WHO director appeals to stop politicising covid
The director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has dismissed received death threats and racist insults he says he has been subjected since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. “I don’t give a damn,” the Ethiopian microbiologist told reporters in a video media briefing from WHO headquarters in Geneva on Wednesday. The WHO has faced criticism from the United States and Taiwan in particular, but Tedros appealed to all leaders to “please quarantine politicizing COVID.” Politico, CNBC and Science Mag have more. The Guardian argues that the WHO’s annual budget is relatively small--“the equivalent of a large US hospital, which is utterly incommensurate with its global responsibilities,” according to a Georgetown University professor.
Bernie Sanders drops out
Senator Bernie Sanders on Wednesday announced the suspension of his campaign to win the Democratic party nomination to face incumbent Donald Trump in November’s presidential election campaign. Sanders had fallen way behind his only remaining rival, former vice-president Joe Biden. “If I believed we had a feasible path to the nomination, I would certainly continue,” Sanders told supporters in a broadcast. CNN reckons it knows 5 reasons Sanders lost, The Washington Post says he made a real difference in his two nomination campaigns, and especially “shifted the entire conversation” on healthcare. Vox suggests Sanders’ progressive legacy has caught hold, while NBC argues that the progressive majority he had banked on doesn’t exist.
Latest figures
Global statistics from the John Hopkins coronavirus resource center show that 1,484,811 have been infected and 88,538 have died of the virus. The total of those who have recovered now stands at 329,876. In Luxembourg as of 5.40pm on 8 April, there had been 3,034 confirmed covid-19 cases (up from 2,970 on 7 April) and 45 deaths (up from 44). 231 people were in hospital, of which 24 were in intensive care, while 354 patients had been discharged from hospital. Delano regularly publishes latest figures for the grand duchy and its neighbouring countries.
EU finance ministers talks break down
After some 16 hours of videoconference talks on how to help southern Eurozone countries badly affected by the coronavirus epidemic, Eurogroup finance ministers temporarily gave up on Wednesday. A feud between Italy and the Netherlands on conditions appears to be the main stumbling block. Negotiations will resume on Thursday. France24, Fortune, Deutsche Welle and the FT (paywall) all report.
Cats can carry covid
Cats and ferrets are highly susceptible to the coronavirus a study published by journal Science has revealed. Reuters says the results of the study has prompted the WHO to take a closer look at transmission of the virus between humans and pets.
Starbucks earnings plummet
Starbucks says its second quarter earnings fell by 47% and that the impact of the coronavirus crisis would extend into the final quarter of the fiscal year 2020. It expects to report second-quarter earnings of about 28 to 32 cents per share, Reuters and MarketWatch report. But the company has kept paying staff through to May 3 and those that actually work get an extra $3 an hour, CNBC says.
John Prine tributes
The Guardian and The Washington Post have tributes to singer-songwriter John Prine, who died due to complications of Covid-19 on Tuesday.
Linda Tripp dies
Linda Tripp, whose secret recordings of conversations with her then friend Monica Lewinsky led to the 1998 impeachment of president Bill Clinton, has died at the age of 70. She had recently been diagnosed with late stage pancreatic/lymph node cancer. CNN, CBS News and The Daily Mail have more.
Sex toy demand on the rise
The Guardian reports that Adult Toy Megastore has experienced a number of significant sales boosts in recent weeks in New Zealand, Australia, and Britain. Peaks have coincided with major announcements during the coronavirus pandemic. As well as sex toys, condoms, lubricant, menstrual cups and adult board games, the superstore has also seen a spike in demand for sex toy cleaner.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts