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The Election Commission of India on Friday granted permission for holding elections to the legislative council (MLCs) in Maharashtra before May 27, giving Uddhav Thackeray an opportunity to become a member of the state legislature within the six-month deadline to remain the CM. Thackeray, on the occasion of Maharashtra Day had met governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/relief-for-maharashtra-cm-ec-to-hold-council-polls-before-may-27/articleshow/75485504.cms

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Friday said it did not sell a single unit in the domestic market last month due to coronavirus-led nationwide lockdown. The company had zero sales in the domestic market in April 2020, MSI said in a statement. This was because in compliance with govt orders all production facilities were closed, it added.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/lockdown-maruti-sells-zero-units-in-domestic-market-in-april/articleshow/75484457.cms

Stay here for real-time updates on breaking news from India and across the world that you can't miss

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/breaking-news-live-updates-01-05-2020/liveblog/75483373.cms

The Karnataka government on Thursday sent out clear indications that it favours reopening most of commercial and industrial activities across the state, barring those in Covid-19 containment zones, from May 4, a day after the extended national lockdown is expected to end.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/karnataka-plans-to-open-malls-liquor-outlets-from-may-4/articleshow/75482674.cms

A day after the Union home ministry opened the floodgates for the return of stranded migrant workers and others to their native places, the Herculean challenge of handling the logistics of registering, screening, transporting and quarantining lakhs of returnees appeared to weigh down states like Bihar and UP, which between them have close to 42 lakh people waiting to return.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/states-face-daunting-task-of-evacuating-millions-of-migrants/articleshow/75481602.cms

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, new challenges arise each day for people across the world. Some of these challenges particularly affect the LGBTQ+ community. This unique time calls for LGBTQ+-specific resources and new ways to connect and cope.

Minority stress in the LGBTQ+ community

Unrelated to COVID-19, this community faces minority stress based on anti-LGBTQ+ stigma that is harmful for their health and well-being (see key articles here and here). Those among us who are also racial/ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, immigrants, and people with low income may experience compounded minority stress at the intersections of these identities. For example, a person who is Black and bisexual may experience minority stress differently from someone who is White and gay, even though both of these people are LGBTQ+. LGBTQ+ Asian Americans may be experiencing even greater minority stress, due to increased discrimination against Asian Americans because the first COVID-19 outbreak was in China.

Research has shown that minority stress harms the mental and physical health of LGBTQ+ people (see here and here). It contributes to higher risk for a number of health problems, including anxiety and depression, which may worsen due to the stress of COVID-19.

New forms of stress for the LGBTQ+ community during the COVID-19 pandemic

Loss of work and income. Compared with non-LGBTQ+ people, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to have lower income and to have jobs that do not allow for working from home, such as retail stores and the service industry. Therefore, LGBTQ+ people may be more likely to experience food or housing insecurity during this time.

School closures. School closures may be especially challenging for the LGBTQ+ community. Many LGBTQ+ youth and young adults have experienced rejection from their family of origin. With schools closed and colleges and universities now online, LGBTQ+ youth and young adults with unsupportive families may now be home with those families full-time, or must find another place to live if they have been kicked out. Some LGBTQ+ youth and young adults who were “out” as LGBTQ+ at school and with peers, but not with their family, may now have to choose whether to hide their identities while they are at home.

Reduced access to care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many forms of care that are considered nonessential have been delayed, with unique effects on the LGBTQ+ community. Transgender and nonbinary people may have trouble accessing gender-affirming care because hormones and surgeries may be considered nonessential. However, research suggests that access to gender-affirming care, such as hormonal treatments and surgery, is essential to the health and well-being of transgender and nonbinary individuals.

For LGBTQ+ people who are building families, access to fertility clinics is essential. However, many clinics are now delaying fertility treatments, which also delays family building for LGBTQ+ families.

Worries about seeking care for COVID-19 symptoms. Many LGBTQ+ people have had negative experiences with healthcare in the past, especially transgender and nonbinary people who have experienced discrimination related to their gender identity or gender expression. Thus, some LGBTQ+ people may need encouragement to seek care if they have COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough, and fatigue.

Reduced access to legal protections. Even during this COVID-19 crisis, laws that restrict rights for the LGBTQ+ community continue to be proposed. In addition, LGBTQ+ people may be unable to access existing legal protections because of COVID-19-related closures. LGBTQ+ people with housing insecurity may be unable to access legal help to contest evictions because many lawyers are not currently taking new clients. LGBTQ+ families may lose access to critical legal protections related to co-parent adoption while family courts are closed. At a time when so many have become sick from COVID-19, ensuring the legal rights of a nongestational parent in a same-sex couple if the gestational parent becomes ill is more important than ever.

Coping with stress and loss of support

Some research finds that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to use stress-relief strategies that may be harmful, such as using tobacco or vaping and other substance use. So it’s possible that LGBTQ+ people may increase their use of unhealthy substances to cope with the stress of daily life during a pandemic.

As freedom of movement is restricted to curb the spread of COVID-19 through physical (“social”) distancing, many helpful coping strategies, such as meeting friends and spending time gathering in the community, are not an option. LGBTQ+ people who already feel isolated due to family rejection or the stigma of being LGBTQ+ may feel even more isolated with physical distancing and other restrictions on freedom of movement.

Helpful resources for the LGBTQ+ community

Many LGBTQ+ people have developed robust online communities of “chosen family” who continue to provide support and affirmation — resources which you may find helpful. Additionally, some organizations may be able to help you find local resources.

If you’re seeking support and mental health resources:

• Family Acceptance Project Support for LGBTQ+ youth and their families
• Gender Spectrum Resources for challenging times, including online support groups for transgender and nonbinary youth and their families
• LGBTQ+ mental health and substance use information and resources from the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• LGBT National Help Center Support and resources for LGBTQ+ people of all ages, including hotlines, online chat, and connections to local resources
• SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline (877-360-5428) Support for LGBTQ+ seniors
• The Neighborhood: A Virtual Hub for LGBTQ+ Families from Family Equality Online: events and support groups for LGBTQ+ prospective and current parents
• The Trevor Project (866-488-7386) Support for LGBTQ+ young people, including a confidential hotline, online chat, and text messaging
• Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) Peer-to-peer support for the transgender community

If you’re experiencing financial insecurity:

• Mutual aid and emergency funds for LGBTQ+ individuals, compiled by the National Center for Transgender Equality
• Rapid response and emergency funds for LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations, compiled by Funders for LGBTQ Issues

If you’re struggling with access to health care or legal protections:

• Resources for LGBTQ patients GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality
• LGBTQ+ legal rights and resources GLAD Legal Advocates and Defenders
• Transgender rights and resources the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund

For more information on coronavirus and COVID-19, see the Harvard Health Publishing Coronavirus Resource Center and podcasts.

The post COVID-19 and the LGBTQ+ community: Rising to unique challenges appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/covid-19-and-the-lgbtq-community-rising-to-unique-challenges-2020043019721
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Authorities across states on Thursday began preparations to help lakhs of migrant workers and students reach their homes from different parts of the country where they are stranded for over a month due to the COVID-19 lockdown even as the virus spread further to take the nationwide tally of positive cases to over 34,000 and the death toll crossed 1,100.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-states-prepare-migrant-movement-plans-centre-says-recovery-rate-up-at-over-25/articleshow/75477872.cms

Days after the Maharashtra cabinet recommended to him proposing CM Uddhav Thackeray's appointment to the Legislative Council, governor BS Koshyari on Thursday requested the EC to declare polls for 9 vacant seats of the Upper House of the state Legislature. A statement from Raj Bhavan said that Koshyari requested the EC to declare elections "at the earliest".

