In yet another ceasefire violation along Line of Control (LoC) in J&K, Pakistani troops today resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling in the Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Pakistani army started unprovoked firing on the LoC in Uri early this morning which was retaliated effectively by the India side. Read story
UNICEF, GRAB join forces to protect health workers, children from Covid-19 in East Asia
New Delhi (NVI): UNICEF has joined hands with GRAB, a multinational ride-hailing company based in Singapore, to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and health supplies for frontline health workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as providing handwashing supplies to keep children safe in schools in East Asia.
The initiative covers four countries in the region: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. In addition, GRAB users can make in-app donations that will help UNICEF purchase lifesaving supplies such as masks, gloves, soap, tents and gowns for ‘healthcare heroes’ and children returning to schools, which lack basic sanitation, the UN body said in a statement Wednesday.
Karin Hulshof, UNICEF’s Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific said, “COVID-19 is a threat to people everywhere. The virus has not impacted everyone equally. The oldest, the poorest, and the youngest have been the hardest hit by the pandemic. Without additional investment in children and the support of partners like Grab, we risk losing achievements that have seen ever more children survive and thrive.”
“Schools need to reopen safely as the longer children stay out of school, the less likely they are to return. Together we can make sure children and families recover, rebound and reimagine a stronger future. We must stop COVID-19 from becoming a lasting crisis for children,” she added.
According to the statement, Grab users can donate money via the GrabPay e-wallet or donate their Grab Rewards points to support UNICEF’s efforts to deliver essential supplies where they are needed most.
“The COVID-19 pandemic poses a test for our generation like none we have seen. Our users, driver and delivery-partners, and merchant-partners have all been impacted,” said Huey Tyng Ooi, Head of GrabPay.
“But we are also seeing increasing e-wallet usage due to safety and hygiene concerns around the use of cash. More and more people are going digital, and we are confident that many Grab users will be encouraged to support our vulnerable communities in ways that they can, either via e-wallet donations or their Rewards points,” Tyng Ooi added.
Since January, UNICEF has been working closely with governments in the region and its partners to stop the spread of COVID-19, keep children at the heart of its response and to mitigate the long-term impact of the pandemic on children.
The organization has provided public health information to people on how to protect themselves, particularly focusing on children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Apart from this, UNICEF has provided critical medical supplies, including masks and other personal protective equipment to health workers. It is also making sure that children and their families have access to safe water and sanitation services, and hygiene supplies.
In partnership with companies like Grab, it helps UNICEF to raise awareness about COVID-19 and its impact on children to the millions of Grab users in the region, and to generate much-needed funding, the statement read.
Globally, UNICEF is appealing for USD 1.6 billion to support its humanitarian response for children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In East Asia and Pacific, UNICEF requires over USD 137.2 million to fund its response.
The initiative is part of UNICEF’s #Reimagine global campaign to task the global community to #Reimagine a better world for children post COVID-19.
J&K: Lashkar terrorist nabbed in Shopian
Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): A Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist was arrested today during a cordon and search operation at Khojpora village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, police said.
A police officer said that acting on a specific input about the presence of a Lashkar terrorist, who had recently joined the outfit, in village Khojipora, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by the teams of Army and police in the wee hours.
“When the suspected house was zeroed in, the terrorist who was hiding, was cornered from all sides and offered surrender. He accepted the offer and was caught alive,” the officer said.
The arrested terrorist was identified as Zakir Ahmed Khan of Shopian district who had joined the Lashkar outfit a few weeks ago. Police recovered a 9 MM pistol, two magazines and 12 rounds.
A case has been registered in Zainapora police station and investigations have been taken up to find out the involvement of the arrested terrorist in various crimes.
The arrest of the terrorist comes at a time when security forces have stepped up anti-militancy operations across Kashmir, especially in the southern belt of Kashmir.
This year so far, 89 militants including top commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed were killed in various encounters. Since March 20, when Covid-19 pandemic stepped into the Union Territory, 55 militants have been killed including Hizbul Mujahideen’s chief operational commander Reyaz Naikoo.
