| Trump blasts world health group, defends early virus steps Posted: 07 Apr 2020 04:52 PM PDT  President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to freeze U.S. funding to the World Health Organization, saying the international group had "missed the call" on the coronavirus pandemic. Trump also played down the release of January memos from a senior adviser that represented an early warning of a possible coronavirus pandemic, saying he had not seen them at the time. Trump said the international group had "called it wrong" on the virus and that the organization was "very China-centric" in its approach, suggesting that the WHO had gone along with Beijing's efforts months ago to minimize the severity of the outbreak.
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| Court allows Texas to ban most abortions during virus crisis Posted: 07 Apr 2020 02:07 PM PDT |
| Trump upends virus oversight, removing key official Posted: 07 Apr 2020 02:06 PM PDT  President Donald Trump is moving aggressively to challenge the authority and independence of agency watchdogs overseeing his administration, including removing the inspector general tasked with overseeing the $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package that passed Congress with bipartisan support. In four days, Trump has fired one inspector general tied to his impeachment, castigated another he felt was overly critical of the coronavirus response and sidelined a third meant to safeguard against wasteful spending of the coronavirus funds. The most recent act threatens to upend scrutiny of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue effort now underway, setting the stage for a major clash between Trump, government watchdogs and Democrats who are demanding oversight of the vast funds being pumped into the American economy.
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| Eastern Libyan forces attack Tripoli hospital for second day Posted: 07 Apr 2020 12:42 PM PDT |
| Mexico urges end to harassment of health workers in pandemic Posted: 07 Apr 2020 12:11 PM PDT  They are the first line of defense against the COVID-19 pandemic, but in parts of Mexico, doctors, nurses and other health workers are being harassed to the point that federal authorities have pleaded for Mexicans to show solidarity. While tributes to courageous medical personnel putting themselves in the virus' path circle the globe, Mexico and some other places have seen disturbing aggression born of fear. Recently, a hospital in Guadalajara — Mexico's second-largest city — were told to wear civilian clothes to and from work rather than their scrubs or uniforms because some public buses refused to allow them to board.
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| The prefabricated building market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 8% during the period 2019-2025 Posted: 07 Apr 2020 11:26 AM PDT  Get an in-depth analysis of COVID-19 impact on the global prefabricated building market.The prefabricated building market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 8% during the period 2019–2025.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05881113/?utm_source=PRN The prefabricated building market is likely to grow significantly due to the rise in infrastructure development and the growth in residential and commercial sectors. Prefab houses are affordable and can be built in less time, which is expected to positively influence the market in the APAC region due to the growing middle-class population and rapid urbanization. Prefab buildings are energy-efficient and high on sustainability. The increasing awareness of construction wastage on the environment has driven people worldwide to adopt the green buildings concept, which is expected to bolster the market, especially in developed regions. Government-sponsored initiatives in developing countries to provide affordable houses in less time is another major factor affecting growth. Prefabricated construction provides structural strength that allows buildings to withstand earthquakes. Hence, prefab buildings are likely to generate demand from seismic-sensitive countries such as Japan, China, Iran, Indonesia, Turkey, Mexico, and Nepal.The following factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the prefabricated building market during the forecast period:• Mass Township Projects• Shifting Focus: Profit, People, planet• Increase in Demand for Branded Designers• Expansion of Prefabricated Market• Big Opportunity in Developing CountriesThe study considers the present scenario of the prefabricated building market and its market dynamics for the period 2019?2025. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The study offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent companies operating in the market.Prefabricated Building Market: SegmentationThis research report includes a detailed segmentation by application, material, system, and geography. Increasing commercial spaces such as shopping malls, trade centers, and office spaces are expected to drive the prefabricated building market. The high investment by key players in their product portfolio due to the building's faster construction methodologies are likely to drive the commercial segment. The application of prefabricated buildings can substantially reduce costs and construction time. These factors are expected to drive government agencies to implement such constructions in cities, states, and municipalities that meet applicable building codes. These types of buildings are proven to be as durable as traditional ones and designed to withstand the heavy daily use of public facilities.The application of precast concrete and concrete block is predominantly used in prefabricated buildings owing to its strength and durability. Concrete provides a thermal barrier allowing heat to escape a structure and help to increase the energy efficiency of the entire framework. The benefits offered by concrete material used in such buildings are likely to boost the demand for prefabricated buildings. Wood-based products such as engineered joists, columns, and wall and floor structures offer increased strength and are lightweight. These wood-based products weigh less, which helps in increasing the simplicity of shipping and recyclability, which is likely to stimulate the demand for prefab wooden houses.Cellular systems play a vital role in the development of multidimensional structures. These systems are predominantly used for constructing cells that provide isolation in buildings. As the market of prefabrication is rapidly growing, the application of cellular systems is likely to be widely taken in use, which is expected to fuel the market growth during the forecast period. The demand for panel systems is expected to increase on account of its unique offerings such as accelerated construction time, high thermal efficiency, and low labor costs. However, these systems are expensive and have high capital costs, but long-term savings can balance these costs from reduced energy costs. Skeletal frameworks are primarily used for structures that are relatively low-risk and do not have several partitions. The application of such frameworks is majorly used in large-scale car parking and commercial buildings built with frames. With the rapid growth of urbanization and increasing construction of commercial spaces worldwide are likely to boost the demand for skeletal systems.Market Segmentation by Application• Residential• Non-Residentialo Commercial Buildingso Hospitalityo Governmento Educationo OthersMarket Segmentation by Material• Steel• Concrete• Wood• OthersMarket Segmentation by System• Skeleton• Panel• Cellular• Combined• OthersInsights by GeographyIn North America, the productivity of several construction projects has slowed down due to a labor shortage. Hence, companies are expected to utilize prefabricated construction to complete the project faster. The use of additive manufacturing made using energy-absorbing materials such as micro homes is likely to bolster the industry growth in the region. Further, fast-paced urbanization in emerging areas of the region and growing investment in the real estate sector are other factors driving growth. In Europe, the market is expected to grow at a moderate rate as people increasingly focus on readymade solutions for prefab houses that match their criteria. Acceptance of the manufacturing form, consent processes, durability, and low cost are primary factors expected to boost the demand for such buildings.Moreover, the use of eco-friendly materials in developing high-quality structures is likely to influence the market positively. The prefabricated construction industry in APAC is expected to grow significantly in the next five years. The concept of affordable housing with high sustainability is likely to be increasingly adopted by the growing middle-class population in APAC. Moreover, government initiatives in several countries such as Singapore, China, India, Hongkong, and Pakistan are expected to drive market growth in the region.Market Segmentation by Geography• APACo Chinao Indiao Japano