The head of Italy's national health institute distanced himself on Friday from a scandal over a spiked World Health Organisation report into Italy's coronavirus response, saying he had no means to interfere with the UN Agency and had never censored even inconvenient information from the public.&nbsp;

Dr Silvio Brusaferro was drawn into the scandal after a leaked document from Bergamo prosecutors last week revealed transcripts of WhatsApp chats between Brusaferro and a WHO official, Dr Ranieri Guerra, who is under investigation for having allegedly made false claims to prosecutors about the report.&nbsp;

The report, published in May last year as a guide to help countries prepare for Covid-19, sparked a nerve because it revealed that the Italian government hadn't updated its pandemic preparedness plan since 2006. &nbsp;

The report was pulled down from the WHO website a day after it was published and was never reposted, sparking speculation WHO spiked it to spare the Italian government embarrassment and possible liability.&nbsp;

The WHO says it contained inaccuracies and inconsistencies and was published prematurely, before it had been fact-checked. &nbsp;

Its lead researcher, Dr Francesco Zambon, says the report received all necessary clearances and believes it was removed because of political pressure and the personal interests of Guerra.&nbsp;

Guerra had been in charge of prevention at the Italian health ministry during the years in which the pandemic plan should have been updated to conform to WHO and EU guidelines. &nbsp;

Guerra has said the plan didn't need to be updated during those years and has denied he tried to censor the WHO report, saying he merely wanted it corrected.&nbsp;

According to the text messages, Guerra used colorful language to inform Brusaferro that he had gotten the report removed from the WHO website and was working to make sure it had disappeared from other websites too.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The head of Italy's national health institute distanced himself on Friday from a scandal over a spiked World Health Organisation report into Italy's coronavirus response, saying he had no means to interfere with the UN Agency and had never censored even inconvenient information from the public.

The head of Italy's national health institute distanced himself on Friday from a scandal over a spiked World Health Organisation report into Italy's coronavirus response, saying he had no means to interfere with the UN Agency and had never censored even inconvenient information from the public. Dr Silvio Brusaferro was drawn into the scandal after a leaked document from Bergamo prosecutors last week revealed transcripts of WhatsApp chats between Brusaferro and a WHO official, Dr Ranieri Guerra, who is under investigation for having allegedly made false claims to prosecutors about the report. The report, published in May last year as a guide to help countries prepare for Covid-19, sparked a nerve because it revealed that the Italian government hadn't updated its pandemic preparedness plan since 2006. The report was pulled down from the WHO website a day after it was published and was never reposted, sparking speculation WHO spiked it to spare the Italian government embarrassment and possible liability. The WHO says it contained inaccuracies and inconsistencies and was published prematurely, before it had been fact-checked. Its lead researcher, Dr Francesco Zambon, says the report received all necessary clearances and believes it was removed because of political pressure and the personal interests of Guerra. Guerra had been in charge of prevention at the Italian health ministry during the years in which the pandemic plan should have been updated to conform to WHO and EU guidelines. Guerra has said the plan didn't need to be updated during those years and has denied he tried to censor the WHO report, saying he merely wanted it corrected. According to the text messages, Guerra used colorful language to inform Brusaferro that he had gotten the report removed from the WHO website and was working to make sure it had disappeared from other websites too. (With inputs from agencies)

Italy health chief distances himself from scandal over spiked WHO report 

In almost three decades of working in Sao Paulo's largest cemetery, the oldest gravediggers can't remember performing more than 10 night burials. &nbsp;

But since the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic swept across Brazil, that exception has become the rule.&nbsp;

The vertiginous rise in deaths in Sao Paulo in recent months has forced the mayor of the country's richest and most populous city to adapt funeral planning to avoid being overwhelmed.&nbsp;

Now, in addition to hiring more personnel and vehicles, night shifts have been added in four of the 22 municipal cemeteries, where 600 graves are dug every day. &nbsp;

One of these is Vila Formosa, the largest cemetery in Latin America and a showcase for the lethal cost of the pandemic in Brazil, where more than 360,000 people have already died from Covid-19. &nbsp;

At 6 pm, the night shift clocks in. Two huge lamps powered by generators start up, illuminating the graves and filling the air with the smell of diesel. &nbsp;

It is the start of autumn here, and in this tree-lined cemetery on the outskirts of Sao Paulo the temperature has dropped to around 16 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit).&nbsp;

Eight gravediggers clad in white overalls, face masks and gloves arrive in two vans. They get out and form a circle around the graves, hands behind their backs and heads bowed to observe a minute of silence. &nbsp;

Then, they fetch their shovels and lay to rest the first deceased of the night. &nbsp;

"Are there no relatives?" asks one. &nbsp;

"No. You can go ahead," answers another, clutching the deceased's documents in his hand. &nbsp;

In May 2020, during the first onslaught of the pandemic, the cemetery hired three excavators to dig 60 graves a day. Now, there are six machines digging 200 graves a day, say the workers, who labor until 10 pm. &nbsp;

Fifty rented vans are used to move bodies, due to a lack of hearses to cope with the influx of dead. The mayor's office has denied local media reports that school buses have been pressed into service.&nbsp;

Shortly after, a van arrives with another casket. A large group of relatives surrounds the grave where the 57-year-old man, who died of Covid-19, is to be buried. The dead man's sons ask if they can place a yellow and green shirt from the Brazilian soccer team on top of the coffin.&nbsp;

The gravedigger who is holding the burial documents nods his assent. "It's the only thing we can do," he says.&nbsp;

Four men start shovelling reddish earth on to the coffin. In seconds, it is covered. &nbsp;

Howls of anguish mingle with the grating of shovels and the hum of generators. &nbsp;

&nbsp;By now accustomed to the presence of journalists and photographers, the gravediggers chat but ask not to be identified. &nbsp;

Almost all are vaccinated, and say the pandemic was worse for people in funeral homes than for people like them who work outdoors.&nbsp;

"I want this to end quickly, because it is very sad. We try not to get upset in our work, but it is sad, it is a lot of people, and a long time," says one of the gravediggers, peeling off his green gloves at the end of his shift. &nbsp;

Vila Formosa is the final resting place of 1.5 million people. In March it peaked at 105 burials in a single day, three times the pre-pandemic average. &nbsp;

On March 30, the city of Sao Paulo as a whole set a new record when it buried 426 people in just one day. &nbsp;

That experience has not been repeated since then: the current average is 391 deaths and 325 burials per day. &nbsp;

The mayor's office warns that if the daily average exceeds 400 burials, it will have to implement new measures, although it has ruled out round-the-clock burials in Vila Formosa. &nbsp;

The council is also looking at whether to build a vertical cemetery in the east of the city, as Vila Formosa fills up. &nbsp;

The gravediggers estimate that in 12 months they have already used 26 lots, an area that in pre-pandemic times would yield more than two years of burials.&nbsp;

"There's room to continue here," says one of the men. "But at this rate, I don't know how long that will last."&nbsp;

In almost three decades of working in Sao Paulo's largest cemetery, the oldest gravediggers can't remember performing more than 10 night burials. But since the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic swept across Brazil, that exception has become the rule.

In almost three decades of working in Sao Paulo's largest cemetery, the oldest gravediggers can't remember performing more than 10 night burials. But since the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic swept across Brazil, that exception has become the rule. The vertiginous rise in deaths in Sao Paulo in recent months has forced the mayor of the country's richest and most populous city to adapt funeral planning to avoid being overwhelmed. Now, in addition to hiring more personnel and vehicles, night shifts have been added in four of the 22 municipal cemeteries, where 600 graves are dug every day. One of these is Vila Formosa, the largest cemetery in Latin America and a showcase for the lethal cost of the pandemic in Brazil, where more than 360,000 people have already died from Covid-19. At 6 pm, the night shift clocks in. Two huge lamps powered by generators start up, illuminating the graves and filling the air with the smell of diesel. It is the start of autumn here, and in this tree-lined cemetery on the outskirts of Sao Paulo the temperature has dropped to around 16 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit). Eight gravediggers clad in white overalls, face masks and gloves arrive in two vans. They get out and form a circle around the graves, hands behind their backs and heads bowed to observe a minute of silence. Then, they fetch their shovels and lay to rest the first deceased of the night. "Are there no relatives?" asks one. "No. You can go ahead," answers another, clutching the deceased's documents in his hand. In May 2020, during the first onslaught of the pandemic, the cemetery hired three excavators to dig 60 graves a day. Now, there are six machines digging 200 graves a day, say the workers, who labor until 10 pm. Fifty rented vans are used to move bodies, due to a lack of hearses to cope with the influx of dead. The mayor's office has denied local media reports that school buses have been pressed into service. Shortly after, a van arrives with another casket. A large group of relatives surrounds the grave where the 57-year-old man, who died of Covid-19, is to be buried. The dead man's sons ask if they can place a yellow and green shirt from the Brazilian soccer team on top of the coffin. The gravedigger who is holding the burial documents nods his assent. "It's the only thing we can do," he says. Four men start shovelling reddish earth on to the coffin. In seconds, it is covered. Howls of anguish mingle with the grating of shovels and the hum of generators. By now accustomed to the presence of journalists and photographers, the gravediggers chat but ask not to be identified. Almost all are vaccinated, and say the pandemic was worse for people in funeral homes than for people like them who work outdoors. "I want this to end quickly, because it is very sad. We try not to get upset in our work, but it is sad, it is a lot of people, and a long time," says one of the gravediggers, peeling off his green gloves at the end of his shift. Vila Formosa is the final resting place of 1.5 million people. In March it peaked at 105 burials in a single day, three times the pre-pandemic average. On March 30, the city of Sao Paulo as a whole set a new record when it buried 426 people in just one day. That experience has not been repeated since then: the current average is 391 deaths and 325 burials per day. The mayor's office warns that if the daily average exceeds 400 burials, it will have to implement new measures, although it has ruled out round-the-clock burials in Vila Formosa. The council is also looking at whether to build a vertical cemetery in the east of the city, as Vila Formosa fills up. The gravediggers estimate that in 12 months they have already used 26 lots, an area that in pre-pandemic times would yield more than two years of burials. "There's room to continue here," says one of the men. "But at this rate, I don't know how long that will last."

In Brazil, graveyard shift reveals staggering cost of pandemic 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Latin America's recovery from the pandemic crisis is lagging the rest of the world and the economy will not return to its pre-pandemic level until 2024.

IMF warns, Latin America's economy will be last to recover

Last week was historic for the Indian corporate sector, especially the technology industry. 
 
Just in four days, the country minted at least six new startups with a valuation of $1 billion or more—what techies call unicorns because they’re supposed to be such rarities.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-fat-pay-cheques-massive-profits-in-a-pandemic-year-377386/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
India had a total of seven new unicorns in all of 2020, according to market researcher CB Insights. In 2019, it had six. 
 
Despite the lockdowns, India continued to produce more start-ups. 
 
1,600 new ones were registered in the year 2020 and existing ones saw their evaluations explode. 
 
Paytm is now worth 16 billion dollars. 
 
BYJU'S has hit 15 billion dollars. 
 
Walmart is looking to value Flipkart at 35 billion. 
 
Start-ups entered the pandemic tentatively but they are emerging from it as multi-billion dollar entities. 
 
How exactly did this happen? 
 
2020 was a year of crisis and crisis is where innovation thrives. 
 
Start-ups used the lockdowns to their advantage. 
 
The biggest example is Zoom. It became so popular that people weren't video-calling anymore, they were on Zoom call. 
 
If you look at India's new unicorns, the same trend persists. 
 
Among the six companies are a social commerce startup,&nbsp;a digital pharmacy, and a fintech provider. 
These start-ups were tailor-made for pandemic life. 
 
And it's obvious why India emerged as a favourite destination. Investors pumped in 11.8 billion dollars into the Indian startup market. This is nowhere close to what was invested in China and the US. But the trajectory suggests India is on the ascendency. 
 
So we have a strange situation where the economy crashed but businesses survived. Where companies slashed budgets but CEOs enjoyed bonuses. 
 
How did this happen? 
 
The pandemic deepened existing inequalities. The corporate world was always unfair, 2020 just made the gap starker. 
 
When the supply chains failed, companies responded with cuts. They trimmed the workforce, close to 25 million jobs were lost. 
 
But the top bosses barely felt the pinch. They still had their stock options, their company resorts and customary trips to the golf course. 
 
So these trends shouldn't come as a surprise. Corporates have always milked disasters. From building tanks for wars to vaccines for pandemics. The crises may change but corporate playbooks don't.

