Thursday, September 10, 2026
Home Blog Page 1138

Global coronavirus cases cross 30.6 mn, over 9.5 lakh deaths

Global Covid-19 cases cross 62 mn mark
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The overall global coronavirus cases have reached 3,06,85,001 with 9,55,843 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 6,764,780 and 199,258, respectively, according to the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) in its latest update.

Brazil is at third place in overall Covid tally but it has more number of deaths than India which is at second place. Brazil’s death toll has reached 1,36,532 while India’s death toll has reached 85,619. Their overall coronavirus tally stands at 45,28,240 and 53,08,014 respectively.

After the US, India and Brazil, Russia has the most number of Covid cases in world at 10,92,915. The country has recorded 19,270 deaths so far.

Meanwhile, the UK is considering to impose another nationwide lockdown after witnessing a fresh surge of Covid-19 cases. 4,322 infections were recorded on Friday. UK Experts and ministers held meetings over the weekend amid growing anger in citizens over steps taken to stop the spread of the virus.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that Britain was seeing a second wave of Covid-19, and introduced new restrictions for millions of people across northwest, northern and central England.

People in England who refuse to self-isolate to stop the spread of coronavirus could face fines of up to £10,000 ($13,000, 11,000 euros) under tough new regulations announced yesterday to tackle surge in cases, according to a foreign media report.

-ARK

India’s Covid tally crosses 54 lakh mark, over 86,000 deaths recorded

New Delhi (NVI): With a rise of 92,605 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, India’s Covid tally has reached 54,00,619, according to the latest data by the Union Health Ministry. 1,133 more deaths due to the virus have taken the death toll to 86,752.

There are 10,10,824 active cases in the country now and more than 43 lakh people have recovered. Apart from that, the country’s mortality rate is 1.61%.

ICMR has said that 6,36, 61, 060 samples have been tested till September 19, including a record 12,06,806 tests conducted on Saturday.

In another update, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been laid down to resume sports activities in the SAI (Sports Authority of India) training centres under the name of “Khelo India-Fir Se” which were curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This information was given by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in Rajya Sabha yesterday.

In addition to that, Tata Group yesterday received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the commercial launch of India’s first CRISPR Covid-19 test.

This test uses an indigenously developed CRISPR technology for the detection of the genomic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 disease, Ministry of Science & Technology said in a statement yesterday.

Meanwhile, overall global coronavirus cases have reached 3,06,85,001 with 9,55,843 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 6,764,780 and 199,258, respectively, according to the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) in its latest update.

-ARK

India’s first CRISPR Covid-19 test gets DCGI approval for commercial launch

covid
Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): Tata group today received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the commercial launch of the country’s first CRISPR COVID-19 test.

This test uses an indigenously developed CRISPR technology for the detection of the genomic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 disease, Ministry of Science & Technology said in a statement.

The Tata CRISPR test is the world’s first diagnostic test to deploy a specially adapted Cas9 protein to successfully detect the virus causing Covid-19, it added.

This marks a significant achievement for the Indian scientific community, moving from R&D to a high-accuracy, scalable and reliable test in less than 100 days.

The CRISPR test achieves accuracy levels oftraditional RT-PCR tests, with quicker turnaround time, less expensive equipment, and better ease of use. Moreover, CRISPR is a futuristic technology that can also be configured for detection of multiple other pathogens in the future.

Tata group worked with CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to create a high-quality test that will help the nation ramp up Covid-19 testing quickly and economically, with a ‘Made in India’ product that is safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible, the statement read.

“The approval for the Tata CRISPR test for COVID-19 will give a boost to the country’s efforts in fighting the global pandemic. The commercialization of the Tata CRISPR test reflects the tremendous R&D talent in the country, which can collaborate to transform India’s contributions to the global healthcare and scientific research world,” TATA Medical and Diagnostics CEO Girish Krishnamurthy added.

