Pakistan: Total COVID-19 cases stands at 14788

Islamabad/IBNS: Pakistan has witnessed a major jump in the number of COVID-19 deaths as the figure now stands at 14,788, media reports said.

Pakistani Senator tests positive for COVID-19

Islamabad/IBNS: A Pakistani Senator has tested positive for COVID-19, media reports said on Tuesday.

Many Pakistani expats slam Imran Khan govt over COVID-19, refuse funds

Islamabad/IBNS: The Pakistani expatriate community residing in the United Kingdom has rejected PM Imran Khan's appeal for funds needed to combat COVID-19 and alleged the government is "stealing from the poor by cutting their salaries and benefiting the rich", media reports said.

Tap youth talent to tackle COVID-19 crisis and beyond, UN chief tells Security Council

New York/IBNS: Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries must do more to harness the talents of young people to address the crisis and its aftermath, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday during a videoconference meeting to review the five years since its adoption of a landmark resolution on youth, peace and security.

‘Toxic lockdown culture’ of repressive coronavirus measures hits most vulnerable

New York/IBNS: Disturbing details have emerged from dozens of countries that a “toxic lockdown culture” against the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted drastically on society’s most vulnerable members, the UN human rights Office (OHCHR) said on Monday. The development follows UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s call last week for States not to use the COVID crisis as a pretext for repressive measures, in which he urged Governments to recognize that the threat was the “virus, not people”.

Guatemala extends coronavirus-related restrictions, including curfew, until May 4

Buenos Aires/Sputnik/UNI: The Guatemalan authorities extended the disaster regime due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including curfew, until May 4, the country's government said.

Schools, colleges will remain closed till COVID-19 outbreak continues: Hasina

Dhaka/IBNS: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said all schools and educational institutes will remain closed in the nation till COVID-19 fades away.

France sees COVID-19 deaths up by 242 to 22,856, lowest daily increase in a week

Paris/Xinhua/UNI: France saw COVID-19 deaths rose by 242 to 22,856 as of Sunday, the lowest daily increase this week, bringing relief to the health system of the country which is planning to lift the lockdown on May 11, data from the Health Ministry showed.

Gaza to reopen restaurants amid strict measures against COVID-19

Gaza/Xinhua/UNI:  Restaurants in the Gaza Strip will reopen during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, while precautionary measures will be taken to protect people from the COVID-19 pandemic, said Gaza authorities on Sunday.

Australia to "significantly expand" COVID-19 testing: official

Canberra/Xinhua/UNI: Australia's Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has flagged an expansion of the nation's COVID-19 testing regime.

Pakistan International Airlines passengers protest violation of social distancing during flight

Islamabad/IBNS: Pakistan's national carrier Pakistan International Airlines recently earned the wrath of passengers when people found the airline not maintaining social distancing norms, which are needed to be maintained at this time of COVID-19 outbreak, while operating one of their international flights, media reports said.

Chinese tourists urged to strengthen protection during May Day holiday

Beijing/Xinhua/UNI: China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has urged the public to strengthen epidemic prevention measures when traveling during the upcoming five-day May Day holiday.

Senegal reports 57 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, 671 in total

Dakar/Xinhua/UNI: Senegalese ministry of Health and Social Action reported that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 671 on Sunday an increase of 57 in the past 24 hours.

Fight Against COVID-19: Sri Lanka to relax curfew from April 27

Colombo/UNI: The curfew in Sri Lanka due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be relaxed from Monday, the President of Media Division (PMD) said on Sunday.

China rejects international investigation demand into the origins of coronavirus: Report

London/IBNS: China has rejected demands for an independent international investigation to trace the roots of novel coronavirus, which has claimed over two lakh (two hundred thousand) lives across the globe and forced the world to go under an unprecedented lockdown, a BBC report said.