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Iran denies excluding India from Chabahar rail project

New Delhi (NVI): In contrast to recent reports which claimed that India had been ousted by Iran from Chabahar-Zahedan railway projects, Iran’s Railway Minister has said that “vested interests” were behind these reports and both the countries are cooperating on the projects.

In this regard, India’s ambassador to Iran, Gaddam Dharmendra was yesterday invited by Saeed Rasouli, Deputy Minister Roads & Head of Iran Railways to review ongoing co-operation on Chabahar-Zahedan railway. Saeed clarified Iran’s position on the projects and rejected the recent reports on the same.

“Amb Gaddam Dharmendra was today invited by HE Saeed Rasouli Dy Minister Roads & Head of Iran Railways to review ongoing co-op on Chabahar-Zahedan railway. HE Rasouli stated that vested interests were behind recent reports that Iran excluded India from Chabahar-Zahedan railway,” the Indian Embassy in Iran said in a tweet.

This comes days after India dismissed as speculative the reports which claimed that it had been ousted by Iran from the projects of Chabahar Port and the Chabahar-Zahidan railway line in the Persian country.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava told a media briefing on July 16 that India and Iran have a longstanding commitment since 2003 regarding the Chabahar Port which was finally operationalised in 2016 during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Iran.

Srivastava had said that an Indian company has been operating the Port since 2018 and has steadily scaled up the traffic at the Port.

Since December 2018, 82 vessels have been handled there, including 52 in the last 12 months alone, he said, adding the port handled 12 lakh tonnes of bulk cargo and 8200 containers.

“Proactive measures are currently underway to increase the usage of Chabahar Port, both for Afghanistan and Central Asia,” the MEA spokesman said.

-ARK

Meghalaya floods: Shah expresses grief

New Delhi (NVI): Union Home minister Amit Shah expressed his grief over the loss of precious lives due to the floods in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya.

Union Home Minister, in a tweet said, “I have spoken to the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and assured him of all possible help from the Central Government to him”.

Shah added that, “The Nation stands resolutely with the people of Meghalaya in these trying times”.

At least five people have lost their lives and over a lakh have been affected due to the floods in the plain belt of West Garo Hills in Meghalaya. Most victims hail from Tikrikilla community.

The area has witnessed a surge in water levels since the last one week, with most areas submerged under the flood, caused by the backflow of the Brahmaputra river.

As many as 175 villages have been affected by the flood, according to media reports.

-CHK

Hizbul module busted in J&K’s Budgam, 3 held

Terrorist arrested
Representational image

Srinagar (NVI): Security forces today busted a Hizbul Mujahideen module in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district and arrested three militant associates while recovering arms and ammunition from their possession.

J&K Police in a statement issued here said that based on a credible input, Budgam police along with Army’s 53RR and 181 BN CRPF arrested three militant associates from Pakherpora area at a checkpoint in Budgam district.

“The arrested trio were identified as Mehraj-ud-din Kumar, Tahir Kumar both residents of Pakherpora, Budgam and Sahil Hurram, a resident of Tilsarah, Budgam,” the statement said.

Police said that incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 20 live rounds of AK-47, two detonators and 15 posters of Hizbul were recovered from the possession of arrested trio. “All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their role and complicity in other terror crimes,” the statement said.

Police said that as per records, the three persons arrested were involved in providing logistic support and shelter to the active militants of proscribed militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen who are operating in Budgam district. They were active in the area for the last few months, police said.

It said that the case FIR No. 83/2020 under relevant sections of law stands registered in Police Station Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam and further investigation into the case is underway.

-ARK

Sero-prevalance study shows over 23% population in Delhi has COVID-19 antibodies

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): A serological study conducted across Delhi shows that on an average 23.48 per cent of the population has the prevalence of IgG antibodies, the Union Health Ministry said.

The study was conducted by National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) across 11 districts of the national capital, also indicates that a large number of infected persons remain asymptomatic, a statement of Health Ministry said. The study was conducted from June 27 and July 10.

In a official statement ministry said that, it has been commissioned a sero-surveillance study in Delhi. This study has been done by the NCDC in collaboration with Delhi state government, following a rigorous multi-stage sampling study design from June 27 July 10, across 11 districts of Delhi.

Moreover, blood samples were collected from selected individuals after taking written informed consent and then their sera were tested for IgG antibodies and infection using COVID KAVACH ELISA approved by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).

The ministry also informed that, with 21,387 samples collected it is one of the largest sero-prevalence studies conducted in the country using the ELISA testing.

Therefore, the tests done help in identification of presence of antibodies in the general population. These test performed is not a diagnostic test but only provides information about past infection due to SARSCoV-2 in individuals who test positive.

“Antibody testing repeatedly done over time i.e. sero-surveillance, generates important evidence for assessing the spread of the pandemic from time to time,” the ministry said.

The statement further mentions, “Nearly six months into the epidemic, only 23.48 per cent of the people are affected in Delhi,which has several pockets of dense population.”

“This can be attributed to the proactive efforts taken by the government to prevent the spread of infection including prompt lockdown,effective containment and surveillance measures, including contact tracing and tracking, as well as citizen’s compliance to COVID appropriate behaviours,” it added.

The ministry, however, said the results show that a significant proportion of the population is still vulnerable to the virus.

“Containment measures need to continue with the same rigour. Non-pharmacological interventions such as physical distancing, use of face mask or cover, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoidance of crowded places etc.,must be followed strictly,” it added.

-RJV

Delhi clears proposal for doorstep delivery of ration

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi (NVI): The Delhi government today cleared a proposal to allow doorstep delivery of ration in the national capital.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who made the announcement during an online media briefing, said the scheme will be known as “Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana” and will be implemented within six to seven months.

“The scheme has been accorded approval by the Cabinet this morning,” the chief minister added.

Kejriwal further added, “Under the scheme, wheat, flour, rice and sugar packed hygienically in bags will be delivered to the doorstep of people. Implementing it will take six to seven months as it involves tendering, appointing consultants and other formalities. Taking ration from a PDS shop will be optional.”

The Delhi CM called the decision a “revolutionary” one.

With the implementation of the doorstep delivery of ration scheme, the Centre’s “One Nation One Ration Card’’ scheme will also come into effect in Delhi.

-CHK

Amarnath Yatra: As Covid threat looms large, Shrine Board to take final call today

Amarnath Yatra
File pic of Amarnath Yatra

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A crucial meeting of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) is scheduled to be held late this afternoon to take a final call whether to allow the annual pilgrimage this year or to cancel it in the wake of huge a spike in the Covid-19 cases along with deaths.

As per earlier reports, the tentative date for commencement of annual pilgrimage was July 22 and only 500 pilgrims were supposed to travel to the cave shrine of Lord Shiva located at the high altitude in the Himalayan mountain range.

Sources told NVI that given the spurt in pandemic related cases followed by deaths, the SASB headed by Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu, has decided to deliberate one last time at 3 PM today, along with the officials of SASB, on whether to allow the pilgrimage amid pandemic or to call it off this year.

“A meeting is scheduled to be held at 3 pm at Rajbhavan, where it will be decided whether to allow the Yatra this year,” a senior official of the SASB told NVI, requesting anonymity.

Religious scholars and civil society activists had criticized the government’s earlier decision where it was stated that the pilgrimage will commence from July 22 amid Covid-19 pandemic. Many doctors too had urged the government to cancel the yatra as it would pose huge risk to the pilgrims as well as locals, including ponywallas who facilitate the pilgrimage. Besides, a huge number of security forces are involved in the pilgrimage every year to ensure smooth and incident-free pilgrimage.

Special Director General of CRPF, Zulfikar Hassan, said that they have kept the forces in ready mode to guard the twin tracks of pilgrimage—Baltal in Sonmarg, in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir and Chandanwari area of Pahalgam area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. “All measures have been taken and we are waiting for the final call from the government,” Hassan said.

However, in the wake of spurt in the cases related to Covid-19 despite lockdown in major towns and the summer capital of Srinagar, the SASB has decided to deliberate on the issue yet again, for the last time, to take a final call. “The final announcement whether the Yatra would commence from tomorrow will be taken this evening,” an official said. “The final announcement will be made at 6 pm today.”

It is pertinent to mention here that at least 15,000 positive cases and 260 deaths have been reported in J&K so far, majority of whom have been witnessed from the Kashmir region.

-ARK

Pakistan gives final warning to TikTok over ‘obscene’, ‘immoral’ content

New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan has issued a final warning to Chinese app TikTok over its “obscene, “immoral” and “vulgar” content on social media platforms while issuing a notice to the China-based video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance.

The warning came after Pakistan blocked Live streaming app Bigo on “complaints of immoral, obscene and vulgar content.”

