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Sun, 14 June 2020
'No one in film industry stood up for Sushant'

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21:23   Sushant's death a wake-up call' for B-Town
Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death on Sunday has once again put spotlight on the importance of mental health care with celebrities including Anil Kapoor, Karan Johar, Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma, Zoya Akhtar, emphasising upon supporting those facing troubled times.
Rajput was found hanging at his Bandra home, the police said. He was 34.
Soon after the news of the actor's demise started circulating, many from the film fraternity urged people to be more sensitive, empathetic and available to their close ones who might be silently suffering.
In an Instagram post, Johar said he "blames" himself for not being in touch with Rajput for the past one year.
"I have felt at times like you may have needed people to share your life with but somehow I never followed up on that feeling... Will never make that mistake again. We live in very energetic and noisy but still very isolated times some of us succumb to these silences and go within. We need to not just make relationships but also constantly nurture them," the filmmaker wrote alongside a picture of him with Sushant.
He said that the actor's death is "huge wake-up call" for him.
"Sushant's unfortunate demise has been a huge wake up call to me to my level of compassion and to my ability to foster and protect my equations. I hope this resonates with all of you as well... will miss your infectious smile and your bear hug," the producer, who backed 2019 film Drive starring Rajput, added.
Anil Kapoor said the news of Rajput's demise was "shocking and incredibly heartbreaking" and appealed those who need help to reach out to somebody they trust.
"I didn't know him personally, but I've watched his films and it was clear to see how talented he was... The fact is, we never really know what anyone is feeling in the deep recesses of their hearts.
"If you feel like you're drowning please please please reach out to someone you trust, whether that is a friend, family member or a professional," the actor tweeted.
Anushka Sharma, who worked with Rajput in PK, said it's devastating that the actor couldn't get the help he needed.
"Sushant, you were too young and brilliant to have gone so soon. I'm so sad and upset knowing that we lived in an environment that could not help you through any troubles you may have had. May your soul rest in peace," the actor-producer said.
In a subsequent tweet, Sharma said it's important to be sensitive towards Rajput's family and friends.
"I urge everyone to respect their emotions and let them grieve," she wrote.
Deepika Padukone said as someone who has battled with mental illness, she understands the importance of reaching out. 
"As a person who has had a lived experience with mental illness, I cannot stress enough about the importance of reaching out. Talk. Communicate. Express. Seek help. Remember, you are not alone. We are in this together. And most importantly, there is hope," the actor said in a statement on social media. 
Akhtar said she hopes people soon realise the importance of mental health and treat those in need with utmost care.
"You have gone too soon and all we can do is make sure you haven't gone in vain. May we realise the importance of mental health. May we treat depression and anxiety with the care it needs. May we be there for those around us who could be suffering. May we always remember that you gave us more than you took I wish you eternal peace," the writer-director wrote on Instagram. 
Rajput's death also stirred up conversation on the pressure that comes with being a celebrity as he joined the long list of actors who gave into depression. -- PTI
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21:17   Earthquake of 5.3 magnitude shakes parts of Gujarat
An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude shook parts of Gujarat on Sunday night with its epicentre near Bhachau in Kutch district, officials said.
An official of the Institute of Seismological Research said that the tremor was recorded at 8:13 pm.
Th equake was felt in cities like Kutch, Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Patan, where many people rushed out of their houses.
"Its epicentre was located 13 kilometres north-north east from Bhachau in Kutch district," he said.
No report to damage to property or life is reported so far. -- PTI  
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20:47   A talented actor, gone too soon: Rahul on Sushant
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday condoled the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput, saying "a young and talented actor, gone too soon". 

Gandhi expressed sadness at the demise of Rajput and sent his condolences to his family and fans. 

"I am sorry to hear about the passing of Sushant Singh Rajput. A young and talented actor, gone too soon. My condolences to his family, friends and fans across the world," Gandhi said in a tweet. 

Bollywood actor Rajput was found dead at his Bandra apartment on Sunday, police said. He was 34. 

"He has committed suicide at his residence.... We are investigating," a senior police officer said. -- PTI
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20:31   Delhi plans to add 20K beds at hotels, halls
The Delhi government has directed district magistrates and other officials concerned to set up nearly 20,000 more beds within a week in the wake of a spurt in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, an official said.
 
According to the official, around 40 hotels and 80 banquet halls will be converted into health facilities to provide medical care to coronavirus-infected people.
The COVID-19 tally has reached nearly 39,000 in Delhi and the virus has claimed more than 1,200 lives so far in the capital.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that Delhi would need 1.5 lakh beds by July 31 if people from other states start coming to the national capital for treatment.
Following the government's order, the northwest district administration has issued an order to convert 22 banquet halls into health facilities where around 3,300 beds will be set up by the authorities.
"As per the plan, banquet halls will be attached to nursing homes while in hotels, extended services of hospitals will be provided," the official said.
According to the Delhi Corona app, out of 9,850 beds available in the city, 5,448 were occupied at 7 pm on Sunday while 4,402 beds were vacant.
"Hotels will have 4,000 beds while banquets halls will have 11,000 beds. Nursing homes will have 5,000 beds," the official said.
With COVID-19 cases increasing alarmingly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday announced that testing will be doubled in Delhi in the next two days and subsequently increased by three times.
In view of shortage of beds for coronavirus-infected patients in Delhi, the central government has decided to immediately provide 500 railway coaches which will be equipped with all facilities, he said. -- PTI 
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19:59   No one in film industry stood up for Sushant: Hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani
Celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani, while mourning the Sushant Singh Rajput's death, revealed that the actor had been going through some tough times for the last few years.

