Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.7 million worldwide on Thursday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-analysis-dispels-theory-that-said-covid-19-was-in-circulation-long-before-dec-19-296906">Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19</a>

COVID-19 has now infected &nbsp;3,753,219 people worldwide and 263,843 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,245,560 people of that tally have recovered.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worse-than-pearl-harbor-911-for-us-says-trump-297102" hreflang="en">Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump</a>

A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe.

The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment.

So far, more than 73,000 Americans have died of COVID-19, and Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, predicted the US toll could top 100,000 by the end of May.

Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan.&nbsp;

The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January.

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples.

(With inputs from agencies)

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.7 million worldwide on Thursday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19 COVID-19 has now infected 3,753,219 people worldwide and 263,843 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.7 million worldwide on Thursday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19 COVID-19 has now infected 3,753,219 people worldwide and 263,843 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,245,560 people of that tally have recovered. Also read: Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe. The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America. Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment. So far, more than 73,000 Americans have died of COVID-19, and Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, predicted the US toll could top 100,000 by the end of May. Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan. The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples. (With inputs from agencies)

Global coronavirus cases surge to 3.7 million, death toll at 263,843

China reported a surge in exports and a plunge in imports after restrictions imposed on movement to contain the novel coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worse-than-pearl-harbor-911-for-us-says-trump-297102" hreflang="en">Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump</a>

Exports rose 3.5 per cent whereas imports fell 14.2 per cent in the same period according to data. It was expected that exports would tank 15.7 per cent and imports would fall 11.2 per cent in April from a year earlier.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-keep-coronavirus-task-force-indefinitely-says-trump-amid-rising-us-death-toll-297041" hreflang="en">Will keep coronavirus task force indefinitely, says Trump amid rising US death toll</a>

Chinese exports and imports fell 6.6 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively in March from the previous year.

China’s medical export rose in April as it shilled goods to various parts of the world, according to Chinese economists.

According to them, the export data was strong in April. The trade surplus of the country for the month of April stood at $45.34 billion compared to the predicted data of $6.35 billion.

China’s trade surplus stood at $19.9 billion in March. With the fall in the number of cases, China is reopening its economy and people are getting back to work.

But the situation is worrisome in the rest of the world as more than 3.74 million people are infected so far according to data. Several economies have stopped their activities due to lockdown, hitting the demand and supply in the market.

Even though China is curbing the virus spread, demand seems to be a major concern for the country, according to economists.

Though there has been some rise in the demand, the low-income group have been the worst hit by the lockdown restrictions on movement.

Services expenditure will be lower compared to last year as people would be reluctant to go to malls, to dine or to move along with family.

China reported a surge in exports and a plunge in imports after restrictions imposed on movement to contain the novel coronavirus. Also read: Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump Exports rose 3.

China reported a surge in exports and a plunge in imports after restrictions imposed on movement to contain the novel coronavirus. Also read: Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump Exports rose 3.5 per cent whereas imports fell 14.2 per cent in the same period according to data. It was expected that exports would tank 15.7 per cent and imports would fall 11.2 per cent in April from a year earlier. Also read: Will keep coronavirus task force indefinitely, says Trump amid rising US death toll Chinese exports and imports fell 6.6 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively in March from the previous year. China’s medical export rose in April as it shilled goods to various parts of the world, according to Chinese economists. According to them, the export data was strong in April. The trade surplus of the country for the month of April stood at $45.34 billion compared to the predicted data of $6.35 billion. China’s trade surplus stood at $19.9 billion in March. With the fall in the number of cases, China is reopening its economy and people are getting back to work. But the situation is worrisome in the rest of the world as more than 3.74 million people are infected so far according to data. Several economies have stopped their activities due to lockdown, hitting the demand and supply in the market. Even though China is curbing the virus spread, demand seems to be a major concern for the country, according to economists. Though there has been some rise in the demand, the low-income group have been the worst hit by the lockdown restrictions on movement. Services expenditure will be lower compared to last year as people would be reluctant to go to malls, to dine or to move along with family.

China’s export rose and imports plunged amid lockdown restrictions to curb the coronavirus

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worse-than-pearl-harbor-911-for-us-says-trump-297102">Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/04/30/138688-trump-reuters.jpg?itok=YZZiy1Tk" />Renewing his criticism of China on Wednesday over the global coronavirus pandemic and said it has been worse for the United States than Pearl Harbor and 9/11. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worse-than-pearl-harbor-911-for-us-says-trump-297102">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-one-out-of-five-children-in-us-left-hungry-since-virus-crisis-study-297103">Nearly one out of five children in US left hungry since virus crisis: Study</a> 
 
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Nearly a fifth of young children in the United States are not getting enough to eat since the coronavirus pandemic erupted, according to research out Wednesday highlighting the broader health impact of the crisis. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-one-out-of-five-children-in-us-left-hungry-since-virus-crisis-study-297103">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lambasts-us-for-coercing-countries-to-plant-covid-19-accusations-against-it-297110">China lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations against it</a> 
 
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The United States is pressuring its allies and trying to coerce other countries to help it plant accusations against China on issues concerning COVID-19 responsibility, said a spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lambasts-us-for-coercing-countries-to-plant-covid-19-accusations-against-it-297110">READ MORE</a> 
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Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump Renewing his criticism of China on Wednesday over the global coronavirus pandemic and said it has been worse for the United States than Pearl Harbor and 9/11.

Coronavirus 'worse' than Pearl Harbor, 9/11 for US, says Trump Renewing his criticism of China on Wednesday over the global coronavirus pandemic and said it has been worse for the United States than Pearl Harbor and 9/11. READ MORE Nearly one out of five children in US left hungry since virus crisis: Study Nearly a fifth of young children in the United States are not getting enough to eat since the coronavirus pandemic erupted, according to research out Wednesday highlighting the broader health impact of the crisis. READ MORE China lambasts US for coercing countries to plant COVID-19 accusations against it The United States is pressuring its allies and trying to coerce other countries to help it plant accusations against China on issues concerning COVID-19 responsibility, said a spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. READ MORE

Morning News Brief: China lambasts US, Covid-19 'worse' than 9/11 and more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-accuses-beijing-of-aggressive-behaviour-in-south-china-sea-296896">US accuses Beijing of aggressive behaviour in South China Sea</a> 
 
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The novel coronavirus that broke out in China's Wuhan in December, 2019 has infected more that 3.5 million in the world, and killed 2,50,000. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-accuses-beijing-of-aggressive-behaviour-in-south-china-sea-296896">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-makes-significant-breakthrough-in-developing-antibodies-for-covid-19-296897">Israel makes 'significant breakthrough' in developing antibodies for COVID-19</a> 
 
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The researchers have wrapped up the development phase and moved to patent and mass produce the potential treatment. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-makes-significant-breakthrough-in-developing-antibodies-for-covid-19-296897">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/women-hail-victory-as-sudan-moves-to-ban-genital-cutting-296915">Women hail victory as Sudan moves to ban genital cutting</a> 
 
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US accuses Beijing of aggressive behaviour in South China Sea The novel coronavirus that broke out in China's Wuhan in December, 2019 has infected more that 3.5 million in the world, and killed 2,50,000.

US accuses Beijing of aggressive behaviour in South China Sea The novel coronavirus that broke out in China's Wuhan in December, 2019 has infected more that 3.5 million in the world, and killed 2,50,000. READ MORE Israel makes 'significant breakthrough' in developing antibodies for COVID-19 The researchers have wrapped up the development phase and moved to patent and mass produce the potential treatment. READ MORE Women hail victory as Sudan moves to ban genital cutting The practice has long been viewed, especially in rural communities, as a "rite of passage" for girls and a way to preserve their chastity. READ MORE

Morning News Brief: Israel develops key Covid antibody, Sudan bans female genital mutilation and more

A day after a driver from the Border Security Force (BSF), South Bengal Frontier headquartered in Kolkata attached to the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) convoy tested positive, five more BSF personnel tested positive on Tuesday. 
&nbsp; 
“The five personnel were escorted to the Central team. They were tested Coronavirus positive today. They have been admitted in MR Bangur Hospital,” said a senior official of BSF South Bengal Frontier. 
&nbsp; 
A day ago, the BSF driver tested positive, later as many as 50 personnel from the unit had been quarantined. Of those 50, 18 personnel were tested. Their reports arrived on Tuesday which revealed that five of them have tested positive. 
&nbsp; 
The driver had reported fever and was immediately removed on April 30, 2020, and sent into quarantine. Later, he tested positive for Covid-19. 
&nbsp; 
Sources reveal that the other remaining personnel will also undergo tests.

The BSF pilot car and personnel were attached to the convoy of Inter-Ministerial Central Team which had been camping in Kolkata for two weeks for on-spot assessment of lockdown violations, violence against frontline healthcare workers and state government’s preparedness to tackle Covid-19.

A day after a driver from the Border Security Force (BSF), South Bengal Frontier headquartered in Kolkata attached to the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) convoy tested positive, five more BSF personnel tested positive on Tuesday.

A day after a driver from the Border Security Force (BSF), South Bengal Frontier headquartered in Kolkata attached to the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) convoy tested positive, five more BSF personnel tested positive on Tuesday. “The five personnel were escorted to the Central team. They were tested Coronavirus positive today. They have been admitted in MR Bangur Hospital,” said a senior official of BSF South Bengal Frontier. A day ago, the BSF driver tested positive, later as many as 50 personnel from the unit had been quarantined. Of those 50, 18 personnel were tested. Their reports arrived on Tuesday which revealed that five of them have tested positive. The driver had reported fever and was immediately removed on April 30, 2020, and sent into quarantine. Later, he tested positive for Covid-19. Sources reveal that the other remaining personnel will also undergo tests. The BSF pilot car and personnel were attached to the convoy of Inter-Ministerial Central Team which had been camping in Kolkata for two weeks for on-spot assessment of lockdown violations, violence against frontline healthcare workers and state government’s preparedness to tackle Covid-19.

Five BSF jawans attached to IMCT convoy in Kolkata test positive for Covid-19

A Civilian staff working in the kitchen at the Indian Army Officer’s Training Academy(OTA) in Chennai has tested positive for Coronavirus and the individual’s contacts have been quarantined said a statement from the Academy.&nbsp;

The individual was admitted to a government hospital on May 3rd after complaining of chest congestion and the individual tested positive on Monday. People who came in contact with the said individual have been placed under quarantine as a precaution. WION has learnt that that said staffer who tested positive had been reporting for work for nearly all of last month.

The statement from the Academy said that the Academy has been functioning with minimal staff and that adequate precautionary measures are in place.

A source from the Academy revealed to WION that there are no cadets presently in the Academy as one batch had completed their 11-month training and passed out in the second week of March, while the present batch had gone on their term break just after the passing out parade. So the cadets haven’t returned to the academy on account of the lockdown that has been effective since the last week of March.&nbsp;

During the routine functioning of the academy, there are over 200 cadets in the academy and also several serving Officers of the Army and large teams of support staff.&nbsp;

The passing out parade at the academy is a grand event that takes place twice a year- in March and September. About 200 cadets(including foreign cadets) pass out of the Academy as Officers. The event is open to family members, media fraternity and veteran and serving Officers from the Armed forces.

There were 136 Gentlemen cadets and 31 Lady cadets who passed out of the Academy this March, in addition to 11 cadets from friendly foreign countries such as Bhutan, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The parade was reviewed by Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff. The 11-month training at the Academy is offered to candidates aged 21-18 who clear the SSB exam and related interviews. The Academy trains cadets to join the Army as Commissioned Officers under the Short Service Commission(SSC).

A Civilian staff working in the kitchen at the Indian Army Officer’s Training Academy(OTA) in Chennai has tested positive for Coronavirus and the individual’s contacts have been quarantined said a statement from the Academy.

A Civilian staff working in the kitchen at the Indian Army Officer’s Training Academy(OTA) in Chennai has tested positive for Coronavirus and the individual’s contacts have been quarantined said a statement from the Academy. The individual was admitted to a government hospital on May 3rd after complaining of chest congestion and the individual tested positive on Monday. People who came in contact with the said individual have been placed under quarantine as a precaution. WION has learnt that that said staffer who tested positive had been reporting for work for nearly all of last month. The statement from the Academy said that the Academy has been functioning with minimal staff and that adequate precautionary measures are in place. A source from the Academy revealed to WION that there are no cadets presently in the Academy as one batch had completed their 11-month training and passed out in the second week of March, while the present batch had gone on their term break just after the passing out parade. So the cadets haven’t returned to the academy on account of the lockdown that has been effective since the last week of March. During the routine functioning of the academy, there are over 200 cadets in the academy and also several serving Officers of the Army and large teams of support staff. The passing out parade at the academy is a grand event that takes place twice a year- in March and September. About 200 cadets(including foreign cadets) pass out of the Academy as Officers. The event is open to family members, media fraternity and veteran and serving Officers from the Armed forces. There were 136 Gentlemen cadets and 31 Lady cadets who passed out of the Academy this March, in addition to 11 cadets from friendly foreign countries such as Bhutan, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The parade was reviewed by Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff. The 11-month training at the Academy is offered to candidates aged 21-18 who clear the SSB exam and related interviews. The Academy trains cadets to join the Army as Commissioned Officers under the Short Service Commission(SSC).

