Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke during two sessions at the G7 summit highlighting India's 'civilizational commitment' to democracy and called for collective action on the issue of Climate Change.

At the session titled "Open Societies and Open Economies", PM was the lead speaker, and a joint statement on 'open societies' by leaders of India, South Africa, South Korea, and Australia, and G7 was released.

"As the world’s largest democracy, India is a natural ally for the G7 and guest countries to defend these shared values from a host of threats stemming from authoritarianism, terrorism and violent extremism, disinformation and infodemics and economic coercion", MEA's Additional Secretary (ER) P Harish said at a virtual presser.

On climate change, PM Modi pointed out India's achievements and that it is the only G20 country on track to meet its Paris commitments. He called on G7 grouping to meet the "unfulfilled promise" of $100 billion annually in climate finance as "this challenge cannot be addressed in silos".

This is the 2nd time PM Modi has participated at the G7. He had last participated in 2019 when the summit was held under the chairmanship of France. India was invited last year by US President Donald Trump for the G7 but the meet could not happen due to the Covid pandemic.

On Sunday, PM Modi mentioned India's leadership role on Climate Change such as via International Solar Alliance and CDRI or Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

India-led initiatives have seen an increase in global membership.

PM Modi also pointed out the "revolutionary impact of digital technologies" on "social inclusion and empowerment in India" via Aadhaar, DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), and JAM (Jan Dhan- Aadhaar- Mobile) trinity.

PM Modi on Saturday had addressed the session on health and had given out the mantra of 'One Earth, One Health'. He sought &nbsp;G7's support for the India and South Africa Covid vaccine patent waiver at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Last week, the consensus was achieved on the issue with New Delhi calling for early conclusion of text-based negotiation for the practical implementation of the proposal. 
&nbsp; 
PM's engagement had resonance. German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed PM Modi's mantra on health. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Australian PM Scott Morrison extended support for Covid vaccine patent waiver, and French President Macron called on India to lend its expertise as an important hub of vaccines globally. As part of growing engagement with the grouping, this time India was engaged at the ministerial and working levels as well. 
&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke during two sessions at the G7 summit highlighting India's 'civilizational commitment' to democracy and called for collective action on the issue of Climate Change.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke during two sessions at the G7 summit highlighting India's 'civilizational commitment' to democracy and called for collective action on the issue of Climate Change. At the session titled "Open Societies and Open Economies", PM was the lead speaker, and a joint statement on 'open societies' by leaders of India, South Africa, South Korea, and Australia, and G7 was released. "As the world’s largest democracy, India is a natural ally for the G7 and guest countries to defend these shared values from a host of threats stemming from authoritarianism, terrorism and violent extremism, disinformation and infodemics and economic coercion", MEA's Additional Secretary (ER) P Harish said at a virtual presser. On climate change, PM Modi pointed out India's achievements and that it is the only G20 country on track to meet its Paris commitments. He called on G7 grouping to meet the "unfulfilled promise" of $100 billion annually in climate finance as "this challenge cannot be addressed in silos". This is the 2nd time PM Modi has participated at the G7. He had last participated in 2019 when the summit was held under the chairmanship of France. India was invited last year by US President Donald Trump for the G7 but the meet could not happen due to the Covid pandemic. On Sunday, PM Modi mentioned India's leadership role on Climate Change such as via International Solar Alliance and CDRI or Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. India-led initiatives have seen an increase in global membership. PM Modi also pointed out the "revolutionary impact of digital technologies" on "social inclusion and empowerment in India" via Aadhaar, DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), and JAM (Jan Dhan- Aadhaar- Mobile) trinity. PM Modi on Saturday had addressed the session on health and had given out the mantra of 'One Earth, One Health'. He sought G7's support for the India and South Africa Covid vaccine patent waiver at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Last week, the consensus was achieved on the issue with New Delhi calling for early conclusion of text-based negotiation for the practical implementation of the proposal. PM's engagement had resonance. German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed PM Modi's mantra on health. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Australian PM Scott Morrison extended support for Covid vaccine patent waiver, and French President Macron called on India to lend its expertise as an important hub of vaccines globally. As part of growing engagement with the grouping, this time India was engaged at the ministerial and working levels as well.

At G7, PM Modi highlights India's civilisational commitment to democracy

G7 leaders on Sunday vowed to start delivering one billion doses of Covid vaccines and to step up action on climate change, in a summit call to arms by a revived democratic alliance that also confronted China and Russia.

In a final communique issued at their first physical summit in nearly two years, the leaders of the elite club largely hewed to US President Joe Biden's push to regain the West's cohesion after the tumultuous era of his predecessor Donald Trump.

"We will harness the power of democracy, freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights to answer the biggest questions and overcome the greatest challenges," the leaders said.

But the pledge on vaccines for poorer nations fell drastically short of the 11 billion doses that campaigners say are needed to end a pandemic that has claimed nearly four million lives and wrecked economies around the globe.

"I'm afraid there will be smiles (at the G7) but they are not solutions," former British prime minister Gordon Brown told Sky News, calling the summit "an unforgivable moral failure".&nbsp;

"Millions of people will go unvaccinated and thousands of people I'm afraid will die," said Brown, who helped coordinate international responses to the world's last major economic shock in 2008.

Likewise, the G7's pledges to deliver more aid for countries at the sharp end of climate change, and to phase out fossil fuel investments, were decried as too little, too late ahead of a UN summit in November.

"The G7 have failed to set us up for a successful COP26 as trust is sorely lacking between rich and developing countries," said Greenpeace International executive director Jennifer Morgan.

"We need authentic leadership and that means treating the pandemic and the climate crisis for what they are: an interconnected inequality emergency," she said.

'Green Industrial Revolution'

Nevertheless, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the summit's host, said the G7 wanted to "drive a global Green Industrial Revolution to transform the way we live".

"There is a direct relationship between reducing emissions, restoring nature, creating jobs and ensuring long-term economic growth," he said.

Johnson also touted a G7 pledge to get 40 million more girls into schools over the next five years, as part of the post-pandemic reconstruction.

A White House official agreed the three-day gathering in Cornwall, southwest England, had been an "unusually substantive and productive G7".&nbsp;

Angela Merkel, attending her last G7 as German chancellor, said Biden had brought "new momentum" to efforts to tackle the world's problems.

India and South Africa, who took part in the G7 talks as guests, had pressed for the gathering to waive intellectual property rights on Western vaccines. But Britain and Germany were notable holdouts on that.

Campaigners also complained the G7 had failed to flesh out how it will pay for a newly agreed "Nature Compact" -- to protect 30 percent of the world's land and oceans from despoliation by 2030.

The leaders committed to nearly halve their carbon emissions by 2030, relative to 2010, and to phase out the use of "unabated coal" -- fuel whose emissions have not gone through any filtering -- "as soon as possible".

They vowed to end most government support for the fossil fuel sector overseas, and to phase out petrol and diesel cars.

