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The daily COVID-19 count in India remained below the 1,00,000 mark for the fifth consecutive day with the country reporting 84,332 fresh cases, its lowest in 70 days, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Saturday.

With the fresh cases, the infection tally has climbed to 2,93,59,155. The COVID-19 death toll climbed to 3,67,081 with 4,002 daily deaths, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The number of active cases further declined to 10,80,690, accounting for 3.68 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 95.07 per cent.

India's active caseload declined to less than 11 lakh after 63 days while 84,332 new cases reported in 24 hours are the lowest in 70 days, the ministry said.

Also, 20,44,131 coronavirus tests were conducted on Friday taking the total number to 37,42,42,384. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.39 per cent. It has been less than 10 per cent for the 19th consecutive day, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has also declined to 4.94 per cent.

Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for the 30th consecutive day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,79,11,384, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.25 per cent, the data stated.

Cumulatively, 24,96,00,304 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

The 4,002 new fatalities include 2,619 from Maharashtra, 378 from Tamil Nadu, 173 from Kerala and 159 from Karnataka. A total of 3,67,081 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 1,06,367 from Maharashtra, 32,644 from Karnataka, 28,906 from Tamil Nadu, 24,772 from Delhi, 21,667 from Uttar Pradesh, 16,731 from West Bengal, 15,435 from Punjab and 13,300 from Chhattisgarh.

The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

The daily COVID-19 count in India remained below the 1,00,000 mark for the fifth consecutive day with the country reporting 84,332 fresh cases, its lowest in 70 days, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Saturday.

The daily COVID-19 count in India remained below the 1,00,000 mark for the fifth consecutive day with the country reporting 84,332 fresh cases, its lowest in 70 days, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Saturday. With the fresh cases, the infection tally has climbed to 2,93,59,155. The COVID-19 death toll climbed to 3,67,081 with 4,002 daily deaths, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of active cases further declined to 10,80,690, accounting for 3.68 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 95.07 per cent. India's active caseload declined to less than 11 lakh after 63 days while 84,332 new cases reported in 24 hours are the lowest in 70 days, the ministry said. Also, 20,44,131 coronavirus tests were conducted on Friday taking the total number to 37,42,42,384. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.39 per cent. It has been less than 10 per cent for the 19th consecutive day, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has also declined to 4.94 per cent. Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for the 30th consecutive day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,79,11,384, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.25 per cent, the data stated. Cumulatively, 24,96,00,304 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. The 4,002 new fatalities include 2,619 from Maharashtra, 378 from Tamil Nadu, 173 from Kerala and 159 from Karnataka. A total of 3,67,081 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 1,06,367 from Maharashtra, 32,644 from Karnataka, 28,906 from Tamil Nadu, 24,772 from Delhi, 21,667 from Uttar Pradesh, 16,731 from West Bengal, 15,435 from Punjab and 13,300 from Chhattisgarh. The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

India reports 84,332 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, its lowest in 70 days

India's deputy ambassador to United Nations Nagaraj Naidu will be the Chef de Cabinet of the President-elect of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid. This is for the first time that an Indian diplomat has been given this post, and his tenure will be for one year.

The post is similar to&nbsp;chief of staff, or like in the Indian system, PM's principal secretary.

"As you are well aware the General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Member States of the UN, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of international issues including peace and security,"&nbsp;Nagaraj told WION.

"It is indeed a privilege and an opportunity to serve under the leadership of President-elect Abdulla Shahid. We are looking forward for a Presidency of hope," he added.

Naidu is a 1998 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, a fluent Chinese speaker, and an avid yoga practitioner. He has served in China and was also the National Coordinator for establishing the International Solar Alliance in India.&nbsp;

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Inversions in preparation for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA74?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA74</a> <a href="https://t.co/998PcZdeLY">pic.twitter.com/998PcZdeLY</a>
— Amb/DPR to UN Nagaraj Naidu IFS (@NagNaidu08) <a href="https://twitter.com/NagNaidu08/status/1175038124105326593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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From 2017 to 2018 he has served as Joint Secretary/Director General of the Europe West Division and was responsible for India's bilateral political engagement with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and the European Union.&nbsp;

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@mohitfreedom <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fitnesschallange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fitnesschallange</a> accepted and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/challengeexecuted?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#challengeexecuted</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yogarocks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yogarocks</a> <a href="https://t.co/2f8KcbKqWK">pic.twitter.com/2f8KcbKqWK</a>
— Amb/DPR to UN Nagaraj Naidu IFS (@NagNaidu08) <a href="https://twitter.com/NagNaidu08/status/1000211419571376128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The announcement was made in a tweet-statement by&nbsp;Abdulla Shahid, President-elect of 76th session of UNGA who said, "have appointed...Ambassador Nagaraj Naidu Kumar as my Chef du Cabinet."

Abdulla has also announced the appointment of Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain as the special envoy to the President of the United Nations General assembly. Thilmeeza Hussain is Maldives Permanent Representative to the United Nations and also the country's envoy to the US.

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Today, I have appointed Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain as Special Envoy of the PGA, and Ambassador Nagaraj Naidu Kumar as my Chef du Cabinet. They will be instrumental in delivering my vision for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidencyOfHope?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PresidencyOfHope</a> <a href="https://t.co/1FsvJQKie3">pic.twitter.com/1FsvJQKie3</a>
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid/status/1402741435598884867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Maldives Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid was elected as the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week and will start his one-year tenure from September. He got substantial 143 votes in the election process that requires 96 votes as the threshold.&nbsp;

In a conversation with WION, he said, "I am deeply humbled, by this election. I am also at the same time a proud Maldivian today. This is a great honor for the Maldivian people, for the nation."

The tenure of the post is one year and is considered to be&nbsp;prestigious due to its authority over the working of the General Assembly.

This is for the first time a Maldivian national is holding the post and his candidature was backed by India. In his vision statement titled "A Presidency of Hope: Delivering for People, Planet and Prosperity”, FM Shahid listed five priority themes, called "Five Rays of Hope”. These key areas are recovering from COVID, rebuilding sustainably, responding to the needs of the planet, respecting the rights of all, revitalising the United Nations.

India's deputy ambassador to United Nations Nagaraj Naidu will be the Chef de Cabinet of the President-elect of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid.

India's deputy ambassador to United Nations Nagaraj Naidu will be the Chef de Cabinet of the President-elect of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid. This is for the first time that an Indian diplomat has been given this post, and his tenure will be for one year. The post is similar to chief of staff, or like in the Indian system, PM's principal secretary. "As you are well aware the General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Member States of the UN, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of international issues including peace and security," Nagaraj told WION. "It is indeed a privilege and an opportunity to serve under the leadership of President-elect Abdulla Shahid. We are looking forward for a Presidency of hope," he added. Naidu is a 1998 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, a fluent Chinese speaker, and an avid yoga practitioner. He has served in China and was also the National Coordinator for establishing the International Solar Alliance in India. Inversions in preparation for #UNGA74 pic.twitter.com/998PcZdeLY — Amb/DPR to UN Nagaraj Naidu IFS (@NagNaidu08) September 20, 2019 × From 2017 to 2018 he has served as Joint Secretary/Director General of the Europe West Division and was responsible for India's bilateral political engagement with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and the European Union. @mohitfreedom #fitnesschallange accepted and #challengeexecuted #yogarocks pic.twitter.com/2f8KcbKqWK — Amb/DPR to UN Nagaraj Naidu IFS (@NagNaidu08) May 26, 2018 × The announcement was made in a tweet-statement by Abdulla Shahid, President-elect of 76th session of UNGA who said, "have appointed...Ambassador Nagaraj Naidu Kumar as my Chef du Cabinet." Abdulla has also announced the appointment of Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain as the special envoy to the President of the United Nations General assembly. Thilmeeza Hussain is Maldives Permanent Representative to the United Nations and also the country's envoy to the US. Today, I have appointed Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain as Special Envoy of the PGA, and Ambassador Nagaraj Naidu Kumar as my Chef du Cabinet. They will be instrumental in delivering my vision for the #PresidencyOfHope pic.twitter.com/1FsvJQKie3 — Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) June 9, 2021 × Maldives Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid was elected as the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week and will start his one-year tenure from September. He got substantial 143 votes in the election process that requires 96 votes as the threshold. In a conversation with WION, he said, "I am deeply humbled, by this election. I am also at the same time a proud Maldivian today. This is a great honor for the Maldivian people, for the nation." The tenure of the post is one year and is considered to be prestigious due to its authority over the working of the General Assembly. This is for the first time a Maldivian national is holding the post and his candidature was backed by India. In his vision statement titled "A Presidency of Hope: Delivering for People, Planet and Prosperity”, FM Shahid listed five priority themes, called "Five Rays of Hope”. These key areas are recovering from COVID, rebuilding sustainably, responding to the needs of the planet, respecting the rights of all, revitalising the United Nations.

In a first, Indian diplomat Nagaraj Naidu to be UNGA President's Chef de Cabinet

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) will be developing an indigenous Vessel Traffic Management Software and hardware that is used in ports. Currently, Indian ports use foreign options for fulfilling the same purpose, thus leading to higher costs.

A Memorandum of Understanding between IIT-M and the VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Trust in Tuticorin was signed for this software development project.&nbsp;

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Led by the National Technology Center for Ports Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), a centre of excellence at IIT Madras, this project is in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and Digital India. The present VTS at VOC Port has been operational for nearly seven years. Given the rapid increases in maritime traffic in India and abroad, a more VTS effective system would help create higher safety levels.

According to T.K. Ramachandran, IAS, Chairman, VOC Port Trust, Tuticorin, theirs is the first major Indian port to sign an MoU with NTCPWC for indigenous software development. He said this home-grown alternative would be a game-changer in Indian Maritime Industry.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chennai-indias-detroit-rolls-out-cars-despite-covid-19-risk-and-ongoing-lockdown-389457" hreflang="en">Chennai: India’s Detroit rolls out cars despite COVID-19 risk and ongoing lockdown&nbsp;</a>

WION&nbsp;spoke to K. Murali, Professor In-charge, NTCPWC-IIT Madras, to understand the advantages of this project and&nbsp;its larger significance in comparison with foreign options.&nbsp;

According to him, when buying from foreign companies, they offer very expensive, complete hardware-software packages, whose internal workings are not known to the user. Whereas, in the case of indigenous development, the software can be developed here and upgrade of hardware can be done based on in-house experts recommendation. The hardware so required is meant to be directly procured by the ports, thus working out to be 50 per cent&nbsp;cheaper.&nbsp;

"Though ours is a maiden initiative, the software is expected to be ready in less than a year. Our software will be developed using open architecture. It will be flexible and interoperable, which means it can be integrated with other existing systems that ports use for daily operations," Prof. Murali told WION.&nbsp;

In a positive step for this home-grown initiative, it is said that talks are on with more Indian ports to adopt this software. There is also no limit to the number of vessels this indigenous software can manage, as this capability can be scaled up on the hardware side.&nbsp;

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) will be developing an indigenous Vessel Traffic Management Software and hardware that is used in ports. Currently, Indian ports use foreign options for fulfilling the same purpose, thus leading to higher costs.

