Covid News LIVE Updates: End users will have to pay Rs 600 for Covishield booster dose

The end users will have to pay Rs 600 for Covishield booster dose and the hospitals will get it at a discounted price: Serum Institute of India (SII)

Russia on UNGA Resolution on suspending membership in the UNHRC

Ukraine records over 100 attacks on healthcare: WHO

Ukraine has recorded more than 100 attacks on healthcare, since the start of the war on February 24, the World Health Organisation has said. The attacks so far have claimed 73 lives and injured 51, the agency said. Of the current total of 103 attacks, 89 have impacted health facilities and 13 have impacted transport, including ambulances.

India successfully flight tests missile system SFDR booster

India on Friday successfully flight tested Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) booster, a missile system, at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the Odisha coast here. The SFDR-based propulsion enables the missile to intercept aerial threats at very long range at supersonic speeds, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said. The test demonstrated reliable functioning of all critical components involved in the complex missile system and met all the mission objectives, it said.

India under fresh scrutiny as UN panel calls for shunning coal

The mounds of jet-black coal shimmering under the afternoon sun at the Dadri power plant are a raw illustration of India’s coal dependence — a habit that despite increasing pressure, the country is finding hard to kick. Coal is vital for providing electricity to India’s 1.4 billion citizens, making up 70 percent of the country’s energy needs. That reliance is in the spotlight after a warning by UN experts this week that to ensure a “liveable future”, countries must move to greener energy sources much faster to reduce emissions. Coal-based plants like the sprawling Dadri facility are attempting to make themselves cleaner, but their efforts are mostly in their infancy, and pale in comparison to their overall emission rate.

EU has frozen 30 bn euros in Russian, Belarusian assets

The EU has so far frozen nearly 30 billion euros in assets from blacklisted Russian and Belarusian individuals and companies under sanctions imposed for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, it said on Friday. A total of 29.5 billion euros ($32 billion) “including assets such as boats, helicopters, real estate and artwork” have been seized and another 196 billion euros of transactions have been blocked, the European Commission said in a statement. The EU’s figures were partial, based on data from around half of the EU’s 27 member states given to the bloc’s “Freeze and Seize” task force operating in coordination with G7 partners including the US.

Tesla recalls nearly 128,000 cars in China due to defect

Tesla has recalled nearly 128,000 cars in China due to a fault that could “increase the risk of vehicle collision”, the country’s state market regulator said. It is the latest hitch for the US electric vehicle giant that is hugely popular in China, but has also faced complaints from consumers and been hit by Covid-19 lockdowns. About 127,785 domestic and imported Tesla Model 3 cars were recalled due to a rear motor inverter defect discovered after regulators launched a probe, according to a Thursday notice.

UN: Ukraine war underpins record food prices

The United Nations says prices for world food commodities like grains and vegetable oils reached their highest levels ever last month due to fallout from the war in Ukraine. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said Friday its Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in international prices for a basket of commodities, recorded a double-digit percentage-point increase in March from the record level already set the previous month. FAO said the index came in at 159.3 points last month, up 12.6 per cent from February’s all-time high since the index was created in 1990.

Hindi is not India’s national language, will never let it happen: Cong leader Siddaramaiah

Asserting that Hindi is not India’s national language, former Karnataka chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday accused the ruling BJP of trying to unleash its agenda of “cultural terrorism” against non-Hindi speaking states. Taking offence to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comment regarding the official language, the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka assembly accused him of betraying the former’s home state Gujarat and mother-tongue Gujarati for Hindi, for his political agenda. Shah on Thursday said Hindi should be accepted as an alternative to English and not to local languages.

Sensex rallies 412 pts; Nifty jumps above 17,700 post RBI policy outcome

The Sensex jumped 412.23 points on Friday, braving heavy volatility during the day, amid the Reserve Bank of India maintaining status quo on the benchmark lending rate and buying in index heavyweights Reliance Industries Limited and ITC. The BSE Sensex climbed 412.23 points or 0.70 per cent to settle at 59,447.18. During the day, the benchmark hit a high of 59,654.44 and a low 58,876.36. The Nifty also gained 144.80 points or 0.82 per cent to finish at 17,784.35.

Rupee surges 13 paise to 75.90 against USD amid RBI maintaining status quo

The rupee appreciated 13 paise to settle at 75.90 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, amid the Reserve Bank of India maintaining status quo on the benchmark lending rate. Announcing the monetary policy, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the Indian economy has large forex reserves and that it stands ready and resolute to defend the economy.At the interbank forex market, the domestic unit opened at 75.99 against the US dollar and touched an intra-day high of 75.70 and finally closed at 75.90, registering a rise of 13 paise over its previous close. On Thursday, the rupee had declined 19 paise to close at 76.03.

