Days before the holy fasting month of Ramadan begins, the Islamic world is grappling with an untimely paradox of the new coronavirus pandemic: enforced separation at a time when socializing is almost sacred.

Amid coronavirus, Muslims face Ramadan like never before

Parisians have been in lockdown for nearly five weeks on Sunday (April 19), and many are already looking forward to May 11th, the date set by French President Emmanuel Macron as the end of the confinement period.

A haircut, a hug, a drink at a bar: Parisians dream of end to lockdown

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) have called on countries to keep the multilateral trade open even as the COVID-19 pandemic ravages the planet.

The IMF and World Bank's advocacy for free trade came as protectionist sentiments are growing across the globe amid the pandemic. Some 46 export curbs on medical supplies have been introduced by 54 governments since the beginning of the year, according to a report published on March 23, by Global Trade Alert, a trade policy monitoring initiative.

At a virtual press conference during the just-concluded spring meetings of the two multilateral institutions, they warned that export controls on medical supplies and other essentials could backfire.

IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath said that this is not a time to restrict the trade of medical supplies and essential equipment around the world, Xinhua reported.

Kenneth Kang, deputy director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the IMF, told Xinhua in a recent written interview that countries should avoid trade restrictions on medical and health products to ensure that they go to where they are most needed.

"Countries with limited health care capacity and resources will need international aid to prepare for and weather the pandemic," Kang said, adding, "the health emergency is a powerful reminder of the need for policy coordination and solidarity in an interconnected world."

The IMF official said that countries should cooperate to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede cross-border trade and investment and to strengthen global supply chains as the recovery takes hold.

World Bank President David Malpass, meanwhile, said at a virtual press conference on Friday that big countries need to step forward and pledge not to use the crisis as a reason to close or block the markets.

Thirty-three of the above-mentioned export curbs have been announced since the beginning of March, "an indication of just how quickly new trade limits are spreading across the globe."

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) have called on countries to keep the multilateral trade open even as the COVID-19 pandemic ravages the planet.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) have called on countries to keep the multilateral trade open even as the COVID-19 pandemic ravages the planet. The IMF and World Bank's advocacy for free trade came as protectionist sentiments are growing across the globe amid the pandemic. Some 46 export curbs on medical supplies have been introduced by 54 governments since the beginning of the year, according to a report published on March 23, by Global Trade Alert, a trade policy monitoring initiative. At a virtual press conference during the just-concluded spring meetings of the two multilateral institutions, they warned that export controls on medical supplies and other essentials could backfire. IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath said that this is not a time to restrict the trade of medical supplies and essential equipment around the world, Xinhua reported. Kenneth Kang, deputy director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the IMF, told Xinhua in a recent written interview that countries should avoid trade restrictions on medical and health products to ensure that they go to where they are most needed. "Countries with limited health care capacity and resources will need international aid to prepare for and weather the pandemic," Kang said, adding, "the health emergency is a powerful reminder of the need for policy coordination and solidarity in an interconnected world." The IMF official said that countries should cooperate to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede cross-border trade and investment and to strengthen global supply chains as the recovery takes hold. World Bank President David Malpass, meanwhile, said at a virtual press conference on Friday that big countries need to step forward and pledge not to use the crisis as a reason to close or block the markets. Thirty-three of the above-mentioned export curbs have been announced since the beginning of March, "an indication of just how quickly new trade limits are spreading across the globe."

Coronavirus: IMF, World Bank urge countries to keep trade open

More than 81,000 people across the world tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Sunday.

As many as 81,153 people tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, taking the overall number of cases confirmed since the start of the outbreak above 2.24 million. At least 6,463 people died.&nbsp;

The total death toll now stands at 1,52,551.

These numbers indicate a decline in the daily increase of case numbers and deaths compared to data released by WHO on Saturday.&nbsp;

Almost 4,000 less cases and 247 less deaths were reported worldwide on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-coronavirus-cases-rise-in-us-hot-spots-governors-tell-trump-its-too-soon-to-reopen-america-293430">Also read |&nbsp;As coronavirus cases rise in US hot spots, governors tell Trump it's too soon to reopen America</a>

Europe remains the most severely affected continent, with more than 1.1 million cases of the disease. The COVID-19 death toll in Europe surpassed 1,00,000 on Sunday, according to WHO, after 3,737 more deaths were reported in one day.

A further 37,589 cases and 2,516 deaths were reported in the American region, the bulk of which were in the United States.

Earlier in the day, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed leading health officials during a video conference of G20 health ministers. The director-general called on the world's leading economies to offer urgent support to countries that are struggling to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-coronavirus-pandemic-how-world-celebrated-easter-293369">Also read |&nbsp;Amid coronavirus pandemic, this is&nbsp;how world celebrated Easter</a>

More than 81,000 people across the world tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Sunday. As many as 81,153 people tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, taking the overall number of cases confirmed since the start of the outbreak above 2.

More than 81,000 people across the world tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Sunday. As many as 81,153 people tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, taking the overall number of cases confirmed since the start of the outbreak above 2.24 million. At least 6,463 people died. The total death toll now stands at 1,52,551. These numbers indicate a decline in the daily increase of case numbers and deaths compared to data released by WHO on Saturday. Almost 4,000 less cases and 247 less deaths were reported worldwide on Sunday. Also read | As coronavirus cases rise in US hot spots, governors tell Trump it's too soon to reopen America Europe remains the most severely affected continent, with more than 1.1 million cases of the disease. The COVID-19 death toll in Europe surpassed 1,00,000 on Sunday, according to WHO, after 3,737 more deaths were reported in one day. A further 37,589 cases and 2,516 deaths were reported in the American region, the bulk of which were in the United States. Earlier in the day, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed leading health officials during a video conference of G20 health ministers. The director-general called on the world's leading economies to offer urgent support to countries that are struggling to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak. Also read | Amid coronavirus pandemic, this is how world celebrated Easter

Over 81,000 people across the world test positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours

During today’s daily briefing, the Health Ministry claimed that at least 80 per cent of the coronavirus positive cases have no or very mild symptoms.

"On the basis of worldwide analysis, out of 100 coronavirus patients, 80 per cent are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms," said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/districts-with-no-covid-19-cases-last-14-days-has-increased-to-59-goa-is-coronavirus-free-health-ministry-293580" hreflang="en">Districts with no COVID-19 cases last 14 days has increased to 59, Goa is coronavirus free: Health ministry</a>

“Around 15 per cent patients turn into severe cases and five percent cases turn into critical case”, he further added.

“80 out of 100 people do not show symptoms and therefore chances are that they test positive”, echoed Raman Gangakhedkar, head infectious disease and epidemiology at the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-thanks-police-forces-for-ensuring-lockdown-with-sensitivity-and-professionalism-293587" hreflang="en">President thanks police forces for ensuring lockdown with sensitivity and professionalism</a>

India currently has over 17,656 positive cases of COVID-19. Out of these 559 have died. Maharashtra has the highest number of cases in the country - over 4,200.

(With inputs from agencies)

During today’s daily briefing, the Health Ministry claimed that at least 80 per cent of the coronavirus positive cases have no or very mild symptoms. "On the basis of worldwide analysis, out of 100 coronavirus patients, 80 per cent are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms," said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare.

During today’s daily briefing, the Health Ministry claimed that at least 80 per cent of the coronavirus positive cases have no or very mild symptoms. "On the basis of worldwide analysis, out of 100 coronavirus patients, 80 per cent are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms," said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare. Also read: Districts with no COVID-19 cases last 14 days has increased to 59, Goa is coronavirus free: Health ministry “Around 15 per cent patients turn into severe cases and five percent cases turn into critical case”, he further added. “80 out of 100 people do not show symptoms and therefore chances are that they test positive”, echoed Raman Gangakhedkar, head infectious disease and epidemiology at the Indian Council of Medical Research. Also read: President thanks police forces for ensuring lockdown with sensitivity and professionalism India currently has over 17,656 positive cases of COVID-19. Out of these 559 have died. Maharashtra has the highest number of cases in the country - over 4,200. (With inputs from agencies)

80 out of 100 people show mild to no symptoms of coronavirus: Health Ministry

The United States is currently under a strong grip of COVID-19, with over 40,000 deaths reported so far - the highest for any country.