The G7 had sharp words for Beijing and Moscow, in the buildup to a NATO summit in Brussels on Monday and Biden's first sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Switzerland on Wednesday.

They demanded China end abuses including forced labour in Xinjiang, where activists say up to one million people from Uyghur and other Muslim minorities are interned in camps, and in Hong Kong.

And they pressed China to let experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) investigate further how Covid-19 first emerged, amid suspicions that the coronavirus may have escaped from a Chinese laboratory.

The allies adopted a US initiative to counter China in infrastructure funding for poorer nations, promising to "collectively catalyse" hundreds of billions of investment.

The "Build Back Better World" (B3W) project is aimed squarely at competing with Beijing's trillion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, which has been widely criticised for saddling small countries with unmanageable debt.

And the G7 demanded that Russia "credibly explain" the use of chemical agents on its soil, end its "systematic crackdown" on opposition groups and media, and "hold to account" criminals waging ransomware attacks.

Royal blessing

A lingering row between Britain and the European Union over post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland hung over the talks.

But London sought to bring all sides together using the "soft power" diplomacy of Queen Elizabeth II and her heir Prince Charles, at a Friday night reception for leaders and EU chiefs.

Joined Saturday by counterparts from Australia, South Africa and South Korea -- with India also taking part remotely -- they then enjoyed an evening beach barbecue around fire pits, featuring a sea shanty band and toasted marshmallows.&nbsp;

G7 leaders on Sunday vowed to start delivering one billion doses of Covid vaccines and to step up action on climate change, in a summit call to arms by a revived democratic alliance that also confronted China and Russia.

G7 leaders on Sunday vowed to start delivering one billion doses of Covid vaccines and to step up action on climate change, in a summit call to arms by a revived democratic alliance that also confronted China and Russia. In a final communique issued at their first physical summit in nearly two years, the leaders of the elite club largely hewed to US President Joe Biden's push to regain the West's cohesion after the tumultuous era of his predecessor Donald Trump. "We will harness the power of democracy, freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights to answer the biggest questions and overcome the greatest challenges," the leaders said. But the pledge on vaccines for poorer nations fell drastically short of the 11 billion doses that campaigners say are needed to end a pandemic that has claimed nearly four million lives and wrecked economies around the globe. "I'm afraid there will be smiles (at the G7) but they are not solutions," former British prime minister Gordon Brown told Sky News, calling the summit "an unforgivable moral failure". "Millions of people will go unvaccinated and thousands of people I'm afraid will die," said Brown, who helped coordinate international responses to the world's last major economic shock in 2008. Likewise, the G7's pledges to deliver more aid for countries at the sharp end of climate change, and to phase out fossil fuel investments, were decried as too little, too late ahead of a UN summit in November. "The G7 have failed to set us up for a successful COP26 as trust is sorely lacking between rich and developing countries," said Greenpeace International executive director Jennifer Morgan. "We need authentic leadership and that means treating the pandemic and the climate crisis for what they are: an interconnected inequality emergency," she said. 'Green Industrial Revolution' Nevertheless, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the summit's host, said the G7 wanted to "drive a global Green Industrial Revolution to transform the way we live". "There is a direct relationship between reducing emissions, restoring nature, creating jobs and ensuring long-term economic growth," he said. Johnson also touted a G7 pledge to get 40 million more girls into schools over the next five years, as part of the post-pandemic reconstruction. A White House official agreed the three-day gathering in Cornwall, southwest England, had been an "unusually substantive and productive G7". Angela Merkel, attending her last G7 as German chancellor, said Biden had brought "new momentum" to efforts to tackle the world's problems. India and South Africa, who took part in the G7 talks as guests, had pressed for the gathering to waive intellectual property rights on Western vaccines. But Britain and Germany were notable holdouts on that. Campaigners also complained the G7 had failed to flesh out how it will pay for a newly agreed "Nature Compact" -- to protect 30 percent of the world's land and oceans from despoliation by 2030. The leaders committed to nearly halve their carbon emissions by 2030, relative to 2010, and to phase out the use of "unabated coal" -- fuel whose emissions have not gone through any filtering -- "as soon as possible". They vowed to end most government support for the fossil fuel sector overseas, and to phase out petrol and diesel cars. The G7 had sharp words for Beijing and Moscow, in the buildup to a NATO summit in Brussels on Monday and Biden's first sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Switzerland on Wednesday. They demanded China end abuses including forced labour in Xinjiang, where activists say up to one million people from Uyghur and other Muslim minorities are interned in camps, and in Hong Kong. And they pressed China to let experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) investigate further how Covid-19 first emerged, amid suspicions that the coronavirus may have escaped from a Chinese laboratory. The allies adopted a US initiative to counter China in infrastructure funding for poorer nations, promising to "collectively catalyse" hundreds of billions of investment. The "Build Back Better World" (B3W) project is aimed squarely at competing with Beijing's trillion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, which has been widely criticised for saddling small countries with unmanageable debt. And the G7 demanded that Russia "credibly explain" the use of chemical agents on its soil, end its "systematic crackdown" on opposition groups and media, and "hold to account" criminals waging ransomware attacks. Royal blessing A lingering row between Britain and the European Union over post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland hung over the talks. But London sought to bring all sides together using the "soft power" diplomacy of Queen Elizabeth II and her heir Prince Charles, at a Friday night reception for leaders and EU chiefs. Joined Saturday by counterparts from Australia, South Africa and South Korea -- with India also taking part remotely -- they then enjoyed an evening beach barbecue around fire pits, featuring a sea shanty band and toasted marshmallows.

G7 vows action on Covid vaccines, Climate Change

G7 leaders were on Sunday urged to take urgent action to secure the future of the planet, as they finalised new conservation and emissions targets to curb climate change, and wrapped up a three-day summit where revived Western unity has been on show.

Veteran environmentalist and broadcaster David Attenborough told the gathering of the world's richest nations the natural world was "greatly diminished" and inequality was widespread.

"The question science forces us to address specifically in 2021 is whether as a result of these intertwined facts we are on the verge of destabilising the entire planet?" he said.

"If that is so, then the decisions we make this decade -- in particular the decisions made by the most economically advanced nations -- are the most important in human history."

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-cautions-g7-small-groups-dont-rule-the-world-391151">China cautions G7: 'Small' groups don't rule the world</a>

The leaders, holding their first in-person gathering in nearly two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, will agree to protect at least 30 percent of both land and ocean globally by the end of the decade.

The "Nature Compact" struck to try to halt and reverse biodiversity loss is also set to see them commit to nearly halve their carbon emissions by 2030, relative to 2010.

It includes phasing out the use of "unabated coal" -- fuel whose emissions have not gone through any filtering -- "as soon as possible", ending most government support for the fossil fuel sector overseas, and phasing out petrol and diesel cars.

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Hailing the pact, host Boris Johnson said the G7 wanted to "drive a global Green Industrial Revolution to transform the way we live".

"There is a direct relationship between reducing emissions, restoring nature, creating jobs and ensuring long-term economic growth," the British prime minister added.

