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Cyclone Yaas is close to the east coast of the country, a few days after the deadly cyclone Tauktae collided with the west coast. The IMD said that "Yaas" is likely to turn into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' (VSCS) by Tuesday evening.

IMD: Cyclone Yaas likely to turn into a 'very severe cyclonic storm'

India on Wednesday reported 208,921 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> infections, pushing the overall tally of cases to 27,157,795, as the country conducted 2,217,320 coronavirus tests, its highest-ever in a day, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The death toll also climbed to 311,388 with 4,157 fatalities reported in a 24-hour period, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-linked-agency-hires-influencers-to-spread-fake-news-about-pfizer-vaccine-387419" hreflang="en">Russia-linked agency hires influencers to spread fake news about Pfizer vaccine</a>

A total of 2,217,320 tests, the highest in a day, were conducted on Tuesday taking the cumulative number so far in the country to 334,811,496, while the daily positivity declined to 9.42 per cent, the ministry said.

This is the second day in a row that the case positivity rate has remained below 10 per cent, the ministry said. The weekly positivity rate has also declined to 11.45 per cent. The updated data showed that the number of active cases have further come down to 2,495,591, with a net decline of 91,191 in a span of 24 hours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-gets-a-new-drug-to-treat-wuhan-virus-387376">WATCH |</a>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-gets-a-new-drug-to-treat-wuhan-virus-387376/embed" width="560"></iframe>

The active cases now constituting 9.19 per cent of the total infections. The data also showed that 295,955 patients recovered from the virus in a span of 24 hours, pushing the total recoveries so far to 24,350,816. The national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 89.66 per cent, it showed. The case fatality rate was 1.15 per cent, the data showed.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the two million&nbsp;mark on August 7, three&nbsp;million on August 23, four&nbsp;million on September 5 and five&nbsp;million on September 16. The country crossed the grim milestone of 20 million cases on May 4.

The 4,157 new fatalities include 1,137 from Maharashtra, 588 from Karnataka, 468 from Tamil Nadu, 177 from Kerala, 174 from Punjab, 157 each from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, 156 from Delhi, 128 from Haryana, 106 from Andhra Pradesh, 105 from Rajasthan and 104 from Bihar, according to the ministry data.

A total of 311,388 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 90,349 from Maharashtra, 26,399 from Karnataka, 23,565 from Delhi, 21,340 from Tamil Nadu, 19,519 from Uttar Pradesh, 14,674 from West Bengal, 13,642 from Punjab and 12,723 from Chhattisgarh.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities or preexisting health conditions. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that the state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

India on Wednesday reported 208,921 COVID-19 infections, pushing the overall tally of cases to 27,157,795, as the country conducted 2,217,320 coronavirus tests, its highest-ever in a day, according to Union Health Ministry data.

India on Wednesday reported 208,921 COVID-19 infections, pushing the overall tally of cases to 27,157,795, as the country conducted 2,217,320 coronavirus tests, its highest-ever in a day, according to Union Health Ministry data. The death toll also climbed to 311,388 with 4,157 fatalities reported in a 24-hour period, the data updated at 8 am showed. Also read | Russia-linked agency hires influencers to spread fake news about Pfizer vaccine A total of 2,217,320 tests, the highest in a day, were conducted on Tuesday taking the cumulative number so far in the country to 334,811,496, while the daily positivity declined to 9.42 per cent, the ministry said. This is the second day in a row that the case positivity rate has remained below 10 per cent, the ministry said. The weekly positivity rate has also declined to 11.45 per cent. The updated data showed that the number of active cases have further come down to 2,495,591, with a net decline of 91,191 in a span of 24 hours. WATCH | The active cases now constituting 9.19 per cent of the total infections. The data also showed that 295,955 patients recovered from the virus in a span of 24 hours, pushing the total recoveries so far to 24,350,816. The national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 89.66 per cent, it showed. The case fatality rate was 1.15 per cent, the data showed. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the two million mark on August 7, three million on August 23, four million on September 5 and five million on September 16. The country crossed the grim milestone of 20 million cases on May 4. The 4,157 new fatalities include 1,137 from Maharashtra, 588 from Karnataka, 468 from Tamil Nadu, 177 from Kerala, 174 from Punjab, 157 each from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, 156 from Delhi, 128 from Haryana, 106 from Andhra Pradesh, 105 from Rajasthan and 104 from Bihar, according to the ministry data. A total of 311,388 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 90,349 from Maharashtra, 26,399 from Karnataka, 23,565 from Delhi, 21,340 from Tamil Nadu, 19,519 from Uttar Pradesh, 14,674 from West Bengal, 13,642 from Punjab and 12,723 from Chhattisgarh. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities or preexisting health conditions. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that the state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

India reports 208,921 COVID-19 infections; positivity rate stays below 10%

India on Wednesday reported 208,921 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> infections, pushing the overall tally of cases to 27,157,795, as the country conducted 2,217,320 coronavirus tests, its highest-ever in a day, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The death toll also climbed to 311,388 with 4,157 fatalities reported in a 24-hour period, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-linked-agency-hires-influencers-to-spread-fake-news-about-pfizer-vaccine-387419" hreflang="en">Russia-linked agency hires influencers to spread fake news about Pfizer vaccine</a>

A total of 2,217,320 tests, the highest in a day, were conducted on Tuesday taking the cumulative number so far in the country to 334,811,496, while the daily positivity declined to 9.42 per cent, the ministry said.

This is the second day in a row that the case positivity rate has remained below 10 per cent, the ministry said. The weekly positivity rate has also declined to 11.45 per cent. The updated data showed that the number of active cases have further come down to 2,495,591, with a net decline of 91,191 in a span of 24 hours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-gets-a-new-drug-to-treat-wuhan-virus-387376">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-gets-a-new-drug-to-treat-wuhan-virus-387376/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The active cases now constituting 9.19 per cent of the total infections. The data also showed that 295,955 patients recovered from the virus in a span of 24 hours, pushing the total recoveries so far to 24,350,816. The national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 89.66 per cent, it showed. The case fatality rate was 1.15 per cent, the data showed.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the two million&nbsp;mark on August 7, three&nbsp;million on August 23, four&nbsp;million on September 5 and five&nbsp;million on September 16. The country crossed the grim milestone of 20 million cases on May 4.

The 4,157 new fatalities include 1,137 from Maharashtra, 588 from Karnataka, 468 from Tamil Nadu, 177 from Kerala, 174 from Punjab, 157 each from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, 156 from Delhi, 128 from Haryana, 106 from Andhra Pradesh, 105 from Rajasthan and 104 from Bihar, according to the ministry data.

A total of 311,388 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 90,349 from Maharashtra, 26,399 from Karnataka, 23,565 from Delhi, 21,340 from Tamil Nadu, 19,519 from Uttar Pradesh, 14,674 from West Bengal, 13,642 from Punjab and 12,723 from Chhattisgarh.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities or preexisting health conditions. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that the state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday announced a relief package of Rs 500 crore for farmers who lost their horticulture and summer crops due to cyclone Tauktae which ravaged the coastal parts of the state last week.

One of the most powerful cyclones to hit the west coast in recent times, Tauktae, which made landfall on the Gujarat coast on May 17 and triggered high-speed winds and rainfall, had destroyed crops in 2 lakh hectares in 86 talukas spread across nine districts of the state, as per official estimates.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-tauktae-amid-pandemic-indias-western-states-brace-for-storm-385602">Cyclonic storm Tauktae makes landfall in Gujarat; wrecks Mumbai, Karnataka coast</a>

"Cyclone Tauktae, which triggered wind speed up to 220 km/ph, had destroyed crops in Amreli, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Botad districts of the Saurashtra region. It had also affected crops in South Gujarat districts of Navsari, Surat, Valsad and Bharuch," Rupani said after a core committee meeting held to decided on a relief package for the affected farmers.

"Horticulture and summer crops were destroyed in 2 lakh hectares in 86 talukas of these nine districts. The government had initiated a survey (for damage assessment) which will be completed by Thursday," he said.

Under the Rs 500 crore package, the state government has decided to give financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per hectare (up to to 2 hectares) to horticulture farmers whose plants have been completely uprooted. If the damage is over 33 per cent, Rs 30,000 per hectare will be given to such farmers for 2 hectares, Rupani said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-tauktae-shah-speaks-to-cms-of-rajasthan-maharashtra-gujarat-dadra-and-nagar-haveli-administrator-385777">Cyclone Tauktae: Shah speaks to CMs of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli Administrator</a>

The main horticulture crops that have faced destruction in the cyclone are mango, chikoo, lemon, coconut and guava. For summer crops, farmers who have faced damage of more than 33 per cent will be paid a compensation of Rs 20,000 per hectare (up to 2 hectares), he said.

The compensation amount will be directly credited into the bank account of beneficiary farmers a week after the survey is completed by May 27, the CM said.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday announced a relief package of Rs 500 crore for farmers who lost their horticulture and summer crops due to cyclone Tauktae which ravaged the coastal parts of the state last week.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday announced a relief package of Rs 500 crore for farmers who lost their horticulture and summer crops due to cyclone Tauktae which ravaged the coastal parts of the state last week. One of the most powerful cyclones to hit the west coast in recent times, Tauktae, which made landfall on the Gujarat coast on May 17 and triggered high-speed winds and rainfall, had destroyed crops in 2 lakh hectares in 86 talukas spread across nine districts of the state, as per official estimates. Also Read | Cyclonic storm Tauktae makes landfall in Gujarat; wrecks Mumbai, Karnataka coast "Cyclone Tauktae, which triggered wind speed up to 220 km/ph, had destroyed crops in Amreli, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Botad districts of the Saurashtra region. It had also affected crops in South Gujarat districts of Navsari, Surat, Valsad and Bharuch," Rupani said after a core committee meeting held to decided on a relief package for the affected farmers. "Horticulture and summer crops were destroyed in 2 lakh hectares in 86 talukas of these nine districts. The government had initiated a survey (for damage assessment) which will be completed by Thursday," he said. Under the Rs 500 crore package, the state government has decided to give financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per hectare (up to to 2 hectares) to horticulture farmers whose plants have been completely uprooted. If the damage is over 33 per cent, Rs 30,000 per hectare will be given to such farmers for 2 hectares, Rupani said. Also Read | Cyclone Tauktae: Shah speaks to CMs of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli Administrator The main horticulture crops that have faced destruction in the cyclone are mango, chikoo, lemon, coconut and guava. For summer crops, farmers who have faced damage of more than 33 per cent will be paid a compensation of Rs 20,000 per hectare (up to 2 hectares), he said. The compensation amount will be directly credited into the bank account of beneficiary farmers a week after the survey is completed by May 27, the CM said.

Gujarat govt announces relief package for farmers affected by cyclone Tauktae

Heavy rains and howling winds lashed eastern India on Wednesday as the Covid-stricken country's second cyclone in as many weeks battered the coast, forcing more than 1.2 million people to seek shelter.

