This Article is From May 26, 2020

Live Coronavirus Updates: WHO Stops Trial Of Anti-Malarial Drug For COVID-19

Coronavirus Live updates: Air travel resumed across India this morning, two months after the lockdown announced by PM Modi, bringing relief to the aviation sector that was on the brink of collapse.

Live Coronavirus Updates: WHO Stops Trial Of Anti-Malarial Drug For COVID-19

Coronavirus India Live Update: Government has asked all passengers to download Aarogya Setu app

New Delhi:

Delhi recorded 635 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Monday, taking the tally to 14,053 with 276 deaths so far in the national capital.

The number of active patients of COVID-19 was 7,006 while 6,771 patients have either recovered or gone to other places, according to the Delhi government's daily health bulletin.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the COVID-19 situation is "under control" in Delhi even after the easing of lockdown restrictions.

India has registered 6,977 cases of novel coronavirus in 24 hours, the Health Ministry data showed. 154 people have died of COVID-19 illness during the period, it said. This is for the fourth consecutive day that the number of infection have risen past 6,000-mark. With the new cases, the total number of cases stand at 1,38, 845, making India among top 10 countries affected the most by the virus.

Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus Outbreak:

May 26, 2020 06:16 (IST)
Coronavirus update:39 new coronavirus cases in Indore, district tally at 3,103

Thirty-nine new COVID-19 cases were reported in Indore district on Monday, according to the Chief Medical and Health Officer.

Now, the total number of cases in the district has gone up to 3,103, including 117 deaths. As many as 1,484 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged.

Samples of over 30,000 people were collected for COVID-19 testing in Indore, ANI reported. 
May 26, 2020 05:10 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Protests in Ecuador against job, wage cuts, over virus

Demonstrators defied coronavirus restrictions to march in cities across Ecuador on Monday in protest against President Lenin Moreno's drastic economic measures to tackle the crisis.

Moreno last week announced public spending cuts including the closure of state companies and embassies around the world, but trade unions Monday said workers were paying a disproportionate price compared to Ecuador's elite.

"This protest is because the government is firing workers to avoid making the rich pay," Mecias Tatamuez, head of the county's largest union, the Unitary Front of Workers (FUT), told reporters at a march in Quito.

Around 2,000 people marched in the capital, waving flags and banners and shouting anti-government slogans, AFP reported.
May 26, 2020 05:07 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Global coronavirus count surpasses 5.3 million

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the globe has surpassed 5.3 million-mark. 

 
May 26, 2020 04:32 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Chile sees record COVID-19 cases as minister quarantines

Chile registered a new high for coronavirus cases on Monday, with nearly 5,000 infections in 24 hours, including that of a minister in President Sebastian Pinera's government.

Health authorities announced they had registered 4,895 new infections in the South American country and 43 deaths in the previous 24 hours, AFP reported. 

Public Works Minister Alfredo Moreno said he was among those with the disease.

May 26, 2020 03:55 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Europe lifts virus shutters as Japan ends emergency

Europeans flocked to parks, gyms and pools on Monday as more countries eased coronavirus restrictions, while Japan lifted its state of emergency but urged vigilance to avoid another wave of infections.

In the United States, as the pandemic death count approached the horrific milestone of 100,000 lives, some stir-crazy Americans also headed en masse to beaches or other outdoor leisure spots for the big Memorial Day weekend.

But there did not seem to be any widespread flouting of social distancing guidelines, as US states get used to eased lockdown measures aimed at reviving an economy devastated by a virus that has infected more than 5.4 million people worldwide and killed almost 350,000, AFP reported. 
May 26, 2020 03:54 (IST)
Coronavirus news: No new virus deaths in Ireland for first time in nine weeks

Ireland recorded no new deaths from the coronavirus on Monday for the first time since March 21.

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar called it a "significant milestone", adding on Twitter: "This is a day of hope. We will prevail."

The announcement came one week after Ireland, which has suffered 1,606 deaths from 24,698 infections, began to ease lockdown measures that had been in place for nearly two months, AFP reported. 
May 26, 2020 03:08 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Donald Trump Fumes On Twitter As Media Slams Pandemic Golf Outing

US President Donald Trump on Monday fumed at negative media coverage of him playing golf over Memorial Day weekend, as the US death toll from the coronavirus pandemic neared 100,000, AFP reported. 

"The Fake and Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin!" the golf-loving president said on Twitter, noting that the game at his own course in Virginia was the first time he had played since early March.