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) will be developing an indigenous Vessel Traffic Management Software and hardware that is used in ports. Currently, Indian ports use foreign options for fulfilling the same purpose, thus leading to higher costs. A Memorandum of Understanding between IIT-M and the VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Trust in Tuticorin was signed for this software development project. Also read | 40 Indian cities initiated work towards 3900 km of cycle-friendly roads in 2020: Report Led by the National Technology Center for Ports Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), a centre of excellence at IIT Madras, this project is in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and Digital India. The present VTS at VOC Port has been operational for nearly seven years. Given the rapid increases in maritime traffic in India and abroad, a more VTS effective system would help create higher safety levels. According to T.K. Ramachandran, IAS, Chairman, VOC Port Trust, Tuticorin, theirs is the first major Indian port to sign an MoU with NTCPWC for indigenous software development. He said this home-grown alternative would be a game-changer in Indian Maritime Industry. Also read | Chennai: India’s Detroit rolls out cars despite COVID-19 risk and ongoing lockdown WION spoke to K. Murali, Professor In-charge, NTCPWC-IIT Madras, to understand the advantages of this project and its larger significance in comparison with foreign options. According to him, when buying from foreign companies, they offer very expensive, complete hardware-software packages, whose internal workings are not known to the user. Whereas, in the case of indigenous development, the software can be developed here and upgrade of hardware can be done based on in-house experts recommendation. The hardware so required is meant to be directly procured by the ports, thus working out to be 50 per cent cheaper. "Though ours is a maiden initiative, the software is expected to be ready in less than a year. Our software will be developed using open architecture. It will be flexible and interoperable, which means it can be integrated with other existing systems that ports use for daily operations," Prof. Murali told WION. In a positive step for this home-grown initiative, it is said that talks are on with more Indian ports to adopt this software. There is also no limit to the number of vessels this indigenous software can manage, as this capability can be scaled up on the hardware side.

Home-grown Maritime Traffic Management software to be ready in 2022, says IIT Madras

The Russian envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev has said that the annual summit has been planned for this fall.&nbsp;India is the current chair of the BRICS&nbsp;(Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) grouping.

Kudashev, speaking at a virtual event hosted by the Confederation of Young Leaders (CYL), said, "in the framework of multilateral efforts to address existing challenges and threats, BRICS remains a major factor in international politics and economics".

"Annual BRICS summit is planned for this fall. At the previous BRICS summit, our leaders have reaffirmed&nbsp;the importance of BRICS people-to-people contact in enhancing friendship between our relations, especially the younger generation."

On June 1, India hosted the BRICS foreign ministers' meet virtually. With India as&nbsp;the chair of the grouping, nearly 50 events have been held&nbsp;and many more are scheduled during the rest of the year. It&nbsp;is the third&nbsp;time India is holding the BRICS chairship&nbsp;after 2012 and 2016.

Kudashev highlighted that both countries remain committed to "further expand our financial cooperation and extend the use of national currency in bilateral and international trade", pointing out that Russia is the "only foreign country so deeply involved in Indian nuclear power sector contributing to the national energy security".

Russia has been involved in Kudankulam nuclear power plant. He said, "we would be very encouraged with regard to the decision of the Indian government&nbsp;on the second site for construction of more nuclear reactors of Russian design".

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries supported each other. &nbsp;Kudashev said, "in the hour of need, India helped Russia with the supplies of anti-virus medicines. Russia on its part provided a huge part of humanitarian assistance to India".

Russia supplied 20 tonnes of life-saving equipment and medicines to India earlier this year to deal with the crisis. These are included oxygen production unit, lunge ventilating machines and&nbsp;Remdesivir.

On coronavirus&nbsp;vaccines, India will be manufacturing the Sputnik V COVID-19&nbsp;vaccine. Sputnik V, along with Covishield and Covaxin are the only three&nbsp;vaccines authorized in India.

Chairman of the Confederation of Young Leaders, Suwan, speaking at the event extended his gratitude to Russia for the outreach amid the pandemic&nbsp;and said, "right from oxygen concentrators to Sputnik vaccine such efforts to extend India a lifeline underscores the need to strengthen popular support for the long-term development in of the Russia-India relations." 
&nbsp;

The Russian envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev has said that the annual summit has been planned for this fall. India is the current chair of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) grouping.

The Russian envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev has said that the annual summit has been planned for this fall. India is the current chair of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) grouping. Kudashev, speaking at a virtual event hosted by the Confederation of Young Leaders (CYL), said, "in the framework of multilateral efforts to address existing challenges and threats, BRICS remains a major factor in international politics and economics". "Annual BRICS summit is planned for this fall. At the previous BRICS summit, our leaders have reaffirmed the importance of BRICS people-to-people contact in enhancing friendship between our relations, especially the younger generation." On June 1, India hosted the BRICS foreign ministers' meet virtually. With India as the chair of the grouping, nearly 50 events have been held and many more are scheduled during the rest of the year. It is the third time India is holding the BRICS chairship after 2012 and 2016. Kudashev highlighted that both countries remain committed to "further expand our financial cooperation and extend the use of national currency in bilateral and international trade", pointing out that Russia is the "only foreign country so deeply involved in Indian nuclear power sector contributing to the national energy security". Russia has been involved in Kudankulam nuclear power plant. He said, "we would be very encouraged with regard to the decision of the Indian government on the second site for construction of more nuclear reactors of Russian design". Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries supported each other. Kudashev said, "in the hour of need, India helped Russia with the supplies of anti-virus medicines. Russia on its part provided a huge part of humanitarian assistance to India". Russia supplied 20 tonnes of life-saving equipment and medicines to India earlier this year to deal with the crisis. These are included oxygen production unit, lunge ventilating machines and Remdesivir. On coronavirus vaccines, India will be manufacturing the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. Sputnik V, along with Covishield and Covaxin are the only three vaccines authorized in India. Chairman of the Confederation of Young Leaders, Suwan, speaking at the event extended his gratitude to Russia for the outreach amid the pandemic and said, "right from oxygen concentrators to Sputnik vaccine such efforts to extend India a lifeline underscores the need to strengthen popular support for the long-term development in of the Russia-India relations."

BRICS summit planned for this fall: Russian Envoy Nikolay Kudashev

With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi all set to participate at the G7 outreach summit over the weekend virtually, UK has told India that his presence at the meet will be "seamless". UK has invited India for the G7 meet, but PM Modi could not attend it physically due to the 2nd wave of devastating Covid pandemic.&nbsp;

WION learnt that UK has conveyed that Prime Minister Boris Johnson "understands &amp; supports" PM Modi's decision and "will make all efforts to ensure his participation at the summit seamless" as if "he were actually in the room". It was on 11th May that New Delhi announced PM Modi won't be participating in the meet in person.&nbsp;

PM Modi will be speaking at 3 sessions on Saturday and Sunday (12th and 13th June) which are themed--Building Back Stronger, Building Back Together, and Building Back Greener.&nbsp;

UK as the chair of the G7 this year had invited India, along with Australia, South Korea and South Africa.&nbsp;

This is the 7th time UK is leading the G7 and the theme is ‘Build Back Better". London has outlined 4 priority areas during the meet, which include global recovery from Covid, trade, climate change, and "Championing shared values and open societies".

India took part in G7 meetings that took place earlier this year. Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan took part in the G7 health minister meet on June 4. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar took part in G7 ministerial meet on May 21. IT minister took part in such a meeting on April 29. Moreover, India's Principal Economic Advisor Sanjeev Sanyal represenrted India at G7 Economic Resilience Panel as an observer.

India has been in the past invited to G7 outreach summits. India was first to be invited for the G7 outreach summit in 2003 when the then Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Invited by France. From 2005 to 2009, India has been invited annually to the G7 outreach summit with PM Manmohan Singh representing India.

India has been receiving invite for G7 since 2019 consecutively.&nbsp;In 2019, PM Modi had participated in G7 Biarritz Summit chaired by France

In 2020, President Donald Trump had invited PM Modi for the G7 outreach summit at Camp David. The summit was to take place in June 2020 but it could not take place due to the Covid pandemic.

With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi all set to participate at the G7 outreach summit over the weekend virtually, UK has told India that his presence at the meet will be "seamless".

With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi all set to participate at the G7 outreach summit over the weekend virtually, UK has told India that his presence at the meet will be "seamless". UK has invited India for the G7 meet, but PM Modi could not attend it physically due to the 2nd wave of devastating Covid pandemic. WION learnt that UK has conveyed that Prime Minister Boris Johnson "understands & supports" PM Modi's decision and "will make all efforts to ensure his participation at the summit seamless" as if "he were actually in the room". It was on 11th May that New Delhi announced PM Modi won't be participating in the meet in person. PM Modi will be speaking at 3 sessions on Saturday and Sunday (12th and 13th June) which are themed--Building Back Stronger, Building Back Together, and Building Back Greener. UK as the chair of the G7 this year had invited India, along with Australia, South Korea and South Africa. This is the 7th time UK is leading the G7 and the theme is ‘Build Back Better". London has outlined 4 priority areas during the meet, which include global recovery from Covid, trade, climate change, and "Championing shared values and open societies". India took part in G7 meetings that took place earlier this year. Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan took part in the G7 health minister meet on June 4. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar took part in G7 ministerial meet on May 21. IT minister took part in such a meeting on April 29. Moreover, India's Principal Economic Advisor Sanjeev Sanyal represenrted India at G7 Economic Resilience Panel as an observer. India has been in the past invited to G7 outreach summits. India was first to be invited for the G7 outreach summit in 2003 when the then Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Invited by France. From 2005 to 2009, India has been invited annually to the G7 outreach summit with PM Manmohan Singh representing India. India has been receiving invite for G7 since 2019 consecutively. In 2019, PM Modi had participated in G7 Biarritz Summit chaired by France In 2020, President Donald Trump had invited PM Modi for the G7 outreach summit at Camp David. The summit was to take place in June 2020 but it could not take place due to the Covid pandemic.

PM Modi's participation at G7 will be seamless, UK tells India

The daily COVID-19 count in India remained below the one-lakh mark for the fourth consecutive day with the country reporting 91,702 fresh cases, while the daily positivity rate dropped to 4.49 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

With the fresh cases, the total tally of cases has climbed to 2,92,74,823.

The COVID-19 death toll climbed to 3,63,079 with 3,403 daily deaths, the data updated at 8 am showed

The active cases further declined to 11,21,671 comprising 3.83 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 94.93 per cent.

A net decline of 46,281 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

Also, 20,44,131 tests were conducted on Thursday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 37,42,42,384.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.49 per cent . It has been less than 10 per cent for the 18th consecutive day, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has also declined to 5.14 per cent.

Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for the 29th consecutive day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,77,90,073, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.24 per cent, the data stated.

The daily COVID-19 count in India remained below the one-lakh mark for the fourth consecutive day with the country reporting 91,702 fresh cases, while the daily positivity rate dropped to 4.

The daily COVID-19 count in India remained below the one-lakh mark for the fourth consecutive day with the country reporting 91,702 fresh cases, while the daily positivity rate dropped to 4.49 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. With the fresh cases, the total tally of cases has climbed to 2,92,74,823. The COVID-19 death toll climbed to 3,63,079 with 3,403 daily deaths, the data updated at 8 am showed The active cases further declined to 11,21,671 comprising 3.83 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 94.93 per cent. A net decline of 46,281 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. Also, 20,44,131 tests were conducted on Thursday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 37,42,42,384. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.49 per cent . It has been less than 10 per cent for the 18th consecutive day, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has also declined to 5.14 per cent. Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for the 29th consecutive day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,77,90,073, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.24 per cent, the data stated.