Many scientists say cyclones are becoming more frequent and severe in the northern Indian Ocean as climate change warms the sea.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-dead-7-missing-as-country-boats-capsize-in-a-river-in-andhra-pradesh-387210" hreflang="en">One dead, 7 missing as country boats capsize in a river in Andhra Pradesh</a>

Last week Cyclone Tauktae claimed at least 155 lives in western India. The latest system, Cyclone Yaas, has forced the evacuation of more than 1.2 million people in the eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha.

The Indian Meteorological Department said landfall began around 9:00 am (0330 GMT) and warned that it would generate waves higher than rooftops in some areas.

Coastal areas experienced wind gusts up to 155 kilometres (95 miles) an hour and pounding rain.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/another-cyclone-yaas-looms-for-india-week-after-deadly-storm-tauktae-386945" hreflang="en">Another cyclone Yaas looms for India, week after deadly storm Tauktae</a>

"We have been experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds since last night," said Bibhu Prasad Panda, a resident of Balasore district in the storm's path.

"Several trees have been uprooted. The cyclone has also led to snapping of overhead electricity cables."

A tornado that preceded the storm left two dead electrocuted as it tore through West Bengal's Hooghly district, authorities said.

Kolkata, West Bengal's main city, ordered its international airport to shut down for most of Wednesday. The airport in Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar, followed suit.

"Every life is precious," said Odisha's chief minister Naveen Patnaik as he appealed for people not to "panic" and to move away from the coast.&nbsp;

A record 4,800 disaster workers had been positioned in the two states, equipped with tree and wire cutters, emergency communications, inflatable boats and medical aid, the National Disaster Response Force said.&nbsp;

- 'Terrible blow' - 
&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both states are struggling with the coronavirus wave that has left more than 120,000 dead across India in the past six weeks.

While masks have been distributed in emergency shelters and relief workers are trying to impose social distancing, many officials fear the new cyclone will only speed up the spread of the virus.

"This cyclone spells double trouble for millions of people in India as there is no respite from COVID-19," said Udaya Regmi, South Asia head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The storm "is a terrible blow for many people in coastal districts whose families have been struck down by Covid-19 infections and deaths," West Bengal state minister Bankim Chandra Hazra told AFP.

Hazra added that it would be "a big challenge" to maintain social distancing in the emergency shelters.

Some vaccination centres in threatened districts as well as Kolkata suspended operations because of the storm and a special operation had been launched to ensure the supply of oxygen and medicines to hospitals, officials said.

Officials in neighbouring Bangladesh, a regular target of cyclones, said they expected the low-lying delta nation to be spared this time.

Some of the deadliest storms in history have formed in the Bay of Bengal, including one in 1970 that killed half a million people in what is modern-day Bangladesh.

Odisha's worst-ever cyclone, in 1999, killed 10,000 people. Last year Cyclone Amphan, the worst since 1999, caused widespread devastation but timely evacuations meant fatalities were fewer than 150.

Heavy rains and howling winds lashed eastern India on Wednesday as the Covid-stricken country's second cyclone in as many weeks battered the coast, forcing more than 1.

Heavy rains and howling winds lashed eastern India on Wednesday as the Covid-stricken country's second cyclone in as many weeks battered the coast, forcing more than 1.2 million people to seek shelter. Many scientists say cyclones are becoming more frequent and severe in the northern Indian Ocean as climate change warms the sea. Also read | One dead, 7 missing as country boats capsize in a river in Andhra Pradesh Last week Cyclone Tauktae claimed at least 155 lives in western India. The latest system, Cyclone Yaas, has forced the evacuation of more than 1.2 million people in the eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha. The Indian Meteorological Department said landfall began around 9:00 am (0330 GMT) and warned that it would generate waves higher than rooftops in some areas. Coastal areas experienced wind gusts up to 155 kilometres (95 miles) an hour and pounding rain. Also read | Another cyclone Yaas looms for India, week after deadly storm Tauktae "We have been experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds since last night," said Bibhu Prasad Panda, a resident of Balasore district in the storm's path. "Several trees have been uprooted. The cyclone has also led to snapping of overhead electricity cables." A tornado that preceded the storm left two dead electrocuted as it tore through West Bengal's Hooghly district, authorities said. Kolkata, West Bengal's main city, ordered its international airport to shut down for most of Wednesday. The airport in Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar, followed suit. "Every life is precious," said Odisha's chief minister Naveen Patnaik as he appealed for people not to "panic" and to move away from the coast. A record 4,800 disaster workers had been positioned in the two states, equipped with tree and wire cutters, emergency communications, inflatable boats and medical aid, the National Disaster Response Force said. - 'Terrible blow' - Both states are struggling with the coronavirus wave that has left more than 120,000 dead across India in the past six weeks. While masks have been distributed in emergency shelters and relief workers are trying to impose social distancing, many officials fear the new cyclone will only speed up the spread of the virus. "This cyclone spells double trouble for millions of people in India as there is no respite from COVID-19," said Udaya Regmi, South Asia head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The storm "is a terrible blow for many people in coastal districts whose families have been struck down by Covid-19 infections and deaths," West Bengal state minister Bankim Chandra Hazra told AFP. Hazra added that it would be "a big challenge" to maintain social distancing in the emergency shelters. Some vaccination centres in threatened districts as well as Kolkata suspended operations because of the storm and a special operation had been launched to ensure the supply of oxygen and medicines to hospitals, officials said. Officials in neighbouring Bangladesh, a regular target of cyclones, said they expected the low-lying delta nation to be spared this time. Some of the deadliest storms in history have formed in the Bay of Bengal, including one in 1970 that killed half a million people in what is modern-day Bangladesh. Odisha's worst-ever cyclone, in 1999, killed 10,000 people. Last year Cyclone Amphan, the worst since 1999, caused widespread devastation but timely evacuations meant fatalities were fewer than 150.

Cyclone Yaas batters eastern India, 1.2 million seek shelter

Seeking a fast-track approval for its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> vaccine, US major <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/pfizer">Pfizer</a> has told Indian authorities that its jab has shown "high effectiveness" against the SARS-CoV-2 variant found in India and on people of Indian ethnicity or nationality, while it is suitable for everyone aged 12 years or above and can be stored for a month at 2-8 degrees, sources said on Wednesday.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modernas-single-dose-vaccine-in-india-likely-next-year-pfizer-ready-with-50-mn-doses-for-2021-387438">Moderna's single-dose vaccine in India likely next year; Pfizer ready with 50 mn doses for 2021</a>

Pfizer, which is ready to offer 50 million doses to India between July and October this year and has sought certain relaxations including indemnification, has held a series of interactions with the Indian government authorities recently including one this week, during which it shared the most recent data points regarding efficacy trials and approvals for its vaccine in various countries and by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"The current situation in India, and across the world, is not 'business as usual'&nbsp;and we must not respond to it with processes as usual too," a source quoted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/pfizer">Pfizer</a> as having communicated to the Indian government.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pfizer-and-moderna-dont-want-to-deal-with-indian-states-for-vaccines-387168">Pfizer and Moderna don't want to deal with Indian states for vaccines</a>

Another source privy to the discussions said that following recent meetings between the Indian government and Pfizer's Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, they have agreed to jointly work on three key issues to accelerate approval for the company's COVID-19 vaccine in India, namely procurement through a central government pathway; indemnity and liability; and the regulatory requirement for post-approval bridging studies.

While India has administered over 20 crore doses so far since the launch of its vaccination drive in mid-January, it is still a long way to reach the vaccination for the entire population, more so in the backdrop of many states having flagged shortage of vaccines and the gap between supply and requirement widening amid the deadly second wave.

India is currently using mainly two 'made-in India' jabs,&nbsp;Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech,&nbsp;and Russian-made Sputnik V at a smaller scale to inoculate its population, all of which are approved only for those aged 18 years and above.

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In its latest communication to the government, Pfizer has also thanked the Government of India to have agreed to its request for procurement through a central government pathway and to discuss "the Indemnity and Liability protection".

"The timely alignment and execution of the draft Heads of Terms will enable Pfizer to reserve the allocation of doses and pave the pathway for executing the Distribution and Supply Agreement," the company told the government while seeking fast-tracking the regulatory pathway to help it supply "Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine as expeditiously as possible to India".

Pfizer has said India should "rely on the 44 authorizations, including WHO approval, facilitate a EUA (Emergency Use Authorisation)/Restricted Use pathway for the Pfizer vaccine in India, and not seek a local PSA (Post Approval Commitment) study."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-pfizer-biontechs-covid-vaccine-for-children-aged-12-15-384195">US approves Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid vaccine for children aged 12-15</a>

The company is, however, open to considering safety surveillance of the first 100 subjects after understanding the process to be followed.

It has also stated that the Pfizer vaccine has undergone significant development over the last six months which includes improvement in storage conditions at 208 degrees for over one month (31 days) at the site of vaccination.

"Recent data points confirm the high effectiveness of BNT612b2 2-dose regimen against SARS-CoV-2 variants, and among individuals of Indian ethnicity," Pfizer has said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/two-doses-of-covid-vaccines-offer-significant-protection-against-b16172-variant-study-finds-386812">Two doses of Covid vaccines offer significant protection against B.1.617.2 variant, study finds</a>

Providing data, it said UK's Public Health England (PHE) has reported high vaccine effectiveness (87.9 per cent) against the B.1.617.2 variant, most reported in India, in an observational study (concluded on May 22, 2021).

It further said 26 per cent of study participants overall were of "Indian or British Indian" ethnicity, and also included Bangladeshi (1.4 per cent), Pakistani (5.9 per cent) and any other Asian background (5.7 per cent), indicating that the observed vaccine effectiveness applies to these groups as well.

Also, the data from Qatar's nationwide immunization program demonstrated high vaccine effectiveness - 89 per cent against B.1.1.7 variant (first detected in the UK) and 75 per cent against B.1.351 variant (first detected in South Africa).

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-ceo-says-oral-drug-to-treat-coronavirus-could-be-ready-by-end-of-2021-381159" hreflang="en">Pfizer CEO says oral drug to treat coronavirus could be ready by end of 2021</a>

It said 24 per cent of study participants were of Indian nationality (more than 6,000), and others included Nepalese (6-12 per cent), Bangladeshi (4-11 per cent), Sri Lankan (3-4 per cent), Pakistani (4-6 per cent), indicating that the observed vaccine effectiveness applies to these groups as well.

Pfizer has urged the Government of India to rely upon WHO's testing pathways of reliance on testing certificates from country of origin instead of mandating local testing and batch release stating will also help fast track vaccine introduction and prevent vaccine wastage.

