Two cruise ships experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak are waiting to learn when they'll be allowed to dock at a Florida port.About 250 Canadians are on board the M-S Zaandam and M-S Rotterdam.Holland America says it has received approval from a health system in Fort Lauderdale to treat fewer than 10 people ``who need immediate critical care.''It says guests have been self-isolating in their rooms since March 22nd.

U.S. officials are warning COVID-19 could kill between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans, even with social distancing measures. Experts made the prediction at a media briefing yesterday with President Donald Trump, who warned that the country is heading for ``a very tough two weeks.'' Trump has extended social distancing guidelines through April 30th. New York is the deadliest hot spot in the U.S. with more than 15,000 deaths state wide, most of them in New York City.

The US Coast Guard says it's working with Holland America to plan for the docking of the cruise ships MS Zandaam and the MS Rotterdam. The ships have reached Miami after two weeks at sea. Two of the four deaths on board the Zaandam have been blamed on COVID-19 and the cruise company says nine others have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. About 250 Canadians are aboard the two vessels. Holland America says the Rotterdam took on nearly 1,400 people who appear to be healthy from its sister ship.

The Tokyo Olympics will open next year in July, the same slot scheduled for this year's games. Tokyo organizers say the opening ceremony will take place July 23, 2021. That is almost exactly one year after the games were due to start this year. The IOC and Japanese organizers last week postponed the Olympics because of the coronavirus pandemic. The rescheduled Olympics will start July 23, with the closing ceremony on Aug 8. The Paralympics were rescheduled to Aug 24-Sept 5.

The 2011 film “Contagion” has seen a huge surge in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and now its stars have reunited for a series of public service announcements. Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Ehle have teamed up with scientists from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health on four videos. The PSA's stress washing your hands, keeping two metres apart from one another, and staying at home. “Contagion” is about a lethal and fast-moving influenza that spreads around the world.

An explosive device has disrupted a funeral service for 25 members of Afghanistan's Sikh minority community. No one was hurt by the blast Thursday. Frightened mourners struggled to continue with the funeral prayers and cremation. The 25 Sikhs had been killed Wednesday by a lone Islamic State gunman, rampaged through a Sikh house of worship in the heart of Kabul's old city. A 6 year old child was among the victims.

Worldwide infections from the coronavirus are soaring toward half a million people as health care systems struggle to keep up.American deaths passed the 1,000 mark.Both Italy and the United States appeared set Thursday to pass the number of infections in China, where the outbreak was first reported.The head of the World Health Organization is urging governments not to squander the opportunity to slow the spread of the virus while there is still time. The U.S. Senate passed a $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems, and the House is exp

Prince Charles has tested positive for the new coronavirus but is only showing mild symptoms and is self-isolating.The prince's Clarence House office says his wife Camilla has tested negative.Buckingham Palace says the 93 yearold Queen is in good health and remains at her home in Windsor with the 98 year old Duke of Edinburgh.

At least 25 civilians were killed and 8 were wounded in a terror attack on a Gurudwara in the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul.The attack on Wednesday was claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) armed group.The Interior Ministry says IS gunmen rampaged through a Sikh place of worship, called Gurudwara, in the heart of the Afghan capital on Wednesday.It says that the gunmen held many of the worshippers hostage for several hours as Afghan special forces, helped by international troops, tried to clear the building. Afghan special forces confirmed that all four gunmen were killed.