Daily Mail: Coronavirus epidemic 'has PEAKED in China' says World Health Organisation - but warn the rest of the world to prepare for a 'potential pandemic'
* Pandemic fears are mounting, with a spike in cases in South Korea and Italy
* But the WHO will no longer officially declare an outbreak as being a pandemic
* It says a pathogen must spread easily between humans across the world first
* The body argues most of the confirmed cases can be tracked back to China
Coronavirus has now 'peaked' in China, according to the World Health Organisation which praised Beijing's robust measures to insulate the outbreak.
While the number of cases continues to rise, the rate of new infections has begun to decelerate.
But other countries have been warned to brace for a 'potential pandemic' as the virus continues to spill out across the globe.
WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom said the peak in China occurred between January 23 and February 2 and the number of new cases there 'has been declining steadily since then'.
'This virus can be contained,' he told reporters in Geneva, praising China for helping to prevent an even bigger spread of the disease through unprecedented lockdowns and quarantines around the outbreak's epicentre.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
As Syrian forces advance on Idlib, families fear being trapped at Turkish border.
Turkish shelling kills 9 regime personnel in NW Syria: monitor.
Gaza-Israel hostilities flare through second day with rocket attacks, air strikes.
Israeli jets strike Islamic Jihad targets in Syria and Gaza, military says.
Israel intercepts 12 out of 14 missiles fired from Gaza in latest cross-border flare-up – IDF .
Russia strikes kill 5 civilians as Syria regime advances.
Coronavirus: Iran death toll reportedly hits 50 as Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan announce first cases. Iraq confirms first novel coronavirus case.
Lawmaker from Iran's Qom alleges virus coverup: reports.
Earthquake near Iran-Turkey border kills nine, injures more than 100 people.
Israel slammed for 'necroviolence' on bodies of Palestinians.
UN calls for 'two state' solution to be respected in Middle East.
ASIA
Exclusive: U.S. wants Afghan president to postpone planned inauguration -sources.
Virus pushes beyond Asia, taking aim at Europe, Mideast.
Coronavirus: Xi Jinping rings alarm on China economy as country shifts priority to maintaining growth.
China delays biggest political event over coronavirus.
South Korea coronavirus cases jump as China tallies 150 more deaths.
Coronavirus: North Korea quarantines foreigners.
Trump hails 'exceptional' Modi at huge India rally.
Trump expresses optimism for US peace deal with Taliban.
Moment Chinese embassy representative is LAUGHED at by Q&A audience for describing prison camps as 'training centres' - after insisting his country is an 'inclusive democracy'.
Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigns.
Newest Thai political party shut down by courts.
AFRICA
Joint French-Nigerien military operation kills more than 100 jihadists in Niger.
Eastern Libya's legislators pull out of Geneva peace talks.
South Sudan's rivals form unity government in bid to end war.
Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé wins fourth term.
Lesotho's PM Thomas Thabane seeks immunity over murder of ex-wife.
Tanzania journalist Erick Kabendera freed after seven months.
Francophone group in warning over Guinea election.
EUROPE
Car crashes into crowd at Carnival in German town of Volkmarsen, at least 30 people injured. Car drives into carnival crowd in German town Volkmarsen.
Italy imposes draconian rules to stop spread of coronavirus.
Salvini attacks Italy PM over coronavirus and links to rescue ship.
Austria to stop those suspected of carrying coronavirus at border.
The H5N8 bird flu virus is spreading in eastern Europe.
Germany: Angela Merkel's CDU to decide new leader on April 25.
No 10: UK aim is to 'restore independence' from EU by end of year.
Attorney says Assange broke law, should be sent to U.S..
AMERICAS
White House readying emergency coronavirus budget request.
Poll: Bernie Sanders’s frontrunner status looks secure following the Nevada caucuses.
Trump claims Democrats will stop Sanders.
Trump lands in India and feels the love.
Haiti police and army exchange fire in violent protest. Police demonstration at Haiti's presidential palace turns deadly.
Canada: police clear rail blockade by Indigenous anti-pipeline activists.
One in three Venezuelans not getting enough to eat, UN finds.
Weinstein found guilty in landmark sex assault trial, but cleared of top charges.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
U.S. Supreme Court open to more damages against Sudan over embassy bombings.
How Mauritania is fighting Sahel jihadism... and winning.
New Jersey lists threat from white supremacists as higher than ISIS.
This is what happens when ISIS invades your village, destroys the schools, bans music, and then leaves.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Dow drops more than 1,000 as outbreak threatens the economy.
Oil sinks 4% on demand concerns as coronavirus spreads.
Airline, cruise stocks pummeled on fear of spreading virus.
Stocks, oil prices tumble as gold soars on pandemic fears.
China shutdowns to impact economy: White House economist.
Invader's 'Rubik Mona Lisa' shatters estimate at Paris modern art auction.
