Why can't India get vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna? Big Pharma firms say they want to negotiate directly with the Central government and set the terms. Some demands go beyond money. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Why can't India get COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna?

After Black fungus and White fungus, a case of Yellow Fungus has emerged from India's Uttar Pradesh. What can cure it? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas:  After Black and White, India reports a case of Yellow Fungus

Tensions remain high between the Government of India and Twitter after Delhi Police raided Twitter's offices in Delhi and Gurgaon to serve a notice based on a complaint about why a tweet by the spokesperson of the ruling BJP was tagged as 'manipulated media'.

Tensions high between Indian govt and Twitter

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar his on a five day trip to the United States, where he will hold the key bilateral meeting with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He is also scheduled to meet the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Indian EAM Jaishankar to pitch for vaccine equity in meeting with UN chief

At a debate on safety and security of UN peacekeepers at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, India said it is&nbsp;"proud" of its "contribution", highlighting the recent role played by Indian brigade in the aftermath of volcanic eruption in DR Congo.&nbsp;

Speaking at the debate,&nbsp;India's Deputy Permanent Representative Nagaraj Naidu said,"India is proud of its long and rich tradition of contribution to UN peacekeeping operations... Even as Ispeak today, an Indian peacekeepers brigade stationed in Goma (DRC) are saving lives of civilians stranded in the aftermath of the Mount Nayargongo eruption in DRC."

Indian forces part of the MONUSCO or United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo played a key role in safeguarding civilians and UN assets when the eruption took place.&nbsp;MONUSCO has 14,000 total military personnel including 2,200 Indians, making India the largest troop-contributing country.

India has contributed in many ways to strengthen UN peacekeeping. Earlier this year it&nbsp;delivered 200,000 doses of made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines, which has helped vaccinate&nbsp;140,000 field personnel. Nagraj Naidu said, "During the pandemic, India readily answered the Secretary General’s call by upgrading its hospitals in UNMISS or United Nations Mission in South Sudan and MONUSCO or&nbsp;United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo".

India is also working with UN's Department of Peacekeeping Operations for development of a mobile tech platform – UNITE AWARE, which, India's deputy envoy said will help "increase situational awareness and provides terrain related information to peacekeepers." India has contributed $1.64 million towards it and will be launching it in August when it will be chair of the United Nations Security Council for that month.

India’s Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) which was set up in 2000 will be signing an MOU with C4ISR Academy for Peace Operations for new training modules for UN peacekeepers. It has also pledged a helicopter unit for MINUSMA or&nbsp;United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and upgraded its medical facilities at MONUSCO (Goma) and UNMISS (Juba).

At the debate, India gave few suggestions to strengthen peacekeeping which involved pointing out that "peacekeeping missions cannot be a long-term response to what are fundamentally political problems" and "it is for the council to address these issues rather than burden peacekeeping missions beyond their mandate."

The statement said, "The Security Council needs to authorize carefully thought-out mandates to peacekeepers in close consultation with troop contributing countries since protection of peacekeepers is as important as protection of civilians.".&nbsp;

India is one of the major troop contributing countries&nbsp;to the UN's peacekeeping forces. It&nbsp;has&nbsp;contributed more than 250,000 troops in 49 UN peacekeeping missions in which&nbsp;175 of its peacekeepers laid&nbsp;down their lives.&nbsp;

At a debate on safety and security of UN peacekeepers at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, India said it is "proud" of its "contribution", highlighting the recent role played by Indian brigade in the aftermath of volcanic eruption in DR Congo.