Pfizer has also shared the most recent data on the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, the phase 3 clinical trial showing vaccine efficacy six months after the second dose from the pivotal registration trial, as also for variants in vitro neutralization, clinically efficacy data and real-world vaccine effectiveness against emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2. The data shared with Indian authorities also include "real-world evidence of BNT162b2 vaccine effectiveness and safety from national immunization programmes".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-becomes-first-country-to-authorise-pfizer-covid-vaccine-for-kids-age-12-and-up-383033" hreflang="en">Canada becomes first country to authorise Pfizer Covid vaccine for kids age 12 and up</a>

The shared data points include trials showing nearly 95 per cent effectiveness against COVID-19, 100 per cent efficacy against severe disease and also 100 per cent vaccine efficacy in 12-15-year-old adolescents.

Seeking a fast-track approval for its COVID-19 vaccine, US major Pfizer has told Indian authorities that its jab has shown "high effectiveness" against the SARS-CoV-2 variant found in India and on people of Indian ethnicity or nationality, while it is suitable for everyone aged 12 years or above and can be stored for a month at 2-8 degrees, sources said on Wednesday.

Seeking a fast-track approval for its COVID-19 vaccine, US major Pfizer has told Indian authorities that its jab has shown "high effectiveness" against the SARS-CoV-2 variant found in India and on people of Indian ethnicity or nationality, while it is suitable for everyone aged 12 years or above and can be stored for a month at 2-8 degrees, sources said on Wednesday. Also Read | Moderna's single-dose vaccine in India likely next year; Pfizer ready with 50 mn doses for 2021 Pfizer, which is ready to offer 50 million doses to India between July and October this year and has sought certain relaxations including indemnification, has held a series of interactions with the Indian government authorities recently including one this week, during which it shared the most recent data points regarding efficacy trials and approvals for its vaccine in various countries and by the World Health Organisation (WHO). "The current situation in India, and across the world, is not 'business as usual' and we must not respond to it with processes as usual too," a source quoted Pfizer as having communicated to the Indian government. Also Read | Pfizer and Moderna don't want to deal with Indian states for vaccines Another source privy to the discussions said that following recent meetings between the Indian government and Pfizer's Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, they have agreed to jointly work on three key issues to accelerate approval for the company's COVID-19 vaccine in India, namely procurement through a central government pathway; indemnity and liability; and the regulatory requirement for post-approval bridging studies. While India has administered over 20 crore doses so far since the launch of its vaccination drive in mid-January, it is still a long way to reach the vaccination for the entire population, more so in the backdrop of many states having flagged shortage of vaccines and the gap between supply and requirement widening amid the deadly second wave. India is currently using mainly two 'made-in India' jabs, Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech, and Russian-made Sputnik V at a smaller scale to inoculate its population, all of which are approved only for those aged 18 years and above. In its latest communication to the government, Pfizer has also thanked the Government of India to have agreed to its request for procurement through a central government pathway and to discuss "the Indemnity and Liability protection". "The timely alignment and execution of the draft Heads of Terms will enable Pfizer to reserve the allocation of doses and pave the pathway for executing the Distribution and Supply Agreement," the company told the government while seeking fast-tracking the regulatory pathway to help it supply "Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine as expeditiously as possible to India". Pfizer has said India should "rely on the 44 authorizations, including WHO approval, facilitate a EUA (Emergency Use Authorisation)/Restricted Use pathway for the Pfizer vaccine in India, and not seek a local PSA (Post Approval Commitment) study." Also Read | US approves Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid vaccine for children aged 12-15 The company is, however, open to considering safety surveillance of the first 100 subjects after understanding the process to be followed. It has also stated that the Pfizer vaccine has undergone significant development over the last six months which includes improvement in storage conditions at 208 degrees for over one month (31 days) at the site of vaccination. "Recent data points confirm the high effectiveness of BNT612b2 2-dose regimen against SARS-CoV-2 variants, and among individuals of Indian ethnicity," Pfizer has said. Also Read | Two doses of Covid vaccines offer significant protection against B.1.617.2 variant, study finds Providing data, it said UK's Public Health England (PHE) has reported high vaccine effectiveness (87.9 per cent) against the B.1.617.2 variant, most reported in India, in an observational study (concluded on May 22, 2021). It further said 26 per cent of study participants overall were of "Indian or British Indian" ethnicity, and also included Bangladeshi (1.4 per cent), Pakistani (5.9 per cent) and any other Asian background (5.7 per cent), indicating that the observed vaccine effectiveness applies to these groups as well. Also, the data from Qatar's nationwide immunization program demonstrated high vaccine effectiveness - 89 per cent against B.1.1.7 variant (first detected in the UK) and 75 per cent against B.1.351 variant (first detected in South Africa). Also Read | Pfizer CEO says oral drug to treat coronavirus could be ready by end of 2021 It said 24 per cent of study participants were of Indian nationality (more than 6,000), and others included Nepalese (6-12 per cent), Bangladeshi (4-11 per cent), Sri Lankan (3-4 per cent), Pakistani (4-6 per cent), indicating that the observed vaccine effectiveness applies to these groups as well. Pfizer has urged the Government of India to rely upon WHO's testing pathways of reliance on testing certificates from country of origin instead of mandating local testing and batch release stating will also help fast track vaccine introduction and prevent vaccine wastage. Pfizer has also shared the most recent data on the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, the phase 3 clinical trial showing vaccine efficacy six months after the second dose from the pivotal registration trial, as also for variants in vitro neutralization, clinically efficacy data and real-world vaccine effectiveness against emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2. The data shared with Indian authorities also include "real-world evidence of BNT162b2 vaccine effectiveness and safety from national immunization programmes". Also Read | Canada becomes first country to authorise Pfizer Covid vaccine for kids age 12 and up The shared data points include trials showing nearly 95 per cent effectiveness against COVID-19, 100 per cent efficacy against severe disease and also 100 per cent vaccine efficacy in 12-15-year-old adolescents.

Our vaccine highly effective on COVID-19 variant found in India, suitable for 12 yrs and above: Pfizer to Govt

Twitter India's offices were raided by Indian authorities.&nbsp;A few days back, Twitter had labelled some posts as manipulated media which were tweets from members of India's ruling party. Apparently, India's IT ministry had sent a notice to Twitter about it.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-social-media-giants-face-heat-in-india-387371/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The platform was asked to remove the label. However, Twitter did not comply and then it was raided. It is the story that most news platforms are running, but this is only half the story.

The crackdown is not just about a bunch of tweets, it is about who governs big tech in India. It is also about holding tech giants accountable to Indian laws. If they operate in India, they must abide by the law of the land.

Or are they only answerable to American lawmakers? India has drawn a line. It has set a deadline for some of the biggest social media platforms in the world Facebook and Twitter and the clock is ticking.

The deadline ends on Wednesday as India's new IT rules come into effect. These companies had three months to comply but they failed.

So by Wednesday, they must either show compliance with Indian laws or face the consequences. It is about the digital media ethics code.

These are new rules that the government of India introduced in February. The code is a framework to regulate tech companies in India.

Platforms like Facebook and Twitter have&nbsp;to appoint three officers who will cooperate with law enforcement agencies in India, according to the new regulations. This team must be available 24x7 to respond to any demand.

These officers must be residents of India and their details must be clearly published on the company's&nbsp;website, if any complaint is received, these officers must respond within 24 hours and the complaint itself must be disposed off within 15 days.

These platforms should deploy tools to identify content that depicts rape or child sexual abuse. They must publish a monthly compliance report that lists the complaints that they received and the action that was taken.

Until Monday evening, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - that's owned by Facebook - had not done any of this. Twitter hasn't said anything about the raid or the non-compliance but Facebook has spoken out.

The company said it wants to comply with the Indian government's demand but&nbsp;it needs to iron out some issues&nbsp;that require engagement with the government.

So basically, Facebook is trying to buy time.

India is a big market for big tech. India is the biggest market for Facebook and it has more than 290 million users in India and 100 million Instagram accounts are Indian.

In the 2019 financial year, Facebook had earned almost 9 billion&nbsp;rupees from the Indian market as income, that's more than $100 million. The profits crossed the 1 billion&nbsp;rupee mark or $18 million dollars - an increase of more than 100 per cent when compared with the numbers from the previous year.

Twitter has 17.5 million Indian users. In 2019, it earned more than 560 million rupees in revenue from India that's $7 million. Just like Facebook, Twitter's profits rose to more than 58 million, almost $800,000 which is a spike of more than 100 per cent.

Social media giants earn big money from India since they have user bases that exceed the population of some countries. But when it comes to following Indian laws, these companies choose to go slow.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has appeared at the US Capitol four times. Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey has appeared at least twice. These companies have been forced to show some accountability before American lawmakers but, they haven't hesitated in wielding their power even against a sitting president.

In the run-up to the election last year, Facebook took down ads from Donald Trump's campaign. Twitter was fact-checking every tweet posted by Trump.

Reports say by November 2020, Twitter had labelled 38 per cent of Trump's tweets with some warning and finally, in January Trump was suspended from all major social media platforms.

Five months have passed and they still haven't allowed Trump to return.

Governments are waking up to the threat they pose. They are trying to rein in tech giants. Germany has opened an anti-trust investigation into Google.

German regulators are probing whether Google's business practices in data gathering give it an unfair advantage in the market.

In America, the state of Florida wants to keep big tech in check. It has become the first state in America to regulate how social media companies moderate content. The law stops platforms from removing content from news outlets if they have a big audience.

Those living in Florida can sue social media companies if they are inconsistent in moderating content. India too needs its own safeguards against big tech.&nbsp;

India needs laws that protect Indian users and ensure strict compliance from tech giants because so far they have been following their own rulebook as they continue to profit from the expanding Indian market.

Twitter India's offices were raided by Indian authorities. A few days back, Twitter had labelled some posts as manipulated media which were tweets from members of India's ruling party.