Bhavnani, who worked with Sushant on the film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, posted a picture of her with him and former Indian captain MS Dhoni

"It's no secret Sushant was going through very tough times for the last few years. No one in the industry stood up for him nor did they lend a helping hand. To post about him today is the biggest display of how shallow the industry really is. No one here is your friend. RIP," she said.

Known for films like Kai Po Che!, Chhichhore, Rajput was found hanging at his Bandra home, the police said. 

He was 34.
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19:41   Monsoon covers entire Maharashtra
Four days after hitting coastal Maharashtra, the southwest monsoon made a steady progress and has now covered the entire state, the India Meteorological Department said on Sunday.
The progress of the monsoon has so far been normal and on the expected lines, an IMD official said.
In the last 10 days, parts of Central and North Maharashtra and Vidarbha received incessant showers, IMD's Mumbai centre deputy director general K S Hosalikar said.
"The southwest monsoon covered the entire state on Sunday," he said.
"North Maharashtra and most parts of the Marathwada region face water scarcity every year. It is a good sign that these areas have received showers this year. It will help accelerate the pre-sowing activities of farmers, he said.
However, heavy showers in some urban areas, including Nashik, caused some inconvenience.
Water-logging occurred at the Nashik Road police station on Saturday after heavy downpour.
"It started raining around 6 pm in our area and within a couple of hours, the Nashik Road police station was inundated. The entire staff had to make efforts to remove the water," an official from the police station said.
In Beed district, which faced acute water shortage in last few years, received good showers in the past one week, filling up some of the dry river beds.
The Chausala river bed, which was completely dry this summer, got filled up on Saturday after rains, a senior official from the state agriculture department said.
"If the current monsoon trend continues in the state, we could see early sowing," he said. -- PTI 
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19:07   Why? Question that haunts Sushant's paternal home
A mix of grief and incredulity engulfed the paternal residence of Sushant Singh Rajput after the news came that the 34-year-old actor, a chirpy young man at the pinnacle of his Bollywood career, was found dead at his Mumbai home.
 
Relatives, neighbours and fans dashed to the two-storey house in Rajiv Nagar where Rajput -- the youngest among five siblings -- spent his childhood and where his father, a retired government servant, lives with a caretaker.
The compound soon packed with well-wishers, taking turns to offer condolences to the grieving parent who, crestfallen by the tragedy, was fainting frequently.
The caretaker, Laxmi, told media persons that Rajput's eldest sister, who lives in Chandigarh, has conveyed over telephone that she would be arriving by flight later in the day and accompany the father to Mumbai.
It was not known if the mortal remains would be brought back here for last rites.
"I simply cannot believe that Sushant has taken such a step. He was such a lively boy who inspired others through his zest for life. His father, despite not being in a very good shape, used to come out for morning walks regularly and we used to talk about his son.
"The father and the son used to talk over phone frequently but never did the boy exhibit any signs of being fed up with life," lamented a middle-aged neighbour.
A teenaged girl from the neighbourhood who recalled having met the actor when he visited home less than a year ago, said, "He was so full of positivity. It is hard to believe he could do something like this. If we find the reality so hard to sink in, imagine what must have been the state of the family. The question that would keep haunting us is  why?"
Lovely Anand, a former MP who is distantly related to the deceased actor's family, also visited the home to offer her condolences.
"There must be an inquiry. Only a few days ago his manager committed suicide, now it is our boy. I do not believe it can be a mere coincidence," she said referring to celebrity manager Diya Salani who had Rajput as many of her former clients.
Facebook pages run by alumni of the city-based St Karen's High School, Rajput's alma mater where he studied till Class XII before leaving for Delhi to pursue a degree in engineering alongside his passion for acting, were abuzz with images of the actor in his teens, donning the school uniform, captioned with messages of grief and shock.
In a career that spanned barely over a decade, Rajput got nominated for many awards for his performances in movies and TV shows and won some of these.
Rajput's last notable venture 'Chhichhore' saw him portray the role of a sensitive, middle-aged father who resuscitates his son, after the young lad jumps off the window, shattered over flunking engineering entrance exams.
Aniruddh Pathak, the character played by Rajput, revived his son by summoning friends from across the world and with them narrating the tale of their own not-so-perfect academic careers with the message that it was okay to not succeed, there was always another chance.
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18:42   Bihar discussing polls, not virus: PK slams JD-U
Election strategist Prashant Kishor appeared to be lending his voice to the opposition in Bihar on Sunday, when he attacked chief minister Nitish Kumar for allegedly not coming out of his official residence in Patna for nearly three months following the COVID-19 outbreak.
 
