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The national capital recorded 335 COVID-19 deaths in a day and 19,133 new cases even as the positivity rate dropped below 25 per cent for the first time since April 18, according to the bulletin issued by the Delhi health department on Thursday.

This is the third time in the last four days that the number of new cases remained below 20,000. Delhi had reported 20,960 cases on Wednesday, 19,953 on Tuesday, 18,043 on Monday, 20,394 cases on Sunday, 25,219 on Saturday, 27,047 on Friday, 24,235 on last Thursday and 25,986 on Wednesday last week.

At 24.29 per cent, the case positivity rate is its lowest since April 16, when it was 19.7 per cent, according to government data.

It was 24.6 percent on April 17. The national registered a positivity rate of 26.4 per cent on Wednesday, 26.73 per cent on Tuesday, 29.56 per cent on Monday, 28.33 per cent on Sunday, 31.6 per cent on Saturday, 32.7 per cent on Friday and 32.8 per cent on last Thursday. On April 22, a positivity rate of 36.2 percent, the highest so far, was recorded.

The city had witnessed 311 deaths on Wednesday, 338 on Tuesday, 448 on Monday, the highest so far; 407 on Sunday, 412 on Saturday, 375 on Friday, 395 on last Thursday and 368 on Wednesday last week. It has so far recorded 12,73,035 cases, of which over 11.64 lakh have recovered.

The death toll due to the viral disease stands at 18,398, the bulletin said.

The national capital recorded 335 COVID-19 deaths in a day and 19,133 new cases even as the positivity rate dropped below 25 per cent for the first time since April 18, according to the bulletin issued by the Delhi health department on Thursday.

The national capital recorded 335 COVID-19 deaths in a day and 19,133 new cases even as the positivity rate dropped below 25 per cent for the first time since April 18, according to the bulletin issued by the Delhi health department on Thursday. This is the third time in the last four days that the number of new cases remained below 20,000. Delhi had reported 20,960 cases on Wednesday, 19,953 on Tuesday, 18,043 on Monday, 20,394 cases on Sunday, 25,219 on Saturday, 27,047 on Friday, 24,235 on last Thursday and 25,986 on Wednesday last week. At 24.29 per cent, the case positivity rate is its lowest since April 16, when it was 19.7 per cent, according to government data. It was 24.6 percent on April 17. The national registered a positivity rate of 26.4 per cent on Wednesday, 26.73 per cent on Tuesday, 29.56 per cent on Monday, 28.33 per cent on Sunday, 31.6 per cent on Saturday, 32.7 per cent on Friday and 32.8 per cent on last Thursday. On April 22, a positivity rate of 36.2 percent, the highest so far, was recorded. The city had witnessed 311 deaths on Wednesday, 338 on Tuesday, 448 on Monday, the highest so far; 407 on Sunday, 412 on Saturday, 375 on Friday, 395 on last Thursday and 368 on Wednesday last week. It has so far recorded 12,73,035 cases, of which over 11.64 lakh have recovered. The death toll due to the viral disease stands at 18,398, the bulletin said.

Delhi records 335 deaths, over 19,000 cases in a day; positivity rate below 25 per cent

The Union Health Ministry has issued revised guidelines for home isolation for patients with mild or asymptomatic symptoms. 
 
The new revised guidelines said, "Patient under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least 10 days have passed from onset of symptoms (or from date of sampling for asymptomatic cases) and no fever for 3 days. There is no need for testing after the home isolation period is over."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-in-india-southern-state-of-kerala-announces-complete-lockdown-383154" hreflang="en">COVID-19 in India: Southern state of Kerala announces complete lockdown</a> 
 
As per the revised guidelines, the patient should be clinically assigned a mild/asymptomatic case by the treating Medical Officer. "The asymptomatic cases are laboratory confirmed cases not experiencing any symptoms and having oxygen saturation at room air of more than 94 per cent. 
 
Clinically assigned mild cases are patients with upper respiratory tract symptoms (and/or fever) without shortness of breath and having oxygen saturation at room air of more than 94 per cent are recommended for home isolation," the revised guidelines said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-india-registers-record-412262-new-cases-over-300000-cases-recover-383119" hreflang="en">COVID-19: India registers record 412,262 new cases, over 300,000 cases recover</a> 
 
It said that a caregiver should be available to provide care on a 24x7 basis and a communication link between the caregiver and hospital is a prerequisite for the entire duration of home isolation.

Elderly patients aged more than 60 years and those with co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung/liver/ kidney disease, cerebro-vascular disease shall only be allowed home isolation after proper evaluation by the treating medical officer. 
 
Talking about treatment protocols, the revised guideline said, "Patients must be in communication with a treating physician and promptly report in case of any deterioration. If fever is not controlled with a maximum dose of Tab. Paracetamol 650mg four times a day, consult the treating doctor who may consider advising other drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (ex: Tab. Naproxen 250 mg twice a day)."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-army-establishes-covid-hospital-in-kashmir-383098" hreflang="en">Indian Army establishes Covid hospital in Kashmir</a> 
 
It further stated that consider Tab Ivermectin (200 mcg/kg once a day, to be taken empty stomach) for 3 to 5 days. Inhalational Budesonide (given via inhalers with spacer at a dose of 800 mcg twice daily for 5 to 7 days) to be given if symptoms (fever and/or cough) are persistent beyond 5 days of disease onset. 
 
"The decision to administer Remdesivir or any other investigational therapy must be taken by a medical professional and administered only in a hospital setting. Do not attempt to procure or administer Remdesivir at home," it said. 
 
As per the guidelines,a patient under home isolation seeks immediate medical attention if serious signs or symptoms develop which could include difficulty in breathing, dip in oxygen saturation, persistent pain pressure in the chest and mental confusion or inability to arouse.

The Union Health Ministry has issued revised guidelines for home isolation for patients with mild or asymptomatic symptoms. The new revised guidelines said, "Patient under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least 10 days have passed from onset of symptoms (or from date of sampling for asymptomatic cases) and no fever for 3 days.

The Union Health Ministry has issued revised guidelines for home isolation for patients with mild or asymptomatic symptoms. The new revised guidelines said, "Patient under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least 10 days have passed from onset of symptoms (or from date of sampling for asymptomatic cases) and no fever for 3 days. There is no need for testing after the home isolation period is over." Also read | COVID-19 in India: Southern state of Kerala announces complete lockdown As per the revised guidelines, the patient should be clinically assigned a mild/asymptomatic case by the treating Medical Officer. "The asymptomatic cases are laboratory confirmed cases not experiencing any symptoms and having oxygen saturation at room air of more than 94 per cent. Clinically assigned mild cases are patients with upper respiratory tract symptoms (and/or fever) without shortness of breath and having oxygen saturation at room air of more than 94 per cent are recommended for home isolation," the revised guidelines said. Also read | COVID-19: India registers record 412,262 new cases, over 300,000 cases recover It said that a caregiver should be available to provide care on a 24x7 basis and a communication link between the caregiver and hospital is a prerequisite for the entire duration of home isolation. Elderly patients aged more than 60 years and those with co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung/liver/ kidney disease, cerebro-vascular disease shall only be allowed home isolation after proper evaluation by the treating medical officer. Talking about treatment protocols, the revised guideline said, "Patients must be in communication with a treating physician and promptly report in case of any deterioration. If fever is not controlled with a maximum dose of Tab. Paracetamol 650mg four times a day, consult the treating doctor who may consider advising other drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (ex: Tab. Naproxen 250 mg twice a day)." Also read | Indian Army establishes Covid hospital in Kashmir It further stated that consider Tab Ivermectin (200 mcg/kg once a day, to be taken empty stomach) for 3 to 5 days. Inhalational Budesonide (given via inhalers with spacer at a dose of 800 mcg twice daily for 5 to 7 days) to be given if symptoms (fever and/or cough) are persistent beyond 5 days of disease onset. "The decision to administer Remdesivir or any other investigational therapy must be taken by a medical professional and administered only in a hospital setting. Do not attempt to procure or administer Remdesivir at home," it said. As per the guidelines,a patient under home isolation seeks immediate medical attention if serious signs or symptoms develop which could include difficulty in breathing, dip in oxygen saturation, persistent pain pressure in the chest and mental confusion or inability to arouse.

No need for tests after 10 days of home isolation in mild cases: New guidelines

With the increasing numbers of Covid positive patients across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, people are finding it difficult to get a hospital bed in state-run hospitals. Now, the Indian Army has come to the rescue of the administration by setting up a 250-bed Covid hospital in Srinagar's Rangret area.&nbsp;

A facility inside the army camp has been established with a capacity of more than 250 beds. The hospital has ICU and HDU facilities available with seven doctors and 35 paramedical staff.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-general-assembly-president-volkan-bozkir-postpones-india-trip-due-to-covid-19-383051" hreflang="en">UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir postpones India trip due to COVID-19</a>

''We at Chinar Corp want to tell the people of Kashmir that we are with you in the fight against the Covid. Whatever is possible, we will do it. We have started this Covid facility today. We have a state health department with us and we have established this facility with ICU beds, HDU, X-ray and a laboratory. The process of admission is simple, health services will refer the patients and we will take them in.'' said S Seth, Brigadier, Indian Army.

Around 3,500 positive cases are reported in the Union Territory every day making it very difficult for the hospitals. However, this step will ease out a lot of pressure on the state health department.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-stays-delhi-hc-order-on-contempt-proceedings-against-centres-officials-over-oxygen-supply-383046" hreflang="en">SC stays Delhi HC order on contempt proceedings against Centre's officials over oxygen supply</a>

"This hospital is a joint venture between the army and department of health. Almost all hospitals in the UT are full so in this situation, this joint venture is going to ease the pressure from many hospitals, we have an ICU ward with 20 ventilators. Each and every ventilator counts, each bed counts. We are ready to receive the patients.'' said Dr Mudasir Ahmad.&nbsp;

The army had established the same facility last year when the pandemic had started, but at that time only asymptomatic patients were taken into this facility.&nbsp;

With the increasing numbers of Covid positive patients across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, people are finding it difficult to get a hospital bed in state-run hospitals.

