The local community of a small town in Queensland, Australia have&nbsp;been plagued by a colony of "fruit bats"&nbsp;which have been causing widespread havoc.

What started as an uptick in fruit bat numbers around the small town of Ingham has become a virulent plague which the people of this town have been fighting to root out for the better part of the&nbsp;decade.

Sometimes referred to as "flying foxes", the bat colony has reached such biblical proportions that it now outnumbers Ingham's 4,300 residents by gargantuan margins. Residents have called the situation a "bat tornado", with the epicentre&nbsp;residing over the town's botanical gardens and the trees in nearby local primary schools.

Pilots and aviation enthusiasts in 2013 had complained about the flying foxes&nbsp;as their presence made flights difficult. Since then, the numbers in the colony have jumped yearly, which is worsened by the fact that hundreds of fruit bats die of heat-stroke every summer, leaving residents and local authorities to clean up dead bodies of flying fox pups.&nbsp;

<img alt="Dead bats" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="281a4e3f-0030-4983-b118-c00e90cf9391" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2873%29_2.jpg" /> 
[ Piles of fruit bat corpses litter the majority of Ingham - Representative Image (Courtesy: Doug&nbsp;Gimesy, National Geographic)

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baby-flying-foxes-orphaned-by-australian-bushfires-get-a-foster-home-276599">Baby flying foxes orphaned by Australian bushfires get a foster home</a>

The most obvious problem being faced by Ingham residents is a spike in their daily interactions with guano or bat droppings. This not only includes the sight and smell but also the sensation of stepping in a pile whenever one steps out of the safety of their homes.&nbsp;

The constant cacophony of screeches also adds to local disgust.&nbsp;The major concern when it comes to infections is that&nbsp;Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) can be transferred via scratches or bites.

Though the risk of infection is low and only three confirmed cases have been registered in the country since was&nbsp;discovered&nbsp;in 1996 but&nbsp;research data from the Australian Journal of General Practice states that ABL has a 100 per cent kill rate.

<img alt="Map of Infected region" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="15d82678-d341-4f4e-ada7-f6161b84c4f9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2871%29.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Current declared Ingham Roost area&nbsp;(Courtesy: Department of Environment and Science,&nbsp;Hinchinbrook Shire Council) ]

The virus is similar to classical rabies and there are no cures for this once symptoms appear. However, the government of New South Wales has stated rapid and thorough cleaning of the wound, as well as prompt administration of rabies immunoglobulin and vaccine which can prevent the spread of the disease.

The Ingham local council has limited options when&nbsp;it comes to dispersing the colony&nbsp;as bats are protected under Queensland law despite the potential health risk their existence poses.

<img alt="flying fox" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21b4c49b-46f6-4fdd-ae62-cb5ce9f51215" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2872%29_1.jpg" /> 
[ An adult flying fox (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Smoke, noise and light can qualify as non-lethal methods to disperse of the animals, but local law dictates that these cannot be used when the bats are breeding. As per reports, there have been claims that the techniques in question are "rarely very successful" and extremely expensive when dispersing bat colonies.

The local community of a small town in Queensland, Australia have been plagued by a colony of "fruit bats" which have been causing widespread havoc. What started as an uptick in fruit bat numbers around the small town of Ingham has become a virulent plague which the people of this town have been fighting to root out for the better part of the decade.

The local community of a small town in Queensland, Australia have been plagued by a colony of "fruit bats" which have been causing widespread havoc. What started as an uptick in fruit bat numbers around the small town of Ingham has become a virulent plague which the people of this town have been fighting to root out for the better part of the decade. Sometimes referred to as "flying foxes", the bat colony has reached such biblical proportions that it now outnumbers Ingham's 4,300 residents by gargantuan margins. Residents have called the situation a "bat tornado", with the epicentre residing over the town's botanical gardens and the trees in nearby local primary schools. Pilots and aviation enthusiasts in 2013 had complained about the flying foxes as their presence made flights difficult. Since then, the numbers in the colony have jumped yearly, which is worsened by the fact that hundreds of fruit bats die of heat-stroke every summer, leaving residents and local authorities to clean up dead bodies of flying fox pups. [ Piles of fruit bat corpses litter the majority of Ingham - Representative Image (Courtesy: Doug Gimesy, National Geographic) Also Read: Baby flying foxes orphaned by Australian bushfires get a foster home The most obvious problem being faced by Ingham residents is a spike in their daily interactions with guano or bat droppings. This not only includes the sight and smell but also the sensation of stepping in a pile whenever one steps out of the safety of their homes. The constant cacophony of screeches also adds to local disgust. The major concern when it comes to infections is that Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) can be transferred via scratches or bites. Though the risk of infection is low and only three confirmed cases have been registered in the country since was discovered in 1996 but research data from the Australian Journal of General Practice states that ABL has a 100 per cent kill rate. [ Current declared Ingham Roost area (Courtesy: Department of Environment and Science, Hinchinbrook Shire Council) ] The virus is similar to classical rabies and there are no cures for this once symptoms appear. However, the government of New South Wales has stated rapid and thorough cleaning of the wound, as well as prompt administration of rabies immunoglobulin and vaccine which can prevent the spread of the disease. The Ingham local council has limited options when it comes to dispersing the colony as bats are protected under Queensland law despite the potential health risk their existence poses. [ An adult flying fox (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Smoke, noise and light can qualify as non-lethal methods to disperse of the animals, but local law dictates that these cannot be used when the bats are breeding. As per reports, there have been claims that the techniques in question are "rarely very successful" and extremely expensive when dispersing bat colonies.

