India grappler Priya Malik clinched gold at the World Cadet Wrestling Championships on Sunday.
Malik defeated Kseniya Patapovich 5-0 in the summit clash and as a result, she won a gold medal at the World Cadet Championships in Hungary. Priya Malik won in the women’s 73kg weight category and she has given the country another reason to smile as, on Saturday, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Priya Malik had also won the gold medal in the 2019 edition of Khelo India in Pune and she then went on to clinch gold at the 17th School Games held in Delhi.
Earlier Tannu had won the title in the 43kg category. (ANI)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be visiting India on July 27-28, 2021. This will be his first visit to India after assuming the office.
New Delhi attaches considerable importance to the visit of Secretary Blinken and looks forward to taking forward the conversation with the US on numerous issues, be it Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, bilateral, regional, addressing Covid or global developments according to a source familiar with the agenda of the meeting.
It continues the high-level visits from the Biden Administration after the visits by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in March, and Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry in April.
Secretary Blinken’s visit reciprocates the visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to the US in May 2021. The two leaders have also had detailed conversations this year in the UK (at the G7 meeting) and Italy (at the G20 meeting).
Issues like augmenting trade and investment, and tapping opportunities in healthcare, education, digital domain, innovation and security, will be important elements of the conversation said another source.
In the defence domain, both sides are expected to explore ways and means to deepen their collaboration. This will cover policy exchanges, exercises, and defence transfers and technologies. These would be covered in greater detail during the fourth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue due in the US later this year.
As both countries grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, discussions will cover containment of virus and pandemic recovery efforts. India will press for gradual resumption of international travel, while maintaining health protocols, especially easing the mobility of students, professionals, business travellers, family reunions, humanitarian cases, etc.
Sources tell ANI, “The need for resilient supply chains of critical medicines and healthcare equipment is likely to come up.”
“On vaccines, India will continue to push for ensuring open and consistent supply chains for materials and items required for vaccine production, as India ramps up both for domestic vaccination and as for global supplies thereafter,” sources added.
Discussions on deepening Quad engagement are also expected to be a key focus area of talks, with the possibility of a Foreign Ministerial Quad meeting later this year.
India and the US will also take forward the Quad vaccine initiative to enable the supply of vaccines produced in India from early 2022 to countries in the Indo-Pacific region, said a source.
Afghanistan witnessing massive violence will be the central issue, implications of the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, and the need for sustained pressure on Pakistan on terror financing and terror havens will be part of the agenda.
Two sides will also exchange assessments about the Indo-Pacific region, with focus on Covid assistance, economic slowdown and security scenario. Latest developments pertaining to West Asia and Central Asia are also likely to be covered, sources said.
An official told ANI, “Climate change remains an important area of our conversation, particularly the potential for green collaborations as well as climate finance and transfer of clean technologies to developing countries.”
“India will also engage with the US on other global issues. Political and cultural rebalancing are important trends. India supports a truly multipolar, democratic and diverse world order and expects international conversations to reflect this evolution. We believe in equity and fairness, whether in development, climate change or global decision-making,” the official added.
“India believes issues such as human rights and democracy are universal and extend beyond a particular national or cultural perspective. India is proud of its achievements in both domains and is always glad to share experiences. As a long-standing pluralistic society, India is open to engaging those who now recognise the value of diversity,” the source added.
Discussions will also cover working together in the UN, especially with India holding the Presidency of the UN Security Council in August 2021. (ANI)
Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit treated fans with a special video of her grooving to the popular song ‘Kajra Mohabbat Wala’, by Shashaa Tirupati on Sunday.
Madhuri took to her Instagram handle and shared a short clip where she can be seen performing to the popular song on the sets of ‘Dance Deewane 3’.
In the video shared by the ‘Kalank’ actor, she could be seen giving priceless expressions while lip-syncing to the song.
Clad in a dark blue suit, Madhuri looked extremely gorgeous, while carrying subtle pink makeup with her hair tied into a simple ponytail. To accessorise the look, the veteran actor wore matching jewellery inclusive of jhumkas and bangles.
Within hours of posting the video clip, scores of the Madhuri’s fans chimed into the comments section and left heart and fire stuck emoticons for her.
