WORLD

Wuhan, China | AFP | The World Health Organization on Wednesday warned all governments to “take action” over the SARS-like virus spreading from China that has killed 132 people and infected around 6,000 others. The WHO called an urgent meeting for Thursday over whether the viral epidemic should be declared …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The World Health Organization on Wednesday called a new emergency meeting on a deadly virus outbreak following cases of onward transmission outside China, warning that all governments should “take action”. The meeting of the WHO’s Emergency Committee on Thursday will decide whether to declare an …

Baghdad, Iraq | AFP | Iraq is considering a larger role for NATO at the expense of the US-led coalition, Iraqi and Western officials told AFP, after an American drone strike on Baghdad that sparked outrage. The January 3 strike which killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and a top Iraqi commander …

Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump has boasted that his Middle East plan will find support but most experts believe its unabashed backing of Israel and tough conditions for the creation of a Palestinian state mean it is doomed to fail. “It is a non-starter,” said Steven Cook, …

San Francisco, United States | AFP |  Apple on Tuesday posted record results for the final three months of last year delivered by gains in iPhone sales even as the company transitions to digital services and wearables. Striking a somber tone on an earnings call, chief executive Tim Cook said the …

Berlin, Germany | AFP |  Israel’s president will deliver a speech in Berlin on Wednesday to mark 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi death camp, as fears re-emerge about the safety of Jews in Germany. Reuven Rivlin will be joined by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in addressing lawmakers …

Washington, United States | AFP |  The fight over calling witnesses to testify in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial intensified Tuesday after Trump’s lawyers closed their defense calling the abuse of power charges against him politically motivated. Democrats sought to have the Senate subpoena former White House national security advisor John …

Belfast, United Kingdom | AFP | The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday warned Britain that its departure from the bloc later this week would have “negative consequences” and only ever be an exercise in “damage limitation”. In a speech at Queen’s University Belfast, the Brussels diplomat charged …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  Bank of England governor Mark Carney steers his final interest-rate meeting this week that could end with a cut on the eve of Brexit to boost Britain’s stalled economy. The BoE announces its rate decision on Thursday after a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee …

Brussels, Belgium | AFP |  With just days to go before Brexit, European diplomats are already hard at work for the next phase: negotiations to hammer out a future with Britain after its EU divorce. In the words of EU negotiator Michel Barnier, during the next phase of Brexit, Brussels and …