India adds 3,403 Covid deaths, new cases remain below 100,000 in last 24 hours

Even the most hardcore, popular Communist leaders in India have names that refer to Gods, but that’s not their fault. Their parents named them, after all! &nbsp;Most of these leaders’ children too have normal-sounding names. 
 
But, the Salem District Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has taken things to an all-new level. His three sons born after the 1990s have been named Communism, Leninism and Socialism, as a tribute to the erstwhile Soviet Union. 
 
The names of these men have shot to popularity thanks to the wedding invitation of their youngest brother - Socialism, who is a silversmith. The to-be bride's name has also caught people attention - as the invitation reads Socialism weds Mamata Banerjee. 
 
The bride’s family were Congress loyalists and hence on having a girl child about 20 years back, they named their daughter after the up and coming leader from West Bengal. Even though they are divergent by political ideology, the families of the bride and groom are closely related to each other.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Socialism weds Mamata Banerjee" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4fc9e749-3018-4ef2-b8a7-200fb78e7d2e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG-20210611-WA0113.jpg" /> 
 
“Communism will be there till humanity is alive,” says Mohan, the proud father of three men. He says that such names might sound strange to the outside world, but their village had many people named after Soviet leaders and Socialist countries. How are Vietnam, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Romania etc. for a name? Their village AK Patti Kaattoor in Salem, Tamil Nadu has people that go by all of these names.&nbsp;

While Marx, Lenin and Stalin are names that are common to find, adding the ‘ism’ was the extra mile that Mohan travelled to prove his loyalty and admiration, but it was a costly choice. “Enrolling my boys in school was real trouble. Teachers were shell shocked and taken aback on hearing the names. As students, they were bullied by their peers and used to come back complaining to me. As they got into college, things got much better as the peers are fairly aware of the ideologies by then” the father recalls to Zee media.&nbsp;

Mohan recalls that a Doctor refused to write the name of his youngest son Communism when he had to be admitted to a hospital as a three-year-old child. The ever staunch Communist in Mohan didn’t relent and admitted in son to a different hospital.&nbsp;

The wedding that is to take place on Sunday, June 13th is expected to witness only about 50 persons in attendance, owing to Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings. CPI State Secretary is among the leaders expected to grace the occasion. And there’s a special young guest too - Marxism, Mohan’s grandson.&nbsp;

For Socialism, the bridegroom-to-be, it's an overwhelming experience that the brothers’ names have gotten so popular. “It's really surprising and fulfilling at the same time,” he tells Zee Media. When asked if his wife would follow the tradition of keeping his name as a suffix, he laughs - “Mamata Banerjee Socialism” it will be.

Even the most hardcore, popular Communist leaders in India have names that refer to Gods, but that’s not their fault. Their parents named them, after all! Most of these leaders’ children too have normal-sounding names.

Even the most hardcore, popular Communist leaders in India have names that refer to Gods, but that’s not their fault. Their parents named them, after all! Most of these leaders’ children too have normal-sounding names. But, the Salem District Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has taken things to an all-new level. His three sons born after the 1990s have been named Communism, Leninism and Socialism, as a tribute to the erstwhile Soviet Union. The names of these men have shot to popularity thanks to the wedding invitation of their youngest brother - Socialism, who is a silversmith. The to-be bride's name has also caught people attention - as the invitation reads Socialism weds Mamata Banerjee. The bride’s family were Congress loyalists and hence on having a girl child about 20 years back, they named their daughter after the up and coming leader from West Bengal. Even though they are divergent by political ideology, the families of the bride and groom are closely related to each other. “Communism will be there till humanity is alive,” says Mohan, the proud father of three men. He says that such names might sound strange to the outside world, but their village had many people named after Soviet leaders and Socialist countries. How are Vietnam, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Romania etc. for a name? Their village AK Patti Kaattoor in Salem, Tamil Nadu has people that go by all of these names. While Marx, Lenin and Stalin are names that are common to find, adding the ‘ism’ was the extra mile that Mohan travelled to prove his loyalty and admiration, but it was a costly choice. “Enrolling my boys in school was real trouble. Teachers were shell shocked and taken aback on hearing the names. As students, they were bullied by their peers and used to come back complaining to me. As they got into college, things got much better as the peers are fairly aware of the ideologies by then” the father recalls to Zee media. Mohan recalls that a Doctor refused to write the name of his youngest son Communism when he had to be admitted to a hospital as a three-year-old child. The ever staunch Communist in Mohan didn’t relent and admitted in son to a different hospital. The wedding that is to take place on Sunday, June 13th is expected to witness only about 50 persons in attendance, owing to Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings. CPI State Secretary is among the leaders expected to grace the occasion. And there’s a special young guest too - Marxism, Mohan’s grandson. For Socialism, the bridegroom-to-be, it's an overwhelming experience that the brothers’ names have gotten so popular. “It's really surprising and fulfilling at the same time,” he tells Zee Media. When asked if his wife would follow the tradition of keeping his name as a suffix, he laughs - “Mamata Banerjee Socialism” it will be.

Socialism weds Mamata Banerjee, with Communism, Leninism, and Marxism as special guests

Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) has arrested a Chinese intruder near the Indo-Bangladesh border. The 36-year-old man has been identified as Han Junwe, a resident of Hubei, China.

India: Chinese intruder arrested near Bangladesh border

At least 11 people, including eight children, died after a Mumbai residential building collapsed on top of another building late on Wednesday, local officials said.

The incident occurred close to midnight in a northern suburb of Mumbai, officials said, adding that more people could be trapped inside the debris. Eight people were injured and have been moved to nearby hospitals, officials said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/monsoon-arrives-in-pandemic-hit-mumbai-imd-issues-orange-alert-for-pune-390407">Also Read |&nbsp;Monsoon arrives in pandemic-hit Mumbai; IMD issues orange alert for Pune</a>

Local television showed pictures of rescue workers pulling out debris in a narrow lane, as relatives and onlookers milled about. 
 
Incidents of building collapses become more common in India's financial capital of Mumbai during the monsoon. Wednesday was the first day of heavy rains in the city.

At least 11 people, including eight children, died after a Mumbai residential building collapsed on top of another building late on Wednesday, local officials said.

At least 11 people, including eight children, died after a Mumbai residential building collapsed on top of another building late on Wednesday, local officials said. The incident occurred close to midnight in a northern suburb of Mumbai, officials said, adding that more people could be trapped inside the debris. Eight people were injured and have been moved to nearby hospitals, officials said. Also Read | Monsoon arrives in pandemic-hit Mumbai; IMD issues orange alert for Pune Local television showed pictures of rescue workers pulling out debris in a narrow lane, as relatives and onlookers milled about. Incidents of building collapses become more common in India's financial capital of Mumbai during the monsoon. Wednesday was the first day of heavy rains in the city.

Eleven dead, including eight children, in Mumbai building collapse

Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), June 10 (IANS) In a shocking statement, a member of the Uttar Pradesh State Women`s Commission has said that girls should not be given mobile phones as it encourages rape.
 
"Girls talk on phones and later run away with boys," Meena Kumari said during a Mahila Jansunwai in Aligarh on Wednesday and appealed to parents to keep the cell phones away from their daughters. 
Meena Kumari also added that parents, especially mothers, should monitor their daughters as crime against women was a result of "their carelessness". 
The State Women`s Commission has distanced itself from Meena Kumari`s statement. 
Anju Chaudhary, vice chairperson of the commission, said that the statement was uncalled for. 
Meena Kumari, meanwhile, told reporters that she meant that minors and girls from villages do not know how to use phones in the `right manner`. 
"They use phones to make male friends and later run away with them," she said. 
She further said that smartphones were also being used to watch inappropriate content. 
--IANS 
amita/in

Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), June 10 (IANS) In a shocking statement, a member of the Uttar Pradesh State Women`s Commission has said that girls should not be given mobile phones as it encourages rape.

Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), June 10 (IANS) In a shocking statement, a member of the Uttar Pradesh State Women`s Commission has said that girls should not be given mobile phones as it encourages rape. "Girls talk on phones and later run away with boys," Meena Kumari said during a Mahila Jansunwai in Aligarh on Wednesday and appealed to parents to keep the cell phones away from their daughters. Meena Kumari also added that parents, especially mothers, should monitor their daughters as crime against women was a result of "their carelessness". The State Women`s Commission has distanced itself from Meena Kumari`s statement. Anju Chaudhary, vice chairperson of the commission, said that the statement was uncalled for. Meena Kumari, meanwhile, told reporters that she meant that minors and girls from villages do not know how to use phones in the `right manner`. "They use phones to make male friends and later run away with them," she said. She further said that smartphones were also being used to watch inappropriate content. --IANS amita/in

Cell phones encourage rape: Women''s panel member

In Kashmir, artists have always had to struggle when it comes to showcasing their work, especially in the absence of any art galleries in Kashmir valley. But now, under the smart city project, local Kashmiri artists have been allowed to showcase their talent on the walls, flyovers and subways in the Srinagar city.

Kashmir: Artists can display their works on the walls, flyovers

A new all-weather tunnel between Qazi Gund and Banihal is soon going be opened to public in a few days. The new 8.5 km long tunnel is going to facilitate increase in connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir which&nbsp;is often hit in winters due to snowfall and landslides.

The closure of national highway between Jammu and Kashmir during winters meant earlier that supply of essential commodities from the rest of the country&nbsp;would get&nbsp;stopped for several days.

The Qazi Gund-Banihal tunnel has bypassed the most difficult terrain on the national highway. The distance between the two points was earlier 16.5 kilometers, something that has nearly got cut to half.

It took the government 10 long years to make this tunnel as it faced&nbsp;major issues including that of adverse weather.

“It took more than 9 years. As of now we are in the final stage. Our testing commision will get completed and it will be thrown open. Tunnelling is a difficult job. You cannot predict what is inside the tunnel once u start the excavation and you know the rock strata, whether it’s lose or hard rock, you need to be careful on every step. You can imagine how tunnelling is a time-consuming job and we are extremely happy that we have finally finished the work," said Muneeb&nbsp;Tak, chief manager

The government says it will benefit people in a lot of ways. It will not only save the time but the tunnel will be open all through the year.&nbsp;

<img alt="Qazi Gund- Banihal tunnel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="475a86da-dcca-4874-bb09-eade8a5e349c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/tunnel.JPG" />

“There will be no issue for the movement of the traffic. Earlier, there used to be many landslides near Jawahar tunnel in winters and clearance took time. But the new tunnel is an all-weather one. There will be no difficulty in clearing of the snow. So it will remain open throughout the year," said Muneeb&nbsp;Tak.

The whole tunnel has&nbsp;been made on Build,&nbsp;Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. It is attached with an exhaust system to remove gas and bring in fresh air. It has 126 jet fans, 234 CCTV modern cameras and a firefighting system installed.

