Despite hardships, small core still backs Venezuela's Maduro

Six years of economic turmoil have not dampened revolutionary flame for tiny group of hardcore supporters

Millions of people in Venezuela have called on President Nicolas Maduro to step down after what’s seen as gross mismanagement of the economy.

But despite the near collapse of the oil-rich state, some are still believers in the socialist cause.

Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman speaks to some Maduro loyalists in the capital Caracas.

Beyond Meat Q4 Earnings Misses Street, Revenues Trump

Shares of Beyond Meat (BYND) slipped 6% in after-hours trading Thursday after the plant-based meat products maker reported fourth-quarter earnings that fell short of Wall Street expectations, while revenue surpassed estimates.

The El Segundo, California-based company reported fourth-quarter net loss of $452 thousand or $0.01 per share, compared with a loss of $7.5 million or $0.18 per share last year.

Revenue for the quarter surged 212% to $98.5 million from $31.5 million a year ago.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $0.01 per share on revenues of $79.5 million.

“Temporary disruptions related to capacity expansion projects at two co-manufacturing partners’ plants partially offset the year-over-year improvements in gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2019 and contributed to the sequential decline in gross margin relative to the third quarter of 2019,” Beyond Meat said in a statement announcing its results.

Looking forward to full year 2020, Beyond Meat expects revenues of $490 million to $510 million.

Coronavirus risk to Americans low, but that can change -U.S. health secretary

WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) – The risk to American people from coronavirus is low, but that could change, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Thursday.

“We have really been able to keep the risk to the Americans low right now so that everyday Americans don’t need to be worried, but that can change and that’s why it’s important for all of us to prepare,” Azar said at a White House event with President Donald Trump. (Reporting by Alex Alper; Writing by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Climate change: UK children demand government action

The demonstration is part of a global movement Schools 4 Climate Action, which has grown quickly on social media.

Thousands of children in the United Kingdom have skipped school to teach the politicians a lesson on climate change.

They urged the government to take urgent measures to address the crisis by declaring a climate emergency. It follows similar strikes in Australia and several countries in Europe as part of a global movement – Schools 4 Climate Action.

Al Jazeera’s Neave Barker reports.

The struggle to save Iraq archaeological sites after ISIL battles

Many of Iraq’s most important archaeological sites lie in ruins after the battle against ISIL.

During their occupation of Iraq, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) deliberately destroyed and looted much of the country’s rich archaeological history.

Now, conservation and security experts from Iraq and the European Union are trying to save what is left and to build a database to track down and return stolen artefacts to Iraq.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports from Baghdad.

Kashmiris in India blame media for revenge attacks

After last week’s attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, Kashmiris living in India say that both social and traditional media are driving violence against them.

Many Kashmiris working and studying in India have been harassed, threatened and assaulted since last week’s suicide bombing against Indian troops in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Many feel that the media has helped stoke the violence and have criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not criticising attacks on Kashmiris.

Al Jazeera’s Faiz Jamil reports.

Brexit debate: Campaigners use billboards and magazines

Brexit has created a war of words on bridges, boats and buses – some entirely false.

In Britain, campaigners on both sides of the Brexit debate are exploring new ways of getting their messages across.

Social media is one big platform.

But a group of activists that wants the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union is using more traditional techniques to gain online attention.

Al Jazeera’s Neave Barker reports from London.

Iraqi horse riders struggle to preserve an ancient tradition

In Iraq, tent pegging, which has great cultural significance for Iraqis and the wider region, has suffered for decades.

War and political instability in Iraq have held back its economic development for decades.

Unsurprisingly, investment in sport has also suffered.

One sport carrying great cultural significance for Iraq and the wider region and which has also suffered, is tent pegging.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports from Baghdad.

South Africa to hold presidential election on May 8

Decades of old promises made by the government have been derailed by corruption.

South Africa will hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on May 8.

It will be the first vote in the country since the resignation of Jacob Zuma in February last year.

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his state of the nation address on Thursday and promised to fix the struggling economy.

Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller reports from Cape Town.

Venezuela crisis: Aid still blocked in high-stakes power struggle

US aid remains untouched on the Colombian border as President Maduro continues to refuse to allow it in.

US President Donald Trump says Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is making a “terrible mistake” by not allowing aid into the country.

He repeated an earlier statement that all options are on the table to force the Venezuelan president to step down.

There are stockpiles of aid on the border in Colombia waiting to be allowed in by Maduro, who is calling the mainly US aid an imperialist Trojan Horse.

Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman reports from Caracas.