In just a matter of weeks, two variants of the coronavirus have become so familiar that you can hear their inscrutable alphanumeric names regularly uttered on television news.

B.1.1.7, first identified in Britain, has demonstrated the power to spread far and fast. In South Africa, a mutant called B.1.351 can dodge human antibodies, blunting the effectiveness of some vaccines.

Scientists have also had their eye on a third concerning variant that arose in Brazil, called P.1. Research had been slower on P.1 since its discovery in late December, leaving scientists unsure of just how much to worry about it.

“I’ve been holding my breath,” said Bronwyn MacInnis, a public health researcher at the Broad Institute.

Now three studies offer a sobering history of P.1’s meteoric rise in the Amazonian city of Manaus. It likely arose there in November and then fueled a record-breaking spike of coronavirus cases. It came to dominate the city due in part to increased contagiousness, the research found.

But it also gained the ability to infect some people who had immunity from previous bouts of COVID-19. And laboratory experiments suggest that P.1 could weaken the protective effect of a Chinese vaccine now in use in Brazil.

The new studies have yet to be published in scientific journals. Their authors caution that findings on cells in laboratories do not always translate to the real world, and they’ve only begun to understand P.1’s behaviour.

“The findings apply to Manaus, but I don’t know if they apply to other places,” said Nuno Faria, a virus expert at Imperial College London who helped lead much of the new research.

But even with the mysteries that remain around P.1, experts said it is a variant to take seriously. “It’s right to be worried about P.1, and this data gives us the reason why,” said William Hanage, a public health researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

P.1 is now spreading across the rest of Brazil and has been found in 24 other countries. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded six cases in five states: Alaska, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota and Oklahoma.

To reduce the risks of P.1 outbreaks and reinfections, Faria said it was important to double down on every measure we have to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Masks and social distancing can work against P.1. And vaccination can help drive down its transmission and protect those who do get infected from severe disease.

“The ultimate message is that you need to step up all the vaccination efforts as soon as possible,” he said. “You need to be one step ahead of the virus.”

Faria and his colleagues started tracking the coronavirus when it exploded in Brazil last spring. Manaus, a city of 2 million in the Brazilian Amazon, was hit particularly hard. At its springtime peak, the cemeteries of Manaus were overwhelmed by the bodies of the dead.

But after a peak in late April, Manaus seemed to have gotten past the worst of the pandemic. Some scientists thought that the drop meant Manaus had gained herd immunity.

Faria and his colleagues looked for coronavirus antibodies in samples from a Manaus blood bank in June and October. They determined that roughly three-quarters of the residents of Manaus had been infected.

But near the end of 2020, new cases began surging again. “There were actually far more cases than in the previous peak of cases, which had been in late April,” Faria said. “And that was very puzzling to us.”

Faria and his colleagues wondered if new variants might be partly to blame for the resurgence. In Britain, researchers were finding that B.1.1.7 was surging across the country.

To search for variants, Faria and his colleagues started a new genome sequencing effort in the city. While B.1.1.7 had arrived in other parts of Brazil, they didn’t find it in Manaus. Instead, they found a variant no one had seen before.

Many variants in their samples shared a set of 21 mutations not seen in other viruses circulating in Brazil. Faria sent a text message to a colleague: “I think I’m looking at something really strange, and I’m quite worried about this.”

A few mutations, in particular, worried him, because scientists had already found them in either B.1.1.7 or B.1.351. Experiments suggested that some of the mutations might make the variants better able to infect cells. Other mutations let them evade antibodies from previous infections or produced by vaccines.

As Faria and his colleagues analyzed their results, researchers in Japan were making a similar discovery. Four tourists returning home from a trip to the Amazon on Jan. 4 tested positive for the coronavirus. Genome sequencing revealed the same set of mutations Faria and his colleagues were seeing in Brazil.

Faria and his colleagues posted a description of P.1 on an online virology forum on Jan. 12. They then investigated why P.1 was so common. Its mutations may have made it more contagious, or it might have been lucky. By sheer chance, the variant might have shown up in Manaus just as the city was getting more relaxed about public health measures.

It was also possible that P.1 became common because it could reinfect people. Normally, coronavirus reinfections are rare, because the antibodies produced by the body after infection are potent for months. But it was possible that P.1 carried mutations that made it harder for those antibodies to latch onto it, allowing it to slip into cells and cause new infections.

The researchers tested these possibilities by tracking P.1 from its earliest samples in December. By early January, it made up 87% of samples. By February it had taken over completely.

Combining the data from genomes, antibodies and medical records in Manaus, the researchers concluded that P.1 conquered the city thanks not to luck but biology: Its mutations helped it spread. Like B.1.1.7, it can infect more people, on average, than other variants can. They estimate it is somewhere between 1.4 and 2.2 times more transmissible than other lineages of coronaviruses.

But it also gets an edge from mutations that let it escape antibodies from other coronaviruses. They estimate that in 100 people who were infected in Manaus last year, somewhere between 25 and 61 of them may have been reinfected by P.1.

The researchers found support for this conclusion in an experiment in which they mixed P.1 viruses with antibodies from Brazilians who had COVID-19 last year. They found that the effectiveness of their antibodies dropped sixfold against P.1 compared with other coronaviruses. That drop might mean that at least some people would be vulnerable to new infections from P.1.

“There seems to be an increasing body of evidence that suggests that most of the cases associated with the second wave are indeed sort of reinfections,” Faria said.

Faria and other researchers are now looking across Brazil to observe P.1’s spread. Dr. Ester Sabino, an infectious disease expert at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, said that one of the new outbreaks arose in Araraquara, a Brazilian city of 223,000 people that did not have high rates of COVID-19 before P.1 arrived.

If people in Araraquara did not have high levels of antibodies before P.1’s arrivals, she said, that suggests that the variant may be able to spread in places without Manaus’ extreme history. “This might happen in any other place,” she said.

Michael Worobey, a virus expert at the University of Arizona who was not involved in the research, said it was time to pay attention to P.1 in the United States. He expected it would become more common in the United States, although it would have to compete with B.1.1.7, which may soon become the predominant variant in much of the nation.

