Sri Lankan authorities fear a fresh outbreak of coronavirus infections after thousands of mourners paid their respects to the body of a respected union leader on Saturday, defying a curfew and social distancing rules.

Large crowds were seen jostling to bid farewell to Arumugam Thondaman, the leader of a tea plantation union and a government minister.

The 55-year-old died of a heart attack on Tuesday and is due to be cremated Sunday at Nuwara Eliya, in the country's tea-growing highlands.&nbsp;

Authorities had imposed a 24-hour curfew in an unsuccessful attempt to stop crowds from visiting Thondaman's body.

A statement by a group of government doctors warned the funeral "could undermine public confidence in measures taken so far to contain the spread of the virus and lead to a second wave."

The doctors expressed "displeasure" over the public farewell for Thondaman at a time when health authorities had asked people to restrict funeral attendees to close family members.

Sri Lanka has reported 10 deaths and 1,559 infections since the island country identified its first COVID-19 patient in January.&nbsp;

"Crowd control has been difficult. Distraught supporters have tried to push down police barriers to get into a building and pay their respects," a police officer in the area said.

Large crowds had also gathered at the office of his Ceylon Worker's Congress party in Colombo to view his body before the funeral procession went east for final rites.

Sri Lankan authorities fear a fresh outbreak of coronavirus infections after thousands of mourners paid their respects to the body of a respected union leader on Saturday, defying a curfew and social distancing rules.

Sri Lankan authorities fear a fresh outbreak of coronavirus infections after thousands of mourners paid their respects to the body of a respected union leader on Saturday, defying a curfew and social distancing rules. Large crowds were seen jostling to bid farewell to Arumugam Thondaman, the leader of a tea plantation union and a government minister. The 55-year-old died of a heart attack on Tuesday and is due to be cremated Sunday at Nuwara Eliya, in the country's tea-growing highlands. Authorities had imposed a 24-hour curfew in an unsuccessful attempt to stop crowds from visiting Thondaman's body. A statement by a group of government doctors warned the funeral "could undermine public confidence in measures taken so far to contain the spread of the virus and lead to a second wave." The doctors expressed "displeasure" over the public farewell for Thondaman at a time when health authorities had asked people to restrict funeral attendees to close family members. Sri Lanka has reported 10 deaths and 1,559 infections since the island country identified its first COVID-19 patient in January. "Crowd control has been difficult. Distraught supporters have tried to push down police barriers to get into a building and pay their respects," a police officer in the area said. Large crowds had also gathered at the office of his Ceylon Worker's Congress party in Colombo to view his body before the funeral procession went east for final rites.

Sri Lanka fears new virus outbreak after funeral breaks curfew

Nepal on Saturday registered its highest single-day surge in coronavirus cases with 189 new infections, including 77 from a district bordering India, taking the COVID-19 tally in the country to over 1,400.

Nepal has been reporting more than 100 cases for the last four consecutive days. On Friday, the country reported 170 cases and its sixth COVID-19 death.

One hundred eighty-nine more people, including four women, have been tested positive with the coronavirus, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The country's COVID-19 tally now stands at 1,401, it said.

The new cases included 77 patients from western Nepal's Kapilvastu district bordering India.

Apart from that 17 from Sarlahi, 14 from Dailekh, 11 from Siraha, nine from Saptari, seven from Dhanusha, six from Rautahat, five from Dang, four from Mahottari, two each from Parsa and Sankhuwasabha and one each from Jhapa, Lalitpur and Bara tested positive for COVID-19.

On Saturday, 13 people were discharged from hospitals after their successful treatment.

Now there are 1,176 active coronavirus cases in the country. 
So far, six people have died of coronavirus.&nbsp;

Nepal on Saturday registered its highest single-day surge in coronavirus cases with 189 new infections, including 77 from a district bordering India, taking the COVID-19 tally in the country to over 1,400.

