Millions pushed back into poverty
The World Bank says that for the first time since 1998, global poverty rates will rise. By the end of the year, 8% of the world’s population — half a billion people — could be pushed into destitution, largely because of the wave of unemployment brought by virus lockdowns, the United Nations estimates.
While everyone will suffer, the developing world will be hardest hit. The World Bank estimates that subSaharan Africa will see its first recession in 25 years, with nearly half of all jobs lost across the continent. South Asia will likely experience its worst economic performance in 40 years.
Most at risk are people working in the informal sector, which employs 2 billion people who have no access to benefits like unemployment assistance or health care.
Capital city free of known infections
The Australian Capital Territory becomes the first of the country’s eight states and mainland territories to declare itself free of all known cases of the coronavirus. There have been 106 confirmed cases in Canberra and three patients have died. The capital territory has a population of only 420,000, the secondsmallest of Australia’s states and territories. Australia has recorded 6,746 cases, including 90 deaths.
U.N. warns that ‘tragedy beckons’
The U.N. humanitarian chief says that more than 40 cases of
COVID19 and at least three deaths have been reported in Syria, signaling that “tragedy beckons” after nine years of war that has left the country’s health care system decimated. Mark Lowcock told the U.N. Security Council that while the number may sound low compared to other countries, testing in Syria is very limited. With millions of people displaced in crowded conditions and without adequate sanitation, he said Syria can’t be expected “to cope with a crisis that is challenging even the wealthiest nations.”
Revised standards for public protests
Social distancing doesn’t come naturally in Israel. But the country, known for its informal, inyourface mentality, seems to be setting a new standard for public protests in the age of coronavirus. During the past two weekends, thousands of people have gathered in perfect geometric patterns in Tel Aviv’s central square to comply with social distancing rules as they express their anger over the continued rule of a prime minister charged with serious crimes.
Many believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions against the coronavirus are really aimed at avoiding prosecution for corruption charges and remaining in power.
Prime minister tests positive
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says he has tested positive for the new coronavirus and has told President Vladimir Putin he will selfisolate. First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov will temporarily perform Mishustin’s duties, but the prime minister said Thursday that he would stay in touch on key issues.
Mishustin, 54, was named prime minister in January. In Russia, the prime minister oversees the economy and answers to the president. It was not immediately clear when Putin last met with Mishustin in person.
53rd of 54 nations report infections
Confirmed coronavirus cases in Ghana have surged above 2,000, increasing 24% in a matter of days, health officials announced Thursday, reflecting mostly tests taken during a recent threeweek lockdown in the West African country’s two largest cities.
And Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros announced its first confirmed case, making it the 53rd of Africa’s 54 countries to report COVID19. Only the small southern African kingdom of Lesotho has not reported a case of the disease. African nations have now reported more than 37,400 cases, including 1,598 deaths, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. South Africa has the highest number of cases at 5,350
Nation celebrates inspirational vet
A British army veteran shuffled the length of his garden 100 times — and walked away with the hearts of a nation. Capt. Tom Moore celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday, having raised some $37 million for the National Health Service after completing a challenge to mark the milestone, one garden lap at a time. His sunny attitude in a dark moment brought smiles to a country amid the pandemic.
Chronicle News Services