February 7, 2022

QisstPay Launches Into U.S. Market with 1-Click Checkout

DALLAS and FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Global FinTech Startup, QisstPay is launching its 1-Click Checkout product in the U.S. Starting today, merchants can sign up for one of the world’s fastest online checkout experiences.

With 1-Click Checkout, shoppers will be able to complete online purchases in just a few seconds without the hassle of filling out repetitive forms or recalling usernames and passwords. For merchants, the improved shopper experience reduces cart abandonment, increases conversion rates, which ultimately leads to more sales.

With QisstPay, merchants will be able to add multiple payment methods instantly using their ‘drag and drop’ checkout builder. This can all be done without a code, saving time and money on development. Payment methods include: credit and debit cards via payment gateways, buy now pay later providers, digital wallets, financing, and more.

Merchants will also have access to in-depth analytics and gain valuable insights into which payment options perform best and are most popular with their shoppers. Additionally, QisstPay 1-Click Checkout has modern built-in security, privacy and fraud monitoring tools.

Jordan Olivas, CEO & Co-Founder QisstPay, announced a significant expansion to the US and regional markets in response to the remarkable demand for the company’s 1-Click Checkout product.

“QisstPay’s 1-Click Checkout ensures a fast, easy, and safe online checkout and is the future of online-shopping since this is now more of a necessity and less of a luxury,” said Jordan Olivas, CEO & Co-Founder, QisstPay. “The onset of Covid-19 transformed how we live, how we interact, and how we shop. The new-normal dictates that we evolve and make the online shopping experience more convenient by eliminating the cumbersome checkout process, saving time and delighting customers.”

Shopper habits are shifting toward online shopping. According to data from Statisica, revenue from retail e-commerce in the U.S. was estimated at roughly $768 billion 2021. This figure is forecasted to grow by 70% over the next four years, exceeding $1.3 trillion by 2025. This only highlights the growing importance of offering shoppers the best checkout experience possible.

QisstPay has opened its North America office in Dallas-Fort Worth with 150 employees worldwide. QisstPay is committed to building the future of commerce and revolutionizing the online shopping experience for both consumers and sellers alike.

For more information, visit qisstpay.com.

February 7, 2022

The one-component Sputnik Light vaccine has been authorized in India; over 2.5 billion people live in countries that approved Sputnik Light as a standalone vaccine and a universal booster

Sputnik Light will be an important part of India’s vaccination program and the fight against mutations of COVID, including Omicron.

Sputnik Light has been authorized in more than 30 countries with total population of over 2.5 billion people.

MOSCOW, Feb. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) announces the Russian one-shot Sputnik Light vaccine against coronavirus has been authorized by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

Thus Sputnik Light has been registered in more than 30 countries with total population of over 2.5 billion people. A number of countries, including Argentina, Bahrain, UAE, San Marino and Philippines, have already authorized Sputnik Light as a universal booster.

A preliminary study of the Gamaleya Center has found that Sputnik Light as a booster significantly increases virus-neutralizing activity against Omicron, which is comparable to titers observed after Sputnik V against wild-type virus, associated with high levels of protection.

A unique comparative study[1] conducted at Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Italy by a team of 12 Italian and 9 Russian scientists led by Francesco Vaia, Director of the Spallanzani Institute and Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya Center has shown that Sputnik V vaccine demonstrates more than 2 times higher titers of virus neutralizing antibodies to Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant than 2 doses of Pfizer vaccine (2.1 times higher in total and 2.6 times higher 3 months after vaccination).

The study was conducted in the equal laboratory conditions on comparable sera samples from individuals vaccinated with Sputnik V and Pfizer with a similar level of IgG antibodies and virus neutralizing activity against Wuhan variant. Sputnik V showed significantly smaller (2.6 times) reduction of virus neutralizing activity against Omicron as compared to reference Wuhan variant than Pfizer vaccine (8.1-fold reduction for Sputnik V in contrast to 21.4-fold reduction for Pfizer vaccine).

Based on the data collected by the Spallanzani Institute and results of previous studies, heterologous (“mix & match”) boosting with Sputnik Light is the best solution to increase other vaccines’ efficacy and extend the booster protection period as optimal adenoviral platform configuration provides better protection against Omicron and other mutations.

Sputnik Light is based on recombinant human adenovirus serotype number 26 (the first component of Sputnik V). A one-shot vaccination regimen of Sputnik Light provides for ease of administration and helps to increase efficacy and duration of other vaccines when used as a booster shot.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, a major partner of RDIF in India, has conducted local clinical trials of Sputnik Light in India. Positive data from these trials have been presented to India’s regulator and contributed to the positive decision by DCGI.

Clinical studies and the real-world data in many countries have demonstrated Sputnik Light is a safe and effective vaccine when used both on a standalone basis and as a booster.

A study in Argentina on heterogeneous regimens combining Sputnik Light and vaccines produced by AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Moderna and Cansino has demonstrated that each “vaccine cocktail” combination with Sputnik Light provided higher antibody titer on 14th day after administering the second dose as compared to original homogenous (same vaccine as first and second dose) regimens of each of the vaccines.

Sputnik Light will add to India’s national vaccine portfolio and join Sputnik V, which was approved in the country in April 2021. India is the leading production hub for Sputnik V.

Sputnik V and Sputnik Light are based on a safe and effective human adenoviral vector platform and have not been associated with rare serious adverse events following vaccination, such as myocarditis or pericarditis. The highest safety and efficacy of Sputnik V and Sputnik Light was demonstrated in more than 30 studies and real-world data from more than 60 countries.

