Twenty-seven Taliban terrorists have been killed and 16 others injured in an armed confrontation in the Afghan province of Kandahar, the 20 "Atal" Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA) said on Thursday.

According to the army officials, the Taliban mounted attacks on checkpoints in the Kalankecha, Moshan and Maiwand districts last night.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-15-taliban-terrorists-killed-in-airstrike-313767">Afghanistan: 15 Taliban terrorists killed in airstrike</a>

"After the attacks, a heavy clash took place between the ANA forces and the Taliban insurgents, in which 27 insurgents were killed, and 16 others were wounded," corps spokesman Ahmad Sadiq Issa said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-faces-grim-economic-outlook-as-pandemic-wipes-out-growth-world-bank-313765">Afghanistan faces 'grim' economic outlook as pandemic wipes out growth: World Bank</a>

He added that none of the ANA troops had been hurt in the clash.

The violence in the country is raging on amid the attempts by the Kabul government and the Taliban to launch intra-Afghan peace negotiations, which hinge on a successful prisoner swap between the sides.

Twenty-seven Taliban terrorists have been killed and 16 others injured in an armed confrontation in the Afghan province of Kandahar, the 20 "Atal" Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA) said on Thursday.

Twenty-seven Taliban terrorists have been killed and 16 others injured in an armed confrontation in the Afghan province of Kandahar, the 20 "Atal" Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA) said on Thursday. According to the army officials, the Taliban mounted attacks on checkpoints in the Kalankecha, Moshan and Maiwand districts last night. Also read| Afghanistan: 15 Taliban terrorists killed in airstrike "After the attacks, a heavy clash took place between the ANA forces and the Taliban insurgents, in which 27 insurgents were killed, and 16 others were wounded," corps spokesman Ahmad Sadiq Issa said. Also read: Afghanistan faces 'grim' economic outlook as pandemic wipes out growth: World Bank He added that none of the ANA troops had been hurt in the clash. The violence in the country is raging on amid the attempts by the Kabul government and the Taliban to launch intra-Afghan peace negotiations, which hinge on a successful prisoner swap between the sides.

27 Taliban terrorists killed, 16 injured in Afghanistan

Israel's government said on Friday it was imposing weekend restrictions to limit the spiraling spread of coronavirus in the hope of avoiding a general lockdown further along the line.

People would be allowed to leave their homes this weekend but malls, shops, pools, zoos, and museums would be shut from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning, a joint statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and the health ministry said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-reports-its-highest-daily-coronavirus-infections-312327">Israel reports its highest daily coronavirus infections</a>

These measures will take effect immediately and apply every weekend until further notice, the statement said.

Friday evening is the start of the Jewish sabbath, when many restaurants close, while Sunday is the start of the Israeli working week.

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On all days, gatherings will be limited to 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors and restaurants would be allowed to serve take-out only, the government said.

A further decision on whether to keep summer schools and nurseries open would be made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Benny Gantz.

Israel won praise for its initial response to the COVID-19 outbreak, but the government has come under criticism amid a resurgence in cases after lockdown measures were lifted.

The country reopened schools and many businesses in May, lifting restrictions that had flattened an infection curve after a partial lockdown imposed in March.

But with the infection rate rising sharply in the past few weeks, many public health experts said the government had moved too fast while neglecting to take the necessary epidemiological steps to control the pandemic once the economy reopened.

The country of some nine million people had recorded 46,059 confirmed cases by Thursday night, including 384 dead.

Israel's government said on Friday it was imposing weekend restrictions to limit the spiraling spread of coronavirus in the hope of avoiding a general lockdown further along the line.

Israel's government said on Friday it was imposing weekend restrictions to limit the spiraling spread of coronavirus in the hope of avoiding a general lockdown further along the line. People would be allowed to leave their homes this weekend but malls, shops, pools, zoos, and museums would be shut from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning, a joint statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and the health ministry said. Also read: Israel reports its highest daily coronavirus infections These measures will take effect immediately and apply every weekend until further notice, the statement said. Friday evening is the start of the Jewish sabbath, when many restaurants close, while Sunday is the start of the Israeli working week. On all days, gatherings will be limited to 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors and restaurants would be allowed to serve take-out only, the government said. A further decision on whether to keep summer schools and nurseries open would be made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Benny Gantz. Israel won praise for its initial response to the COVID-19 outbreak, but the government has come under criticism amid a resurgence in cases after lockdown measures were lifted. The country reopened schools and many businesses in May, lifting restrictions that had flattened an infection curve after a partial lockdown imposed in March. But with the infection rate rising sharply in the past few weeks, many public health experts said the government had moved too fast while neglecting to take the necessary epidemiological steps to control the pandemic once the economy reopened. The country of some nine million people had recorded 46,059 confirmed cases by Thursday night, including 384 dead.

