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A group of foreign envoys has arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir, India. The visit follows the country's move to restore 4G mobile internet services in J&K 18 months after the amendment of Article 370.

WION Dispatch: Foreign envoys on a visit to Jammu & Kashmir

India is committed to bring natural gas into the goods and services tax regime to make prices cheaper and uniform across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.

He said India was spending 7.5 trillion rupees ($103.05 billion) over 5 years to build its oil and gas infrastructure.

India is committed to bring natural gas into the goods and services tax regime to make prices cheaper and uniform across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.

India is committed to bring natural gas into the goods and services tax regime to make prices cheaper and uniform across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday. He said India was spending 7.5 trillion rupees ($103.05 billion) over 5 years to build its oil and gas infrastructure.

India committed to bring natural gas under GST, says PM Modi

During their two-day visit, the envoys would receive first-hand information on the development work undertaken by the union territory administration after the abrogation of the special status.

Foreign envoys reach Srinagar on a two-day visit

India on Wednesday reported 11,610 new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-covid-19-recoveries-hit-106-crore-national-recovery-rate-now-at-9732-364097">coronavirus</a> cases including 100 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the total death toll to 1,55,913.

The number of active cases has reached 1,36,549, according to the Health ministry with vaccinations reaching 89,99,230 people. The total number of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-take-part-in-india-led-initiative-on-covid-19-crisis-364224">COVID-19</a> cases has reached 1,09,37,320.

Andhra Pradesh reported 60 new COVID-19 cases taking the total number of cases to 8,88,959 with the death toll reaching 7,163. In Kerala, there were 4,937 new coronavirus cases including 18 deaths with the number of active cases reaching 60,761.

Maharashtra which has been the worst-hit state due to the virus reported 3,663 new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/has-india-successfully-tamed-coronavirus-363881">COVID-19 </a>cases with the number of active cases reaching 37,125.

Meanwhile, the ICMR informed that there were 187 UK variant patients in the country with all cases quarantined and treated. In India, the South African strain of COVID19 has been detected in 4 returnees from South Africa, the ICMR informed.

The Brazilian variant of SAS-CoV-2 was detected in the first week of February. The health ministry informed that 24 countries have been sent COVID-19 vaccine.

The ministry said Rajasthan, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura &amp; Bihar have administered the first doses of vaccine to more than 70 per cent of the registered healthcare workers.

India on Wednesday reported 11,610 new coronavirus cases including 100 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the total death toll to 1,55,913. The number of active cases has reached 1,36,549, according to the Health ministry with vaccinations reaching 89,99,230 people.

India on Wednesday reported 11,610 new coronavirus cases including 100 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the total death toll to 1,55,913. The number of active cases has reached 1,36,549, according to the Health ministry with vaccinations reaching 89,99,230 people. The total number of COVID-19 cases has reached 1,09,37,320. Andhra Pradesh reported 60 new COVID-19 cases taking the total number of cases to 8,88,959 with the death toll reaching 7,163. In Kerala, there were 4,937 new coronavirus cases including 18 deaths with the number of active cases reaching 60,761. Maharashtra which has been the worst-hit state due to the virus reported 3,663 new COVID-19 cases with the number of active cases reaching 37,125. Meanwhile, the ICMR informed that there were 187 UK variant patients in the country with all cases quarantined and treated. In India, the South African strain of COVID19 has been detected in 4 returnees from South Africa, the ICMR informed. The Brazilian variant of SAS-CoV-2 was detected in the first week of February. The health ministry informed that 24 countries have been sent COVID-19 vaccine. The ministry said Rajasthan, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura & Bihar have administered the first doses of vaccine to more than 70 per cent of the registered healthcare workers.

187 UK variant patients in India, all under quarantine, says health ministry

Young voters of Vadodara city have received an attractive election promise from the opposition Congress for civic body elections.&nbsp;

To attract young voters Congress in its manifesto, which was released on Tuesday, has promised to set up coffee shops for youngsters from the middle class and lower-middle-class backgrounds.&nbsp;

According to the party's city unit president Prashant Patel, such facilities are the need of the hour.&nbsp;

"Coffee shops or cafes are expensive. Youths from middle and lower-middle-class can hardly afford to pay huge bills. We are in the 21st century and we must promote a culture where our youngsters can sit and enjoy private moments without any fear," Patel told PTI.&nbsp;

If the Congress is voted to power, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) will build cafes, which will double up as dating destinations, he said.&nbsp;

These amenities will also generate employment for locals, he added.&nbsp;

Notably, over 60,000 students take admission every year at state-run MS University and three to four private universities that have campuses in and around Vadodara city.&nbsp;

Apart from cafes, the city Congress has also promised to build clubhouses where women can organise kitty parties at affordable rates, Patel said.&nbsp;

Elections to six municipal corporations in Gujarat, including the BJP-ruled VMC, will take place on February 21.&nbsp;

As many as 81 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka panchayats will go to polls on February 28. &nbsp;

&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

Young voters of Vadodara city have received an attractive election promise from the opposition Congress for civic body elections. To attract young voters Congress in its manifesto, which was released on Tuesday, has promised to set up coffee shops for youngsters from the middle class and lower-middle-class backgrounds.

Young voters of Vadodara city have received an attractive election promise from the opposition Congress for civic body elections. To attract young voters Congress in its manifesto, which was released on Tuesday, has promised to set up coffee shops for youngsters from the middle class and lower-middle-class backgrounds. According to the party's city unit president Prashant Patel, such facilities are the need of the hour. "Coffee shops or cafes are expensive. Youths from middle and lower-middle-class can hardly afford to pay huge bills. We are in the 21st century and we must promote a culture where our youngsters can sit and enjoy private moments without any fear," Patel told PTI. If the Congress is voted to power, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) will build cafes, which will double up as dating destinations, he said. These amenities will also generate employment for locals, he added. Notably, over 60,000 students take admission every year at state-run MS University and three to four private universities that have campuses in and around Vadodara city. Apart from cafes, the city Congress has also promised to build clubhouses where women can organise kitty parties at affordable rates, Patel said. Elections to six municipal corporations in Gujarat, including the BJP-ruled VMC, will take place on February 21. As many as 81 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka panchayats will go to polls on February 28. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress promises to build ‘dating destinations’ if it wins Vadodara civic polls 

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is coming to Dhaka on March 4. During his two-day visit, the issues of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh will be finalized. &nbsp;

Discussions are also underway with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen to fix a date for Jaishankar's bilateral meeting. &nbsp;

An official of the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the WION this.&nbsp;

It is learned that PM Narendra Modi will take part in a function on March 26 to mark the birth centenary of Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of great independence. &nbsp;

He is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina the next day. During Narendra Modi's visit, the two foreign ministers will discuss the agenda and possible agreements.&nbsp;

This is Jaishankar's second visit to Dhaka as foreign minister. 
 
There has been increased engagement between the two&nbsp;countries in the last few years. December saw the India-Bangladesh virtual summit at the level of Prime Ministers. &nbsp;

During the summit, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Indian Armed forces and thanked India for the liberation of the country from Pakistan in 1971.&nbsp; 
 
In January, Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was in India for the foreign office consultations. He had called ties with India "deep and historic".&nbsp;

Amid the covid pandemic, India sent two&nbsp;million doses of the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) to Bangladesh. Later commercial consignments were also sent. The key focus has also been on reviving the pre-1965 connectivity links. The December virtual summit saw the opening of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail link connecting Bangladesh with the Indian state of West Bengal.&nbsp;

Currently, 5 out of 6 'pre-1965' rail links have been revived, which are Haldibari-Chilahati rail link, Petrapole (India) - Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) – Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh) and Radhikapur (India)–Birol (Bangladesh).

