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Business News›News›Newsblogs›Covid News Live Updates: IIT Madras turns Covid-19 cluster with 55 testing positive
LIVE BLOG
Economic Times | 23 Apr, 2022 | 12:46PM IST
Covid News Live Updates: IIT Madras turns Covid-19 cluster with 55 testing positive
With 25 more testing positive, the total number of persons infected with Coronavirus in the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) has gone up to 55, said Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan. According to him, the tests are being conducted in the 19 hostels in IITM complex. The infection rate is higher in a hostel that has students from other states. With 2,527 coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India's total tally of cases rose to 4,30,54,952, while active cases have increased to 15,079, according to Union health ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll has climbed to 5,22,149 with 33 fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.
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State BJP delegation to meet Maha Governor in a short while
State BJP delegation will be leaving to meet Maha Governor in a short while. “ There is a total collapse of law and order in the state, there is total anarchy, the state fulfills all the conditions for imposing President’s rule in the state. We would be meeting our BJP leaders and taking a decision on meeting the Governor on the issue.” Said BJP leader Pravin Darekar. BJP has spoken about incidents in state where BJP leaders and other political leaders are being attacked by Shiv Sena functionaries.
Gaza fires 2 rockets toward Israel as tensions rise
Two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel on Friday night, with no damage or injury reported, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. One rocket landed in southern Israel in open territory and the other within the Gaza Strip, according to the IDF. The incident came after a tense day in Jerusalem, where the Palestinians and the Israeli police clashed again at the holy site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Several rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza throughout the week after several months of quiet.
India extends additional USD 500 million credit line to Sri Lanka for purchasing fuel
India has agreed to extend an additional USD 500 million credit line to help Sri Lanka import fuel, Finance Minister Ali Sabry said, amid delays in chalking out a bailout package with the IMF to mitigate the dire financial crisis facing the island nation. Sri Lanka has been struggling to pay for imports after its foreign exchange reserves plummeted sharply in recent times, causing a devaluation of its currency and spiralling inflation. “India has agreed to provide an additional USD 500 million for our fuel imports,” Sabry said on Friday, while adding that he was hopeful that New Delhi would consider handing out another USD 1 billion dollars as a credit line.
Russian offensive continues in east
Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai says that two people were killed by Russian shelling in the city of Popasna. Haidai said Saturday on the messaging app Telegram that residential buildings in the region were shelled 12 times the previous day, and Popasna “got the most” of it.
UK says Russian forces made no major gains in the last 24 hours
Russian forces have made no major gains in the last 24 hours despite increased activity, as Ukrainian counterattacks continue to hinder their efforts, British military intelligence said on Saturday. Despite Russia's claimed conquest of the port city of Mariupol, heavy fighting continues to frustrate Moscow's attempts to capture the city, impeding their progress in the Donbas region, the Ministry of Defence tweeted in a regular bulletin.
South Korea reports 75,449 new COVID-19 cases
South Korea reported 75,449 new COVID-19 cases as of midnight Friday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 16,830,469, the health authorities said on Saturday. The daily caseload was down from 81,058 the previous day and far lower than 107,896 a week earlier, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The health authorities believed that the daily caseload has been on the decline following the resurgence, driven by the Omicron variant and its subvariant BA.2, which peaked in mid-March.
IIT Madras turns Covid-19 cluster with 55 testing positive
With 25 more testing positive, the total number of persons infected with Coronavirus in the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) has gone up to 55, said Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan. According to him, the tests are being conducted in the 19 hostels in IITM complex. The infection rate is higher in a hostel that has students from other states.
China logs 2,971 new local COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours
The Chinese mainland reported 2,971 new locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, of which 2,736 were reported in Shanghai, said the National Health Commission on Saturday. Besides Shanghai, the rest of the local cases were reported in 16 other provincial-level regions including 136 in the northeastern province of Jilin, and six in Beijing, reported Xinhua citing the commission. China also reported 21,355 locally transmitted asymptomatic infections of the novel coronavirus on Friday, of which, 20,634 were reported in Shanghai.
