Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the entity known as the West, essentially in the nature of a loose grouping of political, social and philosophical ideas reified coincidentally by a certain people inhabiting a certain part of the world, has reigned supreme. Be it forms of political organisation, scientific discovery, industrial organisation, technological innovation and so, the West has been the pioneer and led the way. What, the question is, explains the West’s success?

A one rather conventional and clichéd explanation is that it is individualism that is the reason for both the West’s ascendance and, well, even superiority. Individualism roughly posits that the individual precedes and is superior to the group which might be social, political, family or even tribal. And, that an individual has moral worth that is intrinsic and an individual’s life must be free from external interferences. On the face of it, this ‘pure’ theory of individualism is powerful (I call the theory pure because, in my opinion, no society even in the West corresponds exactly to it. There are approximations and variations to the ideal type of individualism). It is powerful because it is intuitive and rests on powerful philosophical foundations.

And, speaking in empirical terms, a corpus of evidence can be marshalled to support the theory of individualism. But, the first quibble with the pure theory of individualism is that it, to repeat, is an ideal type. Consider an example. While there is no argument with the assertion that the individual has moral worth and is an autonomous agent or being, but in the real world, even in the West, individuals are subject influences external to them. The mass media, (or ‘social media contemporarily), mass advertising, the pressures to conform, say in or among subcultures or social groupings corroborate and point out to these external influences and pressures. Politically, as has been evident over the past few years, to employ Noam Chomsky’s phrase, consent can be manufactured. All this suggests that there is no such thing as pure individualism.

Moreover, in the region that is held to be the West in geographical terms, there are various and varying permutations and combinations with respect to the individuals’ relation to the basic social unit, the family and the state and market relations. But, this does not mean that individualism in various avatars does not exist in the West. It does. However, attribution of the West’s success and progress cannot and must not be isolated to individualism. It may that institutions and their evolution plus responsiveness to both people and change might be a more powerful variable that accounts for the success of the West. The correlation between individualism and material progress then does not entirely hold.

But this does not mean that an individual is worthless. To the contrary, it is perhaps only in an individual, the lone, eccentric genius, the fundamental spark of creativity can find expression in. The Newtons, the Edisons, the Wordsworth, Keats, &nbsp;Dickens, Dostoyevsky, or contemporarily, Bill Gates, Elon Musks of the world might be classic examples of lone geniuses transforming the world with their inventions, discoveries or literature. These doyens through their transformative works have, in one way or the other, transformed the world and the one feature that stands common to them is that they are Western. How then has been made possible?

Besides institutionalist explanations, what might offer an explanation here is the context in which these eminence grises operate(d) and the acceptance of their ideas, grudging or otherwise. But, perhaps more importantly, especially in the instances of inventors and innovators, the commercialisation of their ideas is an important variable. The reference here is not to free-market capitalism, but an allusion to what some or even many might find shocking: monopoly capitalism. It was the sheer scale of monopoly capitalism that allowed Microsoft, for example, to be Microsoft, for GE to become GE and, to use a colourful phrase electrify the world. But, on the face of it, monopoly capitalism might be incompatible with pure individualism. &nbsp;However, that is what it appears to be.

There, then, is a paradox at the heart of the West’s progress and success where individualism, seems to be more in the nature of a foundational myth for nations in its pure form. This is not to decry individualism or deny it. The point is for other societies to take lessons, the right ones, in their quest for development or progress. The lesson is: while individualism may be one aspect of the West’s success but for progress and development, there’s more that goes into the constituent mix. One such component of success is the quality of institutions and the acceptance of ideas and inventions in the development sphere, howsoever crazy these might sound or even be. The rest is mere corollary.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the entity known as the West, essentially in the nature of a loose grouping of political, social and philosophical ideas reified coincidentally by a certain people inhabiting a certain part of the world, has reigned supreme.

Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the entity known as the West, essentially in the nature of a loose grouping of political, social and philosophical ideas reified coincidentally by a certain people inhabiting a certain part of the world, has reigned supreme. Be it forms of political organisation, scientific discovery, industrial organisation, technological innovation and so, the West has been the pioneer and led the way. What, the question is, explains the West’s success? A one rather conventional and clichéd explanation is that it is individualism that is the reason for both the West’s ascendance and, well, even superiority. Individualism roughly posits that the individual precedes and is superior to the group which might be social, political, family or even tribal. And, that an individual has moral worth that is intrinsic and an individual’s life must be free from external interferences. On the face of it, this ‘pure’ theory of individualism is powerful (I call the theory pure because, in my opinion, no society even in the West corresponds exactly to it. There are approximations and variations to the ideal type of individualism). It is powerful because it is intuitive and rests on powerful philosophical foundations. And, speaking in empirical terms, a corpus of evidence can be marshalled to support the theory of individualism. But, the first quibble with the pure theory of individualism is that it, to repeat, is an ideal type. Consider an example. While there is no argument with the assertion that the individual has moral worth and is an autonomous agent or being, but in the real world, even in the West, individuals are subject influences external to them. The mass media, (or ‘social media contemporarily), mass advertising, the pressures to conform, say in or among subcultures or social groupings corroborate and point out to these external influences and pressures. Politically, as has been evident over the past few years, to employ Noam Chomsky’s phrase, consent can be manufactured. All this suggests that there is no such thing as pure individualism. Moreover, in the region that is held to be the West in geographical terms, there are various and varying permutations and combinations with respect to the individuals’ relation to the basic social unit, the family and the state and market relations. But, this does not mean that individualism in various avatars does not exist in the West. It does. However, attribution of the West’s success and progress cannot and must not be isolated to individualism. It may that institutions and their evolution plus responsiveness to both people and change might be a more powerful variable that accounts for the success of the West. The correlation between individualism and material progress then does not entirely hold. But this does not mean that an individual is worthless. To the contrary, it is perhaps only in an individual, the lone, eccentric genius, the fundamental spark of creativity can find expression in. The Newtons, the Edisons, the Wordsworth, Keats, Dickens, Dostoyevsky, or contemporarily, Bill Gates, Elon Musks of the world might be classic examples of lone geniuses transforming the world with their inventions, discoveries or literature. These doyens through their transformative works have, in one way or the other, transformed the world and the one feature that stands common to them is that they are Western. How then has been made possible? Besides institutionalist explanations, what might offer an explanation here is the context in which these eminence grises operate(d) and the acceptance of their ideas, grudging or otherwise. But, perhaps more importantly, especially in the instances of inventors and innovators, the commercialisation of their ideas is an important variable. The reference here is not to free-market capitalism, but an allusion to what some or even many might find shocking: monopoly capitalism. It was the sheer scale of monopoly capitalism that allowed Microsoft, for example, to be Microsoft, for GE to become GE and, to use a colourful phrase electrify the world. But, on the face of it, monopoly capitalism might be incompatible with pure individualism. However, that is what it appears to be. There, then, is a paradox at the heart of the West’s progress and success where individualism, seems to be more in the nature of a foundational myth for nations in its pure form. This is not to decry individualism or deny it. The point is for other societies to take lessons, the right ones, in their quest for development or progress. The lesson is: while individualism may be one aspect of the West’s success but for progress and development, there’s more that goes into the constituent mix. One such component of success is the quality of institutions and the acceptance of ideas and inventions in the development sphere, howsoever crazy these might sound or even be. The rest is mere corollary. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Is individualism the secret of the West’s success?

