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Afghanistan’s COVID tally crosses 34,600; death toll at 1,038

New Delhi (NVI): With the confirmation of 154 new cases, Afghanistan’s coronavirus infection tally has reached 34,605 today, according to Afghan media reports.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said, death toll due to the virus stands at 1,038 with 28 new fatalities being reported in the last 24 hours.

The fresh cases were reported in Kabul (78), Daykundi (26), Badakhshan (11), Bamyan (11), Takhar (8), Kandahar (4), Paktia (4), Baghlan (3), Parwan (3), Kapisa (2), Helamnd (1), Panjshir (1), Zabul (1) and Nimroz (1), it said.

Kabul also topped the list with 24 deaths reported in the Province.

The ministry also added that 64 patients have been discharged from hospitals in the past 24 hours, bringing the total recoveries to 21,280 in the country.

Meanwhile, the local health experts believe that the actual number of infections could be much higher than the official figures as scores of patients did not visit hospitals and there was no system to register them.

-RJV

Nepal coronavirus tally nears 17,000-mark

New Delhi (NVI): Nepal reported 144 new cases of coronavirus today, taking the national tally to 16,945, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said, of the newly infected, six persons are from Province 1; 41 from Province 2; 13 from Bagmati Province.

Likewise, eight people were from Gandaki Province; 14 from Province 5; 46 from Karnali Province; and 16 from Sudurpaschim Province.

In the past 24 hours, 1,705 people achieved recovery and were discharged form the hospitals, taking the tally of recovery cases to 10,294, the ministry said.

At present, there are 6,613 active cases of infection across the country.

Out of this, there are 183 active cases of infection in Province 1; 1,872 active cases in Province 2; 458 cases in Bagmati Province; 498 cases in Gandaki Province; 729 cases in Province 5; 361 cases in Karnali Province; and 2,512 cases in Sudurpaschim Province.

As of today, five districts have no active cases of coronavirus infection. Those are Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Mustang, Manang, and Humla. While four districts — Mahottari, Rautahat, Kailali, and Bajura — have over 500 active cases of infection.

Meanwhile, 38 people died from the pandemic in Nepal as no coronavirus related death was reported today in the country.

-RJV

Internet denied to Gilgit-Baltistan; citizens vent their anger

New Delhi (NVI): People of Gilgit-Baltistan, the territories of Jammu and Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan, are being denied proper access to internet since past many months, prompting the exasperated citizens to openly voice their agitation against the discrimination and subjugation.

The denial of internet has hit the people of the region very hard as it has come in the midst of coronavirus pandemic and the increased need for internet. The studies of their children and work of others have been adversely impacted by the lack of internet.

The people have staged protests in Gilgit Baltistan and its citizens living outside have launched a social media campaign #Internet4GilgitBaltistan to highlight the denial of the important facility, which amounts to denial of rights.

What is worse is that Special Communications Organization (SCO), a Pakistan government entity and the only telecom provider in the region, has been dubbing those demanding internet as ‘anti-State”.

“The #Internet4GilgitBaltistan campaign is far bigger than just speaking against a service provider whose system is faulty yet charges more for less. #HumanRights organisations should take notices of the digital disparity that has become evident during the #Covid19 crisis,” tweeted Imran Hunzai, who introduces himself as a documentary photographer and filmmaker living in Islamabad.

“High time we raise our voices for everything we have been kept deprived of,” tweeted Nida Ibrahim Shah, a corporate professional from Gilgit-Baltistan living in Lahore.

Basharat Issa, a lecturer, also tweeted, “We are much more than your tourist destination, detox spot, destination wedding plan, summer houses, camping, strategic asset and soft image! We are people, we are a civilisation! Think before dehumanising us!” The tweet was clearly addressed to the Pakistani authorities.

These are just a few examples of angst being expressed by the citizens of Gilgit Baltistan on social media.

Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of undivided Jammu and Kashmir and it was illegally occupied by Pakistan by military force in 1947. Since then, the mountainous region has been witnessing immense subjugation at the hands of Pakistan and its Army.

Complete lockdown in Bengaluru from July 14-22 as Covid-19 cases rise

COVID guidelines

New Delhi (NVI): The Karnataka government has announced that its capital city Bengaluru will go under complete lockdown from July 14 to 22 in the wake of coronavirus cases surging since the beginning of this month.

However, essential services such as hospitals, grocery shops as well as scheduled exams will be allowed in the city.

Karnataka Chief Minister Office (CMO) stated, “Complete lockdown in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts from 8 pm on 14th July to 5 am on 22nd July in view rising Covid-19 cases.”

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has announced that it will be operating 800 buses to various destinations on Monday and Tuesday in view of the lockdown in the state capital Bengaluru.

Karnataka Minister Jagadish Shettar today announced lockdown in Dharwad district from July 15 to July 24. Furthermore, lockdown has also been announced in Dakshina Kannada district starting from Thursday.