&nbsp;

Last week was historic for the Indian corporate sector, especially the technology industry. Just in four days, the country minted at least six new startups with a valuation of $1 billion or more—what techies call unicorns because they’re supposed to be such rarities.

Last week was historic for the Indian corporate sector, especially the technology industry. Just in four days, the country minted at least six new startups with a valuation of $1 billion or more—what techies call unicorns because they’re supposed to be such rarities. India had a total of seven new unicorns in all of 2020, according to market researcher CB Insights. In 2019, it had six. Despite the lockdowns, India continued to produce more start-ups. 1,600 new ones were registered in the year 2020 and existing ones saw their evaluations explode. Paytm is now worth 16 billion dollars. BYJU'S has hit 15 billion dollars. Walmart is looking to value Flipkart at 35 billion. Start-ups entered the pandemic tentatively but they are emerging from it as multi-billion dollar entities. How exactly did this happen? 2020 was a year of crisis and crisis is where innovation thrives. Start-ups used the lockdowns to their advantage. The biggest example is Zoom. It became so popular that people weren't video-calling anymore, they were on Zoom call. If you look at India's new unicorns, the same trend persists. Among the six companies are a social commerce startup, a digital pharmacy, and a fintech provider. These start-ups were tailor-made for pandemic life. And it's obvious why India emerged as a favourite destination. Investors pumped in 11.8 billion dollars into the Indian startup market. This is nowhere close to what was invested in China and the US. But the trajectory suggests India is on the ascendency. So we have a strange situation where the economy crashed but businesses survived. Where companies slashed budgets but CEOs enjoyed bonuses. How did this happen? The pandemic deepened existing inequalities. The corporate world was always unfair, 2020 just made the gap starker. When the supply chains failed, companies responded with cuts. They trimmed the workforce, close to 25 million jobs were lost. But the top bosses barely felt the pinch. They still had their stock options, their company resorts and customary trips to the golf course. So these trends shouldn't come as a surprise. Corporates have always milked disasters. From building tanks for wars to vaccines for pandemics. The crises may change but corporate playbooks don't.

6 new unicorns in 4 days: How startups thrived during the pandemic

The Pakistani government is facing double trouble as hospital beds are filling up amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and the vaccination program is progressing at a slow rate due to delayed deliveries and limited supplies.

Pakistan, which began its vaccination drive against COVID-19 in February, has failed to smoothly run the exercise as only one million people have been vaccinated so far. A huge percentage of the country's 238 million residents are still left waiting for the vaccine, according to official figures.

The country has so far reported 7,30,000 COVID-19 cases and 15,619 related deaths.

The government has received 2.56 million doses of vaccines, all from China, according to local reports citing the health ministry, as per CNN.

Pakistan has only approved a handful of vaccines for emergency use, including three Chinese vaccines, Russia's Sputnik V, and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. So far, it has largely relied on donations from other countries -- chiefly China, which has provided more than a million doses of Sinopharm.

Pakistan is still awaiting more than 17 million doses of vaccines allocated by COVAX, a global vaccine-sharing initiative with discounted or free doses for lower-income countries.

Last month, Pakistan became one of the few countries to allow the private sector to import and sell vaccines.

Thousands of Pakistanis rushed to COVID-19 vaccination sites to get inoculated in the first round of commercial sales of Sputnik V vaccines.

Though the vaccine is available for all, it is expensive. The Sputnik vaccine currently costs 12,000 Pakistani rupees ($80) for two doses, according to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), CNN reported.

That's four times the international market price, which is less than USD 20 for two doses, according to the vaccine developers. And it's about 30 per cent of an average household's monthly income, at $273.2 (41,545 rupees), according to the most recent available data by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

"The selling of this vaccine is just unethical and too bad for the community," said Dr Tipu Sultan, former head of the Pakistan Medical Association. "Only a few moneyed people are going to buy it. The bulk of the population cannot afford it."

But the process of getting a privately sold shot has numerous complications, even for those who can afford it.

"I'm super frustrated because I have to travel for work, and I'm unable to get my vaccine," said Maha Mussadaq, a content lead at Foodpanda Thailand, who has been stranded in Islamabad. She tried all week to sign up for the vaccine, but has not been able to confirm a time slot, she said. She went online to register, and was told she would receive a phone call with more details, but was given no indication of when it might come.

"There's no system in place, and there's no definition of a timeline," she said. All of her travel plans for work are dependent on whether she can get the first dose, but with news of the vaccine selling out, she is quickly losing hope of that happening.

Even those who have received the first shot are unsure whether they would be getting the second and final shot or not.

"I'm afraid there's no guarantee that we'll get the second dose, what if supplies run out?" said Anushka Jatoi. "There's a lot of uncertainty."&nbsp;

The Pakistani government is facing double trouble as hospital beds are filling up amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and the vaccination program is progressing at a slow rate due to delayed deliveries and limited supplies.

The Pakistani government is facing double trouble as hospital beds are filling up amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and the vaccination program is progressing at a slow rate due to delayed deliveries and limited supplies. Pakistan, which began its vaccination drive against COVID-19 in February, has failed to smoothly run the exercise as only one million people have been vaccinated so far. A huge percentage of the country's 238 million residents are still left waiting for the vaccine, according to official figures. The country has so far reported 7,30,000 COVID-19 cases and 15,619 related deaths. The government has received 2.56 million doses of vaccines, all from China, according to local reports citing the health ministry, as per CNN. Pakistan has only approved a handful of vaccines for emergency use, including three Chinese vaccines, Russia's Sputnik V, and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. So far, it has largely relied on donations from other countries -- chiefly China, which has provided more than a million doses of Sinopharm. Pakistan is still awaiting more than 17 million doses of vaccines allocated by COVAX, a global vaccine-sharing initiative with discounted or free doses for lower-income countries. Last month, Pakistan became one of the few countries to allow the private sector to import and sell vaccines. Thousands of Pakistanis rushed to COVID-19 vaccination sites to get inoculated in the first round of commercial sales of Sputnik V vaccines. Though the vaccine is available for all, it is expensive. The Sputnik vaccine currently costs 12,000 Pakistani rupees ($80) for two doses, according to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), CNN reported. That's four times the international market price, which is less than USD 20 for two doses, according to the vaccine developers. And it's about 30 per cent of an average household's monthly income, at $273.2 (41,545 rupees), according to the most recent available data by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. "The selling of this vaccine is just unethical and too bad for the community," said Dr Tipu Sultan, former head of the Pakistan Medical Association. "Only a few moneyed people are going to buy it. The bulk of the population cannot afford it." But the process of getting a privately sold shot has numerous complications, even for those who can afford it. "I'm super frustrated because I have to travel for work, and I'm unable to get my vaccine," said Maha Mussadaq, a content lead at Foodpanda Thailand, who has been stranded in Islamabad. She tried all week to sign up for the vaccine, but has not been able to confirm a time slot, she said. She went online to register, and was told she would receive a phone call with more details, but was given no indication of when it might come. "There's no system in place, and there's no definition of a timeline," she said. All of her travel plans for work are dependent on whether she can get the first dose, but with news of the vaccine selling out, she is quickly losing hope of that happening. Even those who have received the first shot are unsure whether they would be getting the second and final shot or not. "I'm afraid there's no guarantee that we'll get the second dose, what if supplies run out?" said Anushka Jatoi. "There's a lot of uncertainty."

COVID-19: Pakistanis forced to opt for expensive jabs from private markets amid slow govt vaccination drive

The coronavirus disease has severely affected Pakistan’s healthcare system and the situation is worse than last year, a senior official of the Pakistan government revealed.

Pakistan’s death toll surged to 15,619 on Tuesday as the country reported over 100 deaths in the last 24 hours.

In Lahore, several hospitals have almost run out of oxygen supply due to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases.

According to a report of Geo News, there are about 1,100 coronavirus patients in various government hospitals of Lahore who need oxygen, while almost 250 patients are put on a ventilator.&nbsp;

"The situation is bad and hospitals are utilising the available oxygen but if cylinders are not supplied to the hospitals within the next two or three hours, the situation will take a turn for the worse," said Mayo Hospital's Chief Executive in charge of coronavirus wards, Dr Asad Aslam.

Moreover, government hospitals in Lahore is almost out of oxygen supply as protesters blocked roads across Pakistan, reported Geo News.

Residents of various cities were stuck in traffic jams today as a religious party held its protest in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and other cities.

Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and Secretary Health Punjab Nabeel Awan appealed to protesters of a religious party, who have blocked the roads, to cooperate with the authorities so that oxygen cylinders could be delivered to government hospitals in a timely fashion.

Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan had recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day in the current year.

According to Pakistan's National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), a total of 114 people died from COVID-19 on Saturday. This was the sixth time in a row that the coronavirus induced deaths crossed the 100 mark in a single day.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The coronavirus disease has severely affected Pakistan’s healthcare system and the situation is worse than last year, a senior official of the Pakistan government revealed.

The coronavirus disease has severely affected Pakistan’s healthcare system and the situation is worse than last year, a senior official of the Pakistan government revealed. Pakistan’s death toll surged to 15,619 on Tuesday as the country reported over 100 deaths in the last 24 hours. In Lahore, several hospitals have almost run out of oxygen supply due to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. According to a report of Geo News, there are about 1,100 coronavirus patients in various government hospitals of Lahore who need oxygen, while almost 250 patients are put on a ventilator. "The situation is bad and hospitals are utilising the available oxygen but if cylinders are not supplied to the hospitals within the next two or three hours, the situation will take a turn for the worse," said Mayo Hospital's Chief Executive in charge of coronavirus wards, Dr Asad Aslam. Moreover, government hospitals in Lahore is almost out of oxygen supply as protesters blocked roads across Pakistan, reported Geo News. Residents of various cities were stuck in traffic jams today as a religious party held its protest in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and other cities. Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and Secretary Health Punjab Nabeel Awan appealed to protesters of a religious party, who have blocked the roads, to cooperate with the authorities so that oxygen cylinders could be delivered to government hospitals in a timely fashion. Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan had recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day in the current year. According to Pakistan's National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), a total of 114 people died from COVID-19 on Saturday. This was the sixth time in a row that the coronavirus induced deaths crossed the 100 mark in a single day. (With inputs from agencies)

Hospitals in Lahore almost out of oxygen supply amid rising COVID-19 cases

The Supreme Court of Brazil has ordered the Senate on Thursday to investigate the government's handling of the deadly covid-19 pandemic and the full court ruled that churches can be barred from reopening during the pandemic, threatening to further strain tensions between President Jair Bolsonaro and the judiciary.

According to the reports, the Senate about to open an investigation into the response of the government of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has played down the pandemic from the start.

Brazil is nearing the single-day record that the United States registered on January&nbsp;20 of 4,405 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Brazil’s outbreak is spiralling out of control, with vaccines in short supply and Bolsonaro fighting lockdowns.

The public healthcare system has shown growing signs of buckling under the caseload, and a survey by the National Association of Private Hospitals (ANAHP) this week suggests even the richest hospitals are running short on critical medicine.

Three out of four private hospitals said they have a week or less of supplies for treating COVID-19, including oxygen, anaesthesia and essential drugs for intubation, according to the ANAHP survey of 88 member hospitals across Brazil.

Bolsonaro’s government has minimized the risk of hospitals running out of medicine, as the right-wing leader tries to allay fears of the virus, while railing against state and local efforts to restrict movement.

“Let’s not cry over spilt milk. We’re still going through a pandemic that, in part, is being used politically - not to defeat the virus but to bring down the president,” Bolsonaro said in a public address on Wednesday. “In what country on earth do people not die? Unfortunately, people die everywhere.”

Brazil’s Senate plans to set up a special committee next week to investigate the government’s response to the pandemic, Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco said.

A Supreme Court judge ruled on Thursday that the Senate must proceed with installing the committee, which Pacheco had sought to delay despite already having been approved by a sufficient number of senators.

While stating he would comply with the court order, Pacheco said it was too early to investigate while Brazil was still dealing with the crisis and that the committee would put members’ health at risk as its meetings are held in person.

More than 345,000 people have died of COVID-19 in Brazil, making it the second-deadliest outbreak after the United States, whose population is about 50% greater at about 330 million.

Brazil’s Supreme Court also ruled on Thursday that state and municipal bans on religious gatherings were legal, in a blow to Bolsonaro, who has called them an attack on religious freedom.

As Brazil suffers the worst of the pandemic, the country has become a testing ground for new vaccines.

Health regulator Anvisa on Thursday approved the fifth late-stage trial for a coronavirus vaccine, greenlighting a study by Canada’s Medicago R&amp;D Inc and GlaxoSmithKline PLC.

