World news and comment from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk

0 komentar

World news and comment from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk


Coronavirus live news: China denies cover-up as Wuhan death toll revised up by 50%

Posted: 17 Apr 2020 01:50 AM PDT

Brazil's president fires health minister; IMF predicts zero economic growth in Latin America and Caribbean; UK extends lockdown by three weeks

On the stock markets, European shares have been clawing back weekly declines as financial markets globally drew comfort from US President Donald Trump's plans for a gradual re-opening of the US economy and reports of a potential drug to treat COVID-19.

Lifting the mood was a report detailing encouraging partial data from trials of U.S. drugmaker Gilead Sciences Inc's experimental drug remdesivir in severe COVID-19 patients.

Related: Stocks jump despite record slump for Chinese GDP - business live

Ireland has contained and effectively suppressed coronavirus in the population at large, a tribute to early and successful action by authorities and the public.

The bad news is the pandemic continues to wreak havoc in care homes which account for more than 300 of the 486 recorded deaths. "The data clearly shows that there are two very different experiences of Covid-19 in Ireland today," the chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, told a media briefing.

Continue reading...

China economy shrinks for first time as Wuhan Covid-19 death toll is increased by 1,300

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:51 PM PDT

Worst GDP fall on record comes after months of paralysis as the country went into lockdown to contain coronavirus

China's economy shrank 6.8% in the three months of 2020, the country's first such contraction on record and a stark sign of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The news came as Chinese authorities revised the death toll in Wuhan, the hardest hit city and where the virus first emerged, up by 50%, to 3,869 from 2,579.

Continue reading...

World's biggest trials of drug to treat Covid-19 get under way in UK

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 11:58 PM PDT

Scientists involved in Recovery trial, with over 5,000 test subjects, hope for answers within weeks

The world's biggest trial of drugs to treat Covid-19 patients has been set up in the UK at unprecedented speed, and hopes to have some answers within weeks.

The Recovery trial has recruited over 5,000 patients in 165 NHS hospitals around the UK in a month, ahead of similar trials in the US and Europe, which have a few hundred.

Continue reading...

Donald Trump defers to governors in guidelines for reopening US amid pandemic

Posted: 17 Apr 2020 12:23 AM PDT

Plan establishes three phases for return to normal operations as top officials call for caution

Donald Trump and his coronavirus taskforce have unveiled a set of federal guidelines for reopening the economy, which comprise three phases but ultimately defer to governors on when and how to return their states to normal.

The first phase allows for gradually returning to work while also minimizing non-essential travel. The second phase allows for gatherings of 50 people and non-essential travel. The third allows for schools and organized youth activities to open up as well as large venues to operate under "physical distancing protocols". The third phase also allows bars to reopen but with "diminished standing room occupancy" when possible.

Continue reading...

Outspoken Saudi princess reveals that she is in prison

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:00 PM PDT

Princess Basmah, a human rights advocate, demands that her uncle the king frees her

A senior Saudi royal and granddaughter of the country's founding monarch has revealed she is being held in prison and demanded that the current ruler and her cousin, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, release her and provide medical care.

Princess Basmah bint Saud bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, an outspoken human rights advocate, claims she is being detained without charge in Riyadh with one of her daughters. She says neither have received explanations for their arrests, despite repeated pleas to the kingdom's royal court, and to her uncle King Salman.

Continue reading...

Roger Stone, longtime Trump adviser, denied bid for new trial

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 04:35 PM PDT

Federal judge says there is 'zero evidence' that Stone's guilty verdict was tainted by anti-Trump bias

A federal judge on Thursday denied a bid for a new trial by Donald Trump's longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone after the veteran Republican operative accused the jury forewoman of being tainted by anti-Trump political bias.

Amy Berman Jackson, a US district court judge, rejected Stone's claim that the forewoman was biased against Trump and therefore could not be impartial in deciding Stone's guilt or innocence during the trial.

Continue reading...

Namibia's youngest MP enters the crucible as Africa's youth lead the way

Posted: 17 Apr 2020 12:00 AM PDT

Her ascent to a cabinet position at the age of 23 took her by surprise. Yet across southern Africa, young leaders like Emma Theofelus are on the rise

One of Africa's youngest cabinet members to date is experiencing a baptism of fire.

Emma Theofelus, 23, was appointed Namibia's information, communication and technology deputy minister a week after coronavirus hit Namibian shores. "I have literally been learning on the job so far," she says.

Continue reading...

Scientists trial cloud brightening equipment to shade and cool Great Barrier Reef

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 10:30 AM PDT

Exclusive: experiment uses a modified turbine to spray trillions of nano-sized salt crystals into the air from a barge

Scientists have carried out a trial of prototype cloud brightening equipment on the Great Barrier Reef they hope could be scaled up to shade and cool corals and protect them from bleaching caused by rising global temperatures.

The experiment used a modified turbine with 100 high-pressure nozzles to spray trillions of nano-sized ocean salt crystals into the air from the back of a barge.

Continue reading...

