Russia on Saturday (February 20) approved a third coronavirus vaccine for domestic use, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on state TV, though large-scale clinical trials of the shot, labeled CoviVac and produced by the Chumakov Centre, have yet to begin.

Russia approves its third COVID-19 vaccine

Wealthy G7 powers on Friday ramped up health funding for poorer nations after accusations they are hoarding coronavirus vaccines, as US President Joe Biden and the rest of the leaders declared a "turning point" from the psychodramas of the Trump era.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, this year's chair of the G7, vowed to free up any surplus UK vaccines for poorer countries at a future date, and underlined the need for collective action to recover from the pandemic.

"We've got to make sure the whole world is vaccinated because this is a global pandemic and it's no use one country being far ahead of another, we've got to move together," he said in opening remarks at the online summit, the G7's first since last April when the group was rent apart by then president Donald Trump.

At the G7, Biden brought a pledge of $4 billion (4.6 billion euros) in US aid to the UN's Covax fund to buy vaccines for global distribution.&nbsp;

Germany said it was giving an extra 1.5 billion euros for the global rollout, and the European Union doubled its own Covax funding to one billion euros.

The total in G7 commitments stands at 7.5 billion euros, the group said in a joint statement following the talks.

"Drawing on our strengths and values as democratic, open economies and societies, we will work together and with others to make 2021 a turning point for multilateralism and to shape a recovery that promotes the health and prosperity of our people and planet," the leaders added.

- 'Inflection point' -

But ahead of the gathering, French President Emmanuel Macron had demanded richer nations go further by transferring 3-5 percent of their existing stock to Africa.

"It's an unprecedented acceleration of global inequality and it's politically unsustainable too because it's paving the way for a war of influence over vaccines," he told the Financial Times, as Russia and China step up free or low-cost distribution of their own jabs.

The ONE Campaign, a global organisation co-founded by U2 singer Bono, said the G7 members plus Australia had collectively bought nearly 1.25 billion more doses than they needed to inoculate every member of their populations against Covid-19.

Later Friday, Biden, Johnson and EU leaders in the G7 joined another gathering online, the annual Munich Security Conference, to discuss "renewing transatlantic cooperation".&nbsp;

Biden became the first US president to address the Munich meeting, underlining a decisive shift after cooperation was all but broken under his go-it-alone predecessor.

The struggle worldwide between democracy and autocracy is at an "inflection point", Biden told the Munich conference.

"And I believe with every ounce of my being that democracy must prevail."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed President Biden's arrival on the stage.

"Multilateralism is boosted through the change in the US government -- the Biden administration has already demonstrated this with its first decisions" on returning to the Paris climate accord and rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO), she said.

- Absent China looms large -

Though Friday marked America's formal re-entry to the Paris climate accord, in a departure from Trump-era politics, Biden has maintained his predecessor's mistrust of China.

Beijing is not part of the G7 -- which comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US -- and Washington is repositioning rich democracies as a counterweight amid mistrust of China's initial handling of Covid-19.

Biden urged a collective pushback against China's "economic abuses", and also accused Russia of attacking democracies.

At Britain's urging, the G7 agreed to look into a possible pandemic treaty to enhance early warning and data transparency in case of future outbreaks.&nbsp;

London denies it has China in its sights, but the Asian power has been widely accused of covering up the emergence of the virus in late 2019 and depriving the WHO of vital early information.

Now that inoculation campaigns are picking up speed -- in the West at least -- G7 leaders also hope to look past the pandemic to financial recovery after lockdowns ravaged many economies.

Biden also said the world can "no longer do the bare minimum on climate", as Britain prepares to host the UN's next climate summit, COP26, in the Scottish city of Glasgow in November.&nbsp;

COP26 will cap a busy diplomatic year that will flesh out Johnson's vision of a "Global Britain", following its Brexit withdrawal from the EU.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;hopes to host the G7's leaders in person in June, at a resort in southwest England.

Wealthy G7 powers on Friday ramped up health funding for poorer nations after accusations they are hoarding coronavirus vaccines, as US President Joe Biden and the rest of the leaders declared a "turning point" from the psychodramas of the Trump era.

Wealthy G7 powers on Friday ramped up health funding for poorer nations after accusations they are hoarding coronavirus vaccines, as US President Joe Biden and the rest of the leaders declared a "turning point" from the psychodramas of the Trump era. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, this year's chair of the G7, vowed to free up any surplus UK vaccines for poorer countries at a future date, and underlined the need for collective action to recover from the pandemic. "We've got to make sure the whole world is vaccinated because this is a global pandemic and it's no use one country being far ahead of another, we've got to move together," he said in opening remarks at the online summit, the G7's first since last April when the group was rent apart by then president Donald Trump. At the G7, Biden brought a pledge of $4 billion (4.6 billion euros) in US aid to the UN's Covax fund to buy vaccines for global distribution. Germany said it was giving an extra 1.5 billion euros for the global rollout, and the European Union doubled its own Covax funding to one billion euros. The total in G7 commitments stands at 7.5 billion euros, the group said in a joint statement following the talks. "Drawing on our strengths and values as democratic, open economies and societies, we will work together and with others to make 2021 a turning point for multilateralism and to shape a recovery that promotes the health and prosperity of our people and planet," the leaders added. - 'Inflection point' - But ahead of the gathering, French President Emmanuel Macron had demanded richer nations go further by transferring 3-5 percent of their existing stock to Africa. "It's an unprecedented acceleration of global inequality and it's politically unsustainable too because it's paving the way for a war of influence over vaccines," he told the Financial Times, as Russia and China step up free or low-cost distribution of their own jabs. The ONE Campaign, a global organisation co-founded by U2 singer Bono, said the G7 members plus Australia had collectively bought nearly 1.25 billion more doses than they needed to inoculate every member of their populations against Covid-19. Later Friday, Biden, Johnson and EU leaders in the G7 joined another gathering online, the annual Munich Security Conference, to discuss "renewing transatlantic cooperation". Biden became the first US president to address the Munich meeting, underlining a decisive shift after cooperation was all but broken under his go-it-alone predecessor. The struggle worldwide between democracy and autocracy is at an "inflection point", Biden told the Munich conference. "And I believe with every ounce of my being that democracy must prevail." German Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed President Biden's arrival on the stage. "Multilateralism is boosted through the change in the US government -- the Biden administration has already demonstrated this with its first decisions" on returning to the Paris climate accord and rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO), she said. - Absent China looms large - Though Friday marked America's formal re-entry to the Paris climate accord, in a departure from Trump-era politics, Biden has maintained his predecessor's mistrust of China. Beijing is not part of the G7 -- which comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US -- and Washington is repositioning rich democracies as a counterweight amid mistrust of China's initial handling of Covid-19. Biden urged a collective pushback against China's "economic abuses", and also accused Russia of attacking democracies. At Britain's urging, the G7 agreed to look into a possible pandemic treaty to enhance early warning and data transparency in case of future outbreaks. London denies it has China in its sights, but the Asian power has been widely accused of covering up the emergence of the virus in late 2019 and depriving the WHO of vital early information. Now that inoculation campaigns are picking up speed -- in the West at least -- G7 leaders also hope to look past the pandemic to financial recovery after lockdowns ravaged many economies. Biden also said the world can "no longer do the bare minimum on climate", as Britain prepares to host the UN's next climate summit, COP26, in the Scottish city of Glasgow in November. COP26 will cap a busy diplomatic year that will flesh out Johnson's vision of a "Global Britain", following its Brexit withdrawal from the EU. He hopes to host the G7's leaders in person in June, at a resort in southwest England.

After Trump, Biden and G7 refocus on Covid recovery

Bangladesh's garment industry is trying to recover from the COVID-19 crisis but buyers from America and Europe have started to cancel their orders one by one and as a result, the garment industry is under the threat again.

COVID-19 hits Bangladesh's garment industry. Pandemic soured long-term demand

Over 50 religious leaders across Ireland have condemned the persecution of Uighurs and other Muslims in China’s Xinjiang province in a statement.&nbsp;

The statement&nbsp;issued by the human rights organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwide in August 2020, has been signed by representatives of religious communities from across the island of Ireland.

According to Ireland national television and Radio broadcaster RTE, the statement said that at least a million Uighur and other Muslims in China are incarcerated in prison camps facing starvation, torture, murder, sexual violence, slave labour and forced organ extraction.

"We make a simple call for justice, to investigate these crimes, hold those responsible to account and establish a path towards the restoration of human dignity". They recalled how "after the Holocaust, the world said 'never again'.

"Today, we repeat those words 'never again', all over again. We stand with the Uighurs. We also stand with Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and Christians throughout China who face the worst crackdown on freedom of religion or belief since the cultural revolution," Irish Times quoted the statement.&nbsp;

There was "a simple call for justice, to investigate these crimes, hold those responsible to account and establish a path towards the restoration of human dignity", the religious leaders concluded.

China has been rebuked globally for cracking down on Uyghur Muslims by sending them to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and sending members of the community to undergo some form of forcible re-education or indoctrination.&nbsp;

Beijing, on the other hand, has vehemently denied that it is engaged in human rights abuses against the Uighurs in Xinjiang while reports from journalists, NGOs and former detainees have surfaced, highlighting the Chinese Communist Party's brutal crackdown on the ethnic community, according to a report.

(With inputs from ANI)

Over 50 religious leaders across Ireland have condemned the persecution of Uighurs and other Muslims in China’s Xinjiang province in a statement. The statement issued by the human rights organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwide in August 2020, has been signed by representatives of religious communities from across the island of Ireland.

Over 50 religious leaders across Ireland have condemned the persecution of Uighurs and other Muslims in China’s Xinjiang province in a statement. The statement issued by the human rights organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwide in August 2020, has been signed by representatives of religious communities from across the island of Ireland. According to Ireland national television and Radio broadcaster RTE, the statement said that at least a million Uighur and other Muslims in China are incarcerated in prison camps facing starvation, torture, murder, sexual violence, slave labour and forced organ extraction. "We make a simple call for justice, to investigate these crimes, hold those responsible to account and establish a path towards the restoration of human dignity". They recalled how "after the Holocaust, the world said 'never again'. "Today, we repeat those words 'never again', all over again. We stand with the Uighurs. We also stand with Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and Christians throughout China who face the worst crackdown on freedom of religion or belief since the cultural revolution," Irish Times quoted the statement. There was "a simple call for justice, to investigate these crimes, hold those responsible to account and establish a path towards the restoration of human dignity", the religious leaders concluded. China has been rebuked globally for cracking down on Uyghur Muslims by sending them to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and sending members of the community to undergo some form of forcible re-education or indoctrination. Beijing, on the other hand, has vehemently denied that it is engaged in human rights abuses against the Uighurs in Xinjiang while reports from journalists, NGOs and former detainees have surfaced, highlighting the Chinese Communist Party's brutal crackdown on the ethnic community, according to a report. (With inputs from ANI)

Irish religious leaders condemn the persecution of Uighur Muslims in China

China's Sinovac delivered 1 million doses of its Covid vaccine CoronaVac to Hong Kong on Friday.

The semi-autonomous city is relying on three vaccines and has purchased 22.5 million doses in total. Sinovac's two-dose vaccine was approved on Thursday.

