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India Global Week conference: UK Cabinet ministers advocate stronger India-Britain ties

Representative photo.

New Delhi (NVI): A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at the inaugural address of the India Global Week 2020, UK Cabinet ministers today expressed their support to bolster ties with India to tackle immediate challenges like Covid-19 and climate change in the longer run.

The 3- day virtual conference has been organised in the United Kingdom with a theme of “Be The Revival: India and a Better New World”.

The inaugural address for the annual conference, held virtually this year from 9-11 July, was delivered by Prime Minister Modi yesterday. It brought together influential participants from the private and public sectors to discuss India, the UK and the world.

This included a special address by The Prince of Wales – who visited India last year – highlighting enduring UK-India bilateral ties and the importance of building a green, sustainable future, the British High Commission said in a statement.

The strength of the UK-India relationship was on show today on the second day of conference organised in London, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab leading a senior UK delegation that also included Home Secretary Priti Patel, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Trade Secretary Liz Truss, the BHC said.

The UK Foreign Secretary gave a speech by video, discussing the way Britain and India are maximising research and innovation links to tackle the challenges posed by Covid-19 and climate change.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “As leaders in the international Covid-19 response, the UK and India also co-authored the G20 Action Plan, providing an immediate package of $200 billion of global support to the most vulnerable countries around the world. A vaccine developed in Britain and manufactured in India, if successful in clinical trials, will reach a billion people across the developing world, thanks to Oxford University and India’s Serum Institute.

“We also believe our friendship with India will be crucial as the UK fulfils its ambition to be an even stronger force for good in the world. When the UK hosts COP26 in 2021, we will need to be key partners in tackling climate change.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Our relationship with India is deeply rooted in shared history, culture and our people to people ties. It is difficult to think of two other countries so deeply intertwined as the living bridge between our nations strengthens. Our partnership for the future is based upon our shared values and determination to be a force for good as we collectively embark upon new challenges and new shared opportunities.”

-ARK

Boeing completes delivery of 22 Apache, 15 Chinook helicopters to India

New Delhi (NVI): Boeing has completed delivery of all new AH-64E Apache and CH-47F(I) Chinook military helicopters to the Indian Air Force, amid a tense border situation between India and China.

With this, the US Aerospace major has delivered 37 helicopters to India, including the Apache attack helicopters, that will definitely prove to be a shot in the arm to IAF.

The final five of the 22 Apache attack helicopters were handed over to the IAF at Air Force Station, Hindon. Earlier in March, Boeing handed over the last five of 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to the IAF.

“Customer centricity, commitment to the modernization and mission-readiness of India’s defence forces are key values to our partnership with India,” said Surendra Ahuja, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India.

“With this delivery of military helicopters, we continue to nurture this partnership and are fully committed to working closely with India’s defence forces to deliver the right value and capabilities to meet their operational needs,” Ahuja added.

India is one of 17 nations to select the Apache and has the most advanced variant, the AH-64E Apache that is also flown by the US and many other countries. The AH-64E Apache is designed and equipped with an open systems architecture including the latest communications, navigation, sensor and weapon systems.

It has an improved Modernized Target Acquisition Designation System that provides day, night and all-weather target information, as well as night vision navigation capability. In addition to classifying air and ground targets, the Fire Control Radar has been updated to operate in the maritime environment. It is uniquely suited to meet a commander’s needs, including reconnaissance, security, peacekeeping operations, and lethal attack, across myriad environments – without reconfiguration.

Twenty defence forces around the world either have Chinooks in service, or are on contract to receive them. The iconic tandem-rotor helicopter has been the world’s most reliable and efficient heavy-lift helicopter for more than 50 years, allowing customers to operate in climatic (hot), altitude (high), and crosswind conditions that typically keep other helicopters from flying.

The CH-47F(I) Chinook contains a modern machined airframe, a common avionics architecture system (CAAS) cockpit, and a digital automatic flight control system (DAFCS). Those innovations and technologies will help the Indian Air Force meet evolving mission demands, maximize interoperability, and reduce lifecycle costs.

The Ministry of Defence finalized its order with Boeing for the production, training and support of 22 AH-64E Apache and 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook helicopters in September 2015. Earlier this year, India and the U.S. signed a contract for the acquisition of six Apaches for the Indian Army during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to New Delhi.

Boeing’s joint venture in Hyderabad, Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) has been producing aero-structures for the AH-64 Apache helicopter for both US Army and international customers. TBAL marks a major step towards the co-development of integrated systems in aerospace and defense in India. Boeing’s suppliers in India are manufacturing critical systems and components for the Chinooks, including the crown and tailcone assembly by Tata Advanced Systems and the ramp and aft pylon by Dynamatic Technologies. Boeing today works with over 200 suppliers and partners in the country in support of “Make in India” and “Skill India.”

