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  • Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for coronavirus

    Brazil: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for Covid-19, Bolsonaro himself announced, speaking on Brazilian TV channels Tuesday.

    “Everyone knew that it would reach a considerable part of the population sooner or later. It was positive for me,” Bolsonaro said, referring to the Covid-19 test he took Monday.

    Earlier on Tuesday Bolsonaro’s press office told CNN affiliate CNN Brasil that the President was being treated with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as he awaited the result of his fourth Covid-19 test in four months.

    Bolsonaro reassured supporters on Monday outside the presidential palace in Brasília that he had taken a test and his lungs were “clean” — following media reports that he had a fever.

    “I’ve done a lung screening, my lung is clean, OK? I went to do a Covid exam a while ago, but everything is okay.”

    The President, who was wearing a mask, warned people to not get near him. “You can’t get very close [to me], OK? Recommendation for everyone,” Bolsonaro said.

    CNN Brasil reported Monday that the President said he was showing symptoms consistent with Covid-19, including a 38 degree Celsius fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit). Bolsonaro’s office told CNN Brasil Tuesday that his temperature was normal.

    Bolsonaro has derided coronavirus as just a “little flu,” and previously appeared in public and at rallies without a mask, even hugging supporters.

    He has encouraged the country to reopen, even as the number of cases rises, and has criticized local governments’ efforts to stamp out the virus through social distancing measures, such as quarantine and shelter-in-place orders.

    Brazil is second only to the United States in numbers of coronavirus infections and deaths.

    More than 65,000 people have died of the virus in Brazil, according to figures released by the country’s health ministry on Monday, and 1,623,284 cases have been confirmed so far.

    Coronavirus tests remain hard to come by in the country and some local experts say the real number of people infected could be 12 to 16 times higher.

    The Brazilian leader had previously tested negative for coronavirus in three separate examinations. Those tests were administered between March 12 and March 17, after Bolsonaro returned from a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida and many in his entourage tested positive.

    “Our life has to go on. Jobs should be maintained,” Bolsonaro said in the still-early days of the pandemic, during a March 24 speech broadcast on national television and radio. He has maintained that position, arguing that the economic fallout of lockdown could be worse than the virus itself.

    He has also continued to occasionally greet supporters without protective equipment — even after a court ordered him to wear a mask or face a fine. The order has since been overturned.

  • Over 5000 HIV-positive cases registered in J&K

    Srinagar: Over 5000 HIV-positive cases have been registered in Jammu and Kashmir, official figures reveal.

    According to the statistics J&K State AIDS Control Society (JKSACS) accessed by news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service that over 5000 HIV-positive patients have been registered with the society in Jammu and Kashmir since 1991.

    2756 patients are presently receiving treatment in J&K out of which 2,454 patients are from Jammu and 302 patients in Kashmir, the figures reveal.
    Figures say that 365 were reported HIV+ve in 2018 and 187 were detected with the virus till September last year.

    The data further reveals that over 1060 deaths have happened due to the virus in Jammu and Kashmir.

    An official at JKSACS said that there are many hidden cases which go unreported as people show reluctance to come forward fearing the societal backlash and stigma attached to the disease.

    Appealing people to come forward for the tests, the doctor said that with the detection of virus in the early stage, a patient can be prescribed proper treatment.

    The doctor said that awareness plays an important role in the prevention of the virus.
    However, he admitted that the awareness is a low key affair in the J&K as compared to other regions in the country.

    Another official asserted that the drug menace has attained an alarming proportion in the new Union Territory.

    “While the use of drugs is a major reason for HIV transmission mainly in Kashmir valley, female sex workers, truckers and labourers are the main transmitters in Jammu region. The other major causes of being affected by the virus are blood transfusion, unprotected sex and multi-person usage of needles,” the official added. (KINS)

  • Generating Hope: After defeating coronavirus, Renowned Urologist Dr Wani takes lead in plasma donation

    Srinagar: Renowned Urologist and Head of department Urology SKIMS, Dr Saleem Wani, took the lead for donating his plasma after recovering from COVID 19.

