COVID-19
Trump downplays epidemic fears as virus spreads around world
World
February 27, 2020
Trump downplays epidemic fears as virus spreads around world
President Donald Trump has played down fears of a major coronavirus outbreak in the United States, even as infections ricochet…
Saudi Arabia suspends entry to Kingdom’s holy sites amid coronavirus fears
Middle East
February 27, 2020
Saudi Arabia suspends entry to Kingdom’s holy sites amid coronavirus fears
Saudi Arabia “temporarily” suspended entry to the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina…
Governments ramp up preparations for coronavirus pandemic
World
February 27, 2020
Governments ramp up preparations for coronavirus pandemic
SYDNEY/SEOUL (Reuters) – Governments ramped up measures on Thursday to battle a global pandemic of the coronavirus as the number…
Saudi Arabia halts travel to Islam’s holiest site over virus
Middle East
February 27, 2020
Saudi Arabia halts travel to Islam’s holiest site over virus
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia on Thursday halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam over fears…
UAE says ready for ‘worst case’ scenarios as coronavirus spreads in Middle East
Middle East
February 26, 2020
UAE says ready for ‘worst case’ scenarios as coronavirus spreads in Middle East
DUBAI (Reuters) — The United Arab Emirates, a major air transit center, is ready for “worst case scenarios” as the…
Iranian clerics keep shrines open, even as virus spreads
Middle East
February 26, 2020
Iranian clerics keep shrines open, even as virus spreads
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Shia shrines that attract tens of millions of visitors annually have come under focus…
Iran official running anti-coronavirus task force has virus
Middle East
February 25, 2020
Iran official running anti-coronavirus task force has virus
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The head of Iran’s counter-coronavirus task force has tested positive for the virus himself,…
Iraq reports four cases of coronavirus amid fear of Iran epidemic spillover
Middle East
February 25, 2020
Iraq reports four cases of coronavirus amid fear of Iran epidemic spillover
BAGHDAD (Reuters) — An Iraqi family of four who returned from a visit to Iran tested positive for the coronavirus,…
Iran says 12 dead from new virus, rejects higher death toll
Middle East
February 25, 2020
Iran says 12 dead from new virus, rejects higher death toll
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s government said Monday that 12 people had died nationwide from the new coronavirus,…
Second coronavirus death sparks fears, lockdown in Italian towns
World
February 22, 2020
Second coronavirus death sparks fears, lockdown in Italian towns
Two deaths from the new coronavirus sparked fears throughout northern Italy on Saturday, as towns shuttered shops and schools to…