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Coronavirus: Markets plunge, cases rise above 80,000 worldwide

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New Delhi (NVI): Global stock markets suffered huge losses today amid the worsening outbreak of novel coronavirus worldwide, wiping out any gains for the year so far.

Multiple outbreaks of the novel coronavirus outside of mainland China have continued to worsen, as experts warn we may be approaching pandemic levels.

In South Korea, more than 893 cases have been confirmed, which rose up from 31 a week ago. At least seven people have died so far, and the virus has spread throughout the country, though the worst outbreak remains in the southern city of Daegu.

Outside of Asia, one of the worst outbreak is in Italy, where around 100,000 people in the northern regions of Lombary and Veneto are facing travel and other restrictions as the country struggle to contain a sudden spike in cases that has so far seen at least 219 confirmed cases.

World Health Organization landed in Italy to support Italian authorities in understanding the situation, according to media reports.

The WHO team’s focus will be on “limiting further human-to-human transmission” after a rapid rise in cases. At least 229 people have been infected with the virus, and seven people have died in the Southern European nation.

Meanwhile, a fourth passenger, in his 80s, from the cruise ship Diamond Princess quarantined in Japan has died from the coronavirus.

China’s National Health Commission’s recorded confirmed 77,658 cases in the mainland, and 2,663 deaths. The novel coronavirus has now infected at least 80,067 people worldwide and killed 2,698.

Kolkata, West Bengal brace for heavy rains

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New Delhi (NVI): Parts of Gangetic West Bengal have been witnessing light rains for last two days, as the prolonged dry spell came to an end.

The rains are all set to increase further and drench many parts of the state during the next 24 hours, especially over the state capital of Kolkata.

Meanwhile, Narnaul in Haryana is the coldest city in the plains where the minimum temperature was recorded at 9 degrees  Celsius, according to Skymet Weather.

Amritsar in Punjab recorded minimum temperature at 9.8 degrees Celsius.

In Haryana’s Karnal and Raisen minimum temperature was recorded at 10. 2 degrees Celsius.

In Rajasthan’s Churu and Ujjain minimum temperature was recorded at 11.5 degrees Celsius.

Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and Hisar in Haryana both recorded minimum temperature at 11.6 degrees Celsius.

Apart from this Haryanas Rohtak and Ambala recorded a minimum temperature at 11.8 and 11.9 degree Celsius respectively.

While, Delhi and NCR region also saw a slight increase in minimum temperature to 13 degrees Celsius from 11.8 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 27 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 193 which falls in the “moderate” category.

The IMD said that there will be no significant change in the minimum temperature is expected in rest of the country during next few days.

 

Five-day session of IPCC on climate change begins in Paris

New Delhi (NVI): The 52nd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) starts from today at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The five-day-long session will end on February 28.

UNESCO hosted a panel to discuss and share views on the ways and means to raise ambition for more effective climate action and the role and contributions of science and knowledge, during the opening ceremony today.

The outline of the Synthesis Report for the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6 SYR) will be highlighted by IPCC from February 24-28.

The Synthesis Report, due to be released in the first part of 2022, will present the latest state of climate knowledge by drawing on information from the other reports. It also serves as a medium for international negotiations and will be referred to during the Paris Agreement in 2023.

IPCC is a UN body that assesses the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 and provides data concerning climate change, its implications and potential future risks.

The 52nd Session by UNESCO will host a panel discussion with the IPCC, “Planet in Peril: Transforming the Course of Climate Action”.

The discussion will bring together eminent scientists, climate experts, youth leaders and representatives from all the member countries around the world.

 

PM-KISAN app launched to broaden reach of scheme

New Delhi (NVI): As the Centre’s flagship scheme PM-KISAN completes its one year today, the government launched a mobile app to broaden the reach of the programme that has benefitted 8.46 crore farmer families so far.

The scheme aims to provide annually Rs 6,000 to each eligible farmer.

On the first anniversary of PM-KISAN scheme, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the mobile app which offers farmers access to a host of features related to their benefits.

In the app, farmers can view the status of their application, update or carry out corrections of their Aadhaar cards and also check the history of credits to their bank accounts.

Speaking on the occasion, Tomar said the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme is comprehensive, ambitious and will help boost farmers’ income.

“The Prime Minister has set the target of doubling farmers’ income by the year 2022,” he said.

“A budget of Rs.75,000 crore has been provided in the current Financial Year for the PM-KISAN scheme under which a total sum of Rs 6,000 each is being provided to farmers annually,” he said.

“More than Rs. 50,850 crores have already been released,” he added.

“The total number of beneficiaries to be covered under the scheme is about 14 crore, and the Government aims to cover 12 lakh farmers by the end of this Financial Year,” he said.

“Besides the Common Service Centres (CSCs), the Ministry has launched online procedure for farmers’ enrolment,” he added.

Pointing out that the West Bengal Government has not verified the farmers’ data from state, Tomar appealed to the Chief Minister to expedite the process.

He said an estimated 70 lakh farmers of the state are eligible, of whom about 10 lakh farmers have applied individually online, but the entire database has to verified by the State Government.

“Eligible farmers from the state can avail Rs 4,000 crore of benefits under the PM-KISAN Scheme once the State government furnishes the data,” he added.

He said the Prime Minister has declared that all KISAN beneficiaries will be given the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) so that farmers can take easy loans from the banks.

“The government has included Animal Husbandry and Fisheries sectors under the ambit of the KCC Scheme,” he said.

“A massive distribution drive will be held on February 29 during which KCCs will be issued to farmers at 20,000 bank branches spread across the country,” he said.

“The Prime Minister will himself disburse KISAN benefits to select farmers and distribute KCC cards at the main function at Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh on this day,” Tomar said.

“10,000 new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are being registered and each will get a support of Rs 15 lakh from the government to promote agriculture,” he added.

The Agriculture minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has not only launched a slew of schemes towards boosting rural income but also set in place an exhaustive implementation mechanism with transparent procedures and earmarked liberal funds.

“As per the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee, the Government has set the Minimum Support Price (MSP) at one-and-a-half times of the production cost to farmers,” he said.

He added that the government is promoting organic farming and more than 6 lakh hectares land has been brought under it.

EV Motors, BYPL to set up EV charging stations in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI): To establish and promote the e-mobility eco-system in the country, electric vehicles startup EV Motors India today signed an agreement with BSES Yamuna Power Ltd to set up and operate charging stations for electric vehicles at select locations under the jurisdiction of BYPL.

Under the signed agreement, EVM and BYPL will work jointly to create, operate and maintain charging infrastructure using PlugNgo’s innovative cloud-based integrated software platform.

The move is aimed at providing a connected network of charging stations and a platform that includes a payment system for availing the e-charging facility by EVM.

This association is likely to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the city.

PR Kumar, CEO, BSES Yamuna Power Limited said, “Charging infrastructure for EV vehicles is the need of the hour. We are working with strategic partners to facilitate setting-up of charging stations in East and Central Delhi to bring in a change in the mobility landscape. This partnership with EV Motors India is a testimonial to these efforts.”

Also present on the occasion, Arvind Gujral, CEO, EV Charging Infrastructure (PlugNgo) said, “PlugNgo is committed towards reducing dependence on fossil fuel-based vehicles by offering energy-efficient solutions. This tie-up plays a major role in boosting the charging infrastructure in the capital thereby accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in the city.”

The company has launched its Public EV Charging Outlet under the brand ‘PlugNgo’ in DLF Cybercity, Gurugram and is seeking to install over 6,500 charging outlets, each with multiple charging stations, spread across cities, businesses and residential complexes of India, over the next five years.

CDS Rawat to pay homage to martyrs on 1st anniv of War Memorial

A view of the Amar Chakra

New Delhi (NVI): Chief of the Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and veterans from the three services will pay homage to martyrs on the first anniversary of National War Memorial to be observed tomorrow.

General Rawat, along with the three service chiefs will pay lay wreath and pay homage to the fallen soldiers at the War Memorial, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement today.

The monument was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25, last year.

“The memorial is a fitting tribute by the grateful nation to its fallen heroes in the line of duty during various wars and internal security challenges since Independence,” the ministry said in a statement.

The events marking the first anniversary were commenced from February 22 with a static band display by the three services.

A quiz competition, based on Indian military history, is also being held between February 24-25, 2020 in which students from various schools and colleges across Delhi are taking part.

Over the last one year, more than 21 lakh people including dignitaries, both domestic and foreign, have visited the NWM.

Over 5,000-7,000 people visit the monument every day which includes a large number of students from the National Capital Region.

President and Prime Minister have paid tributes at the memorial thrice in the last one year.

The most poignant moment of the day at NWM is the wreath-laying ceremony which is conducted every evening, wherein one of the next of kin of martyrs lay the wreath at Amar Chakra.

From DDLJ to Virat, US President’s top quotes at ‘Namaste Trump’

US President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi at Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad. (Source: @realDonaldTrump)

New Delhi (NVI): Starting his speech with ‘namaste’ at Motera stadium in Ahmedabad today, US President Donald Trump mentioned DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge), Sholay, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli as he addressed a cheering crowd.

Trump is on his visit to India along with his wife and First Lady of US Melania Trump.

The crowd was also addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ‘Namaste Trump’ event.

Trump in his speech said, “All over the planet people take great joy in watching Bollywood films, bhangra, and classic films like DDLJ and Sholay. You also cheer on great cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.”

The President of the United States also talked about India’s economic growth, the internet reach, as well as diplomatic relations.

He heaped praises on PM Modi, saying, “India now holds a special place in our hearts. PM Modi started as a ‘Chaiwala’, but he won a big election with a landslide. PM Modi is a hardworking man and he has shown that anything is possible. He is friendly, but is tough.”

Trump also talked about India’s achievements post-Independence, saying, “India gives hope to humanity. In just 70 years, India has become the largest democracy and has become one of the greatest nations in the world. Under PM Modi, villages in India have access to electricity. Over 300 million more have got internet connection. India will soon become the home to the world’s largest middle class. What is impressive is that India has achieved all this as a democracy and as a tolerant country. India’s achievement is unrivalled.”

Thanking India for a spectacular welcome, he said that US will be a faithful and loyal friend of India, adding that “PM Modi is an exceptional leader who works day and night for India.”

Delhi: Cop killed in CAA clashes

New Delhi (NVI): A Delhi Police head constable was killed in the clashes that broke out between pro and anti-CAA groups after tension escalated in northeast Delhi today for the second consecutive day.

Several others including a DCP were also injured in the violent clashes.

Protesters torched at least two vehicles and a fire tender in Jaffrabad and Maujpur as police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse them.

The injured have been taken to GTB hospital. Police said that Section 144 has been imposed at 10 locations in the North-east district.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed the entry and exit gates of Jaffrabad and Maujpur-Babarpur stations. CM Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and LG Anil Baijal appealed for calm and urged the protesters to exercise restraint.

At least 500 people are staging a sit-in against the Citizenship Amendment Act from Saturday night on the road outside Jaffrabad Metro Station in northeast Delhi.

Pradhan invites Japanese investors to invest in Indian steel market

New Delhi (NVI): Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today called for collaborations of India and Japan to increase steel usage while inviting the Japanese industry to invest in India.

Pradhan, while lauding Japan’s technological competence, also invited the Japanese industry to get into technology transfer partnerships in order to tap the opportunities arising out of growing steel demand and generate employment opportunities in the country.

Speaking at a workshop on ‘Enabling Procedures for increase of steel usage for the growth of Economy’ here today, the Union Minister said, “With a large market, policy reforms, abundance of raw material, India is one of the most attractive global investment destinations in the steel sector.

The aim of the workshop was to hold deliberations among key stakeholders to further increase the steel usage in sectors such as construction & infrastructure for the growth of economy.

Army seminar on AI, precision-guided weapons next month

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New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Army will conduct an international seminar on how the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and precision-guided weapons has changed the nature of warfare.

“Pragyan Conclave 2020” will be organised on March 4 and 5 at Manekshaw Auditorium in Delhi Cantonment.

The topic of the seminar will be – “Changing Characteristics of Land Warfare & its Impact on the Military”.

Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), an autonomous think tank on strategic studies and land warfare, will mediate the discussion on the subject.

Over 20 countries are expected to participate in the program.

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