Russia has given regulatory approval to the world's first Covid-19 vaccine, a mere two months after the developer's phase-three clinical testing began with plans to produce 500 million batches over the next year.
That industrial production of Sputnik V will start in September and officials claim 20 countries have expressed interest in ordering a billion doses.
World Health Organisation representative Tarik Jasarevic said that the WHO would be working closely with Russia with regard to the qualification of the vaccine, including “the rigorous review and assessment of all required safety and efficacy data” that the global body oversees.
The speed at which Russia’s vaccine has been approved confounds all previous benchmarks. The standard length of a phase-3 vaccine trial is typically between one to four years.
The move to production paves the way for mass inoculation while clinical trials to test safety and efficacy continue. The lightning-quick ratification has provoked consternation among the global science community who fear that is dangerously premature.
The unparalleled approval time highlights country's determination to win what has been called a vaccine space race. Russia has named its vaccine Sputnik V in reference to the first satellite placed in orbit during the Cold War space race.
How does Sputnik V work and is it safe?
The vaccine is based on the DNA of a Sars-CoV-2 type adenovirus - more commonly known as the common cold, the same method adopted by another Phase-3 trial run by scientists at Oxford University.
Before Russia's push to production, the most prominent research product was the Oxford trial, which is backed by British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca.
In July, chair of the UK government’s taskforce Kate Bingham told Parliament that the Oxford vaccine was “well ahead of the world” and the “most advanced vaccine anywhere”.
Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamalweya National Research Centre which developed the vaccine, said that the coronavirus particles in the vaccine have been effectively deactivated so that they cannot multiply and harm the body.
More than 100 possible vaccines are being developed around the world to try to stop the Covid-19 pandemic. At least four are in final phase-3 human trials, according to WHO data.
Who is leading the global vaccine race?
The US leads the vaccine race overall with 39 research projects.
The American biotech company Moderna is pioneering work on a mRNA vaccine. This approach delivers genetic material to human cells that provide a 'spike' protein seen on the surface of the coronavirus. This should trigger an antibody response that allows the body to fight Covid-19.
Moderna hopes to have data from latest trials on 30,000 participants available by November. US drug maker Pfizer and German biotech company BioNTech are also conducting "promising" research along the same approach.
China ranks second on the WHO list with 20 projects. The Lancet in late May said the phase-1 trial of a potential Covid-19 vaccine developed by Chinese top military virologists showed promising results.
CanSino is poised to launch a Phase III trial of its vaccine candidate which also uses a harmless cold virus to carry genetic material from the coronavirus into the body. Meanwhile SinoPharm launched its phase three trial among 15,000 volunteers —aged 18 to 60, with no serious underlying conditions— in the UAE.
A WHO overview published last week said 165 candidate vaccines are being worked on around the world, with six reaching phase 3.
In his government address on Tuesday morning, President Vladamir Putin said the vaccine “works quite effectively, forms strong immunity and [that it] has passed all the needed checks”.
The Russian leader revealed the vaccine had even been administered to one of his daughters.
Scientists in the UK have expressed scepticism. Professor Keith Neil, epidemiologist at the University of Nottingham, believes the vaccine’s cloak of secrecy makes it impossible to know if it will be effective.
And he cautioned that even if scientific papers had been made available for analysis, then there still may have been “problems on data quality”.
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has said he has “huge trust” in Russia’s vaccine. He can be the “first they experiment on", he added.
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Toss: Australia, chose to bat
Australia: 272-9 (50 ov)
Khawaja 100, Handscomb 52; Bhuvneshwar 3-48
India: 237 (50 ov)
Rohit 56, Bhuvneshwar 46; Zampa 3-46
Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Player of the Series: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Company%20profile
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Scores
Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)
Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)
