Venezuela-Brazil border violence: Reports of at least 25 killed

Reports of more people killed at Venezuela’s border with Brazil as protesters fight in a showdown over aid.

The number of people who have been killed in violent confrontations along Venezuela’s border with Brazil is reportedly higher than previously thought.

At least 25 people are now thought to have died in the town of Santa Elena, as Venezuelan forces tried to prevent opposition supporters from bringing foreign aid into the country.

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Jamjoom reports from Pacaraima in Brazil, on the border with Venezuela.

Crown Castle International Corp Bottom Line Advances In Q4

Crown Castle International Corp (CCI) revealed a profit for its fourth quarter that increased from the same period last year.

The company’s profit came in at $180 million, or $0.43 per share. This compares with $172 million, or $0.41 per share, in last year’s fourth quarter.

The company’s revenue for the quarter rose 1.4% to $1.43 billion from $1.41 billion last year.

Crown Castle International Corp earnings at a glance:

-Earnings (Q4): $180 Mln. vs. $172 Mln. last year.
-EPS (Q4): $0.43 vs. $0.41 last year.
-Revenue (Q4): $1.43 Bln vs. $1.41 Bln last year.

Facebook bans ads making false claims about coronavirus

SAN FRANCISCO — Facebook said Wednesday that it is banning ads that make false claims about products tied to the new coronavirus.

The social network said it is removing ads that feature a product and imply a limited supply, seeking create a “sense of urgency” in their mention of coronavirus. Ads that guarantee a cure or prevention are also banned, it said.

For instance, ads for face masks that claim the products are 100% guaranteed to prevent the spread of the virus are not allowed, the company said.

The ban went into effect this week. Facebook FB, +0.22%  had previously banned ads, along with regular unpaid posts, that peddle fake cures such as drinking bleach, spread conspiracy theories about the virus, or discourage people from seeking medical treatment.

The ban went into effect as the World Health Organization reported that the number of new cases outside China exceeded the number of new infections inside the country for the first time on Tuesday. The COVID-19 virus has now spread to at least 39 countries.

Huawei under scrutiny over links to China government

Clouds are gathering around the Chinese telecom company, with the US pressuring European countries to ban Huawei’s 5G infrastructure.

Chinese telecoms giant Huawei has found itself in the middle of the US-China trade war.

It sells products to more than 170 countries and is a key provider of infrastructure for the new 5G network that will roll out in 2020.

But Huawei is under scrutiny for its business practices and links to the Chinese government in the United States.

Al Jazeera’s Charlie Angela reports from Barcelona.

Facebook bans ads with false claims about coronavirus

Trump: America has ordered a lot of face masks

President Trump says the U.S. has a large supply of face masks in case Americans need them.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Facebook said Wednesday that it is banning ads that make false claims about products tied to the new coronavirus.

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The social network said it is removing ads that feature a product and imply a limited supply, seeking create a “sense of urgency” in their mention of coronavirus. Ads that guarantee a cure or prevention are also banned, it said.

TRUMP NAMES PENCE TO HEAD UP CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE

For instance, ads for face masks that claim the products are 100% guaranteed to prevent the spread of the virus are not allowed, the company said.

The ban went into effect this week. Facebook had previously banned ads, along with regular unpaid posts, that peddle fake cures such as drinking bleach, spread conspiracy theories about the virus, or discourage people from seeking medical treatment.

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The ban went into effect as the World Health Organization reported that the number of new cases outside China exceeded the number of new infections inside the country for the first time on Tuesday. The COVID-19 virus has now spread to at least 39 countries.

Ansys Inc Q4 adjusted earnings Beat Estimates

Ansys Inc (ANSS) released a profit for its fourth quarter that climbed from the same period last year.

The company’s earnings came in at $165.9 million, or $1.91 per share. This compares with $153.2 million, or $1.79 per share, in last year’s fourth quarter.

Excluding items, Ansys Inc reported adjusted earnings of $194.7 million or $2.24 per share for the period.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $1.98 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items.

The company’s revenue for the quarter rose 17.0% to $486.2 million from $415.4 million last year.

Ansys Inc earnings at a glance:

-Earnings (Q4): $194.7 Mln. vs. $182.1 Mln. last year.
-EPS (Q4): $2.24 vs. $2.13 last year.
-Analysts Estimate: $1.98
-Revenue (Q4): $486.2 Mln vs. $415.4 Mln last year.

Sudan's al-Bashir cracks down on protests

President Omar al-Bashir outlaws any protest without a permit amid other measures intended to stifle ongoing anti-government protests in Sudan.

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has added a series of decrees to the year-long state of emergency that he declared earlier.

The decrees banned gatherings and protests without a permit and increase police powers amid continuing anti-government protests.

Opposition parties have said it is an attempt to crack down on anyone who does not agree with al-Bashir and many protesters have vowed to defy the ban.

Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan reports from the capital Khartoum.