The United STates announced that they approved the sale of M1A2 Abrams tanks and related equipment, worth $2.53 billion to Romania, a NATO ally that borders conflict-racked Ukraine. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally which is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, who has been locked in a running battle with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra over the custody of a pet dog, on Thursday said Henry was back with him.

A complaint by Mr Dehadrai, whom Ms Moitra had referred to as a “jilted ex”, led to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee recommendation for the TMC MP’s expulsion from Parliament.

“Welcome back Henry. Thank you for all the support, prayers and wishes. Henry is thrilled to be back home,” he posted on X, along with a short video of him petting the dog.

Welcome back Henry!

Thank you for all the support, prayers and wishes ❤️

Henry is thrilled to be back home. pic.twitter.com/xFxfgqXLDJ

— Jai Anant Dehadrai (@jai_a_dehadrai) November 9, 2023

In a complaint to Delhi Police earlier this week, the advocate alleged that the Trinamool Congress MP was using his pet as an “excuse to come personally” to his residence in a bid to intimidate him. He also accused her of “trespassing”, “criminal intimidation” and “breach of peace” at his residence.

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on Thursday recommended Ms Moitra’s expulsion from the House for accepting “illegal gratifications” from a businessman to raise questions in Parliament at his behest.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey forwarded a complaint against Ms Moitra by Mr adDehadrai to the Lok Sabha speaker, accusing her of taking bribes for asking questions in the House at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The speaker referred the complaint to the Ethics Committee.

Ms Moitra had earlier denied the charge of receiving any pecuniary benefit. She termed the Lok Sabha panel recommendation a “pre-fixed match by a kangaroo court”.

US health authorities on Thursday approved the world’s first vaccine for chikungunya, a virus spread by infected mosquitoes that the Food and Drug Administration called “an emerging global health threat.”

The vaccine, developed by Europe’s Valneva which will be marketed under the name Ixchiq, was approved for people 18 and over who are at increased risk of exposure, the FDA said.

Ixchiq’s green-light by the US drug regulator is expected to speed the vaccine’s rollout in countries where the virus is most prevalent.

Chikungunya, which causes fever and severe joint pain, is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southeast Asia and part of the Americas.

“However, chikungunya virus has spread to new geographical areas causing a rise in global prevalence of the disease,” the FDA said, reporting more than 5 million cases in the past 15 years.

“Infection with chikungunya virus can lead to severe disease and prolonged health problems, particularly for older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions,” senior FDA official Peter Marks said in a statement.

“Today’s approval addresses an unmet medical need and is an important advancement in the prevention of a potentially debilitating disease with limited treatment options.”

The vaccine is injected in one dose and contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus, as is standard with other vaccines.

Two clinical trials were carried out in North America on 3,500 people. Headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever and nausea were commonly reported side effects.

Serious reactions were reported in 1.6 percent of Ixchiq recipients in the trials, with two requiring hospitalization.