Delhi has approved Russia's Sputnik V vaccine for emergency use. It is the third jab in India's arsenal after Covishield and Covaxin but could this have been done earlier?&nbsp;

Sputnik has been approved in 59 countries. Millions of shots have already been administered. What does this say about India's vaccination drive?&nbsp;

A third vaccine to tackle a second wave, India is all set to roll out Russia's Sputnik V. A committee of experts has approved the jab for emergency use. A green light from the national regulator is just a formality now. India has approved two other shots, Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute and Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech. The timing of Sputnik's approval is crucial. India is entering the business end of its vaccination drive. Next on the eligibility list is the country's youth. &nbsp;

A mammoth demographic of close to 700 million people. So, a third vaccine will give India an edge but how is Sputnik-V different from Covishield and Covaxin?&nbsp;

Sputnik-V has a reported efficacy of 91.6 per cent. Covishield's latest efficacy number is 79% and for Covaxin it's 81% but experts say don't get carried away by efficacy numbers. &nbsp;

Remember, all vaccines are intended to prevent hospitalisation and death not the disease itself. What about the cost? &nbsp;

Sputnik is priced at less than 10 dollars. It can be stored in conventional refrigerators and much like Covishield and Covaxin, it is administered in two doses. Ideally, they should be 21 days apart.&nbsp;

The Russian developers have signed multiple deals to produce in India. 200 million doses with Virchow Biotech and Stelis Biopharma. 100 million more from Panacea Biotec. Combined, India has the capacity to produce 850 million Sputnik doses per year. &nbsp;

For Indian regulators, it is expected to be a busy couple of months. Four more vaccine candidates are waiting in line, Johnson and Johnson, Novavax, Zydus Cadila's vaccine and Bharat Biotech's intranasal vaccine. Reports say they could all get approval by October 2021.&nbsp;

What's driving this slew of approvals? Fear of shortages. The world's pharmacy is running out of jabs. India is producing around 70 million doses per month but India's daily vaccination rate is 3.5 million. That's more than 105 million shots a month. The equation is simple. India needs 100 million doses but it is producing only 70 million.&nbsp;

India has three options here. One, to spend public money to boost private production. The Serum Institute wants 3,000 crore rupees to expand capacity. The government could oblige. &nbsp;

Number two, approve more vaccines like Sputnik-V. And number three, rope in more vaccine manufacturing centres. We're talking about private labs and factories dedicated to other vaccines.&nbsp;

This call must be taken by the producers. There is a fourth more drastic option to ban vaccine exports, the global north has already done this. There is domestic pressure to freeze exports but India is keen to fulfil its global commitments. India's policy was flawed to begin with. Two vaccines for 1.2 billion people were never going to work. The vaccine gifts and exports were added pressure. New Delhi got humanitarianism and politics right, the arithmetic not so much.&nbsp;

Delhi has approved Russia's Sputnik V vaccine for emergency use. It is the third jab in India's arsenal after Covishield and Covaxin but could this have been done earlier?

Delhi has approved Russia's Sputnik V vaccine for emergency use. It is the third jab in India's arsenal after Covishield and Covaxin but could this have been done earlier? Sputnik has been approved in 59 countries. Millions of shots have already been administered. What does this say about India's vaccination drive? A third vaccine to tackle a second wave, India is all set to roll out Russia's Sputnik V. A committee of experts has approved the jab for emergency use. A green light from the national regulator is just a formality now. India has approved two other shots, Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute and Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech. The timing of Sputnik's approval is crucial. India is entering the business end of its vaccination drive. Next on the eligibility list is the country's youth. A mammoth demographic of close to 700 million people. So, a third vaccine will give India an edge but how is Sputnik-V different from Covishield and Covaxin? Sputnik-V has a reported efficacy of 91.6 per cent. Covishield's latest efficacy number is 79% and for Covaxin it's 81% but experts say don't get carried away by efficacy numbers. Remember, all vaccines are intended to prevent hospitalisation and death not the disease itself. What about the cost? Sputnik is priced at less than 10 dollars. It can be stored in conventional refrigerators and much like Covishield and Covaxin, it is administered in two doses. Ideally, they should be 21 days apart. The Russian developers have signed multiple deals to produce in India. 200 million doses with Virchow Biotech and Stelis Biopharma. 100 million more from Panacea Biotec. Combined, India has the capacity to produce 850 million Sputnik doses per year. For Indian regulators, it is expected to be a busy couple of months. Four more vaccine candidates are waiting in line, Johnson and Johnson, Novavax, Zydus Cadila's vaccine and Bharat Biotech's intranasal vaccine. Reports say they could all get approval by October 2021. What's driving this slew of approvals? Fear of shortages. The world's pharmacy is running out of jabs. India is producing around 70 million doses per month but India's daily vaccination rate is 3.5 million. That's more than 105 million shots a month. The equation is simple. India needs 100 million doses but it is producing only 70 million. India has three options here. One, to spend public money to boost private production. The Serum Institute wants 3,000 crore rupees to expand capacity. The government could oblige. Number two, approve more vaccines like Sputnik-V. And number three, rope in more vaccine manufacturing centres. We're talking about private labs and factories dedicated to other vaccines. This call must be taken by the producers. There is a fourth more drastic option to ban vaccine exports, the global north has already done this. There is domestic pressure to freeze exports but India is keen to fulfil its global commitments. India's policy was flawed to begin with. Two vaccines for 1.2 billion people were never going to work. The vaccine gifts and exports were added pressure. New Delhi got humanitarianism and politics right, the arithmetic not so much.

