COVID-19: Rights experts highlight LGBTI discrimination, antisemitism
New York/IBNS: New guidance from the UN human rights office, issued on Friday, sets out key actions to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people against discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus economics: Debt-laden countries at risk, as financial markets screech to a halt
New York/IBNS: Economists and finance experts are warning that countries with “high” or “distressed” public debt levels are at risk of severe economic shocks amid the COVID-19 pandemic and calling for restructuring plans based on the principle of solidarity.
Ceasefire during COVID-19 pandemic essential, to safeguard 250 million children
New York/IBNS: The head of the UN children’s fund UNICEF warned on Friday that 250 million children around the world living in the “waking nightmare” of conflict desperately need warring parties to stop fighting as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads.
Taiwan makes public December email to WHO showing caution about COVID-19 outbreak
Taipei/IBNS: Giving more fuel to the suspicion of the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s collusion with China over the COVID-19 outbreak, Taiwan has recently released an email which was sent to the organisation cautioning it of the pandemic virus.
US COVID-19 Death Toll Tops 32,000, Nearly 4,000 Die Within 24 Hours - JHU
Washington/Sputnik/UNI: The coronavirus pandemic killed nearly 4,000 in the United States within less than a day, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) data revealed.
IMF Approves $1.4Bln Disbursement to Pakistan for COVID-19 Crisis - Statement
Washington/Sputnik/UNI: Pakistan won approval of $1.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ease the economic impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and help cover rapid increases in health spending needed to fight the disease, the IMF announced in a press release.
Coronavirus pandemic threatens crises-ravaged communities, UN appeals for global support
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
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.
Amid COVID-19 crisis, China's GDP falls by 6.8 pc year-on-year in Q1 2020
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
COVID-19: UK MPs to summon China-owned firm's executives over security issues, reports BBC
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.