Nepal on Saturday registered its highest single-day surge in coronavirus cases with 189 new infections, including 77 from a district bordering India, taking the COVID-19 tally in the country to over 1,400. Nepal has been reporting more than 100 cases for the last four consecutive days. On Friday, the country reported 170 cases and its sixth COVID-19 death. One hundred eighty-nine more people, including four women, have been tested positive with the coronavirus, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. The country's COVID-19 tally now stands at 1,401, it said. The new cases included 77 patients from western Nepal's Kapilvastu district bordering India. Apart from that 17 from Sarlahi, 14 from Dailekh, 11 from Siraha, nine from Saptari, seven from Dhanusha, six from Rautahat, five from Dang, four from Mahottari, two each from Parsa and Sankhuwasabha and one each from Jhapa, Lalitpur and Bara tested positive for COVID-19. On Saturday, 13 people were discharged from hospitals after their successful treatment. Now there are 1,176 active coronavirus cases in the country. So far, six people have died of coronavirus.

Nepal records highest single-day spike of 189 coronavirus cases

Altogether 180 migrant workers reached Jharkhand from Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Saturday by a state-sponsored charter flight, expressing relief from over two-month-long hardships due to lockdown.

Migrants were flown back home from Andaman and&nbsp;Nicobar a day after 60 stranded workers returned to the state from Leh by a service flight arranged by the state government.

"The expenses of both the flights are borne by the Hemant Soren government", an official statement said here. 
The returnees will be sent by buses to their respective districts after health test, officials said.

The migrants said they were given food and shelter by the Andaman administration, NGOs and fellow natives, settled in the island for several decades.

Migrant workers were flown back home in charter flights by the Jharkhand government after the chief minister wrote to Union Home minister Amit Shah on May 21, seeking permission to operate flights to bring back stranded migrant workers from Andaman-Nicobar Islands, Ladakh and the northeast as they could not be ferried by buses or trains.

The returnees from Andaman and&nbsp;Nicobar had requested the Jharkhand government to make arrangement for their return as they were stranded in the Island following the nationwide lockdown.

The chief minister had also agreed that bringing migrants from some places by train or buses was very difficult and air route was necessary to end mental stress of the migrants.

After emerging from Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport, a labourer said, "Many of us worked in road construction projects and endured much pain due to the lockdown."

He said they were engaged in road construction between South Andaman and North Andaman.

Another labourer said, "We were staying in South Andaman and got food from the administration, NGOs and some people from Jharkhand who have stayed there for a long time."

The migrants went through health screening before they boarded the flight at Port Blair, officials said.

Four years ago, a young tribal woman, who then worked in a shop there, had told visiting journalists from Jharkhand that her forefathers had come to the Island from the state several decades ago and their generations have settled there and also contributed to the development of Andaman.

"Now several generations have settled here (Andaman) and are earning livelihood," she said, tracing her roots to Jharkhand.

According to a Port Blair-based journalist, several natives of this region of the country, which is now known as Jharkhand, were brought to the island in 1930s by the British for infrastructure works and they stayed there since.

"Even a place is named as 'Ranchi-Tegri' and some of the states natives also stay at Bartang," he said.

Nearly 4.5 lakh of around 7 lakh migrant workers spread across the country have reached Jharkhand since May 1 by special trains, buses and now flights.

Till Friday, 313 out of the total 522 confirmed coronavirus cases are migrants. The infection has claimed five lives since the outbreak of the pandemic on March 31.

Jharkhand Water and&nbsp;Sanitation Minister Mithilesh Thakur, who reached the airport to welcome the third batch of migrants returning by flight in as many days, said another flight would take off from Andaman on Sunday.

"This is the third flight which brought migrant workers from places where trains or buses are difficult to bring them. Tomorrow another flight will take off from Andaman &amp; Nicobar Island," Thakur told reporters.

"The government is working to give employment to them in the state," he added.

Besides Thakur, senior MLA and former deputy chief minister Stephen Marandi was also present at the airport and handed food packets to returnees.

They said Jharkhand is the state where the first train and the first flight carrying migrant pravasis reached the state during the lockdown.

A migrant, who hails from Bokaro said, "We were in distress, but now feel relieved after reaching Ranchi."

Altogether 180 migrant workers reached Jharkhand from Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Saturday by a state-sponsored charter flight, expressing relief from over two-month-long hardships due to lockdown.

