NEW DELHI: India's daily coronavirus cases on Saturday (Apr 10) rose by a record for the fifth time this week and deaths surged to the highest in more than five months, with hospitals and crematoriums overflowing in parts of the country. New cases in the world's second-most populous country have totalled the most of anywhere in the world over the last two weeks. India's overall tally of 13.21 million is the third-highest globally, just shy of Brazil and below the worst affected country, the United States. The second surge in infections, which has spread much more rapidly than the first one that peaked in September, has forced many states to impose fresh curbs but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has refused to impose a national lockdown given the high economic costs. Authorities in Maharashtra, the Indian state with the highest cases, have ordered a weekend lockdown that will end early on Monday. Mega cities such as Mumbai, the country's financial centre and Maharashtra's capital, ... » Learn More about India’s daily COVID-19 cases rise to record for fifth time this week
Fdi in india
Kerry presses India ahead of Biden climate summit
NEW DELHI: US climate envoy John Kerry on Tuesday (Apr 6) pressed India, the world's third-biggest carbon emitter, to set more ambitious green goals ahead of UN talks in late 2021 and Joe Biden's upcoming climate summit. A spokesperson for the US embassy in New Delhi, where Kerry arrived on Tuesday for talks with officials and NGOs, said that India was a "critical part of the solution to the climate crisis." Bloomberg News reported last month that top Indian government officials were debating whether to follow dozens of other countries in setting a goal of net zero emissions by mid-century. When Kerry's April trip to the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh was announced, Washington said the aim was "increasing climate ambition" ahead of President Biden's Apr 22 to Apr 23 summit and the UN negotiations in Glasgow in November. "A key focus for our administration is supporting and encouraging India's decarbonization efforts through clean, zero, and low-carbon investment, ... » Learn More about Kerry presses India ahead of Biden climate summit
India locks down most Covid-hit state
MUMBAI: India’s most coronavirus-hit state Maharashtra went into a weekend lockdown on Saturday as the country battles exploding infection numbers and vaccine shortages. Having let its guard down with mass religious festivals, political rallies and spectators at cricket matches, the world’s second most populous nation has added more than a million new infections since late March. After a lockdown a year ago caused widespread misery and hit the economy for six, the central government is desperate to avoid a hugely unpopular second shutdown. But many states are tightening the screw, in particular the epicenter Maharashtra and its capital Mumbai, where restaurants are shut and public gatherings of more than five people are banned. Every weekend from Saturday until the end of April the state’s 125 million people are confined to their homes unless shopping for food, medicine or traveling. “I’m not for the lockdown at all but I don’t think the government has any other choice,” ... » Learn More about India locks down most Covid-hit state
India to export 90 million AZ jabs in June
NEW DELHI: The world’s largest vaccine maker, based in India, will be able to restart exports of AstraZeneca doses by June if new coronavirus infections subside in the country, its chief executive said. But a continued surge could result in more delays because the Serum Institute of India would have to meet domestic needs, Adar Poonawalla warned in an interview with The Associated Press. The company is a key supplier for the United Nations-backed Covax program that aims to distribute vaccines equitably in the world. On March 25, Covax announced a major setback in its vaccine rollout because a surge in infections in India caused the Serum Institute of India to cater to domestic demand, resulting in a delay in global shipments of up to 90 million doses. Since then, daily new infections in India have almost doubled, with the biggest single-day spike of over 100,000 new cases on Monday. Infections are being reported faster in India than anywhere else in the world, prompting ... » Learn More about India to export 90 million AZ jabs in June
Cobra Gold troops drink blood from decapitated cobras in annual jungle ceremony
Thailand and US military forces have joined in the opening ceremony for the annual Cobra Gold military exercise. Cobra Gold is the largest biggest military exercise of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region with 29 nations taking part as participants or observers. The military activities will run until February 22, including disaster relief training, military field training and humanitarian assistance training. US Marines and other international troops joined in the annual event’s tradition of drinking blood from decapitated cobras. The bizarre ritual is thought to contain health benefits for humans brave enough to consume it (no studies are cited to support the claims but who’s going to argue with a blood-stained guy with a gun!?!) Royal Thai Marine instructors showed the troops how drinking the blood from a cobra can help them stay alive if there is no drinkable water and can also provide essential nutrition. But even some of the hardened US marines appear to have their eyes ... » Learn More about Cobra Gold troops drink blood from decapitated cobras in annual jungle ceremony
Lockdowns worldwide as vaccine efforts stumble
