A Brazilian couple has gone to great lengths to protect themselves against the threat of the novel coronavirus. The two have made full astronaut suits they wear even when taking a stroll on the beach -- just like astronauts would do while stepping into deep space.

On Saturday (July 11), the creative couple -- Tercio Galdino and Aliceia Lima -- put smiles on the faces of people as they walked alongside Copacabana's famed stretch of sand in Rio de Janeiro.

66-year-old accountant Galdino purchased the suits, but he made his and his wife's helmets himself.

He said his wife, 65-year-old real estate agent Aliceia Lima, was a bit hesitant to don her suit at first, but came around to her husband's idea of an 'adventure in the streets.'

Brazil - which has the second-highest virus death toll after the United States - exceeded 1.8 million confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus as of Friday (July 10), and the disease has killed a total of 70,398 people, according to the country's Health Ministry.

A Brazilian couple has gone to great lengths to protect themselves against the threat of the novel coronavirus. The two have made full astronaut suits they wear even when taking a stroll on the beach -- just like astronauts would do while stepping into deep space.

A Brazilian couple has gone to great lengths to protect themselves against the threat of the novel coronavirus. The two have made full astronaut suits they wear even when taking a stroll on the beach -- just like astronauts would do while stepping into deep space. On Saturday (July 11), the creative couple -- Tercio Galdino and Aliceia Lima -- put smiles on the faces of people as they walked alongside Copacabana's famed stretch of sand in Rio de Janeiro. 66-year-old accountant Galdino purchased the suits, but he made his and his wife's helmets himself. He said his wife, 65-year-old real estate agent Aliceia Lima, was a bit hesitant to don her suit at first, but came around to her husband's idea of an 'adventure in the streets.' Brazil - which has the second-highest virus death toll after the United States - exceeded 1.8 million confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus as of Friday (July 10), and the disease has killed a total of 70,398 people, according to the country's Health Ministry.

Brazil couple dons astronaut suits to fight coronavirus in style

Most people recover within a few weeks. For people who experience longer-term effects, the most common issues are bouts of exhaustion, headaches, anxiety and muscle aches that can last for at least several more weeks.

The story of a 'long-haul' COVID-19 sufferer; Long-term effects of Coronavirus

Thai researchers plan to begin human trials of a potential vaccine for the new coronavirus in November and are preparing 10,000 doses, a senior official said on Sunday, aiming for a vaccine that could be ready for use by late next year.

Following favourable results in trials on primates, the next step is to manufacture doses for human trials, said Kiat Ruxrungtham, director of the Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University vaccine development program.

“At first we were going to send them in June, but it was not easy to plan everything,” Kiat told a news conference.

There are no approved vaccines for the virus that causes COVID-19, but 19 candidates are being trailed in humans globally. China is leading the race, with an experimental vaccine by Sinovac Biotech Ltd

Thailand`s first facility should complete production in October and send the products to a second facility, which should finish by November, he said. Originally the earliest target was September, but Kiat said not enough vaccine can be ready by then.

Facilities in San Diego and Vancouver will produce 10,000 doses for the trials for 5,000 people. The first group, aged 18 to 60, will receive different doses of the vaccine, he said.

The trials will not accept volunteers "until we receive approval from the Thai Food and Drug Administration and an ethics committee,” Kiat said.

Thai company BioNet-Asia is preparing its facilities for large-scale manufacturing if the trials prove successful, he said.

“If everything goes according to plan, the vaccine will be ready for Thailand in the third or fourth quarter next year,” Kiat said.

Thailand on Sunday had a total of 3,217 confirmed infections, with no local transmissions reported in over a month, and 58 COVID-19 deaths.

Thai researchers plan to begin human trials of a potential vaccine for the new coronavirus in November and are preparing 10,000 doses, a senior official said on Sunday, aiming for a vaccine that could be ready for use by late next year.

Thai researchers plan to begin human trials of a potential vaccine for the new coronavirus in November and are preparing 10,000 doses, a senior official said on Sunday, aiming for a vaccine that could be ready for use by late next year. Following favourable results in trials on primates, the next step is to manufacture doses for human trials, said Kiat Ruxrungtham, director of the Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University vaccine development program. “At first we were going to send them in June, but it was not easy to plan everything,” Kiat told a news conference. There are no approved vaccines for the virus that causes COVID-19, but 19 candidates are being trailed in humans globally. China is leading the race, with an experimental vaccine by Sinovac Biotech Ltd Thailand`s first facility should complete production in October and send the products to a second facility, which should finish by November, he said. Originally the earliest target was September, but Kiat said not enough vaccine can be ready by then. Facilities in San Diego and Vancouver will produce 10,000 doses for the trials for 5,000 people. The first group, aged 18 to 60, will receive different doses of the vaccine, he said. The trials will not accept volunteers "until we receive approval from the Thai Food and Drug Administration and an ethics committee,” Kiat said. Thai company BioNet-Asia is preparing its facilities for large-scale manufacturing if the trials prove successful, he said. “If everything goes according to plan, the vaccine will be ready for Thailand in the third or fourth quarter next year,” Kiat said. Thailand on Sunday had a total of 3,217 confirmed infections, with no local transmissions reported in over a month, and 58 COVID-19 deaths.

Thailand plans November human testing for potential coronavirus vaccine

The coronavirus pandemic has already claimed over half a million lives across the world, with case numbers continuing to rise.&nbsp;

A new report by Oxfam has warned that the hunger crisis worsened by the coronavirus pandemic could potentially kill more people each day than the infection itself.

An estimated 12,000 people per day could die from hunger linked to Covid-19 by the end of the year, Oxfam said. By comparison, the pandemic's deadliest day so far has been April 17, when 8,890 deaths were recorded.

"The pandemic is the final straw for millions of people already struggling with the impacts of conflict, climate change, inequality and a broken food system that has impoverished millions of food producers and workers," Oxfam's Interim Executive Director Chema Vera said in a release.

The new challenges precipitated by the pandemic -- led by unemployment -- add themselves to long-standing issues worsening global hunger, including wars, climate change and rising inequality.

According to Oxfam, the coronavirus pandemic "has added fuel to the fire of an already growing hunger crisis."

Oxfam's briefing singles out 10 extreme hunger hotspots around the world where the pandemic is worsening already critical situations. They are: Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, the West African Sahel, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Haiti.

Brazil and India are now dealing with the second-largest and third-largest coronavirus outbreaks in the world, dwarfed only by that of the United States. Cases in Brazil have surpassed 1.7 million, and India has over 767,000. The United States broke the threshold of 3 million cases on Wednesday.

The coronavirus pandemic has already claimed over half a million lives across the world, with case numbers continuing to rise. A new report by Oxfam has warned that the hunger crisis worsened by the coronavirus pandemic could potentially kill more people each day than the infection itself.

The coronavirus pandemic has already claimed over half a million lives across the world, with case numbers continuing to rise. A new report by Oxfam has warned that the hunger crisis worsened by the coronavirus pandemic could potentially kill more people each day than the infection itself. An estimated 12,000 people per day could die from hunger linked to Covid-19 by the end of the year, Oxfam said. By comparison, the pandemic's deadliest day so far has been April 17, when 8,890 deaths were recorded. "The pandemic is the final straw for millions of people already struggling with the impacts of conflict, climate change, inequality and a broken food system that has impoverished millions of food producers and workers," Oxfam's Interim Executive Director Chema Vera said in a release. The new challenges precipitated by the pandemic -- led by unemployment -- add themselves to long-standing issues worsening global hunger, including wars, climate change and rising inequality. According to Oxfam, the coronavirus pandemic "has added fuel to the fire of an already growing hunger crisis." Oxfam's briefing singles out 10 extreme hunger hotspots around the world where the pandemic is worsening already critical situations. They are: Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, the West African Sahel, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Haiti. Brazil and India are now dealing with the second-largest and third-largest coronavirus outbreaks in the world, dwarfed only by that of the United States. Cases in Brazil have surpassed 1.7 million, and India has over 767,000. The United States broke the threshold of 3 million cases on Wednesday.

Hunger tied to pandemic could kill more people than COVID-19 itself, warns Oxfam

A Chinese virologist, who had fled Hong Kong, has claimed Beijing knew about the deadly novel coronavirus well before it claimed it did.

Dr Li-Meng Yan has specialised in virology and immunology at Hong Kong School of Public Health. She says she was one of the first scientists in the world to study the novel coronavirus.

In an interview to US-based Fox News, she, now in hiding, says she fears she can never go back to her home and lives with the hard truth that she’ll likely never see her friends or family there again. "But the risk is worth it," she adds.

"The reason I came to the US is because I deliver the message of the truth of COVID," she told Fox News from an undisclosed location.

She added that if she tried to tell her story in China, she "will be disappeared and killed."

Yan was allegedly asked by her supervisor at the University/WHO reference lab, Dr Leo Poon, in 2019 to look into the odd cluster of SARS-like cases coming out of mainland China at the end of December 2019.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-flood-and-a-journalist-latest-additions-to-the-long-list-of-chinas-cover-ups-308621">Also read |&nbsp;A flood and a journalist: Latest additions to the long list of China's cover ups</a>

When she informed her boss of her knowledge of the cases and about human-to-human transmission well before China or the WHO admitted such spread was possible, she was told to keep quiet and continue working.

A few days later, on January 9, 2020, the WHO put out a statement: "According to Chinese authorities, the virus in question can cause severe illness in some patients and does not transmit readily between people... There is limited information to determine the overall risk of this reported cluster.”

She also claims the co-director of a WHO-affiliated lab, Professor Malik Peiris, knew but didn't do anything about it.

When Yan decided to speak out against China, she discovered her life was apparently in jeopardy, as well as that of those closest to her. She then begged her husband to go with her, and says while her spouse, a reputable scientist himself, had initially been supportive of her research, he suddenly had a change of heart.

Yan claims the Chinese government is now trying to tarnish her reputation, conduct cyber-attacks on her and intimidate her family in China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-experts-to-spend-next-two-days-china-to-find-origins-of-coronavirus-312246">Also read |&nbsp;WHO experts to spend next two days China to find origins of coronavirus</a>

Earlier, US President Donald Trump had accused China of covering up the Covid-19 pandemic and had even terminated the country’s WHO funding in May, saying it didn’t respond adequately to the pandemic.

