Zaker Hussain Zaheri was making a good living as a cook, until Afghanistan went into lockdown to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and his work dried up.

Now, instead of cooking food in a restaurant, Zaheri, 28, digs a series of 2-meter-long (6.5-foot) trenches on a mountain in the outskirts of Kabul aimed at saving the city from a water crisis, while at the same time, helping him to afford the daily needs of his spouse and seven children.

"This is a tough job, but I have to do it to earn halal food. Also, I take pride in the reconstruction of my country, this is good for the future of our country," Zaheri told Reuters.

As lockdown measures imposed in March take their toll on Afghanistan's workforce, the government is employing more than 40,000 jobless workers to rehabilitate groundwater supplies for its fast-growing capital.

The project, run by the state's National Development Corporation, uses trenches to capture rainwater and snowmelt that is usually lost through flash flooding, said Sanagr Ahmadi, the project's site engineer.

Planned to run for at least a year, the 12 billion Afghani ($155 million) Kabul water project pays labourers at least 300 Afghanis ($3.90) a day to dig close to 150,000 trenches, along with 17 small dams and spillways on the outskirts of the mountainous Afghan capital.

Afghanistan has joined a growing group of countries that are turning to "green stimulus" projects to address two urgent challenges at once: keeping the economy running through the pandemic and tackling climate change.

Zaheri's eldest daughter, Laila, appreciates the risks her father is taking to earn a living.

"We appreciate that despite the threat of coronavirus, our father works on the mountain to earn money. The rich people don't go out, and they stay at their homes at this juncture, but my father goes out and works for us," she said.

Kabul's groundwater supplies - its primary source of drinking water - have been over-exploited, putting the city of up to seven million people at risk of severe shortages, warn water experts.

A study published in May by the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), an independent think-tank, calculated that the city's groundwater levels had decreased by about one meter per year over the past two decades.

Some parts of central Kabul have seen drops of as much as 30 meters over 14 years, the study said.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan, which remains under a lockdown, has recorded 29,715 cases of the coronavirus and 639 deaths as of Wednesday, according to the health ministry. 
&nbsp;

Zaker Hussain Zaheri was making a good living as a cook, until Afghanistan went into lockdown to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and his work dried up. Now, instead of cooking food in a restaurant, Zaheri, 28, digs a series of 2-meter-long (6.

Zaker Hussain Zaheri was making a good living as a cook, until Afghanistan went into lockdown to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and his work dried up. Now, instead of cooking food in a restaurant, Zaheri, 28, digs a series of 2-meter-long (6.5-foot) trenches on a mountain in the outskirts of Kabul aimed at saving the city from a water crisis, while at the same time, helping him to afford the daily needs of his spouse and seven children. "This is a tough job, but I have to do it to earn halal food. Also, I take pride in the reconstruction of my country, this is good for the future of our country," Zaheri told Reuters. As lockdown measures imposed in March take their toll on Afghanistan's workforce, the government is employing more than 40,000 jobless workers to rehabilitate groundwater supplies for its fast-growing capital. The project, run by the state's National Development Corporation, uses trenches to capture rainwater and snowmelt that is usually lost through flash flooding, said Sanagr Ahmadi, the project's site engineer. Planned to run for at least a year, the 12 billion Afghani ($155 million) Kabul water project pays labourers at least 300 Afghanis ($3.90) a day to dig close to 150,000 trenches, along with 17 small dams and spillways on the outskirts of the mountainous Afghan capital. Afghanistan has joined a growing group of countries that are turning to "green stimulus" projects to address two urgent challenges at once: keeping the economy running through the pandemic and tackling climate change. Zaheri's eldest daughter, Laila, appreciates the risks her father is taking to earn a living. "We appreciate that despite the threat of coronavirus, our father works on the mountain to earn money. The rich people don't go out, and they stay at their homes at this juncture, but my father goes out and works for us," she said. Kabul's groundwater supplies - its primary source of drinking water - have been over-exploited, putting the city of up to seven million people at risk of severe shortages, warn water experts. A study published in May by the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), an independent think-tank, calculated that the city's groundwater levels had decreased by about one meter per year over the past two decades. Some parts of central Kabul have seen drops of as much as 30 meters over 14 years, the study said. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, which remains under a lockdown, has recorded 29,715 cases of the coronavirus and 639 deaths as of Wednesday, according to the health ministry.

