NEW DELHI: The Centre has proposed amending drug rules to stop repeating virus tests on medicines made from human plasma, saying the raw plasma used to produce these products is already screened for infections such as HIV and hepatitis before manufacturing begins.These medicines include albumin, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and clotting factors such as Factor VIII and Factor IX, which are used to treat immune disorders, severe infections and bleeding conditions such as haemophilia.Officials said the move aims to align India’s drug regulations with international pharmacopoeia standards. Global guidelines require pooled plasma to be tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C virus RNA and HIV antibodies before it is used for fractionation, and only plasma that tests negative is cleared for manufacturing plasma-derived medicines.Currently, plasma collected for manufacturing these medicines is first pooled and tested for viruses, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. However, once medicines are produced from this screened plasma, the finished products are again tested for the same viral markers under existing rules. The government now proposes to remove this second round of testing.The health ministry has issued a draft notification seeking public comments on amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, which regulate the testing of blood-derived products. Dr Aseem Kumar Tiwari, Senior Director, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram, said that surplus plasma collected from blood donors may be used by plasma fractionators to manufacture several life-saving medicines.“Plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMP) such as albumin, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and clotting factors like Factor VIII and Factor IX are widely used to treat immune disorders, severe infections and bleeding conditions such as haemophilia,” he said.He added that blood centres often generate surplus plasma after meeting patient needs, which can be supplied to specialised fractionation facilities where different proteins are separated to manufacture these medicines.Dr Tiwari said PDMPs undergo multiple safety checks before reaching patients. “Donated plasma is screened for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, malaria, and syphilis, and the manufacturing process includes viral inactivation steps to ensure safety,” he said.“These medicines, known globally as plasma-derived medicinal products, have not been linked to infection transmission because of stringent testing and viral inactivation during manufacturing,” he added.Officials say repeating the same viral tests at the finished product stage creates duplication not required under global practices. The proposed amendment seeks to rationalise testing requirements while maintaining strict safety checks at the plasma screening stage.The draft rules were issued after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, and stakeholders have been given 30 days to submit comments before the amendment is finalised.

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Thursday witnessed a fiery showdown after the leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi was cut short during his speech for targeting oil and petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri over the alleged appearance of his name in the Epstein files.While speaking on the energy crisis due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, Rahul questioned why New Delhi would allow any external power to influence its energy relationships, particularly regarding purchases from Russia.“The foundation of every single nation is its energy security. Allowing the United States to decide who we buy oil from, who we buy gas from, and whether we can buy oil from Russia or not,” Rahul said.“Our relationship with different oil suppliers can be decided by us. This is what has been bartered. Why would a nation the size of India allow any other nation, the President of another nation, to give us permission to buy Russian oil or to decide who our relationships are with,” he added.During his speech, Rahul also levelled allegations against Puri. Soon, Speaker Om Birla interjected and asked the LoP to stick to the issue on which he had served his notice.“I have a copy of the notice given by the Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi regarding the gas shortage in the country, and I allowed him to speak on that subject. However, despite being a responsible leader of the opposition, discussing other issues without notice is not within the procedures and rules of Parliament,” Birla said.“I am urging you again, and Parliament will not function this way. Parliament will function according to rules and procedures,” he added.This comes days after the opposition accused the Chair of denying speaking time to Rahul in the first part of the Budget session.This led the opposition to move a no-confidence motion against Birla. The move was, however, defeated by a voice vote amid protests and sloganeering by opposition members.

NEW DELHI: A public spat erupted between Mani Shankar Aiyar and Shashi Tharoor on Thursday, with both exchanging sharply-worded open letters over foreign policy, ideology and personal remarks.The confrontation began when Aiyar wrote an open letter to Tharoor, published in Frontline magazine, criticising his comments during a television discussion on the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.In the letter, Aiyar said he was “shocked to the core” by Tharoor’s remarks and claimed the issue had disturbed him so deeply that he woke up in the early hours to write the message.Recalling the Congress presidential election, Aiyar said he had supported Tharoor’s candidature even though he knew he would lose to Mallikarjun Kharge. Aiyar also said he publicly argued that Kharge should grant Tharoor an honourable place in the party hierarchy despite his defeat.However, Aiyar said he now regretted that support, accusing Tharoor of endorsing a “might is right” approach in international affairs and of being overly cautious about criticising the United States due to possible economic consequences for India.Aiyar also questioned Tharoor’s position as chairman of Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs, arguing that deferring foreign policy decisions to the government undermined the purpose of the role.The veteran Congress leader further criticised Tharoor’s past stance on the Sabarimala Temple entry issue, saying his position on the temple’s restrictions on menstruating women had earlier raised doubts about his ideological alignment with the party.Concluding his letter, Aiyar declared that their differences had reached a breaking point, saying it marked a “parting of ways”.Tharoor responded with an open letter of his own on Thursday, published by NDTV, rejecting Aiyar’s accusations and defending his views.He said disagreement was natural in a healthy democracy but criticised Aiyar for questioning his motives and character.Tharoor said his views on international affairs stem from a “clear nationalist perspective”, adding that weighing geopolitical realities and economic consequences for India should not be viewed as a moral compromise but as responsible policymaking.“No generation holds a monopoly over patriotism, nor over the interpretation of Gandhi or Nehru. The true tribute to their legacy lies in applying their values wisely to the realities of our time,” he wrote.He also rejected Aiyar’s remarks regarding his foreign travel, calling them baseless. Tharoor said his trips abroad, except for participation in an all-party delegation linked to Operation Sindoor, were undertaken in a personal capacity and were not arranged or funded by the government.Responding to criticism over the Sabarimala issue, Tharoor said he had supported the Congress party’s official stand and had previously explained his position in detail.While acknowledging Aiyar’s support during the Congress presidential election, Tharoor said he too had defended Aiyar in the past, including when the veteran leader faced disciplinary action within the party.“I, too, supported you very strongly with the “high command” of the party, especially when you were suspended from its membership. I have no regrets that that injustice has been reversed,” Tharoor wrote.The Thiruvananthpuram MP said Aiyar’s claim of a “parting of ways” was disingenuous, arguing that the break had already become evident through repeated personal remarks directed at him in recent months.