India looks to tackle second wave successfully as Sputnik V jab gets nod

How will we remember the coronavirus pandemic? Surely, as a source of great hardships but in the larger scheme of things, the virus was a pivot. It didn't just change our lives. It turned it upside down.

We realised that home can be work and work can be home. Same for schools. Our mobile phones became the rudders of our life, our source of entertainment and our source of livelihood. &nbsp;

The pandemic taught us that meet and greet is over-rated. Is isolation any better? Not really, but the pandemic made us more flexible. More open to changes. They say the post-pandemic world will be different.&nbsp;

For us, yes. Things will be a lot different but what about the power brokers of our world?&nbsp;The politicians, the spiritual gurus, the athletes, etc. Will things truly change for them?&nbsp;

In most countries, politicians were first in line for the vaccines. The virus tested leaders and their credentials. What would their message be? How quickly would they act?&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Some leaders simply did not have the answers and they were promptly voted out. There's one underway in Peru and this is the scene at polling booths. Massive crowds turned up because voting is mandatory there. Every citizen must vote. Co-morbidities and life-threatening conditions are not entertained as excuses. What a great sense of civic duty? Contrast that with Peru's pandemic response: 55,000 reported deaths and a health system in complete collapse. &nbsp;

Eighteen presidential hopefuls were in the fray and six of them ended up getting the virus. Maybe, these public rallies had something to do with that. Lockdowns for people, but rallies for politicians. &nbsp;

And it's not just Peru, it is election season in India as well. Every single political party has staged public rallies. Thousands of people attended these, right in the middle of a second wave. Elections are important, nobody is denying that but campaigning must be responsibly done. &nbsp;Right now, everybody seems happy working from home, except the politicians. &nbsp;

Keep the mask on, say the courts, even if you're alone in a car, because your car is a public space. No such rules for election campaigns, clearly.&nbsp;

Our second talking point is religion. It's given solace to millions in these tough times but it has also given us difficult scenes.

In Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, nearly a million devotees are there.&nbsp;All of them are heading to the banks of the Ganga. Taking a dip in the river during this time is considered auspicious but there are concerns. &nbsp;

And looking at these pictures, it is clear what those concerns are: no masks, no social distancing and one common body of water. It is a guaranteed super-spreader. Right now, India is hosting the biggest T20 league in the world, the Indian Premier League. It is being played behind closed doors. Only a handful of stadiums are hosting matches and even with such strict measures, a few players have got the virus. What if this cluster expands?&nbsp;

Remember, it's not just the players inside bio-bubbles, there is a huge support team, such as umpires, ground staff, broadcasters, etc. Just last week, 14 members of the broadcast team tested positive. So, here's the question? Is the IPL essential?&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Depends on how you look at it. For the sponsors and the cricketing board, yes but in the middle of a second wave, the risks are just too high. Not just cricket, club football, basketball, baseball and others have returned. Some with limited audience. There's a reason they call it a bio-bubble. It is not iron clad. One let-up and we could have a full-blown crisis in Indian cricket. So, what's the solution here?&nbsp;

It's simple rule of law. What happened in Norway recently? The prime minister was fined more than 2,000 dollars. Because she hosted a birthday party that violated virus controls. The PM apologised and agreed to pay the fine.&nbsp;

This spirit must be replicated everywhere. Politicians must be held accountable for their massive rallies. Sports administrators must answer for staging these massive leagues. The virus infects without discrimination. So, our response too must be sans blinkers.&nbsp;

How will we remember the coronavirus pandemic? Surely, as a source of great hardships but in the larger scheme of things, the virus was a pivot. It didn't just change our lives.

How will we remember the coronavirus pandemic? Surely, as a source of great hardships but in the larger scheme of things, the virus was a pivot. It didn't just change our lives. It turned it upside down. We realised that home can be work and work can be home. Same for schools. Our mobile phones became the rudders of our life, our source of entertainment and our source of livelihood. The pandemic taught us that meet and greet is over-rated. Is isolation any better? Not really, but the pandemic made us more flexible. More open to changes. They say the post-pandemic world will be different. For us, yes. Things will be a lot different but what about the power brokers of our world? The politicians, the spiritual gurus, the athletes, etc. Will things truly change for them? In most countries, politicians were first in line for the vaccines. The virus tested leaders and their credentials. What would their message be? How quickly would they act? Some leaders simply did not have the answers and they were promptly voted out. There's one underway in Peru and this is the scene at polling booths. Massive crowds turned up because voting is mandatory there. Every citizen must vote. Co-morbidities and life-threatening conditions are not entertained as excuses. What a great sense of civic duty? Contrast that with Peru's pandemic response: 55,000 reported deaths and a health system in complete collapse. Eighteen presidential hopefuls were in the fray and six of them ended up getting the virus. Maybe, these public rallies had something to do with that. Lockdowns for people, but rallies for politicians. And it's not just Peru, it is election season in India as well. Every single political party has staged public rallies. Thousands of people attended these, right in the middle of a second wave. Elections are important, nobody is denying that but campaigning must be responsibly done. Right now, everybody seems happy working from home, except the politicians. Keep the mask on, say the courts, even if you're alone in a car, because your car is a public space. No such rules for election campaigns, clearly. Our second talking point is religion. It's given solace to millions in these tough times but it has also given us difficult scenes. In Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, nearly a million devotees are there. All of them are heading to the banks of the Ganga. Taking a dip in the river during this time is considered auspicious but there are concerns. And looking at these pictures, it is clear what those concerns are: no masks, no social distancing and one common body of water. It is a guaranteed super-spreader. Right now, India is hosting the biggest T20 league in the world, the Indian Premier League. It is being played behind closed doors. Only a handful of stadiums are hosting matches and even with such strict measures, a few players have got the virus. What if this cluster expands? Remember, it's not just the players inside bio-bubbles, there is a huge support team, such as umpires, ground staff, broadcasters, etc. Just last week, 14 members of the broadcast team tested positive. So, here's the question? Is the IPL essential? Depends on how you look at it. For the sponsors and the cricketing board, yes but in the middle of a second wave, the risks are just too high. Not just cricket, club football, basketball, baseball and others have returned. Some with limited audience. There's a reason they call it a bio-bubble. It is not iron clad. One let-up and we could have a full-blown crisis in Indian cricket. So, what's the solution here? It's simple rule of law. What happened in Norway recently? The prime minister was fined more than 2,000 dollars. Because she hosted a birthday party that violated virus controls. The PM apologised and agreed to pay the fine. This spirit must be replicated everywhere. Politicians must be held accountable for their massive rallies. Sports administrators must answer for staging these massive leagues. The virus infects without discrimination. So, our response too must be sans blinkers.