South Koreao Australia• North Americao USo Canada• Europeo UKo Germanyo Franceo Italyo Spaino Nordic• MEAo Saudi Arabiao UAEo South Africa• Latin Americao Mexicoo Brazilo ArgentinaInsights by VendorsThe prefabricated building market is highly fragmented, with several local and international players in the market. The competition among these players is intense. The rapidly changing technological environment is expected to adversely affect vendors as customers expect continual innovations and upgrades in construction. The present scenario is driving vendors to alter and refine their unique value proposition to achieve a strong industry presence. The market concentration in developed countries such as the US and Western European countries is high. At the same time, the industry is in its nascent stage in developing economies such as China and India. The competition between vendors exists on the basis of offerings and pricing. The competition is expected to intensify further with an increase in product extensions, technological innovations, and M&A.; Leading international players are likely to expand their presence, especially in the fast-developing countries in APAC and Latin America, to gain more share. Besides, improving global economic conditions is likely to fuel the growth of the market.Key Vendors• Algeco Scotsman• ATCO• Bouygues Construction• Red Sea HousingOther Vendors• Abtech• Alta-Fab Structures• Art's Way Manufacturing• Astron• Champion Home Builders• Cimc Modular Building Systems Holding• Clayton Homes, Inc.• DuBox• Fleetwood Australia• Guerdon Modular Buildings• Hickory Group• Horizon North Logistics• Katerra• Kirby Building Systems• Kleusberg GmbH & Co KG• KOMA Modular• Laing O'Rourke• Lendlease Corporation• Lindal Cedar Homes• Modern Prefab• Modular Engineering• Niko Prefab Building Systems Pvt. Ltd.Key Market InsightsThe analysis of the prefabricated building market provides market sizing and growth opportunities for the period 2020–2025.• Provides comprehensive insights on the latest industry trends, forecast, and growth drivers in the market.• Includes a detailed analysis of drivers, challenges, and investment opportunities in the industry.• Delivers a complete overview of segments and the regional outlook of the prefabricated building market.• Offers an exhaustive summary of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key strategies to gain a competitive advantage in the market.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05881113/?utm_source=PRN About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001
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| Holdout governors: Some states don't need stay-at-home order Posted: 07 Apr 2020 10:58 AM PDT  Even as most Americans are under orders from their governor to stay at home to slow the spread of the coronavirus, leaders in a handful of states have steadfastly refused to take that action, arguing it's unneeded and could be harmful. "If social distancing maneuvers are going to work, they're most likely going to work if you do them early," said Arthur L. Reingold, a professor and infectious disease expert at the University of California-Berkeley. Fauci on Monday credited the governors of Nebraska and Iowa for what steps they have taken to slow the virus, but David Leeson, a retiree in Winterset, Iowa, said he can't understand why restrictions that make sense in most of the country haven't been imposed in his home state.
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| US, Iraq to hold talks on troop future Posted: 07 Apr 2020 10:32 AM PDT  The United States will hold talks with Iraq in June on the future of its troop presence in the country, whose parliament has voted to expel them, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday. With Iraq increasingly becoming a proxy battleground between Iran and the United States, President Donald Trump has refused to pull the 5,200 US troops and earlier even threatened sanctions on Baghdad if it moved forward. "With the global COVID-19 pandemic raging and plummeting oil revenues threatening an Iraqi economic collapse, it's important that our two governments work together to stop any reversal of the gains we've made in our efforts to defeat ISIS and stabilize the country," Pompeo told reporters.
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| With prime minister in ICU, Britain asks: Who's in charge? Posted: 07 Apr 2020 10:27 AM PDT  As British Prime Minister Boris Johnson fights the coronavirus in the intensive care unit of a London hospital, the people of his country are wishing him well — and asking who's in charge. There is no official role of acting or deputy prime minister, and heads of government only leave office through resignation or death, Alex Thomas, a program director at the Institute for Government, political think-tank, said. "Boris Johnson continues as prime minister for as long as neither of those things happens," he said.
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| Russia ready to start testing coronavirus vaccines on humans in June Posted: 07 Apr 2020 10:22 AM PDT  The head of a top Russian research centre told President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday that his lab was ready to start human trials of experimental coronavirus vaccines in June. Rinat Maksyutov, head of the Vektor State Virology and Biotechnology Centre, said his facility proposed first-phase clinical trials of three vaccines from June 29, on 180 volunteers. Maksyutov was speaking during a video-link meeting between Putin and the heads of top research centres.
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| Trump announces, then reverses, freeze on funding for World Health Organization Posted: 07 Apr 2020 10:21 AM PDT  The president also blasted the U.N. agency's early recommendations for countering the coronavirus.
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| UK will share more legal texts with EU shortly -Brexit trade deal negotiator Posted: 07 Apr 2020 09:38 AM PDT |
| Judge: Death penalty on table for synagogue massacre suspect Posted: 07 Apr 2020 09:14 AM PDT |
| China's virus pandemic epicenter Wuhan ends 76-day lockdown Posted: 07 Apr 2020 08:59 AM PDT  After 11 weeks of lockdown, the first train departed Wednesday morning from a re-opened Wuhan, the origin point for the coronavirus pandemic, as residents once again were allowed to travel in and out of the sprawling central Chinese city. With restrictions now lifted, Hubei's provincial capital embarks on another experiment: resuming business and ordinary life while seeking to keep the number of new cases down. The occasion was marked with a light show on either side of the broad Yangtze river, with skyscrapers and bridges radiating animated images of health workers aiding patients, along with one displaying the words "heroic city," a title bestowed on Wuhan by president and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.
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| Israeli security agency says it arrested alleged Iran spy Posted: 07 Apr 2020 08:49 AM PDT |
| Coronavirus: What misinformation has spread in Africa? Posted: 07 Apr 2020 07:56 AM PDT  We look at some of the claims about coronavirus circulating in African countries.
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| When leaders are stricken in office, how do nations act? Posted: 07 Apr 2020 07:49 AM PDT  The measure of a nation — its DNA, or sometimes its political system — becomes more visible when its leader is stricken in office. The hospitalization of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the first head of government to be stricken by the coronavirus, has pushed this matter to the fore in the United Kingdom. Johnson was moved to the intensive care unit of a London hospital after his COVID-19 symptoms worsened.
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| Trump shakes up press team as White House deals with virus Posted: 07 Apr 2020 07:35 AM PDT  President Donald Trump shook up his communications team on Tuesday, replacing his press secretary and adding new staffers as he grapples with the coronavirus pandemic. Stephanie Grisham, who had held the titles of press secretary and White House communications director since last June, is out after never holding a formal press briefing. Kayleigh McEnany, a top Trump campaign spokeswoman, will take over as Trump's fourth press secretary.
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| Split families make pacts, duel over custody amid virus Posted: 07 Apr 2020 07:06 AM PDT  As the country hunkered down to fend off the coronavirus, Carolina McAuley expected her middle school-age kids would continue to shuffle between her house and her ex-husband's — until she got sick. Suddenly, her long-standing custody arrangement unraveled as she came down with a fever and chills and lost her senses of taste and smell — all presumed symptoms of the coronavirus. "Of course he wants to see his children, but he understands the point of this is not to be spreading this stuff back and forth," said McAuley, of New Jersey's Bergen County.