The WHO and China have vehemently denied claims of a coronavirus cover-up.

The WHO has also denied that Yan, Poon or Peiris ever worked directly for the organisation.

A Chinese virologist, who had fled Hong Kong, has claimed Beijing knew about the deadly novel coronavirus well before it claimed it did. Dr Li-Meng Yan has specialised in virology and immunology at Hong Kong School of Public Health.

A Chinese virologist, who had fled Hong Kong, has claimed Beijing knew about the deadly novel coronavirus well before it claimed it did. Dr Li-Meng Yan has specialised in virology and immunology at Hong Kong School of Public Health. She says she was one of the first scientists in the world to study the novel coronavirus. In an interview to US-based Fox News, she, now in hiding, says she fears she can never go back to her home and lives with the hard truth that she’ll likely never see her friends or family there again. "But the risk is worth it," she adds. "The reason I came to the US is because I deliver the message of the truth of COVID," she told Fox News from an undisclosed location. She added that if she tried to tell her story in China, she "will be disappeared and killed." Yan was allegedly asked by her supervisor at the University/WHO reference lab, Dr Leo Poon, in 2019 to look into the odd cluster of SARS-like cases coming out of mainland China at the end of December 2019. Also read | A flood and a journalist: Latest additions to the long list of China's cover ups When she informed her boss of her knowledge of the cases and about human-to-human transmission well before China or the WHO admitted such spread was possible, she was told to keep quiet and continue working. A few days later, on January 9, 2020, the WHO put out a statement: "According to Chinese authorities, the virus in question can cause severe illness in some patients and does not transmit readily between people... There is limited information to determine the overall risk of this reported cluster.” She also claims the co-director of a WHO-affiliated lab, Professor Malik Peiris, knew but didn't do anything about it. When Yan decided to speak out against China, she discovered her life was apparently in jeopardy, as well as that of those closest to her. She then begged her husband to go with her, and says while her spouse, a reputable scientist himself, had initially been supportive of her research, he suddenly had a change of heart. Yan claims the Chinese government is now trying to tarnish her reputation, conduct cyber-attacks on her and intimidate her family in China. Also read | WHO experts to spend next two days China to find origins of coronavirus Earlier, US President Donald Trump had accused China of covering up the Covid-19 pandemic and had even terminated the country’s WHO funding in May, saying it didn’t respond adequately to the pandemic. The WHO and China have vehemently denied claims of a coronavirus cover-up. The WHO has also denied that Yan, Poon or Peiris ever worked directly for the organisation.

Chinese virologist, who fled Hong Kong, accuses Beijing of coronavirus cover-up

Tenino had become a ghost town, and small businesses were struggling to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic, so local officials revived an unconventional idea from the last century: printing the town's own currency on thin planks of wood.

"There was no trading, no selling and the city streets were dead. They looked the same at 3 pm as they did at 3 am," said Wayne Fournier, mayor of the town of 1,800 people in Washington state, in the northwestern United States.

"We were getting a lot of calls from businesses saying they were not sure if they would be able to hang on," he told AFP.

The town's museum had a printing press, so it was put to use to make $10,000 worth of bills on wooden rectangles, each nominally worth $25.&nbsp;

They feature a portrait of President George Washington and bear a Latin inscription that translates as "We've got it under control."

The money is being given as a grant to locals who demonstrate they have been economically harmed by the pandemic. Each resident is allowed up to $300 per month.

Known as "Tenino dollars," "COVID dollars" or, sometimes, "Wayne dollars" after the mayor himself, the bills are traded at almost all shops in the town at a fixed rate equivalent to $1.

The currency is good only inside the town limits.

DESPERATE TIMES

The idea is not new: town officials last tried it during an even worse period of economic devastation, the Great Depression in the 1930s.

A national scarcity of dollars at the time prompted officials in Tenino to print money on spruce bark.

"The concept became 1930s viral," Fournier said, with other communities, businesses and chambers of commerce eager to emulate the town's example.

Media attention piqued the curiosity of investors, and over the years the wooden currency became a collector's item sold on eBay and Amazon.

The contemporary version of wooden currency, like the previous edition, aims to help the town through an economic crisis that forced businesses to close nationwide.

"It's more of an advertisement for the town itself," said Chris Hamilton, the manager of the town's main grocery store. "It brings a lot of people into town that may not even know about Tenino and want to check this place out that makes its own money.

"They might stop off here, buy an ice cream or go down the street and buy a hamburger."

Similar complementary currencies exist elsewhere in the US and Europe, aimed not at replacing the national money but supporting the local economy -- a key distinction since American authorities take a dim view of anyone trying to create a bill to compete with the almighty dollar.&nbsp;

The US Treasury declined to comment on its position regarding local currencies.

Switzerland's WIR system, created in 1934, is considered the oldest local currency in the world, used by thousands of small businesses every day.

RESPONSE TO GLOBALISATION

Facing an unemployment rate of 11.1 percent in June -- one of the highest rates since the Great Depression -- American advocates of complementary currencies say now is the time to consider them as a means to help residents.

"The crisis in municipal funding is pushing creativity. Administrators are exploring this concept of issuing their own currency instead of bonds to finance their COVID response," said Susan Witt, director of the Schumacher Center for a New Economics.

The research center developed BerkShares, a currency in circulation since 2006 in the Berkshires region of western Massachusetts, which is distributed by local banks. Witt is advising several US municipalities interested in similar initiatives.

Advocates of local currencies also see them as a bulwark against unbridled globalization.

"People are starting to realize that we went too global, too fast and we lost our local skills," said Chris Hewitt, founder of Hudson Valley Current, a currency in upstate New York which operates as a mutual credit system.

Supporters hope to create a nationwide movement.

"If that happens across the country organically, that could be something that helps save us from a serious recession," Fournier&nbsp;said.

Tenino had become a ghost town, and small businesses were struggling to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic, so local officials revived an unconventional idea from the last century: printing the town's own currency on thin planks of wood.

Tenino had become a ghost town, and small businesses were struggling to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic, so local officials revived an unconventional idea from the last century: printing the town's own currency on thin planks of wood. "There was no trading, no selling and the city streets were dead. They looked the same at 3 pm as they did at 3 am," said Wayne Fournier, mayor of the town of 1,800 people in Washington state, in the northwestern United States. "We were getting a lot of calls from businesses saying they were not sure if they would be able to hang on," he told AFP. The town's museum had a printing press, so it was put to use to make $10,000 worth of bills on wooden rectangles, each nominally worth $25. They feature a portrait of President George Washington and bear a Latin inscription that translates as "We've got it under control." The money is being given as a grant to locals who demonstrate they have been economically harmed by the pandemic. Each resident is allowed up to $300 per month. Known as "Tenino dollars," "COVID dollars" or, sometimes, "Wayne dollars" after the mayor himself, the bills are traded at almost all shops in the town at a fixed rate equivalent to $1. The currency is good only inside the town limits. DESPERATE TIMES The idea is not new: town officials last tried it during an even worse period of economic devastation, the Great Depression in the 1930s. A national scarcity of dollars at the time prompted officials in Tenino to print money on spruce bark. "The concept became 1930s viral," Fournier said, with other communities, businesses and chambers of commerce eager to emulate the town's example. Media attention piqued the curiosity of investors, and over the years the wooden currency became a collector's item sold on eBay and Amazon. The contemporary version of wooden currency, like the previous edition, aims to help the town through an economic crisis that forced businesses to close nationwide. "It's more of an advertisement for the town itself," said Chris Hamilton, the manager of the town's main grocery store. "It brings a lot of people into town that may not even know about Tenino and want to check this place out that makes its own money. "They might stop off here, buy an ice cream or go down the street and buy a hamburger." Similar complementary currencies exist elsewhere in the US and Europe, aimed not at replacing the national money but supporting the local economy -- a key distinction since American authorities take a dim view of anyone trying to create a bill to compete with the almighty dollar. The US Treasury declined to comment on its position regarding local currencies. Switzerland's WIR system, created in 1934, is considered the oldest local currency in the world, used by thousands of small businesses every day. RESPONSE TO GLOBALISATION Facing an unemployment rate of 11.1 percent in June -- one of the highest rates since the Great Depression -- American advocates of complementary currencies say now is the time to consider them as a means to help residents. "The crisis in municipal funding is pushing creativity. Administrators are exploring this concept of issuing their own currency instead of bonds to finance their COVID response," said Susan Witt, director of the Schumacher Center for a New Economics. The research center developed BerkShares, a currency in circulation since 2006 in the Berkshires region of western Massachusetts, which is distributed by local banks. Witt is advising several US municipalities interested in similar initiatives. Advocates of local currencies also see them as a bulwark against unbridled globalization. "People are starting to realize that we went too global, too fast and we lost our local skills," said Chris Hewitt, founder of Hudson Valley Current, a currency in upstate New York which operates as a mutual credit system. Supporters hope to create a nationwide movement. "If that happens across the country organically, that could be something that helps save us from a serious recession," Fournier said.

US town grows money from trees during pandemic downturn

Chinese vaccine developer CanSino Biologics is in talks with Russia, Brazil, Chile and Saudi Arabia to launch a Phase III trial of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine, its co-founder said on Saturday.

China's success in driving down COVID-19 infections has made it harder to conduct large-scale vaccine trials, and so far only a few countries have agreed to work with it.

"We are contacting Russia, Brazil, Chile and Saudi Arabia (for the Phase III trial), and it's still in discussion," Qiu Dongxu, executive director and co-founder of CanSino, told an anti-viral drug development conference in Suzhou, in eastern China.

He said its Phase III trial was likely to start "pretty soon," and the company plans to recruit 40,000 participants for the test.

Its COVID-19 candidate, Ad5-nCov, became the first in China to move into human testing in March but is running behind other potential vaccines in terms of trial progress. Two experimental vaccines developed by Sinovac Biotech and a unit of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) are already approved for Phase III trials.

