPS, higher-than-estimated free cash flow and further stake sale in Jio.

• As per the earlier studies, two people should maintain a distance of 6 feet to be in the safe zone. But the new studies have found something else.
• Scientists have tested the spread of infectious droplets from coughing, sneezing and breathing under different atmospheric conditions. The researchers have found that the novel coronavirus can spread up to three times further in cold and humid weather.
• According to the same research, 40,000 respiratory droplets can be generated by coughing, sneezing and even while normal talking, with the initial speed ranging from a few meters per second to more than a hundred meters per second.

• Noted architect, Pradeep Sachdeva, who designed and redeveloped several iconic buildings across the country, died at the age of 62.
• He is known as the creator of Dilli Haat at INA market, Garden of Five Senses in Said ulAjaib, and Emporia Plaza at Baba Khadak Singh Marg.
• Other famous buildings designed by him are headquarters of Delhi Development Authority (INA Market), Azad Hind Gram in Tikri Kalan, Delhi University Plaza, Plaza and Streets at BhikajiCama Place, and Botanic Garden in Noida.

• Researchers at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have found a rare fish from Sethukarai coast in the Gulf of Mannar.
• The band-tail scorpionfish (Scorpaenospsisneglecta), well-known for its stinging venomous spines and ability to change colour, was found during an exploratory survey of the seagrass ecosystem.
• This was the first time that the particular species was found alive in Indian waters. The fish has the ability to change colour and blend with its surrounding environment to escape from predators and while preying.

• Singer-composer Wajid Khan of music director duo Sajid-Wajid, popular for their work on superstar Salman Khan's films, passed away.
• The music composer duo made their Bollywood debut with Salman's 1998 movie "PyaarKiya Toh Darna Kya" and went on to work on actor's various films including "Garv", "TereNaam", "Tumko Na Bhool Payenge", "Partner" and the popular "Dabangg" franchise.
• Wajid also did playback for Salman in chartbusters like "Mera He Jalwa", "Fevicol Se" and for Akshay Kumar in "Chinta Ta Chita Chita" from the film "Rowdy Rathore", among others.