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| Iran reopens parliament as virus infections drop for seventh day Posted: 07 Apr 2020 07:03 AM PDT  Iran's parliament convened Tuesday for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak forced its doors to close, as the country reported a drop in new infections for the seventh straight day. More than two-thirds of the legislature's 290 members gathered in the absence of speaker and veteran politician Ali Larijani, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week. At least 31 members of the parliament, or Majles, which had been shut since February 25, have contracted the disease.
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| Sex. Drugs. Virus. Venezuela elites still party in pandemic Posted: 07 Apr 2020 06:49 AM PDT  They whiled away the week on a sex- and drug-fueled romp: dancing on white-sand beaches and frolicking on a Caribbean island with prostitutes from Europe, some snapping selfies with famous reggaeton artists. For some of Venezuela's high-flying "Bolichicos" — the privileged offspring of the socialist revolution — the party hasn't stopped amid a widening pandemic in a country already gripped by crisis. To date, the virus has claimed only seven confirmed fatalities in Venezuela.
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| Britain's Establishment Has a New Senior Member Posted: 07 Apr 2020 06:32 AM PDT  (Bloomberg Opinion) -- It seems a bleak time to make the observation that Britain is in good hands. There's a lot to worry about: the still rising death toll from Covid-19; the strain on the National Health Service; the shortages of personal protective equipment; and the pressure on economic well-being and mental health that a prolonged period of isolation will bring. All of this while Prime Minister Boris Johnson lies in intensive care.It's also true, as I noted yesterday, that Britain is not as well set-up constitutionally for such leadership crises as other countries. Still, the stability of the U.K.'s governing system lies in its institutions — among them, Her Majesty's opposition, the Labour Party, which for a long time has itself been suffering from a bout of ill health. The election of Keir Starmer as Labour leader Saturday, succeeding Jeremy Corbyn, brings the hope that a party torn by factionalism, dominated by ideologues and rendered electorally impotent will again become a constructive force in British politics.Starmer's election is a far more important development than it might seem right now. A former human rights lawyer who was a Director of Public Prosecutions, he is liked and respected on both sides of the political aisle. That's some feat when you consider he was an ardent Remainer in the fairly evenly divided Brexit debate, is an avowed lefty who doesn't believe in private education or private health care (though he wouldn't abolish the right of others to such services), and was a loyal servant in Corbyn's derided shadow cabinet. While Starmer won his constituency seat easily in the December election, his party — whose platform he defended — suffered its worst electoral drubbing since 1935.It's too early to say that Labour has a turned a corner as a credible alternative to Johnson's ruling Conservatives, but Starmer is firmly in the driver's seat. While his 56.2% of total votes cast by party members, affiliates (such as trade unions) and registered supporters was less than Corbyn's 59.5% in 2015, it was a resounding victory. His total vote count was higher than his hard-left predecessor.Equally significant is Starmer's victory in Labour's National Executive Committee, the party's all-powerful governing body. Corbyn managed to keep an iron grip on the Labour Party, despite the opposition of many Labour lawmakers, through his control of the NEC. All three NEC seats contested at the same time as the leadership vote were won by Corbyn skeptics. Starmer now has a mandate from Labour supporters, unions and other affiliates, and a strong position on its executive.His first challenge is to clean house and restore Labour's reputation as a tolerant, broad-church party that's capable of governing. That won't be possible without rooting out anti-Semitism in the party, and Starmer (a vocal advocate for tougher measures during the Corbyn era) knows it.On Tuesday, he wrote an opinion piece in London's Evening Standard and the Jewish Chronicle ahead of the Jewish Passover, restating his apology for Labour anti-Semitism, pledging to examine and investigate all cases of anti-Semitism, to assist an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and to bring in Jewish leaders to help train Labour officials in spotting and redressing anti-Semitism. He will, as he noted, be judged on how successfully he follows through on these pledges.In choosing his shadow cabinet, Starmer has signaled a decisive shift from the Marxist fringes of Corbynism to the soft left, and an elevation of professionalism and competence over ideology. Corbyn-era policies such as nationalizations and tax increases on the wealthy are likely to still be on the menu, but the gap between the new Tories, with their "leveling up" agenda for the English working classes, and Starmer's Labour will narrow.A number of senior figures in the new cabinet are untested, including Anneliese Dodds, his shadow chancellor of the exchequer, an academic economist largely unknown by the public. Lisa Nandy, a 40-year-old member of Parliament who surprised many with a savvy leadership campaign and real policy depth, was rewarded with the senior post of shadow foreign secretary. Politicians supported by the powerful pro-Corbyn Unite union have been kicked out of the cabinet. But Starmer retained the services of fellow lawyer and Remain supporter Emily Thornberry, a longtime activist veteran of the Corbyn cabinet, and a sometime Corbyn critic. Starmer also rehabilitated former Labour leader Ed Miliband, whose innovative policy thinking during his time in the wilderness, will prove useful. His message in these changes is more institutional reform than policy overhaul.After the Corbyn cult of personality, a shadow cabinet that scans as professional, largely moderate and competent is no bad thing. And yet there are few charismatic voices in the new lineup. Starmer, who's likable but a little dry, appears to have chosen a team in his own image. Still, they have plenty of time to fine-tune their pitch.Indeed, timing may be on Starmer's side. In recent years, similar "strong and stable" types haven't fared well in Western democracies, often losing out to more populist politicians. Perhaps the Covid-19 crisis will change that. Voters may be less inclined to take big risks on populist flamethrowers and will revert to more technocratic types.Certainly, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the central role of government, and of public services, something Labour has long championed as Conservative governments slashed budgets. Starmer is no centrist, but he's pragmatic, and even Labour policies such as increased wealth taxes may not look so different from the ones that Johnson's government might need to help pay for the resulting debt.Britain's establishment, then, has a new senior member. As leader of the opposition, Starmer will get special briefings, be privy to state secrets and be accorded other privileges. This couldn't come at a more important time. Writing in the Sunday Times to kick off his period as Labour leader, he promised "strong, effective and responsible" opposition. If he succeeds, that's not just good news for the party, it's to the benefit of the country.This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.Therese Raphael writes editorials on European politics and economics for Bloomberg Opinion. She was editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinionSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
