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Tue, 15 September 2020
BMC to visit 40L families under COVID campaign
Timeline Refresh
23:24 BMC to visit 40L families under COVID campaign
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Tuesday launched `My Family My Responsibility' campaign for spreading awareness about coronavirus.
It is part of a statewide campaign of the Maharashtra government.
The BMC is aiming to reach 40 lakh households in the city under the campaign, the civic body said in a release, appealing people to cooperate with the teams visiting them.
5,000 teams -- each team comprisinga BMC health department personnel and two volunteers, one male and one female, will go from door to door.
The teams will check body temperature of each member of the household using thermal guns and oxygen saturation level using oximeter.
If any person is found to have COVID-19 symptoms, he or she will be admitted to a nearby hospital.
The teams will also distribute leaflets providing information about COVID-19 and tell people about the precautions to be taken to avoid contracting the virus.
Municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal on Tuesday conducted an online meeting with ward officers for effective implementation of the campaign, said the release.
-- PTI
22:43 Talent manager Jaya Saha, Shruti Modi asked to join NCB probe
The Narcotics Control Bureau on Tuesday issued summonses to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's former manager Shruti Modi and talent manager Jaya Saha, asking them to join its investigation on Wednesday, an official said.
The NCB is investigating drugs angle in the Sushant death case.
To get a clear picture on some aspects of the case, the NCB has summoned Shruti Modi and Jaya Saha to join its investigation, the official said.
Both have been asked to remain present on Wednesday before the NCB team investigating the drugs case, he said.
So far, the apex drug law enforcement agency has arrested 18 persons, including actress Rhea Chakraborty, Rajput's girlfriend, and her brother.
-- PTI
22:27 155 healthcare staff died due to COVID: Govt
As many as 155 healthcare staff, including 64 doctors, have died due to coronavirus, according to 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19' which provides relief in case of death of such workers, Parliament was told on Tuesday.
Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey was responding to a question on the number of healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses, support staff and ASHA workers, affected by the disease.
He told Rajya Sabha that 'health' is a state subject and "such data is not maintained at central level.
Choubey, however, said the database of those seeking relief under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Insurance package is maintained at the national level.
A total of 155 healthcare workers died due to COVID-19 as on September 11. These include 21 healthcare workers, including six doctors from Maharashtra, followed by 14 each from Gujarat and West Bengal, and 12 from Arunachal Pradesh and 10 from Tamil Nadu, he said.
-- PTI
22:09 Army officer among 3 hurt in Pak shelling at LoC
Three army men including a Major were injured as Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling and small arms fire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district on Tuesday.
Sources said Pakistan initiated the ceasefire violation in Sunderbani sector in the afternoon. The injured have been shifted to a hospital.
Defence PRO Lt Colonel Devender Anand said some injuries have been reported.
Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars, he said, adding the Indian Army retaliated befittingly.
21:44 US will see Covid vaccine within weeks, says Trump
The US president has promised there will be a coronavirus vaccine within weeks. Im not doing it for political reasons. I want the vaccine fast Donald Trump said.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the governments top infectious disease expert, has said he is cautiously optimistic a vaccine will be approved by the end of the year or early next year. But Fauci has also emphasized the vaccine will likely not be widely distributed until well into 2021.
21:26 India walks out of SCO meet over Pak map
India on Tuesday walked out of a meeting of the national security advisors of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member countries in protest after the Pakistani representative used a "fictitious" map showing Indian territories as part of Pakistan.
"This was in blatant disregard to the advisory by the host against it and in violation of the norms of the meeting. After consultation with the host, the Indian side left the meeting in protest at that juncture," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
The virtual meeting was chaired by Russia.
"As was to be expected, Pakistan then went on to present a misleading view of this meeting," Srivastava said responding to a query on the issue.
Government sources said the Pakistani action was "blatant violation" of the SCO charter and against all its established norms of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of SCO member states.
They said the Indian side issued its strong objection to the use of the illegal map by Pakistan and even the Russian side tried very hard to persuade the Pakistani representative not to do so.
Pakistan was represented at the meet by Moeed W Yusuf, Special Assistant to the prime minister on national security.
Nikolai Patrushev, the Secretary of the National Security Council of Russia, conveyed that he was personally very grateful to Indian NSA Ajit Doval for attending the meet, the sources said.
They said Russia does not support what Pakistan has done and hopes that Pakistan's "provocative" act will not affect India's participation in SCO and not cast any shadow on Patrushev's warm personal relationship with the Indian NSA for whom he said he has the "highest regard".
-- PTI
21:09 Maha adds 20,482 COVID-19 cases; 515 die
Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally rose to 10,97,856 on Tuesday with addition of 20,482 new cases, state health department said.
With 515 deaths in the last 24 hours, the total toll in the state went up to 30,409, it said.
A total of 19,423 patients were discharged after treatment during the day, taking the number of recoveries in the state to 7,75,273, it said, adding that the state now has 2,91,797 active cases.
Mumbai city reported 1,586 cases in the day, taking its count to 1,73,596 while the cumulative death toll rose to 8,230.
The state has so far conducted 54,09,060 tests.
-- PTI
20:54 Coronavirus re-infection is very rare: ICMR DG
The Indian Council of Medical Research DG Dr Balram Bhargava said on Tuesday said that re-infection with coronavirus is very rare.
"Re-infection is very rare with COVID-19. We have seen re-infection occurs in case of measles and (if) someone gets measles, he needs to be protected all his life from measles even though he generates certain anti-bodies," Dr Bhargava said at a press conference.
"Similarly, we can have re-infection in COVID-19 as it is being described by the case in Hong Kong. It is not a matter of concern. One point be noted that whenever re-infection occurs, earlier symptoms would have been mild, Dr Bhargava said.
A Hong Kong man, who recovered from COVID-19 was infected again four-and-a-half months later after the first infection in the first documented instance of human re-infection last month, researchers at the University of Hong Kong reported.
The expert group at Centre for Disease Control, US Department of Health, in its guidance note recently said that "re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been definitively confirmed in any recovered persons to date. If, and if so when, persons can be re-infected with the SARS-CoV-2 remains unknown and is a subject of investigation."
However, this does not mean that people once infected with the virus can be said to have developed immunity against re-infection, it said
In India over 38.5 lakh persons have recovered from COVID-19, one of the highest in the world, health ministry said on Tuesday.
-- ANI
20:39 Rajnath to address Rajya Sabha tomorrow at 11 am
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the Upper House of Parliament at 11 am tomorrow.
The defence minister had brief Lok Sabha on India-China standoff on Tuesday.
Firmly articulating the country's position on the tense border row with China in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Beijing has been very clearly conveyed that any attempt to "unilaterally" change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control is not at all acceptable, and that India's armed forces are ready to deal with "all contingencies" in the high-altitude region.
20:21 Meet NYCs new health commissioner -- Dave Chokshi
Dave Chokshi was named as the new commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Tuesday.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed him to the role following the resignation of former Commissioner Oxiris Barbot.
Here are five things to know about the man who will help lead the citys ongoing efforts to keep New Yorkers safe from the coronavirus.
Read the full article HERE
20:08 17 inside Delhi BJP office test COVID positive
Seventeen people, including staff and their family members living inside the Delhi BJP office, have tested positive for COVID-19 following which the premises will remain closed for sanitisation on Wednesday, party leaders said.
Delhi BJP media cell head Ashok Goel said no party leader or office has tested positive for COVID-19.
