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‘Looks delicious’: PM Modi on Australian PM’s ‘ScoMosas’ tweet

New Delhi (NVI): Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison showed off his culinary skills on Twitter today as he shared pictures of him with a tray full of ‘samosas’, the popular Indian snack, all “made from scratch” by him including the “chutney” (sauce).

Sharing the pics on the microblogging site, the Australian PM said that he would have liked to share, what he called “ScoMosas” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, since “they’re vegetarian”. Morrison also tagged PM Modi in his tweet.

“Sunday ScoMosas with mango chutney, all made from scratch – including the chutney! A pity my meeting with @narendramodi this week is by videolink. They’re vegetarian, I would have liked to share them with him,” he tweeted.

Morrison’s tweet got a huge response from netizens and it also reached PM Modi who responded by saying that the two countries are connected by the “Indian Ocean” and united by “Indian Samosa”. While replying to Morrison’s tweet, the PM said that he would enjoy samosas with his Australian counterpart as soon as the coronavirus pandemic is under control.

“Connected by the Indian Ocean, united by the Indian Samosa! Looks delicious, PM @ScottMorrisonMP! Once we achieve a decisive victory against COVID-19, we will enjoy the Samosas together. Looking forward to our video meet on the 4th,” PM tweeted.

The two leaders engaged in the ‘samosa diplomacy’ ahead of their video conference on June 4. India and Australia are scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, looking forward to strengthening their strategic partnership.

World No Tobacco Day 2020: Experts urge youth to avoid tobacco in all forms

Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): World Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 every year and it tries to educate people on the dangers of using tobacco and the industry tactics which are now luring youth to hook them to addictive products.

The theme for the World No Tobacco Day 2020 is #TobaccoExposed. On the occasion, experts have urged people, especially youth, to quit tobacco and nicotine in all forms and do not allow these life-threatening habits to swipe out youthfulness.

The experts have urged the young generation to come forward to derail the tobacco industry’s aggressive and well-resourced tactics to attract youth to tobacco and nicotine products. They have said that youths need to stand up against the tobacco industries’ systematic and aggressive strategies to attract a new generation of tobacco users. No Tobacco Day will provide a counter-marketing campaign and empower young people to engage in the fight against Big Tobacco, they said.

On its part, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged influencers – in pop culture, on social media, in the home, or in the classroom – who reach and connect with youth to expose the industries’ manipulative tactics to create a new generation of tobacco users.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, those who are addicted to tobacco or smoking are at a very high risk as the oral cancer screening has taken a hit and not being done as earlier due to high risk associated with the examination of the oral cavity.

Life is a roller coaster ride once the patient is diagnosed with cancer, has its multitude of implications on the patient and family, physically, financially and emotionally. It spares no one, young or old.

India has one-third of oral cancer cases in the world, according to a report. Oral cancer accounts for around 30% of all cancers in the country. Every year 1.19 lakh new cases are registered which indicates its severity. Over 72,000 deaths are caused by it. People who smoke or consume tobacco in any form are at higher risk for oral and lung cancers.

One can take an active role in detecting oral cancer early, should it occur, by conducting a self-exam at least once a month and see the dentist/doctor on a regular schedule. But COVID-19 has come as a setback for early screening.

“Screening or early detection, and time detection are the keys to combating cancers. Amid COVID-19 people, who are addicted to tobacco or smoking, are at a very high risk as the oral cancer screening under government-run National Cancer Screening Programme has been temporarily suspended due to high risk associated with the examination of the oral cavity as saliva is high in Sars-Cov- 2load that causes coronavirus disease. We can easily realize the gravity of the situation,” says Dr Surendra K Dabas, Senior Director & HOD-Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, BLK Super Specialty Hospital.

“A growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away is suspected as oral cancer. It can occur in the lips, cheeks, tongue, hard & soft palate, and pharynx (throat). Oral cancers can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Oral Cancer is diagnosed by clinical examination and a biopsy may be needed to determine the makeup of a suspicious-looking area and requires further radiological evaluation before treatment commences,” said Dr Ashwani Sharma, Associate Director, Surgical Oncology, BLK Super Specialty Hospital in Delhi.