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| Britain's Establishment Has a New Senior Member Posted: 07 Apr 2020 06:32 AM PDT  (Bloomberg Opinion) -- It seems a bleak time to make the observation that Britain is in good hands. There's a lot to worry about: the still rising death toll from Covid-19; the strain on the National Health Service; the shortages of personal protective equipment; and the pressure on economic well-being and mental health that a prolonged period of isolation will bring. All of this while Prime Minister Boris Johnson lies in intensive care.It's also true, as I noted yesterday, that Britain is not as well set-up constitutionally for such leadership crises as other countries. Still, the stability of the U.K.'s governing system lies in its institutions — among them, Her Majesty's opposition, the Labour Party, which for a long time has itself been suffering from a bout of ill health. The election of Keir Starmer as Labour leader Saturday, succeeding Jeremy Corbyn, brings the hope that a party torn by factionalism, dominated by ideologues and rendered electorally impotent will again become a constructive force in British politics.Starmer's election is a far more important development than it might seem right now. A former human rights lawyer who was a Director of Public Prosecutions, he is liked and respected on both sides of the political aisle. That's some feat when you consider he was an ardent Remainer in the fairly evenly divided Brexit debate, is an avowed lefty who doesn't believe in private education or private health care (though he wouldn't abolish the right of others to such services), and was a loyal servant in Corbyn's derided shadow cabinet. While Starmer won his constituency seat easily in the December election, his party — whose platform he defended — suffered its worst electoral drubbing since 1935.It's too early to say that Labour has a turned a corner as a credible alternative to Johnson's ruling Conservatives, but Starmer is firmly in the driver's seat. While his 56.2% of total votes cast by party members, affiliates (such as trade unions) and registered supporters was less than Corbyn's 59.5% in 2015, it was a resounding victory. His total vote count was higher than his hard-left predecessor.Equally significant is Starmer's victory in Labour's National Executive Committee, the party's all-powerful governing body. Corbyn managed to keep an iron grip on the Labour Party, despite the opposition of many Labour lawmakers, through his control of the NEC. All three NEC seats contested at the same time as the leadership vote were won by Corbyn skeptics. Starmer now has a mandate from Labour supporters, unions and other affiliates, and a strong position on its executive.His first challenge is to clean house and restore Labour's reputation as a tolerant, broad-church party that's capable of governing. That won't be possible without rooting out anti-Semitism in the party, and Starmer (a vocal advocate for tougher measures during the Corbyn era) knows it.On Tuesday, he wrote an opinion piece in London's Evening Standard and the Jewish Chronicle ahead of the Jewish Passover, restating his apology for Labour anti-Semitism, pledging to examine and investigate all cases of anti-Semitism, to assist an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and to bring in Jewish leaders to help train Labour officials in spotting and redressing anti-Semitism. He will, as he noted, be judged on how successfully he follows through on these pledges.In choosing his shadow cabinet, Starmer has signaled a decisive shift from the Marxist fringes of Corbynism to the soft left, and an elevation of professionalism and competence over ideology. Corbyn-era policies such as nationalizations and tax increases on the wealthy are likely to still be on the menu, but the gap between the new Tories, with their "leveling up" agenda for the English working classes, and Starmer's Labour will narrow.A number of senior figures in the new cabinet are untested, including Anneliese Dodds, his shadow chancellor of the exchequer, an academic economist largely unknown by the public. Lisa Nandy, a 40-year-old member of Parliament who surprised many with a savvy leadership campaign and real policy depth, was rewarded with the senior post of shadow foreign secretary. Politicians supported by the powerful pro-Corbyn Unite union have been kicked out of the cabinet. But Starmer retained the services of fellow lawyer and Remain supporter Emily Thornberry, a longtime activist veteran of the Corbyn cabinet, and a sometime Corbyn critic. Starmer also rehabilitated former Labour leader Ed Miliband, whose innovative policy thinking during his time in the wilderness, will prove useful. His message in these changes is more institutional reform than policy overhaul.After the Corbyn cult of personality, a shadow cabinet that scans as professional, largely moderate and competent is no bad thing. And yet there are few charismatic voices in the new lineup. Starmer, who's likable but a little dry, appears to have chosen a team in his own image. Still, they have plenty of time to fine-tune their pitch.Indeed, timing may be on Starmer's side. In recent years, similar "strong and stable" types haven't fared well in Western democracies, often losing out to more populist politicians. Perhaps the Covid-19 crisis will change that. Voters may be less inclined to take big risks on populist flamethrowers and will revert to more technocratic types.Certainly, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the central role of government, and of public services, something Labour has long championed as Conservative governments slashed budgets. Starmer is no centrist, but he's pragmatic, and even Labour policies such as increased wealth taxes may not look so different from the ones that Johnson's government might need to help pay for the resulting debt.Britain's establishment, then, has a new senior member. As leader of the opposition, Starmer will get special briefings, be privy to state secrets and be accorded other privileges. This couldn't come at a more important time. Writing in the Sunday Times to kick off his period as Labour leader, he promised "strong, effective and responsible" opposition. If he succeeds, that's not just good news for the party, it's to the benefit of the country.This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.Therese Raphael writes editorials on European politics and economics for Bloomberg Opinion. She was editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinionSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
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| Tasked with schoolwork help, many US parents lack English Posted: 07 Apr 2020 06:26 AM PDT  Since her daughters' school closed for the coronavirus outbreak, Mariana Luna has been thrust into the role of their primary educator, like millions of parents across the U.S. But each day, before she can go over their schoolwork, her 9-year-old first has to help her understand what the assignments say. A Spanish speaker originally from Mexico, Luna uses Google Translate on her phone and, when she gets stuck, asks her daughter to translate instructions and emails from teachers. The shift to distance learning has created unique challenges for English language learners and their parents, who are tasked with keeping them on track despite their own struggles and lack of familiarity with the educational system.
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| VIRUS DIARY: In Beijing, finally, a tentative spring blooms Posted: 07 Apr 2020 06:24 AM PDT  The coronavirus came first in the depths of winter. Cold winds drove ice and snow between skyscrapers as Beijing's people waddled out into a scarier and scarier world to buy the basics. Before the outbreak, residents in the city of 21.5 million already ran on ecommerce delivery, residents wore masks year-round for smog and surveillance ran rampant.
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| 'A lot of pain.' NY has biggest 1-day jump in virus deaths Posted: 07 Apr 2020 06:19 AM PDT  New York state reported 731 new COVID-19 deaths Tuesday, its biggest jump since the start of the outbreak, dampening some of the cautious optimism officials have expressed about efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Cuomo said the death tally is a "lagging indicator" that reflects the loss of critically ill people hospitalized earlier. While Cuomo said New York could be reaching a "plateau" in hospitalizations, he warned that gains are dependent on people continuing to practice social distancing.
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| What you need to know today about the virus outbreak Posted: 07 Apr 2020 06:13 AM PDT  With its biggest one-day jump yet, New York City's death toll from the coronavirus officially eclipsed the number of those killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11. At least 3,202 people have died in New York City from COVID-19, according to the count released Tuesday by the city. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson remained in intensive care with the virus, while Japan's leader declared a monthlong state of emergency for Tokyo and six other regions to keep the virus from ravaging the world's oldest population.
