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Vice Prez greets nation on eve of I-Day

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi (NVI): Vice President Venkaiah Naidu greeted people of the nation on the eve of Independence Day.

“I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Independence Day. May this day bring amity, harmony and prosperity in our country,” he said.

Naidu added, “Today, we celebrate the 74th Independence Day of our country. I pay my tributes to those brave freedom fighters who made countless sacrifices to build an independent nation and to secure a bright future for it. Let us also remember with gratitude the martyred heroes of our struggle for independence who laid down their lives for the cause of freedom.”

The most meaningful tribute we can pay to these patriots is to build an India they aspired for, the Vice President added.

On this Independence Day, let us renew our commitment towards building a united, strong, prosperous, inclusive and peaceful nation where a billion plus dreams find expression and fulfillment.

-CHK

India conducts record 8.5 lakh COVID tests in one day

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New Delhi (NVI): India has conducted a record high of over 8 lakh COVID-19 tests in a single day, as a total of 8,48,728 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative tests to 2,76,94,416, the Union Health Ministry said.

The highest single-day COVID-19 test at 8,48,728 is the result of ramping up its testing facilities on a sustained basis, with the aim of touching 10 lakh tests per day, the Health Ministry said.

“WHO in its guidance note on ‘Public Health Criteria to Adjust Public Health and Social Measures in the Context of Covid-19’ has advised comprehensive surveillance for suspected cases,” the Ministry said in an official statement.

However, WHO has also advised that a country needs 140 tests per day per million population, it added.

The ministry stated that the national average is 603 tests per day million population, with focussed efforts of the Centre and effective implementation by the states and union territories, while 34 of them have exceeded this figure.

In addition to this, states/UTs are being advised to scale up the testing on a commensurate level with the prevailing positivity.

Meanwhile, a key component for the successful implementation of the “Test, Track and Treat” strategy has been the continuously expanding network of diagnostic labs across the country. The network as of today consists of 1,451 labs with 958 in the government sector and 493 private labs.

Furthermore, the successful implementation of TESTING aggressively, TRACKING comprehensively and TREATING efficiently has ensured a rising recovery rate, which stands at 71.17 per cent today, taking the total recovered COVID-19 patients to more than 17.5 lakh, the ministry said.

“The recoveries exceed the active cases (6,61,595) by nearly 11 lakh (1,089,960),” it said.

However, effective clinical management through a standard of care treatment protocol has further ensured progressive and sustained decline in the mortality among COVID-19 patients.

As a result, the Case Fatality Rate (CRF) is pegged at 1.95 per cent today, maintaining its path of steady decline.

-RJV

Jaish militants behind Srinagar terror attack, I-Day security enhanced: J&K DGP

Representative pic

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police today said that the Nowgam attack in Srinagar, in which two cops were killed, was carried out by Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists who will be traced and terminated by the forces soon while asserting that more security measures will be taken to ensure peaceful conduct of Independence Day across Kashmir tomorrow.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of wreath laying ceremony of slain policemen— Fayaz Ahmed and Ishfaq Ayoub, J&K DGP Dilbag Singh said that initial investigations have revealed that Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit carried out the attack.

“We are busy identifying the attackers and will act against them soon,” DGP Singh said after the wreath-laying ceremony of two J&K police cops who were killed in the brazen attack by militants in Nowgam area of Srinagar this morning.

DGP Singh said that police was busy with the extended deployment in Srinagar and city outskirts in view of the Independence Day for the past few days. “Unfortunately, militants found a chance to attack a joint party of SSB and police at Nowgam in which two policemen were killed and another one injured, who is being treated at the hospital,” he said.

The DGP said that militants always try to target police and forces and at times they succeed. “Such attacks are carried when situation heads towards improvement in the Valley. Pakistan can’t tolerate peace prevailing in the Valley and keeps trying to carry out acts like the one today, to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere,” he said. “Our efforts to strengthen the peace will continue.”

CCTV grabs of today’s attack by terrorists in Nowgam, Srinagar in which 2 J&K cops were killed.

The J&K Police chief said that anti-militancy operations will be intensified in the days ahead. While paying tributes to the slain cops, he said they were deployed to ensure smooth conduct of tomorrow’s function. “At times, we have to bear such incidents,” Singh said.

Asked whether more security arrangements will be done in Srinagar as today’s attack came just a day ahead of the I-Day, Singh said security across Kashmir and Srinagar will be further strengthened. On whether police was using the latest gadgets to ensure better security cover, he said: “We will use drones and CCTV fitted vehicles besides physical deployment of our men.”

-CHK\ARK

No evidence of spread of COVID-19 through food packaging: WHO

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New Delhi (NVI): The World Health Organization (WHO) said that it saw no evidence of coronavirus being spread by food or packaging and urged people not to be afraid of the virus entering the food chain.

