INDIA Hit Hard by Coronavirus second wave which is set to kill 5,700 people a Day: Already Swamped hospitals turn away patients , victims suffocate to death on wards amid oxygen shortage

Medics fear Covid-19 infections in India could climb to 500,000 per day before the virus-stricken nation reaches the peak of its second wave - as those who delay oxygen deliveries to New Delhi were today threatened with the death penalty. Another 2,624 deaths and 346,786 cases were reported in India on Saturday, although limited testing means this is likely to significantly underestimate the total. The infection total again marked the highest one-day tally of any nation since the start of the pandemic - the third time in as many days India has broken this record. However, leading virologist Shahid Jameel today warned that India has still yet to hit the peak of its second wave, with studies suggesting it may record 500,000 cases per day in the first week of May. 

 India's current fatality rate per 100,000 cases is 1.14 per cent, meaning if the nation reaches this anticipated peak there is the potential for 5,700 deaths per day. Overwhelmed hospitals have continued to beg for supplies today as Covid-19 infections soared overnight in a 'tsunami' of disease, with medics warning: 'Every hospital is running out [of oxygen]. We are running out'. At least 20 coronavirus patients died overnight at New Delhi's Jaipur Golden Hospital on Friday as the 'oxygen pressure was low,' the hospital's medical superintendent Dr Baluja said. He added: 'Our supply was delayed by seven-eight hours on Friday night and the stock we received last night is only 40 per cent of the required supply.' Elsewhere, at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, some 25 Covid-19 patients died on Thursday with reports suggesting low oxygen supplies were again the cause of the fatalities.

India to review ruling on law criminalising homosexuality

Latest chapter in legal battle between social and religious conservatives and gay community over law passed by British

India’s supreme court has agreed to re-examine a previous judgment that upheld a law criminalising homosexuality, offering hope to gay rights organisations that have been holding vigils and demonstrations in Delhi.

A panel of three judges said the ruling in 2013 would be revisited by a larger bench of judges.

“It is definitely a step forward,” lawyer Anand Grover said as activists gathered outside the courtroom cheered.

The 2013 judgment reinstated colonial-era legislation that in effect outlawed gay sex and stunned many in India, overturning decades of slow progress andprompting protests.

The referral to a large bench of judges is the latest chapter in a long-running legal battle between India’s social and religious conservatives and the gay community over the law passed by the British in the 1860s.

India celebrates Republic Day in style

India celebrated its 67th anniversary of becoming a republic with celebrations across the country on Tuesday, including a military and cultural parade through the capital.

French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, with maximum security measures employed to thwart any threats.

The French leader joined President Pranab Mukherjee and Premier Narendra Modi as the military parade marched through a central avenue near the Presidential Palace.

India celebrates the day its constitution was adopted - January 26, 1950 - as Republic Day.

French soldiers also took part in the parade. It is thought to be the first time a foreign army contingent has participated in India's celebrations.

The parade included marching troops, military bands, tanks, and other hardware.

Colourful floats from various Indian states, traditional dances, and gymnastics by children were also part of the event.