Sunday, April 19, 2026
Home Blog Page 1260

Op Samudra Setu: 1st batch of Indians board INS Jalashwa at Maldives

INS Jalashwa docked at Male today, to bring back Indians stranded in Maldives.

New Delhi (NVI): The first batch of over 700 Indian nationals will begin their journey back home via Indian Navy ship INS Jalashwa that docked at Male today, as part of ‘Samudra Setu’ (Sea Bridge) mission by the Indian government.

The evacuation process began in the morning with the premises of Male airport being utilised as a staging area for evacuees. The process of screening people and issuing them with IDs was carried out, Indian Navy said.

“As per the latest manifest, a total of 732 evacuees have registered so far. This includes 19 pregnant women and 14 children,” the Navy said in a statement.

The Naval ship will take approximately 48 hours to reach India at Kochi port where arrangements have been made in advance for proper screening and check-up of the evacuees for any coronavirus symptoms. The MHA has issued SOPs in this regard.

The Ministry of Home Affairs recently announced that the Indian government will facilitate the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic, in a phased manner from May 7.

IAF Mig-29 aircraft crashes in Punjab

New Delhi (NVI): A Mig-29 aircraft of Indian Air Force which was on a training mission from an airbase in Jalandhar met with an accident today, Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

“…at 1045h, one Mig-29 aircraft airborne on a training mission from an Air Force base near Jalandhar met with an accident,” MoD said.

The pilot of ejected safely as he was not able to control the aircraft after it developed a technical snag. The pilot has been rescued by a helicopter and a court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of accident, MoD added.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): As the nation is now in the third phase of the countrywide lockdown, amid rapid spike in COVID-19 cases, the total number of confirmed cases have been reported at 56,342 with 1,886 deaths so far, according to the Union Health Ministry.

After the first confirmed coronavirus case in India, which was reported in the state of Kerala on January 30, the virus has tightened its grip across the nation.

Total positive cases in different states/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33

Andhra Pradesh- 1,847

Arunachal Pradesh- 1

Assam- 54

Bihar- 550

Chandigarh- 135

Chhattisgarh- 59

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 1

Delhi- 5,980

Gujarat- 7,012

Haryana– 625

Himachal Pradesh- 46

Jammu and Kashmir- 793

Jharkhand- 132

Karnataka- 705

Kerala- 503

Ladakh- 42

Madhya Pradesh- 3,252

Maharashtra- 17,974

Meghalaya- 12

Mizoram- 1

Odisha- 219

Puducherry- 9

Punjab- 1,644

Rajasthan- 3,427

Tamil Nadu- 5,409

Telangana- 1,1123

Tripura- 65

Uttarakhand- 61

Uttar Pradesh- 3,071

West Bengal – 1,548

State/UT wise total death toll in the country:

Andhra Pradesh- 38

Assam- 1

Bihar- 5

Chandigarh-1

Delhi- 66

Gujarat- 325

Haryana- 7

Himachal Pradesh- 2

Jammu and Kashmir- 9

Jharkhand- 3

Karnataka- 30

Kerala- 4

Madhya Pradesh- 193

Maharashtra- 694

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 2

Punjab- 28

Rajasthan- 97

Tamil Nadu- 37

Telangana- 29

Uttar Pradesh- 62

Uttarakhand- 1

West Bengal- 151

A total of 16,540 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 37,916 active cases currently.

COVID-19 volunteers honoured on World Red Cross Day

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): On World Red Cross Day this year, the Red Cross society honours the selfless contribution of COVID-19 health workers and volunteers.

This day is observed on May 8 every year, to celebrate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement across the globe.

The Day is celebrated to pay tributes to the Red Cross volunteers and staff for their contribution in helping the society and people in need.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies mentioned in a tweet, “It’s already World Red Cross Red Crescent Day in some countries around the (globe)!! Today and every day let’s #KeepClapping for all volunteers and staff worldwide responding to COVID-19.”

 

The main aim of the Red Cross Society is to inspire, initiate and encourage all kinds of humanitarian activities at all times and under all circumstances and to protect life and health.

The day also observes the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, who was born on May 8, 1828. He was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.

All around the globe, people donate blood on this day. Due to the current scenario, as the world is witnessing coronavirus outbreak, no big celebration will be organized this year.

Meanwhile, several online programs for celebration have been organised by several Red Cross societies.

Coronavirus cases surpass 3.8 million worldwide

New Delhi (NVI): Globally, more than 3.8 million people have been confirmed infected with the new coronavirus so far, and more than 2,69,000 people have died, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

In the US, more than 1.25 million infected cases have been recorded, while 75,670 fatalities have been reported till now.

In another development, Russia’s coronavirus cases now stand at over 1,77,000, while the country has overtaken France and Germany to become the fifth highest total in the world after a record daily rise.

Meanwhile, the number of people who have died from a coronavirus infection in France has increased by 178 to 25,987, the lowest rate of increase in four days.

In the UK, COVID-19 death toll has risen by 539 to 30,615, according to figures announced by the foreign ministry.

In addition to this, in Africa, Covid-19 could kill as many as 1,90,000 people in the continent during the first year of the pandemic if containment measures fail, the WHO has warned.

15 migrants run over by train in Maha

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): At least 15 migrant workers heading home were killed after they were run over by a goods train in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, early this morning, while 5 others were left injured in the mishap.

