VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson put some of the country’s next steps out of lockdown on hold Friday with just a few hours’ notice, saying the number of new coronavirus cases was on the rise for the first time since May. As quoted by APNews.com (31/7) the government’s top medical adviser warned that it was impossible to fully reopen society without the virus running out of control. Johnson said statistics showed that the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community is likely increasing, with an estimated 4,900 new infections every day, up from 2,000 a day at the end of June. Britain has Europe’s highest confirmed death toll in the pandemic, more than 46,000, behind only the United States and Brazil//AP

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Hong Kong's hospital system could face "collapse" as it grapples with a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. This was warned by Hong Kong Leader, Carrie Lam. As quoted by BBC.com (29/7),  She said that her city was "on the verge of a large-scale community outbreak" and urged people to stay indoors. New regulations, including mandatory face masks and the closure of dine-in restaurants, kicked in on Wednesday. Hong Kong - which had early success against Covid-19 - is now regularly reporting over 100 new daily cases. Less than a month ago, the average number of new daily cases was under 10//BBC

PHOTO : BBC

US President, Donald Trump has again defended the use of hydroxychloroquine to ward off coronavirus, contradicting his own public health officials. As quoted by BBC.com ( 29/7), he said the malaria medication was only rejected as a Covid-19 treatment because he had recommended its use. His remarks came after Twitter banned his eldest son for posting a clip promoting hydroxychloroquine. There is no evidence that the drug can fight the virus, and regulators warn it may cause heart problems. On Wednesday (29/7), Dr Anthony Fauci, a leading member of the White House coronavirus task force, told the BBC that hydroxychloroquine was not effective against the virus//BBC

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Muslim pilgrims, wearing face masks and moving in small groups after days in isolation, began arriving in Mecca on Wednesday (29/7) for the start of a historically unique and scaled-down hajj experience reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. As quoted by APNews.com (29/7), the hajj is one of Islam’s most important requirements, performed once in a lifetime.  It follows a route the Prophet Muhammad walked nearly 1,400 years ago and is believed to ultimately trace the footsteps of the prophets Ibrahim and Ismail, or Abraham and Ishmael as they are named in the Bible.The hajj, both physically and spiritually demanding, is intended to bring about greater humility and unity among Muslims//APNews