Qiu said its Phase II trial involving 508 people has yielded "much better" results than the Phase I about the safety and ability to trigger immune response. He did not disclose specific evidence.

He said its new factory under construction in China will allow it to produce 100-200 million doses of coronavirus vaccines per year by early 2021.

China's military, whose research unit is co-developing the vaccine candidate, approved its military use last month, while Sinopharm's two experimental shots are offered to employees at state-owned firms travelling overseas.

Zeng Guang, former chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the conference that Chinese construction groups overseas in particular are keen to take experimental vaccines.

He also said discussion should start whether to launch emergency inoculation of experimental vaccines "right now."

There are no approved vaccines yet for COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus, which has killed more than half a million people globally.

Chinese vaccine developer CanSino Biologics is in talks with Russia, Brazil, Chile and Saudi Arabia to launch a Phase III trial of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine, its co-founder said on Saturday.

Chinese vaccine developer CanSino Biologics is in talks with Russia, Brazil, Chile and Saudi Arabia to launch a Phase III trial of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine, its co-founder said on Saturday. China's success in driving down COVID-19 infections has made it harder to conduct large-scale vaccine trials, and so far only a few countries have agreed to work with it. "We are contacting Russia, Brazil, Chile and Saudi Arabia (for the Phase III trial), and it's still in discussion," Qiu Dongxu, executive director and co-founder of CanSino, told an anti-viral drug development conference in Suzhou, in eastern China. He said its Phase III trial was likely to start "pretty soon," and the company plans to recruit 40,000 participants for the test. Its COVID-19 candidate, Ad5-nCov, became the first in China to move into human testing in March but is running behind other potential vaccines in terms of trial progress. Two experimental vaccines developed by Sinovac Biotech and a unit of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) are already approved for Phase III trials. Qiu said its Phase II trial involving 508 people has yielded "much better" results than the Phase I about the safety and ability to trigger immune response. He did not disclose specific evidence. He said its new factory under construction in China will allow it to produce 100-200 million doses of coronavirus vaccines per year by early 2021. China's military, whose research unit is co-developing the vaccine candidate, approved its military use last month, while Sinopharm's two experimental shots are offered to employees at state-owned firms travelling overseas. Zeng Guang, former chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the conference that Chinese construction groups overseas in particular are keen to take experimental vaccines. He also said discussion should start whether to launch emergency inoculation of experimental vaccines "right now." There are no approved vaccines yet for COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus, which has killed more than half a million people globally.

China's Cansino in talks for COVID-19 vaccine phase III trial overseas

US President Donald Trump is expected to raise $10 million on Friday during a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by the chief executive of a snack company in coronavirus-stricken Florida, according to a Republican official.

The in-person fundraiser, hosted by Troy Link, chief executive officer of Wisconsin-based Link Snacks Inc, comes after Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden outraised Trump for two consecutive months. The former vice president banked $141 million in June, according to his campaign, topping Trump’s $131 million haul.

Both candidates have largely ditched in-person fundraising during the coronavirus pandemic, though Trump has shown he is eager to return to more a more traditional campaign routine.

Coronavirus cases have surged in Florida, which reported an additional 11,433 cases on Friday, bringing the total number of cases to 244,151 across the state.

Biden said in an emailed statement Trump was using his Florida trip “as a photo-op and a distraction from his failures,” as coronavirus cases in the state rise and the economy crumbles.

Trump also used his South Florida trip not only to raise money but to appeal to Latino voters.

"This election coming up is a very important one," he said at an event with several supporters of Cuban and Venezuelan origin. He said Biden would adopt the type of socialist policies that pose hardships for Venezuelans under the rule of Nicholas Maduro.

Biden on Friday slammed Trump's "stated willingness to sit down with Maduro" and his administration's efforts to revive deportations for some Venezuelans currently allowed in the United States.

US President Donald Trump is expected to raise $10 million on Friday during a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by the chief executive of a snack company in coronavirus-stricken Florida, according to a Republican official.

US President Donald Trump is expected to raise $10 million on Friday during a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by the chief executive of a snack company in coronavirus-stricken Florida, according to a Republican official. The in-person fundraiser, hosted by Troy Link, chief executive officer of Wisconsin-based Link Snacks Inc, comes after Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden outraised Trump for two consecutive months. The former vice president banked $141 million in June, according to his campaign, topping Trump’s $131 million haul. Both candidates have largely ditched in-person fundraising during the coronavirus pandemic, though Trump has shown he is eager to return to more a more traditional campaign routine. Coronavirus cases have surged in Florida, which reported an additional 11,433 cases on Friday, bringing the total number of cases to 244,151 across the state. Biden said in an emailed statement Trump was using his Florida trip “as a photo-op and a distraction from his failures,” as coronavirus cases in the state rise and the economy crumbles. Trump also used his South Florida trip not only to raise money but to appeal to Latino voters. "This election coming up is a very important one," he said at an event with several supporters of Cuban and Venezuelan origin. He said Biden would adopt the type of socialist policies that pose hardships for Venezuelans under the rule of Nicholas Maduro. Biden on Friday slammed Trump's "stated willingness to sit down with Maduro" and his administration's efforts to revive deportations for some Venezuelans currently allowed in the United States.

Trump to raise $10 million at in-person fundraiser in COVID-hit Florida

China has said it would suspend imports from three Ecuadorean shrimp producers after detecting coronavirus in recent shipments.

China's customs authority said samples from shipments from Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila SA, Empacreci SA and Empacadora Del Pacifico Sociedad Anonima had produced six positive results. However, tests on the frozen shrimp and inner packaging were negative.

This prompted one of the Ecuadorean producers to accuse China of "tarnishing the reputation" of the industry.

The findings are the first positive results announced by Beijing since it began testing imported frozen foods for presence of the virus.

"The test results suggested that the container environment and the outer packaging of the goods of the three companies were at risk of contamination ... and the companies' food safety management system was not in order," the General Administration of Customs said in a statement on its website.

Two of the Ecuadorean companies involved issued sharply worded statements noting that the virus was found only within the walls of the container, adding that China was exaggerating the potential risks.

China began testing imported fresh and frozen food after the coronavirus was found on a chopping board used to cut salmon at a large food market in Beijing during an outbreak of the coronavirus among workers there.

Many Chinese buyers have halted imports of salmon and the fish has been removed from supermarket shelves.

There have been a total of 227,934 samples taken to date, Bi Kexin, in charge of food imports at the customs authority, told reporters at a briefing on Friday, including from the food products, their packaging and environmental samples.

The positive results were picked up on July 3 from cargoes at Dalian and Xiamen ports.

Ecuador's minister of production and foreign trade, Ivan Ontaneda, who also oversees the fishing industry, said the country's shrimp producers follow strict biosecurity protocols.

China's customs authority has also ordered shrimps produced by the three firms after March 12 and already imported into China to be recalled or destroyed.

China has said it would suspend imports from three Ecuadorean shrimp producers after detecting coronavirus in recent shipments. China's customs authority said samples from shipments from Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila SA, Empacreci SA and Empacadora Del Pacifico Sociedad Anonima had produced six positive results.

China has said it would suspend imports from three Ecuadorean shrimp producers after detecting coronavirus in recent shipments. China's customs authority said samples from shipments from Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila SA, Empacreci SA and Empacadora Del Pacifico Sociedad Anonima had produced six positive results. However, tests on the frozen shrimp and inner packaging were negative. This prompted one of the Ecuadorean producers to accuse China of "tarnishing the reputation" of the industry. The findings are the first positive results announced by Beijing since it began testing imported frozen foods for presence of the virus. "The test results suggested that the container environment and the outer packaging of the goods of the three companies were at risk of contamination ... and the companies' food safety management system was not in order," the General Administration of Customs said in a statement on its website. Two of the Ecuadorean companies involved issued sharply worded statements noting that the virus was found only within the walls of the container, adding that China was exaggerating the potential risks. China began testing imported fresh and frozen food after the coronavirus was found on a chopping board used to cut salmon at a large food market in Beijing during an outbreak of the coronavirus among workers there. Many Chinese buyers have halted imports of salmon and the fish has been removed from supermarket shelves. There have been a total of 227,934 samples taken to date, Bi Kexin, in charge of food imports at the customs authority, told reporters at a briefing on Friday, including from the food products, their packaging and environmental samples. The positive results were picked up on July 3 from cargoes at Dalian and Xiamen ports. Ecuador's minister of production and foreign trade, Ivan Ontaneda, who also oversees the fishing industry, said the country's shrimp producers follow strict biosecurity protocols. China's customs authority has also ordered shrimps produced by the three firms after March 12 and already imported into China to be recalled or destroyed.

China suspends imports of Ecuador shrimp on coronavirus risk

Face masks are a new normal in the post coronavirus pandemic-era, and brands famous for accessorising our daily wear have taken to do the same with the face coverings too.

A jewellery shop in Gujarat's Surat, to this end, came up with an idea of selling diamond-studded masks ranging between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 4 lakh.

Dipak Choksi, owner of the jewellery shop, said that he got the idea after a customer who had a wedding at his home came to our shop and demanded unique masks for bride and groom.

"As lockdown was lifted, a customer who had a wedding at his home came to our shop and demanded unique masks for bride and groom. So, we assigned our designers to create masks which the customer later bought. After this, we made a wide range of these masks as people will require them in coming days. Pure diamond and American diamond have been used with gold to make these masks," Choksi told ANI.&nbsp;

"Yellow gold has been used in the mask along with American diamond and it costs Rs 1.5 lakh. Another mask is made with white gold and real diamond, and costs Rs 4 lakh," he added.

The shop owner said that the cloth material of these masks is in accordance with the guideline of the government. He said diamond and gold from these masks can be taken out as per the wish of customers and used it for making other jewellery items.

A customer at the jewellery shop said: "I came to the shop to buy jewellery as there is a marriage in the family. Then I saw diamond masks which look more attractive to me than jewellery. So, I decided to buy it as per my matching dress."&nbsp;

Recently, a man named Shankar Kurade in Pune got himself a mask made of gold worth Rs 2.89 lakh.&nbsp;

Face masks are a new normal in the post coronavirus pandemic-era, and brands famous for accessorising our daily wear have taken to do the same with the face coverings too.

