Pakistan has recorded a 21% jump in deaths, but the Pak govt is not conducting autopsies to ascertain the cause of deaths. Is Pakistan under-reporting Coronavirus cases & deaths? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Pakistan under-reporting Coronavirus cases?

The fight between the US and China is escalating. The US has now accused China of carrying out a nuclear test. Meanwhile, China is flexing its military muscle in Taiwan.

Gravitas: U.S. - China spat escalates amid pandemic | Wuhan Coronavirus

Social Media has become India's favourite lockdown pass time.

Gravitas: What Indians are doing during lockdown | Wuhan Coronavirus

The world's displaced people brace for coronavirus crisis

Singapore is assessing if migrant workers who recover from COVID-19 might be safer on cruise ships in comparison to dormitories that have become coronavirus hotbeds.

The city-state has so far recorded 4,427 cases. Around 60 per cent of them stay in dormitories, where mainly South Asian labourers live 12 to 20 in a room, and share toilets in conditions some workers have said are unsanitary.

Singapore saw virus cases surge in sprawling housing complexes for foreign labourers, recording its biggest ever jump in cases on Thursday, and is looking for new accommodation solutions for hundreds of workers.

To this end, cruise ships are being considered as they have readily available rooms and en-suite toilets to minimise person-to-person contact.

The measure could be rolled out for workers who have recovered from the coronavirus and tested negative, helping free up space in dormitories.&nbsp;

Authorities are also moving some healthy workers from dorms into public housing, military camps and industrial ships used to accommodate offshore staff.

To facilitate this, two ships owned by Genting Cruise Lines, that could each accommodate up to 2,000 people, were being checked to see if they had suitable ventilation systems, security protocols and infection control measures, the tourism board said.

Talking of cruise ships, they have also been at the centre of mass outbreaks during the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed over 130,000 lives and infected over two million people globally.

Singapore is assessing if migrant workers who recover from COVID-19 might be safer on cruise ships in comparison to dormitories that have become coronavirus hotbeds.

Singapore is assessing if migrant workers who recover from COVID-19 might be safer on cruise ships in comparison to dormitories that have become coronavirus hotbeds. The city-state has so far recorded 4,427 cases. Around 60 per cent of them stay in dormitories, where mainly South Asian labourers live 12 to 20 in a room, and share toilets in conditions some workers have said are unsanitary. Singapore saw virus cases surge in sprawling housing complexes for foreign labourers, recording its biggest ever jump in cases on Thursday, and is looking for new accommodation solutions for hundreds of workers. To this end, cruise ships are being considered as they have readily available rooms and en-suite toilets to minimise person-to-person contact. The measure could be rolled out for workers who have recovered from the coronavirus and tested negative, helping free up space in dormitories. Authorities are also moving some healthy workers from dorms into public housing, military camps and industrial ships used to accommodate offshore staff. To facilitate this, two ships owned by Genting Cruise Lines, that could each accommodate up to 2,000 people, were being checked to see if they had suitable ventilation systems, security protocols and infection control measures, the tourism board said. Talking of cruise ships, they have also been at the centre of mass outbreaks during the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed over 130,000 lives and infected over two million people globally.

Singapore may place workers who recover from COVID-19 on cruise ships

Chabahar Port&nbsp;is the&nbsp;link that has helped India in sending its humanitarian aid of 5022 MT&nbsp;wheat consignment to&nbsp;Afghanistan deal during the coronavirus pandemic.The vessel that set sail from Kandla port in Gujarat reached the&nbsp;Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar on April 15 2020.

Dr Behruz Aghaei, Chabhar Port General Director on the arrival of Indian aid said, "One of the unique advantages of Chabahar is its transit capabilities. Today, Chabahar is one of the most flourishing southern ports of Iran on the transit domain, which can play a vital role in regional trade connectivity."

The 5022 MT is the first consignment of 75000 MT of wheat India is sending to Afghanistan as a gift. Shipment will be cleared and transited through Milak border to Afghanistan next week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-coronavirus-mediplomacy-russia-says-thanks-to-new-delhi-hcq-sent-to-gulf-293225" hreflang="en">India's coronavirus mediplomacy: Russia says thanks to New Delhi; HCQ sent to Gulf</a>

Afghan Ambassador to Iran&nbsp;Abdol Ghafoor Liwal while expressing his "special thanks to both India and Iran as our friend and neighbouring country for helping transit of shipment" said, "port of Chabahar has very good potential and proper facilities to send Afghanistan&nbsp;cargoes to different destinations in the world"

It must be kept in mind that in the past when India was keen to send aid to Afghanistan via land, Pakistan used to block it. This changed in 2017 when New Delhi first sent wheat aid via Chabahar to Afghanistan, which now has become a norm.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/now-afghanistan-to-battle-coronavirus-with-crumbling-health-infrastructure-293206" hreflang="en">Now, Afghanistan to battle coronavirus with crumbling health infrastructure</a>

Located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman,&nbsp;Chabahar&nbsp;is the home for Iran's only oceanic&nbsp;port.&nbsp;The operation of the&nbsp;Shaheed Beheshti&nbsp;Port&nbsp;at&nbsp;Chabahar&nbsp;was taken over by&nbsp;India&nbsp;Ports Global Co in December 2018.

Meanwhile, Friday saw India sending 100,000 paracetamol and 500,000 hydroxychloroquine tablets to Afghanistan via Ariana Airlines.&nbsp;

Chabahar Port is the link that has helped India in sending its humanitarian aid of 5022 MT wheat consignment to Afghanistan deal during the coronavirus pandemic.

Chabahar Port is the link that has helped India in sending its humanitarian aid of 5022 MT wheat consignment to Afghanistan deal during the coronavirus pandemic.The vessel that set sail from Kandla port in Gujarat reached the Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar on April 15 2020. Dr Behruz Aghaei, Chabhar Port General Director on the arrival of Indian aid said, "One of the unique advantages of Chabahar is its transit capabilities. Today, Chabahar is one of the most flourishing southern ports of Iran on the transit domain, which can play a vital role in regional trade connectivity." The 5022 MT is the first consignment of 75000 MT of wheat India is sending to Afghanistan as a gift. Shipment will be cleared and transited through Milak border to Afghanistan next week. Also read: India's coronavirus mediplomacy: Russia says thanks to New Delhi; HCQ sent to Gulf Afghan Ambassador to Iran Abdol Ghafoor Liwal while expressing his "special thanks to both India and Iran as our friend and neighbouring country for helping transit of shipment" said, "port of Chabahar has very good potential and proper facilities to send Afghanistan cargoes to different destinations in the world" It must be kept in mind that in the past when India was keen to send aid to Afghanistan via land, Pakistan used to block it. This changed in 2017 when New Delhi first sent wheat aid via Chabahar to Afghanistan, which now has become a norm. Also read: Now, Afghanistan to battle coronavirus with crumbling health infrastructure Located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman, Chabahar is the home for Iran's only oceanic port. The operation of the Shaheed Beheshti Port at Chabahar was taken over by India Ports Global Co in December 2018. Meanwhile, Friday saw India sending 100,000 paracetamol and 500,000 hydroxychloroquine tablets to Afghanistan via Ariana Airlines.

Chabahar plays a central role as India's wheat aid all set to reach Afghanistan

These are unprecedented times for the global economy and that is an understatement. But, the pandemic has set back the global economy by decades. Also read: How is the Chinese economy's shrinkage reconfiguring the global economy?

These are unprecedented times for the global economy and that is an understatement. But, the pandemic has set back the global economy by decades. Also read: How is the Chinese economy's shrinkage reconfiguring the global economy? The alarm bells are ringing at IMF and world bank as pressure mounts on these institutions to help the poor countries. Advanced economies are the worst-hit and in these times -- even the grimmest economic forecasts show a sense of optimism. Also read: One-day coronavirus deaths in US surpasses 9/11, Iraq war toll It’s hard not to try and find hope in circumstances not seen since the great depression. Worst economic collapse since the great depression Today, the world is staring at an economic collapse -- possibly the worst in nearly a hundred years. The coronavirus pandemic has undone decades of economic development, threatening to push more people into poverty. Let's take a look at the three months timeline where it all began: In January, the international monetary fund said the world economy would grow at about three per cent in 2020. Now, it says the world economy is drained. IMF: World economy to shrinks by 3 per cent in 2020 IMF's predictions have been overturned now the global economy will contract by three per cent this year. Let’s begin the survey of the global economic damage with the global south: Asia to record zero growth in 2020 Coronavirus is sure to end Asia's 60-year growth streak, according to the IMF which means zero growth in 2020. This is much worse than the global financial crisis of 2008 and that year, Asia grew at 4.7 per cent. Take the region’s worst financial crisis, the Asian currency crisis in the 1990s. Even then, Asia grew at slightly more than one per cent. Latin America facing the worst recession in 50 years The IMF predicts the worst recession in half a century. One out of three people could lose their jobs in South America. That’s over 200 million people unemployed on a single continent. Nearly half the jobs could be lost in Africa In Africa, nearly half the jobs could be lost without urgent action. In the global north, the advanced economies are the worst-affected. Advanced economies to shrink at 6 per cent in 2020 The IMF sees them shrinking by at least 6 per cent this year. That’s a negative growth rate. The United Kingdom’s GDP could contract by 35 per cent this quarter. Both advanced & emerging economies in recession A true global recession is rare and it is on now. Both advanced and emerging economies are in deep trouble at the same time. The total output loss could be around $9 trillion. IMF has mobilised $8 trillion But, there is a shortage of public finances, especially in poorer countries. Nearly two more trillion dollars are required to support developing economies. IMF raises $11 billion from 5 countries The IMF has also received over 11 billion dollars as a pledge from five countries. Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Australia have contributed. G20 countries freeze debt repayments for poor countries The G20 countries have suspended debt repayments. This will free up at least 20 billion dollars in poorer countries for fighting the pandemic. Now, China has urged the World Bank to do the same. Defer loan payments perhaps China should lead by example.

Coronavirus has brought world economy on its knees, is a global recession inevitable?

Uber Technologies Inc expects the revenue to decline by $17 million to $22 million in the quarter. It also said it expected an impairment charge of up to $2.2 billion in the first quarter due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The company is expected to report results for the first quarter on May 7.