“Oral cancer is treated the same way many other cancers are treated – with surgery to remove the cancerous growth, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, if required, to destroy any remaining cancer cells,” Dr Dabas added.

Risk factors for the development of oral cancer include smoking, consumption of tobacco such as Gutkha and Pan masala, infections such as Human papillomavirus (HPV) among others. According to experts, the overall 5-year survival rate for patients with an early diagnosis of oral cavity and pharynx cancers is around 75-80%. If cancer has spread to nearby tissues, organs, or lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate drops to 55-60%.

To prevent oral cancer, experts strongly recommend youth to start a quit tobacco journey and avoid it in any form. Eating a well-balanced diet, limit exposure to environmental carcinogens and pollutants, and regular exercise would help a lot maintaining youthfulness. Experts also urged the youth to enhance their resolve to fail the tobacco industry’s strong strategies to attract them for the use of tobacco or smoking.

Bushmeat consumption could lead to the next global pandemic

(For representational purpose only)

New Delhi (NVI): Consumption of bushmeat could push the world towards more global pandemics such as the Covid-19, due to the risk of catching zoonotic diseases, warns Ben Garrod, an evolutionary biologist.

Bushmeat is a catchall phrase for the meat of wild animals, but it most often refers to the remains of animals killed in the forests and savannas of Africa.

People in Africa have hunted bats, monkeys, rats, snakes, and other wild animals for sustenance, for a long time. The meat, whether smoked, dried, or cooked, provides a valuable source of protein for people in rural communities where farming domesticated animals is too expensive or impractical. Hunting and selling bushmeat can also serve as an important source of income.

Notably, some of the world’s most deadly diseases, such as HIV, SARs, MERs, Ebola all have emerged from other species, including the novel coronavirus.

Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that originate in non-human animals and can be passed on to humans, resulting in chain transmissions.

In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) compiled a list of emerging diseases, which are “likely to cause severe outbreaks in the near future”. For decades, researchers have been investigating it and public health NGOs have been trying to prepare for such outbreaks.

Each disease on that ominous list is “zoonotic”, meaning they originate in non-human animals but either have the potential to jump from them to us or have already done so, Garrod was quoted as saying in a report jointly published by The Conversation and World Economic Forum (WEF).

The WHO further states that zoonoses account for not only 60% of diseases found in humans but represent 75% of all emerging infectious diseases.

It should be noted that the study of such zoonotic pathogens is rarely straightforward and investigating even relatively simple aspects of these diseases can require costly, time-consuming and complex epidemiology.

The search for the original source of Ebola, for example, began back in the 1990s. Yet despite a team successfully identifying in 2018 that the greater long-fingered bat is an important vector for the strain known as Ebola Zaire, scientists are still not certain whether these bats actually are the original hosts for the disease.

The possibility of a ban on bushmeat becomes much more difficult, however, when this wild meat is shipped either nationally or internationally.

While this most recent coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China, the illegal global trade makes it equally possible that the next global pandemic could start in Washington or Westminster, according to Ben Garrod.

In 2010, research conducted at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris concluded that more than five tonnes of illegal meat arrived at this one airport each week, a staggering 270 tonnes annually.

In another study, JFK airport in New York found that over a four-year period, meat from green monkeys, mangabeys, baboons and even chimpanzees was confiscated, some of which was later identified to be harbouring zoonoses with the potential to infect humans.

This is a hugely complex problem. Researchers and government agencies must work alongside traders and consumers to better understand why people want bushmeat and educate those at greatest risk from eating infected meat.

Social and cultural sensitivity is paramount, but clear breaches of the law need to be enforced if we are to help stop the emergence of the next global zoonotic pandemic.