President Donald Trump has been holding daily press briefings. Recently, he played a clip of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo praising him.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-coronavirus-reinfections-surface-across-countries-what-threats-do-such-lapses-pose-293577" hreflang="en">As coronavirus reinfections surface across countries, what threats do such lapses pose?</a>

Critics were quick to slam him for turning a pandemic briefing into a “campaign ad”, as The Guardian put it.

Andre Cuomo has staunchly criticised Trump’s reaction to the pandemic. His state - New York has witnessed the highest number of cases in the entire country and continues to remain the hardest-hit.

The clips showed Cuomo saying “What the federal government did, working with states ... was a phenomenal accomplishment… These were just extraordinary efforts and acts of mobilisation, and the federal government stepped up and was a great partner, and I’m the first to say it. We needed help and they were there.”

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-pandemic-trump-clashes-with-governors-over-lockdown-293455/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Just two days before the clips emerged, Cuomo launched a scathing attack against Trump and said, “First of all, if he’s sitting home watching TV, maybe he should get up and go to work, right”

“Second, let’s keep emotion and politics out of this and personal ego if we can because this is about the people and our job and let’s try to focus on that”, he further added.

It turns out, Cuomo indeed acknowledged Trump’s quick decision to increase hospital capacity, he did fact-check Trump on his claims that the Javits Center, which had been converted into a hospital, had not been used. Cuomo said that the centre is well in use for patients.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/of-the-great-manchurian-plague-of-1911-and-its-lessons-293564" hreflang="en">Of the Great Manchurian Plague of 1911, and its lessons</a>

“The president doesn’t want to help on testing. I said 11 times, I said the one issue we need help with is testing. He said 11 times: ‘I don’t want to get involved in testing, it’s too complicated, it’s too hard.’ I know it’s too complicated and too hard. That’s why we need help. I can’t do an international supply chain”, Cuomo further added.

“He wants to say: ‘Well I did enough.’ Yeah, none of us have done enough. We haven’t, because it’s not over ... We have a lot more to do and no one can do the posture of ‘Just say thank you for what I’ve done, and I’m now out, I’m not doing anything else. I’ve done my part”, Cuomo said.

Trump is now moving on to reopen the economy and to focus on his reelection campaign, reports suggest.

The United States is currently under a strong grip of COVID-19, with over 40,000 deaths reported so far - the highest for any country. President Donald Trump has been holding daily press briefings.

The United States is currently under a strong grip of COVID-19, with over 40,000 deaths reported so far - the highest for any country. President Donald Trump has been holding daily press briefings. Recently, he played a clip of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo praising him. Also read: As coronavirus reinfections surface across countries, what threats do such lapses pose? Critics were quick to slam him for turning a pandemic briefing into a “campaign ad”, as The Guardian put it. Andre Cuomo has staunchly criticised Trump’s reaction to the pandemic. His state - New York has witnessed the highest number of cases in the entire country and continues to remain the hardest-hit. The clips showed Cuomo saying “What the federal government did, working with states ... was a phenomenal accomplishment… These were just extraordinary efforts and acts of mobilisation, and the federal government stepped up and was a great partner, and I’m the first to say it. We needed help and they were there.” Just two days before the clips emerged, Cuomo launched a scathing attack against Trump and said, “First of all, if he’s sitting home watching TV, maybe he should get up and go to work, right” “Second, let’s keep emotion and politics out of this and personal ego if we can because this is about the people and our job and let’s try to focus on that”, he further added. It turns out, Cuomo indeed acknowledged Trump’s quick decision to increase hospital capacity, he did fact-check Trump on his claims that the Javits Center, which had been converted into a hospital, had not been used. Cuomo said that the centre is well in use for patients. Also read: Of the Great Manchurian Plague of 1911, and its lessons “The president doesn’t want to help on testing. I said 11 times, I said the one issue we need help with is testing. He said 11 times: ‘I don’t want to get involved in testing, it’s too complicated, it’s too hard.’ I know it’s too complicated and too hard. That’s why we need help. I can’t do an international supply chain”, Cuomo further added. “He wants to say: ‘Well I did enough.’ Yeah, none of us have done enough. We haven’t, because it’s not over ... We have a lot more to do and no one can do the posture of ‘Just say thank you for what I’ve done, and I’m now out, I’m not doing anything else. I’ve done my part”, Cuomo said. Trump is now moving on to reopen the economy and to focus on his reelection campaign, reports suggest.

'Campaign ad': Trump faces backlash for playing 'selective' clips of Cuomo praising him during a coronavirus briefing

Mega-companies like Facebook and Google will now have to share advertising revenues with media companies in Australia.

Australia would now have a compulsory code of conduct for such digital companies. This is part of a bigger plan to deal with the steep decline in advertising triggered by the advent of COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision was announced by Australia’s treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

Back in December 2019, Australian government had directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to come up with a code among media companies and digital platforms.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-coronavirus-reinfections-surface-across-countries-what-threats-do-such-lapses-pose-293577" hreflang="en">As coronavirus reinfections surface across countries, what threats do such lapses pose?</a>

As part of this code, the digital platforms were asked how they pay media companies for using their content, and how industry changes affect the relationship between the two entities, and whether digital companies loop in original content or their own rebranded content.

They would now be liable to share all such data with media companies.

Even though the code was supposed to be finalised in November 2020, it has now been pushed back owing to the mounting decline in ad revenue, triggered by coronavirus.

Australia was one of the first countries to respond to the outbreak and has since then managed to limit its spread.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/of-the-great-manchurian-plague-of-1911-and-its-lessons-293564" hreflang="en">Of the Great Manchurian Plague of 1911, and its lessons</a>

A mandatory could should be in place by July, or at least a pilot draft of it.

The code will include penalties and dispute resolution mechanisms in place.

Media has been adversely affected by the pandemic, especially newspapers and magazines, whereby many small publications have had to shut down temporarily or permanently to avoid incurring long-term losses. Many have also laid off staff and asked others to go on an indefinite leave.

Mega-companies like Facebook and Google will now have to share advertising revenues with media companies in Australia. Australia would now have a compulsory code of conduct for such digital companies.

Mega-companies like Facebook and Google will now have to share advertising revenues with media companies in Australia. Australia would now have a compulsory code of conduct for such digital companies. This is part of a bigger plan to deal with the steep decline in advertising triggered by the advent of COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was announced by Australia’s treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Back in December 2019, Australian government had directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to come up with a code among media companies and digital platforms. Also read: As coronavirus reinfections surface across countries, what threats do such lapses pose? As part of this code, the digital platforms were asked how they pay media companies for using their content, and how industry changes affect the relationship between the two entities, and whether digital companies loop in original content or their own rebranded content. They would now be liable to share all such data with media companies. Even though the code was supposed to be finalised in November 2020, it has now been pushed back owing to the mounting decline in ad revenue, triggered by coronavirus. Australia was one of the first countries to respond to the outbreak and has since then managed to limit its spread. Also read: Of the Great Manchurian Plague of 1911, and its lessons A mandatory could should be in place by July, or at least a pilot draft of it. The code will include penalties and dispute resolution mechanisms in place. Media has been adversely affected by the pandemic, especially newspapers and magazines, whereby many small publications have had to shut down temporarily or permanently to avoid incurring long-term losses. Many have also laid off staff and asked others to go on an indefinite leave.

As COVID-19 truncates media profits, Australia orders digital platforms to split revenue

As coronavirus appears to have peaked in major countries of the world, the global health infrastructure now faces a new challenge: reinfections!

