Crumbd

None Of The 35 Lakh Made-In-China Antibody Kits Ordered By UK Are Fit For Widespread Use, Admits Testing Head

As per the report, the kits were unable to pass the evaluation stage and could only identify immunity in patients who contracted a severe form of Covid-19. “They are not good enough to be worth rolling out in very large scale”, Professor Newton has been quoted as saying. Health Secretary Matt Hancock too has admitted that “some of the kits have not performed well” but expresses hope that the situation would improve in the future. This antibody testing was earlier called a gamechanger by Prime Minister Boris J........

'The world could look more like 1900 again'

The former head of the World Bank has warned the world could look like it did in 1900 if countries don’t work together to tackle the current crisis. Robert Zoellick pointed to the rift between the US and China as a serious threat to the global economic recovery. Mr Zoellick, one of America’s most senior public officials, has advised six US presidents during his career. He told the BBC co-operati........

China passes controversial Hong Kong security law

China has passed a controversial security law giving it new powers over Hong Kong, deepening fears for the city's freedoms, the BBC has learned. Last month China stunned the city when it said it would criminalise any act of secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces. The move came after angry protests last year - sparked by another law - which became a pro-democracy movement. Critics say this new law poses an even greater threat to Hong Kong's identity. They warn it will undermine Hong Kong's judicial independence and destroy the city's unique freedoms, n........

India, Japan Hold Naval Exercise to 'Promote Understanding' Amid Border Row with China

As Indian and Chinese troops continue to be engaged in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation in the Galwan Valley, Indian and Japnese warships conducted exercises in the Indian Ocean on Saturday. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force said that the exercises were conducted to “promote mutual understanding” and comprised of four warships, two from each India and Japan. The Indian navy's training vessels IN........

"Chinese Virus," Says Trump Amid US-China Blame Game Over Pandemic

The United States and China on Monday each demanded that the other stop smearing its reputation over the novel coronavirus as US President Donald Trump referred to the pathogen as the "Chinese Virus." "The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus," the US president tweeted Monday night. Trump's allies had previously referred to the pandemic as the "Chinese coronavirus," but the tweet marks the f........

India, Australia and Japan’s Supply Chain Pact to End China’s Trade Dominance Explained

September 1, saw an important move by Japan bear fruit with India and Australia – the three are fast-tracking supply chain cooperation and have given their bureaucrats just a few months to work out the details. While Japan led the deal, in recent times India has had growing concerns about supply chain dependence on China combined with Chinese border stoush, while Australia is being hit by Chinese trade restrictions. All three countries are very “Chin........

What is antifa?

As long as there has been fascism — a political movement that stokes nationalism and racism, and uses violence to bolster authoritarian rule — there have been antifascists that resist such regimes. This relationship dates to the emergence of fascism in Europe in the 1920s, and then continued in Mussolini's Italy, in Nazi Germany, and elsewhere in the decades that followed, through to the present. By the 1980s, people who opposed fascism in Europe's punk-rock communities were referring to themselves using the sho........

Relief for Indian Workers as US Gives Relaxations to H-1B Visa Holders and Green Card Applicants

The US government has given a grace period of 60 days to H-1B visa holders and Green Card applicants, who have been served notices for submission of various documents, in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday said the 60-day grace period for responding to its requests will include requests for evidence; continuations to request evidence (N-14); notices of intent to deny; notices of intent to revoke; notices of intent to rescind and notices of intent to terminate regional investment centers; and ........

In Biggest Crackdown In Years, China Expels Several US Journalists; Warns Of More Retaliatory Measures

China on Wednesday expelled American journalists at the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal in the Communist government's most severe move against foreign media in recent memory. The foreign ministry said in a statement the measure was in retaliation for Washington's decision to cut the number of Chinese nationals allowed to work for Chinese state-run media on American soil. The announcement comes as the two countries are feuding over the de........

Qatar Bans Entry of Passengers From India and 13 Other Countries Over Coronavirus Fears

Apart from India, the ban applies to Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand. “The step comes in line with the State of Qatar’s efforts to take all necessary preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus,” the Qatar government said in an advisory. According to the Qatari government, travel restrictions will cover all individuals entering from these countries, includi........

