New Delhi: The Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world with the latest count crossing 12 crore cases and 27 lakh deaths.
Here, we highlight some of the important stories from around the world in the last 24 hours.
Syria has offered oxygen supplies to neighbouring Lebanon even as both countries suffer from an economic crisis amid an increase in coronavirus cases. In a sign of a ‘breakdown in relations’ between the vaccine supplier and the European Union, an AstraZeneca plant was inspected by the Italian police at the request of the EU and, the torch for the Olympic Games in Japan began its journey around the country despite fears of the pandemic.
Syria provides Lebanon oxygen supplies amid shortages
Syria has offered oxygen supplies to neighbouring Lebanon even as both countries suffer from an economic crisis amid an increase in coronavirus cases, reports Al Jazeera.
Syria’s Health Minister said that the country is expected to supply Lebanon with 75 tonnes of oxygen in instalments of 25 tonnes a day for three days.
“For Lebanon, Syria’s gesture comes at a time of political deadlock among rival groups who are deeply divided over Syria,” said the report.
“Lebanon has struggled with a surge of COVID-19 infections since the start of 2021, and a weeks-long lockdown has only brought the numbers down slightly,” said the report, adding that Syria was “struggling with a healthcare system battered by 10 years of conflict…”
Lebanon has recorded 4,48,721 cases of Covid-19 and 5,903 deaths. Syria has recorded 17,896 cases of Covid-19 and 1,195 deaths.
Also read: AstraZeneca lowers Covid vaccine efficacy to 76% after US criticism over accuracy
AstraZeneca plant inspected by Italian police at EU’s request
In a sign of a ‘breakdown in relations’ between the vaccine supplier and the European Union (EU), an AstraZeneca plant was inspected by the Italian police at the request of the EU, reports The Guardian.
The plant located in Anagni, east of Rome, was investigated Saturday evening after the European Commission contacted the Italian government with ‘concerns’. “AstraZeneca has been accused by the commission of overselling its ability to deliver doses and reneging on its contract with the EU after delivering less than a quarter of the 120m doses it had promised this quarter,” said the report.
Amid fear of pandemic, Tokyo Olympic torch relay begins
On Thursday, the torch relay for the Tokyo Olympics started even as the organisers tried to ‘build momentum’ for the global sporting event amid public fears over the pandemic, reports The Japan Times.
The Nadeshiko Japan soccer team, which won the Women’s World Cup in 2011, were the first runners of this relay. At least 10,000 torchbearers are expected to run through 859 municipalities in a 121-day journey which will cover popular locations such as Mount Fuji.
“The relay will be a crucial opportunity for the organising committee to convince people in Japan that it is capable of safely staging the games even during the pandemic,” the report said.
Japan has recorded 4,59,043 cases of Covid-19 and 8,908 deaths.
RT-PCR test prices reduced to lowest ever in UAE
The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, UAE, said that the price of Covid-19 RT-PCR has been decreased to 65 Dirhams, reports Khaleej Times.
Earlier, the price of conducting this test was 85 Dirhams.
“The new rate follows the latest directive from the local authorities for a mandatory PCR test to be done every 14 days for unvaccinated employees in five sectors,” the report. These sectors include hotels, transportation, health, laundries and beauty salon services
UAE has recorded 4,46,594 cases of Covid-19 and 1,456 deaths.
What else we are reading:
Slovakia: two more cabinet ministers quit in tensions over Sputnik vaccine: The Guardian
‘Brazil is suffocating’: Covid surge creates severe oxygen crisis: Al Jazeera
Also read: Covid antibodies may last from days to years, depending on infection severity, says study