Time to tread cautiously as Covid cases rise 

The British government has opened an official independently-run investigation into former prime minister David Cameron's lobbying activities for financier Lex Greensill, The Sun newspaper reported.&nbsp;

While Cameron was British prime minister from 2010 to 2016, the Australian banker was brought in as an adviser to the government. After leaving office, Cameron in turn became an adviser to Greensill's now-insolvent finance firm.&nbsp;

The Financial Times and Sunday Times newspapers have reported that Cameron contacted ministers directly to lobby on behalf of Greensill Capital, including sending texts to finance minister Rishi Sunak and arranging a private drink between Greensill and Health Secretary Matt Hancock.&nbsp;

In his first comments on the row on Sunday, Cameron said that in his representations to government, he was breaking no codes of conduct and no government rules.&nbsp;

Ultimately, the outcome of the discussions on Greensill’s proposals regarding a loan were not taken up, he said, and therefore, his interventions did not lead to a change in the government's approach.&nbsp;

"However, I have reflected on this at length," he said, in a statement to the Press Association news agency.&nbsp;

"There are important lessons to be learnt. As a former Prime Minister, I accept that communications with government need to be done through only the most formal of channels, so there can be no room for misinterpretation."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The British government has opened an official independently-run investigation into former prime minister David Cameron's lobbying activities for financier Lex Greensill, The Sun newspaper reported.

The British government has opened an official independently-run investigation into former prime minister David Cameron's lobbying activities for financier Lex Greensill, The Sun newspaper reported. While Cameron was British prime minister from 2010 to 2016, the Australian banker was brought in as an adviser to the government. After leaving office, Cameron in turn became an adviser to Greensill's now-insolvent finance firm. The Financial Times and Sunday Times newspapers have reported that Cameron contacted ministers directly to lobby on behalf of Greensill Capital, including sending texts to finance minister Rishi Sunak and arranging a private drink between Greensill and Health Secretary Matt Hancock. In his first comments on the row on Sunday, Cameron said that in his representations to government, he was breaking no codes of conduct and no government rules. Ultimately, the outcome of the discussions on Greensill’s proposals regarding a loan were not taken up, he said, and therefore, his interventions did not lead to a change in the government's approach. "However, I have reflected on this at length," he said, in a statement to the Press Association news agency. "There are important lessons to be learnt. As a former Prime Minister, I accept that communications with government need to be done through only the most formal of channels, so there can be no room for misinterpretation." (With inputs from agencies)

UK opens official investigation into ex-PM Cameron's lobbying: Report

A senior cabinet minister said on Monday he had signed a document expanding Lebanon's claims in a row with Israel over their maritime border that has held up hydrocarbon exploration in the potentially gas-rich area. &nbsp;

The amendment would add around 1,400 square kilometres&nbsp;to the exclusive economic zone claimed by Lebanon in its original submission to the United Nations. &nbsp;

Negotiations between old foes, Lebanon and Israel, were launched in October to try to resolve the dispute. The talks, a culmination of three years of diplomacy by the United States, have since stalled. &nbsp;

The document signed by the caretaker public works and transport minister now needs to be signed off by the caretaker prime minister, minister of defence and president ahead of a request to the United Nations for a formal claim to register the new coordinates for the maritime zone. &nbsp;

"I expect it will be signed as everyone, the minister of defence and the prime minister and the president are concerned about this," minister Michel Najjar told a news conference. &nbsp;

Israel already pumps gas from huge offshore fields but Lebanon has yet to find commercial gas reserves in its own waters. &nbsp;

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said Lebanon's latest move would derail the talks rather than help work towards a common solution.&nbsp;

"Unilateral Lebanese measures will, of course, be answered with parallel measures by Israel," he said in a statement. &nbsp;

Lebanon, in the throes of a deep financial meltdown that is threatening its stability, is desperate for cash as it faces the worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war.&nbsp;

"We will not give up any inch of our homeland or a drop of its waters or an inch of its dignity," Najjar said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A senior cabinet minister said on Monday he had signed a document expanding Lebanon's claims in a row with Israel over their maritime border that has held up hydrocarbon exploration in the potentially gas-rich area.

