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London —  Coronavirus has been declared as a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation.
The announcement was made on Thursday evening following a meeting of the WHO emergency committee in Geneva, Switzerland.

 98 cases in 18 countries were confirmed outside China, while there have been eight involving human-to-human transmission in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the US.

As British medical officers increased the risk level in the UK from low to moderate tonight, the issue was considered  seriously.

Approximately 150 UK citizens are due to be brought back from a flight leaving the Chinese epicentre, Wuhan, at 7am local time on Friday (11pm Thursday UK time), Metro News writes.

Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom, said that despite the ‘extraordinary’ efforts made by China to contain the outbreak, the virus has ‘escalated’ in an unprecedented’ fashion.

I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of #2019nCoV, not because of what is happening in #China, but because of what is happening in other countries.https://t.co/HNrxyGeoBA

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 30, 2020

‘Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed the emergence of a previously unknown pathogen, which has escalated into an unprecedented outbreak, and which has been met by an unprecedented response,’ he said.

‘As I have said repeatedly since my return from Beijing, the Chinese government is to be congratulated for the extraordinary measures it has taken to contain the outbreak, despite the severe social and economic impact those measures are having on the Chinese people.

‘We would have seen many more cases outside China by now – and probably deaths – if it were not for the government’s efforts, and the progress they have made to protect their own people and the people of the world.’

He added: ‘I also offer my profound respect and thanks to the thousands of brave health professionals and all frontline responders, who in the midst of the Spring Festival, are working 24/7 to treat the sick, save lives and bring this outbreak under control.’

At least 170 people have died from the virus in China, while thousands have been infected, however there have so far been no deaths outside of the country – something Mr Adhanom said we ‘must all be grateful’ for.

‘Although these numbers are still relatively small compared to the number of cases in China, we must all act together now to limit further spread,’ he added.

‘The vast majority of cases outside China have a travel history to Wuhan, or contact with someone with a travel history to Wuhan. We don’t know what sort of damage this virus could do if it were to spread in a country with a weaker health system. We must act now to help countries prepare for that possibility.

‘For all of these reasons, I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of coronavirus.’

With the help of Dr. Tom Moorcroft, an osteopathic physician focused on infectious disease, CNET has discuss the current risk of becoming infected with coronavirus, how to protect yourself and how to stay informed.

How to protect yourself from the coronavirus

For now, just stick to the basics, Moorcroft says.

The coronavirus is spread through respiratory vapor, such as when someone sneezes or coughs into the air around you. Influenza viruses and common cold viruses are also spread this way.

“The things you should do to protect yourself from the coronavirus are things you should do every day,” he points out. “The No. 1 thing you can do to prevent any respiratory illness is to practice good personal hygiene.”

Moorcroft also reiterates the CDC’s advice for avoiding coronavirus (and other respiratory diseases):

• Wash your hands with soap or use a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol.
• Sneeze and cough into tissues or the crook of your elbow. If you get snot or spit on your skin, clean it off right away. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially people exhibiting respiratory symptoms and fever.
• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Regularly and thoroughly clean surfaces, such as counter tops and doorknobs, with a disinfectant.

Again, these are all basic protections that should be normal, everyday things. Moorcroft believes that extra protections, like wearing medical masks, aren’t really necessary at this point, unless you have the virus or are being investigated for it.

London— One of the popular global news portal from United Kingdom has given a landmark message cor climate change through an announcement.
The Guardian will no longer accept advertising from oil and gas companies, becoming the first major global news organisation to institute an outright ban on taking money from companies that extract fossil fuels, the Guragain writes.

“The Guardian will no longer accept advertising from oil and gas companies, becoming the first major global news organisation to institute an outright ban on taking money from companies that extract fossil fuels.”
A good start, who will take this further?https://t.co/csRuXWZXdG

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 29, 2020

The move, which follows efforts to reduce the company’s carbon footprint and increase reporting on the climate emergency, the Guardian states in its announcement.