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| The baby stroller market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 6% during the period 2019-2025 Posted: 07 Apr 2020 06:05 AM PDT  Get an in-depth analysis of COVID-19 impact on global baby stroller market.The baby stroller market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 6% during the period 2019–2025.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05881119/?utm_source=PRN The global stroller market is primarily driven by high birth rates in APAC and Middle Eastern countries. Brazil, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are expected to witness a stable growth rate in the baby stroller market size over the next five years. Increasing healthcare facilities, declining infant mortality rates, and rising disposable incomes in these regions are expected to aid the growth during the forecast period. The launch of hospital-oriented schemes in governmental hospitals in APAC and Middle Eastern regions provides equal access to inpatient care, reduce healthcare expenditures, and increase awareness about body hygiene. With the improvement in healthcare and reduced mortality rate, opportunities to provide value-oriented baby care products and accessories in these regions increases the demand and preference for baby strollers.The following factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the baby stroller market during the forecast period:• Reduced Infant Mortality due to Healthcare Advancements• Expansion of Nuclear Families & Growth in Women Employment• Growth in e-strollerThe study considers the present scenario of the baby stroller market and its market dynamics for the period 2019?2025. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The study offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent companies operating in the market.Baby Stroller Market : SegmentationThis research report includes detailed market segmentation by product type, seat type, distribution, and geography. Standard strollers have a high preference among parents. Durability and versatility are the major factors that are making these prams highly popular. However, certain common features that influence consumer buying behavior include well-padded seats, convertible designs, canopy expansion, shock absorption, telescoping handlebars, roomy baskets are likely to increase adoption. A majority of demand can be witnessed from countries such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, on account of the increase in disposable incomes and growth in nuclear families.While single strollers are the dominant segment in terms of revenue and unit shipment, the rise in the number of second and third childbirths, especially in the urban areas of MEA, Latin America, APAC, and certain parts of Europe has increased the demand for double prams. Further, affluent parents and consumer groups of US and Western European countries invest in expensive convertible prams that can be customized to accommodate the second child when needed. Convertible strollers are expected to witness an increase in demand during the forecast period. The segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period. The APAC region is estimated to pose an incremental revenue of over $150 million in the next five years.As prams are comparatively expensive and require a lot of pre-purchase research as parents are willing to invest in high-quality and durable strollers, which contribute to the growth of offline distribution stores such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, departmental and specialty stores. The penetration of offline stores is more prominent in APAC and Latin America, where the awareness and benefits of baby prams are comparatively low. As most of the end-users in the region are first-time buyers, they tend to be more experimental in their purchase decisions. However, the increasing number of young parent communities and the growing relevance of consumer education on childcare have contributed to the popularity of online marketplaces for baby products. The trend of e-commerce sites and internet penetration has enforced the majority of parents to rely on online sources to compare several brands. With North America and Europe being major markets for the online distribution channel, APAC and Latin America are expected to witness rapid growth in the online segment during the forecast period.Market Segmentation by Product Type• Standard• Lightweight• Jogging• Travel SystemsMarket Segmentation by Seat Type• Single• DoubleMarket Segmentation by Distribution• Offline• OnlineInsights by GeographyThe penetration and acceptance of prams is high in North America and Europe. However, China, with more childbirths annually, has contributed to the growth of the APAC market along with considerable revenue generation from South Korea, Japan, and Australia. The preference of prams is region-centric, and the importance is given based on demography, age, lifestyle, and geographical trends. For instance, despite a large difference in the number of units sold in the baby stroller market in APAC and North America, the high selling price in the US and Canada can be a major differentiator that can pose a challenge to APAC vendors.Market Segmentation by Geography• Europeo Spaino Germanyo Italyo Franceo UK• North Americao USo Canada• APACo South Koreao Chinao Japano Australiao India• Latin Americao Brazilo Mexico• MEAo Turkeyo Saudi Arabiao South Africao UAEInsights by VendorThe global baby stroller market is highly fragmented, and the market is characterized by the presence of diversified global, regional, and local vendors. With global players increase their footprint in the market due to vast infrastructure and R&D; support, regional vendors may find it increasingly difficult to compete in terms of reliability, technology, and price. The competitive environment is likely to intensify further with an increase in innovations and M&As.; In this competitive environment, vendors have to develop innovative prams and incontinence products with a high focus on safety and convenience.Key Vendors• Artsana• Newell• Dorel• Goodbaby• UppababyOther Vendors• Evenflo• Bumbleride• Bugaboo• Britax• Brevi Milano• Baby Trend• Stokke AS• Hauck• ABC Design• Emmaljunga• Peg Perego• Seebaby• My Babiie• Shenma• Roadmate• Combi• Air Buggy• Babyhug• Joovy• R for Rabbit• Nuna• Thule• Joolz• Hartan• iCandy• Babyzen• Maclaren• ApricaKey Market InsightsThe analysis of the baby stroller market provides sizing and growth opportunities for the period 2020–2025.• Provides comprehensive insights on the latest industry trends, forecast, and growth drivers in the market.• Includes a detailed analysis of growth drivers, challenges, and investment opportunities.• Delivers a complete overview of segments and the regional outlook of the market.• Offers an exhaustive summary of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key strategies to gain competitive advantage.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05881119/?utm_source=PRN About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001
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| Middle East still has chance to scale up coronavirus response -WHO Posted: 07 Apr 2020 05:30 AM PDT |
| In a first, China knocks U.S. from top spot in global patent race Posted: 07 Apr 2020 05:08 AM PDT  China was the biggest source of applications for international patents in the world last year, pushing the United States out of the top spot it has held since the global system was set up more than 40 years ago, the U.N. patent agency said on Tuesday. The World Intellectual Property Organization, which oversees a system for countries to share recognition of patents, said 58,990 applications were filed from China last year, beating out the United States which filed 57,840. China's figure was a 200-fold increase in just 20 years, it said.
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| Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons, a Cooperation Circle of the United Religions Initiative (URI), Announces the Launch of Their New Music Video Posted: 07 Apr 2020 05:07 AM PDT  This video was created at the Unity Earth, United Religions Initiative (URI), and EcoPeace Middle East, historic week-long Holy Land Living Water pilgrimage across sacred sites of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam celebrating United Nations' World Interfaith Harmony Week. (Report by parliamentofreligions.
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| The U.S. and Iran Inch Toward Confrontation in Iraq Posted: 07 Apr 2020 04:20 AM PDT |
| Coronavirus: Moroccans without masks in public risk jail terms Posted: 07 Apr 2020 03:59 AM PDT  Offenders face sentences of up to three months and a hefty fine as part of anti-Covid-19 measures.