Bengaluru reported 1,525 coronavirus positive cases and 45 deaths in the last 24 hours. The coronavirus cases tally in the city now stands at 18,387.

-CHK

Chinese projects in Odisha left in limbo amid India-China border tension

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): Amid the escalating border tensions between India and China after violent Galwan Valley clashes last month, many Chinese projects and investment proposals worth crores of rupees are staring at uncertainty in Odisha.

Following the stand-off between India and China at Galwan Valley in Ladakh, there has been a strong anti-China sentiment and people have been demanding ban and boycott of all Chinese products.

The Centre has already banned 59 Chinese Apps last week. The developments have definitely put a question mark over the investment proposals in Odisha as well as in India, as many tenders offered to Chinese Companies have been canceled.

During September 2019, Odisha Industries Minister had conducted a roadshow in China to attract Chinese Investors and during April 2020, Odisha Single Window Clearance Authority had approved three Chinese companies for investment in the state.

Besides, one Chinese firm- Wuhuan Engineering Company Limited, had secured tender for the total restructuring of Talcher Fertilizers Limited, Odisha at Rs 13,277 crore during September 2019 for which MOU was signed with GAIL India Ltd, Rashtriya CF, Coal India Ltd, FCI.

During December 2019, when coronavirus spread in Wuhan, China, the project got delayed. More importantly, Odisha is the highest exporter of iron ore to China to the tune of 700 crores approximately every month.

Also, the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority had given its nod to the Chinese footwear manufacturing unit, promising employment of people in the state. The said company has two plants in China and Hong Kong. Apart from this investment, SLSWCA had given clearance to three other investments to the tune of around Rs 188 crore.

The authority had also approved two high-value investments for Odisha under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the future of which seems to be uncertain now.

All these projects will definitely have to wait if the border tensions between India and China are to continue. Meanwhile, Industry experts say that the suspension of projects and investments will affect Odisha too.

At present, the Indian Government is reviewing around 50 investment proposals involving Chinese companies under a new screening policy.

All investments by entities based in neighbouring countries need to be approved by the government, whether for new or additional funding, under new rules announced in April. Notably, China is of the biggest investors in India but the recent escalation in tensions will definitely impact the business prospects between the two countries.

According to reports, the new investment rules were aimed at curbing opportunistic takeovers during the coronavirus outbreak.

-ARK

Army Chief visits forward areas along India-Pak border in Jammu

New Delhi (NVI): Army Chief General MM Naravane today visited forward areas along the India-Pakistan International Border in the Jammu-Pathankot region and review the current security situation and operational readiness of the troops deployed on the ground.

“The COAS was briefed by Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC, Rising Star Corps on the operational preparedness, up-gradation of security infrastructure and the internal security matters,” PRO Defence Jammu, Lt Colonel Devender Anand said in an official release by PIB’s Defence Wing.

During his visit, Gen Naravane reiterated the ‘zero tolerance’ policy against ceasefire violations by Pakistan and infiltration attempts by terrorists along LoC.

“He further highlighted that all agencies of the services and Govt are working together relentlessly and will continue to do the same to defeat the nefarious design of proxy war being fueled by our adversaries,” said the Defence PRO.

The Army Chief, accompanied by GOC Tiger Division, also reviewed operational preparedness in forward areas. He interacted with the field formation Commanders and troops on the ground. The General also visited the forward areas of Gurj Division and was briefed by Maj Gen YP Khanduri, GOC Gurj Division.

The Army Chief addressed all ranks of Western Command through video conferencing and lauded the morale of the troops. He expressed complete confidence in the Indian Army’s capabilities to thwart any misadventure by the enemies of our country and handle any situation, the defence spokesman said.

He also commended the efforts of all the formations of Western Command in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting the ongoing ‘Op Namaste’.

Operation Namaste has been launched by the Army Chief to combat the spread of COVID-19 among security forces.

On his arrival in Jammu, the Army Chief was received by Lt Gen RP Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC Rising Star Corps, Maj Gen VB Nair, GOC Tiger Division and Air Cmde AS Pathania, AOC, AF Stn Jammu, as per the official release.

-ARK

Russian varsity claims successful human trials of 1st COVID-19 vaccine

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Russia’s Sechenov University claims that it has successfully completed the human trial round of the world’s first novel coronavirus vaccine, according to a report by Sputnik News.

In a statement the Russian varsity said it began clinical trials of the vaccine against Sars-Cov-2, which causes the coronavirus disease, on June 18. The vaccine was produced by Russia’s Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, it said.

The Russian ministry of health sanctioned the trial on June 16.

According to the media reports, the university said the first group of volunteers would be discharged on Wednesday and the second on July 20.

The university has said the first group of volunteers would be discharged on Wednesday and the second on July 20.

The method is not new and has been used for developing vaccines for seasonal flu, typhoid, malaria and cholera, among others.

However, there was no further information on when this vaccine would enter the commercial production stage.

