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Showing posts from February, 2020

I've taken 6 flights in a month throughout Asia as the coronavirus spreads — here's how the outbreak forced me to change how I travel

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In the last four weeks, I've taken six fights throughout Asia – half domestic, half international. Here is what I have learned. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2PyLTCj

Bernie Sanders has a convenient change of heart on delegate rules. Will Democrats buy it?

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There’s one big issue that Bernie Sanders has reversed himself on — and it could complicate his path to the nomination. The issue is the role of so-called superdelegates at the Democratic convention. These are the elected officials and party leaders who are automatically seated but whose votes only come into play after the first ballot. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2I6JI54

Why is Iran's reported mortality rate for coronavirus higher than in other countries?

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Iran has now suspended parliament indefinitely due to the outbreak. Secretary of State Pompeo says the U.S. has offered to help Iran respond to the virus. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/3c6yyLf

The US has reported its first coronavirus death: a man in his 50s in Washington

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The man had underlying health problems that put him at high risk of developing a severe case of the virus. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/3clM2mo

Pence tells Rush Limbaugh, who said coronavirus has been overhyped: 'We're all in this together'

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Limbaugh has said concerns about the coronavirus are being "weaponized" by Democrats and the media and compared the virus to "the common cold." from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2wZQTd3

South Carolina primary: Joe Biden projected to win

It comes as a major boost to the former vice-president's flagging presidential campaign. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2PALoaR

Afghan conflict: What will Taliban do after signing US deal?

A sense of cautious optimism is rising, but Afghanistan's political future is yet to be decided. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/32BUtFX

Your pictures on the theme of 'railways'

Each week, we publish a gallery of readers' pictures on a set theme. This week it is "railways" from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2Vvwab1

Northern rail: Government takes over after chaos

The government takes over services from Sunday which were previously operated by Arriva Rail North. from BBC News - Business https://ift.tt/2I8uJr6

Coronavirus: Italian economy takes a body blow

Could Italy's health crisis be the factor that tips the country into another recession? from BBC News - Business https://ift.tt/2vuDBEJ

Man whose son was found encased in cement sentenced to 72 years in prison

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A Colorado man whose seven-year-old son was repeatedly abused before being found encased in concrete in a Denver storage unit has been sentenced to 72 years in prison for the death.Leland Pankey received the sentence on Friday, with one count of child abuse landing him 48 years in prison and 24 years for tampering with the body. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2TaIVX3

Turkey Will Allow Up to One Million Syrian Refugees to Breach Its Borders to Reach Europe

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Turkey will allow up to one million Syrian refugees to pass through its territory to reach Europe ahead of a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive on the last rebel-held territory in the war-torn country."We have decided, effectively immediately, not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe by land or sea," a Turkish official told Reuters. "All refugees, including Syrians, are now welcome to cross into the European Union."Footage of Syrian refugees boarding boats attempting to reach the islands of Greece was broadcast on CNN Turkey, while a reporter for Middle East Eye shared a picture of a bus placed by Greek authorities in front of its Pazarkule border crossing with Turkey, to prevent refugees from entering.Syria's offensive on Idlib province, targeting the last remnants of the rebellion including several Al-Qaeda groups, has forced one million people to flee their homes. International aid groups have struggled to provide food and shelter to refugees,

Trump Team Testing ‘Off-the-Shelf’ Drugs to Cure Coronavirus

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(Bloomberg) -- The Trump administration is testing existing “off-the-shelf” drugs to combat the coronavirus, a cabinet official said Saturday.A national lab in Tennessee recently made “an important discovery” involving existing drugs, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland.“The scientists at our Oak Ridge National Laboratory were able to look at the protein strains and determine -- perhaps, it’s still early -- that we can find some off-the-shelf drugs that can help us not only cure the disease but stop the spread of the infection,” Brouillette said.Brouillette was responding to a question about what his agency is doing to help combat the virus, which has caused markets to plunge and killed nearly 3,000 people across the globe. In the U.S., where 22 cases have been reported, the virus has killed one person -- a woman from Washington state -- and more cases are likely, President Donald Trump said Saturday.In addition to the labor