The United States President Donald Trump today said that he was always serious when it comes to stopping coronavirus spread in his country claiming that imposing travel ban saved many lives.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mind-your-own-business-china-to-trump-after-he-calls-covid-19-chinese-virus-287042">Mind your own business: China to Trump after he calls COVID-19 'Chinese virus'</a> 
 
He tweeted: "I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China - against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful &amp; false!"

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I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China - against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful &amp; false!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1240243188708839424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In his tweets, he also said that he will be discussing 'very important news' concerning Coronavirus during a press conference later today.&nbsp;

"I will be having a news conference today to discuss very important news from the FDA concerning the Chinese Virus!" President Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

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I will be having a news conference today to discuss very important news from the FDA concerning the Chinese Virus!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1240234698053431305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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A couple of days ago, the US president had announced that the first human trial of Coronavirus vaccine has started in the US.&nbsp;

Earlier today, he pledged that the US government will provide money to everyone who isn't able to work because of coronavirus prevention measures.

The United States President Donald Trump today said that he was always serious when it comes to stopping coronavirus spread in his country claiming that imposing travel ban saved many lives.

The United States President Donald Trump today said that he was always serious when it comes to stopping coronavirus spread in his country claiming that imposing travel ban saved many lives. Mind your own business: China to Trump after he calls COVID-19 'Chinese virus' He tweeted: "I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China - against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false!" I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China - against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020 × In his tweets, he also said that he will be discussing 'very important news' concerning Coronavirus during a press conference later today. "I will be having a news conference today to discuss very important news from the FDA concerning the Chinese Virus!" President Trump tweeted. I will be having a news conference today to discuss very important news from the FDA concerning the Chinese Virus! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020 × A couple of days ago, the US president had announced that the first human trial of Coronavirus vaccine has started in the US. Earlier today, he pledged that the US government will provide money to everyone who isn't able to work because of coronavirus prevention measures.

I always treated 'Chinese Virus' seriously: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump's comment about the coronavirus has angered Chinese authorities.&nbsp;

Recently, the US president referred to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus as ''Chinese''.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman responded by asking the US to ''take care of its own business'' before commenting on China.

The virus began from a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019.

Also read: Ca<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-asymptomatic-kids-sustain-coronavirus-for-longer-than-adults-287039" hreflang="en">n asymptomatic kids sustain coronavirus for longer than adults?</a>

Earlier this month, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson claimed that the US army had brought the virus to China.

To this, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo responded by asking China to end its disinformation campaign in a bid ''to shift blame'' for the outbreak.

Until now, more than 170,000 people have been infected globally, with 80,000 alone in China.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-pandemic-over-in-china-286904/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier today, Chinese authorities claimed that there was only a single new case in the country, while all others were imported cases. 
 
Since the beginning, many have referred to the virus as ''Wuhan virus'' or ''Chinese virus'', something the World Health Organization (WHO) has strictly warned against, for it could perpetuate stigma against a particular region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/are-our-healthcare-workers-safe-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-287036" hreflang="en">Are our healthcare workers safe during the coronavirus pandemic?</a>

However, many US officials continue to refer to it as either the ''Chinese virus'' or ''Wuhan virus''.

Geng Shuang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said that the tweet amounts to the ''stigmatisation of China''.

"We urge the US to correct its mistake and stop its groundless accusations against China,” he added.

Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency called Trump's rhetoric ''racist and xenophobic''.

As of Tuesday, the global infection numbers stand at 182,400, while over 7,100 have been killed, as per data provided by the Johns Hopkins University. For the first time, the number of deaths outside China has surpassed the number inside.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attempting-to-disinfect-south-korean-church-officials-mistakenly-infect-people-with-covid-19-287013" hreflang="en">Attempting to disinfect, South Korean church officials mistakenly infect people with COVID-19</a>

Millions continue to remain quarantined in Europe and Asia.

US President Donald Trump's comment about the coronavirus has angered Chinese authorities. Recently, the US president referred to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus as ''Chinese''.

US President Donald Trump's comment about the coronavirus has angered Chinese authorities. Recently, the US president referred to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus as ''Chinese''. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman responded by asking the US to ''take care of its own business'' before commenting on China. The virus began from a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019. Also read: Can asymptomatic kids sustain coronavirus for longer than adults? Earlier this month, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson claimed that the US army had brought the virus to China. To this, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo responded by asking China to end its disinformation campaign in a bid ''to shift blame'' for the outbreak. Until now, more than 170,000 people have been infected globally, with 80,000 alone in China. Earlier today, Chinese authorities claimed that there was only a single new case in the country, while all others were imported cases. Since the beginning, many have referred to the virus as ''Wuhan virus'' or ''Chinese virus'', something the World Health Organization (WHO) has strictly warned against, for it could perpetuate stigma against a particular region. Also read: Are our healthcare workers safe during the coronavirus pandemic? However, many US officials continue to refer to it as either the ''Chinese virus'' or ''Wuhan virus''. Geng Shuang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said that the tweet amounts to the ''stigmatisation of China''. "We urge the US to correct its mistake and stop its groundless accusations against China,” he added. Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency called Trump's rhetoric ''racist and xenophobic''. As of Tuesday, the global infection numbers stand at 182,400, while over 7,100 have been killed, as per data provided by the Johns Hopkins University. For the first time, the number of deaths outside China has surpassed the number inside. Also read: Attempting to disinfect, South Korean church officials mistakenly infect people with COVID-19 Millions continue to remain quarantined in Europe and Asia.

Mind your own business: China to Trump after he calls COVID-19 'Chinese virus'

March 6 in history: First periodic table, Ghana gains independence and more!

