The Daily World News Report of the 5th of March 2020

Coronavirus

The virus has spread to all 16 states of Germany. “More than half of the cases, 103, are in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia”.[1]

The US Congress approves a measure to provide 8.3 billion dollars to fight the coronavirus. The agreement distributes $2 billion to the CDC, $3 billion to the National Institute of Health & a public health emergency fund, $1.3 billion to protect citizens living abroad, and 0.5 billion for “a remote health care program”[2]

In the past week, Saudi people have been returning home from Iran through Bahrain, and a security risk that Saudi Arabia has rebuked Iran for is not stamping the passport of their citizens that they have visited Iran. Six people infected with Coronavirus has entered Saudi Arabia without proper quarantining and documentation from Iran through Bahrain.[3]

Country	New Cases Today	Total	Deaths	Total Deaths	Recovered (today)	Total
Germany¹		196
Iran[4]	591	3513	15	107
Kuwait[5]					1
Iceland[6]	10	26
Bahrain[7]					3
Thailand[8]	4	47
Britain/UK[9]	30	115[10]	1st
Switzerland⁷		87	1st
South Africa[11]	1st
Pakistan[12]		6
San Francisco[13]	1st
Italy[14]		3,858	41	148	138	414
Saudi Arabia[15]	3
United States[16]					15
Wisconsin¹⁶						1
California¹⁶						6
Nebraska¹⁶						4
Illinois¹⁶						2
Arizona¹⁶						1
Washington¹⁶						1
South Korea¹⁶					47 (Tuesday 2020.03.03)	88
World¹⁶		96,988				53,638

Indonesian army government propaganda is suppressed by Twitter and Facebook

Reuters investigated a network of news websites, discovering that they were sponsored by the Indonesian army. The investigation determined that the news outlets targets the tense region of Papua with pro-government propaganda to ease the tension. When Twitter and Facebook received Reuters’ investigation report, they “suspended more than 80 accounts … that linked [to] them”. Some of the social media accounts deceptively appeared to be “the work of Papuan residents or "Free Papua" activists, even as they promoted material that praised the army and criticised advocates of Papuan self-determination.”[17]

Ivory Coast President resists the temptation to retain power for a third time

Alassane Ouattara was the transitional president of Ivory Coast after “a brief civil war when his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to concede defeat” in their 2010 election. Although he announced that he will not run for a third term today, his motivation to his past statements to continue his campaign was to limit rivals to succeed him, saying that “he would run if his longtime political rivals were candidates”. “Ouattara’s two main rivals, Gbagbo and another former president, Henri Konan Bedie, have not yet said whether they will be candidates in October.”[18]

Death toll rises in Delhi, India as they seek to recover from clashes

The riots over an immigration law, easing the process for non-Muslim people to come to India, has remained minimal for more than a week, and “the Delhi government has decided to enhance compensation for damaged residential units in riot-affected areas, … [setting] up nine shelters for victims of violence.” The death toll rose to 53 today as reported by four hospitals.[19]

The border between Turkey and Greece becomes more strained

Greece has endured thousands of attempts by refugees to enter the country within the past couple days, injuring 164 people as they “push 4,900 people back to Turkey” according to Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.[20] “The Turkish government is deploying hundreds of special police forces at the Greek border to prevent Athens from “pushing back refugees” who are trying to cross into Greece, … Soylu said.”[21]

Gas leak explodes refugee camp market in Gaza Strip

At a refugee camp market in Gaza Strip, a gas leak in a bakery exploded, “quickly spread[ing] to nearby stores, factories and cars parked along the street.” The incident killed at least 9, injuring 60 others today.[22]

A four-storey residential complex collapsed in Pakistan

The four-storey residential building in Pakistan illegally added a fifth storey one year ago. The building collapsed, destroying two adjacent houses. The destruction resulted in the death of at least 11 people, and 22 were injured.[23]

Turkey and Russia agree on cease-fire in Syria

A six hour meeting between Russian President Putin, who has been backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who backs the Syrian rebels, resulted in an agreement of a cease fire in Syria. “Mr. Putin, who stood by Mr. Erdogan’s side during a brief joint announcement, said the agreement would help bring an end to the suffering of millions of civilians.” [24]

In the year 2000, Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father Ḥafiz al-Assad, who had ruled Syria as President since 1971.[25] Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has been the president of Russia since 1999, alternating between Prime Minister and President, during the following years: Prime Minister – 1999, 2008-2012; President – 1999-2008, 2012-today.[26] Recep Tayyip Erdogan served as Prime Minister of Turkey from 2003-14, and he has served since 2014 as President of Turkey.[27] Researching their political careers, I find that these people are within a cohort. Putin was born in 1952, Erdoğan was born in 1954, and Assad was born in 1965. I wonder who else is in this cohort of world leaders, ruling since the early 2000s.