In South Korea alone, over 163 people who had recovered from the virus have now contracted it again, as per data released by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

A similar pattern has been noted in China, especially in Wuhan. However, China has been very secretive about its figures, making it hard to track.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/south-korea-reports-more-recovered-coronavirus-patients-testing-positive-again-292225" hreflang="en">South Korea reports more recovered coronavirus patients testing positive again</a>

In South Korea, the relapse rate is as low as 2.1 per cent (for every 7,829 people), but it still leaves many questions about the virus unanswered.

South Korea has been very rigorously testing its citizens, has one of the highest testing rates, and was the first country to flatten the curve.

Mild symptoms

It’s important to note that people who retest positive may or may not be contagious, for 44 per cent of them showed only mild symptoms.

KCDC’s deputy director Kwon Joon-wook told CNN that there is no clarity on naturally acquired immunity.

Kwon further called it the “most challenging pathogen” faced by humanity in recent decades.

KCDC believed that such reinfections could point to the existence of the remains left by the virus in one’s body, and may have little to do with its transmission.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-country-has-only-four-ventilators-for-its-population-of-12-million-people-293515" hreflang="en">This country has only four ventilators for its population of 12 million people</a>

The virus, then, in essence, could not be alive, as was found by the scientists who undertook retesting.

Zhong Nanshan, one of China’s top doctors also echoed the sentiments. He said that tests that are strong may be picking up “fragments of the disease”, and claims to not be “too worried about the issue”.

Of course, tests are volatile. There could be as many false positives as false negatives.

Precaution is key

Kwon further added that the risk of such relapse cases transmitting may be low, but still suggests people to exercise precaution. South Korea makes it mandatory for patients to test negative for the test twice in a row for them to be able to return home. Even then, they have to isolate for 14 days.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-recommended-disinfectants-effective-against-covid-19-says-study-293521">WHO-recommended disinfectants effective against COVID-19, says study</a>

In essence, a lot about this disease remains unknown. And it’s best to practice social distancing and ensure personal hygiene until the rate of infections subsides across the globe.

Additionally, there also seems to be guarantee of people developing antibodies and whether the body could then fight the infection.

As coronavirus appears to have peaked in major countries of the world, the global health infrastructure now faces a new challenge: reinfections! In South Korea alone, over 163 people who had recovered from the virus have now contracted it again, as per data released by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

As coronavirus appears to have peaked in major countries of the world, the global health infrastructure now faces a new challenge: reinfections! In South Korea alone, over 163 people who had recovered from the virus have now contracted it again, as per data released by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). A similar pattern has been noted in China, especially in Wuhan. However, China has been very secretive about its figures, making it hard to track. Also read: South Korea reports more recovered coronavirus patients testing positive again In South Korea, the relapse rate is as low as 2.1 per cent (for every 7,829 people), but it still leaves many questions about the virus unanswered. South Korea has been very rigorously testing its citizens, has one of the highest testing rates, and was the first country to flatten the curve. Mild symptoms It’s important to note that people who retest positive may or may not be contagious, for 44 per cent of them showed only mild symptoms. KCDC’s deputy director Kwon Joon-wook told CNN that there is no clarity on naturally acquired immunity. Kwon further called it the “most challenging pathogen” faced by humanity in recent decades. KCDC believed that such reinfections could point to the existence of the remains left by the virus in one’s body, and may have little to do with its transmission. Also read: This country has only four ventilators for its population of 12 million people The virus, then, in essence, could not be alive, as was found by the scientists who undertook retesting. Zhong Nanshan, one of China’s top doctors also echoed the sentiments. He said that tests that are strong may be picking up “fragments of the disease”, and claims to not be “too worried about the issue”. Of course, tests are volatile. There could be as many false positives as false negatives. Precaution is key Kwon further added that the risk of such relapse cases transmitting may be low, but still suggests people to exercise precaution. South Korea makes it mandatory for patients to test negative for the test twice in a row for them to be able to return home. Even then, they have to isolate for 14 days. Also read: WHO-recommended disinfectants effective against COVID-19, says study In essence, a lot about this disease remains unknown. And it’s best to practice social distancing and ensure personal hygiene until the rate of infections subsides across the globe. Additionally, there also seems to be guarantee of people developing antibodies and whether the body could then fight the infection.

As coronavirus reinfections surface across countries, what threats do such lapses pose?

Long before the coronavirus pandemic -- which broke out in the wet city of Wuhan -- wreaked havoc on the planet, it was the Great Manchurian Plague that brought life to a standstill in China.&nbsp;

Measures taken across&nbsp;the world in 2020 -- quarantine hospitals, mask wearing ordinances, travel restrictions, and dedicated teams of healthcare workers -- in many ways replicate those taken 110 years ago in northeastern China.

From the autumn of 1910, until the outbreak was finally suppressed in 1911, an estimated 63,000 people had died. The epidemic hit international headlines when it reached the northeastern city of Harbin -- then part of what was known as Manchuria.

The majority of the territory was Chinese-governed. While Japan controlled the port area around Dalian,&nbsp;Russia ran Manchuria's railways.

The city was engaged in trades connected to the railway. That included the fur trade, and it was from this industry that the disease most likely came.

The epidemic came from Tarbagan marmots, a rodent caught for its fur that, when properly dyed, became a low-cost alternative for sable. High prices for fur and sable persuaded 10,000 people to hunt for marmots in the forests of Manchuria.

The hunters back then made the mistake of killing sick marmots -- and it was these that carried the virus.

The plague spread, and brought life in Manchuria to a standstill.

The plague was first officially noted by Russian doctors in Manzhouli.

At that time, the Chinese authorities' lead doctor Wu Lien-teh, a Malaysia-born ethnic-Chinese medic educated at Cambridge University, was managing to contain the outbreak.

Legend has it that there was a French medical professor from Peiyang Medical College in Tianjin, Dr Girard Mesny, who believed Wu’s diagnosis was incorrect and wanted to replace him as the man leading the operation against the epidemic. Believing that it was a disease of the glands, he examined four patients without a facemask. He contracted the virus and died on January 11.

Wu then advised that people stay at home, plague victims be hospitalised and quarantined, and their homes disinfected. Everyone should wear gauze-and-cotton masks. A new plague hospital was built.

<img alt="The Great Manchurian Plague of 1911" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67f52bfd-61d7-4013-9fcc-45c51762203e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/plague%20afp%202.jpg" />

Quarantine centres were established, mostly in converted rail freight cars. If the quarantined didn't show symptoms within five-to-ten days they were released with a wire wristband fastened with a lead seal stating they were plague free.

It was also determined that the disease was pneumonic plague and not bubonic.

Wu even took charge of unburied bodies -- apart from digging out buried bodies -- and carrying out a mass cremation.

<img alt="The Great Manchurian Plague of 1911" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50593f66-c424-497f-81c5-c83998321845" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/plague%20afp%203.jpg" />

In 1911, there was no WHO. The response to the epidemic, hence, was left to individual nations.

The shutdown of Dalian port stopped the spread out from Manchuria to major destinations in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia.

Wu’s draconian methods had also proved to be successful. The last case was recorded on March 1, 1911.

Researchers and historians believe that while, back in 1911, the world's leading disease experts were eager to get to China, the major players today seemingly have little interest in a coordinated response to the COVID-19 crisis.

What is needed now is the coming together of the world's scientists, and meeting, sharing and discussing coronavirus in an open forum.

Long before the coronavirus pandemic -- which broke out in the wet city of Wuhan -- wreaked havoc on the planet, it was the Great Manchurian Plague that brought life to a standstill in China.