The migrants were sleeping on the tracks when the train hit them at around 5.15 am.

The Railway Ministry said on Twitter: “During early hours today after seeing some labourers on track, loco pilot of goods train tried to stop the train but eventually hit them between Badnapur and Karmad stations in Parbhani-Manmad section. Injured have been taken to Aurangabad Civil Hospital. Inquiry has been ordered.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter in this regard and said, “Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Have spoken to Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and he is closely monitoring the situation. All possible assistance required is being provided.

Reportedly, the migrants had been walking along the tracks and slept on the lines near Karmad, around 360 km from Mumbai, as they didn’t anticipate any train movement due to lockdown.

COVID-19 cases in India top 56,000; death toll at 1,886

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has increased to 56,342, while the death toll rose to 1,886 from the pandemic, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

The ministry also said that 3,390 new coronavirus cases and 103 deaths have been recorded in last 24 hours.

Maharashtra continued to be the worst affected state with 17,974 cases, followed by Gujarat with 7,012 cases and Delhi with 5,980 cases.

Other states with a high virus hit included Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

According to Health Ministry data, India is in a better state as the fatality rate is 3.3 per cent and recovery rate is 28.83 per cent.

Around 180 districts across the country have not reported any new case of COVID-19 infection in less than seven days, it said.

Meanwhile, Indians stranded in different parts of the world due to the existing bans on air travel are being evacuated by Air India and the Ministry of External Affairs joint initiative.

A total of 13,57,413 samples have been tested for the virus across the country.

So far, number of active cases stands at 37, 916 and 16,539 people have been cured or discharged.

Defence Min approves scrapping of 9,304 posts in Military Engineering Service

RAJNATH-Singh
File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today approved abolition of 9,304 posts in Military Engineering Services (MES), to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the Armed Forces.

“Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the proposal of Engineer-in-Chief of Military Engineering Services (MES) for optimisation of more than 9,300 posts in the basic and industrial workforce,” MoD said.

The Defence Minister’s approval is in line with the recommendations of the Committee of Experts, headed by Lt General Shekatkar, it said.

One of the recommendations made by the Committee was to restructure the civilian workforce in a manner that the work of MES could be partly done by departmentally employed staff and other works could be outsourced.

“In line with the recommendations made by the Committee, based on the proposal of E-in-C, MES, the proposal of abolition of 9,304 posts in MES out of the total 13,157 vacancies of the Basic and Industrial staff has been approved by Raksha Mantri,” read an official MoD statement.

The recommendation was aimed at making MES an effective organisation with a leaner workforce, well equipped to handle complex issues in the emerging scenario in an efficient and cost effective manner, the Ministry said.

Military Engineering Service, popularly know in defence services as MES is the premier construction agency and one of the pillars of Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army which provides rear line engineering support to the Armed Forces. It is responsible for creating the strategic and the operational infrastructure other than major roads, as also the administrative habitat for all three Services and the associated organisations of the Ministry of Defence.

It has Pan India footprint to provide engineering support to various formations of Army, Air Force, Navy and DRDO. For this, the MES has over six hundred stations spread across the main land and the island territories of India. MES is a military organisation but has both Army and Civilian component of officers and other subordinate staff.

UK announces 5 more flights for citizens stranded in India

Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): In its efforts to fly back British nationals stranded in India, UK has announced five more flights that will depart from Amritsar and Ahmedabad next week.

Four flights are scheduled from Amritsar to Heathrow airport in London on May 12, 13, 14 and 15.

One flight will leave for Heathrow from Ahmedabad on May 13.

The British High Commission said that as with the last round of flights, seats on the planes will be allocated to those who have already registered on the Government’s online booking portal, Corporate Travel Management (CTM). “Staff at the British High Commission in India will continue to provide assistance to those waiting to return to the UK,” read an official statement.

Tariq Ahmad, British Foreign Office Minister of State said: “These further flights bring the number of planes chartered by the Government to bring British travellers home from India to 64. Our special charter flight programme has been a concerted effort, with daily flight departures to the UK from across India since 8 April – alongside ongoing support to those who remain.”

Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India, said: “We have helped over 14,000 travellers return to the UK so far on charter flights, and I am pleased to announce a further round to bring back those still waiting to get home. I strongly encourage anyone who wants to leave to accept seats offered to them. We continue to support all British Nationals who require assistance”.

The UK has operated 64 special fights to evacuate Brits stranded in India. “Once these flights are completed, over 16,500 travellers will have been brought back from India on 64 special flights chartered by the Government,” the British High Commission said in a statement.

Afghanistan: 171 new Covid cases take overall tally to 3,563

Representational Image (Credit: TOLO News)

New Delhi (NVI): 171 positive cases have been recorded across in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 3,563, Afghan media reported.

The 117 new coronavirus cases were reported in Kabul (34), Herat (45), Kandahar (16), Paktia (18), Ghazni (10), Badghis (15), Logar (2), Bamiyan (13), Panjshir (3), Wardak (9), Zabul (2), Badakhshan (2) and Khost (1), reports TOLO news.

In the past 24 hours, there have been 2 deaths and 8 recoveries, the news website quoted Afghan Ministry of Public Health as saying.

468 people have recovered while 106 have died of the virus in the country,

So far, 14,389 people have been tested, according to the ministry.

1...1,2591,2601,261...1,580Page 1,260 of 1,580

MUST READ