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maha-governor-write-to-eci-seeks-polls-for-nine-council-seats/articleshow/75476435.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/allow-free-movement-of-trucks-goods-to-maintain-supply-chain-mha-tells-states/articleshow/75474515.cms

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of liver disease in the United States, and is estimated to affect up to a quarter of adults in the world. It is defined by excess fat accumulating in the liver and usually occurs in people with obesity, high blood sugars (diabetes), abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or high blood pressure. These disorders often run together and as a group are called metabolic syndrome. The “non-alcoholic” part of “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” is important to distinguish it from alcohol-related liver disease, which can also cause excess liver fat.

How fat can damage the liver

In some people, the excess fat sits in the liver but may not cause any liver damage. However, in about one in 20 people, excess liver fat triggers chronic liver inflammation. This condition is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH (“steato-“ means relating to fat and “hepatitis” means liver inflammation).

As with other liver disease, such as viral hepatitis or alcohol-related liver disease, chronic inflammation can cause ongoing damage, which leads to liver scarring known as fibrosis. Severe fibrosis is called cirrhosis regardless of the cause. People with cirrhosis are at risk for liver failure and liver cancer, and may need liver transplantation.

Diagnosing fatty liver

The key to preventing complications of NASH is to catch it early and treat it before the liver has sustained significant damage. Early diagnosis is tricky; usually people have no symptoms from their liver disease. If you have been diagnosed with any of the components of metabolic syndrome, you should talk to your doctor about your risk of having NASH.

The most accurate way to diagnose NASH is by liver biopsy. But blood tests and imaging tests can be used to determine who might be at low risk for NASH to avoid unnecessary liver biopsies. A useful, noninvasive test for some people is liver elastography, a special kind of ultrasound that estimates how much scarring there is in the liver. Elastography can help sort out who might benefit from further testing by liver biopsy. Regardless of whether NASH is present, exercising and eating a healthy diet can go a long way in treating metabolic syndrome and preventing complications down the road.

Weight loss is key to preventing complications of fatty liver

For people who are overweight or have obesity, the best treatment for NASH is weight loss. A landmark study showed that losing 10% of one’s body weight can reduce liver fat, resolve inflammation, and potentially improve scarring. More recently, in a meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers combined data from 22 studies that randomized patients to a weight loss intervention or a control arm (no or lower-intensity weight-loss intervention), to take a more thorough look at the effect of weight loss on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

That meta-analysis and other studies confirmed that weight loss by behavioral programs, medications, or weight-loss surgery can successfully treat NASH. Diet and exercise are the first line of treatment. At least 150 minutes of heart-pumping activity is recommended. While it’s not clear which diet is best, those that emphasize vegetables and whole foods, such as the Mediterranean diet, are good options. Regardless of the exact plan, lifestyle changes should be sustainable, and it’s usually best to lose weight slowly over time.

If sufficient weight loss is not attainable with these steps, weight loss surgery, such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, can be considered. There are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for NASH, but medications that promote weight loss may be helpful. For certain people without diabetes, vitamin E can help treat NASH. For those with diabetes, certain medications that improve blood sugar, such as the thiazolidinedione drug pioglitazone (Actos) and the incretin mimetic drug liraglutide (Saxenda), may also have beneficial effects on the liver. Any decisions regarding medications for NASH, including the use of vitamin E, should be made in consultation with your doctor.

Individuals with NASH must also protect the liver from any other causes of liver inflammation. This means abstaining from alcohol and making sure you are vaccinated against the hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses. Finally, anyone with NASH should also identify and treat individual components of metabolic syndrome they may have, in order to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes.

Awareness of fatty liver may help head off problems down the road

Non-alcoholic liver disease is becoming more prevalent as obesity becomes more common. It is also underdiagnosed, since it usually causes no symptoms. But increased awareness can lead to early diagnosis and prevention of serious problems down the road. Fortunately, active research is ongoing to define how to best identify people who are at risk and to develop new medications to treat NASH.

The post Weight loss can help head off lasting damage caused by fatty liver appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/weight-loss-can-help-head-off-lasting-damage-caused-by-fatty-liver-2020043019664
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The news media business was shaky before the coronavirus started spreading across the country last month. Since then, the economic downturn that put more than 26 million Americans out of work has led to pay cuts, layoffs and shutdowns at many news outlets, including weeklies like The Stranger in Seattle, digital empires like Vox Media and Gannett, the nation's largest newspaper chain.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/covid-19-news-media-outlets-have-been-ravaged-by-the-pandemic/articleshow/75474620.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a meeting to discuss various strategies to attract more foreign investments into India, as well as to promote local investments in order to give a boost to the economy in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the meeting, the PM directed that action should be taken for a more "proactive approach" to handhold investors.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-discusses-strategies-to-promote-investment-boost-economy/articleshow/75472235.cms

Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor passed away today and he was cremated at 4pm at Chandawadi crematorium in Mumbai. The 67-year-old actor had been battling cancer since two years, while he also underwent treatment in US. Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif and Abihshek Bachchan attended the veteran actor’s last rites.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/rishi-kapoor-cremated-at-chandawadi-alia-bhatt-saif-ali-khan-kareena-kapoor-abhishek-bachchan-attend-his-last-rites/articleshow/75470463.cms

Rishi Kapoor passed away today at 8:45 am in a hospital in Mumbai. The star fought a long battle with cancer. He was in the US for more than a year for the treatment with wifey Neetu Kapoor. Sometimes Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni used to travel to New York to see him. The entire film fraternity in a state of shock after Amitabh Bachchan tweeted about Rishi's demise. His daughter is expected to attend his funeral as she got the permission to travel from Delhi to Mumbai for father Rishi Kapoor's funeral.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/rishi-kapoors-daughter-riddhima-kapoor-sahni-shares-throwback-pictures-of-the-actor-writes-wish-i-could-be-there-to-say-goodbye-to-you/articleshow/75470647.cms

The SC on Thursday refused to stay the Central govt's project for the redevelopment of the Central Vista in Delhi. A bench headed by CJI SA Bobde, refused to stay the project after hearing a petition challenging the decision to notify a change in land use regarding the redevelopment plan. The opposition too objected to the project in view of the financial burden.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-refuses-to-stay-govts-central-vista-redevelopment-project/articleshow/75467935.cms

Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor breathed his last today at 8:45 am after fighting a long battle with cancer. He was admitted to Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. His brother Randhir Kapoor has confirmed the news in the morning. Rishi Kapoor's demise has left the entire film fraternity in a state of shock. His family members and close friends and colleagues from the industry are taking to the social media to share their heartfelt condolences.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/riddhima-kapoor-shares-a-selfie-with-father-rishi-kapoor-says-rip-my-strongest-warrior-i-will-miss-you-everyday/articleshow/75468339.cms

Rishi Kapoor is gone. For the Kapoor family this is a big blow and a loss that is irreplaceable. The actor passed away at 8:45 am on Thursday morning at a suburban hospital. The void that he has left in the industry will never be filled, but the bigger loss is of course to the immediate family. Ranbir and Rishi had become extremely close to each other ever since the news of the latters illness became public. While Ranbir became Neetu’s strength the one person who gave him the support was his girlfriend Alia Bhatt.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/heres-how-alia-bhatt-became-ranbir-kapoors-pillar-of-strength-in-the-last-few-weeks/articleshow/75465429.cms

PM Modi's approval rating on April 21 was 83%, up from 76% on January 7, according to Morning Consult, a US-based survey and research firm. A separate survey, the IANS-CVoter Covid-19 tracker also showed that trust in his leadership jumped to 93.5% as of April 21 from 76.8% on March 25.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modis-popularity-soars-amid-indias-covid-fight/articleshow/75466935.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/number-of-non-covid-deaths-emergency-cases-has-dropped/articleshow/75461794.cms

For the first time in over three decades, snow-capped peaks of Gangotri became visible from Saharanpur as Air Quality Index (AQI) in the UP town dipped below 50.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/saharanpur-wakes-up-to-himalayas-visible-from-town-after-30-years-as-aqi-dips-below-50/articleshow/75465589.cms

While it was Bollywood’s megastar and a dear friend of Rishi Kapoor – Amitabh Bachchan who broke the news on his Twitter handle, other celebs too have been taking to their social media handles to express their shock and condolences to the family of the bereaved.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/rishi-kapoor-passes-away-amitabh-bachchan-akshay-kumar-taapsee-pannu-and-others-mourn-the-sad-demise-of-bollywoods-legendary-actor/articleshow/75464147.cms

Rare pics: Rishi Kapoor passes away

from Times of India https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/celebs/bollywood/rare-and-unseen-pictures-of-bollywood-actor-rishi-kapoor-who-passed-away-at-67/Rare-and-unseen-pictures-of-Bollywood-actor-Rishi-Kapoor/articleshow/75463612.cms

The number of coronavirus cases in India climbed to 33,050 according to the ministry of health, while the number of fatalities rose to 1,074. Meanwhile, more than 3.13 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 228,224 have died. Stay with TOI for the latest developments

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-in-india-live-updates-indias-covid-19-cases-climbed-to-33050/liveblog/75461685.cms

Former governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Raghuram Rajan on Wednesday in a video chat with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that India needs Rs 65,000 crore to help the poor during the coronavirus-led crisis. He further added that the focus of the government should be first on starting people's lives once it decides to end the nationwide lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/raghuram-rajan-says-focus-of-the-government-should-be-on-starting-peoples-lives-first-key-points/articleshow/75463529.cms

Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor breathed his last today, at the age of 67. The popular actor had been unwell for a while and was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai. Amitabh Bachchan shared a post on Twitter.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/rishi-kapoor-passes-away-at-67-after-a-long-battle-with-cancer/articleshow/75463868.cms

Plasma therapy trials have already started in Maharashtra, UP and Madhya Pradesh — involving only one or a couple of patients. Some states have started administering HCQ tablets for healthcare workers, patients and their contacts. Other states and UTs are either awaiting approval from the ICMR or have got approval but have not yet started administering plasma.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/states-start-plasma-therapy-trials-hcq-administration-in-war-covid/articleshow/75461803.cms

Rahul Dravid, head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy says that there are much larger things at play currently and the future is uncertain because of the crisis and safety is the priority for everyone right now.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/coaches-have-had-to-become-creative-rahul-dravid/articleshow/75462499.cms

One of the versatile actors of Bollywood, Irrfan Khan took his last breath today, 29th April 2020, at 11. 11 am. The reason behind the actor's demise is complications due to colon infection.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/irrfan-khan-passes-away-at-53-suffers-complications-due-to-colon-infection/articleshow/75455639.cms

As the decision about his appointment to the legislature as governor's nominee hangs fire, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, sources claimed. Thackeray spoke to Modi on phone and told him that attempts were being made to create political instability in the state, sources told PTI.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uddhav-speaks-to-pm-modi-as-he-awaits-governors-decision/articleshow/75454257.cms

As per the new guidelines issued by the UGC on Wednesday, the new academic session for old students will commence from August 1 while for the new students it will be September 1, 2020. The admissions for the 2020-21 session will be conducted between August 1 to August 31. The pending terminal and intermediate exams are to be conducted between July and August, 2020.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/ugc-issues-new-calendar-for-universities-2020-21-session-to-begin-from-aug-1/articleshow/75453706.cms

Perhaps you’ve grown as weary as I have of repeated arthritis ads. They appear in frequent rotation on television, online, and in magazines, promoting Enbrel, Humira, Otezla, Xeljanz, and others.

If you’ve actually read or listened to these ads, you might have felt perplexed at certain points. Here’s a quick rundown on what they’re saying — and not saying — in one of those ads.

“The clock is ticking”

Part 1: A teakettle whistles on the stove and a disembodied voice speaks as this ad for Humira opens. “This is your wakeup call. If you have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, month after month the clock is ticking on irreversible joint damage. Ongoing pain and stiffness are signs of joint erosion.” Three people are shown starting their day in pain: one rubs his knee and grimaces, another has a sore shoulder, and the third, sore hands. Their suffering is clear, and you hear ticking in the background as a digital clock clicks forward one minute.

Part 2: “Humira can help stop the clock.” A garage door opens and out comes the man with the achy knee, now smiling and comfortably walking out into the sunshine as the music swells. “Prescribed for 15 years, Humira targets and blocks a source of inflammation that contributes to joint pain and irreversible damage.”

Part 3: The long list of side effects is voiced while happy scenes and beautiful music distract you: an adorable dog hikes with its once-achy-kneed owner; a young mother drops off her kids with a beaming grandma who previously was wringing her sore hands. “Humira can lower your ability to fight infection. Serious and fatal infections including tuberculosis and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened, as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. Tell your doctor if you’ve been to areas where certain fungal infections are common, and if you’ve had tuberculosis, hepatitis B, are prone to infections, or have flulike symptoms or sores. Don’t start Humira if you have an infection.”

Part 4: The big finish is short and to the point: “Help stop the clock on irreversible joint damage. Talk to your rheumatologist.”

What did the ad get right?

Let’s start with several accurate points:

• The prolonged morning stiffness depicted at the start is a typical symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It’s so characteristic that it helps doctors make the diagnosis.
• Humira is a brand name of adalimumab, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions. It’s often highly effective and has a good safety profile, despite the long disclaimer about side effects.
• The drug targets inflammation. It does this by blocking tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a substance directly involved in rheumatoid arthritis inflammation. Anti-TNF drugs were first approved by the FDA for rheumatoid arthritis more than 20 years ago. They have revolutionized treatment for this disease.
• An active lifestyle is a reality for many people with rheumatoid arthritis who begin effective treatment soon after symptoms begin. The potential for improvement is often underestimated, perhaps because it wasn’t long ago that doctors had few effective options to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Fortunately, that has changed.

Now, about the rest of the ad

• Ongoing pain and stiffness are not specific signs of joint erosion. They are symptoms of joint inflammation, which may, over time, lead to erosions. However, not everyone with RA experiences joint erosions, and it generally takes many weeks or months for erosions to develop. Showing a clock with minutes ticking by implies more urgency than is accurate.
• The word “irreversible” is stated three times in this 60-second ad. While it’s true that joint damage related to RA generally does not heal, some people have minimal or no damage, especially when taking effective treatment. The implication that permanent joint damage is inevitable seems overly dramatic to me, and perhaps alarmist.
• The FDA requires that long disclaimer. While it lists the most important risks and side effects of the drug, some of its equivocal language is chosen carefully: “Serious and fatal infections… and cancers… have happened.” Were these problems caused by adalimumab? Or were they unrelated? Or do they just not know? Generally, the safety profile of anti-TNF drugs is considered good. The most recent studies suggest that there is no significant increased risk of cancer, except for skin cancers.
• I would bet that the average person seeing this ad has no idea if they’ve been in places where “certain fungal infections are common” — or what that even means! In fact, it refers to certain infections that can become silent in the body, but re-activate in people taking adalimumab. This includes histoplasmosis (Midwest of the US), Coccidioides (southwestern US), and blastomycosis (Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys and the Great Lakes).

What’s left unsaid?

The ad never mentions some important information about adalimumab:

• It’s expensive. While insurance may cover most or all of the cost, the price of adalimumab can run about $40,000/year.
• It’s given by injection under the skin (a bit like insulin injections for people with diabetes), usually every two weeks.
• Humira is only approved — and likely to work — for a few arthritic conditions, including RA. It’s not for osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, an age-related, degenerative joint disease.
• Four other medications work in a similar way, with similar effectiveness and similar cost, side effects, and risks. Additionally, a host of other medications unrelated to TNF inhibition are also just as effective.

The bottom line

As drug ads go, those for arthritis in general and adalimumab in particular are not the worst I’ve seen. But they can be misleading, perplexing, and incomplete. Of course, the main purpose of these ads is to sell drugs, not to provide a complete and balanced review of treatment options for RA. You’ll need to ask your doctor for that.

Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling

The post Harvard Health AdWatch: An arthritis ad in 4 parts appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/harvard-health-adwatch-an-arthritis-ad-in-4-parts-2020042919703
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Migrant workers, tourists, students and other people stranded in different parts of the country were on Wednesday allowed to move to their respective destinations with certain conditions, giving a big relief to the distressed people. The order, however, did not specify whether a person or a family can travel in a private vehicle, and if allowed, under what conditions.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-allows-movement-of-stranded-people-with-conditions/articleshow/75453755.cms

Death toll due to Covid-19 rose to 1,008 and the number of cases climbed to 31,787 in the country on Wednesday, registering a record jump of 71 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry. There has been a spike of 1,813 cases since Tuesday evening. There has been a spike of 1,813 cases since Tuesday evening.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/death-toll-due-to-covid-19-now-at-1008-cases-climb-to-31787-health-ministry/articleshow/75452106.cms

The government on Wednesday announced that migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded in various parts of the country would be allowed to travel across the states to their homes, adhering to a set of guidelines. The government has instructed the states to ensure transport facilities and proper medical checks for everyone.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/interstate-travel-of-stranded-people-here-are-the-mha-guidelines/articleshow/75451918.cms

An organization backed by top US health advisor Dr Anthony Fauci had funded Chinese scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology for research on coronavirus, claimed a report by the US magazine Newsweek. In 2019, the NIH, with the backing of Fauci-led NIAID, committed $3.7 million over six years for research on bat coronaviruses in China.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/top-us-health-advisor-dr-fauci-backed-controversial-wuhan-lab-for-risky-coronavirus-research-report/articleshow/75449844.cms

Actor Irrfan Khan passed away today, after battling cancer for a long time. The actor was admitted to a city hospital for colon infection and breathed his last at the age of 53. His family issued a statement, saying, "Irrfan was buried at the Versova kabrastan in Mumbai. He was strong in his fight, and we all have to be strong too in this loss."

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/irrfan-khans-funeral-takes-place-amidst-lockdown-under-heavy-police-deployment/articleshow/75447355.cms

Former Australian batsman Mike Hussey, who is also the batting coach of Chennai Super Kings, said, "MS Dhoni is the best I have seen in terms of finishing capabilities. It is because he has a calculative mind and plays smart cricket. He can still remain calm under pressure and has incredible power. AB de Villiers is also up there with the best of the lot but MSD’s finishing skills are at another level."

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/ms-dhoni-greatest-finisher-i-have-seen-says-mike-hussey/articleshow/75449604.cms

Global confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 3 million on Monday, as the US neared the 1-million mark. Meanwhile, India's Covid-19 tally has risen to 31,332 cases. 1,007 patients have died so far due to the disease in India, according to health ministry. Stay with TOI for the latest developments

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-india-updates-live-indias-covid-19-cases-rises-to-31332-cases-death-toll-at-1007/liveblog/75418221.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/day-36-of-coronavirus-lockdown-ground-report-from-indian-cities/articleshow/75444823.cms

Out-of-favour Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal feels his banned younger brother Umar should learn from the exemplary conduct of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli both on and off the field. Umar was slapped with a three-year ban from all forms of cricket by the PCB for his failure to report corrupt approaches ahead of the Pakistan Super League.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/kamran-akmal-wants-umar-to-learn-from-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-virat-kohli/articleshow/75445484.cms

As many as 2.5 lakh guest workers seeking a green card in the US -- about 2 lakh of them on H-1B visas -- could lose their legal status by the end of June, according to Jeremy Neufeld, an immigration policy analyst with the Washington DC-based think tank Niskanen Center.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/over-2-lakh-h-1b-workers-could-lose-legal-status-by-june/articleshow/75444330.cms

Irrfan Khan passed away today at a hospital in Mumbai, where he was admitted for colon infection. The 53-year-old actor had been battling cancer since 2018 and his official spokesperson had confirmed on Tuesday that he was under doctor’s observation. Irrfan is survived by his wife Sutapa and sons – Babil and Ayan.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/irrfan-khan-passes-away-at-53-battling-colon-infection/articleshow/75444038.cms

A study by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) in Nagpur has found a “very strong” correlation — up to 85% — between the increase in the average day temperature and the reduction in Covid-19 spread for select cities and Maharashtra and Karnataka as a whole. Neeri sourced data from WHO, IMD and based its research on a mathematical model.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/85-correlation-between-temperature-rise-cut-in-virus-spread-study/articleshow/75439996.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/kim-jong-uns-uncle-suddenly-relevant-after-four-decades-abroad/articleshow/75442648.cms

Around 2.76 lakh Keralites, among those stranded in 150 countries, have registered with non-resident Keralites affairs (Norka) department, seeking an opportunity to return home in special flights. Earlier, Norka had started an online registration facility (www.registernorkaroots.org) on Sunday and the number of requests is expected to increase in coming days.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/norka-registrations-touch-2-76-lakh/articleshow/75441237.cms

Around 7.4 lakh EPFO (Employees Provident Fund Org) subscribers have tapped their provident fund accounts to withdraw close to Rs 2,368 cr in one month, using a special window created due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Under the special facility, a non-refundable withdrawal of three months’ salary or up to 75% of the balance (whichever is less) has been provided.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/7-4-lakh-pull-out-additional-rs-2400cr-from-epf-in-1-month/articleshow/75439934.cms

The Karnataka government allowed neighbourhood and standalone shops and industries to reopen from Wednesday in the green and orange zones. The relaxations — aimed at reviving economic activity in most parts of the state — will not apply to eight red-zone districts, including Bengaluru city and Mysuru.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/graded-lockdown-exit-in-22-districts-from-today-relief-for-bengaluru-in-may/articleshow/75440201.cms

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said that 300 districts in the country were unaffected by Covid-19. He added that another 300 districts had very few cases and 129 districts had hotspots. There are 739 districts and no fresh case was reported in 80 districts in 7 days, Vardhan said, adding that no case was reported in last 14 days in 47 districts.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/300-districts-covid-free-another-300-have-very-few-cases-govt/articleshow/75440006.cms

