Out of the 10 causes of deaths before COVID-19 that hit the world, seven were non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. The health body added how heart disease was killing more people than ever before.

According to the WHO’s latest Global Health Estimates, which traced statistics between 2000-2019 found that even though people now were living for longer than earlier, it did not necessarily translate into good health.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/effects-of-the-vaccine-in-providing-immune-barrier-is-still-far-off-who-348408" hreflang="en">Effects of the vaccine in providing 'immune barrier' is still far off: WHO</a>

The study took into account trends over the last two decades, including mortality and morbidity. It found that NCDs made just four out top 10 causes of death in 2000. But last year itself, the number has risen to seven.&nbsp;

COVID-19 set toe debut in the list - coming up in the top 10 after passing the 1.5 million mark on December 3.

2019 had witnessed 55.4 million deaths worldwide. The ten top causes of death were also responsible of 55 per cent fatalities, hailing from three categories - cardiovascular, respiratory, and neonatal.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/covid-19-has-shown-disturbing-signs-of-self-interest-blame-shifting-division-who-chief-tedros-347781" hreflang="en">COVID-19 has shown disturbing signs of self-interest, blame-shifting &amp; division: WHO chief Tedros</a>

The top fives cases of death in order are - heart disease, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and neonatal conditions.

These were closely followed by trachea, bronchus and lung cases, Alzheimers’ disease, other dementias, diarrhoea, diabetes, and kidney ailments.

The WHO, in a statement claimed that the figures "clearly highlight the need for an intensified global focus on preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, as well as tackling injuries”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/who-chief-tedros-to-take-covid-19-vaccine-on-camera-347722" hreflang="en">WHO Chief Tedros to take COVID-19 vaccine on camera</a>

For the last 20 years, heart disease has been at the helm of killing people. "However, it is now killing more people than ever before," the WHO said. In 2019, heart disease killed nine million people, up by 2 million since 2000.

Out of the 10 causes of deaths before COVID-19 that hit the world, seven were non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.

Out of the 10 causes of deaths before COVID-19 that hit the world, seven were non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. The health body added how heart disease was killing more people than ever before. According to the WHO’s latest Global Health Estimates, which traced statistics between 2000-2019 found that even though people now were living for longer than earlier, it did not necessarily translate into good health. Also read: Effects of the vaccine in providing 'immune barrier' is still far off: WHO The study took into account trends over the last two decades, including mortality and morbidity. It found that NCDs made just four out top 10 causes of death in 2000. But last year itself, the number has risen to seven. COVID-19 set toe debut in the list - coming up in the top 10 after passing the 1.5 million mark on December 3. 2019 had witnessed 55.4 million deaths worldwide. The ten top causes of death were also responsible of 55 per cent fatalities, hailing from three categories - cardiovascular, respiratory, and neonatal. Also read: COVID-19 has shown disturbing signs of self-interest, blame-shifting & division: WHO chief Tedros The top fives cases of death in order are - heart disease, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and neonatal conditions. These were closely followed by trachea, bronchus and lung cases, Alzheimers’ disease, other dementias, diarrhoea, diabetes, and kidney ailments. The WHO, in a statement claimed that the figures "clearly highlight the need for an intensified global focus on preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, as well as tackling injuries”. Also read: WHO Chief Tedros to take COVID-19 vaccine on camera For the last 20 years, heart disease has been at the helm of killing people. "However, it is now killing more people than ever before," the WHO said. In 2019, heart disease killed nine million people, up by 2 million since 2000.

7 out of 10 killer diseases pre-COVID were non-communicable diseases: WHO

Indian-origin global health expert Anil Soni has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the newly launched The WHO Foundation, which works alongside the World Health Organization to address most pressing health challenges across the world.

Soni will assume his role as The WHO Foundation's inaugural Chief Executive Officer on January 1 next year. In his new role, Soni will accelerate the Foundation''s "work to invest in innovative, evidence-based initiatives that support WHO in delivering on its mission to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all," the Foundation said in a press statement on Monday.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/hari-shukla-indian-origin-man-among-first-in-world-to-receive-covid-19-vaccine-348270" hreflang="en">Hari Shukla, Indian-origin man, among first in world to receive COVID-19 vaccine</a>

The WHO Foundation, an independent grant-making agency headquartered in Geneva, was launched in May 2020 to work alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) and the global health community to address the world’s most pressing global health challenges.

Soni joins the Foundation from Viatris, a global healthcare company, where he served as Head of Global Infectious Diseases.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described Soni as a “proven innovator” in global health who has spent two decades in service of communities affected by HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bharat-biotech-seeks-emergency-use-authorisation-for-indian-covid-19-vaccine-expert-panel-to-review-348232" hreflang="en">Bharat Biotech seeks emergency use authorisation for Indian Covid-19 vaccine; expert panel to review</a>

“He earned my trust when he and his team at the Clinton Health Access Initiative worked side-by-side with the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia to expand access to treatment and strengthen the management of our health centers,” Ghebreyesus said adding that Soni has a “unique" set of skills that spans the public and private sectors, and his leadership of the Foundation will provide invaluable support to the mission of the WHO and the billions of people who depend on it.

On his appointment, Soni said the world is at a “critical juncture” for global public health.

“After months of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, there is hope for several successful vaccine candidates. Beyond this crucial step, the path to recovery necessitates expanded investment in the many health priorities that have been compromised in recent months - from drops in vaccine coverage and HIV treatment to delays in cancer treatment,” he said, adding that The WHO Foundation represents a unique new opportunity for everyone in the world to play their part in tackling these challenges and in promoting global health, through a strong and vibrant WHO.

Founder and Chairman of the Board of the WHO Foundation Professor Thomas Zeltner said Soni is a “dynamic leader" with deep experience across all aspects of global public health.

“From his work at Viatris where he has led the development and introduction of medicines to treat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, to his leadership of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and his time at the Global Fund (to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria), he has demonstrated his ability to work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors and build successful new organisations from the ground up,” Zeltner said.

The WHO Foundation said Soni is a “seasoned global health expert”, bringing over two decades of experience working across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to expand healthcare access in low and middle-income countries.

“In addition to advisory roles with the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation and the MDG Health Alliance, Soni joins the WHO Foundation with a strong track record of mobilising resources and advocating for global health priorities, as demonstrated through his leadership of the Friends of the Global Fight in the United States,” the Foundation said.

Soni was closely involved in the early years of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, serving as the Advisor to the Executive Director from 2002-2004 and then as the Founding Executive Director of Friends of the Global Fight from 2004-2005.

He served as the CEO of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, where he worked from 2005-2010, and oversaw the rapid expansion of the organisation.

He has been a senior advisor to the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation and the MDG Health Alliance. He is an alumnus of McKinsey and Harvard College and serves on the board of The Marshall Project.

As a separate legal entity, the WHO Foundation seeks to complement and strengthen the WHO’s efforts to address global health. It acts as a platform for new types of public-private engagement, while protecting the WHO’s neutrality and independence as the world’s leading international health authority.

The Foundation said the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, which WHO and the UN Foundation launched earlier in 2020, together with the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, helped test the potential for broader support to WHO by raising USD 238 million in corporate and individual pledges for its and partners’ COVID-19 response efforts.

Indian-origin global health expert Anil Soni has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the newly launched The WHO Foundation, which works alongside the World Health Organization to address most pressing health challenges across the world.

Indian-origin global health expert Anil Soni has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the newly launched The WHO Foundation, which works alongside the World Health Organization to address most pressing health challenges across the world. Soni will assume his role as The WHO Foundation's inaugural Chief Executive Officer on January 1 next year. In his new role, Soni will accelerate the Foundation''s "work to invest in innovative, evidence-based initiatives that support WHO in delivering on its mission to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all," the Foundation said in a press statement on Monday. Also read| Hari Shukla, Indian-origin man, among first in world to receive COVID-19 vaccine The WHO Foundation, an independent grant-making agency headquartered in Geneva, was launched in May 2020 to work alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) and the global health community to address the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Soni joins the Foundation from Viatris, a global healthcare company, where he served as Head of Global Infectious Diseases. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described Soni as a “proven innovator” in global health who has spent two decades in service of communities affected by HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. Also read| Bharat Biotech seeks emergency use authorisation for Indian Covid-19 vaccine; expert panel to review “He earned my trust when he and his team at the Clinton Health Access Initiative worked side-by-side with the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia to expand access to treatment and strengthen the management of our health centers,” Ghebreyesus said adding that Soni has a “unique" set of skills that spans the public and private sectors, and his leadership of the Foundation will provide invaluable support to the mission of the WHO and the billions of people who depend on it. On his appointment, Soni said the world is at a “critical juncture” for global public health. “After months of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, there is hope for several successful vaccine candidates. Beyond this crucial step, the path to recovery necessitates expanded investment in the many health priorities that have been compromised in recent months - from drops in vaccine coverage and HIV treatment to delays in cancer treatment,” he said, adding that The WHO Foundation represents a unique new opportunity for everyone in the world to play their part in tackling these challenges and in promoting global health, through a strong and vibrant WHO. Founder and Chairman of the Board of the WHO Foundation Professor Thomas Zeltner said Soni is a “dynamic leader" with deep experience across all aspects of global public health. “From his work at Viatris where he has led the development and introduction of medicines to treat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, to his leadership of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and his time at the Global Fund (to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria), he has demonstrated his ability to work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors and build successful new organisations from the ground up,” Zeltner said. The WHO Foundation said Soni is a “seasoned global health expert”, bringing over two decades of experience working across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to expand healthcare access in low and middle-income countries. “In addition to advisory roles with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the MDG Health Alliance, Soni joins the WHO Foundation with a strong track record of mobilising resources and advocating for global health priorities, as demonstrated through his leadership of the Friends of the Global Fight in the United States,” the Foundation said. Soni was closely involved in the early years of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, serving as the Advisor to the Executive Director from 2002-2004 and then as the Founding Executive Director of Friends of the Global Fight from 2004-2005. He served as the CEO of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, where he worked from 2005-2010, and oversaw the rapid expansion of the organisation. He has been a senior advisor to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the MDG Health Alliance. He is an alumnus of McKinsey and Harvard College and serves on the board of The Marshall Project. As a separate legal entity, the WHO Foundation seeks to complement and strengthen the WHO’s efforts to address global health. It acts as a platform for new types of public-private engagement, while protecting the WHO’s neutrality and independence as the world’s leading international health authority. The Foundation said the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, which WHO and the UN Foundation launched earlier in 2020, together with the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, helped test the potential for broader support to WHO by raising USD 238 million in corporate and individual pledges for its and partners’ COVID-19 response efforts.

