Two local administration officials in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh were suspended after images of an earth mover being used to transport the body of a coronavis patient to a crematorium sparked outrage across the country.
The body of the 70-year-old man, who died of COVID-19 in the town of Palasa in Andhra Pradesh, was seen on footage aired by local television channels being taken to the crematorium on the earth mover.
Indonesia reports biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections with 1,385 cases
Indonesia reported its biggest daily increase in coronavirus infections with 1,385 new cases, taking the total to 52,812, health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said.
Yurianto also said there had been 37 more coronavirus-related deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 2,720.
Mosques reopen in Egypt after restrictions eased
Mosques reopened on Saturday in mostly Muslim Egypt after a three-month shutdown as the country relaxed restrictions imposed to contain an outbreak of the new coronavirus.
The government has allowed daily prayers again in mosques amid health precautions, but has kept suspended the larger Friday prayers for Muslims and Sunday Mass for the country’s Christian minority.
Flight departs UK to deliver virus aid to Africa
Britain’s Royal Air Force says the first in a series of flights taking coronavirus aid to Africa has departed for Ghana with materials for a field hospital with capacity for nearly 100 people.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement that the UK was the first NATO ally to come forward with an aid flight after NATO agreed to support the United Nations’ appeal for airlift assistance.
The pandemic and travel restrictions have severely affected flights to the African continent and the delivery of crucial cargo including medical supplies.
Tokyo sees highest number of daily infections since emergency ended
The Japanese capital, Tokyo, registered the highest number of new coronavirus infections since the national emergency was lifted at the end of May.
According to the Japanese television channel NHK, 57 people tested positive for the coronavirus within a day. This means that the number of daily new infections has now been around 50 cases for four days.
Hong Kong police refuse permission for march to mark handover
The Hong Kong police department denied permission for an annual march in the former British colony on July 1 to mark the anniversary of the city’s 1997 return to China, the organiser and the police said in separate statements.
In a notice to the organiser, Civil Human Rights Front, the police cited the city’s current rules limiting gatherings to no more than 50 people due to the coronavirus pandemic, saying public assemblies and demonstrations are not exempted.
Nine more test positive in Kyrgyzstan’s presidency
Nine more employees of Kyrgyzstan’s presidency tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of infected employees to 17.
According to an official statement, all employees of the president were tested after coming in contact with a delegation accompanying President Sooronbay Jeenbekov to Russia.
Jeenbekov, who tested negative for coronavirus, was in quarantine and continues to work remotely.
Liverpool condemns fan behaviour in title celebrations
English champion Liverpool has condemned the behaviour of crowds of fans who gathered in the city to celebrate the club’s Premier League title win after a 30-year wait.
Merseyside Police issued a dispersal order for Liverpool city centre on Friday night. This allowed police to disperse crowds who had gathered on the Pier Head, after part of the Liver Building caught fire amid the wild celebrations despite coronavirus restrictions.
A joint statement on behalf of the club, Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police said: “Several thousand people turned up at the Pier Head on Friday June 26 and some chose to ignore the social distancing guidance and risk public safety. Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.”
SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies