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is coming to Dhaka on March 4. During his two-day visit, the issues of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh will be finalized.

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is coming to Dhaka on March 4. During his two-day visit, the issues of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh will be finalized. Discussions are also underway with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen to fix a date for Jaishankar's bilateral meeting. An official of the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the WION this. It is learned that PM Narendra Modi will take part in a function on March 26 to mark the birth centenary of Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of great independence. He is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina the next day. During Narendra Modi's visit, the two foreign ministers will discuss the agenda and possible agreements. This is Jaishankar's second visit to Dhaka as foreign minister. There has been increased engagement between the two countries in the last few years. December saw the India-Bangladesh virtual summit at the level of Prime Ministers. During the summit, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Indian Armed forces and thanked India for the liberation of the country from Pakistan in 1971. In January, Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was in India for the foreign office consultations. He had called ties with India "deep and historic". Amid the covid pandemic, India sent two million doses of the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) to Bangladesh. Later commercial consignments were also sent. The key focus has also been on reviving the pre-1965 connectivity links. The December virtual summit saw the opening of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail link connecting Bangladesh with the Indian state of West Bengal. Currently, 5 out of 6 'pre-1965' rail links have been revived, which are Haldibari-Chilahati rail link, Petrapole (India) - Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) – Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh) and Radhikapur (India)–Birol (Bangladesh).

Ahead Of PM Modi's visit, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to visit Bangladesh on March 4 

India reported 9,121 new coronavirus cases including 81 fatalities in the last 24 hours as the number of active cases rose to 1,36,872.

Watch:

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The death toll due to the virus in India has been declining in recent weeks. The county had reported 90 deaths on Monday. India's health ministry had said that the number of daily new deaths has been declining since October 1, 2020.

The total death toll due to the virus has risen to 1,55,813 even as&nbsp;vaccinations across the country has reached 87,20,82, according to the health ministry.

According to the health ministry, the first dose of the vaccine has been given to 60,57,162 people while the second dose has been administered&nbsp;to 97,732 beneficiaries.

Maharashtra which has been the worst-hit state in the country due to the virus reported &nbsp;3,365 new coronavirus cases including 23 deaths in the past 24 hours with the total death toll rising to 51,552.

The number of active cases in the state has reached 36,201 with the total number of cases rising to 20,67,643. Tamil Nadu which has also been hit hard with the virus reported 455 new coronavirus cases including 6 deaths with the total death toll rising to 12,425.

In Karnataka, there were 368 new coronavirus cases with two deaths with the total deaths rising to &nbsp;12,267. The total number of cases in the state has risen to 9,45,638.

India reported 9,121 new coronavirus cases including 81 fatalities in the last 24 hours as the number of active cases rose to 1,36,872. Watch: The death toll due to the virus in India has been declining in recent weeks.

India reported 9,121 new coronavirus cases including 81 fatalities in the last 24 hours as the number of active cases rose to 1,36,872. Watch: The death toll due to the virus in India has been declining in recent weeks. The county had reported 90 deaths on Monday. India's health ministry had said that the number of daily new deaths has been declining since October 1, 2020. The total death toll due to the virus has risen to 1,55,813 even as vaccinations across the country has reached 87,20,82, according to the health ministry. According to the health ministry, the first dose of the vaccine has been given to 60,57,162 people while the second dose has been administered to 97,732 beneficiaries. Maharashtra which has been the worst-hit state in the country due to the virus reported 3,365 new coronavirus cases including 23 deaths in the past 24 hours with the total death toll rising to 51,552. The number of active cases in the state has reached 36,201 with the total number of cases rising to 20,67,643. Tamil Nadu which has also been hit hard with the virus reported 455 new coronavirus cases including 6 deaths with the total death toll rising to 12,425. In Karnataka, there were 368 new coronavirus cases with two deaths with the total deaths rising to 12,267. The total number of cases in the state has risen to 9,45,638.

India reports over 9,000 COVID-19 cases, death rate continues to decline

India has called for the winding down of the UN peacekeeping missions that have completed their mandates or outlived purpose.

Speaking at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)&nbsp;debate on UN Peacekeeping Operations, India's envoy to UN T.S. Tirumurti said, "Peacekeeping missions are meant to be transitional measures and not operate in perpetuity. There is an urgent need for time-bound exit strategies to ensure that peacekeeping missions do not become instruments for furthering political interests."

The development assumes significance even as many other missions including United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) have long outlived their function. UNMOGIP came into existence after the India, Pakistan war of 1947. New Delhi, since the Shimla pact of 1972 was signed sees no purpose for it as it doesn't recognise any third party role in the region. While Pakistan keeps UNMOGIP alive by sending any ceasefire violation report, and for its own political purpose, the last report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on UNMOGIP was published in 1972. &nbsp;

During the statement by Envoy Tirumuti while lauding UN peacekeepers as the "one singular iconic image that has become synonymous with peace, then it is that of the UN peacekeeper with the blue helmet", he called for "need for appropriate equipment for not only for safety and security of personnel" and expressed disappointment over lack of "consensus on the need to increase reimbursement rates."

Elaborating, "Peacekeepers have long been the best chance for peace...India pays rich tribute to all the brave women and men who have served under the UN flag and continue to serve in peacekeeping mission with the highest professionalism, dedication, and courage."

UN peacekeepers are reimbursed by the UN at a standard rate, approved by the General Assembly. The approved budget for UN Peacekeeping operations for the fiscal year July 01, 2020 - June 30, 2021, is $6.58 billion.

The Indian envoy to UN in his extensive statement listed out New Delhi's focus areas vis-a-vis UN Peacekeeping which are transparency in selecting contingents, more women in missions, exit strategies, matching mandates with resources, honest assessment and feedback, effective implementation of Integrated Performance Policy Framework.&nbsp;

India is one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping. In fact, in 2007, in a first, India sent an all-women UN police peacekeeping contingent in Liberia which was hailed as an important development in the history of UN Peacekeeping. &nbsp;

Tirumuti said, "India is committed to working with partners of this Committee on measures to make UN peacekeeping operations more effective, efficient, and transformative." Amid the covid pandemic, India dispatched two medical teams and upgraded its peacekeeping hospitals in United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or MONUSCO in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo and in United Nations Mission in South Sudan or UNMISS in Juba, South Sudan.

India has called for the winding down of the UN peacekeeping missions that have completed their mandates or outlived purpose. Speaking at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) debate on UN Peacekeeping Operations, India's envoy to UN T.

India has called for the winding down of the UN peacekeeping missions that have completed their mandates or outlived purpose. Speaking at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) debate on UN Peacekeeping Operations, India's envoy to UN T.S. Tirumurti said, "Peacekeeping missions are meant to be transitional measures and not operate in perpetuity. There is an urgent need for time-bound exit strategies to ensure that peacekeeping missions do not become instruments for furthering political interests." The development assumes significance even as many other missions including United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) have long outlived their function. UNMOGIP came into existence after the India, Pakistan war of 1947. New Delhi, since the Shimla pact of 1972 was signed sees no purpose for it as it doesn't recognise any third party role in the region. While Pakistan keeps UNMOGIP alive by sending any ceasefire violation report, and for its own political purpose, the last report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on UNMOGIP was published in 1972. During the statement by Envoy Tirumuti while lauding UN peacekeepers as the "one singular iconic image that has become synonymous with peace, then it is that of the UN peacekeeper with the blue helmet", he called for "need for appropriate equipment for not only for safety and security of personnel" and expressed disappointment over lack of "consensus on the need to increase reimbursement rates." Elaborating, "Peacekeepers have long been the best chance for peace...India pays rich tribute to all the brave women and men who have served under the UN flag and continue to serve in peacekeeping mission with the highest professionalism, dedication, and courage." UN peacekeepers are reimbursed by the UN at a standard rate, approved by the General Assembly. The approved budget for UN Peacekeeping operations for the fiscal year July 01, 2020 - June 30, 2021, is $6.58 billion. The Indian envoy to UN in his extensive statement listed out New Delhi's focus areas vis-a-vis UN Peacekeeping which are transparency in selecting contingents, more women in missions, exit strategies, matching mandates with resources, honest assessment and feedback, effective implementation of Integrated Performance Policy Framework. India is one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping. In fact, in 2007, in a first, India sent an all-women UN police peacekeeping contingent in Liberia which was hailed as an important development in the history of UN Peacekeeping. Tirumuti said, "India is committed to working with partners of this Committee on measures to make UN peacekeeping operations more effective, efficient, and transformative." Amid the covid pandemic, India dispatched two medical teams and upgraded its peacekeeping hospitals in United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or MONUSCO in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo and in United Nations Mission in South Sudan or UNMISS in Juba, South Sudan.

India calls for winding down of UN mission who have completed mandates

India will host a meet of regional countries on COVID crisis next week, expectedly on February 22. The meet at the official level,&nbsp;primarily among health experts will focus on the exchange of good practices to deal with the crisis. Many of the countries who have been invited are members of the SAARC grouping. Pakistan has also been sent the invite.

Interestingly, the meet is expected to be addressed by high-level dignitaries. Many of the invited countries have confirmed that they will take part in the meet.

In March of last year, the Indian prime minister called for a SAARC meet on the COVID pandemic.The meet saw all the SAARC heads of govt/state taking part barring Pakistan. Pakistan was present at a junior level at the meeting. One of the key outcomes of the meet was the establishment of the SAARC emergency fund, with India contributing $10 million to it.

Amid the pandemic, India reached out to many countries&nbsp;in the region with medicines and other aid. It sent 75000 MT of food aid to Afghanistan via Chabahar, medical equipment, and other related things like masks to Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh. Under Mission Sagar 1, while it reached out to 5 countries in the Indian Ocean - Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles by sending medicines and food aid.

This year, India gifted covid vaccines to countries in the region. These are --Bangladesh with 20 Lakhs doses, Myanmar with 17 Lakhs doses, Nepal with 10 Lakhs, Bhutan with 1.5 Lakhs, the Maldives with 1 Lakh, Mauritius with 1 Lakh, Seychelles with 50000, Sri Lanka with 5 Lakhs, and Afghanistan 5 Lakhs. This is additional to many countries in Latin America, CARICOM that New Delhi reached out.

India will host a meet of regional countries on COVID crisis next week, expectedly on February 22. The meet at the official level, primarily among health experts will focus on the exchange of good practices to deal with the crisis.

India will host a meet of regional countries on COVID crisis next week, expectedly on February 22. The meet at the official level, primarily among health experts will focus on the exchange of good practices to deal with the crisis. Many of the countries who have been invited are members of the SAARC grouping. Pakistan has also been sent the invite. Interestingly, the meet is expected to be addressed by high-level dignitaries. Many of the invited countries have confirmed that they will take part in the meet. In March of last year, the Indian prime minister called for a SAARC meet on the COVID pandemic.The meet saw all the SAARC heads of govt/state taking part barring Pakistan. Pakistan was present at a junior level at the meeting. One of the key outcomes of the meet was the establishment of the SAARC emergency fund, with India contributing $10 million to it. Amid the pandemic, India reached out to many countries in the region with medicines and other aid. It sent 75000 MT of food aid to Afghanistan via Chabahar, medical equipment, and other related things like masks to Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh. Under Mission Sagar 1, while it reached out to 5 countries in the Indian Ocean - Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles by sending medicines and food aid. This year, India gifted covid vaccines to countries in the region. These are --Bangladesh with 20 Lakhs doses, Myanmar with 17 Lakhs doses, Nepal with 10 Lakhs, Bhutan with 1.5 Lakhs, the Maldives with 1 Lakh, Mauritius with 1 Lakh, Seychelles with 50000, Sri Lanka with 5 Lakhs, and Afghanistan 5 Lakhs. This is additional to many countries in Latin America, CARICOM that New Delhi reached out.

India to host regional countries' meet on COVID crisis next week; Pak invited

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will be on a two-day visit to Russia starting Wednesday. During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will take part in the India-Russia Foreign Office Consultations with his Russian counterpart, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov. This will be the first foreign visit of the&nbsp;secretary this year.

The foreign secretary will also meet Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and deliver a speech on ’India-Russia relations’ at the prestigious Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ahead of the visit, India's envoy to Russia DB&nbsp;Venkatesh Varma said that the meeting will set forth an "active and ambitious" agenda for bilateral relations including the annual bilateral summit between India and Russia that will see Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting India. India, Russia have bilateral summit mechanism at PM-President level that alternates between the two&nbsp;countries.

He said, "India Russia relations are rock solid, strategic partnership diverse" and "foreign secretary's visit is intended to further deepen our cooperation in all sectors. We will also expand our cooperation including to build on PM Modi's visit to Vladivostok in September 2019."

Russia and India are engaged in a number of fields, with defence being a key pillar of partnership. India will be getting the first batch of the S400 air defence system by end of this year. Both are already moving towards the successful implementation of AK-203 Kalashnikov contract.

COVID Vaccines will be another focus area with Russia's COVID vaccine--Sputnik V expected to be given regulatory approval for use by India in the next few weeks.

Envoy Varma said, "There is a lot of excitement here in Moscow, about how India and Russia can cooperate with respect to covid pandemic including in the fields of vaccines. That will be another area of discussion".

Last year saw India's defence minister visiting Moscow two&nbsp;times, first for the 75th anniversary of victory day and then for the Shanghai cooperation organization or SCO defence minister. The Indian external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar visited the country too for the SCO FMs meet. WION was the first channel to break the story of FS's Russia visit last week.

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will be on a two-day visit to Russia starting Wednesday. During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will take part in the India-Russia Foreign Office Consultations with his Russian counterpart, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov.

