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Coronavirus cases top 13 million worldwide

Coronavirus cases
(Representational/file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): More than 13 million people around the world have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and nearly 572,000 have died, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University.

In the US, the total number of coronavirus cases have surpassed 3.3 million cases while the death toll has crossed 1,35,000 in the country.

In Brazil, coronavirus infections have exceeded 1.8 million while the total number of fatalities have topped 72,000 in the country.

Mexico’s Health Ministry on Monday reported 4,685 new confirmed coronavirus infections and 485 additional fatalities, bringing the country’s totals to 304,435 cases and 35,491 deaths.

The Australian state of Victoria has recorded 270 new cases of coronavirus, which brings the national total to about 10,250.

The wave of coronavirus cases connected with Beijing’s wholesale market that began in June appears to have been brought under control with no new cases of the disease reported in the Chinese capital for eight successive days. China’s National Health Commission reported five new cases on the mainland on Tuesday, all among people returning from overseas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the pandemic could get far worse if countries around the world do not follow basic healthcare precautions. “The virus remains public enemy number one,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual briefing.

-CHK

India’s Covid-19 tally over 9 lakh; death toll 23,727

covid cases
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): India’s coronavirus infection tally has crossed the 9 lakh-mark and stands at 9,06,752, with the confirmation of 28,498 new cases in last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry said.

This is, however, the third consecutive day when India has recorded over 28,000 new cases.

The country’s death toll stands at 23,727 with 553 new fatalities being reported in the past 24 hours.

As many as 5,71,459 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged across India so far.

With 2,60,924 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,42,798 cases and Delhi with 1,13,740 cases.

Other states with high corona cases are Gujarat (42,722), Uttar Pradesh (38,130), Rajasthan (24,936) and West Bengal (31,448).

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 10,482, followed by 2,055 in Gujarat and 2,032 in Tamil Nadu.

The death toll in the national capital rose to 3,411, while 91,312 patients in Delhi have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 1,20,92,503 samples tested for COVID-19 till July 13, of these 2,86,247 samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, to curb the spread of Covid-19, the Karnataka government announced complete lockdown in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts, from July 14 to July 22.

-RJV

J&K: 13 BSF personnel among 314 new Covid cases, toll at 10,827

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 314 new positive coronavirus cases that include four people who are under police custody and 13 BSF personnel, taking the tally to 10,827 in the UT.

Officials said that among new cases that were detected in Jammu and Kashmir, 101 were tested positive at SKIMS, 29 at JVC Bemina and rest at other hospitals. “The new cases include four people who have been arrested under the charges of different crimes and are under custody of police at different places. Besides, 13 BSF men also tested positive for the virus today,” they said.

Among 314 new cases, 225 belong to Kashmir division while 89 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 8495 including 4569 recoveries and 170 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 2332 including 1526 recoveries and 17 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 4545 including 3756 from Kashmir and 789 from Jammu.

With 116 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 6095 which is 56.29 percent of the total cases which was over 63 percent a few days before.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 101 from Srinagar, 21 from Kulgam, 06 from Baramulla, 16 from Shopian, 14 from Anantnag, 30 from Kupwara, 06 from Pulwama, 11 from Budgam, 20 from Bandipora and 26 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 89 from Jammu division include 25 from Jammu, 01 from Udhampur, 16 from Kuthua, 09 from Ramban, 24  from Samba, 04 from Poonch, 06 from Doda and 04 from Kishtwar.

As per the daily bulletin, 3,15,386 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 38,643 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 4545 persons are in hospital isolation while 25 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 2,26,893 persons have completed the surveillance period and 45,093 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 4,59,703 samples are available out of which 448,876 stand negative while 10,827 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 4545 are active and 6095 persons have recovered while 187 have died.

-ARK

J&K: Kashmir Martyrs’ Day not observed for first time since 1948

PDP chief and former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti paying tributes at the Martyrs graveyard in Downtown Srinagar, in 2017. (Twitter)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): No holiday was observed in Jammu and Kashmir today to observe ‘Martyrs’ Day’, for the first time in the history of Kashmir since 1948.

No official function was held to commemorate the Martyrs’ Day in J&K, for the first time, according to a J&K administration official.

On July 13, 1931, 22 Kashmiri people were killed in a revolt against Dogra forces led by the then Maharaja Hari Singh. All the governments who ruled J&K since 1948 had been observing this day and it was also marked as an official holiday.

Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year, the BJP-led government at the Centre had its reservations over observing this day and July 13 was omitted as a holiday in the new year calendar (2020).

“Official function to commemorate the martyr’s day was not held as the official holiday of July 13 in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir was omitted after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A in August last year,” said an official in the J&K administration. “In December last year, the list of gazetted holidays had no mention of Martyr’s Day on July 13, which was observed in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir to pay homage to July 13, 1931 martyrs,” he added.

Regional political parties used to pay homage to the martyrs on this day while the successive governments would organize official functions to commemorate this day in the erstwhile State.

Kashmir, in the past, has commemorated July 13 as Martyrs’ Day and Chief Minister, Ministers and DGPs would pay tributes at the official programmes across the erstwhile state.

However, following the revocation of Article 370 on August 5 last year, the Government had issued a list of gazetted holidays for the newly carved out Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, wherein July 13 was omitted from the list.

The then prime minister of J&K, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, had declared day in memory of those who revolted against the Dogra rule on July 13, 1931.

December 5, the birth anniversary of former J&K Prime Minister was also omitted from the list of official holidays in December last year.

In the new list of gazetted holidays, the government, however, declared October 26 as a gazetted holiday. On this day in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh had signed the “Instrument of Accession” with the dominion of India.

-ARK

Heavy rains lash several parts in north India, except Delhi

Light rains in Delhi
Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): It seems people in Delhi will have to wait more for some good rains as monsoon has favoured several parts in north India, except the national capital which is witnessing a rise in temperature and humidity levels.

The humidity levels are above normal in Delhi due to rainfall activity around last weekend. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the national capital has recorded 40 per cent less rainfall despite an early onset late last month.

As per the weather forecast, the city is likely to see light rain in the next seven days as the monsoon trough has shifted further north.

At least three weather stations in Delhi have recorded less than normal rain in July, as per IMD data. Since June 1, when the monsoon set in, the city has recorded just 79 mm rainfall against the normal of 132 mm, a deficiency of 40 per cent.

Apart from Delhi, monsoon has remained weak in Rajasthan too over the past few days but it is expected to pick from Tuesday. As per the latest MeT data, light rain was expected in over and adjoining areas of Rajgarh, Mahandipur Balaji, Deeg, Bharatpur in the state this evening.

Himachal Pradesh is expected to ger heavy rainfall on July 13 and 16. Most parts in Haryana and Punjab have also received good rainfall.

Als, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Bihar and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next 3 days, the MeT department said.

-ARK

Google to invest Rs 75,000 cr in India for digitisation: Sundar Pichai

New Delhi (NVI): Google CEO Sundar Pichai today announced that the company will be investing nearly USD 10 billion (Rs 75,000 crore), as part of digitisation efforts in India over a period of the next five to seven years.

“Today at #GoogleForIndia we announced a new $10B digitization fund to help accelerate India’s digital economy. We’re proud to support PM @narendramodi’s vision for Digital India – many thanks to Minister @rsprasad & Minister @DrRPNishank for joining us,” the Google CEO tweeted.

Indian-born Pichai was speaking at the sixth edition of Google for India event that took place virtually today, in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

Digital payments in India have enabled families across India to access goods and services during the lockdowns, Pichai said during this keynote speech at the virtual event.

Before the announcement, he also had a video-conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which he lauded the PM for implementation of Digital India. The initiative has made internet accessible to billions of Indians via cheap smartphones, affordable data and world-class telecom infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter after his interaction with Pichai. “This morning, had an extremely fruitful interaction with @sundarpichai. We spoke on a wide range of subjects, particularly leveraging the power of technology to transform the lives of India’s farmers, youngsters and entrepreneurs,” PM tweeted.

During his interaction with the Google CEO, PM Modi also talked about new work culture that is emerging in the times of coronavirus. Pichai briefed the Prime Minister about the efforts undertaken by Google to help spread awareness and provide reliable information about COVID-19.

On the occasion, the PM also said that India is amongst the most open economies in the world. In addition, he spoke about recent steps taken by the government towards reforming agriculture and about the campaign to create new jobs, while also highlighting the importance of re-skilling.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also hailed Pichai’s announcement and said Google’s investment is a big boost for India to move towards a USD 1 trillion economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Story of #DigitalIndia is that of development, empowerment & inclusion. Delighted that @Google will invest $10 billion in India. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi we are moving towards a $1 trillion digital economy & for that it is a big boost. Thank you @sundarpichai,” he tweeted.