Migrants, police clash at Turkey-Greece border despite Erdogan-Putin ceasefire deal

Police once against fired tear gas canisters at the migrants at the Kastanies/Pazarkule crossing which has witnessed fierce clashes between migrants and police both on the Greek and Turkish crossings.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrants-police-clash-at-turkey-greece-border-despite-erdogan-putin-ceasefire-deal-284780"> Read More</a>

Bethlehem under lockdown after virus cases confirmed

Israel has imposed a lockdown on the city of Bethlehem over coronavirus fears as Palestinian authorities announced a two-week ban on tourists and shuttered the Church of the Nativity.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bethlehem-under-lockdown-after-virus-cases-confirmed-284717"> Read More</a>

Suicide bombers target US embassy in Tunisia; one police officer killed

Suicide bombers target US embassy in Tunisia&nbsp;one police officer killed,Tunisia's interior ministry said two terrorists were killed while carrying out the attack with four policemen injured. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suicide-bombers-target-us-embassy-in-tunisia-one-police-officer-killed-284788">Read More</a>

Vatican reports its first coronavirus case

The Vatican on Friday reported its first coronavirus case, saying it had suspended outpatient services at its health clinic after a patient tested positive for COVID-19. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-reports-its-first-coronavirus-case-284754">Read More</a>

'It's all fake': Senior Chinese official heckled by Wuhan residents

Several clips are shared online since Thursday that showed occupants of an apartment block in Wuhan shouting "it's all fake" when Vice Premier Sun Chunlan went for inspection. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-all-fake-senior-chinese-official-heckled-by-wuhan-residents-284746">Read More</a>

Adviser to Iran's foreign minister dies of coronavirus

Adviser to Iran's foreign minister dies of coronavirus, an adviser to Iran's foreign minister who took part in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis has died from coronavirus, the official IRNA news agency reported. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/adviser-to-irans-foreign-minister-dies-of-coronavirus-284740">Read More</a>

Secret documents reveal Iran hiding its nuclear activities, building a tunnel for a nuclear detonation

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded an alarm after an archive of Iran's secret documents revealed the extent of the country's nuclear programme. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/secret-documents-reveal-iran-hiding-its-nuclear-activities-building-a-tunnel-for-a-nuclear-detonation-284731">Read More</a>

Amid coronavirus outbreak, China bans consumption of wild animals

In the wake of coronavirus epidemic, China banned the consumption of wild animals on Thursday under preventive measures to contain the deadly virus. It is believed that the virus was spawned in a market in Wuhan that sold wild animals including bats, snakes and pangolins as food. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-coronavirus-outbreak-china-bans-consumption-of-wild-animals-284710">Read More</a>

Afghanistan: At least 27 killed after gunmen target political rally in Kabul

At least 27 people have been killed after an assault on a political rally in Kabul. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said women and children were among the dead with at least 29 people injured.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-at-least-27-killed-after-gunmen-target-political-rally-in-kabul-284687">Read More</a>

Bhutan confirms first coronavirus case, US tourist tested positive: Government

The isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has reported its first case of the coronavirus after a US tourist tested positive, the prime minister said Friday, the tiny landlocked country, famous for measuring Gross National Happiness has emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bhutan-confirms-first-coronavirus-case-us-tourist-tested-positive-government-284643">Read More</a> 
&nbsp;

Migrants, police clash at Turkey-Greece border despite Erdogan-Putin ceasefire deal Police once against fired tear gas canisters at the migrants at the Kastanies/Pazarkule crossing which has witnessed fierce clashes between migrants and police both on the Greek and Turkish crossings.

Migrants, police clash at Turkey-Greece border despite Erdogan-Putin ceasefire deal Police once against fired tear gas canisters at the migrants at the Kastanies/Pazarkule crossing which has witnessed fierce clashes between migrants and police both on the Greek and Turkish crossings. Read More Bethlehem under lockdown after virus cases confirmed Israel has imposed a lockdown on the city of Bethlehem over coronavirus fears as Palestinian authorities announced a two-week ban on tourists and shuttered the Church of the Nativity. Read More Suicide bombers target US embassy in Tunisia; one police officer killed Suicide bombers target US embassy in Tunisia one police officer killed,Tunisia's interior ministry said two terrorists were killed while carrying out the attack with four policemen injured. Read More Vatican reports its first coronavirus case The Vatican on Friday reported its first coronavirus case, saying it had suspended outpatient services at its health clinic after a patient tested positive for COVID-19. Read More 'It's all fake': Senior Chinese official heckled by Wuhan residents Several clips are shared online since Thursday that showed occupants of an apartment block in Wuhan shouting "it's all fake" when Vice Premier Sun Chunlan went for inspection. Read More Adviser to Iran's foreign minister dies of coronavirus Adviser to Iran's foreign minister dies of coronavirus, an adviser to Iran's foreign minister who took part in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis has died from coronavirus, the official IRNA news agency reported. Read More Secret documents reveal Iran hiding its nuclear activities, building a tunnel for a nuclear detonation The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded an alarm after an archive of Iran's secret documents revealed the extent of the country's nuclear programme. Read More Amid coronavirus outbreak, China bans consumption of wild animals In the wake of coronavirus epidemic, China banned the consumption of wild animals on Thursday under preventive measures to contain the deadly virus. It is believed that the virus was spawned in a market in Wuhan that sold wild animals including bats, snakes and pangolins as food. Read More Afghanistan: At least 27 killed after gunmen target political rally in Kabul At least 27 people have been killed after an assault on a political rally in Kabul. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said women and children were among the dead with at least 29 people injured. Read More Bhutan confirms first coronavirus case, US tourist tested positive: Government The isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has reported its first case of the coronavirus after a US tourist tested positive, the prime minister said Friday, the tiny landlocked country, famous for measuring Gross National Happiness has emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years. Read More

Top 10 world news today: Vatican's first coronavirus case, US Embassy attacked and more

Delhi has been ranked as the fifth most polluted city in the world with an average of 98.6 Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) concentration. It has topped the list of most polluted capital cities in the world.

Delhi is the most polluted capital in the world

Chinese regions deemed at low risk from the coronavirus outbreak should fully resume normal activities and end transport bans, an official at the state planning agency said on Tuesday.

Chinese regions deemed at low risk from the coronavirus outbreak should fully resume normal activities and end transport bans, an official at the state planning agency said on Tuesday. China needed to take a more nuanced approach to control the epidemic to ensure the economic impact is minimised, Ou Xiaoli of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) told a news briefing. "Low-risk areas ... are to restore order in production and life, cancel transport restrictions and help enterprises solve employment, raw material, funding, equipment and other difficulties," he said. Also Read: Hong Kongers set up face mask factory amid coronavirus panic buying "The current epidemic situation is not the same everywhere," he said, adding that if control measures were not tailored to circumstances in different places, it could hurt the economic recovery. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the epidemic in China peaked between January 23 and February 2 and has been declining since. China on Tuesday reported a rise in new cases in Hubei province, the centre of the outbreak. But excluding those, China had just nine new infections on Monday, the lowest number since January 20. Watch: Coronavirus death toll surges to 2, 469 Ou said counties apart from Beijing and Hubei would be divided into "low-risk", "medium-risk" and "high-risk" and draw up their production recovery plans accordingly. Low-risk areas should "completely restore work and life procedures", end all restrictions on transportation and help enterprises resolve funding and raw material problems, he said. China's leaders have been urging regions outside the major infection zone of Hubei to do their utmost to restore the economy, and many have in recent days downgraded their emergency response measures after reporting no new cases. Also Read: Virus-hit China set to postpone parliament for first time in decades President Xi Jinping said on Sunday the economy would take a big hit and low-risk provinces should focus on going back to work and restoring production. But high-risk areas should continue to focus on controlling the epidemic, he said. Hubei backtracked on Monday after saying it would relax restrictions and allow healthy people to leave the province. It said the notice had been issued without authorisation and controls would remain in place. Ou said high-risk areas must maintain "strict controls" and gradually restore economic output only after the epidemic has been effectively curbed. At the same time, they should ensure that firms in essential sectors continue to function normally, he said. He Qinghua of the National Health Commission told the briefing entry-exit controls at residential compounds and tourist areas should remain in place in high-risk zones, and public gatherings still need to be restricted.