Face masks are a new normal in the post coronavirus pandemic-era, and brands famous for accessorising our daily wear have taken to do the same with the face coverings too. A jewellery shop in Gujarat's Surat, to this end, came up with an idea of selling diamond-studded masks ranging between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 4 lakh. Dipak Choksi, owner of the jewellery shop, said that he got the idea after a customer who had a wedding at his home came to our shop and demanded unique masks for bride and groom. "As lockdown was lifted, a customer who had a wedding at his home came to our shop and demanded unique masks for bride and groom. So, we assigned our designers to create masks which the customer later bought. After this, we made a wide range of these masks as people will require them in coming days. Pure diamond and American diamond have been used with gold to make these masks," Choksi told ANI. "Yellow gold has been used in the mask along with American diamond and it costs Rs 1.5 lakh. Another mask is made with white gold and real diamond, and costs Rs 4 lakh," he added. The shop owner said that the cloth material of these masks is in accordance with the guideline of the government. He said diamond and gold from these masks can be taken out as per the wish of customers and used it for making other jewellery items. A customer at the jewellery shop said: "I came to the shop to buy jewellery as there is a marriage in the family. Then I saw diamond masks which look more attractive to me than jewellery. So, I decided to buy it as per my matching dress." Recently, a man named Shankar Kurade in Pune got himself a mask made of gold worth Rs 2.89 lakh.

Jewellery shop in Gujarat sells diamond-studded face masks worth lakhs

Kerala on Saturday recorded&nbsp;its biggest single-day jump of&nbsp;488 new COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 7,438 as the death toll climbed to 29 with two fatalities.

As many as 234 people were infected through contact, including 57 in Thiruvananthapuram, 51 in Alappuzha, Ernakulam 35, Pathnamthitta 29 and Malappuram 27, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here.

This is the second consecutive day that the number of cases have crossed the 400 mark.

On Friday, 416 people were infected.

The deaths had occurred at Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts on Friday. 
Three health workers were among those who tested positive today.

Totally, 2.33 lakh samples have been collected so far and results of 6,449 samples are awaited.

There are 195 hotspots as of today.

In Thiruvananthapuram, a Quick Response Team has been constituted, comprising police, revenue and health workers which will function round the clock in the worst affected Poonthura fishing hamlet, the Chief Minister said.

&nbsp;

Kerala on Saturday recorded its biggest single-day jump of 488 new COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 7,438 as the death toll climbed to 29 with two fatalities.

Kerala on Saturday recorded its biggest single-day jump of 488 new COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 7,438 as the death toll climbed to 29 with two fatalities. As many as 234 people were infected through contact, including 57 in Thiruvananthapuram, 51 in Alappuzha, Ernakulam 35, Pathnamthitta 29 and Malappuram 27, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here. This is the second consecutive day that the number of cases have crossed the 400 mark. On Friday, 416 people were infected. The deaths had occurred at Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts on Friday. Three health workers were among those who tested positive today. Totally, 2.33 lakh samples have been collected so far and results of 6,449 samples are awaited. There are 195 hotspots as of today. In Thiruvananthapuram, a Quick Response Team has been constituted, comprising police, revenue and health workers which will function round the clock in the worst affected Poonthura fishing hamlet, the Chief Minister said.

488 new cases in Kerala as infection tally touches 7438; 2 deaths

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the "unknown pneumonia" reported in Kazakhstan could be COVID-19.

According to CGTN News, Michael Ryan, executive director of the Health Emergencies Programme of the WHO, on Friday said at a regular briefing that the pneumonia outbreak in the Central Asian nation was certainly on their radar, and that they were working with local health authorities amid a rise in reported cases.

He also pointed out that there's been a big surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, with over 10,000 in last seven days.

The WHO is studying the quality of local testing conditions in case some pneumonia cases are in fact undiagnosed cases of COVID-19, Ryan said, adding that the WHO "keeps an open mind" to other possibilities.

"We are looking at the actual testing and the quality of the testing to make sure that there have not been false negative tests for some of those other pneumonia that are provisionally tested negative," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kazakhstan-denies-chinese-reports-of-pneumonia-deadlier-than-covid-19-312174">Also read |&nbsp;Kazakhstan denies Chinese reports of pneumonia deadlier than COVID-19</a>

"That is likely to be a major cause of this. In many ways, many of these pneumonia cases will also be COVID-19. They just have not been diagnosed correctly," Ryan added.

On Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan issued a warning to citizens living in the Central Asian country that the pneumonia had killed more than 1,700 people.&nbsp;

"Kazakhstani Health Department and other agencies are conducting comparative research and have not defined the nature of the pneumonia virus," said the statement cited by CNN.

New cases of the unidentified pneumonia have been increasing significantly since mid-June across the country, said the embassy, adding that in some places, authorities are reporting hundreds of new cases a day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unknown-pneumonia-deadlier-than-coronavirus-sweeping-across-kazakhstan-warns-chinese-embassy-312099">Also read |&nbsp;'Unknown Pneumonia' deadlier than coronavirus sweeping across Kazakhstan, warns Chinese Embassy</a>

In a statement on Friday, the Kazakhstan health ministry acknowledged the presence of "viral pneumonias of unspecified etiology," but denied that the outbreak was new or unknown. It added the "unspecified" pneumonia classification followed WHO guidelines "for the registration of pneumonia when the coronavirus infection is diagnosed clinically or epidemiologically but is not confirmed by laboratory testing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the "unknown pneumonia" reported in Kazakhstan could be COVID-19. According to CGTN News, Michael Ryan, executive director of the Health Emergencies Programme of the WHO, on Friday said at a regular briefing that the pneumonia outbreak in the Central Asian nation was certainly on their radar, and that they were working with local health authorities amid a rise in reported cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the "unknown pneumonia" reported in Kazakhstan could be COVID-19. According to CGTN News, Michael Ryan, executive director of the Health Emergencies Programme of the WHO, on Friday said at a regular briefing that the pneumonia outbreak in the Central Asian nation was certainly on their radar, and that they were working with local health authorities amid a rise in reported cases. He also pointed out that there's been a big surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, with over 10,000 in last seven days. The WHO is studying the quality of local testing conditions in case some pneumonia cases are in fact undiagnosed cases of COVID-19, Ryan said, adding that the WHO "keeps an open mind" to other possibilities. "We are looking at the actual testing and the quality of the testing to make sure that there have not been false negative tests for some of those other pneumonia that are provisionally tested negative," he said. Also read | Kazakhstan denies Chinese reports of pneumonia deadlier than COVID-19 "That is likely to be a major cause of this. In many ways, many of these pneumonia cases will also be COVID-19. They just have not been diagnosed correctly," Ryan added. On Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan issued a warning to citizens living in the Central Asian country that the pneumonia had killed more than 1,700 people. "Kazakhstani Health Department and other agencies are conducting comparative research and have not defined the nature of the pneumonia virus," said the statement cited by CNN. New cases of the unidentified pneumonia have been increasing significantly since mid-June across the country, said the embassy, adding that in some places, authorities are reporting hundreds of new cases a day. Also read | 'Unknown Pneumonia' deadlier than coronavirus sweeping across Kazakhstan, warns Chinese Embassy In a statement on Friday, the Kazakhstan health ministry acknowledged the presence of "viral pneumonias of unspecified etiology," but denied that the outbreak was new or unknown. It added the "unspecified" pneumonia classification followed WHO guidelines "for the registration of pneumonia when the coronavirus infection is diagnosed clinically or epidemiologically but is not confirmed by laboratory testing.

WHO believes 'unknown pneumonia' in Kazakhstan could be COVID-19

Emirates airline has cut a tenth of its workforce during the novel coronavirus pandemic in layoffs that could rise to 15 percent, or 9,000 jobs, its president said, according to a report on Saturday.

The Middle East's largest carrier, which operates a fleet of 270 wide-bodied aircraft, halted operations in late March as part of global shutdowns to stem the spread of the virus.&nbsp;

It resumed two weeks later on a limited network and plans to fly to 58 cities by mid-August, down from about 157 before the crisis.

However, its president Tim Clark has said previously that it could take up to four years for operations to return to "some degree of normality", and the airline has been staging rounds of layoffs, as recently as last week, without disclosing numbers.

Before the crisis hit, Emirates employed some 60,000 staff, including 4,300 pilots and nearly 22,000 cabin crew, according to its annual report.

Clark said in an interview with the BBC that the airline had already cut a tenth of its staff and that Emirates "will probably have to let go of a few more, probably up to 15 percent".

A company spokeswoman told AFP the airline had nothing to add to the report.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said that airlines are in line to make a combined net loss of more than $84 billion this year in the wake of the pandemic crisis, the biggest in the industry's history.

Clark said in the interview that Emirates was "not as badly off as others" but that the crisis hit just as it was "heading for one of our best years ever".

The Dubai-based airline had reported a bumper 21 percent rise in annual profits in March.

Emirates airline has cut a tenth of its workforce during the novel coronavirus pandemic in layoffs that could rise to 15 percent, or 9,000 jobs, its president said, according to a report on Saturday.

Emirates airline has cut a tenth of its workforce during the novel coronavirus pandemic in layoffs that could rise to 15 percent, or 9,000 jobs, its president said, according to a report on Saturday. The Middle East's largest carrier, which operates a fleet of 270 wide-bodied aircraft, halted operations in late March as part of global shutdowns to stem the spread of the virus. It resumed two weeks later on a limited network and plans to fly to 58 cities by mid-August, down from about 157 before the crisis. However, its president Tim Clark has said previously that it could take up to four years for operations to return to "some degree of normality", and the airline has been staging rounds of layoffs, as recently as last week, without disclosing numbers. Before the crisis hit, Emirates employed some 60,000 staff, including 4,300 pilots and nearly 22,000 cabin crew, according to its annual report. Clark said in an interview with the BBC that the airline had already cut a tenth of its staff and that Emirates "will probably have to let go of a few more, probably up to 15 percent". A company spokeswoman told AFP the airline had nothing to add to the report. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said that airlines are in line to make a combined net loss of more than $84 billion this year in the wake of the pandemic crisis, the biggest in the industry's history. Clark said in the interview that Emirates was "not as badly off as others" but that the crisis hit just as it was "heading for one of our best years ever". The Dubai-based airline had reported a bumper 21 percent rise in annual profits in March.