Twitter India's offices were raided by Indian authorities. A few days back, Twitter had labelled some posts as manipulated media which were tweets from members of India's ruling party. Apparently, India's IT ministry had sent a notice to Twitter about it. Watch: The platform was asked to remove the label. However, Twitter did not comply and then it was raided. It is the story that most news platforms are running, but this is only half the story. The crackdown is not just about a bunch of tweets, it is about who governs big tech in India. It is also about holding tech giants accountable to Indian laws. If they operate in India, they must abide by the law of the land. Or are they only answerable to American lawmakers? India has drawn a line. It has set a deadline for some of the biggest social media platforms in the world Facebook and Twitter and the clock is ticking. The deadline ends on Wednesday as India's new IT rules come into effect. These companies had three months to comply but they failed. So by Wednesday, they must either show compliance with Indian laws or face the consequences. It is about the digital media ethics code. These are new rules that the government of India introduced in February. The code is a framework to regulate tech companies in India. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter have to appoint three officers who will cooperate with law enforcement agencies in India, according to the new regulations. This team must be available 24x7 to respond to any demand. These officers must be residents of India and their details must be clearly published on the company's website, if any complaint is received, these officers must respond within 24 hours and the complaint itself must be disposed off within 15 days. These platforms should deploy tools to identify content that depicts rape or child sexual abuse. They must publish a monthly compliance report that lists the complaints that they received and the action that was taken. Until Monday evening, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - that's owned by Facebook - had not done any of this. Twitter hasn't said anything about the raid or the non-compliance but Facebook has spoken out. The company said it wants to comply with the Indian government's demand but it needs to iron out some issues that require engagement with the government. So basically, Facebook is trying to buy time. India is a big market for big tech. India is the biggest market for Facebook and it has more than 290 million users in India and 100 million Instagram accounts are Indian. In the 2019 financial year, Facebook had earned almost 9 billion rupees from the Indian market as income, that's more than $100 million. The profits crossed the 1 billion rupee mark or $18 million dollars - an increase of more than 100 per cent when compared with the numbers from the previous year. Twitter has 17.5 million Indian users. In 2019, it earned more than 560 million rupees in revenue from India that's $7 million. Just like Facebook, Twitter's profits rose to more than 58 million, almost $800,000 which is a spike of more than 100 per cent. Social media giants earn big money from India since they have user bases that exceed the population of some countries. But when it comes to following Indian laws, these companies choose to go slow. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has appeared at the US Capitol four times. Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey has appeared at least twice. These companies have been forced to show some accountability before American lawmakers but, they haven't hesitated in wielding their power even against a sitting president. In the run-up to the election last year, Facebook took down ads from Donald Trump's campaign. Twitter was fact-checking every tweet posted by Trump. Reports say by November 2020, Twitter had labelled 38 per cent of Trump's tweets with some warning and finally, in January Trump was suspended from all major social media platforms. Five months have passed and they still haven't allowed Trump to return. Governments are waking up to the threat they pose. They are trying to rein in tech giants. Germany has opened an anti-trust investigation into Google. German regulators are probing whether Google's business practices in data gathering give it an unfair advantage in the market. In America, the state of Florida wants to keep big tech in check. It has become the first state in America to regulate how social media companies moderate content. The law stops platforms from removing content from news outlets if they have a big audience. Those living in Florida can sue social media companies if they are inconsistent in moderating content. India too needs its own safeguards against big tech. India needs laws that protect Indian users and ensure strict compliance from tech giants because so far they have been following their own rulebook as they continue to profit from the expanding Indian market.

India's new IT rules set to come into effect, will US big tech comply?

The Ministry of Agriculture said on Tuesday that India's food production is estimated to rise by 2.66 percent to a new record of 305.43 million tonnes in the current crop year 2020-21 on better production of rice, wheat and pulses amid good monsoon rains last year.

World Business Watch | India's foodgrain production to rise record high in 2020-21: Govt

The government on Wednesday staunchly defended its new digital rules, saying the requirement of messaging platforms like WhatsApp to disclose the origin of flagged messages does not violate privacy and went on to seek a compliance report from large social media firms.

A day after WhatsApp filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court challenging the new digital rules on grounds that the requirement for the company to provide access to encrypted messages will break privacy protections, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the new norms will not impact the normal functioning of the popular free-messaging platform.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/whatsapp-goes-to-court-over-indian-governments-new-it-rules-387479">WhatsApp goes to court over Indian government's new IT rules</a>

The requirement of tracing the origin of messages under new IT rules is for prevention and investigation of "very serious offences" related to sovereignty and integrity of India and security of the state, a statement from his ministry said.

Separately, the ministry asked all significant social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp to report their status on compliance with the new rules, which kicked in from Wednesday. 
The companies did not respond to emailed queries on the issue.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-social-media-giants-face-heat-in-india-387371/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

The new rules, announced on February 25, require large social media platforms, defined as those with over 50 lakh users in the country, to follow additional due diligence, including the appointment of a chief compliance officer, nodal contact person and resident grievance officer.

Non-compliance with rules would result in these platforms losing the intermediary status that provides them immunity from liabilities over any third-party data hosted by them. In other words, they could be liable for criminal action in case of complaints.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-new-it-rules-set-to-come-into-effect-will-us-big-tech-comply-387359">India's new IT rules set to come into effect, will US big tech comply?</a>

Sources with knowledge of the matter said large social media companies have been asked to immediately provide details and contact information of the three officials mandated under the new rules.

The ministry in the statement termed WhatsApp's last moment challenge to the IT rules as an unfortunate attempt to prevent the norms from coming into effect.

The UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada require social media firms to allow for the legal interception, it said, adding "What India is asking for is significantly much less than what some of the other countries have demanded".

"Therefore, WhatsApp's attempt to portray the Intermediary Guidelines of India as contrary to the right to privacy is misguided," the official statement said, adding that the government recognises that 'Right to Privacy" is a fundamental right.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tensions-high-between-indian-govt-and-twitter-387331/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The statement quoted Prasad as saying that the government "is committed to ensure the Right of Privacy to all its citizens but at the same time, it is also the responsibility of the government to maintain law and order and ensure national security."

"The Government respects the Right of Privacy and has no intention to violate it when WhatsApp is required to disclose the origin of a particular message.

"Such requirements are only in case when the message is required for prevention, investigation or punishment of very serious offences related to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order, or of incitement to an offence relating to the above or in relation with rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material," the statement said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/working-hard-to-meet-indian-it-rules-for-social-media-facebook-387238">Working hard to meet Indian IT rules for social media: Facebook</a>

It added that while WhatsApp had generally sought an extension in the timeline for enforcement of guidelines, no formal reference was made on traceability not being possible.

"Any operations being run in India are subject to the law of the land. WhatsApp's refusal to comply with the guidelines is a clear act of defiance of a measure whose intent can certainly not be doubted," the statement said.

The government said that on one hand, WhatsApp had sought to mandate a privacy policy that will allow it to share the data of all its user with its parent company, Facebook, for marketing and advertising purposes, even as the platform was making "every effort" to refuse the enactment of norms necessary to uphold law and order.

"...In a befuddling act, they seek to avoid responsibility and refuse to enact the very steps which permit them a safe harbour provision," the statement pointed out.

The Centre's strong response comes after WhatsApp filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court challenging the new digital rules, arguing that the requirement to provide access to encrypted messages will break privacy protections.

In the note to the social media companies, seen by PTI, the ministry has asked these large digital entities about their compliance status and directed them to revert with their response at the earliest "and preferably today itself".

Meanwhile, the official statement said that information on the originator of the message can only be sought as per a process sanctioned by the law, thereby incorporating sufficient legal safeguards.

Tracing the origin of flagged messages would be the last resort, "only in scenarios where other remedies have proven to be ineffective".

It emphasised that detection and punishment of the person who started the mischief leading to a serious crime are in the public interest and therefore, the role of the originator is very important.

Prasad said it is WhatsApp's responsibility to find a technical solution, whether through encryption or otherwise.

The government on Wednesday staunchly defended its new digital rules, saying the requirement of messaging platforms like WhatsApp to disclose the origin of flagged messages does not violate privacy and went on to seek a compliance report from large social media firms.

The government on Wednesday staunchly defended its new digital rules, saying the requirement of messaging platforms like WhatsApp to disclose the origin of flagged messages does not violate privacy and went on to seek a compliance report from large social media firms. A day after WhatsApp filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court challenging the new digital rules on grounds that the requirement for the company to provide access to encrypted messages will break privacy protections, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the new norms will not impact the normal functioning of the popular free-messaging platform. Also Read | WhatsApp goes to court over Indian government's new IT rules The requirement of tracing the origin of messages under new IT rules is for prevention and investigation of "very serious offences" related to sovereignty and integrity of India and security of the state, a statement from his ministry said. Separately, the ministry asked all significant social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp to report their status on compliance with the new rules, which kicked in from Wednesday. The companies did not respond to emailed queries on the issue. The new rules, announced on February 25, require large social media platforms, defined as those with over 50 lakh users in the country, to follow additional due diligence, including the appointment of a chief compliance officer, nodal contact person and resident grievance officer. Non-compliance with rules would result in these platforms losing the intermediary status that provides them immunity from liabilities over any third-party data hosted by them. In other words, they could be liable for criminal action in case of complaints. Also Read | India's new IT rules set to come into effect, will US big tech comply? Sources with knowledge of the matter said large social media companies have been asked to immediately provide details and contact information of the three officials mandated under the new rules. The ministry in the statement termed WhatsApp's last moment challenge to the IT rules as an unfortunate attempt to prevent the norms from coming into effect. The UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada require social media firms to allow for the legal interception, it said, adding "What India is asking for is significantly much less than what some of the other countries have demanded". "Therefore, WhatsApp's attempt to portray the Intermediary Guidelines of India as contrary to the right to privacy is misguided," the official statement said, adding that the government recognises that 'Right to Privacy" is a fundamental right. The statement quoted Prasad as saying that the government "is committed to ensure the Right of Privacy to all its citizens but at the same time, it is also the responsibility of the government to maintain law and order and ensure national security." "The Government respects the Right of Privacy and has no intention to violate it when WhatsApp is required to disclose the origin of a particular message. "Such requirements are only in case when the message is required for prevention, investigation or punishment of very serious offences related to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order, or of incitement to an offence relating to the above or in relation with rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material," the statement said. Also Read | Working hard to meet Indian IT rules for social media: Facebook It added that while WhatsApp had generally sought an extension in the timeline for enforcement of guidelines, no formal reference was made on traceability not being possible. "Any operations being run in India are subject to the law of the land. WhatsApp's refusal to comply with the guidelines is a clear act of defiance of a measure whose intent can certainly not be doubted," the statement said. The government said that on one hand, WhatsApp had sought to mandate a privacy policy that will allow it to share the data of all its user with its parent company, Facebook, for marketing and advertising purposes, even as the platform was making "every effort" to refuse the enactment of norms necessary to uphold law and order. "...In a befuddling act, they seek to avoid responsibility and refuse to enact the very steps which permit them a safe harbour provision," the statement pointed out. The Centre's strong response comes after WhatsApp filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court challenging the new digital rules, arguing that the requirement to provide access to encrypted messages will break privacy protections. In the note to the social media companies, seen by PTI, the ministry has asked these large digital entities about their compliance status and directed them to revert with their response at the earliest "and preferably today itself". Meanwhile, the official statement said that information on the originator of the message can only be sought as per a process sanctioned by the law, thereby incorporating sufficient legal safeguards. Tracing the origin of flagged messages would be the last resort, "only in scenarios where other remedies have proven to be ineffective". It emphasised that detection and punishment of the person who started the mischief leading to a serious crime are in the public interest and therefore, the role of the originator is very important. Prasad said it is WhatsApp's responsibility to find a technical solution, whether through encryption or otherwise.

Govt says new digital rules don't violate privacy; seeks compliance report from large social media

A severe cyclonic storm made landfall in the Indian state Odisha. This is the second cyclonic storm that the country is witnessing in the span of few weeks. Cyclone Yass intensified into a 'severe cyclonic storm' after pounding the coast of Odisha.

