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Omicron subvariants escape antibody responses: study

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  • Subvariants can escape antibody responses among those who had contracted COVID-19 and those who are vaccinated, boosted. 
  • Vaccination is expected to provide substantial protection against coronavirus.
  • Study shows it may also increase “risk of vaccine-breakthrough COVID-19 infections.”

A new study shows that the Omicron subvariants BA4 and BA5 can escape antibody responses among people who had contracted COVID-19 and those who have been vaccinated and boosted. 

However, the vaccination is expected to provide substantial protection against coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the vaccine makers are also working on upgraded shots that may evoke a stronger immune response against the subvariants, CNN reported. 

According to the new research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, compared with the original coronavirus, the levels of neutralising antibodies that a previous infection or vaccinations elicit are several times lower against the BA4 and BA5 subvariants. 

“We observed three-fold reductions of neutralizing antibody titers induced by vaccination and infection against BA4 and BA5 compared with BA1 and BA2, which are already substantially lower than the original COVID-19 variants,” wrote Dr Dan Barouch, who is an author of the paper. 

“Our data suggest that these new Omicron subvariants will likely be able to lead to surges of infections in populations with high levels of vaccine immunity as well as natural BA1 and BA2 immunity,” he added. 

The findings are separate researches by scientists at Columbia University, according to which, the escaping of BA4 and BA5 viruses also increases the “risk of vaccine-breakthrough COVID-19 infections.”

Their studies also suggest an increased risk of reinfection, among those people who had been immunised against the virus. 

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said that the subvariants are reported to be fast-spreading ones, which are expected to dominate the United States, United Kingdom and the rest of Europe in the upcoming few weeks. 

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Minutes after taking off from Lahore airport, a private airline plane was “hit by a bird.”

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Details show that an aircraft from Lahore to Karachi took off from the airport in Lahore, but it made a problematic landing a few seconds later.

The aircraft carrying 180 passengers was successfully landed at the Lahore airport by the pilot. They have moved the passengers of the impacted flight to the airport lounge.

Bird strikes on aircraft have been documented occasionally at the nation’s airports, yet the problem persists in spite of the CAA’s assertions.

In the first 11 months of 2022, birds struck at least 57 Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft.

Details indicate that PIA published a report on aircraft struck by birds in 2022.

53 bird-hit instances were documented between January and October, and four incidents were logged in November, the study states. The airport in Lahore International was the site of most of the incidents.

According to the research, five of the 57 PIA aircraft were damaged in 2022 due to bird collisions, but the aircraft were spared significant damage in 59 instances.

In addition, the birds struck twelve PIA planes during approach, eight during takeoff, and 21 after landing.

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Deputy Prime Minister to Represent Pakistan at CHOGM in Samoa in 2024

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Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa.

Pakistan’s views on major global issues and concerns will be discussed at the conference by the Deputy Prime Minister, who will concentrate on climate change, economic growth, and enhancing international collaboration within the Commonwealth.

His keynote speech at the Commonwealth Business Forum on “Transforming Our Workforce” will focus on Pakistan’s focus on digital transformation, skill development, and youth empowerment.

He will converse with the heads of delegation from other Commonwealth nations as well.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for the Foreign Office, said in a statement that Pakistan’s attendance at CHOGM 2024 is a reflection of its ongoing dedication to the Commonwealth and its ties with tiny island pacific nations.

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China Contributes 43 New Foreign Firms to the 6% Growth in SECP Registrations

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The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has registered 2,617 new firms this year, a 6% increase from 2023, with assistance from the Special Investment Facilitation Council. This increases the overall number of businesses that are registered to 231,111.

Non-profits, trade associations, and public unlisted firms make up 4% of these, while private limited corporations make up 55% and single-member companies 41%. It is noteworthy that 99.8% of the registrations were done online, demonstrating SECP’s attempts to digitise.

Real estate has 237 new businesses, services has 306, and trade has 377 new businesses. These are the main sectors exhibiting growth. While the healthcare and textile industries each had 49 new businesses, the education sector saw 101.

China contributed the most, adding 43 new companies, out of the 61 new companies that were registered as a result of foreign investment.

These recently registered businesses are anticipated to decrease imports, increase domestic production, and contribute to closing the trade deficit.

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