Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Home Blog Page 1352

Coronavirus: Global death toll exceeds 3,000

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): China has reported 42 more deaths due to coronavirus, even as there is a reduction in the pace at which people were dying there before. The global death toll has exceeded 3,000 mark, reports in foreign media said.

Iran has announced 11 more deaths from coronavirus, bringing its death toll to 54 – the most outside China.

The number of people infected in Italy – the centre of the outbreak in Europe – jumped to 1,694, while the number in France increased to 130, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, South Korea has reported 476 new cases, bringing the total number of cases to 4,212. There have been a total of 26 deaths.

Countries including Qatar, Ecuador, Luxembourg and Ireland all confirmed their first cases over the weekend, and Indonesia followed on Monday.

The number of people killed worldwide by the coronavirus has exceeded 3,000, as China reported 42 more deaths.

More than 90 per cent of the total deaths are in Hubei, the Chinese province where the virus emerged late last year.

Worldwide, there have been almost 90,000 confirmed cases, with the numbers outside China growing faster than inside China.

Meanwhile, a charter flight from WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office’s logistics hub in Dubai is headed to Tehran, carrying 7.5 metric tons of medical supplies and protective equipment to support over 15,000 health care workers.

WHO EMRO tweeted: “A charter flight from @WHOEMRO ’s logistics hub in Dubai is headed to #Tehran, IR Iran carrying 7.5 metric tons of medical supplies & protective equipment to support over 15,000 health care workers, as well as 1,000 #COVID19 screening tests, enough to screen nearly 100,000 people.”

Delhi violence: Death toll mounts to 46

New Delhi (NVI): The death toll in northeast Delhi violence rose to 46 today after four more bodies were bought to Ram Manohar Lohina hospital last evening.

38 have been reported dead at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, three at Lok Nayak Hospital, four at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and one at Jag Parvesh Chander Hospital.

On Sunday, four bodies were fished out from the drains in Gokalpuri and Shiv Vihar areas of the violence-affected northeast Delhi.

In another news, false rumors of violence created panic among residents in West Delhi last evening. DMRC shut seven metro stations after the rumors spread, as a security measure. However, all seven stations were reopened within an hour.

Police said that no violent incidents had taken place, all are requested to keep calm.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police has said it has registered 254 FIRs in northeast Delhi violence so far.

Violent clashes broke out in the northeast district on February 23 evening that continued for 3 days before the rampaging mobs could be controlled.

The violence was triggered by protests over the amended citizenship law (CAA).

Isolated rains to continue in Himachal, Uttarakhand for next 24 hrs

Rainfall
Representational/ file image

New Delhi (NVI): Isolated light rains will continue in the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand during the next 24 hours.

The rainfall activity in the two north Indian states over the last few days also led to snowfall in some areas, bringing back the winter landscape.

Apart from this, rainfall activities will increase in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur. In Arunachal, isolated snowfall is likely, reports SkymetWeather.

Scattered rains are likely in interior Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka. Isolated showers may lash Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep. Light rains are also expected in a few parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, the weather monitor reports.

During the last 24 hours, eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana have received fairly widespread rain and thundershowers.

Due to the rains, some parts of the country saw a slight decrease in minimum temperature.

Kota in Rajasthan is the coldest city in the plains of India, with its morning temperature settling at 7.7 degrees Celsius.

Amritsar in Punjab recorded minimum temperature at 10.4 degrees Celsius.

Punjab’s Chandigarh and Ludhiana recorded minimum temperature at 12.1 degrees Celsius.

Apart from this Haryana’s Hisar, Narnaul and Ambala recorded minimum temperature at 12.4, 12.5 and 12.7 degrees Celsius respectively .

Patiala in Punjab, Rohtak in Haryana and Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh recorded minimum temperature at 13, 13.4 and 13.5 degrees Celsius respectively

Meanwhile, Delhi and NCR region also saw a slight decrease in minimum temperature to 14.7 degree Celsius from 16 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 28 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The overall air quality in the national capital today is in “moderate” category.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 125 which falls in the “moderate” category.

The IMD has said North India is expected to have fall in minimum temperature by two to three degree Celsius during next 24 hours.

“West India is expected to have a rise in maximum temperature by two to three degree Celsius during next three to four days,” it said.

“No significant change temperature is expected in rest of the country,” it added.

 

Rumours disrupt Metro service in West Delhi briefly

New Delhi (NVI): Rumours of violence prompted sudden closure of entry and exit gates of Delhi Metro rail in some West Delhi areas for a brief period tonight.

Normal services, however, were resumed after it became clear that all was well.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said it had shut down the entry and exit gates of seven metro stations — Tilak Nagar, Nangloi, Surajmal Stadium, Badarpur, Tughlakabad, Uttam Nagar west and Nawada. But it did not give any reason for the sudden action. The stations were later reopened.

