Cindy Ord / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The US has surpassed the national tally of China with coronavirus cases standing at over 85,000.
It comes as over 519,000 tests were administered across many states, with the death toll rising beyond 1,200.
New York, New Orleans and other cities have seen an increase in hospitalisations, with many centres reporting shortages of supplies, staff and sick beds.
It comes President Donald Trump set up a "Easter deadline" for the country to return to work.
Meanwhile, China has recorded more than 81,000 cases, with Italy next on the tally with 80,589 cases.
The global tally has crossed 500,000, with more than 124,000 recoveries and over 24,000 deaths.
US Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff.
White smoke appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Thursday, signalling that the 133 Roman Catholic cardinals meeting in a secret conclave have elected a new pope.
Bill Gates has pledged to give away almost his entire personal wealth in the next two decades and said the world's poorest would receive some $200 billion via his foundation at a time when governments worldwide are slashing international aid.
Blasts rang out across the city of Jammu in Indian Kashmir late on Thursday during what Indian military sources said they suspected was a Pakistani drone attack on the second day of clashes between the two neighbours.
A three-day ceasefire declared by Russia came into effect on Thursday morning with skies over Ukraine's major cities quiet, in a change from successive nights of heavy attacks by Russian drones and ballistic missiles.
A series of major policy reforms have been approved in Dubai, aimed at improving quality of life in line with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has attended the conclusion of the military exercise 'Desert Flag 10' involving multiple countries.
Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is set to begin an official visit to Kazakhstan this Sunday, at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
American Cardinal Prevost elected new pope
White smoke emerges, signalling new pope is elected
Bill Gates to give away $200 billion by 2045
Reports of explosions, blackout in India's Jammu
Ukraine's cities quiet as Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicks in