Cyclone Yaas hits India's East coast, likely to move Northwestwards

WhatsApp has filed a legal complaint in Delhi High Court against the Indian government seeking to block regulations coming into force on Wednesday that experts say would compel the California-based Facebook unit to break privacy protections.

WhatsApp challenges Indian government's new it rules in Delhi High Court

On the day the Indian government's new rules for social media come into effect, it has emerged that WhatsApp has gone to Delhi High Court against them, citing violation of privacy.

The rules, the information technology (intermediary guidelines and digital media ethics code rules), 2021 which were notified on February 25&nbsp;call for new compliances, like traceability of messages to find&nbsp;the first originator of a message.

WhatsApp in its case has highlighted that this means&nbsp;going through messages which will be violative of its end-to-end encryption, which means messages can't be read except between two&nbsp;users or in a group.

In response to a question from WION, a WhatsApp spokesperson said, "Requiring messaging apps to “trace” chats is the equivalent of asking us to keep a fingerprint of every single message sent on WhatsApp, which would break end-to-end encryption and fundamentally undermines people's right to privacy."&nbsp;

"We will also continue to engage with the government of India on practical solutions aimed at keeping people safe, including responding to valid legal requests for the information available to us," the spokesman added.

No social media company&nbsp;barring Indian social media Koo has implemented these rules.

Non-compliance with&nbsp;the&nbsp;rules could attract criminal charges.

A three&nbsp;month period was given to all social media apps and websites to implement these rules.&nbsp;The new compliances require the appointment of chief compliance officers, resident grievance officer, active monitoring of the harmful content, monthly compliance report, disabling access to objectionable information.

Interestingly,&nbsp;the development comes even as WhatsApp has been under fire over its new privacy policy.

Under the policy, certain data like financial transactions done via WhatsApp can be shared with its parent company Facebook.

While there is no breaking of&nbsp;end-to-end encryption under it,&nbsp;in the past users risked losing right over an account if not given consent for the privacy policy. This has been relaxed now to a certain extent.

There have been increased run-ins between the Indian government and social media apps like Twitter over data and recent&nbsp;labelling of tweets by members of ruling BJP as "manipulated media".

Earlier in the week, Delhi Police had gone to the offices of Twitter India to serve them notice over the "toolkit incident" under which the social media giant had labelled the tweets as "manipulated".

On the day the Indian government's new rules for social media come into effect, it has emerged that WhatsApp has gone to Delhi High Court against them, citing violation of privacy.

On the day the Indian government's new rules for social media come into effect, it has emerged that WhatsApp has gone to Delhi High Court against them, citing violation of privacy. The rules, the information technology (intermediary guidelines and digital media ethics code rules), 2021 which were notified on February 25 call for new compliances, like traceability of messages to find the first originator of a message. WhatsApp in its case has highlighted that this means going through messages which will be violative of its end-to-end encryption, which means messages can't be read except between two users or in a group. In response to a question from WION, a WhatsApp spokesperson said, "Requiring messaging apps to “trace” chats is the equivalent of asking us to keep a fingerprint of every single message sent on WhatsApp, which would break end-to-end encryption and fundamentally undermines people's right to privacy." "We will also continue to engage with the government of India on practical solutions aimed at keeping people safe, including responding to valid legal requests for the information available to us," the spokesman added. No social media company barring Indian social media Koo has implemented these rules. Non-compliance with the rules could attract criminal charges. A three month period was given to all social media apps and websites to implement these rules. The new compliances require the appointment of chief compliance officers, resident grievance officer, active monitoring of the harmful content, monthly compliance report, disabling access to objectionable information. Interestingly, the development comes even as WhatsApp has been under fire over its new privacy policy. Under the policy, certain data like financial transactions done via WhatsApp can be shared with its parent company Facebook. While there is no breaking of end-to-end encryption under it, in the past users risked losing right over an account if not given consent for the privacy policy. This has been relaxed now to a certain extent. There have been increased run-ins between the Indian government and social media apps like Twitter over data and recent labelling of tweets by members of ruling BJP as "manipulated media". Earlier in the week, Delhi Police had gone to the offices of Twitter India to serve them notice over the "toolkit incident" under which the social media giant had labelled the tweets as "manipulated".

WhatsApp goes to court over Indian government's new IT rules

This is a bumper produce year for strawberry growers in Kashmir. On average, the crop has seen 20 per cent&nbsp;increase, but this is not a cause of cheer for the growers.&nbsp;

High produce has very little value with no market available due to COVID-19 lockdown across the region. The farmers allege the government hasn’t tried to rescue their crops.

Manzoor Ahmad, a strawberry farmer in Srinagar's Batapora area, is among the leading strawberry growers in the valley. He says they have incurred more than 50-60 per cent losses.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/group-of-volunteers-helps-transgender-community-in-kashmir-with-food-kits-amid-covid-387082" hreflang="en">Group of volunteers helps transgender community in Kashmir with food kits amid Covid</a>

''If we compare it to last year, we have had 20 per cent extra produce this time and also the fruit quality is really good. However, due to lockdown, we have no customers, and we are incurring huge losses. Our rates have gone down and the government is doing nothing,"&nbsp;said Manzoor Ahmad, a strawberry farmer.

&nbsp;"Our main source of Income is strawberry farming and due to lockdown, we have to bear 50-60 per cent losses this year. Earlier, we used to sell this in different districts, also to vendors on the boulevard, downtown or other areas. We even sold in ganderbal, shopian and north Kashmir districts."

The&nbsp;farmers are completely on their own and have time and again approached the government for cold storage for strawberries as the fruit has a small shelf life.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-shopian-one-of-first-districts-to-achieve-100-vaccination-among-people-above-45-387329" hreflang="en">J&amp;K: Shopian one of first districts to achieve 100% vaccination among people above 45</a>

''Government has zero role in this, we sell it ourselves in mandis. We request the government to at least make cold storage or make a policy as they have for saffron or orchards or cherries. People should get interested in farming but they are losing it due to no schemes. Last year, we had around 100 hectares of land utilised for strawberry farming but this year it was only 70-80," Ahmad said.

Another strawberry farmer claimed that last year even during the covid lockdown, they managed to sell it to local people but this year with no traffic and no open market, the rates have gone down and there is no one to buy.&nbsp;

''Production was good this year, and with no market, we have to throw our produce away. Even if we have produced more fruit this year, we are still going to bear losses," said Shabir Ahmad, farmer.&nbsp;

The farmer's only hope is if the state government comes to their rescue by either helping them in the storage of the produce or in selling the fruit in different markets.

This is a bumper produce year for strawberry growers in Kashmir. On average, the crop has seen 20 per cent increase, but this is not a cause of cheer for the growers.

This is a bumper produce year for strawberry growers in Kashmir. On average, the crop has seen 20 per cent increase, but this is not a cause of cheer for the growers. High produce has very little value with no market available due to COVID-19 lockdown across the region. The farmers allege the government hasn’t tried to rescue their crops. Manzoor Ahmad, a strawberry farmer in Srinagar's Batapora area, is among the leading strawberry growers in the valley. He says they have incurred more than 50-60 per cent losses. Also read | Group of volunteers helps transgender community in Kashmir with food kits amid Covid ''If we compare it to last year, we have had 20 per cent extra produce this time and also the fruit quality is really good. However, due to lockdown, we have no customers, and we are incurring huge losses. Our rates have gone down and the government is doing nothing," said Manzoor Ahmad, a strawberry farmer. "Our main source of Income is strawberry farming and due to lockdown, we have to bear 50-60 per cent losses this year. Earlier, we used to sell this in different districts, also to vendors on the boulevard, downtown or other areas. We even sold in ganderbal, shopian and north Kashmir districts." The farmers are completely on their own and have time and again approached the government for cold storage for strawberries as the fruit has a small shelf life. Also read | J&K: Shopian one of first districts to achieve 100% vaccination among people above 45 ''Government has zero role in this, we sell it ourselves in mandis. We request the government to at least make cold storage or make a policy as they have for saffron or orchards or cherries. People should get interested in farming but they are losing it due to no schemes. Last year, we had around 100 hectares of land utilised for strawberry farming but this year it was only 70-80," Ahmad said. Another strawberry farmer claimed that last year even during the covid lockdown, they managed to sell it to local people but this year with no traffic and no open market, the rates have gone down and there is no one to buy. ''Production was good this year, and with no market, we have to throw our produce away. Even if we have produced more fruit this year, we are still going to bear losses," said Shabir Ahmad, farmer. The farmer's only hope is if the state government comes to their rescue by either helping them in the storage of the produce or in selling the fruit in different markets.

Bumper strawberry produce in Kashmir, but lack of market leads to huge losses

Jharkhand on high alert after cyclone Yaas batters Odisha, West Bengal

Moderna is in talks with Cipla and other Indian pharma firms to launch its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India by the year 2022. Meanwhile, Pfizer has reportedly indicated that it can provide 5 crore doses of its vaccine this year.

Report: India may get single-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by 2022

Sputnik V`s manufacturers have agreed to supply the Russian anti-Covid vaccine to Delhi, but the quantity is yet to be decided, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday. 
 
"We are in touch with the makers of Sputnik V. They assure that they will give us vaccines, but the quantity is yet to be decided. Our officials and the representatives of the vaccine manufacturers met on Tuesday too," he said. 
 
Kejriwal told the press that the vaccination process for the 18-44 age group has been suspended for the last four days as there has been no clarity when the next supply of anti-Covid jabs will be supplied to Delhi. 
 
Covaxin stock for 45 and above age groups has also finished and only Covishield doses are being administered at government vaccination centres, he said. 
 
The Chief Minister also said that mucormycosis infections have continued to surge in the capital and 620 cases are being treated at over 15 government and private hospitals, as of Wednesday.

Sputnik V`s manufacturers have agreed to supply the Russian anti-Covid vaccine to Delhi, but the quantity is yet to be decided, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday.

Sputnik V`s manufacturers have agreed to supply the Russian anti-Covid vaccine to Delhi, but the quantity is yet to be decided, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday. "We are in touch with the makers of Sputnik V. They assure that they will give us vaccines, but the quantity is yet to be decided. Our officials and the representatives of the vaccine manufacturers met on Tuesday too," he said. Kejriwal told the press that the vaccination process for the 18-44 age group has been suspended for the last four days as there has been no clarity when the next supply of anti-Covid jabs will be supplied to Delhi. Covaxin stock for 45 and above age groups has also finished and only Covishield doses are being administered at government vaccination centres, he said. The Chief Minister also said that mucormycosis infections have continued to surge in the capital and 620 cases are being treated at over 15 government and private hospitals, as of Wednesday.

Covid in India: Delhi to get Sputnik V vaccine, quantity to be decided, says Chief Minister Kejriwal

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne has said that his government&nbsp;has informed India that&nbsp;Mehul Choksi is missing, with information being also shared with Interpol. 

