In an era that is to be defined by 4th Industrial Revolution where Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Internet of Things are increasingly expected to play major roles, having the advantage over 5G technology is likely to be a key determinant of an upcoming great power rivalry.&nbsp;

However, geopolitical developments during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to either dampen or delay China's grand global 5G strategy that is also critical to Beijing’s Digital Silk Road plans. The relatively small group of nations led by the United States (US) that acted against Chinese plans in the pre-COVID period may expand as increasingly more nations are concerned about Beijing’s reliability due to its behaviour — involves accountability, responsibility and propaganda — during the current pandemic. &nbsp;

Gaining technological supremacy has been one of the key features of geopolitical rivalries in modern history, and it is no different for the ongoing US-China rivalry. Realising this, President Donald Trump has waged a global campaign against Huawei — main Chinese 5G player, other one is ZTE — since the last couple of years alleging China of 5G technology-related intellectual property theft and raised national security issues due to espionage-related concerns. Consequently, to limit Huawei’s capacity to provide 5G equipment, specifically at affordable rates, in the US and beyond, the Trump administration has announced several measures against Huawei, including the most recent one during the pandemic that restricts “Huawei’s ability to use US technology and software to design and manufacture its semiconductors abroad” as the US alleged Huawei of undermining its export control measures. &nbsp;

The US government has used rising anti-China sentiments during the pandemic domestically and externally to its advantage and imposed new restrictions. This new measure by the US is likely to impact Huawei’s R&amp;D work and raise its business costs substantially as chipmakers are not allowed to supply chips to Chinese company if they are based on the American technology; moreover, there are no Chinese technological alternatives at present. The measure will also impact the companies that are associated with Huawei components across the world, including the EU, thereby, damaging Huawei’s main international sales pitch, affordability. This action has attracted so much attention that the Chinese government has threatened to retaliate against American companies that have a big presence in China if the US continues with any such further measures. &nbsp;

While the Trump administration has been maintaining the consistent act against Huawei domestically, it has also been persuading its partners across the globe to ban Huawei in gaining access to their respective telecommunication networks. Some of its allies like Japan, Australia and New Zealand have gone forward with the US plans in banning Huawei, some like Canada and the European Union (EU) were still under discussion before the pandemic. EU member states were divided over the issue as China holds influence over several nations of the Union. Further, in disappointment to the US before the pandemic, the United Kingdom (UK) reluctantly provided limited access to Huawei some months ago. &nbsp;

Nonetheless, as the questions against China arise over its accountability towards the virus origins, reliability over the supply chains dependence and propaganda through global media blitzkrieg, the anti-Chinese lobby in the UK seems to have lapped up the opportunity to convince Boris Johnson administration to act against Huawei as British media suggests. The Financial Times last week reported that the UK government is making plans “to force a full phase-out of Huawei from Britain’s 5G networks” in the next three years. This is a strong shift in the UK’s approach towards Huawei in just a few months. &nbsp;

In the last week of January 2020, the European Commission recommended strict rules, instead of an outright ban, against any high-risk 5G suppliers including “exclusions for key assets considered as critical and sensitive”, and “strategies… to ensure the diversification of vendors”. Similarly, in February 2020, German ruling party’s members supported a position paper that called for limiting the participation of foreign vendors in 5G network rollout in a compromise as an anti-Chinese group among the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) have been piling up pressure on the Merkel administration for an outright ban of Huawei. Further, CDU’s coalition partner, Social Democratic Party, is asking for equipment suppliers’ political reliability vis-à-vis their home countries' governing system, which can dampen chances of companies like Huawei when the draft bill that asks for additional requirements from 5G network suppliers will face the parliamentary test. Handelsblatt has reported that Deutsch Telekom and Vodafone are already considering to remove Huawei equipment from the sensitive core of their networks considering domestic political preferences and rising business costs due to the US actions.&nbsp;

While these suggestions do not call for an outright ban as the US would have liked, they nonetheless are in favour of more stringent regulatory regime against the foreign vendors like Huawei. Moreover, it should come as no surprise if local EU 5G players like Nokia and Ericsson are prioritised over the foreign ones by EU member states as the industrial strategy under the new French-German COVID-19 recovery plan suggests. The French-German deal calls for strengthening “screening towards non-EU investors in strategic sectors”, and “accelerating the adaptation of state aid and competition rules” in the European competition policy. &nbsp;

Further, in sort of a policy priority, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, recently in a column that was published in several media outlets suggested that the state-centric Chinese approach stands opposite to the “the EU’s multi-stakeholder approach based on respect for fundamental rights and freedoms” in the cyber domain; also, he called for avoiding dependence on China in strategic sectors. These developments suggest that Huawei’s access to most of the OECD market is likely to get restricted, which would limit China’s ambitions both politically and economically. &nbsp;

ASEAN is one region where Huawei is likely to have better run among high-value markets, except in Vietnam. While Vietnam has not banned Huawei, it claims to have developed native 5G tech through Viettel, Vietnam’s largest telecommunications company operated by the country’s defence ministry, which experts suggest provides an incentive to bypass China’s Huawei. The company has suggested that it doesn’t have plans to work with Huawei for now. The situation isn’t likely to change much as China ramps up the aggression in the South China Sea. Also, other major emerging economies like Brazil and India are yet to take a call in this regard. &nbsp;

India was one of the early countries to raise espionage-related concerns over Huawei almost a decade ago. While the government has allowed Huawei for trials, it is facing ambiguity over the issue as the country’s strategic community is seriously worried about national security issues. The situation is only likely to get tight due to ongoing border skirmishes at India-China border and also the Indian government’s plans to bring strong data protection law, which talks about localising data. &nbsp;

Moreover, there have been a couple of interesting developments over Indian 5G in the recent past. First, Airtel, which have an advocate of Huawei, has inked a $1 billion deal with Nokia — as uncertainty over Huawei’s access prevails — to modernise and expand its 4G network, which will also be used for the future 5G purposes. Second, Reliance Jio, currently India’s largest telecommunications company, claimed to have developed own in-house 5G tech. Also, Jio has proudly claimed that it is the only company in the world that doesn’t use any Chinese equipment in its 4G and 5G networks and will maintain this going forward. &nbsp;

All these events suggest the growing hardship for Chinese 5G plans across the world as it faces the campaign led by the US. As the geopolitics during the pandemic unravels, one should not expect the situation to get any better for Huawei; especially when China has ramped up the military aggression in the East China Sea, South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, Hong Kong and India-China border region. The international community — especially stakeholders at the receiving end of the Chinese aggression and the West that cares for international norms and human rights — is not likely to ease its stance anytime soon if the pandemic hostility prevails. &nbsp;

&nbsp; 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

In an era that is to be defined by 4th Industrial Revolution where Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Internet of Things are increasingly expected to play major roles, having the advantage over 5G technology is likely to be a key determinant of an upcoming great power rivalry.

In an era that is to be defined by 4th Industrial Revolution where Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Internet of Things are increasingly expected to play major roles, having the advantage over 5G technology is likely to be a key determinant of an upcoming great power rivalry. However, geopolitical developments during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to either dampen or delay China's grand global 5G strategy that is also critical to Beijing’s Digital Silk Road plans. The relatively small group of nations led by the United States (US) that acted against Chinese plans in the pre-COVID period may expand as increasingly more nations are concerned about Beijing’s reliability due to its behaviour — involves accountability, responsibility and propaganda — during the current pandemic. Gaining technological supremacy has been one of the key features of geopolitical rivalries in modern history, and it is no different for the ongoing US-China rivalry. Realising this, President Donald Trump has waged a global campaign against Huawei — main Chinese 5G player, other one is ZTE — since the last couple of years alleging China of 5G technology-related intellectual property theft and raised national security issues due to espionage-related concerns. Consequently, to limit Huawei’s capacity to provide 5G equipment, specifically at affordable rates, in the US and beyond, the Trump administration has announced several measures against Huawei, including the most recent one during the pandemic that restricts “Huawei’s ability to use US technology and software to design and manufacture its semiconductors abroad” as the US alleged Huawei of undermining its export control measures. The US government has used rising anti-China sentiments during the pandemic domestically and externally to its advantage and imposed new restrictions. This new measure by the US is likely to impact Huawei’s R&D work and raise its business costs substantially as chipmakers are not allowed to supply chips to Chinese company if they are based on the American technology; moreover, there are no Chinese technological alternatives at present. The measure will also impact the companies that are associated with Huawei components across the world, including the EU, thereby, damaging Huawei’s main international sales pitch, affordability. This action has attracted so much attention that the Chinese government has threatened to retaliate against American companies that have a big presence in China if the US continues with any such further measures. While the Trump administration has been maintaining the consistent act against Huawei domestically, it has also been persuading its partners across the globe to ban Huawei in gaining access to their respective telecommunication networks. Some of its allies like Japan, Australia and New Zealand have gone forward with the US plans in banning Huawei, some like Canada and the European Union (EU) were still under discussion before the pandemic. EU member states were divided over the issue as China holds influence over several nations of the Union. Further, in disappointment to the US before the pandemic, the United Kingdom (UK) reluctantly provided limited access to Huawei some months ago. Nonetheless, as the questions against China arise over its accountability towards the virus origins, reliability over the supply chains dependence and propaganda through global media blitzkrieg, the anti-Chinese lobby in the UK seems to have lapped up the opportunity to convince Boris Johnson administration to act against Huawei as British media suggests. The Financial Times last week reported that the UK government is making plans “to force a full phase-out of Huawei from Britain’s 5G networks” in the next three years. This is a strong shift in the UK’s approach towards Huawei in just a few months. In the last week of January 2020, the European Commission recommended strict rules, instead of an outright ban, against any high-risk 5G suppliers including “exclusions for key assets considered as critical and sensitive”, and “strategies… to ensure the diversification of vendors”. Similarly, in February 2020, German ruling party’s members supported a position paper that called for limiting the participation of foreign vendors in 5G network rollout in a compromise as an anti-Chinese group among the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) have been piling up pressure on the Merkel administration for an outright ban of Huawei. Further, CDU’s coalition partner, Social Democratic Party, is asking for equipment suppliers’ political reliability vis-à-vis their home countries' governing system, which can dampen chances of companies like Huawei when the draft bill that asks for additional requirements from 5G network suppliers will face the parliamentary test. Handelsblatt has reported that Deutsch Telekom and Vodafone are already considering to remove Huawei equipment from the sensitive core of their networks considering domestic political preferences and rising business costs due to the US actions. While these suggestions do not call for an outright ban as the US would have liked, they nonetheless are in favour of more stringent regulatory regime against the foreign vendors like Huawei. Moreover, it should come as no surprise if local EU 5G players like Nokia and Ericsson are prioritised over the foreign ones by EU member states as the industrial strategy under the new French-German COVID-19 recovery plan suggests. The French-German deal calls for strengthening “screening towards non-EU investors in strategic sectors”, and “accelerating the adaptation of state aid and competition rules” in the European competition policy. Further, in sort of a policy priority, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, recently in a column that was published in several media outlets suggested that the state-centric Chinese approach stands opposite to the “the EU’s multi-stakeholder approach based on respect for fundamental rights and freedoms” in the cyber domain; also, he called for avoiding dependence on China in strategic sectors. These developments suggest that Huawei’s access to most of the OECD market is likely to get restricted, which would limit China’s ambitions both politically and economically. ASEAN is one region where Huawei is likely to have better run among high-value markets, except in Vietnam. While Vietnam has not banned Huawei, it claims to have developed native 5G tech through Viettel, Vietnam’s largest telecommunications company operated by the country’s defence ministry, which experts suggest provides an incentive to bypass China’s Huawei. The company has suggested that it doesn’t have plans to work with Huawei for now. The situation isn’t likely to change much as China ramps up the aggression in the South China Sea. Also, other major emerging economies like Brazil and India are yet to take a call in this regard. India was one of the early countries to raise espionage-related concerns over Huawei almost a decade ago. While the government has allowed Huawei for trials, it is facing ambiguity over the issue as the country’s strategic community is seriously worried about national security issues. The situation is only likely to get tight due to ongoing border skirmishes at India-China border and also the Indian government’s plans to bring strong data protection law, which talks about localising data. Moreover, there have been a couple of interesting developments over Indian 5G in the recent past. First, Airtel, which have an advocate of Huawei, has inked a $1 billion deal with Nokia — as uncertainty over Huawei’s access prevails — to modernise and expand its 4G network, which will also be used for the future 5G purposes. Second, Reliance Jio, currently India’s largest telecommunications company, claimed to have developed own in-house 5G tech. Also, Jio has proudly claimed that it is the only company in the world that doesn’t use any Chinese equipment in its 4G and 5G networks and will maintain this going forward. All these events suggest the growing hardship for Chinese 5G plans across the world as it faces the campaign led by the US. As the geopolitics during the pandemic unravels, one should not expect the situation to get any better for Huawei; especially when China has ramped up the military aggression in the East China Sea, South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, Hong Kong and India-China border region. The international community — especially stakeholders at the receiving end of the Chinese aggression and the West that cares for international norms and human rights — is not likely to ease its stance anytime soon if the pandemic hostility prevails. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Coronavirus impact: Geopolitical developments deepen China’s global 5G woes

A recently conducted survey has found that over 28 per cent Americans believe that Bill Gates intends to use the coronavirus vaccine to plant microchips in people for surveillance purposes.

This survey also found that 44 per cent Republicans believe the conspiracy, while 19 per cent Democrats agreed that it was possible. A majority of Democrats (52 per cent) identified the theory as false.

Conducted by Yahoo News and YouGov, over 1,640 Americans were questioned about this possibility in the last week of May.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-magic-drug-hydroxychloroquine-may-be-killing-coronavirus-patients-across-the-globe-study-300863" hreflang="en">Trump's magic drug hydroxychloroquine may be killing coronavirus patients across the globe: Study</a>

The conspiracy theory has made rounds across social media since the race to develop a vaccine amped-up. Many believe this microchip will be used to track people, and to eradicate 15 per cent of the global population.

However, The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has not undertaken or supported any vaccine driven coronavirus research, especially not involving microchips.

The foundation did fund a study in the beginning of the pandemic, but that was to develop an identifier of sorts only detectable by a smartphone. Gates is also working on the concept of a “digital identity” which would store people’s medical records and personal documents on the cloud with access only to the owner. Conspiracy theories combined these two unrelated projects to suggest that mass human microchipping may be inevitable.

Anti-vaccination groups add to woes

Anti-vaccination groups also increasingly gaining traction across the Europe and the US, many of whom believe that vaccinations cause autism and other lifelong ailments, and believe it is surveillance technology. Commonly called “anti-vaxxers”, they refuse to vaccinate or to get kids vaccinated, putting large scores of populations vulnerable to health issues.

In pictures:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/americans-spend-memorial-day-weekend-at-beaches-and-parks-amid-pandemic-rage-300896" hreflang="en">Americans spend Memorial Day weekend at beaches and parks amid pandemic rage</a>

The overall number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed the 5.4 million mark today, while the deaths increased to 345,064.

The total number of cases stood at 5,408,301, the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.&nbsp;

Currently, the US has the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 1,643,098 and 97,711, respectively.

A recently conducted survey has found that over 28 per cent Americans believe that Bill Gates intends to use the coronavirus vaccine to plant microchips in people for surveillance purposes.