New Pakistan government says willing to curb fuel subsidies
Pakistan's new finance minister on Friday agreed with IMF recommendations to reduce fuel subsidies and end a business tax amnesty scheme, pledging to pursue structural reforms to boost a crisis-wracked economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2019 approved a $6 billion loan over three years for Pakistan but disbursement has been slowed by concerns about the pace of reforms.
Russia's standing in G-20 not threatened by Ukraine invasion
The last time Russia invaded Ukraine, in 2014, outraged world leaders booted Russia out of the Group of Eight industrialized nations, which quickly rebranded itself the Group of Seven. Eight years later, the G-7 is still holding at seven — a collection of countries that meet to talk through big issues like trade, economics and security.
Devotees take part in fire ritual in Karnataka temple
In line with an age-old tradition, hundreds of devotees hurled burning palm fronds at each other while paying reverence to goddess Durga at a temple here in Kateel town. Bare-chested and dhoti clad men threw burning fronds at each other in the unique centuries-old fire-fighting ritual, 'Agni Kheli', to appease the goddess at Durgaparameshwari Temple in the town situated around 30 kilometres from here. The ritual of "Thoothedhara" or "Agni Kheli" takes place every year in the month of April as part of the grand festival at the temple that continues for eight consecutive days.
Amit Shah on day-long visit to Bihar, to engage in public and political events today
A day after attending various events in Madhya Pradesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday will spend the whole day in Bihar and engage in public and political events beginning with a programme to honour freedom fighter Veer Kunwar Singh as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Shah's Bihar visit is part of his three-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Puducherry that started on Friday. As per the engagements, Shah will visit Jagdishpur in Bihar's Bhojpur district and attend an event organized to celebrate 'Babu Veer Kunwar Singh Vijayutsav'.
India reports 2,527 new Covid cases
India has reported 2,527 new Covid cases, 1,656 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the Union government said on Saturday. Active caseload has risen to 15,079. The Union health ministry said India also reported 33 deaths in a span on 24 hours.
Zelenskyy warns Russia is eyeing other countries after Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia's invasion of his country was just the beginning and that Moscow has designs on capturing other countries, after a Russian general said it wants full control over southern Ukraine.
Eleven more cases in Thane district
Thane district of Maharashtra recorded 11 new coronavirus positive cases, which took its infection count to 7,08,953, an official said on Saturday. These cases were reported on Friday, he said. As no fresh fatality linked to the infection was recorded in the district during the day, its death toll remained unchanged at 11,889.
Amit Shah to visit Bihar today
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Bihar today. He will attend a program organised in the memory of Babu Veer Kunwar Singh, one of the heroes of the 1857 Revolt, in Jagdishpur and the Convocation of Gopal Narayan Singh University in Rohtas.
Shanghai logs around 23,000 cases on Friday
China’s financial hub, Shanghai, reported 20,634 asymptomatic cases of the virus, while 2,736 symptomatic cases were also reported in the last 24 hours. The country records its symptomatic and asymptomatic cases separately.
Sailors' families seek answers about Russian ship sinking
It took the Russian military over a week to acknowledge that one serviceman died and two dozen others were missing after one of its flagship cruisers sank in the Black Sea, reportedly the result of a Ukrainian missiles strike. The acknowledgment happened after families started searching desperately for their sons who, they said, served on the ship and did not come home, and relatives are posing sharp questions about Russia's initial statement that the entire crew was evacuated. Russia's Defense Ministry said Friday in a terse announcement that one crew member died and 27 were left missing after a fire damaged the flagship Moskva cruiser last week, while 396 others were evacuated.
