In Buffalo, New York, the Erie County Medical Center plans to suspend elective inpatient surgeries and not take intensive-care patients from other hospitals because it may soon fire about 400 employees who have chosen not to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Officials at Northwell Health, New York’s largest provider of health care, estimate that they might have to fire thousands of people who have refused to get vaccinated.

And while the vast majority of staff members at New York City’s largest private hospital network, NewYork-Presbyterian, had been vaccinated as of this week, more than 200 employees faced termination because they had not.

These are just a fraction of the workers at risk of losing their jobs or being put on unpaid leave after Monday, when a state directive requiring hospital and nursing home employees in the state to have received at least one shot of a virus vaccine takes effect.

As of Wednesday, state data shows, around 84% of New York’s 450,000 hospital workers and 83% of its 145,400 nursing home employees had been fully vaccinated. But tens of thousands of people are estimated not to have gotten a shot despite being threatened with losing their jobs. The holdouts say they fear potential side effects from the vaccines, have natural immunity or believe that the mandate violates their personal freedom.

On Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said that the Monday deadline was firm and that her administration was developing emergency plans to cover for those who are laid off, going so far as to look into recruiting temporary workers from the Philippines or Ireland.

“What is looming for Monday is completely avoidable, and there’s no excuses,” Hochul said, pleading for those who have not done so to get vaccinated.

In New York City, health care workers are not the only ones who face an imminent deadline to be vaccinated or face termination. A requirement that virtually everyone working in the public schools — well over 150,000 people — be vaccinated takes effect at midnight Monday. Although about 90% of the system’s educators and 80% of support staff members have gotten at least one shot, thousands of workers have not. That could cause staff shortages in some schools.

Educators who choose not to get vaccinated will be allowed an unpaid one-year leave with their health insurance intact. But they will not be allowed to enter school buildings starting Tuesday. Unions that represent educators and other school staff members are warning of disruptions for students and have urged Mayor Bill de Blasio to delay enforcement of the mandate.

New York state’s vaccination requirement for health care workers is among the largest mandates of its kind that is set to take effect in the United States, with weekly virus testing not permitted as a substitute measure. How it goes — and whether it leaves hospitals understaffed — will be closely watched. California is requiring health care workers there to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30, and a similar mandate in Maine will not be enforced until Oct. 29. New York’s willingness to risk large-scale layoffs of health care workers comes amid a national nursing shortage, and the requirement is facing numerous legal challenges.

“We give patients a Bill of Rights, and they are able to choose what procedures or tests or medications they want to put in their system,” said Gregory Serafin, a registered nurse at the Erie County Medical Center and the lead plaintiff in a New York lawsuit that seeks to stop the mandate. “Health care workers deserve the same medical autonomy to make those decisions.”

Depending on how many health care workers are fired, the policy could also test the resiliency of New York’s health care system. Hospitals across the state are activating emergency staffing plans that they typically reserve for natural disasters or, more recently, surges in COVID-19 cases. Volunteers, students and retirees will fill vacancies, along with traveling nurses.

Northwell, which has 77,000 employees, believes it can weather any loss of employees without the care of patients being affected. The Erie County Medical Center is not as sure.

On Monday, the hospital had 553 inpatients, its busiest day on record. A big reason the hospital is so crowded is that it cannot discharge as many patients as usual to nursing or group homes, because they are also limiting admissions in anticipation of their own staff shortages because of the vaccine mandate.

“This is creating an unprecedented crisis for us,” said Tom Quatroche, the Erie County Medical Center Corp.’s president. “I think we need more time to comply, and I’ve asked for that. For all the right reasons, the vaccine mandate was put in place. But the reality is it is creating a public health crisis in hospitals, with nobody to care for patients.”

In New York City, more than 5,000 of the 42,000 employees of the public hospital system were unvaccinated as of Friday. They will be barred from hospitals starting Monday and from other care facilities beginning Oct. 7, and they will be placed on unpaid leave.

The hospital system anticipates the vaccine mandate could reduce the ranks of radiology technologists and phlebotomists, in particular, and some doctors have been urged to limit the amount of imaging and blood work they order next week, according to an internal message.

Firings under the new directive could prove particularly problematic for nursing homes, which are already facing staffing problems. The New York State Health Facilities Association, a trade group that represents about 250 nursing homes, has asked state officials to temporarily let unvaccinated nursing home workers keep working as long as they get tested regularly.

“While we are striving for 100%, we do not feel we will achieve that by Monday,” said Stephen Hanse, the association’s president.

The wider range of workers who must be vaccinated starting Oct. 7 includes those at diagnostic and treatment centers, adult care facilities, certified home health agencies and hospices.

Despite the potential staffing challenges, the Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents about 140 health systems and 55 nursing homes, supports the deadline.

“The mandate is the best way to ensure the safest possible patient care environment and protect the public’s health,” Kenneth E. Raske, the association’s president, said in a statement. “We will work with the state to address any staffing challenges that arise.”

The vaccination mandate for health care workers was issued Aug. 26 as an emergency order by the Health Department. It permits limited medical exemptions, which employers can determine, but does not currently allow religious exemptions.

The lack of religious exemptions has created some confusion, because an earlier order, issued Aug. 18 under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, allowed such exemptions, and some hospitals had granted them. NewYork-Presbyterian, for example, granted 129 religious exemptions but withdrew them after the state’s policy changed, court documents show.

The conflict over religious exemptions has prompted several lawsuits accusing New York of violating either the First Amendment or federal law prohibiting employers from discriminating on the basis of religion. Many of the suits’ plaintiffs argue that they do not want to get a COVID-19 vaccine because cell lines derived from fetuses aborted decades ago were used in the development or production or testing of the vaccines.

In legal papers, most of the plaintiffs, most of whom are identified as John or Jane Doe, insist that as opponents of abortion they must abstain from getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

One plaintiff in a suit filed in Brooklyn, a NewYork-Presbyterian employee, is described in court papers as a Christian Scientist who opposes all vaccines and believes in the healing power of prayer.

For now, the fate of unvaccinated health care workers who have sought religious exemptions remains uncertain, and will not be decided for at least a few weeks. A federal judge in Utica has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the state from enforcing the mandate on those seeking such exemptions until Oct. 12, when he will decide what to do.

In the meantime, the mandate can take effect for all other workers.

At Northwell, the vaccination rate reached 91% on Friday, rising steadily as the deadline approached. Of the employees who still were not vaccinated, about 2,000 had applied for religious or medical exemptions.

