WHO raises global risk of coronavirus from ‘high’ to ‘very high’
The rapid spread of the coronavirus increased fears of a pandemic on Friday, with six countries reporting their first cases and the World Health Organization (WHO) raising its global spread and impact risk alert to “very high”.
Dozens of guests leave Canary Islands hotel locked down over coronavirus
At least 45 guests left a Tenerife hotel in several small groups on Friday, four days into a 14-day quarantine imposed because of the coronavirus. Nearly 700 holidaymakers remained stranded in the compound.
Putin’s youngest daughter to run artificial intelligence institute
Katerina Tikhonova, the youngest daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was appointed head of a new artificial intelligence institute at Moscow State University, her fund said on Friday.
Major fire ongoing in southeastern Paris, rail station evacuated
A major fire was ongoing on Friday in the area of the Gare de Lyon railway station in southeastern Paris.
Turkey says Erdogan, Trump discuss situation in Syria’s Idlib
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday discussed developments in Syria’s Idlib, where 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an attack by Russian-backed Syrian forces.
Explainer: How U.S. markets will function if coronavirus breaks out in NYC
If an outbreak of coronavirus hits New York, it could cause more sharp selling of stocks, but markets would likely continue to function even if the floor of the New York Stock Exchange had to close.
Guinea braces for disputed referendum that could extend veteran Conde’s rule
When Alpha Conde was elected president of Guinea in 2010, the veteran opposition leader vowed to restore democracy after decades of authoritarian rule.
Teenage Afghan guitar player eyes Taliban peace deal with trepidation
Like many young Afghans, 13-year-old music student Sara Habib is nervous about an agreement between the Taliban and the United States due to be signed in Doha on Saturday, which would include pulling U.S. troops out of the country after 18 years.
Bombardment intensifies in Tripoli, patients evacuated
Bombardment of the Libyan capital Tripoli intensified on Friday, residents said, forcing the evacuation of some patients from a hospital near the capital’s only functioning airport and prompting condemnation by the United Nations.
Coronavirus now poses ‘very high’ risk at global level: WHO
The risk of a global spread and impact of the coronavirus is now “very high”, the highest level of alarm, but containment is still possible, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
