Japan to suspend visas for Chinese, South Korean visitors, quarantine them
Japan will suspend existing visas for visitors from China and South Korea and quarantine them for two weeks in response to the widening coronavirus virus, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday.
Palestinian Authority issues foreign tourist ban over coronavirus fears
The Palestinian Authority on Thursday ordered hotels in the occupied West Bank to stop receiving foreign tourists after four suspected cases of the coronavirus were found in the town of Bethlehem.
Twenty-two hurt after high-speed train derails in eastern France
A high-speed TGV train running between Strasbourg in eastern France and Paris derailed on Thursday after a land slip, injuring 22 people including one seriously, local officials said.
Factbox: Italy’s draconian new measures to tackle coronavirus contagion
Italy’s government has adopted a decree with emergency new measures to contain the coronavirus, as it struggles against the worst outbreak in Europe which has killed at least 107 in less than two weeks.
U.S. divided over support for Turkey in Syria, Jeffrey says
There is no unanimity in Washington over support for Turkey in Syria’s Idlib because of Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems, U.S. envoy James Jeffrey said on Thursday.
South Africa’s Tshwane municipality placed under administration
South Africa’s Tshwane municipality, which houses the capital Pretoria, was on Thursday placed under administration by the provincial government, citing mismanagement and irregular expenditure.
Kazakhstan bars entry to South Korean nationals due to coronavirus
Kazakhstan will bar entry to nationals of South Korea from March 8 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, deputy industry minister Berik Kamaliyev said on Thursday.
UAE advises against travel abroad over coronavirus concerns
The United Arab Emirates is urging its citizens and other residents to avoid traveling abroad because of concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, state news agency WAM said on Thursday.
Turkey deploys 1,000 police at Greek border to stem push-back of migrants
Turkey is deploying 1,000 special police forces along its border with Greece on Thursday to halt the pushback of migrants toward its territory, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said, adding that 164 migrants had been wounded by Greek authorities.
In drastic step, Italy bishops cancel weekday Masses in coronavirus areas
Italy’s bishops on Thursday ordered that Masses not be held during the week in churches in areas of the north of the country affected by the coronavirus outbreak, a step believed to be unprecedented.