Fugitive Choksi is wanted by Indian authorities in the Rs 14,000 crore PNB fraud case and had fled to the country in 2018, with India seeking to extradite him.

Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Gaston Browne said, "The missing persons report that was put out locally is now being shared with Interpol".

Choksi has been missing from the country for the last 24 hours with local authorities able to locate the vehicle he used last.&nbsp;

WION: Mehul Choksi has been missing, it has been 24 hours. Could you give more details?

Gaston Browne: Yes, we had a report from Mr&nbsp;Choksi's household that he went missing.

Law enforcement has got involved, they have located his vehicle but they are yet to locate Mr&nbsp;Choksi. Mr. Choksi had two&nbsp;matters before the courts of Antigua and Barbuda. One the&nbsp;revocation of his citizenship and second&nbsp;his extradition back to India.

He recently asked the case to be expedited and also switched his attorney. He recently contracted the services of Mr&nbsp;Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC, a well-known and celebrated criminal lawyer in the UK. He has been fighting the extradition as well as the revocation of his citizenship. Today, as much as he is missing, We have no reliable information, that he has fled the country, even though there is speculation to that effect.

Our&nbsp;STRATCOM has actually issued a missing person report and that report is being shared with Interpol. I am aware that India has put out the Red Notice if he had indeed fled to another country, it is a matter of time. He will be identified, and then perhaps government of India will have to seek some form of cooperation from whichever country he would have fled too.

But we really do not have any tangible information that he has fled the country and law enforcement are doing all they can in order to locate him.

WION: Has the Indian government reached out to you?&nbsp;How have you reached out to Interpol?

Gaston Browne:&nbsp;The missing persons report that was put out locally is now being shared with Interpol. It is what is called a Green Notice.

A Green Notice will be placed internationally for Mehul Choksi as a missing person and that will complement the Red Notice that has been already issued by the government of India,&nbsp;if by chance he has absconded to another country, then as soon as he is identified, action could be taken against him.

In so far as cooperation with the Indian government, I spoke to the Indian high commissioner to&nbsp;Antigua and Barbuda this morning, so they fully are aware and we have been collaborating as have done in the beginning of the case.&nbsp;

WION: So you have officially informed the Indian government of Mehul Choksi being missing?

Gaston Browne: Absolutely,&nbsp;we have.

WION: If it is&nbsp;unlikely that he&nbsp;fled&nbsp;the country, what could have happened to him?

Gaston Browne:&nbsp;I did not say [it is] unlikely he could have fled the country. What I said is we don't have any reliable information that he has fled the country. What we do know [is] at the airport, he did not use any aircraft... if he would have fled the country&nbsp;it would by way of some form of sea vessel.&nbsp;

WION: What are the chances of his extradition, and of him&nbsp;being sent back to India?

Gaston Browne:&nbsp;We feel confident that he will be extradited but as you know the law is such that we have to allow the due process. After he exhausted all of his appeals, we will take action to have him extradited.

I want to make it clear to the people of India, and the entire world, Mehul Choksi is not welcomed here in Antigua and Barbuda. We want him out of the country, and as soon as he leaves, the better.

WION: What is the situation of vaccination in your&nbsp;country and India's support?

Gaston Browne:&nbsp;I want to once again&nbsp;thank PM Modi for that very important act of benevolence in which he made 500,000 vaccines available to the Caribbean region.

I guarantee you that if it wasn't for those vaccines, we would have seen a greater crisis. I can assure you that he has literally saved tens of thousands of lives here in the&nbsp;Caribbean&nbsp;region and for that, we are eternally grateful.

That type of benevolence helps to strengthen both the bilateral and multilateral relations with India. So I think, it was easily one of the most benevolent acts we have seen by any leader within the last century, especially considering India has its own problem. And we all know&nbsp;that India was in the need of those vaccines, but he went the extra mile to assess many countries globally and from that standpoint, he should be commended.

We share our empathy with the people of India. We know you are presently going through a crisis with COVID-19&nbsp;and we just hope in the coming weeks you will get things under control and there will be a significant reduction in hospitalisation and deaths of the Indian people.

Our prayers are with you and as we know this is a global issue that requires global&nbsp;solidarity&nbsp;and so we are standing in solidarity with the Indian people&nbsp;

WION: How has been the collaboration on climate change between India and your country?

Gaston Browne: Climate change is a problem for all humanity and it requires global cooperation and global&nbsp;solidarity.

We believe all of us should continue to meet our commitments that we have agreed to in the Paris Accord and I know India has been taking the necessary steps to reduce its emissions and at the same time even to help poorer countries to build the capacity to adapt and mitigate against the effects of climate change.

This requires global action in order to save our common humanity...In fact, we are very happy&nbsp;that the US has rejoined the Paris Accord and is now providing leadership in this very significant existential threat that is facing all of humanity.

The cooperation goes beyond India and the&nbsp;Caribbean and what is required is global&nbsp;solidarity and&nbsp;cooperation and action in fighting climate change.

WION: How do you&nbsp;see India's Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and International Solar Alliance?

Gaston Browne:&nbsp;India has been helping countries globally, especially the small vulnerable countries&nbsp;to&nbsp;build capacity and we are impressed by that type of global leadership that is being exerted by India in helping us deal with this most significant&nbsp;existential threat that is facing all humanity.

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne has said that his government has informed India that Mehul Choksi is missing, with information being also shared with Interpol.

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne has said that his government has informed India that Mehul Choksi is missing, with information being also shared with Interpol. Fugitive Choksi is wanted by Indian authorities in the Rs 14,000 crore PNB fraud case and had fled to the country in 2018, with India seeking to extradite him. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Gaston Browne said, "The missing persons report that was put out locally is now being shared with Interpol". Choksi has been missing from the country for the last 24 hours with local authorities able to locate the vehicle he used last. WION: Mehul Choksi has been missing, it has been 24 hours. Could you give more details? Gaston Browne: Yes, we had a report from Mr Choksi's household that he went missing. Law enforcement has got involved, they have located his vehicle but they are yet to locate Mr Choksi. Mr. Choksi had two matters before the courts of Antigua and Barbuda. One the revocation of his citizenship and second his extradition back to India. He recently asked the case to be expedited and also switched his attorney. He recently contracted the services of Mr Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC, a well-known and celebrated criminal lawyer in the UK. He has been fighting the extradition as well as the revocation of his citizenship. Today, as much as he is missing, We have no reliable information, that he has fled the country, even though there is speculation to that effect. Our STRATCOM has actually issued a missing person report and that report is being shared with Interpol. I am aware that India has put out the Red Notice if he had indeed fled to another country, it is a matter of time. He will be identified, and then perhaps government of India will have to seek some form of cooperation from whichever country he would have fled too. But we really do not have any tangible information that he has fled the country and law enforcement are doing all they can in order to locate him. WION: Has the Indian government reached out to you? How have you reached out to Interpol? Gaston Browne: The missing persons report that was put out locally is now being shared with Interpol. It is what is called a Green Notice. A Green Notice will be placed internationally for Mehul Choksi as a missing person and that will complement the Red Notice that has been already issued by the government of India, if by chance he has absconded to another country, then as soon as he is identified, action could be taken against him. In so far as cooperation with the Indian government, I spoke to the Indian high commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda this morning, so they fully are aware and we have been collaborating as have done in the beginning of the case. WION: So you have officially informed the Indian government of Mehul Choksi being missing? Gaston Browne: Absolutely, we have. WION: If it is unlikely that he fled the country, what could have happened to him? Gaston Browne: I did not say [it is] unlikely he could have fled the country. What I said is we don't have any reliable information that he has fled the country. What we do know [is] at the airport, he did not use any aircraft... if he would have fled the country it would by way of some form of sea vessel. WION: What are the chances of his extradition, and of him being sent back to India? Gaston Browne: We feel confident that he will be extradited but as you know the law is such that we have to allow the due process. After he exhausted all of his appeals, we will take action to have him extradited. I want to make it clear to the people of India, and the entire world, Mehul Choksi is not welcomed here in Antigua and Barbuda. We want him out of the country, and as soon as he leaves, the better. WION: What is the situation of vaccination in your country and India's support? Gaston Browne: I want to once again thank PM Modi for that very important act of benevolence in which he made 500,000 vaccines available to the Caribbean region. I guarantee you that if it wasn't for those vaccines, we would have seen a greater crisis. I can assure you that he has literally saved tens of thousands of lives here in the Caribbean region and for that, we are eternally grateful. That type of benevolence helps to strengthen both the bilateral and multilateral relations with India. So I think, it was easily one of the most benevolent acts we have seen by any leader within the last century, especially considering India has its own problem. And we all know that India was in the need of those vaccines, but he went the extra mile to assess many countries globally and from that standpoint, he should be commended. We share our empathy with the people of India. We know you are presently going through a crisis with COVID-19 and we just hope in the coming weeks you will get things under control and there will be a significant reduction in hospitalisation and deaths of the Indian people. Our prayers are with you and as we know this is a global issue that requires global solidarity and so we are standing in solidarity with the Indian people WION: How has been the collaboration on climate change between India and your country? Gaston Browne: Climate change is a problem for all humanity and it requires global cooperation and global solidarity. We believe all of us should continue to meet our commitments that we have agreed to in the Paris Accord and I know India has been taking the necessary steps to reduce its emissions and at the same time even to help poorer countries to build the capacity to adapt and mitigate against the effects of climate change. This requires global action in order to save our common humanity...In fact, we are very happy that the US has rejoined the Paris Accord and is now providing leadership in this very significant existential threat that is facing all of humanity. The cooperation goes beyond India and the Caribbean and what is required is global solidarity and cooperation and action in fighting climate change. WION: How do you see India's Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and International Solar Alliance? Gaston Browne: India has been helping countries globally, especially the small vulnerable countries to build capacity and we are impressed by that type of global leadership that is being exerted by India in helping us deal with this most significant existential threat that is facing all humanity.