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will be on a two-day visit to Russia starting Wednesday. During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will take part in the India-Russia Foreign Office Consultations with his Russian counterpart, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov. This will be the first foreign visit of the secretary this year. The foreign secretary will also meet Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and deliver a speech on ’India-Russia relations’ at the prestigious Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ahead of the visit, India's envoy to Russia DB Venkatesh Varma said that the meeting will set forth an "active and ambitious" agenda for bilateral relations including the annual bilateral summit between India and Russia that will see Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting India. India, Russia have bilateral summit mechanism at PM-President level that alternates between the two countries. He said, "India Russia relations are rock solid, strategic partnership diverse" and "foreign secretary's visit is intended to further deepen our cooperation in all sectors. We will also expand our cooperation including to build on PM Modi's visit to Vladivostok in September 2019." Russia and India are engaged in a number of fields, with defence being a key pillar of partnership. India will be getting the first batch of the S400 air defence system by end of this year. Both are already moving towards the successful implementation of AK-203 Kalashnikov contract. COVID Vaccines will be another focus area with Russia's COVID vaccine--Sputnik V expected to be given regulatory approval for use by India in the next few weeks. Envoy Varma said, "There is a lot of excitement here in Moscow, about how India and Russia can cooperate with respect to covid pandemic including in the fields of vaccines. That will be another area of discussion". Last year saw India's defence minister visiting Moscow two times, first for the 75th anniversary of victory day and then for the Shanghai cooperation organization or SCO defence minister. The Indian external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar visited the country too for the SCO FMs meet. WION was the first channel to break the story of FS's Russia visit last week.

'Active and ambitious' agenda for foreign secretary's Russia visit: Envoy Varma

India's Supreme Court told representatives of Facebook today: "You may be a $2-3 trillion-dollar company. But people value their privacy". Whatsapp's new policies are now being examined by India's Top Court. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas | WhatsApp Privacy Row: India's Supreme Court sends a message to Facebook

33 States and Union Territories in India have less than 5,000 cases. New transmissions have dropped nearly 90%. Every key indicator says India's cases have drastically dropped. Is the Wuhan Virus fizzling out in India? WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: India is winning the pandemic war

At the beginning of the Pandemic, the West predicted a disaster for India. Today - as the developed world struggles to cope with the Wuhan Virus, India is emerging as a success story. WION's Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: India gets Wuhan Virus under control

Even as the disengagement at Pangong lake is underway, 150 Chinese tanks and nearly 5,000 Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers have withdrawn. The first phase of the disengagement, which was announced last week, is underway at the lake in the Eastern Ladakh. &nbsp;

The scale of disengagement could only be seen when the first visuals of the disengagement were released by the Indian Army on Tuesday. The visuals showed infantry disengagement, Chinese PLA tents being dismantled, and carrying load-backs while moving to the rear areas. &nbsp;

As part of the disengagement, the Chinese will move east of finger 8 of the north bank of Pangong lake, while India will be present at its base at finger 3. No patrolling will take place between finger 4 and finger 8, and all structures will be removed. &nbsp;

Complete disengagement at the Pangong is expected to be over by end of this week. Once it is completed, disengagement at 3 areas--Gogra, Hot springs, and Depsang plans will be taken up during the 10th round of India China senior commanders' meet within 48 hours.&nbsp;

The disengagement comes after a multi-month-long standoff that started in April/May of last year with China trying to unilaterally change the situation on the ground. The Galwan incident saw the death of 20 Indian soldiers, leading to a dramatic escalation and impacting Delhi-Beijing ties. China also suffered casualties but never came up with a number.&nbsp;

Even as the disengagement at Pangong lake is underway, 150 Chinese tanks and nearly 5,000 Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers have withdrawn. The first phase of the disengagement, which was announced last week, is underway at the lake in the Eastern Ladakh.

Even as the disengagement at Pangong lake is underway, 150 Chinese tanks and nearly 5,000 Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers have withdrawn. The first phase of the disengagement, which was announced last week, is underway at the lake in the Eastern Ladakh. The scale of disengagement could only be seen when the first visuals of the disengagement were released by the Indian Army on Tuesday. The visuals showed infantry disengagement, Chinese PLA tents being dismantled, and carrying load-backs while moving to the rear areas. As part of the disengagement, the Chinese will move east of finger 8 of the north bank of Pangong lake, while India will be present at its base at finger 3. No patrolling will take place between finger 4 and finger 8, and all structures will be removed. Complete disengagement at the Pangong is expected to be over by end of this week. Once it is completed, disengagement at 3 areas--Gogra, Hot springs, and Depsang plans will be taken up during the 10th round of India China senior commanders' meet within 48 hours. The disengagement comes after a multi-month-long standoff that started in April/May of last year with China trying to unilaterally change the situation on the ground. The Galwan incident saw the death of 20 Indian soldiers, leading to a dramatic escalation and impacting Delhi-Beijing ties. China also suffered casualties but never came up with a number.

Pangong disengagement: 150 tanks, 5,000 Chinese PLA soldiers leave the site

The world is currently struggling owing&nbsp;to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Kingdom is currently under a lockdown, the United States continues to remain the hardest-hit country, and France is staring at another emergency.

On the other hand is India. Schools are being reopened, vaccines are being rolled out, almost as if the pandemic is over.

WATCH|

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Is the worst behind us? Is India now immune to COVID-19?

In terms of numbers, India's caseload is shrinking rapidly, and hospital beds in major cities continue to remain empty. In September last year, India was reporting one lakh cases every day, which remained the average for a long time.

This month, that number is down to 10,000. Every key indicator now says the numbers have dropped in India. India's recovery rate is more than 97 per cent, among the highest in the world.

By last week, daily deaths had dropped to less than 100, which has now become the seven days rolling average. Less than 100 deaths a day are not ideal, but way better than September or October last year when India was reporting more than 1,000 deaths a day.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/polish-government-says-coronavirus-strain-found-in-mink-can-pass-to-humans-363808" hreflang="en">Polish government says coronavirus strain found in mink can pass to humans</a> 
 
More than half of India's states are not reporting any deaths from COVID-19. The number of deaths per million stands at 112. In the United States and the United Kingdom, more than 1,000 people have died per million. 
 
On February 15, 2021 - 33 states and union territories have less than 5,000 cases, which marks a significant reduction in cases. In addition, no one has died in 18 states and union territories in India. The bulk of the cases right now is limited to just three states - Kerala, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Together they account for close to 77 per cent of India's total active cases today. 
 
What explains India's recovery? Is India just testing less? 
The answer is no - the number of tests has not gone down.&nbsp;On February 4, 2021, more than seven lakh Indians were tested. 700,000 in a day is 7.5 times more than the number of people tested in May 2020.

The world is currently struggling owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Kingdom is currently under a lockdown, the United States continues to remain the hardest-hit country, and France is staring at another emergency.

The world is currently struggling owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Kingdom is currently under a lockdown, the United States continues to remain the hardest-hit country, and France is staring at another emergency. On the other hand is India. Schools are being reopened, vaccines are being rolled out, almost as if the pandemic is over. WATCH| Is the worst behind us? Is India now immune to COVID-19? In terms of numbers, India's caseload is shrinking rapidly, and hospital beds in major cities continue to remain empty. In September last year, India was reporting one lakh cases every day, which remained the average for a long time. This month, that number is down to 10,000. Every key indicator now says the numbers have dropped in India. India's recovery rate is more than 97 per cent, among the highest in the world. By last week, daily deaths had dropped to less than 100, which has now become the seven days rolling average. Less than 100 deaths a day are not ideal, but way better than September or October last year when India was reporting more than 1,000 deaths a day. Also read: Polish government says coronavirus strain found in mink can pass to humans More than half of India's states are not reporting any deaths from COVID-19. The number of deaths per million stands at 112. In the United States and the United Kingdom, more than 1,000 people have died per million. On February 15, 2021 - 33 states and union territories have less than 5,000 cases, which marks a significant reduction in cases. In addition, no one has died in 18 states and union territories in India. The bulk of the cases right now is limited to just three states - Kerala, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Together they account for close to 77 per cent of India's total active cases today. What explains India's recovery? Is India just testing less? The answer is no - the number of tests has not gone down. On February 4, 2021, more than seven lakh Indians were tested. 700,000 in a day is 7.5 times more than the number of people tested in May 2020.

