Global coronavirus cases cross 5.5M markBy: Anadolu Agency on May 26, 2020The number of global coronavirus cases surpassed 5.5 million on Tuesday, according to a running tally by US-based Johns Hopkins University. The university’s data showed worldwide deaths reached 346,300, while the number of people who recovered stands at 2.23 million. The US is the worst-hit country by the pandemic with over 1.66 million confirmed cases […]
Top Brazil media bullied out of covering presidential doorstopBy: Agencies on May 26, 2020SAO PAULO: Two of Brazil’s top media groups said Monday they were suspending coverage of President Jair Bolsonaro’s informal news conferences outside the presidential palace because of harassment by his supporters and a lack of security. Media conglomerate Globo and newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo said the presidential security detail was failing to provide adequate […]
Afghan government to release 900 more Taliban prisonersBy: AFP on May 26, 2020KABUL: The Afghan government will be releasing 900 more Taliban prisoners on Tuesday, as demands for the a ceasefire extension grew on the eve of its end. The pause in fighting — which came into effect Sunday to mark the Eid ul-Fitr holiday — was, for the most part, holding across the country, officials said. […]
Saudi Arabia to end curfew on 21 June, except in MeccaBy: Web Desk on May 26, 2020Saudi Arabia will begin easing restrictions on movement and travel this week, more than two months after stringent measures were introduced to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Restrictions will be lifted in three phases, culminating in the curfew completely ending, with the exception of the holy city of Mecca, from 21 June, […]
Despite US threats, Iranian oil tanker arrives safely in VenezuelaBy: Web Desk on May 26, 2020The first of five Iranian tankers carrying fuel to Venezuela has moored at Venezuela’s El Palito refinery, Iran’s media reported on Monday. Iran ignored warnings of retaliation from the US as the first of five Iranian tankers entered Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone on Saturday. Iran is sending five tankers, loaded with a staggering 1.53 million […]
India court freezes assets of billionaire who fled UAEBy: Web Desk on May 26, 2020An Indian court has ordered to freeze the assets of billionaire, B.R. Shetty, who earlier fled the UAE with his wife, considering those funds as personal guarantees of debt to the Bank of Baroda, India’s international bank. It is reported that the court order is the step taken by India’s most prestigious bank to recover a […]
WHO suspends hydroxychloroquine trials for COVID-19By: Web Desk on May 26, 2020The World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday that due to safety concerns, it is temporarily halting a clinical trial of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for treating coronavirus patients. The announcement follows the publication Friday by the Lancet medical journal of an observational study on hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine and its effects on hospitalized COVID-19 patients. “The […]
Afghan gov’t says ready to start talks with TalibanBy: Anadolu Agency on May 25, 2020KABUL: The Afghan government’s negotiating team is ready to begin the long-due intra-Afghan peace talks with the Taliban, President Ashraf Ghani announced in his Eidul Fitr message on Sunday. Flanked by his top aides outside the presidential palace’s mosque, the Afghan president welcomed the Taliban’s unexpected three-day truce declared for the Islamic festival. “The winner of […]
US pushing ties to brink of ´Cold War´ over coronavirus pandemic, says ChinaBy: AFP on May 25, 2020BEIJING: China said Sunday that its relations with the United States were “on the brink of a new Cold War,” fuelled partly by tensions over the coronavirus pandemic that has killed nearly 350,000 people worldwide and pitched the global economy into a massive downturn. Fresh tensions between Beijing and Washington emerged as virus restrictions continued […]
Virus spread feared where water is scarce around the worldBy: Agencies on May 24, 2020Violet Manuel hastily abandoned her uncle´s funeral and grabbed two empty containers when she heard a boy running down the dirt road shouting, “Water, water, water!” The 72-year-old joined dozens of people seeking their daily ration in Zimbabwe’s densely populated town of Chitungwiza. “Social distancing here?” Manuel asked tartly. She sighed with relief after getting […]