Kishor, who was elevated to the post of national vice-president in the Janata Dal-United headed by Kumar within weeks of joining the outfit two years ago but expelled from it on disciplinary grounds earlier this year, came out with a stinging tweet criticising the ruling National Democratic Alliance for gearing up for the assembly polls at a time when the outbreak has entered a critical stage in Bihar.
"Scared of stepping out of his residence during the last three months because of corona, Nitish Kumar nonetheless thinks that common people's lives will not be endangered if they came out of their houses to take part in the electoral process," Kishor said in a tweet in Hindi.
He also lamented that the assembly polls were dominating the discourse in Bihar, instead of the coronavirus, "though the state has reported more than 6,000 cases, despite the testing ratio being the lowest in the country, and almost seven to nine per cent of the samples tested are reported positive".
The remarks of Kishor came close on the heels of Kumar concluding a virtual conference of his party over six days, during which he interacted with the grassroots-level workers via video-conference.
The poll strategist had played an instrumental role in the campaign for the Grand Alliance, comprising the JD-U, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, in the 2015 assembly polls, when the coalition achieved a stunning victory.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, with which the JD-U has realigned, is already engaged in a vigorous online public outreach programme aimed at the state polls, which was kicked off a week ago by Union home minister Amit Shah, who addressed people in the state from Delhi in a "virtual rally".
Kumar's preference for functioning from within the premises of his residence, the only recent exception being his turning up at the CM secretariat, less than 50 metres away, last week, has come in for repeated criticism from Lalu Prasad's RJD -- left sore and out of power following Kumar's abrupt return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
Both Prasad and his heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav have been attacking Kumar, calling him names like "darpok" (coward) for his reluctance to step out.
Yadav, who returned to the city on Saturday after meeting his jailed father in Ranchi, told reporters with a theatrical flourish: "All opposition parties should troop to the chief minister's residence to look for the missing chief minister. The people of Bihar have been looking around for him." -- PTI
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18:38   COVID-19: SBI closes 3 branches in Mumbai, Thane
The nation's largest lender State Bank of India has temporarily closed three branches -- two in Mumbai and one in adjoining Thane -- after eight staff tested positive for COVID-19, bank employees said.
 
The bank's main branch in Thane was shuttered last week after seven of the 25 staff were found to be COVID-19 positive, according to a senior bank employee.
A cash officer at the local cheque processing cell, also known as the clearing department, in the northwestern Mumbai suburb of Jogeshwari-east was found COVID-19 positive, leading to temporary closure of the branch early last week, said another employee.
As a precautionary measure, the bank temporarily stopped operations at its LCPC located in the Andheri area, after a gardener working there was founded to be infected with the virus, the employee said.
When contacted, SBI said, "Our quick response team headed by a general manager is continuously monitoring the situation in the entire country and due protocol is followed in case of any infection. Many of our staff members, who got infected, have recovered and are contributing to the functioning of the bank in these trying times".
Banks are classified as essential services to provide uninterrupted services even when the entire country was under lockdown.
Over the past few days, three SBI employees -- Sandu Borade of the Churchgate branch; Anirban Datta of the Belapur CBD branch; and Ramesh Rane of the Ghatkopar branch were lost to the new coronavirus infection.
On the death of these staffers, the SBI statement said, "A few unfortunate deaths have happened and we are deeply saddened by the incidents. The compensation (including COVID compensation amount) is paid as per the established rules of the bank".
"Safety protocol is complied with and all possible support is provided. We salute our employees who are contributing to the nation in these trying times."
It can be noted that Maharashtra is the worst affected state with over 1 lakh infections and Mumbai as the epicentre. 

On Saturday, the state reported 3,427 new cases and 113 deaths, including 69 from Mumbai.
The latest count in the state stands at 1,04,568 and fatalities at 3,830, according to the state health department. 

Of the total cases, 78,134 are concentrated in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which has reported 2,650 deaths, including Mumbai with 56,831 cases and 2,113 fatalities.
Another SBI employee said despite such a high number of cases being detected, the bank management is asking them to come in full strength and branches are back to normal operations.
A third employee said that the mortgage divisional headquarters in Thane is carrying out "full documentation" and let applicants visit the branch where no social distancing is possible because of the large number of applicants, but putting the lives of bankers at risk.
"Working with the PPE kit (given to us by the bank) on is practically not possible," the staffer cited above told PTI.
The employee stated that they are being asked to report only on alternate days and forced to apply for CLs on the rest.
"We are asked to apply for casual leave (CL) on days we are not going to the branch, or for working on alternate days," he said, adding "we are not even given commuting allowance or pick-up and drop since the lockdown was lifted on June 1".
"I pay over Rs 400 a day on two-way auto fare alone as the bank had long ago stopped the pick-up and drop facility which was there in the initial weeks of the lockdown," the employee averred. -- PTI
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18:27   India doesn't want land of China or Pak: Gadkari
India is not interested in land of Pakistan or China but wanted peace and amity, Union minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday.
Addressing virtual 'Jan Samvad' rally of Gujarat BJP from Nagpur in Maharashtra, he said India believed in peace and non-violence and do not want to be strong by becoming an expansionist.
"India never tried to grab land of its neighbours like Bhutan and Bangladesh," he added.
The minister of road transport and highways and MSME also said that COVID-19 crisis will not last long, as a vaccine is on its way soon.
"India do not want land of either Pakistan or China. All India want is peace, amity, love, and (want) to work together (with neighbouring countries)," Gadkari said.

