asia
Chinese Covid-19 vaccine trial shows promising results
An inactivated Covid-19 vaccine candidate developed by China has shown promising trial result as it is safe and generates an immune response, according to data from clinical trials published in The Journal of the American Medical Association this week.
India to invest $1.46 trillion to lift virus-hit economy
Dhaka, Aug 15 (UNB/AP) India’s prime minister said Saturday his country has done well in containing the coronavirus pandemic and announced $1.46 trillion in infrastructure projects to boost the sagging economy.
North Korea lifts lockdown in city, rejects flood, virus aid
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lifted a lockdown in a major city near the border with South Korea where thousands had been quarantined for weeks over coronavirus worries, state media said Friday.
Indonesia reports 2,307 newly-confirmed COVID-19 cases, 53 new deaths
The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 2,307 within one day to 135,123, with the death toll adding by 53 to 6,021, the Health Ministry said on Friday.
China extends anti-dumping tariffs on Indian optical fiber
China on Thursday said it has extended punitive tariffs on Indian optical fiber products for five years.
Coronavirus: Bhutan imposes 1st nationwide lockdown
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has imposed its first nationwide lockdown after detection of Covid-19 infection in a returning traveler who had been released from quarantine.
India’s Covid-19 cases reach 2.4 million
India total infections neared 2.4 million as it reported 66,999 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, said sources at India's federal health ministry.
Three killed in India clashes over Prophet Muhammad post
Three people were killed in the Indian city of Bangalore after police fired on crowds protesting an"offensive" Facebook post about Prophet Muhammad.
Pranab Mukherjee’s condition worsens , still on ventilator support
Health condition of former Indian president of Pranab Mukherjee, who was put on ventilator support after a surgery on Monday, has been worsened .
The Army's Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital made the disclosure on Tuesday, reports Times of India.
Mukharjee got admitted to the military hospital with critical health condition on Monday noon and tested positive for coronavirus.
Later, he was found with a large brain clot for which he underwent emergency life saving surgery.
In a statement, the hospital authority said "Shri Pranab Mukherjee's health condition continues to remain critical at Army Hospital (R&R) Delhi Cantonment. The former president, who underwent lifesaving emergency surgery for brain clot on 10 August 2020, has not shown any improvement and his health status has worsened. He remains on ventilator support."
A multidisciplinary team of doctors is constantly monitoring the health of the former president.
In a tweet on Monday, Mukherjee himself disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Covid-19 and urged people who had come in contact with him in the last week to isolate themselves and get tested for the novel coronavirus.
Soon after the news of his hospitalisation, wishes poured in from various quarters for his early recovery and a number of leaders sent their wishes on Twitter.
Covid-19: India registers 53,000 new cases
India reported 53,601 new coronavirus cases Tuesday as its total infections neared 2.3 million, reports AP.
The health ministry said 871 patients have died, raising total fatalities to 45,257.
India has been posting an average of around 50,000 new cases a day since mid-June. Its total infections are third in the world, behind the US and Brazil.
These three countries account for half of the world's 20 million cases. The true numbers are thought to be much higher because of factors including low testing and the possibility the virus can be spread by people who don't have symptoms.
The Indian Council of Medical Research, India’s top medical research body, said nearly 25 million samples have been tested.
Health experts, however, say the country needs to test more people given its big population.