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- Major was looking forward to starting a family
- Railways paying 85%, state govt 15% fare for migrant workers: BJP
- His daughter’s father, ‘Col Courage’ melted for his men and his family
- Terrorists had been active in Handwara forest for two weeks
- Lockdown: Five Maharashtra districts not to allow liquor sale
- Bengaluru may get its spirit back as more curbs are off from today
- India's factory activity slumped to record low in April: PMI
- Death toll due to COVID-19 rises to 1,373; number of cases climb to 42,533
- 54% face loss in income, 67% cut spends: Survey
Business News›News›Politics and Nation›Coronavirus India Live Updates: Sensex joins global selloff as India case count hits 42,500
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Economic Times | 04 May, 2020 | 11.40AM IST
Coronavirus India Live Updates: Sensex joins global selloff as India case count hits 42,500
India has reported 42,533 confirmed cases including 29,453 active cases, 11,706 cured / discharged and 1,373 deaths.
!1 New UpdateClick here for latest updates
State-run liquor shops in Delhi to operate from 9 am to 6.30 pm
- The Delhi government has issued an order allowing state-run liquor shops to operate from 9 am to 6.30 pm in the city, and directed deployment of marshals at these outlets to maintain social distancing.
- According to a government official, about 150 liquor shops have been allowed to open in accordance with the latest lockdown relaxations given by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- There are around 850 liquor shops in the city including those run by government agencies and private individuals.
Railway paying 85%, state govt 15% fare for migrant workers: BJP
- The BJP said on Monday the railways has subsidised 85 per cent of ticket fare for special trains being run to transport migrant workers and the state government has to pay the remaining 15 per cent, soon after the Congress attacked the central government over the issue.
- The state government concerned can also pay for the tickets, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
Online blitz chess tournament raises Rs 4 lakh for Kerala CM Relief Fund
- An international online blitz chess tournament organised by Chess Kerala has raised Rs 4 lakh for the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.
- The Checkmate Covid-19 Blitz Open, organised to raise funds for Kerala's fight against COVID-19, was won by Grandmaster SL Narayanan.
Investor wealth plummets Rs 5.15 lakh cr in early trade as equities tank
- Investors witnessed a wealth erosion of Rs 5.15 lakh crore in BSE-listed companies in morning trade on Monday tracking heavy selloff in the market, with benchmark Sensex plunging over 1,700 points.
- The BSE barometer tanked 1,752.55 points to a low of 31,965.07 in early trading session.
- Led by the weak trend in the equity market, the market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies fell by Rs 5,15,308.99 crore to Rs 1,24,26,311.83 crore.
Delhi: Construction activities resume where workers are available on the site of construction
A labourer says, “It is good that govt has allowed construction work amid Coronavirus lockdown, as we will get wages now”.
Five Maha districts not to allow liquor sale
- A day after the Maharashtra government said shops selling non-essential commodities, including liquor, will be allowed to open from Monday in the COVID-19 non-containment zones, five districts in the state have decided not to permit liquor sale.
- Administrations of Solapur, Aurangabad, Jalna, Buldhana and Amravati districts have issued instructions that liquor shops will not be allowed to open.
Pharma stocks avoid selloff, rally up to 4%
Price as on 04 May, 2020 11:08 AM, Click on company names for their live prices.
Railways has run 34 Shramik special trains so far from different parts of the country and is fulfilling its social responsibility of providing safe and convenient travel especially to the poorest of the poor in a time of crisis
- Railway Ministry Sources (Reports ANI)
Railways has subsidised 85 percent of ticket fare for special trains being run to transport migrant workers and state government has to pay remaining 15 percent
- BJP
Indian Railways is running Shramik special trains keeping berths empty in each coach to maintain social distancing. The trains are returning empty from destinations under lock & key. Free food and bottled water is being given to migrants by railways
- Railway Ministry Source (Reports ANI)
In historic first, US Supreme Court to be broadcast live
- After a pause occasioned by the coronavirus, the US Supreme Court will resume hearing cases Monday, but in a small revolution for the tradition-bound institution the justices will participate from home, with live audio broadcast on radio and television.
- The move to greater transparency has been demanded for years in legal circles and was long ago adopted by many state and local courts; but for the Supreme Court, it took a pandemic to make it happen.
- In normal times, the top US court meets in its stately neo-classical building directly across First Street from the US Capitol.
Portugal starts to emerge from coronavirus lockdown
- Portugal will begin to ease its coronavirus lockdown on Monday, with small shops, hair salons and car dealers resuming operations as a state of emergency was lifted after more than six weeks.
- The wearing of face masks or visors in stores and on public transport is compulsory under the government's plan unveiled last week for the gradual reopening of the country.