Only a small group of people are being approved for medical exemptions, including those who are allergic to vaccine components, Maxine Carrington, the company’s human resources chief, said. Being pregnant or breastfeeding does not qualify. Unvaccinated employees without exemptions that have been approved or are pending have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to get a shot or they will be let go Tuesday, she said.

NewYork-Presbyterian set an earlier deadline for its workers to get vaccinated — Sept. 22 — and officials there said Thursday that fewer than 250 employees would lose their jobs. Still hundreds of employees remain unvaccinated: Around 200 got medical exemptions; more than 500 had pending requests for religious exemptions, according to a court filing.

The state’s emergency order does not dictate exactly how hospitals or other health care employers should enforce the mandate, stating only that compliance is expected by Sept. 27.

Vaccination rates vary among hospital staffs.

John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Erie County says that 100% of its employees have been fully vaccinated. At Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, 75% of the staff is fully vaccinated, according to state data; nearly 90% have received at least one dose, a spokeswoman said.

Some hospital executives said they did not anticipate that any terminations would have much effect on medical care at their institutions.

At St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, about 12% of the nearly 3,000 employees had not been vaccinated as of midday Friday, the chief medical officer, Eric Appelbaum, said in an interview.

The group included three doctors and a larger number of nurses, Appelbaum said. Most of the rest worked in nonmedical roles, including housekeeping and food services.

Appelbaum, noting that there had been a sharp uptick in vaccinations in the past 48 hours, said he was optimistic that a good number of unvaccinated staff members would soon get the shot. (There was a similar rush at the city’s public hospital system, officials said, with more than 2,000 employees getting vaccinated just this week.)

“Obviously,” Appelbaum said, “Monday’s getting close.”

In Buffalo, New York, the Erie County Medical Center plans to suspend elective inpatient surgeries and not take intensive-care patients from other hospitals because it may soon fire about 400 employees who have chosen not to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

In Buffalo, New York, the Erie County Medical Center plans to suspend elective inpatient surgeries and not take intensive-care patients from other hospitals because it may soon fire about 400 employees who have chosen not to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Officials at Northwell Health, New York’s largest provider of health care, estimate that they might have to fire thousands of people who have refused to get vaccinated. And while the vast majority of staff members at New York City’s largest private hospital network, NewYork-Presbyterian, had been vaccinated as of this week, more than 200 employees faced termination because they had not. These are just a fraction of the workers at risk of losing their jobs or being put on unpaid leave after Monday, when a state directive requiring hospital and nursing home employees in the state to have received at least one shot of a virus vaccine takes effect. As of Wednesday, state data shows, around 84% of New York’s 450,000 hospital workers and 83% of its 145,400 nursing home employees had been fully vaccinated. But tens of thousands of people are estimated not to have gotten a shot despite being threatened with losing their jobs. The holdouts say they fear potential side effects from the vaccines, have natural immunity or believe that the mandate violates their personal freedom. On Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said that the Monday deadline was firm and that her administration was developing emergency plans to cover for those who are laid off, going so far as to look into recruiting temporary workers from the Philippines or Ireland. “What is looming for Monday is completely avoidable, and there’s no excuses,” Hochul said, pleading for those who have not done so to get vaccinated. In New York City, health care workers are not the only ones who face an imminent deadline to be vaccinated or face termination. A requirement that virtually everyone working in the public schools — well over 150,000 people — be vaccinated takes effect at midnight Monday. Although about 90% of the system’s educators and 80% of support staff members have gotten at least one shot, thousands of workers have not. That could cause staff shortages in some schools. Educators who choose not to get vaccinated will be allowed an unpaid one-year leave with their health insurance intact. But they will not be allowed to enter school buildings starting Tuesday. Unions that represent educators and other school staff members are warning of disruptions for students and have urged Mayor Bill de Blasio to delay enforcement of the mandate. New York state’s vaccination requirement for health care workers is among the largest mandates of its kind that is set to take effect in the United States, with weekly virus testing not permitted as a substitute measure. How it goes — and whether it leaves hospitals understaffed — will be closely watched. California is requiring health care workers there to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30, and a similar mandate in Maine will not be enforced until Oct. 29. New York’s willingness to risk large-scale layoffs of health care workers comes amid a national nursing shortage, and the requirement is facing numerous legal challenges. “We give patients a Bill of Rights, and they are able to choose what procedures or tests or medications they want to put in their system,” said Gregory Serafin, a registered nurse at the Erie County Medical Center and the lead plaintiff in a New York lawsuit that seeks to stop the mandate. “Health care workers deserve the same medical autonomy to make those decisions.” Depending on how many health care workers are fired, the policy could also test the resiliency of New York’s health care system. Hospitals across the state are activating emergency staffing plans that they typically reserve for natural disasters or, more recently, surges in COVID-19 cases. Volunteers, students and retirees will fill vacancies, along with traveling nurses. Northwell, which has 77,000 employees, believes it can weather any loss of employees without the care of patients being affected. The Erie County Medical Center is not as sure. On Monday, the hospital had 553 inpatients, its busiest day on record. A big reason the hospital is so crowded is that it cannot discharge as many patients as usual to nursing or group homes, because they are also limiting admissions in anticipation of their own staff shortages because of the vaccine mandate. “This is creating an unprecedented crisis for us,” said Tom Quatroche, the Erie County Medical Center Corp.’s president. “I think we need more time to comply, and I’ve asked for that. For all the right reasons, the vaccine mandate was put in place. But the reality is it is creating a public health crisis in hospitals, with nobody to care for patients.” In New York City, more than 5,000 of the 42,000 employees of the public hospital system were unvaccinated as of Friday. They will be barred from hospitals starting Monday and from other care facilities beginning Oct. 7, and they will be placed on unpaid leave. The hospital system anticipates the vaccine mandate could reduce the ranks of radiology technologists and phlebotomists, in particular, and some doctors have been urged to limit the amount of imaging and blood work they order next week, according to an internal message. Firings under the new directive could prove particularly problematic for nursing homes, which are already facing staffing problems. The New York State Health Facilities Association, a trade group that represents about 250 nursing homes, has asked state officials to temporarily let unvaccinated nursing home workers keep working as long as they get tested regularly. “While we are striving for 100%, we do not feel we will achieve that by Monday,” said Stephen Hanse, the association’s president. The wider range of workers who must be vaccinated starting Oct. 7 includes those at diagnostic and treatment centers, adult care facilities, certified home health agencies and hospices. Despite the potential staffing challenges, the Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents about 140 health systems and 55 nursing homes, supports the deadline. “The mandate is the best way to ensure the safest possible patient care environment and protect the public’s health,” Kenneth E. Raske, the association’s president, said in a statement. “We will work with the state to address any staffing challenges that arise.” The vaccination mandate for health care workers was issued Aug. 26 as an emergency order by the Health Department. It permits limited medical exemptions, which employers can determine, but does not currently allow religious exemptions. The lack of religious exemptions has created some confusion, because an earlier order, issued Aug. 18 under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, allowed such exemptions, and some hospitals had granted them. NewYork-Presbyterian, for example, granted 129 religious exemptions but withdrew them after the state’s policy changed, court documents show. The conflict over religious exemptions has prompted several lawsuits accusing New York of violating either the First Amendment or federal law prohibiting employers from discriminating on the basis of religion. Many of the suits’ plaintiffs argue that they do not want to get a COVID-19 vaccine because cell lines derived from fetuses aborted decades ago were used in the development or production or testing of the vaccines. In legal papers, most of the plaintiffs, most of whom are identified as John or Jane Doe, insist that as opponents of abortion they must abstain from getting vaccinated against COVID-19. One plaintiff in a suit filed in Brooklyn, a NewYork-Presbyterian employee, is described in court papers as a Christian Scientist who opposes all vaccines and believes in the healing power of prayer. For now, the fate of unvaccinated health care workers who have sought religious exemptions remains uncertain, and will not be decided for at least a few weeks. A federal judge in Utica has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the state from enforcing the mandate on those seeking such exemptions until Oct. 12, when he will decide what to do. In the meantime, the mandate can take effect for all other workers. At Northwell, the vaccination rate reached 91% on Friday, rising steadily as the deadline approached. Of the employees who still were not vaccinated, about 2,000 had applied for religious or medical exemptions. Only a small group of people are being approved for medical exemptions, including those who are allergic to vaccine components, Maxine Carrington, the company’s human resources chief, said. Being pregnant or breastfeeding does not qualify. Unvaccinated employees without exemptions that have been approved or are pending have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to get a shot or they will be let go Tuesday, she said. NewYork-Presbyterian set an earlier deadline for its workers to get vaccinated — Sept. 22 — and officials there said Thursday that fewer than 250 employees would lose their jobs. Still hundreds of employees remain unvaccinated: Around 200 got medical exemptions; more than 500 had pending requests for religious exemptions, according to a court filing. The state’s emergency order does not dictate exactly how hospitals or other health care employers should enforce the mandate, stating only that compliance is expected by Sept. 27. Vaccination rates vary among hospital staffs. John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Erie County says that 100% of its employees have been fully vaccinated. At Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, 75% of the staff is fully vaccinated, according to state data; nearly 90% have received at least one dose, a spokeswoman said. Some hospital executives said they did not anticipate that any terminations would have much effect on medical care at their institutions. At St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, about 12% of the nearly 3,000 employees had not been vaccinated as of midday Friday, the chief medical officer, Eric Appelbaum, said in an interview. The group included three doctors and a larger number of nurses, Appelbaum said. Most of the rest worked in nonmedical roles, including housekeeping and food services. Appelbaum, noting that there had been a sharp uptick in vaccinations in the past 48 hours, said he was optimistic that a good number of unvaccinated staff members would soon get the shot. (There was a similar rush at the city’s public hospital system, officials said, with more than 2,000 employees getting vaccinated just this week.) “Obviously,” Appelbaum said, “Monday’s getting close.”

