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India’s first COVID-19 vaccine candidate ‘COVAXIN’ gets human trials approval

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): An indigenous COVID-19 vaccine candidate COVAXIN, first to be developed in India, has received the approval by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for phase I and II of human clinical trials.

The drug has been developed by Bharat Biotech. Human clinical trials of vaccine are scheduled to start across the country in July.

It has been developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV). The SARS-CoV-2 strain was isolated in NIV, Pune and transferred to Bharat Biotech.

The indigenous, inactivated vaccine has been developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotechs, BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Level 3) high containment facility located in the Genome Valley, in Hyderabad.

Clinical trials under Phase I and Phase II of the vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, approved after pre-clinical studies demonstrated safety and immune response would start across the country next month.

Apart from Bharat Biotech, many other Indian firms are also working to make a vaccine that has had a disastrous impact across the world affecting health and wealth of millions of people.

Meanwhile, a number of drug manufacturers across the world are also working to find a cure for coronavirus, but no pharmaceutical firm has won the race yet.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases surge past 10.3 million globally

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): More than 10.3 million people around the world have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus and more than 5,04,000 have died, according to John Hopkins University.

In the US, nearly 2.6 million have been infected with the novel coronavirus while more than 1,26,000 people have lost their lives to the deadly contagion.

States in the US are pausing reopening plans amid a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalisations. Among the states stepping back is California, which reported a record surge in COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile in Brazil, coronavirus cases have surged past 1.3 million while more than 58,000 fatalities have been reported.

Mexico reported 3,805 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of infections to 2,20,657. The Mexican health ministry also reported 473 new deaths, bringing the country’s coronavirus-related death toll to 27,121.

China reported 19 new cases of coronavirus on June 29, compared with 12 the day before. Seven of the new cases were in Beijing, where a mass testing campaign is underway in the wake of an outbreak that began in the capital’s main wholesale food market on June 11.

Thailand has reported no locally-transmitted cases of coronavirus for the 36th day as a state of emergency introduced to cope with the pandemic was due to expire today.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned the pandemic is “not even close to being over” and that while there had been some progress initially, the pandemic was “actually speeding up”.

-CHK

PM Modi to address the nation today at 4pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 4pm today, amid an ongoing stand-off between India and China at Ladakh’s Galwan valley and a surge in coronavirus cases that has shown little sign of slowing down.

The Prime Minister’s Office released this information on Monday night.

His address also comes in the backdrop of India banning 59 apps from China including TikTok, owned by ByteDance Ltd., citing privacy and security concerns amid worsening relations between the two neighbouring countries.

In the previous address to the nation on May 12, PM Modi had announced a Rs 20,000 lakh crore ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ package to boost economic activities, which were hit by Covid-19 lockdown.

In addition to this, Covid-19 Unlock 1.0 put in place across the country also ends today and Unlock 2.0 will begin from July 1.

This would be Modi’s sixth address to the nation since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Narendra Modi on Sunday, on his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio show, said that India had given a befitting response to China on Ladakh, praising the Army which fought Chinese troops at the Galwan Valley earlier this month. He also spoke of the call for boycott of Chinese goods by the traders and the civil society.

Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 5,48,318, including 16,475 deaths, according to Health Ministry data.

-CHK

Unlock 2: MHA issues new guidelines, schools and colleges to remain shut till July 31

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for ‘Unlock 2’, the second phase of re-opening activities in areas outside containment zones, which will be applicable between July 1 and July 31 after the ‘Unlock 1’ phase ends on June 30.

The new guidelines, issued are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said in a statement.

The salient features of the new guidelines for Unlock 2 are as follows:

  • Domestic flights and passenger trains have already been allowed in a limited manner. Their operations will be further expanded in a calibrated manner.
  • Night curfew timings are being further relaxed and curfew shall be in force from 10.00 pm to 5.00 am. Further, relaxations in night curfew have been given for seamless operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of persons and goods on National and State Highways, loading and unloading of cargo and movement of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and airplanes.
  • Shops depending upon their area, can have more than 5 persons at a time. However, they have to maintain adequate physical distance.
  • Training institutions of the Central and State Governments will be allowed to function with effect from July 15, 2020. SOP in this regard will be issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
  • After extensive consultation with States and UTs, it has been decided that schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till July 31, 2020.
  • International air travel of passengers has been permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission. Further opening up will take place in a calibrated manner.

