US&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;on Tuesday defended taking a prescription malaria drug to try to ward off the novel coronavirus despite medical warnings about its use.

"People are going to have to make up their own mind,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said about hydroxychloroquine during a visit to the US&nbsp;Capitol. "I think it gives you an additional level of safety."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-confirms-trump-is-taking-anti-malarial-drug-to-ward-off-covid-19-299538" hreflang="en">White House confirms Trump is taking anti-malarial drug to ward off COVID-19</a>

The US&nbsp;Food and Drug Administration has warned about potential serious side effects with the use of the drug in COVID-19 patients.

Weeks ago,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;had promoted the drug as a potential treatment based on a positive report about its use against the virus, but subsequent studies found that it was not helpful.

The White House physician, Sean Conley, said in a memo released late on Monday that he and the president had discussed the evidence for and against taking the drug and had agreed that "the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks."

Vice President Mike Pence, whose press secretary, Katie Miller, has contracted the coronavirus, said in an interview that he was not taking the drug.

"I'm not but I would never begrudge any American taking the advice of their physician," Pence said, according to a transcript of the interview. He noted the FDA had approved "off-label use" of the drug when prescribed by a physician.

"My physician has not recommended that but I wouldn't hesitate to take the counsel of my doctor. Any American should do likewise," he said.

At a meeting later at the White House,&nbsp;Trump's cabinet members also defended the drug's efficacy in treating coronavirus infections.

"I think it's worth it as a line of defense and I'll stay on it for a little while longer,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said at the meeting. "It's gotten a bad reputation only because I'm promoting it."

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended taking a prescription malaria drug to try to ward off the novel coronavirus despite medical warnings about its use.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended taking a prescription malaria drug to try to ward off the novel coronavirus despite medical warnings about its use. "People are going to have to make up their own mind," Trump said about hydroxychloroquine during a visit to the US Capitol. "I think it gives you an additional level of safety." Also read: White House confirms Trump is taking anti-malarial drug to ward off COVID-19 The US Food and Drug Administration has warned about potential serious side effects with the use of the drug in COVID-19 patients. Weeks ago, Trump had promoted the drug as a potential treatment based on a positive report about its use against the virus, but subsequent studies found that it was not helpful. The White House physician, Sean Conley, said in a memo released late on Monday that he and the president had discussed the evidence for and against taking the drug and had agreed that "the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks." Vice President Mike Pence, whose press secretary, Katie Miller, has contracted the coronavirus, said in an interview that he was not taking the drug. "I'm not but I would never begrudge any American taking the advice of their physician," Pence said, according to a transcript of the interview. He noted the FDA had approved "off-label use" of the drug when prescribed by a physician. "My physician has not recommended that but I wouldn't hesitate to take the counsel of my doctor. Any American should do likewise," he said. At a meeting later at the White House, Trump's cabinet members also defended the drug's efficacy in treating coronavirus infections. "I think it's worth it as a line of defense and I'll stay on it for a little while longer," Trump said at the meeting. "It's gotten a bad reputation only because I'm promoting it."

Trump defends his use of unproven treatment as prevention against coronavirus

The United Arab Emirates flew its first publicly announced flight to Israel on Tuesday when Etihad Airways sent medical supplies to help the Palestinians cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Except for Jordan and Egypt, Arab countries have no official relations with Israel but Gulf Arab nations like the UAE and the Jewish state have been warming ties recently amid shared concern over Iran.

"Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians," an Etihad spokesperson said.&nbsp;"The flight had no passengers on board."

The official UAE news agency WAM said the flight involved the delivery of 14 tonnes of urgent medical supplies that "will support the efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and its impact in the occupied Palestinian territory".

WAM added: "The aid includes personal protective equipment, PPE, and medical equipment. Most notably, it includes 10 ventilators that are acutely needed." Israel controls access to the Palestinian territories.

The Etihad delivery was described as part of broader humanitarian efforts.

"Etihad Airways continues to operate many humanitarian flights providing much needed aid to nations within its network and beyond."

The Arab countries have called for a settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as a condition for normalising ties with the Jewish state.

