Air travel in the US hit its highest mark since COVID-19 took hold more than 13 months ago, while European Union officials are proposing to ease restrictions on visitors to the continent as the vaccine sends new cases and deaths tumbling in more affluent countries.&nbsp;

The improving picture in many places contrasts with the worsening disaster in India.&nbsp;

In the US, the average number of new cases per day fell below 50,000 for the first time since October. &nbsp;

And nearly 1.67 million people were screened at US Airport checkpoints on Sunday, according to the Transportation Security Administration, the highest number since mid-March of last year.&nbsp;

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation giving him sweeping powers to invalidate local emergency measures put in place during the outbreak. &nbsp;

While the law doesn't go into effect until July, the Republican governor said he will issue an executive order to more quickly get rid of local mask mandates.&nbsp;

"I think this creates a structure that's going to be a little bit more respectful, I think, of people's businesses, jobs, schools and personal freedom," he said.&nbsp;

Las Vegas is bustling again after casino capacity limits were raised Saturday to 80% and person-to-person distancing was dropped to 3 feet (0.9 meters). &nbsp;

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that New York City's subways will begin running all night again and capacity restrictions on most businesses will end statewide in mid-May. &nbsp;

And Los Angeles County reported no coronavirus deaths on Sunday and Monday, some of which may be attributable to a lag in reporting but was nevertheless a hopeful sign that could move the county to allow an increase in capacity at events and venues, and indoor-service at bars.&nbsp;

EU officials also announced a proposal on Monday to relax restrictions on travel to the 27-nation bloc this summer, though the final decision is up to its member countries.&nbsp;

"Time to revive EU tourism industry and for cross-border friendships to rekindle safely," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. “We propose to welcome again vaccinated visitors and those from countries with a good health situation."&nbsp;

Air travel in the US hit its highest mark since COVID-19 took hold more than 13 months ago, while European Union officials are proposing to ease restrictions on visitors to the continent as the vaccine sends new cases and deaths tumbling in more affluent countries.

Air travel in the US hit its highest mark since COVID-19 took hold more than 13 months ago, while European Union officials are proposing to ease restrictions on visitors to the continent as the vaccine sends new cases and deaths tumbling in more affluent countries. The improving picture in many places contrasts with the worsening disaster in India. In the US, the average number of new cases per day fell below 50,000 for the first time since October. And nearly 1.67 million people were screened at US Airport checkpoints on Sunday, according to the Transportation Security Administration, the highest number since mid-March of last year. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation giving him sweeping powers to invalidate local emergency measures put in place during the outbreak. While the law doesn't go into effect until July, the Republican governor said he will issue an executive order to more quickly get rid of local mask mandates. "I think this creates a structure that's going to be a little bit more respectful, I think, of people's businesses, jobs, schools and personal freedom," he said. Las Vegas is bustling again after casino capacity limits were raised Saturday to 80% and person-to-person distancing was dropped to 3 feet (0.9 meters). New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that New York City's subways will begin running all night again and capacity restrictions on most businesses will end statewide in mid-May. And Los Angeles County reported no coronavirus deaths on Sunday and Monday, some of which may be attributable to a lag in reporting but was nevertheless a hopeful sign that could move the county to allow an increase in capacity at events and venues, and indoor-service at bars. EU officials also announced a proposal on Monday to relax restrictions on travel to the 27-nation bloc this summer, though the final decision is up to its member countries. "Time to revive EU tourism industry and for cross-border friendships to rekindle safely," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. “We propose to welcome again vaccinated visitors and those from countries with a good health situation."

COVID-19: Restrictions easing in US, Europe amid disaster in India 

A video featuring a young Latina woman to promote diversity at the US spy agency has conservatives fuming that it has gone overboard with 'wokeness', a broad term for acute awareness of contemporary issues of race and gender, sometimes used with derision.&nbsp;

The backlash occurred after the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) posted the slick promotional video on its YouTube channel as part of a series called 'Humans of CIA’.&nbsp;

In it, the CIA employee proudly declares her success, using language that is familiar with younger Americans and intellectuals, but is derided as focusing too much on political correctness by many conservatives.&nbsp;

&nbsp;"I am a woman of colour. I am a mom. I am a cisgender millennial who has been diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder," she says as she walks through the halls of the CIA.&nbsp;

"I am intersectional, but my existence is not a box-checking exercise... I did not sneak into CIA. I earned my way in and I earned my way up the ranks," she says.&nbsp;

"I used to struggle with impostor syndrome. But at 36, I refuse to internalise misguided patriarchal ideas of what a woman can or should be."&nbsp;

Conservatives blasted the spy agency. "China &amp; Russia are laughing their asses off watching CIA go full woke," tweeted Donald Trump Jr, the son of the former president.&nbsp;

"Wokeness is the kind of twisted PSYOP a spy agency would invent to destroy a country from the inside out," he added.&nbsp;

(With input from agencies)&nbsp;

A video featuring a young Latina woman to promote diversity at the US spy agency has conservatives fuming that it has gone overboard with 'wokeness', a broad term for acute awareness of contemporary issues of race and gender, sometimes used with derision.