Afghanistan targets 'green stimulus' to beat lockdown woes

Alibaba founder Jack Ma is no longer the richest man in China after Tencent’s Pony Ma, 48, worth $50 billion, surpassed Jack Ma’s $48 billion fortune, according to a Bloomberg report.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alibaba-founder-jack-ma-begins-sending-coronavirus-testing-kits-masks-to-us-286832">Also Read:&nbsp;Alibaba founder Jack Ma begins sending coronavirus testing kits, masks to US</a>

Tencent Holdings Ltd shares surged on Wednesday in Hong Kong trading recording a $40 billion surge this week propelling Pony Ma's fortune above Jack Ma, 55, who had founded the biggest e-commerce company in China.

The COVID-19 pandemic played its part in boosting Tencent's fortune as gamers stayed home during the extended lockdown in China.

Alibaba, on the other hand, had reported its net profit had fallen 88 per cent in the first quarter of the year due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus.

"Although the pandemic negatively impacted most of our domestic core commerce businesses starting in late January, we have seen a steady recovery since March," Chief Financial Officer Maggie Wu said.

The company's net profit fell $447 million in January-March, compared to 25.83 billion yuan over the same period last year. China had reported its first case of the virus on December 31 in Wuhan.

China later imposed quarantines on millions of people starting in Wuhan and extended the shut down throughout the country during the peak of the virus in January and February.

Meanwhile, Tencent reported a sharp rise in first-quarter net profit after a surge in demand for its online games as coronavirus pandemic spread. The company's net profit rose 29 per cent from a year earlier to $3.95 billion.

"During this difficult period, we seek to provide online services that keep people connected, informed, productive, and entertained," chief executive Ma Huateng said, while adding," So far, our businesses have proved resilient and cashflow-generative."

Online game revenue grew by 31 per cent on year to 37.2 billion yuan, Tencent said with popular games such as &nbsp;"Honour of Kings", "PUBG Mobile" and "Clash of Clans" cashing on the surge in demand of stay-at-home gamers. 
&nbsp;

Alibaba founder Jack Ma is no longer the richest man in China after Tencent’s Pony Ma, 48, worth $50 billion, surpassed Jack Ma’s $48 billion fortune, according to a Bloomberg report.

Alibaba founder Jack Ma is no longer the richest man in China after Tencent’s Pony Ma, 48, worth $50 billion, surpassed Jack Ma’s $48 billion fortune, according to a Bloomberg report. Also Read: Alibaba founder Jack Ma begins sending coronavirus testing kits, masks to US Tencent Holdings Ltd shares surged on Wednesday in Hong Kong trading recording a $40 billion surge this week propelling Pony Ma's fortune above Jack Ma, 55, who had founded the biggest e-commerce company in China. The COVID-19 pandemic played its part in boosting Tencent's fortune as gamers stayed home during the extended lockdown in China. Alibaba, on the other hand, had reported its net profit had fallen 88 per cent in the first quarter of the year due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus. "Although the pandemic negatively impacted most of our domestic core commerce businesses starting in late January, we have seen a steady recovery since March," Chief Financial Officer Maggie Wu said. The company's net profit fell $447 million in January-March, compared to 25.83 billion yuan over the same period last year. China had reported its first case of the virus on December 31 in Wuhan. China later imposed quarantines on millions of people starting in Wuhan and extended the shut down throughout the country during the peak of the virus in January and February. Meanwhile, Tencent reported a sharp rise in first-quarter net profit after a surge in demand for its online games as coronavirus pandemic spread. The company's net profit rose 29 per cent from a year earlier to $3.95 billion. "During this difficult period, we seek to provide online services that keep people connected, informed, productive, and entertained," chief executive Ma Huateng said, while adding," So far, our businesses have proved resilient and cashflow-generative." Online game revenue grew by 31 per cent on year to 37.2 billion yuan, Tencent said with popular games such as "Honour of Kings", "PUBG Mobile" and "Clash of Clans" cashing on the surge in demand of stay-at-home gamers.

COVID-19 fortune: Tencent's Pony Ma dethrones Alibaba's Jack Ma to become richest in China

In an unprecedented development, newborn triplets in Mexico tested positive for coronavirus even though their parents did not contact the virus.

Mexican health authorities said that the triplets - two boys and a girl - were tested four hours after being born on June 17. The parents who were earlier suspected to be asymptomatic carriers showed negative test results.