Long before the coronavirus pandemic -- which broke out in the wet city of Wuhan -- wreaked havoc on the planet, it was the Great Manchurian Plague that brought life to a standstill in China. Measures taken across the world in 2020 -- quarantine hospitals, mask wearing ordinances, travel restrictions, and dedicated teams of healthcare workers -- in many ways replicate those taken 110 years ago in northeastern China. From the autumn of 1910, until the outbreak was finally suppressed in 1911, an estimated 63,000 people had died. The epidemic hit international headlines when it reached the northeastern city of Harbin -- then part of what was known as Manchuria. The majority of the territory was Chinese-governed. While Japan controlled the port area around Dalian, Russia ran Manchuria's railways. The city was engaged in trades connected to the railway. That included the fur trade, and it was from this industry that the disease most likely came. The epidemic came from Tarbagan marmots, a rodent caught for its fur that, when properly dyed, became a low-cost alternative for sable. High prices for fur and sable persuaded 10,000 people to hunt for marmots in the forests of Manchuria. The hunters back then made the mistake of killing sick marmots -- and it was these that carried the virus. The plague spread, and brought life in Manchuria to a standstill. The plague was first officially noted by Russian doctors in Manzhouli. At that time, the Chinese authorities' lead doctor Wu Lien-teh, a Malaysia-born ethnic-Chinese medic educated at Cambridge University, was managing to contain the outbreak. Legend has it that there was a French medical professor from Peiyang Medical College in Tianjin, Dr Girard Mesny, who believed Wu’s diagnosis was incorrect and wanted to replace him as the man leading the operation against the epidemic. Believing that it was a disease of the glands, he examined four patients without a facemask. He contracted the virus and died on January 11. Wu then advised that people stay at home, plague victims be hospitalised and quarantined, and their homes disinfected. Everyone should wear gauze-and-cotton masks. A new plague hospital was built. Quarantine centres were established, mostly in converted rail freight cars. If the quarantined didn't show symptoms within five-to-ten days they were released with a wire wristband fastened with a lead seal stating they were plague free. It was also determined that the disease was pneumonic plague and not bubonic. Wu even took charge of unburied bodies -- apart from digging out buried bodies -- and carrying out a mass cremation. In 1911, there was no WHO. The response to the epidemic, hence, was left to individual nations. The shutdown of Dalian port stopped the spread out from Manchuria to major destinations in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia. Wu’s draconian methods had also proved to be successful. The last case was recorded on March 1, 1911. Researchers and historians believe that while, back in 1911, the world's leading disease experts were eager to get to China, the major players today seemingly have little interest in a coordinated response to the COVID-19 crisis. What is needed now is the coming together of the world's scientists, and meeting, sharing and discussing coronavirus in an open forum.

Of the Great Manchurian Plague of 1911, and its lessons

Britain is set to investigate if convalescent plasma transfusion could improve an infected patient's speed of recovery from COVID-19 and chances of survival. It is preparing to collect blood from survivors.

"NHS Blood and Transplant is preparing to collect COVID-19 convalescent plasma from people who have recovered from this illness," a spokeswoman said, adding, "we are working closely with the government and all relevant bodies to move through the approvals process as quickly as possible."

People who have recovered from COVID-19 can register with the NHS if they are interested in donating plasma.

Britain is set to investigate if convalescent plasma transfusion could improve an infected patient's speed of recovery from COVID-19 and chances of survival. It is preparing to collect blood from survivors.

Britain is set to investigate if convalescent plasma transfusion could improve an infected patient's speed of recovery from COVID-19 and chances of survival. It is preparing to collect blood from survivors. "NHS Blood and Transplant is preparing to collect COVID-19 convalescent plasma from people who have recovered from this illness," a spokeswoman said, adding, "we are working closely with the government and all relevant bodies to move through the approvals process as quickly as possible." People who have recovered from COVID-19 can register with the NHS if they are interested in donating plasma.

UK set to test if COVID-19 survivors' blood plasma can be used for treatment

Turns out, farts are capable of spreading the novel coronavirus, which continues to kill thousands globally everyday.

The virus was discovered in the faeces of more than 50 per cent patients who tested positive for coronavirus.

Ample preexisting research suggests that farts carry tiny particles that are capable of spreading bacteria.

Even though, like all things coronavirus, more research is needed to ascertain the intensity of such infections.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-to-test-if-covid-19-survivours-blood-plasma-can-be-used-for-treatment-293533" hreflang="en">UK set to test if COVID-19 survivours' blood plasma can be used for treatment</a>

An Australian doctor,&nbsp;Dr Andy Tagg carried out tests on COVID-19 patients and found that 55 per cent of them had the virus present in their stool.

Additionally, it is now well established that asymptomatic carriers may be spreading the disease more than previously thought, making it harder to trace and diagnose.

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What has all this farting talk got to do with the coronavirus? 
 
Well, SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in faeces and has been detected in an asymptomatic individual up to 17 days post-exposure.<a href="https://t.co/6IflYTLFWr">https://t.co/6IflYTLFWr</a> <a href="https://t.co/XuYCmYoEQ7">pic.twitter.com/XuYCmYoEQ7</a>
— Andy Tagg (@andrewjtagg) <a href="https://twitter.com/andrewjtagg/status/1247087554781831168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The doctor further added that farts are capable of spreading the gaseous bacteria over long distances.

In 2001, two Australian researchers Karl Kruszelnicki and Luke Tennent undertook a research to find out whether farts are capable of spreading diseases.

As part of this, Dr Tennent made a colleague fart into two Petri dishes from five centimetres away. One while wearing pants, and the other without.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-recommended-disinfectants-effective-against-covid-19-says-study-293521" hreflang="en">WHO-recommended disinfectants effective against COVID-19, says study</a>

In the dish which received the spray through the filter of the pants, there was no bacteria growth. However, the other dish had birthed bacteria overnight. Even then, they found that none of this bacteria was harmful.

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Dr. K and Luke Tennant volunteered to fart on a petri dish. 
 
There was no growth when the fart was filtered by trousers but with no barrier between agar and arse gut flora proliferated. <a href="https://t.co/7wSEEBwS7N">pic.twitter.com/7wSEEBwS7N</a>
— Andy Tagg (@andrewjtagg) <a href="https://twitter.com/andrewjtagg/status/1247087561438183425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In the beginning of 2020, when coronavirus was just starting out in the world, the Chinese Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s wing in Tongzhou district announced that pants act as an effective barrier against farts that carry the novel coronavirus. It further added that farts will not spread the virus if pants are worn.

China’s CDC warned that people who carry the virus and fart without pants on, or if they fart in large amounts, could potentially put others at risk.

So the takeaway is: wear pants, fart safe!

Turns out, farts are capable of spreading the novel coronavirus, which continues to kill thousands globally everyday. The virus was discovered in the faeces of more than 50 per cent patients who tested positive for coronavirus.

Turns out, farts are capable of spreading the novel coronavirus, which continues to kill thousands globally everyday. The virus was discovered in the faeces of more than 50 per cent patients who tested positive for coronavirus. Ample preexisting research suggests that farts carry tiny particles that are capable of spreading bacteria. Even though, like all things coronavirus, more research is needed to ascertain the intensity of such infections. Also read: UK set to test if COVID-19 survivours' blood plasma can be used for treatment An Australian doctor, Dr Andy Tagg carried out tests on COVID-19 patients and found that 55 per cent of them had the virus present in their stool. Additionally, it is now well established that asymptomatic carriers may be spreading the disease more than previously thought, making it harder to trace and diagnose. What has all this farting talk got to do with the coronavirus? Well, SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in faeces and has been detected in an asymptomatic individual up to 17 days post-exposure.https://t.co/6IflYTLFWr pic.twitter.com/XuYCmYoEQ7 — Andy Tagg (@andrewjtagg) April 6, 2020 × The doctor further added that farts are capable of spreading the gaseous bacteria over long distances. In 2001, two Australian researchers Karl Kruszelnicki and Luke Tennent undertook a research to find out whether farts are capable of spreading diseases. As part of this, Dr Tennent made a colleague fart into two Petri dishes from five centimetres away. One while wearing pants, and the other without. Also read: WHO-recommended disinfectants effective against COVID-19, says study In the dish which received the spray through the filter of the pants, there was no bacteria growth. However, the other dish had birthed bacteria overnight. Even then, they found that none of this bacteria was harmful. Dr. K and Luke Tennant volunteered to fart on a petri dish. There was no growth when the fart was filtered by trousers but with no barrier between agar and arse gut flora proliferated. pic.twitter.com/7wSEEBwS7N — Andy Tagg (@andrewjtagg) April 6, 2020 × In the beginning of 2020, when coronavirus was just starting out in the world, the Chinese Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s wing in Tongzhou district announced that pants act as an effective barrier against farts that carry the novel coronavirus. It further added that farts will not spread the virus if pants are worn. China’s CDC warned that people who carry the virus and fart without pants on, or if they fart in large amounts, could potentially put others at risk. So the takeaway is: wear pants, fart safe!

