Queen Elizabeth II gave her formal assent Thursday for Britain to end its decades-long involvement in the European Union and seek a more independent but uncertain future at the end of the month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finally-british-lawmakers-approve-historic-brexit-deal-273275">Also Read: Finally, British lawmakers approve historic Brexit deal</a>

The head of state's ceremonial approval of the withdrawal legislation allows Britain to leave its closest neighbours and trading partners after years of bickering and three delays.

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Her Majesty the Queen has now granted <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalAssent?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoyalAssent</a> to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrexitBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BrexitBill</a> which therefore becomes the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrexitAct?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BrexitAct</a>. Enshrined in law, this enables the UK to leave the EU on 31st Jan. <a href="https://t.co/hzv2o2bMfr">pic.twitter.com/hzv2o2bMfr</a>
— Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveBarclay/status/1220355132984057856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Two top EU officials in Brussels are expected to sign the separation treaty on Friday and Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- the pro-Brexit figurehead of Britain's seismic 2016 referendum -- will put his name on it in the coming days.

"At times it felt like we would never cross the Brexit finish line, but we’ve done it," Johnson said after both houses of the British parliament ratified the withdrawal bill on Wednesday.

"Now we can put the rancour and division of the past three years behind us and focus on delivering a bright, exciting future."

The January 31 split caps a remarkable political comeback for Johnson at one of the most difficult points in Britain's post-war history.

He quit former prime minister Theresa May's government in 2018 in protest at what he viewed as her pro-European separation terms.

Johnson returned as May's successor in July last year and has since managed to negotiate his own deal with Brussels and regain the government's control of parliament in a risky early election last month.

The rest was a formality. Lawmakers barely debated the withdrawal agreement before passing it -- even though critics called it worse for Britain than the one reached by May.

Johnson will celebrate his victory by issuing commemorative coins and chairing a special cabinet meeting in England's pro-Brexit north on January 31.

Johnson will now be responsible for defining the terms on which Britain trades and shares everything from data to fishing waters with the remaining 27 EU member states.

The formal talks are not expected to begin until March but the war of words is already intense.

Johnson rejects EU arguments that the end-of-year negotiations deadline is too short to reach a comprehensive deal.

The UK government is also demanding the post-Brexit right to set its own rules on politically sensitive issues such as environmental standards and workers' rights.

EU officials say this will give Britain an unfair advantage and are threatening to retaliate with tariffs and quotas that could hit the UK auto and pharmaceutical industries especially hard.

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said the bloc's financial system was ready for the next stage.

"There can always be a risk somewhere," she said in Frankfurt. "But I think in good conscience we have covered everything that we thought was necessary."

Some analysts believe Johnson is prepared to pay the price of short-term economic damage in order to deliver on pledge to "get Brexit done".

He argues that greater flexibility will help him reach a quick post-Brexit agreement with the United States and other nations that are growing much faster than those in Europe.

US officials say they are eager to strike a deal with Johnson.

An agreement "is an absolute priority for President (Donald) Trump and we expect to complete that with them this year," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said ahead of his arrival in London this weekend.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross added that Johnson would have an easier time with Washington than Brussels because "there are far fewer issues between the UK and US."

Johnson is expected to lay out his vision for the post-Brexit agreement with Brussels in a big policy address early next month.

"Once we have left the EU in just over a week's time we'll be free to start having discussions with countries around the world including the US," Downing Street said Wednesday. 
&nbsp;

Queen Elizabeth II gave her formal assent Thursday for Britain to end its decades-long involvement in the European Union and seek a more independent but uncertain future at the end of the month.

Queen Elizabeth II gave her formal assent Thursday for Britain to end its decades-long involvement in the European Union and seek a more independent but uncertain future at the end of the month. Also Read: Finally, British lawmakers approve historic Brexit deal The head of state's ceremonial approval of the withdrawal legislation allows Britain to leave its closest neighbours and trading partners after years of bickering and three delays. Her Majesty the Queen has now granted #RoyalAssent to the #BrexitBill which therefore becomes the #BrexitAct. Enshrined in law, this enables the UK to leave the EU on 31st Jan. pic.twitter.com/hzv2o2bMfr — Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) January 23, 2020 × Two top EU officials in Brussels are expected to sign the separation treaty on Friday and Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- the pro-Brexit figurehead of Britain's seismic 2016 referendum -- will put his name on it in the coming days. "At times it felt like we would never cross the Brexit finish line, but we’ve done it," Johnson said after both houses of the British parliament ratified the withdrawal bill on Wednesday. "Now we can put the rancour and division of the past three years behind us and focus on delivering a bright, exciting future." The January 31 split caps a remarkable political comeback for Johnson at one of the most difficult points in Britain's post-war history. He quit former prime minister Theresa May's government in 2018 in protest at what he viewed as her pro-European separation terms. Johnson returned as May's successor in July last year and has since managed to negotiate his own deal with Brussels and regain the government's control of parliament in a risky early election last month. The rest was a formality. Lawmakers barely debated the withdrawal agreement before passing it -- even though critics called it worse for Britain than the one reached by May. Johnson will celebrate his victory by issuing commemorative coins and chairing a special cabinet meeting in England's pro-Brexit north on January 31. Johnson will now be responsible for defining the terms on which Britain trades and shares everything from data to fishing waters with the remaining 27 EU member states. The formal talks are not expected to begin until March but the war of words is already intense. Johnson rejects EU arguments that the end-of-year negotiations deadline is too short to reach a comprehensive deal. The UK government is also demanding the post-Brexit right to set its own rules on politically sensitive issues such as environmental standards and workers' rights. EU officials say this will give Britain an unfair advantage and are threatening to retaliate with tariffs and quotas that could hit the UK auto and pharmaceutical industries especially hard. European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said the bloc's financial system was ready for the next stage. "There can always be a risk somewhere," she said in Frankfurt. "But I think in good conscience we have covered everything that we thought was necessary." Some analysts believe Johnson is prepared to pay the price of short-term economic damage in order to deliver on pledge to "get Brexit done". He argues that greater flexibility will help him reach a quick post-Brexit agreement with the United States and other nations that are growing much faster than those in Europe. US officials say they are eager to strike a deal with Johnson. An agreement "is an absolute priority for President (Donald) Trump and we expect to complete that with them this year," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said ahead of his arrival in London this weekend. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross added that Johnson would have an easier time with Washington than Brussels because "there are far fewer issues between the UK and US." Johnson is expected to lay out his vision for the post-Brexit agreement with Brussels in a big policy address early next month. "Once we have left the EU in just over a week's time we'll be free to start having discussions with countries around the world including the US," Downing Street said Wednesday.

