HIGHLIGHTS AT 12.30 HRS

Following are the top stories at 12.30 pm:

Top Stories:

DEL5 CORONAVIRUS-CASES

Coronavirus cases in country climb to 147

New Delhi: The number of novel coronavirus cases in the country rose to 147 on Wednesday, with 10 fresh cases reported from various parts of the country, according to the Health Ministry.

DEL15 CORONAVIRUS-LD BJP-PROTEST

BJP not to hold protest for 1 month in view of coronavirus outbreak: J P Nadda

New Delhi: The BJP has decided not to hold any protest or demonstration for a month in view of the coronavirus outbreak, party president J P Nadda said on Wednesday.

DEL12 CORONAVIRUS-LD ARMY

COVID-19 : Army reports its first case; India's total coronavirus cases reach 147

New Delhi: In the first case of the coronavirus in the Indian Army, a 34-year-old soldier has tested positive for the infection in Leh, army sources said on Wednesday as the the total number of cases in India rose to 147.

 

BOM4 MH-CORONAVIRUS-WOMAN

Pune woman tests positive for COVID-19;Maha count climbs to 42

Pune: A 28-year-old woman from Pune with a travel history to France and the Netherlands has tested positive for COVID-19, a senior official said on Wednesday.

BOM13 GA-CORONAVIRUS CASE

Norway national tests positive for coronavirus in Goa

Panaji: A Norwegian man on Wednesday tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in Goa, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said.

BOM5 MH-CORONAVIRUS-IIT BOMBAY

Coronavirus: IIT Bombay announces closure of activities

Mumbai: In view of the novel coronavirus outbreak, IIT Bombay has announced a virtual shutdown of its campus at Powai here till March 31.

MDS1 KA-CONG-MP-MLAS-DIGVIJAY

Stopped from meeting rebel Cong MLAs Digvijay Singh protests outside Bengaluru resort, detained

Bengaluru: High drama unfolded on Wednesday morning near the resort where rebel Congress MLAs from Madhya Pradesh are staying, as senior party leader Digvijay Singh staged a protest accusing the police of not allowing him to meet the legislators.

BOM10 MP-DIGVIJAY-NATH

Digvijay's detention in Bengaluru 'Hitlarshahi' by BJP: MP CM

Bhopal: Congress leader Digvijay Singh's detention by police in Bengaluru is display of "dictatorship and Hitlarshahi" by the BJP, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said here on Wednesday.

BOM2 MP-GOVERNOR-LD LETTER

I praise your impartial, courageous decision to accept resignations of 6 ministers: MP guv to Speaker

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon sent a letter to Assembly Speaker N P Prajapati in the early hours of Wednesday, praising him for taking an "impartial and courageous" decision in accepting the resignations of six ministers.

LEGAL

LGD30 SC-ABDULLAH

SC asks Centre, J-K admn to inform by next week if it is releasing Omar Abdullah

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir administration to inform by next week if it is releasing former chief minister Omar Abdullah, who has been detained since the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year.

LGD18 SC-TELECOM

SC pulls up Centre, telecos for doing self-assessment of AGR dues fixed by court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday pulled up the Centre and telecom companies for doing self-assessment or reassessment of the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues fixed by the apex court in its verdict given on October 24 last year.

LGD3 SC-CORONAVIRUS-MIDDAY MEAL

COVID-19: With schools shut & mid-day meals unavailable to children, SC issues notice to states, UTs

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday took note of the non-availability of mid-day meals to children as schools in many parts of the country have been shut due to the coronavirus pandemic.

FOREIGN

FGN24 CORONAVIRUS-WORLD

US leads huge economic fightback against virus, EU shuts borders

Paris: The United States and Britain led a multi-billion-dollar global fightback against economic havoc wreaked by the coronavirus as the European Union shut its borders to travellers from outside for 30 days to stem the pandemic's ferocious spread. (AFP)

FGN25 CORONAVIRUS-INDIANS-PHILIPPINES

Distressed Indian students in the Philippines seek help to get back home

Washington: Hundreds of distressed Indian students, stuck in the Philippines, are seeking help through video messages as they are unable to fly back home due to the travel restrictions imposed by India to contain the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus, according to friends and relatives of some of these students in the US. By Lalit K Jha

FGN2 CORONAVIRUS-WORLD BANK

World Bank increases COVID-19 response fund to USD14 Billion

Washington: The World Bank has announced increasing to USD14 billion the amount of fast-track financing to assist companies and countries in their efforts to respond to the rapid spread of COVID-19, adding USD2 billion to the initial package. By Lalit K Jha

FGN26 US-BIDEN-LD PRIMARIES

Biden sweeps three US states; steps closer to become presumptive Democratic presidential nominee

Washington: Former vice president Joe Biden has claimed victory over rival Bernie Sanders by sweeping three key primaries in Florida, Illinois and Arizona, inching closer in the race to become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee to face US President Donald Trump in November's election.