Highlights: Dutch lawmakers back Covid-19 curfew despite criticism

A majority of Dutch lawmakers backed the government's planned curfew despite facing criticism from opposition legislators. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said a curfew is needed to rein in the spread of the coronavirus, but some opposition lawmakers angrily denounced it as an excessive restriction of liberties, reports AP.

Russian health minister Mikhail Murashko said on Thursday that the government was planning to produce a version of Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine that could be transported and stored at normal fridge temperatures as opposed to -18 Celsius, reports Reuters.

Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala was shifted to the intensive care ward after testing positive for coronavirus.

Gujarat reported 471 new coronavirus infections, taking the state's tally to 2,57,813. The death toll after one new fatality stands at 4,372.

Delhi recorded 227 new coronavirus infections, taking its tally to 6,33,276. The death toll after eight new fatalities stands at 10,782.

Karnataka recorded 674 new coronavirus infections, taking the state's caseload to 9,34,252. The death toll after two new fatalities stands at 12,187.

The Covid-19 death toll in Haryana rose to 3,000 on Thursday with three more fatalities, while 133 new cases pushed the infection tally to 2,66,819, a state health department bulletin issued here said, reports PTI.

India on Thursday officially handed over 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine as a gift to Bangladesh, reports PTI.

Amazon is offering its colossal operations network and advanced technologies to assist President Joe Biden in his vow to get 100 million Covid-19 vaccinations to Americans in his first 100 days in office.

Uttarakhand reports 162 new corona cases taking the total number of positive cases to 95,354, reports ANI.

6334 new Covid-19 cases, 6229 recoveries and 21 deaths have been reported in Kerala today. Number of active cases stands at 69,771, so far 7,96,986 patients have recovered. Death toll stands at 3545, reports ANI.

People are more likely to follow Covid-19 restrictions based on what their friends do, rather than their own principles, according to a study that shows how social influence affects adherence to government interventions, reports PTI.

Russia will soon begin supplying Hungary with doses of its Sputnik V vaccine, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on Thursday, a move that could further strain the European Union's relations with Budapest, reports Reuters.

Andhra Pradesh reports 139 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, as per State Health Ministry. Total cases now stands at 8,86,557 with total recoveries at 8,77,893, death toll at 7,142 and active caseload of 1,522, reports ANI.

Africa's coronavirus case fatality rate stands at 2.5%, higher than the global level of 2.2%, a trend that is alarming experts, the head of the continent's disease control body said on Thursday, reports Reuters.

President Joe Biden will push for additional travel safety during the coronavirus pandemic by requiring people to wear masks in airports and on planes while enforcing quarantines for people who arrive in the U.S. from other countries, reported Bloomberg.

Starting Friday, Moscow will reopen its museums and libraries, while theatres and cinemas will be allowed to accommodate more visitors. colleges, sports schools and children's clubs will resume in-person attendance, while university students will continue studying remotely: Sergei Sobyanin, Moscow mayor.

Indonesia reports a record 346 new deaths sue to Covid-19 as toll reaches 27,203. Total cases at 951,651 after 11,703 new infections.

A consignment of Covishield Covid-19 vaccine arrives at Kathmandu International Airport.

Hungary approves Russia's Sputnik V anti Covid-19 vaccine, first European Union member state to approve it.

Russia records 21,887 new Covid-19 cases and 612 deaths. Tally reaches 3,655,839 including 67,832 deaths.

Five states account for 73% of the total active cases in the country, says health ministry.

The vaccination will be the last nail in the coffin of Covid-19. It is unfortunate that some people are spreading misinformation about the vaccination for political reasons. This has developed vaccine hesitancy in a small group of people: Dr. Harsh Vardhan