
Rise in COVID-19 cases in rural areas of Maharashtra a cause of concern, says Rajesh Tope
Speaking at an Independence Day function in Jalna, the health minister said that despite the rise in infections, the COVID-19 recovery rate in the state was also high

Donald Trump administration relaxes rules for H-1B visa holders, allows them to return to pre-ban jobs
This is the first relaxation of rules since Trump signed a proclamation on 22 June suspending the entry of non-immigrant visa categories like the H-1B and L1 visas till the end of the year

Despite 78% of rural India finding no work in lockdown, survey shows 74% backs Modi govt in COVID-19 fight
Additionally, more than 68% rural Indians faced 'high' to 'very high' monetary difficulties during lockdown, the survey conducted by Gaon Connection and Centre for the Study of Developing Societies found

Three migrant workers from Jharkhand found dead near railway track in Kerala's Palakkad
The three victims were contract workers engaged in the construction work of the IIT campus at Kanjikode, work for which began just one and half months ago

Over 45% migrant labourers who travelled back home wish to return to cities, finds survey
The study is based on a rapid assessment survey of 4,835 households across 48 districts in 11 states carried out between 24 June and 8 July

Coronavirus Outbreak: Sonu Sood launches app to support migrants looking for job opportunities
Sonu Sood's Pravasi Rojgar app will provide all necessary information and links to find jobs for migrant workers during the coronavirus outbreak

How will the Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme benefit the urban poor when its long term vision discounts vital short term measures?
On May 12, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the second stimulus package, named Atmanirbhar Bharat in the aftermath of the COVID-19, which has since then been unveiled over five tranches. The package, which is mostly liquidity driven, would be the size of 10 percent of India's GDP.

In COVID-19 crisis, an opportunity to reboot, revitalise rural economies with Youth Migrant Entrepreneurs
As the migrant crisis slowly subsides and India crawls its way back to normalcy, this is the right time to ask: isn’t there a way to avoid forcing these individuals out of their homes?

Shramik Special train with 682 passengers leaves Pune for Jharkhand; 100th train to depart from city since 1 May
The 100th 'Shramik special' train from Pune, carrying over 680 passengers, mostly migrant workers, students and their families, departed for Jharkhand on Wednesday, the district administration said.

Poor in Bengaluru unsure of next meal during COVID-19 lockdown; low quality PDS ration, absence of mid-day meals contributed to food insecurity
Many poor people in Bengaluru were forced to depend on meals and rations provided through the philanthropic efforts of private individuals.

Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Madhya Pradesh govt to promote 1st, 2nd year UG students based on previous scores; 1,128 cases in Mumbai today
Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: Tamil Nadu reported 2,710 new COVID-19 cases and 37 deaths, taking the total number of cases to 62,087 and death toll to 794. Number of active cases stands at 27,178.

Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Confirmed cases in Mumbai surge to 66,507 as city reports 1,242 new infections; toll rises to 3,669 with 41 deaths
Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Mumbai on Sunday recorded 1,242 new coronavirus positive cases and 41 deaths, taking the total positive cases to 66,507 and toll to 3,669.

Coronavirus Outbreak Updates: Maharashtra's cases surge past 1.28 lakh as 3,874 more test positive; toll mounts to 5,984 with 160 fatalities
Coronavirus Outbreak Updates:Maharashtra, the worst-affected state, on Saturday recorded 160 deaths and the highest single-day rise of 3,874 new infections, pushing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 1,28,205 and the toll to 5,984., said the state health department.

Narendra Modi launches Rs 50,000 crore 'Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyaan' to create jobs for migrant workers affected by COVID-19 lockdown
The scheme was launched weeks after lakhs of migrant workers returned to their home states following loss of employment in urban centres due to the nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Delhi L-G Anil Baijal orders mandatory 5-day institutional quarantine for COVID-19 cases under home quarantine, AAP calls decision 'arbitrary'
The Delhi government also said the Centre should reconsider the decision that is expected to put severe pressure on the existing health infrastructure in view of the shortage of doctors and nurses to treat serious coronavirus patients.

India's migrant workers are protesting erasure of their rights amid lockdown. A mapping project documents their resistance
The dominant narratives portray India's migrant workers as perpetual victims without agency, who need to be helped out by others. This charity framework misses a crucial dimension of the current crisis, where there have been hundreds of instances where migrant workers came onto the roads protesting the injustices being meted out to them, trying to change the oppressive conditions in which they are forced to live.

'Never called Shramik Special trains as Corona Express, people gave that name': Mamata Banerjee counters Amit Shah
Her comments came a day after Shah, addressing a virtual rally for West Bengal, accused Banerjee of 'insulting' migrant workers returning to the state on Shramik Special trains by calling the trains 'Corona Express

SC orders withdrawal of lockdown violation cases against migrant workers, asks states to identify and send stranded labourers home within 15 days
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed States and Union Territories to identify stranded migrant workers across the country willing to go back to their native places and transport them home within a period of 15 days

Coronavirus Outbreak: Sonu Sood meets Uddhav Thackeray, hours after facing criticism from Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut
Sonu Sood met Uddhav Thackeray hours after a Shiv Sena leader launched a scathing attack on the actor saying he was enacting a political script written by BJP.

Nepalese migrant labourers working in Himachal Pradesh's apple orchards battle twin crises of strained ties, COVID-19 lockdown
Some of the labourers are returning amid the rumours that Nepal could close its border for those living outside of the country. The rumours are enough to compel them to head home amid reports of strained relations between two nations.