Asia Today: India passes half a million coronavirus cases

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s confirmed coronavirus cases have crossed half a million with another record 24-hour jump of 18,552 infections. The Health Ministry on Saturday also reported 384 new deaths, raising the total to 15,685. The surge prompted authorities in the northeastern state of Assam to impose a two-week lockdown in the state capital of Gauhati. About 700 new cases were reported there in just four days. Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the rest of Assam will be placed