'Bat tornado' wreaks widespread havoc in Australian town

The United Nation's&nbsp;Security Council has called for an emergency session on Syria as tensions between Syrian and Turkish forces escalated. It&nbsp;comes as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-civilians-killed-as-syrian-government-presses-idlib-offensive-274750">Syrian army advanced</a> into the strategic town of Saraqib in the rebel-held <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-backed-syrian-forces-gain-ground-in-idlib-269853">Idlib province</a>.

The town sits on a junction of two key roads&nbsp;which President Bashar al-Assad's government is seeking to retake to revive an economy ravaged by almost nine years of war. Syrian forces which are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-planes-pound-idlib-as-offensive-escalates-turkey-france-call-for-de-escalation-270092">backed by Russia</a> continue to advance despite Turkey's warning.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/250000-migrants-fleeing-from-syrias-idlib-towards-turkey-tayyip-erdogan-271660">Turkey has chosen</a> to retaliate by sending reinforcements to the so-called de-escalation zone in Syria. Tensions had escalated between Ankara and Moscow after 8 Turkish soldiers were killed in shelling by Syrian forces.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/syrian-attack-in-idlib-kills-4-turkish-soldiers-278296">Syrian attack in Idlib kills 4 Turkish soldiers</a>

Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has warned Syria and Russia of retaliation if the fighting continues. The escalations have taken its toll on civilians. Hundreds of people have fled the besieged town of Saraqib on&nbsp;the Turkish border.

Fighting is not limited to rebel-held areas. According to reports, Syrian air defences intercepted missiles over Damascus. Missiles were fired at Syrian forces and Iranian militias.

The United Nation's Security Council has called for an emergency session on Syria as tensions between Syrian and Turkish forces escalated. It comes as the Syrian army advanced into the strategic town of Saraqib in the rebel-held Idlib province.

The United Nation's Security Council has called for an emergency session on Syria as tensions between Syrian and Turkish forces escalated. It comes as the Syrian army advanced into the strategic town of Saraqib in the rebel-held Idlib province. The town sits on a junction of two key roads which President Bashar al-Assad's government is seeking to retake to revive an economy ravaged by almost nine years of war. Syrian forces which are backed by Russia continue to advance despite Turkey's warning. Turkey has chosen to retaliate by sending reinforcements to the so-called de-escalation zone in Syria. Tensions had escalated between Ankara and Moscow after 8 Turkish soldiers were killed in shelling by Syrian forces. Also Read: Syrian attack in Idlib kills 4 Turkish soldiers Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has warned Syria and Russia of retaliation if the fighting continues. The escalations have taken its toll on civilians. Hundreds of people have fled the besieged town of Saraqib on the Turkish border. Fighting is not limited to rebel-held areas. According to reports, Syrian air defences intercepted missiles over Damascus. Missiles were fired at Syrian forces and Iranian militias.

Syrian army advances in Idlib as UN Security Council calls emergency meeting

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-acquitted-of-impeachment-charges-in-republican-majority-senate-278933">US President Donald Trump acquitted of impeachment charges in Republican-majority Senate</a>

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7a81ec9-5121-4e3c-81a9-5e2cc8095ba1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_20.jpg" />

After months of back-and-forth, United States President Donald Trump was recently acquitted of all charges. Earlier, Trump was impeached in the House, but this trajectory failed to hold its ground in the Senate, where the majority is Republicans, who voted to protect him.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-climbs-to-560-in-china-10-more-infected-on-japan-ship-278931">Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to over 560 in China; 10 more infected on Japan ship</a>

<img alt="coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="07a396da-ff0c-49ee-8171-4076064ba3b5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%285%29_22.jpg" />

The death toll in the&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;rose to at least 560 with the number of infections surging to 28,000 in China as officials in Wuhan said they faced a shortage of hospital beds and equipment to treat the patients.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-team-india-fined-for-slow-over-rate-for-third-successive-time-278930" hreflang="en">India fined for slow over-rate for third successive time</a>

<img alt="Kohli" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1b1e7ac0-5766-4c58-b7f2-e76bc9e3e173" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_24.jpg" />

The&nbsp;Indian team&nbsp;have been fined 80 per cent of match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the first One Day International on Wednesday in Hamilton.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-christian-bale-to-play-villain-in-next-mcu-film-thor-love-and-thunder-278897" hreflang="en">Christian Bale to play villain in next MCU film 'Thor: Love and Thunder'?</a>

<img alt="Christian Bale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c102ea8d-189d-42d8-816d-c699704f67fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%288%29_20.jpg" />

We are excited to see Christian Bale in an MCU film and have been thinking of all possible roles that the brilliant actor can take up.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-sri-lanka-drops-tamil-version-of-national-anthem-278924">Gravitas: Sri Lanka drops Tamil version of national anthem</a>

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-sri-lanka-drops-tamil-version-of-national-anthem-278924/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. US President Donald Trump acquitted of impeachment charges in Republican-majority Senate After months of back-and-forth, United States President Donald Trump was recently acquitted of all charges.

