2220 HRS

World News 06.01.2021

NAMASKAR ! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective', on All India Radio.
This is ADITI LOOMBA and with me is R S RAGHU bringing glimpses of major
developments of the day from across the globe. Over the next half an hour, we shall bring for
you the latest from the world of politics, economy, sports , entertainment and more. In this
edition we have an exclusive interview with Ms. NADIA RASHEED, Deputy Resident
Representative of the UNDP, India.
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As the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic, we begin the programme with a message of
precaution to stay safe and protected by following these three simple steps:
⦁ Wear a face mask.
⦁ Maintain social distancing.
⦁ Focus on hand and face hygiene.
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THE HEADLINES:
India gearing up to roll out nationwide COVID19 vaccination next week.
WHO expresses disappointment over China delaying the visit of Expert Panel to
probe the origin of Coronavirus in Wuhan.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds talks with German Chancellor Angela
Merkel through video conferencing.
India- France Strategic Dialogue to be held tomorrow
Democrat Raphael Warnock wins Run off elections in Georgia, control of US
Senate hangs in balance
In Sports , Rohit Sharma, Navdeep Saini and Shubhman Gill join the Indian
squad for Sydney cricket test against Australia begining tomorrow.
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WN-INDIA-VACCINATION
India is gearing up to roll out its nationwide COVID-19 vaccination programme by next week.
The move comes close on the heels of approval of two Made in India vaccines by the
country's drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India. Health Secretary Rajesh
Bhushan told that arrangements are in place to introduce COVID-19 vaccine within 10 days
from date of emergency use authorisation. He outlined the systems and logistics to ensure
the smooth rollout of the vaccination program. These include include real time tracking of
vaccine inventory, its temperature and other critical parameters.

[WN-HEALTH SECRETARY]
A priority group of 300 Million people including frontline health workers, persons over 50
years, persons with co-morbid conditions have been identified for Vaccination. Their data
has been pre-populated into the CoWIN digital platform. Real time monitoring of any
Adverse Even Following Immunization (AEFI) is also in place.
<<>>
WN-UK STRAIN
Meanwhile, Indian Government has launched Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium,
INSACOG within the country about a new strain of virus. Secretary Biotechnology Renu
Swarup said ten laboratories have been identified where genome sequencing work is being
done. She said, there is no scientific data to support the higher infectivity of UK SARS-CoV-
2.

Member (Health) in NITI Aayog Dr V K Paul said, an optimistic scenario is emerging with the
pandemic situation consistently improving in the country in terms of active cases and new
deaths declining.
<<>>
WN-UK-FLIGHTS
India has started direct flight services to the United Kingdom. Flights were stopped between
the two nations in the last week of December amid concerns over the 'highly infectious' new
Covid-19 strain. Civil Aviation Minister Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri said that while flights from
the UK will be able to enter India from January 8, flights from India will start from today. Two
Air India flights, one from Delhi and one from Mumbai to London are scheduled for today.
The new strain was first detected in the United Kingdom and prompted British Prime Minister
Boris Johnson to announce a nationwide lockdown on Tuesday.
<<>>
WN-WHO-CHINA
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that China has denied entry to the international
experts’ team due to arrive in Wuhan to investigate the origins of Covid-19. China cited lack
of necessary clearances and had denied the two experts entry into the country. However,
China today said that details of the visit, including dates, were still being finalized and the
issue is not only limited to visa clearances. The long-awaited probe by a 10 members expert
team was agreed upon by Beijing after many months of negotiations with the WHO, which
was expected to begin investigations in January 2021. More from our Beijing Correspondent.

V/C - ANSHUMAN MISHRA

World Health Organization Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed
disappointment over China not yet granting permission to international experts to enter
China to probe the origins of Covid-19. Dr. Tedros said, the members of international
scientific team on COVID-19 have already begun their journey, but Chinese officials have not
yet given the necessary permissions. He said, the mission is a priority for WHO and the
global health body is eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible. WHO Chief
said, the experts' visit was as per arrangements jointly developed between WHO, Chinese
government, and countries for which the team was meant to travel through on their way to
Wuhan. Beijing had previously said it would give the WHO's team full access to investigate
the origins of the coronavirus. Today, Chinese foreign ministry said authorities and experts
are still working to contain recent outbreaks in China and to advance the internal
preparations for experts to come to china. Anshuman Mishra for World News, All India
Radio, Beijing.