A senior cabinet minister said on Monday he had signed a document expanding Lebanon's claims in a row with Israel over their maritime border that has held up hydrocarbon exploration in the potentially gas-rich area. The amendment would add around 1,400 square kilometres to the exclusive economic zone claimed by Lebanon in its original submission to the United Nations. Negotiations between old foes, Lebanon and Israel, were launched in October to try to resolve the dispute. The talks, a culmination of three years of diplomacy by the United States, have since stalled. The document signed by the caretaker public works and transport minister now needs to be signed off by the caretaker prime minister, minister of defence and president ahead of a request to the United Nations for a formal claim to register the new coordinates for the maritime zone. "I expect it will be signed as everyone, the minister of defence and the prime minister and the president are concerned about this," minister Michel Najjar told a news conference. Israel already pumps gas from huge offshore fields but Lebanon has yet to find commercial gas reserves in its own waters. Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said Lebanon's latest move would derail the talks rather than help work towards a common solution. "Unilateral Lebanese measures will, of course, be answered with parallel measures by Israel," he said in a statement. Lebanon, in the throes of a deep financial meltdown that is threatening its stability, is desperate for cash as it faces the worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war. "We will not give up any inch of our homeland or a drop of its waters or an inch of its dignity," Najjar said. (With inputs from agencies)

Lebanese minister expands claim in maritime area dispute with Israel 

After Facebook Dating, the social networking platform is now testing a video speed-dating app called Sparked that will first allow 4-minute dates to help users find if they are compatible to each other.&nbsp;

Once you 'both have a great time’, dates will then be scheduled for a 10-minute duration. &nbsp;

After that point, Sparked can let the users exchange contact information and stay in touch via Instagram, iMessage, or email, The Verge reported on Tuesday. &nbsp;

Sparked is developed by the company's in-house NPE (New Product Experimentation) team.&nbsp;

The free-to-use app will offer no public profiles, no swiping and no direct messages (DMs) but a simple video speed-chat. &nbsp;

During the sign-up process, users need to explain what makes them a kind dater. The responses will be 'reviewed by a human at Sparked' before you can go on speed dates. &nbsp;

"Users also have to choose whether they want to date men, women, or nonbinary people, and then are asked if they are open to dating trans people," the report noted. &nbsp;

In 2019, the company rolled out Facebook Dating in the US, and later to various countries, including the UK. &nbsp;

The Dating app helps users explore potential romantic relationships within their own extended circle of friends.&nbsp;

Facebook also quietly launched a new app last year, just for couples who can connect to each other intimately like a personal dating app.&nbsp;

Called Tuned, the app allowed couples to share their mood, exchange music via Spotify and create a digital scrapbook. &nbsp;

After Facebook Dating, the social networking platform is now testing a video speed-dating app called Sparked that will first allow 4-minute dates to help users find if they are compatible to each other.

After Facebook Dating, the social networking platform is now testing a video speed-dating app called Sparked that will first allow 4-minute dates to help users find if they are compatible to each other. Once you 'both have a great time’, dates will then be scheduled for a 10-minute duration. After that point, Sparked can let the users exchange contact information and stay in touch via Instagram, iMessage, or email, The Verge reported on Tuesday. Sparked is developed by the company's in-house NPE (New Product Experimentation) team. The free-to-use app will offer no public profiles, no swiping and no direct messages (DMs) but a simple video speed-chat. During the sign-up process, users need to explain what makes them a kind dater. The responses will be 'reviewed by a human at Sparked' before you can go on speed dates. "Users also have to choose whether they want to date men, women, or nonbinary people, and then are asked if they are open to dating trans people," the report noted. In 2019, the company rolled out Facebook Dating in the US, and later to various countries, including the UK. The Dating app helps users explore potential romantic relationships within their own extended circle of friends. Facebook also quietly launched a new app last year, just for couples who can connect to each other intimately like a personal dating app. Called Tuned, the app allowed couples to share their mood, exchange music via Spotify and create a digital scrapbook.

Facebook testing video speed dating app 'Sparked' 

Huawei on Tuesday blamed the US for a global chip shortage as it called for cooperation with South Korea, Japan and Europe to form a new semiconductor supply chain.&nbsp;

The move came hours after US President Joe Biden urged more spending in the chipmaking sector to resolve the chip shortage and build up a stable supply chain, Yonhap news agency reported.&nbsp;

A recent shortage of semiconductors has stalled production across manufacturing industries, especially in the auto sector.&nbsp;

Karl Song, Huawei's Vice President of Corporate Communications, called for the lifting of US sanctions, which the Chinese network equipment maker claimed has led to the recent chip crisis.&nbsp;

Currently, the Chinese telecom equipment giant is being cut off from semiconductors made with US equipment, software and designs due to US sanctions over national security concerns.&nbsp;

"The current global chipset shortage is due to the sanctions (Huawei) faces and its impact on the companies that we cooperate with," Song said in a press conference.&nbsp;

"We hope to cooperate with advanced semiconductor countries, such as South Korea, Japan and Europe, to form a global supply chain again," he said.&nbsp;

Eric Xu, Huawei's Rotating Chairman, said on Monday that US sanctions against the company have hurt the broader semiconductor industry as they have created supply uncertainties.&nbsp;

The US has long alleged that Huawei's equipment is used to spy on foreign networks, a claim repeatedly rejected by the Chinese company.&nbsp;

The US sanctions have hurt the Chinese tech giant, which requires semiconductors for its telecom equipment and electronic devices.&nbsp;

Huawei said it still plans to further strengthen its presence in South Korea by collaborating with South Korean companies, adding that it has made purchases worth $37 billion from South Korea over the past five years.&nbsp;

LG Uplus, the smallest of South Korea's three major mobile carriers, currently uses equipment manufactured by Huawei for its 5G network.&nbsp;

In Washington, Biden said on Monday that the US will increase its investment in infrastructure to protect its supply chains, including the supply chain of semiconductors.&nbsp;

His remarks came in a meeting with the top executive officers of 19 global firms, including South Korea's tech giant Samsung Electronics, to discuss ways to address the ongoing shortage of semiconductors.&nbsp;

Huawei on Tuesday blamed the US for a global chip shortage as it called for cooperation with South Korea, Japan and Europe to form a new semiconductor supply chain.

