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Global warming is turning Antarctica snow green

New Delhi (NVI): The Antarctic Peninsula, one of the fastest-warming places on Earth, is seeing so-called snow algae turning the snow green.

Warming temperatures due to climate change are helping the formation and spread of “green snow” and it is becoming so prolific in places that it is even visible from space, according to a new research.

Notably, green snow algae are some of Antarctica’s smallest living organisms, delicate enough to examine by microscope. But when they grow together in clumps they become a rich, green stain on the surface of the white snow.

A large network of algal blooms have been cropping up every summer across the peninsula of Antarctica and the nearby islands that dot the Southern Ocean.

Furthermore, these blooms likely play an important role in the coastal ecosystem. Algae are typically a fundamental part of coastal food webs and help to sustain other larger forms of life.

These ‘snow algae’ are sometimes also known as ‘watermelon snow’, because they can produce shades of pink, red or green.

About two-thirds of the algal blooms studied occurred on the area’s islands, which have been even more affected by regional temperature rises than the Peninsula itself.

For the algae to thrive, the conditions need to be just right: water needs to be just above freezing point to give the snow the right degree of slushiness. And that’s happening with increasing frequency on the Peninsula during the Antarctic summer, from November to February.

2 out of every 5 jobs lost during pandemic may not come back: Report

New Delhi (NVI): Two out of every five jobs lost during the coronavirus outbreak will not come back. In addition to this, the pandemic will have a profound, long-term consequence for the reallocation of jobs, workers, and capital across firms and locations, according to research by University of Chicago.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US had 14.7 per cent unemployment rate for the month of April.

“We estimate that 42 per cent of recent pandemic-induced layoffs will result in permanent job loss,” said Steven J. Davis of the University of Chicago Booth, School of Business, a leading expert on hiring practices, job loss and the effects of economic uncertainty.

“If the economic shutdown lingers for many months or if serious pandemics become a recurring phenomenon, there will be profound, long-term consequences for the reallocation of jobs, workers, and capital across firms and locations,” Davis added.

The researchers constructed a novel, forward-looking measure of expected job reallocation across the US firms, pairing anecdotal evidence from news reports and other sources, along with the rich dataset provided by the Survey of Business Uncertainty (SBU).

Fielded by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in cooperation with Chicago Booth and Stanford University, a monthly panel survey was also developed which allows the calculation of a firm’s expected growth rate over the next year and its degree of uncertainty about its expectations.

In addition, two special staffing-related questions in the SBU reveal that pandemic-related developments caused near-term layoffs equal to 12.8 per cent of March 1 employment and new hires equal to 3.8 per cent or roughly three new hires per 10 layoffs.

The authors mention numerous sources that report large-scale hiring by certain retailers, grocers and food-delivery firms.

Furthermore, they find that some companies are becoming creative in managing their labor needs.

“Some companies are forming partnerships that exploit the re-allocative nature of the COVID-19 shock to speed hiring,” said Davis.

He also said that, “Grocery chains are creating labor exchanges with hotels and retail stores are pairing with gig companies, among other creative solutions to move workers to where they are needed.”

Similarly, researchers from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and Stanford also contributed to the work.

Bangladesh COVID-19 tally exceeds 63,000; 846 dead

(Image source: United News of Bangladesh)

New Delhi (NVI): Bangladesh reported spike in coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours with the detection of 2,635 new cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 63,026.

The country also recorded a total of 35 death due to the novel coronavirus during this period, raising the death tally to 846, according to United News of Bangladesh.

So far, a total of 13,325 people have recovered from the deadly contagion, after 521 more patients made recovery.

The detection rate of new patients on Saturday has been recorded at 21.10 per cent.

In addition to this, against the total number of detected cases, the recovery rate is 21.14 per cent and the mortality rate is 1.34 per cent in the country.

