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.
We will find new path with London after Brexit, say EU leaders
The European Union will work hard to forge a future as an ally and partner of Britain after their divorce on Friday, European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen wrote in Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily.
In Brussels, a quiet last nod for Brexit and a rainy ‘au revoir’
Brexit cleared its last formal hurdle in Brussels on Thursday, setting Britain’s Jan. 31 exit from the European Union in stone, but it was an unceremonious moment and a party in the heart of the EU’s capital to say “au revoir” was a rain-drenched washo…
