Drone movement spotted at the international border in Ranbir Singh Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday night
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: Drone movement was noticed at the international border in Ranbir Singh Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday night.
The Border Security Force (BSF) said the drone went back after the troops fired at it. “Drone movement was noticed at the international border in RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir last night. The drone went back after the alert troops fired at it,” said BSF.
Last month, the drone movement was noticed in the Mendhar sector along the Line of Control (LoC). Besides, two drones were spotted from the direction of Pakistan and crossed International Border in the Samba sector in the month of September.
Death penalty for rape, acid attack and child abuse as per new provisions in Maharashtra’s proposed ‘Shakti Act’
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: Maharashtra Cabinet has approved draft bills for strengthening the law on prevention of atrocities against women, children while “Shakti Act” which envisages death sentence for rape, acid attack and child abuse and the period of investigation in these heinous crimes has been reduced to 15 working days.
The bills- the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2020 and the Special Court and Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, 2020- will be introduced in both houses during the winter session of Maharashtra legislative assembly and council. Threats and defamation of women on social media, filing fake complaints regarding rape, molestation and acid attack, non-cooperation of social media, internet and mobile service providers with the investigators or the public servants, and not following restrictions on publicising the names of rape/molestation/acid attack victims, are the new offences included in the proposed Shakti Act.
The act has also proposed the death penalty for rapes, acid attacks and child abuse, while the punishment period is also enhanced some specific crimes against women and children.
In acid attack cases, a fine is also proposed and the amount will be used for treatment costs of the victims.
To ensure strict implementation of all these proposals in new bills, certain changes in the Criminal Procedure Code is also proposed. According to the proposal, investigation period has been cut down from two months to 15 working days, the trial period slashed from two months to 30 working days, and the appeal period reduced from six months to 45 days.
The Shakti Act also proposed to establish 36 special courts with a special Public prosecutor for cases of heinous crimes against women and children. It also proposed that a special squad with at least one woman officer in every commissioner or district to investigate crime against women and children.
The law also plans to notify some organisations to help and assist in the rehabilitation of the victims of these cases.
After Andhra Pradesh passed the Disha act, a committee was formed to study the law of Andhra Pradesh and the possibility of Implementation it in Maharashtra.
A committee led by Home minister Anil Deshmukh had visited Andhra Pradesh to study the law. After the committee submitted its report, another committee led by Director Police training college Nashik, IPS Aswathi Dorje was given the task to prepare a draft for the Act.
Bharat Biotech said,Covaxin to be available in the first quarter of next year
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India]: Covaxin, a vaccine for COVID-19, will be available in the first quarter of next year, said Suchitra Ella, joint managing director of Bharat Biotech on Wednesday.
“With safety and efficacy data, Covaxin will be available in the first quarter of next year to the categories and the first responders according to the plan that govt of India is embarking upon for phased vaccination,” Ella told ANI. A team of foreign heads of missions in India had visited leading biotech companies in Hyderabad involved in COVID-19 vaccine development.
The Indian arm of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech have applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation (EUA) for their COVID-19 vaccines.
Meanwhile, Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has asked for more safety and efficacy data from Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech for their COVID-19 vaccines. According to government sources, an SEC meeting was held on Wednesday to review the application submitted by the pharma majors for emergency use authorisation (EUA) for their vaccine candidates.
The application submitted by the Pfizer was not discussed at the SEC meeting as the company has requested for more time for giving its presentation, sources said.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has said that he will never be the club’s ‘Six Alex Ferguson’ but he will stick with his team despite all its highs and lows.
Sir Alex Ferguson had stayed with Manchester United for more than 20 years as a coach, and Zidane saying this gives away a hint that he does not plan on staying with Madrid for this long. His remark came as Real Madrid manage to progress to the last-16 of the Champions League after defeating Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 on Wednesday (local time).
The side had entered the match knowing they need to win in order to progress ahead in the Champions League. “I am never going to be Madrid’s [Sir Alex] Ferguson, that’s for sure. I don’t know how long I am going to stay here, I don’t think about it. I am very lucky to be at this club and I like being happy even in the most difficult times … I have lived in Spain, in Madrid for a long time and I want to carry on a while longer,” Goal.com quoted Zidane as saying.
In the match against Monchengladbach, both goals were scored by Karim Benzema. The first goal was registered in the 9th minute, while the second came in the 31st minute.
“Madrid come through under pressure, without pressure … well, that doesn’t exist here! We cannot play well all the time. We read the game very well because [Gladbach] is an opponent who can make you pay in the transition and we played spectacularly well,” he added.
Real Madrid will now be in action against Atletico Madrid in the La Liga on Saturday. Diego Simeone’s men currently sit six points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
IG Police (Kashmir), Vijay Kumar told the media said that all the three slain militants of Al-Badr outfit are locals.
SRINAGAR (J&K) —
Three local militants belonging to Al-Badr outfit were killed and a civilian was injured in a gunfight that erupted in Tiken village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on early Wednesday morning.