    Speaking to KNS, Dr Wani said that he happily donated the plasma for the COVID 19 patient at SKIMS after he was approached by the Department of Medicine of the Institute

    “I recently recovered from COVID 19. I have resumed my duties. I happily accepted the offer of Medicine department to save the lives of people who are suffering from COVID 19. That is what every COVID 19 recovered patient should do. Those who have recovered should donate and come forward to donate their plasma,” he said.

    When asked whether there are any criteria for qualifying as a donor of Plasma, he said, “The donor should have recovered and can donate plasma after 14 days of recovery. He should be of more than 50 kgs of weight and should not be older than to 60 to 65 years of age besides the ladies who have delivered baby cannot donate. He should not have morbidities like diabetes, hypertension or other chronic diseases.”

    He also advocated for setting up Plasma bank in J&K.

    “In fact we are now into the crises from the last six months, now we should have set up a plasma bank and Aphaeresis machine are made available in all major health centres,” he said.

    Dr Wani requested the recovered COVID 19 persons to come forward and donate.

    “Recovered person can donate his plasma after every four weeks. There is nothing to fear. I attend my work routinely,” he told KNS.

  • Three security personnel injured in Pulwama encounter

    PTI

    Srinagar: Three security force personnel were injured in an encounter with militants in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, police said.

    A police official said that a militant was believed to have been killed during the encounter as he was shot at when he tried to jump from a house. However, the body of the militant is yet to be retrieved.

    On a tip off about presence of militants in Goosu village of Pulwama, security forces launched a cordon and search operation, the official said.

    He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire towards security forces positions.

    Three security force personnel sustained injuries in the initial firefight. They have been evacuated to a hospital here, the official said.

    The operation was going on till last reports came in.

  • ‘239 scientists tell WHO coronavirus is airborne’

    More than 200 scientists from 32 nations have written to the WHO, saying there is evidence that the coronavirus is airborne and even smaller particles can infect people, a significant departure from the UN health agency’s claims so far that COVID-19 is spread primarily through coughs and sneezes.

    A report in The New York Times says that clusters of infections are rising globally as people go back to bars, restaurants, offices, markets and casinos, a trend that increasingly confirms that the virus lingers in the air indoors, infecting those nearby.

    “…in an open letter to the WHO, 239 scientists in 32 countries have outlined the evidence showing that smaller particles can infect people, and are calling for the agency to revise its recommendations,” the report said, adding that the researchers plan to publish their letter in a scientific journal next week.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has long held that the coronavirus is spread primarily by large respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In its latest update dated June 29 on the coronavirus, the WHO said airborne transmission of the virus was possible only after medical procedures that produce aerosols, or droplets smaller than 5 microns.

    The guidance that the health agency has given to deal with the virus, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance and frequent handwashing, since the pandemic first broke is based on its claim that the virus spreads through large droplets when an infected person coughs and sneezes.

    “If airborne transmission is a significant factor in the pandemic, especially in crowded spaces with poor ventilation, the consequences for containment will be significant. Masks may be needed indoors, even in socially-distant settings. Health care workers may need N95 masks that filter out even the smallest respiratory droplets as they care for coronavirus patients,” the NYT report said.

    It said that ventilation systems in schools, nursing homes, residences and businesses may need to minimise re-circulating air and add powerful new filters.

    “Ultraviolet lights may be needed to kill viral particles floating in tiny droplets indoors,” it said. WHO’s technical lead on infection control Dr Benedetta Allegranzi, however, said in the report that the evidence for the virus spreading by air was unconvincing. “Especially in the last couple of months, we have been stating several times that we consider airborne transmission as possible but certainly not supported by solid or even clear evidence. There is a strong debate on this,” she said.

  • Action will be taken against circulating fake letter of Syed Ali Shah Geelani: Police

    Srinagar, July 07: Taking on to the micro blogging twitter, police said that “per the family sources of SAS Geelani the letter is fake and not issued by him. This is published from Pakistan.

    Police is taking action against those who are circulating it through different social media platforms to instigate violence and create L&O problems”.