Need to be more vigilant as economy opens up: PM in Mann Ki Baat

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that people in the country need to be more alert and careful now as a major segment of the economy is opening up gradually with precautions amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“With utmost precautions, flights have resumed; industry too is returning to normalcy; thus, opening up a major segment of the economy. In such a scenario, we need to be even more alert and careful,” he said during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address.

Although some restrictions will be eased, all social distancing rules like maintaining ‘Do Gaj ki doori’ (two yards distance), wearing masks, remaining at home as much as possible, must be followed in a disciplined manner so as to avoid any further spread of the virus, the PM said.

“Whether it’s the mandatory two yards distancing, wearing face masks or staying at home to the best extent possible, there should be no laxity on our part in complete adherence,” he said.

He said that the battle against Corona is being fiercely waged in the country through collective efforts. “When we glance at the world, we can actually experience the magnitude of the achievements of the people of India. Our population itself is many times that of most countries. The challenges facing the country too are of a different kind, yet Corona did not spread as fast as it did in other countries of the world. The mortality rate of corona too is a lot less in our country,” he said.

“All of us deeply regret the loss that we had to undergo. But whatever we have been able to save is a result of the collective resolve of the country. In a country as big as ours, everyone is determined to put up a fight; the entire campaign is people-driven,” he added.

On cyclone Amphan, PM said that when the country was busy in dealing with the Covid pandemic, Eastern India was facing the cyclonic calamity. He said the cyclonic storm inflicted heavy damage in West Bengal and Odisha but the country stands with the two states at such a tough time. The PM also lauded the people in the two states for showing remarkable courage.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the locust attacks in several states across the country and said that help will be extended to all those affected by the menace. He said that the Centre as well as state governments are engaged at different levels to help farmers lessen the loss accruing due to this crisis by using modern techniques.

The PM further said that the theme for this year’s ‘World Environment Day’ (June 5) is ‘Bio Diversity’, and asserted that this theme is especially pertinent in the current circumstances.

He also urged the people to live in harmony with nature, while talking about positive changes in the natural environment and drop in pollution levels since the lockdown. “For ensuring that the rivers remain clean, animals and birds have the right to live freely and the sky remains pollution free, we must derive inspiration to live life in harmony with nature,” he said.

The PM also urged the people to save and conserve water in this rainy season, saying that traditional conservation methods used in villages are very simple remedies in this direction, and can be employed to tap the precious resource.

Besides that, PM said that there is a link between respiratory problems and Covid-19, and urged people to do Yoga for a healthy lifestyle. “Yoga is good for community, immunity and unity”, PM said.

The PM’s radio address comes on a day when the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown comes to an end. The MHA issued ‘Unlock 1’ guidelines yesterday, allowing a phased reopening of most of the activities across the country. However, the lockdown has been restricted to containment zones till June 30.

The night curfew has also been reduced to 9 PM to 5 AM now, which was earlier 7 PM to 7 AM.

Pak violates ceasefire in J&K’s Poonch; civilian injured, 3 houses damaged

Ceasefire
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A civilian was injured and at least three residential houses were damaged partially in a ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Mendhar and Balakote sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said today.

They said that after a brief spell of ceasefire violation in these areas last evening, heavy firing started again early this morning.

“Pakistani army fired with small arms as well as mortar shells that lasted for a few hours. Five villages of Mendhar and Balakote sectors were affected by the intense shelling,” an official said.

Locals of Mendhar and Balakote said that at least three residential houses were damaged while a civilian suffered leg injuries.

“A civilian identified as Muhammad Yaseen, son of Muhammad Rashid, resident of Gohlad village got injured in firing. He received a splinter injury in his leg,” said Block Medical Officer, Mendhar, Dr Parvez Ahmed Khan.

He said that the medical team has evacuated the injured civilian with the help of locals and he has been admitted to a hospital. “His condition is stable,” the medical officer said.

This year, over 1500 CFVs (Ceasefire violations) have been reported so far, which is highest in the last three years.

IAS officer tests Covid positive in J&K, top officials among 15 quarantined

Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A senior Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer in Jammu and Kashmir has been tested positive for novel coronavirus, forcing the UT administration to put all his contacts including top bureaucrats under quarantine.