Anvisa said the companies were authorized to conduct phase 3 trials in Brazil. The companies are recruiting around 3,500 Brazilian volunteers for the study, which will include some 30,000 people, in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Latin America.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of Brazil has ordered the Senate on Thursday to investigate the government's handling of the deadly covid-19 pandemic and the full court ruled that churches can be barred from reopening during the pandemic, threatening to further strain tensions between President Jair Bolsonaro and the judiciary.

The Supreme Court of Brazil has ordered the Senate on Thursday to investigate the government's handling of the deadly covid-19 pandemic and the full court ruled that churches can be barred from reopening during the pandemic, threatening to further strain tensions between President Jair Bolsonaro and the judiciary. According to the reports, the Senate about to open an investigation into the response of the government of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has played down the pandemic from the start. Brazil is nearing the single-day record that the United States registered on January 20 of 4,405 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Brazil’s outbreak is spiralling out of control, with vaccines in short supply and Bolsonaro fighting lockdowns. The public healthcare system has shown growing signs of buckling under the caseload, and a survey by the National Association of Private Hospitals (ANAHP) this week suggests even the richest hospitals are running short on critical medicine. Three out of four private hospitals said they have a week or less of supplies for treating COVID-19, including oxygen, anaesthesia and essential drugs for intubation, according to the ANAHP survey of 88 member hospitals across Brazil. Bolsonaro’s government has minimized the risk of hospitals running out of medicine, as the right-wing leader tries to allay fears of the virus, while railing against state and local efforts to restrict movement. “Let’s not cry over spilt milk. We’re still going through a pandemic that, in part, is being used politically - not to defeat the virus but to bring down the president,” Bolsonaro said in a public address on Wednesday. “In what country on earth do people not die? Unfortunately, people die everywhere.” Brazil’s Senate plans to set up a special committee next week to investigate the government’s response to the pandemic, Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco said. A Supreme Court judge ruled on Thursday that the Senate must proceed with installing the committee, which Pacheco had sought to delay despite already having been approved by a sufficient number of senators. While stating he would comply with the court order, Pacheco said it was too early to investigate while Brazil was still dealing with the crisis and that the committee would put members’ health at risk as its meetings are held in person. More than 345,000 people have died of COVID-19 in Brazil, making it the second-deadliest outbreak after the United States, whose population is about 50% greater at about 330 million. Brazil’s Supreme Court also ruled on Thursday that state and municipal bans on religious gatherings were legal, in a blow to Bolsonaro, who has called them an attack on religious freedom. As Brazil suffers the worst of the pandemic, the country has become a testing ground for new vaccines. Health regulator Anvisa on Thursday approved the fifth late-stage trial for a coronavirus vaccine, greenlighting a study by Canada’s Medicago R&D Inc and GlaxoSmithKline PLC. Anvisa said the companies were authorized to conduct phase 3 trials in Brazil. The companies are recruiting around 3,500 Brazilian volunteers for the study, which will include some 30,000 people, in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Latin America. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil top court orders probe of Bolsonaro's pandemic steps

The war in Yemen has resulted in a situation that has been described as the ‘worst humanitarian’ crisis. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic is adding a new dimension to the struggle and the second wave of infections has overwhelmed the country.

Second wave of COVID-19 infections overwhelms Yemen

If you thought there was a huge positive impact of the coronavirus lockdowns on climate, scientists have bad news for you. As per the latest measurements, concentrations of carbon dioxide have hit record highs during the pandemic.

According to the latest measurements at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, the global levels of carbon dioxide increased alarmingly and are nearly 50 per cent above what they were when the Industrial Revolution started in the UK.

Setting a new record high, the atmospheric concentrations of the greenhouse gas in March was nearly 417.14 parts per million (ppm), as per data released by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego.

Not just this, the UK’s Met Office has also predicted that the monthly concentrations of carbon dioxide are set to hit the peak in 2021 at nearly 419.5 ppm, increasing from 417.10 ppm in May 2020.

The authorities have also warned that this year’s average level forecast can be around 416.3 ppm, while 2020’s average was 413.94 ppm.

An increase in the concentrations of carbon dioxide has been majorly caused by human activity such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. While the lockdown in 2020 may have helped a tad, it was not enough to put a stop to the substantial effect of the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

“Emissions may have been reduced but we are still emitting lots of carbon dioxide, and so its atmospheric concentration is bound to go up – and will continue to do so until we get to somewhere near net-zero emissions,” Prof Martin Siegert, of the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London told The Guardian.

“Our path to net zero is obvious, challenging and necessary – and we must get on with the transition urgently.

If you thought there was a huge positive impact of the coronavirus lockdowns on climate, scientists have bad news for you. As per the latest measurements, concentrations of carbon dioxide have hit record highs during the pandemic.

If you thought there was a huge positive impact of the coronavirus lockdowns on climate, scientists have bad news for you. As per the latest measurements, concentrations of carbon dioxide have hit record highs during the pandemic. According to the latest measurements at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, the global levels of carbon dioxide increased alarmingly and are nearly 50 per cent above what they were when the Industrial Revolution started in the UK. Setting a new record high, the atmospheric concentrations of the greenhouse gas in March was nearly 417.14 parts per million (ppm), as per data released by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. Not just this, the UK’s Met Office has also predicted that the monthly concentrations of carbon dioxide are set to hit the peak in 2021 at nearly 419.5 ppm, increasing from 417.10 ppm in May 2020. The authorities have also warned that this year’s average level forecast can be around 416.3 ppm, while 2020’s average was 413.94 ppm. An increase in the concentrations of carbon dioxide has been majorly caused by human activity such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. While the lockdown in 2020 may have helped a tad, it was not enough to put a stop to the substantial effect of the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. “Emissions may have been reduced but we are still emitting lots of carbon dioxide, and so its atmospheric concentration is bound to go up – and will continue to do so until we get to somewhere near net-zero emissions,” Prof Martin Siegert, of the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London told The Guardian. “Our path to net zero is obvious, challenging and necessary – and we must get on with the transition urgently.

Carbon dioxide levels reach record high despite lockdown in 2020

Global star Priyanka Chopra shared about her fears for her family while she was struck in London amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has been creating havoc since its arrival. Everybody is scared of being contracted to the deadly disease and our `Desi Girl` is no exception. 
 
In an interview with People Magazine, Priyanka candidly opened about her fears for family, especially her husband and singer Nick Jonas amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
The `Dostana` actor said that she takes the current health crisis "very, very seriously." 
 
During the interview, the 38-year-old actor spoke about her experience of working during the lockdown in London and how she was worried for her loved ones during this tumultuous time. 
 
As for the uncertainty that still comes with shooting film and television projects, even with strict protocols put in place, Priyanka described it as "kind of a crazy experience." 
 
"As actors, we`re still taking off our masks in front of other actors, you know, and that`s part of the job. And I feel like, that`s kind of really daunting," said the actor who had already completed shooting for two movies. 
 
"My husband is a type one diabetic, I`m asthmatic. I have my Mum who`s living with me right now so, I just feel like I`m also, on the job, you know, responsible for a set of hundreds of people. So I take it very, very seriously," she added. 
 
People Magazine reported that Priyanka takes this pandemic as a "very emotional and scary time".Last year, the former Miss World opened up to the magazine about how she and her husband have taken extra precautions amid the pandemic due to conditions that may put them at a higher risk for more severe cases of COVID-19. 
 
"We have to be even more careful. But there have been a lot of Zoom calls and Zoom brunches," she shared. "We have a really large friend and family group, and I`ve had a lot of birthdays in my family that has happened recently, so we have done a few socially distanced lunches," she continued. 
 
Priyanka further went on to describe how being connected with loved ones is more important than before during this health crisis."If you have the ability to have a human connection with friends, family, whether that`s virtually or whether that`s in a socially distant way, I think that`s really important to feel a sense of normalcy," she said. 
 
On the work front, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is currently shooting for the spy series `Citadel`. It also stars Richard Madden. The project is backed by Amazon and helmed by the Russo Brothers of `Avengers` fame. 
 
The actor has finished shooting `Text for You` with Sam Heughan, Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, and Omid Djalili. Priyanka will also be seen in an Indian wedding comedy with Mindy Kaling, which she will co-produce and feature in.She also has `Matrix 4` and a film based on the life of Maa Anand Sheela in the pipeline.&nbsp;

Global star Priyanka Chopra shared about her fears for her family while she was struck in London amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has been creating havoc since its arrival.

Global star Priyanka Chopra shared about her fears for her family while she was struck in London amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has been creating havoc since its arrival. Everybody is scared of being contracted to the deadly disease and our `Desi Girl` is no exception. In an interview with People Magazine, Priyanka candidly opened about her fears for family, especially her husband and singer Nick Jonas amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The `Dostana` actor said that she takes the current health crisis "very, very seriously." During the interview, the 38-year-old actor spoke about her experience of working during the lockdown in London and how she was worried for her loved ones during this tumultuous time. As for the uncertainty that still comes with shooting film and television projects, even with strict protocols put in place, Priyanka described it as "kind of a crazy experience." "As actors, we`re still taking off our masks in front of other actors, you know, and that`s part of the job. And I feel like, that`s kind of really daunting," said the actor who had already completed shooting for two movies. "My husband is a type one diabetic, I`m asthmatic. I have my Mum who`s living with me right now so, I just feel like I`m also, on the job, you know, responsible for a set of hundreds of people. So I take it very, very seriously," she added. People Magazine reported that Priyanka takes this pandemic as a "very emotional and scary time".Last year, the former Miss World opened up to the magazine about how she and her husband have taken extra precautions amid the pandemic due to conditions that may put them at a higher risk for more severe cases of COVID-19. "We have to be even more careful. But there have been a lot of Zoom calls and Zoom brunches," she shared. "We have a really large friend and family group, and I`ve had a lot of birthdays in my family that has happened recently, so we have done a few socially distanced lunches," she continued. Priyanka further went on to describe how being connected with loved ones is more important than before during this health crisis."If you have the ability to have a human connection with friends, family, whether that`s virtually or whether that`s in a socially distant way, I think that`s really important to feel a sense of normalcy," she said. On the work front, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is currently shooting for the spy series `Citadel`. It also stars Richard Madden. The project is backed by Amazon and helmed by the Russo Brothers of `Avengers` fame. The actor has finished shooting `Text for You` with Sam Heughan, Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, and Omid Djalili. Priyanka will also be seen in an Indian wedding comedy with Mindy Kaling, which she will co-produce and feature in.She also has `Matrix 4` and a film based on the life of Maa Anand Sheela in the pipeline.

Priyanka Chopra shares she was scared for her family during COVID-19

Scuffles broke out in Brazil as supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro clash with the opponents. Protesters are being held on the anniversary of the country's 1964 military coup to oppose the sacking of the three military chiefs and Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic.

Brazil: Protesters oppose sacking of the 3 military chiefs

The coronavirus pandemic has worsened long-standing inequalities around the world, which left unaddressed could undermine economic stability and lead to unrest, the IMF warned on Thursday.

Poorest families have been hit particularly hard, and the damage to education could last for years, the International Monetary Fund said in a report released ahead of next week's Spring meetings.

The findings show that the warnings fund economists sounded last year have come to pass.

"Covid-19 has exposed and exacerbated preexisting inequalities in incomes and access to basic public services, such as health care and vaccination, both within and across countries," the report said.

"Disruptions to education threaten social mobility by leaving long-lasting effects on children and youth, especially those from poorer households."

Increasing reliance on digital work and schooling worsen the impact, making it harder for low-skilled workers to find jobs.

"Against this backdrop, societies may experience rising polarization, erosion of trust in government, or social unrest," the IMF said.&nbsp;

The report — released a day after US President Joe Biden proposed raising corporate taxes to pay for a massive infrastructure and jobs program — called for raising some taxes and improving tax collection to provide revenue for an improved social safety net.&nbsp;

Authors David Amaglobeli, Vitor Gaspar, and Paolo Mauro in a blog post called for governments to "give everyone a fair shot at prosperity," by improving access to health care, vaccinations, education and good jobs.

They suggested countries could rely more on property and inheritance taxes, increase the tax rate for the wealthiest earners, and eliminate loopholes as well as "modernizing corporate income taxation."&nbsp;

Governments also could consider "temporary Covid-19 recovery contributions" for high-income households, they said.

Using these funds for key social programs can have "a powerful effect" at a time when "up to six million children in emerging market and developing economies could drop out of school in 2021, with lifelong adverse consequences."

