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Thailand Approves Sinovac Vaccine For Emergency Use

Nupur Patil
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Thailand Approves Sinovac Vaccine For Emergency Use

THAILAND: The Chinese Sinovac Vaccine has been approved for local emergency use in Thailand ahead of the launch of the national inoculation program. On Monday, Paisarn Dunkum, secretary-general of Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) sanctioned the approval. According to the approval letter by the drug manufacturer, the authorization for Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine’s jabs is valid for one year.

The order of the first batch of two million doses of the Sinovac vaccine will arrive on Wednesday.

Thailand aims to vaccinate around 50 percent population by the year-end. The locally produced vaccines will be involved in the vaccination program followed by the human trials. Two of the domestically produced vaccines in Thailand are yet to go through human trials.

Earlier this year, the vaccines had been tested on rats and macaques.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the country will also receive 117,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Wednesday. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha is expected to be the first person in Thailand to be vaccinated.

The first Sinovac shots will be administered to medical workers, close contacts with COVID-19 patients, people with certain chronic illnesses, and people aged 60 years or older, according to the Disease Control Department. 

Read Also: Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Approved In UK

The royally owned company, Siam Bioscience is locally developing the AstraZeneca vaccine after it was approved by Thailand. Moreover, the count of vaccines that will be produced through technology transfer is around 61 million.

Meanwhile, Thailand is set to start its vaccination program in June and India has assured its support to the nation.

Finland Researchers Discover A New Variant Of COVID-19

Nupur Patil
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Finland Researchers Discover A New Variant Of COVID-19

FINLAND: Researchers in Southern Finland have discovered a new variant of the COVID-19 virus recently. The variant is tagged as Fin-796H. Interestingly, the variant has shown mutations similar to the ones displayed by the British and South African variants. The combination uncovered in the variant is ‘unique’ and the cause of origination is still unknown to the researchers.

According to Yle, the Helsinki-based Vita laboratories have said that the discovery is noteworthy as it might not come as present in the PCR test for the virus. As per the studies, PCR tests search for the specific genetic material and hence would not work for the “unique” variant.

“The variant was discovered in a patient last week, so details about the infectivity and potential resistance of this strain to vaccines are not yet known,” Taru Meri, a researcher from the Vita laboratories said. She also said that it was unlikely that the variant was found in Finland given the country’s low COVID-19 infection rates.

Read Also: UK COVID-19 Variant Is Doubling Every 10 Days In US: Study

“The tests’ inability to recognize it, meaning those mutations have occurred in the section on which the PCR test is based, is the most important information about this variant at the moment,” Taru said.

In a statement, Petri Auvinen, Research Director of the University of Helsinki’s Institute of Biotechnology said, “However, the newly-discovered variant differs from expectations in that it does not genetically resemble any other known variant.”

Finland’s COVID-19 update

Finland has so far recorded 52,653 confirmed cases of the virus while 40,000 people have recovered. Furthermore, 725 citizens of the country have died of COVID-19.

Additionally, there have been 450 cases of variants found in Finland. Among these, 422 were the British variant, 22 were identified as the South African variant and one case involved the Brazilian variant of the virus.

Russia Records The First Case Of H5N8 Avian Flu In Humans

Nupur Patil
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Russia Records The First Case Of H5N8 Avian Flu In Humans

RUSSIA: Russia has recorded its first case of H5N8 avian flu transmission in humans. Seven workers in a poultry farm in Russia went through an examination after they showed subtle symptoms of the highly contagious virus.

Previously, the same poultry plant had recorded the outbreak of Avian flu among the birds in December. The scientists had isolated the genetic material of the workers in the Vector laboratory in Russia. However, the virus did not show any precedence in human.

The H5N8 avian flu virus has never been found in humans. Therefore, Russia became the first country in the world to report the first H5N8 in humans on Saturday. Meanwhile, World Health Organisation (WHO) has been alerted of the occurrence.

“Information about the world’s first case of transmission of the avian flu (H5N8) to humans has already been sent to the World Health Organization.” Anna Popova, the head of Russia’s health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, said in a statement. Adding that “time will tell” if the virus can further mutate.

Read Also: Avian Flu Spreads Across Seven Indian States

The revelation has raised further questions regarding the porous consumption of poultry. While the workers were found exposed to the dead and infected bird flocks, it is safe to infer that cooked meat will cause no harm.

“Preliminary information indicates that the reported cases were workers exposed to bird flocks,” said Reuters quoting an email from WHO’s European arm. 

Russia’s Vector laboratory – the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology has also developed one of the several vaccines the country has so far produced.