  • First sign of de-escalation at LAC: What caused China to pull back in Ladakh

    A 2-hour phone call between Ajit Doval & Chinese Foreign Minister plays a crucial role in PLA finally removing tents and shifting from Galwan clash site, vehicles move back in other areas too.

    India Today

    India and China have started showing first signs of disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh where the situation has been volatile for over two months.

    The removal of Chinese tents in Galwan Valley followed a two-hour telephonic conversation on Sunday between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question.

    India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, and China’s State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, spoke to each other, two days after Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s visit to operational areas in Ladakh.

    Officials observing the situation on the ground call it a “piecemeal de-escalation” and a first step taken to defuse the situation.

    The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has removed tents and structures at Patrol Point 14 in Galwan Valley of Eastern Ladakh where the bloody clash took place on June 15 but the retreat has to be verified on the ground, government sources said.

    “Removal of tents is visible but whether they have pulled back needs to be verified on ground,” said an official. The talks at the NSA’s have had a big impact on the two armies. After three rounds of top military commanders talks, a need was felt to escalate the dialogue to reach a consensus for a resolution, government sources said. In Galwan, 20 Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer, were killed in the ugly clashes. China has not revealed its casualties, though reports from the ground indicated they faced losses.

    The disengagement has started as per terms agreed in the Corps Commanders meeting on June 30. “No specific distance of the pull back can be confirmed as it needs to be verified,” said another official.

    India Today TV has reported earlier that China has claimed in meetings that it is 800 metres away from its claim line in Galwan. Sources said PLA has been seen removing tents, and vehicles have also moved back in Galwan, Hot Springs and Gogra. After the previous meeting at the Corp Commanders level, it was decided that a 72-hour period will be used for verification on the ground once the field commanders have decided to move back in their discussions.

    “Till now both sides are sticking to the plans discussed for disengagement in a phased manner,” said an official.

    WHAT LIES AHEAD

    This is only the first phase and other friction areas will be taken up gradually by field commanders. Sources said while tents have been removed and some thinning of troops was visible, it’s not that soldiers at the point have left the area in Galwan. There is still a presence of troops from both sides close to the point of confrontation but the numbers are less compared to before.

    While some disengagement has happened in Galwan, Hot Springs and Gogra, the situation at Pangong Lake hasn’t changed much. At Pangong Lake, another flashpoint where clashes have taken place in the last two months, there are reports of Chinese removing some structures but there is no sign of moving back or de-escalation yet.

    At Pangong Lake, a 2-3 km retreat is not acceptable to India and could remain a sticking point. This would mean a retreat from Finger 4, that’s always been under Indian control. India claims LAC at finger 8.

    The Chinese are currently camping at Finger 4 and have set up bunkers and observation posts between Finger 4 and Finger 8, a distance of about 8 km. More meetings are expected both at the military and the diplomatic level, to arrive at mutually agreeable solution and to ensure peace and tranquillity along the LAC as per bilateral agreements and protocols.

    THE DOVAL FACTOR

    The Special Representatives mechanism was activated on Sunday. The thrust of the phone call between Doval and Wang was to ensure “earliest and complete disengagement” of the troops along the LAC and “de-escalation” to ensure “restoration of peace and tranquillity”.

    The thrust also was to work together to avoid any future incident and to continue conversations to ensure full and enduring restoration of peace and tranquillity in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols. Both sides had a “frank and indepth exchange of views” on the recent developments in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Monday.

    The Indian side focused on the specifics of the conversation and the way forward.

    “The two Special Representatives agreed that the diplomatic and military officials of the two sides should continue their discussions, including under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs (WMCC), and implement the understandings reached in a timely manner to achieve the above outcomes”, said the MEA statement.

    The two Special Representatives agreed that both sides should take “guidance” from the consensus reached by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the two informal summits of Wuhan (2018) and Mamallapurm (2019) when both leaders agreed to not allow “differences” to become “disputes”.

    The two sides agreed to adhere to the agreements signed by the two countries and making joint efforts to ease the situation in the border areas.

    Both sides agreed to strengthen diplomatic communication through Special Representatives and WMCC talks without interruption.

