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Daily carbon emissions fall 17% globally due to coronavirus lockdown

Carbon emission
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New Delhi (NVI): Carbon dioxide emissions have fallen to the lowest level since 2006 as lockdowns are imposed around the world due to the coronavirus crisis, a new study shows.

The major slowdown of movement has led to an extreme decline in CO2 emissions — with daily levels recorded 17 per cent lower as compared to averages from last year.

It is estimated that in the first four months of the year, global emissions from burning fossil fuels and cement production were cut by 8.6 per cent, compared with 2019 levels.

In the study published in Nature Climate Change, the findings show the world has experienced the sharpest drop in carbon output since records began, with large sections of the global economy brought to a near standstill. When the lockdown was at its most stringent, in some countries emissions fell by just over a quarter on average. In the UK, the decline was about 31 per cent, while in Australia emissions fell 28.3 per cent for a period during April.

“This is a really big fall, but at the same time, 83 per cent of global emissions are left, which shows how difficult it is to reduce emissions with changes in behaviour,” said Corinne Le Quéré, a professor of climate change at the University of East Anglia, and lead author of the study.

According to the study, largest factor was the lack of vehicles on road, accounting for 43 per cent of the decrease. While air travel’s carbon footprint fell by a staggering 60 per cent, that industry only generally accounts for about 3 per cent of yearly global carbon emissions — making its overall impact far smaller than other industries.

Within the global total, the largest impacts were in China in the first four months of the year, followed by the US, then Europe and India.

However, the unprecedented fall is likely to be only temporary. As countries slowly get back to normal activity, over the course of the year the annual decline is likely to be only about 7 per cent, if some restrictions to halt the virus remain in place. If these restrictions are lifted in mid-June the fall for the year is likely to be only 4 per cent.

Nepal’s COVID-19 tally reaches 584 with 36 new cases

New Delhi (NVI): 36 new positive Covid-19 cases have been reported from Nepal, taking the toll in the Himalayan nation to 584, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said the infections were confirmed through tests carried out at Seti Hospital in Dhangadhi, Koshi Hospital in Biratnagar, and Rapti Academy of Health Sciences in Dang.

Among the new cases, four males between the ages of 20 and 27 years from Baitadi district. A 33-year-old male from Jhapa district, twenty-seven males between the ages of 16-50 from Banke district.

Likewise, a 19-year-old male from Bardiya district and two males and one female from Surkhet have contracted the coronavirus infection, according to the Ministry.

Of the total persons infected, 505 are males while 79 are females.

The coronavirus contagion has been found in forty districts of the country with 86 cases in Province 1,172 cases in Province 2, 32 cases in Bagmati Province, five cases in Gandaki Province, 271 cases in Province 5, four cases in Karnali Province, and 14 cases in Sudurpaschim Province, as per media reports.

Earlier today, 32 fresh cases were reported that took the confirmed tally to 548, as per media reports.

Meanwhile, 45,757 samples have been tested by the PCR method in the country.

So far, 60 people have been cured or recovered from the virus and three persons have died.

J&K: People throng to shops ahead of Eid amid COVID-19 lockdown

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Ahead of Eid-Ul-Fitr, people of Jammu and Kashmir flooded the mutton and bakery shops for making purchases, violating government guidelines amid coronavirus pandemic.

The Union Territory government has so far not announced any relaxation for the festival of Eid during the lockdown already in place. However, people flocked on the streets without face masks and violated social distancing protocols.

 “There were women, men and children waiting for their turn to get mutton and bakery items,” said Adil Rashid, who himself was in a queue at a mutton shop at Safa Kadal area of downtown Srinagar.

Based on the age-old tradition, purchasing mutton and bakery items in bulk are a part of Eid festivities in Kashmir. However, this time around, government put strict measures in place to be maintained while making purchases.