Addressing the issue of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among people in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday underlined that both he and his nonagenarian mother Heeraben Modi were fully vaccinated against the virus and urged people to trust science as avoiding inoculation can prove to be ‘dangerous’. During the monthly programme, the Prime Minister gave an example of himself and his mother and pointed out that they both have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “I have myself been vaccinated with both doses. And my mother is close to a hundred years of age… she too has taken both doses. At times, some people develop fever but it is very minor, just for a few hours. Not getting vaccinated can prove dangerous,” the Prime Minister said. He urged the people to follow all COVID-19 protocols during festivals. Pointing out that it is crucial that vaccine hesitancy, which is based on rumours, must be addressed, he said India achieved the feat of inoculating million people in a single day. “During festivals and gaiety, do remember that corona is not yet gone from amidst us. You do not have to forget COVID-19 related protocols,” he said. India reported 39,742 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the active caseload of the country to 4,08,212 on Sunday. 39,972 recoveries and 535 deaths have also been reported in the last 24 hours. With this, the total recoveries of the country stand at 3,05,43,138, while the death toll stood at 4,20,551. As per the Union Health Ministry, the present recovery rate is 97.36 per cent, wherein, 39,972 patients recovered yesterday. (ANI)
Bollywood diva Malaika Arora got star-struck after seeing American superstar Jennifer Lopez’s birthday pictures through which she made her relationship official with actor Ben Affleck, and her latest Instagram post is proof.
JLo’s latest pictures from her 52nd birthday celebrations have already set the internet ablaze and fans from all over the world are gushing over her body goals and the way she made her relationship social media official with Oscar-winning actor Ben Affleck. Malaika could also not resist herself to channel her love for the fashion plus couple goals the singer has set for everyone.
Taking to her Instagram Story, Malaika re-posted one of the pictures of JLo from her birthday celebrations at a yacht where she could be seen showcasing her flashboard abs while donning an orange bikini, a hat, and a floral sarong.
Along with the snap, she posted a sticker of a queen’s crown.
In another IG story, Malaika re-shared the picture from JLo’s Instagram handle, where she and Ben could be seen kissing along with the caption “Ufffff”, with a fire emoticon.
JLo and Ben were engaged in 2002 but split in 2004. They co-starred in the films ‘Jersey Girl’ and ‘Gigli’ together. They postponed their 2003 wedding days before they were set to walk down the aisle, then officially split by January 2004.
The ‘I’m Real’ songstress recently ended her engagement with former MLB star Alex Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Ben split with actor Ana de Armas in January.
JLo shares 13-year-old twins, Max and Emme, with ex-husband Marc Anthony, while Ben shares three children, 15-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Seraphina, and 9-year-old Samuel with ex-wife Jennifer Garner. (ANI)
India reported 39,742 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the active caseload of the country to 4,08,212 on Sunday. 39,972 recoveries and 535 deaths have also been reported in the last 24 hours. With this, the total recoveries of the country stand at 3,05,43,138, while the death toll stood at 4,20,551. As per the Union Health Ministry, the present recovery rate is 97.36 per cent, wherein, 39,972 patients recovered yesterday. For the 34th consecutive day, the Daily positivity rate in India was reported to be less than 3 per cent; 2.31 per cent. In the ongoing Nationwide Vaccination Drive, as per the ministry, 43.31 crore vaccine doses have been administered, and a total of 45.62 crore tests have been conducted. (ANI)
Delhi reported 66 new COVID-19 cases, 52 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
The city reported no death due to the disease on Saturday. It is the second time since the second wave of the pandemic that Delhi has recorded zero deaths. The city had reported zero deaths on July 18 also. According to the Delhi government health bulletin, the total count of cases has gone up to 14,35,844, including 587 active cases, 14,10,216 recoveries and 25,041 deaths.
The positivity rate stands at 0.09 per cent, while the fatality rate is 1.74 per cent.
The bulletin said that 51,670 RTPCR tests and 24,638 rapid antigen tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and 2,31,87,570 tests have been done so far.
It said 36,184 people were provided the COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours and a total of 95,88,004 people have been vaccinated in the city. (ANI)
The news is flooded with images from all over the globe of natural disasters that happened due to climate change. It is easy to feel helpless and feel as though you as a single person on the planet of 8billion people can feel small changes they make will make no difference.
We have spoken with Extinction Rebellion and Friends of the earth and made a list of the thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and save our home.
We will release a list every week on different aspects of your life you can alter to make sure you are being more environmentally friendly.
While countries around the world start to reopen in the next few months, we should educate ourselves better on how to travel more mindfully. We cannot go back to ‘normal’ as normal is killing our planet. We need to have a new approach to travel as we emerge from this pandemic
Take the slower route– avoid flying if it is possible- while flying is a lot more attractive and is quicker it is the worst way to travel for the environment. If we start to take trains and buses, we will make a massive positive difference to the climate.
