Palestinians suspend prayers at mosques, churches to fight coronavirus
The Palestinian Authority suspended prayers in mosques and churches in the occupied West Bank on Saturday to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
UAE cancels events, flights due to coronavirus as central bank announces fiscal plan
The United Arab Emirates said on Saturday it was shutting major tourism and cultural venues, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and the Ferrari World theme park, from March 15-31, as Gulf states stepped up measures against coronavirus.
Two Western hostages freed after 15-month captivity in Africa’s Sahel
A Canadian woman and an Italian man kidnapped while traveling through Burkina Faso 15 months ago have been freed and are in good health, the president of neighboring Mali said on Saturday after meeting the pair.
Jordan tightens lockdown to combat coronavirus
Jordan said it would stop all incoming and outgoing passenger flights into the country from Tuesday as it tightens border controls and bans public gatherings and events to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Exclusive: U.S. to add Britain, Ireland to European travel ban – airline, U.S. officials
The U.S. government is expected to announce on Saturday that it is expanding its travel ban on most European countries to include Britain and Ireland as it seeks to contain the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, airline and U.S. officials told Re…
Putin asks court if he can amend constitution to run again for president
Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally asked the country’s constitutional court if it is legal for him to change the constitution, the Kremlin said on Saturday, a move that could allow him to remain in power until 2036.
Syria, insisting it is coronavirus-free, takes broad steps to prevent spread
Syria has delayed parliamentary elections, shut schools and canceled most public events to prevent any spread of the coronavirus, as officials said the war-ravaged country was still free of the virus despite reports it was hiding cases.
Syria to delay parliamentary elections to May 20 on coronavirus concerns
Syria will postpone parliamentary elections to May 20 from April 13 as a precautionary step against the spread of coronavirus, a statement from the president’s office said on Saturday.
Three American troops wounded in rocket attack in Iraq, U.S. official says
Three U.S. troops have been wounded in a rocket attack in Iraq on the same base where Iran-backed militia struck on Wednesday, killing two Americans and a British soldier, a U.S. official told Reuters on Saturday.
Spain plans partial coronavirus lockdown from Monday – draft
Spain plans to put its 47 million inhabitants under partial lockdown from Monday as part of a 15-day state of emergency plan to combat the coronavirus, a draft of an official decree seen by Reuters showed.
