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Covid-19 is expected to kill over 600,000 people in US: Joe Biden says virus is surging

By
Shivani Negi
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The United States which remains the world’s worst hit country by the coronavirus pandemic is expected to suffer 600,000 deaths before eradicating the virus completely from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday.

Biden said that the country is hurting as 400,000 people have already died due to the virus while addressing reporters about his administration’s response to the economic crisis mostly caused by the pandemic.

“A lot of America is hurting. The virus is surging. We are [at] 400,000 dead [and] expected to reach over 600,000,” he said.

On Thursday, Biden had said that the virus will kill approximately 500,000 people in the United States.

Time and again, Biden has slammed the Donald Trump administration for downplaying the virus. The former president, who himself was infected with the virus last year, did not wear mask even while departing from the White House.

Meanwhile, Biden announced two executive orders on Friday. While one focuses on expanding food assistance and delivering stimulus checks to low-income Americans, the other aims at raising the minimum wage to $14 for the federal workforce.


“Today I’m signing an executive order that directs the whole of government, a whole government effort to help millions of Americans who are badly hurting. It requires all federal agencies to do what they can do to provide relief to families, small business and communities, and in the days ahead I expect agencies to act,” Biden said.

The United States registered a record high of over 4,300 daily Covid-19 deaths as the new administration took office.

A total of 188,156 new cases and 4,383 deaths were reported across the country on Wednesday, according to the data updated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

BCCI introduces new fitness rules for Team India

By
Harshit
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After a horrific fitness result in the recently concluded Australian series, BCCI introduces mandatory fitness rules for all the players, which includes 2-km time trials to measure speed and endurance levels and many more.

“The Board felt that the current fitness standard played a huge role in getting our fitness to the next level. It is important to take our fitness level to another level now. The time trial exercise will help us to compete even better. The Board will keep updating the standards every year,” said BCCI as quoted saying by The Indian Express.

As per the new rules, the benchmark for pacers will be 8 minutes and 15 seconds and for each batsman, spinners, and wicket-keepers will be 8 minutes and 30 seconds to complete the 2-km round.

This is also considered as the key criteria for further selection in the Indian cricket team including the mega T20 World Cup later this year.

5 years of imprisonment to Doctor in Vyapam scam case

By
Jyoti B
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Representational Image

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Indore on Friday sentenced a doctor to five years of imprisonment and Rs 1,000 fine in a fraud case.

Ranjan Sharma, Special Public Prosecutor, CBI told ANI, “Accused Manish Kumar was caught by the Flying Squad from Khandwa in 2004 while writing pre-medical entrance examination in place of Sant Kumar. A case of cheating was filed in Khandwa against Manish Kumar, Sant Kumar and Tarun Kumar. Later on, Sant Kumar and Tarun Kumar were acquitted by the court for lack of evidence. Manish went missing after being granted bail.”

The wrongdoing came to light when an invigilator at the examination centre found that the admit-card carried the name of Trivedia, but the photo pasted on it did not match that of Sinha’s face.

According to CBI, the accused Manish Kumar became a doctor after giving a medical entrance test in Patna while on the run.

The case was handed over to the CBI in 2018 after the Vyapam scam surfaced in Madhya Pradesh. The CBI arrested Manish Kumar from Patna and presented him before the court after which the trial started.

The Vyapam scam refers to irregularities in exams held by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, also called Vyavasayik Pareeksha Mandal or Vyapam, for admission in professional courses and state services.

Multiple criminal cases related to the scam have been filed in different parts of the state.

Initially, a special task force of the state police had investigated the scam. In 2016, the Supreme Court had directed the CBI to investigate the scandal.

Covaxin receives Lancet approval amid efficacy jibe

By
Shivani Negi
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In a much needed relief for drugmaker Bharat Biotech, Covaxin, whose efficacy has remained under scanner, has been declared safe by the reputed medical journal the Lancet Infectious Diseases on Friday. The vaccine produces tolerable safety outcomes and enhances immune reposes in its Phase 2 trials, the Lancet said.

“BBV152 (Covaxin) led to tolerable safety outcomes and enhanced immune responses. Both Algel-IMDG formulations were selected for phase 2 immunogenicity trials. Further efficacy trials are warranted,” the results said.

With the development, Covaxin becomes India’s first vaccine against covid-19 to have data published in the Lancet. The data for the 375-participant phase 1 trials shows that Covaxin developed binding and neutralizing antibody response against the deadly virus.