Huawei on Tuesday blamed the US for a global chip shortage as it called for cooperation with South Korea, Japan and Europe to form a new semiconductor supply chain. The move came hours after US President Joe Biden urged more spending in the chipmaking sector to resolve the chip shortage and build up a stable supply chain, Yonhap news agency reported. A recent shortage of semiconductors has stalled production across manufacturing industries, especially in the auto sector. Karl Song, Huawei's Vice President of Corporate Communications, called for the lifting of US sanctions, which the Chinese network equipment maker claimed has led to the recent chip crisis. Currently, the Chinese telecom equipment giant is being cut off from semiconductors made with US equipment, software and designs due to US sanctions over national security concerns. "The current global chipset shortage is due to the sanctions (Huawei) faces and its impact on the companies that we cooperate with," Song said in a press conference. "We hope to cooperate with advanced semiconductor countries, such as South Korea, Japan and Europe, to form a global supply chain again," he said. Eric Xu, Huawei's Rotating Chairman, said on Monday that US sanctions against the company have hurt the broader semiconductor industry as they have created supply uncertainties. The US has long alleged that Huawei's equipment is used to spy on foreign networks, a claim repeatedly rejected by the Chinese company. The US sanctions have hurt the Chinese tech giant, which requires semiconductors for its telecom equipment and electronic devices. Huawei said it still plans to further strengthen its presence in South Korea by collaborating with South Korean companies, adding that it has made purchases worth $37 billion from South Korea over the past five years. LG Uplus, the smallest of South Korea's three major mobile carriers, currently uses equipment manufactured by Huawei for its 5G network. In Washington, Biden said on Monday that the US will increase its investment in infrastructure to protect its supply chains, including the supply chain of semiconductors. His remarks came in a meeting with the top executive officers of 19 global firms, including South Korea's tech giant Samsung Electronics, to discuss ways to address the ongoing shortage of semiconductors.

Huawei blames US for global chip shortage 

Iran is going to begin enriching uranium at 60 per cent purity starting Wednesday, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi announced on Tuesday, state media reported. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has warned the United States to refrain from playing with fire, immediately stop official contact with Taiwan in any form. Read on to know more.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-begin-enriching-uranium-at-60-per-cent-purity-state-media-377331">Iran to begin enriching uranium at 60 per cent purity: State media</a>

<img alt="Top 1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2c5f1b25-b7fd-4210-a604-9a44c3ad6597" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Topp%201.PNG" />

In February this year, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said that Iran could increase its level of uranium enrichment to whatever the country needs, including up to 60%.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stop-any-form-of-us-taiwan-official-contacts-china-warns-america-377317">Stop any form of US-Taiwan official contacts: China warns America</a>

<img alt="Top 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0de3e4aa-30e5-4c53-93f4-381b8a686787" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Topp%202.PNG" />

China urges the United States “not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue, immediately stop any form of U.S.-Taiwan official contacts, cautiously and appropriately handle the matter, and not send wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-halts-use-of-johnson-johnson-vaccine-due-to-rare-blood-clotting-issues-377302">US halts use of Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine due to rare blood clotting issues</a>

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“COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the federal government, and we take all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination very seriously,” the FDA said in a joint statement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-rights-chief-sees-syria-repeating-in-myanmar-calls-for-halt-to-slaughter-377304">UN rights chief sees Syria repeating in Myanmar, calls for halt to 'slaughter'&nbsp;</a>

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UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said in a statement 3,080 had been detained and there are reports that 23 people have been sentenced to death following secret trials.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-minister-calls-for-military-help-more-sanctions-on-russia-377285">Ukraine minister calls for military help, more sanctions on Russia</a>

<img alt="Top 5" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a6286579-2dc5-46df-a39e-d31fc1d81658" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Topp%205.PNG" />

"At the operational level, we need measures which will deter Russia and which will contain its aggressive intentions. This could be ... a new round of sanctions which would raise the price of Russian aggression," Kuleba told a news conference at NATO alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-34-tech-firms-to-rectify-any-anti-competitive-measures-after-record-alibaba-fine-377323">China warns 34 tech firms to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures after record Alibaba fine</a>

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The move suggests Beijing's scrutiny of its most powerful tech firms is far from over, with regulators warning they will continue to eradicate monopoly practices and telling internet companies to 'heed the warning of Alibaba's case’

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-detains-30-marines-in-collection-with-disappearances-of-several-people-in-2014-377313">Mexico detains 30 Marines in collection with disappearances of several people in 2014&nbsp;</a>

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"Thirty naval service members were made available to the Attorney General's Office on April 9 in compliance with arrest warrants... for the alleged crime of forced disappearance of persons," the Navy Secretariat said in a statement

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bitcoin-hits-record-high-above-62000-377308">Bitcoin hits record high above $62,000</a>&nbsp;

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After crashing in 2018, the value of bitcoin rebounded and it has set records since late last year - rocketing from around $12,000 in October to more than $60,000 a month ago.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-summons-chinese-ambassador-over-reef-dispute-in-south-china-sea-377299">Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over reef dispute in South China Sea</a>

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The escalating feud between Manila and Beijing started after more than 200 Chinese vessels suspected by Philippine authorities to be operated by militias were spotted early last month at Whitsun Reef

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-other-nato-countries-of-turning-ukraine-into-powder-keg-377269">Russia accuses US, other NATO countries of turning Ukraine into 'powder keg'</a>

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Russia recently stationed soldiers along the Ukraine border and also accused Western countries of supplying arms to Ukraine.

