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Coronavirus: Russia Postpones Vote on Vladimir Putin Staying in Power

Diane A. Wade
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Coronavirus: Russia Postpones Vote on Vladimir Putin Staying in Power
Image source Wikimedia

Russia has postponed a vote on constitutional change that would allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power, because of coronavirus concerns.

President Putin said the public vote – previously due to be held on April 22 – would be delayed until a “later date”.

The proposed changes include scrapping a ban on allowing Vladimir Putin to run for office again.

The changes have already been approved by parliament and Russia’s constitutional court.

They would give Vladimir Putin – who is serving his fourth presidential term and has dominated Russian politics for two decades – the right to serve two more consecutive terms.

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Later on March 25, Russia confirmed the deaths of two people who had been diagnosed with the new coronavirus. According to Ria Novosti, the 88- and 73-year-olds had pre-existing conditions. Russia has a total of 658 cases.

President Putin said: “The absolute priority for us is the health, life and safety of people. Therefore I believe that the vote should be postponed until a later date.”

He also announced that Russians would not work next week “to slow the speed” of the infection.

However, the Russian leader warned that it was impossible to prevent any spread of the virus at all in Russia because of the country’s size.

The Russian economy was also under serious pressure because of the virus, he said.

During their week off, employees would continue to be paid and key services would continue, Vladimir Putin said.

The president also announced extended welfare support, including for families with children and those who had lost jobs.

Russia has already taken measures such as 14-day quarantine for people arriving from abroad, school closures and warning for elderly people in Moscow to self-isolate.

It has also stopped cultural and sporting events and closed gyms, theaters and nightclubs, although cafes and restaurants have been allowed to stay open.

Russia has so far stopped short of imposing the kind of lockdown seen in some European countries.

There have been more than 435,000 confirmed cases worldwide. Europe is now the center of the global outbreak.

Coronavirus: Prince Charles Tests Positive for Virus

Nancy Clayson
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0
Coronavirus: Prince Charles Tests Positive for Virus

Prince Charles has tested positive for coronavirus, Clarence House has announced.

The 71-year-old is displaying mild symptoms “but otherwise remains in good health”, a spokesman said, adding that the 72-year-old Duchess of Cornwall has been tested but does not have the virus.

Prince Charles and his wife are now self-isolating at Balmoral.

According to Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II last saw her son, the heir to the throne, on March 12, but was “in good health”.

The palace added that Prince Philip was not present at that meeting, and that the Queen was now “following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare”.

A Clarence House statement read: “In accordance with government and medical advice, the prince and the duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland.

“The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire, where they met the criteria required for testing.

“It is not possible to ascertain from whom the prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks.”

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Prince Charles’s last public engagement was on March 12 – the same day he last saw the Queen – when he attended a dinner in aid of the Australian bushfire relief and recovery effort.

However, the prince has also been working from home over the last few days, and has held a number of private meetings with Highgrove and Duchy of Cornwall individuals, all of whom have been made aware.

A number of household staff at Birkhall – Prince Charles’s residence on the Balmoral estate – are now self-isolating at their own homes.

A palace source said Prince Charles has spoken to both the Queen and his sons – Prince William and Prince Harry – and is in good spirits.

Coronavirus: US Senate and White House Agree on $1.8TN Stimulus Package

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Coronavirus: US Senate and White House Agree on $1.8TN Stimulus Package

Senate leaders and the White House have agreed on a stimulus package worth more than $1.8 trillion to ease the impact of coronavirus.

The stimulus reportedly includes payments of $1,200 to most American adults and aid to help small businesses pay workers.

Full details of the deal, which Congress is expected to pass, are not known.

Financial markets around the world rose on news of the deal.

President Donald Trump has said he hopes the US will shake off coronavirus within less than three weeks.

However, the top US infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, warned that “you have to be very flexible” about a timeframe for ending the crisis.

Meanwhile, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned the illness was spreading faster than “a bullet train” in his state, which is at the centre of the pandemic in the US.

After 802 deaths and 55,225 confirmed infections, the US is more than midway through a 15-day attempt to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing.

Around 19,000 people have died with coronavirus across the planet since it emerged in China’s Wuhan province in January, and more than 425,000 infections have been confirmed.

Southern Europe is now at the centre of the pandemic, with Italy and Spain recording hundreds of new deaths every day.

Governments around the world have responded by locking down societies in the hope of slowing the spread of the virus.

The stimulus agreement announced by Democratic and Republican senator leaders at 01:30EDT on March 25 includes tax rebates, loans, money for hospitals and rescue packages.

According to media, individuals who earn $75,000 or less would get direct payments of $1,200 each, with married couples earning up to $150,000 receiving $2,400 and an additional $500 per each child.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell described the package as a “wartime level of investment” in the US nation.

If passed, it would be the largest government economic stimulus in US history.

The agreement must still be voted through the House of Representatives and the Senate before President Trump signs it off but it enjoys cross-party support.

One factor that may delay its passage is the question of how voting will be conducted, given that some members of Congress are off with coronavirus or are self-isolating having come into contact with infected people.

New York Governor Cuomo dismissed the plan as “terrible for the state” and called the proposed $3.8 billion “a drop in the bucket, as to need”.

He said New York was facing a $15 billion revenue shortfall, and estimated that $1 billion has already been spent on the coronavirus response.

The details of the stimulus bill have not yet gone to the House, making some lawmakers wary of signaling their early approval.

If any member objects to unanimous consent, lawmakers will be asked to return to Washington and vote over the course of an entire day, in order to limit how many people are present on the House floor at one time.

President Trump said he hoped America could get back to normal by Easter, which falls on April 12 this year.

He told Fox News: “We’re going to be opening relatively soon…

“I would love to have the country opened up and just rearing to go by Easter.”

