More than 70% of South Africans were found to be living in a household receiving a government grant in October. Since then, a number of COVID-19 relief payments have ended.

South Africa: Hunger rate plunges to 23% despite Covid relief payments

Throughout January 2020, WHO kept praising China's response publicly. But, audio recordings of internal WHO meetings show how senior officials were complaining about not getting enough information from China. WION's Molly Gambhir brings you the revelations.

Gravitas: Wuhan Virus Pandemic: Leaked audio featuring WHO officials reveal China's lapses

Relatives of the victims in Wuhan are demanding a meeting with the WHO investigators. They say Chinese authorities have deleted a WeChat group they were using to build support and hold officials accountable for the pandemic. WION's Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Wuhan: Families of victims demand a meeting with the WHO team

The US economy shrunk by 3.5 per cent last year as COVID-19 ravaged services businesses like restaurants and airlines, throwing millions of Americans out of work and into poverty.

It was the biggest contraction of the world's largest economy since 1946, the Commerce Department said on Thursday.

The contraction reflected the drop in spending as well as in "exports, private inventory investment, nonresidential fixed investment, and state and local government that were partly offset by increases in federal government spending and residential fixed investment," the report said.

Net exports fell 13 per cent last year while personal consumption expenditures dropped 3.9 per cent.

For the fourth quarter alone, GDP grew by an annual rate of 4.0 per cent, according to the first estimate for the final three months of the year.&nbsp;

Compared to the July-September period, the measure used in most other countries, fourth quarter growth was just 1.0 per cent, the report said.

That followed the record 7.5 per cent rebound in the third quarter, and the record 9.0 per cent drop in the April-June period.

The Commerce Department's snapshot of fourth-quarter gross domestic product on Thursday also showed the recovery from the pandemic losing steam as the year wound down amid a resurgence in coronavirus infections and exhaustion of nearly $3 trillion in relief money from the government.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday left its benchmark overnight interest rate near zero and pledged to continue injecting money into the economy through bond purchases, noting that "the pace of the recovery in economic activity and employment has moderated in recent months."

President Joe Biden has unveiled a recovery plan worth $1.9 trillion, and could use the GDP report to lean on some lawmakers who have balked at the price tag soon after the government provided nearly $900 billion in additional stimulus at the end of December.

The economy contracted 3.5 per cent in 2020, the worst performance since 1946. That followed 2.2 per cent growth in 2019 and was the first annual decline in GDP since the 2007-09 Great Recession. The economy plunged into recession last February.

In the fourth quarter, GDP increased at a 4.0 per cent annualised rate as the virus and lack of another spending package curtailed consumer spending, and partially overshadowed robust manufacturing and the housing market. GDP growth for the last quarter was in line with forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists.

With the virus not yet under control, economists are expecting growth to further slow down in the first quarter of 2021, before regaining speed by summer as the additional stimulus kicks in and more Americans get vaccinated.

The stars of the recovery have been the housing market and manufacturing as those who are still employed seek larger homes away from city centers, and buy electronics for home offices and schooling. Manufacturing's share of GDP has increased to 11.9 per cent from 11.6 per cent at the end of 2019.

(with inputs from agencies)

The US economy shrunk by 3.5 per cent last year as COVID-19 ravaged services businesses like restaurants and airlines, throwing millions of Americans out of work and into poverty.

The US economy shrunk by 3.5 per cent last year as COVID-19 ravaged services businesses like restaurants and airlines, throwing millions of Americans out of work and into poverty. It was the biggest contraction of the world's largest economy since 1946, the Commerce Department said on Thursday. The contraction reflected the drop in spending as well as in "exports, private inventory investment, nonresidential fixed investment, and state and local government that were partly offset by increases in federal government spending and residential fixed investment," the report said. Net exports fell 13 per cent last year while personal consumption expenditures dropped 3.9 per cent. For the fourth quarter alone, GDP grew by an annual rate of 4.0 per cent, according to the first estimate for the final three months of the year. Compared to the July-September period, the measure used in most other countries, fourth quarter growth was just 1.0 per cent, the report said. That followed the record 7.5 per cent rebound in the third quarter, and the record 9.0 per cent drop in the April-June period. The Commerce Department's snapshot of fourth-quarter gross domestic product on Thursday also showed the recovery from the pandemic losing steam as the year wound down amid a resurgence in coronavirus infections and exhaustion of nearly $3 trillion in relief money from the government. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday left its benchmark overnight interest rate near zero and pledged to continue injecting money into the economy through bond purchases, noting that "the pace of the recovery in economic activity and employment has moderated in recent months." President Joe Biden has unveiled a recovery plan worth $1.9 trillion, and could use the GDP report to lean on some lawmakers who have balked at the price tag soon after the government provided nearly $900 billion in additional stimulus at the end of December. The economy contracted 3.5 per cent in 2020, the worst performance since 1946. That followed 2.2 per cent growth in 2019 and was the first annual decline in GDP since the 2007-09 Great Recession. The economy plunged into recession last February. In the fourth quarter, GDP increased at a 4.0 per cent annualised rate as the virus and lack of another spending package curtailed consumer spending, and partially overshadowed robust manufacturing and the housing market. GDP growth for the last quarter was in line with forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists. With the virus not yet under control, economists are expecting growth to further slow down in the first quarter of 2021, before regaining speed by summer as the additional stimulus kicks in and more Americans get vaccinated. The stars of the recovery have been the housing market and manufacturing as those who are still employed seek larger homes away from city centers, and buy electronics for home offices and schooling. Manufacturing's share of GDP has increased to 11.9 per cent from 11.6 per cent at the end of 2019. (with inputs from agencies)

US economy contracts in 2020, has worst year since 1946

Coronavirus wrecks havoc around the world, many things are still continued to be pointed at the World Health Organisation (WHO) along with the Chinese authorities, for failing to act promptly during the initial days of the outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

China & WHO, both unsuccessful in taking prompt action against COVID-19 pandemic

Suicides increased in Japan during 2020 after a decade of declines. The number of women committing suicide has also surged amid the emotional and financial stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic even as fewer men took their own lives.

Suicide has a long history in Japan as a way of avoiding shame or dishonour, and its suicide rate has long topped the Group of Seven nations. A concerted national effort had, however, brought numbers down by roughly 40 percent over 15 years that included ten straight years of decline from 2009.

Preliminary police data published on Friday showed suicides totalled 20,919 last year, 750 more than in 2019.

The suicide rate had been trending lower in the first half of 2020, but from July onward the numbers began to rise as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak hit home.

As many as 13,943 men and 6,976 women took their lives -- a 1 per cent decline on the previous year for men but a 14.5 per cent increase for women, who tend to work in service and retail sectors that suffered more job losses during the pandemic.