Altogether 180 migrant workers reached Jharkhand from Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Saturday by a state-sponsored charter flight, expressing relief from over two-month-long hardships due to lockdown. Migrants were flown back home from Andaman and Nicobar a day after 60 stranded workers returned to the state from Leh by a service flight arranged by the state government. "The expenses of both the flights are borne by the Hemant Soren government", an official statement said here. The returnees will be sent by buses to their respective districts after health test, officials said. The migrants said they were given food and shelter by the Andaman administration, NGOs and fellow natives, settled in the island for several decades. Migrant workers were flown back home in charter flights by the Jharkhand government after the chief minister wrote to Union Home minister Amit Shah on May 21, seeking permission to operate flights to bring back stranded migrant workers from Andaman-Nicobar Islands, Ladakh and the northeast as they could not be ferried by buses or trains. The returnees from Andaman and Nicobar had requested the Jharkhand government to make arrangement for their return as they were stranded in the Island following the nationwide lockdown. The chief minister had also agreed that bringing migrants from some places by train or buses was very difficult and air route was necessary to end mental stress of the migrants. After emerging from Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport, a labourer said, "Many of us worked in road construction projects and endured much pain due to the lockdown." He said they were engaged in road construction between South Andaman and North Andaman. Another labourer said, "We were staying in South Andaman and got food from the administration, NGOs and some people from Jharkhand who have stayed there for a long time." The migrants went through health screening before they boarded the flight at Port Blair, officials said. Four years ago, a young tribal woman, who then worked in a shop there, had told visiting journalists from Jharkhand that her forefathers had come to the Island from the state several decades ago and their generations have settled there and also contributed to the development of Andaman. "Now several generations have settled here (Andaman) and are earning livelihood," she said, tracing her roots to Jharkhand. According to a Port Blair-based journalist, several natives of this region of the country, which is now known as Jharkhand, were brought to the island in 1930s by the British for infrastructure works and they stayed there since. "Even a place is named as 'Ranchi-Tegri' and some of the states natives also stay at Bartang," he said. Nearly 4.5 lakh of around 7 lakh migrant workers spread across the country have reached Jharkhand since May 1 by special trains, buses and now flights. Till Friday, 313 out of the total 522 confirmed coronavirus cases are migrants. The infection has claimed five lives since the outbreak of the pandemic on March 31. Jharkhand Water and Sanitation Minister Mithilesh Thakur, who reached the airport to welcome the third batch of migrants returning by flight in as many days, said another flight would take off from Andaman on Sunday. "This is the third flight which brought migrant workers from places where trains or buses are difficult to bring them. Tomorrow another flight will take off from Andaman & Nicobar Island," Thakur told reporters. "The government is working to give employment to them in the state," he added. Besides Thakur, senior MLA and former deputy chief minister Stephen Marandi was also present at the airport and handed food packets to returnees. They said Jharkhand is the state where the first train and the first flight carrying migrant pravasis reached the state during the lockdown. A migrant, who hails from Bokaro said, "We were in distress, but now feel relieved after reaching Ranchi."

After Leh, Jharkhand government flies 180 migrants from Andaman in charter flight

A record single-day spike of 1,163 fresh cases took the COVID-19 tally in Delhi to over 18,000 on Saturday and the death toll due to the disease mounted to 416, authorities said.

The previous daily high in fresh cases, 1,106, was recorded on May 29.

This is the second consecutive day in Delhi when over 1,100 COVID-19 cases have been reported.

In a bulletin issued on Saturday, the Delhi health department said the death toll from coronavirus infection has risen to 416, and the total number of cases mounted to 18,549.

It added the cumulative death figures refers to fatalities where primary cause of death was found to be COVID-19, as per the report of the Death Audit Committee on the basis of case sheets received from various hospitals.

On Friday, the total number of cases stood at 17,386 including 398 deaths.

A record single-day spike of 1,163 fresh cases took the COVID-19 tally in Delhi to over 18,000 on Saturday and the death toll due to the disease mounted to 416, authorities said.

A record single-day spike of 1,163 fresh cases took the COVID-19 tally in Delhi to over 18,000 on Saturday and the death toll due to the disease mounted to 416, authorities said. The previous daily high in fresh cases, 1,106, was recorded on May 29. This is the second consecutive day in Delhi when over 1,100 COVID-19 cases have been reported. In a bulletin issued on Saturday, the Delhi health department said the death toll from coronavirus infection has risen to 416, and the total number of cases mounted to 18,549. It added the cumulative death figures refers to fatalities where primary cause of death was found to be COVID-19, as per the report of the Death Audit Committee on the basis of case sheets received from various hospitals. On Friday, the total number of cases stood at 17,386 including 398 deaths.

