New Zealand lifts lockdown; goes back to new normal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been in a long battle over getting his office back. Israel had various extensions of elections, as three elections ended up being inconclusive,

However, after months,&nbsp;Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday that he has managed to bring together enough lawmakers to form a government.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/preschoolers-return-as-israel-further-eases-coronavirus-curbs-298020">Also watch:&nbsp;Preschoolers return as Israel further eases coronavirus curbs</a>

Netanyahu achieved the 61-seat majority as&nbsp;Likud Party and the ultra-Orthodox Shas faction reached a coalition agreement on Wednesday, and the deal with the Blue and White party.

The soon-to-be Prime Minister submitted a letter to the ceremonial President on Wednesday. The swearing in ceremony will be held on Thursday.

As per the power-sharing agreement,&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu and&nbsp;his rival-turned-ally Gantz will act as Prime Minister for 18 months each, beginning with&nbsp;Netanyahu.&nbsp;

The arrangement came in place after Gantz gave up his fight against against&nbsp;Netanyahu and decided to join forces, keeping in mind the damage done by coronavirus.&nbsp;Netanyahu has been ruling the country for more than a decade, and has had allegations of corruption against him. Gantz, during this time, has always opposed&nbsp;Netanyahu.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been in a long battle over getting his office back. Israel had various extensions of elections, as three elections ended up being inconclusive, However, after months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday that he has managed to bring together enough lawmakers to form a government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been in a long battle over getting his office back. Israel had various extensions of elections, as three elections ended up being inconclusive, However, after months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday that he has managed to bring together enough lawmakers to form a government. Also watch: Preschoolers return as Israel further eases coronavirus curbs Netanyahu achieved the 61-seat majority as Likud Party and the ultra-Orthodox Shas faction reached a coalition agreement on Wednesday, and the deal with the Blue and White party. The soon-to-be Prime Minister submitted a letter to the ceremonial President on Wednesday. The swearing in ceremony will be held on Thursday. As per the power-sharing agreement, Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival-turned-ally Gantz will act as Prime Minister for 18 months each, beginning with Netanyahu. The arrangement came in place after Gantz gave up his fight against against Netanyahu and decided to join forces, keeping in mind the damage done by coronavirus. Netanyahu has been ruling the country for more than a decade, and has had allegations of corruption against him. Gantz, during this time, has always opposed Netanyahu.

Benjamin Netanyahu forms government; swearing in ceremony on Thursday

New Zealand has been applauded for the way it handled the coronavirus pandemic. As no new cases were reported for two days, New Zealand has decided to reopen its economy and let people return back to their day-to-day life.

The country had start re-opening few shops and had allowed people to step out for&nbsp;walks and essential work few weeks back, in order to lift the restrictions of lockdown in phases.

However,&nbsp;Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has now announced that the country is ready to embrace its new normal now.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-berates-new-zealand-over-support-for-taiwan-at-who-298258">Also read:&nbsp;China berates New Zealand over support for Taiwan at WHO</a>

Malls, retail stores and restaurants will be allowed to reopen from Thursday, and people will laos be allowed to get back to their workplaces. However, rules of social distancing will be applicable till further notice. All gatherings will be limited to 10 people and everyone will be encouraged to wear masks.

“New Zealand is about to enter a very tough winter.&nbsp;But every winter eventually is followed by spring, and if we make the right choices we can get New Zealanders back to work and our economy moving quickly again,” said Jacinda Ardern.

New Zealand&nbsp;had reported close to 1,500 positive cases, out of which more than 1,400 have recovered, and 21 lost their lives.

New Zealand has been applauded for the way it handled the coronavirus pandemic. As no new cases were reported for two days, New Zealand has decided to reopen its economy and let people return back to their day-to-day life.

New Zealand has been applauded for the way it handled the coronavirus pandemic. As no new cases were reported for two days, New Zealand has decided to reopen its economy and let people return back to their day-to-day life. The country had start re-opening few shops and had allowed people to step out for walks and essential work few weeks back, in order to lift the restrictions of lockdown in phases. However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has now announced that the country is ready to embrace its new normal now. Also read: China berates New Zealand over support for Taiwan at WHO Malls, retail stores and restaurants will be allowed to reopen from Thursday, and people will laos be allowed to get back to their workplaces. However, rules of social distancing will be applicable till further notice. All gatherings will be limited to 10 people and everyone will be encouraged to wear masks. “New Zealand is about to enter a very tough winter. But every winter eventually is followed by spring, and if we make the right choices we can get New Zealanders back to work and our economy moving quickly again,” said Jacinda Ardern. New Zealand had reported close to 1,500 positive cases, out of which more than 1,400 have recovered, and 21 lost their lives.

