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Modi speaks to Australian PM

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison over the phone as both the leaders agreed to cooperate against COVID-19, including through collaborative research.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said that the Australian Prime Minister assured him about the well-being of the Indian community in that country, including students.

“Spoke on phone to PM @ScottMorrisonMP of Australia. We agreed to cooperate against COVID-19, including through collaborative research. PM Morrison assured me about well-being of the vibrant Indian community, including students, in Australia,” he tweeted.


The Australian PM also tweeted regarded his conversation with the Indian Prime Minister.

“A warm discussion by phone today with my good friend Prime Minister @narendramodi on our responses to the #coronavirus crisis. We shared our experiences on managing the crisis and will continue to share knowledge on treatment for the virus and as we work towards a vaccine,” he tweeted.

Coronavirus cases in Bangladesh reach 123; death toll at 12

Bangladesh lockdown

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of COVID-19 fatalities have reached 12 in Bangladesh as three more deaths were confirmed today, according to the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

The total number of positive cases has reached 123 with 35 new infections being reported in the last 24 hours.

Dhaka city has the highest number of infected in the country so far. A total of 64 among the 123 infected patients are from here, United News of Bangladesh reported.

The second highest, a total of 23 infected patients, are in Narayanganj.

In addition to this, Jalal Saifur Rahman, one of the directors of Anti-Corruption Commission was admitted to a hospital after having tested positive for coronavirus one week ago. according to the media reports.

J&K: 3 new Covid cases in Kashmir; 35,243 persons under observation

Jammu (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Government today said that three new positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), all from Kashmir division, have been reported today, taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 109.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 109 positive cases, 103 are Active Positive, 04 have recovered and 02 have died. Regarding their location, 85 cases are from Kashmir and 18 from the Jammu division.

Furthermore, till date 35243 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 10556 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 615 in Hospital Quarantine, 103 in hospital isolation and 17506 under home surveillance. Besides, 6463 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

The Bulletin said that till date 1708 samples have been sent for testing of which 1583 have tested as negative, and 16 reports are awaited till April 06, 2020.

The bulletin urged the general public to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to COVID-19 affected countries and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.

The bulletin stressed on people to take extra time and care for themselves during the COVID-19 outbreak. While detailing some simple strategies the bulletin reads, “Spending quality time with family and getting involved in family discussions while staying at home during this period will help reduce anxiety and distress. Try to connect with your family members & loved ones through phone call or video call if they stay far from you.”

The bulletin called on people to engage in recreational activities like solving puzzles, playing some board games, listening to music, reading etc to reduce boredom. “It is important to be physically active. Simple stretching exercises, simple yoga postures, walking indoors or meditation will be beneficial not only for your physical health but also mental health. Keep yourself busy in doing small activities at home to reduce boredom like gardening, cleaning and cooking etc. Cut down on listening to news all the time as it may be upsetting,” the bulletin reads.

The general public has been advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals. In case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed.

The Bulletin informed the general public that in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free No. 102.

Besides a 24×7 toll-free national helpline number 1075, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on novel coronavirus disease.

With regard to personal hygiene, the bulletin advised on frequent hand washing with soap and water and to observe, coughing and sneezing etiquettes.

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Government from time to time and are urged to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.

People are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

Anurag Srivastava takes charge as new MEA spokesperson

MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava

New Delhi (NVI): Senior diplomat Anurag Srivastava today took charge as the new spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), succeeding Raveesh Kumar who held the position for around three years.

Handing over charge, Raveesh Kumar tweeted, “Time to pass the baton. After 33 months of an incredible opportunity to serve the nation, my best wishes to Anurag Srivastava as the next Official Spokesperson of @MEAIndia. Grateful for the understanding and support of my family, friends & colleagues during this journey.”

Anurag Srivastava tweeted in response to Raveesh’s tweet, “Honoured and privileged to take over as the Official Spokesperson of @MEAIndia. I look forward to working closely with all to fulfill my responsibilities in this new role.”

https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1247073752522715136

Srivastava, a 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, was last posted as the ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union. Prior to that, he headed the political wing at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka and was closely involved in framing and implementing India’s development assistance projects.

He has also served at India’s permanent mission to the UN in Geneva.

30 new COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan, total 367

New Delhi (NVI): Afghanistan authorities have recorded 30 new positive cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total in the country to 367, according to Afghan media reports.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health announced that the public health officials have recorded 16 new cases in Herat, 6 in Kabul, 3 in Nimroz, 2 in Kunduz, 2 in Faryab and 1 in Daikundi.