State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India
New Delhi (NVI): India has now become the fourth worst-affected country in the world index due to coronavirus pandemic, after it surpassed United Kingdom in the total number of confirmed cases, as the country continues to witness huge spike in the infected cases.
Maharashtra is one of the worst affected states, while the capital city Mumbai is reporting over 52,000 cases and now has more cases than China’s Wuhan city, the epicentre of the virus outbreak.
Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country stands at 2,97,535 including 8,498 casualties, according to the Union Health Ministry.
In the last 24 hours, a record 10,956 new cases of coronavirus and 396 deaths have been reported in India, both being at a record high in a single day till now.Maharashtra tops the country with the maximum number of coronavirus cases and has reported nearly 90,000 confirmed cases so far.
Total positive cases in States/UTs:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 38
Andhra Pradesh- 5,429
Arunachal Pradesh- 61
Assam- 3,319
Bihar- 5,983
Chandigarh- 332
Chhattisgarh- 1,398
Dadar Nagar Haveli- 26
Delhi- 34,687
Gujarat- 22,032
Goa- 417
Haryana– 5,968
Himachal Pradesh- 470
Jammu and Kashmir- 4,574
Jharkhand- 1,599
Karnataka- 6,245
Kerala- 2,244
Ladakh- 135
Madhya Pradesh- 10,241
Maharashtra- 97,648
Manipur- 366
Meghalaya- 44
Mizoram- 102
Nagaland- 128
Odisha- 3,386
Puducherry- 157
Punjab- 2,887
Rajasthan- 11,838
Sikkim- 14
Tamil Nadu- 38,716
Telangana- 4,320
Tripura- 913
Uttarakhand- 1,643
Uttar Pradesh- 12,088
West Bengal – 9,768
State/UT wise total death toll:
Andhra Pradesh- 80
Assam- 6
Bihar- 36
Chandigarh- 5
Chhattisgarh- 6
Delhi- 1085
Gujarat- 1,385
Haryana- 64
Himachal Pradesh- 6
Jammu and Kashmir- 52
Jharkhand- 8
Karnataka- 72
Kerala- 18
Ladakh- 1
Madhya Pradesh- 431
Maharashtra- 3,590
Meghalaya- 1
Odisha- 9
Puducherry- 2
Punjab- 59
Rajasthan- 265
Tamil Nadu- 349
Telangana- 165
Tripura- 1
Uttar Pradesh- 345
Uttarakhand- 15
West Bengal- 442
A total of 1,47,195 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 1,41,842 active cases currently, according to the Health Ministry.
World Day Against Child Labour 2020: History, significance and theme
New Delhi (NVI): World Day Against Child Labour is observed on June 12 every year in almost 100 countries all around the globe. This year, the focus is on the impact of Covid-19 crisis on child labour, as millions of children face the risk of being pushed into the inhuman practice due to the pandemic situation.
The day is also used to spread awareness about the mental and physical problems faced by children forced into child labour around the world.
According to a United Nations (UN) report, there are an estimated 152 million children globally who are engaged in the practice, 72 million of whom are into hazardous work.
Millions more could be forced into child labour, which could lead to the first rise in child labour after 20 years of progress, according to a new brief from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.
Children in the age group 5 to 17 are engaged in work that deprives them of a normal childhood, like getting adequate education, proper health care, leisure time or just basic freedom.
In 2002, the International Labour Organization (ILO), launched the World Day Against Child Labour for the first time.
COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic and labour market shock are having a huge impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. The crisis can push millions of vulnerable children into child labour, the UN said in a statement.
This year, the day’s theme is “COVID-19: Protect children from child labour, now more than ever”. The theme focuses on the need to protect children from under-age labour amid Covid-19 pandemic.
The UN body says the World Day Against Child Labour this year will see a virtual campaign due to COVID pandemic. A virtual campaign is being organized jointly with the Global March Against Child Labour and the International Partnership for Cooperation on Child Labour in Agriculture (IPCCLA).
Furthermore, ILO and UNICEF are developing a simulation model to look at the impact of COVID-19 on child labour globally.