Civilian staff at Army Officer’s Training Academy in Chennai tests Covid-19 positive

India's coronavirus count crept closer to 50,000 mark with 2,958 new cases and 126 new fatalities till Wednesday morning.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India stood at 49,391, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in its May 6 health bulletin. Of the total cases, 33,514 are active cases while 14,182 individuals have been cured and discharged from the hospitals. The death toll has mounted to 1694 while one person has migrated to another country, according to the data released by the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, Coronavirus has infected around 548 doctors, nurses and paramedics across the country so far, according to data maintained by the Centre, official sources said.

The figure does not include field workers, ward boys, sanitation workers, security guards, lab attendants, peons, laundry and kitchen staff among others.

According to an official source, it has not been ascertained from where these doctors, nurses and paramedic staff have acquired the infection.&nbsp;

The figure includes doctors, nurses and paramedics from Centre-run and state government-run facilities across states and union territories. 
 
(With inputs from PTI)

India's coronavirus count crept closer to 50,000 mark with 2,958 new cases and 126 new fatalities till Wednesday morning. The total number of coronavirus cases in India stood at 49,391, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in its May 6 health bulletin.

India's coronavirus count crept closer to 50,000 mark with 2,958 new cases and 126 new fatalities till Wednesday morning. The total number of coronavirus cases in India stood at 49,391, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in its May 6 health bulletin. Of the total cases, 33,514 are active cases while 14,182 individuals have been cured and discharged from the hospitals. The death toll has mounted to 1694 while one person has migrated to another country, according to the data released by the Health Ministry. Meanwhile, Coronavirus has infected around 548 doctors, nurses and paramedics across the country so far, according to data maintained by the Centre, official sources said. The figure does not include field workers, ward boys, sanitation workers, security guards, lab attendants, peons, laundry and kitchen staff among others. According to an official source, it has not been ascertained from where these doctors, nurses and paramedic staff have acquired the infection. The figure includes doctors, nurses and paramedics from Centre-run and state government-run facilities across states and union territories. (With inputs from PTI)

India's COVID-19 count rises to 49,391, death toll mounts to 1,694

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Wednesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-analysis-dispels-theory-that-said-covid-19-was-in-circulation-long-before-dec-19-296906">Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19</a>

COVID-19 has now infected 3,665,912 people worldwide and 257,337&nbsp;people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,202,595 people of that tally have recovered.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-covid-19-timeline-shifts-weeks-earlier-in-wake-of-new-evidence-296722">Also read | France COVID-19 timeline shifts weeks earlier in wake of new evidence</a>

A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe.

The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment.

The UnitedStates is the worst-hit country, with more than 70,000 deaths, ahead of Britain where fatalities topped 32,000.

The US-registered 2,333 more deaths over the 24 hours to Tuesday evening, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker, more than twice as many as the day before.

Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan.&nbsp;

The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January.

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples.

(With inputs from agencies)

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Wednesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19 COVID-19 has now infected 3,665,912 people worldwide and 257,337 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Wednesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. Also read | New analysis dispels theory that said COVID-19 was in circulation long before Dec '19 COVID-19 has now infected 3,665,912 people worldwide and 257,337 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,202,595 people of that tally have recovered. Also read | France COVID-19 timeline shifts weeks earlier in wake of new evidence A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe. The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America. Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment. The UnitedStates is the worst-hit country, with more than 70,000 deaths, ahead of Britain where fatalities topped 32,000. The US-registered 2,333 more deaths over the 24 hours to Tuesday evening, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker, more than twice as many as the day before. Some scientific models suggest the figure will rise to 3,000 a day by June. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to investigate any early suspicious cases of the coronavirus before December 2019 when the first human cases were officially identified in China's Wuhan. The disease later identified as COVID-19 was first reported by Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31 and was not previously believed to have spread to Europe until January. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said that other earlier cases could emerge after retesting samples. (With inputs from agencies)

Global coronavirus cases surge to 3.6 million, death toll at  257,337

The US Treasury Department on Monday said it plans to borrow nearly $3 trillion in the second quarter of 2020 - a record for any quarter - as the federal government contends with the impact of the coronavirus.

In a statement, Treasury said it would borrow $2.999 trillion during the April-June quarter, $3.055 trillion more than its previous estimate, assuming an end-June cash balance of $800 billion.

“It is larger than what we would typically do in a year,” a senior Treasury official said. The Treasury’s net borrowing last fiscal year, for example, was $1.28 trillion.

In February, Treasury said it expected to pay down $56 billion in net marketable debt in the April-June period.

Treasury said it expects to borrow $677 billion during the July-September quarter, assuming an end-September cash balance of $800 billion.

It borrowed $477 billion through credit markets in the January-March quarter, ending the period with $515 billion in cash.

Additional details of Treasury’s quarterly refunding will be announced at 08:30 a.m (1230 GMT) on Wednesday. In February, Treasury said it would announce details of a planned new 20-year bond in May.

The US Treasury Department on Monday said it plans to borrow nearly $3 trillion in the second quarter of 2020 - a record for any quarter - as the federal government contends with the impact of the coronavirus.

The US Treasury Department on Monday said it plans to borrow nearly $3 trillion in the second quarter of 2020 - a record for any quarter - as the federal government contends with the impact of the coronavirus. In a statement, Treasury said it would borrow $2.999 trillion during the April-June quarter, $3.055 trillion more than its previous estimate, assuming an end-June cash balance of $800 billion. “It is larger than what we would typically do in a year,” a senior Treasury official said. The Treasury’s net borrowing last fiscal year, for example, was $1.28 trillion. In February, Treasury said it expected to pay down $56 billion in net marketable debt in the April-June period. Treasury said it expects to borrow $677 billion during the July-September quarter, assuming an end-September cash balance of $800 billion. It borrowed $477 billion through credit markets in the January-March quarter, ending the period with $515 billion in cash. Additional details of Treasury’s quarterly refunding will be announced at 08:30 a.m (1230 GMT) on Wednesday. In February, Treasury said it would announce details of a planned new 20-year bond in May.

US treasury expects to borrow a record $3 trillion in the second quarter

A group of Democratic Senators on Monday said there has been a surge in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid coronavirus pandemic and urged the Trump administration to take concrete steps to arrest the spike.

In a letter to Assistant Attorney General Eric S Dreiband, the 16 Senators, including Kamala Harris, requested the Trump Administration to address this discrimination like it had been done in the past.

The Senators said hate crimes against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) during the pandemic and the inadequate federal response to address these racist and xenophobic attacks is a sharp break from the efforts of past administrations, Republican and Democratic alike.

There are more than 20 million Americans of Asian descent and two million AAPI individuals are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, as health care workers, law enforcement agents, first responders, and other essential service providers, they said.

"It is critical that the Civil Rights Division ensure that the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans are protected during this pandemic," the Senators said.

In the last month alone, Asian American organizations received nearly 1,500 incidents of anti-Asian harassment and discrimination against AAPI individuals across the country, they said.

This comes after the FBI assessed in March that hate crime incidents against Asian Americans were likely to surge across the country, endangering AAPI communities, the Democratic Senators said.

They said on March 14 this year, a man stabbed two Asian American children -- aged 2 and 6 -- and their father at a Sam''s Club in Texas because "he thought the family was Chinese, and infecting people with the coronavirus."

Despite warnings that using offensive and stigmatizing language to refer to COVID-19 could stoke anti-Asian bias, President Trump and his administration's officials have referred to the coronavirus as the "Chinese Virus," "Wuhan Virus," and at least one White House official even called it the "Kung Flu," the lawmakers rued.

"Such harmful rhetoric contradicts guidance by public health experts," they said.

The World Health Organization's guidance in naming infectious diseases warns against using names that stigmatize certain communities, the Senators said.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also recognizes the "stigma and discrimination that can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality," they said.

A group of Democratic Senators on Monday said there has been a surge in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid coronavirus pandemic and urged the Trump administration to take concrete steps to arrest the spike.

A group of Democratic Senators on Monday said there has been a surge in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid coronavirus pandemic and urged the Trump administration to take concrete steps to arrest the spike. In a letter to Assistant Attorney General Eric S Dreiband, the 16 Senators, including Kamala Harris, requested the Trump Administration to address this discrimination like it had been done in the past. The Senators said hate crimes against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) during the pandemic and the inadequate federal response to address these racist and xenophobic attacks is a sharp break from the efforts of past administrations, Republican and Democratic alike. There are more than 20 million Americans of Asian descent and two million AAPI individuals are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, as health care workers, law enforcement agents, first responders, and other essential service providers, they said. "It is critical that the Civil Rights Division ensure that the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans are protected during this pandemic," the Senators said. In the last month alone, Asian American organizations received nearly 1,500 incidents of anti-Asian harassment and discrimination against AAPI individuals across the country, they said. This comes after the FBI assessed in March that hate crime incidents against Asian Americans were likely to surge across the country, endangering AAPI communities, the Democratic Senators said. They said on March 14 this year, a man stabbed two Asian American children -- aged 2 and 6 -- and their father at a Sam''s Club in Texas because "he thought the family was Chinese, and infecting people with the coronavirus." Despite warnings that using offensive and stigmatizing language to refer to COVID-19 could stoke anti-Asian bias, President Trump and his administration's officials have referred to the coronavirus as the "Chinese Virus," "Wuhan Virus," and at least one White House official even called it the "Kung Flu," the lawmakers rued. "Such harmful rhetoric contradicts guidance by public health experts," they said. The World Health Organization's guidance in naming infectious diseases warns against using names that stigmatize certain communities, the Senators said. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also recognizes the "stigma and discrimination that can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality," they said.

Rise in hate crime against Asian-Americans amid pandemic: US senators

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-250000-die-of-coronavirus-worldwide-confirmed-recoveries-near-12-lakh-296685">More than 250,000 die of coronavirus worldwide; confirmed recoveries near 12 lakh</a>

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More than 250,000 die of coronavirus worldwide; confirmed recoveries near 12 lakh Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Tuesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia.

More than 250,000 die of coronavirus worldwide; confirmed recoveries near 12 lakh Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Tuesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. READ MORE China faces increasing global backlash over coronavirus: Warns internal report Global anti-China sentiment is currently at its highest -- ever since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, an internal report has warned. READ MORE Trump nominates Indian-Americans as US representative to IBRD, federal court judge United States President Donald Trump has nominated Indian-Americans for key positions in his administration. READ MORE

Morning News Brief: Over 250,000 die of coronavirus, China faces global backlash and more

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Tuesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-impact-president-xi-jinpings-belt-and-road-initiative-set-to-be-derailed-296657">COVID-19 impact: President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative set to be derailed</a> 
 
COVID-19 has now infected 3,642,068 people worldwide and 252,024 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

Around 1,193,990 people of that tally have recovered.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/political-leaders-defy-their-own-by-breaking-self-made-coronavirus-protocols-296661" hreflang="en">Political leaders defy their own by breaking 'self-made' coronavirus protocols!</a>

A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-has-questions-to-answer-over-coronavirus-outbreak-says-uk-296580">Also Read:&nbsp;China has questions to answer over coronavirus outbreak, says UK</a>

The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to the United States.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment.

As the pandemic spreads in the US, the country's economy is likely to face its worst crisis since the Great Depression.

Millions of US citizens have lost their jobs and consumer spending has seen its biggest decline in 40 years.

Meanwhile, The World Health Organization said Monday that Washington had provided no evidence to support "speculative" claims by the US president that the new coronavirus originated in a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan. "We have not received any data or specific evidence from the United States government relating to the purported origin of the virus, so from our perspective, this remains speculative," WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan told a virtual briefing.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Tuesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. COVID-19 impact: President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative set to be derailed COVID-19 has now infected 3,642,068 people worldwide and 252,024 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.6 million worldwide on Tuesday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. COVID-19 impact: President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative set to be derailed COVID-19 has now infected 3,642,068 people worldwide and 252,024 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Around 1,193,990 people of that tally have recovered. Also read: Political leaders defy their own by breaking 'self-made' coronavirus protocols! A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe. Also Read: China has questions to answer over coronavirus outbreak, says UK The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to the United States. Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment. As the pandemic spreads in the US, the country's economy is likely to face its worst crisis since the Great Depression. Millions of US citizens have lost their jobs and consumer spending has seen its biggest decline in 40 years. Meanwhile, The World Health Organization said Monday that Washington had provided no evidence to support "speculative" claims by the US president that the new coronavirus originated in a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan. "We have not received any data or specific evidence from the United States government relating to the purported origin of the virus, so from our perspective, this remains speculative," WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan told a virtual briefing.

