Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coronavirus vaccines. India, one of world's biggest drug manufacturers is already helping several countries by providing them coronavirus vaccines. In his tweet, Bolsonaro included an image of Lord Hanuman bringing the 'Sanjivani booti' from India to Brazil. Sanjivani Booti is the medicine Lord Hanuman delivered for Laxmana, the legendary warrior and brother of Lord Rama when he was injured in battle in the Indian epic Ramayana. But in Bolsonaro's tweet, the 'Sanjivani Booti' is the COVID vaccine.

"Namaskar, Prime Minister @narendramodi Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil," said Bolsonaro in Twitter.

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Namaskar, Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> 
 
Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. 
 
Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. 
 
Dhanyavaad! धनयवाद
— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/jairbolsonaro/status/1352630699480797186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Two flights, each carrying two million vaccine doses for Brazil and Morocco took off from Mumbai airport early on Friday.

"The Covishield vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) carrying 2 million doses to Brazil via Emirates Sky Cargo and 2 million doses to Morocco on Royal Air Maroc," said a press release by the airport. It mentioned that the airport has facilitated movement of over 14.17 million doses of the Covishield vaccine across various international and domestic destinations

On Friday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a media briefing that India had sent consignments of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Seychelles.

Asked whether India is sending the vaccines to Pakistan, Srivastava said he was not aware of any request for their supply by Pakistan on a government-to government basis or commercial basis.

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On Wednesday, India sent 1,50,000 doses of Covisheild vaccine to Bhutan and 1,00,000 doses to the Maldives as grant assistance. 
India on Thursday delivered two million doses of Covisheild vaccine to Bangladesh and one million doses to Nepal under grants assistance, while a consignment containing 1.5 million doses was sent to Myanmar, 50,000 doses to Seychelles on Friday.

"Keeping in view the domestic requirements of the phased rollout, India will continue to supply COVID-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner. It will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad," Srivastava said.

Srivastava said supplies of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance will be made to Sri Lanka and Afghanistan after getting confirmation of regulatory clearances.

"Acting East. Acting fast. Indian vaccines have arrived in Myanmar to contribute to our neighbour's inoculation efforts," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted. 
"Indian vaccines reach Seychelles. That's what friends are for," he said in another tweet.

(With agency inputs)

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coronavirus vaccines. India, one of world's biggest drug manufacturers is already helping several countries by providing them coronavirus vaccines.

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coronavirus vaccines. India, one of world's biggest drug manufacturers is already helping several countries by providing them coronavirus vaccines. In his tweet, Bolsonaro included an image of Lord Hanuman bringing the 'Sanjivani booti' from India to Brazil. Sanjivani Booti is the medicine Lord Hanuman delivered for Laxmana, the legendary warrior and brother of Lord Rama when he was injured in battle in the Indian epic Ramayana. But in Bolsonaro's tweet, the 'Sanjivani Booti' is the COVID vaccine. "Namaskar, Prime Minister @narendramodi Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil," said Bolsonaro in Twitter. Namaskar, Prime Minister @narendramodi Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad! धनयवाद — Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) January 22, 2021 × Two flights, each carrying two million vaccine doses for Brazil and Morocco took off from Mumbai airport early on Friday. "The Covishield vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) carrying 2 million doses to Brazil via Emirates Sky Cargo and 2 million doses to Morocco on Royal Air Maroc," said a press release by the airport. It mentioned that the airport has facilitated movement of over 14.17 million doses of the Covishield vaccine across various international and domestic destinations On Friday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a media briefing that India had sent consignments of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Seychelles. Asked whether India is sending the vaccines to Pakistan, Srivastava said he was not aware of any request for their supply by Pakistan on a government-to government basis or commercial basis. × On Wednesday, India sent 1,50,000 doses of Covisheild vaccine to Bhutan and 1,00,000 doses to the Maldives as grant assistance. India on Thursday delivered two million doses of Covisheild vaccine to Bangladesh and one million doses to Nepal under grants assistance, while a consignment containing 1.5 million doses was sent to Myanmar, 50,000 doses to Seychelles on Friday. "Keeping in view the domestic requirements of the phased rollout, India will continue to supply COVID-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner. It will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad," Srivastava said. Srivastava said supplies of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance will be made to Sri Lanka and Afghanistan after getting confirmation of regulatory clearances. "Acting East. Acting fast. Indian vaccines have arrived in Myanmar to contribute to our neighbour's inoculation efforts," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted. "Indian vaccines reach Seychelles. That's what friends are for," he said in another tweet. (With agency inputs)

With a Hanuman image, Brazil President Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi for COVID vaccines

Two top Brazillian indigenous leaders on Friday, asked International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity'. They have accused him of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution. Chief Raoni Metuktire, the leader of the Kayapo people, and Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui, leader of the Paiter Surui tribe, filed the claim at the ICC on Friday.

Since Bolsonaro became president in January 2019, "the destruction of the Amazonian forest has accelerated without measure," said the complaint to the ICC, reported by France's Le Monde newspaper on Saturday.

The complaint said that the deforestation had increased "by 34.5 per cent in a year, the assassination of indigenous leaders is at an 11-year high and environmental agencies have collapsed or faced threats."

The two leaders said killings and forced transfer of locals and persecution amounted to "crimes against humanity".

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-a-hanuman-image-brazil-president-bolsonaro-thanks-pm-modi-for-covid-vaccines-358644">With a Hanuman image, Brazil President Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi for COVID vaccines</a>

Bolsonaro government has proposed legislation that would relax restrictions in Amazon regions on commercial mining, oil and gas extraction and agriculture.

Activists are pushing for ecocide to be added to the crimes prosecuted by the ICC, alongside genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.&nbsp;

The issue was raised by the Maldives and Vanuatu at the ICC general assembly in December 2019.&nbsp;

"This situation, the most dramatic in the last 10 years, is a direct result of the policies of Jair Bolsonaro", who wants to "lift all the barriers to plunder the wealth of the Amazon," the suit said, also singling out mining firms. 
It said the "destruction of the Amazon forest... was a direct danger not only for Brazilians but for all humanity."

In July last year, health workers in Brazil had also urged the ICC to probe Bolsonaro for crimes against humanity over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A month earlier Chief Raoni had told AFP in an interview that Bolsonaro was trying to use the pandemic to eliminate indigenous people.

(With AFP inputs)

Two top Brazillian indigenous leaders on Friday, asked International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity'. They have accused him of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution.