"All the staff members and their families who live on the Delhi BJP office premises were tested through rapid antigen test on Tuesday. Seventeen of them including a guard, a driver and two peons have tested positive," Goel said.
He said all the people who have tested positive were sent to a COVID care centre and the office premises will be thoroughly sanitised on Wednesday.
Party leaders said driver of Delhi BJP organisation secretary Siddharthan also tested positive for COVID-19. However, Siddharthan has tested negative, they said.
Four days back, a peon of the Delhi BJP office was tested for COVID-19. He tests results came positive on Monday.
The party had decided to test all the staff members and their families after that, Goel said.
He said all those who came in contact with the positive persons have been advised to get tested and follow preventive measures.
-- PTI
Kamala Harris
19:46 Who will get the Indian American votes?
If you've wondered why both US President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden have been making a strong pitch for the Indian American community in the presidential elections, Deepak Raj and Neil Makhija offer a clue in their article in nj.com.
'Indian Americans register and vote at high rates. There are projected to be 1.4 million Indian American voters in this year's election. More important, their numbers are growing in critical states,' they write.
'According to data from APIA Vote, which works to increase political participation among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, there will be an increase of roughly 12% in eligible Indian American voters in swing states from 2018 to this year. This year, the group says, there will be 193,000 eligible Indian American voters in Florida (where Donald Trump won in 2016 by 113,000), 156,000 in Pennsylvania (Trump by 44,000), 150,000 in Georgia (Trump by 211,000), and 125,000 in Michigan (Trump by 11,000).'
While in the 2016 election, '77% of Indian Americans voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton,' they point out, 'Trump thinks he can persuade Indian Americans to vote Republican this fall. His reelection campaign has been running social media ads targeting Indian voters, praising Indian Americans as business and technology leaders and touting Trump's budget-busting tax cuts.'
However, 'Indian Americans, largely recent immigrants and their families, with a globalized outlook and commitment to social justice, are more sympathetic to Democratic positions.'
And if that was not enough, 'Seeing Kamala Harris, a fellow Indian American, on the ticket will cement that alliance,' they write, here.
19:23 Arunachal's CM Pema Khandu tests COVID positive
Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, tested positive for COVID-19 today.
"I had undergone Covid test RT-PCR and have tested positive for Covid19. I am asymptomatic and feeling healthy. However as per SOP and safety of others, I am self isolating myself and request everyone who came in contact with me to adhere to the SOP, Pema Khandu posted on Twitter.
Earlier, former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, and Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also tested positive for the dreaded COVID-19.
19:20 Delhi registers 4263 new cases, 36 deaths in 24 hours
Delhi recorded 4263 new coronavirus cases and 36 deaths due to Covid-19 in last 24 hours.
Even as Indias coronavirus tally keeps rising every single day, the silver lining seems to be the declining fatality rate which currently stands at 1.64 per cent.
18:50 Over 1,600 Indian cos received $1 bn from China
More than 1,600 Indian companies have received foreign direct investments worth USD 1 billion from China during the April 2016 to March 2020 period, according to government data.
The data was provided in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday to a question on whether it is a fact that large scale investments have been made by Chinese agencies in Indian companies, specially the start-ups.
Over 1,600 companies received USD 1,020.25 million (USD 1.02 billion) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows from China for the April 2016 to March 2020 period, as per the data.
These companies were in 46 sectors. Out of them, the automobile industry, printing of books (including litho printing industry), electronics, services and electrical equipment received more than USD 100 million FDI each from China during the said period.
The automobile industry received the maximum FDI from China at USD 172 million. The services sector attracted such funds worth USD 139.65 million, the data showed.
In the written reply, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur said the corporate affairs ministry does not maintain information regarding the investment made by Chinese agencies.
He said the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has informed that FDI Data Cell compiles and maintains the data of FDI reported through equity inflow in the country.
The relevant data for the April 2016 to March 2020 period was provided along with the written reply.
Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. -- PTI
18:44 138 terrorists killed in JK in last 6 months: govt
As many as 138 terrorists were killed by security forces between March and August this year, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said Jammu and Kashmir has been affected by terrorism, which is sponsored and supported from across the border, for more than the last three decades.
Reddy said that the government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards
terrorism and the security forces are taking effective and continuous action in countering terrorism.
"As a result, 138 terrorists have been neutralised in Jammu and Kashmir from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. During this period of six months, 50 security force personnel have attained martyrdom in terrorist related incidents and ceasefire violations, cross border firings in Jammu and Kashmir," he said replying to a written question.
There were 176 attempts of infiltration from across the border from August 2019 to July 2020 and 111 were successful, he added. -- PTI
18:44 4,132 paramilitary die on duty in 3 years: MHA
A total of 4,132 paramilitary personnel died during duty between 2017 and 2019, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the deaths include gazetted officers, subordinate officers and other ranks.
The highest number of personnel who died during their service period belonged to the CRPF (1,597), followed by 725 of the BSF, 671 of the CISF, 429 of the ITBP, 329 of the SSB and 381 of the Assam Rifles, he said replying to a written question. -- PTI
18:18 Celebs praise Jaya Bachchan over her Parl speech
Rajya Sabha MP and veteran actor Jaya Bachchan on Tuesday came in for fulsome praise from many of her colleagues in Bollywood for raising her voice in the House against those defaming the Hindi film industry.
Though Bachchan did not take any names in her speech in the Rajya Sabha, her remarks came a day after BJP's Lok Sabha MP and Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan said there was a problem of drug addiction in the film industry. She also said she completely disagrees with those who term the entertainment industry a "gutter".
While the Producers Guild of India as well as Anubhav Sinha, Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor and Tapsee Pannu were among those who lauded Bachchan, actor Kangana Ranaut put out a caustic tweet criticising her for the speech.
Ranaut, in the news for her provocative comments, has claimed the movie mafia is behind actor Sushan Singh Rajput's death and called Bollywood a gutter.
Bachchan said the entertainment industry provides direct employment everyday to five lakh people.
"I was really embarrassed and ashamed that yesterday (September 14) one of our members in the Lok Sabha, who is from the industry, spoke. I am not taking names. It is a shame," Bachchan said in a clear reference to Kishan's statement on the alleged Bollywood drug cartel.
"Jis thali mein khate hai usme chhed karte hai. Galat baat hai," she said, referring to a popular Hindi proverb translating to biting the hands that feed you.
Sharing her speech, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha wrote on Twitter, "I send my greetings to Jaya ji. For those who don't know, please see this. This is how spine looks like."
Kapoor said, "I want to be her when I grow up."
Bachchan said the film industry always stood with the government in various initiatives.
"I hope the government tells these people who have made their earning, name and fame in this industry to stop using such language
"I think it is very very important that the government must support this industry and not kill it. Just because there are few people, you cannot tarnish the image of the entire industry."
Pannu said she agreed with Bachchan that the industry has always extended a helping hand in times of crisis and it was now payback time.
"For we have always stood by the initiatives, causes and awareness campaigns. It's time for payback. Hitting the nail on its head and how! Yet again a woman from the industry spoke up #Respect," the actor tweeted.
The Producers Guild of India used the same hashtag.
.
"The Producers Guild of India applauds Jaya ji for standing up for our industry #Respect," it said on Twitter.
In an interview with India Today, actor Manoh Bajpayee said it's "absolutely unfair" the way the industry is being projected as a drug cartel.
"There are all kinds of people here. I don't know why but I feel there's a vested interest behind all this. Honestly, I am not defending the industry. When I am saying there are good things, I am also saying I have had bad experiences too. I met some bad people...
