Indian Sub-continent

India: PM to meet COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers on Tuesday

New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) With the government opening the COVID-19 vaccination drive to everyone above 18 years of age, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting with vaccine manufacturers on Tuesday, sources said.

During the meeting, scheduled to be held through video conference at 6 pm on Tuesday, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will make a presentation and also coordinate with all the participants, sources added.

India: Don't internationalise Indo-Pak affairs: Cong to govt

New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) The Congress on Monday asked the government not to internationalise India-Pakistan affairs and adhere to the tested policy of no mediation, after claims by a UAE diplomat about brokering talks between Delhi and Islamabad.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said it has been the success of Indian diplomacy to deal with Pakistan bilaterally without any mediation under the Simla Agreement.

India: Naxal carrying Rs 5 lakh reward killed in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Apr 20 (PTI) Chhattisgarh police on Tuesday killed a Naxal carrying Rs five lakh reward in an encounter in Dantewada district, an official said.

The encounter comes a fortnight after 22 security personnel were killed in an ambush by Maoists in the Bijapur district of the state.

Delhi Metro closes entry gates of several metro stations

New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) To ensure social distancing, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday temporarily closed entry points of several metro stations.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced a six-day lockdown in Delhi to deal with the rising number of COVID-19 cases as the city's health system was stretched to its limits.

India: COVID-19 vaccine policy discriminatory: Rahul

New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at the government over its vaccine policy, alleging it is discriminatory and that there is no vaccine guarantee for the weaker sections.

He also said that there will be no free vaccines for those between the age of 18 and 45 years.

"No free vaccines for 18-45 yr olds. Middlemen brought in without price controls. No vaccine guarantee for weaker sections. GOI's Vaccine Discrimination- Not Distribution- Strategy," he said in a tweet.

India adds 259,170 new cases in single day, record 1,761 fatalities

New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) India's total tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 15,321,089 with 259,170 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, while active cases surpassed the 20-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday

The death toll increased to 180,530 with a record 1,761 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed

All Indian adults to be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination from May 1

NEW DELHI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- All persons aged 18 years and above will be eligible to get COVID-19 vaccination with effect from May 1, India's federal government said on Monday.

This would be the phase 3 of India's COVID-19 vaccination drive. Phase-I was launched on Jan. 16 prioritizing Health Care Workers (HCWs) and Front-Line Workers (FLWs), while Phase-II was initiated from March 1 focusing on all people above 45 years of age.

Pakistan Parliament to consider French envoy's expulsion

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan’s Parliament is expected to consider a resolution on Tuesday about whether the French envoy should be expelled over the publication of controversial cartoons depicting Islam’s Prophet, testing whether the government gives in to threats from radical Islamists.

Under the resolution, cases against Islamists over deadly anti-France protests would be withdrawn, the country’s interior minister said.

Pakistan: Qureshi meets UAE minister; discusses bilateral ties, investment

ISLAMABAD, Apr 19 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday met the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and discussed the enhancement of bilateral trade, investment in Pakistan especially in hospitality industry.

The meeting took place during the three-day visit of Foreign Minister Qureshi to the UAE started Sunday.

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