Kiwis to return to workplace as New Zealand lifts lockdown

May 14 in history: Warsaw pact signed, first US space station launched and more!

As various countries are ready to resume their daily lives and save the crippling economy, World Health Organization has said that the coronavirus is here to stay.

"This virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities and this virus may never go away," Michael Ryan, the WHO's emergencies director,&nbsp;told a virtual press conference in Geneva.

"HIV has not gone away -- but we have come to terms with the virus," he added.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-putting-nations-at-risk-by-excluding-taiwan-from-knowledge-sharing-us-report-298412">Also read:&nbsp;WHO putting nations at risk by excluding Taiwan from knowledge sharing: US report</a>

The virus, which has infected more than 4.2 million people globally, is something that the humans might have to learn to live with. Due to the spread of coronavirus, a lot of countries were out under lockdown. However, as the economies suffered and took a great fall, some countries are now hoping to lift the lockdown and save their economy.

However, WHO says there is no guarantee whether lifting the lockdown will start a fresh wave of coronavirus or not.&nbsp;As the risks are high, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus&nbsp;still wants countries to be on a high alert against the virus.

Ryan also expressed concern over the growing violent attacks on the healthcare workers. "COVID-19 is bringing out the best in us, but it's also bringing out some of the worst. People feel empowered to take out their frustrations on individuals who are purely trying to help. These are senseless acts of violence and discrimination that must be resisted," he said

As various countries are ready to resume their daily lives and save the crippling economy, World Health Organization has said that the coronavirus is here to stay.

As various countries are ready to resume their daily lives and save the crippling economy, World Health Organization has said that the coronavirus is here to stay. "This virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities and this virus may never go away," Michael Ryan, the WHO's emergencies director, told a virtual press conference in Geneva. "HIV has not gone away -- but we have come to terms with the virus," he added. Also read: WHO putting nations at risk by excluding Taiwan from knowledge sharing: US report The virus, which has infected more than 4.2 million people globally, is something that the humans might have to learn to live with. Due to the spread of coronavirus, a lot of countries were out under lockdown. However, as the economies suffered and took a great fall, some countries are now hoping to lift the lockdown and save their economy. However, WHO says there is no guarantee whether lifting the lockdown will start a fresh wave of coronavirus or not. As the risks are high, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus still wants countries to be on a high alert against the virus. Ryan also expressed concern over the growing violent attacks on the healthcare workers. "COVID-19 is bringing out the best in us, but it's also bringing out some of the worst. People feel empowered to take out their frustrations on individuals who are purely trying to help. These are senseless acts of violence and discrimination that must be resisted," he said

Just like HIV, coronavirus may never go away: WHO expert warns

The World Health Organization (WHO) has "forgotten" its professionalism and neutrality in locking Taiwan out of the body for political reasons, Taiwan Vice President Chen Chien-jen said on Thursday.

Taiwan says China and the WHO have conspired for political purposes to keep it out of key meetings, that the WHO has not responded to requests for coronavirus information and has misreported the number of its infections.

The WHO and China have strongly dispute the accusations, saying Taiwan has been given all the help it needed, but that only China, which claims democratic Taiwan as one of its provinces, has the right to fully represent it in the WHO.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-president-xi-spoke-to-who-chief-tedros-on-delaying-coronavirus-warning-298045">Also read:&nbsp;China denies President Xi spoke to WHO chief Tedros on delaying coronavirus warning</a>

Chen, a U.S.-trained epidemiologist, said the WHO had been putting politics above health.

"Unfortunately, because of political reasons, Taiwan`s 23 million people have become orphans in the global health system," he told reporters at the presidential office in Taipei.

"The WHO pays too much attention to politics and has forgotten their professionalism and neutrality. This is quite regrettable."

While the WHO has done good work and contributed to world health in the past, its record on the virus has not been as good, Chen added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-becomes-a-worry-in-indonesia-after-dead-indonesian-crew-thrown-in-sea-state-intel-website-hacked-298629">Also read:&nbsp;China becomes a worry in Indonesia after dead Indonesian crew thrown in sea; state intel website hacked</a>

"On the Wuhan pneumonia, we mostly criticise them for acting too slowly," he said, referring to the central Chinese city where the virus first emerged late last year, before spreading worldwide to infect 4.3 million people and kill 295,000.