NEW DELHI: One of the first crude oil tankers arrived at Mumbai Port after passing through the Strait of Hormuz since the Iran-US conflict began.According to news agency ANI, the Liberia-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax docked at Mumbai Port at 1 pm on Wednesday and was berthed at Jawahar Dweep at 6:06 pm. The tanker had loaded crude from Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura port on March 1 and departed on March 3.It is carrying 1,35,335 metric tonnes of crude oil, which will be supplied to refineries in Mahul, eastern Mumbai. The crude discharge process is expected to take around 36 hours.The tanker is owned by Shenlong Shipping Ltd and managed by Dynacom Tanker Management Ltd of Athens. The ship has 29 crew members, including Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino nationals, and is captained by an Indian.How the vessel crossed the Strait of HormuzMaritime tracking data showed the vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on March 8 before it temporarily went off tracking systems. According to ANI, the vessel switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder while navigating the high-risk stretch of the strait.After navigating the high-risk area, the vessel reappeared on maritime tracking systems on March 9. Shipping companies often use this tactic, also known as “going dark,” to avoid the risk of being targeted or tracked.The transponder is a mandatory maritime VHF radio system that automatically broadcasts a ship’s identity, position, speed, and course to nearby vessels and shore stations to prevent collisions and improve navigation.Earlier, Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said vessels seeking to sail through the waterway must obtain Tehran’s approval. In a post on X, he said two ships that ignored Iran’s warnings were targeted on Wednesday.“Were the ships assured of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz? This should be asked of the crews of the vessels Express Rome and Mayuree Naree, who today, trusting in empty promises, ignored the warnings and intended to cross the strait but were caught. Any vessel intending to pass must obtain permission from Iran,” the Iranian general said.Iranian state media reported that Tehran has intensified restrictions on shipping through the strait, while stating that vessels not serving the interests of the United States or Israel would be allowed safe passage.The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, with more than 20 million barrels of crude oil moving through the narrow channel between Iran and Oman every day — about a fifth of global oil consumption and nearly a quarter of seaborne oil trade.Meanwhile, the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways said that 28 Indian-flagged vessels are currently operating in the Persian Gulf. Of these, 24 vessels carrying 677 Indian seafarers are located west of the Strait of Hormuz, while four vessels with 101 Indian crew members are positioned east of the strait.The ministry said a 24-hour control room has been operating since February 28 at the ministry and the Directorate General of Shipping to monitor the evolving situation and coordinate assistance if required.Authorities are also working with Indian embassies, ship managers, and recruitment agencies to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers in the region.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader and leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday warned that country’s energy security could face serious challenges amid disruptions in global fuel markets caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.Speaking about the potential impact of the crisis on India’s fuel supply, Rahul said the government must urgently prepare for possible shortages of oil and cooking gas.“Normally the procedure is that you can ask to talk. So I asked to be allowed to make a statement about the LPG gas and oil situation in the country… But a new procedure has started where the Minister will first decide, then I will speak, then the Minister will reply,” Rahul said while speaking to reporters.This came after Congress MP KC Venugopal asked Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to allow the LoP to raise the issue of the LPG crisis in the House.“Basically, the main thing is that all fuel is going to be a problem because essentially our energy security has been compromised. Flawed foreign policy has created this problem… Now we have to prepare. We still a bit of time left. The government and the Prime Minister should instantly start the preparations, otherwise crores of people will suffer great losses,” Rahul said.“This war is fundamentally changing the current world order. It is a much bigger issue than whether Iran will allow fuel or not. We are entering an unstable time. During this time you have to change your mindset… What I am suggesting to the government is that now they need to start thinking deeply and ensure that our people do not suffer heavy losses. This is not a political statement. I can see a big problem is coming,” he added.Taking aim at the government, Rahul said the Prime Minister must ensure that India’s energy security is protected despite the worsening global situation.“The problem is that the Prime Minister is not able to function as the Prime Minister of the country. There is a reason for it, which is that he is trapped. Anyway, he still needs to make sure that people of India are protected, and our energy security is managed by us,” the LoP said.His remarks come at a time when global energy markets are facing volatility due to the intensifying conflict in the Middle East.Industry developments indicate that crude oil supply has been significantly disrupted by the ongoing military escalation, pushing benchmark prices such as Brent crude close to $100 per barrel.Supplies of natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are also under pressure as maritime trade routes in the region face disruptions.One of the key concerns is the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which a large portion of the world’s energy supplies pass.The strait handles roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade, making it one of the most important maritime chokepoints for global energy markets. Any disruption in traffic through the route can significantly affect the movement of oil, gas and related energy commodities across international markets.