The Arab League frequently denounces Jewish settlement construction in the occupied West Bank as well as Israel's policy toward the Gaza Strip. But Gulf Arab states have shown signs of a rapprochement with Israel.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Oman in 2018, for example. Other moves involve Israeli athletes and officials being increasingly allowed to visit the Gulf states.

The United Arab Emirates flew its first publicly announced flight to Israel on Tuesday when Etihad Airways sent medical supplies to help the Palestinians cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

The United Arab Emirates flew its first publicly announced flight to Israel on Tuesday when Etihad Airways sent medical supplies to help the Palestinians cope with the coronavirus pandemic. Except for Jordan and Egypt, Arab countries have no official relations with Israel but Gulf Arab nations like the UAE and the Jewish state have been warming ties recently amid shared concern over Iran. "Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians," an Etihad spokesperson said. "The flight had no passengers on board." The official UAE news agency WAM said the flight involved the delivery of 14 tonnes of urgent medical supplies that "will support the efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and its impact in the occupied Palestinian territory". WAM added: "The aid includes personal protective equipment, PPE, and medical equipment. Most notably, it includes 10 ventilators that are acutely needed." Israel controls access to the Palestinian territories. The Etihad delivery was described as part of broader humanitarian efforts. "Etihad Airways continues to operate many humanitarian flights providing much needed aid to nations within its network and beyond." The Arab countries have called for a settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as a condition for normalising ties with the Jewish state. The Arab League frequently denounces Jewish settlement construction in the occupied West Bank as well as Israel's policy toward the Gaza Strip. But Gulf Arab states have shown signs of a rapprochement with Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Oman in 2018, for example. Other moves involve Israeli athletes and officials being increasingly allowed to visit the Gulf states.

UAE sends first flight with medical supplies as virus aid to Palestinians

US&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said on Tuesday he is considering imposing a ban on travel from Brazil, which has the world's third highest number of people infected by the novel coronavirus.

Responding to a question over whether he would institute a travel ban on Brazil, Trump said, "We are considering it. We hope that we are not going to have a problem."&nbsp;

"I don't want people coming over here and infecting our people. I don't want people over there sick either. We're helping Brazil with ventilators. ... Brazil is having some trouble, no question about it,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;added.

Later in the cabinet meeting when discussing the merits of the trade deal between the US&nbsp;and China, President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;veered once more to raising questions without offering answers about why China instituted strict measures domestically to prevent the spread of the virus after it had already begun spreading internationally.

"How did they let that happen? And how come it didn't go into other sections of China? Why did they block it from leaving Wuhan, but they didn't block it from going to the rest of the world, including the United States.&nbsp;I'm very disappointed in China," he said.

US has been blaming China for the origin of the coronavirus in its city Wuhan was was the epicentre of the outbreak.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is considering imposing a ban on travel from Brazil, which has the world's third highest number of people infected by the novel coronavirus.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is considering imposing a ban on travel from Brazil, which has the world's third highest number of people infected by the novel coronavirus. Responding to a question over whether he would institute a travel ban on Brazil, Trump said, "We are considering it. We hope that we are not going to have a problem." "I don't want people coming over here and infecting our people. I don't want people over there sick either. We're helping Brazil with ventilators. ... Brazil is having some trouble, no question about it," Trump added. Later in the cabinet meeting when discussing the merits of the trade deal between the US and China, President Trump veered once more to raising questions without offering answers about why China instituted strict measures domestically to prevent the spread of the virus after it had already begun spreading internationally. "How did they let that happen? And how come it didn't go into other sections of China? Why did they block it from leaving Wuhan, but they didn't block it from going to the rest of the world, including the United States. I'm very disappointed in China," he said. US has been blaming China for the origin of the coronavirus in its city Wuhan was was the epicentre of the outbreak.

US considering travel ban on Brazil over COVID-19, says Trump

US&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump's administration awarded a contract worth up to $812 million for a new US&nbsp;company to manufacture drugs and drug ingredients to fight COVID-19 on American soil, aiming to end dependence on other countries.

The administration has been looking to build up the ability to produce drugs and their raw materials in the United States after the global pandemic exposed the industry's dependence on China and India for its supply chain.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-us-criticism-who-adopts-resolution-to-launch-independent-probe-into-coronavirus-299764" hreflang="en">Amid US criticism, WHO adopts resolution to launch independent probe into coronavirus</a>

"For far too long, we've relied on foreign manufacturing and supply chains for our most important medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients while placing America's health, safety, and national security at grave risk," Peter Navarro, director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, said in a statement.

