Armed forces ‘given free hand’ to respond to situation at LAC
- Forces have a free hand to assess the situation and to take action as required. While we don’t want
escalation but if it happens by the other side, appropriate action will be taken. - As reported earlier, following the Galwan incident, it was learnt that the Army revised its Rules of Engagement (RoE) for its ground commanders on the LAC. Use of firearms on the LAC is strictly regulated as per the border agreements of 1993, 1996 and 2005.
Helpline for lockdown hit workers to find jobs
- A group of students from IITs, IIMs and other reputed institutions on Sunday launched a pilot project and a helpline number to help workers, who lost their jobs during the COVID19 lockdown, find work.
- The helpline — 8800883323 — “ekatra” was conceptualised by the students to help the hiring of the unskilled, semiskilled and skilled workers across Delhi NCR, Mr. Singh said during the online launch.
- The helpline will be operational from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Student volunteers will attend calls from potential employers and workers.
U.S. talking to India and China, says Trump
- “They’ve come to blows, and we’ll see what happens. We’ll try and help them out,” Mr. Trump said when asked about his assessment of the situation between India and China.
- Over the past few days, senior members of the Trump Administration, including the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have spoken against incursions of the Chinese Army into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh.
- The U.S. has accused China of escalating border tensions with India and other neighbours by trying to take benefit of these countries busy fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic.
- “The PLA (People’s Liberation Army) has escalated border tensions with India, the world’s most populous democracy. It’s militarising the South China Sea and illegally claiming more territory there, threatening vital sea lanes,” Mr. Pompeo had said in a major speech on China on Friday.
Hyderabad firm gets DCGI nod for generic Remdesivir
- Hetero, drug maker with headquarters in Hyderabad has received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and sell a generic version of Gilead’s Remdesivir drug for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the country.
- The generic version will be marketed under the brand name ‘Covifor’ in India, Hetero said about the product being manufactured at its facility in Hyderabad.
- Each 100 mg vial is likely to be priced between ₹5,000 and ₹6,000. The drug is to be administered only after getting the consent of patients. The product is being launched under a licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc to expand access to COVID-19 treatment in low and middle income countries.