Climate change was a key G7 priority for Britain at the summit in Carbis Bay, southwest England, as it tries to lay the groundwork for hosting the UN COP26 environment summit in November.

But before the pledges had even been formally adopted, environmental campaigners blasted them as lacking enforcement and the necessary scope.

"Despite the green soundbites, Boris Johnson has simply reheated old promises and peppered his plan with hypocrisy, rather than taking real action to tackle the climate and nature emergency," said Greenpeace UK's executive director John Sauven.

He also noted wealthy nations had a "dismal track record" over the last decade honouring international climate finance commitments.

Ties renewed

The G7 -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and United States -- were eager to renew ties after the discord of Donald Trump's four years in power.

Joe Biden has sought to turn the page on his predecessor's international isolationism, seeking to open a new chapter in the Western alliance after Trump alienated and exasperated it at every turn.

Angela Merkel, attending her last G7 as German Chancellor, said Biden had brought "new momentum" to efforts to tackle the world's problems.

A lingering row between Britain and the European Union over post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland hung over the talks.

But London sought to bring all sides together using the "soft power" diplomacy of Queen Elizabeth II and her heir Prince Charles, at a Friday night reception for leaders and EU chiefs.

Joined Saturday by counterparts from Australia, South Africa and South Korea -- with India also taking part remotely -- they then enjoyed an evening beach barbecue around fire pits, featuring a sea shanty band and toasted marshmallows.&nbsp;

Overall, the summit was largely consumed with the tough task of forging a more comprehensive response to the pandemic.

Leaders agreed a declaration to help prevent future pandemics and are expected to commit to donate one billion Covid-19 vaccine doses to poor countries.

However, there they also faced pushback, with critics arguing it provides just a fraction of what is needed to inoculate the world against the virus, which has claimed nearly four million lives globally and is still spawning new variants.

Britain's former prime minister Gordon Brown called the summit "a missed opportunity" and an "unforgivable moral failure".

"We needed 11 billion vaccines, we've only got offered a plan for one billion. We needed $50 billion allocated to the vaccination of the world, and (have) only $5 billion," he told Sky News Sunday.

"Millions of people will go unvaccinated and thousands of people, I'm afraid, will die."

&nbsp;Foreign policy aims

The allies also unveiled US-led plans to counter China in infrastructure funding for poorer nations, promising to "collectively catalyse" hundreds of billions of investment.

The "Build Back Better World" (B3W) project is aimed squarely at competing with Beijing's trillion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, which has been widely criticised for saddling small countries with unmanageable debt.

The leaders will publish further details on the B3W in the traditional end-of-summit communique, alongside issuing the Carbis Bay Declaration on health policy.

On other shared foreign policy challenges, on promoting "open societies", Washington is pushing for a stronger stance on China's alleged forced labour practices against its Muslim Uyghur minority.

Current tense relations with Moscow, in particular over its cyber activity, are also expected to feature, before most present reconvene in Brussels Monday for a NATO meeting, and Biden heads to Geneva for talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

G7 leaders were on Sunday urged to take urgent action to secure the future of the planet, as they finalised new conservation and emissions targets to curb climate change, and wrapped up a three-day summit where revived Western unity has been on show.

G7 leaders were on Sunday urged to take urgent action to secure the future of the planet, as they finalised new conservation and emissions targets to curb climate change, and wrapped up a three-day summit where revived Western unity has been on show. Veteran environmentalist and broadcaster David Attenborough told the gathering of the world's richest nations the natural world was "greatly diminished" and inequality was widespread. "The question science forces us to address specifically in 2021 is whether as a result of these intertwined facts we are on the verge of destabilising the entire planet?" he said. "If that is so, then the decisions we make this decade -- in particular the decisions made by the most economically advanced nations -- are the most important in human history." Also Read: China cautions G7: 'Small' groups don't rule the world The leaders, holding their first in-person gathering in nearly two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, will agree to protect at least 30 percent of both land and ocean globally by the end of the decade. The "Nature Compact" struck to try to halt and reverse biodiversity loss is also set to see them commit to nearly halve their carbon emissions by 2030, relative to 2010. It includes phasing out the use of "unabated coal" -- fuel whose emissions have not gone through any filtering -- "as soon as possible", ending most government support for the fossil fuel sector overseas, and phasing out petrol and diesel cars. × Hailing the pact, host Boris Johnson said the G7 wanted to "drive a global Green Industrial Revolution to transform the way we live". "There is a direct relationship between reducing emissions, restoring nature, creating jobs and ensuring long-term economic growth," the British prime minister added. Climate change was a key G7 priority for Britain at the summit in Carbis Bay, southwest England, as it tries to lay the groundwork for hosting the UN COP26 environment summit in November. But before the pledges had even been formally adopted, environmental campaigners blasted them as lacking enforcement and the necessary scope. "Despite the green soundbites, Boris Johnson has simply reheated old promises and peppered his plan with hypocrisy, rather than taking real action to tackle the climate and nature emergency," said Greenpeace UK's executive director John Sauven. He also noted wealthy nations had a "dismal track record" over the last decade honouring international climate finance commitments. Ties renewed The G7 -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and United States -- were eager to renew ties after the discord of Donald Trump's four years in power. Joe Biden has sought to turn the page on his predecessor's international isolationism, seeking to open a new chapter in the Western alliance after Trump alienated and exasperated it at every turn. Angela Merkel, attending her last G7 as German Chancellor, said Biden had brought "new momentum" to efforts to tackle the world's problems. A lingering row between Britain and the European Union over post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland hung over the talks. But London sought to bring all sides together using the "soft power" diplomacy of Queen Elizabeth II and her heir Prince Charles, at a Friday night reception for leaders and EU chiefs. Joined Saturday by counterparts from Australia, South Africa and South Korea -- with India also taking part remotely -- they then enjoyed an evening beach barbecue around fire pits, featuring a sea shanty band and toasted marshmallows. Overall, the summit was largely consumed with the tough task of forging a more comprehensive response to the pandemic. Leaders agreed a declaration to help prevent future pandemics and are expected to commit to donate one billion Covid-19 vaccine doses to poor countries. However, there they also faced pushback, with critics arguing it provides just a fraction of what is needed to inoculate the world against the virus, which has claimed nearly four million lives globally and is still spawning new variants. Britain's former prime minister Gordon Brown called the summit "a missed opportunity" and an "unforgivable moral failure". "We needed 11 billion vaccines, we've only got offered a plan for one billion. We needed $50 billion allocated to the vaccination of the world, and (have) only $5 billion," he told Sky News Sunday. "Millions of people will go unvaccinated and thousands of people, I'm afraid, will die." Foreign policy aims The allies also unveiled US-led plans to counter China in infrastructure funding for poorer nations, promising to "collectively catalyse" hundreds of billions of investment. The "Build Back Better World" (B3W) project is aimed squarely at competing with Beijing's trillion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, which has been widely criticised for saddling small countries with unmanageable debt. The leaders will publish further details on the B3W in the traditional end-of-summit communique, alongside issuing the Carbis Bay Declaration on health policy. On other shared foreign policy challenges, on promoting "open societies", Washington is pushing for a stronger stance on China's alleged forced labour practices against its Muslim Uyghur minority. Current tense relations with Moscow, in particular over its cyber activity, are also expected to feature, before most present reconvene in Brussels Monday for a NATO meeting, and Biden heads to Geneva for talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

G7 to agree climate, conservation targets as summit ends

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday, said that he and US President Joe Biden should use NATO Summit to move on from past troubles, including a dispute over Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 missiles.

