Ganapati festival: In a first, no giant idol for Lalbaugcha Raja this year

The famed and iconic Lalbaugcha Raja will not be installed during the 11-day Ganeshotsav. Instead, in view of the Covid-19 crisis, a small idol of 3-4 feet will be installed for the traditional ‘puja’

First time in its long history, the famed and iconic Lalbaugcha Raja will not be installed during the upcoming 11-day Ganeshotsav, official sources said here on Wednesday. It will be replaced by a small idol of around 3-4 feet for the traditional ‘puja’ and other ceremonies. This will be in adherence to an appeal by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to celebrate Ganeshotsav 2020 with more devotion and less pomp in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Also Read :  Coronavirus LIVE: Global cases near 10.6 mn; Spread can get bad, says Fauci

In view of Thackeray’s plea, all Ganeshotsav Mandals in the state, especially those which are renowned for the giant-sized idols, took a voluntary decision to restrict the height of Ganesha to less than four feet. The normal imposing, 15-feet plus tall idol of Lalbaugcha Raja, and other mega-idols in Mumbai, Pune and other cities will be conspicuous by their absence in the Maharashtra Ganeshotsav celebration starting August 22…Read More

India enters Unlock 2.0: Relaxations to new rules, all you need to know

Only essential activities will be allowed at least until July 31 in containment zones

Transportations :Issuing the guidelines, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the domestic and international flights (under the Vande Bharat Mission) and passenger trains have already been allowed in a limited manner and their operations will be further expanded in a calibrated manner. However, other international air travel and metro rail services will continue to remain shut at least till July 31.

Inter and Intra-state movement: State governments cannot ban inter-state and intra-state movements of people and goods.

For recreational sites and gatherings: Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places continue to remain shut. Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other large congregations are also continue to be prohibited. Dates for opening of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation, the MHA said.

Status of night curfew: Night curfew shall remain in force, between 10 pm and 5 am, except for essential activities. However, relaxations in night curfew have been given for seamless operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of people and goods on national and state highways, loading and unloading of cargo and movement of people to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and airplanes…Read More

Patanjali takes a u-turn; says never claimed to have made Covid-19 medicine

The Haridwar-based organisation has withdrawn from its earlier claim, in reply to the notice given by Uttarakhand Ayush Ministry

Patanjali Ayurved on Tuesday said that it never claimed to have made medicine for coronavirus. The Haridwar-based organisation has withdrawn from its earlier claim, in reply to the notice given by Uttarakhand Ayush Ministry. “Patanjali has never claimed to make corona medicine. Rather, corona patients have been cured with this medicine. The drug was made under the license issued by the Ayush Ministry,” stated the reply by Patanjali Ayurved CEO Acharya Balakrishna to the notice.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus LIVE: Recovery rate of Covid-19 patients nearing 60%, says govt

“We made the combination of Tulsi Giloy Ashwagandha at an advanced level and when the clinical trials were done on the patients of Covid-19, the coronavirus patients were cured. A conspiracy has been hatched against us and if the Ayush Ministry tells us to conduct clinical trials once again then we are ready to face it,” he added. Earlier in the month, Patanjali Ayurved, in collaboration with NIMS University, launched Coronil and Shwasari Vati, claiming to cure corona patients..

California accuses Cisco of caste discrimination against Indian employee

Like other large Silicon Valley employers, Cisco’s workforce includes thousands of Indian immigrants, most of whom were born Brahmins or other high castes

California regulators sued Cisco Systems Inc on Tuesday, accusing it of discriminating against an Indian-American employee and allowing him to be harassed by two managers because he was from a lower Indian caste than them. U.S. employment law does not specifically bar caste-based discrimination, but California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing contends in the lawsuit that the Hindu faith’s lingering caste system is based on protected classes such as religion.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Jose, does not name the alleged victim. It states he has been a principal engineer at Cisco’s San Jose headquarters since October 2015 and that he was born at the bottom of caste hierarchy as a Dalit, once called “untouchables.” Like other large Silicon Valley employers, Cisco’s workforce includes thousands of Indian immigrants, most of whom were born Brahmins or other high castes.

Former Cisco engineering managers Sundar Iyer and Ramana Kompella also are defendants in the lawsuit, which accuses them of harassment for internally enforcing the caste hierarchy. Cisco spokeswoman Robyn Blum said the network gear maker followed its process to investigate employee concerns in this case and would “vigorously defend itself” against the lawsuit…Read More

Iran issues arrest warrant for Trump in relation to Qasem Soleimani’s death

Iran has issued an arrest warrant for US President Donald Trump over the drone strike that killed a top Iranian general in January, CNN reported citing Iran's local media sources on Monday.

Iran has issued an arrest warrant for US President Donald Trump over the drone strike that killed a top Iranian general in January, CNN reported citing Iran's local media sources on Monday. According to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, Trump is one of 36 people whom Iran has issued arrest warrants for in relation to the death of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), but the Tehran attorney general Ali Alqasi Mehr said Trump was at the top of the list.

Mehr claimed that Trump would be prosecuted as soon as he stands down presidency after his term ends, Fars reported. Iran also said it had asked Interpol to issue a Red Notice for these 36 individuals, semi-official state news agency ISNA reported. \Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike at Baghdad International Airport in January along with five others, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

The strike, condemned by Iran and its allies as an "assassination," raised the spectre of further regional destabilization. A spokesman for Iran's judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Esmaili, announced in early June that an Iranian citizen had been sentenced to death for allegedly working for foreign intelligence agencies. Esmaili claimed that Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi Majd disclosed the whereabouts of Soleimani to US intelligence officials...Read More

Iran issues arrest warrant for Donald Trump, asks Interpol to help

The United States and Interpol both dismissed the idea of acting on such a warrant.

Iran has issued an arrest warrant for US President Donald Trump and 35 others over the killing of top general Qassem Soleimani and has asked Interpol for help, Tehran prosecutor Ali Alqasimehr said on Monday, according to the Fars news agency. The United States and Interpol both dismissed the idea of acting on such a warrant. The United States killed Soleimani, leader of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, with a drone strike in Iraq on Jan. 3. Washington accused Soleimani of masterminding attacks by Iranian-aligned militias on US forces in the region.

Alqasimehr said the warrants had been issued on charges of murder and terrorist action. He said Iran had asked Interpol to issue a “red notice” seeking the arrest of Trump and the other individuals the Islamic Republic accuses of taking part in the killing of Soleimani. Alqasimehr said the group included other US military and civilian officials but did not provide further details. US Iran envoy Brian Hook said the warrant was a “propaganda stunt” at a news conference in Saudi Arabia.

“Our assessment is that Interpol does not intervene and issue red notices … (of) a political nature,” he said. “This is a political nature. This has nothing to do with national security, international peace or promoting stability … It is a propaganda stunt that no-one takes seriously.” Interpol said in a statement that its constitution forbade it to undertake “any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character”…Read More

Gauhati HC grants divorce to man after woman refuses to wear sindoor, shaka

The Gauhati High Court observed that the woman’s refusal to wear shaka (conch shell bangle) and sindoor (vermillion) amounted to her refusal to accept the marriage

Observing that the refusal to wear shaka’ (conch shell bangle) and sindoor’ (vermillion) as per customs by a Hindu married woman amounted to her refusal to accept the marriage, the Gauhati High Court has granted divorce to a man. After hearing a matrimonial appeal filed by the husband, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Soumitra Saikia set aside an order of the family court which rejected his prayer for divorce on the ground that no cruelty was found on the part of the wife against him.The man had appealed in the high court against the family court’s order.