In addition to this, large number of people was also seen outside poultry farms. But the majority of poultry farm owners complained that there was a shortage of stock as the government has fixed a very less price for chicken, as a result the dealers have decided not to sell chicken this year on Eid.

Mutton was sold at Rs 550 per kg against the government rate of Rs 480 and 500 per kg respectively. At many places in Srinagar, mutton was also priced at Rs 600 and even 700 per kg.

Police, however, arrested at least a dozen mutton sellers for selling meat at an exorbitant rate.

 “They don’t know that they are inviting a big trouble for themselves as they can come in contact with any coronavirus positive patient,” a police official said.

An official from district administration, Srinagar, said that market checking squads were constituted a week ahead of Eid and they have taken strict action against some mutton, poultry shop owners and bakers. “People don’t follow guidelines. Actually, there is a notion in Kashmir, wherein Eid without mutton dishes means nothing. Here we can’t help as we can’t book each and every person who wants to buy mutton, chicken and poultry,” he said.

Modi holds talks with Mauritius PM

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today had a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, to discuss about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its likely health and economic impacts in the region.

Prime Minister Jugnauth conveyed his condolences for the loss suffered by India due to Cyclone Amphan.  He also thanked PM Modi for sending the Indian Naval Ship ‘Kesari’ to Mauritius as part of ‘Operation Sagar’, with a consignment of medicines and a 14-member medical team to help the Mauritian health authorities fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the special people-to-people ties between India and Mauritius and said that India is duty-bound to support its friends during this time of crisis.

Modi conveyed his appreciation for the effective COVID-19 response mounted by Mauritius under his Mauritian counterpart’s leadership, which has resulted in no new cases being reported for several weeks now.

PM Modi took to twitter in this regard and said, “Thank you, Prime Minister @PKJugnauth for our warm conversation today! Congratulations for successfully controlling COVID-19 in Mauritius.”

Narendra Modi also suggested that Mauritius could document its best practices, which would be helpful for other countries, especially island countries, in dealing with similar health crises.

The two leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in various areas including measures aimed at supporting the financial sector of Mauritius, and enabling Mauritian youth to study Ayurvedic medicine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his best wishes for the health and well-being of the Mauritian people, and for the maintenance of the warm relations between the two countries.

 

PM Modi talks to Sri Lanka President

PM
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a telephonic conversation with the President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and discussed about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its likely health and economic impacts in the region.

During the conversation, PM Modi assured the Sri Lankan President that India would continue to provide all possible support to the island nation for mitigating the effects of COVID-19.

Both the leaders agreed on the need to accelerate Indian-assisted development projects in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, they also discussed the possibilities of promoting investments and value-addition in Sri Lanka by the Indian private sector.

PM Modi also conveyed his best wishes for the health and wellbeing of the Sri Lankan people.

“Hunar Haat” to restart from September with ‘Local to Global’ theme

PM Modi at ‘Hunar Haat’ (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): After a gap of five months due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, Hunar Haat – a platform for artisans and craftsmen from across the country to showcase their art and craft – will restart from September with the theme of “Local to Global”, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs today said.

Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, said, “Hunar Haat has provided employment opportunities to more than five lakh Indian artisans, craftsmen, culinary experts and other people associated with them in the last five years and has become popular among the masses.”

Hunar Haat provides a market and several opportunities to master artisans and craftsmen from remote areas of the country and has become a credible brand of rare exquisite indigenous handmade products, the minister added.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his instantaneous visit to “Hunar Haat” in February, 2020, organised at India Gate, had encouraged and lauded indigenous handmade products of artisans and craftsmen.

Appreciating the products in a “Mann Ki Baat” programme, PM Modi said, “A few days ago, at a small place in the Hunar Haat, I witnessed hues of our country’s diverse expanse, cultures, traditions, cuisines and warmth of emotions.”

PM Modi had said, “Hunar Haat, of course, is a platform showcasing art & craft; it is also lending wings to people’s dreams. It is a venue where it is impossible to overlook the country’s diversity.