Israel imposes new weekend restrictions to combat surge in COVID-19 cases

US President Donald Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow has said that TikTok may cut off ties to its Chinese parent and become a 100 per cent American company to circumvent demands to ban it as India has done. 
 
"I think TikTok is going to pull out of the holding company which is China-run and operate as an independent American company," he told reporters at the White House on Thursday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-attorney-general-blasts-american-firms-for-kowtowing-to-beijing-313919">US attorney general blasts American firms for 'kowtowing' to Beijing</a>

The US has not made a final decision on whether to ban it, which has been suggested by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, he said. 
 
TikTok being divested by ByteDance Technology Company "is a much better solution than banning or pushing away", said Kudlow, who is the Director of the National Economic Council.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-action-on-risks-posed-by-tiktok-likely-in-weeks-white-house-313604">Trump administration action on risks posed by TikTok likely 'in weeks': White House</a>

He said that its services will be located in the US and "it will become an hundred per cent American company". 
 
If it becomes a US company without Chinese links, India may have to reconsider the ban on the short video app wildly popular in the country. 
 
India banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps on June 29 citing threats to its defence and national security. 
 
The ban came after a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. 
 
Under Beijing's National Security Law, all Chinese companies have to provide intelligence requested by the government, creating risks for users and their countries. 
 
India was TikTok's biggest market outside of China, where it operates as Douyin. There were about 200 million users in India and over 300 million downloads. The United States comes next with over 30 million users for the app.

US President Donald Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow has said that TikTok may cut off ties to its Chinese parent and become a 100 per cent American company to circumvent demands to ban it as India has done.

US President Donald Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow has said that TikTok may cut off ties to its Chinese parent and become a 100 per cent American company to circumvent demands to ban it as India has done. "I think TikTok is going to pull out of the holding company which is China-run and operate as an independent American company," he told reporters at the White House on Thursday. Also read: US attorney general blasts American firms for 'kowtowing' to Beijing The US has not made a final decision on whether to ban it, which has been suggested by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, he said. TikTok being divested by ByteDance Technology Company "is a much better solution than banning or pushing away", said Kudlow, who is the Director of the National Economic Council. Also read| Trump administration action on risks posed by TikTok likely 'in weeks': White House He said that its services will be located in the US and "it will become an hundred per cent American company". If it becomes a US company without Chinese links, India may have to reconsider the ban on the short video app wildly popular in the country. India banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps on June 29 citing threats to its defence and national security. The ban came after a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. Under Beijing's National Security Law, all Chinese companies have to provide intelligence requested by the government, creating risks for users and their countries. India was TikTok's biggest market outside of China, where it operates as Douyin. There were about 200 million users in India and over 300 million downloads. The United States comes next with over 30 million users for the app.

TikTok may leave Chinese parent company to avoid US ban: Trump adviser

France's President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that the European Union was facing a "moment of truth", as leaders gathered for a summit to negotiate a huge post-coronavirus recovery plan.

"It's our European project that in play here," Macron said, as he arrived at the first face-to-face Brussels summit for five months, held under social distancing rules.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-1st-phase-3-clinical-trial-of-covid-19-inactivated-vaccine-begins-313875" hreflang="en">World's 1st phase 3 clinical trial of covid-19 inactivated vaccine begins</a>

EU health ministers had said on Thursday that&nbsp;they were planning a common strategy to prevent new coronavirus wave and that they were happy that the European Commission would support efforts of vaccine developers to produce safe and effective vaccines.

"We are at present in negotiations with industry, with member states, in partnership with member states in order to be able to have access to a vaccine or vaccines as quickly as possible, available in an equitable way to all," said the EU&nbsp;Commissioner for health and food safety Stella Kyriakides, said in a joint conference with EU health ministers.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-wins-coronavirus-vaccine-deal-with-germany-france-italy-and-the-netherlands-305648">Astrazeneca wins coronavirus vaccine deal with Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands</a>

The EU is planning to spend around $2.3 billion on the advance purchase of vaccines in testing on behalf of its 27 member states.

