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Nepal coronavirus tally exceeds 10,000-mark

New Delhi (NVI): Nepal reported 538 new cases of coronavirus today, taking the national tally to 10,099, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said, of total cases, 2,224 have been cured and discharged while 24 died from the pandemic in Nepal.

The ministry also said, among the newly-infected are 448 males and 90 females. As of today, 76 persons were discharged after recovery.

The deadly disease has been spread across 76 districts of the country, as per the reports.

In addition to this, coronavirus has spread to all districts in Nepal expect Rasuwa in Bagmati Province.

So far, 457,920 samples have been tested for coronavirus in Nepal. Of these, 186,366 samples were tested through the PCR and 271,584 through the RDT.

Meanwhile, in various parts of the country, 85,813 people have been quarantined waiting to be tested for COVID-19 and 7,851 people are in isolation.

-RJV

748 Indians stranded in Pakistan to return from Jun 25 via Wagah border

137 people struck in India due to Covid cross over to Pakistan

New Delhi (NVI): Around 748 Indians stranded in Pakistan amid the Covid-19 pandemic, including students from Kashmir, will return to India via Attari-Wagah border from June 25-27, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad said today.

“@IndiainPakistan is facilitating the return of 748 Indians from Pakistan to India on June 25-27. The repatriation will be carried out as per the attached list,” the Indian embassy tweeted with a link of the list.

The Indian Embassy in Pakistan tweeted in this regard while releasing a list of 748 Indian citizens who will be repatriated. The Indian High Commission, which is facilitating the return of Indian nationals, has asked them to make necessary arrangements to reach at the Wagha-Attari border in time.

“Serial no. 1-250 will return on June 25. Serial no. 251-500 on June 26 and 501-748 on June 27. Please make necessary arrangements to reach at the Wagha-Attari border in time for your repatriation,” the embassy tweeted.

The evacuation is part of the Indian government’s efforts under Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate Indians stranded in different parts of the world amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Puri Rath Yatra begins in Odisha sans devotees for first time

(Source: @PIBBhubaneswar)

Bhubaneswar (NVI): In a historic first, the rituals for the world’s biggest chariot festival – Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra – began this morning in Odisha’s Puri without public attendance and under guidelines set by the Supreme Court in the view of Covid-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, the apex court gave a go-ahead to the Odisha Government to make necessary arrangements to conduct the seven-day long chariot festival from today, while keeping in view the necessary Covid protocols including social distancing.


During the ritual today, three deities were taken atop the three traditionally decked up wooden chariots — Nandighosa (for Jagannath), Taladhwaja (for Balabhadra) and Devadalana (for Subhadra ) after the Pahandi rituals in the morning.

The Chherapahara ritual was scheduled for 11.30 am. The chariots were pulled thereafter, around 12 pm.

The Rath Yatra was allowed after the Supreme Court removed its stay on the age-old yatra yesterday.

Following the court’s order, the Puri district administration, temple priests and servitors, civic authorities, officials from the Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha made arrangements as per the guidelines issued.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah greeted the people of Odisha.

PM Modi sought blessings of Lord Jagannath for good health, happiness, and prosperity of people.

“My heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. I wish that this journey be filled with reverence, devotion, happiness, prosperity, good luck, and health to the lives of the countrymen. Jai Jagannath!,” the PM tweeted in Hindi

Amit Shah tweeted,” I extend my warm greetings to all, on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra. May Maha Prabhu Jagannath bless everyone with good health, joy and prosperity.”Jai Jagannath!

Dharmendra Pradhan also greeted the devotees and wrote, “Hearty greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of the holy Rath Yatra. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless everyone with health and prosperity.”Jai Jagannath!

Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri is the most revered and much-awaited festival of Odisha. Rath Yatra depicts the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, who is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The Supreme Court granted permission to hold Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra at Puri this year amid COVID-19 pandemic with certain conditions. However, it ruled that not more than 500 people will be allowed to pull the chariots in Yatra.

-RJV/ARK

SC defers hearing on pending CBSE Board Exams till June 25

New Delhi (NVI): The Supreme Court today deferred the hearing to June 25 on whether or not CBSE should conduct the remaining 10th and 12th Board Exams amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The hearing was deferred after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) informed the court that the decision-making process for Board Exams is in an advanced stage.

The three-judge Bench was hearing a plea seeking cancellation of this year’s CBSE exams, filed by the parents of students scheduled to appear for their Class XII Board exams in July.

