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India, China arrive at ‘mutual consensus to disengage’ at military-level talks

India-China face-off: Core issue is to 'strictly' follow bilateral border pacts, says MEA

New Delhi (NVI): There was a ‘mutual consensus to disengage’ in Eastern Ladakh, at the Corps Commander level talks held between India and China yesterday, according to sources.

Lieutenant General level talks took place at Moldo on the Chinese side of Chushul in eastern Ladakh yesterday, a week after the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

Sources said that the talks were held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere. They said that modalities for disengagement from all friction areas in Eastern Ladakh were discussed and will be taken forward by both sides.

Yesterday, a second round of meeting between Corps Commanders from both sides was held at the Chushul-Moldo border personnel meeting (BPM) point in eastern Ladakh, to defuse tension at LAC after the bloody face-off.

The June 6 meeting was also held at the same place in which the Indian side was led by Commander of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Harinder Singh and the Chinese side was led by South Xinjiang Military District Commander Major General Liu Lin.

In the worst-ever flare-up between the two armies at Line of Actual Control (LAC) since 1967, India and Chinese troops clashed with each other at Galwan Valley in Ladakh after the latter refused to remove a tent as part of what was agreed on June 6 meeting.

Since early May 2020, the Chinese side has been hindering India’s normal, traditional patrolling pattern in this area, according to the Indian foreign ministry. “This had resulted in a face-off which was addressed by the ground commanders as per the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocols,”’ said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava recently.

Disappointed by Trump’s move to suspend work visas till year-end: Sundar Pichai

Google CEO Sundar Pichai

New Delhi (NVI): Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed disappointment over the proclamation issued by the United States that suspends foreign work visas, including H-1B visa, till year-end.

Pichai took to twitter and said, “Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today. Disappointed by today’s proclamation – we’ll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all.”

The Google CEO’s reactions comes after US President Donald Trump suspended the temporary work visas, including H-1B, for foreigners till the end of the year. It marks the latest effort to bar the entry of immigrants to the country.

In a statement released by the White House, it was stated that the measure prolongs the ban on US employment permits to year-end and broadens it to include H1-B visas used widely in the tech industry to ensure American workers take first priority as the nation starts recovering from the economic effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The order halts access to several employment-based visas, affecting hundreds of thousands of people seeking to work in the U.S. The technology industry said the move would hurt the economy.

The order freezes new H1-B and H-4 visas, used by technology workers and their families, as well as L visas for intracompany transfers and most J visas for work- and study-abroad programs, including au pairs, through the end of the year.

The issuance of new green cards will also remain halted through the end of the year.

In addition to Google, Twitter Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. also called the order “short-sighted,” saying immigrant tech labor could help the U.S. economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the President’s order won’t affect immigrant workers who already hold the visas.

“Under the extraordinary circumstances of the economic contraction resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak, certain nonimmigrant visa programs authorizing such employment pose an unusual threat to the employment of American workers,” Trump stated in his order.

Reportedly, the US has issued more than 9,00,000 visas in fiscal year 2019 in the categories Trump plans to freeze.

-CHK

Trump suspends work visas including H-1B till year-end

Trump signs bill to stop Chinese interference in selection of next Dalai Lama

New Delhi (NVI): US President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended new work visas, including H-1B visas, till the year-end and barred thousands of foreigners from seeking employment in the United States.

An executive order was issued to extend the suspension of green cards and expand it to cover non-immigrant work visas, which through a separate reform regulation at some future date, will also undergo a series of permanent overhauls to make it merit-based by prioritising highest-paid applicants.

Visas are blocked for a wide variety of jobs, including those for computer programmers and other skilled workers who enter the country under the H-1B visa, as well as those for seasonal workers in the hospitality industry, students on work-study summer programs and au pairs who arrive under other auspices.

The order further restricts the ability of American companies with global operations and international companies with US branches to transfer foreign executives and other employees to the United States for months or yearslong stints.