This comes just a few days after the wife and son of an advisor to the J&K Lieutenant Governor were found Covid-19 positive.

According to sources, at least 15 bureaucrats including top officials have been put under quarantine, who had possibly come in contact with the infected IAS officer. The need to put 15 officers, majority of whom are from the Health and Medical Education Department, was felt as the IAS officer who tested positive for the Covid was present in a high-level meeting held in Srinagar last evening. The meeting was aimed to review the pandemic situation and the measures taken so far.

Sources said that at least 15 officers including some senior officials have been quarantined in Srinagar. “These persons were in contact with the officer during the meeting held in Srinagar,” they said. “Efforts are on to trace all other contacts of the IAS officer apart from those who were present in the meeting.” The IAS officer had left for Jammu from Srinagar after attending the meeting.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole told NVI that the administration is tracing all those who had “unsafe contact” with the officer. “There is no need to panic. Effective contact tracing is going on. All the primary and secondary contacts of the infected IAS officer will be traced and quarantined,” Pole said.

World Covid tally mounts to 6.05 mn, US continues to be worst affected

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): Globally, 60,54,187 people have been infected with the deadly coronavirus while 3,68,711 have died so far. 25,62,191 Covid patients have recovered from the virus till now.

The United States continues to be the worst-affected country with 18,05,745 confirmed cases so far. The US has 5,479 cases per 1 million people. The world average is 779 cases per 1 million. 1,05,159 people in the US have died due to the pandemic so far while 3,90,404 have recovered.

Meanwhile, health experts in Minnesota worry about a spike in cases as large protests continue over the death of an African American man on May 25. The number of Covid-9 cases in the US state surpassed 1,000 this weekend. Although it is too early to say, there are speculations that the large number of people gathering to protest the death of George Floyd will cause a spike in cases.

Floyd (46) died in Minneapolis last Monday while he was being restrained by the police. Video footage of the incident showed an officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he gasped for breath. The footage was broadcast by the US media and went viral on social media platforms.

In the wake of the incident and the subsequent protests, elected officials across the US are urging protestors to wear masks and other PPE when gathering so as to prevent further spread of the virus.

Over 1.82 lakh corona cases in India, death toll crosses 5000 mark

New Delhi (NVI): The total confirmed Covid-19 cases in India have reached 1,82,143 while 5,164 people have died due to the virus, according to the latest data with the Union Health Ministry. 8,380 fresh cases were reported in the last 24 hours, while 193 new deaths were recorded in the last one day.

There are 89,995 active cases in the country now while 86,983 have been cured or discharged.

The MHA yesterday said that lockdown restrictions will continue in containment zones till June 30 while in other areas, the curbs will be lifted in a phased manner.

The guidelines for the fifth phase of lockdown will come into effect from June 1 (tomorrow).
Hotels, restaurants and shopping malls will be allowed to open, but on certain conditions. Apart from that, all inter and intra-state movement of public and goods will be permitted.

As the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus ends today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be delivering his Mann Ki Baat radio address. The PM is likely to speak on new lockdown guidelines and the one year of the completion of the second term of the BJP government at the Centre.

Meanwhile, about 6 million people have been infected by Covid-19 globally, including 3,66,875 deaths. The United States is the worst-affected country at, 1,03,353 deaths.

UN to mark Sept 9 as Int’l Day to Protect Education from Attack

New Delhi (NVI): The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has unanimously decided to establish September 9 as the ‘International Day to Protect Education from Attack’ calling on UNESCO and UNICEF to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the decision of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

The Day draws attention to the plight of more than 75 million 3-to-18-year-olds living in 35 crisis-affected countries and to their urgent need for educational support.

It also expresses concern over the effects of continued violence on these children and their ability to access education, whose consequences require special attention beyond the needs of learners whose establishments were temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said, “As the world fights to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, children and youth in conflict zones remain among the most vulnerable to its devastating impact. We must ensure our children have a safe and secure environment in which to learn the knowledge and skills they need for the future.”