However, the president later sounded more cautious, saying: “We’ll only do it if it’s good.”

President Trump added that re-opening could be limited to “sections” of the country such as “the farm belt”.

Coronavirus: Spain’s Deaths Surpass China’s Official Figures

Diane A. Wade
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Coronavirus: Spain’s Deaths Surpass China’s Official Figures
Image source: Wikipedia

Spain’s deaths number from the coronavirus has surpassed the official figure from China, becoming the second highest in the world.

The death toll has risen by 738 in just 24 hours to a total of 3,434 – a record spike for Spain.

In comparison, China has officially reported 3,285 deaths, while Italy – the worst affected country – has 6,820.

Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez will later ask lawmakers to extend his country’s state of emergency for another two weeks.

Lawmakers are expected to agree to the prime minister’s request for lockdown measures to stay in place until April 11. Under the rules, people are banned from leaving home except for buying essential supplies and medicines, or for work.

According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, globally there are nearly 440,000 cases of the virus, with deaths approaching 20,000 and more than 100,000 people having recovered.

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On March 25, the UN said the virus was “threatening the whole of humanity” as it launched a $2 billion appeal for the world’s poorest people.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Global action and solidarity are crucial. Individual country responses are not going to be enough.”

On March 25, figures released by the health ministry show that in just 24 hours, Spain’s national death toll rose by 738. The country’s number of cases soared by 7,973.

These are the highest figures for Spain in a single day. Spain now has 47,610 confirmed cases. Catalonia accounts for close to 10,000 of those, while the Basque Country and Andalusia both have more than 3,000 cases. However, the worst affected region is the area around the capital Madrid, which has recorded 14,597 cases.

How to Survive a Recession While Freelancing

Nancy Clayson
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How to Survive a Recession While Freelancing
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

No one knows exactly when the next recession will hit. It could be five years from now, five months from now, or it could take shape as a result of the recent coronavirus scare. One thing’s for sure, though. A financial downturn will happen eventually and another recession is on the way. Unlike previous recessions, though, many current professionals operate as freelancers. Working as a freelancer provides a number of advantages, but it can also be quite challenging in some ways as well. Here, we’ll explain everything that freelancers need to know to manage their finances during a recession:

Start Saving Now

It’s never too early –– or too late –– to start saving up for the future. While “traditional” nine-to-five employees may benefit from employer-supported 401ks and health insurance, freelancers have no such safety net. That’s why it’s crucial to build up a substantial savings fund now. Living paycheck-to-paycheck might work out if you can rely on a steady stream of income. But if a recession affects your ability to generate personal revenue, then it’s imperative to have enough capital saved up to cover essential expenses.

Lean on Relationships

The best freelancers don’t wait around to find work. During a recession, it’s unlikely that many companies will actively search for extra support. And jobs that do get posted on sites like Upwork will probably go quickly. As such, it’s a smart play for freelancers to develop positive working relationships with business leaders in their field. This will allow them to check in and get the inside track on projects or assignments during lean periods. In business, who you know matters almost as much as what you know.  

Expand Your Skill Set

Working in a niche field can be a solid way to start your career as a freelancer. However, if you want to improve your viability, you’ll have to expand your skill set so that you can take on new jobs as they hit the market. This could include almost anything –– from learning about the RFP process to enhancing your writing abilities. Don’t hesitate to learn new things because they could come in handy one day!

Talk to an Expert

Unless you’ve spent years studying economics, you may not understand everything there is to know about managing resources during a recession. Indeed, it is possible to not only survive a recession, but to thrive under such conditions. You just have to have a plan in place and know how to execute it. It makes a lot of sense for freelancers to enlist the help of a financial planner. They can create contingency strategies and explain how to create an effective investment portfolio regardless of the state of the market.

Bottom line: don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it!

Coronavirus: India in Total Lockdown for 21 Days

Diane A. Wade
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0
Coronavirus: India in Total Lockdown for 21 Days
Image source: indiatvnews.com

India’s PM Narendra Modi has announced that a nationwide lockdown will be imposed on March 24 in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The restrictions will apply from midnight local time and will be enforced for 21 days.

The prime minister said in a TV address: “There will be a total ban on venturing out of your homes.”

India – which has a population of 1.3 billion – joins a growing list of countries that have imposed similar measures.

Nearly 400,000 people have tested positive for the virus worldwide, and around 17,000 have died.

The new measures in India follow a sharp increase in cases in recent days. There have been 519 confirmed cases in the country and 10 reported deaths.

PM Narendra Modi said: “The entire country will be in lockdown, total lockdown.”

He added: “To save India, to save its every citizen, you, your family… every street, every neighborhood is being put under lockdown.”

Narendra Modi warned that if India does not “handle these 21 days well, then our country… will go backwards by 21 years”.

“This is a curfew,” he said.

“We will have to pay the economic cost of this but [it] is the responsibility of everyone.”

Under the new measures, all non-essential businesses will be closed but hospitals and other medical facilities will continue to function as normal.

Schools and universities will remain shut and almost all public gatherings will be banned.

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In his address, PM Modi also stressed that the 21 day lockdown was “very necessary to break the chain of coronavirus”. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation and said that even developed countries had faced problems in combating it. He also said that “social distancing was the only way to stop” the virus spreading.

The prime minister announced that nearly $2 billion would be made available to boost India’s health infrastructure.

He called on people not to “spread rumors” and to follow instructions.

The prime minister’s announcement came after several Indian states introduced measures of their own, such as travel restrictions and the closure of non-essential services.

India has already issued a ban on international arrivals and grounded domestic flights. The country’s rail network has also suspended most passenger services.

Coronavirus: Tokyo 2020 Olympics Postponed Until 2021

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Coronavirus: Tokyo 2020 Olympics Postponed Until 2021
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been postponed until 2021 because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

The Olympics, due to begin on July 24, will now take place “no later than summer 2021”.

