Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro writes to PM for 2m Covishield doses

Brazil begins COVID-19 vaccine drive in Amazon

Brazilian military flew medical personnel and 1,000 doses of a Chinese vaccine deep into the Amazon rainforest on Tuesday to start inoculating indigenous people against the coronavirus. Gloria Tso reports.

Brazil's COVID-hit indigenous receive vaccine

Brazilian military flew medical personnel and 1,000 doses of a Chinese vaccine deep into the Amazon rainforest on Tuesday to start inoculating indigenous people against the coronavirus. Gloria Tso reports.

'No Republic Day chief guest this year in India due to Covid-19': MEA

MEA announced that there will be no foreign leader as Republic Day chief guest. The decision comes due to the global situation arising out of Covid-19. Earlier, India had invited UK PM Boris Johnson as Republic Day chief guest. The UK PM cancelled his visit on Republic Day in view of the spread of the new virus variant. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at Republic Day last year. India is preparing to celebrate the 72nd republic day this year. NSG 'black cat' commandos were seen practicing for the Republic Day parade. The commandos will be part of the forthcoming Republic Day parade. NSG commandos are making a comeback this year. The rehearsal was carried out with specialized vehicles and equipment. The number of commandos has been reduced this year due to covid-19.

Brazil sets aside $4bn for COVID-19 vaccines

President Jair Bolsonaro said his government has set aside $4bn to buy any vaccines but has yet to announce a starting date for vaccinations.

Deforestation in Amazon skyrockets to 12-year high

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest surged to a 12-year high in 2020, official government data showed on Monday (November 30), with destruction soaring since President Jair Bolsonaro took office and weakened environmental enforcement. Libby Hogan reports.

Brazil’s far right suffers municipal losses in blow to Bolsonaro

Serum's plant, where fire broke out, was upcoming facility for vaccine production: Pune CP

Pune Commissioner of Police Amitabh Gupta said that the Serum Institue of India's Manjri plant, where fire broke out, was an underconstruction facility for the production of Covishield vaccine. Preparation to begin the production at a later stage was ongoing, he added. Gupta further said that the main production was not going on there. The fire will douse in an hour, he added. "Fire broke out at Manjri plant. Production wasn't done there but preparation was on to begin it at a later stage. Fire fighting op is on, building has been vacated but we're re-checking. Fire will be doused in an hr. No problem at vaccine plant/storage," he said. In the latest development in the massive fire at Pune's Serum Institute of India, the vaccines and the vaccine manufacturing plant are safe. The incident of fire at the Serum Institute of India took place at Manjri Plant.

Watch: Fire at SII Pune’s facility, smoke billows; fire tenders rushed

Fire broke out at Manjri facility of Pune’s Serum Institute of India on Thursday. Pune’s Mayor Murlidhar Mohol said that a call was received at 2.50pm. Reportedly, ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot along with at least two extra tankers. As per reports, fire was reported from the fifth floor of the recently constructed building. Smoke was seen coming out of the building. Serum Institute of India is manufacturing coronavirus vaccine Covishield. Watch the full video for more details.

Concerns grow that COVID vaccine misinformation campaigns are targeting Muslims

With vaccination programmes being rolled out across the continent, health authorities are keen to see them adopted by all communities. But against them are anti-vaxx campaigns.

Dr. Fauci vows to be 'completely transparent' on Covid-19

During a White House press briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters that he feels liberated to speak freely and honestly about the coronavirus pandemic and the science behind it under the Biden administration.

Biden unveils Covid-19 plan on first full day in office

President Joe Biden focuses on the Covid-19 pandemic in his first full day in office. CNN’s Phil Mattingly reports.

President Joe Biden signs executive orders to reshape fight against Covid-19

President Joe Biden signs executive orders that will reshape the US's fightagainst Covid-19.

Fly high! Kashmiri girl masters sketching amid lockdown

In the recent times, Kashmiri youth have chosen art to express their thoughts. A 19-year-old girl Ritambra from Kathua district has astounded everyone with her artwork. Without any guidance from teacher, Ritambra has mastered in sketching. Her constant source of encouragement has been her parents and sibling. During COVID induced lockdown, she got a chance to shine her art and now she has become a sensation. From former President APJ Abdul Kalam and PM Narendra Modi to sports and film celebrities, Ritambra has made portraits of several known personality. Ritambra's father Sukh Dev Singh wanted her to join a professional filed but after seeing his daughter's skills, Singh motivated and encouraged her to sharpen the art form. Ritambra has become an inspiration for girls sitting idle in their homes to come up with their talent and skill.

Covid update: PM Modi may get jab in 2nd phase; 5 killed in Serum Institute fire

From India’s vaccination drive to fire at Serum Institute, here are the top updates on the pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to get vaccinated in the second phase of the inoculation drive, as per reports. Reportedly, chief ministers above 50 will also get vaccine doses. Meanwhile, five people were killed in fire at Pune’s Serum Institute of India. PM Modi expressed anguish over the loss of life. The fire was reported from an under-construction building at SII’s facility. Also, health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that some people are spreading misinformation about vaccines. Calling it unfortunate, Harsh Vardhan said it has developed vaccine hesitancy. Watch the full video for more updates on the pandemic.

Instead of siding with capitalists, PM Modi should apologise to farmers: Abhay Chautala

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) Abhay Chautala met farmers protesting at Masani Barrage at Delhi-Jaipur Highway in Rewari, against the agricultural laws. He said, "PM shouldn't test farmers anymore. Instead of siding with capitalists, mistake should be realised and apology should be made. Promises to farmers should be fulfilled and Swaminathan report should be implemented. They should bring MSP Bill in this session itself." Farmers at different borders of Delhi are protesting against Centre's farm laws. The massive protest is nearing two months.

Serum Institute fire: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar visits incident site

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on January 21 visited Serum Institute of India (SII), in Pune, where massive fire claimed five lives. After visiting the institute, he said, "Contractor's men were working on that floor (where the fire broke out) and when the fire brigade officials went there, they found five completely burnt bodies. 2 of them were from UP, 2 from Pune and 1 is from Bihar." "Fire brigade has done good work. As per my info, CM will also visit the site tomorrow. The place where COVID vaccine is manufactured was not affected. I was informed that preparation was going on at this building (site of fire) to make Rotavirus vaccine," he added. Fire had broken out at Manjri Plant of SII today afternoon and claimed five lives.

Serum Institute fire: 5 killed, 6 rescued; PM Modi expresses anguish

Cyrus S Poonawalla, chairman and MD of Serum Institute of India, on Thursday said the vaccine major will offer compensation of Rs 25 lakh in addition to the mandated amount to families of persons who died in a fire at the company's premises in Pune. Five men died after a fire broke out in a five-storeyed under-construction building at the firm's Manjari premises in Pune on Thursday. All were construction workers whose bodies were recovered by fire brigade personnel from the fifth floor, police said, adding nine others were evacuated from the spot. President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday expressed grief over the demise of five people who lost their lives in the fire incident at Serum Institute of India (SII), in Pune. "The loss of lives in a fire accident at the Serum Institute of India in Pune is distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery of the injured," President Kovind tweeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths caused by the fire incident. "Anguished by the loss of lives due to an unfortunate fire at Serum Institute of India. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest," PM Modi tweeted. Watch the full video for more details.