One of the longest medical drama's on TV, 'Grey's Anatomy', is back with its 17th season and gives us a glimpse of how the medical fraternity is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. While we get to see familiar faces like&nbsp;Ellen Pompeo,&nbsp;Chandra Wilson,&nbsp;James Pickens Jr. among many others, there is also the return of&nbsp;a very loved&nbsp;character.

Just like the rest of the world, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is nothing like it was before. Chaos looms around it with both doctors and families of patients feeling nothing but helpless. Being converted into a COVID centre, there are fewer surgeries being performed, and more doctors declaring the time of death of their countless COVID-19 patients. Right from the entry of the hospital to the surgical wings, you will only find doctors, patients who are minors and&nbsp;their guardians. Patients with illnesses other than COVID are being transferred to other hospitals. The waiting room of Grey Sloan Memorial has now been transferred to the parking lot with doctors frequently visiting to give the families an update. This is a cross over episode with 'Station 19',&nbsp;who are bringing cases of extreme burn to the hospital.

Grey's Anatomy displays the courage, goodwill and commitment of the medical community during these testing times. At the starting of the episode, we are shown how&nbsp;Miranda Bailey tries to keep it together as she watches her husband Ben Warren go do his job (firefighter) in the middle of the pandemic and reminds herself that they need to save lives. Even with a heart condition and sprain in the leg, she is always up and about in the hospital trying to manage everything in these difficult times. Even if it means shouting at her friend/senior Richard Webber to learn the new protocols before practising any medicine in the hospital. She is always on her toes, trying to micromanage everything and everyone in the hospital. As the hospital is falling short of masks, the nurses are reusing the old ones by using extra strings, while some doctors are lending them their N95 masks. It's a team effort, even though nothing seems to be looking good right now, they are trying to support and help each other out in whichever way possible.

<img alt="It's a team effort, even though nothing seems to be looking good right now, they are trying to support and help each other out in whichever way possible." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ebfb20e2-5f37-40e0-949c-24eaf05c1532" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Greys%20Anatomy%20review.jpg" />

While the premiere&nbsp;largely focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic, we also get an update on each of the character's&nbsp;parallel storylines. First, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Shonda Rhimes did indeed give the 'Grey's Anatomy' fans an early Christmas gift, one which was least expected by anyone. But isn't that what 'Grey's Anatomy' is known for? Dereck Shepherd aka 'McDreamy' makes a surprise entry into the subconscious mind of Meredith when she collapses in the parking lot. (Dereck&nbsp;had died in season 11 in a car accident) It is said that he will make more such 'surprise' appearances in the rest of the season.

Maggie Pierce&nbsp;is finally in a mature and 'no drama' relationship with a doctor she met at a medical conference last season and even though they have a long-distance relationship, she seems really happy and content. We get to see a new spark or at least starting off one between Jo Wilson and Jackson Avery, although we don't know for sure if it ends up being anything solid. Teddy and&nbsp;Owen Hunt's relationship seems to be broken, at least from Owen's side, while Teddy is still trying to make amends for her brief sexual encounter with Koraisk one day before their marriage. On the other hand, Richard Webber and&nbsp;Catherine Avery are still trying to figure out their complicated marriage after all the drama we saw in the previous season.

Grey's&nbsp;Anatomy doesn't disappoint at all, especially when it tells its viewers that they will be blown away by the premiere of season 17.

To sum it up, it was heartwarming yet realistic at the same time.

Grey's Anatomy' Season 17&nbsp;is streaming on Disney + Hotstar.

Watch the trailer here:

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One of the longest medical drama's on TV, 'Grey's Anatomy', is back with its 17th season and gives us a glimpse of how the medical fraternity is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the longest medical drama's on TV, 'Grey's Anatomy', is back with its 17th season and gives us a glimpse of how the medical fraternity is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. While we get to see familiar faces like Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr. among many others, there is also the return of a very loved character. Just like the rest of the world, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is nothing like it was before. Chaos looms around it with both doctors and families of patients feeling nothing but helpless. Being converted into a COVID centre, there are fewer surgeries being performed, and more doctors declaring the time of death of their countless COVID-19 patients. Right from the entry of the hospital to the surgical wings, you will only find doctors, patients who are minors and their guardians. Patients with illnesses other than COVID are being transferred to other hospitals. The waiting room of Grey Sloan Memorial has now been transferred to the parking lot with doctors frequently visiting to give the families an update. This is a cross over episode with 'Station 19', who are bringing cases of extreme burn to the hospital. Grey's Anatomy displays the courage, goodwill and commitment of the medical community during these testing times. At the starting of the episode, we are shown how Miranda Bailey tries to keep it together as she watches her husband Ben Warren go do his job (firefighter) in the middle of the pandemic and reminds herself that they need to save lives. Even with a heart condition and sprain in the leg, she is always up and about in the hospital trying to manage everything in these difficult times. Even if it means shouting at her friend/senior Richard Webber to learn the new protocols before practising any medicine in the hospital. She is always on her toes, trying to micromanage everything and everyone in the hospital. As the hospital is falling short of masks, the nurses are reusing the old ones by using extra strings, while some doctors are lending them their N95 masks. It's a team effort, even though nothing seems to be looking good right now, they are trying to support and help each other out in whichever way possible. While the premiere largely focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic, we also get an update on each of the character's parallel storylines. First, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Shonda Rhimes did indeed give the 'Grey's Anatomy' fans an early Christmas gift, one which was least expected by anyone. But isn't that what 'Grey's Anatomy' is known for? Dereck Shepherd aka 'McDreamy' makes a surprise entry into the subconscious mind of Meredith when she collapses in the parking lot. (Dereck had died in season 11 in a car accident) It is said that he will make more such 'surprise' appearances in the rest of the season. Maggie Pierce is finally in a mature and 'no drama' relationship with a doctor she met at a medical conference last season and even though they have a long-distance relationship, she seems really happy and content. We get to see a new spark or at least starting off one between Jo Wilson and Jackson Avery, although we don't know for sure if it ends up being anything solid. Teddy and Owen Hunt's relationship seems to be broken, at least from Owen's side, while Teddy is still trying to make amends for her brief sexual encounter with Koraisk one day before their marriage. On the other hand, Richard Webber and Catherine Avery are still trying to figure out their complicated marriage after all the drama we saw in the previous season. Grey's Anatomy doesn't disappoint at all, especially when it tells its viewers that they will be blown away by the premiere of season 17. To sum it up, it was heartwarming yet realistic at the same time. Grey's Anatomy' Season 17 is streaming on Disney + Hotstar. Watch the trailer here: ×

'Grey's Anatomy' Season 17 review: It displays courage and goodwill of the medical community during the COVID pandemic

French Health Ministry on early Tuesday said that a fresh coronavirus strain has been detected in the Brittany region in the country's northwest.

The ministry explained that the new variant was found in a cluster at the Lannion hospital center in the Cotes d'Armor department. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-new-coronavirus-strain-found-in-uk-designated-variant-under-investigation-368166">Also read:&nbsp;Another new coronavirus strain found in UK designated 'variant under investigation'</a> 
 
"The first analyzes of this new variant do not allow to conclude either an increased severity or transmissibility compared to the historical virus. In-depth investigations are underway to better understand this variant and its impact," the ministry said in a statement. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-to-continue-using-astrazeneca-vaccine-despite-upheaval-in-europe-370761">Also read: Australia to continue using AstraZeneca vaccine despite upheaval in Europe</a> 
 
 
Coronavirus Update: WHO says no link between blood clots &amp; vaccine

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In particular, experiments will be in place to determine the reaction of the fresh strain on vaccination and antibodies from other infections, the statement read.&nbsp;

Besides, it went on, the local authorities were ordered to step up virus-related measures, including the boosting of the vaccination, limiting people gatherings, and reiterating the importance of social distancing rules.

It also noted that the international authorities have been informed about the discovery of the new mutation.

(With inputs from agencies)

French Health Ministry on early Tuesday said that a fresh coronavirus strain has been detected in the Brittany region in the country's northwest. The ministry explained that the new variant was found in a cluster at the Lannion hospital center in the Cotes d'Armor department.

French Health Ministry on early Tuesday said that a fresh coronavirus strain has been detected in the Brittany region in the country's northwest. The ministry explained that the new variant was found in a cluster at the Lannion hospital center in the Cotes d'Armor department. Also read: Another new coronavirus strain found in UK designated 'variant under investigation' "The first analyzes of this new variant do not allow to conclude either an increased severity or transmissibility compared to the historical virus. In-depth investigations are underway to better understand this variant and its impact," the ministry said in a statement. Also read: Australia to continue using AstraZeneca vaccine despite upheaval in Europe Coronavirus Update: WHO says no link between blood clots & vaccine In particular, experiments will be in place to determine the reaction of the fresh strain on vaccination and antibodies from other infections, the statement read. Besides, it went on, the local authorities were ordered to step up virus-related measures, including the boosting of the vaccination, limiting people gatherings, and reiterating the importance of social distancing rules. It also noted that the international authorities have been informed about the discovery of the new mutation. (With inputs from agencies)

New coronavirus strain discovered in France's Brittany region: Health Ministry

AstraZeneca COVID vaccine: These countries have suspended its use so far

After receiving its first shipment of coronavirus vaccine, Ukraine found itself in a new struggle against the pandemic.

Citizens in Ukraine doubt the quality of vaccine

The total number of Covid-19 cases in the US topped 29 million on Monday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. 
 
US Covid-19 case count rose to 29,000,012, with a total of 525,046 deaths, according to the CSSE tally, Xinhua news agency reported. 
 
California reported the largest number of cases among the states, standing at 3,599,689. Texas confirmed 2,695,653 cases, followed by Florida with 1,944,995 cases, New York with 1,694,651 cases, and Illinois with more than 1.1 million cases. 
 
Other states with over 650,000 cases include Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, New Jersey, Tennessee, Indiana and Michigan, the CSSE data showed. 
 
The US remains the nation worst hit by the pandemic, with the world`s most cases and deaths, making up nearly 25 per cent of the global caseload and more than 20 per cent of the global deaths. 
 
US Covid-19 cases reached 20 million on January 1, and have increased by 9 million in more than two months. 
 
An updated model forecast by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington projected a total of 576,026 Covid-19 deaths in the US by July 1, 2021, based on the current projection scenario.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in the US topped 29 million on Monday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in the US topped 29 million on Monday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. US Covid-19 case count rose to 29,000,012, with a total of 525,046 deaths, according to the CSSE tally, Xinhua news agency reported. California reported the largest number of cases among the states, standing at 3,599,689. Texas confirmed 2,695,653 cases, followed by Florida with 1,944,995 cases, New York with 1,694,651 cases, and Illinois with more than 1.1 million cases. Other states with over 650,000 cases include Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, New Jersey, Tennessee, Indiana and Michigan, the CSSE data showed. The US remains the nation worst hit by the pandemic, with the world`s most cases and deaths, making up nearly 25 per cent of the global caseload and more than 20 per cent of the global deaths. US Covid-19 cases reached 20 million on January 1, and have increased by 9 million in more than two months. An updated model forecast by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington projected a total of 576,026 Covid-19 deaths in the US by July 1, 2021, based on the current projection scenario.

