MANILA -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday night the total number of confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines has risen to 24, ordering the suspension of classes in all schools in the capital city of Manila.

Duterte told a news conference that the four additional COVID-19 cases were reported in Metro Manila and the outlying Bulacan province. He did not provide more details. He said there is no epidemic yet in the country despite the "galloping" number of cases. (Philippines-COVID-19)

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KABUL -- Incumbent Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani was sworn in for a second five-year term on Monday, while his main election rival and government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah also held a parallel presidential swearing-in ceremony.

Afghanistan's Chief Justice Sayed Yousuf Haleem administered Ghani's swearing-in ceremony at the fortified Presidential Palace. (Afghanistan-President-Swearing-in)

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TOKYO -- The number of COVID-19 infections in Japan increased by 10 to reach 505 as of 8:30 p.m. local time on Monday, according to data from Japan's health ministry and local governments.

The 696 cases on the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship previously quarantined in Yokohama Port were calculated separately.

The majority of confirmed cases stemmed from Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido which has reported 108 cases and declared a state of emergency over the situation. (Japan-COVID-19)

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PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia on Monday inaugurated a China-funded National Road 55 that links northwest Pursat province to the Thai border.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian presided over the ceremony, which was held in Pursat's Veal Veng district, with about 10,000 participants. (Cambodia-China-Road) Enditem

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