Aug 10. The Chinese mainland on Monday reported 108 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, including 50 in Jiangsu Province, 37 in Henan, 15 in Hubei and six in Hunan, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Tuesday.

Also reported were 35 new imported cases, including 11 in Yunnan, nine in Shanghai, eight in Guangdong, three each in Fujian and Sichuan, and one in Shaanxi.

One suspected case arriving from outside the mainland was newly reported in Fujian on Monday. No deaths related to COVID-19 were newly reported, the commission added. Xinhua

August.3. Ending the stalemate in border talks that lasted nearly six months, India and China have agreed in principle to disengage at a key patrol point in eastern Ladakh even though other friction areas remain in the region, government sources said.

The agreement on PP17A was reached during the 12th round of Corps Commander-level talks Saturday. The meeting, which was part of a series of measures to resolve the 15-month standoff in Ladakh, was held on the Indian side of the Chushul-Moldo border. Sources said China has agreed to step back from PP17A, also known as the Gogra Post, but is “not inclined” to move back from PP15 or the Hot Springs area. “Modalities are being worked out. But on PP17A, there is an agreement to disengage. On PP15, China continues to insist that it is holding its own side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC),” an official said. The proposals are with the government, and details of how the troops will move are being discussed, sources said. The movement is expected to start within the next couple of days, they said.

The issue of Chinese ingression in the Depsang Plains and Charding-Ninglung Nallah (CNN) in the Demchok area were not discussed, sources said. But the latest breakthrough is significant, they said, considering the stalemate since February.

A joint statement issued Monday said the two sides had a “candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of India-China border areas”.

It said: “The two sides noted that this…meeting was constructive, which further enhanced mutual understanding. They agreed to resolve these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.” The statement said the two also agreed that in the interim, “they will continue their effective efforts in ensuring stability along the LAC in the Western Sector and jointly maintain peace and tranquility”.

According to sources, the disengagement at PP17A is likely to follow the process that was adopted for PP14 in the Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso where a time-frame was set for withdrawal, temporary structures were removed and a physical verification was donePlatoon-sized units have been present on the Indian side of the LAC, at PP15 and PP17A, since the Galwan clashes of June last year, but the forces are no longer in an “eyeball to eyeball” confrontation.

“There is a distance of about 500m between troops of both countries at these friction points. But disengagement is important because it is difficult to maintain these positions, and matters can go out of hand any time,” another official said.

In February, the two sides had disengaged from the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, where troops and tanks from both sides were barely a few hundred metres apart at some locations.

Sources said Saturday’s meeting, which began around 10.30 am, continued till 7.30 pm — a relatively shorter period compared to previous engagements that continued till 2-3 am. They said that before the meeting, officials were hoping to achieve a breakthrough on PP15 and PP17A. “Both sides were prepared on what could be achieved. Most of this had been agreed upon during diplomatic engagements,” a senior Government official said.

Apart from PP15 and PP17A, PP14 in Galwan Valley, and Finger 4 on the north bank of Pangong Tso and Rezang La and Rechin La on the south bank, were identified as friction points. Forces from both sides have since disengaged from PP14 after the violent clashes of June 15 last year, which left 20 Indian and at least four Chinese troops dead.

In Depsang Plains, Chinese troops are blocking Indian soldiers from accessing their traditional patrolling limits — PP10, PP11, PP11A, PP12 and PP13. In Demchok, sources said, “so-called civilians” have pitched tents on the Indian side of Charding Nallah, which marks the LAC.0

Agreement on Gogra Post, but not Hot Springs; movement in next few days. Ending the stalemate in border talks that lasted nearly six months, India and China have agreed in principle to disengage at a key patrol point in eastern Ladakh even though other friction areas remain in the region, government sources said.

The agreement on PP17A was reached during the 12th round of Corps Commander-level talks Saturday. The meeting, which was part of a series of measures to resolve the 15-month standoff in Ladakh, was held on the Indian side of the Chushul-Moldo border.

