India News
Only one strain of Covid-19 Delta variant found in India considered of concern: WHO
Only one strain of the Covid-19 Delta variant which was first found in India is being considered of concern, while two other strains had been downgraded, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday.
The deadly B.1.617 variant of the virus has been termed as a triple mutant variant since it is split into three lineages and has caused an explosive outbreak in the country. According to the UN health agency, the entire strain was declared as a variant of concern, but lately it said only one of the sub-lineages deserved that label.
In its weekly epidemiological update on the pandemic, WHO said, It has become evident that greater public health risks are currently associated with B.1.617.2, while lower rates of transmission of other lineages have been observed.
Besides B.1.617.2, the three other variants of the virus which are more dangerous than the original version are also considered variants of concern because of its more transmissibility, and potential to get past the vaccine protections.
The variant has now been dubbed Delta, in a bid to avoid the possible stigmatisation associated with referring to them with the name of the countries where they originated or detected first. We continue to observe significantly increased transmissibility and a growing number of countries reporting outbreaks associated with this variant, the WHO said.
The UN health agency said that further studies into the impact of this variant remain a high priority for them. Most recently, a new hybrid variant announced by Vietnam’s health authorities appeared to be a variation of Delta.
WHO’s technical lead on Covid-19, Maria Van Kerkhove said, What we understand is that it is this B.1.617.2 variant with one additional deletion in the location of the spike protein. We know that the B.1.617.2, the Delta variant, does have increased transmissibility, which means it can spread easier between people, she said.
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Meanwhile, the B.1.617.1 sub-lineage has been downgraded to a variant of interest, and called Kappa. And the B.1.617.3 is now not even considered of interest since relatively few reports of this variant have been submitted to date and has not been attributed a Greek letter, said the WHO.
India News
TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu’s judicial remand extended till September 24
The former Chief Minister’s arrest was prolonged by two days by this location’s special court for the Anti-Corruption Bureau, according to additional attorney general Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy.
The judicial custody of TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in the case involving the AP Skill Development Corporation scams was extended by a court on Friday till September 24.
The former Chief Minister’s arrest was prolonged by two days by this location’s special court for the Anti-Corruption Bureau, according to additional attorney general Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy.
The High Court has set today’s 1:30 PM as the hearing time for the FIR quash plea submitted by Naidu.
Meanwhile, the court asked Naidu if he had any problems while in detention during the hearings.
Naidu informed the judge that he had been falsely accused of committing crimes. Regarding this, the judge assured Naidu that he was secure because he was on judicial remand. The judge said that his lawyers could argue and the facts would come out. The court further said, they’ll extend his judicial remand by two more days as there are many petitions pending before the high court.
Invoking his high public image, Naidu told the judge that he had been jailed without a good reason. He was appropriately documented by the judge.
While emphasising the idea of equality before the law, the judge also reminded him that he was the subject of accusations. Do not treat remand as a punishment, he continued, emphasising that it was a necessary step in the legal process, the court said.
He was arrested on September 9 for allegedly stealing money from the Skill Development Corporation, which cost the state exchequer over Rs 300 crore. He is being held in the Rajamahendravaram Central Prison at the moment.
The Indian Penal Code (IPC)’s Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing surrender of property), and 465 (forgery) are among the sections under which the TDP president is accused of violating. Additionally, the Prevention of Corruption Act has been used against him by the AP CID.
After lodging a new FIR in connection with the Rs 330 crore Fibernet project corruption case earlier this week, the Andhra Pradesh CID requested a fresh warrant against the former chief minister, according to officials on Tuesday.
India News
MotoGP kicks off today at Buddha International Circuit, 275 companies participate
MotoGP is all set to start today at the Buddha International Circuit in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida.
MotoGP, the biggest motor racing event, started off today at the Buddha International Circuit in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida. After Formula 1, the biggest motor racing event will continue for three days in India.
According to reports, 275 companies participated in the event like Honda, Amazon, Red Bull, BMW, Petrons, and Monster among others.
MotoGP lovers can watch the live streaming on JioCinema App. 82 riders from 41 teams will be featured in the Grand Prix of India, who are vying for top honours in MotoGP, Moto 2, and Moto 3 for 3 days.
Redbull KTM Factor Racing’s rider Jack Miller arrived at the Buddh International Circuit on September 20 ahead of the event.
All the safety concerns have been addressed at the Buddha Internationa Circuit for the riders. The tracks on which the riders perform have been modified. On the same track Formula 1 was hosted from 2011 to 2013.
The gravel traps around the track have been extended to make it safe for the racer in case of uncertainty. In order to ensure the rider’s safety, the air fences and foam barriers have also been installed.
There is a possibility that the riders can touch the speed of 370 kmph due to the longest straight track on the calendar. It has 13 turns.
Keeping the smooth traffic in Gautam Buddha Nagar, police has issued a revised traffic advisory today before the event. The restriction on expressways in Noida and Greater Noida for the movements of goods carriers until September 25, starting from today.
Earlier, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Thakur interacted with the MotoGP riders and shared a ride with them.
Anurag Thakur also extended his gratitude to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his efforts to bring MotoGP to India.
Earlier, Yogi Adityanath unveiled the first ticket of MotoGP India in Lucknow. He said India’s hosting of the prestigious event marks a historic moment for UP.
In September 2022, MotoGP confirmed that the World’s premier two-wheel racing championship will be held at the Buddh International Circuit. According to reports, MotoGP’s commercial rights holder Dorna visited India in the month of September to sign a seven-year MoU with Indian race promoters Fairstreet Sports (FSS).
India News
Delhi: 15-year-old girl raped by two auto-rickshaw drivers, accused arrested
Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said that both the accused have been arrested and that they work as auto-rickshaw drivers. He added that the minor is being counselled.
In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by two auto-rickshaw drivers in northeast Delhi, according to police officials concerned about the matter. The officials added that the minor, who is a resident of Janta Majoor Colony alleged that she was raped by Jahid, 22-year old man and his brother Jubair (24). Both the accused are the residents of Nand Nagri.
According to reports, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged under section 376 (rape) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and 6, 21 POSCO Act. Speaking on the matter, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said that both the accused have been arrested and they work as auto-rickshaw drivers. He added that the minor is being counselled.
In another incident, the Delhi Police on Thursday said they have lodged a case of rape against a head constable, who is married and a father of four. Reportedly, a 22-year-old woman filed a complaint against him, accusing him of having physical relationship with her on the pretext of marrying her for the past two years.
According to reports, the First Information Report (FIR) against the head constable was registered under Indian Penal Code’s section 376 at the Laxmi Nagar police station in east Delhi. The 22-year-old woman lodged the complaint on Wednesday, as per the police officials.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the east district police asserted that the woman in her complaint said that she met the head constable, currently posted in a police control room (PCR) in northeast district, in a matter related to a complaint.
Furthermore, in another separate incident, a now-suspended Delhi government official has been accused of repeatedly drugging and rapping a 14-year-old girl at his home. Reports claimed that the minor girl was drugged before each act of abuse and even woke up to find injuries on her body.