“People should not fear food, food packaging or delivery of food,” WHO head of emergencies programme Mike Ryan told a briefing. “There is no evidence the food chain is participating in transmission of this virus.”

WHO provided this clarification after two cities in China said they had found traces of the coronavirus in imported frozen chicken wings from Brazil and on outer packaging of frozen Ecuadorian shrimp, raising fears that contaminated food shipments might cause a new outbreak.

The virus was found on Tuesday in the Chinese city of Shenzhen during a routine check on samples of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil.

The authorities said they immediately screened people who had been in contact with the contaminated products, plus their relatives, and all the tests came back negative, according to media reports.

“There is no evidence that food or the food chain is participating in transmission of this virus. And people should feel comfortable and safe.”WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said China had tested hundreds of thousands of packages and “found very, very few, less than 10” proving positive for the virus.

The WHO also urged countries now that are striking bilateral deals for vaccines not to abandon multilateral efforts, since vaccinating pockets will still leave the world vulnerable.

-CHK

926 police personnel get gallantry medals on the eve of Independence Day

New Delhi (NVI): On the eve of Independence Day, a total of 926 police personnel across the country have been awarded with prestigious Police Medals for Gallantry, the Ministry of Home Affairs said today.

According to the list issued by MHA, a total of 215 personnel from different forces, including state police and paramilitaries, have been selected for the PMG award.

Besides, 80 personnel have been awarded for the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 631 for Police Medal for Meritorious Service.

Out of the 215 personnel awarded with gallantry medals, 123 personnel have been awarded for their gallant action in Jammu and Kashmir, 29 personnel for their gallant action in Left Wing extremism affected areas and 8 personnel in North-East Region.

Among the personnel receiving gallantry awards, 55 are from CRPF and 81 are from Jammu and Kashmir police.

Similarly, 23 are from Uttar Pradesh and 16 are from Delhi Police, 14 are from Maharashtra and 12 are from Jharkhand and the remaining are from the other States and UTs and Central Armed Police Forces.

-RJV

Bodies of 4 TN students who drowned in Russia expected to reach India by next week

New Delhi (NVI): The mortal remains of four medical students from Tamil Nadu, who drowned in Russia’s Volga river last week, are expected to be flown back to India early next week, V Muraleedharan, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs said today.

The Minister, in a tweet, condoled the death of four youngsters who drowned in the Volga river in Russia. He said that he has spoken to the Indian Embassy in Moscow and the mortal remains of the four deceased students are expected to reach India by early next week.

“Heartfelt condolences to the families of the 4 Indian students who died in Volgograd due to drowning. Spoken to our Mission @IndEmbMoscow. The mortal remains are expected to reach India early next week,” the MoS, MEA said in a tweet.

The four students were studying at the Volgograd State Medical University and died due to the ‘current’ in the river, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami has said in a statement on Monday.

The TN CM had directed state officials to get in touch with MEA and Indian Embassy in Russia to make arrangements to bring back the bodies.

The four students have been identified as Mohammed Ashiq of Tiruppur district, R Vignesh from Cuddalore, Manoj Anand from Salem and Stephen from Chennai.

-ARK

Beirut explosion: India sends emergency humanitarian aid

New Delhi (NVI): India today sent 70 tonnes of emergency humanitarian aid to Lebanon, including medicines, food and relief supplies in the wake of deadly explosions in Beirut that destroyed the port city and killed more than 150 people.

An Indian Air Force C17 aircraft, which left Hindon airbase this morning with the essential supplies, landed in Beirut with the essential supplies.

The aid was handed over by Suhel Ajaz Khan, Indian ambassador to Lebanon, and other officials of the embassy, to the senior officers of the Lebanon army who are coordinating the relief supplies.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a tweet said that India has expressed solidarity with the people of Lebanon in the aftermath of the tragic explosions.

“India demonstrates solidarity with the people of Lebanon in the aftermath of the tragic explosions in Beirut. 58 MT of emergency humanitarian aid, including crucial medical and food supplies, is on its way to Beirut in IAF C17 aircraft,” he tweeted.

Sanjay Bhattacharya, Secretary in Ministry of External Affairs also tweeted on the development. “This morning, @IAF_MCC #C17 left #Hindon base for #Lebanon with 70 tonnes humanitarian assistance following #BeirutBlast. Medicines, food supplies, blankets and personal kits will help relief efforts and fight against #coronavirus @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @IndiaInLebanon,” he said in a tweet.

In the August 4 incident, 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical used in fertilisers, stored at Beirut’s port blew up, sending a massive shock wave across the city, bursting out windows and damaging buildings.

At least 158 people were killed and over 6,000 injured, while the shock waves caused damage estimated at USD one billion to at least half of the city’s infrastructure.

