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Pak passes 2 FATF-related bills; Oppn says bid to mislead world body

FATF

Islamabad/New Delhi (NVI): With the sword of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) looming large, Pakistan government has got two bills approved by its Parliament, a move described by the Opposition as an attempt to mislead the global terror-funding monitoring body and an effort to legalise ‘enforced disappearances” in the country.

The Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) Bill, 2020 were passed by Pakistan’s Senate today, a day their passage by the National Assembly (lower House) amid protests by the Opposition parties.

The new legislation would allow the Pakistan Government to impose heavy fine and long term jails for those facilitating militancy, apart from measures of freezing and seizure of assets, travel ban, and arms embargo on the entities and individuals, who are designated on the sanctions list of the United Nations.

Pakistan has been under close watch of the FATF over its support to terrorism. The country is in the ‘Grey List’ of the FATF since June 2018 and has been warned that it could be put in the ‘Black List’ if certain conditions outlined by the global body are not met by September.

Blacklisting of Pakistan would mean that it would not be able to get financial aid from international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF.

Pakistan Law Minister Naseem yesterday said the FATF-related legislation had to be passed before August 6 as it was a requirement for removing Pakistan from the ‘grey list’, The Dawn newspaper of Pakistan reported.

The Imran Khan government’s move was, however, described by the Opposition as an attempt to mislead the FATF.

Prominent leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former Senator Farhatullah Babbar said that “abduction has been given a dubious legal cover” with the new legislation in the name of FATF.

“Ex PM Khaqan Abbasi revealed that govt today brought a Bill in name of FATF allowing intel agencies to kidnap/detain anyone for 180 days. Too serious to be ignored. It is not only legalising enforced disappearances but also misleading FATF. Who drafted the law, must be probed,” the former Pakistan lawmaker tweeted.

“When abduction is given a dubious legal cover behind facade of fulfilling some Int’l obligation, as attempted today in name of FATF, it’s much worse than merely some individuals in trouble. Both state & society r then in a dark hole, in a bottomless pit,” Babbar said in another tweet.

India has maintained that the fact that Pakistan continues to be in FATF’s ‘Grey List’ vindicates its position that Islamabad has not taken appropriate action against terror financing and safe havens which exist in that country.

“Pakistan continues to be on the FATF’s Grey List. It is yet to show action on 13 out of 27 items of its FATF Action Plan. This is despite all the deadlines of completing the action expired long ago,” MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing recently.

“The continued Greylisting of Pakistan vindicates our position that Pakistan has not taken appropriate action against terror financing and safe havens which exist in that country,” he added.

Australia opposes China’s move to alter status quo on LAC

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

New Delhi (NVI): As China continues to maintain its aggressive stance on the Ladakh border, Australia slammed it today, saying any unilateral attempt by Beijing to change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India would “increase tension and the risk of instability”.

Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell said China should observe the bilaterally-agreed principles and norms that have helped “prevent escalation or miscalculation” in the border areas with India over many decades.

In a statement, he said, “Australia urges restraint along LAC and supports continued moves towards de-escalation.”

O’Farrell said he has told India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that, “Australia opposes any attempts by China to unilaterally alter status-quo at the Line of Actual Control, which only serve to increase tension and the risk of instability.”

His statement came as the military faceoff continues on the LAC, with China refusing to move back its troops and disengage completely.

India has maintained that China should sincerely undertake complete disengagement and de-escalation as agreed during several rounds of talks, including at the level of National Security Adviser.

The Australian High Commissioner also referred to the Indo-Pacific region where China has stepped up its aggression lately, saying his country favours open, free and rules-based region.

“Territorial disputes and competing claims should be resolved peacefully by claimant countries and in ways consistent with international law,” he added.

MEA counters China’s claims: ‘Disengagement process at LAC not completed yet’

Ladakh

New Delhi (NVI): Hours after the Chinese ambassador to India claimed that troops of both countries have disengaged in most areas at Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Ministry of External Affairs said that there has been some progress but the disengagement process has not been completed yet.