The company withdrew its 2020 forecast for gross bookings, adjusted net revenue and adjusted EBITDA, and said the initiatives taken in response to the outbreak, including financial assistance for drivers and delivery people, would be accounted into its first- and second-quarter revenue. It had, last month, promised 10 million free rides and food deliveries to healthcare workers, seniors, and people in need, during the period of lockdowns put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Uber expects GAAP revenue to fall by about $17 million to $22 million in the first quarter, and by about $60 million to $80 million in the second quarter.

The investments will be reduced by an estimated range of $1.9 billion to $2.2 billion during the first quarter ended March 31, the company said.

Shares of Uber were up about 6.6 per cent in extended trading.

Uber Technologies Inc expects the revenue to decline by $17 million to $22 million in the quarter. It also said it expected an impairment charge of up to $2.2 billion in the first quarter due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Uber Technologies Inc expects the revenue to decline by $17 million to $22 million in the quarter. It also said it expected an impairment charge of up to $2.2 billion in the first quarter due to the coronavirus outbreak. The company is expected to report results for the first quarter on May 7. The company withdrew its 2020 forecast for gross bookings, adjusted net revenue and adjusted EBITDA, and said the initiatives taken in response to the outbreak, including financial assistance for drivers and delivery people, would be accounted into its first- and second-quarter revenue. It had, last month, promised 10 million free rides and food deliveries to healthcare workers, seniors, and people in need, during the period of lockdowns put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Uber expects GAAP revenue to fall by about $17 million to $22 million in the first quarter, and by about $60 million to $80 million in the second quarter. The investments will be reduced by an estimated range of $1.9 billion to $2.2 billion during the first quarter ended March 31, the company said. Shares of Uber were up about 6.6 per cent in extended trading.

Uber expects drop in quarterly revenue due to coronavirus pandemic

The rush to understand, predict and head off the COVID-19 outbreak has prompted researchers worldwide to create several tools to detect the virus and has driven them to analyse hundreds of ways to avoid the virus.

Professor Rita Singh of Carnegie Melon University in Pittsburgh has created a tool to determine the COVID-19 infection through the sound of a person’s cough, speech or even the sound of breathing.

Currently, most of these efforts are at a stage in which the researchers are gathering speech and coughing recordings are and fed to ai algorithms&nbsp; to determine whether someone has the COVID-19 infection

The COVID-19 voice detector - as professor Singh calls it traces the micro signatures of one’s voice, which are not audible to the untrained listener but are nevertheless present.

Any condition affecting the lungs or the respiratory system – as has been established in the cases of COVID-19 infection - has a palpable effect on voice. The tool is basically a self-learning system that is now trying to learn signatures of a COVID-19 infection in the voice, not just in the cough.

Cough against COVID?

A similar initiative is being carried out by the Mumbai-based Washwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence. Wadhwani’s ‘cough against covid’ mobile application asks users to record the sound of their coughing to conduct a test for COVID-19.

As the disease brings much of the world to a halt, scientists and health experts have called for technology to play a bigger part in tackling the pandemic – which has grown too quickly for conventional containment tools to have an effect.

Where on one side the researchers are working on detecting the infection from sound of cough,&nbsp; another study shows that the two-metre distance considered a safe measure to avoid close contact is not safe enough.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-coronavirus-contact-tracing-technology-and-how-does-it-work-293226" hreflang="en">What is coronavirus contact-tracing technology and how does it work?</a>

Two metres not enough?

A recent study suggests that two metres might not be far enough away if someone lets an uncovered cough loose in your direction.

Explorations by virologists at a Canadian hospital show that cough airflows produced by human subjects is naturally infected with seasonal flu. As per the study, if someone coughs without any protective gear from a couple of metres away, then the cough has reached you and is still moving. The study also shows that as much as 10 per cent of the fine droplets from cough remain suspended in the air even after four seconds. The findings support the calls for a verification of social distancing measures during the ongoing pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-to-develop-covid-19-test-for-screening-employees-293207" hreflang="en">Amazon to develop COVID-19 test for screening employees</a>

Dry, don't blow

A third such UK-based study shows that hands dried on paper towel spread less virus to other surfaces. The researchers deliberately contaminated four people’s hands with a harmless virus and dried them in four different ways. The average surface contamination was more than 10 times higher after contact with jet air dried hands compared with those dried on paper towels.

The rush to understand, predict and head off the COVID-19 outbreak has prompted researchers worldwide to create several tools to detect the virus and has driven them to analyse hundreds of ways to avoid the virus.

The rush to understand, predict and head off the COVID-19 outbreak has prompted researchers worldwide to create several tools to detect the virus and has driven them to analyse hundreds of ways to avoid the virus. Professor Rita Singh of Carnegie Melon University in Pittsburgh has created a tool to determine the COVID-19 infection through the sound of a person’s cough, speech or even the sound of breathing. Currently, most of these efforts are at a stage in which the researchers are gathering speech and coughing recordings are and fed to ai algorithms to determine whether someone has the COVID-19 infection The COVID-19 voice detector - as professor Singh calls it traces the micro signatures of one’s voice, which are not audible to the untrained listener but are nevertheless present. Any condition affecting the lungs or the respiratory system – as has been established in the cases of COVID-19 infection - has a palpable effect on voice. The tool is basically a self-learning system that is now trying to learn signatures of a COVID-19 infection in the voice, not just in the cough. Cough against COVID? A similar initiative is being carried out by the Mumbai-based Washwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence. Wadhwani’s ‘cough against covid’ mobile application asks users to record the sound of their coughing to conduct a test for COVID-19. As the disease brings much of the world to a halt, scientists and health experts have called for technology to play a bigger part in tackling the pandemic – which has grown too quickly for conventional containment tools to have an effect. Where on one side the researchers are working on detecting the infection from sound of cough, another study shows that the two-metre distance considered a safe measure to avoid close contact is not safe enough. Also read: What is coronavirus contact-tracing technology and how does it work? Two metres not enough? A recent study suggests that two metres might not be far enough away if someone lets an uncovered cough loose in your direction. Explorations by virologists at a Canadian hospital show that cough airflows produced by human subjects is naturally infected with seasonal flu. As per the study, if someone coughs without any protective gear from a couple of metres away, then the cough has reached you and is still moving. The study also shows that as much as 10 per cent of the fine droplets from cough remain suspended in the air even after four seconds. The findings support the calls for a verification of social distancing measures during the ongoing pandemic. Also read: Amazon to develop COVID-19 test for screening employees Dry, don't blow A third such UK-based study shows that hands dried on paper towel spread less virus to other surfaces. The researchers deliberately contaminated four people’s hands with a harmless virus and dried them in four different ways. The average surface contamination was more than 10 times higher after contact with jet air dried hands compared with those dried on paper towels.

Cough against COVID? Yes, this app tests you for coronavirus through the sound of you coughing

The UK government has said a lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus will remain in place for at least three more weeks.

Lockdown measure extended in United Kingdom

India is escalating its efforts to ramp up coronavirus testing, as number of COVID-19 cases are on a steep rise.

India entered the second phase of the countrywide lockdown on April 15. This will extend until May 3.

India will receive 5.5 lakh rapid antibody testing kits and 1 lakh RNA extraction kits from China. It has also engaged South Korea for procurement of testing kits and the consignment will reach India very soon, according to sources.&nbsp;

Indian missions are also in touch with suppliers of medical equipment and have taken quotations for testing kits from vendors in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, France, Germany, Japan and the United States.

In addition, a consignment to the tune of 6 lakhs PPE kits will be received soon.The Ministry of External Affairs is playing a key role in the procurement of vital medical supplies and equipment from abroad, and special efforts were being made as there is a general shortage.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the death toll due to coronavirus rose to 437 and the number of cases to 13,387 in the country on Friday.

While the number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 11,201, as many as 1,748 people have been cured and discharged, and one had migrated.

(with inputs from ANI)

India is escalating its efforts to ramp up coronavirus testing, as number of COVID-19 cases are on a steep rise. India entered the second phase of the countrywide lockdown on April 15.

India is escalating its efforts to ramp up coronavirus testing, as number of COVID-19 cases are on a steep rise. India entered the second phase of the countrywide lockdown on April 15. This will extend until May 3. India will receive 5.5 lakh rapid antibody testing kits and 1 lakh RNA extraction kits from China. It has also engaged South Korea for procurement of testing kits and the consignment will reach India very soon, according to sources. Indian missions are also in touch with suppliers of medical equipment and have taken quotations for testing kits from vendors in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, France, Germany, Japan and the United States. In addition, a consignment to the tune of 6 lakhs PPE kits will be received soon.The Ministry of External Affairs is playing a key role in the procurement of vital medical supplies and equipment from abroad, and special efforts were being made as there is a general shortage. Meanwhile, the death toll due to coronavirus rose to 437 and the number of cases to 13,387 in the country on Friday. While the number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 11,201, as many as 1,748 people have been cured and discharged, and one had migrated. (with inputs from ANI)

Coronavirus: India steps up procurement of testing, PPE kits from abroad

With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of slowing its spread, governments across the world are trying to use mobile technology to trace people thought to have the virus. But how do these mobile contact-tracing apps work, and can they help in flattening the curve?

Nearly 2.14 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally.

More than 200 countries across the world have declared a war on this invisible enemy. But no one has managed to defeat it yet.

Coronavirus can only be contained if those infected are successfully isolated and treated. And this is where bluetooth-driven contact-tracing apps can come in handy.

So what is this technology about?

<ul>
	<li>The first step is obviously to download the app. The user then needs to update his or her COVID-19 status.</li>
	<li>These apps use the phone’s bluetooth technology to determine if a given user came in close proximity with an infected person.</li>
	<li>If it happens, it alerts the user with a notification and urges him to get tested and self-isolate.</li>
	<li>In principle, this system is more efficient than traditional contact-tracing methods that require the concerned staff to interview patients about their travels.</li>
	<li>Many countries have already adopted this technology,&nbsp;and others are likely to follow suit.</li>
</ul>

Singapore is the first country to have implemented contact-tracing via bluetooth with an app called “trace together.”

India’s Arogya Setu app also works on the same technology.

Other countries such as Israel, China, and South Korea are also using similar apps to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

Tech giants like Apple and Google are working on new tools to make app-based tracing more effective.

The companies say their technology could enable apps to monitor contacts for a 14-day period.

Eventually, the process of digital tracing could help authorities relax lockdowns in some parts and enable more selective quarantines.

