Monday, April 20, 2026
Home Blog Page 1234

India to provide locust control pesticide to Iran

India has also reached out to Pakistan to combat the desert locust wave sweeping across the Afro-Asian region. (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): India has reached out to Iran to counter locust invasion which threatens to destroy crops in the country amid Covid-19 pandemic.

Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) is now in process of production and supply of 25 MT Malathion Technical for supply under locust control programme to Iran under Government to Government arrangement, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said in a statement today.

Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA ) has approached HIL for manufacturing and supply of the said commodity to Iran.

Credit rating of the Central PSU has also been upgraded to BBB- from BB, which is a stable investment grade.

The company has exported 10 MT of fungicide – Mancozeb to Latin American country, Peru and another 12 MT will be exported in the next one week.

HIL has also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare for the supply of Malathion Technical to Rajasthan and Gujarat for the Locust Control Programme. HIL had manufactured and supplied 67 MT of Malathion Technical till last week.

India has also reached out to Pakistan to combat the desert locust wave sweeping across the Afro-Asian region. The border Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan have also been badly hit due to the locust menace.

These refugees in Kenya have access to fresh produce amid Covid-19 lockdown

Aubergines are harvested and sold at the nearby market.(Source: WFP)

New Delhi (NVI): Despite supply chain disruptions due to Covid-19 pandemic, refugees at Kalobeyei settlement and Kakuma camps in Kenya have access to fresh vegetables as they grow their own!

Supported by the World Food Programme, these refugees are able to grow fresh crops. WFP’s support to these refugees is proving vital during the pandemic when many countries in Africa and in the world are under the threat of a catastrophic hunger.

Kalobeyei is about 20-minutes from the Kakuma refugee camps in the arid Turkana county, northwestern Kenya. It was established with local authorities as an integrated settlement where the local people and refugees live side by side, unlike the camps.

Most fresh food vendors in Kalobeyei and Kakuma markets are women, and the majority are refugees, according to a WFP report. A variety of produce is available at these food markets as people from diverse nationalities are living in the settlement. The markets cater to distinct tastes and cultures. One can even find fresh spices here, grown by refugees themselves.

(Source: WFP)

Before the pandemic outbreak, vendors at these markets sold cabbage and tomatoes sourced from as far as Kitale market, 400 km away; and red onions from across the border in Uganda’s Moroto, a town about 260 km away, reports WFP.

However, due to movement restrictions in the wake of Covid-19, supply from Kitale and Uganda has been disrupted. Due to the dusk to dawn curfew, trucks would take a long time to reach Kakuma. This also means that the produce will cost more and by the time it arrives at the stall, it would be no longer fresh.

On the brighter side, the disruption in supply chain through traditional channels has led to an increase in demand for vegetables grown locally such as a variety of leafy vegetables, eggplant, and okra freshly plucked from gardens around the settlement.

Other crops sold at these market places include matembele (sweet potato leaves), murere, cassava leaves, amaranth, pumpkin leaves, and cowpea leaves — all grown in Kalobeyei. With less produce arriving from outside, the demand for these locally grown vegetables is growing and so are the prices.

Crops are now being grown on the side of a dam built in the area by WFP. A water storage tank was also built by WFP for the residents.

Back in 2016, when Kalobeyei settlement was opened, there was little infrastructure and the arid landscape did not give much scope for farming. However, with support from the European Union, the World Food Programme (WFP) built water harvesting structures, gardens, shops, and modern markets.

A lot of transformation has taken place in these past four years. Refugees and the host population can now irrigate small plots growing vegetables for consumption and sale, operate businesses and run grocery stalls in the local markets.

WFP has built three modern markets — two in Kalobeyei settlement and one in Kakuma town. The open-air market structures are covered with a high roof protecting traders against the harsh sun or rain while allowing ample air circulation. These structures currently host 122 traders, most of them drawn from the refugee community.

LeT module busted in J&K’s Budgam, 4 OGWs arrested

Terrorist arrested
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir police today busted a Lashkar-e-Taiba module, arresting four persons who were working as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

The police in a statement issued here said that four persons were arrested for working as OGWs for the Lashkar outfit and were providing logistic support to militants. A police official said that the module was busted by joint teams of security forces after acting on a specific lead.

“On a credible input, Budgam police along with 53 RR arrested four militant associates identified as Waseem Ganie, son of Abdul Aziz Ganie,  Farooq Ahmad Dar, son of Muhammad Sultan Dar, Muhammad Yasin, son of Bashir Ahmad and Azharudin Mir, son of Ali Muhammad Mir, all residents of Beerwah area of Budgam,” a police spokesman in a statement said.

Arms, ammunition and other incriminating material have been recovered from their possession.

The police official said that all the four persons arrested were involved in providing logistic support and shelter to the active militants of LeT operating in the area.