A group of medical experts are now investigating the "unheard" case. Two babies are now in stable condition, health authorities said, however, the third, a boy, is being treated for a respiratory condition.

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Newborns have been known to catch the virus&nbsp;after birth if they have been in close contact with an infected person. Reports say experts are now trying to find out whether the virus was passed on to the babies through the mother's placenta during pregnancy. The official report of the medical experts is awaited.

Mexico is the second hardest-hit country in Latin America to be hit by the virus after Brazil. Mexico currently has over 191,000 coronavirus cases and over 23,000 deaths.

Chile has nearly doubled its reported coronavirus death toll since last weekend to 7,144 with the virus taking a firm grim in South America.

Peru topped 250,000 cases of coronavirus, with 7,861 deaths recently. 
&nbsp;

In an unprecedented development, newborn triplets in Mexico tested positive for coronavirus even though their parents did not contact the virus. Mexican health authorities said that the triplets - two boys and a girl - were tested four hours after being born on June 17.

In an unprecedented development, newborn triplets in Mexico tested positive for coronavirus even though their parents did not contact the virus. Mexican health authorities said that the triplets - two boys and a girl - were tested four hours after being born on June 17. The parents who were earlier suspected to be asymptomatic carriers showed negative test results. A group of medical experts are now investigating the "unheard" case. Two babies are now in stable condition, health authorities said, however, the third, a boy, is being treated for a respiratory condition. Watch Video: Newborns have been known to catch the virus after birth if they have been in close contact with an infected person. Reports say experts are now trying to find out whether the virus was passed on to the babies through the mother's placenta during pregnancy. The official report of the medical experts is awaited. Mexico is the second hardest-hit country in Latin America to be hit by the virus after Brazil. Mexico currently has over 191,000 coronavirus cases and over 23,000 deaths. Chile has nearly doubled its reported coronavirus death toll since last weekend to 7,144 with the virus taking a firm grim in South America. Peru topped 250,000 cases of coronavirus, with 7,861 deaths recently.

Newborn Mexican triplets test COVID-19 positive, parents do not

After the government once again increased diesel prices, the price of diesel today surpassed petrol in the national capital for the first time.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/petrol-diesel-prices-hiked-for-seventeen-consecutive-days-307850">Also Read:&nbsp;Petrol, diesel prices hiked for seventeen consecutive days</a>

The government today did not increase the petrol prices however diesel prices were increased by 48 paise. Petrol now costs 79.76 per litre in India's capital city with diesel at Rs 79.88 per litre.

The government increased prices of fuel for seventeen consecutive days on Tuesday as it began Unlock 1.0 earlier in the month.

The increase in prices comes as international oil futures dropped over reports of US crude inventories&nbsp;adding to worries on oversupply.

Brent crude was down 29 cents at $42.34 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 35 cents to $40.02 a barrel on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, both Brent and WTI had traded at their highest levels since prices collapsed in early March as countries begin to emerge from coronavirus induced lockdown.&nbsp;

OPEC had earlier announced it would curb fuel output after a massive drop in demand for oil due to the pandemic even as global markets remain concerned about rising cases of coronavirus in the United States and other countries. 
&nbsp;

After the government once again increased diesel prices, the price of diesel today surpassed petrol in the national capital for the first time. Also Read: Petrol, diesel prices hiked for seventeen consecutive days The government today did not increase the petrol prices however diesel prices were increased by 48 paise.

After the government once again increased diesel prices, the price of diesel today surpassed petrol in the national capital for the first time. Also Read: Petrol, diesel prices hiked for seventeen consecutive days The government today did not increase the petrol prices however diesel prices were increased by 48 paise. Petrol now costs 79.76 per litre in India's capital city with diesel at Rs 79.88 per litre. The government increased prices of fuel for seventeen consecutive days on Tuesday as it began Unlock 1.0 earlier in the month. The increase in prices comes as international oil futures dropped over reports of US crude inventories adding to worries on oversupply. Brent crude was down 29 cents at $42.34 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 35 cents to $40.02 a barrel on Wednesday. On Tuesday, both Brent and WTI had traded at their highest levels since prices collapsed in early March as countries begin to emerge from coronavirus induced lockdown. OPEC had earlier announced it would curb fuel output after a massive drop in demand for oil due to the pandemic even as global markets remain concerned about rising cases of coronavirus in the United States and other countries.

