The Daily World News Report of the 25th of February 2020

Coronavirus

As the Canary Islands is recovering from “a massive sandstorm that blew in from the Sahara Desert over the weekend”[1], the H10 Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife places itself with about 1000 guests “in quarantine after an Italian doctor staying there tested positive for the Covid-19.”[2] The Canary Islands are off the coast of the northwestern countries in Africa of Morocco and the Western Sahara. South Korea reports its eleventh death from Coronavirus, “a Mongolian national”.[3] The entire Iraqi family of four, returning home from Iran, was diagnosed with the virus after one was confirmed in Iraq.[4] Iran updated their death toll to 14.[5] Bahrain’s count of infected people jumped to 23 people, and they have closed all schools in the nation for at least 2 weeks.[6] A Swiss man traveling in Italy has returned to Switzerland infected with Coronavirus. He was participating in an event in Milano, becoming the country’s first case.[7] Spain also reports their first case of Coronavirus. The woman was also visiting Italy.[8]

Syria

On the Syrian Civil War front of the city of Idlib, Assad’s campaign gains “full control over Tal Nar region”, including the following villages: “Tal al-Nar, Sheikh Mustafa, al-Naqir, [&] Kafr Sajneh,” The village of “Sheikh Dames and Hantutin in Ma’arat al-Nu’man district” was also seized.[9] The Syrian opposition seek to replace Assad’s regime, relieving the country of his oppression. The Syrian rebels also have reported that they have regain a town in the war. The town is named Nairab.  Turkey has sent thousands of soldiers to aid against the advance of Assad’s regime.[10]

Malaysia

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, is resigning after less than two years of his office. His entire political party quit the government coalition as well. His political party is pressuring the Prime Minister to complete his five year term; however, he intends to follow the agreement before the election, where he would only serve for two years and hand over power to Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of the minority political party. Mahathir will remain in his role until he is replaced. The politics is complicated in Malaysia, and corruption of colleagues may have inspired his early resignation.[11]

Egypt

One autocratic ruler that I blogged about as I began covering the world news in 2011 is Hosni Mubarak, the former president of Egypt. He ruled for nearly 30 years, and his “repression, corruption and cronyism” was opposed “during the Arab Spring uprisings”. “Mr. Mubarak agreed on Feb. 11, 2011, to cede his powers to a military council leadership” after 18 days of “violent clashes between security forces and protesters, [leaving] hundreds dead”. Muhammad Hosni El Sayed Mubarak died today at age 91.[12]

India

During US President Donald Trump’s visit to India, he confirmed the arms deal of 3 billion dollars. “According to reports, India is buying 24 SeaHawk helicopters from Lockheed Martin equipped with Hellfire missiles worth $2.6 billion”.[13]

The protests in New Delhi over the new immigration law, favoring non-Muslim people, continues their destruction. Building and vehicles have been set on fire as the death toll count rises to 13, and at least 150 are injured. The destruction tripled since yesterday.[14]

Somalia

Early last week the United States performed a precision airstrike mission with ties to an attack at Manda Bay, Kenya. The airstrikes were carried out in Saakow, Somalia, and the US confirmed that it successfully killed two senior leaders of the al-Shabaab terrorist group. “Al Shabaab is considered to be al Qaeda's largest affiliate, commanding some 5,000 fighters according to US military assessments.” Al Shabaab’s attack in Kenya involved multiple fronts including military installations and the airfield.[15]

Cameroon

After a series of events in two separatist regions in Cameroon, the Constitutional Council announced that they are canceling the legislative election results of those regions today. The election was held on February 9, 2020. Cameroon’s president for the past 37 years has been a man named Paul Biya. There has been a “29-months-old conflict”, where the English speaking people are seeking to establish a new nation. In 2017, they even put forth a declaration of independence, which has been rejected internationally and by the president. There is discrimination between the French and English speaking people. 20 percent of the country speaks English as the majority speak French. “The government has lately decentralised some of its powers after a "national dialogue" on the anglophone crisis”. Military men and “at least 30 armed Fulani”, an armed ethnic group, has taken things in their own hands. “‘After hours of looting homes and beating civilians…, "killing 21 civilians in four homes, then burning the houses", The military told the residents "the attack was to punish civilians suspected of harbouring separatist fighters", HRW said, quoting 12 witnesses.’[16]

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[1] Guy, Jack. “Massive Sandstorm Strands Travelers in Canary Islands.” CNN Travel, Cable News Network, 24 Feb. 2020, edition.cnn.com/travel/article/canary-islands-sandstorm-scli-intl/index.html.

