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Amid COVID surge, Delhi to ramp up daily tests above 80,000

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Amid surge in COVID-19 infections, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on March 31 informed that the state government will increase the daily testing to over 80,000. 992 fresh cases were reported in the national capital on March 30. Satyendar Jain informed, "Yesterday, government issued an order for increasing 220 beds in ICU wards in private hospitals for COVID patients. There is just 25% occupancy in private and government hospitals in Delhi."

Delhi eateries must clear whether they serve 'halal' or 'jhatka' meat: NDMC Mayor

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Eateries under North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) will now have to put up posters stating whether they serve 'halal' or 'jhatka' meat, as informed by Mayor Jai Prakash on March 31. "In Hinduism and Sikhism, 'halal' meat is prohibited. So we approved a proposal, making it mandatory for all restaurants, dhabas and meat shops in North Delhi Municipal Corporation to put up posters stating whether they serve/sell 'halal' or 'jhatka' meat," said NDMC Mayor Jai Prakash.

Rahul Gandhi offers prayers at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati

Guwahati (Assam), Mar 31 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited and offered prayers at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on March 31. Rahul Gandhi is on his visit to the poll-bound state. He'll also attend two election rallies here. He said, "Congress has given 5 guarantees to voters of Assam. We aren't BJP, we fulfil our promises. Tea garden workers must remember our guarantee of Rs 365 per day minimum wage." The 2nd phase of elections will be held on April 01 in Assam.

There needs to be good faith negotiations for a free Afghanistan: EAM Jaishankar

Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Mar 31 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Tajikistan capital Dushanbe for the Heart of Asia conference, on March 31 said peace in Afghanistan would be best achieved if there is consensus within and around the nation, adding that there needs to be good faith negotiations for a free Afghanistan. "We believe that peace would be best achieved if there is an understanding within and around Afghanistan. We also believe that there needs to be good faith negotiations and that we should remain true to principles of 'Heart of Asia'," Jaishankar told ANI.

Sharad Pawar doing well following operation: Maha Health Minister

Mumbai, Mar 31 (ANI): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar, who has been diagnosed with gallbladder disease, was operated at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed about his health condition. "Sharad Pawar ji is doing well after the operation. Stone has been removed from the Gallbladder successfully," said Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope.

All 36 Rafale jets to be handed over to India by 2022: French Envoy

Kochi (Kerala), Mar 31 (ANI): French Envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain on March 31 assured that despite pandemic, all 36 Rafale jets will be handed over to India by 2022 as per contract. "It's a matter of great pride, we've been able to deliver on schedule and even ahead of schedule in spite of COVID. Right now 21 Rafale delivered to India, 11 already ferried to India, 3 are right now being ferried and 5 extra will be ferried by end of April," said Emmanuel Lenain in Kochi. He added, "Total in 2022, the 36 aircraft will have been delivered as per contract."

Proposed lockdown in Maharashtra's Aurangabad cancelled

Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Mar 31 (ANI): The lockdown which was to be imposed in Aurangabad from March 31 night has now been cancelled. "Lockdown which was to be imposed from March 31 in Aurangabad, has now been cancelled. We had submitted a proposal regarding lockdown to the government. Revised guidelines will be presented soon," said Sunil Chavan, District Collector, Aurangabad.

India supplied 64 million COVID vaccine doses to 84 countries: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan informed that 64 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given to 84 countries across the globe. Addressing a panel discussion on COVID-19 vaccine production, Dr Vardhan said, "Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, we have started a good quality balance between the needs of world and needs of Indians. 64 million doses have been supplied to 84 countries of the whole world."

BJP candidate Ashok Dinda attacked by unidentified people in Bengal

East Midnapore (West Bengal), March 30 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Moyna, Ashok Dinda was attacked by unidentified people in West Bengal's East Midnapore on March 30. He was attacked during the campaigning for ongoing assembly elections in the state. More details are awaited in the matter.

Indian Railways will never be privatised: Piyush Goyal

Kharagpur (West Bengal), Mar 30 (ANI): Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on March 30 asserted that Indian Railways will never be privatised, he said that it is the property of the nation and people. "I assure you that Indian Railways is the property of the nation and people. No one can touch it, it will never be privatised. Don't get caught in opposition's propaganda. This is your property, it will remain yours," Goyal said while addressing a public rally in Kharagpur for upcoming West Bengal assembly elections. "Railway Protection Force, which was deployed on 4,600 Shramik Special trains during COVID-19 ensured smooth distribution of 2 crore food packets and 2. 16 crore water bottles, therefore avoiding any untoward incident," he added. "Due to the efforts of our trackmen, maintenance, and signalling people, there has not been a single death in the last two years," he further added.

