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India not ‘historically responsible’ for climate change: Javadekar

New Delhi (NVI): India is not historically responsible for climate change but is still taking steps to reduce emissions as a responsible country and member of the global community, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.

“India’s contribution to Climate Change is only 3 per cent, so India is not responsible for this problem, but still as a responsible country, we have involved ourselves to find a solution,” Javadekar said on the eve of the fifth year of Paris Climate agreement.

“Climate Change is not one thing that has resulted because of recent actions, it is the historical actions,” Javadekar said while mentioning that historically, the USA has 25% of all emissions, Europe has 22% whereas China has 13% and India, only 3%.

The Environment Minister further said that India is one of the few countries which are Paris Agreement compliant. “Our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) will lead to less than 2 degree rise in temperature,” he said.

“We had committed to reduce emission intensity of GDP by 33-35% by 2030, of which we have already achieved 21% and remaining will be achieved in next 10 years,” Javadekar added.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries have committed to a long-term goal of limiting average temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to make efforts to limit it even further to 1.5 Celsius.

 -ARK

Terrorist hideout busted in Kashmir’s Shopian

Terrorist hideout busted in Kashmir's Shopian

Srinagar (NVI): A terrorist hideout was busted today in South Kashmir’s Shopian by security forces during a Cordon and Search Operation, defence officials said.

The hideout was busted by security forces including Army’s 62 Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operation Group of J&K Police in the upper forest belt of Herpora area in Shopian, they said.

An official said blankets, utensils and some food were present in the hideout. He said the hideout was dismantled and the stuff in it was seized.

Joint Forces have busted hundreds of militant hideouts across Kashmir Valley in past.

India-Myanmar hold bilateral meet on drug control cooperation

New Delhi (NVI): India and Myanmar held a fifth level Bilateral Meeting on drug control and cooperation, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The meeting was held virtually yesterday, between the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India, and the Central Committee on Drug Abuse Control, Myanmar.

Indian delegation was led by Director-General, Narcotics Control Bureau, Rakesh Asthana and the Myanmar delegation led by Police Brig- Gen Win Naing, Joint Secretary of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and Commander of Drug Enforcement Division, participated in the meeting via videoconference.

During the meeting, Rakesh Asthana, highlighted issues particularly the trafficking of Heroin and Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

Asthana also said, “High prevalence of drug abuse in the North Eastern States abutting the Myanmar border is a major cause of concern for India. Apart from porosity of the India-Myanmar border, drug trafficking through the maritime route in Bay of Bengal has emerged as a new challenge for both countries.”

He added that, NCB has remained committed towards strengthening the existing mechanism of sharing information and assistance with Myanmar, for combating the drug menace in the region.

Meanwhile, Win Naing elaborated on the growing threat of the production of yaba tablets (methamphetamine) which has caused a grave concern in the region, even though the cooperation mechanism between Myanmar and India has been enhanced over the past years.

He also urged India to develop frequent information exchange on trafficking of drugs and precursor smuggling activities at every level. The Commander of the DED complimented the Government of India and the NCB for their continuous efforts to combat the growing threat of the drug menace.

The two countries agreed on the exchange of intelligence information in a timely manner to conduct follow-up investigations in drug seizure cases, new psychotropic substances and their precursors, the statement further said.

They also agreed to conduct Border Level Officers or Field Level Officers meetings on regular basis between frontline officers to strengthen the existing cooperation on drug law enforcement, it added.

It was decided to exchange information on illegal entry and exit points of illicit drug trafficking on the Myanmar-India borders and information on technology being used to interdict drug trafficking.

However, the meeting was concluded with constructive and meaningful discussions and committed to such cooperation in the future, with the decision to hold the sixth bilateral meeting on drug control cooperation in India next year.

 

-RJV

Prez pays tribute to Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind, today paid homage to Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India on his 85th birth anniversary.

Kovind as well as officials of Rashtrapati Bhavan paid floral tributes in front of a portrait of Pranab Mukherjee, President’s Secretariat said in a statement.

Mukherjee was born on December 11, 1935, in the village of Mirati in Birbhum District of West Bengal. He started his political career when he founded the Bangla Congress in 1967.

