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4 Cases Of Omicron Sub-Variant BF.7 Reported In India In 6 Months

By LokMarg 21st December 2022

India has in the past six months reported four cases of the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which is driving the current surge of infections in China.
Sources said BF.7 cases were reported in India in July, September, and November and there are four cases so far added that three cases were reported from Gujarat and one from Odisha. They said more cases have not been reported and the infection has not been found to be strong.

“There are currently ten different variants of Covid-19 in the country, with the latest variant being BF.7. At present various variants of Omicron are spreading in the country and the Delta variant can still be seen in the country,” a source told ANI.

A sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States, China, Brazil, and South Korea has prompted the Union Health Ministry to review the pandemic situation in India.

As a precautionary measure, the government has from Wednesday restarted random sampling of international passengers at airports across the country for Covid.

“Random sampling of international passengers for Covid19 has started at airports in the country from today,” a source told ANI.

Surat Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said a woman with a travel history to America was found BF.7 variant positive on November 18 in Vadodara.

“She recovered after home isolation and her condition is normal. There is no need to panic, situations are under control,” the official said.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya conducted a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in the country and the preparedness of the public health system for surveillance, containment, and management of COVID-19 in view of the recent spike in cases of COVID-19 in some countries. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar was also present besides Dr. K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, and senior officials and public health experts.

The Union Health Minister was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario.

Underlining the challenge posed by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in some countries across the world such as China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States, Union Health Minister noted the importance of being prepared and remaining alert against new and emerging strains of COVID-19, especially in view of the upcoming festive season.

Mandaviya also said that Covid-19 is not yet over and directed officials to be alert and strengthen surveillance amid a surge in coronavirus cases globally.

He urged people to follow COVID-appropriate behavior and get vaccinated”

“The surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples will track the variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country. This would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures. States and UTs have been requested to send samples of all COVID-19 positive cases to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) on a daily basis, for sequencing, to track new variants, if any,” he said.

In a presentation, the Union Health Minister was briefed that India has been witnessing a steady decline in cases with average daily cases falling to 158 in the week ending December 19, 2022.

However, a consistent rise in global daily average cases has been reported in the last six weeks, with 5.9 lakh average daily cases reported in the week ending December 19, 2022.

“A new and highly transmissible BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant has been found to be behind a wider surge of COVID infections in China,” an official release said.

Dr. VK Paul said only 27-28 percent of people have taken precautionary doses. “We appeal to others, especially senior citizens, to take the precautionary dose. Use a mask if you are in a crowded space, indoors or outdoors. This is all the more important for people with comorbidities or those of higher age,” Dr. Paul added. (ANI)

COVID Cases Surpass 100MN: Johns Hopkins Univ, US

By LokMarg 21st December 2022

COVID cases in the US surpassed 100 million on Wednesday. The total COVID cases in the US now stand at 100,007,330, according to the Johns Hopkins University website. About 1,586,844 cases were reported in the US over a 28-day period.

The total number of deaths in the US stands at 1,088,280 and about 649,501,939 vaccine doses have been administered so far.
The total COVID cases worldwide stand at 654,736,907. Cases reported over 28 days stand at 15,131,943. So far, 6,670,257 people across the globe, have died due to COVID, and globally, 13,112,820,813 vaccine doses have been administered so far

The total COVID cases in China stand at 4,293,671 with 917,308 cases reported over a 28-day period. The total death toll in China stands at 16,539, according to the Johns Hopkins University website.

The total number of COVID cases in Japan stands at 27,603,549. Total cases in France, Australia, Russia, and the UK stand at 39,174,528, 10,983,380, 21,428,388, and 24,318,154 respectively.

A recent report by Voices Against Autocracy said that Chinese citizens have been left to fend for themselves after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) amid widespread protests against the government’s zero-COVID policy, suddenly lifted its stringent COVID regulations.

The report also said that: “Continued inaction by the CCP and turning a blind eye to the people’s suffering might again push people to the streets to get what is due to them.”

COVID has been rapidly spreading in China. Informal reports show that about 40 percent of Beijing’s residents are currently infected with COVID. The CCP has, however, changed its agenda to project COVID as the mere flu.

According to The Hong Kong Post, it is certain that the Chinese government was “under-prepared” as it decided to end its zero-COVID policy abruptly after people held protests across the country.

The Chinese government has so far remained silent on the number of deaths. However, the Chinese authorities have warned of successive waves of COVID infections in the coming months, as cases continue to rise after the lifting of restrictions earlier this month. (ANI)

LAC Clash: US Supports Indian Efforts To Deescalate Tension

By LokMarg 14th December 2022

The United States Department of Defence said that it continues to closely watch developments along the Line of Actual Control at the India-China border and noted that China “continues to amass forces and build military infrastructure along the so-called LAC.”

