China coronavirus infections spike in central city of Wuhan
Mainland China reported a rise in new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Thursday, reversing three straight days of declines, because of a spike in new infections in Wuhan, the city at the center of the outbreak.
Former U.N. Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar dies aged 100
Former U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, a Peruvian diplomat who played a crucial role in ending the Iran-Iraq war of 1980 to 1988, died on Wednesday at his home in Lima aged 100.
South Korea declares new ‘special care zone’ as coronavirus spreads
South Korea declared a “special care zone” on Thursday around a second city hit hard by the coronavirus and the U.S. military confirmed two new cases among relatives of its troops in the country, which is battling the biggest outbreak outside China.
Australian toilet paper truck catches fire sparking new tissue tizzy
A delivery truck carrying toilet paper has burst into flames in the Australian city of Brisbane, ratcheting up a sense of panic about the availability of the product generated by the coronavirus outbreak.
In China, legislator says outbreak shows frailties of response plans
At last year’s session of China’s national parliament, delegates from Guangdong province warned that laws designed to contain outbreaks of infectious diseases were flawed and could leave regions exposed when crises hit.
Haiti’s new prime minister calls for support in ‘precarious’ situation
Haitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe said on Wednesday during his first public appearance since his appointment by presidential decree that he would focus on fighting insecurity and inequality while boosting the economy.
Taiwan says China forced Malaysian state to ban Taiwanese entry on virus fears
Taiwan’s foreign minister said on Thursday that China had forced the Malaysian state of Sarawak to reinstate a ban on travelers from the island as part of coronavirus control steps, saying Beijing was taking “joy” in the measures.
U.S. to ‘redouble’ efforts to ensure Taiwan’s global participation, official says
The United States will “redouble” its efforts to ensure Taiwan’s participation on the global stage, a senior U.S. official told President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday, amid Chinese efforts to prevent the island from having any international footprint.
Syria intercepts Israeli missiles over Quneitra countryside: state media
Syrian air defenses intercepted Israeli missiles over Quneitra province in the country’s southwest, state media reported early on Thursday.
Syrian air defenses intercept ‘hostile targets’ over Homs: state media
Syrian air defenses have intercepted “hostile targets” over the Syrian city of Homs, state media said early on Thursday.