After Bashar al-Assad has regained most of his nation, leaving the rebels with one stronghold, the result of the civil war, which began in 2011, was not revolutionary, if this ceasefire holds.

Afghanistan war investigation approved

The International Criminal Court approves an appeal to investigate “possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan” today. The tweet that I found this information on said that thousands of children have endured death and recruitment into the Afghanistan war; although, the article therein did not mention the children. “ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked the court to approve an investigation into alleged crimes, including targeted attacks on civilians by the Taliban and other insurgents; torture, rape, and enforced disappearances by Afghan police and security forces; and torture by the United States military and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).” The date range for the crime investigation are May 1, 2003 to today.[28]

Nigerian Army releases more than 300 people from custody

Last night on the 4^th of March 2020, the Nigerian Army released more than 300 people from custody. Most of which are children numbered at 233. These people were held in “Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison [until]... they were cleared of suspected ties with armed groups”. “Some of the children who had been missing for up to four to five years, with many presumed dead by their families, according to the global humanitarian agency”. They have been transferred to the following organizations to restore and resume a healthy life: “Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, UNICEF and Borno State authorities in Maiduguri, north-east Nigeria”.[29]

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[1] Watjen, Christian. “Germany Confirms 196 Coronavirus Cases, Almost Every State Affected.” NTD, 3 Mar. 2020, www.ntd.com/germany-confirms-196-coronavirus-cases-almost-every-state-affected_441142.html.

[2] Shabad, Rebecca. “Senate Passes $8.3 Billion Emergency Bill to Combat Coronavirus.” NBC News, 5 Mar. 2020, www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-passes-8-3-billion-emergency-bill-combat-coronavirus-n1150521.

[3] Khalid, Tuqa. “Coronavirus: Riyadh Condemns Iran for Not Stamping Saudi Citizens’ Passports.” Al Arabiya, 5 Mar. 2020, english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/03/05/Saudi-condemns-Iran-for-allowing-its-nationals-entry-without-stamping-passports.html.

[4] “Over 3,500 Coronavirus Cases in Iran, 107 Deaths: Health Ministry.” Al Arabiya, AFP, 5 Mar. 2020, english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/03/05/Over-3-500-coronavirus-cases-in-Iran-107-deaths-Health-ministry.html.

[5] Serrieh, Joanne. “Kuwait Announces First Coronavirus Recovery: KUNA.” Al Arabiya English, 5 Mar. 2020, english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/03/05/Kuwait-announces-first-coronavirus-recover-KUNA.html.

[6] Thordar, Inga. “Iceland Confirms ‘Many Cases per Capita’ as Coronavirus Cases Rise by 10 to 26.” CNN World, 5 Mar. 2020, edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-05-20-intl-hnk/h_c52298b547b6e54fd3020948cffe84cf.

[7] Serrieh, Joanne. “Three Coronavirus Patients Recover in Bahrain: Health Ministry.” Al Arabiya English, 5 Mar. 2020, english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/03/05/Three-coronavirus-patients-recover-in-Bahrain-Health-ministry.html.

[8] “Thailand Reports Four New Coronavirus Cases, Total 47.” Reuters, 4 Mar. 2020, www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-thailand-cases-idUSKBN20S0G1.

[9] “Britain Confirms First Coronavirus Death.” Dawn, 5 Mar. 2020, www.dawn.com/live-blog/.

[10] “Total Coronavirus Cases in UK Rise to 115.” Reuters, 5 Mar. 2020, www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-britain-total/total-coronavirus-cases-in-uk-rise-to-115-idUSL9N26V04D.

[11] “Coronavirus: South Africa's President Ramaphosa Warns of Crisis.” BBC News, 5 Mar. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51752974.

