Police fires tear gas against people protesting in Hong Kong against the proposed national security laws

The Hong Kong Police Force had to fire tear gas and pepper sprays in less than an hour from the start of the march to disperse thousands of people protesting on Sunday against Beijing's proposed plan on imposing the highly controversial national security laws to the city of Hong Kong. According to reports, the protest never received any official authorization from authorities as thousand of people went against the social distancing norms implemented as a precautionary measure during the Coronavirus pandemic situation, that prohibits groups of eight or more people from gathering. Protesters started to gather in masses in the Causeway Bay, with thousands of citizens marching and chanting slogans to liberate Hong Kong, and demanding independence for the Chinese special administrative region.

Wang Yanyi, the Director General of Wuhan Institute of Virology said the institute had three live strains of bat Coronaviruses in lab

According to a new report coming in from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the research institute located in the Jiangxia District, Wuhan, Hubei, the believed epicenter from where the novel Coronavirus outbreak first began in late 2019 claims they had three live strains of bat Coronaviruses in lab, while none of them matched with the contagion that has been spreading across the world, infecting and killing millions of people. In an interview with Wang Yanyi, the Director General of Wuhan Institute of Virology, filmed back on May 13 by CGTN, news channel based in Beijing, commonly referred as the voice of Chinese government, ended up finally broadcasting the show on Saturday night, May 23, confirmed that the center had isolated and obtained some Coronaviruses from bat.

In the interview, Yanyi also said that the claims made by the United States President Donald Trump and others that the virus could have leaked from their facility are purely fabricated. "Now we have three strains of live viruses. But their highest similarity to SARS-CoV-2 only reaches 79.8 percent," said Wang Yanyi. She said, the Wuhan Institute of Virology's lab first received then-unknown virus samples of COVID-19 contagion on December 30, and her team had never encountered, researched or kept the virus before they received these samples. "In fact, like everyone else, we didn't even know the virus existed. How could it have leaked from our lab when we never had it," said Yanyi.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud addresses the Kingdom on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on Saturday addressed his Kingdom on the eve of religious festive Eid Al-Fitr. In the speech by the King, read by Acting Minister of Media, Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, said that the safety and health of the country's citizens and residents is at the top of his concerns during the present situation as the world is facing an unprecedented health crisis caused by the novel Coronavirus pandemic. The King thanked all citizens and residents for following all precautionary and preventive measures announced by the authorities in the Kingdom during this time. King Salman also added that, he greatly appreciate everyone for celebrating this Eid while staying at home, showing awareness and responsibility towards the country and adhering social distancing norms, as all these precautions are carried out for your own safety and health. Furthermore, he admired the services of frontline healthcare workers in the country and said the Kingdom takes great pride in it's health and field workers in all sectors.

We, brothers and sisters, by our committed to the precautionary measures while celebrating Eid in our homes and exchanging congratulations on this occasion through electronic communications and correspondence. We thus comply with the teachings of our religion and work, according to its provisions in times of catastrophes and epidemics, said King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

MIB, India release states with maximum active cases of Coronavirus

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India has released the listing of states with maximum Coronavirus active cases in the country marked in red. 93.24 percent of India's active COVID-19 cases as of Thursday, May 21 comes from these ten states that includes, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

India records highest number of COVID-19 positive cases in last 24 hours on third consecutive day

On third consecutive day India recorded highest one day surge in COVID-19 positive cases reported in the country by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as of Sunday, May 24. In the last 24 hours India saw 6767 tests positive rising the total number of confirmed cases to 131868 and 147 people loosing their lives yesterday, bringing the death toll to 3867. Active cases in India went upto 3963, rising the total numbers to 73560. The country even saw 2657 people recovering from the infection in last day, confirming a total of 54441 people curing from the novel Coronavirus.

More than 10000 health workers in Iran tests positive for novel Coronavirus infection

Latest reports from Tehran, the capital of city of Iran claims more than 10000 health care workers in the country have been infected by COVID-19. Recently the country's southwestern province, Khuzestan was reported to be the new epicenter for the widespread of Coronavirus in Iran, where the government marked it red on the country's color-coded risk scale. Surprisingly, reports from last week only confirmed 800 health care workers being infected by the virus outbreak, with the Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education claiming deaths of 100 workers, and now a week later we see the rapid increase in numbers, rising questions on the credibility of data officially released by the authorities. At present, Iran officially recorded 133521 confirmed cases and 7359 deaths, while 104072 people recovered from the infection.

Family of late Jamal Khashoggi pardons their father's killers on the blessed month of Ramadan

In a most recent tweet by the son of late Jamal Khashoggi, the murdered Saudi Arabian journalist, author, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Al-Arab News and the columnist for The Washington Post, Salah Khashoggi has pardoned his father's killers from the death penalty following the Kingdom's law. Jamal Khashoggi was last seen in October 2018, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, city in Turkey, where he was murdered with no traces of his remains till date. Later in December, Saudi Arabia sentenced five people to death and three to jail charged over the the murder of Khashoggi.