Farooq Abdullah (PTI file photo)

NEW DELHI: After an attempt on his life, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday reflected on the incident, saying, “God saved me.”Sharing brief details about the tense moments at a wedding function in Jammu’s Greater Kailash area, NC chief told reporters, “I was walking out of the venue when I heard the sound of a firecracker. Immediately, I was rushed into a car. Later, I was told that there was a man with a pistol who had fired two shots. Neither do I know this man (the accused), nor do I have any information about him.”Farooq further said, “I don’t know what his (accused Kamal’s) intention was. To say it was a security lapse would be a big statement to make. Many big personalities were present at this wedding, but there was no police present. By Allah’s grace, my security was present with me, and my life was saved. I did get a call (from the Union Home Minister) who asked me about my well-being and assured me that they would investigate the matter. An inquiry should be done. Such things keep happening when there is a situation of hatred now…. No religion teaches hatred, but only to love…”He also reflected on the changed power dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, which turned the state into a Union Territory and brought law and order under the Centre’s direct control. He said, “The Central and the UT govt should see if the situation here is really improved. We might have differences of opinion, but we have to work together as we are a democracy and voice our opinions…”While talking to reporters, Farooq once again demanded the restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. “An elected govt doesn’t have powers—how can it continue this way? We were promised that statehood would be restored…”“No matter how much security you increase, the killer always has an advantage. The problem is that we live in an era where terrorism is up in the sky, and we cannot control it,” he added.This was Abdullah’s first reaction after a 63-year-old man, Kamal Singh Jamwal, suddenly opened fire at the wedding venue, firing two rounds allegedly targeting the former chief minister and long-time National Conference leader.The tense situation was quickly brought under control by Abdullah’s security personnel, as seen in CCTV footage from the venue.Officials said that Farooq, accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary, was returning from a marriage function when the incident occurred.The suspect was quickly overpowered and detained at the spot, preventing any harm to the leaders.Farooq Abdullah’s son and Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah took to social media to inform about the “very close shave” during the function and raised questions about possible security lapses.“Allah is kind. My father had a very close shave. The details are sketchy at the moment but what is known is that a man with a loaded pistol was able to get within point blank range & discharge a shot. It was only the close protection team that deflected the shot & ensured that the assassination attempt failed. There are more questions than answers at the moment including but not limited to how someone was able to get this close to a Z+ NSG protected former CM,” Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.

NEW DELHI: A complaint has been filed against Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya alleging disrespect to the national flag during celebrations after India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The complaint was submitted by advocate Wajid Khan Bidkar at the Shivaji Nagar police station, accusing the all-rounder of insulting the Tricolour during the team’s on-field celebrations following the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.According to the complaint, several videos from the victory celebrations went viral on social media, showing Pandya celebrating with the national flag draped over his shoulder. The complainant alleged that during the celebrations the cricketer was seen dancing and later lying down on the stage with the flag still wrapped around him.

Khan has argued that the act amounts to disrespect towards the national flag and violates provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.“You must have seen the T20 World Cup celebrations. Hardik Pandya was dancing with his girlfriend in celebration of his victory. The national flag was tied to his back,” Khan told ANI.“According to Section 2 of the 1971 National Flag Act, we should respect the dignity of the national flag. However, Hardik Pandya was so lost in the celebration that he was lying with his girlfriend while wearing the national flag. I believe it is an insult to the national flag,” he added.Khan said he initially faced questions from the police about jurisdiction since the incident occurred in Ahmedabad. However, he insisted that a complaint could still be filed as the national flag represents the entire country.“When I went to file the complaint, they told me the incident occurred there, not here. I told them the national flag is a symbol of the entire nation, and we can file a complaint here. They have accepted my complaint and given me a copy,” he said.A police officer at the Shivaji Nagar station confirmed that the application had been received but did not provide further details on possible action.The complaint comes after India’s dominant win over New Zealand national cricket team in the final on Sunday. India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title.The victory also marked a historic milestone for India national cricket team. The team became the first side to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to secure consecutive titles after their 2024 triumph, and the first nation to lift the trophy three times, having previously won in 2007 and 2024.