Spain to open Catalonia talks before regional election, reversing earlier position
Spain’s government said on Thursday it will begin talks on resolving the Catalan political conflict before elections are held in the region, walking back an earlier decision to postpone the negotiations until after the polls.
WHO declares global emergency as China virus spreads quickly
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday it was declaring the China coronavirus outbreak that has killed 170 people in China a global emergency, as cases spread to 18 countries.
Britain lifts risk level from coronavirus to medium from low
Britain has increased the perceived risk level to the country from an outbreak of coronavirus in China to moderate from low, indicating the government should plan for all eventualities.
WHO declares China virus outbreak an international emergency
The World Health Organization declared on Thursday that the coronavirus epidemic in China now constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
France kickstarts European mission in the Strait of Hormuz
France announced on Thursday the beginning of the European Maritime Awareness mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH), intended to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Gulf while promoting a de-escalation approach with Iran.
Iraq says anti-IS operations with U.S. coalition resume
Iraq’s military said on Thursday it was resuming operations with the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State which had mostly halted after bases hosting U.S. troops came under rocket attacks and a U.S. drone strike killed a top Iranian commander.
Armed groups in Colombia are still recruiting children, NGOs say
Illegal armed groups are still recruiting children in Colombia, subjecting them to sexual abuse and using them as cannon fodder in armed conflict, humanitarian groups said on Thursday.
Passenger aboard blocked Italian cruise liner did not have coronavirus: health ministry
Tests on a passenger from Macau aboard a cruise liner blocked in an Italian port confirmed on Thursday she did not have coronavirus, an Italian health ministry spokesman said.
Virgin Atlantic suspends Shanghai flights over coronavirus
Virgin Atlantic has suspended its daily operations to Shanghai for two weeks from Feb. 2 due to the outbreak of coronavirus and a declining demand for flights, it said on Thursday.
Morocco’s RAM airline temporarily suspends flights to China due to coronavirus: state news agency
Moroccan airline Royal Air Maroc (RAM) temporarily suspended its direct flights to China due to the coronavirus outbreak, state news agency MAP said on Thursday.
