sa Thousands defy lockdown to attend funeral of Muslim cleric in Bangladesh By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 19 Apr 2020 01:28:20 GMT Thousands of people on Saturday defied the countrywide lockdown to attend the funeral of a Muslim cleric in Bangladesh, triggering fears of rapid spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. The news media in Bangladesh reported that thousands of people, without masks and in clear violations of social distancing, participated in the funeral prayers of Khelafat Majlish's 'Nayeb-e Amir' Maulana Zubayer Ahmad Ansari, held at a madrasa in Bertola village under Sorail Upazila of Brahmanbaria district. The cleric had passed away at his home last night. The gathering was large and the authorities did not stop it, media reports said. Noted Bangladeshi author, Taslima Nasreen, who lives in exile in Sweden, tweeted that 50,000 people had attended the funeral prayers, defying the ban on mass gatherings during the lockdown. "Stupid government didn't even try to stop these stupid people," she tweeted. Like many other countries where religious congregations are turning out to be a major multiplier in the pandemic, the Saturday funeral gathering could become Bangladesh's hotspot for the outbreak. So far, over 2,100 people have tested positive and 84 have died due to Coronavirus in Bangladesh. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa Five Afghan girls on a life-saving mission By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 20 Apr 2020 02:13:34 GMT On most mornings, Somaya Farooqi and four other teenage girls pile into her dad's car and head to a mechanic's workshop. They use back roads to skirt police checkpoints set up to enforce a lockdown in Herat, one of Afghanistan's hot spots of the pandemic. The members of Afghanistan's prize-winning girls' robotics team say they're on a live-saving mission " to build a ventilator from used car parts and help their war-stricken country battle the virus. "If we even save one life with our device, we will be proud," said Farooqi, 17. Afghanistan faces the pandemic nearly empty-handed.It has only 400 ventilators for a population of over 36.6 million. So far, it has reported just over 900 cases, including 30 deaths, but the actual number is suspected to be much higher since test kits are in short supply. Farooqi and her team members, ages 14 to 17, are experimenting with two different designs, including an open-source blueprint from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The parts being used include the motor of a Toyota windshield wiper, batteries and sets of bag valve masks, or manual oxygen pumps. A group of mechanics helps them build the frame of a ventilator. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa Hundreds prefer 'liberty' over safety By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 21 Apr 2020 02:21:45 GMT More and more people, most of them without masks, flooded the streets of Washington on Sunday to protest against the stay-at-home order imposed to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Donald Trump once again supported the protesters, saying that the people want to get back to work. The Trump administration said parts of the nation are ready to begin a gradual return to normalcy. Yet some state leaders say their response to the pandemic is hindered by a woefully inadequate federal response. People are "allowed to protest. Some governors have gone too far, some of the things that happened are maybe not so appropriate," he said on Sunday. "Look. They call it cabin fever — they've got cabin fever. … Their life was taken away from them," the Washington Post quoted Trump as saying. He added, "These people love our country. They want to get back to work." According to Reuters, around 2,500 people gathered at Washington state capitol in Olympia to demonstrate against Democratic Governor Jay Inslee's lockdown order. "Shutting down businesses by picking winners and losers in which there are essential and non-essential are violations of the state and federal constitution," rally organiser Tyler Miller, 39, told Reuters. Hundreds took to the streets in Denver. Trump also announced that he would be using the Defence Production Act to compel increased manufacturing of testing swabs — one of several products governors have been begging him to help them acquire. White House officials will also be holding a call on Monday with the governors to help walk them through where to find supplies, he said. Trump also remained defensive, however, vowing that there were enough swabs to go around. "Swabs are easy," the president said, bringing one to his news briefing. That came hours after Washington state's Democratic governor, Jay Inslee, accused Trump of encouraging insubordination and "illegal activity" by goading protesters who flouted lockdowm rules his own administration has encouraged. "To have an US president to encourage people to violate the law, I can't remember any time during my time in America where we have seen such a thing," Inslee told ABC's "This Week.'' He said it was "dangerous because it can inspire people to ignore things that actually can save their lives." Trump supporters in several states have ignored social distancing and stay-at-home orders, gathering to demand that governors lift controls on public activity. Israel sees spike in anti-Semitic sentiments Israeli researchers said on Monday that the pandemic has sparked a rise in anti-Semitic expression blaming Jews for the spread of the virus and the economic recession. The annual report by Tel Aviv University researchers shows 18 per cent spike in attacks against Jews last year. It warns that the pandemic has threatened to amp up incitement even more. The researchers said the hatred has come from sources as varied as right-wing European politicians, ultra-conservative American pastors, anti-Zionist intellectuals and Iranian state authorities. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in grave danger after surgery, says report By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 21 Apr 2020 05:35:52 GMT Seoul: The US is looking into intelligence that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is "in grave danger after a surgery", a media report said on Tuesday. The Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency quoted a CNN report which cited an unidentified "US official with direct knowledge" as saying, but offered no further details. The report came after a South Korean internet news outlet reported that Kim has been receiving medical treatment at a villa in the resort county of Hyangsan, outside of Pyongyang, following a cardiovascular procedure. Speculation has increased about what happened to Kim since he apparently skipped an annual visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the occasion of the 108th birthday of his late grandfather and state founder Kim Il-sung on April 15. Kim was last seen on April 11 in state media reports presiding over a political bureau meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, calling for "strict national countermeasures to thoroughly check the infiltration of the virus". Kim took over as leader after his father and late leader Kim Jong-il died in late 2011. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news Full Article
sa Coronavirus Lockdown: Photo of sad dog looking at children playing from balcony is breaking hearts online By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 23 Apr 2020 10:30:15 GMT A photo of a sad bulldog looking at children playing from the balcony and not being able to join them in their games has gone viral amid the Coronavirus lockdown and is breaking hearts online. Rebecca Ellis, the owner of the dog named Big Poppa said on Twitter that he loves playing with children and he is sad that he is not able to play with them due to the lockdown imposed to contain the deadly virus, but she has been trying to cheer him up. "I've been trying but he loves children more than anything and not being able to play with them daily but he can see them... I think its taking a toll on him," she said. In the caption of the photo, Ellis said, "Big Poppa has been so sad today, I think he miss(es) playing with the kids in the building. He just watches them from the patio." The photo that has attracted attention from international celebrities too, got more than 656,100 likes and was retweeted over 72,300 times. Big Poppa has been so sad today, I think he miss playing with the kids in the building. He just watches them from the patio pic.twitter.com/gVooqvZ5oI — Rae Elle (@RaeElle) April 22, 2020 Among the users commenting on the photo is Game-of-Thrones fame Maisie Williams and popular TV show host Ellen Degeneres. The photo has been melting hearts with many asking the owner to hug the dog to cheer him up and introducing their pets to him. not being dramatic but I would literally die for big poppa — Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) April 22, 2020 Stay inside. Flatten this curve. Do it for Big Poppa. https://t.co/q2c9GYZMgN — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 22, 2020 Pls hug that dog for me oh man ð — Joe Dan Tony (@slowhnds) April 22, 2020 We know a little chihuahua who would love to be friends! ð¶♥ï¸Âð¶ #BigPoppa pic.twitter.com/q8Q9RKz4z0 — MGM Studios (@MGM_Studios) April 22, 2020 My bulldog is also kinda bored but is enjoying the quarantine cuddles. But on HIS terms. pic.twitter.com/xGnfZeKAmv — Dis-gusted (@SkipTrollington) April 22, 2020 Larry the newbie is 9months and wants to say hi to #bigpoppa pic.twitter.com/SmYZApRU1A — Nicky (@darlinNicky) April 22, 2020 here’s a flower for Big Poppa, I hope it makes him feel better ðÂ¥º pic.twitter.com/a9OWMfkZVe — ðÂÂÂðÂÂÂðÂÂÂðÂÂÂðÂÂÂð ðÂÂÂðÂÂÂð ðÂÂÂðÂÂÂðÂÂÂðÂÂÂð ð¶ (@PAVGOD) April 22, 2020 What do you think about the dog’s photo? Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news Full Article