Queen Elizabeth II approves UK government's Brexit bill

Israel and the United States on Thursday called for action against Iran in front of world leaders marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, comparing the Iranian threat to that once posed by Nazi Germany.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-leaders-flock-to-israel-to-mark-75th-anniversary-of-auschwitz-liberation-276087">In Pics: World leaders flock to Israel to mark 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation</a>

"There will not be another Holocaust," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Jerusalem gathering of more than 40 heads of state and government, pointing to what he called "the tyrants of Tehran".

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/75th-anniversary-of-liberation-of-auschwitz-camp-273889/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He lamented that "we have yet to see a unified and resolute stance against the most anti-Semitic regime on the planet, a regime that openly seeks to develop nuclear weapons and annihilate the one and only Jewish state."

In a similar vein, US Vice President Mike Pence urged the international community to "stand strong" against Iran, calling it the only country where Holocaust denial is "state policy".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/wion-edit-the-lessons-from-the-holocaust-276197">Wion Edit: The lessons from the Holocaust</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron, however, rejected such parallels, telling the gathering -- without mentioning Iran, Israel or the US by name -&nbsp;that "no one has the right to invoke (those killed by the Nazis) to justify division or contemporary hatred".&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a summit of leaders of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to "defend peace" in the face of global instability.

Tehran denies it is trying to build a nuclear bomb and accusations of anti-Semitism, insisting that while it opposes the Jewish state and supports the Palestinian cause, it has no problem with Jewish people, including its own Jewish minority.

The leaders of former Allied powers were at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre for the biggest international diplomatic gathering ever held in Israel, to remember the liberation of the World War II death camp where the Nazis killed more than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews.

While the main focus was on the Holocaust, its haunting legacy and the resurgence of anti-Semitism, modern geopolitics quickly overshadowed the event, held at a time of soaring US-Iranian tensions.

Netanyahu said the main lesson of the Holocaust was that "Israel will do whatever it must do to defend our state, defend our people, and defend the Jewish future".

He added: "I call on all governments to join the vital effort of confronting Iran."

Israel fiercely opposed a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that offered Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

Netanyahu applauded when US President Donald Trump in 2018 pulled out of the accord and has pushed European powers to follow Washington's lead.

He said Thursday that Israel "salutes" Trump "for confronting the tyrants of Tehran that subjugate their own people and threaten the peace and security of the entire world".

Aside from Iran, a key theme of the event was the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe and North America, in the speeches at the memorial centre for the six million Jews that Nazi Germany killed in gas chambers, ghettos and forced labour camps.

"This is a historic gathering, not only for Israel and the Jewish people, but for all humanity," said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, calling on the world to "stand united in the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and extremism".

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that racist and anti-Semitic "spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise".

The German head of state told the gathering he bowed "in deepest sorrow" at the memory of "the industrial mass murder of six million Jews, the worst crime in the history of humanity ... committed by my countrymen".

Looking at resurgent hatreds, extremism and intolerance, he said: "Of course, our age is a different age. The words are not the same. The perpetrators are not the same. But it is the same evil."

"The spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise, presenting their anti-Semitic, racist, authoritarian thinking as an answer for the future, a new solution to the problems of our age," he said.

About 100 Holocaust survivors were at the event, to pray for the dead and light a memorial torch.

Among them was Yona Amit, 81, who as a child spent the war hiding from the Nazis but lost family members including her cousin.

"I exchanged shoes with him playing," shortly before he was captured, she recalled.&nbsp;

"They were straight away sent to Auschwitz. And of course my cousin, with my shoes: straight away up in the chimneys, in the gas chambers," she told AFP.&nbsp;

"My shoes are in that big mound of shoes in Auschwitz, my shoes are there. I am here."

The ceremonies move on next Monday to the site in Poland of the Auschwitz camp, which was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945.

Israel and the United States on Thursday called for action against Iran in front of world leaders marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, comparing the Iranian threat to that once posed by Nazi Germany.

Israel and the United States on Thursday called for action against Iran in front of world leaders marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, comparing the Iranian threat to that once posed by Nazi Germany. In Pics: World leaders flock to Israel to mark 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation "There will not be another Holocaust," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Jerusalem gathering of more than 40 heads of state and government, pointing to what he called "the tyrants of Tehran". Watch Video: He lamented that "we have yet to see a unified and resolute stance against the most anti-Semitic regime on the planet, a regime that openly seeks to develop nuclear weapons and annihilate the one and only Jewish state." In a similar vein, US Vice President Mike Pence urged the international community to "stand strong" against Iran, calling it the only country where Holocaust denial is "state policy". Wion Edit: The lessons from the Holocaust French President Emmanuel Macron, however, rejected such parallels, telling the gathering -- without mentioning Iran, Israel or the US by name - that "no one has the right to invoke (those killed by the Nazis) to justify division or contemporary hatred". Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a summit of leaders of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to "defend peace" in the face of global instability. Tehran denies it is trying to build a nuclear bomb and accusations of anti-Semitism, insisting that while it opposes the Jewish state and supports the Palestinian cause, it has no problem with Jewish people, including its own Jewish minority. The leaders of former Allied powers were at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre for the biggest international diplomatic gathering ever held in Israel, to remember the liberation of the World War II death camp where the Nazis killed more than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews. While the main focus was on the Holocaust, its haunting legacy and the resurgence of anti-Semitism, modern geopolitics quickly overshadowed the event, held at a time of soaring US-Iranian tensions. Netanyahu said the main lesson of the Holocaust was that "Israel will do whatever it must do to defend our state, defend our people, and defend the Jewish future". He added: "I call on all governments to join the vital effort of confronting Iran." Israel fiercely opposed a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that offered Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Netanyahu applauded when US President Donald Trump in 2018 pulled out of the accord and has pushed European powers to follow Washington's lead. He said Thursday that Israel "salutes" Trump "for confronting the tyrants of Tehran that subjugate their own people and threaten the peace and security of the entire world". Aside from Iran, a key theme of the event was the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe and North America, in the speeches at the memorial centre for the six million Jews that Nazi Germany killed in gas chambers, ghettos and forced labour camps. "This is a historic gathering, not only for Israel and the Jewish people, but for all humanity," said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, calling on the world to "stand united in the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and extremism". Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that racist and anti-Semitic "spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise". The German head of state told the gathering he bowed "in deepest sorrow" at the memory of "the industrial mass murder of six million Jews, the worst crime in the history of humanity ... committed by my countrymen". Looking at resurgent hatreds, extremism and intolerance, he said: "Of course, our age is a different age. The words are not the same. The perpetrators are not the same. But it is the same evil." "The spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise, presenting their anti-Semitic, racist, authoritarian thinking as an answer for the future, a new solution to the problems of our age," he said. About 100 Holocaust survivors were at the event, to pray for the dead and light a memorial torch. Among them was Yona Amit, 81, who as a child spent the war hiding from the Nazis but lost family members including her cousin. "I exchanged shoes with him playing," shortly before he was captured, she recalled. "They were straight away sent to Auschwitz. And of course my cousin, with my shoes: straight away up in the chimneys, in the gas chambers," she told AFP. "My shoes are in that big mound of shoes in Auschwitz, my shoes are there. I am here." The ceremonies move on next Monday to the site in Poland of the Auschwitz camp, which was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945.