The first DMRC tweet at 7:53 pm read: “Security Update | Entry & exit gates of Tilak Nagar are closed.”

The second tweet at 8:23 pm followed: “Security Update | Entry & exit of Nangloi, Surajmal Stadium, Badarpur, Tughlakabad, Uttam Nagar west and Nawada are closed.”

The third tweet by Metro at 8:40 pm confirmed that normal services have resumed: “Security UpdateEntry & exit gates of all stations are open.  Normal service has resumed.”

Delhi Police denied any untoward incident and appealed to people to remain calm.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) tweeted: “Rumour is the biggest enemy. A rumour has been noticed that there is some tension in Khyala-Raghubir Nagar area of West District. There is no truth behind it. All are requested to keep calm as the situation is absolutely normal and peaceful.”

Shops were shut and people rushed to reach home in some areas including Subhash Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Janakpuri, Palam and Khyala in west Delhi.

However, Delhi Police teams went out in groups in these areas and appealed to residents to remain calm and do not believe in rumors.

Two active LeT militants, 5 associates arrested in Kashmir

woman SPO

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir police today claimed to have arrested two active militants and five associates from different places in Kashmir.

Two active militants belonging to LeT outfit were arrested in Srinagar while five militant associates were arrested in Ganderbal and Budgam districts respectively.

“On a credible input, Police along with security forces intercepted a militant borne Santro vehicle bearing registration No. JK13C-0941 on Barzulla-Chanapora road. While checking the vehicle with two persons on board officers was able to recover arms and ammunition from their possession,” police said in official statement.

They have been identified as Vakeel Ahmed Bhat @Abu Zarrar and Omar Ismail Das, both residents of Bijbehara, Anantnag.

Police said that both the arrested militants have been shifted to police station where they remain in custody.

“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition recovered from their possession has been seized and taken into records in order to probe their complicity in other terror crimes,” police said.

A case under FIR No. 40/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Saddar.

In a separate incident, Police in Ganderbal arrested a militant associate linked to LeT.

He has been identified as Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Akhal Kangan.

As per police records, he was involved in assisting the active militants of LeT operating in the areas of Ganderbal.

“As per the investigations, he was involved in providing logistic support and shelter to the active militants of LeT operating in the areas of Ganderbal besides transporting militants from one district to another district. Moreover, he was also involved in lobbing grenade on Police Station Kangan regarding which a case stands registered at PS Kangan,” police said.

Similarly, in Budgam, police have arrested four militant associates and recovered huge arms and ammunition from their possession.

“On a credible input, police along with security forces arrested four militant associates identified as Muzamil Nabi, Umer Ajaz both residents of Kanihama, Rouf Bhat and Ishfaq Bhat both residents of Kantebagh SK Pora and recovered incriminating materials including arms and ammunition from their possession,” police said.

Police said that they were involved in providing logistic support and shelter to the active militants operating in the areas of Magam Budgam.

Coronavirus outbreak: Quick takeaways as death toll reaches 2,980

New Delhi (NVI): The United States has confirmed its first coronavirus death, amid fears of the virus spreading in Washington state over the past few weeks. As the US marks its first death, President Trump has announced new travel restrictions. Here are the top key developments as COVID-19 spreads rapidly in some parts of the world with the death toll exceeding 2,900:

– At least  87,000 global cases are confirmed

– The death toll stands at over 2,900

– WHO warns risk of global spread ‘very high’

-Iran’s death toll from coronavirus jumps to 54, with 978 infected

– Australia and Thailand reported first deaths from coronavirus

–Cases exceed 3,500 in South Korea in largest outbreak outside China

– Italy places around 50,000 people in quarantine

– Schools across Japan to close amid the outbreak

– New cases in China fall to the lowest since January

Parl to approve J&K UT’s first budget in session resuming tomorrow

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): The first budget of Jammu and Kashmir after being converted into a Union Territory will be presented in the Parliament session resuming tomorrow.

This will be the UT’s first budget to be presented in the Parliament after the abrogation of Article 370, in August last year.

The J&K Reorganisation Act passed by Parliament on August 6 bifurcated the State into two Union Territories – J&K (with a legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

The budget will be presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in both the Houses of Parliament in the second week of March.

J&K and Ladakh will have two separate budgets since both these regions have been converted into two UTs. “The annual budget of Jammu and Kashmir was set to cross Rs 1.2 lakh crore figure,” officials said.

Ladakh will have separate budget-cum-funding from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs like other UTs of the country without Legislature.

Earlier, the UT’s Finance Department directed all Administrative Departments and Head of Departments (HoDs) to start the preparations for the annual budget of 2020-21.