US COVID-19 cases surpass 29 million

The Health Authority of Greece on Monday reported the death of a 37-day-old baby, the youngest among the country's nearly 6,800 Covid-19 victims.

The infant was brought to an Athens children's hospital in February this year.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed grief over the demise of the country's youngest COVID-19 victim.

Mitsotakis in a tweet, said, "Sadly today we had the pandemic's youngest victim in our country, an infant that spent 17 of its 37 days fighting the coronavirus."&nbsp;

According to a report published in the global news agency AFP, the boy was brought to the hospital with nasal inflammation and fever. He was placed in intensive care.

Nearly 6,800 people have died of the virus in Greece, while nearly 480 people are in intensive care.

The health ministry last week said it was calling for additional private hospital resources as it admitted that the public health system in Athens was under "unbearable pressure".

Mitsotakis' government has been accused by the opposition of failing to halt the spread of the pandemic despite a lockdown imposed in November.

Officials have blamed the high rate of infection on the more contagious British virus variant.

The government also came under fire this week after police were filmed beating a young man during a lockdown patrol on Sunday.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Health Authority of Greece on Monday reported the death of a 37-day-old baby, the youngest among the country's nearly 6,800 Covid-19 victims. The infant was brought to an Athens children's hospital in February this year.

The Health Authority of Greece on Monday reported the death of a 37-day-old baby, the youngest among the country's nearly 6,800 Covid-19 victims. The infant was brought to an Athens children's hospital in February this year. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed grief over the demise of the country's youngest COVID-19 victim. Mitsotakis in a tweet, said, "Sadly today we had the pandemic's youngest victim in our country, an infant that spent 17 of its 37 days fighting the coronavirus." According to a report published in the global news agency AFP, the boy was brought to the hospital with nasal inflammation and fever. He was placed in intensive care. Nearly 6,800 people have died of the virus in Greece, while nearly 480 people are in intensive care. The health ministry last week said it was calling for additional private hospital resources as it admitted that the public health system in Athens was under "unbearable pressure". Mitsotakis' government has been accused by the opposition of failing to halt the spread of the pandemic despite a lockdown imposed in November. Officials have blamed the high rate of infection on the more contagious British virus variant. The government also came under fire this week after police were filmed beating a young man during a lockdown patrol on Sunday. (With inputs from agencies)

Infant with Covid-19 dies, becoming Greece’s youngest victim

English health authorities have tracked down a previously-unidentified person who tested positive for a variant of COVID-19 first identified in northern Brazil, and said there were no signs the person had spread the virus. 
 
Health officials had said on Sunday they had not been able to account for one of six cases in the country of the highly transmissible Brazil variant, known as P1. 
 
"We`ve successfully identified the person in question," health minister Matt Hancock told a news conference on Friday. 
 
"The best evidence is that this person in question stayed at home and there`s no sign that there`s been any onward transmission," he said, adding the person was located in Croydon in south London and testing in the area had been increased as a precaution. 
 
Sunday`s announcement was the first time the variant had been detected in Britain and triggered an intensive search to find the unidentified person. 
 
The person lived in a household that had recently returned from Brazil, health official Susan Hopkins said. 
 
She set out how they had been tracked down by cross referencing testing and postal data to produce a narrowed down list of possible candidates, who were then contacted by tracing teams.

English health authorities have tracked down a previously-unidentified person who tested positive for a variant of COVID-19 first identified in northern Brazil, and said there were no signs the person had spread the virus.

English health authorities have tracked down a previously-unidentified person who tested positive for a variant of COVID-19 first identified in northern Brazil, and said there were no signs the person had spread the virus. Health officials had said on Sunday they had not been able to account for one of six cases in the country of the highly transmissible Brazil variant, known as P1. "We`ve successfully identified the person in question," health minister Matt Hancock told a news conference on Friday. "The best evidence is that this person in question stayed at home and there`s no sign that there`s been any onward transmission," he said, adding the person was located in Croydon in south London and testing in the area had been increased as a precaution. Sunday`s announcement was the first time the variant had been detected in Britain and triggered an intensive search to find the unidentified person. The person lived in a household that had recently returned from Brazil, health official Susan Hopkins said. She set out how they had been tracked down by cross referencing testing and postal data to produce a narrowed down list of possible candidates, who were then contacted by tracing teams.

UK finds missing case of Brazil variant, claims no sign it has spread

African nations have started the COVAX aided vaccination drive as efforts to inoculate the world's poorest nations. COVAX aims to provide 1.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries in the year 2021.

African nations start COVAX-aided vaccination drive

Global police organisation Interpol said on Wednesday that police in China and South Africa had seized thousands of fake COVID vaccines. Interpol warned that this may well be 'tip of the iceberg'.

The Lyon-based Interpol said 400 vials -- equivalent to around 2,400 doses -- containing the fake vaccine were found at a warehouse in Germiston outside Johannesburg in South Africa, where officers also recovered fake masks and arrested three Chinese and a Zambian national.

"Whilst we welcome this result, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Covid-19 vaccine-related crime," said Interpol Secretary General Juergen Stock.

In China, police identified a network selling fake vaccines. The investigation was supported by Interpol.

The police raided manufacturing premises, arrested around 80 suspects and seized more than 3000 fake vaccines

Interpol said that in addition to the arrests in South Africa and China it was also receiving additional reports of fake vaccine distribution and scam attempts targeting health bodies such as nursing homes.

It warned that no approved vaccines are currently available for sale online. &nbsp;

"Any vaccine being advertised on websites or the dark web will not be legitimate, will not have been tested and may be dangerous."&nbsp; 
Stock had warned in December in an interview with German weekly WirtschaftsWoche of a sharp rise in crime due to the vaccine rollout, with thefts and warehouse break-ins and attacks on vaccine shipments.

(With AFP inputs)

Global police organisation Interpol said on Wednesday that police in China and South Africa had seized thousands of fake COVID vaccines. Interpol warned that this may well be 'tip of the iceberg'.

Global police organisation Interpol said on Wednesday that police in China and South Africa had seized thousands of fake COVID vaccines. Interpol warned that this may well be 'tip of the iceberg'. The Lyon-based Interpol said 400 vials -- equivalent to around 2,400 doses -- containing the fake vaccine were found at a warehouse in Germiston outside Johannesburg in South Africa, where officers also recovered fake masks and arrested three Chinese and a Zambian national. "Whilst we welcome this result, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Covid-19 vaccine-related crime," said Interpol Secretary General Juergen Stock. In China, police identified a network selling fake vaccines. The investigation was supported by Interpol. The police raided manufacturing premises, arrested around 80 suspects and seized more than 3000 fake vaccines Interpol said that in addition to the arrests in South Africa and China it was also receiving additional reports of fake vaccine distribution and scam attempts targeting health bodies such as nursing homes. It warned that no approved vaccines are currently available for sale online. "Any vaccine being advertised on websites or the dark web will not be legitimate, will not have been tested and may be dangerous." Stock had warned in December in an interview with German weekly WirtschaftsWoche of a sharp rise in crime due to the vaccine rollout, with thefts and warehouse break-ins and attacks on vaccine shipments. (With AFP inputs)

Fake coronavirus vaccines seized in China and South Africa, says Interpol

UK Finance minister Rishi Sunak will promise to do "whatever it takes", including a five-month extension of Britain's huge jobs rescue plan, to steer the economy through what he hopes will be the final months of COVID restrictions.

World Business Watch: FM Sunak targets COVID, deficit in UK budget 2021

Why are Rich countries wasting vaccines? Over 130 countries do not have Wuhan Virus vaccines. While the E.U. is not using 4 out of every 5 AstraZeneca vaccine shots.

Gravitas: Do E.U. nations not trust AstraZeneca?

Many people opposed to vaccination, or anti-vaxxers,&nbsp;find their audience in social media, but now Twitter is deploying human monitors to crack down on disinformation as Covid-19 shots are being rolled out across the world.

The microblogging platform will label&nbsp;tweets that include misleading information about coronavirus vaccines.

Twitter said it has started using human reviewers to assess whether tweets violate its policy against COVID vaccine misinformation. Eventually, the work will be done by a combination of humans and automation, it said.

It will be using a "strike system" to eventually remove accounts that repeatedly violate its rules.

"Through the use of the strike system, we hope to educate people on why certain content breaks our rules so they have the opportunity to further consider their behaviour and their impact on the public conversation," Twitter said in a blog post on Monday.

"We believe the strike system will help to educate the public on our policies and further reduce the spread of potentially harmful and misleading information on Twitter, particularly for repeated moderate and high-severity violations of our rules,"&nbsp;the company said.

Twitter had already banned some COVID-related misinformation in December, including falsehoods about how the virus spreads, whether masks are effective and the risk of infection and death.

People with one violation or strike&nbsp;will see no action. Two strikes will lead to an account being locked for 12 hours. Five or more will get a user permanently banned from Twitter, but users can appeal against the removal.

There is still a great amount of vaccine scepticism in various countries. In Ukraine, for instance,&nbsp;medical facilities reportedly threw&nbsp;out some unused coronavirus vaccines after doctors didn't show up for their inoculation appointments.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)

Many people opposed to vaccination, or anti-vaxxers, find their audience in social media, but now Twitter is deploying human monitors to crack down on disinformation as Covid-19 shots are being rolled out across the world.

Many people opposed to vaccination, or anti-vaxxers, find their audience in social media, but now Twitter is deploying human monitors to crack down on disinformation as Covid-19 shots are being rolled out across the world. The microblogging platform will label tweets that include misleading information about coronavirus vaccines. Twitter said it has started using human reviewers to assess whether tweets violate its policy against COVID vaccine misinformation. Eventually, the work will be done by a combination of humans and automation, it said. It will be using a "strike system" to eventually remove accounts that repeatedly violate its rules. "Through the use of the strike system, we hope to educate people on why certain content breaks our rules so they have the opportunity to further consider their behaviour and their impact on the public conversation," Twitter said in a blog post on Monday. "We believe the strike system will help to educate the public on our policies and further reduce the spread of potentially harmful and misleading information on Twitter, particularly for repeated moderate and high-severity violations of our rules," the company said. Twitter had already banned some COVID-related misinformation in December, including falsehoods about how the virus spreads, whether masks are effective and the risk of infection and death. People with one violation or strike will see no action. Two strikes will lead to an account being locked for 12 hours. Five or more will get a user permanently banned from Twitter, but users can appeal against the removal. There is still a great amount of vaccine scepticism in various countries. In Ukraine, for instance, medical facilities reportedly threw out some unused coronavirus vaccines after doctors didn't show up for their inoculation appointments. (With agency inputs)

Twitter deploys human monitors to strike down coronavirus vaccine misinformation

The record-breaking Japanese anime film "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train" carried over its box-office buzz to the United States on Friday, captivating Florida fans in its first screening. 
 
