New study reveals immunity drops quickly in mild coronavirus cases. A study shows that in people with mild COVID-19 cases, their antibodies against the coronavirus drop sharply over the first three months after infection.
A research team at the University of California, Los Angeles, did an in-depth study of 34 people who had recovered from mild COVID-19 infections. They tested their blood two or three times over three months, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. Serum Institute to begin trials of Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine by August-end. Serum Institute of India on Tuesday said it will be starting trials of the Covid-19 vaccine candidate developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca by the end of August on up to 5,000 Indian volunteers after getting the necessary nods, and launch the vaccine by June next year if all goes well.
The Pune-based company's chief executive Adar Poonawalla said the company, which is the largest vaccine maker in the world, is putting $200 million at risk by manufacturing nearly 300 million doses before the final nod to launch the vaccine in market, which is expected at best by the end of the year. Oxford University on Monday announced satisfactory progress with the vaccine, making it one of the leading ones among the dozens of vaccine candidates being developed around the world.
The varsity has tied up with Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture and supply the vaccine to India and over 60 other countries having a combined population of 3 billion, Poonawalla said. Govt to ensure regulatory facilitation for Serum's Covid-19 vaccine trials. India will ensure regulatory facilitation and actively consider supplementing resources for expediting the Serum Institute of India's phase 3 trial of a vaccine for Covid-19 developed by Oxford University.
With the trials of Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University showing encouraging results, the Serum Institute of India (SII) had on Monday said it will apply for license from the Indian regulator to start clinical trials of the shot in a week's time. SII, the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world, has been chosen by Oxford and its partner AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine once it gets ready. Asked if the Centre would be providing the same expedited process to SII as it provided to Bharat Biotech along with any funding support, NITI Aayog member V K Paul said, "Regulatory facilitation will be ensured. It is already being undertaken. Ayodhya's Ram temple to be 161-feet tall, two 'mandaps' added to design. The height of Ayodhya's grand Ram temple would be 161-feet, an increase by 20-feet from the previous design which was prepared in 1988, according to Nikhil Sompura, architect and the son of C Sompura, chief architect of the temple.
"The earlier design was made in 1988, now over 30 years have passed and so the footfall will increase with time. People are also very enthusiastic about visiting the temple so we thought its size should be increased. International passengers coming to Delhi Airport to be in 7-day quarantine. In view of the ongoing COVID-19 scenario, all passengers arriving by international flights at the Delhi Airport will have to undergo seven days of institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by one-week of home quarantine.
As per the latest guidelines issued by the airport authority, all international passengers will have to sign an undertaking that they accept this obligation (of seven days paid institutional quarantine), which will be retained by the overseas mission/embassy before the booking is confirmed. Mumbai coronavirus update: Situation 'in control', says BMC official. The COVID-19 situation "is in control" in Mumbai with the number of positive cases daily being reported below 1,500, a senior official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said.
Everyday, 6,000 to 7,000 tests are being done and most of the citizens are following the safety protocols, additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani told PTI. The city has been daily reporting less than 1,500 COVID-19 cases since the last many days. "The situation is in control," Kakani said. After the outbreak of COVID-19 in the city, the BMC focussed on slum pockets by tracing high risk contacts and sending them to quarantine centres, and if they tested positive, they were kept at isolation facilities, he said.
Formalisation of economy gradually picked up in May, EPF data shows. Maharashtra govt mulls Rs 5/litre direct subsidy transfer to milk farmers. The Maharashtra government is planning to offer Rs 5/litre by way of subsidy transfer directly to milk farmers’ account as economic support, to prevent them from getting trapped in debt.
The move follows widespread protests by farmers, whose realisations dropped sharply during sectoral lockdowns. Amid protests from the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, a political outfit led by Member of Parliament Raju Shetti, the state government a held a virtual meeting with farmer institutions and associations, concerned political parties and other organisations on Tuesday. The state minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Vishwajit Patangrao Kadam, assured the gathering that the proposal of Rs 5/litre of subsidy to milk farmers would be taken up in the next cabinet meeting and some positive decisions would be taken. Following the assurance, the one-day protest was called off. Update your Google Chrome browser now to avoid hackers, says CERT-In.
