Foreign Secretary Shringla assures Nepal on COVID vaccine; both agree to advance cooperation

Nepal: People cheers after approval of Covishield vaccine manufactured in India

After Nepal government approved emergency use of Covishield vaccine, people are hoping the pandemic will falter and human lives would be back on track. Nepal's Department of Drug Administration on Friday issued a release giving information on approving Covishield developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, which will be manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII) in India. Drug regulating authority has also specified Serum Institute of India for importers provided with low cost in purchasing and delivery of vaccine to public. Approving the vaccine for conditional purpose, the department has also asked manufacturers or importers to get approval for registration in order to bring the vaccines. Nepal imposed nationwide and partial lockdown for most of 2020 with rise in imported cases which later took the form of local transmission spreading mostly in urban areas and major cities. The nationwide lockdown which started in March 2020 hampered daily life of people as well as businesses. They now expect to thrive with the approval of vaccine. Though the detailed inoculation plan of Nepal Government is yet to be disclosed, a total of 3 companies applied for approval to take steps forward with Serum Institute for import of vaccines. India has already made conditional emergency approval for Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute. Being one of the largest producers of vaccines at low cost, India has promised to provide vaccine to its neighbours in near future.

Music producer Phil Spector, convicted of murder, dead at 81

Rock producer Phil Spector, who changed the sound of pop music in the 1960s with his "Wall of Sound" recordings and was convicted of murder for the 2003 murder of a Hollywood actress, has died at age 81 of COVID-19, according to authorities and media reports. This report produced by Yahaira Jacquez.

Covid-19 positive Anil Vij shifted to Rohtak hospital, condition stable

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, who tested positive for Covid-19, has been shifted to Rohtak's PGIMS hospital. Vij was earlier admitted to the civil hospital in Ambala. He was reportedly shifted on Saturday night after he had complained of discomfort. Hospital authority said Vij's condition is stable, he has been given a Remdesivir course. However, doctors will decide on whether the minister needs to be given plasma therapy. The Haryana Health Minister had tested positive for Covid-19 on December 5. Last month, Vij had got one shot of the two-dose trial of Covid vaccine, Covaxin. The 67-year-old BJP leader had offered to be the first volunteer in Covaxin's phase 3 trials. Covaxin is an indigenous potential vaccine being developed by Bharat Biotech against Covid. Vij was administered the dose on November 20 at the Civil Hospital in Ambala Cantonment. Bharat Biotech had said Covaxin's trials are based on a two-dose schedule, given 28 days apart. It had said the vaccine efficacy would be determined two weeks after the second dose.

The WHO No Longer Recommends Remdesivir For COVID-19 Patients

The FDA approved remdesivir as a treatment for severe COVID-19 cases last month. This is after granting emergency authorization in May, reports Business Insider. But on Thursday, the WHO announced it will not recommend the drug's use for COVID-19 patients. "There is currently no evidence that it improves survival or the need for ventilation," the organization said. Remdesivir was the first coronavirus treatment to receive emergency authorization from the FDA.

Lt Governor Kiran Bedi welcomes new Puducherry DGP RS Krishnia

IPS Ranvir Singh Krishnia took charge as the Director-General of Police (DGP) of Puducherry. He succeeded Balaji Srivastava, who has been transferred to New Delhi after 1.5 years' long stint in the Union Territory. Krishnia called on Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi at her respective office. Krishnia belongs to 1989 batch of the Indian Police Service (IPS) in the AGMUT cadre. He had served in various capacities in different states. With a heavy heart, Lieutenant Governor Bedi bid adieu to Balaji Srivastava. During Srivastava's period Rowdyism and Land grabbing came under strict control in the Union Territory.

COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Kerala, Leh

Malappuram District received COVID-19 vaccines, ahead of pan-India vaccination drive. The first consignment of Covishield also arrived at Leh. So far, several states including Karnataka, New Delhi, Telangana, Bihar and Tamil Nadu have received the vaccine. First phase of COVID vaccination is scheduled to begin from Jan 16.