Global Media
South Africa unveils measures to rein in public spending
- February 29, 2020
Signaling how unpopular wage cuts are with unions, one public sector group said on Wednesday it would "shut down government indefinitely" if Mboweni announced a pay freeze - a less bold course of action than the one he took. Treasury said on Wednesday that it now sees the budget deficit reaching 6.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2020/21 fiscal year, which begins in April, compared with a previous estimate of 6.5%. (more...)
- February 29, 2020
Signaling how unpopular wage cuts are with unions, one public sector group said on Wednesday it would "shut down government indefinitely" if Mboweni announced a pay freeze - a less bold course of action than the one he took. Treasury said on Wednesday that it now sees the budget deficit reaching 6.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2020/21 fiscal year, which begins in April, compared with a previous estimate of 6.5%. (more...)
S. Korea's Only 'Drive-thru' Virus Testing to be More Available
- February 29, 2020
A 23-year-old American soldier stationed in South Korea became the first United States service member confirmed to be infected with the virus on Wednesday . "So when we first approach a low-risk individual we ask them if they will voluntarily comply with isolation or self-quarantine procedures which are often staying at home and social distancing for a period of time", said Steven Stack, Kentucky Health Commissioner. (more...)
- February 29, 2020
A 23-year-old American soldier stationed in South Korea became the first United States service member confirmed to be infected with the virus on Wednesday . "So when we first approach a low-risk individual we ask them if they will voluntarily comply with isolation or self-quarantine procedures which are often staying at home and social distancing for a period of time", said Steven Stack, Kentucky Health Commissioner. (more...)
Trump administration defends coronavirus response from rising criticism
- February 29, 2020
Nancy Messonnier of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on a conference call with reporters. Worryingly, the new case is not thought to have had the usual risk factors of travel or contact with another patient. (more...)
- February 29, 2020
Nancy Messonnier of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on a conference call with reporters. Worryingly, the new case is not thought to have had the usual risk factors of travel or contact with another patient. (more...)
Why Leap Day Exists
- February 29, 2020
There are 365 days on the Gregorian calendar, but it actually takes 365.242189 days for the Earth to orbit the sun. Leap years are named as such because the extra day causes each date on the calendar to jump ahead by two days compared to the last year, rather than one. (more...)
- February 29, 2020
There are 365 days on the Gregorian calendar, but it actually takes 365.242189 days for the Earth to orbit the sun. Leap years are named as such because the extra day causes each date on the calendar to jump ahead by two days compared to the last year, rather than one. (more...)
Italy's coronavirus outbreak spreads south, death toll rises
- February 29, 2020
While the most of the cases were reported in the northern regions - and especially in worst hit Lombardy and Veneto , the country's two hotbeds - new cases were identified on Tuesday in Tuscany (2) and Sicily (1). Croatia confirmed the first case in the Balkans region after a young man who recently returned from Italy - which lies across the Adriatic from Croatia - was found to have become infected. (more...)
- February 29, 2020
While the most of the cases were reported in the northern regions - and especially in worst hit Lombardy and Veneto , the country's two hotbeds - new cases were identified on Tuesday in Tuscany (2) and Sicily (1). Croatia confirmed the first case in the Balkans region after a young man who recently returned from Italy - which lies across the Adriatic from Croatia - was found to have become infected. (more...)
Gare de Lyon, major Paris railway station, evacuated due to nearby fire
- February 29, 2020
Police also said some protesters had engaged in "outrageous behaviour" by preventing firefighters from gaining access to the scene. A HUGE fire has erupted at a teach station in Paris sparking a mass evacuation . Prefecture police are now evacuating people from the building as emergency services are responding to the incident. While other clips shared on social media showed the fire burning under a bridge and next to a row of motorcycles. (more...)
- February 29, 2020
Police also said some protesters had engaged in "outrageous behaviour" by preventing firefighters from gaining access to the scene. A HUGE fire has erupted at a teach station in Paris sparking a mass evacuation . Prefecture police are now evacuating people from the building as emergency services are responding to the incident. While other clips shared on social media showed the fire burning under a bridge and next to a row of motorcycles. (more...)
An extra day in February - what's the deal with that?
- February 29, 2020
It was Julius Caesar himself who commissioned the calendar's creation, but it produced too many leap years and eventually the calendar became out of sync with set astronomical events like equinoxes and solstices. That's when Pope Gregory III proposed some tweaks to Caesar's system for more accurate timekeeping. As noted above, the Gregorian solar year of 365.2425 is close but still not ideal. (more...)