With the increasing numbers of Covid positive patients across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, people are finding it difficult to get a hospital bed in state-run hospitals. Now, the Indian Army has come to the rescue of the administration by setting up a 250-bed Covid hospital in Srinagar's Rangret area. A facility inside the army camp has been established with a capacity of more than 250 beds. The hospital has ICU and HDU facilities available with seven doctors and 35 paramedical staff. Also read | UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir postpones India trip due to COVID-19 ''We at Chinar Corp want to tell the people of Kashmir that we are with you in the fight against the Covid. Whatever is possible, we will do it. We have started this Covid facility today. We have a state health department with us and we have established this facility with ICU beds, HDU, X-ray and a laboratory. The process of admission is simple, health services will refer the patients and we will take them in.'' said S Seth, Brigadier, Indian Army. Around 3,500 positive cases are reported in the Union Territory every day making it very difficult for the hospitals. However, this step will ease out a lot of pressure on the state health department. Also read | SC stays Delhi HC order on contempt proceedings against Centre's officials over oxygen supply "This hospital is a joint venture between the army and department of health. Almost all hospitals in the UT are full so in this situation, this joint venture is going to ease the pressure from many hospitals, we have an ICU ward with 20 ventilators. Each and every ventilator counts, each bed counts. We are ready to receive the patients.'' said Dr Mudasir Ahmad. The army had established the same facility last year when the pandemic had started, but at that time only asymptomatic patients were taken into this facility.

Indian Army establishes Covid hospital in Kashmir

Part two&nbsp;of the France solidarity mission to India of sending anti-Covid assistance will begin at the end of May. Under this, a&nbsp;second air shipment of medical equipment and oxygen generator plants will be sent to New Delhi.

France is also going to send liquid oxygen from French company Air Liquide's plants in the region to India via sea including with help of&nbsp;Indian armed forces.&nbsp;The first shipment of liquid O2 will arrive in the coming days.

Informed sources told WION that the Indian Airforce might also be involved in getting supplies from France.&nbsp;Indian Air force is already playing a key role and in the last few days airlifted 900 empty Oxygen cylinders from the UK, four&nbsp;cryogenic oxygen containers from Perth, Australia.

As a part of its&nbsp;solidarity mission, France had&nbsp;sent eight&nbsp;medical oxygen generators last week. Each generator can make an Indian hospital autonomous in oxygen supply for approximately 10 years. The country also sent specialised medical equipment&nbsp;including 28 ventilators as well as 200 electric syringe pumps.

France is supporting India&nbsp;under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (MPCU). Under the mechanism, more than 15&nbsp;members of the European Union are sending assistance to New Delhi.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the European Commission has announced that it will allocate an initial €2.2 million in emergency funding to respond to the ongoing Covid crisis in India.

"We are providing additional EU support towards the fight against COVID-19 in India. This comes on top of the generous and swift assistance from the EU Member States that stepped up as part of Team Europe to offer critical supplies of oxygen, ventilators, and medicines over the last few days", said European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.

EU member states that have already mobilised supplies of urgently needed oxygen, ventilators, and medicines are Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

Part two of the France solidarity mission to India of sending anti-Covid assistance will begin at the end of May. Under this, a second air shipment of medical equipment and oxygen generator plants will be sent to New Delhi.

Part two of the France solidarity mission to India of sending anti-Covid assistance will begin at the end of May. Under this, a second air shipment of medical equipment and oxygen generator plants will be sent to New Delhi. France is also going to send liquid oxygen from French company Air Liquide's plants in the region to India via sea including with help of Indian armed forces. The first shipment of liquid O2 will arrive in the coming days. Informed sources told WION that the Indian Airforce might also be involved in getting supplies from France. Indian Air force is already playing a key role and in the last few days airlifted 900 empty Oxygen cylinders from the UK, four cryogenic oxygen containers from Perth, Australia. As a part of its solidarity mission, France had sent eight medical oxygen generators last week. Each generator can make an Indian hospital autonomous in oxygen supply for approximately 10 years. The country also sent specialised medical equipment including 28 ventilators as well as 200 electric syringe pumps. France is supporting India under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (MPCU). Under the mechanism, more than 15 members of the European Union are sending assistance to New Delhi. Meanwhile, the European Commission has announced that it will allocate an initial €2.2 million in emergency funding to respond to the ongoing Covid crisis in India. "We are providing additional EU support towards the fight against COVID-19 in India. This comes on top of the generous and swift assistance from the EU Member States that stepped up as part of Team Europe to offer critical supplies of oxygen, ventilators, and medicines over the last few days", said European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič. EU member states that have already mobilised supplies of urgently needed oxygen, ventilators, and medicines are Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

Covid crisis: France to begin phase two of solidarity mission; EU announces €2.2m support

India and Britain are charting out a post-Brexit roadmap and today marked some initial success after both sides clinched a major investment deal worth nearly $1.4 billion. Both&nbsp; sides believe this is a precursor to a real deal - a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), talks for which will begin later this year.

A lot of companies will now make waves in the UK market - the Global Gene Group is planning to invest $81 million, Wipro is charting a $22 million project. Sterlite Technology is set to invest $20 million.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-serum-institute-features-in-india-uk-trade-deal-382827">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-serum-institute-features-in-india-uk-trade-deal-382827/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Serum Institute of India is planning to invest $332 million (₹2400 crore). They plan to invest this money in three specific sectors - a sales office, clinical trials and research, and manufacturing facilities.

Serum Institute may or may not make vaccines in the UK. its chief, Adar Poonawalla, had asked the Indian government for additional funds, saying that he needed them to expand capacity. So the central government announced $400 million (₹3,000) crore in grants, as quoted by the finance minister of India. But Adar Poonawalla himself says shortages in India will continue until July. The institute says expansion doesn't happen overnight.&nbsp;

The trade deal has a lot more. Boris Johnson believes it will create 6,500 jobs, and he is also hoping to double bilateral trade by 2030. Right now, it stands at $32 billion.

Producers of British fruit and medicines now have easier access to the Indian market. In return, Indian multinationals have an easy investment path. What Britain really wants is India to drop its barriers and tariffs. For India, immigration is the big issue - New Delhi wants the UK to relax its immigration rules especially for Indian students who wish to work in the UK. But Boris Johnson's Brexit campaign centred around tougher immigration laws.

This deal has strategic implications as well. It was announced ahead of a virtual summit between Prime Minister Modi and Boris Johnson. The British prime minister was supposed to make the trip to India but that's when the second wave intensified, so the summit was converted into a virtual one.

India is a big part of Britain's post-Brexit future as Boris Johnson wants a bigger role in the Indo-Pacific and he pegs India as the key partner in the region.

What were the big takeaways?

Both leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The key focus area was the Indo-pacific as India and UK have agreed to fight for a free and open Indo-pacific. Their militaries will also be holding joint drills and collaborating on research and development.

On trade, they agreed on an enhanced trade partnership expected to lead to a free trade deal in the coming years. There was a special focus on green businesses, and climate friendly projects.

India and Britain are charting out a post-Brexit roadmap and today marked some initial success after both sides clinched a major investment deal worth nearly $1.

India and Britain are charting out a post-Brexit roadmap and today marked some initial success after both sides clinched a major investment deal worth nearly $1.4 billion. Both sides believe this is a precursor to a real deal - a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), talks for which will begin later this year. A lot of companies will now make waves in the UK market - the Global Gene Group is planning to invest $81 million, Wipro is charting a $22 million project. Sterlite Technology is set to invest $20 million. Watch | The Serum Institute of India is planning to invest $332 million (₹2400 crore). They plan to invest this money in three specific sectors - a sales office, clinical trials and research, and manufacturing facilities. Serum Institute may or may not make vaccines in the UK. its chief, Adar Poonawalla, had asked the Indian government for additional funds, saying that he needed them to expand capacity. So the central government announced $400 million (₹3,000) crore in grants, as quoted by the finance minister of India. But Adar Poonawalla himself says shortages in India will continue until July. The institute says expansion doesn't happen overnight. The trade deal has a lot more. Boris Johnson believes it will create 6,500 jobs, and he is also hoping to double bilateral trade by 2030. Right now, it stands at $32 billion. Producers of British fruit and medicines now have easier access to the Indian market. In return, Indian multinationals have an easy investment path. What Britain really wants is India to drop its barriers and tariffs. For India, immigration is the big issue - New Delhi wants the UK to relax its immigration rules especially for Indian students who wish to work in the UK. But Boris Johnson's Brexit campaign centred around tougher immigration laws. This deal has strategic implications as well. It was announced ahead of a virtual summit between Prime Minister Modi and Boris Johnson. The British prime minister was supposed to make the trip to India but that's when the second wave intensified, so the summit was converted into a virtual one. India is a big part of Britain's post-Brexit future as Boris Johnson wants a bigger role in the Indo-Pacific and he pegs India as the key partner in the region. What were the big takeaways? Both leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The key focus area was the Indo-pacific as India and UK have agreed to fight for a free and open Indo-pacific. Their militaries will also be holding joint drills and collaborating on research and development. On trade, they agreed on an enhanced trade partnership expected to lead to a free trade deal in the coming years. There was a special focus on green businesses, and climate friendly projects.

Post-Brexit roadmap: Key takeaways from UK-India trade deal

At least 11 patients died at the Government Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital here on Tuesday night. An inquiry has been ordered into the cause of death. 
 
Though it is alleged that the patients died due to oxygen shortage, senior officials said it is not the case as the hospital has sufficient stock. 
 
"As per initial reports, the hospital has sufficient stock of oxygen. It is not an oxygen supply issue. Only an inquiry would reveal as to the cause of death," J. Radhakrishnan, Health Secretary told IANS. 
 
He pointed out there are several other patients who were on oxygen supply and they were not affected. 
 
Couple of days ago at the Government Vellore Medical College Hospital, relatives of patients alleged the deaths of six patients were due to disruption in the supply of oxygen. 
 
According to the official, work on the hospital`s oxygen plant was underway and the relatives of the Covid-19 patients who died alleged that the death was due to disruption in oxygen supply. 
 
"There are over 150 patients in the hospital`s Covid-19 ward. Supply of oxygen to several patients did not get disrupted," the official added. 
 
An inquiry by the Director of Medical Education has been ordered in the case of Government Vellore Medical College Hospital.

At least 11 patients died at the Government Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital here on Tuesday night. An inquiry has been ordered into the cause of death. Though it is alleged that the patients died due to oxygen shortage, senior officials said it is not the case as the hospital has sufficient stock.

At least 11 patients died at the Government Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital here on Tuesday night. An inquiry has been ordered into the cause of death. Though it is alleged that the patients died due to oxygen shortage, senior officials said it is not the case as the hospital has sufficient stock. "As per initial reports, the hospital has sufficient stock of oxygen. It is not an oxygen supply issue. Only an inquiry would reveal as to the cause of death," J. Radhakrishnan, Health Secretary told IANS. He pointed out there are several other patients who were on oxygen supply and they were not affected. Couple of days ago at the Government Vellore Medical College Hospital, relatives of patients alleged the deaths of six patients were due to disruption in the supply of oxygen. According to the official, work on the hospital`s oxygen plant was underway and the relatives of the Covid-19 patients who died alleged that the death was due to disruption in oxygen supply. "There are over 150 patients in the hospital`s Covid-19 ward. Supply of oxygen to several patients did not get disrupted," the official added. An inquiry by the Director of Medical Education has been ordered in the case of Government Vellore Medical College Hospital.