A video featuring a young Latina woman to promote diversity at the US spy agency has conservatives fuming that it has gone overboard with 'wokeness', a broad term for acute awareness of contemporary issues of race and gender, sometimes used with derision. The backlash occurred after the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) posted the slick promotional video on its YouTube channel as part of a series called 'Humans of CIA’. In it, the CIA employee proudly declares her success, using language that is familiar with younger Americans and intellectuals, but is derided as focusing too much on political correctness by many conservatives. "I am a woman of colour. I am a mom. I am a cisgender millennial who has been diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder," she says as she walks through the halls of the CIA. "I am intersectional, but my existence is not a box-checking exercise... I did not sneak into CIA. I earned my way in and I earned my way up the ranks," she says. "I used to struggle with impostor syndrome. But at 36, I refuse to internalise misguided patriarchal ideas of what a woman can or should be." Conservatives blasted the spy agency. "China & Russia are laughing their asses off watching CIA go full woke," tweeted Donald Trump Jr, the son of the former president. "Wokeness is the kind of twisted PSYOP a spy agency would invent to destroy a country from the inside out," he added. (With input from agencies)

US conservatives infuriated over 'woke' CIA recruitment video  

The Pentagon on Monday said 'small harassing attacks' in Afghanistan over the weekend had not had a significant impact on the United States' military withdrawal from the country. &nbsp;

"What we've seen are some small harassing attacks over the course of the weekend that have not had any significant impact, certainly not on our people or our resources there and bases," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters.&nbsp;

The commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan said on Saturday it would be a mistake for insurgents to attack foreign troops still present after the passing of a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed last year with Taliban militants.&nbsp;

US Army General Scott Miller's comments followed what a US forces spokesman described as 'ineffective indirect fire' at an airfield in Kandahar that had caused no injuries or damage. The Taliban did not immediately respond to request for comment on whether it was involved.&nbsp;

Taliban insurgents attacked an army outpost in Afghanistan's southwestern Farah province killing at least seven soldiers, local officials said on Monday.&nbsp;

Violence against Afghans has risen in recent weeks, with more than a hundred Afghan security forces personnel killed.&nbsp;

(With input from agencies) &nbsp;

The Pentagon on Monday said 'small harassing attacks' in Afghanistan over the weekend had not had a significant impact on the United States' military withdrawal from the country.

The Pentagon on Monday said 'small harassing attacks' in Afghanistan over the weekend had not had a significant impact on the United States' military withdrawal from the country. "What we've seen are some small harassing attacks over the course of the weekend that have not had any significant impact, certainly not on our people or our resources there and bases," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters. The commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan said on Saturday it would be a mistake for insurgents to attack foreign troops still present after the passing of a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed last year with Taliban militants. US Army General Scott Miller's comments followed what a US forces spokesman described as 'ineffective indirect fire' at an airfield in Kandahar that had caused no injuries or damage. The Taliban did not immediately respond to request for comment on whether it was involved. Taliban insurgents attacked an army outpost in Afghanistan's southwestern Farah province killing at least seven soldiers, local officials said on Monday. Violence against Afghans has risen in recent weeks, with more than a hundred Afghan security forces personnel killed. (With input from agencies)

'Small' Afghanistan attacks have no significant impact on troop pullout: US 

According to a research, the temporary rises in air pollution may impair memory and thinking in older men. &nbsp;

The scientists found that the men’s cognitive performance fell following rises in air pollution during the month before testing, even when peak levels remained below safety thresholds for toxic air set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and national regulators.&nbsp;

The findings build on growing evidence that exposure to fine particulate matter in the air, largely from road vehicles and industry, is harmful not only to the heart and lungs, but also to delicate neural tissues in the brain.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, According to another study, one in 15 lost pregnancies in South Asia is due to air pollution. The polluted air starts choking a baby even before birth. It causes miscarriages and foetal deaths.&nbsp;

The study says that nearly 350,000 failed pregnancies in South Asia can be attributed to air pollution and out of this, 67 per cent are in rural areas.&nbsp;

Wuhan virus has caused worldwide deaths, but vaccines are more than a ray of hope. However, another invisible killer is still on the prowl, an old enemy of humankind that is responsible for 1.6 million deaths each year. It has now been established as a key contributor in failed pregnancies.&nbsp;

According to a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, air pollution is leading to numerous stillbirths and miscarriages in South Asia.&nbsp;

It reveals that nearly 350,000 failed pregnancies in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh can be attributed to poor air quality.&nbsp;

Poor quality means the presence of PM2.5 particles, which are produced by farming, industrial activity, wood-burning and transport.&nbsp;

PM2.5 particles are harmful to all human beings but for an unborn baby, they can be lethal.&nbsp;

The survey indicates that over 34,197 women in South Asia have lost one pregnancy each due to bad air. &nbsp;

(With input from agencies)&nbsp;

According to a research, the temporary rises in air pollution may impair memory and thinking in older men. The scientists found that the men’s cognitive performance fell following rises in air pollution during the month before testing, even when peak levels remained below safety thresholds for toxic air set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and national regulators.