Highest spike of 1,163 fresh COVID cases in Delhi takes total to over 18,000

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A day before the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown ends, Ministry of Health Affairs&nbsp;said on Saturday&nbsp;it will be in place in containment zones till June 30.

Reopening of prohibited activities in areas outside containment zones will&nbsp;be done in phased manner.

Also read- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-india-records-more-than-7960-cases-highest-rise-till-now-301982">COVID 19: India records more than 7,960 cases; highest rise till now</a>

Places of religious worship, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls "will be allowed" to operate from June 8, while educational establishments will be opened "after consultations" with Indian state authorities.

There will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods from June 1; no separate permission will be required for such travels.

The night curfew will remain in force from 9pm to 5am across the country.

The announcement came after a&nbsp;total of 7,964 new positive&nbsp;cases were reported in the past 24 hours. This was&nbsp;the highest spike in the past few months.

A day before the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown ends, Ministry of Health Affairs said on Saturday it will be in place in containment zones till June 30. Reopening of prohibited activities in areas outside containment zones will be done in phased manner.

A day before the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown ends, Ministry of Health Affairs said on Saturday it will be in place in containment zones till June 30. Reopening of prohibited activities in areas outside containment zones will be done in phased manner. Also read- COVID 19: India records more than 7,960 cases; highest rise till now Places of religious worship, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls "will be allowed" to operate from June 8, while educational establishments will be opened "after consultations" with Indian state authorities. There will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods from June 1; no separate permission will be required for such travels. The night curfew will remain in force from 9pm to 5am across the country. The announcement came after a total of 7,964 new positive cases were reported in the past 24 hours. This was the highest spike in the past few months.

Nationwide lockdown in containment zones extended till June 30: MHA

As Indian and Chinese troops remain engaged in a tense border standoff, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted that the government will not allow India's pride to be hurt under any circumstances even as he said bilateral talks were on at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the row.

Singh also said that he conveyed to US Defence Secretary Mark T Esper during a telephonic conversation on Friday that India and China have an existing mechanisms to resolve "problems" through talks at diplomatic and military levels.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajanth-singh-us-defence-secretary-mark-esper-discuss-china-build-up-301895" hreflang="en">Rajanth Singh, US defence secretary Mark Esper discuss China build-up</a>

In the midst of the flare-ups between Indian and Chinese armies, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was "ready, willing and able to mediate" between the two countries. He reiterated the offer on Thursday as well. 
The Ministry of External Affairs indirectly rejected the offer two days ago, but Singh became the first central minister to speak on India's position on the issue with clarity.

"I spoke to the US Defence Secretary yesterday. I told him that we have developed a mechanism already under which any problem between India and China are resolved through military and diplomatic dialogue," Singh said.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/when-chinas-pla-troops-clashed-with-india-in-1962-war-over-galwan-valley-301377">When China's PLA troops clashed with India in 1962 war over Galwan valley</a>

He was replying to a question on whether India ruled out any third-party mediation in resolving the border row with China. The defence minister said efforts are on to resolve the border row in eastern Ladakh.

"I want to assure the country that we will not allow India's pride to be hurt under any circumstances. India has been following a clear policy of maintaining good relationship with neighbouring countries and it is not a new approach; We have been following it for long. At times, situation arises with China. It has happened before," he said.

Singh noted that China has also said that it wants to resolve the border issue through diplomatic dialogue.

"It has been India's efforts to ensure that the tension does not escalate. It should be resolved through talks at military and diplomatic levels. Negotiations are ongoing between the two countries at the military and diplomatic levels," he said.

Troops of India and China were engaged in the standoff for over three weeks in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie in eastern Ladakh.

The trigger for the face-off was China's stiff opposition to India laying a key road in the Finger area around the Pangong Tso Lake besides construction of another road connecting the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Galwan Valley.

Military sources said China was also laying a road in the Finger area which is not acceptable to India.

The sources said military reinforcements including troops, vehicles and artillery guns were sent to eastern Ladakh by the Indian Army to shore up its presence in the areas where Chinese soldiers were resorting to aggressive posturing.

The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on the evening of May 5 which spilled over to the next day before the two sides agreed to "disengage". 
However, the standoff continued.

The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on May 9.