The locals of the area are relieved as they had no other route to use&nbsp;during the winters previously. They used to face immense problems taking&nbsp;sick people to hospitals or taking essential commodities to other places.&nbsp;

“This tunnel will benefit us a lot, we were cut off from Kashmir during the winters. The sick would not reach hospital, the students couldn’t reach exam centres, even dead bodies had to wait. Now we can finally breath a sigh of relief. It will save us two-hour distance and we can cover it in 20 mins now. It’s a great step by the government," said Zahoor Ahmad Wani, a local resident.&nbsp;

People faced difficulties transferring patients especially pregnant women to hospitals

“This will benefit us a lot. There were lot of landslides on the other route. There was no way to take a pregnant woman to hospital. We used to face problem while getting people from Jammu to Kashmir, we are eagerly waiting for this to become functional," said Imtiaz Ahmad Beigh, a local resident.

A new all-weather tunnel between Qazi Gund and Banihal is soon going be opened to public in a few days. The new 8.5 km long tunnel is going to facilitate increase in connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir which is often hit in winters due to snowfall and landslides.

A new all-weather tunnel between Qazi Gund and Banihal is soon going be opened to public in a few days. The new 8.5 km long tunnel is going to facilitate increase in connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir which is often hit in winters due to snowfall and landslides. The closure of national highway between Jammu and Kashmir during winters meant earlier that supply of essential commodities from the rest of the country would get stopped for several days. The Qazi Gund-Banihal tunnel has bypassed the most difficult terrain on the national highway. The distance between the two points was earlier 16.5 kilometers, something that has nearly got cut to half. It took the government 10 long years to make this tunnel as it faced major issues including that of adverse weather. “It took more than 9 years. As of now we are in the final stage. Our testing commision will get completed and it will be thrown open. Tunnelling is a difficult job. You cannot predict what is inside the tunnel once u start the excavation and you know the rock strata, whether it’s lose or hard rock, you need to be careful on every step. You can imagine how tunnelling is a time-consuming job and we are extremely happy that we have finally finished the work," said Muneeb Tak, chief manager The government says it will benefit people in a lot of ways. It will not only save the time but the tunnel will be open all through the year. “There will be no issue for the movement of the traffic. Earlier, there used to be many landslides near Jawahar tunnel in winters and clearance took time. But the new tunnel is an all-weather one. There will be no difficulty in clearing of the snow. So it will remain open throughout the year," said Muneeb Tak. The whole tunnel has been made on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. It is attached with an exhaust system to remove gas and bring in fresh air. It has 126 jet fans, 234 CCTV modern cameras and a firefighting system installed. The locals of the area are relieved as they had no other route to use during the winters previously. They used to face immense problems taking sick people to hospitals or taking essential commodities to other places. “This tunnel will benefit us a lot, we were cut off from Kashmir during the winters. The sick would not reach hospital, the students couldn’t reach exam centres, even dead bodies had to wait. Now we can finally breath a sigh of relief. It will save us two-hour distance and we can cover it in 20 mins now. It’s a great step by the government," said Zahoor Ahmad Wani, a local resident. People faced difficulties transferring patients especially pregnant women to hospitals “This will benefit us a lot. There were lot of landslides on the other route. There was no way to take a pregnant woman to hospital. We used to face problem while getting people from Jammu to Kashmir, we are eagerly waiting for this to become functional," said Imtiaz Ahmad Beigh, a local resident.

8.5 km all-weather Qazi Gund-Banihal tunnel to open for public in days

India on Thursday reported highest number of Covid deaths in 24-hour period. The death toll has been the highest since the pandemic hit last year. The data has been released by Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.

This spike in number of deaths has come as daily infections have been showing downward trend. On Thursday, 94,052 fresh Covid infections were reported. The number of fresh infections was less than 100,000 for third consecutive day.

The spike in the national toll followed revision in the death toll in the state of Bihar. The prviously unaccounted 3,951 deaths sent its toll above 9,000.

If the state's revised tally is reduced, then the death toll stands at 2,197 across the country in last 24 hours.

The Bihar Health Department reported 9,429 deaths due to coronavirus on Wednesday evening, a jump of 3,951 more deaths compared to a day before. The total deaths in Bihar due to Covid were 5,458 as on Tuesday.

The Health Department has given the breakup of deaths in all 38 districts of the state but it has not mentioned when these deaths occurred. Patna has registered 2,303 deaths which is the highest in the state followed by Muzaffarpur (609) and Begusarai (316).

After the mismatch, a senior state Health Department official said that the matter is under investigation. The detailed report is expected to come later.

(With inputs from agencies)

India on Thursday reported highest number of Covid deaths in 24-hour period. The death toll has been the highest since the pandemic hit last year. The data has been released by Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.

India on Thursday reported highest number of Covid deaths in 24-hour period. The death toll has been the highest since the pandemic hit last year. The data has been released by Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry. This spike in number of deaths has come as daily infections have been showing downward trend. On Thursday, 94,052 fresh Covid infections were reported. The number of fresh infections was less than 100,000 for third consecutive day. The spike in the national toll followed revision in the death toll in the state of Bihar. The prviously unaccounted 3,951 deaths sent its toll above 9,000. If the state's revised tally is reduced, then the death toll stands at 2,197 across the country in last 24 hours. The Bihar Health Department reported 9,429 deaths due to coronavirus on Wednesday evening, a jump of 3,951 more deaths compared to a day before. The total deaths in Bihar due to Covid were 5,458 as on Tuesday. The Health Department has given the breakup of deaths in all 38 districts of the state but it has not mentioned when these deaths occurred. Patna has registered 2,303 deaths which is the highest in the state followed by Muzaffarpur (609) and Begusarai (316). After the mismatch, a senior state Health Department official said that the matter is under investigation. The detailed report is expected to come later. (With inputs from agencies)

India reports highest daily Covid death toll

Doctors in the Southern Indian City of Chennai successfully performed a live-donor liver transplant on a 26-year old, who was comatose after suffering acute liver failure. What made this medical procedure even more complicated for the patient and the operating doctors was the fact that he had tested COVID-19 positive. This meant heightened the risk for Doctors and healthcare staff of the MGM Hospital, who were to attend to this patient and perform surgery and related procedures.

The patient Ragul Gandhi was physically fit and a Kabaddi Player but had lapsed into a comatose state, two days after his liver failed. Once he tested COVID-19 positive, it was also clear to medical professionals that he had only about 48 hours to live, without an emergency liver transplant.

Luckily for the patient, his own brother had agreed to be the live donor, at a time (COVID-19 pandemic) when there are hardly any cadavers available for giving a lease of life. The donor was brought to the Chennai hospital and found suitable for the procedure.&nbsp;

Clad in full-body PPE suits, two teams with a total of 50 (fully vaccinated) medical professionals performed the 12-hour procedure in two separate Operation Theaters - one for the COVID-19 positive patient and another for the donor. Special filters and technology were used to ensure that the doctors don’t get infected with Covid-19, owing to the long duration of exposure. According to the hospital, none of the doctors or healthcare staff tested positive, after this procedure.

The patient has been discharged after surgery and is recuperating from home, he has also defeated COVID-19. Doctors of MGM healthcare said that he would be able to live a normal life post-transplant and could even resume playing Kabaddi in about a year’s time.

When asked about the causes of such sudden acute liver failure in a young and fit sportsman, Senior Transplant surgeon Dr Thaigarajan Srinivasan of MGM Healthcare said that liver failure suddenly happens in previously normal patients. “In our part of the world, the commonest causes of acute liver failure are overdose of anti-tubercular drugs. It could be the overdose of drugs meant for Hepatitis A, E, B or even some Ayurvedic medicines. In this case, it was an accidental overdose” he told Zee media.&nbsp;

Doctors also advised those with existing liver complications to stay safe at home, get vaccinated and strictly follow the COVID-19 norms. In case of such individuals getting infected by Covid-19, Doctors urged them to go ahead and seek immediate medical attention to prevent further deterioration. 
&nbsp;

Doctors in the Southern Indian City of Chennai successfully performed a live-donor liver transplant on a 26-year old, who was comatose after suffering acute liver failure.

Doctors in the Southern Indian City of Chennai successfully performed a live-donor liver transplant on a 26-year old, who was comatose after suffering acute liver failure. What made this medical procedure even more complicated for the patient and the operating doctors was the fact that he had tested COVID-19 positive. This meant heightened the risk for Doctors and healthcare staff of the MGM Hospital, who were to attend to this patient and perform surgery and related procedures. The patient Ragul Gandhi was physically fit and a Kabaddi Player but had lapsed into a comatose state, two days after his liver failed. Once he tested COVID-19 positive, it was also clear to medical professionals that he had only about 48 hours to live, without an emergency liver transplant. Luckily for the patient, his own brother had agreed to be the live donor, at a time (COVID-19 pandemic) when there are hardly any cadavers available for giving a lease of life. The donor was brought to the Chennai hospital and found suitable for the procedure. Clad in full-body PPE suits, two teams with a total of 50 (fully vaccinated) medical professionals performed the 12-hour procedure in two separate Operation Theaters - one for the COVID-19 positive patient and another for the donor. Special filters and technology were used to ensure that the doctors don’t get infected with Covid-19, owing to the long duration of exposure. According to the hospital, none of the doctors or healthcare staff tested positive, after this procedure. The patient has been discharged after surgery and is recuperating from home, he has also defeated COVID-19. Doctors of MGM healthcare said that he would be able to live a normal life post-transplant and could even resume playing Kabaddi in about a year’s time. When asked about the causes of such sudden acute liver failure in a young and fit sportsman, Senior Transplant surgeon Dr Thaigarajan Srinivasan of MGM Healthcare said that liver failure suddenly happens in previously normal patients. “In our part of the world, the commonest causes of acute liver failure are overdose of anti-tubercular drugs. It could be the overdose of drugs meant for Hepatitis A, E, B or even some Ayurvedic medicines. In this case, it was an accidental overdose” he told Zee media. Doctors also advised those with existing liver complications to stay safe at home, get vaccinated and strictly follow the COVID-19 norms. In case of such individuals getting infected by Covid-19, Doctors urged them to go ahead and seek immediate medical attention to prevent further deterioration.

COVID-19 positive liver-failure patient who was comatose revived successfully after transplant 

Lauding India, Kuwait ties, Kuwait's Ambassador's to India Jasem Ibrahem Al Najem has said that it’s a "great story to be told for generations" with relations on the "right track" even as both countries work together with each other amid the Covid pandemic.&nbsp;

Highlighting how India helped his country last year, Alnajem speaking to WION said, “during the pandemic last year, India played a key role by sending a medical team from the army in the first month of the pandemic in April 2020..we received first vaccine amount of 200,000 doses of covishield. What Kuwait did this year or during pandemic by sending liquid medical oxygen, it’s the same, we are together".

An Air and sea bridge has been established between the 2 countries. Earlier this week, Indian Navy ship Tarkash arrived in Mumbai from Kuwait bringing with it 785 Oxygen cylinders in the 3rd phase of medical supplies. SO far 425 MT of liquid Medical Oxygen and 3800 Oxygen cylinders have arrived in Indian ports during the first and second phase of medical supply. 
&nbsp; 
His comments come even as External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is in Kuwait during which he will meet the political leadership and the significant Indian community members.

Envoy Al Najem said, “Recently Kuwaiti minister of foreign affairs was in Delhi, it’s a healthy thing. Two ministers exchanged 3 calls in 40 days. We are on the right track for this relation". Adding, “pandemic offer opportunity and we have to take it and use this chances to strengthen the relation bilaterally"

He called for cooperation on vaccines. Kuwait gave $40 million to COVAX, with the envoy saying "each country has to play its role in the global fight”.

