Putin’s political shake-up backed by Russian parliament in initial vote
Russia’s lower house of parliament unanimously gave its initial backing on Thursday to sweeping constitutional changes proposed by President Vladimir Putin which are widely seen as an attempt to extend his influence after he steps down.
More vegetables, doctor’s visits for Shanghai elderly looking to beat virus
Senior citizens in China’s commercial capital of Shanghai are taking preventive steps against the spread of a new virus, monitoring their health, staying indoors to reduce exposure, and even giving up meat.
China SARS fighter returns to spotlight in coronavirus battle
The public face of China’s effort to control a new strain of coronavirus, which has killed 17 and infected nearly 600, is an 83-year-old doctor who became a household name 17 years ago for “daring to speak” in the fight against SARS.
Dubai to screen passengers on China flights after virus outbreak
Dubai will screen passengers arriving on direct flights from China, the airport operator said on Thursday, as health authorities around the world scramble to prevent a global pandemic.
Passengers from China’s Wuhan arriving in Rome checked for coronavirus: airport spokesman
Passengers on a China Southern Airlines flight from the Chinese city of Wuhan arriving at Rome’s Fiumicino airport early on Thursday were checked for signs of coronavirus, an airport spokesman said.
Venezuela Guaido calls for halt to ‘blood gold’ flow
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Wednesday that the government needed to halt the illegal flow of gold out of the South American country and sanctions might be needed.
Myanmar leader Suu Kyi says Rohingya ‘exaggerated’ abuses: FT
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Thursday that “war crimes” may have been committed against Rohingya Muslims but denied genocide, saying refugees had “exaggerated” the extent of abuses against them.
Factbox: WHO expert panel to decide whether new virus is an emergency
A World Health Organisation panel of experts on the new coronavirus met on Thursday to evaluate whether the outbreak, which has spread from China to several countries, constitutes an international emergency.
Russian lawmakers back Putin’s sweeping reforms in first vote: Ifax
Russia’s lower house of parliament backed sweeping constitutional reform legislation put forward by President Vladimir Putin in a preliminary vote on Thursday, the Interfax news agency reported.
Canadian waterbomber plane crashes while fighting Australia bushfires, three dead
A Canadian-owned C-130 Hercules air tanker crashed while fighting bushfires in Australia’s alpine region on Thursday, killing all three of its crew, authorities said.