The troops of India and China were engaged in a 73-day stand-off in Doklam tri-junction in 2017 which even triggered fears of a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long LAC. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet while India contests it.

Both sides have been asserting that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

As Indian and Chinese troops remain engaged in a tense border standoff, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted that the government will not allow India's pride to be hurt under any circumstances even as he said bilateral talks were on at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the row.

As Indian and Chinese troops remain engaged in a tense border standoff, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted that the government will not allow India's pride to be hurt under any circumstances even as he said bilateral talks were on at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the row. Singh also said that he conveyed to US Defence Secretary Mark T Esper during a telephonic conversation on Friday that India and China have an existing mechanisms to resolve "problems" through talks at diplomatic and military levels. Also read: Rajanth Singh, US defence secretary Mark Esper discuss China build-up In the midst of the flare-ups between Indian and Chinese armies, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was "ready, willing and able to mediate" between the two countries. He reiterated the offer on Thursday as well. The Ministry of External Affairs indirectly rejected the offer two days ago, but Singh became the first central minister to speak on India's position on the issue with clarity. "I spoke to the US Defence Secretary yesterday. I told him that we have developed a mechanism already under which any problem between India and China are resolved through military and diplomatic dialogue," Singh said. Also see: When China's PLA troops clashed with India in 1962 war over Galwan valley He was replying to a question on whether India ruled out any third-party mediation in resolving the border row with China. The defence minister said efforts are on to resolve the border row in eastern Ladakh. "I want to assure the country that we will not allow India's pride to be hurt under any circumstances. India has been following a clear policy of maintaining good relationship with neighbouring countries and it is not a new approach; We have been following it for long. At times, situation arises with China. It has happened before," he said. Singh noted that China has also said that it wants to resolve the border issue through diplomatic dialogue. "It has been India's efforts to ensure that the tension does not escalate. It should be resolved through talks at military and diplomatic levels. Negotiations are ongoing between the two countries at the military and diplomatic levels," he said. Troops of India and China were engaged in the standoff for over three weeks in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie in eastern Ladakh. The trigger for the face-off was China's stiff opposition to India laying a key road in the Finger area around the Pangong Tso Lake besides construction of another road connecting the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Galwan Valley. Military sources said China was also laying a road in the Finger area which is not acceptable to India. The sources said military reinforcements including troops, vehicles and artillery guns were sent to eastern Ladakh by the Indian Army to shore up its presence in the areas where Chinese soldiers were resorting to aggressive posturing. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on the evening of May 5 which spilled over to the next day before the two sides agreed to "disengage". However, the standoff continued. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on May 9. The troops of India and China were engaged in a 73-day stand-off in Doklam tri-junction in 2017 which even triggered fears of a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long LAC. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet while India contests it. Both sides have been asserting that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

Talks at military, diplomatic levels on to resolve Ladakh standoff: Rajnath

Cyprus has pledged to cover the holiday costs of tourists who test positive for the coronavirus on the eastern Mediterranean island nation.

In a letter made public, the country's&nbsp;government said that it will pay for the accommodation, medicine and food for coronavirus patients and their families.

It said travelers will only need to foot the bill for their airport transfer and return flight.&nbsp;

It is part of a package of measures aimed at drawing visitors back to the island, which has reported few cases.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the country has confirmed 939 infections and 17 deaths.

Tourism accounted for about 15% of the country's GDP last year, and so the government is straining to bring back travellers as soon as possible.

A ''Covid-19 hospital''&nbsp;with 100 beds will be provided exclusively for foreign visitors who contract the virus and additional beds can be made available if needed, the government said.&nbsp;

For travelers who show critical symptoms, it plans to offer an additional 112 intensive care units for treatment, with 200 respirators.&nbsp;

And 500 rooms in dedicated “quarantine hotels” will be offered to close contacts of the person infected with the coronavirus, with more to be made available if necessary.&nbsp;

''This will not only ensure that they are properly taken care of, but it will also provide peace of mind to other travelers, that their accommodation is free of Covid-19,''&nbsp;the Cypriot government said in a letter to its tourism partners dated Tuesday.&nbsp;

It also said that the room in a hotel where the tourist who contracted the virus has stayed in will undergo a deep clean and disinfection before being used again.&nbsp;

Cyprus has pledged to cover the holiday costs of tourists who test positive for the coronavirus on the eastern Mediterranean island nation. In a letter made public, the country's government said that it will pay for the accommodation, medicine and food for coronavirus patients and their families.