Two top Brazillian indigenous leaders on Friday, asked International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity'. They have accused him of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution. Chief Raoni Metuktire, the leader of the Kayapo people, and Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui, leader of the Paiter Surui tribe, filed the claim at the ICC on Friday. Since Bolsonaro became president in January 2019, "the destruction of the Amazonian forest has accelerated without measure," said the complaint to the ICC, reported by France's Le Monde newspaper on Saturday. The complaint said that the deforestation had increased "by 34.5 per cent in a year, the assassination of indigenous leaders is at an 11-year high and environmental agencies have collapsed or faced threats." The two leaders said killings and forced transfer of locals and persecution amounted to "crimes against humanity". Also Read | With a Hanuman image, Brazil President Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi for COVID vaccines Bolsonaro government has proposed legislation that would relax restrictions in Amazon regions on commercial mining, oil and gas extraction and agriculture. Activists are pushing for ecocide to be added to the crimes prosecuted by the ICC, alongside genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The issue was raised by the Maldives and Vanuatu at the ICC general assembly in December 2019. "This situation, the most dramatic in the last 10 years, is a direct result of the policies of Jair Bolsonaro", who wants to "lift all the barriers to plunder the wealth of the Amazon," the suit said, also singling out mining firms. It said the "destruction of the Amazon forest... was a direct danger not only for Brazilians but for all humanity." In July last year, health workers in Brazil had also urged the ICC to probe Bolsonaro for crimes against humanity over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. A month earlier Chief Raoni had told AFP in an interview that Bolsonaro was trying to use the pandemic to eliminate indigenous people. (With AFP inputs)

Indigenous leaders of Brazil sue Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity'

India has begun the commercial export of the COVID-19 vaccines. A shipment with 2 million Covishield doses has reached Brazil.

India begins commercial export of vaccines; 2 million doses of vaccine reaches Brazil

India has allowed commercial export of Covid-19 vaccines being manufactured in the country from Friday. Brazil and Morocco will be the first two countries that are getting the commercial contracted supplies of 20 lakh doses each with flights leaving at 4.15 am IST and 8 am IST, respectively tomorrow.&nbsp;

Remember Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for vaccines. In a letter, he said, "Brazilian government has launched the National Immunization Program against Covid-19" and "Among the vaccines selected by the Brazilian government, are those from the Indian company Bharat Biotech International Limited (Covaxin) and AstraZeneca and&nbsp;the University of Oxford (Covishield), also produced by the Serum Institute of India."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-vaccine-diplomacy-earns-praise-from-south-asian-neighbours-as-chinese-dominance-declines-358380">India's vaccine diplomacy earns praise from South Asian neighbours as Chinese dominance declines</a>

The commercial supply of vaccines to South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Myanmar is expected to commence shortly. Both Myanmar and Bangladesh have contracted 30 million doses of vaccines from India. South African govt earlier this week announced that they will be getting one million doses of Covid-19 vaccine in January and 500,000 doses in February of the Oxford University-Astrazeneca vaccine--Covshield from Pune-based Serum Institute of India.

Commercial supplies begin 7 days after India began its own countrywide vaccination program in which almost 10 lakh Indians have been vaccinated. On Wednesday began gifting made in India vaccines to countries in the region as part of its neighbourhood-first policy. Seven countries are getting vaccines under what is being referred to as New Delhi's "Vaccine diplomacy". These are Bhutan (150,000), Maldives (100,000), Nepal (One million), Bangladesh (2 million), Myanmar (1.5 M), Seychelles (50,000), Mauritius (100,000), the last 3 countries will get on Friday.

Regulatory approvals from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka is awaited even as officials from both sides are in touch for India's vaccine.&nbsp;

And not just vaccine, India is also providing training. For 2 days, from 19th to 20th India trained Healthcare Personnel of 13 countries in administering Covid-19 vaccines. These were Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Bahrain, Brazil, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. The national and provincial- level Government officials, cold chain officials, and partners from WHO and UNICEF participated.

Amid the pandemic, India reaffirmed its position as the pharma capital of the world by supplying medicines such as HCQ and paracetamol to 150 countries. 60% of global vaccines are produced in India, with the World health organization sourcing 70% of its essential immunization vaccine from the country. India is the largest supplier of DPT, BCG and measles vaccines globally.

India has allowed commercial export of Covid-19 vaccines being manufactured in the country from Friday. Brazil and Morocco will be the first two countries that are getting the commercial contracted supplies of 20 lakh doses each with flights leaving at 4.

India has allowed commercial export of Covid-19 vaccines being manufactured in the country from Friday. Brazil and Morocco will be the first two countries that are getting the commercial contracted supplies of 20 lakh doses each with flights leaving at 4.15 am IST and 8 am IST, respectively tomorrow. Remember Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for vaccines. In a letter, he said, "Brazilian government has launched the National Immunization Program against Covid-19" and "Among the vaccines selected by the Brazilian government, are those from the Indian company Bharat Biotech International Limited (Covaxin) and AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford (Covishield), also produced by the Serum Institute of India." Also read | India's vaccine diplomacy earns praise from South Asian neighbours as Chinese dominance declines The commercial supply of vaccines to South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Myanmar is expected to commence shortly. Both Myanmar and Bangladesh have contracted 30 million doses of vaccines from India. South African govt earlier this week announced that they will be getting one million doses of Covid-19 vaccine in January and 500,000 doses in February of the Oxford University-Astrazeneca vaccine--Covshield from Pune-based Serum Institute of India. Commercial supplies begin 7 days after India began its own countrywide vaccination program in which almost 10 lakh Indians have been vaccinated. On Wednesday began gifting made in India vaccines to countries in the region as part of its neighbourhood-first policy. Seven countries are getting vaccines under what is being referred to as New Delhi's "Vaccine diplomacy". These are Bhutan (150,000), Maldives (100,000), Nepal (One million), Bangladesh (2 million), Myanmar (1.5 M), Seychelles (50,000), Mauritius (100,000), the last 3 countries will get on Friday. Regulatory approvals from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka is awaited even as officials from both sides are in touch for India's vaccine. And not just vaccine, India is also providing training. For 2 days, from 19th to 20th India trained Healthcare Personnel of 13 countries in administering Covid-19 vaccines. These were Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Bahrain, Brazil, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. The national and provincial- level Government officials, cold chain officials, and partners from WHO and UNICEF participated. Amid the pandemic, India reaffirmed its position as the pharma capital of the world by supplying medicines such as HCQ and paracetamol to 150 countries. 60% of global vaccines are produced in India, with the World health organization sourcing 70% of its essential immunization vaccine from the country. India is the largest supplier of DPT, BCG and measles vaccines globally.

India allows commercial export of Covid-19 vaccines from Friday; first stop Brazil, Morocco

It will not be possible to host carnival celebrations in July, Rio de Janeiro's new mayor said on Thursday (January 21), as Brazil's second wave of coronavirus infections gathers steam with vaccine supplies still scare in Latin America's biggest country.

No way to hold Rio carnival in July, the city's mayor says

We say 'UK Strain', 'Brazil Variant', 'South Africa Variant' - why then do we not say 'Wuhan Virus'? Most pandemics and epidemics have been named after its epicentre. Why should the Wuhan Virus be an exception? WION's Palki Sharma makes a case.