“There has been some progress made towards this objective (disengagement of troops) but the disengagement process has as yet not been completed,” External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, adding that the Senior Commanders of the two sides will be meeting in the near future to work out steps in this regard.

The MEA reaction came after Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong said border troops of both countries “have disengaged in most localities” and China was not a strategic threat to India.

“To move #China-#India relations forward, I believe that we need to straighten our views on several key issues. First, #China is committed to peaceful development, and is not a “strategic threat”to #India,” the Chinese envoy said in a tweet earlier today.

Speaking on the current situation at LAC and with regard to the Chinese ambassador’s statement today, the MEA spokesperson said that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas is the basis of our bilateral relationship.

“Therefore, we expect that the Chinese side will sincerely work with us for complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas at the earliest as agreed to by the Special Representatives,” he said.

Srivastava recalled the 17th meeting of the Working Mechanism held on July 24 in which the two sides reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western sector.

“They agreed that early and complete disengagement of the troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and de-escalation from India-China border areas in accordance with bilateral agreement and protocols and full restoration of peace and tranquility was essential for smooth overall development of bilateral relations,” he said.

“This was also the agreement reached between the two Special Representatives, NSA and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in their conversation on 5th July,” he added.

-ARK

IMD predicts heavy rainfall in Delhi and north India in next 24 hours

Rainfall
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) today predicted that intense showers will continue in isolated areas in Delhi and downpour over the rest of north India for the next 24 hours.

The Met department said that thunderstorms accompanied with moderate to heavy rains and gusty winds are likely to occur over large parts of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Greater Noida during this period.

Yesterday, the showers brought relief to the people of Delhi from the humid weather but caused waterlogging in low-lying areas, affecting traffic movement, electricity and water supply.

Meanwhile, due to a shifting monsoon trough and multiple cyclonic circulations, the IMD has predicted downpour over the rest of north India as well.

Isolated heavy to very heavy rains are expected over Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh over the next 24 hours.

In addition to this, moderate to severe thunderstorms accompanied with lightning are also likely to occur over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh during the next 12 hours, IMD said.

While fairly widespread rainfall and thundershowers are expected along India’s west coast and heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted in Kerala, coastal and south interior Karnataka, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa.

The Met department has also predicted squally weather, with wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph, over the Andaman sea, Gulf of Mannar and along and off the Kerala-Karnataka coasts and Lakshadweep areas.

However, no significant change in temperatures is likely to occur over most parts of the country during the next 3-4 days, IMD added.

-RJV

COVID-19 recoveries cross 1 million in India: Health Ministry

Rajesh Bhushan
Rajesh Bhushan, secretary, Ministry of Health

New Delhi (NVI): More than 1 million people have recovered from Covid-19 in the country. This landmark recovery has been achieved because of the selfless work and dedication of our doctors, nurses and frontline workers, Health Ministry today said.

“The recovery rate of Covid-19 patients in India has been rising continuously and in the past week recoveries clocked more than 34,000,” Rajesh Bhushan, secretary, Ministry of Health said at a media briefing.

The recovery rate has shown positive trends. It was 7.85 percent in April and today it is 64.4 percent, he added.

Sixteen states of the country have a recovery rate that is more than the national average.

“Delhi has recovery rate of 88 percent, Ladakh 80 percent, Haryana 78 percent, Assam 76 percent, Telangana 74 percent, Tamil Nadu & Gujarat 73 percent, Rajasthan 70 percent, MP 69 percent and Goa 68 percent,” Bhushan said.

He further said that Indian case fatality rate (CFR) for Covid-19 has been falling. “CFR was 3.33% in June. Today it is 2.21%,” he said.

It was informed that on June 4 the number of recoveries stood at 1 lakh which rose to 3,47,978 on June 25 before it crossed the 10 lakh mark on July 29..

In addition to this, India’s testing rate is now more than the WHO’s standard of a minimum of 140 tests per million of population. Indian conducted five lakh tests for three successive days on July 25, 26, 27. Many states also have a testing rate of more than 140 tests per million.

