1. Brazil Zika Cases Raise Concern of Virus Transmission Beyond Mosquitoes
Two cases of Zika being transmitted through blood transfusions are reported in Brazil, adding to concerns over the virus linked to severe birth defects and is typically spread through mosquito bites.
2. Clinton, Sanders Take New Combative Tone Into First One-On-One Debate
Democratic presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders take an increasingly combative tone into their first one-on-one debate, cranking up the fight over who is best suited to lead the party’s liberal agenda on the economy and healthcare.
3. Russia and Turkey Trade Accusations Over Syria
Russia says it suspects Turkey of preparing for a military incursion into Syria, as a Syrian army source says Aleppo will soon be encircled by government forces with Russian air support.
4. Holed up in Ecuador’s Embassy, WikiLeaks’ Assange to Win Support From UN Panel
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 to avoid rape investigation, was detained arbitrarily in contravention of international law, a UN panel will rule on Friday.
Also read: United Nations: Wikileaks’ Julian Assange Unlawfully Detained
5. Unpaid Chinese Workers Ditch Holidays to Protest
With China’s economy growing at its slowest pace in 25 years, some migrant workers protest over unpaid wages rather than taking the annual trip home for Lunar New Year, and labour unrest is on the rise.
6. Smirking Shkreli Refuses Lawmakers’ Questions, Calls Them ‘Imbeciles’
Former drug executive Martin Shkreli smirks and brushes off questions about drug prices then tweets that lawmakers are imbeciles when he appears at a U.S. congressional hearing against his will.
7. Plan to Keep Britain in EU Hits “Pain Threshold”, Says Merkel Ally
European Council President Donald Tusk’s plan to keep Britain in the European Union goes “right up to the pain threshold” of what is acceptable in Germany, a senior lawmaker and ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel says.
8. Greek Police Turn to Teargas as Tempers Flare Over Pensions
Scuffles broke out and police used teargas during a mass rally in Athens as Greeks rally against government pension reforms needed to meet the demands of international creditors.
9. UN Peacekeepers Linked to New Central Africa Rape Cases
The UN Peacekeeping mission for Central African Republic says it has identified seven new cases of sexual abuse by its troops, including women and girls. Human Rights Watch alleged this in a shocking report that it released on Thursday.
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