“As the world begins planning to re-open schools once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we must ensure that schools remain safe places of learning — even in countries in conflict,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

She further added, “Attacks on schools are a violation of humanity and basic decency. We must not allow these senseless attacks to destroy the hopes and dreams of a generation of children. We acknowledge the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser and the State of Qatar for presenting the resolution to help ensure that schools and the children and teachers within them are protected.”

The General Assembly reaffirms the right to education for all and the importance of ensuring safe, enabling learning environments in humanitarian emergencies.

UNESCO and UNICEF will facilitate the annual observance of the Day in close collaboration with partners within and outside the UN system.

In the proclamation of this Day, the UN is sending a clear message regarding the importance of safeguarding schools as places of protection and safety for students and educators and the need to keep education at the top of the public agenda.

HH Sheikha Moza, who advocated for the importance of this day during the 2019 General Assembly High-level week and Social Forum for the Human Rights Council, said, “Amid this global pandemic, it is vital to ensure that the diseases of armed conflict and illiteracy that were prevalent before do not spread further.”

“That is why I am pleased that the General Assembly has recognized the significance of this urgent issue and established an International Day to Protect Education from Attack,” she added.

J&K: 10 pregnant women among 177 fresh cases, UT’s tally at 2,341

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Ten pregnant women are among 177 new Covid positive cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir today, taking the number of total confirmed cases to 2,341 in the Union Territory.

Officials said that among new 177 cases that were detected in J&K today, 19 were tested positive at SKIMS, 48 at CD hospital, 10 at JVC Bemina, 30 at Army’s Command Hospital Srinagar and rest at other private labs. “Among the new cases were ten pregnant women,” they said, adding that the number of pregnant women who have got infected with the virus in J&K has reached 65, with 50 alone from Kashmir.

They said that among 177 new cases, 125 belong to Kashmir division while 52 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 1,853 including 791 recoveries and 25 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 368 including 117 recoveries and 3 deaths. They added that the total number of active cases in J&K is 405 including 1,037 from Kashmir and 368 from Jammu.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 18 from Anantnag, 4 from Kulgam, 26 from Srinagar, 10 from Budgam 3 from Kupwara, 16 from Shopian, 40 from Baramulla, 1 each from Bandipora and Ganderbal and 5 from Pulwama in Kashmir while 52 from Jammu include 2 from district Jammu, 14 from Ramban, 6 from Kathua, 13 from Udhampur, 7 from Samba district, 6 from Rajouri, 3 from Doda and one from Reasi.

As per official figures, 314 positive cases including five deaths and 122 recoveries are from Anantnag, 277 including four deaths and 23 recoveries are from Kulgam, 272 including seven deaths and 131 recoveries are from Srinagar, 258 including 74 recoveries are from Kupwara, 217 including 102 recoveries and five deaths are from Baramulla, 146 including 134 recoveries and one death is from Bandipora, 168 including 108 recoveries and one death from Shopian, 99 including 61 recoveries and one death is from Budgam, 32 including 24 recoveries are from Ganderbal and 70 including 12 recoveries are from Pulwama.

In Jammu, 130 including 37 recoveries and two deaths are from Jammu district, 89 including 15 recoveries are from Ramban, 61 including 19 recoveries are from Kathua, 65 including 25 recoveries and one death is from Udhampur, 41 including 11 recoveries from Samba, 38 are from Poonch, 27 including 5 recoveries are from Rajouri, 14 including 3 recoveries are from Reasi, 8 including 1 recovery is from Kishtwar, 5 including 1 recovery is from Doda.

As per the daily information bulletin, 165,225 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 36,538 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Apart from that, 1,405 persons are in hospital isolation while 56 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 83,684 persons have completed the surveillance period and 43,514 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 164, 581 samples are available out of which 162,240 stand negative while 2,341 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 1,405 are active and 908 persons have recovered while 28 persons have died.

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