Indian-origin health expert Anil Soni appointed first CEO of WHO Foundation

The W.H.O. (World Health Organization) and W.F.P. (World Food Programme) have warned that next year is now shaping up to be a humanitarian catastrophe. The number of people needing humanitarian help has gone up by forty percent.

Humanitarian crisis will shape up by 2021: W.H.O.

As the world is bracing itself for COVID-19 vaccines, which are being expected to be rolled out in a few days, the World Health Organization (WHO) has another worry — keeping a track of the receivers of the coronavirus vaccine.

WHO is now considering introducing electronic vaccination certificates to identify and monitor people who have received the vaccination. "We are looking very closely into the use of technology in this Covid-19 response and one of them is how can we work with members states towards something called an e-vaccination certificate," said&nbsp;WHO Europe expert Siddhartha Datta.

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The announcement has come a few days after the UK approved first COVID-19 vaccination of Pfizer-BioNTech company and is expecting to roll it out in the near future for the general public.

This certificate will make it possible for the authorities to identify and monitor people who have been vaccinated. However, the details of this have not yet been finalised and will be drawn in accordance with the national laws, Datta informed in a media briefing.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-vaccines-may-be-targetted-by-criminals-warns-interpol-346905">Covid vaccines may be targetted by criminals, warns Interpol</a>

The authorities have also made it clear that this will not serve as the immunity passport which was supposed to guarantee that the passport-holder is protected against the novel coronavirus after being infected and recovered. Talking about the immunity passports, WHO's senior emergency officer, Catherine Smallwood said, "We do not recommend immunity passports."

WHO is planning to take a final decision as soon as possible as the European Union, too, is expected to announce their decision of approving the COVID-19 vaccine by December 29.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-hopes-for-millions-of-pfizerbiontech-vaccine-doses-this-year-347441" hreflang="en">UK hopes for millions of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine doses this year</a>

"Whilst we are seeing a slight decrease in the number of cases in western Europe, this does not mean the entire WHO European region faces an improvement in the epidemiological situation,"&nbsp;WHO Europe regional director Hans Kluge said.

"The resurgence is moving eastward with the hardest-hit countries now in central and southern Europe," he added.

Amid the news of vaccines and a hope of the pandemic ending soon, the experts are urging governments to "consider scaling-up the public health infrastructure and preparing for the next surge".

As the world is bracing itself for COVID-19 vaccines, which are being expected to be rolled out in a few days, the World Health Organization (WHO) has another worry — keeping a track of the receivers of the coronavirus vaccine.

As the world is bracing itself for COVID-19 vaccines, which are being expected to be rolled out in a few days, the World Health Organization (WHO) has another worry — keeping a track of the receivers of the coronavirus vaccine. WHO is now considering introducing electronic vaccination certificates to identify and monitor people who have received the vaccination. "We are looking very closely into the use of technology in this Covid-19 response and one of them is how can we work with members states towards something called an e-vaccination certificate," said WHO Europe expert Siddhartha Datta. Also read| UK becomes first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for general use The announcement has come a few days after the UK approved first COVID-19 vaccination of Pfizer-BioNTech company and is expecting to roll it out in the near future for the general public. This certificate will make it possible for the authorities to identify and monitor people who have been vaccinated. However, the details of this have not yet been finalised and will be drawn in accordance with the national laws, Datta informed in a media briefing. Also read| Covid vaccines may be targetted by criminals, warns Interpol The authorities have also made it clear that this will not serve as the immunity passport which was supposed to guarantee that the passport-holder is protected against the novel coronavirus after being infected and recovered. Talking about the immunity passports, WHO's senior emergency officer, Catherine Smallwood said, "We do not recommend immunity passports." WHO is planning to take a final decision as soon as possible as the European Union, too, is expected to announce their decision of approving the COVID-19 vaccine by December 29. Also read| UK hopes for millions of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine doses this year "Whilst we are seeing a slight decrease in the number of cases in western Europe, this does not mean the entire WHO European region faces an improvement in the epidemiological situation," WHO Europe regional director Hans Kluge said. "The resurgence is moving eastward with the hardest-hit countries now in central and southern Europe," he added. Amid the news of vaccines and a hope of the pandemic ending soon, the experts are urging governments to "consider scaling-up the public health infrastructure and preparing for the next surge".

WHO suggests e-certificates for COVID-19 vaccine receivers

World Health Organization's chief&nbsp;Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that it&nbsp;''will do everything'' to discover the origin of coronavirus.

Voicing&nbsp;deep concern Monday over a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths in Brazil in recent weeks, he said its condition&nbsp;"is very, very worrisome."

"I think Brazil has to be very, very serious," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, after fresh cases in the country jumped from around 10,000 per day in early November to more than 50,000, and as the daily death rate shot up nearly ninefold in a week.&nbsp;

Earlier,&nbsp;WHO's top emergency expert said it would be "highly speculative" for the WHO to say the&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;did not emerge in China, where it was first identified in a food market in December last year.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-scientists-now-claim-coronavirus-originated-in-india-in-summer-2019-346039">Chinese scientists now claim coronavirus originated in India in summer 2019</a>

The WHO has for months been working to send a team of international experts, including epidemiologists and animal health specialists, to China to help probe the animal&nbsp;origin&nbsp;of the novel&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;pandemic and how the virus first crossed over to humans.

The UN health agency sent an advance team to Beijing in July to lay the groundwork for the international probe, but it has remained unclear when the larger team of scientists would be able to travel to China to begin epidemiological studies to try to identify the first human cases and their source of infection.

Scientists believed the killer virus jumped from animals to humans at a market selling exotic animals for meat in the city of Wuhan, where the virus was first detected late last year.

China is pushing a narrative via state media that the virus existed abroad before it was discovered in the central city of Wuhan, citing the presence of&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;on imported frozen food packaging and scientific papers claiming it had been circulating in Europe last year.

At the briefing in Geneva, WHO also called for countries to remain vigilant even if they see a fall in&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;cases.

It is widely assumed that the virus originally came from bats, but the intermediate animal host that transmitted it between bats and humans remains unknown.

Late last month, the WHO said the team of 10 international experts it has set up had held their first meeting with their Chinese counterparts, albeit virtually.

World Health Organization's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that it ''will do everything'' to discover the origin of coronavirus. Voicing deep concern Monday over a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths in Brazil in recent weeks, he said its condition "is very, very worrisome.

World Health Organization's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that it ''will do everything'' to discover the origin of coronavirus. Voicing deep concern Monday over a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths in Brazil in recent weeks, he said its condition "is very, very worrisome." "I think Brazil has to be very, very serious," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, after fresh cases in the country jumped from around 10,000 per day in early November to more than 50,000, and as the daily death rate shot up nearly ninefold in a week. Earlier, WHO's top emergency expert said it would be "highly speculative" for the WHO to say the coronavirus did not emerge in China, where it was first identified in a food market in December last year. Also read: Chinese scientists now claim coronavirus originated in India in summer 2019 The WHO has for months been working to send a team of international experts, including epidemiologists and animal health specialists, to China to help probe the animal origin of the novel coronavirus pandemic and how the virus first crossed over to humans. The UN health agency sent an advance team to Beijing in July to lay the groundwork for the international probe, but it has remained unclear when the larger team of scientists would be able to travel to China to begin epidemiological studies to try to identify the first human cases and their source of infection. Scientists believed the killer virus jumped from animals to humans at a market selling exotic animals for meat in the city of Wuhan, where the virus was first detected late last year. China is pushing a narrative via state media that the virus existed abroad before it was discovered in the central city of Wuhan, citing the presence of coronavirus on imported frozen food packaging and scientific papers claiming it had been circulating in Europe last year. At the briefing in Geneva, WHO also called for countries to remain vigilant even if they see a fall in coronavirus cases. It is widely assumed that the virus originally came from bats, but the intermediate animal host that transmitted it between bats and humans remains unknown. Late last month, the WHO said the team of 10 international experts it has set up had held their first meeting with their Chinese counterparts, albeit virtually.

