News Headlines.

 News Headlines-

1.As the United States and Russia prepare for crucial bilateral talks on Monday in Geneva, the first in a series of dialogues the two countries will have under different formats this week, Washington has reiterated its warning of “massive consequences” if Russia invades Ukraine, rejected Russian proposals about a change in the NATO’s engagement with allies and partners in eastern Europe, and lowered expectations by ruling out any breakthrough in talks.-hindustantimes.com

2.The British government should end mass vaccination against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) after the booster dose campaign, a former chairman of the UK’s vaccine task force has suggested. Dr Clive Dix called for a new targeted strategy to manage Covid-19 and scrap population-based jabs as the UK witnesses fall in daily Covid-19 cases after registering record numbers, according to several British media reports.-hindustantimes.com

3.The total number of Covid-19 cases in the United States surpassed 60 million on Sunday and has killed at least 837,594 people in the US since January 2020, according to research from Johns Hopkins University.The United States remains the nation most impacted by the pandemic, with the world's most cases and deaths, making up around 20 per cent of the global caseload. It also accounts for more than 15 per cent of global mortality.-hindustantimes.com

4.India on January 10 reported 1,79,723 new cases and 146 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to data from the Union health ministry. This has brought the total caseload to 3,57,07,727, as active COVID-19 cases now stand at 7,23,619. Meanwhile, 46,569 persons recovered from the disease in the past 24 hours which took the total recoveries to 3,45,00,172 across the country. India's recovery rate now stands at 96.62 percent.-moneycontrol.com

5.COVID-19 precautionary dose will be administered to the eligible population starting today, January 10. The booster dose will be given to healthcare and frontline workers, and those over 60 years of age with co-morbidities. On December 25, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the administration of precautionary doses for healthcare and frontline workers from January 10, 2022.-livemint.com

6.Maharashtra reported 44,388 new COVID-19 cases and 12 Covid-related deaths in the state today. The state tally of COVID-19 positive patients stands at 69,20,044.There are 2,02,259 active cases in the state.Some 207 patients in the state are infected with the Omicron variant. Of these, 155 have been reported by BJ medical College and 52 have been reported by National Institute of Virology.-ndtv.com

7.In view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the state, the Maharashtra government has imposed a night curfew starting 10 January. The restrictions come as the daily caseload of the state has been steadily increasing and with 41,434 fresh cases, the state breached the 40,000-mark on Saturday.-livemint.com

8.The complaints of lack of hospital beds in private hospitals in Mumbai may have to do with the rules laid down by insurance companies rather than an actual shortage of beds, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal has said.-The Economic Times.

9.The revised guidelines have come less than 24 hours after it ordered beauty salons and gymnasiums to be shut along with several other establishments.The notification states, “Beauty salons shall be grouped with hair cutting salons and shall be allowed to remain open with 50 per cent capacity subject to restrictions for hair cutting salons. In these establishments, only those activities that do not require removal of masks by anyone shall be allowed.”-The Times of India

10.Choice Hotels India adds another glorious property to its portfolio with Comfort Inn Coral River in Madhopur near Pathankot further strengthening its presence in the Punjab region after Patiala, Bhatinda, Amritsar, and Zirakpur. Strategically located at the meeting point of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, Pathankot serves as the gateway to numerous popular tourist destinations including Dalhousie, Chamba, Kangra, Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Jwalaji, and Chintpurni.-hospitalitybizindia.com

11.The state government has allowed malls, markets and restaurants to operate at 50% capacity. Cinemas and drama theatres have also been allowed 50% capacity. The only riders are that those entering have to be fully vaccinated and that all these establishments have to close between 10 pm and 8 am.-hospitalitybizindia.com