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe: “I proposed to postpone for a year and [IOC] president Thomas Bach responded with 100% agreement.”

The event will still be called Tokyo 2020 despite taking place in 2021.

In a joint statement, the event’s organizers and the IOC said: “The unprecedented and unpredictable spread of the outbreak has seen the situation in the rest of the world deteriorating.

“On Monday, the director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that the Covid-19 pandemic is ‘accelerating’.

“There are more than 375,000 cases now recorded worldwide and in nearly every country, and their number is growing by the hour.

“In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today [Tuesday], the IOC president and the prime minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.”

The IOC had given itself a deadline of four weeks to consider delaying the Games but there had been mounting pressure from a host of Olympic committees and athletes demanding a quicker decision.

On March 22, Canada became the first major country to withdraw from both events, while USA Track and Field, athletics’ US governing body, had also called for a postponement.

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said the postponement was “the only logical option”.

Andrew Parsons added: “The health and wellbeing of human life must always be our number-one priority and staging a sporting event of any kind during this pandemic is simply not possible.

“Sport is not the most important thing right now, preserving human life is. It is essential, therefore, that all steps are taken to try to limit the spread of this disease.

“By taking this decision now, everyone involved in the Paralympic movement, including all Para-athletes, can fully focus on their own health and wellbeing and staying safe during this unprecedented and difficult time.”

The Olympics have never been delayed in their 124-year modern history, though they were canceled altogether in 1916, 1940 and 1944 during World War One and World War Two.

Major Cold War boycotts disrupted the Moscow and Los Angeles summer Games in 1980 and 1984.

The Tokyo 2020-IOC joint statement continued: “The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present.

“Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.”

Coronavirus: South Korea’s New Cases at Lowest Level Since February Peak

Kathryn R. Bown
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Coronavirus: South Korea’s New Cases at Lowest Level Since February Peak
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

South Korea has reported the lowest number of new coronavirus cases since infection rates peaked one month ago, fuelling hope Asia’s worst outbreak outside China may be abating.

Sixty four new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 8,961 with 111 deaths.

However, health officials warn against complacency, saying South Korea still faces a long war against the infection.

Europe is currently at the center of the pandemic.

On March 22, Italy reported 651 new deaths, bringing the total there to 5,476, while Spain added another 462 deaths in the past 24 hours for a total of 2,182.

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The expectation that the battle against the virus will be a long one was reinforced by news from Japan that its prime minister has admitted for the first time that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics could be postponed.

Nearly 20,000 people are tested every day for coronavirus in South Korea, more people per capita than anywhere else in the world.

South Korea has created a network of public and private laboratories and provides dozens of drive-through centers where people with symptoms can check their health status.

The country developed its approach after an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2015, when 36 people died in South Korea, which had the second-largest number of MERS cases after Saudi Arabia.

MERS forced South Korea to reassess its approach to infectious diseases and its Centers for Disease Control set up a special department to prepare for the worst, a move which appears to have paid off.

Laws on managing and publicly sharing information on patients with infectious diseases changed significantly after MERS and could be seen in action this year when the government used phone alerts to tell people if they were in the vicinity of a patient.

This weekend, the South Korean government stepped up preventative action by sending out emergency alerts urging people to stay away from places which encourage mass gatherings such as churches, karaoke rooms, nightclubs and gyms.

The government also asked religious leaders to check the temperature of followers and keep them at least 6ft apart during any services they deemed necessary.

A number of churches in South Korea are now facing legal action after violating the guidelines.

South Korea has seen two waves of infections, Yonhap news agency reports, the first beginning on January 20 with the first confirmed case, and the second with mass infections among a religious group.

Now there are fears that imported cases could fuel a third wave.

The government plans to install around 20 phone booth-style test facilities inside Incheon Airport to speed up the process of testing all arrivals from Europe.

The new entry procedures started on March 22. So far, 152 people have arrived in South Korea showing symptoms of the virus and they are awaiting their test results.

Harvey Weinstein Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Lisa.Felice
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0
Harvey Weinstein Tests Positive for Coronavirus
Image source Wikimedia

Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus while in prison, according to Michael Powers, president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.

The former Hollywood producer is now in isolation.

Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape and assault last month and sentenced to 23 years in prison.

His lawyers have vowed to appeal against his conviction.

Harvey Weinstein is being held at Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo in upstate New York. Two prisoners at the facility tested positive for the virus on March 22, an officer who did not wish to give his name told Reuters.

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Michael Powers told Reuters that several members of staff had been quarantined. He expressed concern for corrections officers who he claims lack proper protective equipment.

A lawyer for Harvey Weinstein said his legal team had not been informed of the coronavirus diagnosis.

Imran Ansari said: “Given Mr. Weinstein’s state of health, we are of course concerned, if this is the case, and we are vigilantly monitoring the situation.”

Before arriving at Wende, Harvey Weinstein had spent time at Rikers Island, a prison in New York City and a hospital where he was treated for heart problems and chest pains.

The former Hollywood mogul was found guilty of committing a first-degree criminal sexual act against production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and of the third-degree rape of aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013.

New York jurors acquitted him of the most serious charges, of predatory sexual assault, which could have seen him given an even longer jail term.

Dozens of women have come forward with allegations of misconduct, including rape, against Harvey Weinstein since October 2017.

Coronavirus: NYC at Risk of Medical Supplies Shortage, Says Mayor Bill de Blasio

Nancy Clayson
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Coronavirus: NYC at Risk of Medical Supplies Shortage, Says Mayor Bill de Blasio
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has said that the coronavirus outbreak in the city will get worse, with damage accelerated by shortages of key medical supplies.

He said on March 22: “We’re about 10 days away from seeing widespread shortages.

“If we don’t get more ventilators people will die.”