-ARK

Will ensure complete disengagement of troops at LAC: India-China officials at WMCC

Ladakh

New Delhi (NVI): In another round of diplomatic level talks, officials from India and China today said that they will ensure complete disengagement of the troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and de-escalation from India-China border areas for full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas, in accordance with bilateral agreements and protocols.

The 16th India-China meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held today.

Senior officials from the two sides reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas including the progress made in ongoing disengagement process along the LAC in the Western Sector. They agreed that it was necessary for both sides to sincerely implement the understandings reached between Senior Commanders, MEA said.

During the virtual meeting, the two sides also recalled the agreement reached between the two Foreign Ministers on June 17 as well as the agreement between two Special Representatives (SRs) during their telephonic conversation on July 5.

On June 17, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had spoken to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the phone and conveyed India’s protest in “strongest terms” on the violent face-off in Galwan Valley in Ladakh on June 15.

The SR-level talks were held on July 5 between National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Wang Yi on the recent developments in the western sector of the India-China borders, which has witnessed the withdrawal of Chinese troops in Galwan Valley along LAC, after a long stand-off.

At today’s crucial meeting, the two sides also agreed that “for the overall development of bilateral relations, it was essential to maintain enduring peace and tranquillity in the border areas.”

“As agreed by the two SRs, the Senior Commanders will meet soon to discuss further steps so as to ensure complete disengagement and de-escalation in a timely manner,” the External Affairs Ministry said.

The two sides also agreed to maintain ongoing communication, both at the diplomatic and military level to ensure early resolution of the situation. In this context they agreed to hold another meeting of the WMCC in the near future, MEA added.

At today’s diplomatic level meet, the Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

In first signs of withdrawal of Chinese troops along LAC in Eastern Ladakh earlier this week, the PLA removed tents and dismantled its structures in the disputed area.

India and China are currently locked in a bitter standoff at multiple locations in Eastern Ladakh, especially after the June 15 violent clash between the Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

-ARK

Afghanistan’s COVID tally crosses 34,000, death toll at 971

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus cases in Afghanistan saw a rise of 286 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number to 34,194, according to Afghan media reports.

The death toll in the country stood at 971 with 12 new fatalities being reported in the past 24 hours.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said, the fresh cases were recorded in Kabul 83, Herat 81, Balkh 9, Nangarhar 1, Bamyan 30, Takhar 5, Baghlan 3, Badghis 30, Logar 2, Kunduz 5, Parwan 2, Diakundi 16, Wardak 3, Laghman 1, Panjsher 2, Ghor 13.

The ministry also said that 41 patients have been discharged from hospitals in the past 24 hours, bringing the total recoveries to 20,882 in the country.

Meanwhile, it comes that World Bank has approved a USD 200 million grant to help Afghanistan mitigate COVID-19 impacts and provide relief to vulnerable people and businesses in the country.

-RJV

Maharashtra announces 10-day lockdown in Pune, Pimpri-Chinhward from July 13

File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The Maharashtra government has announced a complete lockdown of 10 days for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and some parts of rural Pune from July 13, due to the rising number of coronavirus cases.

According to the officials, only essential services like dairy, medical stores and hospitals will remain open.

Other than Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad area, in rural parts of Pune district, 22 villages have been identified under containment zones where the lockdown will be implemented.

The decision to enforce the lockdown was taken in a meeting chaired by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and district guardian minister Ajit Pawar today.

Pune today reported its highest single-day spike of 1,803 new coronavirus cases, raising its overall count to 34,399, the Health Ministry data shows.

Maharashtra has been India’s worst impacted state due to coronavirus. As per the latest figures, Maharashtra has over 2.3 lakh COVID-19 cases and close to 10,000 deaths.

-RJV

Bangladesh COVID-19 tally exceeds 1.78 lakh; death toll tops 2,200

(Image source: United News of Bangladesh)

New Delhi (NVI): Coronavirus cases in Bangladesh exceeded 1.78 lakh after 2,949 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours.

In addition to this, 37 new deaths were reported during this period, taking the total number of Covid-19 fatalities in the country to 2,275, according to United News of Bangladesh.

The daily infection rate was today recorded at 21.86 percent in the country, while the overall rate of infection since March 8 is 19.43 percent.

So far, 86,406 people have recovered in the country after 1,862 more patients were recovered during this period.

Against the total number of detected cases, the recovery rate is 48.42 percent and the mortality rate is 1.27 percent in the country.