“At the very least, it’s going to be one of the contenders,” Worobey said.

In their experiments, Faria and his colleagues also tested antibodies from eight people who received CoronaVac, a Chinese-made vaccine that has been used in Brazil. They found that the vaccine-generated antibodies were less effective at stopping the P.1 variant than other types.

Faria cautioned that these results, derived from cells in test tubes, don’t necessarily mean that vaccines will be less effective at protecting real people from P.1. Vaccines may very well provide strong protection from P.1 even if the antibodies they generate aren’t quite as potent. And even if the variant manages to infect vaccinated people, they will likely remain shielded from a severe bout of COVID-19.

For Sabino, the ultimate importance of P.1 is the threat that concerning variants pose when they can pop up anywhere in the world.

“It’s just a matter of time and chance,” she said.

In just a matter of weeks, two variants of the coronavirus have become so familiar that you can hear their inscrutable alphanumeric names regularly uttered on television news.

In just a matter of weeks, two variants of the coronavirus have become so familiar that you can hear their inscrutable alphanumeric names regularly uttered on television news. B.1.1.7, first identified in Britain, has demonstrated the power to spread far and fast. In South Africa, a mutant called B.1.351 can dodge human antibodies, blunting the effectiveness of some vaccines. Scientists have also had their eye on a third concerning variant that arose in Brazil, called P.1. Research had been slower on P.1 since its discovery in late December, leaving scientists unsure of just how much to worry about it. “I’ve been holding my breath,” said Bronwyn MacInnis, a public health researcher at the Broad Institute. Now three studies offer a sobering history of P.1’s meteoric rise in the Amazonian city of Manaus. It likely arose there in November and then fueled a record-breaking spike of coronavirus cases. It came to dominate the city due in part to increased contagiousness, the research found. But it also gained the ability to infect some people who had immunity from previous bouts of COVID-19. And laboratory experiments suggest that P.1 could weaken the protective effect of a Chinese vaccine now in use in Brazil. The new studies have yet to be published in scientific journals. Their authors caution that findings on cells in laboratories do not always translate to the real world, and they’ve only begun to understand P.1’s behaviour. “The findings apply to Manaus, but I don’t know if they apply to other places,” said Nuno Faria, a virus expert at Imperial College London who helped lead much of the new research. But even with the mysteries that remain around P.1, experts said it is a variant to take seriously. “It’s right to be worried about P.1, and this data gives us the reason why,” said William Hanage, a public health researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. P.1 is now spreading across the rest of Brazil and has been found in 24 other countries. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded six cases in five states: Alaska, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota and Oklahoma. To reduce the risks of P.1 outbreaks and reinfections, Faria said it was important to double down on every measure we have to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Masks and social distancing can work against P.1. And vaccination can help drive down its transmission and protect those who do get infected from severe disease. “The ultimate message is that you need to step up all the vaccination efforts as soon as possible,” he said. “You need to be one step ahead of the virus.” Faria and his colleagues started tracking the coronavirus when it exploded in Brazil last spring. Manaus, a city of 2 million in the Brazilian Amazon, was hit particularly hard. At its springtime peak, the cemeteries of Manaus were overwhelmed by the bodies of the dead. But after a peak in late April, Manaus seemed to have gotten past the worst of the pandemic. Some scientists thought that the drop meant Manaus had gained herd immunity. Faria and his colleagues looked for coronavirus antibodies in samples from a Manaus blood bank in June and October. They determined that roughly three-quarters of the residents of Manaus had been infected. But near the end of 2020, new cases began surging again. “There were actually far more cases than in the previous peak of cases, which had been in late April,” Faria said. “And that was very puzzling to us.” Faria and his colleagues wondered if new variants might be partly to blame for the resurgence. In Britain, researchers were finding that B.1.1.7 was surging across the country. To search for variants, Faria and his colleagues started a new genome sequencing effort in the city. While B.1.1.7 had arrived in other parts of Brazil, they didn’t find it in Manaus. Instead, they found a variant no one had seen before. Many variants in their samples shared a set of 21 mutations not seen in other viruses circulating in Brazil. Faria sent a text message to a colleague: “I think I’m looking at something really strange, and I’m quite worried about this.” A few mutations, in particular, worried him, because scientists had already found them in either B.1.1.7 or B.1.351. Experiments suggested that some of the mutations might make the variants better able to infect cells. Other mutations let them evade antibodies from previous infections or produced by vaccines. As Faria and his colleagues analyzed their results, researchers in Japan were making a similar discovery. Four tourists returning home from a trip to the Amazon on Jan. 4 tested positive for the coronavirus. Genome sequencing revealed the same set of mutations Faria and his colleagues were seeing in Brazil. Faria and his colleagues posted a description of P.1 on an online virology forum on Jan. 12. They then investigated why P.1 was so common. Its mutations may have made it more contagious, or it might have been lucky. By sheer chance, the variant might have shown up in Manaus just as the city was getting more relaxed about public health measures. It was also possible that P.1 became common because it could reinfect people. Normally, coronavirus reinfections are rare, because the antibodies produced by the body after infection are potent for months. But it was possible that P.1 carried mutations that made it harder for those antibodies to latch onto it, allowing it to slip into cells and cause new infections. The researchers tested these possibilities by tracking P.1 from its earliest samples in December. By early January, it made up 87% of samples. By February it had taken over completely. Combining the data from genomes, antibodies and medical records in Manaus, the researchers concluded that P.1 conquered the city thanks not to luck but biology: Its mutations helped it spread. Like B.1.1.7, it can infect more people, on average, than other variants can. They estimate it is somewhere between 1.4 and 2.2 times more transmissible than other lineages of coronaviruses. But it also gets an edge from mutations that let it escape antibodies from other coronaviruses. They estimate that in 100 people who were infected in Manaus last year, somewhere between 25 and 61 of them may have been reinfected by P.1. The researchers found support for this conclusion in an experiment in which they mixed P.1 viruses with antibodies from Brazilians who had COVID-19 last year. They found that the effectiveness of their antibodies dropped sixfold against P.1 compared with other coronaviruses. That drop might mean that at least some people would be vulnerable to new infections from P.1. “There seems to be an increasing body of evidence that suggests that most of the cases associated with the second wave are indeed sort of reinfections,” Faria said. Faria and other researchers are now looking across Brazil to observe P.1’s spread. Dr. Ester Sabino, an infectious disease expert at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, said that one of the new outbreaks arose in Araraquara, a Brazilian city of 223,000 people that did not have high rates of COVID-19 before P.1 arrived. If people in Araraquara did not have high levels of antibodies before P.1’s arrivals, she said, that suggests that the variant may be able to spread in places without Manaus’ extreme history. “This might happen in any other place,” she said. Michael Worobey, a virus expert at the University of Arizona who was not involved in the research, said it was time to pay attention to P.1 in the United States. He expected it would become more common in the United States, although it would have to compete with B.1.1.7, which may soon become the predominant variant in much of the nation. “At the very least, it’s going to be one of the contenders,” Worobey said. In their experiments, Faria and his colleagues also tested antibodies from eight people who received CoronaVac, a Chinese-made vaccine that has been used in Brazil. They found that the vaccine-generated antibodies were less effective at stopping the P.1 variant than other types. Faria cautioned that these results, derived from cells in test tubes, don’t necessarily mean that vaccines will be less effective at protecting real people from P.1. Vaccines may very well provide strong protection from P.1 even if the antibodies they generate aren’t quite as potent. And even if the variant manages to infect vaccinated people, they will likely remain shielded from a severe bout of COVID-19. For Sabino, the ultimate importance of P.1 is the threat that concerning variants pose when they can pop up anywhere in the world. “It’s just a matter of time and chance,” she said.