His comments came at a time when India and China are engaged in a stand-off at the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.
Talking about the completion of one year of the second term of the Modi government, Gadkari said its biggest achievement was to bring peace in the country by dealing with matters of internal and external security.
"...Whether it is about almost winning over the Maoist problem or securing the country from Pakistan-sponsored terrorism...There is China on the one side of our border and Pakistan on the other side. We want peace, not violence," he said.
During his speech, the Nagpur MP referred to famous novel "Mrityunjaya" by Marathi novelist Shivaji Sawant, saying peace and non-violence can be established by only those who are strong and not weak.
"We should not make India strong by becoming expansionist. We want to make India strong for establishing peace. We never tried to grab  land of Bhutan. Our country made Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the prime minister of Bangladesh after winning the war (with Pakistan in 1971), and our soldiers returned thereafter.
"We took not a single inch of land. We do not want land either of Pakistan or China. All we want is peace, amity, love, and wanted to work together," he said. -- PTI
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18:24   HM to discuss Covid with Delhi parties tomorrow
Union home minister Amit Shah has called a meeting of all political parties of Delhi on Monday to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the national capital amid a recent spurt in coronavirus cases, an official said.
 

The Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have been invited for the meeting.
The COVID-19 case tally has reached nearly 39,000 and the virus has claimed more than 1,200 lives in the capital.
A home ministry official said Shah will discuss measures for management of COVID-19 with the political parties.
On Sunday, the home minister held two high-level meetings with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, mayors and commissioners of Delhi's three municipal corporations to strengthen the strategy to fight the pandemic.
Announcing a slew of measures to check the spread of the virus after the meeting with Baijal and Kejriwal, the Union home minister announced that COVID-19 testing will be doubled in Delhi in the next two days and subsequently increased by three times. -- PTI
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18:02   Time to focus on mental health: Ex-cricketer on Sushant's death
Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More reacted with shock and disbelief to the news of the untimely death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, whom he had trained for the role of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's biopic, Dhoni - The Untold Story.
   
Rajput committed suicide by hanging himself at his Mumbai residence on Sunday morning. He was 34.
 
More was left wondering why the successful actor took away his life at such a young age, highlighting the importance of mental toughness in these difficult times.
 
"Shock and disbelief are the two words I can remember. When you work closely with such a young talent, the question you will always ask is why? Why he has taken this step?" More told PTI.
 
"We lost a lovely kid, a hardworking, educated and successful person."
 
More stressed on the importance of taking care of one's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"Mentally we have to be strong, especially the way things are going currently. We need to keep good connection with our family and friends. 
 
"It is especially very important for people who are staying alone. We need to keep ourselves engaged in something what we love to do," the diminutive former India stumped said.
 
More cherished the time he spent with Rajput while preparing the Patna-born actor for Dhoni's role in the 2016 blockbuster.
 
"He was really involved, he used to train just like a cricketer. He practised regularly for nine months for the role. He mastered Dhoni's helicopter shot," the 57-year-old former national selection committee chairman, said. 
 
"Wicket-keeping is a completely different ball game. He got hit many times in his hands, arms, thighs but by the end he was absolutely ready to play.
 
"It was an unbelievable journey cut short," More signed off. -- PTI
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17:41   The Reel Dhoni: Cricket was theme in Sushant's life
There was a part of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Sushant Singh Rajput.
   
It made the World Cup-winning former Indian captain's Untold Story a guilty indulgence for masses and the actor, who played the titular role, a household name in his short and eventful career.
 
It wasn't a cinematic masterpiece like late Irrfan Khan's Paan Singh Tomar but there was hardly anyone who disliked Neeraj Pandey's feel-good blockbuster either.
 
Sushant, who committed suicide at his Mumbai home on Sunday, took fans to places where an introvert Dhoni, fiercely guarded about his private life, never took anyone.
 
To that school match he won, to those tennis ball 'khep' (term used for games in Bengal) in Kharagpur or dealing with selection heartbreaks or romancing his wife Sakshi, Sushant was the gateway to the Dhoni no one knew before or never knew after. 
 
He gave everyone a sneak peek into Dhoni's life.
 
He got that gait, the mannerism and the helicopter shot so perfectly, that he became Dhoni. He was believable.
 
"Dhoni after watching me play had said that Sushant can easily play Ranji Trophy," Sushant had said with a wide grin during promotion of his last released film Chhichhore, where cricket was a part of the climax.
        
In fact, Digvijay Deshmukh, who played the role of young Ali in Abhishek Kapoor's Kai Po Che is still not able to fathom that the actor is no more.
 
"I don't know what to say," Digvijay said in a choked voice from his Pune residence.
 
"Sushant bhaiya was the nicest of human beings. Six eventful months of my life was shooting for Kai Po Che where he played the role of my coach (Ishaan). Trust me he was a good cricketer. 
 
"We played so much cricket off camera. I was a kid and he would keep me entertained," Digvijay, who is now a professional cricketer and will play in IPL for Mumbai Indians, remembered.
 
Digvijay remembers his last conversation good eight years back after the shoot got over.
 