Gravitas: How the W.H.O. is shielding China

Britain is set to ban travel from the whole of South America and Portugal amid concerns over a new variant of the coronavirus in Brazil.

British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps Friday said arrivals from more than a dozen countries, including Argentina, Chile and Peru, will be halted “following evidence of a new variant in Brazil.”

The Cape Verde islands off the west coast of Africa and Panama in Central America have also been slapped with travel bans.

The restrictions also apply to the Portuguese archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores.

The ban does not apply to British and Irish nationals and third country nationals with residence rights in the UK. However, anyone returning from the banned destinations must quarantine themselves for 10 days with their households.

The announcement comes just a few weeks after many countries banned travel from the UK following the discovery of another variant of the virus around London and southeastern England, which has been blamed for a sharp rise in new coronavirus infections and deaths related to COVID-19.

Brazil has also temporarily suspended flights from or via the UK as of December 25 over concerns over that variant, which is believed to be around 50 per cent more contagious.

Britain is set to ban travel from the whole of South America and Portugal amid concerns over a new variant of the coronavirus in Brazil. British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps Friday said arrivals from more than a dozen countries, including Argentina, Chile and Peru, will be halted “following evidence of a new variant in Brazil.

Britain is set to ban travel from the whole of South America and Portugal amid concerns over a new variant of the coronavirus in Brazil. British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps Friday said arrivals from more than a dozen countries, including Argentina, Chile and Peru, will be halted “following evidence of a new variant in Brazil.” The Cape Verde islands off the west coast of Africa and Panama in Central America have also been slapped with travel bans. The restrictions also apply to the Portuguese archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. The ban does not apply to British and Irish nationals and third country nationals with residence rights in the UK. However, anyone returning from the banned destinations must quarantine themselves for 10 days with their households. The announcement comes just a few weeks after many countries banned travel from the UK following the discovery of another variant of the virus around London and southeastern England, which has been blamed for a sharp rise in new coronavirus infections and deaths related to COVID-19. Brazil has also temporarily suspended flights from or via the UK as of December 25 over concerns over that variant, which is believed to be around 50 per cent more contagious.

UK bans travel from South America over fears of Brazil coronavirus variant

In Brazil's largest state - hospitals are running out of beds and oxygen tanks. According to one official, the surge in cases could be linked to a new variant of the virus.

Gravitas: Wuhan virus brings Brazil's largest state to its knees

The number of people who have tested positive for the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the country has climbed to 116, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.

"The total number of persons found infected with the new UK variant genome is 116," the ministry said.

All these persons have been kept in single-room isolation in designated healthcare facilities by respective state governments, the ministry earlier had said.

Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on, the ministry said.

The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the states for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) labs.

The presence of the new UK variant has already been reported by several countries including Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore.

The number of people who have tested positive for the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the country has climbed to 116, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.

The number of people who have tested positive for the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the country has climbed to 116, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday. "The total number of persons found infected with the new UK variant genome is 116," the ministry said. All these persons have been kept in single-room isolation in designated healthcare facilities by respective state governments, the ministry earlier had said. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on, the ministry said. The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the states for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) labs. The presence of the new UK variant has already been reported by several countries including Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore.

116 people infected with UK coronavirus variant in India 

Brazil is the third-worst affected country in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic and the situation is getting worse. A new strain has been found in Brazil.

Health workers in the country's largest state are helpless. They are running short of oxygen.

The coronavirus has changed its shape again this time in Brazil. The four travellers who reached Tokyo with the virus were from Amazonas.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-variant-already-in-uk-confirms-top-scientist-356937">Brazil variant already in UK, confirms top scientist</a>

The largest state in Brazil, where the coronavirus is mercilessly taking lives, has witnessed the death of six thousand people.&nbsp;

Now, there is a surge in the cases. One official has suggested the flare-up could be linked to the new variant. The outbreak is getting out of hand.

It could lead to a collapse of the local healthcare system. There is a shortage of everything. From healthcare workers to medical supplies. ICU beds and even oxygen.

The dead are being delivered to the graveyards day and night. With tractors being deployed to fill up the graves.

On Thursday, the families of the victims hit the streets. They claim their loved ones died — because hospitals ran out of oxygen. The situation on the ground is quite grim.

A woman shared this desperate plea for help on Twitter. Standing outside a clinic near the airport she said that the oxygen supplies have run out. The video ends with an appeal for more supplies.&nbsp;

Ultimately, Brazil's army sent in the essential supplies. Brazil’s vice-president tweeted photographs of the airlift. But for those who have already lost their loved ones. These actions — are simply too little and too late.

Brazil is the third-worst affected country in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic and the situation is getting worse. A new strain has been found in Brazil.

Brazil is the third-worst affected country in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic and the situation is getting worse. A new strain has been found in Brazil. Health workers in the country's largest state are helpless. They are running short of oxygen. The coronavirus has changed its shape again this time in Brazil. The four travellers who reached Tokyo with the virus were from Amazonas. Also read| Brazil variant already in UK, confirms top scientist The largest state in Brazil, where the coronavirus is mercilessly taking lives, has witnessed the death of six thousand people. Now, there is a surge in the cases. One official has suggested the flare-up could be linked to the new variant. The outbreak is getting out of hand. It could lead to a collapse of the local healthcare system. There is a shortage of everything. From healthcare workers to medical supplies. ICU beds and even oxygen. The dead are being delivered to the graveyards day and night. With tractors being deployed to fill up the graves. On Thursday, the families of the victims hit the streets. They claim their loved ones died — because hospitals ran out of oxygen. The situation on the ground is quite grim. A woman shared this desperate plea for help on Twitter. Standing outside a clinic near the airport she said that the oxygen supplies have run out. The video ends with an appeal for more supplies. Ultimately, Brazil's army sent in the essential supplies. Brazil’s vice-president tweeted photographs of the airlift. But for those who have already lost their loved ones. These actions — are simply too little and too late.

Brazil runs short of supplies as new COVID strain ravages Amazonas

The United Kingdom is banning travel from the whole of South America and Portugal amid concerns over a new variant of the coronavirus in Brazil.

UK bans travel from South America over Brazil variant fears

Brazilian clinical trial has found that the Coronavirus vaccine developed by China - Sinovac have been found to be effective in just about 50.4% cases, where it was administered.

Brazil: Chinese vaccine efficacy rate barely over 50%

A coronavirus vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac showed “general efficacy” of 50.38% in a late-stage trial in Brazil.

China's Sinovac vaccine has general efficacy of 50.4% in Brazil trials

The threat of a $1 trillion U.S. sanctions hit on the Chinese internet giants that have led emerging market stocks to their first record high since 2007 is overshadowing the rally, just as increased scrutiny from Beijing itself squeezes valuations. 
 
US-Sino tensions ratcheted up in recent days as outgoing President Donald Trump`s administration pushed through a ban on Americans investing in 35 firms it considers to be linked to China`s military. 
 
