Saudi chairs G20 crisis talks as virus threatens recession Leaders of the G20 major economies will hold an online summit on Thursday in a bid to fend off a coronavirus-triggered recession, after criticism the group has been slow to address the crisis.

Virus death toll passes 20,000, three billion under lockdown More than three billion people around the world were living under lockdown on Wednesday as governments stepped up their efforts against the coronavirus pandemic which has left more than 20,000 people dead.

In tense talks, EU warns Erdogan to respect migrants deal Stern-faced EU leaders warned President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to respect the terms of a previous deal to keep migrants away from Europe's borders, after the Turkish leader came to Brussels to demand more support.

Turkey-Russia agreed ceasefire in Syria's Idlib comes into force A ceasefire in northern Syria agreed between Russia and Turkey came into force on Friday, aiming to halt intense fighting that has sparked a humanitarian disaster and raised fears of their armies clashing.

Putin, Erdogan seek to ease Syria tensions at high-stakes talks The leaders of Russia and Turkey meet in Moscow on Thursday in a bid to ease tensions that have threatened to bring their two countries into direct conflict in Syria.

OPEC divided on how to combat coronavirus fallout Ministers from the OPEC group of oil-producing countries will meet in Vienna on Thursday to try to overcome their divisions on how to react to the fall in oil prices in the wake of the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Turkey seeks to defuse tension with Russia in Syria Turkey has said it wanted no "face off" with Russia over its Syrian ally's months-long offensive against Turkish-backed rebels in northwest Syria.

Greece to seek FIFA, UEFA help to 'reset' football problems: PM Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday his government would seek help from governing bdies FIFA and UEFA to "reset" the country's troubled football scene.

Leaders of VN, Russia exchange congratulations on diplomatic ties Vietnamese leaders yesterday exchanged congratulatory messages with their Russian counterparts on the occasion of the 70th founding anniversary of Việt Nam-Russia diplomatic ties.

70th anniversary of Việt Nam-Russia traditional friendship and strategic cooperation

Seventy years ago, on January 1, 1950, the Soviet Union became one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the Democratic Republic of Việt Nam, contributing to the country's international recognition.