sa Saudi Arabia to put an end to flogging as a form of punishment: SC By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 26 Apr 2020 02:04:21 GMT Saudi Arabia is to abolish flogging as a form of punishment, according to a directive from the Kingdom's Supreme Court, adding that flogging will be replaced by imprisonment or fines. The directive issued on Friday says this was an extension of human rights reforms brought by King Salman and his son, the country's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reports the BBC. The last time that flogging in Saudi Arabia hit the headlines was in 2015 when blogger Raif Badawi was subjected to the punishment in public, reportedly after being convicted of cybercrime and insulting Islam. He had been due to receive 1,000 lashes in weekly beatings but global outrage and reports that he nearly died put a stop to that part of his sentence. This comes as campaigners have said that Saudi Arabia has one of the worst records for human rights in the world, with freedom of expression severely curtailed and critics of the government subject to what they say is arbitrary arrest, the BBC reported. Earlier on Friday, the most prominent Saudi human rights campaigner died in jail after a stroke which fellow activists say was due to medical neglect by the authorities. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa New Zealand reopens some businesses today, PM says 'worst avoided' By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 28 Apr 2020 02:29:07 GMT New Zealand reported five new Coronavirus cases Monday as the nation got ready to ease the rules on a strict lockdown from midnight. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there hasn't been widespread community transmission of the virus and the country has so far managed to avoid the worst scenarios for an outbreak. She said it would continue to hunt down the last few cases. From midnight, certain businesses such as construction will be allowed to reopen, but social distancing rules will still apply. Ardern said the nation was opening up the economy, but not people's social lives. S Korea to reopen schoolsSouth Korea reported only 10 new cases, its 26th straight day below 100 as officials mulled reopening schools amid the slowing caseload. The figures released by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday brought the national totals to 10,738 cases and 243 deaths. At least 1,044 infections have been linked to international arrivals, but such cases have also declined in recent weeks amid tightened border controls. Prime Minster Chung Sye-kyun during a virus meeting Monday instructed education officials to prepare measures to ensure hygiene and enforce distance between students at schools so the government could announce a timeline for reopening schools no later than early May. More US states to reopenIn the US, Colorado, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana and Tennessee are also preparing to reopen economy, Reuters reported. Georgia, Oklahoma, Alaska and South Carolina had already started easing restrictions. "I would stay home if the government encouraged that, but they're not. They're saying, 'Hey, the best thing to do is go back to work, even though it might be risky,'" Royal Rose, 39, owner of a tattoo studio in Greeley, Colorado, told Reuters. According to reports, the states have started easing lockdown without ensuring measures to trace the asymptomatic cases. Several health experts have warned that a hurry in easing lockdown may lead to a fresh wave of infections. Meanwhile, the White House said the jobless rate would be 16 per cent or higher this month. A record 26.5 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa COVID-19 Outbreak: Donald Trump says testing 'not a problem,' but doubts persist By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 28 Apr 2020 05:09:39 GMT The White House released new guidelines Monday aimed at answering criticism that America's coronavirus testing has been too slow, and President Donald Trump tried to pivot toward a focus on 'reopening' the nation. Still, there were doubts from public health experts that the White House's new testing targets were sufficient. Monday's developments were meant to fill critical gaps in White House plans to begin easing restrictions, ramping up testing for the virus while shifting the president's focus toward recovery from the economic collapse caused by the outbreak. The administration unveiled a 'blueprint' for states to scale up their testing in the coming week, a tacit admission, despite public statements to the contrary, that testing capacity and availability over the past two months have been lacking. The new testing targets would ensure states had enough COVID-19 tests available to sample at least 2.6 per cent of their populations each month, a figure already met by a majority of states. Areas that have been harder hit by the virus would be able to test at double that rate, or higher, the White House said. The testing issue has bedeviled the administration for months. Trump told reporters on March 6 during a visit to the CDC in Atlanta that 'anybody that wants a test can get a test,' but the reality has proved to be vastly different. The initial COVID-19 test developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was contaminated, and early kits operated only on platforms able to perform a small number of test per day. While the rate of testing increased as tests developed for higher-capacity platforms, they were still limited by shortages of supplies, from nasal swabs to the reagents used to process the samples. Administration officials maintained Monday that the limiting factor now is actually the availability of samples from people who have been tested ' either because guidelines on who could be tested are too stringent or because there are not enough health workers able to take nasal swab samples from them. The CDC moved to address one of those concerns Monday, expanding the list of people to be prioritized for virus testing to include those who show no symptoms but are in high-risk settings like nursing homes. And Trump met with leaders of businesses including CVS, Walmart and Kroger, who said they were working to expand access to tests across the country. 