Virus variant in Brazil infected many who had already recovered from Covid-19

Russia has found the world’s first cases of H5N8 avian influenza in humans.

The virus, however, isn’t yet spreading among people.

The cases were detected in workers at a poultry farm in southern Russia, and were immediately reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"Information about the world's first case of transmission of the avian flu (H5N8) to humans has already been sent to the WHO," the head of Russia's health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said in televised remarks.

"It is not transmitted from person to person. But only time will tell how soon future mutations will allow it to overcome this barrier."

The affected workers at the poultry farm, where an outbreak among birds was reported in December, had mild cases and have recovered.

The highly contagious strain is lethal for birds but has never before been reported to have spread to humans.

Popova said that scientists at Russia's Vektor laboratory had isolated genetic material of the strain from seven workers of a poultry farm in southern Russia, where an outbreak was recorded among the birds in December.

Located in Koltsovo outside the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, the Vektor State Virology and Biotechnology Center has developed one of Russia's several coronavirus vaccines.&nbsp;

Russia has found the world’s first cases of H5N8 avian influenza in humans. The virus, however, isn’t yet spreading among people. The cases were detected in workers at a poultry farm in southern Russia, and were immediately reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Russia has found the world’s first cases of H5N8 avian influenza in humans. The virus, however, isn’t yet spreading among people. The cases were detected in workers at a poultry farm in southern Russia, and were immediately reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO). "Information about the world's first case of transmission of the avian flu (H5N8) to humans has already been sent to the WHO," the head of Russia's health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said in televised remarks. "It is not transmitted from person to person. But only time will tell how soon future mutations will allow it to overcome this barrier." The affected workers at the poultry farm, where an outbreak among birds was reported in December, had mild cases and have recovered. The highly contagious strain is lethal for birds but has never before been reported to have spread to humans. Popova said that scientists at Russia's Vektor laboratory had isolated genetic material of the strain from seven workers of a poultry farm in southern Russia, where an outbreak was recorded among the birds in December. Located in Koltsovo outside the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, the Vektor State Virology and Biotechnology Center has developed one of Russia's several coronavirus vaccines.

Russia reports first cases of H5N8 bird flu in humans

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign.&nbsp;

A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015.&nbsp;

Ukraine's pro-Western leadership has repeatedly rejected calls from pro-Moscow politicians to approve Russia's Sputnik V jab, denouncing the vaccine as a geopolitical tool.&nbsp;

Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.&nbsp;

The ban on Russian vaccines came despite criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky for failing to source Western-made jabs. Not a single dose of any vaccine has yet arrived in the ex-Soviet country.&nbsp;

Zelensky said this week that Ukraine, one of the poorest countries in Europe, would begin the first phase of the vaccination campaign later this month.&nbsp;

The country of some 40 million is awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the United Nations' Covax programme and up to five million doses of the Chinese CoronaVac jab.&nbsp;

It has also secured 12 million doses of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax, but that is still not enough to meet the country's needs.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Ukraine said it launched an investigation into the country's purchasing of coronavirus vaccines, highlighting the country's struggle to end systemic graft.&nbsp;

Sputnik V has, meanwhile, been rolled out in the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists.&nbsp;

Ukraine has recorded more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 24,000 deaths.&nbsp;

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign. A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015.

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign. A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015. Ukraine's pro-Western leadership has repeatedly rejected calls from pro-Moscow politicians to approve Russia's Sputnik V jab, denouncing the vaccine as a geopolitical tool. Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The ban on Russian vaccines came despite criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky for failing to source Western-made jabs. Not a single dose of any vaccine has yet arrived in the ex-Soviet country. Zelensky said this week that Ukraine, one of the poorest countries in Europe, would begin the first phase of the vaccination campaign later this month. The country of some 40 million is awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the United Nations' Covax programme and up to five million doses of the Chinese CoronaVac jab. It has also secured 12 million doses of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax, but that is still not enough to meet the country's needs. On Wednesday, Ukraine said it launched an investigation into the country's purchasing of coronavirus vaccines, highlighting the country's struggle to end systemic graft. Sputnik V has, meanwhile, been rolled out in the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists. Ukraine has recorded more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 24,000 deaths.

Ukraine bans Covid-19 vaccines from 'aggressor' Russia

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.&nbsp;

It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million.&nbsp;

Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems.&nbsp;

Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima.&nbsp;

Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one.&nbsp;

Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs.&nbsp;

Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people.&nbsp;

The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia.&nbsp;

Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital.&nbsp;

"Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine.&nbsp;

The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December.&nbsp;

Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses.&nbsp;

It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America. It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million. Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems. Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning. Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima. Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one. Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs. Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people. The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia. Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital. "Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year." Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine. The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December. Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses. It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Peru begins Covid inoculation, Argentina approves Covishield vaccine

A splintered Supreme Court late Friday partly lifted restrictions on religious services in California that had been prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The court ruled in cases brought by South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista and Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena. The churches said restrictions imposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, violated the Constitution’s protection of the free exercise of religion.