Emirates airline to cut up to 9,000 jobs, say reports

Chinese Envoy to India has released a reconciliatory message when it comes to a relationship of India-China. Watch the report to know what he said.

Chinese Envoy to India | COVID-19 is a common enemy | India-China ties

More than 120 nations in May called for an investigation into the origins of the virus at the World Health Assembly. The United States has already moved to cut ties with WHO over allegations it mishandled the outbreak and is biased toward China.

Under pressure, the WHO, which faced fierce criticism over its handling of the coronavirus crisis, has announced the panel that will conduct this investigation into the origins of the novel coronavirus which sparked the global pandemic.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rebel-groups-in-myanmar-have-chinas-backing-report-312367">Also Read: Rebel groups in Myanmar have China's backing</a>

The panel will be headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The two get to choose the members of the panel&nbsp;for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

Last month, the Associated Press had reported that China delayed releasing information about the coronavirus to the WHO. The report says that there was “considerable frustration” among WHO officials because they didn’t get the information they needed in time.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-china-trying-to-revive-a-terrorist-group-in-pakistan-occupied-kashmir-312371">Also Read:&nbsp;Is China trying to revive a terrorist group in Pakistan occupied Kashmir?</a>

The virus is believed to have emerged in a wholesale market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, since then closed, after jumping the species barrier from the animal kingdom to infect humans.

This investigation is the ultimate litmus test for the WHO and how it deals with the question of China will ultimately decide its fate and is future.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

More than 120 nations in May called for an investigation into the origins of the virus at the World Health Assembly. The United States has already moved to cut ties with WHO over allegations it mishandled the outbreak and is biased toward China.

More than 120 nations in May called for an investigation into the origins of the virus at the World Health Assembly. The United States has already moved to cut ties with WHO over allegations it mishandled the outbreak and is biased toward China. Under pressure, the WHO, which faced fierce criticism over its handling of the coronavirus crisis, has announced the panel that will conduct this investigation into the origins of the novel coronavirus which sparked the global pandemic. Also Read: Rebel groups in Myanmar have China's backing The panel will be headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The two get to choose the members of the panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response Last month, the Associated Press had reported that China delayed releasing information about the coronavirus to the WHO. The report says that there was “considerable frustration” among WHO officials because they didn’t get the information they needed in time. Also Read: Is China trying to revive a terrorist group in Pakistan occupied Kashmir? The virus is believed to have emerged in a wholesale market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, since then closed, after jumping the species barrier from the animal kingdom to infect humans. This investigation is the ultimate litmus test for the WHO and how it deals with the question of China will ultimately decide its fate and is future.

WHO coronavirus pandemic response probe a litmus test for the agency

The United States on Thursday posted 65,551 new coronavirus cases, a record for a 24-hour period.

The country, the hardest-hit in the world by the pandemic, now has a total caseload of more than 3.1 million, with 133,195 deaths.&nbsp;The previous daily record was Tuesday, with more than 60,200 cases in one day.

The US has seen a spike in infections in recent weeks, particularly in the south and west, and health experts worry the death rate may soon follow the same trajectory.

For a third day in a row, US deaths climbed by more than 800, the highest levels seen since early June. Florida reported a record increase of 120 deaths and California had 136 new fatalities, not far from a record of 149 set the previous day.

As many as 1,000 people died from COVID-19 in the US in the last 24 hours.

With California, Florida and Texas recently breaking records, hopes are fading for an economic revival and US stocks closed down about 1% as investors worry another lockdown will cripple businesses.

Even outside the nation's three most populous states, cases are rising. Alabama, Montana and Wisconsin recorded their biggest one-day rise in cases ever on Thursday. Infections are increasing in 41 out of 50 states, according to a Reuters analysis of cases for the past two weeks compared with the prior two weeks.

US President Donald Trump has downplayed the spike in cases.

"For the 1/100th time, the reason we show so many Cases, compared to other countries that haven't done nearly as well as we have, is that our TESTING is much bigger and better," he tweeted Thursday.

"We have tested 40,000,000 people. If we did 20,000,000 instead, Cases would be half, etc."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
For the 1/100th time, the reason we show so many Cases, compared to other countries that haven’t done nearly as well as we have, is that our TESTING is much bigger and better. We have tested 40,000,000 people. If we did 20,000,000 instead, Cases would be half, etc. NOT REPORTED!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1281206354334625793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The rising toll has made some Americans hesitant to return to public spaces and patronise businesses despite President Donald Trump's efforts to downplay the risks.

The United States on Thursday posted 65,551 new coronavirus cases, a record for a 24-hour period. The country, the hardest-hit in the world by the pandemic, now has a total caseload of more than 3.

The United States on Thursday posted 65,551 new coronavirus cases, a record for a 24-hour period. The country, the hardest-hit in the world by the pandemic, now has a total caseload of more than 3.1 million, with 133,195 deaths. The previous daily record was Tuesday, with more than 60,200 cases in one day. The US has seen a spike in infections in recent weeks, particularly in the south and west, and health experts worry the death rate may soon follow the same trajectory. For a third day in a row, US deaths climbed by more than 800, the highest levels seen since early June. Florida reported a record increase of 120 deaths and California had 136 new fatalities, not far from a record of 149 set the previous day. As many as 1,000 people died from COVID-19 in the US in the last 24 hours. With California, Florida and Texas recently breaking records, hopes are fading for an economic revival and US stocks closed down about 1% as investors worry another lockdown will cripple businesses. Even outside the nation's three most populous states, cases are rising. Alabama, Montana and Wisconsin recorded their biggest one-day rise in cases ever on Thursday. Infections are increasing in 41 out of 50 states, according to a Reuters analysis of cases for the past two weeks compared with the prior two weeks. US President Donald Trump has downplayed the spike in cases. "For the 1/100th time, the reason we show so many Cases, compared to other countries that haven't done nearly as well as we have, is that our TESTING is much bigger and better," he tweeted Thursday. "We have tested 40,000,000 people. If we did 20,000,000 instead, Cases would be half, etc." For the 1/100th time, the reason we show so many Cases, compared to other countries that haven’t done nearly as well as we have, is that our TESTING is much bigger and better. We have tested 40,000,000 people. If we did 20,000,000 instead, Cases would be half, etc. NOT REPORTED! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2020 × The rising toll has made some Americans hesitant to return to public spaces and patronise businesses despite President Donald Trump's efforts to downplay the risks.

US coronavirus cases rise by record 60,565 in a single day

The Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers in India and the US are planning to initiate joint clinical trials for Ayurveda formulations against the novel coronavirus, the Indian envoy here has said.

In a virtual interaction with a group of eminent Indian-American scientists, academicians, and doctors on Wednesday, Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said the vast network of institutional engagements have brought scientific communities between the two countries together in the fight against COVID-19.

"Our Institutions have also been collaborating to promote Ayurveda through joint research, teaching and training programmes. The Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers in both the countries are planning to initiate joint clinical trials of Ayurvedic formulations against COVID-19," Sandhu said.

"Our scientists have been exchanging knowledge and research resources on this front," he said.

The Indo-US Science Technology Forum (IUSSTF) has always been instrumental in promoting excellence in science, technology, and innovation through collaborative activities.

To address COVID-19-related challenges, the IUSSTF had given a call to support joint research and start-up engagements. Large number of proposals are being reviewed on fast track mode by the experts on both the sides, he said.

"Indian pharmaceutical companies are global leaders in producing affordable low-cost medicines and vaccines and will play an important role in the fight against this pandemic," Sandhu said.

According to the ambassador, there are at least three ongoing collaborations between Indian vaccine companies with the US-based institutions.

These collaborations would be beneficial not just to India and the US, but also for the billions who would need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 across the world, he noted.

Asserting that innovation will be the key driver in pandemic response and recovery, he said tech-companies and start-ups have already begun to take the lead in this direction.

"Telemedicine and telehealth will evolve as will other digital platforms across sectors," he said. 
Noting that there has been longstanding collaboration between India and US in health sector, he said scientists have been working together in several programmes to understand important diseases at basic and clinical level.

Many such programmes have been focused on translational research to develop new therapeutics and diagnostics.

There are over 200 ongoing NIH funded projects in India involving 20 institutions from NIH network and several eminent institutions in India engaged in a wide spectrum of research areas to create health care solutions, the senior diplomat said.

The collaboration under Vaccine Action Programme (VAP) resulted in development of ROTAVAC vaccine against rota virus which causes severe diarrhea in children.

The vaccine was developed by an Indian company (Bharat Biotech) at an affordable cost. It has been commercialised and introduced in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation.

Development of many other vaccines such as TB, Influenza, Chikungunya are also in progress under the VAP, he said.

"As I speak, the VAP meeting is in progress where experts from both countries are deeply engaged in technical discussions to expedite development of COVID-19 vaccine," Sandhu said in his remarks.

During the interaction, the eminent experts appreciated India's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and offered their valuable suggestions and best practices.

They shared their ideas on deepening the knowledge partnership between India and the US.

The experts who took part in interaction, were drawn from a wide-ranging fields including artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biomedical engineering, robotics, mechanical engineering, earth and ocean science, virology, physics, astrophysics, and health sciences.

Prominent among those who attended the virtual interaction were Subhash Kak Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University, Dr Vijay Kuchroo, Samuel L Wasserstrom Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Dr Ashish M Kamat, Professor of Urology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Ashutosh Chilkoti, Alan L Kaganov Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University; and Prof Manu Prakash, professor in Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University, among others.&nbsp;

The Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers in India and the US are planning to initiate joint clinical trials for Ayurveda formulations against the novel coronavirus, the Indian envoy here has said.

The Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers in India and the US are planning to initiate joint clinical trials for Ayurveda formulations against the novel coronavirus, the Indian envoy here has said. In a virtual interaction with a group of eminent Indian-American scientists, academicians, and doctors on Wednesday, Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said the vast network of institutional engagements have brought scientific communities between the two countries together in the fight against COVID-19. "Our Institutions have also been collaborating to promote Ayurveda through joint research, teaching and training programmes. The Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers in both the countries are planning to initiate joint clinical trials of Ayurvedic formulations against COVID-19," Sandhu said. "Our scientists have been exchanging knowledge and research resources on this front," he said. The Indo-US Science Technology Forum (IUSSTF) has always been instrumental in promoting excellence in science, technology, and innovation through collaborative activities. To address COVID-19-related challenges, the IUSSTF had given a call to support joint research and start-up engagements. Large number of proposals are being reviewed on fast track mode by the experts on both the sides, he said. "Indian pharmaceutical companies are global leaders in producing affordable low-cost medicines and vaccines and will play an important role in the fight against this pandemic," Sandhu said. According to the ambassador, there are at least three ongoing collaborations between Indian vaccine companies with the US-based institutions. These collaborations would be beneficial not just to India and the US, but also for the billions who would need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 across the world, he noted. Asserting that innovation will be the key driver in pandemic response and recovery, he said tech-companies and start-ups have already begun to take the lead in this direction. "Telemedicine and telehealth will evolve as will other digital platforms across sectors," he said. Noting that there has been longstanding collaboration between India and US in health sector, he said scientists have been working together in several programmes to understand important diseases at basic and clinical level. Many such programmes have been focused on translational research to develop new therapeutics and diagnostics. There are over 200 ongoing NIH funded projects in India involving 20 institutions from NIH network and several eminent institutions in India engaged in a wide spectrum of research areas to create health care solutions, the senior diplomat said. The collaboration under Vaccine Action Programme (VAP) resulted in development of ROTAVAC vaccine against rota virus which causes severe diarrhea in children. The vaccine was developed by an Indian company (Bharat Biotech) at an affordable cost. It has been commercialised and introduced in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation. Development of many other vaccines such as TB, Influenza, Chikungunya are also in progress under the VAP, he said. "As I speak, the VAP meeting is in progress where experts from both countries are deeply engaged in technical discussions to expedite development of COVID-19 vaccine," Sandhu said in his remarks. During the interaction, the eminent experts appreciated India's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and offered their valuable suggestions and best practices. They shared their ideas on deepening the knowledge partnership between India and the US. The experts who took part in interaction, were drawn from a wide-ranging fields including artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biomedical engineering, robotics, mechanical engineering, earth and ocean science, virology, physics, astrophysics, and health sciences. Prominent among those who attended the virtual interaction were Subhash Kak Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University, Dr Vijay Kuchroo, Samuel L Wasserstrom Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Dr Ashish M Kamat, Professor of Urology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Ashutosh Chilkoti, Alan L Kaganov Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University; and Prof Manu Prakash, professor in Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University, among others.

Clinical trials for Ayurvedic formulations against COVID-19 to be initiated in India, US

This week on Melt: Anant Rangaswami interviews Third Eye Integrated Services MDs Gitanjali Ghate & Jasmeet Kaur Srivastava on changing consumer behaviour because of the pandemic.+ Creative Picks with Ritwika Gupta. Sat 1130am & Sun 1030am on WION.

Melt: COVID-19 Impact On Consumer Behaviour

US President Donald Trump's controversial rally and other mass events in Tulsa in June "more than likely" contributed to a local spike in coronavirus cases.

Tulsa County has seen record daily new COVID-19 cases this week, including 266 on Wednesday.

Several thousand supporters of the US president defied the pandemic to attend the fiery rally last month, which was hyped as a major campaign relaunch ahead of the November election. Health authorities in the southern US state of Oklahoma now believe the events led to the sudden surge in cases.

The indoor gathering had drawn criticism for a lack of social distancing and its failure to mandate the wearing of masks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-asked-volunteers-to-remove-social-distancing-labels-in-tulsa-rally-reports-309082">Also read |&nbsp;Trump asked volunteers to remove social distancing labels in Tulsa rally: reports</a>

Attendees' temperature was taken at the entrance to Trump's rally, and masks distributed, but the majority of participants did not wear one -- including Trump himself.

Also, a day before Trump's rally, thousands in Tulsa participated in Juneteenth commemorations marking the liberation of the final US slaves in 1865. The night of the rally, almost 1,000 counter-protesters also gathered in the city.

Several members of the Republican billionaire's campaign team tested positive for the coronavirus before and after the rally, as did Secret Service agents.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-team-looks-to-revamp-rallies-after-being-rattled-by-tulsa-event-308572">Also read |&nbsp;Trump team looks to revamp rallies after being rattled by Tulsa event</a>

US President Donald Trump's controversial rally and other mass events in Tulsa in June "more than likely" contributed to a local spike in coronavirus cases. Tulsa County has seen record daily new COVID-19 cases this week, including 266 on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump's controversial rally and other mass events in Tulsa in June "more than likely" contributed to a local spike in coronavirus cases. Tulsa County has seen record daily new COVID-19 cases this week, including 266 on Wednesday. Several thousand supporters of the US president defied the pandemic to attend the fiery rally last month, which was hyped as a major campaign relaunch ahead of the November election. Health authorities in the southern US state of Oklahoma now believe the events led to the sudden surge in cases. The indoor gathering had drawn criticism for a lack of social distancing and its failure to mandate the wearing of masks. Also read | Trump asked volunteers to remove social distancing labels in Tulsa rally: reports Attendees' temperature was taken at the entrance to Trump's rally, and masks distributed, but the majority of participants did not wear one -- including Trump himself. Also, a day before Trump's rally, thousands in Tulsa participated in Juneteenth commemorations marking the liberation of the final US slaves in 1865. The night of the rally, almost 1,000 counter-protesters also gathered in the city. Several members of the Republican billionaire's campaign team tested positive for the coronavirus before and after the rally, as did Secret Service agents. Also read | Trump team looks to revamp rallies after being rattled by Tulsa event

Coronavirus spike in Tulsa linked to Trump's June rally

A group of 14 US lawmakers have introduced a bill in the Congress which demands the government to identify, analyse, and combat alleged efforts made by the Chinese government to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for nationalistic gains.

Introduced by Congressman Jared Golden and co-sponsored by 13 other Congressmen, the 'Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 Act' would mandate the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to investigate the ways in which the Chinese government intends to seize on the COVID-19 pandemic to promote its interests on the national stage and evaluate the risks to the United States.

It also asks the DNI to provide policymakers with information they need to address and counter Chinese actions, when necessary, and report its findings to the Congress.

"Since COVID-19 began, there is evidence that China is at work using the pandemic crisis against Americans through cyber-theft and the spread of misinformation,"&nbsp;said Golden.

"We need to fully understand these threats and respond to them. We're introducing the 'Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 Act' to gather and analyse important intelligence our country needs to protect American people and businesses,"&nbsp;Golden said.

The bill requires the DNI -- in coordination with the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Homeland Security -- to prepare an assessment of the different ways in which the Chinese government has exploited or could exploit the pandemic, which originated in China, in order to advance China's interests and to undermine the interests of the United States, its allies, and the rule-based international order.

The assessment must be provided to Congress within 90 days and posted in unclassified form on the DNI's website.

"As we fight to save American lives and rebuild our economy, no country should be allowed to exploit the pandemic for its own advantage, yet reports indicate that China has done exactly that," said Congressman Torres Small, a co-sponsor of the bill.

"This is a time when countries should be coming together to fight the spread of COVID-19, not exploiting breakdowns in supply chains or a shortage of critical equipment like masks, gloves and gowns in order to advance their own national security interests. This is unacceptable, and the United States must be able to hold China accountable if it continues," he said.

Among others, the legislation requires the DNI to investigate, analyse, and report on the techniques used by the Chinese government to obstruct or retaliate against nations that have sought a full inquiry into China's role in the emergence and spread of COVID-19, and the Chinese government's motivations for such efforts.

It seeks investigation into the activities undertaken by the Chinese government, like cyber-theft, intended to acquire information and intellectual property related to COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccines.

The bill also asks the DNI to probe the manner in which the Chinese government seeks to advance its foreign policy interests by providing economic aid or medical equipment to nations adversely affected by COVID-19, and the degree to which this aid makes recipient countries more likely to adopt positions favourable to China and detrimental to the United States.

The ways in which the Chinese government is using, or may be planning to use, the global disruption and distraction associated with COVID-19 as an opportunity to more aggressively pursue longstanding objectives, including with respect to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xinjiang, and territorial disputes, is another subject being pointed out by the Congressmen.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have spiralled downward since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. US President Donald Trump has questioned the Asian powerhouse's handing of COVID-19.

The two countries have also sparred over China imposing a new national security law in Hong Kong, restrictions on American journalists, treatment of Uyghurs Muslims and security measures in Tibet.

A group of 14 US lawmakers have introduced a bill in the Congress which demands the government to identify, analyse, and combat alleged efforts made by the Chinese government to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for nationalistic gains.