All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones:

1. Metro Rail.

2. Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.

3. Social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations.

“Dates for opening of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation”, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones till July 31, 2020. States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain activities outside the containment zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary.

However, there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.

The Centre also said that persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, should stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

The use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged, the MHA stated in its order.

-RJV

J&K: Two terrorists killed in Anantnag encounter

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Two terrorists were killed in an encounter that broke out today in Waghama area of Bijbehara in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district today morning, police said.

This is the second encounter in last 24 hours in southern Anatnang district. Yesterday, three terrorists including the last surviving terrorist from Doda district, were killed in Runipora, Anantnag.

Acting on a specific tip-off about the presence of terrorists in Bijbheara, joint teams of security forces, Army, police and CRPF launched a cordon early morning today. “When the forces zeroed in on a suspected spot, the hiding terrorists opened fire at the forces triggering an encounter,” an official said, adding that security forces while following the proper Standard Operating Procedure (SoP), performed professionally and in the ensuing gunfight, two terrorists were killed.

The identity of the terrorists is being ascertained and it is believed that they are locals affiliated with the J&K Islamic State.

With the killing of two more terrorists today, the total number of terrorists killed this year in Kashmir have reached 118.

Today’s encounter was 15th in a row in south Kashmir in the month of June that has seen the killing of 38 terrorists so far including top commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Asaar Gazwatul Hind.

Officials said that Hizbul has beared the maximum brunt of the counter insurgency operations as the outfit alone has lost 60 terrorists this year so far.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar recently declared Tral area of Pulwama district of south Kashmir, once a hotbed of militancy, as Hizb free area after three terrorists of the outfit were killed there.

-CHK

Overnight ceasefire violation in Tanghdar, Naugam sectors in J&K’s Kuwpara

Representational Image (File)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Pakistan resorted to intense shelling of mortars and small arms since yesterday evening in Tangdhar and Naugam sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, defence officials said today.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia, said that Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara on Monday evening. “Our troops gave a befitting response,” he said.

Officials sources said that late yesterday night, Pakistani Army again resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation (CFV) along the LoC in Naugam sector (in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district) by firing mortars and other weapons, adding that a befitting response is being given to the Pakistani aggression. “Pakistan continued to fire mortar shells till early morning today.”

There were no reports of any casualties so far. This year, a record number of 1,660 CFVs have taken place in J&K.

-CHK

COVID cases in India climb to over 5.66 lakh, death toll at 16,893

COVID tally
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 5,66,840 and fatalities from the virus have gone up to 16,893, according to Union Health Ministry.

In the past 24 hours, 18,522 new COVID-19 infections and 418 deaths were reported in the country.

As many as 3,34,821 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged so far.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 1,69,883 coronavirus cases followed by Delhi with 85,161 and Tamil Nadu with 86,224 positive cases.

The other worst affected states are Gujarat (31,938) Uttar Pradesh (22,828) Rajasthan (17,660) and West Bengal (17,907).

In terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 7,610 fatalities, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 2,680 while another 56,235 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation later today as the country enters “unlock 2” from July 1.

Apart from that, the home ministry has issued guidelines, further easing the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus lockdown.

-RJV

Cambodian newspaper publisher arrested for criticising prime minister: IFJ

(Pic: Facebook)

New Delhi (NVI): A publisher for Khmer Nation newspaper in Cambodia was arrested on June 25 for criticising prime minister Hun Sen in a Facebook post, alleging that the Cambodian PM was not offering a solution for people struggling to repay their debts to banks.

Ros Sokhet had also criticised Hun Sen on June 24 after the prime minister confirmed he was grooming his eldest son Hun Manet to take over as Cambodia’s leader, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued a warrant for Sokhet’s arrest and questioning on June 24 “for incitement to provoke serious chaos in social security,” arresting him the following day.

The IFJ has condemned the arrest and called on police to drop the case.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for Information Ministry, Meas Sophorn added the ministry is undergoing a review of Khmer Nation’s newspaper license that was renewed by Sokhet on April 2, 2020.

