New Zealand extends state of national emergency

Wellington (IANS) The state of emergency imposed in New Zealand to support the COVID-19 response will be extended a third time for a further seven days, Minister of Civil Defence Peeni Henare said on Tuesday.

The initial declaration was made…

Japan rushes to house thousands of homeless people

Tokyo (IANS) Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Japanese authorities were rushing to house thousands of homeless people following the closure of internet cafes, a common destination for those without secure housing across the country, a media report said…

Brazil's Christ the Redeemer lit up to honour medics

Rio De Janeiro (IANS) The iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil's Rio De Janeiro lit up to honour the healthcare staff working in hospitals across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

With churches closed due to the restrictions…

UK PM Johnson discharged from hospital

London (IANS) UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital after being treated for coronavirus, but he will not immediately return to work, Downing Street said.

Johnson, 55, was taken to St Thomas' hospital, in London,…

UAE has offered to fly stranded Indians: Ambassador

Abu Dhabi (IANS) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered to fly stranded Indians who wish to be repatriated if they test negative for COVID-19, the country's Ambassador to India Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Banna said.

Speaking to the Gulf…

Putin's health remains excellent, says spokesman

Moscow (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin remains in "excellent" health amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

This can be proven by the President's tight schedule and heavy workload, Xinhua news agency quoted…

UK PM 'up and walking' as coronavirus recovery continues

London, April 11 (IANS) UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been able to walk for a short distance as his recovery from coronavirus continues in a ward at the St Thomas Hospital here after being discharged from the intensive care unit, a Downing Street…

US General meets Taliban in Doha

Kabul (IANS) Gen. Austin S. Miller, Commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, met the Taliban leadership in Doha, said a spokesman.

Col. Sonny Leggett, spokesman for the US forces in Afghanistan, said the meeting on Friday was "part…

US agrees to help Mexico meet required oil production cuts

Mexico City (IANS) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that the US has agreed to help his country comply with cuts to oil production required by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Mexico has promised…

Over 1 million Canadians lost jobs in March

Ottawa (IANS) More than one million Canadians lost their jobs in March, as the country locked down to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The data, released by the Statistics Canada on Thursday saw the largest loss of jobs in a single month since…