The Hong Kong government says the Sinovac vaccine has received unanimous approval from an expert panel of 12. The panel as well as the city's health officials reviewed Sinovac's early-stage trial data, as well as interim data from the last stage of clinical trials in Brazil.

Online appointments will begin on the coming Tuesday.

The city is also expecting 1 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine by the end of February. It has also purchased Astrazeneca's shots.

Sinovac's vaccine was approved for general use in China earlier in February.

China's Sinovac delivered 1 million doses of its Covid vaccine CoronaVac to Hong Kong on Friday. The semi-autonomous city is relying on three vaccines and has purchased 22.

China's Sinovac delivered 1 million doses of its Covid vaccine CoronaVac to Hong Kong on Friday. The semi-autonomous city is relying on three vaccines and has purchased 22.5 million doses in total. Sinovac's two-dose vaccine was approved on Thursday. The Hong Kong government says the Sinovac vaccine has received unanimous approval from an expert panel of 12. The panel as well as the city's health officials reviewed Sinovac's early-stage trial data, as well as interim data from the last stage of clinical trials in Brazil. Online appointments will begin on the coming Tuesday. The city is also expecting 1 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine by the end of February. It has also purchased Astrazeneca's shots. Sinovac's vaccine was approved for general use in China earlier in February.

China's Sinovac delivers 1 million doses to Hong Kong

Many of them believe that they don't need it, that they feel they've had COVID or friends have had COVID and it wasn't bad, or they're very worried about the vaccine itself.

1 in 3 US troops have refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Health authorities in some European countries are facing resistance to AstraZeneca`s COVID-19 vaccine after side-effects led hospital staff and other front-line workers to call in sick, putting extra strain on already-stretched services.

Such symptoms, as reported in clinical trials for the AstraZeneca shot, can include a high temperature or headache and are a normal sign that the body is generating an immune response. They usually fade within a day or so.

The other shots approved in Europe, developed by Pfizer and Moderna, have been linked to similar temporary side-effects, including fever and fatigue.

But with the AstraZeneca shot the latest to be rolled out, health authorities in France have issued guidance to stagger giving the shot, two regions in Sweden paused vaccinations, and in Germany some essential workers are refusing it.

A spokesman for AstraZeneca said: "Currently, the reactions reported are as we would expect based on the evidence gathered from our clinical trial programme."

People receiving the vaccine are closely monitored through routine pharmacovigilance activities, the Anglo-Swedish drug maker said, adding that it was continuing to keep a close eye on the situation.

"There have been no confirmed serious adverse events," the spokesman said.

`MORE SIDE-EFFECTS`

In France, which started administering the AstraZeneca shot on Feb. 6, staff at a hospital in Normandy experienced stronger side-effects than seen with the alternative vaccine from Pfizer and German partner BioNTech.

"AstraZeneca caused more side-effects than the Pfizer vaccine," said Melanie Cotigny, communications manager at Saint-Lo hospital in Normandy.

"Between 10% and 15% of those vaccinated may have side-effects from this vaccination, but it is only a feverish state, fevers, nausea and within 12 hours it goes away."

Following similar reports from other hospitals, the French medicines safety agency said on Feb. 11 that such side-effects were "known and described" but should be subject to surveillance with regard to their intensity.

It also issued guidance to stagger vaccinations of front-line staff working together in teams to minimise the risk of disruption to operations.

The agency put out the advice after receiving 149 alerts of often strong flu-like side-effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine. During this period a total of 10,000 people received the shot nationwide.

Some U.S. hospitals and other organisations with front-line staff adopted a similar strategy when the country`s vaccination programme started in December. The United States is administering shots from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.

In Britain, home to the AstraZeneca vaccine developed at Oxford University, the policy has been to make vaccinations readily available to hospital staff. As many work shifts, that naturally spaces out the process.

The issues in France highlight how some doctors and hospitals are still learning how best to administer vaccines as governments race to tame the pandemic and get shots in arms as quickly as possible.

It`s also the latest setback for the French vaccination campaign which has been criticised for a slow start. Last week, the government said just over 3% of the population had received their first dose.

In Sweden, two of 21 healthcare regions paused vaccinations of workers last week after a quarter called in sick after getting the AstraZeneca shot.

The Sormland and Gavleborg regions said that around 100 out of 400 people vaccinated had reported fever or fever-like symptoms. Most cases were mild and in line with previously reported side-effects.

Both regions said they would resume vaccinations, and the Swedish Medical Products Agency saw no reason to change its vaccination guidelines.

NO SHOWS

AstraZeneca`s vector-based vaccine is the third to win regulatory approval in the European Union.

As part of the European Medicines Agency`s positive recommendation on Jan. 29, the watchdog concluded it was about 60% effective, compared to more than 90% for the vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.

It also deemed the product safe to use and it will monitor reports of side-effects as a matter of routine.

In Germany, Health Minister Jens Spahn responded on Wednesday to reports that essential workers were reluctant to receive the AstraZeneca shot after some experienced strong side-effects, saying it was both safe and effective.

"I would be vaccinated with it immediately," Spahn told reporters.

Like most European countries, German states typically do not offer people a choice of which vaccine they will get, leading in some cases to people not turning up to appointments to get the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Germany has taken delivery of 737,000 doses from AstraZeneca but only administered 107,000, according to figures from the health ministry and the Robert Koch Institute that leads its pandemic response.

"This vaccine is an excellent way to prevent serious COVID disease," said the health ministry in the eastern state of Saxony. "Still, we note that there are still vacant vaccination dates for AstraZeneca.

"From our point of view, it is wrong that this vaccine is available but not being used," it said, adding that it was reallocating spare shots to teachers and public health workers.

Health authorities in some European countries are facing resistance to AstraZeneca`s COVID-19 vaccine after side-effects led hospital staff and other front-line workers to call in sick, putting extra strain on already-stretched services.

Health authorities in some European countries are facing resistance to AstraZeneca`s COVID-19 vaccine after side-effects led hospital staff and other front-line workers to call in sick, putting extra strain on already-stretched services. Such symptoms, as reported in clinical trials for the AstraZeneca shot, can include a high temperature or headache and are a normal sign that the body is generating an immune response. They usually fade within a day or so. The other shots approved in Europe, developed by Pfizer and Moderna, have been linked to similar temporary side-effects, including fever and fatigue. But with the AstraZeneca shot the latest to be rolled out, health authorities in France have issued guidance to stagger giving the shot, two regions in Sweden paused vaccinations, and in Germany some essential workers are refusing it. A spokesman for AstraZeneca said: "Currently, the reactions reported are as we would expect based on the evidence gathered from our clinical trial programme." People receiving the vaccine are closely monitored through routine pharmacovigilance activities, the Anglo-Swedish drug maker said, adding that it was continuing to keep a close eye on the situation. "There have been no confirmed serious adverse events," the spokesman said. `MORE SIDE-EFFECTS` In France, which started administering the AstraZeneca shot on Feb. 6, staff at a hospital in Normandy experienced stronger side-effects than seen with the alternative vaccine from Pfizer and German partner BioNTech. "AstraZeneca caused more side-effects than the Pfizer vaccine," said Melanie Cotigny, communications manager at Saint-Lo hospital in Normandy. "Between 10% and 15% of those vaccinated may have side-effects from this vaccination, but it is only a feverish state, fevers, nausea and within 12 hours it goes away." Following similar reports from other hospitals, the French medicines safety agency said on Feb. 11 that such side-effects were "known and described" but should be subject to surveillance with regard to their intensity. It also issued guidance to stagger vaccinations of front-line staff working together in teams to minimise the risk of disruption to operations. The agency put out the advice after receiving 149 alerts of often strong flu-like side-effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine. During this period a total of 10,000 people received the shot nationwide. Some U.S. hospitals and other organisations with front-line staff adopted a similar strategy when the country`s vaccination programme started in December. The United States is administering shots from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. In Britain, home to the AstraZeneca vaccine developed at Oxford University, the policy has been to make vaccinations readily available to hospital staff. As many work shifts, that naturally spaces out the process. The issues in France highlight how some doctors and hospitals are still learning how best to administer vaccines as governments race to tame the pandemic and get shots in arms as quickly as possible. It`s also the latest setback for the French vaccination campaign which has been criticised for a slow start. Last week, the government said just over 3% of the population had received their first dose. In Sweden, two of 21 healthcare regions paused vaccinations of workers last week after a quarter called in sick after getting the AstraZeneca shot. The Sormland and Gavleborg regions said that around 100 out of 400 people vaccinated had reported fever or fever-like symptoms. Most cases were mild and in line with previously reported side-effects. Both regions said they would resume vaccinations, and the Swedish Medical Products Agency saw no reason to change its vaccination guidelines. NO SHOWS AstraZeneca`s vector-based vaccine is the third to win regulatory approval in the European Union. As part of the European Medicines Agency`s positive recommendation on Jan. 29, the watchdog concluded it was about 60% effective, compared to more than 90% for the vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. It also deemed the product safe to use and it will monitor reports of side-effects as a matter of routine. In Germany, Health Minister Jens Spahn responded on Wednesday to reports that essential workers were reluctant to receive the AstraZeneca shot after some experienced strong side-effects, saying it was both safe and effective. "I would be vaccinated with it immediately," Spahn told reporters. Like most European countries, German states typically do not offer people a choice of which vaccine they will get, leading in some cases to people not turning up to appointments to get the AstraZeneca vaccine. Germany has taken delivery of 737,000 doses from AstraZeneca but only administered 107,000, according to figures from the health ministry and the Robert Koch Institute that leads its pandemic response. "This vaccine is an excellent way to prevent serious COVID disease," said the health ministry in the eastern state of Saxony. "Still, we note that there are still vacant vaccination dates for AstraZeneca. "From our point of view, it is wrong that this vaccine is available but not being used," it said, adding that it was reallocating spare shots to teachers and public health workers.

AstraZeneca vaccine faces resistance in Europe after health workers suffer side-effects

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War. This was his first speech since taking office. Mario Draghi, the former chief of European Central Bank said that the pandemic was his top priority in a long list of issues requiring urgent attention.

"The government will carry out reforms but will also tackle the emergency," he told the Senate, the upper house of parliament, where he has almost unanimous support for his new government of national unity.

The 73-year-old, parachuted in after the previous centre-left government collapsed, has been dubbed "Super Mario" since promising to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro during the 2012 debt crisis.

On Wednesday he promised to fight "with all means" the pandemic that has left more than 94,000 Italians dead and sparked a deep recession, with the economy contracting almost nine percent last year.

"Today we have, as did the governments of the immediate post-war period, the possibility -- or rather the responsibility -- to start a new reconstruction," Draghi said in his almost hour-long address.

Draghi's new government invlves wide range of parties from Silvio Berlusconi's &nbsp;Forza Italia along with leftist the populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and Matteo Salvini's eurosceptic, far-right League

Draghi was sworn in on Saturday as Italy's 30th prime minister. This ended month-long political crisis sparkes by implosion of former PM Giuseppe Conte's coalition.

On Wednesday, Draghi said it was a time of "intense emotion" personally to take over with Italy in such a "dramatic situation".

There is an increased concern about the new coronavirus variant in Italy. This has sparked a series of mini-lockdowns in towns across Italy, Draghi emphasised the importance of speeding up vaccinations.