Israel PM Netanyahu, US vice president Pence denounce Iran at Holocaust memorial ceremony

On the&nbsp;eve of the T20 International series opener at Eden Park in Auckland,&nbsp;New Zealand, Team India captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/with-proficient-run-scoring-virat-kohli-proves-why-he-is-the-king-of-the-decade-270044">Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;took a dig at cricket officials over the hectic schedule of the team.

M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru held the third and final <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-australia-1st-odi-virat-kohli-looks-forward-to-equal-sachin-tendulkar-and-go-past-ricky-ponting-274161">ODI against Australia</a> and concluded on January 19, and after wrapping up a three-match ODI series in less than a week, the Indian team departed for New Zealand on the night of January 20.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/coming-under-bcci-the-turning-point-for-womens-cricket-in-india-mithali-raj-247709">Coming under BCCI, the turning point for women's cricket in India: Mithali Raj</a>

<img alt="BCCI" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a6cd879-73fa-4649-a32a-f39ad9f1f17b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2813%29_9.jpg" /> 
[ Logo of the&nbsp;BCCI (Courtesy: AFP) ]

“It’s getting closer and closer to landing at the stadium straight. That’s how compressed the gap has become. This kind of travelling to a place that is seven and a half hours ahead of IST is difficult to adjust immediately. Hopefully, this will be taken into consideration in the future,” he said pointedly.

“But this is the year of the World Cup and every T20 is important. So, we can’t lose our focus.”

The back-to-back series has clearly got the better of the Indian captain.&nbsp;

On the eve of the T20 International series opener at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Team India captain Virat Kohli took a dig at cricket officials over the hectic schedule of the team.

On the eve of the T20 International series opener at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Team India captain Virat Kohli took a dig at cricket officials over the hectic schedule of the team. M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru held the third and final ODI against Australia and concluded on January 19, and after wrapping up a three-match ODI series in less than a week, the Indian team departed for New Zealand on the night of January 20. Also Read: Coming under BCCI, the turning point for women's cricket in India: Mithali Raj [ Logo of the BCCI (Courtesy: AFP) ] “It’s getting closer and closer to landing at the stadium straight. That’s how compressed the gap has become. This kind of travelling to a place that is seven and a half hours ahead of IST is difficult to adjust immediately. Hopefully, this will be taken into consideration in the future,” he said pointedly. “But this is the year of the World Cup and every T20 is important. So, we can’t lose our focus.” The back-to-back series has clearly got the better of the Indian captain.

Getting closer to landing at the stadium straight: Virat slams BCCI's packed calender

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-slip-over-us-china-trade-deal-concern-274466">Oil prices</a> fell more than 2 per cent&nbsp;on Wednesday as a market surplus forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and demand worries amid the outbreak of a virus in China outweighed concern over disruptions to Libya's crude output.

Brent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/no-dearth-of-crude-oil-in-global-market-says-union-minister-dharmendra-pradhan-273737">crude </a>ended the session down $1.38, or 2.1 per cent, at $63.21 while West Texas Intermediate fell $1.64, or 2.8%, to settle at $56.74.

Prices extended losses in post-settlement trade, with WTI dropping by more than $2 after data from the American Petroleum Institute showed US&nbsp;crude inventories rose 1.6 million barrels last week, compared with analysts' expectations for 1 million-barrel draw.

US&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-shares-swept-new-year-gains-gold-oil-prices-jumps-and-iran-trade-threats-272528">gasoline stocks</a> built for an 11th week, rising 4.5 million barrels, much more than forecasts for a 3.1 million-barrel gain. 
Official US&nbsp;government data is due at 11 a.m. ET (1600 GMT) on Thursday, delayed a day in observance of Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. The head of the IEA, Fatih Birol, said he expects the market to be in surplus by 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first half of this year.

"Oil prices remain heavy on oversupply concerns and after the Saudi Energy Minister Price Abdulaziz did not offer any hints of optimism that the OPEC+ production cuts would be extended beyond March," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA in New York. "China's coronavirus will likely see travel restrictions that could end up hurting demand for crude during a peak travel time in China."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-virus-could-hit-oil-prices-by-3-per-barrel-goldman-275924">China virus could hit oil prices by $3 per barrel: Goldman</a>

<img alt="Oil prices - Representative Image" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a6a05eb2-ce3a-4ed7-95d4-5d83fbd47c79" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2814%29_11.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Oil prices - Representative Image (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Markets are also focusing on the emergence from China of a new coronavirus just ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays this weekend and the possible impact a pandemic might have on global economic growth. Deaths from the new flu-like virus in China have risen to 17 with more than 540 cases confirmed, with cases now detected as far away as the United States.