Cyprus has pledged to cover the holiday costs of tourists who test positive for the coronavirus on the eastern Mediterranean island nation. In a letter made public, the country's government said that it will pay for the accommodation, medicine and food for coronavirus patients and their families. It said travelers will only need to foot the bill for their airport transfer and return flight. It is part of a package of measures aimed at drawing visitors back to the island, which has reported few cases. According to Johns Hopkins University data, the country has confirmed 939 infections and 17 deaths. Tourism accounted for about 15% of the country's GDP last year, and so the government is straining to bring back travellers as soon as possible. A ''Covid-19 hospital'' with 100 beds will be provided exclusively for foreign visitors who contract the virus and additional beds can be made available if needed, the government said. For travelers who show critical symptoms, it plans to offer an additional 112 intensive care units for treatment, with 200 respirators. And 500 rooms in dedicated “quarantine hotels” will be offered to close contacts of the person infected with the coronavirus, with more to be made available if necessary. ''This will not only ensure that they are properly taken care of, but it will also provide peace of mind to other travelers, that their accommodation is free of Covid-19,'' the Cypriot government said in a letter to its tourism partners dated Tuesday. It also said that the room in a hotel where the tourist who contracted the virus has stayed in will undergo a deep clean and disinfection before being used again.

Cyprus to bear expenses of tourists who test positive for COVID-19 upon visit

While the world is battling coronavirus pandemic, Vietnam, which has a population of&nbsp;97 million,&nbsp;has not reported a single coronavirus-related death and on Saturday had just&nbsp;328 confirmed cases, despite its long border with China and the millions of Chinese visitors it receives each year.

This is all the more remarkable considering Vietnam is a low-middle income country with a much less-advanced healthcare system than others in the region. It only has&nbsp;8 doctors&nbsp;for every 10,000 people, a third of the ratio in South Korea, according to the World Bank.

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After a three-week nationwide lockdown, Vietnam lifted&nbsp;social distancing rules&nbsp;in late April. It hasn't reported any local infections for&nbsp;more than 40 days. Businesses and schools have&nbsp;reopened, and life is gradually returning to normal.

Vietnam started preparing for a coronavirus outbreak weeks before its first case was detected.

At the time, the Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization had both maintained that there was no "clear evidence'' for human-to-human transmission. But Vietnam was not taking any chances.

"We were not only waiting for guidelines from WHO. We used the data we gathered from outside and inside (the country to) decide to take action early," said Pham Quang Thai, deputy head of the Infection Control Department at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi.

By early January,&nbsp;temperature screening&nbsp;was already in place for passengers arriving from Wuhan at Hanoi's international airport. Travelers found with a fever were isolated and closely monitored, the country's national broadcaster&nbsp;reported&nbsp;at the time.

By mid-January, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam was&nbsp;ordering&nbsp;government agencies to take "drastic measures" to prevent the disease from spreading into Vietnam, strengthening medical quarantine at border gates, airports and seaports.

As the country celebrated the Lunar New Year holiday, its Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc declared war on the coronavirus. "Fighting this epidemic is like fighting the enemy," he&nbsp;said&nbsp;at an urgent Communist Party meeting on January 27. Three days later, he set up a national steering committee on controlling the outbreak -- the same day the WHO&nbsp;declared&nbsp;the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern.

On February 1, Vietnam&nbsp;declared&nbsp;a national epidemic -- with just six confirmed cases recorded across the country. All flights between Vietnam and China were halted, followed by the suspension of visas to Chinese citizens the next day.

Over the course of the month, the travel restrictions, arrival quarantines and visa suspensions&nbsp;expanded&nbsp;in scope as the coronavirus spread beyond China to countries like South Korea, Iran and Italy. Vietnam eventually&nbsp;suspended&nbsp;entry to all foreigners in late March.

While the world is battling coronavirus pandemic, Vietnam, which has a population of 97 million, has not reported a single coronavirus-related death and on Saturday had just 328 confirmed cases, despite its long border with China and the millions of Chinese visitors it receives each year.