In a statement released by the White House, it was stated that the measure prolongs the ban on US employment permits to year-end and broadens it to include H1-B visas used widely in the tech industry to ensure American workers take first priority as the nation starts recovering from the economic effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We have a moral duty to create an immigration system that protects the lives and jobs of our citizens,” Donald Trump said.

Trump said that between February and April of 2020, more than 20 million United States workers lost their jobs in key industries where employers are currently requesting H-1B and L workers to fill positions.

However, the President’s order won’t affect immigrant workers who already hold the visas.

-CHK

Coronavirus cases surpass 9 million globally

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): Coronavirus cases have now surpassed 9 million globally. Nearly 4.5 million have recovered, while nearly 471,000 people have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

In the US, cases are spiking in states like Florida and Arizona, even as the nation continues to reopen. The total number of cases have surpassed 2.3 million while the death toll rose to 1,20,402 in the country.

In Brazil, more than 1.1 million cases have been reported while the total number of fatalities has crossed 51,000, according to the data.

Meanwhile, a second wave of coronavirus outbreak is already underway in South Korea, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). According to the KCDC, 12,484 people in the country have so far been infected with the virus, with 280 deaths.

China reported 22 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, 13 of which were in the capital Beijing.

South Africa now has over 100,000 infections, the highest on the continent, while the number of deaths inched towards 2,000.

Disney has announced that Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will reopen on July 1, according to a tweet from one of the company’s official Twitter handles.

Saudi Arabia will limit this year’s Hajj to only a “limited number” of people from different nationalities living in the country.

-CHK

PM greets people on Jagannath Yatra

PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today extended his greetings to people on the occasion of Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, hoping that it brings good luck, health and prosperity.

“My heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra,” the Prime Minister tweeted in Hindi.

“I wish that this journey filled with reverence & devotion brings happiness, prosperity, good luck and health to the lives of the countrymen. Jai Jagannath,” he added.

Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu also wished people on the auspicious occasion. “Heartfelt greetings to the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Lord Shri Jagannath’s Rath Yatra! Residents of Odisha eagerly look forward to this world-famous Rath Yatra, especially Puri,” the Vice President tweeted in Hindi.

In another tweet Vice President said, “Today, as India and the world are battling the COVID-19 epidemic, we are celebrating all our traditional festivals with our own people by staying at home.”

“In these odd circumstances, this year we have to limit our planning,” he added.

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is the most revered and much awaited festival of Odisha. Rath Yatra depicts the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, who is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The Supreme Court granted permission to hold Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra at Puri this year amid COVID-19 pandemic with certain conditions. However, it ruled that not more than 500 people will be allowed to pull the chariots in Yatra.

-RJV

J&K: CRPF officer, 2 terrorists killed in Pulwama encounter

Personnel of security forces at an encounter site in Kashmir (File pic)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer and two unidentified terrorists were killed in an encounter that broke out in village Bandzoo of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police said.

A police official said a cordon was laid in village Bandzoo in Pulwama district on the basis of a specific input about presence of two terrorists. “When the forces zeroed on a suspected spot where terrorists were believed to be hiding, they opened fire at the forces triggering an encounter. The terrorists came out of the house amid indiscriminate firing,” he said, adding that “in the ensuing gunfight, two terrorists were killed.”

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Vijay Kumar, said that two terrorists were killed in an operation at Bandzoo village of Pulwama. “Two AK-47 riffles were recovered from their possession,” he said.

The IGP also added that a CRPF official also got injured in the initial shootout, who later succumbed on the way to hospital.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia, said that two terrorists were killed and two Ak 47-riffles recovered. He said a search operation was on.

CRPF officials identified the slain officer as Head Constable Sunil Kala of 182 Battalion. The operation was jointly launched by the police, Army and the CRPF.

Today’s encounter is 11th in a row in the past three weeks in South Kashmir districts, where 30 terrorists have been killed.  With the killing of two terrorists today, the total number of terrorists killed this year has reached 108 which include top commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansaar Gazwatul Hind (AGH).

