Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 3: Kerala reported 18,853 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday along with 26,569 recoveries, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
“In the last 24 hours, Covid was not detected in any person who recently came to Kerala from the UK taking the total to 126, and their samples have been sent to NIV, Pune for further testing. So far, 11 people who came from the UK were diagnosed with the genetically modified virus,” the CM said in a press release here this evening.
Meanwhile, 153 recent deaths were confirmed on Thursday from Covid taking the death toll in the state to 9,375.
He said 1,23,885 samples were tested during the last 24 hours and the test positivity rate is 15.22 %. Till now, a total of 2,01,78,932 samples have been sent for testing.
On Thursday, no new place was declared as new hotspot while six more places were excluded from the list, taking the total to 871 hotspots in the state currently.
New Delhi, Jun 2: The India Metrological Department on Wednesday said that the South West Monsoon is on the track and the spatial rainfall distribution has increased over Kerala which will increase rainfall in the State in next 24 hours.
According to IMD, the northern limit of Southwest Monsoon continues to pass through 5°N/72°E, 6°N/75°E, 8°N/80°E, 12°N/85°E, 14°N/90°E and 17°N/94°E.
The officials in IMD said that the westerly winds have strengthened in the lower levels over the south Arabian Sea and deepened and as per satellite imagery, there is increase in cloudiness over Kerala coast and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea.
“The above conducive conditions likely to favour in further enhancement in rainfall activity over Kerala during next 24-hours. Hence, the monsoon onset over Kerala is likely to take place during the same period”, they said.
Due to strengthening of lower level southwesterly winds, widespread rainfall activity very likely over Northeastern states during next five days wherein isolated heavy rainfall very likely over Assam and Meghalaya during June 2-4, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on June 2, 5 and 6 and Arunachal Pradesh during June 4-6.
Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is also very likely over Assam and Meghalaya on June 5-6.
The national weather bureau also said that the ‘Western Disturbance’ as a trough in mid and upper tropospheric westerlies with its axis at 5.8 km above mean sea level runs roughly along longitude 80°E to the north of latitude 25°N.
Under its influence, isolated to scattered rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds very likely over parts of Western Himalayan Region and adjoining plains of Northwest India during next 3-4 days.
Under the influence of a trough at mean sea level off Karnataka-Kerala coasts and strengthening of westerly wind in lower tropospheric levels, scattered to widespread rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds and isolated heavy rainfall are very likely over parts of south Peninsular India during next three days from June 2 -4, the IMD said in a statement.
New Delhi, May 31: The Delhi High Court on Monday set aside a petition seeking suspension of the ongoing construction of the Central Vista Project in the National Capital amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
A division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh dismissed public interest litigation seeking the temporary suspension of construction work on the project.
The Delhi Management authority, the bench said, has nowhere questioned the construction work.
Moreover, the government had ensured that the workers were “staying on site” and complying with the Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.
“As the workers are staying on site, no question of suspending the construction work arises in light of Covid-19,” the bench said.
“This is a motivated petition preferred by the petitioner and not a genuine petition. The petition is dismissed with a cost of Rs 1,00,000, said the bench, adding that the Central Vista was a “vital, essential national project,’ the bench observed.
The legality of the project has been upheld previously by the Supreme Court itself. They are supposed to complete the work by November 2021. Time is of the essence in the contract. The work has to be completed.
On May 17, the court had reserved the verdict on the plea filed by Anya Malhotra, a translator, and Sohail Hashmi, a historian and documentary filmmaker, who expressed concern over the “super spreading potential and threat” posed by the construction work at the project site for the workers.
The Centre, the petitioners alleged, had also violated the disaster management authority circular as only emergency or essential services are allowed during the lockdown.
Representing the petitioners, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, submitted that the work, which formulates the subject matter of the petition, was awarded to Shapoorji Pallonji and Company in January 2021.
Terming Central Vista as the ‘Central Fortress of Death’, he further pointed out that the project is now completely off access and it is difficult to determine if the steps, so assured by the Centre, have been taken. There is no publicly available material.
In their plea, the petitioners pointed out that as per the guidelines, all construction activities have to be stopped except the ones where labourers are residing on the site.
The workers for the Vista project are being ferried by bus from Karol Bagh, Kirti Nagar, and Sarai Kale Khan, the petitioners alleged.
The Central government, however, submitted that full arrangements have been made to ensure that the construction activities happen in compliance with the COVID protocol.
