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Rajnath’s message to China: New India won’t tolerate aggression

Balakot Air Strikes
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

New Delhi (NVI): Sending out a message to China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said the “new India” is capable of responding to any transgression, aggression or any other unilateral action on borders.

Referring to the military faceoff on the Ladakh border created by China, he said India’s handling of the situation showed that the country is not weak and can give a befitting reply to any kind of transgression, aggression, or unilateral acts.

He said India favours peaceful resolution of disputes but will not tolerate any harm to its self-respect.

“You must be aware of the India-China standoff. Beijing’s behaviour during the COVID-19 goes on to show the intention of the country. However, we have shown that our country is now, no longer weak in any way,” the Defence Minister said addressing young officers of the Air Force during the graduation parade at Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad.

“This is new India that is willing to respond to any transgression, aggression or any unilateral action on borders,” Singh asserted, in a clear message to China.

The military faceoff began in May after China launched aggression in a bid to change the Line of Actual Control in the Ladakh sector. China mobilised tens of thousands of its troops at the border in a threatening manner, prompting India take reciprocal measures to safeguard its territorial integrity. The eyeball-to-eyeball situation continues even eight months after it began.

Eight rounds of talks at the level of senior military commanders, besides meetings at the levels of National Security Advisers, Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers have failed to end the faceoff.

India has been pressing for complete disengagement at all friction points on the Line of Actual Control but China is refusing to budge, thus leading to a stalemate.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has crossed 1 crore-mark and currently stands at 10,004,599 after 25,153 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll stands at 1,45,136 after 347 new fatalities were reported during the same period.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 18,88,767, followed by Karnataka with 9,07,123 cases and Andhra Pradesh with 8,77,806 positive cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 4,869

Andhra Pradesh- 8,77,86

Arunachal Pradesh- 16,611

Assam- 2,15,250

Bihar- 2,45,027

Chandigarh- 18,979

Chhattisgarh- 2,64,898

Dadra and Nagar Haveli– 3,362

Delhi- 6,14,775

Gujarat- 2,33,263

Goa- 49,849

Haryana– 2,56,477

Himachal Pradesh- 51,625

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,17,705

Jharkhand- 1,12,606

Karnataka- 9,07,123

Kerala- 6,93,865

Ladakh- 9,252

Madhya Pradesh- 2,29,130

Maharashtra- 18,88,767

Manipur- 27,540

Meghalaya- 13,189

Mizoram- 4,110

Nagaland- 11,832

Odisha- 3,25,505

Puducherry- 37,670

Punjab- 1,62,270

Rajasthan- 2,97,029

Sikkim- 5,439

Tamil Nadu- 8,04,650

Telangana- 2,80,822

Tripura- 33,144

Uttarakhand- 85,269

Uttar Pradesh- 5,72,196

West Bengal – 5,32,695

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 61

Andhra Pradesh- 7,070

Arunachal Pradesh- 55

Assam- 1,011

Bihar- 1,341

Chandigarh- 305

Chhattisgarh- 3,163

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 10,219

Goa- 718

Gujarat- 4,220

Haryana- 2,803

Himachal Pradesh- 867

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,833

Jharkhand- 1,008

Karnataka- 11,989

Kerala- 2,757

Ladakh- 124

Madhya Pradesh- 3,453

Maharashtra- 48,574

Manipur- 334

Meghalaya- 133

Mizoram- 7

Nagaland- 73

Odisha- 1,829

Puducherry- 623

Punjab- 5,170

Rajasthan- 2,599

Sikkim- 123

Tamil Nadu- 11,954

Telangana- 1,510

Tripura- 378

Uttar Pradesh- 8,154

Uttarakhand- 1,399

West Bengal- 9,277

However, a total of 95,50,712 people have been cured and discharged. The total active cases stands at 3,08,751 in the country.

-CHK

India holds bilateral talks with UK, discusses issues on UNSC agenda

Nirav Modi

New Delhi (NVI): India and the United Kingdom held bilateral consultations yesterday on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issues and discussed the detailed issues on UNSC agenda, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said today.

During the virtual consultations, Indian delegation briefed their UK counterparts on its priorities during its upcoming UNSC tenure, including reformed multilateralism and counter terrorism, the MEA said in a statement.

The UK side also informed India of its priorities during its upcoming Presidency of UNSC, including climate and security, and famine and hunger in conflict situations, it added.

In the statement, MEA also informed that, the UK delegation was led by James Kariuki, Director, Multilateral Policy Department of UK Commonwealth and Foreign Office and included other UK Foreign Ministry officials and representatives from their Missions in New York and New Delhi.

On the other hand, Indian side was led by Prakash Gupta, JS (UNP & Summits), Ministry of External Affairs and included other officials from MEA, PMI New York and Indian High Commission in London.

Furthermore, the UK congratulated India on its election to the UNSC and both sides discussed in detail a wide range of issues on the UN Security Council agenda.

