The Daily World News Report of the 19th of February 2020

Coronavirus

The death count of the Coronavirus surpasses 2000 as the daily death toll is not abating, being consistently over 100. The recovery rate is less than 20% as less than 15% are is “severe or critical condition.” South China Post reports this morning that 11,200 are in the severe and critical condition.[1]

The Diamond Princess Cruise ship, getting international coverage in Japan, disembarks all the passengers Wednesday evening, finalizing their virus investigation. 79 new cases were discovered. A total of 621 people were counted infected from the cruise. Hong Kong reports its second death.[2]

Africa

Pestilences hit the eastern African countries of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania hard as locusts have spread their breeding ground to South Sudan. Kenya is training their military to participate in the extermination of the insects with pesticides. They have been suffering from three years of droughts and floods.[3]

United Nations peacekeepers and troops were attacked in the Central African Republic. The rebel group that attacked the frontline town of Birao, which is protected by UN, are called the Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central Africa. Most of the country is controlled by militia groups. As one of the largest, the FPRC sought to more land protected by the government and the UN; however, they were repelled, losing 12 men.[4]

On following up on the Nigerian Fulani Herdsmen and village conflict, Herdsmen are suspected in the killing of 2 soldiers in Plateau.[5] I found that the conflict is based on a difference of lifestyle, yet both need rights for common resources such as “vegetation, water resources and land.”[6] The herdmen are nomadic, which seek to obtain the resources freely, as the villages seek to own the land and resources.

Middle East

I am learning that there are dominant countries that supply weapons, supposedly mingling with the affairs of the countries. I noticed that Turkey is more dominant than people may realize. Looking into it, I found that India has accused Turkey of interfering with their affair in the province of J&K, who is backing Pakistan. J&K stands for Jammu and Kashmir.[7] I was surprised to find on Google maps that the borders between India, Pakistan, and China are not clearly defined in this region. India calls Pakistan’s works in Kashmir a support of terrorism. It also may be Turkey, supporting Pakistan to firm up the borderlines. I observed a report from Monday that Turkey told China not to Uighur Muslim people terrorists. Yesterday I reported that a shipment of weapons to Libya was intercepted and destroyed. Turkey is well known to be key for the rebels work in Syria.

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[1] Churchill, Owen, et al. “Coronavirus: China Receives Protective Gear from US as Death Toll Passes 2,000.” South Chine Morning Post, South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd., 19 Feb. 2020, www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3051250/coronavirus-mainland-death-toll-hits-2000-132-more-fatalities.

[2] Suzuki, Miwa, and Hiroshi Hiyama. “Passengers Leave Japan Virus Ship, but New Infections Detected.” ABS CBN, Agence France-Presse, 19 Feb. 2020, news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/02/19/20/passengers-leave-japan-virus-ship-but-new-infections-detected.

[3] “Kenya Calls up Army Cadets to Fight Insect Invasion .” YouTube, France 24 English, 19 Feb. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=obGoNu_JMxQ&ref=tw_i.

[4] “CAR Says 12 Rebels Killed in Clash with UN Troops.” Al Jazeera, 19 Feb. 2020, www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/car-12-rebels-killed-clash-troops-200219055431824.html.

[5] “Gunmen Kill 2 Soldiers in Plateau.” Peoples Daily, Peoples Media Limited, 19 Feb. 2020, peoplesdailyng.com/gunmen-kill-2-soldiers-in-plateau/.

[6] “Farmers-Herdsmen Conflicts in Nigeria: Causes, Effects.” Research Cyber, ResearchCyber.com, 3 Jan. 2019, researchcyber.com/farmers-herdsmen-conflicts-nigeria-causes-effects/.

[7] “Keep off J&K, It's Our Internal Affair, India Tells Turkey's President.” Times of India, Times Internet, 16 Feb. 2020, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/keep-off-jk-its-our-internal-affair-india-tells-turkeys-president/articleshow/74155768.cms.