'Testing is not going to be a problem at all,' Trump said later in the Rose Garden. However, many of the administration's past pledges and goals on testing have not been met. Jeremy Konyndyk, a disaster preparedness expert who helped lead the Obama administration response to Ebola, said the administration's testing plans are well short of what is needed. Researchers at Harvard have estimated the country needs to be testing a minimum of 500,000 people per day, and possibly many more. Konyndyk said the aim should be 2 million to 3 million per day. Trump said the current total, up sharply in recent days, is over 200,000 per day. Konyndyk said, 'Over the past month, we've doubled or if you want to be really generous tripled the testing capacity in this country. We need to take where we are now and expand it 10-fold." The testing blueprint for states provides details missing from the administration's guidelines for them to return to normal operations that were released more than a week ago. It includes a focus on surveillance testing as well as 'rapid response' programs to isolate those who test positive and identify those with whom they had come in contact. The administration aims to have the market 'flooded' with tests for the fall, when COVID-19 is expected to recur alongside the seasonal flu. Trump and administration medical experts outlined the plan on a call with governors Monday afternoon, before unveiling them publicly in a Rose Garden press conference. The White House announcements came as Trump sought to regain his footing after weeks of criticism and detours created in part by his press briefings. Days after he set off a firestorm by publicly musing that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure, Trump said he found little use for his daily task force briefings, where he has time and again clashed with medical experts and reporters. Trump's aides had been trying to move the president onto more familiar and, they hope, safer, ground: talking up the economy in more tightly controlled settings. Republican Party polling shows Trump's path to a second term depends on the public's perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from the state-by-state shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus. On Monday, the White House initially announced there would be a Trump briefing, but canceled it as Trump's greatest asset in the reelection campaign ' his ability to dominate headlines with freewheeling performances ' was increasingly seen as a liability. But hours later, Trump it became clear Trump had other ideas. He held court in the Rose Garden for a bit less than an hour. Spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said that briefings would be held later in the week but 'they might have a new look to them, a new focus to them.' Trump said he hoped that virus deaths would end up no more than 60,000 to 70,000, slightly revising upward his public estimate of recent days as the U.S. toll neared 56,000 on nearly 1 million cases. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa USAID announces additional USD 3 mn aid to India to fight coronavirus By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 30 Apr 2020 06:07:55 GMT The US Government, through its aid agency USAID, has announced a grant of an additional USD 3 million to India to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In coordination with the Indian government, the USAID is providing these funds to the Partnerships for Affordable Healthcare Access and Longevity (PAHAL) project, an innovative financing platform of IPE Global, USAID said in a statement on Wednesday. US Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, stated: "This additional funding to support India in its continuing efforts to combat COVID-19 is yet another example of the strong and enduring partnership between the United States and India." To date, the USAID has provided USD 5.9 million to assist India in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. This assistance will help India slow the spread of COVID-19, provide care for the affected, disseminate essential public health messages to communities, and strengthen case finding and surveillance. Through the PAHAL project, the USAID will support the National Health Authority to establish a financing facility that can mobilize resources from the private sector to assist over 20,000 health facilities enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), India's health insurance scheme for 500 million poor and vulnerable people. During the talks on April 04, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had agreed to deploy the full strength of the India-US partnership to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Early this month, India, at the request of President Donald Trump, had exported 35.82 lakh tablets of hydroxychloroquine to the US along with active pharmaceutical ingredient or API required in the manufacturing of the drug. Trump had thanked India for its decision to export hydroxychloroquine to fight coronavirus and lauded Prime Minister Modi for his "strong leadership" in helping "not just India, but humanity" in this fight. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa Donald Trump says plan afoot to reopen America as deaths top 60,000 By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 1 May 2020 07:59:47 GMT President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the federal government will not be extending its COVID-19 social distancing guidelines once they expire Thursday, and his son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, predicted that by July the country will be "really rocking again." Trump to fly out next week Trump said he plans to resume out-of-state travel after spending over a month mostly cooped up in the White House, starting with a trip to Arizona next week. And he said he's hoping to hold mass campaign rallies in the coming months with thousands of supporters, even though medical experts have said there is little hope of having a vaccine by then. Trump delivered his daily upbeat update on Wednesday, putting a positive face on the latest grim numbers — the death toll in the US on Wednesday crept past 60,000, a figure that he in recent weeks had suggested might be the total death count. 35 states' reopening plan out "We mourn... every life tragically lost to the invisible enemy. And we are heartened that the worst of the pain and suffering is going to be behind us," Trump said. As many as 35 of the 50 US states affected by the pandemic have unveiled formal reopening plans, as President Donald Trump expressed confidence that "much better days" are ahead for the country that has been hit hard by the "invisible enemy". So far, the virus has killed 61,670 Americans and infected 1,064,737 others. Globally, the virus has killed 2,29,182 people and infected 3,244,586 others.Agencies Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa COVID-19: Premature opening will be a death sentence for people say experts By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 8 May 2020 05:46:06 GMT As Europe and the US loosen their lockdowns against the Coronavirus, health experts are expressing growing dread over what they say is an all-but-certain second wave of deaths and infections that could force governments to clamp back down. 'Risking a backslide' "We are risking a backslide that will be intolerable," said Dr Ian Lipkin of Columbia University's Centre for Infection and Immunity. Around the world, German authorities began drawing up plans in case of a resurgence of the virus. Experts in Italy urged intensified efforts to identify new victims and trace their contacts. And France, which has not yet eased its lockdown, has already worked up a "re-confinement plan" in the event of a new wave. "Typically pandemics occur in waves across different places, so people shouldn't think we are getting out of the woods just yet," the Guardian quoted Irwin Redlener, a physician and director of the National Centre for Disaster Preparedness, as saying. US health officials worried In the US, with about half of the states easing their shutdowns, public health authorities are worried. "If we relax these measures without having the proper public health safeguards in place, we can expect many more cases and, unfortunately, more deaths," said Josh Michaud, associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington. Trump admin shelves CDC guide to reopen A detailed report by the top Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigators meant to give step-by-step advice to local leaders deciding when and how to reopen public places such as day care centers and restaurants during the still-raging pandemic has been shelved by the Trump administration. The report was supposed to be published last Friday, but agency scientists were told the guidance "would never see the light of day," said a CDC official. Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa Coronavirus outbreak: Suspend H-1B visas for a year By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 9 May 2020 03:56:36 GMT Four top Republican senators have urged President Donald Trump to suspend all new guest worker visas for 60 days and certain categories of new guest worker visas, including the H-1B, for at least a year or until unemployment figures return to normal levels in the US amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic, which has so far claimed 76,000 lives and infected over 1,256,000 in the US, has ravaged the labour market, and 1 in 5 American workers have filed for first-time unemployment benefits since mid-March, when the lockdown hit businesses across the country, the world's largest economy. 1/5th workforce out of work The letter to president Trump, dated May 7, has been signed by Senators Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, Chuck Grassley and Josh Hawley. "More than 33 million Americans have filed for unemployment coverage just since mid-March, and approximately one-fifth of the American workforce is currently out of work. "This is a stunning difference compared with the historically-low nationwide unemployment rate of just 3.5 per cent in February this year," the senators said in their letter. "To protect unemployed Americans in the early stages of economic recovery, we urge you to suspend all non-immigrant guest worker visas for the next 60 days," the senators said. 