EU countries are also pursuing their own initiatives, with Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands making a joint deal with drugmaker AstraZeneca to buy up front its vaccine under development.

AstraZeneca, France's Sanofi, and US&nbsp;firms Pfizer, Novavax, Johnson and&nbsp;Johnson and Moderna are among companies trialing vaccines against the coronavirus.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that the European Union was facing a "moment of truth", as leaders gathered for a summit to negotiate a huge post-coronavirus recovery plan.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that the European Union was facing a "moment of truth", as leaders gathered for a summit to negotiate a huge post-coronavirus recovery plan. "It's our European project that in play here," Macron said, as he arrived at the first face-to-face Brussels summit for five months, held under social distancing rules. Also read: World's 1st phase 3 clinical trial of covid-19 inactivated vaccine begins EU health ministers had said on Thursday that they were planning a common strategy to prevent new coronavirus wave and that they were happy that the European Commission would support efforts of vaccine developers to produce safe and effective vaccines. "We are at present in negotiations with industry, with member states, in partnership with member states in order to be able to have access to a vaccine or vaccines as quickly as possible, available in an equitable way to all," said the EU Commissioner for health and food safety Stella Kyriakides, said in a joint conference with EU health ministers. Also read: Astrazeneca wins coronavirus vaccine deal with Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands The EU is planning to spend around $2.3 billion on the advance purchase of vaccines in testing on behalf of its 27 member states. EU countries are also pursuing their own initiatives, with Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands making a joint deal with drugmaker AstraZeneca to buy up front its vaccine under development. AstraZeneca, France's Sanofi, and US firms Pfizer, Novavax, Johnson and Johnson and Moderna are among companies trialing vaccines against the coronavirus.

European Union's coronavirus rescue summit 'moment of truth', says Macron

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been bitten by an emu-like bird during his quarantine period which he ''cannot stand''.

One of the birds that Bolsonaro was feeding&nbsp;''pecked'' him on his hand and this embarrassing moment was captured by a photographer. Several pictures of the entire incident were shared on social media platforms as well.

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bolsonaro tentando alimentar uma ema e sendo bicado <a href="https://t.co/jMT9gd3MeM">pic.twitter.com/jMT9gd3MeM</a>
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He was seen stepping out onto the grounds of Alvorada Palace and threw feed to the Greater Rhea birds that wander around the property. The birds are South America's large flightless bird.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-president-bolsonaro-ventures-out-to-feed-birds-during-covid-19-recovery-313150">Brazil President Bolsonaro ventures out to feed birds during COVID-19 recovery</a>

Bolsonaro, who was tested positive for for coronavirus again on Wednesday, has been in quarantine nearly a week. He had&nbsp;announced Monday he planned&nbsp;to take another test as&nbsp;being in isolation is ''unbearable'' for him.

The far-right president, who has caused huge controversy in&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;for repeatedly flouting lockdown measures in place to curb the spread of the virus, first tested positive a week ago.

Bolsonaro said he is not experiencing symptoms and that his use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, which he said he has been taking since he was diagnosed last week, is working.

The diagnosis looks to have done little to alter the 65-year-old former army captain's view of the illness, which he has dismissed in the past as just "a little flu". But since his quarantine in the Alvorada Palace, he has warned the elderly to protect themselves from the virus.

Bolsonaro's handling of the crisis has drawn criticism from public health experts as he fought state and city efforts to impose social distancing, arguing that the economic damage would be worse than the disease itself.

