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  • Now Baramulla cop posted in Srinagar tests positive

    Srinagar: Sunday turned into fear and threat in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district as two postive cases of COVID-19 reported in a day.

    After Sopore boy tested positve now a policeman of one of the villages of Baramulla tested postive which added more fear among residents in the district.

    An official told news agency KINS
    that a 35 year old police cop was diagnosed positive. Official said that medical team is on the way to his home to track down the persons who may have come in contact with him.
    The Officer further said that the cop was posted outside the district where he had came in close contact with a COVID-19 patient.

    (KINS)

  • Covid-19 | 03 persons including a Cop test positive; Tally reaches 346 in JK

    SRINAGAR: Three persons including a police personnel was tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday.

    Official sources told ANH, that three persons have tested positive for deadly novel #coronavirus on Sunday.

    Among them one is said to be police personnel from Sheeri Baramulla, One from Gund Kaiser Bandipora and a lady from south kashmir’s Kulgam district.

    Sources added, that a message has been dispatched to senior officials and those who have come in contact with these positive cases will be quarantined.

    With surge in positive cases, CoronaVirus positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir climb to 346, morethan 60 have been discharged and 05 deaths have been reported across union territory.

    (AsianNewsHub)

  • Killing of three CRPF men at Sopore: Will take revenge soon, says IG CRPF

    ‘Force capable of fighting Covid and militancy at a time’

    Srinagar: Inspector General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Rajesh Yadav on Sunday said that all security agencies are working the leads about the group responsible for Saturday’s attacked that left three CRPF men dead and revenge will be taken soon.

    Talking to media persons on the side-lines of wreath laying ceremony at Humhama here, the IG CRPF Kashmir (for operations) said that CRPF has been enforcing strict lockdown across Kashmir and yesterday, CRPF men of 179 battalion were on ground to the same job. “Lockdown is being enforced across Kashmir and our boys are busy in that besides fighting militancy. Yesterday, I along with the IGP Kashmir (Vijay Kumar) went to the site of incident at Sopore,” he said.

    He said security agencies are working on some leads about those behind the attack, jointly and “very soon revenge will be taken.” “Those responsible for the attack will be taken to task soon,” the IG said.

    To a query whether enforcing lockdown and fighting Covid-19 pandemic was affected the anti-militancy operations, the IG said that in the recent days many successful operations were conducted including one at Pulwama and Shopian as well. “These are our responsibilities and we are capable of dealing with our all responsibilities professionally,” he said.

    Asked whether they have nailed the outfit behind the attack, the IG said that “security agencies are jointly working on the certain leads.” “As I said, there will be revenge soon,” he said, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

    He said the militancy has been going on in Kashmir for the past 30 years and all the security agencies including CRPF are dealing with it professionally.

    It may be recalled that on Saturday evening, militants fired indiscriminately at the CRPF men of 179 battalion at Ahadbab crossing at Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district leaving three CRPF men including a Head Constable and two Constables dead and two others including a Head Constable and a Constable/driver injured. The injured duo is being treated at the 92-base hospital Srinagar, where there condition is stated as stable — (KNO)

  • Supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies will remain prohibited: MHA

    The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) clarified on Sunday that supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies will remain prohibited during the lockdown.

    On April 15, the MHA had revised its earlier guidelines issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to allow the States to decide on the additional public activities to be allowed from April 20 in non-hotspot zones. It said the additional facilities will have to be based on strict compliance to the existing guidelines on lockdown measures

  • Shortage of medical kits in Maharashtra, says Uddhav Thackeray

    “There is a shortage of medical kits. I won’t lie. But we are doing our best, from centre and from other sources,” said Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray.

    Maharashtra has now completed six weeks of fight against the coronavirus, Mr. Thackeray said.

    “Till last evening we conducted 66796 tests. 95% reports are negative. Around 3600 are positive. Around 350 have recovered. 70-75% are mild symptoms. 52 patients are severe.

    “Last evening, I spoke to private medical practitioners, doctors. They assured us that practice for non-COVID-19 patients will start in Mumbai.

    He said the Government has demarcated red, orange and green zones. Permissions are being given in orange and green zones for certain economic activities.

    “We are not opening district borders, except for goods transport.

    “Intra-district movement in green and orange zones may be allowed.

    “In Mumbai and Pune, which are red zones, door-to-door delivery of newspapers will not be allowed,” Mr. Thackeray said, adding that he was aware he would be criticised by journalists for this step. “In other areas, a rethink of the decision will be done in the next 2 to 3 days.”

    “There are domestic violence reports coming from different quarters of the world. State govt appeals women to dial 100 in case of any such violence,” he said.

