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  • Pakistan National Assembly Speaker tests COVID 19 positive

    “I tested positive for coronavirus and quarantined myself in my house. I urge the entire nation to take preventive measures,” he wrote on Twitter on Thursday after he received his test report from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad.

    IANS

    Pakistan’s National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and went into self-isolation, he confirmed in a tweet.

    “I tested positive for coronavirus and quarantined myself in my house. I urge the entire nation to take preventive measures,” he wrote on Twitter on Thursday after he received his test report from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad.

    Mr. Qaiser’s brother, Abdul Wahid confirmed to The Express Tribune that the NA speaker’s son and daughter were also tested positive for the contagious disease and have been quarantined.

    Earlier, Mr. Qaiser’s brother-in-law and sister were diagnosed with the disease.

    In violation of the government’s policy of social distancing, Mr. Qaiser had reportedly hosted Iftar-dinner at his residence on Monday.

    He has joined the list of politicians who have contracted the deadly disease that has so far infected 16,353 people and claimed 361 lives across the country.

    Just three days ago, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail had also tested positive.

    On April 21, Prime Minister Imran Khan was tested after Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi, who met him a few days ago, was diagnosed positive for the respiratory illness.

    Fortunately, the premier was reported negative a day after the test.

  • Terrorists inciting people via fake news, J&K tells SC; opposes 4G internet in UT

    The submissions were made in response to a plea filed by Foundation for Media Professionals seeking restoration of 4G internet services in the Union Territory in view of prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

    PTI

    Terror modules operating within Jammu and Kashmir and their handlers from across the border incite people by transmission of fake news, the UT administration has told the Supreme Court while opposing restoration of 4G services in the Union Territory.

    It said there were well-founded apprehensions of misuse of internet for propagation of terror activities and incitement through the circulation of inflammatory material — particularly fake videos and photos as also co-ordination of activities that are inimical to security and public order.

    “The terror modules operating within the UTs and handlers from across the border aid and incite people by transmission of fake news and targeted messages through use of internet to propagate terrorism, co-ordinate and plan terror attacks,” an affidavit filed by the UT’s administration said.

    The submissions were made in response to a plea filed by Foundation for Media Professionals seeking restoration of 4G internet services in the Union Territory in view of prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Pakistan-based terrorism handlers like The Resistance Front (TRF) and Tehreeki-Milat-i-Islami (TMI), instigating youth to join terrorism, are using messaging applications to communicate as also to raise the morale of terrorists; however 2G mobile data services considerably restrict the use of such Applications,” the affidavit said.

    Restoration of 4G mobile data services will substantially increase the use of social media and other online platforms in uploading/downloading of videos and other propaganda material and their faster circulation, deteriorating the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley, it said.

    The internet is being used to support fallacious proxy wars by raising money, recruiting and spreading propaganda/ideologies and prevalence of the internet provides an easy inroad to young impressionable minds, J&K said.

    It said that till April 25, 108 terrorism-related incidents took place with 99 Incidents reported from the Kashmir Province while 9 others from Jammu province. .

    “30 civilians lost their lives, while 114 civilians were injured in terrorist-related incidents“.

    The affidavit said that even the top court has not been spared of the ill effects of habitual fake news propaganda which took place very recently involving a fake order purporting to be a Record of Proceeding of this court. It had falsely reflected that administration of J&K has been ordered to take a quick review within 24 hours to restore full internet communication in the region.

    It said that an FIR under sections 465 (forgery), 466 (forgery of court record) and 471 (using forged document as genuine) of the IPC was filed in this regard at the Cyber Police Station, Kashmir Zone.

    It said that umpteen rumours relating to number of positive COVID-19 cases/deaths, creating chaos and panic; health-related fake news of prominent people in Jammu & Kashmir like that of Chairman, All Party Hurriyat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, shutdown call by JKLF on the eve of death anniversary of Mohd. Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru, to observe Republic Day as black day have been doing the rounds.

    The J&K administration told the apex court that a very reasonable quantum of restrictions have been imposed by reducing the speed of internet to protect the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.

    The dispensation told the top court that even when internet services were restored only with white-listed URLs, it was found that miscreants were using different VPNs but because of low speed mobile data services, were not able to upload files of heavy data containing incriminating and other objectionable videos.

  • UP man cycles 100 km alone to marry, rides double with bride on way back

    PTI

    Undeterred by the coronavirus lockdown, a 23-year-old man in Uttar Pradesh kept his marriage date even if he had to pedal some 100 km to reach his bride’s home, all alone — no family members in tow.

    Kalku Prajapati of Pauthiya village in Hamirpur district was waiting till the last minute for permission from the administration for his marriage on April 25.

    But on finding that it was not coming, he decided to go all alone on his bicycle to his bride Rinki’s place at Puniya village in neighbouring Mahoba district, 230 km south of Lucknow.