Meanwhile, there are more than 10 million child labourers in India, according to the latest census and many are kept confined to the workplace by employers.
Coronavirus cases surpass 7.5 million worldwide; death toll tops 4,20,000
New Delhi (NVI): More than 7.5 million people have now been confirmed to have the coronavirus and at least 4,20,000 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
In Brazil, the total number of coronavirus cases surpassed 8,00,000 mark today, being the second worst-affected country in the world by the deadly contagion.
The United States has passed 2 million confirmed cases of the virus with more than 1,13,000 fatalities being reported in the country.
Beijing recorded its first instance of local transmission in weeks, after one case of COVID-19 was reported from the city. The Chinese man reportedly claimed that he has been in the capital city for more than two weeks and had not been in contact with anyone from outside the city.
Meanwhile China has reported 7 new cases of coronavirus.
The speed the new coronavirus jumped from 100,000 to 200,000 confirmed cases in Africa shows just how quickly the pandemic is accelerating on the continent, the World Health Organization said.
India’s COVID tally rises to 2.98 lakh; death toll 8,498
New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 2,97,535 and fatalities from the virus have gone up to 8,498, according to Union Health Ministry.
In the past 24 hours, 10,956 fresh COVID-19 infections were reported, the highest single-day spike in the country.
At least 1,47,195 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged.
With this, India’s COVID-19 cases climbed to the fourth highest in the world, overtaking the UK yesterday.
In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 97,648 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 38,716 and Gujarat with 34,678 positive cases.
The other worst affected states are Gujarat (22,032), Rajasthan (11,838) Uttar Pradesh (12,088) and Madhya Pradesh (10,241).
In terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 35,09 fatalities, ministry said.
The death toll in the national capital surged to 1,085 while another 12,731 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today will hear a matter pertaining to alleged harassment of COVID-19 positive patients and mishandling of bodies of those who succumbed to the virus.
India focuses on friendly relations with Nepal amid border row
New Delhi (NVI): India today said that it deeply values its civilizational, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal, ahead of a vote on a constitutional amendment bill in the lower house of Nepalese Parliament, to amend the Himalayan country’s political map.
“India deeply values its civilization, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal. Our multi-faceted bilateral partnership has expanded and diversified in the recent years with increased focus and enhanced Government of India’s assistance on humanitarian, development and connectivity projects in Nepal,” MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said today.
The External Affairs spokesperson also highlighted India’s continued support to friendly neighbouring countries including Nepal, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to chart out a common strategy to combat COVID-19 in the region.
“India has extended all possible technical, medical and humanitarian assistance to Nepal. We have supplied about 25 tonnes of medical aid to Nepal including Paracetamol and hydroxy chloroquine (HCQ) medicines, test kits and other medical supplies,” the MEA spokesman said.
He further added that the Government of India has also ensured that there is no untoward disruption in trade and supply of essential goods to Nepal, despite the lockdown on both sides. “India has also helped in repatriation of Nepalese nationals stranded abroad on humanitarian grounds,” he added.
India’s comments come ahead of the crucial vote in Nepal’s parliament that will decide on the amendments in the new Nepal may that shows Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura as its own, drawing a sharp reaction from New Delhi.
Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli had on May 18 chaired a Cabinet meeting in which the new map of the country featuring the Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura was approved.
Addressing the Parliament on May 19, the Nepal PM claimed that India had made the aforesaid territories “disputed” by stationing its Army there. He vowed to reclaim these territories from India through diplomatic efforts.
Reacting to Nepal incorporating parts of Indian territory in its official map on May 20, the Ministry of External Affairs slammed this “unilateral act”.
Maintaining that this move was not based on historical facts and evidence, MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had observed that this was contrary to the understanding between the two countries to resolve boundary disputes through dialogue.
Apart from this, on May 31, the Nepalese government had moved a constitutional amendment bill that seeks to make an alteration in the country’s national emblem and the political map which includes an additional 370 sq km that also features in the Indian map.
