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China reacts over India banning TikTok, other apps

New Delhi (NVI): A day after India decided to ban 59 Chinese mobile apps, Beijing reacted today saying that it was “seriously concerned” about the Indian government’s move while terming the action as “discriminatory”.

Yesterday, Union Minister of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad said the move was taken to ensure the country’s integrity and protect data and privacy of Indians.

“For safety, security, defence, sovereignty & integrity of India and to protect data & privacy of people of India the Government has banned 59 mobile apps. Jai Hind!” the Minister said in a tweet yesterday after his Ministry took the decision to ban several apps including TikTok, Shareit, WeChat, etc.

The Chinese embassy in India today said in a statement that the move “selectively and discriminatorily” aims at Chinese apps on “ambiguous grounds” and was in violation of international trade rules.

“#China is seriously concerned with & firmly opposed to #India’s blocking certain #Chinese mobile apps. It runs against fair & transparent procedure requirements & abuses national security exceptions. We urge #India to change discriminatory practices,” Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India, Ji Rong said in a tweet.

The Indian Government has banned 59 Chinese apps while citing the “emergent nature of threats” from mobile applications. The Ministry of Information and Technology yesterday said that it has banned the apps based on the information that they were engaged in activities “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defence, security and public order” in India.

India and China are currently locked in a bitter standoff at multiple locations in Eastern Ladakh, especially after the June 15 violent clash between the Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

The Chinese Embassy statement also comes on a day when the Corps Commanders of India and China are holding a meeting a Chushul, as part of efforts to de-escalate the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This is the third meeting between the top military commanders from both sides, the earlier one being on June 6 and June 22.

-ARK

PM reviews Covid-19 vaccine status, says it must be affordable, universal

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting to review planning and preparations for vaccination against COVID-19, as and when the vaccine is available. He also listed four guiding principles that will form the foundation of the national effort towards the vaccination.

During the meeting, Prime Minister noted that vaccination of India’s vast and diverse population will need to factor in several issues. These will be related to the management of medical supply chains, prioritization of at-risk populations, coordination between different agencies involved in the process, as well as the role of private sector and civil society in this national endeavor.

The PM highlighted four guiding principles that will form the foundation of the national effort:

* First, that vulnerable groups should be identified and prioritized for early vaccination, for example doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, non-medical frontline corona warriors, and vulnerable people among the general population.

* Second, that vaccination of “anyone, anywhere” should take place, i.e., without imposition of any domicile related restrictions for getting the vaccine.

* Third, that vaccination must be affordable and universal – no person should be left behind.

* Fourth, that the entire process from production to vaccination should be monitored and supported in real time with the use of technology.

In addition to this, the Prime Minister directed officials to evaluate in a broad manner available technology options that can form the backbone of the national endeavor to vaccinate all in the most efficient and timely manner.

He also directed that detailed planning for such large scale vaccination should be undertaken immediately. The current status of vaccine development efforts was also reviewed at the meeting.

An indigenous COVID-19 vaccine candidate COVAXIN, first to be developed in India, has received the approval by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for Phase I and II of human clinical trials.

PM-CARES (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund Trust had earlier allocated Rs 100 crore for coronavirus vaccine development.

-RJV/ARK

Coronavirus cases surpass 2.09 lakh in Pakistan

New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan reported 2,846 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 2,09,337.

Meanwhile, 118 people lost their lives due to the deadly contagion, taking the total number of fatalities to 4,304.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh province has reported 81,985 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 75,501 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 26,115 cases, Balochistan is at 10,426, Gilgit-Baltistan at 1,470, Islamabad at 12,775 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 1,065 cases so far, according to media reports.

A total of 98,503 patients have recovered from the disease and 2,689 are in critical condition.

-CHK

Bangladesh COVID-19 tally exceeds 1.45 lakh; 1,847 dead

(Image source: United News of Bangladesh)

New Delhi (NVI): Bangladesh saw the highest-ever jump in deaths from coronavirus infections in a single day as health authorities confirmed 64 deaths in a span of 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 1,847.

In addition to this, 3,692 new cases were also detected during this period, taking the total number of Covid-19 patients in the country to 1,45,483, according to United News of Bangladesh.

So far, 59,624 people have recovered in the country after 1,844 more patients were recovered during this period.

Against the total number of detected cases, the recovery rate is 40.98 percent while the mortality rate is 1.27 percent in the country.