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. US President Donald Trump acquitted of impeachment charges in Republican-majority Senate After months of back-and-forth, United States President Donald Trump was recently acquitted of all charges. Earlier, Trump was impeached in the House, but this trajectory failed to hold its ground in the Senate, where the majority is Republicans, who voted to protect him. Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to over 560 in China; 10 more infected on Japan ship The death toll in the coronavirus rose to at least 560 with the number of infections surging to 28,000 in China as officials in Wuhan said they faced a shortage of hospital beds and equipment to treat the patients. India fined for slow over-rate for third successive time The Indian team have been fined 80 per cent of match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the first One Day International on Wednesday in Hamilton. Christian Bale to play villain in next MCU film 'Thor: Love and Thunder'? We are excited to see Christian Bale in an MCU film and have been thinking of all possible roles that the brilliant actor can take up. WATCH | Gravitas: Sri Lanka drops Tamil version of national anthem ×

Morning News Brief: Trump impeachment, coronavirus death toll rises and lots more

Winners and losers from impeachment and acquittal of Donald Trump

The United States was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-slams-us-for-stalling-peace-talks-278581">accused by the Taliban</a> on Twitter for obstructing negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would result in the Americans ending their 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. 
 
The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-for-taliban-talks-back-in-kabul-official-278071">US Government</a> is still wrangling with the Taliban over a possible agreement that would allow US troops to begin leaving Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees. 
 
Insurgents have saddled the blame for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trump-wants-significant-drop-in-taliban-violence-for-afghan-talks-275983">pitiful state</a> of progress on the White House, and have called out the Administration on the growing list of demands being made to pave the way for a deal.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Afghanistan violence rises amid US-Taliban talks: Watchdog</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reaction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reaction</a> 
IEA has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1224647135746043905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In a tweet made be Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban it was asserted that the extremist outfit has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution. "Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials. @SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them," he tweeted.

This preceded statements made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan that the insurgents must present demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence if they wished to enter any agreement.

The United States was accused by the Taliban on Twitter for obstructing negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would result in the Americans ending their 18-year-old war in Afghanistan.

The United States was accused by the Taliban on Twitter for obstructing negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would result in the Americans ending their 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. The US Government is still wrangling with the Taliban over a possible agreement that would allow US troops to begin leaving Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees. Insurgents have saddled the blame for the pitiful state of progress on the White House, and have called out the Administration on the growing list of demands being made to pave the way for a deal. Also Read: Afghanistan violence rises amid US-Taliban talks: Watchdog #Reaction IEA has the intention & capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials.@SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them. — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 4, 2020 × In a tweet made be Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban it was asserted that the extremist outfit has the intention & capacity for a resolution. "Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials. @SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them," he tweeted. This preceded statements made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan that the insurgents must present demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence if they wished to enter any agreement.

Taliban takes to Twitter; accuses US Government of halting peace talks

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-update-news-our-borders-are-secure-our-values-are-renewed-%20Trump-in-State-of-the-Union-address">Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address</a>

<img alt="trummpp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8833d4cc-b379-4737-b9b8-57bc24756953" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_28.jpg" />

US President Donald Trump in the State of the Union address said the country is thriving with the years of economic stagnation being over.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-490-figure-expected-to-rise-278644">Coronavirus death toll continues to increase</a>

<img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e26ae6a-45f8-45c5-a268-e7d14385af5f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/127111-untitled-design-15.jpg" />

The coronavirus death toll increased to 490 in China, authorities in Hubei province said after reporting 65 new fatalities on Wednesday. The number of infected cases rose to 24,324 as the virus continued to spread in China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flooding-in-new-zealand-thousands-flee-their-homes-278621">Flooding in New Zealand, thousands flee their homes</a>

<img alt="lll" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8c3698b2-9a2c-4b71-b776-061c7260b748" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_66.jpg" />

Severe flooding forced thousands of residents in New Zealand's South Island to flee their homes on Wednesday and left hundreds of tourists stranded at the remote Milford Sound beauty spot

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-charles-names-katy-perry-as-asian-charity-ambassador-278626">Prince Charles names Katy Perry as Asian charity ambassador</a>

<img alt="llll" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f15e1f11-9113-4bbf-821b-0d4686449358" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_45.jpg" />

Britain's Prince Charles will announce on Tuesday that US&nbsp;pop singer Katy Perry will become an ambassador for the British Asian Trust to help its fight against child-trafficking, the charity said

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/measles-vaccine-drive-aims-to-protect-45-million-children-in-africa-asia-278628">Measles vaccine drive aims to protect 45 million children in Africa, Asia</a>

<img alt="ooo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d1ddc67-4665-4914-913c-bf3c71760a76" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/118795-untitled-design-15.jpg" />

Up to 45 million children in seven developing countries will be immunised against measles in a series of major vaccination campaigns to try to halt a global surge in the viral disease, the GAVI vaccine alliance said on Wednesday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinas-services-sector-growth-hits-three-month-low-in-january-278624">China's services sector growth hits three-month low in January</a>

<img alt="pppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="80b8ead1-5f1a-48e3-a117-767949320352" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_55.jpg" />

Growth in China's services sector slowed for a second straight month in January, a traditionally busy sales season, hitting a three-month low as companies cut prices and new orders dipped, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday

WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-exclusive-who-chief-scientist-soumya-swaminathan-on-wion-278604">Gravitas Exclusive: WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan on WION</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-exclusive-who-chief-scientist-soumya-swaminathan-on-wion-278604/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address US President Donald Trump in the State of the Union address said the country is thriving with the years of economic stagnation being over.