    THE CHINESE VIEW

    While the Indian side hit a conciliatory note, the Chinese statement added its stated position on Galwan.

    “The right and wrong of what recently happened at the Galwan Valley in the western sector of the China-India boundary is very clear. China will continue firmly safeguarding our territorial sovereignty as well as peace and tranquility in the border areas”, a Chinese foreign ministry statement said.

    According to the statement, Wang Yi stressed that both sides should adhere to the “strategic assessment” instead of “posing threats”.

    “We hope India can work with China to guide public opinion in the right direction, keep and advance bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and avoid amplifying the differences and complicating matters so as to jointly uphold the big picture of China-India relations”, the Chinese statement said.

    (With inputs from India Today and Manjeet Singh Negi in Leh)

  • Charge sheet accuses ex-cop Davinder Singh of plotting with Pak officials

    The agency has stated in the charge-sheet, filed under terror laws, that not only had Davinder Singh provided safe passage twice to terrorists in his car; but had also been in touch with an assistant in the Pakistan high commission in Delhi, identified as Shafqat, for seeking information on sensitive military establishments in Kashmir, officials said on condition of anonymity.

    Six months after he was arrested while providing safe passage to Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorists, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a charge-sheet against suspended deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir police Davinder Singh for conspiring with terror groups and Pakistani officials for subversive activities in the valley, officials said.

    The agency has stated in the charge-sheet, filed under terror laws, that not only had Davinder Singh provided safe passage twice to terrorists in his car; but had also been in touch with an assistant in the Pakistan high commission in Delhi, identified as Shafqat, for seeking information on sensitive military establishments in Kashmir, officials said on condition of anonymity.

    Shafqat was repatriated to Pakistan last month along with 50% of staff at the mission as a part of an Indian decision to reduce its strength . He has not been named as an accused but figures in the charge-sheet for being in touch with Davinder Singh and terrorists through WhatsApp and other platforms.

    “Devender Singh was in touch with certain officials of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi through secure social media platforms. Investigation revealed that he was being groomed by Pakistani officials for obtaining sensitive information,” said Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sonia Narang, NIA Spokesperson in a statement.

    Apart from Singh, the charge sheet named Hizbul’s commander in Shopian and Qazigund Syed Naveed Mushtaq, alias Naveed Babu; and other HM terrorists Irfan Shafi Mir, Rafi Ahmad Rather, Tanvir Ahmed Mir and Babu’s brother Syed Irfan Ahmad.

    Singh was arrested by J&K police on January 11 this year at a check-post in Qazigund while he was taking Babu, Irfan and Rafi in his i20 car.

    The agency stated in its charge-sheet that Davinder Singh had provided safe passage to Babu and his brother in February 2019 as well in his Scorpio car. The agency recovered an AK-47 rifle from his car, a Chinese pistol from his house along with ammunition and some phones which he used for communication with terrorists and Pakistan high commission officials.

    Sonia Narang said in the statement: “Investigation has revealed that Pakistan based leadership of Hizb-ulMujahideen (HM) namely Syed Salahudin, Amir Khan (Deputy Chief), Khursheed Alam (Operational Head), Nazar Mehmood (Financial Head) and others along with Pakistani establishment is extending support to the cadre and commanders of outfit in Jammu & Kashmir.”

    The agency said that Irfan Shafi Mir was a key person in the case as he had been to Pakistan four times since 2016 and met Syed Salahuddin.

    “Irfan Shafi not only met HM leadership in Pakistan but also met Umar Cheema, Ahshan Chaudhary, Sohail Abbas and others of ISI {Inter-Services Intelligence} of Pakistan and he was tasked to identify and activate the new hawala channels for transfer of money for sustaining terrorist activities in Kashmir valley. Investigation also revealed that certain officials of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi were in constant touch with Irfan Shafi and he was provided with funds to organize seminars in J&K to mobilize the masses against the Indian government. He also used to receive instructions and money from Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and also facilitated the visa applications for number of Kashmiris for their visit to Pakistan,” Narang added.

