South Korea confirms first death of person infected with coronavirus
South Korea reported on Wednesday the first death in the country of a person infected with coronavirus and 22 new cases bringing the total to 104.
Turkey says talks with Russia on Syria warning but more needed
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday there was some rapprochement with Russia in talks about Syria’s Idlib region, where Ankara has threatened to mount an offensive, but added that discussions were not at a desired level yet.
Turkey, Russia discussing joint-patrols option in Syria’s Idlib: Turkish official
Turkey and Russia are discussing possible joint patrols around Syria’s northwestern Idlib region as one option to ensure security there, a Turkish official said on Thursday, as Ankara ramped up threats of a military offensive in the region.
China tests its soft power in Southeast Asia amid coronavirus outbreak
China called for solidarity on Thursday in a special meeting to discuss the coronavirus outbreak with Southeast Asian nations as it faces criticism for its handling of the epidemic.
Indications of far-right motive for German shooting rampage: prosecutors
There are indications that a gunman who shot dead nine people in shisha bars in Hanau in an overnight rampage had a far-right motive, German federal prosecutors said on Thursday.
China warns of further action after revoking WSJ journalists’ credentials
China warned on Thursday that it might take more action against the Wall Street Journal, a day after revoking the press credentials of three of the U.S. newspaper’s correspondents over a column that China said was racist.
Turkey says its guarantees in Libya depend on durable ceasefire
Turkey’s guarantees in Libya are dependent on a truce between warring sides being upheld, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday, adding that Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar was violating the ceasefire.
Algeria ready to mediate in Libya ceasefire talks: president to paper
Algeria is ready to act as a mediator in any Libya ceasefire talks, its president Abdelmadjid Tebboune told French newspaper Le Figaro in an interview published on Thursday.
Australia quarantines coronavirus cruise ship arrivals; extends travel ban
More than 150 Australians arrived home on Thursday to begin two weeks of quarantine after finally leaving a cruise ship docked in Japan on which more than 600 people had contracted a new coronavirus.
New Zealand’s Greens pit teenaged activist against Ardern for election
A week shy of his 18th birthday, climate activist Luke Wijohn is planning to take down New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a general election later this year, having been selected by the Green Party to contest her constituency.