Low-risk Chinese regions must resume activity: State Planning Agency

Two more Iranians infected with coronavirus have died, media website Eghtesaonline said on Tuesday, taking to 14 the toll in the Islamic Republic, which has the highest tally of deaths outside China, where the virus emerged late last year.

Two more Iranians infected with coronavirus have died, media website Eghtesaonline said on Tuesday, taking to 14 the toll in the Islamic Republic, which has the highest tally of deaths outside China, where the virus emerged late last year. "Tests showed they had the new coronavirus," the head of the Medical Science University of Saveh said, according to the website. Iran's state TV said a team from the World Health Organisation (WHO) will arrive in the country on Tuesday. On Monday, the health ministry said 61 people had been infected in Iran and that around 900 other cases were suspected. Also Read: China, South Korea, Iran worst-hit from COVID-19, WHO warns of pandemic Iran has yet to say how many people it has quarantined but the semi-official Mehr news agency said 320 people had been hospitalised in the Shi'ite holy city of Qom, where Tehran confirmed its first two deaths last week. The outbreak in Iran comes as its clerical rulers face mounting US pressure that has hit the economy hard. Washington exited Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers in 2018 and has reimposed sanctions on the country. The outbreak threatens to isolate Iran even further, with several countries suspending flights after coronavirus cases in travellers from Iran were confirmed in Canada, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Iraq. Also Read: Washington pledges $1 billion for coronavirus vaccine as pandemic risks grow Some neighbouring countries have closed their borders. An airport representative said on Tuesday that Dubai International Airport has suspended all flights to and from the Islamic Republic, except for Tehran. Six Arab countries have reported their first cases of coronavirus, with those infected all having links to Iran. Kuwait said on Tuesday the total number of infected people there had risen to eight. Bahrain said it also had eight cases, four of whom were Saudi nationals and two Bahrainis. To prevent the spread of the virus, Iranian authorities have ordered the nationwide cancellation of concerts, soccer matches, closures of schools and universities in many provinces as a precaution.

Iran's coronavirus death toll reaches 14

Taiwan's parliament approved a $2 billion package on Tuesday to help cushion the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on its export-reliant economy. The package includes loans for small businesses, subsidies for hard-hit tour agencies, tax cuts for tour bus drivers and even vouchers to spend on food in Taiwan's famous night markets, normally a top attraction for foreign tourists.

Taiwan's parliament approved a $2 billion package on Tuesday to help cushion the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on its export-reliant economy. The package includes loans for small businesses, subsidies for hard-hit tour agencies, tax cuts for tour bus drivers and even vouchers to spend on food in Taiwan's famous night markets, normally a top attraction for foreign tourists. See: Five things to know about the state of Taiwan Taiwan, whose largest trading partner is China, cut its estimate for 2020 economic growth this month as the outbreak threatens its economy, which is a key part of the global electronics supply chain. "Although there are waves after waves of challenges, as long as everyone is united, Taiwan will pass this test," President Tsai Ing-wen told reporters, after signing the package into law at the presidential office. The bill was passed with rare bipartisan support in parliament, and only a little more than a week after the government proposed it. Also Read: Now, Taiwan sells face masks to fend off Chinese buyers "Our common enemy is the virus. The 23 million people in Taiwan will not be defeated," Hung Mong-kai, a lawmaker from Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang party, told parliament after the bill was passed. "God bless Taiwan." The island has logged 31 cases of the virus and one death, and has largely suspended travel and tourism links with China to curb its spread. China has reported more than 2,600 deaths. Included in the stimulus legislation is a clause penalising people who violate government-mandated home quarantine orders, with those in breach possibly facing a T$2 million fine or two years in jail. Taiwan has reported several cases of people who were supposed to be in quarantine going missing, posing a potential threat to public health.

Taiwan passes $2 billion package to soften coronavirus hit to economy

A US federal judge on Sunday denied a request by Roger Stone's lawyers that she be removed from the case in which she last week sentenced the long-time adviser to President Donald Trump to three years and four months in prison.

A US federal judge on Sunday denied a request by Roger Stone's lawyers that she be removed from the case in which she last week sentenced the long-time adviser to President Donald Trump to three years and four months in prison. US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had been accused of bias by Stone's attorneys in a filing on Friday that called for her recusal. Stone, 67, was convicted on November 15 of lying to Congress, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Also Read: Trump's longtime ally Roger Stone jailed for 40 months for impeding congressional probe In a court filing on Sunday, Jackson rejected his lawyers' arguments and defended her impartiality. Trump has also complained about the judge in posts on Twitter. He has said he has no immediate plans to pardon Stone and would let the legal process play out, but that "at some point, I'm going to decide." Watch: Roger Stone sentenced for lying in Russia probe In sentencing Stone on Thursday, Jackson said the veteran Republican operative's lies to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election amounted to a threat to American democracy. Stone was convicted of lying to the Intelligence Committee about his attempts to contact WikiLeaks, the website that released damaging emails about Trump's 2016 Democratic election rival Hillary Clinton that US intelligence officials have concluded were stolen by Russian hackers.

Roger Stone requests removal of judge reviewing his case; request is denied

Iraq on Monday confirmed its first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/indian-markets-crash-as-coronavirus-alarm-spreads-globally-282430" target="_blank">novel coronavirus case</a>&nbsp;in an elderly Iranian national in the southern shrine city of Najaf, according to health officials.

Iraq, a country with a dilapidated healthcare system, often hosts pilgrims and religious students from Iran, where 12&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protests-ali-al-sistani-warns-foreign-actors-against-interfering-in-anti-government-protests-259329" target="_blank">people have died</a>&nbsp;of the novel coronavirus since an outbreak there was first reported last week.

Iraq had blocked travel to and from the Islamic republic days before announcing a seminary student in Najaf was the country's first confirmed case.

Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-death-toll-surges-to-2-469-282273" target="_blank">Coronavirus death toll surges to 2, 469</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-death-toll-surges-to-2-469-282273/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Najaf's provincial health authority said the Iranian national had entered "before the ban was declared" in a statement on Monday. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cases-triple-in-south-korea-with-556-infected-nationwide-282187" target="_blank">deaths from the COVID-19 virus</a>&nbsp;in Iran were the first in the Middle East and the country's toll is now the highest outside mainland China, the epidemic's epicentre.&nbsp;

Chinese nationals have been barred from entering Iraq, despite its hosting several Chinese oil companies.&nbsp;Iraq also closed the only border crossing with Kuwait at Safwan, south of Basra, late Sunday evening, after Kuwait confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-2-dead-79-infected-in-italy-as-country-resorts-to-punitive-measures-to-contain-outbreak-282178" target="_blank">multiple COVID-19 cases</a>.