Long-awaited overhaul

Another immediate challenge is drawing up a plan to spend what Draghi has previously called the "extraordinary resources" offered by the EU. 
Italy expects to receive more than 200 billion euros ($240 billion) from the EU's post-coronavirus recovery fund, but in return, it is expected to commit to potentially difficult or unpopular reforms.

"These resources will have to be spent with an aim to improve the growth potential of our economy," Draghi said.

He promised reform to Italy's stifling bureaucracy, labyrinthine tax code and snail-paced justice system, as well as a focus on education, closing the gap on female employment and fighting climate change.

In a second speech on Wednesday evening, he also pleaded for a revival of a failed policy: forcing EU countries to each take a share of the migrants arriving from across the Mediterranean, after years of Italy shouldering much of the burden.

"As a concrete measure of solidarity, Italy -- supported equally by certain Mediterranean countries -- proposes a mechanism of obligatory redistribution of migrants," he said.

Draghi has assembled a cabinet comprising a mix of politicians and technocrats, with key portfolios linked to the EU reform agenda given to technocrats.

Late Wednesday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence -- 262 in favour, 40 against and two absentations -- in &nbsp;Draghi's government. There will be another vote in the lower Chamber of Deputies on Thursday.

(With AFP inputs)

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War. This was his first speech since taking office. Mario Draghi, the former chief of European Central Bank said that the pandemic was his top priority in a long list of issues requiring urgent attention. "The government will carry out reforms but will also tackle the emergency," he told the Senate, the upper house of parliament, where he has almost unanimous support for his new government of national unity. The 73-year-old, parachuted in after the previous centre-left government collapsed, has been dubbed "Super Mario" since promising to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro during the 2012 debt crisis. On Wednesday he promised to fight "with all means" the pandemic that has left more than 94,000 Italians dead and sparked a deep recession, with the economy contracting almost nine percent last year. "Today we have, as did the governments of the immediate post-war period, the possibility -- or rather the responsibility -- to start a new reconstruction," Draghi said in his almost hour-long address. Draghi's new government invlves wide range of parties from Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia along with leftist the populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and Matteo Salvini's eurosceptic, far-right League Draghi was sworn in on Saturday as Italy's 30th prime minister. This ended month-long political crisis sparkes by implosion of former PM Giuseppe Conte's coalition. On Wednesday, Draghi said it was a time of "intense emotion" personally to take over with Italy in such a "dramatic situation". There is an increased concern about the new coronavirus variant in Italy. This has sparked a series of mini-lockdowns in towns across Italy, Draghi emphasised the importance of speeding up vaccinations. Long-awaited overhaul Another immediate challenge is drawing up a plan to spend what Draghi has previously called the "extraordinary resources" offered by the EU. Italy expects to receive more than 200 billion euros ($240 billion) from the EU's post-coronavirus recovery fund, but in return, it is expected to commit to potentially difficult or unpopular reforms. "These resources will have to be spent with an aim to improve the growth potential of our economy," Draghi said. He promised reform to Italy's stifling bureaucracy, labyrinthine tax code and snail-paced justice system, as well as a focus on education, closing the gap on female employment and fighting climate change. In a second speech on Wednesday evening, he also pleaded for a revival of a failed policy: forcing EU countries to each take a share of the migrants arriving from across the Mediterranean, after years of Italy shouldering much of the burden. "As a concrete measure of solidarity, Italy -- supported equally by certain Mediterranean countries -- proposes a mechanism of obligatory redistribution of migrants," he said. Draghi has assembled a cabinet comprising a mix of politicians and technocrats, with key portfolios linked to the EU reform agenda given to technocrats. Late Wednesday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence -- 262 in favour, 40 against and two absentations -- in Draghi's government. There will be another vote in the lower Chamber of Deputies on Thursday. (With AFP inputs)

Italy PM Mario Draghi sets out plan to rebuild virus-hit country

Around half of South Africa's population may have already been infected with the novel coronavirus, a study suggests.

Samples taken from almost 5,000 blood donors across four South African provinces in January showed that between 32 and 63 per cent had antibodies to the coronavirus.

The figure compares with clinically confirmed case rates of just 2 to 3 per cent, according to South African research that was released online last week, but has not yet completed peer review.

People with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 are unable to donate blood for 14 days, and therefore less likely to be sampled.

Antibodies are a telltale of an individual's exposure to the virus, but not a confirmation that the person has fallen sick from it.

Most antibodies were detected in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Both were epicentres of South Africa's second infection wave when it started in December.

South Africa kicked off its long-awaited inoculation campaign on Wednesday with jabs developed by US pharmaceutical giant Johnson &amp; Johnson.

The country has so far recorded close to 1.5 million coronavirus cases, of which just under 48,500 have been fatal -- the highest toll in Africa.

Steep estimates that South Africa's Covid-19 mortality stands around 0.4 per cent -- a figure derived from an Infection Fatality Rate published by London's Imperial College for modelling.

The South African variant of the coronavirus, which is more transmissible and more resistant to existing vaccines than its original form, accounts for some 90 per cent of the country's second wave of cases.

Around half of South Africa's population may have already been infected with the novel coronavirus, a study suggests. Samples taken from almost 5,000 blood donors across four South African provinces in January showed that between 32 and 63 per cent had antibodies to the coronavirus.

Around half of South Africa's population may have already been infected with the novel coronavirus, a study suggests. Samples taken from almost 5,000 blood donors across four South African provinces in January showed that between 32 and 63 per cent had antibodies to the coronavirus. The figure compares with clinically confirmed case rates of just 2 to 3 per cent, according to South African research that was released online last week, but has not yet completed peer review. People with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 are unable to donate blood for 14 days, and therefore less likely to be sampled. Antibodies are a telltale of an individual's exposure to the virus, but not a confirmation that the person has fallen sick from it. Most antibodies were detected in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Both were epicentres of South Africa's second infection wave when it started in December. South Africa kicked off its long-awaited inoculation campaign on Wednesday with jabs developed by US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson. The country has so far recorded close to 1.5 million coronavirus cases, of which just under 48,500 have been fatal -- the highest toll in Africa. Steep estimates that South Africa's Covid-19 mortality stands around 0.4 per cent -- a figure derived from an Infection Fatality Rate published by London's Imperial College for modelling. The South African variant of the coronavirus, which is more transmissible and more resistant to existing vaccines than its original form, accounts for some 90 per cent of the country's second wave of cases.

One in two South Africans infected with coronavirus, study says

Moderna and AstraZeneca to deliver vaccine dosage, to make up with the supply cuts. EU is negotiating new deal, this deal can double the vaccine doses. AstraZeneca had told EU that it had reduced its Supply target because of the production bottleneck. AstraZeneca has now agreed to increase the doses from 31 million to now 40 million.

EU Seeks new vaccine deal from manufacturers

Indian government has approved one million doses of COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines for Canada. The development comes days after&nbsp;Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to each other.&nbsp;

During the talks, PM Modi assured the Canadian PM of COVID vaccine supplies. A readout from Indian PM's office said during the talks Prime Minister Trudeau informed his PM Modi about "Canada's requirements of COVID-19 vaccines from India" to which the latter "assured...that India would do its best to support Canada's vaccination efforts, just as it had done for many other countries already".&nbsp;&nbsp;

Later in response to a question in a presser Canadian PM said that his country is "looking at possible extra vaccines coming from India from the Serum Institute".&nbsp;India, which produces 60% of global vaccines, has sent covid vaccines to more than 20 countries.

The vaccine support from New Delhi to Canada comes even as ties were frayed over comments by Canadian PM on the ongoing farmers' protests in India in December 2020. The comments had drawn a strong reaction from India who had lodged a strong protest by summoning the Canadian envoy to Delhi, Nadir Patel, and handing over a demarche that such comments could impact the bilateral ties.&nbsp;

Indian government has approved one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for Canada. The development comes days after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to each other.

Indian government has approved one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for Canada. The development comes days after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to each other. During the talks, PM Modi assured the Canadian PM of COVID vaccine supplies. A readout from Indian PM's office said during the talks Prime Minister Trudeau informed his PM Modi about "Canada's requirements of COVID-19 vaccines from India" to which the latter "assured...that India would do its best to support Canada's vaccination efforts, just as it had done for many other countries already". Later in response to a question in a presser Canadian PM said that his country is "looking at possible extra vaccines coming from India from the Serum Institute". India, which produces 60% of global vaccines, has sent covid vaccines to more than 20 countries. The vaccine support from New Delhi to Canada comes even as ties were frayed over comments by Canadian PM on the ongoing farmers' protests in India in December 2020. The comments had drawn a strong reaction from India who had lodged a strong protest by summoning the Canadian envoy to Delhi, Nadir Patel, and handing over a demarche that such comments could impact the bilateral ties.

India approves 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for Canada

Iran has requested&nbsp;India to provide&nbsp;COVID-19 vaccines to the country. Local media in Iran on Wednesday reported that authorities in the country have given approval for use of AstraZeneca-oxford and Bharat Biotech vaccines. Now, Iran joins over 20 countries to request India for vaccines.&nbsp;

India has so far supplied over 229.7 lakh doses of covid vaccines to the global community. Of these over 64 lakh doses have been supplied as grants while over 165 lakh doses have been supplied on a commercial basis.

Last week in response to a question, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "We will continue to take forward the global vaccine supply initiative and cover more countries in a phased manner."

In West Asia, India has already supplied vaccines to Bahrain and Oman as a gift with 1 lakh doses, and Egypt (50000), Kuwait (2 Lakhs), and UAE (2 Lakhs) on a commercial basis.&nbsp;

In fact, India has gifted vaccines to its entire neighbourhood. It has given vaccines to Bangladesh (20 Lakhs), Myanmar (17 Lakhs), Nepal (10 Lakhs), Bhutan (1.5 Lakhs), Maldives (1 Lakh), Mauritius (1 Lakh), Seychelles (50000),Sri Lanka ( 5 Lakhs), Afghanistan (5 Lakhs).&nbsp;

Amid the covid pandemic, India reaffirmed its position as the pharma capital of the world by sending medicines to 150 countries.

Iran has requested India to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the country. Local media in Iran on Wednesday reported that authorities in the country have given approval for use of AstraZeneca-oxford and Bharat Biotech vaccines.

Iran has requested India to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the country. Local media in Iran on Wednesday reported that authorities in the country have given approval for use of AstraZeneca-oxford and Bharat Biotech vaccines. Now, Iran joins over 20 countries to request India for vaccines. India has so far supplied over 229.7 lakh doses of covid vaccines to the global community. Of these over 64 lakh doses have been supplied as grants while over 165 lakh doses have been supplied on a commercial basis. Last week in response to a question, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "We will continue to take forward the global vaccine supply initiative and cover more countries in a phased manner." In West Asia, India has already supplied vaccines to Bahrain and Oman as a gift with 1 lakh doses, and Egypt (50000), Kuwait (2 Lakhs), and UAE (2 Lakhs) on a commercial basis. In fact, India has gifted vaccines to its entire neighbourhood. It has given vaccines to Bangladesh (20 Lakhs), Myanmar (17 Lakhs), Nepal (10 Lakhs), Bhutan (1.5 Lakhs), Maldives (1 Lakh), Mauritius (1 Lakh), Seychelles (50000),Sri Lanka ( 5 Lakhs), Afghanistan (5 Lakhs). Amid the covid pandemic, India reaffirmed its position as the pharma capital of the world by sending medicines to 150 countries.