2. If you do have to get a plane then be as wasteless as possible– Airline passengers generate over 5.7 million tonnes of cabin waste per year, says the International Air Transport Association – so how can we put a dent in that? Carbon offsetting isn’t enough. Say no to the plastic-wrapped blankets and headphones provided on flights (bring your own instead) and ask the crew to fill up your water bottle instead of using disposable cups.
3. Bring your own water bottle– Investing in a reusable water bottle is an easy first step to avoiding single-use plastic: look to Camelbak or Nalgene for lightweight and durable BPA-free bottles. If water quality is a worry in your destination, try a self-filtering Water-to-Go bottle. Its in-built filters remove 99.9% of microbiological contaminants, so you can fill them up from any non-saltwater source.
4. Be a litter picker– Next time you’re hiking or biking, do some litter picking as you go. It’s an easy way to do your bit and helps to spread awareness in destinations that aren’t so hot on environmental issues.
5. Turn the lights off– ever noticed when you enter a hotel room and find the lights blazing, the ceiling fan whirling, and even – for some unfathomable reason – the television playing to itself. It’s time to have a quiet word with the hotel manager about housekeeping’s aversion to off switches. They might not notice one complaint, but perhaps the message will get through if we all say something.
6. Make ethical food choices– Make a beeline for family-owned restaurants, and always opt for locally sourced dishes rather than imported fare: the fewer food miles the better. But beware of some delicacies.
7. Let your money do the talking when you book tour guides– Before you book your trip, quiz your tour operator. What’s its stance on environmental issues such as single-use plastic and carbon offsetting? Does it support any charities – and how does it ensure any wildlife experiences are sustainable?
8. If you are staying in a hotel do you really need fresh bedding and a towel every day? Maybe, writing ‘don’t replace!’ sticky notes, or even bringing your own.
9. Buy sustainable souvenirs– Think twice before buying that seashell trinket or those feather earrings. You might surmise the environmental damage has already been done, but buying the product is simply encouraging the vendor to source more
10. Bring biodegradable shower wash– Your shower run-off could be discarded into water sources or used to irrigate crops – with those chemically derived suds tainting the environment and aquatic food chain.
11. Stop flushing toilet paper– if the WC asks you not to flush the toilet, listen to it. When nature calls, do your business responsibly. If you’re staying in a hotel or homestay where the plumbing can’t cope with toilet paper, always put it in the bin provided: one reckless flush could wreck the entire sewage system.
Stay tuned next week for our take on how to reduce your carbon footprint and save the planet while living in a city.
The news that hundreds of Indian phone numbers appeared on a list selected for surveillance by clients of NSO Group, an Israeli firm, rocked political and media circles last week. The reaction, predictably, was one of high indignation. One international publication even labelled it as “India’s Watergate moment”. But first, the facts. Last Sunday, the Pegasus project, a consortium of media including the Guardian, Washington Post, Die Zeit, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Le Monde, and the Indian digital publication, Wire, revealed that government clients around the world had used hacking software developed and sold by Israeli surveillance firm, NSO Group, to target human rights activists, journalists, and lawyers.
Among the government clients was the Indian government. It was revealed that of the 50,000 phone numbers that were targeted by the phone spyware, more than 300 belonged to Indian politicians, journalists, and human rights activists. International and domestic media organisations–the former more than the latter–were quick to issue a scathing condemnation of the tapping of phones by governments, including in India, which prides itself as the largest democracy in the world.
The Israeli firm says it licenses the software to government agencies only to combat terrorism and other serious crimes. In India, its use has been for other reasons: among those whose numbers appear on the database are politicians (belonging to the opposition as well as the ruling regime); journalists; activists who oppose the ruling regime; and others.
The outrage over the Pegasus Project’s revelation is understandable. Phone-tapping is a violation of the privacy of the extreme kind. Last week, the Editors’ Guild of India, which has the twin objectives of protecting press freedom and raising the standards of editorial leadership of newspapers and magazines, demanded a Supreme Court supervised inquiry into the Pegasus controversy. Opposition parties to have been up in arms. The Indian government has, predictably, denied any misdoing. India’s home minister Amit Shah has attempted to dismiss it as a “report for disruptors for the obstructors”, implying that it is an attempt by obstructers who are foreign organisations that do not like India to progress and disruptors who are Indians who are opposed to the government.
Be that as it may, the fact is that phone-tapping and other means of surveillance of opposition leaders, journalists, activists, and others, have a very long history in India.
Long before the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, phones of prominent individuals were routinely tapped by successive Congress-led regimes. Way back in 2010, the senior BJP leader L.K.Advani attacked the then Congress-led UPA government, alleging that it was tapping the phones of senior political leaders in what he described as the “return of Emergency”.