In a first, diesel more costly than petrol in Delhi

According to a New York Times report, European Union(EU) is mulling blocking Americans from entering its territory since&nbsp;the United States has failed to properly curb the coronavirus pandemic.

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Several European nations including France, Germany, Spain and Austria have opened their land borders as coronavirus restrictions were eased in the past month, however, EU officials are trying to bring up a list of countries whose citizens will be barred from entering the continent with several nations still battling the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-has-brought-the-united-states-on-its-knees-cdc-director-308102">Also Read:'Coronavirus pandemic has brought the United States on its knees', says CDC director</a>

The NYT report said if EU officials club US citizens along with Russian and Brazilians, it would be a big blow for the Trump administration. The United States is the worst-hit country due to the virus with over 2.3 million cases and 120,000 deaths.

Trump had earlier banned &nbsp;citizens from most European Union countries from travelling to America as the virus cases began to mount in Europe in March. EU which comprises of 27 countries had earlier barred American trallevers including those&nbsp;from other nations from entering the European Union as the virus cases increased.&nbsp;

However, now with Europe reopening its borders for trade and free movement of traffic, EU officials are expected to take a final decision on reopening the borders early next week, the NYT report claimed before the bloc reopens on July 1.

"Prohibiting American travellers from entering the European Union would have significant economic, cultural and geopolitical ramifications," the NYT report asserted with several million American travellers visiting Europe in the summer including business travellers who have huge stakes in European countries.

NYT said it is unclear if American officials are aware of the development. The NYT report quoting European officials added that the US could be added later to the list, which would be "revised" every two weeks based on infection rates, although it was&nbsp;"unlikely an exception would be made for the United States". &nbsp;

According to a New York Times report, European Union(EU) is mulling blocking Americans from entering its territory since the United States has failed to properly curb the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a New York Times report, European Union(EU) is mulling blocking Americans from entering its territory since the United States has failed to properly curb the coronavirus pandemic. Watch Video: Several European nations including France, Germany, Spain and Austria have opened their land borders as coronavirus restrictions were eased in the past month, however, EU officials are trying to bring up a list of countries whose citizens will be barred from entering the continent with several nations still battling the virus. Also Read:'Coronavirus pandemic has brought the United States on its knees', says CDC director The NYT report said if EU officials club US citizens along with Russian and Brazilians, it would be a big blow for the Trump administration. The United States is the worst-hit country due to the virus with over 2.3 million cases and 120,000 deaths. Trump had earlier banned citizens from most European Union countries from travelling to America as the virus cases began to mount in Europe in March. EU which comprises of 27 countries had earlier barred American trallevers including those from other nations from entering the European Union as the virus cases increased. However, now with Europe reopening its borders for trade and free movement of traffic, EU officials are expected to take a final decision on reopening the borders early next week, the NYT report claimed before the bloc reopens on July 1. "Prohibiting American travellers from entering the European Union would have significant economic, cultural and geopolitical ramifications," the NYT report asserted with several million American travellers visiting Europe in the summer including business travellers who have huge stakes in European countries. NYT said it is unclear if American officials are aware of the development. The NYT report quoting European officials added that the US could be added later to the list, which would be "revised" every two weeks based on infection rates, although it was "unlikely an exception would be made for the United States".

European Union may block American travellers over failure to curb virus: Report

India's health ministry reported highest single-day spike of 15,968 new coronavirus cases in the country in the last 24 hrs.

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The ministry added that 465 deaths had occurred in the last 24 hours with the total death toll rising to 14,476 in India.

The health ministry said the COVID-19 cases have shot up to 4,56,183 including 1,83,022 active cases.&nbsp;

At least 25,8685 people have been cured of the virus, according to the health ministry.

Meanwhile, India's national capital reported 3,947 new coronavirus cases and 68 deaths in the last 24 hours with the total number of positive cases going up to 66,602 including 24,988 active cases. The death toll in Delhi due to the virus has gone up to 2,301.

Maharashtra which is the hardest-hit state due to the virus reported 3,214 new coronavirus cases with 248 deaths. The total number of cases in the state has gone up to 1,39,010 including 69,631 patients having recovered from the virus. The death toll in the state due to the virus has climbed to 6,531 deaths.

Mumbai's Dharavi slum area continued to report new coronavirus cases with the total number of cases rising to 2,189.

Amid the rising number of cases, defence officials said that 12 trainee sailors at INS Shivaji in Lonavala were found positive with the virus.