"If governments increased spending on education by one percent of GDP, for example, they could reduce the gap in enrollment rates between the richest and the poorest families by almost one-third," the authors said.

The coronavirus pandemic has worsened long-standing inequalities around the world, which left unaddressed could undermine economic stability and lead to unrest, the IMF warned on Thursday.

The coronavirus pandemic has worsened long-standing inequalities around the world, which left unaddressed could undermine economic stability and lead to unrest, the IMF warned on Thursday. Poorest families have been hit particularly hard, and the damage to education could last for years, the International Monetary Fund said in a report released ahead of next week's Spring meetings. The findings show that the warnings fund economists sounded last year have come to pass. "Covid-19 has exposed and exacerbated preexisting inequalities in incomes and access to basic public services, such as health care and vaccination, both within and across countries," the report said. "Disruptions to education threaten social mobility by leaving long-lasting effects on children and youth, especially those from poorer households." Increasing reliance on digital work and schooling worsen the impact, making it harder for low-skilled workers to find jobs. "Against this backdrop, societies may experience rising polarization, erosion of trust in government, or social unrest," the IMF said. The report — released a day after US President Joe Biden proposed raising corporate taxes to pay for a massive infrastructure and jobs program — called for raising some taxes and improving tax collection to provide revenue for an improved social safety net. Authors David Amaglobeli, Vitor Gaspar, and Paolo Mauro in a blog post called for governments to "give everyone a fair shot at prosperity," by improving access to health care, vaccinations, education and good jobs. They suggested countries could rely more on property and inheritance taxes, increase the tax rate for the wealthiest earners, and eliminate loopholes as well as "modernizing corporate income taxation." Governments also could consider "temporary Covid-19 recovery contributions" for high-income households, they said. Using these funds for key social programs can have "a powerful effect" at a time when "up to six million children in emerging market and developing economies could drop out of school in 2021, with lifelong adverse consequences." "If governments increased spending on education by one percent of GDP, for example, they could reduce the gap in enrollment rates between the richest and the poorest families by almost one-third," the authors said.

Spend more, tax wealthy: IMF warns pandemic could worsen inequality, fuel social unrest

The Trump administration was so slow to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic that a top aide to President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> took matters into his own hands.

That aide, Peter Navarro, Trump’s deputy assistant and trade adviser, personally steered hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pandemic supplies to politically connected or novice companies, a preliminary investigation by House Democrats has found.

Navarro sounded an early alarm about supply shortages, according to emails and other documents released by a House committee overseeing the federal coronavirus response. In a memo dated March 1, 2020, he complained that “movement has been slow.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-video-teaser-removed-by-facebook-lara-trump-374661">Donald Trump's video teaser removed by Facebook: Lara Trump</a>

After that, documents show, he prodded the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award a $96 million sole-source contract for respirators to AirBoss Defense Group, a defense industry supplier, telling a company executive “everything you requested is OK,” even though no contract had been signed.

The agency awarded the sole-source contract six days later. AirBoss was represented by a retired Army general, Jack Keane, who had been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump just days before the contract was issued

In a statement, Navarro said he wanted to move aggressively to combat the threat of the virus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/miss-me-yet-donald-trump-shocks-everyone-by-making-wedding-speech-about-himself-374257" hreflang="en">'Miss me yet?': Donald Trump shocks everyone by making wedding speech about himself</a>

“In a war, you need to move with warp speed,” he wrote. “My mission was to assist the president in saving lives, which we undeniably did. Given the same set of facts, I would do everything exactly the same. Full stop!”

But the Democrats, led by Rep. James C. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 House Democrat, questioned Navarro’s efforts.

They noted that officials in Navarro’s office had coordinated with executives at the Eastman Kodak Co., best known for its photography business, which then entered into a letter of intent in June 2020 to collaborate on the domestic manufacture of pharmaceutical agents, even though the company had no experience in that field.

Navarro also pushed for the Trump administration to award a $354 million contract to Phlow, a brand-new company in Richmond, Virginia, to manufacture generic medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients — an effort aimed at building up an American manufacturing base for products that were needed to treat COVID-19 but were made overseas. The Democrats’ investigation found that Navarro had been introduced to Phlow’s chief executive in November 2019.

“My head is going to explode if this contract does not get immediately approved,” Navarro wrote to top federal health officials in March 2020. “This is a travesty. I need PHLOW noticed by Monday morning. This is being screwed up. Let’s move this now. We need to flip the switch and they can’t move until you do. FULL funding as we discussed.”

The Trump administration was so slow to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic that a top aide to President Donald Trump took matters into his own hands. That aide, Peter Navarro, Trump’s deputy assistant and trade adviser, personally steered hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pandemic supplies to politically connected or novice companies, a preliminary investigation by House Democrats has found.

The Trump administration was so slow to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic that a top aide to President Donald Trump took matters into his own hands. That aide, Peter Navarro, Trump’s deputy assistant and trade adviser, personally steered hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pandemic supplies to politically connected or novice companies, a preliminary investigation by House Democrats has found. Navarro sounded an early alarm about supply shortages, according to emails and other documents released by a House committee overseeing the federal coronavirus response. In a memo dated March 1, 2020, he complained that “movement has been slow.” Also read | Donald Trump's video teaser removed by Facebook: Lara Trump After that, documents show, he prodded the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award a $96 million sole-source contract for respirators to AirBoss Defense Group, a defense industry supplier, telling a company executive “everything you requested is OK,” even though no contract had been signed. The agency awarded the sole-source contract six days later. AirBoss was represented by a retired Army general, Jack Keane, who had been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump just days before the contract was issued In a statement, Navarro said he wanted to move aggressively to combat the threat of the virus. Also read | 'Miss me yet?': Donald Trump shocks everyone by making wedding speech about himself “In a war, you need to move with warp speed,” he wrote. “My mission was to assist the president in saving lives, which we undeniably did. Given the same set of facts, I would do everything exactly the same. Full stop!” But the Democrats, led by Rep. James C. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 House Democrat, questioned Navarro’s efforts. They noted that officials in Navarro’s office had coordinated with executives at the Eastman Kodak Co., best known for its photography business, which then entered into a letter of intent in June 2020 to collaborate on the domestic manufacture of pharmaceutical agents, even though the company had no experience in that field. Navarro also pushed for the Trump administration to award a $354 million contract to Phlow, a brand-new company in Richmond, Virginia, to manufacture generic medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients — an effort aimed at building up an American manufacturing base for products that were needed to treat COVID-19 but were made overseas. The Democrats’ investigation found that Navarro had been introduced to Phlow’s chief executive in November 2019. “My head is going to explode if this contract does not get immediately approved,” Navarro wrote to top federal health officials in March 2020. “This is a travesty. I need PHLOW noticed by Monday morning. This is being screwed up. Let’s move this now. We need to flip the switch and they can’t move until you do. FULL funding as we discussed.”

Investigators say Trump aide awarded hefty pandemic contracts

After delaying the proceedings for almost two months and coming up with different ideas to put on a live show during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Grammys are going back to normal with the 2022 awards ceremony.&nbsp; 
 
As per Variety, the music`s biggest night is set to take place on January 31, 2022, from Los Angeles` Staples Center and air live on CBS and Paramount+, with the show set to be available later on-demand on the ViacomCBS streaming service. 
 
The Recording Academy on Wednesday announced the date for the 2022 Grammy Awards. However, what is less usual for the 2022 awards ceremony is that the show is taking place on a Monday for the first time since 2016.&nbsp; 
 
The show was moved to Monday that year to avoid Valentine`s Day, which fell on Sunday, the day before. The 2021 awards, which were originally scheduled to take place in January, were moved to March 14 due to a surge in coronavirus cases in Southern California. 
 
Despite the challenges posed by holding a major awards show during a pandemic, the 2021 Grammy Awards were considered a success in every category except television ratings, which have sagged for every such event during the pandemic. New executive producer Ben Winston brought a fresh approach to the three-plus-hour-long show and managed to fill the socially distanced, outdoor rooms with strings of talented celebrities that included Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Harry Styles, and many more. The award show also featured a wider array of winners than usual.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/grammy-awards-2021-beyonce-taylor-swift-create-history-the-full-list-of-winners-370497" hreflang="en">Grammy Awards 2021: Beyonce, Taylor Swift create history; the full list of winners</a> 
 
While Beyonce took the most awards with four, two of those were from her featured spot on the song `Savage` by the next-biggest winner, Megan Thee Stallion, who also took home the Best New Artist Award. Also on music`s biggest night, Taylor won the Grammy Award for album of the year for her album `Folklore`, making her the first woman to win the prize three times. 
 
She previously took home the award for her sophomore album, `Fearless` in 2010, and scored again in 2016 for her fifth album titled `1989`. `Folklore` is her eighth album. H.E.R. won Song of the Year for her Black Lives Matter-influenced song `I Can`t Breathe` and Billie Eilish, 2020`s big winner, took home Record of the Year for her song `Everything I Wanted`.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/grammy-awards-2021-performances-that-rocked-the-musical-night-370590" hreflang="en">Grammy Awards 2021: Performances that rocked the musical night</a> 
 
The ceremony honours musical artists, compositions, and albums across 84 categories. 
 
Comedian and talk show host Trevor Noah hosted this year`s Grammys. It marked Noah`s first time hosting the award ceremony. Though usually held at the Staples Center, this year`s festivities took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center. 
 
&nbsp;Since the pandemic, a number of award shows have been postponed and later revamped due to COVID-19 restrictions.&nbsp;

After delaying the proceedings for almost two months and coming up with different ideas to put on a live show during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Grammys are going back to normal with the 2022 awards ceremony.

After delaying the proceedings for almost two months and coming up with different ideas to put on a live show during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Grammys are going back to normal with the 2022 awards ceremony. As per Variety, the music`s biggest night is set to take place on January 31, 2022, from Los Angeles` Staples Center and air live on CBS and Paramount+, with the show set to be available later on-demand on the ViacomCBS streaming service. The Recording Academy on Wednesday announced the date for the 2022 Grammy Awards. However, what is less usual for the 2022 awards ceremony is that the show is taking place on a Monday for the first time since 2016. The show was moved to Monday that year to avoid Valentine`s Day, which fell on Sunday, the day before. The 2021 awards, which were originally scheduled to take place in January, were moved to March 14 due to a surge in coronavirus cases in Southern California. Despite the challenges posed by holding a major awards show during a pandemic, the 2021 Grammy Awards were considered a success in every category except television ratings, which have sagged for every such event during the pandemic. New executive producer Ben Winston brought a fresh approach to the three-plus-hour-long show and managed to fill the socially distanced, outdoor rooms with strings of talented celebrities that included Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Harry Styles, and many more. The award show also featured a wider array of winners than usual. Grammy Awards 2021: Beyonce, Taylor Swift create history; the full list of winners While Beyonce took the most awards with four, two of those were from her featured spot on the song `Savage` by the next-biggest winner, Megan Thee Stallion, who also took home the Best New Artist Award. Also on music`s biggest night, Taylor won the Grammy Award for album of the year for her album `Folklore`, making her the first woman to win the prize three times. She previously took home the award for her sophomore album, `Fearless` in 2010, and scored again in 2016 for her fifth album titled `1989`. `Folklore` is her eighth album. H.E.R. won Song of the Year for her Black Lives Matter-influenced song `I Can`t Breathe` and Billie Eilish, 2020`s big winner, took home Record of the Year for her song `Everything I Wanted`. Grammy Awards 2021: Performances that rocked the musical night The ceremony honours musical artists, compositions, and albums across 84 categories. Comedian and talk show host Trevor Noah hosted this year`s Grammys. It marked Noah`s first time hosting the award ceremony. Though usually held at the Staples Center, this year`s festivities took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Since the pandemic, a number of award shows have been postponed and later revamped due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Here's when 'back to normal' Grammy Awards 2022 will take place

The deadly Covid-19 crisis has widened the gender gap by a generation and closing it will take concerted efforts by policymakers around the world, a new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) has said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gender-inequality-has-cost-world-usd-70-trillion-since-1990-report-finds-368469">Also read: Gender inequality has cost world USD 70 trillion since 1990, report finds</a>

According to the report, women around the world will have to wait another 135.6 years – up from 99.5 years in 2020 – to achieve overall parity with men. The report also examined the gender gap in the areas of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.

A range of studies has shown that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women, who have lost jobs at a higher rate than men, and had to take on much more of the extra childcare burden when schools closed.

The effects will be felt in the long-term, according to the World Economic Forum, which in its annual Global Gender Gap Report found that the goalposts for gender parity appeared to be moving further away. 
 
