The Daily World News Report of the 26th of February 2020

Coronavirus

The effects of the virus on the stock markets were felt heavily in the past few days as the S&P 500 lost more than $1,747,000,000,000 in value. The 6.3% loss is the largest “since August 2015, when the Chinese government devalued the yuan amid the U.S.-China trade war.”[1] As Canada confirms 10 people infected, United States reports an increase of 6 cases of the Coronavirus, totaling 59.[2] 4 are people that evacuated from the Diamond Princess Cruise ship, “CDC officials confirmed to CNN.”[3] Russia also reports new cases from the Diamond Princess Cruiseliner, confirming 3.[4] The first US soldier has been confirmed to be infected in South Korea at Camp Carroll near Daegu, where “the majority of known infection cases in South Korea” are. The country is facing the most infections outside of China with a count of 1,100 as of the report.[5] Iran has confirmed their 19^th death from the Coronavirus on Wednesday[6] as Iranian cyber police arrest 24 people “accused of online rumour-mongering” of the 19 deaths.[7] North Korea announces “stricter inspection and quarantine measures for imported goods” as the country has not officially reported any cases to date.[8] Japan reports the first death of the virus. The Hokkaido Prefecture, where the elderly person resides, confirms the “death due to COVID-19.”[9] France reports two people have died due to the Coronavirus on Wednesday. The second death was only detected that day.[10] The first case of the virus in South America is confirmed in Brazil. The 61 year old man infected recently visited Italy.[11] Italy has shown a high infection rate as it has been the source of many other countries’ first cases. Their case count has jumped up to 400, “a 25% surge in 24 hours.”[12] Greece has reported their first case of Coronavirus. She was visiting Milan, Italy.[13]

Greece

About 500 local people, living on “the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios on Tuesday”, protest the construction of refugee camps. They have “seen hundreds of thousands of migrants land on their shores”. They “tried to block construction workers from bringing ashore building materials”. The Greek government sent riot police to disperse the protesters with tear gas. Greece’s current refugee camps are overcrowded, and they have plans to build “five new migrant centres”. [14]

India

The conflict in India continued in New Delhi about the law, easing the immigration process for non-Muslim people, until police began their effort to reduce violence, arresting 106. The death count rises to 27,[15] becoming “the worst religious violence to hit India's capital in decades”. The protest lasted for about 4 days.[16]

“The 2019 World Air Quality Report [was] published Tuesday.” It reports that India has the “14 of the top 20”. “Several Chinese cities, including Beijing, have dramatically improved their air quality in recent years”.[17]

Philippines

OPAC, the Overseas Passengers Assistance Center, observed “signs that … women passengers were ‘being trafficked,’ prompting them to alert the authorities.” 56 women were rescued on Monday by the Philippine Coast Guard in the city of Zamboanga. “They are staying…[at The Home of the Women in Barangay San Roque] and after the assessment, we will send them back to their respective places”.[18]

Yemen

Sanctions on Yemen have been extended by the UN Security Council on Tuesday, disregarding “UN experts’ findings” that the Houthi militia had drones and weapons with parts manufactured in Iran.[19]

Syria

UN announced that nearly 950,000 people have been displaced since December 2019 from the northwestern region of Syria as Assad’s regime and the Syrian rebels fight over Idlib.[20] Three people were killed on Wednesday after “dozens of villages, including major rebel strongholds in the last opposition-held area, have been captured over the past few days.”[21]

United States

The leader of a white supremacist group was arrested in Texas today. His name is John Denton of “the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group”. He is charged with “"swatting" calls targeting victims in Virginia, including an unnamed member of President Trump's Cabinet and an investigative journalist.” “Swatting involves calling in fake emergencies to authorities with the goal of provoking a large law enforcement response.”[22]

Disney’s CEO Bob Iger is leaving his role; however, he will “stay on as executive chairman, overseeing the company’s creative endeavors through the end of next year, when his contract expires.” Bob Chapek is the new CEO as of the announcement.[23]

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[1] Fitzgerald, Maggie. “Coronavirus Wipes out $1.7 Trillion in US Stock Market Value in Two Days.” CNBC, 25 Feb. 2020, www.cnbc.com/2020/02/25/coronavirus-wipes-out-1point7-trillion-in-us-stock-market-value-in-two-days.html.

[2] “Coronavirus: Should Americans Be Worried?” BBC News, 26 Feb. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51649897.

[3] Phillips, Jack. “CDC Confirms 57 Cases of Coronavirus in US.” The Epoch Times, 25 Feb. 2020, www.theepochtimes.com/cdc-confirms-57-cases-of-coronavirus-in-us_3250350.html.

