How will security agencies distinguish between a spiritual choice and health-related concern? Isn’t democracy once again becoming context specific where actions must square with circumstances and the values of choice, liberty and equality becoming relative once again? writes Dr Farhat Bano.

Globally, as of Thursday morning, the total number of cases stood at 4,995,712, while the death toll increased to 328,095, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.

Globally, there are some 3.3 billion workers. Two billion have jobs in the informal economy, the most vulnerable workers in the labour market.

More than 2,864,070 cases were registered in 193 countries and territories. Of these cases, at least 772,900 are now considered recovered.

Evidence is mounting that social distancing successfully slowed the pandemic after more than half of humanity -- 4.5 billion people -- were confined to their homes.

The worldwide number of fatalities from the novel coronavirus pandemic has risen to 88,981, according to a tally compiled by AFP from official sources.

The threat of coronavirus has brought life to a partial standstill in many states with closure of school, colleges, entertainment and public spaces

The deadly virus has spread across the world, emerging as one of the biggest threats to humans while killing thousands and crippling the economy.

As 2019 nears its end and a new decade begins, we look back at the events that shook, inspired and transformed the world.

The year 2019 saw extreme weather events and bizarre phenomena as well as global protests pressuring governments and stakeholders to take tangible action.