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  • India lost $2.8b due to internet shutdowns in 2020

    Srinagar: With 8,927 hours of blacked out or restricted internet access, India topped the list of 21 countries that curbed the citizens’ web access in 2020.

    According to the Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns report released by Top10VPN, India accounted for nearly three-quarters of the $4 billion lost worldwide to internet curbs as the country recorded a loss of $2.8 billion.

    The report said there were 1,655 hours of internet blackouts and 7,272 hours of throttled bandwidth which cost India $2,779.3 million.

    “As in previous years, India continued to restrict internet access more than any other country – over 75 times in 2020,” read the report. “The majority of these short blackouts were highly-targeted, affecting groups of villages or individual city districts and so were not included in this report, which focuses on larger region-wide shutdowns.”

    “The true economic cost is therefore likely to be even higher than the $2.8BN we have calculated,” it added. (PTK)

  • Leader Khamenei bans imports of US, British COVID-19 vaccines

    REUTERS

    • Sometimes they want to test vaccines on other nations … If the Americans were able to produce a vaccine, they would not have such a coronavirus fiasco in their own country,’ the leader said
    • Iran launched human trials of its first domestic COVID-19 vaccine candidate late last month

    Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned Iran’s government on Friday from importing COVID-19 vaccines from the United States and Britain.

    “Imports of US and British vaccines into the country are forbidden. I have told this to officials and I’m saying it publicly now,” Khamenei said in a live televised speech.

    “I have no confidence in them. Sometimes they want to test vaccines on other nations … If the Americans were able to produce a vaccine, they would not have such a coronavirus fiasco in their own country.”

    Iran, the country that has been worst hit by the novel coronavirus in the Middle East, launched human trials of its first domestic COVID-19 vaccine candidate late last month, saying it could help Iran defeat the pandemic despite US sanctions that affect its ability to import vaccines.

    However, Khamenei praised Iran’s efforts to develop domestic vaccines but said Iran could obtain vaccines “from other reliable places”. He gave no details but China and Russia are both allies of Iran.

    “I’m not optimistic about France either because of their history of infected blood,” Khamenei said, referring to the country’s contaminated blood scandal of the 1980s and 1990s.

    This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

  • Biomedical research must help alleviate human suffering: Prof. Khuroo

    KU’s UGC-HRDC organises special lecture for refresher course participants

    Srinagar: Renowned gastroenterologist Prof. Mohammad Sultan Khuroo said on Thursday that the prime aim of biomedical research should be to save lives and to alleviate human suffering.

    Addressing as lead speaker the ongoing two-week refresher course in science, organised by Kashmir University’s UGC-HRDC, he said: “One of the key goals of conducting biomedical research should be to send out messages including uncovering nature’s hidden secrets, saving lives and relieving human suffering and pain.”

    Recalling his entire journey leading to his discovery of Hepatitis-E, Prof Khuroo as per a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that researchers must have acute vision to identify problems which cause human suffering, death and disease.

    “My discovery of Hepatitis E, from the Gulmarg Kashmir Epidemic 1978-79, is a remarkable human interest story involving complexities, missteps, near-misses, and ups and downs as is the case with many similar events in history,” he said, adding that the story focuses on the fact that discoveries do not necessarily require high-tech laboratories or institutions with cutting-edge research facilities but can be accomplished in a very primitive situations.

    “What is needed for a researcher is the passion to uncover the truth and the aptitude to conduct oneself with ethics, dignity and respect for the system,” he said.

    He said the budding researchers need to do away with all myths surrounding research, and focus on excelling in doing things with innovation and novelty.

    Prof Khuroo said institutional basis, funding and other financial support, team support and family support were “optional” for conducting biomedical research.

    He also spoke on his discovery of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Ascarasis as well as the Trichuris Dysentery Syndrome.

    Later, Prof Khuroo answered many questions from the participants, including about the prevalence of gastric and esophageal cancers in Kashmir.

    “Gastric cancers are endemic and most prevalent in Kashmir. For esophageal cancer, we have some clue that it’s possibly related to dietary habits, including high carcinogens in Kashmiri tea,” he said.

    He said gastric cancer is related to high prevalence of helicobacter and “if we can eradicate helicobacter in the community, we will be able eradicate nearly 99 percent of gastric cancer. That is important.”

    Prof Khuroo said the helicobacter virulent strains are related to pathogenesis of gastric cancer and gastritis.

    Earlier, in-charge Director UGC-HRDC Prof Mushtaq A Darzi welcomed Prof Khuroo and said it’s the endeavour of the UGC-HRDC to facilitate interaction of college and university teachers with top-notch scientists and researchers to help them learn from their expertise.

    “This sharing of knowledge is one of the key mandates of the UGC-HRDC and we are committed to fulfill it,” he said.