Reports said that a joint team of government forces including J&K Police’s Special Operation Group (SOG) wing, Indian Army’s 55 Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Tiken village, just some kilometres away from the district headquarters.
As the joint team of government forces cordoned off the area, gunshots were heard in the area, indicating the gunfight between the trapped militants and the joint team of government forces.
Inspector-General of Police (Kashmir), Vijay Kumar, while speaking to the media said that all the three slain militants of Al-Badr outfit are locals.
A civilian, who was injured during the exchange of firing, was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment and was stable, when the reports last came.
As per local sources, the injured civilian is the son of house owner, whose residential property was razed to the ground during the gunfight.
Some locals were seen cleaning the blood in the lawn of the house, where militants were hiding. | Photo Credits: (Aasif Ganaie/Digpu News Network)
It is in place to mention here that local media reports suggest that over two hundred (201) militants have been killed so far this year in Kashmir region alone.
** This news is a part of an exclusive series by Digpu News Network. IT IS NOT FOR REPRODUCTION.
Varun dropped this much-anticipated track song for their upcoming drama ‘Coolie No 1’
Mumbai –
By terming it as a ‘fun tribute to the 90s’, actor Varun Dhawan on Wednesday dropped the much-anticipated track ‘Hussn Hai Sunaha’ – a new song from ‘Coolie No. 1’.
The ‘Kalank’ star hopped on to Instagram to share a clip from the peppy dancing number that features Sara Ali Khan and himself shaking a leg in glitzy golden co-ordinated ensembles.
The two-minute-forty-four second song features Varun shaking a leg on the upbeat number as he switches room with Shikha Talsania and Sara. The upbeat track has a comic-feel as Dhawan hastily changes his attire in between to go and dance with Shikha, while Paresh Rawal (Sara’s father in the film) tries to peep in from the windowpane. The new twist to the hit original number is surely a song to listen to on loop.
Sharing the song, the ‘Student Of The Year’ actor captioned the post as, “HUSNN HAU SUHAANA new. The year ended banger is here. our fun tribute to the 90’s.”
Earlier, Varun and Sara dropped the much-anticipated trailer for their upcoming drama ‘Coolie No 1’ in a live event.
After the box office success of ‘Judwaa 2’, this will be the second film of Varun with his father. The movie which is a remake of the 1995 Govinda and Karisma Kapoor starrer by the same name will see the fresh pairing of Varun and Sara.
‘Coolie No. 1’ will see Varun in place of Govinda from the classic and Sara in the place of Karisma Kapoor.
Produced by Vashu Bhagnani, JackkyBhagnani, and Deepshikha Deshmukh, the film also stars Paresh Rawal, Jaaved Jaaferi, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, and Shikha Talsania among others.
The new Parliament building is an integral part of the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’
Delhi –
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the New Parliament Building at Sansad Marg, New Delhi on December 10, 2020. The new building is an intrinsic part of the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and will be a landmark opportunity to build peoples’ Parliament for the first time after independence, one which will match the needs and aspirations of ‘New India’ in the 75th anniversary of independence in 2022.
The New Parliament Building will be modern, state-of-the-art and energy efficient, with highly non-obtrusive security facilities to be built as a triangular shaped building, adjacent to the present Parliament. Lok Sabha will be 3 times of the existing size and Rajya Sabha will be substantially bigger. The interiors of the new building will showcase a rich blend of Indian culture and diversity of our regional arts, crafts, textiles and architecture. The design plan includes space for a magnificent Central Constitutional Gallery, which will be accessible to the public.
In the new Parliament Building, Lok Sabha Chamber will be located at the ground floor & will accommodate 888 Members while the Rajya Sabha Chamber will seat 384 Members. Moreover, during Joint Sessions, 1272 Members will be able to sit in the Chamber. #NewParliamentpic.twitter.com/iKE6CZVtro
The construction of New Parliament Building will utilize resource efficient green technology, promote environment friendly practices, generate employment opportunities and contribute towards economic revitalization. It will have high quality acoustics and audio-visual facilities, improved and comfortable seating arrangements, effective and inclusive emergency evacuation provisions. The building will comply with the highest structural safety standards, including adherence to Seismic Zone 5 requirements and is designed for ease of maintenance and operations.
The function will be attended by Shri Om Birla, Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha. Around 200 dignitaries, including Union Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Secretaries Ambassadors/High Commissioners will attend the function, which will also be webcast live.
Over 60 envoys to visit biotech companies in Hyderabad developing COVID-19 vaccine
New Delhi [India]: More than 60 foreign heads of missions will on Wednesday visit leading biotech companies in Hyderabad – Bharat Biotech and Biological E – which are developing vaccines against the novel coronavirus, sources said.
They said that this is the first such visit and it will be followed by visits to facilities in other cities. It is in continuation of COVID-19 briefing by Ministry of External Affairs on November 6.
India is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer and has been contributing significantly to global efforts against COVID 19 pandemic.