Lauding India, Kuwait ties, Kuwait's Ambassador's to India Jasem Ibrahem Al Najem has said that it’s a "great story to be told for generations" with relations on the "right track" even as both countries work together with each other amid the Covid pandemic.

Lauding India, Kuwait ties, Kuwait's Ambassador's to India Jasem Ibrahem Al Najem has said that it’s a "great story to be told for generations" with relations on the "right track" even as both countries work together with each other amid the Covid pandemic. Highlighting how India helped his country last year, Alnajem speaking to WION said, “during the pandemic last year, India played a key role by sending a medical team from the army in the first month of the pandemic in April 2020..we received first vaccine amount of 200,000 doses of covishield. What Kuwait did this year or during pandemic by sending liquid medical oxygen, it’s the same, we are together". An Air and sea bridge has been established between the 2 countries. Earlier this week, Indian Navy ship Tarkash arrived in Mumbai from Kuwait bringing with it 785 Oxygen cylinders in the 3rd phase of medical supplies. SO far 425 MT of liquid Medical Oxygen and 3800 Oxygen cylinders have arrived in Indian ports during the first and second phase of medical supply. His comments come even as External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is in Kuwait during which he will meet the political leadership and the significant Indian community members. Envoy Al Najem said, “Recently Kuwaiti minister of foreign affairs was in Delhi, it’s a healthy thing. Two ministers exchanged 3 calls in 40 days. We are on the right track for this relation". Adding, “pandemic offer opportunity and we have to take it and use this chances to strengthen the relation bilaterally" He called for cooperation on vaccines. Kuwait gave $40 million to COVAX, with the envoy saying "each country has to play its role in the global fight”.

India-Kuwait relation is a great story to be told for generations: Kuwait's envoy to India

The Dominican government has declared Indian economic fugitive Mehul Choksi as a "prohibited immigrant" in their country.

"In line with section 5(1)(f) of the Immigration and Passport Act Chapter 18:01 of the 2017 Revised Statutes of the Commonwealth of Dominica, you, Mehul Chinubhai Choksi, are hereby proclaimed a prohibited immigrant," the Ministry of National Security and Home Affairs said in a statement on May 25.&nbsp;

"I further direct that the necessary action is being taken to have the said prohibited immigrant removed from the Commonwealth of Dominica in keeping with the procedure laid out in the said Act," added the order, signed by Dominican minister Rayburn Blackmoore. 
 
Watch | Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi discloses names of abductors to Antigua police

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Choksi's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, had claimed last week that Choksi did not enter Dominica illegally and that the authorities there cannot arrest him since he is not a "prohibited immigrant."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Gurjit Bhandal, one of the persons reportedly named in the "abduction" of Mehul Choksi from Antigua and Barbuda on May 23, has denied any link to the case and claimed that he had left the Caribbean island on May 23 morning on a yacht, according to local media reports.

In his complaint to the Antigua police, Choksi had claimed that he was abducted on May 23 evening when he had gone to a place where his "friend" Barbara Jabarica, also a suspect in the case, was staying.&nbsp;

He had named Gurmit Singh, Narendar Singh, Jabarica and other unidentified persons for his alleged abduction.&nbsp; 
 
Choksi has been granted interim relief from urgent repatriation to India by a Dominican court, which has delayed the case.

Choksi went missing from Antigua and Barbuda on May 23, sparking a huge manhunt. On May 26, he was reportedly apprehended in Dominica.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Dominican government has declared Indian economic fugitive Mehul Choksi as a "prohibited immigrant" in their country. "In line with section 5(1)(f) of the Immigration and Passport Act Chapter 18:01 of the 2017 Revised Statutes of the Commonwealth of Dominica, you, Mehul Chinubhai Choksi, are hereby proclaimed a prohibited immigrant," the Ministry of National Security and Home Affairs said in a statement on May 25.

The Dominican government has declared Indian economic fugitive Mehul Choksi as a "prohibited immigrant" in their country. "In line with section 5(1)(f) of the Immigration and Passport Act Chapter 18:01 of the 2017 Revised Statutes of the Commonwealth of Dominica, you, Mehul Chinubhai Choksi, are hereby proclaimed a prohibited immigrant," the Ministry of National Security and Home Affairs said in a statement on May 25. "I further direct that the necessary action is being taken to have the said prohibited immigrant removed from the Commonwealth of Dominica in keeping with the procedure laid out in the said Act," added the order, signed by Dominican minister Rayburn Blackmoore. Watch | Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi discloses names of abductors to Antigua police Choksi's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, had claimed last week that Choksi did not enter Dominica illegally and that the authorities there cannot arrest him since he is not a "prohibited immigrant." Meanwhile, Gurjit Bhandal, one of the persons reportedly named in the "abduction" of Mehul Choksi from Antigua and Barbuda on May 23, has denied any link to the case and claimed that he had left the Caribbean island on May 23 morning on a yacht, according to local media reports. In his complaint to the Antigua police, Choksi had claimed that he was abducted on May 23 evening when he had gone to a place where his "friend" Barbara Jabarica, also a suspect in the case, was staying. He had named Gurmit Singh, Narendar Singh, Jabarica and other unidentified persons for his alleged abduction. Choksi has been granted interim relief from urgent repatriation to India by a Dominican court, which has delayed the case. Choksi went missing from Antigua and Barbuda on May 23, sparking a huge manhunt. On May 26, he was reportedly apprehended in Dominica. (With inputs from agencies)

Dominica declares Indian fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi a 'prohibited immigrant'

Iran's Ambassador to India Dr Ali Chegeni has said that his country stands in solidarity with India amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the pandemic, Iran had sent 300 Oxygen Concentrators and other essentials to India last month.

Iran's Ambassador to India Dr Ali Chegeni has said that his country stands in solidarity with India amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the pandemic, Iran had sent 300 Oxygen Concentrators and other essentials to India last month. Highlighting how Iran had been in the same situation, the envoy Chegeni speaking to WION said, Despite us being under the sanctions and difficulties, we could manage somehow to show our solidarity with our brothers and sisters in India". He lauded India for its outreach to the world community amid the pandemic. India had sent medicines and vaccines to the world to deal with the crisis. Iran procured COVAXIN from India too. Iran's envoy said, "India began its effort to help all the world when the pandemic began" and "we have in our tradition if you give something in desert, you will receive it in the sea", explaining, "India has had a very open hand to help others, so others will help India" Asked about India, Iran vaccine cooperation, Chegeni said, “we have good cooperation with India in Pharma, in the vaccine so the two sides are capable to develop joint venture and cooperation". Iran is developing its vaccine manufacturing plant with 5 vaccines under development. The country has cooperation with Russia and Cuba. India's vaccine capacity is well known, with around 60% of global vaccines being made in the country. On global resistance to vaccine patents, he said, "without world solidarity, we can’t fight this pandemic. We need to be united. This virus is changing". "If world leaders are together if we can have a joint effort to fight the pandemic, we will remove it very soon.” calling for "removing all barriers" when it comes to vaccines.

COVID-19: Stand in solidarity with India says Iran's envoy Dr Ali Chegeni; lauds New Delhi for its ‘open hand’

The government has come out with comprehensive guidelines for the management of COVID-19 among children in which Remdesivir has not been recommended and rational use of HRCT imaging has been suggested.

The guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the health ministry also said that steroids are harmful in asymptomatic and mild cases of infection.

The DGHS recommended steroids only in hospitalised moderately severe and critically ill COVID-19 cases under strict supervision. "Steroids should be used at the right time, in the right dose, and for the right duration. Self-medication of steroids must be avoided," it said.

The guidelines also said Remdesivir (an emergency use authorisation drug) is not recommended in children. "There is lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data with respect to Remdesivir in children below 18 years of age," the guidelines said. 
The guidelines suggested rational use of High-resolution CT (HRCT) for seeing the extent and nature of lung involvement in patients with COVID-19.

"However, any additional information gained from HRCT scan of the chest often has little impact on treatment decisions, which are based almost entirely on clinical severity and physiological impairment.

"Therefore, treating physicians should be highly selective in ordering HRCT imaging of the chest in COVID-19 patients," the guidelines said.

They said COVID-19 is a viral infection, and antimicrobials have no role in the prevention or treatment of uncomplicated COVID-19 infection

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-made-commitment-to-send-vaccines-to-india-says-us-nsa-389471">Also Read |&nbsp;Joe Biden made commitment to send vaccines to India, says US NSA</a>

For asymptomatic and mild cases, the guidelines said antimicrobials are not recommended for therapy or prophylaxis while for moderate and severe cases antimicrobials should not be prescribed unless there is clinical suspicion of a superadded infection. 
Hospital admission increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections with multidrug-resistant organisms.

For asymptomatic infection among children, the guidelines recommended no specific medication and promoted COVID-appropriate behaviour (mask, strict hand hygiene, physical distancing), and suggested giving a nutritious diet.

The guidelines said that for mild infection paracetamol 10-15mg/kg/dose may be given every 4-6 hours for fever and throat soothing agents and warm saline gargles in older children and adolescents have been recommended for cough. 
In case of moderate infection, the guidelines suggested initiating immediate oxygen therapy.

"Corticosteroids are not required in all children with moderate illness; they may be administered in rapidly progressive disease and anticoagulants may also be indicated," the guidelines said. For severe COVID-19 among children, the guidelines said if Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) develops, necessary management to be initiated.

"In case shock develops, necessary management should be initiated. Antimicrobials to be administered if there is evidence/strong suspicion of superadded bacterial infection. May need organ support in case of organ dysfunction, e.g.&nbsp;renal replacement therapy," it said.

The guidelines also recommended a six-minute walk test for children above 12 years under the supervision of parents/guardians. "It is a simple clinical test to assess cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance and is used to unmask hypoxia. Attach a pulse oximeter to his/her finger and ask the child to walk in the confines of their room for six minutes continuously," it said.

The government has come out with comprehensive guidelines for the management of COVID-19 among children in which Remdesivir has not been recommended and rational use of HRCT imaging has been suggested.

The government has come out with comprehensive guidelines for the management of COVID-19 among children in which Remdesivir has not been recommended and rational use of HRCT imaging has been suggested. The guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the health ministry also said that steroids are harmful in asymptomatic and mild cases of infection. The DGHS recommended steroids only in hospitalised moderately severe and critically ill COVID-19 cases under strict supervision. "Steroids should be used at the right time, in the right dose, and for the right duration. Self-medication of steroids must be avoided," it said. The guidelines also said Remdesivir (an emergency use authorisation drug) is not recommended in children. "There is lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data with respect to Remdesivir in children below 18 years of age," the guidelines said. The guidelines suggested rational use of High-resolution CT (HRCT) for seeing the extent and nature of lung involvement in patients with COVID-19. "However, any additional information gained from HRCT scan of the chest often has little impact on treatment decisions, which are based almost entirely on clinical severity and physiological impairment. "Therefore, treating physicians should be highly selective in ordering HRCT imaging of the chest in COVID-19 patients," the guidelines said. They said COVID-19 is a viral infection, and antimicrobials have no role in the prevention or treatment of uncomplicated COVID-19 infection Also Read | Joe Biden made commitment to send vaccines to India, says US NSA For asymptomatic and mild cases, the guidelines said antimicrobials are not recommended for therapy or prophylaxis while for moderate and severe cases antimicrobials should not be prescribed unless there is clinical suspicion of a superadded infection. Hospital admission increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections with multidrug-resistant organisms. For asymptomatic infection among children, the guidelines recommended no specific medication and promoted COVID-appropriate behaviour (mask, strict hand hygiene, physical distancing), and suggested giving a nutritious diet. The guidelines said that for mild infection paracetamol 10-15mg/kg/dose may be given every 4-6 hours for fever and throat soothing agents and warm saline gargles in older children and adolescents have been recommended for cough. In case of moderate infection, the guidelines suggested initiating immediate oxygen therapy. "Corticosteroids are not required in all children with moderate illness; they may be administered in rapidly progressive disease and anticoagulants may also be indicated," the guidelines said. For severe COVID-19 among children, the guidelines said if Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) develops, necessary management to be initiated. "In case shock develops, necessary management should be initiated. Antimicrobials to be administered if there is evidence/strong suspicion of superadded bacterial infection. May need organ support in case of organ dysfunction, e.g. renal replacement therapy," it said. The guidelines also recommended a six-minute walk test for children above 12 years under the supervision of parents/guardians. "It is a simple clinical test to assess cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance and is used to unmask hypoxia. Attach a pulse oximeter to his/her finger and ask the child to walk in the confines of their room for six minutes continuously," it said.

