Covid-positive Brazil president Bolsonaro says he feels 'very well', praises hydroxycholoroquine

Brazil medics seek ICC probe of Bolsonaro gov't COVID-19 response

Unions in hard-hit nation accuse government of being 'criminally negligent in its management' of coronavirus pandemic.

Brazil's Bolsonaro says he has 'mold' in lungs

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said he was taking antibiotics for an infection that left him feeling weak, chuckling in an online video about "mold" in his lungs, having spent weeks in isolation with coronavirus. Libby Hogan reports.

PM Modi to pray at Hanumangarhi ahead of Ram Temple event: Key details

PM Modi will visit the Hanumangarhi temple ahead of the foundation laying ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The head priest of the temple said that they have been given seven minutes times in which PM Modi will take a tour of the temple and also offer prayers. The head priest also said that they will practice social distancing and all other Covid preventive measures will be taken to protect the Prime Minister and themselves. 'It will be decided which route the Prime Minister would be coming from. The front has 85 stairs and there are 36 at the back', said the head priest of the temple. PM Modi will be laying the foundation stone of the Ram temple on August 5th in Ayodhya. Massive preparations are underway in the temple town where the event is being billed as a 'mini-diwali. The construction of Ram temple will begin after the ceremony to lay the foundation stone in which various political and religious dignitaries are likely to participate. The temple trust has said that 200 people will attend the event. Watch the full video for all the details.

UP govt allows opening of sweet, rakhi shops ahead of Raksha Bandhan

Uttar Pradesh government has allowed opening of sweet shops and those selling rakhis on August 02. UP is observing weekend lockdowns due to rising cases of COVID-19. The decision has been taken in view of the Raksha Bandhan festival on August 03. People in Moradabad thronged sweet and rakhi shops in good numbers. Shopkeepers thanked the government for opening the stores as they will be able to sell some of their stock.

COVID-19: India 5th highest in death count

India now ranks fifth in total coronavirus death count behind US, Brazil, Mexico and United Kingdom. Country recorded highest single-day spike of 57,711 on August 1. 764 people died taking total count to over 36,500. Death count remains highest is United States of America (153,314). Cases continue to surge in Andhra Pradesh (9276) and Maharashtra (9,601). However, recovery rate of India has improved to over 64 percent.

Mexico death toll overtakes UK as third-highest in the world

Mexico has the third-highest COVID-19 death toll globally after Brazil and the US.