The worst month was October, when suicides totaled 2,153 for the highest monthly total in over five years. The number of suicides by women, at 851, rose 82.6 percent on the same month in 2019.

For many years in Japan, getting psychological help has been stigmatised, but when suicides hit a peak of 34,427 in 2003, alarmed policymakers drew up a comprehensive prevention programme launched in 2007.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Suicides increased in Japan during 2020 after a decade of declines. The number of women committing suicide has also surged amid the emotional and financial stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic even as fewer men took their own lives.

Suicides increased in Japan during 2020 after a decade of declines. The number of women committing suicide has also surged amid the emotional and financial stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic even as fewer men took their own lives. Suicide has a long history in Japan as a way of avoiding shame or dishonour, and its suicide rate has long topped the Group of Seven nations. A concerted national effort had, however, brought numbers down by roughly 40 percent over 15 years that included ten straight years of decline from 2009. Preliminary police data published on Friday showed suicides totalled 20,919 last year, 750 more than in 2019. The suicide rate had been trending lower in the first half of 2020, but from July onward the numbers began to rise as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak hit home. As many as 13,943 men and 6,976 women took their lives -- a 1 per cent decline on the previous year for men but a 14.5 per cent increase for women, who tend to work in service and retail sectors that suffered more job losses during the pandemic. The worst month was October, when suicides totaled 2,153 for the highest monthly total in over five years. The number of suicides by women, at 851, rose 82.6 percent on the same month in 2019. For many years in Japan, getting psychological help has been stigmatised, but when suicides hit a peak of 34,427 in 2003, alarmed policymakers drew up a comprehensive prevention programme launched in 2007. (with inputs from Reuters)

Another downside of Covid pandemic: Suicides increase in Japan

The Biden administration believes that the WHO is vital to controlling the spread of COVID-19 and building back better global health and pandemic preparedness, Vice President Kamala Harris has told WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a day after the US rejoined the UN health agency.

The US rejoined the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday in one of the first official orders of the Joe Biden presidency, reversing a key foreign policy decision his predecessor Donald Trump took last year after accusing the UN health agency of incompetence and bowing to Chinese pressure over the coronavirus pandemic.

In April last year, as the coronavirus pandemic was spreading across the globe, Trump cut off US funding to the WHO, saying it was "virtually controlled by China." He then went further, triggering the process to pull the US completely out of the organisation. The withdrawal was due to go into effect in July this year, but Biden's order will cancel it.

During her phone call on Thursday, Harris discussed the decision by the Biden administration to rejoin the WHO with the health agency's Director-General Dr. Ghebreyesus.

Harris emphasised that she and Biden believe that the WHO is vital to controlling the spread of COVID-19 and building back better global health and pandemic preparedness, according to a readout of the call issued by the White House.

"The vice president and the director-general also discussed the resumption of the United States' role in the global public health and humanitarian response to the COVID-19 pandemic,? it said.

Harris also stressed on the Biden-Harris administration's strong support for efforts to strengthen the global COVID-19 response, mitigate its secondary impacts, including on women and girls, and advance global health security to prevent the next outbreak from becoming an epidemic or pandemic.

She emphasised the importance of making the US safer through global cooperation, the White House said.

Ghebreyesus thanked Harris for the call and congratulated her and Biden on their inauguration. Both the director-general and the vice president reiterated that they look forward to meeting in person.

Earlier in the day, Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious-disease expert, while addressing the WHO executive board meeting said the US will cease the drawdown of its staff seconded to the agency.

The US will also resume regular engagement of its government personnel with the WHO both directly and through the agency's collaborating centres, he said.

The United States intends to fulfil its financial obligations to the organisation. It sees technical collaboration at all levels as a fundamental part of our relationship with the WHO, one that we value deeply and look to strengthen going forward, Fauci said.

"As a WHO member state, the United States will work constructively with partners to strengthen and importantly reform the WHO, to help lead the collective effort to strengthen the international COVID-19 response and address its secondary impacts on people, communities, and health systems around the world,"&nbsp;he added.

The Biden administration also intends to be fully engaged in advancing global health, supporting global health security and the global health security agenda, and building a healthier future for all people.

"I am also pleased to announce today that the United States plans to work multilaterally to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden will issue a directive later today which will include the intent of the US to join COVAX and support the ACT-Accelerator to advance multilateral efforts for COVID-19 vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic distribution, equitable access, and research and development,"&nbsp;Fauci said.

The US will also work with the WHO and member states to counter the erosion of major gains in global health that we have achieved through decades of research, collaboration and investments in health and health security, including in HIV/AIDS, food security, malaria, and epidemic preparedness, he said.&nbsp;

The Biden administration believes that the WHO is vital to controlling the spread of COVID-19 and building back better global health and pandemic preparedness, Vice President Kamala Harris has told WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a day after the US rejoined the UN health agency.

The Biden administration believes that the WHO is vital to controlling the spread of COVID-19 and building back better global health and pandemic preparedness, Vice President Kamala Harris has told WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a day after the US rejoined the UN health agency. The US rejoined the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday in one of the first official orders of the Joe Biden presidency, reversing a key foreign policy decision his predecessor Donald Trump took last year after accusing the UN health agency of incompetence and bowing to Chinese pressure over the coronavirus pandemic. In April last year, as the coronavirus pandemic was spreading across the globe, Trump cut off US funding to the WHO, saying it was "virtually controlled by China." He then went further, triggering the process to pull the US completely out of the organisation. The withdrawal was due to go into effect in July this year, but Biden's order will cancel it. During her phone call on Thursday, Harris discussed the decision by the Biden administration to rejoin the WHO with the health agency's Director-General Dr. Ghebreyesus. Harris emphasised that she and Biden believe that the WHO is vital to controlling the spread of COVID-19 and building back better global health and pandemic preparedness, according to a readout of the call issued by the White House. "The vice president and the director-general also discussed the resumption of the United States' role in the global public health and humanitarian response to the COVID-19 pandemic,? it said. Harris also stressed on the Biden-Harris administration's strong support for efforts to strengthen the global COVID-19 response, mitigate its secondary impacts, including on women and girls, and advance global health security to prevent the next outbreak from becoming an epidemic or pandemic. She emphasised the importance of making the US safer through global cooperation, the White House said. Ghebreyesus thanked Harris for the call and congratulated her and Biden on their inauguration. Both the director-general and the vice president reiterated that they look forward to meeting in person. Earlier in the day, Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious-disease expert, while addressing the WHO executive board meeting said the US will cease the drawdown of its staff seconded to the agency. The US will also resume regular engagement of its government personnel with the WHO both directly and through the agency's collaborating centres, he said. The United States intends to fulfil its financial obligations to the organisation. It sees technical collaboration at all levels as a fundamental part of our relationship with the WHO, one that we value deeply and look to strengthen going forward, Fauci said. "As a WHO member state, the United States will work constructively with partners to strengthen and importantly reform the WHO, to help lead the collective effort to strengthen the international COVID-19 response and address its secondary impacts on people, communities, and health systems around the world," he added. The Biden administration also intends to be fully engaged in advancing global health, supporting global health security and the global health security agenda, and building a healthier future for all people. "I am also pleased to announce today that the United States plans to work multilaterally to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden will issue a directive later today which will include the intent of the US to join COVAX and support the ACT-Accelerator to advance multilateral efforts for COVID-19 vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic distribution, equitable access, and research and development," Fauci said. The US will also work with the WHO and member states to counter the erosion of major gains in global health that we have achieved through decades of research, collaboration and investments in health and health security, including in HIV/AIDS, food security, malaria, and epidemic preparedness, he said.