New York state has become the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the US and accounts for almost half of the US cases.

There are now 31,057 confirmed cases in the US, with 390 deaths.

On March New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said 15,168 people had tested positive for the virus, an increase of more than 4,000 from the previous day.

“All Americans deserve the blunt truth,” Mayor de Blasio told NBC News.

“It’s only getting worse, and in fact April and May are going to be a lot worse.”

New York now accounts for roughly 5% of Covid-19 cases worldwide.

On March 20, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the state which gave it access to billions of dollars of federal aid.

However, Bill de Blasio has continued to criticize the Trump administration for what he views as an inadequate response.

He said: “I cannot be blunt enough: if the president doesn’t act, people will die who could have lived otherwise.”

“This is going to be the greatest crisis, domestically, since the Great Depression,” Bill de Blasio added, referring to the economic crisis of the 1930s.

Speaking at a news conference at the White House on March 22, President Trump said he had also approved a major disaster declaration for Washington state and would approve a similar measure for California.

He said: “This is a challenging time for all Americans. We’re enduring a great national trial.”

The president also said a number of medical supplies were being sent to locations nationwide, as well as emergency medical stations for New York, Washington and California, the worst-hit states.

Doctors across New York have reported depleted medical supplies and a lack of protective gear for healthcare workers on the frontlines of the outbreak.

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Warnings of such shortages have reverberated across the US as other state governors have pleaded with the federal government to make more supplies available.

In California, officials instructed hospitals to restrict coronavirus testing. Meanwhile, a hospital in Washington state – once the center of the US outbreak – said it could run out of ventilators by April.

On March 22, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said states were “competing against each other” for virus supplies.

He said: “We need millions of masks and hundreds of thousands of gowns and gloves.

“We’re getting just a fraction of that. So, we’re out on the open market competing for these items that we so badly need.”

An almost $1.4 trillion emergency stimulus bill intended to blunt the punishing economic impact of the pandemic failed to pass the US Senate on March 22.

The bill got 47 votes, falling short of the 60 needed in the 100-member chamber.

Democrats raised objections to the bill with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer saying it had “many, many problems”. Democrats accused Republicans of wanting to bail out big businesses.

Coronavirus: Germany Bans Public Gatherings Of More Than Two People

Diane A. Wade
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0
Coronavirus: Germany Bans Public Gatherings Of More Than Two People

Germany has extended its restrictions on social interactions to try to contain the coronavirus outbreak, banning public gatherings of more than two people.

People will not be allowed to form groups of three or more in public unless they live together in the same household, or the gathering is work-related. Police will monitor and punish anyone infringing the new rules.

In a TV address, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said “our own behavior” was the “most effective way” of slowing the rate of infection.

The measures included closing hair, beauty and massage studios. Other non-essential shops had already been shut.

Restaurants will now only be allowed to open for takeaway service. All restrictions apply to every German state, and will be in place for at least the next two weeks.

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Shortly afterwards, Chancellor Merkel’s office said she would quarantine herself.

A doctor who vaccinated Angela Merkel on March 20 against pneumococcus, a pneumonia-causing bacteria, had tested positive for coronavirus.

The 65-year-old chancellor will be tested regularly in the next few days and work from home, her spokesman said.

Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has so far confirmed 18,610 cases and 55 deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus.

Chancellor Merkel urged citizens to keep contact outside their own household to an absolute minimum and to ensure a distance of at least 1.5m (5ft) from another person when in public.

She said: “The great aim is to gain time in the fight against the virus.”

Coronavirus: Australia in Nationwide Shutdown

Nancy Clayson
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0
Coronavirus: Australia in Nationwide Shutdown

Australia has announces a nationwide shutting down for non-essential services as coronavirus cases rise rapidly in the country.

Clubs, pubs, gyms, theaters and places of worship will be shut from midday on March 23, while restaurants and cafes will have to switch to takeaway only.

PM Scott Morrison announced the restrictions after a national cabinet meeting.

The number of cases in Australia has risen sharply in recent days, reaching 1,315.

New South Wales (NSW), home to Sydney, is the worst-affected state with 533 confirmed cases. Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, has 296 cases, while Queensland has 259.

The new measures will see many businesses close but supermarkets, oil stations, pharmacies and home delivery services will continue running.

PM Morrison said he wanted to keep schools open but parents would be able to keep their children at home if they wished to do so.

He said: “I don’t want to see our children lose an entire year of their education.”

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Some states, including Victoria, have signaled that they want to close schools.

Seven people have died across Australia so far from Covid-19.

The new restrictions come after large crowds gathered on Sydney’s beaches including Bondi on March 21, flouting social distancing advice.

PM Morrison said that the federal and state governments had decided to act because Australians were not obeying guidelines.

However, the prime minister added: “We are not putting in place lockdowns that put people in and confine them to their homes.

“That is not a measure that has been contemplated at this point.”

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said people, especially the young, had to realize that they needed to live “very differently” and stop going out in order to control the virus.

PM Morrison also announced new stimulus measures to boost the country’s economy.

South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory will close their borders from Tuesday. Under the new rules, anyone arriving will be forced to self-isolate for 14 days.

Tasmania, an island state, has already imposed similar travel restrictions.

The Australian Football League suspended its 2020 season, with no fixtures until at least May 31. The women’s league has also been halted. In contrast, the National Rugby League says it will carry on with matches as planned.

Coronavirus: Italy’s Worst-Affected Region of Lombardy Imposes Stricter Measures

Diane A. Wade
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0
Coronavirus: Italy’s Worst-Affected Region of Lombardy Imposes Stricter Measures
Image by Fritz_the_Cat from Pixabay

Italy’s worst-hit region of Lombardy has introduced stricter measures in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

Under the new rules announced on March 21, sport and physical activity outside, even individually, is banned. Using vending machines is forbidden.

