Morning Digest: WHO reviewing report urging new guidance over airborne spread of coronavirus; 1.4 lakh families have reached annual MGNREGA work limit, and more

A select list of stories to read before you start your day.

A paramedic collecting samples from a mobile unit in Vijayawada.

WHO reviewing report urging new guidance over airborne spread of coronavirus

The World Health Organization (WHO) is reviewing a report urging it to update guidance on the  novel coronavirus  after more than 200 scientists, in a letter to the health agency, outlined evidence the virus can spread in tiny airborne particles.

Lesson from Doklam: No de-escalation until full return of status quo

The government must not agree to de-escalate the situation at the  Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh  without an agreement on returning to “ status quo ante ” or the situation before the stand-off began, said experts, who pointed to the outcome of the  Doklam stand-off  in 2017 as a marker.

Amid demand surge, 1.4 lakh families have reached annual MGNREGA work limit

At least 1.4 lakh poor rural households have already completed their quota of 

100 days of work under MGNREGA  in the first three months of the year, and will not be eligible for further benefits under the rural employment guarantee scheme for the rest of the year. Another seven lakh households have completed 80 days and are on the verge of running out of work as well, according to the scheme’s database.

Donald Trump says U.S. schools must reopen in fall amid pandemic

President Donald Trump said on Monday that U.S. schools must open in the fall - a decision over which he has limited power - as governors struggle with a nationwide rise in coronavirus infections and states reverse and pause attempts to reopen.

Final Year university exams must be conducted by September end: UGC

An Iraqi analyst who was a leading expert on the Islamic State and other armed groups was shot dead in Baghdad after receiving threats from Iran-backed militias. Gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on Hisham al-Hashimi, 47, outside his home in the Zeyouneh area of Baghdad on Monday, a family member said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. The family member heard five shots fired.

Coronavirus | Tamil Nadu records 3,827 fresh cases; Chennai’s tally tops 70,000

After recording 4,000-plus cases a day for four consecutive days, Tamil Nadu reported 3,827 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. Though the State saw a marginal dip in the number of new infections, the rise in COVID-19 cases continued in many districts, with all 37 districts reporting new cases.

Coronavirus | Maharashtra case tally surges past 2.10 lakh mark

Maharashtra recorded another big spike of 5,368 fresh coronavirus cases on Monday, taking the State’s total case tally to 2,11,987. A sharp fatality surge of 204 new deaths pushed the death toll to 9,026.

Govt. reviewing 50 investment proposals from Chinese firms

The Centre is reviewing about 50 investment proposals involving Chinese companies under a new screening policy, three sources familiar with the matter told  Reuters.

Coronavirus lockdown | Bhopal’s zardozi artists hanging by a thread

Craning over a wooden frame, Yousuf Khan, billed as the oldest  zardozi  craftsperson of the Nadeem Road here, nimbly weaves metallic threads into a cotton cloth stretched across it. But suddenly overcome with sombreness, his right hand, which is deftly gripping a needle, quivers to a halt. This is his first assignment after the lockdown eased a month ago. But as it concluded in two hours, he will be left without work once again.

When Indians made a beeline for Wimbledon, courtesy Ramanathan Krishnan

Like most people his age, Ramanathan Krishnan, 83, isn't venturing out, even casually, due to COVID-19. “Just like anybody else in the world, I am sitting at home, watching television and movies. Due to my age, I can’t afford to go out. I hope things get better soon as everybody is getting fed up,” he told  The Hindu .