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder in an on-Camera Press Briefing on December 13 (local time) said that China is growingly asserting itself and being proactive in areas directed toward US allies and partners in Indo-Pacific.

Asked about the December 9 face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh, the spokesperson said, “The DoD continues to closely watch developments along the line of actual control at the India-China border.

“We have seen the PRC continue to amass forces and build military infrastructure along the so-called LAC. But I would defer you to India in terms of their views. It does reflect though, and it’s important to point out, the growing trend by the PRC to assert itself and to be provocative in areas directed towards US allies and our partners in the Indo-Pacific,” the Pentagon spokesperson said.

“…We will continue to remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the security of our partners. And we fully support India’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate this situation, Ryder said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament on Tuesday that Chinese troops had attempted to transgress the LAC at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh in a bid to “unilaterally change the status quo” but were given a firm and resolute response forcing the Chinese side to retreat. In his statement in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Singh said the face-off led to a physical scuffle that led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides but “there were no fatalities or serious casualties” to Indian soldiers.

“The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquility along the border. The issue has also been taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels,” Singh told Parliament.

On Tuesday (local time), the White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US is closely monitoring the situation and that Washington is ” glad to hear that both sides appear to have quickly disengaged from the clashes.”

” We are closely monitoring the situation. We encourage India and China to utilize existing bilateral channels to discuss disputed boundaries. Again, we are — we’re glad to see that there has been some disengagement on the clashes at this time,” the White House Press Secretary said.

The US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price also in his press briefing on December 13 (local time) stated that the Price stated that the US is glad to hear both sides have quickly disengaged after the clashes in Tawang.

“…we’re continuing to monitor very closely and to engage with our Indian partners,” Price said.

Responding to a question on the strategy of the US in case the situation escalates, the spokesperson said, “India is indeed an important strategic partner of the United States bilaterally, in the Quad, and other multilateral fora as well. So we’re always, with that in mind, in close contact with our Indian partners, both from our mission in India as well as from the State Department here in Washington.”

“… we do strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions, military or civilian, across the border at the established Line of Actual Control,” he said adding that, “We encourage India and China to utilize existing bilateral channels to discuss disputed boundaries.” (ANI)

Prince Harry Not On King Charles’ Coronation List: Royal Expert

By LokMarg 10th December 2022

There’s been quite a lot of noise surrounding the documentary series ‘Harry and Meghan’ which is now on the OTT platform Netflix.

Royal expert Tom Bower recently spoke to Page Six – an entertainment media house based in the US and said that there are very minimal chances that Prince Harry would now be greeted with a warm welcome in the UK.
Tom Bowers told Page Six, “I can’t imagine they’ll be welcome. I don’t think Harry will ever be welcome back in England.”

He also added that there’s a possibility that Harry and Meghan won’t be on the guestlist at Prince Charles III’s coronation either.

Bowers told Page Six that Harry has become an outsider Meghan has equally distanced herself from the rest of the British royal family.

“I think he’s just cutting himself off from it all. You know, he is turning himself into an outcast, and I don’t think anyone’s going to be looking to — to see if he’s welcome here,” Bower said, “And … with her, she’s finished now for sure. And he’s on the verge of being finished.”

According to Bowers, Prince Harry’s relationship with his father King Charles III has also been damaged.

The author of “Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors” told Page Six that “there was never any chance of it (reconciliation between Royal family and Prince Harry and Meghan),” despite the fact that many people believed the royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would patch fences following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing on September 8.

“The whole problem is that Charles hates confrontation, and someone who had dinner with him earlier this week told me that he wants to stay out of it,” Bower explained to Page Six.

“But I think that it’ll be impossible for him to stay out of it,” he added.

The royal family hasn’t issued any statement regarding the documentary series so far, as per Page Six. (ANI)

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Chinese Hackers Stole Millions Of Covid Relief Money In US

By LokMarg 8th December 2022

China-based hackers stole at least USD 20 million in US Covid relief benefits, including unemployment insurance funds and Small Business Administration loans, NBC news reported citing the country’s Secret Service.

Hackers linked to the Chinese government are from a Chengdu-based group known as APT41. The report said other federal investigations of pandemic fraud also seem to point back to foreign state-affiliated hackers.
“It would be crazy to think this group didn’t target all 50 states,” Roy Dotson, national pandemic fraud recovery coordinator for the Secret Service, told NBC.

The US Secret Service declined to confirm the scope of other investigations.

They said there are over 1,000 ongoing investigations involving transnational and domestic criminal actors defrauding public benefits programs, and APT41 is “a notable player,” according to NBC news.

In recent months, the US has witnessed a rise in espionage cases emanating from China.