New York hospitals face possible mass firings as workers spurn vaccines

Hundreds of thousands of young people around the world returned to the streets Friday in the first global climate protest since the coronavirus pandemic forced them into lockdowns.

Protesters gathered in Bangladesh, Kenya, the Netherlands and many other countries. But nowhere was the call to action more urgent than in Germany, where an estimated several hundred thousand people turned out in more than 400 cities, putting pressure on whoever wins a national election Sunday to put climate protection at the top of their agenda.

Greta Thunberg, the 18-year-old climate activist who started the Fridays for Future protests in Stockholm in 2018 by skipping school as a way of shaming the world into addressing climate change, made a guest appearance at a protest in Berlin.

“Yes, we must vote and you must vote, but remember that voting will not be enough,” she told the crowd, urging them to stay motivated and keep up the pressure on politicians.

“We can still turn this around. People are ready for change,” she said. “We demand the change, and we are the change.”

People of all ages marched through the center of Berlin, then rallied on the lawn before the Reichstag, where Germany’s parliament meets. Thousands turned out for similar protests in other cities across the country.

Germans will elect new representatives to parliament Sunday, and never before has the issue of climate change played such a role in a German election. Despite entering office with ambitions to reduce carbon emissions in 2005, four successive governments under Chancellor Angela Merkel failed to significantly reduce Germany’s carbon footprint. It remains in the top 10 of the world’s most polluting countries, according to the World Bank.

It has been young climate activists, inspired by Thunberg, who have succeeded in bringing the climate debate to the forefront of Germany’s political discussion. This year, they successfully took the government to court, forcing a 2019 law aimed at bringing the country’s carbon emissions down to nearly zero by 2050 to be reworked with more ambitious and detailed goals to reduce emissions through 2030.

Recent polls have shown the next German government could include left-leaning environmentalists who many hope will bring real change. The Social Democratic Party has been in the lead for several weeks, ahead of the conservative Christian Democrats, with the Greens firmly in third place, raising hopes that whichever party wins will include them in the next government.

But some young Germans are concerned that even the environmentally focused Greens may not enact policy aggressively enough to speed up Germany’s exit from coal, currently set for 2038. They are also demanding that Germany speed up its plan to reach climate neutrality, when net carbon emissions hit zero, 10 years earlier than planned, to help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the lower boundary defined in the Paris Agreement.

“The last few months have shown how dishonestly the parties have been campaigning on the climate crisis, without even beginning to advocate sufficient measures to combat it,” said Maia Stimming, a spokesperson for Fridays for Future Germany.

“As one of the main polluters, Germany must finally stop the destruction,” she said. “Without massive pressure from us on the streets, no coalition will keep the 1.5-degree limit after the election.”

Alexandra Petrikat, an entrepreneur and mother of two young children who attended the demonstration in Berlin, said she was impressed by how peaceful and respectful the protesters were. At the same time, she said their message was loud and clear.

“I think that we sent a signal that whoever forms the next government can’t close their eyes to our demands,” Petrikat said. “We will not give up. We will keep growing and we will keep up the pressure.”

Hundreds of thousands of young people around the world returned to the streets Friday in the first global climate protest since the coronavirus pandemic forced them into lockdowns.