Biden administration believes WHO is vital to contain Covid pandemic: Kamala Harris tells WHO chief

The new US administration on Thursday thanked the World Health Organisation (WHO) for leading the global pandemic response and vowed to remain a member state. The dramatic about-turn came about as soon as Joe Biden took office as the president of the nation.

"Under trying circumstances, this organisation has rallied the scientific and research and development community to accelerate vaccines, therapies and diagnostics," top US scientist Anthony Fauci, who has been named President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor, told a meeting of the WHO's executive board.

The WHO, he said, had "relentlessly worked with nations in their fight against Covid-19."

His comments marked a clear departure from the harsh criticism dealt to the WHO by former US president Donald Trump, who had begun withdrawing his country from the organisation. But on his first day in office Wednesday, Biden reversed that decision.

In a letter sent to United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, Biden announced he was retracting Trump's July 6 notification that the United States intended to withdraw from the UN health agency in 12 months' time.

"The United States intends to remain a member of the World Health Organisation," Biden wrote.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the about-face.

In his address to the WHO on Thursday, Fauci stressed that Washington -- long the agency's top donor -- was also committed to resuming the funding.

He said Washington planned to "work constructively with partners to strengthen and importantly reform the WHO".

Fauci said the United States was aware of the towering task ahead in reining in the pandemic, which in just over a year has claimed more than two million lives, infected close to 100 million people and eviscerated the global economy.&nbsp;

Biden, said Fauci, was also preparing to issue a directive including the US intent to join the WHO co-led Covax facility, a globally-pooled Covid-19 vaccine procurement and distribution effort aimed at equitable vaccine access.

Fauci also mentioned an international mission finally under way in China to help investigate the origins of Covid-19.

Both the WHO and China have met criticism that the mission is taking place more than a year after the first cases of the virus surfaced in Wuhan.

The new US administration on Thursday thanked the World Health Organisation (WHO) for leading the global pandemic response and vowed to remain a member state. The dramatic about-turn came about as soon as Joe Biden took office as the president of the nation.

The new US administration on Thursday thanked the World Health Organisation (WHO) for leading the global pandemic response and vowed to remain a member state. The dramatic about-turn came about as soon as Joe Biden took office as the president of the nation. "Under trying circumstances, this organisation has rallied the scientific and research and development community to accelerate vaccines, therapies and diagnostics," top US scientist Anthony Fauci, who has been named President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor, told a meeting of the WHO's executive board. The WHO, he said, had "relentlessly worked with nations in their fight against Covid-19." His comments marked a clear departure from the harsh criticism dealt to the WHO by former US president Donald Trump, who had begun withdrawing his country from the organisation. But on his first day in office Wednesday, Biden reversed that decision. In a letter sent to United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, Biden announced he was retracting Trump's July 6 notification that the United States intended to withdraw from the UN health agency in 12 months' time. "The United States intends to remain a member of the World Health Organisation," Biden wrote. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the about-face. In his address to the WHO on Thursday, Fauci stressed that Washington -- long the agency's top donor -- was also committed to resuming the funding. He said Washington planned to "work constructively with partners to strengthen and importantly reform the WHO". Fauci said the United States was aware of the towering task ahead in reining in the pandemic, which in just over a year has claimed more than two million lives, infected close to 100 million people and eviscerated the global economy. Biden, said Fauci, was also preparing to issue a directive including the US intent to join the WHO co-led Covax facility, a globally-pooled Covid-19 vaccine procurement and distribution effort aimed at equitable vaccine access. Fauci also mentioned an international mission finally under way in China to help investigate the origins of Covid-19. Both the WHO and China have met criticism that the mission is taking place more than a year after the first cases of the virus surfaced in Wuhan.

In an about-turn, US thanks WHO for leading global Covid response

More than three quarters of people hospitalised with Covid-19 still suffered from at least one symptom after six months, according to a study published Saturday that scientists said shows the need for further investigation into lingering coronavirus effects.

The research, which was published in the Lancet medical journal and involved hundreds of patients in the Chinese city of Wuhan, is among the few to trace the long-term symptoms of Covid-19 infection.

It found that fatigue or muscle weakness were the most common symptoms, while people also reported sleeping difficulties.

"Because Covid-19 is such a new disease, we are only beginning to understand some of its long-term effects on patients' health," said lead author Bin Cao, of the National Center for Respiratory Medicine.

The professor said the research highlighted the need for ongoing care for patients after they have been discharged from hospital, particularly those who have had severe infections.

"Our work also underscores the importance of conducting longer follow-up studies in larger populations in order to understand the full spectrum of effects that Covid-19 can have on people," he added.

The World Health Organization has said the virus poses a risk for some people of serious ongoing effects -- even among young, otherwise healthy people who were not hospitalised.

The new study included 1,733 Covid-19 patients discharged from Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan between January and May last year.

Patients, who had an average age of 57, were visited between June and September and answered questions on their symptoms and health-related quality of life.&nbsp;

Researchers also conducted physical examinations and lab tests.&nbsp;

The study found that 76 percent of patients who participated in the follow-up (1,265 of 1,655) said they still had symptoms.

Fatigue or muscle weakness was reported by 63 percent, while 26 percent had sleep problems.

The study also looked at 94 patients whose blood antibody levels were recorded at the height of the infection as part of another trial.&nbsp;

When these patients were retested after six month, their levels of neutralising antibodies were 52.5 percent lower.&nbsp;

The authors said this raises concerns about the possibility of Covid-19 re-infection, although they said larger samples would be needed to clarify how immunity to the virus changes over time.&nbsp;

In a comment article also published in the Lancet, Monica Cortinovis, Norberto Perico, and Giuseppe Remuzzi, from Italy's Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, said there was uncertainty over the long-term health consequences of the pandemic.

"Unfortunately, there are few reports on the clinical picture of the aftermath of Covid-19," they said, adding the latest study was therefore "relevant and timely".