-ARK

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

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New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has reached 24,61,190, after 64,553 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, the biggest single-day jump so far, according to Union Health Ministry data.

Meanwhile, the death toll stands at 48,040 after 1,007 new fatalities were reported in the country during this period.

In worst-affected Maharashtra the coronavirus tally reaches 5,60,126, followed by Tamil Nadu (3,20,355), Andhra Pradesh (2,64,142) and Delhi (1,49,460).

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 2,037

Andhra Pradesh- 2,64,142

Arunachal Pradesh- 2,512

Assam- 71,795

Bihar- 94,193

Chandigarh- 1,842

Chhattisgarh- 13,937

Dadar Nagar Haveli & Diu – 1,752

Delhi- 1,49,460

Gujarat- 75,408

Goa- 10,494

Haryana– 44,817

Himachal Pradesh- 3,816

Jammu and Kashmir- 26,949

Jharkhand- 20,881

Karnataka- 2,03,200

Kerala- 39,708

Ladakh- 1,849

Madhya Pradesh- 42,618

Maharashtra- 5,60,126

Manipur- 4,112

Meghalaya- 1,193

Mizoram- 649

Nagaland- 3,168

Odisha- 52,653

Puducherry- 6,680

Punjab- 27,936

Rajasthan- 57,414

Sikkim- 931

Tamil Nadu- 3,20,355

Telangana- 88,396

Tripura- 6,767

Uttarakhand- 11,302

Uttar Pradesh- 1,40,775

West Bengal – 1,07,323

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 22

Andhra Pradesh- 2,378

Arunachal Pradesh- 4

Assam- 169

Bihar- 426

Chandigarh- 27

Chhattisgarh- 114

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 4,167

Goa- 91

Gujarat- 2,731

Haryana- 511

Himachal Pradesh- 19

Jammu and Kashmir- 509

Jharkhand- 209

Karnataka- 3,613

Kerala- 129

Ladakh- 9

Madhya Pradesh- 1,065

Maharashtra- 19,063

Manipur- 13

Meghalaya- 6

Nagaland- 8

Odisha- 314

Puducherry- 102

Punjab- 706

Rajasthan- 833

Sikkim- 1

Tamil Nadu- 5,379

Telangana- 674

Tripura- 46

Uttar Pradesh- 2,280

Uttarakhand- 143

West Bengal- 2,259

However, a total of 17,51,555 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 6,61,595.

-CHK

Baloch youth shot dead by Pakistan Frontier Corps

(Image source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): A Baloch youth was shot dead in Kech district of Balochistan last evening by Pakistani forces, in retaliation to an alleged attack on them in Turbat city, according to a local media report.

The deceased, Mohammad Hayat, son of Mirza Baloch, was a final year student of University of Karachi’s department of Physiology.

The chairman of Baloch National Movement political party, Khalil Baloch, took to Twitter in this regard and stated, “#14AugustBlackDay – the Pakistani army shot dead Hayat Mirza, a young student of Karachi University, in front of his father in Kech Aapsar. Pakistan tries to prove that people from occupied nations are destined to die prematurely no matter how peaceful they are.”

Earlier yesterday, a Baloch armed group had targeted a Pakistan Frontier Corps (FC) convoy in Absar area of Turbat, which inflicted casualties on the Pakistani forces, according to a media report.

After the attack on FC convoy, Pakistani forces cordoned off the nearby area and arrested Mohammad Hayat Baloch from a palm tree orchard and shot him dead.

Reportedly, the attack on the convoy took place on eve of August 14, marked as the Independence Day of Pakistan.

However, Baloch do not celebrate this day as they consider themselves as a separate territory that was occupied by Pakistan forcibly on March 27, 1948.

Baloch people celebrate 11 August as their independence day every year, as it was on this day in 1947 that the British government gave independence to Balochistan.

They have been protesting against the violence and suppression at the hands of Pakistan military and security forces for decades.

Recently, Baloch armed groups and Sindhi revolutionaries have decided to form a joint front to fight against Pakistan’s occupation and the atrocities inflicted by the Pakistani army on their people in the region.

-CHK/ARK

Caracas governor dies of Covid-19

Dario Vivas

New Delhi (NVI): Dario Vivas, the governor of Venezuela’s capital Caracas, yesterday died after suffering from COVID-19 for more than three weeks.

Vivas announced on July 19 that he had tested positive for coronavirus and was undergoing treatment in self-isolation.

“I report that I have tested positive for COVID-19,” Vivas tweeted at the time.

Vivas was appointed head of the Capital District in January. He was known to be a strong ally of President Nicolas Maduro.

He was the first top-level government official to die of coronavirus, although several others have tested positive, including Diosdado Cabello, the president of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC).

Venezuela had reported more than 30,000 cases of COVID-19, over 250 poeple died from the pandemic in the country.

-RJV

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