Appearing on behalf of the Centre and CBSE, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, said that the discussions were on and a decision will be taken by June 24.

Parents of students have sought that exams be scrapped and that students be marked on the basis of internal assessment.

The Supreme Court had on June 17 asked the CBSE to consider cancelling the pending class 10th and 12th board examinations and allot marks on the basis of internal assessment.

Reportedly, a similar request has been made by the Maharashtra, Delhi and Odisha governments to the HRD Ministry.

In addition to this, the ICSE Board has informed SC that they too will abide by whatever decision CBSE takes.

-CHK

India, China agreed to take steps to ‘cool down’ situation at border: Chinese foreign ministry

New Delhi (NVI): The Chinese foreign ministry today said that during the military-level meeting held at Moldo yesterday, India and China agreed to take necessary measures to “cool down” the situation at the Line of Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh through dialogue and consultation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that the Lieutenant General level talks show that “China and India are willing to resolve differences, handle the situation and de-escalate tension through dialogue and consultation.”

“On the basis of the consensus reached at the first military chiefs’ meeting, the two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views on prominent issues in the status quo of control and management in border areas and agreed to take necessary measures to ‘cool down’ the situation,” Zhao said at a press briefing.

The first meeting had taken place on June 6 at the same place, a week before the violent clashes between the Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley, in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

“China and India also agreed to maintain communication and work together to promote peace in the border areas,” Zhao added.

Earlier today, defence sources said that was a ‘mutual consensus to disengage’ in Eastern Ladakh, at the Corps Commander level talks held between India and China yesterday.

Sources said that the talks were held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere. They said that modalities for disengagement from all friction areas in Eastern Ladakh were discussed and will be taken forward by both sides.

In the June 6 meeting, the Indian side was led by Commander of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Harinder Singh and the Chinese side was led by South Xinjiang Military District Commander Major General Liu Lin.

In the worst-ever flare-up between the two armies at Line of Actual Control (LAC) since 1967, Indian and Chinese troops clashed with each other at Galwan Valley in Ladakh after the latter refused to remove a tent as part of what was agreed in June 6 meeting.

Since early May 2020, the Chinese side has been hindering India’s normal, traditional patrolling pattern in this area, according to the Indian foreign ministry. “This had resulted in a face-off which was addressed by the ground commanders as per the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocols,”’ said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava recently.

-ARK

J&K: Terrorist hideout busted in Srinagar, weapons recovered

The security forces recovered items which included 20 kilograms of flour, rice edibles, cotton etc.

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Security forces today busted a terrorist hideout in Harwan area on Srinagar outskirts and recovered arms and ammunition from the spot, defence officials said.

According to a tweet by Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps (Chinar Corps), a joint operation was launched early this morning on the basis of specific inputs about “active hideout of militants” in Harwan area. “The inputs were corroborated by the Jammu and Kashmir police. War-like stores—UBGL with grenades, GPS, AK magazine and administrative stores recovered. Joint operation in progress,” the tweet read.

Police sources said that the hideout must have been used by militants and they may have managed to flee before security forces reached the spot. “The search was launched early this morning,” they said.

They said that among the recovered items were 20 kilograms of flour, rice edibles, cotton rolls, batteries, salt packets, sugar packets, pulses, dates and almonds. “This signifies that the hideout was used by militants for cooking food for themselves,” they said, adding that the hunt for militants is on in the area which is hilly and has a tough terrain.

“We are trying to track the terrorists who seem to be hiding in the same area. The operation is on,” police sources said.

-ARK/RJV

Odisha govt tells banks to provide doorstep services to elderly

Representational Image

Bhubaneswar (NVI): The Odisha government has directed commercial banks to provide doorstep banking services to all elderly people and differently-abled persons in the state, amid restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Principal Secretary of the state Ashok Meena has urged all heads of banks to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) strictly.

It has been noticed that some banks discourage senior citizens persons from availing banking facilities at various branches, officials said.

In view of the difficulties faced by elderly and differently-abled persons, banks have therefore been advised to make all efforts to provide banking facilities such as delivery of cash against withdrawal from account, delivery of DD, submission of KYC documents at the doorstep of customers.

Since senior citizens are facing hardship due to pandemic, RBI has asked all banks to provide basic banking facility at their doorstep.