They said longer term multidisciplinary research being conducted in the United States and Britain would help improve understanding and help develop therapies to "mitigate the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on multiple organs and tissues".

More than three quarters of people hospitalised with Covid-19 still suffered from at least one symptom after six months, according to a study published Saturday that scientists said shows the need for further investigation into lingering coronavirus effects.

More than three quarters of people hospitalised with Covid-19 still suffered from at least one symptom after six months, according to a study published Saturday that scientists said shows the need for further investigation into lingering coronavirus effects. The research, which was published in the Lancet medical journal and involved hundreds of patients in the Chinese city of Wuhan, is among the few to trace the long-term symptoms of Covid-19 infection. It found that fatigue or muscle weakness were the most common symptoms, while people also reported sleeping difficulties. "Because Covid-19 is such a new disease, we are only beginning to understand some of its long-term effects on patients' health," said lead author Bin Cao, of the National Center for Respiratory Medicine. The professor said the research highlighted the need for ongoing care for patients after they have been discharged from hospital, particularly those who have had severe infections. "Our work also underscores the importance of conducting longer follow-up studies in larger populations in order to understand the full spectrum of effects that Covid-19 can have on people," he added. The World Health Organization has said the virus poses a risk for some people of serious ongoing effects -- even among young, otherwise healthy people who were not hospitalised. The new study included 1,733 Covid-19 patients discharged from Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan between January and May last year. Patients, who had an average age of 57, were visited between June and September and answered questions on their symptoms and health-related quality of life. Researchers also conducted physical examinations and lab tests. The study found that 76 percent of patients who participated in the follow-up (1,265 of 1,655) said they still had symptoms. Fatigue or muscle weakness was reported by 63 percent, while 26 percent had sleep problems. The study also looked at 94 patients whose blood antibody levels were recorded at the height of the infection as part of another trial. When these patients were retested after six month, their levels of neutralising antibodies were 52.5 percent lower. The authors said this raises concerns about the possibility of Covid-19 re-infection, although they said larger samples would be needed to clarify how immunity to the virus changes over time. In a comment article also published in the Lancet, Monica Cortinovis, Norberto Perico, and Giuseppe Remuzzi, from Italy's Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, said there was uncertainty over the long-term health consequences of the pandemic. "Unfortunately, there are few reports on the clinical picture of the aftermath of Covid-19," they said, adding the latest study was therefore "relevant and timely". They said longer term multidisciplinary research being conducted in the United States and Britain would help improve understanding and help develop therapies to "mitigate the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on multiple organs and tissues".

Most Covid-19 patients have at least one symptom six months on, study says

This year has taught mankind a lot, from making work from home normal to learning to bake everything from scratch, COVID-19 has also forced many people to become their own hairstylists. Watch report.

Pandemic helps people embrace their natural hair

The coronavirus pandemic has plunged the world into bit of an economic crisis. Even the United States is struggling and American families are finding it extremely hard to make ends meet which is resulting in nuclear families disintegrating. WION brings you a report.

Nuclear families disintegrating in America, pandemic's economic fallout expedites trend

The special session of the United Nations General Assembly in response to COVID-19 will take place on December 3 and 4 at the UN Headquarters.

Nearly 100 world leaders and several dozen ministers are slated to speak at the special session on coronavirus and the best path to recovery from the pandemic which has claimed 1.5 million lives, shattered economies, and left tens of millions of people unemployed in countries rich and poor.

Assembly President Volkan Bozkir, to this end, said, "With news of multiple vaccines on the cusp of approval, and with trillions of dollars flowing into global recovery efforts, the international community has a unique opportunity to do this right."

"The world is looking to the UN for leadership. This is a test for multilateralism. When financial markets collapsed and the world faced its last great crisis in 2008, major powers worked together to restore the global economy, but the COVID-19 pandemic has been striking for the opposite response: no leader, no united action to stop the pandemic that has circled the globe," he added.

The two-day special session will not be raising money to finance vaccine immunisations or taking any political action, and there will be no final declaration, just a summary document from Bozkir.

Leaders and ministers from over 140 countries will deliver pre-recorded speeches on Thursday after an in-person opening in the General Assembly including speeches by Bozkir and Guterres.&nbsp;

Among the leaders slated to address the session are French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and European Union chief Charles Michel. The United States will be represented by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.

Friday's session will focus on three virtual panels, the first on the UN's response to COVID-19 and the second on vaccines that will include representatives from producers BioNTech and Oxford University-AstraZeneca, and the World Health Organization's ACT-Accelerator which is working to get vaccines to the world's poorest people.

The final panel is on recovery from COVID-19. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is expected to participate in all three panels.

UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said secretary-general Antonio Guterres will be focussing on the need for all countries and people everywhere to have access to vaccines.

The special session of the United Nations General Assembly in response to COVID-19 will take place on December 3 and 4 at the UN Headquarters. Nearly 100 world leaders and several dozen ministers are slated to speak at the special session on coronavirus and the best path to recovery from the pandemic which has claimed 1.

The special session of the United Nations General Assembly in response to COVID-19 will take place on December 3 and 4 at the UN Headquarters. Nearly 100 world leaders and several dozen ministers are slated to speak at the special session on coronavirus and the best path to recovery from the pandemic which has claimed 1.5 million lives, shattered economies, and left tens of millions of people unemployed in countries rich and poor. Assembly President Volkan Bozkir, to this end, said, "With news of multiple vaccines on the cusp of approval, and with trillions of dollars flowing into global recovery efforts, the international community has a unique opportunity to do this right." "The world is looking to the UN for leadership. This is a test for multilateralism. When financial markets collapsed and the world faced its last great crisis in 2008, major powers worked together to restore the global economy, but the COVID-19 pandemic has been striking for the opposite response: no leader, no united action to stop the pandemic that has circled the globe," he added. The two-day special session will not be raising money to finance vaccine immunisations or taking any political action, and there will be no final declaration, just a summary document from Bozkir. Leaders and ministers from over 140 countries will deliver pre-recorded speeches on Thursday after an in-person opening in the General Assembly including speeches by Bozkir and Guterres. Among the leaders slated to address the session are French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and European Union chief Charles Michel. The United States will be represented by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Friday's session will focus on three virtual panels, the first on the UN's response to COVID-19 and the second on vaccines that will include representatives from producers BioNTech and Oxford University-AstraZeneca, and the World Health Organization's ACT-Accelerator which is working to get vaccines to the world's poorest people. The final panel is on recovery from COVID-19. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is expected to participate in all three panels. UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said secretary-general Antonio Guterres will be focussing on the need for all countries and people everywhere to have access to vaccines.