Japan expels eight Russian diplomats

Japan expelled eight Russian diplomats on Friday, in a rare move it said was in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, including the killing of civilians. The step comes after European Union nations, including France and Germany, said this week they would expel Russian diplomats. Several trade officials were among the diplomats expelled by Japan, but not the Russian ambassador, Mikhail Galuzin, said foreign ministry officials, who declined to give further details.

Booster dose to be available for 18+ population group from April 10th at private centers

Precaution Dose to be now available to 18+ population group from 10th April, 2022, at Private vaccination Centres. On-going free vaccination programme through Govt Vaccination Centres for first and second dose as well as Precaution Dose to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and 60+ population would continue and would be accelerated. About 96% of all 15+ population in the country have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose while about 83% of 15+ population has received both the doses.

EU imposes sanctions on 2 Putin daughters

The European Union has imposed sanctions on two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of a new package of measures targeting Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, according to two EU officials. The EU included Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova in its updated list of individuals facing assets freeze and travel bans. The move from the European bloc follows a similar move two days earlier by the United States.

More than 30 killed, 100 wounded in rocket strike on Ukrainian station

More than 30 people were killed and over 100 were wounded in a Russian rocket strike in east Ukraine on Friday as civilians tried to evacuate to safer parts of the country, the state railway company said.

Ukraine said two Russian rockets hit a railway station in Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine

Ukraine said two Russian rockets hit a railway station in Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine, as per a Reuters report. Donetsk governor, citing police and rescue workers, said that dozens are feared killed or wounded in a rocket strike on Kramatorsk railway station in east Ukraine.

Indian envoy Gopal Baglay denies reports of deployment of troops in Sri Lanka

Gopal Baglay, India’s High Commissioner of Sri Lanka on Friday has categorically denied reports of deployment of the Indian Army in an economic crisis-ridden island nation and said that it was a rumour floating around since April 1. The rejection came in a virtual press conference of the Indian High Commissioner. On being asked over the deployment of the Indian Army in Sri Lanka, Baglay called it a rumour floating around since April 1, adding that the Commission rejected the claim right away, “it should not be spread and that it is baseless”.

Ukraine and Russia: Latest Updates

Russia says it destroyed training centre for mercenaries near Odesa

Russia said on Friday it had destroyed a training centre for foreign mercenaries near the city of Odesa as part of its military campaign in Ukraine. “High-precision missiles of the Bastion coastal missile system destroyed a foreign mercenary assembly and training centre near the village of Krasnosilka, northeast of Odesa,” a defence ministry spokesperson said in a briefing.

IHC to invest $2 bn in Adani Group’s green portfolio

Abu Dhabi-based conglomerate International Holding Company will invest USD 2 billion in three green-focused companies in the Adani Group through preferential share allotment. “IHC will invest Rs 3,850 crore in Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL), Rs 3,850 crore in Adani Transmission Ltd (ATL) and Rs 7,700 crore in Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL),” the group led by billionaire Gautam Adani said in a statement. It, however, did not say how much equity will IHC pick up in the three firms. The boards of AGEL, ATL and AEL met and approved the transaction on Friday.

RBI extends rationalised home loan norms till March 2023

Seeking to facilitate a higher credit flow of individual housing loans, the RBI on Friday extended the rationalised home loan norms by another year till March 31, 2023. In October 2020, the Reserve Bank as a countercyclical measure to deal with the COVID situation had rationalised the risk weights by linking them only with Loan to Value (LTV) ratios for all new housing loans sanctioned up to March 31, 2022. Unveiling the first bi-monthly monetary policy of the current fiscal, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the risk weights for individual housing loans were rationalised by linking them only with LTV ratios for all new housing loans sanctioned up to March 31, 2022.

Ukrainian defences holding in Luhansk region: Regional governor

The governor of Ukraine’s eastern region of Luhansk said on Friday, Russia was accumulating forces in eastern Ukraine but had not broken through Ukrainian defences.

RJD takes potshot at NDA for winning 13 seats in Bihar Legislative Council polls

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday took a potshot at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for winning 13 seats in the Bihar Legislative Council polls, saying that the number of seats won by NDA was reduced from 23 to 13 seats, while RJD’s seats increased from 1 to 6 seats. Taking to Twitter, RJD further said applauded the party’s “strong performance” and attributed the “inclusive policy of RJD” to the party’s victory. “In the Local Bodies Legislative Council elections, NDA was reduced from 23 to 13 seats and RJD increased from 1 to 6 seats. Now this time BJP has won 7, RJD-6, JDU-5, Independent-4, INC-1 and RLJP-1 seat. The party’s strong performance was due to the inclusive policy of RJD. RJD has lost 4 seats by a very small margin,” RJD tweeted.