Concern has spread over social media networks in Iraq, with users expressing fears that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-raises-alert-to-highest-level-as-coronavirus-cases-jump-282208" target="_blank">country cannot accommodate a coronavirus outbreak</a>. Many hospitals in the country are poorly equipped or in disrepair and there are less than 10 doctors for every 10,000 people, the World Health Organization says.

The novel coronavirus has spread to more than 25 countries since it emerged in December and is causing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-confirms-two-more-deaths-among-13-new-coronavirus-cases-282011" target="_blank">mounting alarm due to new outbreaks</a>&nbsp;in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. This week it reached Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Bahrain and Kuwait in the Middle East, with cases previously confirmed in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Iraq on Monday confirmed its first novel coronavirus case in an elderly Iranian national in the southern shrine city of Najaf, according to health officials. Iraq, a country with a dilapidated healthcare system, often hosts pilgrims and religious students from Iran, where 12 people have died of the novel coronavirus since an outbreak there was first reported last week.

Iraq on Monday confirmed its first novel coronavirus case in an elderly Iranian national in the southern shrine city of Najaf, according to health officials. Iraq, a country with a dilapidated healthcare system, often hosts pilgrims and religious students from Iran, where 12 people have died of the novel coronavirus since an outbreak there was first reported last week. Iraq had blocked travel to and from the Islamic republic days before announcing a seminary student in Najaf was the country's first confirmed case. Watch: Coronavirus death toll surges to 2, 469 Najaf's provincial health authority said the Iranian national had entered "before the ban was declared" in a statement on Monday. The deaths from the COVID-19 virus in Iran were the first in the Middle East and the country's toll is now the highest outside mainland China, the epidemic's epicentre. Chinese nationals have been barred from entering Iraq, despite its hosting several Chinese oil companies. Iraq also closed the only border crossing with Kuwait at Safwan, south of Basra, late Sunday evening, after Kuwait confirmed multiple COVID-19 cases. Concern has spread over social media networks in Iraq, with users expressing fears that the country cannot accommodate a coronavirus outbreak. Many hospitals in the country are poorly equipped or in disrepair and there are less than 10 doctors for every 10,000 people, the World Health Organization says. The novel coronavirus has spread to more than 25 countries since it emerged in December and is causing mounting alarm due to new outbreaks in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. This week it reached Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Bahrain and Kuwait in the Middle East, with cases previously confirmed in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Iraq confirms first novel coronavirus case

Iran blacklisted over failure to curb terror funding. According to FATF Iran failed to implement its action plans and there could be adverse consequences for Iran. On the other hand, Iran says that FATF was pressured by America.

Iran put on terror financing blacklist

Rival apps could obtain more screen time on iPhones as Apple Inc. is considering opening access of certain apps to third-party services. Customer will be able to use the iPad and the HomePod speaker to enjoy music services provided by parties other than Apple, a decision that comes after criticism that the company provides an unfair advantage to its in-house products.

Rival apps could obtain more screen time on iPhones as Apple Inc. is considering opening access of certain apps to third-party services. Customer will be able to use the iPad and the HomePod speaker to enjoy music services provided by parties other than Apple, a decision that comes after criticism that the company provides an unfair advantage to its in-house products. The technology giant is deliberating whether to allow users the choice between a third-party web browser and mail applications as their default options on Apple’s mobile device, which would replace the company's Safari browser and Mail app. Apple has not allowed its users to replace pre-installed apps such as these with third-party services ever since its inception in 2008. This has created obstacles for competition between developers and has raised concerns from lawmakers who seem eager to probe antitrust violations in the technology industry. Also Read: EU lawmakers, with eye on Apple, call for common mobile charger Two of the most-used apps on the iPhone and iPad are the web browser and mail, and rival apps such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Gmail and Microsoft Outlook have been locked out of this niche. Currently, users are automatically sent to Apple's web browser Safari or Apple Mail whenever they receive an email or the link to a website. No option to switch to another email program is provided by the company. The closed system which prohibits users from setting third-party apps as defaults were questioned during a hearing of a US House of Representatives antitrust panel. To have a default app on the world’s best-selling smartphone is valuable because consumers are subtly coaxed and prodded into using this more-established software rather than alternatives. Tethering users to Apple’s services is important to the company as the growth of smartphone demand slows and sales of music, video, cloud storage and other subscriptions make up a greater share of the iPhone maker’s total revenue. 38 default apps on iPhones and iPads are currently installed by the company, including the Safari web browser, Maps, Messages and Mail. [ Logo of Apple Inc. (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Apple was accused in 2019 by Stockholm-based Spotify, which submitted an antitrust complaint to the European Union saying that Apple squeezes rival services by imposing a 30 per cent cut for subscriptions made via the App Store. Apple defended its position by arguing that Spotify wants the benefits of the App Store without paying for them. To support its claims, Spotify singled out the inability to run on the HomePod and become the default music player in Siri, Apple’s voice-activated digital assistant. Also Read: Apple's iPhone sales in China up 18 per cent in December: Report Apple is reportedly working on permitting third-party music services to run directly on the HomePod. third-party music apps will be able to stream from an iPhone or iPad to the HomePod via Apple’s AirPlay technology. Given that the HomePod has not been performing at par with its rivals such as the Amazon Echo in functionality, opening the product to additional music service may be a boon. Another matter reportedly being deliberated at Apple is whether to let users set competing for music services as the default with Siri on iPhones and iPads. Presently, Apple Music is the default music app, and if the company changes the arrangement a user would be able to play music from Spotify or Pandora automatically when asking Siri for a song. Final decisions on these matters are yet to be made and potential changes to third-party apps on Apple’s devices and the HomePod are reportedly still under discussion or in early stages of development. If Apple decides to commit to this decision, they could reportedly appear as soon as later this year via the upcoming iOS 14 software update and a corresponding HomePod software update. new iPhone and iPad software versions are announced by Apple in June and released in September around the launch of new models for the iPhone. Apple is planning to focus on performance and quality for this year’s update as the current version, iOS 13, has been riddled with bugs that upset some users.

Third-party apps to get more screen time on Apple products after criticism

France is now facing a new plague that involves blood-sucking parasites. A campaign has been launched by the French government to combat an influx of bedbugs that have settled in homes and hotels to feed on human blood.