Before travelling to Brussels for the NATO Summit Erdogan told reporters that he would raise the issue of Biden's decision to declare 1915 massacre of Armenians as genocide. This decision by the White House had angered Turkey earlier this year. Turkey, the modern-day state with a legacy of Ottoman Empire insists that the both sides had to face the brunt of the violence.

Erdogan and Biden will also address the issue of F-35 jet programme from which Turkey was removed by the USA after the former made purchase of S-400 missiles from Russia.

(With inputs from agecies)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday, said that he and US President Joe Biden should use NATO Summit to move on from past troubles, including a dispute over Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 missiles.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday, said that he and US President Joe Biden should use NATO Summit to move on from past troubles, including a dispute over Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 missiles. Before travelling to Brussels for the NATO Summit Erdogan told reporters that he would raise the issue of Biden's decision to declare 1915 massacre of Armenians as genocide. This decision by the White House had angered Turkey earlier this year. Turkey, the modern-day state with a legacy of Ottoman Empire insists that the both sides had to face the brunt of the violence. Erdogan and Biden will also address the issue of F-35 jet programme from which Turkey was removed by the USA after the former made purchase of S-400 missiles from Russia. (With inputs from agecies)

Turkey and USA should keep troubles behind, says Erdogan

A top official in the European Medicines Agency said it might be worth abandoning AstraZeneca's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> for all age groups where alternatives are available, in an interview published Sunday.

Marco Cavaleri, the EMA's head of vaccine strategy, also told Italy's La Stampa newspaper that the Johnson &amp; Johnson jab should be preferentially used for the over 60s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-adds-another-rare-blood-condition-as-side-effect-of-astrazeneca-shot-390914">EU adds another rare blood condition as side effect of AstraZeneca shot</a>

Both so-called viral vector vaccines are authorised for everyone over 18 but have been dogged by reports of rare blood clots. The EU has also authorised two mRNA vaccines, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.

Italy on Saturday restricted AstraZeneca vaccines to people aged 60 and over following concerns about the heightened health risks for younger people.

Asked if it would not be better to ban AstraZeneca including for the over 60s, Cavaleri said: "Yes, and it is an option that many countries, such as France and Germany, are considering in the light of the increased availability of mRNA vaccines.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-less-effective-astrazeneca-even-worse-against-variant-first-detected-in-india-study-388279">Pfizer less effective, AstraZeneca even worse against variant first detected in India: Study</a>

"However, incidents were very rare and after the first dose. It is true that there is less data on the second dose, but in the United Kingdom it (the vaccination programme) is going well."

He added: "Among young people the risks of illness decrease, and the message for them could be to use preferentially the mRNA vaccines, but the choice is left to individual states."

He noted the single-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine has "fewer problems than AstraZeneca" while noting it had been less widely used.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europes-vaccine-suspension-may-be-driven-as-much-by-politics-as-science-371109">Europe’s vaccine suspension may be driven as much by politics as science</a>

"With one dose it is useful for some categories that are difficult to reach, but it remains an adenovirus (vaccine) and it is preferable to reserve it for the over 60s," he said.

Messenger RNA genetic technology trains the body to reproduce spike proteins, similar to that found on the coronavirus. When exposed to the real virus later, the body recognises the spike proteins and is able to fight them off.

Viral vector vaccines like AstraZeneca and Johnson &amp; Johnson use genetically-engineered version of a common-cold causing adenovirus as a "vector" to shuttle genetic instructions into human cells.

A top official in the European Medicines Agency said it might be worth abandoning AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine for all age groups where alternatives are available, in an interview published Sunday.

A top official in the European Medicines Agency said it might be worth abandoning AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine for all age groups where alternatives are available, in an interview published Sunday. Marco Cavaleri, the EMA's head of vaccine strategy, also told Italy's La Stampa newspaper that the Johnson & Johnson jab should be preferentially used for the over 60s. Also read | EU adds another rare blood condition as side effect of AstraZeneca shot Both so-called viral vector vaccines are authorised for everyone over 18 but have been dogged by reports of rare blood clots. The EU has also authorised two mRNA vaccines, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Italy on Saturday restricted AstraZeneca vaccines to people aged 60 and over following concerns about the heightened health risks for younger people. Asked if it would not be better to ban AstraZeneca including for the over 60s, Cavaleri said: "Yes, and it is an option that many countries, such as France and Germany, are considering in the light of the increased availability of mRNA vaccines. Also read | Pfizer less effective, AstraZeneca even worse against variant first detected in India: Study "However, incidents were very rare and after the first dose. It is true that there is less data on the second dose, but in the United Kingdom it (the vaccination programme) is going well." He added: "Among young people the risks of illness decrease, and the message for them could be to use preferentially the mRNA vaccines, but the choice is left to individual states." He noted the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine has "fewer problems than AstraZeneca" while noting it had been less widely used. Also read | Europe’s vaccine suspension may be driven as much by politics as science "With one dose it is useful for some categories that are difficult to reach, but it remains an adenovirus (vaccine) and it is preferable to reserve it for the over 60s," he said. Messenger RNA genetic technology trains the body to reproduce spike proteins, similar to that found on the coronavirus. When exposed to the real virus later, the body recognises the spike proteins and is able to fight them off. Viral vector vaccines like AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson use genetically-engineered version of a common-cold causing adenovirus as a "vector" to shuttle genetic instructions into human cells.

European Medicines Agency official suggests ditching AstraZeneca jab

Pope&nbsp;Francis on Sunday offered his prayers to the people of Ethiopia's conflict-wracked Tigray region, which has been hit by famine.

"I am particularly close to the people of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis which exposes the poorest to famine," he said during his Angelus prayer.

"Today there is famine, there is hunger. Let us pray together for an immediate end to the violence, for everyone to be guaranteed food and health assistance, and for the return as soon as possible of social harmony."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-analysis-about-350000-people-in-ethiopias-tigray-in-famine-390882">UN analysis: About 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray in famine</a>

The UN has said that over 90 per cent of the more than five million people in the Tigray region need emergency food aid, and has urgently appealed for more than $200 million to scale up its response.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into the northern region in November to detain and disarm leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the region's former ruling party.

He said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps.

