U.N. cancels key meetings ahead of climate summit due to coronavirus
The United Nations has canceled meetings in Bonn, Germany, and elsewhere planned in the run-up to a crucial U.N. climate summit to be held in Glasgow in November due to the coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Friday.
Iraq puts France and Spain on coronavirus entry ban list
Iraq has banned entry to travelers coming from France and Spain, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday, bringing the total number of countries on its entry ban list to 11 as it tries to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Coronavirus impact is overwhelming, Spain’s hotels association says
Hotel bookings have fallen by as much as 40% in some areas of Spain, the country’s hotel federation said and flagged an overwhelming impact for the eurozone’s fourth largest economy as anxiety about the coronavirus outbreak takes hold.
Banned Thai billionaire politician vows to press fight for democracy
A Thai billionaire whose opposition party, critical of the military establishment, was dissolved last month said on Friday he will form a new movement to work outside parliament after being banned from politics for 10 years.
Exclusive: Guatemala seeks to limit migrants returned under U.S. asylum agreement
Guatemala’s new government is trying to limit the number of foreign migrants the United States sends its way under an agreement that makes the Central American nation a buffer zone to reduce U.S. asylum claims.
Another victim of coronavirus: Spain’s religious statue-kissing
A Spanish pre-Easter tradition, where Catholics flock in droves to kiss statues of Jesus and Mary, fell victim to the coronavirus epidemic this week as churches with some of the most sought-after statues told worshippers not to touch or kiss them.
Italian coronavirus deaths jump to 197, cases climb to 4,636
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has risen by 49 to 197, the Civil Protection Agency said on Friday, the largest daily increase in fatalities since the contagion was uncovered two weeks ago.
Vietnam reports new coronavirus case, first in three weeks
Vietnam reported a new coronavirus case on Friday, the first in three weeks, Hanoi city chairman Nguyen Duc Chung said.
Turkish coastguard rescues 120 migrants off western coast
Turkey’s coastguard rescued around 120 migrants trying to reach a Greek island on three dinghies early on Friday after they said their passage was blocked by Greek coastguard vessels.
Dutch trial over downing of flight MH17 to start without suspects
(This March 6 story corrects number of Dutch victims to 196 from 193 to include dual nationals)
