Most Americans’ best hope of getting a shot by spring or early summer may rest on vaccines that have not yet been proven to work.
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Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
FDA says Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective
Pfizer is seeking authorization to use the vaccine in people 16 and older.
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Land Reforms Amendment Act passed in Karnataka Legislative Council with JDS support
The move has come as a shock to farmers in Karnataka, who say it is a “betrayal” by the JD(S).
The contentious Land Reforms (Amendment) Act 2020 was passed in the Karnataka Legislative Council with the support of JD(S). The Bill was passed with 37 votes in its favour while 21 votes were cast against it in the Council The farmers expressed disillusionment in the JD(S), a party which has centred its political campaigns over the rights of farmers. Farmers held a flash protest at Maurya Circle in Bengaluru soon after the amendment was passed in the Council. The protesters called HD Kumaraswamy a “corporate agent” for extending his support. “Corporate agent BS Yediyurappa, down down. Mafia agent HD Kumaraswamy down down,” the protesters chanted. The protesters were detained by the police and taken away in buses. Farmer groups and pro-Kannada organisations have announced indefinite protests on Wednesday against the Karnataka government. The Land Reforms (Amendment) Act was passed in the Karnataka Assembly on September 26 this year amid staunch opposition from the Congress. During the monsoon session of the Assembly too, JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had not outright opposed the amendment. He had said that he “would oppose” the amendment to the Act, “if it is detrimental to farmers”. On Tuesday, the JD(S) MLCs voted along with the BJP MLCs in the Council, ensuring that the controversial legislation was passed in both houses of the Assembly. The Act now requires the Governor’s nod, to be notified in the Gazette. Why is the Land Reforms Amendment Act being opposed? The Land Reforms Amendment Act became a point of contention due to several changes that were brought to the Land Reforms Act of 1967 outlined below. 1. Waiving of section 79(a) and 79(b), which restricted the purchase of agricultural land to only those who had paani i.e. land titles or were agriculturalists with an annual income of less than Rs 25 lakh. Farmers have been opposed to this amendment as they believe that large corporations would be able to buy agricultural land. Farmers fear that they will be coerced and threatened to give up their land. 2. Waiving of section 79(c), which upheld the prosecution of those found guilty of buying agriculture by violating the restrictions. Farmers believe that repealing section 79(c), would mean that those who illegally purchased agricultural land, will not be prosecuted. 3. Adding section 109, the amendment now permits persons to own 52 acres of irrigated agricultural land, 80 acres of partly irrigated land, 120 acres of dry land and 216 of barren land simultaneously, which could lead to land hoarding. 4. This amendment will now permit all companies or organizations, who have purchased agricultural lands to convert it for industrial use, and to sell such land to any other organization. Farmers lash out at JD(S) Angered by the JD(S)’ move, farmer leaders called it a “betrayal” and expressed shock regarding the party’s support for a legislation staunchly opposed by farmers. “It is very unfortunate that the JD(S) supported a legislation that is against farmers. This is also a major blow to our movement. We farmers have been suffering due to multiple legislations passed by the Union and state governments. In such times, we expect opposition leaders to hold the government accountable. The JD(S) was known for supporting farmers and what they have done is a betrayal and unfortunate,” Kodihalli Chandrashekar, President of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha said. Watch: JD(S) supports land reforms amendment act in Legislative Council, farmers protest On Tuesday, farmers from across the state had come to Bengaluru and gathered outside town Hall to protest the three controversial farm laws passed by the Union government. While Congress President DK Shivakumar and the Youth Congress joined the protest against the three legislations, the JD(S) was not present to offer its support. Farmer leaders had noted earlier today that it was shocking. “We are protesting here and trying to tell the government that we are being targeted. It is the duty of the opposition to point out the mistakes of the ruling government. It is unfortunate that the JD(S) is not extending support towards farmers,” Chandrashekar said. Massive protests announced for Wednesday The farmers are holding a massive rally on Wednesday in Bengaluru from the Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Majestic to Vidhana Soudha. Farmers are planning to hold wooden sticks and march all the way to Vidhana Soudha and lock its gates as the Assembly session is slated to take place at the time. “We are protesting tomorrow because the draconian Land Reforms Act has been passed. We have been opposing this since the government brought in the ordinance earlier this year. Why is Yediyurappa, who claims to stand for farmers’ rights, not understand our plight” Chandrashekar questioned.
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Air quality improves in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, emissions still high
Though the PM2.5 emissions reduced considerably, the air quality in all three cities remains higher than WHO prescribed levels.