A recently conducted survey has found that over 28 per cent Americans believe that Bill Gates intends to use the coronavirus vaccine to plant microchips in people for surveillance purposes. This survey also found that 44 per cent Republicans believe the conspiracy, while 19 per cent Democrats agreed that it was possible. A majority of Democrats (52 per cent) identified the theory as false. Conducted by Yahoo News and YouGov, over 1,640 Americans were questioned about this possibility in the last week of May. Also read: Trump's magic drug hydroxychloroquine may be killing coronavirus patients across the globe: Study The conspiracy theory has made rounds across social media since the race to develop a vaccine amped-up. Many believe this microchip will be used to track people, and to eradicate 15 per cent of the global population. However, The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has not undertaken or supported any vaccine driven coronavirus research, especially not involving microchips. The foundation did fund a study in the beginning of the pandemic, but that was to develop an identifier of sorts only detectable by a smartphone. Gates is also working on the concept of a “digital identity” which would store people’s medical records and personal documents on the cloud with access only to the owner. Conspiracy theories combined these two unrelated projects to suggest that mass human microchipping may be inevitable. Anti-vaccination groups add to woes Anti-vaccination groups also increasingly gaining traction across the Europe and the US, many of whom believe that vaccinations cause autism and other lifelong ailments, and believe it is surveillance technology. Commonly called “anti-vaxxers”, they refuse to vaccinate or to get kids vaccinated, putting large scores of populations vulnerable to health issues. In pictures: Americans spend Memorial Day weekend at beaches and parks amid pandemic rage The overall number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed the 5.4 million mark today, while the deaths increased to 345,064. The total number of cases stood at 5,408,301, the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update. Currently, the US has the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 1,643,098 and 97,711, respectively.

28% Americans believe Bill Gates intends to microchip people using coronavirus vaccine

The 13 edition of&nbsp;National People's Congress is underway in Beijing. Today marks the second plenary meeting.

This&nbsp;session&nbsp;of China’s top legislative body will have a two-fold focus: economy and optics.

All countries are reeling from the effects of coronavirus, which is why all major economies are toying with different ideas to fix the crisis.

Additionally, China wants to project the facade of normalcy to the world, that the country is now back in business.

<h6><img alt="o" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bff56682-4e4c-4ce4-907c-650af1e79bae" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-5_3.jpg" /> 
A security staff looks on after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC)at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 25, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The day began with Li Zhanshu, the chairman of the NPC standing committee delivering a work report. Li summed up what the standing committee had done in face of the pandemic.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the npc standing committee has acted promptly and performed its lawful duty. We made the decision to completely ban illegal trade and consumption of wildlife”, Zhanshu said.

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On Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met leaders from the Hubei province, which is now witnessing a resurgence of cases after the initial epicentre was able to flatten the curve.

Xi told the Hubei deputies that the pandemic is a test of China's grassroot governance.

In pictures:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/post-pandemic-nightclub-experience-in-china-gives-a-glimpse-of-the-future-300883" hreflang="en">Post-pandemic nightclub experience in China gives a glimpse of the future</a>

“This epidemic is a test of our grassroots governance system and the level of its capacity. It further highlights the role of our grassroots units such as neighbourhood office, community centre, town-level and village-level committees”, Jinping said.

Xi also commended the efforts of a Hubei doctor. “I saw you on TV, it was about you treating an 87-year-old man. I am so impressed”, he said.

There will be two broad messages coming out of these chambers over the next couple of days. One may be about China not being the perpetrator but the victim of the coronavirus. Secondly, that the dragon has defeated the virus under Xi's leadership.

The 13 edition of National People's Congress is underway in Beijing. Today marks the second plenary meeting. This session of China’s top legislative body will have a two-fold focus: economy and optics.

The 13 edition of National People's Congress is underway in Beijing. Today marks the second plenary meeting. This session of China’s top legislative body will have a two-fold focus: economy and optics. All countries are reeling from the effects of coronavirus, which is why all major economies are toying with different ideas to fix the crisis. Additionally, China wants to project the facade of normalcy to the world, that the country is now back in business. A security staff looks on after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC)at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 25, 2020 | AFP The day began with Li Zhanshu, the chairman of the NPC standing committee delivering a work report. Li summed up what the standing committee had done in face of the pandemic. “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the npc standing committee has acted promptly and performed its lawful duty. We made the decision to completely ban illegal trade and consumption of wildlife”, Zhanshu said. × On Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met leaders from the Hubei province, which is now witnessing a resurgence of cases after the initial epicentre was able to flatten the curve. Xi told the Hubei deputies that the pandemic is a test of China's grassroot governance. In pictures: Post-pandemic nightclub experience in China gives a glimpse of the future “This epidemic is a test of our grassroots governance system and the level of its capacity. It further highlights the role of our grassroots units such as neighbourhood office, community centre, town-level and village-level committees”, Jinping said. Xi also commended the efforts of a Hubei doctor. “I saw you on TV, it was about you treating an 87-year-old man. I am so impressed”, he said. There will be two broad messages coming out of these chambers over the next couple of days. One may be about China not being the perpetrator but the victim of the coronavirus. Secondly, that the dragon has defeated the virus under Xi's leadership.

NPC's second plenary session in China: What can we expect?

The anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine has been touted as a potential cure to COVID-19 by many experts. However, a new study shows that the drug may be killing people.

Ever since global leaders, especially Donald Trump endorsed the drug, the public confidence in it to prevent coronavirus has increased. In fact, the US president recently claimed to be taking the medicine to avoid contracting COVID-19.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/britain-begins-hydroxychloroquine-trial-to-test-coronavirus-prevention-300216" hreflang="en">Britain begins hydroxychloroquine trial to test coronavirus prevention</a>

Published in the Lancet online medical journal, the paper claims that the rush to quickly use the drug on patients may not be a great idea. A lot of doctors have been prescribing it without evidence of its potency against the virus. Earlier researches have made it abundantly clear that the drug could cause heart irregularities, and has been used to treat malaria.

The researchers in the paper believe that the drug should no longer be administered on patients, unless in a research setting.

A french doctor started treating his patients with the drug first.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="49fafbe6-6ce4-474a-bf4b-3db403166746" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_6.jpg" /> 
A pharmacy tech holds pills of Hydroxychloroquine at Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, on May 20, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Even though the drug is otherwise safe for malaria patients, it may be fatal for people carrying COVID-19, for we’re still learning new details of the virus everyday.

The researchers took into account 96,000 patients across 671 hospitals between the time period of December 2019 - April 2020.

They found that the fatality rate was much higher among people who were given the drug as opposed to those who weren’t. One out of six patients on hydroxychloroquine died. While only one out of 11 patients not taking the drug dead.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/amid-rising-cases-brazils-health-ministry-recommends-hydroxychloroquine-to-treat-coronavirus-cases-299967" hreflang="en">Amid rising cases, Brazil's health ministry recommends hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus cases</a>

Many patients who were given hydroxychloroquine also recorded cardiac arrhythmias, which makes the lower chamber of the heart to beat irregularly. Almost 8 per cent of the patients who were being treated with hydroxychloroquine alongside an antibiotic developed irregular heartbeats, as opposed to 0.3 per cent patients who were not given the drug.

“This is the first large-scale study to find statistically robust evidence that treatment with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine does not benefit patients with Covid-19,” said Prof Mandeep R Mehra, lead author of the study in conversation with The Guardian.

“Instead, our findings suggest it may be associated with an increased risk of serious heart problems and increased risk of death. Randomised clinical trials are essential to confirm any harms or benefits associated with these agents. In the meantime, we suggest these drugs should not be used as treatments for Covid-19 outside of clinical trials”, he added.

Many scientists have suggested ending the use of hydroxychloroquine in treating coronavirus patients.

The anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine has been touted as a potential cure to COVID-19 by many experts. However, a new study shows that the drug may be killing people.

The anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine has been touted as a potential cure to COVID-19 by many experts. However, a new study shows that the drug may be killing people. Ever since global leaders, especially Donald Trump endorsed the drug, the public confidence in it to prevent coronavirus has increased. In fact, the US president recently claimed to be taking the medicine to avoid contracting COVID-19. Also read: Britain begins hydroxychloroquine trial to test coronavirus prevention Published in the Lancet online medical journal, the paper claims that the rush to quickly use the drug on patients may not be a great idea. A lot of doctors have been prescribing it without evidence of its potency against the virus. Earlier researches have made it abundantly clear that the drug could cause heart irregularities, and has been used to treat malaria. The researchers in the paper believe that the drug should no longer be administered on patients, unless in a research setting. A french doctor started treating his patients with the drug first. A pharmacy tech holds pills of Hydroxychloroquine at Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, on May 20, 2020 | AFP Even though the drug is otherwise safe for malaria patients, it may be fatal for people carrying COVID-19, for we’re still learning new details of the virus everyday. The researchers took into account 96,000 patients across 671 hospitals between the time period of December 2019 - April 2020. They found that the fatality rate was much higher among people who were given the drug as opposed to those who weren’t. One out of six patients on hydroxychloroquine died. While only one out of 11 patients not taking the drug dead. Also read: Amid rising cases, Brazil's health ministry recommends hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus cases Many patients who were given hydroxychloroquine also recorded cardiac arrhythmias, which makes the lower chamber of the heart to beat irregularly. Almost 8 per cent of the patients who were being treated with hydroxychloroquine alongside an antibiotic developed irregular heartbeats, as opposed to 0.3 per cent patients who were not given the drug. “This is the first large-scale study to find statistically robust evidence that treatment with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine does not benefit patients with Covid-19,” said Prof Mandeep R Mehra, lead author of the study in conversation with The Guardian. “Instead, our findings suggest it may be associated with an increased risk of serious heart problems and increased risk of death. Randomised clinical trials are essential to confirm any harms or benefits associated with these agents. In the meantime, we suggest these drugs should not be used as treatments for Covid-19 outside of clinical trials”, he added. Many scientists have suggested ending the use of hydroxychloroquine in treating coronavirus patients.

Trump's magic drug hydroxychloroquine may be killing coronavirus patients across the globe: Study

Coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the globe with over 5.4 million cases and 345,064 fatalities.

The total number of cases stood at 5,408,301, the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.&nbsp;

Currently, the US has the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 1,643,098 and 97,711, respectively.

This pandemic coincides with the revival of the anti-vaccination movement which is increasingly gaining traction across Europe and the US, many of whom believe that vaccinations cause autism and other lifelong ailments, and believe it is surveillance technology.

Commonly called “anti-vaxxers”, they refuse to vaccinate or to get kids vaccinated, putting large scores of populations vulnerable to health issues.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4677c6b3-f03d-4c4e-b760-48243e130a12" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_9.jpg" /> 
A man holds a sign against vaccination at an anti-coronavirus lockdown demonstration in Hyde Park in London on May 16, 2020, following an easing of lockdown rules in England during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Fliers advertising 'mass gatherings' organised by the UK Freedom Movement to oppose the government lockdown measures and guidelines put in place to halt the spread of coronavirus in parks around the UK calling for attendees to bring a picnic and music have been circulating on social media. People are being asked to "think carefully" before visiting national parks and beaches on the first weekend since coronavirus lockdown measures were partially eased in England | AFP 
 
&nbsp;</h6>

Recently, Bill Gates has been at the centre of COVID-19 discourse. The founder of Microsoft earlier warned the world against a pandemic and called for greater&nbsp;preparedness.

In a bizarre turn of events, a recently conducted survey has found that over 28 per cent Americans believe that Bill Gates intends to use the coronavirus vaccine to plant microchips in people for surveillance purposes. Gates has pledged $300 million for COVID-19 vaccine research.

Many anti-vaxxers believe that that a vaccine developed at express-speed could be unsafe. The protesters say that vaccines are nothing but chemicals that the government injects into its citizens without their consent.

Today, anti-vaxxers are filling town squares of major European cities such as Berlin, Zurich, and Vienna.&nbsp;The resistance is beginning to trouble governments as they ease lockdowns to re-boot their economies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/28-americans-believe-bill-gates-intends-to-microchip-people-using-coronavirus-vaccine-300988" hreflang="en">28% Americans believe Bill Gates intends to microchip people using coronavirus vaccine</a>

Such protests have been taking place in prominent US cities for at least five years.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has just reported a steep decline in the number of American children receiving their routine immunisations.&nbsp;In 2019, the anti-vax movement caused the return of measles to the US.

Many people in Europe are refusing vaccinations now. For instance, in Switzerland - 20 per cent of the people say they will not get vaccinated. 18 per cent Austrians feel the same way. In Germany - 9 per cent of the population is opposed to vaccines. Over 10 per cent Britons reject vaccinations.

According to a YouGuv survey - only half of surveyed Americans are willing to get vaccinated.

Coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the globe with over 5.4 million cases and 345,064 fatalities. The total number of cases stood at 5,408,301, the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.

Coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the globe with over 5.4 million cases and 345,064 fatalities. The total number of cases stood at 5,408,301, the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update. Currently, the US has the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 1,643,098 and 97,711, respectively. This pandemic coincides with the revival of the anti-vaccination movement which is increasingly gaining traction across Europe and the US, many of whom believe that vaccinations cause autism and other lifelong ailments, and believe it is surveillance technology. Commonly called “anti-vaxxers”, they refuse to vaccinate or to get kids vaccinated, putting large scores of populations vulnerable to health issues. A man holds a sign against vaccination at an anti-coronavirus lockdown demonstration in Hyde Park in London on May 16, 2020, following an easing of lockdown rules in England during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Fliers advertising 'mass gatherings' organised by the UK Freedom Movement to oppose the government lockdown measures and guidelines put in place to halt the spread of coronavirus in parks around the UK calling for attendees to bring a picnic and music have been circulating on social media. People are being asked to "think carefully" before visiting national parks and beaches on the first weekend since coronavirus lockdown measures were partially eased in England | AFP Recently, Bill Gates has been at the centre of COVID-19 discourse. The founder of Microsoft earlier warned the world against a pandemic and called for greater preparedness. In a bizarre turn of events, a recently conducted survey has found that over 28 per cent Americans believe that Bill Gates intends to use the coronavirus vaccine to plant microchips in people for surveillance purposes. Gates has pledged $300 million for COVID-19 vaccine research. Many anti-vaxxers believe that that a vaccine developed at express-speed could be unsafe. The protesters say that vaccines are nothing but chemicals that the government injects into its citizens without their consent. Today, anti-vaxxers are filling town squares of major European cities such as Berlin, Zurich, and Vienna. The resistance is beginning to trouble governments as they ease lockdowns to re-boot their economies. Also read: 28% Americans believe Bill Gates intends to microchip people using coronavirus vaccine Such protests have been taking place in prominent US cities for at least five years. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has just reported a steep decline in the number of American children receiving their routine immunisations. In 2019, the anti-vax movement caused the return of measles to the US. Many people in Europe are refusing vaccinations now. For instance, in Switzerland - 20 per cent of the people say they will not get vaccinated. 18 per cent Austrians feel the same way. In Germany - 9 per cent of the population is opposed to vaccines. Over 10 per cent Britons reject vaccinations. According to a YouGuv survey - only half of surveyed Americans are willing to get vaccinated.

Anti-vaccination movement surges across Europe and US as pandemic soars

The city of Manaus in Brazil currently has 39,155 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and had witnessed 1,182 deaths. It is considered one of the hardest hit cities in the country.

The mayor of Manaus, Arthur Virgilio Neto recently asked Brazilian President to “resign… shut up, and stay at home”. He further told CNN that Bolsonaro was seeking dictatorship”. Neto claimed that the president dreams to be dictator, “but is too stupid”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-records-second-highest-covid-19-cases-as-bolsonaro-downplays-it-as-little-flu-300970" hreflang="en">Brazil records second highest COVID-19 cases as Bolsonaro downplays it as 'little flu'</a>

The mayor of a city that houses 2 million people accused the president of being “co-responsible” for the increasing death count.

Neto claimed that in the early stages of the pandemic, he asked messaged Bolsonaro - "Please Mr. President, shut up and stay at home”.

Now, he only wants his resignation. "Resign, resign, resign, because he doesn't govern Brazil”, he told CNN.

Bolsonaro had earlier called Neto a "piece of s**t”.

<img alt="p" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d2fa9827-e623-427c-89c7-a5e97e014db2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_102.jpg" />

Second-most global cases

Brazil now has the second-most reported cases of coronavirus in the world, surpassing Russia. With 363,211 cases, Brazil has become the latest epicentre of the virus.

