Japan aims to fast-track review of anti-viral drug remdesivir

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An ampule of Ebola drug Remdesivir is pictured during a news conference at the University Hospital Eppendorf (UKE) in Hamburg, Germany. (Reuters) COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ Japan will fast-track a review of Gilead Sciences Inc’s antiviral drug remdesivir so that it can hopefully be approved for domestic COVID-19 patients a week after the U.S. firm’s filing for such approval, the health minister said on Saturday. Health Minister Katsunobu Kato’s comment comes after remdesivir was granted emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for COVID-19 on Friday. “I’ve heard…

In US, Ramadan amid Covid-19 crisis presents both obstacles, opportunities

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In every corner of the country, believers attend community iftar meals to break the fast and then pack neatly into tight rows for nightly prayers at the mosque.(AP file photo. Representative image ) COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ For Muslims in the United States, there is no other time more centered around gathering in congregation than the holy month of Ramadan. In every corner of the country, believers attend community iftar meals to break the fast and then pack neatly into tight rows for nightly prayers at the mosque. On weekends, especially,…

Women, minorities and people of colour bear burden of front-line work during pandemic

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Healthcare workers react to the applause at Brooklyn’s Kings County Hospital Center during a 7 o’clock ceremony during the coronavirus pandemic, Friday, April 24, 2020, in New York. (AP) COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ As America tentatively emerges from weeks of lockdowns, the pandemic has taken its toll on workers who have been on the front lines all along. They have been packing and delivering supplies, caring for the sick and elderly, and keeping streets and buildings clean. They have also watched their co-workers fall ill. Thousands have gotten sick themselves. Many…

WHO wants invite to China’s probe into virus origins

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UN health agency understood there were a number of investigations under way in China “to better understand the source of the outbreak”, but added that “WHO is not currently involved in the studies in China.”(Reuters) COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ The World Health Organization said Friday it hoped China would invite it to take part in its investigations into the animal origins of the novel coronavirus. “WHO would be keen to work with international partners and at the invitation of the Chinese government to participate in investigation around the animal origins,” WHO…

Coronavirus trial drug remdesivir’s maker aims for wide distribution: Gilead CEO

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Vials of investigational coronavirus disease (Covid-19) treatment drug remdesivir are capped at a Gilead Sciences facility in La Verne, California, US. (via REUTERS) COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ Gilead Sciences which manufactures remdesivir, is focussed on making the experimental coronavirus drug accessible and affordable to as many people as possible once it is approved, Chief Executive Daniel O’Day said on Friday. Gilead has already said it will donate the first 1.5 million doses of remdesivir and O’Day told NBC’s “Today” show that the company understood its responsibility to make a difference during…

Donald Trump points to Wuhan lab as Covid-19 source, threatens new tariffs as punishment

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COURTESY BY : https://www.hindustantimes.com/ President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States has intelligence that establishes a virology lab in Wuhan is the source of the pandemic and indicated new tariffs as his administration considers a range of punitive measures such as partly cancelling public debt and allowing victims to sue China. “Yes I have,” Trump told reporters when asked if he has seen intelligence that traces the epidemic’s origin to the Wuhan lab with a high degree of confidence. He did not share any evidence and when asked…

Armed protesters demand end to Covid-19 curbs in US state

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US President Donald Trump holds up a presidential proclamation declaring a “Older Americans Month 2020” during an event about senior citizens and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the East Room at the White House in Washington.(REUTERS) COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ Hundred of protestors, some of them armed with guns, swarmed Michigan state’s assembly building in Lansing Thursday demanding removal of stay-at-home Covid-19 restrictions. Michigan is among the hardest hit by the virus with more than 3,700 fatalities till Thursday, and upwards of 41,000 infections. The state’s Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer has…

Kuwait offers to evacuate 45,000 Indians who benefited from visa amnesty scheme

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Police and civil aviation personnel wearing protective face masks work at the Kuwait Airport as the repatriation process of Kuwait citizens continues, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Kuwait City.(REUTERS) COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ Kuwait on Friday offered to evacuate thousands of illegal Indian workers who benefited from a general amnesty, even as people familiar with developments said the two sides were in touch to resolve the issue. Kuwaiti ambassador Jassem Al-Najem highlighted his government’s efforts to evacuate “all illegal workers of different nationalities, including Indian nationals, who…

Virus forces delay of English cricket’s Hundred until 2021

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“The Hundred has been delayed until 2021. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – English cricket’s controversial new Hundred competition has been delayed until 2021 after the coronavirus pandemic deprived it of star overseas names and bumper crowds. The new 100-balls-per-side format, to be played by eight franchises rather than the established 18 first-class counties, had been due to start in July. But with the English season delayed until at least July 1, with any matches likely to be played behind closed doors, the England and Wales Cricket Board has decide to…

Pakistan has lowest Covid-19 mortality rate, says minister as country records highest single-day fatalities

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COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ With 26 fresh fatalities, Pakistan on Wednesday recorded the highest single-day jump in the number of deaths due to coronavirus disease Covid-19, health authorities said. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yusuf told the media that besides the new 26 deaths, there were 44 infected people in critical condition, Pakistani media reported. However, he said the mortality rate was only 2.1 per cent in Pakistan as compared to around seven per cent in other countries. Meanwhile, the government has decided to bring back 7,500…