Sources said China has agreed to step back from PP17A, also known as the Gogra Post, but is “not inclined” to move back from PP15 or the Hot Springs area. “Modalities are being worked out. But on PP17A, there is an agreement to disengage. On PP15, China continues to insist that it is holding its own side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC),” an official said.

The proposals are with the government, and details of how the troops will move are being discussed, sources said. The movement is expected to start within the next couple of days, they said.

The issue of Chinese ingression in the Depsang Plains and Charding-Ninglung Nallah (CNN) in the Demchok area were not discussed, sources said. But the latest breakthrough is significant, they said, considering the stalemate since February.

A joint statement issued Monday said the two sides had a “candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of India-China border areas”.

It said: “The two sides noted that this…meeting was constructive, which further enhanced mutual understanding. They agreed to resolve these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.”

The statement said the two also agreed that in the interim, “they will continue their effective efforts in ensuring stability along the LAC in the Western Sector and jointly maintain peace and tranquility”.

According to sources, the disengagement at PP17A is likely to follow the process that was adopted for PP14 in the Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso where a time-frame was set for withdrawal, temporary structures were removed and a physical verification was done.

Platoon-sized units have been present on the Indian side of the LAC, at PP15 and PP17A, since the Galwan clashes of June last year, but the forces are no longer in an “eyeball to eyeball” confrontation.

“There is a distance of about 500m between troops of both countries at these friction points. But disengagement is important because it is difficult to maintain these positions, and matters can go out of hand any time,” another official said.

In February, the two sides had disengaged from the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, where troops and tanks from both sides were barely a few hundred metres apart at some locations.

Sources said Saturday’s meeting, which began around 10.30 am, continued till 7.30 pm — a relatively shorter period compared to previous engagements that continued till 2-3 am. They said that before the meeting, officials were hoping to achieve a breakthrough on PP15 and PP17A. “Both sides were prepared on what could be achieved. Most of this had been agreed upon during diplomatic engagements,” a senior Government official said.

Apart from PP15 and PP17A, PP14 in Galwan Valley, and Finger 4 on the north bank of Pangong Tso and Rezang La and Rechin La on the south bank, were identified as friction points. Forces from both sides have since disengaged from PP14 after the violent clashes of June 15 last year, which left 20 Indian and at least four Chinese troops dead.

In Depsang Plains, Chinese troops are blocking Indian soldiers from accessing their traditional patrolling limits — PP10, PP11, PP11A, PP12 and PP13. In Demchok, sources said, “so-called civilians” have pitched tents on the Indian side of Charding Nallah, which marks the LAC.0

“Parallel to the talks, China is also engaged in pin-prick tactics. They are building permanent structures very close to the border at many places and have quickened the pace of infrastructure development on their side. But we are hopeful of things improving at existing friction points,” a security officer said.

The last Corps Commander-level talks were held on April 9, when the two sides could not even agree on a joint statement. On Saturday, the Indian delegation was led by Lt Gen P G K Menon, Commander of XIV Corps that is responsible for the LAC with eastern Ladakh, while Maj Gen Liu Lin, Commander of South Xinjiang Military district, led the Chinese side. Indianexpress

China’s top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan said that China needs to vaccinate about 83 percent of its population to achieve herd immunity. He also revealed that all the 13 severe cases infected with the Delta variant in Guangzhou COVID-19 outbreak in May did not get inoculated.

Zhong made the remarks during a speech in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong Province, on Saturday. Amid fresh COVID-19 outbreaks in multiple cities across China, Zhong said China has administered the most vaccine doses in the world, but the proportion of vaccination per 100 people is not high due to the large population, Qianjiang Evening News reported on Monday.

To achieve herd immunity through vaccination, China needs to inoculate 83.3 percent of its population, Zhong said.

Chinese COVID-19 vaccines can protect people against the Delta variant, Zhong added referencing studies of some 100 COVID-19 patients who were infected with the variant in Guangzhou in May. The preliminary studies found that Chinese vaccines are 100 percent protective against severe cases, and 76.9 percent, 67.2 percent and 63.2 percent protective against moderate cases, mild cases and asymptomatic infections, respectively, Zhong said, according to Qianjiang Evening News.

