India's COVID-19 surge pushes it over 20 million cases

Private schools were not prioritised in Manchester's Covid vaccination programme, the organisation responsible for the rollout has confirmed.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) states that 5 ships carrying fuel will arrive in the island within the upcoming week.Its Chairman, Sumith Wijesinghe stated that diesel, petrol and jet fuel will be brought to Sri Lanka by these ships.Accordingly, he assured that there are sufficient stocks of fuel in the country while adding that the CPC is ready to provide the necessary stocks of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board as well.However, Wijesinghe stated that the CEB must pay in rupees for the stocks of fuel.Meanwhile, the daily fuel demand has reported a rapid increase within the last few days.The Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation stated that the average daily fuel demand in the country is 6,000 metric tons, however, on Saturday (19) the demand recorded an increase of 9,000 metric tons.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The report on Sri Lanka compiled by the Human Right’s High Commissioner will be debated at the 49th sessions of the Human Rights Council Sessions  due to be held on 3rd of March.According to an article published on the Sunday Times, the UNHRC report has scrutinized the conduct of the Attorney General’s Department in Sri Lanka.The report was forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (14).Ministry officials had then studied the reports and sent to Geneva the Government’s observations and explanations on several issues raised.The article on the Sunday Times highlights that this year’s report delves at length with the Government’s failure to make changes to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to meet international standards.It adds that the UNHRC is not pleased with the amendments that are now pending before Parliament and is displeased that necessary changes have not been effected despite repeated assurances by the Government.According to the Article, another area dealt with in the report is the April 21st attacks.It also includes a call for the Attorney General’s Department to function independently.There will be no voting at the UNHRC’s 49th sessions which begin on February 28th. However, the meeting is a precursor to another Resolution on Sri Lanka in September, due this year.

One of Canada’s busiest commercial truck border crossings was closed again Saturday as anti-mandate protesters swarmed the route leading to the Pacific Highway crossing in Surrey. Kamil Karamali reports.

Ukraine has received a plane load of machine guns, surveillance gear and rifles as part of a Canadian military assistance package, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Saturday.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney tweeted Saturday the province will file a court challenge of the federal government’s Emergencies Act in the wake of convoy protests in Ottawa.

A protest that closed the main crossing between Alberta and the United States may have ended this week, but there’s some concern it has created a different kind of division in the border community caught in the middle of the dispute.

Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to updated data by Union Health Ministry. The number of recoveries reported in the last 24 hours stood at 48,847, taking the total recoveries to 4,20,86,383. The number of Covid-19 deaths reported in last 24 hours stood at 673, taking the total death toll to 5,11,903. 

COLOMBO (News 1st): It is important to introduce ethics for social media usage, Shehan Semasinghe, the State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self Employment, and Business Development said. He pointed out that social media is being used to circulate misinformation.“Certain people have taken the lead in tarnishing Sri Lanka’s reputation with regard to Human Rights, every time the Geneva Human Rights Council session is there. This is because they cannot stand the revival of a collapsed economy,” State Minister Semasinghe emphasized.Thereby, he highlighted the need to introduce social media ethics, since the use of social media for personal gains may negatively impact the country on the diplomatic front.He shared these remarks at an event held in Anuradhapura.

Police officers appeared to be shifting strategy Saturday in Ottawa as they worked to clear the remaining protesters from the area, arresting 170 over two days. The slow methodical approach that we saw from police Friday seemed to be replaced with a much tougher line today.

The streets in Ottawa are starting to look more bare and normal. Police warned demonstrators in the evening that it is “unsafe to stay.” “Get out of the cold and cease further unlawful activity.

Police and protesters faced off for a second straight day in the nation’s capital and at times those tensions erupted into violence, but tonight it appears the Ottawa occupation is into its final hours. Police and protesters are accusing each other of abusive behaviour after a day that saw officers reclaim the street in front of Parliament Hill.

WEST PHILADELPHIA - A fire in West Philadelphia home Saturday afternoon sent a child to the hospital badly burned.Fire officials investigate a cause of the fire, but the child’s grandparents tell FOX 29 they believe a faulty extension cord started the fire. And, Saturday, they were asking for support and prayers for their grandson.The fire broke out in a house on Filbert Street near 42nd Street.

