8:41 AMGlobal Covid caseload tops 279.9 mn
The global coronavirus caseload has topped 279.9 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 5.39 million and vaccinations to over 8.94 billion, according to Johns Hopkins University.
In its latest update on Monday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and the death toll stood at 279,906,569 and 5,399,781, respectively, while the total number of vaccine doses administered has increased to 8,949,398,777.
The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 52,259,716 and 816,597, according to the CSSE.
8:26 AMCovid-19 vaccination mandatory in Singapore from February next year
Singapore has made Covid vaccination a mandatory condition for the approval of new applications for work passes, long-term passes and permanent residence in Singapore from February 1 next year.
Those renewing their work passes will also have to be vaccinated, The Straits Times reported, citing the multi-ministry task force (MMTF) on Covid.
The new order will not apply to children aged below 12 and those who are medically ineligible for vaccination, it said.
8:24 AMExtreme weather costs world billions in 2021: Study
A new report by Christian Aid -- Counting the cost 2021: A year of climate breakdown -- on Monday identified 15 of the most destructive climate disasters of the year.
They include some of the disasters hit rapidly, like Cyclone Yaas, which struck India and Bangladesh in May and caused losses valued at $3 billion in just a few days.
Ten of those events cost $1.5 billion or more. Most of these estimates are based only on insured losses, meaning the true financial costs are likely to be even higher.
8:15 AMPM to visit Mandi to lay foundation stone of hydropower projects worth over Rs 11,000 cr today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mandi in Himachal Pradesh on Monday to lay the foundation stone of hydropower projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore at around 12 noon. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Sawra-Kuddu Hydro Power Project. The 111 MW Project has been built at a cost of around Rs 2080 crore. It will lead to the generation of over 380 million units of electricity per year, and help the state earn revenue worth over Rs 120 crore annually.
8:09 AMDo not want to tarnish PM Modi's reputation abroad, do not want him to apologize: Rakesh Tikait
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday said that farmers do not want an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi adding that they do not want to tarnish his image abroad.
His statement comes days after the Centre repealed the three agricultural laws against which several farmers' unions had been protesting for nearly a year.
"We do not want the Prime Minister to apologize. We don't want to tarnish his reputation abroad. If any decision would be taken, it would not be done without the consent of farmers. We honestly cultivate the fields but Delhi did not pay attention to our demands," the BKU leader said in a tweet (roughly translated from Hindi).
8:08 AMUP govt to administer COVID vaccine to children aged 15-18 years from Jan 3
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday has announced to vaccinate the children of the age group of 15 to 18 years on January 3, 2022, in consonance with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement, and had instructed the concerned officials to ensure availability of jabs.
Similarly, from January 10, 2022, all corona warriors, healthcare and frontline workers and citizens with co-morbidities above 60 years of age will be given a precautionary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on the advice of their doctor, while addressing the officials at a COVID-19 review meeting.
8:08 AMSabarimala's lord Ayyappa temple closes after 41-day long pilgrim season
Mandala puja was held at the Sabarimala's Lord Ayyappa temple on Sunday, marking the conclusion of the 41-day pilgrim season.
Mandala Puja was performed in the auspicious time between 11.50 am and 12.40 noon by Thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru and Chief priest N Parameswaran Namboodiri. The idol of Lord Ayyappa was adorned with 'thanka anki' attire, which was brought here on Saturday evening in a ceremonial procession.
Mandala pooja was concluded after performing 'Kalasabhishekam', the special ritual marking the conclusion of Mandala Puja
7:40 AMAustralia's most populous state reports 1st omicron death
Australia's New South Wales state reported more than 6,000 new COVID-19 cases on Monday and confirmed its first death from the omicron variant.
The fatal case was identified as a man in his 80s who was infected at an aged care facility in western Sydney. He was fully vaccinated but had underlying health conditions.
New South Wales, the country's most populous state, reported 6,324 new infections on Monday, a fall of 70 from the record number a day before. There were 524 people in hospitals, including 55 in intensive care.
7:39 AMSingapore lifts travel ban imposed on 10 African countries
Singapore has lifted the ban it imposed on 10 African countries over the Omicron variant of coronavirus, while authorities expect a rapid doubling of cases in the coming days.
Passengers arriving in Singapore with travel history to Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe within the past 14 days will come under the country's Category IV border measures from 11.59 pm on Sunday.
7:38 AMIran bans travelers from Omicron-hit European, African countries from entering
Iran's Tourism Ministry announced on Sunday a 15-day halt in travel from the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Denmark and eight African countries amid fears over the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Deputy Tourism Minister Ali Asghar Shalbafian said in a statement that entry would be denied to foreigners coming by land, air and transiting through third countries if they departed from the blacklisted ones.
7:37 AMUN chief mourns death of Archbishop Tutu of South Africa
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has mourned the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, calling him a towering world figure for peace.
"I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an unwavering voice for the voiceless," Xinhua news agency quoted Guterres as saying.
"Archbishop Tutu was a towering global figure for peace and an inspiration to generations across the world. During the darkest days of apartheid, he was a shining beacon for social justice, freedom and non-violent resistance."
7:37 AMCOVID-19 variant disrupts holiday travel but not shopping
The latest COVID-19 variant is upending holiday plans for tens of thousands of travellers, but it didn't do much damage to holiday shopping.
Airlines cancelled hundreds more flights on Sunday, citing staffing problems tied to COVID-19, as the nation's travel woes extended beyond Christmas, with no clear indication when normal schedules would resume.
But shoppers shrugged off the omicron variant, and holiday sales rose at the fastest pace in 17 years, according to one spending measure.
7:37 AMCovid-19 cases increase to 529,613 in Myanmar
The number of Covid-19 cases has increased to 529,613 in Myanmar after 110 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the country, according to a release from the Ministry of Health on Sunday.
With three new deaths, the death toll rose to 19,254 on Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the release.
A total of 507,210 patients have been discharged from hospitals and over 5.98 million samples have been tested for Covid-19.
7:36 AMPerfume industrialist Piyush Jain arrested over tax evasion charges
Kanpur-based businessman Piyush Jain, whose premises were raided by central agencies, has been arrested on charges of tax evasion, a senior official said.
The perfume industrialist is likely to be taken to Ahmedabad from Kanpur for further action, he said.
Surenrda Kumar, Joint Commissioner (Kanpur), Goods and Services Tax, told PTI Sunday night that Jain has been arrested on charges of tax evasion.
7:36 AMSpider-Man surpasses USD 1B globally in second weekend
Peter Parker's good fortune continued over the holiday weekend. Even with some mighty competition from new Matrix and Sing movies, and rising concerns over the omicron variant, Spider-Man: No Way Home stayed in the No. 1 spot and netted a few more milestones too including crossing the USD 1 billion mark globally.
According to studio estimates Sunday Spider-Man added USD 81.5 million over the three-day weekend, down 69 per cent from its first weekend.
The Sony and Marvel film has now grossed USD 467 million from North American theaters, more than doubling the domestic grosses of 2021's previous No. 1 film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
With USD 587.1 million from 61 overseas markets, Spider-Man" has grossed USD 1.05 billion globally, making it the highest earner of the pandemic. It's the first film of the pandemic to cross USD 1 billion and the second-fastest film ever to do so and this without the benefit of China release.
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