News for 'World Health Organization'

Another top golfer withdraws from Rio Olympics over Zika fears

Another top golfer withdraws from Rio Olympics over Zika fears

Rediff.com9 Jul 2016

World number two Dustin Johnson has become the latest golfer to withdraw from next month's Rio Olympics due to fears over the Zika virus.

Merck to license oral Covid drug Molnupiravir to 5 Indian firms

Merck to license oral Covid drug Molnupiravir to 5 Indian firms

Rediff.com27 Apr 2021

Drug firm MSD has decided to enter into voluntary licensing agreements for investigational oral antiviral drug candidate 'Mmolnupiravir', which is being studied for the treatment of Covid-19, with Indian drug firms Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dr Reddy's, Emcure Pharma and Hetero Labs, its Indian arm said on Tuesday.

'Second-gen promoters more open to selling out'

'Second-gen promoters more open to selling out'

Rediff.com6 Jun 2024

'There is not any negative connotation associated with it.'

Chhetri, Messi part of FIFA's campaign against COVID-19

Chhetri, Messi part of FIFA's campaign against COVID-19

Rediff.com23 Mar 2020

The 'Pass the message to kick out coronavirus' campaign calls for people around the world to follow five key steps to protect their health in line with WHO's guidelines.

PHOTOS: Inside the deadly world of Ebola

PHOTOS: Inside the deadly world of Ebola

Rediff.com29 Oct 2014

West Africa is in the midst of the worst Ebola outbreak in history. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that some 9,000 people have contracted the disease so far. Heath officials put the death toll at around 4,500, meaning that one in two people who get Ebola in this outbreak die. The odds are not good.

Coronavirus-hit China postpones annual Parliament session for 1st time in decades

Coronavirus-hit China postpones annual Parliament session for 1st time in decades

Rediff.com24 Feb 2020

The death toll climbed to 2,592 with 150 new fatalities while the total number of confirmed cases increased to over 77,000, health officials said on Monday.

Air pollution reducing life expectancy in India by 5 years

Air pollution reducing life expectancy in India by 5 years

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

The residents of Delhi stand to lose 10 years of life expectancy if the current air pollution level persists.

Govt urged to remove fake messages on social media linking COVID-19 to 5G

Govt urged to remove fake messages on social media linking COVID-19 to 5G

Rediff.com18 May 2021

Telecom industry body COAI has approached the information technology ministry for removal of fake and misleading messages from social media platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter linking spread of COVID-19 to 5G technology. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), whose members include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, said the claims linking 5G with coronavirus are baseless as 5G networks have not yet been installed in the country and even 5G trials are yet to be started by the telecom operators. In a letter dated May 15 to MeitY additional secretary Rajendra Kumar, COAI director general S P Kochhar said: "To safeguard the national interest, we request your good office to kindly instruct all the social media platforms such as Facebook, Watsapp, Twitter, etc, to remove all such posts and misleading campaigns from their platforms on an urgent basis." People have been sharing audio and video messages on social media platforms in which 5G towers are being blamed for rise in casualties across the country even though none of the companies have installed 5G technology anywhere in India.

How will IPL's foreign players return home?

How will IPL's foreign players return home?

Rediff.com4 May 2021

We will find a way to send back foreign players, says IPL chairman Brijesh Patel.

Omicron adds new uncertainties to global economic outlook: Moody's

Omicron adds new uncertainties to global economic outlook: Moody's

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 adds new uncertainties to the global economic outlook but much will depend on its speed of transmission, hospitalisation and death rates, and also the effectiveness of vaccines, Moody's Analytics said on Monday. In its commentary titled 'Much to Learn About Omicronast', Moody's Analytics said although the variant appears to spread "remarkably quickly", it will be at least two more weeks before more will be known about this new variant. "The Omicron variant of COVID-19 adds new measures of uncertainty to the outlook for the global economy, although it is too soon to adequately quantify that risk.

SJM demands total ban on killer glyphosate weedicide

SJM demands total ban on killer glyphosate weedicide

Rediff.com11 Dec 2021

A memorandum with over two lakh signatures of people favouring a complete ban on the weedicide has been submitted to Union minister for agriculture and farmers welfare Narendra Singh, SJM co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan said.

IOC reviewing Games scenarios, cancellation not among them: Bach

IOC reviewing Games scenarios, cancellation not among them: Bach

Rediff.com20 Mar 2020

The International Olympic Committee is considering various scenarios for the Tokyo Games amid the coronavirus pandemic but cancellation is not one of them, IOC President Thomas Bach said

How India Saved More Than 100,000 Lives

How India Saved More Than 100,000 Lives

Rediff.com15 Mar 2023

The vaccination drive was only one important part of India's globally recognised pandemic management and response strategy, observes Dr Vinod K Paul.