The two nations agreed to work closely and continue their engagement on all issues under UNSC agenda over the next two years, the MEA added.

-RJV

Italy under new COVID-19 restrictions over Christmas, New Year

File photo

New Delhi (NVI): Italy will be placed under new COVID-19 restrictions over the Christmas and New Year periods from December 24, in an effort to combat a rise in coronavirus cases.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte made the announcement and said the country will be under “red-zone” restrictions over the public holidays of Christmas and New year from December 24 to January 6, according to the reports.

Under the new restrictions, non-essential shops, restaurants and bars will remain closed and Italians only allowed to travel for work, health, and emergency reasons till January 6.

Giuseppe Conte in a news conference stated, “It was not an easy decision to announce the anti-covid rules that will regulate Christmas holidays.”

The new rules were designed to allow the minimum socialisation that is suitable for this period, Conte said, adding that, “Our experts were seriously worried that there would be a jump in cases over Christmas. We therefore had to act.”

Moreover, at first slightly looser curbs will be in place from December 28 to 30 and on 4 January. On these days, people will be free to leave their houses but bars and restaurants will remain closed.

The Prime Minister also said that the launch of the vaccination drive later this month would mark the beginning of the end of this nightmare.

Furthermore, the ‘red-zone’ restrictions will be in place across Italy on 24 to 27 December 31 to 3 January and 5 to 6 January, while slightly less ‘orange zone’ restrictions will apply on December 28, 29 and 30 as well as on January 4.

During the period of ‘red zone’ restrictions people can leave the house only for reasons of work, necessity and health, Conte said.

He added, but these new restrictions will allow people to receive a maximum of two guests, not including people under the age of 14, in their homes and curfew from 22:00 to 05:00 will remain in place.

The announcement of the new restrictions followed days of wrangling in the governing coalition between those wanting a complete lockdown and others seeking limited action to help struggling businesses and allow families to meet.

So far, Italy has recorded the highest COVID-19 death toll in Europe, with close to 68,000 fatalities. The total number of coronavirus infections stands at 19,21,778 in the country.

-RJV

Most of northwest India to witness temperature rise over next 3 days: IMD

IMD
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The most parts of northwest India are likely to witness a increase in minimum temperature by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius during the next three days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

According to IMD’s weather bulletin, there will be no significant change in minimum temperature over parts of northwest India during next two days and then rise by two to three degrees Celsius subsequent three days and no change thereafter.

“Fall in minimum temperatures by three to four degrees Celsius over parts of central and east India during the next two days and no significant change thereafter,” the weather agency added.

During the next 24 hours, “Severe cold wave conditions to persist at many places likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi and northwest Rajasthan,” IMD said in its bulletin.

In addition, cold wave conditions also at isolated places over Jammu division, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in the next 24 hours and decrease thereafter, it added.

The Met department further said that dense fog in isolated pockets very likely over Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on December 20.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, the minimum temperature dropped to 3.9 degrees Celsius today morning, the lowest this season so far.

The maximum temperature in the national capital is likely to settle around 21 degrees Celsius, IMD said.

However, the national capital may get some relief from cold wave conditions as the IMD said that the temperatures were likely to increase for four days from December 20.

The Met department consider it to be a cold day when the minimum temperature drops below 10 degree Celsius and cold wave happen when it is below 4.5 degrees.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases surge past 75.6 million mark worldwide

Coronavirus cases surge past 85 million mark worldwide
(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): The global count of coronavirus cases has reached more than 75.6 million, with over 16,72,800 deaths reported, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Over 43 million patients have been cured and recovered from the deadly contagion globally.

In the US, the total number of coronavirus infections have reached more than 17.44 million, while the number of fatalities due to the virus have surpassed 3,13,200 in the country.

Brazil’s coronavirus cases has surpassed 7.16 million, while the country accounts for the second highest number of fatalities at 1,85,650.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 31,300 to 14,71,238, data from the Robert Koch Institute, while the reported death toll rose by 702 to 25,640 in the country.

Mexico city will impose extraordinary measures on residents to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The country has reported 1.3 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,17,249 fatalities.

Meanwhile, Italy will impose new lockdown over Christmas. Bars, restaurants and non-essential shops are to close nationwide from December 24 to 27 and December 31 to January 3, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced.

-RJV

India’s COVID tally crosses 1 crore-mark with 25,153 new cases

COVID cases
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): India’s coronavirus tally has crossed 1 crore-mark with addition of 25,153 new infections in the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health.

The overall caseload is now 10,004,599 with 5,12,665 active cases and 95,50,712 patients cured and discharged. Apart from that, 347 new COVID-related fatalities in the country took the overall death toll to 1,45,136.

India, which is the second worst-hit nation by the pandemic after US, now has a recovery rate of 95.4 per cent.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 18,88,767, followed by Karnataka with 9,07,123 cases and Andhra Pradesh with 8,77,806 positive cases.

Other states with a high virus hit included Tamil Nadu (8,04,650), Kerala (6,93,835) Uttar Pradesh (5,72,196) and Delhi (6,14,775).