The Guardian further writes in its announcement regarding the ban :

For anyone who believes the world faces an urgent climate crisis, it has been quite a year. The world’s leading scientists tell us we have just twelve years to change human behaviour to avert catastrophe. Teenage climate strikers inspire millions of people, young and old, to protest against inaction, and devastating bushfires sweep across much of Australia. This is the most important challenge of our times.

Our Guardian editorial colleagues have led the world in covering the crisis with expertise and urgency. In May 2019 our editor-in-chief Katharine Viner announced that the Guardian would shift to using more urgent language to describe the climate emergency – and other news organisations have begun to follow suit.

Guardian Media Group has always tried to lead the way commercially, too. Five years ago, GMG made the bold decision to shift the investment portfolio of the Scott Trust Endowment fund, which supports the Guardian in perpetuity, to exclude all fossil fuel investments and began a brilliant campaign to encourage others to follow suit, called Keep It In The Ground.

The result is that fossil fuel-related investments now represent less than 1% of our total funds, and many of the fund managers with whom we work say they have created new, greener investment funds as a result of that decision.

We’ve continued to take steps wherever we can. Although we are small compared to the world’s largest companies, in October 2019, we pledged to reduce the Guardian’s emissions to net zero by 2030 – and many other businesses (such as Microsoft) are making similarly ambitious commitments. We have also been certified as a B Corporation, and later this year we will publish our plans to reduce our carbon footprint towards our net zero goal.

As we’ve considered what more our organisation can do, we realise there is another step we can take, if we’re to stay true to our values.

We have decided that we will no longer accept advertising from fossil fuel extractive companies on any of the Guardian’s websites and apps, nor in the Guardian, Observer and Guardian Weekly in print. Our decision is based on the decades-long efforts by many in that industry to prevent meaningful climate action by governments around the world.

Of course we know some readers would like us to go further, banning ads for any product with a significant carbon footprint, such as cars or holidays. Stopping those ads would be a severe financial blow, and might force us to make significant cuts to Guardian and Observer journalism around the world.

More importantly, fossil fuel extractors are qualitatively different. The intent – and extent – of their lobbying efforts has explicitly harmed the environmental cause over the course of many years – as our own reporting has shownand environmental campaigners have powerfully argued. Many environmental experts have called out the difference between fossil fuel extractors and their foundational role in the carbon economy, and other sectors with high emissions.

Advertising has always been a vital part of how we support Guardian journalism – it made up roughly 40% of our revenues last year – and we hope to continue working with advertisers to keep our journalism open to all. A high quality digital advert which reaches millions of Guardian readers on their laptop or phone is every bit as valuable to selling a product as the classified print adverts featured on our first front page were, 199 years ago.

We believe that good advertising, done responsibly, can be a positive for the economy and the world, as well as providing an important way of sustaining the Guardian’s journalism. So we will continue to accept other forms of advertising as we continue to seek long-term financial sustainability for the Guardian.

As most Guardian readers know, funding for high quality news remains in crisis. Sales of print newspapers continue to decline, and the dominance of gigantic digital platforms which absorb the vast majority of advertising spend on the web makes it harder for publishers to be rewarded for the journalism they produce.

We have made huge efforts to rebalance the Guardian’s finances over the past four years, and thanks to the generosity and support of readers – and advertisers – we have begun to restore the Guardian to a healthier financial state.

The truth is that we will continue to rely on both types of support for many years to come as high quality media continues to be battered on many sides, both financially and politically, around the world.

The advertising landscape is shifting fast, and many businesses and advertisers are waking up to the climate crisis themselves. We believe many brands will agree with our stance, and might be persuaded to choose to work with us more as a result. The future of advertising lies in building trust with consumers, and demonstrating a real commitment to values and purpose.