'Will do everything' to discover origin of COVID-19, says WHO

India strongly raised the issue of cross border terrorism from Pakistan and attempts to raise the bilateral issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meet.

India's vice president Venkaiah Naidu said, "The most important challenge faced by us in the region is terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism. Terrorism is truly the enemy of humanity. It is a scourge we need to collectively combat."

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Pointing at Pakistan Naidu explained, "We remain concerned about threats emerging from ungoverned spaces and are particularly concerned about States that leverage terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Such an approach is entirely against the spirit and ideals and the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization."

This is the first time since India became a member of the SCO in 2017, that it hosted such a large meet of SCO leaders. It was expected to take place physically but took place virtually due to the COVID pandemic.

India's Vice President also raise the issue of Pakistan trying to raise bilateral issues at the grouping. He said, "It is unfortunate to note that there have been attempts to deliberately bring bilateral issues into SCO and blatantly violate the well-established principles and norms of SCO Charter safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of SCO Member States."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-appreciates-scientists-efforts-to-come-out-with-vaccine-solution-to-combat-covid-19-346419" hreflang="en">PM Modi appreciates scientists' efforts to come out with vaccine solution to combat COVID-19</a>

Pakistani NSA earlier this year, sat in SCO virtual meet with a map of Pakistan which showed incorrect boundaries of India, irking New Delhi. In fact, Russia, which is the host of the grouping this year, also said, bilateral matters should not be raised at the body.

Meanwhile, COVID also remained a key focus of New Delhi, which highlighted how it has "been at the forefront of producing quality medicines and vaccines at low cost."

But Naidu also called for, "much needed reforms to our global institutions, including WHO, and rework our development strategies to face a post-COVID-19 world."

World Health Organisation or WHO has been at found missing when the pandemic broke towards the end of 2019, for which it has been criticised.

India offered to annually host the Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation and also the SCO Startup Forum. On the shared cultural front, India earlier on Monday inaugurated an Exhibition on Buddhist Heritage of SCO Member States in a virtual format, hosted by the National Museum of India.

India strongly raised the issue of cross border terrorism from Pakistan and attempts to raise the bilateral issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meet.

India strongly raised the issue of cross border terrorism from Pakistan and attempts to raise the bilateral issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meet. India's vice president Venkaiah Naidu said, "The most important challenge faced by us in the region is terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism. Terrorism is truly the enemy of humanity. It is a scourge we need to collectively combat." Also read| PM Modi and Imran khan to skip meeting of SCO heads Pointing at Pakistan Naidu explained, "We remain concerned about threats emerging from ungoverned spaces and are particularly concerned about States that leverage terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Such an approach is entirely against the spirit and ideals and the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization." This is the first time since India became a member of the SCO in 2017, that it hosted such a large meet of SCO leaders. It was expected to take place physically but took place virtually due to the COVID pandemic. India's Vice President also raise the issue of Pakistan trying to raise bilateral issues at the grouping. He said, "It is unfortunate to note that there have been attempts to deliberately bring bilateral issues into SCO and blatantly violate the well-established principles and norms of SCO Charter safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of SCO Member States." Also read| PM Modi appreciates scientists' efforts to come out with vaccine solution to combat COVID-19 Pakistani NSA earlier this year, sat in SCO virtual meet with a map of Pakistan which showed incorrect boundaries of India, irking New Delhi. In fact, Russia, which is the host of the grouping this year, also said, bilateral matters should not be raised at the body. Meanwhile, COVID also remained a key focus of New Delhi, which highlighted how it has "been at the forefront of producing quality medicines and vaccines at low cost." But Naidu also called for, "much needed reforms to our global institutions, including WHO, and rework our development strategies to face a post-COVID-19 world." World Health Organisation or WHO has been at found missing when the pandemic broke towards the end of 2019, for which it has been criticised. India offered to annually host the Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation and also the SCO Startup Forum. On the shared cultural front, India earlier on Monday inaugurated an Exhibition on Buddhist Heritage of SCO Member States in a virtual format, hosted by the National Museum of India.

Cross border terror from Pakistan, reforms at WHO top focus of India at SCO meet

World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a precautionary guideline for teenagers and adults on staying fit — mentally and physically — in the time of coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced everyone to stay indoors, bringing a temporary halt in their fitness routine. however, the WHO has urged people to get rid of the lethargic routine and spend at least one hour on daily exercises.

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Since the beginning of the pandemic, many studies and surveys have revealed that teenagers and adults spend more time in front of the electronic screens to pass their time, rather than indulging in physical exercises. This has led to a massive decrease in the health of humans. To combat this problem, WHO has started an "Every Move Counts" campaign.

"Increasing physical activity not only helps prevent and manage heart disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer, it also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduces cognitive decline including Alzheimer’s and improves memory," said Ruediger Krech, WHO director for health promotion.

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As per WHO reports, four out of five&nbsp;adolescents do not get the bare minimum quota of physical activity —&nbsp;which can simply be counted as walking, cycling, cleaning one's house, or even gardening.

The officials and health experts at WHO fear this lethargy can lead to an increase in obesity and deadly diseases, if not controlled now. "These guidelines emphasise what many are experiencing during the COVID restrictions that are applied all over the world. And that is that being active every day is good not only our bodies but also our mental health," said Fiona Bull, head of WHO’s physical activity unit.

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Experts are urging people to indulge in physical activities without stepping out — by making the best out of the advanced technology that the 21st century offers. "Phone a friend and do classes online together, help your family members, do it as a family. And when you can, get outside,"&nbsp;Bull said.

She also advised people to monitor&nbsp;their daily physical activity, as it can lead to motivation and can also give people a feeling of achievement. "Monitoring how active you are is very good feedback," she said. "That is important because we tend to think we might be more active. We tend to underestimate how much time we spend sedentary.”

World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a precautionary guideline for teenagers and adults on staying fit — mentally and physically — in the time of coronavirus pandemic.

World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a precautionary guideline for teenagers and adults on staying fit — mentally and physically — in the time of coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has forced everyone to stay indoors, bringing a temporary halt in their fitness routine. however, the WHO has urged people to get rid of the lethargic routine and spend at least one hour on daily exercises. Also read| 'Kind of lonely': America marks COVID-altered Thanksgiving Since the beginning of the pandemic, many studies and surveys have revealed that teenagers and adults spend more time in front of the electronic screens to pass their time, rather than indulging in physical exercises. This has led to a massive decrease in the health of humans. To combat this problem, WHO has started an "Every Move Counts" campaign. "Increasing physical activity not only helps prevent and manage heart disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer, it also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduces cognitive decline including Alzheimer’s and improves memory," said Ruediger Krech, WHO director for health promotion. ALso read| Around 29 million women and girls victims of modern slavery: UN report As per WHO reports, four out of five adolescents do not get the bare minimum quota of physical activity — which can simply be counted as walking, cycling, cleaning one's house, or even gardening. The officials and health experts at WHO fear this lethargy can lead to an increase in obesity and deadly diseases, if not controlled now. "These guidelines emphasise what many are experiencing during the COVID restrictions that are applied all over the world. And that is that being active every day is good not only our bodies but also our mental health," said Fiona Bull, head of WHO’s physical activity unit. Also read| One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic Experts are urging people to indulge in physical activities without stepping out — by making the best out of the advanced technology that the 21st century offers. "Phone a friend and do classes online together, help your family members, do it as a family. And when you can, get outside," Bull said. She also advised people to monitor their daily physical activity, as it can lead to motivation and can also give people a feeling of achievement. "Monitoring how active you are is very good feedback," she said. "That is important because we tend to think we might be more active. We tend to underestimate how much time we spend sedentary.”

Stay connected and healthy: WHO urges children, adults to stay fit in COVID-19 era

The W.H.O still cannot decide how the pandemic began. In July, the health body initiated a probe into the origins of the Wuhan Virus. How far has that probe gone? WION's Molly Gambhir gets you a report.

Gravitas: W.H.O's sham probe into COVID-19 origins

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that Beijing has reassured that international experts will soon be able to investigate the origin of COVID-19. Beijing said that experts will soon be allowed to travel to China to launch the probe.

WHO: China to allow international experts to probe COVID-19 origin

The World Health Organization (WHO) has had assurances from China that an international field trip to investigate the origins of the new coronavirus will be arranged as soon as possible, its top emergency expert said on Monday.

Chinese researchers are carrying out epidemiological studies into early cases and conditions at a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. An international team of experts has been formed to carry out phase 2 studies.

But the United States, and to a lesser extent some European delegations, have raised questions about the delay and sought a timeline of the international experts’ visit, diplomats said.

The virus was first identified in Wuhan in December, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to label it the “China plague” and accuse the WHO of being soft on Beijing.

“We fully expect that we will have a team on the ground. We need to be able to have the international team join our Chinese colleagues and go to the ground and look at the results and outcomes of those phase 1 studies and verify these data on the ground,” emergency expert Mike Ryan told a news briefing.

This would help to ensure “that the international community can be reassured of the quality of the science”, he said.