Sources in Washington last week said Trump was considering adding Alibaba and Tencent, worth a combined $1.3 trillion, the second and third biggest EM stocks in the world and held by almost every major U.S. investment fund, to the list of banned firms. 
 
Targeting China`s two most valuable companies would be the most dramatic step yet against the country`s firms as Trump seeks to cement his hardline policy against Beijing during his final days in office. 
 
Goldman Sachs estimates that U.S. investors hold roughly $1 trillion of Chinese internet and tech stocks, or have U.S. listings known as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) that Washington has also been clamping down on. 
 
"To unwind 1 trillion of investment (if Alibaba and Tencent were removed) is a lot!" said Vivian Lin Thurston, a portfolio manager and Chinese equity analyst at William Blair Investment Management. 
 
"It would be unprecedented," she added. "It hasn`t happened before in any global market." 
 
Swiss bank UBS calculates that just over a third of Alibaba`s $616 billion market cap is held by U.S. investors, while 12% of Tencent`s $35 billion value is. 
 
The two firms also account for almost 11% of MSCI`s $7 trillion Emerging Market index which they respectively joined in 2015 and 2008. Chinese firms now make up 40% of the index, up from just 17% a decade ago. 
 
THE BIG UNWIND 
 
Global index providers such as MSCI, S&amp;P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell as well as the New York Stock Exchange have been forced to eject high profile firms on Trump`s list like China Mobile, China Telecom and semiconductor giant SMIC from their top benchmarks. 
 
William Blair`s Lin Thurston explained how those removals then trigger a wave of selling by investment funds that passively track the indexes. 
 
"As soon as it is delisted - bang it`s gone," she said referring to the need to shed the stocks. 
 
While incoming President Joe Biden could reverse the ban, analysts at UBS say the new administration may not want to appear "soft" on China. 
 
Neither Biden nor his team have commented on the matter, but a reversal still wouldn`t undo the billions of dollars of disruption already caused. 
 
Chinese investors have swooped in to buy up some of the offloaded shares but may struggle to absorb everything if things snowball. 
 
Goldman Sachs estimates there would be a $28 billion selloff if every international fund tracking MSCI`s main global, emerging market or Asia indexes were to liquidate holdings of the 42 Chinese firms its views as at risk, not including Tencent or Alibaba. 
 
It and fellow Wall Street banks JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley have also said they will withdraw as many as 500 Hong Kong-listed structured products they had issued linked to the Chinese firms. 
 
ANT PROBLEMS 
 
The Trump administration has had both Tencent and Alibaba`s financial technology affiliate Ant Group in its crosshairs for some time. 
 
Just last week, Trump signed an executive order banning U.S. transactions with Alibaba`s Alipay mobile payment app and Tencent`s WeChat and QQ Wallet over concerns they could be used to "track the locations of federal employees" and "build dossiers of personal information". 
 
China`s foreign ministry responded saying the U.S. was abusing its power and unreasonably suppressing foreign firms with the measures. 
 
Tencent and Alibaba have declined to comment. 
 
In early November, it was Beijing itself though that rattled investors after the surprise suspension of Ant Group’s $37 billion public listing, set to be the world’s largest stock market debut, with just days to go. 
 
Alibaba, which owns about a third of Ant, has seen its market value shrink by more than a quarter since the IPO was shelved and regulators zeroed in on its business model, although it is still among the biggest 10 companies globally with a valuation of more than $600 billion. 
 
Some fund managers considered Beijing`s move a sensible one as Ant, a major online lender, lacked adequate capital buffers. But others like Aviva Investors` Head of Global Emerging Market Equities Alistair Way are concerned. 
 
"We have become rather more nervous about the regulatory climate in China and the seeming desire to reduce competitive dominance of big e-commerce players such as Alibaba," he said. 
 
"In aggregate we have been reducing exposure to Chinese internet firms." 
 
Standard Life Aberdeen senior investment director Nick Robinson is also unsure. 
 
"It feels unlikely at the moment that they (Alibaba and Tencent) will be added to the blacklist, but so far it hasn`t been right to bet on a de-escalation." 
 
"So could it happen? Absolutely. And if it does happen it could be quite significant."

The threat of a $1 trillion U.S. sanctions hit on the Chinese internet giants that have led emerging market stocks to their first record high since 2007 is overshadowing the rally, just as increased scrutiny from Beijing itself squeezes valuations.

The threat of a $1 trillion U.S. sanctions hit on the Chinese internet giants that have led emerging market stocks to their first record high since 2007 is overshadowing the rally, just as increased scrutiny from Beijing itself squeezes valuations. US-Sino tensions ratcheted up in recent days as outgoing President Donald Trump`s administration pushed through a ban on Americans investing in 35 firms it considers to be linked to China`s military. Sources in Washington last week said Trump was considering adding Alibaba and Tencent, worth a combined $1.3 trillion, the second and third biggest EM stocks in the world and held by almost every major U.S. investment fund, to the list of banned firms. Targeting China`s two most valuable companies would be the most dramatic step yet against the country`s firms as Trump seeks to cement his hardline policy against Beijing during his final days in office. Goldman Sachs estimates that U.S. investors hold roughly $1 trillion of Chinese internet and tech stocks, or have U.S. listings known as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) that Washington has also been clamping down on. "To unwind 1 trillion of investment (if Alibaba and Tencent were removed) is a lot!" said Vivian Lin Thurston, a portfolio manager and Chinese equity analyst at William Blair Investment Management. "It would be unprecedented," she added. "It hasn`t happened before in any global market." Swiss bank UBS calculates that just over a third of Alibaba`s $616 billion market cap is held by U.S. investors, while 12% of Tencent`s $35 billion value is. The two firms also account for almost 11% of MSCI`s $7 trillion Emerging Market index which they respectively joined in 2015 and 2008. Chinese firms now make up 40% of the index, up from just 17% a decade ago. THE BIG UNWIND Global index providers such as MSCI, S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell as well as the New York Stock Exchange have been forced to eject high profile firms on Trump`s list like China Mobile, China Telecom and semiconductor giant SMIC from their top benchmarks. William Blair`s Lin Thurston explained how those removals then trigger a wave of selling by investment funds that passively track the indexes. "As soon as it is delisted - bang it`s gone," she said referring to the need to shed the stocks. While incoming President Joe Biden could reverse the ban, analysts at UBS say the new administration may not want to appear "soft" on China. Neither Biden nor his team have commented on the matter, but a reversal still wouldn`t undo the billions of dollars of disruption already caused. Chinese investors have swooped in to buy up some of the offloaded shares but may struggle to absorb everything if things snowball. Goldman Sachs estimates there would be a $28 billion selloff if every international fund tracking MSCI`s main global, emerging market or Asia indexes were to liquidate holdings of the 42 Chinese firms its views as at risk, not including Tencent or Alibaba. It and fellow Wall Street banks JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley have also said they will withdraw as many as 500 Hong Kong-listed structured products they had issued linked to the Chinese firms. ANT PROBLEMS The Trump administration has had both Tencent and Alibaba`s financial technology affiliate Ant Group in its crosshairs for some time. Just last week, Trump signed an executive order banning U.S. transactions with Alibaba`s Alipay mobile payment app and Tencent`s WeChat and QQ Wallet over concerns they could be used to "track the locations of federal employees" and "build dossiers of personal information". China`s foreign ministry responded saying the U.S. was abusing its power and unreasonably suppressing foreign firms with the measures. Tencent and Alibaba have declined to comment. In early November, it was Beijing itself though that rattled investors after the surprise suspension of Ant Group’s $37 billion public listing, set to be the world’s largest stock market debut, with just days to go. Alibaba, which owns about a third of Ant, has seen its market value shrink by more than a quarter since the IPO was shelved and regulators zeroed in on its business model, although it is still among the biggest 10 companies globally with a valuation of more than $600 billion. Some fund managers considered Beijing`s move a sensible one as Ant, a major online lender, lacked adequate capital buffers. But others like Aviva Investors` Head of Global Emerging Market Equities Alistair Way are concerned. "We have become rather more nervous about the regulatory climate in China and the seeming desire to reduce competitive dominance of big e-commerce players such as Alibaba," he said. "In aggregate we have been reducing exposure to Chinese internet firms." Standard Life Aberdeen senior investment director Nick Robinson is also unsure. "It feels unlikely at the moment that they (Alibaba and Tencent) will be added to the blacklist, but so far it hasn`t been right to bet on a de-escalation." "So could it happen? Absolutely. And if it does happen it could be quite significant."

