Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak: Latest news, information and updates

• Coronavirus: Brawl breaks out in Mumbai over face masks, 2 injured

The incident occurred near Nagewadi public toilet, Lokhande Marg in Chembur, where five people attacked Inder Rana, 33, and his brother Kirti Rana, 34, with swords and knives.

Abrawl broke out in Mumbai’s Chembur area after an individual called out some people for not wearing masks in public on Sunday.

The incident occurred near Nagewadi public toilet, Lokhande Marg in Chembur. Five people attacked Inder Rana, 33, and his brother Kirti Rana, 34, with swords and knives, who were taken to Rajawadi Hospital after sustaining serious injuries.

A preliminary inquiry conducted by police indicated that the injured persons’ brother, Navneet Rana, had objected to two people not warning a mask in public on Sunday morning.

Later at night, Navneet Rana’s brothers — Inder and Kirti — were attacked by a group of five people. Tilak Nagar police have registered a case in the matter.

Police said the brawl broke out yesterday after some people went to buy vegetables from the area without wearing masks. The people without masks were not even following social distancing norms.

In the morning a man named Navneet Rana had criticised the people for nor warning masks and engaged in a quarrel with them. A group of people later went to Rana’s house on Sunday night with swords and knives.

While Navneet Rana was not present, his brothers were seriously injured by the group. Police are still conducting an investigation in the case and action is likely to be taken soon.

Mumbai is one of the worst-affected cities with over 8,000 positive cases of Covid-19 cases. The city recorded 678 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours.
                                    

                                          

• Exclusive: Pakistan hires Republican lobbyist for US ties

As the world prepares for a new order post Covid-19, Pakistan -- China's all-weather ally -- has roped in a controversial political lobbyist to improve its ties with the United States, documents reviewed by India Today show.

The Imran Khan government, papers reveal, has entered into an agreement with a Republican lobbyist, Stephen Payne, to provide "strategic consulting services in support of Pakistan's diplomatic goals" in the US.

The move is seen in the context of a possible weakening of China's influence in the post-pandemic world.

The agreement was signed by the Houston-based lobbyist, Payne, and Pakistan's ambassador to the US, Asad Majeed Khan, on April 15.

Activities like "planning and meeting with government and non-government representatives and public relations services" are listed as part of the contract, the document accessed by India Today show.

The lobby group's activities on the US soil have been identified as "political" in nature.

The term of the signed contract lasts six months, from April 16 to October 16 this year.

According to diplomatic sources, Pakistan's hurried tie-up with a Republican lobbyist amidst the Covid-19 pandemic signals Islamabad's desperate attempt to save itself from possible global alienation because of its over-dependence on China. 

• Kerala gets ready for return of Malayalees from other states

The Kerala government has completed arrangements to receive those trapped in other states due to lockdown imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

Kerala has opened six entry points for those taking the road. They can through checkposts at Inchivila in Thiruvananthapuram, Arynkavu in Kollam, Kumily in Idukki, Valayar in Palakad, Muthanga in Wayanad and Neleswaram in Kasaragod.

Around 1.5 lakh non-residents of Kerala have registered to return and more than 40,000 are from neighbouring state of Karnataka.

“It’s mandatory for returnees to complete registration in Norka websites and get digital pass before their travel. They are also required to produce necessary travel permits from respective district collectors for their travel and follow mandatory lockdown code. Medical teams are deployed in all checkposts and all travellers to the state will be screened and asymptomatic persons need to remain in 14-day home quarantine and those with Covid-19 symptoms will be taken to corona care homes. All persons entering the state will be monitored through mobile tracking and by health workers,” chief secretary Tom Jose told Indiatoday.in

Kerala has already issued guidelines for travel following social distancing norms. According to government order, a five-seater car an carry only four passengers, seven-seater can carry five, a van 10 and a bus can accommodate 25 passengers for travel.

Helpdesks are also arranged in these checkposts for verifying documents and avoid delay at entry points. District collectors have been directed to monitor situation at the entry points and follow social distancing code.

The Kerala government also designated 10 IAS officers to coordinate with state governments to facilitate return of residents to the state.