The world in brief, March 7th 20
The number of worldwide cases of the coronavirus responsible for【是造成…的原因】 covid-19 surpassed 100,000, with nearly 3,500 deaths. In related economic news, China reported a 17% year-on-year drop in exports for January and February, owing to【owing to】 virus-related disruptions in normal business activity; ten-year American bond yields hit another record low as investors fled from riskier assets; and Lufthansa said it would cut capacity among its family of airlines by half, as travelers stay at home.
Oil prices fell as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries failed to agree on cuts in production with its allies at a meeting in Vienna. The coronavirus outbreak has led to softer demand, prompting OPEC to argue for cuts in production throughout 2020. But Russia, a big non-OPEC exporter, has not agreed.
Three members of Saudi Arabia’s royal family were arrested in a move that has been read as an effort by the crown prince and de facto【实际上存在的（不一定合法）】 ruler, Muhammad bin Salman, to consolidate his power. The arrested men included a brother and a nephew of King Salman who the Wall Street Journal reported had been accused of plotting a coup【密谋发动政变】.
President Donald Trump has named a fourth chief of staff【参谋长】. Mark Meadows, a congressman from North Carolina, replaces Mick Mulvaney, the acting chief. Mr Meadows, who is retiring from Congress, is a staunch【忠实的】 ally of the president and takes the job as Mr Trump is gearing up【挂快挡；促进】 for re-election. Mr Mulvaney becomes special envoy【代表】 for Northern Ireland.
America’s labor market continued its impressive run. Official figures show that the economy added 273,000 new jobs in February. The number of jobs added in December and January was also revised upwards, by 85,000. However, most of the data were collected before the spread of the coronavirus. The next set of figures may be more gloomy.
Gunmen killed at least 27 people and wounded more than 50 others at a ceremony in Afghanistan’s capital to commemorate the death of a Shia leader. It is the first major attack in Kabul since the Taliban signed a peace agreement with America a week ago. The Taliban denied any involvement in the killings.
Uzbekistan’s president scrapped【取消】 state control of cotton production, which has long relied on forced labor to meet strict targets. The European Union and America, among others, had boycotted the country’s cotton as a result. Ending forced labor is central to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s efforts to shed Uzbekistan’s international-pariah status.
