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Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine approved for emergency use in UK

Vaccine Registration
Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): The Britain government today approved the coronavirus vaccine being developed by the Oxford University and AstraZeneca for emergency use in the United Kingdom.

AstraZeneca in a statement said, “The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) in UK authorized the emergency supply of COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca, formerly AZD1222, for the active immunisation of individuals 18 years or older.”

The first doses of the vaccine were being released today so that vaccinations may begin early in the New Year, it added.

The company aims to supply millions of doses in the first quarter as part of its deal with the UK government to supply up to 100 million doses in total.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock in a statement said, “This is a moment to celebrate British innovation – not only are we responsible for discovering the first treatment to reduce mortality for Covid-19.

“This vaccine will be made available to some of the poorest regions of the world at a low cost, helping protect countless people from this awful disease,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

AstraZeneca’s Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot also said, “Today is an important day for millions of people in the UK who will get access to this new vaccine. It has been shown to be effective, well-tolerated, simple to administer and is supplied by AstraZeneca at no profit.”

The company further said the authorisation recommends two doses administered with
an interval of between four and 12 weeks. This regimen was shown in clinical trials to be safe and effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19, with no severe cases and no hospitalisations more than 14 days after the second doses.

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca is working with its global partners to continue building manufacturing capacity of up to three billion doses of the vaccine globally in 2021.

This vaccine can be stored, transported and handled at normal refrigerated conditions (two-eight degrees Celsius/ 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 6 months and administered within existing healthcare settings.

However, the shots are expected to be rolled out next week and would be added to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which has so far been given to 6,00,000 people in the UK, as per the government data.

-RJV

Sydney under new COVID-19 restrictions ahead of New Year

(Representational/file image)

New Delhi (NVI): The New South Wales (NSW) government today announced new restrictions for Sydney ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations, as the COVID-19 outbreak spreads to new areas.

The announcement of further restrictions for New Year’s Eve came following the discovery of a new cluster of COVID-19 in a separate part of the city, believed to have spread during Christmas gatherings.

According to the reports, the NSW government recorded, 18 new local COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours, including a cluster in Croydon in Sydney’s inner west and two cases in Wollongong.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, “We don’t want New Year’s Eve to be the cause of a super-spreader (event).”

Berejiklian added that the advice is to just stay home, but if you are considering going out or having people over, these are the rules as of December 30.

Under new restrictions, households will now be restricted to only five guests, down from the previous 10 person limit and outdoor gathering numbers have also been cut to 30 from 50. Also, other states and territories in Australia have to maintain a travel ban on people from Sydney.

The city’s traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations will still go ahead but authorities have already banned group gatherings at vantage points around the harbour.

Earlier, the virus’s re-appearance in Sydney a week before Christmas also sparked a sudden re-introduction of restrictions in the city, including restrains on holiday gatherings and a lockdown of the worst-affected region, the Northern Beaches.

So far, Australia has recorded 909 COVID-19 deaths and more than 28,300 cases registered since the pandemic began.

-RJV

Arms and ammunition recovered in J&K’s Poonch

Arms and ammunition
(File photo)

Neyaz Elahi

Poonch (NVI): Joint Forces in Jammu and Kashmir have recovered arms and ammunition in Poonch district today.

The recovery was made after three militant associates, arrested a couple of days back, were put to sustained questioning, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch, Ramesh Agarwal said.

He said two pistols, seventy pistol rounds and two grenades kept in bushes near LoC in Dabbi village of Balakote Sector in Mendhar, Poonch, were recovered this morning by a search party led by Sub Divisional Police Officer, Mendhar, Zaheer Jafri.

The SSP said more arrests are expected in coming days.

-CHK

India extends suspension of flights from UK till Jan 7: Puri

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today announced that India has extended the temporary suspension of all flights to and from the United Kingdom till January 7, 2021.

This development comes amid reports of 14 more positive cases of the new COVID-19 variant being found in India, taking the number to 20.

Taking to Twitter, Puri said, “Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to and from the UK till 7 January 2021. Thereafter strictly regulated resumption will take place for which details will be announced shortly.”

