Thursday, September 10, 2026
Home Blog Page 1014

Centre rushes high-level teams to 4 states to manage Covid-19 situation

high level team
Representational / file image

New Delhi (NVI): The Centre today deployed high-level Central teams to Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Manipur to strengthen the COVID-19 situation in the states, the Ministry of Health said.

“With the surge in the daily new cases and the spike in the daily fatalities in Union Territory of Delhi, the spillover effect is being observed in the NCR regions within the states of Haryana and Rajasthan where the number of COVID positive patients is on the rise” the Ministry said in a statement.

Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS New Delhi is leading the three-member team bound for Harayana and V K Paul, Member of Niti Aayog is heading the Rajasthan team.

On the other hand, S K Singh, Director (NCDC) will be leading the Gujarat team while L Swasticharan, Addl DDG, DHGS is heading the Manipur team.

These teams will visit the districts reporting high number of COVID-19 cases and support the State efforts towards strengthening containment, surveillance, testing, infection prevention and control measures, and efficient clinical management of the positive cases, the ministry noted.

The Central teams will also guide in effectively managing the challenges related to timely diagnosis and follow up.

Meanwhile, the Union government has been leading the fight against the pandemic with a ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach under the umbrella strategy of ‘Cooperative Federalism’.

As an ongoing effort of various State and UT governments for COVID-19 management, the Central government has been deputing teams from time to time to visit various States/UTs, the ministry said.

“These teams interact with the State and UT authorities and get a first hand understanding of the challenges and issues being faced by them so as to strengthen their ongoing activities and remove bottlenecks, it added.

Furthermore, of these four states, in terms of total COVID-19 cases, Rajasthan has 2,32,358 cases, Haryana (2,07,039), Gujarat (1,19,642) and Manipur has 22,318 positive cases, as per the Health Ministry data.

-RJV

Oxford COVID vaccine shows strong immune response in older adults

Vaccine Registration
Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford, produced strong immune responses in older adults in their 60s and 70s, according to a study.

The ‘ChAdOx1 nCov-2019’ coronavirus vaccine has shown to trigger a robust immune response in healthy adults aged 56-69 and those over 70 years of age.

According to the data published in The Lancet medical journal, one of the groups most vulnerable to serious illness and death from COVID-19, could now build immunity. Whereas, the Phase III trials of the ChAdOx1 nCov-2019 vaccine are ongoing, with early efficacy readings possible in the coming weeks.

As per the authors of the Oxford vaccine findings, volunteers in the trial demonstrate similar neutralising antibody titres, and T cell responses across all three age groups of 18-55, 56-79, and 70 and above.

Nearly 560 healthy adult volunteers took part in the phase two trials, where they were given two doses of the vaccine candidate or a placebo. No adverse health problems were reported during the trials, the study said.

Earlier this year, the results were consistent with the Phase I data reported for healthy adults aged between 18-55 years, it added.

Maheshi Ramasamy, Investigator at the Oxford Vaccine Group and Consultant Physician said, “Older adults are a priority group for COVID-19 vaccination, because they are at increased risk of severe disease, but we know that they tend to have poorer vaccine responses.”

“We were pleased to see that our vaccine was not only well tolerated in older adults. It also stimulated similar immune responses to those seen in younger volunteers. The next step will be to see if this translates into protection from the disease itself,” Ramasamy said.

The University of Oxford said that in most vaccines, older adults do not exhibit as strong a response as younger adults with vaccine induced antibodies commonly display a lower protective capacity.

However, the data reported today are particularly promising, as they show that the older individuals in this study, who are more prone to serious illness and death from COVID-19, are showing a similar immune response to younger adults.

Angela Minassian, Investigator at the University of Oxford and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases said, “Inducing robust immune responses in older adults has been a long-standing challenge in human vaccine research.”

“To show this vaccine technology is able to induce these responses, in the age group most at risk from severe COVID-19 disease, offers hope that vaccine efficacy will be similar in younger and older adults,” she added.