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| 10 things you need to know today: April 7, 2020 Posted: 07 Apr 2020 03:55 AM PDT |
| Iran Parliament Reconvenes Even as Coronavirus Infects Its Ranks Posted: 07 Apr 2020 03:12 AM PDT |
| John Lewis, once Trump target, backs Joe Biden for president Posted: 07 Apr 2020 02:30 AM PDT  Civil rights icon and Georgia Rep. John Lewis is backing Joe Biden for president, giving the prospective Democratic nominee perhaps his biggest symbolic endorsement among the many veteran black lawmakers who back his candidacy. "We need his voice," the 80-year-old Lewis told reporters ahead of the campaign's Tuesday announcement. A 17-term Atlanta congressman, Lewis is battling pancreatic cancer but said he'd "travel around America" for Biden if social distancing guidelines are eased amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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| US in a word? 'Trump', 'arrogant', 'money' and 'racism', for starters Posted: 07 Apr 2020 02:30 AM PDT  How would you describe the United States in one word? At a time when the global reputation of the brash superpower is declining as Washington traffics in nationalist rhetoric and trade wars, the country's closest neighbours didn't hold back.In a poll released Monday by the Pew Research Centre, Canadians picked "Trump" as the go-to word followed by various negative terms such as "chaos", "confused", "bully" and "arrogant".Mexicans, meanwhile, focused much more on their economic relationship with their loud northern neighbour, drawing on terms such as "money" and "migration" followed by more negative words like "discrimination" and "racism".And pollsters admit they often received some rather unprintable responses. "There's definitely some words that were expletives," said Shannon Schumacher, a Pew research associate. "Beyond mentioning Trump, some people said something more, had a sentence about it."In a Pew Research Centre, both Canadians and Mexicans used mostly negative or neutral words to describe the US, and only a small portion mentioned a positive word. Image: Pew Research Centre alt=In a Pew Research Centre, both Canadians and Mexicans used mostly negative or neutral words to describe the US, and only a small portion mentioned a positive word. Image: Pew Research CentreRespondents were asked for their choice of a word before the coronavirus pandemic. Their responses now would likely be even more unvarnished given the many US' missteps, poor crisis management and attempts to jump the line on respirators, vaccines and other vital supplies before allies.On Sunday, several Canadian provincial premiers, the equivalent of governors, slammed US President Donald Trump after he banned exports of N95 protective masks to Canada.Analysts said the results make sense."This is not surprising. Canadians consume a lot of US news and information and are well aware of what goes on south of the border," said Alejandro Reyes, a Canadian who is director of knowledge dissemination at the University of Hong Kong and an ex-policy analyst on Asia-Pacific with the federal government in Ottawa."Pierre Trudeau, the former prime minister and the father of the current PM, famously likened living next to the US to sleeping with an elephant " every twitch and grunt affects us," he added. "Geography has made us forever bedfellows."Breakouts on Canadian and Mexican one-word descriptions of the United States, in a Pew Research Centre survey. alt=Breakouts on Canadian and Mexican one-word descriptions of the United States, in a Pew Research Centre survey.Analysts refer to a country's overseas reputation as its soft power, a measure of its ability to persuade rather than force others into supporting its policies.In 2019, US soft power slipped to No 5 globally, according to the Soft Power 30 index compiled by the University of Southern California and the Portland consultancy. That was down from No 1 in 2016 before Trump took office. The index cites the administration's trade wars with close partners and its questioning of long-standing security alliances for the decline.The same year, China edged up one notch to No 27 as its culture, sports and education activities counterbalanced its handling of Hong Kong protests, the mass detention of Uygurs in Xinjiang and its island building in the South China Sea, according to the index.The country with the greatest soft power last year, according to the survey, was France, up from No 5 in 2016.The Chinese were not asked their one-word opinion for this survey nor were the French, in part due to logistics. Beijing also keeps a very tight grip on public opinion surveys.But China has gone into overdrive after overcoming its own early virus mismanagement in a bid to bolster its soft power. In recent weeks, it has exported millions of heath care items " albeit with some setbacks, including faulty masks and test kits and pushback in some capitols over heavy handed propaganda messaging.One reason that Mexicans tended to focus more on economics than politics in their one-word view of America may be that the politics are a given, some said."Mexico is a country that has witnessed first-hand the ugly side of the United States: invasion, stealing of half our territory, discrimination, racism, et cetera," said Jorge Guajardo, senior director at the McLarty Associates consultancy and Mexico's former ambassador to China."In a sense, Mexico has viewed the United States as a Trumpian country or people for a long time. So we've discounted it. Trump is not a surprise."This helps explain the more economic responses in this survey, Guajardo noted. "We focus more on the areas of opportunity: migration, jobs, shopping, tourism, rule of law," he said. "This is what most Mexicans think of when thinking of the US, because we've discounted the ugly Trumpian side."Pew collected the responses for this first-of-its-kind survey in English, French and Spanish last year, asking people to come up with their own terms rather than a more usual reliance on multiple-choice answers.This approach tends to take longer to assemble results, given the need to interpret shades of meaning, translation subtleties and whether a given response is considered positive or negative.Trump has become the first word many respondents to a Pew Research Centre survey use when asked for a description of the US. Photo: AFP alt=Trump has become the first word many respondents to a Pew Research Centre survey use when asked for a description of the US. Photo: AFPPew said a simple mention of "Trump" was coded as neutral, for instance, whereas a response of "Trump is an idiot" was coded as negative and "Trump is doing a fair job" was coded as positive.Data from the same Pew survey of 33 countries released earlier this year found that a majority in Mexico and Canada lacked confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs and disapproved of some of his key foreign policies.Men in both countries were twice as likely as women to say something positive about the US, although the level of positive responses in both cases was quite small.Overall, both Canadians and Mexicans used mostly negative or neutral words to describe the US, and only a small portion mentioned a positive word.This dovetailed with largely negative reviews toward Trump from countries around the world in the January results, especially in western Europe. Some 64 per cent worldwide responding that they did not have confidence in the current US president to pursue good global policies.Chinese President Xi Jinping, shown last week. Most respondents to a Pew Research Centre survey said they had little confidence in either Xi or Trump. Photo: Xinhua alt=Chinese President Xi Jinping, shown last week. Most respondents to a Pew Research Centre survey said they had little confidence in either Xi or Trump. Photo: XinhuaBut Pew, which surveyed approximately 1,000 in each country. also found that people around the world generally held a higher opinion of the US than of China, and most people had little confidence in either Trump or Chinese President Xi Jinping.Many people surveyed globally also made a distinction between their generally negative view of Trump and their much better view of the United States."Many Canadians are naturally concerned about the quality of Washington's response to the pandemic, as the way the US handles this unprecedented calamity will certainly affect Canada and Canadians," said Reyes."It is important, however, to differentiate between how Canadians view the American people and what we may think of American leaders and their policies.""Over the decades, Canadians have loved and loathed the leader in the White House," he added. "The people-to-people ties are always good, rock solid kinship, though politically the countries are in different places."Sign up now and get a 10% discount (original price US$400) off the China AI Report 2020 by SCMP Research. Learn about the AI ambitions of Alibaba, Baidu & JD.com through our in-depth case studies, and explore new applications of AI across industries. The report also includes exclusive access to webinars to interact with C-level executives