Twenty-two hurt after high-speed train derails in eastern France
A high-speed TGV train running between Strasbourg in eastern France and Paris derailed on Thursday after a land slip, injuring 22 people including one seriously, local officials said.
Factbox: Italy’s draconian new measures to tackle coronavirus contagion
Italy’s government has adopted a decree with emergency new measures to contain the coronavirus, as it struggles against the worst outbreak in Europe which has killed at least 107 in less than two weeks.
U.S. divided over support for Turkey in Syria, Jeffrey says
There is no unanimity in Washington over support for Turkey in Syria’s Idlib because of Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems, U.S. envoy James Jeffrey said on Thursday.
South Africa’s Tshwane municipality placed under administration
South Africa’s Tshwane municipality, which houses the capital Pretoria, was on Thursday placed under administration by the provincial government, citing mismanagement and irregular expenditure.
Kazakhstan bars entry to South Korean nationals due to coronavirus
Kazakhstan will bar entry to nationals of South Korea from March 8 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, deputy industry minister Berik Kamaliyev said on Thursday.
UAE advises against travel abroad over coronavirus concerns
The United Arab Emirates is urging its citizens and other residents to avoid traveling abroad because of concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, state news agency WAM said on Thursday.
Turkey deploys 1,000 police at Greek border to stem push-back of migrants
Turkey is deploying 1,000 special police forces along its border with Greece on Thursday to halt the pushback of migrants toward its territory, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said, adding that 164 migrants had been wounded by Greek authorities.
In drastic step, Italy bishops cancel weekday Masses in coronavirus areas
Italy’s bishops on Thursday ordered that Masses not be held during the week in churches in areas of the north of the country affected by the coronavirus outbreak, a step believed to be unprecedented.
Tibetan language learning eroded under China’s ‘bilingual education’: rights group
China is eroding access to Tibetan language learning and resources in the Tibet Autonomous Region while carrying out so-called “bilingual education”, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch.
Court in Crimea jails Jehovah’s Witness for six years in extremism case
A court in Russian-controlled Crimea jailed a Jehovah’s Witness for six years on Thursday after finding him guilty of organizing the activities of a banned extremist organization, part of a crackdown rights activists say violates religious freedom.