” her refusal to wear ‘sakha and sindoor’ will project her to be unmarried and/or signify her refusal to accept the marriage with the appellant (husband). Such categorical stand of the respondent (wife) points to the clear intention of the respondent that she is unwilling to continue her conjugal life with the appellant,” the high court said in the judgment passed on June 19. The man and the woman had married on February 17, 2012, but they started fighting soon as she started demanding not to live along with his family members. As a consequence, the two have been living separately since June 30, 2013…Read More

'Covid warrior club' in action: West Bengal's strategy to contain pandemic

The West Bengal government has set up a ‘Covid warrior club’ in Murshidabad district comprising people who have recovered and are willing to aid the administration and health workers

In a unique initiative, the West Bengal government has set up a ‘COVID warrior club’ in Murshidabad district, comprising people who have recovered from the disease and willing to aid the administration and health workers in containing the pandemic. At present, 60 people who had recovered from the disease, have been enrolled as members of the club, set up at Behrampore in Murshidabad district, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday.

“We held counselling sessions for those who had defeated COVID-19, and are now leading a normal life. Some of them have come forward to serve others suffering from the disease. They can work as helpers at different hospitals, serve food, or talk to other COVID-19 patients… They should not feel scared,” the chief minister said.

Of the 60 members, 10 each have agreed to work in Murshidabad Medical College and Malda Medical College, while 40 others will serve at the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, Banerjee stated. The government will pay the members an honorarium, and bear expenses of their food and accommodation, she said. The CM insisted that her government will set up similar clubs in every district of Bengal.

“We request all those who have defeated the disease to come forward and serve others,” the CM said, and asked chief secretary and home secretary to issue instructions for constituting such clubs in other parts of the state. Expressing concern over the growing number of coronavirus cases in the state, Banerjee requested the Centre to immediately stop long distance and special trains as well as flights to West Bengal from five states with high incidence of COVID-19 cases…Read More

Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani resigns from Hurriyat Conference

In a press statement the octogenarian separatist leader, Geelani said he is distancing himself completely from the All Party Hurriyat Conference

Senior hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Monday said he is distancing himself from the separatist platform — the All Party Hurriyat Conference. In a press statement the octogenarian separatist leader, Geelani said he is distancing himself completely from the All Party Hurriyat Conference. “He has written a detailed letter to Hurriyat members in which he said, given the present situation within the Hurriyat Conference, he is completely dissociating himself from the platform”, the statement said.

In his detailed letter to the members of the Hurriyat Conference, Geelani has said that henceforth he shall not be answerable in any manner about the future conduct of the constituent members of the platform. Hurriyat Conference was formed on March 9, 1993 as a united political platform of the separatist parties in Kashmir. Ten years after its formation, the Hurriyat Conference split into the moderate group headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and the hardline group headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Not keeping good health, Geelani has mostly remained under house arrest in his Srinagar uptown of Hyderpora area residence for the last four years. Before that also authorities used to detain him on and off under house arrest to maintain law and order in Kashmir.

Create infrastructure in UP, Bihar to decongest Mumbai: Sena slams Gadkari

Mumbai has been significantly contributing to the national treasury, but it has “not got the due share of financial assistance from the Centre” in the battle against Covid-19, it claimed

The Shiv Sena on Monday hit out at Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s remarks on the need to decongest Mumbai, saying if smart cities are created in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar population in India’s financial capital will come down. An editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ claimed that nearly 1.50 lakh migrant labourers, who went to their native places during the lockdown, have returned to Maharashtra as they “do not have any work” back home. Mumbai has been significantly contributing to the national treasury, but it has “not got the due share of financial assistance from the Centre” in the battle against Covid-19, it claimed.

Gadkari last month said there is a need to decongest Mumbai as the densely populated city is facing “disastrous consequences”, referring to the mounting coronavirus cases. In response, the Sena on Monday said, “If you create smart cities like Mumbai and Pune in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the population density of Mumbai and Pune will come down naturally. Jobs should be created in those states first.”

