• Big News Network.com

    Here's how China misled the world on coronavirus

    Washington DC [USA], Mar 27 (ANI): The coronavirus or COVID-19 has brought life to a near standstill in almost every part of the world. The virus, which has originated in central China's Hubei Province has claimed more than 20,000 lives so far and continues to adversely affect more than 150 countries globally. However, the impact could be lowered had China been more transparent about the virus outbreak in the beginning. The first case of COVID-19 was reported from Hubei's Wuhan city in December last year and has affected half a million people till now. With 10,000 deaths in Europe alone, it has now become an epicentre of the deadly virus. An article in American magazine 'National Review' highlights

  • Irish Independent

    Covid-19: Sweden is doing the opposite of almost all of Europe

    Swedish children continued to pour through the gates into their schools and kindergartens yesterday as the country stood increasingly alone in Europe in its approach to tackling the coronavirus. Shops and restaurants also remained open, with parks and recreational areas packed with groups enjoying the spring sunshine. Despite a surge in Covid-19 patients and growing dissent among epidemiological experts, the Swedish government's medical experts are standing by their decision not to follow almost all other EU nations in organising economic and social lockdowns. Anders Tegnell, Sweden's state epidemiologist, said the different approach reflected the independence traditionally enjoyed by government

  • Irish Examiner

    'Landlords just sold up': Leo Varadkar explains why Dáil rejected 12-month rent freeze

    The Dáil has voted against extending a ban on rent increases and evictions to cover the next year instead of just three months. People Before Profit sought the amendment to legislation being considered by the Dáil - arguing the economic effect of the Coronavirus will last longer than the medical impact. The vote was defeated 25 to 23 with Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and four Independents voting against it. The four Independents were Cathal Berry, Noel Grealish, Mattie McGrath and Richard O'Donoghue The government says the ban on increases and evictions can be extended beyond three months under the bill anyway. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pointed to examples of rent freezes being counter-productive as his

  • Irish Examiner

    Coronavirus: Ten more deaths in Ireland as six clusters in nursing homes

    Six clusters of Covid-19 have now been found in Irish nursing homes, but families are still being urged to keep away from their loved ones. That warning came from the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan as the number of deaths from Covid-19 in Ireland rose by 10 to 19 and the number of cases by 255 to 1,819. Today's deaths were three females and seven males, nine in the east and one in the south. Dr Holohan said that the planning scenario within the HSE was for a 1% mortality rate, adding that if cases continue to rise, so will deaths. Dr Holohan said that the HSE is worried about the pattern of outbreaks in nursing homes and long-stay care facilities. Dr Holohan said that most of the people

  • Irish Independent

    Dairy farmers face dumping milk as processors sweat over a shut down

    Dairy farmers may face dumping milk on their farms as processors warn they may not have the capacity to cope if coronavirus affects shut down processing during the peak milk season. The Irish Independent understands intense discussions will take place between processors and farm organisations in a bid to stave off what has been described as a possible catastrophic failure of the dairy supply chain. With the majority of Irish dairy farmers now calving their cows in early spring, the approaching peak production month of May is occupying the minds of the industry as it battles the implications of Covid-19 while keeping milk processed.

  • Irish Sun

    Major drug operation in Claremorris, Co Mayo busted

    CO MAYO, Ireland - An extensive, large-scale and sophisticated grow house has been discovered, and a 28-year old man arrested, at industrial premises in Claremorris, Co Mayo. A search carried out by garda from the Mayo Divisional Drugs Unit, assisted by Claremorris Community Engagement Team and the Armed Support Unit under a warrant also found approximately €250,000 worth of drugs. The search was conducted on Wednesday afternoon. "An industrial unit was converted into a grow house for large scale production. During the course of the search, over 300 cannabis plants were seized with an estimated street value of approximately €250,000 (pending analysis)," a statement from gardai said. "During the

  • Irish Independent

    Namesake: St Corona, patron saint of resisting epidemics

    Germany's Aachen Cathedral has dug out the relics of little-known St Corona - patron saint of resisting epidemics - from its treasure chamber and is polishing up her elaborate shrine to go on show once the coronavirus pandemic has passed. The pandemic, which has infected nearly half a million people worldwide, including more than 30,000 in Germany, has boosted public interest in the Christian martyr, believed to have been killed by the Romans around 1,800 years ago. Even before the coronavirus outbreak, the cathedral had planned to display St Corona's shrine this summer as part of an exhibition on gold craftsmanship. It is not clear when people will now be able to view the shrine due to tough