The IGP Kashmir has been maintaining that militancy will be wiped-out from South Kashmir in the remaining days of the ensuing month after which focus will be shifted to north Kashmir. He said that there were 100 to 200 terrorists active in Kashmir including those who successfully managed to sneak into this side of the LoC this year so far.

-CHK

COVID cases in India climb to over 4.40 lakh, death toll at 14,011

COVID tally
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 4,40,215 and fatalities from the virus have gone up to 14,011, according to Union Health Ministry.

In the past 24 hours, 14,933 fresh COVID-19 infections and 312 new deaths were reported in the country.

At least 2,48,189 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 1,35,796 coronavirus cases followed by Delhi with 62,655 and Tamil Nadu with 62,087 positive cases.

The other states with high virus cases are Gujarat (27,825), Uttar Pradesh (18,322), Rajasthan (15,232) and Madhya Pradesh (12,078).

In terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 6,283 fatalities, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 2,233 while another 36,602 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

Meanwhile, Karnataka government has announced strict lockdown measures in Bengaluru by sealing the COVID-19 clusters areas in the state capital.

Besides, another southern Indian city Chennai is already witnessing lockdown imposed by Tamil Nadu government following the rise of coronavirus cases and lockdown measures have been put in Madurai also.

-RJV

Over 6,000 Covid-19 cases in J&K, 4 minors among 132 new cases

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The number of COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir today crossed 6,000 mark as four minors, including a CRPF personnel and a soldier were among 132 fresh cases that tested positive for the deadly virus.

Officials said that among the new 132 new cases, 69 were tested positive at SKIMS, 22 at JVC Bemina and rest at other hospitals. There were four minors, a soldier and a CRPF personnel among today’s fresh Covid positive cases.

Among 132 new cases, 122 belong to Kashmir division while 10 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 4,712 including 2,709 recoveries and 75 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 1,376 including 822 recoveries and 10 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 2,472 including 1,928 from Kashmir and 544 from Jammu. With 149 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in J&K has reached 3,531 which is 57.99 percent of the total cases.

Cases that tested positive in J&K today include 12 from Kulgam, 22 each from Srinagar and Shopian, 2 from Anantnag, 18 from Baramulla, 13 from Kupwara, 10 from Pulwama, 20 from Budgam and 3 from Bandipora in Kashmir. There are 10 from Jammu including 1 each from Jammu district, Rajouri and Doda, 2 from Kuthua and 5 from Poonch.

As per officials figures, 693 positive cases including 10 deaths and 476 recoveries are from Kulgam, 695 including 10 deaths and 420 recoveries are from Srinagar, 636 including 420 recoveries and 10 deaths are from Shopian, 608 including 14 deaths and 428 recoveries are from Anantnag, 617 including 14 deaths and 267 recoveries are from Baramulla, 453 including 327 recoveries and 05 deaths are from Kupwara, 453 including 233 recoveries and 01 death is from Bandipora, 323 including 150 recoveries and 04 death are from Pulwama, 346 including 133 recoveries and 06 deaths are from Budgam, 273 including 233 recoveries and 01 death is from Ganderba.

In Jammu, 310 including 204 recoveries and 7 deaths are from Jammu district, 212 including 121 recoveries and 1 death is from Udhampur, 208 including 134 recoveries are from Ramban, 196 including 112 recoveries are from Kathua, 128 including 50 recoveries from Samba, 114 including 79 recoveries are from Poonch, 83 including 01 death and 35 recoveries are from Rajouri, 68 including 49 recoveries and 01 death are from Doda, 32 including 23 recoveries are from Reasi and 25 including 15 recoveries are from Kishtwar.

As per the daily information bulletin, 2,57,565 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 39,718 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 2472 persons are in hospital isolation while 30 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 168,407 persons have completed surveillance period and 46,853 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 313,687 samples are available.

Out of 3,13,687, the number of samples tested negative stands at 3,07,599 while as 6,088 have been tested positive. Among them, 2,472 are active and 3,531 have recovered while 85 people have died.