Has India successfully tamed coronavirus?

In March 2020, a New York-based foreign affairs analyst predicted a disaster in India as the COVID-19 pandemic left no territories untouched from its wrath. "Foreign Policy" questioned the effectiveness of India's lockdown. Two months later, this is what its headline said - India has bungled its coronavirus crisis.

Here is what The Boston Review said about India in July 2020 - "The government’s inadequate and impetuous management of the pandemic reflects an effort to win international approval by following the paradigm of advanced economies, without heeding the ethical urgency of providing a robust program of relief, both medical and economic".

Based solely on facts, it's safe to say that India is now emerging as a success story in fighting COVID-19, far from "bungling" the pandemic response. Developed countries are still struggling to cope with the virus. Now, India is recording a steady decline in cases.

WATCH|

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India has the highest recovery rate among all the worst-affected countries at 97.3 per cent. In the United States, this number is just 64.5 per cent, and in the United Kingdom, it's 53.5 per cent. In addition, India's case fatality rate is below 1.5 per cent.

Now, the mutations fo the virus pose the next big threat to global health. So far, major variants have been recorded in the United Kingdom, Brazil, and South Africa. 
The new strains are not necessarily always deadlier. But the UK strain has proved to be scary and is being called a "variant of concern".

This strain spreads more rapidly, and by doing so risks more lives. Science says virus mutations are only normal. India has no silver bullet for virus mutations, or for shielding itself against foreign variants. But it has vaccines.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/has-india-successfully-tamed-coronavirus-363881" hreflang="en">Has India successfully tamed coronavirus?</a>

Currently, the country has two Made-in-India vaccines - Oxford-Astrazeneca's Covishield, and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. The latter has shown to be effective against the UK strain, and AstraZeneca says it is working to adapt its vaccine to the new strains. So if mutations are the new big threat, vaccines have the solution. India has an edge here too. Currently, India is running the world's largest vaccination programme.

Over 82 lakh people have been vaccinated as of February 15, 2021, according to India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. India was the first country to vaccinate over 70 lakh people in 26 days. Despite this, some critics say that India's vaccine rollout is too slow. India is not just immunising its own, but also millions outside its borders.

Made-in-India vaccines have reached at least 20 countries in the form of both grants and commercial supplies. On February 14, Mexico received its shipment of Indian vaccines. Even Canada is expected to get coronavirus vaccines from India.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-countries-are-still-struggling-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-363882" hreflang="en">How countries are still struggling due to coronavirus pandemic</a>

Deloitte predicts that India will be second only to the United States in terms of vaccine production this year. India is estimated to produce 3.5 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines in 2021, with the US having an edge by 0.5 billion.

Unlike developed countries, India will not try to ban vaccine exports. Even before the coronavirus struck - India would produce around 60 per cent of the world's vaccines. Almost a year into the pandemic- the world is leaning on India for vaccine supplies. At the beginning of the pandemic, South Korea emerged as a success story with its gold standard testing programme. Germany then challenged the virus wave in Europe with its response framework.

And now, when the world's richest nations are still struggling to cope with the virus, India is recording a decline in the virus cases. Currently, India is leading with an exemplary recovery rate while running the world's largest vaccination programme. India is providing free vaccines not just at home but also outside.

So, is India the new success story of the pandemic?

In March 2020, a New York-based foreign affairs analyst predicted a disaster in India as the COVID-19 pandemic left no territories untouched from its wrath. "Foreign Policy" questioned the effectiveness of India's lockdown.

In March 2020, a New York-based foreign affairs analyst predicted a disaster in India as the COVID-19 pandemic left no territories untouched from its wrath. "Foreign Policy" questioned the effectiveness of India's lockdown. Two months later, this is what its headline said - India has bungled its coronavirus crisis. Here is what The Boston Review said about India in July 2020 - "The government’s inadequate and impetuous management of the pandemic reflects an effort to win international approval by following the paradigm of advanced economies, without heeding the ethical urgency of providing a robust program of relief, both medical and economic". Based solely on facts, it's safe to say that India is now emerging as a success story in fighting COVID-19, far from "bungling" the pandemic response. Developed countries are still struggling to cope with the virus. Now, India is recording a steady decline in cases. WATCH| India has the highest recovery rate among all the worst-affected countries at 97.3 per cent. In the United States, this number is just 64.5 per cent, and in the United Kingdom, it's 53.5 per cent. In addition, India's case fatality rate is below 1.5 per cent. Now, the mutations fo the virus pose the next big threat to global health. So far, major variants have been recorded in the United Kingdom, Brazil, and South Africa. The new strains are not necessarily always deadlier. But the UK strain has proved to be scary and is being called a "variant of concern". This strain spreads more rapidly, and by doing so risks more lives. Science says virus mutations are only normal. India has no silver bullet for virus mutations, or for shielding itself against foreign variants. But it has vaccines. Also read: Has India successfully tamed coronavirus? Currently, the country has two Made-in-India vaccines - Oxford-Astrazeneca's Covishield, and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. The latter has shown to be effective against the UK strain, and AstraZeneca says it is working to adapt its vaccine to the new strains. So if mutations are the new big threat, vaccines have the solution. India has an edge here too. Currently, India is running the world's largest vaccination programme. Over 82 lakh people have been vaccinated as of February 15, 2021, according to India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. India was the first country to vaccinate over 70 lakh people in 26 days. Despite this, some critics say that India's vaccine rollout is too slow. India is not just immunising its own, but also millions outside its borders. Made-in-India vaccines have reached at least 20 countries in the form of both grants and commercial supplies. On February 14, Mexico received its shipment of Indian vaccines. Even Canada is expected to get coronavirus vaccines from India. Also read: How countries are still struggling due to coronavirus pandemic Deloitte predicts that India will be second only to the United States in terms of vaccine production this year. India is estimated to produce 3.5 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines in 2021, with the US having an edge by 0.5 billion. Unlike developed countries, India will not try to ban vaccine exports. Even before the coronavirus struck - India would produce around 60 per cent of the world's vaccines. Almost a year into the pandemic- the world is leaning on India for vaccine supplies. At the beginning of the pandemic, South Korea emerged as a success story with its gold standard testing programme. Germany then challenged the virus wave in Europe with its response framework. And now, when the world's richest nations are still struggling to cope with the virus, India is recording a decline in the virus cases. Currently, India is leading with an exemplary recovery rate while running the world's largest vaccination programme. India is providing free vaccines not just at home but also outside. So, is India the new success story of the pandemic?

Is India the new success story of coronavirus pandemic?

Supreme Court on Monday issued notice&nbsp;to Facebook and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-entertain-plea-against-new-whatsapp-privacy-policy-361543">WhatsApp</a> seeking their response on a plea challenging WhatsApp's latest privacy policy.&nbsp;

Watch:

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India's CJI S A Bobde observed that user privacy should be protected.

"You WhatsApp and Facebook may be a 2-3 trillion-dollar company but privacy rights of people is costlier than that. Protecting that is our duty," the CJI remarked.