'Suspend EB-5 visa too' "That suspension should, at a minimum, include H-2B visas (non-agricultural seasonal workers), H-1B visas (specialty occupation workers) and the Optional Practical Training programme (extension of foreign student visas after graduation). We also urge you to suspend the EB-5 immigrant visa programme, effective immediately," the lawmakers wrote. The H-1B work visa for foreign technology professionals is highly popular among Indians and a large number of Indians also opt for the EB-5 investors visa. Worst monthly record The US unemployment rate hit 14.7% in April, the highest rate since the Great Depression, as 20.5 million jobs vanished in the worst monthly loss on record. The figures are stark evidence of the damage the coronavirus has done to a now-shattered economy. The collapse of the job market has occurred with stunning speed. The government's report Friday noted that many people who lost jobs in April but didn't look for another one weren't even counted in the unemployment rate. The impact of those losses was reflected in the drop in the proportion of working-age Americans who have jobs: Just 51.3%, the lowest on record. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever Full Article
sa Research Headlines - Keeping children safe in stressful times By ec.europa.eu Published On :: Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT [Source: Research & Innovation] A free parenting programme based on EU-funded research has won a 2019 Horizon Impact Award for its success in helping families to avoid child abuse in low-and middle-income countries. Now parents everywhere can access online tips to cope with COVID-19 lockdown life. Full Article EUBudget4Results
sa European Innovation Council - Top innovation leaders envisage a strong role for the European Innovation Council in coronavirus recovery By ec.europa.eu Published On :: Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT [Source: Research & Innovation] ‘For Europe to come out stronger after the Corona crisis, we need to already direct our investments towards game-changing innovations that create a sustainable and human centric digital future’, according to the vision statement of the European Innovation Council Advisory Board published today. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: India Consults On Unitary Taxation Proposals By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT India's Central Board of Direct Taxes has launched a new consultation on proposals to amend Article 7 of India's double tax treaties on permanent establishment, and rule 10 in the Income Tax Rules, 1962, to establish a formula to bring within the charge to Indian tax a proportion of profits of a multinational deemed to have a significant digital presence in India. The country is considering using a formulary apportionment approach, akin to that proposed under the EU's Common Corporate Tax Base initiative. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: New Tax Treaties Key To Aircraft Leasing Growth In Hong Kong, Says Report By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Wed, 12 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT The Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council has released a report calling for the Government to expand its tax treaty network, in particular with countries that have growing aviation industries. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Abolishing Aviation Tax Would Boost German Economy, Says Report By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Wed, 25 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT A new study by PwC has concluded that abolishing Germany's flight ticket tax would provide a substantial boost to the German economy. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Luxembourg Vulnerable To International Tax Developments, Says IMF By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Wed, 4 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT International tax developments could have a negative impact on Luxembourg's tax revenues and economy, the International Monetary Fund has said in its latest Luxembourg country report. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: SARS Hails Tax Amnesty Scheme Success By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Thu, 12 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT Over 2,000 taxpayers made use of South Africa's Special Voluntary Disclosure Programme, which closed on August 31, 2017, the South African Revenue Service said October 10. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: African Countries' Tax Bases Expanding, New Report Says By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Wed, 18 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT African countries are steadily improving their tax revenue collections, according to Revenue Statistics in Africa 2017, a new report released recently at a meeting of tax and finance officials from 21 African countries. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: SARS Announces Temporary Relief From New CFC Reporting Rules By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Fri, 16 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT The South African Revenue Service has announced that it will temporarily permit taxpayers to report information on controlled foreign corporations under the old filing rules, which were replaced in February. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: SARS Sets Out Expectations On Virtual Currency Tax Compliance By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Fri, 6 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT The South African Revenue Service on April 6, 2018, warned taxpayers that they are expected to declare cryptocurrency gains or losses in calculating their taxable income. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: OECD Urges International Tax Reform Of Savings, Investments By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Fri, 13 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT "While countries do not necessarily need to tax savings more, there is a lot of room to improve the way countries tax savings," according to Pascal Saint-Amans, Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration. Full Article
sa Panasonic resumes sales in green, orange zones; to take call on production soon By www.businesstoday.in Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 13:18:59 GMT Panasonic has prepared for staggered operations at retail and brand stores that have been recalibrated to abide by social distancing norms and deployed all safety measures such as placement of sanitisers, mandatory usage of masks, and contact-less assistance to consumers Full Article
sa 100 days of coronavirus in India: 1 new case in Kerala in 24 hours; 1st infection on Jan 30, says CM Vijayan By www.businesstoday.in Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 11:21:40 GMT Kerala coronavirus cases: With May 8 being the 100th day of COVID-19 outbreak in India, Kerala reported only one new case in 24 hours, state CM Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday Full Article
sa FM Sitharaman says Rs 18,253 crore disbursed under PM-KISAN scheme during lockdown By www.businesstoday.in Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 12:45:16 GMT The FM also said that about three crore farmers with agricultural loans totaling Rs 4,22,113 crore availed the benefit of the 3-month loan moratorium announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in March Full Article
sa If trials are successful, Serum Institute to sell coronavirus vaccines for Rs 1,000, says CEO Adar Poonawalla By www.businesstoday.in Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 17:47:01 GMT Adar Poonawala, CEO of Serum Institute of India, says he is taking the risk of initiating production even before the vaccine has reached advanced clinical trials Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Inmarsat Hails Progress Towards Truly Global Internet By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT Inmarsat, together with Global Marine Networks and Network Innovations, announced on February 22 that the trial of Fleet Xpress in Antartic waters was a success. The service – the world's first globally available high-speed broadband service from a single network operator – was installed on board the adventure cruise ship Ocean Nova. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Singapore To Exempt Virtual Currency Transactions From GST By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT On July 5, 2019, Singapore's tax agency released a draft guide that includes proposals for more favorable GST rules for virtual currencies. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Malaysian Tax Agency Says Audits Not Politically Motivated By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Wed, 27 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT Malaysia's Inland Revenue Board has denied allegations that it is more aggressively pursuing taxpayers affiliated with opposition political parties or their supporters. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Malaysia Announces Corporate Tax, Sales Tax Reforms In Budget By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Fri, 9 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT Malaysia's 2019 Budget contains plans for an overhaul of sales and service tax rules and a corporate tax cut for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: New Zealand To Better Track Taxpayers' Property Transactions By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Fri, 21 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT New Zealand's Inland Revenue has announced that those who buy and sell property will be required to provide their IRD number on land transfer documentation, to improve the agency's ability to enforce the tax rules on property speculation. Full Article
sa Researchers Use GPS, PDAs For Malaria Prevention in Africa, Study Says By www.medindia.net Published On :: CDC researchers have developed new tools using GPS technology and PDAs to help prevent the spread of malaria in Africa, according to a study published Full Article