On August 31 this year, Mukherjee passed away at the Delhi’s Army Hospital where he was admitted after undergoing surgery for removal of a clot in his brain. He had also tested positive for COVID-19.

In 2019, Mukherjee was awarded Bharat Ratna by President Ram Nath Kovind for contribution to the Indian politics.

-RJV

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India crossed 97 lakh-mark and currently stands at 97,96,770 after 29,398 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll stands at 1,42,186 after 414 new fatalities were reported during the same period.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 18,68,172, followed by Karnataka with 8,97,801 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 8,73,995 positive cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 4,791

Andhra Pradesh- 8,73,995

Arunachal Pradesh- 16,479

Assam- 2,14,305

Bihar- 2,40,572

Chandigarh- 18,410

Chhattisgarh- 2,52,638

Dadra and Nagar Haveli– 3,354

Delhi- 6,01,150

Gujarat- 2,24,081

Goa- 49,131

Haryana– 2,49,329

Himachal Pradesh- 47,703

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,14,773

Jharkhand- 1,11,003

Karnataka- 8,97,801

Kerala- 6,54,041

Ladakh- 9,071

Madhya Pradesh- 2,19,893

Maharashtra- 18,68,172

Manipur- 26,685

Meghalaya- 12,586

Mizoram- 4,008

Nagaland- 11,602

Odisha- 3,22,642

Puducherry- 37,363

Punjab- 1,58,556

Rajasthan- 2,87,219

Sikkim- 5,264

Tamil Nadu- 7,95,240

Telangana- 2,76,516

Tripura- 32,997

Uttarakhand- 80,486

Uttar Pradesh- 5,61,161

West Bengal – 5,13,752

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 61

Andhra Pradesh- 7,047

Arunachal Pradesh- 55

Assam- 999

Bihar- 1,307

Chandigarh- 298

Chhattisgarh- 3,054

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 9,874

Goa- 703

Gujarat- 4,135

Haryana- 2,676

Himachal Pradesh- 773

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,775

Jharkhand- 993

Karnataka- 11,912

Kerala- 2,533

Ladakh- 122

Madhya Pradesh- 3,373

Maharashtra- 47,972

Manipur- 318

Meghalaya- 123

Mizoram- 6

Nagaland- 68

Odisha- 1,794

Puducherry- 617

Punjab- 5,007

Rajasthan- 2,500

Sikkim- 118

Tamil Nadu- 11,853

Telangana- 1,485

Tripura- 374

Uttar Pradesh- 8,011

Uttarakhand- 1,332

West Bengal- 8,916

However, a total of 92,90,834 people have been cured and discharged. The total active cases stands at 3,63,749 in the country.

-CHK

US FDA advisory panel recommends emergency approval of Pfizer Covid vaccine

New Delhi (NVI): An advisory panel to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended the emergency approval of a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

The recommendation is expected to signal that the first approval of a Covid-19 vaccine for use in the US is imminent. That would mark a major milestone in a pandemic that has killed more than 285,000 Americans and 1.5 million people globally.

Shots could begin within days, depending on how quickly the Food and Drug Administration signs off, as expected, on the expert committee’s recommendation.

In a 17-4 vote with one abstention, the government advisers concluded that the vaccine from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech appears safe and effective for emergency use in adults and teenagers 16 and older.

The independent review by non-government experts in vaccine development, infectious diseases and medical statistics was considered critical to boosting Americans’ confidence in the safety of the shot, which was developed at breakneck speed less than a year after the virus was identified.

Pfizer has said it will have about 25 million doses of the two-shot vaccine for the U.S. by the end of December.

But initial supplies will be limited and reserved primarily for health care workers and nursing home residents, with other vulnerable groups next in line until the shots become widely available on demand, something that will probably not happen until the spring.

Experts estimate at least 70% of the U.S. population will have to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, the point at which the virus can be held in check. That means it could be several months before things start get back to normal and Americans can put away their masks.

Meanwhile, FDA next week will review a second vaccine, from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health, that appears about as protective as Pfizer-BioNTech’s shot. A third candidate, from Johnson & Johnson, which would require just one dose, is working its way through the pipeline. Behind that is a candidate from AstraZeneca and Oxford University

-CHK

Int’l Mountain Day: History & theme

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): International Mountain Day is observed every year on December 11 globally, to bring focus to the sustainable development and conversation of mountains.