A group of 14 US lawmakers have introduced a bill in the Congress which demands the government to identify, analyse, and combat alleged efforts made by the Chinese government to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for nationalistic gains. Introduced by Congressman Jared Golden and co-sponsored by 13 other Congressmen, the 'Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 Act' would mandate the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to investigate the ways in which the Chinese government intends to seize on the COVID-19 pandemic to promote its interests on the national stage and evaluate the risks to the United States. It also asks the DNI to provide policymakers with information they need to address and counter Chinese actions, when necessary, and report its findings to the Congress. "Since COVID-19 began, there is evidence that China is at work using the pandemic crisis against Americans through cyber-theft and the spread of misinformation," said Golden. "We need to fully understand these threats and respond to them. We're introducing the 'Preventing China from Exploiting COVID-19 Act' to gather and analyse important intelligence our country needs to protect American people and businesses," Golden said. The bill requires the DNI -- in coordination with the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Homeland Security -- to prepare an assessment of the different ways in which the Chinese government has exploited or could exploit the pandemic, which originated in China, in order to advance China's interests and to undermine the interests of the United States, its allies, and the rule-based international order. The assessment must be provided to Congress within 90 days and posted in unclassified form on the DNI's website. "As we fight to save American lives and rebuild our economy, no country should be allowed to exploit the pandemic for its own advantage, yet reports indicate that China has done exactly that," said Congressman Torres Small, a co-sponsor of the bill. "This is a time when countries should be coming together to fight the spread of COVID-19, not exploiting breakdowns in supply chains or a shortage of critical equipment like masks, gloves and gowns in order to advance their own national security interests. This is unacceptable, and the United States must be able to hold China accountable if it continues," he said. Among others, the legislation requires the DNI to investigate, analyse, and report on the techniques used by the Chinese government to obstruct or retaliate against nations that have sought a full inquiry into China's role in the emergence and spread of COVID-19, and the Chinese government's motivations for such efforts. It seeks investigation into the activities undertaken by the Chinese government, like cyber-theft, intended to acquire information and intellectual property related to COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccines. The bill also asks the DNI to probe the manner in which the Chinese government seeks to advance its foreign policy interests by providing economic aid or medical equipment to nations adversely affected by COVID-19, and the degree to which this aid makes recipient countries more likely to adopt positions favourable to China and detrimental to the United States. The ways in which the Chinese government is using, or may be planning to use, the global disruption and distraction associated with COVID-19 as an opportunity to more aggressively pursue longstanding objectives, including with respect to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xinjiang, and territorial disputes, is another subject being pointed out by the Congressmen. Relations between Washington and Beijing have spiralled downward since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. US President Donald Trump has questioned the Asian powerhouse's handing of COVID-19. The two countries have also sparred over China imposing a new national security law in Hong Kong, restrictions on American journalists, treatment of Uyghurs Muslims and security measures in Tibet.

US lawmakers seek probe into efforts made by Chinese govt to exploit COVID-19 outbreak

Rescue teams are battling nature's vagaries across the world. From floods in China to wildfires in the U.S. they are facing the worst of the earth's wrath this year.

Gravitas: Natural disasters rage amid the pandemic

While referring to Hydroxychloroquine's use in India, An adviser to US President Donald Trump has claimed that the drug is effective in treating Covid-19. But scientists and doctors are still not completely convinced. Is Hydroxychloroquine caught up in the politics of the pandemic?

Gravitas: Is Hydroxychloroquine caught up in the politics of the pandemic?

While the world is fighting a pandemic, China's President Xi Jinping is making moves to amass more power on the world stage. But, President Xi's hunger for power is creating more problems for China.

Gravitas: Xi Jinping's power trip isolates China

At 70 euros ($79) a night, the tents sleep two people and include access to a bathroom and barbecue.

Belgians holiday in trees as COVID-19 prompts staycations

Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have warned that India might record 2.87 lakh coronavirus cases per day by the end of winter 2021 -- in case no proper COVID-19 vaccine or drug is developed.

The study was conducted by researchers Hazhir Rahmandad, TY Lim and John Sterman of MIT's Sloan School of Management.

The world may witness 249 million (24.9 crore) cases and 1.8 million (18 lakh) deaths by spring 2021 if there are no effective treatments or vaccination, they said.

According to the study, the top 10 countries by projected daily infection rates at the end of winter 2021 are India, US, South Africa, Iran, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey, France and Germany.

India will be the worst affected country due to coronavirus followed by the US (95,000 cases per day), South Africa (21,000 cases per day) Iran (17,000 cases per day), and Indonesia (13,000 cases per day) at the end of winter 2021.

For the findings, the MIT research team use a multi-country modified SEIR (Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, Recovered) model, a standard mathematical model for infectious diseases used by epidemiologists, to simultaneously estimate the transmission of Covid-19 in 84 countries (4.75 billion people).

The model tracked community transmission, excluding the global travel network and instead separately estimating the date of introduction of patient zero for each country.

Within each country, the core of the model tracks the population through susceptible, pre-symptomatic, infected pre-testing, infected post-testing, and recovered states.

As of Wednesday morning, the overall number of global COVID-19 cases has increased to more than 11.7 million, while the deaths have soared to over 543,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.

 
&nbsp;

Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have warned that India might record 2.87 lakh coronavirus cases per day by the end of winter 2021 -- in case no proper COVID-19 vaccine or drug is developed.

Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have warned that India might record 2.87 lakh coronavirus cases per day by the end of winter 2021 -- in case no proper COVID-19 vaccine or drug is developed. The study was conducted by researchers Hazhir Rahmandad, TY Lim and John Sterman of MIT's Sloan School of Management. The world may witness 249 million (24.9 crore) cases and 1.8 million (18 lakh) deaths by spring 2021 if there are no effective treatments or vaccination, they said. According to the study, the top 10 countries by projected daily infection rates at the end of winter 2021 are India, US, South Africa, Iran, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey, France and Germany. India will be the worst affected country due to coronavirus followed by the US (95,000 cases per day), South Africa (21,000 cases per day) Iran (17,000 cases per day), and Indonesia (13,000 cases per day) at the end of winter 2021. For the findings, the MIT research team use a multi-country modified SEIR (Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, Recovered) model, a standard mathematical model for infectious diseases used by epidemiologists, to simultaneously estimate the transmission of Covid-19 in 84 countries (4.75 billion people). The model tracked community transmission, excluding the global travel network and instead separately estimating the date of introduction of patient zero for each country. Within each country, the core of the model tracks the population through susceptible, pre-symptomatic, infected pre-testing, infected post-testing, and recovered states. As of Wednesday morning, the overall number of global COVID-19 cases has increased to more than 11.7 million, while the deaths have soared to over 543,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.

India may see 2.87 lakh coronavirus cases per day by winter 2021, says MIT study

Guidance has been issued in England,Scotland, Northern Ireland, italy and California on measures that pubs and restaurants must take to keep customers and staff safe.

COVID-19: Pub goers failed to follow social distancing norms | California | Italy | Britain

Nepal on Wednesday reported 255 new coronavirus cases, taking the country's total count to 16,423.&nbsp; 
With the recovery of 253 patients in the past 24 hours, the total number of active coronavirus cases stands at 8,636, the Ministry of Health and Population said. 
 
Nepal has achieved 47 per cent recovery rate.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/south-asia/nepals-anti-oli-sentiment-deepens-as-youth-mobilise-protests-311183" hreflang="en">Nepal's anti-Oli sentiment deepens as youth mobilise protests</a> 
 
The government has been conducting COVID-19 tests at free of costs. So far, 35 people have died due to coronavirus infection in Nepal.

A political storm is brewing in Nepal, where calls for Prime Minister KP Sharma OIi’s exit are getting louder everyday.&nbsp;A wave which was seen as a party conflict has spread to the streets in Nepal. Since early June, large groups of people have been taking to the streets across Nepal, mostly young protesters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/india-news/road-construction-on-no-mans-land-at-india-nepal-border-halted-311224" hreflang="en">Road construction on no man's land at India-Nepal border halted</a>

Unafraid of the pandemic, people of Nepal, especially the youth are angry with Nepal's response to the pandemic, and are demanding a better strategy to counter the virus.&nbsp; Nepal currently has over 15,000 cases of COVID-19, with the number climbing everyday.&nbsp;The protesters feel that the Oli government is not doing enough, and are demanding better testing and quarantine strategies, while calling for the protection of healthcare workers. Additionally, they want an end to corruption.

Nepal on Wednesday reported 255 new coronavirus cases, taking the country's total count to 16,423. With the recovery of 253 patients in the past 24 hours, the total number of active coronavirus cases stands at 8,636, the Ministry of Health and Population said.

Nepal on Wednesday reported 255 new coronavirus cases, taking the country's total count to 16,423. With the recovery of 253 patients in the past 24 hours, the total number of active coronavirus cases stands at 8,636, the Ministry of Health and Population said. Nepal has achieved 47 per cent recovery rate. Also read: Nepal's anti-Oli sentiment deepens as youth mobilise protests The government has been conducting COVID-19 tests at free of costs. So far, 35 people have died due to coronavirus infection in Nepal. A political storm is brewing in Nepal, where calls for Prime Minister KP Sharma OIi’s exit are getting louder everyday. A wave which was seen as a party conflict has spread to the streets in Nepal. Since early June, large groups of people have been taking to the streets across Nepal, mostly young protesters. Also read: Road construction on no man's land at India-Nepal border halted Unafraid of the pandemic, people of Nepal, especially the youth are angry with Nepal's response to the pandemic, and are demanding a better strategy to counter the virus. Nepal currently has over 15,000 cases of COVID-19, with the number climbing everyday. The protesters feel that the Oli government is not doing enough, and are demanding better testing and quarantine strategies, while calling for the protection of healthcare workers. Additionally, they want an end to corruption.

Nepal reports 255 new coronavirus cases

Pakistan has recorded as many as 2980 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours taking the tally to 237,489 while the testing for the lethal virus has been reduced for the 18th consecutive day.

Of 237,489 COVID-19 cases, 83,559 are from Punjab, 97,626 from Sindh, 28681 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 10919 from Balochistan, 13650 from Islamabad, 1595 from Gilgit-Baltistan and 1419 from Azad Kashmir, Radio Pakistan reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/india-news/pakistan-continues-foul-play-in-kulbhushan-jadhav-case-311754" hreflang="en">Pakistan continues foul play in Kulbhushan Jadhav case</a>

Meanwhile, 83 people have succumbed to the disease in the past 24 hours. The total death toll now stands at 4,922.

Despite the surging number of coronavirus cases, according to the data of the ministry of national health services regulation and coordination, for the 18th consecutive day, the testing has reduced considerably.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/india-news/pakistan-attempting-to-create-mirage-of-compliance-with-icj-judgement-in-kulbhushan-jadhav-case-india-311735" hreflang="en">Pakistan attempting to create mirage of compliance with ICJ judgement in Kulbhushan Jadhav case: India</a>

The largest drop in diagnosing samples was witnessed in Punjab, where only 7,659 tests were carried out on Tuesday, 44 per cent of the province`s capacity, Geo News reported.