At a debate on safety and security of UN peacekeepers at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, India said it is "proud" of its "contribution", highlighting the recent role played by Indian brigade in the aftermath of volcanic eruption in DR Congo. Speaking at the debate, India's Deputy Permanent Representative Nagaraj Naidu said,"India is proud of its long and rich tradition of contribution to UN peacekeeping operations... Even as Ispeak today, an Indian peacekeepers brigade stationed in Goma (DRC) are saving lives of civilians stranded in the aftermath of the Mount Nayargongo eruption in DRC." Indian forces part of the MONUSCO or United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo played a key role in safeguarding civilians and UN assets when the eruption took place. MONUSCO has 14,000 total military personnel including 2,200 Indians, making India the largest troop-contributing country. India has contributed in many ways to strengthen UN peacekeeping. Earlier this year it delivered 200,000 doses of made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines, which has helped vaccinate 140,000 field personnel. Nagraj Naidu said, "During the pandemic, India readily answered the Secretary General’s call by upgrading its hospitals in UNMISS or United Nations Mission in South Sudan and MONUSCO or United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo". India is also working with UN's Department of Peacekeeping Operations for development of a mobile tech platform – UNITE AWARE, which, India's deputy envoy said will help "increase situational awareness and provides terrain related information to peacekeepers." India has contributed $1.64 million towards it and will be launching it in August when it will be chair of the United Nations Security Council for that month. India’s Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) which was set up in 2000 will be signing an MOU with C4ISR Academy for Peace Operations for new training modules for UN peacekeepers. It has also pledged a helicopter unit for MINUSMA or United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and upgraded its medical facilities at MONUSCO (Goma) and UNMISS (Juba). At the debate, India gave few suggestions to strengthen peacekeeping which involved pointing out that "peacekeeping missions cannot be a long-term response to what are fundamentally political problems" and "it is for the council to address these issues rather than burden peacekeeping missions beyond their mandate." The statement said, "The Security Council needs to authorize carefully thought-out mandates to peacekeepers in close consultation with troop contributing countries since protection of peacekeepers is as important as protection of civilians.". India is one of the major troop contributing countries to the UN's peacekeeping forces. It has contributed more than 250,000 troops in 49 UN peacekeeping missions in which 175 of its peacekeepers laid down their lives.

Proud of contribution to UN peacekeeping operations: India at UNSC while highlighting country's role in Congo after volcanic eruption

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has started his week long trip to the United States, where he has been scheduled to meet the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and also hold a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Indian EAM Jaishankar to meet Blinken, UN Chief Guterres during US visit

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) based at Bengaluru, India, is working and trying to develop another vaccine that could be more effective in fighting against the new strains of COVID-19.

India: IISc working on new effective vaccine against pandemic COVID-19

India continues to witness a consistent drop in daily case load of COVID-19 pandemic with 2,22,315 in the last 24 hrs, However, the situation in India is still severe as India has now passed the grim milestone 3,00,000 deaths from the virus.

New COVID-19 cases dip to lowest since April 16 in India

A severe&nbsp;cyclone&nbsp;is brewing off&nbsp;India's eastern coast, the nation's weather bureau warned Sunday, as the death toll rose&nbsp;from a major&nbsp;storm&nbsp;that wreaked havoc in the west of the virus-hit nation last&nbsp;week.

Moving northwards in the Bay of Bengal, the depression was set to form a&nbsp;cyclone,&nbsp;to be dubbed Yaas, before intensifying and hitting the eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha on Wednesday, the&nbsp;India&nbsp;Meteorological Department said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-tauktae-six-dead-as-powerful-storm-heads-for-india-385552">Cyclone Tauktae: Six dead as powerful storm heads for India</a>

The&nbsp;storm&nbsp;could pack winds of up to 165 kilometres (100 miles) per hour, hitting occasional highs of up to 185kph by mid-Wednesday as a "Very Severe Cyclonic&nbsp;Storm", the third-worst category, the department said.

It also warned of&nbsp;storm&nbsp;surges of up to four metres (13 feet) high in coastal areas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-review-preparations-to-deal-with-cyclone-yaas-386841">PM Modi to review preparations to deal with cyclone Yaas</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday he had chaired a meeting on the approaching&nbsp;storm, with the military and disaster teams deployed to help with the preparations and potential rescue operations.

