French Covid-19 intensive care numbers down for first time in two weeks
The daily tally of Covid-19 deaths in hospitals fell to 230 from 319 on Friday.
Reuters, Paris
PUBLISHED ON JAN 24, 2021 05:53 AM IST
The number of people with coronavirus in French intensive care units fell by 16 to 2,896 in data released on Saturday, the first decline in two weeks after a period of sharp rises.
The number of people in intensive care is a key measure of a health system's ability to cope with the pandemic.
The government has said it wanted that figure to hold steady between 2,500 and 3,000 before considering loosening curfew restrictions, but it had been increasingly steadily since early January.
The health ministry also reported 23,924 new confirmed Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, up from 23,292 on Friday and 21,406 last Saturday. France's cumulative number of cases stands at 3.04 million.
The daily tally of Covid-19 deaths in hospitals fell to 230 from 319 on Friday.
Prime Minister Jean Castex tweeted earlier on Saturday that France had now vaccinated one million people against the disease.
Coronavirus variant found in South Africa paves way for better vaccines
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 05:26 PM IST
The variant, identified in South Africa late last year, has taken over as the dominant strain in the nation of 60 million people and has spread to 48 other countries.
UK says needs to work with international partners on travel restart
Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 05:26 PM IST
Asked about when exactly travel will be allowed, Courts said: "There won't be any travel before May 17th, and we will look as soon as we can after that, but it really isn't something I can give more detail on."
Interim UK study finds one dose of Covid-19 shots reduces hospitalisation
Reuters, London
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 05:12 PM IST
The results add to other early findings from studies of vaccine roll-outs in Israel, Scotland and England, which have also pointed to high effectiveness from the first doses.
Robert Downey Jr. and Bill Gates bet on electric motor startup
Posted by Kunal Gaurav | Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 05:10 PM IST
A California-based startup said it has raised $80 million from investors including a fund led by Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates and Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr.
Anthony Fauci presents his personal 3D model of Covid-19 virus to Smithsonian
AP, Washington
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 04:31 PM IST
Fauci showed off his new medal in a video call Tuesday night, calling it “an extraordinary and humbling” honor.
Mask mandate implementation was patchy in Texas, now locals concerned
By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Amit Chaturvedi
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 04:30 PM IST
The enforcement of the mask mandate was patchy, and some sheriffs refused to police the restrictions at all.
London mayor Sadiq Khan tightens emission rules, buses stare at heavy fines
PTI
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 04:28 PM IST
With the tightening of the city-wide Low Emission Zone (LEZ) rules, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), buses and coaches that fail to meet emissions standards will be hit with a daily charge of up to 300 pounds.
Pope Francis says he must go to Iraq because people cannot be let down
Posted by Kunal Gaurav | Reuters, Vatican City
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 04:20 PM IST
Pope Francis, who is due to start the risky trip in Baghdad on Friday, asked for prayers so that the visit "can take place in the best possible way."
Avocados threaten to usher in 'massive human-wildlife conflicts' in Kenya
Reuters, Kimana
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 04:05 PM IST
- free movement of some 2,000 Amboseli elephants, along with two dozen other wildlife species plus cows owned by local Maasai people, may be under threat - from avocados.
China using Covid-19 pandemic to increase restrictions for foreign journalists
ANI, Beijing
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 03:59 PM IST
The pandemic allowed China an opportunity to create more restrictions for foreign press in the name of public health.
Elon Musk plans to create new city named Starbase at SpaceX's Texas launch site
By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Amit Chaturvedi
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 03:55 PM IST
Some people in Texas say the move is part of Musk's plan to change the name of Boca Chica, the area near the Mexican border where SpaceX’s new Starship prototypes dominate the seaside skyline.
Chinese hackers still actively targeting Indian port in shadow war, says US firm
Posted by Kunal Gaurav | Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 03:54 PM IST
The intrusions into India’s critical infrastructure have been occurring since at least the middle of last year, according to Recorded Future, a privately held cybersecurity firm.
Pope Francis appeals to Myanmar military to release political prisoners
Reuters, Vatican City
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 03:41 PM IST
- Pope Francis, speaking at the end of his general audience, appealed directly to Myanmar's military authorities "so that dialogue prevails over repression and harmony over discord".
Japan plans to ban Olympic spectators from abroad over Covid-19 fears: Report
Reuters, Tokyo
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 03:26 PM IST
The question of whether to allow spectators into venues was top of the agenda and organisers have previously said they would make a decision by March.
Blast at Dutch virus testing center; no one hurt
AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 03:25 PM IST
- Police have taped off the area about 60 kilometers (40 miles) north of Amsterdam and are investigating the cause of the blast.