The new cases increase the number of COVID-19 positive cases to 367 in Afghanistan with the majority of the cases recorded in Herat and Kabul provinces, they said.

The virus has so far killed 9 people across the country with the last victim being an 80-year-old man who died in North-eastern Takhar province.

Earlier, the public health ministry officials had announced that the disease has killed a patient in capital Kabul.

PM interacts with Central ministers

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with Central Ministers through video conferencing, and appreciated their efforts for tackling COVID-19 pandemic.

During the interaction, PM said it is important that the leaders communicate carefully with the state and district administration, especially in the districts which are hotspots for the pandemic.

“It is also important to ensure there is no crowding at PDS centers, maintain effective monitoring, take action on complaints and prevent black marketing and rise in prices of essentials,” he told the leaders.

While stressing upon the importance of PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, the PM said that monitoring continuously and ensuring the benefits keep reaching the intended beneficiaries in a seamless manner during the period of lockdown

He also asked the ministers to popularise the Aarogya Setu app in the rural areas and grass-root institutions to further spread the information and awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministers also praised the PM’s initiative of ‘9pm9minute’, saying that people from all corners of the country participated in it, bringing together the entire nation in the battle against the pandemic.

Over 25,500 Tablighi workers, their contacts quarantined: MHA

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Home Ministry today said that more than 25,500 local Tablighi Jamaat workers and their contacts have been quarantined across the country as part of a massive effort by the MHA and States.

Apart from that five villages in Haryana, where foreign national TJ workers stayed, have been sealed and workers quarantined, Joint Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava told media during the daily briefing here.

She added that out of 2,083 foreign Tablighi Jamat workers identified so far, 1,750 people have been blacklisted.

Yesterday, the Union Health Ministry said that the doubling rate of Covid-19 cases in the country has increased.

As the spread of contagion due to the Tablighi Jammat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin came to light late last month, authorities launched an operation to track the Tablighi members across the country, despite the 21-day lockdown.

According to the Ministry, as many as 1,023 coronavirus positive cases in 17 states have been traced to the Tablighi event in Delhi, accounting for 30 per cent of all cases in India.

Gunfight at LoC continues for 5th day

July 18 Shopian encounter: Army completes summary of evidence
An encounter site in Kashmir (File Pic)

Srinagar (NVI): Five days since it began, an encounter between the Indian Army and Pakistan-trained terrorists continued to rage on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, leaving five soldiers and an equal number of infiltrators dead so far.

The encounter began when the alert Army spotted and intercepted a group of militants trying to infiltrate via the Keran sector of the LoC, Defence officials said.

“There was an attempt and brief contact was established. But the number of infiltrators is not known yet,” an official had said earlier.

In the gun battle that has been going on since, five infiltrating terrorists were killed by the Army, which lost 5 of its soldiers in the operation.

The operation to neutralise the infiltration attempt continues.

COVID effect: Salary of MPs reduced by 30% for a year

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar (File)

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Cabinet today approved an ordinance, reducing the salaries of the Members of Parliament by 30 per cent for a year with effect from April 1, 2020. The amount will be used to fight the coronavirus crisis.

The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 has been amended, thereby slashing the salaries of the MPs by 30 per cent for a year.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar briefed media on the unprecedented move by the Centre, saying that the President, Vice President, Governors of States have also voluntarily decided to take a pay cut as a social responsibility. The money will go to the Consolidated Fund of India, he added.

Apart from that, Cabinet has also approved temporary suspension of MPLADS during 2020-21 and 2021-22 for managing health and the adverse impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

India has to emerge victorious in this long war against Covid-19: PM

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that it is going to be a long war against the coronavirus pandemic while appealing to the BJP workers to put up a determined fight so that the country emerges victorious out of the crisis situation.

PM Modi was addressing BJP workers on the occasion of the party’s 40th foundation day.


He also urged the party workers to be steadfast in India’s fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic by contributing to the PM-CARES fund and asking 40 others to do so.

He said, “The citizens of the country had shown unprecedented maturity during the nationwide lockdown setting an example before the world in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak. He added that India understood the seriousness of the disease and waged a timely war against it.”

“No one could have imagined that people would abide by this with such obedience and sense of service,” Modi added.

So far, 109 people have died due to the contagion in the country with 4,067 confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to the Health Ministry.

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