US to Modify H1B Visa Selection Process, to Give Priority to Wages, Skill Level

The United States on Thursday announced that it will modify the selection process for H-1B visa, giving priority to salary and skills instead of the current lottery procedures. The final rule to be published in the federal register on January 8, officials said, is aimed to protect the economic interests of US workers and better ensure the most highly skilled foreign workers benefit from the temporary employment programme. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ for........

'You Do Not Represent Our Country': Amid Impeachment Demand, Trump Decries Capitol Siege, Concedes Defeat

With 13 days left in his term, President Donald Trump finally bent to reality on Thursday amid growing talk of trying to force him out early, acknowledging he’ll peacefully leave after Congress affirmed his defeat. Trump led off a video from the White House by condemning the violence carried out in his name a day earlier at the Capitol. Then, for the first time, he admitted that his presidency would soon end — though he declined to mention President-elect Joe Biden by name or exp........

Facebook, Twitter Suspend Trump's Account After US Capitol Attack

In a rather unprecedented step, Twitter and Facebook Inc on Wednesday temporarily locked the accounts of US President Donald Trump, as tech giants scrambled to crack down on his baseless claims about the US presidential elections amid riots at the US Capitol. Twitter hid and required the removal of three of Trump’s tweets “as a result of the unprecedented and ongoing violent situation in Washington, D.C.,” after pro-Trump protesters entered the US Capitol in an attempt to force Congress to block the appointment of President-el........

'Don't Trample on Democracy': World Govts 'Shocked' by US Capitol Violence, Urge Sense to Trump Backers

World leaders and governments on Wednesday expressed shock and outrage at the storming of the US Capitol in Washington by supporters of President Donald Trump. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Twitter condemned the "disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power". "The US rightly takes great pride in ........

Guns Out, Windows Smashed: Trump Crowd Turns Congress into Battlefield

Tense ouflaged protesters smashing windows -- this was the day that President Donald Trump's bid to overturn the US election went "wild." Inside the great domed US Capitol building, images emerged of a scene resembling something from a coup d'etat or terrorist attack. A mob, waving Trump's blue flags and wearing his red campaign hats, stormed through, making it right into the debating chamber. halting the ceremony that had just got underway to certify Democrat Joe Biden's election win over Trump back in November. Legislators were given gas masks to protec........

Bird Flu Outbreak: India Steps up Vigil to Curb Spread as 10 European Nations Also Hit

Hundreds of thousands of birds are being culled across the country as India grapples with a growing outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has led to the deaths of lakhs of birds in the last 10 days. Cases have so far been reported from five states and the central government has issued an alert, and has launched a drive to identify those with suspected flu symptoms in the affected areas. The highly........

Trump signs executive order blocking transactions with Alipay, WeChat Pay, and six other Chinese apps

Transactions will be prohibited in 45 days President Trump has signed prohibiting transactions with the companies behind eight Chinese apps, including Ant Group’s Alipay and Tencent’s QQ and WeChat Pay. Transactions will be prohibited in 45 days. Reuters was the first . Alipay, CamScanner, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate, WeChat Pay, and WPS Office. “The pace and pervasiveness of the spread in the Unite........

India condemns Niger massacre; extremist violence kills over 100

In deadly insurgence violence, more than 100 civilians were killed by terrorists over the weekend in two western villages of Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye in Niger. The massacre left the world in shock and India has released a strong statement condemning the terrorist attacks. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Niger. India stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Niger in the fight against terrorism. India has always opposed and rejected terrorism in all ........

World’s richest man Jeff Bezos made biggest charitable donation in 2020

Amazon founder and the world’s richest man Jeff Bezos made the largest charitable donation in 2020, according to an annual list of top donations in 2020. Bezos had donated $10 billion to help fight climate change and it is the biggest donation recorded in 2020, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual list of top donations in 2020. The 56-year-old, who has a net worth of roughly $188 billion, used the contribution to launch his Bezos Earth Fund. ........

Iran says it is enriching uranium with 20% purity

An Iranian government spokesman said on Monday that the country had started enriching uranium of up to 20% at its underground Fordo nuclear facility. It would put Tehran’s program a technical step away from weapons-grade levels, “A few minutes ago, the process of producing 20% enriched uranium has started in Fordo enrichment complex,” government spokesman Ali Rabeie told Iranian state media. A time of increased tension with the US The news comes amid heightened tensions between Ir........