Unfortunately, cynical as it may sound, phone tapping and other means of surveillance by governments are routine procedures followed by India’s authorities–they could be governments, both at the centre and in various states; and they could be investigating agencies. Way back in 1988, a chief minister of Karnataka had to resign after charges were brought against him of tapping phones of many of his opponents as well as allies; in 1989 when V.P. Singh was the Prime Minister, it was alleged that his government was tapping the phones of rivals. More recently, in 2010, at least 100 tapes of recorded telephonic conversations between a corporate lobbyist (Niira Radia) and politicians, journalists, and businessmen, were leaked, creating a furor. In reply to a Right to Information query in 2013, it was revealed that around 9,000 phones and 500 email accounts were monitored every month by the UPA government.
Sadly, and this is the most cynical cut to the entire sordid story, nothing really has changed. Few in Indian media or political circles, except for the haplessly naive, are surprised by the latest allegation that the government has been using spyware to snoop on people. It is as if something that is grossly violative of personal space and the right to freedom of speech is accepted with a shrug–an attitude that doesn’t sit well with the principles of democracy that we often uphold with pride.
Covid hurts the Indian economy hard
Quick, how many people in India live below the threshold of poverty? If you said 812 million, which is 60% of the population of India, you are, well, wrong. The World Bank considers anyone who lives on less than US$3.2 a day as being below the poverty line for lower and middle-income countries. And, pre-Covid, the number of people estimated to be below that line was 812 million.
Not any more. Projections based on analysis conducted at the United Nations University show that in the aftermath of the two waves of Covid, an additional 104 million Indians could fall below the poverty line.
It may seem heartless but although (officially), approximately 420,000 people are said to have died of Covid-related causes in India, it is not an alarming statistic. At least not so, relatively speaking. India’s deaths per million people are 301; the USA’s is 1879; Brazil’s is 2548, and Germany’s is 1094. Distilling down human suffering and deaths down to statistical comparisons can seem patently insensitive but the fact is India’s economy has been worse hit by Covid than its people have.
That last sentence should be qualified because when the economy is hit, the people suffer. But Covid’s direct impact on the health and mortality of Indians is far less by many degrees than its indirect impact will be. Last year (the fiscal year that ended on 31st March), India’s GDP shrank by 7.3%. And, if 104 million Indians have joined the ranks of the extremely poor, which would then mean 65% of Indians are below the poverty line as defined by the World Bank, rest assured that many millions more have slid down the ladder of economic status. Many more millions have slipped from being in the higher segments of the middle-class to its lowest rungs.
CNBC
Much of this can, conveniently, be attributed to the pandemic and its wrath but that would be wrong. India’s economic fundamentals are to blame. Its economic policies, which have been bereft of a long-term vision or big bang reforms, are to blame. When widely publicised news and visuals portrayed Indians gasping for oxygen and hospital beds, Covid showed how flimsy India’s healthcare infrastructure was. It has now shown how ramshackle its economy is.
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu feels her silver medal win in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics will inspire girls to take up the sport.
Mirabai Chanu opened India’s medals tally on Saturday as she bagged a silver in the women’s 49kg category.
“My dream of winning the medal has been achieved. I learned after my defeat in the Rio Olympics, changed my technique, and worked hard,” said Chanu in a virtual press conference organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
“My win will change things for sure as in weightlifting not many girls participate. After this, I want every girl to take weightlifting as a sport. In further tournaments, I want there should be maximum participation from the girls. I feel now more girls will take up the sport of weightlifting,” she added.
The ace weightlifter urged everyone to motive their daughters to take up sports as a career.
“Girls have the power to achieve anything, I urge everyone to motivate their daughters to take up a sport (any sport),” she said.
Chanu lifted a total of 202 kg (87kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk) during her four successful attempts in the competition.
“I had worked for Rio also but I feel that wasn’t my day. That day I decided that I have to fulfill my dream in the Tokyo Olympics,” she said.
“Everyone in my village and my mummy are very happy. When I started playing, I didn’t know much about the Olympics. Slowly, slowly I learnt about the things, and kept working hard on my training and diet,” she added.
Earlier in the day, Chanu’s chief coach Vijay Sharma said he is very happy and he also praised the weightlifter’s work ethic.
“The setback of Rio Olympics has brought us here. The coach has an important role, if the player is not disciplined, then the coach cannot also do anything. I would say that Mirabai Chanu has a big role behind this performance. She is very dedicated and it is because of that, she has managed to win a silver medal,” Sharma told ANI
“We could have done better, but we are very happy with the silver medal. Mirabai Chanu told me that we have fulfilled our dream of winning a medal at the Olympics,” he added. (ANI)
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