Prices of fruits, veggies surge following fuel price hike

The prices of essential commodities, including fruits and vegetables in different parts of the country have been rising, burning a hole in the pocket of the common man. The hike in the price of fruits and vegetables comes as the country is witnessing a surge in fuel prices, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).In Gujarat’s Surat, the price of lemon has gone up to Rs 300 per kilogram due to increased demand and shortage in supply. This demand for lemon has been rising amid the nationwide celebration of Chaitra Navratri and Ramzan, during this scorching summer.

Card-less cash withdrawal facility across all banks’ ATM network soon: RBI

In a bid to check fraud, the Reserve Bank on Friday decided to permit all banks to introduce card-less cash withdrawal through ATMs. Currently, card-less cash withdrawal through ATMs is a permitted mode of transaction offered by a few banks in the country on an on-us basis (for their customers at their own ATMs). “It is now proposed to make card-less cash withdrawal facility available across all banks and ATM networks using the UPI. In addition to enhancing ease of transactions, the absence of the need for physical card for such transactions would help prevent frauds such as card skimming, card cloning, etc,” RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said while announcing bi-monthly monetary policy review.

INSACOG starts sewage water surveillance across 19 sites in 15 states to detect Sars-CoV-2

With a continuous decline in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Indian Sars-CoV-2 Genomic Consortium (INSACOG) has started surveillance of sewage water at 19 different sites in 15 States to detect the presence of the Sars-CoV-2 virus. “Sewage water Surveillance started in India at 19 different sites in more than 15 states,” said Dr NK Arora, Chairperson of COVID Working Group, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI). The surveillance which is called environmental surveillance was also done during the polio campaign in India. INSACOG has also clearly said that India hasn’t reported any case of the XE variant of COVID as of now.

Shehbaz Sharif poised to become next Prime Minister of Pakistan

Shehbaz Sharif, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province, is poised to become the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. The deck was cleared by the Pakistan Supreme Court on Thursday set aside Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri’s ruling which rejected the no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan government. The apex court gave directions for holding the sitting of the National Assembly “not later than 10:30 am on April 9” for the no-trust vote.

RBI cuts real GDP growth projection to 7.2% for FY 23

While maintaining an accommodative stance, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday cut the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projection for the current Financial Year 2022-23 to 7.2 per cent, against the earlier projection of 7.8 per cent. The inflation forecast has also been hiked from 4.5 per cent to 5.7 per cent for the FY 2022-23. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, in his Monetary Policy Statement, said, “Real GDP growth for the year 2022-23 is now projected at 7.2 per cent; with Quarter 1 of FY 2022-23 at 16.2 per cent, Quarter 2 at 6.2 per cent, Quarter 3 at 4.1 per cent and Quarter 4 at 4 per cent.” The inflation, projected at 5.7 per cent in 2022-23, is seen averaging 6.3 per cent in Q1, 5 per cent in Q2, 5.4 per cent in Q3 and 5.1 per cent in Q4.

Delhi CM Kejriwal to review progress of ‘Rozgar Budget today

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a meeting on Friday to review the progress of the ‘Rozgar Budget’, informed the Delhi government. This year’s Delhi budget aims at generating 20 lakh new jobs, said the Delhi government. Concerned authorities have been called to the meeting with a report at 11 am today. Earlier on March 29, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that keeping employment as the central focus, the Delhi budget is the country’s first ‘Rozgaar Budget’.

Nations to release millions of barrels of oil amid war

The International Energy Agency said on Thursday that its member countries are releasing 60 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves on top of previous US pledges to take aim at energy prices that have soared since Russia invaded Ukraine. The Paris-based organisation says the new commitments made by its 31 member nations, which include the United States and much of Europe, amount to a total of 120 million barrels over six months, the largest release in the group’s history. Half of that will come from the US as part of the larger release from its strategic petroleum reserve that President Joe Biden announced last week.

China’s Shanghai seeks medical care amidst worst COVID-19 outbreak

China’s financial hub, Shanghai, has been facing the worst COVID-19 outbreak and has been desperately seeking medical care and basic supplies like food. Shanghai authorities have imposed draconian lockdown measures since March that have locked 25 million residents in their homes with Chinese military and national health care workers. And parents are forcibly separated from their young children, who were infected with COVID-19. These circumstances are making people furious against the government, CNN reported. “We are not killed by Covid, but by the Covid control measures,” one popular comment on the highly censored Chinese social media platform Weibo was quoted as saying by CNN.

