Trump says he does not believe China released COVID-19 on purpose, incompetence to blame

Washington/Sputnik: US President Donald Trump said in an interview on Friday that he believes incompetence, not malicious intent, was behind the spread of the coronavirus from China.

Australian leaders irked by China's threat to Island Nation's economy

Melbourne/IBNS:  Australia and China exchanged barbs in recent times after the Island nation demanded an investigation into the origins of coronavirus as well as a review of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

South Africa records more than 8,000 COVID-19 cases

Cape Town/Xinhua/UNI: South Africa confirmed 424 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to 8,232.

Nepali MPs test for COVID-19 before budget session

Kathmandu/UNI: The Nepal Parliament has collected swabs samples of lawmakers and its employees as a precaution against COVID-19 ahead of a budget session to begin on Friday.

African artists take creative approach to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic

New York/IBNS: Top artists from across Africa and throughout the African Diaspora have joined forces with the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, to save lives and counter misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Timeless message of unity’ resonates on holy day celebrating Buddhism, amidst pandemic

New York/IBNS: To the millions around the world who celebrate the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha, the UN chief sent warm wishes on Thursday, officially marked as the Day of Vesak, noting that “we can all be inspired by his teachings”.

COVID-19: UN and partners launch $6.7 billion appeal for vulnerable countries

New York/IBNS: Humanitarians are seeking nearly $7 billion to protect millions of lives and halt the spread of COVID-19 in more than 60 of the world’s most fragile countries.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, thousands stranded in Bay of Bengal ‘unable to come ashore'

New York/IBNS: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,United Nations agencies called on Wednesday for South-East Asian governments to show compassion to boats full of vulnerable people adrift in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

COVID-19 crisis putting human trafficking victims at risk of further exploitation, experts warn

New York/IBNS: Lockdowns, travel restrictions, resource cutbacks and other measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus are putting victims of human trafficking at risk of further exploitation, while organized crime networks could further profit from the pandemic, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Coronavirus and human rights: New UN report calls for disability-inclusive recovery

New York/IBNS: The COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying inequalities experienced by the world’s one billion people with disabilities, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in launching a report issued on Wednesday that calls for a disability-inclusive recovery and response to the crisis.

Covid-19: Brazil's death toll reaches 8,536

Rio de Janeiro/UNI: Brazil's death toll from Covid-19 has reached 8,536 as 615 more fatalities were recorded over the past 24 hours, the country's Health Ministry informed on Thursday.

Covid-19: Cases in Germany surpass 1,66,000

Berlin/UNI: The total number of Covid-19 cases in Germany have reached 166,091 since the start of the pandemic as 1,284 new cases were registered over the past 24 hours, confirmed the Robert Koch Institute said on Thursday.

COVID-19: Job prospect for China's fresh graduates remain bleak

Beijing/IBNS: China might be battling to regain normal life following the horrors of COVID-19 outbreak but the nation is waiting for a bigger challenge as job prospect for the youth, who are about to graduate, looks bleak.

18 million people may lose job, says Pakistan Minister

Islamabad/IBNS: Giving a hint that COVID-19 might leave a major burden on Pakistan's economic paradigm, country's Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said between 20 million to 70 million people could fall below the poverty line and 18 million people could also lose jobs due to the lockdown.

COVID-19 makes universal digital access and cooperation essential: UN tech agency

New York/IBNS: As the COVID-19 pandemic reshapes the way in which we work, keep in touch, go to school and shop for essentials – across the world – it has never been more important to bridge the digital divide for the 3.6 billion people who remain off-line.