Rejected by Jamaica, Caymans over virus fears, cruise ship docks in Mexico

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A cruise ship turned away from Jamaica and the Cayman Islands after a crew member tested positive for flu has docked in Mexico and passengers will be allowed to disembark as long as "health standards" are met, the country's president said Thursday. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters that the Meraviglia, which has been anchored off Cozumel island in the Caribbean since Wednesday, "is being allowed to dock" and those aboard may be allowed off. The operator, MSC Cruises, lashed out at authorities for refusing to allow it to dock at its previous destinations for "acting out of fears" over the new coronavirus. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/389i55V

Trump Nominates John Ratcliffe to Be Director of National Intelligence—Again

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President Trump announced late Friday that he is nominating Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) to be his next director of national intelligence. That’s despite the former Texas prosecutor withdrawing his nomination last year.Ratcliffe, a large Trump donor, dropped out of the nomination process in July 2019, blaming unfair media coverage. But The Daily Beast reported that before Racliffe announced his withdrawal, an email revealing his alleged involvement in a contentious whistleblowing case made its way to the White House. On Friday, Trump tweeted that he “would have completed [the] process earlier” but “John wanted to wait until after IG Report was finished,” an apparent reference to the inspector general’s report on how the FBI handled its counterintelligence probe of Trump campaign associates.“John is an outstanding man of great talent!” he wrote.Just last week, Trump appointed U.S. Ambassador to Germany and longtime Trumpworld loyalist Richard Grenell, who has no intelligence experience, a

South Carolina primary results in full – county by county

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Get the results in the crucial early voting state * South Carolina Democrats vote as Biden looks for win to boost flagging campaign * Help us cover the critical issues of 2020. Consider making a contributionSouth Carolina is the first state in the deep south to cast its vote in the primary race, where African American voters form a majority of the electorate. Democrats and Republicans will be voting, but because Donald Trump faces no serious opposition, all eyes will be on the Democratic contest.default What is a primary?The primaries and caucuses are a series of contests, in all 50 US states plus Washington DC and US territories, by which the party selects its presidential nominee. Most US states hold primary elections, in which voters go to a polling place, mail in their ballots or otherwise vote remotely. A handful of states hold caucuses – complicated, hours-long meetings, which continue until one candidate emerges as victor. And the process is different for Democrats and Republica

El Salvador's president vetoes controversial war crimes law

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El Salvador President Nayib Bukele on Friday vetoed a controversial law intended to allow the prosecution of crimes committed during the country's bloody civil war, arguing it was not in the interest of victims. Congress had narrowly approved the law on Wednesday but opponents criticize that it would allow judges to substantially reduce the sentences of perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Human rights organizations and families of victims had asked him to veto it. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/3ck3GHm

Sub-Saharan Africa just recorded its first coronavirus case. The WHO and Bill Gates have warned that Africa can't deal with an outbreak.

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The World Health Organization fears Africa's "fragile healthcare systems" may not be able to cope with a serious outbreak of COVID-19. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2vfuAj1

Americans of all parties agree: Joe Biden is old, Michael Bloomberg is rich

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Pollsters at The Associated Press and NORC gave the public a chance to describe presidential candidates in one word or short phrase. The results were... telling.Democrats described former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg as nearly equal parts "smart," "young," and "gay." Independents and Republicans were far more likely to describe him as "gay," as well as "inexperienced," and "centrist." Philanthropist Tom Steyer was more overwhelmingly described as "rich" by Democrats, while independents and Republicans opted for "inexperienced."While former Vice President Joe Biden scored some mentions of "good person" among Democrats, he mostly got "old." Independents and Republicans also mostly called him "old," followed by "corrupt" and "creepy."Democrats and independents similarly described Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as "old" at the highest rate, th

Number of coronavirus cases from unknown source growing in U.S.