- Portugal declared a state of emergency on March 19 and has so far recorded more than 25,000 virus cases, including over a thousand deaths.
Sensex down almost 1,700 points trading at 32,026 and Nifty down 492 points trading at 9,368.
Government of India extends the invitation of nominations for Sardar Patel National Unity Award till 30th June 2020: Ministry of Home Affairs
COVID-19: Eminent personalities slam TMC MP Moitra for criticising NRI doctors
- A group of 75 eminent personalities from West Bengal has slammed TMC MP Mahua Moitra for criticising NRI doctors, who had recently written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voicing concern over the COVID-19 situation in the state.
- In a statement issued here on Sunday, the eminent personalities, including filmmakers, actors, music composers and professors, said they are "embarrassed of such a reaction from an MP in the wake of the pandemic".
Thailand reports 18 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths
- Thailand's new coronavirus cases rose to 18 on Monday, after falling to single-digits for the past week, but the country reported no new deaths.
- Monday's report brought the total number of cases to 2,987 since the new virus was detected in Thailand in January, with a total of 54 deaths.
Ready to resume ops, companies look for ways to test staff
- India Inc has written to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) asking for ways in which staff can be asked to operate from offices, especially since there is confusion over whether rapid antibody tests can be the basis for a risk-free certificate to resume work. With rapid antibody tests under scrutiny due to concerns over their accuracy, the options are limited, company executives told ET.
- Some corporates are contemplating if temperature checks can be made compulsory. Others are also planning to tie up with private labs for bulk testing at discounted rates. One option that ICMR is considering is pooled testing of individuals using the more expensive RT-PCR method, according to sources. “The methodology involves testing a combined sample for multiple people from a household or a local cluster,” sources said.
Rupee tanks 64 paise to 75.73 against US dollar in early trade
Pandemic slams Asia's factories, activity hits financial-crisis lows
- Asia's factory activity was ravaged in April, business surveys showed on Monday, and the outlook dimmed further as government restrictions on movement to contain the coronavirus outbreak froze global production and slashed demand.
- A series of Purchasing Managers' Indexes (PMIs) from IHS Markit fell deeper into contraction from March, with some diving to all-time lows and others hitting levels last seen during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.
- Similar gauges out of Europe's largest economies due on Monday and later in the week are also expected to show dire global industry conditions.
- The PMI for South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy and a global manufacturing powerhouse, skidded to 41.6 in April, the lowest reading since January 2009. Japan's PMI released last week similarly fell to an 11-year low.
One more COVID-19 case reported in Odisha, count rises to 163
- A person from Odisha's Sundergarh district tested positive for novel coronavirus on Monday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 163, a health official said.
- The fresh case has taken Sundergarh's count to 11, of which six are active cases and five persons have recovered. The tribal-dominated district is in the 'orange' zone, he said.
RJD is ready to bear the fare of 50 trains: Tejashwi Yadav
आदरणीय @NitishKumar जी, ग़रीब मज़दूरों की तरफ़ से 50 ट्रेनों का किराया राजद वहन करने के लिए एकदम तैयार है क्योंकि… https://t.co/cUDqBcP7YE
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) 1588566432000Japan's PM expected to extend state of emergency until end-May: NHK
- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to extend the country's state of emergency on Monday until the end of May, public broadcaster NHK said.
- The government is also expected to determine new prevention measures for the coronavirus outbreak that has infected around 15,000 people and killed more than 500 in the country.
Karnataka: People line up at a liquor shop in Bengaluru as state government permits the sale of liquor between 9 am to 7 pm from today
Source: ANI
Rajasthan reports 4 deaths and 123 new COVID19 cases
4 deaths and 123 new COVID19 cases have been reported in Rajasthan today. Total positive cases stand at 3009 and death toll is 75: Rajasthan Health Department
Chemists seek insurance on a par with other health workers
- The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has demanded an insurance cover from the government, stating that chemists face the risk of getting infected as they are at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19.
- In a letter written to the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the AIOCD demanded insurance coverage for its 8.5 lakh chemists and druggists operating in the country.
- The AIOCD said its members have been working day and night during the lockdown to ensure medicines are supplied to the needy, but their work has not been been recognised.
Most profitable cement maker in India reopens, but sees demand crash
- Star Cement Ltd., the most profitable maker of the construction material in India, saw demand fall 80% after authorities partially lifted the world’s biggest lockdown.
- The company, which restarted its factory in Guwahati with about 30% of workers using as much as 20% of capacity, expects a revival in demand only after September, Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Gupta said in a phone interview. Traditionally, the monsoon season from June through September is slow for cement makers and Gupta said it will take until then for the impact of the lockdown to blow over.
