Global Digital Store – Ebooks and Softwares

Tag: abroad

BREAKING: Buhari’s Chief Of Staff, Abba Kyari, Reportedly Sick, Suspected Of Contracting Coronavirus

Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, is said to be seriously ill and in fact suspected of being infected with Coronavirus.

A top government source told SaharaReporters on Monday that Kyari has been seriously “down” since returning from a trip abroad.

Kyari visited Germany and Egypt and only returned this week, giving credence to the fact that he may have indeed been infected with the virus.

Egypt has 327 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and 14 deaths while Germany has 29,056 infections and 123 deaths.

Though coughing severely, Kyari is said to have been attending meetings including with Buhari, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, ministers and other members of the Federal Executive Council.

Executive Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Prof James Momoh, was said to have accompanied Kyari on the trip to both countries.

The latest development comes hours after a leaked memo showed Kyari telling Nigerian legislators, who recently returned from foreign trips, to submit themselves for Coronavirus test.

It also comes after Aisha Buhari, wife of Nigeria’s President, disclosed that one of her daughters was in self-isolation after returning from the United Kingdom, one of the high risk countries for the virus.

On Monday, Nigeria confirmed its first Coronavirus death after a former Managing Director of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Suleiman Achimugu, succumbed to the virus in Abuja.

Earlier, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control announced a total of 36 confirmed cases but with Kyari’s suspected infection, that figure may have now risen to 37.

Politics

PUBLIC HEALTH

Breaking News

Exclusive

News

AddThis

:

Featured Image

:

Original Author

:

Saharareporters, New York

Disable advertisements

:

Read More
http://saharareporters.com/2020/03/23/breaking-buhari%E2%80%99s-chief-staff-abba-kyari-reportedly-sick-suspected-contracting

Views: 0

March 24, 2020
Adequate blood supply in the country: National Blood Centre

KUALA LUMPUR: The supply of blood in the country is still sufficient at a safe level so far, said National Blood Centre (PDN) director Dr Noryati Abu Amin.

However, she said PDN and other blood centres are still in need of blood donors to continue replenishing blood stock at an optimum level all the time.

According to her, blood donation is still available during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period as the activity is considered an essential service under the Health Ministry for the treatment of patients.

While it cannot be denied that blood donation throughout the country would be affected following Covid-19 and the enforcement of MCO, Dr Noryati said various efforts including stepping up promotions via social media as well as extending the operation hours at collection centres have been carried out.

“So far, the supply of all types of blood is sufficient, however many blood donation campaigns were cancelled over fears that the people maybe infected with Covid-19 which also caused a drop in the number of donors,” she told Bernama.

Dr Noryati added that several additional measures were taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 when individuals came to donate blood, among them was limiting the number of donors at a location at any one time.

“Apart from that, measures such as social distancing and practice of good hygiene especially washing hands with soap and water as well as providing initial screening such as checking body temperature and inquiring the travel history of the donor, she said.

In this regard, she urged the people to continue donating blood regularly to ensure the supply of blood is always at a safe level.

“Having an adequate supply of blood at all time is very important to treat patients such as emergency victims, expecting mothers who may experience bleeding complications during delivery, cancer and thalassemia patients as well as patients undergoing major surgeries,” she said.

Members of the public can donate blood at three locations in the Klang Valley namely PDN in Jalan Tun Razak on Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 8pm and on Saturday and Sunday, from 8am to 6pm.

Besides that, the PDN Donation Suite in Midvalley Megamall starts daily from 10am to 5pm while the Puspanita Blood Donation Suite in Putrajaya operates from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm and on weekends from 9am to 6pm.

Meanwhile, the blood supply at the Blood Centre of Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital Seremban (HTJS) is also sufficient, said Negri Sembilan Health acting director Dr Mohammad Faid Abd Rashid.

Speaking to Bernama, he said the centre has enough blood for patients,

“During the MOC period, the centre is still operating on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm and on Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4.30 pm.

