News in Short

• Google has said it is launching qsim, a new open-source quantum simulator to help researchers develop quantum algorithms.
• It has unveiled a new website to get started with qsim and other open-source quantum software.
• Researchers can access Google’s tools, research initiatives, educational material, latest publications and research repositories from the website.
• While students can find educational resources or apply for internships, and developers interested in quantum computing can also join.
• Simulators are important tools for writing and debugging quantum code for developing quantum algorithms.

• Rainbow flags will be allowed in stadiums at the 2022 World Cup as Qatar said anti-LGBTQ laws would not be enforced at matches to comply with FIFA regulations promoting tolerance and inclusion.
• With less than two years until the tournament, though, concerns persist about the treatment facing gay fans in Qatar due the conservative religious code prohibiting same-sex relations that conflict with FIFA’s stance against homophobia.
• Qatar’s World Cup leadership has offered FIFA the assurances that displays promoting LGBTQ rights will not be removed.
• The US State Department’s most recent human rights report on Qatar highlights how LGBTQ people there largely hid their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics due to an underlying pattern of discrimination.

• Former India wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 35-year-old represented India in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and 2 T20Is having made his international debut as a 17-year old in 2002.
• Patel finished with 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and two T20Is, his last international appearance coming in India's famous Test win in Johannesburg in January 2018.
• Apart from playing for India, Patel will be remembered for his contributions to Gujarat. He led the side to the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2015, scoring a match-winning maiden List A century in the final against Delhi.
• He remains the fourth-youngest Test debutant for India, behind only Tendulkar, Piyush Chawla, and L Sivaramakrishnan.

• Journalist-author  Raj Kamal Jha has won the 3rd Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize for his novel, The City and The Sea.
• Jha’s book, which is based on the December 2012 Nirbhaya rape and murder case, was chosen from ten shortlisted books including Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island, Nirmala Govindarajan’s Taboo and Ranjit Hoskote’s Jonahwhale.
• The Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize was founded in 2018 by US-based publisher Bundalo as a platform for world peace, literature, art, education and human rights.

• Popular TV actor Divya Bhatnagar of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai fame, who had been diagnosed with Covid-19, passed away. She was 36.
• The actor was admitted to Seven Hills hospital recently due to Covid-19. She died after a cardiac arrest. She was admitted to hospital for about seven-eight days ago.
• Bhatnagar had also acted in shows including Udaan, Silsila Pyaar Ka, Sasural Genda Phool, Sawaare Sabke Sapne Preeto, Vish, among others.