Pandemic: what does it mean and does it matter?
When does an epidemic become a pandemic? As the novel coronavirus continues its spread across the globe, what does the designation mean to world healthcare systems as they try to rein in the deadly disease?
The World Health Organization has yet to declare the current outbreak, which originated in central China last month, a pandemic.
It has indicated however that we should prepare ourselves for one.
The WHO defines a pandemic as a situation in which "the whole world's population would likely be exposed to this infection and potentially a proportion of them fall sick," said its emergencies director Michael Ryan.
Delhi protests: death toll climbs amid worst religious violence for decades
Calls for army to be deployed as clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups show no sign of abating
The death toll from the worst religious violence in Delhi in decades has risen to 21, as Muslims fled from their homes and several mosques in the capital smouldered after being attacked by Hindu mobs.
The deathly clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups that began on Sunday showed no sign of abating on the third consecutive day, with reports of early morning looting on some Muslim homes which had been abandoned out of fear.
More than 200 people were admitted to hospitals for injuries which ranged from gunshot wounds, to acid burns, stabbings and wounds from beatings and stone pelting. Several of those who died had jumped from high buildings to escape the attacking mobs.
Trump hires college student as top White House official
James Bacon is set to fill top role in department which oversees presidential appointments
A university student has been given a top role in the White House, according to three administration officials with knowledge of the matter.
James Bacon, a 23-year-old student at George Washington University, will reportedly become the director of operations for the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office (PPO), Politico reported.
The White House’s website says the PPO oversees “the selection process for presidential appointments”.
Germany’s top court backs legalizing assisted suicide
In a landmark ruling, Germany's highest court has overturned a section of the criminal code forbidding assisted suicide. Many terminally ill patients and medical professionals had fought to see the law scrapped.
"I want to end it if the pain gets unbearable," 63-year-old Melanie S. tells Lukas Radbruch, a doctor at University Hospital Bonn, who has also been serving as the president of the German Association for Palliative Medicine since 2014. She has end-stage lung cancer, and fears she could suddenly lose the ability to swallow and suffocate while fully conscious. This possibility has led Melanie S. to consider assisted suicide.
Paragraph 217 of Germany's criminal code had prohibited assisted suicide. The law was adopted in 2015 by Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, to prevent associations or individuals from turning suicide into a kind of business. Specifically, the law states that "anyone who, with the intention of assisting another person to commit suicide, provides, procures or arranges the opportunity for that person to do so and whose actions are intended as a recurring pursuit incurs a penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine."
Hong Kong is giving 7 million people $1,200 in cash to boost its recession-hit economy
Updated 0917 GMT (1717 HKT) February 26, 2020
Hong Kong is handing most of its residents a pile of cash to spend as it tries to save its slumping economy from the aftermath of protests and the coronavirus outbreak.
The Asian financial hub said Wednesday that the measure — the cornerstone of a 120 billion Hong Kong dollar ($15.4 billion) stimulus package — will involve giving 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $1,280) to all permanent residents in the city who are at least 18. About seven million people will benefit from that program.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan also warned that the city will record its first budget deficit in 15 years due to the recession that began in the third quarter of 2019.
Mexico worried by US ruling over boy's border killing
The Mexican government says it regrets a ruling by the US Supreme Court that bars the family of a Mexican boy who was killed in 2010 from suing the US border patrol agent who shot him.
The boy, Sergio Hernández, was shot dead on Mexican soil by US border patrol agent Jesús Mesa, who was on the US side of the border.
The court ruled that the parents could not use US courts to sue Mr Mesa.
The Mexican government says it is concerned it could set a precedent.
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