Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
As the world battles COVID-19, governments are under fire
News Business Article
PARIS: As the world battles the coronavirus pandemic, the main question for most is simply: “When will it end?” But other, troubling questions are starting to be asked of governments. Advertisement Advertisement Why did Western governments not predict the risk of an epidemic in their territories after the novel coronavirus first emerged in China? Were
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
COVID-19: Law firms see rise in queries on employee rights, employer obligations as economy slows
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Some law firms are seeing a surge in queries on employee rights and employer obligations as the economy takes a hit from the COVID-19 outbreak, with the Government issuing guidelines on retrenchments and cost-cutting. Employees have asked about their rights as contract staff or permanent staff and what to do if they are laid off
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
Pentagon looking to provide up to 100,000 body bags for civilians in COVID-19 outbreak
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WASHINGTON: The Pentagon is looking to provide up to 100,000 body bags for use by civilian authorities as the coronavirus outbreak worsens in the United States with a high death toll expected in coming weeks. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has requested 100,000 such bags to the US Department of Defense, a Pentagon official told
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
Australian police put a 90-day limit on ‘draconian’ virus measures
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SYDNEY: Australia’s most populous state said on Thursday (Apr 2) police enforcement of restrictions on personal movement intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus would last three months, as the number of new cases continued to slow. After a federal government order limiting groups of people gathering outside to two, Australian states have instructed
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
COVID-19: Shelter volunteers help workers sleeping rough in Singapore
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SINGAPORE: Sam slumped in defeat on a bench near Kranji MRT station. The 43-year-old had come to Singapore on the eve of Malaysia’s Mar 18 lockdown, with the promise of a job at a vegetable wholesale centre in Woodlands and accommodation provided. Four days later, he was jobless – and without a roof. He couldn’t
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
Italy COVID-19 death rate slows but studies suggest true tally higher
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ROME: Italy’s daily death toll from coronavirus on Wednesday (Apr 1) was the lowest for six days, authorities said, but the overall number of new infections grew and the government extended a national lockdown until at least the middle of April. The Civil Protection Agency said 727 people had died over the last 24 hours, down
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
6-week-old newborn dies of coronavirus in US: State governor
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NEW YORK: A six-week-old infant has died of complications relating to COVID-19, the governor of the US state of Connecticut said on Wednesday (Apr 1), in one of the youngest recorded deaths from the virus. Governor Ned Lamont tweeted that the newborn was “brought unresponsive to a hospital late last week and could not be revived”.
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
UK records more than 500 daily coronavirus deaths for first time
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LONDON: Britain reported 563 daily coronavirus deaths on Wednesday (Apr 1), the first time the national toll has exceeded 500, bringing the total fatalities to 2,352, according to official figures. “As of 5pm (1600 GMT) on 31 March, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 2,352 have sadly died,” the health ministry
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
Trump casts doubt on China’s coronavirus figures
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WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump cast doubt Wednesday (Apr 1) on the accuracy of official Chinese figures on its coronavirus outbreak after US lawmakers, citing an intelligence report, accused Beijing of a cover up. “How do we know” if they are accurate, Trump asked at a press conference. “Their numbers seem to be a little bit on the
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
Six-week-old newborn dies of coronavirus in US: State governor
News Business Article
NEW YORK: A six-week-old infant has died of complications relating to COVID-19, the governor of the US state of Connecticut said on Wednesday (Apr 1), in one of the youngest recorded deaths from the virus. Governor Ned Lamont tweeted that the newborn was “brought unresponsive to a hospital late last week and could not be revived.”
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
Visitors barred from nursing homes until Apr 30 after COVID-19 cases detected in old age home
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SINGAPORE: No visitors will be allowed at all nursing homes in Singapore for the month of April, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) on Wednesday (Apr 1). The joint statement came after MOH announced 10 more cases of COVID-19 at the Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home, which reported
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
UK records over 500 daily coronavirus deaths for first time
News Business Article
LONDON: Britain reported 563 daily coronavirus deaths on Wednesday (Apr 1), the first time the national toll has exceeded 500, bringing the total fatalities to 2,352, according to official figures. “As of 5pm (1600 GMT) on 31 March, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 2,352 have sadly died,” the health ministry
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 2, 2020
Commentary: Malaysia’s latest stimulus package provides huge relief but is only enough until May
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SINGAPORE: Malaysians have lived in extreme uncertainty and fear since the country came under a type of lockdown beginning Mar 18, when the Movement Control Order came into effect. These restrictions were slapped to slow the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. As at Mar 31, Malaysia has seen 2,766 infections and 43 deaths. With
Commentary: UK’s COVID-19 restrictions bring about historical lows in energy demand
BIRMINGHAM: The measures to control the spread of COVID-19 are unparalleled, and this is already having an effect on Britain’s energy system. There have been massive short-term changes in the past: For instance the temporary imposition of a three-day week in the 1970s may have had an even greater overall effect, but this was due