March, 2020 | DIN NEWS

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Monday was heavily criticised for one of his tweets, which claimed vibrations from clapping, blowing conch shells as part of Sunday’s Janata Curfew would have reduced or destroyed coronavirus potency as it was ‘amavasya’, the darkest day of the month. Bachchan’s tweet comes in the wake of several similar fake news stories misinterpreting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal of clapping and clanging plates to express gratitude to those providing essential services during this global health crisis. The 77-year-old actor took to Twitter and, in a tweet…

LEGAL NEWS NEWS CATEGORIES

Coronavirus: SC asks states, UTs to consider releasing prisoners to decongest jails

March 23, 2020 strong

The Supreme Court Monday directed all states and Union Territories to constitute high-level committees to consider releasing on parole or interim bail prisoners and undertrials for offences entailing up to 7-year jail term to decongest prisons in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. The top court said overcrowding of prisons is a matter of serious concern, particularly in the present context of coronavirus (COVID 19). In regard to the provisions of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, it has become imperative to ensure that the spread of coronavirus within the…

BUSINESS NEWS CATEGORIES

In worst ever market crash, Sensex tumbles about 4,000 pts as India goes into lockdown

March 23, 2020 strong

The Indian stock market suffered worst-ever single-day crash on Monday, with the benchmark indices plunging as much as 13.15 per cent, as panicked investors remained in sell-off mode amid lockdowns in several states in the country due to mounting coronavirus cases. The BSE benchmark Sensex plummetted 3,935 points or 13. 15 per cent to close at 25,981.24; while the NSE barometer Nifty cracked 1,135.20 points or 12.98 per cent to settle at 7,610.25. On the currency front, the Indian rupee plunged below the 76-level (intra-day) for the first time. In…

NEWS CATEGORIES WORLD NEWS

Presidents in health crises: Trump more hands-on than many

March 23, 2020 strong

Woodrow Wilson was more focused on the end of World War I than a flu virus that was making its way around the globe, ultimately sickening hundreds of thousands of Americans, including the president himself. George W. Bush stood with a bullhorn on a pile of rubble after the 9/11 attacks on lower Manhattan and promised that the people who were responsible “will hear all of us soon.” Barack Obama was in office for just a few months when the first reports came in about the H1N1 virus, which would…

NATIONAL NEWS NEWS CATEGORIES

Number of COVID-19 cases rises to 415 in India: Health Ministry

March 23, 2020 strong

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country surged to 415, a spike from the 360 figure the night before, the Health Ministry said on Monday. The figure includes 41 foreign nationals and seven deaths. Gujarat, Bihar and Maharashtra reported a death each on Sunday. Four fatalities were reported earlier from Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab, the ministry said. The 415 figure also includes 24 people who have been cured, discharged or migrated, it said. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said 18,383 samples have been tested till…

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS CATEGORIES

‘Minions 2′ postponed as makers unable to finish’ film due to coronavirus outbreak

March 21, 2020 strong

Universal and animation studio Illumination have moved the release of “Minions: The Rise of Gru” to a later date as the film’s post-production has been impacted in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. The film, directed by Kyle Balda, is a sequel to 2015 blockbuster “Minions”, which had amassed over USD 1 billion at the global box office. The movie was set to hit the theatres worldwide on July 3 but has now been postponed to an unspecified date, reported Collider. Illumination has shut its Paris office after the French government…

NEWS CATEGORIES SPORTS

On or off?: Who’s saying what over status of 2020 Tokyo Olympics

March 21, 2020 strong

As the deadly coronavirus spreads around the globe, doubts grow over whether the 2020 Olympic Games, set for Tokyo from July 24 to August 9, will go ahead. AFP Sport looks at who’s saying what as the debate becomes even more heated: “Of course we are considering different scenarios, but we are contrary to many other sports organizations or professional leagues in that we are four-and-a-half months away from the Games.” — International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach on Friday. “No solution will be ideal in this situation, and this…

LEGAL NEWS NEWS CATEGORIES

SC pre-dawn hearing brings curtain down on Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case

March 21, 2020 strong

In an unprecedented pre-dawn hearing, hours before a Nirbhaya case death row convict Pawan Kumar Gupta was to be sent to gallows, the Supreme Court Friday midnight opened its door to dismiss his last plea challenging rejection of second mercy petition by the President. The top court dismissed Gupta’s plea saying no ground was made out to warrant judicial review of the President’s decision to reject his mercy plea. It also refused to pass any direction allowing Gupta and Akshay Singh to meet their family members just before they are…

BUSINESS NEWS CATEGORIES

Covid-19: SBI opens emergency credit line for borrowers

March 21, 2020 strong

Amid businesses getting affected due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the country’s largest lender State Bank of India has opened an emergency credit line to meet any liquidity mismatch for its borrowers. The additional liquidity facility Covid-19 Emergency Credit Line (CECL), will provide funds up to Rs 200 crore and will be available till June 30, 2020, SBI said in a circular issued on Friday. The loan will be offered at an interest rate of 7.25 per cent with a tenure of 12 months. With a view to provide some…

NEWS CATEGORIES WORLD NEWS

Imports of medical supplies plummet as demand in US soars

March 21, 2020 strong

The critical shortage of medical supplies across the US, including testing swabs, protective masks, surgical gowns and hand sanitizer, can be tied to a sudden drop in imports, mostly from China, The Associated Press has found. Trade data shows the decline in shipments started in mid-February after the spiraling coronavirus outbreak in China led the country to shutter factories and disrupted ports. Some emergency rooms, hospitals and clinics in the U.S. have now run out of key medical supplies, while others are rationing personal protective equipment like gloves and masks.…