-RJV/ARK

Deadline for reimport of cut and polished diamonds extended by 3 months

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The government has extended the deadline for re-import of cut and polished diamonds, which have been sent abroad for certification and grading, by three months, in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

The step will provide relief to the gems and jewelry sector amid the ongoing pandemic.

In an official statement, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said that this extended time period would be available to exporters to bring back cut and polished diamonds after due certification and grading by specified laboratories abroad.

“This extension shall apply to all cut and polished diamonds that should have been re-imported between February 1 to July 31 but which could not be brought back due to disruption on account of coronavirus pandemic situation,” it said.

Further, CBIC said that this relief was announced by suitably amending the notification no 09/2012-customs, dated March 9, 2012.

It added that the re-import in the extended period would be without payment of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and IGST.

This facility is available to exporters with an average annual export turnover of Rs 5 crore for the last three years.

“It may be noted that this relief is given to those exporters whose graded cut and polished diamonds were stuck abroad as a period of three months, ordinarily allowed for re-import had expired due to pandemic. A number of such consignments were also awaiting clearance with Customs, the CBIC statement read.

-RJV/ARK

Bangladesh COVID-19 tally exceeds 1.86 lakh; 2,391 dead

(Image source: United News of Bangladesh)

New Delhi (NVI): Coronavirus cases in Bangladesh exceeded 1.86 lakh after 3,099 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours.

In addition to this, 39 new deaths were reported during this period, taking the total number of Covid-19 fatalities in the country to 2,391, according to United News of Bangladesh.

The daily infection rate was today recorded at 24.95 percent in the country, while the overall rate of infection since March 8 is 19.43 percent.

So far, 98,317 people have recovered in the country after 4,709 more patients were recovered during this period.

According to the health experts, the number of corona cases started declining in Bangladesh as the country has already gone through a peak period of the first wave of Covid-19 and it braces for a potential second wave of deadlier outbreak after Eid-ul-Azha.

-CHK

Coronavirus cases surpass 2.50 lakh in Pakistan; death toll tops 5,200

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan today crossed the 2,50,000-mark after detection of 2,769 new cases in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus death toll jumped to 5,226 today after 69 new fatalities were reported during this period.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh reported 1,05,533 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 87,043 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 30,486 cases, Balochistan is at 11,185, Gilgit-Baltistan at 1,671, Islamabad at 14,108 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 1,599 cases so far, according to media reports.

A total of 1,61,917 patients have recovered from the disease so far in the country. Another 1,837 patients were in critical condition.

-CHK

NITI Aayog presents ‘Decade of Action: Taking SDGs From Global to Local’ report at UN

New Delhi (NVI): NITI Aayog today presented India’s VNR 2020 report titled ‘Decade of Action: Taking SDGs from Global to Local’ at the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, 2020.

The India VNR 2020 report highlights the key features of India’s response to the pandemic under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat campaign.

The report is a comprehensive account of the adoption and implementation of the 2030 Agenda in India. Apart from presenting a review of progress on the 17 SDGs, the report discusses at length the policy and enabling environment, India’s approach to localising SDGs, and strengthening means of implementation.

The report also includes a chapter which draws from the rich body of data, knowledge and analysis that emanated from the CSO led community-centric consultations, which took place across the length and breadth of the country.

The HLPF is the foremost international platform for follow-up and review of progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the HLPF this year, which is being hosted virtually in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, 47 Member States are set to present their VNRs between 10th-16th July 2020.

While presenting the report, Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, said, “We should all obliterate all divisions and distinctions amongst us and come together to try and convert the prevailing situation into an opportunity for accelerating our progress towards achieving the SDG targets”

Kumar presented the efforts towards ensuring no one is left behind. He also dwelt on the remarkable progress India has achieved in reducing multidimensional poverty, providing food safety, ensuring education for all, universalising access to electricity, clean cooking fuel and sanitation, while also operationalising the world’s largest health insurance programme by covering 500 million citizens.

“We are deeply committed to building on existing efforts and undertake newer initiatives to accelerate progress on the SDG targets for long term transformation,” Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog said.

The India VNR 2020 report was presented by Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, V.K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, and Sanyukta Samaddar, Adviser (SDGs), NITI Aayog.

India presented its VNR along with other second time presenters like Bangladesh, Georgia, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria and Uganda.

-CHK

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