INDIGENOUSLY developed Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, neutralises multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively works against the double mutant strain as well, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Wednesday (21).
Bharat Biotech's Covaxin has received Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) in India and in several other countries with another 60 in the process.
"ICMR study shows Covaxin neutralises against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively neutralises the double mutant strain as well," the ICMR tweeted.
ICMR-National Institute of Virology has successfully isolated and cultured multiple variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 virus: B.1.1.7 (the UK variant), B.1.1.28 (Brazil variant ) and B.1.351 (South Africa variant).
ICMR-NIV has demonstrated the neutralisation potential of Covaxin against the UK variant and Brazil variant, the apex health research body said.
ICMR-NIV recently has been successful in isolating and culturing the double mutant strain B.1.617 SARS-CoV-2 identified in certain regions of India and several other countries, the ICMR stated.
"Covaxin has been found to effectively neutralise the double mutant strain as well," it said.
The UK mini heatwave weather forecast indicates a rise in temperatures across parts of the country this week, with the West Midlands expected to see warmer conditions after a damp and breezy bank holiday.
Following a weekend of sunshine and scattered showers, the Met Office has forecast a gradual warming trend across the region, with temperatures reaching up to 17°C in areas such as Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, and Sandwell.
Monday (26 May) began with bright spells across the West Midlands, but clouds and scattered showers soon developed, merging into longer periods of rain in the afternoon. The day remained windy, with top temperatures around 15°C. Overnight conditions turned drier, although winds persisted and the minimum temperature hovered around 10°C.
According to the Met Office, warmer conditions are expected on Tuesday (27 May). A spokesperson said: “After a bright start, clouds will soon thicken from the west with further spells of rain, turning heavy and persistent by the afternoon with stronger winds. Maximum temperature 17°C.”
While Tuesday’s rainfall may continue to impact the region, forecasters are optimistic about improved conditions later in the week. The midweek forecast indicates a changeable pattern, with milder temperatures expected to remain in place. On Wednesday (28 May), residents can expect a mix of sunshine and showers, accompanied by breezy winds. Thursday, 30 May, is likely to be cloudier, with spells of rain and drizzle. On Friday (30 May), the region is forecast to experience longer periods of rain, interspersed with occasional bright intervals.
In its broader UK mini heatwave weather forecast, the Met Office suggests a warming trend across much of the UK heading into early June, although changeable conditions will persist. Frontal systems are expected to move eastwards from the Atlantic, bringing bands of rain and gusty winds. However, some southern and southeastern areas may benefit from drier, sunnier interludes and slightly above-average temperatures.
The warmer spell, though not officially classed as a heatwave, is being referred to as a “mini heatwave” by some meteorologists due to the marked rise in temperatures compared to recent weeks. While no extended period of hot weather is currently expected, forecasters are not ruling out brief warm spells, particularly in early June.
The Met Office has advised the public to remain prepared for sudden shifts in weather, given the UK’s traditionally unpredictable late spring patterns. As the meteorological summer begins, longer daylight hours and rising temperatures are likely to lead to more settled periods, but rain and storms remain possible.
For the latest UK mini heatwave weather forecast updates, residents are encouraged to check the Met Office website and app, particularly for localised forecasts and weather warnings.
Authorities in India’s Kerala state have issued an alert after a ship carrying hazardous oil and gas cargo capsized and sank off the coast in the Arabian Sea, raising concerns of a potential ecological disaster.
The alert was issued following a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary A Jayathilak.
The vessel – MSC ELSA 3 – was travelling from Vizhinjam Port to Kochi when it developed an unexpected 26-degree tilt. The vessel had already moved about 38 nautical miles from the Kochi coast when the incident occurred. The Liberian-flagged ship overturned near Kochi on Sunday, causing the leak. The area is a popular tourist destination known for its rich biodiversity.
The ship sank into the Arabian Sea early on Sunday due to flooding in one of its compartments. Twelve of its compartments contained hazardous cargo, while another twelve carried calcium carbide – a substance that produces flammable gas upon contact with seawater.
The vessel was also carrying 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil in its tanks.
All 24 crew members were successfully rescued by Indian Navy personnel. However, approximately 640 containers from the ship are now drifting towards the shore, prompting warnings of possible evacuations. The containers are expected to reach the coasts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts.
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has warned that spilled pollutants could reach the coastal stretches of Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Arattupuzha, and Karunagappally within 36 to 48 hours of the spill.
Authorities are concerned about the safety of residents and marine life due to the leakage of oil, fuel, and other hazardous substances from the ship.
The Chief Minister’s office stated, “As the oil slick can reach anywhere along the Kerala coast, an alert has been sounded across the coastal belt.” They added that fuel from the ship had begun to leak, and around 100 containers may have fallen into the sea.
Residents along the coast have been advised not to touch any containers or oil that may wash ashore. Fishermen have been warned not to venture close to the sunken vessel. People are requested to maintain a minimum distance of 200 metres from the sea and to call the emergency number 112 in case of any incident.
Pollution control measures have been intensified across the state.
A ship carrying pollution control equipment has been deployed to the site by the Indian Coast Guard, which has also dispatched an aircraft equipped with an oil spill detection system to monitor the area.
The Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and the ports department have been instructed to deploy booms and skimmers to contain and remove the oil spill, according to government directives.
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Merseyside Police said the incident was not being treated as terrorism. (Photo: Reuters)
A CAR drove into a crowd of Liverpool fans on Monday night during the club’s Premier League title parade, injuring nearly 50 people and hospitalising 27, including four children, according to police and officials.