Brazil&nbsp;is the second worst-hit country in the world by the coronavirus after the United States, with more than 74,000 dead and 1.9 million cases.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been bitten by an emu-like bird during his quarantine period which he ''cannot stand''. One of the birds that Bolsonaro was feeding ''pecked'' him on his hand and this embarrassing moment was captured by a photographer.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been bitten by an emu-like bird during his quarantine period which he ''cannot stand''. One of the birds that Bolsonaro was feeding ''pecked'' him on his hand and this embarrassing moment was captured by a photographer. Several pictures of the entire incident were shared on social media platforms as well. bolsonaro tentando alimentar uma ema e sendo bicado pic.twitter.com/jMT9gd3MeM — muriel (@pedromuriel) July 14, 2020 × He was seen stepping out onto the grounds of Alvorada Palace and threw feed to the Greater Rhea birds that wander around the property. The birds are South America's large flightless bird. Also read: Brazil President Bolsonaro ventures out to feed birds during COVID-19 recovery Bolsonaro, who was tested positive for for coronavirus again on Wednesday, has been in quarantine nearly a week. He had announced Monday he planned to take another test as being in isolation is ''unbearable'' for him. The far-right president, who has caused huge controversy in Brazil for repeatedly flouting lockdown measures in place to curb the spread of the virus, first tested positive a week ago. Bolsonaro said he is not experiencing symptoms and that his use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, which he said he has been taking since he was diagnosed last week, is working. The diagnosis looks to have done little to alter the 65-year-old former army captain's view of the illness, which he has dismissed in the past as just "a little flu". But since his quarantine in the Alvorada Palace, he has warned the elderly to protect themselves from the virus. Bolsonaro's handling of the crisis has drawn criticism from public health experts as he fought state and city efforts to impose social distancing, arguing that the economic damage would be worse than the disease itself. Brazil is the second worst-hit country in the world by the coronavirus after the United States, with more than 74,000 dead and 1.9 million cases.

Brazilian President Bolsonaro bitten by emu-like birds during 'unbearable' quarantine

Russian prosecutors on Wednesday said they were conducting an inspection of a facility supposed to&nbsp;treat acid runoff from an abandoned Urals mine after photographs emerged of streams running orange.&nbsp;

A bright-orange landscape near the disused copper-sulphide mine close to the village of Lyovikha in the Urals was seen in drone footage shared on social media.

According to local media, the Sverdlovsk regional government had asked for the mine to be sealed but Moscow refused on the grounds that there were still valuable resources there.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-arctic-turned-red-after-russia-caused-worst-fuel-spill-303713">How Arctic turned red after Russia caused worst fuel spill</a>

Environmentalist Andrei Volegov, who chairs a local NGO Ecopravo, said on Facebook that the polluted water was supposed to be neutralised in a technical "pond" but that the pond overflows during heavy rains.

Volegov had alerted prosecutors to the situation last year and received a reply that the company in charge of the pollutants was not properly funded and could not purchase enough lime to neutralise the acid, according to a letter he published.

A major spill of fuel oil in the Arctic last month raised the profile of industrial pollution in&nbsp;Russia, where companies are often punished with only small fines and hazardous waste can be left unaddressed for years due to bureaucracy.

&nbsp;

Russian prosecutors on Wednesday said they were conducting an inspection of a facility supposed to treat acid runoff from an abandoned Urals mine after photographs emerged of streams running orange.

Russian prosecutors on Wednesday said they were conducting an inspection of a facility supposed to treat acid runoff from an abandoned Urals mine after photographs emerged of streams running orange. A bright-orange landscape near the disused copper-sulphide mine close to the village of Lyovikha in the Urals was seen in drone footage shared on social media. According to local media, the Sverdlovsk regional government had asked for the mine to be sealed but Moscow refused on the grounds that there were still valuable resources there. Also see: How Arctic turned red after Russia caused worst fuel spill Environmentalist Andrei Volegov, who chairs a local NGO Ecopravo, said on Facebook that the polluted water was supposed to be neutralised in a technical "pond" but that the pond overflows during heavy rains. Volegov had alerted prosecutors to the situation last year and received a reply that the company in charge of the pollutants was not properly funded and could not purchase enough lime to neutralise the acid, according to a letter he published. A major spill of fuel oil in the Arctic last month raised the profile of industrial pollution in Russia, where companies are often punished with only small fines and hazardous waste can be left unaddressed for years due to bureaucracy.

Russia launches investigation for pollution after streams run orange

Th Trump administration is reportedly considering to impose a sweeping travel ban on 92 million&nbsp;members of&nbsp;Communist Party&nbsp;of&nbsp;China along with their family members.

The&nbsp;presidential order will be based on the Immigration and Nationality Act used in a 2017 travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-countries-waking-up-to-huawei-threats-us-says-313556" hreflang="en">More countries waking up to Huawei threats, US says</a>

The move will almost certainly prompt retaliation against Americans seeking to enter or remain in China and escalate tensions between the two countries.