The move comes as Italy reported nearly 800 coronavirus deaths on March 21 and saw its toll for the past month reach 4,825, the highest in the world.

Lombardy is the worst-affected region in the country with 3,095 deaths.

The region’s President Attilio Fontana announced the new measures in a statement.

Businesses have been asked to close all operations excluding “essential” supply chains. Work on building sites will be stopped apart from those working on hospitals, roads and railways.

All open-air weekly markets have been suspended.

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Across Italy there have been 53,578 total cases to date, with about 6,000 people having recovered.

The region of Lombardy has been under a lockdown since March 8 and the government had hoped to see results there first.

On March 21, Italian PM Giuseppe Conte ordered the closure of all “non-essential” businesses in the country. However, the prime minister did not specify which businesses would be considered essential.

Supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices and banks will remain open and public transport will continue to run.

During a TV address to the nation, PM Conte said: “We will slow down the country’s productive engine, but we will not stop it.”

He described the situation as “the most difficult crisis in our post-war period”.

Despite the measures introduced so far, the number of new cases and deaths in Italy has continued to grow.

Meanwhile, Spain’s health ministry has reported a 32% spike in new deaths from Covid-19 with 1,326 confirmed deaths, the second highest in Europe after Italy.

In a news conference on March 21, PM Pedro Sánchez warned “the worst is yet to come” and that “very difficult days lay ahead”.

The Spanish government has issued a lockdown for some 46 million people who are only allowed to leave their homes for essential work, food shopping, medical reasons or to walk the dog.

Global cases pass 300,000 with more than 13,000 deaths around the world; 92,000 people have recovered.

Coronavirus: India Observes 14-Hour Janata Curfew to Combat Pandemic

Diane A. Wade
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0
Coronavirus: India Observes 14-Hour Janata Curfew to Combat Pandemic
Image source: indiatvnews.com

India is observing a 14-hour long curfew to try to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

PM Narendra Modi announced the Janata curfew last week, telling citizens that it would be a test in order to assess the country’s ability to fight the virus.

The prime minister urged citizens to stay indoors from 07:00 until 21:00 on March 22.

India has so far recorded 315 cases.

Narendra Modi tweet: “Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against Covid-19 menace. The steps we take now will help in the times to come.”

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According to NDTV, transport across India has been affected by the curfew. No long-distance or suburban trains are running; however, those already running before the curfew will not be stopped.

Images from various cities in India show roads and towns mainly empty.

In Delhi, all stores were closed apart from those selling essentials, and pharmacies. Religious places canceled activities as part of the curfew.

PM Modi has asked people at 17:00 on March 22 to stand at balconies or near windows and clap or ring bells to show their appreciation for medical professionals and sanitation workers.

Some parts of India have already enforced shutdowns.

Rajasthan ordered a shutdown until March 31. Four cities in the state of Gujarat have introduced similar measures until March 25.

India has barred entry to everyone, including citizens, flying from certain countries, including most European nations. It has also canceled most entry visas for people flying in from other countries.

Popular Indian monuments – such as the 16th Century Red Fort in Delhi – have been shut to visitors to prevent large gatherings.

The Taj Mahal, India’s most iconic monument, closed its doors on March 17, along with more than 140 other monuments and museums.

North Korea Fires Two Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Into Sea of Japan

Roy Siemens
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0
North Korea Fires Two Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Into Sea of Japan

According to South Korea’s military, North Korea has fired two projectiles into the Sea of Japan.

The projectiles appeared to be short-range ballistic missiles.

They were launched early on March 21 from Pyongan province towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

North Korea launched multiple missiles as part of firing drills earlier this month. The US and China have called on North Korea to return to talks on ending its nuclear and missile programs.

On March 21, South Korea’s Joint Chief of Staff said it was monitoring the situation in case there are additional launches.

It described the actions as “extremely inappropriate” at a time when the world was dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

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The projectiles flew for 255 miles with a maximum altitude of around 30 miles, the South Korean military said.

Japan’s coast guard confirmed a missile had landed outside the waters of its exclusive economic zone.

It comes as North Korea announced it would be holding a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, the country’s parliament, on April 19. Analysts say the meeting will involve almost 700 of North Korea’s leaders in one spot.

There have been no reported cases of coronavirus in North Korea, though some experts have cast doubt on this.

North Korea borders China, where the virus emerged, and South Korea, where there has been a major outbreak.

A top US military official said last week he was “fairly certain” there were infections in North Korea.

However, North Korea quarantined around 380 foreigners – mostly diplomats and staff in Pyongyang – in their compounds for at least 30 days. The restrictions were lifted at the beginning of March. Around 80 foreigners, mainly diplomats, were flown out of Pyongyang on March 9.

Kenny Rogers Dies Aged 81

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Kenny Rogers Dies Aged 81
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Country music legend Kenny Rogers has died at the age of 81.

He “passed away peacefully at home from natural causes”, a family representative said.

Kenny Rogers topped pop and country charts during the 1970s and 1980s, and won three Grammy awards.

Known for his husky voice and ballads including Lucille, The Gambler, and Coward Of The County, his career spanned more than six decades.

Kenny Rogers once summed up his popularity by explaining that he believed his songs “say what every man wants to say and that every woman wants to hear”.

After growing up in poverty on a federal housing estate in Houston, Texas, Kenny Rogers began recording with a string of bands before launching his solo career in 1976.

Kenny Rogers was never a favorite of music critics, but became one of the most successful pop-country crossover acts of all time, and the 10th best-selling male artist in US history in terms of album sales.

The musician collaborated with other country music legends during his career, including Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

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In 2007, Kenny Rogers unexpectedly found himself back in the limelight in the UK when The Gambler became the unofficial World Cup anthem of England’s Rugby Team.

That same year, Kenny Rogers was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association.