The Demon Slayer film, based on a popular manga and TV anime series, has grossed over $350 million at theatres in Japan, despite COVID-19 restrictions, surpassing Hayao Miyazaki`s Oscar-winner "Spirited Away" in just over two months to become the most successful Japanese anime of all time.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-no-dancing-with-the-devil---cyprus-eurovision-entry-raises-some-hackles-366498" hreflang="en">No dancing with the devil - Cyprus Eurovision entry raises some hackles</a> 
 
"It exceeded my expectations. I cried so much," said 20-year-old Miami resident Alex Acosta. "The animation was so good. It was a great storyline, for sure. I loved it," she said. 
 
The film follows Tanjiro Kamado, a boy out to avenge his family after they were murdered by human-eating demons, as he sets off on the Mugen ("Infinity") Train with his comrades. 
 
Carlos Brenes, 19, another Miami resident who saw the movie at the Landmark Theatres in Coral Gables, was also overwhelmed. 
"It`s such a captivating story and everything about it just clicked with me emotionally, and I was super-invested all the way through," he said. 
Brothers Daniel, Javier and Luis Marmolejo thought the film should be up for Best Picture at the upcoming Oscars. 
 
"They should win because the movie is amazing," Luis said.

The record-breaking Japanese anime film "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train" carried over its box-office buzz to the United States on Friday, captivating Florida fans in its first screening.

The record-breaking Japanese anime film "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train" carried over its box-office buzz to the United States on Friday, captivating Florida fans in its first screening. The Demon Slayer film, based on a popular manga and TV anime series, has grossed over $350 million at theatres in Japan, despite COVID-19 restrictions, surpassing Hayao Miyazaki`s Oscar-winner "Spirited Away" in just over two months to become the most successful Japanese anime of all time. No dancing with the devil - Cyprus Eurovision entry raises some hackles "It exceeded my expectations. I cried so much," said 20-year-old Miami resident Alex Acosta. "The animation was so good. It was a great storyline, for sure. I loved it," she said. The film follows Tanjiro Kamado, a boy out to avenge his family after they were murdered by human-eating demons, as he sets off on the Mugen ("Infinity") Train with his comrades. Carlos Brenes, 19, another Miami resident who saw the movie at the Landmark Theatres in Coral Gables, was also overwhelmed. "It`s such a captivating story and everything about it just clicked with me emotionally, and I was super-invested all the way through," he said. Brothers Daniel, Javier and Luis Marmolejo thought the film should be up for Best Picture at the upcoming Oscars. "They should win because the movie is amazing," Luis said.

Record-breaking Japan's anime film 'Demon Slayer' lands in U.S. cinemas

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that Auckland will be put into a seven-day lockdown from Sunday. Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand. This decision has been taken after a COVID community case of unknown origin was recorded.

Rest of New Zealand will be put into Level 2 restrictions. These restrictions will limit public gatherings, said Arden at a news conference.

New Zealand, and particularly Jacinda Ardern has been praised for effective handling of coronavirus pandemic in the country. However, cases have been found in recent months prompting lockdowns and other restrictions.

In mid-February, Auckland's nearly 2 million residents were plunged into a snap three-day lockdown after a family of three were diagnosed with the more transmissible UK variant of COVID-19.

(With Reuters inputs)

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that Auckland will be put into a seven-day lockdown from Sunday. Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that Auckland will be put into a seven-day lockdown from Sunday. Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand. This decision has been taken after a COVID community case of unknown origin was recorded. Rest of New Zealand will be put into Level 2 restrictions. These restrictions will limit public gatherings, said Arden at a news conference. New Zealand, and particularly Jacinda Ardern has been praised for effective handling of coronavirus pandemic in the country. However, cases have been found in recent months prompting lockdowns and other restrictions. In mid-February, Auckland's nearly 2 million residents were plunged into a snap three-day lockdown after a family of three were diagnosed with the more transmissible UK variant of COVID-19. (With Reuters inputs)

New Zealand: Auckland to be put into seven day COVID lockdown

Less than five months before the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics Japan is set to partially lift the state of emergency, suggested reports.

Emergency measures are currently in force in 10 regions including Tokyo. The measures are to end on March 7, but they will be lifted just over a week early in around six prefectures, reports said

The greater Tokyo area will stay under the measure as the pace of decline in new infections has slowed, the reports said.

Several prefectures have requested the state of emergency be lifted and the government will present a plan to do so before making a formal decision, top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told reporters.

A formal announcement is expected later Friday with the measure ending Sunday.

Japan's virus measures have been less strict than in other places, emphasising mask-wearing and ventilation over tough lockdowns.

Earlier this month, parliament passed a new law adding enforcement measures including fines for businesses that do not close early.&nbsp;

The new law took effect 10 days later.

(With AFP inputs)

Less than five months before the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics Japan is set to partially lift the state of emergency, suggested reports. Emergency measures are currently in force in 10 regions including Tokyo.

Less than five months before the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics Japan is set to partially lift the state of emergency, suggested reports. Emergency measures are currently in force in 10 regions including Tokyo. The measures are to end on March 7, but they will be lifted just over a week early in around six prefectures, reports said The greater Tokyo area will stay under the measure as the pace of decline in new infections has slowed, the reports said. Several prefectures have requested the state of emergency be lifted and the government will present a plan to do so before making a formal decision, top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told reporters. A formal announcement is expected later Friday with the measure ending Sunday. Japan's virus measures have been less strict than in other places, emphasising mask-wearing and ventilation over tough lockdowns. Earlier this month, parliament passed a new law adding enforcement measures including fines for businesses that do not close early. The new law took effect 10 days later. (With AFP inputs)

Japan to partially lift state of emergency called over COVID outbreak

The pandemic-induced technical recession in India has ended with growth in both GDP and the gross value added (GVA) in real terms in Q3 FY2021.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 0.4 per cent in the October-December 2020 period compared with the same period a year back, data released by the National Statistics Office on Friday showed.

This growth compares with revised contractions of 24.4 per cent in April-June 2020 and 7.3 per cent in July-September. GDP had expanded by 3.3 per cent in October-December 2019.

While India has become one of the few major economies to post growth in the last quarter of 2020, the annual GDP estimate for the fiscal year ending March 31 has been revised to an 8 per cent contraction, deeper than an earlier estimate of (-) 7.7 per cent.

China's economy grew by 6.5 per cent in October-December 2020, faster than the 4.9 per cent growth in July-September 2020.

Commenting on the growth numbers, the finance ministry in a statement said real GDP growth has "returned the economy to the pre-pandemic times of positive growth rates."

"It is also a reflection of a further strengthening of V-shaped recovery that began in Q2 of 2020-21 after a large GDP contraction in Q1 followed one of the most stringent lockdown imposed by government relative to other countries," it said.

Stating that the V-shaped recovery has been driven by rebounds in private consumption and investments, the ministry said the initial policy choice of "lives over livelihoods" succeeded by "lives as well as livelihoods" is now bearing positive results.

Agriculture, a bright spot through the pandemic, grew 3.9 per cent in October-December while manufacturing expanded 1.6 per cent as the economy reopened after a harsh lockdown.

Financial and real estate services grew 6.6 per cent but trade, hotels, transport and communication fell 7.7 per cent. Construction rose 6.2 per cent.

The positive growth ends the recession that the Indian economy had witnessed lately.

Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist, Dun &amp; Bradstreet, said the release of pent-up demand fuelled by the festive period might have added to the marginal positive growth in GDP in Q3 FY21.

"Most surprising is the contribution of government spending to the GDP during the third quarter which is a seven-quarter low, even as the government's stimulus package 3.0 was announced before the festive month," he said, adding that private consumption demand, although improved, remains weak.

However, there are risks to growth that arise from the fact that industrial production is yet to stabilise, core inflation remains stubbornly high, oil prices are rearing its head again and unemployment remains elevated.

Add to this is the risk of spurt in COVID-19 cases in some states and the likely disruptions to businesses and supply chain from the restrictions imposed to curb the possibility of a second wave.

"The measures taken by the government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on the economic activities as well as on the data collection mechanisms.

"The data challenges in the case of other underlying macro-economic indicators like IIP (industrial production) and CPI (retail inflation), used in the estimation of National Accounts aggregates and specific measures, if any, taken by the government in the following months with a view to addressing the pandemic led economic situation will have implications on the subsequent revision of these estimates," the NSO said.

Estimates are, therefore, likely to undergo sharp revisions for the aforesaid causes in due course, as per the release calendar. Users should take this into consideration when interpreting the figures, it added.

"With a growth re-emerging in both GDP and GVA in Q3 FY2021, the pandemic-induced technical recession in India has ended, in line with our expectations," Icra Principal Economist Aditi Nayar said.

Recouping of GDP to the positive territory is a promising sign as it portends the end of the pandemic-induced recessionary phase seen in the first half of the year, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said.

The growth stimuli available from the Union Budget and the additional measures, including the PLI (Production Linked Incentives), will lead to a sturdy growth path over the recovery horizon, he added.

"The real push will come in the Q4 (January-March) 2021 because lockdowns on many sectors, particularly hospitality and travel eased substantially during this quarter.

"It is hoped that it remains that way, given the uptick in COVID-19 cases in some pockets and in some states. Important to note that the states coming under uptick constitute a large part of industrial activity, and that is important for Q4 and the next financial year," Deloitte India partner Sanjay Kumar said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The pandemic-induced technical recession in India has ended with growth in both GDP and the gross value added (GVA) in real terms in Q3 FY2021. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 0.

