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Canadian PM Trudeau’s wife tests positive for coronavirus

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau along with wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau

New Delhi (NVI): Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, wife of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, has tested positive for coronavirus. Following this, Trudeau will remain in isolation for the next two weeks, reports in foreign media said.

There are approximately 103 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Canada.

On the other hand, the death toll in Italy has jumped in the last 24 hours to 1,016, with a total number of 15,113 positive cases.

The total number of cases in Italy, the European country hardest hit by the virus, rose to 15,113 from a previous 12,462, an increase of 21.7 per cent.

Meanwhile, in the US, New York and Washington, the two states hit by the coronavirus outbreak, are struggling to make testing for the virus widely available, and local officials estimate it could take more weeks to reach peak testing capacity, according to the media reports.

The top United States official on infectious diseases, Anthony Fauci, said that people could not get tests for the deadly coronavirus easily and the US testing system is not meeting the country’s needs.

In another development, South Korea – once having witnessed largest coronavirus outbreak outside China – saw its newly recovered patients exceed fresh infections for the first time on Friday, as it reported its lowest number of new cases for three weeks. The country confirmed 110 new cases, taking the total to 7,979.

China’s National Health Commission reported at least seven new coronavirus deaths, pushing the total number nationwide to 3,176.

Beijing also reported at least eight new confirmed cases during the same period, pushing the total number of cases to 80,813.

More than 4,600 people have died and over 1,26,000 have been infected globally, according to WHO.

At least 68,000 patients have reportedly recovered from the infection.

J&K suspends coronavirus control nodal officer for dereliction of duties

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Government today suspended Shafqat Khan, Nodal Officer, Coronavirus Control Efforts in the Union Territory for dereliction of duties, an official statement said.

The order was issued following directions by Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, officials told NVI.

“Pending enquiry into his conduct, Dr. Shafqat Khan Nodal Officer for Corono Virus Efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, Health and Medical Education Department, is hereby placed under suspension, with immediate effect, in terms of Rule 31 of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956,” reads the government order issued by Charndeep Singh, Additional Secretary to Government.

Khan shall remain attached with the office of Deputy Commissioner, Kathua/ office of Chief Medical Officer Kathua.

When contacted, Dr Shafqat Khan told NVI that he got to know about the development on social media.

“I don’t know the reasons behind my suspension. It’s government decision, what can I say,” he said.

India reports first coronavirus death; confirmed cases rise to 75

New Delhi (NVI): India reported its first death due to coronavirus last night. A 76-year-old man from Karnataka’s Kalburgi, who died two days ago, was confirmed as a coronavirus patient in the later tests.

The deceased had a travel history from Saudi Arabia, and he returned on February 29, 2020, after a month-long visit.

Coronavirus cases in India have risen to 75, with states like Kerala, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh recording maximum number of cases, according to media reports.

A new case has emerged in Andhra Pradesh.

A maximum of 17 positive cases have been reported from Kerala including the three cured patients who had returned from China’s Hubei province. Whereas, 11 cases have been reported in Maharashtra and 10 cases have been traced in Uttar Pradesh.

A Google employee in Bangalore has also been tested positive.

Meanwhile, Air India has decided to cancel all its flights to Kuwait till April 30 and curtail services to various other countries, including Spain, France and Sri Lanka.

The Indian government has also stepped up its efforts on war footing to contain the deadly virus, which has claimed over 4,000 lives worldwide.

As countries scramble for rescue amid the coronavirus crisis, markets across the world have recorded their worst ever falls. Sensex alone has plunged 2,800 points, while Nifty is down to 9,508.

Heavy rain, thundershowers to continue over Punjab, Haryana

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The northern districts of Punjab and Haryana may continue to witness heavy rains along with thundershowers due to Western Disturbance lying over Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the southern districts of Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, North Rajasthan, and Delhi are expected to remain dry.

The temperatures have dropped further over most parts of North India due to icy cold winds from the snow-clad mountains of Himalayas.

Udaipur in Rajasthan is the coldest city in the plains of India, with its temperature settling at 10.0 degree Celsius.

Sikar in Rajasthan and Narnaul in Haryana recorded minimum temperature at 10.5 and 10.8 degree Celsius respectively.

Sriganganagar in Rajasthan and Hisar in Haryana recorded minimum temperature at 11.3 and 12.1 degree Celsius respectively.

Amritsar in Punjab and Pilani in Rajasthan both recorded minimum temperature at 12.4 degree Celsius.

Apart from this, Rajasthan’s Bikaner, Churu and Ajmer recorded minimum temperature at 12.5, 12.6 and 12.7 degree Celsius respectively.

Meanwhile, Delhi and NCR region also saw a slight decrease in minimum temperature to 13.8 degrees Celsius from 14.7 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 27 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weatherman has forecast that by the late-night hours of today, the rainfall activities will start increasing in the remaining parts of Punjab, and Haryana.