Iran requests India to provide COVID-19 vaccines

More than 91 lakh people have received the coronavirus vaccine till now, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Wednesday. 
 
Out of 91,86,757 vaccinations, 61,79,669 healthcare workers have received the first dose, 3,42,116 have received the second dose, while 26,64,972 frontline workers have been inoculated. 
 
A total of 37 people have been hospitalised post-vaccination till now, while 29 deaths have been reported. The percentage of hospitalisation against vaccination is 0.0004 per cent. 
 
"No case of serious/severe AEFI/death attributable to vaccination till date," the ministry said in a statement. 
 
The vaccination of the healthcare workers had started on January 16 while the frontline workers started receiving the vaccine shots from February 2.

More than 91 lakh people have received the coronavirus vaccine till now, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Wednesday. Out of 91,86,757 vaccinations, 61,79,669 healthcare workers have received the first dose, 3,42,116 have received the second dose, while 26,64,972 frontline workers have been inoculated.

More than 91 lakh people have received the coronavirus vaccine till now, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Wednesday. Out of 91,86,757 vaccinations, 61,79,669 healthcare workers have received the first dose, 3,42,116 have received the second dose, while 26,64,972 frontline workers have been inoculated. A total of 37 people have been hospitalised post-vaccination till now, while 29 deaths have been reported. The percentage of hospitalisation against vaccination is 0.0004 per cent. "No case of serious/severe AEFI/death attributable to vaccination till date," the ministry said in a statement. The vaccination of the healthcare workers had started on January 16 while the frontline workers started receiving the vaccine shots from February 2.

Over 91 lakh people vaccinated till now: India's Health Ministry

India will host a meet of regional countries on COVID crisis next week, expectedly on February 22. The meet at the official level,&nbsp;primarily among health experts will focus on the exchange of good practices to deal with the crisis. Many of the countries who have been invited are members of the SAARC grouping. Pakistan has also been sent the invite.

Interestingly, the meet is expected to be addressed by high-level dignitaries. Many of the invited countries have confirmed that they will take part in the meet.

In March of last year, the Indian prime minister called for a SAARC meet on the COVID pandemic.The meet saw all the SAARC heads of govt/state taking part barring Pakistan. Pakistan was present at a junior level at the meeting. One of the key outcomes of the meet was the establishment of the SAARC emergency fund, with India contributing $10 million to it.

Amid the pandemic, India reached out to many countries&nbsp;in the region with medicines and other aid. It sent 75000 MT of food aid to Afghanistan via Chabahar, medical equipment, and other related things like masks to Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh. Under Mission Sagar 1, while it reached out to 5 countries in the Indian Ocean - Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles by sending medicines and food aid.

This year, India gifted covid vaccines to countries in the region. These are --Bangladesh with 20 Lakhs doses, Myanmar with 17 Lakhs doses, Nepal with 10 Lakhs, Bhutan with 1.5 Lakhs, the Maldives with 1 Lakh, Mauritius with 1 Lakh, Seychelles with 50000, Sri Lanka with 5 Lakhs, and Afghanistan 5 Lakhs. This is additional to many countries in Latin America, CARICOM that New Delhi reached out.

India will host a meet of regional countries on COVID crisis next week, expectedly on February 22. The meet at the official level, primarily among health experts will focus on the exchange of good practices to deal with the crisis.

India will host a meet of regional countries on COVID crisis next week, expectedly on February 22. The meet at the official level, primarily among health experts will focus on the exchange of good practices to deal with the crisis. Many of the countries who have been invited are members of the SAARC grouping. Pakistan has also been sent the invite. Interestingly, the meet is expected to be addressed by high-level dignitaries. Many of the invited countries have confirmed that they will take part in the meet. In March of last year, the Indian prime minister called for a SAARC meet on the COVID pandemic.The meet saw all the SAARC heads of govt/state taking part barring Pakistan. Pakistan was present at a junior level at the meeting. One of the key outcomes of the meet was the establishment of the SAARC emergency fund, with India contributing $10 million to it. Amid the pandemic, India reached out to many countries in the region with medicines and other aid. It sent 75000 MT of food aid to Afghanistan via Chabahar, medical equipment, and other related things like masks to Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh. Under Mission Sagar 1, while it reached out to 5 countries in the Indian Ocean - Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles by sending medicines and food aid. This year, India gifted covid vaccines to countries in the region. These are --Bangladesh with 20 Lakhs doses, Myanmar with 17 Lakhs doses, Nepal with 10 Lakhs, Bhutan with 1.5 Lakhs, the Maldives with 1 Lakh, Mauritius with 1 Lakh, Seychelles with 50000, Sri Lanka with 5 Lakhs, and Afghanistan 5 Lakhs. This is additional to many countries in Latin America, CARICOM that New Delhi reached out.

India to host regional countries' meet on COVID crisis next week; Pak invited

The world is currently struggling owing&nbsp;to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Kingdom is currently under a lockdown, the United States continues to remain the hardest-hit country, and France is staring at another emergency.

On the other hand is India. Schools are being reopened, vaccines are being rolled out, almost as if the pandemic is over.

WATCH|

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-gets-wuhan-virus-under-control-363885/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Is the worst behind us? Is India now immune to COVID-19?

In terms of numbers, India's caseload is shrinking rapidly, and hospital beds in major cities continue to remain empty. In September last year, India was reporting one lakh cases every day, which remained the average for a long time.

This month, that number is down to 10,000. Every key indicator now says the numbers have dropped in India. India's recovery rate is more than 97 per cent, among the highest in the world.

By last week, daily deaths had dropped to less than 100, which has now become the seven days rolling average. Less than 100 deaths a day are not ideal, but way better than September or October last year when India was reporting more than 1,000 deaths a day.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/polish-government-says-coronavirus-strain-found-in-mink-can-pass-to-humans-363808" hreflang="en">Polish government says coronavirus strain found in mink can pass to humans</a> 
 
More than half of India's states are not reporting any deaths from COVID-19. The number of deaths per million stands at 112. In the United States and the United Kingdom, more than 1,000 people have died per million. 
 
On February 15, 2021 - 33 states and union territories have less than 5,000 cases, which marks a significant reduction in cases. In addition, no one has died in 18 states and union territories in India. The bulk of the cases right now is limited to just three states - Kerala, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Together they account for close to 77 per cent of India's total active cases today. 
 
What explains India's recovery? Is India just testing less? 
The answer is no - the number of tests has not gone down.&nbsp;On February 4, 2021, more than seven lakh Indians were tested. 700,000 in a day is 7.5 times more than the number of people tested in May 2020.

The world is currently struggling owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Kingdom is currently under a lockdown, the United States continues to remain the hardest-hit country, and France is staring at another emergency.

The world is currently struggling owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Kingdom is currently under a lockdown, the United States continues to remain the hardest-hit country, and France is staring at another emergency. On the other hand is India. Schools are being reopened, vaccines are being rolled out, almost as if the pandemic is over. WATCH| Is the worst behind us? Is India now immune to COVID-19? In terms of numbers, India's caseload is shrinking rapidly, and hospital beds in major cities continue to remain empty. In September last year, India was reporting one lakh cases every day, which remained the average for a long time. This month, that number is down to 10,000. Every key indicator now says the numbers have dropped in India. India's recovery rate is more than 97 per cent, among the highest in the world. By last week, daily deaths had dropped to less than 100, which has now become the seven days rolling average. Less than 100 deaths a day are not ideal, but way better than September or October last year when India was reporting more than 1,000 deaths a day. Also read: Polish government says coronavirus strain found in mink can pass to humans More than half of India's states are not reporting any deaths from COVID-19. The number of deaths per million stands at 112. In the United States and the United Kingdom, more than 1,000 people have died per million. On February 15, 2021 - 33 states and union territories have less than 5,000 cases, which marks a significant reduction in cases. In addition, no one has died in 18 states and union territories in India. The bulk of the cases right now is limited to just three states - Kerala, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Together they account for close to 77 per cent of India's total active cases today. What explains India's recovery? Is India just testing less? The answer is no - the number of tests has not gone down. On February 4, 2021, more than seven lakh Indians were tested. 700,000 in a day is 7.5 times more than the number of people tested in May 2020.

Has India successfully tamed coronavirus?

The invention of COVID-19 vaccines will be remembered as a milestone in the history of medicine, creating in a matter of months what had before taken up to a decade. But Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, director of the emerging infectious diseases branch at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland, isn’t satisfied.

“That’s not fast enough,” he said. More than 2.3 million people around the world have died, and many countries will not have full access to the vaccines for another year or two: “Fast — truly fast — is having it there on day one.”

There will be more coronavirus outbreaks in the future. Bats and other mammals are rife with strains and species of this abundant family of viruses. Some of these viruses will inevitably spill over the species barrier and cause new pandemics. It’s only a matter of time.

Modjarrad is one of many scientists who for years have been calling for a different kind of vaccine: one that could work against all coronaviruses. Those calls went largely ignored until COVID-19 demonstrated just how disastrous coronaviruses can be.

Now researchers are starting to develop prototypes of a so-called pancoronavirus vaccine, with some promising, if early, results from experiments on animals. Dr. Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, thinks scientists should join together in another large-scale vaccine-creation project immediately.

“We have to get a real workforce to accelerate this, so we can have it this year,” he said. Topol and Dennis Burton, a Scripps immunologist, called for this project on broad coronavirus vaccines Feb. 8 in the journal Nature.

After coronaviruses were first identified in the 1960s, they did not become a high priority for vaccine makers. For decades it seemed as if they only caused mild colds. But in 2002, a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV emerged, causing a deadly pneumonia called severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. Scientists scrambled to make a vaccine for it.

Since no one had made a coronavirus vaccine for humans before, there was a huge amount to learn about its biology. Eventually, researchers chose a target for immunity: a protein on the surface of the virus, called spike. Antibodies that stick to the spike can prevent the coronavirus from entering cells and stop an infection.

Public health officials in Asia and elsewhere did not wait for the invention of a SARS vaccine to get to work, however. Their quarantines and other efforts proved remarkably effective. In a matter of months, they wiped out SARS-CoV, with only 774 deaths along the way.

The danger of coronaviruses became even clearer in 2012, when a second species spilled over from bats, causing yet another deadly respiratory disease called Middle East respiratory syndrome. Researchers started work on MERS vaccines. But some researchers wondered if making a new vaccine for each new coronavirus — what Modjarrad calls “the one bug, one drug approach” — was the smartest strategy. Wouldn’t it be better, they thought, if a single vaccine could work against SARS, MERS and any other coronavirus?

That idea went nowhere for years. MERS and SARS caused relatively few deaths and were soon eclipsed by outbreaks of other viruses such as Ebola and Zika.

In 2016, Maria Elena Bottazzi, a virus expert at Baylor College of Medicine, and her colleagues applied for support from the U.S. government to develop a pancoronavirus vaccine but did not receive it. “They said there’s no interest in pancorona,” Bottazzi recalled.

Her team even lost funding for developing a SARS vaccine after they showed that it worked in mice, was not toxic to human cells and could be manufactured at scale. A coronavirus that had disappeared from view simply wasn’t a top priority.

Without enough money to start clinical trials, the scientists stored their SARS vaccine in a freezer and moved on to other research. “It’s been a struggle,” Bottazzi said.

