Morning Digest: TN records highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases, Russian Prime Minister tests positive, and more

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

A patient being escorted by family members to a hospital amid the nationwide lockdown in the Capital.

Coronavirus | Tamil Nadu records highest single-day spike with 161 cases

Tamil Nadu on April 30 saw the highest number of  coronavirus  cases since the first case was reported on March 7. A total of 161 fresh cases were recorded and the city of Chennai itself had 138 cases, reflecting a clear rising trend.

Opposition rubbishes MHA order on stranded people

Opposition parties have called the  order of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) allowing the State governments to ferry back those stranded  a hogwash and a measure to buy more time.

Activists seek testing of Ganga water for COVID-19 treatment

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), an arm of the Jal Shakti Ministry that deals with the 

Ganga clean-up plan , has forwarded to the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) a proposal to undertake clinical trials and examine if Ganga water can be used to treat 

coronavirus  (

COVID-19 ) patients.

Coronavirus | Farmers group wants ₹1.5-lakh crore relief package for agri sector

Major farmers group Bharatiya Kisan Union has demanded a ₹1.5-lakh crore relief package for farmers affected by 

COVID-19  and lockdown, along with a four-fold increase in the PM-KISAN income support scheme. This comes even as Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar sidestepped questions about a farm sector relief package, saying existing government measures were sufficient.

Coronavirus | Russian Prime Minister tests positive for COVID-19

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says he has tested positive for the new  coronavirus  and has told President Vladimir Putin he will self-isolate.

Coronavirus | 105 COVID-19 positive deaths in Bengal

One hundred and five persons who tested positive for  COVID-19  in West Bengal have died, and of these, 72 were due to comorbidities,  West Bengal  State Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said on Thursday, referring to a report by a government audit committee.

Coronavirus | Death toll in MP touches 137, 68 in Indore; 65 new cases

Madhya Pradesh recorded 65 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the tally to 2,625, the State Directorate of Health Services said. However, these figures do not include the latest data from Indore.

Joe Biden under pressure to address sexual assault charge

Pressure is mounting on  Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden  to personally respond to a sexual assault allegation made by a former Senate aide — despite a strong denial issued by his campaign.

Virus was not manmade: U.S. agencies

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that the  new coronavirus  was “not manmade or genetically modified” but say they are still examining whether the origins of  the pandemic  trace to contact with infected animals or an accident at a Chinese lab.

1962 Asian Games gold medal winning captain Chuni Goswami passes away

Legendary footballer Subimal (Chuni) Goswami, who captained India to Asian Games gold in 1962, passed away on Thursday in Kolkata.

Spanish govt approves La Liga plan to test players before return to training

Spain's sports ministry approved La Liga's plans for clubs to test their players for the coronavirus before they return to training as the league looks to restart the season in June after it was suspended due to the  COVID-19 pandemic .