Welcome to My Blog
Here is a masonry blog layout with no sidebarModerna Covid-19 vaccine all set for FDA emergency approval
If Moderna’s vaccine is approved by the FDA, it will become the second shot to be greenlighted in America. Moderna’s vaccine is based on the same technology as Pfizer’s – mRNA. The actual virus is not embedded inside these vaccines and people who get the shots can’t catch the virus from it. Instead, the vaccine contains a piece of genetic code that trains the body’s immune system to recognize the spike protein on the surface of the Covid-19 virus and helps mount an organic defence when the attack comes.
Oxford says vaccine has good immune response with two-dose regime
Vaccination in Asia-Pacific expected mid or late 2021, says World Health Organisation
“The development of safe and effective vaccines is one thing. Producing them in adequate quantities and reaching everyone who needs them is another,” WHO Regional Director Dr. Takeshi Kasai told reporters in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
While some countries that have independent vaccine purchase agreements might start vaccination campaigns in the coming months, others could see vaccination begin in the middle or late 2021, said Dr. Socorro Escalante, WHO’s coordinator for essential medicines and health technologies.
New kind of loans and bonds could fill $28 billion Covid funding gap: WHO
The WHO and GAVI vaccine alliance aim to provide poor and middle-income countries with diagnostic tests, drugs and vaccines through a fund known as the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, which was set up last April.
Bruce Aylward, a senior WHO adviser and its ACT coordinator, said that new financing mechanisms – including concessional loans and catastrophe bonds – were discussed at a meeting of the ACT facilitation council on Monday, co-chaired by Norway and South Africa.
UV-emitting LED lights can kill novel coronavirus quickly & efficiently, says study
In order to disinfect a bus, train, sports hall, or plane by chemical spraying, the scientists said physical manpower is needed along with time for the chemicals to act on the surface.
“Disinfection systems based on LED bulbs, however, can be installed in the ventilation system and air conditioner, for example, and sterilise the air sucked in and then emitted into the room,” Hadas Mamane, co-author of the study from the American Friends of Tel Aviv University in the US. said.
‘1.8bn people depend on healthcare facilities without basic water services’
The report titled, ‘Global progress report on WASH in health care facilities: fundamentals first’, comes as the ongoing pandemic is exposing key vulnerabilities within health systems, including inadequate infection prevention and control, reports Xinhua news agency.
Worldwide, one in four healthcare facilities has no water services, one in three does not have access to hand hygiene where care is provided, one in 10 has no sanitation services, and one in three does not segregate waste safely.
Ambani says will provide technology tools for the Covid-19 vaccination drive
Sitharaman chairs FSDC, reviews country’s economy
Covid wiped out 81 mn jobs in Asia-Pacific; women, youngsters affected: ILO
Employment in Asia-Pacific showed a 4.2% decline compared with the pre-crisis trend, with the gap at 4.6% for women and 4% for men, the ILO said in a report. Young people have been especially affected by working-hour and job losses, the ILO said, with the youth share of employment losses three to 18 times higher than their share of total employment.
Insolvencies, Cyber Threats and ESG scrutiny drive 2021 risks for Directors and Officers: Allianz
“Many insurers are still digesting the effect of previous pricing inadequacy and exposure and loss trend increases from prior-year policies,” says Shanil Williams, Global Head of Financial Lines at AGCS.
“This is also at a time of great uncertainty around forward-looking exposure assessments, in particular the impact of Covid-19 on the economy in general and on specific industries. Combined with many ‘known unknowns’ like climate change, cyber risks or environmental, social or governance (ESG) factors, this has created a lot of nervousness in this sector. As a global D&O insurer, AGCS remains committed to working in partnership with our customers to ensure we have sustainable solutions for all parties involved,” said Williams.
India records 26,355 new coronavirus cases
India announces new controls on sourcing telecoms gear
New Delhi will announce a list of trusted sources and products for Indian telecoms providers – and possibly a blacklist – as part of the new directive, which will likely be launched next year.
“This is a very important decision with respect to national security,” Prasad said.
Telecoms providers will have to use new devices which have been approved as trusted products, he said, though he added that the policy does not require wireless carriers to replace gear already being used.
Govt making all efforts for COVID-19 vaccine; cold chain logistics needs to be strengthened
There are six vaccine candidates in various stages of clinical trials, out of which four are developed indigenously, Department of Biotechnology Scientist and Adviser Asha Sharma said.
In order to strengthen the ecosystem, 11 good clinical practices compliant clinical trial sights have also been established across the country, Sharma said. The government is making purposeful and integrated efforts to support and promote vaccine development for COVID-19, she added.
COVID has exposed inequalities in short time; human should work with not against nature: UNDP report
”Nothing short of a great transformation – in how we live, work and cooperate – is needed to change the path we are on.” Citing events such as climate crisis, biodiversity collapse, ocean acidification, the UNDP said the list is long and growing longer. ”So much so that many scientists believe that for the first time, instead of the planet shaping humans, humans are knowingly shaping the planet. This is the Anthropocene – the Age of Humans – a new geologic epoch.
India ranks 131 in UN’s human development index
Life expectancy of Indians at birth in 2019 was 69.7 years while Bangladesh has a life expectancy of 72.6 years and Pakistan 67.3 years, the 2020 Human Development Report said. India, Bhutan (129), Bangladesh (133), Nepal (142), and Pakistan (154) were ranked among countries with medium human development, the report said. India’s HDI value for 2019 is 0.645 which put it in the medium human development category. India has been positioned at 131 out of 189 countries and territories, according to the report. India had ranked 130 in 2018 in the index.
Companies may face 2% fine for breaching EU cybersecurity rules
Concerns about the cybersecurity of key assets have mounted in recent months, especially over cyber attacks by state actors and other malicious players. U.S. federal agencies and thousands of companies are now investigating a sweeping hacking campaign that officials suspect was directed by the Russian government. The European Medical Agency was also targeted earlier this month.
Sold 1 lakh ”connected cars” in India, says Kia Motors
One out of two Kia cars sold in India is a connected car, which is equipped with the company”s UVO connect system, an advanced and dynamic solution that seamlessly integrates smartphone or smartwatch with the car and its infotainment system into a single unit, Kia Motors India said in a statement.
Commenting on the feat, Kia Motors India Managing Director and CEO Kookhyun Shim said,”Technology has always been at the focal point since our maiden launch in the country and we are elated to achieve one more milestone in car connectivity.”
EPFO settles 52 lakh Covid-19 claims, disburses Rs 13,300 cr: Gangwar
On the implementation of labour codes, he asked the industry representatives to provide their feedback on the draft rules of three labour codes on industrial relations, social security and occupational health safety & working conditions.
The ministry has circulated the draft rules on these labour codes to seek feedback of stakeholders. These three codes were passed in monsoon session of Parliament this year.