President Donald Trump has not ruled out further sanctions on top Chinese officials that could come in addition to actions taken this week to punish China for its handling of Hong Kong, a White House National Security Council spokesman said on Wednesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-action-on-risks-posed-by-tiktok-likely-in-weeks-white-house-313604" hreflang="en">Trump administration action on risks posed by TikTok likely 'in weeks': White</a>

The Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which Trump signed on Tuesday, allows him to impose sanctions and visa restrictions on Chinese officials and financial institutions involved in the imposition of China's new national security law in Hong Kong.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also&nbsp;took fresh aim at China, saying the United States would impose visa restrictions on Chinese firms like Huawei Technologies Co Ltd that he accused of facilitating human-rights violations.

"Whether it is TikTok or any of the other Chinese communications platforms, apps, infrastructure, this administration is taking seriously the requirement to protect the American people from having their information end up in the hands of the Chinese&nbsp;Communist&nbsp;Party."

Pompeo said Washington hoped to have another set of decisions shortly on Chinese telecoms firms that would reflect the need to protect US&nbsp;citizens' data from Beijing.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping made a choice to violate the Chinese&nbsp;Communist&nbsp;Party’s promises to Hong Kong that were made in U.N.-registered treaty. He didn’t have to do that and he made that choice,” Pompeo told reporters.

&nbsp;

Th Trump administration is reportedly considering to impose a sweeping travel ban on 92 million members of Communist Party of China along with their family members.

Th Trump administration is reportedly considering to impose a sweeping travel ban on 92 million members of Communist Party of China along with their family members. The presidential order will be based on the Immigration and Nationality Act used in a 2017 travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries. Also read: More countries waking up to Huawei threats, US says The move will almost certainly prompt retaliation against Americans seeking to enter or remain in China and escalate tensions between the two countries. President Donald Trump has not ruled out further sanctions on top Chinese officials that could come in addition to actions taken this week to punish China for its handling of Hong Kong, a White House National Security Council spokesman said on Wednesday. Also read: Trump administration action on risks posed by TikTok likely 'in weeks': White The Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which Trump signed on Tuesday, allows him to impose sanctions and visa restrictions on Chinese officials and financial institutions involved in the imposition of China's new national security law in Hong Kong. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also took fresh aim at China, saying the United States would impose visa restrictions on Chinese firms like Huawei Technologies Co Ltd that he accused of facilitating human-rights violations. "Whether it is TikTok or any of the other Chinese communications platforms, apps, infrastructure, this administration is taking seriously the requirement to protect the American people from having their information end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party." Pompeo said Washington hoped to have another set of decisions shortly on Chinese telecoms firms that would reflect the need to protect US citizens' data from Beijing. "General Secretary Xi Jinping made a choice to violate the Chinese Communist Party’s promises to Hong Kong that were made in U.N.-registered treaty. He didn’t have to do that and he made that choice,” Pompeo told reporters.

US mulls travel ban on 92 million members of Communist Party of China : Report

Authorities in Iran have reportedly halted the impending execution of three anti-government protesters amid social media protests.

The internet access in Iran was disrupted on Wednesday after a social media campaign using Persian hashtag #do_not_execute was used 7.5 million times against the country's death penalty.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tweets-in-farsi-condemning-irans-death-sentence-against-three-protesters-313544" hreflang="en">Trump tweets in Farsi condemning Iran's death sentence against protesters</a>

The campaign went viral and a broad range of groups and activists took up the call, including exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi who circulated the English version of the hashtag: #StopExecutionsInIran. Pahlavi is the son of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi who was deposed by the Iranian Revolution.

It happened after it was announced on Tuesday that the Supreme Court had upheld their death sentences.

Iranian service providers linked to the regime's security services began slowing connection speeds according to Internet monitoring groups such as NetBlocks.org, one such watchdog.

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Confirmed: Significant disruption to multiple networks in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a> after 5 p.m. UTC (9:30 p.m. local time); real-time network data show significant impact to subscriber internet lines limiting citizens' ability to communicate; incident ongoing 📉 <a href="https://t.co/XZ1rNXgRHB">pic.twitter.com/XZ1rNXgRHB</a>
— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) <a href="https://twitter.com/netblocks/status/1283106806332620801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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NetBlocks describing the incident as having a "partial impact" across multiple providers and said Wednesday that the disruption lasted for around three hours.