Earlier in May, the Oli government had objected to India’s new road from Dharchula to Lipulekh as part of the Mansarovar Yatra route, and which came out with a new map, adding to it an area of 370 sq km at the tri-junction of Nepal, India and China (Tibet) that India claims is its territory.
India rejects US report on religious freedom
New Delhi (NVI): India today rejected the report on international religious freedom published by the US Department of State which made certain critical comments on India.
External Affairs Ministry said the “foreign entity” has no locus standi to make such comments.
“Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the state of our citizens’ constitutionally protected rights,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing here.
He said the report is published annually by the Department of State as part of its legal requirement to the US Congress and is an internal document of the US government.
“India’s vibrant democratic traditions and practices are evident to the world. The people and government of India are proud of our country’s democratic traditions,” he said.
“We have a robust public discourse in India and constitutionally mandated institutions that guarantee protection of religious freedom and rule of law,” the spokesman added.
J&K: 26 travelers, doctor among 67 new Covid cases, tally 4,574
Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): A female cancer patient, who had tested positive a few days ago, became the 52nd Covid victim in Jammu and Kashmir today while 26 travelers, a senior doctor were among 67 fresh cases, taking the tally to 4,574 in the UT.
Health officials said that the female cancer patient died at SKIMS, Soura. Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Soura Dr Farooq Jan said that a 62-year-old woman who was admitted to SKIMS on June 7 as a case of acute calcular cholecystitis besides other underlying problems died today.
“Her sample was taken on the same day which came as Covid-19 positive, following which the patient was shifted to infectious disease ward the next day,” Dr Jan said. “She died today after suffering cardiopulmonary arrest.”
Officials said that among the new 67 new cases, 23 were tested positive at SKIMS, 12 at CD hospital, 8 at JVC Bemina and rest at other hospitals.
Among 67 new cases, 43 belong to Kashmir division while 24 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 3,565 including 1,522 recoveries and 46 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached to 1,009 including 298 recoveries and 5 deaths.
The officials said that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 2702 including 1996 from Kashmir and 706 from Jammu.
Cases tested positive in J&K include 2 each from Kulgam and Baramulla, 8 from Srinagar, 13 from Anantnag, 3 from Budgam, 1 from Kupwara, 4 from Bandipora, 9 from Pulwama and one from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while 24 from Jammu include 11 from Jammu, 3 each from Udhampur and Doda, 6 from Poonch and one from Rajouri.
As per officials figures, 568 positive cases including 8 deaths and 168 recoveries are from Kulgam, 497 including 10 deaths and 162 recoveries are from Baramulla, 497 including 12 deaths and 151 recoveries are from Srinagar, 482 including 315 recoveries and 5 deaths are from Anantnag, 440 including 171 recoveries and 4 deaths are from Shopian, 376 including 246 recoveries and 3 deaths are from Kupwara, 223 including 165 recoveries and 1 death is from Bandipora, 214 including 80 recoveries and 2 deaths are from Budgam, 199 including 32 recoveries and 2 deaths are from Pulwama and 59 including 32 recoveries are from Ganderbal.
In Jammu division, 353 including 107 recoveries and 3 deaths are from Jammu district, 172 including 23 recoveries are from Ramban, 153 including 35 recoveries and 1 death is from Udhampur, 123 including 49 recoveries are from Kathua, 91 including 28 recoveries from Poonch, 69 including and 28 recoveries are from Samba, 58 including 12 recoveries are from Rajouri, 46 including 2 recoveries and 1 death is from Doda, 23 including 10 recoveries are from Reasi and 21 including 4 recoveries are from Kishtwar.
As per the daily information bulletin, 2,27,016 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 41,312 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides, 2702 persons are in hospital isolation while 25 persons are under hospital quarantine. According to the bulletin, 1,27,530 persons have completed the surveillance period and 55,395 persons are under home surveillance.
So far results of 2,47,267 samples are available out of which 2,42,693 tested negative while 4,574 have tested positive. Among them, 2702 are active, 1820 persons have recovered and 52 persons have died.
47 deaths were recorded in Kashmir including a CRPF man and a non-local tailor while five deaths were reported in the Jammu region of the UT.