Hundreds of thousands of young people around the world returned to the streets Friday in the first global climate protest since the coronavirus pandemic forced them into lockdowns. Protesters gathered in Bangladesh, Kenya, the Netherlands and many other countries. But nowhere was the call to action more urgent than in Germany, where an estimated several hundred thousand people turned out in more than 400 cities, putting pressure on whoever wins a national election Sunday to put climate protection at the top of their agenda. Greta Thunberg, the 18-year-old climate activist who started the Fridays for Future protests in Stockholm in 2018 by skipping school as a way of shaming the world into addressing climate change, made a guest appearance at a protest in Berlin. “Yes, we must vote and you must vote, but remember that voting will not be enough,” she told the crowd, urging them to stay motivated and keep up the pressure on politicians. “We can still turn this around. People are ready for change,” she said. “We demand the change, and we are the change.” People of all ages marched through the center of Berlin, then rallied on the lawn before the Reichstag, where Germany’s parliament meets. Thousands turned out for similar protests in other cities across the country. Germans will elect new representatives to parliament Sunday, and never before has the issue of climate change played such a role in a German election. Despite entering office with ambitions to reduce carbon emissions in 2005, four successive governments under Chancellor Angela Merkel failed to significantly reduce Germany’s carbon footprint. It remains in the top 10 of the world’s most polluting countries, according to the World Bank. It has been young climate activists, inspired by Thunberg, who have succeeded in bringing the climate debate to the forefront of Germany’s political discussion. This year, they successfully took the government to court, forcing a 2019 law aimed at bringing the country’s carbon emissions down to nearly zero by 2050 to be reworked with more ambitious and detailed goals to reduce emissions through 2030. Recent polls have shown the next German government could include left-leaning environmentalists who many hope will bring real change. The Social Democratic Party has been in the lead for several weeks, ahead of the conservative Christian Democrats, with the Greens firmly in third place, raising hopes that whichever party wins will include them in the next government. But some young Germans are concerned that even the environmentally focused Greens may not enact policy aggressively enough to speed up Germany’s exit from coal, currently set for 2038. They are also demanding that Germany speed up its plan to reach climate neutrality, when net carbon emissions hit zero, 10 years earlier than planned, to help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the lower boundary defined in the Paris Agreement. “The last few months have shown how dishonestly the parties have been campaigning on the climate crisis, without even beginning to advocate sufficient measures to combat it,” said Maia Stimming, a spokesperson for Fridays for Future Germany. “As one of the main polluters, Germany must finally stop the destruction,” she said. “Without massive pressure from us on the streets, no coalition will keep the 1.5-degree limit after the election.” Alexandra Petrikat, an entrepreneur and mother of two young children who attended the demonstration in Berlin, said she was impressed by how peaceful and respectful the protesters were. At the same time, she said their message was loud and clear. “I think that we sent a signal that whoever forms the next government can’t close their eyes to our demands,” Petrikat said. “We will not give up. We will keep growing and we will keep up the pressure.”

Before German election, hundreds of thousands demand climate action

For a few days, several eyes are on the world leaders converging for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:

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Numerous issues of international importance are being raised by various leaders, but many seem oblivious to the fact that out of several speakers at the session, only a few are women. &nbsp;&nbsp;

It seems there is a need to increase the representation of women at the most important forum of the world. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-addresses-unga-talks-afghanistan-climate-change-vaccine-distribution-415823" hreflang="en">Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina addresses UNGA, talks Afghanistan, climate change, vaccine distribution</a>

On Friday, some women spoke at the forum while just five had earlier shared their views in the first three days of the summit. &nbsp;

The first woman to share thoughts on the forum was Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová. She said, “We cannot save our planet if we leave out the vulnerable — the women, the girls, the minorities.” &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-pm-narendra-modi-set-to-address-unga-heres-what-you-can-expect-415827" hreflang="en">Indian PM Narendra Modi set to address UNGA. Here's what you can expect</a>

She seems to be 53rd on the list. The UN generally makes the schedule on a first-come-first-serve basis, but other factors also come into play. Some feel gender should also be given top consideration. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the speech on Friday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shared thoughts over several important issues of the world. &nbsp; &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

For a few days, several eyes are on the world leaders converging for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Watch: × Numerous issues of international importance are being raised by various leaders, but many seem oblivious to the fact that out of several speakers at the session, only a few are women.

For a few days, several eyes are on the world leaders converging for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Watch: × Numerous issues of international importance are being raised by various leaders, but many seem oblivious to the fact that out of several speakers at the session, only a few are women. It seems there is a need to increase the representation of women at the most important forum of the world. Also Read: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina addresses UNGA, talks Afghanistan, climate change, vaccine distribution On Friday, some women spoke at the forum while just five had earlier shared their views in the first three days of the summit. The first woman to share thoughts on the forum was Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová. She said, “We cannot save our planet if we leave out the vulnerable — the women, the girls, the minorities.” Also Read: Indian PM Narendra Modi set to address UNGA. Here's what you can expect She seems to be 53rd on the list. The UN generally makes the schedule on a first-come-first-serve basis, but other factors also come into play. Some feel gender should also be given top consideration. In the speech on Friday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shared thoughts over several important issues of the world. (With inputs from agencies)

Is United Nations General Assembly 2021 session oblivious to its meagre women representation?

At the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talked about Afghanistan situation, climate change and equitable vaccine distribution. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This instance was also one of the rare ones as it showed the growing presence of women in positions of world leadership when three Bangladeshi women were at the centre of the forum. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:

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Bangladesh PM was introduced and invited to the podium by Ambassador Rabab Fatima, permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN, who was chairing the session. &nbsp;&nbsp;

While the third woman, Mosammat Shahanara Monica, a foreign ministry official, currently counsellor at Bangladesh Permanent Mission at UN, conveyed the message of the PM to the English-speaking world. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-foreign-minister-holds-bilateral-talks-with-kuwaiti-counterpart-others-on-sidelines-of-unga-2021-415793" hreflang="en">Nepal foreign minister holds bilateral talks with Kuwaiti counterpart, others on sidelines of UNGA 2021</a>

In the speech, Hasina shared thoughts over sustainable recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine equity, nuclear disarmament, Afghanistan situation, addressing climate challenges and solution to the Rohingya crisis. &nbsp;

At the General Assembly Hall, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriai Alam were also present. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nobel-peace-prize-winner-malala-yousafzai-asks-world-to-secure-afghan-womens-rights-415775" hreflang="en">Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai asks world to secure Afghan women's rights</a>

Talking about Afghanistan, the PM said, “We envision a peaceful, stable, and prosperous south Asia. We firmly believe it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of their future themselves. Bangladesh stands ready to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for its socio-economic development.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

At the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talked about Afghanistan situation, climate change and equitable vaccine distribution.