Recently, Russia, North Africa, Europe, China, and the Middle East have reported the outbreak of H5N8 flu but only in poultry. Several Indian states have reported cases of flu among bird flocks that had come from the H5N8 strand.

Osaka Beats Brady To Clinch The Australian Open Title

Nupur Patil
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1
Osaka Beats Brady To Clinch The Australian Open Title

AUSTRALIA: Japan’s tennis player Naomi Osaka became the first singles grand slam champion in 2021 after beating Jennifer Brady on Saturday. With this win, Naomi has climbed a ranking up from being third to second after winning the first four major finals. Osaka is now the fourth active woman to win at least four majors, joining Serena Williams (23), Venus Williams (7), and Kim Clijsters (4), who recently made a second comeback to the tour.

“We played in the semis of the US Open a couple of months ago and I told everyone that you’re going to be a problem,” Osaka told Brady at the trophy ceremony. “And I was right. It’s really incredible for me to see your growth over the past few months, it’s really cool for me to see,” she added.

Osaka has succeeded in winning two slams back to back. She also managed to procure half of the majors she contested in after beating Williams.

Osaka’s lesson to the 22nd seed, Jennifer Brady gave her the 4th slam thus making her name concrete in the game at the age of 23.

Brady’s first grand slam turned out to be tight after a 2-week strict quarantine protocol that restricted the players to train.

During the trophy ceremony, the 25-year-old showed gratitude in front of thousands of people present in the arena.

“First I would like to congratulate Naomi on another Grand slam title,” Brady said.

“She is such an inspiration to us all and what she’s doing for the game is amazing and getting the sport out there and I hope the young girls at home are watching and are inspired by what she’s doing,” the finalist added.

Read Also: Indian Paddler Manika Batra Clinches Her Second Women’s Nationals Table Tennis Title

Way to victory

1st round: Osaka beat her Russian counterpart Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 6-2.

2nd round: Easy sets with Caroline Garcia from France 6-2, 6-3 confirmed Osaka’s win.

3rd round: Osaka made victory again after beating Ons Jabeur from Tunisia 6-3, 6-2.

4th round: The hard fought match with Garbine Muguruza from Spain ensued Osaka’s win with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-5

Quarter-final: Osaka’s wild serves confirmed her victory against Hsieh Su-wei from Taipei 6-2, 6-2

Semi-final: Her win against US Champion Serena Williams 6-3, 6-4 helped Osaka reach the finals.

FINAL: Won the match on Saturday against Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 and conquered the trophy.

Cambodia’s New Internet Gateway To Expand The Government’s Control Over Internet

Nupur Patil
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1
Cambodia’s New Internet Gateway To Expand The Government’s Control Over Internet

CAMBODIA: The government of Cambodia has recently proposed a new internet gateway that will confine and monitor the online activities of all internet users. Similar to China’s strategy of online repression, the gateway will enable the government to increase online surveillance, censorship and seek personal information.

On February 16, Prime Minister Hun Sen signed the sub-decree on the establishment of the National Internet Gateway of Cambodia. Moreover, the sub-degree demands all the service providers in Cambodia to reroute their services through the Gateway within 12 months. The deadline is till February 2022. A regulatory body charged with monitoring online activity will guide the internet traffic in Cambodia before it reaches the users.

Furthermore, the new gateway is perturbing the concerned. To add, it is breaching the law of freedom of expression and privacy. Many concerned organizations and bodies are showing their distress over the change.

Read Also: The ‘Your Europe’ Portal Becomes The EU’s Single Digital Gateway

On July 8, 2020, The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications proposed a sub-decree and sent it to the Council of Ministers for adoption. The Asia Internet Coalition, social media companies, foreign government, and various freedom groups dissented but the government decided to ignore their pleas.

“By expanding the government’s control over the country’s internet, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s action is seemingly menacing against the internet freedom and e-commerce in Cambodia,” Deputy Asia Director, Phil Robertson said.

“Cambodia’s National Internet Gateway is the missing tool in the government’s toolbox for online repression,” Robertson said. He added that with the elections around the corner, the Hun Sen government is taking care of the online critics after shutting down the Critical media of the country.

“The gateway may have an adverse effect on online communications and generate self-censorship among critical voices and independent media outlets who fear harassment, arbitrary administrative penalties, or even arrest and prosecution,” Human Rights Watch said.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s government is also working on other draft laws that will facilitate the restriction of internet freedom and digital rights.