Dr. Matthew Memoli, a virus expert at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, looks back at those decisions as an enormous blunder. “It’s a failure of our system of science,” he said. “Funders tend to chase after shiny objects.”

Three years later, a third dangerous coronavirus emerged: the SARS-CoV-2 strain that causes COVID-19. Although this virus has a much lower fatality rate than its cousins that cause SARS and MERS, it does a far better job of spreading from person to person, resulting in more than 106 million documented cases around the world and still climbing.

All the lessons that researchers had learned about coronaviruses helped them move quickly to make new vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. Bottazzi and her colleagues used the technology they had created to make SARS vaccines to make one for COVID-19, which is now in early clinical trials.

Other researchers used even newer methods to move faster. German company BioNTech created a genetic molecule called messenger RNA that encoded the spike protein. Partnering with Pfizer, the companies received U.S. government authorization for their vaccine in just 11 months. The previous record for a vaccine, against mumps, was four years.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is still far from over, a number of researchers are calling for preparations for the next deadly coronavirus.

“This has already happened three times,” said Daniel Hoft, a virus expert at Saint Louis University. “It’s very likely going to happen again.”

Researchers at VBI vaccines, a Cambridge-based company, took a small step toward a pancoronavirus vaccine in the summer. They created viruslike shells studded with spike proteins from the three coronaviruses that caused SARS, MERS and COVID-19.

When the researchers injected this three-spike vaccine into mice, the animals made antibodies that worked against all three coronaviruses. Intriguingly, some of those antibodies could also latch onto a fourth human coronavirus that causes seasonal colds — even though that virus’s spike proteins were not included in the vaccine. The scientists have made this data public but have not yet published it in a scientific journal.

Last month, Pamela Bjorkman, a structural biologist at Caltech, and her colleagues published a more extensive experiment with a universal coronavirus vaccine in the journal Science. The researchers attached only the tips of spike proteins from eight different coronaviruses to a protein core, known as a nanoparticle. After injecting these nanoparticles into mice, the animals generated antibodies that could stick to all eight of the coronaviruses — and to four other coronaviruses that the scientists had not used in the vaccine.

Modjarrad is leading a team at Walter Reed developing another vaccine based on a nanoparticle studded with protein fragments. They anticipate starting clinical trials on volunteers next month. Although the vaccine currently uses protein fragments only from SARS-CoV-2 spikes, Modjarrad and his colleagues are preparing to retool it as a pancoronavirus vaccine.

Hoft of Saint Louis University is working on a universal vaccine that does not rely on antibodies to the spike protein. Collaborating with Gritstone Oncology, a California-based biotech company, he has created a vaccine that prompts cells to make surface proteins that might alert the immune system as if a coronavirus — any coronavirus — were present. They are now preparing a clinical trial to see if it is effective against SARS-CoV-2.

“We are interested to develop maybe a third-generation vaccine, which would be on the shelf and ready for the future outbreak,” Hoft said.

The invention of COVID-19 vaccines will be remembered as a milestone in the history of medicine, creating in a matter of months what had before taken up to a decade.

The invention of COVID-19 vaccines will be remembered as a milestone in the history of medicine, creating in a matter of months what had before taken up to a decade. But Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, director of the emerging infectious diseases branch at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland, isn’t satisfied. “That’s not fast enough,” he said. More than 2.3 million people around the world have died, and many countries will not have full access to the vaccines for another year or two: “Fast — truly fast — is having it there on day one.” There will be more coronavirus outbreaks in the future. Bats and other mammals are rife with strains and species of this abundant family of viruses. Some of these viruses will inevitably spill over the species barrier and cause new pandemics. It’s only a matter of time. Modjarrad is one of many scientists who for years have been calling for a different kind of vaccine: one that could work against all coronaviruses. Those calls went largely ignored until COVID-19 demonstrated just how disastrous coronaviruses can be. Now researchers are starting to develop prototypes of a so-called pancoronavirus vaccine, with some promising, if early, results from experiments on animals. Dr. Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, thinks scientists should join together in another large-scale vaccine-creation project immediately. “We have to get a real workforce to accelerate this, so we can have it this year,” he said. Topol and Dennis Burton, a Scripps immunologist, called for this project on broad coronavirus vaccines Feb. 8 in the journal Nature. After coronaviruses were first identified in the 1960s, they did not become a high priority for vaccine makers. For decades it seemed as if they only caused mild colds. But in 2002, a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV emerged, causing a deadly pneumonia called severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. Scientists scrambled to make a vaccine for it. Since no one had made a coronavirus vaccine for humans before, there was a huge amount to learn about its biology. Eventually, researchers chose a target for immunity: a protein on the surface of the virus, called spike. Antibodies that stick to the spike can prevent the coronavirus from entering cells and stop an infection. Public health officials in Asia and elsewhere did not wait for the invention of a SARS vaccine to get to work, however. Their quarantines and other efforts proved remarkably effective. In a matter of months, they wiped out SARS-CoV, with only 774 deaths along the way. The danger of coronaviruses became even clearer in 2012, when a second species spilled over from bats, causing yet another deadly respiratory disease called Middle East respiratory syndrome. Researchers started work on MERS vaccines. But some researchers wondered if making a new vaccine for each new coronavirus — what Modjarrad calls “the one bug, one drug approach” — was the smartest strategy. Wouldn’t it be better, they thought, if a single vaccine could work against SARS, MERS and any other coronavirus? That idea went nowhere for years. MERS and SARS caused relatively few deaths and were soon eclipsed by outbreaks of other viruses such as Ebola and Zika. In 2016, Maria Elena Bottazzi, a virus expert at Baylor College of Medicine, and her colleagues applied for support from the U.S. government to develop a pancoronavirus vaccine but did not receive it. “They said there’s no interest in pancorona,” Bottazzi recalled. Her team even lost funding for developing a SARS vaccine after they showed that it worked in mice, was not toxic to human cells and could be manufactured at scale. A coronavirus that had disappeared from view simply wasn’t a top priority. Without enough money to start clinical trials, the scientists stored their SARS vaccine in a freezer and moved on to other research. “It’s been a struggle,” Bottazzi said. Dr. Matthew Memoli, a virus expert at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, looks back at those decisions as an enormous blunder. “It’s a failure of our system of science,” he said. “Funders tend to chase after shiny objects.” Three years later, a third dangerous coronavirus emerged: the SARS-CoV-2 strain that causes COVID-19. Although this virus has a much lower fatality rate than its cousins that cause SARS and MERS, it does a far better job of spreading from person to person, resulting in more than 106 million documented cases around the world and still climbing. All the lessons that researchers had learned about coronaviruses helped them move quickly to make new vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. Bottazzi and her colleagues used the technology they had created to make SARS vaccines to make one for COVID-19, which is now in early clinical trials. Other researchers used even newer methods to move faster. German company BioNTech created a genetic molecule called messenger RNA that encoded the spike protein. Partnering with Pfizer, the companies received U.S. government authorization for their vaccine in just 11 months. The previous record for a vaccine, against mumps, was four years. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is still far from over, a number of researchers are calling for preparations for the next deadly coronavirus. “This has already happened three times,” said Daniel Hoft, a virus expert at Saint Louis University. “It’s very likely going to happen again.” Researchers at VBI vaccines, a Cambridge-based company, took a small step toward a pancoronavirus vaccine in the summer. They created viruslike shells studded with spike proteins from the three coronaviruses that caused SARS, MERS and COVID-19. When the researchers injected this three-spike vaccine into mice, the animals made antibodies that worked against all three coronaviruses. Intriguingly, some of those antibodies could also latch onto a fourth human coronavirus that causes seasonal colds — even though that virus’s spike proteins were not included in the vaccine. The scientists have made this data public but have not yet published it in a scientific journal. Last month, Pamela Bjorkman, a structural biologist at Caltech, and her colleagues published a more extensive experiment with a universal coronavirus vaccine in the journal Science. The researchers attached only the tips of spike proteins from eight different coronaviruses to a protein core, known as a nanoparticle. After injecting these nanoparticles into mice, the animals generated antibodies that could stick to all eight of the coronaviruses — and to four other coronaviruses that the scientists had not used in the vaccine. Modjarrad is leading a team at Walter Reed developing another vaccine based on a nanoparticle studded with protein fragments. They anticipate starting clinical trials on volunteers next month. Although the vaccine currently uses protein fragments only from SARS-CoV-2 spikes, Modjarrad and his colleagues are preparing to retool it as a pancoronavirus vaccine. Hoft of Saint Louis University is working on a universal vaccine that does not rely on antibodies to the spike protein. Collaborating with Gritstone Oncology, a California-based biotech company, he has created a vaccine that prompts cells to make surface proteins that might alert the immune system as if a coronavirus — any coronavirus — were present. They are now preparing a clinical trial to see if it is effective against SARS-CoV-2. “We are interested to develop maybe a third-generation vaccine, which would be on the shelf and ready for the future outbreak,” Hoft said.

Could a single vaccine work against all coronaviruses?

Millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses are going to get wasted in large as Japan struggles to secure special syringes. Production has been impacted at a large scale while manufacturers are looking for ways to ramp up production of the syringes. The country signed a contract with Pfizer of 144 million doses for 72 million people.

Japan faces shortage of special syringes

India's COVID-19 numbers are setting an example for the world to follow. One of the most popular nations yet the most impressive mechanism to deal with the pandemic, there is a sharp drop in COVID-19 caseload.

India's COVID-19 fatality rate falls to 1.43%. Country reports progressive increase in vaccination

The first batch of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in New Zealand as the country looks forward to inoculate its population.

COVID-19: First batch of Pfizer Coronavirus vaccine arrives in New Zealand

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday that 18-19 potential vaccines against novel coronavirus were in different stages of clinical trials, adding that no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 188 districts of the country in the last 7 days.

"About 18-20 vaccine candidates against COVID-19 are in the pipeline and are in preclinical, clinical and advanced stages," Vardhan said.

"Some are in Phase I, some in Phase II, and a few approaching Phase III of the clinical trials. We are elated to have a huge portfolio soon," he said at a press conference here.

Dispelling rumours surrounding the vaccines, Vardhan said the vaccines in the public domain are safe and effective. He said no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 188 districts of the country in the last 7 days, while no new cases have been reported in 21 districts in 21 days.

Vardhan further urged people to keep following COVID appropriate behaviour. "It is crucial that people continue to follow COVID appropriate behaviour which I call social vaccine, along with real vaccines," he said. India has approved two vaccines -- Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech and Covishield from the Oxford/AstraZeneca stable being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India -- for emergency use in the country.

Till 8 AM on February 15, the cumulative number of healthcare workers (HCW) and frontline workers (FLW) vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country has reached nearly 83 lakh.

A total 82,85,295 beneficiaries have been vaccinated through 1,73,729 sessions, as per the provisional report till 8 am. These include 59,88,113 HCWs (1st dose), 24,561 HCWs (2nd dose) and 22,72,621 FLWs (1stdose).

India's cumulative recoveries have surged to 1,06,21,220 with9,489patients having recuperated in a span of 24 hours. The ministry said 79.5 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in six states.

The Union government has prioritised vaccination of 30 crore Indians, dividing them into three categories -- one crore healthcare workers, 2 crore frontline workers, and 27 crores general populace above the age of 50.

