China's GDP decline at highest in 3 decades on '2020 Black Swan' event

New York (IANS) As a knock on effect of the coronavirus outbreak, China is expected to see the largest decline in the quarter-on-quarter GDP in over three decades.

Calling it "2020's Black Swan", according to a report by marquee fund house…

COVID-19: Hong Kong reports new confirmed case; total 96

Hong Kong (IANS) Hong Kong on Sunday reported one confirmed case of COVID-19, which was related to a Buddhist worship hall that had been suspected of multiple infections.

The new confirmed case took the total number in Hong Kong to 96, with…

EU raises risk level of coronavirus infection

Brussels (IANS) The risk for people living or travelling in Europe to be infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been levelled up by the European Centre for Disease Prevention Control (ECDC), European Commission President Ursula von der…

Muhyiddin Yassin sworn in as Malaysia's new PM

Kuala Lumpur (IANS) Former Home Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was on Sunday sworn is as the eighth Prime Minister of Malaysia, following a week of political power struggles.

Muhyiddin was appointed following the abrupt February 24 resignation…

Thousands of migrants have crossed to EU from Turkey: Erdogan

Istanbul (IANS) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that 18,000 migrants have crossed his country's borders into Europe after Ankara "opened the doors" for them to travel, it was reported.

Turkey is hosting 3.7 million Syrian…

Syrian army imposes no-fly-zone over Idlib

Damascus (IANS) The Syrian army announced on Sunday that it was imposing a no-fly-zone over the country's Idlib province, saying any hostile aircraft will be targeted, a move that came a day after Turkish drones killed 26 Syrian soldiers.

COVID-19: Thailand reports 1st death due to coronavirus

Bangkok (IANS) The Thai Ministry of Public Health on Sunday announced the country's first COVID-19 death of a retail worker who initially was diagnosed with dengue fever.

A 35-year-old Thai man, who worked as a salesman, passed away on…

SL govt decides not to sign $480mn MCC agreement

Colombo (IANS) The Sri Lankan government has decided not to sign the $480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement with the US, taking into consideration the recommendations of a Committee that found some of its features threaten national…

Muhyiddin Yassin to be new Malay Prime Minister

Kuala Lumpur (IANS) Former Home Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will be sworn in on Sunday as the eighth Prime Minister of Malaysia, the National Palace said in a statement on Saturday following a week of political power struggles.

The surprise…

Sajith Premadasa to contest 2020 SL general elections

Colombo (IANS) Sajith Premadasa, a former Sri Lankan presidential hopeful, has decided to contest the island nation's general elections slated to take place this year, according to informed sources.

The development comes almost four months…