While the world is battling coronavirus pandemic, Vietnam, which has a population of 97 million, has not reported a single coronavirus-related death and on Saturday had just 328 confirmed cases, despite its long border with China and the millions of Chinese visitors it receives each year. This is all the more remarkable considering Vietnam is a low-middle income country with a much less-advanced healthcare system than others in the region. It only has 8 doctors for every 10,000 people, a third of the ratio in South Korea, according to the World Bank. After a three-week nationwide lockdown, Vietnam lifted social distancing rules in late April. It hasn't reported any local infections for more than 40 days. Businesses and schools have reopened, and life is gradually returning to normal. Vietnam started preparing for a coronavirus outbreak weeks before its first case was detected. At the time, the Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization had both maintained that there was no "clear evidence'' for human-to-human transmission. But Vietnam was not taking any chances. "We were not only waiting for guidelines from WHO. We used the data we gathered from outside and inside (the country to) decide to take action early," said Pham Quang Thai, deputy head of the Infection Control Department at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi. By early January, temperature screening was already in place for passengers arriving from Wuhan at Hanoi's international airport. Travelers found with a fever were isolated and closely monitored, the country's national broadcaster reported at the time. By mid-January, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam was ordering government agencies to take "drastic measures" to prevent the disease from spreading into Vietnam, strengthening medical quarantine at border gates, airports and seaports. As the country celebrated the Lunar New Year holiday, its Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc declared war on the coronavirus. "Fighting this epidemic is like fighting the enemy," he said at an urgent Communist Party meeting on January 27. Three days later, he set up a national steering committee on controlling the outbreak -- the same day the WHO declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern. On February 1, Vietnam declared a national epidemic -- with just six confirmed cases recorded across the country. All flights between Vietnam and China were halted, followed by the suspension of visas to Chinese citizens the next day. Over the course of the month, the travel restrictions, arrival quarantines and visa suspensions expanded in scope as the coronavirus spread beyond China to countries like South Korea, Iran and Italy. Vietnam eventually suspended entry to all foreigners in late March.

How this country near China managed to keep its COVID-19 death toll at zero

More than 21 lakh migrant labourers have returned to Uttar Pradesh from different parts of the country on over 1,500 special trains so far, a senior state government official said on Saturday.

The Indian Railways started Shramik Special trains on May 1 to facilitate the movement of migrant labourers back to their home states during the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown.

"So far, over 21 lakh migrant labourers have come back to the state on as many as 1,550 trains. The maximum number of trains, 257, has arrived in Gorakhpur on which 3.31 lakh migrant labourers returned," Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Information) Awanish Awasthi said.

He said 109 trains arrived in Lucknow, 125 in Jaunpur, 111 in Varanasi and 99 in Deoria.

Awasthi said the maximum number of trains (520) arrived from Gujarat, followed by Maharashtra (398) and Punjab (233).

"The chief minister has directed that food and water should be arranged for the migrant labourers who are returning from various states. They should be taken to quarantine centres," he said.

"During medical screening, the labourers, if found fit, should be provided with ration kits. Those who are found to be medically unfit should be sent for treatment," he said.

The lockdown has had a devastating impact on the economy as well as on the livelihoods of lakhs of migrant labourers. With no money to buy food or pay rent, labourers across the country have been returning to their native places.

More than 21 lakh migrant labourers have returned to Uttar Pradesh from different parts of the country on over 1,500 special trains so far, a senior state government official said on Saturday.

More than 21 lakh migrant labourers have returned to Uttar Pradesh from different parts of the country on over 1,500 special trains so far, a senior state government official said on Saturday. The Indian Railways started Shramik Special trains on May 1 to facilitate the movement of migrant labourers back to their home states during the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown. "So far, over 21 lakh migrant labourers have come back to the state on as many as 1,550 trains. The maximum number of trains, 257, has arrived in Gorakhpur on which 3.31 lakh migrant labourers returned," Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Information) Awanish Awasthi said. He said 109 trains arrived in Lucknow, 125 in Jaunpur, 111 in Varanasi and 99 in Deoria. Awasthi said the maximum number of trains (520) arrived from Gujarat, followed by Maharashtra (398) and Punjab (233). "The chief minister has directed that food and water should be arranged for the migrant labourers who are returning from various states. They should be taken to quarantine centres," he said. "During medical screening, the labourers, if found fit, should be provided with ration kits. Those who are found to be medically unfit should be sent for treatment," he said. The lockdown has had a devastating impact on the economy as well as on the livelihoods of lakhs of migrant labourers. With no money to buy food or pay rent, labourers across the country have been returning to their native places.