582 new COVID cases in Afghanistan; tally hits 19,551

New Delhi (NVI): Afghanistan witnessed a rise in coronavirus cases with 582 new cases, taking the overall tally to 19,551 across the country, according to Afghan media reports.

In the past 24 hours, 18 patients have died due to COVID-19 virus in the country.

Among the fresh cases, Herat was on the top of the list with 193 new positive cases followed by Kabul (161), Nimroz (107), Balkh (46), Nangarhar (23), Laghman (15), Ghor (14).

Likewise, seven cases were reported in Kandahar, six in Uruzgan, five in Kunar, two in Nuristan, two in Helmand and one in Paktia.

Apart from this, among total deaths reported in last 24 hours, seven were in Kunar, five in Herat, 4 in Kabul, one each in Nimroz and Helmand provinces.

The Ministry of Public Health said 1,830 people have recovered while 327 died from the respiratory disease in Afghanistan.

So far, 45,900 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the country, as per media reports.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Second Vice President released new guidelines for the lockdown in Afghanistan which included a three month-ban on gatherings of more than 10 people and mandatory wearing of face masks and social distancing.

Nepal COVID-19 tally reaches 3,235 with 323 new cases

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): 323 new positive coronavirus cases have been reported from Nepal, taking the toll in the Himalayan nation to 3,235, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said, “Of the total infected, 3,003 are males and 232 are females.”

In the last 24 hours, 286 males and 37 females from Sunsari, Saptari, Nawalparasi, Banke, Bardiya, Syangja, Baglung, Bajhang, Kanchanpur, Dhangadhi, Dadeldhura, Dailekh, Dolpa, Jajarkot, Salyan, Argakhachi, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Mahottari, Rautahat and Sarlahi have tested positive for the virus.

At present, 70 of the 77 districts and all the Provinces have witnessed the transmission of COVID-19 virus, as per media reports.

As many as 249 cases have been detected in 12 districts of Province 1; 1,077 cases have been seen in eight districts of Province 2; and 90 cases in 12 districts of Bagmati Province.

Likewise, 73 cases have been reported in nine districts of Gandaki Province; 1,061 cases in 11 districts of Province 5; 579 cases in nine districts of Karnali Province; and 106 cases in nine districts of Sudurpaschim Province.

Apart from this, 23 people have been discharged following recovery, which means the total recovery cases stand at 365 across the country.

Meanwhile, Nepal has recorded two more coronavirus related deaths today, which has taken the national COVID-19 death toll to 13 across the country.

Coronavirus cases surpass 95,000 in Pakistan; death toll at 1,954

COVID-19: Pakistan imposes mini-lockdown in Islamabad

New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan have now surpassed China in the total number of coronavirus cases, the first epicentre of the disease, recording around 5,000 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 95,458 with at least 1,954 fatalities.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh province has reported 36,364 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 35,308 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 12,459 cases, Balochistan is at 5,776, Gilgit-Baltistan at 897, Islamabad at 4,323 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 331 cases so far, according to Geo News.

So far, 31,198 people have fully recovered from the deadly contagion in the country.

Reportedly, this is the fourth consecutive day when a record number of cases were reported in Pakistan after the Eid holidays and easing of lockdown restrictions at the end of May.

COVID-19 pandemic not a silver lining for nature: Report

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): With most of the planet locked down due to the Covid-19 crisis, experts believe this could be the time when nature finally takes a break amid low human activity and get into a healing mode. However, a latest report suggests that coronavirus lockdown may have a detrimental effect on the planet’s forest cover.

Penguins were seen on the streets of Cape Town, a kangaroo roaming around Adelaide and a crab-eating fox exploring Bogotá suburbs are just a few examples of the silver lining of this crisis that is being reported by the media. These stories are coupled with reports of clean air over Delhi, Seoul and even Los Angeles.

However, outside urban areas, the situation is very different.

A report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), says that in rural areas, there is less wealth and the main source of income for the people is nature, with hunting, fishing and logging necessary to provide food and support livelihoods.