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address US President Donald Trump in the State of the Union address said the country is thriving with the years of economic stagnation being over. Coronavirus death toll continues to increase The coronavirus death toll increased to 490 in China, authorities in Hubei province said after reporting 65 new fatalities on Wednesday. The number of infected cases rose to 24,324 as the virus continued to spread in China. Flooding in New Zealand, thousands flee their homes Severe flooding forced thousands of residents in New Zealand's South Island to flee their homes on Wednesday and left hundreds of tourists stranded at the remote Milford Sound beauty spot Prince Charles names Katy Perry as Asian charity ambassador Britain's Prince Charles will announce on Tuesday that US pop singer Katy Perry will become an ambassador for the British Asian Trust to help its fight against child-trafficking, the charity said Measles vaccine drive aims to protect 45 million children in Africa, Asia Up to 45 million children in seven developing countries will be immunised against measles in a series of major vaccination campaigns to try to halt a global surge in the viral disease, the GAVI vaccine alliance said on Wednesday China's services sector growth hits three-month low in January Growth in China's services sector slowed for a second straight month in January, a traditionally busy sales season, hitting a three-month low as companies cut prices and new orders dipped, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday WATCH | Gravitas Exclusive: WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan on WION

Morning News Brief: Trump's State of the Union address, Coronavirus death toll shoots up, and more

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron rejected an offer from the government to lead a major United Nations climate summit taking place in November. Known as COP26, the summit in Glasgow is seen as a moment of truth for the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat global warming.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron rejected an offer from the government to lead a major United Nations climate summit taking place in November. Known as COP26, the summit in Glasgow is seen as a moment of truth for the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat global warming. Britain will be responsible for persuading major powers to accept more ambitious emissions cuts. "It was an honour to be asked to do that job and I was very grateful to be asked," Cameron, who served as prime minister from 2010 to 2016, told reporters. "But I think its best in these situations if you have a government minister doing the job - you then have sort of one line of command rather than perhaps two people doing the same thing," he said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson sacked summit head, Clare O'Neill, last week. O'Neill said Johnson had shown a lack of leadership and engagement over the summit. Also Read: Chief characters in Britain's years-long Brexit saga Many critics feel that this announcement is damage control to shield UK's credentials in terms of the environment. However, the British PM behind a successful Brexit, disagrees and claims that it is part of the government's larger plan to cut down CO2 emissions by 2050. [ Britain's former Prime Minister David Cameron (Courtesy: Reuters) ] O'Neil clapped back at Johnson and claimed that he does not understand climate change. "Well, he [Boris Johnson] doesn't get it, I think is what he said. But others around him do", she stated. "I think my advice to anybody to whom Boris is making promises, whether it is voters, world leaders, ministers, employees or indeed family members, is to get it in writing. Get a lawyer to look at it and make sure the money's in the bank", O'Neil added.

Former British PM Cameron turns down climate summit job

Thousands of passengers and crew on a cruise ship that docked in Hong Kong on Wednesday were being kept on board while they were tested for a coronavirus as the city government said that all visitors from mainland China would be quarantined for two weeks.

Thousands of passengers and crew on a cruise ship that docked in Hong Kong on Wednesday were being kept on board while they were tested for a coronavirus as the city government said that all visitors from mainland China would be quarantined for two weeks. The former British colony saw its first death from the coronavirus on Tuesday. It has confirmed 21 cases, with many that were transmitted locally, authorities said. Hong Kong health workers have been on strike this week to demand that city authorities seal the border with China, where the virus originated last month, to block its spread. The cruise ship, World Dream, operated by Dream Cruises, docked in Hong Kong after it was denied entry to the Taiwan port of Kaohsiung on Tuesday. It has some 1,800 passengers and staff on board. Also Watch: Nine-year-old girl in Wuhan asks people to not give up on the city amid coronavirus crisis, says 'we shall overcome' Three mainland Chinese who had been on board from Jan. 19 to Jan. 24 were found to have had the virus, Hong Kong's health department said, adding that most of those remaining on board were from Hong Kong. Some crew had reported symptoms including fever, health officials said. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that Hong Kong's two cruise terminals, Kai Tak and Ocean Terminal, would suspend operations immediately, while all visitors from mainland China would face compulsory quarantine. "These measures are stringent," said Lam. Dream Cruises, which is operated by Genting Hong Kong >, said the three confirmed cases of the virus had disembarked in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Jan. 24. The coronavirus epidemic, which began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, has rekindled memories in Hong Kong of a 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), another coronavirus that began in China and killed nearly 300 people in the city. Also read: Japan to quarantine cruise ship after Hong Kong man tests positive for coronavirus The latest virus has spread rapidly in China with nearly 25,000 people infected and 490 deaths, most in Wuhan and the surrounding province of Hubei. Hong Kong health workers and members of other trade unions have demanded the border with the mainland be completely sealed. "We are dangerously close to a massive community outbreak comparable to SARS," a newly formed union called the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) said in a statement. Teargas Lam has closed some border crossings and links with the mainland but she has left three open, arguing that to close the entire border would be inappropriate, impractical and discriminatory. She said the government was allocating $10 billion to fight the spread of the virus. Thousands of medical staff have joined members of other trade unions this week and the city’s Hospital Authority has warned that emergency services are being severely hampered. Hong Kong’s beleaguered public hospital network was suffering from staff shortages and limited hospital beds before the coronavirus outbreak. On Wednesday, dozens of medical representatives marched to government headquarters to demand the border to be sealed. The health scare comes after months of at times violent anti-government protests in Hong Kong sparked by fears its autonomy, guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" formula, is being eroded by Beijing. Beijing has denied meddling and accused foreign countries of inciting unrest. Some pro-democracy protesters have come out in support with demonstrations beginning to take on the characteristics of the pro-democracy protests. Overnight, police fired teargas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd in the rural New Territories after protesters denounced the government's refusal to seal the border.