Even though the US still has the most number of confirmed cases (over 1,600,000), the rate of infection across the United States is now seeing signs of slowing down.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indigenous-tribals-in-brazil-are-dying-twice-as-much-as-the-national-average-due-to-covid-19-300952" hreflang="en">Indigenous tribals in Brazil are dying twice as much as the national average due to COVID-19</a>

According to Johns Hopkins University tracker, over 22,666 people have died in Brazil due to COVID-19 so far. 149,911 people have recovered so far.

Just on Sunday, Bolsonaro took out a rally with his supporters. He was not wearing any protective gear and was neither practicing social distancing norms, even as numbers continue to surge.

Even though he emerged outside the presidential palace donning a mask, he soon removed it to shake hands with supporters.

The city of Manaus in Brazil currently has 39,155 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and had witnessed 1,182 deaths. It is considered one of the hardest hit cities in the country.

The city of Manaus in Brazil currently has 39,155 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and had witnessed 1,182 deaths. It is considered one of the hardest hit cities in the country. The mayor of Manaus, Arthur Virgilio Neto recently asked Brazilian President to “resign… shut up, and stay at home”. He further told CNN that Bolsonaro was seeking dictatorship”. Neto claimed that the president dreams to be dictator, “but is too stupid”. Also read: Brazil records second highest COVID-19 cases as Bolsonaro downplays it as 'little flu' The mayor of a city that houses 2 million people accused the president of being “co-responsible” for the increasing death count. Neto claimed that in the early stages of the pandemic, he asked messaged Bolsonaro - "Please Mr. President, shut up and stay at home”. Now, he only wants his resignation. "Resign, resign, resign, because he doesn't govern Brazil”, he told CNN. Bolsonaro had earlier called Neto a "piece of s**t”. Second-most global cases Brazil now has the second-most reported cases of coronavirus in the world, surpassing Russia. With 363,211 cases, Brazil has become the latest epicentre of the virus. Even though the US still has the most number of confirmed cases (over 1,600,000), the rate of infection across the United States is now seeing signs of slowing down. Also read: Indigenous tribals in Brazil are dying twice as much as the national average due to COVID-19 According to Johns Hopkins University tracker, over 22,666 people have died in Brazil due to COVID-19 so far. 149,911 people have recovered so far. Just on Sunday, Bolsonaro took out a rally with his supporters. He was not wearing any protective gear and was neither practicing social distancing norms, even as numbers continue to surge. Even though he emerged outside the presidential palace donning a mask, he soon removed it to shake hands with supporters.

Brazilian mayor asks Bolsonaro to 'resign, shut up, and stay at home' as death toll mounts

Brazil now has the second-most reported cases of coronavirus in the world, surpassing Russia. With 363,211 cases, Brazil has become the latest epicentre of the virus.

Even though the US still has the most number of confirmed cases (over 1,600,000), the rate of infection across the United States is now seeing signs of slowing down.

According to Johns Hopkins University tracker, over 22,666 people have died in Brazil due to COVID-19 so far. 149,911 people have recovered so far.

Brazil is now increasingly becoming the primary hotspot of coronavirus, as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay it as a “little flu”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indigenous-tribals-in-brazil-are-dying-twice-as-much-as-the-national-average-due-to-covid-19-300952" hreflang="en">Indigenous tribals in Brazil are dying twice as much as the national average due to COVID-19</a>

Just on Sunday, Bolsonaro took out a rally with his supporters. He was not wearing any protective gear and was neither practicing social distancing norms, even as numbers continue to surge.

Even though he emerged outside the presidential palace donning a mask, he soon removed it to shake hands with supporters.

The World Health Organization had recently announced South America as the epicentre of COVID-19, which started off in Wuhan, then battered European countries especially Italy and France. After which, it caused major fatalities in the US, where the infection rate is currently slowing down.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/us-restricts-travel-from-brazil-brazil-is-worlds-second-worst-hit-covid-19-country-300826/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

With healthcare infrastructure crumbling across the country, especially in the indigenous regions, scores of natives are now infected.

According to Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), the mortality rate among the native population is twice as much as the the rest of the country’s population.

Brazil currently has over 900,000 indigenous people, out of whom 980 have now tested positive for coronavirus, which is capable of spreading very quickly. 125 natives have died so far, putting the indigenous community’s mortality rate at 12.6 per cent, as opposed to the national average of 6.4 per cent.

Recently, US President Donald Trump suspended travel from Brazil. As part of this move, non-Americans planning to come to the US shouldn’t have spent any of their last 14 days in Brazil, and if found so, they shall not be allowed to enter the country.

(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Brazil now has the second-most reported cases of coronavirus in the world, surpassing Russia. With 363,211 cases, Brazil has become the latest epicentre of the virus.

Brazil now has the second-most reported cases of coronavirus in the world, surpassing Russia. With 363,211 cases, Brazil has become the latest epicentre of the virus. Even though the US still has the most number of confirmed cases (over 1,600,000), the rate of infection across the United States is now seeing signs of slowing down. According to Johns Hopkins University tracker, over 22,666 people have died in Brazil due to COVID-19 so far. 149,911 people have recovered so far. Brazil is now increasingly becoming the primary hotspot of coronavirus, as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay it as a “little flu”. Also read: Indigenous tribals in Brazil are dying twice as much as the national average due to COVID-19 Just on Sunday, Bolsonaro took out a rally with his supporters. He was not wearing any protective gear and was neither practicing social distancing norms, even as numbers continue to surge. Even though he emerged outside the presidential palace donning a mask, he soon removed it to shake hands with supporters. The World Health Organization had recently announced South America as the epicentre of COVID-19, which started off in Wuhan, then battered European countries especially Italy and France. After which, it caused major fatalities in the US, where the infection rate is currently slowing down. With healthcare infrastructure crumbling across the country, especially in the indigenous regions, scores of natives are now infected. According to Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), the mortality rate among the native population is twice as much as the the rest of the country’s population. Brazil currently has over 900,000 indigenous people, out of whom 980 have now tested positive for coronavirus, which is capable of spreading very quickly. 125 natives have died so far, putting the indigenous community’s mortality rate at 12.6 per cent, as opposed to the national average of 6.4 per cent. Recently, US President Donald Trump suspended travel from Brazil. As part of this move, non-Americans planning to come to the US shouldn’t have spent any of their last 14 days in Brazil, and if found so, they shall not be allowed to enter the country. (With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Brazil records second highest COVID-19 cases as Bolsonaro downplays it as 'little flu'

Syria reported 20 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, the largest single-day increase to date, the health ministry,

The war-torn country has recorded 106 infections and four deaths so far, and new cases have increased in recent days with the return of Syrians from abroad, the ministry said.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/artholes-artist-covers-mundane-potholes-with-pandemic-themed-mosaics-300942" hreflang="en">Artholes: Artist covers mundane potholes with pandemic-themed mosaics</a>

Syria has kept an overnight curfew in place but has begun to open some of its economy after a lockdown. Doctors and relief groups worry that medical infrastructure ravaged by nine years of conflict would make a more serious outbreak deadly and difficult to fend off.

Health Minister Nizar Yazigi said last week that "coercive and unfair" Western sanctions were hitting medical services needed to cope with coronavirus and he called for their removal.

Syria reported 20 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, the largest single-day increase to date, the health ministry, The war-torn country has recorded 106 infections and four deaths so far, and new cases have increased in recent days with the return of Syrians from abroad, the ministry said.

Syria reported 20 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, the largest single-day increase to date, the health ministry, The war-torn country has recorded 106 infections and four deaths so far, and new cases have increased in recent days with the return of Syrians from abroad, the ministry said. Also see: Artholes: Artist covers mundane potholes with pandemic-themed mosaics Syria has kept an overnight curfew in place but has begun to open some of its economy after a lockdown. Doctors and relief groups worry that medical infrastructure ravaged by nine years of conflict would make a more serious outbreak deadly and difficult to fend off. Health Minister Nizar Yazigi said last week that "coercive and unfair" Western sanctions were hitting medical services needed to cope with coronavirus and he called for their removal.

Syria records 20 new coronavirus cases in largest single-day increase

Mosques, churches and businesses in the occupied West Bank will reopen on Tuesday in an easing of coronavirus restrictions, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Monday.

The Palestinian Authority declared a health emergency in March and imposed lockdowns after the first cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/artholes-artist-covers-mundane-potholes-with-pandemic-themed-mosaics-300942" hreflang="en">Artholes: Artist covers mundane potholes with pandemic-themed mosaics</a>

Shtayyeh said it was time to "cautiously return life to normal" now that infection rates had slowed.

The reopening of houses of worship, shops and factories on Tuesday will coincide with the last day of the Eid El-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Shtayyeh said that government ministries and offices would reopen on Wednesday and that checkpoints set up to limit traffic between West Bank cities would be removed.

The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed 423 cases of the new coronavirus in the West Bank and two deaths.

The health crisis has led to a 50% fall in commercial revenues in the West Bank, in a blow to an already ailing economy in which unemployment is at 17.6%, local officials said.

In the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Palestinian Authority's rival, the Islamist group Hamas, 54 coronavirus cases and one death have been recorded.

Mosques, churches and businesses in the occupied West Bank will reopen on Tuesday in an easing of coronavirus restrictions, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Monday.

Mosques, churches and businesses in the occupied West Bank will reopen on Tuesday in an easing of coronavirus restrictions, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Monday. The Palestinian Authority declared a health emergency in March and imposed lockdowns after the first cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. Also see: Artholes: Artist covers mundane potholes with pandemic-themed mosaics Shtayyeh said it was time to "cautiously return life to normal" now that infection rates had slowed. The reopening of houses of worship, shops and factories on Tuesday will coincide with the last day of the Eid El-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Shtayyeh said that government ministries and offices would reopen on Wednesday and that checkpoints set up to limit traffic between West Bank cities would be removed. The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed 423 cases of the new coronavirus in the West Bank and two deaths. The health crisis has led to a 50% fall in commercial revenues in the West Bank, in a blow to an already ailing economy in which unemployment is at 17.6%, local officials said. In the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Palestinian Authority's rival, the Islamist group Hamas, 54 coronavirus cases and one death have been recorded.

Palestinians easing coronavirus restrictions in West Bank

Brazil is now increasingly becoming the primary hotspot of coronavirus, as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay it as a “flu”.

The country currently has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases. Brazil has now 3,30,890 infections and has recorded 21,048 deaths.

The World Health Organization had recently announced South America as the epicentre of COVID-19, which started off in Wuhan, then battered European countries especially Italy and France. After which, it caused major fatalities in the US, where the infection rate is currently slowing down.

However, the most susceptible among Brazil’s diverse population are the indigenous people, who are now dying at an alarming rate, CNN reported.

<h6><img alt="p" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="107ea1cf-c532-4b66-8ed5-af59f4978666" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_8.jpg" /> 
Indigenous women from the Parque das Tribos community mourn at the funeral of Chief Messias, 53, of the Kokama tribe who died victim of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, in Manaus, Brazil, on May 14, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

With healthcare infrastructure crumbling across the country, especially in the indigenous regions, scores of natives are now infected.

According to Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), the mortality rate among the native population is twice as much as the the rest of the country’s population.

Brazil currently has over 900,000 indigenous people, out of whom 980 have now tested positive for coronavirus, which is capable of spreading very quickly. 125 natives have died so far, putting the indigenous community’s mortality rate at 12.6 per cent, as opposed to the national average of 6.4 per cent.

APIB’s numbers contrast the Health Ministry of Indigenous Health’s reports, which claim 695 cases of COVID-19 and 34 deaths among the indigenous communities.

Remote villages remain the most susceptible owing to lack of healthcare. The first native death was registered in a remote Amazonian village where a 15-year-old boy died in April.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d729899f-2550-4009-a35a-c0266af89c02" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-3_7.jpg" /> 
Satere-mawe indigenous people are seen using a smartphone to contact a doctor in Sao Paulo state to receive medical guidance amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic at the Sahu-Ape community, 80 km of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, on May 5, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Over 60 native groups have reported cases of coronavirus so far, with the number expected to keep increasing, especially in regions with no immediate access to hospitals.

InfoAmazonia conducted a study after which they concluded that the average distance between villages and the nearest intensive care unit (ICU) is&nbsp;315 kilometres, which could hamper immediate care for critical cases.

Deforestation in the Brazilian rainforest has increased by over 64 per cent in 2020 alone, opening up new ways for the virus to reach the isolated tribes.

Last week, the country’s congress passed a plan to protect indigenous communities by providing not only healthcare but also access to clean food and water.

(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Brazil is now increasingly becoming the primary hotspot of coronavirus, as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay it as a “flu”. The country currently has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases.

Brazil is now increasingly becoming the primary hotspot of coronavirus, as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay it as a “flu”. The country currently has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases. Brazil has now 3,30,890 infections and has recorded 21,048 deaths. The World Health Organization had recently announced South America as the epicentre of COVID-19, which started off in Wuhan, then battered European countries especially Italy and France. After which, it caused major fatalities in the US, where the infection rate is currently slowing down. However, the most susceptible among Brazil’s diverse population are the indigenous people, who are now dying at an alarming rate, CNN reported. Indigenous women from the Parque das Tribos community mourn at the funeral of Chief Messias, 53, of the Kokama tribe who died victim of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, in Manaus, Brazil, on May 14, 2020 | AFP With healthcare infrastructure crumbling across the country, especially in the indigenous regions, scores of natives are now infected. According to Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), the mortality rate among the native population is twice as much as the the rest of the country’s population. Brazil currently has over 900,000 indigenous people, out of whom 980 have now tested positive for coronavirus, which is capable of spreading very quickly. 125 natives have died so far, putting the indigenous community’s mortality rate at 12.6 per cent, as opposed to the national average of 6.4 per cent. APIB’s numbers contrast the Health Ministry of Indigenous Health’s reports, which claim 695 cases of COVID-19 and 34 deaths among the indigenous communities. Remote villages remain the most susceptible owing to lack of healthcare. The first native death was registered in a remote Amazonian village where a 15-year-old boy died in April. Satere-mawe indigenous people are seen using a smartphone to contact a doctor in Sao Paulo state to receive medical guidance amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic at the Sahu-Ape community, 80 km of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, on May 5, 2020 | AFP Over 60 native groups have reported cases of coronavirus so far, with the number expected to keep increasing, especially in regions with no immediate access to hospitals. InfoAmazonia conducted a study after which they concluded that the average distance between villages and the nearest intensive care unit (ICU) is 315 kilometres, which could hamper immediate care for critical cases. Deforestation in the Brazilian rainforest has increased by over 64 per cent in 2020 alone, opening up new ways for the virus to reach the isolated tribes. Last week, the country’s congress passed a plan to protect indigenous communities by providing not only healthcare but also access to clean food and water. (With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Indigenous tribals in Brazil are dying twice as much as the national average due to COVID-19

With 40 asymptomatic infection cases, China has reported 51 new coronaviruses and the majority of them in the contagion's first epicentre Wuhan, where over six million tests have been conducted in the last 10 days, health officials said on Monday.

Chinese health authority had conducted 11,46,156 nucleic acid tests on May 23 in the epicentre Wuhan.&nbsp;

The novel coronavirus first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan and then spread to the entire world.&nbsp;

According to data provided by the health authorities, more than 14 lakh nucleic acid tests were conducted in Wuhan a day earlier.

The nucleic acid test is a technique used to detect a virus or bacteria that acts as a pathogen in blood, tissue, or urine.&nbsp;

While no new domestically-transmitted COVID-19 cases were reported in China on Sunday, 11 imported cases including 10 in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and one in Sichuan province were reported, the NHC said in its daily report.

Out of the 40 new asymptomatic cases, 38 were reported in Wuhan, which is currently undergoing mass testing of its over 11.2 million people after a spike in the asymptomatic cases. Currently, 396 people with asymptomatic symptoms are under medical observation in China, including 326 in Wuhan, according to the health authority.