A medical worker inoculates a woman in Allahabad, India. The country is suffering a shortage of vaccines. (AFP photo) MUMBAI: Fresh lockdowns and curfews were imposed on tens of millions of people from India to Argentina on Saturday, as Covid-19 infections surged again and vaccine roll-outs were hampered by shortages and scares over side effects. In India, the worst-hit state of Maharashtra was running out of vaccines as the health system buckled under the weight of the contagion, which has killed 2.9 million people worldwide. Having let its guard down with mass religious festivals, political rallies and spectators at cricket matches, the world's second-most populous nation has added more than a million new infections since late March. Every weekend from Saturday until the end of April, Maharashtra's 125 million people will be confined to their homes unless travelling or shopping for food or medicine. "I'm not for the lockdown at all but I don't think the government has any ... » Learn More about Lockdowns worldwide as vaccine efforts stumble
3 elderly women mistakenly receive anti-rabies shots instead of COVID-19 vaccine
INQUIRER.net Stock Photo Three elderly women mistakenly received anti-rabies shots instead of COVID-19 vaccines in Uttar Pradesh, India. One of the three seniors was in critical condition after getting the said shot, an unnamed source claimed as per The New Indian Express yesterday, April 9. The source said that the three – referred to only as Saroj, 70, Anarkali, 72, and Satyavati, 60 – last Thursday, April 8, went to a government community health center at Kandhla in the Shamli District to get COVID-19 vaccines. The women recalled that when they arrived at the hospital, health workers at the health center first asked them to bring syringes from a nearby medical store, the report said. After being given the shots, they were given slips and asked to go home. The women then began experiencing side effects, with Saroj, for one, feeling restless. Saroj’s family took her to a private doctor, who found out that she had received an anti-rabies vaccine instead of an ... » Learn More about 3 elderly women mistakenly receive anti-rabies shots instead of COVID-19 vaccine
S’pore’s sole new Covid-19 community case is Indian national who tested negative while serving SHN
SINGAPORE - The sole community case confirmed on Saturday (April 10) is a 71-year-old female Indian national on a short-term visit pass. In all, there were 32 new Covid-19 cases, taking Singapore's total to 60,633. The other 31 were imported cases who had been placed on stay-home notices (SHN) on arrival here, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). The sole community case, Case 61768, arrived from India on Dec 28 and served her SHN at a dedicated facility until Jan 10. Her test taken on Jan 8 during her SHN was negative for the coronavirus. As she had been identified as a close contact of Cases 59169 and 59173 during their flight to Singapore, she was placed on quarantine from Jan 10 to 11. The retiree developed a fever last Monday (April 5) and was tested for Covid-19 when she sought medical treatment the next day. Her test result came back positive, last Thursday (April 8), and she was sent to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. Another test conducted ... » Learn More about S’pore’s sole new Covid-19 community case is Indian national who tested negative while serving SHN
32 new Covid-19 cases: 1 in the community, 31 imported
The sole community case confirmed yesterday is a 71-year-old female Indian national on a short-term visit pass. In all, there were 32 new Covid-19 cases, taking Singapore's total to 60,633. The other 31 were imported cases, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). The sole community case arrived from India on Dec 28 and served her stay-home notice (SHN) at a dedicated facility until Jan 10. Her test taken on Jan 8 during her SHN was negative for the coronavirus. As she had been identified as a close contact of Cases 59169 and 59173 during their flight to Singapore, she was placed on quarantine from Jan 10 to 11. The retiree developed a fever last Monday and was tested for Covid-19 when she sought medical treatment the next day. Her result came back positive on Thursday, and she was sent to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. Another test by the National Public Health Laboratory on Friday was negative for Covid-19 . However, her serological test result has returned positive, ... » Learn More about 32 new Covid-19 cases: 1 in the community, 31 imported
World leaders including Malaysia’s King, Queen and PM pay tribute to Prince Philip
Here are some reactions: - Malaysia - The Malaysian prime minister said Prince Philip would be "sadly missed" after "a life spent in selfless service to the greater good." Malaysia's king and queen said he would be remembered for his "steadfast support" of the queen, as well as "his unwavering commitment to the Commonwealth of which Malaysia is a proud member and his efforts to promote stronger ties between the United Kingdom and Malaysia." - Britain - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed Philip's "extraordinary life", sending his condolences to Queen Elizabeth after her husband's death was announced. Johnson said the Duke of Edinburgh "earned the affection of generations" at home, in the Commonwealth and across the world. "We give thanks, as a nation and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," he added. Former prime minister Tony Blair hailed Philip's public service, calling him "a man of foresight, ... » Learn More about World leaders including Malaysia’s King, Queen and PM pay tribute to Prince Philip