Ayodhya Ground Report: Another priest infected; social distancing a concern

Hindustan Times national political editor Sunetra Choudhury reports the latest in Ayodhya from the banks of the Saryu river, which have been illuminated ahead of the grand foundation laying ceremony of the new Ram temple.With just a day to go for the event, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is emerging as a key concern for the authorities. Another priest has tested positive, leading the head priest, Satyendra Das, to express his 'worry'. Another priest and three fire officials had earlier been found to be infected with the Covid virus. Adherence of social distancing norms by crowds in the temple town is also emerging as a big concern for authorities. Seeing the large crowds on the banks of the Saryu river, the administration has decided to close the area from August 4 afternoon to the general public. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be presiding over the festivities on August 5, which will also be attended by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, among a few other dignitaries. The guest list is comparatively short given the pandemic. Watch the full video for more details.

Sanitization drive conducted at Hanuman Garhi Temple ahead of 'bhoomi pujan' in Ayodhya

Ahead of foundation stone laying ceremony of Ram Mandir, Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya is being sanitized. Temple priest said, "PM Modi will first visit Hanuman Garhi temple and offer prayers before going for bhoomi pujan at Ram Janambhoomi, so preparations are underway for his visit here." Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay foundation stone of Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 05. At the time of 'Bhoomi Pujan,' only 200 people will be allowed to remain present at the premises.

COVID update: India to start late stage trials of Oxford vaccine, Shivraj tests positive again

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given approval to Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune, to conduct Phase II and III clinical trials of Oxford University. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a number of vaccines are now in phase-3 clinical trials. Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan on August 03 again tested positive for COVID-19 on the 10th day of his admission to hospital. Today, Andhra Pradesh reported 7,822 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state 1,66,586. Uttar Pradesh reported 4,473 new COVID-19 cases and 50 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 40,191 and death toll to 1,778. Tamil Nadu reported 5,609 new COVID-19 cases and 109 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking total cases to 2,63,222 including 2,02,283 discharges and 4,241 deaths.

Watch: Glimpse of evening Aarti at Sarayu banks

Evening Aarti was performed at the banks of Sarayu River on August 3 with full religious zeal. The ghats of Ayodhya were also illuminated ahead of foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram temple, which is scheduled on August 05. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 05. The construction of Ram temple will begin in Ayodhya after the ceremony to lay the foundation stone in which various dignitaries from the political and religious field are likely to participate.

NEP 2020: S Korea thinking to establish Korean language institute in Delhi, says Envoy

Republic of Korea's Ambassador to India, Shin Bong-kil, on August 03 stated that the South Korean government is thinking to establish Korean language institute in Delhi. His statement comes after India's new National Education Policy offered several languages at secondary level including the Korean language. Bong-kil said, "Happy to hear Korean language will be offered at secondary level, it was reported heavily in Korean media. Korean government is thinking of giving extensive help and establishing Korean language institute in Delhi." Earlier, the new NEP passed by the cabinet and did away with the 34-year-old education policy and brought with it a number of changes.

World Heritage Festival: South Korea’s centuries-old tradition

The World Heritage Festival in Andong is famous but sparsely attended; this year’s organisers hope to change that.

Watch: Women sanitation workers signal their arrival by blowing whistle to collect waste

Baikunthpur Municipality in Korea have started to use whistles as an alternative to knocking on doors to alert the neighbourhood to bring out their garbage. According to a sanitation worker, whistling is a more efficient and simple process than the previous door-to-door method. While speaking to ANI, Baikunthpur Municipal Commissioner Jyotsna Toppo said, "They collect garbage from door to door. Then bring it to the centre where it is segregated. Saleable material is sold and waste is converted into compost. Earlier they did not step out of their homes but now they earn Rs 6000 per month."

WHO warns there might never be a 'silver bullet' to defeat virus

The head of the World Health Organisation warned on Monday that althoughseveral coronavirus vaccines were in advanced stages of clinical trial, "thereis no silver bullet for the moment and there might never be". Speaking at amedia briefing on Monday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said preventing outbreaksstill came down to public health measures such as testing, tracing andquarantining, as well as governments informing and listening to localcommunities.

World Health Organisation: Covid-19 is still accelerating

World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warnedthat despite six months passing since WHO declared Covid-19 a global healthcrisis, the virus is continuing to accelerate around the world.

WHO Chief Says Lack of Unity Is a Bigger Threat Than COVID-19

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gave a passionate speech at a COVID-19 briefing in Geneva on Thursday.

There may never be a 'silver bullet' for COVID-19: WHO

Despite vaccines in development, the head of the World Health Organization cautioned that the treatments had yet to prove effective and might only convey protection for a short time. This report produced by Zachary Goelman.

Advent Health | Morning Blend

Dr. Michel Murr, bariatric surgeon from AdventHealth is here to talk to us about obesity, and its link to Coronavirus.

Covid-19 testing: The different types and why is it so important?

The Government has announced two new tests for coronavirus and flu, which canreturn results in just 90 minutes, are to be deployed in hospitals, care homesand laboratories from next week. The tests have been hailed as a crucialinstrument in the fight against the pandemic, especially as the UK heads intothe colder months. There are two types of test; the swab test and the finger-prick test, used to test if a person has Covid-19 or once had the virus. Thetwo current test available has some setbacks, mainly being the amount of timeit takes to process results, between 24-72 hours to get results. The mainthing with the news test, yet to be introduced, is the speed with which theyare able to detect not just Covid-19, but also other seasonal illnesses. Thiswill be crucial as Britain heads into winter, as will easily identify ifsufferers will need to self-isolate.

Vikram Chandra on top leaders testing Covid+, focus back on virus spike

With some of the top political leaders, including home minister Amit Shah and Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa testing positive for the novel coronavirus, the focus is back on the spike in the number of infection which have now crossed the 18-lakh mark. Meanwhile, a blame game has ensued between the Mumbai and Bihar police after a top cop from the eastern state was sent into quarantine in Mumbai. Top stories with Vikram Chandra in this Editorji evening playlist.

Raksha Bandhan: PM Modi, Priyanka Gandhi, Big B & others extend wishes

India celebrated Raksha Bandhan on August 3 this year. Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar and spiritual leader Mata Amritanandmayi extended their greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion. PM Modi thanked Lata and Amritanandmayi on Twitter. President Ram Nath Kovind extended warm greetings to the countrymen. President Kovind celebrared Raksha Bandhan on Monday along with nurses. Home Minister Amit Shah wished people on the occasion. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi took to Twitter and shared message for each other. Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan penned down a note on sibling bond. Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also extended wishes. Meanwhile, a florist in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow made eco-friendly rakhis. In Moradabad, students tied rakhis to trees and prayed for their long life.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram tests positive for coronavirus

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram and son of former finance minister P. Chidambaram tested positive for COVID-19. Junior Chidambaram experiencing mild symptoms and is under home quarantine. Earlier on August 02, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa also tweeted that he had tested positive for COVID.