Coronavirus pandemic threatens crises-ravaged communities, UN appeals for global support
Apr 17, 2020, at 12:33 pm
New York/IBNS: A psychosocial counsellor in Jordan's Azraq refugee camp informed the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) on Thursday that during the first four days of the COVID-19 lockdown she called beneficiaries to let them know that “virtual support" was available.
UN chief calls for greater protection for children caught up in COVID-19 crisis
Apr 17, 2020, at 11:25 am
New York/IBNS: The looming global recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could cause hundreds of thousands of additional child deaths this year, effectively reversing recent gains in reducing infant mortality, a new UN report issued on Thursday has revealed.
First Person: DR Congo doctor prepares for latest in long line of health crises
Apr 17, 2020, at 11:16 am
New York/IBNS: Health professionals working with the World Health Organization (WHO) in eastern Democratic of Congo (DRC), have been dealing with the deadly Ebola epidemic since August 2018. This experience is helping them to prepare for the latest disease to arrive: COVID-19.
Amid COVID-19 crisis, China's GDP falls by 6.8 pc year-on-year in Q1 2020
Apr 17, 2020, at 10:11 am
Beijing/UNI: The China's GDP has fallen by 6.8 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)-- a deputy-cabinet level agency of the country said on Friday.
US has world's highest Coronavirus deaths, toll crosses 30k
Apr 16, 2020, at 09:21 pm
Washington/IBNS: The United States not only has the world's highest Coronavirus deaths but the toll has crossed over 30,000, a tally by the John Hopkins University recorded on Thursday.
Apr 16, 2020, at 04:57 pm
Muzaffarabad/IBNS: In a clear case of alleged discrimination followed by the administration at a time of COVID-19 crisis, people in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) have been denied benefits provided under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme which was launched by PM Imran Khan, media reports said.
COVID-19: USCIRF feels 'troubled' by reports of Pakistan denying aid to Hindus and Christians
Apr 16, 2020, at 04:52 pm
Washington/IBNS: The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recently expressed its concern over reports that "food aid being denied to the minority Hindus and Christians in Pakistan", specially at a time when the nation is witnessing an outbreak of COVID-19.
Australian city Wagga Wagga moves to sever ties with sister city in China
Apr 16, 2020, at 04:30 pm
Sydney/IBNS: In what can be seen as a step taken by the international community to start the process of social distancing against Beijing, the place from where the lethal COVID-19 disease first originated, the Australian city of Wagga Wagga has moved to formally sever ties with its sister city in China, media reports said.
Former M16 head Robert John Sawers targets China, WHO over COVID-19 outbreak
Apr 16, 2020, at 04:17 pm
London/IBNS: The former head of the United Kingdom's foreign intelligence service has targeted China and the World Health Organization over the COVID-19 outbreak and said both should bear responsibility for a flawed response to the disease that has now reached nearly all corners of the globe.
COVID-19: Positive cases in Pakistan touches 6,505 with 124 deaths
Apr 16, 2020, at 03:04 pm
Islamabad/UNI: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen to 6,505 in Pakistan with 124 deaths, according to the data updated by the country's health ministry on Thursday morning.
Even during COVID-19, art ‘brings us closer together than ever’ – UN cultural agency
Apr 16, 2020, at 01:52 pm
New York/IBNS: With billions of people either in lockdown or on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic, this first celebration of World Art Day is a timely reminder that “art has the power to unite and connect in times of crisis”, the head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on Wednesday.
COVID-19: UK MPs to summon China-owned firm's executives over security issues, reports BBC
Apr 15, 2020, at 06:03 pm
London/IBNS: British MPs might summon a leading UK-based firm, which has a Chinese connection, to answer questions related to security concerns, media reports said.
Bangladesh reports biggest daily jump in COVID-19 cases
Apr 15, 2020, at 05:10 pm
Dhaka/Xinhua/UNI: Bangladesh recorded 219 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, the country's biggest daily increase since the detection of the first three cases on March 8.
Pakistan not in IMF Covid-19 relief list, Afghanistan among recipients
Apr 15, 2020, at 04:25 pm
Islamabad/IBNS: Pakistan PM Imran Khan received a jolt recently when despite demanding for a COVID-19 relief, he was denied so by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The South Asian country it seems is not among the nations where the international body extended its help.
Apr 15, 2020, at 01:25 pm
While political actors in Colombia are uniting to confront COVID-19, they must also work together to fight “the epidemic of violence” against civil society leaders, human rights defenders and former combatants, the head of the UN mission in the country said on Tuesday during a Security Council meeting held by videoconference.