France braces for Le Pen-Macron showdown
France on Saturday prepared to choose between centrist President Emmanuel Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen to rule the country for the next five years after a bitterly contested and polarising election campaign. Macron is the favourite to win re-election in the run-off ballot on Sunday, and there are indications he bolstered his advantage with a combative performance in the one-off election debate against a somewhat defensive Le Pen. But the president and his allies have insisted over the last week that nothing is in the bag, with a strong turnout crucial to avoid a shock in France comparable to the 2016 polls that led to Brexit in Britain and the rise to power of Donald Trump in the United States.
Now 50000 migrant workers will be allowed in community space over weekends
Up to 50,000 migrant workers, living in dormitories and working in Singapore's labour-intensive sectors, will be allowed to go about among the community on weekends and public holidays from April 26, an increase from the 30,000 limit now. On weekdays, the limit will be raised to 25,000, up from the 15,000 now, said the Ministry of Health on Friday. The migrant workers, largely from India, Bangladesh and China, may spend up to eight hours out each time, whether on weekdays or weekends.
US warns Solomon Islands PM over security pact with China
The United States on Friday raised "significant concerns" about the security pact signed between Solomon Islands and China and warned that should Beijing maintain any military presence there, the US would "respond accordingly". China and Solomon Islands have signed a framework agreement on security cooperation that neighbours of the South Pacific archipelago fear could open the door to a Chinese naval base in the country. On April 22, a high-level US delegation visited Honiara, Solomon Islands and met for 90 minutes with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, along with two dozen members of his cabinet and senior staff. This visit to Solomon Islands was the final leg of the delegation's trip across the Pacific.
Delhi police questions prime accused Ansar's relatives in WB's East Midnapore
Delhi Police on Friday questioned the maternal uncle and other relatives of prime accused Ansar, residing in West Bengal's East Midnapore, in the Jahangirpuri violence case. The three-member team of the Delhi Crime Branch has been questioning the relatives of the accused. Assistant Sub-Inspector of Delhi Crime Branch Suresh Kumar informed that up till now, the investigation is underway. Kumar also added that the West Bengal police is offering full cooperation to the team.
Pre-departure COVID-19 tests not required for vaccinated travellers to Singapore
All vaccinated travellers arriving in Singapore via air or sea checkpoints will no longer need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test as restrictions for controlling the spread of the coronavirus are eased. The Ministry of Health (MOH) also announced that from July 1, all long-term pass holders aged 13 and above travelling to Singapore will have to be fully vaccinated before entering the country, unless they are medically ineligible for vaccines. This is a change from the present rule, which states that long-term pass holders aged between 13 and 17 can travel into Singapore even if they are not fully vaccinated.
Kremlin critic jailed over denouncing Ukraine war
Russian authorities have opened a criminal case against a prominent opposition activist and remanded him in pre-trial detention Friday for allegedly spreading “false information” about the country’s armed forces. A court in Moscow ordered Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. held in detention until June 12. Lawyer Vadim Prokhorov told reporters that the false information case against Kara-Murza cited a March 15 speech to the Arizona House of Representatives, in which he denounced the war in Ukraine, as the basis for the latest charges. The activist rejects the accusations.
Biden says Xi Jinping told him Quad was against China
US President Joe Biden on Friday said his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping once told him that he was strengthening Quad against China. "I indicated to Xi Jinping that I was going to pull together the Quad: Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. He said, 'You're just doing that to affect us.' I said, 'No, it's because we're trying to put together those folks who have an opportunity to work together in the Indo-Pacific'," Biden said during a party fundraiser event at a private residence in Seattle.
UNICEF seeks $250mn to help children facing drought in Horn of Africa
The United Nations Children's Fund, or UNICEF has said it has revised its emergency appeal from $119 million to nearly $250 million to help millions of children facing severe drought in the Horn of Africa. UNICEF on Friday warned that the number of children facing severe drought conditions across the Horn of Africa has increased by more than 40 per cent in the space of two months, Xinhua news agency reported.
Joint security review meeting held to oversee Amarnath Yatra preparations
A joint security review meeting was conducted on Friday at the 3 Sector Manasbal by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Central Kashmir Range, DIG Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Army officials to oversee the preparations for the Amarnath Yatra 2022. As per the police press release, during the meeting, a detailed security review of all the locations en route yatra, including transit camps, and base camps at Baltal and Domail was taken. Senior officers also reviewed the traffic management for smooth passage of yatra convoys and the availability of parking places.