According to a research, the temporary rises in air pollution may impair memory and thinking in older men. The scientists found that the men’s cognitive performance fell following rises in air pollution during the month before testing, even when peak levels remained below safety thresholds for toxic air set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and national regulators. The findings build on growing evidence that exposure to fine particulate matter in the air, largely from road vehicles and industry, is harmful not only to the heart and lungs, but also to delicate neural tissues in the brain. Meanwhile, According to another study, one in 15 lost pregnancies in South Asia is due to air pollution. The polluted air starts choking a baby even before birth. It causes miscarriages and foetal deaths. The study says that nearly 350,000 failed pregnancies in South Asia can be attributed to air pollution and out of this, 67 per cent are in rural areas. Wuhan virus has caused worldwide deaths, but vaccines are more than a ray of hope. However, another invisible killer is still on the prowl, an old enemy of humankind that is responsible for 1.6 million deaths each year. It has now been established as a key contributor in failed pregnancies. According to a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, air pollution is leading to numerous stillbirths and miscarriages in South Asia. It reveals that nearly 350,000 failed pregnancies in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh can be attributed to poor air quality. Poor quality means the presence of PM2.5 particles, which are produced by farming, industrial activity, wood-burning and transport. PM2.5 particles are harmful to all human beings but for an unborn baby, they can be lethal. The survey indicates that over 34,197 women in South Asia have lost one pregnancy each due to bad air. (With input from agencies)

Study finds air pollution spikes may impair older men’s thinking 

Colombia's defence minister on Monday blamed illegal armed groups for looting and vandalism during five days of street&nbsp;protests&nbsp;but would not confirm how many demonstrators had died.

The&nbsp;protests, which began last week, demanded the withdrawal of a tax reform proposed by the government of President Ivan Duque, who said on Sunday, the legislation would be retracted.

Demonstrations resumed on Monday in the capital, Bogota, and other cities including Medellin and Cali despite the announcement, with highways also blocked in some areas of the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Colombia's president withdraws tax reform after protests ">Colombia's president withdraws tax reform after protests&nbsp;</a>

"Colombia&nbsp;faces particular threats from criminal organizations that are behind these violent acts," Defence Minister Diego Molano told a news conference, adding those committing violence were not those marching peacefully.

Molano cited intelligence information in his allegation but did not offer further evidence.

Violent groups were financed and organized by leftist guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN) and former FARC rebels who reject a 2016 peace deal, Molano added.

"We are saddened for all those who lost their lives due to criminal actions during these&nbsp;protests," Molano said.

He would not give specific details on the death toll, saying the attorney general's office would investigate.

The national human rights ombudsman has identified 18 civilians and one police officer who were killed during five days of&nbsp;protests, while the procurator's office said on Sunday it was investigating connections between the&nbsp;protests&nbsp;and 14 violent deaths.

A local human rights group has reported more than 20 deaths.

Truck drivers' and taxi drivers' unions, which had threatened to join&nbsp;protests&nbsp;on Monday, backed out of strikes following the withdrawal of the tax reform.

But some streets were closed by vehicles in Bogota and Medellin, while highways were blocked on the capital's outskirts, as well as in the center and southeast of the country.

Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez said 25% of the capital's mass transit system was out of service following vandalism and urged those who attended marches to get tested for COVID-19.

One major union said in a message on Twitter, it would hold another national strike on Wednesday to protest a health reform, among other things.

Colombia's defence minister on Monday blamed illegal armed groups for looting and vandalism during five days of street protests but would not confirm how many demonstrators had died.

Colombia's defence minister on Monday blamed illegal armed groups for looting and vandalism during five days of street protests but would not confirm how many demonstrators had died. The protests, which began last week, demanded the withdrawal of a tax reform proposed by the government of President Ivan Duque, who said on Sunday, the legislation would be retracted. Demonstrations resumed on Monday in the capital, Bogota, and other cities including Medellin and Cali despite the announcement, with highways also blocked in some areas of the country. Also read: Colombia's president withdraws tax reform after protests "Colombia faces particular threats from criminal organizations that are behind these violent acts," Defence Minister Diego Molano told a news conference, adding those committing violence were not those marching peacefully. Molano cited intelligence information in his allegation but did not offer further evidence. Violent groups were financed and organized by leftist guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN) and former FARC rebels who reject a 2016 peace deal, Molano added. "We are saddened for all those who lost their lives due to criminal actions during these protests," Molano said. He would not give specific details on the death toll, saying the attorney general's office would investigate. The national human rights ombudsman has identified 18 civilians and one police officer who were killed during five days of protests, while the procurator's office said on Sunday it was investigating connections between the protests and 14 violent deaths. A local human rights group has reported more than 20 deaths. Truck drivers' and taxi drivers' unions, which had threatened to join protests on Monday, backed out of strikes following the withdrawal of the tax reform. But some streets were closed by vehicles in Bogota and Medellin, while highways were blocked on the capital's outskirts, as well as in the center and southeast of the country. Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez said 25% of the capital's mass transit system was out of service following vandalism and urged those who attended marches to get tested for COVID-19. One major union said in a message on Twitter, it would hold another national strike on Wednesday to protest a health reform, among other things.