In other words, it can help decision makers determine which areas are relatively safer. 
 
Is it effective?

<ul>
	<li>Researchers say that digital tracing can be effective only if 60 per cent of the population downloads the app and updates their status.</li>
	<li>Experts believe that contact tracing is helpful only in countries where mass testing is available.</li>
	<li>There are privacy-related concerns around contact-tracing apps. Privacy advocates worry that such a database could be a hackers’ goldmine.</li>
	<li>Some researchers say contact-tracing can be implemented while protecting privacy. Although this will vary from app to app in each country.</li>
</ul>

The technology looks promising, but it needs the support of users to be effective.

With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of slowing its spread, governments across the world are trying to use mobile technology to trace people thought to have the virus.

With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of slowing its spread, governments across the world are trying to use mobile technology to trace people thought to have the virus. But how do these mobile contact-tracing apps work, and can they help in flattening the curve? Nearly 2.14 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally. More than 200 countries across the world have declared a war on this invisible enemy. But no one has managed to defeat it yet. Coronavirus can only be contained if those infected are successfully isolated and treated. And this is where bluetooth-driven contact-tracing apps can come in handy. So what is this technology about? The first step is obviously to download the app. The user then needs to update his or her COVID-19 status. These apps use the phone’s bluetooth technology to determine if a given user came in close proximity with an infected person. If it happens, it alerts the user with a notification and urges him to get tested and self-isolate. In principle, this system is more efficient than traditional contact-tracing methods that require the concerned staff to interview patients about their travels. Many countries have already adopted this technology, and others are likely to follow suit. Singapore is the first country to have implemented contact-tracing via bluetooth with an app called “trace together.” India’s Arogya Setu app also works on the same technology. Other countries such as Israel, China, and South Korea are also using similar apps to contain the spread of the deadly virus. Tech giants like Apple and Google are working on new tools to make app-based tracing more effective. The companies say their technology could enable apps to monitor contacts for a 14-day period. Eventually, the process of digital tracing could help authorities relax lockdowns in some parts and enable more selective quarantines. In other words, it can help decision makers determine which areas are relatively safer. Is it effective? Researchers say that digital tracing can be effective only if 60 per cent of the population downloads the app and updates their status. Experts believe that contact tracing is helpful only in countries where mass testing is available. There are privacy-related concerns around contact-tracing apps. Privacy advocates worry that such a database could be a hackers’ goldmine. Some researchers say contact-tracing can be implemented while protecting privacy. Although this will vary from app to app in each country. The technology looks promising, but it needs the support of users to be effective.

What is coronavirus contact-tracing technology and how does it work?

While the death toll is rising due to COVID-19, China’s economy is now feeling the effects.

It has contracted by 6.8 percent, for the first time in more than 40 years.

This drop came in the first three months of 2020. The last time something like this was seen was in the year 1976.

The Chinese economy survived the Tiananmen Square crackdown, the SARS epidemic, and the global financial crisis of 2008.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-to-develop-covid-19-test-for-screening-employees-293207" hreflang="en">Amazon to develop COVID-19 test for screening employees</a>

China doesn't see a real recovery until the end of this year. The huge decline wipes out a six percent expansion.

Around the same time last year, China's growth rate was 6.4 percent.

The SARS outbreak happened in 2003, it caused some fluctuation in China's economy.

 
More than a fluctuation

The COVID-19 virus is causing much more than a fluctuation.

Not just because of the slowdown in economic activity at home, but also because of the new challengers in the global market.

Japan is one of them.

Prime minister Shinzo Abe has announced plans to build an economy&nbsp; that is not dependent on China.

His economic relief package sends the same message.

Japan is ready to spend a little more than two billion dollars.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/independent-researchers-explore-ways-to-detect-and-prevent-coronavirus-293185" hreflang="en">Independent researchers explore ways to detect and prevent coronavirus</a>

The fund will be given to Japanese businesses - who are ready to move back from China.

Another 215 million dollars will be made available to those - who want to move to other countries.

Such proposals are worrying China.

"Heated debate"

A report in the Nikkei Asian Review says that a "heated debate" is underway in China's political circles.

Leaders of the Communist Party in Beijing are concerned about companies withdrawing from china.

Soon after Japan announced its plans - the Chinese leadership went into the huddle. President Xi Jinping called a meeting.

He met with his fellow members of the Politburo Standing Committee - the highest decision making body of China.

It’s a group of seven men&nbsp;that control the destiny of China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-thermal-scanning-tech-could-save-millions-of-lives-during-the-covid-19-crisis-293175" hreflang="en">New thermal scanning tech could save millions of lives during the COVID-19 crisis</a>

Reports say that Jinping instructed the group to assume the worst, and be prepared.

The politburo usually meets once a week. The agenda or the content of internal discussions - rarely comes out.

But this time around, a press release was issued.

The Chinese state media reported that the standing committee "analysed the COVID-19 situation and economic performance at home and abroad."

The coronavirus outbreak has reduced the world's appetite for Chinese goods.

Two-fold challenge

For Beijing, the economic challenge is two fold.

First, bring the factories online. Resume normal business activity.

Two, keep the businessmen in China!

China has signalled that a significant economic stimulus is on its way.

While the death toll is rising due to COVID-19, China’s economy is now feeling the effects. It has contracted by 6.8 percent, for the first time in more than 40 years.

While the death toll is rising due to COVID-19, China’s economy is now feeling the effects. It has contracted by 6.8 percent, for the first time in more than 40 years. This drop came in the first three months of 2020. The last time something like this was seen was in the year 1976. The Chinese economy survived the Tiananmen Square crackdown, the SARS epidemic, and the global financial crisis of 2008. Also read: Amazon to develop COVID-19 test for screening employees China doesn't see a real recovery until the end of this year. The huge decline wipes out a six percent expansion. Around the same time last year, China's growth rate was 6.4 percent. The SARS outbreak happened in 2003, it caused some fluctuation in China's economy. More than a fluctuation The COVID-19 virus is causing much more than a fluctuation. Not just because of the slowdown in economic activity at home, but also because of the new challengers in the global market. Japan is one of them. Prime minister Shinzo Abe has announced plans to build an economy that is not dependent on China. His economic relief package sends the same message. Japan is ready to spend a little more than two billion dollars. Also read: Independent researchers explore ways to detect and prevent coronavirus The fund will be given to Japanese businesses - who are ready to move back from China. Another 215 million dollars will be made available to those - who want to move to other countries. Such proposals are worrying China. "Heated debate" A report in the Nikkei Asian Review says that a "heated debate" is underway in China's political circles. Leaders of the Communist Party in Beijing are concerned about companies withdrawing from china. Soon after Japan announced its plans - the Chinese leadership went into the huddle. President Xi Jinping called a meeting. He met with his fellow members of the Politburo Standing Committee - the highest decision making body of China. It’s a group of seven men that control the destiny of China. Also read: New thermal scanning tech could save millions of lives during the COVID-19 crisis Reports say that Jinping instructed the group to assume the worst, and be prepared. The politburo usually meets once a week. The agenda or the content of internal discussions - rarely comes out. But this time around, a press release was issued. The Chinese state media reported that the standing committee "analysed the COVID-19 situation and economic performance at home and abroad." The coronavirus outbreak has reduced the world's appetite for Chinese goods. Two-fold challenge For Beijing, the economic challenge is two fold. First, bring the factories online. Resume normal business activity. Two, keep the businessmen in China! China has signalled that a significant economic stimulus is on its way.

How is the Chinese economy's shrinkage reconfiguring the global economy?

COVID-19 patients, who are being administered an experimental drug called remdesivir, have been recovering quickly, with most going home in days or a few weeks.

There is no approved therapy for COVID-19, which can cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome in some patients. But the National Institutes of Health has been organising trials of several drugs and other treatments, among them remdesivir.

The patients taking part in a clinical trial of the remdesivir drug have all had severe respiratory symptoms and fever. They were able to leave the hospital after less than a week of treatment, STAT news quoted the doctor leading the trial as saying, on Thursday.

According to CNN, the drug, made by Gilead Sciences, was tested against Ebola with little success, but multiple studies in animals showed the drug could both prevent and treat coronaviruses related to COVID-19, including SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).

The World Health Organisation had also, in February, said remdesivir showed potential against coronavirus.

COVID-19 patients, who are being administered an experimental drug called remdesivir, have been recovering quickly, with most going home in days or a few weeks. There is no approved therapy for COVID-19, which can cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome in some patients.

COVID-19 patients, who are being administered an experimental drug called remdesivir, have been recovering quickly, with most going home in days or a few weeks. There is no approved therapy for COVID-19, which can cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome in some patients. But the National Institutes of Health has been organising trials of several drugs and other treatments, among them remdesivir. The patients taking part in a clinical trial of the remdesivir drug have all had severe respiratory symptoms and fever. They were able to leave the hospital after less than a week of treatment, STAT news quoted the doctor leading the trial as saying, on Thursday. According to CNN, the drug, made by Gilead Sciences, was tested against Ebola with little success, but multiple studies in animals showed the drug could both prevent and treat coronaviruses related to COVID-19, including SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). The World Health Organisation had also, in February, said remdesivir showed potential against coronavirus.

COVID-19 patients recovering quickly after getting remdesivir, an experimental drug

With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of slowing the governments across the globe are using mobile technology to trace people who thought to have COVID-19. But how do these tracing apps work? Watch WION report.

Use of apps to contain the spread of COVID-19 | Coronavirus Pandemic

During the early days of March, Jill Fopiano was having trouble sleeping, waking up at 3 o`clock in the morning, maybe 4 o`clock. She`d been watching news of a virus in China, first out the corner of her eye – was this like swine flu? – then more squarely, as headlines rushed in about outbreaks on the west coast of America. Fopiano wondered, in the darkness, if she should shut down her office in Boston`s upscale Back Bay neighborhood.

The chief executive officer at O`Brien Wealth Partners, a firm overseeing $700 million in assets at the beginning of the year, Fopiano is used to being in charge. She began trading securities in 1992, a time that Fopiano notes "really was a very male dominated world." Two decades later, she joined O`Brien Wealth, and today she owns the place.

But with the new coronavirus spreading from across the ocean and now bearing down on her, Fopiano no longer felt in control. "I was thinking, there`s no precedent for this," said Fopiano, the firm`s majority owner. "I didn`t want to be responsible for making people or their families sick." 
She announced on March 11 that O`Brien Wealth would temporarily close its doors, while keeping her team of 12 on the payroll.

