News in Short

• There is currently insufficient scientific evidence to show vitamin D can be beneficial in preventing or treating Covid-19, according to scientists.
• Following several reports that high doses of vitamin D could reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19 and can be used to successfully treat the virus, scientists analysed the current scientific evidence on the vitamin and its use in treating infections.
• The report found no link between vitamin D supplements and prevention or treatment of Covid-19. Furthermore, they cautioned against over supplementation of the vitamin, without medical supervision, due to health risks.

• The Earth's magnetic field is weakening between Africa and South America, causing issues for satellites and space craft.
• Scientists studying the phenomenon observed that an area known as the South Atlantic Anomaly has grown considerably in recent years, though the reason for it is not entirely clear.
• Using data gathered by the European Space Agency's (ESA) Swarm constellation of satellites, researchers noted that the area of the anomaly dropped in strength by more than 8 per cent between 1970 and 2020.
• One possibilityis that the weakening field is a sign that the Earth's magnetic field is about to reverse, whereby the North Pole and South Pole switch places.

• Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sought a special $1.1-billion currency swap facility from India to boost its foreign exchange reserves under strain in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Central Bank of Sri Lanka had recently sought a $400-million currency swap with the RBI under the SAARC facility.
• The additional amount to top the $400 million “would enormously help Sri Lanka in dealing with our foreign exchange issues.

• Actor Mohit Baghel, best known for playing Amar Chaudhary in superstar Salman Khan's Ready, died of cancer. He was 26.
• Mohit Baghel also acted in films Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami and Gali Gali Chor Hai.
• He has also worked in Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra’s Jabariya Jodi, his last movie appearance.

• Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has become the world's highest-paid female athlete, displacing US rival Serena Williams at the top of the list.
• According to Forbes magazine, Osaka, 22, a two-time Grand Slam champion, made £30.7m in prize money and endorsements over the past 12 months. That was £1.15m more than the amount earned by 38-year-old Williams.
• Williams had been the world's highest-paid female athlete in each of the past four years, with Sharapova ruling for the five years before that.