Colombia blames armed groups for protest violence, death toll still unclear

The&nbsp;French&nbsp;parliament&nbsp;is set to&nbsp;vote&nbsp;through a&nbsp;new&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change&nbsp;law&nbsp;on Tuesday intended by President Emmanuel Macron to reinforce his&nbsp;green&nbsp;credentials one year ahead of national&nbsp;elections.

The draft legislation is almost certain to be approved in a first reading by the lower house of&nbsp;parliament, where Macron has a working majority, but it has been heavily&nbsp;criticised&nbsp;by environmental&nbsp;groups.

Campaigners see it as too timid given the pace of&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change globally and accuse the&nbsp;French&nbsp;leader of half-hearted commitment to a cause he has admitted to embracing belatedly.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="As Macron opens attack on Islamic State, France faces a potential military rebellion">As Macron opens attack on Islamic State, France faces a potential military rebellion</a>

France's environment minister, Barbara Pompili, has defended the text, saying it "will affect the daily life of all of our citizens" and is "one of the biggest&nbsp;laws&nbsp;of the (president's) term".

Measures include bans on domestic flights under two and half hours that can be done by train, restrictions on renting badly insulated properties, or the creation of a&nbsp;new&nbsp;"ecocide" crime to punish polluters.

The overall aim is to put in place measures that will enable France to meet its target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent compared with 1990 levels by a deadline of 2030.

Lobby&nbsp;groups&nbsp;such as Greenpeace have called it a "lost opportunity of Macron's term", while even the president's own environmental advisory council said it would "have a potentially limited impact".

It is also less ambitious than&nbsp;new&nbsp;targets for 55 per cent cuts agreed at the EU level and falls short of a German plan which was rejected last week by the country's constitutional court as "insufficient".

Climate&nbsp;change and protection of the environment are likely to be bigger themes in next year's presidential&nbsp;election&nbsp;than the last one in 2017, which Macron won while barely campaigning on the issue.

The main&nbsp;Green&nbsp;party in France made major gains in cities such as Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Lyon in local&nbsp;elections&nbsp;last year, mirroring a Europe-wide trend in favour of environmental&nbsp;groups.

In Germany, the&nbsp;Green&nbsp;party has overtaken Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in recent polls.

The&nbsp;climate&nbsp;law&nbsp;has also been a test of what Macron billed as a more inclusive form of government that has seen members of the public invited to help draft the legislation.

After anti-government riots by so-called "yellow vest" protesters in 2018, he pledged to change his leadership style which was seen by critics as too centralised and removed from the wider public.

A hundred and fifty people were chosen at random to form a "Citizen's Convention on&nbsp;Climate" which was tasked with recommending measures that would enable the country to meet its emissions targets.

But after seeing the legislation submitted to&nbsp;parliament, many members felt let down and accused Macron of reneging on a commitment to adopt their ideas.

Cyril Dion, a leading figure from the convention, attended a protest rally calling for bolder action in March and said the&nbsp;law&nbsp;"absolutely does not enable France to meet its objectives."

The government counters that is trying to find a balance between reducing emissions while protecting workers and industry at a time when the economy has been battered by the Covid pandemic.

"With the&nbsp;law, we are walking a fine line, making big changes while keeping it economically and socially acceptable," Pompili told the Financial Times last week.

Macron was stung by the "yellow vest" protests which were initially sparked by environmental policies such as raising taxes on diesel as well as old, polluting cars.

His predecessor Francois Hollande was forced into a U-turn by truck drivers, known as the "red hats", who protested against his efforts to impose an environmental tax on heavy-goods vehicles.

Even if passed by the lower house and the Senate, the&nbsp;new&nbsp;law&nbsp;will almost certainly need to be updated in order for France to keep up with evolving European Union targets for emissions reductions.

The European&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;and EU member states agreed a target in late April of cuts of at least 55 per cent by 2030 from 1990 levels -- compared to the 40 per cent target set in the&nbsp;French&nbsp;law.

The French parliament is set to vote through a new climate change law on Tuesday intended by President Emmanuel Macron to reinforce his green credentials one year ahead of national elections.

