Medical interns demand hike in internship salaries in UP

IMA and All India Medical Students Associations demand raising salary to Rs. 23500 

Indian Medical Association - Medical Students Network, Uttar Pradesh and All India Medical Students Association has written a letter addressing Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, demanding a hike in the salaries of Medical interns from the present level of Rs. 7500/- PM to Rs. 23500/- PM. In a release issued Dr. Rajnesh Raj, State Convener, IMA MSN, UP State, Dr Rahul Anand, State General Secretary, IMA MSN, UP state, Dr. Subham Anand, National General Secretary, AIMSA (HQ.), Dr. Prabhu Malhotra, National Coordinator, AIMSA (Hqs.) mentioned that in many state and central government Medical interns are given higher Internship Salaries but unfortunately in Uttar Pradesh they are being paid very low and has asked state government to address their concerns at this time of the Pandemic when doctors are risking their lives for the people and the Nation.

 

Turkey's death toll rises to 2,992

The number of people who have died from COVID-19 in Turkey rose by 92 in the last 24 hours to 2,992, health ministry data showed, continuing a downward trend. The total number of cases rose by 2,392 to 114,653, the data showed, the highest total outside Western Europe or the United States. A total of 38,809 people have so far recovered from the new coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease COVID-19. The number of tests carried out in the past 24 hours was 29,230.

US to reopen as cases hit 1 million mark

State and national leaders in the United States signalled an increasing willingness to curtail coronavirus-related lockdowns even as increased testing showed that the number of people infected by the virus surpassed one million for the first time. More than 57,000 people have died from complications of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, public health officials at Johns Hopkins University reported.

British Airways to slash up to 12,000 jobs

The parent company of British Airways said it is set to cut up to 12,000 jobs as part of a restructuring plan as the carrier grapples with the fallout of the pandemic. IAG said it was still deliberating its options but that it was "likely that they will affect most of British Airways' employees and may result in the redundancy of up to 12,000".

Peru coronavirus cases surpass 30,000

Peru's health ministry confirmed its toll of coronavirus cases had surpassed 30,000, with 854 associated deaths. Infections have prompted the collapse of some medical facilities, with bodies being kept in hallways, masks being repeatedly reused, and protests breaking out amongst medical workers concerned over their safety.

Pakistan records second deadliest day of pandemic

Pakistan registered its deadliest day from the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, with 26 people dying of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus, taking the country's death toll to 327 since its outbreak began in late February. Cases also rose by their highest single-day amount on Tuesday, increasing by 806 to 14,885, of which 11,113 are active cases, as per data collected by Al Jazeera.

Russia's coronavirus cases near 100,000 mark

Russia has reported 5,841 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing its overall nationwide case tally to 99,399. The official nationwide death toll reached 972 after 108 people with the virus died in the last 24 hours, Russia's coronavirus crisis response centre said.

Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan dies at 53

Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan has died in the Indian city of Mumbai after he was admitted to a city hospital with a colon infection on Tuesday. He was 53. "Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him," his publicist said in a statement on Wednesday.

New York mayor criticises Jewish funeral gathering

Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, has criticised some Hasidic Jews in the city after hundreds gathered for the funeral of a rabbi who had died with the virus. De Blasio went to the scene to disperse the crowds. Writing on Twitter, he described such gatherings as unacceptable and warned it would only lead to more deaths. The city has been hit hard by coronavirus. More than 17,000 people have died.

White House unfollows PM Modi on Twitter

SHOWS THE ARROGANCY OF WHITE HOUSE AND ITS STAFF

Three weeks after the White House followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Twitter, the official Twitter handle of the White House has now unfollowed them all. White House is the official residence of the MOST ARROGANT AND UNSUCESSFUL President of the United States of America. Around April 10, the White House followed the personal Twitter handles of PM Modi, his office (PMO) and President Ram Nath Kovind. With this, PM Modi and President Kovind became the only world leaders who were followed by the White House on Twitter.

After that that all non-US Twitter handles that were followed by the White House were Indian. They included the President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn), PM Modi's personal Twitter handle, the Prime Minister's Office (@PMO) and the Indian embassy in Washington DC (@IndianEmbassyUS). With this, the White House was following 19 Twitter handles and had nearly 21.5 million followers.

The White House has now unfollowed the Indian Embassy in Washington and the US Embassy in New Delhi. While President Donald Trump shares warm relations with PM Modi, his recent comments on India's decision to ban exports of hydroxychloroquine - was interpreted as a threat to India.

Soon, India okayed export of the medicine and Trump later thanked and mentioned in a tweet on April 8,  this gesture will not be forgotten. "Extraordinary times require even closer cooperation between friends. Thank you India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ. Will not be forgotten! Thank you Prime Minister @NarendraModi for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight!"

 

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NITI-Aayog building sealed for 2 days after staffer tests positive

The NITI-Aayog building in New Delhi has been sealed for 48 hours after a director-level officer tested positive, an advisor at the think tank has told PTI. People who came in contact with the officer have been asked to self-quarantine, the advisor said.

(Inputs from PTI)

Total 112 policemen infected with Covid-19 in Maharashtra so far

As many as 112 policemen have tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra, out of which 3 head constables from Mumbai have succumbed to the virus last week.

29,435 Covid-19 cases in India, 6,864 recoveries so far: Health ministry

The health ministry, during the routine briefing on coronavirus, said that India has reported 1,543 fresh cases in the last 24 hours. With this, the total count in the country now stands at 29,435. The health ministry also said that India has reported a total of 6,864 recoveries so far, including 684 in the last 24 hours.

Plasma therapy only in early stage, not approved for Covid-19 so far: Health ministry

The health ministry said that plasma therapy is at an experimental stage only right now. "ICMR would like to clarify unless and until there is any proper approval through clinical research and trials, it would be improper to make any claim related to plasma therapy," health ministry said.

Five fresh coronavirus cases in Noida today, district's total 134

Uttar Pradesh's Noida has reported five fresh cases of coronavirus today, with which its total count has reached 134. Meanwhile, 75 coronavirus patients in the district have recovered and have been discharged.

28 fresh Covid-19 cases reported in Bengal in last 24 hours, 522 active cases in state

West Bengal has reported 28 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, witch which its active case tally as reached 522. Meanwhile, Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Pargana continue to remain Red zones.

121 new Covid-19 cases in Tamil Nadu, state's tally at 2,058

Tamil Nadu reported 121 new cases of coronavirus as on Tuesday evening. The state’s tally has increased to 2,058.

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Coronavirus: Rwandair cuts salaries by up to 65%

Rwanda's national carrier, Rwandair, has announced it will cut the net salaries of its employees by between 8% to 65% as it seeks to deal with the effects of coronavirus pandemic. In a memo to its staff, Rwandair said the decision was made to “avoid laying-off staff”. It has also extended the suspension of contracts for pilots and non-essential staff until further notice. “This was an extremely tough decision, however, the choice we made is the best option at this time,” the memo stated.

“It is very sad, we are always expecting the worst this time around. This is the hardest time I am going through in my four years with Rwandair,” she said. The carrier that flies to 26 international destinations in Africa, Asia and Europe stopped flights on 19 March after Rwanda announced restrictive measures to halt the spread of the virus.

Coronavirus cases in Pakistan rises to 13,328; death toll 281

Pakistan's coronavirus cases have climbed to 13,328 while the death toll from the pandemic has reached 281 with 12 more fatalities, the health ministry said on Monday. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, more than 3,000 people have recovered from the contagion. 

The ministry said that Punjab has reported 5,446 cases, Sindh 4,615, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,864, Balochistan 781, Gilgit-Baltistan 318, Islamabad 245 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 59 cases.

Uttarakhand: Fresh Covid-19 case reported in the state

One more person has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Uttarakhand, taking the total number of cases in the state to 51, a health bulletin said. The test of the man's samples were conducted at the Doon Medical College and the report came on Sunday night, it said. The man's wife had tested positive for Covid-19 soon after delivering a child at the Doon Hospital here on Saturday, the bulletin said.

UP: 10 more cases in Agra

10 new COVID19 positive cases reported in Agra district in last 24 hours; the total number of positive cases in the district is now 381: DM Agra Prabhu N Singh

Coronavirus patient commits suicide in Bengaluru

A 50-year old coronavirus patient has allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the fifth floor of a hospital building in Bengaluru today, police said. The patient jumped from the trauma ward of the Victoria Hospital, a senior police official said. According to hospital sources, the man, who was admitted with acute respiratory problem on April 24, was also suffering from kidney problems. 