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Though he vowed the conflict would be brief, fighting continues more than six months later and reports of atrocities, including the widespread use of rape, are proliferating.&nbsp;

Pope Francis on Sunday offered his prayers to the people of Ethiopia's conflict-wracked Tigray region, which has been hit by famine. "I am particularly close to the people of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis which exposes the poorest to famine," he said during his Angelus prayer.

Pope Francis on Sunday offered his prayers to the people of Ethiopia's conflict-wracked Tigray region, which has been hit by famine. "I am particularly close to the people of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis which exposes the poorest to famine," he said during his Angelus prayer. "Today there is famine, there is hunger. Let us pray together for an immediate end to the violence, for everyone to be guaranteed food and health assistance, and for the return as soon as possible of social harmony." Also read | UN analysis: About 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray in famine The UN has said that over 90 per cent of the more than five million people in the Tigray region need emergency food aid, and has urgently appealed for more than $200 million to scale up its response. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into the northern region in November to detain and disarm leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the region's former ruling party. He said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps. Though he vowed the conflict would be brief, fighting continues more than six months later and reports of atrocities, including the widespread use of rape, are proliferating.

Pope offers prayers for famine-hit Tigray

South Africa, which is struggling to roll out its inoculation programme as it enters a third wave of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus pandemic</a>, said Sunday it will pull two million doses of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/johnson-and-johnson-covid-vaccine-update">Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine</a> following contamination concerns at one of the US drugmaker's sites.&nbsp;

On Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration told J&amp;J that millions of doses produced at the group's Emergent BioSolutions facility in the city of Baltimore were not suitable for use.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-tells-jj-millions-of-vaccine-doses-from-troubled-plant-cant-be-used-390950">US tells J&amp;J millions of vaccine doses from troubled plant can't be used</a>

Following a review of the FDA decision, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said in a statement that it had decided "not to release vaccine produced using the drug substance batches that were not suitable".

J&amp;J's Emergent plant was ordered to pause production in April several weeks after it was determined that batches of a substance used to produce the vaccine were cross-contaminated with ingredients from another jab made by Anglo-Swedish pharma giant AstraZeneca.&nbsp;

J&amp;J did not reveal the precise number of doses in each batch, but they are known to correspond to several million jabs.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-suspends-johnson-johnson-coronavirus-vaccine-amid-clot-concerns-377433">South Africa suspends Johnson &amp; Johnson coronavirus vaccine amid clot concerns</a>

The FDA is still deciding whether to allow the factory to reopen.&nbsp;

Acknowledging the setback in South Africa's vaccination programme, Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said Saturday that the country had two batches representing some two million doses, that were stored in a high-security laboratory in Port Elizabeth belonging to drugmaker Aspen.&nbsp;

South Africa is one of the countries campaigning for a waiver of patents on COVID-19 vaccines in order to allow every nation to produce generic versions at low cost.&nbsp;

"If we are to save lives and end the pandemic, we need to expand and diversify manufacturing and get medical products to treat, combat and prevent the pandemic to as many people as quickly as possible," President Cyril Ramaphosa told the G7 group of wealthy nations meeting in Britain on Sunday.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-fda-extends-shelf-life-of-jj-vaccine-from-3-to-45-months-390702">US: FDA extends shelf-life of J&amp;J vaccine from 3 to 4.5 months</a>

South Africa is counting on a delivery of 31 million doses of the single-shot J&amp;J vaccine to help inoculate its population of 59 million.&nbsp;

One percent vaccinated&nbsp;

It has also secured 30 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, but that jab must be stored at extremely low temperatures and requires two shots.

SAHPRA said that a new delivery of around 300,000 doses of the J&amp;J jab "that have been cleared by the US FDA that meet the requirements and will subsequently be released and shipped to South Africa."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-enters-third-wave-of-coronavirus-positivity-rate-reaches-157-390705">South Africa enters third wave of coronavirus; positivity rate reaches 15.7%</a>

The government already temporarily suspended vaccinations in April after rare cases of blood clots were reported in the US.

And in February, South Africa turned down more than 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine because of doubts about its efficacy on the local coronavirus variant.&nbsp;

Lagging behind many other countries, South Africa has only vaccinated just over one percent of its population. It is the African country hardest hit by the pandemic, with more than 1.7 million infections and nearly 58,000 deaths.&nbsp;

More than 9,300 new cases were registered in the past 24 hours.

South Africa, which is struggling to roll out its inoculation programme as it enters a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, said Sunday it will pull two million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following contamination concerns at one of the US drugmaker's sites.

South Africa, which is struggling to roll out its inoculation programme as it enters a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, said Sunday it will pull two million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following contamination concerns at one of the US drugmaker's sites. On Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration told J&J that millions of doses produced at the group's Emergent BioSolutions facility in the city of Baltimore were not suitable for use. Also read | US tells J&J millions of vaccine doses from troubled plant can't be used Following a review of the FDA decision, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said in a statement that it had decided "not to release vaccine produced using the drug substance batches that were not suitable". J&J's Emergent plant was ordered to pause production in April several weeks after it was determined that batches of a substance used to produce the vaccine were cross-contaminated with ingredients from another jab made by Anglo-Swedish pharma giant AstraZeneca. J&J did not reveal the precise number of doses in each batch, but they are known to correspond to several million jabs. Also read | South Africa suspends Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine amid clot concerns The FDA is still deciding whether to allow the factory to reopen. Acknowledging the setback in South Africa's vaccination programme, Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said Saturday that the country had two batches representing some two million doses, that were stored in a high-security laboratory in Port Elizabeth belonging to drugmaker Aspen. South Africa is one of the countries campaigning for a waiver of patents on COVID-19 vaccines in order to allow every nation to produce generic versions at low cost. "If we are to save lives and end the pandemic, we need to expand and diversify manufacturing and get medical products to treat, combat and prevent the pandemic to as many people as quickly as possible," President Cyril Ramaphosa told the G7 group of wealthy nations meeting in Britain on Sunday. Also read | US: FDA extends shelf-life of J&J vaccine from 3 to 4.5 months South Africa is counting on a delivery of 31 million doses of the single-shot J&J vaccine to help inoculate its population of 59 million. One percent vaccinated It has also secured 30 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, but that jab must be stored at extremely low temperatures and requires two shots. SAHPRA said that a new delivery of around 300,000 doses of the J&J jab "that have been cleared by the US FDA that meet the requirements and will subsequently be released and shipped to South Africa." Also read | South Africa enters third wave of coronavirus; positivity rate reaches 15.7% The government already temporarily suspended vaccinations in April after rare cases of blood clots were reported in the US. And in February, South Africa turned down more than 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine because of doubts about its efficacy on the local coronavirus variant. Lagging behind many other countries, South Africa has only vaccinated just over one percent of its population. It is the African country hardest hit by the pandemic, with more than 1.7 million infections and nearly 58,000 deaths. More than 9,300 new cases were registered in the past 24 hours.

South Africa pulls two million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Pro-democracy protesters agitating against Myanmar's military junta flooded Myanmar's social media with their pictures wearing black and showing solidarity to Rohingya Muslims.