Gadkaris concerns will automatically be addressed if those states create more and more infrastructure, the Marathi publication said. “Nearly 1.50 lakh migrant labourers have returned to Maharashtra again during the lockdown period. They do not have any work in their native states. The reason behind it is that development has not reached those states, it said…Read More

Apple-Google Covid-19 tracing tech available but cannot be used in India

Known as Covid-19 exposure notification or Covid-19 contact tracing tech, the technology is available on Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms.

Apple and Google, in an unprecedented move, come together in April to develop technology to help people and governments around the world to flatten the coronavirus curve. Known as Covid-19 exposure notification or Covid-19 contact tracing tech, the technology is ready and is now available on Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platform. Here is everything you need to know about the tech:

What is Covid-19 exposure notification tech

Developed by Apple and Google together, the tech is available in the form of an Application Programming Interface (API) for Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS smartphones. The tech enables smartphones to constantly log other devices they come near, enabling what is known as “contact tracing” of the disease. The technology is a service, which requires a supplementary app to work.

ALSO READ: India has 16 contact tracing apps, Aarogya Setu tops downloads globallyHow

Apple-Google contact tracing API works

The tech works with a public health app designed to use the API developed by Google and Apple. The app acts as a tool to send and receive data from nearby devices, therefore, keeps a record of people one may have come in contact with and their Covid-19 status. If a person updates his/her status as Covid-19 positive, the app shall update data on the cloud. The app regularly runs checks to notify people if they have accidently or unknowingly come in contact with Covid-19 positive person. It also notifies health agencies so that the person could be tested in time and the coronavirus spread can be curbed…Read More

4 terrorists, 2 civilians killed in attack on Pak Stock Exchange in Karachi

Four militants had stormed the PSX building and opened indiscriminate fire

People are feared killed in an ongoing gunbattle after the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi came under attack from terrorists, Geo News reported. Four militants stormed the exchange and opened indiscriminate fire. One sub inspector and four security guards were killed in the attack, while three police officials have been injured.

The attackers, a little before 10am, were armed with grenades and automatic rifles. They launched the attack by using grenades and then opened fire at the entrance of the Pakistan Stock Exchange. They attempted to enter the compound but were killed by security forces, Dawn reported.
Police surgeon Dr Qarar Ahmed Abbasi said that five bodies and seven injured, including policemen, have been brought at the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.

According to the report, all four terrorists have been killed and advanced weaponry, hand grenades and explosive material has been recovered from the terrorists’ custody. Security forces are also examining a “suspected car” parked outside PSX.. A clearance operation is underway in the exchange…Read More

 aaliyag

Covid-19: Maharashtra to procure Remdesivir, Favipiravir in large numbers

The drugs are costly so the state has decided to buy them itself

The Maharashtra government has decided to procure anti-viral drugs Remdesivir and Favipiravir in large quantities for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, state health minister Rajesh Tope said on Thursday. “We have decided to buy Remdesivir and Favipiravir as well as other essential drugs to treat Covid-19 patients in large numbers. The drugs are costly so the state has decided to buy them itself,” he told reporters here.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus LIVE: India cases at 491,170; night curfew in Noida extended

“We are also asking district collectors to requisition private ambulances for transportation of Covid-19 patients. Every district has a fixed rate of transportation. Ambulance operators can be paid accordingly,” Tope said…Read More

Galwan Valley clash: China amassing troops at LAC since May, says MEA

Chinese actions led to rising tensions and face-off, says ministry

Current Affairs: In its most strident comments on the recent border clashes with China, India on Thursday blamed Beijing for “amassing a large contingent of troops and armaments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)” since early May. It said this has led India to take counter measures, which increased the tension in border areas. It warned China that a continuation of the situation would only vitiate the atmosphere for the development of the relationship. New Delhi accused Beijing of repeatedly flouting laid-down agreements and norms on handling border tensions.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in an online media briefing, said the Chinese amassing of troops and armaments along the LAC was at the heart of the recent face-offs between the ground troops of the two sides. The MEA said the Chinese actions led to the increase in tension in the region and also led to the violent face-off of June 15. As many as 20 Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer, were killed and 76 injured. China has admitted to casualties, but is yet to disclose numbers.