The restrictions set varying limits on attendance at religious services by county, depending on infection rates. With the pandemic raging, in-person worship services were entirely barred in Tier 1, which covers almost all of the state.

In a brief, unsigned opinion, the court blocked that total ban but left in place a 25% capacity restriction and a prohibition on singing and chanting. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch said they would have blocked all of the restrictions. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented, saying they would have left all of the restrictions in place.

Chief Justice John Roberts, in a concurring opinion, explained why a middle ground was appropriate. He said that the court should generally defer to public health experts but that there were limits to that deference.

“The state has concluded, for example, that singing indoors poses a heightened risk of transmitting COVID-19,” he wrote. “I see no basis in this record for overriding that aspect of the state public health framework.”

“At the same time,” the chief justice continued, “the state’s present determination — that the maximum number of adherents who can safely worship in the most cavernous cathedral is zero — appears to reflect not expertise or discretion, but instead insufficient appreciation or consideration of the interests at stake.”

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, in her first opinion, wrote that she would not have blocked the restrictions on singing and chanting based on the available evidence. Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined her opinion.

Gorsuch, joined by Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito, said the state had favored its entertainment industry over worship services.

“If Hollywood may host a studio audience or film a singing competition while not a single soul may enter California’s churches, synagogues and mosques,” Gorsuch wrote, “something has gone seriously awry.”

In dissent, Kagan, joined by Breyer and Sotomayor, said the majority had intruded into matters best left to public health officials.

“Justices of this court are not scientists,” Kagan wrote. “Nor do we know much about public health policy. Yet today the court displaces the judgments of experts about how to respond to a raging pandemic.”

“The state is desperately trying to slow the spread of a deadly disease,” she wrote. “It has concluded, based on essentially undisputed epidemiological findings, that congregating together indoors poses a special threat of contagion. So it has devised regulations to curb attendance at those assemblies and — in the worst times — to force them outdoors.”

“In the worst public health crisis in a century,” Kagan wrote, “this foray into armchair epidemiology cannot end well.”

The ruling followed a similar one in November in a case from New York, and it cemented the court’s change of direction on the issue after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose vacancy was filled by Barrett.

In the latest case, a unanimous three-judge panel of the 9th US&nbsp;Circuit Court of Appeals, in San Francisco, refused to block the most severe restrictions in the case concerning the church in Chula Vista.

Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw, writing for the panel, said the church had not met its burden for obtaining an injunction.

“Notably, in response to the state’s mountain of scientific evidence, South Bay has not pointed to anything in the record to support the notion that the lesser restriction that it seeks — 100% occupancy with a reliance solely on mask-wearing, social distancing, and sanitation measures — would be effective to meet California’s compelling interest in controlling community spread,” Wardlaw wrote. “South Bay’s self-serving assertion that it has experienced no incidence of the virus among its worshippers is entirely anecdotal and undermined by evidence of outbreaks in similarly situated places of worship.”

Relying on that ruling, a different three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit followed suit in the case concerning Harvest Rock Church. In a reluctant concurring opinion, Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain urged the Supreme Court to intervene.

“California’s uniquely severe restrictions against religious worship services — including its total ban against indoor worship in nearly the entire state — are patently unconstitutional and should be enjoined,” he wrote. “The court’s refusal to do so in South Bay cries out for correction.”

“In exactly the same locales where indoor worship is prohibited,” O’Scannlain wrote, “California still allows a vast array of secular facilities to open indoors, including (to name only a few): retail stores, shopping malls, factories, food-processing plants, warehouses, transportation facilities, child care centers, colleges, libraries, professional sports facilities and movie studios.”

Last year, before the death of Ginsburg, the Supreme Court allowed the governors of California and Nevada to restrict attendance at religious services. In a pair of 5-4 orders, Roberts joined what was then the court’s four-member liberal wing to form a majority.

The court changed course in November after the arrival of Barrett, in a case from New York. Disavowing the chief justice’s approach, the majority barred restrictions on religious services in New York that Gov. Andrew Cuomo had imposed to combat the coronavirus.

In an unsigned opinion, the majority said Cuomo’s restrictions violated the First Amendment’s protection of the free exercise of religion.

A splintered Supreme Court late Friday partly lifted restrictions on religious services in California that had been prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. The court ruled in cases brought by South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista and Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena.

