Bus carrying pilgrims crashes in central Mexico; 19 killed, 32 wounded

The bus was heading to the religious site of Chalma when it apparently lost its brakes and slammed into a building, killing 19 people on board and wounding 32 more.

En route to the religious site of Chalma, the bus apparently lost its brakes and slammed into a building (Photo credits: Twitter)

Nineteen people died and 32 more were injured after a bus apparently carrying pilgrims to a religious site in central Mexico crashed on Friday.

State officials said the bus apparently lost its brakes and slammed into a building in the State of Mexico.

Six of the victims suffered injuries so severe they were flown to hospital in Toluca, the state capital.

Ricardo de la Cruz, the assistant state interior secretary, said the accident occurred in the township of Joquicingo, southwest of Mexico City.

The bus was heading from the western state of Michoacan to Chalma, a town that has been visited by Roman Catholic pilgrims for centuries.

ALSO READ | 14 clandestine graves found in northern Mexico, investigators suspect drug turf war

There was no immediate information on the condition of the injured passengers. Many Mexicans go on religious pilgrimages as December 12, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, approaches.

Because they often walk or bike on narrow roads or travel in aging buses, accidents are not uncommon.

Mexico State borders Mexico City on three sides, and includes both remote rural villages and crowded suburbs of the capital.

Chalma was a site sacred in pre-Hispanic times before the 1521 conquest. After the Spanish came, believers say, a cross miraculously appeared in a cave that had been dedicated to an Aztec god, making Chalma a Christian pilgrimage site.

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India vs New Zealand: KS Bharat keeps wickets on Day 3 as Wriddhiman Saha gets treatment for stiff neck

India vs New Zealand: Uncapped KS Bharat took the gloves in the first session on Day 3 after the BCCI said senior wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha suffered a neck injury scare. Saha’s progress is monitored by the BCCI medical team.

KS Bharat (left) replaced Wriddhiman Saha in the morning session on Day 3 (PTI Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSKS Bharat took the gloves in the first session on Day 3Wriddhiman Saha st out with a stiff neck, monitored by BCCI medical teamIndia look to make a comeback with the ball in extended Day 3

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Saturday said senior wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha had a stiff neck problem and he was being treated by the medical team. Saha was replaced by uncapped KS Bharat in the morning session of Day 3 of the 1st Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur.

Wirddhiman Saha, 37, did not take the field on Day 3 morning as New Zealand resumed their first innings on 129 for 0. As Ishant Sharma was warming up to open the bowling for India, young KS Bharat walked out with the gloves and did the wicketkeeper’s role on Saturday. Notably, Rishabh Pant is not available as the in-form star has been rested from the 2-Test series.

India vs New Zealand, 1st Test Day 3 Live Updates

“Wriddhiman Saha has stiffness in his neck. The BCCI medical team is treating him and monitoring his progress. KS Bharat will be keeping wickets in his absence,” the BCCI said in a statement.

UPDATE – Wriddhiman Saha has stiffness in his neck. The BCCI medical team is treating him and monitoring his progress. KS Bharat will be keeping wickets in his absence.#INDvNZ @Paytm

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2021

Meanwhile, play on Day 3 will be extended to accommodate 92 overs after the second day’s play was called earlier than usual due to bad light. The second session will be extended by 5 mins.

KS Bharat is set for a tough challenge as Kanpur pitch has been playing up and down and is expected to deteriorate from Day 3. Notably, Bharat was in the squad and was expected to make his debut in the ongoing series but India preferred the senior wicketkeeper in Saha who did not play in England as Pant was the preferred first-choice gloveman.

The pressure on Saha grows as the senior wicketkeeper failed with the bat, managing just 1 run when India needed their senior batters in the middle-order to step up in the first innings earlier in the Kanpur Test.

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Kanpur Test: R Ashwin argues with umpire Nitin Menon after running across him during followthrough on Day 3

R Ashwin was the centre of attention on Day 3 of the 1st Test between India and New New Zealand in Kanpur as he was involved in an intense argument with on-field umpire Nitin Menon. Ashwin adopted a new bowling run-up as he ran across the umpire in his follow-through in the morning session on Saturday at Green Park.

Nitin Menon, one of the reputed umpires going around, had an issue with the follow-through as he seemingly felt that Ashwin’s follow-through blocked his view. Menon interrupted Ashwin’s over multiple times and had a chat with the senior off-spinner.