Coal India won’t be hit by commercial mining: CIL

New Delhi (NVI): Coal India Limited (CIL) today said that it would continue to be the country’s leading coal producer even after the sector is opened up for private companies, the company said in a statement.

Coal India Limited (CIL) in a major move to increase its coal output and reduce import dependency of coal in the ensuing years has devised a transformative plan to engage Mine Developer cum Operators (MDO) in its mines.

The Maharatna coal mining behemoth in the process has identified a total of 15 greenfield projects, as on date, to operate through MDO model of which 12 are open cast and 3 underground. Combined, they have a total targeted capacity of around 168 Million Tonnes/Year (MTY). While the OC projects have a targeted capacity of 162 MTY, UG projects add up to the rest close to 6 MTY. The contract period would be for 25 years or life of mine whichever is less.

CIL will engage MDOs of international repute, having state-of-the-art-technology through open global tenders, who shall excavate, extract and deliver coal to the coal companies of CIL as per the approved mining plan. CIL’s Board recently has given its nod in regard to standard bid document and request for bids for the engagement of MDOs.

CIL is laying out plans to complete the formalities by 2021-22 so that all projects become operational and start yielding the output to contribute in 1 BT by 2023-24.

Upcoming identified projects of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, South Eastern Coalfields and Central Coalfields Limited will form major segments for the MDO mode with targeted capacities of 65.5 MTY, 52.4 MTY and 45 MTY respectively. Eastern Coalfields Limited and Northern Coalfields Limited between them will have projects with targeted capacities of 3 MTY and 2 MTY respectively.

Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) for 2 Projects, Siarmal OC of MCL (40 MTY) and Kotre-Basantpur Pachmo of CCL (5 MTY) together having a targeted capacity of 45 MTY has been floated in 2019-20.  While NIT for 5 Projects for a targeted capacity of 68 MTY will be floated in the ongoing fiscal, for the balance 8 projects NIT will be floated in the fiscal, 2021-22.

Engagement of reputed MDOs would have multiple advantage of technology infusion, operational efficiency in the system apart from increased production. MDOs will facilitate R&R issues, land acquisitions, green clearances and coordination with State and Central Pollution Boards. Since contracts to them are on long-term basis allied infrastructure also would be developed.

SC allows Puri Rath Yatra with no public attendance

Jagannath Rath Yatra is held in Odisha's Puri every year.

New Delhi (NVI): The Supreme Court today gave a go-ahead to the Odisha Government to make necessary arrangements to conduct the Puri’s Rath Yatra from June 23, while keeping in view the necessary protocols in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the interest of public health and safety of citizens in view of possible spread of coronavirus, the three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde, decided in favour of modifying its June 18 verdict, restraining the state government from holding Rath Yatra this year across Odisha.

The apex court said it would leave it to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and the Odisha government to conduct Rath Yatra “in a very restricted manner without allowing devotees congregation” after the state government assured it would coordinate with the Centre to organise the festival.

The Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, strongly argued in favour of conducting Rath Yatra in Puri. The Odisha government, which had on June 18 not supported holding of Rath Yatra as it apprehended spread of coronavirus, too, filed an affidavit supporting organising the event in Puri. Its counsel Harish Salve assured the court that the state government will act responsibly and contain the spread. “If cases rise, it will reflect badly on us. We will take care of it,” Salve told the court.


Last evening, the Odisha government said it will take “favourable action” when the Supreme Court (SC) takes up hearing of petitions seeking modification of its order stopping Rath Yatra in Puri scheduled on June 23. “The state government will take favourable action as legally permissible on the request of the Gajapati Maharaj when the writ petition W.P.(C) No. 571 of 2020 is taken up for hearing before the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” the Law department had said in a press release.

On Saturday, the Gajapati Maharaj, in a letter, requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to take steps to allow Rath Yatra in without any congregation of the general public and with the state government taking appropriate steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

-ARK

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