Last month, in three separate cases, the US government charged 13 individuals, including members of China’s security and intelligence apparatus and their agents, for alleged efforts to unlawfully exert influence in the United States for the benefit of their government.

“As these cases demonstrate, the government of China sought to interfere with the rights and freedoms of individuals in the United States and to undermine our judicial system that protects those rights. They did not succeed,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, as quoted in the Justice Department press statement.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate attempts by any foreign power to undermine the Rule of Law upon which our democracy is based. We will continue to fiercely protect the rights guaranteed to everyone in our country. And we will defend the integrity of our institutions,” Garland added.

Seven Chinese nationals were charged – two of whom were arrested on October 20 in New York – with participating in a scheme to cause the forced repatriation of a PRC national residing in the United States.

The defendants are accused of conducting surveillance of and engaging in a campaign to harass and coerce a U.S. resident to return to Beijing as part of an international extralegal repatriation effort known as “Operation Fox Hunt.” (ANI)

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China’s Xi To Visit Saudi Arabia This Week

By LokMarg 6th December 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to reach Saudi Arabia on Thursday amid the tension between the US and the two countries.

According to CNN citing sources, Xi’s trip to Arabia’s capital Riyadh will include a China-Arab summit in which 14 Arab heads of state are expected to attend.
During the two-day visit, a China-GCC conference is also expected to take place.

Rumours of a Chinese presidential visit to the US largest Middle East ally have been circulating for months. Still, they are yet to be confirmed by the governments of Saudi Arabia and China.

Last week, the Saudi government sent out registration forms for reporters to cover the summit, without confirming the exact dates. The Saudi government declined to respond to CNN’s request for information about Xi’s visit and the planned summits.

The US and Saudi Arabia are still embroiled in a heated spat over oil production, which in October culminated in strong rhetoric and traded accusations when the Saudi-led oil cartel OPEC+ slashed output by two million barrels per day in an effort to “stabilize” prices. The decision was taken despite heavy US campaigning against it, according to CNN.

In July, US President Joe Biden paid a visit to Saudi Arabia where he raised the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Biden said that he believed the Saudi leader was responsible for the US-based journalist’s death.

“I raised it at the top of the meeting, making it clear what I thought of it at the time and what I think of it now,” Biden said in a speech after hours of meetings with the Saudi Crown Prince in Jeddah.

US relations with China have also been strained not only with Saudi Arabia. China and Saudi Arabia have also taken different stances to the West regarding the Ukraine war. Both have refrained from endorsing sanctions on Russia, and Riyadh has repeatedly maintained that Moscow is a key energy-producing partner that must be consulted on OPEC+ decisions, reported CNN.

Following last month’s massive oil cut, some US officials have accused Saudi Arabia of siding with Russia and aiding President Vladimir Putin with his war on Ukraine.

Saudi officials have denied either weaponizing oil or siding with Russia. (ANI)

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Pakistan Again Tops List Of Nations At-Risk Of Mass Killings

By LokMarg 3rd December 2022

For the third time in a row, Pakistan has topped the list of nations at the highest risk of experiencing mass killings, according to the latest assessment by the US think-tank Early Warning Project.

Pakistan faces multiple security and human rights challenges, including increasing violence by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, the Early Warning Project said in its 28-page report.
The Early Warning Project is a joint initiative of the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College.

The other Asian nations in the top ten list include Myanmar ranked second and Yemen, in the third spot.

Early Warning Project is a research organization that identifies countries at risk of mass violence. The report cites violence by a local offshoot of the Taliban as one of the main challenges for the nation already facing political and economic crises.

Notably, this report comes as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called off the ceasefire with the government this week. TTP ended the ceasefire agreed with the government in June and ordered fighters to stage attacks across the country.

“As military operations are ongoing against mujahideen in different areas […] so it is imperative for you to carry out attacks wherever you can in the entire country,” the banned outfit said in a statement.

The Islamic group’s violent campaign had been picking up pace in recent months, with the most significant attack coming in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Lakki Marwat district last month, in which at least six policemen were killed.

The TTP, a Pakistani offshoot and close ally of the Afghan Taliban, is listed as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. According to UN estimates, it has between 4,000 to 6,500 fighters in Afghanistan. Its spread is beyond the tribal belt, to Pakistani cities.

“The Early Warning Project judged there was an ongoing mass killing perpetrated by the Taliban Movement of Pakistan and associated militias as of the end of 2021; this risk assessment relates to the possibility of a new and distinct nonstate-led or state-led episode beginning, not to the ongoing episode continuing or increasing,” the report said. (ANI)

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US Places China, Pak On List Of Religious Freedom Violators

By LokMarg 3rd December 2022

The Biden administration has placed China, Pakistan, and 10 others on a list of countries that “engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom” during 2022.

