ALL SET FOR EVACUATION OF INDIANS STRANDED OVERSEAS

In one of the largest evacuation exercises, the govt will operate 64 flights

from May 7 to 13 to bring home thousands of Indian nationals stranded abroad

due to the coronavirus lockdown. Named "Vande Bharat Mission", Minister of

External Affairs S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that preparations for the

operation had commenced and urged the stranded individuals to stay in touch

with the Indian embassies in their respective countries.

Also, the Indian Navy has launched Operation "Samudra Setu" to repatriate

Indian citizens from overseas. Naval ships Jalashwa and Magar are enroute to

the port of Male to evacuate people from May 8. The government said only

those who test Covid-19 negative would be allowed to travel.

"Those arriving by repatriation flights will be screened, put under 14-day

quarantine.

In an order, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said priority will be given

for return to India to compelling cases in distress, including migrant

workers, labourers who have been laid off and those faced with expiry of

short term visas. Persons with medical emergency, pregnant women, elderly,

those required to return to India due to death of family member, and

students would also be given preference, the home ministry said.

Passengers will be charged Rs 50,000 each for

London/Delhi/Mumbai/Ahmedabad/Bangalore flights and Rs 12,000 for

Dhaka-Delhi flight. Passengers being repatriated from the US will be charged

Rs 1 lakh, while those from Dubai will have to shell out Rs 13,000. The MEA

will give travellers two days notice with the schedule (day, place and time

of arrival) of the incoming flight on its website.

Air tickets will only be issued to those on the passenger lists prepared by

the Embassy or Consulate, the statement said. Moreover, medical screening of

passengers would be done before taking the flight. Only asymptomatic

passengers would be allowed to travel.

People who are brought back from overseas will have to download "Aarogya

Setu" mobile app and follow all the govt-issued health guidelines.

GOVT SUSPENDS ALL VISAS TILL LOCKDOWN, BARS TRAVEL BY OCI CARD-HOLDERS

All existing visas granted to foreigners - except those belonging to

diplomatic, official, UN international organisations, employment and project

categories - shall remain suspended till prohibition on international air

travel of passengers from and to India is lifted by the govt, an order by

the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday read.

The ministry also said it has kept in abeyance multiple-entry life-long

visas given to Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders till

international travel remains suspended.

EXCISE DUTY HIKED ON PETROL, DIESEL, NO PRICE CHANGE, BUT DELHI HIKES PRICE

STEEPLY

The govt Tuesday announced a Rs 13 per litre hike in excise duty on diesel

and a Rs 10 per litre hike in excise duty on petrol in an attempt to shore

up more revenues even as demand remains subdued due to the lockdown to

counter the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Finance Ministry officials said the hike in excise duty, which comes into

effect from Wednesday, will not result in hike in retail prices of petrol

and diesel for the consumers.

This round of hike in excise duties is likely to result in revenue gain of

around Rs 2.85 lakh crore this fiscal.

A hike in VAT by the Delhi government however increased the fuel prices

steeply. The price of diesel jumped by Rs 7.1 per litre to Rs 69.4 per litre

and the price of petrol rose by Rs 1.7 per litre to Rs 71.3 per litre in

Delhi on Tuesday. This follows Delhi govt's decision a day earlier to levy

an additional tax of 70% on liquor

COVID-19 DASHBOARD - (Nos. IN INDIA / Nos. WORLDWIDE)

(Indian data from covid19india / and World Data from

worldometers.info/coronavirus/ )

Total Cases 49,397 (+2,964) / 37,27,802 (+81,703)

Total Deaths 1,694 (+128) / 2,58,338 (+5,931)

Total Recovered 14,142 (+1,295) / 12,42,347 (+44,639)

Active Cases 33,561 (+1,541) / 22,27,117 (+31,133)

Serious / Critical Cases (Not Available) / 49,248 (-389)

Top impacted nations so far: (And some of India's Neighbours)

Country / Total Cases / Deaths / Total Deaths per 1M Pop.

