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WHO says Covid variant affecting India found in 44 countries

The World Health Organization on Wednesday said that a variant of Covid-19 which has led to an explosive outbreak in India has been detected in 44 countries all over the world.

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The World Health Organization on Wednesday said that a variant of Covid-19 which has led to an explosive outbreak in India has been detected in 44 countries all over the world.

The B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 which was first detected in India in October, had been found in more than 4,500 samples uploaded to an open-access database from 44 countries in all six WHO regions, as reported by the UN health agency.

Earlier, the WHO declared B.1.617 as a ‘variant of concern’, which counts three so-called sub-lineages with slightly different mutations and characteristics. It has been therefore listed among three other variants of Covid-19 those first detected in Britain, Brazil and South Africa.

Owing to be more transmitting than the original virus, deadly and able to get past some vaccine protections, the health organisation has added this virus to the list. It has pointed out that its rapid increase is in prevalence in multiple countries.

In preliminary evidence, the variant was more resistant to treatment with the monoclonal antibody Bamlanivimab, pointed out WHO. It also highlighted early studies indicating limited reduction in neutralization by antibodies, stressing upon the limited effectiveness of vaccines against the variant as far as its real impacts on the world is concerned.

The health organisation said that the spread of B.1.617, alongside other more transmittable variants, appeared to be one of the several reasons for the dramatic surge in Covid new cases and related deaths in India. 

After the US, the country  is the world’s second-most infected with nearly 23 million Covid-19 cases, and is currently recording more than 300,000 new cases and close to 4,000 deaths each day. The unprecedented surge has affected major cities, including the capital New Delhi and financial hub Mumbai, pushing hospitals to breaking point and leading to severe shortages in oxygen and beds.

The resurgence and acceleration of Covid-19 transmission in India had several potential contributing factors, including increase in the proportion of cases of SARS-CoV-2 variants with potentially increased transmissibility, the WHO said. It also pointed to several religious and political mass gathering events which increased social mixing and, under-use of and reduced adherence to public health and social measures.

Read Also: Telangana announces 10-day lockdown from May 12, essential activities allowed from 6-10 am

So far, only 0.1 percent of positive Covid tests in India had been genetically sequenced and uploaded to the GISAID database to identify the variant in question. By the end of April, B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2 accounted for 21 and seven percent respectively of all sequenced samples from India, it said.

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Home Ministry convenes emergency meeting amid rising security concerns after Pahalgam terror attack

After the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, the Home Ministry convened a high-level meeting in Delhi as intense security operations unfold across Jammu and Kashmir.

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Amid heightened security concerns following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the Ministry of Home Affairs convened a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Key officials attending the meeting include Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director Generals of the Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles, and the National Security Guard (NSG), along with senior representatives from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Meanwhile, extensive counter-terrorism operations are ongoing at multiple locations across Jammu and Kashmir. Sources familiar with the matter noted that, due to the sensitive nature of these operations, no specific updates are currently being disclosed.

In a related development on Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted raids at 13 locations in the Doda district, targeting terrorist hideouts and individuals suspected of links to terrorist activities.

Additionally, Srinagar Police carried out a series of extensive searches across the city. These operations focused on the residences of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and associates linked to banned terrorist outfits, as part of ongoing investigations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

According to a police statement, searches were conducted at the homes of 63 individuals. These operations were executed in accordance with legal procedures, under the supervision of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses, aiming to collect evidence such as weapons, documents, and digital devices to thwart any potential conspiracies threatening national security.

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Family Man 3 actor Rohit Basfore found dead near Guwahati waterfall

Actor Rohit Basfore, part of Family Man 3, was found dead at Garbhanga Waterfalls. Initial police reports cite accidental drowning, but further investigation is ongoing.

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In a tragic turn of events, actor Rohit Basfore, known for his role in the upcoming third season of The Family Man, was found dead near the Garbhanga Waterfalls in Guwahati on Sunday, April 27. The incident has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community and among fans.

According to police reports, Basfore had gone on a picnic with nine colleagues when the mishap occurred. Officials from Rani Police Outpost stated that he allegedly fell into the waterfall around 2 pm. The authorities were alerted by 4 pm, and a rescue operation led by the SDRF team resulted in the recovery of his body at approximately 6.30 pm.

Initial findings suggest that Basfore died by accidental drowning, with the police currently not suspecting foul play. However, the final confirmation on the cause of death will depend on the awaited post-mortem report. Despite the preliminary conclusions, Basfore’s family members have voiced concerns over possible foul play, prompting further investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

In recent weeks, Rohit Basfore had shared glimpses from the set of Family Man 3 on his social media, expressing excitement about his experience. He posted photographs alongside co-actors Jaideep Ahlawat and Dalip Tahil, reflecting on his enthusiasm for learning and acting.

The Family Man series, a creation by Raj & DK for a leading OTT platform, stars Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role of Srikant Tiwari. The popular thriller debuted its first season in 2019, followed by a second season in 2021, and has gained a loyal fanbase awaiting its third chapter.

As the investigation continues, friends, fans, and colleagues mourn the untimely loss of a budding talent whose career was just beginning to blossom.

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PM Modi to chair crucial security meeting after Pahalgam attack

PM Modi will chair crucial security and cabinet meetings tomorrow to assess national preparedness after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead in Jammu and Kashmir.

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In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a series of crucial meetings tomorrow to review India’s security preparedness.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the nation’s apex body for national security decisions, is scheduled to convene around 11 am. This will be the second high-level review since the tragic incident in Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the CCS meeting, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), chaired by the Prime Minister, will also gather to discuss political and strategic issues. Senior leaders, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Health Minister JP Nadda, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will participate in the deliberations.

Later, the Cabinet’s Economic Affairs Committee will meet, culminating in a full cabinet session.

During the previous CCS meeting, held two days after the attack, the government placed security forces across the country on heightened alert and vowed strict action against those responsible. Measures taken included suspending the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, halting SAARC visas, closing the Wagah-Attari border, and downgrading diplomatic ties with Islamabad.

Additionally, Pakistani nationals residing in India were asked to return to their country, with a slight extension given to those holding medical visas until Tuesday. In retaliation, Pakistan announced the suspension of all bilateral agreements with India, including the historic Simla Agreement.

As tensions between the two countries escalate, tomorrow’s meetings are expected to chart the next course of action amid rising security concerns.

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