More than 250,000 die of coronavirus worldwide; confirmed recoveries near 12 lakh

Continuing to reaching out countries with medicines, India has cleared 2.50 metric ton of Hydroxychloroquine to Mexico. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Mexico City, Indian envoy to Mexico Manpreet Vohra talked about the recent conversation between foreign ministers of both the countries, how the mission is reaching out to the stranded Indians. No case of COVID has been reported in the Indian community in Mexico &amp; about 265 Indians have registered for repatriation.&nbsp;

WION: EAM Spoke to Mexican FM, how are we reaching out to the country at the time of covid crisis? any cooperation underway? 
 
Manpreet Vohra: EAM and Foreign Minister Ebrard exchanged notes on the Covid-19 situation and the various strategies being followed. They agreed that India and Mexico will share experiences of best public health practices. Post-Covid economic recovery was also a focus of their conversation.

WION: Have we talked about some covid containment model with them or have they shown interest on ours? 
 
Manpreet Vohra: EAM informed FM that, in response to Mexico’s request, Government of India had cleared the commercial export of 2.50 MT of Hydroxychloroquine API to Mexico.

WION: How many Indians stranded in Mexico and how are we reaching out to them? 
 
Manpreet Vohra: About 265 Indians stranded in Mexico have registered with us and await the opportunity to return home soon. The Embassy is in regular touch with them and has provided dedicated 24x7 emergency contact service. Wherever required, help with visa extensions, accommodation arrangements etc is being provided by us. I have personally held a Facebook Live interaction with them to assuage their concerns. Fortunately, all of them are in good health and fair spirits. There has not been a single case of infection reported so far among any of the 6500-strong Indian community in Mexico. Am proud and happy that they are taking all precautions and observing social distancing and other guidelines of the Mexican Government.

WION: How has been the situation on the ground, how are our diplomats doing, is it tough? 
 
Manpreet Vohra: Mexico is witnessing an increasing number of confirmed cases and the healthcare system is facing considerable challenges. In recent weeks, the Mexican Government has tried hard to increase hospital capacities and critical supplies. My colleagues in the Embassy and their family members are safe and well so far. &nbsp;All of us are taking the necessary precautions. We are mostly working from home but making full use of technology and ensuring that no aspect of our work suffers. Lockdown can be difficult for anyone, and this is an unprecedented crisis, but we are all determined to face the challenge and eventually prevail over it.

Continuing to reaching out countries with medicines, India has cleared 2.50 metric ton of Hydroxychloroquine to Mexico. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Mexico City, Indian envoy to Mexico Manpreet Vohra talked about the recent conversation between foreign ministers of both the countries, how the mission is reaching out to the stranded Indians.

Continuing to reaching out countries with medicines, India has cleared 2.50 metric ton of Hydroxychloroquine to Mexico. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Mexico City, Indian envoy to Mexico Manpreet Vohra talked about the recent conversation between foreign ministers of both the countries, how the mission is reaching out to the stranded Indians. No case of COVID has been reported in the Indian community in Mexico & about 265 Indians have registered for repatriation. WION: EAM Spoke to Mexican FM, how are we reaching out to the country at the time of covid crisis? any cooperation underway? Manpreet Vohra: EAM and Foreign Minister Ebrard exchanged notes on the Covid-19 situation and the various strategies being followed. They agreed that India and Mexico will share experiences of best public health practices. Post-Covid economic recovery was also a focus of their conversation. WION: Have we talked about some covid containment model with them or have they shown interest on ours? Manpreet Vohra: EAM informed FM that, in response to Mexico’s request, Government of India had cleared the commercial export of 2.50 MT of Hydroxychloroquine API to Mexico. WION: How many Indians stranded in Mexico and how are we reaching out to them? Manpreet Vohra: About 265 Indians stranded in Mexico have registered with us and await the opportunity to return home soon. The Embassy is in regular touch with them and has provided dedicated 24x7 emergency contact service. Wherever required, help with visa extensions, accommodation arrangements etc is being provided by us. I have personally held a Facebook Live interaction with them to assuage their concerns. Fortunately, all of them are in good health and fair spirits. There has not been a single case of infection reported so far among any of the 6500-strong Indian community in Mexico. Am proud and happy that they are taking all precautions and observing social distancing and other guidelines of the Mexican Government. WION: How has been the situation on the ground, how are our diplomats doing, is it tough? Manpreet Vohra: Mexico is witnessing an increasing number of confirmed cases and the healthcare system is facing considerable challenges. In recent weeks, the Mexican Government has tried hard to increase hospital capacities and critical supplies. My colleagues in the Embassy and their family members are safe and well so far. All of us are taking the necessary precautions. We are mostly working from home but making full use of technology and ensuring that no aspect of our work suffers. Lockdown can be difficult for anyone, and this is an unprecedented crisis, but we are all determined to face the challenge and eventually prevail over it.

India clears commercial export of 2.50 MT of Hydroxychloroquine  to Mexico: Manpreet Vohra

More than 85 million Chinese travellers flocked to airports and railway stations over the weekend after the country’s government relaxed lockdown restrictions for its annual May Day holiday which started May 1, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Sunday.

The total income of the travel industry was valued at $4.97 billion between May 1 to May 3, as per the Ministry.

On Sunday alone, local tourists made 30.94 million outings across the nation, bringing the total travel industry income to $1.78 billion, as indicated by the officials.

Most of the travellers hail from China's greatest populace areas, with enormous numbers making trips from Beijing, Dalian and Wuhan, the city where the principal instances of Covid-19 were accounted for.

The domestic Air travel industry is also showing first signs of recovery, according to press statements from travel analytics companies.

It was estimated that the number of domestic trips in China would increase to about 2.38 billion trips by 2020, indicating an increase of over 50 per cent compared to the number of trips made within China ten years ago.&nbsp;

Tourism has become an important contributor to the domestic economy in China since the beginning of reform and opening in the early eighties.&nbsp;

The emergence of an affluent middle class and an easing of movement restrictions for locals and foreign visitors are both supporting this travel boom.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

More than 85 million Chinese travellers flocked to airports and railway stations over the weekend after the country’s government relaxed lockdown restrictions for its annual May Day holiday which started May 1, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Sunday.

More than 85 million Chinese travellers flocked to airports and railway stations over the weekend after the country’s government relaxed lockdown restrictions for its annual May Day holiday which started May 1, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Sunday. The total income of the travel industry was valued at $4.97 billion between May 1 to May 3, as per the Ministry. On Sunday alone, local tourists made 30.94 million outings across the nation, bringing the total travel industry income to $1.78 billion, as indicated by the officials. Most of the travellers hail from China's greatest populace areas, with enormous numbers making trips from Beijing, Dalian and Wuhan, the city where the principal instances of Covid-19 were accounted for. The domestic Air travel industry is also showing first signs of recovery, according to press statements from travel analytics companies. It was estimated that the number of domestic trips in China would increase to about 2.38 billion trips by 2020, indicating an increase of over 50 per cent compared to the number of trips made within China ten years ago. Tourism has become an important contributor to the domestic economy in China since the beginning of reform and opening in the early eighties. The emergence of an affluent middle class and an easing of movement restrictions for locals and foreign visitors are both supporting this travel boom. (With inputs from agencies)

China sees 85 million domestic tourist trips in three days as government lifts travel restrictions 

The government has issued a new set of guidelines regarding what is allowed or restricted in Red, Orange and Green Zones after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown for two more weeks starting from today.

Govt also issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country into Red (hotspots), Green and Orange Zones.&nbsp;

The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxation in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones. Green Zone will be districts with either zero confirmed cases till date, or no confirmed cases in the last 21 days.

Here is list of activities prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the zone

1) All domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for medical/security purposes or as permitted by MHA.

2) All passenger movement by trains, except for security purposes or for purposes as permitted by MHA.

3) All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.

4) All social/political/sports/entertainment/academic cultural or religious functions/other gatherings.

5) Inter-state buses for public transport, or as permitted by the MHA. 
6) Inter-state movement of individuals except for medical reasons, or as permitted by MHA.

7) All schools, colleges, education /training/-coaching institutions etc.

8) Hospitality services other than those used for housing, health/police/government officials/healthcare workers, stranded persons including tourists, and those used for quarantine facilities.

9) All religious places/places of worship for public.

Measures for well being and safety of persons

1) To be identified in red and orange zones.

2) No movement of persons allowed other than medical emergencies and supply of essential goods and services.

3) Aarogya Setu App compulsory for all residents of containment zones.

4) Movement of individuals for all non-essential activities strictly prohibited between 7 pm and 7 am.

5) Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below ten years to stay at home, except for essential requirements and health purposes.

6) OPDs and medical clinics permitted outside containment zones with social distancing norms and other precautions.

In the Red Zones, e-commerce activities are permitted only in respect of essential goods. Private offices can operate up to 33 per cent strength as per requirement with the remaining persons working from home.

In the Orange Zones, taxis and cab aggregators will be permitted with 1 driver and 2 passengers only. The Centre has also allowed inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles for permitted activities only. Four wheeler vehicles will have maximum two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers the statement said.

In the Green Zones, the Centre has allowed all activities except the limited number of activities which are prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the Zone. However, buses can operate with upto 50 per cent seating capacity and bus depots can operate with upto 50 per cent capacity. 
 
(WIth inputs from ANI)

The government has issued a new set of guidelines regarding what is allowed or restricted in Red, Orange and Green Zones after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown for two more weeks starting from today.

The government has issued a new set of guidelines regarding what is allowed or restricted in Red, Orange and Green Zones after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown for two more weeks starting from today. Govt also issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country into Red (hotspots), Green and Orange Zones. The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxation in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones. Green Zone will be districts with either zero confirmed cases till date, or no confirmed cases in the last 21 days. Here is list of activities prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the zone 1) All domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for medical/security purposes or as permitted by MHA. 2) All passenger movement by trains, except for security purposes or for purposes as permitted by MHA. 3) All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. 4) All social/political/sports/entertainment/academic cultural or religious functions/other gatherings. 5) Inter-state buses for public transport, or as permitted by the MHA. 6) Inter-state movement of individuals except for medical reasons, or as permitted by MHA. 7) All schools, colleges, education /training/-coaching institutions etc. 8) Hospitality services other than those used for housing, health/police/government officials/healthcare workers, stranded persons including tourists, and those used for quarantine facilities. 9) All religious places/places of worship for public. Measures for well being and safety of persons 1) To be identified in red and orange zones. 2) No movement of persons allowed other than medical emergencies and supply of essential goods and services. 3) Aarogya Setu App compulsory for all residents of containment zones. 4) Movement of individuals for all non-essential activities strictly prohibited between 7 pm and 7 am. 5) Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below ten years to stay at home, except for essential requirements and health purposes. 6) OPDs and medical clinics permitted outside containment zones with social distancing norms and other precautions. In the Red Zones, e-commerce activities are permitted only in respect of essential goods. Private offices can operate up to 33 per cent strength as per requirement with the remaining persons working from home. In the Orange Zones, taxis and cab aggregators will be permitted with 1 driver and 2 passengers only. The Centre has also allowed inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles for permitted activities only. Four wheeler vehicles will have maximum two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers the statement said. In the Green Zones, the Centre has allowed all activities except the limited number of activities which are prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the Zone. However, buses can operate with upto 50 per cent seating capacity and bus depots can operate with upto 50 per cent capacity. (WIth inputs from ANI)

Lockdown 3.0 till May 17: What is prohibited and what will be allowed

The BJP said on Monday the railways has subsidised 85 per cent of ticket fare for special trains being run to transport migrant workers and the state government has to pay the remaining 15 per cent, soon after the Congress attacked the central government over the issue.

The state government concerned can also pay for the tickets, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.

He said the Madhya Pradesh government is doing so and asked Rahul Gandhi to tell the Congress-ruled states to follow suit.

He was responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's attack on the railways for charging poor migrant labourers ticket fare, even as it donated over Rs 151 crore to the PM-CARES Fund.

"Rahul Gandhi ji, I have attached guidelines of MHA which clearly states that ''No tickets to be sold at any station''. Railways has subsidised 85% &amp; state govt to pay 15%. The state govt can pay for the tickets (Madhya Pradesh's BJP govt is paying). Ask Cong state govts to follow suit," Patra tweeted.

The BJP leader further clarified that for each ''Shramik Express'', special trains being run for migrants, about 1,200 tickets to the destination are handed by the railways to the state government concerned.

State governments are supposed to clear the ticket price and hand over the tickets to workers, he said.

Seeking to corner the central government, the Congress on Monday said its state units will bear the cost of rail travel of needy migrant workers and labourers stranded at their workplaces due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a statement announced the party's decision and said this would be the Congress' humble contribution in standing shoulder to shoulder with these workers.

In a tweet, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy claimed that migrant workers returning home will not have to pay money as the rail travel will be free from now onwards.