A splintered Supreme Court late Friday partly lifted restrictions on religious services in California that had been prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. The court ruled in cases brought by South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista and Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena. The churches said restrictions imposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, violated the Constitution’s protection of the free exercise of religion. The restrictions set varying limits on attendance at religious services by county, depending on infection rates. With the pandemic raging, in-person worship services were entirely barred in Tier 1, which covers almost all of the state. In a brief, unsigned opinion, the court blocked that total ban but left in place a 25% capacity restriction and a prohibition on singing and chanting. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch said they would have blocked all of the restrictions. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented, saying they would have left all of the restrictions in place. Chief Justice John Roberts, in a concurring opinion, explained why a middle ground was appropriate. He said that the court should generally defer to public health experts but that there were limits to that deference. “The state has concluded, for example, that singing indoors poses a heightened risk of transmitting COVID-19,” he wrote. “I see no basis in this record for overriding that aspect of the state public health framework.” “At the same time,” the chief justice continued, “the state’s present determination — that the maximum number of adherents who can safely worship in the most cavernous cathedral is zero — appears to reflect not expertise or discretion, but instead insufficient appreciation or consideration of the interests at stake.” Justice Amy Coney Barrett, in her first opinion, wrote that she would not have blocked the restrictions on singing and chanting based on the available evidence. Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined her opinion. Gorsuch, joined by Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito, said the state had favored its entertainment industry over worship services. “If Hollywood may host a studio audience or film a singing competition while not a single soul may enter California’s churches, synagogues and mosques,” Gorsuch wrote, “something has gone seriously awry.” In dissent, Kagan, joined by Breyer and Sotomayor, said the majority had intruded into matters best left to public health officials. “Justices of this court are not scientists,” Kagan wrote. “Nor do we know much about public health policy. Yet today the court displaces the judgments of experts about how to respond to a raging pandemic.” “The state is desperately trying to slow the spread of a deadly disease,” she wrote. “It has concluded, based on essentially undisputed epidemiological findings, that congregating together indoors poses a special threat of contagion. So it has devised regulations to curb attendance at those assemblies and — in the worst times — to force them outdoors.” “In the worst public health crisis in a century,” Kagan wrote, “this foray into armchair epidemiology cannot end well.” The ruling followed a similar one in November in a case from New York, and it cemented the court’s change of direction on the issue after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose vacancy was filled by Barrett. In the latest case, a unanimous three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, in San Francisco, refused to block the most severe restrictions in the case concerning the church in Chula Vista. Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw, writing for the panel, said the church had not met its burden for obtaining an injunction. “Notably, in response to the state’s mountain of scientific evidence, South Bay has not pointed to anything in the record to support the notion that the lesser restriction that it seeks — 100% occupancy with a reliance solely on mask-wearing, social distancing, and sanitation measures — would be effective to meet California’s compelling interest in controlling community spread,” Wardlaw wrote. “South Bay’s self-serving assertion that it has experienced no incidence of the virus among its worshippers is entirely anecdotal and undermined by evidence of outbreaks in similarly situated places of worship.” Relying on that ruling, a different three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit followed suit in the case concerning Harvest Rock Church. In a reluctant concurring opinion, Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain urged the Supreme Court to intervene. “California’s uniquely severe restrictions against religious worship services — including its total ban against indoor worship in nearly the entire state — are patently unconstitutional and should be enjoined,” he wrote. “The court’s refusal to do so in South Bay cries out for correction.” “In exactly the same locales where indoor worship is prohibited,” O’Scannlain wrote, “California still allows a vast array of secular facilities to open indoors, including (to name only a few): retail stores, shopping malls, factories, food-processing plants, warehouses, transportation facilities, child care centers, colleges, libraries, professional sports facilities and movie studios.” Last year, before the death of Ginsburg, the Supreme Court allowed the governors of California and Nevada to restrict attendance at religious services. In a pair of 5-4 orders, Roberts joined what was then the court’s four-member liberal wing to form a majority. The court changed course in November after the arrival of Barrett, in a case from New York. Disavowing the chief justice’s approach, the majority barred restrictions on religious services in New York that Gov. Andrew Cuomo had imposed to combat the coronavirus. In an unsigned opinion, the majority said Cuomo’s restrictions violated the First Amendment’s protection of the free exercise of religion.

Supreme Court partly backs religious challenge to California virus restrictions

In the first month of COVID- 19 pandemic, world leaders caught unaware, they were late in imposing travel restrictions from china, as a result COVID-19 virus which originated from Wuhan spread like a wildfire. So, not repeating the same mistake, more than 40 countries block UK flights as new variant of COVID- 19 found in Britain.

More than 40 countries block UK flights as new variant of COVID- 19 found in the country

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll in ways that no one can measure.&nbsp;

It was vital, he said, for people to follow the science and resist the urge to turn a blind eye to the virus.

"We might be tired of COVID-19. But it is not tired of us," he said.

Tedros, speaking from quarantine after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19, warned that the virus preys on weakness.

"It preys on those in weaker health, but it preys on other weaknesses too: inequality, division, denial, wishful thinking and willful ignorance, he said.

"We cannot negotiate with it, nor close our eyes and hope it goes away."

"It pays no heed to political rhetoric or conspiracy theories," he said.

"Our only hope is science, solutions and solidarity."

Addressing the WHO's main annual assembly he said that "We can’t measure the grief of families who weren’t able to say goodbye to their loved ones. We can’t measure the fear felt by so many in the face of an uncertain future."

"Almost 50 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO, and more than 1.2 million people have lost their lives. Millions more have died due to disruption of essential health services".

"No one knows the long-term effects of this virus on the human body, or on the type of world, our children and grandchildren will inherit. Although this is a global crisis, we must remember that countries have responded differently, and they have been affected differently,”.

(With inputs from agencies)

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll in ways that no one can measure. It was vital, he said, for people to follow the science and resist the urge to turn a blind eye to the virus.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll in ways that no one can measure. It was vital, he said, for people to follow the science and resist the urge to turn a blind eye to the virus. "We might be tired of COVID-19. But it is not tired of us," he said. Tedros, speaking from quarantine after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19, warned that the virus preys on weakness. "It preys on those in weaker health, but it preys on other weaknesses too: inequality, division, denial, wishful thinking and willful ignorance, he said. "We cannot negotiate with it, nor close our eyes and hope it goes away." "It pays no heed to political rhetoric or conspiracy theories," he said. "Our only hope is science, solutions and solidarity." Addressing the WHO's main annual assembly he said that "We can’t measure the grief of families who weren’t able to say goodbye to their loved ones. We can’t measure the fear felt by so many in the face of an uncertain future." "Almost 50 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO, and more than 1.2 million people have lost their lives. Millions more have died due to disruption of essential health services". "No one knows the long-term effects of this virus on the human body, or on the type of world, our children and grandchildren will inherit. Although this is a global crisis, we must remember that countries have responded differently, and they have been affected differently,”. (With inputs from agencies)

World may be tired, but the virus 'not tired of us': WHO chief

New York mayor Bill de Blasio said today that he planned to put nine neighbourhoods under shutdown.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-oxygen-levels-dropped-twice-could-be-discharged-monday-doctors-332513">Also Read:&nbsp;Trump's oxygen levels dropped twice, could be discharged Monday, say&nbsp;Doctors</a>

"Today, unfortunately, is not a day for celebration," de Blasio said.

The proposal must be approved by Governor Andrew Cuomo. New York authorities had imposed strict lockdown measures after the virus hit the city in March.

New York City has reported nearly 24,000 fatalities due to the virus.

De Blasio said he wants to “contain the situation” and “avoid a bigger second wave” with schools and non-essential businesses set to close. The restrictions would include public and private schools and daycares, reports said.

The Mayor said schools may be closed for two to four weeks.&nbsp;

De Blasio said another eleven areas in the city had a problem but there won't be any shutdown as of now.

New York mayor Bill de Blasio said today that he planned to put nine neighbourhoods under shutdown. Also Read: Trump's oxygen levels dropped twice, could be discharged Monday, say Doctors "Today, unfortunately, is not a day for celebration," de Blasio said.

New York mayor Bill de Blasio said today that he planned to put nine neighbourhoods under shutdown. Also Read: Trump's oxygen levels dropped twice, could be discharged Monday, say Doctors "Today, unfortunately, is not a day for celebration," de Blasio said. The proposal must be approved by Governor Andrew Cuomo. New York authorities had imposed strict lockdown measures after the virus hit the city in March. New York City has reported nearly 24,000 fatalities due to the virus. De Blasio said he wants to “contain the situation” and “avoid a bigger second wave” with schools and non-essential businesses set to close. The restrictions would include public and private schools and daycares, reports said. The Mayor said schools may be closed for two to four weeks. De Blasio said another eleven areas in the city had a problem but there won't be any shutdown as of now.

New York mayor Bill de Blasio plans to shutdown 9 neighbourhoods amid virus surge

New virus found in China -&nbsp;The Cat Que Virus -&nbsp; The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has warned of the danger posed by another virus found in China&nbsp; - the Cat Que Virus.&nbsp;

According to the ICMR, the virus has potential to spread diseases across India. The CQV may cause febrile illnesses, meningitis, and paediatric encephalitis among humans.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/why-china-must-be-punished-for-its-contribution-in-global-spread-of-coronavirus-331011" hreflang="en">Why China must be punished for its contribution in global spread of coronavirus</a>

The virus has been spotted in culex mosquitoes and pigs across China and Vietnam. India, too is home to species of culex mosquitoes.

New virus found in China - The Cat Que Virus 

Researchers at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune have found antibodies for the virus in two out of the 883 human serum samples which were taken from various Indian states. This implies that people have been infected with the virus.

During the course of the study, the virus was not found in human or animal samples.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/interferon-insufficiency-is-the-reason-why-coronavirus-is-deadly-for-some-patients-330858" hreflang="en">‘Interferon’ insufficiency is the reason why coronavirus is deadly for some patients</a>

The two samples that tested positive for CQV antibodies came from Karnataka - one from 2014 and the other from 2017.

The findings of the study were published in the latest issue of Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR).

According to the ICMR study, Indian mosquitoes are susceptible to CQV, which could also become a public health pathogen..

Its natural host is a mosquito. Domestic pigs are also considered the primary mammalian host of the Cat Que Virus.&nbsp;

New virus found in China - The Cat Que Virus - The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has warned of the danger posed by another virus found in China - the Cat Que Virus.

New virus found in China - The Cat Que Virus - The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has warned of the danger posed by another virus found in China - the Cat Que Virus. According to the ICMR, the virus has potential to spread diseases across India. The CQV may cause febrile illnesses, meningitis, and paediatric encephalitis among humans. Also read: Why China must be punished for its contribution in global spread of coronavirus The virus has been spotted in culex mosquitoes and pigs across China and Vietnam. India, too is home to species of culex mosquitoes. New virus found in China - The Cat Que Virus Researchers at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune have found antibodies for the virus in two out of the 883 human serum samples which were taken from various Indian states. This implies that people have been infected with the virus. During the course of the study, the virus was not found in human or animal samples. Also read: ‘Interferon’ insufficiency is the reason why coronavirus is deadly for some patients The two samples that tested positive for CQV antibodies came from Karnataka - one from 2014 and the other from 2017. The findings of the study were published in the latest issue of Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR). According to the ICMR study, Indian mosquitoes are susceptible to CQV, which could also become a public health pathogen.. Its natural host is a mosquito. Domestic pigs are also considered the primary mammalian host of the Cat Que Virus.

India: ICMR warns of danger posed by another virus from China - Cat Que Virus

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says he is baffled by coronavirus rules that allow fans into stadiums for a pilot scheme at the same time as tough new restrictions are in place to limit social mixing.&nbsp;

Eight English Football League matches are set to be played in front of crowds of up to 1,000 this weekend, in the second, third and fourth tiers.

The government granted the EFL permission to use selected fixtures as pilot events to reintroduce spectators to venues on a socially distanced basis.

But the games will take place just days after tighter rules were brought in to stem an upsurge in Covid-19 cases.&nbsp;

Wilder referred to the "rule of six" as he expressed his confusion. Social gatherings of more than six people are banned in England from this week.

"I just don't know where we are with it all, I've got to say, I haven't got a clue," he said.

"Am I allowed to see my nan (grandmother)? Am I allowed to see my mum? But then we can have 1,000 people in a ground but we can't have 15,000 and then I can't go and have a pint with my mates unless there's only six of us.

"So I've got to say I'm like the majority of the people in this country -- I have not got a clue what's going off, haven't got a clue."

There are ongoing discussions between the government and&nbsp;sports&nbsp;bodies, including the Premier League, over allowing greater numbers of fans into stadiums from October.

English football bosses have warned it is "critical" to get spectators back, with clubs facing acute financial hardship as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says he is baffled by coronavirus rules that allow fans into stadiums for a pilot scheme at the same time as tough new restrictions are in place to limit social mixing.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says he is baffled by coronavirus rules that allow fans into stadiums for a pilot scheme at the same time as tough new restrictions are in place to limit social mixing. Eight English Football League matches are set to be played in front of crowds of up to 1,000 this weekend, in the second, third and fourth tiers. The government granted the EFL permission to use selected fixtures as pilot events to reintroduce spectators to venues on a socially distanced basis. But the games will take place just days after tighter rules were brought in to stem an upsurge in Covid-19 cases. Wilder referred to the "rule of six" as he expressed his confusion. Social gatherings of more than six people are banned in England from this week. "I just don't know where we are with it all, I've got to say, I haven't got a clue," he said. "Am I allowed to see my nan (grandmother)? Am I allowed to see my mum? But then we can have 1,000 people in a ground but we can't have 15,000 and then I can't go and have a pint with my mates unless there's only six of us. "So I've got to say I'm like the majority of the people in this country -- I have not got a clue what's going off, haven't got a clue." There are ongoing discussions between the government and sports bodies, including the Premier League, over allowing greater numbers of fans into stadiums from October. English football bosses have warned it is "critical" to get spectators back, with clubs facing acute financial hardship as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

Virus rules leave Sheffield Utd boss Wilder all at sea

Google has urged YouTubers around the world to complain to Australian authorities as it ratchets up its campaign against a plan to force digital giants to pay for news content.