The trillion dollar weapon in the U.S.-China tech stock war

The machete-wielding scientists ventured into the Amazon, hacking through dense jungle as the mid-morning temperature soared past 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 C). Soaked in sweat, the small group of men and women sawed and tore trees limb from limb. They drilled into the soil and sprayed paint across tree trunks. This is vandalism in the name of science - part of an effort to measure more precisely how much greenhouse gas is absorbed by different types of forests in the Amazon basin.

Wielding machetes and calipers, sweat-soaked scientists count carbon in Amazon

Ford will close its three plants in Brazil this year and take pretax charges of about $4.1 billion as COVID-19 pandemic amplified company's underuse of its manufacturing capacity.

World Business Watch: Ford announces closing of Brazil manufacturing operations

Japan has found a new Coronavirus variant among travellers coming in from Brazil. The new strain was detected among four travellers from Brazil’s Amazonas state.

Japan finds new COVID strain in travellers from Brazil

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite a shipment of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine amid broader delays to the vaccine's arrival in Brazil, according to a letter on Friday.

Brazil's Bolsonaro asks India to expedite vaccine shipment as delays loom

Japanese health ministry on Sunday said that four travellers from Brazil were found to be infected by new COVID strain that is different from those in Britain and South Africa. Head of Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) confirmed this.

"I understand a new variant that is different from Britain's and South Africa's has been found," said Takaji Wakita, head of NIID.

Characteristics of the new variant, such as how effective vaccines can be against it and how serious its symptoms can be, are being studied, a health ministry official said.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected Tokyo Olympics which were to be held in 2020 but were postponed to 2021. However, pandemic continues to affect the organisation as fears of COVID spread still remain.

Earlier this week, Tokyo Metropolitan Government said that upcoming exhibitions of the Tokyo Olympics torch around the Japanese capital were postponed.

The torch had been on display in certain municipalities at the end of last year and the exhibitions were due to restart on Thursday.

(With Reuters inputs)

Japanese health ministry on Sunday said that four travellers from Brazil were found to be infected by new COVID strain that is different from those in Britain and South Africa.

Japanese health ministry on Sunday said that four travellers from Brazil were found to be infected by new COVID strain that is different from those in Britain and South Africa. Head of Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) confirmed this. "I understand a new variant that is different from Britain's and South Africa's has been found," said Takaji Wakita, head of NIID. Characteristics of the new variant, such as how effective vaccines can be against it and how serious its symptoms can be, are being studied, a health ministry official said. The coronavirus pandemic has affected Tokyo Olympics which were to be held in 2020 but were postponed to 2021. However, pandemic continues to affect the organisation as fears of COVID spread still remain. Earlier this week, Tokyo Metropolitan Government said that upcoming exhibitions of the Tokyo Olympics torch around the Japanese capital were postponed. The torch had been on display in certain municipalities at the end of last year and the exhibitions were due to restart on Thursday. (With Reuters inputs)

Japan detects newer coronavirus infection in travellers from Brazil

A day after India's drug regulator approved COVAXIN for emergency use, various private clinics in Brazil are seeking Bharat Biotech's vaccine to fight against the increasing coronavirus tally.

The Brazilian Association of Vaccine Clinics (ABCVAC) has confirmed on its website that it has signed a&nbsp;memorandum of understanding with the Indian firm to purchase the Indian vaccine after the pharmaceutical company finishes its final stage of clinical trials.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-approves-sii-and-bharat-biotechs-covid-19-vaccines-for-restricted-emergency-use-354141">India approves SII and Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccines for restricted emergency use</a>

"We had been looking for solutions for the private market, and the possibility came up of using this Indian vaccine, which is very promising,"&nbsp;ABCVAC president Geraldo Barbosa told local reporters. "It's an additional sale that will not interfere with the quantity of vaccine doses the government has ordered."

This news has come out a few hours after the Indian drug regulator approved two vaccines —&nbsp;Serum Institute of India's Covishield, developed by Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca, and Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN — for emergency use in the country.

The order placement, however, depends on the approval by the far-right government, lead by the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and&nbsp;Brazil's health regulator, Anvisa. As of now, the regulator has not approved any vaccine against the new coronavirus.

This decision has been taken by private clinics as Brazil's coronavirus death toll saw an alarming increase. Private clinics and few state governments are now have decided to launch their own vaccinations to be able to protect locals.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-dcgi-approves-serum-bharat-biotech-vaccines-for-emergency-use-354148">WATCH|</a>

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ABCVAC also explained that the reason private clinics are looking at other vaccines is to make sure all locals can access vaccines as the ones approved by the Bolsonaro government will first be reserved for high-priority groups, which will include leaders and vulnerable people.

Depending on the approval by&nbsp;Anvisa, the clinics are hoping to start mass inoculation drives by mid-March. On the other hand, Bolsonaro's government has not yet announced a start date for its vaccination campaign but is expected to make an announcement on Monday. Opposition leaders have accused the far-right government of waiting too long to make the announcement. "Neighboring countries have already started their vaccination campaigns. It is urgent we establish a timeframe to do the same. Ignorance must not prevail over science," Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes tweeted.

A day after India's drug regulator approved COVAXIN for emergency use, various private clinics in Brazil are seeking Bharat Biotech's vaccine to fight against the increasing coronavirus tally.

