China reports second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus transmissions, imported cases rise
BEIJING: Mainland China reported a second consecutive day of no new local coronavirus infections as the epicentre of the epidemic Hubei province opened its borders, but imported cases rose as Beijing ramped up controls to prevent a resurgence of infections. A total of 67 new cases were reported as of end-Wednesday, up from 47 a
South Korea reports 104 new coronavirus cases, total at 9,241
SEOUL: South Korea reported 104 new coronavirus cases on Thursday (Mar 26), bringing its total infections to 9,241, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The death toll from the pandemic in South Korea rose by five to reach a total of 131. Advertisement Advertisement South Korea added it would tighten border checks for
Turkey charges 20 Saudis over Khashoggi murder
ISTANBUL: Turkish prosecutors have charged 20 suspects including two former top aides to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the 2018 murder of Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi. Prosecutors accuse Saudi Arabia’s deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri and the royal court’s media czar Saud al-Qahtani of leading the operation against Khashoggi and giving orders to
COVID-19 death toll passes 20,000, three billion under lockdown
MADRID: More than 3 billion people around the world were living under lockdown on Wednesday (Mar 25) as governments stepped up their efforts against the coronavirus pandemic which has left more than 20,000 people dead. As the number of confirmed cases worldwide soared past 450,000, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that only a concerted global
Coronavirus could become seasonal: Top US scientist
WASHINGTON, DC: There is a strong chance the new coronavirus could return in seasonal cycles, a senior US scientist said Wednesday (Mar 25), underscoring the urgent need to find a vaccine and effective treatments. Anthony Fauci, who leads research into infectious diseases at the National Institutes of Health, told a briefing the virus was beginning
‘We are worried,’ say Indonesian healthcare workers as COVID-19 takes toll on medical system
JAKARTA: On Saturday (Mar 21), Dr Djoko Judodjoko breathed his last in a Jakarta hospital. The 70-year-old, who had underlying health conditions, was treated for COVID-19 earlier. Advertisement Advertisement He was one of the seven doctors nationwide who contracted coronavirus and eventually passed away, according to the Indonesian Medical Association. More than 40 healthcare workers are currently being
New Zealand mosque shooter pleads guilty to all charges
WELLINGTON: The Australian accused of murdering 51 Muslim worshippers in last year’s mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques pleaded guilty to all charges on Thursday (Mar 26) in an unexpected reversal. Brenton Tarrant, 29, had previously denied 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of engaging in a terrorist act but changed
Gunmen in Afghanistan kill 25 at Sikh complex, Islamic State claims responsibility
KABUL: Gunmen and suicide bombers raided a Sikh religious complex in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday (Mar 25), killing 25 people before security forces killed all of the attackers, the government said. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying it was revenge for India’s treatment of Muslims
Amid sweeping lockdowns, why Singapore’s food supply can endure: Chan Chun Sing
SINGAPORE: With a third of the planet under lockdown, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing told CNA that Singapore “certainly can expect some disruption” to its supply chains. And delays in food deliveries are already happening following the restricted movement order taking effect in Malaysia. Advertisement Advertisement But Mr Chan called on Singaporeans to
IMF, World Bank call for suspending debt payments by poorest nations
WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund and World Bank on Wednesday (Mar 25) called for governments to put a hold on debt payments from the world’s poorest nations so they can battle the coronavirus pandemic. “The World Bank Group and the IMF believe it is imperative at this moment to provide a global sense of relief
Singapore reports 73 new COVID-19 cases, new cluster involving PCF Sparkletots centre linked to 18 cases
SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 73 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday (Mar 25) and announced a new cluster involving the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots centre in Fengshan, which is linked to 18 cases in total. Another new cluster was also announced involving Dover Court International School (301 Dover Road), which is linked to three confirmed cases. Advertisement Advertisement The
Commentary: Has Myanmar been in denial over COVID-19 outbreak all this while?
NEW DELHI: Myanmar confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus late on Monday (Mar 23) after weeks of maintaining the claim the country was free from the virus. The news sparked panic buying in the commercial capital of Yangon with shoppers packing major supermarkets. Advertisement Advertisement While it may have come as a shock to many Myanmar residents, it
Commentary: The great coronavirus pandemic will lead to another – of unemployment
NEW YORK CITY: The fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will be nothing like that of the 2008 financial crisis, nor will a V-shaped recovery be achieved through conventional stimulus – not even through truly massive conventional stimulus. The world is at war with COVID-19, and in wartime, civilian production grinds to a halt and the only

Commentary: Isolated with your abuser? Why COVID-19 outbreak has seen uptick in family violence
SINGAPORE: Social isolation measures have been mandated around the world to contain the spread of coronavirus, but these have had undesirable side-effects. According to Chinese daily The Global Times, the city of Xi’an has seen a record-breaking volume of divorce requests over the past few weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Extended periods of time cooped up with