India
India bans TikTok, other Chinese-owned apps
The Indian government has imposed a ban on using 59 Chinese-owned apps, including TikTok, which is operated by Chinese internet firm Bytedance amid a border standoff between the Asian giants.
India’s coronavirus cases spike to near half-million
India’s coronavirus cases reached near a half a million with the detection of 17,296 news infections in the last 24 hours, the biggest spike in a day.
With the surge in number of Covid-19 patients, it has delayed in resumption of regular train services by more than a month.
With the detection of 17,296 cases, India's total cases rose to 490,401 while the country’s Health Ministry also reported another 407 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking total fatalities up to 15,301.
The ministry said the recovery rate was continuing to improve at 57.43%. Also, deaths per 100,000 stood at 1.86 against the world average of 6.24 per 100,000, it said.
The actual numbers of infections and deaths from COVID-19, like elsewhere in the world, are thought to be far higher due to a number of reasons including limited testing.
Indian Railways was due to resume regular train services on June 30 but said Thursday that services wouldn't fully resume until Aug. 12. Trains had been halted when the government declared a nationwide lockdown in late March. Special trains linking main cities have been running since mid-May as part of easing of the lockdown.
Domestic flights have resumed on selected routes, but a government decision on restarting international flights is expected next month.
China blames India for border clash
China on Wednesday again blamed India of provoking a border clash earlier this month that left at least 20 soldiers dead.
4th-worst-hit India sees surge in rural virus cases
India’s coronavirus caseload has risen to 425,282 as infections soar in rural areas to which migrant workers fleeing major cities have returned in recent weeks.
Water level of rivers rises in Cumilla
The water level in the rivers of Cumilla has risen due to incessant rain for the last few days and water from upstream, sparking fears of flood.
According to sources, the water level of various rivers in the district, including Gumti, has risen at an alarming rate due to the upstream water coming down from India.
Due to the sudden rise of water in the river, the cultivable land of Gumti char areas has been submerged in water.
It was found during a recent visit that water level is rising along with strong current in the river. The low-lying areas along the river have been inundated by rains and upstream water and most of the arable land in the char areas have submerged.
Meanwhile, erosion has occurred in riverine areas in different upazilas due to the rising water level and currents in the Gumti River.
Ismail Bhuiyan, an official of Cumilla district meteorological office, said that 361mm rainfall was recorded in the district till June 19 since the first week of the month.
Abu Yusuf Bhuiyan, an official of the Water Development Board, said that the water level has risen due to rain and upstream water. The char areas of different parts have been flooded.
However, there is still no forecast of flood, he said adding that they are monitoring the situation.
COVID-19 deaths cross 10,000 mark in India, total cases surpass 350,000
Total COVID-19 deaths crossed 10,000-mark in India on Wednesday, reaching 11,903, as total cases surpassed the 350,000-mark, said the latest data released by the federal health ministry Wednesday morning.
20 soldiers killed in clash with Chinese troops, India claim
At least 20 Indian soldiers have been killed in a border skirmish high in the Himalayas between the world's two most populated countries - India and China.
Coronavirus: India now 6th in the world with 236,657 cases
India has become the 6th worst-hit country in the world with 236,657 confirmed coronavirus cases as it has recorded close to 10,000 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.
Elephant embraces tragic death in India after eating pineapple stuffed with crackers
The tragic death of a pregnant elephant after eating a pineapple stuffed with firecrackers in a village in the Indian state of Kerala has triggered massive outrage there.
According to NDTV, the incident took place several weeks back but came to the fore recently when a forest official described the gruesome incident through a Facebook post.
Coronavirus: 39 Bangladeshis return home from India
A special flight of NOVOAIR brought back 39 stranded Bangladeshis from Kolkata in India on Sunday amid coronavirus pandemic.