Mr Swamy, in a tweet, said, "Talked to Piyush Goel office. Govt will pay 85% and the State Govt 15%. Migrant labour will go free. The Ministry will clarify with an official statement."

The BJP said on Monday the railways has subsidised 85 per cent of ticket fare for special trains being run to transport migrant workers and the state government has to pay the remaining 15 per cent, soon after the Congress attacked the central government over the issue.

The BJP said on Monday the railways has subsidised 85 per cent of ticket fare for special trains being run to transport migrant workers and the state government has to pay the remaining 15 per cent, soon after the Congress attacked the central government over the issue. The state government concerned can also pay for the tickets, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said. He said the Madhya Pradesh government is doing so and asked Rahul Gandhi to tell the Congress-ruled states to follow suit. He was responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's attack on the railways for charging poor migrant labourers ticket fare, even as it donated over Rs 151 crore to the PM-CARES Fund. "Rahul Gandhi ji, I have attached guidelines of MHA which clearly states that ''No tickets to be sold at any station''. Railways has subsidised 85% & state govt to pay 15%. The state govt can pay for the tickets (Madhya Pradesh's BJP govt is paying). Ask Cong state govts to follow suit," Patra tweeted. The BJP leader further clarified that for each ''Shramik Express'', special trains being run for migrants, about 1,200 tickets to the destination are handed by the railways to the state government concerned. State governments are supposed to clear the ticket price and hand over the tickets to workers, he said. Seeking to corner the central government, the Congress on Monday said its state units will bear the cost of rail travel of needy migrant workers and labourers stranded at their workplaces due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a statement announced the party's decision and said this would be the Congress' humble contribution in standing shoulder to shoulder with these workers. In a tweet, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy claimed that migrant workers returning home will not have to pay money as the rail travel will be free from now onwards. Mr Swamy, in a tweet, said, "Talked to Piyush Goel office. Govt will pay 85% and the State Govt 15%. Migrant labour will go free. The Ministry will clarify with an official statement."

Railways has subsidised 85% fare of special trains for migrants: BJP

Vietnam has appreciated the scale of action taken in India on lockdown and social distancing norms, India's Envoy to Vietnam Pranay Verma said. Speaking exclusively to Our Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Hanoi, Pranay Verma said both the countries have had similar approaches in dealing with the crisis and currently both "have among the lowest per capita incidents of infections" in the world. He also talked about how the mission is reaching out to Indians stranded in the country, many of the tourist and short term visitors.

WION: How is the Indian mission reaching to stranded Indians in the country?

Pranay Verma: COVID pandemic has impacted lives and travel all over the world. Our Embassy and consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City have actively been reaching out to Indian nationals who are held up in Vietnam in the wake of travel restrictions. Most people who are stranded in Vietnam are tourists and business travellers or short term visitors who could not return to India before the travel restrictions came up. We have extensively used social media tools to inform all our Indian nationals in Vietnam including community members who live in Vietnam as well as those who are visiting Vietnam and are held up about our 24*7 emergency coordinates. We have launched an online drive to register Indian Nationals in Vietnam. We are encouraging them to contact us for any assistance from Visa extension, any logistics or subsistence needs that are required to make their extended stay in Vietnam manageable. At the same time, the Indian community in Vietnam and the community organisation like the Indian business chamber have been extremely helpful in playing a proactive role in establishing contacts through social media networks within the larger community to ensure that any person in need is quickly identified and reached out to. We are also in touch with the Vietnamese authorities to seek assistance in making sure those currently held back in Vietnam do not face any undue hardships. Thankfully, we have had no cases of Indian nationals in Vietnam catching the COVID virus infection. In short, other than return to India, which is not something which we can control from here, we stand ready to extend and are extending all possible assistance to make the stay of our stranded citizens in Vietnam as convenient as practically possible.

WION: How are India and Vietnam cooperating on COVID pandemic? Are we sending HCQ or importing kits or anything?

Pranay Verma: India and Vietnam have maintained close contact during the fight against COVID 19. PM Modi spoke telephonically to Vietnamese PM on April 13th and discussed the situation arising out of the pandemic and the steps our two countries are taking to address the challenge. We are also engaged via diplomatic channels, exchanging information on best practices. India traditionally plays the role of a major provider of pharmaceuticals to Vietnam and this engagement has continued during COVID 19 outbreak. If you look at the way both India and Vietnam have approached the COVID 19 pandemic, there are many similarities in terms of early and precise actions taken, including travel restrictions, containment strategies- quarantine and social distancing enforcements, contact tracing etc. while ensuring at the same time significant ramping up of medical preparedness. Largely as a result of these actions, one can say, both countries have been able to witness among the lowest per capita incidence of infections.&nbsp;

WION: Have we shared any Indian containment model or anything to learn from Vietnam's containment model?

Pranay Verma: As I said, we are closely engaged with Vietnam, by exchanging information and best practices and prevention and containment strategies. We are providing detailed briefings to the Vietnamese side on actions India is taking. The Vietnamese side has appreciated the enormity and scale of action taken in India to enforce social distancing through the lockdown. Similarly, we are also regularly updating authorities in India about developments in Vietnam, their best practices, achievements including indigenous development of testing kits, use of technology in contact tracing, enforcing social distancing and the overall success in managing the pandemic.

WION: How has the ground situation in Vietnam changed, how are Indian diplomats faring?

Pranay Verma: As of date, COVID situation in Vietnam appears to have been largely contained. Vietnam has reported 271 total positive cases since the first case was reported in late January. Vietnam has not seen any case of community transmission since around the middle of April. Thanks for inquiring about the well being of our diplomats and our officials. &nbsp;Throughout social distancing restrictions that were put in place in Vietnam since April 1, the embassy and our consulate general has remained open, though with reduced staff strength. We have been particularly alert that our consular services are not disrupted and that we are actively able to extend consular assistance to Indian nationals throughout this period. With social distancing norms now relaxed since April 22nd, life seems to be gradually coming back to normal, schools have reopened from this week and we are also back to work in full strength and all our diplomats, officials and local staffs are in good spirits.

Vietnam has appreciated the scale of action taken in India on lockdown and social distancing norms, India's Envoy to Vietnam Pranay Verma said. Speaking exclusively to Our Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Hanoi, Pranay Verma said both the countries have had similar approaches in dealing with the crisis and currently both "have among the lowest per capita incidents of infections" in the world.

Vietnam has appreciated the scale of action taken in India on lockdown and social distancing norms, India's Envoy to Vietnam Pranay Verma said. Speaking exclusively to Our Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Hanoi, Pranay Verma said both the countries have had similar approaches in dealing with the crisis and currently both "have among the lowest per capita incidents of infections" in the world. He also talked about how the mission is reaching out to Indians stranded in the country, many of the tourist and short term visitors. WION: How is the Indian mission reaching to stranded Indians in the country? Pranay Verma: COVID pandemic has impacted lives and travel all over the world. Our Embassy and consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City have actively been reaching out to Indian nationals who are held up in Vietnam in the wake of travel restrictions. Most people who are stranded in Vietnam are tourists and business travellers or short term visitors who could not return to India before the travel restrictions came up. We have extensively used social media tools to inform all our Indian nationals in Vietnam including community members who live in Vietnam as well as those who are visiting Vietnam and are held up about our 24*7 emergency coordinates. We have launched an online drive to register Indian Nationals in Vietnam. We are encouraging them to contact us for any assistance from Visa extension, any logistics or subsistence needs that are required to make their extended stay in Vietnam manageable. At the same time, the Indian community in Vietnam and the community organisation like the Indian business chamber have been extremely helpful in playing a proactive role in establishing contacts through social media networks within the larger community to ensure that any person in need is quickly identified and reached out to. We are also in touch with the Vietnamese authorities to seek assistance in making sure those currently held back in Vietnam do not face any undue hardships. Thankfully, we have had no cases of Indian nationals in Vietnam catching the COVID virus infection. In short, other than return to India, which is not something which we can control from here, we stand ready to extend and are extending all possible assistance to make the stay of our stranded citizens in Vietnam as convenient as practically possible. WION: How are India and Vietnam cooperating on COVID pandemic? Are we sending HCQ or importing kits or anything? Pranay Verma: India and Vietnam have maintained close contact during the fight against COVID 19. PM Modi spoke telephonically to Vietnamese PM on April 13th and discussed the situation arising out of the pandemic and the steps our two countries are taking to address the challenge. We are also engaged via diplomatic channels, exchanging information on best practices. India traditionally plays the role of a major provider of pharmaceuticals to Vietnam and this engagement has continued during COVID 19 outbreak. If you look at the way both India and Vietnam have approached the COVID 19 pandemic, there are many similarities in terms of early and precise actions taken, including travel restrictions, containment strategies- quarantine and social distancing enforcements, contact tracing etc. while ensuring at the same time significant ramping up of medical preparedness. Largely as a result of these actions, one can say, both countries have been able to witness among the lowest per capita incidence of infections. WION: Have we shared any Indian containment model or anything to learn from Vietnam's containment model? Pranay Verma: As I said, we are closely engaged with Vietnam, by exchanging information and best practices and prevention and containment strategies. We are providing detailed briefings to the Vietnamese side on actions India is taking. The Vietnamese side has appreciated the enormity and scale of action taken in India to enforce social distancing through the lockdown. Similarly, we are also regularly updating authorities in India about developments in Vietnam, their best practices, achievements including indigenous development of testing kits, use of technology in contact tracing, enforcing social distancing and the overall success in managing the pandemic. WION: How has the ground situation in Vietnam changed, how are Indian diplomats faring? Pranay Verma: As of date, COVID situation in Vietnam appears to have been largely contained. Vietnam has reported 271 total positive cases since the first case was reported in late January. Vietnam has not seen any case of community transmission since around the middle of April. Thanks for inquiring about the well being of our diplomats and our officials. Throughout social distancing restrictions that were put in place in Vietnam since April 1, the embassy and our consulate general has remained open, though with reduced staff strength. We have been particularly alert that our consular services are not disrupted and that we are actively able to extend consular assistance to Indian nationals throughout this period. With social distancing norms now relaxed since April 22nd, life seems to be gradually coming back to normal, schools have reopened from this week and we are also back to work in full strength and all our diplomats, officials and local staffs are in good spirits.

India's scale of action on COVID-19 containment appreciated by Hanoi: Indian envoy to Vietnam

Electricians, plumbers, part-time house helps and other workers took tentative steps back to work on Monday as large parts of India, including the national capital, entered the third phase of the lockdown with curbs eased in some places.

As spring slipped into summer and the lockdown, which began on March 25, continued, people waited eagerly for electricians to service air-conditioners, plumbers to repair washing machines and broken taps, domestics to get back for the deep cleaning that never did get done and a host of other urgent jobs.

On the other end of the spectrum were the band of workers, trained in myriad necessary jobs that keep the household machine going smoothly, who found themselves without jobs and money.

Many of them, like Manoj Koli, an electrician for over 20 years, said they were reduced to scrambling for food and the lifting of some lockdown restrictions will hopefully mean a semblance of normalcy.

"I haven't earned a single rupee since March 21. It will be difficult to get back to work until electrical shops selling spare parts like wires and sockets also open. It is still too early to tell," Mr Manoj told PTI.

"With some electrical shops now open, that problem should hopefully be resolved. But I should get some work before all of that," the electrician, who lives in south Delhi's Dakshinpuri locality with his parents, wife and children, added.

The lockdown, to curtail the spread of coronavirus, has been extended for two weeks till at least May 17. Several restrictions have been lifted and several remain.

Declaring that the time had come to reopen Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday evening, "Self-employed people like technicians, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, sanitation workers, domestic helps, and people involved with laundry and ironing are allowed to work."

Navigating the coronavirus crisis, which has pushed Indians into the four walls of their homes, has been traumatic for everybody, but most of all perhaps for those like Manoj who depend on their everyday work to make a living.

He said the pandemic could not have come at a worse time.

Every April, he would be flooded with calls for AC servicing and repairs from his clients and could manage to make as much as Rs 40,000 a month.

This year, the calls didn't come and neither did the money.

There are lakhs of people like Mr Manoj.

According to Rajesh Kumar of the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU), the Delhi government does not have any official records of the numbers of unorganised skilled labour, including plumbers, electricians and carpenters. But it could be as high as six-seven lakh.

"The government should have created a record of these people before announcing a lockdown. It is understandable that the lockdown has been extended, but the government should have also been prepared with solutions for the problems of all kinds of people in the state," the IFTU general secretary said.

Subhash Mohanty, a plumber, said he is grateful he could procure the Delhi government's rations soon after the lockdown was announced.

"There has been no work for the last one month. I got some calls for work in the last few days, but I had to turn them down because there is a coronavirus case in my area, and I cannot step out of here," Mohanty, who stays in Tughlakabad Extension with his wife and two children, said.

Bikram Kumar, who works as a carpenter in south Delhi localities, said surviving the lockdown is getting more difficult each day and he can't wait to get back to work.