A case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Beerwah and further investigation is in progress, they said.

Pertinently, this is the third militant module busted in Budgam district of Kashmir since May 16. Earlier, on May 16, a Lashkar module was busted in Arizal, Budgam where five militant associates were arrested and on May 20, four Lashkar associates were arrested in Magam area of Budgam district.

Japan to lift emergency as daily Covid-19 cases drop below 50

New Delhi (NVI): Japan is set to lift coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and four other prefectures in the country from tomorrow as daily new cases have fallen below 50, a 95 per cent decline from the April peak.

Two new coronavirus infections were reported in Tokyo yesterday, the lowest single-day tally since Japan declared a state of emergency last month, according to Kyodo News.

The number of new cases in Tokyo which grew rapidly in late March and peaked in mid-April, have recently remained below the threshold set by the Japanese government for imposing emergency measures, reports the news agency.

Tokyo has confirmed 5,138 cases so far. With eight new deaths yesterday, the death toll in Japan’s capital rose to 271.

Japan has recorded 16, 543 cases so far, with 13,005 recoveries and 814 deaths.

Meanwhile, the number of cases globally has crossed 5.25 million mark, with more than 339,000 deaths. A total of 5,260,970 cases have been recorded across 196 countries and 339,758 have died of the virus so far.

India records 6,767 new Covid-19 cases, 147 deaths in past 24 hrs

New Delhi (NVI): India today recorded its highest spike in coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, of at least 7,767, while 147 new deaths have been recorded since yesterday, according to Health Ministry.

There are 1,31,868 confirmed Covid-19 cases across the country now and active cases stand at 73,560. 3,867 deaths have been recorded so far.

According to the health ministry, a total of 54,440 people has been cured so far. In the last 24 hours, 2657 patients were found cured. The total recovery rate is 41.28%.

Sikkim has recorded its first Covid-19 positive case after a man recently returned from Delhi tested positive.

India has witnessed a surge in the number of cases in the past five days after lockdown restrictions were eased. The country is now under the fourth phase of lockdown which is slated to end on May 31.

Meanwhile, India will resume domestic flights from tomorrow, with rigorous Covid safety measures in place. Over 1000 flights are scheduled to take off on Monday. The airlines in the country will be airborne after a gap of two months since the lockdown was imposed in late March.

The Ministry of Health today issued new guidelines for domestic travel that include air, train and inter-state bus travel, as well as international arrivals.

In another development, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today visited Chaudhary Brahma Prakash Ayurved Charak Sansthan, Delhi which is functioning as a Dedicated COVID Health Centre (DCHC), to oversee the preparedness to manage COVID-19 cases. He visited the various facilities and wards and witnessed first-hand the treatment being provided to COVID-19 patients, through a holistic approach as per the directions of Ministry of AYUSH, the health ministry said in a statement.

As per the MoHFW guidelines, the Dedicated COVID Health Centres are hospitals that shall offer care for all cases that have been clinically assigned as moderate. These should either be a full hospital or a separate block in a hospital with preferably separate entry/exit/zoning, the ministry said.

The number of cases globally has crossed 5.25 million mark, with more than 339,000 deaths. A total of 5,260,970 cases have been recorded across 196 countries and 339,758 have died of the virus so far.

Covid-19: J&K records another death, tally reaches 1,569

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed one more death due to coronavirus while 80 more people including a senior doctor and a pregnant woman were tested positive, taking the total number of positive cases in the Union Territory to 1,569.

Officials said that the deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) was posted in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district was tested positive for coronavirus infection.

The total number of Covid-19 deaths in J&K now stands at 21 of which 19 were reported in Kashmir and two in the Jammu region.

The deceased Covid victim, aged 55, hailed from Uranhal area of South Kashmir.

Among the 80 new cases, 59 belong to Kashmir division while 21 are from Jammu division, the officials said. They said that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached 1,330 including 702 recoveries and 19 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 239 including 72 recoveries and 2 deaths.

Cases tested positive in J&K today include 6 from Anantnag, 5 from Kulgam,3 from Srinagar,1 from Bandipora,4 from Baramulla, 36 from Kupwara  and 4 from Pulwama in Kashmir division while 21 reported cases were reported from Jammu region which includes 4  from Jammu, 1 from Kathua, 14 from Ramban, and one each from Kishtiwar and Poonch.

As per the official figures, 272 positive cases including 4 deaths and 109 recoveries are from Anantnag, 179 including 6 deaths and 119 recoveries are from Srinagar, 198 including 2 deaths and 12 recoveries are from Kulgam, 139 including 1 death and 129 recoveries are from Bandipora, 136 including 98 recoveries and 4 deaths are from Baramulla, 127 including 106 recoveries are from Shopian,  164 including 70 recoveries are from Kupwara, 63 including 35 recoveries and 2 deaths are from Budgam, 27 including 15 recoveries are from Ganderbal and 25 including 9 recoveries are from Pulwama.