Congress corporator dies due to COVID-19

Ahmedabad corporator and a senior Congress leader Badruddin Shaikh died on Sunday night, succumbing to the dreaded coronavirus. The 68-year-old Congressman was considered to be a senior and stalwart politician in the Gujarat Congress unit. He was hospitalized a week ago after his condition deteriorated during home quarantine. Shaikh's coronavirus infection results tested positive, a day after the positive test results of a Congress MLA Imran Khedawala. He was a senior corporator, representing the Behrampura ward in Amdavad Municipal Corporation and had also been the spokesperson of Gujarat Congress.

29 healthcare workers in Delhi have tested positive

Delhi: At least 29 healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, paramedics & other staff of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Delhi have tested positive for COVID19. Results of 4 other cases are 'presumptive positive', as stated by a report of National Institute of Biologicals, Noida.

280 govt labs conducting Covid-19 tests: ICMR

The Indian Council of Medical Research on Sunday said that a total of 280 operational government laboratories in the country are conducting tests for Covid-19 and reporting to it. Out of the 280 labs, 233 are conducting Real Time-PCR, while 41 will do TrueNat tests, and the remaining six the CBNAAT tests. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have the highest number of government labs to test for the viral disease. Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the Lady Hardinge Medical College, the National Centre for Disease Control, the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, the Army Hospital Research and Referral, the Maulana Azad Medical College, and the Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital are conducting them.

Kerala CM Not Attending Video Conference With PM

Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan (in file pic) is not attending video conference meeting of CMs with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today on COVID19 situation. Kerala has given its suggestions in writing. Kerala Chief Secretary is attending the meeting: Sources

Delhi the main reason for increased Corona cases in Haryana: Anil Vij

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij has accused the Delhi of leading to a surge in the number of Coronavirus cases in Haryana. He said, '120 Tablighi Jamaat attendees who came to Haryana from Delhi were Coronavirus positive. We have treated them and now many people from Haryana who had been working in Delhi are crossing the borders after getting passes. 

With 33 fresh cases, Kanpur new corona hotspot in UP

With 33 more corona positive cases emerging in the past 24 hours, Kanpur is now a major COVID-19 hotspot in Uttar Pradesh after Agra. The tally of corona positive cases in Kanpur is now 185 and the city has 25 hotspots. The new cases include 13 women and two policemen. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ashok Shukla, said on Monday, "The latest cases were detected from Bhannana Purwa area where 10 members of a family contracted the virus, while 10 cases were reported from the Colonelganj area. There are 13 women who have corona virus.

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Coronavirus cases in India cross 27,000-mark

Coronavirus cases in India have crossed the 27,000-mark with nearly 1,400 cases reported in the country in the last 24 hours, ending Monday morning. The Covid-19 death toll, meanwhile, has climbed to 872. As many as 48 deaths have been reported in 24 hours. As per the data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has 20,835 active cases as of Monday morning.

391 students reach Assam from Kota

390 students of Assam arrived in Guwahati on Monday from the coaching hub of Kota in Rajasthan and have been kept under institutional quarantine, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Sarma and his junior minister Pijush Hazarika received the students at the Sarusajai quarantine facility in the city after they arrived at 3 am by buses. "After a long journey from Kota, 391 children are back with smiles and cheers. To ensure that they and their families remain safe, we are putting them into 14 days of quarantine," the health minister tweeted.

Iran to reopen mosques in ALL areas

Iran plans to reopen mosques in parts of the country that have been consistently free of coronavirus infections, President Hassan Rouhani announced.

The country will be divided into white, yellow and red regions depending on the number of cases and deaths. In "white" areas mosques would be allowed to reopen and resume Friday prayers, according to the presidency's website.

China reports just three new cases on mainland

China's National Health Commission said on Monday the mainland had confirmed just three new cases of coronavirus and no new deaths.

Of the new cases, two were among people returned from overseas, while the other was in the northern province of Heilongjiang bordering Russia.

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France restricts sales of nicotine substitutes after study

France restricted sales of nicotine substitutes after new research suggested nicotine may offer some protection against infection by the new coronavirus. The Health Ministry said in a decree it aimed to avoid a shortage of products such as nicotine patches for patients and to prevent the wrong use - and overuse - of substitutes used to fight nicotine dependence.

Under the decree, pharmacies are not allowed to sell more than a month's worth of substitutes until May 11 when France is to begin easing lockdown measures and reopening schools. The decree also said that online sales were suspended.

Trump says his remarks on using disinfectant were sarcastic

US President Donald Trump said that he was being sarcastic when he raised the possibility of using disinfectant inside people's bodies to fight coronavirus. "I was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you, just to see what would happen," he told journalists at the White House. Trump said at his daily news briefing on Thursday that scientists should explore whether inserting light or disinfectant into the bodies of people infected with the new coronavirus might help them treat the disease.

Make in India: Is this the right time

The unleashing of COVID 19 on humanity is possibly the event of the century. It has caused massive turbulence all over the world. Needless to say it has left a a deep impact on how businesses will get conducted post this period. The stock markets have taken a dive and are behaving in the most bullish manner. Every day there is a rise and fall, making a common investor puzzled. China has earned a bad name for itself and tarnished its credibility and reputation. Its manipulation of the WHO is an open secret now. Already Nations are inimical to China and raging with pain and anger and want to be avenged.

In the scenario of Multi nationals moving their industries out of China, a wonderful opportunity presents itself to other nations to galvanize their diplomatic and economic efforts to make it conducive for these investments to be moved to their countries. India is in my mind is a front runner for such enterprises. The Govt has also eased its FDI policy to ensure adequate control mechanisms are in place. Therefore, the time has come now to shore up our so called defence corridors which were set up with much fanfare.

What are the key focus areas we are looking at. I am of the opinion that we start this procees with areas requiring low level technology and which can deliver within three years now. Simultaneously we can build up on products of higher technology content. The most critical area relates to our defence preparedness and the aspects which pertain to enhancing are viz mobility and firepower. Let us get our partners with whom we have a history of defence imports and procurement involved straightaway. They need to move in their industry and set base in India. Transfer of technology must happen in a time bound manner.

 

 

Gurugram: MNCs may have to work from home till July end

MNCs, BPOs and ITES in Gurugram may have to allow their employees to work from home till the end of July, says VS Kundu, CEO, GMDA. Kundu, who is also additional chief secretary of Haryana, added that several real estate projects, including those of DLF, have got the green signal to resume construction but within the norms of social distancing.

The Gurugram district administration had issued an advisory in mid March asking MNCs, BPOs, IT companies, corporates and industries to allow work from home. "As of now it appears this advisory for work from home will continue till end of July. All those who have offices in Gurugram should continue to work from home to the extent possible," Kundu.

Kundu said few construction sites at GMDA and NHAI projects have been allowed to resume work within the norms of social distancing. "Construction sites where labourers are already staying on the site or those where labourers stay within walking distance are allowed to resume work while adhering to social distancing norms," he said.

NOIDA; 70 recovered from Covid-19

71 people who were tested positive for Covid-19 have recovered in Noida out of the 115 cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. Among the cured, are a six-day-old infant and a 82-year-old woman. The baby's mother also tested negative. The total number of Covid-19 active cases in Gautam Buddha Nagar is now at 44 with no deaths reported so far.

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"Trump is absolutely wrong and irresponsible": Dr Eugene Gu

Injecting disinfectant and exposure to ultraviolet rays could help people with the coronavirus

Doctors, epidemiologists and others reacted with alarm after US President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested that injecting disinfectant and exposure to ultraviolet rays could help people with the coronavirus. "Trump is absolutely wrong and irresponsible," Dr Eugene Gu, whose laboratory is involved in coronavirus testing, added, "Clorox, Tide Pods and Lysol will kill coronavirus. No question about it. But if you are infected then the coronavirus is inside your cells. If you use any of those disinfectants to kill the coronavirus in your own cells then you'll die right along with the coronavirus." 

"I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute," Trump said. "One minute! And is there a way we can do something, by an injection inside or almost a cleaning? Because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it'd be interesting to check that. So, that you're going to have to use medical doctors with, but it sounds interesting to me." The comments were immediately slammed by scientists, who said the president was endangering the public's health. 

Trump suggests injecting disinfectant to fight coronavirus

US President Donald Trump has suggested that disinfectants could be injected into human beings as part of an experiment to fight the coronavirus. During his latest news conference on Thursday, Trump also said that ultraviolet rays could be introduced through the skin to test whether it would work in curing the deadly disease.