Watch: Gender pay equity, still many years away

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gender-pay-equity-still-many-years-away-1157/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracks disparities between the sexes in 156 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.

Workplace equality in 267 years

On the plus side, women appear to be gradually closing the gender gap in areas such as health and education.

But inequality in the workplace -- which has long appeared to be the stickiest area to fix -- is still not expected to be erased for another 267.6 years.

And the pandemic has not helped.

The WEF pointed to a study by the UN's International Labour Organization showing that women were more likely to lose their jobs in the crisis, in part because they are disproportionately represented in sectors directly disrupted by lockdowns.

Other surveys have shown that women were carrying a greater share of the burden of increased housework and childcare during lockdowns, contributing to higher stress and lower productivity levels.

Women were also being hired back at a slower rate than men as workplaces opened up again, according to LinkedIn data referenced in the report.

"The pandemic has fundamentally impacted gender equality in both the workplace and the home, rolling back years of progress," WEF managing director Saadia Zahidi said in the statement.

"If we want a dynamic future economy, it is vital for women to be represented in the jobs of tomorrow," she said, stressing that "this is the moment to embed gender parity by design into the recovery."

Political gender gap growing

It was in the political sphere that the march towards gender parity did the biggest about-face, with several large-population countries seeing the political gender gap widen, the WEF study found.

Women still hold just over a quarter of parliamentary seats worldwide, and only 22.6 percent of ministerial positions.

On its current trajectory, the political gender gap is not expected to close completely for another 145.5 years, the report found.

That marks a 50-per cent hike from the estimated 95 years in the 2020 report, WEF pointed out.

Progress across the categories varies greatly in different countries and regions.

The report pointed out that while Western European countries could close their overall gender gap in 52.1 years, countries in the Middle East and North Africa will take nearly 142.4 years to do so.

Overall, the Nordic countries once again dominated the top of the table: the gap between men and women was narrowest in Iceland, for the 12th year running, followed by Finland and Norway.

New Zealand took fourth place, ahead of Sweden.

(With input from agencies)

The deadly Covid-19 crisis has widened the gender gap by a generation and closing it will take concerted efforts by policymakers around the world, a new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) has said.

The deadly Covid-19 crisis has widened the gender gap by a generation and closing it will take concerted efforts by policymakers around the world, a new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) has said. Also read: Gender inequality has cost world USD 70 trillion since 1990, report finds According to the report, women around the world will have to wait another 135.6 years – up from 99.5 years in 2020 – to achieve overall parity with men. The report also examined the gender gap in the areas of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. A range of studies has shown that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women, who have lost jobs at a higher rate than men, and had to take on much more of the extra childcare burden when schools closed. The effects will be felt in the long-term, according to the World Economic Forum, which in its annual Global Gender Gap Report found that the goalposts for gender parity appeared to be moving further away. Watch: Gender pay equity, still many years away The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracks disparities between the sexes in 156 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment. Workplace equality in 267 years On the plus side, women appear to be gradually closing the gender gap in areas such as health and education. But inequality in the workplace -- which has long appeared to be the stickiest area to fix -- is still not expected to be erased for another 267.6 years. And the pandemic has not helped. The WEF pointed to a study by the UN's International Labour Organization showing that women were more likely to lose their jobs in the crisis, in part because they are disproportionately represented in sectors directly disrupted by lockdowns. Other surveys have shown that women were carrying a greater share of the burden of increased housework and childcare during lockdowns, contributing to higher stress and lower productivity levels. Women were also being hired back at a slower rate than men as workplaces opened up again, according to LinkedIn data referenced in the report. "The pandemic has fundamentally impacted gender equality in both the workplace and the home, rolling back years of progress," WEF managing director Saadia Zahidi said in the statement. "If we want a dynamic future economy, it is vital for women to be represented in the jobs of tomorrow," she said, stressing that "this is the moment to embed gender parity by design into the recovery." Political gender gap growing It was in the political sphere that the march towards gender parity did the biggest about-face, with several large-population countries seeing the political gender gap widen, the WEF study found. Women still hold just over a quarter of parliamentary seats worldwide, and only 22.6 percent of ministerial positions. On its current trajectory, the political gender gap is not expected to close completely for another 145.5 years, the report found. That marks a 50-per cent hike from the estimated 95 years in the 2020 report, WEF pointed out. Progress across the categories varies greatly in different countries and regions. The report pointed out that while Western European countries could close their overall gender gap in 52.1 years, countries in the Middle East and North Africa will take nearly 142.4 years to do so. Overall, the Nordic countries once again dominated the top of the table: the gap between men and women was narrowest in Iceland, for the 12th year running, followed by Finland and Norway. New Zealand took fourth place, ahead of Sweden. (With input from agencies)

Women have to wait 135.6 years to be on equal footing with men: World Economic Forum

Pope Francis led Palm Sunday services in an almost empty St Peter's Basilica because of coronavirus restrictions for the second consecutive year and said the devil is taking advantage of the pandemic.&nbsp;

In pre-coronavirus times, Palm Sunday, which marks the start of Holy Week and leads to Easter, tens of thousands of people would pack St Peter's Square holding olive branches and intricately woven palm fronds in an outdoor ceremony.&nbsp;

Instead, only about 120 members of the faithful participated in Sunday's Mass, joining the pope and about 30 cardinals in a secondary wing of the huge basilica.&nbsp;

"Last year, we were shocked. This year, we are more under pressure and the economic crisis has become heavy," Francis said, in his traditional Sunday noon address after the Mass.&nbsp;

Italy is in the midst of another national lockdown, which is due to end after Easter. On Wednesday, the pope ordered cardinals and other clerics to take pay cuts to save the jobs of other employees.&nbsp;

"The Devil is taking advantage of the crisis to sow distrust, desperation and discord," he said, adding that the pandemic had brought physical, psychological and spiritual suffering.&nbsp;

Since he was elected in 2013, Francis has made clear that he believes the devil to be real, saying in a 2018 document that it was mistaken to consider him a myth.&nbsp;

In both his homily during the Mass and his comments afterward, Francis said the pandemic made it more important than ever to look after those in difficulty, the poor and the suffering.&nbsp;

Nearly everyone, who took part in the Mass, except the pope and the choir, wore masks.&nbsp;

In a small-scale version of a traditional Palm Sunday service, the 84-year-old pope and the cardinals processed to the altar holding palm fronds.&nbsp;

Palm Sunday commemorates the day the gospels say Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was hailed by the people, only to be crucified five days later.&nbsp;

During the Mass, the pope had a pronounced limp. He suffers from sciatica, which causes pain in his legs when it flares up.&nbsp;

The remainder of the pope's Holy Week services - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter next Sunday, will also take place with a limited number of participants.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Pope Francis led Palm Sunday services in an almost empty St Peter's Basilica because of coronavirus restrictions for the second consecutive year and said the devil is taking advantage of the pandemic.

Pope Francis led Palm Sunday services in an almost empty St Peter's Basilica because of coronavirus restrictions for the second consecutive year and said the devil is taking advantage of the pandemic. In pre-coronavirus times, Palm Sunday, which marks the start of Holy Week and leads to Easter, tens of thousands of people would pack St Peter's Square holding olive branches and intricately woven palm fronds in an outdoor ceremony. Instead, only about 120 members of the faithful participated in Sunday's Mass, joining the pope and about 30 cardinals in a secondary wing of the huge basilica. "Last year, we were shocked. This year, we are more under pressure and the economic crisis has become heavy," Francis said, in his traditional Sunday noon address after the Mass. Italy is in the midst of another national lockdown, which is due to end after Easter. On Wednesday, the pope ordered cardinals and other clerics to take pay cuts to save the jobs of other employees. "The Devil is taking advantage of the crisis to sow distrust, desperation and discord," he said, adding that the pandemic had brought physical, psychological and spiritual suffering. Since he was elected in 2013, Francis has made clear that he believes the devil to be real, saying in a 2018 document that it was mistaken to consider him a myth. In both his homily during the Mass and his comments afterward, Francis said the pandemic made it more important than ever to look after those in difficulty, the poor and the suffering. Nearly everyone, who took part in the Mass, except the pope and the choir, wore masks. In a small-scale version of a traditional Palm Sunday service, the 84-year-old pope and the cardinals processed to the altar holding palm fronds. Palm Sunday commemorates the day the gospels say Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was hailed by the people, only to be crucified five days later. During the Mass, the pope had a pronounced limp. He suffers from sciatica, which causes pain in his legs when it flares up. The remainder of the pope's Holy Week services - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter next Sunday, will also take place with a limited number of participants. (With inputs from agencies)

On Palm Sunday, Pope says devil taking advantage of pandemic 

Jazz musician Harry Connick Jr. is showcasing a spiritual side with his new album, 'Alone With my Faith'. 
 
Connick Jr. created the album in his home studio during the pandemic, playing all the instruments, recording all background vocals and doing the engineering. The singer said the process acted as therapy during uncertain times.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-former-james-bond-pierce-brosnan-joins-dwayne-johnsons-black-adam-as-superhero-372999" hreflang="en">Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan joins Dwayne Johnson's 'Black Adam' as superhero</a>

"This was a case where the music itself was actually helping me get through this time, and that`s really rare," he said. The New Orleans native described the 13-track project as a mix of Christian and faith-based songs intended for those who need help accessing their faith to get them through the last year. 
 
Connick said the album, released earlier this month, is an honest look at how most people navigated life during quarantine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/comedian-jay-leno-apologises-for-racist-asian-jokes-372996" hreflang="en">Comedian Jay Leno apologises for racist Asian jokes</a>

"This is a really truthful look at what I, and I think a lot of other people who might listen to it, are going through and just, just went through," he said.

Jazz musician Harry Connick Jr. is showcasing a spiritual side with his new album, 'Alone With my Faith'. Connick Jr. created the album in his home studio during the pandemic, playing all the instruments, recording all background vocals and doing the engineering.

Jazz musician Harry Connick Jr. is showcasing a spiritual side with his new album, 'Alone With my Faith'. Connick Jr. created the album in his home studio during the pandemic, playing all the instruments, recording all background vocals and doing the engineering. The singer said the process acted as therapy during uncertain times. Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan joins Dwayne Johnson's 'Black Adam' as superhero "This was a case where the music itself was actually helping me get through this time, and that`s really rare," he said. The New Orleans native described the 13-track project as a mix of Christian and faith-based songs intended for those who need help accessing their faith to get them through the last year. Connick said the album, released earlier this month, is an honest look at how most people navigated life during quarantine. Comedian Jay Leno apologises for racist Asian jokes "This is a really truthful look at what I, and I think a lot of other people who might listen to it, are going through and just, just went through," he said.

Harry Connick Jr. releases pandemic-produced album, 'Faith'

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Japan's State Minister of Defence Nakayama Yasuhide, former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and&nbsp;former US National Security Advisor John Bolton&nbsp;are among leaders who will address WION's Global summit 2021, to be held on March 24 in Dubai.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/globalsummit/dubai-2021">WION Global Summit: Fourth Edition, Dubai 2021 — click here for details</a>

The event will be aired live on the WION channel, as well as on its YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts, from 12.00 PM IST on Wednesday.

'Power Play in a Post-Pandemic World' is the theme of the fourth edition of the summit, which will have thought-provoking discussions in four sessions.&nbsp;

Jaishankar will be the chief guest at the event to be held at The Oberoi, Dubai, where world leaders, thinkers and influencers will engage in dialogue on the common challenges currently affecting the world.&nbsp; 
 
Pavan Kapoor, Indian Ambassador to UAE, will deliver the welcome note on behalf of the host nation, United Arab Emirates.

Panelists will focus their attention on issues at the intersections of global politics, economy, diplomacy and our daily lives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first session will focus on peace deals in West Asia. The discussion will touch upon several topics in the wake of the change of guard in the US and several nations formalising or normalising their diplomatic ties with Israel. Is the Abraham Accords a political win for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a foreign affairs victory for Donald Trump? What is the future of the annexation of West Bank? Does it amount to a betrayal for Palestine? In the context of a new administration at the White House led by Joe Biden, what's the future of West Asia? Will the US be returning to the talking table with Iran, considered the 'common enemy'? These are among the questions that will be discussed at this session.&nbsp;

The opening keynote address will be delivered by John Bolton. The dialogue partners for the session are Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem; Mustapha Noman, Former Deputy Foreign Minister, Yemen; Ibrahim Shukralla, Emirati Editor from Abu Dhabi and Jason D Greenblatt, Former White House Middle East envoy.

