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10 lakh smart meters installed across India: Power Minister

New Delhi (NVI): Around ten lakh smart meters have been successfully installed across India under the Central government’s Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP), Power Minister RK Singh said today.

Operational in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Bihar, these smart meters aim to bring efficiency in the distribution system leading to better service delivery, the Ministy of Power said in a statement here.

The programme is being implemented through Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), it added.

(EESL) is a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power which was set up by the government to facilitate energy efficiency projects and to work as Energy Service Company.

At an event here to mark 10 years of EESL, the Power Minister also announced the commissioning of 100 Mega Watt cumulative capacity decentralised solar power plants connected to agriculture feeders.

The capacity of these solar power plants, in each substation, ranges from 0.5 MW to 10 MW.

The decentralised solar plants cater to the requirements of farmers connected to the respective agriculture feeder daily, by means of reliable day time electricity.

The minister also launched the dashboards of Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP), National Electric Mobility Programme and solar initiatives to transparently monitor the real time progress of the programmes and its impact.

Five SC judges down with Swine Flu: Health Min

New Delhi (NVI): Five judges of Supreme Court are suffering from Swine Flu, the Ministry of Health said today while releasing a statement regarding preventive measures taken at SC premises to curb the situation.

“Five judges of Hon. Supreme Court of India have been affected from Swine Flu which is caused by H1N1 virus,” the ministry said in a statement.

“All the judges were provided treatment as per the protocol. Prophylactic Treatment was also given to all who have come in contact with them including their family members,” the ministry added.

The judges infected by the H1N1 virus were not able to attend court today, reports in the media said.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said that all five judges were kept in home isolation.

“Of these, three Judges have already resumed their duty and two continue to be under home isolation/observation and are recovering,” it said.

Apart from this, First Aid Post (FAP) of CGHS was strengthened at the Supreme Court premises as a preventive measure.

The court rooms and residences are being sanitised and awareness regarding preventive measures was disseminated to all concerned, an official statement read.

A H1N1 sensitization workshop for lawyers and other staff members will also be conducted by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare at Bar Council of India office tomorrow, it added.

H1N1 is a seasonal infection which usually occurs every year with two peaks (One in January to March and other between July to September).

1st anniv of National War Memorial

General Bipin Rawat laid wreath at the National War Memorial (Source: @adgpi)

New Delhi (NVI): The first anniversary of the National War Memorial was marked here today as Chief of Defence Staff General (Retd) Bipin Rawat paid tributes to martyrs in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony.

National War Memorial is a tribute by the grateful nation to its fallen heroes in the line of duty during various external wars and Internal security challenges that the Armed Forces of the country have faced since 1947.

Gen. Rawat, along with veterans from the three armed services paid homage to the fallen heroes, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The memorial was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a year ago on this day.

Since its inauguration last year, around 21 lakh people have visited the memorial with over 5,000-7,000 people foot-fall at the monument every day.

Trade experts to land in Riyadh as global commerce reels under coronavirus

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New Delhi (NVI): As coronavirus crisis casts a shadow on global business, around 200 trade experts from around the world will gather for a major conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tomorrow.

The one-day forum is going to be the first such event to take place in the Saudi Arabia capital, with thought leaders and policymakers taking part in the ‘Asia House Trade Dialogue’.

A Beijing-based expert on Chinese business will be discussing the economic effects of the coronavirus through a live link, according to Arab News.

Leading thinkers will also share their insights on global trade, women’s growing role in business, and the energy industry moving toward renewable technologies.

Victor Gao, who is vice president of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, will answer questions via web link about the impact of coronavirus on the Chinese economy.

Saudi British Bank, chairperson Lubna Olayan, was quoted as saying by the website: “Trade has historically always been important to the development of the Kingdom, and that is equally true today as the Far East and the Middle East are once again becoming increasingly connected, and we begin a year in which Saudi Arabia leads the G20, with deliberations around trade and investment being a major focus of the B20 (the business arm of G20 summit of world leaders). It is truly an exciting time, so we are pleased to be jointly hosting this important event to explore opportunities for enhancing and facilitating growing trade links between the Far East and the Middle East.”

British trade minister and chairman of the HSBC banking group, Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint told Arab News, “With Saudi Arabia hosting the G20 this year, we believe it is an important time to bring our trade dialogue to Riyadh to explore the economic shifts taking place in the region and beyond.”

Trump India visit: Defence deals worth $3 bn finalised

(Updating earlier story)

New Delhi (NVI): India and the US today signed defence deals worth $3 billion, President Donald Trump announced at Hyderabad House here as he addressed a joint media briefing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the second day of his visit.

After the bilateral meeting with PM Modi, Trump said, “Earlier today we expanded our defence cooperation with agreements for India to purchase more than US$ 3 Bn of advanced American military equipment, including Apache & MH-60 Romeo Helicopters – finest in the world. These will enhance our joint defence capabilities.”

Yesterday, Trump had announced that US will sign deals today to sell the “absolute finest, state-of-the-art military helicopters” and other defence equipment to India worth $3 billion.

Apart from this, PM Modi, who also addressed media at Hyderabad House, said that both the countries have started negotiations towards a big trade deal.

“India-US cooperation is important for a rule-based international order in Indo-Pacific and Global Commons,” the PM said.

The two leaders met a day after the ‘Namaste Trump’ event in Ahmedabad where the US President received a rousing welcome.

Earlier in the morning, Trump received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat, in presence of First Lady Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump and President Ram Nath Kovind.

US First Lady Melania also visited a Delhi government school in South Delhi today. She observed a happiness curriculum session there and said she was inspired by it.

Delhi violence: Man seen aiming gun at unarmed cop arrested

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi Police today arrested a man identified as Shahrukh Khan who was seen in a video brandishing a gun and firing shots during North East Delhi violence yesterday.

The 33-year-old man had fired eight rounds during the violent clashes between pro and anti CAA protesters in Jaffrabad area yesterday.

Shahrukh can be seen waving a gun in the air and challenging a policeman in riot gear in front of him. The video seems to be shot on a mobile phone from the roof of a nearby building.

Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal and six civilians were killed and around 90 people were injured, some of them with gunshot wounds, in the clashes.

The northeast Delhi area was on edge since Sunday and it turned into a battlefield yesterday as violent mobs torched vehicles, homes, and shops in northeast Delhi, particularly in the areas of Maujpur, Kardampuri, Chand Bagh and Dayalpur. Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the affected areas.

Calling the situation “unfortunate”, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today appealed to everyone to maintain peace.

Seven dead in Delhi violence

New Delhi (NVI): The death toll in the northeast Delhi violence climbed to seven today, including a Delhi Police head constable who died in the clashes yesterday, according to media reports.

Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal and six civilians were killed and around 90 people were injured, some of them with gunshot wounds, in the clashes between pro and anti CAA protesters yesterday.

The northeast Delhi area was on edge since Sunday and it turned into a battlefield yesterday as violent mobs torched vehicles, homes, and shops in northeast Delhi, particularly in the areas of Maujpur, Kardampuri, Chand Bagh and Dayalpur. Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the affected areas.

Calling the situation “unfortunate”, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today appealed to everyone to maintain peace.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit shah has reviewed the prevailing situation in the national capital and met senior officials from the Delhi government and various political parties.

He also conducted a review of the law and order situation yesterday and directed officials to restore normalcy.

Due to protest, the entry and exit gates of Jaffrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave and Shiv Vihar Metro stations remain shut, according to DMRC.

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.

 

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