The French parliament is set to vote through a new climate change law on Tuesday intended by President Emmanuel Macron to reinforce his green credentials one year ahead of national elections. The draft legislation is almost certain to be approved in a first reading by the lower house of parliament, where Macron has a working majority, but it has been heavily criticised by environmental groups. Campaigners see it as too timid given the pace of climate change globally and accuse the French leader of half-hearted commitment to a cause he has admitted to embracing belatedly. Also read: As Macron opens attack on Islamic State, France faces a potential military rebellion France's environment minister, Barbara Pompili, has defended the text, saying it "will affect the daily life of all of our citizens" and is "one of the biggest laws of the (president's) term". Measures include bans on domestic flights under two and half hours that can be done by train, restrictions on renting badly insulated properties, or the creation of a new "ecocide" crime to punish polluters. The overall aim is to put in place measures that will enable France to meet its target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent compared with 1990 levels by a deadline of 2030. Lobby groups such as Greenpeace have called it a "lost opportunity of Macron's term", while even the president's own environmental advisory council said it would "have a potentially limited impact". It is also less ambitious than new targets for 55 per cent cuts agreed at the EU level and falls short of a German plan which was rejected last week by the country's constitutional court as "insufficient". Climate change and protection of the environment are likely to be bigger themes in next year's presidential election than the last one in 2017, which Macron won while barely campaigning on the issue. The main Green party in France made major gains in cities such as Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Lyon in local elections last year, mirroring a Europe-wide trend in favour of environmental groups. In Germany, the Green party has overtaken Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in recent polls. The climate law has also been a test of what Macron billed as a more inclusive form of government that has seen members of the public invited to help draft the legislation. After anti-government riots by so-called "yellow vest" protesters in 2018, he pledged to change his leadership style which was seen by critics as too centralised and removed from the wider public. A hundred and fifty people were chosen at random to form a "Citizen's Convention on Climate" which was tasked with recommending measures that would enable the country to meet its emissions targets. But after seeing the legislation submitted to parliament, many members felt let down and accused Macron of reneging on a commitment to adopt their ideas. Cyril Dion, a leading figure from the convention, attended a protest rally calling for bolder action in March and said the law "absolutely does not enable France to meet its objectives." The government counters that is trying to find a balance between reducing emissions while protecting workers and industry at a time when the economy has been battered by the Covid pandemic. "With the law, we are walking a fine line, making big changes while keeping it economically and socially acceptable," Pompili told the Financial Times last week. Macron was stung by the "yellow vest" protests which were initially sparked by environmental policies such as raising taxes on diesel as well as old, polluting cars. His predecessor Francois Hollande was forced into a U-turn by truck drivers, known as the "red hats", who protested against his efforts to impose an environmental tax on heavy-goods vehicles. Even if passed by the lower house and the Senate, the new law will almost certainly need to be updated in order for France to keep up with evolving European Union targets for emissions reductions. The European Parliament and EU member states agreed a target in late April of cuts of at least 55 per cent by 2030 from 1990 levels -- compared to the 40 per cent target set in the French law.

French parliament to vote new climate law criticised by green groups

India's total tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the&nbsp;20-million&nbsp;mark with over 50,00,000&nbsp;infections being added&nbsp;in just 15 days.&nbsp;

The total tally of coronavirus cases in the country mounted to 2,02,82,833 with 3,57,229 new infections being reported in a day, while the death toll increased to 2,22,408 with&nbsp;3,449&nbsp;new fatalities,&nbsp;according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to&nbsp;34,47,133 comprising 17 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 81.91 per cent,&nbsp;the&nbsp;data updated at 8 am showed.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,66,13,292,&nbsp;while the case fatality&nbsp;rate&nbsp;was&nbsp;recorded at 1.10 per cent, the data stated.&nbsp;

According to the ICMR, 29,33,10,779 samples have been tested up to&nbsp;May 3&nbsp;with&nbsp;16,63,742&nbsp;samples being tested on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 3,449 new fatalities include 567 from Maharashtra, 448 from Delhi, 285&nbsp;from Uttar Pradesh, 266&nbsp;from&nbsp;Chhattisgarh,&nbsp;239&nbsp;&nbsp;from Karnataka, 155 from Punjab, 154&nbsp;from Rajasthan, 140 each from Gujarat and Haryana, 129 from Jharkhand, 128 from Uttarakhand and 122 from Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;

A total of 2,22,408 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 70,851 from Maharashtra, 17,414 from Delhi, 16,250 from Karnataka, 14,468 from Tamil Nadu, 13,447 from Uttar Pradesh, 11,637 from West Bengal, 9,472 from Punjab and 9,275 from Chhattisgarh.&nbsp;

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.&nbsp;

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.&nbsp;

(With input from agencies)&nbsp;&nbsp;

India's total tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the 20-million mark with over 50,00,000 infections being added in just 15 days. The total tally of coronavirus cases in the country mounted to 2,02,82,833 with 3,57,229 new infections being reported in a day, while the death toll increased to 2,22,408 with 3,449 new fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

India's total tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the 20-million mark with over 50,00,000 infections being added in just 15 days. The total tally of coronavirus cases in the country mounted to 2,02,82,833 with 3,57,229 new infections being reported in a day, while the death toll increased to 2,22,408 with 3,449 new fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 34,47,133 comprising 17 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 81.91 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,66,13,292, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.10 per cent, the data stated. According to the ICMR, 29,33,10,779 samples have been tested up to May 3 with 16,63,742 samples being tested on Monday. The 3,449 new fatalities include 567 from Maharashtra, 448 from Delhi, 285 from Uttar Pradesh, 266 from Chhattisgarh, 239 from Karnataka, 155 from Punjab, 154 from Rajasthan, 140 each from Gujarat and Haryana, 129 from Jharkhand, 128 from Uttarakhand and 122 from Tamil Nadu. A total of 2,22,408 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 70,851 from Maharashtra, 17,414 from Delhi, 16,250 from Karnataka, 14,468 from Tamil Nadu, 13,447 from Uttar Pradesh, 11,637 from West Bengal, 9,472 from Punjab and 9,275 from Chhattisgarh. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation. (With input from agencies)

India's COVID-19 cases cross 20 million 

The United States is expected to authorise the&nbsp;Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for children age 12 and up by early next week, US media reported on Monday.

Pfizer&nbsp;has applied for emergency use authorisation for its Covid vaccine for children and teenagers between ages 12 and 15, according to CNN, citing a government official.

"The FDA will have to amend the emergency use authorization for the vaccine, but the process should be straightforward," CNN reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Pfizer donates 'largest humanitarian relief' worth $70 million to India">Pfizer donates 'largest humanitarian relief' worth $70 million to India</a>

The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to grant that approval by early next week. After the FDA decision, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee will meet to recommend how the vaccine should be used.

A spokeswoman for the FDA declined to give details on the approval timeline, telling The Washington Post: "We are working to review this request as quickly and transparently as possible."

The&nbsp;Pfizer&nbsp;vaccine is currently authorised for people 16 and older in the United States.

The US pharmaceutical giant said in late March it had submitted data from a clinical trial of 2,260 12- to 15-year-olds that showed the vaccine was highly effective and well-tolerated.

Further testing on younger children is ongoing.

Moderna is conducting trials of its vaccine in teens, with results expected in the summer, as well as in younger children.

Johnson &amp; Johnson is also planning pediatric trials for its vaccine.

Expanding vaccine authorization to include adolescents could open up the US mass vaccination program to millions more people.

The national vaccination rate peaked around April 11, according to official data, and although 55 percent of US adults now have had one or more doses, there's still a long way to go to achieve population immunity against Covid.

The people most eager to get their shots have, for the most part, already rolled up their sleeves and done so.

But vaccine hesitancy remains a major obstacle: a large percentage of US adults don't plan to get the shot and could potentially refuse to get their children vaccinated.

Among Republican voters, 29 per cent say they will never take the vaccine, compared to five per cent of Democrats and nine per cent of independents, according to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.&nbsp;

The United States is expected to authorise the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for children age 12 and up by early next week, US media reported on Monday. Pfizer has applied for emergency use authorisation for its Covid vaccine for children and teenagers between ages 12 and 15, according to CNN, citing a government official.

The United States is expected to authorise the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for children age 12 and up by early next week, US media reported on Monday. Pfizer has applied for emergency use authorisation for its Covid vaccine for children and teenagers between ages 12 and 15, according to CNN, citing a government official. "The FDA will have to amend the emergency use authorization for the vaccine, but the process should be straightforward," CNN reported. Also read: Pfizer donates 'largest humanitarian relief' worth $70 million to India The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to grant that approval by early next week. After the FDA decision, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee will meet to recommend how the vaccine should be used. A spokeswoman for the FDA declined to give details on the approval timeline, telling The Washington Post: "We are working to review this request as quickly and transparently as possible." The Pfizer vaccine is currently authorised for people 16 and older in the United States. The US pharmaceutical giant said in late March it had submitted data from a clinical trial of 2,260 12- to 15-year-olds that showed the vaccine was highly effective and well-tolerated. Further testing on younger children is ongoing. Moderna is conducting trials of its vaccine in teens, with results expected in the summer, as well as in younger children. Johnson & Johnson is also planning pediatric trials for its vaccine. Expanding vaccine authorization to include adolescents could open up the US mass vaccination program to millions more people. The national vaccination rate peaked around April 11, according to official data, and although 55 percent of US adults now have had one or more doses, there's still a long way to go to achieve population immunity against Covid. The people most eager to get their shots have, for the most part, already rolled up their sleeves and done so. But vaccine hesitancy remains a major obstacle: a large percentage of US adults don't plan to get the shot and could potentially refuse to get their children vaccinated. Among Republican voters, 29 per cent say they will never take the vaccine, compared to five per cent of Democrats and nine per cent of independents, according to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

US to authorise Pfizer vaccine for age 12 and up: Report

US biotech firm&nbsp;Novavax&nbsp;said on Monday it had started clinical trials of its proposed Covid vaccine on children, in a programme that will involve up to 3,000 adolescents aged 12-17.

