Shanghai launches first centralized tax refund point for overseas tourists
May 02, 2020, at 01:04 pm
Shanghai/Xinhua: Shanghai launched its first centralized tax refund point in a central commercial district on Friday, offering better tax refund service for overseas travelers.
Canada: Ontario allowing select businesses to reopen with strict safety measures
May 02, 2020, at 12:46 pm
Ottawa/IBNS: The Ontario government has granted permission to some workplaces to reopen on May 4 provided they follow strict public health and safety measures during the COVID-19 outbreak, media reports said.
Canadians lost more than $1.2 million to scammers in recent weeks
May 01, 2020, at 09:17 pm
Ottawa/IBNS: Canadians have suffered a loss of more than $1.2 million in recent weeks to scammers, who had taken advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic, media reports said.
COVID-19: Death toll in Bangladesh touches 170
May 01, 2020, at 05:06 pm
Dhaka/IBNS: Death toll due to COVID-19 in Bangladesh has touched 170 with the fresh deaths of two more patients, media reports said.
Greta Thunberg launches campaign to support UNICEF protection efforts against COVID-19
May 01, 2020, at 03:17 pm
New York/IBNS: Climate activist Greta Thunberg along with Danish NGO Human Act, on Thursday launched a child rights-driven campaign to support the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in protecting young lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UN prepares for potentially devastating COVID-19 outbreak in conflict-ravaged northeast Nigeria
May 01, 2020, at 03:03 pm
New York/IBNS: In northeast Nigeria, where armed conflict has forced millions from their homes, the UN’s migration agency, IOM, is supporting the construction of quarantine shelters, as the region braces for an outbreak of COVID-19 which, it warns, would have ‘devastating consequences’ for those who have been displaced.
US could use new tariffs on China as retaliatory measure over COVID-19 crisis: Trump
May 01, 2020, at 12:01 pm
Washington/Sputnik/UNI: The United States could impose new tariffs on China as a retaliatory measure over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, US President Donald Trump said in a press conference.
Russia hit coronavirus plateau in past week: Health Official
May 01, 2020, at 11:32 am
Moscow/Sputnik/UNI: The coronavirus epidemic in Russia appeared to be plateauing in the past week, the head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency said Thursday.
UK reports 674 new COVID-19 deaths as total rises above 26,700: Prime Minister Johnson
May 01, 2020, at 11:30 am
Moscow/Sputnik/UNI: A further 674 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 have died in the United Kingdom over the previous 24 hours, taking the total death toll above 26,700, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday.
Over 200,000 sign petition urging Canadian government to better protect medical workers
May 01, 2020, at 11:22 am
Toronto/Sputnik/UNI: A petition undersigned by more than 60 Canadian doctors urging the government to procure more personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has garnered more than 200,000 signatures.
Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser confirms being tested positive for the COVID-19
May 01, 2020, at 11:03 am
Islamabad/UNI: Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, late on Thursday night, confirmed of being tested positive for the COVID-19 and said that he has quarantined himself at his house.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin tests positive for COVID-19
May 01, 2020, at 02:00 am
Moscow/IBNS: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has been diagnosed with Covid-19, he revealed in a video meeting with President Vladimir Putin aired on the state-run Rossiya 24 television channel Thursday.
Coronavirus lockdown casts harsh light on our data and privacy online
Apr 30, 2020, at 01:38 pm
New York/IBNS: A third of all nations lack laws to protect their citizen’s online data and privacy, despite an 11 per cent uptick in the global adoption of data protection and privacy legislation since 2015, the United Nations’ trade, investment and development body (UNCTAD) said on Wednesday.
Syria: As coronavirus threat intensifies, ceasefire more urgent than ever
Apr 30, 2020, at 01:36 pm
New York/IBNS: Syria desperately needs a nationwide ceasefire to enable its war-weary citizens to access the equipment and resources necessary to combat COVID-19, the UN’s top envoy for the country told the Security Council on Wednesday.
COVID-19: Act now to avert ‘hunger catastrophe’ for millions missing out on school meals
Apr 30, 2020, at 01:24 pm
With classrooms closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two UN agencies are urging governments to act now to shore up the futures of the 370 million children worldwide who depend on school meals.
Canadian Parliament approves $ 6.5 Bln COVID-19 student benefit package
Apr 30, 2020, at 12:06 pm
Toronto/Sputnik/UNI: Canada’s House of Commons has approved the Trudeau government’s proposed $6.5-billion Canada emergency student benefits (CESB) program in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Speaker of the House, Anthony Rota, said at the conclusion of the session.
Apr 29, 2020, at 04:36 pm
Geneva/IBNS: UN chief Antonio Guterres alerted the world that extremist groups are taking advantage of the COVID-19 lockdowns and have intensified their efforts to recruit youths online by exploiting their anger and despair through social media.
Amid COVID-19 troubles, PoK residents now face power cut troubles
Apr 29, 2020, at 02:56 pm
Islamabad/IBNS: The picture of failure and discrimination faced by people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir at the hands of the government is becoming evident every day with now reports are emerging that power cut troubles have added to the agony of residents who are already badly disturbed by COVID-19 outbreak.
Apr 29, 2020, at 02:53 pm
New York/IBNS: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government and people of Sudan could experience “untold suffering” unless donors act fast to shore up a country still in transition, the top UN human rights official warned on Tuesday.
Apr 29, 2020, at 02:45 pm
New York/IBNS: To combat the COVID-19 pandemic and the “looming existential threat of climate disruption”, the only credible response is “brave, visionary and collaborative leadership” anchored in mutilateralism, the UN Secretary General António Guterres, said on Tuesday, during an international discussion focused on climate change.
Protect workers during and after lockdowns, urges UN labour agency
Apr 29, 2020, at 02:38 pm
Marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has urged States to take action to prevent and control COVID-19 in the workplace.
Israel's coronavirus cases rise to 15,728, death toll at 210
Apr 29, 2020, at 01:23 pm
Jerusalen/Xinhua/UNI: The total number of coronavirus cases in Israel rose on Tuesday by 173 to 15,728, the state's Ministry of Health said.
Working with airlines on pre-flight COVID-19 tests: Trump
Apr 29, 2020, at 01:20 pm
Washington/Sputnik/UNI: The United States may introduce mandatory novel coronavirus (COVID-19) tests for international flights passengers arriving from areas significantly affected by the COVID-19 disease, US President Donald Trump told reporters.
Pakistan: Total COVID-19 cases stands at 14788
Apr 29, 2020, at 09:56 am
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
Apr 28, 2020, at 06:57 pm
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
Apr 28, 2020, at 05:46 pm
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
Apr 28, 2020, at 01:07 pm
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
Apr 28, 2020, at 01:05 pm
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
Apr 28, 2020, at 12:15 pm
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
Apr 27, 2020, at 04:43 pm
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.