Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that SAARC countries must prepare together, act together and succeed together in dealing with the Coronavirus. In his opening remarks at the video conference of all SAARC member countries to chalk out a common strong strategy to fight the virus in the region, Mr Modi said sharing perspectives is most valuable as it cannot be predicted with certainty how the situation will unfold despite best efforts. He said so far SAARC region has fewer than 150 cases but there is a need to remain vigilant.  
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the creation of a COVID 19 emergency fund based on voluntary contribution from SAARC nations.

Mr Modi said India is assembling a Rapid Response Team of doctors and specialists, along with testing kits and other equipment. They will be on stand-by to be placed at SAARC nation's disposal, if required. Mr Modi said India has set up an Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal to better trace possible virus carriers and the people they contacted. This Disease Surveillance software could be shared with SAARC partners. Prime Minister Modi said, our neighbourhood collaboration should be a model for the world. He also assured that India will do its best for its neighbours.

In Badminton, Taiwan's shuttler Tai Tzu Ying clinched her third women's singles title of the All England Championships at Birmingham in United Kingdom today.

Ying beat China's Chen Yufei in two straight games 21-19, 21-15 in 44 minutes.

Earlier in the men's singles, Denmark's Victor Axelsen outclassed Taiwan's Chou Tien-Chen in two straight games 21-13, 21-14 in the summit clash that lasted for about 46 minutes. Indian representation in the competition ended on Friday, ace shuttler PV Sindhu lost in the quarterfinal match by Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-12, 15-21, 13-21.

World Health Organization has said that Europe is now the epicentre for the global coronavirus pandemic. In a virtual press conference, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, it is impossible to know when the outbreak would peak. He said Europe the continent has now more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China.

The virus, which first surfaced in China in December, has now killed more than 5,000 people, with cases around the world topping one lakh 34 thousand. WHO chief said the deaths passing the 5,000 mark is a tragic milestone.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has postponed the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) till April 15, as a precautionary measure amid Coronavirus situation. The IPL 2020 was scheduled to start on March 29. The decision to postpone the tournament was taken by the BCCI top brass led by its president Sourav Ganguly in the wake of the advice given by various departments of the Central government. In a statement, BCCI said the cricket board is concerned and sensitive about the health of all people related to IPL including fans. The IPL sent the communication to all eight franchises yesterday, saying it will meet the owners today in person in Mumbai to further debrief on the matter.

The two remaining ODIs between India and South Africa in Lucknow and Kolkata were called off yesterday due to the COVID-19 threat.

The government on Friday approved a proposal for the construction of 780 km of green highways at a cost of Rs 7,660 crore. "The Cabinet has approved building 780-km 'green' National Highway project at a cost of Rs 7,660 crore," Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters after the meeting.

The project pertains to rehabilitation and upgradation of various National Highways covering a total length of over 780 km in four states -- Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Government has approved 780 km green highway project for Rs 7,660 cr in four states

US President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic.  Addressing a press conference Trump also announced a set of specific measures aimed at stemming the effects of the outbreak.
               
 He called on all US states to set up emergency operation centers and said the government is accelerating testing, amid criticism about the lack of sufficient test kits nationwide.

The number of positive cases in the United States has reached 2,006, while at least 42 people have died after contracting the virus.

American golfer Tiger Woods will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. The hall of fame, located in St. Augustine, Florida, released a statement on Wednesday saying Woods, winner of 15 major titles, will be inducted in the male competitor category.

Woods was among 10 finalists named in March as candidates for 2021. His 93 worldwide victories include a record-tying 82 US PGA Tour titles. He won his 15th major title at the Masters last April, ending an 11-year major drought after career-threatening injuries.

Woods is a three-time winner of the career Grand Slam and in 2000-01 completed the "Tiger Slam" when he became the first golfer since Bobby Jones to hold all four major championship titles at the same time. The 2021 class was chosen by Hall's selection committee, a 20-member panel.

With the declaration of coronavirus pandemic, Namaste, an Indian way of greeting, instead of the normal handshake, has emerged as the most preferred form of pleasantries to reduce physical contact with others.

Prince Charles on Wednesday spotted greeting people with a namaste at the London Palladium. The video of Prince of Wales bringing out his hand for a shake and then suddenly switching to namaste has gone viral. With the number of coronavirus positive case reaching an alarming number of 460 in the UK, people, including the Royal Family are taking these measures.

Mindful of the coronavirus outbreak, French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday welcomed King Felipe of Spain and his wife in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace in Paris by pressing his palms together and bowing slightly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon people not to panic and take precautions to stay away from the COVID-19 - Novel Corona virus infection. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, the government is fully vigilant about the situation. He said, no Union Minister will travel abroad in the coming days and also urged people to avoid non-essential travel. The Prime Minister said, we can break the chain of spread and ensure the safety of all by avoiding large gatherings. He said multiple steps have been proactively taken to ensure the safety of all across ministries and states. He said these steps are wide-ranging, from the suspension of visas to augmenting health care capacities.

Thirteen fresh cases of Novel Coronavirus have been reported in the country, taking the tally of positive cases to 73. Briefing the media in New Delhi last evening, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Aggrawal said, India has taken preventive measures to contain the spread of the Corona virus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously monitoring the situation.

The High Court of Bangladesh has ordered that ‘Joy Bangla’ will be the national slogan of Bangladesh.

In an order passed on Tuesday, the two judge bench of High Court asked the authorities to take necessary steps so that all the people holding constitutional posts and state officials use ‘Joy Bangla’ after their speeches on national days and other appropriate occasions.

The court also directed the authorities to ensure that teachers and students use the slogan after assembly. The government has been asked to submit the compliance report to the court within three months.

‘Joy Bangla’ was the main slogan during the liberation war of Bangladesh fought against Pakistan in 1971. The first President of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also used ‘Joy Bangla’ in his speeches and specially during his historic 7th March speech in 1971 declaring the goal of independence for Bangladesh.