11 patients die at government hospital in Chennai, probe ordered

NEWSALERT-PM MAMATA

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee took oath as chief minister of Bengal for the third time today.&nbsp;

On Monday, she had met governor Jagdeep Dhankhar to stake claim to form the next government.&nbsp;

Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar administered her the oath of office and secrecy at a low-key ceremony at Raj Bhawan held amid the raging COVID pandemic.

Banerjee took the oath in the Bengali language.

Apart from senior TMC leaders like Partha Chatterjee and Subrata Mukherjee, poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who played a key role in TMC's victory, and Banerjee MP nephew Abhishek Banerjee were present.

Banerjee has said her priority after resuming office will be to tackle the COVID-19 situation.

(With inputs from agencies)

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee took oath as chief minister of Bengal for the third time today. On Monday, she had met governor Jagdeep Dhankhar to stake claim to form the next government.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee took oath as chief minister of Bengal for the third time today. On Monday, she had met governor Jagdeep Dhankhar to stake claim to form the next government. Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar administered her the oath of office and secrecy at a low-key ceremony at Raj Bhawan held amid the raging COVID pandemic. Banerjee took the oath in the Bengali language. Apart from senior TMC leaders like Partha Chatterjee and Subrata Mukherjee, poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who played a key role in TMC's victory, and Banerjee MP nephew Abhishek Banerjee were present. Banerjee has said her priority after resuming office will be to tackle the COVID-19 situation. (With inputs from agencies)

Mamata Banerjee takes oath as West Bengal CM for the third consecutive time

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is in talks with the Biden administration about becoming US ambassador to India.

Garcetti was widely rumoured to be in the running for President Biden’s pick for Transportation secretary before Pete Buttigieg was nominated. He is said to be eager to land a new role after serving as mayor of Los Angeles since 2013.

Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti served as co-chair of US president Joe Biden's campaign and said in December that he turned down an unspecified position in the administration to remain in his current post. He might now be posted as Ambassador to India.

US president Joe Biden is considering naming Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti as Ambassador to India.

According to the news site Axios, which cited people close to the matter, Garcetti is one of many people being considered for the post.

Garcetti served as co-chair of Biden's campaign and said in December that he turned down an unspecified position in the administration to remain Los Angeles mayor.

The appointment as India's ambassador would come as the nation of 1.36 billion people deals with a spike in Covid-19 cases, reported Axios.

Axios reported that Biden was presented with a list of potential ambassadors in March, and a final decision on the appointment has not yet been made.&nbsp;

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is in talks with the Biden administration about becoming US ambassador to India. Garcetti was widely rumoured to be in the running for President Biden’s pick for Transportation secretary before Pete Buttigieg was nominated.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is in talks with the Biden administration about becoming US ambassador to India. Garcetti was widely rumoured to be in the running for President Biden’s pick for Transportation secretary before Pete Buttigieg was nominated. He is said to be eager to land a new role after serving as mayor of Los Angeles since 2013. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti served as co-chair of US president Joe Biden's campaign and said in December that he turned down an unspecified position in the administration to remain in his current post. He might now be posted as Ambassador to India. US president Joe Biden is considering naming Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti as Ambassador to India. According to the news site Axios, which cited people close to the matter, Garcetti is one of many people being considered for the post. Garcetti served as co-chair of Biden's campaign and said in December that he turned down an unspecified position in the administration to remain Los Angeles mayor. The appointment as India's ambassador would come as the nation of 1.36 billion people deals with a spike in Covid-19 cases, reported Axios. Axios reported that Biden was presented with a list of potential ambassadors in March, and a final decision on the appointment has not yet been made.

US President considering naming Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as next US Ambassador to India: Report

India has allowed mobile carriers to carry out 5G trials with equipment makers including Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung's network unit, but did not name China's Huawei among the participants.

Indian government gives the nod for 5G trials, Huawei not on the list

Amid a surge in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> cases, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday decided to increase the duration of the weekend lockdown till 7 am on May 10, an official spokesman said here.

"The corona curfew from Friday 8 pm to Tuesday 7 am, which was extended on May 3 for 48 hours and is in force till May 6 till 7 am has been further extended till Monday (May 10) 7 am," an official spokesman said here.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-in-india-bihar-to-go-into-lockdown-night-curfew-to-continue-in-chandigarh-382759">COVID-19 in India: Bihar to go into lockdown; night curfew to continue in Chandigarh</a>

All shops and establishments will now remain closed till Monday 7 am.

The official said that further decision to extend the curfew will be taken on Sunday.

The decision for extension has been taken for breaking the chain of coronavirus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-immediate-concern-is-to-break-the-chain-of-covid-infection-382627">India's immediate concern is to break the chain of Covid infection</a>

During this period, all essential services will be allowed and vaccination drive will continue, a senior official said, but refused to term it as a "lockdown", preferring "closure" instead.

On April 29, the state government had announced that weekend lockdowns will now cover Mondays too and on May 3 it was extended till May 6.

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday decided to increase the duration of the weekend lockdown till 7 am on May 10, an official spokesman said here.

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday decided to increase the duration of the weekend lockdown till 7 am on May 10, an official spokesman said here. "The corona curfew from Friday 8 pm to Tuesday 7 am, which was extended on May 3 for 48 hours and is in force till May 6 till 7 am has been further extended till Monday (May 10) 7 am," an official spokesman said here. Also read | COVID-19 in India: Bihar to go into lockdown; night curfew to continue in Chandigarh All shops and establishments will now remain closed till Monday 7 am. The official said that further decision to extend the curfew will be taken on Sunday. The decision for extension has been taken for breaking the chain of coronavirus. Also read | India's immediate concern is to break the chain of Covid infection During this period, all essential services will be allowed and vaccination drive will continue, a senior official said, but refused to term it as a "lockdown", preferring "closure" instead. On April 29, the state government had announced that weekend lockdowns will now cover Mondays too and on May 3 it was extended till May 6.

COVID-19: Curfew in Uttar Pradesh extended till May 10

President of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir's planned visit to India later this month has been postponed due to an unexpected situation&nbsp;relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Bozkir on Tuesday told reporters that he will be travelling to Bangladesh and Pakistan later this month on the invitation of the respective governments and will also be visiting Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh where he will meet with Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-war-displaces-new-generation-on-remote-river-frontier-381181">Myanmar's war displaces new generation on remote river frontier</a>

Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar's military crackdown, often considered as "ethnic cleansing" by many rights groups.

Bozkir said that he had also planned a visit to India during his trip to South Asia but postponed it due to an "unexpected situation."

"I also wanted to go to India. It was India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, but unfortunately, an unexpected situation came out and I had to postpone the India part to a later stage. But I will absolutely make sure that I'll go to India as well," the UN General Assembly President said, referring to India's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> crisis.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-andhra-pradesh-covid-19-variant-n440k-is-15-times-more-virulent-382805">India's Andhra Pradesh COVID-19 variant: N440K is 15 times more virulent</a>

Asked whether the UN will be able to host a regular General Assembly session in September, he said: "It would be wrong if we make a decision now for September on how the participation will be. Will it be a hybrid format? Or will we have again 10,000 people at UN Headquarters? What happens to civil society? What happens to the bilaterals? These are all questions we have in our minds."

He said June will be a proper time to discuss with the US, the host country of the UN, and local authorities on the COVID-19 situation and the feasibility of holding the UN General Assembly.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/faucis-advice-to-india-clamp-nationwide-lockdown-start-massive-vaccination-382645">Fauci's advice to India: Clamp nationwide lockdown, start massive vaccination</a>

With New York City aiming to "fully reopen" on July 1, Bozkir said it will "give us a signal on whether we can have a different type of a high-level week than we had last September"&nbsp;when all meetings were mostly virtual with minimal in-person presence in the UN premises.

"The important thing is not to risk any people's health"&nbsp;we must absolutely go along with the mitigation measures, we must listen to what science is saying to us and we must not really open everything without any precaution.

"If I were the host country, I wouldn't have made any plans for September as of now,&nbsp;because with this pandemic, unfortunately, we are living day by day or week by week. We suddenly see something happening, like what happens in India. Nobody was expecting this suddenly to happen. It changes all the plans. So, I think it's better to start talking about it, to start discussing it, and then leave it to the science and to the local authorities," he added.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-sees-record-3780-covid-19-deaths-in-1-day-382959/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

India is struggling with an unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past week.

President of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir's planned visit to India later this month has been postponed due to an unexpected situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

President of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir's planned visit to India later this month has been postponed due to an unexpected situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Bozkir on Tuesday told reporters that he will be travelling to Bangladesh and Pakistan later this month on the invitation of the respective governments and will also be visiting Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh where he will meet with Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Also read | Myanmar's war displaces new generation on remote river frontier Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar's military crackdown, often considered as "ethnic cleansing" by many rights groups. Bozkir said that he had also planned a visit to India during his trip to South Asia but postponed it due to an "unexpected situation." "I also wanted to go to India. It was India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, but unfortunately, an unexpected situation came out and I had to postpone the India part to a later stage. But I will absolutely make sure that I'll go to India as well," the UN General Assembly President said, referring to India's COVID-19 crisis. Also read | India's Andhra Pradesh COVID-19 variant: N440K is 15 times more virulent Asked whether the UN will be able to host a regular General Assembly session in September, he said: "It would be wrong if we make a decision now for September on how the participation will be. Will it be a hybrid format? Or will we have again 10,000 people at UN Headquarters? What happens to civil society? What happens to the bilaterals? These are all questions we have in our minds." He said June will be a proper time to discuss with the US, the host country of the UN, and local authorities on the COVID-19 situation and the feasibility of holding the UN General Assembly. Also read | Fauci's advice to India: Clamp nationwide lockdown, start massive vaccination With New York City aiming to "fully reopen" on July 1, Bozkir said it will "give us a signal on whether we can have a different type of a high-level week than we had last September" when all meetings were mostly virtual with minimal in-person presence in the UN premises. "The important thing is not to risk any people's health" we must absolutely go along with the mitigation measures, we must listen to what science is saying to us and we must not really open everything without any precaution. "If I were the host country, I wouldn't have made any plans for September as of now, because with this pandemic, unfortunately, we are living day by day or week by week. We suddenly see something happening, like what happens in India. Nobody was expecting this suddenly to happen. It changes all the plans. So, I think it's better to start talking about it, to start discussing it, and then leave it to the science and to the local authorities," he added. India is struggling with an unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past week.

UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir postpones India trip due to COVID-19

The Supreme Court Wednesday stayed contempt proceedings initiated by the Delhi High Court against central government officials for non-compliance of the direction to supply 700 MT of medical grade oxygen for COVID-19 patients in the national capital.

The stay, however, will not restrain the high court from monitoring the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> management-related issues, a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said.

The top court, in an urgent hearing, directed that a meeting be held between officials of the Centre and Delhi government by this evening to discuss various aspects of augmenting the oxygen supply to the national capital.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-crisis-over-180-cryogenic-oxygen-containers-transported-by-indian-air-force-382829">COVID-19 crisis: Over 180 cryogenic oxygen containers transported by Indian Air Force</a>

This is an all-India pandemic situation and we will have to find ways to ensure oxygen supply to the national capital as we are answerable to people of Delhi, it said.

"We are also in Delhi. We are helpless and have been on phone. We can imagine what citizens are going through," Justice Chandrachud said, adding that his office is hearing cries from people including lawyers seeking help.

The top court said it cannot review its order of April 30 and the Centre will have to inch towards the supply of 700 MT of oxygen daily for Delhi and asked the Union government to place before it a plan by Thursday morning as to how it will revamp the supply to 700MT.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-accounts-for-46-per-cent-of-worlds-new-covid-19-cases-quarter-of-deaths-who-382992">India accounts for 46 per cent of world's new COVID-19 cases, quarter of deaths: WHO</a>

It suggested that a committee of experts and doctors including those from the private sector may be constituted to ascertain the situation in Delhi and take into account the COVID-19 situation which had been prevailing in Mumbai.

The top court, in a nearly two-hour hearing, said that putting officers in jail is not going to bring oxygen to Delhi and questioned the Centre about the supply it has made to the national capital since May 3.

The bench said, "Let us ensure lives are saved" and by enhancing supply of around 150MT per day the quantity will come up to 700MT and number of lives will be saved.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/11-patients-die-at-government-hospital-in-chennai-probe-ordered-382886">11 patients die at government hospital in Chennai, probe ordered</a>

It was hearing the Centre's appeal against Delhi High Court's Tuesday order of issuing contempt notice and seeking personal appearance of its officials for non-compliance with the directions on supply of oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients.

The bench aid that it had ordered supply of 700 MT oxygen to Delhi daily from May 3 as the "pandemic in Delhi is at a very critical stage".

"Putting officers in jail is not going to bring oxygen to the city, let us ensure lives are saved," said the bench which also comprised justice MR Shah.

"This is not adversarial litigation. Centre, Delhi governments are elected and doing their best to serve COVID-19 patients,"&nbsp;Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said.

"Tell us how much oxygen you have allocated to Delhi in the last three days," the bench said.

The Supreme Court Wednesday stayed contempt proceedings initiated by the Delhi High Court against central government officials for non-compliance of the direction to supply 700 MT of medical grade oxygen for COVID-19 patients in the national capital.

The Supreme Court Wednesday stayed contempt proceedings initiated by the Delhi High Court against central government officials for non-compliance of the direction to supply 700 MT of medical grade oxygen for COVID-19 patients in the national capital. The stay, however, will not restrain the high court from monitoring the COVID-19 management-related issues, a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said. The top court, in an urgent hearing, directed that a meeting be held between officials of the Centre and Delhi government by this evening to discuss various aspects of augmenting the oxygen supply to the national capital. Also read | COVID-19 crisis: Over 180 cryogenic oxygen containers transported by Indian Air Force This is an all-India pandemic situation and we will have to find ways to ensure oxygen supply to the national capital as we are answerable to people of Delhi, it said. "We are also in Delhi. We are helpless and have been on phone. We can imagine what citizens are going through," Justice Chandrachud said, adding that his office is hearing cries from people including lawyers seeking help. The top court said it cannot review its order of April 30 and the Centre will have to inch towards the supply of 700 MT of oxygen daily for Delhi and asked the Union government to place before it a plan by Thursday morning as to how it will revamp the supply to 700MT. Also read | India accounts for 46 per cent of world's new COVID-19 cases, quarter of deaths: WHO It suggested that a committee of experts and doctors including those from the private sector may be constituted to ascertain the situation in Delhi and take into account the COVID-19 situation which had been prevailing in Mumbai. The top court, in a nearly two-hour hearing, said that putting officers in jail is not going to bring oxygen to Delhi and questioned the Centre about the supply it has made to the national capital since May 3. The bench said, "Let us ensure lives are saved" and by enhancing supply of around 150MT per day the quantity will come up to 700MT and number of lives will be saved. Also read | 11 patients die at government hospital in Chennai, probe ordered It was hearing the Centre's appeal against Delhi High Court's Tuesday order of issuing contempt notice and seeking personal appearance of its officials for non-compliance with the directions on supply of oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients. The bench aid that it had ordered supply of 700 MT oxygen to Delhi daily from May 3 as the "pandemic in Delhi is at a very critical stage". "Putting officers in jail is not going to bring oxygen to the city, let us ensure lives are saved," said the bench which also comprised justice MR Shah. "This is not adversarial litigation. Centre, Delhi governments are elected and doing their best to serve COVID-19 patients," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said. "Tell us how much oxygen you have allocated to Delhi in the last three days," the bench said.

SC stays Delhi HC order on contempt proceedings against Centre's officials over oxygen supply

Twelve Republican lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to not support a proposal by India and South Africa to the World Trade Organisation to temporary waive some Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) rules amid the coronavirus pandemic.

If the US gives up intellectual property rights, it will harm innovation and production, and result in fewer people getting vaccinated, the 12 influential Congressmen said in a letter to US Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Tuesday.

The letter is in response to the proposal in this regard by 60 developing countries, led by India and South Africa.

"The United States should continue to oppose the request by India, South Africa, and other nations to waive certain portions of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) for all members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)," the letter said.

Spearheaded by Congressmen Jim Jordan and Darrell Issa, the lawmakers said the requested waiver is extraordinarily broad and unnecessary to accomplish the goal of giving as many people as possible access to vaccines and treatment for COVID-19.

They claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressed President Joe Biden to support the waiver during a phone call in early May.

Among other signatories to the letter are Steve Chabot, Louie Gohmert, Matt Gaetz, Mike Johnson, Tom Tiffany, Thomas Massie, Dan Bishop, Michelle Fischbach, Scott Fitzgerald and Cliff Bentz.

"The justification for the waiver rests on an incorrect assumption that IP rights are a significant bottleneck to the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, the letter said.

"The waiver's sponsors have presented no convincing evidence to support this assertion. Instead, the sponsors mainly just point out that relevant IP rights exist and speculate that those rights could serve as a barrier to access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments - not that IP rights have actually blocked or significantly hindered their availability, it added.

If anything, the examples of IP 'disputes' cited by the waiver sponsors generally demonstrate that IP rights have not prevented the involved parties from supplying vaccines and other medicines, the letter said.

Respect for intellectual property rights has been a cornerstone of the US trade policy for decades and should not be set aside lightly, the Republican Congressmen said.

"Although some flexibility may be warranted in emergency situations, the waiver of TRIPS IP protections requested by India, South Africa, and other countries would do little to improve public health during this critical period in the COVID-19 pandemic. The scope of the requested waiver is overbroad and unjustified in light of the economic harm it would cause and the negligible benefits it would provide, they said in the letter.

"Existing aspects of TRIPS and global public health initiatives, along with the existing actions of key IP rights holders and innovators, make the waiver unnecessary. While considerable work can still be done to improve access to COVID-19 medicines and other innovations, that work can be done without the drastic step of suspending IP rights, and significant progress has already been made to address the real obstacles hampering the global COVID-19 response, they said.

The lawmakers argued that relevant intellectual property rights have been successfully licensed to expand access to COVID-19 innovations while maintaining IP protections. For example, the Serum Institute of India has secured licenses to produce multiple vaccines, including Astrazeneca and Novavax vaccines.

South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare has secured a license to produce the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.

Several vaccine makers have licensed direct competitors to increase vaccine manufacturing capacity.

Moderna has announced that it would not seek to enforce any of its COVID-related patents against other vaccine makers for the rest of the pandemic and has pledged to license its COVID-19 vaccine patents.

Gilead has licensed nine generic pharmaceutical manufacturers (including in India) to produce its COVID-19 therapeutic drug remdesivir for 127 countries, most of which are developing nations.

Moreover, TRIPS already allows countries to impose compulsory licenses to access vital IP rights, and no country has availed itself of that capability to date for COVID-19 vaccines or treatments, the lawmakers noted.

The proposed waiver is not limited to patents on vaccines or treatments for COVID-19 - the waiver would also gut protections for copyrights, industrial designs (e.g., textile patterns or other ornamental designs), and trade secrets. The waiver's supporters have only offered vague, unsubstantiated explanations for how waiving IP protections for copyrights or industrial designs would lead to improved vaccine or therapeutics availability, they said.

It is also unclear how a waiver of TRIPS obligations would provide more access to trade secrets and proprietary technologies, which are confidential by definition and typically closely guarded, they said.

"Gifting away our technological leadership and competitive advantage at a time when the US economy remains vulnerable would be irresponsible and send the wrong message to millions of American taxpayers. The damage would extend beyond even the considerable value of COVID-19 vaccines and medicines, also endangering the far greater value of the jobs and economic growth promised by these IP rights and the advanced technologies they represent," the Republican Congressmen said in the letter.