Iran is going to begin enriching uranium at 60 per cent purity starting Wednesday, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi announced on Tuesday, state media reported.

Iran is going to begin enriching uranium at 60 per cent purity starting Wednesday, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi announced on Tuesday, state media reported. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has warned the United States to refrain from playing with fire, immediately stop official contact with Taiwan in any form. Read on to know more. Iran to begin enriching uranium at 60 per cent purity: State media In February this year, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said that Iran could increase its level of uranium enrichment to whatever the country needs, including up to 60%. Stop any form of US-Taiwan official contacts: China warns America China urges the United States “not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue, immediately stop any form of U.S.-Taiwan official contacts, cautiously and appropriately handle the matter, and not send wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces. US halts use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to rare blood clotting issues “COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the federal government, and we take all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination very seriously,” the FDA said in a joint statement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. UN rights chief sees Syria repeating in Myanmar, calls for halt to 'slaughter' UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said in a statement 3,080 had been detained and there are reports that 23 people have been sentenced to death following secret trials. Ukraine minister calls for military help, more sanctions on Russia "At the operational level, we need measures which will deter Russia and which will contain its aggressive intentions. This could be ... a new round of sanctions which would raise the price of Russian aggression," Kuleba told a news conference at NATO alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. China warns 34 tech firms to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures after record Alibaba fine The move suggests Beijing's scrutiny of its most powerful tech firms is far from over, with regulators warning they will continue to eradicate monopoly practices and telling internet companies to 'heed the warning of Alibaba's case’ Mexico detains 30 Marines in collection with disappearances of several people in 2014 "Thirty naval service members were made available to the Attorney General's Office on April 9 in compliance with arrest warrants... for the alleged crime of forced disappearance of persons," the Navy Secretariat said in a statement Bitcoin hits record high above $62,000 After crashing in 2018, the value of bitcoin rebounded and it has set records since late last year - rocketing from around $12,000 in October to more than $60,000 a month ago. Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over reef dispute in South China Sea The escalating feud between Manila and Beijing started after more than 200 Chinese vessels suspected by Philippine authorities to be operated by militias were spotted early last month at Whitsun Reef Russia accuses US, other NATO countries of turning Ukraine into 'powder keg' Russia recently stationed soldiers along the Ukraine border and also accused Western countries of supplying arms to Ukraine.

Top 10 World News: Iran to begin enriching uranium at 60% purity, and more

Police shooting of Black man sparks fresh protests in US

Chinese regulators have warned 34 technology giants, including Baidu and Tencent, to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures, a statement said on Tuesday, days after e-commerce giant Alibaba was fined nearly $2.8 billion for abusing its dominant market position.&nbsp;

The move suggests Beijing's scrutiny of its most powerful tech firms is far from over, with regulators warning they will continue to eradicate monopoly practices and telling internet companies to 'heed the warning of Alibaba's case’.&nbsp;

Companies summoned by the regulator include internet giants Baidu, Tencent and ByteDance, the owner of TikTok.&nbsp;

The 34 firms have been given one month to undergo 'complete rectification' after conducting internal checks and inspections, the statement said, and to correct any practices which 'harms competition’.&nbsp;

Unfair competition "hinders innovation and development, and harms the interests of operators and consumers," the statement said, telling the companies to give 'priority to national interests'.&nbsp;

The meeting was organised jointly by the antitrust watchdog with the cyberspace and tax regulators.&nbsp;

Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Vey-Sern Ling said the move was "positive because (regulators are) giving the platform one month to review their practices, rather than dish out fines and penalties without warning."&nbsp;

"They are using Alibaba as an example to deter misbehaviour from the rest of the industry players."&nbsp;

Alibaba was hit with a $2.78 billion fine on Saturday after a months-long probe.&nbsp;

The statement also came a day after fintech firm Ant Group announced it would comply with an overhaul outlined by regulators and become a financial holding company, meaning in the future it will be supervised more like a bank.&nbsp;

Tech giants like Alibaba, JD.com and Tencent became hugely profitable on the back of growing Chinese digital lifestyles, relatively lax legislation and the government's 'great firewall', which bans some major US competitors.&nbsp;

But Beijing has been getting tougher on the sector in recent months over allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and misuse of consumer data.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Chinese regulators have warned 34 technology giants, including Baidu and Tencent, to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures, a statement said on Tuesday, days after e-commerce giant Alibaba was fined nearly $2.

Chinese regulators have warned 34 technology giants, including Baidu and Tencent, to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures, a statement said on Tuesday, days after e-commerce giant Alibaba was fined nearly $2.8 billion for abusing its dominant market position. The move suggests Beijing's scrutiny of its most powerful tech firms is far from over, with regulators warning they will continue to eradicate monopoly practices and telling internet companies to 'heed the warning of Alibaba's case’. Companies summoned by the regulator include internet giants Baidu, Tencent and ByteDance, the owner of TikTok. The 34 firms have been given one month to undergo 'complete rectification' after conducting internal checks and inspections, the statement said, and to correct any practices which 'harms competition’. Unfair competition "hinders innovation and development, and harms the interests of operators and consumers," the statement said, telling the companies to give 'priority to national interests'. The meeting was organised jointly by the antitrust watchdog with the cyberspace and tax regulators. Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Vey-Sern Ling said the move was "positive because (regulators are) giving the platform one month to review their practices, rather than dish out fines and penalties without warning." "They are using Alibaba as an example to deter misbehaviour from the rest of the industry players." Alibaba was hit with a $2.78 billion fine on Saturday after a months-long probe. The statement also came a day after fintech firm Ant Group announced it would comply with an overhaul outlined by regulators and become a financial holding company, meaning in the future it will be supervised more like a bank. Tech giants like Alibaba, JD.com and Tencent became hugely profitable on the back of growing Chinese digital lifestyles, relatively lax legislation and the government's 'great firewall', which bans some major US competitors. But Beijing has been getting tougher on the sector in recent months over allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and misuse of consumer data. (With inputs from agencies)