from leading China AI companies (via live Q&A; sessions). Offer valid until 31 May 2020.This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| Putin's Oil Price Gambit Has Run Out of Road Posted: 07 Apr 2020 02:27 AM PDT  (Bloomberg Opinion) -- In the eyes of Moscow hardliners, the shale boom that turned the U.S. into a leading oil exporter has also encouraged Washington's belligerence. Back in early March, low prices were a welcome means of pushing American producers over the edge; Russia's bolstered state finances and its lower-cost oil companies meant it could take the pain.But that was then.Now, the unfolding coronavirus epidemic has forced the country into a shutdown that will last until the end of April, while dealing an unprecedented blow to oil demand. It's a double whammy just as President Vladimir Putin, whose approval ratings have been slipping, prepares to extend his stay at the top. An output-cutting deal with other producing nations, even one that can merely cushion the revenue drop, is now desirable, to stop the economy — and the president's popularity — from fraying further. Achieving that on the Kremlin's terms will be another matter.Russia is certainly less vulnerable than in the past, in part thanks to financial buffers encouraged by U.S. sanctions. Like Saudi Arabia, with whom Moscow is engaged in a damaging output standoff, it has used high oil prices to cut its external debt. Fiscal prudence has created budget surpluses, while foreign currency reserves have increased. Corporate debt in foreign currency has fallen. The country is even more self-sufficient in food.Yet oil prices have halved this year. Brent is trading at $34 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate and Urals crude, Russia's export blend, below $30. That's grim news for Moscow, and not just because its budget balances with the benchmark value at just above $40, or because Putin started the year with promises of significant social spending. The budget can be reworked with $20 oil — and indeed already is. Russia can still borrow.At current prices, though, profit margins begin to look thin even for Russian producers, for whom it costs less than $20, including capital spending, to extract and ship a barrel, and which also benefit from a falling rouble and flexible taxes. And it's not just about the state budget: Energy investment will fall, affecting employment and consumption. Combined with shelter-in-place orders for Russia's citizens, prospects for the broader economy look bleak. The nationwide shutdown could cost 1.5%-2% of GDP, according to the Bank of Russia. The government's worst-case scenario last month had the economy shrinking by as much as 10%. That's a dramatic drop for a country that has already seen disposable incomes falter.The logic of squeezing shale producers hasn't disappeared, nor has the clout of Igor Sechin, the pugnacious boss of Rosneft Oil Co., the state-backed producer. His weight has arguably increased with January's change of government. With global oil demand likely to remain well below 100 million barrels per day for some time, Russia wants a bigger share of what remains. But at this rate, the country's own ambitious projects, like the Bazhenov formation, the world's largest shale oil resource, look untenable. The real wild card here has been the coronavirus. Not just the direct economic hit, but also Putin's distant initial reaction and the lack of a fiscal boost, which means he hasn't seen the sort of rallying effect in the polls that has helped U.S. President Donald Trump and other political leaders.Nigel Gould-Davies, at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, suggests the risk is a repeat of Putin's Kursk debacle two decades ago, when his perceived leadership failure at the time of the submarine tragedy triggered widespread criticism. This isn't a threat to the plan to change the constitution to allow him to stay on, but his "father of the nation" gambit may be harder to implement, especially if Russia's under-resourced health system buckles.An oil output deal, even today, won't fix the crude price problem, given we now have the biggest supply overhang in history. It's difficult too for Russia to cut, even if it wants to. Saad Rahim, chief economist at commodity trader Trafigura, estimates that Moscow will want to target a reduction of just 500,000 to 1 million barrels per day at most, as its large number of older, more marginal fields means that anything more would risk wastage and long-term damage to reservoirs. And there is no compensation for lost volume from Moscow's wealth fund. For some analysts, it makes little sense for Russia to yield now, when many people have yet to feel the pain at home.Yet the longer this drags on, the less financial capacity Russia, and its banks, will have to provide support for businesses and households. To make matters worse, the country has limited oil storage too.Moscow is pragmatic. But Trump will need to make some concession-like noises at least on American production cuts, to help Putin save face. Not easy, but given the shut-ins already triggered by the price fall, also not impossible, with the help of U.S. state energy regulators. Other non-OPEC producer nations may have to join in. The threat of tariffs, a favorite Trump tool, would by contrast be more irritating than effective, at least for Russia, which ships the vast majority of its oil to destinations outside the U.S.Absent that, there's pain ahead for everyone.This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.Clara Ferreira Marques is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering commodities and environmental, social and governance issues. Previously, she was an associate editor for Reuters Breakingviews, and editor and correspondent for Reuters in Singapore, India, the U.K., Italy and Russia.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinionSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
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| UK's Johnson in ICU, was given oxygen in battling virus Posted: 07 Apr 2020 02:05 AM PDT  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in stable condition with the coronavirus Tuesday in a hospital intensive care unit, where he was given oxygen but was breathing on his own without a ventilator, officials said. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has temporarily taken over many of the prime minister's duties to lead the country's response to the pandemic while Johnson is being treated. Britain has no official post of deputy prime minister.
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| AP PHOTOS: Virus haunts the destitute living on the margins Posted: 06 Apr 2020 11:54 PM PDT  In a housing complex in the Moroccan city of Sale, over 900 people live in crowded rooms without running water or an income to support them. While the North African country entered total lockdown in mid-March, self-isolation and social distancing are a luxury that families in this complex cannot afford. Like countries around the world, Morocco is facing the challenge of how to protect populations from the fast-spreading virus while not punishing the poor.
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| Mideastern burial traditions clash with fears of contagion Posted: 06 Apr 2020 11:05 PM PDT  Mohammed al-Dulfi's 67-year-old father died on March 21 after a brief struggle against the new coronavirus, but it would take nine days for his body to find a final resting place in the Shiite holy city of Najaf in southern Iraq. On two occasions, the family rejected remote burial plots proposed by the government outside Baghdad for him and seven other coronavirus victims, al-Dulfi said. A fight broke out between the families and the Health Ministry's team.
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| Lives Lost: A mismatched pair's love story ends with virus Posted: 06 Apr 2020 10:00 PM PDT  In the pain of broken marriages, Edward Porco and Joan Powers found new life in each other, however mismatched they might seem. "This was such a unique love," says Julia Chachere, the daughter of Joan, who was 90, and stepdaughter of Ed, who was 89. EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of an ongoing series of stories remembering people around the world who have died during the new coronavirus pandemic.
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| Brussels Edition: Seeking to Reassure Posted: 06 Apr 2020 09:43 PM PDT |
| Wisconsin voters wait for hours, others stay home amid virus Posted: 06 Apr 2020 09:31 PM PDT  Despite federal health recommendations, thousands of Wisconsin voters waited hours in long lines outside overcrowded polling stations on Tuesday so they could participate in a presidential primary election that tested the limits of electoral politics in the midst of a pandemic. Thousands more stayed home, unwilling to risk their health even as Republican officials pushed forward with the election amid a stay-at-home order. Pregnant and infected with the coronavirus, 34-year-old Hannah Gleeson was still waiting Tuesday for the absentee ballot that she requested last week.