    Course Coordinator and Coordinator HRDC Dr Geer Mohammad Ishaq, who conducted proceedings of the session, said: “Today’s lecture was specifically organized to guide and inspire the budding researchers of our colleges and universities to undertake high quality research within the limitations of their available infrastructure and other facilities.”—(KNO)

  • More than 4,000 adverse events reported in US after receiving Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

    IANS

    Washington: More than 4,000 adverse events were reported after people received the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the US, with 21 cases determined to be anaphylaxis, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    The US Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine on December 11, 2020, administered as two doses separated by 21 days, reports Xinhua news agency.

    As of December 23, 2020, a total of 1,893,360 first doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in the US, according to the CDC report.

    Reports of 4,393 adverse events had been submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System in the country.

    Among those, 175 case reports were identified for further review as possible cases of severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis.

    Twenty-one cases were determined to be anaphylaxis, including 17 in persons with a documented history of allergies or allergic reactions, seven of whom had a history of anaphylaxis, according to the CDC.

    Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that does occur rarely after vaccination, with onset typically within minutes to hours, said the CDC.

    Locations administering Covid-19 vaccines should adhere to CDC guidance for use of the jabs, including screening recipients for contraindications and precautions, having the necessary supplies available to manage anaphylaxis, implementing the recommended post-vaccination observation periods, and immediately treating suspected cases of anaphylaxis with intramuscular injection of epinephrine, said the CDC.

  • SMC under fire for failing to clear snow from roads

    Srinagar: In an example of official apathy, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has failed to clear the snow from roads for last four days, bringing huge inconveniences to the people.

    Kashmir has witnessed season’s major snow fall which has thrown life out of gear.

    However, the slow response from Srinagar Municipal Corporation to clear the snow for last four days has drawn flak from the people.

    “Authorities have pulled up the SMC officials for failing to clear snow from the roads,” an official of SMC told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS). The official said Jammu Municipal Corporation has been main focus of the government. “Unlike winter capital where administration is showing very much interest to address issues of people, very less attention is being paid towards SMC. There seems no accountability neither authorities seem bothered about inconveniences of people,” the official added.

    People of Srinagar are aghast over SMC as the main roads have not been cleared even after four days.

    “Even main road has not been cleared properly don’t talk about interior roads. There is totally mess and failure of the authorities,” Mohammad Sharief, a resident of Lal Bazaar said.

    “The interior roads at Karan Nagar are still covered with snow. No one has come here to clear the snow,” said Asma Jan, a college girl student.

    She said they are stuck inside their homes as they are not able to take their vehicles out.
    Similarly, the roads leading to SKIMS Soura, Bone and Joint Hospital Barzulla, JVC Bemina have not been cleared properly.

    In Old City Srinagar, the roads at Khanyar, Nowhatta are full of slush and water. “No one came here to clear snow from interior roads here. It is the first time I am seeing the administration very lackadaisical in its approach,” said Mehak Jan, a house wife.

    Locals termed the assurances given by the government regarding the early restoration of electricity and clearing of roads as baseless.

    “People have been suffering terribly due to the absence of electricity. Roads have not been cleared yet,” said Mohammad Amin, a resident of Nishat. The non-clearance of snow has also led to disruption in supplies of commodities like vegetables, milk and other essentials. There was also a thin attendance of employees in government and private offices for last four days as they could not reach to their offices due to accumulation of snow. Very less traffic was plying on the roads.

    To defend the SMC, its Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu Thursday said they have only 15 JCBs and loaders to clear 15,000 lanes across Srinagar.

    He said it was embarrassing to see the SMC men clearing snow with shovels.

    He admitted that response by the three departments including Mechanical Engineering department, Roads and Building and SMC could have been better.

    “I will also write a letter to Lieutenant Governor to ascertain why it took a long to clear the snow on roads,” he said. (KINS)

  • Chaos at Srinagar Airport: Travelers stuck for 7 hours due to traffic jam, mismanagement

    Srinagar: After resuming flight operations after four days, there was chaos and confusion at the Srinagar Airport on Thursday.

    Flight operations at the Srinagar airport resumed on Thursday morning. However, it was a hectic day for travelers due to mismanagement by the authorities.

    Authorities had failed to clear the airport road from snow which led to traffic mess since Thursday morning.

    While some preferred to walk with their luggage, others were stuck at airport or in traffic jam for hours.

    Insha Jan, one of travelers arrived at Srinagar Airport at 1 pm from Chandigarh. However, still 7 pm she was stuck at airport.

    “My brother had come to pick up me at 1 pm but he was stuck in traffic jam outside the airport gate for six hours. There is total mess. I was standing outside airport for six hours,” she told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service. “I can’t walk because I am carrying a big luggage. We are still inside airport premises,” she added. They were yet to come out from outer gate when this report was filed.

    Another passenger who returned from Delhi arrived at Srinagar airport at 12:30 pm. “We reached to outer gate at 6:45 pm. Nobody is concerned about us. My 10-year-old son has not eaten anything since morning because we are stuck in traffic jam,” Mohammad Shafi, a businessman said.

    He said there were no officials to facilitate the traffic movement on the airport road.

    While some people who were waiting hours in the public transports moved out of their cabs and preferred to walk along with their luggage.

    An official of Traffic Department said there were massive traffic jams across Srinagar due to non-clearance of snow. “This is for first time that such massive traffic jam was witnessed outside airport,” he added. (KINS)

  • Jammu-Srinagar Highway To Remain Closed Tomorrow: Officials

    Srinagar: The authorities on Thursday said that the Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only road link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, shall remain closed for traffic tomorrow as well due to the accumulation of snow around Jawahar Tunnel and landslides at several places en route the thoroughfare.

    “Tomorrow no vehicular movement shall be allowed on Jammu-Srinagar highway from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa in view of landslides and shooting stones at Samroli, Cafeteria Morh and slippery road condition from Jawahar Tunnel to Zig (Qazigund)” a traffic department official told GNS. Over 4000 vehicles are still stranded at several places along the highway, reports said.

    Mughal road, connecting Shopian and Poonch districts, also remained closed. Srinagar-Leh highway has been officially closed on the orders by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on December 30. (GNS)

  • Solution to Kashmir issue possible only through dialogue: Mehbooba Mufti

    Says her Father took several steps to end terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and restore trust among the people

    Srinagar: Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti said that people’s voice cannot be suppressed by power. The solution to the Kashmir issue is possible only through dialogue.

    After paying tribute to her father and former Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on her fifth death anniversary at Dara Shikho Garden in Bijbehara town in Anantnag district, Mehbooba Mufti said that her father was a very visionary who always emphasized more dialogue and peace.

    Speaking to media Mehbooba Mufti said that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took several steps to end terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and restore trust among the people, he always used to say that Jammu and Kashmir should act as a bridge between India and Pakistan.

    Mehbooba Mufti said he believed that every issue could be resolved through dialogue. Peace is possible only through dialogue. The former Chief Minister said that if the Government of India wants peace here, then it is the self. The vision of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed should be implemented.

    She added that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed used to insist on India at all times that all the stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir should be negotiated. India should have better relations with all neighboring countries including Pakistan.

    Mehbooba said that despite being a Muslim-majority state, Jammu and Kashmir stood by India. But by removing Article 370 from here last year, we have reduced the people of Jammu and Kashmir from the center.

    Mehbooba said that the only solution to establish peace in Jammu and Kashmir is negotiation. The US has even withdrawn its troops from Afghanistan. Now Us is also negotiating with the Taliban.

    She said that with power Govt cannot win the hearts and minds of the people. You can imprison people but not their thoughts. On this occasion, several other senior leaders and activists of the PDP also paid tribute to the former Chief Minister on his death anniversary.

    At the same time, the party was also organized in the party’s office in Jammu to pay tribute to the former Chief Minister. Many leaders here paid tribute to him and remembered his contribution to the development of Jammu and Kashmir and the country. (PTK)

  • Healthcare worker dies after getting Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine

    Two days after being administered the Pfizer coronavirus jab, a Portugese health worker suffered a ‘sudden death’ at home on New Year’s day

    Representational Picture | Photo Credit: Reuters

    Two days after being administered the Pfizer coronavirus jab, a Portugese health worker suffered a ‘sudden death’ at home on New Year’s day.

    Sonia Acevedo, a 41-year old woman who worked in paediatrics at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology in Porto, had posted a picture of herself after getting the shot on Facebook.

    Acevedo’s daughter Vania Figueredo said her mother had only complained about ‘normal’ discomfort in the area where she was jabbed but was otherwise fine.

    The deceased’s father Abilo Acevedo told Portugese daily Correio da Manha: “She was okay. She hadn’t had any health problems.”

    “She had the Covid-19 vaccine but she didn’t have any symptoms. I don’t know what happened. I just want answers.”

    Acevedo’s employers confirmed that she received the vaccine on December 30 and said they had not been notified of any “undesirable effect”.

    The Portuguese Institute of Oncology said in a statement: “With regards to the sudden death of an operational assistant from the Porto IPO on January 1, 2021, the Board of Directors confirms the event and expresses sincere regret to family and friends in the certainty that this loss is also felt here.”

    The statement further said, “The explanation of the cause of death will follow the usual procedures in these circumstances.”

    Acevedo was one of the 538 Porto IPO workers who received the Pfizer/BioNTech jab.

    Portugal’s Ministry of Health has been informed.

    – Agencies

  • Lawaypora Gunfight: Killing of innocents not acceptable, says Altaf Bukhari

    ‘Will put every effort to ensure facts are made public’

    Srinagar: Apni Party President and former minister, Syed Altaf Bukhari on Thursday said that killing of innocents is not acceptable in any civilised society.

    Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the function here, Bukhari as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said “I hope the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister would have taken strong note of the statements over Lawaypora gunfight, where three youth were killed.”

    He said that Apni Party will put every effort to make the facts public over the Lawaypora gunfight like what happened in Amshipora Shopian incident.

    “Killing innocents is not acceptable in any civilised society,” he said.

    About 4G restoration, Bukhari said how long the government can delay restoration on the name of security reasons—(KNO)