| 'They know how to keep people alive': Why China's coronavirus response is better than you think Posted: 13 Mar 2020 02:17 PM PDT  China has become a popular scapegoat for the coronavirus pandemic. But there are many lessons to be learned from how Beijing has responded to the disease, according to the top World Health Organization epidemiologist working on the coronavirus response there.
|
| Spain declares a state of emergency after the number of coronavirus cases surged across the country Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:40 AM PDT  Spain has become the second-worst-hit country in Europe after Italy, with more than 4,200 cases and 120 deaths.
|
| Pregnant teen falls from Texas border wall and dies as migrants take more risks to cross Posted: 13 Mar 2020 07:21 AM PDT  A 19-year-old pregnant Guatemalan who fell attempting to scale the border barrier near El Paso has died. Her fetus did not survive.
|
| US general: 'fairly certain' North Korea has COVID-19 cases Posted: 13 Mar 2020 05:58 AM PDT  The top American general in South Korea said Friday he is fairly certain North Korea has not been spared by the COVID-19 outbreak that began in neighboring China, although the North has not publicly confirmed a single case. Speaking by video-teleconference from his headquarters in South Korea, Army Gen. Robert Abrams told reporters at the Pentagon that the North had halted military training for a month — including a 24-day hiatus in military flying — but has since resumed. Earlier this week, North Korean state media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised his second live-fire artillery exercise in a week.
|
| Italy's coronavirus deaths surge as Lombardy seeks tougher curbs Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:33 AM PDT  The death toll from coronavirus in Italy has jumped by 250 in the last 24 hours, the biggest daily increase ever recorded by any country, as the worst-affected Lombardy region asked for a complete shutdown of factories and offices. The government this week imposed drastic curbs nationwide, shutting bars, restaurants and most shops, and banning non-essential travel in an effort to halt the worst outbreak of the disease outside China. The measures so far show no sign of slowing the number of deaths, which rose by 25% in a day to 1,266, the head of the Civil Protection Agency said on Friday.
|
| Poland to shut its borders to foreign travellers: PM Posted: 13 Mar 2020 02:56 PM PDT  Poland on Friday said it was shutting its borders to foreign travellers to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected at least 68 people. It would also impose two weeks of quarantine on people returning from abroad, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters. "Most of the cases that have been propagating the coronavirus epidemic in Poland are imported cases," he said.
|
| Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About Pi Posted: 14 Mar 2020 08:00 AM PDT |
| Burial pits from Iran's coronavirus outbreak have grown so large you can see them from space Posted: 13 Mar 2020 10:54 AM PDT  Along with China and Italy, Iran has been hit especially hard by coronavirus. Burial pits have grown so fast in Qom, Iran, they're visible from space,
|
| Coronavirus: Quebec leader asks seniors to stay in, 'snowbirds' to fly back to Canada Posted: 14 Mar 2020 01:03 PM PDT  Quebec's premier told seniors Saturday to stay home to avoid contracting the new coronavirus, and urged "snowbirds" -- retired Canadians who spend winters in sunny US states -- to fly back to Canada now. "If I were them, I'd come home as soon as possible," Legault also said about more than 300,000 Canadian "snowbirds" who live up to six months each year in the United States. As of 1300 GMT Saturday, said Health Canada, 193 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed in Canada, including one death.
|
| President Trump says he'll 'most likely' get tested for coronavirus Posted: 13 Mar 2020 02:32 PM PDT  President Trump said Friday afternoon that he would "most likely" be tested "fairly soon" for the coronavirus, reversing course from his administration's dismissal of the need to do so earlier in the week.
|
| Carnival Cruise Line is banning certain customers and issuing mandatory pre-boarding temperature checks after Princess' ships were hit by a massive coronavirus outbreak Posted: 13 Mar 2020 10:51 AM PDT  Guests who visited certain countries at least 20 days before their departure date will either be not permitted on the ship or be subject to screening.
|
| Why a media mogul was arrested in Pakistan Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:46 AM PDT  The detention of Jang group's editor-in-chief by an anti-corruption agency prompts deep concern.
|
| 'We’re basing this on science': Ohio emerges as leader in U.S. coronavirus response Posted: 14 Mar 2020 07:57 AM PDT  Ohio's quick response to its first confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus was months in the making.
|
| Trump disbanded pandemic unit that experts had praised Posted: 14 Mar 2020 07:24 AM PDT  Public health and national security experts disagreed when President Trump said the coronavirus "came out of nowhere" and "blindsided the world."