"Sushant bhaiyya asked me what would I like to become when I grow up. I told him just like in film, I would become a cricketer.
 "Maine kahaan tha jab cricket mein kuch karoonga uske baad hi aake aapse miloonga. Since MI picked me at IPL auctions, I thought once IPL starts and I am in Mumbai, I will go and meet him. That won't happen anymore," Digvijay wasn't able to gather his thoughts beyond this.
 
Call it the irony of life, in his last film, Sushant counselled his on screen teenage son, who tried to commit suicide after failing an entrance exam, telling him stories of underdogs.
 
Real life is brutal than 120 minutes on 70 mm. -- PTI  
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17:38   COVID-19 may trigger new diabetes, experts say
COVID-19 may trigger the onset of diabetes in healthy people, and also cause severe complications in diabetic patients, according to an international group of 17 leading experts in the chronic condition.
 
 Based on clinical observations made so far, the scientists, including Stephanie A. Amiel from King's College London in the UK, said there is a bi-directional relationship between COVID-19 and diabetes.
 
In a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine, they explained that diabetes, on the one hand, is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 severity and mortality with 20 to 30 per cent of patients who died with the infectious disease reported to have diabetes. 
 
On the other hand, the researchers said new-onset diabetes and atypical metabolic complications of pre-existing diabetes -- including life-threatening ones -- have been observed in people with COVID-19.
 
However, they said it is still unclear how SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, impacts diabetes. 
 
Earlier studies had shown that the protein ACE-2 which binds to SARS-Cov-2 and allows the virus to enter human cells is not only located in the lungs, but also in organs and tissues involved in glucose metabolism such as the pancreas, the small intestine, the fat tissue, the liver and the kidney.
 
According to the researchers, by entering these tissues, the virus may cause multiple and complex dysfunctions of glucose metabolism.  
 
The scientists believe it is possible that the novel coronavirus may alter glucose metabolism that could complicate the condition of preexisting diabetes or lead to new mechanisms of disease.
  
Based on previous research, they said virus infections can also precipitate type 1 diabetes - a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
 "Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases and we are now realising the consequences of the inevitable clash between two pandemics," said Francesco Rubino, Professor of Metabolic Surgery at King's College London.
 
However, given the short period of human contact with this new coronavirus, the exact mechanism by which the virus influences glucose metabolism is still unclear, the scientists said.
 
"We don't know whether the acute manifestation of diabetes in these patients represent classic type 1, type 2 or possibly a new form of diabetes," Rubino added.
 
"We don't yet know the magnitude of the new onset diabetes in COVID-19 and if it will persist or resolve after the infection, and if so, whether or not or COVID-19 increases risk of future diabetes," said Paul Zimmet, Professor of Diabetes at Monash University in Melbourne. -- PTI
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17:37   It sickened me: Bob Dylan on George Floyd's death
Music icon Bob Dylan says the death of African American man George Floyd in police custody was "beyond ugly".
 
The 46-year-old unarmed man died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after white police officer Derek Chauvin handcuffed and pressed his knee into his neck.
The 79-year-old musician, who is a Minnesota native, said it was sickening to see Floyd being tortured to death.
"It sickened me no end to see George tortured to death like that. It was beyond ugly. Let's hope that justice comes swift for the Floyd family and for the nation," Dylan said in an interview with The New York Times.
The Noble Prize-winning singer is currently looking forward to the release his first album of original songs in eight years, Rough and Rowdy Ways, on June 19.
The album is a follow up of 2012's Tempest. -- PTI
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17:19   Delhi govt declares Hindu Rao Hospital dedicated COVID-19 facility
The Delhi government on Sunday declared Hindu Rao Hospital, run by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, a dedicated COVID-19 facility.
 
Hindu Rao is the largest civic hospital in the national capital.
"In view of the projections of surge in COVID-19 cases and the necessity of augmenting bed capacity urgently...Bara Hindu Rao Hospital running under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, is hereby declared as a designated COVID-19 hospital," the Delhi health department said in an order.
The medical superintendent has been directed to make hospital beds available to admit COVID-19 patients as per the laid down protocol by June 16, it added. -- PTI 
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16:51   COVID-19 peak in India may arrive mid-Nov: Study
The peak stage of COVID-19 pandemic in India has been delayed by the eight-week lockdown along with strengthened public health measures and it may now arrive around mid-November during which there could be a paucity of isolation and ICU beds, and ventilators, according to a study.
 
The study conducted by researchers from an Operations Research Group constituted by Indian Council of Medical Research said the lockdown shifted the peak of the pandemic by an estimated 34 to 76 days and helped bring down the number of infections by 69 to 97 per cent thereby allowing time for the healthcare system to shore up resources and infrastructure.
In the scenario of intensified public health measures with 60 per cent effectiveness after lockdown, the demand can be met until the first week of November. 

After that, isolation beds could be inadequate for 5.4 months, ICU beds for 4.6 and ventilators for 3.9 months, projections by the health researchers showed.
However, this shortfall is estimated to be 83 per cent less than what it could have been without the lockdown and public health measures. 
With sustained government steps at increasing the infrastructure and different pace of epidemic in different regions, the impact of unmet need can be reduced.

