Syrian army will down any aircraft breaching northwest: state media
Syria’s army has declared the airspace over northwest Syria closed to planes and drones, pledging to down any aircraft that violates it, state media said on Sunday.
Afghan President Ghani rejects Taliban prisoner release clause in U.S. deal
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani rejected on Sunday a Taliban demand for the release of 5,000 prisoners as a condition for talks with the Afghan government and civilians, included in a deal between the United States and the Islamist militants.
Timeline: A week of political crisis in Malaysia
Malaysia was plunged into a week of political crisis following the unexpected resignation of 94-year-old Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister on Monday, Feb. 24.
Malaysia’s health ministry says four new cases of coronavirus confirmed
Malaysia’s health ministry said on Sunday the country has four new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 29.
China says will repatriate overseas citizens if needed due to coronavirus
China will take measures to repatriate its citizens in countries seriously affected by the coronavirus outbreak if necessary, an official at the country’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.
Explainer: Why is Israel holding its third election in a year?
Israelis head to the polls on Monday with a sense of deja vu after trying and failing twice in the past year to break the country’s political deadlock.
Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates
Greece placed its borders on maximum security footing on Sunday after hundreds of migrants used porous crossing points to enter the country from Turkey, with thousands behind them seeking entry after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement.
Thailand records first coronavirus death: health official
A 35-year-old Thai man who also had dengue fever has died from a coronavirus infection, Thailand’s first death from the COVID-19 disease, Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoen, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said on Sunday.
Newsmaker: Bypassed no more – Malaysia’s ‘Malay first’ PM takes over
Long overshadowed by colorful contemporaries, the man who emerged from a week of turmoil as Malaysia’s new prime minister on Sunday is a publicity-shy picture of conservatism.
Taliban start diplomatic outreach after U.S. deal on Afghanistan
The Taliban’s political chief has met with senior diplomats from countries including Russia, Indonesia and Norway, hours after signing a deal with Washington aimed at ending the Afghan war, the hardline Islamist group said in a statement on Sunday.