There are at least 21 vaccines currently under key trials, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

So far, the total number of coronavirus cases have surpassed 12.9 million globally while the death toll has crossed 5,69,000.

-CHK

CBSE class 12 exam results declared

(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) today announced the result for Class 12th students on its official website. The board has recorded an increase of 5.38 percent in pass percentage in Class 12 exams this year.

The board has followed its revised assessment scheme to prepare CBSE results this year.

In a tweet, HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ wished students good luck and said, “Dear Students, Parents and Teachers! @cbseindia29 has announced the results of Class XII and can be accessed at ‘cbseresults.nic.in’. We congratulate you all for making this possible. I reiterate, Student’s health & quality education are our priority.”

The board revised its assessment scheme and took account of marks scored by a student in other subjects and awarded average marks in the cancelled papers.

Meanwhile, CBSE has decided to release the result of Class 10th by July 15, 2020.

This year, a total of 12,03,595 candidates had registered for the board examinatons. Of the total, 11.92 lakh students have appeared for the examination.

The overall pass percentage for CBSE 12th Result 2020 is 88.78 per cent, which is 5.38 per cent better than last year.

Earlier, CBSE informed the Supreme Court that the results for the pending examinations will be prepared on the basis of student’s performance in the previous examinations and internal assessments.

The board also said that the students of Class 12 will be given an option to appear in pending exams to improve scores after conditions are conducive.

-RJV

Terrorists killed in Baramulla were planning a big attack: North Kashmir DIG 

File photo of recoveries made after an encounter in Kashmir. Representative pic.

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Three militants killed in an encounter at Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla yesterday had plans to carry out a big terror strike in Kashmir in the coming days, given the huge quantity of arms and ammunition recovered from them, North Kashmir DIG, Suleman Choudhary said today.

Addressing a joint press conference with Army officers at Sopore, DIG Choudhary said that the three slain militants, that include two foreigners, were involved in the recent attack at Sopore town. One of them has been identified as Usman of Pakistan. “Usman was directly involved in the attack in which a CRPF man and an elderly man were killed. The civilian was traveling along with his grandchild,” the DIG said.

“The timely input helped us to eliminate all three. Inputs about Usman planning a strike were coming frequently,” he said. “Given the quantity of arms and ammunition recovered from the three slain militants, it seems that they had a plan to carry out a fidayeen strike in Kashmir,” he said.

The recovery included 3 AK-47 assault rifles, 9 magazines, 140 AK-47 rounds, a hand grenade, 3 jackets, a pair of shoes and some medicines purchased in Pakistan. Apart from that, some small items like wristwatch and iodine were also recovered from them.

While two slain terrorists have been identified, the identity of the third one is being ascertained, he added. Asked about the number of active militants in north Kashmir, he said the number is between 30 to 40. “The number of local militants are less and the local militant recruitment has gone down considerably in north Kashmir,” the DIG said.

About the recent Bandipora attack in which BJP leader Waseem Bari, his father, and brother were killed, DIG North Kashmir said that the investigation into the same is underway.

Also present on the occasion, an officer from Army’s Kilo Force said that the forces have foiled a series of infiltration bids over time and around 300 militants are ready at the launch pads to sneak into this side of the LoC.

“Pakistan has been making desperate efforts post abrogation of Article 370 to push in more and more militants. But almost all such bids have been foiled by the army. We are maintaining a close synergy with other security agencies to foil designs of militants,” he said.

He said they have intensified efforts along LoC and the counter-infiltration grid is on high alert. “In the hinterland, we are conducting clean operations against militants. In almost all the operations against militants, there was no collateral damage,” the army officer said.

-ARK

J&K: 2 terrorists killed in Anantnag encounter

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Two unidentified terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Viddy village in Srigufwara area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district today, police said.

“Security forces eliminated 02 terrorists. Two AK-47 recovered. Joint Operation in progress,” Defence spokesman Rajesh Kalia told NVI.

Earlier, a police official said that one terrorist was killed in the operation at Viddy village of Srigufwara. He said that there is a possibility of the presence of two or more terrorists in a residential house in the village.

Acting on a specific tip-off, joint teams of police, Army’s 3 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of terrorists in the area at around 5 am today.

This is the second encounter in Kashmir in less than 24 hours. Three terrorists including a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, Usman, were killed in Reban village of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district yesterday. Usman, a resident of Pakistan, was involved in the recent attack at Sopore in which a CRPF man and an elderly man were killed, whose grandchild had a miraculous escape during the shootout. The pictures of the little kid near the body of his grandfather had gone viral on social media.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, internet services have been snapped in Anantnag district.

This year so far, 126 terrorists have been killed which includes 121 in south Kashmir districts alone. Hizbul Mujahideen has borne the maximum brunt of anti-militancy operations in Kashmir as the outfit has lost around 60 terrorists so far including top commanders.

-RJV/ARK

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