Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers to review the COVID-19 situation in the country amid a rapid surge in cases of the new Omicron variant. India recorded more than 247,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday, its biggest-day single-day rise since last May. Britain and India formally launched free trade agreement talks in New Delhi on Thursday with the aim of wrapping up a deal by the end of the year that could boost annual bilateral trade by billions of pounds. The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has proposed a joint body of its officials and international representatives to coordinate billions of dollars in planned aid. This comes as the United Nations this week asked donors for 4.4 billion U.S. dollars for Afghanistan as the country faces an unfolding humanitarian crisis. A massive protest was held in Gilgit Baltistan recently over shortage of food supply in the illegally-occupied region and black-marketing amid harsh winter. The protesters blamed the Pakistan government has been denying them the wheat quota and local officials are involved in corruption. As the Nepal government has made COVID vaccination mandatory to access public services from January 17, people have started forming long serpentine queues at hospitals to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Earlier this week, authorities restricted large public gatherings and closed schools to curb the virus spread. India's Jammu & Kashmir is known globally for the production of the best quality spices. While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various sectors, the spices industry has continued to grow and has been providing employment opportunities to scores of people in the Union Territory. Festive spirit engulfed India's north-eastern Assam state on Thursday as locals geared up to celebrate Magh Bihu, the traditional harvest festival on Friday. People prepare traditional delicacies and also perform folk dance to mark the festival, which showcases India's diversity in culture and tradition.
Show more
Show less