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| Financial hits pile up for colleges as some fight to survive Posted: 06 Apr 2020 09:30 PM PDT  Scores of colleges say they're taking heavy hits as they refund money to students for housing, dining and parking after campuses closed last month. There's widespread fear that an economic downturn will leave many Americans unable to afford tuition, and universities are forecasting steep drop-offs among international students who may think twice about studying abroad so soon after a pandemic.
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| Modeling coronavirus: 'Uncertainty is the only certainty' Posted: 06 Apr 2020 09:06 PM PDT  A statistical model cited by the White House generated a slightly less grim figure Monday for a first wave of deaths from the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. — a projection designed to help officials plan for the worst, including having enough hospital staff, beds and ventilators. As leaders try to get a handle on the coronavirus outbreak, they are turning to numerous mathematical models to help them figure out what might — key word, might — happen next and what they should try to do now to contain and prepare for the spread. The model updated this week by the University of Washington — the one most often mentioned by U.S. health officials at White House briefings — predicts daily deaths in the U.S. will hit a peak in mid-April then decline through the summer.
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| The EU’s Latest Existential Crisis Might Be Its Biggest One Yet Posted: 06 Apr 2020 09:00 PM PDT  (Bloomberg) -- When the European Union's 27 leaders last managed to gather in person, they didn't even talk about coronavirus.It was Feb. 21, the day Italy recorded its first fatality from the disease. They haggled unsuccessfully for 28 hours over the EU's notoriously complicated budget. In a matter of weeks, everything changed. The pandemic tore into any last notion of unity and confronted the bloc with its next existential crisis.Leaders and officials, unable to meet face-to-face, have become emotional as they've bickered on the phone, some blaming each other for slow responses and unwillingness to help as the outbreak spread across the continent. Old divisions have resurfaced, with the north seemingly reluctant to bail out the south. Even the usually more stoical Portuguese have bristled at Dutch comments about southern finances. The EU faces its biggest challenge since it was created in the wake of World War II, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters on Monday after returning from a 12-day quarantine. "Everyone has been hit equally by this and it must be in the interest of everyone and of Germany that Europe emerges stronger from this test," she said.But some of the bloc's most senior operators appeared paralyzed at the size of the task, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. They don't know whether to "get out of the way" of national governments responding to the emergency or demand Europe-wide action.With the euro area facing the deepest recession in its history, finance ministers from the 19 countries in the currency zone will hold a video call on Tuesday in an attempt to agree on how to provide financial support to the areas in deepest need. The decisions the EU makes over the coming weeks will shape it for years to come. "The day after won't look like the day before," French President Emmanuel Macron said during a televised address last week.Read More: The Virus Will Force Europe to Make a Decision About ItalyThe crucial difference between this crisis and the financial meltdown that started in Greece in late 2009 is that the effects of the pandemic, with people still dying in their thousands, are indiscriminate and unquantifiable. Several officials said they were alarmed that the EU was falling back on old solutions—and prejudices—that are simply not relevant this time.The bloc is renowned for its back-room deal-making and late-night brinkmanship. But even the 2015 climax to the Greek debt standoff, when the country came within hours of falling out of the euro, owed much to the setting of arbitrary deadlines.This time, nobody knows how or when the pandemic will end and leaders have less control than ever before. The EU can't resort to "by the book" economic responses, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said last week.Calls between leaders and finance ministries have laid bare a lack of trust between countries, officials said. Divides from the debt-crisis days—where fiscally conservative northern countries blamed the profligate south—remain, even though no government is responsible for where the pandemic hit hardest.Quicktake'Coronabonds' Could Bail Europe Out, Tie It TogetherThe biggest leap the euro area could take, missing from its response to the last crisis, is to issue joint debt to pay for huge public spending programs. But this isn't happening because of German and Dutch opposition.Italy and Spain, pushing most strongly for joint "coronabonds," insist that the coronavirus shock owes nothing to the old tropes of borrowing extravagantly and spending too much. Saving the countries worst affected by the crisis is vital to save the EU, they say. Allowing governments to tap the euro area's bailout fund, with watered down conditions, now looks the most likely response.The Germans and Dutch "are thinking about this from an old point of view," Conte told Spanish newspaper El Pais last week. "Nationalist instincts, in Italy and in other countries, will be very strong if Europe is not up to the challenge."The European integration project has been defined by its enduring ability to face down adversity. Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers, said "Europe will be forged in crises, and will be the sum of the solutions adopted for those crises."Bailouts for Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus were followed by a schism over accepting refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. Together they fueled an anti-EU backlash led by populist parties that gained ground across the continent. The U.K., one of its most powerful countries, voted to become the first member to leave the bloc.There's a feeling Covid-19 needs different solutions because the consequences of failure are much higher. Macron, who officials say has sounded the most dramatic tone on calls, told his counterparts last month that "the survival of the European project" is at stake."The EU's initial belated and chaotic response and its failure to coordinate has weakened its reputation and provided fertile ground for euroskeptics," said Agata Gostynska-Jakubowska, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform in Brussels. "This shock is of a more symmetric nature and can hit the north and south equally. So the question is whether this makes the north more open to risk-sharing."Since the Feb. 21 summit, leaders have held three video conference calls, each one more bad-tempered than the last, according to officials. The last one, on March 26, after Conte and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez pleaded for consideration of coronabonds, ended in failure when leaders punted the decision to their finance ministers due to convene remotely on Tuesday.Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa described as "disgusting" a request attributed to Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra for the EU to investigate why countries didn't have enough money to pay for the economic impact.Hoekstra later said he acknowledged that his words lacked compassion. The damage, though, was done. "That recurring pettiness completely undermines what the spirit of the European Union is," Costa told reporters. Such ideas are "a threat to the future of the European Union," he said.The anger extends to Italy, long-feared the soft financial underbelly of the euro region and now a country gripped by the pandemic and the economic burden of locking down the nation.A Noto Sondaggi institute opinion poll published on March 29 indicated that 72% of people believe Europe has done nothing to help the country tackle the crisis. The leader of Italy's anti-immigrant League party, Matteo Salvini, has already said Italians should reconsider their country's membership of the EU once the crisis is over.In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban last week pushed through legislation giving him the right to rule by decree indefinitely. Orban for years has been the ringleader in stoking populist sentiment against the EU mainstream.Read More: Orban's Pandemic Power Grab Reveals the EU's Wider FrailtiesLast week, the EU's management acknowledged they'd made mistakes. In a letter to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen admitted the bloc was late in understanding the scale of the outbreak in Italy and had been too slow to act.With the bloc estimating that each month of lockdown will knock 3% off annual gross domestic product, the emotional toll of the pandemic immeasurable, and populists ready to pounce on any sign of disunity, leaders are confronted with a challenge to ensure the EU's latest existential threat isn't its last.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
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