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services said on Tuesday that it had awarded a 4-year, $354 million contract to privately-held Phlow Corp to make COVID-19 drugs, other essential drugs and their ingredients. The contract can be extended for up to $812 million over 10 years.

Phlow, which was incorporated in January, said the contract will help it contribute to a national stockpile of active pharmaceutical ingredients for essential medicines.

It said it had already started making pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms for over a dozen essential medicines to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19-related illnesses. It has delivered over 1.6 million doses of five essential generic medicines used to treat COVID-19 patients to the&nbsp;U.S. Strategic National Stockpile.&nbsp;

Many of these medicines are in shortage and have previously been imported. India and China account for a vast majority of active pharmaceutical ingredients used to make drugs in the United States.

Phlow has partnered with other groups including Civica Rx, Ampac Fine Chemicals and the Medicines for All Institute to manufacture the medicines.

All pharmaceutical products by Phlow will be made in the United States, according to the company's website. The company said it is working to build advanced manufacturing capability in Virginia, as well as sterile injectables manufacturing facilities.

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump's administration awarded a contract worth up to $812 million for a new US company to manufacture drugs and drug ingredients to fight COVID-19 on American soil, aiming to end dependence on other countries.

US President Donald Trump's administration awarded a contract worth up to $812 million for a new US company to manufacture drugs and drug ingredients to fight COVID-19 on American soil, aiming to end dependence on other countries. The administration has been looking to build up the ability to produce drugs and their raw materials in the United States after the global pandemic exposed the industry's dependence on China and India for its supply chain. Also read: Amid US criticism, WHO adopts resolution to launch independent probe into coronavirus "For far too long, we've relied on foreign manufacturing and supply chains for our most important medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients while placing America's health, safety, and national security at grave risk," Peter Navarro, director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, said in a statement. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services said on Tuesday that it had awarded a 4-year, $354 million contract to privately-held Phlow Corp to make COVID-19 drugs, other essential drugs and their ingredients. The contract can be extended for up to $812 million over 10 years. Phlow, which was incorporated in January, said the contract will help it contribute to a national stockpile of active pharmaceutical ingredients for essential medicines. It said it had already started making pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms for over a dozen essential medicines to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19-related illnesses. It has delivered over 1.6 million doses of five essential generic medicines used to treat COVID-19 patients to the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile. Many of these medicines are in shortage and have previously been imported. India and China account for a vast majority of active pharmaceutical ingredients used to make drugs in the United States. Phlow has partnered with other groups including Civica Rx, Ampac Fine Chemicals and the Medicines for All Institute to manufacture the medicines. All pharmaceutical products by Phlow will be made in the United States, according to the company's website. The company said it is working to build advanced manufacturing capability in Virginia, as well as sterile injectables manufacturing facilities.

Trump administration awards contract to make COVID-19 drugs in US

Super cyclone Amphan barrels towards Bay of Bengal amid pandemic

Protection in style: Chinese designer makes silk coronavirus masks

Brazil has recorded its highest daily rise in infections and deaths since the coronavirus outbreak began in the country.

Health officials reported a an alarmic surge in cases after&nbsp;17,408 cases and 1,179 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours.

In total, 271,628 infections and 17,971 deaths had been confirmed as of Tuesday, health officials said.

The country, which is the epicentre of the pandemic in Latin America, has the third highest number of infections worldwide, after Russia and the US.

Infections in Brazil are climbing by the thousands, with the outbreak in the world's sixth-largest country expected to accelerate until early June.

Health experts say the true figure may be far higher due to a lack of testing in the country. They fear the outbreak could overwhelm Brazil’s health system in the coming weeks if cases continue to rise.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the threat of the coronavirus and criticised governors and mayors for adopting strict restrictions to curb its spread.

He&nbsp;remains bitterly opposed to lockdowns, having described them as unnecessary over a "little flu".

Brazil has recorded its highest daily rise in infections and deaths since the coronavirus outbreak began in the country. Health officials reported a an alarmic surge in cases after 17,408 cases and 1,179 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours.

