Bhinneka News Online: Wednesday Morning Briefing: Global daily coronavirus deaths hit record

Wednesday, 18 November 2020

Wednesday Morning Briefing: Global daily coronavirus deaths hit record

What you need to know about the coronavirus today

Global daily deaths cross record
The number of reported global daily deaths from the coronavirus stood at 10,816, according to a Reuters tally, the highest single-day death count. The previous record of global daily deaths was 10,733, registered on November 4, according to the Reuters tally.

The United States, the worst-affected country worldwide, has reported about 11.38 million infections and 248,574 deaths since the pandemic started.

Pfizer said final results from the late-stage trial of its COVID-19 vaccine show it was 95% effective, adding it had the required two-months of safety data and would apply for emergency U.S. authorization within days.

COVID-19 infections are still rising in 70 countries. Track daily infections and deaths data for 240 countries and territories around the world.

U.S. medical leaders rebuke Trump
The U.S. medical establishment urged President Donald Trump to share critical COVID-19 data with President-elect Joe Biden’s team to avoid needless, deadly lags in tackling the pandemic. The extraordinary rebuke came in an open letter from three leading healthcare organizations as state and local governments scrambled to fight the virus in the absence of a coordinated national strategy.

Sinovac’s vaccine induces quick immune response
Sinovac Biotech’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac triggered a quick immune response but the level of antibodies produced was lower than in people who had recovered from the disease, preliminary trial results showed. While the early to mid-stage trials were not designed to assess the efficacy of CoronaVac, researchers said it could provide sufficient protection, based on their experience with other vaccines and data from preclinical studies with macaques.

‘Highly contagious’ outbreak in South Australia
South Australia declared a six-day lockdown to stamp out what the state premier described as a highly contagious outbreak of the coronavirus disease that officials linked to a returned traveler from Britain. Most businesses will close, except for some food outlets, and people will be largely confined to their homes as the state tries to avoid a more severe breakout like the one that all but shuttered neighboring Victoria for more than 100 days.

Infected Russian governor sparks anger
A Russian regional governor’s decision to be treated for COVID-19 in a private Moscow clinic rather than in his own region drew public criticism, as Russia reported a new record daily high of 456 coronavirus-related deaths. The disparity in healthcare provision between the Russian capital and other regions is something that the Kremlin recognizes. It has pumped extra resources into the regions, some of which have complained of staff, equipment and bed shortages, in an effort to narrow that gap.

From Breakingviews - Corona Capital: Cycling, Unilever, Video games.
Catch up with the latest pandemic-related financial insights, from the United Kingdom’s bicycle boom to Unilever’s plant-based ambitions, in the latest edition of Corona Capital.

Reuters reporters and editors around the world are investigating the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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U.S.

Half of Republicans say President-elect Joe Biden won because of a 'rigged' election, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll. About half of all Republicans believe Donald Trump “rightfully won” the election but that it was stolen from him by widespread voter fraud that favored Biden.

Special Report: When a Rochester police officer's account took hold despite a lack of forensic evidence, the future of a Black man shot three times by the cop appeared bleak. Reuters analyzed the flaws in the investigation.

Trump fired top cybersecurity official Chris Krebs in a message on Twitter, accusing him without evidence of making a “highly inaccurate” statement affirming the election was secure and rejecting claims of fraud.

U.S. prosecutors will drop drug charges against ex-Mexican Defense Minister Salvador Cienfuegos and turn over the investigation to Mexico, saying “sensitive” foreign policy considerations outweighed the interest in pressing the case. Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard lauded what he described as the “unprecedented” decision to drop U.S. criminal charges against Mexico’s former defense minister in favor of investigating him at home instead.

Follow the money

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U.S. to approve 737 MAX return as Boeing faces strong headwinds

After nearly two years of scrutiny, corporate upheaval and a standoff with global regulators, Boeing is set to win approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to fly its 737 MAX jet again after two fatal crashes. FAA chief Steve Dickson said he is “100% confident” in the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX but says the airplane maker has more to do as it works to improve its safety culture.

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Exclusive: GM warns labor unrest making South Korea untenable

General Motors has issued its strongest warning yet that persistent industrial unrest could drive it out of South Korea, just two years after it received a state-backed rescue package to stay.

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Cash cards for kids: digital banks race to capture the next generation

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