Strong winds in Delhi day after recording hottest March day since 1945

New Delhi, Mar 30 (ANI): Delhi witnessed a sudden change in weather on March 30, a day after recording the hottest day of the month since 1945. Speaking to ANI, the scientist (DGM) in Delhi's India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dr Kuldeep Srivastava said that Delhi-NCR will experience strong surface winds during day time and the temperature will hover between 36 and 37 degrees Celsius. "Dust raising, strong raising, surface winds (speeding 40-45 kmph) are very likely over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh during March 30- April 1," he added.

COVID-19: 807 UK, 47 South African, 1 Brazilian variants found in India, informs Health Ministry

New Delhi, Mar 30 (ANI): Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on March 30 said that 807 United Kingdom COVID variants, 47 South African variants and one Brazilian variant have been found in the country. He added that country has administered over 6.11 crore doses in the country till date. Out of these doses 3.5 crore doses have been administered to people above 45 years of age and 60 years of age.

WB polls: Dharmendra Pradhan, Mithun Chakraborty campaign for Suvendu in Nandigram

Nandigram (West Bengal), March 30 (ANI): Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan and Bharatiya Janata Party leader and actor Mithun Chakraborty campaigned for party's candidate in Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari on March 30 amid West Bengal Assembly elections. Suvendu is fighting the elections against state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram constituency. The Bengal Assembly elections are being held in eight phases.

Weekly national COVID positivity rate stands at 5.65%: Health Ministry

New Delhi, Mar 30 (ANI): Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on March 30 informed that the weekly national average COVID positivity rate is 5.65 per cent. He said that Maharashtra has a weekly average of 23 percent. "Punjab has a weekly average of 8.82%, Chhattisgarh 8%, Madhya Pradesh 7.82%, Tamil Nadu 2.50%, Karnataka 2.45%, Gujarat 2.2% and Delhi 2.04%," headed. Bhushan added that there is a need of significant increase of COVID testing in these states.

Senior Delhi doctor vouches for COVID-19 shots, says 'vaccines are very safe'

New Delhi, Mar 30 (ANI): Senior Director and HOD (Chest and Respiratory Diseases), BLK Hospital Delhi Dr. Sandeep Nayar reacted on the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the country. He said that states like Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are contributing most of the COVID cases in the country. "I think that the time has come when the government should take some stern action and I hope that we should be able to curtail it," he said. Nayar also vouched for the COVID-19 vaccination and said that people should not believe false information circulating on Whatsapp. He said that minor problems may occur after taking the shot but the vaccines are completely safe. "These vaccines are very safe and we have been giving so many people for almost two months and no major and adverse affect we have seen," he added.

Delhi among 10 worst-hit COVID districts, Maharashtra has 8: Health Ministry

New Delhi, Mar 30 (ANI): Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on March 30 informed about the current status of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. He said that Delhi features in the 10 districts worst-hit by COVID-19. Of the 10 districts with most active cases, eight districts belong to Maharashtra. "There are 10 districts across the country that have the most number of active cases - Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Thane, Nashik, Aurangabad, Bengaluru Urban, Nanded, Delhi and Ahmednagar," he said.

IT dept seizes 1 crore from residence of AIADMK MLA's driver

Trichy (TN), Mar 30 (ANI): Ahead of Tamil Nadu elections, the Special Investigation Team of the Income Tax Department on March 29 conducted raid at Alagarsamy, the JCB driver of AIADMK MLA R Chandrasekar. Rs one crore was seized from his residence in Trichy. Chandrasekhar is an AIADMK MLA from Manapparai constituency in Trichy district of Tamil Nadu, contesting the state in alliance with the BJP.

Watch: Massive fire envelops Rajasthan's forest

Dungarpur (Rajasthan), Mar 30 (ANI): Massive fire enveloped a forest in Sabla area of Rajasthan's Dungarpur on March 29. The forest was continuously burning for 10 hours, before the fire brigades doused off the fire. The massive fire posed severe threat to the wildlife. Reason behind the fire is ascertain. Fire officials will enter the forest area on March 30 to examine the loss of wildlife and nature.

Ever Given ship, stuck in Suez Canal, fully refloated

New Delhi, Mar 29 (ANI): The ship Ever Given, which had blocked the Suez Canal in Egypt for almost a week after getting stuck sideways in the narrow passageway of the channel, was finally fully refloated, and the traffic has resumed. A tracker by Fleetmon showed the ship that was earlier stuck sideways, changing its position and moving ahead.

WB polls: BJP urges Election Commission to impose Sec-144 for 2nd phase

Kolkata, March 29 (ANI): Amid West Bengal Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegations met Chief Electoral Officer in Kolkata on March 29. While addressing media persons, party leader Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "We've requested CEO to impose Section 144 for 2nd phase polls, to conduct them smoothly as the 1st phase. We also told them about TMC propagating fake news and death of another BJP worker."