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Coronavirus cases surpass 77.3 mn globally; death toll tops 17 lakh

Coronavirus
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): More than 77.3 million people around the world have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, while the death toll has crossed 17,02,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. Over 43.6 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease globally.

The number of coronavirus infections in the US have surpassed 18 million and currently stand at 18,034,214, while the number of fatalities caused due to the deadly contagion have exceeded 3,19,000 in the country.

Brazil’s coronavirus cases have crossed the 72 lakh-mark and stands at 7,263,619 while the number of deaths have surged past 1,87,000 in the country.

Furthermore, the Taiwanese government has announced that a locally transmitted coronavirus case in Taiwan has been confirmed – the first since April 12.

Meanwhile, Denmark has agreed on a temporary ban on mink breeding, leaving little hope to rebuild the industry, which pioneered the global fur trade.

Malaysia has signed a deal to procure 6.4 million doses of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Tuesday.

Mainland China recorded 15 new Covid-19 cases on December 21, compared with 23 the previous day, and will look to strengthen measures to prevent the arrival of a new strain of the coronavirus, the country’s health authority said.

Ontario on Monday announced a province-wide shutdown because of a second wave of Covid-19 in Canada’s most populous province. The lockdown will be put in place for southern Ontario from December 26 until January 23, but will lift for northern Ontario on January 9.

-CHK

Pak resorts to ceasefire violation in J&K’s Poonch

Narco smuggling
Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir (File Pic)

Srinagar (NVI): Pakistani troops today resorted to ceasefire violation (CFV) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mankote sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, defence officials said.

The Pakistani Army shelled the Mankote area at around 9.30 am, they added.

“At about 0930 hours, Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with Small Arms & shelling with Mortars along LoC in Mankote sector in District Poonch (J&K),” they said, adding that the Indian Army retaliated befittingly.

Yesterday, Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire in Balakote sector of Poonch district at around 7.40 pm.

-CHK

India’s Covid tally reaches 1.07 crore with 19,556 new cases

(File/Representational Image)

New Delhi (NVI): India has registered 19,556 fresh coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall caseload to 10,075,116, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

This the first time since July 2 when the daily coronavirus cases have fallen below 20,000 in India.

The country’s death toll due to the virus rose to 1,46,111, with 301 patients succumbing to the infection since yesterday.

Currently, 96,36,487 patients have been cured an recovered all over the country, while the active cases remained below 3 lakh mark and stands at 2,92,518. With this, the national recovery rate improved to 95.65 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases increased to 18,99,352 followed by Karnataka with 9,10,241 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 8,78,937 cases.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 48,801 followed by 12,061 in Karnataka and 11,995 in Tamil Nadu.

The other worst affected states are Tamil Nadu (8,07,962), Kerala (7,09,292), Delhi (6,17,808) and Uttar Pradesh (5,75,621).

Meanwhile, the death toll in the national capital rose to 10,304, while 5,98,249 patients in Delhi have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, more than 16.31 crore samples tested for COVID-19 up to December 21. Out of these, 10,72,228 samples were tested yesterday.

Furthermore, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray yesterday announced a seven-hour night curfew in all municipal corporation areas of the state. The curfew, from 11 pm to 6 am, will come into force from December 22 and be effective till January 6.

 

-RJV

US: Joe Biden receives his first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

Joe Biden receives first dose of Covid-19 vaccine on live television

New Delhi (NVI): US President-elect Joe Biden has received his first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine live on television, saying he was getting the jab to show Americans it is safe to take.

Biden joins a growing number of political leaders getting the jab, including Vice-President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Tabe Masa, Nurse Practitioner and Head of Employee Health Services at Christiana Care Hospital, administered the vaccine. Dr Jill Biden, having already received the first course of the vaccine earlier in the day, was also present on the occasion.

“Today, I received the COVID-19 vaccine. To the scientists and researchers who worked tirelessly to make this possible – thank you. We owe you an awful lot,” Joe Biden said in a tweet.

“And to the American people – know there is nothing to worry about. When the vaccine is available, I urge you to take it,” he said.

Meanwhile, more than 500,000 Americans are said to have now been vaccinated.

So far, the US has recorded more than 18 million cases and 3,19,000 deaths.

-CHK

2 LeT militants surrender after gunfight in J&K’s Kulgam

2 LeT militants surrender after gunfight in J&K's Kulgam
(Representational/file image)

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police today morning claimed that two Laskar-e-Taiba militants surrendered before Joint Forces after a brief exchange of fire in South Kashmir’s Kulgam.

Official sources said that after receiving input about the presence of militants in Tangdonu village of Kulgam district, Joint Forces including soldiers from 34 Rashtriya Rifles laid siege around it.

During search operation, hiding militants fired upon Joint Forces, triggering an encounter.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar also informed that, militants were persuaded to surrender, their family members were brought on spot and both the trapped militants surrendered.

He declined to reveal the identity of the surrendered militants, but said that both surrendered militants were involved in the murder of a security guard of Peoples Democratic Party leader Haji Parvez.

“Personal Security Officer (PSO) Manzoor Ahmed was killed recently by militants in Natipora, Srinagar. A newly joined militant had made an audio viral, claiming his hand in the killing of PDP leader’s PSO,” he added.

Kumar further said 12 militants have surrendered this year before the Joint Forces.

-RJV

PM Modi awarded Legion of Merit by US President Trump

PM Modi awarded Legion of Merit by US President Trump
Taranjit Singh Sandhu receiving award from Robert O’Brien on behalf of PM Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the prestigious Legion of Merit by US President Donald Trump for his steadfast leadership and for India’s emergence as a global power.