World leaders to address special session of UN General Assembly on COVID-19

Japan's capsule hotels are struggling to stay afloat during the Coronavirus pandemic. One of them has now come up with an interesting solution, with a little bit of renovation work these capsule rooms have been turned into a perfect work spaces. WION brings you a report.

Tokyo Capsule hotel owner converts rooms into offices

Gibraltar was never on Bruno Miani's list of places to visit -- but that all changed when the pandemic upended his plans to marry his girlfriend in Dublin where they live.

With government offices closed due to virus restrictions, the 40-year-old photographer and his partner struggled to get the documents they needed for a wedding license and faced a long wait for an available time slot for the ceremony.

So the Brazilian couple took a low-cost flight to Malaga and then traveled by bus to Gibraltar, a tiny British territory at the southernmost tip of Spain where on Tuesday they tied the knot at the local Registry Office before a portrait of Queen Elizabeth.

"The fastest way to get married now is to go to Gibraltar," said Miani, whose eyes welled with tears when the registrar declared that he and Natalia Senna Alves de Lima were now legally husband and wife.

"We love each other a lot. We already live together as a married couple. This makes it official."

Gibraltar requires minimum bureaucracy to get married and there are no virus border restrictions, which has helped turn it into a wedding hotspot during the pandemic.

Couples just need to present their passports and birth certificates, and stay in the territory overnight either before or after their wedding.

They then just need to have their marriage registered by the authorities in their home country.

Wedding planners report huge demand from couples from outside the territory.

"It is absolutely insane. We just can't get enough slots and spaces," said Leanne Hindle, the director of wedding events company Marry Abroad Simply.

Read also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/06/01/love-at-first-sight-pandemic-accelerates-courtship-wedding.html" target="_blank">Love at first sight: Pandemic accelerates courtship, wedding</a>

'Heartbreaking'

Many marriages being celebrated in Gibraltar involve couples of different nationalities in long-distance relationships who could not travel to each other's country to get married and start their lives together because of virus travel restrictions.

Often there is a pressing need to wed, such as the case of a couple whose insurance would not cover the expensive fertility treatment they needed to have a child unless they were married, said Hindle.

A common scenario involves a person being offered a job in another country and they can only bring their partner with them if they are legally married, she added.

"It's heartbreaking," said Hindle. "It is not just because they fancy getting married during COVID because it is a story for the grandkids."

Scott Gerow, a 41-year-old US national, married a 44-year-old Russian human resources manager at Gibraltar's picturesque botanical gardens earlier this month.

The couple met in January in St.Petersburg where Gerow was working at the time but after he had to return to the United States in June, they were kept apart by virus travel bans which prevented them from visiting each other's country.

As a married couple, she will now be able to join him in the US.

If the option of getting married in Gibraltar did not exist "we would still be video chatting everyday," Gerow said.

Gibraltar is also drawing many couples from neighboring Spanish regions because its rules on the use of face masks in public and the size of social gatherings are less strict, said Resham Mahtani, a wedding planner at Rock Occasions.

Spain's southern Andalusia region which surrounds the British territory limits private gatherings to a maximum of six people indoors, compared to a limit of 16 people in Gibraltar which only recorded its first COVID-19 death earlier this month.

'Place of love'

Most couples who come from further away attend their wedding without any family present because of the expense of travelling to Gibraltar. Many use laptops and mobile phones to broadcast the ceremony over the internet to loved ones back home.

"We were all alone, away from my friends and family. That was really difficult," said Liza Ursini, a 57-year-old nurse from Canada who travelled to Gibraltar last month to marry a man from the southern Spanish city of Seville.&nbsp;

He was then finally able to move to her hometown in the French speaking province of Quebec so they could start living together.

The ease of getting married in Gibraltar made international headlines when John Lennon married Yoko Ono there in 1969 after facing a series of hurdles in other countries.

The event was immortalized in a picture of the couple standing in front of Gibraltar's famous limestone promontory at the territory's airport and in the Beatles song "The Ballad of John and Yoko".

The territory has dealt with the surge in demand by increasing the number of weddings carried out daily at its tiny registrar's office and expanding the number of outdoor venues where ceremonies can be held.

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo told AFP he was "delighted that Gibraltar has become known as a place of love rather than a place of division."

For anyone who needs to "make that bond of love official and legal, Gibraltar is the place for you," he added.

Gibraltar was never on Bruno Miani's list of places to visit -- but that all changed when the pandemic upended his plans to marry his girlfriend in Dublin where they live.

Gibraltar was never on Bruno Miani's list of places to visit -- but that all changed when the pandemic upended his plans to marry his girlfriend in Dublin where they live. With government offices closed due to virus restrictions, the 40-year-old photographer and his partner struggled to get the documents they needed for a wedding license and faced a long wait for an available time slot for the ceremony. So the Brazilian couple took a low-cost flight to Malaga and then traveled by bus to Gibraltar, a tiny British territory at the southernmost tip of Spain where on Tuesday they tied the knot at the local Registry Office before a portrait of Queen Elizabeth. "The fastest way to get married now is to go to Gibraltar," said Miani, whose eyes welled with tears when the registrar declared that he and Natalia Senna Alves de Lima were now legally husband and wife. "We love each other a lot. We already live together as a married couple. This makes it official." Gibraltar requires minimum bureaucracy to get married and there are no virus border restrictions, which has helped turn it into a wedding hotspot during the pandemic. Couples just need to present their passports and birth certificates, and stay in the territory overnight either before or after their wedding. They then just need to have their marriage registered by the authorities in their home country. Wedding planners report huge demand from couples from outside the territory. "It is absolutely insane. We just can't get enough slots and spaces," said Leanne Hindle, the director of wedding events company Marry Abroad Simply. Read also: Love at first sight: Pandemic accelerates courtship, wedding 'Heartbreaking' Many marriages being celebrated in Gibraltar involve couples of different nationalities in long-distance relationships who could not travel to each other's country to get married and start their lives together because of virus travel restrictions. Often there is a pressing need to wed, such as the case of a couple whose insurance would not cover the expensive fertility treatment they needed to have a child unless they were married, said Hindle. A common scenario involves a person being offered a job in another country and they can only bring their partner with them if they are legally married, she added. "It's heartbreaking," said Hindle. "It is not just because they fancy getting married during COVID because it is a story for the grandkids." Scott Gerow, a 41-year-old US national, married a 44-year-old Russian human resources manager at Gibraltar's picturesque botanical gardens earlier this month. The couple met in January in St.Petersburg where Gerow was working at the time but after he had to return to the United States in June, they were kept apart by virus travel bans which prevented them from visiting each other's country. As a married couple, she will now be able to join him in the US. If the option of getting married in Gibraltar did not exist "we would still be video chatting everyday," Gerow said. Gibraltar is also drawing many couples from neighboring Spanish regions because its rules on the use of face masks in public and the size of social gatherings are less strict, said Resham Mahtani, a wedding planner at Rock Occasions. Spain's southern Andalusia region which surrounds the British territory limits private gatherings to a maximum of six people indoors, compared to a limit of 16 people in Gibraltar which only recorded its first COVID-19 death earlier this month. 'Place of love' Most couples who come from further away attend their wedding without any family present because of the expense of travelling to Gibraltar. Many use laptops and mobile phones to broadcast the ceremony over the internet to loved ones back home. "We were all alone, away from my friends and family. That was really difficult," said Liza Ursini, a 57-year-old nurse from Canada who travelled to Gibraltar last month to marry a man from the southern Spanish city of Seville. He was then finally able to move to her hometown in the French speaking province of Quebec so they could start living together. The ease of getting married in Gibraltar made international headlines when John Lennon married Yoko Ono there in 1969 after facing a series of hurdles in other countries. The event was immortalized in a picture of the couple standing in front of Gibraltar's famous limestone promontory at the territory's airport and in the Beatles song "The Ballad of John and Yoko". The territory has dealt with the surge in demand by increasing the number of weddings carried out daily at its tiny registrar's office and expanding the number of outdoor venues where ceremonies can be held. Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo told AFP he was "delighted that Gibraltar has become known as a place of love rather than a place of division." For anyone who needs to "make that bond of love official and legal, Gibraltar is the place for you," he added.