-1586935259.jpg "Hatred going viral in ‘dangerous epidemic of misinformation’ during COVID-19 pandemic")
Hatred going viral in ‘dangerous epidemic of misinformation’ during COVID-19 pandemic
Apr 15, 2020, at 12:51 pm
New York/IBNS: As the world battles the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and people are searching for clear facts and answers to questions, that could help save countless lives, “a dangerous epidemic of misinformation” is also spreading, the United Nations chief warned on Tuesday.
COVID-19: Major relief airlift will reach ‘most vulnerable’ African nations
Apr 15, 2020, at 12:46 pm
New York/IBNS: The first of the UN’s “Solidarity Flights” carrying urgently needed medical equipment to Africa, has arrived in Addis Ababa, agencies said on Tuesday.
Hong Kong launches website to promote national security education
Apr 15, 2020, at 12:39 pm
Hong Kong/Xinhua/UNI: China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) launched a website to promote national security education on Wednesday, which marks the fifth National Security Education Day.
COVID-19 cases in U.S. top 600,000: Johns Hopkins University
Apr 15, 2020, at 12:28 pm
New Yor/Xinhua/UNI: The number of COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 600,000 Tuesday evening, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
Halting funding for WHO during a health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds:Gates
Apr 15, 2020, at 11:30 am
Washington/IBNS: Hours after US President Donald Trump announced that he has instructed his administration to stop US funding for the World Health Organization (WHO), tech billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates on Wednesday said halting such a fund during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds.
Donald Trump directs administration to halt US funding for WHO
Apr 15, 2020, at 09:36 am
Washington/Sputnik/UNI: President Donald Trump announced that he has instructed his administration to stop US funding for the World Health Organization (WHO), which he accused of grossly mismanaging and covering up the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Japanese gov't to begin cash handouts to households in May due to COVID-19
Apr 14, 2020, at 07:51 pm
Tokyo/Xinhua: The Japanese government on Tuesday laid out its plan to provide cash handouts to households whose income has suffered as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak will begin in May.
COVID-19: Chaos in distribution centre in Pakistan leaves woman dead
Apr 14, 2020, at 07:44 pm
Islamabad/IBNS: Highlighting the poor condition of implementation of mechanism to combat COVID-19 in Pakistan, a septuagenarian woman waiting for cash handouts died outside a school in Multan region, media reports said.
COVID-19: Minority communities in Pakistan alleges discrimination by Imran Khan govt
Apr 14, 2020, at 07:41 pm
Islamabad/IBNS: Showing the troubles faced by minority communities in Pakistan at a time when the nation is dealing with COVID-19 outbreak, many people belonging to the Christian community have been removed from their jobs, leaving them to an uncertain future ahead.
India issues strong demarche to Pakistan over Kupwara ceasefire
Apr 14, 2020, at 07:36 pm
New Delhi/IBNS: India has issued a strong demarche to Pakistan over the killing of three Indian civilians, including a child, during unprovoked ceasefire violation from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir.
Apr 14, 2020, at 07:32 pm
Islamabad/IBNS: Failing to keep its promise, locals have claimed that the Pakistan government did not provide enough supply of essential commodities in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) during the lockdown implemented in the region to combat COVID-19 outbreak.
Pakistan secret agencies are backing criminals to target civilians in Balochistan, activists claim
Apr 14, 2020, at 07:28 pm
Quetta/Islamabad/IBNS: Apart from improper implementation of system by the government needed to contain COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan, political activists are now alleging that the secret agencies are constituting criminal gangs and providing them weapons to target civilians and activists in Balochistan province.
Pakistan: Death toll due to COVID-19 touches 100 amid defiance by mosques
Apr 14, 2020, at 07:07 pm
Islamabad/IBNS: Amid reports of improper implementation of policies by PM Imran Khan-led government, mistreatment of doctors and defiance of many clerics running mosques, the number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Pakistan touched 100 on Tuesday.
Bangladesh: COVID-19 positive cases touch 1000 mark
Apr 14, 2020, at 04:48 pm
Dhaka/IBNS: Surging ahead with the progression of days, the number of COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh have touched 1000 mark.
COVID-19: Israel registers 282 new cases over past 24 hours
Apr 14, 2020, at 03:22 pm
Moscow/UNI: Israel has registered 282 more Coronavirus cases over the past day, bringing the total number of those infected to 11,868, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.