Sweden's government has recommended a fourth COVID-19 vaccine for people above 65 years along with the people who are living in nursing homes or getting home care. According to the Swedish authorities, the new guidelines drop the age from the previous recommendation of 80 years and above. It also includes the fourth shot for the aged 18-64 years having moderate to severe immune deficiency. Sweden’s public Health Agency chief Karin Tegmark Wisell said in a statement, “The goal is just as before to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19”. Tegmark Wisell added that it is
India’s wheat export hits a record high with 7.85 million tonnes in the fiscal year to March. The sharp increase is from 2.1 million tonnes from the previous year. The world's second-largest producer of grain benefited from a rally in global prices earlier this month as per the top government official, India would export a record 7 million tonnes of wheat in 2021-22. However, the target of 7 seven million was surpassed indicating robust exports in the 2022-23 fiscal year starting from April 1. According to traders, wheat shipment including cargoes sold to Bangladesh by land was about
On Wednesday, the European Union issued a warning to consumers to avoid using their garments as throwaway facial tissues and announced plans to combat the polluting usage of trendy fast fashion. In the EU, almost three-quarters of all textiles and clothing are imported. In 2019, the EU's 27 nations imported more than 80 billion euros (USD89.2 billion) in clothes, mainly from China, Bangladesh, and Turkey, and consumers discard 11 kilograms (more than 24 pounds) of textiles each year. As per the new rule, the EU executive arm call for a mandatory minimize the use of recycled fibres by 20
A $7.3 billion plan was unveiled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to cut carbon emissions. The nation aims to meet its target by significantly reducing the oil-and-gas sector. According to the plan announced on Tuesday, $2.3 billion (2.9 billion Canadian dollars) will be invested in zero-emission vehicles and related infrastructure, as well as $800 million (one billion Canadian dollars) to "green" Canadian homes and buildings. On Tuesday, PM Trudeau linked Europe's effort to reduce the dependency on Russian oil and natural gas after its invasion of Ukraine. He said, “Th
India’s power project replaces the Chinese venture in Sri Lanka which was cleared by Colombo last year. Sri Lanka's Cabinet announced in January 2021 that Sinosoar-Etechwin had won the competitive bid for renewable energy projects in Nainativu, Delft or Neduntheevu, and Analaitivu islands. The Indian government expressed concern to Sri Lanka over the Chinese project in Palk Bay, only 50 km off the coast of Tamil Nadu. The same project could be executed with a grant instead of a loan by New Delhi. Colombo was unable to decide and later suspended the project for over a year, apparently
"CODA", a sweet heartwarming story of a child of Deaf adults (the acronym in the title) finding her way with her family and fulfilling her dreams won the Academy Award for best picture, a win that no one could have imagined when awards season began. Perhaps Marlee Matlin, the first person cast in “CODA”, could have imagined it. The Oscar for adapted screenplay went to writer-director Siân Heder. Apple TV+ became the first streaming service to win the industry's most prestigious award on Sunday. Despite only having three nominations, "CODA" won the best picture. A film hasn't
American mathematician Dennis P. Sullivan is awarded the Abel Prize for the year 20202 by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. According to the citation, the award was given for his contributions to topology in its broadest sense, including its algebraic, geometric, and dynamical aspects. A field of mathematics known as topology was founded in the nineteenth century, and it studies surfaces whose properties do not change despite deformation. A circle and a square are topologically equivalent, and a doughnut and a coffee mug with one handle are topologically equivalent, but a sp
On Tuesday, Novavx Inc said its COVID-19 vaccine has got emergency-use authorization from the Drug Controller General of India for 12-17 years children. Novavax is manufactured and marketed in India by the Serum Institute of India under the name Covovax. Its vaccine authorization is a global first for the 12-17 years age group. As per the trials conducted, Novavax is 80% effective against the virus. The testing was conducted on 2,247 teens between the age group of 12-17 years. In a mid-to late-stage study involving 460 Indian adolescents, the company said its vaccine produced an immu
Four countries in southern and eastern Africa launched a drive to vaccinate more than nine million children against polio this week. Malawi confirmed the outbreak and an urgent vaccination campaign has started. Across the country, drops of inoculation are being placed in the mouths of children including the capital, Lilongwe and the country’s largest city, Blantyre. On Thursday, according to UNICEF, the campaign will expand and include neighbouring countries of Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia. UNICEF is working along with the government and other partners in Africa. The campaign i
Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi thanked Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for returning 29 antiquities. Ahead of the virtual meet between the two nations on Monday, Australia sent these artefacts to India. PM Modi said, “I would like to especially thank you for taking the initiative to return ancient Indian artefacts. Among them are hundreds of year-old idols and pictures illegally removed from Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh along with many other Indian states”. The relationship between the nations is strengthening and the move is termed historic. Mr Modi h