Should the virus develop dramatically and hit travel and growth, demand for oil could fall by 260,000 bpd, Goldman Sachs said in a note. 
"Demand concerns over a potential epidemic will counter concerns around supply disruptions in Libya, Iran, and Iraq, driving spot price volatility in the coming weeks," Goldman said, though the "impact on oil fundamentals remains limited so far".

Oil prices have been marginally supported after Libya's National Oil Corp on Monday declared force majeure on the loading of oil from two major oilfields after the latest development in a long-running military conflict.

Unless oil facilities return to operation quickly, OPEC member Libya's crude output will be reduced to about 72,000 bpd from about 1.2 million bpd.

"The Libyan pipeline blockade continued to have a muted impact on sentiment ... There is a consensus that the disruption will prove short-lived," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has suspended its oil exports to China after contamination was found in crude supplied by a Kazakh producer less than a year after a 'dirty oil' crisis broke in neighbouring Russia.

Overall though, global supplies are likely to continue to rise, with US&nbsp;crude production in large shale deposits expected to rise to record highs in February, though the pace of increase is likely to be the lowest in about year, the US&nbsp;Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday.

Oil prices fell more than 2 per cent on Wednesday as a market surplus forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and demand worries amid the outbreak of a virus in China outweighed concern over disruptions to Libya's crude output.

Oil prices fell more than 2 per cent on Wednesday as a market surplus forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and demand worries amid the outbreak of a virus in China outweighed concern over disruptions to Libya's crude output. Brent crude ended the session down $1.38, or 2.1 per cent, at $63.21 while West Texas Intermediate fell $1.64, or 2.8%, to settle at $56.74. Prices extended losses in post-settlement trade, with WTI dropping by more than $2 after data from the American Petroleum Institute showed US crude inventories rose 1.6 million barrels last week, compared with analysts' expectations for 1 million-barrel draw. US gasoline stocks built for an 11th week, rising 4.5 million barrels, much more than forecasts for a 3.1 million-barrel gain. Official US government data is due at 11 a.m. ET (1600 GMT) on Thursday, delayed a day in observance of Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. The head of the IEA, Fatih Birol, said he expects the market to be in surplus by 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first half of this year. "Oil prices remain heavy on oversupply concerns and after the Saudi Energy Minister Price Abdulaziz did not offer any hints of optimism that the OPEC+ production cuts would be extended beyond March," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA in New York. "China's coronavirus will likely see travel restrictions that could end up hurting demand for crude during a peak travel time in China." Also Read: China virus could hit oil prices by $3 per barrel: Goldman [ Oil prices - Representative Image (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Markets are also focusing on the emergence from China of a new coronavirus just ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays this weekend and the possible impact a pandemic might have on global economic growth. Deaths from the new flu-like virus in China have risen to 17 with more than 540 cases confirmed, with cases now detected as far away as the United States. Should the virus develop dramatically and hit travel and growth, demand for oil could fall by 260,000 bpd, Goldman Sachs said in a note. "Demand concerns over a potential epidemic will counter concerns around supply disruptions in Libya, Iran, and Iraq, driving spot price volatility in the coming weeks," Goldman said, though the "impact on oil fundamentals remains limited so far". Oil prices have been marginally supported after Libya's National Oil Corp on Monday declared force majeure on the loading of oil from two major oilfields after the latest development in a long-running military conflict. Unless oil facilities return to operation quickly, OPEC member Libya's crude output will be reduced to about 72,000 bpd from about 1.2 million bpd. "The Libyan pipeline blockade continued to have a muted impact on sentiment ... There is a consensus that the disruption will prove short-lived," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has suspended its oil exports to China after contamination was found in crude supplied by a Kazakh producer less than a year after a 'dirty oil' crisis broke in neighbouring Russia. Overall though, global supplies are likely to continue to rise, with US crude production in large shale deposits expected to rise to record highs in February, though the pace of increase is likely to be the lowest in about year, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday.

Oil prices slide 2% over glut forecast, China virus worries

A team of scientists from the <a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/first-known-us-patient-of-coronavirus-being-treated-by-robot-276107">US </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-news-wuhan-coronavirus-who-yet-to-decide-if-china-virus-is-a-global-health-emergency-276018">China </a>have reportedly discovered&nbsp;28 ancient viruses in the Tibetan glacier which were never been seen earlier in the modern world.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/only-ten-years-to-save-worlds-biodiversity-from-extinction-un-274629">Only ten years to save world's biodiversity from extinction: UN</a>

According to reports, at least 33 virus groups were also discovered in the&nbsp;glacier called Guliya ice cap in the northwestern Tibetan Plateau which is&nbsp;15,000 years old.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oldest-known-asteroid-collision-ended-earths-ice-age-study-275861">Oldest known asteroid collision ended Earth's 'ice age': Study</a>

The group published a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heat-from-eruption-of-mount-vesuvius-turned-victims-brained-to-glass-276041">research </a>paper which stated their findings in detail.&nbsp;They had travelled to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/villagers-hold-celebrations-to-warm-up-tibetan-new-year-in-southwest-china-274069">Tibet</a> in 2015 in search of the oldest glacial ice on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oldest-known-asteroid-collision-ended-earths-ice-age-study-275861">Earth</a>.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/why-action-on-climate-change-gets-stuck-and-what-to-do-about-it-275736">Why action on climate change gets stuck and what to do about it</a>

The scientists&nbsp;obtained two ice cores after drilling 50 meters inside the ice cap and had to undergo&nbsp;a protocol of three-step decontamination.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-coronavirus-wuhan-city-imposes-transport-lockdown-as-death-toll-rises-to-seventeen-and-no-of-cases-rise-to-571-276004">China coronavirus: Wuhan city imposes transport lockdown&nbsp;</a>

It was followed by the use of microbiology techniques to identify microbes and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-coronavirus-wuhan-city-imposes-transport-lockdown-as-death-toll-rises-to-seventeen-and-no-of-cases-rise-to-571-276004">viruses</a> in the samples.&nbsp;

''Melting of glaciers, at a bare minimum leads to loss of microbial and viral archives and in turn can be informative and help in the diagnosis of the planet's old climate regimes,'' they scientists said in the&nbsp;research paper.

However, the melted ice can release toxic pathogens into the environment.&nbsp;It is a dire situation as this can lead to several fatal diseases, they predicted.

The inability to address global change is climate has transformed it in a ticking time bomb.&nbsp;They pointed out that climate change is an added threat as it has adversely affected our ability to delineate these minuscule lifeforms and to steer clear from harmful ones.

A team of scientists from the US and China have reportedly discovered 28 ancient viruses in the Tibetan glacier which were never been seen earlier in the modern world.

A team of scientists from the US and China have reportedly discovered 28 ancient viruses in the Tibetan glacier which were never been seen earlier in the modern world. Also read: Only ten years to save world's biodiversity from extinction: UN According to reports, at least 33 virus groups were also discovered in the glacier called Guliya ice cap in the northwestern Tibetan Plateau which is 15,000 years old. Also read: Oldest known asteroid collision ended Earth's 'ice age': Study The group published a research paper which stated their findings in detail. They had travelled to Tibet in 2015 in search of the oldest glacial ice on Earth. Also read: Why action on climate change gets stuck and what to do about it The scientists obtained two ice cores after drilling 50 meters inside the ice cap and had to undergo a protocol of three-step decontamination. Also read: China coronavirus: Wuhan city imposes transport lockdown It was followed by the use of microbiology techniques to identify microbes and viruses in the samples. ''Melting of glaciers, at a bare minimum leads to loss of microbial and viral archives and in turn can be informative and help in the diagnosis of the planet's old climate regimes,'' they scientists said in the research paper. However, the melted ice can release toxic pathogens into the environment. It is a dire situation as this can lead to several fatal diseases, they predicted. The inability to address global change is climate has transformed it in a ticking time bomb. They pointed out that climate change is an added threat as it has adversely affected our ability to delineate these minuscule lifeforms and to steer clear from harmful ones.

US, Chinese scientists discover ancient viruses in Tibetan glacier

A Chinese student from the University of Minnesota has been arrested and sentenced for allegedly posting tweets that were critical of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-anniversary-no-force-can-shake-the-chinese-nation-says-president-xi-jinping-252931">President Xi Jinping</a>.&nbsp;

Prior to the arrest, 20-year-old Luo Daiqing had returned at the end of the spring semester to Wuhan, his hometown which has made headlines the world over for the spread of the lethal coronavirus.

Reports stated that the young man "created a negative social impact" by tweeting more than 40 comments "denigrating a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-jinping-turns-to-financial-experts-to-tame-economic-risks-270512">national leader’s image</a> and indecent pictures."

He was sentenced to six months in prison by a Chinese court after being detained, reports said.

<img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="002d89d7-2614-4972-8c33-48afe816e4ff" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2812%29_6.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Chinese President Xi Jinping (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-says-country-will-stay-on-path-of-peaceful-development-252973">Chinese President Xi Jinping says country will stay on path of peaceful development</a>

The honey-loving Winnie the Pooh was allegedly retweeted several times by Luo on social media, a cartoon whose image was censored in China after people widely compared Christopher Robin's bear to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-urges-taiwan-business-community-to-oppose-independence-129502">Chinese president</a>.

However, school officials from the University of Minnesota did not have any information about the situation, stated a spokesperson of&nbsp;the University.

A Chinese student from the University of Minnesota has been arrested and sentenced for allegedly posting tweets that were critical of President Xi Jinping. Prior to the arrest, 20-year-old Luo Daiqing had returned at the end of the spring semester to Wuhan, his hometown which has made headlines the world over for the spread of the lethal coronavirus.

A Chinese student from the University of Minnesota has been arrested and sentenced for allegedly posting tweets that were critical of President Xi Jinping. Prior to the arrest, 20-year-old Luo Daiqing had returned at the end of the spring semester to Wuhan, his hometown which has made headlines the world over for the spread of the lethal coronavirus. Reports stated that the young man "created a negative social impact" by tweeting more than 40 comments "denigrating a national leader’s image and indecent pictures." He was sentenced to six months in prison by a Chinese court after being detained, reports said. [ Chinese President Xi Jinping (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Chinese President Xi Jinping says country will stay on path of peaceful development The honey-loving Winnie the Pooh was allegedly retweeted several times by Luo on social media, a cartoon whose image was censored in China after people widely compared Christopher Robin's bear to the Chinese president. However, school officials from the University of Minnesota did not have any information about the situation, stated a spokesperson of the University.

University of Minnesota student jailed in China over critical tweets on President Xi

The International Court of Justice(ICJ) today pronounced its&nbsp;verdict in the Rohingya genocide case at The Hague on Thursday.

Gambia had filed a lawsuit last November requesting emegency measures to tackle the alleged atrocities against Rohingyas in Myanmar.

The court said Myanmar should take "all measures within its powers" to prevent alleged genocide against Rohingyas.&nbsp;

The top UN court said it has jurisdiction in Myanmar genocide case. Gambia's claim is plausible, the court observed.

"The court concludes that it has prima facie jurisdiction to rule in the case," presiding judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said.

Rohingyas remain extremely vulnerable, the world court said while adding that Myanmar failed to present concrete evidence&nbsp;to the international court.

The court said that irreparable harm will be committed if Rohingyas are not protected.

Gambia had accused Myanmar of violating the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.

The world court's ruling comes just days after the Myanmar commission in a report said some soldiers had committed war crimes against the Rohingyas but the military wasn't guilty of genocide.

At least 730,000 Rohingyas have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state since 2017 ever since the country's military allegedly carried out a crackdown against the minority Rohingya Muslims. The crackdown led to a huge exodus of Rohingyas to neigbouring Bangladesh leading to a refugee crisis.

The International Court of Justice(ICJ) today pronounced its verdict in the Rohingya genocide case at The Hague on Thursday. Gambia had filed a lawsuit last November requesting emegency measures to tackle the alleged atrocities against Rohingyas in Myanmar.