Many Americans in India who had signed up for airlifts back to the US are now deciding to stay back and "ride it out" during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the State Department's top consular official. Many who had enlisted for repatriation from India were not responding to offers of seats on the planes arranged by the department, said US officials.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/as-us-covid-19-cases-hit-1m-many-americans-opt-to-stay-on-in-india/articleshow/75440837.cms

Covid-19 may have brought sporting activity across the world to a halt, but thanks to technology, your favourite sporting icons are keeping themselves in good cheer. Be it posting quirky videos or conducting live chats with colleagues on Instagram, welcome to a trend that has captured the imagination of the world's leading athletes — from Nadal, Ronaldo to Kohli.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/live-camera-traction-how-top-sports-stars-maintain-good-cheer-and-connect-with-fans/articleshow/75440738.cms

India on Tuesday lost the hosting rights of the 2021 men's world boxing championship to Serbia after the national federation failed to pay the host fee, prompting the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to terminate the agreement signed in 2017. The elite competition, which would have happened for the first time in the country, will now be held in the Serbian city of Belgrade.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/boxing/india-lose-hosting-rights-of-2021-mens-world-boxing-championships/articleshow/75433498.cms

Two headlines caught my eye recently:

The relationship between chronic diseases and number of sexual partners: an exploratory analysis

and

Study warns more sex might mean higher likelihood for cancer

It may be hard to believe, but both of these refer to same medical research. I’m not sure which one I like better. The first one is the actual title of the research, which provides no information about its findings. The second one is a newspaper headline. It cuts right to the chase about the study’s main findings. While it’s much more specific — and alarming — it is also misleading.

Is there a link between the number of sexual partners and cancer?

The study investigating this possibility was published BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health. It enrolled about 2,500 men and 3,200 women who were 50 or older (average age 64). Each person was surveyed about the total number of sexual partners they’d had over the course of their lives. This information was compared with a number of medical conditions they’d developed, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

The study demonstrated that

• Men who reported 10 or more sexual partners in their life were nearly 70% more likely to have developed cancer when compared with those reporting 0 or 1 lifetime sexual partners.
• For women, the findings were even more dramatic: women who reported 10 or more sexual partners in their life were nearly 91% more likely to have developed cancer when compared with those reporting 0 or 1 lifetime sexual partners.

Men were more likely than women to report having at least 10 partners (22% of men vs. 8% of women) while women were more likely to have fewer partners (41% of women and 28.5% of men reporting having had 0 to 1 partners).

It’s worth noting this study was performed in England with health information initially collected in the late 1990s. The results could have been different if researchers had assessed risk of a different population or at a different point in time. In addition, self-reporting was relied upon to assess sexual behavior, and it’s possible the reported number of sexual partners and other health behaviors were not accurate.

Does this mean having sex leads to cancer?

The answer is almost surely no.

That’s because this type of study cannot assess whether sex causes cancer. It can only determine whether there is a correlation between the two. Also, we already know of ways that sexual behavior can indirectly affect cancer risk without actually causing cancer, especially through sexually transmitted infections. Some of the strongest connections are for:

• human papilloma virus (HPV), which increases the risk of cancers of the cervix, mouth, penis, and anus
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which increases the risk of cancers such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphoma
• hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection, which have been linked to liver cancer
• gonorrhea, which increases the risk of prostate cancer (particularly among African American men).

In addition, people with more sexual partners tended to smoke more and drink more alcohol. These factors could, themselves, increase the risk of cancer. So, certain factors — in these cases, infections, smoking, and drinking — could have an impact on cancer risk, rather than having sex or the number of sexual partners.

While future research could find previously unidentified risks in having a higher number of sexual partners, we already know enough to explain the connection.

The bottom line

While it may be tempting to conclude from this new research that limiting the number of sexual partners you have will lower your risk of cancer, I think that would be a misinterpretation of the data. The better take-home message would be to take precautions to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and pursue other proven strategies to lower your cancer risk, including stopping smoking and limiting alcohol.

Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling

The post More sexual partners, more cancer? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/more-sexual-partners-more-cancer-2020042819658
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The health ministry on Tuesday said currently plasma therapy is at experimental stage and there is no evidence yet to support that it can be used as treatment for Covid-19. The ministry said currently there are no approved therapies for Covid-19 and there is not enough evidence to claim that plasma therapy can be used for treatment of the disease.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-evidence-yet-to-support-that-plasma-therapy-can-be-used-for-covid-19-treatment-health-ministry/articleshow/75428710.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-roundup-developments-in-india-and-rest-of-world/articleshow/75431998.cms

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray spoke to his UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday and expressed concern over the killing of two priests in Bulandshahr district, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said. The killing of priests in Uttar Pradesh should not be communalised like the Palghar incident in Maharashtra, Raut said, in an apparent taunt at the BJP.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uddhav-thackeray-dials-up-cm-raises-concern-over-killing-of-priests/articleshow/75428805.cms

Treatments for prostate cancer are always evolving, and now research is pointing to new ways of treating a cancer that has just begun to spread, or metastasize, after initial surgery or radiation. Doctors usually give hormonal therapies in these cases to block testosterone, which is a hormone that makes the cancer grow faster. But newer evidence shows that treating the metastatic tumors directly with radiation can produce better results.

In March, researchers published the latest study that supports this approach. Based at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, the team used a method for delivering powerful beams of high-dose radiation to very small cancers in the body. This approach is called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), and it can spare healthy tissues with remarkable precision. Doctors map out where to pinpoint the radiation in advance by putting patients into a computed tomography (CT) scanner that takes x-rays of the body from many different angles.

During their study, the Johns Hopkins team recruited 54 men with three or fewer metastatic tumors. All the men had already undergone initial treatment for cancer while it was still in the prostate, and some had also been treated with hormonal therapy, though not within six months of being enrolled for the research. The men were 68 years old on average, and they were each randomly assigned to one of two groups: A third of the men were placed in an observation (control) group, meaning they received no additional treatment until the study was over. The rest were given SABR at a rate of one to five treatments per tumor over a period of about a week.

Then the men were followed for six months and monitored for changes such as PSA increases, tumor growth, worsening symptoms, or how many men wound up on hormonal therapy.

What the results showed

Results showed that the SABR-treated men fared better in all respects. Overall, 19% of those who got the targeted radiation had their cancers progress, compared to 61% of men in the control group. Taken together, the findings support a view that all detectable lesions should be removed, if feasible, to maximize the odds “of a cancer cure,” according to the authors of an editorial accompanying the published paper.

What makes SABR effective for treating early-stage metastases? Scientists are trying to find out. The investigators behind this study speculated that irradiating visible traces of cancer might block signals that feed the growth of even smaller tumors that are still too small to see. It’s also possible that radiation induces a sort of vaccinating effect, which prompts the immune system to attack other tumor cells.

Meanwhile, SABR could soon benefit from an ability to flag even smaller tumors for treatment. A new type of imaging scan called PMSA-targeted positron emissions tomography (PET) was tested in the study, and it found very small tumors that CT scanning had missed.

Dr. Marc Garnick, Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and editor in chief of HarvardProstateKnowledge.org, says the whole concept of treating metastatic prostate cancer “is undergoing re-evaluation.” He added, “The findings in this case need to be supported with a larger study. However, this research provides more evidence that for patients with less extensive metastasis, SABR treatments can significantly delay systemic therapies such as chemotherapy or hormonal treatment.”