Trump extends freeze on H-1B, other work visas till March 31

Trump extends freeze on H-1B, other work visas till March 31

Rediff.com1 Jan 2021

US President Donald Trump has extended the freeze on the most sought-after H-1B visas along with other types of foreign work visas by three months to protect American workers, saying while therapeutics and COVID-19 vaccines are recently available, their effect on the labour market and community health has not yet been fully realised. The decision will impact a large number of Indian IT professionals and several American and Indian companies who were issued H-1B visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1. The freeze on various categories of work visas was ordered by Trump through two proclamations on April 22 and June 22 last year.

COVID-19: Fans can play, dine with Beckham for charity

COVID-19: Fans can play, dine with Beckham for charity

Rediff.com23 Apr 2020

David and wife Victoria join 'All In Challenge' in which athletes and celebrities come up with special fan experiences to raise money for selected charities.

How long before the world gets a COVID-19 vaccine?

How long before the world gets a COVID-19 vaccine?

Rediff.com28 Apr 2020

More than 2 million people have been diagnosed with coronavirus across the world, and the pharmaceutical industry is pulling out all stops to find potential treatments and vaccines for the global pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, there are now more than 70 potential vaccines under evelopment, with some already in clinical trials.

UNICEF to lead global procurement, supply of COVID-19 vaccines

UNICEF to lead global procurement, supply of COVID-19 vaccines

Rediff.com7 Sep 2020

The UNICEF is the world's largest single vaccine buyer, procuring more than 2 billion doses of various vaccines annually for routine immunisation and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries.

'Not convinced' COVID-19 developed naturally: Dr Fauci

'Not convinced' COVID-19 developed naturally: Dr Fauci

Rediff.com24 May 2021

Last year Dr Fauci had largely dismissed the theory that the deadly COVID-19 virus, due to which over 165 million people have been infected worldwide and over 3.5 million peope died so far, was genetically engineered and had leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China.

Reactions: 'Canada pulls out of Oly, hopefully USA is next'

Reactions: 'Canada pulls out of Oly, hopefully USA is next'

Rediff.com23 Mar 2020

Reaction to Canada's boycott of the 2020 Tokyo Games in the summer due to concerns about the coronavirus.

3 Diet Changes For A Healthy Heart

3 Diet Changes For A Healthy Heart

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

Lack of sleep, unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity and a stressful daily schedule stemming from demanding career paths to juggling multiple hats on the personal front are some factors that increase health challenges, especially in young Indians, notes dietician Sheryl Salis.

BSE 100 companies boost R&D, innovation challenges persist

BSE 100 companies boost R&D, innovation challenges persist

Rediff.com13 Oct 2024

Research and development (R&D) spending by BSE 100 companies has grown steadily, rising from 0.89 per cent of revenue in FY20 to 1.32 per cent in FY24, averaging around 1 per cent over the period in-between, according to data compiled from Bloomberg and company annual reports. Also, these companies more than doubled their R&D spending in absolute terms over these five years: From Rs 25,041 crore to Rs 63,072 crore. While this reflects a prioritisation of innovation, corporate R&D investment remains relatively conservative.

Vardhan takes charge as WHO Executive Board chairman

Vardhan takes charge as WHO Executive Board chairman

Rediff.com23 May 2020

Vardhan's elevation to the chairmanship of the 34-member World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board comes amid growing calls, including by United States President Donald Trump, to investigate how coronavirus originated in China's Wuhan city and subsequent action by Beijing.

Olympic Games torch relay organisers take measures against coronavirus

Olympic Games torch relay organisers take measures against coronavirus

Rediff.com24 Feb 2020

Hellenic Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos told reporters a meeting had been held with a Greek health risk management company to be ready 'in case anything happens'.

Murray ponders over Rio participation despite Zika concerns

Murray ponders over Rio participation despite Zika concerns

Rediff.com31 May 2016

World number two Andy Murray is planning to participate in the forthcoming Rio Olympics in order to defend his Olympic gold medal despite growing concerns over the rapid spread of Zika virus in Brazil. Earlier, in an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 150 health experts had said that the current plans for the prestigious event need to be revised while citing several scientific studies that revealed the adverse effects of the virus. The WHO, however, turned down calls to move the Olympics venue, saying that moving the games would "not significantly alter" the spread of the virus. Murray, however, would head into the tournament after taking appropriate guidance from the Foreign Office and the British Olympic Association about the danger that the virus poses, the Guardian reported.

Govt recommends anti-HIV drug for some COVID-19 patients

Govt recommends anti-HIV drug for some COVID-19 patients

Rediff.com17 Mar 2020

There is no current evidence from randomised controlled trial to recommend any specific treatment for suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19.