Twelve Republican lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to not support a proposal by India and South Africa to the World Trade Organisation to temporary waive some Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) rules amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Twelve Republican lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to not support a proposal by India and South Africa to the World Trade Organisation to temporary waive some Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) rules amid the coronavirus pandemic. If the US gives up intellectual property rights, it will harm innovation and production, and result in fewer people getting vaccinated, the 12 influential Congressmen said in a letter to US Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Tuesday. The letter is in response to the proposal in this regard by 60 developing countries, led by India and South Africa. "The United States should continue to oppose the request by India, South Africa, and other nations to waive certain portions of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) for all members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)," the letter said. Spearheaded by Congressmen Jim Jordan and Darrell Issa, the lawmakers said the requested waiver is extraordinarily broad and unnecessary to accomplish the goal of giving as many people as possible access to vaccines and treatment for COVID-19. They claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressed President Joe Biden to support the waiver during a phone call in early May. Among other signatories to the letter are Steve Chabot, Louie Gohmert, Matt Gaetz, Mike Johnson, Tom Tiffany, Thomas Massie, Dan Bishop, Michelle Fischbach, Scott Fitzgerald and Cliff Bentz. "The justification for the waiver rests on an incorrect assumption that IP rights are a significant bottleneck to the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, the letter said. "The waiver's sponsors have presented no convincing evidence to support this assertion. Instead, the sponsors mainly just point out that relevant IP rights exist and speculate that those rights could serve as a barrier to access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments - not that IP rights have actually blocked or significantly hindered their availability, it added. If anything, the examples of IP 'disputes' cited by the waiver sponsors generally demonstrate that IP rights have not prevented the involved parties from supplying vaccines and other medicines, the letter said. Respect for intellectual property rights has been a cornerstone of the US trade policy for decades and should not be set aside lightly, the Republican Congressmen said. "Although some flexibility may be warranted in emergency situations, the waiver of TRIPS IP protections requested by India, South Africa, and other countries would do little to improve public health during this critical period in the COVID-19 pandemic. The scope of the requested waiver is overbroad and unjustified in light of the economic harm it would cause and the negligible benefits it would provide, they said in the letter. "Existing aspects of TRIPS and global public health initiatives, along with the existing actions of key IP rights holders and innovators, make the waiver unnecessary. While considerable work can still be done to improve access to COVID-19 medicines and other innovations, that work can be done without the drastic step of suspending IP rights, and significant progress has already been made to address the real obstacles hampering the global COVID-19 response, they said. The lawmakers argued that relevant intellectual property rights have been successfully licensed to expand access to COVID-19 innovations while maintaining IP protections. For example, the Serum Institute of India has secured licenses to produce multiple vaccines, including Astrazeneca and Novavax vaccines. South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare has secured a license to produce the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Several vaccine makers have licensed direct competitors to increase vaccine manufacturing capacity. Moderna has announced that it would not seek to enforce any of its COVID-related patents against other vaccine makers for the rest of the pandemic and has pledged to license its COVID-19 vaccine patents. Gilead has licensed nine generic pharmaceutical manufacturers (including in India) to produce its COVID-19 therapeutic drug remdesivir for 127 countries, most of which are developing nations. Moreover, TRIPS already allows countries to impose compulsory licenses to access vital IP rights, and no country has availed itself of that capability to date for COVID-19 vaccines or treatments, the lawmakers noted. The proposed waiver is not limited to patents on vaccines or treatments for COVID-19 - the waiver would also gut protections for copyrights, industrial designs (e.g., textile patterns or other ornamental designs), and trade secrets. The waiver's supporters have only offered vague, unsubstantiated explanations for how waiving IP protections for copyrights or industrial designs would lead to improved vaccine or therapeutics availability, they said. It is also unclear how a waiver of TRIPS obligations would provide more access to trade secrets and proprietary technologies, which are confidential by definition and typically closely guarded, they said. "Gifting away our technological leadership and competitive advantage at a time when the US economy remains vulnerable would be irresponsible and send the wrong message to millions of American taxpayers. The damage would extend beyond even the considerable value of COVID-19 vaccines and medicines, also endangering the far greater value of the jobs and economic growth promised by these IP rights and the advanced technologies they represent," the Republican Congressmen said in the letter.

Covid-19: 12 Republican lawmakers urge Biden admin to not support India's proposal at WTO

Coronavirus variant N440K is prevalent since last year in south India and it is diminishing, say scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB). 
 
Several reports have emerged suspecting the role of the variant behind the surge in Covid cases in Andhra Pradesh. 
 
"The mutant is not new. We have been seeing it in south India since last year," the scientists said on Wednesday.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-new-wuhan-virus-variant-found-in-india-382820/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
The new Covid variant, named as the AP strain, which was identified in Kurnool district, is believed to be 15 times more deadly and stronger than other Indian variants. 
 
When the variant was examined in controlled cell culture, it made more copies. However, "it does not necessarily mean that it can compete with other variants just the same way in a real life pandemic where new variants keep coming up. Our genome studies say that N440K is now diminishing", the scientists said. 
 
The N440K variant, associated with immune escape, had been detected in the labs of Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG). 
 
INSACOG, a grouping of 10 national laboratories -- has been carrying out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating Covid-19 viruses, and correlating epidemiological trends with genomic variants. 
 
The variant was found in 123 samples from 11 districts in Kerala; 33 per cent of samples from Andhra Pradesh, and in 53 of 104 samples from Telangana.

&nbsp;

It has also been reported from 16 other countries, including the UK, Denmark, Singapore, Japan and Australia. As of now, these can be at best said to be variants under investigation. 
 
"Our main focus as a community should be on reducing the spread of coronavirus. The more it spreads, the more variants come up, the more mess we create by increasing uncertainties and fear," the scientists said. 
 
"Mask up, avoid crowds by all means, maintain hygiene and good ventilation, and take your vaccine shots. They all help in preventing the spread of the virus in one way or the other," they added.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Coronavirus variant N440K is prevalent since last year in south India and it is diminishing, say scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).

Coronavirus variant N440K is prevalent since last year in south India and it is diminishing, say scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB). Several reports have emerged suspecting the role of the variant behind the surge in Covid cases in Andhra Pradesh. "The mutant is not new. We have been seeing it in south India since last year," the scientists said on Wednesday. The new Covid variant, named as the AP strain, which was identified in Kurnool district, is believed to be 15 times more deadly and stronger than other Indian variants. When the variant was examined in controlled cell culture, it made more copies. However, "it does not necessarily mean that it can compete with other variants just the same way in a real life pandemic where new variants keep coming up. Our genome studies say that N440K is now diminishing", the scientists said. The N440K variant, associated with immune escape, had been detected in the labs of Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG). INSACOG, a grouping of 10 national laboratories -- has been carrying out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating Covid-19 viruses, and correlating epidemiological trends with genomic variants. The variant was found in 123 samples from 11 districts in Kerala; 33 per cent of samples from Andhra Pradesh, and in 53 of 104 samples from Telangana. It has also been reported from 16 other countries, including the UK, Denmark, Singapore, Japan and Australia. As of now, these can be at best said to be variants under investigation. "Our main focus as a community should be on reducing the spread of coronavirus. The more it spreads, the more variants come up, the more mess we create by increasing uncertainties and fear," the scientists said. "Mask up, avoid crowds by all means, maintain hygiene and good ventilation, and take your vaccine shots. They all help in preventing the spread of the virus in one way or the other," they added. (With inputs from agencies)

N440K Covid variant not new, diminishing in India, says CSIR

India will receive the sixth batch of three Rafale fighter jets from France on Wednesday, said the Embassy of India in France.

"Next batch of three #Rafales leave from France to India today; wished the pilots smooth flight and safe landing," India in France wrote in a tweet.

Earlier, on April 22, the fifth batch of Rafale fighter aircraft with four planes arrived in India after flying a distance of 8,000 km from the Merignac Air Base in France.

"After a direct ferry from #MerignacAirBase, France, the 5th batch of Rafales arrived in India on 21 Apr. The fighters flew a distance of almost 8,000 kms with air-to-air refuelling support by @Armee_de_lair and UAE AF. IAF thanks both the Air Forces for their co-operation," Indian Air Force tweeted.

India had ordered 36 of these fighter aircraft from France in September 2016. The twin-engine Rafale jets are capable of carrying out a variety of missions: ground and sea attack, air defence and air superiority, reconnaissance, and nuclear strike deterrence.

The Rafales carrying the long-range Meteor air to air missiles have given an edge to Indian planes over their Chinese and Pakistani rivals.The planes equipped with the Hammer missiles have enhanced their capability to carry out air to ground strikes like the one in Balakot.

India will receive the sixth batch of three Rafale fighter jets from France on Wednesday, said the Embassy of India in France. "Next batch of three #Rafales leave from France to India today; wished the pilots smooth flight and safe landing," India in France wrote in a tweet.

India will receive the sixth batch of three Rafale fighter jets from France on Wednesday, said the Embassy of India in France. "Next batch of three #Rafales leave from France to India today; wished the pilots smooth flight and safe landing," India in France wrote in a tweet. Earlier, on April 22, the fifth batch of Rafale fighter aircraft with four planes arrived in India after flying a distance of 8,000 km from the Merignac Air Base in France. "After a direct ferry from #MerignacAirBase, France, the 5th batch of Rafales arrived in India on 21 Apr. The fighters flew a distance of almost 8,000 kms with air-to-air refuelling support by @Armee_de_lair and UAE AF. IAF thanks both the Air Forces for their co-operation," Indian Air Force tweeted. India had ordered 36 of these fighter aircraft from France in September 2016. The twin-engine Rafale jets are capable of carrying out a variety of missions: ground and sea attack, air defence and air superiority, reconnaissance, and nuclear strike deterrence. The Rafales carrying the long-range Meteor air to air missiles have given an edge to Indian planes over their Chinese and Pakistani rivals.The planes equipped with the Hammer missiles have enhanced their capability to carry out air to ground strikes like the one in Balakot.

India to receive sixth batch of three Rafale fighter jets from France

India&nbsp;has given emergency use authorization for a&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;antibody-drug&nbsp;cocktail&nbsp;developed by&nbsp;Roche&nbsp;and&nbsp;Regeneron, expanding its arsenal of drugs to battle a massive second wave of infections.

The decision was taken based on data filed with the US&nbsp;regulators and the scientific opinion of a European regulatory panel, Roche's India distribution partner for the drug, Cipla, said on Wednesday.

The therapy is a&nbsp;cocktail&nbsp;of two antibodies Casirivimab and Imdevimab, which are synthetically manufactured copies of antibodies that the body produces after an infection.

It has been shown to reduce hospitalizations in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;patients who are at a high risk of developing severe illness.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-accounts-for-46-per-cent-of-worlds-new-covid-19-cases-quarter-of-deaths-who-382992">India accounts for 46 per cent of world's new COVID-19 cases, quarter of deaths: WHO</a>

The drug already has similar authorization in the United States and is used in Europe non-hospitalised patients. Former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump had taken the drug when he contracted the disease.

Cipla said the drug is meant for people with mild-to-moderate infection who are at high risk of developing severe disease. The company did not provide a price or a launch date.

In the last 10 days, more than 33,000&nbsp;Indians have died of&nbsp;COVID-19, with the country facing a severe shortage of&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;medicine including Gilead's remdesivir and&nbsp;Roche's tocilizumab.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/regeneron-to-seek-us-approval-for-covid-19-cocktail-to-be-used-for-prevention-377212">Regeneron to seek US approval for COVID-19 cocktail to be used for prevention</a>

Both government and local manufacturers have said they are working to ramp up production. Smaller&nbsp;Indian drugmaker Natco Pharma said on Monday it received emergency use authorization for baricitinib, originally developed by Eli Lilly, to be used with remdesivir to&nbsp;treat&nbsp;COVID-19.

