Madrid, Mar 26: More than three billion people around the world were living under lockdown on Wednesday as governments stepped up their efforts against the coronavirus pandemic which has left more than 20,000 people dead.
As the number of confirmed cases worldwide soared past 450,000, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that only a concerted global effort could stop the spread of the virus.
In Spain, the number of fatalities surpassed those of China, where the novel coronavirus first emerged three months ago, making it the hardest-hit nation after Italy.
A total of more than 20,800 deaths have now been reported in 182 countries and territories, according to an AFP tally.
Stock markets rebounded after the US Congress moved closer to passing a $2.2 trillion relief package to prop up a teetering US economy.
In Washington, President Donald Trump said New York, the epicenter of the US outbreak with over 30,000 cases, likely has a few "tough weeks" ahead but he would decide soon whether unaffected parts of the country can get back to work.
"We want to get our country going again," Trump said. "I'm not going to do anything rash or hastily.
"By Easter we'll have a recommendation and maybe before Easter," said Trump, who had been touting a strong US economy as he faces an election in November.
UN chief Guterres said the world needs to ban together to stem the pandemic.
"COVID-19 is threatening the whole of humanity -- and the whole of humanity must fight back," Guterres said, launching an appeal for $2 billion to help the world's poor.
"Global action and solidarity are crucial," he said. "Individual country responses are not going to be enough."
India's stay-at-home order for its 1.3 billion people is now the biggest, taking the total number of individuals facing restrictions on their daily lives to more than three billion.
Anxious Indians raced for supplies after the world's second-biggest population was ordered not to leave their houses for three weeks.
Russia, which announced the death of two patients who tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, is expected to follow suit.
President Vladimir Putin declared next week a public holiday and postponed a public vote on controversial constitutional reforms, urging people to follow instructions given by authorities.
In Britain, heir to the throne Prince Charles became the latest high-profile figure to be infected, though he has suffered only mild symptoms.
The G20 major economies will hold an emergency videoconference on Thursday to discuss a global response to the crisis, as will the 27 leaders of the European Union, the outbreak's new epicenter.
China has begun to relax its own draconian restrictions on free movement in the province of Hubei -- where the outbreak began in December -- after the country reported no new cases.
Crowds jammed trains and buses in the province as people took their first opportunity to travel.
But Spain saw the number of deaths surge to more than 3,400 after 738 people died in the past 24 hours and the government announced a 432-million-euro ($467 million) deal to buy medical supplies from Beijing.
The death toll in Italy jumped in 24 hours by 683 to 7,503 -- by far the highest of any country.
The number of French deaths was up by 231 on Wednesday to more than 1,330, and metro and rail services in Paris were cut to a minimum.
Spain and Italy were joined by France and six more EU countries in urging Germany and the Netherlands to allow the issue of joint European bonds to cut borrowing costs and stabilise the eurozone economy.
The call is likely to fall on deaf ears when EU leaders talk on Thursday -- with northern members wary of pooling debt with big spenders -- but they will sign off on an "unprecedented" recovery plan.
At La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, nurse Guillen del Barrio sounded bereft as he related what happened overnight.
"It is really hard, we had feverish people for many hours in the waiting room," the 30-year-old told AFP.
"Many of my colleagues were crying because there were people who are dying alone, without seeing their family for the last time."
Coronavirus cases are also spreading in the Middle East, where Iran's death toll topped 2,000, and in Africa, where Mali declared its first case and several nations announced states of emergency.
In Japan, which has postponed this year's Olympic Games, Tokyo's governor urged residents to stay home this weekend, warning of a possible "explosion" of the coronavirus.
Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed by Christians to house Christ's tomb, was shut as Israel tightened movement restrictions.
The impact of the pandemic is also hitting European football, with leagues and tournaments cancelled, while the fate of the Wimbledon tennis tournament could be decided next week.
The economic damage of the virus -- and the lockdowns -- could also be devastating, with fears of a worldwide recession worse than the financial meltdown more than a decade ago.
But financial markets rose after US leaders reached agreement on a stimulus package worth roughly 10 percent of the US economy, an injection Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said represented a "wartime level of investment."
Meanwhile, more than half of all Americans have been told to stay at home, including residents of the largest state, California.
The United States has at least 65,700 cases and 942 people have died.
Comments
If you read the History of Meelad un Nabie (Sallallaho Alaih-e-Wassalam) The biggest and the most grand Meelad was celebrated by Allah Ta'ala so from where it became bidat to rejoice on the birth day of Our Beloved Prophrt Sallallaho Alaih-e-Wasalam)? Be happy dont cry bidah like the shaitaan.
