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Aamir voices concern over coronavirus, Chinese envoy praises him

Aamir Khan
New Delhi (NVI): Indian actor and director Aamir Khan has earned praise from Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong after he voiced his concern, in a video message, over the coronavirus outbreak and the deaths caused by it in China.

Aamir interacted with his Chinese fans through Weibo social media, which is the Chinese version of Twitter.

The actor, who is popular in China, expressed concern over the coronavirus outbreak and advised people to take precautions and follow government’s instructions in “this time of crisis”.

“A very warm hello to all my friends in China. Since I read about the outbreak of coronavirus over there, I have been extremely concerned,” he said in a video message.

“I have been in touch with a few of my friends and I have been following this tragedy with a lot of pain in my heart. My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost somebody close,” Aamir said.

Chinese Ambassador Sun expressed gratitude towards Aamir for his love and support towards the people of China.
https://twitter.com/China_Amb_India/status/1233367393121910784?s=19
“Deeply touched by emotional message from Aamir Khan, movie star & ambassador of love. His support is full of hope, well received in China & reflect our friendship. Believe we will eventually embrace brighter future when Spring flowers bloom across China,” the Ambassador tweeted.

Off-grid solar market industry reaches USD 1.75 bn annual market: Report

net metering cap
Representative pic of a solar plant

New Delhi (NVI): The off-grid solar industry has grown into a USD 1.75 billion annual market, providing lighting and other energy services to 420 million users and remains on a solid growth curve, a new report said.

According to ‘2020 Off-Grid Solar Market Trends’ report, which was published by World Bank Group’s Lighting Global Program in cooperation with Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA), finds that the industry has made tremendous strides in the past decade.

“Since 2017, revenues from the off-grid solar industry continue to rapidly grow, increasing by 30 percent annually. To date, more than 180 million off-grid solar units have been sold worldwide and the sector saw USD 1.5 billion in investments since 2012,” it said.

With 840 million people still lacking access to electricity, the growth of the off-grid solar industry is critical to meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG7) for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030.

World Bank Africa, Energy and Extractive Industries and Regional Director, Infrastructure Global Director Riccardo Puliti said the off-grid solar industry is instrumental for achieving universal electricity access.

“We are scaling up our support to client countries by helping them leverage this potential through innovative and financially sustainable solutions,” he added.

According to the report, the sector would need an additional boost of up to USD 11 billion in financing. More specifically, the sector would need to grow at an accelerated rate of 13 percent, with up to USD 7.7 billion in external investment to companies and up to USD 3.4 billion of public funding to bridge the affordability gap.

Global Financial Institutions Group for IFC Senior Director Paulo de Bolle said that only by crowding in commercial finance at scale can we reach the target of achieving universal access by 2030

“We are eager to work with our local bank partners in the more mature off-grid markets where commercial debt can drive the next stage of market growth,” he said.

Trends demonstrate that companies are moving into new geographies and underserved markets as established markets become more saturated. These companies are also shifting towards larger, higher-margin solar home system sales in response to growing consumer demand for appliances and back-up systems.

GOGLA Executive Director Koen Peters said that this report is another confirmation of the significant impact off-grid solar has already achieved, and the massive opportunity that remains going forward.

“The Market Trends Report shares details on where we stand, and where we should be heading next,” he added.

 

Prez wants univ to work for society

Ranchi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today said universities work for upliftment of the downtrodden sections of the society and asked students to spend some time in villages and help the inhabitants there in improving quality of life.

The students can create awareness among the villagers about various welfare initiatives of government, he said, addressing the first convocation of the Central University of Jharkhand here.

Kovind said understanding the importance of social service is necessary not only for nation-building but also for self-determination.

“Everyone should be prepared to repay the debt of society. The entire society contributes in the establishment and operation of a university,” he said.

The President was happy to note that the University has taken the initiative to adopt five nearby villages and has also taken the responsibility of teaching rural children.

He said that many such programs can be run for the people who are relatively left behind in the society.

Coronavirus: South Korea most affected, death toll rises above 2,800 worldwide

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New Delhi (NVI): South Korea is grappling with the largest outbreak of the virus outside China and has recorded its largest rise in coronavirus infections in a single day, with 594 new cases confirmed.

Seventeen people have died in the country so far. The increase brings the total number of infections in South Korea to 2,931, according to media reports.

More than 50 countries have reported cases of coronavirus around the world.

The risk of spread and impact of the coronavirus is now “very high” at a global level, the highest level of alarm, but containment is still possible, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

The National Health Commission in China has reported today at least 47 new coronavirus deaths, bringing to 2,835 the total number of fatalities nationwide.

There were also 427 new infections, up from 327 yesterday, pushing the confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 79,251, and more than 83,000 worldwide.

Delhi violence: Police asks public to share photos, videos

New Delhi(NVI): Days after violence in North-East Delhi, police today issued an appeal, requesting people to give their statements and share video footage in relation to the violence.

Around 40 people lost their lives in the violence after clashes broke out between supporters and anti-citizenship amendment act (CAA) in north-East Delhi on Sunday.

“Whereas incidents of clashes have taken place in the northeast district, Delhi since February 23. All those who are witnesses to the incidents or have captured any activity on their mobile phones or camera, are hereby requested to come forward and give their statements, footage and picture in their possession at DCP office, northeast district, Seelampur, Delhi, during office hours, on any working day within seven days,” the police said.

The identity of the witnesses will be kept secret, the police said in a tweet and advertisements.

The probe into the violence is being carried out by the Crime Branch.

Drowning second biggest cause of death in children: WHO report

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New Delhi (NVI): Drowning has become the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death, accounting for 7 per cent of all injury-related deaths, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report.

Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid; outcomes are classified as death, morbidity and no morbidity.

The global burden and death from drowning is found in all economies and regions, however low and middle-income countries account for over 90 per cent of unintentional drowning deaths.

According to the report, drowning takes thousands of lives each year – in fact it is one of the biggest causes of death for children aged between 5-14.

The Global report on drowning shows that age is one of the major risk factors for drowning. This relationship is often associated with a lapse in supervision.

Drowning can occur in any body of water. It’s crucial that parents stay vigilant and effectively supervise their children around water.

In 2016, an estimated 3,20,000 people died from drowning, making drowning a major public health problem worldwide. In 2015, injuries accounted for over 9% of total global mortality.

Drowning can be prevented through many actions like installing barriers (e.g. covering wells, using doorway barriers and playpens, fencing swimming pools etc.) to control access to water hazards.

Community-based, supervised child care for pre-school children can reduce drowning risk and has other proven health benefits. Teaching school-age children basic swimming, water safety and safe rescue skills is another approach.

But these efforts must be undertaken with an emphasis on safety, and an overall risk management that includes a safety-tested curricula, a safe training area, screening and student selection, and student-instructor ratios established for safety, according to WHO.

Spell of rain expected over North India 

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New Delhi (NVI): Spells of rain and thundershowers are expected over North India today due to a fresh western disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir.

Due to these western disturbance, scattered rains and thundershowers have already occurred over multiple parts of Punjab including Ludhiana, Amritsar and Chandigarh in the last 24 hours.

Now, Punjab and northern parts of Haryana will receive a few more spells of rain and thundershower activities today as well.

“Gradually, these rains will shift towards Delhi and NCR as well as Northwest and West Uttar Pradesh,” according to SkymetWeather.

It has also predicted isolated patchy over Delhi and not any significant rain activities over the national capital.

Meanwhile, Delhi and NCR region also saw a slight decrease in minimum temperature to 16.2 degree Celsius from 16.7 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 25 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 121 which falls in the “moderate” category.

The IMD has said that northwest,  West and Central India is expected to have a rise in minimum temperature by two to three degree Celsius during next 24 hours.

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

Pulwama attack: NIA arrests JeM over-ground worker

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested an over-ground worker of the militant outfit Jaish (JeM) today, in a major breakthrough in the Pulwama attack case in which at least 40 CRPF soldiers were killed on February 14, 2019.

The accused, Shakir Bashir Magrey is a resident of Hajibal, Kakapora, in Pulwama. A furniture shop owner, Shakir Bashir Magrey, as per NIA, provided shelter and other logistical help to suicide-bomber Adil Ahmad Dar. He was introduced to Adil Ahmad Dar in mid-2018 by a Pakistani militant called Umar Farooq and became a full-time over-ground worker of JeM.

The Agency said during his initial interrogation, he has disclosed that on several occasions, he collected and delivered arms, ammunition, cash and explosive material to the JeM militants including those involved in Pulwama attack.

“Accused Shakir Bashir Magrey has further revealed that he had harboured Adil Ahmad Dar and Pakistani militant Mohammad Umar Farooq in his house from late 2018 till the attack in February 2019, and assisted them in the preparation of the IED,” the NIA said in a statement.

“His shop is located near Lethpora bridge, and as advised by Mohammad Umar, he started conducting reconnaissance of the movement of CRPF convoy on Jammu-Srinagar Highway in January 2019, and informed Mohammad Umar and Adil Ahmad Dar about it.”

The NIA statement said he was also involved in modifying the Maruti Eeco car and fitting the IED in it in early February, 2019.

“During investigation, the make, model and number of the car used in the attack was quickly ascertained by NIA to be a Maruti Eeco car through forensic examination of the tiny remnants of the car, which were seized from the spot during extended searches. This has been corroborated by accused Shakir Bashir Magrey,” the statement said adding that the explosives used in the attack were determined to be Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro-Glycerin and RDX through forensic investigation.

“Investigation has also confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber to be Adil Ahmad Dar through DNA matching with that of his father. Other key militants involved in the attack have been found to be Muddasir Ahmad Khan, (JeM’s Divisional Commander of South Kashmir killed in an operation by security forces on 11-03-2019) Pakistani militants Muhammad Umar Farooq and IED expert Kamran, (both killed on 29-03-2019) the owner of the car Sajjad Ahmad Bhat r/o Marhama, Anantnag (killed on 16-06-2019) and Qari Yassir, JeM’s Commander for Kashmir (killed on 25-01-2020),” it said.

The NIA statement said that the attack on the CRPF convoy, moving from Jammu towards Srinagar on February 14, 2019, in Pulwama, with an IED-laden vehicle by Jaish militant Adil Ahmad Dar had claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel and grievously injured many others.

“OGW Shakir Bashir Magrey was produced before the NIA Special Court at Jammu today and remanded to 15 days of NIA custody for his detailed interrogation,” the statement said.

HAL delivers ‘Made in India’ L-40 stage for GSLV-MKII

New Delhi (NVI): Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over the 50th set of L-40 stage of Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MKII) to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

This L-40 stage is meant for GSLV MKII- F12 flight scheduled to take off in August this year.

HAL’s Aerospace Division has so far integrated and supplied L-40 stages for 12 flights of GSLV MKII including the GSLV MKII -F10 flight planned in the first week of March.

HAL is also manufacturing the riveted structures, propellant tanks, feedlines of PSLV, GSLV MKII and its launch vehicles and structures of various satellites for ISRO.

The state owned compnay has been ISRO’s trusted partner for the past three decades and has contributed and participated in almost all of ISRO’s ambitious projects namely Chandrayaan-I, Chandrayaan-II, Mangalyaan and upcoming projects like Gaganyaan too.

Indian FS meets Afghan FM a day ahead of US-Taliban deal

Kabul (NVI): Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla today met Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Haroon Chakhansuri here, a day ahead of the signing of a deal between the US and Taliban which could have implications for India.

Shringla, on his first visit to Kabul since taking over as Foreign Secretary about a month back, conveyed India’s support to Afghanistan’s pursuit for sustainable peace, security and development.

During their meeting, Shringla conveyed congratulations on President Ashraf Ghani’s re-election and pledged India’s support to democracy, stability and development in Afghanistan, according to a statement issued by Afghan Foreign Ministry.

They discussed various aspects of political, security, economic, business, transit and cultural issues, including the Afghan peace process, strengthening of people-to-people relations, it said.

The problems posed by the spread of the coronavirus was also discussed, with the two sides agreeing to work together to combat this global phenomenon.

The timing of the Indian Foreign Secretary’s visit to Kabul is significant as the US is going to sign a deal with Taliban in Qatar tomorrow, which will pave the way for America to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan after 18 years of bloody engagement.

Leaders and representatives of a number of countries will be attending the deal-signing ceremony. India is likely to send its Ambassador in Doha to attend the event.

India is watching with anxiety the deal and its contours as it could have implications for this country, particularly since Taliban is a proxy of Pakistan and its notorious intelligence agency ISI.

US President Donald Trump, during his visit to India earlier this week, said the deal was part of his endeavour to bring home the American troops who have been in Afghanistan since December 2001.

The troops of the US and its NATO allies entered Afghanistan in pursuit of ‘war against terror’ in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks. The war against terror was mainly targeted at Al Qaida and the Taliban, which was then ruling Afghanistan.

Taliban, through a military campaign, had seized power in 1996 and ruled Afghanistan in a barbaric manner to impose fanatic systems. It crushed all human rights and particularly enforced extremely stiff rules on women.

The US removed Taliban from power in 2002, paving the way for a return of democracy in Afghanistan.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who is already in Doha to attend tomorrow’s ceremony, said, “tomorrow is a big day for Afghans” and a great opportunity as Afghanistan is moving towards peace and reconciliation.

Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, who is also in Doha for the event, expressed optimism about the Afghan peace process.

He underlined the need for working together to address the problems in Afghanistan.

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