Once thought a relatively straightforward respiratory virus, covid-19 is proving to be much more frightening Craig Coopersmith was up early that morning as usual and typed his daily inquiry into his phone. “Good morning, Team Covid,” he wrote, asking for updates from the ICU team leaders working across 10 hospitals ... Read More »
Oil comeback accelerates with futures up more than 25%
Oil jumped 40% at the high on Wednesday, reversing steep losses after a volatile overnight trading session which saw international benchmark Brent crude fall to its lowest level in more than 20 years. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, rose $2.95, or 25.5%, to trade at $14.52 per barrel. Earlier ... Read More »
World Health Organization warns: Coronavirus remains ‘extremely dangerous’ and ‘will be with us for a long time’
The World Health Organization warned world leaders Wednesday that they will need to manage around the coronavirus for the foreseeable future as cases level off or decline in some countries, while peaking in others and resurging in areas where the Covid-19 pandemic appeared to be under control. “Make no mistake, ... Read More »
Italy’s daily coronavirus death toll falls, but new cases climb
Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 437 on Wednesday, against 534 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new infections increased to 3,370 from 2,729 on Tuesday. The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 now ... Read More »
North Korea media silent on Kim’s whereabouts as speculation on health rages
North Korean state media on Wednesday made no mention of leader Kim Jong Un’s health or whereabouts, a day after intense international speculation over his health was sparked by media reports he was gravely ill after a cardiovascular procedure. North Korean media presented a business as usual image, carrying routine ... Read More »
Iran says it has launched its first military satellite into space
US say they fear long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit could also be used to launch nuclear warheads Iran claimed on Wednesday that it had successfully launched its first-ever military satellite into orbit in a move that experts described as a significant but not game-changing achievement. Iran’s Revolutionary ... Read More »
Parliament Convenes For Second Day: Dropping Urgency Nature From Two Draft Laws Related To Lifting Ministers’ Immunity And Ceasing Work In Bisri Dam
Lawmakers convened in a legislative session for the second day at the UNESCO Palace on Wednesday, under the chairmanship of House Speaker, Nabih Berri, to resume the discussion of the remaining items on agenda, including urgent draft laws. The Legislative session took place in the presence of Prime Minister, Dr. ... Read More »
Parliament approves legalization of cannabis cultivation in Lebanon
Parliament Tuesday approved a draft law that legalizes cannabis cultivation in Lebanon for medical and industrial use, as the country’s hard-hit economy teeters on the brink of collapse. The new legislation aims to regulate cultivation by Lebanese cannabis farmers, whose activities are illegal according to existing Lebanese law. The law ... Read More »
Coronavirus vaccine: Germany approves first human trials
A clinical test of a Covid-19 vaccine in Germany has been approved, according to the country’s Federal Institute for Vaccines. The trial will see 200 healthy participants between the age of 18 and 55 receive several variants of the vaccine, developed by German biotech company BioNTech, as scientists examine its efficacy in providing ... Read More »
Fears of prolonged coronavirus downturn and second wave of US cases
Business chiefs expect lengthy period before recovery as CDC chief warns of worse to come during US winter The prospect of a prolonged worldwide impact from the coronavirus pandemic has hardened after business leaders warned of a drawn-out recession and US health chiefs highlighted the prospect of a second wave ... Read More »