Over 21 lakh migrant labourers have returned to UP: Official

&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended wishes to the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami.

"Best wishes, especially to the Kashmiri Pandit community, on the very special occasion Jyeshtha Ashtami," he said in a tweet.

"With the divine blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani, may everyone be happy, healthy and prosperous," Modi said.

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Best wishes, especially to the Kashmiri Pandit community, on the very special occasion Jyeshtha Ashtami. 
 
With the divine blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani, may everyone be happy, healthy and prosperous.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1266693355427237894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In Jammu and Kashmir, Jyestha Ashtami is celebrated at the shrine of Khir Bhawani in Tullamula in honour of their patron goddess Ragnya Devi.

'Kheer' (rice boiled in milk) is prepared on this day as a food offering.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended wishes to the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. "Best wishes, especially to the Kashmiri Pandit community, on the very special occasion Jyeshtha Ashtami," he said in a tweet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended wishes to the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. "Best wishes, especially to the Kashmiri Pandit community, on the very special occasion Jyeshtha Ashtami," he said in a tweet. "With the divine blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani, may everyone be happy, healthy and prosperous," Modi said. Best wishes, especially to the Kashmiri Pandit community, on the very special occasion Jyeshtha Ashtami. With the divine blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani, may everyone be happy, healthy and prosperous. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 30, 2020 × In Jammu and Kashmir, Jyestha Ashtami is celebrated at the shrine of Khir Bhawani in Tullamula in honour of their patron goddess Ragnya Devi. 'Kheer' (rice boiled in milk) is prepared on this day as a food offering.

PM Modi wishes Kashmiri Pandits on Jyeshtha Ashtami

Dozens of journalists have been sacked after&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;decided to replace them with artificial intelligence software.

The curating of stories from news organisations and selection of headlines and pictures for the MSN site is currently done by journalists.

Staff who maintain the news homepages on Microsoft’s MSN website and its Edge browser, used by millions of Britons every day, have been told that they will be no longer be required because robots can now do their jobs.

Around 27 individuals employed by PA Media, formerly the&nbsp;Press Association, were told on Thursday that they would lose their jobs in a month’s time after Microsoft decided to stop employing humans to select, edit and curate news articles on its homepages.

The US tech giant said in a statement: "Like all companies, we evaluate our business on a regular basis. This can result in increased investment in some places and, from time to time, redeployment in others. These decisions are not the result of the current pandemic."

Employees were told Microsoft’s decision to end the contract with PA Media was taken at short notice as part of a global shift away from humans in favour of automated updates for news.

Microsoft, like some other tech companies, pays news organisations to use their content on its website.

But it employs journalists to decide which stories to display and how they are presented.

Around 50 contract news producers will lose their jobs at the end of June, the Seattle Times reports, but a team of full-time journalists will remain.

Dozens of journalists have been sacked after Microsoft decided to replace them with artificial intelligence software. The curating of stories from news organisations and selection of headlines and pictures for the MSN site is currently done by journalists.

Dozens of journalists have been sacked after Microsoft decided to replace them with artificial intelligence software. The curating of stories from news organisations and selection of headlines and pictures for the MSN site is currently done by journalists. Staff who maintain the news homepages on Microsoft’s MSN website and its Edge browser, used by millions of Britons every day, have been told that they will be no longer be required because robots can now do their jobs. Around 27 individuals employed by PA Media, formerly the Press Association, were told on Thursday that they would lose their jobs in a month’s time after Microsoft decided to stop employing humans to select, edit and curate news articles on its homepages. The US tech giant said in a statement: "Like all companies, we evaluate our business on a regular basis. This can result in increased investment in some places and, from time to time, redeployment in others. These decisions are not the result of the current pandemic." Employees were told Microsoft’s decision to end the contract with PA Media was taken at short notice as part of a global shift away from humans in favour of automated updates for news. Microsoft, like some other tech companies, pays news organisations to use their content on its website. But it employs journalists to decide which stories to display and how they are presented. Around 50 contract news producers will lose their jobs at the end of June, the Seattle Times reports, but a team of full-time journalists will remain.

Microsoft sacks journalists to 'replace them with robots'

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