Another 279 patients in Chennai, taking the tally to 3,330

To curb the increasing number of corona positive cases and the spread of virus infection, the Gandhinagar Collector on Saturday said there would be a total lockdown in Gandhinagar city and Kalol municipality on the lines of Ahmedabad and Surat.

Amid prevalent chaos and uncertainty over access to the essential services and commodities during the lockdown, we bring you the latest updates from your city.

We may be witnessing a slow erosion of the democratic republic and the emergence of the police State, warns Sunanda K Datta-Ray.

Amid prevalent chaos and uncertainty over access to the essential services and commodities during the lockdown, we bring you the latest updates from your city.

We may be witnessing a slow erosion of the democratic republic and the emergence of the police State, warns Sunanda K Datta-Ray.

Coronavirus shock: Pandemic lockdowns have changed how the planet SOUNDS and vibrates  Express.co.uk

Coronavirus: Is lockdown an opportunity for scientific research?  sciencefocus.com

Lockdown has cut Britain's vibrations, seismologists find  The Guardian

Explained: How coronavirus lockdown reduced Earth’s seismic noise levels  The Indian Express

Why the UK's streets have turned silent during coronavirus lockdown  Express.co.uk

European lockdown a boon to seismologists checking Earth's vibrations  E&T Magazine

; Credit: Fanatic Studio/Gary Waters/Science Photo Library/Getty Images

There has been a rise in the number of minors contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline to report abuse. That's according to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, which runs the hotline.

By the end of March, with much of the country under lockdown, there was a 22% increase in monthly calls from people younger than 18, and half of all incoming contacts were from minors. That's a first in RAINN's history, Camille Cooper, the organization's vice president of public policy, tells NPR.

Of those young people who contacted the hotline in March, 67% identified their perpetrator as a family member and 79% said they were currently living with that perpetrator. In 1 out of 5 cases where the minor was living with their abuser, RAINN assisted the minor in immediately contacting police.

"As a result of looking at the information that we had from those sessions, it was clear that the abuse was escalating in both frequency and severity," Cooper says. "So a lot of the kids that were coming to the hotline were feeling pretty vulnerable and traumatized. And it was a direct result of COVID-19, because they were quarantined with their abuser. The abuser was now abusing them on a daily basis."

Lockdown orders are first and foremost public health and safety measures. But statistically speaking, home is not the safest place for every young person. RAINN reports that about 34% of child sexual abusers are family members. Closing schools and canceling youth activities like sports removes children from the watchful eyes of "mandatory reporters" — those trusted adults, like teachers, nurses and child care providers, who are required by law in most states to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect.

However, Cooper says her organization has confirmed with authorities around the country that the child welfare system is still operating during the pandemic. That is, an official report of current and ongoing abuse will still trigger an investigation, and, if necessary, a child will be removed from the home.

"[Child welfare workers] will be coming to the home in person and proceeding with a formal investigation and a child forensic interview and things like that," she says. If the abuse is farther in the past and the child is not quarantined with the accused, Cooper says, the interview may take place over video chat.

In the meantime, RAINN and other child welfare organizations are lobbying to make it easier for children to report abuse. Cooper says, "One of the solutions we came up with that we are now currently working directly with the leadership in Congress on is to get all of the online learning platforms that children are interacting with to have a reporting function on that platform in plain sight for children."

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

The flurry of transactions show the tycoon's ambitions to pivot Reliance Industries into an Indian technology titan are going into hyperdrive

Several of Federal Bank’s digital initiatives are finally seeing massive adoption as the Kochi-based bank works on automation and self service tools to boost profits.

Several of Federal Bank’s digital initiatives are finally seeing massive adoption as the Kochi-based bank works on automation and self service tools to boost profits.

Hari Menon pointed out that deliveries were largely constrained due to lack of on-ground staff that had left cities in large numbers prior to the lockdown

“Gaming traffic has increased by 50% in the last few weeks, with doubling of traffic in video streaming and collaborative work apps like Skype, Teams and Zoom,” said Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX International, which runs an internet exchange in Mumbai.

Online retailers such as Myntra and Tjori have their consumer engagement teams working on to engage their customers till the time the lockdown eases.

A Crisil note said due to the aggressive play by the telcos, the number of subscribers has stagnated at 19 million since 2016. Till now, the lower speed 4G served the purpose for people due to affordable smartphones, it noted. "But now, subscriptions to fixed broadband, especially in the urban areas, have surged because millions are working from home...," it said.