However, it was due to the campaign that a retrial has been ordered giving Amirhossein Moradi, Mohammad Rajabi and Saeed Tamjidi an opportunity to prove their innocence.

Lawyers for the three men have been informed that they can for the first time examine the court papers and evidence against their clients.

Iran on Tuesday executed two people convicted of involvement in a 2010 bomb attack that killed a dozen people, the Islamic republic's judiciary said. 
&nbsp;

Authorities in Iran have reportedly halted the impending execution of three anti-government protesters amid social media protests. The internet access in Iran was disrupted on Wednesday after a social media campaign using Persian hashtag #do_not_execute was used 7.

Authorities in Iran have reportedly halted the impending execution of three anti-government protesters amid social media protests. The internet access in Iran was disrupted on Wednesday after a social media campaign using Persian hashtag #do_not_execute was used 7.5 million times against the country's death penalty. Also read: Trump tweets in Farsi condemning Iran's death sentence against protesters The campaign went viral and a broad range of groups and activists took up the call, including exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi who circulated the English version of the hashtag: #StopExecutionsInIran. Pahlavi is the son of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi who was deposed by the Iranian Revolution. It happened after it was announced on Tuesday that the Supreme Court had upheld their death sentences. Iranian service providers linked to the regime's security services began slowing connection speeds according to Internet monitoring groups such as NetBlocks.org, one such watchdog. Confirmed: Significant disruption to multiple networks in #Iran after 5 p.m. UTC (9:30 p.m. local time); real-time network data show significant impact to subscriber internet lines limiting citizens' ability to communicate; incident ongoing 📉 pic.twitter.com/XZ1rNXgRHB — NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) July 14, 2020 × NetBlocks describing the incident as having a "partial impact" across multiple providers and said Wednesday that the disruption lasted for around three hours. However, it was due to the campaign that a retrial has been ordered giving Amirhossein Moradi, Mohammad Rajabi and Saeed Tamjidi an opportunity to prove their innocence. Lawyers for the three men have been informed that they can for the first time examine the court papers and evidence against their clients. Iran on Tuesday executed two people convicted of involvement in a 2010 bomb attack that killed a dozen people, the Islamic republic's judiciary said.

Iran: Judiciary halts execution of three protesters amid social media protests

July 16 in history: Invasion of Britain, Apollo 11's launch and more

Protest in Moscow against reforms that could keep Putin in power till 2036

Despite some signs of recovery, the global economy faces continued challenges, including the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19, and governments should keep their support programs in place, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday.

Activity "has started to gradually strengthen... But we are not out of the woods yet," Georgieva said in a message to G20 finance ministers ahead of their weekend meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/economic-impact-of-covid-19-in-india-has-been-substantial-imf-312308" hreflang="en">Economic impact of COVID-19 in India has been substantial: IMF</a>

The Washington-based crisis lender late last month downgraded its growth forecasts, and now expects global GDP to fall by 4.9 percent this year due to the deeper contraction during lockdowns than previously anticipated, and only a "tepid recovery is expected for next year."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gold-steadies-near-more-than-8-year-peak-as-virus-cases-surge-311606" hreflang="en">Gold steadies near more than 8-year peak as virus cases surge</a>

The $11 trillion in stimulus provided by the G20 nations helped to prevent a worse outcome, but "these safety nets must be maintained as needed and, in some cases, expanded," Georgieva urged in a blog post.

She highlighted measures including paid sick leave for low-income families and access to health care and unemployment insurance.

But the recovery faces risks, she said, including the possibility of "a second major global wave of the disease could lead to further disruptions."&nbsp;

While she acknowledged that the "substantial and rising debt levels are a serious concern," Georgieva said, "At this stage in the crisis, however, the costs of premature withdrawal are greater than continued support where it is needed."

Many countries have moved to reopen, so, "Clearly, we have entered a new phase of the crisis," she said in a blog post, adding it will require "further policy agility and action to secure a durable and shared recovery."

Many jobs that have been lost amid the pandemic may never come back, so workers will need support and training to move into new sectors.

"The bottom line is that the pandemic is likely to increase poverty and inequality," she said but noted that policymakers have "a once-in-a-century shot" at building a better, greener and more equitable world.

Despite some signs of recovery, the global economy faces continued challenges, including the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19, and governments should keep their support programs in place, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday.

