Latest News: Choksi flees to Cuba; Roche’s antibody cocktail now in India; Plane diversion

Mehul Choksi Flees To Cuba Owing To Fear Of Extrition To India In PNB Scam Case: Report

Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi has fled to Cuba from Antigua and Barbuda owing to fear of being extrited to India in PNB scam case, a media report claimed. Caribbean news outlet Associate Times quoted his close aide Govin as saying that he left island nation a few days ago and is currently living in a safe house at an undisclosed location in Cuba. Claiming that PNB scam accused also holds citizenship of anor Caribbean country, he attributed Choksi's latest move to government of Antigua and Barbuda initiating process to revoke his citizenship.

Re full story here

COVID-19: COVISHIELD Dose Interval Based On 'scientific Evidence', Asserts Govt Panel He

increase in COVISHIELD dose interval is based on "scientific evidence", National Technical visory Group on Immunisation chairman Dr. NK Arora asserted. Speaking to media on Monday, he quashed speculation that Centre decided to increase gap between two doses of COVISHIELD to 12-16 weeks owing to a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines. According to him, purpose of this move was to leverage body's immune response and vaccine's immune-stimulating so that best protection is provided to people.

NTAGI he Dr. NK Arora remarked, "For COVISHIELD, interval has been increased from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks, i.e 3-4 months. This has been based on scientific evidence. We got real-time data from UK which suggested that if a single dose is given and interval before second dose is given, protection provided is between 65-88%. We certainly want our population to be well protected and immunization is a key intervention."

Re full story here

WB CM Mamata Banerjee Calls MHA's vance Relief Money For Cyclone Yaas 'discriminatory'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused Union Home Ministry of discrimination with West Bengal over vance relief compensation for Cyclone Yaas which is expected to make landfall soon in Andhra Presh, Odisha and West Bengal.

Re full story here

Roche’s Antibody Cocktail To Treat COVID-19 Now Available In India: All You Need To Know

Widening arsenal of drugs to combat COVID-19, a Switzerland-based drug maker, Roche has received approval from India's Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) for use in emergency situations for treatment of COVID-19. Roche India and Cipla on Monday announced launch of ir Antibody Cocktail -- 'Casirivimab and Imdevimab' for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients in India. first batch of Antibody Cocktail has been me available in India and has been priced at Rs 59,750 per dose. Anor batch is excited to be available in India by June. 

Re full story here

Ryanair Plane Diversion: Joe Biden Welcomes EU's Call For Sanctions On Belarus

US President Joe Biden on April 24 welcomed European Union's call for sanctions against Belarus over Ryanair flight's emergency landing and he has instructed his ministration to curate options to hold Minsk responsible.

"I welcomed news that European Union has called for targeted economic sanctions and or measures and have asked my team to develop appropriate options to hold accountable those responsible, in close coordination with European Union, or allies and partners, and international organisations," Biden said in a statement.

Re full story here