In Telangana, 879 coronavirus cases were reported with 3 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the total number of cases to 9,553. There have been 220 deaths due to COVID-19 in the state.

Uttar Pradesh health department reported 576 new coronavirus cases and 19 deaths in the last 24 hours. The total number of coronavirus cases has shot up to 6,189 with the death toll rising to 588.

India's health ministry reported highest single-day spike of 15,968 new coronavirus cases in the country in the last 24 hrs. Watch Video: The ministry added that 465 deaths had occurred in the last 24 hours with the total death toll rising to 14,476 in India.

India's health ministry reported highest single-day spike of 15,968 new coronavirus cases in the country in the last 24 hrs. Watch Video: The ministry added that 465 deaths had occurred in the last 24 hours with the total death toll rising to 14,476 in India. The health ministry said the COVID-19 cases have shot up to 4,56,183 including 1,83,022 active cases. At least 25,8685 people have been cured of the virus, according to the health ministry. Meanwhile, India's national capital reported 3,947 new coronavirus cases and 68 deaths in the last 24 hours with the total number of positive cases going up to 66,602 including 24,988 active cases. The death toll in Delhi due to the virus has gone up to 2,301. Maharashtra which is the hardest-hit state due to the virus reported 3,214 new coronavirus cases with 248 deaths. The total number of cases in the state has gone up to 1,39,010 including 69,631 patients having recovered from the virus. The death toll in the state due to the virus has climbed to 6,531 deaths. Mumbai's Dharavi slum area continued to report new coronavirus cases with the total number of cases rising to 2,189. Amid the rising number of cases, defence officials said that 12 trainee sailors at INS Shivaji in Lonavala were found positive with the virus. In Telangana, 879 coronavirus cases were reported with 3 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the total number of cases to 9,553. There have been 220 deaths due to COVID-19 in the state. Uttar Pradesh health department reported 576 new coronavirus cases and 19 deaths in the last 24 hours. The total number of coronavirus cases has shot up to 6,189 with the death toll rising to 588.

India reports highest spike in coronavirus cases; death toll over 14,400

India's defence minister Rajnath Singh said that his discussion with Russian officials was "positive and productive" while asserting that "ongoing contracts will not just be maintained but will be executed soon" hinting at the S-400 missile defence system which India had procured from Russia in October 2018.

India had signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems. Last year, the India government had made the first tranche of payment of $800 million to Russia for the missile systems. Moscow was to begin the delivery of the system by the second half of next year.

It is the first official delegation to visit Moscow from India to a foreign country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

"I pay my tribute to the Russian soldiers who were killed during World War II. Lakhs of Indian soldiers also participated in this war and we also suffered casualties," India's defence minister said as Russia prepares to host a parade in Moscow's Red Square to celebrate victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

India's defence minister emphasised the "special relationship" between India and Russia and&nbsp;forwarded an invite for President Putin to visit India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year.

India's defence minister had left on Monday for a three-day visit to Russia.&nbsp;

"Visited the Indian Embassy in Moscow today and paid my humble tributes to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at his statue," Rajnath Singh tweeted on Wednesday.

India's defence minister Rajnath Singh said that his discussion with Russian officials was "positive and productive" while asserting that "ongoing contracts will not just be maintained but will be executed soon" hinting at the S-400 missile defence system which India had procured from Russia in October 2018.

India's defence minister Rajnath Singh said that his discussion with Russian officials was "positive and productive" while asserting that "ongoing contracts will not just be maintained but will be executed soon" hinting at the S-400 missile defence system which India had procured from Russia in October 2018. India had signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems. Last year, the India government had made the first tranche of payment of $800 million to Russia for the missile systems. Moscow was to begin the delivery of the system by the second half of next year. It is the first official delegation to visit Moscow from India to a foreign country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "I pay my tribute to the Russian soldiers who were killed during World War II. Lakhs of Indian soldiers also participated in this war and we also suffered casualties," India's defence minister said as Russia prepares to host a parade in Moscow's Red Square to celebrate victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. India's defence minister emphasised the "special relationship" between India and Russia and forwarded an invite for President Putin to visit India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year. India's defence minister had left on Monday for a three-day visit to Russia. "Visited the Indian Embassy in Moscow today and paid my humble tributes to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at his statue," Rajnath Singh tweeted on Wednesday.

