Tranding Video: April 2020

Thursday, 30 April 2020

Leave.EU founder Arron Banks did not break electoral law

Arron Banks, the Brexit campaigner, has said he has been "completely vindicated" after reaching a settlement with the Electoral Commission. The watchdog referred the Leave.EU co-founder to the National Crime Agency (NCA) after his campaign was fined for breaking electoral law. But the agency found "no evidence" of criminal offences and Mr Banks threatened to sue the commission over £8 million in referendum campaign funding. The watchdog said all parties had "agreed amicable terms of settlement", but said the commission "considers it was right to refer this matter to the NCA for further investigation" in October 2018. A statement added that it "accepts" the NCA's conclusions. Mr Banks said: "The statement completely vindicates me and our position. "As the NCA concluded the money came from myself and my business and it's good to see the Electoral Commission concede this." He called for "an urgent inquiry by Parliament" to investigate the Electoral Commission, the Information Commissioner's Office and some MPs who have criticised him.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/3bUifke

Joe Biden to break his silence on Tara Reade's sexual assault claim Friday

The presumptive nominee has come under pressure to address the allegation from fellow Democrats and progressive activists

Joe Biden will publicly address for the first time a sexual assault claim against him during an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Friday morning, after weeks of silence on the subject.

Biden, the presumptive nominee, will “respond for the first time to the recent allegation of sexual assault”, the network announced in a tweet on Thursday.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3bZ9RQE

Trump claims to have evidence coronavirus started in Chinese lab but offers no details

President touts unsubstantiated theory shortly after director of national intelligence rejects it

Donald Trump claimed to have seen evidence to substantiate the unproven theory that the coronavirus originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, despite US intelligence agencies’ conclusion that the virus was “not manmade or genetically modified”.

“We’re going to see where it comes from,” Trump said at a White House event on Thursday. “We have people looking at it very, very strongly. Scientific people, intelligence people, and others. We’re going to put it all together. I think we will have a very good answer eventually. And China might even tell us.”

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2SooANg

Trump suggests coronavirus linked to Wuhan lab: Live updates

President launches latest attack against China as US economy sustains more hits with 30 million jobless.

from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/3aYSOgg

UK coronavirus toll nears Italy's, PM says nation 'past the peak'

Boris Johnson has briefed the press on the fight against coronavirus, following his own battle with the disease.

from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/35m3sMT

Australia urged to suspend logging in wake of devastating fires

Campaigners are angry that while they are unable to protest because of the coronavirus lockdown, logging can continue.

from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/3d3xveD

New top story on Hacker News: Release (YC W20) Is Hiring a Senior SW Engineer – Cloud Infrastructure (Remote)

Release (YC W20) Is Hiring a Senior SW Engineer – Cloud Infrastructure (Remote)
1 by tommy_mcclung | 0 comments on Hacker News.

New top story on Hacker News: Charles-Henri Sanson, Royal Executioner (2018)

Charles-Henri Sanson, Royal Executioner (2018)
5 by vezycash | 0 comments on Hacker News.

Fiona Ex Machina

By BY WESLEY MORRIS AND JENNA WORTHAM from NYT Podcasts https://ift.tt/3f6bY75

Two Arrested in Killings of Transgender Women in Puerto Rico

By BY MICHAEL LEVENSON AND SANDRA E. GARCIA from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2YnU3CH

Peter Hunt, Who Directed the Broadway Hit ‘1776,’ Dies at 81

By BY NEIL GENZLINGER from NYT Theater https://ift.tt/2VR35Xb

Scrambling the Political Divide: ‘No Normal Recession’

By BY LISA LERER from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2VQ3U2w

In a Crisis, True Leaders Stand Out

By BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/2Wc5wTr

Amazon Sells More, but Warns of Much Higher Costs Ahead

By BY KAREN WEISE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2xrY3Hw

Australia plots return of sport as spread of coronavirus slows

The Australian government will meet on Friday to discuss how sport can restart as the number of new coronavirus cases dwindles and states begin to relax restrictions on social gatherings, two sources familiar with the details told Reuters.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2Smlc5g

Most of U.S. House urges more diplomacy at U.N. to renew Iran arms embargo: sources

Nearly 90% of U.S. House of Representatives members have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to increase its diplomatic action at the United Nations to renew an arms embargo on Iran, congressional sources said on Thursday.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/3f8uGuM

Coronavirus: Armed protesters enter Michigan statehouse

Several senators reportedly wore bulletproof vests as armed demonstrators looked on from the gallery.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2y4mOtH

Coronavirus live news: Trump claims to have evidence virus started in Wuhan lab as UK is 'past the peak'

US government experts say virus ‘not manmade or genetically modified’; Germany and Spain ease lockdowns; outbreak increasing in Africa. Follow the latest updates

12.55am BST

Here’s the full story on the armed protestors in Michigan:

12.48am BST

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines said Thursday they will soon require passengers to cover their faces during flights, following the lead of JetBlue Airways, Reuters reports.