RJV/ARK

Missing Kashmiri PhD scholar has joined Hizbul Mujahideen: IGP

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar (File photo)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police today said that the missing PhD scholar from Bemina area of Srinagar has joined Hibul Mujahideen terror outfit and offered that if his family members could persuade him to return, he won’t be arrested.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a wreath-laying ceremony of slain CRPF officer who was killed in Pulwama encounter early this morning, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said: “Yes, as per our reports, Hilal Ahmed, a PhD scholar from Bemina area of Srinagar has joined Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. If his family brings him back, we will not arrest him.”

On June 13, Hilal, who is pursuing PhD from Kashmir University, went for trekking along with five other youths to the Naranag area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. All his five friends returned home on the same evening, except Hilal.

There has been no clue of Hilal’s whereabouts since then. Yesterday, his family members had urged the J&K administration and other security agencies to trace their son, while claiming that he is not a terrorist.

Sources said that Hilal was a close friend of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Junaid Sehrai, who was killed in an encounter at the Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar’s old city and must have got attracted towards joining militancy after Sehrai’s killing.

However, police sources told NVI that Hilal’s family would be urged to make appeal to their son to return home. “If he accepts his family’s requests, his homecoming would be facilitated smoothly and he won’t be arrested or put behind bars,” police sources said,

“Many youth who had joined militancy returned after their parents repeatedly appealed them to come home. We will try the same in this case too,” they said.

-ARK

India, China arrive at ‘mutual consensus to disengage’ at military-level talks

India-China face-off: Core issue is to 'strictly' follow bilateral border pacts, says MEA

New Delhi (NVI): There was a ‘mutual consensus to disengage’ in Eastern Ladakh, at the Corps Commander level talks held between India and China yesterday, according to sources.

Lieutenant General level talks took place at Moldo on the Chinese side of Chushul in eastern Ladakh yesterday, a week after the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

Sources said that the talks were held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere. They said that modalities for disengagement from all friction areas in Eastern Ladakh were discussed and will be taken forward by both sides.

Yesterday, a second round of meeting between Corps Commanders from both sides was held at the Chushul-Moldo border personnel meeting (BPM) point in eastern Ladakh, to defuse tension at LAC after the bloody face-off.

The June 6 meeting was also held at the same place in which the Indian side was led by Commander of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Harinder Singh and the Chinese side was led by South Xinjiang Military District Commander Major General Liu Lin.

In the worst-ever flare-up between the two armies at Line of Actual Control (LAC) since 1967, India and Chinese troops clashed with each other at Galwan Valley in Ladakh after the latter refused to remove a tent as part of what was agreed on June 6 meeting.

Since early May 2020, the Chinese side has been hindering India’s normal, traditional patrolling pattern in this area, according to the Indian foreign ministry. “This had resulted in a face-off which was addressed by the ground commanders as per the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocols,”’ said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava recently.

Disappointed by Trump’s move to suspend work visas till year-end: Sundar Pichai

Google CEO Sundar Pichai

New Delhi (NVI): Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed disappointment over the proclamation issued by the United States that suspends foreign work visas, including H-1B visa, till year-end.

Pichai took to twitter and said, “Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today. Disappointed by today’s proclamation – we’ll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all.”

The Google CEO’s reactions comes after US President Donald Trump suspended the temporary work visas, including H-1B, for foreigners till the end of the year. It marks the latest effort to bar the entry of immigrants to the country.

In a statement released by the White House, it was stated that the measure prolongs the ban on US employment permits to year-end and broadens it to include H1-B visas used widely in the tech industry to ensure American workers take first priority as the nation starts recovering from the economic effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The order halts access to several employment-based visas, affecting hundreds of thousands of people seeking to work in the U.S. The technology industry said the move would hurt the economy.

The order freezes new H1-B and H-4 visas, used by technology workers and their families, as well as L visas for intracompany transfers and most J visas for work- and study-abroad programs, including au pairs, through the end of the year.

The issuance of new green cards will also remain halted through the end of the year.

In addition to Google, Twitter Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. also called the order “short-sighted,” saying immigrant tech labor could help the U.S. economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the President’s order won’t affect immigrant workers who already hold the visas.

“Under the extraordinary circumstances of the economic contraction resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak, certain nonimmigrant visa programs authorizing such employment pose an unusual threat to the employment of American workers,” Trump stated in his order.

Reportedly, the US has issued more than 9,00,000 visas in fiscal year 2019 in the categories Trump plans to freeze.

-CHK

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