That was five weeks ago.

Today, Fopiano does not walk across the floors of her offices to get a coffee or to pause at views that stretch across Boston down to the harbor. As the world`s stock markets have crashed and spiked during the economic seizures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fopiano and others who manage money for the wealthy have found themselves, like so many other white-collar professionals, working from home. They are far outside their comfort zone of lunches, meetings and handshakes as they guide their clients through the chaos.

Interviews with more than a dozen wealth managers whose firms collectively oversee tens of billions of dollars in assets across the United States, Europe and Asia, reveal how these financiers have adapted to the new reality of virtual hand-holding. They listen to concerns, execute instructions and dispense advice to clients - but never while in the same room.

Meanwhile, indexes have ricocheted wildly – down 31% for the year in late March, then rebounding 27% from the lows by mid-April. More than 20 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits. The International Monetary Fund warned of the worst economic downturn since the Great

Depression of the 1930s. Client conversations now veer into shades of risk that wealth managers aren`t typically trained for, like epidemiology.

Investors understand the current market chaos wasn`t presaged by fundamental economic issues, like the U.S. mortgage crisis in the recession of 2008, said Rob Weeber, chief executive officer at Zurich-based Tiedemann Constantia, a European joint venture with Tiedemann Advisors, which oversees about $22 billion in assets. But the uncertainty about what turns the coronavirus might take, and the implications that could have for the economy and markets, have left the moneyed class jittery. A Bank of America survey of global fund managers during the first week of April found "extreme investor pessimism," with levels of cash in their portfolios - a sign that investors are sitting on the sidelines - at the highest point since the September 2001 terrorist attacks.

Fopiano recounted one client, who`s invested about $1.5 million with her firm, calling to discuss whether or not he should cancel a credit card that just raised its annual fee. The markets were down about 20% at the time, and that clearly was not what he really wanted to discuss, Fopiano said. 
"Rarely do we get a call from someone who says, `Oh, my God, what`s going on in the markets,`" she said. "It`s usually couched in another question."

Another client, with over $5 million in his account, started off by chatting about a home loan. By the time they hung up, both clients decided to keep their investments. For now.

"Each market pullback has its own flavor," Fopiano said, during a series of telephone conversations from her brownstone home in the Boston suburbs, where she now works out of a nook off the kitchen. "And this one is particularly frightening to people in a lot of ways, because [the cause] is potentially harmful to their physical health as well as their economic health."

She paused to acknowledge a noise in the background. "There goes the dog," she said. Her two kids, both teenagers, are home as well. She has learned to give a standard disclaimer at the beginning of a call: there may be outbursts of barking or videogame noise.

A MONTH LIKE NO OTHER

All across the globe, it`s been a strange ride.

A senior Asia-based banker for Julius Baer, a Swiss firm that refers to itself as the "international reference in private banking," said the past month has been like nothing else he`s encountered during a decade of wealth management. As markets cascaded down the week of March 16, the banker holed up in a study room in his flat. He fielded one call after the next from frenzied clients.

"For the first couple of days, I didn`t have time to take a loo break or have a proper meal," said the banker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing his bank`s tradition of discretion. A Julius Baer spokeswoman declined to comment. "My wife was worried that I may have a nervous breakdown."

A businessman in Hong Kong called, wanting to discuss the money he`d borrowed against a portfolio of stocks. That day, March 16, the businessman was in a panic after watching his shares fall between 15% and 40% in the last couple of trading sessions.

"I just had to talk to him for 10 minutes to calm him down and tell him it`s not the end of the world," said the Julius Baer banker. The client wondered aloud if he should sell down his investments to avoid coming up short on margin calls – demands to deposit more money in an account to cover outstanding loans taken to invest in securities.

There were no colleagues for the banker to huddle with in the office. And instead of being able to holler over to his team to unload a stock, the banker had to reach his traders at home, which became increasingly difficult to do. "It`s crazy, the trading desk was completely jammed and the relationship managers were cooped up in their homes and trying to figure out how to minimize risk for the client as well as the bank," he said.

In the end, the businessman sold off assets other than stocks. And now, said the banker, that same client is in touch about "whether it`s a good time to come back to the equity markets."

Instead of counseling clients on how to build wealth as they did during the roar of the past decade of stock gains, the advisors say, the focus for now is helping them preserve what they have. "The problem is that the days where the market is very beaten down and the days where it recovers, in a big way, tend to be very close together," Fopiano said.

It`s a bit of a gambler`s dilemma.

A DEEP BREATH

Making a hasty exit could mean taking a loss, and then the bitter experience of watching stocks rise the next day. But there is, too, the danger of grabbing the "falling knife": thinking a stock price has hit its low, scooping it up and then watching it plummet further.

"Even if the research guys are saying that the markets have hit the bottom, we are not conveying that message to the clients ourselves," said a banker in Hong Kong, whose firm manages more than $250 billion in client assets globally. It`s too soon, he said, to be confident the worst is over. 
He detailed an intense two-hour video call with a Chinese billionaire client who`d gotten tempted to sell, as his mainland companies sagged with lower consumer demand and his personal net worth dipped with markets. "These days, I just tell my team to take a deep breath before getting on a call with a client, and allow the clients to vent as much as they want." After the billionaire client got a promise the bank would extend him a fresh line of credit if needed, he decided to hold tight.

In Los Angeles, Todd Morgan, chairman of Bel Air Investment Advisors, said he`s at times felt more like a therapist than a financial advisor. "People are calling me up and saying they`re hearing bad things and what does it mean for them," said Morgan, who instead of a sprawling, artwork-filled office with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Los Angeles skyline now has the constant presence of his labradoodle, who is trained to ring a bell when it`s time to go outside. "It`s clear that some people just want to talk and want to make sure we`re thinking about them."

On the evening of March 31, Morgan got a call. A client of his firm, which handles nearly $9 billion in assets, had watched U.S. President Donald Trump say on national TV that some 200,000 Americans might die from the virus. The client, whose holdings Morgan described as "substantial," instructed: sell off the entire equity portfolio. All of it. "They just couldn`t take it anymore and wanted out," said Morgan.

Dominic Epton is a managing director for the United Kingdom wealth management business of Rothschild &amp; Co, which oversaw more than $80 billion in its wealth and asset management arm at the end of last year. He suddenly found a commute to his London offices re-routed to a room that usually belongs to his children. Water cooler chat turned into discussion about the fact that he gets to work on three computer screens while his son only gets one for video games.

"I`ve become adept at persuading - read `bribing` - the children to vacate `work HQ` when I jump on client or other confidential calls," Epton said. 
Epton said he spent "an unhealthy amount of time" trying to figure out whether to wear a suit and tie or just a jacket for a video call with eight members of a wealthy family who`re spread across the globe. In the end, it didn`t matter. After the call finished, Epton realized he`d accidentally turned the camera off the whole time.

"It has been an `interesting` few weeks," he said, but "all our systems are fully operational."

At the most basic level, being able to sit in person with clients, especially when large amounts of money are swapping between accounts, is fundamental. It`s also impossible, for now.

"When you want to do a transaction on euro-dollar or buy some ETFs" – exchange-traded fund, a basket of securities – "fine, you do it on your iPad or your iPhone," said Remi Frank, the Paris-based head of the key client group at BNP Paribas Wealth Management. Frank typically deals with people whose assets are in the hundreds of millions of dollars. "But when you are negotiating a credit of 20, 30, 50 or 100 million … even if you could do it technically on your iPhone, that`s not where you want to do it."

At the end of March, Fopiano`s firm in Boston invited clients to join an update on the market. She stuck with an old-fashioned teleconference call because, on top of everything else, there`ve been widespread reports of video conferences getting hacked recently. The clients - about 140 signed up - received a small slide deck of information beforehand but it was difficult to do much preparation in advance, said Fopiano.

"The situation is changing so rapidly, honestly, that we didn`t even really do a practice run-through because we didn`t know what we were going to say until about the morning of the call," she said. "Right? Because things with the markets have just changed so radically."

On the call, there were questions about the economy. And many queries on the implications of the U.S. Federal Reserve stimulus package. But one that stayed with Fopiano was from a client who`s been with the firm for decades. What if the government decided to free up movement for younger people first and require the elderly, who`ve been harder hit by the virus, to self-quarantine for longer? The man asking the question lives in a retirement community.

At home, Fopiano is a single mother in her early 50s with two sons. They`ve got online schoolwork to do, but it`s not turned out to be particularly well-structured.

"I just decided that I really can`t add being a teacher to my job as a CEO," she said. "I have to trust at some point that it`s just going to work out because I just cannot be the homework police."

And her firm`s performance? When she joined in 2012, it managed about $300 million in assets. At the beginning of this year, that figure was around $700 million. Since March, "it`s down somewhat," she said, pausing. "Down somewhat from there."

During the early days of March, Jill Fopiano was having trouble sleeping, waking up at 3 o`clock in the morning, maybe 4 o`clock. She`d been watching news of a virus in China, first out the corner of her eye – was this like swine flu?