This day also highlight the importance of mountains in human life. The observance of International Mountain Day aims to create awareness amongst people and educate them about the dangers the environment faces in the current scenario.

United Nations declare 2002 the UN International Year of Mountains, with the increasing attention to the importance of mountains. The first international day was celebrated for the first time the following year, 2003.

Every year, the day is celebrated with a specific theme. The official theme of International Mountain Day 2020 is ‘Mountain Biodiversity’, which aims to celebrate the rich biodiversity of the mountains and also address the threats they face.

Mountains are some of the most fascinating landscapes in the world. They are home to about 15 per cent of the world’s population an half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots are on mountains.

They are also the source of freshwater for everyday life to half of the human population. Also, their conservation is a key factor for sustainable development and is part of Goal 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases exceed 69.5 mn worldwide; US sees highest daily deaths

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): More than 69.5 million people around the world have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, while the death toll has crossed 15,81,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. Over 44.8 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease globally.

The US recorded its highest level of coronavirus deaths in a single day, just two weeks after the Thanksgiving holiday period when health experts warned Americans not to travel or gather.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus infections in the US have surpassed 15.6 million while the number of fatalities due to the deadly contagion have crossed 2,92,000.

Brazil’s coronavirus cases have crossed the 67 lakh-mark and stands at 6,781,799 while the number of deaths have surged past 1,79,000 in the country.

Countries that have ordered more Covid-19 vaccines than they need should consider distributing excess doses to Africa, the head of the continent’s disease control body said.

Furthermore, Israel abandoned Covid-19 curfew plan ahead of Hanukkah. Israel reversed plans to impose a night-time curfew meant to prevent a new wave of coronavirus infections, minutes before the start of a Jewish holiday.

-CHK

Mumbai, adjoining areas receive light showers, cloudy weather for next 2 days

New Delhi (NVI): Mumbai and adjoining areas received light showers this morning, bringing a drop in temperature and some respite from the heat.

According to the reports, along with Mumbai, adjoining Palghar, Thane and Raigad districts also witnessed light showers.

“Sion, Kurla, Wadala, Kalyan, Ambernath, Badlapur experienced drizzle and cooler climate,” reports added.

IMD Mumbai Centre Deputy Director General K S Hosalikar on Twitter said that the showers are a result of the formation of a low-pressure area in SE and adjoining SW Arabian Sea. He also added that there would be cloudy weather over the west coast and over North Konkan.

“Light Drizzle reported. Today mainly cloudy sky, but no threat,” he added.

Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Mumbai will witness a cloudy sky with rain or thundershowers towards the later half of the day.

IMD Mumbai further said that generally expect a cloudy sky with the possibility of rain or thundershowers for the next 48 hours.

According to the Met department, Mumbai had recorded the season’s lowest minimum temperature last week, signalling the beginning of winter, but the mercury may not drop further due to the formation of the low-pressure area in the Arabian Sea.

However, the minimum temperature was recorded at 24.4 degrees Celsius today, 5.6 degrees Celsius above normal, in the suburbs.

-RJV

India’s Covid tally nears 98 lakh; death toll mounts to 1.42 lakh

COVID tally
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): India has reported 29,398 fresh coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the overall caseload to 97,96,770, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

The country’s death toll has reached to 1,42,186 with 414 fatalities reported during this period.

So far, 92,90,834 patients have been cured and recovered all over the country while active cases remained below 3.70 lakh and stands at 3,63,749.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 18,68,172, followed by Karnataka with 8,97,801 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 8,73,995 positive cases.

Other states with a high virus hit included Tamil Nadu (7,95,240), Kerala (6,54,041) and Uttar Pradesh (5,61,161).

Meanwhile, of the total deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 47,972 fatalities, followed by Tamil Nadu with 11,853 deaths.

Delhi reported 1,575 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, taking the tally to 6,01,150, while the death toll from the virus has reached 9,874 in the national capital.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, more than 15.1 crore samples tested for COVID-19 up to December 10.

Furthermore, the Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla reviewed the arrangements for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and asked the state and UTs to prepare a database of the frontline workers who will receive the vaccine during the initial stages.

-RJV

 

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