CoronaVirus, that has infected more than a lakh people in the world hasnt spared even the rich and famous.

Hollywood Star Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have confirmed that they tested positive for Covid-19 in Australia, and many other famous faces have also come down with the virus.

Hanks first shared the news on Instagram that he and his wife tested positive for coronavirus last week. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too, Hanks wrote in a social media post.

The Quantum of Solace actor Olga Kurylenko revealed she has tested positive in an Instagram post. Locked up at home after having tested positive for Coronavirus. I've actually been ill for almost a week now. Fever and fatigue are my main symptoms. Take care of yourself and do take this seriously, she wrote in the caption.

The Election Commission of India today appointed Hirdesh Kumar as the new Chief Electoral Officer of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He will replace Shailendra Kumar with effect from the date he assumes charge.  

Hridesh Kumar, a 1999 batch IAS officer is presently serving as Commissioner Secretary in the School Education Department of J&K. 

The Centre has taken the decision to close all the educational institutions including school and colleges, gyms, museums, swimming pools, theaters till 31st of this month due to corona virus situation in the country. An advisory in this regard have been sent to the State governments for implementation. Students have also been advised to stay at home.

Meanwhile, the total confirmed cases of corona virus in the country rose to 114 with four new cases from Kerala, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.  

Briefing media in New Delhi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Lav Agarwal informed that  committee of secretaries chaired by Cabinet Secretary reviewed and discussed the preventive measures to control the spread of corona virus in the country. He said, based on the recommendations of the Committee, Group of Ministers in its 7th meeting has taken the decision to adopt the social distancing as a preventive measure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked people to share technology-driven solutions for coronavirus. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, a lot of people have been sharing technology-driven solutions for COVID-19. Prime Minister urged them to share it on citizen engagement platform Mygov saying the efforts can help many. Mr Modi said, innovation should be harnessed for a healthier planet.

MyGov in a statement said, innovative solutions, Bioinformatics, datasets and Apps for diagnosis can be leveraged for strengthening the fight against Corona. It said, submitted solutions will be evaluated for adoption and those selected will be suitable rewarded.

Ace Indian paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal wins the ITTF Challenger Plus Oman Open. The 37-year-old Indian veteran beat top-seeded Marcos Freitas of Portugal 4-2 in the final played in Muscat on Sunday evening.

Earlier, in the semi-final today, fourth-seeded Achanta pulled off a stunning seven-set victory against Russia's Kirill Skachkov, 11-13, 11-13, 13-11, 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7.

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