RBI keeps repo, reverse repo rates unchanged for 11th time in row

Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee on Friday voted to keep the benchmark repo and reverse repo rates unchanged for the 11th consecutive time. “MPC voted unanimously to leave the repo rate unchanged at 4 per cent. MPC also voted unanimously to keep the stance accommodative,” RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said in his Monetary Policy Statement. The repo rate is the interest rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to banks. The reverse repo rate, the interest rate at which the RBI borrows from banks, remains unchanged at 3.35 per cent.

Microsoft says it disrupted attempted hacks by Russian spies

Microsoft Corp said it had disrupted hacking attempts by Russian military spies aimed at breaking into Ukrainian, European Union, and American targets. In a blog post, the tech firm said a group it nicknamed “Strontium” was using seven internet domains as part of an effort to spy on government bodies and think tanks in the EU and the United States, as well as Ukrainian institutions such as media organizations. Microsoft did not identify any of the targets by name.

Equity indices flat amid volatility ahead of RBI’s first Monetary Policy Committee meeting this fiscal

Equity indices opened flat on Friday amid the volatility ahead of the policy outcome of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) first Monetary Policy Committee meeting this fiscal year. The 30 stock S&P BSE Sensex was trading 78.47 points or 0.13 per cent higher at 59,113.42 points at 10 am. The broader Nifty 50 of the National Stock Exchange was trading 19.40 points or 0.11 per cent up at 17,658.95 points.

Delhi govt likely to roll out EMI facility on electric 2-wheelers for employees

In view of encouraging large-scale adoption of electric vehicles in Delhi to reduce air pollution, the city government plans to provide e-two-wheelers to its employees on easy monthly installments, officials have said. The government had on Thursday announced a major plan to push e-cycles — first 10,000 electric cycle buyers will get a purchase incentive of 25 percent (up to Rs 10,000), while the first 1,000 will get an extra incentive of Rs 2,000. The Delhi government is now contemplating a partnership with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited, a joint venture of public sector companies under the Union Ministry of Power, to provide electric two-wheelers to its employees, an official told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

Arunachal Pradesh logs two fresh COVID-19 cases, tally at 64,489

Arunachal Pradesh’s COVID-19 tally rose to 64,489 after two more persons tested positive for the infection, a senior health official said on Friday. The new cases were detected in West Kameng district, he said. The COVID-19 death toll in the frontier state remained at 296 as no fresh fatality was registered in the past 24 hours, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

Russian forces have fully withdrawn from north Ukraine, says UK

Russian forces have now fully withdrawn from northern Ukraine to Belarus and Russia, British military intelligence said on Friday. At least some of these Russian forces will be transferred to East Ukraine to fight in the Donbas, the Ministry of Defence said on Twitter. The forces will require replenishment before being deployed further east, with any mass redeployment from the north likely to take at least a week, the ministry added.

US bans exports to three Russian airlines for sanctions violations

The US government has banned exports to Russian state airline Aeroflot as well as two other carriers for flying aircraft in violation of sanctions, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Washington warned last month that the carriers had gone against penalties imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine by flying Boeing aircraft, as had billionaire Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich for his use of a Gulfstream jet.

IT dept attaches 41 properties linked to Shiv Sena leader Yashwant Jadhav

The Income Tax department has attached as many as 41 properties including a flat worth Rs 5 crore allegedly belonging to Shiv Sena leader and former chairman of the Standing Committee of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Yashwant Jadhav in connection with an alleged tax evasion case, said sources in the Income Tax Department on Friday. The attached properties include 31 flats in Bilkhadi Chamber Building in Byculla, a flat worth Rs 5 crore in Bandra and Hotel Crown Imperial in Byculla. The officials suspect of the acquisition of all the assets during Jadhav being the Chairman of the Standing Committee of BMC.

EU agrees on new sanctions against Russia, including coal import embargo

The European Union has agreed on a new sanctions package, including an embargo on Russian coal imports for invading Ukraine. The sanctions will be formally implemented on Friday after the bloc approved the measures, reported DW News. The current French presidency of the European Council said late on Thursday that the bloc’s latest sanctions package has been given the political green light.

Asian shares mostly lower after tepid gains on Wall Street

Asian shares were mostly lower on Friday as investors eyed the war in Ukraine and what the world’s central banks might do to keep inflation in check. Benchmarks fell in Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong and Shanghai, while Sydney advanced. Oil prices retreated. Investors have been weighing the latest updates from the US Federal Reserve amid concerns about rising inflation. The Fed has signalled it is prepared to keep raising interest rates and reducing its stockpile of bonds and mortgage-backed securities in order to rein in the highest inflation in 40 years.