The testing in Sindh has also climbed down, falling to 9,317 tests per day, compared to the previous day when it tested over 12,000 specimens.&nbsp;

Pakistan has recorded as many as 2980 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours taking the tally to 237,489 while the testing for the lethal virus has been reduced for the 18th consecutive day.

Pakistan has recorded as many as 2980 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours taking the tally to 237,489 while the testing for the lethal virus has been reduced for the 18th consecutive day. Of 237,489 COVID-19 cases, 83,559 are from Punjab, 97,626 from Sindh, 28681 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 10919 from Balochistan, 13650 from Islamabad, 1595 from Gilgit-Baltistan and 1419 from Azad Kashmir, Radio Pakistan reported. Also read: Pakistan continues foul play in Kulbhushan Jadhav case Meanwhile, 83 people have succumbed to the disease in the past 24 hours. The total death toll now stands at 4,922. Despite the surging number of coronavirus cases, according to the data of the ministry of national health services regulation and coordination, for the 18th consecutive day, the testing has reduced considerably. Also read: Pakistan attempting to create mirage of compliance with ICJ judgement in Kulbhushan Jadhav case: India The largest drop in diagnosing samples was witnessed in Punjab, where only 7,659 tests were carried out on Tuesday, 44 per cent of the province`s capacity, Geo News reported. The testing in Sindh has also climbed down, falling to 9,317 tests per day, compared to the previous day when it tested over 12,000 specimens.

Pakistan records 2,980 new COVID-19 cases

A 32-year-old man, who recently returned from India and tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, will be charged with missing from a managed isolation facility in Auckland to go to a supermarket, according to media reports.

The man, New Zealand's latest new case of COVID-19, escaped through a fenced area from an isolation facility at about 6:50 pm local time on Tuesday, the New Zealand Herald reported.

He has been sent to a quarantine facility after he was confirmed to have the coronavirus. However, the man was asymptomatic and did not appear to have come into close or casual contact with anyone, the report said.

The man, whose identity was not immediately known, came from Delhi on July 3, it added.

Health Minister Chris Hipkins has slammed the man's actions as "selfish" and says he will face charges, the report said.

But he wouldn't describe the episode as a failure of the government's processes, and even though those processes will now be reviewed, he said if anyone should apologise, it was the man who broke the law.

Mr Hipkins said the man appeared to have made a spur of the moment decision and dashed through a gap where fencing was being replaced.

A security guard was observing the area but confused the man with contractors working on the fencing. The alarm was raised within minutes but security were unable to find the man.

Mr Hipkins said the man may have spent 20 minutes in the supermarket on Victoria St West, and he returned of his own volition 70 minutes after leaving, the report added.

He will be charged and now face up to a six-month jail sentence or a $4000 fine, the report added.

After the man's positive test result came today, the supermarket staff are now self-isolating and will also be tested for the virus, the Stuff reported.

"CCTV footage from within the supermarket has confirmed there was no close contact between the man and any staff or customers during his time there," head of managed isolation and quarantine Air Commodore Darryn Webb said.

There are now 23 active COVID-19 cases in New Zealand, all in managed isolation or quarantine, and 1187 confirmed cases.

A 32-year-old man, who recently returned from India and tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, will be charged with missing from a managed isolation facility in Auckland to go to a supermarket, according to media reports.

A 32-year-old man, who recently returned from India and tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, will be charged with missing from a managed isolation facility in Auckland to go to a supermarket, according to media reports. The man, New Zealand's latest new case of COVID-19, escaped through a fenced area from an isolation facility at about 6:50 pm local time on Tuesday, the New Zealand Herald reported. He has been sent to a quarantine facility after he was confirmed to have the coronavirus. However, the man was asymptomatic and did not appear to have come into close or casual contact with anyone, the report said. The man, whose identity was not immediately known, came from Delhi on July 3, it added. Health Minister Chris Hipkins has slammed the man's actions as "selfish" and says he will face charges, the report said. But he wouldn't describe the episode as a failure of the government's processes, and even though those processes will now be reviewed, he said if anyone should apologise, it was the man who broke the law. Mr Hipkins said the man appeared to have made a spur of the moment decision and dashed through a gap where fencing was being replaced. A security guard was observing the area but confused the man with contractors working on the fencing. The alarm was raised within minutes but security were unable to find the man. Mr Hipkins said the man may have spent 20 minutes in the supermarket on Victoria St West, and he returned of his own volition 70 minutes after leaving, the report added. He will be charged and now face up to a six-month jail sentence or a $4000 fine, the report added. After the man's positive test result came today, the supermarket staff are now self-isolating and will also be tested for the virus, the Stuff reported. "CCTV footage from within the supermarket has confirmed there was no close contact between the man and any staff or customers during his time there," head of managed isolation and quarantine Air Commodore Darryn Webb said. There are now 23 active COVID-19 cases in New Zealand, all in managed isolation or quarantine, and 1187 confirmed cases.

Indian man in Covid-19 isolation runs away in Auckland, visits mall; faces $4,000 penalty, jail

Are companies that claim to fight misinformation about coronavirus actually capitalising on it?&nbsp;

A new report reveals that major conglomerates like Google and Amazon will funnel $25 million in 2020 to websites that spread misinformation about COVID-19.&nbsp;For every fake news website that gets ad revenue, Google will $3 out of every $4. In total, this is expected to amount to over $19 million.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-net-worth-zooms-to-1716-billion-amid-pandemic-ex-wife-mackenzie-becomes-second-richest-woman-310132" hreflang="en">Amazon founder Jeff Bezos net worth zooms to $171.6 billion amid pandemic; ex-wife Mackenzie becomes second richest woman</a>

Amazon will contribute almost $2 million to the fake news industry, which accounts for 7 per cent of the marketing spending that these sites receive.&nbsp;This report was recently released by the Global Disinformation Index.

According to its analysis between January and June in 2020, the GDI flagged 480 websites as publishers of misleading information, or very simply - fake news. Many of these ads were for mega companies like L’Oreal SA, and Canon Inc.

In conversation with Bloomberg, Google claimed that this report was “flawed”, for its “revenue calculations” were neither “transparent” nor “realistic”. Additionally, Google claimed to have strict policies to prevent harmful monetisation of content.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/ceos-of-apple-amazon-facebook-and-google-to-testify-in-congress-over-antitrust-issues-310090" hreflang="en">CEOs of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google to testify in Congress over antitrust issues</a>

The virus, which has killed over 544,000 around the globe and infected over 11.8 million is still being studied by experts. Just today, on July 8, many scientists claimed that the virus causes long-term brain damage even in the mildest of cases. However, this lack of information may have spurred misinformation surrounding the virus.

Google claims that it has removed advertisements from its sites that violate its policies.

Are companies that claim to fight misinformation about coronavirus actually capitalising on it? A new report reveals that major conglomerates like Google and Amazon will funnel $25 million in 2020 to websites that spread misinformation about COVID-19.

Are companies that claim to fight misinformation about coronavirus actually capitalising on it? A new report reveals that major conglomerates like Google and Amazon will funnel $25 million in 2020 to websites that spread misinformation about COVID-19. For every fake news website that gets ad revenue, Google will $3 out of every $4. In total, this is expected to amount to over $19 million. Also read: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos net worth zooms to $171.6 billion amid pandemic; ex-wife Mackenzie becomes second richest woman Amazon will contribute almost $2 million to the fake news industry, which accounts for 7 per cent of the marketing spending that these sites receive. This report was recently released by the Global Disinformation Index. According to its analysis between January and June in 2020, the GDI flagged 480 websites as publishers of misleading information, or very simply - fake news. Many of these ads were for mega companies like L’Oreal SA, and Canon Inc. In conversation with Bloomberg, Google claimed that this report was “flawed”, for its “revenue calculations” were neither “transparent” nor “realistic”. Additionally, Google claimed to have strict policies to prevent harmful monetisation of content. Also read: CEOs of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google to testify in Congress over antitrust issues The virus, which has killed over 544,000 around the globe and infected over 11.8 million is still being studied by experts. Just today, on July 8, many scientists claimed that the virus causes long-term brain damage even in the mildest of cases. However, this lack of information may have spurred misinformation surrounding the virus. Google claims that it has removed advertisements from its sites that violate its policies.

Survey says Amazon, Google pump millions into websites spreading misinformation about COVID-19

With 278 more police personnel testing positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra in the last 48 hours, the number of the infected cases in the police force has gone up to 5,713, informed the police.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/india-news/mumbai-records-lowest-single-day-spike-toll-crosses-5000-311581" hreflang="en">Mumbai records lowest single-day spike, toll crosses 5,000</a> 
 
The total number of COVID-19 cases in the force has reached 5,713, including 1,113 active cases. 
 
While 4,275 policemen have recovered and been discharged, the death toll stands at 71. 
 
According to the data on the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare`s website, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra stands at 2,17,121, including 89,313 active cases.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/india-news/over-15-lakh-people-quarantined-in-mumbai-after-coronavirus-contact-tracing-bmc-311379" hreflang="en">Over 15 lakh people quarantined in Mumbai after coronavirus contact-tracing: BMC</a> 
 
While 1,18,558 patients have been cured/migrated/discharged, the death toll stands at 9,250

With 278 more police personnel testing positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra in the last 48 hours, the number of the infected cases in the police force has gone up to 5,713, informed the police.

With 278 more police personnel testing positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra in the last 48 hours, the number of the infected cases in the police force has gone up to 5,713, informed the police. Also read: Mumbai records lowest single-day spike, toll crosses 5,000 The total number of COVID-19 cases in the force has reached 5,713, including 1,113 active cases. While 4,275 policemen have recovered and been discharged, the death toll stands at 71. According to the data on the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare`s website, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra stands at 2,17,121, including 89,313 active cases. Also read: Over 15 lakh people quarantined in Mumbai after coronavirus contact-tracing: BMC While 1,18,558 patients have been cured/migrated/discharged, the death toll stands at 9,250

298 Maharashtra police personnel test coronavirus positive

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