In Jammu division, 72 positive cases including 31 recoveries and 1 death are from Jammu district , 41 including 6 recoveries are from Kathua, 33 including 1 death and 21 recoveries are from Udhampur, 44 including 1 recovery are from Ramban, 20 including 7 recoveries from Samba, 10 including 4 recoveries from Rajouri, 6 from Poonch and 4 with 1 recovery in Reasi, 8 from Kishtwar including 1 recovery and 1 from Doda.

As per the daily information bulletin, 1, 30,197 people in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 32,056 people have been kept under home quarantine. In addition to this, 774 people are in hospital isolation while 74 people are placed under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 70,586 people have completed surveillance the period and 26,686  people have been placed under home surveillance. Besides that, so far results of 1,24,074 samples are made available.

Out of 1,24,047 samples, the number of samples tested negative stands at 1,22,505 while 1,569  have tested positive.

 

J&K: Passengers to be quarantined, tested after arrival at Srinagar airport

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Once the flight operations resume, at least 90 flights will operate from Srinagar International Airport from May 25 and all the passengers arriving at the airport will be quarantined for a week and later tested for coronavirus before they are discharged, officials said.

Officials said that the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, BVR Subramanyam, is personally monitoring the new quarantine facilities where the passengers arriving by air will be quarantined.

“Initially only 40 per cent of the flights will operate. We have upgraded the facilities at the airport keeping in view the Covid-19 guidelines. There are certain points where passengers have to strictly follow social distancing norms,” Director of Srinagar Airport, Santosh Dhoke, said.

He also said that elaborate arrangements have been made for the security staff, airport staff and the airlines staff so that there is hassle free travel for passengers.

Sources said that the administration has decided that it will offer only government quarantine facilities to passengers arriving here. “But passengers can avail hotel quarantine facility at minimum fixed payment,” they said. The paid quarantine facilities will be available in Srinagar, Jammu, Gulmarg and Katra.

Sources said that the local administration will fix rates for paid quarantine facilities. Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta, has been appointed as the nodal officer for arrivals at the Srinagar airport.

“Over 3,000 people are expected to arrive daily from May 25. In the beginning, nearly 80-90 flights will operate per week,” sources added.

All flight operations across the country were suspended, in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, from the last week of March, 2020.

 

Bangladesh coronavirus tally surpasses 32,000 mark

Bangladesh lockdown

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of deaths from coronavirus in Bangladesh has reached 452 after 20 more people lost their lives in the last 24 hours, according to United News of Bangladesh.

The total number of coronavirus infections rose to 32,078 after 1,873 new infections were reported during this period.

During this period, 296 coronavirus-infected people recovered fully in the country which upped the total number of recoveries to 6,486.

The country has seen a spike in the number of new cases and deaths in recent weeks.

Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Nasima Sultana said, “17 private hospitals and diagnostic centers have been authorised to conduct RT-PCR test to detect COVID-19 infection.”

Coronavirus cases top 53,000 in Pakistan; 1,115 dead

(Image source: Dawn.com)

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of positive coronavirus cases in Pakistan has increased by more than 1,500, taking the overall tally to 53,199 with at least 1,115 fatalities recorded so far.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh province has reported 21,645 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 18,730 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 7,391 cases, Balochistan is at 3,198, Gilgit-Baltistan at 607, Islamabad at 1,457 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 171 cases so far, according to Geo News.

Meanwhile, doctors and experts fear the country’s under-funded and creaking healthcare system will crumble under the pressure if the contagion gathers more pace, according to media reports.

On a positive note, 15,201 people have recovered from the malignant virus in the country.

782 new COVID cases in Afghanistan; tally hits 9,998

New Delhi (NVI): Afghanistan witnessed a rise in coronavirus cases with 782 new cases, taking the overall tally to 9,998 across the country, according to Afghan media reports.

In the last 24 hours, 11 COVID-19 patients have died, bringing the total deaths in the country to 216.

Among the new cases, 377 cases were reported in Kabul, the country’s hardest-hit are

In addition, 150 cases were reported in Herat, 59 in Balkh, 47 in Ghazni, 32 in Nangarhar, 28 in Paktia, 21 in Samangan, 12 in Paktika, 10 in Kunar, 11 in Kapisa, 12 in Baghlan, 12 in Logar, 4 in Farah, 4 in Ghor, 6 in Laghman, 4 in Badghis and 3 in Takhar.

The country’s Health Ministry said, over 29,417 samples have been tested so far, which analysts say is too low a number when compared to the country’s population.

So far, 1,040 patients have been cured or discharged across the country.

1...1,2331,2341,235...1,581Page 1,234 of 1,581

MUST READ