Imran Khan destroyed Pakistan's economy: Nawaz Sharif
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday attacked the country's ex-prime minister Imran Khan for "destroying Pakistan's economy". Addressing a press conference alongside Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in London, he once again rejected "foreign conspiracy" charge made by Imran Khan. "Were you involved in holding an atomic blast? Why will there be a foreign conspiracy against you?" Nawaz was quoted as saying by The News International newspaper.
5.7 quake shakes southern Bosnia, felt across Balkans
A 5.7-magnitude earthquake rocked southern Bosnia late Friday and was felt across the Balkans, the US Geological Survey said. The shallow quake struck at 21:07 GMT and was centred 14 kilometres (nine miles) northeast of the town of Ljubinje, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of major damage. The tremor was felt as far away as Belgrade, Zagreb and Skopje, more than 400 kilometres from the epicentre, according to AFP correspondents. Reports to the USGS indicated it was also felt in Albania and southern Italy.
After Moscow visit, UN chief to meet Zelensky in Ukraine
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine next week after a stop in Moscow to confer with President Vladimir Putin about the war, the UN said Friday. Guterres will see Zelensky and Ukraine's foreign minister on Thursday, two days after visiting Moscow, the United Nations said in a statement. The Kremlin confirmed on Friday that Putin would meet Guterres on Tuesday. Guterres sent letters this week requesting these in-person meetings to try to regain the initiative for the UN, which has been largely marginalized from the crisis since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
US discourages India's reliance on Russia for defence needs: Pentagon
The United States discourages India to rely on Russia for its defence needs, the Pentagon said Friday. "We've been very clear with India as well as other nations that we don't want to see them rely on Russia for defence needs. We've been nothing but honest about that and discouraging that," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters at a news conference here. "At the same time, we also value the defence partnership that we have with India. And as was evidenced a week ago, we're looking at ways to improve that going forward. That's going to continue because it matters and it's important,” he said.
IS claims responsibility for explosions across Afghanistan
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the explosions in different Afghan cities that killed more than 40 people, media reports said on Friday. IS took responsibility for the blasts in Mazar-e-Sharif and She Dokan mosque. In another explosion in the northern Kunduz province, an explosion on Friday tore through Mawlawi Sekander Mosque in Imam Sahib district, as worshippers gathered for Friday afternoon prayers.
Sitharaman discusses COVID-19, Russia-Ukraine conflict with World Bank president
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with World Bank President David Malpass in Washington on Friday and discussed several key economic issues including India's continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and impact of Russia-Ukraine conflict. They also discussed India's upcoming G20 Presidency and World Bank leadership in India. During the meeting, the Finance Minister stated that India's pandemic response has focused on the twin goals of saving lives and livelihoods. India has been successfully running world's 2nd largest vaccination programme, administering more than 1.85 billion doses of vaccines, she said.
New vessel 'Urja Pravaha' inducted into Indian Coast Guard
The Indian Coast Guard Ship (Auxiliary Barge) named Urja Pravaha has been inducted into the Indian Coast Guard at Gujarat's Bharuch. Urja Pravaha arrived in Kochi on Friday and will be under the operational command of Coast Guard District Headquarters-4 (Kerala and Mahe), in addition to auxiliary barge Urja Shrota, which was based here since 2017, a press release of the Indian Coast Guard said. As per the release, the ship will enhance the desired logistics support for ships deployed at far-flung areas in the Maritime Operational area including EEZ and Lakshadweep/ Minicoy islands.