India's official tally of coronavirus infections has crossed 20 million and is second only to the United States. Deaths have reached 226,188, but experts say the real tally could be several times higher.

India has given emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 antibody-drug cocktail developed by Roche and Regeneron, expanding its arsenal of drugs to battle a massive second wave of infections.

India has given emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 antibody-drug cocktail developed by Roche and Regeneron, expanding its arsenal of drugs to battle a massive second wave of infections. The decision was taken based on data filed with the US regulators and the scientific opinion of a European regulatory panel, Roche's India distribution partner for the drug, Cipla, said on Wednesday. The therapy is a cocktail of two antibodies Casirivimab and Imdevimab, which are synthetically manufactured copies of antibodies that the body produces after an infection. It has been shown to reduce hospitalizations in COVID-19 patients who are at a high risk of developing severe illness. Also read | India accounts for 46 per cent of world's new COVID-19 cases, quarter of deaths: WHO The drug already has similar authorization in the United States and is used in Europe non-hospitalised patients. Former US President Donald Trump had taken the drug when he contracted the disease. Cipla said the drug is meant for people with mild-to-moderate infection who are at high risk of developing severe disease. The company did not provide a price or a launch date. In the last 10 days, more than 33,000 Indians have died of COVID-19, with the country facing a severe shortage of COVID-19 medicine including Gilead's remdesivir and Roche's tocilizumab. Also read | Regeneron to seek US approval for COVID-19 cocktail to be used for prevention Both government and local manufacturers have said they are working to ramp up production. Smaller Indian drugmaker Natco Pharma said on Monday it received emergency use authorization for baricitinib, originally developed by Eli Lilly, to be used with remdesivir to treat COVID-19. India's official tally of coronavirus infections has crossed 20 million and is second only to the United States. Deaths have reached 226,188, but experts say the real tally could be several times higher.

India approves Roche/Regeneron antibody cocktail to treat COVID-19

Amid the devastating COVID-19 crisis in the country, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has transported as many as 180 empty cryogenic oxygen containers and other relief material like oxygen cylinders, oxygen plant equipment, essential medicines and hospital equipment.&nbsp;

The Airlift of the IAF's RAMT (Rapid Action Medical Team) and medical officers and personnel of the Indian Navy has also been undertaken.&nbsp;

A total of eight C-17, four IL-76, ten C-130, and 20 An-32 aircraft, as well as Mi-17V5 and Chinook helicopters, have been employed by the IAF and have together clocked over 360 hours of flying.

The country is currently witnessing a catastrophic COVID-19 wave. Over the last few weeks, hospitals have repeatedly flagged shortages in medical supplies including medical oxygen. As many as 3,57,229 new COVID-19 cases, 3,20,289 discharges and 3,449 deaths were reported in the country on Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry informed.

The total cases stand at 2,02,82,833, while 1,66,13,292 recoveries have been reported so far. The death toll stands at 2,22,408. There are currently 34,47,133 active cases in the country.

Amid the devastating COVID-19 crisis in the country, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has transported as many as 180 empty cryogenic oxygen containers and other relief material like oxygen cylinders, oxygen plant equipment, essential medicines and hospital equipment.

Amid the devastating COVID-19 crisis in the country, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has transported as many as 180 empty cryogenic oxygen containers and other relief material like oxygen cylinders, oxygen plant equipment, essential medicines and hospital equipment. The Airlift of the IAF's RAMT (Rapid Action Medical Team) and medical officers and personnel of the Indian Navy has also been undertaken. A total of eight C-17, four IL-76, ten C-130, and 20 An-32 aircraft, as well as Mi-17V5 and Chinook helicopters, have been employed by the IAF and have together clocked over 360 hours of flying. The country is currently witnessing a catastrophic COVID-19 wave. Over the last few weeks, hospitals have repeatedly flagged shortages in medical supplies including medical oxygen. As many as 3,57,229 new COVID-19 cases, 3,20,289 discharges and 3,449 deaths were reported in the country on Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry informed. The total cases stand at 2,02,82,833, while 1,66,13,292 recoveries have been reported so far. The death toll stands at 2,22,408. There are currently 34,47,133 active cases in the country.

COVID-19 crisis: Over 180 cryogenic oxygen containers transported by Indian Air Force

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be doing all his meetings virtually in London after he was exposed to possible Covid positive cases.

The EAM is in London for the G7 foreign ministers meet where India has been invited as a guest along with India, Australia, South Korea, South Africa, and the secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It has been reported that some members of the Indian delegation have been confirmed covid positive.

EAM tweeted, "Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well."

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Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1389854062762409987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Indian delegation had tested Covid negative when they had left for the UK on Sunday. In fact, some members of the delegation have been vaccinated as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sources said, "Working out with UK health authorities and what needs to be done."&nbsp;As of now, the entire Indian delegation has isolated and healthy.&nbsp;The Indian foreign minister is in the UK from&nbsp;May 3 to&nbsp;6, and he is expected to come back towards the end of the week.

Today was the last day of the G7, but it was important since the focus was on the invited guest countries. Along with guest countries, foreign ministers in the G7 summit&nbsp;are discussing issues like n Open Societies, Vaccines/Health, Climate/Girl’s Education. EAM joined all the meetings virtually and will also call on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson virtually.

UK PM said, "I think it is very important to try to continue as much business as you can as a government. We have a very important relationship with India, with our G7 partners. As I understand, what's happened is that the individual concerned they are all isolating now. I will be seeing the Indian foreign minister later on this afternoon but that will be a zoom exchange".

In his London visit, EAM so far has met South Africa's FM Dr. Naledi Pandor, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, US Secretary of state Antony Blinken. He also had a conversation with EU FM Josep Borrell and a trilateral with French FM Jean-Yves Le Drian and Australian FM Marise Payne, but no pictures were released of the meeting.&nbsp;

G7 FMs meet, along with guest countries was the biggest in-person gathering of foreign ministers amid the covid pandemic, and such physical meet is happening after a gap of over two&nbsp;and half years. The last meeting happened in France.

India is being invited since 2019 on a continuous basis for G7 meets, first by France, then by the US, and this year by the British. Indian PM has been invited for the leader's summit that will take place in the UK later physically, which could also see the first in-person Quad meetings as well.&nbsp;

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be doing all his meetings virtually in London after he was exposed to possible Covid positive cases. The EAM is in London for the G7 foreign ministers meet where India has been invited as a guest along with India, Australia, South Korea, South Africa, and the secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be doing all his meetings virtually in London after he was exposed to possible Covid positive cases. The EAM is in London for the G7 foreign ministers meet where India has been invited as a guest along with India, Australia, South Korea, South Africa, and the secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It has been reported that some members of the Indian delegation have been confirmed covid positive. EAM tweeted, "Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well." Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well. — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 5, 2021 × The Indian delegation had tested Covid negative when they had left for the UK on Sunday. In fact, some members of the delegation have been vaccinated as well. Sources said, "Working out with UK health authorities and what needs to be done." As of now, the entire Indian delegation has isolated and healthy. The Indian foreign minister is in the UK from May 3 to 6, and he is expected to come back towards the end of the week. Today was the last day of the G7, but it was important since the focus was on the invited guest countries. Along with guest countries, foreign ministers in the G7 summit are discussing issues like n Open Societies, Vaccines/Health, Climate/Girl’s Education. EAM joined all the meetings virtually and will also call on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson virtually. UK PM said, "I think it is very important to try to continue as much business as you can as a government. We have a very important relationship with India, with our G7 partners. As I understand, what's happened is that the individual concerned they are all isolating now. I will be seeing the Indian foreign minister later on this afternoon but that will be a zoom exchange". In his London visit, EAM so far has met South Africa's FM Dr. Naledi Pandor, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, US Secretary of state Antony Blinken. He also had a conversation with EU FM Josep Borrell and a trilateral with French FM Jean-Yves Le Drian and Australian FM Marise Payne, but no pictures were released of the meeting. G7 FMs meet, along with guest countries was the biggest in-person gathering of foreign ministers amid the covid pandemic, and such physical meet is happening after a gap of over two and half years. The last meeting happened in France. India is being invited since 2019 on a continuous basis for G7 meets, first by France, then by the US, and this year by the British. Indian PM has been invited for the leader's summit that will take place in the UK later physically, which could also see the first in-person Quad meetings as well.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's participation at G7 summit goes virtual over Covid worries

India&nbsp;accounted for 46 per cent&nbsp;of the new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> cases recorded worldwide last week and one in four deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.

The surge of the coronavirus in&nbsp;India, including of a highly infectious new variant first identified there, has seen hospitals runs out of beds and oxygen, and morgues and crematoriums overflowing.&nbsp;

Worldwide, 5.7 million new cases were reported last week and more than 93,000 deaths, the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological report.&nbsp;India&nbsp;reported nearly 2.6 million new cases, a 20 per cent&nbsp;increase on the previous week, and 23,231 deaths.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-covid-19-cases-cross-20-million-382724">India's&nbsp;COVID-19 cases cross 20 million</a>&nbsp;

The figures are based on official tallies, so&nbsp;India's proportion could be even larger if, as many experts believe, a large number of cases and deaths are not being recorded there as the system becomes overwhelmed.&nbsp;India&nbsp;accounts for almost 18 per cent&nbsp;of the world's population.

There are signs that&nbsp;India's outbreak is spreading to its neighbours. Nepal recorded a 137 per cent&nbsp;increase in cases to 31,088 last week, while Sri Lanka's COVID-19 outbreak was also growing, the WHO said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-coronavirus-variants-are-proving-to-be-fatal-for-patients-in-india-382809">Why coronavirus variants are proving to be fatal for patients in India</a>

On Tuesday&nbsp;India&nbsp;became the second country to record 20 million infections, after the United States.&nbsp;India's coronavirus deaths rose by a record 3,780 during the last 24 hours, with daily infections rising by 382,315 on Wednesday, health ministry data showed.

India accounted for 46 per cent of the new COVID-19 cases recorded worldwide last week and one in four deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.