May 26, 2020 02:06 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Rajyavardhan Rathore says Rajasthan government failed in its COVID response

Former Union minister and Jaipur (Rural) MP Rajyavardhan Rathore Monday accused the Congress government in the state of failing to fulfil its responsibility in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, PTI reported. 
May 26, 2020 01:54 (IST)
Coronavirus news: National Green Tribunal set to resume functioning from Tuesday

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday said it is set to resume its functioning from May 26, after one corona positive case came to light at its workplace, ANI reported. 

In a statement issued by Registrar General Ashu Garg, the Tribunal said that after one corona positive case at NGT workplace came to light last week, the NGT has followed the necessary protocols.
May 26, 2020 00:52 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Mumbai to ramp up hospital bed capacity

Multiple COVID-19 treatment hospitals and centres with a combined capacity of 7,000 beds will come up in Mumbai in the next two weeks, said an official from Maharashtra Chief Minister's office on Monday.

These hospitals and centres, with a combined capacity of 7,000 beds, will come up at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Goregaon, Dahisar and Mulund in the suburbs, PTI reported. 
May 26, 2020 00:34 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Delhi Health Department issues guidelines for passengers of domestic flights

The Delhi government's Health Department has asked passengers of domestic flights, trains and inter-state buses to download Arogya Setu app in their mobile phones, wear masks and carry hand sanitisers to prevent the spread of COVID-19, PTI reported. 
May 26, 2020 00:22 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Nitish Kumar asks people to send positive vibes to those under quarantine

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday appealed to the people to remain positive towards those under quarantine or those COVID-19 patients who have returned home after getting discharged from hospitals, saying there is no threat of infection from these people.

He said this during a meeting convened to review the steps and measures being taken by the government to contain the spread of Coronavirus, PTI reported. 
May 26, 2020 00:12 (IST)
WHO Stops Trial Of Anti-Malarial Drug For COVID-19 Over Safety Concerns
The World Health Organization said Monday it had "temporarily" suspended clinical trials of hydroxychloriquine as a potential treatment for COVID-19 being carried out across a range of countries as a precautionary measure.

The decision came after the publication last week of a study in the Lancet indicating that using the drug on COVID-19 patients could increase their likelihood of dying, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference.

Tedros said that the executive group of the so-called Solidarity Trial, in which hundreds of hospitals across several countries have enrolled patients to test several possible treatments for the novel coronavirus, had as a precaution suspended trials using that drug.
May 26, 2020 00:02 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Rail Bhavan Closed Again After Another Staff Tests Positive Coronavirus
A staff member of Delhi's Rail Bhavan tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Monday, leading to the closure of all offices of the Railways Ministry for the next two days, the second time in less than a fortnight.

The staffer is the fifth COVID-19 case detected in the building in less than two weeks. Nine people who came into contact with him have been sent to home quarantine till June 2, officials said.

May 25, 2020 22:55 (IST)
Coronavirus News: China To Repatriate Its Citizens From India As Coronavirus Cases Rise
China has decided to repatriate its citizens living in India, who want to return home in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The move comes amid tension between the troops of the two nations in Ladakh and the spiraling cases of coronavirus in India.

On Monday, a notice in Mandarin was put up on the website of the Chinese embassy, asking those wanting to return home to book tickets in special flights.

"Through the unified arrangement of the ministry of foreign affairs and relevant departments, the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in India will assist international students in India, tourists, temporary business visitors who have difficulties and are in urgent need to take a temporary flight back home to China," the notice read, reported news agency Press Trust of India.

Read More
May 25, 2020 22:11 (IST)
Coronavirus News: China To Evacuate Its Citizens From India Amid Surge In Coronavirus Cases
China has decided to evacuate its citizens, including students, tourists and businessmen, from India who are facing "difficulties" in the country and want to return home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chinese embassy put out a notice on its website on Monday, asking those wanting to return home to book tickets on special flights.

The move to evacuate its citizens comes in the wake of India emerging as the 10th worst-hit country by the deadly virus, which has infected nearly 1.4 lakh people in India. Read

May 25, 2020 21:23 (IST)
Coronavirus News: New Maharashtra Rules You Need To Know
The Maharashtra government on Monday announced rules for passengers travelling through the airports in Mumbai and others in the state amid the coronavirus lockdown. Limited domestic air travel resumed across the country on Monday amid disarray after some states restricted the number of flights hours before departure, causing last-minute cancellations and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

Airlines, including IndiGo, India's biggest carrier, SpiceJet and Vistara had been preparing to resume operations from Monday with about a third of their capacity amid strict rules. But new restrictions at major airports, including Mumbai and Chennai, forced airlines to scramble late on Sunday to revise schedules. READ MORE
May 25, 2020 20:46 (IST)
Restrictions By States Prompt 630 Flights Cancellations: Report

Domestic air travel resumed on Monday after two months even as a number of states were unenthusiastic about opening up their airports in view of rising COVID-19 cases, causing cancellations of around 630 flights.

