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-Top News COVID-19 USA

Cuomo warns against Thanksgiving gatherings

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo/Handout via Xinhua/IANS)

The Covid-19 test positivity rate in the focus areas under the micro-cluster strategy, where the pandemic has been the most severe in New York State, was 4.11 per cent on Wednesday…reports Asian Lite News

New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo has warned that a spike of new Covid-19 cases was expected after the Thanksgiving, which is a traditional holiday for families and friends to travel and get together.

“As hard as that is to say, and hear, because if I had to predict, you’re going to see a significant spike post-Thanksgiving. It is then going to run into the Christmas holidays, and you’re going to see these numbers go very high,” Xinhua news agency quotd Cuomo as saying in a statement on Thursdy.

“The travel is a real problem for us because this state still has the lowest infection, except for Vermont or Maine.

“If people are coming from Vermont or Maine, they don’t pose as much of a risk. If they’re coming from anywhere else, they pose a greater risk,” he added.

The Covid-19 test positivity rate in the focus areas under the micro-cluster strategy, where the pandemic has been the most severe in New York State, was 4.11 per cent on Wednesday.

The statewide positivity rate excluding these focus areas was 2.38 per cent.

  • New York, Nov. 04 (Xinhua) — A student is seen on the steps of the closed public school PS 139 in the Ditmas Park neighborhood in Brooklyn of New York, the United States, Oct. 8, 2020. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua/IANS)

Of the 195,239 tests reported Wednesday, 5,310 were positive, or 2.72 per cent of the total, according to the Governor.

Nationwide, the state’s Covid-19 test positivity rate on 7-day average ranked the third lowest, after Vermont and Maine, according to Johns Hopkins University’s statistics.

On Thursday, the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University reported 34,215 coronavirus deaths so far in New York state, the worst in the country.

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has advised Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving next week, as the country continues to see surge in Covid-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations.

More than 1 million Covid-19 cases were reported in the US over the last 7 days.

As cases continue to increase rapidly across the US, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with, according to the CDC.

Also read:Mexico reaches 100k Covid-19 deaths

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-Top News USA

US CDC advises not to travel for Thanksgiving

As cases continue to increase rapidly across the US, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with, said the guideline…reports Asian Lite News

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has advised Americans not to travel duringthe Thanksgiving holiday next week, as the number of fresh coronavirus cases and deaths were continuing to increase in the worst-hit country.

“Travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading Covid-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year,” Xinhua news agency quoted the CDC as saying in a new guideline posted on its website on Thursday.

More than 1 million Covid-19 cases were reported in the US over the last seven days.

As cases continue to increase rapidly across the US, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with, said the guideline.

“Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading Covid-19 or the flu,” it added.

As of Friday, the US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths at 11,710,084 and 252,484, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

Also read:Mexico reaches 100k Covid-19 deaths

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‘Undemocratic organ devoid of impartiality’: N.Korea slams UNSC

The envoy slammed the UN agency for condemning its outer space program as threats to international peace, saying the “practice of double standards and unfairness should no longer be tolerated”…Reports Asian Lite News

North Korea has slammed the UN Security Council (UNSC) for labelling the country’s space program as threats, calling the agency an “undemocratic organ devoid of impartiality”, the media reported on Friday.

While addressing a plenary session of the UN General Assembly earlier this week, North Korean Ambassador Kim Song stressed on the importance of reforming the UNSC for “better representation” of its member states, Yonhap News Agency reported.

“Until now even after 75 years of the founding of the UN, the Security Council does not extricate itself from the stigma of an undemocratic organ devoid of impartiality,” Kim said, according to the statement posted on the North Korean foreign ministry’s website.

The envoy slammed the UN agency for condemning its outer space program as threats to international peace, saying the “practice of double standards and unfairness should no longer be tolerated”.

“As is well known, illegal armed invasions and air strikes against sovereign states resulting in civilian killings are left unquestioned, whereas the righteous self-defensive measures for safeguarding sovereignty and even the exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes are labelled and condemned as threats to international peace,” he said.

Also read:UAE, S. Korea Foreign Ministers Hold In Depth Discussions

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-Top News UK News

Boris to announce decision on Priti Patel’s future

The inquiry was launched after Home Office chief Philip Rutnam, who is suing for constructive dismissal, resigned in February…reports Asian Lite News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announced his decision over the findings on an inquiry into Home Secretary Priti Patel’s conduct, a media report said on Friday citing sources.

The sources told the BBC that the Home Office report concluded that Patel broke rules on ministers’ behaviour.

The inquiry was launched after Home Office chief Philip Rutnam, who is suing for constructive dismissal, resigned in February.

Rutnam alleged that the staff felt Patel had “created fear”.

According to the sources, the report is understood to have looked at Patel’s behaviour at three different government departments – the Home Office, Work and Pensions and International Development.

But a spokesperson for Patel said that she has always denied the allegations and that there were never any formal complaints made against the Home Secretary.

UK PM to announce decision on Priti Patel’s future

Despite the inquiry, several Conservative MPs have backed Patel.