Could farts transmit COVID-19?

Floriana Fanizza gazes desolately at her celery crop, lost to the coronavirus because it could not be harvested.

Italian farmers are being brought to their knees by a six-week lockdown aimed at stopping a deadly epidemic in its tracks. They are also suffering a drought caused by the driest spring in more than half a century.

Border blocks, restaurant closures and a lack of seasonal workers mean nearly four out of 10 businesses in the fruit and vegetable sector are struggling, according to Italy's biggest agricultural union Coldiretti.

On the Fanizza family farm in Fasano, a town near the Puglia coast in southern Italy, some pickers, fearful for their health, stayed at home as the country went into shutdown at the start of March.

That meant there were not enough hands to harvest the celery and turnip crops, which were ruined. The clock is now ticking on seeding vegetables for harvesting this summer.

"To sow properly, we need seven or eight people," 41-year-old Fanizza says.

"We hope we'll be able to find them, otherwise we will have to reduce production."

Some 350,000 foreigners are usually employed seasonally in Italy's agriculture sector.

The coronavirus crisis means this year there is a shortage of between 250,000 and 270,000, according to the farming ministry.

"Something must be done urgently, as the harvests of strawberries, asparagus, artichokes and greenhouse fruits (such as melons, tomatoes and peppers) are already underway," Coldiretti said in a note.

And others will soon begin, such as cherries, apricots and plums, it said.

The production crisis could impact food availability.

Italy's agricultural sector is the third biggest in Europe in terms of overall value -- it was worth 56.6 billion euros ($61.5 billion) in 2019 -- after France (75.4 billion euros) and Germany (57 billion euros).

With Romanians alone accounting for 110,000 of the country's 350,000 foreign seasonal workers, Rome is in talks with Bucharest over "green corridors" to ease movement between the two countries.

Minister of Agriculture Teresa Bellanova has also called for mass regularisation of undocumented migrants in Italy in order to get the economy moving again.

Many are currently living in shanty towns and are exploited by the mafia and an illegal labour system known as "caporalato", where intermediaries who bring workers to farmers take a large part of their meagre wages.

The proposal, approved by Coldiretti, was slammed by the far-right.

The virus is not the farmers' only problem. Italy is also experiencing its driest spring in the last 60 years.

It has seen just over half its usual rainfall since the beginning of the year, creating a water shortage the size of Lake Como -- the third largest lake in Italy, according to weather experts.

"It hasn't rained for a long time and the land is arid, especially for wheat," farmer Fanizza says.

"The situation is critical, we need to irrigate our fields".

The government has set up a 100 million euro fund to support agricultural businesses.

Rome has also forked over 50 million euros to buy food and distribute it to Italy's poorest, a three-pronged approach aimed at helping the hungry, cutting waste and preventing price drops.&nbsp;

Floriana Fanizza gazes desolately at her celery crop, lost to the coronavirus because it could not be harvested. Italian farmers are being brought to their knees by a six-week lockdown aimed at stopping a deadly epidemic in its tracks.

Floriana Fanizza gazes desolately at her celery crop, lost to the coronavirus because it could not be harvested. Italian farmers are being brought to their knees by a six-week lockdown aimed at stopping a deadly epidemic in its tracks. They are also suffering a drought caused by the driest spring in more than half a century. Border blocks, restaurant closures and a lack of seasonal workers mean nearly four out of 10 businesses in the fruit and vegetable sector are struggling, according to Italy's biggest agricultural union Coldiretti. On the Fanizza family farm in Fasano, a town near the Puglia coast in southern Italy, some pickers, fearful for their health, stayed at home as the country went into shutdown at the start of March. That meant there were not enough hands to harvest the celery and turnip crops, which were ruined. The clock is now ticking on seeding vegetables for harvesting this summer. "To sow properly, we need seven or eight people," 41-year-old Fanizza says. "We hope we'll be able to find them, otherwise we will have to reduce production." Some 350,000 foreigners are usually employed seasonally in Italy's agriculture sector. The coronavirus crisis means this year there is a shortage of between 250,000 and 270,000, according to the farming ministry. "Something must be done urgently, as the harvests of strawberries, asparagus, artichokes and greenhouse fruits (such as melons, tomatoes and peppers) are already underway," Coldiretti said in a note. And others will soon begin, such as cherries, apricots and plums, it said. The production crisis could impact food availability. Italy's agricultural sector is the third biggest in Europe in terms of overall value -- it was worth 56.6 billion euros ($61.5 billion) in 2019 -- after France (75.4 billion euros) and Germany (57 billion euros). With Romanians alone accounting for 110,000 of the country's 350,000 foreign seasonal workers, Rome is in talks with Bucharest over "green corridors" to ease movement between the two countries. Minister of Agriculture Teresa Bellanova has also called for mass regularisation of undocumented migrants in Italy in order to get the economy moving again. Many are currently living in shanty towns and are exploited by the mafia and an illegal labour system known as "caporalato", where intermediaries who bring workers to farmers take a large part of their meagre wages. The proposal, approved by Coldiretti, was slammed by the far-right. The virus is not the farmers' only problem. Italy is also experiencing its driest spring in the last 60 years. It has seen just over half its usual rainfall since the beginning of the year, creating a water shortage the size of Lake Como -- the third largest lake in Italy, according to weather experts. "It hasn't rained for a long time and the land is arid, especially for wheat," farmer Fanizza says. "The situation is critical, we need to irrigate our fields". The government has set up a 100 million euro fund to support agricultural businesses. Rome has also forked over 50 million euros to buy food and distribute it to Italy's poorest, a three-pronged approach aimed at helping the hungry, cutting waste and preventing price drops.

Crops rot as Italian farmers hit by coronavirus, drought

The relationship between North Korea and the United States continues to sour, with both sides issuing constant threats and statements against each other, especially with Donald Trump in power. The presidents holds back no words, and has been constantly critical of North Korea.

Donald Trump had recently claimed to have received a friendly letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

However, the Korean side recently denied the existence of any such letter and further attacked Trump for using the relationship between the two countries to further his “selfish” interests.

Just on Saturday, Trump announced in a press briefing that he had received a written note from Kim. “It was a nice note… I think that we’re doing fine”, he had said.

Additionally, Trump claimed that both the countries would have gone to war by now, had it not been for his diplomacy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-absent-on-north-koreas-most-important-holiday-precaution-or-doom-293186" hreflang="en">Kim Jong Un absent on North Korea’s most important holiday: Precaution or doom?</a>

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Trump has referred to himself as a “war time president”. This was countered by Joe Biden, his Democrat rival in this year’s elections, who asked him to “behave like one”.

“There was no letter addressed recently to the US president by the supreme leadership of the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea),” the Korean ministry announced on KCNA, a state run media channel.

“[Their relations] are not an issue to be taken up just for diversion, nor should [they] be misused for meeting selfish purposes,” the ministry pointed out.

Trump and Kim first met in 2018 during a summit in Singapore. The US president has constantly pushed for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

But North Korea’s rhetoric continues to intensify. They recently announced plans to hit US hard, and that the time for diplomacy and talks was over.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-tested-more-for-covid-19-than-ten-countries-including-india-293484" hreflang="en">Trump says US tested more for COVID-19 than ten countries, including India</a>

After Kim called for withdrawal of sanctions against his country, which Trump rejected, the relationship between the countries continued to become stressful in 2019.

In the end of March, Trump has sent a letter to Kim and offered assistance in handling coronavirus. According to North Korean media, Trump claimed to have been “impressed” by Kim’s handling of the killer pandemic.

