Alibaba offers $2.86 billion in loans to firms hit by coronavirus outbreak
Alibaba Group Holdings said on Monday its affiliate Ant Financial’s MYBank unit would offer 20 billion yuan ($2.86 billion) in loans to companies in China in light of the coronavirus outbreak, with preferential terms for Hubei firms.
Pope trip to Malta in May to spotlight migrants’ plight
Pope Francis will make the first trip by a pontiff in 10 years to the tiny Mediterranean island nation of Malta in May, where he is expected to defend the rights of migrants trying to reach Europe.
Malaysia says yet to decide on new search for MH370
Malaysia on Monday said it has yet to decide on launching a new search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which went missing with 239 people on board nearly six years ago, following a report that a new effort to find the plane could be mounted.
Oscars, movies help pass the time on cruise ship quarantined in Japan
Some cruise ship passengers savored lavish meals; others watched movies or were glued to the live Academy Awards broadcast. The lucky few whose turn it was to get fresh air paced the decks, reveling in a glimpse of blue sky.
Merkel protegee Kramp-Karrenbauer won’t run for chancellor: source
The woman who had been expected to become Germany’s next chancellor has decided not to run for the top job, a source in her Christian Democratic party (CDU) said on Monday, throwing into confusion the race to succeed Angela Merkel.
Merkel protegee will remain CDU chair until a chancellor candidate is found: source
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the leader of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) who on Monday said she would not run for chancellor next year, will remain chair of the party until another candidate is found, a party source said.
GM to restart production in China from Feb. 15
General Motors said on Monday it would restart production in from Feb. 15 in China, where the country is dealing with a coronavirus epidemic which has killed more than 900 people.
Taiwan again scrambles jets to intercept Chinese planes, tensions spike
Taiwan’s air force scrambled for a second day in a row on Monday to intercept Chinese jets that approached the island claimed by Beijing as its own, as tensions between the two took on a potentially dangerous military dimension.
Ireland’s Fianna Fail says talk of Sinn Fein coalition ‘premature’
The director of elections of Ireland’s center-right Fianna Fail party on Monday said it was “completely premature” to talk of forming a coalition government with Sinn Fein, but said it would talk to its left-wing rival.
Sixty-six new infections of coronavirus confirmed on ship off Japan: statement
Sixty-six new infections of the coronavirus have been confirmed on board the Diamond Princess ship off the coast of Japan, the ship’s operator, Princess Cruises, said in a statement.
