World News Roundup: facial recognition cameras in London; Myanmar already protecting Rohingya and more

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Probe into fatal Australia bushfire plane crash complicated by dangers

Australian officials were working on Friday to extricate the bodies of three U.S. firefighters from a plane that crashed in remote bushland, as the area's "active" bushfire status complicated an investigation into the accident. Officials said it was still too early to speculate on the cause of the crash of the C-130 Hercules tanker plane on Thursday, killing its entire crew, just after it dumped a large load of retardant on a huge wildfire in a national park.

Police to roll out live facial recognition cameras in London

British police are to start operational use of live facial recognition (LFR) cameras in London, despite warnings over privacy from rights groups and concerns expressed by the government's own surveillance watchdog. First used in the capital at the Notting Hill carnival in 2016, the cameras will alert police when they spot anyone on "wanted" lists.

'No, No America': Iraq protesters demand U.S. military pullout

Thousands of Iraqis rallied at two central Baghdad intersections on Friday after a prominent cleric called for a "million-strong" protest against the American military presence, following the U.S. killing of an Iranian general and an Iraqi militia chief. The initial march appeared not to gather further steam, however, largely dissipating after several hours. Some protesters headed to join separate anti-government demonstrators at Baghdad's Tahrir Square, and others boarded buses to go home.

EU's Borrell extends the timeline for dispute mechanism on Iran deal

The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell on Friday extended the time available to discuss ways to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran under a dispute mechanism triggered by France, Germany, and Britain. Britain, France, and Germany formally accused Iran on Jan. 14 of violating the terms of its 2015 agreement to curb its nuclear program, which eventually could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions lifted under the deal.

Myanmar already protecting Rohingya, ruling party says after world court's order

Myanmar has put in place measures to protect Rohingya Muslims, a spokesman for the ruling party said on Friday, shrugging off an order from the International Court of Justice a day earlier to stop genocidal acts against the ethnic minority. The Hague-based court-ordered Myanmar to protect the persecuted Rohingya against further atrocities and preserve evidence of alleged crimes after mostly Muslim Gambia launched a lawsuit in November accusing Myanmar of genocide.

Lam courts Davos elite with dim sum, as Hong Kong scrambles to contain the virus

With dim sum, cocktails and gold chocolate coins, Hong Kong wrapped up its Davos charm offensive confident the financial hub is back on track, even as officials fly home to tackle a deadly flu-like virus. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam arrives back to Hong Kong on Saturday, the first day of the Year of the Rat, to face with what could be a perfect storm - an outbreak of coronavirus, lingering protests and an economic downturn.

UK scolds the U.S. for refusing to give up diplomat's wife involved in the crash

Britain on Friday scolded the United States for refusing to extradite a U.S. diplomat's wife who was involved in a car crash that killed a British teenager. British prosecutors had requested the extradition of Anne Sacoolas over the crash last August in which 19-year-old Briton Harry Dunn was killed while riding his motorbike.

Angola's beleaguered Isabel dos Santos to offload stake in Portugal's Efacec

Portugal's engineering firm Efacec Power Solutions said on Friday Angolan billionaire and former first daughter Isabel dos Santos, who owns a controlling stake, had decided to withdraw from the company's shareholding structure. Angola named dos Santos a formal suspect on Wednesday over alleged mismanagement and misappropriation of funds during her time as chairwoman of state oil company Sonangol, while Portugal's market watchdog has launched inquiries into various firms where she holds stakes.

'What choice do I have?' Lock-down strands millions in China's Wuhan

A trickle of passengers at the train station in the Chinese city of Wuhan put on a brave face on Friday as they arrived in the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 26 people, infected hundreds and raised fears of a pandemic. Authorities have all but shut down Wuhan, a city of 11 million and a major transport hub, at what is normally the busiest time of year - the Lunar New Year holiday - when millions of people travel home to visit their families.

China shuts part of Great Wall as virus toll hits 26

China ramped up measures to contain a virus that has killed 26 people and infected more than 800, suspending public transport in 10 cities, shutting temples over the Lunar New Year and even closing the Forbidden City and part of the Great Wall. The week-long holiday to welcome the Year of the Rat began on Friday, raising fears the infection rate could accelerate as hundreds of millions of people travel to their homes and abroad in what is usually a festive time of year.

(With inputs from agencies.)