Hundreds gather in Indonesia's Aceh to mark start of Ramzan

Hundreds of worshippers gathered at a mosque in Indonesia's ultra-conservative Aceh province for prayers marking the start of the holy month of Ramadan, despite fears over the spread of the coronavirus. People were seen standing shoulder to shoulder during the evening prayer, known as Taraweeh on Thursday at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. Only a few had face masks on. "With us praying together we hope God Allah will bless the world and that this pandemic will be over soon, because we believe if we are praying together (in mosques) Allah will answer our prayers," said Siti Ramadan, one of those who attended the prayers.

Sunlight, heat and humidity weaken coronavirus: US official

The coronavirus appears to weaken more quickly when exposed to sunlight, heat and humidity, a US official has said, in a potential sign that the pandemic could become less contagious in summer months. US government researchers have determined that the virus survives best indoors and in dry conditions, and loses potency when temperatures and humidity rise - and especially when it is exposed to sunlight, said William Bryan, acting head of the US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate. "The virus dies quickest in the presence of direct sunlight," he told a White House news briefing.

Hundreds of MEDICAL STAFF in Bangladesh infected

As coronavirus cases mount in Bangladesh, its government struggles to keep its front-line healthcare workers free from getting infected, which has further strained the country's medical facilities. At least 251 doctors had tested positive for coronavirus by Thursday, according to the Bangladesh Doctors Foundation (BDF), as the group blamed a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and infections from patients for the outbreak among the doctors. Nearly 200 doctors are infected in the capital, Dhaka. So far, Bangladesh has reported 3,772 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 120 deaths.

Singapore records 897 new infections

Singapore has registered 897 new coronavirus infections, taking its total number of cases to 12,075. The health ministry said the vast majority of the new cases were migrant workers residing in dormitories, many of which are under government-ordered quarantine due to mass outbreaks.

Pakistan using intelligence services to track cases

Pakistan is using a contact tracing system - developed by its intelligence services to combat terrorism - to fight the coronavirus, the country's prime minister has said, as COVID-19 cases continue to spike in the South Asian country. Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) service is supporting the government in tracing and tracking people who may have been in contact in with those who test positive for the virus.

Iran death toll rises by 93 to 5,574

Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has risen by 93, to reach a total of 5,574, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on state TV. The total number of people diagnosed with the disease is 88,194, of whom 3,121 are in critical condition, he added.

Switzerland death toll rises to 1,309

The Swiss death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 1,309, the country's public health agency has said, rising from 1,268 people on Thursday. The number of positive tests also increased to 28,677 from 28,496 on Thursday, it said. Switzerland is due to start the first phase of its relaxation of the coronavirus restrictions on April 27 with the reopening of hairdressers, florists, and garden centres.

Qatar records 761 new cases, highest daily increase

Qatar has reported 761 new cases of the coronavirus, the largest daily increase since the outbreak began, according to the health ministry. A total of 8,525 cases have been reported in the country, with 10 deaths.

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Coronavirus came to New York from Europe, not China: NY governor

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that strains of the coronavirus that first infected his state's residents came from Europe, not China, and that the ban on trave;lers from China came too late to halt its spread. "We closed the front door with the China travel ban, which was right, but we left the back door open," Cuomo told a daily briefing. 

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US warship hit with coronavirus

A US Navy destroyer was hit with a coronavirus outbreak as it carried out a counter-narcotics mission, US officials said, dealing another blow to the military as it grapples with the pandemic. US officials, speaking to Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity, said more than a dozen sailors on board the Kidd had tested positive for the disease. The Pentagon confirmed an outbreak on the ship, which had been carrying out its mission in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, and declined to discuss the exact number of sailors infected.

Britain starts plasma trial against coronavirus

Britain is to start trials to see whether plasma collected from donors who have recovered from COVID-19 could be an effective treatment for patients who are severely unwell with the disease, Reuters news agency reported. Up to 5,000 severely ill patients with COVID-19 could soon be treated each week with plasma as part of a new approach to treating the virus, the health department said on Saturday.

China reports 12 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

China reported 12 new coronavirus cases on April 24 compared with six new cases on the previous day, National Health Commission data showed on Saturday. Of the new cases, 11 were imported. The commission also reported 29 new asymptomatic cases, slightly down from the previous day's tally of 34. Four of these cases were imported. The total number of confirmed cases in China is now 82,816. The death toll remained the same at 4,632, with no new deaths reported on April 24.

Death toll in US cross 50,000-mark

The death toll due to the novel coronavirus pandemic in the US crossed the 50,000-mark on Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University. It is one of the highest recorded numbers of death anywhere in the world since the pandemic began in central China's Wuhan city last year. In the last 24 hours until Friday morning, as many as 3,176 people died from the coronavirus in the US, according to a tally compiled by the university from government figures. The spike comes after parts of the US reopened after weeks of lockdown that has crippled the world's largest economy.

15,000 tests conducted in state so far IN BIHAR

Bihar's irrigation minister Sanjay Jha said a total of 15,000 tests for the novel coronavirus have been conducted so far in the state.

"Have conducted about 15k tests so far. We are screening people door-to-door in hotspots. Of the 200 cases in Bihar, there have been instances of one or two people infecting many. Like one person who returned from Dubai infected about 36 people," Sanjay Jha said.

Sale of liquor continues to be prohibited: MHA

Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that the sale of liquor and other items continues to be prohibited as specified in the National Directives for Covid-19 management.

Several staffers of Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital in Jahangirpuri test positive

"Several people have tested positive in Jahangirpuri area. The hospital is located in this area and some positive cases have been found here too," Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on reports of several staffers of Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital in Jahangirpuri testing positive for Covid-19.

FLEXING STRENGTH: US will destroy Iranian gunboats harassing US ships

US President Donald Trump tweeted on Wednesday morning that he had told the United States Navy to "shoot down and destroy" Iranian gunboats that "harass" US ships. "I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea," Trump tweeted. "We're not going to stand for it. If they do that that's putting our ships in danger and our great crews and sailors in danger - I'm not going to let that happen. And we will - they'll shoot them out of the water," he said during a White House briefing. "That's a threat. When they get that close to our boat, and they have guns, they have very substantial weapons on those boats, but we'll shoot them out of the water." 

Senior Pentagon officials said Trump's comments were meant as a warning to Tehran but suggested that the US military would continue to abide by their existing right to self defence instead of changing their rules. "The president issued an important warning to the Iranians, what he was emphasising is all of our ships retain the right of self-defence," Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist told reporters at the Pentagon. On Sunday, the Revolutionary Guard acknowledged it had a tense encounter last week with US warships in the Gulf, but alleged without offering evidence that US forces sparked the incident.

US vaccine expert 'removed for opposing Trump-backed chloroquine'

Dr Rick Bright, the head of the US agency in charge of developing a vaccine against coronavirus, said he was removed from his job for opposing the chloroquine treatment promoted by Trump. The director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) was moved to a lesser position in the National Institutes of Health on Tuesday.

"I believe this transfer was in response to my insistence that the government invest the billions of dollars allocated by Congress to address the COVID-19 pandemic into safe and scientifically vetted solutions, and not in drugs, vaccines and other technologies that lack scientific merit," he said in a statement.

South Korea posts biggest GDP fall since 2008

South Korea said its economy shrank 1.4 percent during the first three months of the year, the worst contraction since late-2008, reflecting the enormous shock unleashed by the coronavirus on domestic demand and trade. The Bank of Korea said domestic consumption decreased 6.4 percent from the previous quarter as people, while staying at home to avoid virus transmissions, spent less on restaurants, leisure activities, clothing and cars.

Australia says all WHO members should support virus inquiry

Scott Morrison, the prime minister of Australia, said all WHO member nations should support a proposed independent review into the origins of the coronavirus and its spread. "If you're going to be a member of a club like the World Health Organization, there should be responsibilities and obligations attached to that," Morrison told reporters in Canberra. "We'd like the world to be safer when it comes to viruses ... I would hope that any other nation, be it China or anyone else, would share that objective." Beijing has fiercely rejected calls for an inquiry, describing the efforts as US-led propaganda against China.

US sees 1,738 new coronavirus deaths in 24 hours

The United States recorded 1,738 deaths from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, a lower toll than the day before, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The new deaths bring the total number of COVID-19 fatalities in the US to 46,583 since the outbreak began there, by far the highest figures recorded by any country caught in the global pandemic.

China steps up manoeuvres near Taiwan

Beijing has escalated the number and intensity of military drills around Taiwan in recent weeks, making risky manoeuvres that appear set to test the political waters in Taipei and Washington while signalling the mainland’s continuing animosity towards Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, who was re-elected in a landslide in January.

While China has long held military exercises in Taiwanese territorial waters and airspace, this month the People’s Liberation Army Airforce conducted a 36-hour endurance exercise.