Wuhan market is “likely to have been a point of amplification” of virus transmission, but whether that was by human, animal or environmental spread is not yet known, he said, adding that there had been human cases that preceded that event.

“We will pursue those investigations over the next couple of months in phase 1 and hopefully move on to phase 2,” Ryan said.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and other senior officials briefed WHO’s 194 member states last week on progress in the probe, mandated by health ministers last May.

A senior Western diplomat who participated said that several states had raised concerns on how the international members had contributed to drafting their final terms and asked what steps the WHO had taken to ensure that the information collected in phase 1 would be “complete and transparent”.

The United States had voiced concern at what the senior Western diplomat called a lack of transparency in the naming of the international members, saying it “potentially undermines any report issued by this panel and its findings”.

Ryan, without being specific, said: “One member state did express some concerns regarding the phase 1 studies in ensuring that they were completed as quickly as possible. We reassured that member state that that would happen.”

Another Western diplomat said that the United States had been “the most vocal”, but that the European Union and Britain had also asked about the timeline.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has had assurances from China that an international field trip to investigate the origins of the new coronavirus will be arranged as soon as possible, its top emergency expert said on Monday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has had assurances from China that an international field trip to investigate the origins of the new coronavirus will be arranged as soon as possible, its top emergency expert said on Monday. Chinese researchers are carrying out epidemiological studies into early cases and conditions at a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. An international team of experts has been formed to carry out phase 2 studies. But the United States, and to a lesser extent some European delegations, have raised questions about the delay and sought a timeline of the international experts’ visit, diplomats said. The virus was first identified in Wuhan in December, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to label it the “China plague” and accuse the WHO of being soft on Beijing. “We fully expect that we will have a team on the ground. We need to be able to have the international team join our Chinese colleagues and go to the ground and look at the results and outcomes of those phase 1 studies and verify these data on the ground,” emergency expert Mike Ryan told a news briefing. This would help to ensure “that the international community can be reassured of the quality of the science”, he said. Wuhan market is “likely to have been a point of amplification” of virus transmission, but whether that was by human, animal or environmental spread is not yet known, he said, adding that there had been human cases that preceded that event. “We will pursue those investigations over the next couple of months in phase 1 and hopefully move on to phase 2,” Ryan said. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and other senior officials briefed WHO’s 194 member states last week on progress in the probe, mandated by health ministers last May. A senior Western diplomat who participated said that several states had raised concerns on how the international members had contributed to drafting their final terms and asked what steps the WHO had taken to ensure that the information collected in phase 1 would be “complete and transparent”. The United States had voiced concern at what the senior Western diplomat called a lack of transparency in the naming of the international members, saying it “potentially undermines any report issued by this panel and its findings”. Ryan, without being specific, said: “One member state did express some concerns regarding the phase 1 studies in ensuring that they were completed as quickly as possible. We reassured that member state that that would happen.” Another Western diplomat said that the United States had been “the most vocal”, but that the European Union and Britain had also asked about the timeline.

China gives pledge on access for COVID origins probe: WHO

The year 2020 began with a grim atmosphere as the novel coronavirus took over the world, sending billions of people around the globe in a lockdown. The situation became worse as the year progressed and the world lost millions to the deadly virus.

However, now, as the&nbsp;end of the year is nearing, scientists are inching closer to developing a coronavirus vaccine. To add to the good news, a British study has now found that people who have been affected by the virus once are unlikely to contract the deadly disease again at least for the next six months.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-biontech-apply-for-covid-19-vaccine-approval-in-us-344445">Pfizer-BioNTech apply for COVID-19 vaccine approval in US</a>

This study, the World Health Organization (WHO) says is a hope the world needed at this point of the year. "This is really good news to see that we are seeing sustained levels of immune response in humans so far," said Mike Ryan,&nbsp;WHO’s top emergency expert. "It also gives us hope on the vaccine side."

However, WHO's technical lead on COVID-19,&nbsp;Kerkhove, has asked people and researchers to exercise caution even after the study has been proved right. "We still need to follow these individuals for a longer period of time to see how long immunity lasts," said&nbsp;Kerkhove.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-guarantees-accuracy-in-pfizer-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-data-344204">Fauci guarantees accuracy in Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine data</a>

The news has come after the US biotech giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have applied for immediate approval of the vaccine in the country on Friday.

"The FDA recognizes that transparency and dialogue are critical for the public to have confidence in COVID-19 vaccines," Stephen Hahn, organisation n head, said. "I want to assure the American people that the FDA's process and evaluation of the data for a potential COVID-19 vaccine will be as open and transparent as possible."

The year 2020 began with a grim atmosphere as the novel coronavirus took over the world, sending billions of people around the globe in a lockdown. The situation became worse as the year progressed and the world lost millions to the deadly virus.

The year 2020 began with a grim atmosphere as the novel coronavirus took over the world, sending billions of people around the globe in a lockdown. The situation became worse as the year progressed and the world lost millions to the deadly virus. However, now, as the end of the year is nearing, scientists are inching closer to developing a coronavirus vaccine. To add to the good news, a British study has now found that people who have been affected by the virus once are unlikely to contract the deadly disease again at least for the next six months. Also read| Pfizer-BioNTech apply for COVID-19 vaccine approval in US This study, the World Health Organization (WHO) says is a hope the world needed at this point of the year. "This is really good news to see that we are seeing sustained levels of immune response in humans so far," said Mike Ryan, WHO’s top emergency expert. "It also gives us hope on the vaccine side." However, WHO's technical lead on COVID-19, Kerkhove, has asked people and researchers to exercise caution even after the study has been proved right. "We still need to follow these individuals for a longer period of time to see how long immunity lasts," said Kerkhove. Also read| Fauci guarantees accuracy in Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine data The news has come after the US biotech giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have applied for immediate approval of the vaccine in the country on Friday. "The FDA recognizes that transparency and dialogue are critical for the public to have confidence in COVID-19 vaccines," Stephen Hahn, organisation n head, said. "I want to assure the American people that the FDA's process and evaluation of the data for a potential COVID-19 vaccine will be as open and transparent as possible."

Study claims COVID-19 immunity lasts at least six months; WHO signals hope

Ethiopia's Military Chief has levied a serious charge against Dr Tedros. The Army Chief has called the WHO Director-General a 'criminal' - who is trying to procure weapons for the Tigray rebels. WION's Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Ethiopia's Military Chief calls Dr Tedros a 'criminal' supporting a rebel region

Ethiopia's military accused World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday of supporting and trying to procure arms and diplomatic backing for Tigray state's dominant political party, which is fighting federal forces.

Ethiopia accuses WHO chief Tedros of backing Tigray rebels

Ethiopian army on Thursday accused World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of supporting dissidents in Tigray region. Ethiopian army is currently engaged in an armed conflict with country's Tigray region. The military even accused Dr Tedros of supporting and trying to procure arms and diplomatic backing for Tigray's dominant political party.

"This man is a member of that group," army chief of staff General Birhanu Jula said in a televised statement.

"What do you expect from him when his group and his like are entered into the war?" Birhanu said, calling Tedros a criminal who should be stripped of his WHO post. He was quoted by Reuters.

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An Ethiopian of Tigrayan descent, Tedros served as Ethiopia's health minister and foreign minister from 2005-2016 in a government coalition led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF effectively ruled the country for decades as the strongest force in the coalition, until Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy took office two years ago.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-says-its-troops-marching-on-tigrayan-capital-343897">Ethiopia says its troops marching on Tigrayan capital</a> 
 
"We don't expect him to stand on the side of Ethiopians and condemn these people. He has been doing everything to support them, he has campaigned for neighbouring countries to condemn the war."

Birhanu did not give further specific details of his allegations against Tedros.

Tedros, 55, was elected in May 2017 as the WHO's first African director-general, and has come to global prominence as head of the health body during the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Jula did not give specific details to back his allegations against Dr Tedros.

There was no immediate comment from the WHO.

(With Reuters inputs)

Ethiopian army on Thursday accused World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of supporting dissidents in Tigray region. Ethiopian army is currently engaged in an armed conflict with country's Tigray region.