|
| U.S. sanctions 'severely hamper' Iran coronavirus fight, Rouhani says Posted: 14 Mar 2020 04:08 AM PDT  President Hassan Rouhani said Iran's fight against the coronavirus was being "severely hampered" by U.S. sanctions, as state television reported that the death toll from the illness rose on Saturday to 611, up nearly 100 from a day earlier. State media said Rouhani wrote to a number of world leaders, without naming them. "In (a) letter to counterparts @HassanRouhani informs how efforts to fight #COVID19 pandemic in Iran have been severely hampered by US sanctions, urging them to cease observing them," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter.
|
| Is coronavirus 'just a cold' or a reason to self-quarantine? Trump supporters seem split. Posted: 13 Mar 2020 12:08 PM PDT  The worsening coronavirus outbreak has prompted some of Trump's allies and aides to self-quarantine — while other supporters continue to publicly minimize the risk.
|
| The first COVID-19 case originated on November 17, according to Chinese officials searching for 'patient zero' Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:19 AM PDT  It wasn't until late December that Chinese officials realized they had a new kind of virus on their hands.
|
| Philippine capital to impose night-time curfew over virus Posted: 14 Mar 2020 06:39 AM PDT  Manila will impose a night-time curfew in the city of 12 million, officials said Saturday, as the Philippines steps up efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. The measure takes effect Sunday along with President Rodrigo Duterte's order to seal off the capital from the rest of the country which has recorded 111 virus cases, including eight deaths. Mayors of Manila's 17 local government areas are also pushing for shopping malls -- a popular source of entertainment in the country -- to be temporarily shuttered.
|
| Ruling protecting Cambodian refugees might benefit others, lawyers say Posted: 13 Mar 2020 03:21 PM PDT  A federal court ruling could have broader implications for other groups facing final orders of removal, one expert says.
|
| New Zealand PM makes 'no apologies' after announcing 'toughest border restrictions' in the world amid coronavirus fears Posted: 14 Mar 2020 05:22 AM PDT  Countries around the world continued Saturday to enact strict measures such as border closures and flight cancellations to combat the spread of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus.That includes New Zealand, whose Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Saturday the government will implement a policy under which all travelers, even New Zealanders, must self-isolate upon their arrival in the country for 14 days starting Sunday at midnight.Ardern said New Zealand, along with Israel and several Pacific Island nations, "will have the widest ranging and toughest border restrictions of any country in the world," adding that she's not making any apologies in this "unprecedented time." All cruise ships will be banned from coming to New Zealand until June 30, as well. There are only six confirmed cases and no deaths attributed to COVID-19 in New Zealand so far.Ardern has proven herself to be a swift actor in the past. Almost exactly one year ago, a white nationalist gunman killed more than 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, prompting Ardern to usher in a ban on semiautomatic rifles and institute mandatory buybacks in less than a week. It's no surprise she's not taking her time this time, either. Read more at Reuters and New Zealand Herald.More stories from theweek.com Trump just gave the worst speech of his presidency Mitch McConnell is aiding and abetting the spread of coronavirus White House will extend Europe travel ban to Ireland, UK, considering domestic restrictions
|
| In California: Closed, canceled and possible state takeovers in a time of coronavirus Posted: 12 Mar 2020 06:15 PM PDT  Disneyland, March Madness, NHL, NBA: canceled. And Gov. Gavin Newsom follows up a public health directive that events over 250 people should be canceled or postponed with an executive order that allows the state to take over private assets for coronavirus treatment. But the Razzies must go on.
|
| Utah bill forcing women to see baby on ultrasound before having abortion passes, despite walkout protest by female senators Posted: 13 Mar 2020 09:24 AM PDT  The entire female body of the Utah Senate staged a walkout in protest of an abortion bill mandating women to be shown the fetus on an ultrasound before being allowed to have the procedure.
|
| Trump, reversing position, says he got tested for coronavirus after all Posted: 14 Mar 2020 06:48 AM PDT  President Trump had more contact than previously known with people who have tested positive for coronavirus, but the White House said he won't be tested.
|
| Multiple experts say up to 70% of Americans could be infected with the coronavirus and 1 million could die if no treatment is found — so people over 60 should 'stay home unless it's critical' Posted: 13 Mar 2020 01:18 PM PDT  In a panel, experts at UC San Francisco urged everyone over age 60 to stay home and not fly. They predict up to 70% of Americans will get infected.
|
| How the U.S. Can Stop the Surge of Deadly Rocket Attacks in Iraq Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:47 AM PDT  Americans in Iraq are being killed by Islamic State terrorists and government-backed Shiite militias. Is there a better response than more missile strikes?
|
| Accused baby killer says police illegally lifted her DNA from her trash Posted: 14 Mar 2020 02:34 AM PDT  Theresa Bentaas is fighting a murder charge by saying police should not have taken DNA from her garbage without a warrant.
|
| Las Vegas is still loaded with tourists. Who's partying through the coronavirus pandemic? Posted: 14 Mar 2020 10:57 AM PDT  Fear and loathing in Las Vegas? Not among the tourists partying through the coronavirus pandemic.