The move comes as airlines big and small contemplate how to comply with social-distancing recommendations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2VPPgsf

Stealth plunder of Argentinian waters raises fears over marine monitoring

Green groups fear coronavirus lockdown has weakened environmental protections

An “armada” of more than 100 fishing vessels are illegally plundering south Atlantic waters close to Argentina, environmental groups say, raising concerns that the coronavirus lockdown has weakened already fragile marine protections.

The incursion of the ships, mostly from east Asia, appears to have been carried out by stealth. The vessels waited until nightfall, shut down satellite tracking systems in coordination and then moved into the squid-rich waters of Argentina’s exclusive economic zone, Greenpeace said.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2VQHEpc

Ms Du, door sensors and me: life with a Beijing Covid-19 quarantine handler

China’s coronavirus measures are often seen as tough and effective - but how well do they really work?

Every day for the last two weeks I have spoken with Ms Du, a mild-mannered, middle-aged woman who is my quarantine handler.

She calls me in the morning to remind me to send her my temperature. She calls again if I forget to send the afternoon reading. She texts rose emojis, reminding me to “please cooperate” with the rules. If I open my door, equipped with a sensor, to put the rubbish in the hall or pick up a delivery, she immediately calls and reminds me to let her know beforehand.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2yW6xXG

UN chief:16 armed groups have responded to cease-fire appeal

Sixteen armed groups have responded positively to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ appeal for a global cease-fire to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, but the U.N. chief said Thursday that mistrust remains high and turning intentions into an end to hostilities is difficult. According to an informal tally kept by the U.N. based on various sources, the 16 armed groups that responded positively are from Yemen, Myanmar, Ukraine, Philippines, Colombia, Angola, Libya, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Indonesia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Guterres said his special representatives and envoys are working, with his own involvement when necessary, “to turn expressed intentions into effective cease-fires.”

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://ift.tt/2WfZj8N

Africa's week in pictures: 24 - 30 April 2020

A selection of the week's best photos from across the continent and beyond.

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

Russia's prime minister has coronavirus, he tells Putin

Mikhail Mishustin will temporarily stand down as prime minister, to be replaced by economist Andrei Belousov.

from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2YsGQsF

Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Coronavirus: Why the fashion industry faces an 'existential crisis'

"No-one wants to buy clothes to sit at home in," as Next's chief executive Simon Wolfson puts it.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2Wc9YBC

Coronavirus: Why so many US nurses are out of work

At a time when many healthcare workers are risking their lives, some face pay cuts and job loss.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2VMxYMs

How will airlines get flying again?

When passenger planes start flying again, the world of air travel will be very different.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3cXyT2s

Russia Suspends All Grain Export Until July 1

RFE: Russia Cuts Off Wheat, Other Grain Exports

The Russian Agriculture Ministry announced on April 26 that it was suspending its export of most grains until July 1, seemingly shrugging off warnings from international organizations who are asking countries not to disrupt global food supply chains during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The ministry said the Russian cutoff affected shipments of wheat, corn, rye, barley, and meslin, which is a mixture of wheat and rye.

It made no mention of the crisis from the coronavirus that has infected 185 countries or regions around the world and infected nearly 3 million people since emerging in central China in December 2019.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is evolving into one of my long time fears. Specifically .... we are leaving the ‘can I get food?’ demand side, and transitioning into the ‘we have the food but aren’t sure we want you to have it’ supply side. Vietnam has done it with its rice exports, and now Russia is doing it with its wheat.

More News On Russia Suspending All Grain Export Until July 1

Russia suspends grain export until July 1 -- TASS
Russia limits grain exports to avoid domestic price spikes amid global coronavirus crisis -- RT
Russia Halts Wheat Exports, Deepening Fears of Global Food Shortages -- Time/Bloomberg
Russia halts grain exports to prevent domestic food price spikes -- BNE IntelliNews
Exports of Russian wheat dry up, stoking food security concerns -- Al Jazeera
Do Russian grain export limits threaten global food security? -- RT

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/2SncAvn

Russian President Putin Says The Worst Of The Pandemic Is Yet To Come

RT: Putin prolongs nationwide paid leave and partial lockdown until May 11 as daily Covid-19 infections surge

Russians will have to self-isolate until May 11, President Vladimir Putin has said, as the country braces itself for the peak of the Covid-19 epidemic, which has infected over 95,000 people nationwide.

