MH News cuttings of the day_2nd June 2021_Wednesday

Here are the latest updates and the big news stories to follow today

1. Protesting J-K transporters decide to resume operations; seek meet with LG Private transporters in Jammu and Kashmir have decided to resume operations from Wednesday after keeping their vehicles off the roads for the past 42 days in protest against the government’s decision to cap the seating capacity at 50% amid surging COVID-19 cases. However, they sought a meeting with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to sort out their problems to bring the transport industry “back on track”. 2. Court in Dominica to hear Choksi case Lawyers for fugitive businessman and diamond dealer Mehul Choksi and the public prosecutor in Dominica filed written submissions at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court on Tuesday, ahead of a hearing on Wednesday on whether he will be deported. As Indian investigators watch the outcome of the hearing carefully, lawyers are expected to argue over whether Dominica is prepared to implement the International Red Corner Notice in India’s favour, and whether his citizenship will be a factor in the court’s decision. 3. Bombay HC to hear appeal by Goa government against Tejpal acquittal The Goa government in its appeal before the Bombay High Court against journalist Tarun Tejpal’s acquittal in a rape case said it was a fit case for retrial, citing the trial court’s lack of understanding of a victim’s post-trauma behaviour and censuring of her character. 4. Rajasthan to conduct audit of COVID-19 vaccines An audit of the COVID-19 vaccines will be conducted in Rajasthan to ensure that the doses are not wasted. The exercise is being undertaken following the reports of alleged wastage of vaccines, though the State government has claimed that the vaccine wastage was limited to 2%, which was below the national average of 6%. 5. Karnataka Deputy CM hints at phased unlock after June 7 Amid speculation about extension of the lockdown, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister on Tuesday said it is a “guarantee” that the state will start the unlock process after June 7, as he hinted that it will be phased lifting of curbs. The state is currently under lockdown till June 7, and there were speculations about it being extended. 6. Japanese Olympic athletes get COVID-19 shots on second consecutive day Japan started vaccinating Tokyo Games-bound athletes on Tuesday, the Japanese Olympic Committee said. The vaccination of healthy athletes comes as only 2-3% of the general population in Japan has been fully vaccinated. Japanese Olympic Committee officials said about 200 athletes were vaccinated at a training center on the first day of the rollout. 7. India men’s and women’s cricket squads off to the U.K. The women’s cricket squad, which has been in quarantine in Mumbai, will be travelling to the United Kingdom with the men’s side for a month-long series, on Wednesday. The families of players and support staff of both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams will be allowed to accompany them during their lengthy tour of England this month, a senior BCCI source revealed. 8. Coronavirus in India \| Numbers and developments Days after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged other chief ministers to come together to persuade the Centre to procure and distribute vaccines free for the whole nation, Odisha and Jharkhand have also called for centralised procurement. The number of positive coronavirus cases in India recorded in the last 24 hours stands at 1,32,018, taking the tally in the country to 2,83,01,988at the time of publishing this newsletter. The death toll from the disease stands at 3,34,951.

Here are the latest updates and the big news stories to follow today

1. Protesting J-K transporters decide to resume operations; seek meet with LG

Private transporters in Jammu and Kashmir have decided to resume operations from Wednesday after keeping their vehicles off the roads for the past 42 days in protest against the government’s decision to cap the seating capacity at 50% amid surging COVID-19 cases. However, they sought a meeting with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to sort out their problems to bring the transport industry “back on track”.

2. Court in Dominica to hear Choksi case

Lawyers for fugitive businessman and diamond dealer Mehul Choksi and the public prosecutor in Dominica filed written submissions at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court on Tuesday, ahead of a hearing on Wednesday on whether he will be deported. As Indian investigators watch the outcome of the hearing carefully, lawyers are expected to argue over whether Dominica is prepared to implement the International Red Corner Notice in India’s favour, and whether his citizenship will be a factor in the court’s decision.

3. Bombay HC to hear appeal by Goa government against Tejpal acquittal

The Goa government in its appeal before the Bombay High Court against journalist Tarun Tejpal’s acquittal in a rape case said it was a fit case for retrial, citing the trial court’s lack of understanding of a victim’s post-trauma behaviour and censuring of her character.

4. Rajasthan to conduct audit of COVID-19 vaccines

An audit of the COVID-19 vaccines will be conducted in Rajasthan to ensure that the doses are not wasted. The exercise is being undertaken following the reports of alleged wastage of vaccines, though the State government has claimed that the vaccine wastage was limited to 2%, which was below the national average of 6%.

5. Karnataka Deputy CM hints at phased unlock after June 7

Amid speculation about extension of the lockdown, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister on Tuesday said it is a “guarantee” that the state will start the unlock process after June 7, as he hinted that it will be phased lifting of curbs. The state is currently under lockdown till June 7, and there were speculations about it being extended.

6. Japanese Olympic athletes get COVID-19 shots on second consecutive day

Japan started vaccinating Tokyo Games-bound athletes on Tuesday, the Japanese Olympic Committee said. The vaccination of healthy athletes comes as only 2-3% of the general population in Japan has been fully vaccinated. Japanese Olympic Committee officials said about 200 athletes were vaccinated at a training center on the first day of the rollout.

7. India men’s and women’s cricket squads off to the U.K.

The women’s cricket squad, which has been in quarantine in Mumbai, will be travelling to the United Kingdom with the men’s side for a month-long series, on Wednesday. The families of players and support staff of both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams will be allowed to accompany them during their lengthy tour of England this month, a senior BCCI source revealed.

8. Coronavirus in India | Numbers and developments

Days after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged other chief ministers to come together to persuade the Centre to procure and distribute vaccines free for the whole nation, Odisha and Jharkhand have also called for centralised procurement. The number of positive coronavirus cases in India recorded in the last 24 hours stands at 1,32,018, taking the tally in the country to 2,83,01,988at the time of publishing this newsletter. The death toll from the disease stands at 3,34,951.