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PM Modi meets Afghan peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Afghan peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah and expressed India’s commitment to further deepen India-Afghan ties and its principled position on the ongoing peace negotiations in Doha.

Bilateral issues, including India’s development cooperation with Afghanistan, were discussed in the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

“Strengthening our commitment to our close neighbour. PM @narendramodi met with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah @DrabdullahCE of Afghanistan, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation. He reaffirmed our long term commitment to further deepening India-Afghan ties,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said in a tweet.

Abdullah also tweeted after his meeting with the Prime Minister and thanked India for its principled position on the Afghan peace process.

“Pleased to meet HE Narendra Modi @narendramodi, the Prime Minister of Republic of #India. In our friendly discussion we took stock of the latest developments on the #AfghanPeaceProcess, the talks in Doha, & India’s support for the peace efforts,” the Afghan leader said in one of the tweets.

Dr Abdullah also appreciated Indian’s developmental commitment of US$ 3 billion, projects under which are benefiting Afghans across all of its 34 provinces, MEA said.

PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment towards sustainable peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and welcomed efforts towards a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Afghanistan.

Abdullah, who arrived in India on Tuesday on a five-day, met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval yesterday, who told him that India is in favour of a democratic and sovereign Afghanistan “where no terrorists can operate”.

“Had a constructive discussion with HE Ajit Doval, the NSA of India. We discussed the #AfghanPeaceProcess, & the talks in Doha. He assured me of India’s full support for the peace efforts, & that any peace settlement acceptable to Afghans, will have the support of India,” Abdullah tweeted after his meeting with Doval.

Doval also hosted a dinner for Abdullah’s delegation that was attended by foreign secretary Harsh Shringla, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, senior officials of the external affairs ministry and key members of the High Council for National Reconciliation.

The Afghan leader is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tomorrow. He will also deliver a speech at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) today.

-ARK

PM to deliver keynote address at Invest India Conference

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the Invest India Conference in Canada via video conferencing today evening.

The video conference will take place at around 6:30 PM IST, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

“The forum aims to give Canadian business community a first-hand perspective of the opportunities to invest in India and showcase India as an investment destination,” it added.

Furthermore, representatives from banks and insurance companies, investment funds, companies in sectors like aviation, electronics and manufacturing, consultant firms, universities etc are expected to take part in the conference.

-RJV

IAF demonstrated op capability at short notice amid India-China face-off: Air Chief

Air chief marshal RKS Bhadauria speaking at IAF’s 88th foundation day ceremony.

New Delhi (NVI): Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, on its 88th foundation day of the Indian Air Force, said that IAF demonstrated its operational capability in northern frontiers amid the India-China face-off recently and expressed confidence that Rafale induction will boost the force’s combat capability.

While inspecting the 88th Indian Air Force Day parade at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad today, the IAF chief said that the IAF stands ever ready to protect the nation’s sovereignty and interests ‘in all circumstances.’ He said the IAF is undergoing a transformational change as it entered its 89th year.

“I would like to commend all warriors for the quick response, in the recent stand-off on our northern frontiers, when we deployed our combat assets at short notice to handle any eventuality and provided proactive support to all the requirements of deployment and sustenance for the Indian Army,” Bhadauria said in his speech.

“We have clearly demonstrated our resolve, operational capability, and the will to effectively engage the adversary, should the need arise,” the IAF chief added.

The IAF chief said that the force is undergoing a transformational change and is entering an era that will redefine where it employs aerospace power and conduct integrated multi-domain operations.

“I want to assure the nation the IAF will evolve and be ever ready to safeguard our nation’s sovereignty and interests,” the air chief further said.

“I commend all air warriors for a quick response in the recent standoff on the northern frontiers, when we deployed our combat assets at short notice to handle any eventuality and provided proactive support to all requirements of deployment and sustenance for Indian Army,” Bhadauria said.

The Air Chief further said that 2020 has been an ‘unprecedented year’ as said the nation’s response to Covid-19 spread was firm as it spread across the globe. “The tenacity and resolve of our air warriors ensured that the IAF continued to retain its capability to undertake full-scale operations throughout this period,” Bhadauria said.

Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army chief General MM Naravane and Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh also attended the grand parade organised by Indian Air Force at the Hindon airbase.

Earlier in the day, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh and others extended their greetings to the IAF on its 88th anniversary.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Our Army is known for its valour and professionalism. It is also respected for its humanitarian spirit. Whenever people have needed help, our Army has risen to the occasion and done everything possible! Proud of our Army.”

Indian Air Force Day is commemorated on October 8 every year to mark the foundation day of the Air Force.

This year IAF day is special as the newly-inducted Rafale fighter aircraft are being featured in the IAF Day parade. Two newly inducted Rafale jets are a part of the flypast.

A total of 56 aircraft are there for aerial display and 11 jets on static display.

Nishan Toli being led by Squadron Leader Shivangi Rajawat marched at the Hindon Air Force Station on the occasion.