Christophe, celebrated French pop balladeer, dies aged 74

Posted: 17 Apr 2020 01:19 AM PDT

Tributes paid to chanson singer by Jean-Michael Jarre and Christine and the Queens after death from emphysema

Christophe, the French singer who was one of the most celebrated performers of the country's chanson style of pop ballad, has died aged 74.

According to his wife, who was speaking to Agence France-Presse, he died of emphysema. Last month the French newspaper Le Parisien reported that he had been hospitalised with coronavirus, but that was not confirmed by his family or management. His family made no mention of coronavirus being involved in the cause of death.

Continue reading...

Scheme for EU citizens to stay in UK draws 3.4m applications

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 05:34 AM PDT

Government close to target figure, but researchers still fear citizens may be missed out

The Home Office has received 3.4m applications from people seeking to stay in the UK after Brexit under the EU settled status scheme.

It puts the government close to its overall goal for the scheme, with estimates of the number of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens eligible to remain in the country lying between 3.4 million and 3.8 million.

Continue reading...

Ivanka Trump defies social distancing to celebrate Passover at golf club

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:43 AM PDT

Defying social-distancing guidelines to fight the coronavirus pandemic issued by her own father's administration, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner traveled with their children to New Jersey earlier this month to celebrate Passover.

Related: With #TogetherApart, Ivanka Trump capitalises on the coronavirus moment

Continue reading...

Polish parliament delays decision on new abortion restrictions

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:15 AM PDT

Proposal would ban terminations even on grounds of serious foetal abnormalities

Poland's parliament has deferred a final decision on a bill that seeks to tighten the country's already strict abortion legislation.

The bill would outlaw abortion on the grounds of serious foetal abnormalities, one of a small number of exceptions to a near-total ban on abortion currently in place in the country. It has been sent back to a parliamentary committee for further work.

Continue reading...

Oxford professor arrested on suspicion of ancient papyrus theft

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:57 AM PDT

Dirk Obbink called claim about bible fragments a 'malicious attempt' to harm his career

An international mystery concerning the alleged theft of priceless ancient papyrus biblical fragments from a collection held at Oxford University has led to the arrest of a classics professor on suspicion of theft and fraud.

Dr Dirk Obbink, an associate professor in papyrology and Greek literature at the university, was detained by officers from Thames Valley police.

Continue reading...

'I’m just like Anne Frank, like Indiana Jones': Bob Dylan continues return to new songs

Posted: 17 Apr 2020 12:42 AM PDT

Nobel prize-winning songwriter follows 17-minute Murder Most Foul with I Contain Multitudes, referencing everything from Edgar Allan Poe to William Blake and the Rolling Stones

Bob Dylan has continued to release his first original music in eight years, with a song in which he seemingly compares himself to Anne Frank, Indiana Jones, the Rolling Stones and William Blake.

At four and a half minutes, I Contain Multitudes is less lengthy than the song he returned with, Murder Most Foul, a 17-minute long track about the JFK assassination. Like that song, though, I Contain Multitudes is drifting and percussion-free, backed by acoustic, electric and pedal steel guitars.

Continue reading...

World Press Photo Contest 2020 – the winning pictures

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 10:00 PM PDT

The World Press Photo Foundation has announced the results of the 63rd annual Photo Contest. We take a look at a selection of this year's celebrated images

Continue reading...

Sadiq Khan: make face masks compulsory on London transport

Posted: 17 Apr 2020 01:40 AM PDT

Mayor says city should follow New York in requiring masks where distance is not possible

Sadiq Khan has called on the government to make wearing face masks while travelling in London compulsory during the coronavirus outbreak.

The mayor of London said "the evidence around the world is that this effective" despite UK public health experts not currently recommending the use of the coverings.

Continue reading...

Trump defers to state governors in guidelines for lifting coronavirus lockdowns – video

Posted: 17 Apr 2020 01:10 AM PDT

Donald Trump and his coronavirus taskforce have unveiled a set of federal guidelines for reopening the economy, which comprise three phases but ultimately defer to governors on when and how to return their states to normal.

'A prolonged lockdown combined with a forced economic depression would inflict an immense and wide-ranging toll on public health,' he said. In Trump's plan, the responsibility for opening businesses across the country lies with state, not federal, authorities. The announcement was in stark contrast to an earlier press conference where Trump said he had 'total authority' over the re-opening of the country

Continue reading...

Coronavirus Australia latest: at a glance

Posted: 17 Apr 2020 01:23 AM PDT

A summary of the major developments in the coronavirus outbreak across Australia

Good evening, and welcome to our daily roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in Australia. This is Naaman Zhou bringing you the main stories on Friday 17 April.

Continue reading...

Refugees among hundreds of overseas medics to respond to NHS call

Posted: 17 Apr 2020 01:00 AM PDT

Scheme to accelerate accreditation of medical professionals is welcomed but calls to 'permit doctors to work as doctors' persist

  • Coronavirus – latest updates
  • See all our coronavirus coverage
  • Hundreds of foreign-born doctors, including refugees, have signed up to become medical support workers as part of a new scheme aimed at helping the NHS tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

    NHS England launched the initiative for international medical graduates and doctors after calls to fast track the accreditation of overseas medics.

    Continue reading...