A day after India's drug regulator approved COVAXIN for emergency use, various private clinics in Brazil are seeking Bharat Biotech's vaccine to fight against the increasing coronavirus tally. The Brazilian Association of Vaccine Clinics (ABCVAC) has confirmed on its website that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian firm to purchase the Indian vaccine after the pharmaceutical company finishes its final stage of clinical trials. Also read| India approves SII and Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccines for restricted emergency use "We had been looking for solutions for the private market, and the possibility came up of using this Indian vaccine, which is very promising," ABCVAC president Geraldo Barbosa told local reporters. "It's an additional sale that will not interfere with the quantity of vaccine doses the government has ordered." This news has come out a few hours after the Indian drug regulator approved two vaccines — Serum Institute of India's Covishield, developed by Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca, and Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN — for emergency use in the country. The order placement, however, depends on the approval by the far-right government, lead by the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and Brazil's health regulator, Anvisa. As of now, the regulator has not approved any vaccine against the new coronavirus. This decision has been taken by private clinics as Brazil's coronavirus death toll saw an alarming increase. Private clinics and few state governments are now have decided to launch their own vaccinations to be able to protect locals. WATCH| × ABCVAC also explained that the reason private clinics are looking at other vaccines is to make sure all locals can access vaccines as the ones approved by the Bolsonaro government will first be reserved for high-priority groups, which will include leaders and vulnerable people. Depending on the approval by Anvisa, the clinics are hoping to start mass inoculation drives by mid-March. On the other hand, Bolsonaro's government has not yet announced a start date for its vaccination campaign but is expected to make an announcement on Monday. Opposition leaders have accused the far-right government of waiting too long to make the announcement. "Neighboring countries have already started their vaccination campaigns. It is urgent we establish a timeframe to do the same. Ignorance must not prevail over science," Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes tweeted.

Brazil's private clinics seek India's COVAXIN vaccine

Brazil`s health regulator Anvisa said late on Saturday it had approved the import of 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, although the jab is not yet approved for use in the country. 
 
Anvisa said it approved the importation request from federal government-affiliated biomedical centre Fiocruz on Thursday. 
 
Importing the doses prior to approval will enable vaccination to begin as soon as Anvisa okays its use, the regulator said. Brazil has yet to approve any vaccine. 
 
Fiocruz will apply for emergency use of the vaccine by Wednesday, its president, Nísia Trindade, said last week. 
 
Brazil has recorded the second-deadliest outbreak of COVID-19 after only the United States. South America`s largest country has the third-highest tally of coronavirus cases, with the health ministry registering more than 7.7 million, after the United States and India.

Brazil`s health regulator Anvisa said late on Saturday it had approved the import of 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, although the jab is not yet approved for use in the country.

Brazil`s health regulator Anvisa said late on Saturday it had approved the import of 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, although the jab is not yet approved for use in the country. Anvisa said it approved the importation request from federal government-affiliated biomedical centre Fiocruz on Thursday. Importing the doses prior to approval will enable vaccination to begin as soon as Anvisa okays its use, the regulator said. Brazil has yet to approve any vaccine. Fiocruz will apply for emergency use of the vaccine by Wednesday, its president, Nísia Trindade, said last week. Brazil has recorded the second-deadliest outbreak of COVID-19 after only the United States. South America`s largest country has the third-highest tally of coronavirus cases, with the health ministry registering more than 7.7 million, after the United States and India.

Brazil to import two million AstraZeneca vaccine doses, not yet approved for use

Brazil rang in the New Year with Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach nearly empty -- the usual swarms of revelers kept away by police because of the pandemic -- and pot-banging protests against far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

Rio usually hosts one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve parties, but authorities canceled the festivities this year as Covid-19 racked the country.

"It was a complicated year, with this pandemic that has devastated the entire world," said Claudio Miranda, a 29-year-old salesman who was part of the relatively tiny crowd gathered on Copacabana.

"But we have to celebrate life -- our lives, our families' lives, everyone who's still here. Even if our hearts are aching for those who have left us," he told AFP.

Covid-19 has killed nearly 195,000 people in Brazil, the second-highest death toll worldwide after the United States. The South American country of 212 million people is currently in the grips of a nasty second wave.

The cancelation of the official festivities did not stop revelers across Rio from lighting up the city's iconic skyline with fireworks of their own at midnight.

The loud booms blended with the sound of pot- and pan-clanging demonstrators shouting "Get out, Bolsonaro!" from their windows in Rio and Sao Paulo, Brazil's two biggest cities, in protest against a leader they accuse of disastrous handling of the pandemic.

Bolsonaro, the politician dubbed the "Tropical Trump," has downplayed the gravity of the virus from the start and consistently defied health experts' advice on containing it.

He ended the year on the same note,&nbsp;saying that face masks -- which global health officials call a vital tool in preventing transmission of the virus -- "don't protect against anything."

"That's a fiction," he said in a New Year's Eve live address on Facebook.

"When are we going to get some people with the courage -- because I'm not a specialist on this, OK? -- to speak up and say that the protection provided by masks is a tiny percentage?"

New Year's celebrations were largely muted affairs across Brazil, though huge crowds of mask-less revelers could be seen at beaches and clubs in some areas.

Police broke up large parties in several cities, according to media reports.

Football superstar Neymar meanwhile tried to douse a firestorm of controversy over reports he organized a week-long party for 500 revelers at his mansion outside Rio.

The 28-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker posted a video on Instagram of his preparations for what he called a "low-key little dinner at home" for friends and family on New Year's Eve.

"And it's not for 500 people, ok?" he added with a laugh.

Brazil rang in the New Year with Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach nearly empty -- the usual swarms of revelers kept away by police because of the pandemic -- and pot-banging protests against far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

Brazil rang in the New Year with Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach nearly empty -- the usual swarms of revelers kept away by police because of the pandemic -- and pot-banging protests against far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Rio usually hosts one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve parties, but authorities canceled the festivities this year as Covid-19 racked the country. "It was a complicated year, with this pandemic that has devastated the entire world," said Claudio Miranda, a 29-year-old salesman who was part of the relatively tiny crowd gathered on Copacabana. "But we have to celebrate life -- our lives, our families' lives, everyone who's still here. Even if our hearts are aching for those who have left us," he told AFP. Covid-19 has killed nearly 195,000 people in Brazil, the second-highest death toll worldwide after the United States. The South American country of 212 million people is currently in the grips of a nasty second wave. The cancelation of the official festivities did not stop revelers across Rio from lighting up the city's iconic skyline with fireworks of their own at midnight. The loud booms blended with the sound of pot- and pan-clanging demonstrators shouting "Get out, Bolsonaro!" from their windows in Rio and Sao Paulo, Brazil's two biggest cities, in protest against a leader they accuse of disastrous handling of the pandemic. Bolsonaro, the politician dubbed the "Tropical Trump," has downplayed the gravity of the virus from the start and consistently defied health experts' advice on containing it. He ended the year on the same note, saying that face masks -- which global health officials call a vital tool in preventing transmission of the virus -- "don't protect against anything." "That's a fiction," he said in a New Year's Eve live address on Facebook. "When are we going to get some people with the courage -- because I'm not a specialist on this, OK? -- to speak up and say that the protection provided by masks is a tiny percentage?" New Year's celebrations were largely muted affairs across Brazil, though huge crowds of mask-less revelers could be seen at beaches and clubs in some areas. Police broke up large parties in several cities, according to media reports. Football superstar Neymar meanwhile tried to douse a firestorm of controversy over reports he organized a week-long party for 500 revelers at his mansion outside Rio. The 28-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker posted a video on Instagram of his preparations for what he called a "low-key little dinner at home" for friends and family on New Year's Eve. "And it's not for 500 people, ok?" he added with a laugh.