Far fewer children have been sick with Covid&nbsp;compared to adults, and most have mild to no symptoms, but they can be infected and spread the virus.

Novavax&nbsp;said the trials would test "the efficacy (and) safety" of the vaccine, with participants receiving either the vaccine candidate or placebo in two doses, 21 days apart.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Pfizer donates 'largest humanitarian relief' worth $70 million to India">Pfizer donates 'largest humanitarian relief' worth $70 million to India</a>

Participants will be monitored for up to two years after their injections.

The&nbsp;Novavax&nbsp;vaccine has not yet been authorised in any country, including for adults, but the company plans to file for emergency authorisation in Britain "in the second quarter of 2021", followed by in the United States.

Novavax&nbsp;announced at the end of January that clinical trials conducted in Britain involving 15,000 adults showed 89.3 per cent efficacy.

The&nbsp;Novavax&nbsp;vaccine, which uses different technology from the doses already widely licensed around the world, is a protein-based vaccine engineered from the genetic sequence of the first strain of the coronavirus.

It can be stored at a temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35 - 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Other vaccine companies including Moderna, Johnson &amp; Johnson and Pfizer are also conducting trials in adolescents.

Europe's medicines watchdog said Monday it had begun evaluating the use of Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, after a similar request in the United States.

Vaccine authorisation for children is seen as a crucial step towards achieving herd immunity.

US biotech firm Novavax said on Monday it had started clinical trials of its proposed Covid vaccine on children, in a programme that will involve up to 3,000 adolescents aged 12-17.

US biotech firm Novavax said on Monday it had started clinical trials of its proposed Covid vaccine on children, in a programme that will involve up to 3,000 adolescents aged 12-17. Far fewer children have been sick with Covid compared to adults, and most have mild to no symptoms, but they can be infected and spread the virus. Novavax said the trials would test "the efficacy (and) safety" of the vaccine, with participants receiving either the vaccine candidate or placebo in two doses, 21 days apart. Also read: Pfizer donates 'largest humanitarian relief' worth $70 million to India Participants will be monitored for up to two years after their injections. The Novavax vaccine has not yet been authorised in any country, including for adults, but the company plans to file for emergency authorisation in Britain "in the second quarter of 2021", followed by in the United States. Novavax announced at the end of January that clinical trials conducted in Britain involving 15,000 adults showed 89.3 per cent efficacy. The Novavax vaccine, which uses different technology from the doses already widely licensed around the world, is a protein-based vaccine engineered from the genetic sequence of the first strain of the coronavirus. It can be stored at a temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35 - 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Other vaccine companies including Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer are also conducting trials in adolescents. Europe's medicines watchdog said Monday it had begun evaluating the use of Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, after a similar request in the United States. Vaccine authorisation for children is seen as a crucial step towards achieving herd immunity.

Novavax starts Covid vaccine trials on children

Venezuela this month will begin clinical trials of the Cuban coronavirus vaccine candidate&nbsp;Abdala, and plans to produce enough doses locally to vaccinate 4 million people, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on Monday.

Cuba in March approved late-stage trials of&nbsp;Abdala, named after a poem by the 19th-century Cuban independence hero Jose Marti.

The trials of the protein subunit-based vaccine, which is designed to be administered in three shots at 14-day intervals, are to be completed in July and the first results published in August, according Cuban to state media.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="WHO gives emergency use authorisation to Moderna's COVID-19 jab">WHO gives emergency use authorisation to Moderna's COVID-19 jab</a>

"We will be starting a clinical study with this vaccine, but simultaneously, adapting our national vaccine laboratory to produce, if all goes well as we hope, more than four million doses of&nbsp;Abdala&nbsp;vaccines for four million people," Alvarado told Venezuelan state television.

Alvarado spoke at Venezuela's main airport, where he announced that the country had received another 50,000 Russian Sputnik V vaccines.

Venezuela has now received a total of 1.48 million doses coronavirus vaccine doses, he said.

The government of President Nicolas Maduro expects to begin receiving vaccines from the global COVAX vaccine programme by July, he added, without saying which vaccines would be arriving.

Venezuela in March said it would not allow the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine following reports of blood clotting.

COVAX said in February that it had set aside up to 2.4 million AstraZeneca doses for Venezuela.

Venezuela this month will begin clinical trials of the Cuban coronavirus vaccine candidate Abdala, and plans to produce enough doses locally to vaccinate 4 million people, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on Monday.

