World briefs

PHILIPPINES Thousands of police in the Philippines, backed by the army and coast guard, started sealing the densely populated capital from most domestic travelers yesterday in one of Southeast Asia’s most drastic containment moves against the new coronavirus. Mayors also announced plans to impose a night curfew in Metropolitan Manila, home to more than 12 million people.

SINGAPORE All arrivals to Singapore from the Asean group of nations as well as Japan, Switzerland and UK will have to self-isolate for two weeks in the city-state’s latest measure to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

The only exception will be to Singapore’s land and sea border crossings with Malaysia due to the special relationship between the two nations.

IRAN’s official leading its response to the new coronavirus acknowledged yesterday the pandemic could overwhelm health facilities in his country, which is battling the worst outbreak in the Mideast while under heavy U.S. sanctions. Iran also reported 113 new deaths from the virus, bringing its death toll to 724.

ISRAEL A Jerusalem district court announced yesterday that it was postponing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal trial for two months because of restrictions arising from the outbreak of the coronavirus. Netanyahu was scheduled to appear in court tomorrow to face charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in connection to a series of scandals.

NEW ZEALAND People in the city of Christchurch honored the 51 worshipers who were killed in a mass shooting a year ago in small but poignant ways yesterday, after a planned national memorial event was canceled due to fears it might spread the new coronavirus.

USA After days of resisting screening for the coronavirus, President Donald Trump tested negative for the virus, officials said. Meanwhile, the White House began checking the temperature of anyone coming into close contact with the president and other officials. Prior to his testing, Trump said his personal physician told him he didn’t show symptoms and didn’t need to take the test

USA Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said it would be “inappropriate” to comment on President Donald Trump’s characterization of the U.S. Federal Reserve and its chairman, Jerome Powell. On ABC’s “This Week,” Mnuchin was asked if he shared Trump’s recent assessment of the Fed as “pathetic,” “slow-moving,” and putting the U.S. “at a disadvantage” to other countries.

VATICAN CITY The Vatican’s Holy Week ceremonies will go ahead but without public attendance as Italy tries to contain the coronavirus outbreak, the Holy See said yesterday.  Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that “as far as Holy Week liturgical celebrations are concerned, I can specify that all are confirmed.”