During the early days of March, Jill Fopiano was having trouble sleeping, waking up at 3 o`clock in the morning, maybe 4 o`clock. She`d been watching news of a virus in China, first out the corner of her eye – was this like swine flu? – then more squarely, as headlines rushed in about outbreaks on the west coast of America. Fopiano wondered, in the darkness, if she should shut down her office in Boston`s upscale Back Bay neighborhood. The chief executive officer at O`Brien Wealth Partners, a firm overseeing $700 million in assets at the beginning of the year, Fopiano is used to being in charge. She began trading securities in 1992, a time that Fopiano notes "really was a very male dominated world." Two decades later, she joined O`Brien Wealth, and today she owns the place. But with the new coronavirus spreading from across the ocean and now bearing down on her, Fopiano no longer felt in control. "I was thinking, there`s no precedent for this," said Fopiano, the firm`s majority owner. "I didn`t want to be responsible for making people or their families sick." She announced on March 11 that O`Brien Wealth would temporarily close its doors, while keeping her team of 12 on the payroll. That was five weeks ago. Today, Fopiano does not walk across the floors of her offices to get a coffee or to pause at views that stretch across Boston down to the harbor. As the world`s stock markets have crashed and spiked during the economic seizures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fopiano and others who manage money for the wealthy have found themselves, like so many other white-collar professionals, working from home. They are far outside their comfort zone of lunches, meetings and handshakes as they guide their clients through the chaos. Interviews with more than a dozen wealth managers whose firms collectively oversee tens of billions of dollars in assets across the United States, Europe and Asia, reveal how these financiers have adapted to the new reality of virtual hand-holding. They listen to concerns, execute instructions and dispense advice to clients - but never while in the same room. Meanwhile, indexes have ricocheted wildly – down 31% for the year in late March, then rebounding 27% from the lows by mid-April. More than 20 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits. The International Monetary Fund warned of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Client conversations now veer into shades of risk that wealth managers aren`t typically trained for, like epidemiology. Investors understand the current market chaos wasn`t presaged by fundamental economic issues, like the U.S. mortgage crisis in the recession of 2008, said Rob Weeber, chief executive officer at Zurich-based Tiedemann Constantia, a European joint venture with Tiedemann Advisors, which oversees about $22 billion in assets. But the uncertainty about what turns the coronavirus might take, and the implications that could have for the economy and markets, have left the moneyed class jittery. A Bank of America survey of global fund managers during the first week of April found "extreme investor pessimism," with levels of cash in their portfolios - a sign that investors are sitting on the sidelines - at the highest point since the September 2001 terrorist attacks. Fopiano recounted one client, who`s invested about $1.5 million with her firm, calling to discuss whether or not he should cancel a credit card that just raised its annual fee. The markets were down about 20% at the time, and that clearly was not what he really wanted to discuss, Fopiano said. "Rarely do we get a call from someone who says, `Oh, my God, what`s going on in the markets,`" she said. "It`s usually couched in another question." Another client, with over $5 million in his account, started off by chatting about a home loan. By the time they hung up, both clients decided to keep their investments. For now. "Each market pullback has its own flavor," Fopiano said, during a series of telephone conversations from her brownstone home in the Boston suburbs, where she now works out of a nook off the kitchen. "And this one is particularly frightening to people in a lot of ways, because [the cause] is potentially harmful to their physical health as well as their economic health." She paused to acknowledge a noise in the background. "There goes the dog," she said. Her two kids, both teenagers, are home as well. She has learned to give a standard disclaimer at the beginning of a call: there may be outbursts of barking or videogame noise. A MONTH LIKE NO OTHER All across the globe, it`s been a strange ride. A senior Asia-based banker for Julius Baer, a Swiss firm that refers to itself as the "international reference in private banking," said the past month has been like nothing else he`s encountered during a decade of wealth management. As markets cascaded down the week of March 16, the banker holed up in a study room in his flat. He fielded one call after the next from frenzied clients. "For the first couple of days, I didn`t have time to take a loo break or have a proper meal," said the banker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing his bank`s tradition of discretion. A Julius Baer spokeswoman declined to comment. "My wife was worried that I may have a nervous breakdown." A businessman in Hong Kong called, wanting to discuss the money he`d borrowed against a portfolio of stocks. That day, March 16, the businessman was in a panic after watching his shares fall between 15% and 40% in the last couple of trading sessions. "I just had to talk to him for 10 minutes to calm him down and tell him it`s not the end of the world," said the Julius Baer banker. The client wondered aloud if he should sell down his investments to avoid coming up short on margin calls – demands to deposit more money in an account to cover outstanding loans taken to invest in securities. There were no colleagues for the banker to huddle with in the office. And instead of being able to holler over to his team to unload a stock, the banker had to reach his traders at home, which became increasingly difficult to do. "It`s crazy, the trading desk was completely jammed and the relationship managers were cooped up in their homes and trying to figure out how to minimize risk for the client as well as the bank," he said. In the end, the businessman sold off assets other than stocks. And now, said the banker, that same client is in touch about "whether it`s a good time to come back to the equity markets." Instead of counseling clients on how to build wealth as they did during the roar of the past decade of stock gains, the advisors say, the focus for now is helping them preserve what they have. "The problem is that the days where the market is very beaten down and the days where it recovers, in a big way, tend to be very close together," Fopiano said. It`s a bit of a gambler`s dilemma. A DEEP BREATH Making a hasty exit could mean taking a loss, and then the bitter experience of watching stocks rise the next day. But there is, too, the danger of grabbing the "falling knife": thinking a stock price has hit its low, scooping it up and then watching it plummet further. "Even if the research guys are saying that the markets have hit the bottom, we are not conveying that message to the clients ourselves," said a banker in Hong Kong, whose firm manages more than $250 billion in client assets globally. It`s too soon, he said, to be confident the worst is over. He detailed an intense two-hour video call with a Chinese billionaire client who`d gotten tempted to sell, as his mainland companies sagged with lower consumer demand and his personal net worth dipped with markets. "These days, I just tell my team to take a deep breath before getting on a call with a client, and allow the clients to vent as much as they want." After the billionaire client got a promise the bank would extend him a fresh line of credit if needed, he decided to hold tight. In Los Angeles, Todd Morgan, chairman of Bel Air Investment Advisors, said he`s at times felt more like a therapist than a financial advisor. "People are calling me up and saying they`re hearing bad things and what does it mean for them," said Morgan, who instead of a sprawling, artwork-filled office with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Los Angeles skyline now has the constant presence of his labradoodle, who is trained to ring a bell when it`s time to go outside. "It`s clear that some people just want to talk and want to make sure we`re thinking about them." On the evening of March 31, Morgan got a call. A client of his firm, which handles nearly $9 billion in assets, had watched U.S. President Donald Trump say on national TV that some 200,000 Americans might die from the virus. The client, whose holdings Morgan described as "substantial," instructed: sell off the entire equity portfolio. All of it. "They just couldn`t take it anymore and wanted out," said Morgan. Dominic Epton is a managing director for the United Kingdom wealth management business of Rothschild & Co, which oversaw more than $80 billion in its wealth and asset management arm at the end of last year. He suddenly found a commute to his London offices re-routed to a room that usually belongs to his children. Water cooler chat turned into discussion about the fact that he gets to work on three computer screens while his son only gets one for video games. "I`ve become adept at persuading - read `bribing` - the children to vacate `work HQ` when I jump on client or other confidential calls," Epton said. Epton said he spent "an unhealthy amount of time" trying to figure out whether to wear a suit and tie or just a jacket for a video call with eight members of a wealthy family who`re spread across the globe. In the end, it didn`t matter. After the call finished, Epton realized he`d accidentally turned the camera off the whole time. "It has been an `interesting` few weeks," he said, but "all our systems are fully operational." At the most basic level, being able to sit in person with clients, especially when large amounts of money are swapping between accounts, is fundamental. It`s also impossible, for now. "When you want to do a transaction on euro-dollar or buy some ETFs" – exchange-traded fund, a basket of securities – "fine, you do it on your iPad or your iPhone," said Remi Frank, the Paris-based head of the key client group at BNP Paribas Wealth Management. Frank typically deals with people whose assets are in the hundreds of millions of dollars. "But when you are negotiating a credit of 20, 30, 50 or 100 million … even if you could do it technically on your iPhone, that`s not where you want to do it." At the end of March, Fopiano`s firm in Boston invited clients to join an update on the market. She stuck with an old-fashioned teleconference call because, on top of everything else, there`ve been widespread reports of video conferences getting hacked recently. The clients - about 140 signed up - received a small slide deck of information beforehand but it was difficult to do much preparation in advance, said Fopiano. "The situation is changing so rapidly, honestly, that we didn`t even really do a practice run-through because we didn`t know what we were going to say until about the morning of the call," she said. "Right? Because things with the markets have just changed so radically." On the call, there were questions about the economy. And many queries on the implications of the U.S. Federal Reserve stimulus package. But one that stayed with Fopiano was from a client who`s been with the firm for decades. What if the government decided to free up movement for younger people first and require the elderly, who`ve been harder hit by the virus, to self-quarantine for longer? The man asking the question lives in a retirement community. At home, Fopiano is a single mother in her early 50s with two sons. They`ve got online schoolwork to do, but it`s not turned out to be particularly well-structured. "I just decided that I really can`t add being a teacher to my job as a CEO," she said. "I have to trust at some point that it`s just going to work out because I just cannot be the homework police." And her firm`s performance? When she joined in 2012, it managed about $300 million in assets. At the beginning of this year, that figure was around $700 million. Since March, "it`s down somewhat," she said, pausing. "Down somewhat from there."

Hand-holding in coronavirus pandemic: Wealth managers grapple with new reality

A senior cybersecurity official with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Thursday that foreign government hackers have broken into companies conducting research into treatments for COVID-19.

The bureau had recently seen state-backed hackers poking around a series of healthcare and research institutions.

"We certainly have seen reconnaissance activity, and some intrusions, into some of those institutions, especially those that have publicly identified themselves as working on COVID-related research," FBI Deputy Assistant Director Tonya Ugoretz told participants in an online panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute.

State-backed hackers had often targetted biopharmaceutical industry but it has certainly heightened during this crisis.

The FBI has so far not commented on this.

 
&nbsp;

A senior cybersecurity official with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Thursday that foreign government hackers have broken into companies conducting research into treatments for COVID-19.

A senior cybersecurity official with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Thursday that foreign government hackers have broken into companies conducting research into treatments for COVID-19. The bureau had recently seen state-backed hackers poking around a series of healthcare and research institutions. "We certainly have seen reconnaissance activity, and some intrusions, into some of those institutions, especially those that have publicly identified themselves as working on COVID-related research," FBI Deputy Assistant Director Tonya Ugoretz told participants in an online panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute. State-backed hackers had often targetted biopharmaceutical industry but it has certainly heightened during this crisis. The FBI has so far not commented on this.

Foreign hackers are targetting COVID-19 research, claims FBI official

China's economy shrank 6.8 per cent in January-March from a year ago, the first such decline since at least 1992.

The historic slump in the world's second-largest economy comes in the face of coronavirus-enforced lockdown. The deadly virus emerged in China late last year, and developed into a pandemic by March, 2020.

China declared victory over the virus in early March and started reopening factories and offices even as the United States and Europe tightened controls. But cinemas, hair salons and other businesses that are deemed non-essential but employ millions of people are still closed. Tourism is struggling to recover.

Some forecasters had earlier said China, which led the way into a global shutdown to fight the virus, might rebound as early as this month.

