The number of COVID-19 cases worldwide is now inching slowly towards 4.9 million, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The death toll now stands at 323,285.
Here are the top 10 global developments this morning:
1. President Donald Trump has argued it is ‘a badge of honour’ that the US has the world’s highest number of confirmed Covid-19 infections.
2. Brazil has confirmed a record 17,408 cases in the last 24 hours and a record 1,179 deaths. The country now has 271,628 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 17,971 people have died.
3. The World Bank has warned that 60 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty as a result of the outbreak
4. A resolution on the need to investigate the global response to the pandemic won endorsement at the WHO’s annual ministerial meeting.
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5. Singapore has announced it will end its partial state of lockdown on 1 June, though most curbs and guidelines will still remain in place as the country looks to transition into a ‘new normal’ phase.
6. The US recorded more than 1,500 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours.
7. The United Arab Emirates flew its first publicly announced flight to Israel on Tuesday when Etihad Airways sent medical supplies to help the Palestinians cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
8. New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has suggested employers to consider a four-day working week and other flexible working options as a way to boost tourism and help employees address persistent work/life balance issues.
9. South Korean high schools opened on Wednesday for the first time this year, with mask-wearing seniors returning to class in the vanguard of a phased plan to reopen all schools under strict protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID19, Reuters reported.
10. Qantas, Australia’s national carrier, says when it resumes normal operation next month it will run flights with no physical distancing. It will offer masks and hand sanitiser to passengers but masks won’t be mandatory.