    The State govt has come up with 2 more numbers:

    BMC and Birla joint service – 1800120820050

    Tribal development department , Project Mumbai and Praffulla- 18001024040

    “These numbers are to be called in case you are feeling depressed,” said Mr. Thackeray.

    –Alok Deshpande

  • Israel accuses Hezbollah of ‘provocative’ activity

    On Friday night, the Israeli military fired flares along the volatile frontier after signs of a possible border breach. It said it later found damage to its security fence, just inside Israeli territory, in three locations.

    AP

    Israel on Saturday accused the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah of “provocative” activity along the Lebanese-Israeli frontier and said it would complain to the U.N. Security Council.

    In a statement, Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Hezbollah of multiple attempts to breach the border Friday night.

    On Friday night, the Israeli military fired flares along the volatile frontier after signs of a possible border breach. It said it later found damage to its security fence, just inside Israeli territory, in three locations.

    Israel and Hezbollah fought a month-long war in 2006 that ended in a stalemate. Under a U.N.-brokered truce, Hezbollah is barred from conducting military activity along the frontier.

    There was no immediate comment from the Iranian-backed militant group. But in recent days, both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have accused Israel of violating Lebanese airspace.

    Earlier this week, Hezbollah said an Israeli drone destroyed one of its vehicles in neighboring Syria, and Lebanon has reported Israeli drones flying over the capital Beirut. Lebanese soldiers also faced off with Israeli troops along the frontier.

  • Turkmenistan football season restarts with crowds

    Despite international concerns that Turkmen authorities are underplaying the threat of the COVID-19.

    AFP

    Turkmenistan is rebooting its football season on Sunday, with fans flocking back to stadiums in one of the few countries yet to declare a case of coronavirus.

    The reclusive Central Asian state followed other countries around the world when it suspended its eight-team league in March just three games into the season.

    The national football federation cited recommendations by the health ministry and the World Health Organisation for preventing the spread of the illness.

    A month later, and despite international concerns that Turkmen authorities are underplaying the threat of the virus, football is returning, with supporters only too happy to follow the action from the stands.

    “Joy boosts our immunity,” joked Ashir Yusupov, a 34-year-old entrepreneur.

    He said he would be watching reigning champions Altyn Asyr take on early table-toppers Kopetdag in the capital Ashgabat on Sunday.

    Yusupov said he had no fear of crowded places, despite being aware of bans on sports events in other countries.

    “We have no coronavirus, so why not restart our league?” he asked.

    Resisting suspension professional leagues

    Three ex-Soviet states have bucked the global trend for suspending professional leagues: Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Belarus.

    Global interest in the Belarusian league has surged on the back of its decision, while the Tajikistan’s Super Cup final earlier this month attracted a curious multi-lingual online following.

    But Belarus, which has confirmed 4,779 coronavirus cases, has been strongly criticised for allowing fans to attend games.

    Tajikistan has begun its season with matches held behind closed doors, even as its authoritarian government, like that of Turkmenistan, continues to insist there are no cases in the country.

    Ashgabat-based Altyn Asyr, whose name translates as “Golden Age”, won the Turkmen title last year.

    Victory against Kopetdag would take it top of the table, with other teams set to play on Monday.

    Vepa, a 20-year-old student, said he “never misses a game” and will go to the match on Sunday despite not supporting either team.

    His club is Ahal, who represent the region outside Ashgabat from where the family of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and much of the political elite hail.

    Vepa said he was not sure Ahal can mount a serious title challenge but he has high hopes for new signing Elman Tagayev, a 30-year-old midfielder who has returned from a stint with a club in neighbouring Uzbekistan.

    “His game is dynamic and beautiful,” said Vepa, who did not give his second name.

    ‘Impregnable fortress of the motherland’

    Even during Soviet times Turkmenistan was no footballing powerhouse, and the sport is not among those promoted by sports-mad Berdymukhamedov.

    On World Health Day on April 7, the president was shown on state television riding a horse and a bicycle as state employees engaged in mass exercise sessions across the country.

    Such large public events have prompted observers to question how seriously the government is taking the pandemic.

    Since then, Berdymukhamedov has ordered officials to ramp up efforts to detect any cases and prevent the virus spreading.

    The president is known as the nation’s Arkadag, or “Protector.” State media has stressed the importance of his leadership in the pandemic.

    In a poem published in state newspapers on Friday, the president’s favourite poet Gozel Shagulyyeva praised him as “the impregnable fortress of the motherland.” “Protector, you are watching over (our) health,” Shagulyyeva wrote.