At the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talked about Afghanistan situation, climate change and equitable vaccine distribution. This instance was also one of the rare ones as it showed the growing presence of women in positions of world leadership when three Bangladeshi women were at the centre of the forum. Watch: × Bangladesh PM was introduced and invited to the podium by Ambassador Rabab Fatima, permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN, who was chairing the session. While the third woman, Mosammat Shahanara Monica, a foreign ministry official, currently counsellor at Bangladesh Permanent Mission at UN, conveyed the message of the PM to the English-speaking world. Also Read: Nepal foreign minister holds bilateral talks with Kuwaiti counterpart, others on sidelines of UNGA 2021 In the speech, Hasina shared thoughts over sustainable recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine equity, nuclear disarmament, Afghanistan situation, addressing climate challenges and solution to the Rohingya crisis. At the General Assembly Hall, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriai Alam were also present. Also Read: Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai asks world to secure Afghan women's rights Talking about Afghanistan, the PM said, “We envision a peaceful, stable, and prosperous south Asia. We firmly believe it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of their future themselves. Bangladesh stands ready to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for its socio-economic development.” (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina addresses UNGA, talks Afghanistan, climate change, vaccine distribution

In wake of surge in migrants and asylum seekers on the southern border, the Biden administration is looking to reopen a migrant detention camp at Guantánamo Bay. &nbsp;

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bureau is preparing to invite tenders for private contractors to run the Migrant Operations Center on the US naval base.

Watch:

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It is close to the prison compounds, which encompasses the remaining 39 detainees held in the “war on terror”. &nbsp;

With the aim to hold Cuban asylum seekers, the centre was first set up in 1991. It was closed by the Obama administration in 2017. At the time of the closure, it was used to house around 34,000 each of Haitians and Cubans.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shooting-at-us-army-base-was-an-exercise-no-casualties-official-415285" hreflang="en">'Shooting' at US army base was an 'exercise,' no casualties: Official</a>

The department also wants the contractor to provide unarmed custody and security officers. &nbsp;

The advertisement states, “At least 10% of the augmented personnel must be fluent in Spanish and Haitian Creole.”

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-huddles-with-democrats-as-divisions-threaten-his-agenda-415220" hreflang="en">Biden huddles with Democrats as divisions threaten his agenda</a>

On September 17, the advertisement was placed on the Sam.gov government contracting website. It has a deadline of October 1 for offers. &nbsp;

The advertisement reads, “The facility has a capacity of 120 people and will have an estimated daily population of 20 people, however, the service provider shall be responsible to maintain on site the necessary equipment to erect temporary housing facilities for populations that exceed 120 and up to 400 migrants in a surge event.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In wake of surge in migrants and asylum seekers on the southern border, the Biden administration is looking to reopen a migrant detention camp at Guantánamo Bay.

In wake of surge in migrants and asylum seekers on the southern border, the Biden administration is looking to reopen a migrant detention camp at Guantánamo Bay. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bureau is preparing to invite tenders for private contractors to run the Migrant Operations Center on the US naval base. Watch: × It is close to the prison compounds, which encompasses the remaining 39 detainees held in the “war on terror”. With the aim to hold Cuban asylum seekers, the centre was first set up in 1991. It was closed by the Obama administration in 2017. At the time of the closure, it was used to house around 34,000 each of Haitians and Cubans. Also Read | 'Shooting' at US army base was an 'exercise,' no casualties: Official The department also wants the contractor to provide unarmed custody and security officers. The advertisement states, “At least 10% of the augmented personnel must be fluent in Spanish and Haitian Creole.” Also Read: Biden huddles with Democrats as divisions threaten his agenda On September 17, the advertisement was placed on the Sam.gov government contracting website. It has a deadline of October 1 for offers. The advertisement reads, “The facility has a capacity of 120 people and will have an estimated daily population of 20 people, however, the service provider shall be responsible to maintain on site the necessary equipment to erect temporary housing facilities for populations that exceed 120 and up to 400 migrants in a surge event.” (With inputs from agencies)

US looks to reopen migrant detention camp at Guantánamo Bay to tackle surge in asylum seekers

The fate of a 6-year-old boy who was the sole survivor of a deadly cable car accident in Italy moved into an Israeli courtroom Thursday, in a bitter international custody battle that has drawn world attention.

Lawyers for the boy’s aunt, who lives in Italy, and his grandfather, who lives in Israel, squared off in a closed hearing at a family court in Tel Aviv. The court set a new hearing date for next month and ruled that until then the child, Eitan Biran, would remain in Israel and spend time with both sets of relatives.

Eitan was the sole survivor of a May 23 crash on a mountain overlooking Lake Maggiore in northern Italy that killed 14 people, including his parents and younger brother.

The boy and his family, who were from Israel, had been living in Italy at the time of the accident. The family was taking a Sunday afternoon cable car excursion up the nearly 5,000-foot peak of picturesque Mottarone mountain when a cable snapped, sending the car plunging to the mountainside below and then tumbling down the steep slope. The causes of the accident are still under investigation.

Two days later, an Italian court appointed his paternal aunt, Aya Biran, who lived in a small town near Pavia, Italy, as his legal guardian, a ruling challenged by the boy’s maternal relatives in Israel.

But this month, the boy’s maternal grandfather, Shmuel Peleg, spirited Eitan out of the country, to Israel via Switzerland, on a private plane. Peleg is now under investigation in Italy on charges of kidnapping and could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.

Both sides of the family say that they have only Eitan’s best interests at heart.

Biran said that Eitan has been “ripped out of his family” and out “of the country where he’s been living all his life,” disrupting months of physical and psychological care after the accident.

“It’s a tragedy over a tragedy,” she said in a telephone interview last week. “It’s hell on the earth right now.”

She has called on the Tel Aviv court to apply The Hague Convention on abducted minors and immediately return Eitan to Italy.

She said that Italy has been Eitan’s primary home since he arrived when he was weeks old so that his father, her brother, Amit Biran, could study medicine at the University of Pavia. The two families lived near each other, and Eitan and one of Aya Biran’s daughters attended years of preschool together. He was set to start elementary school there last week.