France is now facing a new plague that involves blood-sucking parasites. A campaign has been launched by the French government to combat an influx of bedbugs that have settled in homes and hotels to feed on human blood. The insects vanished from the nation in the 1950s, but the Ministry of Housing states that their numbers have grown due to international travel and developing a resistance to insecticide as the main cause. Also Read: Air India comes under fire after bed bugs found on flight A webpage created by the government to address the issue warned the public of the severity of the problem, complete with advice on how to prevent and treat an infestation, and a number to call for expert help. [ Common bed bugs (Courtesy: National Pest Management Association, PestWorld.org) ] Cimex lectularius or the common bed bug is found in temperate climates in the United States and parts of Europe. The widespread use of insecticides such as DDT made the six-legged pest relatively easy to eradicate after World War-II, but banning such potent poisons hailed a bed bug revival. New York was the new hub of the vampiric vermin by the 1990s and a 2010 outbreak saw them invade high-end apartment buildings, hotels, even clothing stores. Now, the recent victim of the pestilence is Paris, and the insects reportedly cost billions of dollars annually to exterminate by businesses and homeowners. A study in 2016 discovered that bed bugs had become resistant to pesticides, following which another study revealed that the insects sought out human scents and snuggled up in worn clothes to be taken by unsuspecting victims to their homes, explaining their meteoric spread around the world. The pests are nocturnal by nature and target sleeping victims, often leaving red, itchy welts. Extermination experts stated that around 400,000 addresses including hotels, apartments and houses were treated in 2018, which represented a 33 per cent increase in bedbug infestations as compared to the previous year. [ Bites caused by bed bugs (Courtesy: Healthline) ] Also Read: Emmanuel Macron's lieutenant Benjamin Griveaux out of Paris Mayoral race for sexting The issue of bedbugs has transcended their role as a household issue and is now being discussed on a political scale. It has been featured in the Paris 2020 electoral campaign, with mayoral hopeful Benjamin Griveaux promising to clean up the capital in 100 days. The candidate, who has since bowed out over a sex-tape scandal, planned on including specialised anti-pest “brigades” targeting bed bugs, rats and cockroaches, which would intervene free of charge for low-income households, and at the lowest market price for others.

Paris launches new offensive against old enemy, bed bugs

Leader of the fringe far-right group Britain First, Paul Golding, has been charged with violating the terrorism act in the United Kingdom, according to reports. Golding was returning from a trip to the Russian parliament in Moscow when he was stopped at the Heathrow airport in October.

Leader of the fringe far-right group Britain First, Paul Golding, has been charged with violating the terrorism act in the United Kingdom, according to reports. Golding was returning from a trip to the Russian parliament in Moscow when he was stopped at the Heathrow airport in October. Officers from the Metropolitan police’s counter-terrorism command picked him up and he is now charged with refusing to comply with a duty under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act. Also Read: Facebook bans UK far-right groups including BNP, EDL & Britain First The 38-year-old reportedly refused to provide pin codes for many of his electronic devices and was charged by postal requisition. He is to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on February 27, said a spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police. Golding stated that he was not a terrorist, adding that the charges were “an abuse of legislation.” Watch: WION Dispatch: UK's new points-based visa system will benefit Indians? 2017 was the year that put Britain First on the headlines, after President Donald Trump retweeted anti-Muslim messages sent by the party’s then deputy leader, Jayda Fransen, prompting international condemnation.

Paul Golding, leader of Britain First, arrested by anti-terror police: Report

The Democratic presidential contenders begin a frantic dash for votes on Thursday after a fiery debate featuring a volley of attacks on big-spending billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who was making his debut on the national debate stage.

The Democratic presidential contenders begin a frantic dash for votes on Thursday after a fiery debate featuring a volley of attacks on big-spending billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who was making his debut on the national debate stage. With two days to go before the presidential caucuses in Nevada and contests looming in 14 states on Super Tuesday on March 3, including California, Utah and Colorado, the candidates will scatter across those four states for rallies and get-out-the-vote events. The intensity of the unsettled Democratic race was evident in Wednesday's debate, which featured repeated attacks on Bloomberg for his record on race, history of sexist comments and use of his fortune to push his way up the polls. Also Read: Mike Bloomberg qualifies for next debate, and rivals are getting ready The former New York City mayor, who has been rising fast in polls since he joined the race in November, seemed uncomfortable and hesitant at times in his first debate. He defended his record and argued he had the best chance of beating Republican President Donald Trump in the November 3 election. Rivals Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg all jumped at the chance to go after the media mogul, who has surged in polls by spending hundreds of millions of dollars out of his pocket on an advertising blitz. They criticized Bloomberg, who has been accused over the years of sexist comments, for his treatment of women as well as his support while mayor of "stop-and-frisk" police policies that ensnared disproportionate numbers of blacks and Latinos. The candidates also accused Bloomberg of trying to buy his way into the White House and said his record as mayor and businessman was not good enough to beat Trump. "Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another," said Warren, a senator from Massachusetts who had her most aggressive debate. Nevada's caucuses are the third contest in the state-by-state race to find a challenger to Trump. South Carolina holds its primary on February 29. Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has a town hall meeting and a fundraiser scheduled in Los Angeles, and Bloomberg has a morning event in Utah. Warren and Biden will have a town hall that airs on CNN on Thursday night from Las Vegas. Klobuchar, a senator from Minnesota, has a campaign event in Colorado. Bloomberg entered the race in November and is skipping the early voting states in February. Trump delivered his judgment on Bloomberg's performance with a tweet late on Wednesday: "He was stumbling, bumbling and grossly incompetent. If this doesn’t knock him out of the race, nothing will."

After fiery debate attacks on Bloomberg, Democrats scatter on campaign trail

The US Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced a goal for biofuels to make up 30 per cent of US transportation fuels by 2050, a move that could bolster an industry that has been otherwise battered by the Trump administration.

The US Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced a goal for biofuels to make up 30 per cent of US transportation fuels by 2050, a move that could bolster an industry that has been otherwise battered by the Trump administration. Refineries are currently required to blend 20.09 billion gallons of biofuel in 2020, about 10 per cent of projected crude oil production, according to the US Energy Information Administration. President Donald Trump has been criticized by the corn-based ethanol industry after his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted exemptions to the blend requirement for dozens of oil companies over the last two years. Also Read: Oil up on slowing pace of coronavirus, Venezuela sanctions The biofuel goal is part of a new department-wide sustainability initiative, set to be announced Thursday by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, which aims to boost farm production by 40 per cent and cut the farm sector's environmental impact by 50 per cent during the same period. The environmental goal also could deflect criticism from farmers and ethanol producers in an election year. “We can increase the production of renewable energy feedstocks and set a goal to increase biofuel production efficiency and competitiveness to achieve market-driven blend rates of 15 per cent of transportation fuels in 2030 and 30 per cent of transportation fuels by 2050,” the agency said in a statement. Trump's first term ends in 2021, and he is campaigning for reelection in November. Also Read: Oil prices fall on oversupply worries as virus hits China demand As part of the broader plan, USDA officials will tap research already being conducted by the agency’s Research, Education and Economics branch (REE) and its Office of the Chief Economist. Among the various goals, according to USDA, is to sift through crop productivity and conservation data, as well as public sector data, and use that to help guide farm programs. The plan stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s ongoing approach toward environmental issues. Trump has described climate change as a “hoax.” Over the past two years, the EPA has granted more than 30 biofuel waivers to refineries, including facilities owned by Exxon Mobil and Chevron Corp. Meanwhile, the farm community’s anger over the administration’s ethanol policy has continued and given a potential opportunity to Democratic rivals, who hope rural voters in corn-producing states such as Iowa may be more open to voting for a Democrat – or simply not turn out on election day.

Trump's agriculture department announces 30 per cent biofuel goal for 2050

The inventor of computer functions so simple and instrumental to our daily functions on our devices, i.e., Ctrl + X, Ctrl +C and Ctrl + V, has passed away. Larry Tesler, the unsung hero of the digital world, has made life easier for multitudes of people across the world.

The inventor of computer functions so simple and instrumental to our daily functions on our devices, i.e., Ctrl + X, Ctrl +C and Ctrl + V, has passed away. Larry Tesler, the unsung hero of the digital world, has made life easier for multitudes of people across the world. He started working in Silicon Valley in the early 1960s during a time when computers were inaccessible to the vast majority of people. His innovations, which included the commands "cut", "copy" and "paste" made the personal computer simpler to learn and use. One of the organisations which employed the late Mr Tesler paid tribute to him with a tweet, thanking him for cut/copy & paste, find & replace and many more of his revolutionary ideas which made workdays easier for people the world over. The inventor of cut/copy & paste, find & replace, and more was former Xerox researcher Larry Tesler. Your workday is easier thanks to his revolutionary ideas. Larry passed away Monday, so please join us in celebrating him. Photo credit: Yahoo CC-By-2.0 https://t.co/MXijSIMgoA pic.twitter.com/kXfLFuOlon — Xerox (@Xerox) February 19, 2020 × Also Read: Google unveils quantum computer breakthrough; critics say wait a qubit During his career, Tesler worked for several major tech firms, starting at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) before Steve Jobs poached him for Apple, where he spent 17 years and rose to the position of chief scientist. He also worked for brief periods at Amazon and Yahoo and had set up an education start-up as well. His most famous innovation, the cut and paste command, was reportedly based on the old method of editing in which people would physically cut portions of printed text and glue them elsewhere. His visionary concepts were incorporated in Apple's software on the Lisa computer in 1983, and the original Macintosh that was released the following year. Watch: Apple CEO Tim Cook slams Silicon valley One of his firmest beliefs revolved around computer systems using "modes", which allow users to switch between functions on software and apps but make computers both time-consuming and complicated. His website, his twitter handle and reportedly his car's license plate had the words "No Modes" on them. The Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley reportedly stated that Tesler "combined computer science training with a counterculture vision that computers should be for everyone".

Inventor of cut, copy and paste, Larry Tesler dies

SpaceX announced its intention to send four people deeper into orbit than any private citizen before them, in a mission that could cost more than $100 million and take place by 2022.

SpaceX announced its intention to send four people deeper into orbit than any private citizen before them, in a mission that could cost more than $100 million and take place by 2022. A new partnership with Space Adventures precedes this announcement and the new business partner of SpaceX is based in Washington, serving as an intermediary to send eight space tourists to the International Space Station (ISS) via Russian Soyuz rockets. The first person to have paid for this service was Dennis Tito who spent eight hours on the ISS in 2001 for $20 million. 2009 was the year Guy Laliberte, the founder of Cirque du Soleil Space Adventures' last customer, decided to book a trip to the ISS. See: After a successful rocket abort system test, SpaceX to carry humans into orbit this year Future customers will be transported to their destination on SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, which was developed to transport NASA astronauts and is due to make its first crewed flight in the coming months. President of Space Adventures, Tom Shelley stated that at its earliest, the mission could take place by late 2021, though "probably more likely is sometime in 2022." The duration of the mission will depend on the demands of the customers, stated Shelley. The capsule designed to take astronauts from the surface to the ISS is nine square meters in volume with no private areas to sleep, shower or use the bathroom. Weeks of training [ SpaceX chief Elon Musk speaks during a press conference (Courtesy: AFP) ] The cost of launching a Falcon 9 rocket is $62 million, according to publicly available figures, then there will be the cost of building a fresh Dragon capsule. Could it exceed $100 million? The funding required to launch a Falcon 9 rocket is $62 million as per publicly available data. Adding to that is the cost of building a fresh Dragon capsule, which has made many suspect the cost for the trip would exceed $100 million. Shelley had this to say when asked about the cost, "It's not cheap. Your assessment is correct, I can't comment specifically on the numbers, but yeah those are the cost components." "We have a pretty good network of high net worth individuals around the world, many of whom we know are interested in spaceflight," he added. See: SpaceX shows off upcoming missions The company announced in 2005 plans to send tourists around the Moon - but that mission has now been abandoned, confirmed Shelley. Other companies involved in space tourism are Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic. The offer from SpaceX is far more ambitious and utilises the same reusable Falcon 9 rocket that puts satellites into space and sends astronauts to the ISS. Much like SpaceX and other companies, Boeing also has plans to send passengers into space, but the development of their program has been marred by major glitches that resulted in the early termination of an uncrewed test flight in December.

SpaceX announces partnership to send four people into deep orbit

The Utah state Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday to effectively decriminalize polygamy among consenting adults, reducing penalties for practice with deep religious roots in the predominantly Mormon state.

The Utah state Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday to effectively decriminalize polygamy among consenting adults, reducing penalties for practice with deep religious roots in the predominantly Mormon state. The bill however, is expected to face greater resistance when it moves to the Utah House of Representatives. Also Read: Two Canadian men convicted of polygamy in landmark ruling Currently, the law states that polygamy is classified a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Utah Republicans reportedly spent little time discussing the bill and swiftly cleared it on a vote of 29-0. Under the bill, punishments for plural marriage would be limited to fines of up to $750 and community service. Fraudulent bigamy, however, remains a felony. Senator Deirdre Henderson, the chief sponsor of this bill, reportedly said that the intent was to lower the penalties so those from polygamous communities who are victims of crimes can come forward without fear of being prosecuted themselves. Also Read: Former US presidential candidate Romney announces Utah Senate bid It also facilitates otherwise law-abiding polygamists in obtaining access to medical or mental healthcare, education or even employment without fear. Those opposing the bill state that current law should not be changed because polygamy is inherently dangerous and harmful to women and children, particularly young girls, some of whom have been forced into marriages with older men. Senator Henderson reportedly said that though Utah has a history of felony punishment for polygamy, it has not successfully halted the practice. Also Read: One dead at University of Utah shooting, police search for suspect “The solution to the problem is increased societal integration, which can only come through decriminalizing otherwise law-abiding polygamists,” she stated during a preliminary debate on the bill last week. Critics of the bill have stated that the measure wrongly frames polygamy as a human rights issue. “Proponents of this bill attempt to piggyback on the success of the gay rights movement by promoting the narrative that this initiative is about consenting adults doing what they will,” the anti-polygamy group Sound Choices Coalition issued a statement. The anti-polygamy law was struck down by a federal judge for being unconstitutional, but a federal appeals court reversed the ruling. The US Supreme Court has declined to hear the case.