The government's cybersecurity agency has warned Google Chrome users in the country to immediately upgrade to the new Chrome browser version to avoid remote hackers from intruding into their machines.
Google has released Chrome 84.0.4147.89 upgrade that contains 38 fixes and improvements against vulnerabilities. "Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Google Chrome that could allow remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, bypass security restrictions, access sensitive information, contact spoofing attack and denial of service (DoS) attack on the targeted system," the Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-In) warned in its latest advisory.
These vulnerabilities, spotted by external security researchers, exist in Google Chrome due to heap buffer overflow, side-channel information leakage, type Confusion, inappropriate implementation in WebRTC, use after free, policy bypass, insufficient policy enforcement, incorrect security UI (user interface), etc. From WhatsApp to websites, goat sales for Bakri Eid go digital amid Covid.
The bleating of goats has been resonating in the cyber world these days, with the animal being sold on various digital plaforms for slaughtering on Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakreed) festival.
With Muslims in Uttar Pradesh missing the traditional goat markets this time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, several clerics and religious institutions have written to the state government seeking permission to reopen physical sales. That said, the sale of goats for Bakri Eid festival is at its peak in the online space. From WhatsApp groups to websites, the animals are available at prices starting at Rs 8,000 to and going up to Rs two lakh. Since nine days are left for Bakri Eid there are remote chances of physical sales this year due to the Covid crisis. Even the traditional weekly markets in Lucknow have been closed for the past four months due to the pandemic. Undeterred with restrictions on the physical sale of goats and bother livestock, traders are increasingly leaning on the cyber world to meet demand.
Uddhav will definitely go for Ram temple 'bhoomi pujan': Sanjay Raut. Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray will definitely go for the ground-breaking ceremony of Ram temple construction in Ayodhya, party MP Sanjay Raut said on Tuesday.
Asked whether Thackeray has received an invitation for the ceremony, Raut said, It will come. " Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on August 5 for the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony to begin the construction of the Ram temple. Chief Minister Thackeray will definitely go for the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony, because the Shiv Sena shares sentimental, religious and national ties with this issue," Raut told a TV channel. As I had said yesterday, the Shiv Sena had made a big contribution, and (Shiv Sainiks) shed their blood and made sacrifices for the cause of Ram temple construction, he added.
Raut reiterated that Thackeray keeps visiting Ayodhya and has done so before and after becoming the chief minister of Maharashtra. Delhi HC allows Samsonite to deposit GST profiteered sum in six EMIs. In a first, the Delhi High Court has allowed Samsonite India, a company engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling travel bags, to deposit the goods and services tax (GST) profiteered amount in a staggered manner in view of the Covid-19 pandemic situation. Experts feel that this will form a precedent, paving the way for more such petitions from companies. The Court has allowed Samsonite to pay the principle profiteered amount if Rs 21.81 crore in six equated monthly installments the consumer welfare funds of Centre and states. "...the Court keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic situation, directs the petitioner to deposit the principal profiteered amount i.e. Rs 21,81,20,748/- (i.e.
Govt to recruit new chief statistician; Srivastava to retire on Aug 31. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has begun the process for recruiting Chief Statistician of India as incumbent Pravin Srivastava would retire on August 31. The eligible candidates are required to submit their applications for the post with the ministry by August 17, as per a notice issued by MOSPI on July 17.
All PPE export applications rejected as Commerce Ministry revises criteria. After all the export applications for PPE coveralls for rejected, the Commerce Ministry has issued revised procedure and criteria. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Commerce Ministry in a notice said that export quota for PPE coveralls for Covid-19 was fixed at 50 lakh per month as per notice dated June 29. DGFT said all the applications between July 1-3 were examined and none of them fulfilled the criteria. 'All the applications, therefore, have been found ineligible for allocation of export quota," DGFT said.