-CHK

SOP laid down to resume sports activities in SAI training centres: Rijiju

Ayush Minister Kiren Rijiju (File Pic)

New Delhi (NVI): Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been laid down to resume sports activities in the training centres under the name of “Khelo India-Fir Se” which were curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This information was given by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

“Due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, all the conventional training programmes being conducted in all Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres across the country, under various SAI Sports Promotional Schemes were temporarily suspended and the foreign training of Indian athletes were also curtailed,” the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in a statement.

However, the training has since resumed in accordance with the guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, it added.

The statement further said that the SOPs cover all stakeholders at the training centres including athletes, technical and non-technical support staff, administrative staff, hostel and facility management staff and visitors to the centre.

A COVID-19 task force committee has been set-up to ensure that the guidelines are strictly implemented at all the training centres, the statement said.

The committee will ensure the effective implementation of the health protocols issued by the central and respective state and Union Territory government.

“SAI training centres are divided into 3 Zones viz. Red, Blue, and Yellow for safety and security of the Athletes,” it added.

Furthermore, a Hygiene officer with supporting staff like nurses, physiotherapist, psychologist, nutritionist have been deployed as a hygiene task force to interact and assist with the national campers, coaches and supporting staff for any health issue related to COVID-19 care

“A total of Rs 28.75 crore has been spent on maintenance and upkeep of SAI centres across the country and stadia under SAI during the lockdown,” the statement noted.

-RJV

 

INS Viraat on final voyage to Gujarat, to be dismantled and sold as scrap

INS Viraat

New Delhi (NVI): The decommissioned aircraft carrier INS Viraat, which was in service for 30 years, set sail for the last time, on way to Alang in Gujarat, where it will be broken down and sold as scrap.

INS Viraat, the second Centaur-Class aircraft carrier-in-service has spent 30 years in the Indian Navy and 27 years in the Royal Navy after which it was decommissioned.

INS Viraat holds the world record, as mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records, for being the longest-serving warship of the world.

The Indian Navy took to Twitter and paid an emotional tribute to the ship with a minute-long video.

Viraat began its final journey from the Naval dockyard where it was berthed after being decommissioned in 2017.

A Navy helicopter circling overhead provided a majestic backdrop to Viraat’s last voyage from its home base for over three decades.

Alang-based Shree Ram group has won the bid for dismantling the ship. The company’s high capacity tugs are towing the vessel to Alang and it would take two days to complete the journey, an official said.

Alang, a beach town, houses the world’s biggest ship breaking yard.

-CHK

COVID-19: 21 deaths, 1,492 fresh cases in J&K; tally 62,533

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Coronavirus cases continue to witness a surge in Jammu and Kashmir as 1,492 fresh cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the toll of positive cases to 62,533 in the Union Territory. 21 fresh deaths were also recorded in the UT taking the total death toll to 987.

Officials said that among 1,492 new cases, 661 belong to Kashmir division while 831 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached 40,447 including 30,720 recoveries and 764 deaths meanwhile the total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached 22,087 including 9,545 recoveries and 223 deaths.

The officials further said that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 21,281 including 8,963 from Kashmir division and 12,318 from Jammu division.

With 969 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 49,265 which is 64.39 per cent of the total cases and was over 78 per cent two weeks back.

Notably, for the first time since COVID-19 outbreak, the active cases have crossed 21,000 in J&K.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 192 from Srinagar, 68 from Budgam, 32 from Baramulla, 71 from Pulwama, 52 from Anantnag, 37 from Bandipora, 99 from Kupwara, 93 from Ganderbal, 12 from Kulgam and 05 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 831 from Jammu division include 261 from Jammu, 87 from Rajouri, 19 from Udhampur, 54 from Kathua, 185 from Doda, 62 from Samba, 57 from Poonch, 43 from Ramban, 25 from Reasi and 38 from Kishtiwar,” officials disclosed.

Furthermore, in the last 24 hours, 21 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have died which includes 7 from Kashmir division and 14 from Jammu division.