    Countries urged to step up spending as national goals go unmet

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 11:00 PM PDT

    Campaigners call for action as majority of big countries fall short of 0.7% aid target

    The world's major powers have failed to make progress towards meeting their commitments on aid spending, according to new data, prompting calls for countries to step up in the face of the Covid-19 outbreak.

    The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) update on spending in 2019, published on Thursday, showed aid contributions by its forum of the largest donors were less than half the targeted 0.7% of their gross national income.

    Continue reading...

    'Race against time' to prevent famines during coronavirus crisis

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 03:51 AM PDT

    UN calls for international solidarity to ease effects of Covid-19 on food security

    Vulnerable parts of the developing world, particularly in Africa, are at risk of sliding into famine as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, while humanitarian relief efforts are being hindered by lockdowns and travel restrictions, according to the UN.

    Experts raised the spectre of unrest similar to that seen in 2007-08 when food price rises sparked riots around the world, destabilising fragile states and fuelling conflict in ways that are still being felt. They told the Guardian that the world could still avoid such a crisis, but time was running out.

    Continue reading...

    Australia's landlords and tenants: what support is available in the coronavirus crisis?

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 05:00 PM PDT

    With a six-month eviction moratorium agreed nationally, we look at what else is on offer from states and territories

    Although the national cabinet has agreed to a six-month moratorium on evictions, it has abandoned attempts to achieve a nationally consistent approach to financial support for residential landlords and tenants through the Covid-19 crisis.

    Since Scott Morrison announced residential tenancies would be a matter for the states and territories on 7 April, many have offered land tax cuts in a bid to incentivise rent reductions.

    Continue reading...

    Q&A – Why don't we know how many BAME people are dying?

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 12:12 PM PDT

    Data on ethnicity is not recorded on death certificates in England and Wales

    Black, Asian and ethnic minorities appear to be disproportionately affected by Covid-19 in the UK. The government is launching an inquiry into why this is the case. However, we don't currently have enough public data to be able to understand how minorities are being impacted by the virus.

    Continue reading...

    What the UK's coronavirus death toll is not telling us – video explainer

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 11:47 AM PDT

    Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities appear to be disproportionately affected by Covid-19 in the UK. However, we don't currently have enough public data to be able to understand how many of those who have died as a result of the virus come from minority ethnic backgrounds.

    The Guardian's data editor, Caelainn Barr, takes a look at this this issue, as well as the other key information that is missing from the government's daily death toll 

    Continue reading...

    Are western Europe's food supplies worth more than east European workers' health? | Costi Rogozanu and Daniela Gabor

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 04:48 AM PDT

    The coronavirus threat facing fruit and vegetable pickers flown in from quarantined Romania underlines Europe's inequalities

    White asparagus is late April's delicacy across much of north-west Europe. In Germany the pale spears of the Spargel are cherished as "white gold", their arrival each year marked by festivals and celebrations. But Germany alone needs 300,000 seasonal workers to harvest its crops. Over the past 10 years most of these workers have come from Romanian villages where seasonal migration is one of the few sources of income.

    Related: Romanian fruit pickers flown to UK amid crisis in farming sector

    Continue reading...

    The Ocean Atlantic voyage from Antartica to a world changed by coronavirus – in pictures

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 03:00 PM PDT

    Photographer Sam Edmonds was the team leader on the cruise ship that found itself stranded in South America in late March after travelling to the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. He documented the journey from idyllic island to isolation in a Sydney hotel room

    Continue reading...

    Coronavirus: people across the UK play music and clap for carers – video

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 02:43 PM PDT

    At 8pm on Thursday, people across the UK stood at their front doors and open windows, in gardens and on balconies, to raise a thunder of gratitude for those working on the frontline against coronavirus for the fourth consecutive week.

    Some people played instruments and sang to show their appreciation

    Continue reading...

    Coronavirus: EU offers Italy 'heartfelt apology' over response – video

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 11:13 AM PDT

    Ursula von der Leyen has offered 'a heartfelt apology' to Italy on behalf of the EU for the delays and lack of responses from other member states at the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the union.

    As the World Health Organization warned that the continent remained firmly 'in the eye of the storm', the president of the European commission said that 'too many were not there on time when Italy needed a helping hand at the very beginning'

    Continue reading...

    New York 'pause' to continue until 16 May – video

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 10:47 AM PDT

    The governor, Andrew Cuomo, has announced New York will maintain lockdown measures for at least 30 more days until 16 May to stop the spread of coronavirus.

    Cuomo said the shutdown had worked in flattening the curve of infection 

    Continue reading...

    Merkel sets out clear explanation of how coronavirus transmission works – video

    Posted: 16 Apr 2020 06:35 AM PDT

    The German chancellor, Angela Merkel. has been praised for her explanation of how the coronavirus spreads and why deciding when to lift a lockdown is such a complex issue. 

    Merkel, who has a doctorate in quantum chemistry, said that physical distancing measures had brought a 'fragile intermediate success' and helped 'flatten the curve', but added that these rules would remain in place until at least 3 May but some shops could reopen next week

    Continue reading...


    Posting Komentar