Despite some signs of recovery, the global economy faces continued challenges, including the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19, and governments should keep their support programs in place, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday. Activity "has started to gradually strengthen... But we are not out of the woods yet," Georgieva said in a message to G20 finance ministers ahead of their weekend meeting in Saudi Arabia. Also read: Economic impact of COVID-19 in India has been substantial: IMF The Washington-based crisis lender late last month downgraded its growth forecasts, and now expects global GDP to fall by 4.9 percent this year due to the deeper contraction during lockdowns than previously anticipated, and only a "tepid recovery is expected for next year." Also read: Gold steadies near more than 8-year peak as virus cases surge The $11 trillion in stimulus provided by the G20 nations helped to prevent a worse outcome, but "these safety nets must be maintained as needed and, in some cases, expanded," Georgieva urged in a blog post. She highlighted measures including paid sick leave for low-income families and access to health care and unemployment insurance. But the recovery faces risks, she said, including the possibility of "a second major global wave of the disease could lead to further disruptions." While she acknowledged that the "substantial and rising debt levels are a serious concern," Georgieva said, "At this stage in the crisis, however, the costs of premature withdrawal are greater than continued support where it is needed." Many countries have moved to reopen, so, "Clearly, we have entered a new phase of the crisis," she said in a blog post, adding it will require "further policy agility and action to secure a durable and shared recovery." Many jobs that have been lost amid the pandemic may never come back, so workers will need support and training to move into new sectors. "The bottom line is that the pandemic is likely to increase poverty and inequality," she said but noted that policymakers have "a once-in-a-century shot" at building a better, greener and more equitable world.

IMF chief warns global economy 'not out of woods yet'

Pakistan's coronavirus cases on Thursday reached 257,914 after 2,145 more people tested positive for the COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the health ministry reported.

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 178,737 people recovered so far across the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-asking-pakistan-government-to-ban-tiktok-is-asking-for-too-much-313542" hreflang="en">Why asking Pakistan government to ban Tiktok is asking for too much</a>

On Wednesday, 40 more COVID-19-related deaths were reported during the last 24 hours, taking the total number of fatalities to 5,426.

The total number of active coronavirus cases in Pakistan was 73,751, according to the ministry.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-coronavirus-cases-reach-255769-313414" hreflang="en">Pakistan's coronavirus cases reach 255,769</a>

Out of the total infections, Sindh have 108,913 cases, Punjab 88,539, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 31,217, Islamabad 14,402, Balochistan 11,322, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) 1,771 and Gilgit-Baltistan 1,750 patients.

Another 24,262 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. Maximum 11,060 tests were done in Sindh followed by Punjab with 7,493, Islamabad 2,710, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,875, Balochistan 499, PoK 494 and Gilgit-Baltistan 131 tests.

The total number of tests conducted so far is 1,652,183.There is no patient on ventilators in PoK and Balochistan. Only 330 vents were occupied across Pakistan out of 1,825 allocated for COVID-19.

Pakistan's coronavirus cases on Thursday reached 257,914 after 2,145 more people tested positive for the COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the health ministry reported.

Pakistan's coronavirus cases on Thursday reached 257,914 after 2,145 more people tested positive for the COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the health ministry reported. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, 178,737 people recovered so far across the country. Also read: Why asking Pakistan government to ban Tiktok is asking for too much On Wednesday, 40 more COVID-19-related deaths were reported during the last 24 hours, taking the total number of fatalities to 5,426. The total number of active coronavirus cases in Pakistan was 73,751, according to the ministry. Also read: Pakistan's coronavirus cases reach 255,769 Out of the total infections, Sindh have 108,913 cases, Punjab 88,539, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 31,217, Islamabad 14,402, Balochistan 11,322, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) 1,771 and Gilgit-Baltistan 1,750 patients. Another 24,262 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. Maximum 11,060 tests were done in Sindh followed by Punjab with 7,493, Islamabad 2,710, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,875, Balochistan 499, PoK 494 and Gilgit-Baltistan 131 tests. The total number of tests conducted so far is 1,652,183.There is no patient on ventilators in PoK and Balochistan. Only 330 vents were occupied across Pakistan out of 1,825 allocated for COVID-19.

Pakistan's records 2,145 new cases; total tally reaches 257,914

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