“The supply of blood however depends on healthy and non-risky donors who have to adhere to the regulations of the hospital,” he said.

Dr Mohammad Faid said those who display Covid-19 symptoms or have just returned from abroad or have close contact with suspected Covid-19 cases would not be allowed to donate blood. — Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/adequate-blood-supply-in-the-country-national-blood-centre-BA2165883

Views: 0

March 21, 2020
Covid-19 worldwide death toll nears 115,000

ANKARA: With the global death toll on Saturday approaching 115,000, health officials worldwide announced new cases in coronavirus’ continuing spread, Anadolu Agency reported.

The country with the highest loss of life due to coronavirus is Italy, where 4,032 people have so far died, after eclipsing China earlier this week.

Mainland China, where the outbreak started last December, was second, with a total of 3,255 people dead.

Iran had the third-highest death toll, with 1,433.

Australia reported that the number of cases of Covid-19 rose to 1,051, with 300 people added to the total in the last 24 hours.

Singapore’s Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said the number of cases in the country rose to 385, and it also claimed the lives of a 75-year-old Singapore woman and a 64-year-old Indonesian.

Morocco’s Health Ministry said the number of cases had risen to 86, including seven people who had recently been abroad.

Morocco on Friday declared a state of emergency over the outbreak.

Meanwhile, Paraguay’s Health Ministry announced on Twitter that a 69-nine-year old man had died from the virus after treatment in an intensive care unit.

Local media reported that the total cases number of cases in the country was 18.

President Mario Abdo Benitez announced that a quarantine declared for March 10 to April 4 has been extended to April 12. — Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/covid-19-worldwide-death-toll-nears-115000-GA2165778

Views: 0

March 21, 2020
Covid-19: Sabah imposes new restrictions

KOTA KINABALU: In a bid to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the Sabah government has issued several new restrictions today including a 14-day quarantine at the nearest quarantine centres for all individuals arriving from abroad.

State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong said in line with the decision of the National Security Council yesterday, the state government would implement the move from tomorrow until March 31 for all individuals entering the state by air, sea, river and land.

“In addition, the inter-district public jetties will be closed to the public.

“The state government has decided that inter-district public jetties in Kudat, Sipitang, Kota Kinabalu, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Tawau will be closed from March 22 to 31, except for emergency cases,” he said in a statement here today.

He said the state government had also ordered all districts to impose roadblocks with immediate effect.

“Thus far, only 17 districts have implemented roadblocks to reduce the movement of vehicles carried out by the Royal Malaysia Police and the Road Transport Department,” he said. — Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/covid-19-sabah-imposes-new-restrictions-XA2165642

Views: 0

March 21, 2020
M’sians in Thailand rush home to beat movement control order deadline

BANGKOK: Many Malaysians working or on holiday in Thailand scrambled to book the next flight to Malaysia after a two-week nationwide movement control order from March 18 was announced in the country due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Many Malaysians rushed to airports early morning to make sure they got back home by today to avoid being slapped with the 14 day self-quarantine under the order.

An employee based in Pattaya, Low Ban Ching, travelled about 150km to Bangkok today just to catch the next flight back to Malaysia.

“I read messages from friends and family members back home about the movement control order.

“I realised I need to be back in Malaysia by today, if not, I have to undergo health checks and self-quarantine for 14 days.

“Luckily, I managed to book a ticket from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur,” he told Bernama when met at the Suvarnabhumi Airport today.

Meanwhile, a project-based employee who only wanted to be known as Kah Yee, said she decided to fly home as the movement control order created uncertainty for travellers.

“I’m not sure whether there will be another extension after March 31. I made a quick decision to fly home today to beat the deadline,” she said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had declared that Malaysia would be placed under nationwide movement control order from March 18-31 March due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Muhyiddin said it also involves a comprehensive restriction on all Malaysians travelling abroad with those returning from overseas required to undergo a health check and to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The restriction also covers the entry of all foreign tourists and visitors into the country and also bars Malaysians from leaving the country.