How can you catch monkeypox? Govt lists dos and don'ts

How can you catch monkeypox? Govt lists dos and don'ts

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

It underlined that anyone can catch the virus if they have had prolonged or repeated contact with an infected individual.

Mix-and-match vaccines highly effective against Covid: Study

Mix-and-match vaccines highly effective against Covid: Study

Rediff.com18 Oct 2021

'Our study shows a greater risk reduction for people who received an mRNA vaccine after having received a first dose of a vector-based, as compared to people having received the vector-based vaccine for both doses,' Nordstrom said.

Brazil sports minister plays down Zika fears for Rio

Brazil sports minister plays down Zika fears for Rio

Rediff.com7 Jun 2016

Brazil's Sports Minister Leonardo Picciani expects there to be almost no cases of the Zika virus during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, adding that the country is prepared for the Games, despite health concerns and political instability. The World Health Organization's Emergency Committee on Zika will meet in the coming weeks to evaluate the risks associated with the event. More than 150 health experts, in a public letter, have also called for the August Games to be postponed. U.S. health officials have concluded that infections by the mosquito-borne Zika virus in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies. However, Picciani, who was appointed by interim President Michel Temer, said the situation had significantly improved. "We hosted 43 test events in Rio with 7,000 athletes and we have not had any case of Zika or dengue," he told

Trump terminates relationship with WHO

Trump terminates relationship with WHO

Rediff.com31 May 2020

Trump also announced that the US will end special treatment of Hong Kong in response to Chinese imposition of new controls.

IMA requests its 3.5 lakh members to voluntarily get vaccinated

IMA requests its 3.5 lakh members to voluntarily get vaccinated

Rediff.com11 Jan 2021

"The Indian Medical Association has requested all its 3.5 lakh members in 1,800 local branches to voluntarily come out to get vaccinated first to show the world that these vaccines are safe and efficacious," it said.

Sports Shorts: BWF cancels Taipei Open 2020, Korea Open

Sports Shorts: BWF cancels Taipei Open 2020, Korea Open

Rediff.com29 Jul 2020

Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Wednesday

Kenya says undecided over Olympics threat posed by Zika virus

Kenya says undecided over Olympics threat posed by Zika virus

Rediff.com9 Feb 2016

Sports authorities across the world are scrambling to find out more about the mosquito-borne virus as they make plans for the games in August.

US to donate 50cr Pfizer vaccines to low-income nations

US to donate 50cr Pfizer vaccines to low-income nations

Rediff.com10 Jun 2021

This is the largest-ever purchase and donation of vaccines by a single country and a commitment by the American people to help protect people around the world from COVID-19, the White House said ahead of the announcement by Biden at the G-7 Summit in the UK.

When 'national pride' trumps obvious questions

When 'national pride' trumps obvious questions

Rediff.com22 Dec 2021

Should we not stop uncritically celebrating NRIs' elevation without regard to what kind of companies they are getting to run, and the nature of their products or business practices, asks T N Ninan.

Covid 4th wave possible in June, warns IIT-Kanpur study

Covid 4th wave possible in June, warns IIT-Kanpur study

Rediff.com28 Feb 2022

The fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India may start around June 22 and peak from mid to late August, a modelling study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur suggests.

India may get 4m doses of Pfizer, Moderna by August from COVAX

India may get 4m doses of Pfizer, Moderna by August from COVAX

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

However, before the Moderna and Pfizer messenger ribonucleic acid (or mRNA) vaccines come to India via this route, the legalities around the indemnity clause will have to be settled, reports Sohini Das.

Explained: What is monkeypox?

Explained: What is monkeypox?

Rediff.com20 May 2022

Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the family Poxviridae, which also includes the viruses causing smallpox and cowpox disease

'Let's not put nature in crisis': Kevin Pietersen as world seeks solutions for COVID-19

'Let's not put nature in crisis': Kevin Pietersen as world seeks solutions for COVID-19

Rediff.com6 Apr 2020

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen, on Monday, urged the people to not put the nature in crisis as the world continues to seek solutions to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.

5 healthy habits to change the world

5 healthy habits to change the world

Rediff.com12 Jan 2021

Ajit Gandhi explains how healthy habits adopted during the pandemic can help us lead a healthier and environment. friendly lifestyle.

Modi will not accompany Boris Johnson on his first visit to Gujarat

Modi will not accompany Boris Johnson on his first visit to Gujarat

Rediff.com20 Apr 2022

This is also because Johnson's visit will follow at the end of Modi's three-day visit to Gujarat for inaugurating projects, reports Vinay Umarji.