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Coronavirus cases exceed 8.3 million worldwide

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): More than 8.3 million people have been confirmed to have the new coronavirus around the world. More than 4 million people have recovered, while 4,47,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University tally.

In the US, Florida, Texas and Arizona saw their highest single-day increases in new Covid-19 cases. More than 2.1 million total cases have been confirmed in the US.

In Brazil, more than 9.55 lakh coronavirus cases have been confirmed with more than 46,500 deaths in the country.

Peru topped 2,40,000 total cases of coronavirus with nearly 7,000 deaths, surpassing hard-hit Italy, government data showed, even as the pace of infections has begun to moderate in the South American nation.

Countries including China and Germany have renewed lockdown measures in some areas following the emergence of new clusters of cases.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 580 to 187,764, while the death toll rose by 26 to 8,856, the tally showed.

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, is undergoing treatment in hospital for pneumonia after he tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Hernandez’s wife, Ana Garcia, also tested positive for COVID-19.

In addition to this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in its large multi-country trial of treatments for COVID-19 patients had been halted after new data and studies showed no benefit.

-CHK

Autistic Pride Day 2020: Date, significance and challenges amid Covid-19

New Delhi (NVI): Autism is a development disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, a condition that is triggered by generic as well as environmental factors.

Every year, June 18 is marked as Autistic Pride Day worldwide, to help people recognize the importance of pride for autistic people. It aims to bring about positive changes in the broader society.

Autism is a disorder that affects communication and social skills of an individual. The disorder has a direct impact on a person’s nervous system and overall affects the emotional, social and physical health of the person.

Hence, people living with autism often struggle with various issues, from their personal mental turmoil to bullying and even abuse. In these conditions, it becomes extremely difficult for them to live with pride and lead a normal life.

Technically, there is no way to cure Autism but regular therapies can help in general.

In 2005, Autistic Pride Day was first celebrated by Aspies for Freedom in Brazil and it soon became a global event that was being celebrated widely, offline and online.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), one in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder. Most of them experience the stigma, discrimination, and torments that come with being a part of this spectrum.

Every year, on Autistic Pride Day, organizations plan various events and awareness campaigns to help people contribute to this cause.The events focus on educating people who are not a part of the autism spectrum.

Creating awareness among parents over the issues of autism and the method of dealing with these issues assumes a lot of significance.

Apart from this, autistic children are also at a major risk of being affected by a pandemic such as the current COVID-19 outbreak, which has had a huge impact on diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

It is because autism impacts a child’s social skills, speech and non-verbal communication and is influenced by a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

-RJV

Hizb terrorist arrested from hospital in J&K’s Anantnag

Terrorist arrested
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): After a week-long search, Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist was today arrested in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district after joint teams of security forces surrounded a house where he was hiding, police said.

A senior police official said that the terrorist identified as Imran Nabi Dar, son of Ghulam Nabi Dar, of Redwani, Kulgam, who had joined Hizbul Mujahideen on June 10 of the ensuing month, was arrested by joint teams of police, Army and CRPF.

“The militant was sick and had gone to a hospital in Anantnag district to get treatment. The forces reached the hospital in time and caught him alive,” the officer said.

The militant went missing since June 10 and it was believed that he had joined the terrorist outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen. Police records suggest that over 40 terrorists and 95 Over Ground Workers (OGWs) have been arrested so far this year.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar, recently said that police have categorized OGWs in three categories — A- who are being slapped with Public Safety Act (PSA), B- who are being kept behind the bars and C- who are being first counselled, warned and then handed over to their parents.

-CHK

India elected to UNSC as non-permanent member

New Delhi (NVI): For the eighth time, India has been elected as the non-permanent member of the powerful UN Security Council for a two-year term, beginning January 1 next year.

India, which was the only candidate from the Asia-Pacific Group, was elected unopposed to the 15-member body and got overwhelming support with 184 voting in favour in the 193-member General Assembly.

Afghanistan, which had earlier decided to contest from the Asia-Pacific Group, withdrew its candidature months back, for which India expressed its thanks to it.

This is the eighth time that India has made it to the UNSC, which includes five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members.

The significant development comes at a time when the world is facing an unprecedented crisis in the form of coronavirus, making the role of the UNSC more critical. The development also comes at a time when the international polity is witnessing a massive clash between the US-led West and China over the spread of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the development and said India, as non-permanent member of the UNSC, will work for promotion of global peace, security and equity.

“Deeply grateful for the overwhelming support shown by the global community for India’s membership of the @UN Security Council. India will work with all member countries to promote global peace, security, resilience and equity,” Modi tweeted.