WION Exclusive: Have informed India on information shared with Interpol, says Antigua & Barbuda's PM on Choksi

Jammu & Kashmir is all set to create a vaccination record of being the first region in India with four districts completing the target of vaccinating all people above the age of 45 with at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

J&K: 4 districts achieve 100% vaccination of people above 45

Moderna is expecting to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year and is in talks with Cipla among other Indian firms, while another US giant Pfizer is ready to offer 50 million shots in 2021 itself but it wants significant regulatory relaxations including indemnification, sources said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

While Moderna has conveyed to Indian authorities that it does not have surplus vaccines to share in 2021, there are limited prospects of Johnson &amp; Johnson exporting its jabs from the US to other countries in the near future, the sources privy to discussions added.&nbsp;

Two rounds of high-level meetings chaired by the Cabinet Secretary were held last week on the availability of vaccines in the global as well as domestic markets as it was felt that there is an urgent need to procure the jabs at a time the country is reeling under an unprecedented second wave of COVID-19 and a widening gap between supply and requirement.&nbsp;

Currently, the country is using two 'Made in India' jabs, Covishield and Covaxin, to inoculate its billion-plus population and has administered numerous doses since launching the world's largest vaccination drive in mid-January. A third vaccine, Russian-made Sputnik V, has been approved by the government and is being used on a smaller scale at present.&nbsp;

In the high-level meeting officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, NITI Aayog, Department of Biotechnology, Law Ministry and Health Ministry were present.&nbsp;

It was discussed that Moderna doesn't have surplus vaccines to share in 2021 and that it plans to launch its single-dose vaccine for the Indian market only in 2022, for which, they are in discussion with Cipla and other Indian companies, a source said.&nbsp;

It is learnt that Cipla has already evinced interest in procuring 50 million doses from Moderna for 2022 and has requested confirmation from the central government in respect of stability in regulatory requirements/policy regime. The Health Ministry has also been asked to take an early decision on Cipla's request regarding support required by them for procurement of Moderna vaccines.&nbsp;

In the case of Pfizer, the US pharma giant has indicated availability of 50 million vaccine doses, 10 million in July, 10 million in August, 20 million in September and 10 million in October, for supply to India in 2021 and that it will deal only with Government of India and payment for vaccines will have to be made by GOI to Pfizer India.&nbsp;

The central government will make its own arrangement for further channelization of procured vaccines in the domestic market.&nbsp;

According to another source, for the supply of vaccines to India, Pfizer has asked for indemnification from the Government of India and a document in this regard has been received from Pfizer Inc.&nbsp;

Further, Pfizer has also sought certain relaxations in the regulatory regime, including relaxation in the requirement of post-approval bridging trials and dispensing the requirement of testing their vaccines in CDL (Central Drugs Laboratory).&nbsp;

Taking into consideration the track record of the company, similar arrangements done with other countries in the world and the current pandemic situation, an overall view may be taken to indemnify the company by the government, officials said but flagged that in case a view is taken to indemnify the company, similar demands may be made by other companies.&nbsp;

As per the information furnished by Pfizer, around 116 countries in the world including the USA have signed the indemnification document.&nbsp;

Further, considering that over 14.7 crore doses of Pfizer had been administered worldwide without any significant reports of adverse effects, a view needs to be taken to indemnify the company in order to supplement the availability of vaccines in India, officials discussed at one recent meeting.&nbsp;

It was suggested that a decision on the issue of Pfizer Inc may be taken at the earliest and that NEGVAC (National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19) may hold a meeting immediately on these issues.&nbsp;

At a press conference on Monday, in response to a question on states being unable to procure vaccines directly from Moderna and Pfizer, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal had said, "Whether it is Pfizer or Moderna, at the Centre-level, we have been coordinating with them."&nbsp;

"Also, the order book of both Pfizer and Moderna is full so it depends on their surplus that how much they can provide in India... They will come back to the Centre and we will help in facilitation to states," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Moderna is expecting to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year and is in talks with Cipla among other Indian firms, while another US giant Pfizer is ready to offer 50 million shots in 2021 itself but it wants significant regulatory relaxations including indemnification, sources said on Tuesday.

Moderna is expecting to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year and is in talks with Cipla among other Indian firms, while another US giant Pfizer is ready to offer 50 million shots in 2021 itself but it wants significant regulatory relaxations including indemnification, sources said on Tuesday. While Moderna has conveyed to Indian authorities that it does not have surplus vaccines to share in 2021, there are limited prospects of Johnson & Johnson exporting its jabs from the US to other countries in the near future, the sources privy to discussions added. Two rounds of high-level meetings chaired by the Cabinet Secretary were held last week on the availability of vaccines in the global as well as domestic markets as it was felt that there is an urgent need to procure the jabs at a time the country is reeling under an unprecedented second wave of COVID-19 and a widening gap between supply and requirement. Currently, the country is using two 'Made in India' jabs, Covishield and Covaxin, to inoculate its billion-plus population and has administered numerous doses since launching the world's largest vaccination drive in mid-January. A third vaccine, Russian-made Sputnik V, has been approved by the government and is being used on a smaller scale at present. In the high-level meeting officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, NITI Aayog, Department of Biotechnology, Law Ministry and Health Ministry were present. It was discussed that Moderna doesn't have surplus vaccines to share in 2021 and that it plans to launch its single-dose vaccine for the Indian market only in 2022, for which, they are in discussion with Cipla and other Indian companies, a source said. It is learnt that Cipla has already evinced interest in procuring 50 million doses from Moderna for 2022 and has requested confirmation from the central government in respect of stability in regulatory requirements/policy regime. The Health Ministry has also been asked to take an early decision on Cipla's request regarding support required by them for procurement of Moderna vaccines. In the case of Pfizer, the US pharma giant has indicated availability of 50 million vaccine doses, 10 million in July, 10 million in August, 20 million in September and 10 million in October, for supply to India in 2021 and that it will deal only with Government of India and payment for vaccines will have to be made by GOI to Pfizer India. The central government will make its own arrangement for further channelization of procured vaccines in the domestic market. According to another source, for the supply of vaccines to India, Pfizer has asked for indemnification from the Government of India and a document in this regard has been received from Pfizer Inc. Further, Pfizer has also sought certain relaxations in the regulatory regime, including relaxation in the requirement of post-approval bridging trials and dispensing the requirement of testing their vaccines in CDL (Central Drugs Laboratory). Taking into consideration the track record of the company, similar arrangements done with other countries in the world and the current pandemic situation, an overall view may be taken to indemnify the company by the government, officials said but flagged that in case a view is taken to indemnify the company, similar demands may be made by other companies. As per the information furnished by Pfizer, around 116 countries in the world including the USA have signed the indemnification document. Further, considering that over 14.7 crore doses of Pfizer had been administered worldwide without any significant reports of adverse effects, a view needs to be taken to indemnify the company in order to supplement the availability of vaccines in India, officials discussed at one recent meeting. It was suggested that a decision on the issue of Pfizer Inc may be taken at the earliest and that NEGVAC (National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19) may hold a meeting immediately on these issues. At a press conference on Monday, in response to a question on states being unable to procure vaccines directly from Moderna and Pfizer, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal had said, "Whether it is Pfizer or Moderna, at the Centre-level, we have been coordinating with them." "Also, the order book of both Pfizer and Moderna is full so it depends on their surplus that how much they can provide in India... They will come back to the Centre and we will help in facilitation to states," he said.

Moderna's single-dose vaccine in India likely next year; Pfizer ready with 50 mn doses for 2021

The Indian multinational pharmaceutical company Cipla’s real-time COVID-19 testing kit, ‘ViraGen’ which was launched last week, will be available in the market from today, the company said.

ViraGen is a real-time detection kit approved by the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and is based on multiplex PCR technology. It helps to identify and detect SARS CoV-2 N Gene and ORF Lab Gene with a sensitivity of 98.6% and a specificity of 98.8% as compared to a standard ICMR test.

This test is designed for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in the upper and lower respiratory specimens from individuals suspected of COVID-19.

ViraGen used for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 is being manufactured by Ubio Biotechnology Systems and marketed and distributed by Cipla through its expansive distribution network across the country. In the current circumstances, COVID-19 RT PCR testing is extensively used throughout the country as governments, communities, and organisations are working tirelessly to track and curb the spread of the virus.&nbsp;

Cipla told news agency PTI, “This launch will help address the current testing services and capacity issues while reaffirming the company’s ongoing expansion in the diagnostic space.”

(With inputs from agencies)

The Indian multinational pharmaceutical company Cipla’s real-time COVID-19 testing kit, ‘ViraGen’ which was launched last week, will be available in the market from today, the company said.

The Indian multinational pharmaceutical company Cipla’s real-time COVID-19 testing kit, ‘ViraGen’ which was launched last week, will be available in the market from today, the company said. ViraGen is a real-time detection kit approved by the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and is based on multiplex PCR technology. It helps to identify and detect SARS CoV-2 N Gene and ORF Lab Gene with a sensitivity of 98.6% and a specificity of 98.8% as compared to a standard ICMR test. This test is designed for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in the upper and lower respiratory specimens from individuals suspected of COVID-19. ViraGen used for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 is being manufactured by Ubio Biotechnology Systems and marketed and distributed by Cipla through its expansive distribution network across the country. In the current circumstances, COVID-19 RT PCR testing is extensively used throughout the country as governments, communities, and organisations are working tirelessly to track and curb the spread of the virus. Cipla told news agency PTI, “This launch will help address the current testing services and capacity issues while reaffirming the company’s ongoing expansion in the diagnostic space.” (With inputs from agencies)

Cipla's real-time COVID-19 testing kit 'ViraGen' to be sold from today

The CBSE board exam 2021 will not be canceled and the exam is most likely to be held in July, as in the previous year, between the COVID protocol, sources confirmed the decision taken at a high-level meeting between the Center and the states. Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will share final decision on June 1.

Indian Govt to take final call on June 1 regarding class 12th exams amidst ravaging pandemic

Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is wanted by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), has gone missing in Antigua and Barbuda, with the police launching a manhunt to trace him since Sunday, local media reports said.

Choksi and Nirav Modi-- who is his nephew and fellow diamantaire--&nbsp;are the key people accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of $2 billion, fled India before the accusations surfaced in 2018. Modi is incarcerated in the UK, awaiting verdict on a case to extadite him to India.

The Commissioner of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, Atlee Rodney, said the force is currently following up on the whereabouts of Choksi, who is rumoured to be missing at this time, local media website antiguanewsroom.com reported.

Choksi, who had taken the citizenship of the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, was seen driving in the southern area of the island on Sunday, according to the reports.

Later, his vehicle was found but there was no trace of Choksi, the reports said.

Questions sent to his lawyer about the reports remained unanswered.

In 2018, Choksi claimed that he had taken Antigua citizenship to expand his business as the passport of the Caribbean nation provides visa-free travel to 132 countries, local media in Antigua reported.

(With input from agencies)

Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is wanted by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), has gone missing in Antigua and Barbuda, with the police launching a manhunt to trace him since Sunday, local media reports said.

Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is wanted by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), has gone missing in Antigua and Barbuda, with the police launching a manhunt to trace him since Sunday, local media reports said. Choksi and Nirav Modi-- who is his nephew and fellow diamantaire-- are the key people accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of $2 billion, fled India before the accusations surfaced in 2018. Modi is incarcerated in the UK, awaiting verdict on a case to extadite him to India. The Commissioner of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, Atlee Rodney, said the force is currently following up on the whereabouts of Choksi, who is rumoured to be missing at this time, local media website antiguanewsroom.com reported. Choksi, who had taken the citizenship of the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, was seen driving in the southern area of the island on Sunday, according to the reports. Later, his vehicle was found but there was no trace of Choksi, the reports said. Questions sent to his lawyer about the reports remained unanswered. In 2018, Choksi claimed that he had taken Antigua citizenship to expand his business as the passport of the Caribbean nation provides visa-free travel to 132 countries, local media in Antigua reported. (With input from agencies)

PNB scam: Fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi goes missing in Antigua, say reports

Delhi police on Monday visited two offices of Twitter located in Delhi and Gurgaon to seek more information about Twitter’s rationale to label one of the tweets by ruling partly BJP spokesperson as 'manipulated media'.