On a good month, he would make between Rs 10-20,000 a month, a part of which he would send to his home in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district where his wife and four children live. Since the lockdown, he has barely managed to make enough to feed himself and said he has been surviving on biscuits and water.

"Had there been public transport, I would have gone back home. At least, we have produce from farms. Now crops are also getting spoilt because nobody is there to harvest them," Bikram, who lives with his nephew in Lal Kuan area near Okhla industrial estate, said.

The last few weeks have been an emotional and financial drain for those like Kobita who came back to work on Monday to clean and cook in homes.

"During the lockdown period, I tried to go to some of my employers' houses to collect my salary but was stopped by police. Today, many junctions opened up, and it was a relief. I was getting worried that many of my employers won't call me back at all," said Kobita, who works in Chittaranjan Park in south Delhi.

With no public transport, she now has to walk about 30 minutes from her home but is not complaining.

"At least I have work," she said.

If Kobita, Manoj, Subhash and Bikram are desperate to get back to work, homemakers like Lata Srinivasan are equally anxious for them to attend to long pending jobs.

Almost every house is in need of an electrician who can service their ACs, but most are wary about inviting any outsider into their homes for fear of contracting the disease that has infected over 42,000 people in India and killed at least 1,373.

The total number of cases in Delhi has crossed 4,500 with 64 fatalities.

Srinivasan (68), is stuck with two unserviced ACs and a broken refrigerator in this heat and could not do anything about it because her society was not letting any service personnel in.

Her 10 year-old fridge finally gave up three days into the lockdown, and since then she has been figuring out ways to prevent her perishable food from going bad.

"I was buying vegetables once in two days, and keeping them in the open under the fan," Ms Srinivasan, who lives in an apartment complex in IP Extension in east Delhi, said.

Her society allowed electricians and plumbers to work from Monday but with strict instructions.

"We need to buy masks, gloves, and sanitisers for the technicians. They need to fill up a form giving their personal details at the society office, where their tools will be sanitised, and then the employers need to escort them to and from their houses so they don't go anywhere else," she said.

With the lockdown being relaxed somewhat, she is hoping day-to-day life will become smoother.&nbsp;

Electricians, plumbers, part-time house helps and other workers took tentative steps back to work on Monday as large parts of India, including the national capital, entered the third phase of the lockdown with curbs eased in some places.

Electricians, plumbers, part-time house helps and other workers took tentative steps back to work on Monday as large parts of India, including the national capital, entered the third phase of the lockdown with curbs eased in some places. As spring slipped into summer and the lockdown, which began on March 25, continued, people waited eagerly for electricians to service air-conditioners, plumbers to repair washing machines and broken taps, domestics to get back for the deep cleaning that never did get done and a host of other urgent jobs. On the other end of the spectrum were the band of workers, trained in myriad necessary jobs that keep the household machine going smoothly, who found themselves without jobs and money. Many of them, like Manoj Koli, an electrician for over 20 years, said they were reduced to scrambling for food and the lifting of some lockdown restrictions will hopefully mean a semblance of normalcy. "I haven't earned a single rupee since March 21. It will be difficult to get back to work until electrical shops selling spare parts like wires and sockets also open. It is still too early to tell," Mr Manoj told PTI. "With some electrical shops now open, that problem should hopefully be resolved. But I should get some work before all of that," the electrician, who lives in south Delhi's Dakshinpuri locality with his parents, wife and children, added. The lockdown, to curtail the spread of coronavirus, has been extended for two weeks till at least May 17. Several restrictions have been lifted and several remain. Declaring that the time had come to reopen Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday evening, "Self-employed people like technicians, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, sanitation workers, domestic helps, and people involved with laundry and ironing are allowed to work." Navigating the coronavirus crisis, which has pushed Indians into the four walls of their homes, has been traumatic for everybody, but most of all perhaps for those like Manoj who depend on their everyday work to make a living. He said the pandemic could not have come at a worse time. Every April, he would be flooded with calls for AC servicing and repairs from his clients and could manage to make as much as Rs 40,000 a month. This year, the calls didn't come and neither did the money. There are lakhs of people like Mr Manoj. According to Rajesh Kumar of the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU), the Delhi government does not have any official records of the numbers of unorganised skilled labour, including plumbers, electricians and carpenters. But it could be as high as six-seven lakh. "The government should have created a record of these people before announcing a lockdown. It is understandable that the lockdown has been extended, but the government should have also been prepared with solutions for the problems of all kinds of people in the state," the IFTU general secretary said. Subhash Mohanty, a plumber, said he is grateful he could procure the Delhi government's rations soon after the lockdown was announced. "There has been no work for the last one month. I got some calls for work in the last few days, but I had to turn them down because there is a coronavirus case in my area, and I cannot step out of here," Mohanty, who stays in Tughlakabad Extension with his wife and two children, said. Bikram Kumar, who works as a carpenter in south Delhi localities, said surviving the lockdown is getting more difficult each day and he can't wait to get back to work. On a good month, he would make between Rs 10-20,000 a month, a part of which he would send to his home in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district where his wife and four children live. Since the lockdown, he has barely managed to make enough to feed himself and said he has been surviving on biscuits and water. "Had there been public transport, I would have gone back home. At least, we have produce from farms. Now crops are also getting spoilt because nobody is there to harvest them," Bikram, who lives with his nephew in Lal Kuan area near Okhla industrial estate, said. The last few weeks have been an emotional and financial drain for those like Kobita who came back to work on Monday to clean and cook in homes. "During the lockdown period, I tried to go to some of my employers' houses to collect my salary but was stopped by police. Today, many junctions opened up, and it was a relief. I was getting worried that many of my employers won't call me back at all," said Kobita, who works in Chittaranjan Park in south Delhi. With no public transport, she now has to walk about 30 minutes from her home but is not complaining. "At least I have work," she said. If Kobita, Manoj, Subhash and Bikram are desperate to get back to work, homemakers like Lata Srinivasan are equally anxious for them to attend to long pending jobs. Almost every house is in need of an electrician who can service their ACs, but most are wary about inviting any outsider into their homes for fear of contracting the disease that has infected over 42,000 people in India and killed at least 1,373. The total number of cases in Delhi has crossed 4,500 with 64 fatalities. Srinivasan (68), is stuck with two unserviced ACs and a broken refrigerator in this heat and could not do anything about it because her society was not letting any service personnel in. Her 10 year-old fridge finally gave up three days into the lockdown, and since then she has been figuring out ways to prevent her perishable food from going bad. "I was buying vegetables once in two days, and keeping them in the open under the fan," Ms Srinivasan, who lives in an apartment complex in IP Extension in east Delhi, said. Her society allowed electricians and plumbers to work from Monday but with strict instructions. "We need to buy masks, gloves, and sanitisers for the technicians. They need to fill up a form giving their personal details at the society office, where their tools will be sanitised, and then the employers need to escort them to and from their houses so they don't go anywhere else," she said. With the lockdown being relaxed somewhat, she is hoping day-to-day life will become smoother.

Lockdown restrictions eased, electricians, house helps take steps back to work

Pakistan's coronavirus cases have climbed to 16,817 while the death toll from the pandemic has reached 385, the health ministry said.

Yesterday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that the coronavirus crisis could continue for months and the lockdown was not a solution to the pandemic.

"We don't know if the current situation will continue for six months or a year," Khan said while addressing the media along with his top advisors. "I know that the worst hit due to the lockdown will be poor."

Khan said the government so far disbursed 81 billion rupees among 6.6 million deserving families under Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme.

Pakistan markets reopen but few wear masks

In the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, life was returning to normal at fruit and vegetable markets after the government began relaxing some lockdown measures it had imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Many vendors and shoppers, however, did not follow official health recommendations and were not seen wearing face masks or practising physical distancing at the Sabzi Mandi market on April 30.

Pakistan's coronavirus cases have climbed to 16,817 while the death toll from the pandemic has reached 385, the health ministry said. Yesterday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that the coronavirus crisis could continue for months and the lockdown was not a solution to the pandemic.

Pakistan's coronavirus cases have climbed to 16,817 while the death toll from the pandemic has reached 385, the health ministry said. Yesterday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that the coronavirus crisis could continue for months and the lockdown was not a solution to the pandemic. "We don't know if the current situation will continue for six months or a year," Khan said while addressing the media along with his top advisors. "I know that the worst hit due to the lockdown will be poor." Khan said the government so far disbursed 81 billion rupees among 6.6 million deserving families under Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme. Pakistan markets reopen but few wear masks In the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, life was returning to normal at fruit and vegetable markets after the government began relaxing some lockdown measures it had imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Many vendors and shoppers, however, did not follow official health recommendations and were not seen wearing face masks or practising physical distancing at the Sabzi Mandi market on April 30.

Coronavirus cases in Pakistan rise to 16,817, with 385 deaths

US President Donald Trump will leave the White House on Friday for the first time in a month when he travels to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.

Trump will make the 70-mile (40 km) trip to Camp David on Friday evening, according to a schedule released by the White House on Thursday night. The schedule did not indicate how long Trump would stay at Camp David.

Trump has been holding regular press events at the White House to highlight his administration's efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump's last trip away from the White House was on March 28 to Norfolk, Virginia, where he bid farewell to the Navy's USNS Comfort hospital ship as it sailed to New York City to help take the pressure off civilian hospitals.

Trump, who faces re-election in November, said on Wednesday he would visit Arizona next week for an "industry"-related event.

US President Donald Trump will leave the White House on Friday for the first time in a month when he travels to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. Trump will make the 70-mile (40 km) trip to Camp David on Friday evening, according to a schedule released by the White House on Thursday night.

US President Donald Trump will leave the White House on Friday for the first time in a month when he travels to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. Trump will make the 70-mile (40 km) trip to Camp David on Friday evening, according to a schedule released by the White House on Thursday night. The schedule did not indicate how long Trump would stay at Camp David. Trump has been holding regular press events at the White House to highlight his administration's efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Trump's last trip away from the White House was on March 28 to Norfolk, Virginia, where he bid farewell to the Navy's USNS Comfort hospital ship as it sailed to New York City to help take the pressure off civilian hospitals. Trump, who faces re-election in November, said on Wednesday he would visit Arizona next week for an "industry"-related event.

Trump to leave White House today for the first time in a month

As White House economic reopening guidance expired on Thursday after two weeks in a place, half of all U.S. states forged ahead with easing restrictions on restaurants, retail and other businesses in hopes of reviving coronavirus-stricken commerce.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-new-zealand-taiwan-and-finland-have-kept-coronavirus-at-bay-295902">Also Read: How New Zealand, Taiwan and Finland have kept coronavirus at bay</a>

The enormous pressure on states to reopen, despite a lack of wide-scale virus testing and other precautions urged by health experts, was highlighted in new Labor Department data showing some 30 million Americans seeking unemployment benefits since March 21.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-not-man-made-or-genetically-modified-us-intelligence-community-295906">Coronavirus not man-made or genetically modified: US intelligence community</a> 
 
The jobless toll amounts to more than 18.4% of the U.S. working-age population, a level not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Physical separation of people - by closing schools, businesses and other places of social gatherings - remains the chief weapon against a highly contagious respiratory virus with no vaccine and no cure.

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But as economic pain grows to historic proportions, agitation to relax stay-at-home orders and mandatory workplace restrictions has mounted, especially in regions where the spread of the coronavirus appeared to be waning.

For the second time in two weeks, hundreds of protesters - including armed militia group members - thronged Michigan's state Capitol in Lansing demanding an end to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home orders.

The latest protest was sparked by the Democratic governor's request, ignored by Republican lawmakers, to extend emergency powers she had invoked in a state hard hit by both the virus and closures to combat it.

WHITE HOUSE STEPS BACK

Weeks after insisting he had "total" authority to decide when and how to reopen the nation's economy, President Donald Trump has largely left it to each governor to decide on a state-by-state basis.

Although the White House declined to extend its April 16 reopening guidance, which recommended an economic restart in stages only after strict safeguards are put in place, medical experts said those conditions remained unmet and that acting prematurely risked a resurgence of the outbreak.

Safely lifting social distancing rules, they insisted, will require vastly expanded virus screening and the means to trace close social contacts of infected people so they too can be tested and isolated.

"You can't just leap over things to a situation where you're really tempting (the virus) to rebound. That's the thing I get concerned about," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told NBC's "Today" show.

About two dozen states, mostly in the South, the Midwest and mountain West, have moved to relax restrictions since Georgia led the way late last week. Texas and Florida, among others this week, outlined plans for doing so in the days ahead.

But no companies are required to reopen, and it was not clear how many business owners and their employees would return to work, and how many patrons would venture back into stores and restaurants.

The number of coronavirus cases is still climbing in many parts of the country, although peaks appear to have been reached in New York state, the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, and other places.

Pennsylvania, Kansas, Wisconsin, Virginia, Arizona, Minnesota and Nebraska all reported a record number of new cases on Thursday, though greater testing could account for some of the increases, revealing infections already present but undetected.