In this blessed night of the blessed month of Ramadan we remember God's saying: If a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. Therefore, we the sons of the Martyr Jamal Khashoggi announce that we pardon those who killed our father, seeking reward from God almighty, said Salah Khashoggi, when his statement is translated to English.

No new Coronavirus cases in China for the first time ever since the outbreak began

As of Friday, May 22, China, the believed epicenter of novel Coronavirus, mainland China reported no new COVID-19 positive cases in the country for the first time ever since the pandemic started off from Wuhan, the capital of Central China’s Hubei province in late 2019. The number of confirmed cases in mainland China stands at 82971 and the death toll at 4634, with a total of 78258 people recovering from the infection. The National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China on Saturday announced the news, confirming that the country saw only four new cases on the previous day, adding there were two new suspected cases on Saturday, an imported case from Shanghai and locally transmitted case in Jilin city, the former capital of Jilin province in Northeast China.

Saudi Arabia goes into 24 hours curfew as Eid-Al-Fitr set to begin from Sunday in the Kingdom and UAE

Ministry of Interior KSA's spokesperson, Talal Al-Shalhoub declared on Friday that the Kingdom has gone into a 24 hours curfew or full lockdown starting May 22 at 5:00 PM (local time), until Wednesday, May 27. The curfew is applicable to all cities, provinces and regions across the country, following the rising situation of Coronavirus outbreak in Saudi Arabia. The decision comes ahead of the announcement of Eid-Al-Fitr's beginning on Sunday in the Kingdom as well as in the United Arab Emirates. Al-Shalhoub urges all citizens and residents of the country to follow all instructions, including social distancing norms and other regulations set by the security forces and authorities, also prohibiting gatherings of five or more people, especially during the upcoming religious festival holiday. Furthermore, the Ministry of Commerce and Investment said, restaurants can open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM during the full lockdown period in the country, only allowing home delivery by their respective delivering vehicles and delivery systems.

The security forces will follow up on this commitment in residential neighborhoods, resting sites, and other public areas, as well as in villages, and centers to control any violations and take appropriate measures against their perpetrators, said Talal Al-Shalhoub.

Naomi Osaka becomes highest paid female athlete in the history of sports

Naomi Osaka, the 22 years old Japanese professional tennis player who has been ranked number one by the Women's Tennis Association has become the world's highest paid female athlete in the history of sports entertainment. Her total earnings for the previous year (in the span of 12 months) recorded $37.4 million United States Dollars, including prize money and endorsements, surpassing her rival and the recent four year highest paid female athlete, Serena Williams, the American tennis sensation, earning $1.4 million more than Williams, setting up an all-time earnings record for a female athlete in a single year. Maria Sharapova, the Russian professional tennis player was the record holder back in 2015, raking $29.7 million in 12 months.

India Post resumes Speed Post bookings to all 105 international destinations across the world

India's Law and Justice, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday announced, considering requests from the public, e-commerce companies and various government departments, India Post resumes operations for Speed Post bookings to all its earlier functional 105 countries. However, the delivery timelines will depend upon the aviation services following the Coronavirus pandemic situation across countries, globally. He also mentioned that, bookings for other international parcel and letters shall remain suspended indefinitely, until further notice.

India records yet another highest one day spike in positive COVID-19 cases

After reporting 6088 new positive cases earlier yesterday, India recorded yet another highest single day surge in the numbers of COVID-19 positive cases in the country as of Saturday, May 23. In the last 24 hours India saw 6654 people testing positive for the novel Coronavirus infection, rising the total numbers of confirmed cases to 125101 and marking deaths of 137 people, increasing the death toll to 3720. The climb in active cases in the last day was confirmed at 3267, bringing it to a total of 69597, while 3250 people recovered and left hospitals, adding it to the total of 51784 infected patients overcoming the deadly virus until date.

Ivanka Trump praises Indian girl, Jyoti Kumari who cycled 1200 plus kilometres over 7 days with her injured father to get home

Ivanka Trump, the American businesswoman and daughter of the United States President Donald Trump took her Twitter handle to compliment the feat of recent news maker, the 15 years old Jyoti Kumari from India, who cycled from Bihar, a state in East India to her hometown Gurugram, a city in Haryana state carrying her injured father during the nationwide lockdown in the India following the Coronavirus outbreak. She pedaled a total distance of 1200 plus kilometres from Bihar to Gurugram over seven days. The national governing body, Cycling Federation of India praised Jyoti Kumari earlier and announced she will be selected as a trainee at the National Cycling Academy at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, New Delhi once the lockdown is lifted and all her expenses from travel, lodging and others will be borne by them.