Meanwhile, of the total deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 48,574 fatalities, followed by Karnataka with 11,989 deaths.

The death toll in the national capital surpassed to 10,219, while 5,93,137 patients have been cured and recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), over 16 crore samples tested for COVID-19 up to December 18. Of these, 11,71,868 samples were tested yesterday.

Furthermore, the Health Ministry has said getting vaccinated for COVID-19 for people in India will be voluntary and that the vaccine introduced in India will be as effective as any vaccine developed by other countries

 

RJV

Vaccination for Covid-19 is voluntary, says Health Ministry, lists SOPs

Vaccine Registration
Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI) The Union Health Ministry has said that getting a Covid-19 dose will be voluntary while assuring that the vaccine developed in India will be as effective as in any other country in the world.

The ministry said this in its recently released document to answer public queries in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

“Vaccination for Covid-19 is voluntary. However, it is advisable to receive the complete schedule of Covid-19 vaccine for protecting oneself against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease to the close contacts including family members, friends, relatives and co-workers,” the document said.

The Ministry also advised receiving a complete schedule of the anti-coronavirus vaccine irrespective of past history of infection with Covid-19. It said this will help in developing a strong immune response against the disease.

The protective level of antibodies generally develop two weeks after receiving the second dose, according to the ministry.

For the vaccination, the government would ideally like to cover everyone in phases, the priority group for Covid-19 vaccine delivery in phase 1 is being drafted keeping in mind vaccine availability.

The Health Ministry has also informed that people will have to continue following key Covid appropriate behaviours, such as wearing of mask, maintaining hand sanitisation and physical distance, even after vaccination.

-ARK

Modi writes condolence letter to Nawaz Sharif

Modi writes condolence letter to Nawaz Sharif

New Delhi (NVI) Amidst the deep chill in India-Pakistan relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a personal letter to former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, expressing condolences over the death of his mother and recalling his meeting with her in 2015.

Begum Shamim Akhtar passed away on November 22 and Modi sent the letter, through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, on November 27 to Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz for passing the message on to her father who is living in virtual exile in London.

The letter was leaked, possibly, by Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) along with the covering letter of Indian Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad Gaurav Ahluwalia, dated December 11.

“Dear Mian Sahib, I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of your mother Begum Shamim Akhtar on November 22 in London. My heartfelt condolences are with you in this hour of intense grief,” Modi wrote in the condolence letter.

Recalling his interaction with her during his brief visit to Lahore in December 2015, the Indian Prime Minister wrote, “Her simplicity and warmth was indeed very touching.”

Modi had paid a surprise visit to Lahore on December 25, 2015 on the occasion of birthday of Sharif, then Prime Minister of Pakistan.

The Indian Prime Minister, who had a stopover of few hours in Lahore on his return from Afghanistan visit, also attended the wedding ceremony of Sharif’s kin in Raiwind.

Sharif received Modi at Lahore airport and from there they flew to Raiwind together in a helicopter.

This was the first time an Indian Prime Minister visited Pakistan in more than a decade but first ever unscheduled visit.

Sharif, a three-time Prime Minister, was compelled to resign two years later because of some corruption cases, widely believed to have been falsely foisted on him by the Army. He has been living in London since November last year after the Lahore High Court granted him permission to go abroad for treatment of heart disease and immune system disorder.

India, Aus, Japan, US officials hold consultations on regional, global issues

India, Aus, Japan, US officials hold consultations on regional, global issues

New Delhi (NVI) Senior officials from the QUAD grouping of nations– India, Australia, Japan and the United States — today held a virtual conference and exchanged views on regional, global issues of common interest while reaffirming their commitment towards a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

Notably, the QUAD group had met in Tokyo on October 6 to ensure a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific, and counter the growing assertiveness of China in the region. Today’s meeting was a follow up on October’s Ministerial Meeting where the Indian side was represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (India), Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade of Australia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Department of State of the United States of America interacted through the video conference, MEA said.

They reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region based on shared values and principles and respect for international law especially the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea).

The officials exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest, at today’s meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. They also reviewed ongoing and proposed practical cooperation in the areas of connectivity and infrastructure development, and security issues, including counter-terrorism, cyber security, maritime security, humanitarian and disaster relief, with the objective of promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, it said.

In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, the officials underscored the importance of enhancing the resilience of supply chains for an expeditious and sustainable global economic recovery. They also highlighted the need to ensure safe, effective and affordable access to Covid-19 vaccines, MEA said.

In addition to this, the officials appreciated the Vietnamese chairmanship of the ASEAN and expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the 15th East Asia Summit held in November this year. They reiterated their firm support for ASEAN-Centrality and ASEAN-led mechanisms particularly the leaders-led East Asia Summit, in the regional architecture for the Indo-Pacific, and their readiness to work with ASEAN and all other countries towards realizing a common and promising vision for the Indo-Pacific, MEA said.

-ARK

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