[12] Ali, Imtiaz. “Sindh's Third Case of Coronavirus Also Linked to Iran.” Dawn, 5 Mar. 2020, www.dawn.com/news/1538653/sindh-reports-third-case-of-coronavirus-pakistans-tally-rises-to-6.

[13] Riotta, Chris. “Coronavirus US News: Senate Approves Massive Response Package as Officials Confirm New Cases in New York and San Francisco.” Independent, 5 Mar. 2020, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-news-us-cases-live-updates-symptoms-trump-cdc-california-florida-a9377786.html.

[14] “Coronavirus: Deaths in Italy Jump to 148, Cases Climb to 3,858.” The Straits Times, Reuters, 5 Mar. 2020, www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/coronavirus-deaths-in-italy-deaths-jump-to-148-cases-climb-to-3858.

[15] Naar, Ismaeel. “Saudi Arabia Records Three New Coronavirus Cases: Health Ministry.” Al Arabiya, 5 Mar. 2020, english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/03/05/Saudi-Arabia-records-three-new-coronavirus-cases-Health-ministry.html.

[16] Edwards, Erika. “Amid Growing Coronavirus Cases, Another Number Increasing: Recoveries.” NBC News, 5 Mar. 2020, www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/amid-growing-coronavirus-cases-another-number-increasing-recoveries-n1148126?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma.

[17] “Twitter, Facebook Suspend Accounts Linked to Indonesian Army's Papua Campaign.” The Straits Times, Reuters, 5 Mar. 2020, www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/twitter-facebook-suspend-accounts-linked-to-indonesian-armys-papua-campaign.

[18] “Ivory Coast’s Ouattara Says He Won’t Seek Third Term in October Election.” France 24, Reuters and News Wires, 5 Mar. 2020, www.france24.com/en/20200305-ivory-coast-s-ouattara-says-he-won-t-seek-third-term-in-october-election.

[19] “Week after Delhi Violence, Death Toll Climbs to 53; 654 FIRs Registered, Say Police.” Indian Express, IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd, 5 Mar. 2020, indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-death-toll-6301079/.

[20] “Turkey Deploys 1,000 Police at Greek Border to Stem Pushback of Refugees.” Al Arabiya, Reuters, 5 Mar. 2020, english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/03/05/Turkey-deploys-1-000-police-at-Greek-border-to-stem-pushback-of-refugees.html.

[21] Bilgic, Taylan. “Turkey to Deploy 1,000 Special Police Forces at Greek Border.” Bloomberg, 5 Mar. 2020, www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-05/turkey-to-deploy-1-000-special-police-forces-at-greek-border.

[22] “Nine Killed in Gaza as Bakery Fire Spreads through Packed Market.” The Straits Times, Reuters, 2020 Mar. 2020, www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/nine-killed-in-gaza-as-bakery-fire-spreads-through-packed-market.

[23] “Pakistan Building Collapse Kills at Least 11.” The Straits Times, AFP, 5 Mar. 8AD, www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/pakistan-building-collapse-kills-at-least-11.

[24] Simmons, Ann M., and David Gauthier-Villars. “Putin, Erdogan Agree to Cease-Fire in Syria .” The Wall Street Journal, 5 Mar. 2020, www.wsj.com/articles/putin-erdogan-agree-to-cease-fire-in-syria-11583431207.

[25] Zeidan, Adam. “Bashar Al-Assad.” Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/biography/Bashar-al-Assad.

[26] Wallenfeldt, Jeff. “Vladimir Putin.” Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 10 Jan. 2020, www.britannica.com/biography/Vladimir-Putin.

[27] Zeidan, Adam. “Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.” Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 22 Feb. 2020, www.britannica.com/biography/Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan.

[28] Gossman, Patricia. “ICC Offers Hope to Afghanistan’s Victims.” Human Rights Watch, 5 Mar. 2020, www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/05/icc-offers-hope-afghanistans-victims.

[29] “More than 300 Persons, Including 223 Children, Released from Administrative Custody for Their Alleged Association with Armed Groups in North-East Nigeria.” Unicef, 4 Mar. 2020, www.unicef.org/nigeria/press-releases/more-300-persons-including-223-children-released-administrative-custody-their.