Indian Govt Knew Lockdown Would Delay, Not Control Pandemic

by NITIN SETHI & KUMAR SAMBHAV SHRIVASTAVA

New Delhi; Article14: About a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the world’s largest lockdown on 24 March 2020, India’s leading medical research body told the government that the shutdown would have limited impact on the spread of the Coronavirus, preventing only 20-25% of infections that might eventually be detected at the peak of the pandemic.

India: ‘No Action Has Been Taken’: Frustration In National Covid-19 Task Force

by NITIN SETHI & KUMAR SAMBHAV SHRIVASTAVA

New Delhi; Article14: The Indian government delayed action on warnings from its scientists to begin preparation for a coming Covid-19 pandemic, according to an Article14 review of records of presentations and an internal meeting.

Planet Earth breathes easy on Earth Day

by Govind Nair

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Today is the 50th anniversary of International Mother Earth Day, and it seems like Planet Earth, rather than man, has every reason to celebrate.

With COVID-19 keeping man indoors in almost every country of the world for the past month or so, there has been a drop in air, water, soil and noise pollution around the globe.

And, the Earth has been able to “breathe easy”.

But, for how long?

Prejudice, Right-Wing Views Linked to Lower Emotional Intelligence: Study

By AW Siddiqui

A 2019 research in Belgium revealed evidence that deficits in emotion understanding and emotion management are related to right-wing and prejudiced attitudes. It found that people with lower emotional intelligence have less empathy and are less able to assume the perspective of others.

Why U.S. leads world in diagnosed COVID-19 cases in short term

by Xinhua writer Tan Jingjing

WASHINGTON, March 26 (Xinhua) -- With over 85,800 diagnosed COVID-19 cases by Thursday night, the United States has registered the highest national total in the world, and has also witnessed a rapid surge in confirmed cases, with a daily increase of over 10,000 daily over the past four days.

While addressing a White House coronavirus task force briefing Thursday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump said the jump in cases is "a tribute to our testing."

"We're doing tremendous testing," he said.

USA: Are gun shops ‘essential’ businesses during a pandemic?

By LISA MARIE PANE and JIM VERTUNO

In some parts of the U.S., authorities say gun shops aren’t essential businesses and should close during stay-at-home orders meant to slow the coronavirus. In other places, officials are stopping background checks for concealed carry permits. Elsewhere, city leaders have invoked emergency powers allowing bans on gun sales.

Trump struggles to adjust to crisis presidency

By JONATHAN LEMIRE, JILL COLVIN and ZEKE MILLER

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has never been known for his patience or long attention span.

Now, as the coronavirus crisis threatens his presidency, and upends his campaign for reelection, Trump is rapidly losing patience with the medical professionals who have made the case day after day that the only way to prevent a catastrophic loss of life is to essentially shut down the country — to minimize transmission and “flatten the curve” so hospitals aren’t overwhelmed with critical patients.

Global confirmed COVID-19 cases top 300,000: Johns Hopkins University

by Chang Yuan

NEW YORK, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 cases worldwide topped 300,000 as of 6 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Saturday (2200 GMT), according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.

The fresh figure reached 303,816 cases with 12,950 deaths, the CSSE said.

The new mask: Wave of global revolt replaced by virus fear

By ZEINA KARAM

BEIRUT (AP) — As 2019 gave way to 2020 in a cloud of tear gas, and in some cases a hail of bullets, from Hong Kong to Baghdad, from Beirut to Barcelona and Santiago, it seemed civil disobedience and government crackdowns on protests would dominate the international landscape.

Then came the coronavirus.

The chances of an Israeli government being formed are unrealistic

by Hani Habeeb

12 Mar 2020; MEMO: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is planning to hold talks with the various parliamentary blocs in the 23rd Knesset next Sunday in order for them to nominate their candidates to form the next government. The competition is between the leaders of Blue and White, Benny Gantz, and Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud.

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