Thousands held on cruise ship in Hong Kong as authorities check for virus

Recently being scrapped is a piece of legislation from the British Isles that was brought into effect in the year 1928 on the island of Jersey, which deemed that a wife's income belongs to her husband. Jersey is a self-governing dependency with its own administrative, fiscal, legal systems and courts of law.

A proposal is being backed by politicians on the island which states that married women should have the same income tax right and responsibilities as their spouses.

Not only does this mean that wives will no more require the permission of their husbands to talk to Revenue Jersey on tax-related subjects, but it will also mean that younger partners in same-sex marriages and civil partnerships will be equal rights. The current procedure states that the younger person is essentially considered the wife and the older their husband.&nbsp;

Debate on the issue was conducted at the States Assembly and Treasury Minister Susie Pinel said, "This will give equal rights to both spouses and civil partners under Jersey’s tax law."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-bigger-challenges-still-lies-ahead-of-brexit-278245">UK: Bigger challenges still lies ahead of Brexit?</a>

It will remove the archaic presumption in the current law that a wife’s income is deemed to belong to her husband. It brings to an end an outdated system that treats married women and younger spouses in same-sex relationships unfairly.”

Concerns from bodies including Citizens Advice Jersey about this leading to a bigger tax bill for some couples as well as spouse/civil partner being liable for the debt of the other party was assuaged by Pinel, who said, "To be clear, my proposition has no negative financial impact on any couple. It simply brings to an end an outdated system that treats married women and younger spouses in same-sex relationships unfairly."

The motion has received flak from Senator Kristina Moore, who stated that while she favoured greater equality, this measure may muddy the waters even more. 40 Members backed the proposal, with two abstentions and two against.

Recently being scrapped is a piece of legislation from the British Isles that was brought into effect in the year 1928 on the island of Jersey, which deemed that a wife's income belongs to her husband.

Recently being scrapped is a piece of legislation from the British Isles that was brought into effect in the year 1928 on the island of Jersey, which deemed that a wife's income belongs to her husband. Jersey is a self-governing dependency with its own administrative, fiscal, legal systems and courts of law. A proposal is being backed by politicians on the island which states that married women should have the same income tax right and responsibilities as their spouses. Not only does this mean that wives will no more require the permission of their husbands to talk to Revenue Jersey on tax-related subjects, but it will also mean that younger partners in same-sex marriages and civil partnerships will be equal rights. The current procedure states that the younger person is essentially considered the wife and the older their husband. Debate on the issue was conducted at the States Assembly and Treasury Minister Susie Pinel said, "This will give equal rights to both spouses and civil partners under Jersey’s tax law." Also Read: UK: Bigger challenges still lies ahead of Brexit? It will remove the archaic presumption in the current law that a wife’s income is deemed to belong to her husband. It brings to an end an outdated system that treats married women and younger spouses in same-sex relationships unfairly.” Concerns from bodies including Citizens Advice Jersey about this leading to a bigger tax bill for some couples as well as spouse/civil partner being liable for the debt of the other party was assuaged by Pinel, who said, "To be clear, my proposition has no negative financial impact on any couple. It simply brings to an end an outdated system that treats married women and younger spouses in same-sex relationships unfairly." The motion has received flak from Senator Kristina Moore, who stated that while she favoured greater equality, this measure may muddy the waters even more. 40 Members backed the proposal, with two abstentions and two against.

Channel island politicians back proposal that mandates equal rights for women

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/edge/video-why-horse-racing-is-a-big-deal-in-this-african-nation-7579/amp">Lesotho's</a> Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and his wife are embroiled in controversy due to the murder of Thomas' first wife Lipolelo. Charges for murder are to be filed against Maesaiah Thabane who was picked up from the border of South Africa recently after having disappeared on January 10.

Lipolelo Thabane was shot dead outside her house in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-mountain-day-2017-607">Maseru </a>two days before the Prime Minister's inauguration in 2017, around the time when the couple were undergoing bitter divorce proceedings. Though the primary suspects were unknown armed assailants, recent papers filed by the nation's Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli have raised eyebrows.

Maesaiah Thabane is being held in custody and will be formally charged in court on Wednesday. Though it is not clear if she will apply for bail upon her appearance, the police have stated that they will oppose her bid as she is believed to be a flight risk.

Maesaiah's legal team have refused to comment on the case, which involves eight others from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unicef-report-says-pakistan-riskiest-country-for-a-baby-to-be-born-in-india-at-number-12-33462">Lesotho </a>and South Africa who are facing charges over the murder. Upon the consent from Prime Minister Thabane on being questioned by the police, hundreds of opposition supporters marched through the streets of Maseru, demanding his prompt resignation.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-prime-minister-narendra-modi-addresses-74th-session-of-united-nations-general-assembly-252474">Live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses 74th session of United Nations General Assembly</a>

Thabane has publicly expressed his intention to resign but has not specified the date of resignation as of yet. His decision was framed as retirement and careful consideration was taken on his part to ensure no allegations against him and his wife are addressed.

Though the Prime Minister and his wife have not commented on the case, many members of the governing party and the opposition have accused the leader of hindering the investigation into this murder.

Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and his wife are embroiled in controversy due to the murder of Thomas' first wife Lipolelo. Charges for murder are to be filed against Maesaiah Thabane who was picked up from the border of South Africa recently after having disappeared on January 10.

Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and his wife are embroiled in controversy due to the murder of Thomas' first wife Lipolelo. Charges for murder are to be filed against Maesaiah Thabane who was picked up from the border of South Africa recently after having disappeared on January 10. Lipolelo Thabane was shot dead outside her house in Maseru two days before the Prime Minister's inauguration in 2017, around the time when the couple were undergoing bitter divorce proceedings. Though the primary suspects were unknown armed assailants, recent papers filed by the nation's Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli have raised eyebrows. Maesaiah Thabane is being held in custody and will be formally charged in court on Wednesday. Though it is not clear if she will apply for bail upon her appearance, the police have stated that they will oppose her bid as she is believed to be a flight risk. Maesaiah's legal team have refused to comment on the case, which involves eight others from Lesotho and South Africa who are facing charges over the murder. Upon the consent from Prime Minister Thabane on being questioned by the police, hundreds of opposition supporters marched through the streets of Maseru, demanding his prompt resignation. Also Read: Live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses 74th session of United Nations General Assembly Thabane has publicly expressed his intention to resign but has not specified the date of resignation as of yet. His decision was framed as retirement and careful consideration was taken on his part to ensure no allegations against him and his wife are addressed. Though the Prime Minister and his wife have not commented on the case, many members of the governing party and the opposition have accused the leader of hindering the investigation into this murder.

First Lady Maesaiah Thabane charged with murdering the previous wife of Lesotho's Prime Minister

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-rises-to-425-over-20000-infected-nationwide-278426" hreflang="en">Death toll in China's coronavirus rises to 425; over 20,000 infected</a>

<img alt="corona" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8ebeae3d-4161-423b-9fa5-11fd9b319e59" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_70.jpg" />

The death toll in China's&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;reached 425 on Tuesday with 20,400 infected, the nation's national health commission confirmed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger</a>

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5b4f8711-3884-4600-b569-11be68519c7f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_65.jpg" />

Americans kicked off the 2020&nbsp;presidential elections&nbsp;race on Monday as the state of Iowa opened its caucuses with 41 delegates up for grabs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rohit-sharma-ruled-out-of-new-zealand-tour-due-to-injury-gill-and-agarwal-to-replace-278428">Rohit ruled out of Kiwi tour; Gill, Agarwal to replace</a>

<img alt="rohit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afb54f7a-ff84-4632-bd1b-4cded6ff5b42" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_42.jpg" />

Indian cricket team's vice-captain Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the New Zealand tour following a calf injury. The injury was struck during the fifth T20I against New Zealand on Sunday at Mount Maunganui. He scored 60 runs off 41 balls, he retired hurt after he pulled his calf muscle while running a quick single.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-harvey-weinstein-trial-accuser-breaks-down-in-court-describes-former-producer-as-pseudo-father-278430">Harvey Weinstein rape accuser weeps uncontrollably during cross-examination</a>

<img alt="weinstien" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c00d8911-bf72-4137-956e-d82f72639b7c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_53.jpg" />

A woman who has alleged that Harvey Weinstein raped her broke down in sobs at the former Hollywood producer`s sexual assault trial on Monday, as she read an email in which she described Weinstein as a "pseudo father" figure after the alleged attack.

Watch-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-abandoned-pak-citizens-reach-out-to-wion-278412" hreflang="en">Gravitas: Abandoned Pak citizens reach out to WION</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-abandoned-pak-citizens-reach-out-to-wion-278412/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Death toll in China's coronavirus rises to 425; over 20,000 infected The death toll in China's coronavirus reached 425 on Tuesday with 20,400 infected, the nation's national health commission confirmed.

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Death toll in China's coronavirus rises to 425; over 20,000 infected The death toll in China's coronavirus reached 425 on Tuesday with 20,400 infected, the nation's national health commission confirmed. Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger Americans kicked off the 2020 presidential elections race on Monday as the state of Iowa opened its caucuses with 41 delegates up for grabs. Rohit ruled out of Kiwi tour; Gill, Agarwal to replace Indian cricket team's vice-captain Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the New Zealand tour following a calf injury. The injury was struck during the fifth T20I against New Zealand on Sunday at Mount Maunganui. He scored 60 runs off 41 balls, he retired hurt after he pulled his calf muscle while running a quick single. Harvey Weinstein rape accuser weeps uncontrollably during cross-examination A woman who has alleged that Harvey Weinstein raped her broke down in sobs at the former Hollywood producer`s sexual assault trial on Monday, as she read an email in which she described Weinstein as a "pseudo father" figure after the alleged attack. Watch- Gravitas: Abandoned Pak citizens reach out to WION ×

Morning News Brief: Coronavirus death toll, Iowa caucus and more

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wuhan-virus-death-toll-hits-213-in-china-nearly-10000-infected-277621">Wuhan virus death toll hits 213 in China, nearly 10000 infected</a>

<img alt="Coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0557ae63-8e9c-4c48-84d9-56db53748356" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/126569-untitled-design-10.jpg" />

&nbsp;

The death toll has now jumped to 213 with over 10,000 people infected in China itself. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wuhan-virus-death-toll-hits-213-in-china-nearly-10000-infected-277621">Also read</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-claim-lungs-magically-repair-damage-from-smoking-if-one-quits-277604">Scientists claim lungs magically repair damage from smoking if one quits</a>

<img alt="Smoking" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c02e18e5-cc0f-4418-b731-4cc3ac51556b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/126634-smoking.jpg" />

A group of researchers have found that our lungs have a magical capability to repair some of the damages caused by smoking if a person quits the habit. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-claim-lungs-magically-repair-damage-from-smoking-if-one-quits-277604">Also read</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swedish-lawmakers-nominate-greta-thunberg-for-nobel-peace-prize-277600">Swedish lawmakers nominate Greta Thunberg for Nobel Peace Prize</a>