    “We were not getting permission from the local police for the marriage. I was left with no option but to go on bicycle, all alone, to reach there,” Prajapati, who studied till Class X and a farmer by profession, said.

    “Those people (in-laws) had also got wedding cards printed and were ready for the wedding on the decided date,” Prajapati told PTI over phone.

    The marriage was fixed four-five months ago. The bride’s family had phoned for the ceremony and Prajapati went for it, according to his father.

    “Though I have a motorcycle, I have no driving licence. Bicycle was most handy,” Prajapati said. “With a handkerchief around my mouth to save myself from any infection, as advised by all, I set off in the morning in jeans and T-shirt.”

    Interestingly, the wedding was performed in a village temple with both the bride and the groom posing before camera in their normal attires with mouths covered, a picture for posterity of the times prevailing during their wedding.

    Only the most necessary of ceremonies were held and the couple now awaits for the lifting of the coronavirus lockdown for the remaining functions, including a feast for the villagers, to be completed.

    “We will get the cards printed and invite all those who had been inviting us since years and also complete the remaining ceremonies,” Prajapati said.

    If anything, the return journey after the marriage was even more arduous for Prajapati who had to carry his newlywed wife as pillion.

    “I pedalled all the way back with double load. Even in my dream, I had not thought that my legs will have such pain. I could not sleep and had to take pills to ease it,” he recalled, adding that both the families were happy that the marriage had been solemnised.

    On why Prajapati did not wait for lifting of the lockdown, he said there were problems at his home with his mother keeping unwell and there being no one to cook for the family.

    “Besides, we do not know how long it will take for the lockdown to be lifted,” he added.

  • Virus was not manmade: U.S. agencies

    Intel officials ‘are examining whether the origins of the pandemic trace to an accident at a Chinese lab’

    AP

    U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that the new coronavirus was “not manmade or genetically modified” but say they are still examining whether the origins of the pandemic trace to contact with infected animals or an accident at a Chinese lab.

    The statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the clearinghouse for the web of U.S. spy agencies, comes as President Donald Trump and his allies have touted the as-yet-unproven theory that an infectious disease lab in Wuhan, the epicentre of the Chinese outbreak, was the source of the global pandemic that has killed more than 220,000 worldwide.

    In recent days, the Trump administration has sharpened his rhetoric on China, accusing the geopolitical foe and vital trading partner of failing to act swiftly enough to stop the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 or sound the alarm to the world about the outbreak.

    “The Intelligence Community also concurs with the wide scientific consensus that the COVID-19 virus was not manmade or genetically modified,” said the statement. “The IC will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan.”

    Mr. Trump addressed the theory earlier this month, saying, “More and more, we’re hearing the story.” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added: “The mere fact that we don’t know the answers — that China hasn’t shared the answers — I think is very, very telling.”

    Mr. Pompeo also pressed China to let outside experts into the lab “so that we can determine precisely where this virus began.”

    Scientists say the virus arose naturally in bats. Even so, Mr. Pompeo and others have pointed fingers at an institute that is run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It has done groundbreaking research tracing the likely origins of the SARS virus, finding new bat viruses and discovering how they could jump to people.

    “We know that there is the Wuhan Institute of Virology just a handful of miles away from where the wet market was,” Mr. Pompeo said two weeks ago. The institute has an address 13 kilometers, from the market.

    U.S. officials say the American Embassy in Beijing flagged concerns about potential safety issues at the lab in Wuhan in 2018, but have yet to find any evidence the virus originated there nearly two years later.

    Purely fabricated

    The Chinese government said on Thursday that any claims that the coronavirus was released from a laboratory are “unfounded and purely fabricated out of nothing.”

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang cited the institute’s director, Yuan Zhiming, as saying the lab strictly implements bio-security procedures that would prevent the release of any pathogen.

    “I would like to point out again that the origin of the virus is a complex scientific issue, and it should be studied by scientists and professionals,” Mr. Geng said.

    He also criticised U.S. politicians who have suggested China should be held accountable for the global pandemic, saying they should spend their time on “better controlling the epidemic situation at home”. But a government spokesman, Zhao Lijian, demonstrated that China was not above sowing confusion . He tweeted in March the falsehood that the virus might have come from the U.S. Army.

  • Coronavirus | Russian Prime Minister tests positive for COVID-19

    Mikhail Mishustin will continue to take part in drafting policies to shore up the Russian economy

    AP

    Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says he has tested positive for the new coronavirus and has told President Vladimir Putin he will self-isolate.

    First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov will temporarily perform Mr. Mishustin’s duties, but the prime minister said on Thursday that he would stay in touch on key issues.

  • BOSE chairperson gets extension of 2 months

    Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday gave further extension of two months to chairperson of Board of School Education (BOSE), Prof. Veena Pandita.

    As already reported by news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the government has constituted a high-level panel for appointment of BOSE head.