According to aviation industry sources, around 630 domestic flights scheduled for Monday were cancelled due to the centre's Sunday night announcement that there would be no flights in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, and limited operations at major airports such as Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

Consequently, many passengers reached the airports on Monday only to be told by the airline staff that their flights have been cancelled.

May 25, 2020 19:41 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Lockdown Extended In 2 Districts Of Himachal Pradesh Till June 30
The Himachal Pradesh government has made provisions to extend the lockdown in parts of the state for another five weeks. An order from the BJP government led by Jai Ram Thakur, allowed all districts to extend the lockdown till June 30 if needed.

The final call belongs to the district administration. For now, it stands extended in Hamirpur and Solan.

The hill state has so far recorded 214 cases of coronavirus, of which 63 patients recovered and five died. The district of Hamirpur has over one-fourth of the total cases in Himachal Pradesh. While Hamirpur has reported 63 cases so far, Solan has 21.

The lockdown extension in the state comes as the rest of the country eased lockdown restrictions and the Centre re-started air travel.

So far, only Maharashtra -- which has the highest number of cases in the country -- has spoken of extending the lockdown.

The deadline for the countrywide lockdown is May 31. The government has extended it thrice since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the countrywide lockdown on March 25.


May 25, 2020 18:42 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Ghaziabad Seals Border With Delhi Again Over Rising Coronavirus Cases
The Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border at Ghaziabad will be sealed once again in view of the sudden spike in coronavirus cases, the Ghaziabad administration said today.

On Sunday, 10 people proved positive in the district, which earlier was among the areas worst affected by the virus in the state. There have been 227 cases of coronavirus in Ghaziabad, of which 33 are active cases.

"In Ghaziabad district, there is an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the last few days. A large chunk of these cases are linked to those who travel between Delhi and Ghaziabad," the administration said in an order today.
May 25, 2020 18:08 (IST)
Coronavirus News: Himachal Pradesh Extends Lockdown Till June 30
The Himachal Pradesh government has extended the lockdown to control coronavirus in the state for another five weeks. An order from the BJP government led by Jai Ram Thakur, said the lockdown will continue till June 30 in all 12 districts of the state.

The hill state has so far recorded 214 cases of coronavirus, of which 63 patients recovered and five died. The district of Hamirpur has over one-fourth of the total cases in Himachal Pradesh.

While Hamirpur has reported 63 cases so far, Solan has 21. Read Here
May 25, 2020 17:49 (IST)
Coronavirus News: In Karnataka, Mandatory Quarantine Is Making A Hole In People's Pocket
Thousdands of people waited for months to fly to their destinations before India reopened its domestic air travel. But for those travelling to Karnataka, there was significant turbulence in their plans - in the form of compulsory quarantine, that is coming at a huge cost.  

The state has observed that most of the new cases are the people coming from other states, prompting the state to impose a seven-day mandatory quarantine for passengers arriving from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

However, the new rule has troubled many.

A couple at Bengaluru airport, that arrived from Delhi in a morning flight, complained of high hotel prices for quarantine. 
May 25, 2020 16:56 (IST)
Coronavirus News: India Among 10 Worst Virus-Hit Nations After 4 Days Of Record Spikes
India has emerged as the tenth worst-hit country by the novel coronavirus after four days of record spikes in the number of cases. The country logged 6,977 new patients in the last 24 hours, taking the total to nearly 1.38 lakh cases. The number of COVID-19 linked deaths has crossed the 4,000-mark after 154 patients died in a single day.

The pandemic has spread to 196 countries and territories since it began in China's Wuhan city in December. The increase in the number of cases in India comes amid relaxations by the government, two months after a countrywide lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a huge relief to the aviation sector, which has suffered huge losses due to the pandemic, domestic air travel was resumed this morning. Read More



May 25, 2020 16:28 (IST)
Striking Aerial Photo Shows A Different Eid At Delhi's Jama Masjid
The iconic Jama Masjid in Delhi was deserted as Eid was celebrated on Monday in the coronavirus lockdown. With mosques and other religious places still shut, people offered prayers at home and greeted friends and family online.