The pandemic-induced technical recession in India has ended with growth in both GDP and the gross value added (GVA) in real terms in Q3 FY2021. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 0.4 per cent in the October-December 2020 period compared with the same period a year back, data released by the National Statistics Office on Friday showed. This growth compares with revised contractions of 24.4 per cent in April-June 2020 and 7.3 per cent in July-September. GDP had expanded by 3.3 per cent in October-December 2019. While India has become one of the few major economies to post growth in the last quarter of 2020, the annual GDP estimate for the fiscal year ending March 31 has been revised to an 8 per cent contraction, deeper than an earlier estimate of (-) 7.7 per cent. China's economy grew by 6.5 per cent in October-December 2020, faster than the 4.9 per cent growth in July-September 2020. Commenting on the growth numbers, the finance ministry in a statement said real GDP growth has "returned the economy to the pre-pandemic times of positive growth rates." "It is also a reflection of a further strengthening of V-shaped recovery that began in Q2 of 2020-21 after a large GDP contraction in Q1 followed one of the most stringent lockdown imposed by government relative to other countries," it said. Stating that the V-shaped recovery has been driven by rebounds in private consumption and investments, the ministry said the initial policy choice of "lives over livelihoods" succeeded by "lives as well as livelihoods" is now bearing positive results. Agriculture, a bright spot through the pandemic, grew 3.9 per cent in October-December while manufacturing expanded 1.6 per cent as the economy reopened after a harsh lockdown. Financial and real estate services grew 6.6 per cent but trade, hotels, transport and communication fell 7.7 per cent. Construction rose 6.2 per cent. The positive growth ends the recession that the Indian economy had witnessed lately. Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist, Dun & Bradstreet, said the release of pent-up demand fuelled by the festive period might have added to the marginal positive growth in GDP in Q3 FY21. "Most surprising is the contribution of government spending to the GDP during the third quarter which is a seven-quarter low, even as the government's stimulus package 3.0 was announced before the festive month," he said, adding that private consumption demand, although improved, remains weak. However, there are risks to growth that arise from the fact that industrial production is yet to stabilise, core inflation remains stubbornly high, oil prices are rearing its head again and unemployment remains elevated. Add to this is the risk of spurt in COVID-19 cases in some states and the likely disruptions to businesses and supply chain from the restrictions imposed to curb the possibility of a second wave. "The measures taken by the government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on the economic activities as well as on the data collection mechanisms. "The data challenges in the case of other underlying macro-economic indicators like IIP (industrial production) and CPI (retail inflation), used in the estimation of National Accounts aggregates and specific measures, if any, taken by the government in the following months with a view to addressing the pandemic led economic situation will have implications on the subsequent revision of these estimates," the NSO said. Estimates are, therefore, likely to undergo sharp revisions for the aforesaid causes in due course, as per the release calendar. Users should take this into consideration when interpreting the figures, it added. "With a growth re-emerging in both GDP and GVA in Q3 FY2021, the pandemic-induced technical recession in India has ended, in line with our expectations," Icra Principal Economist Aditi Nayar said. Recouping of GDP to the positive territory is a promising sign as it portends the end of the pandemic-induced recessionary phase seen in the first half of the year, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said. The growth stimuli available from the Union Budget and the additional measures, including the PLI (Production Linked Incentives), will lead to a sturdy growth path over the recovery horizon, he added. "The real push will come in the Q4 (January-March) 2021 because lockdowns on many sectors, particularly hospitality and travel eased substantially during this quarter. "It is hoped that it remains that way, given the uptick in COVID-19 cases in some pockets and in some states. Important to note that the states coming under uptick constitute a large part of industrial activity, and that is important for Q4 and the next financial year," Deloitte India partner Sanjay Kumar said. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid-driven recession over, India economy returns to growth in December quarter

India has provided 361.94 lakh doses of anti-coronavirus vaccines to various countries, out of which 67.5 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance and 294.44 lakh on commercial basis, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the supply of vaccines to countries will continue in the coming weeks and months in a phased manner but it will be ensured that domestic requirements for the national vaccination programme are kept in mind.

"As of now, we have provided a total of 361.94 lakh doses to various countries. This includes 67.5 lakh doses supplied under grant assistance and 294.44 lakh doses under various commercial contracts," he said at an online briefing.

Srivastava said India has also offered locally-made vaccines to all members of the diplomatic corps and their families based in the country.

"It has been offered not only to the diplomats of countries but also to those of UN agencies and intergovernmental organisations working in India. This drive will cover all the locations where they are based," he said.

To a question on the workshop on "COVID-19 Management: Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward" with 10 neighbouring countries that was held on February 18 and addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Srivastava said among other things, the PM proposed a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses, a regional Air Ambulance agreement for medical contingencies, creation of a regional platform for collating, compiling and studying data about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

The prime minister also proposed creating a regional network for promoting technology-assisted epidemiology for preventing future pandemics, he said.

Srivastava said these proposals were very well-received by the participating countries and follow-up action is being taken in consultation with ministries concerned.

India has sent consignments of anti-coronavirus vaccine doses as gifts to countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan, Barbados and Dominica.

Countries which received vaccines on commercial basis include Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Kuwait and the UAE.

In a major announcement, India on January 19 said it will send vaccines under grant assistance to several countries.

India is one of the world's biggest drugmakers, and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring anti-coronavirus vaccines.

India has provided 361.94 lakh doses of anti-coronavirus vaccines to various countries, out of which 67.5 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance and 294.

India has provided 361.94 lakh doses of anti-coronavirus vaccines to various countries, out of which 67.5 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance and 294.44 lakh on commercial basis, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the supply of vaccines to countries will continue in the coming weeks and months in a phased manner but it will be ensured that domestic requirements for the national vaccination programme are kept in mind. "As of now, we have provided a total of 361.94 lakh doses to various countries. This includes 67.5 lakh doses supplied under grant assistance and 294.44 lakh doses under various commercial contracts," he said at an online briefing. Srivastava said India has also offered locally-made vaccines to all members of the diplomatic corps and their families based in the country. "It has been offered not only to the diplomats of countries but also to those of UN agencies and intergovernmental organisations working in India. This drive will cover all the locations where they are based," he said. To a question on the workshop on "COVID-19 Management: Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward" with 10 neighbouring countries that was held on February 18 and addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Srivastava said among other things, the PM proposed a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses, a regional Air Ambulance agreement for medical contingencies, creation of a regional platform for collating, compiling and studying data about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. The prime minister also proposed creating a regional network for promoting technology-assisted epidemiology for preventing future pandemics, he said. Srivastava said these proposals were very well-received by the participating countries and follow-up action is being taken in consultation with ministries concerned. India has sent consignments of anti-coronavirus vaccine doses as gifts to countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan, Barbados and Dominica. Countries which received vaccines on commercial basis include Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Kuwait and the UAE. In a major announcement, India on January 19 said it will send vaccines under grant assistance to several countries. India is one of the world's biggest drugmakers, and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring anti-coronavirus vaccines.

India sent over 30 million COVID vaccines abroad: MEA

Israel Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said on Friday that 50 per cent of the country's population has received at least one jab of coronavirus vaccine. He added that 35 per cent have received the full two-dose course.

Israel counts East Jerusalem Palestinians, who have been included in the vaccine campaign that began on Dec. 19, as part of the 9.3 million population. Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip are not part of the Israeli campaign.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu has set an aim of vaccinating all Israeli over the age of 16 by end of March when he is up for re-election.

He says that would allow for a post-pandemic reopening of the country in April.

But the Health Ministry has been worried by waning turnout for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

To counteract this, it has been limiting access to some leisure sites that have reopened to people who present a "Green Pass" on an app showing they have been fully vaccinated.

(With AFP inputs)

Israel Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said on Friday that 50 per cent of the country's population has received at least one jab of coronavirus vaccine. He added that 35 per cent have received the full two-dose course.

Israel Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said on Friday that 50 per cent of the country's population has received at least one jab of coronavirus vaccine. He added that 35 per cent have received the full two-dose course. Israel counts East Jerusalem Palestinians, who have been included in the vaccine campaign that began on Dec. 19, as part of the 9.3 million population. Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip are not part of the Israeli campaign. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu has set an aim of vaccinating all Israeli over the age of 16 by end of March when he is up for re-election. He says that would allow for a post-pandemic reopening of the country in April. But the Health Ministry has been worried by waning turnout for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. To counteract this, it has been limiting access to some leisure sites that have reopened to people who present a "Green Pass" on an app showing they have been fully vaccinated. (With AFP inputs)

Half of the population received one dose of COVID vaccine, says Israel

Standard Chartered PLC (StanChart) on Thursday posted a 57% fall in annual profit, missing analyst estimates, on higher credit impairments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

StanChart, which earns the bulk of its revenue in Asia, posted a pretax profit of $1.61 billion. That compared with $3.71 billion in 2019 and the $1.85 billion average of analyst forecasts compiled by the bank.

Credit impairments last year more than doubled compared with a year earlier to $2.3 billion because of the pandemic, the bank said, but noted the majority of these took place in the first half of the year.

The London-headquartered lender said it would return capital to investors via a 9 cents per share dividend and $254 million buyback, with the total payout being the maximum permitted under temporary 'guardrails' set by the Bank of England.

The central bank last year told Britain's largest lenders to suspend dividend payments and share buybacks for 2020 to help them maintain capital buffers against an expected hit to loan books from the pandemic.

"Having now resumed it, we expect to be able to increase the full-year dividend per share over time as we execute our strategy and progress towards a 10% return on tangible equity," Jose Vinals, Standard Chartered's chairman, said in the exchange filing.

The bank said its return on tangible equity, a key profit metric, would climb from 3% to 7% by 2023.

It also said overall income in 2021 is likely to be similar to 2020's because of the impact of global interest rate cuts.

Standard Chartered PLC (StanChart) on Thursday posted a 57% fall in annual profit, missing analyst estimates, on higher credit impairments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Standard Chartered PLC (StanChart) on Thursday posted a 57% fall in annual profit, missing analyst estimates, on higher credit impairments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. StanChart, which earns the bulk of its revenue in Asia, posted a pretax profit of $1.61 billion. That compared with $3.71 billion in 2019 and the $1.85 billion average of analyst forecasts compiled by the bank. Credit impairments last year more than doubled compared with a year earlier to $2.3 billion because of the pandemic, the bank said, but noted the majority of these took place in the first half of the year. The London-headquartered lender said it would return capital to investors via a 9 cents per share dividend and $254 million buyback, with the total payout being the maximum permitted under temporary 'guardrails' set by the Bank of England. The central bank last year told Britain's largest lenders to suspend dividend payments and share buybacks for 2020 to help them maintain capital buffers against an expected hit to loan books from the pandemic. "Having now resumed it, we expect to be able to increase the full-year dividend per share over time as we execute our strategy and progress towards a 10% return on tangible equity," Jose Vinals, Standard Chartered's chairman, said in the exchange filing. The bank said its return on tangible equity, a key profit metric, would climb from 3% to 7% by 2023. It also said overall income in 2021 is likely to be similar to 2020's because of the impact of global interest rate cuts.

Standard Chartered profit falls 57 per cent as COVID inflates bad loans

US firm Moderna said on Wednesday that its new vaccine that targets South African variant of coronavirus is ready for testing. The company said that the doses have been shipped to US National Institutes of Health for testing. South African strain of coronavirus is considered to be more dangerous as it believed to hinder the action of antibodies that target the older strain of the virus.

This means that patients who were infected by the virus before may get the infection again. The South African variant has also resulted in reducing the protection provided by the current generation of vaccines.

While initial testing has shown that Moderna's original vaccine -- called mRNA-1273 -- remains effective against emerging variants, the company said it was pursuing the development of a variant-specific vaccine as part of a number of strategies being considered.