If the coverage of public health measures can be increased to 80 per cent, the epidemic can be mitigated, the researchers stated.
According to the model-based analysis for COVID-19 pandemic in India, with the additional capacity which has been built up for testing, treating and isolating patients during the lockdown period, the number of cases at the peak would come down by 70 per cent and the cumulative cases may come down by nearly 27 per cent.   
In terms of COVID-19 mortality, approximately 60 per cent deaths were prevented and one-third of this mortality prevention is attributed to the reduction in unmet need for critical care as a result of the intervention, the analysis showed.
The researchers said the management of COVID-19 will involve a dynamic review of policies and significant strengthening of the healthcare system. -- PTI
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16:16   A bright young actor gone too soon: PM on Sushant
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tributes at the sudden passing away of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

"Sushant Singh Rajput...a bright young actor gone too soon. He excelled on TV and in films. His rise in the world of entertainment inspired many and he leaves behind several memorable performances. Shocked by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and fans. Om Shanti," Modi tweeted.
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16:01   Pak records highest spike with 6,825 cases, tally at 1,39,230
Pakistan has recorded its highest number of coronavirus cases in a single day with 6,825 new patients, taking the tally to 1,39,230, while more than 80 people lost their lives in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said on Sunday.
 
The ministry of national health services said that the country's death toll due to the COVID-19 has reached 2,632 with 81 more fatalities.
 
It said that in the last 24 hours, 6,825 people tested positive for the coronavirus, the highest number of increase in a single day so far, taking the total number of cases to 1,39,230.
 
The number of people who have so far recovered has reached 51,735, it said.
 
But on the other side, the number of patients in the two largest provinces of Punjab and Sindh crossed 50,000 each.
 
According to the ministry data, Punjab has 52,601 patients, Sindh 51,518, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 17,450, Balochistan 8,028, Islamabad 7,934, Gilgit-Baltistan 1,095 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 604.
 
So far 868,565 tests have been conducted across the country, including 29,546 in the last 24 hours.
 
According to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the contagion has infected over 77,00,000 people and killed more than 4,30,000 across the world. The US is the worst affected country with over 2.07 million cases and more than 1,15,000 deaths.
 
The COVID-19, which originated in China's Wuhan city in December last year, has also battered the world economy with the International Monetary Fund saying that the global economy is bound to suffer a "severe recession".
 
Scientists are racing against time to find a vaccine or medicine for its treatment. -- PTI 
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15:59   COVID-19 worse than last year's auto sector slowdown: FADA
Automobile dealers' body Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations fears that the coronavirus pandemic could result in job losses in dealerships which could be worse than what was experienced last year when over two lakh jobs were lost due to a prolonged slowdown in the automobile industry, according to a top federation official.
   
The FADA, however, said a clear picture will emerge only after the end of this month when it will roll out a survey to understand how its dealer members are planning with regards to reduction of outlets and manpower.
 
When asked if there is a fear that there could be bigger job losses in dealerships due to the COVID-19 impact than 2019 when the automotive industry was hit by a prolonged slowdown, FADA president Ashish Harsharaj Kale told PTI: "Yes, if demand doesn't pick up. Obviously."
 
Between May and July last year, the automobiles dealerships across the country shed around 2 lakh jobs to tide over the impact of an unprecedented sales slump.
Kale, however, said, "To really understand the indication of what kind of job losses we are staring at (due to COVID-19), it will only be (possible) after this month. April and May have been completely under lockdown. You can't really gauge what is the demand situation (now)."
 
He further said a clear picture is expected to emerge only at the end of this month in terms of how the pandemic has affected the economy, which market segment has been hit more -- urban or rural or a combination of both and whether it is the upper class or the middle class who have been hit harder.
 
"We will get clarity only in June on what kind of demand situation is there for different kinds of vehicle categories. Only towards the end of June we will be rolling out a new survey to understand what kind of changes dealers are working with regarding reduction of outlets and manpower reduction," Kale said.
 
He, however, asserted cutting jobs is the last option that automobile dealers resort to.
 
"It is not easy for us to let go of our manpower as that is the most valuable resource. We train them over many years and they gradually rise through in our organisations. That is the last call we take.
 
Inventory would be the first call we take and other variables expenses, manpower would be the last," Kale asserted. -- PTI
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15:50   'Fleeting life': Sushant in last Instagram post
Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who committed suicide on Sunday, had shared a post dedicated to his late mother on Instagram on June 3.

"Blurred past evaporating from teardrops. Unending dreams carving an arc of smile. And a fleeting life, negotiating between the two..." Sushant wrote on his Instagram page with the collage of his mother and himself. 
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15:01   Over 2K ceasefire violations by Pak this year
As many as 2027 ceasefire violations by Pakistan have taken place along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir till June 10 this year, an increase of almost 69 per cent as compared to the same period in 2019, officials said. 
 
The increased violations are being viewed by senior security officials as an attempt by Pakistan to provide fire cover to terrorists sneaking from across the border to keep the pot boiling.
The year 2019 witnessed a total of 3,168 ceasefire violations against 1,629 in 2018. 
 
