China shuts part of Great Wall as virus toll hits 26
China ramped up measures to contain a virus that has killed 26 people and infected more than 800, suspending public transport in 10 cities, shutting temples over the Lunar New Year and even closing the Forbidden City and part of the Great Wall.
StanChart says advising staff to defer all business travel to Wuhan
Standard Chartered is advising its staff to avoid business travel to the Chinese city of Wuhan following a virus outbreak that has so far killed 26 people and infected more than 800.
EU’s Borrell extends timeline for dispute mechanism on Iran deal
The EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell on Friday extended the time available to discuss ways to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran under a dispute mechanism triggered by France, Germany and Britain.
New Atlantia CEO apologizes for bridge disaster, seeks talks with government
The new CEO of Italy’s Atlantia signaled a fresh approach on Friday to the crisis caused by the deadly collapse of a bridge operated by its motorway arm in 2018, apologizing for the disaster and seeking talks with the government.
Mass evictions prompt protests as Nigerian housing crisis mounts
The men in naval uniforms charged into the Nigerian waterfront village of Okun Glass in the morning, chased out the residents, then called in the bulldozers.
EU assumes post-Brexit transition finishes at end-2020: senior official
The European Union is working on the assumption that the status quo transition period after Brexit will terminate at the end of the year and not be extended, a senior official with the bloc said on Friday.
China to take stricter, more targeted measure to curb coronavirus spread: state TV
China will take stricter and more targeted measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, state television reported citing a state council meeting on virus control on Friday.
Uzbekistan to ease restrictions on moving from provinces to capital
Uzbekistan will liberalize its domestic migration system which bars provincial dwellers from moving to the capital unless they have already secured a job there, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Friday.
No digs at Davos? Teepee-dwellers shiver to highlight homelessness
Andrew Funk has been shivering through the nights in a tent pitched in the snow of Davos this week as political and business leaders returned to their cozy hotels and apartments nestled in the swank Swiss ski resort.
Britain convenes emergency response meeting on new coronavirus
Britain will convene an emergency response meeting on Friday to discuss measures to contain a virus that has killed 26 people and infected more than 800 in China, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said.