Ethiopian army on Thursday accused World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of supporting dissidents in Tigray region. Ethiopian army is currently engaged in an armed conflict with country's Tigray region. The military even accused Dr Tedros of supporting and trying to procure arms and diplomatic backing for Tigray's dominant political party. "This man is a member of that group," army chief of staff General Birhanu Jula said in a televised statement. "What do you expect from him when his group and his like are entered into the war?" Birhanu said, calling Tedros a criminal who should be stripped of his WHO post. He was quoted by Reuters. × An Ethiopian of Tigrayan descent, Tedros served as Ethiopia's health minister and foreign minister from 2005-2016 in a government coalition led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF effectively ruled the country for decades as the strongest force in the coalition, until Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy took office two years ago. Also Read | Ethiopia says its troops marching on Tigrayan capital "We don't expect him to stand on the side of Ethiopians and condemn these people. He has been doing everything to support them, he has campaigned for neighbouring countries to condemn the war." Birhanu did not give further specific details of his allegations against Tedros. Tedros, 55, was elected in May 2017 as the WHO's first African director-general, and has come to global prominence as head of the health body during the COVID-19 pandemic. General Jula did not give specific details to back his allegations against Dr Tedros. There was no immediate comment from the WHO. (With Reuters inputs)

Ethiopia accuses WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of supporting Tigray region

JuD chief Hafiz Saeed sentenced to over 10 years in jail in terror funding cases

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jud-chief-hafiz-saeed-sentenced-to-over-10-years-in-jail-in-terror-funding-cases-344074">https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jud-chief-hafiz-saeed-sentenced-to-over-10-years-in-jail-in-terror-funding-cases-344074</a>

<img alt="Saeed" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a7166da-8b6e-4ae5-8b05-8167f736e81b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Hafiz%20Saeed.JPG" />

The anti-terror court in Lahore ordered the confiscation of all properties of Hafiz Saeed. It is the fourth conviction of Hafiz Saeed this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-us-to-label-exports-from-west-bank-settlements-as-made-in-israel-344096">Pompeo says US to label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel'</a>

<img alt="Pompeo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="315dba1a-8171-4575-939f-cd7d05ea651d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pompeo_0.JPG" />

Pompeo’s predecessors as secretary of state have only visited the West Bank under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority, but never in a settlement, because they held Israel’s presence there to be illegitimate

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-accuses-who-chief-dr-tedros-adhanom-ghebreyesus-of-supporting-tigray-region-344085">Ethiopia accuses WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of supporting Tigray region</a>

<img alt="WHO" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8b7d930b-f702-4644-a74e-6574a94903ae" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WHO.JPG" />

An Ethiopian of Tigrayan descent, Dr Tedros served as Ethiopia's health minister and foreign minister from 2005-2016 in a government coalition led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF)

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-asks-judge-to-declare-him-winner-in-pennsylvania-344151">Donald Trump asks judge to declare him winner in Pennsylvania</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-asks-judge-to-declare-him-winner-in-pennsylvania-344151"><img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de71b25c-6188-44ce-aa87-78aa0a79aa85" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Trump_6.JPG" /></a> 
 
Republican Trump's campaign has filed a flurry of lawsuits in a long-shot bid to reverse the election

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-unleashes-new-warship-with-drones-helicopters-onboard-344150">Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps unleashes new warship with drones, helicopters onboard</a>

<img alt="Iran" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0c004af4-2484-4c1b-825b-a8e33df7c41b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Iran_1.JPG" />

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled a warship named after slain Naval commander Abdollah Roudaki, sailing through the waters in the Gulf

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-safe-for-older-adults-results-show-344093">Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe for older adults, results show</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-safe-for-older-adults-results-show-344093"><img alt="Vaccine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b7fee2bb-2cb4-4d80-9a14-dbadf06742d0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/vaccine.JPG" /></a> 
 
The phase 2 trial of Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine involved 560 participants out of which 240 were over 70 and researchers said that responses were "similar" across all age groups.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-eyes-or-ten-eyes-they-should-be-careful-not-to-get-their-eyes-poked-out-china-on-hong-kong-row-344107">Five eyes or ten eyes, they should be careful not to get their eyes poked out: China on Hong Kong row</a>

<img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5acf87d5-c44b-49fc-add9-4d2a1b433ae8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/China_3.JPG" />

China had promised to rule Hong Kong under the "One Country, Two Systems" model, however, after last year's anti-government demonstrations and the imposition of national security law in June, Hong Kong citizens were placed under new stricter restrictions directly controlled by Beijing.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-becomes-millionaire-overnight-after-meteorite-crashes-in-his-house-344108">Man becomes millionaire overnight after meteorite crashes in his house</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-becomes-millionaire-overnight-after-meteorite-crashes-in-his-house-344108"><img alt="Meteorite" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9c8d0c33-2276-4075-9788-e61a7380bb45" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/meteorite.JPG" /></a> 
 
The meteorite fetched the man 30 years' worth of his salary

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/denmark-says-mutated-coronavirus-from-mink-farms-most-likely-eradicated-344112">Denmark says mutated coronavirus from mink farms 'most likely eradicated'</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/denmark-says-mutated-coronavirus-from-mink-farms-most-likely-eradicated-344112"><img alt="Denmark" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8c1206c-5402-4e20-8a02-576eef71f510" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Denmark.JPG" /></a> 
 
The Danish government said most of the strict restrictions it had imposed on November 5 on seven municipalities in the North Jutland region, home to 280,000 people, would be lifted on Friday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swedish-prosecution-says-quran-burning-not-illegal-decides-not-to-press-charges-344065">Swedish prosecution says Quran burning not 'illegal', decides not to press charges</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swedish-prosecution-says-quran-burning-not-illegal-decides-not-to-press-charges-344065"><img alt="Quran" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cafe3127-9afd-4141-9897-4e59e60867d2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/quran.JPG" /></a> 
The case is related to a protest on the streets of Malmo where far-right demonstrators burned a copy of the Quran in late August

JuD chief Hafiz Saeed sentenced to over 10 years in jail in terror funding cases https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jud-chief-hafiz-saeed-sentenced-to-over-10-years-in-jail-in-terror-funding-cases-344074 The anti-terror court in Lahore ordered the confiscation of all properties of Hafiz Saeed.

JuD chief Hafiz Saeed sentenced to over 10 years in jail in terror funding cases https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jud-chief-hafiz-saeed-sentenced-to-over-10-years-in-jail-in-terror-funding-cases-344074 The anti-terror court in Lahore ordered the confiscation of all properties of Hafiz Saeed. It is the fourth conviction of Hafiz Saeed this year. Pompeo says US to label exports from West Bank settlements as 'Made in Israel' Pompeo’s predecessors as secretary of state have only visited the West Bank under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority, but never in a settlement, because they held Israel’s presence there to be illegitimate Ethiopia accuses WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of supporting Tigray region An Ethiopian of Tigrayan descent, Dr Tedros served as Ethiopia's health minister and foreign minister from 2005-2016 in a government coalition led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) Donald Trump asks judge to declare him winner in Pennsylvania Republican Trump's campaign has filed a flurry of lawsuits in a long-shot bid to reverse the election Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps unleashes new warship with drones, helicopters onboard Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled a warship named after slain Naval commander Abdollah Roudaki, sailing through the waters in the Gulf Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe for older adults, results show The phase 2 trial of Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine involved 560 participants out of which 240 were over 70 and researchers said that responses were "similar" across all age groups. Five eyes or ten eyes, they should be careful not to get their eyes poked out: China on Hong Kong row China had promised to rule Hong Kong under the "One Country, Two Systems" model, however, after last year's anti-government demonstrations and the imposition of national security law in June, Hong Kong citizens were placed under new stricter restrictions directly controlled by Beijing. Man becomes millionaire overnight after meteorite crashes in his house The meteorite fetched the man 30 years' worth of his salary Denmark says mutated coronavirus from mink farms 'most likely eradicated' The Danish government said most of the strict restrictions it had imposed on November 5 on seven municipalities in the North Jutland region, home to 280,000 people, would be lifted on Friday Swedish prosecution says Quran burning not 'illegal', decides not to press charges The case is related to a protest on the streets of Malmo where far-right demonstrators burned a copy of the Quran in late August

Top 10 world news: Hafiz Saeed fresh sentence, Ethiopia accuses WHO chief, and more

The World Health Organisation has recorded 65 cases of the Wuhan virus among staff, including at least one cluster of infections. WHO Chief Dr Tedros, who was in quarantine says he saw no need for a test.

Gravitas: Is WHO headquarters a Covid-19 cluster?

he World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday (November 16) the challenge of the coronavirus was not a choice between life and livelihoods, but that they were both part of the same fight. It also said there was no time for complacency in confronting the coronavirus despite positive news about possible vaccines.

WHO: Quickest way to open up economy is to defeat the virus

Mouthwash demonstrated virucidal properties that can kill deadly coronavirus within 30 seconds of being exposed to it, according to an experimental study.

According to the researchers, mouthwashes have the potential to reduce the oral “viral load” of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, among those suffering from the illness.

The preliminary result comes ahead of a clinical trial into whether using over-the-counter mouthwash has the potential to reduce the levels of Covid-19 in a patient's saliva.

The research, which was conducted at Cardiff University, found that mouthwashes containing 0.07% of the ingredient cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) showed "promising signs" of reducing COVID-19.

Dentyl will be the only UK mouthwash brand used in the trial, and the findings will be published in early 2021.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus death toll worldwide has reached 1.32 million, with 9,797 fatalities being recorded over the past day.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mouthwash demonstrated virucidal properties that can kill deadly coronavirus within 30 seconds of being exposed to it, according to an experimental study. According to the researchers, mouthwashes have the potential to reduce the oral “viral load” of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, among those suffering from the illness.

Mouthwash demonstrated virucidal properties that can kill deadly coronavirus within 30 seconds of being exposed to it, according to an experimental study. According to the researchers, mouthwashes have the potential to reduce the oral “viral load” of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, among those suffering from the illness. The preliminary result comes ahead of a clinical trial into whether using over-the-counter mouthwash has the potential to reduce the levels of Covid-19 in a patient's saliva. The research, which was conducted at Cardiff University, found that mouthwashes containing 0.07% of the ingredient cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) showed "promising signs" of reducing COVID-19. Dentyl will be the only UK mouthwash brand used in the trial, and the findings will be published in early 2021. Meanwhile, the coronavirus death toll worldwide has reached 1.32 million, with 9,797 fatalities being recorded over the past day. (With inputs from agencies)

Mouthwash can kill coronavirus within 30 seconds: Study

The Covid-19 caseload stood at 54,992,571 on Tuesday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Global coronavirus cases near 55 million

As the news by top coronavirus vaccine candidate Moderna is creating a lot of buzz, the World Health Organization chief has called it "encouraging", but warned that "complacency" must be avoided.&nbsp;

"This is no time for complacency," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a virtual briefing on Monday, as quoted by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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"This is a dangerous virus, which can attack every system in the body. Those countries that are letting the virus run unchecked are playing with fire."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-data-from-modernas-experimental-vaccine-is-truly-groundbreaking-343529">Why data from Moderna's experimental vaccine is truly groundbreaking</a>

The pharma company released early results from a clinical trial which included 30,000 participants after Americ's Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech last week said their Covid-19 vaccine was 90 per cent effective.&nbsp;

Earlier, hopes rose on Monday amid Covid-19's grim after news broke that Moderna's vaccine was found to be about 95 per cent effective in a trial.&nbsp;

The pharma company released early results from a clinical trial which included 30,000 participants after America's Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech last week said their Covid-19 vaccine was 90 per cent effective.&nbsp;

"This positive interim analysis from our Phase 3 study has given us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease, including severe disease," said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel.

However, the WHO chief has said that finding the vaccine "will not end the pandemic".

As the news by top coronavirus vaccine candidate Moderna is creating a lot of buzz, the World Health Organization chief has called it "encouraging", but warned that "complacency" must be avoided.

As the news by top coronavirus vaccine candidate Moderna is creating a lot of buzz, the World Health Organization chief has called it "encouraging", but warned that "complacency" must be avoided. "This is no time for complacency," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a virtual briefing on Monday, as quoted by news agency AFP. Watch | "This is a dangerous virus, which can attack every system in the body. Those countries that are letting the virus run unchecked are playing with fire." Also read | Why data from Moderna's experimental vaccine is truly groundbreaking The pharma company released early results from a clinical trial which included 30,000 participants after Americ's Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech last week said their Covid-19 vaccine was 90 per cent effective. Earlier, hopes rose on Monday amid Covid-19's grim after news broke that Moderna's vaccine was found to be about 95 per cent effective in a trial. The pharma company released early results from a clinical trial which included 30,000 participants after America's Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech last week said their Covid-19 vaccine was 90 per cent effective. "This positive interim analysis from our Phase 3 study has given us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease, including severe disease," said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel. However, the WHO chief has said that finding the vaccine "will not end the pandemic".

Covid-19 vaccine news 'encouraging', but no time for 'complacency': WHO chief

The deadly Covid-19 across the world has now infected more than 53 million people, with over 13 lakh people succumbing to the virus that was first reported in late December 2019.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has risen by 657,312 within the past 24 hours marking the largest daily increase since the outbreak of the pandemic, the World Health Organisation said on Saturday.

As of 19:30 GMT, the global tally of COVID-19 infections amounts to 53,927,158.

Most of those new cases were registered in Europe (over 285,000) and the Americas (over 269,000).

Meanwhile, the death toll worldwide has reached 1,311,192, with 9,797 fatalities being recorded over the past day.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The deadly Covid-19 across the world has now infected more than 53 million people, with over 13 lakh people succumbing to the virus that was first reported in late December 2019.

The deadly Covid-19 across the world has now infected more than 53 million people, with over 13 lakh people succumbing to the virus that was first reported in late December 2019. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has risen by 657,312 within the past 24 hours marking the largest daily increase since the outbreak of the pandemic, the World Health Organisation said on Saturday. As of 19:30 GMT, the global tally of COVID-19 infections amounts to 53,927,158. Most of those new cases were registered in Europe (over 285,000) and the Americas (over 269,000). Meanwhile, the death toll worldwide has reached 1,311,192, with 9,797 fatalities being recorded over the past day. (With inputs from agencies)

WHO confirms record 657,312 coronavirus cases worldwide in a single day

Words like 'Taiwan' and 'China virus' were blocked from the comments section during a livestream of the World Health Assembly meeting. Netizens quickly pointed out the similarities between this incident and China's vast censorship regime. WION's Palki Sharma has the story.

Gravitas: W.H.O censors Taiwan on Facebook

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the tech giant Bill Gates and a few more big pharma CEOs to discuss rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine.

The group of tech giants and the UK Prime Minister met through a virtual platform to "re-commit" to ensure global access of any successful COVID-19 vaccine and to "prevent future pandemics".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gene-within-gene-scientists-make-worrying-discovery-about-coronavirus-nucleotides-342539">'Gene within gene': Scientists make worrying discovery about coronavirus nucleotides</a>

During the virtual roundtable conference, Johnson assured his commitment to the coronavirus vaccine. However, no final news was passed about&nbsp;Pfizer vaccine, which hasn't been approved yet. Meanwhile, local reports have claimed that the UK's&nbsp;National Health Service (NHS) will be ready to start vaccinating people from December or January. This claim was not substantiated by the Johnson administration, though.

In the conference, Johnson also assured that his administration will be using UK's G7 presidency next year to bring in a global health plan with expertise from the&nbsp;Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and partnership with&nbsp;Wellcome Trust. This plan is being laid out to prevent such massive outcry and loss of lives if any other pandemic strikes the world again.

Bill Gates appreciated Johnson's measures and efforts, and said he is happy that someone is thinking about chalking out a&nbsp;“global approach” to “health security.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/chinese-virologist-reveals-chinas-fake-science-and-the-covid-19-cover-up-333982">Chinese virologist reveals China’s fake science and the COVID-19 cover-up</a>

As of now, a strategy has been unveiled by the Gates Foundation at the&nbsp;UN General Assembly in September. This plan can have effects in areas other than the UK, too, if it is implemented, as it involves creating a global network of&nbsp;“zoonotic disease research hubs” which can detect any possible dangerous viruses in animal populations, way before it affects humans.

The UK has contracted for 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as of now. Pfizer is being hailed as a vaccine with 90 per cent effectivity against the novel coronavirus, but the claim has not been substantiated and the actual clinical data from the drug trials has to be released.

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the tech giant Bill Gates and a few more big pharma CEOs to discuss rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine. The group of tech giants and the UK Prime Minister met through a virtual platform to "re-commit" to ensure global access of any successful COVID-19 vaccine and to "prevent future pandemics".

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the tech giant Bill Gates and a few more big pharma CEOs to discuss rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine. The group of tech giants and the UK Prime Minister met through a virtual platform to "re-commit" to ensure global access of any successful COVID-19 vaccine and to "prevent future pandemics". Also read| 'Gene within gene': Scientists make worrying discovery about coronavirus nucleotides During the virtual roundtable conference, Johnson assured his commitment to the coronavirus vaccine. However, no final news was passed about Pfizer vaccine, which hasn't been approved yet. Meanwhile, local reports have claimed that the UK's National Health Service (NHS) will be ready to start vaccinating people from December or January. This claim was not substantiated by the Johnson administration, though. In the conference, Johnson also assured that his administration will be using UK's G7 presidency next year to bring in a global health plan with expertise from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and partnership with Wellcome Trust. This plan is being laid out to prevent such massive outcry and loss of lives if any other pandemic strikes the world again. Bill Gates appreciated Johnson's measures and efforts, and said he is happy that someone is thinking about chalking out a “global approach” to “health security.” Also read: Chinese virologist reveals China’s fake science and the COVID-19 cover-up As of now, a strategy has been unveiled by the Gates Foundation at the UN General Assembly in September. This plan can have effects in areas other than the UK, too, if it is implemented, as it involves creating a global network of “zoonotic disease research hubs” which can detect any possible dangerous viruses in animal populations, way before it affects humans. The UK has contracted for 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as of now. Pfizer is being hailed as a vaccine with 90 per cent effectivity against the novel coronavirus, but the claim has not been substantiated and the actual clinical data from the drug trials has to be released.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets Bill Gates to discuss COVID-19 vaccine

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules which would essentially enable the EU to declare a health emergency. In addition, this would allow the EU to test individual national plans in place to tackle pandemics.

A blow to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has historically taken such calls, this could signal a shift in WHO-centric health policy outlook.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-sinopharm-claims-results-of-its-vaccine-are-better-than-expected-342440" hreflang="en">China's Sinopharm claims results of its vaccine are 'better than expected'</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-pandemic-europe-faces-shortage-of-beds-doctors-nurses-342402/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The reaction to COVID-19 among 27 EU countries has been uncoordinated, which is why some countries have managed it amiably, while others have faltered. Currently, Europe is witnessing a second-wave of coronavirus infections, with numbers increasing across all major countries. Many have also reimposed lockdowns.

Owing to the unequal response and preparation, many EU countries were seen competing for medical gear and other paraphernalia.

WHO criticised

The WHO has faced global criticism for undermining the severity of COVID-19, and for&nbsp;declaring it a pandemic too late. The WHO, though denies all such claims.

