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Spain's COVID-19 toll crosses 18,000 but daily deaths continue to drop

Spain's number of total deaths due to the coronavirus crossed 18,000 with 547 new deaths on Tuesday, which is a slight increase in the number of daily deaths reported as per the Spanish Health Ministry.On Monday, Spain had reported 517 deaths, which was one of the lowest daily increase reported in the last three weeks. As per the data from Johns Hopkins University, the current toll in Spain stands at 18,056.The Spanish authorities have also recorded a fall in the number of active cases for the first time since the outbreak. The authorities on Tuesday observed that the active cases had come down by 299 in the last 24 hours. Spain has now 86,981 active cases.Spain's overall tally of cases including the dead and recovered stands at 172,541. It has reported the third-highest fatalities in the world just behind the United States (23,649) and Italy (20,465)With 172,541 total cases, Spain is only behind the United States in the number of overall cases. The United States as of Tuesday has ...




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Indian Consulate General in UAE resumes partial passport services

The Indian Consulate General in Dubai has issued an advisory on partially resuming the passport services for Indian applicants through BLS Sharjah Centre from April 15 onwards.The advisory from the consulate general says that the applications for renewal of passports that have expired or would expire on or before April 30, 2020 will be processed initially.The Consulate General in Dubai also listed the ways people can apply for the renewal of passports.Those people who want to apply for renewal can send an email to the consulate at the email address- passport.dubai@mea.gov.in with an explanation of the emergency for the renewal.The Consulate would then give an appointment at the BLS International Exclusive Centre for Indian Passport and Visa Services at Sharjah.As per the advisory, the applicant will have to prepare the application online and attach all required documents before visiting the centre at the appointed time.The passport services were suspended in the wake of the COVID-19 ..




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Global financial conditions tightened abruptly due to COVID-19: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its Global Financial Stability Overview released on Tuesday has noted that early in 2020, global financial markets remained afloat as there was a sense of optimism on the back of supportive monetary policy, reduced trade tension and tentative signs of stabilisation in the global economy. However, the spread of COVID-19 has posed a risk that has seen the prices of risk assets and commodities fall at unprecedented speed.The document released by the IMF says that the equity markets experienced the fastest drop in history with the S and P 500 falling 20 per cent from its peak in just 16 trading sessions.The asset price declines reached about half the magnitude seen in 2008-09 at the worst point of the sell-off, and implied volatility spiked across asset classes, in some cases to levels last seen during the global financial crisis.Financial Counsellor and Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF, Tobias Adrian while releasing the




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Pak clerics flout virus lockdown rules, say restrictions not applicable to mosques, congregational prayers

Defying all orders from the state to refrain from religious congregations to curb the spread of COVID-19, prominent ulemas and religious scholars from across Pakistan on Tuesday stated that the five daily prayers and the Friday prayers would be held in mosques. They, however, mentioned that all precautionary measures advised by the government will be implemented.The statement from the ulemas, cited by Dawn, comes as the government announced it would continue the lockdown imposed in light of the coronavirus outbreak, easing restrictions for some industries which it said were 'low-risk'.Authorities in all provinces had officially restricted congregations in mosques, including for Friday prayers, to five people or less for the past two weeks. However, several instances of violation of government orders, and confrontation with police trying to enforce these orders, have been reported since then.Speaking at a press conference after the meeting between representatives from the ...




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US: Market extends gain on economy reopening hopes

U.S. stocks eked out a second consecutive day of gains as investors weighed a cloudy picture of the economy against U.S. businesses starting to slowly reopen after a period of stultifying coronavirus lockdowns.




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Japan Stocks end mostly lower amid continued coronavirus concern

Total 21 issues of 33 industry category of Topix index were in negative territory, with Air Transportation, Insurance, Land Transportation, Iron & Steel, Nonferrous Metals, and Oil & Coal Products issues being notable losers, while Other Products, Electric Appliances, Metal Products, Construction, and Pharmaceutical issues were notable gainers.




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Economic Survey has estimated 2019-20 GDP growth at 7%, say TV reports

General fiscal deficit in FY19 expected to be 5.8 per cent of GDP, compared with 6.4 per cent the previous year




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Economists’ Enemy: Residual Seasonality

When seasonally adjusted numbers continue to exhibit the influences of seasonal effects, much as first-quarter readings on gross domestic product have regularly been doing, statisticians refer to it as residual seasonality. And that effect hampers seasoned economists from making clear-eyed judgments on the strength of the economy.




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Dip in inflows not a concern: Leo Puri

Mutual fund CEOs highlight the lack of level playing field vis-a-vis other asset classes while adding that technology will improve penetration and bring in efficiencies




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How Confidential Documents Get Stored at the White House

The transcript of President Trump's call with Ukraine shed light on a method for classifying documents that's even more top secret than top secret. WSJ spoke to a former National Security Council official to understand the intricacies of the White House server security system.




