Senate, White House reach $2 trillion aid bill; UN issues $2b appeal; India goes on lockdown; Turkey charges 20 in Khashoggi killing; Brazilians protest Bolsonaro; Colorado abolishes death penalty
NewsHero - March 25, 2020 - Issue 62
Welcome to today’s edition of NewsHero for March 25, 2020.
For the foreseeable future, our newsletter will be made fully accessible to all readers. We hope you’ll take advantage of the resources provided here as we all do our best to absorb the continually developing information on the coronavirus crisis. Also, we hope you enjoy our usual take on happenings from around the globe, and consider joining up with us in the near future.
At NewsHero we put the heroes in the headlines and give them the attention in our coverage that they deserve. Here you’ll find the same high priority news, but you’ll get it without clickbait and it won’t be driven by ad sales. You’ll also get it with the focus on those who are helping, not causing harm.
Our heroes are identified as follows:
🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️ - the hero, hands down. - Meaning that it wasn’t even a close call.
🦸♀️🦸♀️ - the hero, but… - Meaning that in this situation the call needed to be looked at in a little more detail. For example, in this case, they did the right thing but there have been some questionable calls in the past.
🦸♀️ - the hero, but only here, and it was a close call. - Meaning that in this instance they did the right thing but it was either out of character or a maddeningly close call.
We love feedback. Whether it’s about our choice of hero or anything else, feel free to let us know what you think here.
We are a subscription-based outfit and would love for you to think about making us a permanent part of your daily routine. Thank you for your support as we strive to grow as an independent news source so we can offer more for our readers.
Please share us with anyone you think might like what we do—or might need another perspective.
Wishing you health and safety!
NewsHero Notes
Antonio Guterres - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for a global cease-fire amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying “It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.” Communist guerrillas in the Philippines said Wednesday they would observe the cease-fire in compliance with the U.N. chief.
Steve Green and Monika Hertlová - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
Since 2017, Steve Green and Monika Hertlová have been setting sail in their 112-year-old boat to remove plastic pollution from the worst affected areas of England’s Cornish coast, reports The New York Times.
Afternoon Brief
Prosecutors in Khashoggi case - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
Istanbul prosecutors said today they had prepared an indictment against a close aide to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a former deputy head of general intelligence over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The prosecutor’s office accused the two men of instigating Khashoggi’s murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and named 18 suspects it said actually carried out the killing, which caused a global uproar.
Agnes Callamard, the U.N. investigator who led an international probe into the crime, welcomed the indictment, saying it was needed as a “counter balance to the travesty of justice at the hands of Saudi Arabia.”
In a statement to Reuters, she urged U.S. authorities to release their findings on responsibility for the death of the Washington Post columnist, “including the responsibility of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.”
Brazilian protesters - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
Quarantined Brazilians are protesting against President Jair Bolsonaro as the country’s largest state, Sao Paulo, will essentially shut down for two weeks to help fight the coronavirus.
Residents are fed up with Bolsonaro’s dismissal of the virus as fantasy and a media trick and suggesting that “hysteria” over the outbreak could cause more harm than the virus itself. Many people are shouting out windows and standing on balconies, some banging pots and pans, yelling “Get out, Bolsonaro!”
Sao Paulo state Governor Joao Doria said a statewide quarantine order would take effect on Tuesday and last through April 7. All but non-essential businesses and services, including bars and restaurants, will remain closed across the country’s most populous state, which includes its financial hub, for the duration.
Governor Jared Polis, Colorado - 🦸♀️🦸♀️🦸♀️
Colorado’s governor signed a repeal of the state’s death penalty law on Monday and commuted the sentences of all three death row inmates to life without parole, drawing harsh criticism from a district attorney whose office prosecuted the condemned men.
The action by Governor Jared Polis to sign the repeal was expected, as he had indicated support for abolishing capital punishment as it was being debated in the state legislature last month, but the fate of the death row inmates remained unknown until Monday.
Polis said in a statement that he was sparing the inmates’ lives not due to any change in their individual cases but to reflect the new legislation.
“The commutations of these despicable and guilty individuals are consistent with the abolition of the death penalty in the State of Colorado,” said Polis, a first-term Democrat.
Washington Agrees On Historic $2 Trillion Virus Rescue Bill
UN issues $2 billion appeal, pushes need for continued humanitarian aid
In this photo taken Monday, March 23, 2020, French soldiers discuss inside the military field hospital built in Mulhouse, eastern France, Monday, March 23, 2020. The Grand Est region is now the epicenter of the outbreak in France, which has buried the third most virus victims in Europe, after Italy and Spain. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some, it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, File)
NewsHero is continuing to offer a compilation of stories and resources that best represent the current state of the coronavirus pandemic, centered on those individuals, institutions, and organizations stepping up to end this crisis as quickly and effectively as possible. The public, too, has a duty. This includes staying responsibly informed and taking the situation seriously, while remaining as cool-headed and as isolated as possible. These are strange and difficult times, but we will endure.
The White House and Senate leaders announced an agreement Wednesday on a $2 trillion emergency bill—the largest economic rescue bill in history—to rush aid to businesses, workers and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The United Nations is issuing a $2 billion appeal to fight the coronavirus, warning that without continued humanitarian assistance, crisis areas will be unable to contain the virus.
