Asia

Iran says, 77 now dead from coronavirus

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran’s health ministry announced on Tuesday that 11 more people had died from the new coronavirus in the past day, bringing the Islamic republic’s overall death toll to 77. In all, 2,336 people have been infected, including 835 new cases — the biggest increase in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the country nearly two weeks ago. “According to the latest figures, 835 new patients have been added” […]

Turkey fighter jet downs Syrian warplane over Idlib: monitor

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — A Turkish fighter jet downed a Syrian regime warplane over the northwestern Idlib province Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said, in the third such downing in three days. Turkey on Sunday confirmed it had launched a military operation against Russia-backed regime forces in the border region, where Ankara supports some rebel groups. Syrian state news agency SANA said one of its planes was “targeted” after two others […]

South Korea declares ‘war’ on coronavirus as cases exceed 5,000

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korean President Moon Jae-in declared “war” against the coronavirus on Tuesday, as the country reported its biggest daily case increase to date, sending its total past 5,000 — the largest in the world outside China. South Korea has seen a rapid rise in infections in recent days and scores of events — from K-pop concerts to sports seasons — have been canceled or postponed over the contagion, with school […]

Iraq crisis deepens after PM-designate steps down

by Sarah Benhaida BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — Protest-torn Iraq on Monday faced more political gridlock after prime minister-designate Mohammed Allawi withdrew overnight, accusing lawmakers of obstructing his attempt to form a government. Oil-rich but poverty-stricken Iraq has for five months been rocked by the biggest wave of anti-government demonstrations since the 2003 US-led invasion toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein. The mostly youthful protesters demand the ouster of Iraq’s entire political elite, which they accuse of […]

WHO says, world in uncharted territory as US virus toll rises

by Laurent Thomet with Issam Ahmed in Washington PEQUIM, China (AFP) — The world has entered uncharted territory in its battle against the deadly coronavirus, the UN health agency warned, as new infections dropped dramatically in China on Tuesday but surged abroad with the US death toll rising to six. Globally, the virus has killed more than 3,100 people and infected over 90,000 even as a clear shift in the crisis emerges, with nine times […]

S. Korea coronavirus cases approach 5,000

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea’s coronavirus case total — the largest in the world outside China — approached 5,000 Tuesday as authorities reported 477 new cases. Two more people had died, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, taking the toll to 28. South Korea has seen a rapid rise in infections in recent days as authorities carry out checks on more than 260,000 people associated with the Shincheonji Church of […]

N. Korea’s Kim ‘guided’ long-range artillery drill: KCNA

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a “long-range artillery” drill, state media said Tuesday, after Pyongyang threatened to demonstrate a new weapon. Kim “guided” the drill on Monday, KCNA said. South Korea had said that North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday, but it was not immediately clear if the two incidents were the same. “As he ordered the sub-units to start […]

US coronavirus death toll rises to six, all in Washington state

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The number of US deaths from the novel coronavirus rose to six on Monday, all in the state of Washington, officials said, signaling the contagion has taken root in the Pacific Northwest. Five of the six were from King county, the most populous in the state and home to Seattle, a city of more than 700,000 people. The sixth victim was from Snohomish county, officials said. “The risk for […]

Indicted Netanyahu claims victory in Israel vote

by Joe Dyke JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) –Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory in Israel’s general election Monday, with exit polls putting the indicted premier in a strong position to form the next government. The election, Israel’s third in less than a year, was called after inconclusive votes in April and September plunged the Jewish state into political stalemate. The surveys conducted by three Israeli networks gave Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party between 36 and 37 seats […]

Iran reports 12 more coronavirus deaths, raising total to 66

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran said Monday that novel coronavirus had killed 12 more people in the Islamic republic, raising the country’s overall death toll to 66. The number of confirmed cases leaped by 523 from the previous day to a total of 1,501, Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi told a news conference. “We are announcing 523 new cases infected (and) 12 new deaths. The total number of deaths is therefore 66,” Raisi said. The […]

Netanyahu rival Gantz urges ‘change’ as Israel votes

ROSH HAYAAIN, Israel (AFP) — Former military chief Benny Gantz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main challenger in elections Monday, voiced hope the country would “change the tune,” after a year of political stalemate. “It’s about time that we be much more united,” Gantz said after voting in the central town of Rosh Haayin. “I hope that today will be the day that we change the tune, stop the mudslinging (and) stop the lying,” he […]

North Korea fires unidentified projectile: South’s military

by Sunghee Hwang SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles on Monday, the South’s military said, weeks after Pyongyang declared its moratorium on long-range missile tests over. The move comes as nuclear negotiations with the United States are at a standstill and as a unilateral deadline Pyongyang set Washington to offer it fresh concessions on sanctions relief expired. The two devices were fired eastwards over the sea from the Wonsan area […]