A keen businessman, the singer led several ventures over the years, mainly in property and the restaurant sector.

Kenny Rogers also acted in several movies and TV shows, including starring as a race car driver in the 1982 movie Six Pack.

The country music legend was married five times and had five children.

What are the Current Hot Topics in Economics?

Clyde K. Valle
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0
What are the Current Hot Topics in Economics?
Image source: The Blue Diamond Gallery

Equal Pay

Women make up almost half of the workforce. In many instances, they are the sole or co-breadwinner in half of the American families with children. They receive more college and graduate degrees than men. Yet, on average, women continue to earn considerably less than men. Women, on average, earn less than men in nearly every single occupation for which there is sufficient earnings data for both men and women to calculate an earnings ratio.

Minimum Wage

The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour. There are 21 states and many cities that have a minimum wage higher than the federal level. Washington state has the highest at $9.32 and Oregon trails second at $9.10. Economic research firms have long argued that higher minimum wages cause firms to reduce employment, especially of low-wage workers, and thus they inflict damage on the U.S. economy. But two new papers provide powerful evidence that higher minimum wages in fact boost the conditions of workers—especially the least skilled and lowest paid among them—without doing broad economic harm.

Welfare Drug Testing

The goal of governments who provide these resources is to remove as much fraud as possible from the system. Then there is the eventual goal to help everyone find a meaningful job so that eventually the individual or household can be self-supportive.

Paid Sick Leave

A paid time off (PTO) policy combines vacation, sick time and personal time into a single bank of days for employees to use when they take paid time off from work. A PTO policy creates a pool of days that an employee may use at his or her discretion. At the height of the summer season, companies’ vacation plans are often put to the test. If your company experiences frequent issues when trying to handle the mass influx of requests that come in over the summer months, it may be time to consider a paid time off the bank as an alternative to a traditional vacation plan.

Welfare

In essence, welfare programs are a government subsidy that is paid directly to people with a qualifying income. In the United States, qualification requires a household income falls below a specific percentage of the poverty level. For several generations, benefits have been given out to people so they can have basic services, such as food access, without charge. The pros and cons of welfare show that it can be useful to help those who are in need, but there must be controls in place to limit abuse. There will always be a debate about who deserves to receive welfare benefits.

Coronavirus: California Puts 40 Million Residents Under Lockdown

Diane A. Wade
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0
Coronavirus: California Puts 40 Million Residents Under Lockdown
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

California governor has issued a “stay at home” order to residents as the state tries to stem the march of the coronavirus across the most populous US state.

Governor Gavin Newsom told residents they should only leave their homes when necessary during the pandemic.

He earlier estimated more than half of the 40 million people in his state would contract Covid-19 in just the next two months.

Speaking from the state’s emergency operations centre in Sacramento – a place that is normally used to coordinate the response to wildfires or earthquakes – Governor Newsom called on people here to only leave their homes if it was absolutely necessary, to get food, collect medicines, or care for a friend or relative.

Citing a model that state planners here have been using, the governor predicted that more than half of California’s population will contract the virus over the course of the next eight weeks – a staggering total of around 25 million people.

Governor Newsom said that cases of the virus were doubling every four hours in some areas, and – based on projections – nearly 20,000 more hospital beds would be needed to deal with the effects of the outbreak than the state could currently provide.

The virus has claimed 205 lives in the US and infected more than 14,000.

Globally nearly 250,000 patients have tested positive for the respiratory illness and more than 10,000 have died.

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Governor Newsom said on March 19: “This is a moment we need to make tough decisions. We need to recognize reality.”

California is among the first states to bring in blanket restrictions. Earlier this week Nevada said non-essential businesses should close for 30 days.

The governor’s order will allow residents to leave their homes to buy groceries or medicine, or walk a dog or take exercise, but seeks to limit public interactions.

It will force businesses deemed non-essential to close, while allowing others including grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and petrol stations to stay open.

About half of California’s population is already subject to similar stringent measures, including the city of San Francisco.

Speaking at a press conference in Sacramento, Governor Newsom said the virus “will impact about 56% of us – you do the math in the state of California, that’s a particularly large number”.

The governor did not clarify how his officials had calculated that figure, which would amount to nearly 22.5 million infected people.

However, his spokesman acknowledged the estimate did not take into account the mitigation measures being implemented state-wide.

Governor Newsom is asking Congress for a billion dollars in federal funding to support California’s response to the crisis, and calling for a navy hospital ship to be deployed to the Port of Los Angeles to help deal with the anticipated surge in patients.

Coronavirus: Global Death Toll Exceeds 10,000

Kathryn R. Bown
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0
Coronavirus: Global Death Toll Exceeds 10,000

According to Johns Hopkins University, the global coronavirus death toll has now exceeded 10,000.

There are 10,033 deaths from Covid-19 worldwide as of March 19.

Johns Hopkins University – which has been compiling its data soon after the outbreak began late last year – says the number of confirmed cases is fast approaching 250,000.

For the second day in a row, China has reported no new domestic cases.

Meanwhile, Italy has overtaken China’s death toll with 3,405 victims.

Argentina has imposed a nationwide lockdown, the first Latin American country to do so.

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California is, nonetheless, one of the main centers of the coronavirus in the US, and the state’s Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an order covering virtually the entire population of 40 million people.

Speaking from the state’s emergency operations centre in Sacramento – a place that is normally used to coordinate the response to wildfires or earthquakes – Governor Newsom called on people here to only leave their homes if it was absolutely necessary, to get food, collect medicines, or care for a friend or relative.

Citing a model that state planners here have been using, the governor predicted that more than half of California’s population will contract the virus over the course of the next eight weeks – a staggering total of around 25 million people.

Governor Newsom said that cases of the virus were doubling every four hours in some areas, and – based on projections – nearly 20,000 more hospital beds would be needed to deal with the effects of the outbreak than the state could currently provide.

