Syria, insisting it is coronavirus-free, takes broad steps to prevent spread
Syria has delayed parliamentary elections, shut schools and canceled most public events to prevent any spread of the coronavirus, as officials said the war-ravaged country was still free of the virus despite reports it was hiding cases.
Syria to delay parliamentary elections to May 20 on coronavirus concerns
Syria will postpone parliamentary elections to May 20 from April 13 as a precautionary step against the spread of coronavirus, a statement from the president’s office said on Saturday.
Three American troops wounded in rocket attack in Iraq, U.S. official says
Three U.S. troops have been wounded in a rocket attack in Iraq on the same base where Iran-backed militia struck on Wednesday, killing two Americans and a British soldier, a U.S. official told Reuters on Saturday.
Spain plans partial coronavirus lockdown from Monday – draft
Spain plans to put its 47 million inhabitants under partial lockdown from Monday as part of a 15-day state of emergency plan to combat the coronavirus, a draft of an official decree seen by Reuters showed.
Romanian lawmakers endorse PM Orban in vote of confidence
Romania’s centrist Prime Minister Ludovic Orban won a parliamentary vote of confidence by a large margin as expected, on Saturday, with all parties seeking to end a political stalemate and focus on reining in the spread of coronavirus.
Indonesia transport minister confirmed to have coronavirus as cases climb
Indonesian Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has been hospitalized in Jakarta after he contracted coronavirus, a government official said on Saturday, the most high-profile case so far to be confirmed in the Southeast Asian country.
South Africa’s coronavirus cases rise to 38, Health Ministry says
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa rose to 38 on Saturday from 24 a day earlier, the Health Ministry said, as the government weighs new measures to contain the outbreak.
Russia closes land border with Poland and Norway to foreigners over coronavirus fears
The Russian government said on Saturday it was closing the country’s land border with Poland and Norway to foreigners from midnight as a precautionary measure to try to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Teargas, clashes in Paris as Yellow Vests’ protesters defy coronavirus ban
French security forces fired teargas and clashed with anti-government “Yellow Vest” protesters who were demonstrating in Paris on Saturday in defiance of a ban on mass gatherings that aims to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Egypt suspends schools, universities for two weeks from Sunday
Egypt will suspend schools and universities for two weeks starting March 15 amid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the presidency said in a statement on Saturday.
