AMSTERDAM, March 25: The head of the Netherlands’ National Institute of Health (RIVM) said on Wednesday that based on its best estimates, growth in coronavirus transmissions had significantly slowed.

More than 170,000 volunteer to help UK fight coronavirus

Published On: March 25, 2020 03:15 PM NPT By: Reuters

LONDON, March 25: More than 170,000 people have signed up to help Britain’s National Health Service tackle the coronavirus outbreak just hours after a request for a quarter of a million volunteers.

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, March 25: Indians crowded grocery stores and chemists on Wednesday in a struggle for essential items after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a total lockdown for three weeks to fight a coronavirus pandemic, one of the toughest such measures worldwide.

WELLINGTON, March 25: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told New Zealanders on Wednesday to behave as if they had the coronavirus and cut all physical contact outside their household when the country heads into a one-month lockdown at midnight.

Sudan's minister of defense dies of heart attack in south Sudan

Published On: March 25, 2020 10:57 AM NPT By: Reuters

CAIRO, March 25: Sudan’s minister of defense, Lt Gen Jamaleldin Omar, has died of a heart attack in South Sudan, where he was taking part in peace negotiations between the government and armed movements in Juba, a spokesman for the Sudanese army said early on Wednesday.

UNITED STATES, March 25: U.S. authorities put out tsunami warnings on Wednesday after an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck off Russia’s Kuril Islands, but meteorological officials in Japan issued no alerts, although they said there might be slight tidal changes.

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, March 24: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a 21-day lockdown of the world’s second most populous country on Tuesday, following China’s example to halt the spread of coronavirus that has infected tens of thousands across the world.

TAIPEI, March 24: Taiwan accused the World Heath Organization of ignoring its questions at the start of the coronavirus outbreak, part of what it has long described as a pattern that puts it at risk because of Chinese pressure to exclude it from international bodies.

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 24: Washington’s unprecedented threat to cut $1 billion in Afghanistan funding — a response to the refusal of rivals in Kabul to work together to advance peace — comes at a time when the impoverished nation risks being overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Malaysia reports 106 new coronavirus cases; total at 1,624

Published On: March 24, 2020 03:23 PM NPT By: Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24: Malaysia reported 106 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, taking the total to 1,624, with 15 deaths.