While India has made it to the UNSC as non-permanent member for the eighth time, it is also pushing for its membership of the UNSC as a permanent member. In this regard, it has been pushing for reform of the UNSC, including expansion of its permanent category, to make the 75-year-old body a truly representative one, reflective of the current realities.

Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup told a media briefing in New Delhi that India, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, will be a “voice of all those not represented” in the world body.

“We will act with reason and modulation,” he said.

Swarup said India will play a role in giving an effective response to the pressing global challenges like terrorism and push for early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), which is an Indian proposal pending at the UN for nearly three decades.

Terrorist killed in encounter in J&K’s Pulwama

2 LeT militants surrender after gunfight in J&K's Kulgam
(Representational/file image)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An unidentified terrorist was killed in an ongoing encounter at Meej area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police official said today.

A police official said that acting on a specific tip-off about the presence of terrorists in Pampore of Puwlama district, joint teams of police, Army and CRPF laid a siege in the village early this morning. “When the security forces zeroed in on a suspected spot, the hiding terrorists opened fire triggering an encounter. The terroritsts opened a heavy volume of fire that was retaliated,” the official said.

He added that an unidentified terrorist was killed and the operation is still on.

Kashmir Zone police tweeted in this regard and stated, “In an ongoing encounter at Meej, Pampore, one militant has been killed whose identity is being ascertained.”

This year so far, 95 terrorists including top commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba have been killed which includes Reyaz Naikoo, the chief operational commander of Hizb, Bashir Koka of Lashkar and Abdur Rehman alias Fouji Bhai of Pakistan, who was an IED expert of Jaish.

Figures suggest that at least 62 terrorists have been killed since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Kashmir from March 20.

-CHK

Covid-19 cases in India rise to 3.66 lakh, death toll at 12,237

COVID tally
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus cases in India saw a jump of 12,881 in the last 24 hours, raising the total number to 3,66,946, according to Union Health Ministry.

The death toll due to the virus rose to 12,237, with 334 new fatalities being reported in the last 24 hours.

So far, 1,94,324 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 1,16,752 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 50,193 and Delhi with 47,102 positive cases.

Further, in terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 5,651 fatalities followed by Gujarat with 1,560 deaths, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 1,904 while another 17,457 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

The other worst affected states are Gujarat (25,093), Uttar Pradesh (14,598), Rajasthan (13,542) and Madhya Pradesh (11,244).

Apart from this, 1,65,412 samples were tested in last 24 hours and 7.78 per cent of them were found positive.

Meanwhile, yesterday in Delhi, Health Minister Satyendra Jain and an AAP MLA Atishi have been tested positive for coronavirus.

-RJV

Covid-19 sample testing doubled in Delhi, rate per test fixed at Rs 2,400: MHA

New Delhi (NVI): A slew of steps has taken to tackle the Covid-19 situation in Delhi following a series of review meetings held by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah on Sunday and Monday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said today.

A total of 16,618 test samples were collected on June 15-16, the MHA said, adding that daily collection of samples varied between 4,000-4,500 till June 14. Reports of 6,510 tests have been received so far and the remaining will be received by tomorrow, the Ministry said in a statement.

Apart from that, door-to-door health survey of residents has been undertaken in 242 Containment Zones of Delhi. Out of total population of 2,30,466 in these zones, complete survey has been carried out of 1,77,692 persons during 15-16th June. Remaining persons will be covered by 20th June, MHA said in a relase.

“As part of actions to be completed as directed by Amit Shah to tackle the COVID situation in Delhi, the report of high level Expert Committee headed by Dr V.K Paul on rates to be charged by testing laboratories has been received in the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the same has been sent to Delhi Government for further necessary action,” read an official statement.

The committee has fixed rate per test at Rs 2,400, it said.

One more action taken as per decisions taken by Amit Shah, as per new protocol approved by ICMR, testing for COVID-19 will be done as per new Rapid Antigen methodology w.e.f 18th June, the Ministry added.

“This technique will be much faster & cheaper. Priority for supply of kits will be given to Delhi and a total of 169 centers have been set up in Delhi for collection & testing of samples,” it said.

J&K: 5 minors, 3 CRPF men among 108 fresh Covid cases, tally rises to 5,406

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed 108 fresh coronavirus cases including five minors, three CRPF personnel and a soldier, taking the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Union Territory to 5,406.

Officials said that among the new 108 new cases, 58 were tested positive at SKIMS Soura, 13 at JVC Bemina, 18 at CD hospital and rest at other hospitals.

Among 108 new cases, 81 belong to Kashmir division while 27 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 4,172 including 2,353 recoveries and 57 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 1,234 including 561 recoveries and 7 deaths. “Among the new cases were five minors, three CRPF men and a soldier as well,” the officials said.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 2,428 including 1,762 from Kashmir and 666 from Jammu.

