Tuesday, September 8, 2026
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Odisha to start river cruises to boost tourism sector

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The Odisha government announced that it is planning to start river cruises on public private partnership (PPP) mode to revive the tourism sector amid COVID-19 pandemic.

During a virtual meeting with industry experts and stakeholders, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy directed the tourism department to chalk out modalities while exploring possibilities of innovative tourism activities.

“River cruise is compatible with COVID-19 restrictions. There is a huge scope and latent market for world class river cruising in Odisha. It can also be connected with many eco-spots and refill the economic activities in the sector,” Tripathy said.

Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev said that presently three principal river cruise circuits can be developed in the state.

These are river Mahanadi, Chilika lake and in water bodies in reserve forest near Dangamala including the national water way-5 from Dhamara to Paradip, he added.

Bhitarkanika circuit can connect the spots like Chandbali-Aradi-Dhamara-Khola to other spots in Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary. This circuit can be a five nights and six days cruise.

Similarly, Chilika circuit can connect Chilika, Kalijai-Nalabana-Honeymoon island-Mangalajodi-Satapada-Rajhans island-Satapada and Puri. It could be a three night and four days cruise.

Furthermore, the meeting deliberated for organizing this activity through public private partnership (PPP) mode. The issues relating to various regulatory permissions, compliance to pollution norms, river jetties and bar license were also discussed at the meeting.

The chief secretary said the government will provide all facilitating support for this activity. He also asked tourism department to coordinate with Inland Waterways Authority regarding statutory requirements.

However, the state PPP cell was advised to work out the details in consultation with department of Tourism and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation.

Odisha logged 3,631 new coronavirus cases and 8 deaths in the last 24 hours, which have taken the state’s tally to 1,13,411.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases exceed 26.2 mn globally; Brazil cases pass 4 mn

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): More than 26.2 million people around the world have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, and at least 8,68,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. Some 17.3 million people have recovered.

In Brazil, the coronavirus infections surpassed the 4 million-mark while the number of fatalities are nearing 1,25,000.

Mexico’s health ministry on Thursday reported 5,937 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections and 513 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 6,16,894 cases and 66,329 deaths.

In the US, the total number of COVID cases have exceeded 6.15 million while the death toll has crossed 1,86,000 in the country.

More than 1,00,000 people in Spain have tested positive for the novel coronavirus over the past two weeks, according to the ministry of health. Nearly 9,000 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours were added to the tally that has surged to 4,88,513 confirmed cases.

The confirmed death toll from the coronavirus passed 50,000 in the Middle East, based on official numbers provided by health authorities.

France has registered more than 7,000 new coronavirus infections over 24 hours for the second time in two days, the health ministry said, just shy of a 7,578 record set on March 31, while hospitalisations for the virus also rose again. The health ministry reported that the cumulative total of confirmed cases rose to 3,00,181, up by 7,157.

Norway has said it will impose a 10-day quarantine on all people arriving from Italy and Slovenia from September 5 due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in those countries.

The United Kingdom has recorded 1,735 daily confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to government data published on Thursday, up from 1,508 a day earlier and the highest since June 4.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 782 to 2,46,948.

-CHK

India’s COVID tally over 39 lakh; death toll 68,472

corona
(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): India’s coronavirus tally crossed 39-lakh mark and stands at 39,36,747, with the confirmation of single-day spike of 83,341 positive cases in the past 24 hours.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 68,472 with 1,096 new fatalities being reported during this period, Union Health Ministry said.

As many as 30,37,152 patients have been cured and recovered all over the country while active cases stands at 8,31,124. With this, the recovery rate in India rises to 77.15 per cent from yesterday’s 77.09 per cent.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the coronavirus cases climbed to 8,43,844, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 4,65,730 cases, and Tamil Nadu with 4,45,851 cases.

The other worst high virus hit states are Karnataka (3,70,206), Uttar Pradesh (2,47,101) and Delhi (1,82,306).

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 25,586 followed by 7,608 deaths in Tamil Nadu.

The death toll in the national capital rose to 4,500, while 1,60,114 patients in Delhi have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 4,66,79,145 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to September 3 with 11,69,765 samples being tested yesterday.

