UAE blocks non-Emiratis over coronavirus; Saudis cut budget
The United Arab Emirates imposed sweeping entry restrictions meant to curb the coronavirus outbreak, barring residents currently outside the country from returning for at least two weeks and pausing issuance of new work permits and visas on arrival.
Mauritius confirms first three cases of coronavirus
Mauritius has confirmed its first three cases of coronavirus, its government said in a statement on Thursday.
UAE suspends entry of valid residence visa holders abroad over coronavirus concerns
United Arab Emirates will suspend entry of valid residence visa holders who are still abroad starting at noon on Thursday for two weeks, over coronavirus concerns, state news agency WAM said on early Thursday.
Iran’s supreme leader to pardon 10,000 prisoners, including political ones
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will pardon 10,000 prisoners including political ones in honor of the Iranian new year on Friday, state TV reported.
New Zealand passes historic law to decriminalize abortion
New Zealand has passed a landmark bill that treats abortion as a health issue rather than a crime, a major reform in laws that have been unchanged for more than four decades.
Rattled world ‘at war’ with coronavirus as deaths surge in Italy, France
Hundreds of millions of people faced a world turned upside down on Wednesday by unprecedented emergency measures against the coronavirus pandemic that is killing the old and vulnerable and threatening prolonged economic misery.
Nearly half Irish coronavirus cases in Dublin, growth rate eases
Nearly half confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ireland are in the capital Dublin, the health department said on Wednesday in its first detailed regional breakdown of figures as the daily growth rate eased.
Spaniards in lockdown bang pots in protest during king’s speech
Banging pots and pans from their balconies, thousands of Spaniards under lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic nearly drowned out King Felipe’s broadcast address to the nation on Wednesday in protest over a scandal involving his father.
Slovenia plans quarantine over coronavirus
Slovenia plans to introduce quarantine from Friday to slow down the spread of the coronavirus infection, Interior Minister Ales Hojs told national TV Slovenia late on Wednesday.
Egypt’s reported coronavirus cases increase to 210
Egypt has reported 14 new coronavirus cases, the health ministry said on Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases up to 210.