“Today, I am announcing designations against Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
“I am also placing Algeria, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam on the Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom,” he added.

The United States has also designated nine groups including the Taliban, and the Russian paramilitary organization Wagner Group, as “Entities of Particular Concern.”

“I am designating al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, the Taliban, and the Wagner Group based on its actions in the Central African Republic as Entities of Particular Concern,” he said.

Noting that governments and non-state actors harass and kill individuals on account of their beliefs, Blinken said the United States will not stand by in the face of these abuses.

“In some instances, they stifle individuals’ freedom of religion or belief to exploit opportunities for political gain. These actions sow division, undermine economic security, and threaten political stability and peace,” he said.

The US Secretary of State said the announcement of these designations is in keeping with US values and interests to protect national security and to advance human rights around the globe.

He said that the United States will continue to carefully monitor the status of freedom of religion or belief in every country around the world and advocate for those facing religious persecution or discrimination.

“We will also regularly engage countries about our concerns regarding limitations on freedom of religion or belief, regardless of whether those countries have been designated,” he added. (ANI)

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India’s Envoy To US Hands Over Padma Bhushan To Sundar Pichai

By LokMarg 3rd December 2022

India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu handed over the Padma Bhushan, one of the country’s highest civilian Awards, to Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai in San Fransisco.

Taking to Twitter, Sandhu said, “Delighted to hand over Padma Bhushan to CEO @Google
& Alphabet @sundarpichai in San Francisco. Sundar’s inspirational journey from #Madurai to Mountain View, strengthening India-US economic and technology ties, reaffirms Indian talent’s contribution to global innovation.”

On the eve of the 73rd Republic Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that Sundar Pichai would be conferred with Padma Bhushan.

After receiving the Padma Bhushan award from Sandhu, Pichai in his blog said, “I want to thank Ambassador Sandhu and Consul General Prasad for hosting me to receive the Padma Bhushan. I am deeply grateful to the Indian government and the people of India for this immense honour. It is incredibly meaningful to be honoured in this way by the country that shaped me.”

“India is a part of me. I carry it with me wherever I go. (Unlike this beautiful award which I will keep somewhere safe),” he added.

According to the blog, Google CEO said that he is fortunate to grow up in a family that cherished learning and knowledge, with parents who sacrificed a lot to make sure that he had opportunities to explore his interests.

Every new technology that arrived at our doorstep made our lives better. And that experience put me on a path to Google, and the chance to help build technology that improves the lives of people all over the world, Pichai added.

Appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India vision, Pichai said that Digital India’s vision has certainly been an accelerator for that progress. He also said that he felt proud to continue its investment in India, partnering with governments, businesses and communities over two transformative decades.

“We recently announced that we’ll be investing USD 10 billion in India’s digital future, working to enable more affordable internet access, building products for India’s unique needs, helping businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation, and using AI to tackle big societal challenges,” Google CEO said.

He further stated, “We’re also investing deeply in digital skilling, and have trained over 1 million women through our WomenWill Entrepreneurship Program and over 55,000 teachers in partnership with the government and local organizations. We’ve also sponsored over 100,000 Google Career Certificate sponsorships in collaboration with the NASSCOM Foundation and Tata Strive.”

Talking about the languages added to Google Translate, Pichai said that 8 of 24 are languages native to India. It means so much to see how people can access information and knowledge in their preferred language, and see the world open up to them in new ways.

“That’s why I continue to be so optimistic about technology, and why I believe India can and must continue to lead,” he added.

Pichai also said that he is looking forward to continuing the great partnership between Google and India, as we work together to bring the benefits of technology to more people. (ANI)

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FBI To Handover Gangster Goldy To India Soon

By LokMarg 2nd December 2022

Canada-based Gangster Goldy Brar will soon be handed over by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to Indian law enforcement agencies, sources said.

Goldy Brar was the alleged mastermind in the cold-blooded murder of Punjabi singer, popularly known as Sidhu Moosawala.
ANI has learnt from sources that gangster Brar is currently under round-the-clock monitoring of the FBI. Brar was tracked by the FBI after he illegally entered the US from Canada.

Indian agencies reportedly tipped off the FBI about Brar’s movement and the Americans quickly swung into action and tracked him promptly. He was put under surveillance immediately.

Sources told ANI that India has provided all the documentation of evidence against Brar to the US authorities and the gangster will soon be handed over to India. He is under constant monitoring of the FBI and cannot leave the United States.

Goldy Brar had allegedly coordinated with gangsters Larence Bishnoi and others to murder Sidhu Moosawala earlier this year.

Balkar Singh, the father of late singer Sidhu Moosewala, recently announced a reward of Rs 2 crore from his own pocket for anyone handing over gangster Goldy Brar to him. (ANI)

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