China to donate $30 million to WHO for COVID-19

China is to donate an additional $30 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the global fight against COVID-19, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Hua said on Twitter the donation was aimed in particular at strengthening developing countries' health systems and added that China had already donated $20 million to the WHO in March.

Pakistani doctors warn of catastrophic consequences of easing lockdowns

Pakistani doctors have warned the government of the possibly catastrophic consequences of easing a countrywide lockdown, asking that restrictions be enforced for several more weeks to avoid a collapse of the country's healthcare system. The appeal comes as Pakistan registered its highest single-day rise in cases for the second time in three days, with 765 new cases taking the country's tally to 10,513. The pace of the spread of the virus has increased in the last five days, with more than 500 new cases registered each day, according to government data.

Spain's death toll from coronavirus rises to 22,157

The Spanish health ministry said 440 people died from the coronavirus in the previous 24 hours, which brought total fatalities to 22,157.

That was slightly higher than the previous day when 435 people died. The number of diagnosed cases rose to 213,024 from 208,389 the day before.

China President Xi says to boost investments, employment

China will step up investment in various sectors including 5G, artificial intelligence, transport and energy and boost employment, President Xi Jinping said, as the world's second-largest economy reels from the coronavirus epidemic.

The official Xinhua news agency reported that Xi, speaking during a visit to northwestern Shaanxi province, said the long-term trend of improvement in the Chinese economy has not changed but said Beijing will take steps to boost the real economy, especially the manufacturing sector.

Over 1,400 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours

As per the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s updated figures on Thursday morning, there are currently over 16,400 active cases of coronavirus in India while more than 4,000 people have been either cured or discharged. The total number of coronavirus positive cases in India climbs to 21,393 on Thursday morning. On Wednesday, the number of Covid-019 cases in India stood at 19,984.

Will Uddhav Thackeray have to resign?

Maharashtra stares at a constitutional crisis and if a wayout is not found, Uddhav may have to resign as chief minister.

If Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray does not find a constitutional way out, he might have to resign from his post. Uddhav took oath as chief minister on November 28 last year. He was -- and is -- not a member of either of the two houses of Maharashtra legislature. Article 164 of the Constitution allows a non-legislator to occupy a post in the council of ministers, including the office of the chief minister for six months. Uddhav Thackeray's deadline ends on May 28.

In pre-coronavirus era, Uddhav Thackeray was supposed to contest and win election to the Maharashtra legislative council. The election was to be held on March 26 for nine seats to be elected by the MLAs. But the novel coronavirus outbreak forced the Election Commission to defer the election indefinitely.

The think-tank in the Maharashtra government of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine found a wayout of the situation. The government requested Governor BS Koshiyari to nominate Uddhav Thackeray to the legislative council from his discretionary quota. The Maharashtra legislative council has two vacancies to be filled by governor's nominations. Article 171 of the Constitution says the governor can nominate eminent persons from the field for literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service.

Uddahv Thackeray does not directly fit into any of the criteria mentioned but social service has a wider scope. And, the if governor nominates somebody to the legislative council, his/her decision cannot be challenged in the court, at least as of the precedent right now. Governor Koshiyari has not nominated CM Uddhav to the legislative council yet. This recently prompted Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut throw a poser: who is stopping the governor from nominating Uddhav Thackeray to the legislative council?

This could well be politics but there are some legal hurdles as well. Section 151A of Representation of the People Act 1951 puts a bar on the governor's discretionary power to nominate a person to the legislative council. It says election or nomination to vacant seats in the legislative council cannot be done "if the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is less than one year". Technically, he can be reappointed as the Maharashtra chief minister again after he resigns on May 27 or 28 and takes oath afresh. Alternatively, another Shiv Sena member can take oath if Uddahv Thackeray fails to find a way out of this constitutional crisis, essentially brought on by Covid-19 pandemic.

UP: FIR AGAINST BJP leader for organising cricket match during lockdown

20 persons, including a local BJP leader, were on Thursday booked for violating the lockdown norms by organising a cricket match in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh. Police said they received a tip-off that a cricket match was being playing amid lockdown at Panapur village in Tikaitnagar area in Barabanki district .

“A cricket match was organised in vioaltion of lockdown rules by gathering over 20 people. After our control room received the information, the police reached the village and stopped the cricket match,” Barabanki SP Arvind Chaturvedi said. Local BJP leader Sudhir Singh was booked for organising the cricket match and violating lockdown norms, police said. An FIR under Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of any disease) and 188 (disobeying regulation) of the Epidemic Act has been lodged against local BJP leader Sudhir Singh, members of his family and some other people from the village.

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Covid-19 positive in Rashtrapati Bhavan

A family member of a sanitation worker in the Rashtrapati Bhavan has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. As a precautionary measure, the as many as 125 families residing in the complex have been asked to self-quarantine. Sources said all families residing near the infected patient were placed under quarantine in line the Union Health Ministry’s guidelines.

Covid-19 count tops 18,500 as death toll nears 600

The total number of novel coronavirus cases in India has surged to 18,601 with over 14,700 active cases in the country. The death toll, meanwhile, has climbed to 590 in India. These are the latest figures by the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday morning.

US accuses China of hoarding PPE, selling it at high rates

A White House official has claimed that the United States has evidence that China bought 18 times more amount of masks and personal protective equipment in January and February, which they are now selling at high rates. Peter Navarro, White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing, on Monday said several countries, including India and Brazil, were not having enough PPE because Beijing was hoarding them.

MP ALSO sends buses to bring back stranded students from Kota

After Uttar Pradesh, the MP government has now sent 150 private buses to bring back over 2,000 students stuck in Kota. These buses were brought to Gwalior for sanitisation before they were sent to Kota Tuesday morning, an official said. Gwalior Superintendent of Police Navneet Bhasin said all buses have a policeman in uniform along with a driver and conductor. All have been provided PPE kits.

2 Delhi Police personnel test positive

Three personnel of the Delhi Police have tested positive for novel coronavirus. The Delhi Police said the results of three personnel came on Monday which confirmed that they were infected. All three personnel were in the Nabi Karim area of Delhi. Nabi Karim is one of the 84 containment zones in Delhi.

Rajasthan govt stops rapid testing, says test kits are faulty

Rajasthan government has stopped rapid testing and claimed that these test kits are faulty. Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma announced the same and informed that the test kits are faulty.

Coronavirus: Bengal govt slams Centre

The Centre’s decision to send Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (ICMTs) to visit and monitor some districts in West Bengal has not gone down well with the state government. The ICMTs will visit East Midnapore, Howrah, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Kolkata districts to monitor the Covid-19 situation. All of these are the worst-hit districts in West Bengal.

However, questions have been raised by the state government on the process followed by the central government for sending a team to West Bengal without proper consultation or discussion. State Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha was the first one to question the Centre in a press conference. “How can a team of the central government land in Kolkata within 15 minutes of we being informed?” Sinha asked.

"The Centre has not given any prior information to the state at all. It is a big issue. We are here to facilitate them. We will not allow them to enter the state. If they think that with help of BSF or SSB, they can travel to any place of their choice, they are mistaken,” he added.

Deported Guatemalans test positive

In recent weeks, concerns have mounted about the spread of the highly contagious virus through deportation proceedings.

Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei said on Sunday that a total of 50 migrants deported by the US to the Central American country had tested positive for coronavirus. The country has temporarily suspended the flights.

China reports 11 new confirmed coronavirus cases

China's latest coronavirus update shows just 11 new confirmed cases on the mainland on April 20, with no new deaths. There were seven cases of local infection, including six in the northeastern border province of Heilongjiang and one in the southern province of Guangdong. China also reported 37 new asymptomatic coronavirus cases on the mainland on April 20, compared with 49 a day earlier.

Philippines stepping up testing for coronavirus

The Philippines is stepping up testing for the coronavirus with the assistance of the Red Cross whose laboratory aims to test 1,000 samples a day.

China slams India's move to scrutinise FDI

China has protested India's new changes to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy that mandate government approval for all investments by neighbouring countries, including China. Two days back, New Delhi effectively closed the 'automatic route' of investing for Chinese firms and individuals. An increasing amount of funds had recently started to flow into the start-up, e-commerce and digital sectors in recent years through the route.

But on Monday, China retorted that this will make investments difficult. "As of December 2019, China’s cumulative investment in India has exceeded eight billion US dollars, far more than the total investments of India’s other border-sharing countries. The impact of the policy on Chinese investors is clear. Chinese investment has driven the development of India’s industries, such as mobile phone, household electrical appliances, infrastructure and automobile, creating a large number of jobs in India, and promoting mutual beneficial and win-win cooperation," said Counsellor Ji Rong, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India in a statement released by the Embassy in the afternoon.