“Isolated hailstorm activities associated with strong surface winds are likely in the Northern districts of Punjab as well as Haryana,” it added.

IHC suspends visas in Pakistan

Islamabad (NVI): India today suspended from tonight till April 15 all visas, except diplomatic official ones, for those intended to travel from Pakistan in the view of coronavirus outbreak.

At the same time, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad said that any foreign nationals who might need to travel to India for compelling reasons may contact it.

In a fresh travel advisory, the High Commission said, “All the existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visas will be suspended till April 15, 2020. The decision will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020 at the port of departure.”

It added, “Visa-free travel facility granted to OCI cardholders is kept in abeyance till April 15, 2020. This will also come into effect from tomorrow.”

All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visit China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15, 2020 would be subject to medical screening and can be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days, the statement said.

International traffic through land borders will also be restricted to designated immigration check posts with robust medical screening facilities, Ministry of Home Affairs will separately notify these check posts, it added.

Parliament passes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill

Opposition parties
File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): Parliament today passed the crucial Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2020, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserting that the government is committed to protect the right and security of every home buyer.

The Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 6, was approved by Rajya Sabha today.

Replying to a debate on the legislation, the Finance Minister said the amendments brought in by the government are a mechanism to incorporate viable changes in the legislation.

“As on January 1, 2020 out of around 43,000 cases disposed off by National Company Law Tribunal, nearly 15,000 cases were resolved based on Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code,” she said.

Speaking on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME, Sitharaman said the banks have been asked to pay dues to stakeholders in order to maintain the liquidity.

Earlier, moving the bill, Finance Minister said, it is the necessity of the time to amend the present bill to keep pace with the development across the globe.

The IBC Bill came into force in 2016, has already been amended thrice.

Govt advises against conducting IPL amid coronavirus

New Delhi (NVI): In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the government has advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against conducting the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) slated to start from March 29, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said today.
While stating this, Dammu Ravi, Additional Secretary in the MEA said it was ultimately for the organisers to decide.
“Our advice would be to not do it at this time but if they want to go ahead, it is their decision,” he said at a media briefing here when asked whether holding of IPL would be feasible in view of coronavirus outbreak since a number of foreign players also participate.
“I think it is for the organisers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not,” Ravi said.
The IPL is scheduled to commence from March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The MEA also informed that India has received request for help from four countries for providing masks and protective gears because of coronavirus outbreak.
“We have received requests from Bhutan, Iran, Maldives and Italy for assistance with masks and protective gears. We are processing these request,” External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at the media briefing.
In February, India sent a consignment to China, he recalled.

Rashtrapati Bhavan closed from tmrw

Envoys of 4 nations present credentials
Rashtrapati Bhawan

New Delhi (NVI): In the view of the rapid spread of coronavirus disease, Rashtrapati Bhavan closed all the public visits from tomorrow. 

“As a precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19 novel Coronavirus, the Rashtrapati Bhavan will remain closed for exploratory tour visits from tomorrow, March 13, till further notice,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a communiqué here.

 The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex (RBMC) and the Change of Guard ceremony will also remain closed for the public till further notice, the statement added. 

J&K: 2 youths prevented from joining militancy, says Police

Kashmir terror attack
Representational Image

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Two youths from south Kashmir have been prevented from joining militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, the police said today.

The duo, hailing from Tral and Awantipora areas, was planning to join militant ranks, they said. 

“Acting on a specific input, police in Awantipora were able to prevent two youth from joining the militant ranks. These youths had been indoctrinated and were influenced by the false narratives,” said a spokesman.

Awantipora police counselled the youth in presence of their family members thereby preventing them from joining the militant ranks, the spokesman said adding that both the youths were handed over to their family members.

Last month, Jammu and Kashmir police had arrested a class 10 student and prevented him from joining militancy in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

COVID-19: PM urges people not to panic, avoid non-essential travel

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged people not to panic due to coronavirus scare and rather focus on taking precautions to combat the spread of the pandemic in the country. He also urged people to avoid all non-essential travel while adding that no ministers of the Central Government will travel abroad in the upcoming days, as a precautionary measure.

The Prime Minister expressed his concern on the matter via Twitter even as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Health Ministry held separate media briefings on the outbreak.

“The Government is fully vigilant about the situation due to COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Across ministries & states, multiple steps have been proactively taken to ensure safety of all. These steps are wide-ranging, from suspension of Visas to augmenting healthcare capacities,” he tweeted.

The PM also urged people to avoid large gatherings. “Say No to Panic, Say Yes to Precautions. No Minister of the Central Government will travel abroad in the upcoming days. I urge our countrymen to also avoid non-essential travel. We can break the chain of spread and ensure safety of all by avoiding large gatherings,” he said in another tweet.

As per the latest data released by the Health Ministry, 73 coronavirus cases have been reported in the country. With COVID-19 been declared as pandemic by WHO now, India has suspended all visas, except a few categories such as diplomatic and employment, till April 15.

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