Militants set off car bombs, storm army positions in Syria’s Idlib: state news agency
Militants in Syria set off car bombs and used heavy gunfire to storm army positions in Idlib on Thursday, state news agency SANA reported.
Russia says militants killed up to 40 Syrian soldiers in Idlib attack: Ifax
Russia’s defense ministry said on Thursday that hundreds of Syrian militants launched multiple attacks in Syria’s Idlib province, killing up to 40 Syrian soldiers and wounding 80, the Interfax news agency reported.
China suspends shuttle buses, ferries into Wuhan due to coronavirus
China’s transport ministry on Thursday suspended all shuttle buses and ferries going to the central city of Wuhan due to a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 17 and infected nearly 600.
Injury cuts short Grand Slam return for India’s Mirza
Sania Mirza’s return to her first Grand Slam after a two-year break was cut short on Thursday when the former world number one was forced to retire midway through her first round match in women’s doubles at the Australian Open due to a calf injury.
New coronavirus outbreak is a huge concern for the world, British minister says
Britain’s business minister said on Thursday that the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China was a huge concern for the world.
Lebanon seeking $4 billion-$5 billion in loans for wheat, fuel, medicine: minister
Lebanon is looking to secure $4 billion to $5 billion in soft loans from international donors to finance purchases of wheat, fuel and medicines, Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star cited Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni as saying on Thursday.
Coronavirus spotlights Japan contagion risks as Olympics loom
An outbreak of a new virus in China has raised fears of a global pandemic, forcing Japan to confront the possibility of deadly contagion and disruption as it prepares to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Canadian air tanker crashes while fighting Australia bushfires, 3 dead
A Canadian-owned C-130 Hercules air tanker crashed while fighting bushfires in Australia’s alpine region on Thursday, killing all three of its crew, authorities said.
Iran welcomes dialogue with Gulf neighbors: foreign minister tweets
Iran welcomes dialogue with its Gulf neighbors, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday, amid heightened tension in the Middle East.
Japan should ban confiscation of foreign employees’ passports, lawyer says
The Japanese government should forbid employers from retaining the passports of their foreign workers, a lawyer said on Thursday after a Filipino woman sued her former employer for refusing to return her personal documents.