Retail spending, which supplied 80 per cent of China's economic growth last year, plunged 19 per cent in the first quarter from a year ago, below most forecasts. Investment in factories and other fixed assets, the other major growth driver, sank 16.1 per cent.

Beijing is trying to prop up activity by spending more on building next-generation telecoms networks and other projects. But the ruling party doesn't want to pump too much money into the economy for fear adding to debt or pushing up inflation that is near a seven-year high.

Similar shutdowns now in effect in major economies elsewhere have devastated global trade.

(with inputs from agencies)

China's economy shrank 6.8 per cent in January-March from a year ago, the first such decline since at least 1992. The historic slump in the world's second-largest economy comes in the face of coronavirus-enforced lockdown.

China's economy shrank 6.8 per cent in January-March from a year ago, the first such decline since at least 1992. The historic slump in the world's second-largest economy comes in the face of coronavirus-enforced lockdown. The deadly virus emerged in China late last year, and developed into a pandemic by March, 2020. China declared victory over the virus in early March and started reopening factories and offices even as the United States and Europe tightened controls. But cinemas, hair salons and other businesses that are deemed non-essential but employ millions of people are still closed. Tourism is struggling to recover. Some forecasters had earlier said China, which led the way into a global shutdown to fight the virus, might rebound as early as this month. Retail spending, which supplied 80 per cent of China's economic growth last year, plunged 19 per cent in the first quarter from a year ago, below most forecasts. Investment in factories and other fixed assets, the other major growth driver, sank 16.1 per cent. Beijing is trying to prop up activity by spending more on building next-generation telecoms networks and other projects. But the ruling party doesn't want to pump too much money into the economy for fear adding to debt or pushing up inflation that is near a seven-year high. Similar shutdowns now in effect in major economies elsewhere have devastated global trade. (with inputs from agencies)

China's economy shrinks, suffers huge drop in face of coronavirus battle

Economic activity has come to a grinding halt around the world. India too, is reeling for the ill-effects of coronavirus-induced slowdown.

India could grow by less than two percent this year.

Empty streets are the new normal as stores are shut and flights grounded. Additionally, all restaurants and cinemas are empty.

India's growth rate was slowing even before coronavirus entered the country, but the pandemic could push India closer to a recession.

The coronavirus is not just a health emergency for the government, it has triggered one of the worst economic downturns.

One that is bound to impact incomes and salaries, the crisis has already led to layoffs.

Reports say, people have been asked to leave in IT, media and startup companies. Potentially, millions of jobs are at risk.

This includes India's estimated 120 million migrant labourers.

A trend?

The numbers may be speculative right now. But they do signal the trend.

The virus will drag the economy down, and the Indian government hopes to contain the damage.

Last month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced a 1.7 lakh crore relief package.

One that was primarily targeted at those who were hit the hardest.

Now, reports claim that the government could be working on a second stimulus package.

The Reserve Bank of India too, is doing its bit. On Friday, it announced a slew of measures.

“Now in order to encourage the banks to deploy these surplus funds in investments and loans in productive sectors of the economy it has been decided to reduce the fixed repo rate, reserve repo rate”, said Reserve Bank of India, Governor, Shaktikanta Das.

The reverse repo rate has been reduced by 25 basis points to 3.75 percent. This is the rate at which the RBI borrows funds from banks.

The cut is an attempt to discourage banks from parking cash with the central bank.

RBI has cut its key rates for a second time in three weeks. These moves could boost lending to businesses.

But experts believe that the Indian government needs to do more.

Many believe that a second stimulus package is no longer just a possibility, it is inevitable.

Economic activity has come to a grinding halt around the world. India too, is reeling for the ill-effects of coronavirus-induced slowdown. India could grow by less than two percent this year.

Economic activity has come to a grinding halt around the world. India too, is reeling for the ill-effects of coronavirus-induced slowdown. India could grow by less than two percent this year. Empty streets are the new normal as stores are shut and flights grounded. Additionally, all restaurants and cinemas are empty. India's growth rate was slowing even before coronavirus entered the country, but the pandemic could push India closer to a recession. The coronavirus is not just a health emergency for the government, it has triggered one of the worst economic downturns. One that is bound to impact incomes and salaries, the crisis has already led to layoffs. Reports say, people have been asked to leave in IT, media and startup companies. Potentially, millions of jobs are at risk. This includes India's estimated 120 million migrant labourers. A trend? The numbers may be speculative right now. But they do signal the trend. The virus will drag the economy down, and the Indian government hopes to contain the damage. Last month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced a 1.7 lakh crore relief package. One that was primarily targeted at those who were hit the hardest. Now, reports claim that the government could be working on a second stimulus package. The Reserve Bank of India too, is doing its bit. On Friday, it announced a slew of measures. “Now in order to encourage the banks to deploy these surplus funds in investments and loans in productive sectors of the economy it has been decided to reduce the fixed repo rate, reserve repo rate”, said Reserve Bank of India, Governor, Shaktikanta Das. The reverse repo rate has been reduced by 25 basis points to 3.75 percent. This is the rate at which the RBI borrows funds from banks. The cut is an attempt to discourage banks from parking cash with the central bank. RBI has cut its key rates for a second time in three weeks. These moves could boost lending to businesses. But experts believe that the Indian government needs to do more. Many believe that a second stimulus package is no longer just a possibility, it is inevitable.

Coronavirus could push India closer to a recession: More so than previously thought

The Thursday session is a followup to their March 16 video conference to go over international efforts to defeat the coronavirus.

G7 nations report more than 91,000 deaths

Apple Inc and Google are weighing whether to work with virus apps that use location tracking in view of the European Commission asking apps that help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus to not collect user information.

The recommendation came as part of a unified European approach for using technology to combat COVID-19.

For the unversed, doctors have been wanting to be able to identify recent encounters of people diagnosed with the coronavirus to quarantine those potentially infected contacts, and a major question is how to do so while respecting privacy rights.&nbsp;

Apple and Alphabet's Google have proposed one system and are considering how to work with other groups that have overlapping goals and methods.

To date, 28 countries around the world have launched contact tracing apps, including 11 European countries, while another 11 are developing apps based on GPS or Bluetooth data, according to an analysis by law firm Linklaters.

To this end, the European Commission said in a statement that app use should be voluntary and not involve any type of data that pinpoints people's location.

Privacy rights group American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said that rather than tracking where a person has gone, apps should use Bluetooth signals exchanged between phones to track encounters.

Apple and Google last week said they would help public health authorities and others develop apps for such Bluetooth-based contact tracing. The two companies will have to grant permission to app developers and health authorities to access the technology.

The European Commission further said mobile apps should be based on anonymized data and work with other apps in other EU countries. It said public health authorities will assess the effectiveness of such apps by the end of the month, with EU countries expected to share the feedback in May and the EU executive to put out a progress report in June.

Apple Inc and Google are weighing whether to work with virus apps that use location tracking in view of the European Commission asking apps that help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus to not collect user information.

Apple Inc and Google are weighing whether to work with virus apps that use location tracking in view of the European Commission asking apps that help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus to not collect user information. The recommendation came as part of a unified European approach for using technology to combat COVID-19. For the unversed, doctors have been wanting to be able to identify recent encounters of people diagnosed with the coronavirus to quarantine those potentially infected contacts, and a major question is how to do so while respecting privacy rights. Apple and Alphabet's Google have proposed one system and are considering how to work with other groups that have overlapping goals and methods. To date, 28 countries around the world have launched contact tracing apps, including 11 European countries, while another 11 are developing apps based on GPS or Bluetooth data, according to an analysis by law firm Linklaters. To this end, the European Commission said in a statement that app use should be voluntary and not involve any type of data that pinpoints people's location. Privacy rights group American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said that rather than tracking where a person has gone, apps should use Bluetooth signals exchanged between phones to track encounters. Apple and Google last week said they would help public health authorities and others develop apps for such Bluetooth-based contact tracing. The two companies will have to grant permission to app developers and health authorities to access the technology. The European Commission further said mobile apps should be based on anonymized data and work with other apps in other EU countries. It said public health authorities will assess the effectiveness of such apps by the end of the month, with EU countries expected to share the feedback in May and the EU executive to put out a progress report in June.

EU seeks privacy-based coronavirus apps; Apple, Google weigh location tracking rules

In a bid to kick start the economy, Amazon has started to develop a test for COVID-19.

In his annual letter, CEO Jeff Bezos said that “regular testing will both help keep people safe and help get the economy back up and running."

He added that they need to undertake "vastly more testing capacity" than currently available.

To achieve the goals Bezos has assembled a team of employees to conjure the tools for successful testing of COVID-19.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-thermal-scanning-tech-could-save-millions-of-lives-during-the-covid-19-crisis-293175">New thermal scanning tech could save millions of lives during COVID-19 crisis</a>

Amazon will begin testing "small numbers" of its employees soon, CNN reported.

"We are not sure how far we will get in the relevant time frame, but we think it's worth trying, and we stand ready to share anything we learn," Bezos wrote.

The company has recently invited ire owing to its treatment of critics within its workforce, who were then fired.

Bezos recently showed reinforced his focus on ensuring the safety of his employees.

Apparently, over 150 “significant process changes” have been made it its regular operations and networking.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/independent-researchers-explore-ways-to-detect-and-prevent-coronavirus-293185" hreflang="en">Independent researchers explore ways to detect and prevent coronavirus</a>

These include regular temperature checks, increased sanitation of facilities and offering personal protection equipment, like masks, to its employees.

So far, numerous Amazon facilities have registered cases of COVID-19. Washington, California, and New York have reported cases, where centres have been closed.

After Amazon decided to keep warehouses open, many employees staged walkout protests.

To meet the pressure in demand, Amazon recently hired over 200,000 new workers.

In a bid to kick start the economy, Amazon has started to develop a test for COVID-19. In his annual letter, CEO Jeff Bezos said that “regular testing will both help keep people safe and help get the economy back up and running.