The eastern French border city of Mulhouse was fought over by France and Germany across two centuries, but the horrors of the new coronavirus cluster tearing through this community of 110,000 is inspiring unusual solidarity, reports The Associated Press.
While many countries have shut their borders to stem the march of the pandemic—even some nations within the borderless European Union are instituting ID checks—three German states have opened their hospitals to patients from eastern France. Hospitals in bordering Switzerland have done the same.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a “complete” lockdown for the country’s 1.3 billion people on Tuesday, warning that “many families will be destroyed forever” if India didn't respond swiftly to its coronavirus outbreak in the next three weeks.
A victim of the Covid-19 virus is evacuated from the Mulhouse civil hospital, eastern France, Monday March 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
According to Forbes, HP Inc. and partners are working together to create 3D printed face masks and shields amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Committee to Protect Journalists is calling on authorities in Niger to immediately release independent journalist Kaka Touda Mamane Goni and stop legal proceedings against him, the group said Tuesday.
Yesterday’s episode of NPR’s Fresh Air, “How the Government Can Mobilize During a Pandemic,” is a good listen.
Despite criticism he’s gotten for his use and defense of the term “Chinese Virus” for the novel coronavirus, Donald Trump says he doesn’t regret the phrase, but that he’ll distance himself from it because “I decided we shouldn’t make any more of a big deal out of it.”
As quarantines and isolation are in place all over the world, many domestic violence victims are finding themselves in a worst-case scenario, providers say, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Human Rights Watch says that during this time of crisis its society’s most vulnerable that need to be protected if the fight against COVID-19 is to be successful.
Wired published a story Tuesday titled, “The Race to Turn Hotels Into Coronavirus Hospitals,” that says the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) can build thousands of hospital beds in a matter of days as the U.S. is desperate for them.
Following the announcement that it’s committing $25 million in waived fees and free services to support local businesses affected by the virus pandemic, Yelp announced Tuesday a partnership with GoFundMe that will put “Donate” buttons on businesses’ Yelp pages, reports TechCrunch.
Extra! Extra!
Full stream ahead!
Despite being canceled over the virus outbreak, the London Festival of Railway Modeling will still chug along. Online!
Model-makers are bringing the thrill of the event to the public by using the hashtag #TwitterModelRailwayShow. Participants have been posting photos and videos this week of their detailed miniature railway sets, drawing expert commentary and appreciative feedback from fellow enthusiasts, reports Reuters.
The show’s sponsor was British toymaker Hornby. “It just goes to show how resourceful folks are,” said Simon Kohler, Hornby’s marketing and product development director. “You get knocked down, you get up again and you find another way.”
We love this. Being able to stay engaged with a community that offers joy and support is essential in these times of isolation. Whether it’s trains, planes, or a priceless collection of Etruscan snoods, don’t let a little social distancing keep you from sharing your passions with people.
Sources:
The Plastic-Hunting Pirates of the Cornish Coast - The New York Times
Washington agrees on unrivaled $2 trillion virus rescue bill - AP News
Philippine rebels declare cease-fire to heed UN chief’s call - AP News
Turkish prosecutors charge 20 Saudis, including senior officials, in Khashoggi killing - Washington Post
Jamal Khashoggi: Turkey charges 20 Saudis over journalist's murder - BBC News
Saudi suspects indicted in Turkey in Khashoggi killing - The Hill
Istanbul prosecutor indicts Saudi suspects for Khashoggi killing - Reuters
Quarantined Brazilians protest against Bolsonaro from windows and balconies: 'Get out!' - The Guardian
Bolsonaro slams 'scorched-earth' coronavirus quarantines - The Straits Times
Brazil's Sao Paulo to get two-week coronavirus shutdown, Bolsonaro blasts 'hysteria' - Reuters
Colorado Abolishes the Death Penalty and Ends Prison Gerrymandering - The Appeal
Colorado governor signs death penalty repeal, commutes sentences of death row inmates - Reuters
Colorado is the latest state to abolish the death penalty - CNN
How The Government Can Mobilize In A Pandemic - NPR
White House, Senate reach historic $2 trillion stimulus deal amid growing coronavirus fears - CNN
Senate Plans Vote on $2 Trillion Stimulus Bill After Sealing Bipartisan Deal - The New York Times
U.N. Issues $2 Billion Appeal to Combat Virus and Urges Aid for Other Crises - The New York Times
India, population 1.3 billion, orders 'complete' coronavirus lockdown - CNN
Trump on shifting away from the term ‘Chinese virus’: ’I decided we shouldn’t make any more of a big deal out of it’ - Washington Examiner
Calling All Makers With 3D Printers: Join Critical Mission To Make Face Masks And Shields For 2020 Healthcare Workers - Forbes
Journalist Kaka Touda Mamane Goni arrested in Niger over COVID-19 report - CPJ
Domestic abuse victims in 'worst-case scenario' during outbreak, providers say - Los Angeles Times
COVID Responses Must Protect the Most Vulnerable - Human Rights Watch
The Race to Turn Hotels Into Coronavirus Hospitals - Wired
Yelp and GoFundMe team up to promote local business fundraisers - TechCrunch
Solidarity: Foreign hospitals help French virus hotspot cope - AP News
Full steam ahead for UK model railway buffs, despite coronavirus - Reuters