“BBV152 (codename for Covaxin) induced binding and neutralising antibody responses and with the inclusion of the Algel-IMDG adjuvant, this is the first inactivated SARS-COV-2 vaccine that has been reported to induce a Th1-biased response,” said the general.

Covaxin follows the two dose regimen and in the first trials the two shots of the vaccine and placebo were given 14 days apart and the interim analysis was carried out after 42 days of first shot being administered. However, the vaccine is now advised to be administered 28 days apart.

Meanwhile, in an another article, the Lancet lauded India’s indigenous vaccine and said it was a “welcome addition to the covid-19 vaccine landscape.”

Bharat Biotech is currently conducting phase 3 trial across the country and announced on Friday that around 15,000 volunteers have successfully administered the second dose.

Covaxin has been approved by Drug Controller General of India for emergency use and is currently being administered by healthcare and frontline workers under country’s nationwide vaccination drive.

ED officials arrests two in connection with the PMC Bank scam case.

By
Jyoti B
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials arrested two people in connection with the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank scam case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducted raids at five locations including the office of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) president and MLA Hirendra Thakur and premises of the directors of Viva Group in Vasai-Virar and Palghar areas. ED officials confirmed the development.

Five premises belonging to Viva Group, owned by Thakur’s family, and its associates that were searched on Friday included registered office of Viva Group in Virar, residential premise of concerned person of Viva Group in Virar, one associated office premise of Viva Group in Andheri, and two residential premises of two financial consultants of Viva Group in Juhu and Chembur. During search, ₹73 lakh cash, incriminating digital and documentary evidences have been recovered.

The ED said it found that the Wadhawans fraudulently transferred two commercial properties of Mack Star in Kaledonia building, Andheri East, worth Rs 34 crore to the Viva Group. For the transfer of the two properties, separate sale agreements dated June 26, 2017 were prepared. In the sale agreements, the purchase amount was shown to be paid via 37 cheques by Viva Holding (Viva Group) to Mack Star Marketing against purchase of the properties. But investigators found these cheques were never encashed in the account of Mack Star.

Kshitij Thakur said, “We have issued cheques like in any business transaction. If they have not deposited it into the bank, that is not our responsibility. Nowhere in its release is the ED talking about the involvement of Viva Group in money laundering, but they are talking about associates. Why should we be held responsible for the acts of our associates?”

The two arrested persons, as per sources, have been identified as Madangopal Chaturvedi and Mehul Thakur who are the director and managing director, respectively, in the Thakur family-owned enterprise Viva Home Finance Ltd. Mehul Thakur, the director, reportedly has the controlling authority in various Viva group ventures.

Underworld don Bhai Thakur was booked under TADA and was said to be once an ally of global fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim too. His brother Hitendra Thakur is the president of the party named Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA).

In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi won all three of the seats it contested. The newly-elected MLA’s are Rajesh Raghunath Patil, Kshitij Thakur, and Hitendra Thakur. Kshitij Thakur is the nephew of Bhai Thakur and the son of Hitendra Thakur.

A former Shivsena Member of Parliament is also under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigating the PMC bank scam. According to sources, funds of nearly a crore rupees were transferred to the political leaders association representing bank employees. ED officials while probing the diversion of PMC bank funds done by HDIL promoters traced the money being transferred to the association controlled by the political leader.

Farmers alleges masked man conspiracy to kill union leaders

By
Jyoti B
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In a shocking revelation, farmer leaders during late night press conference presented a masked man who named police officials who have a plan to shoot farmers if things go out of control on January 26. Source, ANI

Protesting farmer leaders have alleged that a conspiracy has been hatched to kill four union leaders during the proposed tractor rally on January 26 to create disturbance and incite violence.

“Arms and ammunition was also dispatched with the intention to kill the farmers’ leaders,” they alleged.

The unnamed youth, who was produced by farmers before the media with his face covered, claimed that there was an alleged plot to shoot four farmer leaders. He was later handed over to the police.

“We have two teams. I am here since January 19. We were tasked to find out whether protesters were carrying arms,” the man said.

“For January 26, the plan was that our other team members will mingle with the protesters. And if the protesters approach with their parade, then we were asked to fire shots at them,” the man further claimed.

