International news

Policymakers in China are slowly beginning to shift their focus on reviving the economy after the country reported a drop in new coronavirus infections.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have announced the detection of 96 new cases of coronavirus, taking the tally to more than 1,290.

Iran's health ministry on Sunday said 123 people have died of coronavirus during the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 2,640.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday extended work suspension for both public and private sectors as it fights to combat the spread of coronavirus.

A shortage of medical gloves is inevitable as the demand from Europe and the US spikes.

US President Donald Trump has backed off from imposing a lockdown in the hard-hit New York area to limit the spread of coronavirus.

North Korea on Sunday launched two apparent short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast.

Wuhan, said to be the origin of COVID-19, has been partially re-opened to visitors.

The Afghan government has announced a 21-member team to negotiate with the Taliban.

India has extended the suspension of domestic flight operations until April 14.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19.

China will temporarily close its borders to foreign nationals, effective midnight Saturday, as imported cases rise.

The US has surpassed the national tally of China with coronavirus cases standing at over 85,000.

Coronavirus cases in South Africa crossed 1,000 on Friday, just hours after the country went into a 21-day lockdown.

As many as 560,000 people have signed up to help the UK's National Health Service (NHS) during the coronavirus crisis.

Spain on Thursday extended its state of emergency as death toll from coronavirus rose to over 4,000.

The man accused of opening fire at two mosques in Christchurch last year has pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder.

Banks in India will soon operate only very few branches to limit the exposure of its staff to the coronavirus.

Iran on Thursday imposed new travel restrictions in the country amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has called the coronavirus lockdown in major cities a "crime".

Britain's Prince Charles has tested positive for coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia has tightened the 21-day partial curfew after the kingdom reported its first coronavirus death.

At least 25 people have been killed and eight others injured in an attack on a Sikh temple in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday.

The UK Parliament has brought forward its Easter break by a week in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

Panic buying was reported across several parts of India, just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 21-day lockdown went into force.

There's no threat of tsunami after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Kuril Islands.

India will go into a nationwide lockdown from midnight Tuesday, March 24, for 21 days to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

The Philippines on Tuesday confirmed 90 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the country's tally to 552.

Australia reported a jump in coronavirus cases on Tuesday, with 130 of them from a cruise ship that was allowed to disembark in Sydney.

The UK has announced the decision to ban people from leaving their homes, in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

China is now tightening quarantine restrictions for travellers in Beijing and other major cities, as number of imported cases have increased.

Saudi Arabia has imposed an evening curfew for the next 21 days as the Kingdom tightens measures to combat the coronavirus spread.

At least 23 people have died and 83 wounded in one of Bogotá's largest prisons.

The Mayor of New York has warned of a major medical shortage, as the number of coronavirus cases in the American city surpassed 9,000.

The UK has warned that a shutdown with curfews and travel restrictions will be implemented if people don't stay at home or practice social distancing.

Germany has introduced a "contact ban" to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Oman on Sunday banned public gatherings and shut money exchange houses as it tightens efforts to fight the spread of coronavirus.

A strong earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale struck Croatia's capital Zagreb on Sunday.

Kuwait will impose a 11-hour nationwide curfew, starting 4:00 pm on Sunday, in its bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday ordered the closure of pubs, places of worship, gyms and cinemas, from midday Monday to combat coronavirus spread.

Millions of people across India are staying indoors today, as the country observes a 14-hour coronavirus curfew.

Pakistan has suspended all international flights for two weeks as the country fights to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.

South Korea's military says the North launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea. 

He highlighted the preventative measures that can be taken to save lives and stop COVID-19 from spreading. 

The United Kingdom has told all public outlets to close to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the country. 

Spain has become the fourth country, after China, Italy and Iran, to register more than 1,000 deaths from the coronavirus.

Three cities in the Indian state of Maharashtra will enter a partial shutdown in an attempt to restrict the spread of coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia has suspended all domestic flights, buses, taxis and trains for 14 days, starting Saturday.

Seven years after the gruesome rape and murder of a medical student in the Indian capital of Delhi, her killers have been executed.

India on Thursday announced its decision to ban all international commercial flights from landing in the country, starting March 22.

Australia and New Zealand have imposed new travel restrictions as the countries fight to curb the spread of coronavirus.

US First Lady Melania Trump is the face of a new TV ad campaign that aims to spread awareness around coronavirus.

The ongoing board exams in the CBSE Indian curriculum schools have been postponed until March 31.

The US announced the suspension of all visa services in most countries due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Italy recorded a massive spike in coronavirus deaths despite being under a two-week lockdown, with 427 people dying within 24 hours.