Cyclone&nbsp;Yaas is set to hit soon&nbsp;after&nbsp;Cyclone&nbsp;Tauktae,&nbsp;India's first major tropical&nbsp;storm&nbsp;this season, which battered the western state of Gujarat late Monday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/barge-p305-located-on-seabed-indian-navy-continues-search-for-20-missing-personnel-386866">Barge P305 located on seabed, Indian Navy continues search for 20 missing personnel</a>&nbsp;

The death toll from the&nbsp;storm&nbsp;rose to at least 140 on Sunday, with 70 bodies recovered&nbsp;after&nbsp;the&nbsp;cyclone&nbsp;hit an oil rig off Mumbai and several support vessels, the navy said.

Around 600 people were rescued by the navy but five remain missing from an accommodation barge for oil workers that ripped free of its anchors in the&nbsp;storm&nbsp;and sank.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cyclone-tauktae-22-dead-in-mumbai-after-barge-sank-386076/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Search &amp; Rescue ops by ships and helicopters/aircraft will continue in the area to locate the remaining crew of the sunken vessels," the navy said in a statement Sunday.

India's neighbour Bangladesh, which borders West Bengal, said it was monitoring Yaas.

"All the boats and fishing trawlers have been ordered to come close to the coast as a precautionary measure. Tomorrow (Monday) we will have better idea where it is heading," Bangladesh Meteorological Department senior weather forecaster Bazlur Rashid told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-coast-guard-teams-on-stand-by-fishermen-sailors-alerted-for-cyclone-yaas-on-east-coast-386334">Indian Coast Guard teams on stand-by, fishermen, sailors alerted for Cyclone ‘Yaas’ on East Coast</a>

Scientists say cyclones in the densely populated region, currently reeling from a&nbsp;deadly&nbsp;wave of Covid-19 infections, are becoming both more frequent and stronger as climate change leads to warmer sea temperatures.

Last May, more than 110 people died&nbsp;after&nbsp;"super&nbsp;cyclone" Amphan ravaged eastern&nbsp;India&nbsp;and Bangladesh, flattening villages, destroying farms and leaving millions without electricity.

A severe cyclone is brewing off India's eastern coast, the nation's weather bureau warned Sunday, as the death toll rose from a major storm that wreaked havoc in the west of the virus-hit nation last week.

A severe cyclone is brewing off India's eastern coast, the nation's weather bureau warned Sunday, as the death toll rose from a major storm that wreaked havoc in the west of the virus-hit nation last week. Moving northwards in the Bay of Bengal, the depression was set to form a cyclone, to be dubbed Yaas, before intensifying and hitting the eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department said. Also read | Cyclone Tauktae: Six dead as powerful storm heads for India The storm could pack winds of up to 165 kilometres (100 miles) per hour, hitting occasional highs of up to 185kph by mid-Wednesday as a "Very Severe Cyclonic Storm", the third-worst category, the department said. It also warned of storm surges of up to four metres (13 feet) high in coastal areas. Also read | PM Modi to review preparations to deal with cyclone Yaas Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday he had chaired a meeting on the approaching storm, with the military and disaster teams deployed to help with the preparations and potential rescue operations. Cyclone Yaas is set to hit soon after Cyclone Tauktae, India's first major tropical storm this season, which battered the western state of Gujarat late Monday. Also read | Barge P305 located on seabed, Indian Navy continues search for 20 missing personnel The death toll from the storm rose to at least 140 on Sunday, with 70 bodies recovered after the cyclone hit an oil rig off Mumbai and several support vessels, the navy said. Around 600 people were rescued by the navy but five remain missing from an accommodation barge for oil workers that ripped free of its anchors in the storm and sank. "Search & Rescue ops by ships and helicopters/aircraft will continue in the area to locate the remaining crew of the sunken vessels," the navy said in a statement Sunday. India's neighbour Bangladesh, which borders West Bengal, said it was monitoring Yaas. "All the boats and fishing trawlers have been ordered to come close to the coast as a precautionary measure. Tomorrow (Monday) we will have better idea where it is heading," Bangladesh Meteorological Department senior weather forecaster Bazlur Rashid told AFP. Also read | Indian Coast Guard teams on stand-by, fishermen, sailors alerted for Cyclone ‘Yaas’ on East Coast Scientists say cyclones in the densely populated region, currently reeling from a deadly wave of Covid-19 infections, are becoming both more frequent and stronger as climate change leads to warmer sea temperatures. Last May, more than 110 people died after "super cyclone" Amphan ravaged eastern India and Bangladesh, flattening villages, destroying farms and leaving millions without electricity.