“During the agitation on January 26, the farmers will first be given a warning by the police and if they do not stop after that then the plan is to shoot them in their knee first. Then our team of 10 will shoot from behind to make it look like the farmers have resorted to using firearms in Delhi,” the man claimed.

BKU leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that the man caught by them initially tried to defame the morcha by alleging that protesters were involved in harassing a girl near the protest site. “When we grilled him, he admitted that he just created the ruckus to see if protesters were carrying any arms. Later, he revealed much more, Jagjit Singh Dalelwal said.

According to the youth, he was caught by the farmers when he, along with a girl, levelled false allegations of eve-teasing at the protest site at Delhi’s Singhu border.

The authorities”s negotiations with representatives of hundreds of protesting farmers hit a roadblock on Friday because the unions squarely rejected the Centre”s proposal to place three contentious legal guidelines on maintain, whereas the Agriculture Minister blamed exterior “forces” for his or her inflexible stand and mentioned no decision is feasible when the sanctity of agitation is misplaced.

The farmers continue to insist – as they have since their protests began 60 days ago – that all three laws be scrapped and that the centre provide legal guarantees for MSP (minimum support price).

Mongolia’s PM resigns after protests against government’s Covid-19 control measures erupted

By
Jyoti B
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Mongolia’s prime minister resigned a day after protests against his government’s Covid-19 control measures erupted in capital Ulaanbaatar.

Protesters took the streets on Wednesday after a widely circulated video showed a Covid-19 patient and her newborn baby being hastily escorted from a hospital to a quarantine facility.

Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa submitted his resignation and a proposal to dissolve his government Thursday after hundreds gathered outside the parliament building to demonstrate against the policies.

Parliament, which is controlled by Khurelsukh’s Mongolian People’s Party, voted overwhelmingly Thursday to accept his resignation.

Demonstrators were protesting the treatment of the patient, who was still wearing a nightgown and slippers when she was escorted out of the hospital. Some protesters wore nightgowns and slippers in a show of support for the woman.

The World Health Organization praised Mongolia early on in the pandemic for its quick response, with the country shutting down its borders and ceasing much of its coal mining activity. Mining makes up nearly half of its export revenue and provides some of the best-paying jobs in the country.

After protests outside government buildings on Wednesday, the Mongolian politician apologised on behalf of the government and said he would stand down immediately.

“Unfortunately, we made mistake during relocating that mother,” admitted Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa Thursday. “It was heartbreaking to see how she was treated.”

“As a prime minister, I must take the responsibility.”

The outgoing prime minister had already survived a parliament vote to sack him in 2018 over a corruption scandal that implicated high-level politicians in a state fund embezzlement scheme — a year after his predecessor was sacked over allegations of corruption.

As the prime minister stands down, President Battulga Khaltmaa remains in place as head of state.

But Khurelsukh has previously said he intends to stand for president in upcoming elections this year, and in his resignation speech he said he had “lost faith” in Battulga as head of state.

The resignation of Mongolia’s prime minister and his cabinet came as a surprise to Mongolians as well as observers overseas. And the move has not assuaged protesters, at least not yet. According to Bat-Orgil and other activists, “The general public are perplexed and suspicious of the prime minister’s motives” for such an abrupt resignation. Mongolia is facing enormous economic challenges due to COVID-19 and the country’s overall lockdown. 

Devotional singer Narendra Chanchal passes away at 80

By
Shivani Negi
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Narendra Chanchal, prominent bhajan singer, died on Friday at Delhi’s Apollo hospital. He was 80. He was admitted to the hospital on November 27 due to his deteriorating health. He is well known for his songs such as award winning Beshak Mandir Masjid todo(Bobby) Chalo Bulawa Aaya hai(Avtaar) and Tu Ne Mujhe Bulaya (Aasha) among others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express grief over the passing away of the legendary singer and wrote, “Extremely saddened to hear the news of Narendra Chanchal ji’s death. He made a mark in the world of devotional songs. My condolences to his family and fans.”

Ministry of culture also took to mourn the his demise and tweeted, “Extremely saddened to learn the unfortunate demise of Veteran singer Narendra Chanchal known for his religious songs and bhajans. Heartfelt condolences to the departed soul & strength to the family members in this hour of bereavement.”

Composer Vishal Dadlani extending his condolences wrote, ” Shri Narendra Chachan ji will be forever remembered through the songs he sang. I doubt anyone will ever walk up to Vaishnodevi without hearing his voice resounding through hills.”