Thailand’s Second Homegrown COVID-19 Vaccine To Undergo Human Trials

Nupur Patil
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1
Thailand’s Second Homegrown COVID-19 Vaccine To Undergo Human Trials

THAILAND: Thailand’s second domestically produced vaccine that is associated with the Chulalongkorn University is soon to undergo human trials. The mRNA vaccine ChulaCovid-19 has successfully passed its trials with macaques and rats in the Chula vaccine research center. The human trials are scheduled in late April or in early May, mentioned Kiat Ruxrungthan, in charge of the University’s vaccine development project.

The delineated announcement was followed after there was heavy criticism of Thailand’s slow vaccine strategy.

ChulaCovid-19, the Thai-developed vaccine which was initially being produced in California, will now be produced locally in Bionet Asia, Bangkok.

The Chulalongkorn University is also working on the updated version of the vaccine that will fight against the British and European variations of the virus.

“Thailand isn’t just relying on one source for vaccines. We’re actively looking for ways to procure the shots, including producing them ourselves,” Anutin Charnvirakul, Health Minister of Thailand said.

He also mentioned that following expectantly successful human trials, 5 million vaccines are to be produced by year-end. Affixing that the number will later rise to 20 million doses of vaccines annually.

“We’re not placing our bets on one horse, what we’re doing now is owning a whole stable,” Anutin said.

Read Also: Bill Proposes That Couples Undergo Medical Examination Prior To Marriage

Furthermore, Thailand has ordered 61 million doses from AstraZeneca, the production will be done in Siam Bioscience, a local manufacturer owned by the country’s King. The deal with AstraZeneca was signed in October. It is reported that till the domestic vaccine is under trial, Thailand will rely on imported vaccines.

Thailand’s COVID-19 update

Thailand has so far recorded 25,111 confirmed COVID-19 infections while 24,070 have recovered. Moreover, 83 Thai citizens lost their lives to the virus. The country also reported its first death of a doctor due to COVID-19 which he contracted from his patient.

Vincent Van Gogh’s Drawing, La Mousmé To Be Auction At Christie’s

Nupur Patil
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Vincent Van Gogh’s Drawing, La Mousmé To Be Auction At Christie’s

UNITED STATES: La Mousmé, a portrait from Vincent Van Gogh’s final years will be auctioned at Christie’s on March 1. The drawing is a part of a collection sale dubbed as “A Family Collection: Works on Paper, Van Gogh to Freud”. The event will take place next month in New York. While creating this work, Van Gogh was believed to be residing in Arles, France.

Van Gogh’s iconic painting is expected to fetch around $10 million in the auction. The portrait has been touched on the tip by numerous hands. Originally, the drawing was given as a gift by the artist to John Russel, an Australian painter. It remained as one of his possessions until 1920 after which it traveled along with anonymous sales. La Mousmé is the last work among the 12 that were gifted to John Russel, the rest constitute 9 landscapes and 2 portraits. In 1956, the drawing was restituted to the Hirschland family. Finally, it was kept in a private collection in the United Kingdom after being acquired in 1983.

Read Also: Tourism In Spain

“The work is incredibly rare. When I saw it in the flesh for the first time, I was very moved,” Christie’s co-head of 20th and 21st-century art department, Giovanna Bertazzoni said. He also added that pieces of this quality typically end up in museums.

A specialist that happened to examine the portrait made by Van Gogh, said that the portrait somehow had engraved styles that were imported from Japan in 19th-century France.

Another painting that Gogh completed of the same sitter is currently dwelling in the National Gallery of Art. It is reported that the inspiration came to Van Gogh from Pierre Loti’s 1887 novel Madame Chrysanthème.

The anticipated bidding will start 10 days from now. Meanwhile, the registrations will close in 9 days.

Jakarta, The Fastest-Sinking City In The World

Nupur Patil
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Jakarta, The Fastest-Sinking City In The World

INDONESIA: According to the Economic Forum, Jakarta is the fastest sinking city in the world. The estimated rate at which the city is sinking is around 25 cm per year. At this rate, the predictions say that by 2050, most parts of the city are going to be underwater. Currently, half of Jakarta is sitting under sea level. Moreover, the calculations reveal that by 2050, the city will be submerged inside the water.

In Jakarta, rivers run across the swamps making the soft soil prone to lose its rigidity.

The sinking megacity

North Jakarta once used to be higher than the sea level. But now, the lays below the sea level protected by the sea wall. Each year, the sea level is higher than the last. This part of Jakarta is the most vulnerable to floods. Due to the floods, many residents are forced to relocate their houses on the higher side.

The floating village. Photo Credit: Twitter

In the early 2000s, Kampung Apung, famously known as ‘The floating village’ was drowned because of the rising sea level.

