WHO, UN postal agency release commemorative postage stamp on 40th anniversary of eradication of smallpox

1.WHO, UN postal agency release commemorative postage stamp on 40th anniversary of eradication of smallpox

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN’s postal agency have released a commemorative postage stamp on the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox.In May 1980, the 33rd World Health Assembly issued its official declaration that the world and all peoples have won freedom from smallpox.

It ended after a 10-year WHO-spearheaded global effort that involved thousands of health workers around the world to administer half a billion vaccinations to stamp out smallpox.

2.Egypt’s president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi expands powers, citing coronavirus outbreak

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has approved amendments to the country’s state of emergency that grant him and security agencies additional powers.The government says the amendments are needed to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

The new amendments allow the president to take measures to contain the virus, such as suspending classes at schools and universities and quarantining those returning from abroad.

But they also include expanded powers to ban public and private meetings, protests, celebrations and other forms of assembly.

The amendments also allow military prosecutors to investigate incidents when army officers are tasked with law enforcement or when the president orders it.

The amended law would also allow the president to postpone taxes and utility payments as well as provide economic support for affected sectors.

3.Indian, Chinese troops clash near Naku La in Sikkim sector

Troops of India and China were involved in a fierce face-off near Naku La Pass in the Sikkim sector of the Sino-India border.A number of personnel on both sides sustained injuries as they exchanged punches, they said.

It was the first case of troops from both sides exchanging blows after a similar incident had taken place in Pangong Lake in Ladakh in August 2017.

It is learnt that a total of 150 soldiers were involved in the face-off on.

The troops of India and China were engaged in a 73-day stand-off in Doklam tri-junction in 2017, which even triggered fears of a war between the two neighbours.

4.India sends INS Kesari with Medical Assistance Teams, essential medicines, food items

India has sent Indian Naval Ship Kesari to Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles, carrying on board two Medical Assistance Teams, consignments of COVID related essential medicines and essential food items.This was in response to requests by the countries for assistance in dealing with the pandemic.

The Medical Assistance Teams will be deployed in Mauritius and Comoros and help the governments deal with COVID emergency and dengue fever.

In case of Mauritius, a special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines is also being sent.

5.India’s fuel consumption dips 46% in April

India’s fuel consumption fell almost 46 per cent in April as all petroleum products, except LPG.It massively erased demand following the nationwide lockdown that halted economic activity and travel.

India’s fuel consumption fell 45.8 per cent to 9.929 million tonnes in April, down from 18.32 million tonnes of fuel consumed in the same month a year back.

Fuel consumption during March, when travel restrictions began to be imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus, stood at 16.08 million tonnes.

Petrol sales were down 60.43 per cent to 9,73,000 tonnes in April.

The demand for the fuel had fallen 64 per cent in the first half of the month, but there was some pick up in sales after reopening of some offices brought a few more vehicles back on road.

6.Odisha ups working hours to 12

Considering representations from certain industries and industry associations, the Odisha government decided to provide relaxation for industries and commercial activities and approved a 12-hour work shift instead of 8 hours.Payments will be made for overtime for a period of three months during the lockdown.

This relaxation will not be applicable to areas declared hotspots and containment zones in different cities of the state.

Also it has directed the factories that no female workers shall be allowed or required to work in a factory between 7 pm to 6 am unless specifically permitted by the Government in this regard.

7.Bengaluru launches Pranavayu programme to create awareness on need to self examine respiratory health

Bengaluru Urban district cooperation in Karnataka city corporation has launched Pranavayu programme to create awareness on the need to self examine the respiratory health for Bangaloreans.Pranavayu programme launched by the City Corporation in Bengaluru has been creating awareness through advertisements in the media about the need to carry out self examination for early detection of any ailment that could aggravate the situation if contracted with the viral infection.

Several deaths due to COVID-19 are reported due to Severe Acute Respiratory illness or SARI.

Pranavayu awareness programme is an attempt to help people with low oxygen level in their blood to get themselves checked early before their ailments become fatal.

8.Madhya Pradesh policemen to be honoured with Karmaveer Medal for fighting against Corona

In Madhya Pradesh, all those policemen who rendered their services for thirty days in the fight against Corona will be honoured with the Karmaveer Medal.At the same time, the problems of families of martyrs and other deceased police personnel in Madhya Pradesh will now be resolved through the help-desk.

The help desk has been set up at the police headquarters in Bhopal.

Four police personnel have sacrificed their lives in the fight against Corona while 91 employees of the police department are infected with Corona and are undergoing treatment.

9.CSIR approves project to develop ‘hmAbs’ that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in patients

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR is leading the fight against COVID-19 using a multi-pronged approach and multiple models of engagement.CSIR labs themselves are developing technologies and products and are working with industry and PSU partners for deployment while CSIR is also supporting new ideas and projects from other academic and industries through its flagship New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative, NMITLI programme.

Given the importance of deploying multiple strategies against COVID-19, CSIR through the NMITLI programme has approved a project towards development of human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs) that can neutralize Coronavirus.

10.ICMR, Bharat Biotech to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for CoronaVirus

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and a Hyderabad based leading Vaccine manufacturing company Bharat Biotech International Limited have partnered to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19.The vaccine will be developed using the virus strain which has been isolated at ICMR’s National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

The details of the virus strain has been successfully transferred from NIV, Pune to Bharat Biotech.

NIV will provide continuous support to Bharat Biotech for vaccine development.

11.SBI General Insurance launches Aarogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy

SBI General Insurance launched the standard health insurance policy – Aarogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy SBI General Insurance.The policy provides hospitalisation cover anywhere in India with sums insured ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs.

This is a product which has been designed at the instance of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) with standard coverage and affordable premiums.