The MEA said the Chinese side hindered India’s normal, traditional patrolling pattern in the Galwan Valley area from early May. While the resulting face-off was addressed by the ground commanders, according to the provisions of the bilateral agreements, the Chinese side sought to change the status quo in other areas of the western sector in mid-May….

Google to pay some news publishers for content amid tensions with industry

The company said on Thursday that it plans to launch this year a licensing programme to pay publishers for high-quality content

Google says it will start paying some publishers for their news content, in a move that could pave the way for reduced tensions between the internet search giant and the beleaguered news industry. The company said on Thursday that it plans to launch this year a licensing programme to pay publishers for high-quality content. The programme will start with local and national publications in Germany, Australia and Brazil, “with more to come soon,” Brad Bender, vice president of product management, said in a blog post. This programme will help participating publishers monetise their content through an enhanced storytelling experience,” Bender said, describing it as a significant step forward in how the company will support high-quality journalism.

ALSO READ: Google brings group calling to Nest Hub Max, previews Google Meet featuresThe

programme’s articles will be available on Google’s News and Discover services. Google will also pay for users to read pay-walled articles. The tech giant has been fighting the news industry’s demands for compensation for years, in a battle that has taken on more urgency as the coronavirus pandemic caused advertising revenue at publishers to collapse. In April, France’s competition regulator ordered Google to pay publishers for using snippets of their content while Australia unveiled plans to make the company pay fair compensation for journalistic content siphoned from news media…Read More

PM Modi launches job scheme for migrant workers in UP

PM Modi will launch ‘Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rozgar Abhiyan’. RBI to hold virtual board meeting. Stay tuned with Business Standard for the latest news of today

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will today hold its first virtual board meeting since the outbreak of Covid-19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the ‘Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rozgar Abhiyan’, which seeks to promote local entrepreneurship and create partnership with industrial associations to provide employment opportunities.

According to an official statement, the Uttar Pradesh government envisaged the Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan (self-reliant UP employment campaign) to dovetail central and state government’s programmes, while also creating partnerships with industry and other organisations.Stay tuned for the latest news of the day

PM Gareeb Kalyan Rozgar Scheme in Uttar Pradesh would take in its ambit three types of beneficiaries, says PM Modi

The scheme would take in its ambit three types of beneficiaries, including those employed through ‘atmanirbhar abhiyan’ (self-reliant scheme), labourers engaged in industrial houses in the micro, small, medium enterprise (MSME) sector and those provided loans through banks and financial institutions for self-employment. 

PM Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath are virtually reaching out to the local and migrant population in six of 31 target districts — Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Bahraich, Gonda, Siddharth Nagar and Jalaun

I am Indira Gandhi’s granddaughter, not an undeclared BJP spokesperson: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi

“I am Indira Gandhi’s granddaughter, not an undeclared BJP spokesperson like some of the opposition leaders,” Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, as she alleges that UP govt is threatening her through various departments for speaking truth..Read More

Inter-district movement of buses, cars suspended till June 30 in Tamil Nadu

The Chief Minister said that the decision was taken to curb the spread of new Covid-19 cases in the state

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday said that the inter-district movement of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses and private vehicles will not be allowed from June 25 to June 30.

The Chief Minister said that the decision was taken to curb the spread of new Covid-19 cases in the state. “For the next five days, till June 30, transportation within zones not be allowed in the state. Government buses will be functional only within districts. Private vehicles will not be allowed to cross from one district to another,” Palaniswami said.

“Movement of private vehicles to another district will be allowed only after obtaining e-passes from Tamil Nadu government website,” he added. The state on Wednesday reported 2,865 new coronavirus cases and 33 deaths. With this, the total number of cases reached 67,468, while the toll increased to 866, according to Tamil Nadu Health Department.