[4] “3 Russians from ‘Diamond Princess’ Cruise Ship Test Positive for Coronavirus – Official .” RT, 26 Feb. 2020, www.rt.com/newsline/481745-russians-diamond-princess-coronavirus/.

[5] Fang, Frank. “First US Soldier Infected With Coronavirus in South Korea.” The Epoch Times, 25 Feb. 2020, www.theepochtimes.com/first-us-soldier-infected-with-coronavirus-in-south-korea_3250996.html.

[6] “Covid-19: Iran Raises Death Toll to 19 amid 139 Coronavirus Cases.” Khaleej Times, AP, Reuters, 26 Feb. 2020, www.khaleejtimes.com/region/mena/covid-19-iran-raises-death-toll-to-19-amid-139-coronavirus-cases.

[7] Havasi, Amir. “Cyber Police in Virus-Hit Iran Arrest 24 over COVID-19 Rumours.” Yahoo!, AFP, 26 Feb. 2020, news.yahoo.com/cyberpolice-virus-hit-iran-arrest-24-over-covid-142622257.html.

[8] Beech, Samantha. “ North Korea Steps up Import Inspections over Coronavirus Fears.” CNN World, Cable News Network, 26 Feb. 2020, edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-02-26-20-intl-hnk/h_be1a3c1edaa1ed6a9eedf8f07176438b.

[9] Abe, Hiroaki. “1st Coronavirus Death Reported in Japan’s North Hokkaido Area .” The Asahi Shimbun, 26 Feb. 2020, www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13166393.

[10] “Covid-19: France Reports Second Coronavirus Death.” Khaleej Times, Reuters, 26 Feb. 2020, www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-outbreak/covid-19-france-reports-second-coronavirus-death.

[11] Sousa, Marcelo De, and Mauricio Savarese. “Brazil Confirms First Coronavirus Case in Latin America.” AP News, 26 Feb. 2020, apnews.com/fd3d0d0120dd10f3d09bad78a4dd9539.

[12] “Coronavirus Cases Surge to 400 in Italy.” BBC News, 26 Feb. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51645902.

[13] “Coronavirus: Greece Confirms First Case, a Woman Back from Milan.” The Straits Times, Reuters, 26 Feb. 2020, www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/coronavirus-greece-confirms-first-case-a-woman-back-from-milan.

[14] Wyatt, Tim. “Riot Police Sent in as Greek Islanders Protest Refugee Camps’ Construction.” Independent, 25 Feb. 2020, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/greece-refugee-migrant-protests-lesbos-chios-riot-police-tear-gas-a9357511.html.

[15] “Violence in Delhi: Uneasy Calm in Riot-Hit Areas; 106 Arrested, 18 FIRs Lodged.” Times of India, Times Internet, 26 Feb. 2020, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-violence-uneasy-calm-in-riot-hit-areas-106-arrested-18-firs-lodged/articleshow/74324207.cms.

[16] “At Least 25 Killed in India Violence: Latest Updates.” Al Jazeera, 26 Feb. 2020, www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/india-violence-latest-updates-200226070002041.html.

[17] Marlow, Iain, and Hannah Dormido. “Two-Thirds of the World’s Most Polluted Cities Are in India.” Yahoo!, Bloomberg, 25 Feb. 2020, news.yahoo.com/world-most-polluted-cities-mostly-030001223.html.

[18] “56 Victims of Human Trafficking Rescued in Zamboanga City Port .” The Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network, 26 Feb. 2020, www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2020/02/26/56-victims-of-human-trafficking-rescued-in-zamboanga-city-port.

[19] “UN Security Council Approves Resolution Extending Yemen Sanctions.” Al Arabiya, The Associated Press, 26 Feb. 2020, english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2020/02/26/UN-Security-Council-approves-resolution-extending-Yemen-sanctions.html.

[20] Hughes, Clyde. “United Nations: More than 948K Displaced in Syria in Last 12 Weeks.” UPI, 26 Feb. 2020, www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/02/26/United-Nations-More-than-948K-displaced-in-Syria-in-last-12-weeks/3231582728122/.

[21] “Syrian Troops Push into Last Rebel Area, Hit Civilian Sites.” Egypt Independent, AP, 26 Feb. 2020, www.egyptindependent.com/syrian-troops-push-into-last-rebel-area-hit-civilian-sites/.

[22] Swatting involves calling in fake emergencies to authorities with the goal of provoking a large law enforcement response.

[23] Watson, R. T., et al. “Disney CEO Bob Iger Steps Aside; Bob Chapek Named New Head .” The Wall Street Journal, 25 Feb. 2020, www.wsj.com/articles/disney-names-new-ceo-to-succeed-iger-11582665764.