Soutik Biswas India correspondent Coronavirus pandemic IMAGE COPYRIGHT GETTY IMAGESimage caption Hundreds of thousands of viral genomes have been analysed across the world A new “double mutant” variant of the coronavirus has been detected from samples collected in India. Scientists are checking if the variant, where two mutations come together in the same virus, may […]
Coronavirus pandemic A Dutch travel firm will take nearly 200 people for an eight-day holiday in Greece aimed at seeing if tourism is feasible during the Covid-19 pandemic. Those picked will have an all-inclusive getaway on the island of Rhodes at a cost of €399 (£344; $472) per person, but there are some catches. They […]
Coronavirus pandemic European countries must not turn on each other amid growing tensions over Covid vaccine supplies, the president of the EU Parliament has said. The call for unity comes as EU leaders hold virtual talks to discuss supplies and improving distribution across the bloc’s 27 member states. Some countries have complained that doses have […]
By Krishna N. Das, Neha Arora NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India has detected a new “double mutant variant” of the novel coronavirus, the health ministry said on Wednesday, adding to concern as the government struggles with the highest single-day tally of new infections and deaths this year. Genome sequencing and analysis of samples from Maharashtra state […]
EU-UK post-Brexit trade deal After talks with regional leaders, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany was now in a “very serious” situation. Restrictions will be even tougher from 1-5 April, when most shops will be shut and gatherings will be limited. Meanwhile, France’s president wants vaccinations “morning, noon and night”. Emmanuel Macron was responding to an […]
Coronavirus pandemic The Indian city of Mumbai is to roll out mandatory coronavirus tests in crowded places as the country grapples with a rise in infections. The local government said rapid tests would be done randomly in areas such as shopping centres and train stations. A refusal to be tested will “amount to an offence”, […]
The oil giant Saudi Aramco has announced that its profits fell sharply last year as lockdowns around the world curbed demand for oil. Earnings in 2020 fell by nearly 45% compared with 2019. Saudi Aramco, one of the largest companies in the world, still made a profit of $49bn (£35bn) however and said shareholders would […]
By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has tested positive for COVID-19 two days after receiving his first vaccine dose, government officials said on Saturday, urging people not to be deterred from getting vaccinated. Pakistan’s vaccination roll-out has been met with widespread vaccine hesitancy, and Khan’s positive test could serve as […]
Coronavirus pandemic The NHS has written to local health organisations warning of a “significant reduction in weekly supply” of coronavirus vaccines from the week beginning 29 March for a month. It says there has been a “reduction in national inbound vaccines supply”. It also says organisations should “ensure no further appointments are uploaded to the […]
By Rupam Jain, David Brunnstrom NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – India has urged the United States, Japan and Australia to invest in its vaccine production capacity, an Indian government source told Reuters, as the so-called Quad alliance tries to counter China’s growing vaccine diplomacy. Beijing has committed to provide at least 463 million doses of its home-made […]