The move, which Putin announced during a closely watched address, comes as the previous April 30 deadline was set to expire. That date was set on April 2, and involved a combination of partial lockdowns and paid holidays for all Russians working in non-essential roles.

The gradual removal of the coronavirus lockdown measures will begin from May 12, Putin said, giving the government a week to come up with recommendations on how to make it work.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Not going to happen .... Russia might ease coronavirus restrictions in two weeks (WHO).

More News On the Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic In Russia

Russia’s coronavirus cases exceed 99,000 -- TASS
Russia coronavirus cases near 100,000 as Putin warns peak ahead -- Al Jazeera
A total of 65 coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day, overall death toll at 611 -- TASS
Moscow Hospitals Overwhelmed As Russia Hits 100,000 COVID Cases, Surpassing Iran & China -- Zero Hedge
Russian President Vladimir Putin Addresses Nation on COVID-19 Situation - Video -- Sputnik
Coronavirus: Putin admits PPE shortage as lockdown extended -- BBC
Putin Says Russia Facing Difficult Stage of Epidemic, Urges Self-Isolation Extension Until 11 May -- Sputnik
Putin extends Russia's lockdown for two weeks, prepares to ease in mid-May -- Reuters
Russia’s coronavirus outbreak is getting bad. Putin says the worst is yet to come. -- VOX News
Poll Finds Russians' Trust In Putin Dips To Lowest Point In 14 Years -- RFE
Trust in Vladimir Putin Falls to 14-year Low as Russia Government Faces Criticism Over Coronavirus Response: Poll -- Newsweek
Russia Extends Entry Ban for Foreigners Over Pandemic -- AFP
Concern as coronavirus threatens Russia's closed ‘nuclear cities’ -- The Guardian
Four Weeks Into Russia's Economic Quarantine, Confusion Reigns -- Moscow Times

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/3f6SGyf

Trump erupts at campaign team as his poll numbers slide

President Donald Trump erupted at his top political advisers last week when they presented him with worrisome polling data that showed his support eroding in a series of battleground states as his response to the coronavirus comes under criticism. As the virus takes its deadly toll and much of the nation's economy remains shuttered, new surveys by the Republican National Committee and Trump's campaign pointed to a harrowing picture for the president as he faces reelection. While Trump saw some of the best approval ratings of his presidency during the early weeks of the crisis, aides highlighted the growing political cost of the crisis and the unforced errors by Trump in his freewheeling press briefings.

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

Maj Sjöwall: ‘Nordic noir’ pioneer, author of the Martin Beck series, dies aged 84

With her husband Per Wahloo, who died in 1975, Sjöwall’s books paved the way for the likes of Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson

Maj Sjöwall, one half of a Swedish crime-writing couple credited with inventing the “Nordic noir” genre, has died aged 84, her publisher said on Wednesday.

Sjöwall, a pioneer of gritty realism and an inspiration to modern crime writers, “passed away today after an extended period of illness,” Ann-Marie Skarp, head of publisher Piratforlaget, told AFP.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3f04faJ

Facebook reports slowest quarterly growth since going public

Company earns $4.9bn as it faces slowdown in digital advertising market amid coronavirus

Facebook reported its slowest quarterly growth as a public company, pressured by a global slowdown in the digital advertising market due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Like other tech companies, the social network is feeling the squeeze from the global pandemic, but its results still beat analyst expectations. Revenue rose 18% to $17.74bn, sending stocks surging more than 7% in after-hours trading.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3aQfWxl

Eastern Libyan forces have agreed a ceasefire during Ramadan

All military operations across Libya have stopped in response to international appeals

Eastern Libyan forces laying siege to the country’s capital of Tripoli have agreed on a humanitarian pause in fighting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Ahmed al-Mismari, a spokesman for the forces of military commander Khalifa Hiftar, said at a news conference that they have stopped all military operations across Libya in response to international appeals for a humanitarian truce so authorities could focus on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2zFVHFz

Ilford toddler stabbings: man arrested over murder of girl and boy

A 40-year-old is suspected of killing 19-month-old Pavinya Nithiyakumar and three-year-old Nigish Nithiyakumar in east London

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two toddlers were stabbed to death.