Chen, who was Taiwan`s health minister during the 2002-2003 SARS crisis, said the world needed to be cautious with China`s virus numbers, and urged Beijing to be more transparent. 
He wished China well in its fight, however.

"Here I give my blessings to them and hope that they can contain the Wuhan pneumonia as early as possible and avoid a second wave," said Chen, who leaves office when President Tsai Ing-wen is sworn in for her second term next week.

Taiwan has lobbied to attend next week's meeting of the WHO`s decision-making World Health Assembly as an observer, but China objects.

In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Taiwan`s basis for participation in the WHO was damaged by the refusal of its ruling Democratic Progressive Party to recognise that the island is part of China.

There is no legal basis for a "non-sovereign region" to participate as an observer, Zhao added.

The United States has repeatedly clashed with China over its refusal to allow Taiwan full access to the body, helping to further fuel tension between Washington and Beijing.

Taiwan`s tally of 440 virus infections and seven deaths is far lower than many of its neighbours, thanks to early and effective prevention work and an efficient public health system.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has "forgotten" its professionalism and neutrality in locking Taiwan out of the body for political reasons, Taiwan Vice President Chen Chien-jen said on Thursday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has "forgotten" its professionalism and neutrality in locking Taiwan out of the body for political reasons, Taiwan Vice President Chen Chien-jen said on Thursday. Taiwan says China and the WHO have conspired for political purposes to keep it out of key meetings, that the WHO has not responded to requests for coronavirus information and has misreported the number of its infections. The WHO and China have strongly dispute the accusations, saying Taiwan has been given all the help it needed, but that only China, which claims democratic Taiwan as one of its provinces, has the right to fully represent it in the WHO. Also read: China denies President Xi spoke to WHO chief Tedros on delaying coronavirus warning Chen, a U.S.-trained epidemiologist, said the WHO had been putting politics above health. "Unfortunately, because of political reasons, Taiwan`s 23 million people have become orphans in the global health system," he told reporters at the presidential office in Taipei. "The WHO pays too much attention to politics and has forgotten their professionalism and neutrality. This is quite regrettable." While the WHO has done good work and contributed to world health in the past, its record on the virus has not been as good, Chen added. Also read: China becomes a worry in Indonesia after dead Indonesian crew thrown in sea; state intel website hacked "On the Wuhan pneumonia, we mostly criticise them for acting too slowly," he said, referring to the central Chinese city where the virus first emerged late last year, before spreading worldwide to infect 4.3 million people and kill 295,000. Chen, who was Taiwan`s health minister during the 2002-2003 SARS crisis, said the world needed to be cautious with China`s virus numbers, and urged Beijing to be more transparent. He wished China well in its fight, however. "Here I give my blessings to them and hope that they can contain the Wuhan pneumonia as early as possible and avoid a second wave," said Chen, who leaves office when President Tsai Ing-wen is sworn in for her second term next week. Taiwan has lobbied to attend next week's meeting of the WHO`s decision-making World Health Assembly as an observer, but China objects. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Taiwan`s basis for participation in the WHO was damaged by the refusal of its ruling Democratic Progressive Party to recognise that the island is part of China. There is no legal basis for a "non-sovereign region" to participate as an observer, Zhao added. The United States has repeatedly clashed with China over its refusal to allow Taiwan full access to the body, helping to further fuel tension between Washington and Beijing. Taiwan`s tally of 440 virus infections and seven deaths is far lower than many of its neighbours, thanks to early and effective prevention work and an efficient public health system.

Taiwan says WHO has 'forgotten' neutrality by barring island

The head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is expected to step down from his post on Thursday.&nbsp; Roberto Azevêdo&nbsp;has scheduled a meeting a virtual meeting on Thursday afternoon, to inform national members that he will be leaving his office in September, a year before the actual term end date.

He has been Director-General at the Geneva-based trade body since 2013 and was on a second term of office.

The heads of delegations of the WTO&nbsp;were called to a special meeting to be held at 4 p.m. (1400 GMT)&nbsp;to inform them about "pressing WTO administrative issues".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-approval-rating-dips-currently-trails-behind-biden-polls-298359">Also read:&nbsp;Donald Trump's approval rating dips, currently trails behind Biden: Polls</a>

It is being speculated that the decision has been made following the constant verbal attacks at the trade body by the US President Donald Trump's government. President Trump recently blamed it for allowing China to practise unfair trade.&nbsp;Last year too,the appellate body, the highest authority in the organisation’s dispute settlement process, ceased to function after the US blocked the appointment of new judges to replace two who retired.