“Saddened to hear demise of singer Narendra Chanchal ji , He will be remembered for his bhajans and some remarkable songs in Hindi films, my heartfelt condolences to his admirers and family,” tweeted filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar grieving the lost soul.  

“Deeply saddened to learn that iconic and most loved #NarendraChanchal ji has left us for the heavenly abode. In prayers for his soul to rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences to his family and legions of fans,” wrote singer Daler Mehndi.

In his illustrious career, Chanchal first sang for several years in films and the released some non-film albums. He has sung bhajans in various languages including Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati and Bengali.

India is a true friend: US lauds India’s covid-19 vaccine help to neighbouring countries

By
Shivani Negi
-

The Joe Biden administation on Friday lauded India’s help to neighbioruing countries and called the country a true friend for sending covid-19 vaccine to a slew of South Asian countries, including Malfives, Bhutan and Bangladesh, to collectively combat the deadly virus.

In a tweet, the US state Department’s account for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said, “We applaud India’s role in global health, sharing millions of doses of covid-19 vaccine in South Asia. India’s free shipments of vaccine began with Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal and will extend to others. India’s a true friend for using its pharma to global community.”

India started the supply of covid-19 vaccines to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles on Wednesday under its ‘Neighbourhood First” policy on Wednesday. The jabs sent in the first shipment will be provided these countries for free as a humanitarian gesture and thereafter, the country will supply vaccine commercially to the neighbouring countries who intend to purchase.

“In keeping with this vision, we have responded positively to requests for supply of Indian manufactured vaccines from countries across the globe, starting with our neighbours,” he said, referring to the free supplies” Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said.

As on date, India has sent around 1,50,000 doses of covid-19 vaccines to Bhutan and 100,000 doses to the Maldives, while over 2 million doses of covid-19 vaccines have been sent to Bangladesh and 1 million to Nepal.

India started world’s largest covid-19 vaccination drive with its two approved vaccine — Covaxin by Bharat Biotech and Covishield by Serum Institute — on January 16. In the first phase, India is inoculating health care and frontline workers and in the second phase, the country plans to give jabs to people aged above 50 and those below 50 with comorbidities.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that India will continue to supply the vaccinee doses all over the world while country inoculates its own people.

“This will be calibrated against domestic requirements and international demand and obligations, including under GAVI’s Covax facility to developing countries,” the MEA had said in a statement.

Arnab WhatsApp chats: CWC demands JPC probe

By
Jyoti B
-

The Congress on Friday demanded a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the purported WhatsApp chats of Arnab Goswami for breach of national security and violations of Official Secrets Act and book those involved.

The Congress Working Committee, the highest decision making body of the grand old party, passed a resolution to this effect.

The Congress Working Committee  chaired by Sonia Gandhi earlier discussed the issue along with that of the farmers’ agitation and the COVID-19 vaccination drive and passed three resolutions on each of them.

“The CWC demands a time-bound investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee to enquire into the breach of national security, violations of Official Secrets Act and the role of the persons involved. Ultimately, those who are guilty of treacherous behaviour must be brought before the law and punished,” the CWC resolution said.

Meanwhile, Congress workers and leaders held protests against Arnab and BJP across Maharashtra including outside the Republic TV headquarters in Mumbai’s Lower Parel. Accusing Arnab of being a ‘traitor’, the protestors demanded that he be booked under sedition for “using the sacrifice of the CRPF jawans martyred in Pulwama attack for financial gain by boosting TRPs”.

Addressing the media after the CWC, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said, “The CWC expressed its concern at the recent revelations exposed in the sordid conversations that have undoubtedly compromised national security. It is clear that among those involved are persons in the highest echelons of government and there has been a breach of secrecy concerning vital and sensitive military operations.”


Addressing a joint press conference, Congress leaders K C Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala said elections to the CWC will also be held but it remains to be seen whether they can be scheduled before or after the election to the Congress chief’s post.

Sources said the Central Election Authority has proposed the holding of polls for electing the party president and AICC session on May 29 and the working committee discussed the dates, but authorised Sonia Gandhi to schedule them after the assembly polls.

Serum Institute suffered Rs 1,000 crore loss in fire: CEO

By
Shivani Negi
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Serum Institute of India that suffered a major fire accident on Thursday killed five people and has led to a financial loss of Rs 1,000 crore, CEO Adar Poonawalla said on Friday. However, the incident will not affect the supply of covid-19 vaccine, the CEO added.