15 yr old Jyoti Kumari, carried her wounded father to their home village on the back of her bicycle covering +1,200 km over 7 days. This beautiful feat of endurance & love has captured the imagination of the Indian people and the cycling federation, said Ivanka Trump on Twitter.[no-sidebar]

Jyoti Kumari and her father.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi urges citizens and residents of UAE to follow all directions and regulations during the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday

In a recent tweet by the Ministry of Energy and Industry of the United Arab Emirates, shared a message from the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Prince of Abu Dhabi urges all Emiratis (citizens) and residents stay home and to do whatever is necessary to fight the novel Coronavirus pandemic and not allow the traditions to become a source of harm to families and the society, foreseeing the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr religious holiday across Muslim countries including in the UAE. He also added, "Take care of your mothers, fathers and families."

Meet Syed Mustafa Ahmed, who would have been on the crashed PIA flight PK8303 from Lahore to Karachi

Syed Mustafa Ahmed, a lucky man from Pakistan who was saved from being on board of the crashed Pakistan International Airlines PK8303 from Lahore to Karachi. Ahmed was supposed to be on flight that came down earlier today in Model Colony near Jinnah International Airport, but a system error on the ticket booking platform stopped him from boarding the flight, and saving his life from the tragic accident. According to Ahmed, he tried to the book tickets thrice before he was denied on confirming the payment by the website. Furthermore, not being able to book ticket himself, Ahmed even tried getting in touch with his friend who works for Serene Airlines (a privately owned Pakistan-based airline), asking him to help Ahmed book tickets for the PIA flight PK8303.

I booked myself on seat 13-A, but when the payment option came, there was a system error. I tried three times, but in the last step, the website just wouldn’t let me pay and confirm my booking. I have a friend who works in Serene Airlines, and I told him I need to take this flight. I asked him for his help with the booking. We tried again, but it just wasn’t happening, said Syed Mustafa Ahmed to ARAB NEWS over a telephonic conversation.

Pakistan International Airlines PK8303 from Lahore to Karachi crashes with 99 people on board

Latest news coming in from Pakistan reports crash of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft PK8303 from Lahore to Karachi carrying 91 passengers and eight crew members on board. The flight came down as the Airbus A320 airliner reportedly lost power from both of it's engines, crashing down in Model Colony, a neighborhood in Karachi near Jinnah International Airport, minutes before it's scheduled landing. Initial reports claim death of at least 11 people, still unclear if these fatalities were victims from the ground or passengers on board as the crash destroyed five or more houses at crash site. We have also heard about two people surviving the crash, as of now. Furthermore, the last words from the pilots of flight PK8303 recorded, "We are returning back Sir, we have lost engines... Sir, mayday, mayday, mayday..."

Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash. Am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik, who has left for Karachi & with the rescue & relief teams on ground as this is the priority right now. Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased, said Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan on Twitter.

Deeply saddened by the loss of life due to a plane crash in Pakistan. Our condolences to the families of the deceased, and wishing speedy recovery to those injured, said Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Twitter.

Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority decides to quarantine banknotes and coins for upto 20 days

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) on Friday announced they have decided to quarantine banknotes and coins that the authority receives from both locally and internationally as a precautionary measure to control the further spread of the COVID-19 in the country. According to SAMA, banknotes, coins and electronic payment devices such as POS machines and ATM's can be a possible means of transmitting Coronavirus to more people, and in this regard they have decided to isolate banknotes and coins in sealed units for about 14 to 20 days. Furthermore, the banknotes and coins will remain at SAMA's treasury, which will then be disbursed to banks across the country.

Reserve Bank of India's Governor Shaktikanta Das announces 3 months loan moratorium extension

Following the Coronavirus pandemic crises, the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday announced an extension of loan moratorium further by three more months, making it total of six months moratorium on loans and equated monthly installments (EMIs), that was first introduced from March 1. In this regard, all banks including regional rural banks, small finance banks, co-operative banks, all-India Financial Institutions, and NBFCs (that includes housing finance companies and micro-finance institutions) to allow a moratorium period of three additional months on payment of installments to customers who owe term loan payments as well as EMIs, starting June 1 to August 31 in India.

China hinders India's patrolling patterns at Line of Actual Control (LAC)

According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, China has hindered or made it difficult for the Indian Border Security Forces to follow the usual patrolling patterns at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border area. The official also made it clear that, India's activities are entirely on the Indian side of the LAC and the country has always taken a very responsible approach towards border management.

Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas and abide by it scrupulously. It was the Chinese side that recently undertook activity hindering India's normal patrolling patterns. The Indian troops strictly follow the procedures laid down in various bilateral agreements and protocols to resolve any situations which may arise due to difference in perception of LAC. The two sides have established mechanisms to resolve such situations peacefully through dialogue. Both sides remain engaged with each other to address any immediate issues, said Anurag Srivastava, MEA spokesperson.

Number of COVID-19 positive cases surge in India, reports record 6088 cases in last 24 hours

India sees a record increase in the numbers of Coronavirus positive cases as of Friday, May 22. The country reported 6088 new cases of infected people, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 118447 and recorded 148 death in the last 24 hours, rising the death toll to a total of 3583. On the positive note, the country also saw 3234 people recovering from the virus in the span of a day, bringing the numbers of total cured patients to 48534 but a spike in active cases with 2706 infected patients, making it a total of 66330, as announced by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.