Unfortunately, people who moved to cities and have now lost their employment and income opportunities due to the quarantines are returning to their rural homes, further increasing the pressure on natural resources while also increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to rural areas.

Based on the media reports, there is increased deforestation in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Especially areas dependent on tourism to fund conservation are facing reduced resources as tourism has come to a halt.

Meanwhile, illegal mining for gold and precious stones in Latin America and Africa is on the rise, as prices spike and protected areas are left unguarded, according to World Economic Forum report.

These increased pressures on nature and rural areas are expected to persist until economies rebound and governments are able to refocus on conservation.

Notably, land use change is a major driver of disease transmission from wildlife to people. Species threatened by exploitation and habitat loss are twice as likely to be sources of zoonotic disease compared to other threats.

According to the biologist Thomas Lovejoy, “This pandemic is the consequence of our persistent and excessive intrusion in nature and the vast illegal wildlife trade.”

Countries must start planning for rebuilding their economies in a way that fosters green structural transformation, including through long-term commitments to public spending and pricing reforms.

It is equally important that climate and biodiversity stay at the top of the agenda in 2020 and beyond, and that leaders leverage every opportunity to maintain the momentum.

Top military commanders of India, China meet over stand-off

New Delhi: Top military officials of India and China met today at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh sector to discuss ways to defuse the stand-off which has been going on for a month now.

At the meeting held at the level of Lt General, the Indian side was led by Commander of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Harinder Singh. This meeting took place after the ones at lower levels, including at the level of Major General, did not result in any resolution.

The military stand-off in the Ladakh sector was triggered after China objected to construction of a road by India on its side of the LAC, claiming that it is their territory. Since then, both sides have mobilised thousands of troops who are in eyeball-to-eyeball situation.

However, efforts are on through military and diplomatic channels to defuse the situation.

In this regard, senior officials of the foreign ministries of the two countries held talks yesterday and both sides agreed that they should handle the differences through “peaceful discussion”.

The talks were held via video conference between Naveen Srivastava, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Indian External Affairs Ministry and Wu Jianghao, Director General in Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations including the current developments, the External Affairs Ministry said, clearly referring to the LAC stand-off.

“In this context they recalled the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, that peaceful, stable and balanced relations between India and China will be a positive factor for stability in the current global situation,” the MEA said.

“Both sides also agreed that in accordance with the guidance provided by the leadership, the two sides should handle their differences through peaceful discussion bearing in mind the importance of respecting each other’s sensitivities, concerns and aspirations and not allow them to become disputes,” it added.

Apart from that, the two sides also exchanged views on the challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and cooperation in various multilateral forums, the Ministry said.

Sun Weidong, Chinese Ambassador to India who also was part of the discussions over video conference, said the two sides agreed that they “should follow the strategic guidance of the two leaders, put into action that China & India pose no threat to each other & represent development opportunities for each other, & differences should not be turned into disputes.”

Upheaval in Pakistan: US writer accuses Ex-Interior Minister of rape

Cynthia D Ritchie (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): An upheaval of sorts has been created in Pakistan as an American woman Cynthia D Ritchie, who presents herself as a writer, has alleged publicly that she was raped by the then interior minister Rahman Malik in 2011 at the Presidential House.

In a video, she has also charged the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousuf Raza Gillani of physically manhandling her.

“..In 2011, I was raped by former Interior Minister Rahman Malik. That’s right. I will say it again. I was raped by the then Interior Minister Rahman Malik. I was physically manhandled by the then Health Minister Makhdoom Shahbuddin and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani while he was staying at the President’s House,” Cynthia said in the video broadcast.

The serious charges against top leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have created an upheaval of sorts, with demands on social media for thorough investigation into the matter.

She reiterated her allegations in her tweets too.

“Occurred at IM’s house in min enclave 2011 around the OBL incident. I thought it a meeting about my visa but I was given flowers/a drugged drink. I kept quiet – who in PPP govt would help me against PPP IM? Recently they attacked family; I’ve had it. Ready to face any accuser,” she wrote in one tweet.

