For Afghan actor, now a refugee, survival is toughest role
Talibshah Hosini played some tough roles as an actor in Afghanistan before he fled. None was as hard as his real-life fight for survival in a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.
Saudi Arabia suspends entry for Umrah pilgrims, tourists amid coronavirus
Saudi Arabia on Thursday suspended arrivals by foreigners for the Umrah pilgrimage and tourists from two dozen countries where the new coronavirus has spread, as a growing number of cases globally deepened fears of a pandemic.
Climate activists jubilant as expansion of Britain’s Heathrow Airport blocked
The planned expansion of London’s Heathrow Airport was declared unlawful on environmental grounds by a court on Thursday, a ruling that could sink the $18 billion project that has been dogged by decades of dispute and indecision.
Coronavirus outbreak at ‘decisive point’: WHO chief
The new coronavirus outbreak has reached a “decisive point”, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday, urging countries to redouble efforts to contain its spread effectively.
Running out of time: East Africa faces new locust threat
Countries in East Africa are racing against time to prevent new swarms of locusts wreaking havoc with crops and livelihoods after the worst infestation in generations.
Anxious Italy looks to play down coronavirus risk as new cases rise
Italy’s government, desperate to stave off a likely recession, played down on Thursday the gravity of an outbreak of coronavirus, the worst yet seen in Europe, saying it only impacted a tiny fraction of the country.
Iran coronavirus death toll reaches 26, Tehran Friday prayer canceled
Iran said on Thursday its death toll from coronavirus had risen to 26, by far the highest number outside China, and the total number of infected people now stood at 245, including several senior officials.
EU’s Varhelyi: accession talks with two Balkan states could open in weeks
The European Union could open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia within weeks as both countries have made good progress in their preparations, the European Commission’s enlargement chief, Oliver Varhelyi, said on Thursday.
As coronavirus takes hold, Greece worries about migrant camps
Greece will tighten border controls to prevent the spread of coronavirus, focusing on island routes used by migrants to enter the country, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday.
PM Abe asks all of Japan schools to close over coronavirus
Japan’s entire school system, from elementary to high schools, will be asked to close from Monday until spring break late in March to help contain the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday.