Several states, including New Jersey, Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, New Mexico and the District of Columbia, posted new highs in their daily death tolls.

The number of known infections for the nation as a whole has climbed well past 1 million confirmed cases, including at least 62,000 deaths, well beyond the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War.

PATCHWORK

In the latest of a patchwork of announcements across the country in recent days, Florida on Wednesday became one of the largest states to ease some of the restrictions that have crippled business activity.

"There is a light at the end of the tunnel," Governor Ron DeSantis said as he unveiled his phase-one plan due to start on Monday to relax the mandatory workplace closures and stay-at-home orders imposed four weeks ago.

Texas unveiled a similar reopening strategy to take effect on Friday. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy plans to allow state parks and golf courses to reopen on Saturday. After a White House visit on Thursday, he said the federal government was giving his state 550,000 coronavirus testing kits, along with 750,000 swabs to take samples, marking a "huge step" toward his goal of doubling New Jersey's testing capacity by late May.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the closure of beaches and parks in Orange County, south of Los Angeles, after crowds jammed the popular shoreline last weekend.

Newsom, a Democrat, has said that curbside retail, manufacturing and other "lower-risk workplaces" should reopen in California within weeks as testing and contact-tracing improve.

In one of the first major reopenings anticipated in U.S. sports, NASCAR announced its auto racing competition would return with 10 races at its North and South Carolina tracks in mid- to late-May.

Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York said his state would hire thousands of workers to trace the contacts of people who test positive for the coronavirus. He also announced a halt to New York City subway service from 1 to 5 a.m. to disinfect trains.

As White House economic reopening guidance expired on Thursday after two weeks in a place, half of all U.S. states forged ahead with easing restrictions on restaurants, retail and other businesses in hopes of reviving coronavirus-stricken commerce.

As White House economic reopening guidance expired on Thursday after two weeks in a place, half of all U.S. states forged ahead with easing restrictions on restaurants, retail and other businesses in hopes of reviving coronavirus-stricken commerce. Also Read: How New Zealand, Taiwan and Finland have kept coronavirus at bay The enormous pressure on states to reopen, despite a lack of wide-scale virus testing and other precautions urged by health experts, was highlighted in new Labor Department data showing some 30 million Americans seeking unemployment benefits since March 21. Coronavirus not man-made or genetically modified: US intelligence community The jobless toll amounts to more than 18.4% of the U.S. working-age population, a level not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Physical separation of people - by closing schools, businesses and other places of social gatherings - remains the chief weapon against a highly contagious respiratory virus with no vaccine and no cure. But as economic pain grows to historic proportions, agitation to relax stay-at-home orders and mandatory workplace restrictions has mounted, especially in regions where the spread of the coronavirus appeared to be waning. For the second time in two weeks, hundreds of protesters - including armed militia group members - thronged Michigan's state Capitol in Lansing demanding an end to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home orders. The latest protest was sparked by the Democratic governor's request, ignored by Republican lawmakers, to extend emergency powers she had invoked in a state hard hit by both the virus and closures to combat it. WHITE HOUSE STEPS BACK Weeks after insisting he had "total" authority to decide when and how to reopen the nation's economy, President Donald Trump has largely left it to each governor to decide on a state-by-state basis. Although the White House declined to extend its April 16 reopening guidance, which recommended an economic restart in stages only after strict safeguards are put in place, medical experts said those conditions remained unmet and that acting prematurely risked a resurgence of the outbreak. Safely lifting social distancing rules, they insisted, will require vastly expanded virus screening and the means to trace close social contacts of infected people so they too can be tested and isolated. "You can't just leap over things to a situation where you're really tempting (the virus) to rebound. That's the thing I get concerned about," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told NBC's "Today" show. About two dozen states, mostly in the South, the Midwest and mountain West, have moved to relax restrictions since Georgia led the way late last week. Texas and Florida, among others this week, outlined plans for doing so in the days ahead. But no companies are required to reopen, and it was not clear how many business owners and their employees would return to work, and how many patrons would venture back into stores and restaurants. The number of coronavirus cases is still climbing in many parts of the country, although peaks appear to have been reached in New York state, the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, and other places. Pennsylvania, Kansas, Wisconsin, Virginia, Arizona, Minnesota and Nebraska all reported a record number of new cases on Thursday, though greater testing could account for some of the increases, revealing infections already present but undetected. Several states, including New Jersey, Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, New Mexico and the District of Columbia, posted new highs in their daily death tolls. The number of known infections for the nation as a whole has climbed well past 1 million confirmed cases, including at least 62,000 deaths, well beyond the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. PATCHWORK In the latest of a patchwork of announcements across the country in recent days, Florida on Wednesday became one of the largest states to ease some of the restrictions that have crippled business activity. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel," Governor Ron DeSantis said as he unveiled his phase-one plan due to start on Monday to relax the mandatory workplace closures and stay-at-home orders imposed four weeks ago. Texas unveiled a similar reopening strategy to take effect on Friday. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy plans to allow state parks and golf courses to reopen on Saturday. After a White House visit on Thursday, he said the federal government was giving his state 550,000 coronavirus testing kits, along with 750,000 swabs to take samples, marking a "huge step" toward his goal of doubling New Jersey's testing capacity by late May. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the closure of beaches and parks in Orange County, south of Los Angeles, after crowds jammed the popular shoreline last weekend. Newsom, a Democrat, has said that curbside retail, manufacturing and other "lower-risk workplaces" should reopen in California within weeks as testing and contact-tracing improve. In one of the first major reopenings anticipated in U.S. sports, NASCAR announced its auto racing competition would return with 10 races at its North and South Carolina tracks in mid- to late-May. Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York said his state would hire thousands of workers to trace the contacts of people who test positive for the coronavirus. He also announced a halt to New York City subway service from 1 to 5 a.m. to disinfect trains.

Half of US states easing coronavirus restrictions as jobless numbers grow

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.2 million worldwide on Friday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia.

COVID-19 has now infected 3,257,520 people worldwide and 233,405 &nbsp;people have been killed due to this pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-not-man-made-or-genetically-modified-us-intelligence-community-295906">Also read |&nbsp;Coronavirus not man-made or genetically modified: US intelligence community</a>

Around 1,014,809 people of that tally have recovered.

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A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-coronavirus-spreads-to-russias-secret-nuclear-cities-295663">Also read: Now, coronavirus spreads to Russia's 'secret' nuclear cities</a>

The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment.

As the pandemic spreads in the US, the country's economy is likely to face its worst crisis since the Great Depression.

Millions of US citizens have lost their jobs and consumer spending has seen its biggest decline in 40 years.

Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said he tested positive for coronavirus and will self-isolate to protect other cabinet members, promising to be in constant contact "on all the main issues."

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.2 million worldwide on Friday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. COVID-19 has now infected 3,257,520 people worldwide and 233,405 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.2 million worldwide on Friday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. COVID-19 has now infected 3,257,520 people worldwide and 233,405 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Also read | Coronavirus not man-made or genetically modified: US intelligence community Around 1,014,809 people of that tally have recovered. A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe. Also read: Now, coronavirus spreads to Russia's 'secret' nuclear cities The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America. Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment. As the pandemic spreads in the US, the country's economy is likely to face its worst crisis since the Great Depression. Millions of US citizens have lost their jobs and consumer spending has seen its biggest decline in 40 years. Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said he tested positive for coronavirus and will self-isolate to protect other cabinet members, promising to be in constant contact "on all the main issues."

Coronavirus global death toll passes 230,000; confirmed recoveries hit 1 million

Three policemen from Delhi were suspended for one day as they were caught lying about coming in contact with other policemen who had tested positive for coronavirus, as reported by Delhi Police.

The policemen who were deployed at Shastri Park metro station claimed they came in contact with few other policemen who were tested positive, and asked for permission to self-quarantine themselves.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/entire-country-suffering-supreme-court-rules-out-separate-funds-for-lawyers-295979">Also read:&nbsp;Entire country suffering’: Supreme Court rules out separate funds for lawyers</a>

The policemen, unlike their plan,&nbsp;have now returned to their duties.&nbsp;"3 policemen were suspended on 29 April for 1 day for lying to seniors that they came in contact with police personnel who tested positive for COVID-19. They were deployed at Shastri Park metro station. They have joined duty now," a statement from the Delhi Police said.

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3 policemen were suspended on 29 April for 1 day for lying to seniors that they came in contact with police personnel who tested positive for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a>&amp;so,they must be sent for home-quarantine. They were deployed at Shastri Park metro station. They've joined duty now: Delhi Police <a href="https://t.co/2QHLHT71YD">pic.twitter.com/2QHLHT71YD</a>
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With a total of more than 3,500 positive cases and 59&nbsp;deaths,&nbsp;Delhi has been one of the worst-hit states by coronavirus.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged people to stay calm and has assured that plasma therapy is helping patients recover.

“The 1,100 cured ppl are being contacted for plasma donation and most are willing to donate their plasma to help in the cure of positive patients,” he told the media..

“We were permitted by Centre for trial of plasma therapy at LNJP hospital. We administered it to a few patients. The first one among them was discharged after he made recovery. He was critical and in ICU, but was discharged. Initial results of the therapy are good,” he added.

Three policemen from Delhi were suspended for one day as they were caught lying about coming in contact with other policemen who had tested positive for coronavirus, as reported by Delhi Police.

Three policemen from Delhi were suspended for one day as they were caught lying about coming in contact with other policemen who had tested positive for coronavirus, as reported by Delhi Police. The policemen who were deployed at Shastri Park metro station claimed they came in contact with few other policemen who were tested positive, and asked for permission to self-quarantine themselves. Also read: Entire country suffering’: Supreme Court rules out separate funds for lawyers The policemen, unlike their plan, have now returned to their duties. "3 policemen were suspended on 29 April for 1 day for lying to seniors that they came in contact with police personnel who tested positive for COVID-19. They were deployed at Shastri Park metro station. They have joined duty now," a statement from the Delhi Police said. 3 policemen were suspended on 29 April for 1 day for lying to seniors that they came in contact with police personnel who tested positive for #COVID19&so,they must be sent for home-quarantine. They were deployed at Shastri Park metro station. They've joined duty now: Delhi Police pic.twitter.com/2QHLHT71YD — ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2020 × With a total of more than 3,500 positive cases and 59 deaths, Delhi has been one of the worst-hit states by coronavirus. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged people to stay calm and has assured that plasma therapy is helping patients recover. “The 1,100 cured ppl are being contacted for plasma donation and most are willing to donate their plasma to help in the cure of positive patients,” he told the media.. “We were permitted by Centre for trial of plasma therapy at LNJP hospital. We administered it to a few patients. The first one among them was discharged after he made recovery. He was critical and in ICU, but was discharged. Initial results of the therapy are good,” he added.

Three policemen suspended for lying about coming in contact with coronavirus patients

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Health Ministry has classified districts across all states and Union Territories as Red, Orange and Green zones with 130, 284 and 319 such zones respectively across the country, as on April 30.

All four major metropolitans - Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai - have been classified as red zones. The other major cities which are under the red zone are - Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Indore, Bhopal, Patna, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune and Nagpur among others.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/alcohol-will-kill-coronavirus-in-throat-believes-mla-bharat-singh-kundanpur-296039">Also read:&nbsp;Alcohol will kill coronavirus in throat, believes MLA Bharat Singh Kundanpur</a>

Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan has written to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs delineating the above classification.

According to the data shared by the ministry, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum 19 red zones followed by Maharashtra which has 14 red zones. Tamil Nadu comes next with 12 red zones followed by Delhi which has 11 red zones. West Bengal is in fifth place with 10 red zones.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/entire-country-suffering-supreme-court-rules-out-separate-funds-for-lawyers-295979">Also read:&nbsp;Entire country suffering’: Supreme Court rules out separate funds for lawyers</a>

Uttar Pradesh also has the highest number of orange zones at 36. It is followed by Tamil Nadu with 24 orange zones. Bihar comes in third place with 20 orange zones.

The maximum green zones are in Assam at 30 followed by Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh with both states having 25 green zones. Madhya Pradesh comes next with 24 green zones.

"The districts were earlier designated as hotspots/red-zones, orange zones and green zones primarily based on the cumulative cases reported and the doubling rate. Since recovery rates have gone up, the districts are now being designated across various zones duly broad-basing the criteria," the Union Health Secretary wrote.

"This classification is multi-factorial and takes into consideration the incidence of cases, doubling rate, the extent of testing, and surveillance feedback to classify the districts. A district will be considered green zone if there are no confirmed cases so far or there is no reported case in the last 21 days in the district," she added.

Clarifying the classification of districts, the Health Secretary said: "For districts having 1 or more municipal corporations, corporations and other areas of districts may be treated as separate units. If 1 or more of these have reported no cases for the last 21 days, they can be considered 1 level lower in zonal classification, if the district is in Red/Orange zone."

