Here are some of today’s biggest headlines.
Trump economy faces long-term disaster as jobs data looms
The staggering economic pain — perhaps the worst since the 1930s — of the American economy in the time of coronavirus will be graphically underscored in two new rounds of unemployment data that are due on Thursday and Friday.
Silent hypoxia: Covid-19 patients who should be gasping for air but aren’t
An unusual subset of Covid-19 patients have few breathing struggles, called ‘silent hypoxia’ and horribly nicknamed ‘happy’ hypoxia, even though their oxygen levels and lungs show signs of terrible illness.
How coronavirus saved Angela Merkel’s legacy
Angela Merkel doesn’t give big speeches. The German Chancellor addresses her nation once a year, in a pre-recorded New Year’s message. When she decided to update the Germans about coronavirus in March, it was the first unscheduled televised address she had given in almost 15 years of leadership.
The coronavirus is crushing the world’s most prolific film industry
This is supposed to be a busy time of year for Bollywood. School exams are over and Hollywood’s summer blockbusters are typically still a couple of months away, making it the perfect time to release India’s big spring flicks.
Customers shot 2 McDonald’s employees after being told to leave due to coronavirus restrictions
Two customers shot two McDonald’s employees in Oklahoma City Wednesday after they were told to leave the store’s dining area, police say.
Trump contradicts nurse he’s honoring over PPE availability
President Donald Trump contradicted a nurse he was honoring in the Oval Office on Wednesday, insisting there are no personal protective equipment shortages in the US despite her account that availability could be “sporadic.”
US citizen detained in Venezuela speaks on state TV
One of two American veterans detained earlier this week by Venezuelan security forces has appeared on state television in the South American nation.
Chastened Samsung heir will not hand the company down to his children
Samsung’s de facto leader Lee Jae-yong says he will not be handing the company’s management over to his children.
Adele delights fans by returning to Instagram with surprise birthday post
After a social media hiatus, Adele has returned to Instagram with a bang.
Italy’s incredible ‘floating ship’ bridge reaches for the sky
(CNN) – High above the Polcevera valley, the final section of a majestic new bridge was hoisted into place this week, signaling the imminent completion of a remarkable engineering project against seemingly impossible odds. The bridge is a critical traffic artery for northern Italy.
Africa Live: Coronavirus is like a ‘third world war without bombs’ – BBC News
That’s all from BBC Africa Live. There will be an automated service until Thursday morning. Keep up-to-date with what’s happening across the continent by listening to the Africa Today podcast or checking the BBC News website. A reminder of our wise words of the day: If the water in a river decreases, it concentrates in the middle.”
How a single locust becomes a plague – BBC News
Earlier this year, the worst swarms of desert locusts in decades decimated crops and pasture across East Africa and beyond, threatening the food security of the entire sub-region. The ravenous insects spread rapidly in January and February through a number of countries in East Africa – including Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia – as well as areas of Pakistan.
Coronavirus: Germany’s Bundesliga to resume this month, says Angela Merkel
The German Bundesliga season can resume this month, Chancellor Angela Merkel has confirmed. It will become the first major league in Europe to return to competition, with a date for resumption to be confirmed by the German Football League (DFL) on Thursday. All matches will be played behind closed doors.
Hundreds injured and eight dead in Indian gas leak
Eight people have died, with hundreds of others taken ill, after a gas leak in south India. The leak, in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state, has been traced to a polymer factory. Doctors told BBC Telugu that “hundreds” of people have been taken to hospital – many complaining of a burning sensation in the eyes and difficulties breathing.
Coronavirus and sport: LMA chief warns clubs need to back neutral venues
The 2019-20 Premier League season could be cancelled if clubs do not agree to play in neutral venues, says League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan. A vote is set to take place on Monday on proposals for a return to football. The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Uber axes 3,700 staff as trips drop in lockdowns
Uber has announced plans to cut 3,700 full-time staff – about 14% of its workforce – as business plunges following pandemic shutdowns. Chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi will also waive his base salary – set at $1m (£809,690) in 2019 – through to the year end.
WHO Warns Of More COVID-19 Outbreaks If Countries Open Back Up Too Quickly
ZURICH/GENEVA (Reuters) ― The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday that countries emerging from restrictions to halt the new coronavirus must proceed “extremely carefully” or risk a rapid rise in new cases. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said countries needed to ensure they had adequate measures to control the spread of the COVID-19 respiratory disease like tracking systems and quarantine provision.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Released From Hospital Following Gallbladder Treatment
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was released from the hospital Wednesday, a day after receiving a nonsurgical gallbladder treatment. Ginsburg, 87, is “doing well and glad to be home,” a statement from the Supreme Court said.
Elon Musk Corrects Grimes’ Explanation Of Son’s Name And Grimes Fires Back
Elon Musk chose the wrong time to correct Grimes’ explanation of their newborn’s name. The couple, who announced the birth of their baby boy on Tuesday, chose an unusual moniker for their son: X Æ A-12 Musk.
Facebook finally appoints members to its Oversight Board, but will it really matter?
A Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate who organized protests during the Arab Spring. The Vice President of the conservative Cato Institute who wrote a book titled “The Struggle to Limit Government.” The former editor-in-chief of The Guardian when it was breaking news on the Edward Snowden’s leaked NSA documents.
‘Bush paved the way’: Seth Meyers warns against praising George W. Bush simply because Trump sucks
Many Democrats believe Donald Trump is one of the worst presidents in U.S. history. The commander-in-chief’s predecessors now seem downright dignified in comparison, irrespective of how popular they were while actually in office. However, as Late Night host Seth Meyers points out, Trump’s terribleness doesn’t absolve America’s past leaders of their transgressions, and we would do well to remember that.
Barack and Michelle Obama announce they will host 2 virtual graduation ceremonies
If you’re one of the many people missing a graduation ceremony this year because of coronavirus social distancing practices, Barack and Michelle Obama want to help lift your spirits. On Tuesday morning, the former president and first lady announced they’ll be hosting two virtual graduation ceremonies – one on Saturday, May 16, and another on Saturday, June 6.
These self-sustaining 3D printed houses generate their own electricity and water
Haus.me is the latest iteration of small, high-tech, prefabricated house that can operate entirely off the grid. The roof is clad with solar panels and the house has a water filtration and recycling system that means it requires no access to a water supply.
