Health & Science

Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:54 UTC
Strict measures among essential personnel even in virus free Antarctica bases

As the planet battles the seemingly inexorable spread of the coronavirus, Antarctica remains the only Covid-19-free continent - thanks in the main to strict security and not a little luck. The natural isolation of the frozen and desolate expanse has been taken to new extremes since the WHO declared a pandemic on March 11.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:53 UTC
Latin America's two main economies with daily record virus cases, but also desperate to reopen activity

Brazil and Mexico on Thursday reported a record one-day rise in new coronavirus cases, just as leaders of both countries intensified attempts to reopen their economies even as the spread of the virus in Latin America is seemingly gathering pace.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:52 UTC
Brazil lowers economic outlook to minus 4,7% in 2020; pre crisis recovery level will be reached in 2022

Brazil’s government lowered its 2020 economic outlook, forecasting a gross domestic product contraction of 4.7%, which would signal the country’s biggest economic crash in more than a century.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:07 UTC
Thermal scanning for people attending masses in St Peter's and other papal basilicas

People attending Masses in St. Peter's and other papal basilicas in Rome will have their temperature checked as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Vatican said on Thursday.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 08:04 UTC
Massive €18 billion support for France's tourism sector, “rescuing it is a national priority”

France announced measures worth €18 billion (US$19 billion) to support its tourism sector, which has been hammered by the COVID-19 crisis and resulting shutdown in beaches, leisure attractions, and hotels.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 07:46 UTC
Trump mobilizing the military to distribute a coronavirus vaccine when available

President Donald Trump is mobilizing the U.S. military to distribute a novel coronavirus vaccine when one becomes available and will focus first on older Americans.
Thursday, May 14th 2020 - 08:59 UTC
Chile orders total quarantine for Santiago's population following a virus peak of infections

Chile ordered a mandatory total quarantine for the capital Santiago's seven million people on Wednesday, after authorities reported a 60% spike in coronavirus infections in 24 hours, dealing a stunning blow to hopes the economy would soon reopen.
Thursday, May 14th 2020 - 08:59 UTC
Brazil becomes Covid-19 sixth worst hit country and the economy is forecasted to contract 4,7% in 2020

Brazil registered a record number of new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday surpassing France's tally to become the sixth-worst hit country, as the coronavirus sends the economy towards its worst year since at least 1900.
Thursday, May 14th 2020 - 08:57 UTC
World will have to learn to live with Covid-19, warns World Health Organization

The new coronavirus may never go away and populations around the world will have to learn to live with it, the World Health Organization warned on Wednesday. As some countries around the world begin gradually easing lockdown restrictions imposed in a bid to stop the novel coronavirus from spreading, the WHO said it may never be wiped out entirely.
Thursday, May 14th 2020 - 07:50 UTC
US accuses Chinese hackers of attempting to steal coronavirus data on vaccines

US authorities warned on Wednesday that Chinese hackers were attempting to steal coronavirus data on treatments and vaccines, adding fuel to Washington's war with Beijing over the pandemic.