The International Court of Justice(ICJ) today pronounced its verdict in the Rohingya genocide case at The Hague on Thursday. Gambia had filed a lawsuit last November requesting emegency measures to tackle the alleged atrocities against Rohingyas in Myanmar. The court said Myanmar should take "all measures within its powers" to prevent alleged genocide against Rohingyas. The top UN court said it has jurisdiction in Myanmar genocide case. Gambia's claim is plausible, the court observed. "The court concludes that it has prima facie jurisdiction to rule in the case," presiding judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said. Rohingyas remain extremely vulnerable, the world court said while adding that Myanmar failed to present concrete evidence to the international court. The court said that irreparable harm will be committed if Rohingyas are not protected. Gambia had accused Myanmar of violating the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. The world court's ruling comes just days after the Myanmar commission in a report said some soldiers had committed war crimes against the Rohingyas but the military wasn't guilty of genocide. At least 730,000 Rohingyas have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state since 2017 ever since the country's military allegedly carried out a crackdown against the minority Rohingya Muslims. The crackdown led to a huge exodus of Rohingyas to neigbouring Bangladesh leading to a refugee crisis.

International Court of Justice raps Myanmar in Rohingya genocide case

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday his administration was preparing to add a "couple of countries" to the controversial list of states whose citizens are subject to travel bans or severe restrictions on entry to the United States.

Also Read: Trump threatens to impose 'very high tariffs' on cars from EU

"We are adding a couple of countries to it. We have to be safe. Our country has to be safe," he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, adding that the names of the new countries would be announced "very shortly".

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that the administration planned to add seven countries including Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, and others in Africa and Asia.

It said the other nations being considered for new rules were Belarus, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Sudan and Tanzania.

These countries would not necessarily face blanket bans on US travel but could see certain types of visas curtailed, the paper said, quoting administration officials.&nbsp;

Some of these countries could see their nationals barred from participating in a visa lottery programme, which Trump has repeatedly railed against, saying he would prefer a skilled immigration policy along the lines of the systems in Canada or Australia.

Unlike the nations covered by the current ban, most of these new additions do not have Muslim-majority populations.&nbsp;

The paper added that administration officials were still debating whether to include one or two of the countries, and the new list would be announced on Monday.

- Broad powers - 
Trump repeatedly promised during his election campaign to implement a complete ban on Muslims entering the US, and announced his first package of travel bans and restrictions shortly after taking office in January 2017.

The move outraged critics and was struck down by a federal court which ruled it amounted to religious discrimination. The administration moved a second version of the policy in March 2017, which was struck down again for similar reasons.

But the third version of the policy was upheld by the US Supreme Court in June 2018 in a 5-4 ruling that affirmed the president had broad power to set immigration policy based on national security justifications.

The countries currently covered are Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and North Korea, and political officials from Venezuela. The administration argued the inclusion of non-Muslim majority countries proved the policy was not driven by religious animus.

Speaking to reporters in Jamaica, where he is on a regional tour, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was the administration’s policy "to make sure that we are getting security right, to make sure that we work with every country to have processes in place" that ensured the security of the US.

The Journal's reporting, including the naming of seven new countries, ties in with earlier reporting by US media, including BuzzFeed News which said earlier this month it had obtained a draft presidential proclamation about the expansion, but names of the countries were left blank.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday his administration was preparing to add a "couple of countries" to the controversial list of states whose citizens are subject to travel bans or severe restrictions on entry to the United States.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday his administration was preparing to add a "couple of countries" to the controversial list of states whose citizens are subject to travel bans or severe restrictions on entry to the United States. Also Read: Trump threatens to impose 'very high tariffs' on cars from EU "We are adding a couple of countries to it. We have to be safe. Our country has to be safe," he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, adding that the names of the new countries would be announced "very shortly". The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that the administration planned to add seven countries including Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, and others in Africa and Asia. It said the other nations being considered for new rules were Belarus, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Sudan and Tanzania. These countries would not necessarily face blanket bans on US travel but could see certain types of visas curtailed, the paper said, quoting administration officials. Some of these countries could see their nationals barred from participating in a visa lottery programme, which Trump has repeatedly railed against, saying he would prefer a skilled immigration policy along the lines of the systems in Canada or Australia. Unlike the nations covered by the current ban, most of these new additions do not have Muslim-majority populations. The paper added that administration officials were still debating whether to include one or two of the countries, and the new list would be announced on Monday. - Broad powers - Trump repeatedly promised during his election campaign to implement a complete ban on Muslims entering the US, and announced his first package of travel bans and restrictions shortly after taking office in January 2017. The move outraged critics and was struck down by a federal court which ruled it amounted to religious discrimination. The administration moved a second version of the policy in March 2017, which was struck down again for similar reasons. But the third version of the policy was upheld by the US Supreme Court in June 2018 in a 5-4 ruling that affirmed the president had broad power to set immigration policy based on national security justifications. The countries currently covered are Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and North Korea, and political officials from Venezuela. The administration argued the inclusion of non-Muslim majority countries proved the policy was not driven by religious animus. Speaking to reporters in Jamaica, where he is on a regional tour, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was the administration’s policy "to make sure that we are getting security right, to make sure that we work with every country to have processes in place" that ensured the security of the US. The Journal's reporting, including the naming of seven new countries, ties in with earlier reporting by US media, including BuzzFeed News which said earlier this month it had obtained a draft presidential proclamation about the expansion, but names of the countries were left blank.

Now, Trump set to add 'couple of countries' on travel ban list

&nbsp;U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to impose high tariffs on imports of cars from the European Union if the bloc doesn't agree to a trade deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-china-trade-pact-fails-to-resolve-three-fundamental-issues-274848">Also Read: US-China trade pact fails to resolve three fundamental issues</a>

Trump has previously made threats to place duties on European automobile imports, with the intent of receiving better terms in the US-Europe trade relationship. Trump has delayed imposing the tariffs a number of times.

"I met with the new head of the European Commission, who's terrific. And I had a great talk. But I said, 'look, if we don't get something, I'm going to have to take action' and the action will be very high tariffs on their cars and on other things that come into our country," Trump told CNBC's Joe Kernen in an interview from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Former German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen succeeded Jean-Claude Juncker at the end of 2019 as the EU's top official, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

Mike Manley, the head of European car industry lobby group ACEA, said businesses need certainty and hoped that a clash with Trump could be avoided.

"If you look at President Trump's track record I think he is incredibly serious. If the parties involved approach those discussions in a serious manner it will be possible for an amicable conclusion to be reached," Manley, who is the chief executive of Fiat Chrysler , told an industry event in Brussels.

"An escalation of the tariffs is not to the benefit of anyone,” he added.

