More than 300,000 people around the world have died from the coronavirus.
That's according to the latest global stats that puts the number of infections at more than 4.5 million.
The US has accounted for more than 85,000 deaths, while the UK and Italy have reported more than 30,000 fatalities each. Meanwhile, France and Spain have reported more than 27,000 each.
Health experts, however, warned that the true number of infections and fatalities could be far higher.
It comes as an American government whistleblower said the US could face "the darkest winter" if it does not improve its COVID-19 response.
"Our window of opportunity is closing," Rick Bright, the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. "If we fail to improve our response now, based on science, I fear the pandemic will get worse and be prolonged."
US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday banning the nationals of 12 countries from entering the US, saying the move was needed to protect against "foreign terrorists" and other security threats.
Israel's military recovered the bodies of two hostages, Judi Weinstein-Haggai and Gad Haggai, who were held by Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.
The US on Wednesday vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and unhindered aid access.
A Milan-bound Ryanair flight was forced to make an emergency landing in southern Germany because of heavy turbulence from a thunderstorm late on Wednesday, with police saying nine passengers were injured.
A Russian drone attack damaged apartment buildings in Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv, injuring 17 people, while killing 5 and injuring 6 in the northern town of Pryluky on Thursday.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved a housing benefits package worth AED4.62 billion for 3,052 citizens in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reaffirmed the nation’s dedication to "protecting the environment and advancing sustainable development" on World Environment Day.