sa Disposable and Affordable E-readers on the Anvil By www.medindia.net Published On :: Researchers from The University of Cincinnati are working on the development of affordable and disposable e-readers. The research by Andrew Full Article
sa Survey: Does Gallows Humor Among Physicians Encourage Accusations of Murder and Euthanasia? By www.medindia.net Published On :: Nearly three quarters of the sample reported having been "humorously" accused of promoting death; for example, being called "Dr. Death," in a recent survey of palliative care medicine practitioners. Full Article
sa Philippines: First Asian Country to Approve Sale of Dengue Vaccine By www.medindia.net Published On :: Dengvaxia, manufactured by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, secured its first regulatory approval in Mexico a fortnight ago and is currently being Full Article
sa Physical Activity Beneficial for Mental Well-Being in Postmenopausal Women By www.medindia.net Published On :: Highlights: Physical activity helps reduce depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women Postmenopausal w Full Article
sa Is It Safe to Have a Second IVF Baby After Fertility Treatment for the First? By www.medindia.net Published On :: Highlights: Women can successfully have a second in vitro fertilisation (IVF)baby IVF is also known as assi Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Tax Rose In 20 EU States In 2015, Says Eurostat Report By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Wed, 9 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT The European Union statistics agency, Eurostat, has released new figures concerning member states' tax revenue collections and their tax mixes for 2015. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Cyprus, Saudi Arabia Negotiate Double Tax Agreement By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Thu, 4 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT Cyprus's Ministry of Finance says the island has signed a double tax agreement with Saudi Arabia with respect to taxes on income and for the prevention of tax evasion. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Fraud At Record Levels, New BDO Report Says By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT BDO, the accountancy and business advisory firm, has released a report into the rapidly growing issue businesses and governments face with fraud, including tax fraud. Full Article
sa Sanofi Offers Promising Drug to Combat COVID-19 By www.medindia.net Published On :: French pharmaceutical company Sanofi is ready to offer the French authorities, millions of doses of Plaquenil containing hydroxychloroquine, to treat Full Article
sa Aspirin a Day Does Not Keep Dementia at Bay, Says Study By www.medindia.net Published On :: Daily dose of aspirin provided no benefit to study participants at either preventing dementia or slowing cognitive decline, stated study published in Full Article
sa Less Expensive, More Effective Pneumonia Vaccines are Tested in Humans, Says Study By www.medindia.net Published On :: A new pneumonia vaccine that is more effective and less expensive than those currently used in Brazil is being tested in human patients, said researchers Full Article
sa Study Highlights Drug Usage Pattern From Old to Young By www.medindia.net Published On :: Drug overdose epidemic emerged abruptly among the Baby Boomers, shifted youth-ward for Generation X, and then soared to new heights among the Millennials, says a new study. Full Article
sa Drug Saves Lives of Children Fighting Fatal Immune Disease By www.medindia.net Published On :: Emapalumab saved a child suffering from HLH. Although the 34-patient study wasn't large enough to show the efficacy of this new drug, doctors say their data are promising. Full Article
sa How Acid Suppressants Raise the Risk of Dementia Explained By www.medindia.net Published On :: How the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors could increase the risk of developing dementia has been explained in a study published in the journal iAlzheimer's (and) Dementia/i. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: Netherlands To Reduce Tax On Savings Income By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Fri, 13 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT On September 6, 2019, the Dutch Ministry of Finance announced proposals to reforms the tax rules for savings income. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: OECD Says Digital Tax Plans Will Boost Most States' Revenues By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Thu, 20 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT During a February 13, 2020, webcast, the OECD presented economic analysis on the potential impact of what it has proposed on international tax reform to address the digitalization of the economy. Full Article
sa Tax-News.com: More US States To Tax Remote Sales From October By www.tax-news.com Published On :: Fri, 27 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT Many US states will begin to impose sales and use tax obligations on remote sellers and marketplace facilitators from October 1, 2019, largely in response to the United States Supreme Court's landmark decision in the Wayfair case. Full Article