The United States has also threatened duties of up to 100 per cent&nbsp;on French goods, from champagne to handbags, because of a digital services tax that Washington says harms US&nbsp;tech companies.

Trump told CNBC that the European Union had to make a deal on trade. "They have no choice," Trump said.

In a separate interview in Davos with Fox Business News, Trump said the tariffs on EU cars could amount to 25 per cent.

"Ultimately it will be very easy because if we can't make a deal, we'll have to put 25 per cent&nbsp;tariffs on their cars," Trump told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo in an interview.

The United States struck a Phase 1 trade deal with China in January, soothing some of the worries which have hampered the world economy in recent time.

Asked if a trade pact with Britain could come next, Trump told CNBC he was ready to make a deal with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"Boris and I are friends, and he wants to make a deal, and that's ok with me," he said.

Britain is due to leave the EU at the end of January, the Johnson has stated that one of the main advantages of being outside the bloc would be the ability for Britain to negotiate its own trade deals, including with the United States.

"We're starting. We've already started negotiating" with Britain, Trump said.

&nbsp;

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to impose high tariffs on imports of cars from the European Union if the bloc doesn't agree to a trade deal. Also Read: US-China trade pact fails to resolve three fundamental issues Trump has previously made threats to place duties on European automobile imports, with the intent of receiving better terms in the US-Europe trade relationship.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to impose high tariffs on imports of cars from the European Union if the bloc doesn't agree to a trade deal. Also Read: US-China trade pact fails to resolve three fundamental issues Trump has previously made threats to place duties on European automobile imports, with the intent of receiving better terms in the US-Europe trade relationship. Trump has delayed imposing the tariffs a number of times. "I met with the new head of the European Commission, who's terrific. And I had a great talk. But I said, 'look, if we don't get something, I'm going to have to take action' and the action will be very high tariffs on their cars and on other things that come into our country," Trump told CNBC's Joe Kernen in an interview from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Former German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen succeeded Jean-Claude Juncker at the end of 2019 as the EU's top official, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Mike Manley, the head of European car industry lobby group ACEA, said businesses need certainty and hoped that a clash with Trump could be avoided. "If you look at President Trump's track record I think he is incredibly serious. If the parties involved approach those discussions in a serious manner it will be possible for an amicable conclusion to be reached," Manley, who is the chief executive of Fiat Chrysler , told an industry event in Brussels. "An escalation of the tariffs is not to the benefit of anyone,” he added. The United States has also threatened duties of up to 100 per cent on French goods, from champagne to handbags, because of a digital services tax that Washington says harms US tech companies. Trump told CNBC that the European Union had to make a deal on trade. "They have no choice," Trump said. In a separate interview in Davos with Fox Business News, Trump said the tariffs on EU cars could amount to 25 per cent. "Ultimately it will be very easy because if we can't make a deal, we'll have to put 25 per cent tariffs on their cars," Trump told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo in an interview. The United States struck a Phase 1 trade deal with China in January, soothing some of the worries which have hampered the world economy in recent time. Asked if a trade pact with Britain could come next, Trump told CNBC he was ready to make a deal with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. "Boris and I are friends, and he wants to make a deal, and that's ok with me," he said. Britain is due to leave the EU at the end of January, the Johnson has stated that one of the main advantages of being outside the bloc would be the ability for Britain to negotiate its own trade deals, including with the United States. "We're starting. We've already started negotiating" with Britain, Trump said.

Trump threatens to impose 'very high tariffs' on cars from EU

Authorities in China said on Wednesday&nbsp;that the death toll in the SARS-like virus which started in Wuhan had risen to seventeen.

The officials told China's state television that the number of infected people had risen to 444 amid global fears of escalation of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

As the US reported its first case of China's coronavirus, the Mayor of Wuhan Zhou Xianwang advised people not to travel to the city and also asked residents not to venture out, reports said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-virus-us-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-nine-275853">Also Read:&nbsp;US confirms first case of coronavirus, death toll reaches nine</a> 
 
Wuhan mayor's request to city residents comes as China approaches its Lunar New Year with several million Chinese travellers expected to travel inside the country while also travelling abroad.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/9-people-killed-440-people-now-infected-by-the-coronavirus-275900/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Reports said the Wuhan mayor felt with people avoiding travel in and out of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, the disease can be controlled to some extent while taking off the pressure of health authorities. 
 
With the virus outbreak now gathering global footprint, Asian Football Confederation said the Women's Olympic football&nbsp;qualifiers to be played at Wuhan from &nbsp;February 3-9 will now be moved out of the city and will be held in Nanjing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-to-begin-screening-passengers-from-china-as-coronavirus-continues-to-spread-275594">Also Read: Australia to begin screening passengers from China</a> 
 
Earlier, authorities had&nbsp;confirmed over 300 cases of the virus mostly in Wuhan. 
 
Gao Fu, the director-general of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that coronavirus originated in a market in Wuhan even as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen asked Chinese authorities to give "correct" information on the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-we-know-about-new-coronavirus-outbreak-in-chinese-city-of-wuhan-275295">In Pics: What we know about new coronavirus outbreak in Chinese city of Wuhan</a> 
 
The virus has already spread to Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Japan with the US recording its first case of the coronavirus. As the virus spread to other parts of the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it would hold a meeting to address the rapid outbreak of the virus. 
 
Meanwhile, airport authorities across the world have beefed up screening with fears increasing the disease might spread further.

Authorities in China said on Wednesday that the death toll in the SARS-like virus which started in Wuhan had risen to seventeen. The officials told China's state television that the number of infected people had risen to 444 amid global fears of escalation of the coronavirus.

