Wednesday, February 12, 2020

World News Briefs -- February 12, 2020 (Evening Edition)

After rapid daily increases, new daily cases of coronavirus in China appear to be 'stabilizing,' the WHO said, as the lowest number of new infections in two weeks was reported

Daily Mail: Coronavirus cases are 'stabilizing' in China but while WHO praises Chinese efforts for 'keeping us all safer' it cautions that the outbreak could be far from over

* On Wednesday, China reported its lowest number of new cases in the past two weeks
* The World Health Organization batted back questions about China's measures during a Wednesday press briefing
* Director General Dr Tedros said the country's swift and aggressive actions are 'keeping us all safer'
* But he also cautioned that the outbreak which has killed more than 1,100 people and sickened more than 45,000 could 'go in any direction'

The number of cases of infection with the new coronavirus in China has stabilized, but the apparent slowdown in the epidemic spread should be viewed with 'extreme caution,' the head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.

'This outbreak could still go in any direction,' the WHO's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a briefing in Geneva.

At the end of a two-day meeting on science and innovation into measures to tackle the new viral outbreak, Tedros welcomed the 'positive response of the research community' at short notice 'to come up with concrete plans and commitment to work together.'

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria's army pushes into Idlib province.

Syrian News Agency: US hits Syria regime military bases in Hasakah.

US Air Force did not bomb Syrian military near Qamishli: source.

Syrian killed in rare clash between US troops, government forces.

Erdogan threatens military escalation in Syria. Erdogan: Turkey will hit Syrian government forces 'anywhere'.

Turkey's options dry up in Syria as Russia backs Assad push.

Newly displaced Syrians face crowded camps and harsh weather.

NATO Iraq training mission could grow under new plan.

NATO agrees to expand Iraq training mission.

Lawyers ask U.S., Britain to arrest UAE officials for war crimes in Yemen.

IMF says Lebanon requests technical help on economy, debt.

ASIA

Trump 'fine' with end of Philippines military pact.

US, Taliban close to 'reduction in violence' agreement.

Watchdog: More than 2,000 people have been killed rebuilding Afghanistan.

US warns China after military aircraft encroach on Taiwanese airspace.

China says faces 'war' against virus as death toll tops 1,100.

Coronavirus: Xi Jinping sends message on economy and getting back to business.

Indonesia criticises US study concerns over no coronavirus cases.

U.N.: 40 percent of North Koreans need humanitarian aid.

AFRICA

WHO extends emergency status of Ebola in DR Congo.

Guinea protests resume as French far-left leader declares support.

UN to vote on resolution supporting Libya ceasefire.

Libya's eastern-based army denies UN planes to land in Libya. UN barred from flying in and out of Libya.

Nigerian military under scrutiny after latest attacks.

Silencing dissent in Cameroon: Tension between youth and gov't.

S.Sudan's Kiir returns home as diplomats call for urgent compromise.

Burial of Daniel arap Moi recalls complicated legacy of Kenyan leader.

World in Progress: Zimbabwe's drought cripples rural communities.

EUROPE

Britain beyond Brexit, PM Boris Johnson reshapes government.

In wake of impeachment, U.S. senators to visit Ukraine.

Coronavirus: German health minister calls on EU to allocate funds.

Brexit: EU Parliament makes tough demands for talks.

Italy strips immunity from far-right Salvini. Italy Salvini: Senate votes for far-right leader to face trial.

EU accused of climate crisis hypocrisy after backing 32 gas projects.

Facebook purges more accounts linked to Russia in new crackdown.

France opens investigation into Maltese journalist's murder.

Pope Francis rejects proposal for married priests in Amazon region.

AMERICAS

Attorney general Bill Barr will TESTIFY to House Democrats on why he overruled Roger Stone's sentencing and what he is doing with dirt on the Bidens gathered by Rudy Giuliani as Elizabeth Warren demands he is IMPEACHED.

US Senate debates restricting Trump's Iran war powers.

Dems pick up new GOP support to rein in Trump's Iran war powers.

Democrats eye Nevada, South Carolina after Sanders wins in New Hampshire.

Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire primary ahead of Pete Buttigieg.

House Republicans boycott public Intelligence panel hearing.

Trump congratulates Barr for 'taking charge' of Stone case.

A refugee camp grows on the US-Mexico border.

Venezuela crisis: Juan Guaidó greeted with abuse after return from world tour.

Heavy rain and mudslides kill eight in Bolivia.

Canada: thousands of travelers affected as Indigenous-led rail blockade continues.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US to seek more help from NATO to counter Islamic State.

Pentagon slashes funding for Islamic State fight.

Indonesia says will not repatriate citizens who fought with ISIL.

Pakistan court sentences accused terrorist Hafiz Saaed.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street sets record closing highs as coronavirus fears subside.

WhatsApp defends encryption as it tops 2 billion users.

Nissan sues Ghosn for damages, risks plunging to loss.

Alphabet's Google puts up fight against EU fine.

Boeing eyes Vietnam plane orders as coronavirus threatens to worsen dry spell.