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UK launches new points-based immigration system

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New Delhi (NVI): The UK has announced new a new points-based immigration system to ensure that the country continues to attract the brightest and the best from around the world, including India. The new system, which was launched today by the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, takes effect from 1 January 2021.

The new Points-Based Immigration System will award points for specific skills, professions, salaries or qualifications/attributes, and visas will be awarded to those who gain sufficient points. The system will provide simple, effective, and flexible arrangements for skilled workers to come to the UK.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said, “Today is a historic moment for the whole country. We will attract the brightest and the best from around the globe, boosting the economy and communities, and unleash the country’s full potential.”

The new single global system will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally, giving top priority to those with the highest skills and the greatest talents, including scientists, innovators and academics.

The minimum general salary threshold will be reduced to £25,600 (approximately Rs 23.8 lakh), down from the previously proposed £30,000.

The Home Secretary will also announce a reformed Global Talent route. This will include a new fast-track scheme for world-leading scientists, top researchers and mathematicians to come to the UK. This will run alongside the Points-Based Immigration System and will allow a small number of highly skilled workers to come to the UK without a job offer.

British High Commissioner to India, Jan Thompson, said, “The new Points-Based Immigration System is great news for Indian nationals looking to work in the UK. It puts Indian applicants on a level playing field, and prioritises those with the greatest skills and talent – something which India has in abundance.”

“This news is just the latest example of the UK’s continuing global outlook following the departure from the EU, and further evidence of the commitment to strengthening the UK-India Living Bridge,” Thompson added.

The developments come after the UK’s Graduate route announcement, which will allow eligible international students – including those from India – to stay in the UK for two years after completing their studies to work or look for work. The new Graduate route will be introduced from the summer of 2021. There continues to be no limit on the number of international students who can come to the UK to study.

Govt approves Rs 4,558 cr scheme for dairy sector

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar

New Delhi(NVI): The Centre today approved a Rs 4,558-crore scheme to promote dairy sector which will benefit around 95 lakh farmers.

During the Union Cabinet meeting today, Information and Broadcasting Minister, Prakash Javadekar said that this scheme will take the “White revolution” to the next level.

He further said that the Cabinet has also decided to raise the benefit under the interest subvention scheme from 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent.

Both the decisions are aimed at benefitting the farming community, the I&B minister added.

Javedekar also announced that an empowered technology group will be set up to give suggestions on policy and procurement to ministries, PSUs and even industries.

The second phase of Swachh Bharat will start soon, Javadekar mentioned.

The Cabinet also approved the creation of the 22nd Law Commission, which plays an advisory role to the government on complex legal issues.

J&K: 23 militants killed in Valley so far this year, says DGP

Evidence to expose Pak recovered in Sunday's Poonch encounter: J&K DGP

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbagh Singh today said that 23 militants have been killed so far this year in 10 anti-militancy operations across Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a media gathering here in Srinagar, the DGP said that so far this year, they successfully killed 19 militants in Kashmir and four in Jammu, and caught 40 Over Ground Workers (OGWs).

“Though ceasefire violation along Line of Control have been more. Recently a drone entered into territory for 11 to 12 minutes in Kathua and crossed BSF picket, later they took it back,” the DGP said.

He said that eight youths who joined militancy in 2020 have shunned violence and returned to the mainstream.

He said that Pakistan wants to maintain tension on LoC. “They are trying to push in militants and they succeeded to some extent especially when we eliminated three militants in Nagrota Jammu last time. Launching pads are active and like previous year, the launching pads have not got emptied during winter. They are waiting for opportunity to send militants,” the DGP said.

Giving details about today’s gunfight at Tral area of south Kashmir, DGP Singh said they were successful in killing three militants.

He said that three militants including Hizb commander Jehangir Rafiq Wani of Amirabad, Tral who took over as HM commander after death of Hammad Khan in January 2020 were killed in the encounter.

Other two were identified as Raja Umer of Lurgam, Tral and Uzair Ahmad Bhat form Bijbehara.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar who was also part of the press conference said that virtual private networks (VPNs) are being misused. “Some miscreants are misusing and spreading rumours by using VPNs. We have banned use of social media, still some elements are instigating people besides guiding militants,” the IGP said.

He said that our priority is to maintain law and order and whosever, “misuses VPN will have to face the law”.

He also said that Pakistan is making efforts to make people use VPNs.

PM Modi visits ‘Hunar Haat’

PM Modi at 'Hunar Haat'

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited “Hunar Haat” organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs here today.

The PM viewed the stalls where artisans, craftsmen from across the country displayed traditional artworks and crafts in Hunar Haat.

He also interacted with several artisans at the event. More than 50 per cent of the artisans participating were women.

“Hunar Haat” reflects the government’s commitment to providing employment opportunities as well as preserving and promoting India’s indigenous traditional legacy, several of which are on the verge of extinction, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs said in a statement today.

The theme of this year’s Hunar Haat is ‘Kaushal ko Kaam’. About 3 lakh master artisans & culinary experts have been provided employment and employment opportunities through Hunar Haat in the last 3 years.

Nitin Gadkari visits logistics automotive manufacturer ‘Volvo’ in Sweden

Nitin Gadkari visit to Sweden

New Delhi (NVI): Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who is representing India in global road safety event in Sweden, today visited the Swedish Logistics Automotive manufacturer ‘Volvo’ in Gothenburg. The Minister was accompanied by Ambassador of Sweden in India Klas Molin.

Volvo is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks, construction equipment, buses and heavy-duty diesel engines as well as a leading supplier of marine and industrial engines.

The objective of the two-day conference is to bring road safety on the global agenda and renew the world community’s commitment to safer roads. The “3rd High Level Global Conference on Road Safety for Achieving Global Goals 2030” being held in Stockholm from February 19-20.

Gadkari will also hold bilateral dialogue with his Swedish counterpart for infrastructure Tomas Eneroth, during the event. Gadkari will also hold meeting with the World Bank Vice President Hart Schafer, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement today.

Arjun Munda presents awards for exemplary service towards STs

Arjun Munda with NCST chairman Nand Kumar Sai. (Source: @MundaArjun)

New Delhi (NVI): Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda today presented awards for the exemplary service towards Scheduled Tribes at an event here on the occasion of ’16th Foundation Day of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)’.

While inaugurating the event, Munda said, “National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was set up to oversee the implementation of various safeguards provided to Scheduled  Tribes under the Constitution or under any other law for time being in force or under any other order to the Govt. and to evaluate the working of such safeguards.”

The Union Minister said that there should be a Data Bank of Tribal lands all over the country. NCST should have an Independent Research Team for proper research work, he said. He also assured the full support and cooperation of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in strengthening NCST.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was set up with effect from February 19, 2004, by amending Article 338 and by inserting a new Article 338A  in the Constitution through the 89th Amendment Act, 2003.

The awards for their exemplary service towards Scheduled Tribes in the country were presented to – Western Coalfields Ltd. Nagpur, CMD, Rajiv Ranjan Mehra and Ajay Kumar Jaiswal, Secretary, ASHA, Ranchi.

The event was also attended by Renuka Singh Saruta, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Nand Kumar Sai, Chairman, NCST and members of the Commission and many other dignitaries.

This anti-aircraft system can intercept multiple drones with lasers

New Delhi (NVI): Israeli defence manufacturer Rafael recently tested its counter-UAS system Drone Dome, which can identify and intercept moving targets using a high-powered laser beam.

Drone Dome is a counter unmanned air system anti-aircraft system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which consists of electronic jammers and sensors to detect, identify and neutralize both micro and mini-UAVs.

The demonstration was carried out in a desert area with several types of drones, including commercially available quadcopters, Israel Defense magazine reported.

A high-powered laser beam mounted on a jeep, along with the other Drone Dome sensors, detected the threat and enabled the crew to monitor its activity. A three-drone swarm was then neutralized using the lasers. One by one the drones fell from the sky.

The Israeli defence manufacturer exhibited seven drones that were destroyed by the laser. Burned impact areas showed their rotors and motors charred.

Small drones have proven to be a challenge for advanced militaries. In 2018, drones shut down Gatwick airport in the U.K. for about 30 hours, the defense magazine reported.

Small drones have also been used by militant organizations, such as the Islamic State group. And more than a dozen drones damaged oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia in September 2019.

Drone Dome is one of Rafael’s numerous multilayered air defense systems. It also makes the land-based Iron Dome and a naval variant, C-Dome, as well as SPYDER, a surface-to-air missile system designed to counter aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.

More than 100 Indian bird species suffering severe population decline

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New Delhi (NVI): A new study has claimed that India’s bird population is on a steady decline over the past few years. 101 species have been classified as of ‘High Conservation Concern’, and require immediate attention, as per the findings of the report.

The ‘State of India’s Bird Report 2020’ was released at the 13th Conference of Parties of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals in Gandhinagar.

867 species of Indian birds were assessed in the report. Over 10 million observations were uploaded to the eBird platform by more than 15,500 birdwatchers to evaluate the distribution range size of 867 Indian birds, and their trends in abundance in both the long term (over 25+ years) and currently (past 5 years).

As per the report, 58 species on the long-term pattern are in ‘solid decline’ and 77 species in ‘moderate decrease’.

The report found that birds that fed on invertebrate had declined as a whole. While 101 species required ‘immediate concern’, 319 species required ‘moderate concern’, 442 species needed low concern for conservation.

According to the study, the most affected are raptors, migratory shorebirds and habitat specialists, among others.

“The assessment is based on three indices. Two are indices of change in abundance: long-term trend and current annual trend (over 5 years), and the third is a measure of distribution range size,” the report says.

“Using these three indices together with the IUCN Red List (Red List of Threatened Species), each species was classified into categories of conservation concern for India,” it added.

By and large, decrease in species requests investigation into their causes. To ensure the high concern species, consideration from protection approach, the board and subsidising are required.

The number of sparrows was found to be roughly stable across the country, despite declining in major cities.

However, the report highlights a dramatic rise in the number of Indian peafowls (national bird peacock). There has been a 100 per cent increase in the abundance of peafowl across the country over the past decades, as per the report.

Too much indoor reading can result in school myopia among children: Study

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New Delhi (NVI): Children are at the risk of becoming short-sighted unless they spend two hours daily outside and abstain from prolonged interaction with screens and homework books, according to a study.

The new epidemic of myopia in youngsters is because of the amount of time they spend glued to television screens, computers and even books.

Scientists have also said that there will be a rise in the number of people who have chances of becoming blind in later life because of having developed short-sightedness at a young age and having an increased risk of eye problem when they get older.

Myopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which people can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away appear blurred. People with myopia can have difficulty in  clearly seeing a movie or TV screen, a whiteboard in school or while driving.

Myopia occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is too curved. As a result, the light entering the eye isn’t focused correctly, and distant objects look blurred.

According to the study, conducted by Clare Quigley, an opthalmologist at Galway University Hospital, involving the lifestyles and health of 8,568 nine-year-olds, a strong connection emerged between the condition of eye problem with a sedentary lifestyle.

Quigley said that the factors that appear consistently in development of myopia are education and the amount of time spent indoors.

An Australian review paper also found that children who spent time outdoors were clearly at a comparatively lower risk of visual impairment. In another review paper by the University of Cambridge it was found that children with myopia spent only about 3 hours per week outside the home or school. Meanwhile, a study in Taiwan has shown that spending 80 minutes daily outside the home helps keep your eyes healthy.

Therefore, children are encouraged to go outdoors and play and spend more time in the natural light.

Coronavirus: Indians quarantined at ITBP Camp released, death toll soars past 2,000

All 406 people at ITBP Quarantine facility, have now departed to their homes. (Source: @ITBP_official)

New Delhi (NVI): All of the 406 people quarantined at the ITBP facility in Delhi after being evacuated earlier this month from coronavirus-hit Wuhan, have been discharged, Indo-Tibetan Border Police said.

In another update, relieved passengers, who were aboard a coronavirus-wracked cruise ship in Japan , began leaving after testing negative for the disease.

The Diamond Princess has proved a fertile breeding ground for the virus with at least 542 positive cases, and was docked off in Yokohama since February 4, 2020.

Japan faced mounting criticism for its quarantine arrangements as the passengers dispersed.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong recorded its second death caused by the new coronavirus on Wednesday, media reports stated.

The number of deaths from the coronavirus outbreak in mainland China rose by 136, pushing the nationwide death toll to 2,004 as of the end of Tuesday, the country’s National Health Commission reported.

At least 132 of the fatalities were from Hubei Province, the epicentre of the epidemic. Nationwide, there had been a further 1,749 new confirmed cases of which 1,693 were from Hubei, bringing the total number of infections across the country to 74,185.

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