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Pak shells forward areas along LoC in J&K’s Poonch

(File/Representational Image)

Jammu (NVI): In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops today shelled forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, defence officials said.

“At about 1100 hours, Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms & shelling with mortars along LoC in Shahpur, Kirni & Qasba sectors, District Poonch (J&K),” they said, adding that the Indian Army is retaliating befittingly.

Pakistani Army targetted forward areas in the same district yesterday while firing with small arms along LoC in Shahpur sector.

Pakistan has been violating ceasefire along LoC almost daily nowadays, even as the whole world is grappling with coronavirus outbreak. Despite appeals for a Ramzan truce by the border residents, to respect the sanctity of the fasting month, Pakistani troops have been resorting to unprovoked ceasefire violations every now and then.

IAF chopper’s forced landing in Sikkim

File/Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): An Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter had to do a forced landing in Sikkim today due to bad weather, IAF said.

While the helicopter sustained damage, all six personnel on board, that includes 4 aircrew of IAF and 2 personnel of Indian Army, are reported to be safe. One person has sustained injury, IAF said in a statement.

The chopper was on routine air maintenance sortie from Chaten to Mukutang in Sikkim.

The helicopter got airborne at 6:45 am and enroute, it force landed 10 NM (Nautical Miles) short of designated helipad due to bad weather, the Indian Air Force said.

Two recovery helicopters and an Army ground search party was launched for rescue.

An investigation has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, IAF said.

8 dead in Visakhapatnam gas leak

Indianapolis
Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): At least eight people have been reported dead after a gas leakage incident at LG Polymers chemical plant, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The gas leaked at the plant in the wee hours today, at around 2,30 AM, and spread in the nearby area, affecting some villages.

“Because of the leakage of the said compound gas hundreds of people have inhaled it and either fell unconscious or having breathing issues,” said Commissioner at Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).

“Primary report is that polyvinyl chloride gas (or maybe Styrene) leaked from LG Polymers, Vepagunta near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam at around 2:30 AM today,” the GVMC official said.

In a statement, the GVMC said that it is trying to subside the effect by blowing water through mist blowers and public address systems have been pressed into service asking people to use masks (after wetting them in water).

The plant has been reportedly shut since the last 40 days due to coronavirus lockdown and a minimum staff was deployed inside.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said that he has spoken to MHA and NDMA regarding the incident.

“Spoke to officials of MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) and NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, which is being monitored closely.

“I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam,” he said in a tweet.

Lord Buddha’s teachings more relevant when the world is facing crisis: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that at a time when the world is facing turmoil, the teachings of Lord Buddha have become more relevant.

“He used to say that human beings should constantly strive to overcome difficult situations, get out of them. Getting tired and tired is not an option. Today, all of us are also constantly working together to get out of a difficult situation,” PM said delivering a virtual keynote address on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.

In his speech, PM Modi hailed efforts of Covid-19 warriors fighting the pandemic on the frontlines. “During this difficult time of coronavirus lockdown, there are several people around us who are working 24 hours to help others, to maintain law and order, to cure infected persons and to maintain cleanliness, by sacrificing their own comforts. All such people deserve appreciation and honour,” he said.

PM praised also International Buddhist organisation for organising a virtual ‘Vesak Buddha Purnima Day’ in “these difficult circumstances of lockdown”.

“Due to your innovative efforts, millions of followers from all over the world are joining each other in this event,” PM said in his keynote address.

PM said that Lord Buddha enriched the culture of India. “Lord Buddha in his life’s after enlightenment also enriched the lives of many others as well. His message is not limited to any one circumstance, or to any one subject,” he said.

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 52,952 with 1,783 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- 1,777

Arunachal Pradesh- 1

Assam- 45

Bihar- 542

Chandigarh- 120

Chhattisgarh- 59

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 1

Delhi- 5,532

Gujarat- 6,625

Haryana– 594

Himachal Pradesh- 45

Jammu and Kashmir- 775

Jharkhand- 127

Karnataka- 693

Kerala- 50

Ladakh- 41

Madhya Pradesh- 3,138

Maharashtra- 16,758

Meghalaya- 12

Mizoram- 1

Odisha- 185

Puducherry- 9

Punjab- 1,516

Rajasthan- 3,317

Tamil Nadu- 4,829

Telangana- 1,107

Tripura- 43

Uttarakhand- 61

Uttar Pradesh- 2,998

West Bengal – 1,456

State/UT wise total death toll in the country:

Andhra Pradesh- 36

Assam- 1

Bihar- 2

Chandigarh-1

Delhi- 65

Gujarat- 396

Haryana- 7

Himachal Pradesh- 2

Jammu and Kashmir- 8

Jharkhand- 3

Karnataka- 29

Kerala- 4

Madhya Pradesh- 185

Maharashtra- 651

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 2

Punjab- 27

Rajasthan- 92

Tamil Nadu- 35

Telangana- 29

Uttar Pradesh- 60

Uttarakhand- 1

West Bengal- 144

A total of 15,267 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 35,902 active cases currently.