-CHK/ARK

Masks made mandatory across Italy

New Delhi (NVI): Italy has made it mandatory to wear face masks outdoors nationwide in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, as new infections jumped to the highest daily tally since April.

Several Italian regions including Lazio, around the capital Rome, had already made face masks mandatory.

“From now on, masks and protective gear have to be brought with us when we leave our house and worn. We have to wear them all the time unless we are in a situation of continuous isolation,” PM Giuseppe Conte said.

Masks must also be worn in shops, offices, on public transport, and in bars and restaurants when not seated at a table.

Italians were subject to some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world when the country became the first in Europe to be overwhelmed by the coronavirus earlier in the year.

Although it has managed to keep the virus in check more successfully than many other European countries in recent months, cases in the last 24 hours have surged past the 3,000 mark for the first time since April 24, registering 3,678 new infections, data from the health ministry shows.

-CHK

Berlin nightlife to witness first curfew in 70 years as Covid cases hike

New Delhi (NVI): Berlin’s nightlife is facing a closing time for the first time in 70 years as the party-loving German capital seeks to contain spiralling coronavirus infection rates.

From Saturday, bars, restaurants and off-licences will have to close their doors between 11pm and 6am as a large second wave of Covid-19 cases in the city threatens to taint Germany’s image as a pandemic role model.

With health authorities mainly blaming private parties and family meet-ups for the latest outbreaks, public gatherings of more than five people from more than two households, and private gatherings of more than 10 people, will also be banned under the new rules announced, according to media reports.

Berlin has since the start of October been recording more daily new confirmed infections than it did at the peak of the first wave in late March, when testing capacity was more limited.

On Tuesday, two of the three “traffic lights” that make up the city’s coronavirus warning system switched to red after authorities recorded 44.2 new cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days.

The rate of new cases in the inner-city districts that host Berlin’s nightlife were higher still: of seven hotspots listed by Germany’s disease control agency as having a seven-day incidence of more than 50 cases per 100,000 people, four are in the heart of the capital.

While Berlin’s nightclubs remain closed for the indefinite future, bars were allowed to reopen in June with hygiene restrictions

Introducing a closing time, which revellers in the capital have not had to adhere to since 1949, would be counterproductive because people would continue to party in their own homes.

-CHK

PM launches ‘Jan Andolan’ campaign, appeals everyone to unite against corona

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a ‘Jan Andolan’ (public movement) campaign and appealed everyone to unite in the fight against coronavirus.

Launching the campaign on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, PM Modi said, India’s fight against coronavirus gets strength from it’s COVID-19 warriors.

“India’s Covid-19 fight is people-driven and gets great strength from our Covid warriors. Our collective efforts have helped saved many lives. We have to continue the momentum and protect our citizens from the virus. #Unite2FightCorona,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

In another tweet, PM Modi asked citizens to wear a mask, wash hands, follow social distancing and practice ‘Do Gaj Ki Doori’ to win against the COVID-19.

Moreover, the campaign is being launched with the aim to encourage people’s participation. Under the campaign, a COVID-19 pledge will be taken by all, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement

“A concerted action plan will be implemented by Central Government Ministries and Departments and State Governments and Union Territories,” it added.

The campaign will focus on region-specific targeted communication in high case-load districts, simple and easily understandable messages to reach every citizen.

Under the campaign, there will be dissemination throughout the country using all media platforms, banners and posters at public places involving frontline workers and targeting beneficiaries of government schemes, the PMO said.

It will also include hoardings, wall paintings and electronic display boards in government premises, the involvement of local and national influencers to drive home the message, running mobile vans for regular awareness generation, audio messages, pamphlets and brochures.

Also, the government will seek support of local cable operators for running COVID-19 messages and coordinated media campaign across platforms for effective outreach and impact, the statement noted.

Earlier, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had said the Prime Minister will launch a “Jan Andolan” campaign with series of tweet to impart information about following COVID-19 protocols in view of the upcoming festival season and opening up of the economy.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases surge past 36 mn globally, Brazil tally tops 5 mn

Coronavirus
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): More than 36 million people around the world have been diagnosed with COVID-19 while the death toll has crossed 1,054,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. More than 25.1 million people have recovered from the disease.

Brazil surpasses five million coronavirus cases. The health ministry said another 31,553 confirmed cases of Covid-19 had been reported, taking the country’s cumulative total to 5,000,694.

In the US, the number of coronavirus cases have surpassed 7.5 million while the number of fatalities in the country have exceeded 2,11,000.

French health authorities reported 18,746 new confirmed Covid-19 cases over 24 hours, a new all-time daily high, and almost double of Wednesday’s tally of 10,489.

Italy confirms swab tests for travellers from four countries, including the UK, following growing concerns about rising cases across Europe, and makes face masks compulsory outdoors. Swab tests for Covid-19 will be compulsory for people travelling from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

All bars, cafes and event halls in Brussels have been told they must shut down for at least a month as of 7am on Thursday as the Belgian capital went beyond recently tightened national restrictions in Belgium.