The funding model for the Guardian – like most high quality media companies – is going to remain precarious over the next few years and we’ll be more reliant than ever on the support of our readers. It’s true that rejecting some adverts might make our lives a tiny bit tougher in the very short term. Nonetheless, we believe building a more purposeful organisation and remaining financially sustainable have to go hand in hand.

London — As part of a package of announcements , the Government has announced changes to Tier 1 Visas for researchers. A new, fast-track Global Talent Visa scheme to attract the world’s top scientists, researchers and mathematicians will open on 20 February.

This follows a commitment by the Prime Minister last summer to put science, research and innovation on the top of the Government’s agenda.

The bespoke Global Talent route will have no cap on the number of people able to come to the UK, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to supporting top talent. It will replace the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route. The route provides four ways in which a researcher may be able to obtain a visa.

The changes mean that, for the first time, UK Research and Innovation will endorse applicants from the scientific and research community. This new scheme allows researchers and specialists who are named, or whose role is named, on a grant from an endorsed funder to apply for a fast track Global Talent visa.

The changes also expand the number of individual fellowships that are covered by a scheme administered by The Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and The British Academy. The announcement doubles the number of eligible fellowships under this scheme. EPSRC-STFC Stephen Hawking Fellowships and the NERC-UKRI Landscape Decision Fellowships will join other fellowships already eligible, including the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships.

A Tier 1 visa provides a number of benefits to recipients:

• Continue to ensure dependents have full access to the labour market
• Preserve the route’s flexibility by not requiring an individual to hold an offer of employment before arriving or tying them to one specific job
• Provide an accelerated path to settlement for all scientists and researchers who are endorsed on the route
• Provide for an exemption from the Government’s absences rules for researchers, and their dependents, where they are required overseas for work-related purposes, ensuring they are not penalised when they apply for settlement.

The Immigration Rules to bring the Global Talent Visa changes into effect will be made on the 30 January 2020 and come into effect on the 20 February.

The changes are part of the initial phase wider reforms to enable those with world class skills in science and research to come to the UK.

London:  The mayor of the Gorkha Municipality of Nepal Mr Rajan Raj Panta has arrived in the United Kingdom.

Mr Panta along with Admin of the Municipality council Nepal Mrs Krishna Kumari Shresth and the president of Federation of Nepalese Journalist Gorkha Mr. Kishor Jung Thapa in the team to sign the formal agreement to the friendly tie among Rushmoor Borough Council UK and Gorkha Municipality Nepal. All the three members of the Gurkha Municipality were welcomed by Tejendra Regmi, the third secretary of  Embassy of Nepal to the UK,

The council and the Gurkha municipality have agreed to set up new cultural and business links with strong ties to both the army and aviation.

 

The formal agreement and sign process of the friendly tie among the Gurkha council and the Rushmore borough is set to be held on Thursday  and the Embassy of Nepal to UK has organised a reception and welcome program on Friday evening at the Embassy premises.

 

The Nepali community has a strong presence in the borough Rush Moore because of the strong Gurkha connection with the Aldershot Garrison and local area. Many Gurkha soldiers who have served in the British Army have originated from Gorkha.

The links will be supported by the existing twinning association set up to encourage and develop such links. The move to strengthen the ties recognises existing cultural and business links. They are different to traditional town twinning and represent a new form of relationship.

Ex President of the Greater Rushmoor Nepali Community (GRNC), Jib Belbase, said: “We are delighted to hear plans to set up these new cultural and friendship links with the Gorkha region are progressing, and the GRNC are proud to have played a role in helping to bring this about. Gorkha is an area of Nepal that many of our former and current Gurkha soldiers have a strong affinity with. Anything which encourages a better understanding, and strengthens ties within the different communities amongst the people of Rushmoor, is very much to be encouraged.”

 

HRW, (New York) – The Maldives government should preserve a mangrove forest that helps protect local residents against increased risks from flooding and coastal erosion, Human Rights Watch said today. A large portion of the mangrove forest on the northern island of Kulhudhuffushi was previously destroyed to build an airport, and authorities are now considering plans to reclaim the remaining area for development after the island was upgraded to city status.