He is asking Congress for a billion dollars in federal funding to support California’s response to the crisis, and calling for a navy hospital ship to be deployed to the Port of Los Angeles to help deal with the anticipated surge in patients.

Coronavirus: Mount Athos Closes for Pilgrims and Visitors until March 30

James J. Williams
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0
Coronavirus: Mount Athos Closes for Pilgrims and Visitors until March 30
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

As part of measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic, the Holly Mount Athos, Greece, announced on March 19 that it will not be receiving any visitors or pilgrims until March 30.

The all-male Orhodox enclave comprises several monasteries and hermitages, some of the oldest in the country, occupying the easternmost section of the Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece.

Mount Athos is an enclave of 20 monasteries. Women have been banned for over 1,000 years.

Greece and Russia are both largely Orthodox Christian countries and have close religious ties.

Mount Athos is an autonomous and self-governed territory of Greece. It occupies the whole of the third peninsula of Halkidiki Greece, covering an area of 130 sq mile.

The Mount is the largest area in the world from which women, and female animals, are banned.

Each day, 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox male pilgrims are admitted for a three-night stay in one of the peninsula’s 20 monasteries. Mount Athos has barred women for more than 1,000 years – they are not allowed within 0.3 miles of the coast.

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Coronavirus: Two US Congressmen Test Positive for Covid-19

Nancy Clayson
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0
Coronavirus: Two US Congressmen Test Positive for Covid-19

Ben McAdams and Mario Diaz-Balart became the first members of Congress to test positive for the Covid-19.

The office of Congressman Ben McAdams, a Utah Democrat, said on March 18 that he had tested positive for the virus.

The representative said he developed “mild cold-like symptoms” after returning from Washington DC on March 14.

Ben McAdams said he immediately self-isolated at home, but “my symptoms got worse and I developed a fever, a dry cough and labored breathing”.

According to the statement, his doctor referred him on March 17 for a Covid-19 test, which came back positive on March 18.

Ben McAdams, 45, said he would remain in self-quarantine until he had recovered.

Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, also announced on March 18 that he had tested positive for coronavirus.

The 58-year-old tweeted from self-quarantine at his flat in Washington DC: “I’m feeling much better. However, it’s important that everyone take this seriously.”

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Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has vowed the US will achieve “total victory” over the coronavirus, describing himself as a “wartime president”.

At a White House press conference, the president was asked by a reporter whether he considered the country to be on a war footing in terms of fighting the virus.

He said: “It’s a war.

“I view it as a, in a sense, a wartime president.”

President Trump spoke as he revived a Korean War-era measure allowing the US to ramp up production of vital medical supplies.

According to estimates, the US has more than 9,300 cases of Covid-19 and has seen 150 deaths so far.

Globally there are some 220,000 confirmed cases and over 8,800 deaths.

President Trump has been holding daily briefings on the emergency this week after being accused of playing down the outbreak in its early stages.

He said: “We must sacrifice together, because we are all in this together, and we will come through together. It’s the invisible enemy. That’s always the toughest enemy.

“But we are going to defeat the invisible enemy. I think we are going to do it even faster than we thought, and it’ll be a complete victory. It’ll be a total victory.”

President Trump announced he was signing the 1950 Defense Production Act, which empowers the president to direct civilian businesses to help meet orders for products necessary for national security.

However, the president said later on Twitter that he would only invoke the measure “in a worst case scenario in the future”.

President Trump also described as an “absolute, total worst case scenario” a warning by his Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin, that the pandemic could send US unemployment rocketing to 20%.

He said two US Navy hospitals ships would be pressed into service to help alleviate an expected shortage of sick beds.

The USNS Comfort is expected to be sent to New York Harbor, though defense officials said it is currently undergoing maintenance in Virginia.

The other vessel, USNS Mercy, is being prepared to deploy to a location on the West Coast.

During the press conference, President Trump again rejected suggestions that his use of the term “Chinese virus” to describe Covid-19 was racist.

The US-Canada border, the world’s longest, was effectively closed, except for essential travel and commerce.

President Trump also announced a new crackdown on immigrants or asylum seekers crossing the US-Mexico border.

The president said his administration would invoke a statute that allows people to be blocked in order to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Coronavirus: All 50 US States Now Have Confirmed Cases

Diane A. Wade
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0
Coronavirus: All 50 US States Now Have Confirmed Cases

All 50 states in the US have been hit by the deadly coronavirus as West Virginia reported its first case of the infection on March 17.

Announcing the state’s first Covid-19 patient, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said: “We knew this was coming.”

So far, there are 108 deaths in the US from coronavirus and more than 6,300 confirmed cases nationwide.

Globally, there are 217,325 cases and 8,917 people have died as of March 18.

As the Trump administration seeks a $1 trillion stimulus package, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin reportedly warned Republican senators privately on March 17 that if Congress failed to act, US unemployment could hit 20% – almost double the jobless rate during the Great Recession after the 2008 financial crisis.

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NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would decide within two days whether to order the city’s 8.5 million residents to “shelter in place”.

Such a move could largely confine people to their homes, while allowing them to make necessary trips to buy groceries or medicine, walk a dog or exercise as long as they avoid public interaction.

The mayor said: “It’s a very, very difficult decision.

“We’ve never been here before. I have never heard of anything like this in the history of New York City.”

However, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has suggested he would reject such a plan.

Meanwhile, officials in the San Francisco Bay area have already ordered 6.7 million residents to stay home for all but the most crucial outings until April 7.

4 Most Important Items for Your Business Casual Wardrobe

Lisa.Felice
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0
4 Most Important Items for Your Business Casual Wardrobe

Business casual can be a confusing term, as it will tend to vary from one workplace to another. Ultimately though, as the savvy and style-conscious employee you are, erring on the side of business over casual is the way to go. Following are four items and accessories that highlight your professionalism while also leaving you looking cool and feeling comfortable for the day’s work ahead.

