World News Briefs -- January 7, 2020 (Evening Edition)

One week of new Covid-19 cases

AFP: Asian nations toughen virus curbs as Europe fights new strain

Asian countries stepped up their fight against the coronavirus on Thursday to suppress a contagion they had previously tamed, as warnings grew in Europe over a new fast-spreading variant.

Japan declared a state of emergency in Tokyo as the capital region clocked a 24-hour record of almost 2,500 infections, while China imposed emergency measures to tackle an outbreak in the northern city of Shijiazhuang.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria says Israel strikes again, several missiles downed by air defences: state TV.

Iran's Rouhani says Western democracy 'fragile, vulnerable'.

Iraq issues arrest warrant for Trump over Soleimani killing.

Explosion heard in Yemeni city of Aden -residents.

Iranian ship arrives at Venezuelan port, data shows.

South Korean diplomats stymied by Iran after tanker seizure.

Israel heads for tightened lockdown.

Turkish court accepts new indictment against former Kurdish leader -media.

ASIA

China says U.S. will pay 'heavy price' for interference.

Covid: China places 11m under lockdown after outbreak in northern city.

Beijing freezes as temperature hits five decade lows.

Officials: Attacks around Afghanistan kill at least 23.

UK virus strain triggers lockdown in Australia's Brisbane.

Day two of North Korea's Eighth Party Congress focuses on economy.

South Korea's Moon vows push for 'denuclearization of Korean Peninsula'.

South Korean avian flu epidemic reaches Seoul.

South Korean city to pay residents $100K to have babies.

South Korean court orders Japan to compensate former sex slaves: Yonhap.

India’s economy braces for biggest contraction since 1952.

AFRICA

Protests erupt in Senegal capital over virus curfew.

Opposition in troubled I.Coast to take part in elections.

Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine asks ICC to investigate rights abuses.

‘Complete mess’: Ghana army steps in to quell parliament clash.

Pandemic tips more into extreme poverty in Nigeria's Lagos.

UN hails new Libya prisoner swap under October truce.

EUROPE

Europe coronavirus cases surpass 25 million - Reuters tally.

Europe at tipping point with Covid running rampant, says WHO.

Covid: WHO urges tougher measures to curb 'alarming' variant.

Covid-19: French PM says border with UK to remain shut, vows speedy approval of more vaccines.

European countries delay giving second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Leaked projection warns London will run out of hospital beds due to COVID-19 crisis.

COVID: Spain traffic deaths drop to record low amid lockdown.

AMERICAS

Trump faces calls for removal, possible impeachment after Capitol chaos.

Federal prosecutor leaves door open to charging Trump in Capitol riots.

US authorities file charges against 55 individuals after DC protests, prosecutor says.

DC Guard to erect 7-foot 'non-scalable fence' around Capitol following violent riots.

Joe Biden picks judge Merrick Garland as next US attorney general.

WestJet bars passengers from boarding for improper virus test as Canadian rules start.

Bolsonaro warns U.S.-like political crisis could happen in Brazil.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Airstrikes continue against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Indonesia releases radical cleric linked to Bali bombings.

Somalia army kills senior al-Shabab commander, bodyguards.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall St tops new highs on Democrat-driven stimulus hopes.

Bitcoin price reaches $40,000.

Oil hovers near 11-month highs, sustained by Saudi output cuts pledge.

Elon Musk named richest person in the world according to Bloomberg, Forbes disagrees.

Report: 2020 natural disasters create $210B in losses.

U.S. considering adding Alibaba, Tencent to China investment ban -sources.