Latest numbers A TOTAL of 139 new cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed on the Chinese mainland as of Thursday, with 31 more deaths, all from Hubei Province. The total number of confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland now stands at 80,409 and the cumulative death toll, 3,012. Platform to be built A MAJOR rice research platform will be built in northeast China with a total investment of about 90 million yuan (about US$13 million) to promote the upgrading of the rice industry in the northern part of the country. ‘Care zone’ declared THE S. Korean government declared a “special care zone” around Gyeongsan, a city of about 275,000 people 250 kms (150 miles) southeast of Seoul, promising extra resources such as face masks and warning people from travelling there. Campaign suspended FORMER New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Wednesday that he’s suspending his presidential campaign and is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden. |