Latest news with #COVID‑19
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
COVID cases rising in 25 US States: How to stay safe during 2025's Summer Wave
The looming concern over yet another COVID-19 wave is here, as summer 2025 is witnessing a significant COVID‑19 surge across 25 US states – from Florida and Texas to California and Ohio – signaling the onset of a 'summer wave. ' After months of low transmission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that COVID is resurging due to fading immunity and the emergence of new variants, notably NB.1.8.1 – the Nimbus strain. Historically, summer spikes follow holiday travel, indoor retreat during heatwaves, and increased social gatherings. While vaccines and treatments have greatly lowered severe outcomes, this renewed surge calls for the need for layered protection. What's driving the 2025 summer wave? As the CDC reports, rising infections are occurring in about half of the states in the United States of America, with 25 showing clear increases, particularly in Florida, Texas, and California, which is linked to declining immunity and fresh variants like NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus) and XFG. Now, NB.1.8.1 – the Nimbus strain – is a dominant strain across 24–25 states. This strain, known for sore throat ('razor‑blade throat'), was first detected in March 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo This particular strain has become the prevailing strain nationwide, known for its high transmissibility and causing sore and painful throats. However, the strain isn't linked to more severe illness. On the other hand, XFG and LP.8.1 , the other Omicron descendant variants are currently present at notable levels in wastewater samples. Moreover, there's a twice-yearly seasonality pattern to note. Following emerging trends, COVID‑19 is settling into a biannual cycle – peaking in summer and winter. Experts deduce, this likely results from viral evolution and immunity decay. Similar patterns have been observed since 2020, driven by a mix of behavioral changes and viral adaptation. Additionally, summer heat leads people indoors, where air conditioning tends to reduce ventilation and raise transmission risk. Topping that, post-holiday travel and gatherings, especially around July 4, have historically fueled seasonal spikes. All of which explains the steep surge in infections. How to stay safe during the 2025 summer wave: Although infections are rapidly surging across US states, the summer wave of COVID-19 has mostly mild to moderate symptoms. Hospitalizations and deaths remain lower compared to earlier pandemic peaks. However, people who are aged 65+, immunocompromised, pregnant, and with chronic illness – continue to face elevated risk. Moreover, long COVID, which is an ongoing concern due to post-infection repercussions, such as fatigue and brain fog, is still reported, even after mild illness. On the face of this summer 2025 wave, here are some tips on staying safe. Vaccination and boosting: Updated boosters are recommended, especially for older, immunocompromised, or those whose last dose was >6 months ago. Fall 2025 boosters matching recent variants will likely be available. It's advisable not to delay current doses while waiting. Masks in high-risk settings: Mask is a must. ALWAYS advocate for using masks (N95/KN95) indoors when crowded or poorly ventilated, such as transit, airports, and events. Healthcare workers, caregivers, and those in contact with high-risk people must continue using masks. Testing and isolation: Keep rapid antigen tests at home. Test when symptoms emerge or after exposures. If positive, isolate for at least 5 days, and consider masking on days 6–10. Ventilation and outdoor options: Use fans, open windows, and HEPA filters to improve air circulation indoors. Opt for outdoor dining, events, or gatherings whenever feasible – instead of being cooped up indoors. Hygiene and symptom vigilance: Finally, go back to basics. Wash your hands frequently or use sanitizer. Avoid touching your face after contact with shared surfaces. Be alert to key symptoms, especially sore throat, fever, and fatigue, and act quickly. How to Stay Safe During Summer Heat Waves
Arabian Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
UAE Tightens Entry Rules for Nigerian Travellers
Stringent new visa rules now govern travel from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates, marking a sharp increase in restrictions. Transit visas have been fully suspended, while tourist visas for solo applicants aged 18 to 45 are no longer allowed. Those aged 45 and above must now demonstrate a six-month bank balance of at least USD 10,000 to qualify. A directive communicated to travel agents in Dubai on Tuesday specified that Nigerians travelling alone within the 18–45‑year age range are ineligible for tourist visas, unless accompanied by a sponsor or family member. Transit visas, previously a popular route for Nigerians en route to third countries, are no longer being issued. Applicants aged 45 or above must now submit a personal Nigerian bank statement covering the past six months, with each month showing a minimum end‑balance of USD 10,000 or its naira equivalent, in addition to standard documents such as hotel confirmations and passport data pages. ADVERTISEMENT This adjustment follows the lifting of a two‑year UAE visa ban on Nigerian nationals in 2024, imposed during the COVID‑19 pandemic and citing public health concerns. The lifting had been conditional, and today's measures represent a further tightening of travel policy. The new restrictions coincide with stricter visa policies implemented earlier by the United States, which limited Nigerian non‑immigrant visas to single entry and curtailed validity to three months. Analysts suggest that the synchronised timing of both countries' measures indicates a broader international shift towards more rigorous border management, with reciprocal visa policies and concerns about immigration system integrity driving the change. Nigerians have long viewed Dubai as a gateway for business, tourism, education, and transit to other global hubs. Travel agencies report a sharp drop in bookings following the announcement. Industry insiders warn further restrictions could follow, prompting delays and cancellations of travel plans. The financial bar set for older applicants is expected to deter a significant number of intended travellers. Many Nigerians do not hold such high balances, and the requirement imposes a substantial hurdle even for those capable of sponsoring companions or offering documentation via third parties. Dubai's immigration authorities emphasised the need to carefully consider the updated guidelines before submitting applications. The withholding of transit visa issuance and added financial scrutiny reflect a tightening of immigration protocols under the banner of national security and border control. While the UAE authorities have framed the policy shift as a matter of maintaining immigration integrity, Nigerian stakeholders see ramifications extending into commerce, education, and remittance flows. A sizable number of small businesses and professionals rely on Dubai as a key node in regional trade networks and financial remittance corridors. Though there has been no official response from Nigerian government representatives, travel industry actors describe a growing sense of frustration and uncertainty among would-be travellers. Agencies are now advising clients to consider alternative hubs or to ensure compliance through sponsorship arrangements and rigorous documentation. The coordinated timing with U. S. restrictions has fuelled speculation among international relations analysts that this might signal a form of external pressure or alignment. It comes amid increasing global scrutiny of passport security, fraud prevention, and efforts to stem irregular migration from parts of Africa.
08-07-2025
Chinese man charged with stealing COVID-19 research
HOUSTON -- A Chinese national has been arrested on suspicion of hacking into several U.S. universities' computer systems to steal COVID-19-related research, authorities announced on Tuesday. Xu Zewei is charged in a nine-count indictment in the Southern District of Texas for his alleged involvement in computer intrusions between February 2020 and June 2021. Another Chinese national, Zhang Yu, was also charged in the indictment. Xu was arrested on Thursday in Italy and is awaiting extradition to the U.S. Authorities said Zhang remains at large. Xu and others are accused of targeting and hacking several U.S.-based universities, immunologists, and virologists conducting research into COVID‑19 vaccines, treatment and testing, according to court documents. 'The hacking of these American universities is not just a violation of intellectual property rights. It's an attack on American scientific innovation,' Nicholas J. Ganjei, the Houston-based U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, said at a news conference. Authorities declined to name the universities that had been targeted but said two were located in the Southern District of Texas. Authorities allege that officers of China's Ministry of State Security, or MSS, directed Xu and others to conduct the hacking. A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment. Authorities allege Xu and Zhang were part of a group known as HAFNIUM, that targeted over 60,000 U.S. entities, successfully victimizing more than 12,700 in order to steal sensitive information. One of those targeted was a law firm with offices worldwide, including in Washington, D.C. The charges against Xu include wire fraud, obtaining information by unauthorized access to protected computers and aggravated identity theft. The wire fraud charges carry sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Chinese man charged in Texas with stealing COVID-19 research from US colleges
HOUSTON (AP) — A Chinese national has been arrested on suspicion of hacking into several U.S. universities' computer systems to steal COVID-19-related research, authorities announced on Tuesday. Xu Zewei is charged in a nine-count indictment in the Southern District of Texas for his alleged involvement in computer intrusions between February 2020 and June 2021. Another Chinese national, Zhang Yu, was also charged in the indictment. Xu was arrested on Thursday in Italy and is awaiting extradition to the U.S. Authorities said Zhang remains at large. Xu and others are accused of targeting and hacking several U.S.-based universities, immunologists, and virologists conducting research into COVID‑19 vaccines, treatment and testing, according to court documents. 'The hacking of these American universities is not just a violation of intellectual property rights. It's an attack on American scientific innovation,' Nicholas J. Ganjei, the Houston-based U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, said at a news conference. Authorities declined to name the universities that had been targeted but said two were located in the Southern District of Texas. Authorities allege that officers of China's Ministry of State Security, or MSS, directed Xu and others to conduct the hacking. A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment. Authorities allege Xu and Zhang were part of a group known as HAFNIUM, that targeted over 60,000 U.S. entities, successfully victimizing more than 12,700 in order to steal sensitive information. One of those targeted was a law firm with offices worldwide, including in Washington, D.C. The charges against Xu include wire fraud, obtaining information by unauthorized access to protected computers and aggravated identity theft. The wire fraud charges carry sentences of up to 20 years in prison. Tuesday's announcement comes after the Justice Department earlier this month said two Chinese nationals had been charged with spying inside the United States on behalf of Beijing, including by taking photographs of a naval base.
India.com
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Yash Chopra's iconic film brought three legends together; All passed away within just four years of each other, actors are..., film is...
Bollywood has welcomed countless stars, but few films carry the bittersweet weight of Chandni (1989). This dazzling musical romance, directed by Yash Chopra, featured the charismatic triumvirate: Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, and Sridevi. Each brought magic to the silver screen, but fate had the final cut. Three stars, one destiny Vinod Khanna battled cancer and died in 2017. Sridevi passed away suddenly in Dubai in 2018 during a family wedding. Rishi Kapoor succumbed in 2020 amidst the COVID‑19 pandemic. All were in their prime when Chandni released—and though their legacies live on, their departures shook an entire generation. The director took first Tragically, the creator of Chandni, Yash Chopra, left us in 2012 due to dengue—years before his stars—closing the curtain on a saga that began with phoolon ki tarah and ended far too soon. Numbers speak: Box‑Office collection and budget Budgeted at ₹12.8 crore, Chandni earned an impressive ₹17.2 crore at the box office—a healthy return, though its true wealth lay in its evergreen songs and timeless romance. Key tracks—'Chandni O Meri Chandni', 'Tere Mere Hothon Pe', 'Lagi Aaj Sawan Ki', and 'Mere Hathon Mein Nau‑Nau Chudiyan Hain'—remain beloved decades later. What began as a romantic fantasy has become a tribute to legends. The film's enduring emotional chord, intertwined with real‑life loss, reveals Bollywood's power to freeze moments in celluloid—even as the players fade into memory.
