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From Our Own Correspondent: India’s Covid resurgence

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India’s Covid resurgence

24/04/2021 GMT

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, India’s Covid resurgence

A new wave brings India's health system close to collapse

A lack of preparedness and a virulent new strain has brought the country to its knees.

India recorded the world’s highest daily number of new Covid cases since the pandemic began this week. Earlier in the year, many believed the authorities had brought the Covid outbreak under control. But a crushing new wave along with severe oxygen shortages is straining an already burdened health system.  The rapid rise in cases is believed to be partly down to lax safety protocols around a religious festival and state elections, along with a potent new “double mutant” variant. Rajini Vaidyanathan followed the worsening situation.

Chad’s leader Idriss Déby died last week while battling rebels on the country’s border with Libya. Déby faced down regular uprisings during his 30 years in power and his firm grip on the security forces helped shore up his political leadership. His death leaves a vacuum as the country has also been a bulwark against terrorist activity in surrounding countries, deploying forces to assist against Islamist militants in Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger: France, a military ally, also has a significant base in the country and retains a major influence over its former colony.. Andrew Harding looks at the potential impact  on security in the region.

Brazil, like India, has been in the grip of a deadly wave of Covid and has recently recorded more than 4000 deaths in one day. Meanwhile President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay the gravity of both Covid and its impact – refusing to wear a face mask or use hand gel, and stridently opposing any restrictions or quarantine measures. But, as the pandemic reaches even the most remote parts of Brazil, Richard Lapper takes a look at the political fallout. 

At the virtual Climate Summit hosted by the US, President Biden’s administration committed to cutting greenhouse gases in half by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. But perhaps the most surprising promise came before the Summit – with the pledge by the world’s two largest emitters of greenhouse gases – the US and China - to co-operate on the issue. Celia Hatton looks at what the unlikely partnership could achieve.

(Photo: A couple mourn a relative at a crematorium in New Delhi, India. Credit: EPA)

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