As truce talks resume in Cairo, people in Gaza suffer from hunger
Heavy fighting rocked besieged Gaza as aid agencies warned of looming famine and new talks were held in Cairo towards...
Geostrategy
World’s biggest flying lab comes to Asia on air pollution mission
Clark, Philippines - NASA has kicked off a series of marathon flights in Asia with the world's biggest flying laboratory, in...
Science
Business
Vaccine factory to come up in Khazaen City with $52m outlay
The first phase of the project is expected to be set up on a total area of 37,000 square meters.
- The agreement was signed by Khazaen CEO Salim Al Thuhli and Opal’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sa’ad Moosa Al Junaibi
- Al Thuhli was quoted by the official sources as saying that the project would be the first vaccine factory in Khazaen Economic City
Geostrategy
Vaccine supply outstrips demand, inequity remains
Many richer nations are now approaching oversupply. European Union and G7 countries had a surplus of 497 million doses at...
- More than 13 billion doses have been produced since the pandemic, 11 billion of which have been administered.
- Countries like South Africa and India have long called for the WTO to suspend intellectual property rights for vaccines and anti-Covid treatments, so they can boost production.
Science
Omicron lasts three days less than Delta for boosted: Study
People who are vaccinated and have had a booster shot against Covid-19 recover from symptoms from the Omicron variant more...
- The study also found that people with Omicron are significantly less likely to lose their sense of smell, and confirmed previous research that it is less severe
- People who had two doses but no booster shot saw Omicron symptoms clear up in 8.3 days, compared to 9.6 days for Delta
Science
KSA: Third Covid wave saw one death per 100,000 infections
The first wave of the pandemic spanning April to the end of November 2020 witnessed 267 deaths for each 100,000...
- The first wave of the pandemic spanning April to the end of November 2020 witnessed 267 deaths for each 100,000 cases
- During the second wave between March and August 2021 the death rate lowered to 99 cases for each 100,000 infections
Science
Climate-related health emergencies on the rise in Africa: WHO
Floods, water, and vector-borne diseases have been worsening the health crises in Africa, said WHO's regional director for Africa.
- The WHO has said health emergencies caused by climate change are increasing in Africa
- The UN health agency has called on governments to implement WHO air quality guidelines
Economy
Lebanon central bank not bankrupt, says governor
Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh al-Shami claimed on Monday that the country and its central bank had gone bankrupt. The...
- Lebanon is in the third year of a financial implosion, which is widely blamed by experts on decades of corruption and bad policies
- These have led the currency to crash in value by more than 90 percent since end-2019, and banks to lock most savers out of hard currency
Arts & Culture
First World Cup in Middle East will be healthiest ever: FIFA President
Several measures will be implemented at this year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar in a bid to promote healthy lifestyles. Senior...
- World Health Organization, Qatar's health ministry and FIFA agree to implement several measures to promote healthy lifestyles at the mega event.
- The three entities will leverage the global power of football to help people lead healthy lives, said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Business
GCC pharma industry: Leaders and innovators
GCC countries have a highly dynamic environment characterized by growing populations, a broad diversity of patient demands and increasing healthcare...
- The number of drug factories in the UAE has risen from four in 2010 to 23 in 2021, while its drug market is expected to grow up to $4.7 bn in 2025.
- More than $400m worth of Saudi pharmaceuticals are exported each year. The kingdom aims to double the percentage of local pharma manufacturers.
Science
‘Hybrid immunity’ is best Covid protection
Two new studies have highlighted the importance of getting jabbed for those who have natural immunity after recovering from the...
- For people who have already had Covid, Pfizer and AstraZeneca's vaccines offered 90 percent effectiveness against hospitalization and death
- Meanwhile, China's CoronaVac had 81 percent and Johnson & Johnson's one-shot jab had 58 percent effectiveness against these occurrences
Geostrategy
Nairobi to host next biodiversity meeting in June to save nature
Countries have proposed to hold an extra biodiversity meeting in Nairobi in June as talks in Geneva tasked with saving...
- The meeting could take place between June 21 and 26 later this year in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital
- Holding the meeting is subject to official approval by the Geneva meeting before it wraps up later Tuesday
As truce talks resume in Cairo, people in Gaza suffer from hunger
Heavy fighting rocked besieged Gaza as aid agencies warned of looming famine and new talks were held in Cairo towards...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
WHO’s first global summit on traditional medicine begins Aug 17
Geneva, Switzerland -- The World Health Organization (WHO) is convening the Traditional Medicine Global Summit on 17-18 Aug 2023 in...
Geostrategy
Covid cases up 80 percent globally as new subvariant rises
The number of new COVID-19 cases reported worldwide rose by 80 percent in the last month, the World Health Organization...
Science
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Business
Burjeel Holdings H1 net profit $61m
Firm's EBITDA rose 12.7% y-o-y to $127 million in H1 2023.
- Burjeel Holding reported revenue of US$599 million, up 13.9 percent y-o-y during H1 2023.
- The net profit was attributable to robust topline growth and significantly lower finance costs.
Science
Severe heat a cause of worry for healthcare system, says WHO
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The extreme heat in the northern hemisphere is putting an increasing strain on healthcare systems, hitting those least...
- The WHO said the heat often worsens pre-existing conditions, saying it was particularly concerned about those with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and asthma.
- Millions of people across three continents are enduring a sustained spell of dangerous heat as temperature records tumble.
Science
Almost the entire world is experiencing record heatwaves
Record heat is forecast around the world from the United States, where tens of millions are battling dangerously high temperatures,...
- Authorities in many countries have been sounding the alarm, advising people to avoid outdoor activities in the daytime and to be wary of dehydration.
- Scientists insist global warming - linked to dependence on fossil fuels - is behind the intensification of heat waves in the world.