Last month, the Information Ministry of Cambodia had revoked the media license of another journalist, Sok Udom, who was later detained for his coverage of a land dispute.

In a statement, the IFJ said: “The arrest and charges against Sokhet convey the government’s disdain towards the rights and safety of journalists. The IFJ urges the Cambodian government to enhance protections for journalists to prevent authorities from using the law to censor the press.”

J&K: 4 travelers from Pakistan, 6-day-old baby among 144 new cases

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 144 fresh Covid positive cases including four Kashmiris with travel history from Pakistan and a six-day-old baby, taking the UT’s tally to 7,237.

Officials said that among the 144 new cases, 67 were tested positive at SKIMS, 8 at JVC Bemina, 22 at CD hospital and rest at other hospitals. “Among the new cases were four Kashmiri travelers, who had a history of travel to Pakistan. A six-day-old baby is also among fresh positive cases,” they said.

Among the new cases, 99 belong to Kashmir division while 45 are from Jammu division, officials said. They said that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 5658 including 3449 recoveries and 85 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 1579 including 1136 recoveries and 11 deaths.

They said that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 2557 including 2125 from the Kashmir division and 432 from the Jammu division. With 269 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 4585 which is 63.35 percent of the total cases.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 1 from Kulgam, 17 from Srinagar, 18 from Shopian, 10 from Baramulla, 15 from Anantnag, 2 from Kupwara, 2 from Bandipora, 4 from Budgam, 29 from Pulwama and 1 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while 45 from Jammu include 3 each from Jammu, Udhampur and Doda, 13 from Kathua, 8 from Samba, 2 from Poonch, 7 from Rajouri, 5 from Reasi and one from Ramban.

As per officials figures, 891 positive cases including 22 deaths and 265 recoveries are from Srinagar, 816 including 15 deaths and 381 recoveries are from Baramulla, 767 including 583 recoveries and 13 deaths are from Kulgam, 750 including 11 deaths and 545 recoveries are from Shopian, 650 including 7 deaths and 543 recoveries are from Anantnag, 536 including 391 recoveries and 05 deaths are from Kupwara, 469 including  207 recoveries and 4 deaths are from Pulwama, 397 including 216 recoveries and 7 deaths are from Budgam, 291 including 255 recoveries and 1 death are from Bandipora, 91 including 62 recoveries are from Ganderbal.

In Jammu, 336 including 278 recoveries and 7 deaths are from Jammu district, 272 including 172 recoveries and 01 death are from Udhampur, 217 including 182 recoveries are from Ramban, 226 including 156 recoveries are from Kathua, 144 including 86 recoveries from Samba, 123 including 99 recoveries and 01 death are from Poonch, 111 including 01 death and 69 recoveries are from Rajouri, 77 including 57 recoveries and 01 death are from Doda, 45 including 26 recoveries are from Reasi and 27 including 20 recoveries are from Kishtwar.

As per the daily information bulletin, 278,689 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 40,312 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 2557 persons are in hospital isolation while 34 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 188,546 persons have completed surveillance period and 47,145 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 358,530 samples are available out of which 3,51,293 have tested negative while 7237 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 2557 are active, 4585 have recovered and 96 have died.

Unlock2: MHA issues new guidelines, to come into effect from July 1

MHA

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs tonight issued new guidelines for Unlock-2 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which will come into effect from July 1. Unlock-2 will see opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones.

Meanwhile, the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments, the MHA said in a statement.

As per the Unlock-2 guidelines, night curfew timings are being further relaxed and curfew shall be in force from 10.00 pm to 5.00 am.  Schools and colleges will remain closed till July 31.

Shops depending upon their area, can have more than 5 persons at a time. However, they have to maintain adequate physical distance, the MHA said.

Training institutions of the Central and State Governments will be allowed to function with effect from July 15. SOP in this regard will be issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.

International air travel of passengers has been permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission.  Further opening up will take place in a calibrated manner.

Apart from that, all activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones:

* Metro Rail

* Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.

* Social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/religious functions and other large congregations.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 4 PM tomorrow. The Covid-19 cases in India inch closer to 5.5 lakh-mark with 19,459 new cases being reported in the last 24 hours. After fresh 380 deaths in the last 24 hours, the death toll has also risen to 16,459.

-ARK

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