Kind words/Kind behavior is for non Muslims/Momins not for the Munafiqs who oppose Mouludunnabi and ask for the proof to celebrate the Moulood, for those Munafiqs Allah Subhan wa Ta'ala has used some words in Quran Surah Al Qalam Verse 13
When Allah Almighty has used those words we are following the Quran there is no harm in using those words for a Munafiq.
Mr. Sayed Kaleem, please use kind words on one another....this is what it is lacking in Muslims....they think superior to one another....if you can try to convince others with your comments with nice words.....try to be a good person first....
Surah Al Ma'idah Verse 114
Surah Al Duha Verse 11
Surah Al Fatha Verse 28
Surah Al Saf Verse 6
Surah Touba Verse 128
Surah Aal E Imaran Verse 164
Surah Al Yunus Verse 57/58
Surah Al Anbiya Verse 107
O Blind , when did you read the Quran? Are you Munafiqs? go back to Quran search for the above ayas
There is no aya in Quraan or any hadeeth which says date or celebrate prophet's birthday. People who dont read tafseer of Quraan do this kind of foolish things to show other religions dat we are not united. There is no one such incident where sahabas have celebrated Rasool's birthday.Guys please wake up & read Quraan wit Tasfeer & follow authentic Hadeeth...May Allah give Hidaya to these people who have taken wrong path by themselves
No Comments/Objection for any Muslim sponsoring cricket tournament and spending lacks of rupees with half naked women dancing on the stage, No question/Objection for the Muslim youths wearing uniform and playing cricket spending their time on the ground why you munafiqs have not questioned, No Objection/Comments on those Muslim college students protesting on the street and blocking the roads and damaging the Goverment Properties and blocking the the roads were many people are serious need to go to hospitals.
why only when the celebration is only for the Milad of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam.
the above question is for all the Munafiqs who object the Celebration of the Mouludunnabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Moulud or Milad is Prophet's (PBAUH) birthday, which is being celebrated every 3rd month 12th day of the Hijra year... but why moulanas asking people to celebrate it throughout the year....I did not get it....like if there is happiness or sadness or grief they ask people to celebrate birthday of prophet (PBAUH)...no clue....
When a cricket tournament is organized by a muslim sponsor in which half naked women dance on the stage those money spent is not questioned from this idiots, they have problem when a Milad rally is organised where people gather and send Salaath on the beloved Rasool of Allah.
This is very much clear that those who oppose the Milad rally are munafiqs.
Warafa'na Laka zikrak. Rahega yunhi unka charcha rahega, padey khaak ho jaye jaljaney waaley.
U people are blocking the road. Where many people who are serious may have to go to hospital.
We all love our beloved prophet. Don't trouble others during that day.
Many countries giving holiday NOT to celebrate on streets.
Giving zakat to poor is the best celebration.
Sure.. Miskeens will be wholeheartedly invited for my milad to enjoy free biryani..
EID Milad un nabi (SAW) Mubarak Ho for all Momin
FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO INSIST FOR CHARITY TO POOR PEOPLE RATHER THAN SPENDING FOR MILADUNNABI
PLEASE IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM IN YOUR LIFE AND FAMILY THAT ANY MARRIAGE FROM UR FAMILY WILL BE SIMPLE, AVOID MARRIAGE HALL, AVOID DECORATION, AVOID MEHENDI FUNCTION, AND DONT CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY OF UR KIDS, SPOUSE, BROTHER, SISTER ETC, DONT CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE ANNIVERSSARY.
INSTEAD DO CHARITY.
FIRST OF ALL EVALUATE YOURSELF AND DETACH FROM ALL THESE DEEDS, THEN COMMENT......
Mr. Salman, when is your milad????
Why don't our Muslim community use brain instead of following the Misguided ulema or grand fathers....
Biddath Mubarak to all Laddu's
Mr.Salman Bhai .u r absolutely right....
Mr. A, FYI, our community is supporting all poor people when it's required at any time and it's not limited to our festivals. Let's them enjoy their day, and don't spit venom...
Happy miladunnabi to fellow muslims...
Very unfortunate. ignorant community celebrating our beloved prophet's death day. which is Rabi Alawwal 12. In Lillahi wa inna ilahi raajioon. Ee qoum eppa sudarra?
What a moment... Jab tak hai jaan... Insha Allah jaroor manayenge eid e milad.. Thanks CD for the coverage n waiting for today's evening procession coverage.
Instead of spending huge money for uniforms , why cant you donate cloths to poor children in the remote area during the birthday of prophet mohammed ??? To whom you wants to show road rally?? why all this celeberations?? There is no birthday celeberations in Islam.
If you want to celeberate Milad, celeberate like Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha when charity is the important order from prophet these two days.
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