News of the World

[kyonides]

U.S homeland security official charged with stealing confidential government software
https://www.linuxexperten.com/news/us-ho...t-software
It seems that during Obama's administration some guys that had been working in Homeland Security had stolen sensitive data and software. The suspects are Charles K. Edwards, a former DHS Acting Inspector General between 2011 to 2013, and his former aid, 54-year-old Murali Yamazula Venkata. Via his company Delta Business Solutions, Edwards pretended to sell a modified version of the stolen DHS-OIG software. Highly deplorable indeed!

ACLU sues homeland security over airport face recognition program
https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/12/homela...cognition/

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in a New York federal court on Thursday, demanding that the agency turns over records to understand the scope of its airport face recognition system.
The group wants to know who Homeland Security works with, including private companies and airlines, as well as internal policies and guidance on how the system is used.
Homeland Security claims the system will help crack down on immigration violations, such as visitors overstaying their visas.
Although U.S. citizens can opt-out of having their faces scanned, it's not always openly advertised.

Now I wonder who should Americans blame for it? Trump, Obama or the people ACLU pretends to protect because they might have committed crimes and they don't wanna be easily recognized by cameras...


27 Confirmed Cases of Covid-19 in Panama - in Spanish only
https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/ya-van-2...en-panama/
This means they've found 13 new cases in a day, don't forget to take into account the delays usually caused by testing several samples in a row...
Most of the patients are 40+ years old.

[kyonides]

It's Friday 13th!

 

Trump Declares National Emergency
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-d...oronavirus

Well, Wulfo and dunno if silne as well, things could get ugly there so keep washing your hands!

Earlier today Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro seemed to have contracted Covid-19 only to deny it later on.
O_O What a miraculous healing indeed...
Sadly, it's only valid for head of states...

Confirmed 2 cases of AH1N1 in San Rafael de Alajuela Hospital in Costa Rica - in Spanish only
https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/confirm...-alajuela/
Fortunately there's a vaccine available for those cases, right?

14 hospital workers contracted coronavirus thanks to medic that thought he just had pneumonia
https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/14-func...-alajuela/
Yeap, it happened in the very same hospital I just mentioned above...

Costa Rica up to 26 confirmed coronavirus cases: Updates from Friday
https://ticotimes.net/2020/03/13/costa-r...rom-friday
Now 5 of 7 provinces of Costa Rica report 1+ cases of coronavirus.

317 schools and high schools closed in Costa Rica starting Monday 16th
https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/estos-s...del-lunes/

Panama Coronavirus Tally Rises to 36, Includes Three Foreigners
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articl...foreigners 
Yes, it's the very same place where you can find the famous canal.  

Honduras confirms 3rd case of coronavirus - in Spanish only
http://www.elheraldo.hn/pais/1363916-466...-a%C3%B1os

First case of covid-19 in Guatemala
https://www.crhoy.com/mundo/guatemala-co...ronavirus/

Fourth case of coronavirus in Cuba - in Spanish only
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/cuba-conf...-0006.html

First decease in Ecuador - in Spanish only
https://www.crhoy.com/mundo/confirman-pr...n-ecuador/

Bill Gates steps down from Microsoft board to focus on philanthropy
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51883377

He says he wants to focus on global health and development, education and tackling climate change.

Spain: Government places four localities on lockdown in Catalonia as of March 12 /update 5
https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-aler...-12-update-

[DerVVulfman]

It's Saturday 14th!

 

Yeah, I went there. But I have some very ODD COVID-19 reporting. Check these threads out...

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsod...s-outbreak

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/nasa-photos-...s-outbreak

Wow... air pollution over there plummeted!!! China has been the biggest of air polluters in the world, 30% of all pollution in fact. Yet... ... the Coronavirus is now working to stave off Climate Change?

[kyonides]

Spain now enforces a lockdown!
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/m...s-lockdown
Why would they need to take extreme measures now?

The wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez tests positive
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/14/w...ronavirus/
Oh right! That was the actual reason he cared so much about forcing Spaniards stay at home for an extended period of time.

French people, your vote counts!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51862828
One you've partaken in the elections... go back home, you fools! And yeah, don't even dare to show your sorry face again! At least not before the coronavirus has been defeated!
(Of course I'm not talking seriously here! )

Even so you'd be a fool if you ever thought Trump had contracted the Covid-19!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51893445

UK may be included in US travel ban as WHO calls Europe 'centre of pandemic' – as it happened
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...pdate-news
Alright, this one isn't good news for the United Kingdom and Ireland at all.

Canadian and Italian kidnapped in Burkina Faso turn up safe in Mali
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51893154
It's good to hear from those victims I think.

And just in case you'd missed this story earlier this year, here's an article telling you how an American dared to betray his own country and started working with China!

Kevin Mallory: The churchgoing patriot who spied for China
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46557096

[DerVVulfman]

UK may be included in US travel ban as WHO calls Europe 'centre of pandemic' – as it happened
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...pdate-news
Alright, this one isn't good news for the United Kingdom and Ireland at all.

There's no maybe about it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51891662
Trump said in a briefing Friday he was considering adding the UK... he did.

[kyonides]

World Exclusive!

Worldometers has been hacked!

We apologize for the temporary disservice that you may have experienced. For about 20 minutes, our site showed clearly incorrect data due to a malicious act. We have investigated the issue and we're now implementing protective measures to prevent this from happening again. The other day we got hit with a big DDoS attack. Now this. We'll continue with our daily efforts and we'll not give up.

Yeap, they've definitely confirmed it!

Costa Rica reaches 35 cases of coronavirus; all bars and nightclubs ordered to close
https://ticotimes.net/2020/03/15/costa-r...d-to-close
Do you love casinos? Well, now you can't waste your money in bets because they're shut now!

Why did the Health Ministry do that!? Err, you see, the minister made a request for not overcrowding bars and the like this weekend and people just happened to have exceeded the 50% allowed capacity for such places. As a consequence the closures are now mandatory. Supermarkets and restaurants are free to open as usual if they respect the sanitary policy imposed by the authorities.

The other fun fact is that both the president and the minister criticized Costa Ricans for their culture of disrespect of authorities and national policies. It seems we just love to make fun of PAC administations.

6 confirmed cases in Honduras including a 8 month old baby - in Spanish only
https://www.laprensa.hn/especiales/coron...suben-seis
Honduras will shut all of its borders starting tomorrow.

 

Government official: Coronavirus vaccine trial starts Monday
https://apnews.com/8089a3d0ec8f9fde971bddd7b3aa2ba1
That was fast indeed! I was expecting them to start developing its first vaccine candidate in the next 3 or 5 months.
45 young, healthy volunteers at some research located in Seattle took a step forward and will risk their lives for the sake of science.

Fed takes emergency steps to slash rates and ease bank rules
https://apnews.com/cf1d8e5487eee5e9eb649f0c6700ded6

The Federal Reserve cut its key rate by a full percentage point to a range between zero and 0.25%.   It will buy at least $500 billion of Treasury securities and at least $200 billion of mortgage-backed securities.

UK eyes plan to have over-70s isolate from virus for months

https://apnews.com/e5f0ecdf6809471c3c37120c1416c00f
Because the elderly seem to be the favorite target of the coronavirus, they might have to stay away from people for several months in a row. If the PM's attempts on passing new laws succeeds, he might be able to force rebellious patients to go back into isolation.

[kyonides]

Coronavirus: EU's borders will close for 30 days from noon today
Small companies in France will have taxes and bills waived so they remain afloat but people are not allowed to move freely.
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-e...w-11958658

The UK's Foreign Office said the UK is not included in the closure and told Britons in mainland Europe to continually monitor travel advice as it is changing rapidly.
...

• Virgin Atlantic asks staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave as it parks up 85% of planes
  
• EasyJet to ground majority of its fleet on a rolling basis
  
• IAG, British Airway's parent company, will cut flights by at least 75% in April and May
  
• The UK's free TV licence for over-75s will end on 1 August instead of 1 June because of the outbreak
  

US tells older people to stay home, all ages to avoid crowds
https://apnews.com/41bb7d0b74adc5159ca602cf988edde7
Trump has now changed his tone and looks serious about this. He even asked people like him, over 60 years old, to stay home. People should avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants. Trump also utter the word "recession" as a likely scenario after all that's taking place around the world. The virus might remain with us even till July or August according to him.

If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus, everyone who lives there should stay home.


Canada to bar entry to travellers who are not citizens, permanent residents or Americans
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cbsa-bo...-1.5498866
Now even Trudeau sports a negative attitude. The only difference is that Canada will welcome their fellow Canadians and Americans but nobody else.

Idris Elba is Coronavirulent now!
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-i...9-11958621

CDC confirms first known employee infected with coronavirus
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/16/cdc-conf...virus.html
Is this some sort of déjà vu!?

Costa Rica declares State of Emergency due to coronavirus; will close borders to foreigners and non-residents
https://ticotimes.net/2020/03/16/costa-r...-residents
Following the example of other nations like USA or Canada and regions like EU, Costa Rica has decided it was time to close all of its borders to foreigners!  
Even if there's such a ban, foreign nationals are permitted to return to their home countries if flights are still available.

The travel restrictions will continue through at least Sunday, April 12 at 11:59 p.m. So in theory it will be lifted after Easter is over.

Schools are now closed for the next two weeks. Their calendar was modified, students has been extended to December 23rd.

Why do I think Costa Rica suddenly changed its mind? You see, Nicaragua seems to be a really bad neighbor indeed.

Nicaragua call for a march to increase awareness about coronavirus  - in Spanish only Why would you ever expect Ortega to speak English?
https://www.crhoy.com/mundo/video-nicara...-covid-19/

Where experts all around the globe have been telling us for weeks or months to avoid crowds, Ortega seems to believe that raising the risk of contracting the fearful virus is a terrific idea...

Since the Nicaraguan government is clearly communist, we don't expect them to ever admit they've got coronavirus cases... unless they might wanna blame USA for it.

Panama reports 55 cases already!
https://ticotimes.net/2020/03/16/panama-...he-country
It also mentions Maduro did the same in Venezuela...

By the way, have you seen some meme about traveling to Greenland to escape from the coronavirus?
Well, it's too late! Greenland has reported its first case already!

[kyonides]

Will Coronavirus Change Europe Permanently?
https://www.voanews.com/science-health/c...ermanently
[quote='Voice of America']
Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that “each member state needs to live up to its full responsibility, and the EU as a whole needs to be determined, coordinated and united.”
Her advice has been ignored, with countries across the continent closing their borders.  
Some believe that the Schengen system of borderless travel will never be fully restored after the virus has been suppressed or run its course.
[/quote]

It seems not everybody in Europe loved the Schengen coronavirus trap after all.

Americans Could Receive Government Money Quickly to Soften Coronavirus Economic Impact
https://www.voanews.com/science-health/c...kly-soften
[quote=Steven Mnuchin]We’re looking at sending checks to Americans immediately. And I mean now, in the next two weeks.[/qoute]
It sounds about right in these complicated times.

China to Revoke Credentials of 3 Major US News Companies
https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/ch...-companies
Well, China isn't a paradise for journalists unless you don't care about the truth at all.

Americans would be the first patients that have recovered from Covid-19 in Costa Rica - in Spanish only
https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/estadou...-covid-19/
They still need to pass one more test to confirm that they no longer carry the fearful virus in their bodies.  
What I find weird is why they would only need to stay in quarantine for just 7 or 8 days when you should stay in your room for at least 14 days. The male patient has never showed any symptoms.

Pregnant woman is 1 of 4 patients in ICU - in Spanish only
https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/embaraz...ntensivos/

50 confirmed cases - Ministry of Health - in Spanish only but you can use Google Translate there
https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/inde...n-a-los-50
Besides what's obvious to all of us, the Costa Rican soccer league has been suspended!  
Lately football matches were held behind closed doors.
No football player has contracted the virus according to official sources.

Coronavirus Cases in Costa Rica

50 confirmed, 0 deceases, 1 recoveries, 0 kicked out  

Note: Colombians would understand why I've added a fourth column here.  

Coronavirus Cases in Maryland

57 confirmed, 0 decease, 3 recoveries

14 found in PG County!

Stay tune!

[DerVVulfman]

Will Coronavirus Change Europe Permanently?
https://www.voanews.com/science-health/c...ermanently

Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that “each member state needs to live up to its full responsibility, and the EU as a whole needs to be determined, coordinated and united.”
Her advice has been ignored, with countries across the continent closing their borders.  
Some believe that the Schengen system of borderless travel will never be fully restored after the virus has been suppressed or run its course.

It seems not everybody in Europe loved the Schengen coronavirus trap after all.

Old news. Really....? And that was written just two hours before the BBC article below???

Coronavirus: European Union seals borders to most outsiders
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51927790
Really... I mean, it was almost 24 hours ago that border closings were proposed by the EU!

Schengen? Yeah, they have a website for that....
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/br...r-30-days/


Meanwhile...

AP Exclusive: Coronavirus vaccine test opens with 1st doses
https://apnews.com/76b614811eef32955180c8260188bc24

Yep, taking place at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute, volunteers took the first shots for a clinical test. And some were on Fox news today saying they feel fine. This may be the fastest any vaccine went to 1st stage clinical trials ever.

[kyonides]

I guess some wulfo out there is gonna like this news article...
CBS News employees test positive for coronavirus
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/202...ronavirus/

Trump considering $1,000 checks to most Americans as coronavirus aid
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/202...ans-coron/
Well, it might sound more like an allowance rather than a salary but that might let you buy food.

Liquor stores struggle with quarantine-fueled demand for booze
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/202...tine-fuel/
Who said there was a crisis!?

Closures of bars and restaurants continue after decree has been issued - in Spanish only
https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/continu...s-decreto/
O_O Fine, here in Costa Rica we're pretty much the same.