The reference to ‘IM’ is possibly to Interior Minister and the one to ‘OBL’ is to Osama bin Laden, who was killed by the US special forces in a secretive operation in Abbottabad near Islamabad, triggering an acrimony between Pakistan and the US.

“And, yes, I did tell someone at the UsEmb in 2011, but due to ‘fluid’ situation and ‘complex’ relations between US and Pakistan, response was less than adequate. I’ve been engaged to a wonderful man who I met in (Pakistan). He encouraged me to speak out, so we can move on as a couple,” Cynthia said in another tweet.

“#ZardariFilthyPPP keeps threatening me. Why? Because they know that over the years I have been raped/assaulted by men in the highest ranks of PPP. They don’t want the world to know,” she said in yet another tweet.

“My story is deeply emotional. Even my family has not known until now. I’ve tried to be positive & promote the softer side of Pakistan but have also experienced the very bad. I wish to tell my truth one time so that women, transgenders, locals can understand they are not alone,” she said.

“There is much more. But now I need a few days to rest and be alone with my fiance. I’m tired. I ask the PPP leadership @BBhuttoZardari to tell its people to leave my family alone. I will be ready to meet any and all investigators, as is required by law, as early as next week,” Cynthia said.

Meanwhile, Netizens in Pakistan have been making reacting sharply to these charges and are demanding investigation and action.

Treatment of non-communicable diseases hit by COVID-19, says WHO

COVAX
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

New Delhi (NVI): Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, prevention and treatment services for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have been severely disrupted, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

A WHO survey completed by 155 countries during a three-week period in May confirmed that the impact is global. However, it has affected low-income countries.

WHO said the situation is of significant concern because people living with NCDs are at higher risk of severe COVID-19-related illness and death.

“The results of this survey confirm what we have been hearing from countries for a number of weeks now,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“Many people who need treatment for diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes have not been receiving the health services and medicines they need since the COVID-19 pandemic began, said Tedros.

Non-communicable diseases kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. Each year, 15 million people die from an NCD between the ages of 30 and 69, with more than 85% of these “premature” deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

The main finding WHO survey is that health services have been partially or completely disrupted in many countries.

More than half (53%) of the countries surveyed have partially or completely disrupted services for hypertension treatment; 49% for diabetes and diabetes-related complications; 42% for cancer treatment, and 31% for cardiovascular emergencies.

The survey also found that, rehabilitation services have been disrupted in almost two-thirds (63%) of countries, even though rehabilitation is key to a healthy recovery following severe illness from COVID-19.

In the majority (94%) of countries responding, ministry of health staff working in the area of NCDs were partially or fully reassigned to support COVID-19.

The postponement of public screening programmes (for example for breast and cervical cancer) was also widespread, reported by more than 50% of countries.

The most common reasons for discontinuing or reducing services were cancellations of planned treatments, a decrease in public transport available, and a lack of staff because health workers had been reassigned to support COVID-19 services.

In one in five countries (20%) reporting disruptions, one of the main reasons for discontinuing services was shortage of medicines, diagnostics and other technologies.

Tedros said it is vital that countries innovate ways to ensure that essential services for NCDs continue, even as they fight COVID-19.

“Unsurprisingly, there appears to be a co-relation between levels of disruption to services for treating NCDs and the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak in a country,” said the WHO.

The services become increasingly disrupted as a country moves from sporadic cases to community transmission of the coronavirus.

Globally, two-thirds of countries reported that they had included NCD services in their national COVID-19 preparedness and response plans; 72 per cent of high-income countries reported inclusion compared to 42 per cent of low-income countries.

These services are to address cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease were the most frequently included.

However, 17 per cent of countries reporting have started to allocate additional funding from the government budget to include the provision of NCD services in their national COVID-19 plan.

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