USA 12,37,633 / 72,271 / 218

Spain 2,50,561 / 25,613 / 548

Italy 2,13,013 / 29,315 / 485

UK 1,94,990 / 29,427 / 433

France 1,70,551 / 25,531 / 391

Germany 1,67,007 / 6,993 / 83

Russia 1,55,370 / 1,451 / 10

Turkey 1,29,491 / 3,520 / 42

Brazil 1,15,953 / 7,958 / 37

Iran 99,970 / 6,340 / 75

India 49,400 / 1,693 / 1.0

Pakistan 22,550 / 526 / 2.0

Bangladesh 10,929 / 183 / 1.0

Sri Lanka 771 / 9 / 0.4

Top 17 impacted Indian States so far: (Total No. of Confirmed case / No. Of

Deaths)

State/UT Confirmed Deceased

Maharashtra 15,525 / 617

Gujarat 6,245 / 368

Delhi 5,104 / 64

Tamil Nadu 4,058 / 33

Rajasthan 3,158 / 89

Madhya Pradesh 3,049 / 176

Uttar Pradesh 2,880 / 56

Andhra Pradesh 1,717 / 34

Punjab 1,451 / 25

West Bengal 1,344 / 140

Telangana 1,096 / 29

Jammu and Kashmir 741 / 8

Karnataka 673 / 29

Haryana 548 / 6

Bihar 535 / 4

Kerala 503 / 4

Odisha 177 / 2

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

TRUMP SAYS U.S. HAS FLATTENED CORONAVIRUS CURVE

Asserting that the United States has flattened the curve on coronavirus,

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the country is now in the next stage

of the battle, which is a "very safe phased and gradual reopening".

"Thanks to the profound commitment of our citizens, we have flattened the

curve and countless American lives have been saved. Our country is now in

the next stage of the battle. A very safe, phased and gradual reopening of

our country," Trump said in his remarks at Honeywell International in

Phoenix.

This pandemic, he said, has underscored the vital importance of reassuring

U.S. supply chains and constructing a powerful domestic manufacturing base.

But Trump conceded that more Americans will die in reopening the US economy

but underlined his insistence on a dwindling coronavirus threat by refusing

to wear a mask, even as he toured a mask-making factory.

Asked by ABC News whether a lifting of social distancing measures and

reopening of the shuttered economy will lead to higher death tolls, Trump

said "it's possible there will be some."

COVID-19: SPAT INTENSIFIES AS CHINA CALLS MIKE POMPEO 'INSANE' FOR LAB CLAIM

Chinese state media labelled US secretary of state Mike Pompeo as

"insane"for his claims that the coronavirus originated in a Chinese lab,

even as the WHO dismissed the theory as "speculative" as Washington hasn't

provided any proof yet.

Pompeo on Sunday said "enormous evidence" showed the virus originated in a

lab in Wuhan, doubling down on previous claims rejected by the WHO and

experts. The lab theory has been pushed by the Trump administration, which

has been critical of China's handling of the outbreak.

Titled "Evil Pompeo is wantonly spewing poison and spreading lies", a

commentary by Chinese broadcaster CCTV cited the WHO's Ryan and Columbia

University virologist Ian Lipkin, who claimed that the virus is natural in

origin. "These flawed and unreasonable remarks by American politicians make

it clear to more and more people that no 'evidence' exists," it said. "The

so-called 'virus leaked from a Wuhan lab' hype is a complete and utter lie."

Commentaries in People's Daily called Pompeo and ex-White House strategist

Steve Bannon "lying clowns".

THE REST

========

COVID-19: INDIA NEEDS A LARGER STIMULUS PACKAGE, SAYS NOBEL LAUREATE ABHIJIT

BANERJEE

Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee yesterday said India needed a large stimulus

package to revive the economy amid an evolving Covid-19 pandemic and

enhancing spending was the best way to do that.

Over a 25-minute conversation with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi yesterday,

Banerjee also said the Government should give money to the bottom 60 per

cent of the population to spur demand and also issue temporary ration cards

to everyone who needs one.

The top economist didn't favour a hasty retreat out of the lockdown and

advised caution saying the decision to lift the lockdown should depend on

the time path of the disease.

"We should try to be optimistic about the survival of the overall wellbeing

of the country. We need a stimulus package. That's what the US, Japan is

doing. We haven't yet decided about a large stimulus package. We are still

talking about one per cent of the GDP. US has gone for 10 per cent of the

GDP," he said.