Brazil rings in 2021 with nearly empty Copacabana beach

The world is welcoming Argentina's new abortion law, but Brazil's President Jair M. Bolsonaro is unhappy. Palki Sharma tells you why.

Gravitas: Is Brazil interfering with healthcare?

Argentina's historic abortion law which was considered to be triumph for women rights campaigner. But the decision doesn't settle well with right wing president of Brazil, Bolsonaro said, 'abortion never be approved on our soil'.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro slams Argentina's historic abortion law

A dozen of worshippers gathered on Rio de Janeiro's iconic Copacabana Beach on Tuesday (December 29) to pay tribute to Yemanja, the Afro-Brazilian queen of the sea.

Faithful pay tribute to Brazil’s sea goddess, Yemanja

Christmas is a little different in Brazil for Jose Ivanildo Leandro da Silva, who is dressed as Santa as he looks to overcome mobility and poverty barriers in the capital Brasilia. Da Silva is disabled and gets about on his skateboard, skirting between traffic to ask for donations for the neediest children of Brazil's capital.

Disabled Santa in Brazil highlights mobility barriers this Christmas

Brazil is facing a dire situation as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to make bizarre claims & statements. When countries are rushing to innoculate their citizens, Brazilians are left with chaos & confusion. Molly Gambhir tells you why.

Is the President of Brazil living in another reality?

'Vaccine may turn you into crocodiles' is the latest suggestion by Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro. Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you a report on Bolsonaro's never-ending pandemic denial.

Gravitas: Bolsonaro sceptic on Vaccine side-effects

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Saudi Arabia Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah, and US Vice President Mike Pence are among the list of world leaders that received <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus jab</a> on camera to instil confidence in people's mind.

In another world in Brazil, thousands have flocked to Rio de Janeiro's famed beaches as the summer starts in the Southern Hemisphere.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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These people are not wearing any masks nor maintaining social distancing, it's just volleyball games and a lot of beach umbrellas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/women-may-grow-beard-after-taking-pfizer-vaccine-jair-bolsonaro-351054">Women may grow beard after taking Pfizer vaccine: Jair Bolsonaro</a>

This is a scene in a country whose president has been in denial of the pandemic since forever.&nbsp;

President Jair Bolsonar is dubbed as Trump of the Topics, but comparing him with President Donald Trump would not be appropriate anymore.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro is in a league of his own when it comes to denying the severity of this pandemic.&nbsp;

When Brazil became the world's second most infected country, he was eating out hot dogs and sipping on soft drinks, insisting that the country cannot afford to impose a lockdown.&nbsp;

It led to several Brazilians demanding a lockdown and to counter these movements, Bolsonrao organised anti-lockdown rallies.

Bolsonaro attended these rallies where he posed for selfies and hugged young children.&nbsp;

And now, when there is some hope to see the end of this pandemic with the rollout of vaccines, the Brazilian president is saying he will not get inoculated.&nbsp;

He says he has already had the virus and has developed antibodies, so why should he take the vaccine again.&nbsp;

"If you do not want to be treated, you have the right not to be treated. I decide, for example, not to do chemotherapy and I decide to die, it's my problem. &nbsp;And we in the federal government have already informed that, once the vaccines are approved by ANVISA (Health Regulation Agency), the vaccine will be offered to everyone, but those who do not want to take them do not have to. I will not take it. Some people say I'm setting a bad example, who says I'm an idiot, I've already had the virus, I have the antibodies, why take the vaccine again," said Bolsonaro.&nbsp;

The denial is bad enough and now Bolonaro is sowing scepticism by talking about the potential side effects of this vaccine.&nbsp;

In one of the very bizarre statements, Bolsonaro has said that there's a possibility that the vaccine can turn people into crocodiles and make women grow a beard and men talk like women.&nbsp;

He said that if any of this thing happens, it won't be his fault

"And another thing that has to be made very clear here is that there, at Pfizer, it is very clear in the contract - 'we are not responsible for any side effects'. If you become an alligator it is your problem; I am not going to talk about another animal because it would not be wise (in Brazilian slang, the word for deer means gay), if you become a superman, if some women start to grow a beard or if some men start to talk like women it is not going to be my fault. Or worse, they are playing with our immune system. How can you force someone to take a vaccine that hasn't even completed the third phase," he said.&nbsp;

These are the words of a head of state who is peddling such wild theories and audience is responding with an applause.&nbsp;

Brazil is the third worst-hit country in the world and the leaders, including Trump, have started taking the pandemic seriously.&nbsp;

But, Bolsonaro continues to believe in another reality.&nbsp;

All we can say in conclusion is it's better to grow a beard or even turn into a crocodile, better than being dead.&nbsp;