Scotland’s pubs banned from serving alcohol inside for 16 days. First minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced a nationwide ban on drinking indoors in licensed premises in Scotland for more than two weeks, with a full shutdown of all premises across the central belt where infection rates are accelerating most rapidly

Berlin’s nightlife is facing a closing time for the first time in 70 years as the party-loving German capital seeks to contain spiralling coronavirus infection rates.

Bulgaria reported a daily record of 437 coronavirus cases on Thursday, as the country grapples with a rising number of infections, data from the national information platform on the disease showed. The Balkan country now has 22,743 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 873 deaths.

-CHK

India’s COVID tally over 68 lakh, death toll at 1,05,526

corona
(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): India registered a single-day rise of 78,524 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, taking the overall caseload to 68,35,656, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 1,05,526 with 971 fatalities reported during this period.

So far, the number of active cases stands at 9,02,425, while 58,27,705 patients have been cured and discharged from the hospitals across the country.

However, India’s recovery and fatality rates are 85.02 per cent and 1.55 per cent, respectively.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 14,80,489, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 7,34,427 cases, and Tamil Nadu with 6,35,855 positive cases.

The other worst affected states in the country are Karnataka (6,68,852), Uttar Pradesh (4,24,326) and Delhi (2,98,107).

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of death toll at 39,072 followed by 9,984 deaths in Tamil Nadu.

The death toll in the national capital surpassed to 5,616, while 2,70,305 patients have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

As per the Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR) data, 8,34,65,975 samples tested up to October 7 for COVID-19. Of these, 11,94,321 samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that all the weekly markets in the national capital will now be allowed to operate. So far, only two markets per zone were allowed to function.

-RJV

Rajnath wishes air warriors on IAF Day

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today extended greetings to the air warriors and their families on the 88th anniversary of Indian Air Force (IAF).

Taking to Twitter, Singh wrote, “My felicitations and best wishes to the air warriors and their families on the occasion of Air Force Day-2020. Eighty eight years of dedication, sacrifice and excellence mark the journey of the IAF which is today a lethal and formidable force to reckon with.”

In series of tweet, the Defence Minister said, “The Nation is proud of its men and women in blue and salutes the prowess of the IAF as it stands ready to face challenges and deter adversaries. We remain committed to enhancement of IAF’s combat capability through modernisation and indigenisation.”

Singh further said that he was confident that the IAF will “always guard the nation’s skies, come what may. Here’s wishing you blue skies and happy landings always.”

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will celebrate its 88th anniversary today. The day is celebrated on October 8 every year to mark the foundation day of the Air Force.

A special occasion will be celebrated with a ceremonial parade and flypast involving a variety of aircraft at the Hindon airbase. The Full-dress rehearsals were held yesterday by the various squadrons.

-RJV

World Food Day: RAHI to celebrate October as Hunger action month

New Delhi (NVI): In recent months, due to pandemic and related events, people across the world, especially those from the lower economic strata faced severe economic hardship and many experienced aggravated hunger.

With economic activities still not back in full gear, hunger and food insecurity continue to be major issues to deal with for many. The world also saw during the lockdown, spontaneous action by citizens’ groups, local organizations and individuals to extend a helping hand to the hungry and needy.

To highlight both the seriousness of the situation and the need to find a sustainable solution, Rise Against Hunger India (RAHI) has planned to celebrate the month of October as Hunger Action Month with a series of activities lined up including a number of virtual volunteering opportunities.

Out of the existing 30,000 edible plant species, only 9 accounts for 66% of the total crop production. “We need to grow different varieties of food to nourish people and sustain the planet. Keeping this in mind, World Food Day 2020 is themed on Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together,” RAHI said in a release.

Rise Against Hunger India (RAHI) shall also use this occasion to highlight the tales of those who toil every day under challenging circumstances to ensure that food reaches our plate. During the month, the organization will showcase stories of growers, producers, famers, retailers, supply chain professionals, philanthropists, volunteers, and many more who are actually the Food-Heroes.

Speaking on the occasion, Dola Mohapatra, Executive Director, Rise Against Hunger India said, “The COVID-19 global health crisis has been a time to reflect on our most basic needs. These uncertain times have prompted us to appreciate something that many of us take for granted, but many go without i.e. food. 

“It has also brought to light the exemplary work that some people have done and are still doing to feed the hungry. We, at RAHI, are celebrating the whole of October as Hunger Action Month with several initiatives including recognizing and celebrating food heroes; training & dissemination sessions with our partners on our food and nutrition security; launching SAMBAL – a small grant facility for local organizations for sustainable livelihood projects; enhancing our volunteer engagement programs and much more. We invite people to join us and be part of our Hunger Action Month Initiatives. We have some exciting activities that anyone, of any age, from any location, can participate in.”

World Food Day (WFD) is one of the most celebrated days in the UN calendar and was established by the members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1979. Since then, it has been celebrated in more than 150 countries to raise awareness about issues related to hunger and nutrition. Several events & outreach activities that bring together governments, businesses, NGOs, the media, the general public are held across 150 countries on this day.

-ARK

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