India sees major reduction in HIV infections but challenges remain: UN

India saw a major reduction in the number of new HIV infections , AIDS-related deaths and people living with HIV from 2010 to 2017 on the back of sustained and focussed efforts, according to a UN report which warned that the epidemic was growing in Pakistan.

The Joint UN Agency on AIDS (UNAIDS) report titled 'Miles to go closing gaps, breaking barriers, righting injustices' said Asia and the Pacific regions have made strong inroads with its HIV response.

Sustained and focused efforts to reach key populations have led to major reductions in HIV infections in Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam between 2010 and 2017.

The report, however, warned that the global new HIV infections were not declining fast enough. It also noted that the epidemics were expanding in Pakistan and the Philippines.

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In India, new HIV infections dropped from 120,000 in 2010 to 88,000 in 2017, AIDS-related deaths from 160,000 to 69,000 and people living with HIV from 2,300,000 to 2,100,000 in the same time period, the report said.

India has an approved social protection strategy, policy or framework that is being implemented, it said.

Hizbul's Syed Salahuddin threatens nuclear war against India

Hizbul's Syed Salahuddin threatens nuclear war against India

The Pakistan Government has again encouraged terror leader Syed Salahuddin, the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen, to threaten war against India over the Kashmir issue, and this time, Salahuddin has threatened a nuclear attack on India.

Speaking to reporters in Karachi Salahuddin said there is a great chance of a nuclear war taking place between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

"Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers," he added.

He said three wars have already been fought between the two countries over the Kashmir issue, adding that he can predict a fourth war with certainty because Kashmiris are no longer willing to compromise under any circumstances.

"Whether the world supports them or not; whether Pakistan stands by them or not; whether the United Nations performs its duty or not; they have taken a pledge to fight up to the last drop of their blood," he added.

Salahuddin warned that if the international community did not pay heed to the ongoing violence in Kashmir, Kashmiris from both sides of the divided Valley would be forced to take things into their own hands.

"If God forbid, the international community continues to cold shoulder and ignore this issue and Pakistan's efforts are not fruitful, and India does not stop its atrocities, a big incident can occur. Our base camp in liberated Azad Kashmir and the Kashmiris from this side will announce the trampling of the bloody Line (of Control)," he said. Read More