Jharkhand HC to hear bail plea of RJD chief Lalu Yadav

The Jharkhand High Court will hear the bail plea of convicted RJD chief Lalu Yadav on Friday. He was found guilty by a special CBI court on February 15 and was sentenced for 5 years on February 21 for fraudulent excess withdrawal of Rs 139 crore from the dornada Treasury . His case is listed at no 10 in Justice Apresh Singh’s court.

India logs 1,109 new COVID-19 cases; 43 deaths

India saw a single day rise of 1,109 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,30,33,067, while the active cases have further declined to 11,492 , according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll has climbed to 5,21,573 with 43 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprised 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate remained at 98.76 per cent, the health ministry said.

Sri Lanka to exhaust USD 500 million Indian fuel credit line by April end

The USD 500 million credit line provided by India for fuel will be exhausted after the delivery of another 120,000 tons of diesel and 35,000 tons of petrol to Sri Lanka in the remaining period of this month. India will ship the next stock of 40,000 tons of diesel on April 15 and is expected to deliver another similar consignment on April 18. India will be also delivering the stock of petrol on April 22. India is also expected to ship a similar quantity of diesel on April 23, Daily Mirror reported citing sources.

Russian retreat reveals destruction as Ukraine asks for help

Russian troops retreating from this northern Ukrainian city left behind crushed buildings, streets littered with destroyed cars and residents in dire need of food and other aid — images that added fuel to Kyiv’s calls on Thursday for more Western help to halt Moscow’s next offensive. Dozens of people lined up to receive bread, diapers and medicine from vans parked outside a shattered school now serving as an aid-distribution point in Chernihiv, which Russian forces besieged for weeks as part of their attempt to sweep south towards the capital before retreating.

Registration for Amarnath Yatra 2022 to begin from April 11

After the suspension for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Amarnath Yatra 2022 is set to commence on June 30 and will conclude on August 11, said Nitishwar Kumar, CEO, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board on Thursday. Kumar also informed that the registration for Amarnath Yatra will begin on April 11 this year. “Amarnath Yatra 2022 will start on June 30 and will conclude on August 11. The registration will start on April 11. The pilgrims can also register online through the website and mobile app of the Shrine Board,” said the board official.

Earthquake of 5.7 magnitude strikes off Taiwan

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake has been registered near the coast of Taiwan, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. The tremor was recorded at 23:36 GMT on Thursday, 44 kilometres (27 miles) southeast of the town of Hengchun. The epicentre of the earthquake was located at a depth of 10 kilometres. There are no reports about any victims or damage.

Amid ongoing protests multiple countries issue travel warnings for Sri Lanka

As massive protests erupted across Sri Lanka after the economic crisis, multiple countries have issued travel warnings for the island nation. Along with the US, UK and Australia have issued travel warnings to their citizens to reconsider visiting the Island nation, reported Colombo Gazette. The US has urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Sri Lanka as the country is experiencing shortages of fuel and cooking gas as well as some medicines and essential food items, due to the ongoing economic situation in the country.

Anil Deshmukh ‘mastermind’ in money laundering case: ED

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday opposed Maharashtra’s former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s bail plea in the Bombay High Court stating that he was the “mastermind” behind the money laundering case and that he had misused his official position to amass wealth. The probe agency also alleged if Deshmukh is granted bail, he can tamper with the evidence. The ED filed its affidavit in the Bombay High Court in response to the bail plea of Deshmukh.ED opposed Anil Deshmukh’s bail and told the court, “Anil Deshmukh is the mastermind in the money laundering case and misused his position a lot. If granted bail, he can go out and tamper with the evidence.”

Taliban announces deadline for Kabul airport contract

The Taliban on Thursday set a deadline for the Kabul airport contract that is currently run by the Qatari companies. The meeting of the economic commission, chaired by the first deputy prime minister, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, tasked the Foreign Ministry to give a definite time by which a Kabul airport contract would be signed, reported Tolo News. A statement released by the office of the first deputy prime minister said in a statement that Qatari companies are currently running the technical affairs of the airport but there has been no contract.

Mizoram reports 123 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hrs

Mizoram reported 123 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the state’s tally to 2,25,336, said the state health department on Friday. As per the data shared by the state government, with the addition of new cases, the active caseload in the state stands at 836. The positivity rate is 17.06 per cent. A total of 687 people have succumbed to the infection so far and 2,23,813 people have recovered in the state.