“The supply of Covid-19 will not be affected due to the fire. No actual vaccine was being made at that facility. The extent of the damage is more than 1,000 crore,” he said.

Earlier, in a statement, the company has said that the production of BCG and Rotavirus vaccines may be affected due to the incident in future.

According to state health minister Rajesh Tope, the fire was caused by welding sparks. “Rotavirus plant installation was going on when welding sparks caused the fire due to highly inflammable material present at the spot. It took the local administration three hours to douse the fire completely. They have also recovered five bodies. Police investigation is on and a fire audit of the building will also be conducted,” Tope said.

Meanwhile, a compensation of Rs 25 lakh was announced for the families of bereaved labourer by the Pune based company. However, the state is yet to announce any procedure related to ex-gratia.

Julie Payette: Canada governor general resigns from the post

By
Jyoti B
-

Canadian Governor General Julie Payette has resigned amid claims she created a toxic work environment for her staff.

One told CBC that Rideau Hall – the residence and workplace of the governor general – had become a “house of horrors” under Ms Payette’s leadership, causing long-time staff to leave in droves.

“I have come to the conclusion that a new governor general should be appointed. Canadians deserve stability in these uncertain times,” Ms Payette said in a statement announcing her departure, adding she was sorry for tensions that had arisen with staff.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed he had received her resignation. He had recommended the appointment of the former astronaut in 2017, though her exit has no immediate implications for his Liberal government.

The governor general has a largely ceremonial job such as swearing in governments and formally signing legislation, but can on rare occasions be asked to settle constitutional questions.

She resigned just hours after senior officials received the results of an independent probe into reports of verbal abuse and bullying by Payette.

“I have come to the conclusion that a new Governor General should be appointed. Canadians deserve stability in these uncertain times,” Payette said in a statement, adding she was sorry for tensions that had arisen with staff.

Ms Payette was formerly the country’s chief astronaut and the first Canadian to serve on the International Space Station.

Potential candidates for governor general are supposed to be vetted by a special committee, a step Mr Trudeau chose to ignore when he recommended Ms Payette for the job.

Pune: Maharashtra CM to visit Serum Institute of India

By
Harshit
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Serum Institute of India, SII fire, Adar Poonawalla, Uddhav Thackeray,

The Maharashtra government has ordered a probe into the fire that broke out at the Serum Institute of India in Pune, killing at least five people.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackery is also expected to visit Pune today and take the stock of the entire event.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief at the loss of lives in the incident at the Serum building.

However, Serm CEO Adar Poomawala has said that the COVISHIELD production building is unaffected and he also announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakhs to each of the families.

The Serum Institute of India is notably the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer and has been contracted to manufacture billions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. It is also the one of the first vaccine in the country to get the nod from the Indian government for emergency use.

Joe Root: Indian series will be challenging

By
Harshit
-
Joe Root, India vs England,

After winning the Test series in Australia, the Indian team will now face England. Prior to India’s tour, England captain Joe Root said that England would have to perform “the best” to challenge India at home.

Despite not having many star players in the Indian team, including captain Virat Kohli, won the four-match series 2-1 by winning by three wickets in the fourth Test. A month before this, the lowest score in the Adelaide Test was reduced to 36 runs.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of England’s second Test against Sri Lanka, Root said, “It was a brilliant series from beginning to end in which some good cricket was played.” “Fight, character and flexibility and depth were seen in the way Indian players performed.

He said “As a cricket fan watching Test cricket this was a great advertisement for the game and our tour of India will be even more exciting.”

Coulter Nile, Carrey not surprised with their franchise’s move against them

By
Harshit
-
Nathon Coulter Nile,

Australian players Alex Carrey and Nathan Coulter-Nile are not surprised by the release of the Indian Premier League (IPL) from their franchise teams and they hope that they will get a better team in the upcoming season of this glamor-laden league.

Wicket-keeper batsman Carrey was released by runners-up Delhi Capitals from last season on Thursday, while Mumbai Indians were released to Coulter-Nile.

“Yep, that was good,” Coulter-Nile said. “Just got smacked in the 19th [over], get off the field and get told I’m being flicked, get the email.”

“I was expecting that was going to happen,” Coulter-Nile said. “They paid overs for me so I thought that was going to happen. Hopefully, I can get picked up again this year. I’ve got nothing else on so hopefully I can get to the IPL.”

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