On January 3, the Drugs Controller General of India had approved 'Covishield' vaccine developed by Pune-based Serum Institute of India and 'Covaxin' of Bharat Biotech for emergency use authorisation in the country.

Both vaccines have been provided in the nationwide immunisation drive, that was kicked off on January 16. Till Sunday, more than 8 million (82,85,295) doses of vaccines had been administered across India. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday that 18-19 potential vaccines against novel coronavirus were in different stages of clinical trials, adding that no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 188 districts of the country in the last 7 days.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday that 18-19 potential vaccines against novel coronavirus were in different stages of clinical trials, adding that no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 188 districts of the country in the last 7 days. "About 18-20 vaccine candidates against COVID-19 are in the pipeline and are in preclinical, clinical and advanced stages," Vardhan said. "Some are in Phase I, some in Phase II, and a few approaching Phase III of the clinical trials. We are elated to have a huge portfolio soon," he said at a press conference here. Dispelling rumours surrounding the vaccines, Vardhan said the vaccines in the public domain are safe and effective. He said no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 188 districts of the country in the last 7 days, while no new cases have been reported in 21 districts in 21 days. Vardhan further urged people to keep following COVID appropriate behaviour. "It is crucial that people continue to follow COVID appropriate behaviour which I call social vaccine, along with real vaccines," he said. India has approved two vaccines -- Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech and Covishield from the Oxford/AstraZeneca stable being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India -- for emergency use in the country. Till 8 AM on February 15, the cumulative number of healthcare workers (HCW) and frontline workers (FLW) vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country has reached nearly 83 lakh. A total 82,85,295 beneficiaries have been vaccinated through 1,73,729 sessions, as per the provisional report till 8 am. These include 59,88,113 HCWs (1st dose), 24,561 HCWs (2nd dose) and 22,72,621 FLWs (1stdose). India's cumulative recoveries have surged to 1,06,21,220 with9,489patients having recuperated in a span of 24 hours. The ministry said 79.5 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in six states. The Union government has prioritised vaccination of 30 crore Indians, dividing them into three categories -- one crore healthcare workers, 2 crore frontline workers, and 27 crores general populace above the age of 50. On January 3, the Drugs Controller General of India had approved 'Covishield' vaccine developed by Pune-based Serum Institute of India and 'Covaxin' of Bharat Biotech for emergency use authorisation in the country. Both vaccines have been provided in the nationwide immunisation drive, that was kicked off on January 16. Till Sunday, more than 8 million (82,85,295) doses of vaccines had been administered across India. (With inputs from agencies)

No new cases in 188 districts in a week, 18 covid vaccine candidates in the pipeline: Health Minister

A new associated press investigation now revels how china planted fake information and promoted conspiracy theories about the coronavirus outbreak. Beijing's medium of choice is social media.

Associated press investigation revel China's COVID-19 conspiracy

Pakistan started registration of elderly people aged 65 years and above to vaccinate them against the coronavirus on Monday, as the national tally of the Covid-19 cases reached 564,077.&nbsp;

Planning Minister Asad Umar, who is also chief of the anti-corona National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), said that the vaccination of the registered elderly people would begin next month.&nbsp;

Pleased to announce that registration for getting Covid vaccine is now open for all citizens, who are 65 years of age and above. Just write down your computerised national identity card (CNIC) number and send message on 1166. Vaccinations for this age group will start in March, he tweeted.&nbsp;

The vaccination of the frontline healthcare workers in the country started on February 2, a day after China donated 500,000 Sinopharm doses to Pakistan.&nbsp;

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 1,048 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, while 26 patients died in the same period, taking the total number of fatalities to 12,333.&nbsp;

A total of 525,997 have recovered from the disease.&nbsp;

The authorities carried out 32,019 tests in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate stood at 3.27 per cent.

Pakistan started registration of elderly people aged 65 years and above to vaccinate them against the coronavirus on Monday, as the national tally of the Covid-19 cases reached 564,077.

Pakistan started registration of elderly people aged 65 years and above to vaccinate them against the coronavirus on Monday, as the national tally of the Covid-19 cases reached 564,077. Planning Minister Asad Umar, who is also chief of the anti-corona National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), said that the vaccination of the registered elderly people would begin next month. Pleased to announce that registration for getting Covid vaccine is now open for all citizens, who are 65 years of age and above. Just write down your computerised national identity card (CNIC) number and send message on 1166. Vaccinations for this age group will start in March, he tweeted. The vaccination of the frontline healthcare workers in the country started on February 2, a day after China donated 500,000 Sinopharm doses to Pakistan. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 1,048 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, while 26 patients died in the same period, taking the total number of fatalities to 12,333. A total of 525,997 have recovered from the disease. The authorities carried out 32,019 tests in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate stood at 3.27 per cent.

Pak begins to register elderly for Covid-19 vaccination

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday announced that the population above 50 years of age will get start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from March onward.

“We will be in a situation to administer vaccines to those above 50 years of age in March,” he said. “It is crucial that people continue to follow COVID appropriate behaviour which I had called a social vaccine, along with real vaccines,” he added. He said that no new coronavirus infections were reported in 188 districts in the country during the last seven days.&nbsp;

"About 18-20 vaccine candidates against COVID-19 are in the pipeline and are in preclinical, clinical and advanced stages," Vardhan said.

He further said that India will be supplying vaccines to 20-25 other countries.

Dispelling rumours surrounding the vaccines, Vardhan said the vaccines in the public domain are safe and effective.

He said no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 188 districts of the country in the last 7 days, while no new cases have been reported in 21 districts in 21 days.

Vardhan further urged people to keep following COVID appropriate behaviour.

"It is crucial that people continue to follow COVID appropriate behaviour which I call social vaccine, along with real vaccines," he said.

India has approved two vaccines -- Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech and Covishield from the Oxford/AstraZeneca stable being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India -- for emergency use in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday announced that the population above 50 years of age will get start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from March onward.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday announced that the population above 50 years of age will get start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from March onward. “We will be in a situation to administer vaccines to those above 50 years of age in March,” he said. “It is crucial that people continue to follow COVID appropriate behaviour which I had called a social vaccine, along with real vaccines,” he added. He said that no new coronavirus infections were reported in 188 districts in the country during the last seven days. "About 18-20 vaccine candidates against COVID-19 are in the pipeline and are in preclinical, clinical and advanced stages," Vardhan said. He further said that India will be supplying vaccines to 20-25 other countries. Dispelling rumours surrounding the vaccines, Vardhan said the vaccines in the public domain are safe and effective. He said no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 188 districts of the country in the last 7 days, while no new cases have been reported in 21 districts in 21 days. Vardhan further urged people to keep following COVID appropriate behaviour. "It is crucial that people continue to follow COVID appropriate behaviour which I call social vaccine, along with real vaccines," he said. India has approved two vaccines -- Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech and Covishield from the Oxford/AstraZeneca stable being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India -- for emergency use in the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid-19 vaccination for people above 50 years will begin from March: Harsh Vardhan 

Rio carnival was cancelled this year in Brazil and understandably so due to the coronavirus pandemic but virus restrictions have failed to damp in spirits of the revellers, many of whom are also pets and furry companions.

Brazil: Carnival amid the Coronavirus pandemic

COVID-19 infection rates in Poland have subsided in recent weeks. This has prompted the government to relax some of the restrictions allowing for some leisure facilities to reopen. Will the country witness 3rd pandemic wave?

Coronavirus Update: Will Poland witness 3rd pandemic wave?

France: Health ministry has asked regional health agencies and hospitals to enter into crisis mode to prepare for a possible surge in Coronavirus cases as a result of highly contagious variants in the region.

France prepares for possible COVID-19 spike. Country to enter 'crisis organization' from feb 18

When the coronavirus pandemic struck last March, Kathryn Stewart was working at a gas station in rural Michigan and living in her mother’s trailer with eight relatives, three dogs and a budget with no room for error.