Oil & gas stocks tumble as US oil price collapses

Shares of oil and gas companies slipped on Tuesday, a day after the US crude oil futures collapsed below $0 on Monday for the first time in history, amid a coronavirus-induced supply glut, ending the day at a stunning minus $37.63 a barrel as desperate traders paid to get rid of oil.

Trump plans to suspend immigration

“In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!,” the US President wrote in a Twitter post. Details of Trump's executive order were not immediately known. He also did not indicate when he will sign such an order. While Trump talked about suspending immigration visa, the H-1B visa, which is more popular among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa. But his reasoning that he needs to protect jobs of American citizens indicates that non-immigrant work visas too might be on his target.

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Mexico reports 570 new coronavirus cases, 60 new deaths

Mexican health officials have reported 578 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 60 new deaths, bringing the country's total to 6,875 cases and 546 deaths.

Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said on Thursday the country might have nearly 56,000 people infected with the fast-spreading coronavirus.

Nigerian president's chief of staff dies from coronavirus

The Nigerian president's chief of staff, Abba Kyari, died on Friday after contracting the new coronavirus, two presidency spokesmen said on Twitter.

Kyari, who was in his 70s and had underlying health problems including diabetes, was the top official aide to 77-year-old President Muhammadu Buhari and one of the most powerful men in the country, Reuters news agency reported.

"The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari," said presidency spokesman Garba Shehu in a tweet, using an honorific title for Kyari.

Many migrants on US deportation flight had coronavirus

Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei has announced that a large number of the migrants on a deportation flight from the United States to Guatemala earlier this week were infected with the novel coronavirus. Earlier, it was reported that at least 44 of the 77 Guatemalans deported on Monday were infected with the coronavirus. 

China reports new cases coming from Russia

China has reported 27 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as it tries to stem an upsurge in infections in a northeastern province bordering Russia.

Twenty of the new cases were in Heilongjiang province, including 13 Chinese nationals who had returned recently from Russia. The land border with Russia has been closed.

The confirmed cases brought the total to 82719, of which 77,029 have recovered. Meanwhile, China's official death toll rose sharply to 4,632, reflecting a major upwards revision the previous day by authorities in Wuhan, the nation’s hardest-hit city.

Germany's coronavirus cases rise by 3,609 to 137,439: RKI

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 3,609 to 137,439, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Saturday, marking a fourth straight day of a spike in new infections. The death toll has risen by 242 to 4,110, the tally showed.

Thailand reports 33 new cases

hailand has reported 33 new coronavirus infections, bringing the nation's total to 2,733 cases, a senior official has said. 

Eleven of the new cases were in Bangkok and had a history of going to public areas, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.

Confirmed Japan cases hit 10,000

The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Japan has risen to 10,000, NHK public broadcaster has said, just days after a state of emergency was extended to the entire nation in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday appealed to the nation to stay indoors as new cases hit a record in the capital of Tokyo and fears medical services could fail in rural areas that are home to many elderly prompted the expansion of the state of emergency from an original seven areas.

Singapore reports 942 new cases in biggest daily jump

Singapore's health ministry has confirmed 942 new coronavirus infections, a new daily record, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in the city-state to 5,992.

The vast majority of the new cases are of "work permit" holders living in foreign worker dormitories, the health ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Russia says death toll rises to 313

Russia  has said its death toll from the novel coronavirus had risen to 313, an overnight increase of 40, as it posted a new record daily jump in new cases. The authorities reported 4,785 new cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to 36,793. Moscow, which became the epicentre of Russia's coronavirus outbreak and was also the first region in the country to introduce a lockdown, recorded 2,649 new cases, and 21 new deaths, the Russian coronavirus crisis response centre said.

Iran's total death toll rises to 5,031

ran's death toll from the new coronavirus has risen by 73 in the previous 24 hours to reach 5,031 on Saturday, health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpour has said. The number of death recorded daily is one of the lowest in recent days, he said. The total number of people diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease caused by the new virus reached 80,868, he said.

Spanish death toll may be much higher than officially reported

Fears of an underestimation of Spain's coronavirus death toll have risen sharply this week, amid emerging evidence that mortality rates could be much higher than anticipated. As of Thursday, Spain already had the greatest total of confirmed coronavirus infections in Europe, with 188,068. It also had Europe's second-highest death toll, after Italy, with 19,478 fatalities.

Coronavirus in Rajasthan: 41 more cases

Coronavirus in Rajasthan: 41 more COVID-19 cases and two deaths (in Jaipur) have been reported in Rajasthan today. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 1270 and death toll to 19. Of the two deaths today, one patient had chronic kidney disease and the other had acute diabetes, says Rajasthan State Health Department.

Cornavirus in Dehi: 27 deaths so far

There are 1767 COVID-19 positive cases in Delhi, out of which 67 were reported yesterday. There have been 42 deaths in the national capital, 911 patients are admitted at hospitals, of which 27 are in ICUs and 6 are on ventilators, says Satyendar Jain Delhi Health Minister. He adds: "We have received 42,000 rapid kits, they will be used in containment zones starting from tomorrow."

FIR for spitting against 2 foreign nationals

Mangaluru: A case has been registered against two foreign nationals who were under home quarantine in Kodailbail, for allegedly spitting in the lift in their apartment building yesterday. The two foreign nationals and their three room mates have been sent to a quarantine facility. (ANI)

BSP welcomes UP govt's decision to bring back students from Kota

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Saturday welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to send buses to Kota in Rajasthan to bring back home students stranded in the coaching hub. She demanded that similar steps should be taken to facilitate the return of migrant labour families from the state who are stuck away from their homes. "The UP government has sent many buses to Kota, Rajasthan to safely bring back home around 7,500 youths studying in various coaching institutes who are stranded due to the lockdown. This is a welcome move. The BSP also praises it," Mayawati said in a tweet in Hindi. "But the government is also requested to show the same concern for lakhs of poor migrant labour families who are being forced to lead a hellish life away from their homes," she said in another tweet

HDFC Bank's advances rise 21% in March quarter

The country’s largest private sector lender HDFC Bank said in its quarterly update that its advances grew 21 per cent in the quarter ending March (Q4FY20) while its deposit base grew 24 per cent in the same period. In absolute numbers, the bank’s advances aggregated to Rs 9.93 trillion in Q4FY20 compared to Rs 8.94 trillion in Q4FY19. This comes at a time when the overall bank credit growth has remained weak, given the challenging economic conditions.

Wipro posts 6.3% YoY fall in Q4 profit

Wipro on Wednesday posted a 6.3 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in its net profit at Rs 2,326.1 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. On a sequential basis, the numbers slipped 5.28 per cent.

Revenue from operations stood at Rs 15,711 crore, up 4.69 per cent against Rs 15,006.3 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. IT Services Segment Revenue was at $2,073.7 million, a decrease of 1 per cent QoQ while IT Services Operating Margin for the quarter was at 17.6 per cent, a decrease of 0.8 per cent QoQ.

Govt seeks industry views on how to bring workforce back

In the order sent to the officials of all the districts, the chief secretary has stated that only the production units will function and the administrative offices shall remain closed. The industrial units that have been allowed to function will be sanitized in line with the guidelines. All workers coming to these units will undergo thermal scanning. The industries will provide sanitizers, masks and clean water to each of the worker coming to work.

UP allows 9 industries to operate at 50% capacity

In the second phase of the lockdown that started from Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh government has permitted 9 industries to function with certain restrictions.

These industries include cement, steel, chemical, textile barring garments, foundries and a few others. The chief secretary of UP, RK Tiwari on Thursday issued an order in this regard directing the district magistrates to make necessary arrangements for the smooth running of these industries. The order says that besides sugar, flour, lentils, oil mills, bready and cattle feed industries, which were functioning in the lockdown earlier, new industries have been added. Paper mills, tyre manufacturing and fertilizer units are also being included in these 9 industries. The common affluent treatment plants (CTPs) in the industrial areas will also function during the lockdown.

GAIL will restart infra projects post Covid-19 lockdown

State-run GAIL India has chalked out plans to kick-start various hydrocarbon infrastructure projects of national importance, post lifting of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Graded measures in the short- to medium-term will be rolled out on April 20, with the support of local administrative authorities across the States. According to a GAIL official, high-pressure natural gas pipelines, including Urjja Ganga project connecting North and East India, will be taken up immediately.