Asymptomatic cases refer to the patients who have tested COVID-19 positive but develop no symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

With 40 asymptomatic infection cases, China has reported 51 new coronaviruses and the majority of them in the contagion's first epicentre Wuhan, where over six million tests have been conducted in the last 10 days, health officials said on Monday.

With 40 asymptomatic infection cases, China has reported 51 new coronaviruses and the majority of them in the contagion's first epicentre Wuhan, where over six million tests have been conducted in the last 10 days, health officials said on Monday. Chinese health authority had conducted 11,46,156 nucleic acid tests on May 23 in the epicentre Wuhan. The novel coronavirus first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan and then spread to the entire world. According to data provided by the health authorities, more than 14 lakh nucleic acid tests were conducted in Wuhan a day earlier. The nucleic acid test is a technique used to detect a virus or bacteria that acts as a pathogen in blood, tissue, or urine. While no new domestically-transmitted COVID-19 cases were reported in China on Sunday, 11 imported cases including 10 in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and one in Sichuan province were reported, the NHC said in its daily report. Out of the 40 new asymptomatic cases, 38 were reported in Wuhan, which is currently undergoing mass testing of its over 11.2 million people after a spike in the asymptomatic cases. Currently, 396 people with asymptomatic symptoms are under medical observation in China, including 326 in Wuhan, according to the health authority. Asymptomatic cases refer to the patients who have tested COVID-19 positive but develop no symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat. (With inputs from agencies)

Wuhan still combating coronavirus; China reports 51 new cases

The director of Chinese virology institute of Wuhan has said that three live strains of bat coronavirus on-site but none of them match with the novel coronavirus that has wrecked chaos in the world.&nbsp;

According to scientists around the world, coronavirus was originated in bats and had emerged from Wuhan.&nbsp;

But the director of the Wuhan lab called Donald Trump's claim that the virus was leaked from the facility a &nbsp;"pure fabrication".

In an interview that was conducted &nbsp;on May 13 was aired on Saturday where Wang Yanyi said that the centre has &nbsp;"isolated and obtained some coronaviruses from bats."

"Now we have three strains of live viruses... But their highest similarity to SARS-CoV-2 only reaches 79.8 per cent," she said, referring to the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19.

The research teams, led by Professor Shi Zhengli, has been researching bat coronaviruses since 2004 and directed on the "source tracing of SARS", the strain behind another virus outbreak nearly two decades ago.

"We know that the whole genome of SARS-CoV-2 is only 80 per cent similar to that of SARS. It's an obvious difference," she said.&nbsp;

"So, in Professor Shi's past research, they didn't pay attention to such viruses which are less similar to the SARS virus."

The lab had said that they received samples on December 30, determined the viral genome sequence on January 2 and submitted information on the pathogen to the WHO on January 11.

Wang said in the interview that before it received samples in December, their team had never "encountered, researched or kept the virus."&nbsp;

"In fact, like everyone else, we didn't even know the virus existed," she said. "How could it have leaked from our lab when we never had it?" 
The World Health Organization said Washington had offered no evidence to support the "speculative" claims.

(Inputs from AFP)

The director of Chinese virology institute of Wuhan has said that three live strains of bat coronavirus on-site but none of them match with the novel coronavirus that has wrecked chaos in the world.

The director of Chinese virology institute of Wuhan has said that three live strains of bat coronavirus on-site but none of them match with the novel coronavirus that has wrecked chaos in the world. According to scientists around the world, coronavirus was originated in bats and had emerged from Wuhan. But the director of the Wuhan lab called Donald Trump's claim that the virus was leaked from the facility a "pure fabrication". In an interview that was conducted on May 13 was aired on Saturday where Wang Yanyi said that the centre has "isolated and obtained some coronaviruses from bats." "Now we have three strains of live viruses... But their highest similarity to SARS-CoV-2 only reaches 79.8 per cent," she said, referring to the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19. The research teams, led by Professor Shi Zhengli, has been researching bat coronaviruses since 2004 and directed on the "source tracing of SARS", the strain behind another virus outbreak nearly two decades ago. "We know that the whole genome of SARS-CoV-2 is only 80 per cent similar to that of SARS. It's an obvious difference," she said. "So, in Professor Shi's past research, they didn't pay attention to such viruses which are less similar to the SARS virus." The lab had said that they received samples on December 30, determined the viral genome sequence on January 2 and submitted information on the pathogen to the WHO on January 11. Wang said in the interview that before it received samples in December, their team had never "encountered, researched or kept the virus." "In fact, like everyone else, we didn't even know the virus existed," she said. "How could it have leaked from our lab when we never had it?" The World Health Organization said Washington had offered no evidence to support the "speculative" claims. (Inputs from AFP)

Wuhan virology institute had three live bat coronaviruses: Chinese state media

Authorities in Wuhan have announced a comprehensive ban on eating wild animals and the hunting and trading of wildlife, according to a statement by the city's municipal government.

"There will be a ban on the sale and eating of terrestrial wild animals that are both in the wild as well as bred and reared,"&nbsp;

According to the Human Society International (HSI), the wildlife consumption trade in China is “worth 125 billion yuan, roughly $18 billion.” But wildlife consumption is not the biggest industry in the country.

“The largest proportion of China’s wildlife farming is the fur industry, worth 389 billion yuan ($55 billion) annually," the society said.

It remains unclear how the industry will be affected by new legislation, with parliament promising at least a stronger approval and supervision regime.

"It will be important for TCM experts, wildlife conservation experts, and relevant authorities to take a look at TCM-related laws and regulations to make sure they are consistent," said Aili Kang, executive director of the Asia Program of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

"To strictly forbid the use of endangered species, no matter wild or captive breeding population... is good for both TCM and conservation," she added.

(WIth inputs from Reuters)

Authorities in Wuhan have announced a comprehensive ban on eating wild animals and the hunting and trading of wildlife, according to a statement by the city's municipal government.

Authorities in Wuhan have announced a comprehensive ban on eating wild animals and the hunting and trading of wildlife, according to a statement by the city's municipal government. "There will be a ban on the sale and eating of terrestrial wild animals that are both in the wild as well as bred and reared," According to the Human Society International (HSI), the wildlife consumption trade in China is “worth 125 billion yuan, roughly $18 billion.” But wildlife consumption is not the biggest industry in the country. “The largest proportion of China’s wildlife farming is the fur industry, worth 389 billion yuan ($55 billion) annually," the society said. It remains unclear how the industry will be affected by new legislation, with parliament promising at least a stronger approval and supervision regime. "It will be important for TCM experts, wildlife conservation experts, and relevant authorities to take a look at TCM-related laws and regulations to make sure they are consistent," said Aili Kang, executive director of the Asia Program of the Wildlife Conservation Society. "To strictly forbid the use of endangered species, no matter wild or captive breeding population... is good for both TCM and conservation," she added. (WIth inputs from Reuters)

Wuhan officially bans eating and hunting of wild animals

High school seniors donning masks have returned to schools in South Korea. Mandatory temperature checks were carried out at the entrance. Elementary, middle and high school students will rejoin in a phased manner till June 1.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/new-cluster-of-cases-shows-coronavirus-may-be-mutating-299964" hreflang="en">New cluster of cases shows coronavirus may be mutating</a>

China’s Jilin province reported four&nbsp;new cases. All new cases were local transmissions. The province has reported 133 locally transmitted cases so far. 1,181 close contacts of the patients are also under observation. China’s official tally stands at 82,965.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-rising-cases-brazils-health-ministry-recommends-hydroxychloroquine-to-treat-coronavirus-cases-299967" hreflang="en">Amid rising cases, Brazil's health ministry recommends hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus cases</a>

Riot police had to be deployed in force in Paris after cars were set ablaze in some low-income housing estates. The violence was sparked by the death of an 18-year old in an accident.

Residents of Cochabamba took to the streets to demand an end to nationwide lockdown. Bolivians claim lockdown has left them without food or money. Demonstrators created roadblocks using rocks &amp; debris.

The first train in two&nbsp;months left Karachi station on Tuesday. Train service has resumed partially ahead of Eid holiday. Thirty trains will resume service in the first phase. All passengers have been&nbsp;required to wear a mask. Trains will operate at 60 per cent capacity.

Russia recorded its highest single-day death toll. 135 people died in the country in the last 24 hours. Dagestan has emerged as the new virus hotspot with over 3,600 cases and 36 deaths. At over 308,700, Russia has the world's second-highest number of coronavirus cases.

Muslim protesters prayed in Skanderbeg square against Kosovo's decision to keep mosques closed. Close to 50 people defied lockdown restrictions to hold a mass prayer. Organisers asked the participants to wear a mask &amp; maintain social distancing.

China has asked journalists to take a virus test before attending parliament events. Journalists have to undertake a nucleic acid test &amp; quarantine themselves till the test results come.

5-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined Juventus for training. Ronaldo spent the last two&nbsp;weeks in quarantine before rejoining his teammates.&nbsp;All players have been asked to respect social distancing while training.

China tested 856,128 residents of Wuhan on Tuesday. Over 467,000 were tested in the city a day earlier. Wuhan is testing its entire population to identify any asymptomatic carriers.

High school seniors donning masks have returned to schools in South Korea. Mandatory temperature checks were carried out at the entrance. Elementary, middle and high school students will rejoin in a phased manner till June 1.

High school seniors donning masks have returned to schools in South Korea. Mandatory temperature checks were carried out at the entrance. Elementary, middle and high school students will rejoin in a phased manner till June 1. Also read: New cluster of cases shows coronavirus may be mutating China’s Jilin province reported four new cases. All new cases were local transmissions. The province has reported 133 locally transmitted cases so far. 1,181 close contacts of the patients are also under observation. China’s official tally stands at 82,965. Also read: Amid rising cases, Brazil's health ministry recommends hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus cases Riot police had to be deployed in force in Paris after cars were set ablaze in some low-income housing estates. The violence was sparked by the death of an 18-year old in an accident. Residents of Cochabamba took to the streets to demand an end to nationwide lockdown. Bolivians claim lockdown has left them without food or money. Demonstrators created roadblocks using rocks & debris. The first train in two months left Karachi station on Tuesday. Train service has resumed partially ahead of Eid holiday. Thirty trains will resume service in the first phase. All passengers have been required to wear a mask. Trains will operate at 60 per cent capacity. Russia recorded its highest single-day death toll. 135 people died in the country in the last 24 hours. Dagestan has emerged as the new virus hotspot with over 3,600 cases and 36 deaths. At over 308,700, Russia has the world's second-highest number of coronavirus cases. Muslim protesters prayed in Skanderbeg square against Kosovo's decision to keep mosques closed. Close to 50 people defied lockdown restrictions to hold a mass prayer. Organisers asked the participants to wear a mask & maintain social distancing. China has asked journalists to take a virus test before attending parliament events. Journalists have to undertake a nucleic acid test & quarantine themselves till the test results come. 5-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined Juventus for training. Ronaldo spent the last two weeks in quarantine before rejoining his teammates. All players have been asked to respect social distancing while training. China tested 856,128 residents of Wuhan on Tuesday. Over 467,000 were tested in the city a day earlier. Wuhan is testing its entire population to identify any asymptomatic carriers.

Coronavirus tracker: South Korea's schools to resume, Russia witnesses spike in cases

WION has always chosen to speak truth to power. We relentlessly exposed China's cover-up despite threats and were blocked by Chinese diplomats even targeted by Chinese embassy officials.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-trying-to-shirk-responsibility-smearing-our-anti-virus-effort-china-on-trumps-attack-on-who-299644">Also Read:&nbsp;US trying to shirk responsibility, smearing our anti-virus effort, says China on Trump</a>

But now an admission by the Chinese regime vindicates our reportage. Beijing has admitted to destroying early samples of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-threatens-to-permanently-pull-funding-from-who-299568"> coronavirus</a>. It's a rare acknowledgment by China's own national health commission.&nbsp;

Liu Dengfeng an official at the science and education department has confessed that Beijing ordered "unauthorized labs"&nbsp;to destroy samples of the coronavirus in the early stages of the outbreak.&nbsp;

Liu Dengfeng said that China not only imposed restrictions on sample experiments but it also prohibited labs from collecting or transporting coronavirus samples.

The health official, however, tried to defend his government's actions saying that the decision was in line with China's standard practice for handling highly pathogenic samples and that it was done for bio-safety reasons and to prevent secondary disasters which is a standard practice to prevent secondary disasters.

The World Health Organization too followed such standard practices, according to Li Mingzhu, an official at the international co-operation department of the&nbsp;health commission.

The World Health Organization did not make any request whatsoever to visit the Wuhan lab during their two trips to the virus epicenter. He says that WHO delegations visited Wuhan in January and February but did not even seek permission to visit the Wuhan institute of virology.

The timing of these revelations is significant. The world is getting closer to an independent probe into China's handling of the outbreak. Beijing is trying hard to twist every fact to hide its culpability and it won't hesitate in sacrificing its accomplices to save face. The World Health Organization must watch out and the world must keep up the pressure.

WION has always chosen to speak truth to power. We relentlessly exposed China's cover-up despite threats and were blocked by Chinese diplomats even targeted by Chinese embassy officials.

WION has always chosen to speak truth to power. We relentlessly exposed China's cover-up despite threats and were blocked by Chinese diplomats even targeted by Chinese embassy officials. Also Read: US trying to shirk responsibility, smearing our anti-virus effort, says China on Trump But now an admission by the Chinese regime vindicates our reportage. Beijing has admitted to destroying early samples of the coronavirus. It's a rare acknowledgment by China's own national health commission. Liu Dengfeng an official at the science and education department has confessed that Beijing ordered "unauthorized labs" to destroy samples of the coronavirus in the early stages of the outbreak. Liu Dengfeng said that China not only imposed restrictions on sample experiments but it also prohibited labs from collecting or transporting coronavirus samples. The health official, however, tried to defend his government's actions saying that the decision was in line with China's standard practice for handling highly pathogenic samples and that it was done for bio-safety reasons and to prevent secondary disasters which is a standard practice to prevent secondary disasters. The World Health Organization too followed such standard practices, according to Li Mingzhu, an official at the international co-operation department of the health commission. The World Health Organization did not make any request whatsoever to visit the Wuhan lab during their two trips to the virus epicenter. He says that WHO delegations visited Wuhan in January and February but did not even seek permission to visit the Wuhan institute of virology. The timing of these revelations is significant. The world is getting closer to an independent probe into China's handling of the outbreak. Beijing is trying hard to twist every fact to hide its culpability and it won't hesitate in sacrificing its accomplices to save face. The World Health Organization must watch out and the world must keep up the pressure.

Chinese official says early coronavirus samples destroyed in 'unauthorised labs'

Japan's economy slipped into recession for the first time in 4-1/2 years in the last quarter, putting the nation on course for its deepest postwar slump as the coronavirus crisis ravages businesses and consumers.

Monday's first-quarter GDP data underlined the broadening impact of the outbreak, with exports plunging the most since the devastating March 2011 earthquake as global lockdowns and supply chain disruptions hit shipments of&nbsp;Japanese goods.

Analysts warn of an even bleaker picture for the current quarter as consumption crumbled after the government in April requested citizens to stay home and businesses to close, intensifying the challenge for policymakers battling a once-in-a-century pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/japan-pm-abe-lifts-state-of-emergency-except-in-some-virus-hit-regions-298682" hreflang="en">Japan PM Abe lifts state of emergency except in some virus-hit regions</a>

"It's near certainty the economy suffered an even deeper decline in the current quarter," said Yuichi Kodama, chief economist at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute. "Japan&nbsp;has entered a full-blown recession."

The world's third-largest economy contracted an annualised 3.4% in the first quarter, preliminary official gross domestic product (GDP) data showed, less than a median market forecast for a 4.6% drop.

The slump came on top of an even steeper 7.3% fall in the October-December period, with the consecutive quarters of contraction meeting the technical definition of a recession.&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;last suffered recession in the second half of 2015.