China warns 34 tech firms to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures after record Alibaba fine

Bitcoin hit a record high above $62,000 on Tuesday as the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase prepares to launch shares on Wall Street.&nbsp;

Bitcoin reached $62,377, a huge gain of 114 per cent since the start of the year.&nbsp;

After crashing in 2018, the value of bitcoin rebounded and it has set records since late last year -- rocketing from around $12,000 in October to more than $60,000 a month ago.&nbsp;

The arrival on Wednesday of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase on the Nasdaq is one of Wall Street's most anticipated events of the year even though some question whether the cryptocurrency market is sustainable.&nbsp;

Estimates of Coinbase's value vary depending on how it is calculated, but its capitalisation is expected to range from $70 to $100 billion.&nbsp;

That would make it the largest initial public offer (IPO) for a US company since Facebook in 2012.&nbsp;

Founded in 2012, the platform allows users to buy and sell about 50 cryptocurrencies.&nbsp;

The cryptocurrency market has grown exponentially in 2021 and is now worth a staggering $2.0 trillion as it increasingly attracts interest from big names on Wall Street.&nbsp;

While anybody can 'mine' for new bitcoins, to do so requires giant data centres, which has led to platforms, such as Coinbase providing a way of trading in cryptocurrencies.&nbsp;

Banks and payment services, such as Paypal, allow transactions in certain digital currencies.&nbsp;

Despite 12-year-old bitcoin's volatility and limitations as a means of payment, it is seen as a store of value to rival and perhaps one day surpass gold as a haven investment in the face of high inflation for example.&nbsp;

Electric car giant Tesla has invested $1.5 billion in bitcoin and in March began accepting the currency as payment.&nbsp;

Tesla's multi-billionaire chief executive Elon Musk has also used social media to espouse the merits of cryptocurrencies, helping to lift interest and prices.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Bitcoin hit a record high above $62,000 on Tuesday as the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase prepares to launch shares on Wall Street. Bitcoin reached $62,377, a huge gain of 114 per cent since the start of the year.

Bitcoin hit a record high above $62,000 on Tuesday as the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase prepares to launch shares on Wall Street. Bitcoin reached $62,377, a huge gain of 114 per cent since the start of the year. After crashing in 2018, the value of bitcoin rebounded and it has set records since late last year -- rocketing from around $12,000 in October to more than $60,000 a month ago. The arrival on Wednesday of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase on the Nasdaq is one of Wall Street's most anticipated events of the year even though some question whether the cryptocurrency market is sustainable. Estimates of Coinbase's value vary depending on how it is calculated, but its capitalisation is expected to range from $70 to $100 billion. That would make it the largest initial public offer (IPO) for a US company since Facebook in 2012. Founded in 2012, the platform allows users to buy and sell about 50 cryptocurrencies. The cryptocurrency market has grown exponentially in 2021 and is now worth a staggering $2.0 trillion as it increasingly attracts interest from big names on Wall Street. While anybody can 'mine' for new bitcoins, to do so requires giant data centres, which has led to platforms, such as Coinbase providing a way of trading in cryptocurrencies. Banks and payment services, such as Paypal, allow transactions in certain digital currencies. Despite 12-year-old bitcoin's volatility and limitations as a means of payment, it is seen as a store of value to rival and perhaps one day surpass gold as a haven investment in the face of high inflation for example. Electric car giant Tesla has invested $1.5 billion in bitcoin and in March began accepting the currency as payment. Tesla's multi-billionaire chief executive Elon Musk has also used social media to espouse the merits of cryptocurrencies, helping to lift interest and prices. (With inputs from agencies)

Bitcoin hits record high above $62,000 

Prosecutors in Mexico have arrested 30 Marines in connection with the disappearances of an unspecified number of people in the northern state of Tamaulipas in 2014, the Navy said on Monday. &nbsp;

"Thirty naval service members were made available to the Attorney General's Office on April 9 in compliance with arrest warrants... for the alleged crime of forced disappearance of persons," the Navy Secretariat said in a statement.&nbsp;

The statement did not elaborate on the precise date of the disappearances or the number of victims, but it said the arrests were related to investigations into events that occurred in Nuevo Laredo in the state of Tamaulipas, on the border with the United States, in 2014.&nbsp;

The Navy said it decided to hand over the uniformed men 'in strict adherence with protocol' so that prosecutors can 'carry out the pertinent investigations’. &nbsp;

Tamaulipas, long marred by violence linked to drug trafficking, has one of the highest rates of missing persons in the country, especially on roads that lead to the border with the United States. &nbsp;

Most of the disappearances are blamed on drug cartels, but law enforcement officials, especially state and municipal police, have also been charged.&nbsp;

Monday's announcement marked the largest detention of military personnel in connection with enforced disappearances in recent years in Mexico. &nbsp;

The government had announced that arrest warrants were being prepared against the military for the disappearance in 2014 of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa school in the southern state of Guerrero, but it has not officially reported whether those warrants have already been carried out. &nbsp;

Between the end of 2006, when the government launched a military offensive against the drug gangs, and December of last year, Mexico had 80,517 reports of missing persons, according to official figures. &nbsp;

In the same period, some 300,000 people have been killed, with most of the deaths blamed on organised crime groups.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Prosecutors in Mexico have arrested 30 Marines in connection with the disappearances of an unspecified number of people in the northern state of Tamaulipas in 2014, the Navy said on Monday.