IT firms set to defer annual wage hike plans

Indian information technology (IT) services companies are holding back salary increments and promotions to conserve cash as they gear up to battle the crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. While industry leaders Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Wipro have announced deferring wage-hike plans, other players such as Infosys and HCL Technologies are expected to follow suit, according to industry insiders.

The approach taken by the Indian IT firms is, however, different from their global peers, a couple of whom have announced salary hikes for a large portion of their employee base in India. French IT services and consulting major Capgemini and US-headquartered Cognizant have effected salary hikes, apart from giving out of turn increments, to help employees during this time of crisis.

Cop travels 557 km to report on duty

Amid all the gloom, a 62-year-old head constable Rameshsingh Tomar travelled 557 km from Morena to Ujjain to report on duty, Bhaskar reported. He covered this distance in 17 days. Upon reaching the police station, he was welcomed by his colleagues and after a medical test, he was sent home. He said that his duty mattered more than anything else, hence he returned, without visiting his paternal village.

Case filed against Agra hospital

Agra’s Paras hospital, blamed for being the source of several coronavirus cases in the city, faces heat again. The hospital’s management and chief doctor have been charged with giving false information about the number of coronavirus patients and the hospital staff. The management first said that there were 53 people in the hospital, including patients and staff. Later they revised the number to 73. When the authorities came to shift them, they found more than 220 people in the hospital. The hospital came into news when a woman who had been there was tested positive in Mathura. So far, authorities know that patients form this hospital travelled to 11 different districts.

UP evacuates students, but labourers are stuck

The Uttar Pradesh government sent some 250 buses to Kota to bring home more than 8,000 students stuck in entrance exam coaching hub in Rajasthan, Hindi newspaper Bhaskar reported. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was praised for this, but people are asking why couldn’t his government bring home labourers stuck in parts of the country. Instead, the workers have been asked to stay wherever they are. The students ran a hashtag #SendBackHome on Twitter for two days to catch attention. Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot was in touch with Adityanath and to avoid protests, like those by workers in Mumbai. Gehlot also said he is in touch with the Centre and would make arrangements to send back the migrant workers once he gets permission.

8 police officers and 29 other police personnel infected in Maharashtra

10,729 people have been arrested, 33,984 vehicles seized & 52,626 cases registered under Section 188 of IPC in connection with violation of coronavirus lockdown in Maharashtra. 8 police officers and 29 other police personnel are infected with COVID19 in the State: Police

Ludhiana ACP passes away due to coronavirus

Ludhiana Assistant Commissioner of Police Anil Kohli passes away due to COVID19 at SPS Hospital in Ludhiana, says District Public Relations Office

Cases have no impact on operation capability: Navy

Coronavirus cases have no impact on operational capabilities of the Navy as our warships, submarines and aircraft continue to be deployed in operations. We are also ready to help our neighbours, in case, they require any help. There is not a single case of COVID-19 on our warships: Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral MS Pawar

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COVID-19 storm strengthens across Europe: Tedros

Of the 10 countries in the region with the highest numbers of cases, there have been some optimistic signs, with numbers declining in Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Switzerland in recent weeks.  However, these gains are tempered by sustained – even increased – incidence in the United Kingdom, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus and the Russian Federation. 

“The next few weeks will be critical for Europe,” he said. “Make no mistake, despite this spring weather, we remain in the midst of a storm.” It is imperative that people not let down their guard.  As physical distancing and lockdowns to slow and stop #COVID-19 transmission are affecting lives and livelihoods, he said Governments and health authorities must come up with answers to identify when, under what conditions and how to consider a safe transition through a gradual shift in

38 new coronavirus cases in Rajasthan

At least 38 new cases of novel coronavirus have been reported in Rajasthan on Friday. With these 38 cases today, the state tally of Rajasthan has climbed to 1,169. Total cases in India have surged past the 13,000-mark while the death toll has climbed to 420.

US provides nearly $5.9 million in health assistance to India

The US has provided nearly $5.9 million in health assistance to India to contain the spread of Covid-19. The amount is being used to help India hinder the spread of the disease by providing care for the affected, disseminating essential public health messages to communities and strengthen case-finding and surveillance, the State Department said on Thursday. The assistance is being used to mobilise innovative financing mechanisms for emergency preparedness and response to this pandemic.

Over 4,500 Americans dead in last 24 hours

As many as 4,591 Americans have died in the last 24 hours due to the novel coronavirus in the US, which has the highest number of COVID-19 casualties in the world. According to the Johns Hopkins University, by 8 pm on Thursday, as many as 4,591 Americans had died in 24 hours, The Wall Street Journal said. The previous highest was 2,569 on Wednesday.

No fee hike by private schools: Manish Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Friday said no private school will be allowed to increase fees during the coronavirus lockdown and only the tuition fee can be charged till the time schools reopen.

"We have got several complaints about schools hiking fees and also levying charges like transport fee, which is not even being utilised during the lockdown. No private school will be allowed to hike fees without seeking permission from the government. Schools also cannot charge beyond the tuition fee," Sisodia said at a press conference on Friday.

26 police personnel including SHO of Delhi's Police Station quarantined

As many as 26 police personnel including SHO of Chandni Mahal Police Station in Delhi have been quarantined. Two cops of the Chandi Mahal Station had tested positive for coronavirus. All those policemen who came in contact with them have been quarantined.

Africa MAY see 300,000 coronavirus deaths

Africa could see 300,000 deaths from the coronavirus even under the best-case scenario, according to a new report that cites modeling by the Imperial College London.

Under the worst-case scenario with no interventions against the virus, Africa could see 3.3 million deaths and 1.2 billion infections, the report by the UN Economic Commission for Africa says. 

China revises coronavirus figures in epicentre Wuhan

China's coronavirus death toll mounted to 4,632 on Friday after it revised the fatality figures by 50 per cent in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, as Beijing faced mounting international criticism of under-reporting of the Covid-19 data.

Citing data discrepancies, the Wuhan municipal headquarters on Friday revised the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths due to the disease which originated in the central Chinese city in December last year.

13,387 Covid-19 cases in India: Health ministry

The health ministry, during its routine briefing on coronavirus, said that India has a total of 13,387 confirmed cases of Covid-19. The health ministry also said that a total of 1,749 patients have been cured. In the last 34 hours, 1,007 cases and 23 deaths have been reported across states in India, the health ministry said.

Germany cases rise by 2,866, deaths by 315

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 2,866 to 130,450, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases shows, meaning the number of new infections rose for a second consecutive day.

Trump steps up pressure on China as US deaths mount

The US is stepping up its pressure on China over the coronavirus pandemic, with President Donald Trump saying that his administration was trying to determine where the deadly disease originated from, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling on Beijing "to come clean" on what it knows. At a White House news conference on Wednesday, Trump was asked about the reports of the virus escaping from a laboratory in Wuhan, where the coronavirus first appeared. "We are doing a very thorough examination of this horrible situation that happened," he said.

Russia reports nearly 28,000 total cases

Russia is reporting 3,448 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, up from 3,388 the day earlier, the highest daily increase to date. The overall number of cases in Russia has reached 27,938. Thirty-four people died in the last 24 hours, which took the national coronavirus death toll to 232, the Russian coronavirus crisis response centre said.

China says WHO has said no evidence virus was made in a lab

China's foreign ministry says the WHO has said there is no evidence that the coronavirus that has infected more than 2 million people globally was made in a lab. Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the remark in response to a question about accusations the coronavirus originated in a lab in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the epidemic first emerged in late 2019.

Indonesia reports 380 new infections, 27 deaths

Indonesia has confirmed 380 new coronavirus infections, taking the total in the Southeast Asian country to 5,516, according to a health ministry official Achmad Yurianto. Yurianto reports 27 new deaths, taking the total to 496, while 548 have recovered. Almost 40,000 tests have been performed, while patients suspected of carrying the virus symptoms reached more than 11,800 people.

Europe cases almost at 1 million, coming weeks 'critical'

Europe is currently in eye of the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of cases nearing a million, the World Health Organization's (WHO) European regional director says. "Case numbers across the region continue to climb. In the past 10 days, the number of cases reported in Europe has nearly doubled to close to 1 million," the WHO's Hans Kluge told reporters in an online briefing. This meant that about 50 percent of the global burden of COVID-19 was in Europe, Kluge said. More than 84,000 people in Europe had died in the epidemic, he said.

Spain sees 551 new deaths as toll passes 19,000

he total number of people who have died from the new coronavirus in Spain rose to 19,130, the Spanish health ministry has said. Over the past 24 hours, 551 people died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, up from 523 the previous day, according to the ministry.