The coronavirus, which first emerged in China late last year, has ravaged the global economy as many nations went into strict lockdowns to curb the outbreak that has so far killed over 310,000 people worldwide. The pandemic has been massively disruptive on supply chains and businesses, particularly in trade-reliant nations such as&nbsp;Japan.&nbsp;

Indeed, the fallout of the virus on corporate&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;was telling with exports diving 6.0% in the first quarter, the biggest decline since April-June 2011.

"Exports to China began to fall in February, followed by a wave of slumping shipments to Europe and the United States," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute.

"Exports were also hurt by slumping inbound tourism," which counts as a drop in non-residents' purchases of&nbsp;Japanese services, he said.

Deeper slump, slower recovery

The shakeout in global trade was underlined in recent March data, with exports shrinking the most in nearly four years due to plunging US-bound shipments.

Even the nation's major globe-trotting manufacturers weren't spared the pandemic's sweeping impact.

Toyota Motor Corp has said it will cut domestic vehicle production by 122,000 units in June and expects an 80% drop in full-year operating profit.

The gloom in&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;is expected to deepen over coming months.

Analysts polled by Reuters estimate&nbsp;Japan's economy will shrink an annualised 22.0% in the current quarter, which would be a record decline, with pressure on output intensifying after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in April declared a nationwide state of emergency amid the widening pandemic.

The emergency was lifted for most regions on Thursday, but remained in effect for some big cities including Tokyo.&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;has so far reported 16,337 coronavirus cases and 756 deaths.

Private consumption, which accounts for more than half of&nbsp;Japan's $5 trillion economy, slipped 0.7% in January-March, less than a market forecast for a 1.6% drop, as robust demand for daily necessities partially offset the impact on services spending.

All the same, it marked the second straight quarter of decline, as households endured the double-whammy of the coronavirus and a sales tax hike to 10% from 8% in October last year.

Capital expenditure fell 0.5% in the first quarter after plummeting 4.8% in October-December last year, the GDP data showed, suggesting that uncertainty over the outlook is discouraging companies from boosting spending.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/japanese-experiment-shows-how-quickly-one-person-can-spread-coronavirus-298584" hreflang="en">Japanese experiment shows how quickly one person can spread coronavirus</a>

Taken together, domestic demand knocked 0.7 percentage point off GDP growth, while external demand shed 0.2 point.

All of this has put a strain on the labour market. The jobless rate in March rose to its highest in a year, while job availability slipped to a more than three-year low.

The government has already announced a record $1.1 trillion stimulus package, and the Bank of&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;expanded stimulus for the second straight month in April. Abe has pledged a second supplementary budget later this month to fund fresh spending measures to cushion the economic blow from the outbreak.

Still, many analysts warn that government support will come too little, too late.

"As always in&nbsp;Japan, the implementation is very slow. It will take the later half of the second quarter (and) the third quarter" for government stimulus to kick in, said Martin Schulz, chief economist at Fujitsu.

"The recovery will be slower than many are hoping for ... To recover from this crisis, it will take about two years at least."

Japan's economy slipped into recession for the first time in 4-1/2 years in the last quarter, putting the nation on course for its deepest postwar slump as the coronavirus crisis ravages businesses and consumers.

Japan's economy slipped into recession for the first time in 4-1/2 years in the last quarter, putting the nation on course for its deepest postwar slump as the coronavirus crisis ravages businesses and consumers. Monday's first-quarter GDP data underlined the broadening impact of the outbreak, with exports plunging the most since the devastating March 2011 earthquake as global lockdowns and supply chain disruptions hit shipments of Japanese goods. Analysts warn of an even bleaker picture for the current quarter as consumption crumbled after the government in April requested citizens to stay home and businesses to close, intensifying the challenge for policymakers battling a once-in-a-century pandemic. Also read: Japan PM Abe lifts state of emergency except in some virus-hit regions "It's near certainty the economy suffered an even deeper decline in the current quarter," said Yuichi Kodama, chief economist at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute. "Japan has entered a full-blown recession." The world's third-largest economy contracted an annualised 3.4% in the first quarter, preliminary official gross domestic product (GDP) data showed, less than a median market forecast for a 4.6% drop. The slump came on top of an even steeper 7.3% fall in the October-December period, with the consecutive quarters of contraction meeting the technical definition of a recession. Japan last suffered recession in the second half of 2015. The coronavirus, which first emerged in China late last year, has ravaged the global economy as many nations went into strict lockdowns to curb the outbreak that has so far killed over 310,000 people worldwide. The pandemic has been massively disruptive on supply chains and businesses, particularly in trade-reliant nations such as Japan. Indeed, the fallout of the virus on corporate Japan was telling with exports diving 6.0% in the first quarter, the biggest decline since April-June 2011. "Exports to China began to fall in February, followed by a wave of slumping shipments to Europe and the United States," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute. "Exports were also hurt by slumping inbound tourism," which counts as a drop in non-residents' purchases of Japanese services, he said. Deeper slump, slower recovery The shakeout in global trade was underlined in recent March data, with exports shrinking the most in nearly four years due to plunging US-bound shipments. Even the nation's major globe-trotting manufacturers weren't spared the pandemic's sweeping impact. Toyota Motor Corp has said it will cut domestic vehicle production by 122,000 units in June and expects an 80% drop in full-year operating profit. The gloom in Japan is expected to deepen over coming months. Analysts polled by Reuters estimate Japan's economy will shrink an annualised 22.0% in the current quarter, which would be a record decline, with pressure on output intensifying after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in April declared a nationwide state of emergency amid the widening pandemic. The emergency was lifted for most regions on Thursday, but remained in effect for some big cities including Tokyo. Japan has so far reported 16,337 coronavirus cases and 756 deaths. Private consumption, which accounts for more than half of Japan's $5 trillion economy, slipped 0.7% in January-March, less than a market forecast for a 1.6% drop, as robust demand for daily necessities partially offset the impact on services spending. All the same, it marked the second straight quarter of decline, as households endured the double-whammy of the coronavirus and a sales tax hike to 10% from 8% in October last year. Capital expenditure fell 0.5% in the first quarter after plummeting 4.8% in October-December last year, the GDP data showed, suggesting that uncertainty over the outlook is discouraging companies from boosting spending. Also read: Japanese experiment shows how quickly one person can spread coronavirus Taken together, domestic demand knocked 0.7 percentage point off GDP growth, while external demand shed 0.2 point. All of this has put a strain on the labour market. The jobless rate in March rose to its highest in a year, while job availability slipped to a more than three-year low. The government has already announced a record $1.1 trillion stimulus package, and the Bank of Japan expanded stimulus for the second straight month in April. Abe has pledged a second supplementary budget later this month to fund fresh spending measures to cushion the economic blow from the outbreak. Still, many analysts warn that government support will come too little, too late. "As always in Japan, the implementation is very slow. It will take the later half of the second quarter (and) the third quarter" for government stimulus to kick in, said Martin Schulz, chief economist at Fujitsu. "The recovery will be slower than many are hoping for ... To recover from this crisis, it will take about two years at least."

Japan braces for worst postwar slump as pandemic tips economy into recession

'Masked' dancers bring Saturday night fever back to Wuhan as lockdown relaxed

Beijing and Moscow are threatening counter lawsuits against those countries which are enquiring too much about&nbsp;China.

According to Beijing's official mouthpiece, The Global Times, China and Russia will start by initiating an investigation into US-owned bio-labs.

Chinese President Xi Jinping wants the Trump administration to come clean on the existence of bio-labs on US&nbsp;soil.

Whereas, Russia wants the US&nbsp;to clarify the presence of overseas bio-labs along its borders. It&nbsp;is concerned about the functioning of US&nbsp;labs in its neighbouring countries such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Georgia.

Russian intelligence doubts&nbsp;that the Trump&nbsp;government could be hiding biological weapons in these countries, a claim which now has the support of the Chinese foreign ministry.

China, with Russia by its side,&nbsp;is considering punitive counter-measures against anybody who files a lawsuit against it in the United States.

At least four US&nbsp;Congress members including Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton will be put on China's sanctions list.

Republicans who have been questioning China will face severe consequences as well.

China will cut off business and trade with Republican states accusing it&nbsp;of any wrongdoing.&nbsp;The direct impact of such a drastic measure will be felt by US&nbsp;companies with long term investments in China.

China is calling this a response to America's abuse of litigation, a response which could have a direct impact on US&nbsp;presidential polls.

Beijing and Moscow are threatening counter lawsuits against those countries which are enquiring too much about China. According to Beijing's official mouthpiece, The Global Times, China and Russia will start by initiating an investigation into US-owned bio-labs.

Beijing and Moscow are threatening counter lawsuits against those countries which are enquiring too much about China. According to Beijing's official mouthpiece, The Global Times, China and Russia will start by initiating an investigation into US-owned bio-labs. Chinese President Xi Jinping wants the Trump administration to come clean on the existence of bio-labs on US soil. Whereas, Russia wants the US to clarify the presence of overseas bio-labs along its borders. It is concerned about the functioning of US labs in its neighbouring countries such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Georgia. Russian intelligence doubts that the Trump government could be hiding biological weapons in these countries, a claim which now has the support of the Chinese foreign ministry. China, with Russia by its side, is considering punitive counter-measures against anybody who files a lawsuit against it in the United States. At least four US Congress members including Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton will be put on China's sanctions list. Republicans who have been questioning China will face severe consequences as well. China will cut off business and trade with Republican states accusing it of any wrongdoing. The direct impact of such a drastic measure will be felt by US companies with long term investments in China. China is calling this a response to America's abuse of litigation, a response which could have a direct impact on US presidential polls.

COVID-19: China, Russia threaten countries with counter lawsuits

Garment factories across Bangladesh have reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has locked down most of the country.

A new fear has seeped in among garment workers, as they are forced to restart working in conditions not suitable to ensure social distancing. Additionally, wearing masks cannot be enforced in garment factories.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/fineprint-restaurants-reopen-amid-covid-19-outbreak-for-ramzan-in-dhaka-bangladesh-296164/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bangladesh’s garment factories make clothes for some of the world’s biggest brands, and amounts for over 84 per cent of the country’s total exports, The Guardian reported.

The factories have been permitted to reopen, but only if social distancing measures are followed.

A few workers, while speaking to The Guardian asserted how social distancing measures remain unenforced across factories. Reportedly, the workers are transported in overcrowded buses. Even though the risks associated with such social contact are high, workers fear that they would lose their jobs by not complying.

Another worker told The Guardian that workers had to embark on a strike to ensure a supply of protective gear like masks.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ac64bbd-0d56-403a-9855-a25b359bef49" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-3_4.jpg" /> 
Labourers wearing facemasks work in a garment factory during a government-imposed lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Dhaka on May 2, 2020 | AFP</h6>

&nbsp;

Even though Bangladesh has only 10,000 cases of coronavirus, the country has been criticised for not testing enough.

Bangladesh’s garment industry employs over 4 million people across 4,500 factories and generates revenue worth $34 billion.

This season, the industry has suffered a loss of $3.5 billion as orders remain cancelled or suspended. Brands that procure their clothes from Bangladesh include Asda, Sports Direct, Peacocks, and Topshop, among many.

Recently, Debenhams, a fashion retailer stalled all its orders and was unable to pay for the ordered garments due to the loss incurred by COVID-19. As of now, the garments are stationed across ports, and the company is expecting discounts from&nbsp;Bangladesh.

A sudden disruption has made the lives of workers especially hard. Just in March, over 150,000 workers did not receive their wages. After this, protests happened across the country, demanding help.

As of now, over 1,000 factories are reproducing garments. This was partly done due to the fear of factories moving to Vietnam and Cambodia, which are also important players in the garment industry.

Garment factories across Bangladesh have reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has locked down most of the country. A new fear has seeped in among garment workers, as they are forced to restart working in conditions not suitable to ensure social distancing.

Garment factories across Bangladesh have reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has locked down most of the country. A new fear has seeped in among garment workers, as they are forced to restart working in conditions not suitable to ensure social distancing. Additionally, wearing masks cannot be enforced in garment factories. Bangladesh’s garment factories make clothes for some of the world’s biggest brands, and amounts for over 84 per cent of the country’s total exports, The Guardian reported. The factories have been permitted to reopen, but only if social distancing measures are followed. A few workers, while speaking to The Guardian asserted how social distancing measures remain unenforced across factories. Reportedly, the workers are transported in overcrowded buses. Even though the risks associated with such social contact are high, workers fear that they would lose their jobs by not complying. Another worker told The Guardian that workers had to embark on a strike to ensure a supply of protective gear like masks. Labourers wearing facemasks work in a garment factory during a government-imposed lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Dhaka on May 2, 2020 | AFP Even though Bangladesh has only 10,000 cases of coronavirus, the country has been criticised for not testing enough. Bangladesh’s garment industry employs over 4 million people across 4,500 factories and generates revenue worth $34 billion. This season, the industry has suffered a loss of $3.5 billion as orders remain cancelled or suspended. Brands that procure their clothes from Bangladesh include Asda, Sports Direct, Peacocks, and Topshop, among many. Recently, Debenhams, a fashion retailer stalled all its orders and was unable to pay for the ordered garments due to the loss incurred by COVID-19. As of now, the garments are stationed across ports, and the company is expecting discounts from Bangladesh. A sudden disruption has made the lives of workers especially hard. Just in March, over 150,000 workers did not receive their wages. After this, protests happened across the country, demanding help. As of now, over 1,000 factories are reproducing garments. This was partly done due to the fear of factories moving to Vietnam and Cambodia, which are also important players in the garment industry.

Workers fear for their lives as Bangladesh reopens garment factories

As coronavirus cases across major hotspots in Europe and North America continue to drop, the fear of new hotspots still remains.

Many believe that the next killer wave could start anywhere in Africa or South Asia.

Recently, sex workers in Zambia garnered attention for assisting authorities in contact tracing of coronavirus carriers.

The border town of Nakonde recently witnessed a spike in the number of infections.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/border-chinese-city-imposes-martial-law-after-11-new-cases-of-coronavirus-297903" hreflang="en">Border Chinese city imposes martial law after 11 new cases of coronavirus</a>

The BBC reported that over 76 out of the 85 newly reported cases can be traced to sex workers or lorry drivers.

An official told BBC that sex workers have displayed cooperation and providing the government all the information.

"Sex workers have been very co-operative”.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/covid-19-exposes-gaping-holes-in-africas-health-care-system-297565/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Cooperative effort

A month-long lockdown ended last week as restaurants and gyms reopened. The shutdown lasted for over a month to ensure social distancing.

Currently, Zambia has over 267 confirmed cases of coronavirus, which has also led to seven deaths.

The President, Edgar Lungu has expressed concerns over the potential spread and has ordered the border to be “temporarily closed”.

Usually, Nakonde is flooded with people and lorries coming in and out of Tanzania. It is very common for lorry drivers to have several sex partners, which makes them more susceptible to catching coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-media-post-on-mt-everest-sparks-debate-with-nepal-on-twitter-297850" hreflang="en">Chinese media post on Mt Everest sparks debate with Nepal on Twitter</a>

The official further claimed that "we don't want to stigmatise or discriminate against them [sex workers]. They are being very useful in contact tracing”.

Turns out, the authorities were able to trace a cluster of infections with the help of a sex worker. The worker showed symptoms and then linked up the government with the potential infector, who was then found to have been carrying COVID-19.

Many authorities across Africa have warned of lorry drivers transporting the virus from place to place.

As coronavirus cases across major hotspots in Europe and North America continue to drop, the fear of new hotspots still remains. Many believe that the next killer wave could start anywhere in Africa or South Asia.