"In buffer zones, extensive surveillance for cases through monitoring of ILI/SARI cases in health facilities has to be taken up. States are requested to delineate the containment zones and buffer zones in the identified red and orange zone districts and notify the same," she added.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Health Ministry has classified districts across all states and Union Territories as Red, Orange and Green zones with 130, 284 and 319 such zones respectively across the country, as on April 30.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Health Ministry has classified districts across all states and Union Territories as Red, Orange and Green zones with 130, 284 and 319 such zones respectively across the country, as on April 30. All four major metropolitans - Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai - have been classified as red zones. The other major cities which are under the red zone are - Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Indore, Bhopal, Patna, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune and Nagpur among others. Also read: Alcohol will kill coronavirus in throat, believes MLA Bharat Singh Kundanpur Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan has written to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs delineating the above classification. According to the data shared by the ministry, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum 19 red zones followed by Maharashtra which has 14 red zones. Tamil Nadu comes next with 12 red zones followed by Delhi which has 11 red zones. West Bengal is in fifth place with 10 red zones. Also read: Entire country suffering’: Supreme Court rules out separate funds for lawyers Uttar Pradesh also has the highest number of orange zones at 36. It is followed by Tamil Nadu with 24 orange zones. Bihar comes in third place with 20 orange zones. The maximum green zones are in Assam at 30 followed by Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh with both states having 25 green zones. Madhya Pradesh comes next with 24 green zones. "The districts were earlier designated as hotspots/red-zones, orange zones and green zones primarily based on the cumulative cases reported and the doubling rate. Since recovery rates have gone up, the districts are now being designated across various zones duly broad-basing the criteria," the Union Health Secretary wrote. "This classification is multi-factorial and takes into consideration the incidence of cases, doubling rate, the extent of testing, and surveillance feedback to classify the districts. A district will be considered green zone if there are no confirmed cases so far or there is no reported case in the last 21 days in the district," she added. Clarifying the classification of districts, the Health Secretary said: "For districts having 1 or more municipal corporations, corporations and other areas of districts may be treated as separate units. If 1 or more of these have reported no cases for the last 21 days, they can be considered 1 level lower in zonal classification, if the district is in Red/Orange zone." "In buffer zones, extensive surveillance for cases through monitoring of ILI/SARI cases in health facilities has to be taken up. States are requested to delineate the containment zones and buffer zones in the identified red and orange zone districts and notify the same," she added.

Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai among 130 Red Zones designated by Centre

South Korea on Thursday reported no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time since February, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.

KCDC reported four new infections, all imported cases, taking the national tally to 10,765. The death toll rose by one to 247, while 9,059 have been discharged.

Of the total, 1,065 were imported cases, where more than 90% were Koreans, according to a KCDC statement.

The health authorities also concluded no local transmission occurred from a parliamentary election this month, where authorities took safety measures, including requiring voters to wear masks and plastic gloves when casting ballots.

“Twenty-nine million voters participated in the April 15 parliamentary election ... Not one case related to the election has been reported during the 14 days of the incubation period,” Yoon Tae-ho, director general for public health policy, told a briefing.

Yoon thanked staff and voters, who disinfected polling stations across the country and maintained 1 metre (40 inches) distance between each other.

A clinical expert panel on Wednesday also concluded that recovered coronavirus patients who later test positive for the virus again were not “reactivated” or reinfected, but were false positives.

The head of the committee said the false positives were due to technical limits of PCR testing. The country has so far reported 292 such cases.

After grappling with the first major outbreak outside China, South Korea has largely managed to bring the outbreak under control without major disruptions with a massive testing campaign and intensive contact tracing.

South Korea on Thursday reported no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time since February, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.

South Korea on Thursday reported no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time since February, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said. KCDC reported four new infections, all imported cases, taking the national tally to 10,765. The death toll rose by one to 247, while 9,059 have been discharged. Of the total, 1,065 were imported cases, where more than 90% were Koreans, according to a KCDC statement. The health authorities also concluded no local transmission occurred from a parliamentary election this month, where authorities took safety measures, including requiring voters to wear masks and plastic gloves when casting ballots. “Twenty-nine million voters participated in the April 15 parliamentary election ... Not one case related to the election has been reported during the 14 days of the incubation period,” Yoon Tae-ho, director general for public health policy, told a briefing. Yoon thanked staff and voters, who disinfected polling stations across the country and maintained 1 metre (40 inches) distance between each other. A clinical expert panel on Wednesday also concluded that recovered coronavirus patients who later test positive for the virus again were not “reactivated” or reinfected, but were false positives. The head of the committee said the false positives were due to technical limits of PCR testing. The country has so far reported 292 such cases. After grappling with the first major outbreak outside China, South Korea has largely managed to bring the outbreak under control without major disruptions with a massive testing campaign and intensive contact tracing.

South Korea: No new domestic coronavirus cases, no transmission from election

At least 17 Indians have died in Saudi Arabia due to coronavirus COVID-19, even as the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation and taking all the requisite measures to ensure the welfare of Indian citizens.&nbsp;

As per information available with the Embassy as of April 30, 17 Indian nationals, 4 from Kerala, 3 from UP, 3 from Bihar and 2 from Telangana have died.

According to the officials, Indian Mission in Saudi Arabia is in process of working out the modalities of the evacuation of stranded Indians in line with the directions of the Government of India.

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Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia who seek repatriation to India may kindly fill the form in the following link: <a href="https://t.co/K5Hbmr4cFP">https://t.co/K5Hbmr4cFP</a> 
 
It is stated that the purpose is only to collect data and no decision has been taken yet regarding resumption of flights to India.
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In Saudi Arabia, the death toll reached 157 with five additional fatalities, according to the country's Health Ministry. The Kingdom has recorded 1,266 new cases of COVID-19.&nbsp;

The number of cases increased to 21,402 and the number of recoveries reached 2,953.

At least 17 Indians have died in Saudi Arabia due to coronavirus COVID-19, even as the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation and taking all the requisite measures to ensure the welfare of Indian citizens.

At least 17 Indians have died in Saudi Arabia due to coronavirus COVID-19, even as the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation and taking all the requisite measures to ensure the welfare of Indian citizens. As per information available with the Embassy as of April 30, 17 Indian nationals, 4 from Kerala, 3 from UP, 3 from Bihar and 2 from Telangana have died. According to the officials, Indian Mission in Saudi Arabia is in process of working out the modalities of the evacuation of stranded Indians in line with the directions of the Government of India. Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia who seek repatriation to India may kindly fill the form in the following link: https://t.co/K5Hbmr4cFP It is stated that the purpose is only to collect data and no decision has been taken yet regarding resumption of flights to India. — India in SaudiArabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) April 29, 2020 × In Saudi Arabia, the death toll reached 157 with five additional fatalities, according to the country's Health Ministry. The Kingdom has recorded 1,266 new cases of COVID-19. The number of cases increased to 21,402 and the number of recoveries reached 2,953.

17 Indian nationals die due to COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.2 million worldwide on Thursday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia.

COVID-19 has now infected 3,190,743 &nbsp;people worldwide and 227,368 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-hammered-us-economy-in-first-quarter-295600">Also read: Coronavirus hammered US economy in first quarter</a>

Around 972,170 people of that tally have recovered.

A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-coronavirus-spreads-to-russias-secret-nuclear-cities-295663">Also read: Now, coronavirus spreads to Russia's 'secret' nuclear cities</a> 
 
The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America.

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday reported 1,005,147 cases of new coronavirus, an increase of 23,901 cases from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 2,247 to 57,505.

The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19, caused by a new coronavirus, as of 4 p.m. ET on April 28, compared with its count a day earlier.&nbsp;

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.2 million worldwide on Thursday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. COVID-19 has now infected 3,190,743 people worldwide and 227,368 people have been killed due to this pandemic.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 3.2 million worldwide on Thursday as COVID-19 spreads across Europe, North America and South Asia. COVID-19 has now infected 3,190,743 people worldwide and 227,368 people have been killed due to this pandemic. Also read: Coronavirus hammered US economy in first quarter Around 972,170 people of that tally have recovered. A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) had claimed how lifting lockdowns too early could lead to a second wave and would be a catastrophe. Also read: Now, coronavirus spreads to Russia's 'secret' nuclear cities The epicentre of the pandemic has shifted twice, first from China to Europe, and then from Europe to North America. Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University have reported in its map that the United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday reported 1,005,147 cases of new coronavirus, an increase of 23,901 cases from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 2,247 to 57,505. The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19, caused by a new coronavirus, as of 4 p.m. ET on April 28, compared with its count a day earlier.

Global coronavirus cases surge to 3.2 million, death toll at 227,368

Covid-19 is expected to cause global energy emissions to fall a record eight percent this year due to an unprecedented drop in demand for coal, oil and gas, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.

The IEA's Global Energy Review was based on an analysis of electricity demand over more than 100 days, during which much of the world has entered lockdown in a bid to control the pandemic.

It predicted that global energy demand would fall six percent in 2020 -- seven times more than during the 2008 financial crisis and the biggest year-on-year drop since World War II.

This would be the equivalent of losing the entire energy demand of India, the world's third-largest power consumer, the IEA said.

Advanced economies are set to see the biggest declines, with demand in the United States down nine percent and an 11-percent fall in the European Union likely.

"This is a historic shock to the entire energy world," said IEA executive director Fatih Birol.

"The plunge in demand for nearly all major fuels is staggering, especially for coal, oil and gas."

With consumption falling, the IEA said it had noticed a "major shift" to low-carbon sources of power, such as wind and solar, which are set to make up 40 percent of global electricity generation -- six percentage points more than coal.

Coal and natural gas "are finding themselves increasingly squeezed between low overall power demand and increasing output from renewables," the report said.

Natural gas demand is set to fall five percent in 2020 after a decade of uninterrupted growth.

Following a 2018 peak, coal-fired power generation is set to fall more than 10 percent this year.

Overall, energy-related carbon emissions are set to fall by almost eight percent, reaching their lowest level since 2010.

If this plays out this would be by far the largest annual decrease on record, more than six times larger than the 2009 fall precipitated by the global financial crisis.

The United Nations says CO2 emissions must fall by 7.6 percent annually through to 2030 in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.6 Farenheit), the most ambitious temperature cap of the Paris climate accord.

Until COVID-19 struck, emissions had been rising year on year.

Reacting to the IEA's report, Richard Black, Director of the Britain-based Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said how the global economy recovered in the long term from the pandemic would be key for the climate.

"In recent weeks there have been robust promises from national leaders and calls from businesses for post-coronavirus stimulus packages to accelerate the clean energy transition," Black said.

"If these pledges come good... then the crisis could come to be seen as a genuine turning point for world energy markets."

Covid-19 is expected to cause global energy emissions to fall a record eight percent this year due to an unprecedented drop in demand for coal, oil and gas, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.

Covid-19 is expected to cause global energy emissions to fall a record eight percent this year due to an unprecedented drop in demand for coal, oil and gas, the International Energy Agency said Thursday. The IEA's Global Energy Review was based on an analysis of electricity demand over more than 100 days, during which much of the world has entered lockdown in a bid to control the pandemic. It predicted that global energy demand would fall six percent in 2020 -- seven times more than during the 2008 financial crisis and the biggest year-on-year drop since World War II. This would be the equivalent of losing the entire energy demand of India, the world's third-largest power consumer, the IEA said. Advanced economies are set to see the biggest declines, with demand in the United States down nine percent and an 11-percent fall in the European Union likely. "This is a historic shock to the entire energy world," said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. "The plunge in demand for nearly all major fuels is staggering, especially for coal, oil and gas." With consumption falling, the IEA said it had noticed a "major shift" to low-carbon sources of power, such as wind and solar, which are set to make up 40 percent of global electricity generation -- six percentage points more than coal. Coal and natural gas "are finding themselves increasingly squeezed between low overall power demand and increasing output from renewables," the report said. Natural gas demand is set to fall five percent in 2020 after a decade of uninterrupted growth. Following a 2018 peak, coal-fired power generation is set to fall more than 10 percent this year. Overall, energy-related carbon emissions are set to fall by almost eight percent, reaching their lowest level since 2010. If this plays out this would be by far the largest annual decrease on record, more than six times larger than the 2009 fall precipitated by the global financial crisis. The United Nations says CO2 emissions must fall by 7.6 percent annually through to 2030 in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.6 Farenheit), the most ambitious temperature cap of the Paris climate accord. Until COVID-19 struck, emissions had been rising year on year. Reacting to the IEA's report, Richard Black, Director of the Britain-based Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said how the global economy recovered in the long term from the pandemic would be key for the climate. "In recent weeks there have been robust promises from national leaders and calls from businesses for post-coronavirus stimulus packages to accelerate the clean energy transition," Black said. "If these pledges come good... then the crisis could come to be seen as a genuine turning point for world energy markets."

