Indian Sub-continent

China provides two bln doses of COVID-19 vaccines to world: President Xi

ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 (APP): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday highlighting the importance of unity, solidarity and cooperation in building a world community with shared future said that China has to date provided two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations.

4 killed, 15 injured in blast in Pakistan's Quetta

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A bomb went off in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, capital of Balochistan province, on Thursday, leaving at least four people killed while injuring 15 others, hospital officials said.

Waseem Baig, spokesperson for the Civil Hospital Quetta, where all the injured have been shifted, told Xinhua that they had received four bodies and 15 injured people.

The wounded people are being treated in the trauma center of the hospital, said the spokesperson.

360 tonnes of Saudi aid arrives in Afghanistan via Pakistan

A total of 16 trucks carrying 360 tonnes of food and shelter arrived in the Afghan capital Kabul yesterday travelling over the border from Pakistan.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the aid was delivered by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), adding that the shipment included "11,000 bags of flour, 5,500 food baskets, 3,593 blankets and 3,072 winter bags, meant for various Afghan governorates."

India: I follow PM's example: Sanjay Raut on not wearing mask at event

Nashik, Dec 30 (PTI) Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who was seen without a mask at an event here on Thursday, claimed he was following the prime minister's 'example'.

On the sidelines of the event at Nashik in Maharashtra, some reporters asked the Rajya Sabha member why he was not wearing a mask, a norm to be followed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

India: 70-year-old arrested for raping child in UP

Hamirpur (UP), Dec 30 (PTI) A 70-year-old man was arrested for raping a four-year-old girl in Bharua Sumerpur area of district here, police said on Thursday.

However, the case is 24-days old, and the accused was arrested from his house on Wednesday only.

Earlier, the police had registered a case of molestation but after the medical examination and confirmation of rape and also the victim's statement in the court, the rape section has been added, SHO Ramendra Tiwari said.

India, Philippines set to conclude BrahMos missile deal

New Delhi, Dec 30 (PTI) India and the Philippines are set to formally seal a government-to-government BrahMos deal soon, capping years of negotiations for the supply of a batch of the supersonic cruise missiles for the Philippine navy, people familiar with the development said on Thursday.

The procurement is expected to signal a major upswing in India's strategic ties with the Philippines which has been focusing on ramping up its naval prowess in the face of its lingering friction with China in the South China sea.

India: Karnataka ULB polls: Congress outperforms the ruling BJP

Bengaluru, Dec 30 (PTI) Opposition Congress has outperformed the ruling BJP in the polls held for 58 urban local bodies (ULBs) spread across 20 districts in Karnataka, for which results were declared on Thursday.

Out of a total 1,184 wards that went for polls from these ULBs on Monday, the Congress won in 501 while the BJP managed to win in 433 and JD(S) in 45, the State Election Commission said.

India: All political parties want UP polls on time: CEC

Lucknow, Dec 30 (PTI) Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra on Thursday said all political parties in Uttar Pradesh want the Assembly elections to be held according to schedule while ensuring Covid protocol.

The CEC also asked the state to step up coronavirus vaccination.

The number of polling booths will be increased and the voting time enhanced by an hour, he said, adding polling officials will be vaccinated and those eligible will be given a booster dose.

India: GST tax hike on textiles put on hold: FM

New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) Heeding to demands made by several states, the GST Council on Friday put on hold a decision to hike the tax rate on textiles to 12 per cent from 5 per cent, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

The panel, the highest decision-making body for indirect taxes, met under emergency provisions after states made a request for deferring the January 1 hike in GST tax rates on textiles.

Sitharaman said a similar demand for footwear was not agreed to.

India: Omicron tally in country rises to 1,270

New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) India logged 309 fresh Omicron infections, taking the total tally of such cases in the country to 1,270, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

The 1,270 cases have been detected across 23 states and UTs so far, and 374 people have recovered or migrated.

Maharashtra recording the maximum number of 450 cases followed by Delhi at 320, Kerala 109 and Gujarat 97.

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