Another cyclone Yaas looms for India, week after deadly storm Tauktae

India on Sunday reported 240,842 new coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours and deaths rose by 3,741. 
 
Total infections in the country stood at 26.5 million while the country`s total death toll was at 299,266, according to data from the health ministry. 
 
India leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported, accounting for one in every three deaths reported worldwide each day, according to a Reuters tally.

India on Sunday reported 240,842 new coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours and deaths rose by 3,741. Total infections in the country stood at 26.5 million while the country`s total death toll was at 299,266, according to data from the health ministry.

India on Sunday reported 240,842 new coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours and deaths rose by 3,741. Total infections in the country stood at 26.5 million while the country`s total death toll was at 299,266, according to data from the health ministry. India leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported, accounting for one in every three deaths reported worldwide each day, according to a Reuters tally.

India reports 240,842 new cases of COVID-19 in last 24 hours

Indian government said on Saturday that the WHO is yet to reach a consensus on the COVID-19 vaccine passport issue for allowing international travel to those fully vaccinated against the coronavirus infection and noted that discussions are still on.

Indian Govt: No consensus yet on COVID-19 vaccine passport issue at WHO level

Barge P305, which sank during Cyclone Tauktae fury six days ago, was located on the seabed on Saturday, the Navy said, while it continued the search for 20 missing personnel from two vessels.&nbsp;

There was no trace yet of nine personnel from barge P305 and 11 from tugboat Varaprada while the death toll on P305 rose to 66 with the recovery of six more bodies during the day, a Navy spokesperson said.&nbsp;

Barge P305 has been located on the seabed after systematic search by INS Makar employing advanced side scan sonar while search for the missing personnel will continue through the night, he said.&nbsp;

The Navy also deployed specialised diving teams to boost the search and rescue operations (SAR). "So far, 66 mortal remains have been recovered. The SAR ops are continuing through the night," the spokesperson said. "To augment the ongoing SAR ops for the missing crew of Barge P305 and Tug Varaprada, specialised diving teams onboard INS Makar with side-scan sonar and INS Tarasa sailed out early morning today from Mumbai," the Navy spokesperson had tweeted earlier in the day.&nbsp;

Of the 261 personnel, who were on barge P305, 186 have been rescued so far, 66 are dead and nine are missing. Of the 13 persons on Varaprada, two have been rescued. While all the 440 persons on barges Gal Constructor and Support Station 3 (SS-3) and drillship Sagar Bhushan were brought ashore to safety, Naval and Coast Guard vessels and aircraft scoured the waters off the Mumbai coast as the search and rescue operations entered the sixth day on Saturday. &nbsp;

Struggling to establish the identity of almost half the victims of the P305 barge tragedy, police initiated the process of conducting the DNA testing of the bodies, an official said on Saturday. &nbsp;

A Mumbai police spokesperson said the Navy has handed over the bodies recovered so far to the city police. As many as 41 bodies were handed over to the relatives after the completion of formalities, he said. &nbsp;