India's top court said people have grave apprehension that they will lose their privacy, adding, "it is our duty to protect them".

During the hearing, WhatsApp told India's apex court that "Europe has special law on privacy, will also follow if India has similar statute". A petitioner had alleged that the updated privacy policy of WhatsApp would adversely impact the fundamental right to privacy of Indians.

Watch:

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The plea had sought a direction to the Centre to prohibit WhatsApp and Facebook India from sharing the details and data of subscribers and users and had sought direction to the Centre to regulate the functioning of WhatsApp, Facebook and other internet-based messaging services.

The Supreme Court has posted the case for hearing after four weeks. &nbsp;

Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Facebook and WhatsApp seeking their response on a plea challenging WhatsApp's latest privacy policy. Watch: India's CJI S A Bobde observed that user privacy should be protected.

Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Facebook and WhatsApp seeking their response on a plea challenging WhatsApp's latest privacy policy. Watch: India's CJI S A Bobde observed that user privacy should be protected. "You WhatsApp and Facebook may be a 2-3 trillion-dollar company but privacy rights of people is costlier than that. Protecting that is our duty," the CJI remarked. India's top court said people have grave apprehension that they will lose their privacy, adding, "it is our duty to protect them". During the hearing, WhatsApp told India's apex court that "Europe has special law on privacy, will also follow if India has similar statute". A petitioner had alleged that the updated privacy policy of WhatsApp would adversely impact the fundamental right to privacy of Indians. Watch: The plea had sought a direction to the Centre to prohibit WhatsApp and Facebook India from sharing the details and data of subscribers and users and had sought direction to the Centre to regulate the functioning of WhatsApp, Facebook and other internet-based messaging services. The Supreme Court has posted the case for hearing after four weeks.

Supreme Court issues notice to WhatsApp, Facebook over privacy issue

The Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) is a native of East Asia countries – China and Japan. It is widely regarded as the world’s most beautiful duck.

Rare mandarin duck spotted in Assam after nearly 100 years

New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) International pop sensation Ronan Keating says the Covid pandemic brought him closer to his family, and gave him time to write new music, though he yearns to get back on the stage and perform live.
 
"I got to spend so much time at home with my family and my children, it has been wonderful. I have written a lot of music, which has been nice to be back in the studio in the house -- writing and that`s been wonderful," Keating told IANS while talking about how the pandemic impacted him and his life. 
"We have learned a lot about ourselves, and learnt a lot about the people that are important to us in our lives," he added. 
The one thing he misses is going on stage to perform. 
"I wouldn`t do anything differently (in my journey). I am missing live performance, I am missing getting out there and performing. I`m finding it very difficult. So, I would absolutely love to get back to performing again. That`s the dream. That is what I love to do. I need to get back to perform. So more than anything else would be to just get the music industry back up and running again and to get back performing," said the 43-year-old singer. 
Talking about his bond with his fans, he said: "I`ve been lucky. I have never been in situations like that (where fans go crazy). In the early days with Boyzone, it was a bit crazy, we used to land at the airports and there would be thousands of people waiting at the airport. 
"It was a bit insane. Things changed when I went solo. I still had the same success. But it wasn`t the same. The craziness about us and the hype was different. I have been lucky that I have kept my feet on the ground. I am respectful to everybody. They are respectful to me. I have never been in a situation where I`m scared, nor have I had an awful fame," he added. 
At the moment, the singer is working on "getting back to performing and singing again". 
"It has been so long since I have stood on a stage and, so I am getting myself back to the match, ready to perform and sing. That is really what my next goal -- it is to tour and (play) this album that I brought out last June," he said. 
"I haven`t had a chance to tour that yet and sing those songs live. So that`s the next process, (maybe) a world tour, which will take me through into 2022-2023 and then I will work on a new album during that time. But the next album won`t be for another couple of years," said Keating, who has associated with the GoNuts platform. 
--IANS 
sug/vnc/rt

New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) International pop sensation Ronan Keating says the Covid pandemic brought him closer to his family, and gave him time to write new music, though he yearns to get back on the stage and perform live.

New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) International pop sensation Ronan Keating says the Covid pandemic brought him closer to his family, and gave him time to write new music, though he yearns to get back on the stage and perform live. "I got to spend so much time at home with my family and my children, it has been wonderful. I have written a lot of music, which has been nice to be back in the studio in the house -- writing and that`s been wonderful," Keating told IANS while talking about how the pandemic impacted him and his life. "We have learned a lot about ourselves, and learnt a lot about the people that are important to us in our lives," he added. The one thing he misses is going on stage to perform. "I wouldn`t do anything differently (in my journey). I am missing live performance, I am missing getting out there and performing. I`m finding it very difficult. So, I would absolutely love to get back to performing again. That`s the dream. That is what I love to do. I need to get back to perform. So more than anything else would be to just get the music industry back up and running again and to get back performing," said the 43-year-old singer. Talking about his bond with his fans, he said: "I`ve been lucky. I have never been in situations like that (where fans go crazy). In the early days with Boyzone, it was a bit crazy, we used to land at the airports and there would be thousands of people waiting at the airport. "It was a bit insane. Things changed when I went solo. I still had the same success. But it wasn`t the same. The craziness about us and the hype was different. I have been lucky that I have kept my feet on the ground. I am respectful to everybody. They are respectful to me. I have never been in a situation where I`m scared, nor have I had an awful fame," he added. At the moment, the singer is working on "getting back to performing and singing again". "It has been so long since I have stood on a stage and, so I am getting myself back to the match, ready to perform and sing. That is really what my next goal -- it is to tour and (play) this album that I brought out last June," he said. "I haven`t had a chance to tour that yet and sing those songs live. So that`s the next process, (maybe) a world tour, which will take me through into 2022-2023 and then I will work on a new album during that time. But the next album won`t be for another couple of years," said Keating, who has associated with the GoNuts platform. --IANS sug/vnc/rt

Ronan Keating misses ''getting out there and performing''

The Active Covid-19 cases in the country are showing a consistent decline as more than 1.06 Cr (1,06,33,025) people have recovered so far, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed.

India continues to follow the trajectory of steady decline in active cases with the country's total active caseload dropping to 1.36 lakh (1,36,872) today.

The present active caseload now consists of just 1.25 per cent of India's total positive cases.

More than 1.06 crore (1,06,33,025) of people have recovered so far. A total of 11,805 patients have recovered and got discharged in the last 24 hours.

India's Recovery Rate of 97.32 per cent is amongst the highest in the world. The difference between the recovered and active cases has further increased to 1,04,96,153 today.

In another positive development, 31 states/Union Territories have reported recovery rate more than the national average. Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have a recovery rate of 99.88 per cent.

Seventeen states/Union Territories reported no deaths in the last 24 hours. These are Lakshadweep, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Chandigarh, J&amp;K (UT), Meghalaya, Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Haryana, A&amp;N Islands, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Also, six states/union territories have reported no new cases in the last 24 hours. These are Sikkim, Meghalaya, A&amp;N Islands, Nagaland, Tripura, and Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

As of February 16, 2021, till 8 am, the cumulative number of healthcare and frontline workers vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country has surpassed 87 lakhs. The countrywide vaccination drive was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 16, 2021.

A total of 87,20,822 beneficiaries have been vaccinated through 1,84,303 sessions, as per the provisional report till 8 am today. These include 61,07,120 HCWs (1st dose), 1,60,291 healthcare workers (2nd dose) and 24,53,411 frontline workers (1st dose).