Foreigners flock to Gibraltar to wed during pandemic

The deadly Wuhan virus is still taking lives, burial ground are growing and in South Asia there is a threat of a second wave. Here’s a report.

The threat of Wuhan virus is far from over

Food banks in Los Angeles are witnessing an unprecedented surge in demand. Apart from the pandemic, the festive season & upcoming holidays season have also compounded the pressure on these food banks across America.

Los Angeles food banks witness unprecedented surge in demand

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top leaders of the SCO member-states are set to deliberate on a plethora of pressing issues, including ways to deal with adverse economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and rising threat of terrorism, at a virtual summit of the bloc on Tuesday.

This is for the first time Modi and Xi are expected to come face-to-face, albeit virtually, since the border standoff between India and China began in eastern Ladakh in early May.

Government sources said, the summit is expected to focus on countering the spread of terrorism including use of the internet for spreading radicalisation, as also issues relating to trade and economic activities.

Beijing-headquartered Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), seen as a counterweight to NATO, is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

The annual summit of SCO council of heads of state deals with all the key areas of the activities of the powerful bloc including political, security, trade, economic and cultural.

Prime Minister Modi has led the Indian delegation at the annual SCO summit since India became a full member in 2017.

However, India's association with the organisation dates back to 2005 when it became an Observer State of the grouping. Since then, India has played a positive and constructive role in all areas of SCO activities with a special emphasis on cooperation in trade and economy, officials said.

Russia is the current chair of the SCO and President Vladimir Putin will be chairing the summit meeting which is being held for the first time in virtual format due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The summit will culminate with the release of a Moscow declaration which will reflect the broad agenda of the bloc for the next one year.

Apart from the Moscow declaration, the summit may issue separate documents on digital economy, COVID-19, countering the spread of terrorism.

Apart from India, China and Russia, the summit is scheduled to be attended by heads all other member states -- Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The heads of four Observer States of SCO ? Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia will also participate.

In the summit held in Bishkek last year, Prime Minister Modi had given his vision for the SCO with the acronym HEALTH with H for health care cooperation, E for economic cooperation, A for alternative energy, L for literature and culture, T for terrorism free society and H for humanitarian cooperation.

India also participated in two in-person meetings of the SCO defence ministers and council of foreign ministers in Moscow in September.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top leaders of the SCO member-states are set to deliberate on a plethora of pressing issues, including ways to deal with adverse economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and rising threat of terrorism, at a virtual summit of the bloc on Tuesday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top leaders of the SCO member-states are set to deliberate on a plethora of pressing issues, including ways to deal with adverse economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and rising threat of terrorism, at a virtual summit of the bloc on Tuesday. This is for the first time Modi and Xi are expected to come face-to-face, albeit virtually, since the border standoff between India and China began in eastern Ladakh in early May. Government sources said, the summit is expected to focus on countering the spread of terrorism including use of the internet for spreading radicalisation, as also issues relating to trade and economic activities. Beijing-headquartered Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), seen as a counterweight to NATO, is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017. The annual summit of SCO council of heads of state deals with all the key areas of the activities of the powerful bloc including political, security, trade, economic and cultural. Prime Minister Modi has led the Indian delegation at the annual SCO summit since India became a full member in 2017. However, India's association with the organisation dates back to 2005 when it became an Observer State of the grouping. Since then, India has played a positive and constructive role in all areas of SCO activities with a special emphasis on cooperation in trade and economy, officials said. Russia is the current chair of the SCO and President Vladimir Putin will be chairing the summit meeting which is being held for the first time in virtual format due to the coronavirus pandemic. The summit will culminate with the release of a Moscow declaration which will reflect the broad agenda of the bloc for the next one year. Apart from the Moscow declaration, the summit may issue separate documents on digital economy, COVID-19, countering the spread of terrorism. Apart from India, China and Russia, the summit is scheduled to be attended by heads all other member states -- Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The heads of four Observer States of SCO ? Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia will also participate. In the summit held in Bishkek last year, Prime Minister Modi had given his vision for the SCO with the acronym HEALTH with H for health care cooperation, E for economic cooperation, A for alternative energy, L for literature and culture, T for terrorism free society and H for humanitarian cooperation. India also participated in two in-person meetings of the SCO defence ministers and council of foreign ministers in Moscow in September.

SCO summit to be held on Tuesday; Covid pandemic, terrorism to be discussed

Indian and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will hold virtual summit on Friday even as India increases its engagement with Europe. While this is the 5th virtual summit India is holding amid the COVID pandemic, this is the 3rd one with European leadership.

In the month of July, the 15th India EU summit took place virtually with the participation by President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.&nbsp; 
 
Later India held a virtual summit with Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen.

A Ministry of External Affairs release said the virtual summit, "will give an opportunity to the two leaders to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship and exchange views on major regional and global issues of mutual concern."

The development comes even as India is increasing its engagement with European countries. Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla was in Paris, Berlin and London. During his interlocutors in all 3 European capitals, he discussed many issues, like Indo Pacific, terrorism, radicalization and COVID crisis.

The virtual summit or what is being termed as diplomacy in the age of pandemic took place with Australian PM Scott Morrison and later with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

On the ties, the release said, "India and Italy share a warm and multifaceted relationship based on strong historical ties, common democratic traditions, rule of law and a shared goal of international peace and stability."

Explaining, "India views Italy as an important member of the EU and values its positive contribution in furthering India-EU ties."