Sensex joins global selloff, plunges 1,500 points
Taiwan says 'not yet' received invite for key WHO meeting
- Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the government has "not yet" received an invitation to take part in this month's meeting of the World Health Organization's (WHO) decision-making body, the World Health Assembly.
- However, the government will strive "until the last moment" to participate as an observer, ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said in a statement.
Goa: Salons open in Panaji following the revised guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs for the lockdown that has been extended till May 17.
A total of 1107233 samples have been tested as on 4th May, 9 AM: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Goa Police use drones to monitor lockdown violators
- Goa Police used drones to keep an eye on lockdown violators in some densely populated and slum areas of the coastal state.
- This was done after the police got to know that people were gathering at a volleyball ground and some open areas in South Goa district, but running away when the security personnel reached there, Superintendent of Police (South) Arvind Gawas said on Sunday.
Sales of dairy products soar as people work & eat from home
- As the lockdown gives people a chance to rustle up dishes just like chefs do, the broadening culinary engagement is pushing up consumption of dairy products. Aiding sales, industry veterans say, is the growing preference for nutritious vegetarian food.
- Some large dairies across the country have reported 50-100% jump in monthly sales of cheese, butter, paneer, cream and dairy whitener in April — the month that saw offices adopting the work-from-home model to align with the government’s lockdown order and help contain the spread of coronavirus.
2553 new COVID19 cases and 72 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours
Pre-open session: Sensex plunges 900 points, Nifty tests 9,500
U.S. CDC reports 1,122,486 coronavirus cases, 65,735 deaths
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sunday reported 1,122,486 U.S. cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 29,671 cases from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 1,452 to 65,735.
- The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, as of 4 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT) on Saturday, compared with its count a day earlier.
Worldwide coronavirus cases exceed 3.5 million: AFP
Cong to bear cost of rail travel of every needy migrant worker: Sonia Gandhi
- The Congress on Monday said its state units will bear the cost of rail travel of needy migrant workers and labourers stranded at their workplaces due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown and seeking to return home.
- Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a statement announced the party's decision and said this would be Congress' humble contribution in standing shoulder to shoulder with these workers.
Top Chinese health official warns of COVID-19 rebound
- China still faces the risk of COVID-19 rebound as 10 provincial-level regions have reported new locally-transmitted coronavirus cases over the last two weeks, a top health official warned on Monday.
- The National Health Commission (NHC) said that three new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported on Sunday. All three were Chinese arriving from abroad.
- Also, 13 new asymptomatic cases, including two imported ones, were reported.
India case count rises to 42,533; death toll at 1,373
- Active cases: 29,453
- Cured: 11,706
- Deaths: 1,373
- Migrated: 1
It is particularly disturbing that central govt, Railways are charging migrants for train tickets in this hour of crisis
- Sonia Gandhi
If govt can bring back citizens stranded abroad free, why can't it extend same courtesy of free rail travel to migrants
- Sonia Gandhi
No new cases in N Zealand
- New Zealand reported no new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, marking a significant moment that indicated the country's bold strategy of trying to eliminate the virus was working.
- It was the first time since the outbreak took hold in mid-March that the country has reported zero new cases.
Lockdown has been extended in Nagpur city till May 17. 33% of offices will remain closed ever outside containment zones. However, all the essential services will be functional
- Tukaram Mundhe, Nagpur Municipal Commissioner
Indian National Congress has taken a decision that every Pradesh Congress Committee shall bear the cost for the rail travel of every needy worker & migrant labourer and shall take necessary steps in this regard
- Sonia Gandhi, Congress President
65% companies expect 40% hit to revenue in Q1
- A significant majority — 65% of firms expected a substantial hit to revenues of about 40% in the April-June quarter, found the survey of 300 CEOs, conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
- As many as 45% of the 300 firms surveyed expected a protracted economic recovery of over a year before things go back to normal.
Italy begins to emerge from world's longest nationwide lockdown
- Stir-crazy Italians will be free to stroll and visit relatives for the first time in nine weeks on Monday as Europe's hardest-hit country eases back the world's longest nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
- Four million people -- an estimated 72 percent of them men -- will return to their construction sites and factories as the economically and emotionally shattered country tries to get back to work.
- Restaurants that have managed to survive Italy's most disastrous crisis in generations will reopen for takeaway service.
New York joining six states to buy vital coronavirus gear in bulk
- New York is banding together with six nearby states to purchase equipment and supplies that sometimes have been hard to come by during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday.
- Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is praising residents for mostly adhering to coronavirus social distancing rules during the warmest weekend of the spring, with police handing out only a few dozen summonses.
South Koreans roar back to malls as coronavirus curbs ease
- At a glitzy Chanel boutique in downtown Seoul, Kim Soo-yeon joined dozens of others in festive shorts and flare dresses, her eyes out for a clutch purse she had coveted for weeks during the coronavirus pandemic.