Notably, the government yesterday defended its decision to open up various economic activities amid rising COVID-19 cases, saying it firmly believes that while lives are important, livelihoods are equally important.

-RJV

Rajnath holds meeting with Russian counterpart to take ahead defence ties

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Russia to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), had a meeting with his counterpart Gen. Sergei Shoigu today and the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, especially how to deepen defence and strategic cooperation.

The meeting took place at the Russian Ministry of Defence in Moscow. Rajnath had arrived here yesterday to attend the crucial SCO meeting.

During his meeting with the Russian Defence Minister, Rajnath pressed for expediting supply of a number of weapons systems, ammunition and spares to India by Russia under contracts which were concluded earlier.

Taking to Twitter, Rajnath said he had an “excellent” meeting with the Russian Defence Minister in Moscow today.

“Excellent meeting with the Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu in Moscow today. We talked about a wide range of issues, particularly how to deepen defence and strategic cooperation between both the countries,” he tweeted.


Interestingly, Gen. Sergei’s meeting with Rajnath was the first meeting he was having with visiting Defence Ministers.

During the meeting, both sides welcomed the advance stage of discussions for the establishment in India of an India-Russian Joint Venture for the production of AK203 assault rifles which are considered one of the most modern weapons available for infantry forces, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

“This provides very positive basis for further engagement of Russian defence industry in ‘Make in India’ programme,” MoD said.

General Shoigu also reiterated commitment of the Russian side to engage actively with the Indian Defence Ministry to ensure the success of ‘Make in India’ programme including substantial participation in the forthcoming Aero India Exhibition to be held in February next year.

Apart from that, the meeting covered a broad range of areas of cooperation between the two countries, the Defence Ministry said. “It was noted that this meeting coincides with the Indra Naval Exercises to be conducted by the Indian and Russia navies off the Straits of Malacca over the next two days,” it said.

Rajnath Singh noted that these exercises demonstrated the common interests of both countries in maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

During the meeting, Rajnath also extended an invitation for General Shoigu to visit India for the next meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission for Technical & Military Cooperation which is expected to be held towards the end of this year, MoD said.

-ARK

IFJ condemns burning down of TV headquarters in Iraq by religious fanatics

New Delhi (NVI): The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned an incident in which some religious fanatics stormed and burned down Iraqi broadcaster Dijlah TV’s headquarters in Baghdad on Tuesday.

The protesters who indulged in the whole rampage had accused the station of broadcasting musical content on a religious day of mourning and “insulting religion.”

“On Sunday 30 August, Shi’ites – the majority in Iraq – celebrated Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom in 680 of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, a founding event of Shi’ite Islam,” the IFJ said in a statement, adding that a mob damaged the TV’s headquarters two days later on September 1 (Tuesday).

On the same day (of Ashura- August 30), Diljah TV aired its regular programming, including content featuring music and dancing. The broadcasts provoked the anger of dozens of demonstrators who considered it inappropriate and an “insult to religion,” according to the Federation.

Even as Dijlah TV quickly apologized and claimed it was an unintentional error, several dozen demonstrators, angry at the festive program, assaulted the TV’s premises the following day.

According to reports, the mob torched the office, injuring four media workers and destroying virtually all the bureau’s equipment.

On top of that, a Baghdad court also issued an arrest warrant against the station’s director, Jamal al-Karbuli, accusing him of deliberately insulting religion, a charge which can be publishable with up to three years in prison under the Iraqi penal code.

However, this is not the first time that Diljah’s TV offices have been attacked. In October 2019, armed masked men stormed the station’s premises in Baghdad and burned them down, the IFJ said in a release.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: “Violence against media workers in Iraq is on the rise. It’s the Iraqi government’s responsibility to protect media workers and guarantee their safety”.

-ARK

Covid-19 a big disaster, but it has failed to impact India’s aspirations: PM

PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe, impacting many things, but it has failed to impact the aspirations and ambitions of 1.3 billion Indians.

While delivering keynote address to the third leadership summit of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), PM Modi said that the pandemic is testing the world’s collective resilience and the present situation demands a fresh mindset.