Italy is India’s 5th largest trading partner in the EU, after Germany, Belgium, UK and France. Around 600 large Italian companies are active in India with bilateral trade standing at Euros 9.52 billion in 2019.

Indian and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will hold virtual summit on Friday even as India increases its engagement with Europe. While this is the 5th virtual summit India is holding amid the COVID pandemic, this is the 3rd one with European leadership.

Indian and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will hold virtual summit on Friday even as India increases its engagement with Europe. While this is the 5th virtual summit India is holding amid the COVID pandemic, this is the 3rd one with European leadership. In the month of July, the 15th India EU summit took place virtually with the participation by President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Later India held a virtual summit with Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen. A Ministry of External Affairs release said the virtual summit, "will give an opportunity to the two leaders to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship and exchange views on major regional and global issues of mutual concern." The development comes even as India is increasing its engagement with European countries. Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla was in Paris, Berlin and London. During his interlocutors in all 3 European capitals, he discussed many issues, like Indo Pacific, terrorism, radicalization and COVID crisis. The virtual summit or what is being termed as diplomacy in the age of pandemic took place with Australian PM Scott Morrison and later with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. On the ties, the release said, "India and Italy share a warm and multifaceted relationship based on strong historical ties, common democratic traditions, rule of law and a shared goal of international peace and stability." Explaining, "India views Italy as an important member of the EU and values its positive contribution in furthering India-EU ties." Italy is India’s 5th largest trading partner in the EU, after Germany, Belgium, UK and France. Around 600 large Italian companies are active in India with bilateral trade standing at Euros 9.52 billion in 2019.

With Europe in focus, India-Italy virtual summit on Friday

Boeing cut its rolling 20-year forecast for airplane demand on Tuesday, sending its shares lower as the COVID-19 pandemic lays waste to deliveries over the next few years.

Boeing cuts jet demand forecast on pandemic crisis

Russia has successfully developed the world’s “first” coronavirus vaccine, the country’s president Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday.

"This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered" in Russia, Putin&nbsp;said during a televised video conference call with government ministers.

Putin also said that his&nbsp;daughter was inoculated with new Russian coronavirus vaccine.

The Association of Clinical Trials Organizations (ACTO), a body that&nbsp;represents organisations conducting&nbsp;clinical trials in Russia had reportedly urged for more trials&nbsp;before its registration as an official vaccine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-vaccine-nationalism-cannot-beat-coronavirus-318716">WHO says 'vaccine nationalism' cannot beat coronavirus</a>

Earlier,&nbsp;Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko had announced that the European country is expecting to start the mass production of the vaccine from October 2020. He also assured that all expenses related to the vaccine will be covered in the state budget.

"At the moment, the last, third, stage is underway. The trials are extremely important. We have to understand that the vaccine must be safe. Medical professionals and senior citizens will be the first to get vaccinated," Deputy Health Minister Oleg Gridnev told reporters on August 7&nbsp;at the opening of a cancer centre building in the city of Ufa.

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"We plan wider vaccinations for October," Murashko was quoted as saying. He also added that the vaccine will first be made available for doctors and teachers.

The clinical trials for this vaccine began on June 18 with 38 volunteers, out of which the first group of volunteers were discharged on July 15 and second group was discharged on July 20.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-preparing-mass-vaccination-against-covid-19-for-october-317501">Russia preparing mass vaccination against COVID-19 for October</a>

The vaccine, which was jointly developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry, will be officially registered on August 12.

This makes Russia the first country in the world to register a COVID-19 vaccine, since the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan in December 2019.

Russia has successfully developed the world’s “first” coronavirus vaccine, the country’s president Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday. "This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered" in Russia, Putin said during a televised video conference call with government ministers.

Russia has successfully developed the world’s “first” coronavirus vaccine, the country’s president Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday. "This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered" in Russia, Putin said during a televised video conference call with government ministers. Putin also said that his daughter was inoculated with new Russian coronavirus vaccine. The Association of Clinical Trials Organizations (ACTO), a body that represents organisations conducting clinical trials in Russia had reportedly urged for more trials before its registration as an official vaccine. Also read: WHO says 'vaccine nationalism' cannot beat coronavirus Earlier, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko had announced that the European country is expecting to start the mass production of the vaccine from October 2020. He also assured that all expenses related to the vaccine will be covered in the state budget. "At the moment, the last, third, stage is underway. The trials are extremely important. We have to understand that the vaccine must be safe. Medical professionals and senior citizens will be the first to get vaccinated," Deputy Health Minister Oleg Gridnev told reporters on August 7 at the opening of a cancer centre building in the city of Ufa. "We plan wider vaccinations for October," Murashko was quoted as saying. He also added that the vaccine will first be made available for doctors and teachers. The clinical trials for this vaccine began on June 18 with 38 volunteers, out of which the first group of volunteers were discharged on July 15 and second group was discharged on July 20. Also read: Russia preparing mass vaccination against COVID-19 for October The vaccine, which was jointly developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry, will be officially registered on August 12. This makes Russia the first country in the world to register a COVID-19 vaccine, since the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan in December 2019.

Russia has developed world's 'first' coronavirus vaccine: Putin

A 30-year-old&nbsp;who thought that the coronavirus pandemic was a hoax has succumbed to the deadly virus in&nbsp;San Antonio.

The deceased had attended a "COVID party" thinking that the novel coronavirus is a hoax.&nbsp;

“Just before the patient died, they looked at their nurse and said ‘I think I made a mistake, I thought this was a hoax, but it’s not,’” said Dr Jane Appleby, the chief medical officer at Methodist hospital in San Antonio.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-us-reports-9747-new-cases-death-toll-crosses-135000-312836">Also read:&nbsp;COVID 19: US reports 9,747 new cases; death toll crosses 135,000</a>

The concept of a "COVID party" has been becoming very popular in the US, which is the worst affected country in the world. In these parties, someone affected by the novel coronavirus hosts a party and invites a bunch of people to check if the virus spreads and infects anybody else. The party is hosted to prove that the pandemic is a hoax.

Sadly, the rising trend of the COVID parties is adding to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the US, experts believe.

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A sad, shocking story from the chief medical officer of San Antonio’s Methodist Hospital: A 30-year-old who attended a “Covid party” and then made a deathbed confession to the nurse. “I think I made a mistake. I thought this was a hoax.” <a href="https://t.co/MfruZjZais">pic.twitter.com/MfruZjZais</a>
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddiamond/status/1281945527563751424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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“I don’t want to be an alarmist, and we’re just trying to share some real-world examples to help our community realise that this virus is very serious and can spread easily,” Appleby said. She also stated that the positivity rate in the US has jumped to 22 per cent, which means that&nbsp;about 1 in 5 people are testing positive out of the total samples.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-records-highest-single-daily-spike-with-230370-global-coronavirus-cases-312834">Also read:&nbsp;WHO records highest single-daily spike with 230,370 global coronavirus cases</a>

"This is a concerning increase from a positive rate of about five percent only several weeks ago," she added.