India accounted for 46 per cent of the new COVID-19 cases recorded worldwide last week and one in four deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. The surge of the coronavirus in India, including of a highly infectious new variant first identified there, has seen hospitals runs out of beds and oxygen, and morgues and crematoriums overflowing. Worldwide, 5.7 million new cases were reported last week and more than 93,000 deaths, the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological report. India reported nearly 2.6 million new cases, a 20 per cent increase on the previous week, and 23,231 deaths. Also read | India's COVID-19 cases cross 20 million The figures are based on official tallies, so India's proportion could be even larger if, as many experts believe, a large number of cases and deaths are not being recorded there as the system becomes overwhelmed. India accounts for almost 18 per cent of the world's population. There are signs that India's outbreak is spreading to its neighbours. Nepal recorded a 137 per cent increase in cases to 31,088 last week, while Sri Lanka's COVID-19 outbreak was also growing, the WHO said. Also read | Why coronavirus variants are proving to be fatal for patients in India On Tuesday India became the second country to record 20 million infections, after the United States. India's coronavirus deaths rose by a record 3,780 during the last 24 hours, with daily infections rising by 382,315 on Wednesday, health ministry data showed.

India accounts for 46 per cent of world's new COVID-19 cases, quarter of deaths: WHO

In a significant development, the much-awaited physical trilateral meeting between Indian, Australian, and French foreign ministers took place in London on Tuesday.&nbsp;

This is the first-ever trilateral meet of Indian External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Australian FM Marise Payne who met on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' meet in London.

The G7 meeting is the first in-person interaction of&nbsp;foreign ministers of the grouping amid the pandemic. The meet is happening after more than two years, and the last such meet was in France in 2019. 
 
G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. For the G7 FMs meet this year, the UK as the host had invited India, Australia, South Korea, South Africa and the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The France-India-Australia trilateral was launched in September 2020 at foreign secretaries' level with three joint priorities: maritime security, environment, and multilateralism. 
 
There have been senior official's meetings on each track since then, and now it is being raised to ministerial level.

The trilateral mechanism is elevated at the ministerial level within one year of its inception.

The focus of the three countries is&nbsp; expectedly also on Indo-Pacific as well.

Both France and Australia are part of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)&nbsp; announced by India in 2019.

France's joining the IPOI was announced during the French foreign minister's visit to New Delhi last month.

Naval forces of all the three countries have been also exercising with each other under several formats, from India-France bilateral naval exercises Varuna, to Malabar Naval exercises with the involvement of Quad countries -India, Japan, Australia, and the US or the La Pérouse -Franch Naval forces with Quad member countries.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, the mechanism had met at the senior officials level.

The Indian side was led by Joint Secretary (Europe West) in MEA, Sandeep Chakravorty while the French side was led by Bertrand Lortholary, Director (Asia and Oceania), and the Australian side was led by Mr Gary Cowan, First Assistant Secretary (North and South Asia Division) and John Geering, First Assistant Secretary (Europe and Latin America Division).

In a significant development, the much-awaited physical trilateral meeting between Indian, Australian, and French foreign ministers took place in London on Tuesday.

In a significant development, the much-awaited physical trilateral meeting between Indian, Australian, and French foreign ministers took place in London on Tuesday. This is the first-ever trilateral meet of Indian External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Australian FM Marise Payne who met on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' meet in London. The G7 meeting is the first in-person interaction of foreign ministers of the grouping amid the pandemic. The meet is happening after more than two years, and the last such meet was in France in 2019. G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. For the G7 FMs meet this year, the UK as the host had invited India, Australia, South Korea, South Africa and the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The France-India-Australia trilateral was launched in September 2020 at foreign secretaries' level with three joint priorities: maritime security, environment, and multilateralism. There have been senior official's meetings on each track since then, and now it is being raised to ministerial level. The trilateral mechanism is elevated at the ministerial level within one year of its inception. The focus of the three countries is expectedly also on Indo-Pacific as well. Both France and Australia are part of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) announced by India in 2019. France's joining the IPOI was announced during the French foreign minister's visit to New Delhi last month. Naval forces of all the three countries have been also exercising with each other under several formats, from India-France bilateral naval exercises Varuna, to Malabar Naval exercises with the involvement of Quad countries -India, Japan, Australia, and the US or the La Pérouse -Franch Naval forces with Quad member countries. Earlier this year, the mechanism had met at the senior officials level. The Indian side was led by Joint Secretary (Europe West) in MEA, Sandeep Chakravorty while the French side was led by Bertrand Lortholary, Director (Asia and Oceania), and the Australian side was led by Mr Gary Cowan, First Assistant Secretary (North and South Asia Division) and John Geering, First Assistant Secretary (Europe and Latin America Division).

India, France, Australian foreign ministers hold first ever trilateral in London

Two members of the Indian delegation at the G7 meeting in London have tested positive for COVID-19.&nbsp;

After this, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has decided to conduct all his engagements at the G7 meeting in virtual mode.

Jaishankar made the announcement on Twitter saying, "Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well."

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Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1389854062762409987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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As host, the UK has invited additional countries to join as guests at the meeting, including India in its capacity as Chair. On Monday, Jaishankar had also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

This is the first time that an in-person meeting of the group`s foreign ministers is taking place after more than two years. The members of the G7 are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, with the European Union present as an observer.

India's entire delegation to a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in London is self-isolating after two members tested positive for COVID-19, a British government official said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two members of the Indian delegation at the G7 meeting in London have tested positive for COVID-19. After this, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has decided to conduct all his engagements at the G7 meeting in virtual mode.

Two members of the Indian delegation at the G7 meeting in London have tested positive for COVID-19. After this, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has decided to conduct all his engagements at the G7 meeting in virtual mode. Jaishankar made the announcement on Twitter saying, "Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well." Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well. — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 5, 2021 × As host, the UK has invited additional countries to join as guests at the meeting, including India in its capacity as Chair. On Monday, Jaishankar had also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This is the first time that an in-person meeting of the group`s foreign ministers is taking place after more than two years. The members of the G7 are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, with the European Union present as an observer. India's entire delegation to a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in London is self-isolating after two members tested positive for COVID-19, a British government official said. (With inputs from agencies)

G7 meet: Two members of Indian delegation test Covid positive, Jaishankar to go virtual

After India registered more than 400,000 new cases- a new record on Saturday last week, there was a decline in daily cases, with the figure reaching 357,229 on Tuesday.

India sees record 3,780 COVID-19 deaths in 1 day

A 73-year-old Australian, who is stranded in India since March last year, has filed a lawsuit before a Sydney court against the federal government for banning flights from India and threatening to prosecute those attempting to enter the country with the possibility of a jail term and a penalty, saying the move is 'unconstitutional'.&nbsp;

The lawyers of Gary Newman, who is stranded in Bengaluru since March last year, have argued in the federal court in Sydney that the ban was 'unconstitutional'.&nbsp;

The Australian government, for the first time in history, recently imposed a ban on its citizens from returning home, if they have spent time in India up to 14 days before flying back.&nbsp;

The government threatened to prosecute them with a possibility of five years of jail term or a penalty of 66,000 Australian dollars (USD 50,899).&nbsp;

Michael Bradley and Chris Ward lodged the application before Justice Stephen Burley on Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The application firstly said that the Commonwealth was acting outside its powers and secondly, Health Minister Greg Hunt's declaration was in breach of an implied freedom to return home, ABC news reported.&nbsp;

Newman is represented by Bradley and Ward, who would work as pro bono to overturn the temporary ban. Pro bono generally refers to services that are rendered by a professional for free or at a lower cost for the public good.&nbsp;

At a brief directions hearing, Ward said Newman was in Bengaluru and 'wishes' to return home, but had been 'prevented' from doing so by Hunt's declaration.&nbsp;

Burley ordered that the proceedings be expedited and a formal hearing date be determined within the next 24 to 48 hours.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Hunt issued a statement on the travel ban for Australians returning from India.&nbsp;

The statement said, ''the Government will implement a temporary pause on travellers from India entering Australian territory if the passenger has been in India within 14 days of the person's time of departure".&nbsp;

The temporary pause, announced after the National Cabinet, was based on advice about the worsening COVID-19 situation in India.&nbsp;

The pause came into effect on Monday and will be reviewed on May 15.&nbsp;

Hunt said the risk assessment that informed the decision was based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia, who have acquired a COVID-19 infection in India.&nbsp;

The move triggered a backlash with several lawmakers, doctors, civil societies and businessmen criticising the government for 'abandoning' Australians in India and threatening the travellers with a hefty penalty and a jail term.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, while speaking to reporters, defended the decision and said that the pause 'is working', which means it will enable the government to get Australian residents and their immediate families back on repatriation flights.&nbsp;

India is struggling with an unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past one week.&nbsp;

According to Indian health ministry data on Wednesday, a record 3,780 fresh COVID-19 fatalities were registered in a single day in India, taking the death toll to 2,26,188, while 3,82,315 new coronavirus infections were recorded.&nbsp;

With the fresh cases, the total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 2,06,65,148.&nbsp;

A 73-year-old Australian, who is stranded in India since March last year, has filed a lawsuit before a Sydney court against the federal government for banning flights from India and threatening to prosecute those attempting to enter the country with the possibility of a jail term and a penalty, saying the move is 'unconstitutional'.

A 73-year-old Australian, who is stranded in India since March last year, has filed a lawsuit before a Sydney court against the federal government for banning flights from India and threatening to prosecute those attempting to enter the country with the possibility of a jail term and a penalty, saying the move is 'unconstitutional'. The lawyers of Gary Newman, who is stranded in Bengaluru since March last year, have argued in the federal court in Sydney that the ban was 'unconstitutional'. The Australian government, for the first time in history, recently imposed a ban on its citizens from returning home, if they have spent time in India up to 14 days before flying back. The government threatened to prosecute them with a possibility of five years of jail term or a penalty of 66,000 Australian dollars (USD 50,899). Michael Bradley and Chris Ward lodged the application before Justice Stephen Burley on Wednesday afternoon. The application firstly said that the Commonwealth was acting outside its powers and secondly, Health Minister Greg Hunt's declaration was in breach of an implied freedom to return home, ABC news reported. Newman is represented by Bradley and Ward, who would work as pro bono to overturn the temporary ban. Pro bono generally refers to services that are rendered by a professional for free or at a lower cost for the public good. At a brief directions hearing, Ward said Newman was in Bengaluru and 'wishes' to return home, but had been 'prevented' from doing so by Hunt's declaration. Burley ordered that the proceedings be expedited and a formal hearing date be determined within the next 24 to 48 hours. On Saturday, Hunt issued a statement on the travel ban for Australians returning from India. The statement said, ''the Government will implement a temporary pause on travellers from India entering Australian territory if the passenger has been in India within 14 days of the person's time of departure". The temporary pause, announced after the National Cabinet, was based on advice about the worsening COVID-19 situation in India. The pause came into effect on Monday and will be reviewed on May 15. Hunt said the risk assessment that informed the decision was based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia, who have acquired a COVID-19 infection in India. The move triggered a backlash with several lawmakers, doctors, civil societies and businessmen criticising the government for 'abandoning' Australians in India and threatening the travellers with a hefty penalty and a jail term. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, while speaking to reporters, defended the decision and said that the pause 'is working', which means it will enable the government to get Australian residents and their immediate families back on repatriation flights. India is struggling with an unprecedented second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past one week. According to Indian health ministry data on Wednesday, a record 3,780 fresh COVID-19 fatalities were registered in a single day in India, taking the death toll to 2,26,188, while 3,82,315 new coronavirus infections were recorded. With the fresh cases, the total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 2,06,65,148.