There has been no news of Azevêdo replacement yet. It is believed that the process of finding a replacement for the chair might take more than few months, and could stretch out till next year.

The WTO has reserved any comments till the end of this meeting.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is expected to step down from his post on Thursday. Roberto Azevêdo has scheduled a meeting a virtual meeting on Thursday afternoon, to inform national members that he will be leaving his office in September, a year before the actual term end date.

The head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is expected to step down from his post on Thursday. Roberto Azevêdo has scheduled a meeting a virtual meeting on Thursday afternoon, to inform national members that he will be leaving his office in September, a year before the actual term end date. He has been Director-General at the Geneva-based trade body since 2013 and was on a second term of office. The heads of delegations of the WTO were called to a special meeting to be held at 4 p.m. (1400 GMT) to inform them about "pressing WTO administrative issues". Also read: Donald Trump's approval rating dips, currently trails behind Biden: Polls It is being speculated that the decision has been made following the constant verbal attacks at the trade body by the US President Donald Trump's government. President Trump recently blamed it for allowing China to practise unfair trade. Last year too,the appellate body, the highest authority in the organisation’s dispute settlement process, ceased to function after the US blocked the appointment of new judges to replace two who retired. There has been no news of Azevêdo replacement yet. It is believed that the process of finding a replacement for the chair might take more than few months, and could stretch out till next year. The WTO has reserved any comments till the end of this meeting. (With inputs from Reuters)

World Trade Organization Chief to resign in a virtual meeting

In an experiment conducted in japan, it has been proved that even one person can easily spread germs if he/she is infected.

The experiment was&nbsp;conducted by the public broadcasting organization NHK and health experts. It was setup similar to&nbsp;a buffet restaurant or on a cruise ship.

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The experiment shows 10 people dining in a buffet. The participants, unknown of the one infected person, carry on to the buffet and settle down on the table, as per normal circumstances. However, at the end of the experiment,&nbsp;the participants are cast under black lights illuminating where the infection has spread.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-putting-nations-at-risk-by-excluding-taiwan-from-knowledge-sharing-us-report-298412">Also read:&nbsp;WHO putting nations at risk by excluding Taiwan from knowledge sharing: US report</a>

A substance was used to signify the germs/infection. When the participants were subjected to black light, the substance could be&nbsp;seen on food, serving utensils and platters, and even on the faces of some of them.

"What the video demonstrated, is that it will spread to surfaces and to people very efficiently and I think it really highlights the need of what people have been saying about hand hygiene to stop the spread of disease," John Nicholls, a clinical professor in pathology at Hong Kong University explained to a media organization.

However, the experiment cannot be believed completely as majority focus of the group was on touching substances.

Another way of conducting this experiment that the experts have suggested is to let the infected person wash his/her hands for 5-10 seconds and then observe the spread of the infection.

This experiment has, however,&nbsp;proved how easily the virus can spread in public gatherings even if just one person is infected.

In an experiment conducted in japan, it has been proved that even one person can easily spread germs if he/she is infected. The experiment was conducted by the public broadcasting organization NHK and health experts.

In an experiment conducted in japan, it has been proved that even one person can easily spread germs if he/she is infected. The experiment was conducted by the public broadcasting organization NHK and health experts. It was setup similar to a buffet restaurant or on a cruise ship. × The experiment shows 10 people dining in a buffet. The participants, unknown of the one infected person, carry on to the buffet and settle down on the table, as per normal circumstances. However, at the end of the experiment, the participants are cast under black lights illuminating where the infection has spread. Also read: WHO putting nations at risk by excluding Taiwan from knowledge sharing: US report A substance was used to signify the germs/infection. When the participants were subjected to black light, the substance could be seen on food, serving utensils and platters, and even on the faces of some of them. "What the video demonstrated, is that it will spread to surfaces and to people very efficiently and I think it really highlights the need of what people have been saying about hand hygiene to stop the spread of disease," John Nicholls, a clinical professor in pathology at Hong Kong University explained to a media organization. However, the experiment cannot be believed completely as majority focus of the group was on touching substances. Another way of conducting this experiment that the experts have suggested is to let the infected person wash his/her hands for 5-10 seconds and then observe the spread of the infection. This experiment has, however, proved how easily the virus can spread in public gatherings even if just one person is infected.

Japanese experiment shows how quickly one person can spread coronavirus

American President Donald Trump has not been spotted wearing&nbsp;face mask even once during the past few months when coronavirus has taken over the world.

The issue was raised, and the President was trolled and criticized, majorly when he visited the Honeywell plant in Arizona few weeks back. Honeywell plant, which was earlier an&nbsp;aerospace plant in Phoenix, has started producing masks&nbsp;in recent months as the country faced a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).&nbsp;

Donald Trump, on his visit to examine the operation, was spotted without a mask in the mask-producing factory. Although, he claimed he wore a mask backstage. This raised the question of why does the American President not wear a mask.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fast-and-safely-donald-trump-comes-in-support-for-elon-musks-fremont-factory-298366">Also read:&nbsp;'Fast and safely': Donald Trump comes in support for Elon Musk's Fremont factory</a>

Donald Trump is not alone in this. Not wearing a mask seems to be a subtle representation of Trump's administration. Vice President Mike Pence was criticized for not wearing a mask during his tour of the Mayo Clinic in April.

When the nationwide lockdown was initiated, a lot of Americans scrambled on the streets to protest against the lockdown, asking for their lives back. Majority of these protestors, who took over the roads and the beaches, were spotted without masks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-approval-rating-dips-currently-trails-behind-biden-polls-298359">Also read:&nbsp;Donald Trump's approval rating dips, currently trails behind Biden: Polls</a>

The absence of masks from these protests and the official tours hints towards the underlying problem of racial discrimination and&nbsp;prejudices. Wearing a mask was earlier, especially in the US, associated with Asian communities. Asian Americans have faced various racial attacks and slurs for wearing a mask.

Later, as the masks became important and compulsory, a lot of cities got complaints of police targeting Black minority groups for 'covering their faces', when they were wearing masks. These men, who were simply following the protocol of social distancing, were profiled as criminals.

Trump has not been known to bite his tongue when it comes to blaming China for spreading coronavirus in the world. In a recent press conference, when an Asian-American journalist asked Trump a question, he responded back saying "Don't ask me, ask China" and ended the press conference saying the said reporter asked a "nasty" question.

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Trump storms out of coronavirus press conference after getting called out for a racist comment to an Asian American reporter. Kudos to CNN’s ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kaitlancollins</a>⁩ who let the reporter follow up with Trump over his racist question. <a href="https://t.co/NQySU4P4NH">pic.twitter.com/NQySU4P4NH</a>
— John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️‍🌈 (@aravosis) <a href="https://twitter.com/aravosis/status/1259956800645992448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Another reason why Americans have refused to listen to the health experts, is the show of 'manliness'. It has been observed that a&nbsp;lot of Americans associate wearing masks to weakness. They feel it is a sign of being weak. They like to believe that coronavirus is not an issue and everything in the world is normal. Coronavirus, according to them, is simply a small virus which has been hyped by the media. In order to prove their manliness, Americans feel it is necessary that they do not show any sign of weakness, which would include succumbing to the guidelines of health experts.

It is not only men who feel this way. Women, too, have been spotted outdoors without masks. They, too, have joined the protests and feel wearing a mask is a sign of weakness, and that everything is normal.&nbsp;

The fact that the US is one of the worst-hit countries by the deadly coronavirus pandemic points at the problematic current trend of Americans not wearing masks. It is always said that the citizens follow their ruler. Sadly, in this case, Donald Trump, has not been able to set the right example.

American President Donald Trump has not been spotted wearing face mask even once during the past few months when coronavirus has taken over the world. The issue was raised, and the President was trolled and criticized, majorly when he visited the Honeywell plant in Arizona few weeks back.