- February 29, 2020
It was Julius Caesar himself who commissioned the calendar's creation, but it produced too many leap years and eventually the calendar became out of sync with set astronomical events like equinoxes and solstices. That's when Pope Gregory III proposed some tweaks to Caesar's system for more accurate timekeeping. As noted above, the Gregorian solar year of 365.2425 is close but still not ideal. (more...)
First case of virus in NZ
- February 29, 2020
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says the person arrived this week from Iran, where the virus had been rapidly spreading. This didn't age well... Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, director-general of New Zealand's Ministry of Health, speaks at a press conference in Auckland, New Zealand on February 5, 2020. (more...)
- February 29, 2020
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says the person arrived this week from Iran, where the virus had been rapidly spreading. This didn't age well... Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, director-general of New Zealand's Ministry of Health, speaks at a press conference in Auckland, New Zealand on February 5, 2020. (more...)
British man dies of coronavirus, Japan confirms
- February 28, 2020
A British man who had been on board the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship has died, becoming the first United Kingdom national to succumb to the disease. A British man has died from coronavirus, Japan's Health Ministry has confirmed. A group of 30 British nationals and two Irish citizens were flown back to the United Kingdom from the cruise ship last Saturday. (more...)
- February 28, 2020
A British man who had been on board the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship has died, becoming the first United Kingdom national to succumb to the disease. A British man has died from coronavirus, Japan's Health Ministry has confirmed. A group of 30 British nationals and two Irish citizens were flown back to the United Kingdom from the cruise ship last Saturday. (more...)
Italy plays down coronavirus outbreak
- February 28, 2020
The appropriate-wing opposition League social gathering has accused Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of mishandling the crisis and termed on Thursday for the development of a federal government of national unity. At Warsaw Chopin International Airport, Poland's main airport, passengers coming in from China, South Korea and Italy are being checked for signs of COVID-19 by medical teams before disembarking. (more...)
- February 28, 2020
The appropriate-wing opposition League social gathering has accused Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of mishandling the crisis and termed on Thursday for the development of a federal government of national unity. At Warsaw Chopin International Airport, Poland's main airport, passengers coming in from China, South Korea and Italy are being checked for signs of COVID-19 by medical teams before disembarking. (more...)
Mainland China Reports 433 New Coronavirus Cases, 29 Deaths
- February 28, 2020
Numerous deaths were in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak. Among the deaths in the 24 hours to the end of Thursday, 41 were in the central province of Hubei, the epicenter of the epidemic. China has previously made it clear that people showing signs of infection would be able to get checked free of charge, and has also made funds available to local governments to ensure there are no financial disincentives preventing people from coming forward. (more...)
- February 28, 2020
Numerous deaths were in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak. Among the deaths in the 24 hours to the end of Thursday, 41 were in the central province of Hubei, the epicenter of the epidemic. China has previously made it clear that people showing signs of infection would be able to get checked free of charge, and has also made funds available to local governments to ensure there are no financial disincentives preventing people from coming forward. (more...)
China Is Exploring Sending 100,000 Hungry Ducks to Battle Pakistan's Locust Infestation
- February 28, 2020
According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the invasion of locusts poses an unusual threat to food security in the entire sub region, where more than 19 million people in East Africa are already experiencing a high degree of food insecurity. (more...)
- February 28, 2020
According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the invasion of locusts poses an unusual threat to food security in the entire sub region, where more than 19 million people in East Africa are already experiencing a high degree of food insecurity. (more...)
Nigeria records first case of deadly coronavirus
- February 28, 2020
The case is of an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria, the most populous country in the continent with a population of more than 190 million people. "He fell ill on the 26th February and was transfered to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing". (more...)
- February 28, 2020
The case is of an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria, the most populous country in the continent with a population of more than 190 million people. "He fell ill on the 26th February and was transfered to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing". (more...)
Pope Francis falls ill a day after showing solidarity with coronavirus patients
- February 28, 2020
On Wednesday, he was snapped kissing worshipers' heads and touching their hands as he met crowds who came to see him in St Peter's Square. The UK government, meanwhile, is advising Brits not to visit destinations on a list of towns in northern Italy, except in cases of "essential travel". (more...)
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- February 28, 2020
On Wednesday, he was snapped kissing worshipers' heads and touching their hands as he met crowds who came to see him in St Peter's Square. The UK government, meanwhile, is advising Brits not to visit destinations on a list of towns in northern Italy, except in cases of "essential travel". (more...)