[2] “1000 Tourists Now under Quarantine at Tenerife Hotel after Italian Doctor Tests Positive for Coronavirus.” Irish Examiner, Press Association, 25 Feb. 2020, www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/tenerife-hotel-quarantined-after-italian-doctor-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-983886.html.

[3] “S. Korea Reports 1st Death of Foreign National; Coronavirus Fatalities Reach 11.” Yonhap News Agency, 25 Feb. 2020, en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200225012600320.

[4] “Iraq Reports Four Cases of Coronavirus amid Fear of Iran Epidemic Spillover.” The Daily Star, Reuters, 25 Feb. 2020, www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2020/Feb-25/501708-iraq-reports-four-cases-of-coronavirus-amid-fear-of-iran-epidemic-spillover.ashx.

[5] Regan, Helen, et al. “Coronavirus Deaths Rise in Iran and South Korea as Italy Grapples with Outbreak .” CNN World, Cable News Network, 25 Feb. 2020, edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-02-25-20-hnk-intl/h_b9a66af45edabe4475b0e7eabd232a45.

[6] Naar, Ishmaeel. “Bahrain Suspends All Private, Public Schools amid Coronavirus Outbreak.” Al Arabiya, Al Arabiya Network, 25 Feb. 2020, english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/02/25/Bahrain-suspends-all-private-public-schools-amid-coronavirus-outbreak.html.

[7] “Coronavirus: Switzerland Confirms Its First Case.” The Strait Times, Reuters, 25 Feb. 2020, www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/coronavirus-switzerland-confirms-its-first-case.

[8] Landauro, Inti, and Emma Pinedo. “Spain Reports First Coronavirus Case on Mainland, Hotel in Canaries Locked Down.” ABS CBN, Reuters, 26 Feb. 2020, news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/02/26/20/spain-reports-first-coronavirus-case-on-mainland-hotel-in-canaries-locked-down.

[9] “Syrian Army Continues Anti-Terror Operation in Idlib, Liberates More Villages .” Press TV, 24 Feb. 2020, www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/02/24/619424/Syrian-army-continues-anti-terror-operation-in-Idlib,-liberating-new-villages.

[10] “Turkey-Backed Rebels Say They've Seized Town in Syria's Idlib in First Advance .” Haaretz, Reuters, 25 Feb. 2020, www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/turkey-backed-rebels-say-they-ve-seized-town-in-syria-s-idlib-in-first-advance-1.8587168.

[11] Sukumaran, Tashny. “Malaysian King Installs Mahathir as Interim Prime Minister, after His Shock Resignation Deepens Political Tumult.” South China Morning Post, 24 Feb. 2020, www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3052067/malaysian-pm-mahathirs-party-quits-ruling-pakatan-harapan.

[12] Englund, Will, and T. Rees Shapiro. “Hosni Mubarak Dies at 91. His Autocratic Rule of Egypt Ended with a Citizens’ Revolt.” The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/hosni-mubarak-dies-at-91-his-autocratic-rule-of-egypt-ended-with-a-citizens-revolt/2020/02/25/d70e076a-57bf-11ea-ab68-101ecfec2532_story.html.

[13] “India to Buy Defence Equipment Worth $3 Billion from US: All You Need to Know.” Times of India, Times Internet, 25 Feb. 2020, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/3-billion-india-us-defence-deal-to-purchase-romeo-apache-choppers-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/74299361.cms.

[14] “Sectarian Unrest Kills 13 in Indian Capital.” Yahoo! News, AFP, 25 Feb. 2020, www.yahoo.com/news/10-killed-more-130-injured-delhi-riots-152006112.html.

[15] Browne, Ryan, and Barbara Starr. “US Military Says It Killed Terrorist Leader Who Planned Attack That Killed Americans in Kenya.” CNN Politics, Cable News Network, 25 Feb. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/02/25/politics/us-kills-terrorist-leader-kenya/index.html.

[16] “Watchdog HRW Accuses Army in Massacre in Anglophone Cameroon.” Yahoo! News, Agence-France Presse, 25 Feb. 2020, au.news.yahoo.com/watchdog-hrw-accuses-army-massacre-anglophone-cameroon-192235525--spt.html.