“Besides handicrafts, it displays the diversity of India’s varied cuisine too. Whenever the opportunity arises, one should attend such events to know India, to experience India,” he added.

In the coming days, Hunar Haat will be organised in Chandigarh, Delhi, Prayagraj, Bhopal, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Goa, Dehradun, Pune, Shimla and other places.

There will be a special “Jaan Bhi, Jahaan Bhi” pavilion to create health awareness among the people with the theme of “Say no to panic, yes to precautions”.

The Minister said that, “Social distancing, hygiene, sanitisation and use of masks will be ensured at the Hunar Haat.”

By utilising the time during the nationwide lockdown; artisans and craftsmen have prepared their rare indigenous exquisite products at a large scale and will bring them for display and sale in the next Hunar Haat, Naqvi added.

“This time, people will also be able to buy Hunar Haat products through digital platforms as well. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has started the process to register these artisans and their indigenous products on Government e-Marketplace (GeM),” Naqvi said.

However, lakhs of master artisans and craftsmen from across the country are happy and excited that “Hunar Haat” is going to be organised again.

Community Radio network to be expanded in India: Prakash Javadekar

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar

New Delhi (NVI): Community Radio networks are ‘agents of change’ and the Central Government is working on a plan to increase the number of such stations in the country as they can play a pro-active role in creating awareness, the Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar said.

The minister also called upon Community Radio (CR) stations to spread awareness and information about Covid 19 in the remotest parts of the country.

Addressing nearly 300 community radio stations as part of a special outreach initiative, Prakash Javadekar said, “The Government is also eager to raise the air time for advertisements on community radios to make their operations self-sustaining.”

He further added, “Community Radios are allowed air time of 7 minutes per hour for advertisements while the same is 12 minutes for TV channels. We are eager to give equal time to all the radio stations so that there would be no need for them to seek funds.”

There are currently 290 Community Radio stations operating in the country.  Of these, 130 are run by educational institutions, 143 by Civil Society Organizations and 17 by Krishi Vigyan Kendras.  These low power FM radio stations with broadcast reach of 10-15kms radius often play a significant role in grass root level communication.

Javadekar said 75 per cent of the expenditure during setting-up of Community Radio stations is borne by the Ministry, which constitutes majority of the fixed expenditure. The revision of advertising time is expected to help these stations meet their operational expenditure to a large extent.

To support Community Radios, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is implementing an ongoing scheme namely “Supporting Community Radio Movement in India” with an allocation of Rs 25 crore.

The Minister also touched upon the key demand of community radio for permission to broadcast news. He assured that he will consider allowing news broadcast on community radio the same way it is done on FM channels.

However, the minister prodded stations to play a key role in combating fake news menace by verifying it through local sources. He invited stations to share it with All India Radio so that the reach of the truth can be amplified.

ICMR revises advisory on use of HCQ

New Delhi: In a revised advisory, the ICMR, has allowed use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as prophylaxis, preventive treatment medication for healthcare and other front line workers deployed in non-COVID and COVID areas.

The advisory said the use of HCQ can be expanded to all healthcare workers in containment zones and non-COVID hospitals; the front-line workers; for police, security forces working in containment areas and household contacts of confirmed cases.

The drug is not recommended for children under 15 years of age and in pregnancy and lactation, it said.

However, the advisory cautioned that the intake of the medicine should not instill a sense of false security.

The review team comprised top professionals from AIIMS, ICMR, NCDC, NDMA, WHO and includes experts from central government hospitals under the chairmanship of DGHS.

An earlier advisory said the drug against the infection is also recommended for all asymptomatic healthcare workers involved in containment and treatment of COVID-19 and household contacts of laboratory confirmed cases.

The drug has to be taken only on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner and it is advised to consult with a physician for any adverse event or potential drug interaction before initiation of medication, the advisory added.

The advisory also issued a list of key considerations to be noted, are as follows :

1) The drug has to be given under strict medical supervision with an informed consent.