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Saudi Arabia Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah, and US Vice President Mike Pence are among the list of world leaders that received coronavirus jab on camera to instil confidence in people's mind.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Saudi Arabia Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah, and US Vice President Mike Pence are among the list of world leaders that received coronavirus jab on camera to instil confidence in people's mind. In another world in Brazil, thousands have flocked to Rio de Janeiro's famed beaches as the summer starts in the Southern Hemisphere. Watch | These people are not wearing any masks nor maintaining social distancing, it's just volleyball games and a lot of beach umbrellas. Also read | Women may grow beard after taking Pfizer vaccine: Jair Bolsonaro This is a scene in a country whose president has been in denial of the pandemic since forever. President Jair Bolsonar is dubbed as Trump of the Topics, but comparing him with President Donald Trump would not be appropriate anymore. Bolsonaro is in a league of his own when it comes to denying the severity of this pandemic. When Brazil became the world's second most infected country, he was eating out hot dogs and sipping on soft drinks, insisting that the country cannot afford to impose a lockdown. It led to several Brazilians demanding a lockdown and to counter these movements, Bolsonrao organised anti-lockdown rallies. Bolsonaro attended these rallies where he posed for selfies and hugged young children. And now, when there is some hope to see the end of this pandemic with the rollout of vaccines, the Brazilian president is saying he will not get inoculated. He says he has already had the virus and has developed antibodies, so why should he take the vaccine again. "If you do not want to be treated, you have the right not to be treated. I decide, for example, not to do chemotherapy and I decide to die, it's my problem. And we in the federal government have already informed that, once the vaccines are approved by ANVISA (Health Regulation Agency), the vaccine will be offered to everyone, but those who do not want to take them do not have to. I will not take it. Some people say I'm setting a bad example, who says I'm an idiot, I've already had the virus, I have the antibodies, why take the vaccine again," said Bolsonaro. The denial is bad enough and now Bolonaro is sowing scepticism by talking about the potential side effects of this vaccine. In one of the very bizarre statements, Bolsonaro has said that there's a possibility that the vaccine can turn people into crocodiles and make women grow a beard and men talk like women. He said that if any of this thing happens, it won't be his fault "And another thing that has to be made very clear here is that there, at Pfizer, it is very clear in the contract - 'we are not responsible for any side effects'. If you become an alligator it is your problem; I am not going to talk about another animal because it would not be wise (in Brazilian slang, the word for deer means gay), if you become a superman, if some women start to grow a beard or if some men start to talk like women it is not going to be my fault. Or worse, they are playing with our immune system. How can you force someone to take a vaccine that hasn't even completed the third phase," he said. These are the words of a head of state who is peddling such wild theories and audience is responding with an applause. Brazil is the third worst-hit country in the world and the leaders, including Trump, have started taking the pandemic seriously. But, Bolsonaro continues to believe in another reality. All we can say in conclusion is it's better to grow a beard or even turn into a crocodile, better than being dead.

As world scampers for vaccine, Bolsonaro working in two modes: denial and bizarre

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faced scathing criticism Sunday over his government's plan — or lack thereof, opponents said — to vaccinate the population against Covid-19.

Brazil, the country with the second-highest death toll in the pandemic, published its vaccination plan Saturday with some notable holes, including a start date to begin immunizing and details of how to reach its target of vaccinating 70 per cent of the population.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-covid-19-shots-in-us-to-be-administered-as-early-as-monday-349380" hreflang="en">First COVID-19 shots in US to be administered as early as Monday</a>

That prompted a new salvo of criticism for the far-right president, who has persistently defied expert advice on containing the pandemic and recently declared he did not plan to be vaccinated himself.

"President Jair Bolsonaro's murderous stupidity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic has surpassed all limits," leading newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo said in a front-page editorial.

"Enough shenanigans with the vaccine!"

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-regulator-approves-pfizer-biontech-coronavirus-vaccine-349187" hreflang="en">Mexico regulator approves Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine</a>

Rival daily Estado de Sao Paulo was equally harsh, condemning the government's "lethal incompetence."

The vaccination plan, which the Supreme Court required the government to present, provides for initial immunization of about 14 million high-risk people, including health workers, the elderly and indigenous Brazilians.

It envisions three subsequent phases reaching a total of 51.6 million people, about 24 per cent of the population.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dirty-methods-being-used-to-discredit-sputnik-v-vaccine-kremlin-349147" hreflang="en">'Dirty methods' being used to discredit Sputnik V vaccine: Kremlin</a>

It says the optimal target is more than 70 per cent of the population but provides no details on how to reach that figure.

Public health experts were bluntly critical of the plan.

"The health ministry is trying to make the Brazilian people and the Supreme Court look like clowns," tweeted the microbiologist Natalia Pasternak, a regular critic of the government's response to Covid-19.

She pointed out that the plan counts on 70 million doses of Pfizer's vaccine being available even though their purchase is still being negotiated, and it provides no information on how they will be stored at the required -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit).

The criticism came on the same day Folha published a poll finding that 22 per cent of Brazilians do not plan to be vaccinated against Covid-19, up from nine per cent in August.

Critics say Bolsonaro's sceptical comments are deterring many Brazilians from getting vaccinated.

He has downplayed the virus as a "little flu," and said Thursday that "we're at the tail end of the pandemic."

Covid-19 vaccines have been swept up in a political battle in Brazil between Bolsonaro and a likely presidential rival, Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, who is pushing to immunize people in his state with Chinese-developed vaccine CoronaVac, over the president's objections.

The federal vaccination plan does not include CoronaVac. Doria's government has secured 46 million doses of it and wants to start immunizing people on January 25.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faced scathing criticism Sunday over his government's plan — or lack thereof, opponents said — to vaccinate the population against Covid-19.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faced scathing criticism Sunday over his government's plan — or lack thereof, opponents said — to vaccinate the population against Covid-19. Brazil, the country with the second-highest death toll in the pandemic, published its vaccination plan Saturday with some notable holes, including a start date to begin immunizing and details of how to reach its target of vaccinating 70 per cent of the population. Also read| First COVID-19 shots in US to be administered as early as Monday That prompted a new salvo of criticism for the far-right president, who has persistently defied expert advice on containing the pandemic and recently declared he did not plan to be vaccinated himself. "President Jair Bolsonaro's murderous stupidity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic has surpassed all limits," leading newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo said in a front-page editorial. "Enough shenanigans with the vaccine!" Also read| Mexico regulator approves Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine Rival daily Estado de Sao Paulo was equally harsh, condemning the government's "lethal incompetence." The vaccination plan, which the Supreme Court required the government to present, provides for initial immunization of about 14 million high-risk people, including health workers, the elderly and indigenous Brazilians. It envisions three subsequent phases reaching a total of 51.6 million people, about 24 per cent of the population. Also read| 'Dirty methods' being used to discredit Sputnik V vaccine: Kremlin It says the optimal target is more than 70 per cent of the population but provides no details on how to reach that figure. Public health experts were bluntly critical of the plan. "The health ministry is trying to make the Brazilian people and the Supreme Court look like clowns," tweeted the microbiologist Natalia Pasternak, a regular critic of the government's response to Covid-19. She pointed out that the plan counts on 70 million doses of Pfizer's vaccine being available even though their purchase is still being negotiated, and it provides no information on how they will be stored at the required -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit). The criticism came on the same day Folha published a poll finding that 22 per cent of Brazilians do not plan to be vaccinated against Covid-19, up from nine per cent in August. Critics say Bolsonaro's sceptical comments are deterring many Brazilians from getting vaccinated. He has downplayed the virus as a "little flu," and said Thursday that "we're at the tail end of the pandemic." Covid-19 vaccines have been swept up in a political battle in Brazil between Bolsonaro and a likely presidential rival, Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, who is pushing to immunize people in his state with Chinese-developed vaccine CoronaVac, over the president's objections. The federal vaccination plan does not include CoronaVac. Doria's government has secured 46 million doses of it and wants to start immunizing people on January 25.

Brazil's vaccination plan is assailed as 'incompetent'

Santa Claus delivers holiday cheer in Rio de Janeiro by feeding the sharks and swimming with the sting raise in the city's aquarium.

Santa Claus feeding the fishes in city aquarium in Rio de Janeiro

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