As coronavirus cases across major hotspots in Europe and North America continue to drop, the fear of new hotspots still remains. Many believe that the next killer wave could start anywhere in Africa or South Asia. Recently, sex workers in Zambia garnered attention for assisting authorities in contact tracing of coronavirus carriers. The border town of Nakonde recently witnessed a spike in the number of infections. Also read: Border Chinese city imposes martial law after 11 new cases of coronavirus The BBC reported that over 76 out of the 85 newly reported cases can be traced to sex workers or lorry drivers. An official told BBC that sex workers have displayed cooperation and providing the government all the information. "Sex workers have been very co-operative”. Cooperative effort A month-long lockdown ended last week as restaurants and gyms reopened. The shutdown lasted for over a month to ensure social distancing. Currently, Zambia has over 267 confirmed cases of coronavirus, which has also led to seven deaths. The President, Edgar Lungu has expressed concerns over the potential spread and has ordered the border to be “temporarily closed”. Usually, Nakonde is flooded with people and lorries coming in and out of Tanzania. It is very common for lorry drivers to have several sex partners, which makes them more susceptible to catching coronavirus. Also read: Chinese media post on Mt Everest sparks debate with Nepal on Twitter The official further claimed that "we don't want to stigmatise or discriminate against them [sex workers]. They are being very useful in contact tracing”. Turns out, the authorities were able to trace a cluster of infections with the help of a sex worker. The worker showed symptoms and then linked up the government with the potential infector, who was then found to have been carrying COVID-19. Many authorities across Africa have warned of lorry drivers transporting the virus from place to place.

How sex workers in Zambia helped contact-trace coronavirus carriers

The Chinese city of Shulan has imposed martial law after 11 fresh cases of coronavirus. The city borders North Korea and fears a second wave of the killer virus.

According to state media like Global Times, all new cases were transmitted by a laundrywoman.

The secretary of the Jilin Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, Bayin Chaolu called for the imposition of martial law while stressing on the need to ensure “highest-risk level prevention and control”.

Chaolu further claimed that the fresh cluster poses a grave danger to public health, and displays the shortcomings in dealing with the virus. Local media claims that action will be taken against those who did not take appropriate measures.

As China resumes to normalcy, Shulan is now the only Chinese city to have such a high pandemic response rating.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/china-to-revamp-public-health-care-system-297882/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Lockdown intensified

Over the weekend, Shulan intensified its lockdown efforts by imposing it across villages, and by blocking the entry and exit points. All visitors are being monitored, and only one door has been put in place for local residents.

Additionally, only one person per family is permitted to buy essentials everyday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-media-post-on-mt-everest-sparks-debate-with-nepal-on-twitter-297850" hreflang="en">Chinese media post on Mt Everest sparks debate with Nepal on Twitter</a>

As of now, no trains are plying to and from Shulan. Furthermore, public transport services have been halted. No taxis are allowed to leave the city, which is home to over 630,000 people.

This raises the questions about the resurgence of COVID-19, as countries around the world start to relax their versions of lockdowns. China too, had recently lifted restrictions with the declining number of cases.

Virus in Hubei again

The province of Hubei reported a fresh coronavirus case yesterday, with the country’s tally of fresh cases now at 14. As of now, over 82,901 have been infected in the country so far, with over 4,630 deaths.

China’s National Health Commission (NHC) data claims that out of these 14, 12 cases were transmitted domestically. 11 alone were reported from Jilin province which houses Shulan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-covid-19-cases-surge-past-4-million-mark-death-toll-at-282700-297872" hreflang="en">Global Covid-19 cases surge past 4 million mark, death toll at 282,700</a>

For 35 days, the initial epicentre of the outbreak, Hubei had remained free of the virus but reported a new case yesterday.

Jilin is situated across the China-North Korea border.

China is now tracing asymptomatic cases. Just on Saturday, over 20 cases without symptoms were identified. So far over 794 people have been placed under observation.

The data suggests that Hubei alone has over 600 asymptomatic cases, the highest number in the country.

The Chinese city of Shulan has imposed martial law after 11 fresh cases of coronavirus. The city borders North Korea and fears a second wave of the killer virus.

The Chinese city of Shulan has imposed martial law after 11 fresh cases of coronavirus. The city borders North Korea and fears a second wave of the killer virus. According to state media like Global Times, all new cases were transmitted by a laundrywoman. The secretary of the Jilin Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, Bayin Chaolu called for the imposition of martial law while stressing on the need to ensure “highest-risk level prevention and control”. Chaolu further claimed that the fresh cluster poses a grave danger to public health, and displays the shortcomings in dealing with the virus. Local media claims that action will be taken against those who did not take appropriate measures. As China resumes to normalcy, Shulan is now the only Chinese city to have such a high pandemic response rating. Lockdown intensified Over the weekend, Shulan intensified its lockdown efforts by imposing it across villages, and by blocking the entry and exit points. All visitors are being monitored, and only one door has been put in place for local residents. Additionally, only one person per family is permitted to buy essentials everyday. Also read: Chinese media post on Mt Everest sparks debate with Nepal on Twitter As of now, no trains are plying to and from Shulan. Furthermore, public transport services have been halted. No taxis are allowed to leave the city, which is home to over 630,000 people. This raises the questions about the resurgence of COVID-19, as countries around the world start to relax their versions of lockdowns. China too, had recently lifted restrictions with the declining number of cases. Virus in Hubei again The province of Hubei reported a fresh coronavirus case yesterday, with the country’s tally of fresh cases now at 14. As of now, over 82,901 have been infected in the country so far, with over 4,630 deaths. China’s National Health Commission (NHC) data claims that out of these 14, 12 cases were transmitted domestically. 11 alone were reported from Jilin province which houses Shulan. Also read: Global Covid-19 cases surge past 4 million mark, death toll at 282,700 For 35 days, the initial epicentre of the outbreak, Hubei had remained free of the virus but reported a new case yesterday. Jilin is situated across the China-North Korea border. China is now tracing asymptomatic cases. Just on Saturday, over 20 cases without symptoms were identified. So far over 794 people have been placed under observation. The data suggests that Hubei alone has over 600 asymptomatic cases, the highest number in the country.

Border Chinese city imposes martial law after 11 new cases of coronavirus

Russia recorded the highest number of daily coronavirus infections today with 11,656 additions.

As of now, Russia has 221,344 cases of COVID-19 and is the third most infected country. In terms of the growing rate of infections, Russia is right behind the United States.

In the last 24 hours, ninety-four deaths have been recorded in the country, with a total tally of 2,009.

End of non-working period

On Monday, President Vladimir Putin announced the end of Russia’s non-working period from Tuesday.

The period was put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

"Starting from tomorrow, May 12, the national period of non-working days will be over for all sectors of the economy," the president said.

According to him, during the period of non-activity, Russia invested in improving and expanding its healthcare services.

This had allowed the country to save “many thousands of lives”, as Putin said. He further asserted plans to gradually reopen the economy over the course of the upcoming weeks.

Starting Sunday, the rate of infection has been jumping phenomenally in Russia. Now, over 10,000 infections are reported daily. On the other hand, west Europe is now in the process of easing lockdown restrictions.

Moscow officials claim that the increase is owing to the increased rate of testing, and also by taking into account patients that are asymptomatic.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin looks at military aircrafts flying over the Kremlin and Red Square to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, Moscow, May 9, 2020 | AFP 
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Russia uses different classification methods to count the infected, and has a mortality rate lower than other countries.

Moscow has remained the hotspot of the virus, and will now remain under restrictions upto May 31.

Starting Tuesday, people in Moscow will be fined for not wearing masks and gloves while using public transport services or in shops.

In Moscow, people may only leave their homes for quick grocery runs, to work, if necessary, and to walk their dogs.

Russia was under a non-working period until May 11.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/russia-reports-more-than-10000-covid-19-cases-for-the-6th-straight-day-297564/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Dampened Victory Day celebration

Saturday marked the occasion of Soviet victory in World War II, but was not met with large-scale parades.

The Soviet Union lost an estimated 26 million people including 8.5 million soldiers in the war.

Putin on Saturday laid flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier just outside the Kremlin walls and gave a short address honouring the valour and suffering of the Soviet army during the war.

While speaking on the day, President Vladimir Putin did not mention coronavirus at all.

Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the remarkable day. The celebrations, however, were shorn of the usual Red Square military parade and a mass procession called The Immortal Regiment as part of measures to stifle the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Some 75 warplanes and helicopters, however, flew over central Moscow to display the country's&nbsp;military might.

(With inputs from AFP)

Russia recorded the highest number of daily coronavirus infections today with 11,656 additions. As of now, Russia has 221,344 cases of COVID-19 and is the third most infected country.

Russia recorded the highest number of daily coronavirus infections today with 11,656 additions. As of now, Russia has 221,344 cases of COVID-19 and is the third most infected country. In terms of the growing rate of infections, Russia is right behind the United States. In the last 24 hours, ninety-four deaths have been recorded in the country, with a total tally of 2,009. End of non-working period On Monday, President Vladimir Putin announced the end of Russia’s non-working period from Tuesday. The period was put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country. "Starting from tomorrow, May 12, the national period of non-working days will be over for all sectors of the economy," the president said. According to him, during the period of non-activity, Russia invested in improving and expanding its healthcare services. This had allowed the country to save “many thousands of lives”, as Putin said. He further asserted plans to gradually reopen the economy over the course of the upcoming weeks. Starting Sunday, the rate of infection has been jumping phenomenally in Russia. Now, over 10,000 infections are reported daily. On the other hand, west Europe is now in the process of easing lockdown restrictions. Moscow officials claim that the increase is owing to the increased rate of testing, and also by taking into account patients that are asymptomatic. Russian President Vladimir Putin looks at military aircrafts flying over the Kremlin and Red Square to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, Moscow, May 9, 2020 | AFP Russia uses different classification methods to count the infected, and has a mortality rate lower than other countries. Moscow has remained the hotspot of the virus, and will now remain under restrictions upto May 31. Starting Tuesday, people in Moscow will be fined for not wearing masks and gloves while using public transport services or in shops. In Moscow, people may only leave their homes for quick grocery runs, to work, if necessary, and to walk their dogs. Russia was under a non-working period until May 11. Dampened Victory Day celebration Saturday marked the occasion of Soviet victory in World War II, but was not met with large-scale parades. The Soviet Union lost an estimated 26 million people including 8.5 million soldiers in the war. Putin on Saturday laid flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier just outside the Kremlin walls and gave a short address honouring the valour and suffering of the Soviet army during the war. While speaking on the day, President Vladimir Putin did not mention coronavirus at all. Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the remarkable day. The celebrations, however, were shorn of the usual Red Square military parade and a mass procession called The Immortal Regiment as part of measures to stifle the spread of the novel coronavirus. Some 75 warplanes and helicopters, however, flew over central Moscow to display the country's military might. (With inputs from AFP)

Putin lifts non-working period, daily infections in Russia cross 11,000

India, like many other countries, has been put under a strict lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. Dubbed as the world’s “strictest lockdown” owing to the nature of restrictions alongside the large swathe of population being under lockdown, India will suffer unprecedented economic losses.

According to Crisil Research, India might permanently lose four per cent of its gross domestic product value owing to the lockdown, which has now been extended upto May 17.

Even though the economy will eventually recover in many ways, this four per cent loss could be permanent, the research suggests.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-indias-home-ministry-extends-lockdown-by-two-weeks-till-may-17-296127" hreflang="en">COVID-19: India's home ministry extends lockdown by two weeks till May 17</a>

Earlier, a zero growth rate was&nbsp;projected for the Indian economy if the lockdown was extended.

Regardless of the permanent loss, the economy is not expected to recover for the next three years.

This is way more than the impact of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, which was, until now, seen as the benchmark of economic fallout.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-battle-drdo-develops-pu-coated-nylon-polyester-to-be-manufactured-in-india-296098" hreflang="en">COVID-19 battle: DRDO develops PU coated nylon &amp; polyester to be manufactured in India</a>

However, if the GDP grows at an average rate of 8.5 per cent every year upto 2023, India can recover completely. The chances of such an exceptional performance are very low, based on India’s performance.

According to Crisil Research, the fiscal measures required by the country amount up to over Rs 3.5 lakh crores, as opposed to the current Rs 1.7 lakh crores.

The GDP forecast for the country has been halved to 1.8 per cent for 2020-21, the lowest in over two decades. In March, the projected rate of growth was estimated to be 3.5 per cent.

India, like many other countries, has been put under a strict lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. Dubbed as the world’s “strictest lockdown” owing to the nature of restrictions alongside the large swathe of population being under lockdown, India will suffer unprecedented economic losses.

India, like many other countries, has been put under a strict lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. Dubbed as the world’s “strictest lockdown” owing to the nature of restrictions alongside the large swathe of population being under lockdown, India will suffer unprecedented economic losses. According to Crisil Research, India might permanently lose four per cent of its gross domestic product value owing to the lockdown, which has now been extended upto May 17. Even though the economy will eventually recover in many ways, this four per cent loss could be permanent, the research suggests. Also read: COVID-19: India's home ministry extends lockdown by two weeks till May 17 Earlier, a zero growth rate was projected for the Indian economy if the lockdown was extended. Regardless of the permanent loss, the economy is not expected to recover for the next three years. This is way more than the impact of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, which was, until now, seen as the benchmark of economic fallout. Also read: COVID-19 battle: DRDO develops PU coated nylon & polyester to be manufactured in India However, if the GDP grows at an average rate of 8.5 per cent every year upto 2023, India can recover completely. The chances of such an exceptional performance are very low, based on India’s performance. According to Crisil Research, the fiscal measures required by the country amount up to over Rs 3.5 lakh crores, as opposed to the current Rs 1.7 lakh crores. The GDP forecast for the country has been halved to 1.8 per cent for 2020-21, the lowest in over two decades. In March, the projected rate of growth was estimated to be 3.5 per cent.

India could lose 4% of its GDP permanently due to coronavirus-induced lockdowns

India's ministry of home affairs today extended the lockdown period by another two weeks from May 4.

"After a comprehensive review and in view of the lockdown measures having led to significant gains in the COVID-19 situation in the country, MHA has issued an order under the Disaster Management&nbsp; Act, 2005 today to further extend the lockdown period of two weeks beyond May 4,"&nbsp;the notice said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-cases-surge-in-chennai-most-asymptomatic-with-only-one-of-tamil-nadus-37-districts-in-green-zone-296120" hreflang="en">COVID-19 cases surge in Chennai, most asymptomatic with only one of Tamil Nadu’s 37 districts in Green Zone</a>

The lockdown in India which had come into effect on March 24 was extended till May 3 during an address to the nation by PM Modi. The current extension is now due to last till May 17.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-india-extends-lockdown-for-two-more-weeks-beyond-may-3-now-extended-till-may-17-296151/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-could-lose-4-of-its-gdp-permanently-due-to-coronavirus-induced-lockdowns-296156" hreflang="en">India could lose 4% of its GDP permanently due to coronavirus-induced lockdowns</a>

"MHA also issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country into Red(hotspot), Green and Orange Zones," the MHA said in a statement.

"The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones," it said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-battle-drdo-develops-pu-coated-nylon-polyester-to-be-manufactured-in-india-296098" hreflang="en">COVID-19 battle: DRDO develops PU coated nylon &amp; polyester to be manufactured in India</a>

The MHA said classification of districts as Red Zones will take into account the total number of active cases, doubling rate of confirmed cases, the extent&nbsp;of testing, and surveillance feedback from the districts.

"Those districts which are neither defined as Red or Green shall be classified as Orange Zones."

"The classification of districts into Red, Green, and Orange will be shared by the ministry," it said, adding,"it would be shared on a weekly basis&nbsp;with States and Union Territories."

India's ministry of home affairs today extended the lockdown period by another two weeks from May 4. "After a comprehensive review and in view of the lockdown measures having led to significant gains in the COVID-19 situation in the country, MHA has issued an order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 today to further extend the lockdown period of two weeks beyond May 4," the notice said.