South Korea coronavirus cases pass 2,000, say authorities
- February 28, 2020
In the United States, where health authorities are dealing with 59 cases - mostly Americans repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Japan - President Donald Trump sought to calm concerns. The virus has now spread to at least 39 nations, World Health Organization officials said. "We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm", the country said in announcing the decision. (more...)
- February 28, 2020
In the United States, where health authorities are dealing with 59 cases - mostly Americans repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Japan - President Donald Trump sought to calm concerns. The virus has now spread to at least 39 nations, World Health Organization officials said. "We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm", the country said in announcing the decision. (more...)
Dog 'tests positive' for coronavirus
- February 28, 2020
Hong Kong authorities have placed a pet dog into quarantine after it tested a "weak positive" for the novel coronavirus , officials said on Friday. Pet owners are advised to maintain a good habit of hygiene and wash their hands "thoroughly" with soap or alcohol sanitizer after touching their animals. (more...)
- February 28, 2020
Hong Kong authorities have placed a pet dog into quarantine after it tested a "weak positive" for the novel coronavirus , officials said on Friday. Pet owners are advised to maintain a good habit of hygiene and wash their hands "thoroughly" with soap or alcohol sanitizer after touching their animals. (more...)
Bloomberg campaign downplays significance of SC primary, considers naming running mate
- February 28, 2020
Pelosi's comments came amid mounting fears within the party's moderate wing that Sanders , a self-described Democratic socialist, would win the nomination but prove unelectable nationally and drag down the rest of the ticket. One other point: California has a notoriously slow vote count, and counting ballots in the congressional districts will take time . The party would hold as many ballots as needed to reach a majority of the almost 4,800 pledged delegates and superdelegates. (more...)
- February 28, 2020
Pelosi's comments came amid mounting fears within the party's moderate wing that Sanders , a self-described Democratic socialist, would win the nomination but prove unelectable nationally and drag down the rest of the ticket. One other point: California has a notoriously slow vote count, and counting ballots in the congressional districts will take time . The party would hold as many ballots as needed to reach a majority of the almost 4,800 pledged delegates and superdelegates. (more...)
More new cases reported outside China than inside
- February 28, 2020
But it still plans to go ahead with the 2020 Olympics, whose cancellation or relocation would be a massive blow for Japan . Aylward, who led a mission on COVID-19 to China, praised the country's largescale quarantines and containment measures, as well as its labs' capability to test thousands of people for the virus. (more...)
- February 28, 2020
But it still plans to go ahead with the 2020 Olympics, whose cancellation or relocation would be a massive blow for Japan . Aylward, who led a mission on COVID-19 to China, praised the country's largescale quarantines and containment measures, as well as its labs' capability to test thousands of people for the virus. (more...)
Turkish soldiers killed in air strike in Syria's Idlib
- February 28, 2020
He has threatened to attack Syrian government forces if they do not halt their advance. Russian Federation announced on Tuesday it would never agree to a ceasefire with the rebels in Syria's Idlib region. Both sides have suffered losses over the past few weeks. "At the moment, exclusively military diplomacy is being carried out and it is not possible to solve the problem on the ground like this", the Turkish official told Reuters . (more...)
- February 28, 2020
He has threatened to attack Syrian government forces if they do not halt their advance. Russian Federation announced on Tuesday it would never agree to a ceasefire with the rebels in Syria's Idlib region. Both sides have suffered losses over the past few weeks. "At the moment, exclusively military diplomacy is being carried out and it is not possible to solve the problem on the ground like this", the Turkish official told Reuters . (more...)
Donald Trump lands in Washington, calls India trip ‘very successful’
- February 28, 2020
The Trump visit would also be booster to a resourceful Indian diaspora who would contribute even more to the American economy, he said further. Asked about the unrest, Mr Trump said: 'I want to leave that to India'. "India was great, trip very successful. Segueing to the accomplishments of two successive Modi governments, the president went on to praise the rapid increase in Indians" access to basic sanitation and cooking fuel and the construction of highways across the country. (more...)
- February 28, 2020
The Trump visit would also be booster to a resourceful Indian diaspora who would contribute even more to the American economy, he said further. Asked about the unrest, Mr Trump said: 'I want to leave that to India'. "India was great, trip very successful. Segueing to the accomplishments of two successive Modi governments, the president went on to praise the rapid increase in Indians" access to basic sanitation and cooking fuel and the construction of highways across the country. (more...)
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