Furthermore, the study found that the vaccine being developed with AstraZeneca, was less likely to cause local reactions at the injection site and symptoms on the day of vaccination in older adults than in the younger group.

-RJV

PM Modi to inaugurate REINVEST-2020

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the virtual 3rd Global Renewable Energy Investment Meeting and Expo (RE-INVEST 2020), on November 26, 2020.

RE-INVEST 2020 will include a two-day virtual conference on renewables and future energy choices and an exhibition of manufacturers, developers, investors and innovators engaged in the clean energy sector.

The event will provide a great opportunity to various countries, states, business houses & organizations to showcase their strategies, achievements and expectations.

The inaugural will be attended by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK and President COP-26; and the Minister of Energy, Utilities and Climate, Denmark.

Minister for New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh, informed that the 3rd RE-Invest will build upon the success of the first two editions held in 2015 and 2018 and provide an international forum for investment promotion in renewable energy.

It will also send signals to the global renewable community about India’s commitment to the development and scaling up of renewable energy to meet its energy requirements in a sustainable manner, Singh added.

-CHK

IED expert among 2 terrorists to flee from encounter site in Kashmir’s Pulwama

IED expert among 2 terrorists to flee from encounter site in Kashmir's Pulwama
(File/Representational)

(Updating earlier copy)

Lubna Fayaz

Pulwama (NVI): Pakistani terrorist Adnan Bhai alias Lamboo Bhai, an IED expert of Jaish-e-Mohammad, is among two terrorists who managed to give security forces a slip during an encounter in Parigam area of Pulwama in South Kashmir today, police officials said.

The two militants were trapped in an encounter with a joint team of Army and CRPF in Parigam area, they said. The forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area after specific inputs about two militants including Jaish-e-Mohammad commander with code name “Lamboo Bhai”.

A police officer said that the militants “seem to have fled soon after the gunfight broke out.”

However, he said the searches in the area were underway.

The gunfight which lasted for a brief span of time had ensued after a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a CASO in Parigam village this afternoon.

As the joint team approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired on them, triggering an encounter.

The Parigam gunfight took place hours after an early morning encounter near Ban toll plaza in Nagrota district of Jammu on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway. Four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were gunned down by the forces in the intense exchange of fire while two Special Operations Group (SOG) cops of J&K police also received injuries.

The gunfight which started at around 5 am, also led to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, they said, adding that 11 weapons were also recovered along with other explosives.

-ARK

Rs 2,000 fine to be imposed for not wearing mask in Delhi: Kejriwal

New Delhi (NVI): The Delhi government today announced that Rs 2,000 fine will be imposed on those found without wearing a mask in the national capital.

While addressing the media, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the government has decided to hike the fine from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 to ensure people comply with the rules.

He said that wearing a mask regularly could reduce the spread of virus significantly.

“A fine of Rs 2000 will be imposed on anyone who is found not wearing a mask at a public place,” he said.

The Chief Minister appealed to all political parties and social organisations to distribute masks at public places in Delhi.

Kejriwal also assured Delhiites that enough beds are available in the hospitals in the national capital to treat people.

Earlier today, the Delhi CM held an all-party meeting where he appealed for a united effort to fight the pandemic. “It is not the time for politics, there is an entire lifetime for it. We should set aside politics and allegations for a few days. This is the time to serve people,” he said.

Over the last weeks, to grapple with the surge that had once crossed the 8,000 mark, the Centre has flown in para-medical personnel and increased the number of beds in hospitals.

On Wednesday evening, health ministry data showed that over the previous 24 hours, the national capital had logged 7,486 new coronavirus cases, taking the infection tally in the city to over 5 lakh.

Data also showed that the number of fatalities recorded was 131 — the highest single-day count in Delhi till date, pushing the number of deaths to 7,943.

-CHK

World’s last known white giraffe fitted with GPS tracker to deter poachers

New Delhi (NVI): The last known white giraffe in the world has been fitted with a GPS tracking device by conservationists to help protect it from poachers as it grazes in Kenya.

