Highlights: Bengal govt declares summer vacation early from May 2 in view of heatwave

One terrorist has been in the Pulwama encounter that broke out earlier today, said Kashmir Zone Police. The operation is still in progress, police added.

Bengal government advises to declare summer vacation in schools with effect from May 2 till June 15 or until further instructions whichever is earlier due to soaring temperatures and heatwave. This rule is, however, not applicable for schools in hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, where in existing academic scheduled may continue until further order, ANI reported citing the state government.

Haryana makes wearing of masks compulsory in four districts neighbouring Delhi in wake of increasing Covid-19 cases, ANI reported quoting health minister Anil Vij. “We are fully prepared to fight Covid-19,” he was quoted as saying.

Delhi high court directs AIIMS to form board to address grievances of employees after nurses called off their strike last night, following its order to rejoin work immediately.

Delhi on Wednesday logged as many as 1,367 new Covid-19 cases, 163 more than Tuesday, indicating that the surge in its daily caseload continues. One new fatality was reported in the last 24 hours, the same as the day before. Read more.

Maharashtra sees yet another spike in daily Covid-19 tally on Wednesday after 186 people tested positive for the virus as opposed to 153 on Tuesday. Mumbai also saw a jump of 112 from 102 on the preceding day, according to the state health bulletin. The western state recorded no new fatality due to Covid-19 today, while Mumbai maintained its zero death count for second straight day.

A sex racket has been busted in Delhi that was being run under the garb of a spa in east Patel Nagar. As many as seven persons have been arrested, ANI reported quoting Delhi Police.

Union coal minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday there is no need to “panic” and that the Centre is monitoring the situation in the country on a “day-to-day, hourly basis”. His statements come as India’s power demand reached an all-time high on Tuesday amid coal supply crunch. Read more.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to go on a three-day visit to European nations of Germany, Denmark and France from May 2 to 4 to further expand bilateral ties in diverse regions, reported PTI.

Union minister Anurag Thakur informed on Wednesday that the Cabinet has given its nod to the construction of the 540 MW Kwar Hydro Electric project on the Chenab river in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. “This project will generate 1975 million units of electricity and it will be commissioned in 54 months,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

An encounter has begun in the Mitrigam area of Kashmir’s Pulwama, police said on Twitter. “Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” the message added.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday issued a public notice regarding filing claims for the compensation in the case of deaths that occurred due to Covid-19.

CBI files three preliminary enquiries against former Mumbai top cop Param Bir Singh to probe allegations of corruption, misuse of his position, and misconduct, people familiar with the development said. The enquiries have been initiated in addition to the five FIRs registered against him earlier this month.

Gyan Sarovar School has been temporarily closed after a fire broke out at Bhalaswa dump yard near the school.

It’s not safe to keep children here because of the smoke coming out of fire. We’ve decided to keep the school closed for a week, said Narayana, Community organiser.

The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government on Wednesday made wearing of masks mandatory amid a fresh resurgence in Covid-19 cases. Read full story

Life Insurance Corporation of India’s much-awaited IPO, or initial public offering, will open May 4 (May 2 for anchor investors) and close May 9 for the general public, LIC officials said at a Wednesday afternoon press briefing, adding that it would list on stock exchanges on May 17. Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a review meeting with chief ministers and senior officials of states in the wake of the recent surge in coronavirus cases.

All patients have been evacuated safely. The fire broke out in one of the older buildings, the new three blocks are safe from fire. So far no report of casualties or injuries have been reported, says Principal Secretary-Health, Dr J Radhakrishnan.

Fire breaks out at the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital in Chennai. The fire broke out at a storage room in the hospital. Four fire tenders reached the spot and efforts are on to douse the fire. No casualties have been reported as of now. Further details awaited.

State health minister M Subramnaian and health secretary are on the spot.

Haridwar district administration is on alert mode after a strong reprimand from Supreme Court regarding the Hindu Mahapanchayat called by the saints and the Kali Sena in Dada Jalalpur village, Roorkee in Haridwar district, says PL Shah, ADM Haridwar.

The district administration has imposed Section 144 within 5 km radius of Dada Jalalpur village, and a heavy police force is deployed. District Magistrate and SSP are personally monitoring the situation, he said.

Mumbai Police is expected to issue a CCTV footage from Santa Cruz Police Station after it found out that MP Navneet Rana, her husband Ravi Rana were treated well even at Santra Cruz PS, opposed to her ill-treatment allegations, news agency ANI reports, quoting Mumbai Police.

Tamil Nadu Assembly observes 2-minute silence on the loss of 11 lives in Thanjavur electrocution incident. “I will visit Thanjavur to meet the injured and deceased’s families,” announces CM MK Stalin in the Assembly.

“I have instructed my colleague minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamoezhi to reach the spot and oversee relief operations; have already announced ₹5 lakh each financial assistance for people who passed away,” Stalin said.

Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to 5 years in prison in first corruption case, legal official says. Read full story

The President of India took to Twitter on Wednesday to offer his condolences to the families of Thanjavur electrocution incident victims.

“The loss of life, including that of children, due to electrocution in a procession in Thanjavur is a tragedy beyond words. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” President Kovind tweeted.

11 people were electrocuted in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur during a temple chariot procession, say police as quoted by PTI.

Sensex, on Monday opened in the red, tumbled 372 (0.65%) points to 56,983. Meanwhile Nifty went down by 127 points (0.74%) to stay at17,073.

India reports 2,927 fresh cases and 2,252 recoveries, in the last 24 hours. Active cases 16,279.

“Our leader K Chandrashekar Rao had this vision that the era of coalition govt is going to rule the country… Based on that we had declared to the people of Telangana that the state can only be formed by a political process and also with peaceful people’s movement under the constitution. After the formation of Telangana, KCR ji has worked for the people of the state,” says TRS MLC K Kavitha.

“We fought for the formation of Telangana & once we got the state, we have worked very hard to make sure that the state progresses. TRS party will take up a good national role and we will work for the country,” she adds.

Singapore executes mentally disabled Malaysian man despite global pleas for clemency, reports quote his sister.

11 persons were electrocuted in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur during a temple chariot procession, say police as quoted by PTI.

The fire broke out at about 5.45pm on Tuesday and continued to burn late into the night, even as 10 fire tenders of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) battled the blaze.  This is fourth major fire to be reported from Delhi’s landfill sites in the last one month, with the three previous blazes being reported from east Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill. Read full story

Following Delhi High Court’s order, nurses of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) called off the strike on Tuesday night.

“We are accepting the decision of the Delhi High Court. We have been asked to appear in court on Wednesday. We will do so and based on the decision of the court, we will chalk our future course of action,” said a representative of the AIIMS nurses union, speaking to ANI.

“All 5 permanent Members have used veto over the last 75 yrs to achieve their respective political ends. Privilege of using veto has been vested to only five member states. The UNGA can do very little about it as effectively the P-5 have a veto over the veto,” says Ambassador R Ravindra, Dy Permanent Representative of India to UN.

“…it goes against concept of sovereign equality of states & only perpetuates the mindset of WW2…Either all nations are treated equally in context of voting rights or else the new permanent members must also be given the veto,” he adds on strengthening UN system.