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.

Mumbai’s special court has extended Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor’s ED custody till 16th March. Kapoor was produced before special court judge PP Rajvaidya yesterday at the end of his custody.

During the hearing, Enforcement Directorate officials informed the court that Kapoor had sanctioned loans worth 30,000 crore rupees to various entities, out of which loans worth 20,000 crore rupees has turned into bad debt.

The agency sought extension of custody to probe the rationale behind sanctioning these loans and alleged money laundering charges. The 62-year old former MD and CEO of Yes Bank, Rana Kapoor was arrested on Sunday under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This came a day after RBI imposed a moratorium on the capital-starved private lender, capping withdrawals at 50,000 rupees per account and superseding the bank’s board.

The Centre has suspended all tourist visas till April 15 in a bid to contain spread of novel coronavirus. The suspension will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure. The decision was taken at the 6th meeting of group of ministers held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. An official release said, all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visas stand suspended till 15th April 2020. Visa-free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is also kept in abeyance till April 15.

Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian Mission. All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15 will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days.

Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. On their return, they can be subjected to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

Five Indian boxers, including the seasoned trio of Vikas Krishan  in 69 kilogram, Pooja Rani in 75 kg and Satish Kumar in
91 kg category, yesterday secured Tokyo Olympic berths by advancing to the semifinals of the Asian Qualifiers with mostly commanding victories in Amman, Jordan.

Satish, Rani, Krishan, Lovlina Borgohain in 69 kg and Ashish Kumar in 75 kg became the first set of Indian boxers to qualify for quadrennial showpiece scheduled in July-August this year.

While fourth-seeded Rani notched up a facile 5-0 win over Thailand's Pornnipa Chutee, Krishan endured a difficult one against third-seeded Japanese Sewonrets Okazawa before prevailing in a unanimous verdict against the Asian silver-medallist.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Nari Shakti Award winners have made great contribution in building the society and inspiring the nation. Interacting with Nari Shakti Puraskar winners in New Delhi last evening, Mr Modi said, the country could not have achieved the open defecation free status without significant contribution from women.

He said malnutrition issue can also be resolved with greater women participation. 15 Women achievers from various parts of the country including Leh, Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh shared their trials, struggles and how they achieved their goals with the Prime Minister.  Yesterday, President Ram Nath Kovind honored these women achievers with the Nari Shakti Puraskar at Rashtrapati Bhawan on the occasion of International Women's Day yesterday.