"A total of 2027 ceasefire violations took place this year till June 10, with the highest number of 411 violations taking place in March," a senior official said, quoting the latest data compiled by the army.  
He said January recorded 367 ceasefire violations, February (366), April (387) and May (382), while the first 10 days of June saw 114 incidents of firing and shelling from Pakistan. 
Against this, 926 ceasefire violations took place in the same period in 2019 with the highest 267 reported in March followed by 234 in April, 221 in May, 215 in February, 203 in January and 60 till June 10 last year, the official said. 
 
Since the revoking of special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories in August last year, Pakistan has been violating the ceasefire on an average of 11 times daily, the official said.
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14:44   Sushant Singh Rajput commits suicide: Reports
Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput reportedly committed suicide on Sunday.

According to media reports, the actor was found hanging in his Mumbai home.
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13:51   Covid Testing to be increased in Delhi by 3 times: HM
In order to combat the menace of coronavirus in the national capital, Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that COVID-19 testing would soon be increased by three times in next six days.

"To prevent coronavirus infection in Delhi, the testing of COVID-19 will be doubled in the next two days and after six days testing would be increased by three times," the home minister tweeted. 

"Also after few days, the testing facility will be started at every polling station of the containment zone," he added.

In the view of the shortage of beds in the national capital for COVID-19 patients, Shah also announced that the Centre has decided to provide 500 railway coaches to Delhi.

"These railway coaches will add 8,000 beds in Delhi for COVID-19 patients and will be equipped with all the facilities to fight the infection," the Union minister added.

The decisions were taken at a COVID-19 review meeting chaired by Shah along with health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Delhi LG Anil Baijal and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
 
The meeting comes in the wake of increasing number of coronavirus cases in Delhi, where the tally has reached nearly 39,000 cases and the death toll rose to over 1,200.
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13:04   Won't keep anyone in dark: Rajnath on LAC standoff
Amid a standoff with China on the Ladakh border, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that India will never compromise on its "national pride", asserting that it is no longer a "weak" country and that its security capability has increased.
 
Speaking at a virtual rally for Jammu and Kashmir, Singh also assured the opposition that the central government will not keep Parliament or anyone in the dark about developments on the border and will share details at an appropriate time. 
"I want to assure that we will not compromise with national pride under any circumstance. India is no longer a weak India. Our strength in national security has risen. But this strength is not meant to frighten anyone but to secure our country," Singh said. 
The senior BJP leader said China has expressed its wish to resolve the dispute with India through talks, and the Indian government also has a similar view. 
"This is also our effort to defuse the tussle between India and China through military and diplomatic level talks," he said, noting that the two countries are engaged in military level dialogue. 
In his speech, he also stated that the annulment of Article 370, which had given the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir a special status, has led to all round development in the union territory. 
 
The government will carry out so much development in the region in the coming years that people of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir will demand to be part of India. This will lead to the fulfilment of our Parliament's resolution that PoK is an integral part of India, Singh said. -- PTI 
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12:56   SC restrains HP police from arresting Vinod Dua in sedition case
In a relief to journalist Vinod Dua, the Supreme Court in a special hearing on Sunday ordered that he should not be arrested till July 6 in a sedition case lodged against him in Himachal Pradesh over his YouTube show.
   
The top court said that Dua will have to join the investigation and there shall be no stay on the ongoing probe undertaken by the Himachal Pradesh police.
 
A bench of justices U U Lalit, M M Shantanagoudar and Vineet Saran issued notices to the Centre and the state government and sought their responses within two weeks. -- PTI
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12:34   COVID-19 beds in Delhi to increase by 5000: CM
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the bed strength in the national capital for treating coronavirus patients will increase by 5000 after the city government decided to declare small and medium multi-speciality nursing homes as "COVID nursing homes".
 
Small and medium multi-speciality nursing homes in the city having 10 to 49 beds have been declared as "COVID nursing homes" by the Delhi government to increase the bed capacity for coronavirus patients, according to an official order issued on Saturday.
Only standalone exclusive eye centres, ENT centres, dialysis centres, maternity homes and IVF centres are presently exempted, the order said.
"With the Delhi government's decision, over 5000 beds will be available for coronavirus patients. In the next few days, our officials will talk to owners of each nursing home to solve their problems," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.
According to the Delhi Corona app, there are 9,802 beds available for coronavirus patients, with 5,367 beds being occupied at 11 am on Sunday.
The order to convert small and medium nursing homes into COVID facilities was issued on Saturday.
"In order to avoid intermingling of COVID and non-COVID patients in small and medium multi-speciality nursing homes (10 bedded to 49 bedded) and also to augment the bed capacity for COVID-19 patients, all nursing homes in NCT of Delhi having bed strength of 10 beds or more up to 49 beds are declared as COVID nursing homes," it said.
All such nursing homes are required to make their COVID beds functional within three days of the issuance of the order failing which it would be treated as violation of Clause 14.1 of the schedule appended to Rule 14 of the Delhi Nursing Homes Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2011, it said. -- PTI
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12:17   Ban on saliva may upset balance between bat and ball: Taylor
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor on Sunday warned that ban on the usage of saliva, to combat the COVID-19 threat, runs the risk of upsetting balance between bat and ball in Test cricket.  
 
The International Cricket Council has banned the use of saliva on ball as an interim health safety measure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic -- a move that has raised concerns about the game becoming even more batsmen friendly.
 
