*)Nearly 400 cases confirmed in Italy, highest outside Asia

As new coronavirus cases multiply in Europe, there are growing concerns around northern Italy’s infection cluster.

Brazil, Norway and Pakistan have confirmed their first cases, which means Covid-2019 has spread to nearly 50 countries.

US President Trump is mulling an Italy travel ban, even as the latest case in the country is confirmed to be a local transmission.

*)Syrian opposition and rebels retake Saraqeb

Syrian opposition and rebels have retaken the key town of Saraqeb in Idlib and cut the highway linking the capital Damascus, with Aleppo.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s defence ministry said 114 Syrian regime targets were destroyed after two Turkish soldiers were killed in attacks in Idlib province.

The Russian-backed Syrian regime’s offensive in Idlib has displaced nearly 1 million people since December.

*)At least 32 dead in riots over citizenship law in New Delhi

Communal violence in New Delhi has killed at least 32 people and left more than 200 injured in three days of riots.

The religious violence, widely seen as anti-Muslim, started as clashes between supporters and opponents of India’s new citizenship law.

Critics say the Modi administration’s law discriminates against Muslims.

*)Gunman kills five at Milwaukee brewery complex - US police

An employee at one of the largest breweries in Milwaukee gunned down five fellow workers before taking his own life, US police said.

The assailant has been identified as a 51-year-old man who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities offered no immediate motive for the attack and did not release details about how the shooting unfolded.

And finally,

*)Sharapova retires from tennis at age 32 with 5 Slam titles

The world of tennis is losing an Ace – former World Number One Maria Sharapova has announced she's retiring from the sport.

The 32-year-old has struggled with shoulder problems after attempting to return to top form following a suspension for using a banned substance.

During her career, Sharapova won five Grand Slam titles, starting with Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 17.