The second session, titled The Post-Pandemic World Order, will explore how COVID-19 &nbsp;exposed the failure of multilateral institutions as well as the lack of global leadership. A key question that will be asked is, who will be the post-pandemic global leader, or will it have several global leaders?

There will be discussions on how the pandemic diminished the credibility of the US, the worst-hit by the pandemic, and exposed its lack of interest in global leadership. The session will also examine how the pandemic was a double whammy for West Asia, as it led to the oil market slump.

There will be discussions on the fight against political Islam in Europe. Other questions on the table would be: Has the pandemic opened opportunities for new alliances? Will the world reset its ties with China post the pandemic? Will there be a shift in economic power? Will there be a push towards multilateralism or ultra-nationalism? Besides these burning questions, the parleys will also focus on India's role in the post-pandemic world.&nbsp;

Nakayama Yasuhide, &nbsp;State Minister of Defence, Japan, will deliver the keynote address for the second session. Also addressing it are Youssef Chahed, Former Prime Minister of Tunisia; Michael Tsai, Former Defence Minister, Taiwan; Ranil Wickremesinghe, Former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka; Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Health, Maldives; Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee GBS JP, Chinese politician, member of ExCo &amp; LegCo and founder of New People's Party.

The third session, on World Economy: The Price of the Pandemic, will focus on how the coronavirus brought about an economic downturn not seen since World War II. It will examine economic trends of 2021, by the end of which global GDP is expected to be 7.5% lower than it would have been without the pandemic.&nbsp;

At issue are joblessness and business shutdowns, with 15% of young, previously employed, people out of jobs. The panelists will address areas such as US unemployment, which is highest since the Great Depression, as well as the future of pandemic-hit sectors such as oil, tourism and aviation. It will discuss why China is not being held accountable, even as several countries are pushed into a recession by the pandemic.&nbsp;

Those addressing these issues would be Jacek Rostowski, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Poland; Ian Goldin, former Vice President of the World Bank; Alexander Downer, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Australia; and Alexander Dynkin, President, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy.

The fourth and last session will explore the digital revolution that saw the world go online during the pandemic. While digital was always the future, the pandemic has accelerated the shift, with e-working and e-learning becoming common. At issue are questions like whether companies will move to permanent work from home, and whether it will take a toll on work-life balance. Are concerns about data security being addressed during this digital revolution? Is the world prepared for the move online?&nbsp;

Joining this session are Audrey Tang, Digital Minister, Taiwan; Maria Galindo, Advisor in International Digital Policy in Government of Catalonia; Kaimar Karu, Former Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology, Republic of Estonia; Jehudi Castro, Digital Advisor to the Colombian President and Former Vice-Minister of Digital Economy; Simon Lacey, Former VP, Huawei Technologies; and Gilles Babinet, Digital Champion at the European Commission for France.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Japan's State Minister of Defence Nakayama Yasuhide, former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former US National Security Advisor John Bolton are among leaders who will address WION's Global summit 2021, to be held on March 24 in Dubai.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Japan's State Minister of Defence Nakayama Yasuhide, former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former US National Security Advisor John Bolton are among leaders who will address WION's Global summit 2021, to be held on March 24 in Dubai. WION Global Summit: Fourth Edition, Dubai 2021 — click here for details The event will be aired live on the WION channel, as well as on its YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts, from 12.00 PM IST on Wednesday. 'Power Play in a Post-Pandemic World' is the theme of the fourth edition of the summit, which will have thought-provoking discussions in four sessions. Jaishankar will be the chief guest at the event to be held at The Oberoi, Dubai, where world leaders, thinkers and influencers will engage in dialogue on the common challenges currently affecting the world. Pavan Kapoor, Indian Ambassador to UAE, will deliver the welcome note on behalf of the host nation, United Arab Emirates. Panelists will focus their attention on issues at the intersections of global politics, economy, diplomacy and our daily lives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first session will focus on peace deals in West Asia. The discussion will touch upon several topics in the wake of the change of guard in the US and several nations formalising or normalising their diplomatic ties with Israel. Is the Abraham Accords a political win for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a foreign affairs victory for Donald Trump? What is the future of the annexation of West Bank? Does it amount to a betrayal for Palestine? In the context of a new administration at the White House led by Joe Biden, what's the future of West Asia? Will the US be returning to the talking table with Iran, considered the 'common enemy'? These are among the questions that will be discussed at this session. The opening keynote address will be delivered by John Bolton. The dialogue partners for the session are Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem; Mustapha Noman, Former Deputy Foreign Minister, Yemen; Ibrahim Shukralla, Emirati Editor from Abu Dhabi and Jason D Greenblatt, Former White House Middle East envoy. The second session, titled The Post-Pandemic World Order, will explore how COVID-19 exposed the failure of multilateral institutions as well as the lack of global leadership. A key question that will be asked is, who will be the post-pandemic global leader, or will it have several global leaders? There will be discussions on how the pandemic diminished the credibility of the US, the worst-hit by the pandemic, and exposed its lack of interest in global leadership. The session will also examine how the pandemic was a double whammy for West Asia, as it led to the oil market slump. There will be discussions on the fight against political Islam in Europe. Other questions on the table would be: Has the pandemic opened opportunities for new alliances? Will the world reset its ties with China post the pandemic? Will there be a shift in economic power? Will there be a push towards multilateralism or ultra-nationalism? Besides these burning questions, the parleys will also focus on India's role in the post-pandemic world. Nakayama Yasuhide, State Minister of Defence, Japan, will deliver the keynote address for the second session. Also addressing it are Youssef Chahed, Former Prime Minister of Tunisia; Michael Tsai, Former Defence Minister, Taiwan; Ranil Wickremesinghe, Former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka; Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Health, Maldives; Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee GBS JP, Chinese politician, member of ExCo & LegCo and founder of New People's Party. The third session, on World Economy: The Price of the Pandemic, will focus on how the coronavirus brought about an economic downturn not seen since World War II. It will examine economic trends of 2021, by the end of which global GDP is expected to be 7.5% lower than it would have been without the pandemic. At issue are joblessness and business shutdowns, with 15% of young, previously employed, people out of jobs. The panelists will address areas such as US unemployment, which is highest since the Great Depression, as well as the future of pandemic-hit sectors such as oil, tourism and aviation. It will discuss why China is not being held accountable, even as several countries are pushed into a recession by the pandemic. Those addressing these issues would be Jacek Rostowski, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Poland; Ian Goldin, former Vice President of the World Bank; Alexander Downer, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Australia; and Alexander Dynkin, President, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy. The fourth and last session will explore the digital revolution that saw the world go online during the pandemic. While digital was always the future, the pandemic has accelerated the shift, with e-working and e-learning becoming common. At issue are questions like whether companies will move to permanent work from home, and whether it will take a toll on work-life balance. Are concerns about data security being addressed during this digital revolution? Is the world prepared for the move online? Joining this session are Audrey Tang, Digital Minister, Taiwan; Maria Galindo, Advisor in International Digital Policy in Government of Catalonia; Kaimar Karu, Former Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology, Republic of Estonia; Jehudi Castro, Digital Advisor to the Colombian President and Former Vice-Minister of Digital Economy; Simon Lacey, Former VP, Huawei Technologies; and Gilles Babinet, Digital Champion at the European Commission for France.

At WION Global Summit, leaders to deliberate on post-pandemic world order

The spike protein of the novel coronavirus, which enables it to infect human cells, is more stable in faster spreading versions of the virus, such as the ones first reported in the UK and South Africa, compared to the original form of the pathogen from Wuhan, China, says a new study.&nbsp;

Researchers, including those from the Boston Children's Hospital in the US assessed the structure of the coronavirus spike protein down to the atomic level, and found how it changed with the D614G mutation, which is carried by the Brazil, South Africa and UK variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.&nbsp;

The results, published in the journal Science, showed that the mutation makes the spike more stable as compared with the original SARS-CoV-2 virus from Wuhan, enabling the variants to spread more quickly.&nbsp;

According to the scientists, the spike proteins in the original virus would bind to the ACE2 receptor on human cells, and then dramatically change shape, folding in on themselves and enabling the virus to fuse its membrane with host cells.&nbsp;

However, they said the spikes would sometimes prematurely change shape and fall apart before the virus could bind to cells.&nbsp;

While this slowed the virus down, the researchers said this shape change also made it harder for the human immune system to contain the virus.&nbsp;

"Because the original spike protein would dissociate, it was not good enough to induce a strong neutralising antibody response," said study co-author Bing Chen from the Boston Children's Hospital.&nbsp;

In the variant forms, the scientists said the mutation stabilises the spike by blocking the premature shape change and making the spikes bind weaklier to the ACE2 receptor.&nbsp;

According to the researchers, since these spikes are less apt to fall apart prematurely, the virus overall is rendered more infectious.&nbsp;

"Say the original virus has 100 spikes. Because of the shape instability, you may have just 50 per cent of them functional. In the G614 variants, you may have 90 per cent that are functional, so even though they don't bind as well, the chances are greater that you will have infection," Chen explained.&nbsp;

Based on the findings, the scientists suggested that redesigned vaccines incorporate the code for this mutant spike protein.&nbsp;

They believe more stable spike shapes could make vaccines based on these virus proteins more likely to elicit protective neutralising antibodies. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The spike protein of the novel coronavirus, which enables it to infect human cells, is more stable in faster spreading versions of the virus, such as the ones first reported in the UK and South Africa, compared to the original form of the pathogen from Wuhan, China, says a new study.

The spike protein of the novel coronavirus, which enables it to infect human cells, is more stable in faster spreading versions of the virus, such as the ones first reported in the UK and South Africa, compared to the original form of the pathogen from Wuhan, China, says a new study. Researchers, including those from the Boston Children's Hospital in the US assessed the structure of the coronavirus spike protein down to the atomic level, and found how it changed with the D614G mutation, which is carried by the Brazil, South Africa and UK variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The results, published in the journal Science, showed that the mutation makes the spike more stable as compared with the original SARS-CoV-2 virus from Wuhan, enabling the variants to spread more quickly. According to the scientists, the spike proteins in the original virus would bind to the ACE2 receptor on human cells, and then dramatically change shape, folding in on themselves and enabling the virus to fuse its membrane with host cells. However, they said the spikes would sometimes prematurely change shape and fall apart before the virus could bind to cells. While this slowed the virus down, the researchers said this shape change also made it harder for the human immune system to contain the virus. "Because the original spike protein would dissociate, it was not good enough to induce a strong neutralising antibody response," said study co-author Bing Chen from the Boston Children's Hospital. In the variant forms, the scientists said the mutation stabilises the spike by blocking the premature shape change and making the spikes bind weaklier to the ACE2 receptor. According to the researchers, since these spikes are less apt to fall apart prematurely, the virus overall is rendered more infectious. "Say the original virus has 100 spikes. Because of the shape instability, you may have just 50 per cent of them functional. In the G614 variants, you may have 90 per cent that are functional, so even though they don't bind as well, the chances are greater that you will have infection," Chen explained. Based on the findings, the scientists suggested that redesigned vaccines incorporate the code for this mutant spike protein. They believe more stable spike shapes could make vaccines based on these virus proteins more likely to elicit protective neutralising antibodies. (With inputs from agencies)

Sturdier protein may have led to some coronavirus variants' faster spread: Scientists 

Pope Francis urged people to fight organised crime such as the "mafias" on Sunday. He warned that criminals were using coronavirus pandemic for their own benefit.

"Mafias are present in various part of the world and, taking advantage of the pandemic, they are enriching themselves through corruption," Francis said, speaking at his Sunday noon address on the day Italy remembers victims of organised crime.

"These structures of sin, mafia structures, are against the gospel and mistake idolatry for faith," the pope added.

Italian police say that crime clans are using coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to win favour with people. Mafias are offering loans and food to poor families facing financial ruin. Mob loan demanding exorbitant interest rates are bailing out businesses hit by the pandemic, police say.

In December, the Paris-based Interpol police co-ordination issued a global alert warning that organised criminal networks were targeting COVID-19 vaccines. In March, South African police seized hundreds of fake vaccines and arrested four suspects.

In Italy, many members of organised crime see themselves as part of a religious, cult-like group, invoking the help of saints and using religious figurines or statues in initiation rites.

The southern town of Oppido Mamertina made headlines in 2014 when locals carrying a statue of the Madonna diverted the route of a procession to pause at the home of a mob boss and tilted the statue slightly as if to kneel in a sign of respect.

"Today, let us remember all the victims and renew our commitment against mafias," Francis said.