Yesterday while addressing the media, the Aviation Minister said that a small extension was possible on suspension of flights.

Puri stated, “We have started applying our minds on the flight ban. I can only see now that there may be a slight extension in the deadline. I, however, do not see a long or indefinite extension. It may be a small extension.”

Last week, India had suspended all flights from UK until the end of the month as the new strain of the coronavirus detected in Britain triggered widespread concern and travel restrictions across the world.

India and UK operate over 60 weekly flights by four airlines namely Air India, Vistara, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic which carry almost 2,000-2,500 passengers on a daily basis in these flights.

-RJV

Counter Intelligence conducts raids in south, central Kashmir

Counter Intelligence conducts raids in south, central Kashmir

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI): Counter Intelligence of Kashmir (CIK), which is a wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police, today conducted raids in parts of South Kashmir’s Pulwama and Srinagar.

The raid was conducted at the house of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra at Naira village of Pulwama. Parra is currently in the custody of National Investigating Agency (NIA).

The raid was also conducted at Star Hospital owner, Dr Mir Samiullah’s Hyderpora, Srinagar residence.

Mir was also formerly affiliated with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

An official said that these raids are being conducted with regard to money transactions made through Hawala.

“Searches are being conducted in connection with some bank transactions, Hawala money and Pakistan trade connections,” he said.

Last month, CIK had carried out raids at dozens of locations in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

-CHK

20,549 fresh coronavirus cases take India’s tally past 10.2 mn

COVID cases

New Delhi (NVI): India has registered 20,549 fresh coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall caseload to 10,244,852, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The death count increased to 1,48,439 with 286 new fatalities being reported in the country due to the deadly contagion, Health Ministry stated.

With this, the number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 98,34,141, pushing the national recovery rate to 95.99 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases increased to 19,25,066 followed by Karnataka with 9,17,571 and Andhra Pradesh with 8,81,599 positive cases.

The other worst hit states are Tamil Nadu (8,16,132), Kerala (7,49,450), Delhi (6,24,118) and Uttar Pradesh (5,83,941).

Meanwhile, 20 cases of a mutant strain of coronavirus that first surfaced in the UK, have been detected in the country. The new strain is believed to be 70 per cent more infectious, but doctors have said there is no reason yet to believe that it is more lethal or will not be controlled by a vaccine.

-CHK

Coronavirus cases surge past 81.9 million globally

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): More than 81.9 million people around the world have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, while the death toll has crossed 17,88,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. Over 46.2 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease globally.

The number of coronavirus infections in the US have surpassed 19.5 million, while the number of fatalities caused due to the deadly contagion have exceeded 3,38,000 in the country.

Brazil recorded 58,718 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 1,111 deaths, the Health Ministry said. It is the worst daily death toll reported by the ministry since September 15th.

With this, the country’s coronavirus cases have crossed the 75 lakh-mark and stands at 7,563,551 while the number of deaths have surged past 1,92,000.

Meanwhile, Denmark has extended a hard lockdown for two weeks, until 17 January, to limit the spread of Covid-19, following a drastic spike in new infections over the past month, the country’s prime minister said.

The French heath ministry reported 11,395 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours on Tuesday, jumping above the 10,000 threshold for the first time in four days.

In addition to this, Ireland reported the highest Covid-19 cases in a single day on Tuesday with 1,546 infections, up from a previous record of 1,296 on Saturday.

Reportedly, Argentina has begun to vaccinate its citizens against the coronavirus using 300,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V treatment delivered last week.

-CHK

Ready to counter heavy deployment of Chinese air force in Ladakh: IAF Chief

Ready to counter heavy deployment of Chinese air force in Ladakh: IAF Chief

New Delhi (NVI) China has deployed fighter planes and missiles near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Eastern Ladakh sector, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said today and asserted that the IAF is ready to counter any misadventure by the Chinese side.

While addressing a webinar on ‘National Security Challenges and Air Power’ organised by Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), the IAF chief said that China has deployed heavily along LAC including radars, surface to air and surface to surface missiles.

