South Africa confirms first case of coronavirus: health ministry
South Africa on Thursday confirmed a case of coronavirus, the health ministry said, the country’s first case of the deadly disease sweeping through the world.
Putin begins talks with Erdogan on Syria in search of ceasefire
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday began talks over a potential ceasefire in northern Syria with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan by offering condolences over the recent killing of Turkish soldiers there.
India shuts Delhi schools, imposes new travel restrictions over coronavirus
India shut all primary schools in the capital New Delhi until the end of March on Thursday and imposed new restrictions on travel from Italy and South Korea as part of efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Palestinian Authority bars foreign tourists from West Bank over coronavirus
The Palestinian Authority on Thursday ordered hotels in the West Bank to stop receiving foreign tourists after four suspected cases of the coronavirus were found in the town of Bethlehem.
Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity ordered closed over coronavirus fears
Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity was ordered closed on Thursday due to concern over the coronavirus, the Palestinian Tourism Ministry said.
Coronavirus deprives nearly 300 million students of their schooling: UNESCO
Almost 300 million students worldwide faced weeks at home on Thursday as authorities closed schools in more than a dozen countries in an attempt to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, UNESCO said.
New coronavirus infections may drop to zero by end-March in Wuhan: Chinese government expert
Wuhan, the epicenter of China’s coronavirus epidemic, will likely see new infections drop to zero by the end of this month, an expert with the country’s top panel on battling the illness said on Thursday, even as the city reported a quicker rise in new confirmed cases.
Erdogan flies to Moscow for Syria ceasefire talks with Putin
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan flew to Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin over a potential ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib, where their militaries are facing off in a war that has displaced nearly a million people in three months.
Iran reports 107 deaths, 3513 infections from coronavirus: health ministry spokesman
One hundred and seven people have died and 3513 have been infected with coronavirus in Iran, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur announced on state TV on Thursday.
UK Supreme Court refuses permission for Dubai ruler to appeal publicity ruling
Britain’s top court on Thursday refused Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum permission to appeal a ruling allowing publication of two judgments given in a legal battle with his former wife over the wardship of their children.