- One floor down in the Lotte Department Store, long lines of shoppers thronged bakeries and a health-supplement store while staff restocked shelves with freshly baked cakes.
Report: China hid coronavirus' severity to hoard supplies
- US officials believe China covered up the extent of the coronavirus outbreak — and how contagious the disease is — to stock up on medical supplies needed to respond to it, intelligence documents show.
- Chinese leaders “intentionally concealed the severity” of the pandemic from the world in early January, according to a four-page Department of Homeland Security report dated May 1 and obtained by The Associated Press.
- The revelation comes as the Trump administration has intensified its criticism of China, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying Sunday that China was responsible for the spread of disease and must be held accountable.
UK starts state-backed loans for smallest firms
- A government-backed loan scheme to help Britain's small businesses survive the coronavirus lockdown comes into effect on Monday, allowing firms such as hairdressing salons, coffee shops, and florists to receive emergency cash.
- Finance minister Rishi Sunak, who previously opposed 100% state backing for commercial loans, announced the new facility on April 27, bowing to pressure to do more for the smallest companies after a previous scheme got off to a slow start.
Govt decides to open liquor shops even in red zone! If shops in Aurangabad open we'll break lockdown restrictions&forcibly close these shops. Will make many women come out on the streets. This isn't time to sell liquor&create problems for mothers & sisters
- Aurangabad MP
Amazon, Flipkart to increase warehouses
- Ecommerce majors Amazon and Flipkart will lease over 3 million square feet warehousing space across major consumption centres as they expect a major bounceback in demand once the Covid-19 crisis ends.
- Amazon’s India unit has contracted 2 million sq ft while Walmart-backed Flipkart has contracted 1 million sq ft across Bengaluru, Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Coimbatore, said multiple persons aware of the development.
France says won't quarantine EU, Schengen area citizens
- France said Sunday that it would not quarantine anyone arriving from the EU, the Schengen area or Britain due to the coronavirus, as it prepares to start easing confinement measures after two months of lockdown.
- On Saturday, the government had said it would extend the state of emergency to contain the crisis until at least July 24, and anyone entering France would have to remain in isolation for two weeks.
Companies hunting top talent despite salary, job cuts
- Despite job losses and salary cuts caused by the lockdown to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, companies including Goldman Sachs and Capgemini are looking for top talent in India, especially tech, digital and core domain specialists.
- More than 200 director-level and above posts were available over the past week, according to Xpheno, a staffing firm that compiles data from job portals, LinkedIn and company sites.
Canada invests in online mental health care amid COVID-19 crisis
- Canada will invest CAN$240 million (US$170 million) to develop virtual care and mental health tools for residents to better cope with the consequences of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday.
- The funds will be used mainly to create new digital platforms and applications to give Canadians "strategies to manage stress or support from a procurement professional," Trudeau said.
Covid lockdown: Blackout threat looms as discom collections peter out
- India faces a serious risk of blackouts as collections of electricity distribution companies across country have reduced by an unprecedented 80%, barely enough to sustain staff salaries while leaving no scope of payments to power plants that need money to buy coal and freight.
- Distribution companies and generators are pinning hopes on Centre’s Rs 90,000 crore liquidity infusion package but might take two to three weeks for approvals and two more weeks for fund-raising and implementation.
- Electricity distribution companies have not been able to collect more than 20-25% of bills, which officials said would fall further in the extended lockdown.
Indian bank bad debt could double in coronavirus crisis: Sources
- India expects bad debts at its banks could double after the coronavirus crisis brought the economy to a sudden halt, a senior government official, and four top bankers told Reuters.
- Indian banks are already grappling with 9.35 trillion rupees ($123 billion) of soured loans, which was equivalent to about 9.1% of their total assets at the end of September 2019.
87 test negative for COVID-19 in Manipur after arrival from Assam
- Eighty-seven Manipuris, who arrived on Saturday after being stranded in Assam for days, have tested negative for COVID-19, health department officials said.
- They were stranded in Assam in the wake of the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Trump says US to have coronavirus vaccine by end of year
- President Donald Trump on Sunday said the United States will have a coronavirus vaccine by the end of this year.
- "We are very confident that we're going to have a vaccine at the end of the year, by the end of the year," Trump said in a Fox News "town hall" show broadcast from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
8 more test COVID-19 positive in Ghaziabad, total cases rise to 82
- Eight more people tested positive for coronavirus in Ghaziabad, taking the total number of cases to 82 in the satellite town, officials said.
- Of the total 127 samples tested in the last 24 hours, eight tested positive and 119 negative, Ajay Shankar Pandey said.
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