"But when you call it (industry) corrupt or that there's drug business going on in the industry, then a person watching me on television thinks there's a drug godown moving behind me!"
Other Bollywood celebrities, including filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, director Anil Sharma and actor-producer Nikhill Diwedi, also came out in support of Bachchan.
"And yet another woman stands up," Akhtar wrote on Instagram.
Actor-director Farhan Akhtar wrote, Respect. She has always stood up to be counted when it mattered. #Jaya Bachchan.
Diwedi said a "false narrative" was being projected about the film industry.
"JayaBachchan is right. A false narrative that a certain malaise infects the entire film industry is being created by few to look good in these times... People in any field including politics and journalism indulge in things illegal or immoral. Call them out specifically and not all," Diwedi tweeted.
Ranaut, however, struck quite a different tune and asked the 72-year-old actor to be more sensitive to others. She also brought in Bachchan's two children.
"Jaya ji would you say the same thing if in my place it was your daughter Shweta beaten, drugged and molested as a teenage, would you say the same thing if Abhishek complained about bullying and harassment constantly and found hanging one day? Show compassion for us also(sic)," Ranuat tweeted.
Highlighting working conditions in the industry, she said there are no proper HR departments in production houses where women can complain, no safety or insurance for those who risk their lives every day and no eight hours shift regulations.
In another tweet in Hindi, she hit out at filmmaker Karan Johar.
"The industry was not made by just Karan Johar and his papa," she said, adding that crores of people had contributed to it, from Dada Saheb Phalke to every artist, labourer, Army jawan, leader and citizen who has bought a ticket and played the role of an audience.
She said she has a list of issues that she will discuss with the prime minister when she meets him. -- PTI
18:09 LS passes bill to cut salaries of MPs by 30%
Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill to reduce for one year the salaries of MPs by 30 per cent "to meet the exigencies arising out of COVID-19 pandemic".
The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was introduced in the Lower House on Monday.
It will replace the Salary, Allowances And Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.
The ordinance was cleared by the Cabinet on April 6 and promulgated the next day.
17:56 China outmanouevres virus, is India next?
'Having conducted themselves disgracefully during the early days of the pandemic, the Chinese have brilliantly outmanoeuvred the virus. For us, the worst of the pandemic is yet to come in loss of lives and livelihoods. We aren't even thinking of the second wave of the pandemic. As we have pointed out in our book, the influenza pandemic of a 100 years ago, which killed almost 100 million people (equivalent to 425 million deaths today) had three waves, of which the first, was the smallest,' writes Dr Rajesh M Parikh, neuropsychiatrist with Mumbai's Jaslok hospital in indianexpress.com.
'In 1962, the Chinese overwhelmed our ill-equipped frontier posts in successively large waves of troops. For many decades, our soldiers would have recurrent dreams of wave upon wave of Chinese overwhelming them. What nightmares await our troops this fall and winter? Is Arunachal Pradesh the real target? Let us hope that the bureaucrats of South Block have all the answers and that their phones have not been hacked by the Chinese,' Dr Parikh, who has co-authored The Coronavirus: What You Need To Know About The Global Pandemic, concludes, here.
17:35 India gifts 2,000 vials of Remdesivir to Nepal
As part of India's ongoing assistance to the Himalayan nation in meeting challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Ambassador Vinay M Kwatra handed over 2,000 vials of Remdesivir to Nepal Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on Tuesday.
"On September 15, Ambassador Vinay M. Kwatra handed over 2,000 vials of Remdesivir to Foreign Affairs Minister of Nepal Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on behalf of the Government of India," Indian Embassy said in a release.
It stated that the medicines are a part of the Indian government's ongoing assistance to its neighbouring nation against the battle against COVID-19.
"It follows on earlier support extended to Nepal in the form of ICU ventilators on August 9, COVID-19 test kits (RT-PCR) on May 17, and essential medicines including Paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine on April 22.
"As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Nepal in their fight to prevail over the pandemic," the release informed.
"Remdesivir is regarded as a broad-spectrum anti-viral medication for treating moderate to severely ill patients on oxygen therapy. According to medical research, the drug is proven to significantly reduce the duration of hospital stay and also diminish the recovery time of patients," it added.
17:32 Covid pushed 3.70-cr people into extreme poverty
The coronavirus pandemic has pushed almost 37 million people into extreme poverty besides reversing the progress made in the health sector for past several decades, a report by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said on Tuesday.
It said the "widest-ranging catastrophe" - the one that has hit every country regardless of the actual spread of the disease - is economic. Citing a projection by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the report said the global economy will lose USD 12 trillion or more by the end of 2021 despite spending of USD 18 trillion in trying to stimulate growth around the world.
The annual 'Goalkeepers report' by the Foundation primarily analyses progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations in alleviating poverty and address health issues.
It said India was able to transfer cash to 200 million women amid the coronavirus crisis and it not only reduced impact of the pandemic on hunger and poverty but also advanced the country's long-term goal of empowering women.
In an interview to PTI, co-chair of the Foundation Bill Gates said the whole Aadhaar digital financial system in India has proven to be once again a "huge asset". "Getting payments out through digital cash transfers, that has been a fantastic thing, and obviously, India has done that at a scale that no other country ever has," he said.
In the report, the foundation said the extreme poverty has gone up by 7 per cent in just a few months because of COVID-19, ending a 20-year streak of progress.
"This crisis has thrust almost 37 million more people into extreme poverty, after 20 straight years of that number coming down. At the same time, it has revealed how fragile that progress is: People living just above the extreme poverty line who have fallen below it because of Covid-19 were obviously vulnerable despite not being officially poor," it said.
It said, indirectly the COVID-19 will cause more women than men to suffer and die, in large part because the pandemic has disrupted healthcare before, during, and immediately after childbirth. Elaborating on how the pandemic has impacted routine immunisation, it said the vaccination, a good proxy measure for how health systems are functioning, is dropping to levels last seen in the 1990s.
"In other words, we've been set back about 25 years in about 25 weeks," it said. The report also talked about the "danger" of how COVID-19 can force the countries to take away their focus from dealing with "residual pandemics". "This would be a heartbreaking injustice. It would also go against the self-interest of the countries at the front of the line," it added.
17:16 Kangana seeks compensation of Rs 2 crore from BMC
Actor Kangana Ranaut has amended her petition before the Bombay High Court to seek a compensation of Rs 2 crore from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for "illegal" demolition at her bungalow. After the BMC demolished what it termed as illegal alterations at the "Queen" actor's bungalow at Pali Hill in suburban Bandra on September 9, Ranaut moved the high court.
A division bench led by Justice S J Kathawalla had stayed the demolition, saying that the civic body's actions seemed "malafide" (having dubious intentions).
In her amended plea, Ranaut alleged that the BMC's decision to demolish her property was a direct consequence of her comments against the Maharashtra government.
Recently she has been "at loggerheads with the Government of Maharashtra regarding herviews over the handling of certain issues which impact the public in general," it added.
"The expression used by her has displeased certain quarters and caused angst in certain quarters particularly a political party which is a part of the government in Maharashtra," Ranaut's amended petition said.
"In view of various threats been given to the petitioner, including threats of harm if she entered Mumbai, the petitioner was compelled to seek the assistance/security and was given protection by the Central Government in nature Y-plus category of CRPF security and the petitioner could only come to Mumbai under protection," it said.
The "same party" is also the ruling party in the BMC, the petition said, without naming the Shiv Sena. The petition also contended that the Bollywood actor had sought the BMC's permission to carry out structural repairs at her bungalow, and the same was granted in 2018.