-CHK

COVID claims 11 more lives in J&K, death toll at 363

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The coronavirus has claimed 11 more lives in Jammu and Kashmir including a CRPF personnel since last evening, taking the number of people who have died of the virus in the Union Territory to 363, health officials said.

The eleven patients who died with the COVID-19 include a 75-year-old woman from Shivpora Srinagar, a 72-year-old man from Batamallo Srinagar, a 55-year-old CRPF man of 198 battalion, a 66-year-old woman from Keegam Shopian.

Likewise, a 55-year-old man from Humhama Budgam, a 70-year old lady woman from Delina Baramulla, a 75-year-old male from Kreeri Baramulla, a 75-year-old man from Maldera Shopian, a 52-year-old woman from Ashajipora Anantnag, a 64-year-old man from Hajin Bandipora and a 60-year-old man Nawa Kadal Srinagar.

An official from SKIMS, Soura hospital said that a 75-year-old woman from Shivpora, Srinagar who was admitted on July 26, died this morning adding that a 72-year-old man from Batamaloo Srinagar, who was admitted on 21 July also died today.

He also said that a CRPF man who had tested positive and was posted with the 198 battalion passed away in SKIMS Soura this morning. He added that a 52-year-old woman from Ashajipora who was admitted on 29 July died today.

While regarding a patient from Nawa Kadal Srinagar, he said that the patient was admitted on 18 July who passed away today afternoon. An official from CD hospital said that a 66-year-old woman from Keegam, Shopian who was admitted on 26 July died today.

He further added that a 58-year-old man from Humhama, Budgam who was admitted on 22 July also died today.

An official from SMHS, said that an elderly man from Hajin, Bandipora who was admitted on July 25 with bilateral pneumonia died today. An official from GMC Baramulla said that a 70-year-old man from Delina, Baramulla who was admitted on 26 July with bilateral Pneumonia died on Wednesday evening. He said that a 75-year-old man from Kreeri Baramulla who was admitted on July 28 also died on yesterday evening.

Another official from District Hospital Anantnag said that a 75-year-old man from Maldera, Shopian who was admitted at District hospital Pulwama a few days before with chest infection died on Thursday. All the deceased had tested positive for the coronavirus, officials added.

With 11 fresh deaths, the number of people who died from COVID-19 has reached 363 which include 338 from Kashmir and 25 from Jammu.

-RJV

WHO issues safety guidelines for Eid al Adha celebrations amid COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): About 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide are bracing themselves to celebrate Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, amid a coronavirus pandemic that has so far infected more than 17 million people worldwide.

To keep everyone safe in these troubled times of a pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued special guidelines for those celebrating this festival from July 30 to August 3.

WHO stresses that “cancelling social and religious gatherings should be seriously considered,” adding that “any decision to restrict, modify, postpone, cancel, or proceed with holding a mass gathering should be based on a standardized risk assessment exercise, taking into account current epidemiological trends, capacities, and resources.”

However, if one is to proceed with social and religious gatherings and animal slaughter, there are a range of measures to be taken, surrounding prayer venues, dealing with livestock, slaughtering of animals and processing and distribution thereof.

Apart from observing social distancing and encouraging mask wearing at the venues, the WHO suggests holding the prayers outdoors, else ensuring that the indoor venue has adequate ventilation. In addition, shorter events with fewer people are encouraged instead of large gatherings.

The authorities are advised to consider measures to facilitate contact tracing in the event that an ill person is identified among the attendees of the event.

The washing facilities at the mosques should be adequately equipped with soap and water, and alcohol-based hand-rub should be provided at the entrance to and inside mosques.

Furthermore, authorities managing the mosques are advised to routinely clean and disinfect worship spaces, sites and buildings, and frequently clean often-touched objects such as doorknobs, light switches, and stair railings with detergents and disinfectant.

In view of the sacrificial slaughter, WHO sternly advise countries to take strict measures around the selling and slaughtering of animals and the distribution of meat while ensuring that national food safety and hygiene regulations are enforced.