(With Reuters inputs)

Pope Francis urged people to fight organised crime such as the "mafias" on Sunday. He warned that criminals were using coronavirus pandemic for their own benefit.

Pope Francis urged people to fight organised crime such as the "mafias" on Sunday. He warned that criminals were using coronavirus pandemic for their own benefit. "Mafias are present in various part of the world and, taking advantage of the pandemic, they are enriching themselves through corruption," Francis said, speaking at his Sunday noon address on the day Italy remembers victims of organised crime. "These structures of sin, mafia structures, are against the gospel and mistake idolatry for faith," the pope added. Italian police say that crime clans are using coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to win favour with people. Mafias are offering loans and food to poor families facing financial ruin. Mob loan demanding exorbitant interest rates are bailing out businesses hit by the pandemic, police say. In December, the Paris-based Interpol police co-ordination issued a global alert warning that organised criminal networks were targeting COVID-19 vaccines. In March, South African police seized hundreds of fake vaccines and arrested four suspects. In Italy, many members of organised crime see themselves as part of a religious, cult-like group, invoking the help of saints and using religious figurines or statues in initiation rites. The southern town of Oppido Mamertina made headlines in 2014 when locals carrying a statue of the Madonna diverted the route of a procession to pause at the home of a mob boss and tilted the statue slightly as if to kneel in a sign of respect. "Today, let us remember all the victims and renew our commitment against mafias," Francis said. (With Reuters inputs)

Pope Francis vs Mafia? Holy Father urges people to fight organised crime

Paraguayan opposition lawmakers lost a bid on Wednesday to impeach President Mario Abdo over the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the South American country.&nbsp;

Abdo's conservative government has faced fierce protests in recent weeks as a surge in Covid-19 cases has left hospitals on the brink of collapse and out of drugs, while the country has been slow to secure vaccines.&nbsp;

Opposition lawmakers in the lower house of deputies put forward the motion to impeach Abdo and his vice-president.&nbsp;

Fifty-three votes were needed for the motion to pass and at the end, the president was thrown a lifeline by a voting bloc within the ruling Colorado Party led by former President Horacio Cartes.&nbsp;

"Just because you have a majority does not always mean you are right," said opposition deputy Edgar Acosta during the plenary session. "They may have won the political trial but they lost the citizen's trial."&nbsp;

Those, who argued against the motion, said the country needed stability to move forward with the purchase of vaccines and medicine critical to address the Covid-19 crisis.&nbsp;

The failed push will nonetheless pile further pressure on Abdo's government, which has been forced to shuffle several ministers, including the health minister and chief of staff, to help calm public anger.&nbsp;

Shortly after the result came through, police dispersed stone-throwing protesters with rubber bullets and water cannons near the congressional headquarters in the historic centre of Asunción.&nbsp;

A smaller group of protesters attacked the headquarters of the ruling party, starting a small fire in part of the building, which was later brought under control by police with no major damage or injuries reported.&nbsp;

Paraguay's health ministry reported a record daily high of 2,540 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of infections in the landlocked Latin nation to 185,888 and 3,588 people dead.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Paraguayan opposition lawmakers lost a bid on Wednesday to impeach President Mario Abdo over the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the South American country.

Paraguayan opposition lawmakers lost a bid on Wednesday to impeach President Mario Abdo over the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the South American country. Abdo's conservative government has faced fierce protests in recent weeks as a surge in Covid-19 cases has left hospitals on the brink of collapse and out of drugs, while the country has been slow to secure vaccines. Opposition lawmakers in the lower house of deputies put forward the motion to impeach Abdo and his vice-president. Fifty-three votes were needed for the motion to pass and at the end, the president was thrown a lifeline by a voting bloc within the ruling Colorado Party led by former President Horacio Cartes. "Just because you have a majority does not always mean you are right," said opposition deputy Edgar Acosta during the plenary session. "They may have won the political trial but they lost the citizen's trial." Those, who argued against the motion, said the country needed stability to move forward with the purchase of vaccines and medicine critical to address the Covid-19 crisis. The failed push will nonetheless pile further pressure on Abdo's government, which has been forced to shuffle several ministers, including the health minister and chief of staff, to help calm public anger. Shortly after the result came through, police dispersed stone-throwing protesters with rubber bullets and water cannons near the congressional headquarters in the historic centre of Asunción. A smaller group of protesters attacked the headquarters of the ruling party, starting a small fire in part of the building, which was later brought under control by police with no major damage or injuries reported. Paraguay's health ministry reported a record daily high of 2,540 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of infections in the landlocked Latin nation to 185,888 and 3,588 people dead. (With inputs from agencies)

Paraguay president survives impeachment bid by opposition over pandemic

Hundreds of climbers set to return to Mount Everest next month as the world's highest peak reopens after a year of closure due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. According to the Nepal Tourism department, only 300 foreign mountaineers can climb Mt. Everest in the spring season.

Mt. Everest to reopen first time since pandemic

The castle that crowns the hill above the village of Gósol used to be among the grandest along Spain’s border with France, with views of fertile farms and forests rich in timber that stretched up to the cloudy mountaintops.

But the castle is in ruins now, and until last year, Gósol had fallen on hard times, too. The town census had gone down in nearly every count since the 1960s. The school was on the verge of closing for lack of students. The mayor had even taken to television with a plea to his countrymen: Come to Gósol, he asked, or the town would disappear.

It took a pandemic for Spaniards to heed his call.

Among those who packed their bags was Gabriela Calvar, a 37-year-old who once owned a bar in a beach town near Barcelona, but watched it go under during last year’s lockdowns and decamped to the town in the mountains for a new start.

María Otero, a web designer who found she could telecommute, brought her husband and three children to Gósol, the place where her grandparents had been born, but where she had only spent the summers milking cows on visits.

It was the rare silver lining of a troubled time: About 20 or 30 newcomers to a dwindling town of 140 souls, where even the tiny school on the town plaza got a second chance after parents started enrolling their children there.

“If it weren’t for COVID, the school would have closed,” said Josep Tomás Puig, 67, a retired mail carrier in Gósol who spent his life watching the younger generation depart to Spain’s cities. “And if the school closed, the town might as well have closed, too.”

Gósol was hardly the first village in the country to be on the brink of disappearing. For decades in Spain, a landscape of walled cities, stone bridges and ancient winding roads has become mostly abandoned as generations of young people left for cities. La España Vacía, or “Empty Spain,” is the phrase that was coined to describe the blight.

Elderly pensioners wander empty streets with few shops and no schools. In 2005, a British man bought an entire village in the region of Galicia — one of an estimated 3,000 that are abandoned there — for 45,000 euros, less than $55,000. This year, a local political party that has made advocating the oft-forgotten province of Teruel its sole aim won seats in Spain’s national Legislature. Its name: Teruel Exists.

Yet tiny Gósol had fared better than many others, residents say.

It sits in the wealthy autonomous region of Catalonia, in a majestic valley in the Pyrenees Mountains that brought tourists and part-time residents in the summer months. Among the notable tenants was Pablo Picasso, who arrived in 1906 when the population stood at about 745 residents. The artist painted much of his famed “Rose Period” work in Gósol, riding the wave of what he called an “epiphany of inspiration.”

But the epiphany was not enough to keep him there — he left Gósol before the end of the year, and so did many others in the decades since.

By 2015, the situation had gotten critical. The number of permanent residents was 120 and falling. The mayor went on television warning, among other things, that the school was about to close because it was down to five students. He asked for young families from elsewhere to repopulate the town.

Rafael López, a former renewable energy entrepreneur whose business collapsed in Spain’s 2008 financial crisis, was interested. “My mom said she saw this on TV,” said López. “And I said, ‘Well, what do you say if we take the car and go have a look, see what’s there?’”

Over the next months, hundreds of people came to Gósol to kick the tires. They said they were impressed by the quaint homes and the ruined castle atop the hill. There was the cool mountain breeze and the tinkling of cowbells heard over the hillsides.

In the end, though, only López and two other families actually moved to Gósol in the years before the pandemic.

López, who said he was attracted to the isolated village in part because he “doesn’t really like people,” said the new life also came with its downsides. The town fiestas can get loud, he said. Last year, a winter storm left the town without electricity — and many with no heat — for two days. The two other families that volunteered to move with him eventually left.

As the coronavirus began to spread last year, Spain entered another economic crisis, this one on a scale greater than the collapse that had brought López in 2008.

In Castelldefels, a seaside town southwest of Barcelona, life was starting to look upside-down for Calvar, the bar owner who came to Gósol in September. Spain’s lockdowns had decimated her pub. And after flights were cancelled, her side-hustle as a flight attendant at a low-cost Spanish airline brought no reprieve.

“I’m a single mother with two kids,” said Calvar. “I had to say, ‘We’re going to ask the big life question now: What are we going to do?’”

The path seemed clear when, passing through Gósol one day, Calvar learned that the owner of the grocery store on the plaza was looking to sell the business.

Calvar’s arrival heralded big news for the village: The 90-year-old owner was at last able to retire; the grocery store, one of only two in town, stayed in business; and Calvar enrolled her two sons in the school, which now has 16 students.

The schoolhouse sits along the plaza, a place of kid-sized chairs and tables, paper planets hanging from the ceiling and an incubator warming eggs. The two teachers sat inside the school on a recent day on lunch break. While the adult arrivals seemed to be starting fresh in Gósol, they said, the children seemed to be a bit haunted by the life they left behind.

“There’s a girl, there are two or three of them, who have become so closed, it’s hard for them to relate to others,” said Carla Pautas, the headteacher.

“It’s like they’ve become used to months being alone in the lockdown,” replied Anna Boixader, the other teacher.

Classes ended at 5 p.m. and Otero, the telecommuting web designer who had moved to Gósol from Barcelona last June, was waiting for two of her children, 6 and 7. She had something of an advantage over the other new arrivals: Her grandparents were from Gósol, and she had spent summers on their farm. Now her children were actually living in her family village.

There was a note of regret in her voice when she thought about the end of the pandemic, and the pressure that she knew would inevitably build to return to Barcelona. She did not want Gósol to disappear yet, she said.

Puig, the former mail carrier, was asking himself similar questions about how long the new arrivals would stay. So many had come and left over the years.

But he was sanguine. In his years delivering the mail, he says he got a sense of the place and had spoken to just about everyone in Gósol; retirement has allowed him to become philosophical about the fate of the village.

“When I was 10 years old, here in the plaza, when people started to sell their houses in the ’60s, everyone was going to Barcelona,” he recalled. “And people said, ‘If you stay here, who knows what you’ll do, before long there will be squirrels and foxes running around here.’”

He gestured to the street. Not a fox in sight.

“Well, that still hasn’t happened,” he said.

The castle that crowns the hill above the village of Gósol used to be among the grandest along Spain’s border with France, with views of fertile farms and forests rich in timber that stretched up to the cloudy mountaintops.