Talking about the way ahead the Prime Minister said that the country is focussing on ramping up capacities, securing the poor and future proofing the citizens.

Referring to various steps taken to ramp up facilities for fighting COVID and to increase awareness amongst the citizens, the Prime Minister said all such early measures ensured that the country with 1.3 billion people and limited resources has one of the lowest death rates per million in the World.

He expressed his happiness that India’s business community, especially the small business has been proactive. Starting from almost nothing, they made us the second largest PPE kits manufacturer in the World, he said.

He said there have been far-reaching reforms in the country in recent times which have made the business easier and red-tapism lesser.

Apart from that, the PM said that work is actively underway on the world’s largest housing program and that the renewable energy infrastructure is being expanded.

He said India is creating a unique digital model to build a national digital health mission.

Modi said that the pandemic has shown the world that decision on developing global supply chains should be based not only on costs. “They should also be based on trust. Along with affordability of geography, companies are now also looking for reliability and policy stability. India is the location which has all of these qualities,” he said.

In addition to this, he said India is becoming one of the favourable destinations for Foreign Investment.

He said be it America, the Europe, Australia or the Gulf, the world believes in India. “We have received over 20 billion dollars of foreign investment flows during this year. Google, Amazon and Mubadala Investments have announced long-term plans for India,” the PM said in his speech.

The Prime Minister referred to the mandatory e- platform based ‘faceless assessment’ and said it will go a long way in helping citizens along with the Tax-payers charter. The continued regulatory reforms in bond markets ensure improved ease of access for investors, he said.

He said FDI into India rose by 20 percent in 2019, when the global FDI inflows fell by 1 Percent and that this shows the success of our FDI regime.

He also referred to Production Linked Incentive schemes launched for- mobile & electronics, medical devices, pharma sectors along with reforms in Agriculture.

While concluding his speech, the PM described India as a young country with 65% population less than 35 years old which is aspirational and decided to take the nation to new heights.

He said India is a country with political stability and political continuity and that it is committed to democracy and diversity.

-ARK

J&K: Highest single-day spike in Covid cases takes UT’s tally to 40k

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed highest single-day spike in coronavirus cases as 1,079 tested positive for the deadly virus with Jammu division alone registering 622 cases— first ever spurt of cases in the region since the pandemic outbreak in the Union Territory.

With this, the total number of cases in J&K has reached 39,943 cases- 30,025 from Kashmir and 9,918 from Jammu division.

The UT health officials said that out of 1,079 new cases, 457 belong to Kashmir division while 622 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division has reached 30,025 including 23,929 recoveries.

On the other hand, the total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 9,918 including 6,830 recoveries and 78 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in J&K is 8,441 including 5,431 from Kashmir division and 3,010 from Jammu division.

With 680 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 30,759 which is 77.007 percent of the total cases, they said.

Pertinently, first time since the Covid-19 outbreak, Jammu division has reported more cases than Kashmir division in a single-day rise.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 139 from Srinagar, 14 from Baramulla, 33 from Pulwama, 63 from Budgam, 27 from Anantnag, 49 from Bandipora, 30 from Kupwara, 17 from Kulgam, 28 from Shopian and 57 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 622 from Jammu division include 484 from Jammu, 15 from Rajouri, 21 from Kathua, 16 from Udhampur, 26 from Samba, 06 from Ramban, 14 from Doda, 08 from Poonch, 10 from Reasi and 22 from Kishtwar,” as per the daily Covid bulletin.

Apart from that, 4,69,980 persons in the UT are under observation while 45,703 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 8,441 persons are in isolation.

According to the health bulletin, 3,68,449 persons have completed surveillance period and 46,644 persons are under home surveillance

So far, results of 10,12,892 samples are available out of which 9,72,949 tested negative while 39,943 have tested positive. Among positive cases 8,441 are active and 30,759 have recovered.

-ARK

New riverine trade route connecting India, Bangladesh launched: MEA

MEA

New Delhi (NVI): The trial run of a new riverine trade route between India and Bangladesh has commenced from Daukandi in the neighboring country and would conclude at Sonamura in Tripura on September 5 (Saturday), the Ministry of External Affairs said today.