American President Donald Trump has not been spotted wearing face mask even once during the past few months when coronavirus has taken over the world. The issue was raised, and the President was trolled and criticized, majorly when he visited the Honeywell plant in Arizona few weeks back. Honeywell plant, which was earlier an aerospace plant in Phoenix, has started producing masks in recent months as the country faced a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Donald Trump, on his visit to examine the operation, was spotted without a mask in the mask-producing factory. Although, he claimed he wore a mask backstage. This raised the question of why does the American President not wear a mask. Also read: 'Fast and safely': Donald Trump comes in support for Elon Musk's Fremont factory Donald Trump is not alone in this. Not wearing a mask seems to be a subtle representation of Trump's administration. Vice President Mike Pence was criticized for not wearing a mask during his tour of the Mayo Clinic in April. When the nationwide lockdown was initiated, a lot of Americans scrambled on the streets to protest against the lockdown, asking for their lives back. Majority of these protestors, who took over the roads and the beaches, were spotted without masks. Also read: Donald Trump's approval rating dips, currently trails behind Biden: Polls The absence of masks from these protests and the official tours hints towards the underlying problem of racial discrimination and prejudices. Wearing a mask was earlier, especially in the US, associated with Asian communities. Asian Americans have faced various racial attacks and slurs for wearing a mask. Later, as the masks became important and compulsory, a lot of cities got complaints of police targeting Black minority groups for 'covering their faces', when they were wearing masks. These men, who were simply following the protocol of social distancing, were profiled as criminals. Trump has not been known to bite his tongue when it comes to blaming China for spreading coronavirus in the world. In a recent press conference, when an Asian-American journalist asked Trump a question, he responded back saying "Don't ask me, ask China" and ended the press conference saying the said reporter asked a "nasty" question. Trump storms out of coronavirus press conference after getting called out for a racist comment to an Asian American reporter. Kudos to CNN’s ⁦@kaitlancollins⁩ who let the reporter follow up with Trump over his racist question. pic.twitter.com/NQySU4P4NH — John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️‍🌈 (@aravosis) May 11, 2020 × Another reason why Americans have refused to listen to the health experts, is the show of 'manliness'. It has been observed that a lot of Americans associate wearing masks to weakness. They feel it is a sign of being weak. They like to believe that coronavirus is not an issue and everything in the world is normal. Coronavirus, according to them, is simply a small virus which has been hyped by the media. In order to prove their manliness, Americans feel it is necessary that they do not show any sign of weakness, which would include succumbing to the guidelines of health experts. It is not only men who feel this way. Women, too, have been spotted outdoors without masks. They, too, have joined the protests and feel wearing a mask is a sign of weakness, and that everything is normal. The fact that the US is one of the worst-hit countries by the deadly coronavirus pandemic points at the problematic current trend of Americans not wearing masks. It is always said that the citizens follow their ruler. Sadly, in this case, Donald Trump, has not been able to set the right example.

Donald Trump's refusal to wear masks hints towards racism and masculinity in America

Minutes after IRCTC website resumed bookings for passengers, the IRCTC website crashed due to heavy traffic.

Indian Railways has suspended all passenger trains since the lockdown started. This had led to a lot of people getting stranded in different cities, away from their hometowns.

In order to help people travel back to their hometowns, Indian Railways decided to partially start train services from May 12. The announcement was made on Sunday evening.&nbsp;

The online ticket bookings were to begin at 4pm on Monday. However, within few minutes the website crashed and the people were unable to book tickets or even login to their accounts.&nbsp;

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Special trains are being uploaded in system. Booking will start soon.
— IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRCTCofficial/status/1259803784898732032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After some minutes, IRCTC announced that the booking portal will be accessible to all from 6pm.

The delay was not well received by the people, who took to Twitter to express their concern over this two-hour delay.

It took some time for IRCTC to be able to upload the train schedules and guidelines.

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Indian Railways issues the timings of 30 special trains to be run with effect from 12th May. <a href="https://t.co/fvwxMrL3P3">pic.twitter.com/fvwxMrL3P3</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1259823600783093761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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As soon as the ticket portal became accessible to passengers, the Howrah-New Delhi route was fully booked for 3AC in less than 10 minutes.&nbsp;

All other routes, too, saw a huge number of bookings within the first first hour itself.

While the passengers will be properly screened and face masks will be made compulsory, Indian Railway has issued guidelines for these bookings. It has been decided that no catering charges will be included in the fare as the provision for prepaid meal has been disabled. All passengers are being advised to carry their own food and water as only limited food provisions and packaged water bottles will be available.

Passengers have also been advised to carry their own linen and blankets. Long-distance passenger trains usually provide linens, blankets and curtains. However, to make sure that no transfer of infection takes place, the linens, blankets and curtains have been removed from the trains.

Passengers have also been told that downloading the Aarogya Setu app is compulsory.

Minutes after IRCTC website resumed bookings for passengers, the IRCTC website crashed due to heavy traffic. Indian Railways has suspended all passenger trains since the lockdown started.

