World News Briefs -- January 29, 2020 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: WHO to reconsider declaring global emergency as China virus evacuations begin

BEIJING/GENEVA (Reuters) - Foreign governments flew their citizens out of the epicentre of China’s coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday, as the number of deaths jumped to 133 and the World Health Organization voiced “grave concern” about person-to-person spread in three other countries.

The WHO said its Emergency Committee would reconvene behind closed doors on Thursday to decide whether the rapid spread of the new virus from China now constitutes a global emergency.

“In the last few days the progress of the virus especially in some countries, especially human-to-human transmission, worries us,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference in Geneva, naming Germany, Vietnam and Japan.

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MIDDLE EAST

Fire erupts on Panama-flagged oil tanker off UAE coast.

Syria war: Army 'recaptures' key town from opposition in Idlib.

Turkey's Erdogan says Russia not abiding by Syria agreements: NTV.

Trump Middle East plan: Palestinians reject 'conspiracy'. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to Trump peace plan: 'No, no and no'.

World leaders react to Trump's Middle East plan.

Iraq economic crisis: 'Everyone is suffering'.

Iraq president gives parliament 3 days to name new PM.

Iran lawmakers call for debate on quitting nuclear arms treaty.

UAE confirms first cases of new coronavirus.

Dutch court rejects war crimes case against Israeli military chiefs.

ASIA

China virus evacuations begin as death toll rises at outbreak epicenter.

Coronavirus: Japan and US fly citizens home as China death toll jumps.

Two Hongkongers infected in mainland China as city gets 10th confirmed coronavirus case.

South Korea police authorized to arrest coronavirus patients.

Afghan security forces killed in Taliban attacks on checkpoints.

Pakistan shuts main Afghan border crossing after mortar fire.

'Bleak domineering vision': Amnesty says human rights at risk as Asia-Pacific's strongmen rise.

New Zealand volcano death toll reaches 21 as victim dies in hospital.

AFRICA

Mali plans to increase the size of its army to rein in jihadists.

First African measures to stop spread of Chinese virus.

Coronavirus: 'No plans to evacuate Kenyans from China'.

Nigeria closes shop over coronavirus seafood fears.

Libya conflict: Government forces stop Haftar from taking Misrata.

Macron accuses Erdogan of failing 'to keep word' on Libya.

Turkey says France to blame for Libya instability.

UAE accused of forcing Sudanese to fight in war.

Why African countries seek greater role in Libya peace process.

Attack kills 15 in eastern DR Congo.

Botswana opposition loses bid to nullify election results.

EUROPE

Russia limits rail service with China from Jan. 31 over coronavirus.

Putin pardons US-Israeli woman jailed in Russia for drug trafficking.

Europe steps up China virus fight, aims to repatriate 600.

Paris to evacuate citizens from Wuhan as fourth coronavirus case confirmed in France.

EU Parliament backs UK’s departure terms from bloc. European Parliament to give final Brexit approval in Brussels vote.

EU rules out Huawei ban — but maps out strict rules on 5G.

French protesters take to the streets in 8th protest day against pension reform.

Hungary border patrol fires warning shots to stop refugees.

Catalan president to call early election as divisions grow.

Prince Andrew ‘angry’ at claims he is not cooperating on Epstein inquiry.

AMERICAS

Trump attacks Bolton as Senate impeachment trial enters new phase.

US, Canada sanction eight over Crimea involvement.

Restrictions for airlines flying to China under discussion: White House's Kudlow.

US Fed watching global economy for signs of infection from virus.

Americans flown from China virus zone arrive in California.

Coronavirus in the U.S.: Map of where the virus has been confirmed across the country.

Battle looms over witnesses as defence rests in Trump impeachment trial. GOP scrambles to sidestep messy witness fight.

US Congress passes bill in support of Tibet human rights.

White House threatens veto of House Iran bills.

Canada cuts consular staff in China amid coronavirus outbreak.

Peru's opposition leader Keiko Fujimori in custody again.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Suspected Islamist militants kill at least 30 in Congo: local officials.

UN: Islamic State militants not getting fair trials in Iraq.

Islamic State tries to stage comeback amid rising US-Iran tensions.

Five killed in jihadist attack in Cameroon.

Families languish in winter winds, legal limbo at Syria's Islamic State camp.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Stocks lose steam in wake of Fed statement.

Trump signs US Mexico Canada Agreement.

Coronavirus: Starbucks closes 2,000 Chinese branches.

McDonald's closes all branches in virus-hit Chinese province.

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