CHINA delivered half a million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Bangladesh on Wednesday (12) in Beijing's latest move to fill the gap left by India.
After cases surged in March, India froze exports of coronavirus vaccines to dozens of countries, including those in south Asia.
Although Dhaka had signed an agreement with India to buy 30 million doses, only seven million arrived - plus another 3.3 million as a gift - before New Delhi called a halt to exports.
"A friend in time of need is a friend indeed," Bangladesh's health minister Zahid Maleque said during a ceremony in Dhaka airport when the Sinopharm vaccines were handed over by China's ambassador.
The delivery follows a videoconference last month with Beijing and several south Asian nations - excluding India - during which China offered vaccines and other medical supplies.
Because of shortages, Bangladesh had already rolled back parts of the vaccine drive, allowing only those with a first jab to queue up for the second.
But health department spokesman Robed Amin said Bangladesh was now planning to get 50 million Chinese shots, with minister Zahid Maleque telling reporters that Dhaka plans to buy the vaccines from China or to produce them in Bangladesh.
Earlier, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said Dhaka was also holding talks with Russia to import the Sputnik V vaccine.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)