U.S. warship sails through Taiwan Strait amid heightened China tensions
A U.S. warship passed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, the U.S. and Taiwan militaries said, following heightened tensions between China and Taiwan that has seen Taiwanese air force jets scramble to intercept Chinese fighters.
IMF approves $1.3 billion loan for Jordan, adjusts for coronavirus expenses
The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday its board had approved a four-year, $1.3 billion loan program for Jordan, signaling confidence in the country’s reform agenda at a time it was taking measures to cushion its economy from the fallout of …
Accused Christchurch shooter changes plea to guilty: media reports
The Australian man accused of the attacks on two New Zealand mosques last year entered a surprise guilty plea in a Christchurch court on Thursday to 51 charges of murder, local media reported.
NZ’s Ardern says guilty plea gives some relief to people shattered by mosque attack
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday the guilty plea and conviction of the Christchurch mosque attacker brings some relief to many people affected by last year’s attack.
Mainland China reports rise in new coronavirus cases, all from overseas
Mainland China reported an increase in new confirmed coronavirus cases, all of which involved travelers arriving from abroad, the National Health Commission said on Thursday.
Bolivia extends closure of borders, declares health emergency for coronavirus
Bolivia declared a national health emergency and extended its border lockdown on Wednesday, as the government seeks to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Former FBI agent Levinson believed to have died in Iran custody, family says
The family of Robert Levinson, the former FBI agent who disappeared in March 2007 after traveling to an island controlled by Iran, said on Wednesday it now believes Levinson died in Iranian custody, based on information from U.S. officials.
Factbox: Latest on the spread of the coronavirus around the world
New York, experiencing more coronavirus deaths and infections than any other U.S. state, is showing tentative signs of slowing the spread of the virus, as U.S. senators were set to vote on Wednesday a $2 trillion bipartisan package of legislation to al…
As coronavirus hits Venezuela, Maduro further quashes dissent
On March 13, Melquiades Avila, an indigenous leader and journalist in the remote Venezuelan state of Delta Amacuro, asked on his popular Facebook account: “Will our hospital be ready for coronavirus?”
Cairo, the city that never sleeps, shuts for coronavirus night-time curfew
Egypt and its capital Cairo, a mega-city home to some 20 million people, shut down on Wednesday evening as authorities launched a night-time curfew to tackle the spread of the coronavirus.
