ADDIS ABABA -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Friday revealed that the number of COVID-19 cases across the African continent has exceeded 1 million.

The Africa CDC, a specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union Commission, said in its latest situation update that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the continent rose to 1,007,366 as of Friday afternoon. (Africa-COVID-19)

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WASHINGTON -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has said that the engagement between the United States and China contributed to global peace and prosperity, urging the two countries to cooperate against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a Wednesday letter to participants of a virtual dialogue on U.S.-China relations, Carter recalled his decision with China's former leader Deng Xiaoping in late 1978 to establish diplomatic ties between Washington and Beijing. (US-China-Carter)

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SINGAPORE -- Singaporean President Halimah Yacob said in her National Day message here Friday that as long as Singaporeans unite, Singapore will be able to overcome the challenges from the COVID-19 crisis and emerge stronger.

In a video posted on Facebook, Halimah said that since the start of the year, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions to various aspects, from healthcare and economy to work arrangements and social activities in Singapore. (Singapore-COVID-19-President)

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HONG KONG -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said on Friday that a mass screening for COVID-19 will be launched and any resident can take the free testing voluntarily.

The large-scale testing covering millions of people in Hong Kong will be conducted with the support of the central government and is scheduled to take place within two weeks, she told a press conference. (Hong Kong-COVID-19-Massive Testing)

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DHAKA -- Bangladesh's COVID-19 cases rose to 252,502 on Friday with 2,851 new cases reported, and deaths from the virus increased to 3,333.

Senior Health Ministry official Nasima Sultana said in a briefing on Friday that "2,851 new COVID-19 positive cases and 27 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh." (Bangladesh-COVID-19)

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BEIRUT -- The death toll in the huge explosions that rocked Port of Beirut on Tuesday has reached 154, Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan announced on Friday.

Hassan said that 20 percent of the 5,000 injuries need hospitalization while serious cases have reached 120 as the shattered glasses caused severe injuries that required surgeries, the National News Agency reported. (Lebanon-Explosion) Enditem

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