"I think it is a bit of a concern because I like, particularly in Test matches, to see the ball slightly dominate the bat, it is much better game when Test cricket is played that way," Taylor told 'Channel 9'.
 
The 55-year-old former opener is concerned about the fact that no saliva means a delivery would become predictable for a batsman.  
"My concern will be that if the players can't shine the ball and the ball does get very straight and very predictable we are going to see more and more runs, more and more high scores in Test match cricket," Taylor said.
 
"And that is not the best Test match cricket. Test cricket is much better when the score is around 300," he added.
 
The ICC has also introduced the system of issuing two warnings per innings to players found violating the saliva ban. Any further violation will result in a five-run penalty.
 
"They have said try and be lenient which I'm sure they will be but eventually one umpire is going to stick his neck out and say 'that's a five run penalty'," Taylor said. -- PTI  
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11:32   Shah holds meeting with Kejriwal on Covid crisis
Amid rising concern over the rapid growth of the novel coronavirus cases, Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday held a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and others to discuss the situation in Delhi.
   
The meeting comes in the wake of increasing number of coronavirus cases in Delhi, where the tally has reached nearly 39,000 cases and the death toll rose to over 1,200.
 
The meeting is focused on how to tackle the pandemic in Delhi, availability of hospital beds, testing facilities and improvements of other heath infrastructure, a government official said.
 
Apart from Shah, Baijal and Kejriwal, those who attended the meeting include deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan, members of the State Disaster Management Authority and senior officers from the home and health ministries.
 
The home minister has also called a separate meeting in the evening with the mayors of Delhi's three municipal corporations -- North, South and East -- and commissioners of the civic bodies to discuss the coronavirus situation in the capital.
The lieutenant governor, chief minister and the Union health minister will also attend the evening meeting.
 
The number of coronavirus cases in Delhi is the third highest in the country after Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
 
There have been criticism from different quarters over the handling of COVID-19 cases in the capital, with complaints of non-availability of beds in hospitals for patients and difficulty in getting the tests done in laboratories.
The Supreme Court had on Friday lashed out at the AAP government, describing as "horrific" the state of affairs in Delhi hospitals with bodies being stacked next to COVID-19 patients.
 
Taking note of the "gravity" of the COVID-19 situation, the Delhi high court has also directed the Aam Aadmi Party government and the Centre to increase the number of beds and ventilators for the coronavirus patients. -- PTI
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11:07   Issues within Maha allies, admits Ashok Chavan
Admitting to 'issues' within the coalition government in Maharashtra, Congress leader Ashok Chavan blamed bureaucrats for creating a rift among Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and added that his party will soon take up the matter with Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

"Yes there are some issues ( between MVA allies and the bureaucracy) and we will discuss this with the chief minister. We are trying to meet the chief minister and then we will discuss all our issues with him in detail. We expect a meeting in the next two days," Chavan said.

Earlier, Congress state chief and minister Balasaheb Thorat also commented on the same and said, "We have some issues which will be resolved through dialogues among MVA partners but we want to say that Congress must be given its due in the decision-making process of the government."

On Saturday Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athawale also advised the Congress to rethink about giving support to the Maharashtra government.

"Congress is the party on whose support this government is functioning. If the party is not valued in the alliance then they should rethink about being the ruling alliance in the state." he had said.   -- ANI
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10:27   Soldier killed, 2 injured in Pak firing
An Army personnel was killed and two others were injured as Pakistani troops opened fire and shelled areas along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.

This is the third fatality in the Pakistani firing and shelling on forward posts and villages in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri this month.

The officials said the latest firing and shelling from across the border took place in Shahpur-Kerni sector on Saturday night, drawing strong retaliation by the Indian Army.

Three Indian Army personnel were injured in the Pakistani firing and were immediately evacuated to hospital, where one of them succumbed to injuries, the officials said.

They said the casualties suffered by the Pakistani Army in the retaliatory action were not known immediately.

On June 4, havaldar P Mathiazhagan fell to Pakistani firing in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district, while on June 10, Naik Gurcharan Singh lost his life in a similar incident in Rajouri sector.   -- PTI
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09:29   11,929 Covid cases, 311 deaths in 24 hrs
JUST IN: India reported 311 deaths and highest single-day spike of 11,929 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the ministry of health and family welfare said on Sunday morning.

The total number of cases in the country now at 3,20,922 including 1,49,348 active cases, 1,62,379 cured/discharged/migrated and 9,195 deaths, the ministry said.   -- ANI
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08:38   Delhi Covid crisis: Shah to meet L-G, CM today
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to hold a meeting with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and members of State Disaster Management Authority to review the situation in the capital regarding COVID-19, today at 11 am.

Kejriwal will also interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his counterparts including West Bengal, Delhi, Maharashtra and Karnataka, where the coronavirus cases are on a much higher side, on June 17.

The national capital recorded 2,134 fresh coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the COVID-19 tally in the city to 38,958, while the the death toll mounted to 1,271, according to the latest Delhi health department bulletin.

It was the second consecutive day when the number of reported cases breached the 2,000-mark.

On Friday, Delhi had witnessed 2,137 cases, the highest single-day spike.

As many as 57 fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours.

The number of coronavirus cases in Delhi is the third highest in the country after Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.   -- PTI

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