The BMC sent her a demolition notice on September 7 and gave her just 24 hours to respond, the petition said, adding that while she did respond in time, it was quick to reject her reply and on the very next day, BMC and police officers were "already present outside the bungalow". Photos of the day showed that the BMC was ready with demolition equipment early in the morning, which proves that the civic body had malafide intentions and ulterior motives to demolish the bungalow, the petition claimed.
The plea urged the court to declare the BMC's action as illegal and direct the civic body and its "concerned officials" to pay her Rs 2 crore in damages. The court is slated to hear the matter on September 22. -- PTI
16:41 Thank state govts for Covid work: Derek to Centre
TMC MP Derek O'Brien Tuesday hit out at Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for not congratulating the state governments and health workers on their fight against coronavirus or condoling the demises of those who were at the forefront of the battle.
Speaking to the media near Parliament, he said the health minister read out a 12-page statement in Rajya Sabha during which he used the word congratulate once. "Tomorrow morning we will get a chance to ask clarifications. The Health minister used it once. It was a 12-page statement. He used the word congratulate once. Who did he congratulate? The Prime Minister. No, why didn't the health minister congratulate the doctors, the healthcare workers, the nurses, the police, the ward boys, the sweepers, he said. So many of them have lost their lives. He couldn't be little generous to congratulate them? Or condole those who have lost their lives?" said the TMC Rajya Sabha MP.
"No thanks to the state governments even in one of your statements. He could have thanked them and said what they are doing, the Centre could have learnt so much from different states, like my state, Bengal. What are the good things we did, what are the best practices we did. Nothing," he said. He also questioned the government over its preparations to the fight the virus.
"What preparation was done by this government? When we from Trinamool on March 18 came to Parliament wearing masks, what happened? Five of us MPs were asked to leave the House," he alleged.
The TMC leader claimed preparations were in fact made to welcome US President Donald Trump. "You didn't do any preparation, no preparation (for fighting the virus). You did preparation when Trump came. What were you doing then? You were giving Trump laddus. You were giving him Dhokla. I don't know what else were you giving him? But that is the time when you announced this lockdown. You said you spoke to chief ministers. I challenge you. What did you write to Chief Ministers before the lockdown? Not one meeting...you said you had 45 video conferences. How many of those video conferences were before the lockdown? he asked.
He said the government announced a 21-day lockdown with just four-hour notice and no preparation. "Tomorrow we will ask them these questions. The problem is they do not have any answers," he said.
The TMC MP also alleged the Centre did not take the state governments in confidence while making decisions on the pandemic.
"Out of Rs 100 spent on health, the state governments give Rs 65 and the Centre Rs 35, yet the state governments get no thank you for their work," he said. Now they are doing damage-control and do not want to answer questions on the crisis. On January 30 was India's first case, with the lockdown announced, we had 600 cases per day now we have one lakh cases per day. What are you asking us to do? To bang on the thala...light diyas. We did all that but you have to respect scientific evidence.
"This is a government which is entertaining Donald Trump. This is a government which was trying to run Parliament in March. This is a government now at least today, all 800 MPs have been asked to wear masks. When we were telling you from the 12th and 13th of March, this is a dangerous pandemic, allow us to wear masks and you were saying to get out," he alleged.
16:19 'Phase I of Bharat Biotech vaccine excellent'
Phase-I clinical trials have revealed "excellent safety" of the two candidate vaccines indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and Cadila Healthcare Ltd and their immuno genicity testing is now in progress, Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
"Their phase II clinical trials are going on," Choubey said in response to a question on the present status of the vaccine programme/clinical trials for Covid-19 undertaken by the Indian Council of Medical Research and other private research centres in the country. Choubey further informed that discussions on collaborations on the recombinant vaccine developed by Russia are ongoing.
However, no formal studies have been initiated. Serum Institute of India (SII) and ICMR have partnered for clinical development of two global vaccine candidates. The first is ChAdOx1-S, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine developed by University of Oxford/AstraZeneca. This vaccine is undergoing phase III clinical trials in Brazil. Phase II/III bridging studies have been initiated by ICMR at 14 clinical trial sites, Choubey said.
The ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai is the lead institution.
Choubey further informed that ICMR and SII have also partnered for clinical development of a glycoprotein subunit nanoparticle adjuvanted vaccine developed by Novavax from USA.
The trial will be initiated in the second half of October after the vaccine is manufactured by SII. The trial is led by ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Pune, he said.
Elaborating on the two indigenously developed candidate vaccines, Choubey said an inactivated whole virion candidate vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 has been developed by Bharat Biotech International Ltd using the virus isolateprovided by ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. Characterization of the vaccine candidate has been undertaken at ICMR-NIV followed by safety and tolerability studies in small animals like rats, mice and rabbits.
Phase I clinical trials along with parallel studies in large animals have been completed. "The trial has revealed excellent safety of the candidate vaccine. Immunogenicity testing is in progress. Phase II clinical trials are ongoing," he said.
Besides, a DNA vaccine (ZyCov-D) has been developed by Cadila Healthcare Ltd, pre-clinical toxicity studies of which were conducted in small animals - mice, rats, rabbits and guinea pigs. The vaccine has been found to be safe and immunogenic. Cadila has partnered with ICMR for conduct of parallel pre-clinical studies in large animals.
"While the Government and Industry are trying their best to make available a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 at the earliest, it is difficult to comment on the exact timelines in view of various complex pathways involved in vaccine development," he said.
Other companies in India involved in COVID-19 vaccine development are Premas Biotech, Gennova, Mynvax, Epygen Biotech, Luxmatra Innovations, Biological Evans. All candidates are in preclinical development stages, the minister said. -- PTI
15:53 China occupies 38,000 sq km in Ladakh: Rajnath
Update: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in Lok Sabha, on the standoff with China. "The Chinese side created a violent face-off on June 15th at Galwan. Our brave soldiers laid down their lives and also inflicted costs including casualties on the Chinese side.
"In past too,we've had situations of prolonged stand-offs in border areas with China which were resolved peacefully. Even though situation this year is very different both in terms of scale of troops involved and number of friction points, we remain committed to peaceful resolution.
"China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq. kms in Ladakh. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan 'Boundary Agreement' of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China.
"Troops are accordingly being provisioned with suitable clothing, habitat and required defence wherewithal. They are capable of serving at forbidding altitudes with scarce oxygen and in extremely cold temperatures, something that they've done over last many years on Siachen and Kargil."
15:46 Sonam Kapoor says she wants to be Jaya Bachchan when she 'grows up'
After veteran actor and Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan slammed those who are tarnishing image of the Indian film industry in the Upper House of the Parliament, actor Sonam Kapoor Ahuja said that she wants to be "her" when she grows up. Sonam took to Twitter to share a video of Bachchan's Rajya Sabha speech shared by filmmaker Anubhav Sinha.
In the video, the lawmaker is seen stating how the government should stand by the entertainment industry when some people are trying to tarnish the industry's image.
"I want to be her when I grow up," tweeted the 35-year-old actor dropping hints about her interest in joining politics later in her career like Jaya Bachchan.
Earlier in the day several Bollywood celebrities like Taapsee Pannu, Anubhav Sinha, Ankur Tewari supported Bachchan's statement.
Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan had given a zero hour notice in the Upper House over an alleged conspiracy to defame the film industry.
She stated that people working in the entertainment industry are "flogged" by social media. -- ANI
15:37 China mobilised huge battalions at LAC: Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses Parliament on the India-China border issue. Highlights:
"Both India and China agree that to maintain peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas, it is essential for the further development of bilateral relations.