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Three new presumptive cases were reported Friday on the West Coast, with patients in Oregon, Washington and California, but it's not clear how they were infected. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2x043GT

Mainland China reports 573 new coronavirus cases on Feb. 29

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Mainland China reported 573 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Feb. 29, up from 427 on the previous day, the country's health authority said on Sunday. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2vjsr5X

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Fox News Breaking News Alert Biden wins South Carolina Democratic primary, Fox News projects, in crucial boost to campaign after early losses 02/29/20 4:01 PM

Mainland China reports 573 new coronavirus cases on Feb. 29

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Mainland China reported 573 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Feb. 29, up from 427 on the previous day, the country's health authority said on Sunday. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2vjsr5X

Russian Firm Dodging U.S. Questions on ‘Putin’s Chef’ Ties

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2T7qrqu

US reports first drug shortage tied to virus outbreak

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Health officials reported the first U.S. drug shortage tied to the viral outbreak that is disrupting production in China, but they declined to identify the manufacturer or the product. The Food and Drug Administration said late Thursday that the drug's maker recently contacted officials about the shortage, which it blamed on a manufacturing issue with the medicine's key ingredient. The FDA previously said it had reached out to 180 drug manufacturers and asked them to check their supply chain and report any potential disruptions. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/384XcbT

Super Tuesday: Professor who predicted last 9 elections says Democrats could face first brokered convention in nearly 70 years

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Days out from Super Tuesday, when voters in 14 states will cast ballots in the Democratic primary, a professor who predicted the past nine elections says that the United States may well be staring down its first brokered convention in nearly 70 years.It’s a prospect that has stirred considerable consternation among Democratic Party officials and voters, many of whom have said their primary concern is beating Donald Trump in November — even as an enthusiastic debate over the future of democratic politics has raged on the campaign trail. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2VvHvYx

Police identify victims, shooter in Milwaukee brewery shooting rampage

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Police in Milwaukee on Thursday identified the five brewery employees shot and killed by a co-worker who later took his own life in the latest spasm of gun violence plaguing U.S. workplaces and schools. The motive for the carnage was unclear a day after the shooting at the landmark Molson Coors Beverage Co complex shook Wisconsin's largest city. "Reasons for this are still under investigation," Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2HXGtMX

Walkout as Polanksi wins 'best director' at Césars

The Polish-French director is wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old in the 1970s. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2wikSfz

Leap Year: What it's like being born on 29 February?

People around the world tell us what it's like being born on 29 February. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2TcbZ0p

Latvia railway: Why I love living in an old train station

Milda Romanova's home is an old rail station, and at 88 she still loves all things trains. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2VvjX6j

Map: Confirmed coronavirus cases, worldwide

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More than 81,000 people have been sickened by a coronavirus, mostly in China. This map is updated daily. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2uxBlw0

The Sinister Sanders Child-Care Plan

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Bernie Sanders announced a “universal child care” proposal at the end of his wide-ranging 60 Minutes interview with Anderson Cooper. The plan would guarantee “every child in America free full-day, full-week, high-quality child care from infancy through age three,” and the campaign estimates that it would cost taxpayers 1.5 trillion dollars over ten years. But aside from being prohibitively expensive and distressingly vague, the plan looks an awful lot like social engineering.Start with the price tag. After failing to explain how he would pay for his expansive agenda — “I can't rattle off to you every nickel and every dime,” Sanders told Anderson Cooper in a disastrous moment of candor — the Sanders campaign released a partial list of pay-fors the day after the interview, laying out the cost of the senator’s major proposals alongside the tax hikes a Sanders administration would pursue to finance its domestic agenda. The campaign pegged the child-care proposal at a $150 billion annua

Idaho targets transgender people, birth certificate changes

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Idaho lawmakers moved forward Thursday with legislation banning transgender people from changing the sex listed on their birth certificates despite a federal court ruling declaring such a ban unconstitutional. Ohio and Tennessee are the only other states in the country where transgender people cannot change their birth certificates, according to a law firm that has challenged the practice in court. In Idaho, this is another effort by the conservative state to target the population as Republicans in the House a day earlier advanced legislation to keep transgender women from competition. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/398dUsa

Central Park Five's Kevin Richardson slams Bloomberg campaign

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Kevin Richardson, a member of the Central Park Five, has hit out at Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s presidential run and his blocking of a multimillion-dollar settlement over the group’s wrongful persecution.Mr Richardson, one of the five teenagers wrongfully convicted for the shocking assault of Trishia Meili in 1989, was reported to have criticised Mr Bloomberg at an event outside his campaign office in Manhattan. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/3cjCXdJ