The annual budget for 2019-20 was passed in December last year during the Governor’s rule with the State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik approving the budget estimates as well as revised estimates.

During the past few years, the annual budget is being approved in the month of January. The last budget by a political government was introduced and passed in the State Legislature in January-February session in 2018 by the then Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu.

During current financial year of 2019-20, Jammu and Kashmir’s budget was to the tune of Rs 88,911 crore.

Sources said the Union Territory administration has held wide-ranging discussions with all Government Departments and senior functionaries to ascertain their requirements for the next financial year before giving a final touch to the budgetary proposals.

The 15th Finance Commission has already recommended one per cent share in the divisible pool of taxes for the newly created Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for the financial year 2020-21, thus retaining the devolution formula of the earlier Commission.

Lt Gen BS Raju is new Chinar Corps commader

Srinagar (NVI): Lieutenant General BS Raju assumed the charge of strategic Kashmir-based Chinar Corps as the 49th Corps Commander today.

Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon handed over the command of 15 Corps to Lt Gen Raju, yesterday.

After taking over the command, Raju paid homage to martyrs. He also conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the ‘Awam’ (people) of Kashmir. “I am happy for being posted to Kashmir once again and that this tenure would be a wonderful opportunity to interact closely with the Awam at many levels,” he said.

“I am sanguine that this is a momentous time in the history of the Valley and is optimistic that together with the Awam, we will usher in an era of peace and stability,” BS Raju said.

Lt Gen BS Raju

He also interacted with the troops of Chinar Corps and enthused them to continue to work with unflinching dedication and perseverance.

Lieutenant General BS Raju, an alumni of Sainik School, Bijapur and National Defence Academy, Pune was commissioned in December 1984 and has an illustrious military career spanning 36 years during which he has held varied prestigious commands, staff and instructional appointments.

The General Officer has an incisive understanding of Jammu & Kashmir, having served here for five tenures since 1984, notable being Force Commander of Rashtriya Rifles and Brigade Commander of an Infantry Brigade on the Line of Control.

A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (TN) & Royal College of Defence College, United Kingdom, Lieutenant General Raju is credited with important appointments at Army Headquarters and instructional appointments at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and leading the Indian Army Training Team abroad. Before taking over as the Chinar Corps Commander, the General was tenanting the prestigious appointment of Director General Staff Duties at Army Headquarters.

HRD Min to celebrate International Women’s Day with week-long campaign

Quality education
Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’

New Delhi (NVI): To take forward the momentum of empowerment of girls and women through education, the Ministry of HRD will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) in schools and colleges across the country.

Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhrial Nishank said that the government has launched a special campaign in this regard.

The week-long campaign begins with effect from today in the run-up to International Women’s Day on March 8, Ministry of Human Resource Development said in a statement today.

“The Government has launched a special theme-based focused campaign from 1st-7th March in the run up to the International Women’s Day on 8th March this year with Education being the theme on 1st March,” Pokhriyal said adding that as a tribute to women, the celebration by HRD Ministry will continue throughout the year.

The HRD Minister also said that the Government has taken several game-changing initiatives since 2014 for the education of the girl child.

“This is one of the reasons for the success of the scheme of Beti Bachao Padhao whereby the Gross Enrolment Ratio of girls across all levels of education is now higher than boys. At elementary level, GER is 94.32 % as against 89.28% for boys. At Secondary level, it is 81.32 % as compared to 78 %,” he said.

The minister further said that a Self-Defence Olympiad will be organised for girls at school level on the lines of Yoga Olympiad. “To ensure safety and security of girls, Self defence training is imparted to girls of class VI to XII belonging to Government Schools,” he said.

Nishank added that to motivate girl students, special morning assemblies will be organised once a week in schools throughout the year. He said that in these assemblies, talks on women achievers in different fields, role play, thought of the day, group songs on women empowerment, awards/recognition to the girl students who have performed well in different fields such as academics, sports, dance, music, arts, social service and novel areas will be included.

Section 144 imposed in Shaheen Bagh

File

New Delhi (NVI): A heavy police force was deployed and section 144 was clamped in Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh area today even as the Hindu Sena called off a protest proposed to be held against blocking of the road.

Police has advised people not to assemble in the area where anti Citizenship Acts have been going on for some time. A large number of people, mainly women have been holding a sit-in protest in Shaheen Bagh area since Mid-December last year in protest against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

A stretch of road at Shaheen Bagh remains blocked. Commuters said they have been facing inconvenience due to the protest as they have to take a long detour.

Apart from that, some shopkeepers in the area who have had their shutters down for over two months have said they are running in losses.

1...1,3511,3521,353...1,551Page 1,352 of 1,551

MUST READ