A businessman, who goes by the name of Thomas, 56, said he decided to bring forward his return ticket to get home before the deadline.

“I want to be home before the order goes into effect … I prefer to go back to Malaysia,” he said.

For Australian couple, Rosemary and David, who will transit in Kuala Lumpur before flying to Sydney said they decided to fly before March 18.

“We read about Malaysia’s movement control orders. We are not sure whether it will affect our flight.

“We do not want to take any risks so we are flying home early,” he said. – Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/m-sians-in-thailand-rush-home-to-beat-movement-control-order-deadline-DC2141261

Views: 0

March 17, 2020
Italy to re-nationalise Alitalia in response to virus

Italy’s government said Tuesday it will re-nationalise the bankrupt former national carrier Alitalia to make sure crises like the coronavirus pandemic never strand its compatriots abroad.

Read More
https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-italy-re-nationalise-alitalia-response-virus.html

Views: 0

March 17, 2020
Nationwide movement restriction measures to begin on Wednesday (Updated)

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has declared that Malaysia will be placed under a nationwide movement restriction order from Wednesday (March 18) to March 31, 2020, due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The order, the first in the country’s history, was announced by the prime minister in a live broadcast over national television tonight.

A total of 315 new positive cases of Covid-19 have been reported over the past two days, bringing the total in Malaysia to 553 cases.

Of this total, 511 have been hospitalised while 42 people have recovered.

Muhyiddin said the nationwide movement restriction order means that all business premises have to be shut down, except for outlets such as supermarkets and grocery stores selling daily essentials.

He said all government and private premises would be closed, except for essential services such as utilities, telecommunications, transport, banking, health, pharmacies, ports, airports, cleaning and food supplies.

He said the movement restriction also means all Malaysians will be banned from travelling abroad, and that no tourists or foreigners will be allowed to enter the country. Those who have just arrived from abroad must undergo self-quarantine for 14 days.

All public and private schools, including kindergartens, nurseries, residential school and other educational institutions are also to close. All private and public higher institutions of learning will also close.

Closure of all government and private premises except essential services such as water and electricity, telecommunication, postal service, transport, fuel, gas, lubrication, broadcasting, banking, health, pharmacy, fire-fighting, ports, airports, prisons, security and defence, sanitary services, provision and food supply.

The order also calls on a ban on all mass gatherings, including religious, sports, social and cultural activities.

The Prime Minister said the measures were taken to protect the rakyat from the spread of the virus but advised Malaysian to not panic and stay calm.

Muhyiddin added that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs will ensure that the supply of groceries and health care essentials will be readily available.

He also said that the government will address the situation daily and provided a hotline number – 0388882010- that will answer any queries from the public.

In an immediate response, former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told theSun that the order was the right action made in the right time.

“I am okay with it because it is in line with what I was advocating, I did not implement this earlier because at that time it wasn’t warranted and it wasn’t the right thing to do then,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah said that the provision of Section 11 (5) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 is read together with Section 24(a) of the same act.

Haniff said this would make any breach to the restriction order a criminal offence.

“The offense under section 11(5) carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment. Whereas the second offence under section 24(b) warrants a maximum imprisonment sentence of five years.”

He also urged government officials to give a clear guideline on the extent of which a member of public can be out before it is considered an offense.

“This is to ensure proper and dutiful compliance on the part of public and to allow strict enforcement by the authorities.” he told theSun.

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/nationwide-movement-restriction-measures-to-begin-on-wednesday-updated-IC2136749

Views: 0

March 16, 2020
Singaporeans should avoid overseas travel, government says

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s health ministry on Sunday urged its citizens to defer all non-essential travel abroad in an unprecedented move for the Asian transport hub, as part of new measures to control the coronavirus that is fast spreading around the world.