“The Maldives government will be putting more islanders at risk of their lives and livelihoods from flooding if they destroy more mangroves,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director. “The Maldives are already at serious risk from the effects of climate change, and the authorities should be taking urgent steps to protect island communities facing further harm.”

Mangroves provide a natural protection against flooding, tsunamis, and other disasters. Kulhudhuffushi city has grown more vulnerable since 70 percent of the island’s mangroves were bulldozed to make way for a new airport in 2018. In December 2019, the island experienced serious flooding during heavy rains. Residents of Kulhudhuffushi told Human Rights Watch that flooding on the island has become more frequent and affects more homes than had been the case in previous years. They said areas adjacent to the destroyed natural mangrove buffers were the ones worst hit by the floods.

A 2017 environmental impact assessment had raised concerns about irreversible damage from the airport construction, as had local community activists, particularly women whose businesses depend on natural resources from the mangroves and adjacent palm forest. Despite these concerns, then-President Abdulla Yameen expedited the airport project before the 2018 presidential elections. Maldivian activists alleged that Thoriq Ibrahim, the environment minister at the time, overrode a decision by the Maldives Environmental Protection Agency, a quasi-independent government agency that reviews projects based on environmental impact assessment reports, not to issue a permit for the airport construction.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s government has pledged to ensure that environmental impact assessments are sound and their recommendations followed, but is currently considering a proposal to remove the remaining mangroves. In March 2019, the environment ministry accepted an offer by the Mangrove Action Project, an international nongovernmental organization, to help preserve the Kulhudhuffushi mangroves. Experts from the organization recommended that the government undertake conservation measures, including restoring the hydrology of the mangroves to protect the island from flooding.

The Maldives are one of the most vulnerable countries on earth to climate change, with the projected global sea-level rise potentially inundating many of its approximately 1,200 islands. With flooding, erosion, and other ecological disasters on the rise, mangrove forests and coral reefs are one of the Maldives’ most important natural protections against these extreme weather events.

“By adopting measures aimed at protecting Kulhudhuffushi’s remaining mangroves, Maldives authorities would signal a real commitment to protecting the island’s communities,” Gossman said.

Kathmandu — Nepal has invited the prime ministers of India and Pakistan along with several other heads of state and heads of state for the Sagarmatha Sambaad, officials in Kathmandu have confirmed.
The first multi-stakeholder dialogue event is expected to be the largest diplomatic initiative in the recent history of Nepal, in which many global figures will participate alongside the leaders of the member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

“Invitations have been sent to more than 150 foreign guests, including government leaders and heads of state, ministers, business leaders, media, members of multilateral organizations, think tank experts, academics, civil society leaders and activists,” said a source who informed work of the Sagarmatha Secretariat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. The officer also confirmed that other SAARC leaders have also been invited.

An Indian source has confirmed that South Block has received the invitation from Kathmandu, the people’s review writes.

Nepal’s Foreign Ministry, led by Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, has taken the lead in the event scheduled to focus on the threat of climate change to the modern world. Given the large number of world leaders, the event is expected to serve as a location for bilateral interaction between leaders from different countries.

India and Pakistan have become entangled in a cycle of hostility, as a result of which Islamabad could not have organized the SAARC summit in 2016. The event in Kathmandu aims to attract all SAARC leaders and provide the opportunity to break the ice. India had accused Pakistan of cross-border terrorism during the boycott of the Islamabad summit that led to its cancellation.

Earlier last week, the Foreign Ministry announced that India has invited all heads of government from the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, to the heads of government of the SCO that will be organized later in New Delhi. 2020.

The Sagarmatha Sambaad from 2 to 4 April will also emphasize Nepal’s ability to assert its position to the global public with officials who say the event is expected to become a global and regional diplomatic venue.