“It is submitted that in the meantime, a COVID compliant facility was installed at the worksite itself, to accommodate the 250 workers who had expressed their willingness to stay put and continue the aforesaid work.
The facility provides for strict implementation of COVID protocol strictly and also adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour, such as sanitisation, thermal screening, physical/social distancing, and masking,” it was submitted.
The affidavit also questioned the intentions of the petitioners as they chose only Central Vista Project while overlooking the construction work on projects of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Public Works Department (PWD) and others.
“The petitioner has chosen to be a ‘public-spirited citizen’ only about one project only speaks volumes about his intentions and motive behind filing the present petition that too suppressing all these facts,” the affidavit alleged.
Hyderabad, May 30: Conditions are likely to become favourable for onset of Southwest Monsoon over Kerala around June 3, Meteorological Centre said on Sunday
In a bulletin here, it said that thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds speed ranging 30- 40 kmph is likely to occur at many places in Telangana during the next five days.
Thunderstorm with lightning is likely to occur at isolated places in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema during the same period.
Light to moderate rain or thundershowers is likely to occur at a few places or at isolated places in Telangana, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Rayalaseema during the next five days.
Rain occurred at isolated places in Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Rayalaseema, and at a few places in Telangana during the last 24 hours.
The highest maximum temperature of 43.2 degree Celsius and 41.8 degree Celsius was recorded at Ramagundam of Telangana and Jangamaheswarapuram of Coastal Andhra Pradesh on Saturday.
The maximum temperature of 39.6 degree Celsius was recorded in Hyderabad yesterday, the bulletin added.
Lucknow, May 29: Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Council has cancelled this year’s class 10th board examination due to Covid pandemic.
However, the 12th Board exams could be hold in second week of July with shortened exam time, if the situation is conducive.
The announcement was made by state deputy chief minister and in charge of secondary and higher education Dr Dinesh Sharma here on Saturday.
He said that in the extraordinary circumstances arising out of the epidemic spread due to Covid-19 virus infection, in the wider student and public interest, the state government has cancelled Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Council’s Class 10 board exam scheduled in the year 2021 .
This decision will cover 29,94,312 children. Instructions have been given to make detailed guidelines for promotion of class 10 children in class 11 to Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad.
Dr. Sharma said that the Department of Secondary Education, is continuously working in the interest of the students.
UP is the first state in the country to have reduced the syllabus by 30 oer cent in the month of July last year in view of the interruption in studies of the Carona epidemic.
Secondary education department has conducted online reading and learning from the previous year’s lockdown as well as reading of children through Doordarshan, Swayam Prabha Channel, e-Vidya Channel, Virtual School and e-Gyan Ganga Channel of Secondary Education Council on YouTube.
With this, more than 29 lakh WhatsApp group principals, teachers and students have been created and regular monitoring system has been made for reading and reading.
Deputy Chief Minister said that keeping in view the importance of class 12 examination and examination marks on the future of the students, the exams will be held in second week of July, taking all precautions and following all the rules of prevention of Covid-19 epidemic and social distancing.
Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Council’s Intermediate Examination of the year 2021 has proposed the 12th Board exams to be conducted in the second week of July by the state government. The detailed time table will be announced soon.
Like earlier, this year also the exam will be completed in 15 working days. In the interest of the students, it has been decided by the state government that the duration of the question paper will be kept only one and a half hours and the students will be at liberty to answer any 3 questions in the 10 questions given in the paper.
The number of centers has been increased this year to maintain social distancing among children.
This year 26,10,316 students have registered for the class 12 board examination of Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education.
Dr Sharma informed that in the schools run by the Basic Education Council, an order has been issued earlier to promote the students of classes 6, 7, 8 to the next class.
Now it has been decided that if there is no order for any particular board, then the students of all the schools of class 6, 7, 8 of all the schools of the state should be given general promotions in the next class. Students of classes 9 and 11 should be promoted to the next class on the basis of their annual examination results.
If the annual examination has not yet been held in a school, then it will give promotion to the next class based on the internal assessment done by the student throughout the year. If no internal assessment is available, promotion should normally be given to the student. If there is any order in this regard, then it will be applicable otherwise the above mentioned arrangement of classes 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 will be applicable to all the schools of all the boards of the state. Strict compliance of orders will be ensured.