The post New radiation therapies keep advanced prostate cancer in check appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/new-radiation-therapies-keep-advanced-prostate-cancer-in-check-2020042819700
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The Modi government has waived Rs 68,607 crore of the top 50 bank loan defaulters, including Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya, the Congress alleged on Tuesday citing an RTI reply from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).The Congress also alleged that the government waived loans worth Rs 6.66 lakh crore since 2014 till September 2019.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-cites-rti-reply-to-allege-government-waived-rs-68607-crore-of-bank-loan-defaulters/articleshow/75427277.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-latest-developments-india-reports-62-deaths-in-24-hours/articleshow/75420352.cms

The Kerala high court on Tuesday stayed for two months the operationalisation of the state government order to deduct the salary of government employees for fighting the Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/covid-19-hc-stays-kerala-govt-order-for-employees-salary-cut/articleshow/75427225.cms

"It's a huge misconception that Dhoni's comeback to the Indian team was dependent on his performance in the IPL," said cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra. "If that is how we will view Dhoni as a player...then I think we are just knocking at the wrong door." Chopra feels if Dhoni wants to play and if the team management also wants the same, it will happen.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ms-dhonis-india-comeback-not-dependent-on-ipl-aakash-chopra/articleshow/75425749.cms

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to consider the feasibility of 'temporarily' adopting the 'one nation, one ration card' scheme during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown period to enable the migrant workers and economically weaker sections (EWS) get subsidised foodgrain. The central government scheme is scheduled to be launched in June this year.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-asks-centre-to-consider-adopting-one-nation-one-ration-card-scheme-during-lockdown/articleshow/75424806.cms

The novel coronavirus, first reported in China in December 2019, has mutated into 10 different types and one of them — A2a — has nearly replaced all the others to become dominant across geographical regions, says a global study by an Indian institute. The A2a mutation is highly efficient in entering human lung cells in larger numbers; more efficient than SARS-CoV.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/virus-has-mutated-into-10-types-one-now-dominant-across-regions-study/articleshow/75417399.cms

On March 25, when the country went into lockdown mode, only one district in Karnataka — Bengaluru Urban — was reporting more than 15 active Covid-19 cases (patients under treatment). Halfway through April, Mysuru and Belagavi had joined the capital city in the red zone. By Monday, three more districts joined the perilous ranks: Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Kalaburagi.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/in-a-month-karnataka-goes-from-1-dist-in-red-zone-to-6/articleshow/75419122.cms

Global confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 3 million on Monday, as the US neared the 1-million mark. Meanwhile, in India, Covid-19 has risen to 29,435. 934 patients have died so far due to the disease in India, according to health ministry. Stay with TOI for the latest developments

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-india-updates-live-total-covid-19-cases-in-india-29435-deaths-934/liveblog/75418221.cms

While India records a death rate of 3.1% for Covid-19 patients, this is much higher at 4.71% for patients in Ahmedabad. Against 899 deaths in 28,622 cases in India, Ahmedabad recorded 102 deaths of 2,167 cases till Monday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/covid-19-ahmedabads-death-rate-is-higher-than-mumbai-delhi/articleshow/75418745.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/who-is-eligible-for-home-isolation-health-ministry-issues-additional-guidelines/articleshow/75420816.cms

Former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal is still not over the disappointment of missing Sachin Tendulkar's wicket in the lost 2011 World Cup semifinal against India and is now deriving solace from English umpire Ian Gould's recent assertion that the iconic batsman was indeed out.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/saeed-ajmal-still-believes-he-got-sachin-tendulkar-out-in-2011-world-cup-semifinal/articleshow/75421839.cms

The first credible report that something was wrong with Kim Jong Un came from Daily NK that said he underwent a "cardiovascular surgical procedure" the previous week and was now mostly recovered. Hours later, CNN report suggested he was in "grave danger" after surgery. Other theories include that he might be in self-quarantine or got injured in a military drill.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/top-theories-on-whats-going-on-with-north-koreas-kim-jong-un/articleshow/75419566.cms

"We are not happy with China," Trump said at a White House briefing. "We are not happy with that whole situation because we believe it could have been stopped at the source. He suggested that the US may seek damages from China.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/trump-us-may-seek-damages-from-china-over-coronavirus/articleshow/75419235.cms

All 12 had allegedly not followed the lockdown orders and visited a few mosques, including one in Dharavi, thus attracting charges under IPC sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and attempt to murder, said the police.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/10-indonesian-tablighis-held-in-city-for-attempt-to-murder/articleshow/75417446.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/lockdown-news-in-india-centre-states-wary-of-lifting-curbs-graded-easing-on-cards/articleshow/75417604.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/58-die-of-covid-infection-highest-in-a-day-cases-inch-close-to-30000/articleshow/75418782.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/doing-a-trump-states-build-walls-trenches-on-borders/articleshow/75418690.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/due-process-followed-centre-on-procurement-of-rapid-antibody-tests/articleshow/75407786.cms

A total of 6,184 Covid-19 patients have recovered so far, taking the recovery rate in the country to 22.17%, the health ministry said on Monday. 16 districts which earlier had positive cases have not reported any new Covid-19 case in the last 28 days. A total of 85 districts in 25 states and UTs have not reported any fresh case in the last 14 days.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/6184-or-22-17-covid-19-patients-have-recovered-health-ministry/articleshow/75408257.cms

As India enters final week of the lockdown, PM Modi on Monday conveyed to chief ministers that the country will have to give importance to the economy as well as to continue the fight against coronavirus. In a video conference with CMs, Modi highlighted the importance for states to enforce prescribed guidelines strictly in the coronavirus hotspots.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/need-to-give-importance-to-economy-and-also-battle-covid-19-pm-modi-to-cms/articleshow/75407189.cms

The total number of cases in India is now 27,892. Of these 20,835 are active cases. Overall 872 deaths have been reported in the country. Maharashtra has so far reported the highest number of cases in India. Stay with TOI for latest updates:

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-india-updates-live-total-number-of-covid-19-cases-in-india-rise-to-27892/liveblog/75384821.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/cdc-adds-six-new-symptoms-to-the-covid-19-list-watch-out-for-these/photostory/75404734.cms

The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested Shifa-Ur-Rahman, president of Jamia Alumni Association for charges of conspiracy during the Delhi violence.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/police-arrest-jamia-alumni-association-president-shifa-ur-rahman-for-northeast-delhi-violence/articleshow/75406588.cms

Jayanti Ravi, principal secretary (health and family welfare), on Sunday mentioned that Gujarat’s death rate was higher compared to states such as Kerala and that it could be due to different strains of Covid-19 at work.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/wuhans-l-strand-behind-high-mortality-in-gujarat/articleshow/75397342.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a video conference with chief ministers to discuss the situation arising due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country, which has been under a lockdown since March 25 to contain the spread of the virus, amid indications that the interaction would also focus on a graded exit from the ongoing lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-interacts-with-cms-on-covid-19-situation-to-discuss-staggered-exit-from-countrywide-lockdown/articleshow/75400575.cms

Late last week, the Centre made public the details of “covid warriors” according to which 1.2 crore people — doctors (dentists and vets included), nurses, pharmacists, lab volunteers, trained health professionals, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, NSS and NCC members among others — are working to fight the pandemic. The data doesn’t include waste collectors.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-battle-1-2-cr-warriors-fighting-to-help-130-cr/articleshow/75401658.cms

If you are staying safe at home with a roommate or family member, try this partner workout led by pro runners Aisha Praught-Leer and Will Leer.

