World News Briefs -- February 3, 2020

Activity grinds to a standstill in Beijing as the country struggles to contain a coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Reuters

SCMP: China’s top task is to stop coronavirus, Xi Jinping says

* But officials ‘must also keep eye on the economy’ as Chinese stocks fall in post-holiday trading
* Beijing accuses Washington of spreading fear with response to outbreak

China’s top leaders have doubled down on commitments to contain a coronavirus outbreak
and work closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other countries to stop the epidemic from becoming a global health crisis.

At a meeting of the Communist Party’s inner circle, the Politburo Standing Committee, President Xi Jinping said local cadres would be punished severely if they failed to heed Beijing’s orders to stop the virus from spreading.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Turkey targets Syria troops in deadly counterattack.

Erdogan urges Russia to 'assume its obligations' in Syria's Idlib.

Iraq protests: Mohammed Allawi named prime minister.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation rejects Trump peace plan.

EU top diplomat holds talks in Iran 'to de-escalate tensions'.

Yemen: First medical relief flight in three years leaves capital.

Gas pipeline in Egypt's Sinai attacked, Israel imports unaffected.

Lebanon banks tighten withdrawal caps, sparking outcry.

ASIA

Coronavirus death toll spikes to over 360 in China, exceeding SARS fatalities.

Coronavirus: China accuses US of causing panic and 'spreading fear'.

Coronavirus: China shares in biggest fall in four years.

Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed cases?

Hong Kong hospital strike kicks off as top doctor backs mainland China border closure calls amid coronavirus fears.

Coronavirus: China ally Pakistan resumes flights despite outbreak fears.

North Korea, Russia cease railroad operations, citing coronavirus.

AFRICA

France to send 600 more troops to Africa’s Sahel as frustration on the ground grows & allies cut back participation.

Sahel crisis: Burkina Faso to arm civilians against militants.

Cameroonian student in China contracts coronavirus.

Somalia declares emergency over locust swarms.

Lagos motorbike taxi ban: Chaos as Nigerian city removes okadas.

Angola's president Joao Lourenco says 'no negotiations' with Isabel dos Santos.

Tanzania MP Zitto Kabwe gets death threats over World Bank loan.

Kenya dam collapse: Nine suspects cleared of manslaughter charges.

EUROPE

Iran knew it shot down plane, Ukraine says.

Coronavirus: British evacuee falls ill during flight from China.

UK's Johnson vows to toughen terrorism rules after London attack.

Brexit: Boris Johnson says 'no need' for UK to follow EU rules on trade. No need to follow EU rules for trade deal, British PM says.

Macron hopes to boost Poland, Germany ties post-Brexit.

Kosovo approves former leftist rebel as PM.

Thousands of migrants clash with police as riot cops fire tear gas to disperse crowds protesting about refugee camp conditions on Lesbos.

AMERICAS

Coronavirus: 11 cases in US after California couple diagnosed with illness. The US has at least 11 confirmed cases of the coronavirus that has killed 360 people in China.

At least 325 Canadians in Hubei waiting to be chartered out of China.

Trump impeachment trial: Democrats make final pitch to sceptical senators.

Democrats look to ramp up fight over Trump's war powers.

Ecuador president says women 'only report harassment from ugly men'.

Second Mexico monarch butterfly activist found dead.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Soleimani's enigmatic successor vows revenge on US.

Al-Qaida in Yemen claims deadly shooting at Florida’s Naval Air Station Pensacola.

US officials believe they killed al Qaeda leader in Yemen airstrike: report.

Police shoot dead man after 'terror-related' stabbing in London. Islamic State group claims responsibility for south London attack.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Global markets rally after biggest Chinese fall in five years.

Exclusive: Outbreak to hit iPhone output if China extends Foxconn factory halt - source.

Huawei, Chinese chip makers keep factories humming despite virus outbreak.

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