Morning digest: PM Modi urges Covid-19 appropriate behaviour to prevent lockdown; U.S. denies ‘outright ban’ on vaccine inputs, and more

A select list of stories to read before you start your day.

A health worker takes a mouth swab sample of a man to test for COVID-19 as others wait their turn to get tested at the Urban Primary Health Centre Musheerabad in Hyderabad on Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Use lockdown only as absolute last resort: PM Modi tells States

“We have to save ourselves from a lockdown and do our best to avoid it and I request States to pay more attention to effectively managing micro containment zones,” Mr. Modi said in his 20 minute address to the nation.

Coronavirus | Over 2,000 COVID-19 deaths on single day

Maharashtra reported 62,097 infections (accounting for nearly 22% of the new cases) on Tuesday, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 29,574 new infections and Delhi with 28,395 new cases.

U.S. ex-cop Derek Chauvin convicted of George Floyd’s murder

The jury of six white people and six Black or multiracial ones came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days. Chauvin was found guilty on all charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Biden administration denies ‘outright ban’ on vaccine raw materials

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s top priority is saving lives and ending the pandemic. We reject any statement referring to a 

U.S. export ban on vaccines . The United States has not imposed any “outright bans” on the export of vaccines or vaccine inputs.

Government withdraws customs duty on imports of Remdesivir

The government had banned the export of the injection and its active ingredients on April 11, following a spike in demand for the drug amidst the second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Apple event | Apple announces AirTags for lost items, slim iMacs in new colours

AirTags will cost $29 each or four for $99 and will be available starting 8 a.m. ET (1200 GMT) on April 30. Podcast subscription prices will be set by creators and billed monthly,Apple said. Apple will charge creators $19.99 per year for its podcast programme.

Polling in sixth phase to be held across crucial geographies in West Bengal

Several Assembly constituencies of Uttar Dinajpur like Chopra, Islampur, Goalpokhar and Chakulia border Bangladesh on one side and Bihar on another. The narrow stretch called ‘chicken's neck’ has a strategic importance and is also inhabited by people of all religions and ethnicities.

Sri Lanka-India travel bubble delayed

Less than two weeks ago, the Civil Aviation Ministry in India announced setting up a “bilateral air bubble” arrangement with Sri Lanka for operation of special international passenger flights between the two countries.

IPL 2021 | Mishra bamboozles MI’s heavy-hitters in game-breaking spell

While Mishra spun his web around the MI batsmen on a turner at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, helping restrict the defending champion to 137 for nine, Dhawan and Smith batted sensibly to keep DC’s chase on course.

Super League collapses as Premier League clubs pull out

United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham joined Manchester City in withdrawing from the proposed Super League, with Chelsea reportedly set to follow. That leaves just six sides -- Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus still involved in the project.