<img alt="Greta Thunberg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb25de13-0025-4844-be13-d52690969700" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/121069-untitled-design-48.jpg" />

Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg and the global protest movement "Fridays for Future" were nominated Thursday for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize by two Swedish lawmakers. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swedish-lawmakers-nominate-greta-thunberg-for-nobel-peace-prize-277600">Also read</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/china-virus-spreads-is-who-dragging-its-feet-277583">Opinion:&nbsp;China virus spreads: Is WHO dragging its feet?</a>

<img alt="coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5232d3fb-10b3-4e6d-9c24-b1d28b46c6cf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/126202-untitled-design-13%20%281%29.jpg" />

It's a deadly mix, a government that wants to control everything, and an international health body that is reluctant to act against a big economy. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/china-virus-spreads-is-who-dragging-its-feet-277583">Also read</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood-news-now-akshay-kumar-joins-bear-grylls-to-film-a-special-episode-of-into-the-wild-with-bear-grylls-277586">Now, Akshay Kumar joins Bear Grylls to film a special episode of 'Into the Wild with Bear Grylls'</a>

<img alt="Akshay Kumar Bear Grylls" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17a5a14f-85d5-4ab8-8bbf-c25d6d8193b6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/126621-untitled-design-2020-01-30t210622378.jpg" />

After Rajinikanth, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has now shot with TV host Bear Grylls. Kumar, who is known to be an adventure sports enthusiast, reached Mysore on Wednesday to join Grylls to film a special episode of 'Into the Wild with Bear Grylls'.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood-news-now-akshay-kumar-joins-bear-grylls-to-film-a-special-episode-of-into-the-wild-with-bear-grylls-277586">Also read</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-imran-khan-was-trolled-by-netziens-again-277426">Watch-&nbsp;Gravitas: Why netizens again&nbsp;ridicule Imran Khan</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-imran-khan-was-trolled-by-netziens-again-277426/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Wuhan virus death toll hits 213 in China, nearly 10000 infected The death toll has now jumped to 213 with over 10,000 people infected in China itself.

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Wuhan virus death toll hits 213 in China, nearly 10000 infected The death toll has now jumped to 213 with over 10,000 people infected in China itself. Also read Scientists claim lungs magically repair damage from smoking if one quits A group of researchers have found that our lungs have a magical capability to repair some of the damages caused by smoking if a person quits the habit. Also read Swedish lawmakers nominate Greta Thunberg for Nobel Peace Prize Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg and the global protest movement "Fridays for Future" were nominated Thursday for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize by two Swedish lawmakers. Also read Opinion: China virus spreads: Is WHO dragging its feet? It's a deadly mix, a government that wants to control everything, and an international health body that is reluctant to act against a big economy. Also read Now, Akshay Kumar joins Bear Grylls to film a special episode of 'Into the Wild with Bear Grylls' After Rajinikanth, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has now shot with TV host Bear Grylls. Kumar, who is known to be an adventure sports enthusiast, reached Mysore on Wednesday to join Grylls to film a special episode of 'Into the Wild with Bear Grylls'. Also read Watch- Gravitas: Why netizens again ridicule Imran Khan

Morning News Brief: Coronavirus death toll, Nobel prize for Thunberg, and more

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-coronavirus-outbreak-air-india-flight-carrying-324-indians-from-wuhan-lands-in-delhi-277894">China Coronavirus outbreak: Air India flight carrying 324 Indians from Wuhan lands in Delhi</a>

<img alt="Air-India" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87534e1f-ad02-4e36-a6a8-7d69c28511f6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_38.jpg" />

Air India's 423-seater jumbo B747 plane, carrying 324 Indian nationals from the coronavirus-hit Wuhan in China, landed in New Delhi on Saturday morning. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-coronavirus-outbreak-air-india-flight-carrying-324-indians-from-wuhan-lands-in-delhi-277894">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-cuts-loose-from-eu-with-delight-anger-and-indifference-277891">Britain cuts loose from EU with delight, anger and indifference</a>

<img alt="Brexit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="78a06476-e573-4298-9e43-0d1bc3300936" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Brexit.jpg" />

The stroke of midnight in Brussels, the EU will lose 15% of its economy, its biggest military spender and the world's international financial capital - London. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-cuts-loose-from-eu-with-delight-anger-and-indifference-277891">READ MORE</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-what-does-the-2020-economic-survey-say-277886/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-outbreak-while-air-india-flight-lands-in-china-to-rescue-indians-pakistan-says-it-wont-evacuate-citizens-from-wuhan-277853">Coronavirus outbreak: Pakistan says it won't evacuate citizens</a> 
 
<img alt="Imran" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e60faf58-3027-4c3b-81ad-b118d082202d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Imran.jpg" />

&nbsp;

Pakistan has said that it has no plans, as of now, to evacuate its nationals living in China in the wake of deadly coronavirus outbreak. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-outbreak-while-air-india-flight-lands-in-china-to-rescue-indians-pakistan-says-it-wont-evacuate-citizens-from-wuhan-277853">READ MORE</a><meta name="uuid" content="uuidUId5ZBaGIOR2" /><meta charset="utf-8" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where</a>