As per the media bulletin, patients who have died include two from Srinagar and one each from Budgam, Baramulla, Anantnag, Bandipora and Kupwara in Kashmir division while 14 from Jammu division include 11 from Jammu district and one each from Rajouri, Poonch and Ramban

As per the officials figures, 12,829 positive cases including 263 deaths and 105,45 recoveries are from Srinagar, 4,286  including 76 deaths and 2,557 recoveries are from Budgam, 3,758 including 2,606 recoveries and 115 deaths are from Baramulla, 3,484 including 2,907 recoveries and 63 deaths are from Pulwama, 3,203 including 55 deaths and 2,338 recoveries are from Anantnag, 3,120 including 2,052 recoveries and 32 deaths are from Bandipora, 3,178 cases including 2,180 and 61 deaths are from Bandipora, 2,503 including 1,844 recoveries and 26 deaths are from Ganderbal, 2,165 including 1,969 recoveries and 43 deaths are from Kulgam and 1,921 including 1,722 recoveries and 30 deaths are from Shopian.

In Jammu division, 9,911 including 3,477 recoveries and 131’deaths are from Jammu district, 2,010 including 893 recoveries and 21 deaths are from Rajouri, 1,735  including 972 recoveries and 09 deaths are from Udhampur, 1,673 including 1,038 recoveries and 14 deaths are from Kathua, 1,535 including 530 recoveries and 17 deaths are from Doda, 1,358 including 651 recoveries and 10 deaths are from Samba, 1,296 including 481 recoveries and 08 deaths are from Poonch, 1,012 including 693 recoveries and 06 deaths are from Ramban, 726 including 394 recoveries and 04 deaths are from Reasi and 830 including 416 recoveries and 03 deaths are from Kishtwar.

As per the daily information bulletin, 5,42,123 people in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 29,078 people have been kept under home quarantine besides that 21,281 people are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 4,24,701 people have completed surveillance period and 66,076 people are under home surveillance. So far, results of 1,369,702 samples have been made available.

-CHK

Karnataka Deputy CM tests Covid positive

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan.

New Delhi (NVI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Narayan today said he has tested positive for COVID-19.

“In anticipation of the upcoming Assembly sessions, I underwent a #COVID19 test on Saturday and my results have returned positive. I am asymptomatic and will be under home isolation,” Narayan tweeted.

He has requested all those who have come in contact with him to take the necessary precautions.

In the wake of the pandemic, Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri has made it mandatory for all those attending the Assembly session to undergo RT-PCR test for COVID-19 infection, 72 hours prior to the start of the monsoon session from September 21.

Narayan is the latest in the list of ministers in Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s cabinet who have tested positive for coronavirus.

-CHK

Terrorists held in Rajouri received air-dropped weapons, cash at LoC: J&K DGP

Personnel of security forces at an encounter site in Kashmir (File pic)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Three terrorists arrested in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba and they had travelled from Kashmir to Jammu to receive an air-dropped weapon consignment and cash at Rajouri, Director General of Police, Dilbagh Singh said today.

While addressing a press conference in Rajouri, DGP Singh said that the three were arrested after joint teams of police and Army received information that they had received weapons and cash via drone at LoC.

“Yesterday the trio were chased by the police and 38 RR unit of the Army, after which one of them hurled a grenade at the forces which luckily didn’t explode and they were caught alive,” the DGP said, adding that all the three are affiliated with Lashkar terrorist outfit and were in touch with the handlers from across and had received weapons and cash through drones.

He said that the neighbouring country is trying hard to keep the pot of militancy boiling in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

“From the possession of three Lashkar men, two AK 56 riffles, two pistols, four grenades and Rs 1 lakh cash has been recovered. This weapon consignment and cash was aimed at fueling militancy in Kashmir,” he said. “Further interrogation of the trio is on.”

Asked whether a weapon drop was a challenge, he said this is the first attempt of aerial weapon drop on the LoC and second in the recent past as the earlier drone was shot along with weapons by the BSF on the International Border in Samba district. “We are aware of the challenge and will evolve a counter strategy to foil these bids,” the J&K DGP said.