Minutes after IRCTC website resumed bookings for passengers, the IRCTC website crashed due to heavy traffic. Indian Railways has suspended all passenger trains since the lockdown started. This had led to a lot of people getting stranded in different cities, away from their hometowns. In order to help people travel back to their hometowns, Indian Railways decided to partially start train services from May 12. The announcement was made on Sunday evening. The online ticket bookings were to begin at 4pm on Monday. However, within few minutes the website crashed and the people were unable to book tickets or even login to their accounts. Special trains are being uploaded in system. Booking will start soon. — IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) May 11, 2020 × After some minutes, IRCTC announced that the booking portal will be accessible to all from 6pm. The delay was not well received by the people, who took to Twitter to express their concern over this two-hour delay. It took some time for IRCTC to be able to upload the train schedules and guidelines. Indian Railways issues the timings of 30 special trains to be run with effect from 12th May. pic.twitter.com/fvwxMrL3P3 — ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2020 × As soon as the ticket portal became accessible to passengers, the Howrah-New Delhi route was fully booked for 3AC in less than 10 minutes. All other routes, too, saw a huge number of bookings within the first first hour itself. While the passengers will be properly screened and face masks will be made compulsory, Indian Railway has issued guidelines for these bookings. It has been decided that no catering charges will be included in the fare as the provision for prepaid meal has been disabled. All passengers are being advised to carry their own food and water as only limited food provisions and packaged water bottles will be available. Passengers have also been advised to carry their own linen and blankets. Long-distance passenger trains usually provide linens, blankets and curtains. However, to make sure that no transfer of infection takes place, the linens, blankets and curtains have been removed from the trains. Passengers have also been told that downloading the Aarogya Setu app is compulsory.

IRCTC website crashes within minutes; Howrah-New Delhi 3AC full to capacity

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is a former teacher has decided to help&nbsp;the students amidst the nationwide&nbsp;lockdown.

Canada has been on a partial lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Trudeau feels bad for the kids who have been locked in their homes due to the virus, and have had to continue their studies from home.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-still-in-the-emergency-phase-justin-trudeau-297706">Also read:&nbsp;We are still in the emergency phase: Justin Trudeau</a>

Sympathising with them, he has asked students and parents to reach out to him if they are facing problems with any kind of school work.

"Hey parents! If your kids are stuck on a homework question, feel free to pass this message along. Because as a teacher, I want to help out. Let me know what the difficult question is by replying to this tweet or using the hashtag #CanadaHomeworkHelp - and I'll see what I can do," he tweeted on Sunday. The tweet also had a video message along.

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Hey parents! If your kids are stuck on a homework question, feel free to pass this message along. Because as a teacher, I want to help out. Let me know what the difficult question is by replying to this tweet or using the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadaHomeworkHelp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CanadaHomeworkHelp</a> - and I’ll see what I can do. <a href="https://t.co/MivkOaE8KM">pic.twitter.com/MivkOaE8KM</a>
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1259570858865184768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He also announced support for nurses and businesses during this pandemic, in two different video messages through his official Twitter account.

The Twitter messages came few days after Canadian Prime Minister told people to exercise caution as he believes that the country is still in emergency phase.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is a former teacher has decided to help the students amidst the nationwide lockdown. Canada has been on a partial lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is a former teacher has decided to help the students amidst the nationwide lockdown. Canada has been on a partial lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Trudeau feels bad for the kids who have been locked in their homes due to the virus, and have had to continue their studies from home. Also read: We are still in the emergency phase: Justin Trudeau Sympathising with them, he has asked students and parents to reach out to him if they are facing problems with any kind of school work. "Hey parents! If your kids are stuck on a homework question, feel free to pass this message along. Because as a teacher, I want to help out. Let me know what the difficult question is by replying to this tweet or using the hashtag #CanadaHomeworkHelp - and I'll see what I can do," he tweeted on Sunday. The tweet also had a video message along. Hey parents! If your kids are stuck on a homework question, feel free to pass this message along. Because as a teacher, I want to help out. Let me know what the difficult question is by replying to this tweet or using the hashtag #CanadaHomeworkHelp - and I’ll see what I can do. pic.twitter.com/MivkOaE8KM — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 10, 2020 × He also announced support for nurses and businesses during this pandemic, in two different video messages through his official Twitter account. The Twitter messages came few days after Canadian Prime Minister told people to exercise caution as he believes that the country is still in emergency phase.