The criminal minds too have evolved during this pandemic. While there has been a significant drop in number of heinous crimes in city, cybercrime cases have spiked since lockdown.

There has been a significant increase in cybercrime against women, especially sextortion, during the COVID-19-induced lockdown with "caged criminals" targeting them online, say experts.

Sharing more details of the same, an official Spokesman said that as per the latest MHA Guidelines, activities in a region shall be allowed based on the risk profiling of the region/districts into Red (Hotspots), Orange, and Green zones. ​​In the Orange zone IT/ITES would be allowed to carry out their activities with staff strength of 50 percent.

Companies like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Haier and Godrej Appliance are leveraging Livechat, WhatsApp, DIY video as well as on-call assistance, and helping remotely on real time basis as their service centres are closed in compliance with the government directives.

The application roped in qualified doctors and medical professionals to furnish authentic corona-related information and bust myths around the same.

There are more than 30,000 microwave ovens, AC and washing machines which needs repair at a time when Indians are locked indoors and doing household chores themselves due to the lockdown.

“We request for your kind direction to the MHA on this very important recommendation from the industry which is duly considered and approved by the crisis management structure set up you – the Empowered Group of Technology and Data Management,” India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo wrote in the letter.

The UK government on Friday launched a new virtual cyber security school aimed at encouraging teenagers to learn new skills while stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. As part of the free lessons, youngsters can learn how to crack codes, fix security flaws and dissect criminals' digital trails while progressing through a game as a cyber agent.

Maitrey Modha of CNH Industrial says IoT companies would need to come up with customized solutions based on each type of manufacturing process.

The flurry of transactions show the tycoon's ambitions to pivot Reliance Industries into an Indian technology titan are going into hyperdrive

It’s the same story whether you’re a celeb or a pleb - we’re all getting on each other’s nerves in lockdown. And it’s the same story for Kim and Kanye.

'Coronavirus lockdown is not responsible for domestic abuse - people are.'

In normal times, boredom is easily alleviated through the gamut of activity on our doorsteps. Coffee mornings, the cinema, body rubs, pubs and clubs all grab our attention, but when limitations are enforced, oh, what to do?

You’ve probably heard the term “flattening the curve” more times than you can count over the past couple of weeks. But if we’re being totally honest with each other, there’s a good chance there’s something else that needs flattening, too.

Health Hacker Adam MacDougall reveals tips on how to fight lockdown weight gain.

The coronavirus outbreak is affecting China's dogs and cats, which are increasingly being left to fend for themselves.

After years in decline, drive-ins are prospering amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Wildlife may be making a comeback while humans stay home during the coronavirus lockdown.

Manchester Underwriting Management's Richard Webb on how the coronavirus situation could play havoc with the PI market.

In the latest episode of Insurance Post and Insurance Age’s new series of video casts brought to you while our journalists are in isolation lockdown we discuss how brokers maintain their ‘trusted adviser’ status during these difficult time.

In the latest episode of Insurance Post and Insurance Age’s new series of video casts brought to you while our journalists are in isolation lockdown we brought together a diverse group of businesses to discuss how the supply chain has forged deeper strategic – and personal - relationships with partners over the last six weeks.

In the third of a new series of video casts brought to you by Insurance Post and Insurance Age while our journalists are in isolation lockdown we discuss whether UK motor insurers are being unfair in not rebating premium or offering more flexible options for policyholders when they are not driving as much during the Covid-19 outbreak.

GFA World's humanitarian efforts continue as 'commendable' Indian prime minister extends COVID-19 stay-at-home orders; 1.3 billion people 'in hands of God'

Dr. Holstein, a Positive Psychologist/filmmaker and originator of a unique Selfie Film concept, is accepting Selfie Films submissions from the public for the "Selfie Showcase".

Dr. Holstein is a Positive Psychologist/filmmaker and originator of a unique Selfie Film concept. She is accepting Selfie Films submissions from the public for the "Selfie Showcase".

Dr. Holstein is an award winning Selfie Filmmaker, Positive Psychologist and podcaster who helps young people overcome anxiety and alienation through multiple media channels.

Defcon Products, LLC, manufacturer of the TeacherLock / SaberLock lockdown device is pleased to announce today that it has added TeacherLock II (TL-II) and SaberLock II (SL-II) to its family of emergency lockdown devices.