  • 30/07/2020. London, United Kingdom. Boris Johnson and Rishi take part in 24 hour Cycle challenge. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Chancellor Rishi Sunak join Gemma Connell from the Royal Squadron at RAF Northolt in her 24 hour cycle Challenge to raise money for Great Ormond Street 10 Downing Street. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC that she was an “excellent Home Secretary” who had “been nothing but courteous and kind in all the dealings I’ve had with her”.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Tom Tugendhat said Patel was popular “across” the party because she was “hardworking, determined and has been very kind to many”.

MP Julie Marson said: “Like many women operating in a man’s world, you have to be strong and decisive.”

An Indian-origin, Patel became the Home Secretary in July 2019.

She has previously served as the Secretary of State for International Development (2016-17), Minister of State for Employment (2015-16), Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (2014-15) and is also the incumbent MP for Witham.

Also read:UK to ban petrol, diesel cars by 2030

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-Top News EU News

Macron asks Muslim leaders to accept ‘republican values’

French President Emmanuel Macron

Macron gave a 15 day ultimatum to French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) to accept the charter, which will state that Islam is a religion and not a political movement, while also prohibiting “foreign interference” in Muslim groups…reports Hitesh Tikoo

  • French President Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Muslim leaders across the country to accept a “charter of republican values” as part of a nationwide crackdown on radical Islam.

Macron gave a 15 day ultimatum to French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) to accept the charter, which will state that Islam is a religion and not a political movement, while also prohibiting “foreign interference” in Muslim groups.

This comes after three Islamist terrorist attacks took place across the country in less than a month’s time.

One of the attacks included the horrific beheading of a 47-year-old school teacher, Samuel Paty, by an 18-year-old Chechen refugee after the victim showed cartoons of Prophet Mohammed to his students in a class on freedom of speech.

Emails published by Le Monde, a French daily afternoon newspaper, revealed Paty’s reluctance to do any more teaching on freedom of speech class, days after he showed the cartoons in his class.

“It’s really distressing and particularly as it comes from a family whose child wasn’t in my lesson and isn’t someone I know. It’s becoming a malicious rumour,” Paty had written in an email.

“I won’t do any more teaching on this topic – I’ll choose another freedom as a subject for teaching,” he wrote in a separate email.

Paty’s beheading prompted a strong response from the French government, including police raiding individuals and organisations that expressed support for the attack and attacker in the immediate aftermath of the beheading.

A well know mosque in a northern suburb of Paris was shut down by French authorities as part of their clampdown on Islamist groups and suspected extremists.

President Macron has described Islam as a religion “in crisis”, and has vowed to tackle what he calls “Islamist Separatism”.

Following his comments, Macron was criticised by several Muslim majority nations, including Turkey.

  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Macron and said in a televised speech” “I’ve said it on Saturday and am repeating it again, Macron needs to get himself checked out.”

The French President and his Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, met eight French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) leaders at the Elysee palace on Wednesday.

“Two principles will be inscribed in black and white (in the charter): the rejection of political Islam and any foreign interference,” Le Parisien said in a report after the meeting.

Also read:UAE, France discuss defence cooperation

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Italy allocates $526k for UN’s Libyan mission

“I strongly welcome Italy’s steadfast and longstanding support to the UN efforts in Libya,” said Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Stephanie Williams during the signing ceremony…reports Asian Lite News

The UN Development Program (UNDP) announced that Italy has supported the Libyan political dialogue program by providing a financial aid of 450,000 euros ($526,000 ).

According to a statement released by the UNDP on Thursday, an agreement was signed during the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) held in Tunisia during which Italy provided the aid to the program, reports Xinhua news agency.

The agreement, signed by Deputy General Director/Central Director for the Mediterranean and Middle East countries of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luca Gori, and UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Gerardo Noto, has raised the total fund from Italy to UNDP programs to 14,500,000 euros targeted to support stability, security and prosperity in Libya, said the statement.

“I strongly welcome Italy’s steadfast and longstanding support to the UN efforts in Libya,” said Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Stephanie Williams during the signing ceremony.

“The stabilization of Libya is a strategic priority for Italy. Since the beginning of the crisis, we have been advocating that the only way to ensure Libya’s stability, unity and integrity was to pursue political dialogue,” said Gori.

“Italy is a key partner of the stabilization facility contributing to recover communities and benefit people affected by conflict all around the country.

“We are looking forward to continue working together for peace and inclusive development in Libya,” said Noto.

Under the auspices of the UN, the LPDF took place in Tunis with participation of 75 Libyans representing the social and political spectrum of Libyan society, with the aim of discussing a political roadmap to achieve lasting peace.

Also read:Italy’s Covid-19 curve flattening

Also read:Italy to vaccinate 1.7mn by Jan end

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-Top News

Suga Aims To Bring Digital Transformation

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday said that the promotion of digital transformation and realization of a green society are the key priorities of his administration amid the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing the virtual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Dialogues hosted by Malaysia on Friday, Suga pledged to tear down bureaucratic sectionalism, vested interests, and the habit of following past precedents in the Japanese society while advancing bold regulatory reforms, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Japanese Prime Minister reiterated his flagship policies of digital transformation and cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the country to net zero by 2050.