While addressing the weekly media briefing here, MEA Spokesman Anurag Srivastava said that the trial run of the new trade route via Gomati river was launched in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das.

“This is yet another recent connectivity initiative with Bangladesh, which will greatly enhance connectivity with our North Eastern region and boost bilateral trade with Bangladesh,” Srivastava said.

He added that enhanced connectivity through inland waterways in the present Covid–19 scenario will provide an economical, faster, safer and cleaner mode of transportation for traders and business communities of both countries.

With the signing the 2nd addendum to PIWTT in May 2020, two new protocol routes have been added. Of particular significance is the Sonamura – Daukandi route as it connects Tripura with the National Waterways of India through Bangladesh for the first time, according to MEA.

The Protocol for Inland Water Trade & Transit (PIWTT) was signed between India and Bangladesh in 1972 to provide inland waterways connectivity between the two countries.

This facilitates bilateral trade as well improves connectivity to the North Eastern Region of India. In 2019-2020, approx. 3.5 million MT of cargo was transported between India and Bangladesh on the protocol routes, the MEA spokesperson informed.

-ARK

Indian Coast Guard ships deployed for firefighting off Sri Lankan Coast

New Delhi (NVI): Indian Coast Guard (ICG) today deployed three ships and an aircraft for a Search & Rescue (SAR) and firefighting mission, after the Sri Lankan Navy sought assistance to control a fire onboard an oil tanker off the east coast of the island nation.

The Coast Guard diverted ICG Ships Shaurya, Sarang and Samudra Paheredar, besides a Dornier aircraft for firefighting and rescuing 23 merchant crew onboard oil tanker MT New Diamond.

ICG received intimation of fire and explosion while Sri Lankan Navy sought its assistance particularly in the light of the likely Oil Spill.

The vessel is reportedly carrying around 3 lakh tonnes of crude oil (Kuwait export) and was on passage from Kuwait to Paradip.

In a joint effort the 22 crew of the ill fated ship have been evacuated.

Meanwhile, ICG has diverted its ships Shaurya and Sarang on patrol, for firefighting and other assistance for the distressed vessel.

Furthermore, ICG Pollution Response Vessel, Samudra Paheradar, has been sailed out of Vishakapatnam for oil spill response. CG Dornier aircraft has been deployed from Chennai for aerial recce.

In addition to this, ICG formations have been alerted for immediate assistance towards Pollution Response. ICG is in constant communication and maintaining coordination with Sri Lankan authorities for the operation.

-CHK

Tense situation at LAC over past 4 months ‘direct result’ of Chinese actions: MEA

New Delhi (NVI): India today slammed China over prevailing tensions at the Line of Actual Control in the Ladakh, saying that the volatile situation at LAC over the past four months is a “direct result” of the actions taken by the Chinese side “that sought to effect unilateral change of status quo” in the region.

“These actions resulted in violation of the bilateral agreements and protocol which ensured peace and tranquility in the border areas for close to three decades,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said here.

The MEA statement comes amid fresh incursion attempts by the Chinese troops at LAC in Ladakh that were foiled by the Indian Army.

According to the External Affairs Ministry, Chinese troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo in the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake in Eastern Ladakh on the night of August 29 and early morning on August 30.

The Chinese troops again engaged in “provocative action” along the LAC on Monday, even as the ground commanders of the two sides were in discussions to de-escalate the situation. That brazen attempt too was thwarted by the alert Indian troops.

While addressing the weekly media briefing, Srivastava said that now the way ahead is negotiations, both through the diplomatic and military channels. “The Indian side is firmly committed to resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue,” he added.

The MEA has strongly urged the Chinese side to “sincerely engage the Indian side with the objective of expeditiously restoring the peace and tranquility in the border areas through complete disengagement and de-escalation in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols.”

Regarding the fresh incursion attempts by the Chinese troops at LAC in Eastern Ladakh, Srivastava said that the ground commanders are still holding discussions to resolve the situation.

“We reiterate the consensus reached between the two Foreign Ministers and SRs that the situation in the border should be handled in a responsible manner and either side should not take any provocative action or escalate matters,” he said.

-ARK

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