Image Credit: Greenpeace
The air quality in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai in November 2020 was comparatively better than November 2019. While this comes as great news for people living in these major south Indian cities, it is also important to note that the air quality of all the three cities remain higher than the prescribed World Health Organization Standards. This was revealed in an analysis of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) carried out by Greenpeace India. According to the analysis, the PM2.5 emissions reduced by around 16 to 37% in the three cities. What is PM2.5? Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that are two a half micron or less, in width. Bengaluru In Bengaluru, the average concentration of PM2.5 this November recorded was 33.49μg/m3 as compared to 40.33μg/m3 in November 2019. The WHO prescribed standard stands at 25 μg/m3. In what comes as good news to those living in Bengaluru, the average concentration of PM2.5 reduced by 16.96%. Bengaluru’s Bapuji Nagar and Jayanagar remained hotspots with an average PM2.5 concentration of 42μg/m3 and 39μg/m3 respectively. The WHO prescribed concentration for PM2.5 is 25μg/m3. According to the analysis, Bengaluru only observed 12 such days in November 2020, where the PM2.5 concentration remained under the prescribed WHO standards. BTM layout in the city was the least polluted area with an average PM2.5 concentration around 20μg/m3. Hyderabad Hyderabad too saw an improvement in the air quality levels. The average concentration of PM2.5 reduced by 17.88%. The average concentration of PM2.5 this November was 56.32μg/m3 as compared to 68.58μg/m3 during the same period last month. Air quality monitoring stations in Sanathnagar and Zoo park recorded the highest average of PM2.5 of 62μg/m3. In the whole month, Hyderabad only witnessed a single day where the city’s air quality matched the prescribed PM2.5 WHO standard. Chennai Compared to Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Chennai’s air quality fared much better. Chennai’s average concentration of PM2.5 was 34.11μg/m3 as compared to 54.75μg/m3 in November 2019. Manali remains the worst polluted area of Chennai with an average of 48μg/m3. Premature deaths- A consequence of pollution According to an online tool developed by IQAir AirVisual and Greenpeace Southeast Asia, air pollution from PM2.5 and No2 were responsible for 7577, 6228, and 6374 premature deaths respectively in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai from 1st January to September 4th, 2020. What is the major source of the pollution? Reacting to the findings of the analysis climate campaigner at Greenpeace India, Avinash Chanchal said, “Apart from industries, vehicular pollution continues to be a major source of pollution in these cities. Expansion of the city area and population, along with growth in economic activities in the peri-urban areas, has resulted in high vehicle ownership rates. The pandemic has given us an opportunity to introspect and ask - how should our development trajectory be?” “It’s high time that the governments and local authorities adopt systemic reforms on clean energy and transport that includes promotion of decentralized model of renewable energy, generation of green jobs, measures taken to promote electric vehicles and rebuilding trust in public transport. If we don’t act, these cities will follow the fate of the top polluting cities in terms of health and economic impact”, added Avinash. “Low-cost urban transport needs to be redesigned and active and carbon-neutral vehicles and climate-resilient infrastructure needs to be developed,” stressed Chanchal. What health risks can PM2.5 cause? Particles in the PM2.5 size range are capable of travelling deep into the respiratory tract and reaching the lungs. Exposure to these fine particles can cause short term health effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. These particles can also cause serious health risks like cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and lung cancer. Exposure to air pollution increases our vulnerability to respiratory viral infections both in terms of the transmission and severity of the infection. In the present times of COVID-19, the current evidence indicates that chronic exposure to air pollutants is associated with more severe infections and higher mortality. According to experts, a coordinated and consistent action plan to address major sources of pollution that exist throughout the year. READ: Bharat Bandh: Partial shutdown in Hyderabad as TRS lends support
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Actor Meghana Raj Sarja and infant son test positive for coronavirus
The actor confirmed the development in a social media post on Tuesday evening.
Actor Meghana Raj and her infant son tested positive for the coronavirus, she confirmed in a social media post on Tuesday evening. Her father and mother too have contracted the infection and are all under treatment. "Hello all, my father, mother, myself and my little son have been tested positive for covid... we have informed everyone who have come in contact with us during the past few weeks about our results," she said in a post shared on social media. "I urge Chiru and my fans to not fret and assuring you guys that we are all doing fine and are currently under treatment.. Junior C is fine and keeping me occupied every second We as a family will fight this battle and will come out of it victorious," she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meghana Raj Sarja (@megsraj) Meghana Raj, who married fellow actor Chiranjeevi Sarja in 2018, welcomed a son to the family in October. It was four months after Chiranjeevi Sarja tragically passed away in June this year. The actor reportedly died due to cardiac arrest. In a career spanning about ten years, he was a part of films such as Samhaara, Aadyaa, Khaki, Sinnga, Amma I Love You, Prema Baraha, Dandam Dashagunam and Varadhanayaka among others. Chiranjeevi Sarja was the brother of actor Dhruva Sarja and nephew of actor Arjun Sarja. His grandfather Shakti Prasad was a veteran Kannada actor. Ever since Chiranjeevi Sarja's death, Meghana has interacted with the media only once. During the baby's cradle ceremony on November 12, the actor spoke about the pain she had endured. “I don’t know if I am strong. Once Chiru died, I felt like the very foundation I was living on collapsed suddenly. I am someone who used to plan everything to the 'T'. Chiru was just the opposite. He lived for the present and always told me to enjoy the moment. After his death, I learned that it is very important to enjoy the happiness in the present. One never knows what tomorrow will be like,” Meghana said, as she broke down. She also reminicised how Chiru wanted to show off his child like Simba in Lion King. “I cried a lot when I watched Lion King. Chiru had identified one balcony in the hospital we visited regularly for check up. He would tell me often that he would hold up our child and show it to the world on the day our baby was born. But I have learned that all plans can never come true,” she added.