WHO says there is 'no fast track back to normal'

The total number of coronavirus cases in the world has surpassed two million and more than 137,000 people have died, according to data compiled by the Johns Hopkins University. The World Health Organization (WHO) Europe regional director Hans Kluge has called for solidarity as some countries ease restrictions. Cases have doubled on the continent in the last ten days, even as the rates of infections in the worst hit countries have levelled off, leading Kluge to warn that Europe is "in the eye of the storm". 

US President Donald Trump is set to announce guidelines on reopening the county's economy on Thursday. Germany has announced first steps to ease its lockdown. The head of the World Health Organization has said he regrets Trump's decision to halt funding for the organisation but called for world unity to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

UK set to extend lockdown as COVID-19 deaths continue to rise

The UK government is preparing to formally extend the initial three-week strict social distancing measures imposed last month to try and curb the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic as the country's death toll from COVID-19 crosses 12,868. 

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is standing in for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recuperates after testing positive for the virus, will chair a crucial meeting of the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (Cobra) on Thursday during which the Cabinet will finalise the plans for an extension.

Coronavirus: 668 infected on French aircraft carrier

The ship returned to the French port of Toulon early from Atlantic exercises. Twenty sailors are in hospital, one of them in intensive care. The figure for those infected is likely to rise, as 30% of the test results are not yet in. The navy is investigating how so many sailors caught the virus. France's Covid-19 death toll is 17,167.

Of those 10,643 died in hospital. French health authorities said on Wednesday 6,457 Covid-19 patients were in intensive care in France - 273 fewer than on Tuesday. The aircraft carrier is now in quarantine. Last week it was brought home 10 days early from its Atlantic deployment after some sailors showed symptoms.

Coronavirus: Significant social distancing needed 'until vaccine DISCOVERED'

rof Ferguson, of Imperial College London, said easing the lockdown after another three weeks would depend on "how quickly case numbers go down". He said that required "a single-minded emphasis" in government and the health system on "scaling up testing and putting in place the ability to track down cases in the community and contact-trace".

Prof Ferguson added: "Without that, our estimates show we have relatively little leeway; if we relax measures too much then we'll see a resurgence of transmission. "What we really need is the ability to put something in their place. If we want to open schools, let people get back to work, then we need to keep transmission down in another manner. "And I should say, it's not going to be going back to normal. We will have to maintain some level of social distancing, a significant level of social distancing, probably indefinitely until we have a vaccine available."

The Corona War- Are we on the Path to Victory: A Prognosis

After the successful completion of a 21 day lock-down period on 14 April 2020, our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the nation in his usual style and candour and announced the extension of the lock-down by another 19 days i.e upto 03 May 2020. In the present fight against the “Wuhan Virus”, though the nation has responded well, but is still faced with certain challenges which have not been fully addressed. Therefore, a review of the situation is necessitated, to assess our shortcomings and identify measures to overcome these.

#          There has been a shortage of medical equipment and supplies especially PPE.

#          The Security and Safety of our medical warriors.

#          The Sustenance of essential commodities to reach the masses.

#          The Sustenance of daily wage workers and prevention of mass migration from their places of work to the hinterland.

#          Protocols to be observed post 3 May 2020.

Let us analyse these aspects carefully and deduce how effective we have been thus far in our crusade of the “Corona War”. It seems the war is being fought without adequate medical equipment, medicines and inadequate reserves. We are reminded of a similar situation during the Kargil Conflict in 1999, wherein, The Indian Army was short of ammunition, high altitude equipment and clothing and we had to resort to emergent imports from other friendly nations at exorbitant costs. The lessons learnt by us were well analysed and enunciated in the “Kargil Review Commitee Report” tabled in the Parliament of India on 23 Feb 2000.

In the instant case the enemy is well entrenched and has paralysed the entire World. As far as India is concerned, we are fighting this enemy without weapons and ammunition, which would imply medical equipment and medicines. Therefore, the only strategy which could employed was to minimise the spread of this virus by resorting to ‘Lock-Down” and “Social-Distancing”, to enable us to gain enough lead time for the build up of medical supplies and reserves. In any war which has to be taken to its logical conclusion, the importance of “War Wastage Reserves” cannot be overemphasised. It is also a foregone conclusion that the vaccine is a minimum 12-18 months away.

There has also been a lot of discussion and debate about the survival of the Virus in extreme condition conditions of heat. Our climatic temperature is now ranging between 30 degrees Celsius to 40 degree Celsius. We can be hopeful that this is deterrence to the spread of this virus.

A look at the India Covid 19 Tracker gives us the following indications:-

• The cases have come down from a multiplication factor (rate of doubling) of 4 days to 6 days.


• The Southern states appear to be stabilising. The Northern states have yet to stabilise and cases are on the rise.


• Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are flattening. Let us hope this trend manifests itself in other states as well.


• Maharashtra especially Mumbai is most affected. Even in Mumbai which is the worst affected, there are 2687 positive cases out of 38471 samples. In percentage term this translates @ 7 %.


• India is testing @ 20000 persons daily. There has been a steady enhancement in the capacity for testing.


• The fatality rate is below 30%. In comparison to other tropical countries this is quite favourable.

The focus now would be on the containment zones/hotspots, wherein the Govt would have to exercise utmost vigil and ensure all efforts are undertaken to contain this spread. The safety and security of our medical warriors is directly related to the availability of PPE equipment/masks etc. With the passage of time one is optimistic that these shortages will get addressed. One of the other biggest challenges the Govt is facing today is the sustenance or sustained supply of essential commodities. It is imperative that the supply chain right from the farmers or the manufacturer, through the distributor and retailer reaches the customer especially the daily wage workers. The compensation plan announced by the Govt for the daily wage workers hasn’t had the desired effect so far, since recently an exodus of such workers was reported from Mumbai. This aspect needs finer tuning as the prolonged lock-down is bound to affect many.

As we move now towards the third phase of the “Carona War” i.e. the period post 3 May 2020, it becomes imperative to understand the kind of protocols which are required to be in place to ensure no more spread of infections due to this virus. Some essential aspects of the measures to be observed are given as follows:-

#          A grid based approach with clear demarcation of hot spots. A flexible strategy dictated by ground realities.

#          Overcoming deficiencies of medical supplies and creation of reserves.

#          Designating of out of bound areas and strict measures for crowd control.

#          Sanitisation of common areas on a regular basis.

#          Partial resumption of inter-state travel by air, road and rail. Foreign travel to remain suspended.

#          Strengthening the Public Distribution System with linkages from rural to urban areas for move of essential food grains and vegetable produce.

#          Opening up of industrial centres and offices in a staggered manner.

It is imperative that adequate caution is exercised by all of us post the termination of the lock-down period. It is also a wonderful opportunity for the nation to strengthen its “Make in India” strategy, as post COVID 19, there will be a strong possibility of a lateral shift of “FDI’ from China to other countries. Japan has already initiated the process of moving its industries out of China. India being as the most lucrative destination must exploit this opportunity. The Govt of India needs to immediately formulate a task force to monitor the same.

Maj Gen Rajan Kochhar, VSM, retired from the Indian Army, as Major General Army Ordnance Corps, Central Command, after 37 years of meritorious service to the Nation. Alumni of Defence Services Staff College and College of Defence Management, he holds a doctorate in Emotional Intelligence and is a reputed expert on logistics and supply chain management. Gen Kochhar, a prolific writer and defence analyst, has authored four books and invited as an expert commentator by various news TV channels. He is an Arbitrator with the Ministry of Defence.

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Recruitment Examination for Army Postponed

The combined entrance test for army recruitment which was scheduled for April 26 has been postponed due to the ongoing situation caused by coronavirus and the nationwide lockdown. A notification by Headquarters Recruiting Zone, Southern Command, Pune, said that Combined Entrance Examination was scheduled for the eligible candidates on April 26, 2020, after recruitment drive at Beed District from February 3 to February 14 this year. The notification said that ‘In view of the prevailing conditions due to the treat of COVID-19 it has been postponed till further orders. 
It was clarified that the admit card has not been given to any candidate and that it will be given after a new order is issued regarding the exam from the Army Headquarters. The notification also said that candidates can use the email id that they used to register with the ‘Join Army website’ to monitor further developments in this regard and not to be confused or fall for any rumours or touts.

US: Nearly 2,600 COVID-19 Deaths In 24 Hours

United States records nearly 2,600 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours - a new record and the heaviest daily toll of any country, Johns Hopkins University reported. President Donald Trump said  that the United States has passed the peak on new coronavirus cases, Wednesday, adding this has put the country in a very strong position to finalize new guidelines on social distancing. More than 6.3 lakh Americans have tested positive for COVID-19 so far and total fatalities as on Wednesday were nearly 28,000, the highest for any country in the world.

