*)China reports new coronavirus cases, schools close worldwide

China reported 31 more deaths from the new coronavirus epidemic, taking the country's overall death toll past 3,000.

At least 3,012 people have now died nationwide in the outbreak that first emerged in the central city of Wuhan.

The new virus has left nearly 300 million students worldwide out of school as the IMF urged an all-out, global offensive against the epidemic.

*)Turkey says Greek forces kill refugee at Edirne-Kastanies border

Turkish officials said Greek forces killed a refugee and wounded five others on Wednesday as they tried to cross the border between the two countries at Pazarkule, Edirne.

Greek riot police and troops used water cannons and tear gas on groups of migrants.

The five men who were wounded had been shot in the foot, groin, head and chest by live bullets, Edirne Governor Ekrem Canalp said.

*)Microsoft asks staff in Seattle area, Silicon Valley to work from home

Microsoft has asked employees to work from home in order to limit exposure to the coronavirus outbreak, responding to cases in California.

The company asked its employees in the Seattle region to work from home if possible until March 25.

Microsoft also asked employees to suspend any business travel to the areas “unless essential for the continuity of Microsoft”.

*)Former UN chief Javier Perez de Cuellar dead at 100

Former UN chief Javier Perez de Cuellar died in his native Peru aged 100, his son said.

Perez de Cuellar served as UN secretary general from 1982 to 1991, when he was often described as a "pacifist by vocation and nature".

He was known for his peace-making efforts, including brokering a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq war.

And finally,

*)Met Opera institutes 14-day quarantine for some due to virus

The Metropolitan Opera has instituted quarantines for artists and employees travelling to New York from coronavirus-affected areas.

Diane Zola, an assistant general manager at the Met, sent an email to artist managers mandating a “self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days”.

Zola instructed managers that their clients may need to change travel plans in order to allow either 14 days after arrival in New York before the start of rehearsals or a late start to rehearsals.