Editor’s Note: This listicle is part of a weekly series by The Ball State Daily News summarizing five stories from around the world. All summaries are based on stories published by The Associated Press.
Stories related to the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. forces pulling out of Iraqi bases, the Trump administration’s indictment of Venezuela’s president, Prince Harry and Meghan’s security in the United States and the death of an award-winning Polish composer make up this week’s five international stories.
What you need to know today about the virus outbreak
COVID-19 continues its relentless spread, as the daily number of infections worldwide continues to jump sharply. World Health Organization figures show the increase in new infections is now about 70,000 per day. More than 32,000 people have died worldwide. Italy reported more than 750 new deaths Sunday, bringing the country’s total to nearly 10,800 - vastly more than any other country. But the number of new infections showed signs of narrowing again.
Read more: Virus outbreak
US-led forces pull out of 3rd Iraqi base this month
The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq withdrew Sunday from a military base in the country’s north. The K1 Air Base is the third site coalition forces have left this month, in line with U.S. plans to consolidate its troops in two locations in Iraq. A rocket attack on the base in late December killed one American contractor and culminated in the U.S.-directed killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and a senior Iraqi militia leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Read more: Iraq
AP Explains: US indicts Venezuela’s Maduro as narcoterrorist
The Trump administration has indicted Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and more than a dozen members of his inner circle, stepping up measures to drive the socialist leader from power. U.S. prosecutors announced the charges Thursday, accusing Maduro of narcoterrorism. The indictments come as Maduro has locked down Venezuela to halt the spread of the new coronavirus and as the oil-producing nation grapples with plunging global crude prices.
Read more: Venezuela
Trump says US won’t pay for Meghan and Harry’s security
Responding to reports that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have moved to California, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday: “I am a great friend and admirer of the Queen & the United Kingdom. It was reported that Harry and Meghan, who left the Kingdom, would reside permanently in Canada. Now they have left Canada for the U.S. however, the U.S. will not pay for their security protection. They must pay!”
Read more: Prince Harry
Polish composer, conductor Krzysztof Penderecki dies at 86
Krzysztof Penderecki, an award-winning conductor and one of the world’s most popular contemporary classical music composers whose works have featured in Hollywood films like “The Shining” and “Shutter Island,” died Sunday. In a statement, the Ludwig van Beethoven Association said Penderecki had a “long and serious illness” and died at his Krakow home. The statement called Penderecki as “Great Pole, an outstanding creator and a humanist.”
Read more: Krzysztof Penderecki
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