    The government had last month given one month extension to Prof. Veena Pandita due to delay in appointing new head of the prestigious body –(KNO)

  • DySP’s Case: NIA Arrests Sarpanch Associated With BJP

    Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a man from Kashmir Valley in connection with the case pertaining to the arrest of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davinder Singh, who was suspended after his arrest by police for driving militants out of the Kashmir Valley earlier this year.

    The man, Tariq Ahmed Mir, has been held for providing logistic support to militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Mir, a resident of Meldoora Shopian was arrested from Chinad Delina Baramulla from his rented accommodation. Official sources told GNS that he is a Sarpanch of Meldoora village and later joined BJP.

    Meanwhile, Mir was sent to six days of NIA custody by a court, sources said. While sources confirmed that Mir had joined BJP, no functionary from the saffron party could be contacted for the comment.

    Earlier this year, Davinder Singh was arrested by police along with two militants and an overground worker while he was allegedly driving them out of the Kashmir Valley to outside J&K. He was suspended following his arrest and the case was later taken over by the NIA. (GNS)

  • JK Govt winds up vigilance commission

    Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday issued a formal order announcing the winding up of Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Commission that was constituted under the Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission Act 2011.

    The General Administration department of Jammu and Kashmir issued a formal order for winding up of Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Commission on Thursday evening.

    News Agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in it’s media bulletin on April 01 had reported that the Government of India has repealed the laws under which State Vigilance Commission and State Commission for Backward Classes Act were established.

    In the fresh order issued by General Administration Department, it has been mentioned that the Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Commission is winded up pursuant to the repeal of Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission Act, 2011 in terms of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of state laws) order, 2020.

    The General Administration Department of JK Government further ordered that the staff of JKs Vigilance Commission drawn from various departments shall report to their concerned Administrative department.

    The staff drawn from various corporations, PSUs, organizations and posted in Vigilance Commission have also been asked to report to the department and organisation concerned.

    Furthermore, a committee comprising of Financial Advisor / CAO and under-secretary posted in commission shall handover the record, electronic equipment, books and other miscellaneous items to Director Anti-Corruption Bureau of Jammu and Kashmir for safe custody afterwards.

    It has also been ordered that building of commission shall be handed over to Director Estates along with the furniture items and Genset facility.

    The above mentioned committed shall also handover the vehicles of commission to Director JK Motor Garages—(KNO)

  • Gujarat reports 17 deaths taking total to 214

    PTI

    Gujarat adds 313 new infections and 17 deaths, bringing the total numbers to 4395 cases and 214 fatalities. Today, 89 patients have recovered and discharged, taking the total recovery to 613.

  • Coronavirus | Reliance cuts employees’ salary by 10-50%; Mukesh Ambani to forgo salary

    While Mukesh Ambani would forgo his entire ₹15 crore compensation, the company’s board of directors including executive directors, executive committee members and senior leaders would forgo 30-50% of their compensation.

    PTI

    With coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown hitting the businesses hard, Reliance Industries has decided to cut the salary of most of its employees by 10-50% with the company’s chairman Mukesh Ambani agreeing to forgo all his remuneration.

    Also, the oil-to-technology conglomerate has deferred the annual cash bonus and performance-linked incentives that are normally paid in the first quarter, according to an employee communique.

    The nationwide lockdown that began on March 25 had led to evaporation of demand as factories shut down, offices closed, air flights suspended, trains stopped and restrictions on the movement of people and goods placed.

    Reliance’s hydrocarbon business was adversely impacted due to a reduction in demand for refined products and petrochemicals. The company’s different vertical heads wrote to their employees about the salary-cut decision.

    “This has, of course, put pressure on our hydrocarbons business necessitating optimisation and cost reduction across all fronts,” it said. “The situation demands that we maintain a razor-sharp focus on operating costs and fixed costs and all of us need to contribute to making this happen.”

    While Mukesh Ambani would forgo his entire ₹15 crore compensation, Reliance board of directors including executive directors, Executive Committee (EC) members and senior leaders would forgo 30-50% of their compensation.

    Employees with compensation of less than ₹15 lakh will have no reduction in compensation but those earning higher than that could see a 10% reduction in the fixed pay.

    Mr. Ambani draws ₹15 crore as annual compensation for being the chairman and managing director of the company. His salary has remained unchanged since 2008-09, forgoing over ₹24 crore per annum.

    “We will closely monitor the economic- and business environment, re-evaluate our response to the situation on a continuous basis and strive to improve the earning capacity of our business,” it said.

    The lockdown period, the company communique said, has also provided several opportunities to reorganise and digitalise business processes to generate significant improvements in productivity, efficiency and costs.

    “Together, we will embrace these opportunities and work towards restoring our compensation levels to normalcy,” it said.

    The communication said the firm’s various initiatives on all fronts will help strengthen the organisation to become more resilient in coping with business uncertainties in a volatile and uncertain world. They will help us navigate through these challenging times with agility and emerge as industry leaders.