He reminded the public that all the 13 severe cases in Guangzhou in May who were affected with the Delta variant did not get inoculated.

Comparing with the Guangzhou outbreak, Zhong said that the fresh Nanjing outbreak has spread to broader areas, which deserves great attention.

But Zhong said he was confident the outbreak could be controlled in about 10 to 14 days due to the effective measures taken by the local government. Global Times

LONDON, Aug 2. Parker-Hannifin Corporation, a US company specialised in aerospace technologies, has agreed to buy British peer Meggitt for £6.3 billion, the pair announced Monday.

Parker said it would offer a number of legally binding commitments to the UK government regarding the $8.8-billion cash deal, such as ensuring that Meggitt meets current contractual obligations to the state.

It comes as the UK government monitors the takeover of UK defence technology firm Ultra Electronics by US-owned Cobham amid security concerns.

The Parker-Meggitt transaction is meanwhile subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

“The boards of directors of Parker-Hannifin Corporation and Meggitt PLC are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition,” a statement said.

Tom Williams, chairman and chief executive officer of Parker, said that together the companies could better serve customers via innovation, accelerated research and development plus a complementary portfolio of aerospace and defence technologies.

“We are committed to being a responsible steward of Meggitt and are pleased our acquisition has the full support of Meggitt’s board,” he added.

Earlier this month, Ultra agreed to a £2.6-billion takeover from Cobham, the former London-listed defence giant.

US private equity group Advent, which owns Cobham, has pledged to protect sensitive government information. AFP

WASHINGTON, August 2. Ranking member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee Republican Michael McCall has released a report on the COVID-19 origins supporting the lab leak theory, Fox News announced on Monday.

“As we continue to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe it is time to completely dismiss the wet market as the source of the outbreak. Instead, as this report lays out, a preponderance of the evidence proves that all roads lead to the WIV [Wuhan Institute of Virology],” McCall stated, noting that the virus had spread earlier than September 12. Also, the US lawmaker urged both parties in Congress to carry out a joint investigation.

McCall’s report also claims that the Wuhan Institute of Virology may have been working on genetically modified viruses. The document points out a possible lack of safety at this research center. Furthermore, McCall mentioned that in the summer of 2019, the WIV was on the hunt for specialists to update air disinfection, hazardous waste treatment, and air conditioning systems.

According to the Hill newspaper, the authors of the report “do not claim to have a smoking gun to definitively prove their claims”, however, their goal is “crafting a legislative response <…> and imposing cost on China”. The authors call for the introduction of sanctions against the WIV’s scientists and the members of the Chinese Communist Party who were responsible for the anti-coronavirus measures in the early days of the pandemic.

In July, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the second phase of studying the origins of COVID-19. After that, he admitted that the spread of infection could be caused by the emergency situation in the Chinese laboratory. The US Intelligence Community also tested the lab leak theory but has not yet arrived at a final conclusion. TASS

Islamabad [Pakistan], August 2. Pakistan has again registered a spike in COVID-19 cases as the country recorded 4,858 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, local media reported on Monday.

The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said that the COVID-19 took 40 more lives in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 death toll now stands at 23,462. “Statistics 2 Aug 21: Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 56,414 Positive Cases: 4858 Positivity %: 8.61% Deaths: 40,” NCOC said in a tweet.

According to the NCOC, Pakistan’s COVID-19 tally has risen to 1,039,695. Meanwhile, the positivity rate of infections was recorded at 8.61 per cent.

Pakistan on Sunday imposed a smart lockdown in various sectors of the capital due to a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.

According to a notification issued by the Islamabad district magistrate, the movement of residents will be restricted in 27 streets in different sectors with a high Covid-19 positivity ratio.

Exemptions to the order include essential services and supplies like pharmacy and medicine shops, grocery store and bakeries, patients for medical aid/medical consultation, rationing, drinking water supplies, utilities and emergencies, Dawn reported.

“The citizens are requested to make prior arrangements for their convenience including ration, medicines and reschedule their engagements/office work before the onset of lockdown/sealing date and time,” the notification read.

