Covid-19: How India failed to prevent a deadly second wave

In early March, India’s health minister Harsh Vardhan declared the country was “in the endgame” of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Vardhan also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership as an “example to the world in international co-operation”. From January onwards, India had begun shipping doses to foreign countries as part of its much-vaunted “vaccine diplomacy”.

Kourtney Kardashian knows how to bring the glitz and glamour!

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star lit up the night in shimmery black sequins pants that featured fun and flirty fringe details on the bottom. She paired the statement piece with a white cropped tank top—which she wore over a black bustier—platform peep-toe heels and a pint-sized handbag. “sparkle pants,” the Poosh founder captioned

Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai sentenced to 14 months for pro-democracy protests

Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after being found guilty of unauthorised assembly. Mr Lai, 73, was one of several activists in court who were earlier found guilty of charges relating to pro-democracy protests in 2019. The founder of the Apple Daily tabloid is a fierce

Afghanistan: ‘We have won the war, America has lost’, say Taliban

Driving to Taliban-controlled territory doesn’t take long. Around 30 minutes from the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, passing large craters left by roadside bombs, we meet our host: Haji Hekmat, the Taliban’s shadow mayor in Balkh district. Perfumed and in a black turban, he’s a veteran member of the group, having first joined the militants in

AstraZeneca vaccine: Denmark ceases rollout completely

AstraZeneca vaccine: Denmark ceases rollout completely Denmark has ceased giving the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine amid concerns about rare cases of blood clots, the first European country to do so fully. The move is expected to delay the country’s vaccination programme by several weeks. Drug watchdog the European Medicines Agency last week announced a possible link

Sputnik V: What we know about India’s Covid-19 vaccines

A third coronavirus vaccine has been approved for use in India amid a deadly second wave of infections. Russia’s Sputnik V has been deemed to be safe, and works in a way similar to the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab which is being made in India as Covishield. Sputnik V gives around 92% protection against Covid-19, late stage

Taiwan: ‘Record number’ of China jets enter airspace

Taiwan has said a record number of Chinese military jets flew into its airspace on Monday. The defence ministry said 25 aircraft including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers entered its so-called air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday. The incursion is the largest in a year and comes as the US warns against an “increasingly aggressive

When Nudes Are Stolen: Inside the online ‘nude trade’

When former glamour model Jess Davies started modelling at 18 she had no idea her images would be used to con money out of men all over the world. Over the years Jess, now 27, has received hundreds, if not thousands, of messages from people telling her they’ve been speaking to someone using her pictures

Covid: Brazil has more than 4,000 deaths in 24 hours for first time

Covid: Brazil has more than 4,000 deaths in 24 hours for first time Brazil has recorded more than 4,000 Covid-related deaths in 24 hours for the first time, as a more contagious variant fuel a huge surge in cases. Hospitals are overcrowded, with people dying as they wait for treatment in some cities, and the

AstraZeneca: Is there a blood clot risk?

AstraZeneca: Is there a blood clot risk? Unusual blood clots in the brain have been detected in a handful of people after they were injected with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. These “cerebral venous sinus thromboses” or CVSTs have led some countries – including Germany, France and Canada – to restrict who can be given the jab.