Reuters: Coronavirus spreads faster outside China, stoking global fears
SHANGHAI/SEOUL (Reuters) - The number of new coronavirus infections inside China - the source of the outbreak - was for the first time overtaken by fresh cases elsewhere on Wednesday, with Italy and Iran emerging as new epicenters of the rapidly spreading illness.
Asia reported hundreds of new cases, Brazil confirmed Latin America’s first infection and the new disease - COVID-19 - was also detected for the first time in Pakistan, Sweden, Norway, Greece, Romania and Algeria.
U.S. health authorities, managing 59 cases so far - mostly Americans repatriated from a cruise ship in Japan - have said a global pandemic is likely.
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MIDDLE EAST
Bahrain discovers seven new coronavirus cases, raising the number to 33.
Virus-hit Iran slaps curbs on travel, shrine visits.
Fears mount as coronavirus outbreak worsens in sanctions-hit Iran.
Turkey will repel Syrian forces from Idlib posts this week: Erdogan.
Syria: 21 dead as targets including schools and nurseries bombed in Idlib.
United Nations: More than 948K displaced in Syria in last 12 weeks.
‘We’re the hosts there’: Erdogan says Turkey won’t pull back from Syria’s sovereign territory, gives Assad ultimatum to retreat. Turkey vows to drive Syrian forces back from Idlib.
Europe, China and Russia urge preservation of Iran nuclear deal.
Iraq’s Sadr warns to unleash Mehdi Army.
Sanders says may relocate US embassy back to Tel Aviv if elected.
Israel's Netanyahu pulls his punches after Sanders calls him a racist.
ASIA
'Never before': Shock, fear as India's capital reels from deadly riots.
Uighur activists say coronavirus measures causing hunger.
Coronavirus: South Korea records almost 300 new infections as Hong Kong confirms first child case. South Korea coronavirus cases soar to 1,261 in highest single-day spike.
South Korea president under fire for coronavirus response.
Coronavirus: four more confirmed cases in Hong Kong including Diamond Princess cruise passenger, 16, who is city’s youngest Covid-19 patient.
Coronavirus in a war zone: Afghanistan braces for outbreak after first case.
Taliban attacks significantly down as reduction in violence deal appears to hold.
India won't hesitate to cross borders to fight terrorism, defense chief warns 1 year after strikes on Pakistan-based militants.
Former ruling coalition tabs Anwar Ibrahim as next Malaysian PM.
Earthquake of magnitude 6.0 strikes Indonesia's Tanimbar region.
AFRICA
Candidate in chaotic G.Bissau vote says will take oath Thursday.
Eastern Libya's FM says cannot force end to oil blockade.
East Africa's huge locust outbreak threatens regional food security.
Algeria confirms first case of coronavirus.
Rights group: At least 21 civilians killed in Cameroon.
22 'evil-doers' killed in Burundi clashes: Police.
IMF says members pledged $334 mn in debt relief for Somalia.
Funeral begins 3 days of mourning for former Egyptian leader Mubarak.
EUROPE
Romania confirms first case of coronavirus: health minister.
Norway detects its first case of coronavirus.
Coronavirus: Outbreak spreads in Europe from Italy.
France reports first citizen to die from coronavirus as three new cases confirmed.
Three Russians from Diamond Princess test positive for coronavirus. Watchdog highlights growing risks of coronavirus spread in Russia.
Coronavirus: Germany's contingency plans for tackling a possible pandemic.
UK must accept 'common' standards for deal with EU: Barnier.
EU reports significant increase in asylum applications.
Madrid talks with Catalan leaders 'a very big step forward'.
Just call me Harry: prince drops titles at Edinburgh conference.
AMERICAS
Trump to detail US coronavirus efforts, Schumer seeks $8.5B.
Trump rips coronavirus coverage, to hold news conference.
Lawmakers raise alarms over Trump coronavirus response.
Democratic debate: Rivals intensify attacks on Bernie Sanders.
Pelosi says she'd be comfortable with Sanders at top of ticket.
Trump campaign says it is suing New York Times over Russia opinion piece.
Brazil confirms first coronavirus case in Latin America.
Coronavirus updates: COVID-19 spreads to South America.
Cuba puts leading dissident on trial, his supporters say.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US blacklists Iraqi Shiite paramilitary chief after base attacks.
US military says it killed terrorist leader who planned attack that killed Americans in Kenya.
US forces in Afghanistan strike ISIS during partial truce with Taliban.
More than 100 'terrorists' killed in Africa during military operation.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street falls more slowly as investors parse coronavirus fears.
Facebook to ban misleading ads about coronavirus. Tech giants free to censor content under US Constitution: ruling.
Coronavirus: Global shares start to stabilise after rout.
‘Useless’ pandemic bonds offer little hope for dealing with coronavirus.
Disney boss Bob Iger steps down as chief executive.
Netflix: Will first African series launch a new chapter in African filmmaking?