Barge P-305, which housed personnel engaged in maintenance work of an offshore oil drilling platform of state-run oil and gas major ONGC, sank on Monday evening off the Mumbai coast during the cyclone. The barge had gone adrift in the cyclone fury before sinking. Some bodies are decomposed, some others have deep injuries and therefore, they are beyond recognition, the official said. &nbsp;

Blood samples of the deceased and their immediate relatives are being collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory at Kalina in Mumbai, he said. "After the samples are matched, the bodies will be handed over to the respective family members," he said, adding that the DNA sampling process is expected to be completed in the next three days. &nbsp;

RT-PCR tests to ascertain whether the victims had COVID-19 infection were also conducted, he said. Mumbai police have also announced they will conduct a probe as to why the ill-fated barge remained in the turbulent area despite warnings about cyclone Tauktae, an official said. The police have also registered accidental death reports in connection with the death of the personnel on the barge. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Barge P305, which sank during Cyclone Tauktae fury six days ago, was located on the seabed on Saturday, the Navy said, while it continued the search for 20 missing personnel from two vessels.

Barge P305, which sank during Cyclone Tauktae fury six days ago, was located on the seabed on Saturday, the Navy said, while it continued the search for 20 missing personnel from two vessels. There was no trace yet of nine personnel from barge P305 and 11 from tugboat Varaprada while the death toll on P305 rose to 66 with the recovery of six more bodies during the day, a Navy spokesperson said. Barge P305 has been located on the seabed after systematic search by INS Makar employing advanced side scan sonar while search for the missing personnel will continue through the night, he said. The Navy also deployed specialised diving teams to boost the search and rescue operations (SAR). "So far, 66 mortal remains have been recovered. The SAR ops are continuing through the night," the spokesperson said. "To augment the ongoing SAR ops for the missing crew of Barge P305 and Tug Varaprada, specialised diving teams onboard INS Makar with side-scan sonar and INS Tarasa sailed out early morning today from Mumbai," the Navy spokesperson had tweeted earlier in the day. Of the 261 personnel, who were on barge P305, 186 have been rescued so far, 66 are dead and nine are missing. Of the 13 persons on Varaprada, two have been rescued. While all the 440 persons on barges Gal Constructor and Support Station 3 (SS-3) and drillship Sagar Bhushan were brought ashore to safety, Naval and Coast Guard vessels and aircraft scoured the waters off the Mumbai coast as the search and rescue operations entered the sixth day on Saturday. Struggling to establish the identity of almost half the victims of the P305 barge tragedy, police initiated the process of conducting the DNA testing of the bodies, an official said on Saturday. A Mumbai police spokesperson said the Navy has handed over the bodies recovered so far to the city police. As many as 41 bodies were handed over to the relatives after the completion of formalities, he said. Barge P-305, which housed personnel engaged in maintenance work of an offshore oil drilling platform of state-run oil and gas major ONGC, sank on Monday evening off the Mumbai coast during the cyclone. The barge had gone adrift in the cyclone fury before sinking. Some bodies are decomposed, some others have deep injuries and therefore, they are beyond recognition, the official said. Blood samples of the deceased and their immediate relatives are being collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory at Kalina in Mumbai, he said. "After the samples are matched, the bodies will be handed over to the respective family members," he said, adding that the DNA sampling process is expected to be completed in the next three days. RT-PCR tests to ascertain whether the victims had COVID-19 infection were also conducted, he said. Mumbai police have also announced they will conduct a probe as to why the ill-fated barge remained in the turbulent area despite warnings about cyclone Tauktae, an official said. The police have also registered accidental death reports in connection with the death of the personnel on the barge. (With inputs from agencies)

Barge P305 located on seabed, Indian Navy continues search for 20 missing personnel  

Is China profiting from India's pandemic crisis? Reports say prices of oxygen concentrators have shot up by "five times". Prices of raw materials needed to make drugs like paracetamol have increased by up to 40%. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Is China profiting from India's pandemic crisis?