Rohingyas are among the most persecuted minority in the country.

Since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power in a February 1 coup, an anti-junta movement demanding a return to democracy has grown to include fighting for ethnic minority rights.&nbsp;

Rohingya Muslims, viewed by many in Myanmar as interlopers from Bangladesh have for decades been denied citizenship, rights, access to services and freedom of movement

Activists and civilians took to social media on Sunday to post pictures of themselves wearing black and flashing a three-finger salute of resistance, in posts tagged "#Black4Rohingya".

"Justice must (be) served for each of you and each of us in Myanmar," said prominent rights activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi on Twitter.

A small protest was shown on local media. The protest took place in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon. Black clad demonstrators held signs in Burmese which said that they were protesting for the oppressed Rohingya"

By afternoon, the #Black4Rohingya hashtag was trending on Twitter in Myanmar, with more than 180,000 mentions. 
Sunday's show of support from the mostly Buddhist, ethnic Bamar-majority population is a far cry from previous years, when even using the term "Rohingya" was a lightning rod for controversy.

In 2017, a bloody military campaign in Myanmar's west sent some 740,000 Rohingya fleeing across the border into Bangladesh carrying accounts of rape, mass killings and arson.

The military has long claimed the crackdown was justified to root out insurgents, and Suu Kyi also defended the army's conduct by travelling to the Hague to rebut charges of genocide at the UN's top court.

The Myanmar public was largely unsympathetic to the Rohingya's plight, while activists and journalists reporting on the issues faced vitriolic abuse online.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Pro-democracy protesters agitating against Myanmar's military junta flooded Myanmar's social media with their pictures wearing black and showing solidarity to Rohingya Muslims.

Pro-democracy protesters agitating against Myanmar's military junta flooded Myanmar's social media with their pictures wearing black and showing solidarity to Rohingya Muslims. Rohingyas are among the most persecuted minority in the country. Since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power in a February 1 coup, an anti-junta movement demanding a return to democracy has grown to include fighting for ethnic minority rights. Rohingya Muslims, viewed by many in Myanmar as interlopers from Bangladesh have for decades been denied citizenship, rights, access to services and freedom of movement Activists and civilians took to social media on Sunday to post pictures of themselves wearing black and flashing a three-finger salute of resistance, in posts tagged "#Black4Rohingya". "Justice must (be) served for each of you and each of us in Myanmar," said prominent rights activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi on Twitter. A small protest was shown on local media. The protest took place in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon. Black clad demonstrators held signs in Burmese which said that they were protesting for the oppressed Rohingya" By afternoon, the #Black4Rohingya hashtag was trending on Twitter in Myanmar, with more than 180,000 mentions. Sunday's show of support from the mostly Buddhist, ethnic Bamar-majority population is a far cry from previous years, when even using the term "Rohingya" was a lightning rod for controversy. In 2017, a bloody military campaign in Myanmar's west sent some 740,000 Rohingya fleeing across the border into Bangladesh carrying accounts of rape, mass killings and arson. The military has long claimed the crackdown was justified to root out insurgents, and Suu Kyi also defended the army's conduct by travelling to the Hague to rebut charges of genocide at the UN's top court. The Myanmar public was largely unsympathetic to the Rohingya's plight, while activists and journalists reporting on the issues faced vitriolic abuse online. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar pro-democracy protesters show support for Rohingya

In a significant move, India and Kuwait have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation that will protect the rights of Indian domestic workers in Kuwait by introducing employment contracts that provides them with the protection of Law.&nbsp;

The pact, on the anvil for a long time, was signed during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the country. It streamlines the recruitment process for Indian workers. The MoU focusses on the signing of contracts that ensure the rights and obligations of both Kuwaiti employers and Indian domestic workers.&nbsp;

EAM speaking to the Indian Diaspora in Kuwait said that the MoU, "streamlines and strengthens the position of our workers in Kuwait" and it is "an important step which would encourage greater Indian presence" in the country.

The MoU was signed by India's Ambassador to Kuwait Sibi George and Kuwait's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Majdi Ahmad Al–Dhafiri. Under the MoU, a 24-hour mechanism will be established to assist domestic workers. Also, a joint committee will be established for periodic review and assessment and a follow-up to the implementation of MoU.

Kuwait hosts, over one million Indian community members. They form the largest expatriate community in the West Asian country. The Indian embassy has an Indian Workers’ Welfare Centre which provides a toll-free 24x7 telephonic helpline for Indian domestic workers, a labour complaint redressal mechanism and accommodation for domestic workers in distress and other services.

India's External Affairs Minister was on a 3-day visit to the country as part of increased political engagement between the 2 countries. During the meeting, he called on Kuwait's PM Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and held delegation-level talks with FM Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.

Indian foreign minister during the talks conveyed to Kuwaiti leadership the country's efforts and role amid the 2nd wave of Covid pandemic in India. Kuwait and India had established an air and sea bridge under which the West Asian country had sent Liquid Medical Oxygen and Oxygen containers to deal with the crisis.

Later this year, India and Kuwait will hold the first meeting of the Kuwait-India joint commission and will also plan early meeting of joint working groups on health, hydrocarbon and manpower. This year both sides celebrate the 60th year of diplomatic ties, one that will continue through the year 2021-2022.

In a significant move, India and Kuwait have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation that will protect the rights of Indian domestic workers in Kuwait by introducing employment contracts that provides them with the protection of Law.

In a significant move, India and Kuwait have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation that will protect the rights of Indian domestic workers in Kuwait by introducing employment contracts that provides them with the protection of Law. The pact, on the anvil for a long time, was signed during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the country. It streamlines the recruitment process for Indian workers. The MoU focusses on the signing of contracts that ensure the rights and obligations of both Kuwaiti employers and Indian domestic workers. EAM speaking to the Indian Diaspora in Kuwait said that the MoU, "streamlines and strengthens the position of our workers in Kuwait" and it is "an important step which would encourage greater Indian presence" in the country. The MoU was signed by India's Ambassador to Kuwait Sibi George and Kuwait's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Majdi Ahmad Al–Dhafiri. Under the MoU, a 24-hour mechanism will be established to assist domestic workers. Also, a joint committee will be established for periodic review and assessment and a follow-up to the implementation of MoU. Kuwait hosts, over one million Indian community members. They form the largest expatriate community in the West Asian country. The Indian embassy has an Indian Workers’ Welfare Centre which provides a toll-free 24x7 telephonic helpline for Indian domestic workers, a labour complaint redressal mechanism and accommodation for domestic workers in distress and other services. India's External Affairs Minister was on a 3-day visit to the country as part of increased political engagement between the 2 countries. During the meeting, he called on Kuwait's PM Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and held delegation-level talks with FM Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah. Indian foreign minister during the talks conveyed to Kuwaiti leadership the country's efforts and role amid the 2nd wave of Covid pandemic in India. Kuwait and India had established an air and sea bridge under which the West Asian country had sent Liquid Medical Oxygen and Oxygen containers to deal with the crisis. Later this year, India and Kuwait will hold the first meeting of the Kuwait-India joint commission and will also plan early meeting of joint working groups on health, hydrocarbon and manpower. This year both sides celebrate the 60th year of diplomatic ties, one that will continue through the year 2021-2022.

