COVID-19
India to supply 10 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to Africa, 1 million to UN health workers: MEA
India has gifted over 55 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccine to neighbouring countries so far, external affairs ministry said on Thursday. Addressing a weekly briefing, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava on Thursday said India plans to gift vaccines doses to Oman, CARICOM countries, Nicaragua, Pacific Island states.
Int'l flight suspension extended till Feb 28
Scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral "air bubble" arrangements with selected countries since July.
2 made-in-India vaccines reflect scientists' hard work, PM's commitment to people's health: Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
India has not only taken care of the health and well-being of its own people during the coronavirus crisis, it has also helped other nations by them sending vaccines, the minority affairs minister said at a 'Nutrition and Covid Awareness Camp'. The camp has been organised by the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) under the corporate social responsibility programme for women from underprivileged sections of the society.
Formula E cancels Paris race, Sanya and Seoul uncertain
Formula E on Thursday cancelled its Paris race due to restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and said E-Prix races planned for Seoul and the Chinese resort of Sanya remained uncertain. The seventh season of the all-electric series, now an FIA-sanctioned world championship, starts in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 26 and 27 with two night races in Diriyah.
India has capability to strengthen global supply chain: PM Modi at World Economic Forum
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India has braved all difficulties in fight against coronavirus pandemic and has the capability to strengthen global supply chains. Addressing the World Economic Forum's Davos Dialogue via video conferencing, Modi said that India launched 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' with the resolve of increasing the capacity of our economy.
In 2020 India showed ability to meet all challenges, be it from coronavirus or at borders: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India last year showed it is capable of taking all steps to meet challenges, be it from coronavirus or at its borders. According to government projections released earlier this month, India's GDP is estimated to contract by a record 7.7 per cent during 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Biden still seeking bipartisan Covid-19 relief package despite stalemate
President Joe Biden is continuing to chase a bipartisan deal over his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal, but White House officials privately acknowledge the bill will need to be pared down to secure Republican support after GOP lawmakers balked at the price tag.
Biden still seeking bipartisan Covid-19 relief package despite stalemate
President Joe Biden is continuing to chase a bipartisan deal over his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal, but White House officials privately acknowledge the bill will need to be pared down to secure Republican support after GOP lawmakers balked at the price tag.
Biden's most important stimulus measure
The US federal government should spend more money, and fast, to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, rescue hard-hit families and help states, cities and small businesses. But it should also strive for a relief package built on some degree of bipartisan consensus.
Covid telework cuts dozens of Biden national security staff off from classified materials
Since President Joe Biden took office last week, many White House national security staffers have been relegated to working from home -- cutting dozens of them off from vital classified materials needed to do their jobs and raising security concerns as most work from unsecure laptops and cell phones that can be vulnerable to software breaches.
What Indian industries want from Union Budget 2021
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to unveil plans to boost economic growth when she presents the 2021/2022 Union Budget on February 1. Corporates and industry lobby groups expect the government to announce greater spending on healthcare and infrastructure, as well as tax breaks for the automotive, manufacturing and tourism industries, reeling from the coronavirus crisis.
Gulf News organises vaccination campaign to protect staff and readers
Health|: Dubai: People working with mass media outlets may not be medical workers, but they too have to work on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19. That is why getting this section of the society vaccinated is also crucial in the battle against the dreaded virus. On Wednesday, at least 195 Gulf News employees — editors, reporters, photographers, marketing and sales executives, human resources and circulation staff, print technicians and newsboys — all rolled up their sleeves and took their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Medical staff from MediQ Healthcare LLC (a subsidiary of Tamouh Healthcare LLC), came to the Gulf News headquarters to administer the vaccine. The vaccination was free and voluntary. Four stations, manned by skilled nurses, were set up for the inoculation while two other staff members took down employees’ information. A couple of more nurses were assigned to make a note of the vital parameters while other staff members provided details of the vaccine. In the first round of vaccination on Wednesday, a total of 195 Gulf News staff members were inoculated. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News Smooth procedure The entire process took around five minutes for each individual, said Bangladeshi expat Kabir Ahmed, 42, an office boy who has been working with Gulf News for more than 15 years. “First, I filled up the information and consent form. Then I went to register myself and showed my Emirates ID. The nurse asked some basic questions about my health and explained the type of vaccine that was to be administered. The injection was done smoothly,” he said. Patrick Masahud, Gulf News Digital Product lead, added he was thankful he did not have to get into the queue at a medical centre to take the vaccine. “Gulf News arranged it for us and the procedure ran smoothly. I will get the second dose on February 17,” he said. “It was really efficient. After they (the medical staff) took down my details, I took the jab and there was hardly a mark. It was a completely painless and stress-free event,” said Matthew Smith, Gulf News Sports Editor. Safe and practical Gulf News photographer Ahmed Ramzan said: “Having a feel that it will be a necessity in the future for any local or international events that I will cover and also for travel, I wanted to make sure I got vaccinated immediately. Basically, I just wanted to make my life easier and safer.” Care for newsboys and readers Sulfi Ali Ponnachethvil, 44, from India, said he will be now more confident and worry-free going around Dubai and the neighbouring emirates, delivering the newspaper to loyal Gulf News subscribers. “I will still continue to follow the health and safety protocols like wearing face mask and frequent hand sanitisation, but now I have better protection against the virus. The vaccine was not only for me, but also for the safety of our loyal subscribers who read the newspaper daily,” he said. Well-being of employees Abdul Hamid Ahmad, CEO, Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director Publications, said: “Gulf News has always made sure to look after the well-being of all its employees. This drive to vaccinate them is part of ensuring that they are in good health always, in line with the UAE government’s efforts to vaccinate all citizens and residents in the country. In fact, we are also taking care of our readers and subscribers by extending the vaccinations to all of our sales boys and distributors, who deliver the newspaper every day. We would like to thank Tamouh Healthcare for helping us to make this campaign a success.” A Gulf News employee being vaccinated at the office premises near Safa Park in Dubai on Wednesday. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News K.C. Nissar, Director, Human Resources, congratulated Gulf News staff who took the jab and reminded them “not to let their guard down” against COVID-19. “We should continue to observe all health and safety protocols, including wearing of face masks, frequently washing and sanitising our hands, as well as observing adequate physical distancing,” he added. Read more Abu Dhabi to freeze 600 units of red blood cells annually over next five years One year of COVID-19 in the UAE: Woman who caught COVID-19 twice, a man who tested negative 7 times - survivors relive their journey COVID-19: Negative test result required to enter RAK government office COVID-19: UAE reports 3966 new coronavirus cases, 8 deaths Potru Raju, Director, Circulation Sales and Distribution, noted: “We care for our boys. We appreciate their dedication over the years in delivering Gulf News. They are always on the run in all kinds of weather. They work 365 days a year to get Gulf News delivered to subscribers’ doors on time. Now, the readers will also be worry-free that the newspaper they read is being delivered by someone who has been vaccinated against the virus.” Employees queue up for vaccination at the Gulf News office premises in Dubai on Wednesday. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News Take the vaccine now Dr Partha Banerjee, CEO of MediQ Healthcare LLC, said: “We have seen how the pandemic has shattered the world economy, but the UAE immediately took the bold step to secure the health of its citizens and residents. Taking the vaccine is actually saving an individual and the nation. The country needs protection and we need to support its visionary leadership. The vaccine is free, so why not take it? Even the UAE leaders took the vaccine first to ensure that it was completely safe and good for the public.”