Nineteen-month-old Pavinya Nithiyakumar and three-year-old Nigish Nithiyakumar died after suffering knife wounds at their home in Ilford, east London.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2KKtkIz

Covidsafe app: how to download Australia's coronavirus contact tracing app and how it works

The app will ask for your name (or pseudonym), age range, postcode and phone number. Scott Morrison says the Australian government’s covid safe tracking app won’t be mandatory to download and install, but could play a part in easing Covid-19 restrictions

The Australian government has launched Covidsafe, an app that traces every person running the app who has been in contact with someone else using the app who has tested positive for coronavirus in the previous few weeks, in a bid to automate coronavirus contact tracing, and allow the easing of restrictions.

Here’s what we know about the app so far.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2KXAmtT

Biden says he'd leave US embassy in Jerusalem if elected

Joe Biden says embassy 'should not have been moved', but now that it's done, he would not move it back to Tel Aviv.

from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2KII0I7

Britain now has Europe's second-highest COVID-19 death toll

Figures that include non-hospital deaths are still thought to undercount the true scale of the pandemic, say experts.

from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2YjumTS

Spanish football could return by mid-June

La Liga could soon kick off after a gradual lifting of restrictions designed to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2VLIrrE

Delivering Food Under Coronavirus

By Unknown Author from NYT Home Page https://ift.tt/3f5HYYL

The Trump Administration’s Legal Moves to Prevent a Meat Shortage, Explained

By BY CHARLIE SAVAGE from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2W43dl2

Trump Seeks Push to Speed Vaccine, Despite Safety Concerns

By BY DAVID E. SANGER from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/3bQeDjg

Trump and Kushner Engage in Wishful Thinking and Revisionist History

By BY PETER BAKER from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2KHfbMi

China opposes international COVID-19 probe that presumes its guilt: vice foreign minister

China "resolutely opposes" any international inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic that presumes its guilt, said Yue Yucheng, a vice-foreign minister, in comments published on Thursday.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2xjqGXa

Australia links coronavirus outbreak in remote south to Carnival Corp cruise ship

A coronavirus outbreak in Australia's remote southern island state of Tasmania likely originated from the Ruby Princess cruise ship, a government report published on Thursday concluded, as the national death toll rose to 91.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2Wcfu7i

Peru's leader says to propose comprehensive pension reform

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday rejected a bill approved by Congress earlier this month that would have let people withdraw up to 25% of their holdings in private pension funds and vowed to send a full pension reform plan to lawmakers.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2W8hoFS

New top story on Hacker News: SSH hacks – a little sanity for remote workers

SSH hacks – a little sanity for remote workers
19 by mxfurman | 4 comments on Hacker News.

New top story on Hacker News: Frank Ramsey – The Man Who Thought Too Fast

Frank Ramsey – The Man Who Thought Too Fast
10 by Hooke | 3 comments on Hacker News.

Tuesday, 28 April 2020

Justin Amash Moves Toward a Third-Party Bid for President

By BY JONATHAN MARTIN from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2SgY3kB

New top story on Hacker News: Proving that C++'s grammar is undecidable

Proving that C++'s grammar is undecidable
20 by vitaut | 5 comments on Hacker News.

AMC says it'll no longer play Universal Studios films

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, the world's largest movie theater operator, said on Tuesday it would no longer play any Universal Studios films in any of its theaters globally.

from Reuters: Entertainment News https://ift.tt/2SkMCZs
via IFTTT

Mfume to Return to Congress, Succeeding Elijah Cummings

By BY EMILY COCHRANE from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2YqZaCv

‘Miedo de ser enfermera’: Los trabajadores de la salud están bajo ataque

By BY KIRK SEMPLE from NYT en Español https://ift.tt/2KJKHJG

Trump offers rosy predictions for coronavirus testing as US passes 1m cases

President claims economy will rebound and suggests US, currently testing 200,000 a day, will be testing 5m ‘very soon’

Donald Trump has predicted a “great” economic rebound in the fall and claimed the country would soon be performing 5m coronavirus diagnostic tests a day, as the number of confirmed cases in the US surpassed a million.

Some health experts have suggested that the US would have to carry out 5m tests a day by June to reopen its economy safely. Others have suggested as many as 20m tests a day would ultimately be needed. The US daily rate is currently 200,000.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2YfCkxx

Coalition offers independent schools early funding if they return to face-to-face teaching

Victorian independent schools say federal funding offer leaves them in ‘unfair’ position

Independent Schools Victoria has blasted an offer from the education minister, Dan Tehan to bring forward independent and Catholic schools’ federal funding if they meet benchmarks to return to face-to-face teaching, accusing him of wedging schools in a dispute with the Victorian government.

After warning independent schools with the stick of withdrawing their funding if they didn’t open their doors, Tehan is now trying the carrot approach by offering them up to 25% of their total annual recurrent funding early, in late May and early June.

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Sb3Jgb