Mylab becomes first Indian company to get COVID-19 test kits validated
Mylab’s innovation reduces test time from 4 to 2.5 hours. The company has promised that it can manufacture up to 100,000 tests in a week which can be further scaled up if needed.
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U.S. Congress reaches historic $2 trillion stimulus deal amid pandemic
The package includes $250b aside for individuals and families, $350b in small business loans, $250b in unemployment insurance benefits, and $500b in loans for distressed companies.
U.K. government will pay wages for anyone facing unemployment due to pandemic
Unveiling an unprecedented intervention by the state in the British economy, the government will cover 80% of worker salaries for at least the next three months up to a maximum of $2,900 a month.
India plans 26 GW of solar capacity in agricultural sector by 2022
Around 1.75 million off-grid solar pumps shall be set up while 1 million operational grid-connected irrigation pumps shall be fitted with solar panels.
A wild tapir gave birth in Brazil for the first time in more than a century
Scientists said video clips of the baby tapir proved the initial success of a re-introduction strategy for the threatened mammal, which is often described as “a forest gardener” because it plays a vital role in the dispersal of seeds.
Scientists can now accelerate COVID-19 testing by screening multiple samples at the same time
Health care professionals may be able to dramatically speed up COVID-19 testing now that Israeli scientists have developed a technique for screening up to 60 patient samples at the same time.
Fairphone launches new sustainable smartphone
The phone has a modular design which allows it to be durable, easily repairable, and upgradeable and is made with responsibly sourced and conflict-free tin and tungsten and recycled copper and plastics.
McDonald’s to eliminate plastic in Happy Meal toys by 2021
The fast-food chain expects to remove over 3,000 metric tons of plastic from the business from 2021 by abolishing plastic happy meal toys.
Japanese flu drug ‘clearly effective’ in treating coronavirus, says China
Patients who were given the medicine in Shenzhen turned negative for the virus after a median of four days after becoming positive, compared with a median of 11 days for those who were not treated with the drug.
New York halts evictions indefinitely due to coronavirus pandemic
The move came after tenant advocates and elected officials argued that evictions during this public health crisis would drive up homelessness and worsen the spread of COVID-19.