73-yr-old Australian stuck in Bengaluru sues Morrison govt for ban on flights from India  

Top US Democratic lawmakers have launched #FreeTheVaccine campaign in support of a proposal by India and South Africa before the World Trade Organisation to temporarily waive anti-COVID vaccine patents to boost its supply.&nbsp;

More than 100 Democratic Congressmen, along with a large number of policy activists and rights bodies, launched the campaign on Tuesday, a day before the crucial meeting of the WTO General Council in Geneva.&nbsp;

"The horror in India could play out again and again in other countries if we don't act now. Blocking access to vaccines is anti-humanitarian, anti-diplomatic, and weakens American influence for good on the global stage," Congressman Lloyd Doggett tweeted.&nbsp;

Congresswoman Barbara Lee also echoed similar sentiments.&nbsp;

"India is seeing devastation right now, which could be helped if we would #FreeTheVaccine. The time is now to do what is right," she said.&nbsp;

"India's public health system is collapsing. This is no time to keep vaccines and vaccine technology from the developing world #FreeTheVaccine," Congressman Andy Levin said.&nbsp;

Last week, a group of Democratic lawmakers met Tai and White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients over the issue and urged her to support the proposal.&nbsp;

The group of lawmakers included Jan Schakowsky, Lloyd Doggett, Rosa DeLauro, Earl Blumenauer, Jesús García, Barbara Lee, Adriano Espaillat, and Andy Levin.&nbsp;

"Much of the required vaccines should be manufactured abroad near those in greatest need using American technology. We need more urgent action by the administration to remove any objection to the TRIPS waiver and permit sharing of the intellectual property required for vaccine manufacturing to get underway immediately," the lawmakers said in a joint statement.&nbsp;

"To underscore the need for action now, we hope that more taxpayers, public interest advocates, religious and business leaders will join our call on the administration. With an increasing public outcry, the administration must act," they said.&nbsp;

Joining the #FreeTheVaccine campaign, Congressman Mark Pocan said India is being devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

"I joined 110 of my colleagues demanding President Joe Biden to support a TRIPS Waiver, so the world has access to life-saving COVID vaccines," he said.&nbsp;

"We must put people's lives over Big Pharma's profits. #FreeTheVaccine," Pocan said.&nbsp;

Indian American politician from New York Jaslin Kaur also appealed to President Biden to support the proposal by India and South Africa.&nbsp;

"Tomorrow is your chance to support #TRIPSWaiver before the WTO to save millions in India," she said.&nbsp;

"COVID-19 is killing 120 Indians per hour, 3,000 people dying daily, while global superpowers hoard the vaccine + refuse to release the patents. It's apartheid, it's genocide. I'll be standing with dozens of organisations + allies tomorrow to demand a free #PeoplesVaccine for all," tweeted another Indian American politician from Virginia Karishma Mehta.&nbsp;

Dozens of non-profit organisations have scheduled a rally for vaccine access for all at the National Mall on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Prominent among them are People's Action, Justice Is Global, Amnesty International, Public Action, Africans Rising, Oxfam and Association for Concerned Africa Scholars.&nbsp;

"We know governments can do much more to end the global pandemic, including sharing vaccine recipes and helping the world make billions more doses," said the rally organisers. &nbsp;

"The Biden administration has an opportunity to make vaccines available by supporting the TRIPS Waiver at the World Trade Organisation, as proposed by India and South Africa. Furthermore, the US can and should invest money in scaling up global vaccine manufacturing. Join the call to #FreeTheVaccine!" they said.&nbsp;

Top US Democratic lawmakers have launched #FreeTheVaccine campaign in support of a proposal by India and South Africa before the World Trade Organisation to temporarily waive anti-COVID vaccine patents to boost its supply.

Top US Democratic lawmakers have launched #FreeTheVaccine campaign in support of a proposal by India and South Africa before the World Trade Organisation to temporarily waive anti-COVID vaccine patents to boost its supply. More than 100 Democratic Congressmen, along with a large number of policy activists and rights bodies, launched the campaign on Tuesday, a day before the crucial meeting of the WTO General Council in Geneva. "The horror in India could play out again and again in other countries if we don't act now. Blocking access to vaccines is anti-humanitarian, anti-diplomatic, and weakens American influence for good on the global stage," Congressman Lloyd Doggett tweeted. Congresswoman Barbara Lee also echoed similar sentiments. "India is seeing devastation right now, which could be helped if we would #FreeTheVaccine. The time is now to do what is right," she said. "India's public health system is collapsing. This is no time to keep vaccines and vaccine technology from the developing world #FreeTheVaccine," Congressman Andy Levin said. Last week, a group of Democratic lawmakers met Tai and White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients over the issue and urged her to support the proposal. The group of lawmakers included Jan Schakowsky, Lloyd Doggett, Rosa DeLauro, Earl Blumenauer, Jesús García, Barbara Lee, Adriano Espaillat, and Andy Levin. "Much of the required vaccines should be manufactured abroad near those in greatest need using American technology. We need more urgent action by the administration to remove any objection to the TRIPS waiver and permit sharing of the intellectual property required for vaccine manufacturing to get underway immediately," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "To underscore the need for action now, we hope that more taxpayers, public interest advocates, religious and business leaders will join our call on the administration. With an increasing public outcry, the administration must act," they said. Joining the #FreeTheVaccine campaign, Congressman Mark Pocan said India is being devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. "I joined 110 of my colleagues demanding President Joe Biden to support a TRIPS Waiver, so the world has access to life-saving COVID vaccines," he said. "We must put people's lives over Big Pharma's profits. #FreeTheVaccine," Pocan said. Indian American politician from New York Jaslin Kaur also appealed to President Biden to support the proposal by India and South Africa. "Tomorrow is your chance to support #TRIPSWaiver before the WTO to save millions in India," she said. "COVID-19 is killing 120 Indians per hour, 3,000 people dying daily, while global superpowers hoard the vaccine + refuse to release the patents. It's apartheid, it's genocide. I'll be standing with dozens of organisations + allies tomorrow to demand a free #PeoplesVaccine for all," tweeted another Indian American politician from Virginia Karishma Mehta. Dozens of non-profit organisations have scheduled a rally for vaccine access for all at the National Mall on Wednesday. Prominent among them are People's Action, Justice Is Global, Amnesty International, Public Action, Africans Rising, Oxfam and Association for Concerned Africa Scholars. "We know governments can do much more to end the global pandemic, including sharing vaccine recipes and helping the world make billions more doses," said the rally organisers. "The Biden administration has an opportunity to make vaccines available by supporting the TRIPS Waiver at the World Trade Organisation, as proposed by India and South Africa. Furthermore, the US can and should invest money in scaling up global vaccine manufacturing. Join the call to #FreeTheVaccine!" they said.

US lawmakers launch #FreeTheVaccine campaign in support of India, South Africa  

As India fights a massive second wave of Covid pandemic with medical oxygen in short supply, an alumni group from Singapore's prominent universities has launched a crowdfunding initiative to source oxygen concentrators for India from overseas suppliers.

Each oxygen concentrator costs about $800 and can save more than 40 lives. The group has already achieved 78 per cent of its $150,000 goal&nbsp;till now.

The group behind the Singapore Universities Mission Oxygen (SUMO) drive includes former students of the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU) as well as Anoj Viswanathan, the founder of Milaap, a crowdfunding <a href="www.milaap.org">website.</a>
<img alt="Members of the SUMO group" data-caption="Members of the SUMO group" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5b3b7f1f-d754-4f30-8992-7e0c38e1945d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Members%20of%20the%20SUMO%20group.jpg" />
The oxygen concentrators bought through the initiative will be given to two organisations , CEL and Mission Mercy, which are working on the ground to help COVID-19 patients struggling to get access to medical oxygen.

The concentrators will be set up in the community health centres to provide care to patients locally by Community Empowerment Lab (CEL), the winners of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Award 2014.&nbsp; CEL is&nbsp;led by NTU alumna Aarti Kumar and John Hopkins University-educated doctor Vishwajeet.&nbsp;

Besides oxygen concentrators, the Mercy&nbsp;Mission will also be providing ambulance teams of paramedical staff and trained volunteers to help the patients while they are being transported to hospitals.

Since its establishment, Mercy Mission has been receiving an average of more than 2,000 calls on their helpline.

Being a crowdfunded mission, the group is welcoming donations from citizens wanting to in these challenging times. Donations for this initiative can be made <a href="https://milaap.org/fundraisers/SUMO?utm_source=shorturl">here.</a>

&nbsp;

As India fights a massive second wave of Covid pandemic with medical oxygen in short supply, an alumni group from Singapore's prominent universities has launched a crowdfunding initiative to source oxygen concentrators for India from overseas suppliers.

As India fights a massive second wave of Covid pandemic with medical oxygen in short supply, an alumni group from Singapore's prominent universities has launched a crowdfunding initiative to source oxygen concentrators for India from overseas suppliers. Each oxygen concentrator costs about $800 and can save more than 40 lives. The group has already achieved 78 per cent of its $150,000 goal till now. The group behind the Singapore Universities Mission Oxygen (SUMO) drive includes former students of the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU) as well as Anoj Viswanathan, the founder of Milaap, a crowdfunding website. The oxygen concentrators bought through the initiative will be given to two organisations , CEL and Mission Mercy, which are working on the ground to help COVID-19 patients struggling to get access to medical oxygen. The concentrators will be set up in the community health centres to provide care to patients locally by Community Empowerment Lab (CEL), the winners of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Award 2014. CEL is led by NTU alumna Aarti Kumar and John Hopkins University-educated doctor Vishwajeet. Besides oxygen concentrators, the Mercy Mission will also be providing ambulance teams of paramedical staff and trained volunteers to help the patients while they are being transported to hospitals. Since its establishment, Mercy Mission has been receiving an average of more than 2,000 calls on their helpline. Being a crowdfunded mission, the group is welcoming donations from citizens wanting to in these challenging times. Donations for this initiative can be made here.

COVID-19: Alumni of Singapore universities launch crowdfunding drive for oxygen concentrators to India

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