Contracts with Russia will be executed soon, says Defence minister Rajnath Singh in Moscow

As Texas reported 5,000 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott asked residents to stay home and gave officials more powers to clampdown on gatherings.

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Governor Abbott reporting on the latest coronavirus figures, said: "Today, Texas will report an all-time high in the number of cases of people testing positive." &nbsp;The Texas health department reported 5,489 new cases which is an all-time daily high.

Earlier, Texas allowed gathering of over 500 people however with the spurt of cases it has been whittled down to 100 people.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-metre-or-two-how-social-distancing-affects-covid-19-risk-308061">Also Read:&nbsp;One metre or two? How social distancing affects COVID-19 risk</a>

"The hospitalization rate is at an all-time high," the Texas governor said, adding, "The coronavirus is serious. It's spreading in Brazos County, across the entire state of Texas."

Houston is among the areas hit hard due to the virus. The Texas governor ordered the health agency to enact new safety standards for child care centres during COVID-19 pandemic as hospitalizations has seen a surge in recent weeks&nbsp;

&nbsp;“Today’s proclamation and emergency rules will aid in that effort in two key ways: allowing restrictions on large gatherings where COVID-19 is easily spread and implementing a statewide standard of infection control for child care centres,” Abbot asserted after stating that data showed that the virus had spread from gatherings and child care centres.

“Before today, they were recommendations. As of today, they are now requirements,” Abbot told a local news channel. The Texas governor had earlier warned that the virus was spreading at "an unacceptable rate in Texas” even as he asked Texans to wear masks and continue social distancing in order to&nbsp;slow the rise in hospitalizations.

As Texas reported 5,000 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott asked residents to stay home and gave officials more powers to clampdown on gatherings.

As Texas reported 5,000 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott asked residents to stay home and gave officials more powers to clampdown on gatherings. Watch: Governor Abbott reporting on the latest coronavirus figures, said: "Today, Texas will report an all-time high in the number of cases of people testing positive." The Texas health department reported 5,489 new cases which is an all-time daily high. Earlier, Texas allowed gathering of over 500 people however with the spurt of cases it has been whittled down to 100 people. Also Read: One metre or two? How social distancing affects COVID-19 risk "The hospitalization rate is at an all-time high," the Texas governor said, adding, "The coronavirus is serious. It's spreading in Brazos County, across the entire state of Texas." Houston is among the areas hit hard due to the virus. The Texas governor ordered the health agency to enact new safety standards for child care centres during COVID-19 pandemic as hospitalizations has seen a surge in recent weeks “Today’s proclamation and emergency rules will aid in that effort in two key ways: allowing restrictions on large gatherings where COVID-19 is easily spread and implementing a statewide standard of infection control for child care centres,” Abbot asserted after stating that data showed that the virus had spread from gatherings and child care centres. “Before today, they were recommendations. As of today, they are now requirements,” Abbot told a local news channel. The Texas governor had earlier warned that the virus was spreading at "an unacceptable rate in Texas” even as he asked Texans to wear masks and continue social distancing in order to slow the rise in hospitalizations.

Texas reports all-time daily high in COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations surge

A powerful 7.5&nbsp;magnitude earthquake jolted Mexico on Tuesday with its epicentre near Crucecita, in the southeastern state of Oaxaca. The quake left 5 people dead.

The Mexican Seismological Service said the earthquake measured 7.5, although the US Geological Survey said it was 7.4 on Richter scale.

"It's confirmed it was a 7.5 magnitude. Fortunately, there's no damage, in any case we're going to continue to call for caution as there may be aftershocks and we must all take care without worrying," said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said, adding," strategic installations didn't suffer any damage, that is to say, ports, airports, refineries, hydroelectric plants, everything is in a good condition."

The country experienced aftershocks several hours after the quake, reports said, but there was no large scale damage reported in the country. The US Pacific Tsunami had warned of hazardous waves in the 1,000 kilometre radius of the quake's epicentre, but it later said the threat had passed.

Mexico was hit by a major earthquake in 2017 in which 360 people were killed, in the same year 96 people were killed when an 8.1 magnitude quake hit the southern region.

Mexico is in the midst of a battle against coronavirus and has recorded 22,500 deaths and 185,000 infected cases. The death toll in Mexico due to the virus is the second largest in Latin America after Brazil.

