India

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s crematoriums and burial grounds are being overwhelmed by the devastating new surge of infections tearing through the populous country with terrifying speed, depleting the supply of life-saving oxygen to critical levels and leaving patients to die while waiting in line to see doctors.

For the fourth straight day, India on Sunday set a global daily record of new infections, spurred by an insidious, new variant that emerged here, undermining the government’s premature claims of victory over the pandemic.

NEW DELHI, Apr 24 (NNN-PTI) – At least eight people were killed and six others rescued in critical condition, after part of a glacier collapsed, triggering an avalanche in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials said today.

According to officials, 384 others, mostly belonging to India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), have been rescued safely.

The avalanche took place late yesterday afternoon, during heavy snowfall in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) The Supreme Court Friday expressed deep anguish over its criticism by some lawyers for something which was not part of its order in the suo motu case related to framing of national policy on the COVID-19 pandemic and said this is how institution is being destroyed .

Mumbai, Apr 23 (PTI) Equity benchmarks wilted under selling pressure on Friday as the steady stream of grim news surrounding the COVID-19 crisis in the country sapped risk appetite and raised concerns over the economic recovery forecasts.

A depreciating rupee, which slumped below the 75-mark versus the US dollar, and a negative trend in global equities added to the gloom, analysts said.

After a volatile session, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 202.22 points or 0.42 per cent lower at 47,878.45.

Ahmedabad, Apr 23 (PTI) A 950-bed facility for coronavirus patients at the GMDC ground here will be functional from Saturday, while another temporary hospital with 1,200 beds will come up in Gandhinagar soon, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced here on Friday.

Shah held a high-level review meeting with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, deputy CM Nitin Patel and top government officials on the coronavirus situation in Gujarat.

Bengaluru, Apr 23 (PTI) With demand shooting up for Remdesivir following the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in the state, Karnataka is contemplating importing two lakh vials of the anti-viral drug.

The state is also in touch with private manufacturers to supply Remdesivir.

The state is getting 10,000 to 20,000 vials of Remdesivir on a daily basis and the Centre has allocated additional 25,000 vials, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar told reporters here.

New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) The Indian Army on Friday began the process to procure around 350 light tanks in a phased manner as part of its efforts to strengthen combat capability in mountainous regions.

The Army issued a Request for Information (RFI) for procurement of the tanks which are planned to be procured under the 'Make-in-India' initiative.

New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday said Health Minister Harsh Vardhan should resign for the callous negligence of not taking earlier the steps that are now being taken in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases.

"Despite warnings in April 2020 (by the Empowered Group) and in Oct-Nov 2020 (by the Parliamentary Committee), why did the government not take the steps it is taking since yesterday?

Raipur, Apr 24 (PTI) Naxals have killed a police sub-inspector they abducted in Bijapur district three days ago, an official said on Saturday.

Murli Tati had come to his home at Palnar when he was abducted by Naxals on April 21, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Kamlochan Kashyap said.

The Maoists dumped Murli's body near a village at Gangalur in Bijapur district, with a message alongside which claimed the policeman was "executed as decided by a people's court".

Bhubaneswar, Apr 24 (PTI) The Odisha government sealed its border with West Bengal where a triple mutant variant of COVID-19 has reportedly surfaced, and intensified vigil along the inter-state boundary, officials said.

The state government on Friday sealed the routes to the neighbouring state which pass through Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts, a senior official said.