US President Donald Trump tweeted that his daily Coronavirus briefings were not worth his time, two days after sparking a furore by suggesting patients might be injected with disinfectant to kill an infection.

He appeared to confirm media reports that he was considering halting the briefings, which dominate early-evening cable television news for sometimes more than two hours, out of frustration with questions about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, the US leader stunned viewers by saying doctors might treat people infected with the coronavirus by shining ultraviolet light inside their bodies, or with injections of household disinfectant.

After a strong rebuff of his suggestion by top medical experts and disinfectant manufacturers, Trump on Friday claimed he had been speaking "sarcastically." But he limited that day's briefing, which usually includes himself, Vice President Mike Pence and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, to just 19 minutes, and did not take any questions from reporters.

And on Saturday, after 50 briefings over two months, the White House did not hold one at all. Trump has used the briefings to occupy television screens and promote his administration's policies, fend off critics and attack political rivals — from opposition Democrats to China to the US media.

Nearly 2,500 dead in 24 hrs
The US recorded 2,494 more coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, according to figures reported Saturday night by Johns Hopkins University. The country now has an overall death toll of 53,511, with 9,36,293 confirmed infections, according to a tally at 8.30 pm (0030 GMT Sunday). The US is by far the hardest-hit country in the global pandemic.

No cases in Wuhan hospitals for 1st time

The number of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in China's Wuhan, where the virus first emerged before turning out to be a pandemic, on Sunday dropped to zero for the first time. The last patient in Wuhan was cured on Friday, Mi Feng, a spokesperson for China's National Health Commission. Hubei has so far reported 68,128 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 50,333 in Wuhan. The revised figure raised China's overall COVID-19 death toll to 4,632. The total number of cases as of Thursday stood at 82,692.

Italy ponders what went wrong

As Italy prepares to emerge from the West's first and most extensive lockdown, it is increasingly clear that something went terribly wrong in Lombardy, the hardest-hit region. Italy's total of 26,000 fatalities lags behind only the United States in the global toll. Prosecutors are deciding whether to lay any criminal blame for the hundreds of dead in nursing homes, many of whom aren't even counted in Lombardy's official death toll of 13,269.

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The UK came together on Tuesday for a minute's silence in the honour of hundreds of healthcare and other workers who have lost their lives on the frontline of the Coronavirus fight across the country.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who just recovered from a severe coronavirus attack, led the tributes with UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street for the National Health Service (NHS) and other key workers across care homes and public transport.

The tribute comes as the government announced a new time-bound insurance scheme for the families of such public sector healthcare workers who lost their lives while on duty during the pandemic, with a £60,000 Life Assurance Scheme.

"Financial worries should be the last thing on the minds of their families so in recognition of these unprecedented circumstances we are expanding financial protection to the NHS and social workers delivering publicly funded care on the frontline," said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

"Nothing can make up for the tragic loss of a loved one during this pandemic. We owe a huge debt to those who die in service to our nation and are doing everything we can to protect them.

"We will continue to strive night and day to provide them with the support and protection they need and deserve to keep them safe as they work tirelessly to save lives," he said.

He said that bereaved family members will receive a £60,000 lump sum, worth roughly twice the average pensionable pay for the NHS staff, with the cost met by the government. The cases in the UK has reached 1,58,348 while 21,092 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University tracker.

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[Source: Research & Innovation] A free parenting programme based on EU-funded research has won a 2019 Horizon Impact Award for its success in helping families to avoid child abuse in low-and middle-income countries. Now parents everywhere can access online tips to cope with COVID-19 lockdown life.

J.B.CHEMICALS share price has hit an all-time high at Rs 635 (up 4.2%).

Meanwhile, the BSE HEALTHCARE Index is at 15,318 (up 1.3%).

Among the top gainers in the BSE HEALTHCARE Index today are J.B.CHEMICALS (up 4.2%) and ABBOTT INDIA (up 0.3%).

CADILA HEALTHCARE and DISHMAN CARBOGEN AMCIS LTD (down 0.1%) are among the top losers today.

Over the last one year, J.B.CHEMICALS has moved up from Rs 331 to Rs 635, registering a gain of Rs 304 (up 91.7%).

The BSE HEALTHCARE has moved up from 14,034 to 15,318, registering a gain of 1,284 points (up 8.7%) during the last 12 months.

The top gainers among the BSE HEALTHCARE Index stocks during this same period were ABBOTT INDIA (up 145.2%), J.B.CHEMICALS (up 91.7%) and IPCA LABS (up 62.9%).

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 1.4%). The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are INDUSIND BANK (up 4.3%), HUL (up 3.3%) and KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK (up 2.9%). Other gainers include ICICI BANK (up 2.8%) and BAJAJ FINANCE (up 2.4%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are SBI and INDUSIND BANK.

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 1.3%). The top gainers in the NSE Nifty include DR. REDDYS LAB (up 3.9%), INDIABULLS HOU. FIN. (up 3.6%) and INDUSIND BANK (up 3.6%). Other gainers include HUL (up 3.3%) and KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK (up 2.8%).