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake jolted Mexico on Tuesday with its epicentre near Crucecita, in the southeastern state of Oaxaca. The quake left 5 people dead.

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake jolted Mexico on Tuesday with its epicentre near Crucecita, in the southeastern state of Oaxaca. The quake left 5 people dead. The Mexican Seismological Service said the earthquake measured 7.5, although the US Geological Survey said it was 7.4 on Richter scale. "It's confirmed it was a 7.5 magnitude. Fortunately, there's no damage, in any case we're going to continue to call for caution as there may be aftershocks and we must all take care without worrying," said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said, adding," strategic installations didn't suffer any damage, that is to say, ports, airports, refineries, hydroelectric plants, everything is in a good condition." The country experienced aftershocks several hours after the quake, reports said, but there was no large scale damage reported in the country. The US Pacific Tsunami had warned of hazardous waves in the 1,000 kilometre radius of the quake's epicentre, but it later said the threat had passed. Mexico was hit by a major earthquake in 2017 in which 360 people were killed, in the same year 96 people were killed when an 8.1 magnitude quake hit the southern region. Mexico is in the midst of a battle against coronavirus and has recorded 22,500 deaths and 185,000 infected cases. The death toll in Mexico due to the virus is the second largest in Latin America after Brazil.

7.5 magnitude earthquake jolts Mexico; 5 dead

Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington, D.C.’s congressional delegate, said on Tuesday that she will introduce legislation to remove the statue of Abraham Lincoln from Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill.

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The Lincoln Park "Emancipation" statue has become a target of Black Lives Matter protesters with&nbsp;demonstrations gripping America in the wake of George Floyd's killing by a Minneapolis cop on May 25.

Last week, protesters had torn down a statue of Confederate general Albert Pike in the capital and set it on fire. Donald Trump said that "these people should be immediately arrested" while saying that the D.C. police was not "doing their job as they watch a statue be ripped down &amp; burn".

“Although formerly enslaved Americans paid for this statue to be built in 1876, the design and sculpting process was done without their input and it shows,” Holmes Norton said, adding, "The statue fails to note in any way how enslaved African Americans pushed for their own emancipation.”

Protesters had vowed to remove the statue at Lincoln Park as demonstrators&nbsp;tried to topple the statue of former president Andrew Jackson. Statues in the United States have come under the scrutiny of the Black Live Matter movement with several being targeted. The statue of former president Thomas Jefferson who had drawn up the US Declaration of Independence was vandalised. He&nbsp;allegedly owned slaves.

New York is set to remove a statue of former president Theodore Roosevelt from the entrance of the American Museum of Natural History as it shows the former US president on horseback with a black man and a native American man on foot.

Protesters have mainly targeted statues of Confederate States during the American Civil War, which pitted the pro-slavery South against anti-slavery North in the United States as the statue of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States was stuck down by protesters in Virginia.&nbsp;

Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington, D.C.’s congressional delegate, said on Tuesday that she will introduce legislation to remove the statue of Abraham Lincoln from Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill.

Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington, D.C.’s congressional delegate, said on Tuesday that she will introduce legislation to remove the statue of Abraham Lincoln from Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill. Watch Video: The Lincoln Park "Emancipation" statue has become a target of Black Lives Matter protesters with demonstrations gripping America in the wake of George Floyd's killing by a Minneapolis cop on May 25. Last week, protesters had torn down a statue of Confederate general Albert Pike in the capital and set it on fire. Donald Trump said that "these people should be immediately arrested" while saying that the D.C. police was not "doing their job as they watch a statue be ripped down & burn". “Although formerly enslaved Americans paid for this statue to be built in 1876, the design and sculpting process was done without their input and it shows,” Holmes Norton said, adding, "The statue fails to note in any way how enslaved African Americans pushed for their own emancipation.” Protesters had vowed to remove the statue at Lincoln Park as demonstrators tried to topple the statue of former president Andrew Jackson. Statues in the United States have come under the scrutiny of the Black Live Matter movement with several being targeted. The statue of former president Thomas Jefferson who had drawn up the US Declaration of Independence was vandalised. He allegedly owned slaves. New York is set to remove a statue of former president Theodore Roosevelt from the entrance of the American Museum of Natural History as it shows the former US president on horseback with a black man and a native American man on foot. Protesters have mainly targeted statues of Confederate States during the American Civil War, which pitted the pro-slavery South against anti-slavery North in the United States as the statue of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States was stuck down by protesters in Virginia.

