WORLD

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to parliament a number of proposed constitutional changes, including amendments that mention God and stipulate that marriage is a union of a man and woman. Putin unleashed a political storm in January by proposing an overhaul of the constitution, the …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP |  The global death toll from the new coronavirus topped 3,000 on Monday, as airlines cancelled or reduced flights and stock markets swung wildly. Andorra, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Jordan, Latvia, Portugal, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia were among countries that confirmed their first cases, along with Senegal, …

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis, who is suffering from a cold, has tested negative for the coronavirus, an Italian newspaper reported Tuesday, as Italy battles Europe’s worst outbreak. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni did not respond to a request for comment on the report in the Messaggero newspaper. Francis cancelled a Lent …

Houston, United States | AFP |  Joe Biden’s White House campaign received a dramatic boost Monday when three of his ex-rivals including former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke endorsed him for president on the eve of the crucial Super Tuesday primaries. The move marked an unprecedented turn in a fractured, often bitter …

Paris, France | AFP |  Say no to a handshake, refuse every peck on the cheek and definitely avoid hugging. Instead, try a direct gaze, or maybe a hand gesture. Around the world people are changing their habits at work, home and in worship to reduce the risk of contracting the …

Houston, United States | AFP |  Joe Biden’s presidential hopes received a huge shot in the arm Monday after former rivals Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the Democratic race and endorsed the former vice president ahead of the crucial Super Tuesday primaries. The dramatic turn comes at …

Baghdad, Iraq | AFP | Iraqi protesters had been rallying against government incompetence, poor public services and foreign political meddling for months. Then the novel coronavirus hit and fuelled their grievances. “The real virus is Iraqi politicians,” said Fatima, an 18-year-old protester and medical student from Baghdad. “We are immune to …

Washington, United States | AFP | Vice President Mike Pence defended Sunday the US administration’s handling of the coronavirus epidemic after two confirmed deaths on American soil and rising criticism of the state of US preparedness. Pence and Health Secretary Alex Azar made the rounds of Sunday talk shows with the …

Washington, United States | AFP | Pete Buttigieg, the openly gay US presidential candidate, on Sunday ended his campaign to be the Democratic nominee — giving a major boost to fellow centrist Joe Biden. The 38-year-old Buttigieg’s surprise decision was set to shake up the race this week when 14 states …

Bratislava, Slovakia | AFP |  A self-proclaimed “man of the people”, the 46-year-old media-savvy Igor Matovic propelled his centre-right anti-graft party to victory in Slovakia’s general election, beating the governing populists on a strident anti-graft platform. While supporters view him as a maverick with a knack for self-promotion, critics accuse Matovic of …