1. Pants – Wool, Khakis, and Denim

Image via Flickr by make65

For men, pants are essential for the business casual wardrobe. It may sound obvious, but yours truly showed up to my first ever job interview wearing a pair of shorts. I ended up getting the job, but the hiring manager informed me “don’t ever wear shorts to a job interview again.” Lesson learned.

When it comes to pants, wool and khaki are generally a good choice for business casual workplaces. Wool pants come in a variety of colors and styles, and they can really button down the professional end of the business casual look. Khakis are more on the casual side but are still generally considered a go-to in business casual workplace environments. Jeans, on the other hand, lie on the cusp between business casual and plain old casual. If you are going to wear jeans, go with dark wash and save the “distressed look” (store-bought or naturally acquired) for the weekends.

2. Button-Down Shirts

A button-down shirt will get you by in just about any workplace, but not all button-down shirts are created equal. Stay away from patterns that are too loud or designs that are overly trendy. Instead, stick with classic colors such as white or light blue, in either solid or subtle patterns. You can get away with other colors, but don’t go too big. Think light green or lavender. Keep in mind that your goal is to look professional, not necessarily to make a bold fashion statement.

3. To Tie or Not to Tie

One of the perceived benefits of the business casual wardrobe is the fact that you aren’t required to wear a tie. This doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate the tie into your more casual outfits to lend them a more professional look. For example, if your workplace allows jeans as part of your business casual wardrobe, combining a neat pair of dark-washed jeans with a sharp button-down shirt and tie, and adding a pullover sweater, can create a sophisticated, professional looking style.

4. Getting the Right Fit and Style

All the style elements in the world won’t create a sophisticated look if your clothing doesn’t fit properly. Working with a stylist can save you a ton of time putting together your wardrobe, and there are a number of websites that feature articles on seasonal and regional styles. Once a stylist understands your fashion sense and knows your measurements, they can put together new outfits for you with ease, and they can field questions you might have about the best way to rock a given look.

Putting together the right wardrobe might seem like a hassle, but once you’ve got it dialed in, understanding how to dress business casual for work will help you feel more professional, comfortable, and ready to dive in to the day’s work ahead.

Coronavirus: Americans May Get $1,000 from Government as Part of $1TN Stimulus

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Coronavirus: Americans May Get $1,000 from Government as Part of $1TN Stimulus
Image source Wikipedia

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has announced that he supports sending money directly to Americans as part of a $1 trillion stimulus aimed at averting an economic crisis caused by the coronavirus.

He said: “We’re looking at sending cheques to Americans immediately.”

The $250 billion in cheques are part of a huge aid package which the White House is discussing with Congress.

The move follows widespread school and store closures as the number of coronavirus cases in the US passes 5,200 people.

The US has been debating how to provide relief as activity grinds to a halt in response to curfews and other measures intended to slow the spread of the virus.

Details such as the size of the cheques, and who would qualify for them, are still under discussion.

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A $1 trillion aid package would be larger than the US response to the 2008 financial crisis, amounting to nearly a quarter of what the federal government spent last year.

In addition to the $250 billion in cheques for families, the plan includes a bailout for airlines and hotels, among other measures. The proposal must be approved by Congress to move forward.

Separate from the $1 trillion package, Steve Mnuchin said the government would also allow companies and individuals to delay their tax payments for 90 days.

He said: “We look forward to having bipartisan support to pass this legislation very quickly.”

President Donald Trump initially proposed a payroll tax cut, which would reduce the money the government automatically withholds from worker pay to pay for social programs.

However, critics said that relief would come too slowly and leave out those without jobs. Several high-profile economists had urged more direct assistance, including $1,000 payments, winning support from lawmakers such as Republican Senator Mitt Romney.

President Trump said he had come round to the view that faster, more direct relief is necessary.

He said: “With this invisible enemy, we don’t want people losing their jobs and not having money to live.”

The president added that he wanted to target the relief to those who need it.

Steven Mnuchin said he hoped to send the cheques within two weeks.

He said: “Americans need cash now and the president wants to give cash now and I mean now, in the next two weeks.”

Coronavirus: EU Closes Its Borders for 30 Days

Diane A. Wade
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0
Coronavirus: EU Closes Its Borders for 30 Days
Senior EU officials are warning that it is proving harder than ever to reach an agreement on the European Union's next multi-annual budget

In an unprecedented move, the European Union will ban travelers from outside the bloc for 30 days in order to seal its borders amid the coronavirus crisis.

The measure is expected to apply to 26 EU states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. UK citizens will be unaffected.

The travel ban came as deaths continued to soar in Italy and Spain, and France began a strict lockdown.

Europe, which is now the “epicenter of pandemic”, has been badly hit by the coronavirus, which has killed 7,500 globally.

Meanwhile, the Euro 2020 soccer championship has been postponed by a year.

According to the WHO, the virus has infected more than 185,000 people worldwide.

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The travel ban will affect all non-EU nationals from visiting the bloc, except long-term residents, family members of EU nationals and diplomats, cross-border and healthcare workers, and people transporting goods.

Free travel is a cherished principle within the European border-free Schengen area. However, in recent days many countries have unilaterally imposed full or partial border shutdowns in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

This prompted the EU Commission to propose that the bloc act in a more unified fashion and restrict entry to the union as a whole, at the urging of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The measures were agreed in a video-summit between EU leaders on March 17 and will now have to be implemented by member states.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference: “They said they will immediately do that.

“This is good, so that we have a unanimous and united approach [where] the external borders are concerned.”

The UK and the Republic of Ireland – which is part of the EU but not Schengen – will be invited to join the measure.

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