Brazil has recorded its highest daily rise in infections and deaths since the coronavirus outbreak began in the country. Health officials reported a an alarmic surge in cases after 17,408 cases and 1,179 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours. In total, 271,628 infections and 17,971 deaths had been confirmed as of Tuesday, health officials said. The country, which is the epicentre of the pandemic in Latin America, has the third highest number of infections worldwide, after Russia and the US. Infections in Brazil are climbing by the thousands, with the outbreak in the world's sixth-largest country expected to accelerate until early June. Health experts say the true figure may be far higher due to a lack of testing in the country. They fear the outbreak could overwhelm Brazil’s health system in the coming weeks if cases continue to rise. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the threat of the coronavirus and criticised governors and mayors for adopting strict restrictions to curb its spread. He remains bitterly opposed to lockdowns, having described them as unnecessary over a "little flu".

Brazil records highest daily rise in coronavirus cases and deaths

US President Donald Trump has called House speaker Nancy Pelosi&nbsp;a ''sick woman''&nbsp;with ''mental problems''&nbsp;over comments on his usage of an unapproved drug to treat coronavirus.

Earlier, in an interview, US Democrat Pelosi said&nbsp;Trump should not be&nbsp;taking the drug hydroxychloroquine&nbsp;to protect&nbsp;against contracting the coronavirus because he is ''morbidly obese.''

The President revealed on Monday that he had been taking hydroxychloroquine in addition to zinc as a preventative measure, saying he heard positive reviews of the drug from front-line health-care workers.

Trump said he consulted with the White House physician about taking the drug, and the White House released a letter Monday evening from physician Sean Conley saying the two&nbsp;determined "the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks."

Trump and Pelosi have traded barbs for years, including over her frequent public assertion that she ''prays''&nbsp;for him.

Pelosi notably ripped up a copy of Trump’s speech at the State of the Union in February after the president declined to shake her hand when he entered the chamber.

US President Donald Trump has called House speaker Nancy Pelosi a ''sick woman'' with ''mental problems'' over comments on his usage of an unapproved drug to treat coronavirus.

US President Donald Trump has called House speaker Nancy Pelosi a ''sick woman'' with ''mental problems'' over comments on his usage of an unapproved drug to treat coronavirus. Earlier, in an interview, US Democrat Pelosi said Trump should not be taking the drug hydroxychloroquine to protect against contracting the coronavirus because he is ''morbidly obese.'' The President revealed on Monday that he had been taking hydroxychloroquine in addition to zinc as a preventative measure, saying he heard positive reviews of the drug from front-line health-care workers. Trump said he consulted with the White House physician about taking the drug, and the White House released a letter Monday evening from physician Sean Conley saying the two determined "the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks." Trump and Pelosi have traded barbs for years, including over her frequent public assertion that she ''prays'' for him. Pelosi notably ripped up a copy of Trump’s speech at the State of the Union in February after the president declined to shake her hand when he entered the chamber.

Trump calls Nancy Pelosi a 'sick woman' with 'mental problems'

Gunmen opened fire in a mosque in central Afghanistan on Tuesday evening, killing eight worshippers breaking their Ramzan fast and wounding five others, officials said.

"Unknown gunmen fired on people praying inside a mosque during iftar time," said Wahida Shahkar, spokeswoman for the governor of Parwan province, referring to the meal eaten to break daytime fasting during the Islamic holy month.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rise-in-civilian-deaths-by-taliban-and-afghan-forces-says-un-299642" hreflang="en">Rise in civilian deaths by Taliban and Afghan forces, says UN</a>

The Ministry of Interior confirmed the attack in Parwan's provincial capital Charekar, blaming it on the insurgent Taliban. The Taliban denied responsibility and said Afghan security forces were to blame.

The United Nations has warned of an alarming uptick in violence against civilians in Afghanistan. A shocking attack on a Kabul maternity ward last week killed 24 people, including newborn babies.

Violence increased around the country even after a February&nbsp;29 US-Taliban pact on the withdrawal of US.-led foreign forces in exchange for Taliban security guarantees.

Afghan security forces on Tuesday clashed with Taliban fighters around the city of Kunduz, a strategically important centre that has been one of the Taliban`s main targets and which the group has briefly captured twice in recent years.