The Govt of India has asked states to declare Black Fungus an epidemic. 7,250 cases have been reported in 13 states & UTs. At least 219 people have lost their lives. What measures are being taken? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: 'Black Fungus' declared an epidemic in India

The number of COVID Positive patients is increasing across the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Indian Army sets up two COVID-19 hospitals in J&K.

India: Indian Army sets up 2 COVID hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir

India is planning to bring all three defence services under joint theatre commands. How will the Army, Navy and Air Force respond to this new plan? What are the challenges to unifying command in India? WION's Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: India's plan for joint commands

Black Fungus is a rare but serious fungal infection and it is being detected relatively frequently in COVID-19 patients across India.

Hospitals in India report shortage Of Anti-fungal Drug

With 257,299 fresh cases of COVID-19, India on Saturday witnessed the lowest rise in infection since April 21, even as 4,194 people died due to the pandemic in last 24 hours, according to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry. 
 
India`s overall tally of Covid-19 cases now stands at 2,62,89,290 with 29,23,400 active cases and 2,95,525 deaths so far. 
 
According to the Health Ministry, a total of 3,57,630 people have been discharged in the last 24 hours, with 2,30,70,365 being cured from Covid till date. 
 
The Health Ministry said that a total of 19,33,72,819 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 14,58,895 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours. 
 
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 32,64,84,155 samples have been tested up to May 21 for Covid-19. Of these 20,66,285 samples were tested on Friday. 
 
India registered record deaths due to Covid on Wednesday with 4,529 deaths -- the highest number of fatalities from Covid infection in any country since the coronavirus outbreak was reported in China`s Wuhan in December 2019. 
 
It surpassed 4,468 deaths in the US on January 12, and earlier 4,211 in Brazil on April 6. These three are the worst-hit by the pandemic. 
 
After battling a brutal second wave for weeks, fresh Covid cases came down below the three lakh-mark for the first time on May 17 after touching record high of 4,14,188 on May 7.

With 257,299 fresh cases of COVID-19, India on Saturday witnessed the lowest rise in infection since April 21, even as 4,194 people died due to the pandemic in last 24 hours, according to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.

With 257,299 fresh cases of COVID-19, India on Saturday witnessed the lowest rise in infection since April 21, even as 4,194 people died due to the pandemic in last 24 hours, according to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry. India`s overall tally of Covid-19 cases now stands at 2,62,89,290 with 29,23,400 active cases and 2,95,525 deaths so far. According to the Health Ministry, a total of 3,57,630 people have been discharged in the last 24 hours, with 2,30,70,365 being cured from Covid till date. The Health Ministry said that a total of 19,33,72,819 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 14,58,895 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 32,64,84,155 samples have been tested up to May 21 for Covid-19. Of these 20,66,285 samples were tested on Friday. India registered record deaths due to Covid on Wednesday with 4,529 deaths -- the highest number of fatalities from Covid infection in any country since the coronavirus outbreak was reported in China`s Wuhan in December 2019. It surpassed 4,468 deaths in the US on January 12, and earlier 4,211 in Brazil on April 6. These three are the worst-hit by the pandemic. After battling a brutal second wave for weeks, fresh Covid cases came down below the three lakh-mark for the first time on May 17 after touching record high of 4,14,188 on May 7.

India reports 257,299 fresh Covid cases in last 24 hours

Indian government and Pfizer are at loggerheads over a demand by the US drug maker for legal protection from any claims linked to the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in one of the world's biggest markets.

Indian Govt & Pfizer at loggerheads over COVID-19 vaccine indemnity demand

Soumya, an Indian national was killed in a Hamas rocket attack in Israel's Ashkelon.

Soumya Santhosh's family to receive compensation from Israel

India has now been forced to declare the infection an epidemic. From reporting just a few cases last month the situation has now turned serious.