Utah Senate votes to decriminalize polygamy

Britain's government on Wednesday faced a backlash over its new post-Brexit immigration plans, which are designed to cut "cheap Labour from Europe" in favour of high-skilled English speakers.

Britain's government on Wednesday faced a backlash over its new post-Brexit immigration plans, which are designed to cut "cheap Labour from Europe" in favour of high-skilled English speakers. The points-based system is due to start on January 1, 2021, and was billed as "taking back control" of Britain's borders - a key demand of anti-EU campaigners in the divisive Brexit debate. Interior minister Priti Patel called the sweeping reforms "firm and fair" and said it would make it easier for higher-skilled workers to get visas, and harder for low-skilled migrants to do so. "We need to shift the focus of our economy away from a reliance on cheap labour from Europe and instead concentrate on investment in technology and automation," she said. The plans are the biggest change to immigration policy in 50 years and will go before parliament, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has a comfortable majority. But the Conservative government was accused of failing to assess the impact of the reforms on the economy, while businesses heavily reliant on foreign labour questioned the feasibility of the policy. Also Read: Sovereignty comes first: Britain lays out tough stance for EU trade talks The main opposition Labour party said some sectors' reliance on foreign workers would force the government to make numerous exceptions, rendering the new rules "meaningless". the Party's spokesperson Diana Abbott called it a "salary threshold system", which would hit the already hard-pressed state-run National Health Service and social care sector. "If they are all short-term visas, only the most desperate workers will come, and will have the effect of creating a two-tier workforce," Abbott said. Her opposite number at the smaller Liberal Democrats said the policy was "based on xenophobia, not the social and economic needs of our country". "Too many businesses are already struggling to hire the workers they need. Now the Tories want to stop them from recruiting all but the highest-paid employees from abroad," said Christine Jardine. Britain left the EU after 47 years of membership on January 31. EU rules are still in place until the end of the year as London and Brussels thrash out a new trade deal. But Jardine and others warned that 10 months was not enough time for businesses to prepare for the end to the free movement of EU nationals to other member states. They warned of potential staff shortages, as well as chaos and confusion through additional red tape. Reduce immigration The plans do not affect more than 3.2 million EU citizens who have applied to stay in Britain under the official settlement scheme. The proposals require each foreign worker to earn 70 points to be eligible and a set number of points for each qualification or skill. A maximum of 20 points is awarded for prospective migrants who will earn at least £25,600 ($33,325 or 30,820 euros) and no points for those who will make the required minimum of £20,480. Twenty points also go to people with an "appropriate skill level" and another 20 for those who speak English "at the required level". Britain's current salary threshold for skilled migrants is £30,000. People who have jobs "in a shortage qualification" will also earn 20 points and either 10 or 20 points for doctorate degrees in various fields. "Applicants will be able to 'trade' characteristics such as their specific job offer and qualifications against a lower salary," the government proposal says. Overall, the government said the aim is to "reduce overall migration numbers" - another demand of Brexit supporters - but did not give a figure on the expected fall. The Migration Advisory Committee said last month the end to freedom of movement could have "zero effect" on providing more jobs for British workers. The move comes after concern about the impact of Brexit on the high numbers of foreign nurses, and lower-paid overseas support workers and care assistants in the health and social care. The Food and Drink Federation, National Farmers Union and UK Hospitality said they were worried about shortages of workers as they relied on temporary low-skilled migrants.

UK's new immigration plan designed to cut 'cheap Labour from Europe' sparks criticism

The Latin American region has been hit by a severe dengue outbreak, with Peru reporting the latest victims of this pestilence. Dengue has claimed 12 lives in Peru and around 5,400 cases have been reported across the nation.

The Latin American region has been hit by a severe dengue outbreak, with Peru reporting the latest victims of this pestilence. Dengue has claimed 12 lives in Peru and around 5,400 cases have been reported across the nation. Peruvian authorities have declared a health emergency in regions witnessing the worst of the outbreak. Most cases are originating in the Eastern jungle regions which border Bolivia and Brazil. Neighbouring Peru has led the outbreak to Paraguay, which was also affected by this mosquito-borne disease as deaths from the dengue fever have been on the rise in the nation of Paraguay. Also See: What is dengue, and why is it so widespread this year? Health officials have reported 85,000 cases of Dengue fever in the nation, a number which is on the rise much like Peru. With a total of 16 deaths from the disease in Paraguay, this seems to be South America's worst outbreak of the disease in a decade and has had adverse effects on its healthcare system. The Paraguayan Senate has called for a 90-day Health Emergency following the outbreak. The President of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benitez has also contracted the disease. Bolivia has reported around 9,500 suspected cases nationwide, with the Department of Santa Cruz being the most affected one which has 1,200 cases. The world's fastest-spreading mosquito-borne disease is dengue, it causes flu-like symptoms and can cause internal bleeding in extreme cases.No specific treatment or vaccine is available yet, and infections around the world have increased dramatically in recent decades with many countries seeing a surge in cases this year.

Dengue outbreak in Latin America as 12 die in Peru

Death toll from coronavirus surged to 2,010 across the world. 132 cases of deaths reported in Hubei province in last 24hrs. More than 1,000 people have now been infected with the virus outside the mainland China.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Hong Kong records second fatality

Amsterdam is plagued by overflowing hordes of tourists and is considering a ban on visitors from cannabis-vending coffee shops, to balance the quality of life for locals and the demands of travellers.

Amsterdam is plagued by overflowing hordes of tourists and is considering a ban on visitors from cannabis-vending coffee shops, to balance the quality of life for locals and the demands of travellers. Young tourists commissioned by Mayor Femke Halsema conducted a survey which revealed that half the respondents chose to visit the Dutch capital because they wanted to experience a cannabis cafe. The survey sought to investigate "what would happen to the willingness of tourists to visit Amsterdam if either the availability or accessibility of one or more of these factors should reduce or disappear," by observing the most popular reasons for visiting Amsterdam. Addressing the ever-increasing flood of tourists has been a consistent issue for Amsterdam, as the famously liberal city strains to deal with a surge in visitors and vulgar vacationists. Approximately 57 per cent of respondents put coffee shops near the top of their list of important reasons for coming to Amsterdam, while 34 per cent indicated they'd come to Amsterdam less often if they weren't able to visit coffee shops. Eleven per cent stated that the sole reason they were visiting is for the cannabis cafe. Halsema, before conducting the survey, sent a letter to councillors and suggested that the city's coffee shops can put "the quality of life in the city centre under pressure." On April 1, 2020, new measures will be in place to regulate group tours of the area and prevent tour groups from passing the red-light windows, touring past 10 pm and idling in "places that are sensitive to pressure" such as narrow bridges or new entryways. Anyone found in violation of the rules would be fined $205.

Amsterdam considers banning tourists from cannabis cafes

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