Security forces largely repelled the Taliban offensive with the help of air support and Assadullah Khalid, acting minister of defence, said during a visit to the city that more than 50 insurgents and eight security force members had been killed.

The Taliban have rejected repeated calls for a ceasefire by the Afghan government. They deny any involvement in the maternity ward attack and the United States believes the Islamic State was responsible.

The United States has sent special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to Doha and Kabul to press the Afghan government and the Taliban to start stalled peace talks. Khalilzad has said he will push for a reduction in violence during the trip.

Gunmen opened fire in a mosque in central Afghanistan on Tuesday evening, killing eight worshippers breaking their Ramzan fast and wounding five others, officials said.

Gunmen opened fire in a mosque in central Afghanistan on Tuesday evening, killing eight worshippers breaking their Ramzan fast and wounding five others, officials said. "Unknown gunmen fired on people praying inside a mosque during iftar time," said Wahida Shahkar, spokeswoman for the governor of Parwan province, referring to the meal eaten to break daytime fasting during the Islamic holy month. Also read: Rise in civilian deaths by Taliban and Afghan forces, says UN The Ministry of Interior confirmed the attack in Parwan's provincial capital Charekar, blaming it on the insurgent Taliban. The Taliban denied responsibility and said Afghan security forces were to blame. The United Nations has warned of an alarming uptick in violence against civilians in Afghanistan. A shocking attack on a Kabul maternity ward last week killed 24 people, including newborn babies. Violence increased around the country even after a February 29 US-Taliban pact on the withdrawal of US.-led foreign forces in exchange for Taliban security guarantees. Afghan security forces on Tuesday clashed with Taliban fighters around the city of Kunduz, a strategically important centre that has been one of the Taliban`s main targets and which the group has briefly captured twice in recent years. Security forces largely repelled the Taliban offensive with the help of air support and Assadullah Khalid, acting minister of defence, said during a visit to the city that more than 50 insurgents and eight security force members had been killed. The Taliban have rejected repeated calls for a ceasefire by the Afghan government. They deny any involvement in the maternity ward attack and the United States believes the Islamic State was responsible. The United States has sent special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to Doha and Kabul to press the Afghan government and the Taliban to start stalled peace talks. Khalilzad has said he will push for a reduction in violence during the trip.

Afghan mosque attack kills eight worshippers breaking Ramzan fast

Myanmar&nbsp;has made south-east Asia’s largest-ever seizure of synthetic drugs in raids that revealed ''unprecedented'' production of opioids in the area, the UN has said.

The seizures announced Monday were conducted during a three-month operation that centered around Lwe Kham village in Kutkhai Township in Myanmar's northeast Shan state. Thirty-three suspects were arrested.

Jeremy Douglas, the regional coordinator for the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said&nbsp;"what has been unearthed through this operation is truly off-the-charts."

<ul data-layout="list-hierarchical-xs">
</ul>

Police seized nearly 200 million&nbsp;methamphetamine tablets, more than 500 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine,&nbsp;and 35.5 metric tons and 163,000 thousand liters of precursor chemicals used to manufacture illicit drugs,&nbsp;Myanmar authorities and the UNODC said in a joint statement.

They also seized nearly 3,750 liters (990 gallons) of liquid methylfentanyl, which is used to make a powerful synthetic opioid like fentanyl.&nbsp;

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) described the haul as one of the largest and most successful counter-narcotics operations in the history of the region.

<img alt="Myanmar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5aa1c4ed-e630-47d0-bb18-c9998a7ead6d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/4032.jpg" /> 
Some of the high pressure chemical reactors, and mixers used for manufacturing illicit drugs seized by Myanmar police

The production network could have been possible only with the backing of serious transnational criminal groups, he added.

The raids unearthed “unprecedented” methyl fentanyl, the sign of a new trend of synthetic opioid production emerging “on a scale nobody anticipated”, said Douglas.

Fifty times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times more potent than morphine, fentanyl can be lethal from as little as two milligrams, the equivalent of a few grains of sand.

It has fuelled an opioid crisis in the US that killed 32,000 people in 2018.

