World News Briefs -- March 2, 2020 (Evening Edition)

Reuters: Coronavirus spreading fast outside China, airports to increase screenings

GENEVA/BEIJING (Reuters) - The new coronavirus appears to now be spreading much more rapidly outside China than within, and airports in hard-hit countries were ramping up screening of travelers.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said almost eight times as many cases had been reported outside China as inside in the previous 24 hours, adding that the risk of coronavirus spreading was now very high at a global level.

At a briefing in Geneva, he said outbreaks in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan were the greatest concern, but that there was evidence that close surveillance was working in South Korea, the worst affected country outside China, and the epidemic could be contained there.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian government forces re-enter strategic town, Turkey vows to keep up strikes.

Turkey downs Syrian planes in Idlib as refugees flood Turkey's European borders.

Syria's White Helmets urge no-fly zone to end civilian exodus.

Turkey says millions of migrants may head to EU.

Iraq's Allawi withdraws his candidacy for prime minister as vacuum looms. Iraq power vacuum as political crisis hits PM post.

Coronavirus: Iran council member close to supreme leader Khamenei dies of Covid-19.

Exclusive: Newly obtained documents show Huawei role in shipping prohibited U.S. gear to Iran.

Exclusive: U.N. nuclear watchdog plans alert on Iranian stonewalling - diplomats.

Israel bombs vehicle in Syrian Golan after cross-border sniper attempt.

Exit polls: Netanyahu just short of majority in Israel vote. Netanyahu declares victory in Israeli election.

ASIA

Sri Lankan Parliament dissolved, elections set for April.

China pledges support for US-Taliban peace agreement.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani rejects prisoner release following US-Taliban deal.

Taliban reject talks until 5,000 prisoners released in accordance with US deal.

Afghan conflict: Taliban to resume attacking local forces after deal with US.

Afghanistan: Explosion kills 3 at football match, as truce falters.

Indonesia confirms first COVID-19 cases; clusters skyrocket in South Korea, Italy.

Coronavirus: Xi Jinping focuses on long-term battle as more countries report cases.

Philippines V-Mall siege ends as ex-security guard surrenders, releases hostages.

AFRICA

Five soldiers killed in checkpoint attack in central Mali.

At least 50 killed in northern Nigeria 'bandit' attacks.

With only three official cases, Africa's low coronavirus rate puzzles health experts. Africa readies for new virus as cases confirmed on continent.

Tunisia and Senegal confirm coronavirus cases.

Libya peace efforts thrown further into chaos as UN envoy quits.

Interim Gineau-Bissau president resigns, citing death threats.

Guinea-Bissau army urged to stay neutral in power struggle.

Egypt sentences 37 to death including former Army officer.

EUROPE

Albania opposition rallies to stop 'coup d'etat' over reforms.

Putin’s new amendments revere God, ban same sex marriages.

Italy coronavirus deaths jump to 52, cases climb above 2,000.

EU raises risk level of coronavirus infection as global deaths pass 3,000.

FIERCE clashes, tear gas at border as Greece vows to ‘turn back’ flow of migrants from Turkey (VIDEOS).

Erdogan’s use of refugees to pressure EU is ‘unacceptable’ – Merkel.

Angela Merkel says racist attacks in Germany of 'deepest concern'.

Britain, EU begin post-Brexit trade talks in Belgium.

EU warns UK to tone down political rhetoric as trade talks start.

Slovakia opposition party wins parliamentary election.

AMERICAS

Coronavirus may have spread undetected for weeks in U.S..

FEMA preparing for possible coronavirus emergency declaration.

Democratic candidates gear up for a dramatic Super Tuesday.

Klobuchar, Buttigieg to back Biden at rally in Super Tuesday state of Texas.

Klobuchar to drop out of 2020 campaign, endorse Biden.

Buttigieg dropping out of presidential race.

Uruguay ushers in first conservative government in 15 years.

Guyana votes amid high hopes over oil discoveries.

Venezuela arrests officials for giving US oil data.

Canada: Wet’suwet’en and ministers agree tentative deal in land dispute.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Battle for the Sahel: the new frontline in the war on terror.

The missing ISIS victims and the families they left behind.

Why a U.S.-Taliban peace deal could strengthen ISIS in Afghanistan.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow surges 5% on hopes for central bank help on the economy.

Apple to pay up to $500M over battery-related phone slowdown.

Coronavirus: Global growth ‘could halve’ if outbreak intensifies. Grim economic forecasts as coronavirus spreads.

Coronavirus: BA and Ryanair cancel flights as bookings drop.

Coronavirus causes mass cancellations of business, cultural and sports events.

Apple, Nike and other major companies implicated in Muslim forced labour in China.

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