DOT Desk: [3] University of Oxford scientists expect to report results from the late-stage trials of their COVID-19 vaccine by Christmas, a key researcher said Thursday as he discussed the team’s latest findings. [4] Nearly one million people have taken an experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) through the country’s emergency use programme. China launched the emergency use programme in July, which so far includes three vaccine candidates for essential workers and other limited groups of people even as clinical studies have yet to be completed to prove their safety and efficacy. [5] The U.S. death toll surpassed a grim new milestone of 250,000 lives lost, as New York City’s public school system, the nation’s largest, called a halt to in-classroom instruction, citing a jump in coronavirus infection rates. [6] The South Asia sub-region surpassed 10 million cases on Thursday, led by India where officials have been concerned Diwali celebrations could derail a recent fall in infections.