Either a South Africa variant-specific candidate, called mRNA-1273.351, could be used as a booster, or the company might use a booster that combines the classic vaccine with the variant-specific mRNA-1273.351 to create a new product.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/large-study-shows-pfizers-coronavirus-vaccine-94-effective-366057">Large study shows Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine 94% effective</a>

Another idea is that people could receive a third dose of the classic vaccine to raise their overall immunity.

Moderna is also looking at the possibility of using the South Africa variant-specific mRNA-1273.351 or the combination shot as the primary dose.

The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) announced on Monday that companies developing variant-specific vaccines will not have to go through the same long authorisation process they had to for approval of their original shots.

Moderna also announced it was raising its global manufacturing capacity and would be able to produce up to 1.4 billion doses of its vaccine in 2022 if needed.

Additionally, it said it was increasing its plan for 2021 manufacturing from 600 million doses to 700 million doses globally. Moderna has so far shipped 60 million doses, 55 million within the US.

(With AFP inputs)

US firm Moderna said on Wednesday that its new vaccine that targets South African variant of coronavirus is ready for testing. The company said that the doses have been shipped to US National Institutes of Health for testing.

US firm Moderna said on Wednesday that its new vaccine that targets South African variant of coronavirus is ready for testing. The company said that the doses have been shipped to US National Institutes of Health for testing. South African strain of coronavirus is considered to be more dangerous as it believed to hinder the action of antibodies that target the older strain of the virus. This means that patients who were infected by the virus before may get the infection again. The South African variant has also resulted in reducing the protection provided by the current generation of vaccines. While initial testing has shown that Moderna's original vaccine -- called mRNA-1273 -- remains effective against emerging variants, the company said it was pursuing the development of a variant-specific vaccine as part of a number of strategies being considered. Either a South Africa variant-specific candidate, called mRNA-1273.351, could be used as a booster, or the company might use a booster that combines the classic vaccine with the variant-specific mRNA-1273.351 to create a new product. Also Read | Large study shows Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine 94% effective Another idea is that people could receive a third dose of the classic vaccine to raise their overall immunity. Moderna is also looking at the possibility of using the South Africa variant-specific mRNA-1273.351 or the combination shot as the primary dose. The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) announced on Monday that companies developing variant-specific vaccines will not have to go through the same long authorisation process they had to for approval of their original shots. Moderna also announced it was raising its global manufacturing capacity and would be able to produce up to 1.4 billion doses of its vaccine in 2022 if needed. Additionally, it said it was increasing its plan for 2021 manufacturing from 600 million doses to 700 million doses globally. Moderna has so far shipped 60 million doses, 55 million within the US. (With AFP inputs)

Moderna COVID vaccine for South Africa variant ready for testing: Company

Commerce and Industry Minister of India Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that 57 countries across the globe have supported proposal spearheaded by India and South Africa for COVID vaccine Intellectual Property Rights waiver. The proposal was submitted by India and SA last year, at World Trade Organisation (WTO).

57 countries have already joined India's leadership in demanding Intellectual Property Waiver for COVID-19 vaccine. Leaders everywhere are rising up to the challenge and joining PM Narendra Modi ji's call for affordable health for the entire world," he tweeted.

"World cannot continue to engage in endless discussions while millions of lives &amp; livelihoods are lost. Intellectual Property waiver on COVID-19 medicine provides an opportunity to rejuvenate the world. Hope the world leaders join India in that effort," he added.

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57 countries have already joined India's leadership in demanding Intellectual Property Waiver for COVID-19 vaccine. Leaders everywhere are rising up to the challenge and joining PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NarendraModi</a> ji’s call for affordable health for the entire world. <a href="https://t.co/iAajcP9r6B">pic.twitter.com/iAajcP9r6B</a>
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&nbsp;

The joint demand put forth by India and South Africa has found stiff opposition from western countries but has also found support from prominent power corridors.

114 European Union Parliamentarians or MEPs have already issued declaration and have called on the bloc to support the proposal of IPR waiver for coronavirus vaccine.

The declaration said, "EU’s open opposition to the TRIPS waiver risks exacerbating a dangerous North-South divide when it comes to affordable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, personal protective equipment, treatments, and vaccines."

Pointing out to the need for an IPR waiver, it said, "WTO decision on a potential waiver offers a crucial and much-needed act of effective solidarity as it is an important step towards increasing local production in partner countries and, ultimately, suppressing this pandemic on a global scale."

European Council is due to meet on Thursday (February 25).

Commerce and Industry Minister of India Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that 57 countries across the globe have supported proposal spearheaded by India and South Africa for COVID vaccine Intellectual Property Rights waiver.

Commerce and Industry Minister of India Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that 57 countries across the globe have supported proposal spearheaded by India and South Africa for COVID vaccine Intellectual Property Rights waiver. The proposal was submitted by India and SA last year, at World Trade Organisation (WTO). 57 countries have already joined India's leadership in demanding Intellectual Property Waiver for COVID-19 vaccine. Leaders everywhere are rising up to the challenge and joining PM Narendra Modi ji's call for affordable health for the entire world," he tweeted. "World cannot continue to engage in endless discussions while millions of lives & livelihoods are lost. Intellectual Property waiver on COVID-19 medicine provides an opportunity to rejuvenate the world. Hope the world leaders join India in that effort," he added. 57 countries have already joined India's leadership in demanding Intellectual Property Waiver for COVID-19 vaccine. Leaders everywhere are rising up to the challenge and joining PM @NarendraModi ji’s call for affordable health for the entire world. pic.twitter.com/iAajcP9r6B — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 25, 2021 × The joint demand put forth by India and South Africa has found stiff opposition from western countries but has also found support from prominent power corridors. 114 European Union Parliamentarians or MEPs have already issued declaration and have called on the bloc to support the proposal of IPR waiver for coronavirus vaccine. The declaration said, "EU’s open opposition to the TRIPS waiver risks exacerbating a dangerous North-South divide when it comes to affordable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, personal protective equipment, treatments, and vaccines." Pointing out to the need for an IPR waiver, it said, "WTO decision on a potential waiver offers a crucial and much-needed act of effective solidarity as it is an important step towards increasing local production in partner countries and, ultimately, suppressing this pandemic on a global scale." European Council is due to meet on Thursday (February 25).

57 countries join India on COVID vaccine IPR waiver: Indian minister

India's central government on Tuesday claimed that it had found two specific variants of coronavirus circulating in three states - Maharashtra, Kerala, and Telangana.

The variants - N440K and E484K have been circulating among the three states, and a high number of mutations have been detected. According to authorities, no link between these variants and the ongoing resurgence of cases in Maharashtra and Kerala has been established yet. 
 
"The genome sequencing of positive patients have confirmed two variants which are detected with a larger number mutations than the one dominating the country. They are found circulating in Maharashtra, Kerala and Telangana," IANS quoted VK Paul, Member (health), NITI Aayog, and head of the National Task Force on Covid-19 as saying.

Paul clarified that the increase in the number of infections still cannot be attributed to these variants. "There is no evidence for us to believe that these are responsible for the upsurge of the outbreak in some of the districts in Maharashtra and Kerala," he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-african-variant-could-reduce-vaccine-protection-pfizer-364413" hreflang="en">South African variant could reduce vaccine protection: Pfizer</a>

In addition, Paul said that the central government is closely observing mutations in the country. Paul added that the number of people infected with the South African variant of coronavirus have risen to six. Last week, the Union Health Ministry reported four cases.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) last week said that at least 192 cases of COVID-19 linked to the new variants were detected in the last two months.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/187-uk-variant-patients-in-india-all-under-quarantine-says-health-ministry-364258" hreflang="en">187 UK variant patients in India, all under quarantine, says health ministry</a>

These include four cases from the variant in South Africa and one from Brazil. The other 187 were infected with the UK variant.

Even then, the number of patients infected with mutated variants of the virus has remained unchanged.&nbsp; In total, the number of people infected with COVID-19 has gone up to 194 in India.

India's central government on Tuesday claimed that it had found two specific variants of coronavirus circulating in three states - Maharashtra, Kerala, and Telangana.

India's central government on Tuesday claimed that it had found two specific variants of coronavirus circulating in three states - Maharashtra, Kerala, and Telangana. The variants - N440K and E484K have been circulating among the three states, and a high number of mutations have been detected. According to authorities, no link between these variants and the ongoing resurgence of cases in Maharashtra and Kerala has been established yet. "The genome sequencing of positive patients have confirmed two variants which are detected with a larger number mutations than the one dominating the country. They are found circulating in Maharashtra, Kerala and Telangana," IANS quoted VK Paul, Member (health), NITI Aayog, and head of the National Task Force on Covid-19 as saying. Paul clarified that the increase in the number of infections still cannot be attributed to these variants. "There is no evidence for us to believe that these are responsible for the upsurge of the outbreak in some of the districts in Maharashtra and Kerala," he added. Also read: South African variant could reduce vaccine protection: Pfizer In addition, Paul said that the central government is closely observing mutations in the country. Paul added that the number of people infected with the South African variant of coronavirus have risen to six. Last week, the Union Health Ministry reported four cases. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) last week said that at least 192 cases of COVID-19 linked to the new variants were detected in the last two months. Also read: 187 UK variant patients in India, all under quarantine, says health ministry These include four cases from the variant in South Africa and one from Brazil. The other 187 were infected with the UK variant. Even then, the number of patients infected with mutated variants of the virus has remained unchanged. In total, the number of people infected with COVID-19 has gone up to 194 in India.

Two highly mutated variants of COVID detected in three Indian states

Entering the gate of the Codogno cemetery, with its four massive pillars and "Resurrection" written in Latin overhead, the ravages of coronavirus are not immediately apparent.

But beyond the scores of kneeling marble angels and ornamental graves, a newer cloister of simple granite crypts bear witness to the onslaught of what was then a terrifying new virus on this modest northern Italian city.

In a ceremony on Sunday, Codogno will mark one year since it recorded the first locally acquired case of Covid-19 in Italy, in what became the first major outbreak in Europe.

The virus tore through the wider Lombardy region, marking Italy as the new epicentre of the global pandemic that has now claimed more than two million lives -- including almost 100,000 in Italy.

February 23, February 24, February 28, read the dates on the shiny grey crypts. Underneath engraved names, and sometimes the image of a smiling face, the dates gain momentum: March 1, March 5, March 10, 13, 17...

The surge in cases took everyone by surprise, said Roberto Codazzi, 58, the cemetery's deputy custodian.

"In two months, we saw what we usually had in a year," he told AFP.

With his colleague, Codazzi saw the intensity of the virus on display after Friday, February 21 -- when a 38-year-old man known as "Patient 1" was identified at the city's hospital after a doctor broke protocol to test him for coronavirus.

On Saturday, there were already bodies lined up outside the cemetery for burial.

'Who will be next?'

