| Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day's biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. We hope you are staying safe. Here are the big stories that you need to follow today: 'Age of expansionism over,' says Modi in Ladakh visit In a surprise visit to address troops this morning at Nimu in Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the "age of expansionism is over" and countries across the world were united against expansionism and oriented towards an age of development and open competition. "The age of expansionism is over; we are now in an age of development and open competition. In the last century, examples are rife of countries that had adopted an expansionist attitude and threatened world peace but were eventually either destroyed or had to beat an ignominious retreat," he said in a rather direct reference to China and its troop build-up on the Indian border. Modi was accompanied on his visit by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen MM Naravane. To read the full highlights of what was a lengthy speech, go here. Beijing, meanwhile, reacted sharply to Modi's remarks. "China has demarcated boundary with 12 of its 14 neighbouring countries through peaceful negotiations. It is groundless to view China as 'expansionist', exaggerate and fabricate its disputes with neighbours," Ji Rong, the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy said. "India and China are in communication and negotiations on lowering the temperatures through military and diplomatic channels. No party should engage in any action that may complicate the situation at this point," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian said at a ministry briefing on Friday. ICMR looks at launching first indigenous vaccine by mid-August The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is planning to launch the country's first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine latest by August 15, 2020, after completion of all clinical trials. The ICMR said it has partnered with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to fast-track clinical trials.  File photo for representational purpose only. Bharat Biotech had recently received a nod for a clinical trial of its vaccine, named Covaxin. "This is the first indigenous vaccine being developed by lndia and it is s being monitored at the topmost level of the government. The vaccine is derived from a strain of SARS- CoV-2 isolated by ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune. ICMR and BBIL are jointly working for the preclinical as well as clinical development of this vaccine," noted a letter issued by ICMR. We've discussed vaccines and the various methodologies that go into creating them in previous episodes of the The Hindu's In Focus podcast and we'll have an update on this latest development soon.
Covid Watch: Numbers and developments
The Union Health Ministry has said that early detection and timely clinical management of Covid-19 cases have resulted in increasing daily recoveries, with the recovery rate of coronavirus patients crossing 60% today. This is one positive figure to take heart from even as India's coronavirus cases soared by over 20,000 a day for the first time, taking the country's tally to 6,25,544, while the death toll climbed to 18,213 with 379 new fatalities. With inputs from the States, the number of confirmed cases at the time of publishing this newsletter stood at 6,44,577, with the death toll at 18,598. The number of recovered persons was 3,90,262. Ban on International flights extended International scheduled commercial passenger flights will not be allowed to operate to and from India till July 31, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said today. The ban was originally in place till July 15. The decision comes even as other countries are starting international flights. These include Dutch airlines KLM, Emirates, and Qatar Airways. Qatar is hoping that by mid-July its airlines network will expand to 430 weekly flights covering 65 international destinations. Eight policemen killed in U.P. encounter Eight policemen, including a Deputy Superintendent, were killed and seven injured in Uttar Pradesh when a group of assailants fired at the police team that had turned up to arrest an accused late on Thursday. The incident took place on the intervening night of July 2 and 3 in Bikru village under Chaubeypur area of Kanpur, police said on Friday.  Police and forensic team members investigate the encounter site, where 8 police personnel were killed after being fired upon by criminals, in Kanpur on July 3, 2020. Two of the accused, who had allegedly shot at the police team, were shot dead in an encounter during a combing operation, said Mohit Agarwal, IG Kanpur. Two policemen were injured in the encounter, he said. In brief: JEE and NEET exams have been postponed to September due to the Covid-19 situation. JEE-Main will now be held from September 1-6, JEE-Advanced will be held on September 27, and NEET will be held on September 13, said Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. Originally, the medical entrance exam NEET was to held on July 26, the JEE (Mains), for admission in engineering colleges, was scheduled from July 18-23, and JEE (Advanced), for admission to IITs, was scheduled for August 23.  "Keeping in mind the safety of students and to ensure quality education we have decided to postpone #JEE & #NEET examinations," said Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Nishank Pokhriyal. The U.K. on Friday said it would allow quarantine-free international travel to some low-risk countries falling in its green zone list of 50 nations. U.K. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the U.S. fell within the red zone. India's classification is yet to be confirmed. While the complete list of the estimated 50 low-risk countries is yet to be released, Germany, France, Spain and Italy have been confirmed as being within the green zone. Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha has said the Congress will move the court as the strength of the council of ministers in Madhya Pradesh reportedly exceeds the prescribed limit. On Thursday, when 20 cabinet ministers and eight ministers of state were included in the council of ministers, expanding it to 34, Tankha accused Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of violating the law. "By appointing as ministers more than 15% of the effective strength of the legislators at 206, the law has been violated," he said in a tweet. Evening Wrap will return on Monday. | 
Post a Comment