With 24,850 new cases and 613 deaths in the last 24 hours, India saw its biggest surge in Covid-19 cases, Anadolu Agency reported.

The country’s tally of infections rose to 673,165 as the death toll climbed to 19,268, according to Health Ministry data.

India is now only 800 cases behind Russia, the third worst-hit country globally. — Anadolu Agency
India is now only 800 cases behind Russia, the third worst-hit country globally. — Anadolu Agency

This is the ninth consecutive day that cases have risen by over 18,000. India is now only 800 cases behind Russia, the third worst-hit country globally.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that 9,789,066 samples have been tested for Covid-19 in the country till Saturday, of these 248,934 were tested yesterday.

Opinion

Editorial

A new deal
Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...
Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...