Today in Codogno, a small city of 15,000 people, talk of Covid-19 centres on shuttered businesses, rent to pay and the umpteenth restriction on normal life. 
Yet few can hear the sound of a siren without a pang.

Emy Cavalli, the third-generation owner of the Central Bar on the main plaza, recalled the eerie, early days of the lockdown imposed on Codogno and 10 other northern communities after the first case was identified, immediately followed by the first two confirmed coronavirus deaths in Italy, one of them a 77-year-old woman outside Codogno.

"I remember how silent it was," said Cavalli. "Every three minutes you heard the sound of an ambulance.

"We asked ourselves, 'Who will it be? Who will be next?'"

Within a month, Codogno's death toll more than tripled, with 154 deaths in March versus 49 in the same period a year earlier, Mayor Francesco Passerini told AFP.

"They couldn't keep up," Passerini said of the cemetery workers, who were eventually reinforced by the civil protection unit.

Caskets awaiting burial were stored in a shuttered church, the cemetery was shut to the public and funeral notices were printed without dates to discourage potential mourners from breaking the quarantine to pay their respects.&nbsp;

The daily coffins awaiting custodian Codazzi frequently brought an unwelcome shock: "I said, 'Oh no, I know him! I just saw him a week ago.'"&nbsp;

Codogno's Red Cross unit -- with experience in Iraq and beyond -- was zigzagging the territory, with almost 500 ambulance trips in March alone.

"When they call us, we don't know what we're going to find," said the head of emergency services, Luciano Parmigiani.

Meanwhile, family doctor Andrea Lozzi was working day and night to keep his patients out of the hospital, from which too often they never returned.

Lozzi -- whose name locals evoke with reverence for his tireless work -- declines all interviews, explaining to AFP: "You have to put your hands into your work, and not your mouth."

But the doctor's Facebook page -- a mix of medical advice and an occasional lost cat notice &nbsp;-- paints a picture of how Codogno slowly managed to emerge from the worst.

"WHAT SATISFACTION! Today I could finally say to four of my patients, 'Ok, you did it, you're healed!'" wrote Lozzi on March 11, after weeks of house calls.

A month after the first case, he wrote, "We don't know how far we have to go, but we know we will make it!"

Four days later, Lozzi said he believed the virus had begun to wane in Codogno.&nbsp;

'Journey of suffering'

The early lockdown likely helped. &nbsp;

By the time Codogno's situation began to improve, attention had turned to the worst-hit province of Bergamo some 70 kilometres (43 miles) north, where images of army convoys transporting coffins broadcast the horror of Italy's outbreak to the world.

As the country's death toll spiralled to 4,825 one month after Codogno's first case, some questioned whether a March 8 lockdown of populous Lombardy -- and Italy one day later -- had come too late, while scores of nursing home fatalities spurred allegations of mismanagement by health authorities.

On March 25, Mattia Maestri, Codogno's "Patient 1", was released from hospital, cured.

Two months later, President Sergio Mattarella visited Codogno's cemetery, recalling the place "where our journey of suffering began". A marble plaque remembers the dead.&nbsp;

In his office at the Red Cross, as workers finish building a memorial outside, Parmigiani scrolls through an operations log from those first weeks in 2020.

He points to where the numbers begin to decline, and pauses: "We managed to fight something no one even knew what it was."

Entering the gate of the Codogno cemetery, with its four massive pillars and "Resurrection" written in Latin overhead, the ravages of coronavirus are not immediately apparent.

Entering the gate of the Codogno cemetery, with its four massive pillars and "Resurrection" written in Latin overhead, the ravages of coronavirus are not immediately apparent. But beyond the scores of kneeling marble angels and ornamental graves, a newer cloister of simple granite crypts bear witness to the onslaught of what was then a terrifying new virus on this modest northern Italian city. In a ceremony on Sunday, Codogno will mark one year since it recorded the first locally acquired case of Covid-19 in Italy, in what became the first major outbreak in Europe. The virus tore through the wider Lombardy region, marking Italy as the new epicentre of the global pandemic that has now claimed more than two million lives -- including almost 100,000 in Italy. February 23, February 24, February 28, read the dates on the shiny grey crypts. Underneath engraved names, and sometimes the image of a smiling face, the dates gain momentum: March 1, March 5, March 10, 13, 17... The surge in cases took everyone by surprise, said Roberto Codazzi, 58, the cemetery's deputy custodian. "In two months, we saw what we usually had in a year," he told AFP. With his colleague, Codazzi saw the intensity of the virus on display after Friday, February 21 -- when a 38-year-old man known as "Patient 1" was identified at the city's hospital after a doctor broke protocol to test him for coronavirus. On Saturday, there were already bodies lined up outside the cemetery for burial. 'Who will be next?' Today in Codogno, a small city of 15,000 people, talk of Covid-19 centres on shuttered businesses, rent to pay and the umpteenth restriction on normal life. Yet few can hear the sound of a siren without a pang. Emy Cavalli, the third-generation owner of the Central Bar on the main plaza, recalled the eerie, early days of the lockdown imposed on Codogno and 10 other northern communities after the first case was identified, immediately followed by the first two confirmed coronavirus deaths in Italy, one of them a 77-year-old woman outside Codogno. "I remember how silent it was," said Cavalli. "Every three minutes you heard the sound of an ambulance. "We asked ourselves, 'Who will it be? Who will be next?'" Within a month, Codogno's death toll more than tripled, with 154 deaths in March versus 49 in the same period a year earlier, Mayor Francesco Passerini told AFP. "They couldn't keep up," Passerini said of the cemetery workers, who were eventually reinforced by the civil protection unit. Caskets awaiting burial were stored in a shuttered church, the cemetery was shut to the public and funeral notices were printed without dates to discourage potential mourners from breaking the quarantine to pay their respects. The daily coffins awaiting custodian Codazzi frequently brought an unwelcome shock: "I said, 'Oh no, I know him! I just saw him a week ago.'" Codogno's Red Cross unit -- with experience in Iraq and beyond -- was zigzagging the territory, with almost 500 ambulance trips in March alone. "When they call us, we don't know what we're going to find," said the head of emergency services, Luciano Parmigiani. Meanwhile, family doctor Andrea Lozzi was working day and night to keep his patients out of the hospital, from which too often they never returned. Lozzi -- whose name locals evoke with reverence for his tireless work -- declines all interviews, explaining to AFP: "You have to put your hands into your work, and not your mouth." But the doctor's Facebook page -- a mix of medical advice and an occasional lost cat notice -- paints a picture of how Codogno slowly managed to emerge from the worst. "WHAT SATISFACTION! Today I could finally say to four of my patients, 'Ok, you did it, you're healed!'" wrote Lozzi on March 11, after weeks of house calls. A month after the first case, he wrote, "We don't know how far we have to go, but we know we will make it!" Four days later, Lozzi said he believed the virus had begun to wane in Codogno. 'Journey of suffering' The early lockdown likely helped. By the time Codogno's situation began to improve, attention had turned to the worst-hit province of Bergamo some 70 kilometres (43 miles) north, where images of army convoys transporting coffins broadcast the horror of Italy's outbreak to the world. As the country's death toll spiralled to 4,825 one month after Codogno's first case, some questioned whether a March 8 lockdown of populous Lombardy -- and Italy one day later -- had come too late, while scores of nursing home fatalities spurred allegations of mismanagement by health authorities. On March 25, Mattia Maestri, Codogno's "Patient 1", was released from hospital, cured. Two months later, President Sergio Mattarella visited Codogno's cemetery, recalling the place "where our journey of suffering began". A marble plaque remembers the dead. In his office at the Red Cross, as workers finish building a memorial outside, Parmigiani scrolls through an operations log from those first weeks in 2020. He points to where the numbers begin to decline, and pauses: "We managed to fight something no one even knew what it was."

One year on, Italian city in first coronavirus crosshairs remembers

A minister in India's western state of Maharashtra said on Sunday that the state government was mulling over imposing night curfew in light of increasing cases of coronavirus infections. Vijay Wadettiwar, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister of Maharashtra also said that a decision will soon be taken by the government on this.

"The coronavirus cases are increasing on daily basis in several districts of Maharashtra. Due to this, an order to enforce the coronavirus norms has been given to all district magistrates. They have also have been authorised to take decisions in view of the pandemic situation," said Wadettiwar," he said.

"In view of rising COVID-19 cases in districts like Nagpur, Amravati, Yatvmal, Maharashtra Government is thinking of imposing a night curfew in the districts. A meeting chaired by the Chief Minister (Uddhav Thackeray) to be held soon to make a decision," he added.

The minister's statement comes amid rising cases in Maharashtra which has been the worst affected state in India so far. Maharashtra's capital Mumbai is among worst-hit cities in the country.

The State Health Department on Saturday informed that 6,281 new COVID-19 cases and 40 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.The total cases in the state increased to 20,93,913 including 48,439 active cases and 19,92,530 total recoveries. The death toll in the state mounted to 51,753 including the new deaths, the state department said.

(With ANI inputs)

A minister in India's western state of Maharashtra said on Sunday that the state government was mulling over imposing night curfew in light of increasing cases of coronavirus infections.

A minister in India's western state of Maharashtra said on Sunday that the state government was mulling over imposing night curfew in light of increasing cases of coronavirus infections. Vijay Wadettiwar, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister of Maharashtra also said that a decision will soon be taken by the government on this. "The coronavirus cases are increasing on daily basis in several districts of Maharashtra. Due to this, an order to enforce the coronavirus norms has been given to all district magistrates. They have also have been authorised to take decisions in view of the pandemic situation," said Wadettiwar," he said. "In view of rising COVID-19 cases in districts like Nagpur, Amravati, Yatvmal, Maharashtra Government is thinking of imposing a night curfew in the districts. A meeting chaired by the Chief Minister (Uddhav Thackeray) to be held soon to make a decision," he added. The minister's statement comes amid rising cases in Maharashtra which has been the worst affected state in India so far. Maharashtra's capital Mumbai is among worst-hit cities in the country. The State Health Department on Saturday informed that 6,281 new COVID-19 cases and 40 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.The total cases in the state increased to 20,93,913 including 48,439 active cases and 19,92,530 total recoveries. The death toll in the state mounted to 51,753 including the new deaths, the state department said. (With ANI inputs)

COVID-19: Maharashtra government mulling night curfew, says state minister

Four cases of the mutant strain have been detected in India. The nation has also reported one case of the Brazilian strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

UK, South Africa, Brazil mutated Covid strains reached India

&nbsp;Actor Patrick Dempsey had started shooting the pilot episode of his upcoming series, Ways &amp; Means. However, shoot had to be stopped after a crew member tested Covid positive. 
 
Three days of shoot was left for the pilot to be wrapped up when the script supervisor of the unit tested positive and the team had to stop shooting at downtown Morristown, New Jersey, according to Page Six. 
 