US, Europe urge China not to undermine sanctions against Russia
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met European External Action Service Secretary General Stefano Sannino in Brussels to hold the third high-level meeting of the US-EU Dialogue on China. "Together, they exchanged views on their respective bilateral relations with China. In particular, they held an in-depth discussion on their recent engagement with China on Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine," US State Department said in a press statement after the meeting between the two sides on April 21 and April 22. They underscored they will continue to urge China not to circumvent or undermine sanctions against Russia, and not to provide any form of support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and reaffirmed that such support would have consequences for our respective relationships with China.
BJP leader Mohit Kamboj alleges Shiv Sena, Maharashtra CM attempted to kill him
BJP leader Mohit Kamboj on Friday alleged that his car was attacked by a mob at Kalanagar Junction in Mumbai, and called it an attempt to kill him by the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Kamboj had once alleged that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ministers have links with 'drugs mafias'. The BJP leader said that the governance in Maharashtra is worse than that in West Bengal."My car was attacked at Kalanagar Junction by a mob. We managed to flee. Governance in Maharashtra proving to be worse than that in Bengal. Opposition leaders who expose corrupt ministers like Nawab Malik are being attacked by the state government...I condemn it," Kamboj said.
Wall Street down third week in row as interest rate hike fears come to head
Wall Street fell for a third straight week as fears of aggressive interest rate hikes by a Federal Reserve eager to break the back of the worst US inflation in 40 years led to an investor exodus from stocks and even safe-havens such as gold. The three major US stock indexes - the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite - closed Friday's trade down by an average of 2.7%. For the week, their average decline was 2.8%, adding to the average net loss of 2.6% over two previous weeks. Stocks have been in a downtrend most of April, with the Fed planning some of its most aggressive monetary tightening ever to put the brakes on price pressures running riot since the breakout of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has squeezed global supplies of oil, grains and specialty metals.
Cuba and US take tentative step with talks on migration
Cuba and the United States took a tentative step toward unthawing relations and resuming joint efforts to address irregular migration, a senior Cuban official said Friday following the highest-level talks between the two countries in four years. There were no major breakthroughs, but the mere fact that the US was holding substantive talks was a sign relations might be looking better under President Joe Biden after going into deep freeze under his predecessor, Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said. “They seem committed. They ratified that they are committed to the agreements in place," Fernandez de Cossio said. "So we have no reason to mistrust what they're saying, but time will tell.”
India-US relationship has moved forward and deepened: Finance Minister
The bilateral relationship between India and the US has moved forward and deepened, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday asserting that post the Ukrainian war, she sees more and more windows of opportunities opening. Sitharaman was here to attend the annual spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. During her visit, she also held a host of bilateral meetings and participated in many multilateral meetings. She interacted with several top officials of the Biden administration. "There is an understanding that India's relationship with the United States has actually moved forward. It's gotten deeper. There is no one questioning that,” she told reporters in response to a question on the bilateral relationship.
Russia says one died and 27 were left missing in Moskva fire
Russia says one serviceman was killed and 27 others were left missing after the fire on board the warship Moskva, which sank a week ago following what the Ukrainians boasted was a missile attack. The Russian Defence Ministry said Friday that 396 others were rescued. Shortly after the episode, the ministry said the entire crew of the ship, which was presumed by the media to be about 500 people, had been rescued. The ministry offered no explanation for the contradicting reports.
Mariupol officials: Second mass grave found
Another mass grave has been found outside Mariupol, the city council and an adviser to the mayor said Friday. The city council posted a satellite photo provided by Planet Labs showing what it said was a mass grave 45 meters (147.64 feet) by 25 meters (82.02 feet) that could hold the bodies of at least 1,000 Mariupol residents. It said the new reported mass grave is outside the village of Vynohradne, which is east of Mariupol.
US convening talks on Ukraine's defense needs
The Pentagon says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will convene a meeting next week in Germany of defense officials and military leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss Ukraine's immediate and long-term defense needs. The Pentagon press secretary, John Kirby, said Friday that about 40 nations, including NATO members, were invited and that responses are still arriving for the session to be held Tuesday at Ramstein air base. He did not identify the nations that have agreed to attend but said more details will be provided in coming days.