It has now fixed revised procedure and criteria and exporters invited to send fresh online applications. Bullion Association donates 33 kg of silver bricks for Lord Ram Temple. Ahead of the proposed grand ‘bhoomi pujan’ (foundation laying) of Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, the Uttar Pradesh Bullion Association on Tuesday donated silver bricks weighing more than 33 kg to the temple trust. The silver bricks are proposed to be laid as foundation for the temple. The trust was constituted on the directions of the Supreme Court for facilitating the construction of the temple. Oxford Covid vaccine trial raises hopes; India testing 10,175/1 mn people. India reported 37,148 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 11,55,191, according to the Health Ministry.
This is the sixth consecutive day when Covid-19 cases increased by more than 30,000. India, which has a population over four times as big as the US', has conducted 14,381,303 tests in total, or just 10,175 tests per 1 million people. 'Embarrassed, disappointed' Twitter says last week's hack hit 130 accounts. Twitter failed to tame parody accounts, govt must frame guidelines: Experts. Fund raising through rights gains currency following RIL mega issue. Rights offering as a fund raising tool has gained currency following regulatory tweaks and success of Reliance Industries’ (RIL’s) record-breaking transaction. Over the past one month, about half a dozen firms have launched or are in the process of issuing fresh equity shares through this route. Amazon Global Selling programme hits $2 bn in overall exports from India. E-commerce giant Amazon said cumulative exports through Indian sellers on the Amazon Global Selling programme have crossed the $2 billion milestone.
Retailers urge states to ease shopping hour curbs in localised lockdowns. With little signs of revival in their business, retailers have urged the state and local authorities to ease localised lockdowns. Ad-hoc lockdowns, they said, have been counterproductive since the country entered Unlock 2.0 on July 1. Pfizer-BioNTech potential Covid-19 vaccine shows promise in additional data. German biotech firm BioNTech. Govt, media became part of solution to problem posed by Covid-19: Naqvi. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday said that in times of crisis, the government, society, cinema, and media in India act as "four bodies, one soul", and in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic they became a part of the solution to the problem. History is witness to the fact that Indian media and cinema has always played a crucial and constructive role during crises, he said while speaking on "Role of Journalism, Media and Cinema in Nation and Generation Building at a session of the Centre for Professional Development in Higher Education of the University of Delhi.
The minority affairs minister said that during the 1960s and 70s, cinema was full of nationalism and patriotic feelings, and it still mesmerises people. UP govt to allow home isolation to asymptomatic Covid-19 patients. Amid a chronic shortage of hospital beds, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to allow home isolation for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients under certain conditions. CISF should undertake regular threat assessments to ensure security. The CISF should undertake regular threat assessments and enhance its capacity to ensure that the economic assets of the country are secured at a time when global security dynamics are changing rapidly, Union minister G Kishan Reddy said on Monday. He said the role of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in ensuring the security of vital assets of the country is very important as India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
Over hundred BSF personnel among 223 new Covid-19 cases in Tripura. Indian embassy in Dubai to stay open during weekends, holidays till Dec 31. Mylan launches Remdesivir at Rs 4,800 for Covid patients in India. India leads Uber map updates across 150 cities across globe during lockdown. Low pollution during lockdown may have saved 630 lives, $690 mn: Study. EU in talks with drugmakers to secure potential Covid-19 vaccines: Report. Covid-19 recovery rate at 63.3%; less than 1.9% active cases in ICU: Govt. June FMCG sales back to pre-Covid-19 levels, thanks to rural India: Nielsen. Zydus gets nod from Mexican authority for Covid-19 therapy clinical trials. Not an inch of our land can be taken by any power, says Rajnath in Ladakh. MP, Bihar, Telangana districts most vulnerable to Covid-19: Lancet study. Earthquake of 4.8 magnitude hits Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Covid-19: IndiGo introduces option to book two seats for single passenger.