The virus was first detected in Wuhan in late 2019, with the initial outbreak linked to a
market. While China has dismissed criticism of its handling of early cases that emerged in
late 2019, some leaders including US President Donald Trump have questioned Beijing's
actions during the outbreak. Trump has often called it the 'ChinaVirus' and has repeatedly
called for the Chinese government to be held accountable for this plague. US Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo has also slammed the Chinese Communist Party for continuing to
spread disinformation regarding Covid-19, and obstructing the WHO investigation.
<<>>
WN-EMA-MODERNA
EU drug regulator European Medicines Agency (EMA) has authorized the use of the
Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. In a statement, the EMA said EMA’s human medicines
committee has thoroughly assessed the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the
vaccine. It said that they have granted formal conditional marketing authorisation. The EMA
says trials demonstrated a 94.1% efficacy rate. The statement added that the vaccine
provides another tool to overcome the current emergency.
The EU began vaccinations on 27 December. The Netherlands started its inoculation
programme today.
<<>>
WN-GERMANY LOCKDOWN
Germany has extended the loc kdown in the country. State and federal governments agreed
on Tuesday to prolong the lockdown and introduce new restrictions. German Chancellor
Angela Merkel said that they must be especially careful now in light of the new, more virulent
strain of the Coronavirus.
According to the new rules, people arriving in Germany from high-risk areas will be required
to submit two negative test results. A minimum five day quarantine period will be mandated,
even if the first test is negative.
<<>>
WN-BIRD FLU
India's department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying said that, Confirmed cases of Avian
Influenza, that is Bird flu, has been reported till now from Rajasthan,Madhya Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh and Kerala.The flu has been detected among crows in Madhya Pradesh
and Rajasthan and among Migratory Birds in Himachal Pradesh and among ducks in
Kerala. No case has been detected in chickens. Department of Animal Husbandry has
issued detailed advisory to states to further intensify surveillance to detect any case in
poultry birds.
<<>>
WN-EAM-SRILANKA
India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has underlined the need to strengthen post
COVID cooperation with Sri Lanka. At a joint press conference in Colombo, he described Sri
Lanka as India's India’s closest maritime neighbour and partner.

S/B S JAISHANKER-MARITIME SECURTY

Speaking on the ongoing reconciliation process with the Tamil Population in Sri Lanka, Dr.
Jaishankar said that it's completion is in Sri Lanka's own interest to fulfil their expectations.