|
| U.K. Delays London Mayoral Election in May Due to Coronavirus Posted: 13 Mar 2020 09:17 AM PDT  (Bloomberg) -- Boris Johnson delayed U.K. local elections scheduled for May 7, including the London mayoral vote, due to the growing coronavirus crisis.While the prime minister has so far taken a softer approach to tackling the virus than other European leaders, the decision to postpone the polls is the latest evidence of how national life is being disrupted. The votes were due to take place at about the time the government expects the outbreak to peak.Earlier on Friday, England's Premier League canceled all soccer matches until April 4, while several members of Parliament are self-isolating, either with symptoms or due to exposure to someone diagnosed with the disease. Queen Elizabeth II also postponed two upcoming visits "as a sensible precaution," her office said.Johnson's decision -- confirmed by his office -- came after the main opposition Labour Party threw its support behind the Electoral Commission's call for all council, mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections to be delayed until the fall.To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Morales in London at amorales2@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Tim Ross at tross54@bloomberg.net, Stuart Biggs, Thomas PennyFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
|
| AP FACT CHECK: Trump misrepresents Obama's actions on H1N1 Posted: 13 Mar 2020 01:05 PM PDT  The next day, he pronounced the testing system inadequate, and assailed the public-health bureaucracy, Barack Obama and Joe Biden for not fixing it before he became president. Trump has been saying inaccurately for days that the public health system was up and ready to give access to diagnostic tests for COVID-19 for everyone who needed them. In tweets Friday, he switched to blaming the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Obama administration, and seemed to hold them responsible for needless deaths in another pandemic.
|
| A California man who got the coronavirus aboard the Diamond Princess describes what his life has been like in quarantine for more than a month Posted: 13 Mar 2020 02:33 PM PDT  Carl Goldman is one of the 700 people who contracted the coronavirus aboard the Diamond Princess. He told Insider what his life has been like.
|
| Canada faces 'danger' from China and Russia, intelligence chief warns Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:25 AM PDT  The warnings of foreign interference come as a similar report from the UK remains unpublished.
|
| Three U.S. troops wounded in renewed rocket attacks on Iraq's Taji base Posted: 14 Mar 2020 01:49 AM PDT  BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three American troops and several Iraqi forces were wounded on Saturday in the second major rocket attack in the past week on an Iraqi base north of Baghdad, U.S. and Iraqi officials said, raising the stakes in an escalating cycle of attacks and reprisals. Iraq's Joint Operations Command said 33 Katyusha rockets were launched near a section of the Taji base which houses U.S.-led coalition troops. It said the military found seven rocket launchers and 24 unused rockets in the nearby Abu Izam area.
|
| Wisconsin man who plowed truck into Girl Scout troop, killing 4, gets 54 years in prison Posted: 13 Mar 2020 10:48 AM PDT  "You know it's been called a tragedy — that doesn't seem to be enough," said the judge who handed down 23-year-old Colten Treu's sentence.
|
| A Fox News host tried 4 times to ask a Trump official if there were enough ventilators and ICU units for coronavirus patients, but couldn't get a straight answer Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:14 AM PDT  Fox News' Martha McCallum grew impatient with a top health official who dodged her questions on coronavirus patients and praised Trump instead.
|
| UK departs from Europe in virus response, draws criticism Posted: 13 Mar 2020 10:05 AM PDT  The United Kingdom stood increasingly apart Friday as countries across Europe and around the world shut schools and universities, scrapped sports tournaments and shuttered bars and restaurants in response to the new coronavirus. The British government has not restricted the everyday activities of U.K. residents by banning large public gatherings or suspending transit networks. More than 60,000 horse-racing fans packed a course in England on Friday for the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, one of the few sporting events in Europe still taking place.
|
| Iran imposes lockdown to check all citizens for virus Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:50 AM PDT  Iran said Friday the security forces will clear the streets nationwide within 24 hours so all citizens can be checked for coronavirus -- its toughest measure yet to combat the outbreak. The COVID-19 epidemic in Iran -- a nation of more than 80 million people -- has now claimed over 500 lives and infected more than 11,000. Since it announced the first deaths last month, Iran has shut schools, postponed events and discouraged travel ahead of Nowrouz, the country's New Year holidays.
|
| Guatemala bans arrivals from U.S., Canada to fight coronavirus Posted: 13 Mar 2020 05:43 PM PDT  Guatemala will from Monday widen travel restrictions to fight the spread of coronavirus, banning arrivals from the United States and Canada, President Alejandro Giammattei said on Friday. "We are therefore announcing that everyone who arrives from Canada and the United States between now and midnight on Monday will be subject to quarantining," Giammattei said in a televised address. The president said he had also asked the Mexican government to halt deportations of migrants by land to Guatemala.
|