In a bid to kick start the economy, Amazon has started to develop a test for COVID-19. In his annual letter, CEO Jeff Bezos said that “regular testing will both help keep people safe and help get the economy back up and running." He added that they need to undertake "vastly more testing capacity" than currently available. To achieve the goals Bezos has assembled a team of employees to conjure the tools for successful testing of COVID-19. Also read: New thermal scanning tech could save millions of lives during COVID-19 crisis Amazon will begin testing "small numbers" of its employees soon, CNN reported. "We are not sure how far we will get in the relevant time frame, but we think it's worth trying, and we stand ready to share anything we learn," Bezos wrote. The company has recently invited ire owing to its treatment of critics within its workforce, who were then fired. Bezos recently showed reinforced his focus on ensuring the safety of his employees. Apparently, over 150 “significant process changes” have been made it its regular operations and networking. Also read: Independent researchers explore ways to detect and prevent coronavirus These include regular temperature checks, increased sanitation of facilities and offering personal protection equipment, like masks, to its employees. So far, numerous Amazon facilities have registered cases of COVID-19. Washington, California, and New York have reported cases, where centres have been closed. After Amazon decided to keep warehouses open, many employees staged walkout protests. To meet the pressure in demand, Amazon recently hired over 200,000 new workers.

Amazon to develop COVID-19 test for screening employees

The confirmed coronavirus death toll has reached 32,917 in the United States, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

More than 667,800 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the United States, which has seen a record number of deaths over the past two days.

The death toll marked an increase of 4,491 deaths in the past 24 hours, by far the highest daily toll in the pandemic so far. But this figure includes the "probable" deaths related to COVID-19, which were not previously included.

New York City had earlier announced it would add 3,778 "probable" coronavirus deaths to its toll.

New York, the epicentre of the country's COVID-19 epidemic, has suffered more than 12,000 deaths across the state alone.

The US has the highest death toll in the world, followed by Italy with 22,170 deaths although its population is just a fifth of that of the US.

Spain has recorded 19,130 deaths, followed by France with 17,920.

As of Thursday night, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recorded 31,071 coronavirus deaths, including 4,141 "probable" virus deaths.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has unveiled plans Thursday evening to reopen the US economy, allowing each state's governor "to take a phased deliberate approach to reopening their individual states".

The confirmed coronavirus death toll has reached 32,917 in the United States, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. More than 667,800 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the United States, which has seen a record number of deaths over the past two days.

The confirmed coronavirus death toll has reached 32,917 in the United States, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. More than 667,800 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the United States, which has seen a record number of deaths over the past two days. The death toll marked an increase of 4,491 deaths in the past 24 hours, by far the highest daily toll in the pandemic so far. But this figure includes the "probable" deaths related to COVID-19, which were not previously included. New York City had earlier announced it would add 3,778 "probable" coronavirus deaths to its toll. New York, the epicentre of the country's COVID-19 epidemic, has suffered more than 12,000 deaths across the state alone. The US has the highest death toll in the world, followed by Italy with 22,170 deaths although its population is just a fifth of that of the US. Spain has recorded 19,130 deaths, followed by France with 17,920. As of Thursday night, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recorded 31,071 coronavirus deaths, including 4,141 "probable" virus deaths. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has unveiled plans Thursday evening to reopen the US economy, allowing each state's governor "to take a phased deliberate approach to reopening their individual states".

US COVID-19 toll passes 32,000; 'probable' virus deaths included

Sweeping testing of the entire crew of the coronavirus-stricken US&nbsp;aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt may have revealed a&nbsp;clue&nbsp;about the pandemic: The majority of the positive cases so far are among sailors who are asymptomatic, officials say.

The possibility that the coronavirus spreads in a mostly stealthy mode among a population of largely young, healthy people showing no symptoms could have major implications for US&nbsp;policy-makers, who are considering how and when to reopen the economy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-gradual-us-reopening-against-dire-economic-backdrop-293006" hreflang="en">Trump announces gradual US reopening against dire economic backdrop</a>

It also renews questions about the extent to which US&nbsp;testing of just the people suspected of being infected is actually capturing the spread of the virus in the United States and around the world.

The Navy's testing of the entire 4,800-member crew of the aircraft carrier,&nbsp;which is about 94 per cent&nbsp;complete,&nbsp;was an extraordinary move in a headline-grabbing case that has already led to the firing of the carrier's captain and the resignation of the Navy's top civilian official.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-provides-health-assistance-to-india-to-help-battle-covid-19-293010" hreflang="en">US provides health assistance to India to help battle COVID-19</a>

Roughly 60 percent of the over 600 sailors who tested positive so far have not shown symptoms of COVID-19, the potentially lethal respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, the Navy says. The service did not speculate about how many might later develop symptoms or remain asymptomatic.

"With regard to COVID-19, we're learning that stealth in the form of asymptomatic transmission is this adversary's secret power," said Rear Admiral Bruce Gillingham, surgeon general of the Navy.

The figure is higher than the 25 per cent&nbsp;to 50 per cent range offered on April 5 by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper, speaking in a television interview on Thursday, said the number of asymptomatic cases from the carrier was "disconcerting."

"It has revealed a new dynamic of this virus: that it can be carried by normal, healthy people who have no idea whatsoever that they are carrying it," Esper told NBC's "Today" morning show.

Such data present challenges to the Pentagon, which is deployed around the world, sometimes in confined environments like submarines, ships and aircraft.

Testing the entire military is not yet feasible, given still-limited testing capacity, officials say, and detecting enough cases without tests is impossible if most cases are asymptomatic.

The U.S. coronavirus death toll - the highest in the world - surged past 31,000 on Thursday after doubling in a week.

It also claimed the life of a sailor from the Theodore Roosevelt this week. Five other members of the crew are hospitalized.

Sweeping testing of the entire crew of the coronavirus-stricken US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt may have revealed a clue about the pandemic: The majority of the positive cases so far are among sailors who are asymptomatic, officials say.

Sweeping testing of the entire crew of the coronavirus-stricken US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt may have revealed a clue about the pandemic: The majority of the positive cases so far are among sailors who are asymptomatic, officials say. The possibility that the coronavirus spreads in a mostly stealthy mode among a population of largely young, healthy people showing no symptoms could have major implications for US policy-makers, who are considering how and when to reopen the economy. Also read: Trump announces gradual US reopening against dire economic backdrop It also renews questions about the extent to which US testing of just the people suspected of being infected is actually capturing the spread of the virus in the United States and around the world. The Navy's testing of the entire 4,800-member crew of the aircraft carrier, which is about 94 per cent complete, was an extraordinary move in a headline-grabbing case that has already led to the firing of the carrier's captain and the resignation of the Navy's top civilian official. Also read: US provides health assistance to India to help battle COVID-19 Roughly 60 percent of the over 600 sailors who tested positive so far have not shown symptoms of COVID-19, the potentially lethal respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, the Navy says. The service did not speculate about how many might later develop symptoms or remain asymptomatic. "With regard to COVID-19, we're learning that stealth in the form of asymptomatic transmission is this adversary's secret power," said Rear Admiral Bruce Gillingham, surgeon general of the Navy. The figure is higher than the 25 per cent to 50 per cent range offered on April 5 by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, speaking in a television interview on Thursday, said the number of asymptomatic cases from the carrier was "disconcerting." "It has revealed a new dynamic of this virus: that it can be carried by normal, healthy people who have no idea whatsoever that they are carrying it," Esper told NBC's "Today" morning show. Such data present challenges to the Pentagon, which is deployed around the world, sometimes in confined environments like submarines, ships and aircraft. Testing the entire military is not yet feasible, given still-limited testing capacity, officials say, and detecting enough cases without tests is impossible if most cases are asymptomatic. The U.S. coronavirus death toll - the highest in the world - surged past 31,000 on Thursday after doubling in a week. It also claimed the life of a sailor from the Theodore Roosevelt this week. Five other members of the crew are hospitalized.

Coronavirus clue? Most cases aboard US aircraft carrier are symptom-free

The lockdown in India has brought most modes of transportation to a standstill but few exceptions remain. Authorities have ensured that international flights are evacuating foreign nationals and cargo flights are bringing essential equipment to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

All flights suspended due to lockdown: Special flights evacuate foreign citizens

The government confirmed that the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Wuhan was also revised upwards - by 325 to 50,333.

China makes changes in COVID-19 data: Death toll up by 50% in Wuhan

The United States has provided health assistance to India to help the nation fight COVID-19.

The help package amounts to nearly USD5.9 million, the US State Department said on Thursday. The amount, it said, will provide care for the affected, disseminate essential public health messages to communities and strengthen case-finding and surveillance.

The assistance will also be used to mobilise innovative financing mechanisms for emergency preparedness and response to this pandemic.

The State Department and the US Agency for International Development have now committed nearly USD508 million in emergency health, humanitarian, and economic assistance.

In South Asia, America's COVID-19 assistance has gone to Afghanistan (USD18 million), Bangladesh (USD9.6 million), Bhutan (USD500,000), Nepal (USD1.8 million), Pakistan (USD9.4 million) and Sri Lanka (USD1.3 million).

(with inputs)

The United States has provided health assistance to India to help the nation fight COVID-19. The help package amounts to nearly USD5.9 million, the US State Department said on Thursday.

The United States has provided health assistance to India to help the nation fight COVID-19. The help package amounts to nearly USD5.9 million, the US State Department said on Thursday. The amount, it said, will provide care for the affected, disseminate essential public health messages to communities and strengthen case-finding and surveillance. The assistance will also be used to mobilise innovative financing mechanisms for emergency preparedness and response to this pandemic. The State Department and the US Agency for International Development have now committed nearly USD508 million in emergency health, humanitarian, and economic assistance. In South Asia, America's COVID-19 assistance has gone to Afghanistan (USD18 million), Bangladesh (USD9.6 million), Bhutan (USD500,000), Nepal (USD1.8 million), Pakistan (USD9.4 million) and Sri Lanka (USD1.3 million). (with inputs)

US provides health assistance to India to help battle COVID-19

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday approved disbursement of USD1.386 billion as a financial assistance to Pakistan to meet its urgent balance of payment needs stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Pakistan had requested the IMF for this help -- which was in addition to the USD 6 billion bailout package that Islamabad signed with the agency in July last year to stave off a balance of payment crisis.

It is being said that the domestic containment measures coupled with the global downturn are severely affecting growth and economy in Pakistan.