Authorities in China said on Wednesday that the death toll in the SARS-like virus which started in Wuhan had risen to seventeen. The officials told China's state television that the number of infected people had risen to 444 amid global fears of escalation of the coronavirus. As the US reported its first case of China's coronavirus, the Mayor of Wuhan Zhou Xianwang advised people not to travel to the city and also asked residents not to venture out, reports said. Also Read: US confirms first case of coronavirus, death toll reaches nine Wuhan mayor's request to city residents comes as China approaches its Lunar New Year with several million Chinese travellers expected to travel inside the country while also travelling abroad. Watch Video: Reports said the Wuhan mayor felt with people avoiding travel in and out of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, the disease can be controlled to some extent while taking off the pressure of health authorities. With the virus outbreak now gathering global footprint, Asian Football Confederation said the Women's Olympic football qualifiers to be played at Wuhan from February 3-9 will now be moved out of the city and will be held in Nanjing. Also Read: Australia to begin screening passengers from China Earlier, authorities had confirmed over 300 cases of the virus mostly in Wuhan. Gao Fu, the director-general of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that coronavirus originated in a market in Wuhan even as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen asked Chinese authorities to give "correct" information on the virus. In Pics: What we know about new coronavirus outbreak in Chinese city of Wuhan The virus has already spread to Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Japan with the US recording its first case of the coronavirus. As the virus spread to other parts of the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it would hold a meeting to address the rapid outbreak of the virus. Meanwhile, airport authorities across the world have beefed up screening with fears increasing the disease might spread further.

Death toll in China's SARS-like coronavirus rises to seventeen amid global fears escalation

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he would be ready to testify in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial if legally obliged to&nbsp;as political squabbles over the process intensified in Washington.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-a-witch-hunt-frankly-its-disgraceful-trump-at-davos-275978">Also Read: Impeachment a witch hunt, frankly it's disgraceful, says Trump at Davos</a>

"If I am legally required to testify, as I've said before, I'll be happy to do it," Pompeo told reporters in Jamaica.

Pompeo said he had not been tracking the impeachment proceedings while on a Western Hemisphere tour this week.

The Republican-controlled US&nbsp;Senate voted early on Wednesday on party lines to approve the rules for Trump's impeachment trial, rejecting Democratic efforts to obtain evidence and ensure witnesses are heard.

As the trial began in earnest, a top Democratic lawmaker said there was "overwhelming" evidence of wrongdoing and Trump's chief legal defender argued the Democratic case was a baseless effort to overturn the 2016 election.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he would be ready to testify in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial if legally obliged to as political squabbles over the process intensified in Washington.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he would be ready to testify in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial if legally obliged to as political squabbles over the process intensified in Washington. Also Read: Impeachment a witch hunt, frankly it's disgraceful, says Trump at Davos "If I am legally required to testify, as I've said before, I'll be happy to do it," Pompeo told reporters in Jamaica. Pompeo said he had not been tracking the impeachment proceedings while on a Western Hemisphere tour this week. The Republican-controlled US Senate voted early on Wednesday on party lines to approve the rules for Trump's impeachment trial, rejecting Democratic efforts to obtain evidence and ensure witnesses are heard. As the trial began in earnest, a top Democratic lawmaker said there was "overwhelming" evidence of wrongdoing and Trump's chief legal defender argued the Democratic case was a baseless effort to overturn the 2016 election.

If I am legally required to testify, will be happy to do it: Pompeo on Trump's impeachment

A frequent and fiery critic of Brazil's media, President Jair Bolsonaro declared Wednesday he would no longer speak to journalists.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-lost-my-memory-but-now-i-am-fine-says-brazilian-president-bolsonaro-after-release-from-hospital-270109">Also Read: I lost my memory, but now I am fine, says Bolsonaro&nbsp;</a>

Bolsonaro made the remarks outside his official residence in Brasilia where most mornings for the past year he has fielded questions from reporters and greeted fans.&nbsp;

"I want to speak with you, but the national journalism association says that when I speak, I attack them," Bolsonaro told reporters.

"As I am a person of peace, I will not give more interviews."&nbsp;

The move comes after the National Federation of Journalists said last week Bolsonaro's presidency had "significantly affected the freedom of the press in Brazil."

It registered 208 attacks - including physical and verbal - against the media or journalists in 2019, an increase of 54 per cent compared with the previous year.

Bolsonaro was responsible for more than half of the incidents, it said. He mostly used public statements such as speeches, interviews or tweets to attack the media.

Since his election campaign in 2018, Bolsonaro has often lashed out at reporters or outlets.

Bolsonaro said in July that US journalist Glenn Greenwald - who was charged with cybercrimes on Tuesday - could "do jail time" over the publication of leaked chats that threatened to undermine a massive corruption probe.

In a speech to the UN General Assembly in September, Bolsonaro accused the media of "lying" about the extent of fires raging in the Amazon.&nbsp;

The following month Bolsonaro announced he had cancelled his subscription to the respected daily Folha de S. Paulo.

He also threatened to cancel TV Globo's broadcasting license over a report linking him to a person accused of murdering a Rio de Janeiro councilwoman.

A frequent and fiery critic of Brazil's media, President Jair Bolsonaro declared Wednesday he would no longer speak to journalists. Also Read: I lost my memory, but now I am fine, says Bolsonaro Bolsonaro made the remarks outside his official residence in Brasilia where most mornings for the past year he has fielded questions from reporters and greeted fans.

A frequent and fiery critic of Brazil's media, President Jair Bolsonaro declared Wednesday he would no longer speak to journalists. Also Read: I lost my memory, but now I am fine, says Bolsonaro Bolsonaro made the remarks outside his official residence in Brasilia where most mornings for the past year he has fielded questions from reporters and greeted fans. "I want to speak with you, but the national journalism association says that when I speak, I attack them," Bolsonaro told reporters. "As I am a person of peace, I will not give more interviews." The move comes after the National Federation of Journalists said last week Bolsonaro's presidency had "significantly affected the freedom of the press in Brazil." It registered 208 attacks - including physical and verbal - against the media or journalists in 2019, an increase of 54 per cent compared with the previous year. Bolsonaro was responsible for more than half of the incidents, it said. He mostly used public statements such as speeches, interviews or tweets to attack the media. Since his election campaign in 2018, Bolsonaro has often lashed out at reporters or outlets. Bolsonaro said in July that US journalist Glenn Greenwald - who was charged with cybercrimes on Tuesday - could "do jail time" over the publication of leaked chats that threatened to undermine a massive corruption probe. In a speech to the UN General Assembly in September, Bolsonaro accused the media of "lying" about the extent of fires raging in the Amazon. The following month Bolsonaro announced he had cancelled his subscription to the respected daily Folha de S. Paulo. He also threatened to cancel TV Globo's broadcasting license over a report linking him to a person accused of murdering a Rio de Janeiro councilwoman.

I will not give more interviews, declares Bolsonaro

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