The post Partner Bodyweight Workout with Pro Runners appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/partner-bodyweight-workout-with-pro-runners/
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Try this partner workout with Great Britain Track & Field athletes Shannon Hylton and Cheriece Hylton.

The post Partner Home Workout with The Hylton Twins appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/partner-home-workout-with-the-hylton-twins/
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Performance nutritionist Dr. Marc Bubbs provides tips on how to snack less.

The post How to Snack Less appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/how-to-snack-less/
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Pro heptathlete Georgia Ellenwood takes you through an at-home bodyweight workout.

For more inspiration, check out “Workout Routines” in the app to discover and log a wide variety of routines by Under Armour Performance Specialists. Or build your own routine with exercises that fit your goals.

The post Runner’s Bodyweight Workout With Georgia Ellenwood appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/runners-bodyweight-workout-with-georgia-ellenwood/
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Fire up the legs in this home workout with pro runner Rachel Schneider.

The post Runner’s Leg Workout with Rachel Schneider appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/runners-leg-workout-with-rachel-schneider/
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Performance nutritionist Dr. Marc Bubbs explores sources of vitamin D: sun exposure, supplementation and food.

The post Sources of Vitamin D appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/sources-of-vitamin-d/
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Take 10 minutes to sweat with health & fitness coach Emily Ricketts’ at-home AMRAP workout.

The post 10 Minute AMRAP with Emily Ricketts appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/10-minute-amrap-with-emily-ricketts/
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Sport psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais proposes 3 C’s we can practice to become more resilient.

The post Building Resiliency with Dr. Michael Gervais appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/building-resiliency-with-dr-michael-gervais/
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The total number of cases in India is now 27,892. Of these 20,835 are active cases. Overall 872 deaths have been reported in the country. Maharashtra has so far reported the highest number of cases in India. Stay with TOI for latest updates:

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-in-india-live-updates-pm-modi-interacts-with-cms-via-video-conferencing/liveblog/75384821.cms

Of all the family members who could eventually take the reins from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, his sister seems like the obvious choice. Kim Yo Jong, in her early 30s, has been by her brother's side at summits with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, sat behind Vice President Mike Pence while representing North Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/will-a-woman-run-north-korea-kims-sister-outshines-male-rivals/articleshow/75399423.cms

Pune-based Serum Institute plans to price the proposed Covid vaccine at around Rs 1,000 per dose in India. Serum is one of the global manufacturers that is putting its weight behind an Oxford University-led consortium, which announced the start of human clinical trials on April 23.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-pune-co-plans-to-start-vaccine-production-next-month/articleshow/75396697.cms

In a big relief for mutual fund investors, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday announced a special liquidity facility (SLF-MF) of Rs 50,000 crore with a view to ease liquidity pressures on mutual funds (MFs) which have cropped up as a result of heightened volatility in capital markets due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rbi-announces-special-liquidity-facility-of-rs-50000-crore-for-mutual-funds/articleshow/75400260.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pune-co-plans-to-ready-20-40m-vaccine-shots-for-launch-by-sept-oct/articleshow/75397121.cms

from Times of India https://m.timesofindia.com/apptimestopten

Scattered initiatives to evacuate migrant workers, students and pilgrims stranded across the country on Sunday coalesced into a more coordinated action plan initiated by states like Odisha, Maharashtra and Gujarat even as Karnataka signalled its reluctance to jump right in, flagging the “risk” of immediately bringing back people stuck in Covid-endemic states as a “national issue”.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/scattered-migrant-evacuation-plans-turn-into-organised-effort/articleshow/75397309.cms

An annoyed government distanced itself from controversial tax proposals such as a Covid-19 cess and a wealth tax on the rich from a group of revenue service officials, not just rejecting the suggestions but also ordering an enquiry against the officers who released the report on Sunday. The prompt rebuttal was meant to stop panic among taxpayers, who are already nervous about the future with incomes under stress.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/50-irs-officers-face-probe-for-unsolicited-hike-tax-call/articleshow/75396769.cms

The government is considering a proposal to provide guarantee to businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises, for accessing additional working capital at a time when cash flow is severely impacted due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/govt-may-stand-guarantee-for-extra-funds-to-bail-out-msmes/articleshow/75396874.cms

Asking people to observe Ramzan as a time of restraint, sensitivity and service, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope that the pandemic would have been tackled by the time of Eid, clearing the way for the festival to be celebrated with the usual enthusiasm.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pray-that-we-can-beat-virus-before-eid-pm/articleshow/75397022.cms

In a major top-deck reshuffle, the government on Sunday appointed nearly two dozen new secretaries, including those for economic affairs, petroleum, environment and school education, while giving a three-month extension to health secretary Preeti Sudan in the wake of Covid-19.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-big-rejig-govt-appoints-secys-to-a-dozen-key-depts/articleshow/75397078.cms

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said the coronavirus situation in the country is improving as many hotspot districts are moving towards being non-hotspot districts. The minister visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences Trauma Centre to take stock of the preparedness to overcome Covid-19, a statement from the ministry said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-hotspot-districts-moving-towards-being-non-hotspot-districts-health-minister/articleshow/75391508.cms

A report of 50 IRS officers of the I-T department on revenue mobilisation and economic impetus to fight Covid-19 pandemic is ill-conceived, and an act of indiscipline as well as violation of service conduct rules, Finance Ministry sources said. These officers from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Association in a report suggested raising tax rate to 40 per cent for those with income above Rs 1 crore, from 30 per cent at present, and levy of wealth tax for those with over Rs 5 crore annual income.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/irs-officers-report-on-funding-covid-relief-work-via-tax-measures-ill-conceived-finance-ministry-sources/articleshow/75393606.cms

The countrywide death toll due to Covid-19 rose to 826 and the number of cases climbed to 26,917 on Sunday, according to the Union health ministry. The country has reported 47 deaths since Saturday night, the ministry said. The total number of cases has gone up by 1,975 since the ministry last updated its data on Saturday evening.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-death-toll-rises-to-826-cases-climb-to-26917-health-ministry/articleshow/75390883.cms

As the country faces the coronavirus pandemic, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday cautioned against forces inimical to India's interests taking advantage of the situation, exhorted all to help those affected without any discrimination and stressed on developing a self-reliant economy.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/help-all-without-discrimination-work-towards-becoming-self-reliant-country-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-on-covid-crisis/articleshow/75391725.cms

PM Modi will interact with chief ministers via video conference on Monday morning on the way ahead in the fight against the coronavirus, amid indications that the discussions could also focus on a graded exit from the lockdown. This will be the third video conference of the PM with the chief ministers after the spread of the Covid-19 in the country.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-to-interact-with-cms-on-monday-to-discuss-way-out-of-lockdown-covid-fight/articleshow/75389416.cms

The last patient in Wuhan was cured on Friday, reducing the number of coronavirus patients in the city to zero, said Mi Feng, a spokesperson for China's National Health Commission, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The health commission of Hubei province, whose capital is Wuhan, said that no new confirmed cases or new deaths due to COVID-19 were reported on Satuday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/covid-19-cases-in-wuhan-hospitals-drop-to-zero-for-1st-time/articleshow/75390046.cms