The proposals state that the EU would be able to declare a pan-EU public health emergency, which they would facilitate coordination among EU states. As of now, the union has to rely on the WHO before declaring such emergencies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-president-warns-recurring-cycles-viral-spread-despite-vaccine-342445" hreflang="en">EU president warns 'recurring cycles' viral spread despite vaccine</a>

"The new rules will enable the activation of EU emergency response mechanisms… without making it contingent upon the WHO's own declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern," an EU document says, Reuters reported. However, all such responses would be in coordination with the WHO.

EU states want reform in the WHO, and believe that they had relied on the organisation too heavily during the pandemic.

"We relied too much on the WHO for the COVID-19 pandemic," Peter Liese, lawmaker from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party said.

"Under pressure from China, the WHO declared the health emergency too late. It is therefore very important to have the possibility to act at European level in future similar situations”, Liese added.

The incumbent US President Donald Trump had labelled WHO a puppet of China.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules which would essentially enable the EU to declare a health emergency. In addition, this would allow the EU to test individual national plans in place to tackle pandemics.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules which would essentially enable the EU to declare a health emergency. In addition, this would allow the EU to test individual national plans in place to tackle pandemics. A blow to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has historically taken such calls, this could signal a shift in WHO-centric health policy outlook. Also read: China's Sinopharm claims results of its vaccine are 'better than expected' The reaction to COVID-19 among 27 EU countries has been uncoordinated, which is why some countries have managed it amiably, while others have faltered. Currently, Europe is witnessing a second-wave of coronavirus infections, with numbers increasing across all major countries. Many have also reimposed lockdowns. Owing to the unequal response and preparation, many EU countries were seen competing for medical gear and other paraphernalia. WHO criticised The WHO has faced global criticism for undermining the severity of COVID-19, and for declaring it a pandemic too late. The WHO, though denies all such claims. The proposals state that the EU would be able to declare a pan-EU public health emergency, which they would facilitate coordination among EU states. As of now, the union has to rely on the WHO before declaring such emergencies. Also read: EU president warns 'recurring cycles' viral spread despite vaccine "The new rules will enable the activation of EU emergency response mechanisms… without making it contingent upon the WHO's own declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern," an EU document says, Reuters reported. However, all such responses would be in coordination with the WHO. EU states want reform in the WHO, and believe that they had relied on the organisation too heavily during the pandemic. "We relied too much on the WHO for the COVID-19 pandemic," Peter Liese, lawmaker from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party said. "Under pressure from China, the WHO declared the health emergency too late. It is therefore very important to have the possibility to act at European level in future similar situations”, Liese added. The incumbent US President Donald Trump had labelled WHO a puppet of China.

EU seeks power to declare health emergencies undermining WHO

GENEVA — On a cold weekend in mid-February, when the world still harbored false hope that the new coronavirus could be contained, a World Health Organization team arrived in Beijing to study the outbreak and investigate a critical question: How did the virus jump from animals to humans?

In hunt for virus source, WHO let China take charge

The United States on Saturday recorded the world's highest daily COVID-19 cases with over 1 lakh new cases recorded in the country.&nbsp;

The exact cases count in the United States stood at 9,158,275 as of Sunday. The number of confirmed virus-related death reached 230,732, according to data provided by John Hopkins University.

The global count of confirmed coronavirus cases has surpassed 46 million on Sunday, according to data provided by the University.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11. The biggest number of cases so far have been registered in the United States, India, and Brazil.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States on Saturday recorded the world's highest daily COVID-19 cases with over 1 lakh new cases recorded in the country. The exact cases count in the United States stood at 9,158,275 as of Sunday.

The United States on Saturday recorded the world's highest daily COVID-19 cases with over 1 lakh new cases recorded in the country. The exact cases count in the United States stood at 9,158,275 as of Sunday. The number of confirmed virus-related death reached 230,732, according to data provided by John Hopkins University. The global count of confirmed coronavirus cases has surpassed 46 million on Sunday, according to data provided by the University. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11. The biggest number of cases so far have been registered in the United States, India, and Brazil. (With inputs from agencies)

US records world's highest daily COVID-19 cases

The deadly Covid-19 across the world has now infected more than 46 million people, with 12 lakh people succumbing to the virus that was first reported in late December 2019.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the world has witnessed a total of 46,312,467 confirmed coronavirus cases.

The death count has also surged to 1,198,000.

The US, the worst-hit country, has 9,158,275 cases. It is followed by India, which has 8,184,082.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The deadly Covid-19 across the world has now infected more than 46 million people, with 12 lakh people succumbing to the virus that was first reported in late December 2019.

The deadly Covid-19 across the world has now infected more than 46 million people, with 12 lakh people succumbing to the virus that was first reported in late December 2019. According to Johns Hopkins University, the world has witnessed a total of 46,312,467 confirmed coronavirus cases. The death count has also surged to 1,198,000. The US, the worst-hit country, has 9,158,275 cases. It is followed by India, which has 8,184,082. The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11. (With inputs from agencies)

Global coronavirus cases exceed 46 million; death toll at 1,198,000

The health experts at the World Health Organization chaired a virtual meeting with their Chinese counterparts on Friday to investigate the origin of the novel coronavirus, which is reported to be lab-made in Wuhan, a Chinese city.

The&nbsp;WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu told a virtual press briefing that the United Nations will continue&nbsp;“to establish the origins of the virus to prevent future outbreaks" and continuing the same "a group of international experts had their first virtual meeting with their Chinese counterparts,"&nbsp;he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-registers-94000-coronavirus-cases-in-24-hours-tally-passes-9m-339148">Also read|&nbsp;US registers 94,000 coronavirus cases in 24 hours; tally passes 9M</a>

The meeting with the Chinese counterparts happened after the WHO had sent a team of investigators and health experts to Beijing in July to lay the groundwork for the investigation. However, a larger team has yet not been dispatched to the Asian country.&nbsp;

It was also made clear by the&nbsp;WHO emergencies chief Michael Ryan that it was decided since the start that first meeting between the two sides will take place virtually, and then will proceed to face-to-face interaction.

He said the teams needed to first review all the studies already done “so that the trip, the mission ultimately will address the issues which are the gaps in knowledge.” He also stressed that such investigations have to be closely monitored and are very critical.&nbsp;“I cast my mind back to MERS and SARS and other diseases, which have taken months and sometimes years to establish animal origins, and sometimes years to get fully-fledged investigations carried out on the ground,” he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-records-highest-coronavirus-cases-amid-tough-covid-19-regulation-339122">Also read|&nbsp;Italy records highest coronavirus cases amid tough COVID-19 regulation</a>

Also talking about the mounting political pressure on the organisation — especially by the US President Donald trump — Ryan said the need of the moment is to find the right answers rather than surrendering to the pressure. He did acknowledge that the organisation was under immense political pressure.&nbsp;“That is what we need: ... the best answers. Not just any answer that satisfies political needs of speed,” he said. “We want the best possible scientific outcome, generating the best possible evidence for the origin of this disease because it is important.” He also added that the added political pressure creates a toxic work environment which negatively affects the workflow and quality.&nbsp;"We are trying our best to ensure the best science in the face of one of the most devastating epidemics we have had to face together as a planet," he concluded.

WHO may also issue an updated safety guideline with respect to international travel, observing the change in season and the advancement of the symptoms of the novel coronavirus.&nbsp;"It’s very important that WHO produce an updated guidance with regard to safe international air travel and clearly the use of the tests is certainly now supposed to have a much large place compare to quarantine," committee chair Didier Houssin said.

The meeting took place as the coronavirus cases totalled around 45.4 million with the death toll nearing&nbsp;to 1,187,020, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

The health experts at the World Health Organization chaired a virtual meeting with their Chinese counterparts on Friday to investigate the origin of the novel coronavirus, which is reported to be lab-made in Wuhan, a Chinese city.

The health experts at the World Health Organization chaired a virtual meeting with their Chinese counterparts on Friday to investigate the origin of the novel coronavirus, which is reported to be lab-made in Wuhan, a Chinese city. The WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu told a virtual press briefing that the United Nations will continue “to establish the origins of the virus to prevent future outbreaks" and continuing the same "a group of international experts had their first virtual meeting with their Chinese counterparts," he said. Also read| US registers 94,000 coronavirus cases in 24 hours; tally passes 9M The meeting with the Chinese counterparts happened after the WHO had sent a team of investigators and health experts to Beijing in July to lay the groundwork for the investigation. However, a larger team has yet not been dispatched to the Asian country. It was also made clear by the WHO emergencies chief Michael Ryan that it was decided since the start that first meeting between the two sides will take place virtually, and then will proceed to face-to-face interaction. He said the teams needed to first review all the studies already done “so that the trip, the mission ultimately will address the issues which are the gaps in knowledge.” He also stressed that such investigations have to be closely monitored and are very critical. “I cast my mind back to MERS and SARS and other diseases, which have taken months and sometimes years to establish animal origins, and sometimes years to get fully-fledged investigations carried out on the ground,” he said. Also read| Italy records highest coronavirus cases amid tough COVID-19 regulation Also talking about the mounting political pressure on the organisation — especially by the US President Donald trump — Ryan said the need of the moment is to find the right answers rather than surrendering to the pressure. He did acknowledge that the organisation was under immense political pressure. “That is what we need: ... the best answers. Not just any answer that satisfies political needs of speed,” he said. “We want the best possible scientific outcome, generating the best possible evidence for the origin of this disease because it is important.” He also added that the added political pressure creates a toxic work environment which negatively affects the workflow and quality. "We are trying our best to ensure the best science in the face of one of the most devastating epidemics we have had to face together as a planet," he concluded. WHO may also issue an updated safety guideline with respect to international travel, observing the change in season and the advancement of the symptoms of the novel coronavirus. "It’s very important that WHO produce an updated guidance with regard to safe international air travel and clearly the use of the tests is certainly now supposed to have a much large place compare to quarantine," committee chair Didier Houssin said. The meeting took place as the coronavirus cases totalled around 45.4 million with the death toll nearing to 1,187,020, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

WHO chairs meeting with Chinese counterparts to investigate COVID-19's origin

2020 has been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities were locked down. Social life was disrupted. Economies still are in tailspin. But one country has made it work. It has emerged unscathed, despite being surrounded by hotspots. That country is Taiwan. Taiwan's last locally transmitted case came on April 12th. Two hundred days have passed, with zero cases of local transmission.&nbsp;

Taiwan's strategy has been simple. Trace, test and quarantine. No lockdown. It's the strategy that has made it the world leader, in pandemic response

Let's put Taiwan's COVID-19 stats in perspective. 550 confirmed cases, and only 7 deaths.&nbsp;

This is a country of 23 million people. Australia has a similar population but it registered almost 28,000 cases and 900 deaths.