Prosecutors in Mexico have arrested 30 Marines in connection with the disappearances of an unspecified number of people in the northern state of Tamaulipas in 2014, the Navy said on Monday. "Thirty naval service members were made available to the Attorney General's Office on April 9 in compliance with arrest warrants... for the alleged crime of forced disappearance of persons," the Navy Secretariat said in a statement. The statement did not elaborate on the precise date of the disappearances or the number of victims, but it said the arrests were related to investigations into events that occurred in Nuevo Laredo in the state of Tamaulipas, on the border with the United States, in 2014. The Navy said it decided to hand over the uniformed men 'in strict adherence with protocol' so that prosecutors can 'carry out the pertinent investigations’. Tamaulipas, long marred by violence linked to drug trafficking, has one of the highest rates of missing persons in the country, especially on roads that lead to the border with the United States. Most of the disappearances are blamed on drug cartels, but law enforcement officials, especially state and municipal police, have also been charged. Monday's announcement marked the largest detention of military personnel in connection with enforced disappearances in recent years in Mexico. The government had announced that arrest warrants were being prepared against the military for the disappearance in 2014 of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa school in the southern state of Guerrero, but it has not officially reported whether those warrants have already been carried out. Between the end of 2006, when the government launched a military offensive against the drug gangs, and December of last year, Mexico had 80,517 reports of missing persons, according to official figures. In the same period, some 300,000 people have been killed, with most of the deaths blamed on organised crime groups. (With inputs from agencies)

Mexico detains 30 Marines in collection with disappearances of several people in 2014 

The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday it fears that the military clampdown on protests in Myanmar since the February 1 coup risks escalating into a civil conflict like that seen in Syria and appealed for a halt to the 'slaughter'.&nbsp;

UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said in a statement 3,080 had been detained and there are reports that 23 people have been sentenced to death following secret trials.&nbsp;

"I fear the situation in Myanmar is heading towards a full-blown conflict. States must not allow the deadly mistakes of the past in Syria and elsewhere to be repeated," Bachelet said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, opponents of military rule in Myanmar cancelled traditional new year festivities on Tuesday and instead showed their anger with the generals who seized power through low-key displays of defiance and small protests across the country.&nbsp;

A Myanmar activist group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, says the security forces have killed 710 protesters since the ouster of an elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.&nbsp;

Protesters were out again on the first day of the five-day New Year holiday, known as Thingyan, which is usually celebrated with prayers, ritual cleaning of Buddha images in temples and high-spirited water-dousing on the streets.&nbsp;

"We do not celebrate Myanmar Thingyan this year since over 700 of our innocent brave souls have been killed," said one Twitter user named Shwe Ei.&nbsp;

Women wearing fine clothes for the most important holiday of the year protested in several towns holding traditional pots containing seven flowers and sprigs that are displayed at this time, media pictures showed.&nbsp;

Many people painted the protesters' three-finger salute on their Thingyan pots.&nbsp;

"People's power, our power," women marching on a street in the main city of Yangon chanted as passersby clapped, video posted by the Myanmar Now media group showed.&nbsp;

In some places, people set out dozens of Thingyan pots daubed with messages such as 'Save Myanmar' in silent shows of opposition to the military.&nbsp;

There were no immediate reports of violence at any of the protests but information has become scarce because of the junta's curbs on broadband internet and mobile data services.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday it fears that the military clampdown on protests in Myanmar since the February 1 coup risks escalating into a civil conflict like that seen in Syria and appealed for a halt to the 'slaughter'.

The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday it fears that the military clampdown on protests in Myanmar since the February 1 coup risks escalating into a civil conflict like that seen in Syria and appealed for a halt to the 'slaughter'. UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said in a statement 3,080 had been detained and there are reports that 23 people have been sentenced to death following secret trials. "I fear the situation in Myanmar is heading towards a full-blown conflict. States must not allow the deadly mistakes of the past in Syria and elsewhere to be repeated," Bachelet said. Meanwhile, opponents of military rule in Myanmar cancelled traditional new year festivities on Tuesday and instead showed their anger with the generals who seized power through low-key displays of defiance and small protests across the country. A Myanmar activist group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, says the security forces have killed 710 protesters since the ouster of an elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Protesters were out again on the first day of the five-day New Year holiday, known as Thingyan, which is usually celebrated with prayers, ritual cleaning of Buddha images in temples and high-spirited water-dousing on the streets. "We do not celebrate Myanmar Thingyan this year since over 700 of our innocent brave souls have been killed," said one Twitter user named Shwe Ei. Women wearing fine clothes for the most important holiday of the year protested in several towns holding traditional pots containing seven flowers and sprigs that are displayed at this time, media pictures showed. Many people painted the protesters' three-finger salute on their Thingyan pots. "People's power, our power," women marching on a street in the main city of Yangon chanted as passersby clapped, video posted by the Myanmar Now media group showed. In some places, people set out dozens of Thingyan pots daubed with messages such as 'Save Myanmar' in silent shows of opposition to the military. There were no immediate reports of violence at any of the protests but information has become scarce because of the junta's curbs on broadband internet and mobile data services. (With inputs from agencies)

UN rights chief sees Syria repeating in Myanmar, calls for halt to 'slaughter' 

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