As per guidelines, even if one person in a film or television unit tests positive for Covid-19, the entire unit not only has to get tested but also has to stop shooting and quarantine themselves. 
 
A CBS studios spokesperson confirmed that production on the pilot has been stopped. Those in close contact were asked to self-isolate as per state and county guidelines. Production will resume once the quarantine period ends. 
&nbsp;

Actor Patrick Dempsey had started shooting the pilot episode of his upcoming series, Ways & Means. However, shoot had to be stopped after a crew member tested Covid positive.

Actor Patrick Dempsey had started shooting the pilot episode of his upcoming series, Ways & Means. However, shoot had to be stopped after a crew member tested Covid positive. Three days of shoot was left for the pilot to be wrapped up when the script supervisor of the unit tested positive and the team had to stop shooting at downtown Morristown, New Jersey, according to Page Six. As per guidelines, even if one person in a film or television unit tests positive for Covid-19, the entire unit not only has to get tested but also has to stop shooting and quarantine themselves. A CBS studios spokesperson confirmed that production on the pilot has been stopped. Those in close contact were asked to self-isolate as per state and county guidelines. Production will resume once the quarantine period ends.

Patrick Dempsey's new series halted after unit member tests COVID positive

China has refused to provide WHO, the raw COVID-19 data on early cases, said Wall Street Journal on Friday. The report cited WHO investigators is said spoke of heated exchange over lack of detail.&nbsp;

World Health Organisation (WHO) concluded a month-long investigation into origin of COVID-19 in China. The team travelled to various parts of the country including the wet market in Wuhan, where the virus is understood to have caused the first outbreak.

As per the news report, the investigators were provided info about the analysis carried out by Chinese experts. They also provided aggregated data and retrospective analysis based on medical records made in the months preceding the viral outbreak. However, when WHO team asked for raw, personalised data, the request was denied. The raw data may have enabled WHO experts to carry out their own analysis. But it was not possible.

Thoughout WHO team's visit to China, authorities had kept close watch on the members as they visited various parts of the country. Information about their itinerary and immediate findings was not readily forthcoming. Many times, the media had to depend on individual tweets made by team members.

China has repeatedly denied that coronavirus had an origin in the country. The assertive claims have come in spite of country having been the first one to have a massive outbreak.

China has refused to provide WHO, the raw COVID-19 data on early cases, said Wall Street Journal on Friday. The report cited WHO investigators is said spoke of heated exchange over lack of detail.

China has refused to provide WHO, the raw COVID-19 data on early cases, said Wall Street Journal on Friday. The report cited WHO investigators is said spoke of heated exchange over lack of detail. World Health Organisation (WHO) concluded a month-long investigation into origin of COVID-19 in China. The team travelled to various parts of the country including the wet market in Wuhan, where the virus is understood to have caused the first outbreak. As per the news report, the investigators were provided info about the analysis carried out by Chinese experts. They also provided aggregated data and retrospective analysis based on medical records made in the months preceding the viral outbreak. However, when WHO team asked for raw, personalised data, the request was denied. The raw data may have enabled WHO experts to carry out their own analysis. But it was not possible. Thoughout WHO team's visit to China, authorities had kept close watch on the members as they visited various parts of the country. Information about their itinerary and immediate findings was not readily forthcoming. Many times, the media had to depend on individual tweets made by team members. China has repeatedly denied that coronavirus had an origin in the country. The assertive claims have come in spite of country having been the first one to have a massive outbreak.

China refused WHO raw COVID-19 data on early cases: Report 

A team of experts appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) completed its 28-day mission to the Chinese city of Wuhan this week seeking clues about the origins of COVID-19.

The following looks at their findings.

What are the main scenarios?

Peter Ben Embarek, the WHO's leading animal disease expert, said the team conducted scientific investigations into four main scenarios about how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spread into humans.

In the first, a single person was exposed to SARS-CoV-2 through direct contact with the host species, the horseshoe bat. The virus could have been circulating in humans for a while before making its breakthrough in heavily populated Wuhan.

The second scenario, seen as the most likely, involves transmission to humans via an as yet unknown intermediary species. Liang Wannian, an expert with China's National Health Commission, said pangolins were potential candidates but other animals - including mink and even cats - may also be reservoirs.

A third possibility is that COVID-19 originated under the first or second scenarios and was then transmitted via cold chain products. Chinese experts have attributed later COVID-19 clusters to imported frozen food and have raised the possibility it might also have caused the Wuhan outbreak.

The final scenario is that SARS-CoV-2 was leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which is known to have studied captive coronaviruses. Ben Embarek ruled out the possibility and said it would not be subject to further research. Accidents happen, he said, but it was "very unlikely" in this case.

When did the outbreak begin?

The experts said that while it was unlikely there were large-scale outbreaks in Wuhan or elsewhere in China before December 2019, they do not rule out that it was circulating in other regions.

A crossover either directly from bats or from an intermediary species would suggest the transmission to Wuhan could have been facilitated by wildlife trading networks.

Marion Koopmans, another member of the expert team, said wildlife on sale in the Huanan seafood market could be traced to regions that contain bat habitats known to harbour viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2.

One such region is the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, but the team is also considering that the first human transmission took place across the border in Laos or Vietnam.

What role was played by Huanan market?

Although the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan was linked to the first case clusters, the initial crossover from animals to humans did not occur there.

Liang said that there was still insufficient evidence to determine how the virus entered Huanan, but that it was clear it was circulating elsewhere in Wuhan at the same time.

The most likely scenario is that someone carried SARS-CoV-2 into the market, but Ben Embarek also suggested it could have been introduced via a "product", including frozen wild animals known to be susceptible to the virus.

Do the findings change the politics around COVID's origins?

China has expressed concern that any investigation would be "politicised", and said it would only cooperate if it was clear it would not be expected to take blame for the pandemic.

By ruling out the lab leak and accepting that COVID-19 could have originated outside of China, the WHO team has not crossed any of Beijing's lines. China would also be heartened that the WHO team is considering the cold-chain theory. But the findings are unlikely to satisfy those who believe China is culpable and has covered up evidence.

What further research is required?

Ben Embarek said China needs now to find evidence that might prove the coronavirus was circulating much earlier than December 2019. He said blood bank samples would be a good place to start.

Bat communities near Wuhan have been ruled out as a source, and more needs to be done to scour caves in other regions to see if a closer match to SARS-CoV-2 can be found.

The animals on sale at the Huanan market also need to be scrutinised further, and the role played by cold chain products in general also needs more research, Ben Embarek said.

A team of experts appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) completed its 28-day mission to the Chinese city of Wuhan this week seeking clues about the origins of COVID-19.

A team of experts appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) completed its 28-day mission to the Chinese city of Wuhan this week seeking clues about the origins of COVID-19. The following looks at their findings. What are the main scenarios? Peter Ben Embarek, the WHO's leading animal disease expert, said the team conducted scientific investigations into four main scenarios about how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spread into humans. In the first, a single person was exposed to SARS-CoV-2 through direct contact with the host species, the horseshoe bat. The virus could have been circulating in humans for a while before making its breakthrough in heavily populated Wuhan. The second scenario, seen as the most likely, involves transmission to humans via an as yet unknown intermediary species. Liang Wannian, an expert with China's National Health Commission, said pangolins were potential candidates but other animals - including mink and even cats - may also be reservoirs. A third possibility is that COVID-19 originated under the first or second scenarios and was then transmitted via cold chain products. Chinese experts have attributed later COVID-19 clusters to imported frozen food and have raised the possibility it might also have caused the Wuhan outbreak. The final scenario is that SARS-CoV-2 was leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which is known to have studied captive coronaviruses. Ben Embarek ruled out the possibility and said it would not be subject to further research. Accidents happen, he said, but it was "very unlikely" in this case. When did the outbreak begin? The experts said that while it was unlikely there were large-scale outbreaks in Wuhan or elsewhere in China before December 2019, they do not rule out that it was circulating in other regions. A crossover either directly from bats or from an intermediary species would suggest the transmission to Wuhan could have been facilitated by wildlife trading networks. Marion Koopmans, another member of the expert team, said wildlife on sale in the Huanan seafood market could be traced to regions that contain bat habitats known to harbour viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2. One such region is the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, but the team is also considering that the first human transmission took place across the border in Laos or Vietnam. What role was played by Huanan market? Although the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan was linked to the first case clusters, the initial crossover from animals to humans did not occur there. Liang said that there was still insufficient evidence to determine how the virus entered Huanan, but that it was clear it was circulating elsewhere in Wuhan at the same time. The most likely scenario is that someone carried SARS-CoV-2 into the market, but Ben Embarek also suggested it could have been introduced via a "product", including frozen wild animals known to be susceptible to the virus. Do the findings change the politics around COVID's origins? China has expressed concern that any investigation would be "politicised", and said it would only cooperate if it was clear it would not be expected to take blame for the pandemic. By ruling out the lab leak and accepting that COVID-19 could have originated outside of China, the WHO team has not crossed any of Beijing's lines. China would also be heartened that the WHO team is considering the cold-chain theory. But the findings are unlikely to satisfy those who believe China is culpable and has covered up evidence. What further research is required? Ben Embarek said China needs now to find evidence that might prove the coronavirus was circulating much earlier than December 2019. He said blood bank samples would be a good place to start. Bat communities near Wuhan have been ruled out as a source, and more needs to be done to scour caves in other regions to see if a closer match to SARS-CoV-2 can be found. The animals on sale at the Huanan market also need to be scrutinised further, and the role played by cold chain products in general also needs more research, Ben Embarek said.

These are WHO's theories about the origins of COVID-19 after Wuhan probe

In Latin America the region with the second-highest deaths related to COVID-19. The region is now enduring an oxygen shortage, hospitals are unable to meet the demands and patients continue to suffer.

Struggle for Oxygen in Latin America, people pay high prices for oxygen tanks

Royal Dutch Shell announced on Thursday that it had suffered a net loss of USD 21.7 billion in 2020. The coronavirus pandemic-hit year had seen a massive drop in demand for energy.

In 2019, the Anglo-Dutch company had registered a net profit of USD 1.8 billion. Shell's result is similar to British rival BP, which on Tuesday reported a 2020 &nbsp;net loss of $20.3 billion.

Both companies are cutting jobs to tackle the economic fallout from the pandemic.

After governments worldwide closed their doors and airlines grounded planes towards the end of last year's first quarter, oil prices dropped off a cliff, even briefly turning negative.

Prices then rebounded sharply however -- and they soared Tuesday to pre-pandemic levels on the brightening economic outlook as more progress was reported on vaccines.

(With AFP inputs)

Royal Dutch Shell announced on Thursday that it had suffered a net loss of USD 21.7 billion in 2020. The coronavirus pandemic-hit year had seen a massive drop in demand for energy.