At present, 64,667 people are quarantined across the country.

-CHK

COVID-19 cases surpass 31,500 in Afghanistan; death toll tops 745

New Delhi (NVI): The Afghan authorities confirmed 279 new coronavirus cases in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 31,517, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said the positive cases were recorded in Kabul were 41, Herat 38, Kandahar 4, Balkh 1, Paktia 18, Nangarhar 2, Takhar 7, Bamyan 35, Badghis 13.

Likewise, 6 Covid-19 cases were reported in Logar, Kunduz 11, Parwan 1, Maidan Wardak 2, Badakhshan 3, Kunar 2, Helmand 2, Kapisa 7, Panjsher 3, Ghor 68, Zabul 2, and Urozgan 3.

Meanwhile, 12 COVID-19 patients have died in the past 24 hours, the lowest number of deaths in the past two weeks, as per the reports.

The death cases were reported as follows: Kabul (3), Herat (1), Kandahar (3), Balkh (1), Paktia (2), Takhar (1), and Ghor (1).

According to the MoPH, the country’s laboratories could handle up to 2,000 tests a day, however in recent weeks, the daily sampling rates have been declining.

The ministry added that 197 people have recovered from the virus and discharged from hospitals in the past 24 hours.

So far, 745 coronavirus patients have died while 14,036 people have recovered.

-RJV

In his letter, Geelani confessed he chose wrong path, Kashmir mission failed: J&K DGP

Syed Ali Shah Geelani (File Pic)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The letter sent by Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani to his constituents is a candid admission by the ailing leader that the path chosen by him was wrong and that Kashmir was used by some people for their personal gains, Director General of Police (J&K) Dilbagh Singh said today.

Speaking to the reporters after inaugurating a state-of-the-art women police station at Rajouri, Dilbagh Singh said that Geelani’s letter to his constituents is an eye-opener in which he is crying hoarse.

“He has admitted that they have miserably failed in their mission and Kashmir issue was used by many people for their personal gains. His path was wrong and they were propagating negative thinking,” DGP said.

The J&K police chief’s comments came a day after Geelani parted ways from the Hurriyat Conference citing the “prevailing situation” as the main reason.

Later, in a separate letter addressed to all the Hurriyat constituents, Geelani said he felt ashamed of leading a forum where people were luring Kashmiri youth into drug abuse and serving Pakistan’s interests. He had also stated that “Kashmir’s freedom struggle” was turned into a “narco trade” and Kashmir’s drugged youth had lost focus and senses.

About the ongoing anti-militancy operations in J&K, DGP Singh said that since Pakistan continues to push in militants, no time frame or deadline can be set for wiping out militancy. “Our efforts are to clean areas and then districts gradually from militancy. Yesterday, the last surviving terrorist from Doda district was killed in an encounter. As a result, Doda district is now militancy free,” he said.

The DGP said that given the inputs that Pakistan is trying to push in terrorists from traditional infiltration routes, security forces are going to further strengthen the counter infiltration grid on the LoC and the International Border in Jammu. “We are ready to face any challenge on LoC or the IB. All the bids would be foiled. If any terrorist manages to sneak in, he will be killed in the hinterland,” he said.

-CHK/ARK

Covid-19 cases in Nepal climb to 13,564; death toll at 29

New Delhi (NVI): With 316 new cases of the coronavirus infection confirmed today, Nepal’s COVID-19 tally has reached 13,564, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said, 245 males and 71 females are among the newly infected people. In total, 11,907 males and 1,657 females have contracted the infection in Nepal.

In the past 24 hours, 60 people achieved recovery and were discharged form the hospitals, taking the tally of recovery cases to 3,194 including 2,917 males and 277 females.

As of today, coronavirus has spread to all 77 districts of Nepal, as per the reports.

Currently, 10,341 people are in isolation and 53,070 in quarantine centers across the country

Meanwhile, 29 people died from the pandemic in Nepal as no coronavirus related death was reported today in the country.

-RJV

Free ration scheme for poor extended till November end: PM

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced the extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till the end of November that will help over 80 crore people to get free ration.

In his address to the nation on the last day of Unlock-1, the Prime Minister said the provision of food to those in need during lockdown has been the foremost priority of the country.

The PM Garib Kalyan Yojana was launched as soon as the lockdown was announced in March. Under the scheme, a package of Rs 1.75 lakh crore was announced for the poor.

He said the extension of the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana will cost Rs 90,000 crore more. “If we add the last three months’ expenses in it, then it amounts to be around 1.5 lakh crore,” he added.

Under the flagship scheme launched amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the poor families can avail 5 kgs of rice or wheat per month. The PM today said that now such families can avail 1 kg pulses to also, in addition to 5 kgs grains. In his address, the PM said that the enormity of this welfare measure for poor people has made the entire world take notice.

He said that with the commencement of the rainy season, most of the work takes place in the agriculture sector. He said that keeping in mind that requirements as well as expenditure increase during the time of upcoming festivals, the government has decided to extend scheme till Deepawali and Chhath Puja.

Apart from that, the PM noted that in the last three months, Rs 31,000 crore has been transferred in the Jan Dhan accounts of almost 20 crore poor families. Besides, Rs 18,000 crore has been transferred to the bank accounts of more than 9 crore farmers. Rs 50,000 crore is being spent on PM Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, which has been started to provide employment opportunities, he said.

The PM also underlined that the country is moving towards the institution of ‘one nation, one ration card’, which will be of immense benefit to the poor migrants who travel to other states in search of work.

He also urged the people to stay safe during Unlock 2 that will be in place from July 1 to 31. “Irresponsible and negligent behavior has been on the rise during Unlock 1,” he said, adding that earlier people were more careful about usage of mask, washing hands for more than 20 seconds several times during the day and maintaining ‘do gazdoori’.

The Prime Minister said that regulations need to be followed with the same seriousness as during Lockdown, especially in the Containment Zones.

However, the Prime Minister didn’t mention anything about the present India-China face-off over border row. The Corps Commanders of India and China are holding a meeting a Chushul today, as part of efforts to de-escalate the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This is the third meeting between the top military commanders from both sides, the earlier one being on June 6 and 22.

-ARK

Security of 2 Taj Hotels in Mumbai beefed up after threat calls from Pak

New Delhi (NVI): Two Taj hotels in south Mumbai — Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel at Colaba and Taj Lands End at Bandra (West) – received threat calls from Pakistan last night, with the caller threatening to carry out a terror attack similar to the 26/11 attacks. Security has been heightened at both the hotels following the calls.

While the two hotels have their security systems in place, the police said they are in the process of identifying the caller.

Adequate police deployment has been made in the area around the hotel and entry and exit restricted on the roads leading to the hotel, according to media reports.

Reportedly, both the hotels are shut because of the raging coronavirus disease outbreak but security has been beefed up to prevent any untoward incident.

The threat call was made at around 12.30am on Tuesday and was attended by hotel employees.

In addition to this, Mumbai Police has also intensified its patrolling across the city and also stepped up its vigil at all the vital installations following the calls.

-CHK

J&K records 4 Covid deaths in a single day, toll reaches 100

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed four deaths due to the Covid-19, taking the total number of fatalities in the Union Territory to 100, health officials said.

They said that earlier in the day, two patients—one each from Srinagar and Shopian districts died at Chest Diseases hospital. The deceased included a 55-year-old woman from Bhagat area in Barazulla, Srinagar and a 23-year-old youth from Shopian.

The youth had met with an accident and was admitted to SHMS hospital where he was tested positive for virus during treatment. Dr Saleem Tak, Medical Superintendent CD hospital said that the youth was shifted from SMHS on 29th June after he was tested positive for COVID-19, and died at a hospital today. He said the patient was admitted with severe head injuries.

The second death is that of a woman from Barzulla area of Srinagar. “She was on a ventilator and had underlying medical conditions that include hypertension, and diabetes,” the doctor said, adding that the woman had tested positive for the virus a few days ago.

The third Covid death was reported in Basholi area of Kathua district in Jammu where an 85-year-old woman died in Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu. “She was suffering from chronic pulmonary disease and was on oxygen since past many days. She had already tested positive for the virus yesterday,” a doctor at GMC Jammu said.

The fourth death was reported from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, when a 55-year-old businessman, who had tested positive at SKIMS Bemina, passed away. He was admitted at SKIMS a few days ago and this morning his condition worsened after which he died in the afternoon.

With the fresh four deaths, the number of people who died of Covid-19 in J&K has reached 100 of which 88 were recorded from Kashmir and 12 from the Jammu region.

-ARK

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