<img alt="Myanmar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb444ecf-9936-4ca4-b006-8e5187d531c6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1271.jpg" /> 
Weapons, ammunition and bags of crystal methamphetamine and meth-laced yaba pills seized by Myanmar police

Myanmar is under pressure to stem the deluge of drugs from its border regions. Shan state is part of the ''Golden Triangle'', a wedge of land cutting into Myanmar, Laos, China and Thailand and virtually untroubled by authorities despite the multi-billion dollar trade.

Myanmar is the world’s second-biggest producer of heroin after Afghanistan, and is now widely thought to be the largest global source of meth, fuelled by the flood of precursor chemicals from China.

Myanmar has made south-east Asia’s largest-ever seizure of synthetic drugs in raids that revealed ''unprecedented'' production of opioids in the area, the UN has said.

Myanmar has made south-east Asia’s largest-ever seizure of synthetic drugs in raids that revealed ''unprecedented'' production of opioids in the area, the UN has said. The seizures announced Monday were conducted during a three-month operation that centered around Lwe Kham village in Kutkhai Township in Myanmar's northeast Shan state. Thirty-three suspects were arrested. Jeremy Douglas, the regional coordinator for the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said "what has been unearthed through this operation is truly off-the-charts." Police seized nearly 200 million methamphetamine tablets, more than 500 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and 35.5 metric tons and 163,000 thousand liters of precursor chemicals used to manufacture illicit drugs, Myanmar authorities and the UNODC said in a joint statement. They also seized nearly 3,750 liters (990 gallons) of liquid methylfentanyl, which is used to make a powerful synthetic opioid like fentanyl. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) described the haul as one of the largest and most successful counter-narcotics operations in the history of the region. Some of the high pressure chemical reactors, and mixers used for manufacturing illicit drugs seized by Myanmar police The production network could have been possible only with the backing of serious transnational criminal groups, he added. The raids unearthed “unprecedented” methyl fentanyl, the sign of a new trend of synthetic opioid production emerging “on a scale nobody anticipated”, said Douglas. Fifty times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times more potent than morphine, fentanyl can be lethal from as little as two milligrams, the equivalent of a few grains of sand. It has fuelled an opioid crisis in the US that killed 32,000 people in 2018. Weapons, ammunition and bags of crystal methamphetamine and meth-laced yaba pills seized by Myanmar police Myanmar is under pressure to stem the deluge of drugs from its border regions. Shan state is part of the ''Golden Triangle'', a wedge of land cutting into Myanmar, Laos, China and Thailand and virtually untroubled by authorities despite the multi-billion dollar trade. Myanmar is the world’s second-biggest producer of heroin after Afghanistan, and is now widely thought to be the largest global source of meth, fuelled by the flood of precursor chemicals from China.

Myanmar police find the largest haul of synthetic drugs in South East Asia, seizing 200 million meth tablets

Six paramilitary soldiers were killed and four wounded in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan in a roadside bomb attack on their vehicle, officials said early Tuesday.

The incident happened in the hilly areas of Bolan district, some 80 kilometres&nbsp;southeast of the provincial capital Quetta late on Monday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/government-is-throttling-service-twitterati-react-after-twitter-stops-working-in-pakistan-299388" hreflang="en">Government is throttling service: Twitterati react after Twitter stops working in Pakistan</a>

"Six Frontier Corps personnel were killed in a roadside bomb blast while four others received injuries and have been sent to hospital," Deputy Commissioner Bolan Murad Kasi said. The bomb hit the vehicle during a routine patrol, he added.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but Baluch separatists demanding greater autonomy have been waging an insurgency for years while the province is also riven by sectarian strife and Islamist violence.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/two-pakistani-teenage-girls-in-waziristan-village-killed-for-honour-over-leaked-mobile-video-299367" hreflang="en">Two Pakistani teenage girls in Waziristan village killed for 'honour' over leaked mobile video</a>

Six soldiers were killed in a similar roadside bomb blast earlier this month. The incident was later claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a Baloch separatist group.

Mineral-rich Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, is the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, but its roughly seven million inhabitants have long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth.

China is investing in the area under a $54-billion project known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), upgrading infrastructure, power and transport links between its far-western Xinjiang region and Pakistan's Gwadar port.

Thousands of paramilitary troops carry out security checks and help police in maintaining law and order in restive parts of Pakistan.

