Maharashtra reported a significant jump in new Covid-19 cases and fatalities on Wednesday, continuing with the rise that started 10 days ago.
BCCL
A total of 8,807 cases, the highest in 129 days (since 9,060 on October 18) were added to the state’s daily tally.
41 Europe-bound Migrants Drown In The Mediterranean
At least 41 people drowned over the weekend when their boat capsized in the Central Mediterranean, the U.N. said on Wednesday, the latest shipwreck involving migrants fleeing conflict-stricken Libya and seeking better life in Europe.
AP
The U.N. migration and refugee agencies said in a joint statement that the dead were among at least 120 migrants on a dinghy that left Libya on Feb. 18. The shipwreck took place two days later, it said.
Ghana Gets First Vaccines Delivered Under Global Covax Scheme
Ghana became the first country to receive vaccines from the global Covax scheme Wednesday, paving the way for poorer nations to catch up with inoculation drives in wealthier parts of the world to stamp out the coronavirus pandemic.
AFP
But Europe’s vaccine rollout faced fresh problems after AstraZeneca said it would only be able to deliver half its promised doses to the EU, deepening tensions with the bloc over supply shortfalls.
Australia Passes Landmark Law Requiring Tech Firms To Pay For News
Australia’s parliament passed landmark legislation Thursday requiring global digital giants to pay for local news content, in a move closely watched around the world.
Reuters
The law passed easily after a last-gasp deal that watered down binding rules Facebook and Google had fiercely opposed in return for the tech giants agreeing to pay local media companies.
UP Assembly Passes ‘Love Jihad’ Law
The UP Assembly passed the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Bill, 2021 by a voice vote on Wednesday.
AFP
The bill will now be sent to the UP legislative council for its approval before it becomes an Act after a formal nod by the governor.
Ayurvedic Doctors “Trained Surgeons” At Par With Allopathic Ones: Centre
Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik today said there is no concept of “mixopathy”, as claimed by a section of allopathic doctors, and asserted that ayurvedic practitioners are also trained to perform surgeries.
BCCL
The idea behind allowing ayurvedic practitioners to perform medical surgeries and other functions is aimed at supporting the allopathic practice, Mr Naik said.