While the US continues to be battered by coronavirus, with over 40,000 deaths recorded so far - the highest for any country. Trump had recently announced that he expects 60,000 people to die in the country.

On the other hand, North Korea denies having any positive cases of coronavirus. However, a North Korean professor recently claimed that the country has many cases, however it’s hard to ascertain the exact number.

The relationship between North Korea and the United States continues to sour, with both sides issuing constant threats and statements against each other, especially with Donald Trump in power.

The relationship between North Korea and the United States continues to sour, with both sides issuing constant threats and statements against each other, especially with Donald Trump in power. The presidents holds back no words, and has been constantly critical of North Korea. Donald Trump had recently claimed to have received a friendly letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. However, the Korean side recently denied the existence of any such letter and further attacked Trump for using the relationship between the two countries to further his “selfish” interests. Just on Saturday, Trump announced in a press briefing that he had received a written note from Kim. “It was a nice note… I think that we’re doing fine”, he had said. Additionally, Trump claimed that both the countries would have gone to war by now, had it not been for his diplomacy. Also read: Kim Jong Un absent on North Korea’s most important holiday: Precaution or doom? Amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Trump has referred to himself as a “war time president”. This was countered by Joe Biden, his Democrat rival in this year’s elections, who asked him to “behave like one”. “There was no letter addressed recently to the US president by the supreme leadership of the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea),” the Korean ministry announced on KCNA, a state run media channel. “[Their relations] are not an issue to be taken up just for diversion, nor should [they] be misused for meeting selfish purposes,” the ministry pointed out. Trump and Kim first met in 2018 during a summit in Singapore. The US president has constantly pushed for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. But North Korea’s rhetoric continues to intensify. They recently announced plans to hit US hard, and that the time for diplomacy and talks was over. Also read: Trump says US tested more for COVID-19 than ten countries, including India After Kim called for withdrawal of sanctions against his country, which Trump rejected, the relationship between the countries continued to become stressful in 2019. In the end of March, Trump has sent a letter to Kim and offered assistance in handling coronavirus. According to North Korean media, Trump claimed to have been “impressed” by Kim’s handling of the killer pandemic. While the US continues to be battered by coronavirus, with over 40,000 deaths recorded so far - the highest for any country. Trump had recently announced that he expects 60,000 people to die in the country. On the other hand, North Korea denies having any positive cases of coronavirus. However, a North Korean professor recently claimed that the country has many cases, however it’s hard to ascertain the exact number.

North Korea denies sending a 'nice note' to Donald Trump

As the novel coronavirus wreaks havoc across the globe, countries with excess supplies have stepped up humanitarian efforts to ease the global pressure.

Be it India sending medicines like paracetamol across the world, or the Chinese mass-producing face masks.

However, US President Donald Trump recently offered to send ventilators to Iran. Iran was one of the hardest hit countries during the initial global wave last month. Over the last few weeks, the epicentres have continued to shift. First, it was Wuhan. Then Europe and Iran, and now it is the United States, which has recorded 40,000 deaths - the highest for any country.

Trump’s offer was recently rejected Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. He further said that Iran plans to export its own devices “in a few months”.

During a press briefing on Saturday, Trump had offered to send “excess ventilators” to Iran. He said, “If they need ventilators, which they do, I would send them ventilators,” Trump said.

However, he has repeatedly displayed anger at state governors. His senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner went to the extend of saying that “this is the federal reserve” while referring to the states demanding ventilators. The US president has received widespread criticism for dealing with the virus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-denies-sending-a-nice-note-to-donald-trump-293505" hreflang="en">North Korea denies sending a 'nice note' to Donald Trump</a>

After offering to send ventilators to Iran, Trump added, “ “Right now they just want to survive… they’re loaded up with the plague.”

In his tweet, Zarif said, “Iran will be EXPORTING ventilators in a few months, all you need to do is stop interfering in the affairs of other nations; mine especially.”

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Iran will be EXPORTING ventilators in a few months, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realdonaldtrump</a>. 
 
All you need to do is stop interfering in the affairs of other nations; mine especially. 
 
And believe me, we do not take advice from ANY American politician.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1251839035057864705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He made a scalding attack and further said, “And believe me, we do not take advice from ANY American politician.”

Earlier, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had offered a helping hand to Iran, while claiming that the country’s infrastructure was not prepared to deal with an outbreak.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-country-has-only-four-ventilators-for-its-population-of-12-million-people-293515" hreflang="en">This country has only four ventilators for its population of 12 million people</a>

After Iran showed signs of recovery and the US became the epicentre, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referred to the offer as “strange”.

“You are suffering from shortages… If you have anything, use it on yourselves”, he added.

However, Iran has repeatedly said that the US is restricting country’s access to medical supplies via sanctions.

Over 5,000 have died in Iran, while the US death toll is currently over 40,000.

As the novel coronavirus wreaks havoc across the globe, countries with excess supplies have stepped up humanitarian efforts to ease the global pressure. Be it India sending medicines like paracetamol across the world, or the Chinese mass-producing face masks.

As the novel coronavirus wreaks havoc across the globe, countries with excess supplies have stepped up humanitarian efforts to ease the global pressure. Be it India sending medicines like paracetamol across the world, or the Chinese mass-producing face masks. However, US President Donald Trump recently offered to send ventilators to Iran. Iran was one of the hardest hit countries during the initial global wave last month. Over the last few weeks, the epicentres have continued to shift. First, it was Wuhan. Then Europe and Iran, and now it is the United States, which has recorded 40,000 deaths - the highest for any country. Trump’s offer was recently rejected Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. He further said that Iran plans to export its own devices “in a few months”. During a press briefing on Saturday, Trump had offered to send “excess ventilators” to Iran. He said, “If they need ventilators, which they do, I would send them ventilators,” Trump said. However, he has repeatedly displayed anger at state governors. His senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner went to the extend of saying that “this is the federal reserve” while referring to the states demanding ventilators. The US president has received widespread criticism for dealing with the virus. Also read: North Korea denies sending a 'nice note' to Donald Trump After offering to send ventilators to Iran, Trump added, “ “Right now they just want to survive… they’re loaded up with the plague.” In his tweet, Zarif said, “Iran will be EXPORTING ventilators in a few months, all you need to do is stop interfering in the affairs of other nations; mine especially.” Iran will be EXPORTING ventilators in a few months, @realdonaldtrump. All you need to do is stop interfering in the affairs of other nations; mine especially. And believe me, we do not take advice from ANY American politician. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 19, 2020 × He made a scalding attack and further said, “And believe me, we do not take advice from ANY American politician.” Earlier, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had offered a helping hand to Iran, while claiming that the country’s infrastructure was not prepared to deal with an outbreak. Also read: This country has only four ventilators for its population of 12 million people After Iran showed signs of recovery and the US became the epicentre, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referred to the offer as “strange”. “You are suffering from shortages… If you have anything, use it on yourselves”, he added. However, Iran has repeatedly said that the US is restricting country’s access to medical supplies via sanctions. Over 5,000 have died in Iran, while the US death toll is currently over 40,000.

We don't take advice from Americans: Iran rejects Trump's offer of ventilators

Eighteen days after getting treated for COVID-19 at the intensive care unit of the hospital, Broadway actor Nick Cordero has been asked to get his right leg amputated to treat the complications caused by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/actor-nick-cordero-is-in-very-critical-condition-amid-possible-coronavirus-fight-292188https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/actor-nick-cordero-is-in-very-critical-condition-amid-possible-coronavirus-fight-292188">highly contagious virus</a>. 
 
According to the news agency, Cordero`s wife Amanda Kloots had revealed the news of the amputation on Saturday. 
 
As per the outlet, the actor was administered with thinners for clotting in his leg but the treatment had turned problematic when it led to internal bleeding in his intestine.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-challenges-of-being-in-self-isolation-celebrity-edition-292241" hreflang="en">The challenges of being in self-isolation- celebrity edition</a> 
 
"They had him on blood thinners for the clotting and unfortunately the blood thinners were causing some other issues -- blood pressure and some internal bleeding in his intestines," Variety quoted Kloots as saying. 
 