Covid-19 to cause record emissions fall in 2020: International Energy Agency

US President Donald Trump doubled down on China for failing to tame the coronavirus at its very origin, saying it has led to 184 countries "going through hell", as several American lawmakers demanded steps to reduce dependence on Beijing for manufacturing and minerals. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cases-in-us-top-1-million-death-toll-at-57266-295419">ALSO READ: Coronavirus cases in US top 1 million; death toll at 57,266</a>

Trump has been publicly blaming China for the global spread of the "invisible enemy" and launched an investigation against it. He has also indicated that the US may be looking at "a lot more money" in damages from China than the USD 140 billion being sought by Germany from Beijing for the pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-coronavirus-end-in-us-uk-france-india-study-predicts-dates-month-295324">When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates &amp; month</a>

Leaders of the US, the UK and Germany believe that the deaths and the destruction of the global economy could have been avoided, had China shared the information about the virus in its early phases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-reports-586-covid-19-deaths-in-last-24-hours-death-toll-crosses-21600-295396">Also read |&nbsp;UK reports 586 COVID-19 deaths in last 24 hours; death toll crosses 21,600</a>

"It's in 184 countries, as you hear me say often. It's hard to believe. It's inconceivable," Trump told reporters at White House Tuesday.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-covid-19-death-toll-tops-vietnam-war-fatalities-cases-surpass-one-million-295433/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"It should have been stopped at the source, which was China. It should have been stopped very much at the source, but it wasn't. And now we have 184 countries going through hell."

The virus, which originated in China's Wuhan city in mid-November, has killed more than two lakh people and infected over three million globally. The largest number of them are in the US: nearly 59,000 deaths and over one million infections.

The massive outbreak in the US has put Trump under increasing pressure from American lawmakers to decrease US dependence on Beijing and they have also sought compensation from China.

Senator Ted Cruz and his colleagues have urged Defence Secretary Mark Esper and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to support the development of a fully domestic supply chain of rare earth and other minerals that are critical for manufacturing defence technologies and supporting national security.

"It is clear that our dependence on China for vital rare earths threatens our US manufacturing and defence-industrial base. As the October 2018 Defence Industrial Base Report states: 'China represents a significant and growing risk to the supply of materials deemed strategic and critical to US national security.' [...] Ensuring a US supply of domestically sourced rare earths will reduce our vulnerability to supply disruptions that poses a grave risk to our military readiness," the Senators wrote.

The US is 100 per cent import-dependent for rare earths as well as 13 other metals and minerals on the US Government Critical Minerals List and more than 75 per cent import reliant for an additional 10 minerals.

Congressman Brian Mast on Tuesday introduced legislation to hold China accountable for its "coronavirus deception". The resolution would empower the US to withhold payments on debts owed to China equal to the costs incurred by the US in response to COVID-19.

"China's total lack of transparency and mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak has cost tens of thousands of lives, millions of jobs and left untold economic destruction. Congress must hold China accountable for their cover-up and force them to pay back the taxpayer dollars that have been spent as a result," Mast said.

Cruz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced his intention to introduce legislation to cut off Hollywood studios from the assistance they receive from the Department of Defence if those studios censor their films for screening in China.

This legislation is part of Sen. Cruz's comprehensive push to combat China's growing influence over what Americans see and hear, which includes legislation targeting information warfare from the Chinese Communist Party across higher education, sports, films, radio broadcasts, and more.

Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera and Congressman Ted S. Yoho, both members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will lead a bipartisan virtual Special Order to highlight the importance of US global leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If we abdicate our place as a leader in global health, there is another country eager to take the reins. China has not been subtle in asserting itself on global health issues, and often not for the benefit of other nations. China's recent coronavirus debacle should be evidence enough that their communist regime cannot be trusted to lead with accountability, transparency, or pragmatism, traits that are essential when fighting widespread disease," Yoho said.

"As for how China would fare as a global health leader, look no further than the disastrous initial response by the WHO to coronavirus, one that was clearly influenced by Beijing. Information was slow-walked, warnings from nations like Taiwan were ignored at crucial turning points, and cooperation with outside health experts was spurned until it was too late. And it has resulted in the largest public health disaster the world has seen in over a century," he said.

In an interview to Fox News, Senator Marco Rubio alleged that if China had acted when those warnings were being made, instead of silencing the people that were talking about it, they could have limited the spread.

"So there was no doubt that that was a deliberate decision made on their part. The one way to hold them accountable is to do what we should be doing anyway. That is moving the means of production to become less and less dependent upon them. What you're going to see after this pandemic is that more and more countries are going to prioritize their healthcare manufacturing capabilities and other industries," he said.

US President Donald Trump doubled down on China for failing to tame the coronavirus at its very origin, saying it has led to 184 countries "going through hell", as several American lawmakers demanded steps to reduce dependence on Beijing for manufacturing and minerals.

US President Donald Trump doubled down on China for failing to tame the coronavirus at its very origin, saying it has led to 184 countries "going through hell", as several American lawmakers demanded steps to reduce dependence on Beijing for manufacturing and minerals. ALSO READ: Coronavirus cases in US top 1 million; death toll at 57,266 Trump has been publicly blaming China for the global spread of the "invisible enemy" and launched an investigation against it. He has also indicated that the US may be looking at "a lot more money" in damages from China than the USD 140 billion being sought by Germany from Beijing for the pandemic. Also read: When will COVID-19 end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates & month Leaders of the US, the UK and Germany believe that the deaths and the destruction of the global economy could have been avoided, had China shared the information about the virus in its early phases. Also read | UK reports 586 COVID-19 deaths in last 24 hours; death toll crosses 21,600 "It's in 184 countries, as you hear me say often. It's hard to believe. It's inconceivable," Trump told reporters at White House Tuesday. "It should have been stopped at the source, which was China. It should have been stopped very much at the source, but it wasn't. And now we have 184 countries going through hell." The virus, which originated in China's Wuhan city in mid-November, has killed more than two lakh people and infected over three million globally. The largest number of them are in the US: nearly 59,000 deaths and over one million infections. The massive outbreak in the US has put Trump under increasing pressure from American lawmakers to decrease US dependence on Beijing and they have also sought compensation from China. Senator Ted Cruz and his colleagues have urged Defence Secretary Mark Esper and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to support the development of a fully domestic supply chain of rare earth and other minerals that are critical for manufacturing defence technologies and supporting national security. "It is clear that our dependence on China for vital rare earths threatens our US manufacturing and defence-industrial base. As the October 2018 Defence Industrial Base Report states: 'China represents a significant and growing risk to the supply of materials deemed strategic and critical to US national security.' [...] Ensuring a US supply of domestically sourced rare earths will reduce our vulnerability to supply disruptions that poses a grave risk to our military readiness," the Senators wrote. The US is 100 per cent import-dependent for rare earths as well as 13 other metals and minerals on the US Government Critical Minerals List and more than 75 per cent import reliant for an additional 10 minerals. Congressman Brian Mast on Tuesday introduced legislation to hold China accountable for its "coronavirus deception". The resolution would empower the US to withhold payments on debts owed to China equal to the costs incurred by the US in response to COVID-19. "China's total lack of transparency and mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak has cost tens of thousands of lives, millions of jobs and left untold economic destruction. Congress must hold China accountable for their cover-up and force them to pay back the taxpayer dollars that have been spent as a result," Mast said. Cruz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced his intention to introduce legislation to cut off Hollywood studios from the assistance they receive from the Department of Defence if those studios censor their films for screening in China. This legislation is part of Sen. Cruz's comprehensive push to combat China's growing influence over what Americans see and hear, which includes legislation targeting information warfare from the Chinese Communist Party across higher education, sports, films, radio broadcasts, and more. Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera and Congressman Ted S. Yoho, both members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will lead a bipartisan virtual Special Order to highlight the importance of US global leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. "If we abdicate our place as a leader in global health, there is another country eager to take the reins. China has not been subtle in asserting itself on global health issues, and often not for the benefit of other nations. China's recent coronavirus debacle should be evidence enough that their communist regime cannot be trusted to lead with accountability, transparency, or pragmatism, traits that are essential when fighting widespread disease," Yoho said. "As for how China would fare as a global health leader, look no further than the disastrous initial response by the WHO to coronavirus, one that was clearly influenced by Beijing. Information was slow-walked, warnings from nations like Taiwan were ignored at crucial turning points, and cooperation with outside health experts was spurned until it was too late. And it has resulted in the largest public health disaster the world has seen in over a century," he said. In an interview to Fox News, Senator Marco Rubio alleged that if China had acted when those warnings were being made, instead of silencing the people that were talking about it, they could have limited the spread. "So there was no doubt that that was a deliberate decision made on their part. The one way to hold them accountable is to do what we should be doing anyway. That is moving the means of production to become less and less dependent upon them. What you're going to see after this pandemic is that more and more countries are going to prioritize their healthcare manufacturing capabilities and other industries," he said.

'184 countries going through hell': Trump blames China for coronavirus spread

US President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that he may seek damages from China over the coronavirus outbreak which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan and spread around the world.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-wuhan-fears-of-second-coronavirus-wave-in-chinas-northeast-294018">After Wuhan, fears of second coronavirus wave in China's northeast</a>

"We are not happy with China," Trump said at a White House briefing. "We are not happy with that whole situation because we believe it could have been stopped at the source."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-coronavirus-chinas-double-standards-on-racism-295179/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn't have spread all over the world," he said.

"There are a lot of ways you can hold them accountable," Trump said. "We're doing some very serious investigations as you probably know."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-china-curb-the-second-wave-of-coronavirus-pandemic-292430">Can China curb the second wave of coronavirus pandemic?</a>

Trump was asked about a recent German newspaper editorial which called on China to pay Germany $165 billion in reparations because of economic damage done by the virus.

Asked if the US would consider doing the same, the US president said "we can do something much easier than that."

"Germany is looking at things, we are looking at things," he said. "We are talking about a lot more money than Germany's talking about."

"We haven't determined the final amount yet," Trump said. "It's very substantial.

"This is worldwide damage," he said. "This is damage to the US, but this is damage to the world."

There have been more than 55,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the United States and the pandemic has shut down huge swathes of the economy, leaving tens of millions unemployed.

US President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that he may seek damages from China over the coronavirus outbreak which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan and spread around the world.

US President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that he may seek damages from China over the coronavirus outbreak which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan and spread around the world. Also read: After Wuhan, fears of second coronavirus wave in China's northeast "We are not happy with China," Trump said at a White House briefing. "We are not happy with that whole situation because we believe it could have been stopped at the source." "It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn't have spread all over the world," he said. "There are a lot of ways you can hold them accountable," Trump said. "We're doing some very serious investigations as you probably know." Also read: Can China curb the second wave of coronavirus pandemic? Trump was asked about a recent German newspaper editorial which called on China to pay Germany $165 billion in reparations because of economic damage done by the virus. Asked if the US would consider doing the same, the US president said "we can do something much easier than that." "Germany is looking at things, we are looking at things," he said. "We are talking about a lot more money than Germany's talking about." "We haven't determined the final amount yet," Trump said. "It's very substantial. "This is worldwide damage," he said. "This is damage to the US, but this is damage to the world." There have been more than 55,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the United States and the pandemic has shut down huge swathes of the economy, leaving tens of millions unemployed.

'Very serious investigations' against China over coronavirus, says Trump

US President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that he may seek damages from China over the coronavirus outbreak which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan and spread around the world.

"We are not happy with China," Trump said at a White House briefing. "We are not happy with that whole situation because we believe it could have been stopped at the source.

"It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn't have spread all over the world," he said.

"There are a lot of ways you can hold them accountable," Trump said. "We're doing some very serious investigations as you probably know."

Trump was asked about a recent German newspaper editorial which called on China to pay Germany $165 billion in reparations because of economic damage done by the virus.

Asked if the US would consider doing the same, the US president said "we can do something much easier than that."

"Germany is looking at things, we are looking at things," he said. "We are talking about a lot more money than Germany's talking about."

"We haven't determined the final amount yet," Trump said. "It's very substantial.

"This is worldwide damage," he said. "This is damage to the US, but this is damage to the world."

There have been more than 55,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the United States and the pandemic has shut down huge swathes of the economy, leaving tens of millions unemployed.

US President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that he may seek damages from China over the coronavirus outbreak which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan and spread around the world. "We are not happy with China," Trump said at a White House briefing. "We are not happy with that whole situation because we believe it could have been stopped at the source. "It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn't have spread all over the world," he said. "There are a lot of ways you can hold them accountable," Trump said. "We're doing some very serious investigations as you probably know." Trump was asked about a recent German newspaper editorial which called on China to pay Germany $165 billion in reparations because of economic damage done by the virus. Asked if the US would consider doing the same, the US president said "we can do something much easier than that." "Germany is looking at things, we are looking at things," he said. "We are talking about a lot more money than Germany's talking about." "We haven't determined the final amount yet," Trump said. "It's very substantial. "This is worldwide damage," he said. "This is damage to the US, but this is damage to the world." There have been more than 55,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the United States and the pandemic has shut down huge swathes of the economy, leaving tens of millions unemployed.

Trump says US may seek damages from China over the virus

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