India's ministry of home affairs today extended the lockdown period by another two weeks from May 4. "After a comprehensive review and in view of the lockdown measures having led to significant gains in the COVID-19 situation in the country, MHA has issued an order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 today to further extend the lockdown period of two weeks beyond May 4," the notice said. Also read: COVID-19 cases surge in Chennai, most asymptomatic with only one of Tamil Nadu’s 37 districts in Green Zone The lockdown in India which had come into effect on March 24 was extended till May 3 during an address to the nation by PM Modi. The current extension is now due to last till May 17. Also read: India could lose 4% of its GDP permanently due to coronavirus-induced lockdowns "MHA also issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country into Red(hotspot), Green and Orange Zones," the MHA said in a statement. "The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones," it said. Also read: COVID-19 battle: DRDO develops PU coated nylon & polyester to be manufactured in India The MHA said classification of districts as Red Zones will take into account the total number of active cases, doubling rate of confirmed cases, the extent of testing, and surveillance feedback from the districts. "Those districts which are neither defined as Red or Green shall be classified as Orange Zones." "The classification of districts into Red, Green, and Orange will be shared by the ministry," it said, adding,"it would be shared on a weekly basis with States and Union Territories."

COVID-19: India's home ministry extends lockdown by two weeks till May 17

Spy agencies across the world are targeting the American research organisations to find out about potential coronavirus vaccines.

In conversation with the BBC, Bill Evaning, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center claimed that the US government had warned medical research organisations of security risks and potential breaches.

Even though no data has been reportedly stolen yet, the UK has also reported similar activity.

The race is on

As COVID-19 continues to push societies into lockdowns, the race to develop and distribute the vaccine has amped up.

From private medical companies to government agencies, everyone is currently focused on eliminating the pandemic.

While domestic spy agencies are entrusted with the job of protecting local data, foreign actors may be interested in obtaining the information.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalist-jailed-for-15-years-as-chinese-government-intensifies-free-speech-clampdown-296111" hreflang="en">Journalist jailed for 15-years as Chinese government intensifies free-speech clampdown</a>

"We have been working with our industry and government folk here very closely to ensure they are protecting all the research and data as best they can," he told BBC.

He further added that foreign intelligence services, especially the Chinese Communist Party will try to get their hands on the information regarding a vaccine.

But he would not say whether there had been confirmed cases of stolen data.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/why-the-oxford-group-is-ahead-in-developing-the-covid-19-vaccine-295436/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Operation Warp Speed

“Operation Warp Speed” is the codename for the US government’s coronavirus vaccine programme.

Once the vaccine is out, the country that came up with it will benefit its citizens first, and will then move on to global distribution.

"We've been in contact with every medical research organisation that is doing the research to be very, very vigilant," Mr Evanina added, while speaking to BBC.

Earlier, in mid-April, an FBI official had warned of “intrusions” into databases of institutions that are currently working on a coronavirus vaccine.

Given the current climate whereby thousands have died across countries, it would make sense why any country would want access to the vaccine programme.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delivery-services-are-being-used-to-transport-drugs-and-arms-claims-interpol-296093" hreflang="en">Delivery services are being used to transport drugs and arms, claims INTERPOL</a>

Just last month, the US assistant attorney general for national security John Demers expressed worries over Chinese intentions. It would be “beyond absurd” to believe that China would not be interested in such details, he had asserted.

In March, Canada’s Centre for Cyber Security had warned of similar attacks. “Sophisticated threat actors may attempt to steal the intellectual property of organisations engaged in research and development related to Covid-19”, it had asserted.

However, it is also amply possible for US and Western countries to be interested in Chinese data, especially pertaining to their “fudged numbers”.

Spy agencies across the world are targeting the American research organisations to find out about potential coronavirus vaccines. In conversation with the BBC, Bill Evaning, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center claimed that the US government had warned medical research organisations of security risks and potential breaches.

Spy agencies across the world are targeting the American research organisations to find out about potential coronavirus vaccines. In conversation with the BBC, Bill Evaning, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center claimed that the US government had warned medical research organisations of security risks and potential breaches. Even though no data has been reportedly stolen yet, the UK has also reported similar activity. The race is on As COVID-19 continues to push societies into lockdowns, the race to develop and distribute the vaccine has amped up. From private medical companies to government agencies, everyone is currently focused on eliminating the pandemic. While domestic spy agencies are entrusted with the job of protecting local data, foreign actors may be interested in obtaining the information. Also read: Journalist jailed for 15-years as Chinese government intensifies free-speech clampdown "We have been working with our industry and government folk here very closely to ensure they are protecting all the research and data as best they can," he told BBC. He further added that foreign intelligence services, especially the Chinese Communist Party will try to get their hands on the information regarding a vaccine. But he would not say whether there had been confirmed cases of stolen data. Operation Warp Speed “Operation Warp Speed” is the codename for the US government’s coronavirus vaccine programme. Once the vaccine is out, the country that came up with it will benefit its citizens first, and will then move on to global distribution. "We've been in contact with every medical research organisation that is doing the research to be very, very vigilant," Mr Evanina added, while speaking to BBC. Earlier, in mid-April, an FBI official had warned of “intrusions” into databases of institutions that are currently working on a coronavirus vaccine. Given the current climate whereby thousands have died across countries, it would make sense why any country would want access to the vaccine programme. Also read: Delivery services are being used to transport drugs and arms, claims INTERPOL Just last month, the US assistant attorney general for national security John Demers expressed worries over Chinese intentions. It would be “beyond absurd” to believe that China would not be interested in such details, he had asserted. In March, Canada’s Centre for Cyber Security had warned of similar attacks. “Sophisticated threat actors may attempt to steal the intellectual property of organisations engaged in research and development related to Covid-19”, it had asserted. However, it is also amply possible for US and Western countries to be interested in Chinese data, especially pertaining to their “fudged numbers”.

Cyber spies are targetting ongoing COVID-19 vaccination research programmes across the world

The International Criminal Police Organisation, more commonly known as INTERPOL has recently reported information claiming that food delivery services across the world are being used to transport drugs across the world.

As almost all of the world is still currently under lockdown, delivery services have witnessed a surge in terms of demand, as people have been advised against venturing outside unless absolutely necessary.

INTERPOL data claims to have received reports from police forces in Ireland, Malaysia, Spain, and Britain whereby many delivery agents tried to transport drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, ketamine, and ecstasy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/from-drugs-to-life-saving-paraphernalia-how-the-dark-web-is-capitalising-on-pandemic-panic-291049" hreflang="en">From drugs to life-saving paraphernalia: How the dark web is capitalising on pandemic panic!</a>

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, as movement of people and goods remains largely suspended, there has been a surge in demand for home delivery of essential items.

Just last month, the Spanish National Police arrested seven people who were masquerading as food delivery drivers in Alicante and Valencia.

As part of their delivery set up to deliver cocaine and marijuana, they were using motorcycles and cars. Many of these drugs were hidden in delivery backpacks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/novel-coronavirus-may-spread-for-at-least-another-18-months-says-study-296079" hreflang="en">Novel coronavirus may spread for at least another 18 months, says study</a>

Ireland recently recovered over 8 kgs of cocaine alongside two handguns in pizza boxes, the INTERPOL statement added.

The agency further said that it’s possible that delivery partners may be unaware of the consignments being shipped, or they may be complicit. However, in cases whereby suspects were disguised as delivery drivers, complicity wasn’t a question.

According to Reuters, Latin American drug cartels have dispatched shipments of cocaine to Europe in the last few weeks.

The International Criminal Police Organisation, more commonly known as INTERPOL has recently reported information claiming that food delivery services across the world are being used to transport drugs across the world.

The International Criminal Police Organisation, more commonly known as INTERPOL has recently reported information claiming that food delivery services across the world are being used to transport drugs across the world. As almost all of the world is still currently under lockdown, delivery services have witnessed a surge in terms of demand, as people have been advised against venturing outside unless absolutely necessary. INTERPOL data claims to have received reports from police forces in Ireland, Malaysia, Spain, and Britain whereby many delivery agents tried to transport drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, ketamine, and ecstasy. Also read: From drugs to life-saving paraphernalia: How the dark web is capitalising on pandemic panic! Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, as movement of people and goods remains largely suspended, there has been a surge in demand for home delivery of essential items. Just last month, the Spanish National Police arrested seven people who were masquerading as food delivery drivers in Alicante and Valencia. As part of their delivery set up to deliver cocaine and marijuana, they were using motorcycles and cars. Many of these drugs were hidden in delivery backpacks. Also read: Novel coronavirus may spread for at least another 18 months, says study Ireland recently recovered over 8 kgs of cocaine alongside two handguns in pizza boxes, the INTERPOL statement added. The agency further said that it’s possible that delivery partners may be unaware of the consignments being shipped, or they may be complicit. However, in cases whereby suspects were disguised as delivery drivers, complicity wasn’t a question. According to Reuters, Latin American drug cartels have dispatched shipments of cocaine to Europe in the last few weeks.

Delivery services are being used to transport drugs and arms, claims INTERPOL

Wuhan, once the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus and home to over 11 million people is now teeming with life. As shops start to reopen, people are out and about again. The first case of coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, which was then sealed off from the rest of the country.

One thing the Chinese love is their street food! And Wuhan is famous for one such delicacy which is not found elsewhere - noodles.

But these are not&nbsp;simple noodles. The alkaline noodles are made with sesame sauce, spring onions, turnips, and a variety of spices. The South China Morning Post reported that over half of the city’s population consumes these noodles everyday.

The noodles, though mostly found in Wuhan, are also accessible across Hubei province.&nbsp;The noodles are soft and chewy, and rich in carbohydrates.

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These hot dry noodles are one of the most highly revelled food dishes in China. Others include Beijing zhajiangmian (soybean paste noodles), Shanxi sliced noodles, Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles and Sichuan dan dan noodles.

Cailinji is the the most famous hot dry noodle brand in Wuhan. After being cooked, the noodles are swivelled around in cold water, and then the delicacy is greeted with a coating of oil. This particular style was introduced by the Cai family of Wuhan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/after-wuhan-fears-of-second-coronavirus-wave-in-chinas-northeast-294018" hreflang="en">After Wuhan, fears of second coronavirus wave in China's northeast</a>

The unique ingredient in these noodles is the sesame paste.

As the South China Morning reported,&nbsp;these noodles were sold by Cai Mingwei in 1928, who saw that most shops were discarding sesame paste after pressing the oil.

Until 1950, the noodles were called “sesame sauce noodles”. Cai registered the name “hot dry noodles” in that year.

Owing to the noodles’ popularity, the Hubei government came up with a set of rules that must be followed while making such noodles. According to the decree, sesame must make up 50 per cent of the sauce, which also mandatorily must include peanut sauce, soybean flour, and vegetable oil.

The alkaline value of the noodles is set by the government between pH value of 7.2 to 9.2.

Wuhan, once the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus and home to over 11 million people is now teeming with life. As shops start to reopen, people are out and about again.

Wuhan, once the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus and home to over 11 million people is now teeming with life. As shops start to reopen, people are out and about again. The first case of coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, which was then sealed off from the rest of the country. One thing the Chinese love is their street food! And Wuhan is famous for one such delicacy which is not found elsewhere - noodles. But these are not simple noodles. The alkaline noodles are made with sesame sauce, spring onions, turnips, and a variety of spices. The South China Morning Post reported that over half of the city’s population consumes these noodles everyday. The noodles, though mostly found in Wuhan, are also accessible across Hubei province. The noodles are soft and chewy, and rich in carbohydrates. These hot dry noodles are one of the most highly revelled food dishes in China. Others include Beijing zhajiangmian (soybean paste noodles), Shanxi sliced noodles, Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles and Sichuan dan dan noodles. Cailinji is the the most famous hot dry noodle brand in Wuhan. After being cooked, the noodles are swivelled around in cold water, and then the delicacy is greeted with a coating of oil. This particular style was introduced by the Cai family of Wuhan. Also read: After Wuhan, fears of second coronavirus wave in China's northeast The unique ingredient in these noodles is the sesame paste. As the South China Morning reported, these noodles were sold by Cai Mingwei in 1928, who saw that most shops were discarding sesame paste after pressing the oil. Until 1950, the noodles were called “sesame sauce noodles”. Cai registered the name “hot dry noodles” in that year. Owing to the noodles’ popularity, the Hubei government came up with a set of rules that must be followed while making such noodles. According to the decree, sesame must make up 50 per cent of the sauce, which also mandatorily must include peanut sauce, soybean flour, and vegetable oil. The alkaline value of the noodles is set by the government between pH value of 7.2 to 9.2.

Hot and dry: The noodles that kick-started the economy of Wuhan!

A new study&nbsp;claims that at least five skin conditions may be triggered by coronavirus.

The Spanish Academy of Dermatology carried out research on 375 patients of the virus to better understand the dermatological effects of COVID-19. They found that most patients who had inexplicable skin ailments due to coronavirus were somewhat similar.

Based on a questionnaire, the researchers found that most patients reported five skin conditions.

Here are the five conditions that one can develop while battling COVID-19.

Vesicular eruptions

Small itchy blisters appeared in over 9 per cent of the cases. A vesicular or morbilliform eruption may be present on the buttocks, or genitalia - mostly in the lower part of the body.

The study claimed that such blisters are filled with blood and have the ability to become bigger.

Such symptoms were visible mostly in middle-aged patients and lasted for an average 10.4 days.

Livedo 

Livedo reticularis refers to conditions which cause mottled discolouration of the skin. It is usually described as being reticular in appearance.

Over 6 per cent cases reported this condition. This usually happens when the blood circulation in parts of skin is impaired, which causes discolouration of the skin.

In essence, it’s the premature death of skin tissues. Most patients who reported this condition were old and were severely affected by the virus.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="416171e3-ab31-4833-b141-eba17c53ddff" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-3_3.jpg" /> 
Doctor Henri Metzger (L) examins a resident at a specialised accommodation centre managed by social aid association Aleos for COVID-19 patients who are homeless or coming from emergency or transitional housing, on April 17, 2020, in Mulhouse, eastern France, on the 32nd day of a lockdown in France aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus | AFP</h6>

&nbsp;

Chiblain

If one has this ailment, they develop small lesions due to the inflammation of blood vessels, mostly after being exposed to cold air. Considered very painful, the lesions affect the skin on the hands and the feet. This condition is also known as pernio, perniosis, and cold-induced vascular disorder.

The researchers found that 19 per cent cases reported symptoms similar to chilblain. The patients developed red or purple spots, developed by bleeding under the skin.

Mostly seen among young patients, such symptoms lasted for an average of 12.7 days, and appeared in less severe cases.

Maculopapular rashes

These small, red bumps were found in over 47 per cent cases, the highest among all skin related ailments. Mostly found around hair follicles (roots), the condition lasted for an average of 8.6 days in patients.

This can also lead to blood spots under the skin and appeared alongside the common COVID-19 symptoms.

Only severe cases reported this condition.

Wheals

A raised, itchy area of skin that is sometimes an overt sign of allergy is called a “wheal”. Sometimes this condition is also referred to as hives and welts.

This condition was found in over 19 per cent cases. In this condition, pink or white areas of the skin become protruded.

These can spread to different parts of the body and lasted an average of 6.8 days.

The authors warned against trusting it in face value as a byproduct of coronavirus, for such conditions may have been triggered by complications in the aftermath of contracting the virus.&nbsp;An additional warning against self-diagnosis was given out by the doctors.

A new study claims that at least five skin conditions may be triggered by coronavirus. The Spanish Academy of Dermatology carried out research on 375 patients of the virus to better understand the dermatological effects of COVID-19.