Alongside pop-ups warning "the way Aussies use Google is at risk", which began appearing for Australian Google users on Monday, the tech titan also urged YouTube creators worldwide to complain to the nation's consumer watchdog.

"The YouTube you know and love is at risk in Australia," the company tweeted from its YouTube Creators account on Monday, also encouraging those outside of Australia to email their concerns to the body behind the plan.

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The YouTube you know and love is at risk in Australia. A proposed new law, The News Media Bargaining Code, could have a significant, negative impact on creators in Australia. Your voice matters.→ <a href="https://t.co/gR5Hf81DIH">https://t.co/gR5Hf81DIH</a> <a href="https://t.co/oPnC6fi3If">pic.twitter.com/oPnC6fi3If</a>
— YouTube Creators (@ytcreators) <a href="https://twitter.com/ytcreators/status/1295148502285258753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The landmark measures would include fines worth millions of dollars for non-compliance and would force transparency around the closely guarded algorithms which tech firms use to rank content.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-warns-australia-could-lose-free-search-services-321099">Also read:&nbsp;Google warns Australia could lose free search services</a>

YouTube's boss in the region Gautam Anand, following a similar letter from the managing director of Google in Australia, wrote a message to the platform's creators and artists.

"My primary focus is supporting you and your work to build a thriving creator ecosystem," Anand said.

The proposal would create an "uneven playing field" and allow big news businesses to demand larger shares of money from the platform — taking funds away from smaller creators, he warned.

"The imbalances created by this proposed law could potentially affect all types of Australian creators, far beyond those who focus on news: from vloggers, to educational creators, to music artists and beyond."

The legislation will initially focus on Facebook and Google — two of the world's richest and most powerful companies -- but could eventually apply to any digital platform.

Virus crisis 
Australia's proposals are being closely watched around the world, as regulators increasingly train their focus on the rapidly changing sector.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-government-threatens-legal-action-against-facebook-over-posts-criticising-monarchy-320249">Also read:&nbsp;Thai government threatens legal action against Facebook over posts criticising monarchy</a>

News media worldwide have suffered in the digital economy, where big tech firms overwhelmingly capture advertising revenue.

The crisis has been exacerbated by the coronavirus-triggered economic collapse, with dozens of Australian newspapers closed and hundreds of journalists sacked in recent months.

Unlike other countries' so-far unsuccessful efforts to force the platforms to pay for news, the Australian initiative relies on competition law rather than copyright regulations.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which is drafting the government's code of conduct, hit back at Google's open letter saying it "contains misinformation".

The consumer watchdog said the digital giant would "not be required" to share additional user data with the news media or charge Australians to use its free services "unless it chooses to do so".

"The draft code will allow Australian news businesses to negotiate for fair payment for their journalists' work that is included on Google services," it said in a statement.

It has strong support from local media outlets and is expected to be introduced this year.

Google has urged YouTubers around the world to complain to Australian authorities as it ratchets up its campaign against a plan to force digital giants to pay for news content.

Google has urged YouTubers around the world to complain to Australian authorities as it ratchets up its campaign against a plan to force digital giants to pay for news content. Alongside pop-ups warning "the way Aussies use Google is at risk", which began appearing for Australian Google users on Monday, the tech titan also urged YouTube creators worldwide to complain to the nation's consumer watchdog. "The YouTube you know and love is at risk in Australia," the company tweeted from its YouTube Creators account on Monday, also encouraging those outside of Australia to email their concerns to the body behind the plan. The YouTube you know and love is at risk in Australia. A proposed new law, The News Media Bargaining Code, could have a significant, negative impact on creators in Australia. Your voice matters.→ https://t.co/gR5Hf81DIH pic.twitter.com/oPnC6fi3If — YouTube Creators (@ytcreators) August 17, 2020 × The landmark measures would include fines worth millions of dollars for non-compliance and would force transparency around the closely guarded algorithms which tech firms use to rank content. Also read: Google warns Australia could lose free search services YouTube's boss in the region Gautam Anand, following a similar letter from the managing director of Google in Australia, wrote a message to the platform's creators and artists. "My primary focus is supporting you and your work to build a thriving creator ecosystem," Anand said. The proposal would create an "uneven playing field" and allow big news businesses to demand larger shares of money from the platform — taking funds away from smaller creators, he warned. "The imbalances created by this proposed law could potentially affect all types of Australian creators, far beyond those who focus on news: from vloggers, to educational creators, to music artists and beyond." The legislation will initially focus on Facebook and Google — two of the world's richest and most powerful companies -- but could eventually apply to any digital platform. Virus crisis Australia's proposals are being closely watched around the world, as regulators increasingly train their focus on the rapidly changing sector. Also read: Thai government threatens legal action against Facebook over posts criticising monarchy News media worldwide have suffered in the digital economy, where big tech firms overwhelmingly capture advertising revenue. The crisis has been exacerbated by the coronavirus-triggered economic collapse, with dozens of Australian newspapers closed and hundreds of journalists sacked in recent months. Unlike other countries' so-far unsuccessful efforts to force the platforms to pay for news, the Australian initiative relies on competition law rather than copyright regulations. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which is drafting the government's code of conduct, hit back at Google's open letter saying it "contains misinformation". The consumer watchdog said the digital giant would "not be required" to share additional user data with the news media or charge Australians to use its free services "unless it chooses to do so". "The draft code will allow Australian news businesses to negotiate for fair payment for their journalists' work that is included on Google services," it said in a statement. It has strong support from local media outlets and is expected to be introduced this year.