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved down from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a loss of -6,188 points (up -16.7%).

J.B.CHEMICALS Financial Update...

J.B.CHEMICALS net profit stood at Rs 622 million for the quarter ended December 2019, compared to a profit of Rs 464 million a year ago. Net Sales rose 9.3% to Rs 3.9 billion during the period as against Rs 3.5 billion in October-December 2018.

For the year ended March 2018, J.B.CHEMICALS reported 24.8% decrease in net profit to Rs 1.4 billion compared to net profit of Rs 1.8 billion during FY17.

Revenue of the company grew 3.3% to Rs 14 billion during FY18.

The current Price to earnings ratio of J.B.CHEMICALS, based on rolling 12 month earnings, stands at 20.4x.

This article (J.B.CHEMICALS at All Time High; BSE HEALTHCARE Index Up 1.3%) is authored by Equitymaster.

Equitymaster is a leading 'independent' equity research initiative focused on providing well-researched and unbiased opinions on stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

TIMKEN INDIA share price has plunged 5% and is presently trading at Rs 888.

Meanwhile, the BSE 500 Index is at 12,146 (up 1.0%).

Among the top losers in the BSE 500 Index today are TIMKEN INDIA (down 5.1%) and LAURUS LABS LTD (down 8.9%).

E.I.D. PARRY (up 8.0%) and TV18 BROADCAST (up 7.4%) are among the top gainers today.

Over the last one year, TIMKEN INDIA has moved up from Rs 549 to Rs 888, registering a gain of Rs 339 (up 61.6%)..

The BSE 500 has moved down from 14,958 to 12,146, loss of 2,812 points (down 18.8%) during the last 12 months.

The top gainers among the BSE 500 Index stocks during this same period were ADANI GREEN ENERGY (up 432.8%), ABBOTT INDIA (up 142.8%) and NAVIN FLUORINE (up 115.8%).

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 1.2%). The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are RELIANCE IND. (up 4.2%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are INDUSIND BANK and ICICI BANK.

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 1.1%). ZEE ENTERTAINMENT (up 4.9%) and DR. REDDYS LAB (up 4.3%) are among the top gainers in NSE Nifty.

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved down from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a loss of 6,188 points (down 16.83%).

TIMKEN INDIA Financial Update...

TIMKEN INDIA net profit stood at Rs 846 million for the quarter ended December 2019, compared to a profit of Rs 264 million a year ago. Net Sales declined 3.0% to Rs 3.7 billion during the period as against Rs 3.8 billion in October-December 2018.

For the year ended March 2019, TIMKEN INDIA reported 61.6% increase in net profit to Rs 1.5 billion compared to net profit of Rs 920.0 million during FY18.

Revenue of the company grew 33.0% to Rs 17 billion during FY19.

The current Price to earnings ratio of TIMKEN INDIA, based on rolling 12 month earnings, stands at 26.5x.

This article (TIMKEN INDIA Plunges by 5%; BSE 500 Index Up 1.0%) is authored by Equitymaster.

Equitymaster is a leading 'independent' equity research initiative focused on providing well-researched and unbiased opinions on stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Nautilus, an international trade union for maritime workers, has welcomed the outcome of top-level talks on updates to the Maritime Labour Convention to include measures to address bullying and harassment and to safeguard seafarers' wages when they are held captive.

A study to determine whether a protected sleep period of 5 hours is feasible and effective in increasing the time slept by interns on extended duty overnight shifts was conducted by Kevin G.

Target genes in the malaria parasite can be inhibited by triclosan, an antimicrobial compound used in soap, toothpaste, deodorant and many other products, finds a new study.

Highlights: Most kids are being glued to mobile phones due to COVID-19 social distancing Staying indoors a

Greens/EFA members of the European Parliament have called on the EU Code of Conduct Group to be more transparent about the criteria it used to create the EU's new blacklist of non-cooperative territories and how it will manage it going forward.

The Isle of Man Treasury has warned that time is running out for taxpayers who have failed to declare all their taxable income.

Being distracted by technology during mealtimes may reduce the amount of food a person eats, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the iJournal of Nutrition/i.

A new study has found that UK and Australian sperm banks used masculine archetypes to attract donors because laws prohibit them from paying for sperm.

Dentists can be the first line of defense against domestic violence, said researchers from The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix and

Study finds irrigation more common on city farms than rural farms, intensifying water demands in sprawling urban zones.

Researchers at Africa Water Week call for efforts to “decolonize” and improve water permit systems, so more farmers are encouraged to invest in much-needed irrigation.

Away from Nepal, in other water-impoverished megacities, authorities have proved that seemingly intractable shortages can be addressed, or at least somewhat allayed, while reining in private tankers.

