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Nearly 2,600 people died from COVID-19 in just 24 hours in the US, recording the heaviest daily toll of any country.
The total fatalities in the country stood at 28,544 and positive cases at more than 644,000.
The figures come as President Donald Trump announced, during his White House press briefing, that the country had "passed the peak" on new cases and lockdown restrictions needed to be lifted.
He told reporters his "aggressive strategy" against the virus was working and plans to reopen the economy will be made on Thursday.
Trump suggested that less-affected states could ease restrictions before May 1.
Globally, the death toll has topped 134,000, with more than two million infections.
The Utah trade school student jailed on suspicion of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk faces formal charges next week, according to the governor, from an act of violence widely seen as a foreboding inflection point in US politics.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for peace on Saturday in Manipur state, the scene of two years of deadly ethnic violence, as he unveiled a package of development projects there worth nearly $1 billion.
European Union countries have shelved plans to approve a new climate change target next week, after pushback from governments including France and Germany over plans to quickly land a deal, three EU diplomats said on Friday.
Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved parliament and called for fresh elections on March 5, his office said late on Friday, following a week of deadly violence that culminated in the appointment of the country's first woman Prime Minister in the interim.
With the highly anticipated Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan set to take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, Dubai’s Events Security Committee (ESC) is urging fans to uphold sportsmanship and follow all safety regulations.
The first round of political consultations between the United Arab Emirates and the African Union Commission was held in Abu Dhabi on Friday, building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, development, investment, and renewable energy, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Abu Dhabi on Friday.