S/B S JAISHANKER-RECONCILIATION
Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka hailed the civilizational ties between the two countries. He
expressed gratitude towards the support extended by India during the past several months
of the COVID pandemic.
<<>>
WN-GEORGIA-ELECTIONS
In Georgia, Democrat Raphael Warnock has defeated Republican Kelly Loeffler in one of two
Georgia Senate runoffs. Mr. Warnock, senior pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in
Atlanta, will be Georgia's first Black Senator.
If the Democrats win both runoffs, the Senate will be divided evenly between 50 Democrats
and 50 Republicans. In such a situation, Vice President Kamala Harris has the casting vote,
giving Democrats the majority. If Perdue wins re-election in the other Georgia runoff, the
Senate will remain in Republican hands.
<<>>
WN-ASIAN MARKET
Global stock today traded mixed as investors awaited for the U.S. Senate run-off election
results in Georgia. China’s Shanghai Composite index climbed 0.6 while Hong Kong's Hang
Seng and Singapore's Straits Times, both added up to 0.2 percent. On the other side, South
Korea’s KOSPI declined 0.8 percent and Japan's NIKKEI-225 fell 0.4 percent.
European stocks were up in intra-day trade. Germany's DAX and France’s CAC, both rose
0.8 percent and London’s FTSC-100 was trading 1.7 percent up.
<<>>
WN-PM-GERMANY
India's Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi interacted virtually with his German counterpart,
Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel on Wednesday. The Prime Minister appreciated Chancellor
Merkel's leadership role in Europe and the world and thanked her for the India-Germany
Strategic Partnership.
The two leaders discussed key issues of mutual importance including the response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral ties, regional and global issues, particularly India-EU
relations.
Mr. Modi welcomed Germany’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and
expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation under the platform of Coalition for
Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
The two leaders agreed to hold the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) at an early
date in 2021 and to set an ambitious agenda for the same.
<<>>
WN-INDIA-FRANCE
India and France will hold their annual Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi tomorrow. National
Security Advisor Ajit Doval will lead the Indian delegation while the French delegation will be
led by Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President.
In a statement, External Affairs Ministry said, the two sides will hold discussions on wide-
ranging bilateral and global issues.
<<>>
WN-ASSANGE-BAIL
WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange was denied bail by a British court on Wednesday. District
Judge Vanessa Baraitser issued the order while the courts consider an appeal by U.S.
authorities against an earlier decision by the judge denying his extradition request by the
US.
On Monday, the judge had denied an American request to send Mr. Assange to the U.S. over
espionage charges.
Elsewhere, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is reported to have said Mr. Assange is
free to return home to Australia once legal challenges against him are dealt with.
<<>>
WN-GUTERRES-AFRICA
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that fragility and conflict are among the
greatest obstacles to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. He was addressing the
Security Council in New York on “Challenges of Maintaining Peace and Security in Fragile
Contexts, Mr. Guterres stated that COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these
trends and the linkages between conflict and fragility have been particularly visible in the
African continent.
WN-GUTERRES-UNSC
<<>>
WN-HOTSPOT
Poverty alleviation has been one of the biggest challenges. The spectre of conflicts, hunger
and deprivation has added to the woes of the people especially in Africa. Add to it, the
effects of climate change and COVID 19, it has been a daunting task. Global institutions are
ramping up their efforts to ensure a coordinated and cohesive response to address these
issues. The UN Secretary General on Wednesday warned the world about the vicious cycle
of climate emergency and poverty in the world in general and Africa in particular.
In today's HOTSPOT, we are in conversation with Mr. Nadia Rasheed, NADIA RASHEED,
Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP, India. Ms. Rasheed shares her views on the
Sustainable Developmental Goals, Multidimensional poverty and the Indian and Global
efforts to address it.
WN - OPENING & CLOSING
WN-RASHA-INTERVIEW
WN - OPENING & CLOSING
<<>>
WN-KERALA-ECOTOURISM
The Southern Indian State of Kerala is blessed with a wide a richness in biodiversity that few
other places in the country can boast of. Under the India High Range Mountain Landscape
project, a community ecotourism project is being implemented in Kerala by the Union
Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, the Global Environment Facility,
Kerala's Haritha Mission and the UNDP. It aims to promote responsible travel to natural
areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, involves
and educates the tourists and the community over the ecological significance of the region.
The UN on Wednesday recognized two such projects in Mankulam and Kuttampuzha
Panchayats in Kerala through its Twitter handle.
<<>>
WN-AR RAHMAN
Academy Award Winning music composer AR Rahman celebrates his birthday today.
Dubbed the Mozart of Madras, Mr. Rahman won two Oscars for his soundtrack to the 2009
multi-award winning Slumdog Millionaire by Danny Boyle. To mark the occasion, let us take
a listen to this amazing score from the famous Spirit of Unity Concert composed by the
musician for India's national Broadcaster, Doordarshan.
WN-AR RAHMAN
<<>>
WN-FPR
Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the
foreign press:
Washington Post reports that China is neutralising Hong Kong democracy movement with
mass arrests.
According to New York Times, Republican lawmakers plan to object to the votes of some
electors. at the joint US congress session on wednesday.
The Guardian writes that thousands of the most vulnerable children have been sent to
unregulated care homes during the pandemic.
Sputnik mentions about the clashes that took place in Washington DC on Tuesday between
police and Donald Trump's supporters during protests over alleged election fraud.
Gulf times has reported that UAE has approved the fifth economic stimulus package of 315
Million Dinar.
Himalayan Times writes that The Election Commission of NEPAL has amended the rules to
formalise the split in the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP).
<<>>
WN-SPORTS
Moving onto sports,
In Cricket, Indian team for the third test match against Australia at Sydney Tomorrow has
been announced. Rohit sharma replaces Mayank Agarwal while Navdip Saini comes in place
of Umesh Yadav. Rohit Sharma is all set to open the innings with Shubhman Gill.
Pakistan had lost the second and the final test match against New Zealand. With this , New
Zealand has now become the number one Test team in the world by winning the series
against Pakistan 2-0.
In Badminton, ahead of the Thailand Open starting next week the entire Indian contingent
cleared the COVID-19 test on Wednesday.
<<>>
A QUICK LOOK AT THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
UNDERPLAY
THE HEADLINES:
India gearing up to roll out nationwide COVID19 vaccination next week.
WHO expresses disappointment over China delaying the visit of Expert Panel to
probe the origin of Coronavirus in Wuhan.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds talks with German Chancellor Angela
Merkel through video conferencing.
India- France Strategic Dialogue to be held tomorrow
Democrat Raphael Warnock wins Run off elections in Georgia, control of US
Senate hangs in balance
In Sports , Rohit Sharma, Navdeep Saini and Shubhman Gill join the Indian
squad for Sydney cricket test against Australia begining tomorrow.
<<>>
India is celebrating the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Before we end, let us
listen to his favourite bhajan VAISHNAV JAN, by artists from Uzbekistan.
WN-VAISHNAV JAN--UZBEKISTAN
AND WITH THAT, WE END THIS BULLETIN. SEE YOU AT SAME TIME TOMORROW WITH
THE NEXT EDITION OF WORLD NEWS.
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