After Malaysia’s political turmoil, questions over trials in 1MDB scandal
Hours after Malaysia’s change of leadership at the weekend, former prime minister Najib Razak posted a picture of himself smiling and giving a thumbs up on social media.
China allocated $15.6 billion in epidemic prevention funds by March 2 – finance ministry official
Chinese governments of every level had allocated a total of 108.75 billion yuan ($15.58 billion) in special funds by March 2 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, a finance ministry official said on Tuesday.
UK not planning to cancel mass events, health minister says
Britain is not planning to cancel mass gatherings or large sports events over the concerns about coronavirus, but will need legislation in case it needs to take action in the future, British health minister Matt Hancock said on Tuesday.
South Korean president declares war on coronavirus as sect leader tests negative
(This March 3 story corrects death toll to 28, not 34, in second paragraph.)
China warns of countermeasures to U.S. actions against Chinese media
China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Beijing reserves the right to take measures in response to Washington’s decision to reduce the number of Chinese nationals permitted to work at U.S. offices of key official Chinese media outlets.
Concerts, sports events in UAE canceled, postponed as virus spreads in Gulf
Major concerts and events in the United Arab Emirates, an air transit center as well as a tourism and business hub, have been canceled or postponed as the coronavirus spreads in the Gulf.
China urges overseas Chinese to stay away as imported virus cases rise
Chinese authorities on Tuesday asked overseas Chinese to reconsider or minimize their travel plans as the coronavirus epidemic spreads across the world and prompts an uptick of imported cases arriving in the country.
Indonesia shuts airport after Java volcano erupts
Indonesia’s Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Tuesday morning, sending a 6-km (3.7 mile) column of ash into the air and triggering the closure of the airport in the nearby city of Solo on the densely populated Java island, authorities said.
EU states call for speedy 2030 climate plan ahead of U.N. climate summit: letter
Twelve EU states are calling for the European Commission to speed the process of setting a new 2030 climate target to serve as an ambitious example at the next global climate summit, according to a letter to the Commission seen by Reuters.
Pope tests negative for coronavirus, Italy report says
Pope Francis, who canceled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy because he is suffering from a cold, has tested negative for coronavirus, the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Tuesday.
