Headlines: India’s Covid-19 Death Tally Over 4 Lakh

Covid Bulletin: India’s Covid-19 Death Tally Over 4 Lakh

According to the data released by the Union Health Ministry, India reported 46,617 new covid-19 infections in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative total to 5,09,637. The country has crossed the mark of 4 lakh in the total deaths that happened due to covid-19. The Ministry said that India has been recording less than 50,000 covid-19 cases from the last five days. However, daily recoveries continue to outnumber active covid-19 cases, with 59,384 recoveries reported in the last 24 hours. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, the country has conducted 41,42,51,520 tests so far. On the vaccination front, India has administered 34,00,76,232 crore covid-19 vaccine doses. 

7 European Countries Approves Covishield A Day After India Threatens To Put EU visitors Under Mandatory Quarantine

A day after India refused to recognize EU Digital Covid Certificate until European Union accepts Covishield and Covaxin in their Covid Certificate, seven European countries, including Iceland, Germany, Slovenia, Ireland, Spain, Estonia, and Switzerland have approved the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in India by the Serum Institute of India. According to government sources, people who have taken the Covishield vaccine will be allowed to enter these seven European countries. Meanwhile, Estonia has approved both Covishield and Covaxin for travel entry. The move came to be a big win for India against vaccine nationalism.  

Dr Reddy: India Will Consider The Phase 3 Trial Data For Single-Dose Sputnik Light Vaccine From Russia

On Thursday, Dr Reddy said that the Russian phase-III trial data for the single-dose Sputnik Light covid-19 vaccine can be submitted in India. While releasing an official statement, the India partner for Sputnik vaccine said: “On Wednesday 30th June, the SEC (Subject Expert Committee) deliberated on the submission for Marketing Authorization of Sputnik Light in India from Dr Reddy’s. The company presented to the SEC interim safety and efficacy data from the Phase I / II clinical trial of Sputnik Light in Russia, along with a clinical trial protocol for a Phase III trial of Sputnik Light in India,” Adding further, it said: “The SEC also observed that in view of the safety and immunogenicity data already generated by Dr Reddy’s in India on the first dose component of Sputnik V (in other words, Sputnik Light), there was no need for a separate Phase III trial of Sputnik Light in India,” If India approves Russia’s Sputnik Light vaccine, it will be the first single-dose covid-19 vaccine to be administered in India. 

Prime Minister Modi Likely To Expand His Cabinet By Adding 28 Ministers 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up for the upcoming national elections in 2024 as he expands his cabinet for the first time in his second term. Currently, there are 53 ministers in the Union Cabinet, which is likely to become 81, meaning that 28 ministers will be added to the Union Cabinet. Recently, an extensive review on all ministers was done, particularly on how they managed the covid-19 pandemic. According to reports, PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda had a series of meeting to zero in on the names. The meeting is done with a sharp focus on the next Lok Sabha Elections, which will be the third term of Prime Minister Modi. BJP is likely to include political leaders from West Bengal after it lost the elections in the state to TMC’s Mamata Banerjee.

Delhi Records Highest Temperature In 9 Years; No Chance Of Monsoon Till 7th July

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 43.1 degrees Celsius in the month of July, which is the highest temperature that the capital has recorded since July 2012. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Delhi is unlikely to see a monsoon till 7th July. Delhi witnessed severe heatwave in areas including Lodhi Road, Ridge Road, Pitampura, Narela and Najafgarh, where the maximum temperature was at least 7 degrees Celsius above normal. A heat wave is declared when the temperature goes above 40 degrees celsius, according to the IMD. Delhi might witness another severe heatwave today. On the monsoon arrival, the IMD said: “The monsoon has covered most of the country except parts of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. Since June 19, no progress has been observed. Mid-latitude westerly winds, unfavourable Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and absence of a low-pressure system over North Bay of Bengal are some of the reasons,” 

Xi Jinping: China Will Not Be Bullied By Any Foreign Forces 

China’s President, Xi Jinping, gave a one-hour long speech addressing thousands at the Tiananmen Square wherein he warned that China would not get bullied by any foreign forces. Xi Jinping said: “We have never bullied, oppressed, or subjugated the people of any other country, and we never will. By the same token, we will never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress, or subjugate us,” Adding further, he said: “Anyone who would attempt to do so will find themselves on a collision course with a great wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people,” The Chinese Communist Party celebrated 100 years in the country on 1st July with a massive parade in Beijing. 

Vidya Balan Not A Part Of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2?

Vidya Balan and Akshay Kumar’s impeccable acting made the film Bhool Bhulaiyaa a huge success at the box office. Ever since director Anees Bazmee announced that a second part of the film is on the cards, fans are wondering if Vidya Balan will be a part of it. However, Vidya Balan has finally spilt the beans and confirmed that she is not a part of the film. Speaking to an entertainment portal, Vidya said: “I think that would be very unfair to wonder whether it will be able to match. Bhool Bhulaiyaa was great, and I think even though they are using the title, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is a completely different film. I’d love to watch it, though,”  Confirming about her absence in the film, the actor said: “Let’s just say I am not in the film. So I am not going to say anything more.,” Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is expected to hit the screens later this year and features Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani in the lead roles. 

Have You Seen this Hilarious Prank Of Deepika Padukone?

Bollywood celebrity Deepika Padukone took the internet by storm after posting a prank video on hairstylist Yianni Tsapatori by offering him some spicy raw mangoes, which happens to be Deepika’s favourite snacking option. In the video, Deepika asks Yianni to try out the raw mangoes and just as he takes a bite, he says: “My whole mouth is burning”, and Deepika laughs and asks, “What happened, Yianni?” At the end of the video, a petrified Yianni asks Deepika, “Why do you like it?“. On the work front, Deepika has a lot of projects lined up, including Shakun Batra’s untitled project, the Indian remake of the Hollywood film ‘The Intern’, Pathan and Fighter. 

Netflix India Comes Up With A Dating Reality Show ‘IRL: In Real Love’

On Thursday, Netflix India announced that it is coming up with a dating reality show titled IRL: In Real Love which will revolve around heartbreaks, new connections and a chance to find love. Netflix India said: “We are excited to expand our offering in the reality genre with a distinctive dating format, ‘IRL: In Real Love’. The concept is a true reflection of the times we love and live in,” However, no other information regarding the show has been made official yet. 

ICC bans UAE Players Amir Hayat and Ashfaq Ahmed After They Were Found Guilty For Match Fixing

The International Cricket Council has banned UAE players Amir Hayat and Ashfaq Ahmed for eight years after both were found guilty for accepting bribes from an Indian rookie for fixing matches. Both the players tried to fix the T20 World Cup qualifying round matches in their country and reportedly took 15,000 AED from an Indian bookie. Amir Hayat is a medium pacer, and Ashfaq Ahmed is a batsman. The detailed ICC statement said: “In October 2019, the ICC ACU commenced an investigation into allegations that members of the UAE senior international team may have had dealings with a known corruption network controlled by an Indian man named [Mr Y]. WhatsApp messages between the Players suggest that the Players and [Mr Y] were trying to arrange a meeting on 7 September 2019, at which, it is to be inferred, details of what they would be asked to do in the Qualifiers would be given to them,”