However, despite its singular status, the lonely male doesn’t have a name.

A conservation group said rangers could monitor the lone male giraffe’s movements in real time.

The giraffe has a rare genetic condition called leucism, which causes the loss of skin pigmentation.

He is thought to be the last of his kind, after poachers killed two of his family members, a female and her calf, in March, the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy said in a statement.

Their carcasses were found in a conservation area in Kenya’s north-eastern Garissa County, where the male giraffe is currently living alone.

The Conservancy, which oversees wildlife in the area, said the tracking device was attached to one of the giraffe’s horns on November 8.

The non-profit group said the tracking device would give hourly updates on the giraffe’s whereabouts, enabling rangers to “keep the unique animal safe from poachers”.

The Kenya Wildlife Society, the main conservation body in the east-African country, said it was happy to assist in efforts to protect “unique wildlife like the only known white giraffe”.

White giraffes were first spotted in Kenya in March 2016, about two months after a sighting in neighbouring Tanzania.

A year later, white giraffes made headlines again, after the mother and her calf from the conservancy in Kenya’s Garissa County were caught on camera.

Native to more than 15 African countries, giraffes are the world’s tallest mammals. They are hunted by poachers for their hides, meat and body parts.

Some 40 per cent of the giraffe population has disappeared in the last 30 years, with poaching and wildlife trafficking contributing to this decline, according to the Africa Wildlife Foundation (AWF).

Furthermore, Giraffes have been designated as a vulnerable species on The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, with an estimated population of 68,293 globally.

-CHK

West Bengal: 5 dead in factory blast

West Bengal: 5 dead in a factory blast
Local residents at the scene after the blast. (Source: @twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): At least five people were killed and four others sustained injures in a explosion in a plastic factory in West Bengal today morning.

The incident was reported from Sujapur area of Malda district of West Bengal, at around 11 am, according to the reports.

Meanwhile, the injured people have been admitted to Malda Medical College and Hospital.

Reportedly, State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs for the families of those killed in the incident and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

As per the officials, the explosion took place inside the factory where plastic is melted for further use. The machine which is electrically powered malfunctioned and blew up killing five and injuring others.

The police officers and rescue team reached the spot to douse to blaze and ascertain the exact reason behind the blast, while the investigation is underway.

-RJV

11 rifles recovered, terrorists had plans to disrupt DDC polls: IGP on Jammu encounter

Lubna Fayaz

Jammu (NVI): 11 AK-47 assault rifles were among the weapons recovered from four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu’s Nagrota, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu, Mukesh Singh said, adding that the militants had plans to disrupt J&K DDC polls.

While addressing a press conference here, IGP Jammu said there were intelligence inputs regarding the disruption of the upcoming DDC poll elections.

“There were general intelligence inputs regarding some fresh infiltration bids by Jash-e-Mohammad and Lashker-e-Toiba. We were on the alert. The intelligence inputs were with regard to the elections and disrupting the elections,” he said.

“We had kept teams on alert at all nakas. The checking was going on very well. During the checking at 5 am in the morning when the driver was questioned he hesitated and started running away. We started searching the vehicle and we were fired upon,” he said.

“In the retaliatory fire, four militants were killed. We have recovered 11 AK-47 rifles which is a huge number. Three pistols, satellite and mobile phones and compass were also recovered. We will be investigating the matter and further details can follow,” he added.

Asked wherefrom the militants infiltrated, the top police officer of Jammu said: “This is a matter of investigation. We are looking into it. We are trying to find out.”

Asked about the driver of the vehicle, the IGP said that he was absconding. “We are looking for the driver.”

He further said that it appears that the plan of the militants was something big because never in the past, each militant was carrying three Ak-47 rifles. “This is for the first time that such huge recovery has been made,” the police officer said, adding there is a high probability that the militants were heading towards Kashmir Valley.

