Church at centre of South Korea coronavirus outbreak sits silent as infections surge
Usually teeming with thousands of worshippers, the church at the centre of South Korea’s largest coronavirus outbreak was shuttered and silent on Friday, surrounded by empty streets.
U.N. says it fears ‘bloodbath’ in northwest Syria, Russia denies mass displacements
The United Nations warned on Friday fighting in northwest Syria could “end in a bloodbath” and it called again for a ceasefire, while Moscow denied reports of a mass flight of civilians from a Russian-led Syrian government offensive in the region.
Explainer: What’s next in Thai politics after opposition party banned?
A Thai court on Friday dissolved a high-profile opposition political party, the Future Forward Party, ruling that it illegally took a 191.2 million baht ($6.04 million) loan from its billionaire leader.
First case of coronavirus confirmed in Lebanon: hospital source
The first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Lebanon on Friday after a woman arriving from Iran was found to be positive, a source at a Beirut hospital where the woman is being quarantined told Reuters.
Myanmar to court-martial more troops over Rohingya crackdown, army says
Myanmar’s army said in a statement on Friday it would hold more court-martials over alleged abuses against Rohingya Muslims, after a government-appointed commission said soldiers committed war crimes against the minority.
Hong Kong protesters mark seven months since brutal mob attack
Hong Kong protesters, many dressed in black and wearing surgical masks amid fears over the new coronavirus, held sit-ins in the Chinese-ruled city on Friday to mark seven months since an attack by an armed mob on anti-government demonstrators.
After clashes, Ukraine blames disinformation campaign for spreading coronavirus panic
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk on Friday blamed an “information war” being waged on the country for spreading panic and mistrust over the coronavirus, a day after the arrival of evacuees from China sparked clashes outside a sanatorium.
Iran says coronavirus has spread to several cities, reports two new deaths
The coronavirus has spread to several Iranian cities, a health ministry official said on Friday, as an outbreak that the authorities say began in the holy city of Qom caused two more deaths.
Japan govt faces questions over coronavirus, Tokyo cancels events
Japan faced growing questions about whether it was doing enough to stop the spread of the coronavirus on Friday, as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said it would cancel or postpone major indoor events it has sponsored for the next three weeks.
Prime minister leaves Lesotho, avoids being charged with murdering wife
Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane left the country, skipping a court appearance on Friday at which he was expected to be charged with murdering his estranged wife.