Royal Dutch Shell announced on Thursday that it had suffered a net loss of USD 21.7 billion in 2020. The coronavirus pandemic-hit year had seen a massive drop in demand for energy. In 2019, the Anglo-Dutch company had registered a net profit of USD 1.8 billion. Shell's result is similar to British rival BP, which on Tuesday reported a 2020 net loss of $20.3 billion. Both companies are cutting jobs to tackle the economic fallout from the pandemic. After governments worldwide closed their doors and airlines grounded planes towards the end of last year's first quarter, oil prices dropped off a cliff, even briefly turning negative. Prices then rebounded sharply however -- and they soared Tuesday to pre-pandemic levels on the brightening economic outlook as more progress was reported on vaccines. (With AFP inputs)

Oil giant Shell suffered loss of $21 billion in 2020

The religious sisters who lived in retired seclusion at the Dominican Life Center in Michigan followed strict rules to avoid an outbreak of coronavirus infection: They were kept in isolation, visitors were prohibited, and masks were required by everyone on campus.

But after months of being kept at bay, the virus found its way in.

On Friday, the Adrian Dominican Sisters said nine sisters died in January from COVID-19 complications at the campus in Adrian, about 75 miles southwest of Detroit.

“It’s numbing,” said Sister Patricia Siemen, leader of the religious order. “We had six women die in 48 hours.”

The deaths of the sisters in Michigan has added to what is becoming a familiar trend in the spread of the virus, as it devastates religious congregate communities by infecting retired, aging populations of sisters and nuns who had quietly devoted their lives to others.

Now some of these sisters have been thrust into the public eye, as details about their names, ages and lifetimes of work are being highlighted as part of the national discourse about Americans lost to the coronavirus.

“It is a moment of reckoning with the place that they have in our culture now,” said Kathleen Holscher, a professor who holds the endowed chair of Roman Catholic studies at the University of New Mexico. “Fifty or 60 years ago, they were the face of American Catholicism, in schools and in hospitals.”

Several of the women who died at the Adrian Dominican Sisters campus had been nurses or teachers. Others had dedicated decades of their lives to religious service.

“Americans are being reminded they are older and still there,” Holscher said. “But now they are living in these community situations and caring for one another.”

The accounting of the deaths in the nation’s religious congregate communities started in the first half of 2020 as the country broadly began to take note of the deadly transmission of the virus and the lives it took.

Last April, May and June, 13 Felician sisters at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent in Michigan died of COVID-19. They pursued teaching, pastoral work and prayer ministry.

In a suburb of Milwaukee, at least five sisters at Our Lady of the Angels Convent died, starting last April. They worked in parishes, schools and universities, teaching English and music, and ministered to the aged and the poor.

At Notre Dame of Elm Grove, near Milwaukee, eight Roman Catholic sisters, educators, music teachers and social activists died of illnesses related to COVID-19 at a Wisconsin retirement home in December.

“Nuns have been the real grassroots workers of the church,” said Jack Downey, a professor of Catholic studies at the University of Rochester. “It is really the nuns who people are interacting with on a daily basis. They have made possible Catholic life in the United States.”

“So nun communities passing in this way becomes particularly tragic,” he added.

As the deaths have mounted, the losses have put a focus on the future of these communities in a country where their populations are not only dwindling but also rapidly aging.

Michael Pasquier, a professor of religious studies and history at Louisiana State University, said the interest in pursuing an institutional religious life has tapered off since the 1960s, an era of cultural changes that brought more women into the workforce. There are now about 40,000 Roman Catholic nuns or sisters in the country — mostly in their mid- to late 70s and older — compared with about 160,000 in the 1970s, he said.

The death toll from the virus, he said, “is a reminder to all of us that the composition and the face of Catholic sisters today is one that is old.”

The losses have highlighted the tendency of the virus to prey on older adults, those with underlying medical conditions and those in places where people are in close contact, like nursing homes, which have been especially hard hit by the pandemic.

Holscher said the “poignant or tragic” part of the nuns’ deaths is that, unlike in nursing homes, the women forgo a traditional family structure when they enter religious life.

“They don’t have children, don’t have spouses or close family members,” she said. “And they have signed up to be in a position to care for one another.”

Many of the aging congregate orders took precautions early in 2020 to protect their communities. At Elm Grove, the nuns followed federal guidelines about masks and social distancing, and staggered meal times in the communal dining room.

The Dominican sisters imposed similar restrictions, including imposing weekly testing for staff members and sisters, canceling communal meals and in-person prayers, and allowing the sisters to leave only for medical appointments.

“We worked so hard to keep it at bay, because you’re really, you’re pretty helpless once it gets into a building, such as a nursing home,” Siemen said. “The residents are already so vulnerable.”

But on Jan. 14, the order announced there was an outbreak among sisters and workers at the Dominican Life Center, its skilled care center, which had a COVID-19 unit set up for months that had not been used.

The first positive test came Dec. 20, and several sisters died within weeks, some within a few days of each other.

Sister Jeannine Therese McGorray, 86, died Jan. 11, and Sister Esther Ortega, 86, died Jan. 14. Sister Dorothea Gramlich, 81, died Jan. 21.

Three sisters died Jan. 22: Sister Ann Rena Shinkey, 87; Sister Mary Lisa Rieman, 79; and Sister Charlotte Francis Moser, 86. The next day, Sister Mary Irene Wischmeyer, 94, and Sister Margaret Ann Swallow, 97, died. The most recent death was this week: Sister Helen Laier, 88, died Tuesday.

Siemen said that, because of its aging population, the order is accustomed to having to mourn its sisters, but this string of losses has given the residents a sense of “solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost their loved ones to COVID.”

Still, she said that their faith helps them pull through.

“There’s grieving, obviously,” Siemen said but, “as women of faith, we know that passage through this door of death, for us, is not the last passage.”

The religious sisters who lived in retired seclusion at the Dominican Life Center in Michigan followed strict rules to avoid an outbreak of coronavirus infection: They were kept in isolation, visitors were prohibited, and masks were required by everyone on campus.

The religious sisters who lived in retired seclusion at the Dominican Life Center in Michigan followed strict rules to avoid an outbreak of coronavirus infection: They were kept in isolation, visitors were prohibited, and masks were required by everyone on campus. But after months of being kept at bay, the virus found its way in. On Friday, the Adrian Dominican Sisters said nine sisters died in January from COVID-19 complications at the campus in Adrian, about 75 miles southwest of Detroit. “It’s numbing,” said Sister Patricia Siemen, leader of the religious order. “We had six women die in 48 hours.” The deaths of the sisters in Michigan has added to what is becoming a familiar trend in the spread of the virus, as it devastates religious congregate communities by infecting retired, aging populations of sisters and nuns who had quietly devoted their lives to others. Now some of these sisters have been thrust into the public eye, as details about their names, ages and lifetimes of work are being highlighted as part of the national discourse about Americans lost to the coronavirus. “It is a moment of reckoning with the place that they have in our culture now,” said Kathleen Holscher, a professor who holds the endowed chair of Roman Catholic studies at the University of New Mexico. “Fifty or 60 years ago, they were the face of American Catholicism, in schools and in hospitals.” Several of the women who died at the Adrian Dominican Sisters campus had been nurses or teachers. Others had dedicated decades of their lives to religious service. “Americans are being reminded they are older and still there,” Holscher said. “But now they are living in these community situations and caring for one another.” The accounting of the deaths in the nation’s religious congregate communities started in the first half of 2020 as the country broadly began to take note of the deadly transmission of the virus and the lives it took. Last April, May and June, 13 Felician sisters at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent in Michigan died of COVID-19. They pursued teaching, pastoral work and prayer ministry. In a suburb of Milwaukee, at least five sisters at Our Lady of the Angels Convent died, starting last April. They worked in parishes, schools and universities, teaching English and music, and ministered to the aged and the poor. At Notre Dame of Elm Grove, near Milwaukee, eight Roman Catholic sisters, educators, music teachers and social activists died of illnesses related to COVID-19 at a Wisconsin retirement home in December. “Nuns have been the real grassroots workers of the church,” said Jack Downey, a professor of Catholic studies at the University of Rochester. “It is really the nuns who people are interacting with on a daily basis. They have made possible Catholic life in the United States.” “So nun communities passing in this way becomes particularly tragic,” he added. As the deaths have mounted, the losses have put a focus on the future of these communities in a country where their populations are not only dwindling but also rapidly aging. Michael Pasquier, a professor of religious studies and history at Louisiana State University, said the interest in pursuing an institutional religious life has tapered off since the 1960s, an era of cultural changes that brought more women into the workforce. There are now about 40,000 Roman Catholic nuns or sisters in the country — mostly in their mid- to late 70s and older — compared with about 160,000 in the 1970s, he said. The death toll from the virus, he said, “is a reminder to all of us that the composition and the face of Catholic sisters today is one that is old.” The losses have highlighted the tendency of the virus to prey on older adults, those with underlying medical conditions and those in places where people are in close contact, like nursing homes, which have been especially hard hit by the pandemic. Holscher said the “poignant or tragic” part of the nuns’ deaths is that, unlike in nursing homes, the women forgo a traditional family structure when they enter religious life. “They don’t have children, don’t have spouses or close family members,” she said. “And they have signed up to be in a position to care for one another.” Many of the aging congregate orders took precautions early in 2020 to protect their communities. At Elm Grove, the nuns followed federal guidelines about masks and social distancing, and staggered meal times in the communal dining room. The Dominican sisters imposed similar restrictions, including imposing weekly testing for staff members and sisters, canceling communal meals and in-person prayers, and allowing the sisters to leave only for medical appointments. “We worked so hard to keep it at bay, because you’re really, you’re pretty helpless once it gets into a building, such as a nursing home,” Siemen said. “The residents are already so vulnerable.” But on Jan. 14, the order announced there was an outbreak among sisters and workers at the Dominican Life Center, its skilled care center, which had a COVID-19 unit set up for months that had not been used. The first positive test came Dec. 20, and several sisters died within weeks, some within a few days of each other. Sister Jeannine Therese McGorray, 86, died Jan. 11, and Sister Esther Ortega, 86, died Jan. 14. Sister Dorothea Gramlich, 81, died Jan. 21. Three sisters died Jan. 22: Sister Ann Rena Shinkey, 87; Sister Mary Lisa Rieman, 79; and Sister Charlotte Francis Moser, 86. The next day, Sister Mary Irene Wischmeyer, 94, and Sister Margaret Ann Swallow, 97, died. The most recent death was this week: Sister Helen Laier, 88, died Tuesday. Siemen said that, because of its aging population, the order is accustomed to having to mourn its sisters, but this string of losses has given the residents a sense of “solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost their loved ones to COVID.” Still, she said that their faith helps them pull through. “There’s grieving, obviously,” Siemen said but, “as women of faith, we know that passage through this door of death, for us, is not the last passage.”

‘It’s numbing’: Nine retired nuns in Michigan die of COVID-19

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