Breaking News April 18

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, met his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral economic cooperation and issues of mutual and regional interest.

Delhi Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal has decided to request its members to keep their establishment closed till April 25 in light of very serious condition of the virus spreading at very large volumes, the organisation says.

Normal flight movement would resume at Jammu Airport from Tuesday after it witnessed restricted seven-hour operations daily since March 20 owing to resurfacing work of the runway being done by the Indian Air Force (IAF), officials said on Sunday.

In a major reshuffle, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday ordered transfers and postings of 66 senior officers, mostly belonging to the Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS), replacing the directors of various departments, an official order said.

The order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) said the decision was taken in the interest of the administration and it will come into effect immediately.

Israel has lifted a public mask mandate and fully reopened its education system in the latest easing of coronavirus restrictions following its mass vaccination drive. All primary and secondary school grades returned to classrooms on Sunday, and health officials ended a year-long requirement to wear a mask in public spaces. Masks are still required indoors and in large gatherings.

Israel has speedily inoculated a majority of its population against the coronavirus in a world-leading vaccination campaign. It has lifted most of its coronavirus restrictions and announced last week that it would be reopening the country to vaccinated foreign tourists starting in May.

In view of an upsurge in COVID-19 cases in NCT of Delhi, Delhi High Court, with effect from April 19, will take up extremely urgent matters filed in the year 2021 only.

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah held a roadshow in Nadia district ahead of the 6th phase of West Bengal Assembly elections. 

As per the details provided by the Union Health Ministry, "Government of India has written to all Central Ministries and public sector companies (PSUs) under them to dedicate their hospital beds for COVID-19 Management in States/UTs. 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Around 25,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Delhi in last 24 hours. There are 10,000 beds in Delhi, including that of central government of which, 1,800 beds currently reserved for COVID. I request Centre to allot 7,000 of 10,000 beds in view of severe COVID cases." 

The infection of new coronavirus strain remains in air for 2-3 minutes.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi suspends all his impending public rallies in West Bengal in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation. He urges other political leaders to comprehend over the same. 

As per the details provided by Union Health Ministry, "162 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants have been sanctioned by GoI for installation in public health facilities in all states. These will augment medical oxygen capacity by 154.19 MT."  

April session for JEE (Main) 2021 has been postponed. As per the information given by National Testing Agency (NTA), "It was scheduled for 27th, 28th and 30th April. Revised dates to be announced later and at least 15 days prior to exam. First two sessions have already been completed in February and March." 

As per information given by Education Minister of Uttarakhand, Arvind Pandey, "In view of the rising COVID-19 cases, state board examinations for Class 10 have been cancelled while deferred for Class 12." 

4 people have been arrested for selling fake Remdesivir injections in Maharashtra's Baramati on Saturday. As per the information given by, Deputy SP of Pune rural, Narayan Shirgaonkar,  "3 injections were recovered from their possession. The injections, labelled as Remdesivir, were filled with paracetamol in liquid form." 

At 11 am today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in Varanasi. The meeting will be attended by top officials, local administration and doctors who are involved in fighting COVID in Varanasi

Weekend lockdown emptied the streets and markets in Chandigarh, to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection. The union territory reported 431 new cases on Saturday taking the case tally to 33,309.

Railways have approved transportation of liquid medical oxygen in cryogenic tankers under its roll on roll off scheme across the country, after receiving a request from Principal Secretary, Government of Maharashtra amid an upsurge in COVID-19 cases.

As per the information of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), "All residents of Delhi, returning from Haridwar after attending Kumbh Mela, will have to mandatorily stay in home quarantine for 14 days on arrival to the national capital. 

As per the information provided by Deccan Gymkhana Police Station in Pune, "Around two people were arrested for issuing fake RT-PCR reports on Saturday. In view of the delay in reports due to rising COVID caseload, the accused issued forged reports to many people. Further links are being investigated." 

As per the information given by Special DGP of Assam, "On the intervening night of April 15 and 16, police recovered about 7.5 kg TNT explosives, 2 handmade guns, 2 cookers,106 iron balls, battery, wires, near a jungle in Chirang district. They wanted to target security forces or VIP. 1 arrested and case has been registered." 

Huge fire broke out at a slum in Gurugram's Sheetla Colony due to the gas cylinder explosion. Several fire tenders are present at the spot.

Around three people have been arrested for black marketing Remdesivir injection in Haryana's Gurugram on Saturday. As per reports of the Drug Controller Officer, "They sold us Remdesivir injection for Rs 25,000, more than its MRP i.e. Rs 5,400. It is supplied by government. We are probing how and from where did they get it."