PUTRAJAYA, July 10 — The maximum number of participants or visitors for any religious, social and official functions will depend on the size of the event space and compliance of social distancing beginning July 15, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

BEIJING, July 10 — China's aviation industry sank further into the red, losing RM20.9 billion (34.25 billion yuan or US$4.9 billion) in the second quarter, only slightly narrower than in the first quarter, underlining the colossal financial impact from the coronavirus pandemic.

TOKYO, July 10 — International Monetary Fund Chief Economist Gita Gopinath urged governments to shift to "equity-like" support from one focused on loans as the coronavirus pandemic inflicts prolonged damage on companies.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — For the first time, the government is allowing drive-in cinemas in the country, but its operations will be subjected to standard operating procedures (SOPs), Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob said.

TOKYO, July 9 — The Bank of Japan cut its economic view for all of the country's nine regions for the second straight quarter, the first such downgrade since Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008, backing signs the economy could fall deeper into recession.

REUTERS, July 9 — Global coronavirus cases exceeded 12 million on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, as evidence mounts of the airborne spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Indonesia has praised Malaysia for what it described as excellent cooperation from the Malaysian authorities with regard to its migrant workers in this country.

WASHINGTON, July 9 — The administration of President Donald Trump issued new rules this week that could force tens of thousands of international students to leave the United States if their schools hold all classes online amid the coronavirus pandemic, causing panic among colleges and foreign students.

LONDON, July 9 — Scientists warned on Wednesday of a potential wave of coronavirus-related brain damage as new evidence suggested Covid-19 can lead to severe neurological complications, including inflammation, psychosis and delirium.

CHICAGO, July 8 — The largest US air carriers have all signed letters of intent on federal loans to help them weather the novel coronavirus, with United Airlines warning employees on Tuesday that a surge in outbreaks was hitting bookings, threatening a travel rebound and jobs.

GEORGE TOWN, July 8 — The Penang government has initiated a Covid-19 safety accreditation programme to boost compliance with strict hygiene and safety standards in the tourism industry.

PUTRAJAYA, July 8 — No National Day parade or assembly will be held for now, said Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

BANGKOK, July 8 — Thailand expects to delay plans for so-called travel bubbles given a resurgence in coronavirus infections in countries that had managed to contain the initial outbreak, a senior official told Reuters on Wednesday.

BANGKOK, July 8 - Thailand's cabinet on Wednesday approved a budget of up to RM13.7 billion (100 billion baht or US$3.2 billion) for projects aimed at reviving an economy hit by the coronavirus outbreak, the prime minister said.

SEOUL, July 8 — Three hundred drones took to the evening sky over the Han River in South Korea to dispense coronavirus prevention advice through a synchronised light display featuring images of hand-washing and social distancing.

BANGKOK, July 8 — Thailand's financial system had become more vulnerable due to a weaker-than-expected economic outlook amid the coronavirus outbreak, minutes from the latest policy meeting showed on Wednesday.

NEW YORK, July 8 — The United States will leave the World Health Organization (WHO) on July 6, 2021, the United Nations said on Tuesday, after receiving notification of the decision by President Donald Trump, who has accused the agency of becoming a puppet for China during the coronavirus pandemic.

HOUSTON, July 8 — The US coronavirus outbreak crossed a grim milestone of over 3 million confirmed cases on Tuesday as more states reported record numbers of new infections, and Florida faced an impending shortage of intensive care unit hospital beds.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — A total of 84 per cent of 3,282 construction sites are operating within the standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, said Senior Minister (Infrastructure Cluster) Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

PUTRAJAYA, July 6 — The government is working to facilitate the return of Malaysians stranded abroad, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.