"India and China border issue remains unresolved. Till now, there has been no mutually acceptable solution. China disagrees on border. China doesn't recognise the traditional and customary alignment of the boundary. We consider that this alignment is based on well established geographical principals.
"We have told China through diplomatic channels that the attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of the bilateral agreements.
"Violent conduct of Chinese troops is a violation of all past agreements. Our troops have done counter deployments in the area to safeguard our borders.
China has mobilised a huge number of Army battalions and armaments along LAC & inner areas. There are many friction points in eastern Ladakh, Gogra, Kongka La, Pangong Lake's north & south banks. Indian Army has made counter deployments in these areas.
"I want to assure you that we are ready to deal with any situation. I request this house to pass a resolution that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces who are guarding our borders to safeguard India's sovereignty and integrity."
15:28 Vivek Agnihotri appointed ICCR cultural rep
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has been appointed as the new cultural representative at the Indian Council For Culture Relations (ICCR).This comes after the council's decision to include Indian Cinema among the other culture programs of ICCR after 70 years of its inception. Agnihotri will be representing the culture of the Indian Cinema in the council.
'The Tashkent Files' filmmaker accepted the charge from ICCR President Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe who formalised his appointment. Agnihotri is also a member of the board of India's Central Board Of Film Certification.
Taking charge, Agnihotri expressed his happiness over being the "first-person" from the film industry to represent the cause of the industry in the ICCR.
"I am extremely honoured by Indian Council For Culture Relations, India's apex body on the promotion of great Indian culture across the world for including cinema and I am deeply honoured for being the first person from the Indian film industry to represent the cause of this industry in the overall cultural promotion globally," Agnihotri said.
"I will perform my duties as a cultural ambassador representing the film industry with the best of ability," he added.
ICCR was founded in 1950 by independent India's first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
15:16 Govt ups production of HCQ
Re-purposed hydroxychloroquine is being used for mild but high risk and moderate COVID-19 cases, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. According to the data shared by the minister, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has increased the production of hydroxychloroquine manifold and the health ministry has issued 10.84 crore tablets of the drug to states and union territories as on September 11.
"India has also exported it (hydroxychloroquine) to more than 140 countries," Vardhan said. He also said there is a plan to conduct trial of ayurvedic medicines such as aswagandha, guduchi, pippali etc to prevent people from getting infected from COVID-19.
The minister said no specific antivirals have been proven effective so far and symptomatic treatment for fever and cough, appropriate rehydration, supplemental oxygen therapy remains the mainstay of treatment.
"We have re-purposed the drug hydroxychloroquine for mild (but high-risk cases) and for moderate cases. This was done with limited scientific evidence but well acknowledging that this drug has been used widely in India for other ailments where it is used for prolonged periods of time, with good safety profile," Vardhan said.
"The government has also made provisions for investigational therapies and has also made provisions for using Remdesivir, Convalescent plasma and Tocilizumab for managing severe cases under close medical supervision, he said.
There are thirteen clinical trials of repurposed drugs and harnessing of traditional knowledge using the modern medicine approach are building a portfolio of therapeutic options for COVID-19 patients.
Phase 2 clinical trial of immunomodulator Sepsivac has been completed successfully and clinical trial of the first-ever phytopharmaceutical ACQH is underway, the minister said.
The minister said that more than 30 vaccine candidates have been supported which are in different stages of development, 3 candidates are in advanced stage of Phase I, II and III trials and more than 4 are in advanced pre-clinical development stage in India.
Government action of nationwide lockdown, community involvement etc has prevented up to 38,000 and 29 lakh COVID-19 cases in the country, the minister said. -- PTI
14:55 Rhea may destroy evidence if out on bail: Court
Refusing to grant bail to actor Rhea Chakraborty in connection with a drug case related to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, a special (Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) court in Mumbai has held that if she is released on bail she may alert others and they may destroy evidence.
Additional Sessions Judge GB Gurao, while disposing of the bail plea on September 11, observed that the investigation is at a preliminary stage and if the accused is released on bail then she may tamper with the prosecution evidence.
"In addition according to the prosecution accused has taken the names of other persons. The investigation in respect of those persons is in process. If the accused is released on bail then she will alert those persons and they will destroy the evidence. There is a possibility of tampering of evidence," the order said.
The special NDPS court noted that the prosecution has explained that accused demanded police protection to come to the Narcotics Control Bureau office from her house, after which one lady cop was accompanying the accused.
"Statement of the accused was recorded on September 6,7 and 8. The prosecution revealed the role of the accused on the basis of said statement and thereafter, she was arrested in the crime. Therefore, at this stage, when the investigation is at a preliminary stage, it can not be said that the statement is forcefully recorded and inadmissible in evidence," the order said.
"Section 27-A of the NDPS Act as discussed above is in respect of the illicit trafficking of drug, considering the punishment prescribed for the offence punishable under this section offence is non-bailable," it added.
The court also observed that the NCB has recovered WhatsApp chat and other electronic evidence and that some amount was transferred via credit card of the accused. It also noted that a commercial quantity of LSD was recovery from accused Anuj Keshwani.
Apart from Rhea, the court had on September 11 also rejected the bail plea of Rhea's brother Showik, Abdul Basit, Zaid Vilatra, Dipesh Sawant and Samuel Miranda, who were also arrested by the NCB in the case. -- ANI
14:40 Remembering Raghuvansh Prasad Singh
MGNREGS architect and a rare spotless politician, neither the Rashtriya Janata Dal, nor Lalu Prasad Yadav will be the same without this socialist leader. Read the column here
14:31 Ex-Navy man who was attacked meets Maha Guv
Former Navy man Madan Sharma, who was recently attacked by Shiv Sena workers in Mumbai, met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Tuesday.
Sharma, 62, met Koshyari at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.
He was attacked last Friday for allegedly forwarding a cartoon lampooning Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on social media.
After the attack, Sharma had demanded that the chief minister apologise to him and the country.
He had also said that Thackeray should quit his post if he was unable to uphold law and order in the state.
Six Shiv Sena workers were arrested in connection with the incident. -- PTI
13:55 14% of 300 volunteers of Russian Covid vaccine have complaints
Over 300 volunteers have been inoculated during the post-registration trials of Russia's Covid-19 vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, around 14 percent of them have reported fatigue, muscle pain or high body temperature, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Tuesday.
"Over 300 persons have been vaccinated. Around 14 percent have minor complaints about fatigue or slight muscle pain during the day, they sometimes have a high temperature," Murashko told reporters.
These slight complications were predictable, "this is what the manual says," the minister said. -- ANI/Sputnik
13:48 Uddhav flags off anti-Covid blitzkrieg
The Maharashtra government's My Family, My Responsibility campaign will prove to be a key weapon in making people understand the importance of self-protection in the battle against Covid-19, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Tuesday.
Public representatives and the administration should reach out to every person as part of the initiative, which began on Tuesday, Thackeray said in a video conference with corporators of municipal corporations and councils in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), except the BMC. Under the campaign, volunteers appointed by the health department will embark on a door-to-door survey and check temperature and oxygen levels of people. The teams will trace suspected COVID-19 patients and those suffering from other ailments, the government said.
"My Family, My Responsibility campaign will prove to be a key weapon in making people understand the importance of self-protection," Thackeray said. "While normalcy is being restored in the state, it is important to break the chain of spread of COVID-19. For that, we need to learn to live with the novel coronavirus and need to change our lifestyle," Thackeray said.