This comes after Sindh province imposed a partial lockdown from Saturday till August 8 as the COVID-19 cases are surging.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday slammed the partial COVID-19 lockdown imposed by the provincial government in Sindh as it went against the wishes of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government.

While speaking during a question-and-answer session, Khan addressed the Sindh’s decision to impose a partial lockdown to curb rising Covid-19 cases, saying it hadn’t taken into consideration the hardships of the poor, Dawn newspaper reported.

“We had a small problem between the federal government and Sindh,” Khan said. “Sindh government wanted to impose a lockdown, which is the correct decision and will curb the spread of virus.” ANI/Photo: Agency

Nuristan [Afghanistan], August 1. The death toll of last week’s flooding in Afghanistan’s Kamdish district has risen to 113 with dozens still missing, TOLO News reported quoting an official, adding that 70 more were injured.

The floods happened on Wednesday due to heavy rains in the Kamdish district in Nuristan province. “Some are still missing… 12 kilometers of road has been destroyed, 173 houses were totally damaged,” the State Minister on Natural Disaster Management Ghulam Bahauddin Jailani said, TOLO News reported.

Some lawmakers from the province said the flood-affected residents need urgent assistance.

The lawmakers claimed that the Taliban is obstructing the rescue operations of the victims. But the Taliban has said that it has prevented the infiltration of the government forces to flood-hit areas.

“The people are in a critical situation. They need urgent help. They have lost everything,” said Ismail Atikan, an MP from Nuristan.

Nuristan governor Hafiz Abdul Qayum said some of the affected families have been provided support by the government.

“Our teams that have been sent. Based on their assessment, the flood-affected people need tents, beds and kitchen kits as their basic needs,” he said.

Last month, at least 12 people were also killed as heavy rains and flash floods hit parts of Afghanistan’s western province of Herat.

The floods also destroyed tens of residential houses and orchards in the districts and caused the closure of several district roads to traffic. RSS

Kandahar [Afghanistan], August 1. Several rockets struck Afghanistan’s Kandahar airport overnight, RT reported.

No casualties have been reported so far. Violence has escalated in Afghanistan in recent weeks as the Taliban have intensified their offensive against civilians, Afghan defense and security forces.

This comes in wake of foreign troop’s drawdown from the war-torn country.

Last month, three rockets landed in areas near the Presidential Palace during Eid prayers.

Over the last few weeks, the Taliban captured several districts in Afghanistan including Takhar, the country’s northeastern province.

The Taliban seized over 193 district centres and 19 border districts, according to the Afghan foreign ministry.’

The Taliban have also taken control of 10 border crossing points across the country in Takhar, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Herat, and Farah provinces leading to the complete shutdown of cross-border movements and trade in these areas.

The ministry further disclosed that since April 14, nearly 4,000 ANDSF personnel had been killed, over 7,000 injured, and about 1,600 captured by the Taliban. As many as 2,000 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the violence, while 2,200 were injured. RSS/Photo Source: Agency

July 28. South Korea is reporting a new daily high for coronavirus cases a day after authorities enforces stringent restriction in areas outside the seoul capital region seeking to slow a nation wide spread infection.

The 1,896 cases announced Wednesday took the country’s total for the pandemic to 193,427, with 2.083 death from Covid-19.

It was highly daily jump and surpassed previous record announced last Thursday. The Seoul area has been at the center of the outbreak . On Tuesday, the government put much of the non-seoul region under the second highest distancing guidelines to guard against a nationwide viral spread.

WASHINGTON DC, 28 July. Washington should cooperate with Moscow and Beijing, although they are rivals and competitors for the American side, said US President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

Biden said that it is necessary to work in partnership with countries like China and Russia, which are rivals to the United States, as he spoke in front of the staff of the National Intelligence Director Avril Haines. As an example of areas where the interests of all countries might overlap, Biden mentioned the fight against climate change.

This common threat affects all countries, he said adding that climate change challenges are already driving instability in the country and around the world. “This is important. It is a strategic issue as well as an environmental issue,” Biden said. TASS