Around 81 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Five states account for 70.37 per cent of the new deaths.

Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties at 23. Kerala follows with 13 daily deaths and Punjab has reported 10 new deaths. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Active Covid-19 cases in the country are showing a consistent decline as more than 1.06 Cr (1,06,33,025) people have recovered so far, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed.

The Active Covid-19 cases in the country are showing a consistent decline as more than 1.06 Cr (1,06,33,025) people have recovered so far, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed. India continues to follow the trajectory of steady decline in active cases with the country's total active caseload dropping to 1.36 lakh (1,36,872) today. The present active caseload now consists of just 1.25 per cent of India's total positive cases. More than 1.06 crore (1,06,33,025) of people have recovered so far. A total of 11,805 patients have recovered and got discharged in the last 24 hours. India's Recovery Rate of 97.32 per cent is amongst the highest in the world. The difference between the recovered and active cases has further increased to 1,04,96,153 today. In another positive development, 31 states/Union Territories have reported recovery rate more than the national average. Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have a recovery rate of 99.88 per cent. Seventeen states/Union Territories reported no deaths in the last 24 hours. These are Lakshadweep, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Chandigarh, J&K (UT), Meghalaya, Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Haryana, A&N Islands, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Also, six states/union territories have reported no new cases in the last 24 hours. These are Sikkim, Meghalaya, A&N Islands, Nagaland, Tripura, and Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. As of February 16, 2021, till 8 am, the cumulative number of healthcare and frontline workers vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country has surpassed 87 lakhs. The countrywide vaccination drive was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 16, 2021. A total of 87,20,822 beneficiaries have been vaccinated through 1,84,303 sessions, as per the provisional report till 8 am today. These include 61,07,120 HCWs (1st dose), 1,60,291 healthcare workers (2nd dose) and 24,53,411 frontline workers (1st dose). Around 81 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Five states account for 70.37 per cent of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties at 23. Kerala follows with 13 daily deaths and Punjab has reported 10 new deaths. (With inputs from agencies)

India's Covid-19 recoveries hit 1.06 crore, national recovery rate now at 97.32%

38 people have died after a bus fell off a bridge into a canal near Satna village in Madhya Pradesh, India. The incident took place in the Sidhi town when the bus driver lost control near Satna region. Search and rescue operations are currently underway.

WION Dispatch: Indian bus carrying 54 people fell into a Canal

The Union Government today said that four cases of covid-19 with South Africa strain have been detected in the country in January through its ongoing genomic surveillance initiative.

Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said: "In India, the South Africa strain has been detected in four different SA returnees -- one from Angola, one from Tanzania and two from South Africa in January 2021. While one Brazil returnee has tested positive for the Brazil variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the first week of February 2021. The traveller from both the countries and their contacts have been tested and quarantined."

Dr Bhargava further informed that ICMR-NIV Pune is attempting to isolate and culture the SA variant strain from the samples of these four individual returnees. The S African variant first emerged independently in South Africa in mid-December 2020. It has spread to 44 countries. The central government said the Brazil variant of SARS-CoV2 emerged independently in Brazil in early January 2021. This attributed to increased cases in Brazil, particularly Manaus.

"There are mutations in the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein and increased transmissibility. It has spread to 15 countries so far," it said."In case of Brazil variant strain, virus strain has been successfully isolated and cultured at ICMR-NIV, Pune. Experiments to assess vaccine effectiveness are underway," he said.

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We have done disembarkations, mandatory RT-PCR tests for travellers coming from UK. Those who tested positive, their genome sequencing being done. This is a good strategy. I hope- we might follow this similar strategy for flights from South Africa &amp; Brazil: Secy, Health Ministry <a href="https://t.co/qC4FQJhLHI">pic.twitter.com/qC4FQJhLHI</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1361642239194234880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In context with the UK virus strain, the ICMR DG said: "To date, INSACOG has reported cases of 187 UK variants and no deaths have been reported. All confirmed cases quarantined and treated. Contacts isolated and tested," adding that the isolation of UK variant has been published in the Journal of Travel Medicine. Meanwhile answering a query on putting travel restrictions on S Africa and Brazil flights, Rajesh Bhushan said, "We have already done disembarkations and mandatory RT-PCR tests for the traveller coming from UK flights. For those who tested positive, their genome sequencing is being done. I think this is a good strategy. I hope we might follow this similar strategy for S Africa and Brazil flights. The catch is this South Africa and Brazilian flights do not have a direct flight to India like the UK flights. Most of the traffic is routed from Gulf countries. For this civil aviation, the ministry is looking into it."

(With inputs from agencies)

The Union Government today said that four cases of covid-19 with South Africa strain have been detected in the country in January through its ongoing genomic surveillance initiative.

The Union Government today said that four cases of covid-19 with South Africa strain have been detected in the country in January through its ongoing genomic surveillance initiative. Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said: "In India, the South Africa strain has been detected in four different SA returnees -- one from Angola, one from Tanzania and two from South Africa in January 2021. While one Brazil returnee has tested positive for the Brazil variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the first week of February 2021. The traveller from both the countries and their contacts have been tested and quarantined." Dr Bhargava further informed that ICMR-NIV Pune is attempting to isolate and culture the SA variant strain from the samples of these four individual returnees. The S African variant first emerged independently in South Africa in mid-December 2020. It has spread to 44 countries. The central government said the Brazil variant of SARS-CoV2 emerged independently in Brazil in early January 2021. This attributed to increased cases in Brazil, particularly Manaus. "There are mutations in the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein and increased transmissibility. It has spread to 15 countries so far," it said."In case of Brazil variant strain, virus strain has been successfully isolated and cultured at ICMR-NIV, Pune. Experiments to assess vaccine effectiveness are underway," he said. We have done disembarkations, mandatory RT-PCR tests for travellers coming from UK. Those who tested positive, their genome sequencing being done. This is a good strategy. I hope- we might follow this similar strategy for flights from South Africa & Brazil: Secy, Health Ministry pic.twitter.com/qC4FQJhLHI — ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2021 × In context with the UK virus strain, the ICMR DG said: "To date, INSACOG has reported cases of 187 UK variants and no deaths have been reported. All confirmed cases quarantined and treated. Contacts isolated and tested," adding that the isolation of UK variant has been published in the Journal of Travel Medicine. Meanwhile answering a query on putting travel restrictions on S Africa and Brazil flights, Rajesh Bhushan said, "We have already done disembarkations and mandatory RT-PCR tests for the traveller coming from UK flights. For those who tested positive, their genome sequencing is being done. I think this is a good strategy. I hope we might follow this similar strategy for S Africa and Brazil flights. The catch is this South Africa and Brazilian flights do not have a direct flight to India like the UK flights. Most of the traffic is routed from Gulf countries. For this civil aviation, the ministry is looking into it." (With inputs from agencies)

South African Covid-19 strain detected in 4 returnees: Centre

The aftermath of flash floods caused by a glacier burst in the Indian state of Uttarakhand has brought out tales of despair and overcoming, and such is the story of Blackie - a dog who has spent days outside the Tapovan tunnel where many people are feared trapped.

Locals believe that the dog is waiting for its caretakers who may be trapped in the tunnel. Born near the tunnel, Blackie has spent most of his life with people who work in the area.