She also said that the age range of people being infected&nbsp; by the virus is increasing as a lot of people aged between 20-30 are now getting infected, which is against the earlier expert view that the virus affects more old aged and young kids.

“Please wear a mask, stay at home when you can, avoid groups of people and sanitise your hands,” Appleby requested.

A 30-year-old who thought that the coronavirus pandemic was a hoax has succumbed to the deadly virus in San Antonio. The deceased had attended a "COVID party" thinking that the novel coronavirus is a hoax.

A 30-year-old who thought that the coronavirus pandemic was a hoax has succumbed to the deadly virus in San Antonio. The deceased had attended a "COVID party" thinking that the novel coronavirus is a hoax. “Just before the patient died, they looked at their nurse and said ‘I think I made a mistake, I thought this was a hoax, but it’s not,’” said Dr Jane Appleby, the chief medical officer at Methodist hospital in San Antonio. Also read: COVID 19: US reports 9,747 new cases; death toll crosses 135,000 The concept of a "COVID party" has been becoming very popular in the US, which is the worst affected country in the world. In these parties, someone affected by the novel coronavirus hosts a party and invites a bunch of people to check if the virus spreads and infects anybody else. The party is hosted to prove that the pandemic is a hoax. Sadly, the rising trend of the COVID parties is adding to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the US, experts believe. A sad, shocking story from the chief medical officer of San Antonio’s Methodist Hospital: A 30-year-old who attended a “Covid party” and then made a deathbed confession to the nurse. “I think I made a mistake. I thought this was a hoax.” pic.twitter.com/MfruZjZais — Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) July 11, 2020 × “I don’t want to be an alarmist, and we’re just trying to share some real-world examples to help our community realise that this virus is very serious and can spread easily,” Appleby said. She also stated that the positivity rate in the US has jumped to 22 per cent, which means that about 1 in 5 people are testing positive out of the total samples. Also read: WHO records highest single-daily spike with 230,370 global coronavirus cases "This is a concerning increase from a positive rate of about five percent only several weeks ago," she added. She also said that the age range of people being infected by the virus is increasing as a lot of people aged between 20-30 are now getting infected, which is against the earlier expert view that the virus affects more old aged and young kids. “Please wear a mask, stay at home when you can, avoid groups of people and sanitise your hands,” Appleby requested.

I made a mistake: 30-year-old dies after attending COVID party

India on Friday listed out its priorities as it is all set to be elected as a non-permanent seat for United Nations Security Council from January 2021 saying that it will help "overcome faultline" in a world in which "normal process of international governance" has come under "strain as frictions have occurred".

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while launching the brochure outlining India's priority as part of a campaign for UNSC elected seat said, " As a rule-abiding democracy and as a positive contributor to the security of the global commons in India will work constructively with partners to overcome old and new faultlines and will offer an innovative and inclusive solution".

Explaining, "India can play a positive global role and we have always been the voice of reason. We advocate dialogue consultations &amp; fairness".

The elections for the 5 non-permanent seats of United Nations Security Council will take place on 17th June with India being one of the candidates. India will be standing unopposed for the Asia Pacific seat which is currently held by Indonesia and had announced its candidacy for the the2021-2022 term in November 2013. It was endorsed by the Asia Pacific group in June 2019.

Highlighting the concerns regarding the ongoing COVID crisis, EAM said, "COVID pandemic &amp; its grave economic repercussion will test the world like never before" and India will, "will help developing countries obtain the necessary support to recover the COVID pandemic". 
&nbsp; 
The Priorities Paper or the brochure issued by India lists 5 main priorities including an Effective response to international terrorism &amp; reforming the multilateral system which remains "unreformed &amp; under-represented". New Delhi's approach will be guided by "Five S’s”, as set out by the Prime Minister which is Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Sahyog (cooperation), Shanti (Peace), to create conditions for universal &amp; Samriddhi (Prosperity).

All in All 7 member states--Canada, Djibouti, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway are in the fray. For one seat of Africa--Djibouti and Kenya are standing, for 2 seats of western Europe and others--3 countries, Canada, Ireland and Norway standing. For the Asia Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean seat--India and Mexico stand unopposed. 
&nbsp; 
As the founding member of the world body, India has served 7 times as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. India’s overall objective during its tenure in the UN Security Council starting next year will be the achievement of N.O.R.M.S: a New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System.

India on Friday listed out its priorities as it is all set to be elected as a non-permanent seat for United Nations Security Council from January 2021 saying that it will help "overcome faultline" in a world in which "normal process of international governance" has come under "strain as frictions have occurred".

India on Friday listed out its priorities as it is all set to be elected as a non-permanent seat for United Nations Security Council from January 2021 saying that it will help "overcome faultline" in a world in which "normal process of international governance" has come under "strain as frictions have occurred". External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while launching the brochure outlining India's priority as part of a campaign for UNSC elected seat said, " As a rule-abiding democracy and as a positive contributor to the security of the global commons in India will work constructively with partners to overcome old and new faultlines and will offer an innovative and inclusive solution". Explaining, "India can play a positive global role and we have always been the voice of reason. We advocate dialogue consultations & fairness". The elections for the 5 non-permanent seats of United Nations Security Council will take place on 17th June with India being one of the candidates. India will be standing unopposed for the Asia Pacific seat which is currently held by Indonesia and had announced its candidacy for the the2021-2022 term in November 2013. It was endorsed by the Asia Pacific group in June 2019. Highlighting the concerns regarding the ongoing COVID crisis, EAM said, "COVID pandemic & its grave economic repercussion will test the world like never before" and India will, "will help developing countries obtain the necessary support to recover the COVID pandemic". The Priorities Paper or the brochure issued by India lists 5 main priorities including an Effective response to international terrorism & reforming the multilateral system which remains "unreformed & under-represented". New Delhi's approach will be guided by "Five S’s”, as set out by the Prime Minister which is Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Sahyog (cooperation), Shanti (Peace), to create conditions for universal & Samriddhi (Prosperity). All in All 7 member states--Canada, Djibouti, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway are in the fray. For one seat of Africa--Djibouti and Kenya are standing, for 2 seats of western Europe and others--3 countries, Canada, Ireland and Norway standing. For the Asia Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean seat--India and Mexico stand unopposed. As the founding member of the world body, India has served 7 times as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. India’s overall objective during its tenure in the UN Security Council starting next year will be the achievement of N.O.R.M.S: a New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System.

India vows to 'overcome fault lines' as it takes charge at UNSC

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