"The battle continues, but the data suggest that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases. Hopefully, that will continue, and we will continue to make great progress," Trump told reporters at his daily White House news conference on coronavirus. Noting that this has been a horrible time to see such death and destruction in the country, the President said the medical and healthcare advances the US has made are critical to the continued progress.

Delhi Pizza Delivery Boy Tests Positive

72 people in a locality in Delhi's South District have been told to observe self-quarantine after a delivery boy associated with a famous pizza chain tested positive for COVID-19, a District Magistrate of South Delhi said on Wednesday. While this incident is worrisome, ordering food is considered safe as there is no evidence that the virus survives the cooking process. Here’s how you can ensure that you can enjoy the occasional treat while being safe.

 According reports by IANS, DM B.M. Mishra, said that a delivery boy from a famous pizza chain in Malviya Nagar area tested positive on Tuesday, following which the authorities immediately decided to quarantine his 16 colleagues at the outlet. A detailed trail was followed to identify each house where food was delivered by the outlet.

US coronavirus deaths have risen by a single-day record 2,228

US coronavirus deaths have risen by a single-day record 2,228 to top 28,300, according to a Reuters tally, as officials debated how to reopen the economy without reigniting the outbreak. The United States, with the world's third-largest population, passed a second milestone late on Tuesday with over 600,000 reported cases, three times more than any other country.

Trump to withhold WHO funding over pandemic response

Trump says he will, at least temporarily, halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Trump claimed the WHO had "failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable".

Masks made compulsory in Singapore

Everyone in Singapore must now wear a mask when they go outside after a sharp jump in coronavirus cases over the past two days. Anyone found without a mask will be fined 300 Singapore dollars ($212), while repeat offenders could be prosecuted in court and face higher fines, the Health Ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday. It said exemptions would be made for children below two years old or those with special needs.

Thailand extends ban on passenger flights until end of April

Thailand has extended a ban on incoming passenger flights until the end of the month, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand said on Wednesday.

Pakistan to ease some lockdown restrictions

Pakistan is easing restrictions on several areas of its economy, including the construction and cement industries, to address rising unemployment and economic stagnation. Senior Muslim community leaders have also promised to resume prayers in mosques on Friday, defying government orders to limit congregations.

India will ease restrictions next week in rural areas

India will permit several activities in rural areas starting next week, including manufacturing and infrastructure building, to provide relief to workers impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown, the government said. The Home Ministry guidelines came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a nationwide lockdown to May 3.

Iran's coronavirus death toll rises to 4777

Iran's new coronavirus death toll rose to 4777, health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV. Ninety four people died in the past twenty four hours, he said.

Swiss coronavirus death toll soars

The Swiss death toll from the virus has reached 973, the country's public health ministry said, rising from 900 people the day before. The number of positive tests also increased to 26,336 from 25,834, it said.

74 million in Arab world lack hand-washing facility: UN

Some 74 million people in the water-scarce Arab region are at greater risk of catching the novel coronavirus because they lack a sink or soap at home, the United Nations said. This includes 31 million people in Sudan, more than 14 million in war-torn Yemen and 9.9 million in Egypt, a UN report said. "While it has been agreed worldwide that hand-washing with soap and water is the best prevention against COVID-19 contagion, this simple act proves to be difficult in a region where 74 million people lack access to a basic hand-washing facility," the UN's Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia said.

ED seeks cancellation of bail for DHFL promoters

Application seeking cancellation of bail granted to DHFL promoters Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhawan in the Iqbal Mirchi case was mentioned in the Bombay High Court on Wednesday. Notices have been issued to the Wadhawans in connection with the agency's application and the application will now be heard on April 23.

Wadhawans were detained last week in Mahabaleshwar with 21 others and booked for violating the lockdown rules. They have been kept under quarantine at Panchgani by Satara police after which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Enforcement Directorate (ED) might seek their custody.

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More than 1.9 million confirmed with coronavirus

Some 1.92 million people around the world have now been confirmed to have the new coronavirus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. More than 119,500 have died, while nearly 450,000 have recovered. The WHO is due to release its latest strategic advice on tackling the outbreak. It will include six criteria for lifting restrictions on movement.

 

South Korea reports 27 new cases of coranvirus

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it confirmed 27 fresh cases of the coronavirus, the 13th-successive day where new cases numbered below 100.

South Korean Prime Minster Chung Sye-kyun during an anti-virus meeting on Tuesday called officials to provide stronger support for scientists' efforts to develop vaccines and treatments for the virus, which he said would be a boon for the country's biomedical industry.

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India may restart key economic activities amid lockdown

India cannot afford another 21-day lockdown with economic activity at a standstill. There are high chances that PM Modi’s speech at 10 am will not only be about lockdown 2.0, but also about how India plans to restart its economy as it battles Covid-19 pandemic. Experts said India has already suffered a massive loss during the past 21 days of lockdown, and have pegged the total loss of the initial lockdown at Rs 7-8 lakh crore. While some deeply battered sectors like tourism and travel may need more time to be completely functional, the government is expected to focus on restarted key economic activities across sectors to get the economy up and running.

48 fresh cases reported in Jaipur, state total rises to 945

A total of 48 new Covid-19 cases have been identified in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The fresh cases have taken Rajasthan's tally to 945. Jaipur has the highest number of cases in Rajasthan at 418.

India was prepared to tackle Covid-19 before first case in country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was "well-prepared" to deal with the Covid-19 situation in the country, adding that the country is far more stable than several other countries who have witnessed much worse in terms of deaths. PM Modi said the holistic approach that was taken by India, including social distancing and lockdown, has helped the nation.

PM Modi admitted that it has led to huge economic losses and that the lockdown is an expensive affair, but added that human life is more valuable.

States to be seriously monitored till April 20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced that states will be strictly monitored till April 20. All districts, localities in all states will be monitored to see if they are implementing the lockdown strictly. States which will contain hotspots could get a green signal from the govt to resume key economic activities, with some restrictions, said PM Modi.

India extends lockdown to 3rd May as cases cross 10,000

With India’s death toll rising, 10 states have extended lockdown up to April 30. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3 during in his address to the nation on Tuesday. While he thanked countrymen for battling difficulties during the Covid-19 lockdown, he said states will now be strictly monitored till April 20 and only those successful in containing hotspots will be allowed to resume some key economic activities. While an extension of lockdown was expected in India, many industries were expecting an immediate resumption of economic activity. However, it will now depend on whether states succeed in limiting hotspots. Meanwhile, the global picture remains gloomy as the number of Covid-19 cases nears 2 million with over 1.2 lakh deaths.

PM Modi to address nation at 10 am tomorrow

Amid demand by various states to extend the 21-day national lockdown period, which ends on April 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation tomorrow at 10 am, his office said in a tweet.

"Prime Minister @narendramodi will address the nation at 10 AM on 14th April 2020," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.

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Amid Covid, Odd-Even at Delhi's Azadpur Mandi

To implement social distancing amid the fear of coronavirus spread, Delhi's busy Azadpur Mandi will now have separate timing for vegetables and fruits, with Odd-Even scheme implemented for stall numbers. According to Adil Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), Azadpur Mandi, the stalls with even numbers will operate on even dates while those with odd numbers will operate on odd dates.

Four new COVID-19 cases, including one death, in Dharavi

Four new coronavirus cases, including one death, were reported from Dharavi on Monday, taking the total number of such cases in Mumbai's slum area to 47, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said. With this, the total number of deaths in Dharavi has gone up to five, he said. Three new coronavirus cases were reported from Madina Nagar, Janata Cooperative Housing Society and Gulmohar chawl of Dharavi.

No New Covid-19 Cases In Uttarakhand In Last 100 Hrs: CM

No new Coronavirus positive case reported in the state in the last 100 hours. 7 positive patients have recovered till now. Orders have been issued to impose curfew in Vallabhpura area of Haldwani, in order to control spread of Covid-19 in the region. The order has been issued as a preventive measure as huge crowds were seen at public places in Vallabhpura yesterday.

Covid-19: India has enough testing kits : ICMR

Amid criticism low testing and delayed import of testing kits, the Union government on Monday assured people that India currently has enough stock to conduct Covid-19 testing for the next six weeks. Speaking at the daily press conference, Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said, "No need to be scared, we can test for the next six weeks with the stock we have."

The ICMR also announced that 14 institutions of eminence have been identified which will mentor medical colleges in their allotted area and facilitate setting up of Covid-19 testing facilities, as part of government's plan to urgently scale up India's coronavirus testing capacity. Institutions identified include Aiims and Nimhans.