General
Scientists develop mechanism to inactivate Covid by blocking entry to cells
Scientists have developed a design of a new class of synthetic peptides that can not only block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into cells but also clump the virions (virus particles) together, reducing their ability to infect.
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with researchers from the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, have made use of this approach to design peptides that can bind to and block the spike protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virus, said the Ministry of Science and Technology on Wednesday.
This binding was further characterised extensively by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and other biophysical methods. This novel approach provides an alternative mechanism to render viruses like SARS-CoV-2 inactive, promising a new class of peptides as antivirals.
The research was supported under the Covid-19 IRPHA call of SERB Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The designed peptides are helical, hairpin-shaped, each capable of pairing up with another of its kind, forming what is known as a dimer. Each dimeric ‘bundle’ presents two ‘faces’ to interact with two target molecules.
In the study published in Nature Chemical Biology, the researchers hypothesised that the two faces would bind to two separate target proteins locking all four in a complex and blocking the targets’ action. The team decided to test their hypothesis by using a peptide called SIH-5 to target the interaction between the Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 protein, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor in human cells.
The S protein is a trimer – a complex of three identical polypeptides. Each polypeptide contains a Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) that binds to the ACE2 receptor on the host cell surface. This interaction facilitates viral entry into the cell.
The SIH-5 peptide was designed to block the binding of the RBD to human ACE2. When a SIH-5 dimer encountered an S protein, one of its faces bound tightly to one of the three RBDs on the S protein trimer, and the other face bound to an RBD from a different S protein.
This ‘cross-linking’ allowed the SIH-5 to block both S proteins at the same time. Under cryo-EM, the S proteins targeted by SIH-5 appeared to be attached head-to-head, and the spike proteins were being forced to form dimers.
Subsequently, the researchers showed that SIH-5 inactivated the viruses efficiently by cross-linking the spike proteins from different virus particles.
The team consisting of B Khatri, I Pramanick, SK Malladi, RS Rajmani, P Ghosh, N Sengupta, R Varadarajan, S Dutta and J Chatterjee from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), R Rahisuddin, S Kumar, N Kumar, S Kumaran and RP Ringe from CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, tested the peptide for toxicity in mammalian cells in the lab and found it to be safe.
When hamsters were dosed with the peptide and subsequently exposed to a high dose of SARS-CoV-2, they showed decreased viral load as well as much less cell damage in the lungs compared to hamsters exposed only to the virus, demonstrating the promise of this class of peptides as antivirals.
The researchers believe that with minor modifications and peptide engineering, this lab-made miniprotein could inhibit other protein-protein interactions as well.
Maharashtra
Security tightened at police station on Eid Milad-un-Nabi, distribution of food and langar, police keeping an eye on social media

Mumbai: Police Station: In view of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), the police station has also issued an alert. After the poisonous conspiracy of Fayyaz in Muharram, Mumbai, now the police station will be under special surveillance on the distribution of Niyaz and Langar in the Muhammadi procession and the police will also register the organizations that distribute Langar and Niyaz. Along with strict security arrangements on the route of the procession, the police will also keep an eye on social media. If anyone tries to create a disturbance in the procession or spoils the atmosphere, strict action will be taken against him. This warning has been given by the police station police commissioner Ashutosh Dombre. He said that a meeting has also been held before the procession in the police station. Along with this, instructions have also been issued regarding the guiding principles and law enforcement in the meeting of the Mohalla Committees and Peace Committee. Police Commissioner Dombre has appealed to the lovers of the Prophet to avoid superstitions, triple seats, rush driving and violation of the law in the procession because in a state of compulsion, the police is forced to take action against them. Ashutosh Dambre has clarified that the necessary permits are provided for the Muhammadi procession and no undue conditions have been imposed. According to the law, the police allow everyone. It is wrong to accuse the police of any kind of bias or prejudice in this. A video went viral on social media regarding the procession flag in Bhiwandi, which the Police Commissioner has clarified because there was an objection to the length of the flag. Police Commissioner Dambre said that according to the law, every festival is allowed and there is no question of prejudice or additional conditions in this. Dombre said that special attention should be paid to children in the procession and they should not be allowed to sit on the tip of the truck because it poses a risk of accident. He said that surveillance has also been intensified on social media during Eid Milad-un-Nabi. If someone posts a controversial post on social media that threatens to worsen the situation and create hatred between the two sects, immediate action will be taken against such people. He added that the hate agenda on social media is intolerable, it affects communal harmony and those who create distance in society will not be spared. In areas like Thana, Mumbra, Bhiwandi, Kalyan Rao, Bodi, Dombivali, processions are taken out on Eid Milad-un-Nabi with great enthusiasm. It is also necessary to take special care that the youth do not lose consciousness in the procession. He said that misuse of social media leads to deterioration of the environment, therefore unverified content and content should not be shared because in such a situation, action can also be taken against those who advance their agenda and hateful content. Speaking to a contemporary Urdu daily and an Urdu website here, Ashutosh Dombre claimed special arrangements for Eid Milad-un-Nabi. He said that the police are ready in every way to monitor the procession and strict arrangements will be made on each of its routes. Commissioner Ashutosh Dombre has requested the lovers of the Prophet to maintain order and law because the Holy Prophet is the messenger of peace and has come as a mercy to the worlds. Therefore, we should participate in the procession by maintaining peace and order on the path and teachings of the Prophet. Dombre said that special attention will be paid to sectarians during the Muhammadi procession. Along with this, action will be taken against anyone found disturbing the environment and violating the law.
Maharashtra
Mumbai South Cyber Cell’s major operation, fraud gang in the name of CO boss exposed, two accused arrested from Jharkhand and Bihar

