India uses draconian law to keep Kashmir’s political leaders locked away
India has extended the detention of four political leaders in Kashmir who had been held by authorities since August to quell dissent after the central government stripped the region of its autonomy, two senior officials said on Friday.
China will defeat coronavirus, Xi tells Trump, as doctor’s death sparks outcry
Chinese President Xi Jinping assured his U.S. counterpart on Friday that China was doing all it can to contain a new coronavirus that has killed almost 640 people, including a doctor who sounded the alarm only to be threatened by police.
Exclusive: ‘Shock and awe’ has failed in Philippines drug war, enforcement chief says
Colonel Romeo Caramat oversaw the bloodiest day in the blood-soaked war on drugs in the Philippines – 32 people killed in 24 hours in the province north of Manila where he was police chief in 2017.
Factbox: Latest on the coronavirus spreading in China and beyond
The death toll from a new coronavirus in mainland China crossed 600 on Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping assuring U.S. President Donald Trump that China is doing all it can to contain the virus.
Countries evacuating nationals from China coronavirus areas
A growing number of countries around the world are evacuating or planning to evacuate diplomatic staff and citizens from parts of China hit by the new coronavirus.
China anti-corruption body to probe ‘issues’ related to Li Wenliang
China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, its top anti-corruption body, said on Friday it would send investigators to Wuhan to probe “issues raised by the people in connection with Dr. Li Wenliang.”
Russia says Syrian air defense nearly hit passenger plane near Damascus
An Airbus A320 with 172 passengers on board made an emergency landing in Russia-controlled Khmeimim air base after Syrian air defense nearly hit it, Russian state news agency RIA said on Friday citing Russian defense ministry spokesman.
Australia celebrates as heavy rains dampen huge bushfires
Much of Australia’s wildfire-ravaged east coast was drenched on Friday by the biggest rainfall in almost 20 years, dousing some of the most dangerous blazes and providing welcome relief to farmers battling an extended drought.
Two more U.S. evacuation planes leave coronavirus epicenter Wuhan
Two planes with about 300 passengers, mostly U.S. citizens, took off from the Chinese city of Wuhan on Thursday bound for the United States — the third group of evacuees from the heart of the coronavirus outbreak, the U.S. State Department said.
Coronavirus cases on cruise liner off Japan jump to 61
Another 41 people quarantined on a cruise liner off Japan tested positive for coronavirus on Friday, bringing the total confirmed cases to 61, with thousands of passengers confined to cabins as the testing is carried out.