Delhi police visited Twitter India offices over 'manipulated media' tag

A key meeting between Bharat Biotech's Executive Director Dr V Krishna Mohan and other officials of the Hyderabad-based pharma major and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Health, Department of Biotechnology took place on Monday as India pushed for early approval of Covaxin&nbsp;by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Other officials of the Hyderabad-based pharma major were present for the meet as well.

Bharat Biotech has sent an application to the WHO for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of Covaxin on 19th April and a pre-submission meeting will take place in June.

Officials aware of the development said that the company has "submitted 90% of the documentation required for EUL to WHO", with the remaining to be submitted next month.

They further explained that the company is "confident about obtaining WHO EUL subsequently, given its experience of getting its other vaccines prequalified by WHO."

Bharat Biotech's Covaxin will be the second made-in-India vaccine after Covishield to apply to WHO for approval.

Covishield has already got approval in February. So far, seven vaccines globally have been given approval by WHO for EUL, these are Covid vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna and Sinopharm.

Covaxin is the first Indian Covid vaccine and is based on inactivated virus vaccines produced in cell culture or Vero cell platform. So far it has received regulatory approval from 11 countries and 11 companies in seven countries have shown interest in the technology transfer and production of Covaxin.

The company is in the final stages of submission of documents required for regulatory approvals for its vaccines in Brazil and Hungary.

In the US, Bharat Biotech is in the "final stages of negotiations" with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for conducting small-scale Phase-III clinical trials locally.

Officials said, "The company is confident about the robustness of their dossier, as they have data for a much longer duration – for antibody persistence after six&nbsp;months as well as eight months."

The regulatory approvals have both retrospective and prospective effect, and it stands out being few companies that have published papers on all four Covid virus variants. &nbsp;

The company plans to produce 1 billion vaccines via its three facilities in three Indian states.

Hyderabad facility in Telangana will produce 200-250 million vaccines, Bengaluru facility in Karnataka will produce around 500 mn doses and facility in Ankleshwar, Gujarat will produce about 200 mn vaccines.

A key meeting between Bharat Biotech's Executive Director Dr V Krishna Mohan and other officials of the Hyderabad-based pharma major and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Health, Department of Biotechnology took place on Monday as India pushed for early approval of Covaxin by the World Health Organization (WHO).

A key meeting between Bharat Biotech's Executive Director Dr V Krishna Mohan and other officials of the Hyderabad-based pharma major and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Health, Department of Biotechnology took place on Monday as India pushed for early approval of Covaxin by the World Health Organization (WHO). Other officials of the Hyderabad-based pharma major were present for the meet as well. Bharat Biotech has sent an application to the WHO for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of Covaxin on 19th April and a pre-submission meeting will take place in June. Officials aware of the development said that the company has "submitted 90% of the documentation required for EUL to WHO", with the remaining to be submitted next month. They further explained that the company is "confident about obtaining WHO EUL subsequently, given its experience of getting its other vaccines prequalified by WHO." Bharat Biotech's Covaxin will be the second made-in-India vaccine after Covishield to apply to WHO for approval. Covishield has already got approval in February. So far, seven vaccines globally have been given approval by WHO for EUL, these are Covid vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna and Sinopharm. Covaxin is the first Indian Covid vaccine and is based on inactivated virus vaccines produced in cell culture or Vero cell platform. So far it has received regulatory approval from 11 countries and 11 companies in seven countries have shown interest in the technology transfer and production of Covaxin. The company is in the final stages of submission of documents required for regulatory approvals for its vaccines in Brazil and Hungary. In the US, Bharat Biotech is in the "final stages of negotiations" with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for conducting small-scale Phase-III clinical trials locally. Officials said, "The company is confident about the robustness of their dossier, as they have data for a much longer duration – for antibody persistence after six months as well as eight months." The regulatory approvals have both retrospective and prospective effect, and it stands out being few companies that have published papers on all four Covid virus variants. The company plans to produce 1 billion vaccines via its three facilities in three Indian states. Hyderabad facility in Telangana will produce 200-250 million vaccines, Bengaluru facility in Karnataka will produce around 500 mn doses and facility in Ankleshwar, Gujarat will produce about 200 mn vaccines.

Ahead of WHO-Bharat Biotech meet on Covaxin, key stakeholders come together

Work on the prestigious Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor project is likely to be delayed due to the ongoing second wave of the pandemic. 
 
The project was initially slated to be completed by August, but will now be completed by November. 
 
The new features added to the project like the Ganga ViewPoint will be delayed further as approval from the state government is pending. 
 
According to divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal, "The official leading the team of the company executing the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project had also tested Covid-19 positive. Besides, a large number of labourers, including those from West Bengal, left for home after the surge in Covid cases. Moreover, the agency had to reduce manpower for maintaining social distancing at sites as per Covid protocol. Hence, the work has been affected. We are now confident of completing work by November 15." 
 
PWD executive engineer Sanjay Gore, who is supervising the project, said, "A total of 24 buildings are proposed in KV Dham area. Structural work of 12 buildings has been fully completed while work on 12 others is in progress. Construction of jetty and its retaining wall at Manikarnika, Jalasen and Lalita ghats has also been completed. In total, 53 per cent of the work on the project has already been completed." 
 
The work of over Rs 6 billion KV Dham project was also impacted with the beginning of lockdown in 2020. 
 
The project cleared all barriers after approval from the Yogi Adityanath government in December 2017. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation of the project on March 9, 2018. The administration had purchased 70 per cent of the buildings and 296 structures were demolished to pave the way for the corridor. A sum of Rs 3 billion was spent on the purchase of buildings. 
 
The Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor project is coming up in an area of 530,000&nbsp;square feet. 
 
In January 2020, the Gujarat-based company which was assigned the contract for KV Dham construction under the supervision of PWD, had started work with a deadline of 18 months to complete the project. 
 
The announcement of lockdown in March 2020 delayed the project but work was restarted with permission of the government in May with limited manpower. 
 
The second wave of the pandemic again impacted the progress of the work on the project.

Work on the prestigious Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor project is likely to be delayed due to the ongoing second wave of the pandemic. The project was initially slated to be completed by August, but will now be completed by November.

Work on the prestigious Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor project is likely to be delayed due to the ongoing second wave of the pandemic. The project was initially slated to be completed by August, but will now be completed by November. The new features added to the project like the Ganga ViewPoint will be delayed further as approval from the state government is pending. According to divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal, "The official leading the team of the company executing the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project had also tested Covid-19 positive. Besides, a large number of labourers, including those from West Bengal, left for home after the surge in Covid cases. Moreover, the agency had to reduce manpower for maintaining social distancing at sites as per Covid protocol. Hence, the work has been affected. We are now confident of completing work by November 15." PWD executive engineer Sanjay Gore, who is supervising the project, said, "A total of 24 buildings are proposed in KV Dham area. Structural work of 12 buildings has been fully completed while work on 12 others is in progress. Construction of jetty and its retaining wall at Manikarnika, Jalasen and Lalita ghats has also been completed. In total, 53 per cent of the work on the project has already been completed." The work of over Rs 6 billion KV Dham project was also impacted with the beginning of lockdown in 2020. The project cleared all barriers after approval from the Yogi Adityanath government in December 2017. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation of the project on March 9, 2018. The administration had purchased 70 per cent of the buildings and 296 structures were demolished to pave the way for the corridor. A sum of Rs 3 billion was spent on the purchase of buildings. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor project is coming up in an area of 530,000 square feet. In January 2020, the Gujarat-based company which was assigned the contract for KV Dham construction under the supervision of PWD, had started work with a deadline of 18 months to complete the project. The announcement of lockdown in March 2020 delayed the project but work was restarted with permission of the government in May with limited manpower. The second wave of the pandemic again impacted the progress of the work on the project.

Kashi Vishwanath corridor project delayed by 3 months due to pandemic

India on Tuesday posted 196,427 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, its lowest daily rise in infections since April 14, while deaths from COVID-19 rose by 3,511.

The country's overall caseload now stands at 26.95 million, while total fatalities are at 307,231, according to health ministry data.&nbsp;

On Monday, India crossed the 300,000 mark of fatalities due to coronavirus infections, thus becoming the world's third country after the US and Brazil to cross three-lakh deaths.

According to the Health Ministry, a total of 326,850 people have been discharged in the last 24 hours, with 24,054,861 being cured of Covid to date.

The Health Ministry said that a total of 19,85,38,999 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 24,40,236 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 33,25,94,176 samples have been tested up to May 24 for COVID-19. Of these 20,58,112 samples were tested on Monday.

India registered record deaths due to Covid on Wednesday with 4,529 deaths -- the highest number of fatalities from Covid infection in any country since the coronavirus outbreak was reported in China`s Wuhan in December 2019.

It surpassed 4,468 deaths in the US on January 12, and earlier 4,211 in Brazil on April 6. These three are the worst hit by the pandemic. Now, India is behind the US and Brazil with the highest deaths due to COVID-19.

After battling a brutal second wave for weeks, fresh Covid cases came down below the 3,00,000 mark for the first time on May 17 after touching a record high of 4,14,188 on May 7.

India on Tuesday posted 196,427 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, its lowest daily rise in infections since April 14, while deaths from COVID-19 rose by 3,511.

India on Tuesday posted 196,427 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, its lowest daily rise in infections since April 14, while deaths from COVID-19 rose by 3,511. The country's overall caseload now stands at 26.95 million, while total fatalities are at 307,231, according to health ministry data. On Monday, India crossed the 300,000 mark of fatalities due to coronavirus infections, thus becoming the world's third country after the US and Brazil to cross three-lakh deaths. According to the Health Ministry, a total of 326,850 people have been discharged in the last 24 hours, with 24,054,861 being cured of Covid to date. The Health Ministry said that a total of 19,85,38,999 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 24,40,236 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 33,25,94,176 samples have been tested up to May 24 for COVID-19. Of these 20,58,112 samples were tested on Monday. India registered record deaths due to Covid on Wednesday with 4,529 deaths -- the highest number of fatalities from Covid infection in any country since the coronavirus outbreak was reported in China`s Wuhan in December 2019. It surpassed 4,468 deaths in the US on January 12, and earlier 4,211 in Brazil on April 6. These three are the worst hit by the pandemic. Now, India is behind the US and Brazil with the highest deaths due to COVID-19. After battling a brutal second wave for weeks, fresh Covid cases came down below the 3,00,000 mark for the first time on May 17 after touching a record high of 4,14,188 on May 7.

India reports its lowest COVID-19 case count since April 14 at 196,427

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