Justin Trudeau starts #CanadaHomeworkHelp; asks kids to reach out to him

Indian Railways has announced its plans to resume passenger trains from May 12. The announcement was made on&nbsp;Sunday through a statement.

The Railways plans to initially start with 15 pairs of special trains (30 return trains).

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Railways plans to gradually restart passenger train operations from 12th May, 2020, initially with 15 pairs of special trains connecting New Delhi with major stations across India. Booking in these trains will start at 4 pm on 11th May.<a href="https://t.co/DW9I1sPRx6">https://t.co/DW9I1sPRx6</a>
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1259499986309406721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The bookings can only be made online through the official website of Indian Railways (IRCTC):&nbsp;(https://www.irctc.co.in/) . Passengers will be able to book tickets online from 4pm on May 11, i.e. on Monday.

"Ticket booking counters at the railway stations shall remain closed and no counter &nbsp;tickets (including platform tickets) shall be issued. Only passengers with valid confirmed tickets will be allowed to enter the railway stations. &nbsp;It will be mandatory for the passengers to wear face cover and undergo screening at departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train. Further details including train schedule will be issued separately in due course,"&nbsp;read the statement.

The trains will connect New Delhi with Dibrugarh, Agartala, Howrah, Patna, Bilaspur, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Madgaon, Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad and Jammu Tawi.&nbsp;

The passengers&nbsp;will have to undergo screening before departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train. Wearing mask and following rules of social distancing will be compulsory at all times.

Details about train schedules will be announced soon.

More trains will be resumed after observing the movement and response of these 15 trains.

However, the ministry will reserve 20,000 coaches for COVID-19 care centres and will also make sure that adequate number of coaches are reserved for the&nbsp;operation migrant workers through&nbsp;300 trains every day as “Shramik Special” .

A day before lockdown 2.0 ended, Indian Railways was criticised for not issuing a proper statement and therefore creating confusion among the travellers as&nbsp;stranded migrant workers had flocked to the railway station to catch the first train to their hometowns. The chaos caused during that time had forced the railway ministry to urge the people who not come to the stations to book or board trains.

The announcement of resuming online bookings comes a week before lockdown 3.0 is coming to an end.&nbsp;

Indian Railways has announced its plans to resume passenger trains from May 12. The announcement was made on Sunday through a statement. The Railways plans to initially start with 15 pairs of special trains (30 return trains).

Indian Railways has announced its plans to resume passenger trains from May 12. The announcement was made on Sunday through a statement. The Railways plans to initially start with 15 pairs of special trains (30 return trains). Railways plans to gradually restart passenger train operations from 12th May, 2020, initially with 15 pairs of special trains connecting New Delhi with major stations across India. Booking in these trains will start at 4 pm on 11th May.https://t.co/DW9I1sPRx6 — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 10, 2020 × The bookings can only be made online through the official website of Indian Railways (IRCTC): (https://www.irctc.co.in/) . Passengers will be able to book tickets online from 4pm on May 11, i.e. on Monday. "Ticket booking counters at the railway stations shall remain closed and no counter tickets (including platform tickets) shall be issued. Only passengers with valid confirmed tickets will be allowed to enter the railway stations. It will be mandatory for the passengers to wear face cover and undergo screening at departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train. Further details including train schedule will be issued separately in due course," read the statement. The trains will connect New Delhi with Dibrugarh, Agartala, Howrah, Patna, Bilaspur, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Madgaon, Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad and Jammu Tawi. The passengers will have to undergo screening before departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train. Wearing mask and following rules of social distancing will be compulsory at all times. Details about train schedules will be announced soon. More trains will be resumed after observing the movement and response of these 15 trains. However, the ministry will reserve 20,000 coaches for COVID-19 care centres and will also make sure that adequate number of coaches are reserved for the operation migrant workers through 300 trains every day as “Shramik Special” . A day before lockdown 2.0 ended, Indian Railways was criticised for not issuing a proper statement and therefore creating confusion among the travellers as stranded migrant workers had flocked to the railway station to catch the first train to their hometowns. The chaos caused during that time had forced the railway ministry to urge the people who not come to the stations to book or board trains. The announcement of resuming online bookings comes a week before lockdown 3.0 is coming to an end.

Railways to gradually start passenger trains from May 12; online bookings open on Monday

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Deeksha Teri

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