The award was received on behalf of the prime minister by the Ambassador of India to US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement.

In a tweet, US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien informed that, “President Donald Trump presented the Legion of Merit to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the US India strategic partnership. Ambassador Sandhu Taranjit S accepted the medal on behalf of Prime Minister Modi.”

PM Modi was also given the award in recognition of his exemplary contribution made by him for the advancement of the India-United States strategic partnership and promoting global peace and prosperity, the MEA said.

During the award ceremony, the Legion of Merit was also awarded to the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, and former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe.

The Legion of Merit, in the highest degree of the Chief Commander, is a prestigious award conferred by the President of the United States, typically upon heads of state or heads of government of other countries, the statement read.

-RJV

EESL to install 52,000 LED streetlights in MP’s Gwalior city

EESL to install 52,000 LED streetlights in MP's Gwalior city

New Delhi (NVI): Under its Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), EESL today signed an agreement with Gwalior Municipal Corporation in Madhya Pradesh to install 52,000 LED streetlights in the city.

The agreement was signed by GMC CEO Jayati Singh. “Under our #SLNP programme, we’ve signed an agreement with @smartgwalior to install 52,000 LED streetlights in the city. The agreement was signed by their CEO, Ms. Jayati Singh,” EESL said in a tweet.

Pertinent to mention here that Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture by Power PSUs, is engaged in its efforts to build a sustainable India through its several initiatives.

Recently, EESL’s UJALA, Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) and National E-Mobility Programme won prestigious Elets Awards of Digital Excellence.

EESL’s Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) won the award under the Environmental Sustainability category.

Vietnam an important pillar of India’s Act East policy: PM Modi at virtual summit

Vietnam an important pillar of India's Act East policy: PM Modi at virtual summit

New Delhi (NVI): Amidst the India China border stand-off and Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that Vietnam is an important pillar of India’s Act East policy and an important ally of New Delhi’s Indo-Pacific vision.

The Prime Minister was speaking at India-Vietnam Virtual Summit in which his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc also participated.


“We see our relationship with Vietnam from a long-term and strategic view. Peace, stability and prosperity are our common objectives in the Indo-Pacific region. Our partnership can contribute significantly to maintain stability and peace in the region,” PM Modi said.

On the occasion, India and Vietnam also signed key pacts for cooperation in areas such as defence, petrochemicals and nuclear energy. The two sides also unveiled a joint vision for peace and prosperity in the wake of China’s aggressive growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote: “Held a Virtual Summit H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, PM of Vietnam. We reviewed our cooperation on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues, and adopted a ‘Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People’ to give direction to our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

A ‘Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People’ document was also adopted during the Summit, to guide the future development of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both leaders also welcomed the signing of a Plan of Action for period 2021-2023 to implement the Joint Vision, the PMO said in a statement.

Bot the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation against common global challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic. They agreed to maintain active cooperation for ensuring access to vaccines against the pandemic.

Based on strong convergence of views on many global and regional issues, the leaders decided that India and Vietnam would coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including at the UN Security Council, where they will serve concurrently in 2021, the PMO said.

PM Modi also agreed to explore new and practical collaborations in the maritime domain based on convergence between India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region.

He reaffirmed India’s commitment to its development and capacity building partnership with Vietnam, through initiatives such as Quick Impact Projects, ITEC and e-ITEC initiatives, PhD fellowships, as well as projects to support Vietnam’s SDGs, digital connectivity and heritage conservation efforts.

Both Prime Ministers appreciated the successful implementation of the US$ 100 million Defence Line of Credit extended by Government of India to Vietnam, and the completion of seven Development Projects with Indian ‘Grant-in-Aid’ Assistance for the benefit of local community in Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan province.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed special satisfaction about the restoration and conservation work of the My Son temple complex in Vietnam, recently carried out by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and offered to work with Vietnam in other similar projects.

-ARK

Pak violates ceasefire in Balakote sector of Poonch

Mankote sector

Jammu (NVI): In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistan today targeted Balakote sector of Poonch district along Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir while resorting to mortar shelling and small arms fire, defence officials said.

The Pakistani troops shelled the Balakote area at around 7.40 pm in the evening, they said.

“Pak violated Ceasefire in Balakote sector in Poonch on 21 Dec 2020, at about 1940 hours Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with Small Arms & intense shelling with Mortars along LoC in Balakote sector in District Poonch (J&K),” the officials said, adding the Indian Army retaliated befittingly.

Earlier on Friday, Pakistani troops had violated ceasefire along LoC in Mendhar sector of Poonch district.

-ARK

New Covid-19 strain: Maharashtra announces night curfew till Jan 5

New Covid-19 strain: Maharashtra announces night curfew till Jan 15

New Delhi (NVI): In the wake of a new coronavirus strain emerging in the United Kingdom, the Maharashtra government today decided to impose a night curfew in all municipal corporation limits of the State from December 22 to January 5.

The night curfew will remain in force from 11 pm to 6 am. The Maharashtra government has also decided to keep all travellers from European and Middle-Eastern countries in institutional quarantine for 14 days.

However, people landing from other countries will be asked to home quarantine themselves, according to the state government.

Passengers coming in from European and Middle-Eastern countries will have to undergo COVID-19 RT-PCR test on the fifth or seventh day of their arrival in Maharashtra, according to reports.

The announcement was made by Maharashtra Chief Minister at a meeting chaired by him to review the coronavirus situation in the state and implementation of preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.

Apart from that, it was announced in the meeting that independent hospitals will be arranged for passengers who display symptoms of the new, mutated form of COVID-19 virus.

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