For this, there is a need to spread awareness among the people, the chief minister said. "The initiative, therefore, is important and public representatives and administration should not remain off-guard and reach out to the last man," he added.
In the first phase of the initiative, the government has set a target of reaching out to 2.25 crore families twice a month, for which help of NGOs and elected representatives will be taken. The first phase of the campaign will end on October 10 and the second phase will be undertaken from October 12 to 24. State Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Thane Mayor Naresh Mhaske and others took part in the meeting. -- PTI
13:28 'The Problem With 'Strong' Prime Ministers'
"The contrast between a strong Narendra Modi and a weak Manmohan Singh was played up by the BJP during the election campaign of 2014. This presentation certainly helped win Modi and his party win a resounding victory. But has this image of strength subsequently helped him in his duties as a Prime Minister? Given the multiple crises facing the country at the moment, it appears not. For these crises are largely attributable to the way in which this government is run as a one-person show, with the cabinet, the bureaucracy, and the nation itself held hostage to the capricious decisions of a single individual."
Do read historian Ramchandra Guha's column here
13:20 PAF aircraft crashes in Pakistan's Attock
A Pakistani Air Force aircraft crashed near Pindigheb, Attock on Tuesday, said the air force in a statement. The airforce said that the incident took place during a routine training mission, however, no loss of life was reported, The Dawn reported.
"The pilot ejected safely. No loss of life or property has been reported on the ground," the statement further said.A board of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the crash which, Dawn reports, is the fifth incident to take place since the starting of this year. -- ANI
13:08 What if Abhishek hanged himself: Kangana to Jaya
Actor Kangana Ranaut hits back at Rajya Sabha MP and veteran actor Jaya Bachchan for criticising her in the Rajya Sabha for her latest remark on Bollywood and questioned would she say the same things if it was her daughter Shweta Bachchan or son Abhishek Bachchan who was affected.
Earlier in the morning, Jaya in a veiled manner criticised the 'Panga' actor in the Upper House for comparing the film industry to a 'gutter'.
"Jaya ji would you say the same thing if in my place it was your daughter Shweta beaten, drugged and molested as a teenager, would you say the same thing if Abhishek complained about bullying and harassment constantly and found hanging one day? Show compassion for us also," Ranaut tweeted.
"Like a famous choreographer once said 'so what if we have raped, we have provided them livelihood' (in Hindi) is that what you implying? There are no proper HR departments in production houses where women can complain, no safety or insurances for those who risk their lives every day, no 8 hours shift regulations," she said in another tweet.
In a different tweet, Ranaut stated that there is a dire need to change the mentality from "food is enough for the poor" to "respect is also required along with the food to the poor" and added that she has a full list of reforms that she wanted from the centre government for workers and junior artists.
"Someday if I meet honourable Prime Minister I will discuss," she tweeted.
The war of words between the two actors started at the time when the Narcotics Control Bureau, Mumbai is undertaking an investigation into alleged drug use and supply in the film industry that had surfaced during a probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput -- ANI
12:48 NCB arrests 2 more persons in drug probe in Sushant's death
The Narcotics Control Bureau has arrested two more persons in connection with the probe related to drug angle in actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case, an official said on Tuesday. The probe agency earlier took into custody 16 people, including Rajput's girlfriend and actress Rhea Chakraborty, in connection with the case.
On Monday, the NCB arrested Suryadeep Malhotra, a school friend of Rhea Chakraborty's brother Showik Chakraborty, from Mumbai. Besides, one Chris Costa was detained by the NCB in Goa on Saturday. He was subsequently brought to Mumbai and arrested after questioning, the official said. With this, 18 people have so far been arrested by the NCB which is probing drug angle in the case of Rajput's death.
The 34-year-old actor was found hanging in his apartment in Bandra area of Mumbai on June 14. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the NCB is probing the drug case in which actress Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, Rajput's manager Samuel Miranda, domestic help Dipesh Sawant and others have been arrested. They are currently in judicial custody.
12:35 Onion farmers upset at govt's export ban
Farmers in Nashik express displeasure over the central govt's decision to ban export of onions with immediate effect. They say, "Onions are arriving in the market in large quantities. Where will we store the produce? Where will we sell those onions? Onion was being sold at Rs 20-25 per kg here. If the export is banned, prices will fall to Rs 2-3 per kg. Growers will suffer loss. Sellers purchase from them at lower prices and later sell it at higher price," an onion farmer in Nashik, said.
The government on Monday banned the export of all varieties of onions except those cut, sliced or broken in powder form, with immediate effect.
The move was apparently aimed at increasing domestic supply and reducing prices which have risen in the recent past to Rs 35 to 40 in Delhi.
In a notification, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated, "In exercise of the power conferred by Section 3 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, as amended, read with para 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20, the Central Government hereby makes the following amendment in the Export policy of the onions. For the item description at Serial Number 51 and 52 of Chapter 7 of Schedule 2 of ITC (HS) Classification of Export and Import items, with immediate effect."
The ban includes Bangalore rose onions and Krishnapuram onions.
Physical distancing markers at a temple in Jammu
12:14 Demand made in RS for using term 'physical distancing'
A demand was made in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday for using the term 'physical distancing' for fighting Covid-19 on the grounds that the use of the term 'social distancing' was promoting social stigma of coronavirus patients and their families.
Agreeing to the suggestion, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said an appropriate term should be used and suggested 'safe distancing' . In a special mention made in the Upper House, Trinamool Congress leader Shantanu Sen said the term 'social distancing' is regularly used to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
"Actually, it is physical distancing of nearly six feet between two persons. On the contrary, the use of the term social distancing has promoted social stigma which has led to nearly an attitude of boycotting of Covid patients socially," he said.
As a consequence of this, Covid-19 patients and their families are facing several "inhuman situations", he said. Sen further said, "To stop social discrimination and social stigma, the term social distancing should not be used any more to fight Covid-19. Instead the term physical distancing should be used." Many members associated with this issue. -- PTI
12:04 Covid-19 will become seasonal but...
A new review published in Frontiers in Public Health suggests that COVID-19, the illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, will likely become seasonal in countries with temperate climates, but only when herd immunity is attained. Until that time, COVID-19 will continue to circulate across the seasons.
These conclusions highlight the absolute importance of public health measures needed just now to control the virus.
"Covid-19 is here to stay and it will continue to cause outbreaks year-round until herd immunity is achieved. Therefore, the public will need to learn to live with it and continue practicing the best prevention measures, including wearing of masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene and avoidance of gatherings," said senior author of the study Dr. Hassan Zaraket, of the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.
Collaborating author Dr. Hadi Yassine, of Qatar University in Doha, affirms and states that there could be multiple waves of Covid-19 before herd immunity is achieved. "We know that many respiratory viruses follow seasonal patterns, especially in temperate regions. For instance, influenza and several types of coronaviruses that cause common cold are known to peak in winter in temperate regions but circulate year-round in tropical regions," the authors said.
The authors reviewed these seasonal viruses, examining the viral and host factors that control their seasonality as well as the latest knowledge on the stability and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
The researchers explain that virus survival in the air and on surfaces, people's susceptibility to infections, and human behaviors, such as indoor crowding, differ across the seasons due to changes in temperature and humidity. These factors influence transmission of respiratory viruses at different times of the year.
However, in comparison to other respiratory viruses such as the flu, Covid-19 has a higher rate of transmission (R0), at least partly due to circulation in a largely immunologically naive population.
