-TheNewsMinute.com The scientists said that they have received partial funding and permission for implementing systematic surveillance of new variants of Coronavirus. Over 300 scientists from across India, including renowned names like Prof LS Shashidhara (Professor of Biology, IISER Pune and Ashoka University) and Prof Partha Majumder (National Science Chair, Government of India), have requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps to open access to various data in order to transparency in...

-The Indian Express The court added that meanwhile Kappan is at liberty to approach "the concerned courts for the grant of bail or to challenge the proceedings or for quashing the chargesheet”. Saying that the “most precious fundamental right to life unconditionally embraces even an undertrial”, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that journalist Sidhique Kappan, arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police and charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), be...

-The Telegraph Health ministry asks for 15 samples each from five labs and five hospitals in every state every two weeks, which is less than the 5% prescribed for each state The Union health ministry has asked each state to send 150 Covid-positive samples fortnightly for genome sequencing, deviating from the original target set by a national research consortium to genome-sequence 5 per cent of positive cases from all states. The move has...

-The Hindu An affidavit spanning over 200 pages said the Centre “is augmenting the oxygen supply on a war-footing, evolving and implementing innovative measures”. The government has informed the Supreme Court that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are “directly involved” in augmenting the oxygen supply on a “war-footing”. An affidavit spanning over 200 pages said the Centre, with “the active and constant supervision and direct involvement of...

-The Tribune Jalandhar: Holding Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for spreading the second wave of Covid-19, national vice-president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Dr Navjot Dahiya today called him a ‘super spreader’ and blamed him for irresponsibly organising big political rallies in poll-bound states and even allowing Kumbh mela during such a serious situation. “While the medical fraternity is trying hard to make people understand mandatory Covid norms, PM Modi did...