Black Fungus: India ramps up anti-fungal drug production

As Indian states declare black fungus an epidemic, a new infection has now been found. Doctors in Bihar have found four cases of "white fungus". WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: After black fungus, cases of "white fungus" found in India

Canada has extended its ban on passenger flights from India and Pakistan by 30 days to June 21 as part of a campaign to fight <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Friday.

Alghabra said Canada had seen "a significant reduction" in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> infections among arriving airline passengers since Ottawa first announced the bans on April 22 as the number of cases in India soared. The move does not affect cargo flights.

"These ongoing measures will remain in place to help protect Canadians and to manage the elevated risk of imported cases of COVID-19 and variants of concern," he told a briefing.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/australia-suspends-direct-passenger-flights-from-india-amid-covid-19-outbreak-380686">Australia suspends direct passenger flights from India amid COVID-19 outbreak</a>

As vaccinations pick up across Canada, the number of daily new cases has dropped by 25 per cent since last week and it now averages around 5,000, deputy chief public health officer Howard Njoo told the briefing.

Canada has so far recorded a total of 25,111 deaths from COVID-19 and more than 1.3 million cases overall.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-restricts-travel-from-high-risk-india-379851">Germany restricts travel from 'high-risk' India</a>

The ban on Indian and Pakistani flights is part of a series of restrictions Canada has imposed to lower the transmission of the virus, including curbs on non-essential travel across the long land border with the United States.

Canada said on Thursday that the measure, first applied in March 2020, would be extended by another month to June 21. Government officials said they were in no hurry to open up travel across the border, citing the need to protect public health.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-bars-travellers-from-india-over-coronavirus-variant-386596">Colombia bars travellers from India over coronavirus variant</a>

Ontario, the most populous of the 10 provinces, announced on Friday that it would begin administering second doses of AstraZeneca Inc's COVID-19 vaccine after earlier halting roll out due to concerns about rare blood clots.

The province has tens of thousands of AstraZeneca doses set to expire at the end of May.

Canada has extended its ban on passenger flights from India and Pakistan by 30 days to June 21 as part of a campaign to fight COVID-19, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Friday.

Canada has extended its ban on passenger flights from India and Pakistan by 30 days to June 21 as part of a campaign to fight COVID-19, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Friday. Alghabra said Canada had seen "a significant reduction" in coronavirus infections among arriving airline passengers since Ottawa first announced the bans on April 22 as the number of cases in India soared. The move does not affect cargo flights. "These ongoing measures will remain in place to help protect Canadians and to manage the elevated risk of imported cases of COVID-19 and variants of concern," he told a briefing. Also Read | Australia suspends direct passenger flights from India amid COVID-19 outbreak As vaccinations pick up across Canada, the number of daily new cases has dropped by 25 per cent since last week and it now averages around 5,000, deputy chief public health officer Howard Njoo told the briefing. Canada has so far recorded a total of 25,111 deaths from COVID-19 and more than 1.3 million cases overall. Also Read | Germany restricts travel from 'high-risk' India The ban on Indian and Pakistani flights is part of a series of restrictions Canada has imposed to lower the transmission of the virus, including curbs on non-essential travel across the long land border with the United States. Canada said on Thursday that the measure, first applied in March 2020, would be extended by another month to June 21. Government officials said they were in no hurry to open up travel across the border, citing the need to protect public health. Also Read | Colombia bars travellers from India over coronavirus variant Ontario, the most populous of the 10 provinces, announced on Friday that it would begin administering second doses of AstraZeneca Inc's COVID-19 vaccine after earlier halting roll out due to concerns about rare blood clots. The province has tens of thousands of AstraZeneca doses set to expire at the end of May.

Canada extends ban on passenger flights from India, Pakistan

Amid the rising Coronavirus cases in the Indian Union Territory Jammu & Kashmir and rising demand for oxygen and hospitals, the Indian army left no stone unturned to assist the local administration. WION brings you a report.

Indian army sets up 2 COVID-19 hospitals, restarts defunct oxygen plant in J&K

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