Indian govt issues guidelines on COVID-19 in children, says Remdesivir not recommended

In his first-ever interview since his massive victory for the post of President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has listed dealing with the Covid crisis, UN reforms among his five key priorities.&nbsp;

Shahid received 143 votes at UNGA during Monday's voting, far higher than the 96 votes required, with his one-year tenure all set to begin from this September.

Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from New York, Shahid said, "We need to make sure we provide vaccines to all".

He hoped that a 'common definition' would be reached by the membership when it comes to the issue of terrorism as envisaged under the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). 
 
India has proposed CCIT in 1996 which calls for a common definition on the issue of terrorism, but it continues to languish due to a lack of consensus.

Shahid thanked India for the support of his candidature saying, "India recognised important role a country like the Maldives can play in the international stage".

India had backed his candidature, with the announcement being first made during India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla's Maldives visit in November.

During the visit of External Affairs Minister&nbsp;S Jaishankar&nbsp;to the Maldives in February, India reiterated its continued backing for the Maldives FM's candidature.

Sidhant Sibal: Your reaction after&nbsp;being elected for the post of president of United Nations General Assembly?

Abdulla Shahid: I am deeply humbled&nbsp;by this election. I am also at the same time a proud Maldivian today. This is a great honour for the Maldivian people, for the nation. The Maldives is a small country, but we have been responsible and committed member of the United Nations for the last 55 years.

We became the member of the United Nations&nbsp;three months after we became independent. And I think this election has clearly shown that the current President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's foreign policy is well-respected and received by the international community. It is indeed a great honour for the Maldives.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: You got more than 140 votes at the United Nations General Assembly, what does it show? And how has the process been?

Abdulla Shahid: The number of votes we received indicated&nbsp;how the international community has received the Maldives.

The international community has received the presidency of hope that I proposed to the international community.

You would know, last year has been a year of despair, death, sorrow, and pain for the entire world.

I proposed the Presidency of Hope, which I promised will help us&nbsp;overcome these difficult times. We should be aiming to go over the hill and had proposed that together the United Nations can lead this effort.

I believe the membership was also eager to take on this presidency of hope and give it to their constituents, the citizens of the world.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: The Presidency of hope has five-point agenda. If you can list these priority areas?

Abdulla Shahid: I proposed my presidency, the presidency of hope will be built on five rays of hope. The first ray of hope is recovering from COVID-19, it is going to dominate the international agenda for several years to come, but we need to concentrate on three main points.

Number 1 is a clear pathway in dealing with COVID-19, with the ultimate aim of eradicating it.

Number 2 is vaccine equity, no one is safe until everyone is safe. We need to make sure we provide vaccines to all.

Number 3 is dealing with the economic impact it has created on all our country. My second ray of hope is rebuilding sustainably.

We started the new decade with the launching of the decade of action, but the pandemic has really dampened the decade of action and now we have to start, reset the clock, and restart building back better, building back greener, and stronger and I believe we can do it.

We need to reset the clock and put into the recovery phase and make it into a decade of recovery as well. The third ray of hope of my presidency would be responding to the needs of the planet, both Sidhant, you and me, everyone, here we can feel and see our mother earth planet in pain. We need to address it.

The pandemic once again has taken focus again from climate-related issues, but these are not the issues we can put on the backburner. We need to start addressing it now, many major conferences coming now. COP26 is coming, the oceans conference is coming up, the COP15 on biodiversity is coming up, and the energy summit is coming up.

All these conferences are going to create momentum which I am proposing United Nations General Assembly should harness and turn into action. Fourth ray of hope I am proposing is, respect the rights of all, human rights have to be the centre of all developmental issues and all issues.

I believe, United Nations Human Rights Commission, and Human Rights Council, and the United Nations General Assembly should together be conscious of the international community on human rights issues. We should prioritise such issues like issues of gender-based violence, violence against children, gender parity.

We need to prioritise youth-related issues. These are the issues we should start addressing while respecting the rights of all.

Fifth and the final ray of hope is revitalising the United Nations. UN needs to be stronger, it needs to be transparent, accountable, and it needs to be efficient to deliver to the nations.

UNGA needs revitalisation. It’s a process that has been ongoing, and we need to continue with the reform of the Security Council, we need to make sure the Economic and Social Council is stronger.

These are my five rays of hope, I believe that the clear vote that was cast yesterday showed that the membership wanted this presidency of hope to be there so that presidency could be built on five&nbsp;rays of hope.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: On the issue of terror, what will be the key focus? Especially when it comes to consensus on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, something that has been languishing since 1996 due to lack of consensus?

Abdulla Shahid: Well, the United Nations General Assembly 6th Committee, the legal committee, has been working on this definition, as you said, for a very long time. I hope the definition would be reached by the membership soon. Because we need a clear definition of terrorism to be reached soon.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: Would you push for greater physical meetings? What are your plans to invite global leaders back to New York for the UN High-Level Week?&nbsp;

Abdulla Shahid: I have spoken to the secretary-general on this, I have also spoken to President about it. The secretariat and the current President are working on it. I will be consulting with them in detail again during this week. We need General Assembly to come back in some forms of meetings that are important.

Yesterday we had a session in person, 1+1, meaning in the General Assembly hall, each delegation is represented by one plus one which is a very limited number of people in the hall. Social distancing has to be followed, wearing of the mask has to be followed.

Under these difficult circumstances, we would want the general assembly to be functioning, but we cannot afford the general assembly to be a supercluster. So all precautions will be taken, but we must have some form of the high-level week this year.

Sidhant Sibal: Any signature events that you want to do as the President of the General Assembly?

Abdulla Shahid: I will be meeting my core team, I will be meeting them before my travel back to the Maldives and by September, I will be able to give my detailed input.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India's support? India had extended the support as early as November 2020?

Abdulla Shahid: Well, I thank the Indian government, the Prime Minister, the foreign minister and the foreign secretary for the outstanding support for Maldives candidature. They were very kind, and I think India recognised the important role a country like the Maldives can play on the international stage, especially as the President of the General Assembly. I am also grateful to many-many other countries, who have so kindly expressed their support and continued backing me during the campaign.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: After a long time a South Asian has reached this&nbsp;post, so how will it increase the positioning of South Asia?

Abdulla Shahid: As you said, it has been a while since a South Asian diplomat has presided over the General Assembly, it is indeed a great honour for me and I will try my best to keep the high level of diplomats that South Asia has created.

In his first-ever interview since his massive victory for the post of President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has listed dealing with the Covid crisis, UN reforms among his five key priorities.

In his first-ever interview since his massive victory for the post of President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has listed dealing with the Covid crisis, UN reforms among his five key priorities. Shahid received 143 votes at UNGA during Monday's voting, far higher than the 96 votes required, with his one-year tenure all set to begin from this September. Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from New York, Shahid said, "We need to make sure we provide vaccines to all". He hoped that a 'common definition' would be reached by the membership when it comes to the issue of terrorism as envisaged under the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). India has proposed CCIT in 1996 which calls for a common definition on the issue of terrorism, but it continues to languish due to a lack of consensus. Shahid thanked India for the support of his candidature saying, "India recognised important role a country like the Maldives can play in the international stage". India had backed his candidature, with the announcement being first made during India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla's Maldives visit in November. During the visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to the Maldives in February, India reiterated its continued backing for the Maldives FM's candidature. Sidhant Sibal: Your reaction after being elected for the post of president of United Nations General Assembly? Abdulla Shahid: I am deeply humbled by this election. I am also at the same time a proud Maldivian today. This is a great honour for the Maldivian people, for the nation. The Maldives is a small country, but we have been responsible and committed member of the United Nations for the last 55 years. We became the member of the United Nations three months after we became independent. And I think this election has clearly shown that the current President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's foreign policy is well-respected and received by the international community. It is indeed a great honour for the Maldives. Sidhant Sibal: You got more than 140 votes at the United Nations General Assembly, what does it show? And how has the process been? Abdulla Shahid: The number of votes we received indicated how the international community has received the Maldives. The international community has received the presidency of hope that I proposed to the international community. You would know, last year has been a year of despair, death, sorrow, and pain for the entire world. I proposed the Presidency of Hope, which I promised will help us overcome these difficult times. We should be aiming to go over the hill and had proposed that together the United Nations can lead this effort. I believe the membership was also eager to take on this presidency of hope and give it to their constituents, the citizens of the world. Sidhant Sibal: The Presidency of hope has five-point agenda. If you can list these priority areas? Abdulla Shahid: I proposed my presidency, the presidency of hope will be built on five rays of hope. The first ray of hope is recovering from COVID-19, it is going to dominate the international agenda for several years to come, but we need to concentrate on three main points. Number 1 is a clear pathway in dealing with COVID-19, with the ultimate aim of eradicating it. Number 2 is vaccine equity, no one is safe until everyone is safe. We need to make sure we provide vaccines to all. Number 3 is dealing with the economic impact it has created on all our country. My second ray of hope is rebuilding sustainably. We started the new decade with the launching of the decade of action, but the pandemic has really dampened the decade of action and now we have to start, reset the clock, and restart building back better, building back greener, and stronger and I believe we can do it. We need to reset the clock and put into the recovery phase and make it into a decade of recovery as well. The third ray of hope of my presidency would be responding to the needs of the planet, both Sidhant, you and me, everyone, here we can feel and see our mother earth planet in pain. We need to address it. The pandemic once again has taken focus again from climate-related issues, but these are not the issues we can put on the backburner. We need to start addressing it now, many major conferences coming now. COP26 is coming, the oceans conference is coming up, the COP15 on biodiversity is coming up, and the energy summit is coming up. All these conferences are going to create momentum which I am proposing United Nations General Assembly should harness and turn into action. Fourth ray of hope I am proposing is, respect the rights of all, human rights have to be the centre of all developmental issues and all issues. I believe, United Nations Human Rights Commission, and Human Rights Council, and the United Nations General Assembly should together be conscious of the international community on human rights issues. We should prioritise such issues like issues of gender-based violence, violence against children, gender parity. We need to prioritise youth-related issues. These are the issues we should start addressing while respecting the rights of all. Fifth and the final ray of hope is revitalising the United Nations. UN needs to be stronger, it needs to be transparent, accountable, and it needs to be efficient to deliver to the nations. UNGA needs revitalisation. It’s a process that has been ongoing, and we need to continue with the reform of the Security Council, we need to make sure the Economic and Social Council is stronger. These are my five rays of hope, I believe that the clear vote that was cast yesterday showed that the membership wanted this presidency of hope to be there so that presidency could be built on five rays of hope. Sidhant Sibal: On the issue of terror, what will be the key focus? Especially when it comes to consensus on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, something that has been languishing since 1996 due to lack of consensus? Abdulla Shahid: Well, the United Nations General Assembly 6th Committee, the legal committee, has been working on this definition, as you said, for a very long time. I hope the definition would be reached by the membership soon. Because we need a clear definition of terrorism to be reached soon. Sidhant Sibal: Would you push for greater physical meetings? What are your plans to invite global leaders back to New York for the UN High-Level Week? Abdulla Shahid: I have spoken to the secretary-general on this, I have also spoken to President about it. The secretariat and the current President are working on it. I will be consulting with them in detail again during this week. We need General Assembly to come back in some forms of meetings that are important. Yesterday we had a session in person, 1+1, meaning in the General Assembly hall, each delegation is represented by one plus one which is a very limited number of people in the hall. Social distancing has to be followed, wearing of the mask has to be followed. Under these difficult circumstances, we would want the general assembly to be functioning, but we cannot afford the general assembly to be a supercluster. So all precautions will be taken, but we must have some form of the high-level week this year. Sidhant Sibal: Any signature events that you want to do as the President of the General Assembly? Abdulla Shahid: I will be meeting my core team, I will be meeting them before my travel back to the Maldives and by September, I will be able to give my detailed input. Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India's support? India had extended the support as early as November 2020? Abdulla Shahid: Well, I thank the Indian government, the Prime Minister, the foreign minister and the foreign secretary for the outstanding support for Maldives candidature. They were very kind, and I think India recognised the important role a country like the Maldives can play on the international stage, especially as the President of the General Assembly. I am also grateful to many-many other countries, who have so kindly expressed their support and continued backing me during the campaign. Sidhant Sibal: After a long time a South Asian has reached this post, so how will it increase the positioning of South Asia? Abdulla Shahid: As you said, it has been a while since a South Asian diplomat has presided over the General Assembly, it is indeed a great honour for me and I will try my best to keep the high level of diplomats that South Asia has created.

