Asia

West Texas Intermediate futures for March delivery slipped 16 cents to $55.43 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 10:31 a.m. in London. Prices are poised for a third weekly drop after closing at the lowest level since Nov. 29 on Thursday. Brent crude fell 23 cents to $61.81, and was also set for a third weekly decline. … [Read more...] about Oil set for weekly slump as Asia virus adds to concerns

The health commission of China’s Hubei province said on Tuesday that 100 people had died from the virus as of Jan. 27, according to an online statement, up from the previous toll of 76, with the number of confirmed cases in the province having risen to 2,714. … [Read more...] about U.S. Issues Highest Travel Warning as Coronavirus Death Toll Climbs to 106, China Scrambles to Respond

Tens of millions of people in China and around Asia had been due to crowd into planes, trains and buses to return to work after visiting their hometowns or tourist sites for the holiday. Schools will postpone reopening until further notice, the Cabinet said. … [Read more...] about China tightens controls in bid to combat virus

ISLAMABAD - Officials in Afghanistan say a pre-dawn Taliban in northern Afghanistan has killed at least 13 policemen.  The attack comes as the insurgent group is engaged in days of talks with the United States on a possible reduction in hostilities to advance their stalled peace process. … [Read more...] about 13 Killed in Taliban Assault on Afghan Police Base

"Enemy intelligence aircraft crashed in Sado Khelo area of Deh Yak district #Ghazni noon hours today resulting in all crew & high-ranking CIA members killed. Wreckage & dead bodies laying [sic] at crash site,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted in English. … [Read more...] about US Military Surveillance Plane Crashes in Afghanistan