"We took him off blood thinners but that again was going to cause some clotting in the right leg. So, the right leg will be amputated today," she added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/netflix-releases-ten-educational-documentaries-on-youtube-for-free-amid-covid-19-293314" hreflang="en">Netflix releases ten educational documentaries on YouTube for free amid COVID-19</a>

The Broadway actor had been admitted to the ICU on March 31 as he was facing trouble while breathing and for severe pneumonia sickness. 
 
Previously, his wife had revealed to People magazine that despite testing negative for coronavirus twice, doctors are convinced that Cordero is fighting COVID-19, leading to a third test.

Eighteen days after getting treated for COVID-19 at the intensive care unit of the hospital, Broadway actor Nick Cordero has been asked to get his right leg amputated to treat the complications caused by the highly contagious virus.

Eighteen days after getting treated for COVID-19 at the intensive care unit of the hospital, Broadway actor Nick Cordero has been asked to get his right leg amputated to treat the complications caused by the highly contagious virus. According to the news agency, Cordero`s wife Amanda Kloots had revealed the news of the amputation on Saturday. As per the outlet, the actor was administered with thinners for clotting in his leg but the treatment had turned problematic when it led to internal bleeding in his intestine. In pics: The challenges of being in self-isolation- celebrity edition "They had him on blood thinners for the clotting and unfortunately the blood thinners were causing some other issues -- blood pressure and some internal bleeding in his intestines," Variety quoted Kloots as saying. "We took him off blood thinners but that again was going to cause some clotting in the right leg. So, the right leg will be amputated today," she added. Also read: Netflix releases ten educational documentaries on YouTube for free amid COVID-19 The Broadway actor had been admitted to the ICU on March 31 as he was facing trouble while breathing and for severe pneumonia sickness. Previously, his wife had revealed to People magazine that despite testing negative for coronavirus twice, doctors are convinced that Cordero is fighting COVID-19, leading to a third test.

Broadway actor Nick Cordero's leg to be amputated due to coronavirus complications

Pakistan has lifted restrictions on congregational prayers at mosques, but put in place a host of safety conditions to avert the further spread of the coronavirus in the country, a statement said on Saturday.

Pakistan lifts restrictions on congregational prayers at mosques

University of Texas study shows that the COVID-19 death toll is likely to peak in the United States by the end of April. Watch this video to know more.

Study predicts delay in peaking of COVID-19 cases in the US

U.S. President Donald Trump warned China on Saturday that it should face consequences if it was "knowingly responsible" for the coronavirus pandemic, as he ratcheted up criticism of Beijing over its handling of the outbreak.

Donald Trump: China could face consequences over COVID-19 pandemic

Children are at a higher risk of not only being infected with coronavirus but also being victim of online crime. Watch this video to know more.

UNICEF's note to keep children safe from cyber crime

In this segment of WION, we tell you about the 5 recent studies on the COVID-19.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Know 5 recent studies on the COVID-19

COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood.

COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood. We are in this together, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on LinkedIn. "Unlike previous moments in history, when countries or societies faced off against each other, today we are together facing a common challenge. The future will be about togetherness and resilience," PM Modi said. As the world battles COVID-19, India’s energetic and innovative youth can show the way in ensuring healthier and prosperous future. Shared a few thoughts on @LinkedIn, which would interest youngsters and professionals. https://t.co/ZjjVSbMJ6b — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2020 × The next big ideas from India should find global relevance and application, he said and added that they should have the ability to drive a positive change not merely for India but the entire humankind, he said. India, with the right blend of the physical and the virtual, can emerge as the global nerve centre of complex modern multinational supply chains in the post-COVID-19 world, he further said. ''Let us rise to that occasion and seize this opportunity''.

COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking: PM Modi

COVID-19 cases are on rise in Afghanistan. There is lack of infrastructure and isolation centres in Afghanistan. The government has now converted Darul Aman Palace into a medical facility.

Afghanistan: Darul Aman Palace to be used as medical facility | Ground Report

Iran claims to have developed a test that can detect the Coronavirus in 5 seconds. Meanwhile, there's a 22% drop in new home construction in the United States. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the big global developments for Friday.

Gravitas: The big global developments for April 17 | Wuhan Coronavirus

President Donald Trump on Friday announced a $19 billion relief program to help U.S. farmers cope with the impact of the coronavirus, including $16 billion in direct payments to producers and mass purchases of meat, dairy, vegetables and other products.

US: Donald Trump announces $19 billion relief package for US farmers

Walmart Inc said on Friday it would hire 50,000 more workers at its stores, clubs and distribution centers to meet a surge in demand for groceries and household essentials from consumers stockpiling during the coronavirus outbreak.

Walmart to hire 50,000 more workers in coronavirus-driven hiring spree

Pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19) may arrives late in Africa, but now slowly taking hold with over 20,000 cases. Watch this complete video to get more details.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Africa to be the next COVID-19 hotspot?

One of the most anticipated movies of the year, Aamir Khan 'Laal Singh Chaddha' is likely release next year. 
 
In an interview with a news agency, movie writer Atul Kulkarni hinted that movie is likely to be pushed to the next year due to coronavirus outbreak.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4_nGQ3h3k-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Sat Sri Akaal ji, myself Laal...Laal Singh Chaddha.🙏</a>

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No official announcement has been made by the filmmakers about the release date so far. The movie is slated to release during Christmas this year.&nbsp; 
 
Advait Chandan directorial is a remake of Tom Hanks 1994 movie 'Forrest Gump'. In the movie, Aamir is seen playing a Sikh and the movie also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan in a lead role. 
 
Release date of several big-budget movies like Akshay Kumar's 'Sooryavanshi', Ranveer Singh '83' have been postponed due to pandemic.&nbsp;

One of the most anticipated movies of the year, Aamir Khan 'Laal Singh Chaddha' is likely release next year. In an interview with a news agency, movie writer Atul Kulkarni hinted that movie is likely to be pushed to the next year due to coronavirus outbreak.

One of the most anticipated movies of the year, Aamir Khan 'Laal Singh Chaddha' is likely release next year. In an interview with a news agency, movie writer Atul Kulkarni hinted that movie is likely to be pushed to the next year due to coronavirus outbreak. View this post on Instagram Sat Sri Akaal ji, myself Laal...Laal Singh Chaddha.🙏 A post shared by Aamir Khan (@_aamirkhan) on Nov 17, 2019 at 8:48pm PST × No official announcement has been made by the filmmakers about the release date so far. The movie is slated to release during Christmas this year. Advait Chandan directorial is a remake of Tom Hanks 1994 movie 'Forrest Gump'. In the movie, Aamir is seen playing a Sikh and the movie also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan in a lead role. Release date of several big-budget movies like Akshay Kumar's 'Sooryavanshi', Ranveer Singh '83' have been postponed due to pandemic.

Aamir Khan's 'Laal Singh Chaddha' likely to be postponed due to coronavirus outbreak

Netflix released 10 of its educational documentaries on Youtube for free as it would help teachers to screen for their virtual classrooms.

Watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/contagion-to-simpsons-movies-shows-that-predicted-coronavirus-years-ago-289509" hreflang="en">'Contagion' to 'Simpsons', movies-shows that predicted coronavirus years ago</a>

Due to the pandemic, the whole world has come to a standstill and it has confined millions of students to their homes. Now most have shifted to the virtual tools to keep the classes running.

Watch:<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/bollywood-news-watch-manoj-bajpayee-jacqueline-fernandez-reveal-premiere-date-of-their-netflix-film-mrs-serial-killer-292641" hreflang="en"> Manoj Bajpayee, Jacqueline Fernandez reveal premiere date of their Netflix film ' Mrs Serial Killer'</a> 
 
For many years, Netflix has allowed teachers to screen documentaries in their classrooms. Netflix said in a statement. “However, this isn’t possible with schools closed. So at their request, we have made a selection of our documentary features and series available on the Netflix US YouTube channel…We hope this will, in a small way, help teachers around the world.”