UN General Assembly President-elect Abdulla Shahid thanks India for support; says top focus on containing COVID-19

India has suggested to the WTO members to begin text-based negotiations from mid-June on the temporary TRIPs waiver proposal to deal with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 pandemic</a>, as there is no time to lose and countries should look at concluding the talks by July-end.

The country would also like to enter into line-by-line negotiations on the text and it is open and flexible to engage in all possible formats, whether, in plenary or small group meetings, India said in a statement on TRIPs waiver proposal in the formal TRIPs Council Meeting on June 8-9 in Geneva.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-g7-nato-to-do-list-unite-allies-fight-autocracy-attack-covid-19-389886">Biden G7, NATO to-do list: Unite allies, fight autocracy, attack COVID-19</a>

"We would like negotiations to begin after this formal meeting, i.e., by mid-June...Looking at the severity of the 2nd and 3rd wave hitting different parts of the world, we have no time to lose, we look at concluding these negotiations by the end of July before we go for the summer break," the statement said.

In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted the first proposal, suggesting a waiver for all WTO (World Trade Organisation) members on the implementation of certain provisions of the TRIPs Agreement in relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19</a>.

In May this year, a revised proposal was submitted by 62 co-sponsors, including India, South Africa, and Indonesia. 
The agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPs came into effect in January 1995. It is a multilateral agreement on intellectual property (IP) rights such as copyright, industrial designs, patents and protection of undisclosed information or trade secrets.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/resisting-patent-waiver-eu-submits-vaccine-plan-to-wto-389616">Resisting patent waiver, EU submits vaccine plan to WTO</a>

"We urge that as we are working on a tight schedule we can engage daily in the similar way as we are engaging to conclude the fisheries negotiations," the statement said, adding any dilly-dallying would only cause more harm especially when "we are in a race against time".

If there are any members who are still in two minds and have concerns about the text, India urged them to come to the table, join the text-based negotiations and work on thrashing out these issues, it noted.

"The proponents have no intention of continuing the waiver for an indefinite period and no intention of denying benefits of IP rights to right holders beyond the waiver period," it said.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-europe-bows-to-big-pharma-blocks-patent-waiver-389544/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The scope of the proposal focuses on the prevention, containment, and treatment of COVID-19, and includes the health products and technologies needed to deal with the pandemic.

The council has agreed with consensus to start text-based negotiations on the proposal, submitted by India, and South Africa.

India has suggested to the WTO members to begin text-based negotiations from mid-June on the temporary TRIPs waiver proposal to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, as there is no time to lose and countries should look at concluding the talks by July-end.

India has suggested to the WTO members to begin text-based negotiations from mid-June on the temporary TRIPs waiver proposal to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, as there is no time to lose and countries should look at concluding the talks by July-end. The country would also like to enter into line-by-line negotiations on the text and it is open and flexible to engage in all possible formats, whether, in plenary or small group meetings, India said in a statement on TRIPs waiver proposal in the formal TRIPs Council Meeting on June 8-9 in Geneva. Also read | Biden G7, NATO to-do list: Unite allies, fight autocracy, attack COVID-19 "We would like negotiations to begin after this formal meeting, i.e., by mid-June...Looking at the severity of the 2nd and 3rd wave hitting different parts of the world, we have no time to lose, we look at concluding these negotiations by the end of July before we go for the summer break," the statement said. In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted the first proposal, suggesting a waiver for all WTO (World Trade Organisation) members on the implementation of certain provisions of the TRIPs Agreement in relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of COVID-19. In May this year, a revised proposal was submitted by 62 co-sponsors, including India, South Africa, and Indonesia. The agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPs came into effect in January 1995. It is a multilateral agreement on intellectual property (IP) rights such as copyright, industrial designs, patents and protection of undisclosed information or trade secrets. Also read | Resisting patent waiver, EU submits vaccine plan to WTO "We urge that as we are working on a tight schedule we can engage daily in the similar way as we are engaging to conclude the fisheries negotiations," the statement said, adding any dilly-dallying would only cause more harm especially when "we are in a race against time". If there are any members who are still in two minds and have concerns about the text, India urged them to come to the table, join the text-based negotiations and work on thrashing out these issues, it noted. "The proponents have no intention of continuing the waiver for an indefinite period and no intention of denying benefits of IP rights to right holders beyond the waiver period," it said. The scope of the proposal focuses on the prevention, containment, and treatment of COVID-19, and includes the health products and technologies needed to deal with the pandemic. The council has agreed with consensus to start text-based negotiations on the proposal, submitted by India, and South Africa.

We have no time to lose, conclude talks on patent waiver proposal by July-end: India to WTO members

Nepal`s new Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Raghubir Mahaseth on Wednesday sought India`s support for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Covid vaccines</a>. 
 
He made the request to Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who paid a courtesy call on him and handed over the congratulatory message of Indian Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, Nepal`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-pm-oli-says-misunderstandings-with-india-resolved-389932">Nepal PM Oli says 'misunderstandings' with India resolved</a> 
 
Mahaseth, who was appointed on Friday by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in a rejig, and the Indian envoy discussed various matters of mutual interests, including the supply of vaccines, the ministry said in a short readout. 
 
Besides other regular issues, the meeting was focused on importing vaccines against Covid from India, said, officials. 
 
Nepal had earlier received two million doses of Covishield from India, of which one million was under a grant and the rest procured by it from the Serum Institute of India under the discounted rate. It was due to receive another one million doses, for which it had already paid, from the Serum Institute.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-resumes-vaccination-campaign-with-chinas-sinopharm-390189">Nepal resumes vaccination campaign with China's Sinopharm</a> 
 
After India put a ban on vaccine export, Nepal could not get the remaining amount, a senior Nepal government official told IANS. 
 
"In order to get the vaccines, we have also written a diplomatic note to the government of India and a separate letter to the Serum Institute for early resumption of the vaccine. The urgency is there as half a million people who had received the first dose of Covisheld are waiting for the second dose but there is no vaccine," the official said. 
 
"Thar is why we are putting pressure on the Indian government to resume that one million vaccine to us on humanitarian grounds."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nepal-signs-non-disclosure-agreement-for-chinese-vaccines-390031/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
Earlier, Nepal`s President Bidhya Devi Bhandari also wrote a letter to her Indian counterpart, Ram Nath Kovind, seeking the one million vaccines that Nepal has paid for so that those who are waiting for their second dose can be covered.

Additionally, she also sought support from the Indian government to facilitate its procurement of vaccines from Indian manufacturers.

Nepal`s new Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Raghubir Mahaseth on Wednesday sought India`s support for Covid vaccines. He made the request to Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who paid a courtesy call on him and handed over the congratulatory message of Indian Foreign Minister, S.

Nepal`s new Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Raghubir Mahaseth on Wednesday sought India`s support for Covid vaccines. He made the request to Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who paid a courtesy call on him and handed over the congratulatory message of Indian Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, Nepal`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Also read | Nepal PM Oli says 'misunderstandings' with India resolved Mahaseth, who was appointed on Friday by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in a rejig, and the Indian envoy discussed various matters of mutual interests, including the supply of vaccines, the ministry said in a short readout. Besides other regular issues, the meeting was focused on importing vaccines against Covid from India, said, officials. Nepal had earlier received two million doses of Covishield from India, of which one million was under a grant and the rest procured by it from the Serum Institute of India under the discounted rate. It was due to receive another one million doses, for which it had already paid, from the Serum Institute. Also read | Nepal resumes vaccination campaign with China's Sinopharm After India put a ban on vaccine export, Nepal could not get the remaining amount, a senior Nepal government official told IANS. "In order to get the vaccines, we have also written a diplomatic note to the government of India and a separate letter to the Serum Institute for early resumption of the vaccine. The urgency is there as half a million people who had received the first dose of Covisheld are waiting for the second dose but there is no vaccine," the official said. "Thar is why we are putting pressure on the Indian government to resume that one million vaccine to us on humanitarian grounds." Earlier, Nepal`s President Bidhya Devi Bhandari also wrote a letter to her Indian counterpart, Ram Nath Kovind, seeking the one million vaccines that Nepal has paid for so that those who are waiting for their second dose can be covered. Additionally, she also sought support from the Indian government to facilitate its procurement of vaccines from Indian manufacturers.

Nepal's new foreign minister seeks India's support for Covid vaccines

The government has allocated an additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B drug, used to treat black fungus infection, to states and union territories, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday.

"Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of #Amphotericin-B across the country, additional 1,70,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs &amp; Central Institutions today," the chemicals and fertilisers minister tweeted.

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Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amphotericin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Amphotericin</a>-B across the country, additional 170,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs &amp; Central Institutions today.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmphotericinB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmphotericinB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackFungus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackFungus</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Pharmadept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pharmadept</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PIB_India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MoHFW_INDIA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoHFW_INDIA</a>
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) <a href="https://twitter.com/DVSadanandGowda/status/1402591534403313670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Gowda added that an additional 15,520 vials of the critical drug have been allocated to Karnataka.

