Prayers at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque compound suspended for Ramadan: Muslim clerics
Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque compound will be closed to Muslim worshippers throughout the holy fasting month of Ramadan due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Jordan-appointed council that oversees Islam’s third-holiest site said on Thursday.
Spain considers summer school for quarantined children, coronavirus deaths rise
Spain reported another substantial increase in daily deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday, taking the overall toll to more than 19,000, but figures from the region of Catalonia suggest the true total could be several thousand higher.
Mime artist breaks silence to give coronavirus health tips in Cairo
Wearing white face paint, stripy top and bright red spectacle frames, Ahmed Naser stands in a street in Cairo distributing face masks and health advice to passing children.
Putin postpones milestone Victory Day military parade over coronavirus
President Vladimir Putin, citing the deepening coronavirus crisis, said on Thursday Russia would postpone its May 9 celebrations including a huge military parade across Red Square to mark 75 years since the Soviet victory in World War Two.
Mass COVID-19 testing underway at stricken Belgian care homes
Belgium has begun testing more than 210,000 residents and staff at nursing homes, which now account for about half of the coronavirus-related deaths in the country.
Singapore reports 728 new virus cases in biggest daily jump, total 4,427
Singapore’s health ministry confirmed 728 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, a new daily record, taking the total in the city-state to 4,427.
Explainer: Why are some South Koreans who recovered from the coronavirus testing positive again?
South Korean health officials are investigating several possible explanations for a small but growing number of recovered coronavirus patients who later test positive for the virus again.
U.N. Yemen envoy expects warring parties to agree truce in ‘immediate future’
United Nations Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths said on Thursday he expects the warring parties to formally adopt “in the immediate future” agreements on a nationwide ceasefire, key economic and humanitarian measures and a resumption of political talks.
Britons to cheer health workers with weekly applause
Britons will applaud health workers and carers from their front doors and windows again on Thursday in what has become a weekly moment of social solidarity during the coronavirus lockdown.
Former Dutch prison offers shelter for homeless amid coronavirus
In the Dutch city of Maastricht the Salvation Army has converted a former prison into rooms for homeless people who can no longer safely stay at local shelters due to social distancing rules imposed amid the coronavirus outbreak.
