VIRUS PANDEMIC: Latest updates

Deaths cross 250,000

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 251,512 people since the outbreak first emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT. More than 3,595,970 cases were registered in 195 countries and territories. Of these, at least 1,104,600 are now considered recovered. The United States has the highest number of total deaths with 68,934. United Kingdom has the second highest toll with 32,313 deaths, followed by Italy with 29,079 deaths, Spain 25,613 deaths and France with 25,201 deaths.

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India's 'massive' repatriation

India has embarked on a "massive" operation involving naval ships and aircraft to bring back some of the hundreds of thousands of nationals stuck abroad due to coronavirus restrictions, the government said. India banned all incoming international flights in late March as it imposed one of the world's strictest virus lockdowns, leaving vast numbers of workers and students stranded. A defence spokesman told AFP that two ships were steaming towards the Maldives and another to the United Arab Emirates -- home to a 3.3-million-strong Indian community.

UK tops Italy in deaths

Britain has overtaken Italy to report the highest official death toll from coronavirus in Europe with more than 32,000 deaths, figures released on Tuesday showed. The high death toll could increase political pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who waited longer than other European leaders to order a lockdown to curb the spread of the virus in March.

10,000 cases in Russia again

Russia cemented its place as the European country reporting the highest number of new coronavirus infections yesterday as its total cases soared passed 155,000. Health officials reported 10,102 new infections over the last 24 hours, a decrease of 531 cases from Sunday's record surge, bringing Russia's total to 155,370. According to the government's daily coronavirus update, Russia has 1,451 total deaths, after reporting 95 new fatalities over the last 24 hours.

Australia 'losing $2.5 b a week'

Australia's economy is losing Aus$4 billion (US$2.5 billion) every week its virus shutdown continues, with GDP forecast to plunge 10 percent in the June quarter, according to official figures. The data highlighted that the country's success in curbing the spread of COVID-19, with new daily cases slowing to single digits or zero across most regions, has come at a heavy economic cost.

70% 'corona tax' on alcohol

Officials in India's capital imposed a special tax of 70% on retail liquor purchases from today, to deter large gatherings at stores as authorities ease a six-week lockdown imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Taxes on alcohol are a key contributor to the revenue of many of India's 36 states and federal territories, most of which are running short of funds because of the lengthy disruption in economic activity caused by the virus. Police baton-charged hundreds of people who had flocked to liquor shops when they opened on Monday for the first time in a relaxation of the world's biggest lockdown, which is set to run until May 17.