EAST FRANKFORD - Philadelphia Police are investigating after three men were shot multiple times in East Frankford.Officials say the shooting happened Saturday evening, around 6 p.m., on the 5300 block of Glenloch Street, in Philadelphia’s East Frankford section.Responding officers found two men, ages 18 and 19, suffering from gunshot wounds in their legs. The 18-year-old was taken to St Christopher’s Hospital for Children by medics and the 19-year-old was taken to Frankford-Torresdale Medical Center, also by medics.

COVID-19 public health measures descended on Quebec City on Saturday for the second weekend this month.Inspired by the so-called Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa, horns could be heard as several dozen vehicles, including trucks and tractors, arrived outside the provincial legislature late Saturday morning.It was a mostly festive atmosphere, as some people were dressed up in cartoon character costumes, stuffed animals were handed out to children and music played.It was the second large demonstration against public health measures in the province in two weeks.Since the last one in early February, the Quebec government announced it is phasing out its vaccine passport system and intends to get rid of most COVID-19 health measures by March 14.But protest organizers, addressing the crowd outside the legislature, said they wanted more concessions from the provincial government.Organizer Bernard Gauthier called the tone of the protest “peaceful,” adding he hoped the provincial government would return the favour without specifying any demands.Meanwhile, others called for an end to the provincially-declared health emergency and mandatory masks for school-aged children.Demonstrator Christian Martel said he wanted to see an end to mandatory masking in classrooms.“The pandemic is over, we have to end everything. We’re tired, it’s enough,” said Martel.Some demonstrators said they would also like assurance that the vaccine passport system would not return.Last week, Quebec announced it would be phasing out vaccine passports, but Health Minister Christian Dubé warned it would reimpose the passport system if it’s needed during a new wave of COVID-19.

Police officers in Ottawa have arrested dozens more protesters on Saturday. Sean O’Shea is in the thick of things and brings us the latest.

Jammu and Kashmir.

From Monday morning, rapid antigen tests will be made available at all Auckland testing sites to those who fit the appropriate clinical criteria. The site will determine which test  (PCR or a rapid antigen test) is best for you Access to rapid antigen t

BJP president J P Nadda on Tuesday accused the Congress of "misleading" people and creating "false panic" in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and alleged that the conduct of its leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, will be remembered for "duplicity and pettiness".Nadda wrote a four-page letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, a day after the Congress Working Committee hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government over the handling of the coronavirus crisis.The BJP president also accused Congress leaders, including a chief minister, of trying to actively create vaccine hesitancy during the once-in-a-century pandemic.Under Modi, the fight against the pandemic is driven by unwavering belief in science, support to

Chandigarh district administration on Monday decided to extend the "corona curfew" by another one week.The Chandigarh administration had already imposed a weekend "corona curfew" from 5 am on 8 May till 5 am on 10 May.The night curfew from 6 pm to 5 am will also be implemented, reports news agency ANI, adding, that day-time movement will be allowed.Meanwhile, Chandigarh on Sunday registered a record 895 fresh cases, taking the count to 50,207, according to a medical bulletin.Ten more deaths due to Covid-19 took the toll to 568.The number of active cases was 8,511, as per the bulletin.Punjab CM urges PM Modi to increase oxygen, vaccine suppliesPunjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase the total

NEW DELHI : The Congress Working Committee on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his handling of the coronavirus crisis, saying he must "atone for his mistakes" and serve the people instead of carrying on with his "personal agenda" oblivious to the sufferings all around.The CWC, the Congress' highest decision-making body, in a resolution also questioned the government data on coronavirus cases and fatalities, and alleged non-reporting of deaths.The solution lies in facing challenge, not in concealing the truth, it said.The CWC also expressed deep concern over the government's coronavirus vaccination strategy, alleging the supply was grossly insufficient and the pricing policy opaque and discriminatory.Congress leaders K C

₹150 a dose while to states for ₹300 a dose.

BHUBANESWAR : Rajya Sabha MP and renowned sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra passed away on Sunday due to COVID-19.He was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for treatment after being diagnosed with COVID-19.Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the demise of Mohapatra and said that he will be remembered for his contributions towards traditional crafts."Saddened by the demise of MP Shri Raghunath Mohapatra Ji. He made pioneering contributions to the world of art, architecture and culture.

Narendra Modi spoke to Tirath Singh Rawat, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, on Sunday to assess the coronavirus situation in the state. During the conversations, the prime minister also assured the state of all possible help to combat the deadly virus.The COVID-19 situation continues to be grim in Uttarakhand with around 7,000 to 9,000 people testing positive daily for the disease for the last several days.A total of 8,390 people had tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday while 118 more people succumbed to the infection.Later, the chief minister took to Twitter to say "Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up for an update on Covid cases in Uttarakhand.

MUMBAI : Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has urged the central government to allow states to develop their ownapplications for COVID-19 vaccination programme.In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thackeray said the vaccination drive in Maharashtra has been the "fastest and the most efficient in the country".At present, people have to register their names on CoWIN platform introduced by the central government for the vaccination."As we plan to open up vaccination for the 18 to 45 age group through the state's procurement, the CoWIN app is seeing a sudden surge in the number of citizens wanting to register nationally.

New Delhi: India on Friday sought Australia’s support for a proposal for a temporary waiver of patent protections for covid-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organisation, a move that would boost supplies of the life-saving inoculations to poorer nations.India put forth its views during a telephone conversation between prime minister Narendra Modi and his Australian prime minister Scott Morrison.

India‘s main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi warned on Friday that unless the deadly second COVID-19 wave sweeping the country was brought under control it would decimate India as well as threaten the rest of the world.In a letter, Gandhi implored Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prepare for another national lockdown, accelerate a country-wide vaccination program and scientifically track the virus and its mutations.Gandhi said the world‘s second-most populous nation had a responsibility in “a globalized and interconnected world” to stop the “explosive” growth of COVID-19 within its borders.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to the chief ministers of Manipur, Sikkim and Tripura on the COVID-19 situation in their states, government sources said.Modi had on Thursday spoken to the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Telangana besides the lieutenant governors of Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry in this regard.The prime minister's interaction with chief ministers is part of his exercise to deal with the pandemic situation.With a record 4,14,188 new coronavirus cases being reported in a day, India's infection tally climbed to 2,14,91,598, while the active case count crossed the 36-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.The death toll from the pandemic has

coronavirus cases still surging to record levels, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing growing pressure to impose a harsh nationwide lockdown amid a debate whether restrictions imposed by individual states are enough.Many medical experts, opposition leaders and some of the Supreme Court judges have suggested the lockdown seems to be the only option with the virus raging in cities and towns, where hospitals are forced to turn patients away while relatives scramble to find oxygen.

India reported another record daily rise in coronavirus cases, bringing total new cases for the week to 1.57 million, as the country's vaccination rate falls dramatically due to a lack of supplies and transport problems.

NEW DELHI – With coronavirus cases still surging to record levels, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing growing pressure to impose a harsh nationwide lockdown amid a debate whether restrictions imposed by individual states are enough.

vaccine wastage with 9.76 per cent of vaccine dose being wasted, followed by Tamil Nadu with 8.83 per cent and Assam with 7.70 per cent," the Ministry of Health and Family welfare said.The ministry added that Manipur recorded 7.44 per cent of vaccine wastage, Haryana recorded 5.72 per cent and Bihar records 4.95 per cent of vaccine wastage. Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Kerala for reducing vaccine wastage.

NEW DELHI : With India reeling under a national medical emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed the public health response to covid-19, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.“PM noted that an advisory was sent to the states to identify districts of concern where case positivity is 10% or more and bed occupancy is more than 60% on either oxygen supported or ICU beds," the statement said.The Union health ministry had earlier asked the states and Union territories to identify districts that should be considered for taking intensive and local containment measures.The meeting was attended by top officials and ministers, including defence minister Rajnath Singh; home minister Amit Shah; finance minister Nirmala

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter today to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the national capital received 730 metric tonnes of oxygen on 5 May amid an unprecedented Covid-19 crisis that has killed thousands.In a letter, CM Kejriwal said that it was for the first time Delhi received over 700 metric tonnes of life-saving gas.The Delhi CM also addressed a news briefing saying that his government "won't let anyone die" of oxygen shortage if it got 700 tonnes of supply from the Centre daily."If we get an adequate supply of oxygen - 700 tons - we will be able to set up 9000-9500 beds in Delhi. We will be able to create oxygen beds.

spiralling crisis from the resurgence of coronavirus infections in India has dented support for the ruling BJP but voter support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party will remain strong over the coming quarters and through this humanitarian crisis."While there appears to be signs that the spiralling Covid-19 crisis in India has dented support for the ruling BJP, we maintain our view that voter support for Prime Minister Modi and the BJP will remain strong over the coming quarters and through this humanitarian crisis," Fitch Solutions said.Amid an unprecedented surge in the number of Covid-19 cases – the highest-ever 4,12,262 new infections and a record 3,980 daily death toll in the last 24 hours – has crushed the healthcare system,

Britain said Tuesday it’s agreed to increase co-operation with India in areas including trade, science and health as Indian authorities battle a surge in coronavirus infections that threatens to overwhelm the nation’s health care system.Plans for a “quantum leap” in relations between the two countries were released after a video meeting between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi.Prior to the meeting, Britain announced 1 billion pounds ($1.4 billion) of trade deals with India, including an investment by the Serum Institute of India that will aid in the development of vaccines against COVID-19 and other diseases.

NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a slew measures to augment availability of medical professionals for covid management, including the deployment of medical interns and MBBS doctors seeking higher education in duty, and decided to give preference in government jobs to those healthcare workers who have given or shall give at least 100 days of service for covid treatment.“The individuals providing services in covid management will be given priority in forthcoming regular government recruitments after they complete minimum of 100 days of covid duty," the Union government said.“It was also decided to allow deployment of medical interns in covid management duties under the supervision of their faculty, as part of the

NEW DELHI: China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with India to fight the pandemic, Chinese president Xi Jinping said in a letter to prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday.The contents of the letter were not entirely revealed but Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong posted sections of it on Twitter.It come against the backdrop of the a devastating second wave of the pandemic sweeping through the country with the daily infections at more than 380,000 and the number of total dead due to covid-19 standing at over 200,000.“Chinese President #XiJinping sends a message of sympathy to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi @narendramodi today," Sun’s first tweet said.“President Xi says, ‘I am very concerned about the recent situation of

The first US emergency aid to India has arrived as the country battles a devastating surge in Covid-19 cases which has overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums.

Army is opening up its hospitals for civilians wherever possible. He also added that citizens can approach their nearest army hospitals.The General informed the PM that the Army is helping with manpower for imported Oxygen tankers and vehicles where specialised skills are required to manage them.On Wednesday, the Indian Army said it converted its Base Hospital Delhi Cantonment (BHDC) into a Covid-19 hospital.

India’s death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 200,000 as a virus surge sweeps the country, rooted in so-called super-spreader events that were allowed to happen in the months after India thought it had the pandemic under control.Now India is enduring its darkest chapter yet, with mass funeral pyres, burials and a collapse of the health system compounded by shortages of oxygen, ventilators, and hospital beds.

U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that he had spoken with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they would be sending supplies including medicine and parts for machinery to produce COVID-19 vaccines to the country.

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aunt Narmadaben Modi who was undergoing treatment for coronavirus infection died at the civil hospital here on Tuesday, the family said.Narmadaben (80) lived in the New Ranip area of the city with her children."Our aunt Narmadaben was admitted to the civil hospital some ten days ago after her condition deteriorated following coronavirus infection," said Prahlad Modi, the prime minister's younger brother."She breathed her last at the hospital today," he told PTI.Her husband Jagjivandas, brother of the prime minister's father Damodardas, had died many years ago, said Prahlad Modi. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met chief of defence staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and reviewed the preparations undertaken by the armed forces to deal with the second wave of covid-19 infections, a government statement said.In addition to deploying additional medical officers, doctors and nurses at hospitals, the armed forces were aiming to make military-grade medical infrastructure available to civilians, Rawat said.“The CDS briefed the Prime Minister that all medical personnel from armed forces who have retired or taken premature retirement in the last two years are being recalled to work in covid facilities within proximity of their present place of residence," the government statement said.“Other medical officers

ANI, the prime minister's office said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone call today with Japanese PM Suga Yoshihide. The two leaders discussed the COVID19 situation in the respective country and exchanged views on various regional and global challenges posed by the pandemic."They highlighted importance of close India-Japan cooperation to overcome challenges, by working together to create resilient and trustworthy supply chains, ensuring supply of critical material and technologies and developing new partnerships in manufacturing and skill development," PMO said.

India's coronavirus cases hit a record peak for a fifth day as the European Union, Britain and the United States pledged to send urgent medical aid to help tackle the crisis overwhelming its hospitals.

health crisis has made that impossible. Everyone from oil traders to the world’s biggest producers are panicking.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing mounting criticism over a surge in coronavirus cases that began shortly after his government declared the country was “in the endgame of the Covid-19 pandemic," allowed large election rallies and gave the go-ahead to the Kumbh Mela religious festival that attracted an estimated 3.5 million devotees.As my Bloomberg Opinion colleague David Fickling wrote, the current situation in India means Covid will probably kill more people in 2021 than it did last year.