Australia has declared a "human biosecurity emergency" that will empower the government to close off cities, impose curfews and order quarantine measures.
Making the declaration on Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned that the coronavirus crisis could last at least six months.
He also urged citizens to abandon overseas travel and accompanied a ban on any non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people. It will, however, exclude essential services like schools, public transport and shopping centres.
"Life is changing in Australia, as it is changing all around the world," Morrison said during a televised news conference. "Life is going to continue to change, as we deal with the global coronavirus. This is a once in a hundred year type event."
He also reiterated the need for social distancing and announced restricted access to aged care homes.
The country has recorded more than 500 coronavirus infections and six deaths.
U.S. President Donald Trump fired General Timothy Haugh as director of the National Security Agency on Thursday, according to two officials familiar with the decision, and congressional Democrats denounced the removal of the nonpartisan official from a top security post.
Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria, declaring the attacks a warning to the new rulers in Damascus as it accused their ally Turkey of trying to turn the country into a Turkish protectorate.
The Trump administration moved forward with the sale of more than 20,000 US-made assault rifles to Israel last month, according to a document seen by Reuters, pushing ahead with a sale that the administration of former president Joe Biden had delayed.
The Ministry of Justice said seven companies reportedly based in the UAE and sanctioned by the United States for ties to Sudan do not operate in the country.
Dubai Police announced on Friday it arrested 222 beggars during Ramadan and Eid, after a campaign was launched under the slogan “An Aware Society, Free of Begging,” in partnership with other government entities.