Coronavirus cases surpass 3.75 million globally

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases are nearing 4 million globally as more than 3.75 million people have been confirmed infected with the new coronavirus so far, and more than 2,63,000 have died, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

In addition to this, the total positive cases in the US have surpassed 1.2 million with more than 73,000 fatalities reported in the country.

Brazil’s health minister for the first time says that lockdowns may be needed in the country as daily cases and deaths hit new highs.

In another development, Otavio Rego Barros, spokesman for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

China’s National Health Commission is reporting two new coronavirus cases for May 6.

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) is issuing a new appeal for USD 4.7 billion in funding to “protect millions of lives and stem the spread of coronavirus in fragile countries”.

The money is on top of the $2bn the UN already called for when it launched its global humanitarian response plan on March 25. It has received about half of that money so far.

COVID-19 cases in India climb to 52,952, death toll at 1,783

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 52,952 and fatalities from the virus has gone up to 1,783, according to Union Health Ministry.

In the past 24 hours, 3,561 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported across the country with at least 89 new deaths.

Maharashtra remains worst-affected with 16,758 cases of COVID-19 so far, followed by Gujarat at 6,625 and Delhi at 5,532.

Tamil Nadu, which recently witnessed a sudden surge in the number of cases, now has 4,058 cases.

The other worst affected states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Maharashtra has also recorded 651 deaths, the highest number among all the states followed by Gujarat with 396 fatalities, Health Ministry data showed.

Meanwhile, starting from today, India will operate 64 flights until May 13, to bring home nearly 15,000 Indians stranded overseas.

A total of 12,76,781 samples had been tested for COVID-19 so far.

While coronavirus cases continue to rise, the government is also discussing on stimulus package for the business industry as COVID-19 lockdown has hit economy.

At least, 15,266 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged.

PM dials Ethiopia leader Dr Abiy Ahmed

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to his Ethiopian counterpart Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali over phone and discussed the domestic, regional and global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two leaders expressed solidarity with each other during the health crisis, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement here.

PM Modi also took to Twitter after his conversation with the Ethiopian leader. “Spoke to PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali. We discussed the COVID-19 situation. India stands in solidarity with our friends in Ethiopia as well as other countries in Africa, and will be a reliable partner to provide essential medical supplies and other assistance to handle the crisis,” he tweeted.


During the conversation, PM Modi also recalled the close ties between India and Ethiopia and the excellent development of partnership between the two nations, PMO said.

Prime Minister Modi assured Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali of Indian support to Ethiopia, for ensuring supplies of essential medicines and ameliorating the economic impact of the pandemic.

“The Prime Minister, on behalf of the people of India and on his own behalf, wished the people of Ethiopia success in the fight against Covid-19,” read an official statement by PMO.

The Ethiopian PM also wrote on the microblogging site after his telephonic conversation with the Indian Prime Minister.

“Pleased to have spoken on the phone with @narendramodi on bilateral issues as well as experiences of #COVID19 mitigation efforts in our countries. We affirmed commitment to build upon the successes & achievements of the existing bilateral cooperation between #Ethiopia & #India,” he tweeted.

Covid-19: Nepal extends lockdown till May 18

New Delhi (NVI): The government of Nepal today extended the lockdown in the country till May 18 to curb the spread of coronavirus, The Himalayan Times reported.

A meeting of the High-Level Coordination Committee for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 was held yesterday, the newspaper reported. The meeting, held under Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s chairmanship, reviewed measures taken to prevent the spread of the pandemic and the impact of the ongoing lockdown.

During the meeting, the committee decided to recommend to the government that the lockdown be extended, the Nepal daily reported.

Nepal Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai told The Himalayan Times that a proposal was presented in the meeting to categorise areas as green, orange and red, but PM Oli said it was not the right time to go for relaxation of lockdown on the basis of categorisation, as COVID- 19 cases continued to rise in India and in certain districts of Nepal bordering India.

Nepal imposed the lockdown on March 24 and extended it further on April 27. The lockdown was to end on May 7 (tomorrow).

Meanwhile, Nepal reported seven new coronavirus cases yesterday, taking the number of infections in the nation to 82.

So far, no death has been reported in the country.

Afghanistan reports 168 new coronavirus cases, total 3,392

(Pic Courtesy: TOLO news)

New Delhi (NVI): With 168 fresh coronavirus cases reported in Afghanistan, the overall tally climbed to 3,392 in the country that is battling the pandemic with limited medical supplies, according to Afghan media reports.

In the past 24 hours, there have been nine deaths and 31 recoveries, TOLO news reports.

Among the fresh 168 positive cases, Kabul reported 67, Herat 32, Kandahar 14, Balkh 4, Paktia 4, Nangarhar 11, Logar 8, Laghman 9, Helmand 1, Samangan 1, Baghlan 4, Faryab 9, Kunar 2, Sar-e-Pul 1 and Nuristan 1.

According to the country’s Ministry of Public Health, 13,777 people have been tested for COVID-19 so far.

Earlier on Saturday, the Afghan government extended the lockdown for a third time for a further 21 days which is expected to end on May 30, to contain the pandemic, as per media reports.

The total number of patients recovered in the country stands at 458, and 104 people have died due to pandemic.

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