On Gandhi's suggestion of doing a large revival package for MSMEs as a

solution to sour economic activity, the ace economist had his doubts. "Debt

payments of MSME should be permanently cancelled for this quarter but beyond

that It's not clear that targeting the MSME channel is the right channel. It

is more reviving demand, putting money in the hands of people so that they

go and buy stuff. Spending is the best way to revive the economy," he noted.

Asked to comment by Gandhi on the overall impression that it needs a strong

leader to take on the virus, Banerjee said, "That has been disastrous. US

and Brazil are messing up right and left. These are led by strong men

pretending they understand everything. Even what they say everything is

laughable. If anyone wanted to believe in the strong man theory this is the

time to disabuse themselves of that belief."

TELANGANA EXTENDS LOCKDOWN TILL MAY 29

Telanagana Tuesday became the first state in the country to extend lockdown

till May 29 - 12 days after a nationwide lockdown is scheduled to end on

May 17.

Addressing the press, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao announced the

continuation of existing restrictions till the remainder of the month to

contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The total number of coronavirus

cases in the state stands at 1,096, including 29 deaths, 628 recoveries and

439 active cases currently.

Under lockdown restrictions, all shops in rural areas are allowed to run,

while 50 per cent shops in towns will be allowed to function. Private and

public sector offices will be allowed to function with a third of the staff.

Meanwhile, shops selling non-essential items will remain shut in red zones.

The red zone districts in the state are Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri,

Rangareddy, Warangal urban, Vikarabad, Suryapet.

MEHBOOBA MUFTI'S DETENTION UNDER PSA EXTENDED BY THREE MONTHS

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday extended by three months the

detention of former CM Mehbooba Mufti under the Public Safety Act. Mufti has

nowspent nine months in confinement.

The order for Mufti's detention cites "reports received from field agencies

and their consideration indicates the requirement of continuation of

detention".

In a tweet from Mufti's Twitter handle, her daughter Iltija said, "Stifling

voices of reason has become the norm for the current dispensation esp post

illegal scrapping of Article 370. Therefore, extension of my mother's

detention doesn't surprise me. Wishful thinking to assume that by smothering

any debate on Article 370, the issue will vanish."

Reacting sharply, Omar tweeted, "Unbelievably cruel & retrograde decision to

extend @MehboobaMufti's detention. Nothing she has done or said in any way

justifies the way the Indian state has treated her & the others detained."

Hitting out at the Centre, he said, "For a govt that is making tall claims

about normality in J&K the last few days coupled with the extension of Ms

Mufti's detention is proof enough that Modi ji has single handedly pushed

J&K back decades."

IN NEW ORDER, MUMBAI ALLOWS SALE OF ONLY ESSENTIALS; LIQUOR DISCONTINUED

With the eased lockdown in Mumbai leading to huge crowds and compromised

social distancing, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner

Praveen Pardeshi issued an order Tuesday, withdrawing relaxations for Mumbai

and disallowing sale of liquor in the city. The order allowed only shops

selling essential goods to operate.

". It has been observed that the number of positive cases in the city of

Mumbai have been rising and the downward trend is yet to set in and

gathering of crowds in large numbers without following social distancing

will be detrimental to the control of spread of virus and the advantage of

the lockdown will be lost due to gathering of people in large numbers," the

order said.

In the last two days, shops in many places across Mumbai opened only by late

afternoon, by which time, people had formed long queues and thrown all

caution on social distancing to the winds. In some places, when the stores

opened, the police had to be called in to prevent crowding, and enforce

physical distancing with what officers described as "mild lathicharge".

The state had on Sunday allowed the reopening of a maximum of five shops

selling "non-essential" items on any road or street, including alcohol,

books/stationery, electricals and mobile phones.

PENDING CBSE CLASS 10 EXAMS TO BE HELD ONLY IN NE DELHI, NOT NATIONWIDE

Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said on Sunday there

will be no national CBSE Class 10 board exam this year and a class X board

would only be held for northeast Delhi students.

Boards could not be held in northeast Delhi due to riots though most of the

subject tests for Class 10 board nationally had been concluded when schools

and other institutions were closed on March 16 due to COVID.