Sputnik V has been authorized in 71 countries with total population of over 4 bn people. To facilitate the necessary production capacities, RDIF has reached agreements with the leading Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Serum Institute of India – the world’s largest vaccine producer, as well as Gland Pharma, Hetero Biopharma, Panacea Biotec, Stelis Biopharma, Virchow Biotech and Morepen.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said:

“Authorization of Sputnik Light in India is another major step in successful cooperation between Russia and India in the fight against COVID. Sputnik Light has proven to be safe and effective both as a standalone vaccine and a universal booster shot to vaccines of other producers, helping to induce stronger immune response as compared to two shots of the same vaccine. The heterologous boosting approach using Sputnik Light is the solution to increase efficacy and duration of other vaccines, including against Omicron variant.”

[1] https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.15.22269335v1
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February 7, 2022

Govt taking steps to regulate prices of medicines: Dr. Faisal

Prime Minister's Special Assistant on National Health Dr. Faisal Sultan says the government is taking concrete measures to regulate the prices of medicines.

Addressing a ceremony regarding online drug certification in Islamabad on Monday, he said we are also making efforts to facilitate the people linked with drug industry.

The Special Assistant said main objective of such measures is to ensure availability of medicines at low price without compromising standard.

He also stressed that automation is need of the hour in every field and this should be utilized in doctors' prescriptions.

Source: Radio Pakistan

February 7, 2022

Ramiz Raja Fulfils Promise to Young Fan Whose Video Went Viral

PCB Chairman, Ramiz Raja has fulfilled the promise he made to an 11-year-old cricket lover who was disappointed after not being able to watch a PSL match live at National Stadium, Karachi. Earlier today, Ramiz Raja declared that children below the age of 12 will be allowed to enter the stadiums during the second round of PSL 7.

As PSL 7 moves to Lahore for the next round of exciting cricket, PCB has eased the restrictions that were imposed due to the COVID-19 situation in Karachi. According to the rules by NCOC, the PSL matches were conducted with a limited crowd and anyone under twelve years of age was not permitted to enter the stadium.

This restriction disheartened young fans as a video of an eleven-year-old went viral. The little boy addressed PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja, complaining about the situation. Noticing his disappointment, Ramiz Raja responded to the young fan and promised to let the children under twelve watch matches in the stadium as soon as the COVID-19 conditions improved. Ramiz Raja had also stated that the league was basically conducted to inspire the young generation, attracting them towards the game of cricket.

Now as the rest of the matches are scheduled at Gaddafi Stadium, Ramiz Raja has expressed delight over little fans being able to enjoy the game live. Sharing his joy, the PCB Chairman said, “The stage [of PSL] is basically set for the children. I am extremely happy that under 12 will come and enjoy the match freely.”

Talking about the crowd in PSL 7, Ramiz Raja said, “We had planned to create a Fans Park for the engagement of crowd but unfortunately we could not get the permission for it” However he seemed satisfied by the attendance of fans in PSL 7.

The matches of the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League will be played in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from 10th February.

Source: Pro Pakistani

February 7, 2022

Updated PSL 2022 Points Table After Quetta’s Record Chase Against Lahore

Quetta Gladiators registered their second victory in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 7 as they chased down a huge target against Lahore Qalandars. As a result, Quetta have moved ahead of Peshawar Zalmi and sit at the fourth spot on the PSL points table. Lahore, on the other hand, remain at the third spot due to an inferior net run rate than Islamabad United.

Lahore were brilliant with the bat once again as openers Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique took the attack to Quetta’s bowlers. Fakhar scored yet another half-century in the competition and a late flurry from Harry Brook took them to a daunting total of 204/5.

Jason Roy was irresistible as he took the Lahore bowling unit to the cleaners. Roy scored the second-fastest century of PSL history in his first match this season and took the game away from Lahore within the first 15 overs in the innings. Quetta chased down the target with 7 wickets and 3 balls to spare.

Source: Pro Pakistani

February 7, 2022

Mickey Arthur Comes to Support of Karachi Kings Owner After PSL 7 Debacle

Former Pakistan head coach, Mickey Arthur has spoken up in support of Karachi Kings after they lost all their contests of the first round of PSL 7. Mickey Arthur declared Karachi Kings as a strong franchise and expressed hope for their comeback.

Karachi Kings’ owner, Salman Iqbal penned an apology note for the fans after ending the first round of PSL 7 in absolute misery. The franchise owner took to his Twitter, explaining the circumstances that left Karachi Kings at the bottom of the points table with no wins.

Salman Iqbal claimed that they tried to select ‘the best team’ but the stars did not align for Karachi Kings. Iqbal termed unexpected injuries and COVID-19 as the major setbacks for the strong-looking Karachi squad.

Responding to the tweet, Mickey Arthur expressed faith in the Kings. The former Karachi coach wrote, “Salman, I know how invested you are in this incredible franchise.” Consoling the owner of Karachi Kings, Mickey Arthur further wrote, “Cricket goes like this sometimes.”

Appreciating the team, Mickey Arthur claimed, “You have some incredible players and a good structure.” Showing optimism for the better performance from Karachi Kings in the remaining matches of PSL 7, Mickey Arthur wrote, “It will happen soon.”

Karachi Kings have the best batsman of T20 format in the face of Babar Azam alongside Sharjeel Khan but the pair has failed to fire in the first round of PSL 7. The lead bowler of the pace attack, Muhammad Amir was also ruled out due to an injury, leaving the squad reeling.

Karachi Kings have to win all the remaining matches of the second round of PSL 7 scheduled in Lahore to keep the hopes alive for qualifying to the playoffs stage.

Source: Pro Pakistani