Over 60 envoys to visit biotech companies in Hyderabad developing COVID-19 vaccine
Sources said there is a lot of interest in India’s vaccine development efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis. He visited the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and Serum Institute of India in Pune on November 28 to conduct an extensive review of the vaccine development and manufacturing process.
On November 30, he had virtual meetings with teams from Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd Pune, Biological E Ltd Hyderabad and Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd Hyderabad. The three teams are working on developing and manufacturing vaccine for COVID-19.
Bharat Biotech had on Monday applied for emergency use authorisation for its indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine ‘Covaxin’ to Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
It is the second Indian company to apply for emergency use authorisation after the Serum Institute of India applied for such use for the vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca.
The researchers of the University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering claimed to have developed an ultrasensitive test using a paper-based electrochemical sensor that is capable of detecting the presence of the coronavirus in mere five minutes.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread across the world, the researchers from various laboratories have been coming up with the different strategies that can help to track the virus. The new study shows the possibility of detecting the virus through a rapid method with the use of a graphene biosensor which is adaptable to other viruses.
A team led by professor Dipanjan Pan reported their findings in ACS Nano which shows that a bioengineering graduate student, Maha Alafeef from the University of Illinois Grainger has co-developed a rapid, ultrasensitive test using a paper-based electrochemical sensor that can detect the presence of the virus in less than five minutes.
“Currently, we are experiencing a once-in-a-century life-changing event. We are responding to this global need from a holistic approach by developing multidisciplinary tools for early detection and diagnosis and treatment for SARS-CoV-2,” said Alafeef.
The two broad categories of Covid-19 tests in the market either use reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nucleic acid hybridization strategies to identify viral RNA, or focuses on the detection of antibodies. However, there could be a delay of a few days to a few weeks after a person has been exposed to the virus for them to produce detectable antibodies.
In recent years, researchers have had some success with creating point-of-care biosensors using 2D nanomaterials such as graphene to detect diseases. The main advantages of graphene-based biosensors are their sensitivity, low cost of production, and rapid detection turnaround. “The discovery of graphene opened up a new era of sensor development due to its properties.
Graphene exhibits unique mechanical and electrochemical properties that make it ideal for the development of sensitive electrochemical sensors” said Alafeef. There are two components to this biosensor, according to the study which is: a platform to measure an electrical read-out and probes to detect the presence of viral RNA.
To create the platform, researchers first coated filter paper with a layer of graphene nanoplatelets to create a conductive film. Then, they placed a gold electrode with a predefined design on top of the graphene as a contact pad for electrical readout. Both gold and graphene have high sensitivity and conductivity which makes this platform ultrasensitive to detect changes in electrical signals.
Current RNA-based Covid-19 tests screen for the presence of the N-gene (nucleocapsid phosphoprotein) on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this research, the team designed antisense oligonucleotide (ASOs) probes to target two regions of the N-gene. Targeting two regions ensures the reliability of the senor in case one region undergoes gene mutation. Furthermore, gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are capped with these single-stranded nucleic acids (ssDNA), which represents an ultra-sensitive sensing probe for the SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
The researchers showed that the hybridization of the viral RNA with these probes causes a change in the sensor electrical response. The AuNP caps accelerate the electron transfer and when broadcasted over the sensing platform, results in an increase in the output signal and indicates the presence of the virus.
The team tested the performance of this sensor by using Covid-19 positive and negative samples. The sensor showed a significant increase in the voltage of positive samples compared to the negative ones and confirmed the presence of viral genetic material in less than five minutes.
Furthermore, the sensor was able to differentiate viral RNA loads in these samples. “Viral load is an important quantitative indicator of the progress of infection and a challenge to measure using existing diagnostic methods”, stated the researchers.
Not only this, but this platform has far-reaching applications due to its portability and low cost. The sensor, when integrated with microcontrollers and LED screens or with a smartphone via Bluetooth or wifi, could be used at the point-of-care in a doctor’s office or even at home.
Tech giant Google and Samsung are bringing their smart home platforms together for the first time. Samsung SmartThings to help control Google Nest devices starting in January 2021.
According to The Verge, this will build a bridge between one of the industry’s leading ecosystems for managing smart devices like cameras and thermostats with one of the leading companies developing those products. Prior to this, owners of devices that qualified for the ‘Works With SmartThings’ (WWST) certification had to use separate software to manage any Google Nest products they owned.
Following the launch of the integration next month, all Nest products will be controllable from the SmartThings platform and will qualify as WWST devices.
As per The Verge, the partnership further boosts Samsung’s smart home platform, which is one of the leading hub makers for managing smart home devices on the same network. Samsung purchased SmartThings in 2014 for USD 200 million due to the company’s proficiency at helping smart home products communicate across various protocol standards.
Samsung says its new Google partnership means Nest devices can be incorporated into ‘SmartThings Scenes’ for setting up automated controls for multiple devices at the same time, and the integration will also mean Samsung TVs and its Family Hub fridge will support streaming from Nest cameras and other devices.