Four JeM terrorists were killed in a fierce gunbattle with security forces at around 5 am near Ban toll plaza in Nagrota district of Jammu on Jammu-Srinagar Highway. The highway was closed following the encounter. Two Special Operations Group (SOG) cops of J&K police were also injured in the gunfight and were undergoing treatment.

-ARK

MBBS, BDS seats to be reserved for wards of ‘COVID Warriors’: Vardhan

Govt is alert, no need to panic: Health Min on new COVID strain in UK

New Delhi (NVI): Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today announced a new category called ‘Wards of COVID Warriors’ for the selection of candidates for MBBS and BDS seats for the academic year 2020-21.

Speaking at a briefing, Harsh Vardhan said that, this move aims to dignify and honour the noble contribution made by the COVID Warriors in treatment and management of COVID patient.

Under this new category, five central pool MBBS seats have been reserved for the academic year 2020-21. “This will honour the Solemn Sacrifice of all COVID warriors who served with selfless dedication for the cause of duty and humanity,” the Minister said.

“Central Pool MBBS seats may be allocated for selection and nominations of the candidates from amongst the wards of “COVID Warriors”, who have lost life due to COVID 19 or died accidently on account of COVID 19 related duty,” Ministry of Health and Family Welfare quoting Vardhan said in a statement.

Moreover, the definition of COVID Warrior has been laid down by government while announcing the insurance package of Rs 50 lakhs for them, the Minister said, adding that, “COVID Warriors are all public healthcare providers including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this.”

“Private hospital staff and retired/volunteer/ local urban bodies/ contracted/ daily wage/ ad-hoc/ outsourced staff requisitioned by States/ Central hospitals/ autonomous hospitals of Central/ States/UTs, AIIMS and Institutes of National Importance (INI)/ hospitals of Central Ministries drafted for COVID-19 related responsibilities are all included,” he added.

Vardhan further stated that the State and Union Territories government will certify the eligibility for this new category.

Furthermore, the selection of candidates will be made by the Medical Council Committee (MCC) through the online application on the basis of rank obtained in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET)- 2020, the ministry said.

-RJV

PM hails Digital India as way of life at Bengaluru Tech Summit

New Delhi (NVI): Digital India, which was launched by the Centre in 2015, is no longer being seen as any regular government initiative but it has become a way of life, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said.

While virtually addressing Bengaluru Tech Summit, 2020, PM Modi said, “His governance model is Technology First.”

Modi inaugurated the summit that will deliberate on the key challenges emerging in the post-pandemic world.

“We launched Digital India 5 years back. Today, I am glad to say that Digital India is no longer being seen as any regular government initiative. Digital India has become a way of life. Particularly, for the poor, marginalised and for those in the government,” he said.

The Prime Minister further said, “It is time for tech solutions that are designed in India but deployed for the world.”

“India as a country is uniquely positioned to leap ahead in the information era. We have the best minds as well as the biggest market. Our local tech solutions have the potential to go global,” he added.

“Thanks to Digital India, our nation has witnessed a more human-centric approach to development. Using technology on such a large scale has brought about several life changes for our citizens. The benefits are for everyone to see,” he added.

“Through technology, we have enhanced human dignity. Cores of farmers receive monetary support in one click. At the peak of the lockdown, it was technology that ensured that India’s poor received proper & quick assistance. the scale of this relief has few parallels,” he said.

He further said, “Achievements of the industrial era are in the rear view mirror, and now, we are in the middle of information era. Future is coming sooner than anticipated In the industrial era, change was linear. But in the information era, change is disruptive”.

The event is being organised by the Karnataka government along with Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), the state government’s Vision Group on Information Technology, Biotechnology & StartUp, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications.

This year the theme of the summit is ‘Next is Now’ and is scheduled from November 19 to 21.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Swiss Confederation vice president Guy Parmelin and many other prominent international figures besides thought leaders, industry captains, technocrats, researchers, innovators, investors, policymakers and educators from India and abroad will be participating in the summit.

-CHK

1...1,0131,0141,015...1,733Page 1,014 of 1,733

MUST READ