Bigo Live is a live streaming platform where users are able to share live moments with followers. It is owned by a Singapore-based company called BIGO Technology, which was founded in 2014.

“On complaints of immoral, obscene and vulgar content, streaming app Bigo has been blocked in Pakistan. TikTok has also been served with final warning on same grounds,” Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said in a tweet.

In a press release, PTA said: “Number of complaints had been received from different segments of the society against immoral, obscene & vulgar content on social media applications particularly Tik Tok and Bigo, & their extremely negative effects on the society in general & youth in particular.”

“PTA has issued necessary notices to the aforementioned social media companies under law to moderate the socialization and content within legal and moral limits, in accordance with the laws of the country. However, the response of these companies has not been satisfactory,” the Authority said in its statement.

“Therefore, in exercise of its powers under PECA, PTA has decided to immediately block Bigo and issue final warning to Tik Tok to put in place a comprehensive mechanism to control obscenity, vulgarity and immorality through its social media application,” the PTA in its statement said,” read the PTA statement.

Pakistan’s action on these two apps comes days after it temporarily banned online game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).

In an earlier statement, PTA had said it had received several complaints about the game being “addictive”, a waste of time and its potential negative impact on children’s physical and psychological health. Multiple petitions have been filed against the ban, reports the Dawn.

Interestingly, India banned 59 Chinese mobile apps last month including TikTok, Shareit, UC Browser, WeChat, saying that these are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defence, security and public order of India.

The development came in the backdrop of India and China border row which escalated after the violent clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

-ARK

Veteran Odia actor Bijay Mohanty passes away in Bhubaneswar

Bijay Mohanty

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): Veteran Odia actor Bijay Mohanty passed away last night following prolonged illness in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The 70-year-old actor was suffering from heart disease & underwent treatment at Hyderabad from where he was brought back to Bhubaneswar last month in a special ambulance.

Bijay Mohanty was very well known for his natural performances in Odia cine industry and had performed in more than 180 movies.

Mohanty was born in 1950 and started his acting career during school days and passed out from National School of Drama.

After making his debut in 1977 he worked in more than 180 movies. He had also joined National Congress and contested for Lok Sabha seat from Bhubaneswar.

After his demise, condolences started pouring in from several political parties and industry fraternity especially from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi.

-CHK

PM Modi to address ‘India Ideas Summit’ tomorrow

PM expresses happiness over rise in India's leopard population
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the ‘India Ideas Summit’ tomorrow on the 45th anniversary of the US-India Business Council which is hosting the event this year.

The Summit will focus on India-US cooperation and their relationship in a post-pandemic world. The theme for this year’s India Ideas Summit is ‘Building a Better Future’, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

The virtual Summit will feature high-level presence from Indian and US government policymakers, state-level officials, and thought leaders from business and society, it added.

Other key speakers at the Summit include Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senator of Virginia and co-chair of Senate India Caucus Mark Warner, Former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, among others.

Last year, India US Ideas Summit was organized at the US Chamber of Commerce at Washington DC on June 12 and Mike Pompeo (US Secretary of State) addressed the 44th summit.

-RJV/ARK

Bahamas bans US tourists in an effort to contain Covid-19 spread

New Delhi (NVI): The Government of Bahamas banned travelers from the United States and other countries where coronavirus cases are rising, in an effort to contain further spread of the virus.

All international commercial flights are banned from entering the Bahamas, effective from July 22, according to media reports.

In addition to this, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis while addressing a media briefing said that, the only exemptions are visitors from the United Kingdom, European Union and Canada who have been tested negative.

Minnis further said, “Our current situation demands firm action if we are to avoid being defeated by this virus.”

So far, Bahamas has a total of 153 confirmed coronavirus cases out of which 49 have been identified since the Bahamas reopened its borders on July 1.

The national airline Bahamasair have halted flights to the US with immediate effect and a number of beaches and parks have been closed until further notice.

However, private international flights, charters and yachts from all countries will be allowed.

Bahamas, which is mostly dependent on tourism, reopened its borders earlier this month amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bahamas’ move to ban most international travelers, especially Americans, is significant as 50 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) of USD 5.7 billion comes from tourism alone, with the majority of the 5.5 million tourists who visit the Bahamas each year coming from the US.

But with the US beating its own daily record of new coronavirus cases at least nine times in a month, Minnis stated that the Bahamas needed to focus on saving lives and limiting spread of the virus.

“The better we are at this, the more our economy could open up and people could make a living,” he said.

-RJV

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