Pakistani authorities screened hundreds of people who had recently arrived from Iran, a major new hotspot for coronavirus, after Islamabad confirmed its first two infections.

Monica Baro’s investigation into cases of lead poisoning in Havana won her a prestigious Latin American journalism award but few friends in the Cuban government, which views independent media outlets like hers with growing suspicion.

President Donald Trump has told Americans that the risk from coronavirus remained “very low”, and placed Vice-President Mike Pence in charge of the US response to the looming global health crisis.

After coming under the scanner of the Delhi Police for his alleged role in the arson in North-East Delhi which has claimed 38 lives so far besides injuring 200 others, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain yesterday claimed he was the “target”, and “not the attacker”.

Reported cases rise to over 200, excluding 705 on cruise liner; Total deaths up to 8, including 4 from ship; Schools to be asked to close throughout most of March

Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that he was offered the chance to use a body double to make appearances in public for security reasons, but said he declined the offer and never used one.

The World Health Organisation declared yesterday that the new coronavirus epidemic was at a “decisive point” as countries across the globe battled to contain the deadly outbreak.

Air France is to cut 1,500 jobs, mostly ground staff, by late 2022, union sources told AFP Thursday, though the company declined to confirm the figures pending talks with labour representatives.

Governments battling coronavirus epidemics from Iran to Australia shut schools, cancelled big events and stocked up on medical supplies on Thursday in a race to contain the outbreak's rapid global spread.

At least 32 people have been killed in the deadliest violence to engulf India's capital New Delhi for decades as a heavy deployment of security forces brought an uneasy calm on Thursday, a police official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for calm yesterday after Delhi’s worst sectarian violence in decades left at least 24 people dead and calls for a military curfew.

The Congress party yesterday demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah following his “colossal failure” in controlling violence in north-east Delhi.