Out of 5,406 positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir, 2,914 cases have recovered which is 53.88 percent of total cases in J&K.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 7 each from Kulgam and Baramulla, 17 from Srinagar, 4 Anantnag, 27 from Shopian, 9 from Kupwara, 2 from Bandipora, 5 from Budgam, 2 from Pulwama and 1 from Ganderbal in Kashmir while 27 from Jammu include 2 from Samba district, 17 from Udhampur, 3 each from Rajouri and Reasi and 1 each from Samba and Kathua.

As per officials figures, 650 positive cases including 8 deaths and 431 recoveries are from Kulgam, 532 including 11 deaths and 223 recoveries from Baramulla, 566 including 14 deaths and 215 recoveries from Srinagar, 583 including 410 recoveries and 5 deaths from Anantnag, 585 including 322 recoveries and 7 deaths from Shopian, 419 including 308 recoveries and 5 deaths from Kupwara, 248 including 203 recoveries and 1 death from Bandipora, 264 including 116 recoveries and 04 deaths from Budgam, 261 including 70 recoveries and 02 deaths from Pulwama and 64 including 55 recoveries from Ganderbal.

In Jammu, 279 including 159 recoveries and 4 deaths are from Jammu district, 201 including 84 recoveries are from Ramban, 185 including 81 recoveries and 1 death from Udhampur, 163 including 81 recoveries from Kathua, 105 including 49 recoveries from Poonch, 113 including 42 recoveries from Samba, 72 including 1 death and 14 recoveries from Rajouri, 63 including 30 recoveries and 1 death from Doda, 30 including 13 recoveries from Reasi and 23 including 8 recoveries from Kishtwar.

As per the daily information bulletin, 2,43,887 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 40,152 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides, 2,428 persons are in hospital isolation while 28 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 1,53,255 persons have completed surveillance period and 47,960 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 2,82,268 samples are available out of which 2,76,862 tested negative while 5.406 have been tested positive. Among them, 2,428 are active and 2,781 persons have recovered while 64 have died.

Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in J&K’s Rajouri

Ceasefire
Representational image

Jammu (NVI): In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops today resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling along LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, defence sources said.

The Pakistani army violated ceasefire around 07:15 pm in the evening.

“On 17 Jun 2020, at about 1915 hours, Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms & intense shelling with Mortars along LoC in Sunderbani sector, District Rajouri (J&K),” a defence official said, adding that Indian Army is retaliating befittingly.

Earlier on June 13 and 14, Pakistan had violated ceasefire in the forward areas along LoC in Poonch and Baramulla districts.

An Indian Army jawan was killed while two other soldiers were injured in intense shelling by Pakistani troops at Shahpur and Kirni sectors in Poonch district on June 13 night.

-ARK

Boycott all Chinese products to avenge soldiers’ killing: J&K BJP leader

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): BJP General Secretary for Jammu and Kashmir Ashok Koul today called for boycotting all Chinese products in J&K while terming the Chinese aggression in Galwan Valley of Ladakh “as a large conspiracy against India” and appealed the people to “use indigenous goods”.

This, he said, will be the best way to avenge the killing of 20 soldiers including an Army officer in a violent face-off with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley along LAC. In an exclusive chat with NVI, Koul said: “Our soldiers had gone for peaceful negotiations but they were attacked and killed. The act is highly condemnable.”

The BJP leader said that Chinese aggression is a part of a larger conspiracy hatched to disintegrate a fast developing country—India. “On one hand, there is Pakistan, and on the other, Nepal. Now there is China. This is a well-thought-out plan to destabilise India. But these countries should note that India is a stable nation, with a growing economy and military power and any attempt to disintegrate will backfire,” Koul said.

Asked whether there is a call for boycotting the Chinese products across the country, he said this is not exactly a call but a mission, rather a dream, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Our prime minister has announced that for becoming a self-reliant nation, we must rely on our own produce and products. This means we need not use Chinese, or for that matter, products of any other country, be that Japan or any other nation,” Koul, who is looking after organizational matters of J&K unit of BJP, told NVI.

Asked whether there would be a military response to Chinese action in Galwan Valley, the BJP leader said that India is a peace-loving country but that doesn’t mean “we will compromise on territorial integrity.”

“We will not allow China to grab our land in Ladakh. We will convene meetings with the Chinese authorities and start peace talks and stress that Chinese men should withdraw from the Indian Territory peacefully. This will be done,” he said, adding that “if India is pushed into a war, the country is ready to face it and give a befitting reply in that case.”

-ARK

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