Six paramilitary soldiers were killed and four wounded in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan in a roadside bomb attack on their vehicle, officials said early Tuesday.

Six paramilitary soldiers were killed and four wounded in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan in a roadside bomb attack on their vehicle, officials said early Tuesday. The incident happened in the hilly areas of Bolan district, some 80 kilometres southeast of the provincial capital Quetta late on Monday. Also read: Government is throttling service: Twitterati react after Twitter stops working in Pakistan "Six Frontier Corps personnel were killed in a roadside bomb blast while four others received injuries and have been sent to hospital," Deputy Commissioner Bolan Murad Kasi said. The bomb hit the vehicle during a routine patrol, he added. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but Baluch separatists demanding greater autonomy have been waging an insurgency for years while the province is also riven by sectarian strife and Islamist violence. Also read: Two Pakistani teenage girls in Waziristan village killed for 'honour' over leaked mobile video Six soldiers were killed in a similar roadside bomb blast earlier this month. The incident was later claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a Baloch separatist group. Mineral-rich Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, is the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, but its roughly seven million inhabitants have long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth. China is investing in the area under a $54-billion project known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), upgrading infrastructure, power and transport links between its far-western Xinjiang region and Pakistan's Gwadar port. Thousands of paramilitary troops carry out security checks and help police in maintaining law and order in restive parts of Pakistan.

Bomb kills six, wounds four in southwest Pakistan

Mexico issued guidelines on Monday for restarting operations in the automotive, mining and construction sectors, pushing ahead with reopening the economy despite a growing national toll from the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about unsafe work sites.

The move&nbsp;to loosen restrictions follow growing pressure from the United States to reopen factories that are vital to supply chains of US-based businesses, especially in the vast automotive sector.

Companies wanting to resume construction, mining and manufacturing activities could apply for permission starting Monday, according to&nbsp;President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/imf-chief-warns-full-global-economic-recovery-unlikely-in-2021-299531" hreflang="en">IMF chief warns full global economic recovery unlikely in 2021</a>

''We need to maintain discipline, not relax this discipline since we’re almost there,''&nbsp;said López Obrador, commonly called Amlo.

''I have a lot of faith and many expectations that we’re going to finish taming this pandemic.''

However, local authorities across the country have resisted the President’s call to lift emergency coronavirus measures in municipalities, warning that the pandemic is ''far from over.''

Mexico’s reopening plans have drawn criticism from some politicians worried that the still-rising pandemic tide in Latin America makes it unsafe to send more people to work.

The country has registered&nbsp;nearly 50,000 Covid-19 cases and more than 5,000 deaths, and its testing rate ranks among the lowest in Latin America, with just 0.4 tests per 1,000 people.

As a result, officials are wrestling with how to restart key industries without triggering a greater spread of the highly contagious respiratory virus.

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Mexico issued guidelines on Monday for restarting operations in the automotive, mining and construction sectors, pushing ahead with reopening the economy despite a growing national toll from the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about unsafe work sites.

Mexico issued guidelines on Monday for restarting operations in the automotive, mining and construction sectors, pushing ahead with reopening the economy despite a growing national toll from the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about unsafe work sites. The move to loosen restrictions follow growing pressure from the United States to reopen factories that are vital to supply chains of US-based businesses, especially in the vast automotive sector. Companies wanting to resume construction, mining and manufacturing activities could apply for permission starting Monday, according to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Also read: IMF chief warns full global economic recovery unlikely in 2021 ''We need to maintain discipline, not relax this discipline since we’re almost there,'' said López Obrador, commonly called Amlo. ''I have a lot of faith and many expectations that we’re going to finish taming this pandemic.'' However, local authorities across the country have resisted the President’s call to lift emergency coronavirus measures in municipalities, warning that the pandemic is ''far from over.'' Mexico’s reopening plans have drawn criticism from some politicians worried that the still-rising pandemic tide in Latin America makes it unsafe to send more people to work. The country has registered nearly 50,000 Covid-19 cases and more than 5,000 deaths, and its testing rate ranks among the lowest in Latin America, with just 0.4 tests per 1,000 people. As a result, officials are wrestling with how to restart key industries without triggering a greater spread of the highly contagious respiratory virus.

Mexico begins lifting lockdown despite fears of COVID-19 onslaught

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Vyomica Berry

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