India, Kuwait sign pacts to protect rights of Indian domestic workers

With Covid pandemic continuing to impact many parts of the world, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the mantra of "One Earth, One Health" at G7 outreach summit&nbsp;

India, along with South Africa, South Korea &amp; Australia have been invited by UK for the G7 outreach summit taking place in Cornwall. PM Modi joined the summit virtually.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel specifically referred to PM's mantra of "One Earth, One Health" at the meet and conveyed her strong support for it.

During the meet, the India-South Africa proposal at World Trade Organisation (WTO) for Covid vaccine patent wavier was referred. Australian PM Scott Morrison during the summit, recalling his discussions with PM Modi about Covid vaccine patent wavier conveyed his country's strong support to it.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-adopts-global-infrastructure-plan-an-answer-to-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-391026">G7 adopts global infrastructure plan, an answer to China's Belt and Road Initiative</a>

Last week, WTO was able to achieve consensus on it with India calling for early conclusion of text-based negotiations.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron called for supply of Covid vaccine raw materials to major vaccine producers like India for mass production of vaccines. He had mentioned this at a press conference ahead of the summit too. At the press conference, he highlighted that intellectual property (IP) should never be a barrier to access vaccines &amp; also the need to work on the proposal for a time-and space-limited exemption of IP.

With Covid pandemic continuing to impact many parts of the world, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the mantra of "One Earth, One Health" at G7 outreach summit India, along with South Africa, South Korea & Australia have been invited by UK for the G7 outreach summit taking place in Cornwall.

With Covid pandemic continuing to impact many parts of the world, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the mantra of "One Earth, One Health" at G7 outreach summit India, along with South Africa, South Korea & Australia have been invited by UK for the G7 outreach summit taking place in Cornwall. PM Modi joined the summit virtually. German Chancellor Angela Merkel specifically referred to PM's mantra of "One Earth, One Health" at the meet and conveyed her strong support for it. During the meet, the India-South Africa proposal at World Trade Organisation (WTO) for Covid vaccine patent wavier was referred. Australian PM Scott Morrison during the summit, recalling his discussions with PM Modi about Covid vaccine patent wavier conveyed his country's strong support to it. Also Read | G7 adopts global infrastructure plan, an answer to China's Belt and Road Initiative Last week, WTO was able to achieve consensus on it with India calling for early conclusion of text-based negotiations. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron called for supply of Covid vaccine raw materials to major vaccine producers like India for mass production of vaccines. He had mentioned this at a press conference ahead of the summit too. At the press conference, he highlighted that intellectual property (IP) should never be a barrier to access vaccines & also the need to work on the proposal for a time-and space-limited exemption of IP.

G7 outreach summit: PM Modi gives mantra of 'One Earth, One Health'

The GST Council on Saturday slashed tax rate on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab as well as on medical oxygen and oxygen concentrators but ignored demands for reduction in taxes on vaccines.

The Council, acting on the recommendation of a group of ministers from different states, cut to nil GST on COVID-19 drug Tocilizumab and black fungus medicine Amphotericin B, from existing 5 per cent. Besides, hand sanitiser, pulse oximeter, BiPAP machine, testing kit, ambulance and temperature check equipment were among the 18 items on which GST rates were lowered.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reports-84332-new-coronavirus-cases-in-24-hours-its-lowest-in-70-days-390986">India reports 84,332 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, its lowest in 70 days</a>

A 5 per cent GST levy on vaccines will continue which will allow manufacturers to get benefit of settling taxes paid on inputs.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained that the 5 per cent levy will not put any additional burden on common man as the government was procuring all vaccines and giving them to citizens for free.

The reduced tax rates were based on a recommendation of a group of ministers, headed by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, and would remain effective till September 30, 2021.

"It was felt that the GoM's recommendations has brought in a lot of substantial change. Many items, that were at 18 per cent and 12 per cent, brought down to 5 per cent. So there was a lot of substance in the recommendation made by GoM. The Council largely agreed to go with GoM's recommendation...," Sitharaman said while briefing reporters after the 44th GST Council meeting here.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-stand-in-solidarity-with-india-says-irans-envoy-dr-ali-chegeni-lauds-new-delhi-for-its-open-hand-390541">COVID-19: Stand in solidarity with India says Iran's envoy Dr Ali Chegeni; lauds New Delhi for its ‘open hand’</a>

The notification of lower GST rates would be issued "tomorrow or day after".

While GST on Tocilizumab and Amphotericin B is slashed to nil from 5 per cent, the rate on Remdesivir and anticoagulants like Heparin is lowered from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. GST rate on ambulance has been cut to 12 per cent from 28 per cent.

Tax on medical grade oxygen, oxygen concentrator (including personal imports), ventilators, BiPAP machines and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) devices has been cut to 5 per cent from 12 per cent.

Also, tax on Covid testing kits, pulse oximeter (including personal imports) has been brought down to 5 per cent from 12 per cent. Hand sanitisers, temperature check equipment, gas/electric furnaces for crematoriums too will attract lower 5 per cent tax, compared to 18 per cent earlier.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-govt-issues-guidelines-on-covid-19-in-children-says-remdesivir-not-recommended-390531">Indian govt issues guidelines on COVID-19 in children, says Remdesivir not recommended</a>

In the previous meeting of the GST Council on May 28, taxes on COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies were left unchanged after the BJP&nbsp;and Opposition ruled states sparred over whether the tax cut benefits will reach the common man.

An 8-member GoM, under Sangma, was set up to recommend GST rate on Covid essentials.

The other members of the GoM are Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, Finance ministers of Kerala (K N Balagopal), Odisha (Niranjan Pujari), Telangana (T Harish Rao) and UP (Suresh Kr Khanna).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/govt-allocates-additional-17-lakh-vials-of-amphotericin-b-to-states-uts-390453">Govt allocates additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B to states, UTs</a>

To a query on Congress saying that they were not made part of the GoM, Sitharaman said, "... I don't want to comment on what was said outside. In the Council, the three Congress ministers said that in the future at least you should consider having us in GoM. The selection into a GoM is never made on party basis, neither is the exclusion. There are several GoMs and several ministers are made members of the GoM. All states are given representation in one or the other GoM. Neither the inclusion, nor the exclusions happen on political party affiliations."

Industry chamber PHDCCI said the calibrated reduction in the rates of GST on Covid relief essentials will go a long way in treating Covid cases and to provide required relief for treatment of infections.

"PHDCCI looks forward to the continued reform measures by the government to mitigate the daunting impact of Covid on people and to make India free from the pandemic," it said in a statement.