Mumbai: The Mumbai South Mumbai Cyber Cell has claimed to have exposed a group of fraudsters in the name of Boss who used to contact acquaintances and receive money in the name of Boss, who fooled them by keeping fake voice of Boss and even DP on their mobiles. According to details, South Mumbai South Cyber Police Station (Crime Branch, Mumbai) has claimed to have arrested the accused from Bihar and Jharkhand in a cyber boss fraud case. In connection with the “CEO Boss Fraud” case, a SIM card provider and a Point of Sale (POS) agent and his post-handler associate were arrested from Bihar and Jharkhand. Investigation revealed their involvement in seven such cases. 161 SIM cards, mobile phones and other items were seized. On February 26, 2026, an unknown person contacted a 43-year-old complainant through WhatsApp, posing as a director of the company and got his trust. The fraudster induced the complainant to transfer a total of Rs. 48,60,511. On February 26, 2026, sections 338(3) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Sanhta (BNS) Act. A case was registered under Sections 66(C) and 66(D).The police have successfully recovered the entire fraudulent amount of Rs.48,60,511. The SIM cards used to contact the complainant were illegally initiated by Aamir Chand Muhammad Khan, an Airtel POS agent based in Siwan, Bihar, by impersonating the company director and the documents and EKYC details of the residents of Bihar He activated hundreds of SIM cards by assigning new numbers to the names of users and another arrested accused, Suraj Pradeep Sao (alias Vishal) Suraj, transferred the transaction payment to Aamir’s Kairtel Payment Bank account through UPI. Based on the information provided and technical analysis, the accused Suraj Kumar Pradeep Kumar Sao who provided 8 SIM cards was arrested on 16 August 2026 from Kumardhobi (Talukacharganda), Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
These accused have committed a total of 7 such crimes. NCRP complaints reveal their involvement in two cases registered at South Division Cyber Police Station, Mumbai (Case Nos. 15/26 and 45/26) as well as one case each in Punjab, Gurugram (Haryana), New Delhi, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Items stolen from the arrested accused, 1) 161 Airtel SIM cards 2) Megaphone 3) A POCO mobile phone with ‘Airtel Meter’ app. is, which is used to activate SIM cards
Arrested accused 1) Aamir Chand Mohammad Khan, age 22, resident of Rukndipur, Siwan, Bihar – Airtel SIM distributor
2) Suraj Kumar Pardeep Kumar Sav alias Vishal, resident of Kumardhabi, Dhanbad, Jharkhand is under further investigation. Appeal to citizens
Mumbai Cyber Cell has appealed to citizens that if you receive a WhatsApp message from an unknown number displaying a picture of someone you know asking for money, always contact the person on their known, current number to verify the request. Contact 1930 immediately in case of cyber fraud. Do not allow others to use SIM cards or bank accounts registered in your name. Check how many SIM cards have been issued in your name through Sanchar Saathi portal. South Division Cyber Police Station (Crime Branch, Mumbai) has successfully arrested the SIM card supplier and handler in this case. This was informed here today by Cyber Cell DCP Bajrang Bansode. But don’t fall into the trap if someone asks for money transfer or help, confirm it with the original person.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde cleared of spending Rs 25 lakh on media gimmick

Mumbai: Municipal Corporation will spend Rs 25 lakh for the social media promotion of the mayor. Now there are many reactions from political circles and there are discussions in this regard in political circles. Although the Mumbai Municipal Corporation already has its own public relations department and a central social media system, it is seen that a separate proposal of Rs 25 lakh has been proposed for the social media promotion of the mayor’s daily work and programs. This proposal has been presented before the standing committee for approval and it is being told that public representatives of the opposition parties have expressed strong displeasure over this proposal of the local administration. In this context, Mayor Ritu Tawde has now given an explanation. Ritu Tawde said that Runtime Solutions Private Limited was appointed through a tender process proposed 2 years ago to technically handle the official social media of the municipality, mybmc. The proposal to extend the term of this organization, which only provides technical manpower, for 1 year from August 2026 to July 2027 has already been approved by the Standing Committee.
The technical manpower required for the Mayor’s Office’s social media is being provided by this previously appointed organization, and I or my office have not appointed a separate organization for this promotional work or proposed to incur any additional expenditure. This expenditure is part of the integrated technical system of the entire municipality, please do not distort this fact.
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