Qatar Foundation rejects U.S. university’s reason for scrapping event after anti-gay backlash
An American university’s partner in Qatar has rejected the university’s explanation for cancelling an event in Doha that would have featured a prominent Middle East band whose singer is openly gay.
China’s Xi says virus controls at crucial stage: state media
China’s efforts to control a coronavirus outbreak are at a crucial stage and authorities must prevent the epidemic from spreading, Xinhua news agency quoted President Xi Jinping as saying on Wednesday.
Bodies of two U.S. firefighters killed in Australia sent home
The bodies of two U.S. firefighters killed battling Australian blazes were sent home on Wednesday in emotional ceremonies attended by officials and relatives.
Companies feel the heat as bushfires choke Australia
A number of Australian companies signaled hits to earnings and flagged damages from the months-long bushfires that have claimed 33 lives and ravaged about 29.7 million acres across the country’s most populous states.
Data suggests virus infections under-reported, exaggerating fatality rate
Fatalities from the coronavirus epidemic are overwhelmingly concentrated in central China’s Wuhan city, which accounts for over 73% of deaths despite having only one-third the number of confirmed infections.
Turkey’s Erdogan demands Syrian forces in Idlib withdraw
Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan threatened on Wednesday to drive back Syrian troops in Idlib unless they withdraw by the end of the month to stem an assault which he said had displaced nearly 1 million people.
Exclusive: U.S. halts secretive drone program with Turkey over Syria incursion
The United States has halted a secretive military intelligence cooperation program with Turkey that for years helped Ankara target Kurdish PKK militants, four U.S. officials told Reuters.
Iran’s Khamenei calls for a high turnout in February parliament election: TV affiliated website
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for a high turnout in a February parliamentary election, the YJC news site, which is affiliated with Iran’s state TV, reported on Wednesday.
The deal of the century will die before Trump dies: Iran Supreme Leader
U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, dubbed the “Deal of the Century”, will die before Trump dies, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday, according to a tweet from hi…
Thousands held on cruise ship in Hong Kong as authorities check for virus
Thousands of passengers and crew on a cruise ship that docked in Hong Kong on Wednesday were being kept on board while they were tested for a coronavirus as the city government said that all visitors from mainland China would be quarantined for two wee…