Exams in 76 subjects of class X and XII boards had however remained pending.

"We had already announced in April that the board will only conduct pending

class 10 and 12 exams in 29 crucial subjects. However, in class 10 exams

only non-crucial subjects were remaining so they will not be conducted.

"The crucial subjects for which exams were postponed in North East Delhi due

to the law and order situation, will be conducted," a senior board official

explained.

3 J-K PHOTOJOURNALISTS WIN 2020 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Congratulatory messages have been pouring in for three photojournalists from

Jammu and Kashmir who have won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in feature

photography for their work during the shutdown in the region following the

abrogation of Article 370 in August last year.

Mukhtar Khan, Yasin Dar and Channi Anand - three photojournalists working

with the Associated Press (AP) - were among those who were awarded the

Pulitzer on Monday night.

The award was "For striking images of life in the contested territory of

Kashmir as India revoked its independence, executed through a communications

blackout", it said on the Pulitzer Prize website.

DELHI SCHOOLBOY NABBED FOR SHOCKING INSTA GROUP CHAT

Soon after the Delhi Police started questioning a prominent South Delhi

school student in connection with the 'Boys Locker Room' controversy probe,

22 others linked to the mess went underground on Tuesday.

The Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police earlier detained one teenager in

connection with the Instagram chat group where rapes were glorified and

photos of underage girls were shared and they were objectified.

The one who has been nabbed so far is a 15-year-old student of a prominent

school in South Delhi. "22 other boys have also have been identified and

they would be called for investigation," the police said on Tuesday. The

detained accused would be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).

Based on the information provided by the minor during questioning, police

teams have been set to various parts of the National Capital Region. After

the police registered the case, many students in the group have gone

underground.

Leaked screenshots of the private Instagram chat group stirred up a storm

over rape culture in India after numerous boys were allegedly seen sharing

photos of underage girls, objectifying them, and planning "gang rapes".

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Tuesday said those

who were part of this Instagram group should not be spared. She also

appreciated those girls who had reported about the group on social media and

called them "brave". "If they are facing any issues, they can approach the

DCW and we will help them. I appeal to society to support such girls," she

added.

UK CONSIDERING RESTARTING SPORTS LEAGUES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

The British government is looking at the option of restarting sports leagues

behind closed doors, foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Tuesday.

Asked during a news conference about the possibility of sports matches

restarting, Raab said it would "lift the spirits of the nation".

"(The sports minister) has also been working on a plan to get sports played

behind closed doors ... that is something under active consideration," he

said, adding that it would only happen it could be done "safely and

sustainably".

MANY HAVE BACKSTABBED YUVRAJ INCLUDING KOHLI, DHONI: YOGRAJ SINGH

Yuvraj Singh's father and former India cricketer Yograj Singh is renowned

for his brash statements, and in a recent interview, the 62-year-old took a

dig at Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni for not backing his son.

His statement comes after Yuvraj had also opined that in terms of captaincy,

he did not get as much support from Kohli and Dhoni, as compared to former

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.

In an interaction with News24, Yograj said, "Along with these two (Dhoni and

Kohli), I would say that even the selectors betrayed him. I had met Ravi

recently. He asked me for a photograph. I called him and pointed out that

all great players should get a send-off based on their performances. When

Dhoni, Kohli or Rohit retire, I would request the board to give them a good

send-off as they have done so much for Indian cricket. Many have backstabbed

him and it hurts."

Yograj further claimed that Suresh Raina was heavily backed by Dhoni and the

Uttar Pradesh based cricketer was considered for the 2011 World Cup squad

ahead of his son.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The events of life are mainly small events - they only seem large when we

are close to them. - Mark Twain

OFF TRACK

The National Traffic Commission recently divulged that they had for the past

five years covertly funded a project with Honda whereby they installed black

boxes in their cars in an effort to determine, in fatal accidents, the

circumstances in the last 15 seconds before the crash.

No one was surprised to find that in most states the last words of drivers

83.7 per cent of fatal crashes were, "Oh, Shit!" Only the states of Punjab,

Haryana and Delhi were different, where 89.3 percent of the final words were

to this effect: "Hold my beer and watch this."