Covid LIVE: Maharashtra records highest daily count of 59,907 cases

Coronavirus live updates: In the last 24 hours, Mumbai reported 10,030 cases, Pune 11,040, Delhi 5,100. According to an analysis, 2nd wave can be deadlier than 1st. Stay tuned for corona-related news

9:22 AM

We must address COVID not only here in United States, but also around the world: US State Dept spox

As we increase confidence that we've enough vaccine for Americans, that we've accounted for various scenarios, we'll look at options for sharing doses globally. But we already have taken important steps to demonstrate the sort of international leadership that Secretary Blinken referred to. His point is a profoundly important one,& that is principally that in order for us to be able to fully protect the American people. We must address COVID not only here in United States, but also around the world. Because as long as the virus is circulating in the wild, as long as the virus is not controlled anywhere, it has potential to mutate. It has potential to come back to this country:US State Dept spox

9:17 AM

Biden says has not discussed with President Xi, China's responsibility for coronavirus

US President Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday that he has not spoken to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping about China's alleged responsibility for the spread of novel coronavirus across the world.

 

"No, I haven't had that conversation with President Xi," Biden replied to a question if he had a chance to ask his counterpart if reports that China may have misled the world at the beginning of the pandemic are true.

 

Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, repeatedly accused China of covering up the coronavirus outbreak and failing the warn the world about the danger of a pandemic.

9:16 AM

Pandemic-proof marquee realty soars in South Mumbai: Here're the top buys

The reclusive and low-profile person that he is, billionaire investor and entrepreneur Radhakishan Damani seldom likes to be in the news.

 

But the recent Rs 1,001-crore property he along with his brother purchased in the plush Malabar Hill area of South Mumbai — home to the likes of Mukesh Ambani and Ratan Tata — made headlines. Veterans in the property market believe that Damani, the promoter of DMart, might have had his own reasons to go for the country’s most expensive residential property deal besides the snob value of the property. Read on...

8:39 AM

Maldives emerges as choice holiday spot for Indians to escape Covid-19

Indians are jetting off to the Maldives in ever greater numbers to escape the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Visitors from the South Asian nation to the sandy paradise known for its clear water and white beaches jumped 50% to just over 44,000 in the first two months of the year versus 2020, figures from the island nation’s ministry of tourism show. Arrivals from China, Japan and South Korea were down around 98%. Tourists from India also made up 23.3% of the total in the two months, the most from any single country. Read on...

8:07 AM

Lucknow University issues directives to tighten Covid-19 restrictions

The University of Lucknow has issued directives to tighten the COVID-19 restrictions.

 

Nalini Pandey, Chief Provost of the University said in a letter on Tuesday, "Due to a sharp surge in Coronavirus cases in the city, as a precautionary measure the hostel students are requested to stay back at home and not return to the hostel till offline classes resume."Read on...

7:06 AM

AstraZeneca has sent us legal notice for vaccine supply delay: Poonawalla

Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine maker, is juggling between meeting demands in its own country and its international commitments. SII CEO Adar Poonawalla, in an interview to Sohini Das, says that AstraZeneca has served a legal notice to the firm for delays in supplying the vaccine, and that SII has sought “a few thousand crores” as grant from the government to double the production of Covishield. Read more here

6:51 AM

Second Covid wave: Fatalities threaten to be worse this time, shows data

Contrary to popular perception, the second wave of Covid-19 is as virulent with a potential to turn deadlier than the first wave, an analysis of deaths in recent weeks shows. Read on...