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JkaxUblCGz0" width="560"></iframe>

The company’s free documentaries include the David Attenborough-narrated 'Our Planet', which explores wonders of the natural world, and Ava DuVeray’s '13th', which examines the 13th Amendment, mass criminalization, and the American prison industry, 'Abstract: The Art of Design', which features visionary designers in the arts and sciences, 'Babies', which focuses on newborns.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/krfcq5pF8u8" width="560"></iframe>

The streaming platform is also making educational resources, including study guides and Q&amp;As, available for each documentary.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/here-is-your-go-to-guide-of-everything-new-you-can-watch-this-april-290187">Here is your go-to guide of everything new you can watch this April</a>

The documentaries are only available in English but the subtitles will be available in different languages later in the week. 
 
One of the most-watched streaming platforms charges a monthly subscription fee from users to avail its services.

Netflix released 10 of its educational documentaries on Youtube for free as it would help teachers to screen for their virtual classrooms. Watch: 'Contagion' to 'Simpsons', movies-shows that predicted coronavirus years ago Due to the pandemic, the whole world has come to a standstill and it has confined millions of students to their homes.

Netflix released 10 of its educational documentaries on Youtube for free as it would help teachers to screen for their virtual classrooms. Watch: 'Contagion' to 'Simpsons', movies-shows that predicted coronavirus years ago Due to the pandemic, the whole world has come to a standstill and it has confined millions of students to their homes. Now most have shifted to the virtual tools to keep the classes running. Watch: Manoj Bajpayee, Jacqueline Fernandez reveal premiere date of their Netflix film ' Mrs Serial Killer' For many years, Netflix has allowed teachers to screen documentaries in their classrooms. Netflix said in a statement. “However, this isn’t possible with schools closed. So at their request, we have made a selection of our documentary features and series available on the Netflix US YouTube channel…We hope this will, in a small way, help teachers around the world.” The company’s free documentaries include the David Attenborough-narrated 'Our Planet', which explores wonders of the natural world, and Ava DuVeray’s '13th', which examines the 13th Amendment, mass criminalization, and the American prison industry, 'Abstract: The Art of Design', which features visionary designers in the arts and sciences, 'Babies', which focuses on newborns. The streaming platform is also making educational resources, including study guides and Q&As, available for each documentary. In pics: Here is your go-to guide of everything new you can watch this April The documentaries are only available in English but the subtitles will be available in different languages later in the week. One of the most-watched streaming platforms charges a monthly subscription fee from users to avail its services.

Netflix releases ten educational documentaries on YouTube for free amid COVID-19

China's Wuhan has revised its death toll by 50%. The officials say 1,290 more people have died due to the coronavirus. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why China is being accused of under-reporting its coronavirus figures.

Gravitas: Wuhan raises its death toll by 50% | Coronavirus Outbreak

Pakistan's coronavirus cases on Saturday rose to 7,481 with 465 new patients even as the government struggled to control clerics flouting orders against congregations in mosques.

The Ministry of National Health Services reported that 143 people have died so far including eight on Friday. Another 1,832 have recovered.

The largest province of Punjab registered 3,391 patients, followed by Sindh with 2,217, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,077, Balochistan 335, Gilgit-Baltistan 250, Islamabad 163 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with 48 patients.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/south-asia-coronavirus-cases-hit-22000-as-maldives-locks-down-capital-293297">South Asia coronavirus cases hit 22,000 as Maldives locks down capital</a>

The ministry showed that so far 92,548 tests have been conducted, including 6,416 in the last 24 hours.

The steady rise continued despite hectic efforts to contain the spread.

One of the biggest hurdles being faced by the authorities has been to convince clerics to stop congregational prayers in mosques.

President Arif Alvi on Friday held talks with Jamaat-i-Islami chief Senator Sirajul Haq, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith chief Senator Sajid Mir and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Rana Tanveer Hussain over prayer congregations.

He was poised to continue consultations on Saturday to convince the clerics from different sectors to avoid big gatherings in the upcoming month of Ramzan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan is also expected to meet religious leaders to take them into confidence over the vital issue.

So far Tablighi Jamaat has promised to cooperate and its chief Maulana Nazarur Rehman appealed to his followers to follow official direction in Ramzan.

But a group of hardline clerics led by Mufti Muneebur Rehman and Mufti Taqi Usmani wanted to let the clerics decide the opening of mosques without any interference by the government.

Meanwhile, Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri, who is also a religious leader, on Friday asked the fellow clerics to abide by the guidelines of the government in order to defeat coronavirus.

On Friday, several incidents of violation of official directives were reported. But the situation was better than the previous Friday when scuffled took place between police and worshippers outside a mosque in Karachi.

In stark violation of the government orders, a recalcitrant cleric of Red Mosque had been holding regular Friday congregation in the heart of capital Islamabad.

Maulana Abdul Aziz refused to cooperate and the government was unable to remove him from the pulpit of a mosque which is owned by government's religious affairs ministry.

The government has said that only five worshippers including those who are associated with the affairs of the mosques are allowed to offer congregational prayers.

Meanwhile, it was reported that two women who returned to Pakistan from India via the Wagah border tested positive for the novel coronavirus. They were part of 41 people that returned to the country, according to The Express Tribune.

Pakistan's coronavirus cases on Saturday rose to 7,481 with 465 new patients even as the government struggled to control clerics flouting orders against congregations in mosques.

Pakistan's coronavirus cases on Saturday rose to 7,481 with 465 new patients even as the government struggled to control clerics flouting orders against congregations in mosques. The Ministry of National Health Services reported that 143 people have died so far including eight on Friday. Another 1,832 have recovered. The largest province of Punjab registered 3,391 patients, followed by Sindh with 2,217, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,077, Balochistan 335, Gilgit-Baltistan 250, Islamabad 163 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with 48 patients. Also read: South Asia coronavirus cases hit 22,000 as Maldives locks down capital The ministry showed that so far 92,548 tests have been conducted, including 6,416 in the last 24 hours. The steady rise continued despite hectic efforts to contain the spread. One of the biggest hurdles being faced by the authorities has been to convince clerics to stop congregational prayers in mosques. President Arif Alvi on Friday held talks with Jamaat-i-Islami chief Senator Sirajul Haq, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith chief Senator Sajid Mir and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Rana Tanveer Hussain over prayer congregations. He was poised to continue consultations on Saturday to convince the clerics from different sectors to avoid big gatherings in the upcoming month of Ramzan. Prime Minister Imran Khan is also expected to meet religious leaders to take them into confidence over the vital issue. So far Tablighi Jamaat has promised to cooperate and its chief Maulana Nazarur Rehman appealed to his followers to follow official direction in Ramzan. But a group of hardline clerics led by Mufti Muneebur Rehman and Mufti Taqi Usmani wanted to let the clerics decide the opening of mosques without any interference by the government. Meanwhile, Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri, who is also a religious leader, on Friday asked the fellow clerics to abide by the guidelines of the government in order to defeat coronavirus. On Friday, several incidents of violation of official directives were reported. But the situation was better than the previous Friday when scuffled took place between police and worshippers outside a mosque in Karachi. In stark violation of the government orders, a recalcitrant cleric of Red Mosque had been holding regular Friday congregation in the heart of capital Islamabad. Maulana Abdul Aziz refused to cooperate and the government was unable to remove him from the pulpit of a mosque which is owned by government's religious affairs ministry. The government has said that only five worshippers including those who are associated with the affairs of the mosques are allowed to offer congregational prayers. Meanwhile, it was reported that two women who returned to Pakistan from India via the Wagah border tested positive for the novel coronavirus. They were part of 41 people that returned to the country, according to The Express Tribune.

Pakistan struggles to rein in defiant clerics as COVID-19 cases near 7,500

Every time China is blamed for the Coronavirus crisis, Beijing tends to hide behind the excuses of misinformation about its response and racism against its citizens. WION's Palki Sharma gets you 2 videos that expose China's duplicity.

Gravitas: 2 Videos that expose Chinese propaganda

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