Washington delegate to introduce legislation to remove Lincoln statue

A Russian court has granted early release to a Danish citizen convicted of "extremism" last year, converting the rest of his six-year sentence to a fine, religious group Jehovah's Witnesses said.

Dennis Christensen, a member of the US-based Christian evangelical movement Jehovah's Witnesses, was arrested in May 2017 after Moscow branded the group as an extremist organisation and banned it.&nbsp;

He was sentenced to six years in prison in February 2019 in a case that drew widespread condemnation.

A judge in the southern Kursk region, where Christensen is serving his sentence, held his first parole hearing Tuesday and mitigated the remainder of his sentence to a fine of 400,000 rubles ($5,800), the Jehovah's Witnesses said in a statement.

Christensen is likely to be released within days of the decision, as the prosecution does not intend to appeal the ruling, the group said.

"We are pleased that Dennis may be going home to his wife, family, and friends in the coming weeks," it said.

Christensen was the first to be convicted by Russian courts among some 175 Jehovah's Witnesses who were sentenced to prison terms or put under arrest before trial following the ban on the group.

International rights groups, as well as the European Union, had urged Russia to release him.

A Russian court has granted early release to a Danish citizen convicted of "extremism" last year, converting the rest of his six-year sentence to a fine, religious group Jehovah's Witnesses said.

A Russian court has granted early release to a Danish citizen convicted of "extremism" last year, converting the rest of his six-year sentence to a fine, religious group Jehovah's Witnesses said. Dennis Christensen, a member of the US-based Christian evangelical movement Jehovah's Witnesses, was arrested in May 2017 after Moscow branded the group as an extremist organisation and banned it. He was sentenced to six years in prison in February 2019 in a case that drew widespread condemnation. A judge in the southern Kursk region, where Christensen is serving his sentence, held his first parole hearing Tuesday and mitigated the remainder of his sentence to a fine of 400,000 rubles ($5,800), the Jehovah's Witnesses said in a statement. Christensen is likely to be released within days of the decision, as the prosecution does not intend to appeal the ruling, the group said. "We are pleased that Dennis may be going home to his wife, family, and friends in the coming weeks," it said. Christensen was the first to be convicted by Russian courts among some 175 Jehovah's Witnesses who were sentenced to prison terms or put under arrest before trial following the ban on the group. International rights groups, as well as the European Union, had urged Russia to release him.

Russian court to release Danish citizen after extremism charge

Amid tensions at the border, the&nbsp;Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination(WMCC) on India and China border affairs is set to&nbsp;hold a virtual meet&nbsp;to discuss border tensions between the two countries. &nbsp;

Watch Video:

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The talks are set to be headed by joint secretary-level officials from both sides.&nbsp; The talks will be held today between Naveen Srivastava, joint secretary(East Asia) and Wu Jianghao, director-general in the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs.&nbsp;

This is the second diplomatic level talks this month after the first took place on June 5.

The consultation and coordination mechanism was established in 2012 for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity between the two countries.

The meet is set to be conducted through a video link.

India and Chinese military commanders had taken part in talks along the Line of Actual Control on Monday which lasted to eleven hours. Both sides had decided to disengage after clashes at the border had left 20 Indian soldiers dead last week at Galwan Valley.

Amid tensions in the area, India's Army chief MM Naravane visited the Leh in order to review the situation at the border.

Amid tensions at the border, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination(WMCC) on India and China border affairs is set to hold a virtual meet to discuss border tensions between the two countries.

Amid tensions at the border, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination(WMCC) on India and China border affairs is set to hold a virtual meet to discuss border tensions between the two countries. Watch Video: The talks are set to be headed by joint secretary-level officials from both sides. The talks will be held today between Naveen Srivastava, joint secretary(East Asia) and Wu Jianghao, director-general in the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs. This is the second diplomatic level talks this month after the first took place on June 5. The consultation and coordination mechanism was established in 2012 for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity between the two countries. The meet is set to be conducted through a video link. India and Chinese military commanders had taken part in talks along the Line of Actual Control on Monday which lasted to eleven hours. Both sides had decided to disengage after clashes at the border had left 20 Indian soldiers dead last week at Galwan Valley. Amid tensions in the area, India's Army chief MM Naravane visited the Leh in order to review the situation at the border.

India, China to hold diplomatic talks amid tensions along LAC

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