This means that unlike the flu and other respiratory viruses, the factors governing seasonality of viruses cannot yet halt the spread of Covid-19 in the summer months. But, once herd immunity is attained through natural infections and vaccinations, the R0 should drop substantially, making the virus more susceptible to seasonal factors.
Representational image
11:55 China successfully launches 9 satellites
China successfully launched on Tuesday a solid-propellant carrier rocket from a ship in the Yellow Sea, sending nine satellites into orbit in the second such sea-based launch mission, the official media reported. The Long March 11-HY2, the 10th member of the Long March 11 family blasted off at 9:22 am from the Debo 3, a self-propelled deck barge that was modified for the mission, China Daily reported.
The nine satellites belong to the Jilin-1 Gaofen 03-1 group. About 13 minutes later, after travelling 535 km, it has deployed nine Jilin 1 high-resolution Earth-observation satellites, three to take videos and six to take photographs in sun-synchronous orbits, the report said.
Each of the satellites, developed by Changguang Satellite Technology in Changchun, Jilin province, weighs about 42 kgs. They will provide remote-sensing services to users in fields such as agriculture, forestry, land resources and environmental protection, the report said. PTI
11:42 COVID-19 will likely become seasonal, but not yet, say scientists
Once herd immunity is attained, the novel coronavirus may follow suit and become a seasonal virus in countries with temperate climates, but until that time, Covid-19 will continue to spread across the seasons, a new study says. According to the review research, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, when a significant section of the population becomes immune to the novel coronavirus and achieves herd immunity, the effective transmission of the virus may drop substantially making it more prone to seasonal fluctuations.
"Covid-19 is here to stay and it will continue to cause outbreaks year-round until herd immunity is achieved," warned study senior author Hassan Zaraket from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.
"Therefore, the public will need to learn to live with it, and continue practising the best prevention measures, including wearing of masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and avoidance of gatherings," Zaraket added.
According to the scientists, there could be multiple waves of Covid-19 before herd immunity is achieved. Citing earlier research, they said other respiratory viruses similar to the novel coronavirus -- SARS-CoV-2 -- follow seasonal patterns, especially in temperate regions. They said influenza and several types of coronaviruses that cause common cold are known to peak in winter in temperate regions but circulate year-round in tropical regions. -- PTI
11:35 Uttarakhand requests Centre for 10,000 oxygen cylinders
Keeping the constant rise of Covid-19 cases in mind, the Uttarkhand government on Tuesday requested the Centre to provide 10 thousand oxygen cylinders.These cylinders will be kept at the Covid care centres in the State so that they do not have to face a paucity of oxygen in the coming days.
According to the State Health Secretary, Amit Negi, there is an availability of 60-70 thousand cubic meters of oxygen in Uttarakhand but the State has put forth this demand to be ready for any situation in the coming days.
As per the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday, Uttarakhand has 10,374 active Covid-19 cases, 22,213 cured, and discharged patients. 429 deaths have occurred due to the infection in the State. -- ANI
11:18 Expected Jaya Bachchan to support me: Ravi Kishan
BJP MP Ravi Kishan reacts to Jaya Bachchan's statement in Parliament today that the entire film industry should not be tarnished for the acts of a few who consume drugs. "I expected Jaya-ji to support what I said. Not everyone in the industry consumes drugs but those who do are part of a plan to finish the world's largest film industry. When Jayaji and I joined, the situation was not like this but now we need to protect the industry."
Without naming BJP MP Ravi Kishan who had on Monday raised the issue of the use of drugs in the film industry, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan on Tuesday stated that she was "ashamed that yesterday one of our members in the Lok Sabha, who is from the film industry, spoke against it."
"Just because there are some people, you cannot tarnish the image of the entire industry. I am ashamed that yesterday one of our members in the Lok Sabha, who is from the film industry, spoke against it. It is a shame," she said.
The statement of the Samajwadi Party MP came during the zero hour in Rajya Sabha.She stated that people working in the entertainment industry are "flogged" by social media.
"People in the entertainment industry are being flogged by social media. People who made their name in the industry have called it a gutter. I completely disagree. I hope that the government tells such people not to use this kind of language," she said.The Samajwadi Party MP had given a zero hour notice in the Upper House over an alleged conspiracy to defame the film industry.
11:04 India's economy to shrink by 9% in FY-21: ADB
India's economic growth will contract by 9 per cent in the current fiscal as the coronavirus pandemic weighs heavily on economic activity and consumer sentiment in the country, according to ADB. In its Asian Development Outlook 2020 update, ADB projected a strong recovery for the Indian economy in 2021-22, with gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 8 per cent as mobility and business activities resume more widely.
"India imposed strict lockdown measures to contain the spread of the pandemic and this has had a severe impact on economic activity," said ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada.
"It is crucial that containment measures, such as robust testing, tracking, and ensuring treatment capacities, are implemented consistently and effectively to stop the spread of Covid-19 and provide a sustainable platform for the economy's recovery for the next fiscal year and beyond."
--PTI
10:55 US bans import of 5 Chinese goods produced using "forced labour"
The US has banned the import of five goods from China, including computer-parts, cotton and hair products, alleging that they are produced in forced labour camps in the restive Muslim-majority Xinjiang province. The US-China relations have deteriorated after the Covid-19 outbreak, with President Donald Trump squarely blaming Beijing for allowing the disease to spread across the world.
The relations have further worsened over allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang province, autonomy of Hong Kong, Tibet, and technology theft. In a statement on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security said the products subject to the import ban are cotton, apparel, computer parts, and hair products.
The fifth ban is on all products made with labour from the Lop County Number 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center in Xinjiang. These goods are produced with state-sponsored forced labour in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where the Chinese government is engaged in systemic human rights abuses against the Uyghur people and other ethnic and religious minorities, the DHS statement said.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had earlier issued five Withhold Release Orders (WRO) to uphold the ban. The WROs prevent goods from being imported into the US when there are accusations of forced labour.
"The Trump Administration has led the world in calling attention to the Chinese Communist Party's (CPC) egregious human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and we've taken action to back up our rhetoric," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
"These actions send a clear message to the PRC (People's Republic of China) that it is time to end its practice of state-sponsored forced labour and to respect the human rights of all people," he said. -- PTI
10:33 Cong MP brings up Adani at Parliament
Congress RS MP KC Venugopal in Parliament: "The Adani group has won bids to operate and develop six airports. There's clear violation of norms in giving airports to a single private entity. Government ignored advice of some of its own ministries and departments. Changes in norms enabled Adani group to win all six bids."
Rahul Gandhi was the only MP to meet migrants
10:17 Migrants' death had no effect on govt: Rahul
"Did no migrant workers die during the Covid-19 induced lockdown phase if the Centre does not have any record of the same," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday targeting the Central government. The Wayanad MP launched an attack on the Centre following a written reply by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Monday, in which it had said that the government has "no such data available" on the number of migrant deaths or the job losses.
"The Modi government does not know how many migrant workers died and how many jobs were lost during the lockdown. If you didn't count did the deaths not occur? The pain is in the fact that it had no effect on the government, the world saw their deaths, it's only the Modi government which didn't get the news," the Congress leader tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi).
The monsoon session of Parliament began on Monday and is slated to conclude on October 1 without any day off. Both the Houses of Parliament will sit for four hours daily adhering to precautionary measures against COVID-19. -- ANI
09:58 Don't tarnish film industry, Jaya tells Parl
Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan in the Rajya Sabha alludes to the Sushant Singh Rajput case: "People in the entertainment industry are being flogged by social media. People who made their names in the industry have called it a gutter. I completely disagree. I hope that the government tells such people not to use this kind of language. Just because there are some people, you can't tarnish the image of the entire industry. I am ashamed that yesterday one of our members in Lok Sabha, who is from the film industry, spoke against it. It is a shame," she said.