Worst fears coming true: US sees Covid-19 making a deadly comeback

The US recorded a one-day total of 34,700 new Covid-19 cases, just short of the nation’s late-April peak of 36,400, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University

Hospital administrators and health care experts warned desperately Wednesday that parts of the US are on the verge of becoming overwhelmed by a resurgence of the coronavirus, lamenting that politicians and a tired-of-being-cooped-up public are letting a disaster unfold.The US recorded a one-day total of 34,700 new Covid-19 cases, just short of the nation’s late-April peak of 36,400, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University.

While new cases have been declining steadily in early US hot spots such as New York and New Jersey, several other states set single-day case records this week, including Arizona, California, Mississippi, Nevada and Texas. Some of them also broke hospitalization records, as did North Carolina and South Carolina.

“People got complacent,” said Dr Marc Boom, CEO of the Houston Methodist hospital system. “And it’s coming back and biting us, quite frankly.” The stock market slid sharply Wednesday as the virus’s resurgence clouded investors’ hopes for a relatively quick economic turnaround. The virus in the US has been blamed for over 120,000 deaths the highest toll in the world and over 2.3 million confirmed infections.

While new cases have been declining steadily in early US hot spots such as New York and New Jersey, several other states set single-day case records this week, including Arizona, California, Mississippi, Nevada and Texas. Some of them also broke hospitalization records, as did North Carolina and South Carolina..

Pakistan fails to check terror group funding, stays on FATF’s ‘Grey List’

The decision was taken at the FATF’s third and final plenary held virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic

The global terror financing watchdog, Financial Action Task Force, on Wednesday decided to keep Pakistan on the ‘Grey List’ as it has failed to check flow of money to terror groups like the LeT and the JeM, officials said.The decision was taken at the FATF’s third and final plenary held virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic.The plenary was held under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu.“The FATF plenary decided continuation of Pakistan in ‘Grey List’ till its next meeting to be held in October,” an official privy to the development said.

The decision has been taken as Pakistan has failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed , the official said. 

Pakistan remains safe haven for terrorists: US reportPakistan took “modest steps” in 2019 to counter terror financing and restrain India-focused militant groups from conducting large-scale attacks following the Pulwama attack in February, but it remained a “safe harbor” for regionally focused terrorist groups, the US said on Wednesday.The suspension of US aid to Pakistan, which was announced by President Donald Trump in January 2018, remained in effect throughout 2019, the State Department said.  PTI

Will take action against sale of Patanjali Covid-19 drug in Rajasthan: Govt

Neither has anyone applied to the state government nor has the state government given any permission in this regard, State Health Minister Raghu Sharma said

Amid the ongoing controversy over Yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s company Patanjali Ayurveda introducing “cure” for coronavirus infection, Rajasthan government on Wednesday clarified that this drug cannot be not used as a medicine in the state without the permission of the Ministry of AYUSH. Neither has anyone applied to the state government nor has the state government given any permission in this regard, State Health Minister Raghu Sharma said.

He said according to the gazette notification issued by the Government of India in April this year, under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act 1940 and 1945, no ayurvedic medicine can sold as medicine for corona infection during COVID-19 pandemic without the approval of Union Ministry of AYUSH.

Strict action will be taken against the seller as per the rules in case of sale of any drug as a medicine to treat the coronavirus infection, the minister added. Patanjali Ayurveda, while presenting ”Coronil” medicine on Tuesday had claimed that it has found a cure for coronavirus infection. Sharma said compliance of the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Health, Union Ministry of AYUSH and ICMR is being ensured in the treatment of coronavirus infection in the state…Read More

IMD issues ‘orange’ alert for six northern states ahead of heavy monsoon

Parts of Delhi and places nearby witnessed rainfall on Wednesday morning.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for a few northern states, including the national capital, on Wednesday. The weather bureau also predicted that the monsoon would hit the region in 48 hours. “Conditions are favourable for advancement of monsoon into the remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh, entire western Himalayan region, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan during the next 48 hours,” stated the IMD in its daily bulletin.