The Pyawt Ywar pump irrigation scheme, on which the project focused, was established in 2004 by Myanmar’s Irrigation and Water Utilisation Management Department. Designed to increase agricultural production and achieve food

“In the water sector we always say 'Don't waste a good crisis'," said Inga Jacobs-Mata, the South African representative from non-profit research group the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Middle aged men and women are at lower risk of hospital admissions if they do moderate exercise, a new study suggests. Inactive participants in the

Being confined within the four walls of the house due to COVID-19 lockdown has increased family time among most workaholics. However, as a famous quote

High doses of magnetic brain stimulation, delivered on an accelerated timeline, and targeted to individual neurocircuitry, effectively treated 90 percent

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) was a valued partner in conceptualising the workshop content and was well represented at the workshop with the participation of its senior officials.

A recent study sheds new light on the climate-groundwater relationship, finding that the 2015-2016 El Niño weather event replenished groundwater very differently in southern Africa and in East Africa just below the equator.

A study across 15 cities in South Asia, Africa and South America shows that water is inaccessible and unaffordable.

“In the water sector we always say 'Don't waste a good crisis'," said Inga Jacobs-Mata, the South African representative from non-profit research group the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Healthcare professionals are in a unique position to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking. Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation,

In more than 1 in 3 women aged 50 and above, the body provides no answer about the menopausal age, increased use of birth control pills and hormonal intrauterine

Early-life exposure to the stress hormone can forever alter many immune system responses, reducing the body's ability to ward off bacterial infections and fight tumors, according to a new study.

Patients with OSA are at an high risk of cardiovascular problems due to a mechanism called "reverse dipping" that causes blood pressure to increase than lower during sleep.

In some kids with HIV, starting the antiretroviral therapy (ART) within hours of birth has been hypothesized to have positive effects raising the possibility

Families of the patients who have died at the hands of medical errors want to remove the term 'second victim,' which subtly promotes the belief that patient

Early plans and documenting end-of-life wishes can prevent unwanted hospitalizations and improve the quality of life in most dying patients, reports a new study.

Updated CT scoring criteria accurately evaluates the progression of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia, stated new article published in the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR).

Amid the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the globe, a new study has stressed that it's time to encourage people to wear face masks as a precautionary

People who brush their teeth three times a day or more are less likely to develop diabetes, according to a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal iDiabetologia/i.

As life has become virtual, parents who had previously set screen boundaries for their children, have to shift those boundaries for their kids to continue learning and growing, revealed study.

Screen time for babies is linked to developing greater autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like symptoms later in childhood, stated findings, from the first

In low and middle income countries, immunizing children with two common vaccines namely the pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccines was found to

iArtemisia annua/i herb has now been genetically engineered to produce more Artemisinin. Anti-Malarial benefits of Artemisinin compound can only be

How can excessive social media screen time result in sleeplessness and depression among teenagers? This study basically explains the parents and other

Combining different two drugs with different properties into nanovesicles surrounded by antibodies can hugely improve their delivery and efficiency. .

he plunge in hotel occupancy levels due to the coronavirus pandemic has forced the hospitality industry to unveil new cleaning standards and redesign parts of the hotel experience. As travelers venture back to hotels, the changes will be visible as ...

Key Highlights Most Impacted Factors During COVID-19 Common Measures During COVID-19 (>80% of the surveyors) Reduce Shift/Work Hours Freeze Hiring Encourage Employees to Take Annual Leave Reduce Operational Hours of F&B Outlets Suspension/Delay of C...

The hotel industry is one of the worst-hit industries during this crisis. A lot of studies have been conducted to help us understand the impact on the economy and our organization's bottom-line. Industry experts, through their various associations, ...

The practice of asset management for hotels entering the third decade of the 21st Century has evolved into an intricate process of analyzing layers of data and operating results, and then acting based upon the conclusions. The process requires great...

Best Western® Hotels & Resorts announces the opening of the brand new Best Western Premier Northwood Hotel Conference Centre. The newly built hotel opened its doors to guests as a Best Western Premier property offering modern décor, upscale amenities and superior service travelers have come to trust from the Best Western Premier Brand. The property features 98 upscale guest rooms including 29 spacious suites, each boasting contemporary design and equipped with a large flat-screen television, microwave and mini fridge. Whether traveling for business or leisure, guests will enjoy an array of amenities, including an indoor heated pool and state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center. Travelers can start their day with complimentary hot breakfast and unwind at the on-site, full-service lounge serving up refreshing cocktails and dinner menu. The Best Western Premier Northwood Hotel Conference Centre is also ideal for business travelers with a full-service business center offering complimentary ...

Full power. Microsoft has created a badge that will be used to indicate games optimised for the Xbox Series X platform.

You can now grab The Golf Club 2019 featuring PGA Tour free on the Xbox One and PC at either of the platform’s store.

What really works when it comes to an online learning module/program? Do all online learning solutions offer and ensure an effective and efficient learning experience for the person on the other side of the screen? "Online", "Remote", "Virtual". The...