Morning news brief: Coronavirus death toll nears 1.5 lakh, China under pressure and more

Deadly coronavirus death toll closing in on 1.5 lakh globally, cases reach 2.18 million

The total number climbed from 1 million to 2 million confirmed cases in less than two weeks, and more than 600,000 cases have been recorded in the US alone.READ MORE

China under mounting pressure over virus origins

The new focus on China's role came as the world wrestles with a crisis that has killed more than 140,000 people and created historic jobless numbers, with Britain, Japan and New York extending lockdown measures.READ MORE

Trump announces gradual US reopening against dire economic backdrop