China heads into Lunar New Year on shutdown as virus toll hits 26
China shut part of the Great Wall and suspended public transport in 10 cities, stranding millions of people at the start of the Lunar New Year holiday on Friday as authorities rush to contain a virus that has killed 26 people and infected more than 800…
Nepal confirms first case of new coronavirus
A Nepali student home from China tested positive for the new coronavirus, an official in Kathmandu said on Friday, making it the first confirmed case in the Himalayan nation.
Several injured, some presumed dead in shooting in Germany: police
Several people were injured and some presumed dead in a shooting in southwestern Germany on Friday, police said, adding that a suspect was detained.
Sudan signs initial political and security deal with rebel group
Sudan and one rebel group signed a preliminary deal on political and security arrangements on Friday, paving the way for eventual reconciliation through ongoing talks.
Coronavirus risk to British public remains low: health minister
The risk posed to the British public by the new coronavirus remains low, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Friday, after an emergency response meeting to discuss the virus that has killed 26 people and infected more than 800 in China.
Mexican president says Central American caravans driven by political forces
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday a caravan of Central American migrants that crossed into Mexico this week was not spontaneous, signaling that Honduran activists were driving the movement for political ends.
In southern Poland, archaeologists discover WW2 plane wreck
Archaeologists have discovered the wreck of a U.S.-made bomber flown by the Soviet Red Army in World War Two, along with the remains of four crewmen killed when it crashed in southern Poland, private broadcaster TVN reported.
Rwanda jails opposition figures for 7-12 years for ‘conspiracy’
Six Rwandan opposition figures have been jailed for seven to 12 years after being convicted of forming an illegal armed group and conspiring against the government, state radio reported.
U.S. Vice President Pence meets pope, jokes ‘You have made me a hero’
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence quipped that Pope Francis had made him “a hero” during an unusually long audience with the pontiff on Friday at the Vatican.
EU moves to freeze Polish law aimed at muzzling judges
The European Commission asked the EU’s highest court on Friday to freeze a new Polish law that allows for the dismissal of judges who are critical of government changes to the judiciary.