Peleg said that Eitan’s parents always intended to return to Israel, where the majority of their relatives live, and that their stay in Italy was meant to end with Amit Biran’s studies. Eitan and his family visited Israel often and spent nearly six months there last year.

“Eitan is an Israeli boy, he was born here” and has “Israeli roots,” Peleg said in an interview last week. “He has everything here. So why there? Why? All the family is here.”

Peleg has also challenged the validity of Biran’s appointment as Eitan’s custodian, arguing that the case was not heard in the proper court. He had already appealed the appointment twice, and lost, and a third challenge is scheduled for October.

“I lost my faith in the Italian system,” he said, explaining why he brought Eitan to Israel.

He had been frustrated, he said, that he could not communicate directly with the judges and had no say in Eitan’s care.

The boy was seriously injured in the accident and, although he is improving, still uses a walker and, when he leaves the house, a wheelchair.

Peleg said he had been told by one of his lawyers that he was not breaking any laws by bringing Eitan to Israel to seek better medical treatment.

He has been questioned as a suspect by Israeli police and placed under house arrest pending an investigation.

The fate of a 6-year-old boy who was the sole survivor of a deadly cable car accident in Italy moved into an Israeli courtroom Thursday, in a bitter international custody battle that has drawn world attention.

The fate of a 6-year-old boy who was the sole survivor of a deadly cable car accident in Italy moved into an Israeli courtroom Thursday, in a bitter international custody battle that has drawn world attention. Lawyers for the boy’s aunt, who lives in Italy, and his grandfather, who lives in Israel, squared off in a closed hearing at a family court in Tel Aviv. The court set a new hearing date for next month and ruled that until then the child, Eitan Biran, would remain in Israel and spend time with both sets of relatives. Eitan was the sole survivor of a May 23 crash on a mountain overlooking Lake Maggiore in northern Italy that killed 14 people, including his parents and younger brother. The boy and his family, who were from Israel, had been living in Italy at the time of the accident. The family was taking a Sunday afternoon cable car excursion up the nearly 5,000-foot peak of picturesque Mottarone mountain when a cable snapped, sending the car plunging to the mountainside below and then tumbling down the steep slope. The causes of the accident are still under investigation. Two days later, an Italian court appointed his paternal aunt, Aya Biran, who lived in a small town near Pavia, Italy, as his legal guardian, a ruling challenged by the boy’s maternal relatives in Israel. But this month, the boy’s maternal grandfather, Shmuel Peleg, spirited Eitan out of the country, to Israel via Switzerland, on a private plane. Peleg is now under investigation in Italy on charges of kidnapping and could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. Both sides of the family say that they have only Eitan’s best interests at heart. Biran said that Eitan has been “ripped out of his family” and out “of the country where he’s been living all his life,” disrupting months of physical and psychological care after the accident. “It’s a tragedy over a tragedy,” she said in a telephone interview last week. “It’s hell on the earth right now.” She has called on the Tel Aviv court to apply The Hague Convention on abducted minors and immediately return Eitan to Italy. She said that Italy has been Eitan’s primary home since he arrived when he was weeks old so that his father, her brother, Amit Biran, could study medicine at the University of Pavia. The two families lived near each other, and Eitan and one of Aya Biran’s daughters attended years of preschool together. He was set to start elementary school there last week. Peleg said that Eitan’s parents always intended to return to Israel, where the majority of their relatives live, and that their stay in Italy was meant to end with Amit Biran’s studies. Eitan and his family visited Israel often and spent nearly six months there last year. “Eitan is an Israeli boy, he was born here” and has “Israeli roots,” Peleg said in an interview last week. “He has everything here. So why there? Why? All the family is here.” Peleg has also challenged the validity of Biran’s appointment as Eitan’s custodian, arguing that the case was not heard in the proper court. He had already appealed the appointment twice, and lost, and a third challenge is scheduled for October. “I lost my faith in the Italian system,” he said, explaining why he brought Eitan to Israel. He had been frustrated, he said, that he could not communicate directly with the judges and had no say in Eitan’s care. The boy was seriously injured in the accident and, although he is improving, still uses a walker and, when he leaves the house, a wheelchair. Peleg said he had been told by one of his lawyers that he was not breaking any laws by bringing Eitan to Israel to seek better medical treatment. He has been questioned as a suspect by Israeli police and placed under house arrest pending an investigation.

International battle over 6-year-old crash survivor goes to court

A federal judge in the US has directed the Facebook to hand over records related to deleted accounts, which were linked to the anti-Rohingya violence in Myanmar, a report by news agency Reuters said on Thursday. These accounts were shut down in 2018. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Social media platform Facebook has been criticised by the judge in Washington DC for failing to provide critical data to investigators, who are seeking to prosecute the country for international crimes against the Muslim minority Rohingya.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It also rejected the firm’s arguments of protecting privacy as “rich with irony”. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-town-near-india-border-sees-exodus-as-thousands-flee-fighting-414907" hreflang="en">Myanmar town near India border sees exodus as thousands flee fighting</a>

In the ruling, the judge said, "Facebook taking up the mantle of privacy rights is rich with irony. News sites have entire sections dedicated to Facebook's sordid history of privacy scandals." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Citing a US law, which bars electronic communications companies from disclosing user information, Facebook has been refusing to release the data required in this case. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shooting-at-us-army-base-was-an-exercise-no-casualties-official-415285" hreflang="en">'Shooting' at US army base was an 'exercise,' no casualties: Official</a>

The judge has ruled since the accounts were deleted, they would not be covered under the law and not sharing the content would "compound the tragedy that has befallen the Rohingya". &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A federal judge in the US has directed the Facebook to hand over records related to deleted accounts, which were linked to the anti-Rohingya violence in Myanmar, a report by news agency Reuters said on Thursday.

