Libya closes Tripoli’s Mitiga airport after missiles fired
The only functioning airport in Libya’s capital Tripoli closed on Thursday after missiles were fired toward it, causing chaos and fear among passengers, airport authorities said.
Bulgaria adds charges of illegal antique possession against fugitive tycoon
Bulgarian prosecutors have pressed new charges including unlawful possession of antiques of historical value against fugitive gambling tycoon Vasil Bozhkov, one of the country’s richest men, officials said on Thursday.
Iran starts election campaign with thousands barred from standing
Iran’s week-long parliamentary election campaign started on Thursday, state TV reported, a vote seen as a popularity test for the clerical establishment at a time when relations with Washington are at their worst since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Vietnam quarantines rural community of 10,000 over coronavirus fears: officials
Vietnam has quarantined a community of 10,000 people near the capital, Hanoi, for 20 days over fears that the coronavirus could spread there, two local officials told Reuters on Thursday.
Spain’s High Court jails former Pemex chief pending investigation
Spain’s High Court said on Thursday it will jail Emilio Lozoya, the former chief executive of Mexico’s state oil firm Pemex, pending an investigation into alleged money laundering.
PM Johnson asserts control over UK government, finance minister quits
Boris Johnson forced the resignation of his finance minister on Thursday for refusing to toe the line, a sign the prime minister was tightening his control in a government reshuffle designed to deliver his vision for Britain beyond Brexit.
New party boss of China’s Hubei pledges to contain coronavirus: state media
The new Communist Party chief of China’s Hubei province pledged to contain the outbreak in the region that has been the hardest hit by the coronavirus, the province’s official newspaper reported on Thursday.
China’s Xi pledges to minimise impact of virus
China will definitely be able to minimise the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and will maintain the development momentum of its economy, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday, state media reported.
Factbox: Airlines suspend China flights due to coronavirus outbreak
Airlines are suspending flights to China in the wake of the new coronavirus outbreak.
Ireland’s Sinn Fein says ‘very, very tricky’ to form all-left government
It would be “very, very tricky” to form a government that does not include one of Ireland’s two large center-right parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, the head of left-wing nationalist party Sinn Fein said on Thursday.