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IRB Infra to sign concession agreement on Zozila pass by March

The scope of the project includes constructing approaches on NH-1 (Srinagar-Sonmarg-Gumri Road) on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (annuity) basis




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Govt to bring in law for construction vehicles industry

Motor Vehicles Act does not adequately address concerns of construction, mining and earth moving equipment makers




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Foxconn delay leaves Maharashtra jittery

State worried over the delay as despite marathon meetings, several visits, the company is still conducting due diligence on various sites




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RBI Employees contribute ₹7.30 crore to PM CARES Fund

The employees of the Reserve Bank have decided to contribute one or more day's salary to the PM CARES Fund, in response to the call to support during the emergency situation. The total contribution from the employees amounting to ₹7.30 crore is being remitted to the PM CARES Fund. The COVID-19 pandemic and the related dislocation in normal economic activity has severely affected the economically weaker sections of the society and their means of livelihood. To help the people affected by any kind of emergency or distress situation, like the one posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Government of India has set up a public charitable trust named Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) to receive contributions from various sources.




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It Is Time We Think Of An Efficient Exit Option From The Lock Down To Resume And Revive Economic Activities: Suresh Prabhu

While reopening economic activities, we need to keep in mind that the industry cannot be opened in isolation, the whole ecosystem along with the related supply chains needs to be revived and restarted, said Suresh Prabhu, Hon'ble Member of Parliament. We should follow the Chinese model of revival through specific geographical openings for economic activities in areas which are marked green and keeping the hotspot districts completely locked, till there is full containment in those areas, said Hon'ble Member of Parliament. This is the time India needs to take advantage of the crises and convert it into an opportunity, we set our National goal of getting Foreign Direct Investments to India and each citizen and all arms of the government must work towards this common goal with complete alignment of reforms, said Prabhu. Businesses are the most important part of the economy, as they are significant contributors to economic growth and progress, he said.




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RBI Governor meets MD & CEOs of Public and Private Sector Banks over Video Conference

In his opening remarks, the Governor appreciated the efforts of banks in ensuring normal to near normal operations during the lockdown period.




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Employees of EPFO contribute Rs 2.5 crore to PM CARES fund

The employees of Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) have come forward to support the Government's initiative in combating national crisis of COVID-19 pandemic and voluntarily contributed one day's salary- amounting to around Rs. 2.5 crore to the PM CARES Fund. EPFO, as one of World's largest Social Security Organizations, stands committed in the service of the nation in every possible way. The COVID-19, declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has posed serious challenges for the health and economic security of millions of Indians. Government of India has set up a public charitable trust under the name of 'Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund' (PM CARES Fund) with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation. Officers and staff of EPFO are also contributing by putting in extra efforts for providing relief by expeditiously processing EPF withdrawal claims including COVID claims under




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Country-Wide Lockdown Was Necessary But Has Had Deep Ramifications On Economic Activity: CII Survey

The country-wide lockdown imposed on 23rd March, while necessary, has had deep ramifications on economic activity. According to the CII CEOs Snap Poll on Impact of COVID-19 on Economy and Industry, while a majority of the firms continue to anticipate a significant decline in their topline, they now foresee a delay in economic revival and demand recovery. The survey saw the participation of more than 300 CEOs, of which nearly two-thirds belonged to MSMEs. The lockdown brought economic activity to a grinding halt and the survey findings indicate that a significant majority of the firms (65%) expect revenues to fall more than 40% in the current quarter (Apr-Jun 2020). For financial year 2020-21, the expectations of a fall in revenue are staggered, with 33% of the firms anticipating a revenue fall of more than 40%, closely followed by 32% of firms expecting a revenue contraction ranging between 20% to 40%.




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India Manufacturing PMI Plunges Sharply Into Contraction Zone

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RBI Launches May 2020 Round Of Consumer Confidence Survey

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Government Contemplating Policy On Import Substitution In The Wake Of New Economic Situation Created By COVID-19 Pandemic: Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for MSME and Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari informed that a policy on imports substitution is being thought of in the wake of the new economic situation created by COVID-19 pandemic. He called upon various stake-holders to convert knowledge into wealth by improving quality through innovations and cutting down cost. He sited the example of a Nagpur based MSME Orange cluster taking up PPE making from scratch. These PPEs cost between Rs 550 to Rs 650 against the market price of about Rs 1200 for which country was heavily import dependent. The cluster is in a position to supply large quantity of PPEs.