“As people’s behavioural patterns shift due to Covid-19, accelerating digital transformation is crucial.

I will establish an agency in charge of digital transformation to serve as a command in the government,” Suga said in his video message.

Meanwhile, the premier said his country would aspire for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific through the early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement.

He said Japan would continue to deepen cooperation with the business sector and contribute to the efforts of APEC.

Brazil Govt Warns Of Second Wave

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-Top News World News

WHO warns against remdesivir for Covid-19

How remdesivir can save lives in nations with lower hospital capacity.

The WHO recommendation, published in the British Medical Journal, was based on an evidence review that included data from four international randomised trials among more than 7,000 hospitalised patients….reports Asian Lite News

  • How remdesivir can save lives in nations with lower hospital capacity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday warned that the antiviral drug remdesivir should not be used to treat Covid-19 patients no matter how ill they are as there is no evidence it works.

“The panel found a lack of evidence that remdesivir improved outcomes that matter to patients such as reduced mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, time to clinical improvement, and others,” Xinhua news agency quoted the WHO’s Guideline Development Group (GDG) panel ass aying in a sattement.

“Any beneficial effects of remdesivir, if they do exist, are likely to be small and the possibility of important harm remains,” the panel added.

The WHO recommendation, published in the British Medical Journal, was based on an evidence review that included data from four international randomised trials among more than 7,000 hospitalised patients.



After reviewing the evidence, the panel concluded that remdesivir has no meaningful effect on death rates or other important outcomes for patients.

“Especially given the costs and resource implications associated with remdesivir… The panel felt the responsibility should be on demonstrating evidence of efficacy, which is not established by the currently available data,” it said.

The antiviral is one of only two medicines currently authorized to treat Covid-19 patients across the world.

It has been approval for use in the US, the European Union and other countries after initial research found it may shorten recovery time in some Covid-19 patients.



Made by the US company Gilead, remdesivir is extremely expensive and has to be given intravenously.

Gilead said last month that the drug had boosted its third quarter sales by about $900 million.

The WHO’s warning comes as the overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 56.8 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.35 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Friday, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 56,817,667 and 1,358,489, respectively.

The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 11,710,084 and 252,484, respectively, according to the CSSE.

Also read:WHO warns of 2nd wave of Covid-19 in Middle East

Categories
-Top News COVID-19 USA

Brazil Govt Warns Of Second Wave

The Brazilian government has said that the country may experience a possible second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, as the number of confirmed cases and deaths have continued to rapidly increase.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said that if a second wave is confirmed in Brazil, the government will tackle the problem as it did for the first time, but with more experience, reports Xinhua news agency.

“If it happens, it will be like a war that contrary to lasting a year, lasts two or three years. We will face the disease as we already have,” Guedes told reporters.

Paulo Guedes (Wikipedia)

Some regions of the country are seeing a rise in cases and deaths from the virus, but “it is not a general phenomenon” throughout the country, he said.

Several studies have indicated a second wave in Brazil, where the curve of cases, which has been declining since September, began to rise again in recent days.

Brazil has the world’s second highest Covid-19 death toll after the US, and the third largest caseload after the US and India.

As of Friday, the number of confirmed cases and deaths in Brazil stood at 5,981,767 and 168,061, respectively.

Also Read-Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari: A complete Satirical Drama

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-Top News Economy

Mnuchin asks Fed to return unused emergency funds

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has asked the Federal Reserve to end five emergency Covid-19 lending facilities and return $455 billion of unused funds.

“I am requesting that the Federal Reserve return the unused funds to the Treasury,” Mnuchin wrote in a letter to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell on Thursday.

“This will allow Congress to re-appropriate $455 billion, consisting of $429 billion in excess Treasury funds for the Federal Reserve facilities and $26 billion in unused Treasury direct loan funds,” he added.

In March, Congress approved a $2.2 trillion Covid-19 relief bill known as the CARES Act, which provided the Treasury around $500 billion to set up a variety of emergency lending facilities through the Fed and guarantee loans, reports Xinhua news agency.

Mnuchin said in the letter that these emergency lending facilities, which are set to expire at the end of the year, “have clearly achieved their objective”.

“While portions of economy are still severely impacted and in need of additional support, financial conditions have responded and the use of these facilities has been limited,” he said.

Mnuchin noted that “in an abundance of caution”, he requested the central bank to extend for another 90 days four of the emergency lending facilities — the Commercial Paper Funding Facility, the Primary Dealer Credit Facility, the Money Market Liquidity Facility and the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility, while shutting down another five facilities.

However, the Fed wanted to continue all these emergency facilities.

“The Federal Reserve would prefer that the full suite of emergency facilities established during the coronavirus pandemic continue to serve their important role as a backstop for our still-strained and vulnerable economy,” the Fed said in a statement.

Earlier this week, Powell said that it’s premature to shut down these emergency facilities now as “the next few months may be very challenging” amid a record surge in Covid-19 cases across the country.

As of Friday, the US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths at 11,710,084 and 252,484, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

Also Read: US States Plan More Testing in Students Before Thanksgiving

Also Read: NATO chief, Ghani discuss troop withdrawal