Speaking during the conference, IGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh said that on September 14, a huge consignment of heroin weighing 7 kg worth Rs 7 crore was recovered following which one person was arrested from Kulgam which further led to the arrest of three more men from Poonch district.

After their interrogation, 4 more kgs of heroin worth Rs 4 crore was recovered besides IED making material and a pen drive, IGP stated.

“In the pen drive, there were indications and training sessions as to how an IED can be prepared,” he said, adding that in total Rs 12 Crore worth heroin was recovered that was transported from across the border.  On being questioned that whether the heroin was airdropped too, he said, “No, but a separate method was followed to transport it from across.”

-CHK

J&K govt issues clarification on 50% discount announced on electricity, water charges

Manoj Sinha
File Photo: LG J&K Manoj Sinha

New Delhi (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir government has issued a clarification regarding the 50 per cent discount on electricity and water charges announced today, corresponds to fixed demand charges for industrial and commercial consumers only and is not a discount on the electricity bills.

The concession was announced for a year on water and electricity bills by J&K LG Manoj Sinha along with Rs 1,350 crore industrial revival package earlier in the day.

Rohit Kansal, J&K government spokesperson, stated that the 50 per cent discount on electricity and water charges announced in today’s package corresponded to fixed demand charges for industrial and commercial consumers only and is not for domestic connections.

Kansal took to twitter in this regard and wrote, “#J&KIndustrialPackage2020 #ElectrictyandWaterCharges #CLARIFICATION. The 50% discount on Electricity and water CHARGES announced in today’s package is 50% discount on FIXED DEMAND CHARGES for Industrial and Commercial consumers.This is NOT a discount on Electricity Bills. @diprjk”

Earlier in the day, LG Sinha announced Rs 1,350 crore package for the revival of businesses in J&K which have been hit hard due to the consecutive lockdowns since last year.

Sinha also said that a separate package would be announced for the transporters and houseboat owners.

-CHK

NEP will make our education system flexible, says President Kovind

President Kovind

New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today said the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will bring flexibility in the education system and students will get quality education that meets the requirement of the 21st century.

“The National Education Policy 2020 sets a vision to implement an equitable and vibrant knowledge society and will allow students to take courses as per their vocational, professional or intellectual requirements,” the President said.

He added that it will also allow them suitable exit and re-entry points.

“The National Education Policy (NEP) aims to reorient our educational system towards meeting the needs of the 21st century. It sets the vision of developing an equitable and vibrant knowledge society by providing quality education to all. It achieves twin objectives of inclusion & excellence,” Kovind said.

Addressing the Visitor’s Conference on ‘Implementation of National Education Policy 2020: Higher Education’, the President also noted that the implementation of NEP 2020 is likely to restore India’s glory as a great centre of learning.

“India was a globally respected education hub in ancient times. Universities at Takshashila and Nalanda had iconic status. But today, India’s higher education institutions do not get high positions in global rankings,” he said.

Kovind further stated that the NEP would discourage the habit of rote learning among the students and overemphasis on marks or grades that causes stress among students.

“The NEP seeks to discourage rote learning and overemphasis on marks or grades. It seeks to encourage critical thinking and a spirit of enquiry,” he added.

Lauding the New Education Policy, the President said that the policy reflects a ground-level understanding of the challenges, aspirations and solutions of the education system.

”I am sure that the National Education Policy will be implemented in letter and spirit. It will be a milestone in the history of our country. It will not only strengthen the future of our youth but also set our country on course to becoming ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Kovind said.

There should be a clear focus on quality–higher education institutes under the Centre must set quality benchmarks, he added.

However, the new National Education Policy envisions an India-centred education system that contributes directly to transforming India into a Global Superpower.

-RJV

1...1,1371,1381,139...1,732Page 1,138 of 1,732

MUST READ