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India's Services Sector Witnesses Largest Month On Month Contraction

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5Paisa Capital reports consolidated net loss of Rs 1.70 crore in the March 2020 quarter

Sales rise 69.34% to Rs 35.41 crore




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Cyient consolidated net profit declines 74.41% in the March 2020 quarter

Sales decline 7.68% to Rs 1073.60 crore




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Biocon receives EIR from USFDA for its small molecules API facility in Bengaluru

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R Systems International consolidated net profit declines 23.02% in the March 2020 quarter

Sales rise 6.60% to Rs 209.26 crore




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Adani Gas consolidated net profit rises 60.28% in the March 2020 quarter

Sales decline 0.77% to Rs 462.25 crore




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Shree Cement consolidated net profit rises 57.60% in the March 2020 quarter

Sales decline 2.13% to Rs 3415.14 crore




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Uttam Galva Steels reports consolidated net loss of Rs 536.04 crore in the March 2020 quarter

Sales decline 57.18% to Rs 118.66 crore




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Reliance Power reports consolidated net loss of Rs 4206.38 crore in the March 2020 quarter

Sales rise 13.39% to Rs 1798.05 crore




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Reliance Capital reports consolidated net loss of Rs 2124.00 crore in the March 2020 quarter

Sales decline 33.91% to Rs 3580.00 crore




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Reliance Infrastructure reports consolidated net loss of Rs 153.84 crore in the March 2020 quarter

Sales decline 9.01% to Rs 3625.86 crore




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Will work harder till we win the confidence of people: Rahul Gandhi

Election trends suggest that Congress has lost in Kerala and Assam and has failed to make a dent in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu despite alliances




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Stalin's spirited campaign makes it a close contest in TN

Analysts now believe that if the DMK had projected him the chief ministerial face instead of his 91-year-old father the whole hog, probably the election verdict could have been different




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Assembly elections 2016 results: BJP spreads wings, Congress shrinks

BJP wins in Assam, opens account in Kerala; Congress loses two states; Left sweeps Kerala; Mamata decimates Opposition in West Bengal




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IRCTC, IRCON, IRFC to be listed on bourses: Jaitley during Budget address

Government will continue to use the ETF route for disinvestment of PSUs




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IRCTC, IRCON to be listed: Railways mega holding co on the backburner?

Railway authorities termed listing of these companies as a 'shocker'




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Biocon gains after Bengaluru API facility gets EIR

Biocon gained 1.82% to Rs 356 after the company said it received establishment inspection report (EIR) for small molecules API manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.




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Coronavirus Update: ‘Evidence’ Virus Came From Lab, Economies Start to Reopen

The Trump administration steps up assertions that the coronavirus originated at a lab in Wuhan, governments around the world start to allow businesses to reopen, millions of imported masks fall short of N95 standards. WSJ’s Jason Bellini has the latest on the pandemic. Photo: Scott Keeler/Zuma Press




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Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India reports consolidated net loss of Rs 164.57 crore in the March 2020 quarter

Sales decline 2.83% to Rs 616.61 crore




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Adani Transmission consolidated net profit declines 35.72% in the March 2020 quarter

Sales rise 25.20% to Rs 3186.96 crore




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ICICI Bank consolidated net profit rises 6.92% in the March 2020 quarter

Total Operating Income rise 11.47% to Rs 21740.68 crore




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Trump reaches out to world leaders on coronavirus, global economy

US President Donald Trump reached out to several world leaders, including those from Germany and Saudi Arabia, to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and the global economy on Friday, the White House said. Trump and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia discussed the latest positive developments in defeating the coronavirus pandemic and re-energising global economies, the White House said in a readout of the call. The two leaders agreed on the importance of stability in global energy markets and reaffirmed the strong United States-Saudi defence partnership, it said. Trump and King Salman also discussed other critical regional and bilateral issues and their cooperation as leaders of the G7 and G20, respectively, the readout of the call said. In a separate phone call with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, the two leaders discussed positive developments in defeating the coronavirus pandemic, research efforts and reopening the American and German economies. "The President ...




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Legislation introduced in Congress to give Green Cards to foreign nurses and doctors

US lawmakers have introduced a legislation in Congress to give unused green cards or permanent legal residency status to thousands of foreign nurses and doctors to meet the urgent needs of the overstretched healthcare sector in the country. The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act would allow for recapturing green cards that were approved by Congress but unused in past years, allowing thousands of additional medical professionals to serve permanently in the United States. The legislation would send green cards to 25,000 nurses and 15,000 doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that places like Iowa have the professionals they need to serve patients for years to come, a media release said. The move is likely to benefit a large number of Indian nurses and doctors, who are either on H-1B or J2 visas. In the House of Representatives, it has been introduced by lawmakers Abby Finkenauer, Brad Schneider, Tom Cole and Don Bacon. The bipartisan Senate companion bill is led by Senators ..