The castle that crowns the hill above the village of Gósol used to be among the grandest along Spain’s border with France, with views of fertile farms and forests rich in timber that stretched up to the cloudy mountaintops. But the castle is in ruins now, and until last year, Gósol had fallen on hard times, too. The town census had gone down in nearly every count since the 1960s. The school was on the verge of closing for lack of students. The mayor had even taken to television with a plea to his countrymen: Come to Gósol, he asked, or the town would disappear. It took a pandemic for Spaniards to heed his call. Among those who packed their bags was Gabriela Calvar, a 37-year-old who once owned a bar in a beach town near Barcelona, but watched it go under during last year’s lockdowns and decamped to the town in the mountains for a new start. María Otero, a web designer who found she could telecommute, brought her husband and three children to Gósol, the place where her grandparents had been born, but where she had only spent the summers milking cows on visits. It was the rare silver lining of a troubled time: About 20 or 30 newcomers to a dwindling town of 140 souls, where even the tiny school on the town plaza got a second chance after parents started enrolling their children there. “If it weren’t for COVID, the school would have closed,” said Josep Tomás Puig, 67, a retired mail carrier in Gósol who spent his life watching the younger generation depart to Spain’s cities. “And if the school closed, the town might as well have closed, too.” Gósol was hardly the first village in the country to be on the brink of disappearing. For decades in Spain, a landscape of walled cities, stone bridges and ancient winding roads has become mostly abandoned as generations of young people left for cities. La España Vacía, or “Empty Spain,” is the phrase that was coined to describe the blight. Elderly pensioners wander empty streets with few shops and no schools. In 2005, a British man bought an entire village in the region of Galicia — one of an estimated 3,000 that are abandoned there — for 45,000 euros, less than $55,000. This year, a local political party that has made advocating the oft-forgotten province of Teruel its sole aim won seats in Spain’s national Legislature. Its name: Teruel Exists. Yet tiny Gósol had fared better than many others, residents say. It sits in the wealthy autonomous region of Catalonia, in a majestic valley in the Pyrenees Mountains that brought tourists and part-time residents in the summer months. Among the notable tenants was Pablo Picasso, who arrived in 1906 when the population stood at about 745 residents. The artist painted much of his famed “Rose Period” work in Gósol, riding the wave of what he called an “epiphany of inspiration.” But the epiphany was not enough to keep him there — he left Gósol before the end of the year, and so did many others in the decades since. By 2015, the situation had gotten critical. The number of permanent residents was 120 and falling. The mayor went on television warning, among other things, that the school was about to close because it was down to five students. He asked for young families from elsewhere to repopulate the town. Rafael López, a former renewable energy entrepreneur whose business collapsed in Spain’s 2008 financial crisis, was interested. “My mom said she saw this on TV,” said López. “And I said, ‘Well, what do you say if we take the car and go have a look, see what’s there?’” Over the next months, hundreds of people came to Gósol to kick the tires. They said they were impressed by the quaint homes and the ruined castle atop the hill. There was the cool mountain breeze and the tinkling of cowbells heard over the hillsides. In the end, though, only López and two other families actually moved to Gósol in the years before the pandemic. López, who said he was attracted to the isolated village in part because he “doesn’t really like people,” said the new life also came with its downsides. The town fiestas can get loud, he said. Last year, a winter storm left the town without electricity — and many with no heat — for two days. The two other families that volunteered to move with him eventually left. As the coronavirus began to spread last year, Spain entered another economic crisis, this one on a scale greater than the collapse that had brought López in 2008. In Castelldefels, a seaside town southwest of Barcelona, life was starting to look upside-down for Calvar, the bar owner who came to Gósol in September. Spain’s lockdowns had decimated her pub. And after flights were cancelled, her side-hustle as a flight attendant at a low-cost Spanish airline brought no reprieve. “I’m a single mother with two kids,” said Calvar. “I had to say, ‘We’re going to ask the big life question now: What are we going to do?’” The path seemed clear when, passing through Gósol one day, Calvar learned that the owner of the grocery store on the plaza was looking to sell the business. Calvar’s arrival heralded big news for the village: The 90-year-old owner was at last able to retire; the grocery store, one of only two in town, stayed in business; and Calvar enrolled her two sons in the school, which now has 16 students. The schoolhouse sits along the plaza, a place of kid-sized chairs and tables, paper planets hanging from the ceiling and an incubator warming eggs. The two teachers sat inside the school on a recent day on lunch break. While the adult arrivals seemed to be starting fresh in Gósol, they said, the children seemed to be a bit haunted by the life they left behind. “There’s a girl, there are two or three of them, who have become so closed, it’s hard for them to relate to others,” said Carla Pautas, the headteacher. “It’s like they’ve become used to months being alone in the lockdown,” replied Anna Boixader, the other teacher. Classes ended at 5 p.m. and Otero, the telecommuting web designer who had moved to Gósol from Barcelona last June, was waiting for two of her children, 6 and 7. She had something of an advantage over the other new arrivals: Her grandparents were from Gósol, and she had spent summers on their farm. Now her children were actually living in her family village. There was a note of regret in her voice when she thought about the end of the pandemic, and the pressure that she knew would inevitably build to return to Barcelona. She did not want Gósol to disappear yet, she said. Puig, the former mail carrier, was asking himself similar questions about how long the new arrivals would stay. So many had come and left over the years. But he was sanguine. In his years delivering the mail, he says he got a sense of the place and had spoken to just about everyone in Gósol; retirement has allowed him to become philosophical about the fate of the village. “When I was 10 years old, here in the plaza, when people started to sell their houses in the ’60s, everyone was going to Barcelona,” he recalled. “And people said, ‘If you stay here, who knows what you’ll do, before long there will be squirrels and foxes running around here.’” He gestured to the street. Not a fox in sight. “Well, that still hasn’t happened,” he said.

The pandemic’s silver lining? This village may have been saved by it

Standing tall like a wall: Coronavirus inspires graffiti to spread awareness

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has described the COVID-19 pandemic as “the most discriminatory crisis” that women and girls have ever experienced.

"The pandemic has been especially hard on women and girls. This is the most discriminatory crisis we have ever experienced. It has hit hardest those who are least able to cope. It has posed a direct challenge to our work as the United Nations and the work of UN Women. The gains we have made in the past are at risk," she said.

Pointing at the unemployment in women due to deadly coronavirus pandemic she said that "women are facing job losses, with two-thirds of the jobs lost being women’s jobs. Those who are most affected are young women at the age where they are rearing young children. 47 million more women this year will be pushed into living on less than USD 1.90 a day, with younger women again bearing the brunt of lost income and lack of decent work. In addition, we face the digital gender gap that leaves women unprepared for the future.”

She spoke at the opening of the annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women whose theme this year is on women's participation and decision-making in public life and combating violence against women and girls.

Mlambo-Ngcuka, the executive director of the UN women’s agency, said the WHO's latest report shows that the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the past 12 months - 16 per cent - was against young women aged 15 to 24.

A report for the commission’s session also underlined that “violence against women in public life is a major deterrent to their political participation, and affects women of all ages and ranks, in every part of the world,” she said.

(With inputs from PTI)

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has described the COVID-19 pandemic as “the most discriminatory crisis” that women and girls have ever experienced.

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has described the COVID-19 pandemic as “the most discriminatory crisis” that women and girls have ever experienced. "The pandemic has been especially hard on women and girls. This is the most discriminatory crisis we have ever experienced. It has hit hardest those who are least able to cope. It has posed a direct challenge to our work as the United Nations and the work of UN Women. The gains we have made in the past are at risk," she said. Pointing at the unemployment in women due to deadly coronavirus pandemic she said that "women are facing job losses, with two-thirds of the jobs lost being women’s jobs. Those who are most affected are young women at the age where they are rearing young children. 47 million more women this year will be pushed into living on less than USD 1.90 a day, with younger women again bearing the brunt of lost income and lack of decent work. In addition, we face the digital gender gap that leaves women unprepared for the future.” She spoke at the opening of the annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women whose theme this year is on women's participation and decision-making in public life and combating violence against women and girls. Mlambo-Ngcuka, the executive director of the UN women’s agency, said the WHO's latest report shows that the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the past 12 months - 16 per cent - was against young women aged 15 to 24. A report for the commission’s session also underlined that “violence against women in public life is a major deterrent to their political participation, and affects women of all ages and ranks, in every part of the world,” she said. (With inputs from PTI)

Pandemic has been disproportionately hard on women and girls: UN Women

The rise of ghost kitchens is one of the biggest trends in the food industry amid pandemic and is having a radical effect on the way restaurants operate. Ghost kitchens are also known as cloud kitchens.

WION Dispatch: Ghost kitchens are booming in Dubai amid pandemic

The 21st-century economy has been a two-decade series of punches in the gut. The century began in economic triumphalism in the United States, with a sense that business cycles had been vanquished and prosperity secured for a blindingly bright future.

17 Reasons to Let the Economic Optimism Begin

COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the world, people relied on little joys of life to keep going like pets. The UK which is still battling the pandemic is now witnessing rising cases of dognapping, activist says that cases have tripled amid the pandemic.

Is dog theft growing into a big business in UK?

Repeated lockdowns, socially distanced lives, masks on the face, and a general phobia of catching the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> from anyone and everyone — there are several aspects of this pandemic that has brought humongous changes in our lives, and many believe that these changes have brought greater social inequality.

A recent study by the UK government's independent advisers has revealed that over half of the public believes that coronavirus has brought increased social injustice.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-contagious-variant-is-spreading-fast-in-us-even-as-overall-cases-level-off-369658" hreflang="en">More contagious variant is spreading fast in US, even as overall cases level off</a>

The Social Mobility Commission has claimed that an annual survey of public attitudes has revealed that 56 per cent of adults believe that social inequality has increased during the pandemic. While 16 per cent of adults are still unsure about the pandemic's effect on social inequality, a quarter feel there hasn't been any increase.

This survey has also highlighted the point that several organisations have been talking about for the past few months, claiming the socially disadvantaged have been the hardest hit by the pandemic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-and-hispanic-communities-grapple-with-vaccine-misinformation-369476" hreflang="en">Black and Hispanic communities grapple with vaccine misinformation</a>

"Now without urgent, targeted action, social mobility looks set to go backwards and the attainment gap between the wealthy and disadvantaged will grow ever wider," the report mentioned.

Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in job losses and an alarming decline in living standards, staggering access to health facilities and limited access to online schooling.

"This poll dramatically underlines public concern about growing social inequality. Government, employers and educators should listen and act. The most disadvantaged – at home, school or work – should now be put centre stage in any recovery plan," Steven Cooper, interim co-chair of the commission said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vitamin-d-supplements-cannot-protect-against-coronavirus-study-369411" hreflang="en">Vitamin D supplements cannot protect against coronavirus: Study</a>

The results have been calculated from a database of 4,693 adults who were surveyed between January 27 and February 01.

Since the pandemic hit and the survey outlined the underlying problem, the government has decided to step in and fill the gaps. "This government is committed to levelling up outcomes for every individual, across the country. Supporting people’s mental wellbeing is a priority, which is why we are providing an additional £500m for mental health services and £79m to expand mental health support teams in schools and colleges," a government spokesperson said.

"On top of that, our multi-billion pound plan for jobs aims to protect, support and create jobs across the country and offers targeted support to help jobseekers of all ages back into work," the spokesperson added. "We are also providing £1.7bn to help children and young people with education recovery after time out of the classroom."

Repeated lockdowns, socially distanced lives, masks on the face, and a general phobia of catching the deadly coronavirus from anyone and everyone — there are several aspects of this pandemic that has brought humongous changes in our lives, and many believe that these changes have brought greater social inequality.

Repeated lockdowns, socially distanced lives, masks on the face, and a general phobia of catching the deadly coronavirus from anyone and everyone — there are several aspects of this pandemic that has brought humongous changes in our lives, and many believe that these changes have brought greater social inequality. A recent study by the UK government's independent advisers has revealed that over half of the public believes that coronavirus has brought increased social injustice. Also read | More contagious variant is spreading fast in US, even as overall cases level off The Social Mobility Commission has claimed that an annual survey of public attitudes has revealed that 56 per cent of adults believe that social inequality has increased during the pandemic. While 16 per cent of adults are still unsure about the pandemic's effect on social inequality, a quarter feel there hasn't been any increase. This survey has also highlighted the point that several organisations have been talking about for the past few months, claiming the socially disadvantaged have been the hardest hit by the pandemic. Also read | Black and Hispanic communities grapple with vaccine misinformation "Now without urgent, targeted action, social mobility looks set to go backwards and the attainment gap between the wealthy and disadvantaged will grow ever wider," the report mentioned. Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in job losses and an alarming decline in living standards, staggering access to health facilities and limited access to online schooling. "This poll dramatically underlines public concern about growing social inequality. Government, employers and educators should listen and act. The most disadvantaged – at home, school or work – should now be put centre stage in any recovery plan," Steven Cooper, interim co-chair of the commission said. Also read | Vitamin D supplements cannot protect against coronavirus: Study The results have been calculated from a database of 4,693 adults who were surveyed between January 27 and February 01. Since the pandemic hit and the survey outlined the underlying problem, the government has decided to step in and fill the gaps. "This government is committed to levelling up outcomes for every individual, across the country. Supporting people’s mental wellbeing is a priority, which is why we are providing an additional £500m for mental health services and £79m to expand mental health support teams in schools and colleges," a government spokesperson said. "On top of that, our multi-billion pound plan for jobs aims to protect, support and create jobs across the country and offers targeted support to help jobseekers of all ages back into work," the spokesperson added. "We are also providing £1.7bn to help children and young people with education recovery after time out of the classroom."

Coronavirus has increased social inequality in UK: Survey

Japan's economy expanded at a slower-than-initially-reported pace in October-December as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic weighed on the economic outlook.

World Business Watch: Japan downgrades fourth-quarter GDP as pandemic hurts domestic demands

Oil prices settled lower, retreating from a session peak above $70 a barrel after attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia lifted prices that high for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

World Business Watch: Oil settles lower after attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia

pandemic

Pandemic, News on Pandemic, stories on Pandemic, articles on Pandemic, Pandemic stories at Wion, Pandemic news, Pandemic latest news