The bureau has four colour-coded warnings as per the intensity of any weather system — green, yellow, orange and the last one being red. Orange alert is given to prepare the authorities. The forecast during this warning is of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Parts of the capital city witnessed rainfall on Wednesday morning. The IMD has predicted “generally cloudy sky with moderate rain” for the next two days.\

The maximum and minimum temperature in Delhi will hover over 36 and 29 degree Celsius. The overall air quality index of the city is at the lower end of the satisfactory category. Heavy rainfall will also lash isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Sub-Himalayan Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh during the day…Read More

Govt wants ‘origin of products’ displayed, calls e-commerce firms for meet

This follows the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform making it mandatory for its listed sellers to specify the country of origin while registering all new products on the portal

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has called e-commerce majors, including Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal and Paytm, for a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the ‘displaying origin of the product’ on these platforms, as anti-China sentiment picks up in the country. This follows the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform making it mandatory for its listed sellers to specify the country of origin while registering all new products on the portal.

The border stand-off between India and China has sparked a campaign here that is gaining momentum to boycott Chinese products.The meeting is being organised on a video conferencing platform, according to people in the know. Ministry officials said that this issue has come up earlier and implementation issues for e-marketplaces would be discussed at the meeting on Wednesday. Among other invitees to the discussion are Pepperfry and The E-commerce Council of India.

E-commerce executives said asking sellers to fill up information about ‘country of origin’ for new listings of products is not complicated. However, the challenge is that the millions of existing products already listed on the e-commerce platforms don’t have those details and it would be a very “time consuming” process for the sellers to mark the country of origin for those products. However, for some products, this information is already available…Read More

Galwan clash: China talks peace but raises troop deployment by 30%

It said it would continue holding talks “for peace and tranquillity” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

A day after a 11-hour border meeting between senior military commanders of India and China, Beijing has welcomed an agreement to “cool down the situation”. It said it would continue holding talks “for peace and tranquillity” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Describing the meeting, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson said: “This meeting showed that the two sides wish to control and alleviate the situation through dialogue and consultation.”

Beijing flatly rejected the contention of Union Minister General V K Singh (retired) that more than 40 Chinese soldiers had been killed in the Ladakh face-off. “I can tell you for sure this is fake news,” said the MFA spokesperson. Accompanying Beijing’s talk of “dialogue and consultation”, however, is a massive Chinese troop build-up along the border in Ladakh.

Since the June 15 clash, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has inducted large numbers of troops, armoured vehicles, and artillery along the LAC – from Depsang and Galwan in northern Ladakh to Hot Springs, Pangong Tso, and Chushul in central Ladakh, to Demchok and Chumar in southern Ladakh, said a well-informed government source.

Good that Ramdev has given Covid-19 medicine, but rules matter: Minister

The Ministry had also issued a notification in April stating the requirements and the manner in which the research studies on Covid-19 with AYUSH interventions/medicines should be undertaken

MoS for the Union Ayush Ministry Shripad Naik on Wednesday said that his Ministry will clear its stance on pharmaceutical giant Patanjali’s newly-launched ayurvedic drugs ‘Coronil and Swasari’ for the novel coronavirus after reviewing the report sent by it. However, the Minister said that it is good that Baba Ramdev has given a new medicine to the country.

“It is a good thing that Baba Ramdev has given a new medicine to the country but as per rule, it has to come to AYUSH Ministry first. They even said that they have sent a report. We will look into it and permission will be given after seeing the report,” Naik told ANI.

The AYUSH Ministry had said on Tuesday that it has taken cognizance of news in the media about Ayurvedic medicines developed for the treatment of Covid-19 by Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, Haridwar and said the company has been asked to “stop advertising/publicising such claims till the issue is duly examined”.

In a release, the Ministry said that facts of the claim and details of the stated scientific study are not known to it.It had said the concerned Ayurvedic drug manufacturing company has been informed that such advertisements of drugs including Ayurvedic medicines are regulated under the provisions of Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and directives issued by the Central government in the wake of COVID outbreak.