Court won't let Trump pardon void guilty verdict against Arpaio

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2vkC8AM

Used to giving orders, Kansas abortion foes can't cut a deal

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Abortion opponents who've become used to giving orders to Kansas lawmakers on the exact wording of new restrictions are stymied now that they face compromising to get a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution on the ballot. After falling short in a House vote three weeks ago, abortion opponents have pressured a dozen members who voted no, moderate Republicans and Democrats who are Catholic or who represent relatively conservative or heavily Catholic districts. Kansans for Life, the state's most influential anti-abortion group and a GOP power-broker, has for years told lawmakers what proposals to pursue and has watched them approve the group's language and echo its talking points. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/32F1IwD

Mexico Has Two Coronavirus Cases, Health Officials Say

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(Bloomberg) -- A 35-year-old man was confirmed as the first coronavirus case in Mexico, the country’s deputy health minister said on Friday. A second case was verified by a state health official.The first patient has a mild case and has been put in quarantine along with family members in the country’s Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference for further testing, deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said at the National Palace.The man is a resident of Mexico City who took a trip to Italy in February. The case is Mexico’s first, and the second known instance in Latin America after Brazil confirmed a case on Wednesday.“We have the capacity to deal with the situation,” President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said at his morning press conference.The man traveled to Bergamo, Italy, for a conference, where he had direct contact with an infected Italian national who normally lives in Malaysia.The second case, in the northern border state of Sinaloa, is a 41-year-old man who also

Why is Iran's reported mortality rate for coronavirus higher than in other countries?

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Iran has now suspended parliament indefinitely due to the outbreak. Secretary of State Pompeo says the U.S. has offered to help Iran respond to the virus. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/3c6yyLf

A man convicted for killing his high school girlfriend was freed by decades-old DNA evidence. Now he's on a mission to find the real killer.

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Leah Freeman's shoes were the only clue police had in her murder — and the only evidence that her high school boyfriend Nick McGuffin wasn't her killer. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2w9592y

The Strange Tale of How British Commandos Attacked Hitler's Fish Oil Production

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More important than you know. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2w9OlbH

Mike Huckabee goes on bizarre rant about Trump 'sucking' coronavirus out of Americans' lungs

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In Donald Trump’s America, very few national figures are as loyal to the president as Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and father of the former White House press secretary.And, as criticism has mounted regarding Mr Trump’s reaction to the deadly coronavirus, Mr Huckabee got a chance to display that obedience once again — and took the bait, hook line and sinker, by delivering a bizarre defence of the man. from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/39abrNV

Canadian National Railway starts calling back employees laid off during rail blockade

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Canadian National Railway Co has started calling back many of the 450 workers it laid off earlier this month in eastern Canada, when blockades crippled operations on strategic rail lines, according to a company email sent to customers on Friday. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2vhVO8G

Biotechnology trade group taps former Biogen CEO as its coronavirus czar

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The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the biotechnology industry's largest trade association, told Reuters on Friday that former Biogen Inc CEO George Scangos would coordinate its response to the global coronavirus outbreak. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2I3WoJP

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Fox News Breaking News Alert President Trump holds a rally in North Charleston, S.C., 24 hours before the polls close in the state's Democratic primary. Watc 02/28/20 4:09 PM

Polanski wins Cesar Award for best director, prompting walkout protest

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Roman Polanski scooped France's Cesar Award for best directing for his film "An Officer and a Spy" on Friday, prompting a walkout by several women in the audience in protest at honoring a man facing rape accusations. from Reuters: Entertainment News https://ift.tt/2Vuz3sI

Polanski wins best director at Cesar awards, several actresses leave in protest

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Roman Polanski, who faces accusations of rape, won France's Cesar Award for best directing for his film "An Officer and a Spy" on Friday, prompting several actresses to walk out of the ceremony in protest. from Reuters: Entertainment News https://ift.tt/3ckBuUw