Majority of Taiwan's cases were imported. Residents who got infected outside the country. So what did Taiwan do differently? How did it succeed where far wealthier nations failed? For starters, Taiwan had a headstart. By December, it knew about a SARS-like infection spreading in Wuhan.

The first thing authorities did was observe passengers from China. Once they were convinced of the threat, Taiwan sealed its borders. This was way back in January. Taiwan was also quick to stockpile masks and PPE kits. In 4 months, it went from making 2 million masks a day to 20 million. Many countries struggled with shortage in the early stages, Taiwan had no such issue. 
&nbsp; 
But the most crucial part of Taiwan's plan was contact-tracing. For each confirmed case, the government traced 20 to 30 contacts. These people would then go into home quarantine. It did not matter whether they tested positive or not. 34,000 people have undergone home quarantine in Taiwan, almost 1.5 per cent of the total population.

Fewer than 1000 people ended up violating it. That's a compliance rate of 99.7 per cent.

The public had a major role in Taiwan's success story

Past experience also helped. In 2003m the SARS epidemic dealt a huge blow to Taiwan. Hundreds of people became ill. At least 73 died.

Since then, Taiwan has been preparing for the next pandemic. When the Wuhan virus came, Taiwan had all the tools to combat it. It has also avoided an economic meltdown. The GDP is projected to expand by almost 2 per cent.

So does this mean absolute victory? Not quite. Taiwan is still reporting imported cases. Around 20 cases were reported in last 2 weeks alone. Taiwan's response has been the gold-standard of pandemic response. The 200-day streak is another example of why Taiwan needs a seat at World Health Organisation. Its knowledge could be crucial in preventing the next pandemic. 
&nbsp;

2020 has been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities were locked down. Social life was disrupted. Economies still are in tailspin. But one country has made it work.

2020 has been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities were locked down. Social life was disrupted. Economies still are in tailspin. But one country has made it work. It has emerged unscathed, despite being surrounded by hotspots. That country is Taiwan. Taiwan's last locally transmitted case came on April 12th. Two hundred days have passed, with zero cases of local transmission. Taiwan's strategy has been simple. Trace, test and quarantine. No lockdown. It's the strategy that has made it the world leader, in pandemic response Let's put Taiwan's COVID-19 stats in perspective. 550 confirmed cases, and only 7 deaths. This is a country of 23 million people. Australia has a similar population but it registered almost 28,000 cases and 900 deaths. Majority of Taiwan's cases were imported. Residents who got infected outside the country. So what did Taiwan do differently? How did it succeed where far wealthier nations failed? For starters, Taiwan had a headstart. By December, it knew about a SARS-like infection spreading in Wuhan. The first thing authorities did was observe passengers from China. Once they were convinced of the threat, Taiwan sealed its borders. This was way back in January. Taiwan was also quick to stockpile masks and PPE kits. In 4 months, it went from making 2 million masks a day to 20 million. Many countries struggled with shortage in the early stages, Taiwan had no such issue. But the most crucial part of Taiwan's plan was contact-tracing. For each confirmed case, the government traced 20 to 30 contacts. These people would then go into home quarantine. It did not matter whether they tested positive or not. 34,000 people have undergone home quarantine in Taiwan, almost 1.5 per cent of the total population. Fewer than 1000 people ended up violating it. That's a compliance rate of 99.7 per cent. The public had a major role in Taiwan's success story Past experience also helped. In 2003m the SARS epidemic dealt a huge blow to Taiwan. Hundreds of people became ill. At least 73 died. Since then, Taiwan has been preparing for the next pandemic. When the Wuhan virus came, Taiwan had all the tools to combat it. It has also avoided an economic meltdown. The GDP is projected to expand by almost 2 per cent. So does this mean absolute victory? Not quite. Taiwan is still reporting imported cases. Around 20 cases were reported in last 2 weeks alone. Taiwan's response has been the gold-standard of pandemic response. The 200-day streak is another example of why Taiwan needs a seat at World Health Organisation. Its knowledge could be crucial in preventing the next pandemic.

Here's how Taiwan beat the pandemic

A top official of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that Pakistan could be the next polio-free country, after years of continued efforts to eradicate the crippling disease.

The remarks were made by the WHO's Country Representative Palitha Mahipala at an event on Saturday to mark World Polio Day, reports Dawn news.

Mahipala said that the polio eradication programme and partners have affirmed they will remain undeterred in Pakistan.

"Due to enormous challenges such as misconceptions about vaccines and the Covid-19 lockdowns, the efforts against polio have been affected.

"The polio programme, with its partners, has now been able to ramp-up activities which are vitalised resolve to end polio in Pakistan, as recently done by Africa," he said.

He added that global partners, including the Unicef, have contributed significantly while supporting the Pakistan government in its effort to curb the disease, but more was to eradicate it once and for all.

Hailing the more than 260,000 frontline workers, Palitha said: "They are our real heroes in this effort, and with the provided support, they have made us proud by vaccinating millions of children during each campaign."

As part of ongoing campaigns, the next sub-national polio eradication campaign will begin on Monday with a target to vaccine more than 31 million children below the age of five, Dawn news reported.

The campaign will include 33 districts each in Punjab and Balochistan, 41 districts and towns in Sindh, eight districts in Gilgit Baltistan, 10 districts in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and one district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A top official of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that Pakistan could be the next polio-free country, after years of continued efforts to eradicate the crippling disease.

A top official of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that Pakistan could be the next polio-free country, after years of continued efforts to eradicate the crippling disease. The remarks were made by the WHO's Country Representative Palitha Mahipala at an event on Saturday to mark World Polio Day, reports Dawn news. Mahipala said that the polio eradication programme and partners have affirmed they will remain undeterred in Pakistan. "Due to enormous challenges such as misconceptions about vaccines and the Covid-19 lockdowns, the efforts against polio have been affected. "The polio programme, with its partners, has now been able to ramp-up activities which are vitalised resolve to end polio in Pakistan, as recently done by Africa," he said. He added that global partners, including the Unicef, have contributed significantly while supporting the Pakistan government in its effort to curb the disease, but more was to eradicate it once and for all. Hailing the more than 260,000 frontline workers, Palitha said: "They are our real heroes in this effort, and with the provided support, they have made us proud by vaccinating millions of children during each campaign." As part of ongoing campaigns, the next sub-national polio eradication campaign will begin on Monday with a target to vaccine more than 31 million children below the age of five, Dawn news reported. The campaign will include 33 districts each in Punjab and Balochistan, 41 districts and towns in Sindh, eight districts in Gilgit Baltistan, 10 districts in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and one district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan could be next polio-free country: WHO

The director general of the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday an additional 10,000 children a month could die this year from malnutrition as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking at a U.N Food and Agriculture (FAO) conference, said he expected a 14% increase this year in children suffering from malnutrition as a result of the pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/who-records-biggest-one-day-increase-in-global-coronavirus-cases-as-europe-grapples-with-virus-333613" hreflang="en">WHO records biggest one-day increase in global coronavirus cases as Europe grapples with virus</a>

This equates to 6.7 million more malnourished children, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia.

"The pandemic has caused serious disruptions to essential services, immunisation, maternal services, child nutrition, family planning and more," he said.

"We can not accept a world where the rich have access to healthy diets while the poor are left behind," he added.

The director general of the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday an additional 10,000 children a month could die this year from malnutrition as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The director general of the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday an additional 10,000 children a month could die this year from malnutrition as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking at a U.N Food and Agriculture (FAO) conference, said he expected a 14% increase this year in children suffering from malnutrition as a result of the pandemic. Also read: WHO records biggest one-day increase in global coronavirus cases as Europe grapples with virus This equates to 6.7 million more malnourished children, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. "The pandemic has caused serious disruptions to essential services, immunisation, maternal services, child nutrition, family planning and more," he said. "We can not accept a world where the rich have access to healthy diets while the poor are left behind," he added.

10,000 more children a month could die of malnutrition due to COVID impact: WHO

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