When the coronavirus pandemic struck last March, Kathryn Stewart was working at a gas station in rural Michigan and living in her mother’s trailer with eight relatives, three dogs and a budget with no room for error. Her mother, who is disabled, soon urged her to quit to avoid bringing home the disease. Stewart reluctantly agreed, wondering how she would support herself and her 10-year-old son. An expanded safety net caught her, after being rushed into place by Congress last spring with rare bipartisan support. To her surprise, Stewart not only received unemployment insurance but a weekly bonus of $600 more than tripled her income. A stimulus check offered additional help, as did a modest food stamp increase. Despite opaque rules and confounding delays, the outpouring of government aid lifted her above the poverty line. Six months later, after temporary aid expired and deadlock in Washington returned, Stewart’s benefits fell to a trickle, and she was all but homeless after a family fight forced her from the trailer to a friend’s spare room. She skipped meals to feed her son, sold possessions to raise cash and suffered anxiety attacks so severe they sometimes kept her in bed. Just as Stewart finally found a job, celebration turned to shock: The state demanded that she repay the jobless aid she had received, claiming she had been ineligible. That left her with an eye-popping debt of more than $12,000. “I spent the whole day just trying to breathe,” Stewart said the day the notice arrived. “I’m really confused about the whole thing. I’m trying not to panic.” In the robust aid she received and its painful disappearance, Stewart’s experience captures both sides of the gyrating federal efforts to fortify the safety net in a crisis of historic proportions. As the virus ravaged jobs last spring, rapid federal action protected millions of people from hardship and showed that government can be a powerful force in reducing poverty. Yet the expiration of aid a few months later also underscored how vulnerable the needy are to partisan standoffs in an age of polarized government. Gaps in aid left families short on food and rent, uncertainty made it impossible to plan and confusion joined fear and worry. In his first weeks in office, President Joe Biden appears to have both lessons in mind. A benefit extension passed in December expires next month, and he is urging Congress to spend big and move fast to keep 11 million workers from losing unemployment aid. Democrats are advancing his $1.9 trillion plan for stimulus and relief with a fast-track procedure that limits their policy options but increases the odds of avoiding more whipsaw delays. Critics of the spending warn it swells the national debt and erodes incentives to work. Supporters say the government’s impact has rarely seemed so direct: When help flowed at extraordinary levels, poverty fell. When it ended, poverty rose. “This could be a watershed moment,” said H. Luke Shaefer, who runs a poverty research center at the University of Michigan. “We showed how much government can do to mitigate hardship, even if the effort didn’t last.” With millions still depending on government aid in a weak recovery, Stewart’s experience over the past 10 months highlights the stakes. As her complex life shows, the causes of poverty often run deep, and some lie beyond the reach of a government check. But the aid, while it lasted, broke her fall, and she is now back on her feet. In recent weeks, Stewart, 36, has been working at an Amazon warehouse and fighting Michigan’s efforts to recoup her unemployment benefits. She said she was “super happy” to no longer be at risk from another Washington impasse. An introspective woman, insightful about her hardships but distant from politics, she wonders how federal help has at once been so generous and so unsteady — a question that weighs on millions of Americans now waiting to see whether Congress moves quickly enough to sustain their benefits. “It made a huge difference in our lives,” Stewart said. “But it starts and stops and it’s really confusing. You feel helpless when you’re being helped by the government.” Should another crisis arise, she said, “I hope the government has a better plan.” Then Came the Pandemic Stewart grew up accustomed to hardship and inventive in her responses. In a family too poor for vacations, she created her own by tagging along on her stepfather’s tractor-trailer runs. When he fought with her mother, she sheltered in closets. When he left, her mother tried to quell the family’s hunger with diet pills. Stewart was in grade school when panic attacks started, which she blamed on the conflict. An unsupervised adolescence followed in Grand Rapids, where Stewart slept in parks with runaways. She liked the literature of bohemians and rebels — Hunter S. Thompson and Oscar Wilde — but left school at 16 and lived in her car. Short on formal education, Stewart was long on curiosity and peripatetic instinct, which carried her from Ireland to California in between seasonal work at Michigan resorts. She dyed her hair unusual colors. She gave herself tattoos. She covered her walls with the surrealist works of Salvador Dalí, in shared faith that “you create your own reality.” Fearful of forgetting, Stewart kept a memory box, which included a middle-school note, a ukulele pick and clippings from her first mohawk. In her mid-20s, Stewart married and had a son, Jack, but her husband left and her anxiety grew. “Over the years I’ve gotten real anxious — almost afraid of people,” she said. “I’m an empath — if someone else feels bad, I feel bad.” Still, Stewart worked, most happily in solitude. By 2019, Stewart was a night janitor and living with her sister in Grand Rapids. Her sister fell behind on the rent and insisted they move in with their mother, five hours away in rural Ossineke. Stewart grudgingly succumbed. “We all rely on each other, which is good except for us not getting along,” she said. With four children and conflicting parenting styles, the trailer proved crowded and tense. When Stewart found work as a gas station cashier — $10 an hour, 20 hours a week — she welcomed the escape as much as the pay. A few weeks later, the coronavirus hit. Help Was on the Way As the virus spread in early March, President Donald Trump insisted it posed no threat. “Jobs are booming, incomes are soaring,” he tweeted. By the next week, Disneyland and Broadway were padlocked and the stock market notched its worst daily loss in decades. While the need for Washington action was clear, the risks of an impasse were great. Liberal Democrats controlled the House, conservative Republicans held the Senate, and Trump derided the House speaker as “Crazy Nancy” Pelosi. Yet within a few weeks, they agreed on a $2.2 trillion plan. One surprise was how much it did for the poor, a class not known for political clout. Even the poorest families fully qualified for stimulus payments — $1,200 for adults, $500 for children (some Republicans had proposed giving them less) — and at the Democrats’ insistence, Congress greatly expanded jobless benefits. The existing program was filled with gaps: It covered only about one-quarter of the jobless and replaced less than half their lost wages. Congress widened coverage, temporarily adding part-time workers, independent contractors and others typically excluded. And for four months it gave everyone on jobless aid a large bonus: $600 a week. The payments were more than many workers had earned on the job. Critics said the aid would discourage the jobless from seeking work, but urgency prevailed. “Gag and vote for it anyway,” the Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, advised fellow Republicans. The Senate vote was 96-0. Approving aid was one thing, delivering it another. Most stimulus checks arrived automatically and fast, though people who did not file tax returns had to contact the IRS — a procedural hurdle that kept payments from about 8 million potentially eligible people, mostly low-income. Households with unauthorized immigrants were barred from stimulus checks, which excluded about 5 million spouses and children who were citizens or legal residents. Unemployment insurance proved harder to get. With nearly 40 million claims in nine weeks, the state-run programs were overwhelmed. Computers crashed. Phone lines jammed. Governors called in the National Guard to process requests. Food shortages soared, especially among families with children as school closures deprived millions of meals. Lines outside food banks stretched for miles. But the havoc obscured the scale of the coming relief. Help was on the way. ‘I Was Just Like, Wow!’ Stewart was still working in April when a $1,700 stimulus check arrived. Like many poor people, she used it in part to settle debts, including a large fine for driving an unregistered truck. “That made me feel a hundred times better,” she said. Soon after, she got a cold and fear spread through the trailer. “My mom is immunocompromised — she said you absolutely cannot be working with the public,” Stewart said. With school out, her mother also wanted her home to watch her son. Stewart felt forced to quit working. As a recently hired part-time worker, she did not think Michigan would approve her request for unemployment benefits. But the new program covered workers who quit to protect medically vulnerable members of their households. Stewart received $1,250, just for two weeks. “I was just like, Wow!” she said. The payments ceased without explanation but resumed a month later at $760 a week, with money for weeks missed. The aid was nearly four times her lost paycheck. It was more than she had ever made — “more than I could even think about before I got it,” she said. By June, about 1 in 5 American workers was getting jobless aid — five times the previous peak. Like Stewart, roughly 40% of them were covered by the new pandemic assistance. And like Stewart, most saw their incomes grow. Congress aimed to fully replace the average worker’s pay, but its formula overshot the mark. Three-quarters of the jobless received unemployment checks that exceeded their lost earnings, according to Peter Ganong and colleagues at the University of Chicago, with the median replacement rate at 145%. Among the poorest tenth of workers, incomes nearly tripled. Despite mass unemployment, poverty estimates fell. Researchers at the University of Chicago and Notre Dame found there were 5 million fewer poor people in June than before the crisis. Jobless people usually cut their budgets, but in this case their spending rose, by as much as 20%. The unemployment assistance was extraordinary but not uniform. Immigrants without legal status were ineligible, as were Americans paid off the books. Some eligible workers did not know to apply, and others encountered a bureaucratic maze. Eliza Forsythe, an economist at the University of Illinois, saw a “lottery effect” at play, with random factors deciding which households got aid. But most eventually did. Truck Parts and Camping Policymakers often debate what difference the safety net makes. The 12 weeks of enhanced benefits touched most corners of Stewart’s life. She remained an anxious single mother living in an overcrowded trailer — a woman with a hard lot. But she ate better. She quarreled with her family less. She suffered less debilitating stress. Mindful that the $600 weekly bonus would soon expire, Stewart eyed projects with long-term benefits. Transportation is essential in rural Michigan, and she considered herself handy with a wrench. She spent $2,000 on tools and parts to rebuild the engine of her old truck. The trailer was in disrepair. For $1,700 Stewart patched the roof and porch, replaced the kitchen cabinets and a bathroom wall, and added a storage shed. Her credit was in shambles, too. She settled a hospital bill and invested in prepaid credit cards to lift her credit score. She also had some fun. A creek ran behind trailer. “I said, ‘Man, we should be in the water,’” she said. Kayaks followed. She and her mother had long talked about camping, and now she had money for gas and gear. They stayed up late talking by the fire and returned from a hike around the lake with buckets of smoky quartz. In a strained relationship, the trip was like the stones — a treasure salvaged from rocky shores. No purchase made Stewart happier than the Xbox she bought for Jack’s 11th birthday. She hid it for three months, fearing she would be broke again by the celebration. It was the sort of extravagance he kept out of mind, and Stewart relished the looming surprise. “It made me feel like I was the kind of mother I wanted to be,” she said. After years of anxiety and depression, Stewart did not go as far as to argue that money buys happiness. But she said it helped. “I did stop having panic attacks as much,” she said. “It was just less stressful. It made a huge difference.” Washington Dithers Washington made that difference. With more than 30 million people collecting unemployment in July and the bonus payments expiring at the end of the month, the question was whether Washington would act again. Amid a slow recovery and rising infections, most economists called for more stimulus and relief, as did the chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, who warned that the downturn was especially hard on low-wage workers and people of color. The Democratic-run House moved quickly, voting in May to extend the bonuses as part of a $3 trillion stimulus bill. Senate Republicans derided the cost, but were slow to propose an alternative. Some argued the economy was recovering, and some feared the bonuses discouraged work, though multiple studies found otherwise. As the bonuses expired on July 31, new weekly jobless claims topped 1 million for the 19th straight week. Lengthy negotiations bore no fruit. With Election Day approaching, Pelosi seemed to believe that Senate Republicans would give in to the Democrats’ demands. As talks ground on, Trump swung wildly, using executive action for a short-term fix (a $300 weekly bonus, for six weeks) while alternately demanding and spurning deals. The political calculations were lost on Stewart, who grasped only the lost aid. “I don’t think any of them really understand about being poor,” she said. Without the bonuses, average unemployment checks fell by about two-thirds. Stewart’s simply disappeared. Besieged with fraud, Michigan froze hundreds of thousands of cases while it investigated, including hers. “I just went back to being really broke again,” she said. Stewart sold possessions — a bicycle, a camera, her grandmother’s watch. The credit cards that she hoped would bolster her finances ran up fees and closed. The truck into which she had invested so much became a metaphor: It ran only in reverse. Her food stamps ran out before the end of the monthly cycle. While Stewart skipped meals to keep Jack fed, there were days when he ate a single meal. “You hear him say ‘I’m hungry,’ and your heart breaks,” she said. As aid dwindled, hardships rose nationwide. The number of poor people, which had declined through June, grew by 8 million through the rest of the year. Biweekly surveys by the Census Bureau showed steadily rising need. Reports of depression climbed 12%, according to an analysis of the surveys by Shaefer and a colleague, Patrick Cooney. The number of people behind on rent rose 27%. By the end of the year, more than 1 in 6 households with children said they sometimes or often lacked enough to eat. “When the government acted, things got better — when the aid went away, things got worse,” Shaefer said. After seven weeks, Michigan resumed Stewart’s unemployment aid in mid-September, with payments for the missing weeks. But without the bonus, her weekly amount fell to $160, a decline of nearly 80%. In October, Stewart took Jack on a birthday visit to Grand Rapids and gave him the Xbox. Rather than celebrate, he chided her, warning they could not afford it. Then he played it, as she hoped. An argument with her mother followed, for reasons Stewart struggled to explain. Perhaps the hardship had simply exhausted everyone’s patience. When the phone call between them ended, Stewart had lost her spot in the trailer. Only a friend’s spare room kept her and Jack from a shelter. “We are homeless,” she said. With Stewart at a low point in late October, her jobless aid stopped again. She discovered she had accidentally closed her case while reviewing it on her phone. When she reapplied, the case was frozen — for the third time in five months, her benefits ceased. When a reporter called one night, Stewart said she had not eaten in a day and a half. A month later, Stewart’s application was denied. Although the gas station where she had worked did not contest her original claim, it now said she had quit without reason. Stewart insists that she explained she was leaving to protect her mother’s health. Next came the state’s demand that she repay the earlier aid — $12,574.12 — and warnings that a false statement could lead to “jail time.” Stewart had just found the Amazon job. It paid $16.30 an hour, more than she had ever made. She could work nights and be home when Jack took online classes. “Whoo-hoo,” she had written, sharing the news. But she worked her first shift under the threat of garnished wages. Faith in the Safety Net It took the November election to end the Washington stalemate. Action did not come from new economic data. Only the politics changed. As president-elect, Biden wanted to quickly stimulate the economy he would inherit. He said a compromise could provide a “down payment” on a larger package to follow. After long rejecting the down-payment logic, Pelosi accepted a $900 billion bill — smaller than those she had rejected — saying that she trusted Biden to keep fighting. With control of the Senate depending on two runoff elections in Georgia, Republicans compromised, too, courting voters (unsuccessfully) with a compromise that included a short-term extension of unemployment bonuses at $300 a week. Shortly before taking office, Biden proposed his bigger plan, with more stimulus checks, larger unemployment bonuses for a longer duration and an income floor for every family with children. The details are complex but the philosophy is clear: He is beginning his presidency with a statement of faith in the power of the safety net. With Democrats holding Congress by the thinnest margin, it has advanced with no Republican votes. Whether Democrats can enact it before the expanded jobless benefits expire again in March remains uncertain. Still moving packages at the Amazon warehouse, Stewart is now less vulnerable to a political stalemate. While the pace is punishing, with a shift that starts at 1:20 a.m., she displays a self-mocking pride in her endurance. “I’m a number but a number with a paycheck,” she said. She continues to appeal the state’s efforts to recapture her unemployment benefits. Nearly a year into the pandemic, profound differences separate the parties’ views of the safety net. But those differences get lost at the distance from which Stewart views politics. She strongly favors neither party and did not vote in November. Still, her fluctuating fortunes have imparted a lesson about the clashes of Washington politicians. “Maybe I wouldn’t have noticed it before,” she said, “but what they do really makes a difference.”