The guidelines call for enforcing proper procurement of animals, especially for importation of livestock, and refrain from slaughtering animals that appear sick, and plan for dedicated space for quarantine and isolation of suspected ill animals. Moreover, the WHO strongly discourages slaughter at home.

In addition to this, WHO suggests that when people distribute meat, they should consider physical distancing measures, and it is better to nominate one household member to perform and order the sacrifice, preferably through centralized agencies or services.

-CHK

78% of corona patients show signs of heart damage after recovery: Study

(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): Around 78 percent of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 showed evidence of heart damage weeks after they recovered while in 60 per cent of patients, there were signs of myocardial inflammation, according to a new study.

The study was conducted by the University Hospital Frankfurt, published in journal JAMA Cardiology, found that the disease inflicted damage on the organ long after the patient had recovered and in cases where the infection was not even severe to begin with.

According to the study, the MRIs of the 100 German infected patients were compared with those who did not carry the infection, two months after the first group recovered from the disease.

“80 of the 100 patients whose cardiovascular MRIs were examined after they recovered from COVID-19 had some structural changes to their heart,” the research reported.

However, these findings indicate the need for ongoing investigation of the long-term cardiovascular consequences of COVID-19.

At least 78 patients had visual signs that the virus had an impact on the heart irrespective of preexisting conditions while sixty of those patients had signs of ongoing inflammation of the heart muscle.

Of the total 100 patients, 67 recovered at home, while 33 required hospitalisation. At least 53 patients were male and the median age was 49.

The researchers don’t know is how long this heart damage sticks around, no pre-existing conditions would have explained the damage, only a third had been hospitalized with COVID-19. The rest were able to remain at home throughout the course of their illness, the study said.

In another study, published the same day, analysed autopsy results from 39 people who died of COVID-19 and whose average age was 80. It found high levels of the virus in the hearts of 24 patients.

According to the study, “Cardiac infection with SARS-CoV-2 was found to be frequent among these patients, but it was not associated with myocarditis-like influx of inflammatory cells into the myocardium (cardiac muscle tissue)”. SARS-CoV-2 is the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

The study added that among individuals with cardiac infection, inflammation of the heart muscle was not observed in the acute phase, but the long-term consequences of this cardiac infection needed to be studied.

Apart from this, the Ministry of Health in India is also in the process of formulating guidelines for COVID-19 recovered patients, officer on Special Duty Rajesh Bhushan said last week.

-RJV

ECI announces by-election for 2 seats

Election Commission
Election Commission of India

New Delhi (NVI): The Election Commission of India (ECI) today announced by-elections to two Rajya Sabha seats – one each in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala.

The by-elections will be held on August 24 and the notification of the same will be issued on August 6.

The by-elections were necessitated following the death of Beni Prasad Verma from UP and MP Veerendra Kumar from Kerala earlier this year.

While Beni Prasad Verma’s term was till July, 2022, Veerendra Kumar’s term was to end in April, 2022, according to media reports.

Furthermore, as per the established practice, the counting of votes will be held on the same evening, according to an official statement by ECI.

-CHK

PM condoles death of Tshering Lepcha

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the passing away of renowned musician, lyricist, and composer from Sikkim, Sonam Tshering Lepcha.

Taking over to twitter, PM Modi said, “Padma Shri Ren Sonam Tshering Lepcha Ji was a a multi-faceted personality. He made outstanding efforts to popularise the great Lepcha culture.”

“His works are respected across generations. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” Modi added.

Sonam Tshering Lepcha was born in 1928 in Kalimpong, West Bengal but spent most of his life in Sikkim.

He contributed largely to the folk music and in reviving the Lepcha culture, one of the indigenous cultures of the Indian state of Sikkim.

Lepcha received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2007.

He was the first among Lepcha people to air his voice on All India Radio and also reported to be credited with over 400 folk songs, 102 folk dances and 10 dance dramas.

-RJV

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