Google rallies YouTubers against Australian news payment plan

The Florida Department of Health on Friday announced the confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri -- a microscopic single-celled amoeba that can infect and destroy the brain. It's usually fatal.

Since 1962, there have only been 37 reported cases of the amoeba in Florida.

In the US, there have been 143 known infected cases of the amoeba, according to the Florida DOH. Only four have survived.

Naegleria fowleri is typically found in warm freshwater like lakes, rivers and ponds. The DOH has cautioned people who swim in those freshwater sources to be aware of the amoeba's possible presence, particularly when the water is warm.

The DOH also noted that one could possibly be exposed to the amoeba through a neti pot when rinsing congested sinuses.

The Florida Department of Health on Friday announced the confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri -- a microscopic single-celled amoeba that can infect and destroy the brain.

The Florida Department of Health on Friday announced the confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri -- a microscopic single-celled amoeba that can infect and destroy the brain. It's usually fatal. Since 1962, there have only been 37 reported cases of the amoeba in Florida. In the US, there have been 143 known infected cases of the amoeba, according to the Florida DOH. Only four have survived. Naegleria fowleri is typically found in warm freshwater like lakes, rivers and ponds. The DOH has cautioned people who swim in those freshwater sources to be aware of the amoeba's possible presence, particularly when the water is warm. The DOH also noted that one could possibly be exposed to the amoeba through a neti pot when rinsing congested sinuses.

Rare case of brain-destroying amoeba confirmed in Florida

Bus travel in Myanmar has gone from cramped seats to first-class, private pod seating, thanks to the coronavirus outbreak. As a social-distancing measure, local bus operator JJ Express has introduced cubicles in dozens of its buses where long-distance travellers sit with minimized contagion risk behind closed aluminum doors.

Myanmar bus launches private pod seats to discourage virus spread

Madrid-based Colombian actress and puppeteer Yohana Yara has been using her time in lockdown filming puppet shows on her balcony and creating an online fan base for her characters. She created a YouTube channel for her show "Leo the Lion and his Friends".

Locked-down puppeteer brings her characters to life in Madrid flat

As Chile reels from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, at least one business there is booming - the production of coffins. Coffin manufacturers are boosting production twice or three times over in a bid to keep pace with demand.

Coffin makers struggle to meet demand in Chile

One gym owner in Southern California found a unique solution to reopening during the pandemic: "workout pods" made from pipes and shower curtains.

California gym reopens with 'workout pods'

Inspired by the ghouls and monsters he usually encounters in his line of work, Filipino prosthetic makeup artist Rene Abelardo is warding off the coronavirus with style.

Philippine SFX makeup artist wards off virus with horror-inspired masks

A mobile barbershop in Myanmar is attempting to trim coronavirus fears by going door-to-door, offering customers haircuts at their doorsteps.

Myanmar barbershop on wheels trims virus worries by going door-to-door

Spain's Alhambra palace and fortress complex, considered Europe's jewel of Moorish architecture, reopened to visitors in Granada, southern Spain, on Wednesday (June 17) after being shut for three months due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The Alhambra, Spain's jewel of Moorish architecture, reopens after three months

Electric bikes are starting to fill bike lanes in Paris as many commuters wary of taking the metro in the post-coronavirus lockdown period have resorted to two-wheel transport.

Paris sees spike in e-bike sales as virus lockdown winds down

After the coronavirus outbreak prompted the normally bustling streets of Mexico City to empty out, out-of-work musicians looking to make ends meet have been filling roadways with the melodies of their marimbas, trumpets and güiros.

Mexican street musicians bring melodies to people stuck at home

Forget hydroxychloroquine. Try tea of jambu, also know as the toothache plant, that villagers in the eastern Amazon believe will help you keep new coronavirus at bay.

Amazon villagers take herbal tea to fight COVID-19

Hong Kong Disneyland on Wednesday (June 17) geared up for its grand reopening after more than four months of temporary closure due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

Hong Kong Disneyland gears up for reopening as virus restrictions ease

Cinemas were allowed to reopen in Italy on Monday (June 15) as the country continues to gradually ease restrictions put in place to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Cinemas reopen in Italy as gradual lockdown easing continues

The famed Inca citadel of Machu Picchu will restrict its number of visitors when it reopens in July as part of new protocols after the archaeological site was closed for more than three months due to the coronavirus.

Fewer visitors allowed once Machu Picchu reopens

With fears of a second wave of COVID-19 infections mounting and rocking world financial markets, a Californian medical device manufacturer is preparing for a spike in demand for ventilators and is pushing other work aside to make more of the devices.

US ventilator makers prepare for coronavirus second wave

The lockdown in Manila, which was one of the world's longest and strictest, was relaxed on June 1 to reduce the economic damage of the pandemic. Restaurants in the capital on Monday (June 15) were allowed to reopen their dine-in services, provided they allow only a 30 percent seating capacity and adhere to strict health protocols inside the establishments.

Partial dine-in services resume in Philippine capital amid lockdown ease

With more than 7,000 Bangladeshi police infected with the new coronavirus, officials are hoping yoga will boost immunity and relieve stress for officers. On Monday (June 15), over 200 police officers in the capital of Dhaka attended a yoga session.

Bangladesh police turn to yoga as virus infections cross 7,000

Before the coronavirus hit New Delhi, Mohammad Aamir Khan was a taxi driver making a living in the Indian capital. But after work dried up during a nearly three-month lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus, a friend suggested he take on a part-time job at perhaps the only booming business in the country - driving a private ambulance.

"Someone has to do it" - Indian taxi driver gets behind wheel of ambulance amid spiking virus cases

Fans deprived of live athletics action were treated to a mini pole vaulting competition on Friday (June 12) as German Torben Blech won the Flight Night event at a drive-in cinema in Duesseldorf, Germany.

Fans get to watch as Blech stars in drive-in pole vaulting event

Foreign visitors have begun to trickle back to the white sands and warm waters of Mexico's Caribbean coast as its popular beaches gradually reopen to tourism with new sanitary measures in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Tourists dip their toes in water as top Mexican beach getaway reopens

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