"He must have realised something was amiss. The place was full of strangers who paid no attention to him," AFP quoted a worker Rajinder Kumar as saying. Kumar had managed to escape the tunnel.

<h6><img alt="In this picture taken on February 8, 2021 an army personnel interacts with a stray dog called Blackie near the entrance of Tapovan tunnel, where dozens are still feared to be trapped following a flash flood thought to have been caused when a glacier broke off on February 7. &quot;The dog has been roaming near the tunnel and was likely someone's pet who is trapped inside,&quot; an army officer told AFP." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b9c7554-462e-4183-b2a2-ada7d9972ded" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_125.jpg" /> 
In this picture taken on February 8, 2021 an army personnel interacts with a stray dog called Blackie near the entrance of Tapovan tunnel, where dozens are still feared to be trapped following a flash flood thought to have been caused when a glacier broke off on February 7. "The dog has been roaming near the tunnel and was likely someone's pet who is trapped inside," an army officer told AFP. | AFP 
 
&nbsp;</h6>

Reportedly, rescue teams in the area attempted to shoo Blackie away, but he kept on returning. "He just wouldn't leave", Kumar told the Times of India.

"The dog has been roaming near the tunnel and was likely someone's pet who is trapped inside," an army officer said to AFP. "It entered the tunnel twice and looks distressed. We are trying to feed and comfort it", the officer added.

According to media reports, Blackie was not at the scene when the tragedy struck and returned on Monday when he was unable to locate his caretakers.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This will melt your heart. He is blackie &amp; he is most probably waiting for his owner to be rescued from the tapovan tunnel. What a heartwarming story. Via <a href="https://twitter.com/AFP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AFP</a> <a href="https://t.co/yVG6A58DTW">pic.twitter.com/yVG6A58DTW</a>
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParveenKaswan/status/1360155584608280582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Another officer from the Indian Forest Service Parveen Kaswan shared a clip of Blackie on Twitter with the caption reading - "This will melt your heart".

"He is Blackie &amp; he is most probably waiting for his owner to be rescued from the Tapovan tunnel. What a heartwarming story", he further wrote.

The video has triggered an array of responses on Twitter. While many reflected on the seriousness of the devastation caused by floods, others spoke of Blackie's loyalty and unconditional love.

The aftermath of flash floods caused by a glacier burst in the Indian state of Uttarakhand has brought out tales of despair and overcoming, and such is the story of Blackie - a dog who has spent days outside the Tapovan tunnel where many people are feared trapped.

The aftermath of flash floods caused by a glacier burst in the Indian state of Uttarakhand has brought out tales of despair and overcoming, and such is the story of Blackie - a dog who has spent days outside the Tapovan tunnel where many people are feared trapped. Locals believe that the dog is waiting for its caretakers who may be trapped in the tunnel. Born near the tunnel, Blackie has spent most of his life with people who work in the area. "He must have realised something was amiss. The place was full of strangers who paid no attention to him," AFP quoted a worker Rajinder Kumar as saying. Kumar had managed to escape the tunnel. In this picture taken on February 8, 2021 an army personnel interacts with a stray dog called Blackie near the entrance of Tapovan tunnel, where dozens are still feared to be trapped following a flash flood thought to have been caused when a glacier broke off on February 7. "The dog has been roaming near the tunnel and was likely someone's pet who is trapped inside," an army officer told AFP. | AFP Reportedly, rescue teams in the area attempted to shoo Blackie away, but he kept on returning. "He just wouldn't leave", Kumar told the Times of India. "The dog has been roaming near the tunnel and was likely someone's pet who is trapped inside," an army officer said to AFP. "It entered the tunnel twice and looks distressed. We are trying to feed and comfort it", the officer added. According to media reports, Blackie was not at the scene when the tragedy struck and returned on Monday when he was unable to locate his caretakers. This will melt your heart. He is blackie & he is most probably waiting for his owner to be rescued from the tapovan tunnel. What a heartwarming story. Via @AFP pic.twitter.com/yVG6A58DTW — Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) February 12, 2021 × Another officer from the Indian Forest Service Parveen Kaswan shared a clip of Blackie on Twitter with the caption reading - "This will melt your heart". "He is Blackie & he is most probably waiting for his owner to be rescued from the Tapovan tunnel. What a heartwarming story", he further wrote. The video has triggered an array of responses on Twitter. While many reflected on the seriousness of the devastation caused by floods, others spoke of Blackie's loyalty and unconditional love.

'Blackie' is waiting for his caretakers trapped inside tunnel in Uttarakhand

China's People's Liberation Army pulls back from Pangong area along LAC

The Chinese military is also vacating Finger 4 area which it had occupied last year and changed the status quo at the LAC with India.

India-China disengagement: Dismantling structures between finger 4-8 underway

At least 39&nbsp;persons drowned when a bus loaded with passengers fell into a canal on Tuesday morning in Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

The bus with over 50 passengers was on way from Siddhi to Satna when it went out of control and fell into the canal in Rampur police station jurisdiction around 8.30 am.

After fishing out 18 bodies initially, rescuers have retrieved 21 more bodies until now, said Rewa Divisional Commissioner Rajesh Jain. 
 
<img alt="sidhi bus accident" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cfa0e0a3-289d-4024-9e8b-6b82b9c1e9e8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_12.JPG" />

"A total of 39 bodies, including 16 women, 22&nbsp;men and a child, have been fished out of the Bansagar canal until now," he said, adding that a magisterial probe has been ordered.

Prima facie, 44 passengers were travelling on the bus at the time of the accident, which occurred around 8:30 AM.

<img alt="sidhi bus accident" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bd55ddeb-01a9-4bcb-8db7-a216d26eb549" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2_3.JPG" />

"Seven persons managed to swim to the banks of the canal after the incident and 37 bodies have been recovered. The 44 passengers have been identified so far," Jain added.

Earlier in the morning, Inspector General (Rewa zone) Joga had confirmed the recovery of 18 bodies from the accident site.

The bus landed into the canal near Patna village, around 80 kms away from the Sidhi district headquarter, around 8:30 AM.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 39 persons drowned when a bus loaded with passengers fell into a canal on Tuesday morning in Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh. The bus with over 50 passengers was on way from Siddhi to Satna when it went out of control and fell into the canal in Rampur police station jurisdiction around 8.

At least 39 persons drowned when a bus loaded with passengers fell into a canal on Tuesday morning in Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh. The bus with over 50 passengers was on way from Siddhi to Satna when it went out of control and fell into the canal in Rampur police station jurisdiction around 8.30 am. After fishing out 18 bodies initially, rescuers have retrieved 21 more bodies until now, said Rewa Divisional Commissioner Rajesh Jain. "A total of 39 bodies, including 16 women, 22 men and a child, have been fished out of the Bansagar canal until now," he said, adding that a magisterial probe has been ordered. Prima facie, 44 passengers were travelling on the bus at the time of the accident, which occurred around 8:30 AM. "Seven persons managed to swim to the banks of the canal after the incident and 37 bodies have been recovered. The 44 passengers have been identified so far," Jain added. Earlier in the morning, Inspector General (Rewa zone) Joga had confirmed the recovery of 18 bodies from the accident site. The bus landed into the canal near Patna village, around 80 kms away from the Sidhi district headquarter, around 8:30 AM. (With inputs from agencies)

39 killed as bus falls into canal in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi; rescue operations still on

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'Blackie' is waiting for his caretakers trapped inside tunnel in Uttarakhand