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DAC approves deals worth Rs 8,722 cr; IAF to get 106 basic trainer aircraft

The MoD will purchase 160 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) from HAL (Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): The Defence Acquisition Council today approved procurement proposals worth Rs 8,722.38 crore, including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft for the Indian Air Force, in a big boost to the Armed Forces.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the acquisition proposals passed by the DAC will “strengthen the armed forces by relying on indigenous capability to take forward the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative”. The DAC meeting was held here under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

With Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) Prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL to address the basic training requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the MoD said in a statement.

Post Certification 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be initially procured from HAL and balance 36 after operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in IAF, it said.

To improve the fire power of Indian Navy, the DAC approved procurement of an upgraded version of Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) which is fitted as the main gun onboard Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) warships from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). The upgraded version of SRGM has enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets like missiles and Fast Attack Crafts and increase the maximum engagement range.

In view of the availability of requisite capability for indigenous development of the ammunition, both in terms of ‘Manufacturing’ and ‘Technology’, the DAC approved procurement of 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) ammunition for Indian Army as a ‘Design and Development Case’. The ammunition being procured will have a 70 per cent indigenous content.

The DAC also gave approvals that are likely to speed up the procurement of AK 203 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle upgrades.

On Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had announced import embargo on 101 items beyond given timeline, in a big boost to indigenous defence production, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

-ARK

Fact check: No decision taken by Govt on reopening schools on Sept 1

New Delhi (NVI): A Hindi newspaper has claimed that the Government is going to reopen schools from September 1 to November 14 in a phased manner.

The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has investigated the news and found it to be fake and misleading. It said that no such decision has been taken by the Government in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Notably, the country is going through Unlock 3.0, under which the Centre has allowed some activities like gyms and yoga institutes but no decision has been taken regarding the reopening of schools or colleges. Similarly, cinema halls and public parks will remain closed for the time being.

-ARK

DNA tests to identify 3 terrorists killed in Shopian encounter: J&K Police

July 18 Shopian encounter: Army completes summary of evidence
An encounter site in Kashmir (File Pic)

Srinagar (NVI): A day after the Army said that it has launched a probe into the July 18 Shopian encounter, the Jammu and Kashmir Police today said that it will carry out fresh DNA tests on the mortal remains of three terrorists killed in the Ashmipora gunbattle to identify them.

The police statement comes after some unverified social media posts claimed that “July 18 encounter at Shopian district of South Kashmir was stage-managed.”

The families of three missing youths from Rajouri district of Jammu have claimed that the three persons identified as slain militants in pictures gone viral on social media were actually their wards, who were working in Kashmir as labourers and had gone missing.

The Army yesterday issued a statement saying that it had taken cognizance of some social media reports, claiming the encounter as fake and “will investigate the matter.”

This evening, a police spokesman in a statement said that taking cognizance of the claim by the families of three missing youths from Rajouri and media reports, Shopian Police will match the DNA of the slain trio with the persons claiming to be their family members. “Besides identification, Police will also investigate all other aspects as per the law in due course of time,” the spokesman said.

He said that district Police Rajouri has been approached by some families yesterday claiming that their wards had gone to Shopian for labour work and contacted on phone on 17th July, last time. “As per families, when their wards didn’t contact them after 17th July, they lodged a missing report at Peeru police post on August 10,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the social media posts have claimed that the militants killed in an operation at Shopian on July 18 were the kin of three families from Rajouri, the police statement said. The police also said that with reference to its earlier press note regarding the July 18 operation, Police had provided sufficient time for identification of bodies at PCR Kashmir, Srinagar.

“However, the bodies could not be identified and they were buried in the presence of the Magistrate after conducting post-mortem and lifting of DNA samples,” the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Police said that the Army has also taken notice of the claims by family and social media regarding the said operation and initiated investigations.

NVI was first to report that families of three missing persons from Rajouri district have demanded DNA cross-examination with the trio killed on July 18 at Shopian encounter. The families of three youths have already demanded an independent probe requesting the newly appointed J&K LG Manoj Sinha to take look into the case.

-ARK

India working on 3 types of Covid vaccines: Health Ministry

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): India is working on three types of Covid-19 vaccines at different levels currently, the Ministry of Health said today while giving details of each one of them.

Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while addressing a media briefing here said the first vaccine is being developed by Oxford University in the UK. It is to be manufactured by Serum Institute of India under contract with a foreign company, he said.