In response to the crisis, the government of Pakistan has taken swift action to halt the community spread of the virus and introduced an economic stimulus package aimed at accommodating the spending needed to tackle the health emergency and supporting economic activity. 
&nbsp;

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday approved disbursement of USD1.386 billion as a financial assistance to Pakistan to meet its urgent balance of payment needs stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday approved disbursement of USD1.386 billion as a financial assistance to Pakistan to meet its urgent balance of payment needs stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak. Pakistan had requested the IMF for this help -- which was in addition to the USD 6 billion bailout package that Islamabad signed with the agency in July last year to stave off a balance of payment crisis. It is being said that the domestic containment measures coupled with the global downturn are severely affecting growth and economy in Pakistan. In response to the crisis, the government of Pakistan has taken swift action to halt the community spread of the virus and introduced an economic stimulus package aimed at accommodating the spending needed to tackle the health emergency and supporting economic activity.

Coronavirus: IMF approves nearly $1.4 billion to Pakistan to meet balance of payment crisis

As Germany announced plans to manufacture at least 50 million masks a week, the country's disease control agency Robert Koch Institute said that person-to-person infection rate had dropped to 0.7 in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-belarus-president-calls-coronavirus-psychosis-organisations-step-up-mobilisation-efforts-293165">Also Read: As Belarus' president calls coronavirus 'psychosis'</a>

According to the data, a coronavirus patient in the country is infecting less than one person - a critical analysis according to which Germany gradually hopes to ease the countrywide lockdown.

Merkel had earlier said that shops up to 800 square metres (8,600 square feet) will be allowed to reopen if they abide by the "hygiene rules".

"The curve (of infections) has got flatter, but it still has to be in a shape that doesn't overburden our health system," Merkel asserted, while adding,"even if we assume that one person infects 1.1 others, we would reach the limits of what our health system and intensive care beds can manage in October."

"If we assume a rate of 1.2... we would reach the health system's limit in July. And with a rate of 1.3 -- it doesn't sound like much -- we would get there in June already," the Germany chancellor said on a cautious note.

"You can see how little margin for error we have" when tweaking the step-by-step lockdown exit, Merkel said, while saying that &nbsp;"caution should be the watchword, not over-confidence".&nbsp;

Germany has 138, 273 cases of COVID-19 infections in the country so far with 3,868 deaths.

As Germany announced plans to manufacture at least 50 million masks a week, the country's disease control agency Robert Koch Institute said that person-to-person infection rate had dropped to 0.

As Germany announced plans to manufacture at least 50 million masks a week, the country's disease control agency Robert Koch Institute said that person-to-person infection rate had dropped to 0.7 in the country. Also Read: As Belarus' president calls coronavirus 'psychosis' According to the data, a coronavirus patient in the country is infecting less than one person - a critical analysis according to which Germany gradually hopes to ease the countrywide lockdown. Merkel had earlier said that shops up to 800 square metres (8,600 square feet) will be allowed to reopen if they abide by the "hygiene rules". "The curve (of infections) has got flatter, but it still has to be in a shape that doesn't overburden our health system," Merkel asserted, while adding,"even if we assume that one person infects 1.1 others, we would reach the limits of what our health system and intensive care beds can manage in October." "If we assume a rate of 1.2... we would reach the health system's limit in July. And with a rate of 1.3 -- it doesn't sound like much -- we would get there in June already," the Germany chancellor said on a cautious note. "You can see how little margin for error we have" when tweaking the step-by-step lockdown exit, Merkel said, while saying that "caution should be the watchword, not over-confidence". Germany has 138, 273 cases of COVID-19 infections in the country so far with 3,868 deaths.

Lockdown decision: Person-to-person infection rate falls in German data analysis

Kim Jong-Un absent on country’s most important holiday: Precaution or doom?

North Korea’s most important holiday - the Day of the Sun falls on April 15, in honour of the country’s founding father Kim II Sung.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/independent-researchers-explore-ways-to-detect-and-prevent-coronavirus-293185" hreflang="en">Independent researchers explore ways to detect and prevent coronavirus</a>

Millions across the country celebrate birth of their founding leader. North Korea usually goes big on the day and has marked it with satellite launches and military parades in the first.

However, something was amiss this year. The Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was no where to be seen on the country’s most auspicious day.

Is North Korea being overly protective of its leader or is something wrong with him?

For a country with no reported cases of coronavirus so far, a precautionary measure so extreme feels a little far-fetched.

The last time a leadermmissed something of such importance, he had experienced a stroke.

So, is he ok?

According to CNN, no North Korean media reported his absence/presence at the Day of the Sun festivities.&nbsp;

KCNA, North Korea’s state run news outlet reported that “senior officials” had undertaken the visit to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where Kim II Sung and his son Kim Jong II are on display.

Analysts believe that this absence marks an unprecedented deviation from custom, for he has never skipped such meetings since he took charge of the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-thermal-scanning-tech-could-save-millions-of-lives-during-the-covid-19-crisis-293175" hreflang="en">New thermal scanning tech could save millions of lives during the COVID-19 crisis</a>

In 2008, Kim Jong II had missed North Korea’s 60th anniversary parade. It later turned out that he had experienced a stroke. His health then continued to deteriorate until his death in 2011.

In 2014, Kim Jong Un had disappeared which raised questions about his health. A few days later, it turned out that he a cyst removed from his ankle.

North Korea’s claim of zero coronavirus cases in the country has been disputed by all analysts. And many believe that it could be the likely cause of his absence.

The country has closed its borders to tourists and has quarantined all foreign diplomats, who all eventually left.

Kim Jong-Un absent on country’s most important holiday: Precaution or doom? North Korea’s most important holiday - the Day of the Sun falls on April 15, in honour of the country’s founding father Kim II Sung.

Kim Jong-Un absent on country’s most important holiday: Precaution or doom? North Korea’s most important holiday - the Day of the Sun falls on April 15, in honour of the country’s founding father Kim II Sung. Also read: Independent researchers explore ways to detect and prevent coronavirus Millions across the country celebrate birth of their founding leader. North Korea usually goes big on the day and has marked it with satellite launches and military parades in the first. However, something was amiss this year. The Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was no where to be seen on the country’s most auspicious day. Is North Korea being overly protective of its leader or is something wrong with him? For a country with no reported cases of coronavirus so far, a precautionary measure so extreme feels a little far-fetched. The last time a leadermmissed something of such importance, he had experienced a stroke. So, is he ok? According to CNN, no North Korean media reported his absence/presence at the Day of the Sun festivities. KCNA, North Korea’s state run news outlet reported that “senior officials” had undertaken the visit to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where Kim II Sung and his son Kim Jong II are on display. Analysts believe that this absence marks an unprecedented deviation from custom, for he has never skipped such meetings since he took charge of the country. Also read: New thermal scanning tech could save millions of lives during the COVID-19 crisis In 2008, Kim Jong II had missed North Korea’s 60th anniversary parade. It later turned out that he had experienced a stroke. His health then continued to deteriorate until his death in 2011. In 2014, Kim Jong Un had disappeared which raised questions about his health. A few days later, it turned out that he a cyst removed from his ankle. North Korea’s claim of zero coronavirus cases in the country has been disputed by all analysts. And many believe that it could be the likely cause of his absence. The country has closed its borders to tourists and has quarantined all foreign diplomats, who all eventually left.

Kim Jong Un absent on North Korea’s most important holiday: Precaution or doom?

China had recently employed thermal imaging technology to find coronavirus symptoms among patients.

According to Tech Crunch, the could soon be makings its way to the United States.

A start-up based in Hangzhou is talking to companies to sell its “T1 glasses”.

China’s economy has been hit hard by the pandemic, and its companies are working to come up with quick diagnosis technology to avert further damage.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wuhan-once-chinas-coronavirus-epicentre-raises-death-toll-by-50-293040">Wuhan, once China's coronavirus epicentre raises death toll by 50%</a>

The T1 thermal glasses are capable of detecting the temperatures of over 2000 people within two minutes, within the distance of over three metres.

According to media reports, the device is equipped with a Qualcomm CPU, a 12 megapixel camera and offer augmented reality features. It can also record live images and videos.

<h6><img alt="Attendees stand before a screen showing an infrared thermal image during a ceremony by Taiwan’s Ministry Of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to donate thermal scanning devices to its diplomatic allies at the MOFA in Taipei on April 15, 2020. Taiwan donated some 100 infrared thermal scanners to fifteen of its diplomatic allies." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d500805-5277-4b1a-ad39-07771466f0d0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-5_1.jpg" /> 
A picture taken on January 21, 2020 shows thermal scanning equipment set up in Hankou railway station in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province | AFP</h6>

The startup plans to set an office in San Francisco, after which the tech will be rolled out to industries in need, especially healthcare.

According to Tech Crunch, the company is now in talks with American hospitals and municipalities to start shipping the glasses.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-belarus-president-calls-coronavirus-psychosis-organisations-step-up-mobilisation-efforts-293165">As Belarus' president calls coronavirus 'psychosis', organisations step-up!</a>

The technology could serve as a measure for pre-testing whereby, the people with symptoms could be identified and further referred for testing.

As per reports, the glasses connect via USB. However, the American administration has amped-up its anti-China rhetoric, which could halt it gaining traction in the West.

China had recently employed thermal imaging technology to find coronavirus symptoms among patients. According to Tech Crunch, the could soon be makings its way to the United States.

China had recently employed thermal imaging technology to find coronavirus symptoms among patients. According to Tech Crunch, the could soon be makings its way to the United States. A start-up based in Hangzhou is talking to companies to sell its “T1 glasses”. China’s economy has been hit hard by the pandemic, and its companies are working to come up with quick diagnosis technology to avert further damage. Also read: Wuhan, once China's coronavirus epicentre raises death toll by 50% The T1 thermal glasses are capable of detecting the temperatures of over 2000 people within two minutes, within the distance of over three metres. According to media reports, the device is equipped with a Qualcomm CPU, a 12 megapixel camera and offer augmented reality features. It can also record live images and videos. A picture taken on January 21, 2020 shows thermal scanning equipment set up in Hankou railway station in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province | AFP The startup plans to set an office in San Francisco, after which the tech will be rolled out to industries in need, especially healthcare. According to Tech Crunch, the company is now in talks with American hospitals and municipalities to start shipping the glasses. Also read: As Belarus' president calls coronavirus 'psychosis', organisations step-up! The technology could serve as a measure for pre-testing whereby, the people with symptoms could be identified and further referred for testing. As per reports, the glasses connect via USB. However, the American administration has amped-up its anti-China rhetoric, which could halt it gaining traction in the West.

New thermal scanning tech could save millions of lives during the COVID-19 crisis

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