Speaking in Lok Sabha on Day 1 of the Monsoon Session, yesterday, BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan, said the problem of drug trafficking and addiction is on a rise. Conspiracy is being hatched to destroy country's youth, our neighbouring countries are contributing, the Bhojpuri star said.
Smuggling of drugs from Pakistan and China is done every year...it is brought via Punjab and Nepal, Ravi Kishan alleged.
Alleging that drug addiction is prevalent in the film industry too, Ravi Kishan said, "Several people have been apprehended, NCB is doing very good work. I urge the central government to take strict action, apprehend the culprits soon, give them befitting punishment and bring an end to conspiracy of neighbouring countries."
The comments came at a time when the Narcotics Control Bureau is probing a drug case linked to Sushant Singh Rajput. The NCB has already arrested actor Rhea Chakraborty in a drugs case linked to the death of Sushant Singh Rajput.
09:46 In Parliament today: China, NEET, farmers policy
Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan has given Zero Hour notice in Rajya Sabha over 'alleged conspiracy to defame film industry'.
Congress MP Rajeev Satav has given Zero Hour notice in Rajya Sabha over 'drawing attention of central government on reservation of Maratha community'.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva has given Zero Hour notice in Rajya Sabha over 'adverse impact of holding NEET exams, leading to suicides by students'.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make a statement on India-China border issue, in Lok Sabha later today.
Members of Parliament of the Left parties protest in front of Gandhi statue at the Parliament, over their demand for withdrawal of 'anti-farmers policies.' (See picture alongside)
09:40 India beats China to win crucial election to UN commission on women
In a significant victory, India got elected as Member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the principal global body focussed on gender equality and women empowerment, beating China in a hotly-contested election.
The Commission on the Status of Women is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council. The 54-member ECOSOC, holding the first plenary meeting of its 2021 session in the General Assembly Hall on Monday, held elections for two seats in the Asia-Pacific States category with Afghanistan, India and China in the fray.
Afghanistan, which is led by Ambassador Adela Raz at the UN, garnered 39 votes and India got 38 votes of the 54 ballots cast. China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, got only 27 votes and could not even cross the half-way mark and also failed to get the required majority of 28 votes.
India wins seat in prestigious #ECOSOC body! India elected Member of Commission on Status of Women #CSW. It's a ringing endorsement of our commitment to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in all our endeavours. We thank member states for their support, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti tweeted. -- PTI
09:33 83,809 new Covid cases, 1,054 deaths in 24 hrs
India's COVID-19 case tally crosses 49-lakh mark with a spike of 83,809 new cases and 1,054 deaths in last 24 hours.
The total case tally stands at 49,30,237 including 9,90,061 active cases, 38,59,400 cured/discharged/migrated and 80,776 deaths, says Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. -- ANI
09:24 US bans exports from China's Xinjiang region
In another crackdown on China, the United States has banned cotton, hair products, computer components, and some textiles from China's Xinjiang province which are made 'using forced labour'.
"By taking this action, DHS is combating illegal and inhumane forced labor, a type of modern slavery, used to make goods that the Chinese government then tries to import into the United States.
"When China attempts to import these goods into our supply chains, it also disadvantages American workers and businesses," said Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli.
"President Trump and this Department have, and always will, put American workers and businesses first and protect American citizens from participating in these egregious human rights violations," Cuccinelli said.
"The Trump Administration will not stand idly by and allow foreign companies to subject vulnerable workers to forced labor while harming American businesses that respect human rights and the rule of law," said Acting CBP Commissioner Mark A Morgan.
"Today's Withhold Release Orders send a clear message to the international community that we will not tolerate the illicit, inhumane, and exploitative practices of forced labor in US supply chains."
The list of Withhold Release Orders (WRO) issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) include products made with labour from the Lop County No. 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center, hair products made in the Lop County Hair Product Industrial Park; apparel produced by Yili Zhuowan Garment Manufacturing Co. and Baoding LYSZD Trade and Business Co.; cotton produced and processed by Xinjiang Junggar Cotton and Linen Co. in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Besides, Computer parts made by Hefei Bitland Information Technology Co. in Anhui have also been banned as 'Hefei Bitland uses both prison and forced labor to produce electronics'.
"The series of actions CBP has taken against imports from China demonstrates the pervasive use of unethical and inhumane labor conditions in China, and CBP will not turn a blind eye," said Brenda Smith, Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP's Office of Trade.
"Allowing goods produced using forced labor into the US supply chain undermines the integrity of our imports. American consumers deserve and demand better," Smith added.
This comes days after a bipartisan group of US Senators asked the CEO of Disney, Bob Chapek, to explain the company's cooperation with the Chinese authorities in Xinjiang during the production of the 'Mulan' live-action remake.
China has been criticised globally for cracking down on the Uighurs by sending them to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and sending members of the community to undergo some form of forcible re-education or indoctrination. -- ANI
08:28 Encounter underway between security forces, terrorists in Pulwama
An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir early on Tuesday, police said.
Acting on specific information about the presence of terrorists in Marwal area of Pulwama, security forces launched a cordon and search operation there, a police official said.
He said during the search, terrorists fired on the forces, who retaliated, leading to an encounter.
The exchange of firing was going on and details were awaited, the official said. -- PTI
08:04 US ambassador to leave China
United States Ambassador to China Terry Branstad will be stepping down from his position and depart from Beijing in early October, the US Embassy in Beijing said on Monday (local time).
The Hill reported that Branstad, a former Iowa Republican governor who has served as ambassador to China since 2017, will leave amid heightened tensions between China and the US on topics including trade, technology and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though the Embassy did not cite any reason for Branstad's departure, it said that the ambassador confirmed his decision to leave the position in a phone call to President Donald Trump last week.
While thanking Branstad for his three years of service, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo tweeted, 'President @realDonaldTrump chose Ambassador Branstad because his decades long experience dealing with China made him the best person to represent the administration and to defend American interests and ideals in this important relationship.'
'Ambassador Branstad has contributed to rebalancing US-China relations so that it is results-oriented, reciprocal, and fair. This will have lasting, positive effects on US foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific for decades to come,' he said in another tweet.
Amid the US' criticism on China for the spread of coronavirus, The Hill reported that last week China's People's Daily newspaper declined to publish a column written by Branstad, in which he said Beijing was 'exploiting' US openness in recent decades.
While the newspaper's spokesperson was quoted as saying that the article was 'full of loopholes, and seriously inconsistent with fact', Pompeo said that China's ambassador to the US is 'free to publish in any US media outlet'. -- ANI
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00:07 Biden condemns Trump as 'climate arsonist'
US Democratic nominee Joe Biden appears to be unveiling a new attack strategy against Trump, arguing the US presidents climate policies represent a direct threat to the country.
Biden took direct aim at Trumps baseless claims that the Democrats proposals were aimed at abolishing the suburbs.
You know what is actually threatening our suburbs? Wildfires are burning our suburbs in the West, Biden said. If we have four more years of Trumps climate denial, how many suburbs will be burned in wildfires?
Biden went on to say, If you give a climate arsonist four more years in the White House, why would anyone be surprised if we have more of America ablaze?
Biden also criticised Trump for injecting politics into his natural disaster response, after one former senior administration official said last month that the US president previously wanted to withhold wildfire relief from California because it did not vote for him.
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