A photographer tweeted an aerial shot of Jama Masjid, virtually unrecognisable at 7.30 am, a time when it is crammed with devotees on festival days. According to Sohaib Ilyas, who describes himself as a filmmaker and aerial photographer in his Twitter bio, only the chief cleric, Shahi Imam, and his family offered prayers at the mosque. Read More

Striking Aerial Photo Shows A Different Eid At Delhi's Jama Masjid
May 25, 2020 16:11 (IST)
Heart-warming! 5-Year-Old Flies Home Alone, Mother At Airport, Reunion After 3 Months
As flights restarted in India today after two months because of the coronavirus lockdown, a little boy in Bengaluru airport carrying a "special category" ticket was among the most heartwarming sights of the day.

Five-year-old Vihaan Sharma travelled alone from Delhi, and walked into the arms of his overjoyed mother at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. He travelled as a special category passenger. Read
May 25, 2020 14:33 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Delhi records 635 fresh cases, total deaths 276 so far
Delhi recorded 635 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Monday, taking the total number of positive cases to 14,053 with 276 deaths so far in the national capital.

The number of active patients of COVID-19 was 7,006 while 6,771 patients have either recovered and been discharged or migrated to other places, according to Delhi government''s daily health bulletin.
Earlier in the day Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the COVID-19 situation is under control in Delhi even after lockdown relaxations.
May 25, 2020 13:46 (IST)
May 25, 2020 13:28 (IST)
Coronavirus India Lockdown news: UP To Set Up Migration Commission To Employ Returnee Migrants

In a two-pronged strategy to secure migrant workers, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to set up a Migration Commission for employment of such labourers in the state and made it clear that any state that wants them from UP has to seek its permission.

With over 23 lakh workers and migrants having returned to the state till Sunday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that a Migration Commission be set up, according to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi.

Yogi Adityanath also directed officials that migrant workers be given insurance so that their life is secured, Mr Awasthi said.

The chief minister suggested that a scheme be launched to ensure their job security.
May 25, 2020 12:42 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Himachal Pradesh amends Epidemic Disease act

The Himachal Pradesh government has amended Himachal Pradesh Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) (Amendment) Regulations to mandate all Class-I & Class-ll officers of state govt to attend office on all working days, news agency ANI reported. "Pooling of official vehicles shall be done to the extent possible," the order reads.

Use of Arogya Setu mobile application has been made mandatory for all employees. "The head of office shall ensure 100 per cent coverage of this application amongst the employees," it states.

"Roster of employees shall be prepared by the Controlling Officers in such a manner that 50% of the employees attend the office every day & the remaining work from their residence, so far as is practicable," the order reads.
May 25, 2020 12:08 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal address media


  • Increase in COVID-19 cases (after lockdown was relaxed on May 17). But nothing to worry. Situation under control
  • We have enough beds for patients. 2,000 beds available in private hospitals
  • We have seen a spike in cases after curbs were eased.
  • We have issued a show cause notice against hospital which denied treatment to COVID patients. They have to ensure that bed is provided to them.
  • We are trying to implement system to given information to residents on bed facilities at hospital.
  • Most of the cases are asymptomatic.
May 25, 2020 11:49 (IST)
May 25, 2020 11:02 (IST)
May 25, 2020 10:30 (IST)
Coronavirus India Lockdown news: Raipur airport undertakes sanitisation, precautionary measures as flights resume

Airport maintenance staff at the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur is ensuring effective sanitisation and disinfection of the entire terminal buildings, including the vital and high touch point areas, news agency ANI reported.

Luggage of passengers arriving at the airport is being sanitised to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
May 25, 2020 10:19 (IST)
Coronavirus news: 4 fresh cases in Himachal Pradesh; tally rises to 208

The total number of coronavirus cases in Himachal Pradesh has risen to 208 after to four more people tested positive today. A 72-year-old woman died due to the disease at a hospital, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.

With the latest fatality, the death toll due to COVID-19 has increased to five in the state.

The woman had tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Saturday and she died at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla around 10:15 pm on Sunday, the hospital''s senior medical superintendent, Janak Raj, said.
May 25, 2020 09:43 (IST)
May 25, 2020 09:25 (IST)
JUST IN: 6,977 cases in India in 24 hours, biggest spike recorded for the fourth consecutive day, 1.38 lakh total cases
May 25, 2020 09:04 (IST)
Coronavirus Updates: First Spanish Beaches To Reopen As Lockdown Eases

Coronavirus lockdown measures will finally be eased for people in Madrid and Barcelona from Monday, while elsewhere in Spain the first beaches are due to reopen.

Residents in the two cities can now meet in groups of up to 10 people in their homes or on the terraces of bars and restaurants.

The gates of the capital's parks will also be reopened, and major museums will be able to receive a limited number of visitors.
May 25, 2020 08:58 (IST)
COVID-19 Test Mandatory For Passengers Landing At Chandigarh Airport

All inbound air travellers of Punjab landing at Chandigarh airport shall be mandatorily tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, said Mohali District Magistrate (DM) Girish Dayalan.

