Hong Kong plans to lift lockdown placed on densely populated area on Monday
Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said that the authorities are set to complete coronavirus screening this weekend on around 10,000 people living in the Yau Tsim Mong area.
ANI, Hong Kong
PUBLISHED ON JAN 24, 2021 02:48 PM IST
Hong Kong plans to lift the Covid-19 lockdown that was imposed on one of its most densely populated districts on Monday, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung informed on Sunday.
Chief Secretary Cheung said that the authorities are set to complete coronavirus screening this weekend on around 10,000 people living in the Yau Tsim Mong area, which was placed under quarantine on Saturday to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the South China Morning Post reported.
Stating that the preliminary results from the screening operation were expected by Sunday night, Cheung added: "If everything goes smoothly, we can lift the restrictions at 6 am on Monday so that people can go to work."
"This is an area where building management is less than satisfactory. That's what we are focusing on. Some buildings have no management at all. We have to improve this urban redevelopment. Urban renewal is needed," Cheung said, SCMP quoted.
He further said that officials have been visiting households in the restricted zone to send the occupants to mobile screening stations.
Amid the rising number of cases in Hong Kong, more than 700 people are currently hospitalised and 38 are in critical condition. So far, Hong Kong has registered more than 10,000 cases and 168 deaths.
Topics
North Korea measures to stem Covid-19 worsen abuses, hunger, says UN expert
Reuters, Geneva
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 05:56 PM IST
Humanitarian operations have nearly ground to a halt and only three international aid workers remain in North Korea while relief goods have been stuck at the Chinese border for months.
India led the world in internet shutdowns in 2020: Report
Posted by Kunal Gaurav | Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 03, 2021 05:53 PM IST
At least 155 internet shutdowns in 2020 disrupted access for people in 29 countries, including 28 full internet blackouts, the report said.
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".