In addition to this, The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has also deployed its J-20 and J-10 along with the Russian-origin SU-30 close to the Indian territory in Tibet. On top of that, they have also activated their air defence systems including the S-400 acquired from Russia.

To counter the growing deployment by the Chinese, the Indian Air Force has also deployed its recently inducted Rafale fighter jets and Mig-29 in the Ladakh sector at multiple bases.

Notably, the swift action by the IAF has acted as a strong deterrent against the Chinese and Pakistani air forces. To provoke India, both China and Pakistan had flown sorties in the Ladakh sector around the time a Chinese aircraft was trying to violate Indian airspace in May.

Meanwhile, the IAF chief has emphasised that the Indian side has taken all actions that are required to be taken. He added that since Chinese aspirations are global, any serious India-China conflict is not good for Beijing on the global front.

Speaking at the event, the IAF Chief said that China’s actions along India’s northern borders could also be aimed at enhancing its military technologies and recognize and fill gaps in the military structures the PLA has created over the last two decades along LAC.

The Air Chief added that no territory in the so-called ‘string of pearls’ area was out of the IAF’s reach as Sukhoi-30 fighter jets equipped with the BrahMos missile had significantly increased the reach of the force. China’s ‘string of pearls’ is Beijing’s strategic attempt to encircle India.

Amid the India-China border face-off along LAC, Beijing also remains wary of QUAD (India, China, Australia and Japan strategic partnership) and its future contours. The recently conducted naval exercises by QUAD grouping in the Indo-Pacific region has also worried China.

-ARK

TRF associate held in north Kashmir with cash, grenades

Terrorist arrested
Representational image

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI): A militant associate of TRF (The Resistance Force) terror outfit was arrested by security forces late this evening along with cash and grenades in Srinagar, police officials said.

Sources said that on specific inputs regarding movement of militants on Baramulla-Handwara highway in North Kashmir, a joint Naka (check-post) by police and security forces was set up near Jehlum Stadium that falls under the jurisdiction of police station Baramulla.

A Maruti Alto car was moving from Baramulla towards Handwara. On seeing the Naka, the driver tried to flee but the security personnel at the check-post cordoned and stopped the car.

During the on the spot frisking and physical search, a cash of Rs 13,000 was recovered from the said person. Moreover, during search of the car, three grenades were recovered which were hidden in a bag full of charcoal.

During on the spot questioning, the terror associate revealed his name as Asif Gull and is working as over ground worker for TRF. He said he was in contact with one local militant Abid, presently staying in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). He was also in contact with Hyder alias Jajja, Usman and Inayatullah and also arranged logistics for them, the TRF associate added.

In this regard, a case has been registered in police station Baramulla and further investigation has been taken up.

137 people stuck in India due to Covid cross over to Pakistan

137 people struck in India due to Covid cross over to Pakistan

New Delhi (NVI): At least 137 Pakistani and Indian nationals, who were stranded in India for a long time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, today crossed over to Pakistan from the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post (JCP) today.

These people included Indian students who are studying in Pakistan and some Pakistani nationals who came to India for medical treatment.

The 137 people who crossed over to Pakistan had come from different parts of the country, including Delhi (97), Madhya Pradesh (13), Gujarat (9), Jammu and Kashmir (7), Chhattisgarh (4), Rajasthan (3), Maharashtra (2) and West Bengal (1).

Earlier in September, 354 Indian students had crossed over to Pakistan via Attari border for study purpose. These students, most of them from Kashmir, are studying in different colleges and universities in Pakistan. During the same time, around 74 Pakistani nationals stuck in different parts of India due to Covid-19 lockdown had also returned to Pakistan.

Pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan government has opened its schools and universities from September 10. Among the students that crossed over to Pakistan today, the number of girls is more. The Indian Government had given its approval to allow these students to cross over to Pakistan just two days ago.

Interestingly, the exchange of people at the International Border and other such humanitarian activities comes amid tensions between India and Pakistan.

The relations between India and Pakistan soured recently after the 2019 Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers and Islamabad’s growing friendship with China which is engaged in unprovoked military actions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that have spiralled into a huge stand-off in Ladakh region.

-ARK

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