A year of hardship, helped and hindered by Washington

Japan has officially approved Pfizer Inc's Covid vaccine, as the country steps up efforts to tame a third wave of infections in the run-up to the Summer Olympic Games.

"The health minister today gave a special approval to the Pfizer vaccine," the prime minister's office said in a tweet on Sunday.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said vaccinations will begin from the middle of next week, starting with some 10,000 health workers. The government hopes to secure enough supplies for the whole populace - some 126 million people - by mid-year.

Japan is expected to put&nbsp;the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in the arms of 10,000 to 20,000 medical workers from as early as Wednesday, before making it and other coronavirus vaccines available for more medical workers and the elderly from April.

The government is yet to outline the exact rollout schedule for the rest of its population of 126 million people.

Olympics officials have insisted that the Tokyo Games will take place even though Covid-19 continues to affect the entire world.

Japan has so far recorded about 410,000 coronavirus cases nationally and 6,772 deaths. The Olympic Games are due to start July 23.

Japan has officially approved Pfizer Inc's Covid vaccine, as the country steps up efforts to tame a third wave of infections in the run-up to the Summer Olympic Games.

Japan has officially approved Pfizer Inc's Covid vaccine, as the country steps up efforts to tame a third wave of infections in the run-up to the Summer Olympic Games. "The health minister today gave a special approval to the Pfizer vaccine," the prime minister's office said in a tweet on Sunday. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said vaccinations will begin from the middle of next week, starting with some 10,000 health workers. The government hopes to secure enough supplies for the whole populace - some 126 million people - by mid-year. Japan is expected to put the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in the arms of 10,000 to 20,000 medical workers from as early as Wednesday, before making it and other coronavirus vaccines available for more medical workers and the elderly from April. The government is yet to outline the exact rollout schedule for the rest of its population of 126 million people. Olympics officials have insisted that the Tokyo Games will take place even though Covid-19 continues to affect the entire world. Japan has so far recorded about 410,000 coronavirus cases nationally and 6,772 deaths. The Olympic Games are due to start July 23.

Japan formally approves its first Covid vaccine

The United States has -- yet again -- expressed concern over China's early response to the Covid-19 crisis, in the aftermath of a World Health Organisation team of inquiry returning from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the pandemic.

The WHO probe team suggested the coronavirus might have originated with frozen seafood products, not from a Chinese lab as some have suggested.

The US, to this end, said it wants Beijing to "make available its data from the earliest days of the outbreak."&nbsp;

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday "deep respect" for the WHO -- which the US is rejoining after the Trump administration quit it to protest its virus response -- but said protecting its credibility is "a paramount priority."

Beijing has repeatedly floated the theory that the virus was instead brought to China through packaging on products such as frozen seafood -- a theory the WHO team did not rule out.

But, Sullivan added, "re-engaging the WHO also means holding it to the highest standards. And at this critical moment, protecting the&nbsp;WHO's credibility is a paramount priority."

Earlier in the day, one of the team's investigators complicated efforts to understand how the outbreak began by claiming China refused to give raw data on early COVID-19 cases to the team.

China's refusal to hand over raw data on the early COVID-19 cases was reported earlier by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-refused-who-raw-covid-19-data-on-early-cases-report-363361">Also read |&nbsp;China refused WHO raw COVID-19 data on early cases: Report&nbsp;</a>

A summary of the team's findings could be released as early as next week, the WHO said on Friday.

The probe had been plagued by delay, concern over access and bickering between Beijing and Washington, which accused China of hiding the extent of the initial outbreak and criticised the terms of the visit, under which Chinese experts conducted the first phase of research.

The team, which arrived in China in January and spent four weeks looking into the origins of the outbreak, was limited to visits organised by their Chinese hosts and prevented from contact with community members, due to health restrictions. The first two weeks were spent in hotel quarantine.

(with inputs from agencies)

The United States has -- yet again -- expressed concern over China's early response to the Covid-19 crisis, in the aftermath of a World Health Organisation team of inquiry returning from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the pandemic.

The United States has -- yet again -- expressed concern over China's early response to the Covid-19 crisis, in the aftermath of a World Health Organisation team of inquiry returning from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the pandemic. The WHO probe team suggested the coronavirus might have originated with frozen seafood products, not from a Chinese lab as some have suggested. The US, to this end, said it wants Beijing to "make available its data from the earliest days of the outbreak." National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday "deep respect" for the WHO -- which the US is rejoining after the Trump administration quit it to protest its virus response -- but said protecting its credibility is "a paramount priority." Beijing has repeatedly floated the theory that the virus was instead brought to China through packaging on products such as frozen seafood -- a theory the WHO team did not rule out. But, Sullivan added, "re-engaging the WHO also means holding it to the highest standards. And at this critical moment, protecting the WHO's credibility is a paramount priority." Earlier in the day, one of the team's investigators complicated efforts to understand how the outbreak began by claiming China refused to give raw data on early COVID-19 cases to the team. China's refusal to hand over raw data on the early COVID-19 cases was reported earlier by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times on Friday. Also read | China refused WHO raw COVID-19 data on early cases: Report A summary of the team's findings could be released as early as next week, the WHO said on Friday. The probe had been plagued by delay, concern over access and bickering between Beijing and Washington, which accused China of hiding the extent of the initial outbreak and criticised the terms of the visit, under which Chinese experts conducted the first phase of research. The team, which arrived in China in January and spent four weeks looking into the origins of the outbreak, was limited to visits organised by their Chinese hosts and prevented from contact with community members, due to health restrictions. The first two weeks were spent in hotel quarantine. (with inputs from agencies)

US cites 'deep concerns' about WHO Covid report, seeks more information from China

Lebanon on Saturday received its first vaccines against the coronavirus, a day before an inoculation drive kicks off in the crisis-hit Mediterranean country.

A plane landed at the Beirut airport, an AFP correspondent reported, with authorities saying it was carrying 28,500 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech flown in from Belgium.

The shipment was the first after the World Bank allocated $34 million to inoculate two million of Lebanon's six million inhabitants.

Caretaker health minister Hamad Hassan was on the tarmac to welcome the plane and expressed great "relief".

"It's a dream being realised today thanks to the support of our UN and international partners," he told reporters,

"The vaccine will reach all Lebanese citizens across the country," as well as Syrian and Palestinian refugees and other residents, he promised.

Lebanon has been under strict lockdown since mid-January, after an unprecedented spike in cases blamed on holiday gatherings that forced overwhelmed hospitals to turn away patients.

Vaccination rollout is set to start on Sunday.

Health workers will receive their first dose at the Rafik Hariri Hospital, the country's main public hospital tackling the Covid-19 outbreak, the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, and Saint George Orthodox Hospital.

"The best gift one can ask for on Valentine's Day," wrote the director of the Rafik Hariri Hospital, Firas Abiad, on Twitter.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab, 61, is also to be vaccinated, his office said.

Under Lebanon's vaccination plan, medical staff and those over the age of 75 are to receive the jab first.

In total Lebanon hopes to receive around six million vaccine doses, including two million from Pfizer/BioNTech and another 2.7 million via the international Covax distribution programme.

Half a million people in Lebanon have signed up to receive a vaccine, a health ministry official said, although many are hesitant to get the jab.

Of 500 people surveyed by private think-tank Information International, 31 percent said they would get vaccinated, 38 percent said they would rather not, and another 31 percent were undecided.

Lebanon was already in the throes of its worst economic crisis in decades when Covid-19 hit, and the situation has been exacerbated after a massive blast at Beirut's port in August killed more than 200 people and destroyed large parts of the capital.

The World Bank and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are to monitor the rollout, they said in a statement Friday.

They aim to "ensure fair, broad, and fast access to Covid-19 vaccines to help save lives and support economic recovery", World Bank regional director Saroj Kumar Jha said.

Lebanon says 334,086&nbsp;people have caught coronavirus&nbsp;since February 2020, of whom 3,915 have died.

Lebanon on Saturday received its first vaccines against the coronavirus, a day before an inoculation drive kicks off in the crisis-hit Mediterranean country. A plane landed at the Beirut airport, an AFP correspondent reported, with authorities saying it was carrying 28,500 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech flown in from Belgium.

Lebanon on Saturday received its first vaccines against the coronavirus, a day before an inoculation drive kicks off in the crisis-hit Mediterranean country. A plane landed at the Beirut airport, an AFP correspondent reported, with authorities saying it was carrying 28,500 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech flown in from Belgium. The shipment was the first after the World Bank allocated $34 million to inoculate two million of Lebanon's six million inhabitants. Caretaker health minister Hamad Hassan was on the tarmac to welcome the plane and expressed great "relief". "It's a dream being realised today thanks to the support of our UN and international partners," he told reporters, "The vaccine will reach all Lebanese citizens across the country," as well as Syrian and Palestinian refugees and other residents, he promised. Lebanon has been under strict lockdown since mid-January, after an unprecedented spike in cases blamed on holiday gatherings that forced overwhelmed hospitals to turn away patients. Vaccination rollout is set to start on Sunday. Health workers will receive their first dose at the Rafik Hariri Hospital, the country's main public hospital tackling the Covid-19 outbreak, the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, and Saint George Orthodox Hospital. "The best gift one can ask for on Valentine's Day," wrote the director of the Rafik Hariri Hospital, Firas Abiad, on Twitter. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, 61, is also to be vaccinated, his office said. Under Lebanon's vaccination plan, medical staff and those over the age of 75 are to receive the jab first. In total Lebanon hopes to receive around six million vaccine doses, including two million from Pfizer/BioNTech and another 2.7 million via the international Covax distribution programme. Half a million people in Lebanon have signed up to receive a vaccine, a health ministry official said, although many are hesitant to get the jab. Of 500 people surveyed by private think-tank Information International, 31 percent said they would get vaccinated, 38 percent said they would rather not, and another 31 percent were undecided. Lebanon was already in the throes of its worst economic crisis in decades when Covid-19 hit, and the situation has been exacerbated after a massive blast at Beirut's port in August killed more than 200 people and destroyed large parts of the capital. The World Bank and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are to monitor the rollout, they said in a statement Friday. They aim to "ensure fair, broad, and fast access to Covid-19 vaccines to help save lives and support economic recovery", World Bank regional director Saroj Kumar Jha said. Lebanon says 334,086 people have caught coronavirus since February 2020, of whom 3,915 have died.

Lebanon receives first Covid vaccines

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