A federal judge in the US has directed the Facebook to hand over records related to deleted accounts, which were linked to the anti-Rohingya violence in Myanmar, a report by news agency Reuters said on Thursday. These accounts were shut down in 2018. Watch: × Social media platform Facebook has been criticised by the judge in Washington DC for failing to provide critical data to investigators, who are seeking to prosecute the country for international crimes against the Muslim minority Rohingya. It also rejected the firm’s arguments of protecting privacy as “rich with irony”. Also Read: Myanmar town near India border sees exodus as thousands flee fighting In the ruling, the judge said, "Facebook taking up the mantle of privacy rights is rich with irony. News sites have entire sections dedicated to Facebook's sordid history of privacy scandals." Citing a US law, which bars electronic communications companies from disclosing user information, Facebook has been refusing to release the data required in this case. Also Read: 'Shooting' at US army base was an 'exercise,' no casualties: Official The judge has ruled since the accounts were deleted, they would not be covered under the law and not sharing the content would "compound the tragedy that has befallen the Rohingya". (With inputs from agencies)

Release records related to anti-Rohingya violence in Myanmar, US court orders Facebook

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for mutual recognition of Covid vaccine certificates by countries to make international travel easier, the Indian government on Thursday announced that differently-abled and people with restricted mobility will be inoculated with Covid vaccine doses at their homes. &nbsp;

In a press briefing, union health ministry officials said even as the number of daily new cases is witnessing a downward trend, the country is still facing the COVID-19 second wave. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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About two third of the adult population in India has been vaccinated with single dose of Covid vaccine. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Around 66% of people above 18 years of age have received at least one dose. About 23% of this group have received both doses. “It's an important milestone,” said Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-talking-technology-with-leading-american-ceos-from-key-sectors-415274" hreflang="en">PM Narendra Modi 'talking technology' with leading American CEOs from key sectors</a>

“We have been able to achieve this due to tremendous work by some states,” said Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan. &nbsp;

The officials also added, 62.73% of total infections reported last week were from Kerala alone. It is the only state with over one lakh active Covid cases. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/potential-to-deepen-ties-is-enormous-says-us-india-business-council-president-nisha-desai-biswal-415253" hreflang="en">Potential to deepen ties is enormous, says US-India Business Council president Nisha Desai Biswal&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

As per the officials, 33 districts in the country are now reporting over 10% weekly positivity rate, while 23 are recording between 5% and 10%. &nbsp;

In the guidelines for the upcoming festive season, the mass gatherings have to be avoided in containment zones and districts with over 5% positivity rate. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for mutual recognition of Covid vaccine certificates by countries to make international travel easier, the Indian government on Thursday announced that differently-abled and people with restricted mobility will be inoculated with Covid vaccine doses at their homes.

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for mutual recognition of Covid vaccine certificates by countries to make international travel easier, the Indian government on Thursday announced that differently-abled and people with restricted mobility will be inoculated with Covid vaccine doses at their homes. In a press briefing, union health ministry officials said even as the number of daily new cases is witnessing a downward trend, the country is still facing the COVID-19 second wave. Watch: × About two third of the adult population in India has been vaccinated with single dose of Covid vaccine. Around 66% of people above 18 years of age have received at least one dose. About 23% of this group have received both doses. “It's an important milestone,” said Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog. Also Read: PM Narendra Modi 'talking technology' with leading American CEOs from key sectors “We have been able to achieve this due to tremendous work by some states,” said Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan. The officials also added, 62.73% of total infections reported last week were from Kerala alone. It is the only state with over one lakh active Covid cases. Also Read: Potential to deepen ties is enormous, says US-India Business Council president Nisha Desai Biswal As per the officials, 33 districts in the country are now reporting over 10% weekly positivity rate, while 23 are recording between 5% and 10%. In the guidelines for the upcoming festive season, the mass gatherings have to be avoided in containment zones and districts with over 5% positivity rate. (With inputs from agencies)

Differently-abled, people with restricted mobility to get Covid vaccine jabs at homes: Indian govt

On the Taliban’s sacking of Kabul University Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Osman Baburi, around 70 teaching staff of the university have resigned.

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The staff, which has resigned, includes assistant professors and professors. The new rulers of Afghanistan have appointed Muhammad Ashraf Ghairat as the new Vice-Chancellor on Wednesday. He is a BA degree holder while Baburi was a PhD holder. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The appointment of Ghairat as V-C of the biggest university based in Kabul has not gone down well with several people and has led to protests on social media. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-want-to-address-un-general-assembly-appoint-new-envoy-414770" hreflang="en">Taliban want to address UN General Assembly, appoint new envoy</a>

The critics have also come up with a tweet of Ghairat, where he justified the killing of journalists last year. &nbsp;

As per The Khaama Press News Agency report, people are enraged over the appointment of a young bachelor degree holder, who replaced an intellectual and experienced PhD holder as head of the best and the very first university in Afghanistan. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/failure-to-form-inclusive-afghan-govt-may-result-in-civil-war-pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-warns-taliban-414753" hreflang="en">Failure to form inclusive Afghan govt may result in civil war, warns Pak PM</a>

People, including some Taliban members, have also criticised the move. Ghairat is said to have been employed in the Ministry of Education in the previous government and was head of the assessment body of universities of IEA in the southwestern part of Afghanistan, the reported added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

On the Taliban’s sacking of Kabul University Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Osman Baburi, around 70 teaching staff of the university have resigned. Watch: × The staff, which has resigned, includes assistant professors and professors.

On the Taliban’s sacking of Kabul University Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Osman Baburi, around 70 teaching staff of the university have resigned. Watch: × The staff, which has resigned, includes assistant professors and professors. The new rulers of Afghanistan have appointed Muhammad Ashraf Ghairat as the new Vice-Chancellor on Wednesday. He is a BA degree holder while Baburi was a PhD holder. The appointment of Ghairat as V-C of the biggest university based in Kabul has not gone down well with several people and has led to protests on social media. Also Read: Taliban want to address UN General Assembly, appoint new envoy The critics have also come up with a tweet of Ghairat, where he justified the killing of journalists last year. As per The Khaama Press News Agency report, people are enraged over the appointment of a young bachelor degree holder, who replaced an intellectual and experienced PhD holder as head of the best and the very first university in Afghanistan. Also Read: Failure to form inclusive Afghan govt may result in civil war, warns Pak PM People, including some Taliban members, have also criticised the move. Ghairat is said to have been employed in the Ministry of Education in the previous government and was head of the assessment body of universities of IEA in the southwestern part of Afghanistan, the reported added. (With inputs from agencies)

After Taliban sacks V-C, around 70 teaching staff of Kabul University resign

In a swap deal, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine’s one million doses will be sent to South Korea by the UK government. &nbsp;

Before the end of the year, South Korea will also return the same “overall volume of doses”, said the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). &nbsp;

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The department said, the initiative looks to help South Korea hit its target of administering a second dose to 70% of its population by October end. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The first batch of doses will be shipped in just a few weeks. &nbsp;

At the UN general assembly on Monday, UK PM Boris Johnson held talks with South Korea’s president Moon Jae-in.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/put-uk-on-covid-high-alert-as-over-100000-kids-go-absent-from-school-warn-headteachers-415010" hreflang="en">Put UK on Covid 'high alert' as over 100,000 kids go absent from school, warn headteachers</a>

A UK government source said, “The arrangement will mutually support the rollout of the lifesaving vaccine in each nation.” &nbsp;

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, “By working closely with our friends in South Korea, this vaccine swap will maximise their rollout speed without having an impact on the UK’s vaccine programme.”

