Iraqi security forces raid Baghdad’s main protest camp, shoot at demonstrators
Iraqi security forces raided Baghdad’s main protest site at Tahrir Square on Saturday, firing live rounds and tear gas at anti-government demonstrators who have camped out there for months, Reuters reporters said.
Hong Kong leader declares virus emergency, halts official visits to mainland China
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam declared a virus emergency on Saturday, announcing measures to limit links with mainland China and prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
China virus toll hits 41; Australia reports first four cases
The death toll from China’s coronavirus outbreak jumped to 41 as the Lunar New Year got off to a gloomy start on Saturday, with Hong Kong declaring a virus emergency, scrapping celebrations, and restricting links to mainland China.
China’s Wuhan to build second designated hospital to treat coronavirus patients: state media
China’s Wuhan city, the centre of the outbreak of the new coronavirus, will build a second dedicated hospital to treat patients, state media the People’s Daily reported on Saturday.
Turkey quake kills at least 22, rescuers dig for survivors
The death toll from a powerful earthquake in eastern Turkey reached 22 on Saturday, as rescuers searched for survivors trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Australia confirms four cases of coronavirus, expects more cases
Australia confirmed its first four cases of the new coronavirus in two different cities on Saturday, with the country’s chief health official saying he expected more cases as Australia was a popular destination for Chinese tourists.
Bodies of U.S. firefighters retrieved from Australian air crash site
The bodies of three U.S. firefighters who died in a plane crash earlier this week in Australia’s remote bushland while battling a fierce wildfire have been recovered, the police said on Saturday as investigators started probe into the accident.
Iraqi police clash with protesters, try to clear main sit-ins in Baghdad and Basra
Iraqi security forces clashed with protesters, wounding seven of them in Baghdad on Saturday after authorities began to remove concrete barriers erected for months near a main anti-government demonstration site, medics and Reuters witnesses said.
Factbox: The latest on the coronavirus spreading in China and beyond
An outbreak of a new coronavirus that began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan has killed 41 people and infected more than 1,300 globally.
China’s Sanya city shuts down all tourist sites to prevent spread of virus outbreak
China’s Sanya city in the southern island province of Hainan has shut down all tourist sites in the city to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the city government said on Saturday.