The GST Council on Saturday slashed tax rate on COVID-19 drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab as well as on medical oxygen and oxygen concentrators but ignored demands for reduction in taxes on vaccines.

The GST Council on Saturday slashed tax rate on COVID-19 drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab as well as on medical oxygen and oxygen concentrators but ignored demands for reduction in taxes on vaccines. The Council, acting on the recommendation of a group of ministers from different states, cut to nil GST on COVID-19 drug Tocilizumab and black fungus medicine Amphotericin B, from existing 5 per cent. Besides, hand sanitiser, pulse oximeter, BiPAP machine, testing kit, ambulance and temperature check equipment were among the 18 items on which GST rates were lowered. Also read | India reports 84,332 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, its lowest in 70 days A 5 per cent GST levy on vaccines will continue which will allow manufacturers to get benefit of settling taxes paid on inputs. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained that the 5 per cent levy will not put any additional burden on common man as the government was procuring all vaccines and giving them to citizens for free. The reduced tax rates were based on a recommendation of a group of ministers, headed by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, and would remain effective till September 30, 2021. "It was felt that the GoM's recommendations has brought in a lot of substantial change. Many items, that were at 18 per cent and 12 per cent, brought down to 5 per cent. So there was a lot of substance in the recommendation made by GoM. The Council largely agreed to go with GoM's recommendation...," Sitharaman said while briefing reporters after the 44th GST Council meeting here. Also read | COVID-19: Stand in solidarity with India says Iran's envoy Dr Ali Chegeni; lauds New Delhi for its ‘open hand’ The notification of lower GST rates would be issued "tomorrow or day after". While GST on Tocilizumab and Amphotericin B is slashed to nil from 5 per cent, the rate on Remdesivir and anticoagulants like Heparin is lowered from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. GST rate on ambulance has been cut to 12 per cent from 28 per cent. Tax on medical grade oxygen, oxygen concentrator (including personal imports), ventilators, BiPAP machines and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) devices has been cut to 5 per cent from 12 per cent. Also, tax on Covid testing kits, pulse oximeter (including personal imports) has been brought down to 5 per cent from 12 per cent. Hand sanitisers, temperature check equipment, gas/electric furnaces for crematoriums too will attract lower 5 per cent tax, compared to 18 per cent earlier. Also read | Indian govt issues guidelines on COVID-19 in children, says Remdesivir not recommended In the previous meeting of the GST Council on May 28, taxes on COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies were left unchanged after the BJP and Opposition ruled states sparred over whether the tax cut benefits will reach the common man. An 8-member GoM, under Sangma, was set up to recommend GST rate on Covid essentials. The other members of the GoM are Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, Finance ministers of Kerala (K N Balagopal), Odisha (Niranjan Pujari), Telangana (T Harish Rao) and UP (Suresh Kr Khanna). Also read | Govt allocates additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B to states, UTs To a query on Congress saying that they were not made part of the GoM, Sitharaman said, "... I don't want to comment on what was said outside. In the Council, the three Congress ministers said that in the future at least you should consider having us in GoM. The selection into a GoM is never made on party basis, neither is the exclusion. There are several GoMs and several ministers are made members of the GoM. All states are given representation in one or the other GoM. Neither the inclusion, nor the exclusions happen on political party affiliations." Industry chamber PHDCCI said the calibrated reduction in the rates of GST on Covid relief essentials will go a long way in treating Covid cases and to provide required relief for treatment of infections. "PHDCCI looks forward to the continued reform measures by the government to mitigate the daunting impact of Covid on people and to make India free from the pandemic," it said in a statement.

GST slashed on COVID-19, black fungus medicines; 5% tax retained on vaccines

A Los Angeles-Atlanta flight was diverted for emergency landing after a passenger attacked two flight attendants and threatened to bring the plane down. The incident took place late Friday (local time)

A frightening commotion broke out in the front of Delta Flight 1730, according to the airline and media reports.

As a man grappled with flight attendants -- and said repeatedly that he was "going to take the plane down" -- the pilot called over the public address system for "all able-bodied men" to assist.

Several, including an off-duty pilot, rushed forward and, after several moments of violent struggle partly captured on video, were able to overpower the man, police said.

The plane, which had been well on its way from the West Coast to Atlanta in the southeast, was diverted instead to Oklahoma City.&nbsp;

Police there took the suspect, identified as an off-duty Delta employee in his late 20s, into custody, reports said. His precise motive was unknown.

After complaining of chest pains and showing signs of what police said were mental issues, the man was hospitalized.

No other injuries were reported.

In a statement, Delta thanked the passengers and crew who "assisted in detaining an unruly passenger."

Police searched the plane before allowing the flight to continue on. The FBI is investigating.

The incident took place the same day the US Transportation Security Administration said its agents had screened more than two million passengers at airports -- the most since before the Covid-19 crisis erupted.

Meantime, data from the Federal Aviation Authority show that "unruly passenger" incidents on commercial flights have shot up this year amid high stress levels and as mask-wearing has taken on a political edge.

The agency has launched 394 formal enforcement actions in "unruly passenger" cases through May 25 of this year, a far higher pace than the 183 for all of 2020, according to its website.

Many more cases have not led to formal action.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Los Angeles-Atlanta flight was diverted for emergency landing after a passenger attacked two flight attendants and threatened to bring the plane down. The incident took place late Friday (local time) A frightening commotion broke out in the front of Delta Flight 1730, according to the airline and media reports.

A Los Angeles-Atlanta flight was diverted for emergency landing after a passenger attacked two flight attendants and threatened to bring the plane down. The incident took place late Friday (local time) A frightening commotion broke out in the front of Delta Flight 1730, according to the airline and media reports. As a man grappled with flight attendants -- and said repeatedly that he was "going to take the plane down" -- the pilot called over the public address system for "all able-bodied men" to assist. Several, including an off-duty pilot, rushed forward and, after several moments of violent struggle partly captured on video, were able to overpower the man, police said. The plane, which had been well on its way from the West Coast to Atlanta in the southeast, was diverted instead to Oklahoma City. Police there took the suspect, identified as an off-duty Delta employee in his late 20s, into custody, reports said. His precise motive was unknown. After complaining of chest pains and showing signs of what police said were mental issues, the man was hospitalized. No other injuries were reported. In a statement, Delta thanked the passengers and crew who "assisted in detaining an unruly passenger." Police searched the plane before allowing the flight to continue on. The FBI is investigating. The incident took place the same day the US Transportation Security Administration said its agents had screened more than two million passengers at airports -- the most since before the Covid-19 crisis erupted. Meantime, data from the Federal Aviation Authority show that "unruly passenger" incidents on commercial flights have shot up this year amid high stress levels and as mask-wearing has taken on a political edge. The agency has launched 394 formal enforcement actions in "unruly passenger" cases through May 25 of this year, a far higher pace than the 183 for all of 2020, according to its website. Many more cases have not led to formal action. (With inputs from agencies)

Flight diverted after man threatens to 'take plane down' in US

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Manas Joshi

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