Call to dissolve state assembly as Merkel steps into row over far-right
The newly elected premier of Thuringia called for the dissolution of the state assembly on Thursday after Chancellor Angela Merkel said his election with support from her party and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was inexcusable.
UK’s Kew Gardens to help protect Australia’s bio-diversity after wildfires
Britain is to help protect Australia’s biodiversity in the emergency collection of plant seeds following the country’s devastating wildfires.
Australia welcomes drought-easing drenching, even as it brings floods
The east coast of Australia welcomed the heaviest drenching in years on Friday, dousing some of the country’s most damaging and long-running wildfires and easing a drought that has crippled farming across two states.
Factbox: 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’s Hubei province reports 69 new coronavirus deaths on February 6: state TV
The number of deaths in China’s central Hubei province from a coronavirus outbreak had risen by 69 to 618 as of Thursday, Chinese state television reported on Friday.
Canada to impose speed limits on trains carrying dangerous goods after crash
Canada said on Thursday it would impose temporary speed limits on trains hauling dangerous goods after a Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd crude oil train derailed and caught fire.
Brazilian judge holds off indicting U.S. journalist Greenwald
A federal judge indicted a group of Brazilians accused of hacking the phones of prosecutors in the country’s biggest corruption case on Thursday, but held off accepting charges against U.S. journalist Glenn Greenwald, who published leaked information.
Russian foreign minister says efforts to remove Venezuela’s Maduro not ‘useful’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a visit to Mexico City on Thursday criticized attempts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as not “useful” and denounced U.S. foreign policy in the region.
U.S. condemns detention of Citgo executives in Venezuela; hints sanctions on Russia
The United States on Thursday condemned the “cruel and indefensible” detention of executives from U.S. refiner Citgo in Caracas, said the top U.S. envoy for Venezuela said, who also warned Russia over its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro…
Chinese whistleblowing doctor dies of coronavirus
A whistleblowing Chinese doctor who was reprimanded for “spreading rumours” about the coronavirus before it was officially recognised died on Friday after testing positive for the virus, the hospital where he worked said.