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HD Kumaraswamy invites senior Congress MLC CM Ibrahim to return to JD(S)
CM Ibrahim, who left the JD(S) in 2004, said he will take a decision after consulting with his followers later this month.
JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Monday met senior leader and Congress MLC CM Ibrahim and invited him to return to the party. Ibrahim, a former Union Minister and one-time close associate of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, had joined Congress in 2008, and is said to be unhappy with its Legislature Party Leader Siddaramaiah. "He (Ibrahim) is more like an elder brother in the family. He has had a long political association with my father Deve Gowda [JD(S) supremo] even before I entered politics. In whichever party he may be, he is like an elder member of our family," Kumaraswamy said. Speaking to reporters after meeting Ibrahim, he said, though Ibrahim left the party in 2004, there is a cordial relationship between them. "I have observed how Congress and a few of his friends have treated him. We had political discussions today... In 1994, he along with Gowda immensely contributed in organising the party. I requested him (Ibrahim) to return to his former party to play the same role in the days to come...he will take a decision at an appropriate time," he added. Ibrahim had left JD(S) after the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. Soon after, Siddaramaiah was also expelled from the JD(S) and he formally joined the Congress in 2006. Ibrahim joined the Congress in 2008 and became an integral part of Siddarmaiah's coterie who went on to become Karnataka Chief Minister in 2013. He was also associated with "AHINDA" (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits), which helped the Siddaramaiah-led Congress come to power in 2013. According to sources, Ibrahim has been sulking, upset with Siddaramaiah after he was not considered for the Leader of the Opposition post in the Legislative Council. The position is currently occupied by SR Patil, who is also considered to be close to the former Chief Minister. Stating that he has not yet decided on quitting Congress, Ibrahim said he will travel across the state after December 15 and get the opinion of his followers and well-wishers before taking any decision. "I'm now a Congress MLC. I will have to seek the opinion of the people on what step I have to take next and then come to a good decision... I will also talk to Deve Gowda and take a decision," he said. Asked what was the reason for him being miffed with Siddaramaiah, he said, "Nothing has happened between me and him...I have never left anyone, they left me. I took Siddaramaiah to Badami (assembly constituency for 2018 polls)...I don't have anything against him," he said.
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Yash reveals exclusive still from ‘KGF: Chapter 2’
The team recently resumed the shoot of the film’s climactic fight scene in Hyderabad.
Digital Native
The first instalment of the KGF series, which was released on December 21, 2018, will soon complete two years since its release. KGF: Chapter 1 was released across the country and amassed quite the fan following; since it came out, fans have been eagerly awaiting its sequel, which will reportedly hit the marquee next year. Both instalments star Sandalwood star Yash in the lead, and are directed by Prashanth Neel. The upcoming sequel has been gathering excitement from fans for many months. Recently, the makers revealed that they recently resumed shooting the final schedule in Hyderabad, after a break. Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who is playing the antagonist Adheera, is a part of this schedule, and the makers are reportedly filming the action-packed climax. On December 7, Yash shared an exclusive still from KGF: Chapter 2, and it became an instant hit with his fans. Yash captioned the image: "They say, All good things come to an end.. it may be the last schedule of KGF but the VILLAIN stays on... forever!! P.S : An exclusive still from the movie KGF, for all my dear fans, captured by our DOP @bhuvanphotography (sic)." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yash (@thenameisyash) While the first instalment had Yash and Shrinidhi Shetty in the lead, KGF: Chapter 2 has Bollywood bigwigs Sanjay Dutt, who will play the antagonist Adheera, and Raveena Tandon as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. While the official date for the film’s release has not been announced, fans look forward to Yash’s birthday on January 8, as the makers have announced that they will release a special teaser on the day. KGF: Chapter 2 also has Balakrishna, Anant Nag, Malavika Avinash, Saran Shakthi, Achyuth Kumar, Vasishta N Simha, Prakash Raj and Rao Ramesh in prominent roles. Initially, there were rumours that Prakash Raj would play Anant Nag’s role as the narrator of KGF: Chapter 2, but director Prashanth Neel quashed the rumours, saying that Prakash Raj has been brought on for an entirely different role. KGF: Chapter 2 is bankrolled by Vijay Kiragandur under his banner Hombale Films. The technical team comprises music director Ravi Basrur, cinematographer Bhuvan Gowda, and art director Shivakumar. Bollywood’s Farhan Akhtar is backing the Hindi version of KGF under his production banner Excel Entertainment. KGF: Chapter 1 was a massive box office hit, and the sequel is very highly anticipated. Similar to the first part, KGF: Chapter 2 will be dubbed and released in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. (Content provided by Digital Native)
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