    She added that Naveed Babu, a former constable of J&K police who deserted the force, was responsible for various killings in which labourers and truck drivers were killed after the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K in August last year that divested the state of its special status.

    “Naveed Babu had made efforts to recruit gullible Muslims youths to join cadre of HM. He was also receiving funds from LoC traders and accused Tanveer Ahmad Wani (who was an Ex-President of LoC traders Association), was providing him funds with the help of other traders based in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Investigation has also revealed that the accused were obtaining weapons and ammunitions from across the border with the help of arms smugglers and accused Devender Singh,” Narang added.

    With inputs from HT

  • ‘Yatris are our guests’: PDP leader

    Er.Nazir yatoo urge tourists, yatris to visit Kashmir and enjoy hospitality of Kashmiris

    Srinagar: Contrary to what politicians outside the Jammu and Kashmir may feel, senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Ex VC JK Cements, Er Nazir Ahmad Yatoo on Monday said that the ongoing Amarnath yatra is setting an example of communal harmony between local Muslims and Hindu pilgrims.

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    In a statement issued here, senior PDP leader said that, “From decades, the Yatra here in Kashmir is running very peacefully and we Kashmiris are doing our best to serve them. There is nothing to worry about here.”

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    Hundreds of people from various states of India are putting up in Kashmir. If the situation is not conducive in Kashmir then how these people come here? Whenever something bad happens, Kashmiris put their lives in danger and are giving space to them in their homes.

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    “Amarnath yatris are our guests. They could do their pilgrimage without any security,” Over a thousands of local Kashmiris are engaged in their pilgrimage, providing a range of services and security to the pilgrims, Yatoo said.

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    “From centuries, Kashmiris have been safeguarding and providing exemplary hospitality and safety to tourists and yatris as we have been taught hospitality, humanity and safeguarding the rights of guests by our great ancestors. Tourists and yatris, who intend to visit Kashmir, are always welcome,” said Er Nazir Yatoo.

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    Extending the wholehearted welcome to the yatris, Er Nazir Yatoo said that, “Our religion Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) have taught us to be kind with our guests and serve them and safeguard their rights at every cost.”

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    Yatoo said that, the tourism sector in Kashmir has been worst hit by the ongoing unrest and shutdown and all hotels, guest houses and house boats are empty.

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    “Our history bears a witness that we have always respected, safeguarded and served our guests during hardest of times and worst calamities and have never shun this attribute of our life,” he said, adding that, this is also embedded in our Kashmiri culture and ethics and that is why our hospitality has been exemplary throughout the history.

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    Er Nazir Yatoo said everyone from the world including India is most welcome to Kashmir. “We (Kashmiris) invite them to come to Kashmir and enjoy our hospitality and the beauty of paradise on earth”.

    “We patiently wait for the yatra. It provides Kashmiris with a chance to get Shabab (blessing) by serving people, he added.

  • 4 lakh people tested for COVID-19 in J&K so far; only 2.1 % detected positive

    Srinagar: Nearly four months after the first COVID-19 case was detected in Jammu and Kashmir, at least four lakh people have been tested in the Union Territory since March 09, 2020, officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

    A senior official told KNO that 3,99,385 people across Jammu and Kashmir have been tested for the COVID-19 in J&K during the past four months.

    “Of them, only 2.1 per cent among them were tested positive till Sunday evening,” he said.

    He said 390956 samples have been tested as negative till July 05 (Sunday). “Only 2.1 per cent people out of the nearly 4 lakh tested so far have been detected positive in last four months,” he said, adding that the figure available with them is excluding the tests conducted at private clinics in J&K.

    Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr. Samir Mattoo said that nearly one lakh eighty thousand people have been tested so far for the COVID-19 in the Valley.

    “Nearly six thousand among them tested positive,” he said. An official said the health department has intensified the sampling and testing over the past two days in the Valley.

    Pertinently, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole in an exclusive chat with KNO had stated that “the four districts including Shopian, Baramulla, Srinagar and Kulgam are witnessing 82 per cent to 85 per cent COVID positive cases followed by deaths.”—(KNO)