Filipino migrant workers and foreign nationals are now allowed to leave the Philippines despite the Luzon-wide "enhanced community quarantine".

A man in Japan who had threatened to spread coronavirus after he was tested positive for the disease has died.

UK supermarkets have imposed purchase limits on customers after shelves were stripped bare by shoppers.

Australia has declared a "human biosecurity emergency" that will empower the government to close off cities, impose curfews and order quarantine measures.

Saudi Arabia has suspended work at private sector offices for 15 days, in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Joe Biden defeated Bernie Sanders in three major primaries on Tuesday, sealing his position as the Democratic presidential candidate.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of national calamity in the country in an attempt to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Pakistan on Tuesday announced its first death from coronavirus.

Sri Lanka has banned all incoming flights for two weeks in efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Airports in the Philippines’ Luzon island will not operate international flights from March 20.

Iran has temporarily freed about 85,000 prisoners, including political prisoners, in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.

China has introduced strict health checks for passengers flying in after the number of imported cases spiked for the fourth consecutive day.

France has imposed strict restrictions on people's movement, as European leaders plan to ban non-essential travel into the region.

The Indian government has announced it will quarantine all passengers travelling from or transiting through the UAE and three other GCC countries.

Malaysia has reported a spike in coronavirus infections, with 125 new cases registered on Monday.

The Philippines has announced "enhanced community quarantine" across the entire main island of Luzon amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

Bahrain has reported its first death from coronavirus, as the total number of infections touched 214.

A man in Japan has been sentenced to death for killing 19 disabled people in a knife attack in 2016.

In a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, mayors in New York and Los Angeles have ordered restaurants, theatres, nightclubs and movie halls to shut down.

Lebanon has declared a national state of emergency amidst concerns over COVID-19.

Beijing has stepped up airport screening after an increase in number of imported infections.

Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 724.

All people arriving in Australia from midnight Sunday will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced.

France have introduced emergency restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The United States will broaden its European coronavirus travel ban, adding the United Kingdom and Ireland to the list.

In an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak, the British government has announced a ban on mass gatherings from next week.

Europe is now the "epicentre" of the global coronavirus pandemic as several countries reported a spike in infections and deaths.

The Philippines will impose a month-long night curfew on Manila tomorrow as the country registered its eighth death due to coronavirus.

New Zealand has announced 14-day quarantine restrictions for everyone entering the country in an attempt to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Starting Sunday, Saudi Arabia will suspend all international flights for two weeks.

Katerina Sakellaropoulou has been sworn in as the first female president of Greece.

Australia's minister for home affairs, Peter Dutton, has tested positive for coronavirus.

A growing number of countries are closing schools as part of efforts stop the spread of coronavirus.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Gregoire, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Oman has decided to suspend all tourist visas for one month, starting March 15.

The Philippines has restricted domestic travel to and from Metro Manila.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expanded its travel ban to 38 nations, including the European Union.

Eight new coronavirus cases have been registered in China's Hubei province, marking the first time since the daily tally hit single-digits.

US President Donald Trump has announced travel restrictions on Europe in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

India has suspended all tourist visas until April 15 in a bid to tackle the spread of COVID-19.

The World Health Organisation says the COVID-19 outbreak can now be characterised as a pandemic.

Kuwait is suspending commercial flights from Friday, March 13 in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19.

As many as 238 new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Qatar.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has approved the release of 1,500 Taliban prisoners as part of efforts to start peace talks to end the 18-year war in the country.

Bahrain reported 77 new coronavirus cases among citizens evacuated from Iran by plane.

There has been a spike in new coronavirus cases in South Korea, with 242 new cases reported after authorities carried out tests at a call centre.

Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed in Islamabad on Wednesday, killing the pilot.

Russia's lower house of parliament has laid the groundwork for President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036.

Joe Biden secured commanding victories in Michigan and two other states on Tuesday, cementing his position as a frontrunner in the Democratic presidential race.

Britain's junior health minister Nadine Dorries has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will provide diagnostic kits, equipment and training to countries that need help tackling the worldwide spread of COVID-19.

Egypt has announced that it has lifted the quarantine imposed on a tourist ship in the city of Hurghada after it had proven to be free of COVID-19.

The families of victims of last year's Ethiopian Airlines crash will gather near Addis Ababa this week to remember their loved ones, one year since the tragedy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Wuhan for the first time on Tuesday since the coronavirus crisis erupted in January.

The US has begun withdrawing troops from Afghanistan as part of a historic deal between the US and Taliban late last month.

Italy has extended emergency measures across the entire country in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended land and sea travel to and from Oman, France, Germany, Turkey and Spain.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch-lighting ceremony will be held this week in the city of Olympia without spectators.