New Delhi: Even a year after the virus forced us inside our homes, the coronavirus pandemic has shown no signs of letting up. The latest count being more than 12 crore Covid cases and over 28 lakh deaths.
Austria is threatening the European Union as it demands a greater share of vaccines while the UK variant is to be blamed for 75 per cent of Turkey’s new cases.
Here are a few headlines from across the world to keep you updated on the latest developments across the world.
Japan announces emergency measures in Osaka
Japan announced Thursday that it plans to implement emergency measures in Osaka as Covid cases rise, reports Reuters. Emergency measures include encouraging people to work from home and mandating short business hours.
In the wake of rising cases, governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said the Olympic torch events should be cancelled because of the fourth wave the city of Osaka is witnessing.
New infections in Osaka have exceeded Tokyo’s. It reported 599 cases Wednesday.
The news agency quotes Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato as saying, “In Osaka in particular, the number of infected individuals in their 20 and 30 is increasing as people continue to go out at night.”
Japan has reported 4,72,112 new coronavirus infections and 9,113 cases so far.
Also read: WHO’s report on origins of Covid-19: Highlights, reactions and criticism by world leaders
UK variant accounts for 75 per cent of all new cases in Turkey
Turkey’s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said late Wednesday that the UK variant accounted for 75 per cent of Turkey’s new cases, reports The Daily Sabah.
According to figures shared by the minister on Twitter, Turkey had registered 180,448 UK variant cases and 169 cases of South African strain.
In light of the recent rise in cases, Turkey announced a return to weekend curfews in high risk areas, in addition to special measures for the upcoming month of Ramadan.
Turkey has reported 33,17,182 coronavirus cases and 31,537 cases so far.
Austria threatens to halt EU’s 100 million vaccine purchase, demands greater share
Austria is threatening to block the European Union’s bid to procure another 100 million BioNTech/Pfizer vaccines unless the country gets a bigger slice of the order, reports Politico.
The move is the latest escalatory tactic by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz who has been agitating for a greater share of vaccines.
Diplomats from several EU countries expressed outrage over Austria’s demand for greater share of vaccines because data shows Austria isn’t among the countries in greatest need.
The fight dominated EU leaders’ video summit where Kurz reiterated his demand for extra doses. At the summit, Austria didn’t even wait for the ambassadors to have a discussion before applying pressure.
Austria has reported 5,46,229 coronavirus cases and 9,339 deaths so far.
Also read: Covid isn’t over, and the next wave may be worse
Trump aide awarded heavy contractors for vaccines, investigators say
Reports suggest Donald Trump’s aide Peter Navarro, personally steered hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pandemic supplies to politically connected or novice companies, reports The New York Times.
Navarro had, reportedly, sounded an early alarm about supply shortages. This has been suggested in emails and other documents released by a House committee overseeing the federal coronavirus response.
Documents show he prodded the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award a $96 million sole-source contract for respirators to AirBoss Defense Group, a defense industry supplier.
The United States has reported 3,11,66,344 coronavirus cases and 5,65,256 deaths so far.
What else we’re reading:
How will Covid anxiety impact the travel industry in 2021 and beyond?: Euro News
Batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccines ‘can’t be used’ after ingredient issues: The Guardian
Also read: China calls for expanding search for virus origin beyond its border