World News Briefs -- January 23, 2020 (Evening Edition)

Reuters: China virus death toll mounts to 25, infections spread

BEIJING (Reuters) - A new coronavirus has killed 25 people in China and infected more than 800, the government said on Friday, as the World Health Organization declared it an emergency but stopped short of declaring the epidemic of international concern.

China’s National Health Commission said 830 cases had been confirmed so far and 25 people had died as of Thursday. Most of the cases are in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated late last year.

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MIDDLE EAST

US general says troop surge in Middle East may not end soon.

Syria war: Jihadist assault 'kills dozens of soldiers'.

U.S. imposes fresh Iran-related sanctions on two people, six companies.

Trump meets Iraqi counterpart, first since Soleimani strike.

New Lebanon government looking for $5 billion in loans.

Turkey lashes out at EU over refugee deal ahead of Merkel visit.

Putin, Netanyahu unveil monument to Leningrad siege defenders in Jerusalem.

Holocaust forum: Netanyahu urges world to unite to confront Iran.

ASIA

UN agency: China virus ‘too early’ for emergency declaration.

China confirms 1st death outside epicenter of viral outbreak.

China cancels Lunar New Year events over deadly virus fears. China virus: five cities locked down and Beijing festivities scrapped.

China allocates one billion yuan to Hubei province to fight virus outbreak.

China coronavirus: Singapore confirms first case from Wuhan; second case suspected.

Afghan officials: US airstrike killed 10 civilians in Herat.

Top U.N. court orders Myanmar to halt 'genocidal' actions against Rohingya.

Philippines' Duterte threatens to end military deal with the United States.

3 U.S. firefighters die in Australian plane crash.

AFRICA

Burkina Faso to arm civilians in fight against extremists.

Libya's neighbours meet in Algiers in bid to diffuse crisis.

Libya conflict: Haftar forces threaten to target civilian planes.

Germany urges Libya's neighbors to help find solutions.

Malian army says six soldiers killed, several wounded in overnight attack.

Somalia ranked world's most corrupt nation.

A year after historic change, DR Congo struggles with 'cohabitation'.

Banker linked to money laundering case against Angola's billionaire former first daughter Isabel dos Santos - Africa's richest woman - is found dead in Lisbon. Isabel dos Santos: Banker found dead in Lisbon.

EUROPE

Spain-Venezuela encounter by tarmac unleashes speculation.

Polish parliament OKs law allowing gov’t to punish judges.

Brexit: Johnson's withdrawal bill becomes law.

Merkel in Davos: 'Our mistake was not being prepared for refugee crisis'.

German president expresses 'sorrow' for Holocaust, warns 'spirits of evil' are rising.

Putin proposes holding summit of five permanent UN SC members in 2020.

Ukraine awaits decision on sending black boxes from plane downed by Iran to Kiev.

European central bank retains low interest rates amid low inflation.

Bulgaria charges three Russians over poisoning possibly linked to Skripal case.

AMERICAS

Canada’s TSB says Iran has invited it to examine black boxes.

US imposes visa rules for pregnant women on ‘birth tourism’.

Trump, back from Davos, denounces Senate impeachment trial.

Democrats resume arguments in Trump trial; Republicans seem unswayed.

Venezuela's Guaidó in Davos plea for help to overturn 'dictatorship'.

Colombia's president on Venezuela's Maduro: 'He's a war criminal'.

Rio violence: Police killings reach record high in 2019.

Mexican guardsmen break up migrant caravan along highway.

Hundreds of Central Americans enter Mexico under watch of security forces.

Protesters outside a Canadian courtroom pressing for release of Huawei executive fighting extradition to the US were paid ACTORS.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Militant sentenced to 19 years for role in Benghazi attacks.

No ISIS surge during pause in US operations, General says.

U.S. court rejects Omar Khadr’s request for military to hear his appeal.

Russian security chief, post-Soviet security bloc head discuss list of terrorist groups.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. stocks close mostly higher, led by tech, industrials.

Exclusive: Trump to sign USMCA trade deal Wednesday at the White House - source.

Oil falls 2% as specter of China virus threatens fuel demand.

Tesla overtakes Volkswagen as world's second most valuable carmaker.

Wealth gap widening for more than 70% of global population, researchers find.