Singapore will also tell all entering the country with recent travel history to the Asean group of nations, Japan, Switzerland or the United Kingdom to quarantine themselves at their place of residence for 14 days, the ministry added.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) comprises Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Countries, such as the UK and Switzerland have “abandoned” any attempt at containing the spread of the infection, said Lawrence Wong, a minister who co-heads Singapore’s virus fighting taskforce.

“That’s why we are more concerned that Singapore may well be exposed to a new wave of infections, which is potentially larger than what we have seen previously.”

The majority of new infections being reported in Singapore, an island nation with a population of 5.7 million, over the past few days have been people returning from overseas rather than local transmissions.

At least five cases of Singaporeans have been linked to a large religious gathering in Malaysia that was attended by more than 10,000 people from several countries.

Short-term visitors who are nationals of its Southeast Asian neighbours will also have to seek prior approval from the health ministry before their journey to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.

The restriction comes after a number of cases that entered Singapore with the specific purpose of seeking healthcare, the health ministry said. There have been two cases of Indonesians who had coronavirus symptoms at home before arriving in Singapore, known for its superior healthcare facilities.

The measures will be reviewed after a month. They will not apply to sea and land crossings with Malaysia, which will have separate precautions. Wong said 300,000 people a day move across the land checkpoints with Malaysia.

The Asian travel hub has previously announced bans on visitors from several coronavirus-hit countries, including China, Italy and France.

Singapore has won international praise for its painstaking onslaught on the virus since it initially emerged with one of the highest tallies of infections outside China. But other nations have since outpaced it.

Singapore has reported 212 infections, but no fatalities. Globally, more than 150,000 people have been infected while over 5,800 have died, a Reuters tally shows. — Reuters

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/world/singaporeans-should-avoid-overseas-travel-government-says-XI2129044

Views: 0

March 15, 2020
Organic Farming: Key to Healthy Living?

[ad_1]

What is organic farming? How it promotes healthy living? Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies crop production on green manure, compost, and biological pest control instead of using pesticides and herbicides. Therefore such process can help individuals have a healthy lifestyle because of the absence of chemical content.

These organic agricultural methods are internationally regulated and legally enforced by many nations. In our cooperative, all our suppliers’ farms are fair-trade and organically certified by an international certifying body. Fair-trade in the sense that we follow the international fair-trade protocol especially in terms of wage compliance requirements and child labor laws. Organic also because the only allowed fertilizer in our farms is SALT. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.

With the increasing environmental awareness of the general public here and abroad the originally supply-driven organic movement transforms into a demand-driven one. For coconut farmers, premium prices attracted farmers to convert their farms into organic.

Organic farming methods is a mixture of scientific knowledge of ecology and modern technology because practices are based on naturally occurring biological processes. It is also concerned with protecting the environment and working in harmony with existing ecosystems, including conserving water, soil and energy, and using renewable resources and natural farming cycles.

Moreover, organic foods are not necessarily completely chemical free. They may be grown on land not previously used for organic food production and, therefore, might contain chemical residues. However, the pesticide residues in organic food are considerably lower than those found in foods produced with synthetic chemicals.

Most people buy organically-grown food products because they are concerned about pesticides, additives, antibiotics or other chemical residues. Although pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables are monitored, many people believe organic food is healthier. Some people worry about the long-term health, economic and environmental consequences of genetically manufactured foods and choose organic foods.

Organic foods promote healthier and more sustainable use of natural resources. Modern farming methods, including excessive use of chemicals, have led to a decline in soil fertility, and an increase in salinity and blue-green algae in waterways over many years. Organic farmers try to minimize damage to the environment by using physical weed control, and animal and green manure.

Organic food is often more expensive than conventionally-produced food because organic farming generally operates on a smaller scale. The production is more labor intensive and yields are generally smaller. It is a known fact that when you use herbicides and pesticides, you get high production.

Despite this problem, when we patronize organic products, we have a guarantee that our lives would be healthier, safer and longer.

[ad_2]

Source by Rosemarie Sumalinog Gonzales

Views: 0

January 11, 2020