A new study claims that at least five skin conditions may be triggered by coronavirus. The Spanish Academy of Dermatology carried out research on 375 patients of the virus to better understand the dermatological effects of COVID-19. They found that most patients who had inexplicable skin ailments due to coronavirus were somewhat similar. Based on a questionnaire, the researchers found that most patients reported five skin conditions. Here are the five conditions that one can develop while battling COVID-19. Vesicular eruptions Small itchy blisters appeared in over 9 per cent of the cases. A vesicular or morbilliform eruption may be present on the buttocks, or genitalia - mostly in the lower part of the body. The study claimed that such blisters are filled with blood and have the ability to become bigger. Such symptoms were visible mostly in middle-aged patients and lasted for an average 10.4 days. Livedo Livedo reticularis refers to conditions which cause mottled discolouration of the skin. It is usually described as being reticular in appearance. Over 6 per cent cases reported this condition. This usually happens when the blood circulation in parts of skin is impaired, which causes discolouration of the skin. In essence, it’s the premature death of skin tissues. Most patients who reported this condition were old and were severely affected by the virus. Doctor Henri Metzger (L) examins a resident at a specialised accommodation centre managed by social aid association Aleos for COVID-19 patients who are homeless or coming from emergency or transitional housing, on April 17, 2020, in Mulhouse, eastern France, on the 32nd day of a lockdown in France aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus | AFP Chiblain If one has this ailment, they develop small lesions due to the inflammation of blood vessels, mostly after being exposed to cold air. Considered very painful, the lesions affect the skin on the hands and the feet. This condition is also known as pernio, perniosis, and cold-induced vascular disorder. The researchers found that 19 per cent cases reported symptoms similar to chilblain. The patients developed red or purple spots, developed by bleeding under the skin. Mostly seen among young patients, such symptoms lasted for an average of 12.7 days, and appeared in less severe cases. Maculopapular rashes These small, red bumps were found in over 47 per cent cases, the highest among all skin related ailments. Mostly found around hair follicles (roots), the condition lasted for an average of 8.6 days in patients. This can also lead to blood spots under the skin and appeared alongside the common COVID-19 symptoms. Only severe cases reported this condition. Wheals A raised, itchy area of skin that is sometimes an overt sign of allergy is called a “wheal”. Sometimes this condition is also referred to as hives and welts. This condition was found in over 19 per cent cases. In this condition, pink or white areas of the skin become protruded. These can spread to different parts of the body and lasted an average of 6.8 days. The authors warned against trusting it in face value as a byproduct of coronavirus, for such conditions may have been triggered by complications in the aftermath of contracting the virus. An additional warning against self-diagnosis was given out by the doctors.

Coronavirus could cause these five skin conditions: Study

Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live, and will continue to dictate our social lives for the upcoming few months.

Germany, which has been lauded by critics and analysts alike for tackling the virus head on, has made masks mandatory for everyone.

Last week, Germany started relaxing restrictions placed on people. For instance, all shops bigger than 8,600 square feet were allowed to reopen. Additionally, all car dealers and bicycle stores have opened across the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-serious-investigations-against-china-over-coronavirus-says-trump-295192" hreflang="en">'Very serious investigations' against China over coronavirus, says Trump</a>

However, you could end up paying $5,412 for not wearing a mask in the country. As part of its precautionary measures, Germany has imposed fines between $16 to $5,412 for people who are caught not wearing a mask.

Even though some of the country’s 16 states are not imposing any fines, most states that have chosen to impose the fine have varied degrees of fines.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced a slew of measures to ensure relaxations do not lead to a relapse for the country.

She has that face coverings should be worn mandatorily across all public spaces.

''It is recommended that masks be used in public transport and while shopping,'' Merkel had announced on April 15.

As the lockdown continues to make people eager to step out, Merkel had warned against easing restrictions too quickly.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/germany-may-make-work-from-home-a-legal-right-countrys-labour-minister-put-efforts-for-the-same-295033/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

When reports came out of some big stores reopening, she warned against hurrying into reopening and said, “their implementation worries me. Partially, they appear to be very bold, maybe too bold." 
 
Just like the US, Germany has a decentralised system, no state can be forced to make masks mandatory. Regardless, every state has decided to uphold the rule, even with varying degrees.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-dismisses-reports-of-plot-to-poison-prague-mayor-295190" hreflang="en">Russia dismisses reports of plot to poison Prague mayor</a>

However, it is not mandatory to wear surgical masks, the basic idea is to cover one’s face.

Research suggests how masks, even though only partially effective in protecting people from the virus, can prevent the transmission of virus if worn by infected people.

In the state of Berlin, masks are not mandatory, and people may board public transport without covering their faces. However, the hardest hit state of Bavaria has made face covering compulsory, with fines of over $5,412 for store owners who fail to enforce social distancing and face covering norms.

Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live, and will continue to dictate our social lives for the upcoming few months. Germany, which has been lauded by critics and analysts alike for tackling the virus head on, has made masks mandatory for everyone.

Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live, and will continue to dictate our social lives for the upcoming few months. Germany, which has been lauded by critics and analysts alike for tackling the virus head on, has made masks mandatory for everyone. Last week, Germany started relaxing restrictions placed on people. For instance, all shops bigger than 8,600 square feet were allowed to reopen. Additionally, all car dealers and bicycle stores have opened across the country. Also read: 'Very serious investigations' against China over coronavirus, says Trump However, you could end up paying $5,412 for not wearing a mask in the country. As part of its precautionary measures, Germany has imposed fines between $16 to $5,412 for people who are caught not wearing a mask. Even though some of the country’s 16 states are not imposing any fines, most states that have chosen to impose the fine have varied degrees of fines. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced a slew of measures to ensure relaxations do not lead to a relapse for the country. She has that face coverings should be worn mandatorily across all public spaces. ''It is recommended that masks be used in public transport and while shopping,'' Merkel had announced on April 15. As the lockdown continues to make people eager to step out, Merkel had warned against easing restrictions too quickly. When reports came out of some big stores reopening, she warned against hurrying into reopening and said, “their implementation worries me. Partially, they appear to be very bold, maybe too bold." Just like the US, Germany has a decentralised system, no state can be forced to make masks mandatory. Regardless, every state has decided to uphold the rule, even with varying degrees. Also read: Russia dismisses reports of plot to poison Prague mayor However, it is not mandatory to wear surgical masks, the basic idea is to cover one’s face. Research suggests how masks, even though only partially effective in protecting people from the virus, can prevent the transmission of virus if worn by infected people. In the state of Berlin, masks are not mandatory, and people may board public transport without covering their faces. However, the hardest hit state of Bavaria has made face covering compulsory, with fines of over $5,412 for store owners who fail to enforce social distancing and face covering norms.

You could pay $5,000 for not wearing a mask in Germany

A country in Central America has historically been marred by gang-related violence and continues to grapple with in-prison violence, closely related to drug gangs.

On Friday, the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele had announced a 24-hour lockdown of prisons after record 22 murders were witnessed in a single-day! 
 
Additionally, all of the gang members, especially their leaders were put in solitary confinement after the number of murders spiked out of the blue.

“No contact with the outside world. Shops will remain closed and all activities are suspended until further notice,” Bukele said in a tweet.

“Gang leaders will go into solitary confinement”, Bukele added.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5472131a-e7f5-4afc-ac1e-e01102139617" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-6.jpg" /> 
Handout picture released on April 26, 2020 by El Salvador's Presidency press office showing inmates at the Izalco prison | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The investigation into 22 murders is underway, however, authorities believe all the murders are gang-related.

The maximum emergency lockdown has been put in place to ensure that the police investigation may be conducted freely. 
 
This is the highest number recorded in the country in terms of single day murders since Bukele assumed office last June, The Guardian reported. 
 
The number of murders in El Salvador has fallen significantly in the recent years though, under Bukele administration. In the last few months, the country has gone for days without a single murder, a big feat for the country. 
 
The lockdown measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 are among the strictest across the world in the country.

El Salvador has been marred by street gang violence for years. Known as “maras”, these gangs led to the country’s notoriously high homicide rate. In fact, it has remained highest across the Americas.

A country in Central America has historically been marred by gang-related violence and continues to grapple with in-prison violence, closely related to drug gangs.

A country in Central America has historically been marred by gang-related violence and continues to grapple with in-prison violence, closely related to drug gangs. On Friday, the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele had announced a 24-hour lockdown of prisons after record 22 murders were witnessed in a single-day! Additionally, all of the gang members, especially their leaders were put in solitary confinement after the number of murders spiked out of the blue. “No contact with the outside world. Shops will remain closed and all activities are suspended until further notice,” Bukele said in a tweet. “Gang leaders will go into solitary confinement”, Bukele added. Handout picture released on April 26, 2020 by El Salvador's Presidency press office showing inmates at the Izalco prison | AFP The investigation into 22 murders is underway, however, authorities believe all the murders are gang-related. The maximum emergency lockdown has been put in place to ensure that the police investigation may be conducted freely. This is the highest number recorded in the country in terms of single day murders since Bukele assumed office last June, The Guardian reported. The number of murders in El Salvador has fallen significantly in the recent years though, under Bukele administration. In the last few months, the country has gone for days without a single murder, a big feat for the country. The lockdown measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 are among the strictest across the world in the country. El Salvador has been marred by street gang violence for years. Known as “maras”, these gangs led to the country’s notoriously high homicide rate. In fact, it has remained highest across the Americas.

This small American country witnessed 22 prison homicides in one day!

As the world deals with lockdown blues, people are coming up with strange excuses and strategies to circumvent the rules.

In India, a man bought a huge stock of onions so that he may be able to move from the southern part of the country to its northern state.

The hardest hit continent - Europe has largely remained under lockdown over the last few weeks. However, as the recovery rate starts to improve and the number of infections continue to drop, people are sneaking out and about.

Spain has a loophole in its lockdown rules: people with pets may leave their homes to walk their pets. However, not everybody is walking their pets.

With no clear dictation of what encapsulates pets, people have taken full liberty.

Just on Friday, the Spanish National Police shared an image on Twitter whereby a man was fined for walking an unusual pet… a fish in a bowl! The incident happened in Lograno, a town in northern Spain. He was later penalised by the authorities for breaking the code. 
 
The tweet below translates into "Agents of the police force&nbsp;have found a person for going out to "walk" their fish on the street. Agents spotted him on #Logroño carrying a fish tank against what is stipulated in the RD of the State of Alarm."

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Agentes de la <a href="https://twitter.com/policia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@policia</a> han sancionado a una persona por salir a "pasear" a sus peces por la calle. Los agentes le avistaron en <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Logro%C3%B1o?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Logroño</a> portando una pecera en contra de lo estipulado en el RD del Estado de Alarma. 
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos</a> <a href="https://t.co/lOFVnDX6Fi">pic.twitter.com/lOFVnDX6Fi</a>
— Policía Nacional (@policia) <a href="https://twitter.com/policia/status/1253594777418776577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, on March 25, a man was seen walking his hen. Take a look below!

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoTieneGracia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoTieneGracia</a> 
 
Guardias civiles de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lanzarote?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lanzarote</a> denuncian a una persona por incumplir las medidas de limitación de circulación impuestas en por el estado de alarma paseando una gallina<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos</a> <a href="https://t.co/kZ7vGuTKE5">pic.twitter.com/kZ7vGuTKE5</a>
— Guardia Civil 🇪🇸 (@guardiacivil) <a href="https://twitter.com/guardiacivil/status/1242814616561909761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The police tweeted, "Civil guards of #Lanzarote fined&nbsp;a person for failing to comply with the movement limitation measures imposed by the state of alarm while walking a hen".

In another bizarre incident in Spain, an unidentified citizen in Murcia was seen dressed as a Tyrannosaurus rex. The images went viral on social media!

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En estado de alarma se permite el paseo de mascotas acompañadas de una persona, siempre con paseos cortos para hacer sus necesidades. 
 
El que tengas complejo de Tyrannosaurus rex no está contemplado.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/qu%C3%A9dateencasa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#quédateencasa</a> <a href="https://t.co/C8dWkrvAdm">pic.twitter.com/C8dWkrvAdm</a>
— Policía Local Murcia (@MurciaPolicia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MurciaPolicia/status/1239659731377098752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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It only gets stranger in the land of Spain: Another person was arrested for walking a toy dog on a leash. Video below:

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Pedimos SENSATEZ durante el <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EstadoDeEmergencia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EstadoDeEmergencia</a> por culpa del <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a>. 
 
Estamos ante una situación MUY GRAVE como para andar por la calle intentando engañar a la <a href="https://twitter.com/policia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@policia</a>... NO nos engañas y además serás sancionado. 
 
Es una cuestión de salud pública.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos</a> <a href="https://t.co/67cjOMNdC3">pic.twitter.com/67cjOMNdC3</a>
— JUPOL (@JupolNacional) <a href="https://twitter.com/JupolNacional/status/1239652064004911104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After this clip went viral, the police announced:&nbsp;"Do not try to deceive us!"

Spain recently decided to extend its lockdown until May 9, to ensure that the slowing rate of infections continues steadily. In Spain alone, over 20,000 people have died of the virus so far. If the lockdown officially ends on May 9, the country would have spent six weeks under lockdown in total.

As the world deals with lockdown blues, people are coming up with strange excuses and strategies to circumvent the rules. In India, a man bought a huge stock of onions so that he may be able to move from the southern part of the country to its northern state.

As the world deals with lockdown blues, people are coming up with strange excuses and strategies to circumvent the rules. In India, a man bought a huge stock of onions so that he may be able to move from the southern part of the country to its northern state. The hardest hit continent - Europe has largely remained under lockdown over the last few weeks. However, as the recovery rate starts to improve and the number of infections continue to drop, people are sneaking out and about. Spain has a loophole in its lockdown rules: people with pets may leave their homes to walk their pets. However, not everybody is walking their pets. With no clear dictation of what encapsulates pets, people have taken full liberty. Just on Friday, the Spanish National Police shared an image on Twitter whereby a man was fined for walking an unusual pet… a fish in a bowl! The incident happened in Lograno, a town in northern Spain. He was later penalised by the authorities for breaking the code. The tweet below translates into "Agents of the police force have found a person for going out to "walk" their fish on the street. Agents spotted him on #Logroño carrying a fish tank against what is stipulated in the RD of the State of Alarm." Agentes de la @policia han sancionado a una persona por salir a "pasear" a sus peces por la calle. Los agentes le avistaron en #Logroño portando una pecera en contra de lo estipulado en el RD del Estado de Alarma. #EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos pic.twitter.com/lOFVnDX6Fi — Policía Nacional (@policia) April 24, 2020 × Earlier, on March 25, a man was seen walking his hen. Take a look below! #NoTieneGracia Guardias civiles de #Lanzarote denuncian a una persona por incumplir las medidas de limitación de circulación impuestas en por el estado de alarma paseando una gallina#EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos pic.twitter.com/kZ7vGuTKE5 — Guardia Civil 🇪🇸 (@guardiacivil) March 25, 2020 × The police tweeted, "Civil guards of #Lanzarote fined a person for failing to comply with the movement limitation measures imposed by the state of alarm while walking a hen". In another bizarre incident in Spain, an unidentified citizen in Murcia was seen dressed as a Tyrannosaurus rex. The images went viral on social media! En estado de alarma se permite el paseo de mascotas acompañadas de una persona, siempre con paseos cortos para hacer sus necesidades. El que tengas complejo de Tyrannosaurus rex no está contemplado.#quédateencasa pic.twitter.com/C8dWkrvAdm — Policía Local Murcia (@MurciaPolicia) March 16, 2020 × It only gets stranger in the land of Spain: Another person was arrested for walking a toy dog on a leash. Video below: Pedimos SENSATEZ durante el #EstadoDeEmergencia por culpa del #COVID19. Estamos ante una situación MUY GRAVE como para andar por la calle intentando engañar a la @policia... NO nos engañas y además serás sancionado. Es una cuestión de salud pública.#EsteVirusLoParamosUnidos pic.twitter.com/67cjOMNdC3 — JUPOL (@JupolNacional) March 16, 2020 × After this clip went viral, the police announced: "Do not try to deceive us!" Spain recently decided to extend its lockdown until May 9, to ensure that the slowing rate of infections continues steadily. In Spain alone, over 20,000 people have died of the virus so far. If the lockdown officially ends on May 9, the country would have spent six weeks under lockdown in total.

Hens? Fish? Spaniards walk strange 'pets' as country extends lockdown to May 9

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