World Briefs

VATICAN CITY Pope Francis is sick and he skipped a planned Mass with Rome clergy across town yesterday, officials said. The Vatican said the 83-year-old pontiff had a “slight indisposition” and would proceed with the rest of his planned work today [Macau time]. There was no word from the Vatican about the nature of his illness, but the pope was seen coughing and blowing his nose during the Ash Wednesday Mass.

MIDEAST Saudi Arabia yesterday banned foreign pilgrims from entering the kingdom to visit Mecca over the new coronavirus. There is a growing worry across the Mideast about the virus as Iran confirmed that infected cases in the country spiked by over 100, to 254 now, with 26 deaths. Those with the virus in the Islamic Republic now include Iranian vice president Masoumeh Ebtekar, better known as the English-language spokeswoman “Mary” for the 1979 hostage-takers.

USA President Donald Trump faces a critical personal challenge in grappling with the new coronavirus outbreak: asking Americans to believe him after he and some of his top advisers have contradicted federal scientists in playing down the threat. Meanwhile, an American citizen contracted the virus without exposure to infected areas or people.

AUSTRALIA Universities are offering Chinese students stranded in their homeland travel money and discounted tuition and the largest campus delayed the start of the academic year, trying to keep their lucrative enrollments amid a viral outbreak. Australia’s ban on travel from mainland China will not be lifted before classes begin at most universities next week, the government said yesterday.

GERMANY’s health minister said that the country was “at the beginning of an epidemic” as authorities in the west tested dozens of people who had contact with a couple infected with the coronavirus gaining a foothold in Europe. Germany has been bracing for an increase in confirmed cases since the number of infected people spiked Friday nearby Italy. The testing came after a 47-year-old man with the virus was hospitalized in serious condition in Duesseldorf.

INTERNET Facebook said that it is banning ads that make false claims about products tied to the new coronavirus. The social network said it is removing ads that feature a product and imply a limited supply, seeking to create a “sense of urgency” in their mention of coronavirus. Ads that guarantee a cure or prevention are also banned, it said.

SPORTS Ireland’s Six Nations rugby match against Italy in Dublin was postponed Wednesday because of concerns about the spreading virus in Europe. The Italians were scheduled to play at Ireland on March 7, part of the annual rugby competition that also includes England, France, Scotland and Wales. A women’s game the following day was also postponed.