-CHK

Govt issues fresh advisory against fraudulent websites for PM-KUSUM scheme

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), today issued a fresh advisory against fraudulent websites claiming registration under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme.

In a statement, the Ministry of Power said, “It is recently noticed that two new websites have cropped up as illegal claiming registration portal for PM-KUSUM Scheme. Web addresses of these websites are https://kusum-yojana.co.in/ and https://www.onlinekusumyojana.co.in/.”

The ministry said that such websites are potentially duping the general public and misusing data captured through fake registration portal.

“While MNRE is taking action against the miscreants behind these websites, it is advised to all potential beneficiaries and general public by the ministry to be informed and avoid depositing money or data on these websites,” read an official statement.

Apart from that, news portals are also advised to check the authenticity of websites claiming to be registration portal for government schemes before publishing them on digital or print platforms.

The administrative approval for PM-KUSUM Scheme was issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) on March 8, 2019. While guidelines for implementation of the scheme were issued on June 22, 2019, the statement said.

Under the scheme, installation of solar pumps, solarization of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps and installation of grid-connected renewable power plants is provided.

Earlier, MNRE had issued advisories on 18.03.2019 and 03.06.2020, advising beneficiaries and general public to refrain from depositing any registration fee and sharing their data on such websites, the ministry said.

Besides, all stakeholders are informed that Scheme being implemented through state government agencies, and the list of these agencies, implementation guidelines and other details about the Scheme are available on the official portal of the Ministry: www.mnre.gov.in.

Thus, interested people among the general public may visit the MNRE website or call on helpline number 1800-180-3333, it added.

-RJV/ARK

Nepal COVID-19 tally stands at 16,649

New Delhi (NVI): Nepal reported 118 new cases of coronavirus today, taking the national tally to 16,649, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said, of the newly infected, four persons are from Province 1; 20 from Province 2; 51 from Bagmati Province.

Likewise, 13 cases are from Gandaki Province; 12 from Province 5; 15 from Karnali Province; and three from Sudurpaschim Province.

Currently, there are 192 active cases of infection in Province 1; 2,044 active cases in Province 2; 457 cases in Bagmati Province; 871 cases in Gandaki Province; 1,675 cases in Province 5; 400 cases in Karnali Province; and 2,964 cases in Sudurpaschim Province.

In the past 24 hours, 120 people achieved recovery and were discharged form the hospitals, taking the tally of recovery cases to 8,011, the ministry said.

As of today, coronavirus has spread to 77 districts of Nepal. While six districts have no active cases of coronavirus infection.

Those districts are Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Solukhumbu, Mustang, Manang, and Humla districts. Meanwhile, six districts — Mahottari, Rautahat, Palpa, Achham, Kailali, and Bajura — have over 500 cases of infection.

Meanwhile, 35 people died from the pandemic in Nepal as no coronavirus related death was reported today in the country.

-RJV

COVID-19 death toll crosses 5,000-mark in Pakistan

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus death toll in Pakistan crossed the 5,000-mark today after 75 new fatalities were recorded, taking the total number of deaths to 5,058.

Meanwhile, 3,359 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 2,43,599.

Furthermore, Sindh became the first province of the country where the number of coronavirus patients crossed the 100,000-mark.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh reported 1,00,900 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 85,261 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 29,406 cases, Balochistan is at 11,099, Gilgit-Baltistan at 1,619, Islamabad at 13,829 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 1,485 cases so far, according to media reports.

A total of 149,092 patients have recovered from the disease so far in the country.

Minister for Planning Asad Umar has said that people adopted standard operating procedures and precautionary measures due to which the number of coronavirus cases have decreased to great extent, according to media reports.

-CHK

ICSE class 10, ISC class 12 results declared by CISCE board

(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) has released results for class 10th and 12th students today.

A total of 2,07,902 had appeared for ICSE class 10 examinations this year. Meanwhile, as many as 88,409 students had sat for ISC class 12 examination.

At least 99.34 percent students were qualified in ICSE 2020 examinations. The overall pass percentage of ISC result 2020 recorded at 96.84 percent.

Notably, CICSE board will not publish merit list for class 10, 12 exams this year in view of exceptional circumstances, board secretary Gerry Arathoon said.

The ICSE class 10 and ISC class 12 board examinations were disrupted due to coronavirus outbreak in the country. The schools were shut since the last week of March.

The CICSE later cancelled the pending examinations that were scheduled to be held between July to July 15.

However, CISCE last week announced an alternate assessment scheme for class 10 and class 12 students.

The candidates will be assessed based on the best three percentage marks obtained in subjects for which board exams have been conducted. The board will also take into account the internal assessment as well as project work.

-CHK

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