  • Coronavirus | U.K. announces 2.67mn pounds to support Pakistan healthcare systems

    According to a statement by the British High Commission in Islamabad, the funding is first in a series of measures to give wide-ranging support to help the poorest and the most vulnerable people in Pakistan during the coronavirus outbreak.

    PTI

    The U.K. on Saturday announced that it would provide 2.67 million pounds of funds to Pakistan for vital health support to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and protect the poorest and most vulnerable people in the country.

    According to a statement by the British High Commission in Islamabad, the funding is first in a series of measures to give wide-ranging support to help the poorest and the most vulnerable people in Pakistan during the Coronavirus outbreak.

    It said that the 2.67 million pounds support will ensure funds for vital health support to Pakistan, build stronger systems to detect and test for COVID-19 and support communities to have the right information to protect themselves and others.

    The statement read that the 2.67 million pounds funds will help people in 27 districts of Pakistan.

    It comes alongside the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s appeal to overseas diaspora to help fund-raise for the COVID-19 response, and the U.K.’s support for Pakistan’s debt relief and loan postponements from the G20 group of countries, according to the statement.

    The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner, said that across the world millions of people were being affected by COVID-19 and expressed confident in Pakistan’s resilience and capability to defeat the pandemic.

    U.K. health support of 2.67 million pounds will help the Government of Pakistan detect COVID-19, protect communities and help those most affected. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our friends in Pakistan at this difficult time, he said.

    According to the statement, the wider package of support which the U.K. will roll-out over the coming weeks will repurpose Department for International Development’s programme of assistance to ensure it helps those at risk and the most vulnerable, during the Coronavirus response.

    The U.K. also announced to provide 1 million pounds for the rapid response of controlling locusts in affected areas in Pakistan, which were having a devastating impact on crops and livelihoods.

    The funding came as the number of coronavirus cases rose to 7,638 in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Health Services reported that 143 people have died so far due to the coronavirus.

  • Coronavirus | Nepal seals 14 mosques, quarantines 33 Indians

    PTI

    Thirty three Indian nationals and seven Pakistanis taking refuge in these mosques have been quarantined, according to a private news channel of the country.

    Authorities in Nepal’s Sunsari district on Saturday sealed 14 mosques and quarantined 33 Indians and seven Pakistanis taking refuge in Kathmandu, amid a surge in the coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country, according to a media report. The mosques were sealed in Itahari Municipality in eastern Nepal.

    Thirty three Indian nationals and seven Pakistanis taking refuge in these mosques have been quarantined, according to Avenues Television, a private news channel.

    The move came a day after 12 Indians were tested positive for COVID-19, nearly doubling the number of infected persons in the country.

    The Indian nationals who tested positive have been staying at a local mosque in Udayupur district of Eastern Nepal. They have been admitted to Special Corona Hospital in Biratnagar of Eastern Nepal for treatment. Sixteen Nepalese nationals who were staying in the same mosque were also quarantined.

    On Friday, the number of COVID-19 patients rose to 30 with 14 new coronavirus cases registered in a single day.

    Meanwhile, main Opposition party Nepali Congress has demanded that the government form an all-party mechanisms in each of the local units to monitor the distribution of relief material to the needy during the lockdown imposed to control the coronavirus outbreak.

    Nepal will be under lockdown until April 27. The party also alleged discrimination by the local government while distributing relief material to the needy people.

  • COVID-19 | Recovered patient tests positive again in Himachal

    The total number of active cases in the hill state has increased to 23 out of the total 40 positive cases.

    PTI

    A man, who had recovered from the novel coronavirus, was again found suffering from the infection in Himachal Pradesh, officials said.

    The man, a Tablighi Jamaat member, tested positive for the infection on Saturday within a week of his two reports coming out negative, they said.

    Residents of different places in Mandi district, the man along with two other Jamaatis had been staying in a mosque of Nakroh village in Una’a Amb tehsil and all tested positive on April 2.

    They were admitted to Tanda’s Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC) in Kangra district on April 3.

    As per the available information, they had tested negative for the first time on April 10 and they were declared as cured as per protocol after they tested negative for the second time on April 12.

    Subsequently they had been discharged from the RPGMC and were kept in institutional quarantine.

    However, with the man again testing positive, the total number of active cases in the hill state has increased to 23 out of the total 40 positive cases.

    Four persons have been shifted to a private hospital outside the state. Eleven have recovered while two others have died.

    A total of 16 confirmed cases were found in Una and health department statistics now shows 14 active cases and two cured.

    Officials said 11 patients — three each from Chamba, Kangra, and Solan districts and two from Una district — have recovered.