India vs New Zealand, 1st Test Day 3 Live Updates

However, Ashwin remained adamant and kept bowling with the follow-through wherein he ran across the umpire’s line of sight. Not impressed by Ashwin’s tactics, umpire Nitin Menon had a chat with stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane but nothing stopped the off-spinner from doing what he was doing.

Television cameras also spotted head coach Rahul Dravid have a chat with match referee Javagal Srinath at the Green Park on Saturday.

Ashwin argues with umpire Nitin Menon pic.twitter.com/R5qMxyeDi0

— Sunaina Gosh (@Sunainagosh7) November 27, 2021

While R Ashwin did not run on the danger area with his new follow-through, he was certainly distracting the umpire. However, Ashwin argued that he was well within the rules by doing so.

NO MERIT IN DISTRACTING THE UMPIRE: AAKASH CHOPRA

Former India opener Aakash Chopra took to social media to share his thoughts on R Ashwin’s follow-through, saying it could have an impact on Menon giving on-field decisions. The reputed umpire was having a tough Test as several of his decisions were being overturned.

“There’s no merit in distracting the umpire. Yes, you have the DRS. But the impact of an ‘umpire’s call’ must never be taken lightly,” Chopra said.

There’s no merit in distracting the umpire. Yes, you have the DRS. But the impact of an ‘umpire’s call’ must never be taken lightly.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 27, 2021

Former India batter WV Raman also shed light on Ashwin’s tactics, saying: “The umpire’s contention could be that his view will be blocked with @ashwinravi99 running across him in his follow through.

“Of course, with Ash staying within the danger area, the warning cannot be issued. Trust Ash to create a conundrum even for umpires,” Raman added.

The umpire’s contention could be that his view will be blocked with @ashwinravi99 running across him in his follow through. Of course, with Ash staying within the danger area, the warning cannot be issued. Trust Ash to create a conundrum even for umpires.. #INDvsNZ

— WV Raman (@wvraman) November 27, 2021

India showed a lot of heart in the morning session on a flat pitch as R Ashwin got the first breakthrough, dismissing opener Will Young for 89. Meanwhile, Umesh Yadav struck at the stroke of Lunch with the second new ball as he got the big wicket of Kane Williamson for 19.

New Zealand were 197/2 at Lunch on Day 3, trialing India’s first-innings total of 345 by 148 runs in Kanpur.

Moderna testing 2 booster shots to protect against Omicron variant, expects data soon

US-based pharmaceutical giant Moderna is studying two booster shot options designed to anticipate mutations similar to the Omicron strain of the coronavirus, which has been designated as a variant of concern by the WHO.

It is already working to test the ability of the current vaccine dose to neutralise the Omicron variant and data is expected in the coming weeks.

“Moderna is already studying two multi-valent booster candidates in the clinic that were designed to anticipate mutations such as those that have emerged in the Omicron variant,” the company said in a statement.

The first candidate (mRNA-1273.211) includes several mutations present in the Omicron variant that were also present in the Beta variant of concern1. Moderna said it has completed dosing in a potentially pivotal safety and immunogenicity study of mRNA-1273.211 at the 50 µg (N=300) and 100 µg (N=584) dose levels.

ALSO READ | PM Modi chairs key meet on Covid-19, vaccination status amid concerns over Omicron variant

A second multi-valent candidate (mRNA-1273.213) includes many of the mutations present in the Omicron variant that were also present in the Beta and Delta variants2. The company has completed dosing at the 100 µg (N=584) dose level and also plans to explore the 50 µg dose level in approximately 584 participants.

Moderna said it will “rapidly advance” an Omicron-specific booster shot, much like its Beta- and Delta-specific boosters.

“A booster dose of an authorised vaccine represents the only currently available strategy for boosting waning immunity,” the company said.

The new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529, dubbed Omicron, was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on November 24, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.

ALSO READ | WHO names new Covid variant Omicron; South Africa says travel bans unjustified | Top points

Global authorities have reacted with alarm to the new variant, with the United States, UK and the EU among those tightening border controls as scientists sought to find out if the mutation was vaccine-resistant.

Pfizer and BioNTech said they expect more data on the Omicron strain to determine whether its Covid-19 vaccine would have to be reworked. Johnson and Johnson also said it is closely monitoring emerging strains of coronavirus and is testing the effectiveness of its shot against the new variant.

(With inputs from Agencies)

SKM defers tractor rally to Parliament, to announce next plan of action on Dec 4

With the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 set to be tabled in the Winter Session of Parliament, the core committee of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) said on Saturday that they will announce their next course of action on December 4.

Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 aims to roll back the three contentious farm laws passed by Parliament last year. In the business listed on the website of Lok Sabha, it is mentioned that Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will move to introduce a Bill to repeal 2020 Farm Bills. The minister will also move to amend the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Members of the SKM’s core committee, which met earlier in the day, said they want to analyse the statement released by Narendra Singh Tomar. They will decide on their future plan of action after going through the Bill.

ALSO READ | Law wapasi but no ghar wapasi yet: How protesting farmers may be testing Modi govt

Meanwhile, the farmer unions’ umbrella body has decided to postpone farmers’ tractor rally to Parliament, which was slated to roll out on November 29, the first day of the Winter Session.

“When November 29 tractor rally call was given, the three laws were not withdrawn,” said SKM core committee member Darshan Pal.

The farmer leaders, however, took the call to carry on their agitation until the Centre agrees to hold talks over the issue of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, the death of farmers during the protest at Delhi borders, and the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

READ | Law on MSP unlikely: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar after meeting with PM Modi

“We demand compensation, rehabilitation, of all farmers who have died in the protest. We demand cases be withdrawn. Lakhimpur Kheri accused should be punished. Union minister of state Ajay Misra should be suspended,” Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rajveer Singh Jadaun said.

#WATCH | In today’s meeting of SKM, we have decided to continue to protest until Govt holds talks with us over MSP, the death of farmers during the protest, & the Lakhimpur violence matter. We do not agree with Govt’s announcements today: BKU leader Rajveer Singh Jadaun in Delhi pic.twitter.com/8VKE4Iaojd

— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2021

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the three controversial farm laws would be withdrawn. Although farmer unions have welcomed the government’s move, they said their protest would continue until the laws are totally withdrawn and other demands are met.

WATCH | Farm laws gone, kranti still on: Are farmers changing goalposts?

In J&K, state was downgraded to UT, it’s like demoting CM to MLA: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday hit out at the central government for stripping the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was like demoting a chief minister to the post of MLA.

“Usually, UTs are upgraded to state. But in our case, state was downgraded to UT. It’s like demoting DGP to post of thanedaar, CM to MLA, and chief secretary to Patwari. No wise man can do this,” Azad was quoted as saying by news agency ANI at an event in Kulgam.

#WATCH | In Kashmir’s Kulgam, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad says, “Usually, UTs are upgraded to state. But in our case, state was downgraded to UT. It’s like demoting DGP to post of thanedaar, CM to MLA, and chief secretary to Patwari. No wise man can do this.” pic.twitter.com/dSuSyCy48I

— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2021

Last month, Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that the situation in J&K was better before the abrogation of Article 370. “We were told that scenario in J&K will change after abrogation of Art 370. Growth, hospitals, unemployment will be taken care of. But that has not happened at all. As a matter of fact, we were far better when it was being ruled by various CMs,” ANI quoted him as saying.

“So, we are a great loser. We are a great loser after the state has been divided into two. We are a great loser ever since the Assembly has been dissolved,” he added.

We were told that scenario in J&K will change after abrogation of Art 370. Growth, hospitals, unemployment will be taken care of. But that has not happened at all. As a matter of fact, we were far better when it was being ruled by various CMs: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress pic.twitter.com/Kr7Okk369M

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2021

On August 5, 2019, the Centre revoked the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370 and 35A.

(With inputs from ANI)

Also Read | Elections before J&K statehood a mistake: Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad tells Centre

Also Read | 2 years without Article 370: How it changed Jammu and Kashmir, 5 points

Two cases of Omicron variant detected in Britain

Two cases of the new coronavirus variant, named ‘Omicron’ by the WHO, have been detected in Britain.

Two cases of new coronavirus variant have been detected in Britain. [Image: Reuters]

Two cases of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been detected in Britain, health minister Sajid Javid said on Saturday.

“Late last night I was contacted by the UK Health Security Agency. I was informed that they have detected two cases of this new variant, Omicron, in the United Kingdom. One in Chelmsford, the other in Nottingham,” he said in a broadcast clip.

The two individuals and all members of their households are being re-tested and told to self-isolate while further testing and contact tracing is done, the health ministry said.

ALSO READ: ‘New variant more transmissible, could escape immunity’: Dr Gagandeep Kang on ‘Omicron’

England will also add Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola to its travel “red list” from 0400 GMT on Sunday, meaning British and Irish residents who arrive in the country must quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days. Non-residents will be refused entry.

That list already contained Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty will hold a news conference later on Saturday “to set out further measures”, Javid said.

ALSO READ: Two South Africa returnees test Covid positive in Bengaluru, official says cases Delta, not Omicron

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