LIVE: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengal record marginal dips in fresh Covid cases

24,383 new cases in Delhi; 11,317 in Mumbai, 22,645 in Bengal

9:07 AM

Lucknow University defers exams as 50 students test Covid positive

The Lucknow University (LU) has deferred the examinations scheduled to take place from Friday after 50 students have tested positive for Covid-19.

Of the 50 students, 32 are from the Habibullah Boys' hostel, 10 from Mahmudabad Boys' hostel and eight from Lal Bahadur Shastri Boys' hostel.

An M.Sc student, residing in the Nivedita Girls' hostel, has also tested positive. She later left the hostel with her guardian.

9:06 AM

Nominations for 1st phase in UP polls begins today

The filing of nominations for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections for 58 seats in 11 districts will begin on Friday under strict Covid guidelines, said Ajay Kumar Shukla, UP chief electoral officer.

At the time of filing of papers, only two persons will be permitted to accompany the candidate to the returning officer's room.

Candidates can submit their nominations online through the Suvidha App and submit the copy of the application regarding online submission to the returning officer.

9:06 AM

Global Covid caseload tops 319.8 mn

Amid an ongoing resurgence across the world, the global coronavirus caseload has topped 319.8 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 5.52 million and vaccinations to over 9.55 billion, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Friday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and the death toll stood at 319,871,018 and 5,520,191, respectively, while the total number of vaccine doses administered has increased to 9,552,790,916.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 64,044,568 and 846,371, according to the CSSE.

9:05 AM

Myanmar reports 42 more Omicron cases of Covid-19

Myanmar reported 42 more cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19, bringing the tally to 63, according to a release from the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry on Thursday said Omicron was found in 32 samples of returnees from India, four from the United Arab Emirates, three each from Malaysia and Thailand, Xinhua news agency reported.

The number of Covid-19 infections has risen to 532,725 in Myanmar on Thursday after 172 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, the Ministry's figures said.

8:54 AM

Spain to offer booster shots to everyone aged over 18

The Spanish government has agreed to offer a booster dose against Covid-19 to everyone aged over 18 in an effort to stop the further transmission of the virus.

Previously the booster jab had only been available for people aged 40 and over, along with those who had been given the single dose 'Janssen' vaccine, essential workers and those with immune deficiency problems, reports Xinhua news agency.

The administration of the third dose would be "in descending age order", Minister of Health Carolina Darias said on Thursday.

8:53 AM

Battle for UP: Now 2 Apna Dal MLAs quit, blame Yogi govt

Two more legislators, belonging to the Apna Dal, an ally of the BJP, have resigned just ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled to take place next month.

Following his resignation, Chaudhary Amar Singh said: "This government is a liar and no development has been done. I met Akhilesh Yadav and will join him. Soon more people will join us."

8:42 AM

SC halts Covid-19 vaccine rule for US businesses

The US Supreme Court has stopped a major push by the Biden administration to boost the nation's COVID-19 vaccination rate, a requirement that employees at large businesses get a vaccine or test regularly and wear a mask on the job. At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers in the U.S. The court's orders Thursday came during a spike in coronavirus cases caused by the omicron variant.

7:54 AM

Pfizer seeks Japan approval for antiviral pill

Pfizer Inc said on Friday it applied for Japanese government approval for its oral COVID-19 treatment. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said last month he spoke with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla to secure 2 million doses of Pfizer's antiviral pill.

6:59 AM

Mamata briefs PM on Bengal train crash

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the train crash in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, speaking to him when they were in the middle of an online meeting to review the Covid situation in the country along with other state leaders. Seven people died in the crash Thursday.

5:54 AM

No breakthrough in 14th round of India-China border talks

There was no breakthrough in the 14th round of talks between the militaries of India and China and the two sides agreed to continue talks on their border dispute, according to a joint statement. More here

5:50 AM

India's forest, tree cover up by 2,261 sq km in last 2 years: Report

India's forest and tree cover has risen by 2,261 square kilometers in the last two years with Andhra Pradesh growing the maximum forest cover of 647 square kilometers, said a report Thursday. More here