2) It has to be given only on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner.

3) Advised to consult with a physician for any adverse event or potential drug interaction before initiation of medication. The contraindications mentioned in the recommendations should strictly be followed.

4) Health care workers and other frontline workers on HCQ should be advised to use PPE.

5) They should be advised to consult their physician (within their hospital/surveillance team) for any adverse event or potential drug interaction before initiation of medication.

6) If anyone becomes symptomatic while on prophylaxis, he/she should immediately contact the health facility, get tested as per national guidelines and follow the standard treatment protocol.

7) All asymptomatic contacts of laboratory confirmed cases should remain in home quarantine as per the National guidelines, even if they are on prophylactic therapy.

8) Simultaneously, proof of concept and pharmacokinetics studies should be continued/ taken up expeditiously.

9) They should follow all prescribed public health measures such as frequent washing of hands, respiratory etiquettes, keeping a distance of minimum 1meter and use of personal protective gear.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): Coronavirus cases in India continue to surge with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat being the worst affected states in the country.

The total number of positive coronavirus cases in India has reached 1,25,101 while a total of 3,720 deaths have been reported so far, according to Union Health Ministry tally.

Maharashtra has reported over 44,000 confirmed cases today, with its capital Mumbai recording over 25,000 COVID-19 cases so far.

The first confirmed coronavirus case in India was reported in the state of Kerala on January 30. Since then, the virus has tightened its grip across the country.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33

Andhra Pradesh- 2,709

Arunachal Pradesh- 1

Assam- 259

Bihar- 2,177

Chandigarh- 218

Chhattisgarh- 172

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 1

Delhi- 11,319

Gujarat- 13,268

Goa- 54

Haryana– 1,067

Himachal Pradesh- 168

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,489

Jharkhand- 308

Karnataka- 1,743

Kerala- 732

Ladakh- 44

Madhya Pradesh- 6,170

Maharashtra- 44,582

Manipur- 26

Meghalaya- 14

Mizoram- 1

Odisha- 1,189

Puducherry- 26

Punjab- 2,029

Rajasthan- 6,494

Tamil Nadu- 14,753

Telangana- 1,761

Tripura- 175

Uttarakhand- 153

Uttar Pradesh- 5,735

West Bengal – 3,332

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 55

Assam- 4

Bihar- 11

Chandigarh- 3

Delhi- 208

Gujarat- 802

Haryana- 16

Himachal Pradesh- 3

Jammu and Kashmir- 20

Jharkhand- 3

Karnataka- 41

Kerala- 4

Madhya Pradesh- 272

Maharashtra- 1,517

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 7

Puducherry- 1

Punjab- 39

Rajasthan- 153

Tamil Nadu- 98

Telangana- 45

Uttar Pradesh- 152

Uttarakhand- 1

West Bengal- 265

A total of 51,784 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 69,597 active cases currently, according to the Health Ministry.

Global corona cases surpass 5.2 million

Global Covid-19 cases cross 62 mn mark
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The number of coronavirus cases globally has gone beyond 5.2 million, with the death toll rising to 3,38,000, according to Johns Hopkins University tally.

Over 1.9 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease worldwide.

Brazil confirmed a total of 330,890 coronavirus cases so far, overtaking Russia to become the world’s second hotspot for COVID-19 infections.

Likewise, Peru reported 1,11,698 coronavirus cases, the second-highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Latin America, behind Brazil.

In the US, around 1.6 million positive cases of coronavirus have been reported with more than 96,000 deaths.

Apart from this, Spain, which was one of the worst-affected nations, further eased its lockdown restrictions and allowed outdoor dining and gatherings of up to 10 people.

Britain will introduce a 14-day quarantine for almost all international travellers from June 8.

China, on the other hand, reported zero new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, for the first time since it started reporting data in January, as per media reports.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, South America has become an epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic with Brazil the hardest hit country.

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