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China continues to hide and obfuscate COVID 19 data from world Pompeo

China continues to hide and obfuscate COVID-19 data from the world, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, asserting that he has seen a significant amount of evidence suggesting that a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan was underperforming and the virus could well have emanated from there. "I have seen a significant amount of evidence that suggests that the lab was underperforming, that there were security risks at the lab and that the virus could well have emanated from there," Pompeo told Ben Shapiro in an interview. "But I am happy to suspend the decision about that. What we need are answers. There are still people dying," he said. By Friday, more than 78,000 Americans had died and 13 lakh tested positive for the coronavirus. Globally, more than 273,000 people have died and 39 lakh tested positive for the disease. The American economy and those of the rest of the world have come to a standstill. "We have got an economy now that is really struggling and it is all a ..




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Indian-American grocery store owner in Silicon Valley charged with price gouging

The owner of a popular Indian-American grocery story has been charged with price gouging during the coronavirus pandemic, when the entire state is under stay-at-home orders. Following consumer complaints, an investigation office revealed that Rajvinder Singh, owner of the popular Apna Bazaar in California's Pleasanton, had allegedly increased the prices of grocery items following the emergency declaration by the governor on March 4. Based on evidence provided by customer receipts, the investigation confirmed that the pricing of several food items exceeded the 10-per cent increase allowed during a state of emergency, with some prices being as much as 200 per cent more than what was previously charged, according to a joint statement issued by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley. The food items listed in the complaint include yellow onions, ginger, green beans, instant noodles, tea, chili peppers, pomegranates and red yams. "We ..




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Batra gets extension as FIH President after world's body's Congress postponed to May next year

Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra's tenure as the chief of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has been extended till May next year after its annual congress was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to postpone the Congress, which was earlier scheduled to begin in New Delhi on October 28, was taken at an online meeting of the FIH Executive Board on Friday. "I'm looking forward to the numerous tournaments and competitions ahead of us, which we are preparing with full dedication and passion with all National Associations involved," Batra said. The exact date of the postponed congress will be confirmed as soon as possible, the FIH said in a statement. "This decision, made due to the current uncertainties following the global COVID-19 pandemic, is based on Art. 12.1 of the FIH Statutes, covering cases of force majeure," it added. The postponement means the tenures of all the current FIH office-bearers get extension until next year's ...




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COVID-19: Legislation introduced in Congress to give Green Card to 40,000 foreign nurses, doctors

Several American lawmakers have introduced a legislation in Congress to offer the 40,000 unused green cards to thousands of foreign nurses and doctors to meet the urgent needs of the overstretched healthcare sector in the US, the worst hit nation by the coronavirus pandemic. The US has nearly 1,284,000 cases of confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 77,000 people have died due to the highly contagious disease. The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act would allow for recapturing green cards that were approved by Congress but unused in past years, allowing thousands of additional medical professionals to serve permanently in the United States. The legislation would send green cards to 25,000 nurses and 15,000 doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that states like Iowa have the professionals they need to serve patients for years to come, a media release said. The move is likely to benefit a large number of Indian nurses and doctors in the US, who are either on H-1B or J2 visas. The ..




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US awards border wall contract in Texas to begin in 2021

The U.S. government has awarded a $275 million border wall contract for construction that would begin in South Texas in January, at the start of President Donald Trump's second term if he is re-elected. Caddell Construction Company, based in Montgomery, Alabama, won the contract to build 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) of barriers in and around Laredo, Texas, a city of 260,000 people on the Rio Grande, the river that runs between Texas and Mexico. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the contract award Friday night using funds it had previously received from Congress rather than military funding re-directed to the wall. The CBP said construction would begin in January 2021 pending availability of real estate. There is little existing wall separating Laredo and its sister city of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Much of the planned construction would cut through private land in neighborhoods close to the edge of the Rio Grande, requiring the government to take property through its power of ...




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Taylor Swift unveils 'City of Lover' concert special for ABC

Pop star Taylor Swift has announced an hour-long concert special "City of Lover" which will air on ABC. The announcement comes weeks after Swift was forced to cancel all of her 2020 live appearances and performances, including "Lover Fest East" and "Lover Fest West" , due to coronavirus pandemic. The special, which will air on May 17, was filmed in September at the L'Olympia Theater in Paris, where she performed in front of audiences from 37 countries. It will be available for streaming on Disney Plus and Hulu on May 18. "Excited to announce the City of Lover Concert! We filmed my show in Paris in September and thought it'd be fun to share it with you. May 17 at 10p ET on @abcnetwork and available the next day on @hulu and @disneyplus !#TaylorSwiftCityOfLover" the 30-year-old singer tweeted on Friday. The musical event gives fans unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes moments with the artist and marks her only concert performance this year, ABC Network said in a press ...