Breaking News, April 19

As per the information given by Indian Railways, "Indian Railways is running its passenger trains normally. Keeping in view the pandemic situation, passengers are requested to avoid any panic/speculation and come to stations only if they have confirmed/RAC ticket. All social distancing norms to be followed." 

As per the information provided by Rajya Sabha Secretariat, "In view of imposition of 6-day lockdown in Delhi, all categories of employees of Rajya Sabha Secretariat may, subject to exigencies of work in office, work from home between April 20 and April 23." 

Kerala government imposes curfew between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am from April 20, essential services are exempted.  The order reads, "Tuition centers shall only function through online medium and should not hold physical classes." 

GautamBuddha Nagar district administration extends night curfew between 8:00 pm and 7:00 am till April 30.

Himachal Pradesh government orders closure of all educational institutes till May 1 after a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur over COVID-19 situation. The state has recorded 1,695 cases today.

As per the information provided by the Delhi Government, "Summer vacations rescheduled, to be from April 20 to June 9 in all the government, government-aided and unaided recognised schools." 

Vaccination phase 3: Government of India announces liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination from May 1. Everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get vaccine. 

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday tested positive for COVID-19. The 88-year-old leader has been admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre in Delhi, news agency ANI reported. 

Former PM Manmohan Singh tests positive for COVID19, admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre in Delhi: AIIMS Official. 

As per the information provided by IOCL, "Indian Oil Corporation Limited has begun the supply of 150 Metric tonnes of oxygen at no cost to various hospitals in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab." 

Impose lockdown in Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur: Allahabad HC to UP Govt

As per the information provided by the Ministry of Defence, "DRDO develops SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) supplemental oxygen delivery system which can be used for moderate COVID patients for oxygen flow therapy."

Ingenuity, our Mars Helicopter has had a successful first flight, says NASA

A court in Delhi refuses to grant 4 days of police custody of Deep Sidhu, in a case related to Republic Day violence. The court remands him to 14 days judicial custody.

Amid rising cases of coronavirus pandemic across nation, All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Guleria said, "It is of no use if steroids are given on day one. They are useful only in moderate to severe illness when oxygen saturation is falling."

Amid rising cases of coronavirus pandemic, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "Night curfew is not the solution. We should remain alert, there is nothing to panic." 

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has called a meeting of Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council leaders on April 20 (Tuesday) to discuss COVID-19 management via video conferencing. Governor Vajubhai Vala will also attend the meeting. 

Jammu & Kashmir: Encounter underway between security forces and terrorists in Zeipora area of Shopian

Moderate polling was recorded in the first six hours of voting on Monday for the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls in 20 districts where 3.48 lakh candidates are in the fray for over 2.23 lakh posts. While Baghpat recorded the maximum polling percentage of 41.70 till 1 PM, Gonda recorded the lowest of 25.80 per cent.

The polling percentage in Bijnor was 41.22
39.60 in Azamgarh
35 per cent in Varanasi
37.60 per cent in Lalitpur
30.78 per cent in Sultanpur
38.20 per cent in Kannauj
35.67 per cent in Maharajganj 
30.37 per cent in Pratapgarh

Delhi: Migrant workers gather at Anand Vihar Terminal to return to their native places

Former UP Governor Ram Naik's office reported that he has tested positive for COVID 19 and is currently under home quarantine. 
Naik had served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government at the Centre. 

CM Arvind Kejriwal addressed a press conference and announced a lockdown. "Lockdown won't stop the virus but will reduce its spread", he said as he announced a 6-day lockdown in the capital with only essential services functional. It will be enacted from 10 PM tonight.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday attacked the Centre and said 'India deserved better as national security massively jeopardised by wasteful talks with China'.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address a press conference at 12 wherein Covid 19 curfew-related announcement can be made. One week lockdown in Delhi is speculated. 

Dharampur's Pinegrove School reported 49 Covid positive cases on Monday, which included both staff members and students. This took the total active cases in two schools to 150. Deputy Commissioner KC Chaman told the media the situation was alarming at Pinegrove Schools in Dharampur and Subathu. Both schools have been declared containment zones.Earlier, Dalhousie Public School, a prominent residential school in Chamba district, reported 122 cases, of which 99 were students and 23 staff members. 

A popular single screen in Kolkata has decided to suspend screening of films from April 23 in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases. The owner of Navina single screen, located in the Tollygunge area, Navin Chokhani said the decision was taken in view of health considerations of the average public. "We will suspend the operations for some time on public health issue. We hope to be back as soon as possible," Chokhani said.

Greater Noida: People cast their vote for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls

Maharashtra: State Government's statewide restrictions till May 1st in the wake of the COVID-19 situation, continues

Voting underway for the second phase of  Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls

Bihar: Mewalal Choudhary, JDU MLA and former minister, passes away due to COVID-19 at a hospital in Patna

Maharashtra: At about 2 am last night, fire broke out at Aircel Sanitizer Company in the Asangaon area of Thane district

Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Bachi Singh Rawat died at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences on Sunday. He was 71. Rawat was admitted to the hospital on Saturday after he complained of difficulty in breathing. Medical Superintendent of AIIMS, BS Bastia, confirmed his death.

Rawat was brought in an air ambulance from Haldwani and was admitted to the emergency ward of the hospital. Preliminary tests had revealed an infection in his lungs.

Mamata Banerjee will not campaign in Kolkata anymore. There will be only one 'symbolic' meeting on the last day of campaigning in the city on April 26. She has restricted election rallies' time in all districts to 30 minutes: TMC leader Derek O'Brien

Amid increasing COVID caseload, passengers coming from outside to be tested at airports, railway stations, bus stands & inter-state borders. Testing to be done in rural areas as well. Strict action against those black marketing essential medicines. Proper arrangements to be made for sending migrants to isolation centres and hospitals: Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh CM

Three Russian climbers- Sergey Kondrashkin, Alexander Luthokin and Dmitry Sinev are reportedly missing from Annapurna I (8,091 meters). Search operation to begin in the morning. Details awaited: Liaison Officials