GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday raised the global risk level of COVID-19 from high to very high due to two reasons, its chief said on Saturday.
The global risk level has been raised because of, first, the "difficulty in identifying cases due to non-specific symptoms and the potential of undetected transmission," and second, the "potential for major impact on healthcare systems in some affected and potentially affected countries," WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Twitter.
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UNITED NATIONS -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday welcomed the "efforts to achieve a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan" following the U.S.-Taliban deal.
"Today's events in Doha and Kabul mark important developments in this regard," said Guterres in a statement. He also expressed his appreciation to Qatar for hosting the talks between the United States and the Taliban.
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YANGON -- Myanmar's government on Sunday donated 200 tons of rice to China as a humanitarian assistance in the battle against the COVID-19 epidemic.
"Myanmar and China have a very long friendship and it has been promoted from one stage to another. Whatever happens in China, we feel the same as we have a fraternal relationship. We believe that China will overcome this outbreak as soon as possible," Aung Htoo, deputy minister of commerce told media.
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VIENNA -- Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Saturday talked tough on illegal immigration as a precarious refugee situation on the Turkish-Greek border is developing.
"A situation like 2015 must never be repeated. Our goal must be to properly protect the EU's external borders, stop illegal migrants there," Kurz said in a press release.
"We are in constant contact with our partners in the EU (European Union) and along the Western Balkan route. If the protection of the EU's external borders is unsuccessful, Austria will protect its borders," noted the chancellor, a proponent of strict immigration controls. Enditem