"So far, a total of 40,470 vials of the drug have been allocated to the state including today's allocation for timely treatment of patients," he said.

Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya said in the first nine days of June, the government has allocated 3,21,100 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin-B to states.

"We are working continuously to import and manufacture liposomal &amp; conventional Amphotericin-B to meet current demands," he tweeted.

Amphotericin-B is used to treat Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, which damages the nose, eyes, sinuses, and sometimes even the brain.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/black-fungus-drug-amphotericin-b-to-be-priced-at-rs-1200-for-each-vial-in-india-387750">Black fungus drug Amphotericin B to be priced at Rs 1200 for each vial in India</a>

Mucormycosis can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.

The doctors in the country are documenting an alarming number of cases of Mucormycosis among patients with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> and those who have recently recovered.

They believe that Mucormycosis may be triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.&nbsp;

The government has allocated an additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B drug, used to treat black fungus infection, to states and union territories, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday.

The government has allocated an additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B drug, used to treat black fungus infection, to states and union territories, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday. "Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of #Amphotericin-B across the country, additional 1,70,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs & Central Institutions today," the chemicals and fertilisers minister tweeted. Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of #Amphotericin-B across the country, additional 170,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs & Central Institutions today.#AmphotericinB #BlackFungus@Pharmadept @PIB_India @PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA — Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) June 9, 2021 × Gowda added that an additional 15,520 vials of the critical drug have been allocated to Karnataka. "So far, a total of 40,470 vials of the drug have been allocated to the state including today's allocation for timely treatment of patients," he said. Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya said in the first nine days of June, the government has allocated 3,21,100 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin-B to states. "We are working continuously to import and manufacture liposomal & conventional Amphotericin-B to meet current demands," he tweeted. Amphotericin-B is used to treat Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, which damages the nose, eyes, sinuses, and sometimes even the brain. Also read | Black fungus drug Amphotericin B to be priced at Rs 1200 for each vial in India Mucormycosis can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS. The doctors in the country are documenting an alarming number of cases of Mucormycosis among patients with COVID-19 and those who have recently recovered. They believe that Mucormycosis may be triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Govt allocates additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B to states, UTs

Nearly 2,000 passengers on Wednesday took a ride on the Noida-Greater Noida metro which resumed service after a hiatus of over a month due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> curbs, officials said.

The passenger services on the Aqua Line that connects Noida and Greater Noida were suspended on May 1 as the second wave of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus</a> pandemic ravaged the region.

The resumption of services was announced on Monday, the day Gautam Buddh Nagar district, adjoining Delhi, in western Uttar Pradesh also eased COVID-19 curbs amid a dip in new cases of coronavirus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/noida-metro-restart-plan-aarogya-setu-app-body-temp-below-378-c-must-for-passengers-299081">Noida Metro restart plan: Aarogya Setu app, body temp below 37.8 C must for passengers</a>

"The total ridership on the Noida-Greater Noida Metro stood at 1,992 on Wednesday," a Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) official said.

The NMRC had on Monday said keeping in view the night curfew and also to discourage people to move out due to the pandemic, trains will be operated from 7 am to 8 pm on weekdays only i.e., Monday to Friday.

As the weekend curfew is still in practice, train services will not be operated on weekends i.e., Saturday and Sunday, NMRC Managing Director Ritu Maheshwari had said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-unlock-40-metro-rail-services-to-restart-from-september-7-schools-universities-to-remain-closed-323961">India Unlock 4.0: Metro rail services to restart from September 7; schools, universities to remain closed</a>

There would be one train every 15 minutes during peak hours (8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm) and one train every 30 minutes during non-peak hours, according to the NMRC.

There will also be 'fast trains'&nbsp;that will run on weekdays during peak hours and not stop at Sector 50, 101, 81, 83, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, and148 stations, it had said.

The NMRC's decision to run 'fast trains'&nbsp;has met with criticism from several residents of Noida and Greater Noida who have objected to the trains skipping some stations.

Nearly 2,000 passengers on Wednesday took a ride on the Noida-Greater Noida metro which resumed service after a hiatus of over a month due to COVID-19 curbs, officials said.

Nearly 2,000 passengers on Wednesday took a ride on the Noida-Greater Noida metro which resumed service after a hiatus of over a month due to COVID-19 curbs, officials said. The passenger services on the Aqua Line that connects Noida and Greater Noida were suspended on May 1 as the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the region. The resumption of services was announced on Monday, the day Gautam Buddh Nagar district, adjoining Delhi, in western Uttar Pradesh also eased COVID-19 curbs amid a dip in new cases of coronavirus. Also read | Noida Metro restart plan: Aarogya Setu app, body temp below 37.8 C must for passengers "The total ridership on the Noida-Greater Noida Metro stood at 1,992 on Wednesday," a Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) official said. The NMRC had on Monday said keeping in view the night curfew and also to discourage people to move out due to the pandemic, trains will be operated from 7 am to 8 pm on weekdays only i.e., Monday to Friday. As the weekend curfew is still in practice, train services will not be operated on weekends i.e., Saturday and Sunday, NMRC Managing Director Ritu Maheshwari had said. Also read | India Unlock 4.0: Metro rail services to restart from September 7; schools, universities to remain closed There would be one train every 15 minutes during peak hours (8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm) and one train every 30 minutes during non-peak hours, according to the NMRC. There will also be 'fast trains' that will run on weekdays during peak hours and not stop at Sector 50, 101, 81, 83, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, and148 stations, it had said. The NMRC's decision to run 'fast trains' has met with criticism from several residents of Noida and Greater Noida who have objected to the trains skipping some stations.

Noida Metro resumes service after coronavirus second wave break

In a historic move, the Army has selected two women officers to train as combat helicopter pilots for its aviation wing, officials said on Wednesday.

The selection came six months after Army Chief General MM Naravane cleared a proposal to induct women as pilots.

As of now, women are allowed in air traffic control and ground duties in the Army aviation wing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/equal-roles-for-women-in-indian-armed-forces-the-road-ahead-291798">Equal roles for women in Indian Armed Forces: The road ahead</a>

The two women officers will undergo training at the Combat Army Aviation Training School at Nashik in Maharashtra, the officials said.

Fifteen women officers volunteered to join the Army aviation wing. However, only two have qualified through the stringent selection process, the officials said.

The two women officers will join flying duties by July next year on successful completion of the training period, they added.

In 2018, Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi of the Indian Air Force scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo. She flew a MiG-21 bison in her first solo flight.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/first-batch-of-83-women-soldiers-inducted-into-indian-army-383752">First batch of 83 women soldiers inducted into Indian Army</a>

Chaturvedi was part of a three-member women team commissioned as flying officers in July 2016, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis.

Last year, the Navy announced deploying its first batch of women pilots on the Dornier maritime aircraft.

In a significant move, the Army in 2019 began the process of inducting women into the military police.

The role of the military police includes policing cantonments and army establishments, preventing breach of rules and regulations by soldiers, maintaining movement of soldiers as well as logistics during peace and war, and extending aid to the civil police, whenever required.

In a historic move, the Army has selected two women officers to train as combat helicopter pilots for its aviation wing, officials said on Wednesday. The selection came six months after Army Chief General MM Naravane cleared a proposal to induct women as pilots.

In a historic move, the Army has selected two women officers to train as combat helicopter pilots for its aviation wing, officials said on Wednesday. The selection came six months after Army Chief General MM Naravane cleared a proposal to induct women as pilots. As of now, women are allowed in air traffic control and ground duties in the Army aviation wing. Also read | Equal roles for women in Indian Armed Forces: The road ahead The two women officers will undergo training at the Combat Army Aviation Training School at Nashik in Maharashtra, the officials said. Fifteen women officers volunteered to join the Army aviation wing. However, only two have qualified through the stringent selection process, the officials said. The two women officers will join flying duties by July next year on successful completion of the training period, they added. In 2018, Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi of the Indian Air Force scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo. She flew a MiG-21 bison in her first solo flight. Also read | First batch of 83 women soldiers inducted into Indian Army Chaturvedi was part of a three-member women team commissioned as flying officers in July 2016, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis. Last year, the Navy announced deploying its first batch of women pilots on the Dornier maritime aircraft. In a significant move, the Army in 2019 began the process of inducting women into the military police. The role of the military police includes policing cantonments and army establishments, preventing breach of rules and regulations by soldiers, maintaining movement of soldiers as well as logistics during peace and war, and extending aid to the civil police, whenever required.

Two women Army officers selected to train as combat helicopter  pilots

The testing was done as a precautionary measure after nine lions tested positive for Covid-19, and one lioness succumbed to the virus in the Arignar Anna Zoological Park or Vandalur zoo outside Chennai on June 3.

Semi wild elephants undergo precautionary Covid test in Mudumalai tiger reserve

Efforts are underway to ensure more universities and institutions of India scale global excellence and support intellectual prowess among the youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he congratulated those figuring in the top-200 positions in QS World University Rankings 2022.

According to the 18th edition of the rankings, the India Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, is India's top-ranked institution for the fourth consecutive year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/qs-world-university-rankings-3-indian-institutes-in-top-200-iisc-top-research-university-390319">QS World University Rankings: 3 Indian institutes in top 200; IISc top research university</a>

IIT, Delhi, has become India's second-best university, having risen from the 193rd rank to 185 in the world since last year. It has done so by overtaking IISc which bagged the 186th rank.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has got a perfect score of 100 out of 100 for the citations per faculty (CPF) metric in the analysis by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

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Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/iiscbangalore?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iiscbangalore</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/iitbombay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iitbombay</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/iitdelhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iitdelhi</a>. Efforts are underway to ensure more universities and institutions of India scale global excellence and support intellectual prowess among the youth. <a href="https://t.co/NHnQ8EvN28">https://t.co/NHnQ8EvN28</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1402628065474203650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The prime minister tweeted, "Congratulations to @iiscbangalore, @iitbombay and @iitdelhi. Efforts are underway to ensure more universities and institutions of India scale global excellence and support intellectual prowess among the youth."&nbsp;

Efforts are underway to ensure more universities and institutions of India scale global excellence and support intellectual prowess among the youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he congratulated those figuring in the top-200 positions in QS World University Rankings 2022.

Efforts are underway to ensure more universities and institutions of India scale global excellence and support intellectual prowess among the youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he congratulated those figuring in the top-200 positions in QS World University Rankings 2022. According to the 18th edition of the rankings, the India Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, is India's top-ranked institution for the fourth consecutive year. Also read | QS World University Rankings: 3 Indian institutes in top 200; IISc top research university IIT, Delhi, has become India's second-best university, having risen from the 193rd rank to 185 in the world since last year. It has done so by overtaking IISc which bagged the 186th rank. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has got a perfect score of 100 out of 100 for the citations per faculty (CPF) metric in the analysis by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Congratulations to @iiscbangalore, @iitbombay and @iitdelhi. Efforts are underway to ensure more universities and institutions of India scale global excellence and support intellectual prowess among the youth. https://t.co/NHnQ8EvN28 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 9, 2021 × The prime minister tweeted, "Congratulations to @iiscbangalore, @iitbombay and @iitdelhi. Efforts are underway to ensure more universities and institutions of India scale global excellence and support intellectual prowess among the youth."

Efforts on to ensure more Indian institutions scale global excellence: PM Modi

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