From affordable Covid-19 testing methods to robots delivering food and medicines in isolation wards, drones for sanitising large areas to UV-fitted containers for sanitising grocery items, various institutions in the country are following the innovation mantra to aid the fight against coronavirus.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/affordable-test-methods-to-drones-institutions-take-innovation-route-to-aid-covid-19-fight/articleshow/75390025.cms

Even as the first batch of 100 Sikh pilgrims stranded at Nanded’s Takht Sri Hazur Sahib during the lockdown left for their home states of Punjab, Haryana and New Delhi after a push from Punjab CM, the state’s chief secretary on Saturday asked his counterparts in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh to take back 3.5 lakh migrants stuck in Maharashtra.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maha-asks-6-states-to-take-back-3-5l-stranded-migrants/articleshow/75384708.cms

Will sports and watching sports ever be the same again in a world scarred by the COVID-19 pandemic? India's sportspersons -- current and former -- gazed into the crystal ball and predicted the future of sports once the action resumes.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/sports-in-times-of-covid-19-top-indian-stars-foresee-new-normal-once-pandemic-mayhem-ends/articleshow/75388631.cms

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope advocated extending the lockdown in the containment areas in Mumbai and Pune regions, which account for 92% of the total cases in the state, till May 18.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/health-minister-wants-city-pune-lockdown-till-may-18/articleshow/75384698.cms

"India's fight against coronavirus is actually people-driven. This fight is being fought by the people and the administration together. Every citizen as a soldier is fighting this war," Prime Minister Modi said in his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' address.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-fight-against-coronavirus-is-people-driven-pm-narendra-modi/articleshow/75387078.cms

Raising the tax slab for super-rich and a Covid relief cess are among a raft of proposals that have been recommended in a policy paper prepared by 50 young tax officers which has been submitted to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Titled as FORCE (Fiscal Options and Response to Covid-19 Epidemic), the policy paper hasa string of measures to raise revenues and provide relief to the economy battered by the pandemic.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/officials-propose-taxing-super-rich-covid-relief-cess-as-steps-to-combat-pandemic-in-policy-paper/articleshow/75387496.cms

Lockdowns may have helped in the containment of Covid-19 across the world, but not many know that a similar exercise was carried out in the princely state of Hyderabad and parts of British India to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like cholera and plague in the 19th and the early 20th centuries.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/during-british-nizam-era-lockdown-was-paid-holiday/articleshow/75383837.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/prime-minister-narendra-modis-mann-ki-baat-address-key-points/articleshow/75386271.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/how-punjab-was-done-in-by-super-spreaders/articleshow/75386023.cms

As the national lockdown entered its fifth week, an unprecedented cross-country evacuation exercise to bring back migrant workers and other people stranded in different states appeared to gather momentum on Saturday with Punjab sending 80 buses to ferry back Sikh pilgrims stuck in Maharashtra and UP preparing to bring back at least 9,500 labourers from Haryana by Sunday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-evacuation-exercise-gathers-steam-across-states/articleshow/75384767.cms

A special train possibly belonging to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was spotted this week at a resort town in the country, according to satellite images reviewed by a Washington-based North Korea monitoring project, amid conflicting reports about Kim's health and whereabouts.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/train-possibly-belonging-to-north-korean-leader-spotted-in-resort-town-report/articleshow/75385263.cms

Shining the ball is particularly essential in Test cricket, where bowlers need to generate sideways movement with the old ball in order to stay in the game. Bowlers generally shine one side of the red cherry while keeping the other side dry in order to obtain reverse swing.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/sweating-over-new-rules-iccs-proposed-ball-tampering-law-divides-pacers/articleshow/75385325.cms

The death toll due to the Covid-19 rose to 821, while the number of cases rose to 26,000 cases in India on Friday, according to the Union health ministry. Meanwhile, over 25 lakh people have now been affected by Covid-19 across the globe as per the latest figures. Stay here for all live updates

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-in-india-live-news-updates-covid-19-cases-in-maharashtra-gujarat-madhya-pradesh-rises/liveblog/75384821.cms

Close to 6300 Indian nationals abroad have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, posing a serious logistical challenge to the government as and when it decides to evacuate Indians stranded overseas. The number has almost doubled in the past 8-9 days as it stood at 3,336 on April 16.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/close-to-6300-indians-infected-in-50-countries-toll-stands-at-40/articleshow/75384747.cms

Maharashtra accounted for nearly half of Saturday’s national Covid-19 count, which at 1,715 was the second-highest recorded for a single day so far, 30 short of 1,755 reported on Thursday. India’s total number of Covid-19 cases stood at 26,270, as per latest figures collated from state governments, placing it at 16th spot among countries with the highest coronavirus counts.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-india-cases-cross-26000-with-another-big-spike-in-maharashtra/articleshow/75384598.cms

A day after the Delhi government said the lockdown would have to be continued till May 16 in the national capital, five states — Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Punjab and Odisha — on Saturday veered towards extending curbs in hotspots of their respective states beyond May 3.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/after-delhi-5-more-states-want-lockdown-extended-beyond-may-3/articleshow/75384555.cms

The coronavirus pandemic is turning out to be hellish for survivors of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, the world’s worst industrial accident. Ten of them have been killed by the virus now, sparking panic in the community that is bound by tragedy rather than caste or religion.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/10th-covid-death-in-bhopal-all-gas-victims/articleshow/75384574.cms

The WHO warned on Saturday recovering from coronavirus may not protect people from reinfection as the death toll from the pandemic approached 200,000 around the globe. Governments across the world are struggling to limit the economic devastation by the virus, which has infected nearly 2.8 million people and left half of humanity under some form of lockdown.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/who-warns-over-virus-immunity-as-global-death-toll-nears-200000/articleshow/75380902.cms

A central team on a visit to West Bengal to assess the Covid-19 situation on Saturday flagged non-cooperation on the part of the state government over providing logistical support and other relevant information. The team said it is yet to receive a response from the state government to the letters it has written to its chief secretary since its arrival in the city.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bengal-govt-not-providing-logistical-support-relevant-info-on-covid-19-central-team/articleshow/75378053.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/coronavirus-roundup-developments-in-india-and-rest-of-world/articleshow/75379839.cms

The ruling Trinamool Congress on Saturday described the two inter-ministerial central teams (IMCT) visiting West Bengal to assess the Covid-19 situation as "India's Most Callous Team", which, it said, has sought to spread the political virus "shamelessly".The central teams have been visiting hospitals and quarantine centres in Kolkata and Siliguri.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/imct-indias-most-callous-team-tmc-says-central-team-spreading-political-virus-in-bengal/articleshow/75377836.cms

The average doubling rate of Covid-19 cases in the country is 9.1 days as of now and from Friday 8 am to Saturday 8 am, India recorded a 6% growth in new cases, which is the lowest daily growth rate recorded since the country crossed 100 cases, the government said. This was revealed after a high-level Group of Ministers meet was held on Covid-19 on Saturday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-records-lowest-daily-growth-rate-in-covid-19-cases-on-saturday-since-it-crossed-100-cases/articleshow/75376187.cms

States and Union Territories have been asked to put on hold the use of Covid-19 rapid antibody test kits till their accuracy is rechecked by the ICMR, sources said on Saturday. Teams constituted by ICMR are analysing the rapid antibody test kits, procured from two Chinese firms, to check their efficacy after some states reported that they are faulty, sources said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-rapid-antibody-test-kit-use-put-on-hold-icmr-to-check-accuracy-official-source/articleshow/75377313.cms