This comes as domestic flight operations resumed across the country from Monday except in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal after two months of suspension due to coronavirus-induced lockdown.

"All such persons shall be required to undergo mandatory home quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of arrival. In case the test comes out to be positive, the person shall be lifted to an isolation facility. If tested positive, they will be shifted to an isolation facility. If negative, they shall still observe home quarantine for 14 days," Mr Dayalan said.

May 25, 2020 08:36 (IST)
Thermal Checks, Flight Crew In PPE Suits As India Flies Again
Air travel has resumed across the country, two months after the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bringing relief to the aviation sector that was on the brink of collapse. The details were finalized after what Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri said was "a long day of hard negotiations" with various state governments, which were not on board with the idea. Read more

Thermal Checks, Flight Crew In PPE Suits As India Flies Again: 10 Points
May 25, 2020 08:28 (IST)
''Work Comes First'': Flight Attendants Back To Duty As Domestic Air Services Resume

Flight attendants on early Monday morning arrived at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, Terminal-3, as domestic flight operations resumed from today.

"We are a little worried but work comes first. We will get Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits from the airline," Amandeep Kaur, a flight attendant, told ANI.
May 25, 2020 08:15 (IST)
Coronavirus Updates: Students, Migrants Take The First Flight Home After Being Grounded For Weeks Due To Lockdown

As India resumed domestic passenger flights in a graded manner on Monday, hundreds of people reached the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to take early morning flights to their hometowns and workplaces.

Flight operations remained shut for two months owing to the nationwide lockdown necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic.
May 25, 2020 08:03 (IST)

Coronavirus News: Bengaluru Airport Introduces ''Contactless Journey'' To Contain COVID-19

The Bengaluru airport management is introducing a unique feature of parking-to-boarding contactless journey for the passengers as the domestic flight resumes from today, PTI reported.


In order to contain coronavirus transmission among passengers and staff, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) introduced the new feature of the contactless journey right from pre-entry check to security check and boarding.
May 25, 2020 07:52 (IST)
What States Said About Quarantine, As Domestic Flights Resume
Domestic flight operations will resume Monday morning, two months after a nationwide lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break the coronavirus chain of transmission. Ahead of air travel being restarted - a development Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, among others, voiced concerns about - states have issued guidelines over quarantine and isolation of incoming passengers. Read more

What States Said About Quarantine, As Domestic Flights Resume: 10 Points
May 25, 2020 07:37 (IST)
Maharashtra To Allow 25 Flights To Mumbai From Today, Says Minister
Maharashtra, which has been unwilling to reopen its airports for passenger flights, made a U-turn today, deciding to allow 25 flights to and from Mumbai today. The fresh decision was announced by state minister Nawab Malik barely a couple of hours after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray indicated that the state was not ready for such a move yet. Read here

Maharashtra To Allow 25 Flights To Mumbai From Today, Says Minister
May 25, 2020 07:35 (IST)
Maharashtra Considering Staggered Opening After May 31: Aaditya Thackeray
Maharashtra- the worst coronavirus-hit state- might ease restrictions in high-risk zones in a staggered manner from May 31, when lockdown 4 ends, state minister Aaditya Thackeray said on Sunday, warning against what he called "knee-jerk opening". Read more

May 25, 2020 07:32 (IST)
What Sunday's "Complete Lockdown" Looked Like In Bengaluru
The city of Bengaluru, on Sunday, looked the way it did at the start of the lockdown two months ago - public transport was off the streets, only essential services were available and people were told to stay at home unless there were very good reasons to be out. Read more

May 25, 2020 07:30 (IST)
India Set To Fly Today After "Long Day Of Negotiations"
Air travel is set to resume across the country today, two months after the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bringing relief to the aviation sector that was on the brink of collapse. Read more

India Set To Fly Today After 'Long Day Of Negotiations': 10 Points
May 25, 2020 07:28 (IST)
  • Air travel is set to resume across the country today, two months after the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bringing relief to the aviation sector that was on the brink of collapse. 
  • The details were finalized after what Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri said was "a long day of hard negotiations" with various state governments, which were not on board with the idea. 
  • With the number of coronavirus cases touching 1.3 lakh, the government announced a series of dos and don'ts that would begin with social distancing at the airport and no-contact check in. 
  • The Centre has not insisted on any quarantine either, with Mr Puri saying it would not be necessary in "short-haul" flights. Various states, however, are insisting on varying degrees of quarantine creating huge confusion among travellers. 
  • The aviation minister has indicated that international flights could begin in June.
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