The District School Inspector has been entrusted with the responsibility of regular monitoring and compliance. If these instructions are not followed by a school, then a complaint can be made by the guardian to the regulatory committee constituted under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate in the district.
Dr. Dinesh Sharma said that the State Government is committed to provide an ideal and excellent education system to the people of the State and is constantly striving for it.
New Delhi, May 29: The United States has pledged to continue cooperating with India on shared healthcare, economic and regional security priorities and deepen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Sec Lloyd Austin in Washington and had “productive” conversations on various aspects of bilateral relation that focused on vaccine partnership aimed at expanding access and ensuring supply.
This was the first cabinet-level visit from India to the new Biden administration and Jaishankar also met National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Intelligence Director Avril Haines and Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
“Today’s talks have further solidified our strategic partnership and enlarged our agenda of cooperation,” the EAM tweeted after the discussions that, he said, covered various aspects of bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues, such as Indo Pacific and the Quad, Afghanistan, Myanmar, UN Security Council matters and other international organizations.
Blinken also said he and Jaishankar discussed regional security and economic priorities to include US COVID-19 relief efforts, India-China border situation and Afghanistan.
“As friends, we will work together to address these areas of shared concern,” said Blinken.
A state Department statement said Blinken “reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to deepening the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.”
Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar discussed a broad range of issues, including COVID-19 relief, efforts to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation through the Quad, and a shared commitment to combating the climate crisis and enhancing multilateral cooperation, including at the UN Security Council.
Ahead of the talks, Blinken remarked that US and India are working together on so many of the most important challenges that are having a profound impact on the lives of citizens.
“And we are united in confronting COVID-19 together, we’re united in dealing with the challenge posed by climate change, and we are partnered together directly through the Quad and other institutions at the United Nations in dealing with many of the challenges that we face in the region and around the world.
“The partnership between the United States and India is vital, it’s strong, and I think it’s increasingly productive,” he said.
Jaishankar also said, “I think our relations have grown stronger over the years, and I’m very confident they’ll continue to do so.”
The EAM also had a “warm” meeting with Defence Secretary Austin and the two engaged in a “comprehensive conversation” about further developing our strategic and defence partnership.
Jaishankar said he exchanged views on contemporary security challenges and expressed appreciation of the US military role in responding to the Covid situation.
In the meeting with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Jaishankar reviewed the partnership between the world’s largest democracies.
They welcomed cooperation in recent weeks that resulted in deliveries of over $500 million in COVID-19 relief supplies from the US, and discussed a range of regional and global issues, and agreed that the countries should continue working closely together to address common challenges throughout the Indo-Pacific region, the National Security Council said.
They agreed that people-to-people ties and shared values are the foundation of the US-India strategic partnership that is helping to end the pandemic, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, and providing global leadership on climate change.
“Our people-to-people ties and our values are the foundation of the US-India partnership and will help us end the pandemic, lead on climate, and support a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Sullivan in a tweet.
On talks with DNI Haines, Jaishankar said he looked forward to “working closely together to address contemporary security challenges and advance our strategic partnership.”
The EAM also spoke to Chairman House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks and
co-chairs of House India Caucus, Brad Sherman and Steve Chabot, and discussed cooperation on vaccines and developments pertaining to Quad.
“The US Congress has been a tremendous pillar of support as India meets the Covid challenge,” said Jaishankar, acknowledging the Congressmen’s leadership in building stronger ties.
Hyderabad, May 28: Conditions are likely to become favourable for onset of Southwest Monsoon over Kerala around May 31, Meteorological Centre said on Friday.
In a bulletin here, it said that thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds speed ranging 30- 40 kmph is likely to occur at isolated places in all districts of Telangana during the next five days.
Thunderstorm & lightning is likely to occur at isolated places over North Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh on May 30,31 & June 1 and in Rayalaseema on May 31 and June 1.
Light to moderate rain or thundershowers is likely to occur at isolated places in Telangana, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and Rayalaseema during the next five days, the bulletin said.
The maximum temperatures are likely to be 2-4 degree Celsius more as compared to the normal temperatures at isolated places in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next three days.
Rain occurred at isolated places in Telangana and dry weather prevailed over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and Rayalaseema during the last 24 hours.
The highest maximum temperature of 43.5 degree Celsius and 43 degree Celsius was reported in Nalgonda of Telangana and Visakhapatnam Airport of Coastal Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.
The maximum temperature of 38 degree Celsius was recorded in Hyderabad yesterday.