Venezuela this month will begin clinical trials of the Cuban coronavirus vaccine candidate Abdala, and plans to produce enough doses locally to vaccinate 4 million people, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on Monday. Cuba in March approved late-stage trials of Abdala, named after a poem by the 19th-century Cuban independence hero Jose Marti. The trials of the protein subunit-based vaccine, which is designed to be administered in three shots at 14-day intervals, are to be completed in July and the first results published in August, according Cuban to state media. Also read: WHO gives emergency use authorisation to Moderna's COVID-19 jab "We will be starting a clinical study with this vaccine, but simultaneously, adapting our national vaccine laboratory to produce, if all goes well as we hope, more than four million doses of Abdala vaccines for four million people," Alvarado told Venezuelan state television. Alvarado spoke at Venezuela's main airport, where he announced that the country had received another 50,000 Russian Sputnik V vaccines. Venezuela has now received a total of 1.48 million doses coronavirus vaccine doses, he said. The government of President Nicolas Maduro expects to begin receiving vaccines from the global COVAX vaccine programme by July, he added, without saying which vaccines would be arriving. Venezuela in March said it would not allow the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine following reports of blood clotting. COVAX said in February that it had set aside up to 2.4 million AstraZeneca doses for Venezuela.

Venezuela to begin clinical trials of Cuba's Abdala vaccine candidate

Catholic church in Barcelona opens door to Ramzan dinners

An overcrowded smuggling boat capsized on Sunday off the California coast after crashing into the shoreline, killing three people and leaving 27 people hospitalised with a range of injuries, authorities said.&nbsp;

The accident happened on Sunday morning&nbsp;off&nbsp;San Diego, with all aboard the 40-foot (12 meters) vessel jumping into the choppy water as it slowly disintegrated, witness video showed.

"It was a smuggling vessel," Jeffery Stephenson of the Customs and Border Protection Public Affairs Office told reporters. "Border Patrol agents are with a man we believe was the operator."

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="Migrant boat with 130 aboard capsizes off Libya: NGO">Migrant boat with 130 aboard capsizes off Libya: NGO</a>

"Smugglers don't care about the people they're exploiting," he said.

"All they care about is profit. They had inadequate safety equipment and obviously this vessel was severely overcrowded."

Those aboard were likely migrants trying to illegally enter the United States, Stephenson said.

The 27 survivors were taken to hospitals with "varying degrees of injuries," said Jose Ysea, a spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Emergency responders conducted seven water rescues and one cliff rescue, San Diego Lifeguard Chief James Gartland said.

"This was a mass rescue operation that turned into a mass casualty event," he said.

The accident took place as the United States grapples with huge waves of undocumented migrants arriving at its southern border.&nbsp;

Officials and migrants say the influx was sparked by increased poverty and violence in Central America, as well as President Joe Biden's promise of a more humane policy toward immigrants.

US Customs and Border Protection said on Friday it was stepping up patrols&nbsp;off&nbsp;the San Diego&nbsp;coast&nbsp;over the weekend to disrupt migrant smuggling runs.

"We've seen a dramatic increase in the number of maritime smuggling attempts recently," Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke of the US Border Patrol's San Diego sector was quoted as saying in a statement.

"All of these illegal crossings at sea are inherently dangerous, and we have seen too many turn from risky to tragic as smugglers sacrifice the safety of those on board for the sake of profits."

An overcrowded smuggling boat capsized on Sunday off the California coast after crashing into the shoreline, killing three people and leaving 27 people hospitalised with a range of injuries, authorities said.

An overcrowded smuggling boat capsized on Sunday off the California coast after crashing into the shoreline, killing three people and leaving 27 people hospitalised with a range of injuries, authorities said. The accident happened on Sunday morning off San Diego, with all aboard the 40-foot (12 meters) vessel jumping into the choppy water as it slowly disintegrated, witness video showed. "It was a smuggling vessel," Jeffery Stephenson of the Customs and Border Protection Public Affairs Office told reporters. "Border Patrol agents are with a man we believe was the operator." Also read- Migrant boat with 130 aboard capsizes off Libya: NGO "Smugglers don't care about the people they're exploiting," he said. "All they care about is profit. They had inadequate safety equipment and obviously this vessel was severely overcrowded." Those aboard were likely migrants trying to illegally enter the United States, Stephenson said. The 27 survivors were taken to hospitals with "varying degrees of injuries," said Jose Ysea, a spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Emergency responders conducted seven water rescues and one cliff rescue, San Diego Lifeguard Chief James Gartland said. "This was a mass rescue operation that turned into a mass casualty event," he said. The accident took place as the United States grapples with huge waves of undocumented migrants arriving at its southern border. Officials and migrants say the influx was sparked by increased poverty and violence in Central America, as well as President Joe Biden's promise of a more humane policy toward immigrants. US Customs and Border Protection said on Friday it was stepping up patrols off the San Diego coast over the weekend to disrupt migrant smuggling runs. "We've seen a dramatic increase in the number of maritime smuggling attempts recently," Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke of the US Border Patrol's San Diego sector was quoted as saying in a statement. "All of these illegal crossings at sea are inherently dangerous, and we have seen too many turn from risky to tragic as smugglers sacrifice the safety of those on board for the sake of profits."

3 dead after smuggling boat capsizes off California

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