Merseyside Police said the incident was not being treated as terrorism. A 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested and is believed to have been the driver.
“We believe this to be an isolated incident, and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it,” said Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims. “The incident is not being treated as terrorism,” she added.
The collision happened minutes after Liverpool players had passed nearby on an open-topped bus celebrating their record-equalling 20th English league title. The British Broadcasting Corporation reported that the crash occurred about 10 minutes after the team’s bus had passed by.
“We are hoping of course that they pull through,” said Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, about the four people who were “very, very ill in hospital.”
Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said on social media the incident “cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day.”
Twenty people were treated at the scene. Firefighters had to release four people, including a child, who were trapped under the car, said Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer. Ambulance officials said one child and one adult were seriously injured.
An eyewitness who gave her name as Chelsea told BBC Radio that people were only alerted to the danger by screams from the crowd. “With the commotion, that was the only reason we looked up, and thankfully, looked up and managed to jump out (of) the way in time,” she said.
Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, who was at the parade with his family, said, “Initially we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of the car. It was horrible and you could hear the bumps as he was going over the people.”
Dal Babu, a former chief superintendent in London’s Metropolitan Police, told the BBC that police gave a quick description of the arrested man to stop speculation on social media that the crash was an Islamist attack.
Videos on social media showed people being thrown into the air as the car moved through the crowd. When the vehicle stopped, fans broke the back windows as police officers held them back.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “My thoughts are with all those injured or affected.” He called the scenes “appalling” and added, “the whole country stands with Liverpool.” He also commended the “remarkable bravery shown by the police and other emergency services. They are supporting and caring for those injured in these terrible events,” he said in a statement.
Liverpool FC posted on X, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident,” adding they were working with Merseyside Police. Everton, Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals, said their “thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city.”
The morning newspapers carried images from the incident. “Horror at Liverpool parade,” read The Sun, while the Daily Mail described it as “Carnage at parade.”
A Reuters photographer at the scene saw emergency services carrying victims on stretchers to ambulances and debris scattered on the road. A Reuters witness also reported disorder in the city centre, with confusion about street closures and overcrowding before the incident.
Liverpool’s football history has been marked by tragedy. In 1989, 97 fans died in a crush at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. In 1985, 39 mainly Italian fans died when a wall collapsed during disturbances between Liverpool and Juventus fans at Heysel Stadium in Brussels.
Liverpool last won the Premier League trophy during the Covid pandemic, when celebrations were not permitted due to lockdowns.
(With inputs from agencies)
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India’s S Jaishankar said he had 'discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties' with newly appointed foreign minister Anita Anand and had 'wished her a very successful tenure'. (Photos: Getty Images)
INDIA's foreign minister said he spoke to his Canadian counterpart as both countries work to ease tensions.
The telephone call, held late Sunday, marked the highest-level diplomatic contact between Ottawa and New Delhi since Mark Carney became Canadian prime minister in March.
Relations between Canada and India have been strained since accusations were made over New Delhi’s involvement in the 2023 killing of a Canadian Sikh, claims India has denied.
India’s Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he had “discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties” with newly appointed foreign minister Anita Anand and had “wished her a very successful tenure”.
Anand, whose parents came from India, said on X that she looked forward to “strengthening Canada–India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities”.
Canada hosts the largest Sikh community outside India, including activists for “Khalistan”, a separatist movement that seeks to carve an independent state for Sikhs out of India.
Ottawa had previously accused India of orchestrating the 2023 killing in Vancouver of 45-year-old naturalised Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistan campaigner, and of targeting other Sikh activists linked to the movement.
India has repeatedly rejected these claims, which led to both countries expelling several senior diplomats last year.
The Khalistan campaign dates back to India’s 1947 independence and has been blamed for the killing of an Indian prime minister and the bombing of a passenger jet.
It remains a source of tension between India and several Western nations with large Sikh communities.
New Delhi has called for stronger action against the Khalistan movement, which is banned in India, with some of its leaders accused of “terrorism”.
Canada will host the G7 summit next month.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has been invited to previous G7 summits since 2019, when France invited him to Biarritz. There are no details as to whether Modi has been invited to Canada.
(With inputs from AFP)
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The court will deliver a judgment on June 3. (Representational image:iStock)
A RICE tycoon has told the High Court he cannot pay £1.3 million in rent and interest to the wife of Russian billionaire German Khan because she is under UK sanctions, The Daily Mail reported.
Angelika Khan began letting a property in Eaton Square, Belgravia, to Karan Chanana in January 2022 for a three-year tenancy at £37,700 a month. The payments were to be made to Savills, which would then forward them to Mrs Khan.
After the UK sanctioned Mrs Khan in April 2022, Chanana’s lawyer, Hugo Page KC, said continuing payments would breach sanctions.
Mr Chanana made one payment post-sanction, but Savills refused further payments. Mr Chanana has kept paying his solicitors, who are holding the money until UK authorities permit its release.
Mrs Khan argued the payments could go to a frozen account without requiring permission. The court will deliver a judgment on June 3.
Earlier in January, Mrs Khan lost an appeal against the sanctions, The Reuters reported.
Britain imposed the sanctions in April 2022, a month after sanctioning Mr Khan, whose net worth Forbes estimates at £6.5 billion.
Mrs Khan argued she had no political involvement or influence over Russia.
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