The phase 1 trials of this vaccine have been completed in the UK, phase 2 trials are being done in the UK and South Africa and phase three trials are being done in Brazil, he said. “For third phase trials in India, the Drug Controller General of India has given permission to Serum Institute of India,” the secretary said.

The second vaccine is being developed by Bharat Biotech International, headquartered in Hyderabad, in collaboration with ICMR. Phase 1 and 2 trials are going on for this vaccine.

The third vaccine is being developed by Zydus Cadila, also an Indian company based in Ahmedabad. Phase 1 and 2 trials are going on for this vaccine also.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin today announced that Russia has become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against COVID-19.

Speaking at a government meeting, Putin said that Russia has successfully registered coronavirus vaccine after the approval of Russia’s Health Ministry.

Russia has named the vaccine as ‘Sputnik V’ in reference to the world’s first satellite Sputnik.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India has reached 22,68,675 with 45,257 deaths. 15,83,489 patients have been cured so far.

-ARK

Regular train services to remain suspended till further notice: Rlys

PRS counter tickets
(Representational Image)

New Delhi (NVI): Regular passenger and suburban train services which were suspended till August 12 in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic in the country, will continue to remain suspended till further notice, the Ministry of Railways said today.

Yesterday, the Railway Board clarified that no new circular has been issued regarding the resumption of services and all regular trains and suburban trains run before lockdown, will remain suspended for the time being.

The Railways, in a statement issued today, said that 230 Special Trains, which are running at present, will continue to operate. Local trains in Mumbai, which are presently being run on limited basis only on the requisition of state government, will also continue to run, it said.

The occupancy of special trains is being monitored on regular basis. Additional special trains may be run based on the requirement, it added.

It is pertinent to mention here that all regular train services were cancelled since 25 March when lockdown was imposed in the country in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. The IRCTC has suspended advance reservation for regular train services from 15 April.

-ARK

J&K Covid tally mounts to 25,931 after 564 fresh cases

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 564 fresh coronavirus cases, including 88 travelers, taking the total number of positive cases in the Union Territory to 25,931.

The total 25,931 cases include 20,085 from Kashmir and 5,846 from the Jammu division. Officials said among 564 new cases, 431 belong to Kashmir division while 133 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 20,085 including 13,974 recoveries while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 5,846 including 4,005 recoveries and 37 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 7,462 including 5,658 from Kashmir and 1,804 from Jammu division.

With 604 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 17,979 which is 69.33 percent of the total cases. Pertinently, Srinagar district alone has 6,350 positive cases which is more than the total number of positive cases in the Jammu division where total cases are 5,846.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 90 from Srinagar, 53 from Baramulla, 37 from Pulwama, 23 from Kulgam, 02 from Shopian, 42 from Anantnag, 39 from Budgam, 33 from Kupwara, 67 from Bandipora and 45 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 133 from Jammu division include 72 from Jammu, 10 from Kathua, 04 from Rajouri, 06 from Ramban, 06 from Udhampur, 07 from Samba, 02 from Doda, 14 from Kishtwar, 07 from Reasi and 05 from Kishtwar,” officials disclosed.

As per the daily information bulletin, 3,98,400 persons in J&K are under observation while 40,902 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 7,462 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 3,00,191 persons have completed surveillance period and 49,355 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 7,38,203 samples are available out of which 7,12,272 stand negative while 25,367 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 7,462 are active and 17,979 have recovered.

-ARK

WHO announces Pan-European Commission on Health & Sustainable Development

WHO

New Delhi (NVI): To rethink policy priorities in the light of pandemics, the WHO Regional Office for Europe is convening a Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development.

After identifying and reviewing the relevant evidence, the Commission will draw lessons from the ways in which different countries‘ health systems have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and will make recommendations on investments and reforms to improve the resilience of health and social care systems, WHO’s Europe office said in a statement today.

The Commission will also seek to build consensus on these recommendations and to elevate health and social care as societal and political priorities, recognized as being critical to both sustainable development and social cohesion, it said.

The Commission will be chaired by Professor Mario Monti, President of Bocconi University and former Prime Minister of Italy and a former European Commissioner. The Commission will be composed of former heads of states and governments, distinguished life scientists and economists, heads of health and social care institutions, and leaders of the business community and financial institutions.

Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said, “Our goal is to position health at the top of the political agenda within the Sustainable Development Goals, and to strengthen the resilience of health and social care systems in the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region. We are proud that Professor Mario Monti, highly respected for his leadership shown as Prime Minister of Italy at a critical time, as European Commissioner and as President of Bocconi University, has accepted to chair the Commission.

“This new Pan-European Commission collectively pools the knowledge and wisdom of a continent-wide network of leaders, policy-makers, scientists and civil society to identify, formulate and address key questions about the future of health and social care systems in the WHO European Region.”

On the occasion, Professor Monti said that he is honoured to chair the new Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development. “This pandemic has compounded the inequalities and divisions that are paralysing our societies and preventing progress on sustainable development. I regard WHO‘s decision to set up this high-level independent Commission as a progressive step towards shaping a more effective, integrated approach to health and well-being, as a bedrock for sustainable development.

“I am delighted that the Commission will be able to count on a Scientific Coordinator of the caliber of Professor Elias Mossialos, Founder and Director of the LSE Department of Health Policy,” he said.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P Kluge will jointly launch the Commission when it holds its inaugural meeting on 26 August 2020. A press briefing will also be held at this time – 16:30 CEST on Wednesday 26 August 2020. The WHO Regional Office for Europe will convene and act as secretariat to the Commission and support the production of the Commission report, WHO said.

Supported by a Scientific Advisory Board, the Commission will oversee and direct the collection and review of relevant evidence by a network of researchers, practitioners and scientists from across the Region. The Commission is to complete its work and present its final report by September 2021.

Dr Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, concluded, “the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development embodies the political imperative of the WHO European Programme of Work: namely, to support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations towards their health authorities.

“This programme of work will be put to the 53 Member States for their endorsement at WHO’s annual governance meeting, the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, in September this year.”

-ARK

COVID-19 fatality rate falls below 2% in India; recovery rate nears 70%

New Delhi (NVI): For the first time in the country, the case fatality rate (CFR) has fallen below 2 per cent and the recovery rate has risen to nearly 70 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said today.

Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while addressing a media briefing said that the country’s case fatality rate stands at 1.99 per cent and the recovery rate has risen to 69.80 per cent.

The Health Ministry attributed the rise in recovery rate to the ‘successful implementation of containment strategy, aggressive testing coupled with the standardised clinical management of critical patients’.

With more patients recuperating and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), the total recoveries have jumped to 15,83,489 with 47,746 patients getting discharged in a span of 24 hours.

“Focus on improved and effective clinical treatment in hospitals, use of non-invasive, improved and coordinated services of the ambulances for ferrying patients for prompt and timely treatment have resulted in seamless efficient patient management of COVID-19 patients,” Health Ministry said.

Bhushan further said that a record 2.5 crore coronavirus tests were done this week.

The actual caseload of the country is the active cases (6,39,929) which is only 28.21 per cent of the total positive cases. They are under active medical supervision.

-CHK

Prez greets people on Janmashtami eve

President
President Ram Nath Kovind

New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today extended his greetings to the people on the eve of Janmashtami and said Lord Krishna inspires us to establish a society that is just, sensitive and compassionate.

“On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad,” President Kovind said in his message.

“Lord Shri Krishna inspires us to establish a society that is just, sensitive and compassionate,” he said.

“His message of Karmayoga is a call to focus on our responsibilities rather than caring for rewards. This spirit has been evident in the working of all our corona warriors who act at the forefront of our fight against COVID-19,” Kovind added.

The President further stated, as we celebrate this festival, let us all resolve to follow the timeless and universal teachings of Lord Krishna for the betterment of our lives and humanity.

-RJV/ARK

COVID returns to New Zealand after over 100 days

Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern

New Delhi (NVI): New Zealand, which declared itself free of coronavirus over 100 days back, has reported the return of the deadly pandemic.

The detection of four cases in a single-family was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who had earned global praise for the country’s success in containing the virus.

In a televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said the cases had been detected in the country’s largest city Auckland from an unknown source, outside of managed isolation or quarantine facilities.

“After 102 days, we have our first cases of COVID-19 outside of managed isolation or quarantine facilities… we have all worked incredibly hard to prevent this scenario,” she said.

Accordingly, she issued a stay-at-home lockdown order for Auckland.

Auckland will be put on Alert Level 3 and will be locked down for at least three days from Wednesday and some social distancing restrictions will be reintroduced in the rest of the country.

The rest of the country would move to Alert Level 2 on Wednesday, with social distancing rules in place and mass gatherings limited to 100 people, according to media reports.

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