Too soon to say if recovered Covid patients lose immunity: Scientists. Demand for herbal plants on the rise in UP during Covid-19 crisis. Zydus Cadila begins human trials for its Covid-19 vaccine candidate. Flipkart starts part payment method to reduce cancellations, order returns. No plans to lay off staffers due to Covid: Wipro chairman Rishad Premji. Oxford University Covid-19 vaccine raises hopes with strong trial results. 'Tough day' for Twitter after hack targets tycoons, stars, politicians. 'Tough day' for Twitter after hack targets tycoons, stars, politicians. From meal delivery to patrolling, Milagrow's new humanoid robots do it all.
HC grants time to Pilot camp to file new plea against disqualification move. Early to say if recovered patients can contract Covid-19 again: Scientists. Irdai asks insurers to recognise make-shift hospitals for Covid claims. In India, gap between cured and active Covid-19 cases quadruples in a month. India to resume flights to US tomorrow, other countries soon: Hardeep Puri. Term insurance products selling more during Covid-19 crisis: Survey. India has potential to 'capitalise' skilling opportunities, says PM Modi.
Bihar to get relief from monsoon havoc soon, says Meteorological Department. Priyanka Gandhi targets Yogi Adityanath govt over kidnapping case. Sachin Pilot, rebel MLAs face disqualification from Rajasthan Assembly. Surjewala asks Pilot to stop accepting BJP's 'hospitality' and come back. Armed forces get special powers for individual procurement worth Rs 300 cr. 2020 an inflection point in India-UK health collaboration: Indian diplomat. Why are cheaper Covid-19 drugs not being promoted, asks Parliamentary panel. After Chabahar Port, Farzad-B too is set to go out of Indian hands. Tamil Nadu to start administering BCG vaccine to the elderly on pilot basis. Follow all agreed protocols along LAC: India tells China in military talks.
As Covid-19 hurts demand, Delhi's auto drivers struggle to make a living. Despite coronavirus, record international study permits by Canada. Goa govt asks private hospitals to reserve 20% beds for Covid-19 patients. Respite for pandemic-bruised automakers: Tractor, two-wheeler sales rebound. Passenger vehicle sales decline 49.59% in June over coronavirus, lockdown. Limit video meets to 30 minutes to avoid brain fatigue: Microsoft. WhatsApp may lose its flavour in integration with Facebook apps: Founders.
Microsoft joins Google to create new generation Progressive Web Apps. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has a virtual meeting with PM Modi. Early detection of Covid cases has resulted in low fatality rate: Vardhan. Understanding bat immune system may help identify Covid-19 drug: Scientists. Banaras Hindu University to study Use of Ashwagandha on Covid-19 warriors. 40% of coronavirus cases in US asymptomatic: Central Disease Control. Covid-19 Factoid: Delhi tops in testing, fares better than national average. Covid-19: Pvt hospitals under CGHS will charge rates fixed by Delhi govt. Employ youth who returned due to lockdown in AIIMS construction: Assam CM.
China uses corrupt leaders to make inroads into nations like Nepal: Report. Haryana to get Rs 1,500 cr aid for crop diversification, ponds rejuvenation. Google Earth turns 15, supports students in rural classrooms in India. WhatsApp rolls out animated stickers for all: Here is how to use them. India in talks with Sri Lanka over its request for debt relief: MEA.
Deputy CM Sisodia invites retail, e-commerce players to invest in Delhi. One Nation, One Ration Card to start working across India by Jan: Paswan. UN Secretary-General praises India over work in field of renewable energy. Plea in Supreme Court for live Amarnath darshan through internet and TV. Mamata Banerjee invited to speak at Oxford Union debate next year. Way to lock in US-India economic potential is through FTA: Ken Juster. Bengal objects to Centre's directive on holding final-year exams in Sept. Kerala gold smuggling: Cong welcomes NIA probe, demands to involve CBI, RAW. Projects including bullet train on track despite lockdown: Railways. Retail inflation likely slowed in June on pickup in economic activity: Poll. Microsoft doubles down on app-based consent phishing attacks in Cloud. Reliance Jio, Airtel preparing to cash in on online gaming boom in India.
Curiosity resumes Martian mountain climb as Nasa team runs rover from home. India has done its best to respond to China's aggressive actions: Pompeo. From Mexico to Moldova, eight vie for top WTO job as global tensions rise.