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/humanity-has-to-grow-up-tackle-climate-change-uk-pm-wants-to-tell-leaders-at-unga-2021-415038" hreflang="en">Humanity has to 'grow up', tackle climate change, UK PM wants to tell leaders at UNGA 2021</a>

As per the health secretary, there would be no impact of this deal on the UK’s Covid vaccine booster programme or on supplies to the COVAX vaccine sharing scheme. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a swap deal, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine’s one million doses will be sent to South Korea by the UK government. Before the end of the year, South Korea will also return the same “overall volume of doses”, said the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

In a swap deal, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine’s one million doses will be sent to South Korea by the UK government. Before the end of the year, South Korea will also return the same “overall volume of doses”, said the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Watch: × The department said, the initiative looks to help South Korea hit its target of administering a second dose to 70% of its population by October end. The first batch of doses will be shipped in just a few weeks. At the UN general assembly on Monday, UK PM Boris Johnson held talks with South Korea’s president Moon Jae-in. Also Read: Put UK on Covid 'high alert' as over 100,000 kids go absent from school, warn headteachers A UK government source said, “The arrangement will mutually support the rollout of the lifesaving vaccine in each nation.” Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, “By working closely with our friends in South Korea, this vaccine swap will maximise their rollout speed without having an impact on the UK’s vaccine programme.” Also Read: Humanity has to 'grow up', tackle climate change, UK PM wants to tell leaders at UNGA 2021 As per the health secretary, there would be no impact of this deal on the UK’s Covid vaccine booster programme or on supplies to the COVAX vaccine sharing scheme. (With inputs from agencies)

In a vaccine swap deal, UK to send 1 million Pfizer doses to South Korea

In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks to tell world leaders that humanity has to 'grow up' and tackle climate change.

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The UK leader wants to say that humans need to stop trashing the planet like a teenager on a bender. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In six weeks, Johnson will host a major UN climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland. Johnson is looking to use the UNGA forum to press governments for tougher emissions-cutting targets.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-third-kids-under-two-years-of-age-in-developing-countries-are-nourished-says-unicef-415019" hreflang="en">One third kids under two years of age in developing countries are nourished, says UNICEF</a>

He also wants to help poor countries clean up their economies by providing more money. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the advance extracts of the speech, which has been released by the British government, Johnson looks to say it's now or never if the world is to meet its goal of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/put-uk-on-covid-high-alert-as-over-100000-kids-go-absent-from-school-warn-headteachers-415010" hreflang="en">Put UK on Covid 'high alert' as over 100,000 kids go absent from school, warn headteachers</a>

"I'll be saying to the UN General assembly tonight: This is it, folks. This is the moment when humanity comes to an inflection point, and we either take the steps necessary to avert a catastrophic increase in temperatures over the next hundred years, or we fail,” Johnson said in Washington on Wednesday. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks to tell world leaders that humanity has to 'grow up' and tackle climate change.

In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks to tell world leaders that humanity has to 'grow up' and tackle climate change. Watch: × The UK leader wants to say that humans need to stop trashing the planet like a teenager on a bender. In six weeks, Johnson will host a major UN climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland. Johnson is looking to use the UNGA forum to press governments for tougher emissions-cutting targets. Also Read: One third kids under two years of age in developing countries are nourished, says UNICEF He also wants to help poor countries clean up their economies by providing more money. In the advance extracts of the speech, which has been released by the British government, Johnson looks to say it's now or never if the world is to meet its goal of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Also Read: Put UK on Covid 'high alert' as over 100,000 kids go absent from school, warn headteachers "I'll be saying to the UN General assembly tonight: This is it, folks. This is the moment when humanity comes to an inflection point, and we either take the steps necessary to avert a catastrophic increase in temperatures over the next hundred years, or we fail,” Johnson said in Washington on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

Humanity has to 'grow up', tackle climate change, UK PM wants to tell leaders at UNGA 2021

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order worth Rs 75.23 billion with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 main battle tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army on Thursday.

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In a further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative in defence sector, the order will also be a big step towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, or self-reliant India, which has been envisioned by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-talking-technology-with-leading-american-ceos-from-key-sectors-415274" hreflang="en">PM Narendra Modi 'talking technology' with leading American CEOs from key sectors</a>

The state-of-the-art MBT Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank. Designed to enhance fire power, mobility and survivability, the tank has been infused with 72 new features and more indigenous content from the Mk-1 variant. Besides precise target engagement during day and night, it can also ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, the defence ministry said in a release.

The Arjun Mk-1A has been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) by incorporating numerous upgrades on Arjun MBT, the in-service main battle tank with the Indian Army. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/differently-abled-people-with-restricted-mobility-to-get-covid-vaccine-jabs-at-homes-indian-govt-415275" hreflang="en">Differently-abled, people with restricted mobility to get Covid vaccine jabs at homes: Indian Govt</a>

This production order to HVF, Avadi opens up a large avenue in defence manufacturing for over 200 Indian vendors including MSMEs, with employment opportunities to around 8,000 people. This will be a flagship project showcasing the indigenous capability in cutting edge defence technologies.&nbsp;

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order worth Rs 75.23 billion with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 main battle tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army on Thursday.

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order worth Rs 75.23 billion with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 main battle tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army on Thursday. Watch: × In a further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative in defence sector, the order will also be a big step towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, or self-reliant India, which has been envisioned by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also Read: PM Narendra Modi 'talking technology' with leading American CEOs from key sectors The state-of-the-art MBT Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank. Designed to enhance fire power, mobility and survivability, the tank has been infused with 72 new features and more indigenous content from the Mk-1 variant. Besides precise target engagement during day and night, it can also ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, the defence ministry said in a release. The Arjun Mk-1A has been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) by incorporating numerous upgrades on Arjun MBT, the in-service main battle tank with the Indian Army. Also Read | Differently-abled, people with restricted mobility to get Covid vaccine jabs at homes: Indian Govt This production order to HVF, Avadi opens up a large avenue in defence manufacturing for over 200 Indian vendors including MSMEs, with employment opportunities to around 8,000 people. This will be a flagship project showcasing the indigenous capability in cutting edge defence technologies.

In boost to self reliance, India’s defence ministry orders 118 main battle tanks Arjun Mk-1A for army

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