Reason behind the rising sea level

Excessive extraction of groundwater from the aquifers is one of the major causes of the accelerated sinking of the city. In an attempt to save money and get water easily, people dig holes illegally and consume water for various domestic purposes.

Rising sea level aggravates the problem and is certainly the result of climate change.

All the greens that once covered the lands of Jakarta have rapidly vanished due to the prompt development of housing, industries, and malls. The soft soil is unable to withstand the weight and is getting vulnerable to disappearing into the water by every passing year.

Read Also: The Worst Flood Sinks Cagayan Valley

Measures taken to combat the problem

To combat this problem, Jakarta has come up with a $222 million project called ‘National Capital Integrated Coastal Development’. The project will include the formation of a giant sea wall on the outer sides of the city that will stretch up to 30 km. Out of which, 7 km of the coastal dyke is standing up at the moment. Moreover, it is reported that to cover the full area, a wall of 60 km is required.

In the areas below sea level, the wall is risen by 20 cm every year.

In 2019, Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia decided to move capitals from Jakarta to the outer side of Java Island. He had said that it is a long-term vision. Widodo also mentioned that making a capital that could join the ranks of other developed cities, may take a longer time.

Philippine Reopening Of Theatres, Arcades Pushed Back

Nupur Patil
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Philippine Reopening Of Theatres, Arcades Pushed Back

PHILIPPINES: The Philippine government has decided to stall the reopening of theatres, malls, game arcades, and other public destinations for another two weeks. This decision was taken after the Philippines mayor showed concern over the possibility of new infections in the city. The Metro Manila Development Authority has also shown concern regarding the same.

According to the reports, Philippines is the second-worst affected country in Southeast Asia.

Quiapo Church, Manila. Photo Credit: iStockphotos

Although the opening of a few public places is postponed until further notice, religious public gatherings have been allowed. In retrospect, 30 percent of the capacity had access to the churches.

In the new rule that came out considering the fall in cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, 50 percent of the capacity is now permeable. The new manifesto is under practice since February 15.

“This is a very problematic approach. This might bring a surge in our COVID-19 cases,” Marcelino Teodoro, Mayor of the Marikina city said. He also stated that the government did not consult mayors from other cities before putting out the proposition.

Read Also: Manila City Cancels Many Holidays and Celebrations

It is reported that mayors of some cities along with Manila Mayor, Isko Moreno had met government officials on February 15 for the purpose of discussing the matter.

Total confirmed cases of Philippines have outstretched to 553,424 while 11,577 deaths have been reported until now. Furthermore, the Philippines have confirmed 1,184 new infections.

Meanwhile, Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines has expressed his worry about the declining economy of the country.

World’s Oldest Beer Factory Discovered In Egypt

Nupur Patil
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World’s Oldest Beer Factory Discovered In Egypt

EGYPT: Historians have unearthed a huge beer brewery in Abydos, Egypt that dates back to 5,000 years ago. According to the reports, it is believed that around 3150 BC to 2612 BC, Egypt was under the reign of King Narmer. Abydos is the necropolis of ancient Egypt where all the old and treasured monuments are collectively found.

In the vast beer production zone, the remains of 40 giant earthenware pots were unearthed. The factory is believed to have been divided into 8 units and was laid out in two rows withal. Each unit is about 20 meters long and 2.5 meters wide. Moreover, the discovered pots were assumably used for heating grains and water together.

Remains of the earthen pots. Photo Credit: Twitter

In addition, the primitive factory perhaps provided mind-altering booze to all the major cities in ancient Egypt.

The 40 pottery vats altogether had the capacity to make more than 22,400 liters of beer at a time.

Read Also: Australian Historian (Re)Introduces Ancient Mathematics Teaching Method

Prominence of beer in the Ancient Egyptian lifestyle

The discovery in Abydos, one of the oldest cities in Egypt withstands the statement of ancient Egypt being the first civilizations to perfect the art of brewing beer. Beer has been a part of Egypt not only as food but also as part of their rituals.

Tenenit is regarded as the ‘Goddess of beer’ in Egypt. Interestingly, the most popular beer in Egypt was Hequet, a honey-flavored beverage.

According to the historians, Egyptians from ancient times discovered beer and didn’t invent it.

The process that is now called beer brewing began in Mesopotamia at the Godin Tepe settlement, now in modern time Iraq. Dating back to 3500 BC to 3100 BC. Similar to the brewing method in Mesopotamia, in Egypt, women initiated the brewing process in their own homes. They produced a thick product, which was then brewed by the men in the brewery.

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