<img alt="US-election" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1c4feffe-8bb8-4af0-8339-877e29b30dc3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/%272.jpg" /> 
There will be important wins, and also, heartbreaks from what this time is known as a very 'crowded' race of Democratic challengers. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-parasite-review-bong-joon-hos-film-on-class-divide-is-a-masterclass-in-storytelling-277783">'Parasite' review: Bong Joon-Ho's film on class divide is a masterclass in storytelling</a>

<img alt="parasite" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7cb8ddde-2a25-45b8-86b8-0cc87a88b9bc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_4.jpg" />

Filmmaker Bong Jong Ho's latest film 'Parasite' makes class divide glaring and obvious leaving you numb and perhaps more conscious of your surroundings. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-parasite-review-bong-joon-hos-film-on-class-divide-is-a-masterclass-in-storytelling-277783">READ MORE</a>

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. China Coronavirus outbreak: Air India flight carrying 324 Indians from Wuhan lands in Delhi Air India's 423-seater jumbo B747 plane, carrying 324 Indian nationals from the coronavirus-hit Wuhan in China, landed in New Delhi on Saturday morning.

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. China Coronavirus outbreak: Air India flight carrying 324 Indians from Wuhan lands in Delhi Air India's 423-seater jumbo B747 plane, carrying 324 Indian nationals from the coronavirus-hit Wuhan in China, landed in New Delhi on Saturday morning. READ MORE Britain cuts loose from EU with delight, anger and indifference The stroke of midnight in Brussels, the EU will lose 15% of its economy, its biggest military spender and the world's international financial capital - London. READ MORE Coronavirus outbreak: Pakistan says it won't evacuate citizens Pakistan has said that it has no plans, as of now, to evacuate its nationals living in China in the wake of deadly coronavirus outbreak. READ MORE US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where There will be important wins, and also, heartbreaks from what this time is known as a very 'crowded' race of Democratic challengers. READ MORE 'Parasite' review: Bong Joon-Ho's film on class divide is a masterclass in storytelling Filmmaker Bong Jong Ho's latest film 'Parasite' makes class divide glaring and obvious leaving you numb and perhaps more conscious of your surroundings. READ MORE

Morning News Brief: 324 Indians evacuated from Wuhan, Budget 2020 and more

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-coronavirus-rises-to-361-as-man-dies-in-philippines-278197" hreflang="en">Death toll in coronavirus rises to 361 as man dies in Philippines</a>

<img alt="Coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="20eddf9f-c1b1-45fd-887d-7a6a4b48564a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_66.jpg" /> 
&nbsp;

The death toll from China's coronavirus epidemic jumped to 361 on Monday as authorities continued to grapple with the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-sure-the-people-of-bolivia-are-crying-for-me-morales-278204">I am sure the people of Bolivia are crying for me: Morales</a>

<img alt="Morales" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4f51d4c-b3b2-4e1a-a9f7-f82a99f37291" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_17.jpg" />

Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, was in power for almost 14 years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-promises-sweeping-reform-to-system-after-terror-stabbing-278202">UK promises sweeping reform to system after terror stabbing</a>

<img alt="London" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7c4a2c7-aa6a-427a-a2d9-ddf0f5690f67" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_26.jpg" />

After an Islamist extremist stabbed two people in London yesterday, the British government has promised strict action against not only the perpetrator but also a rehaul of&nbsp;the system.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-fati-and-messi-connection-sees-barcelona-hold-on-against-levante-278199" hreflang="en">La Liga: Fati and Messi connection sees Barcelona hold on against Levante</a>

<img alt="Lionel Messi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26613c6c-0ba3-4f9d-b87d-5cc3e3522f49" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_50.jpg" />

Ansu Fati became the youngest player ever to score a brace in La Liga on Sunday by capitalising on two brilliant Lionel&nbsp;Messi&nbsp;assists to give Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Levante.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-bafta-2020-1917-wins-best-film-and-best-director-best-actor-joaquin-phoenix-talks-of-lack-of-diversity-278203" hreflang="en">BAFTA 2020: '1917' wins best film and best director, best actor Joaquin Phoenix talks of lack of diversity</a>

<img alt="BAFTA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="72f9e723-fb77-48c9-9a9d-7455deaeec53" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%285%29_21.jpg" />

First World War drama '1917' was the big winner at the BAFTAs on Sunday, picking up seven awards including best picture and director for Sam Mendes, at a glittering ceremony that made headlines for a glaring lack of diversity among nominees.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../brexit-what-do-the-common-people-think- 278177">Brexit: What do the common people think?</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/brexit-what-do-the-common-people-think-278177/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Death toll in coronavirus rises to 361 as man dies in Philippines The death toll from China's coronavirus epidemic jumped to 361 on Monday as authorities continued to grapple with the virus.

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Death toll in coronavirus rises to 361 as man dies in Philippines The death toll from China's coronavirus epidemic jumped to 361 on Monday as authorities continued to grapple with the virus. I am sure the people of Bolivia are crying for me: Morales Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, was in power for almost 14 years. UK promises sweeping reform to system after terror stabbing After an Islamist extremist stabbed two people in London yesterday, the British government has promised strict action against not only the perpetrator but also a rehaul of the system. La Liga: Fati and Messi connection sees Barcelona hold on against Levante Ansu Fati became the youngest player ever to score a brace in La Liga on Sunday by capitalising on two brilliant Lionel Messi assists to give Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Levante. BAFTA 2020: '1917' wins best film and best director, best actor Joaquin Phoenix talks of lack of diversity First World War drama '1917' was the big winner at the BAFTAs on Sunday, picking up seven awards including best picture and director for Sam Mendes, at a glittering ceremony that made headlines for a glaring lack of diversity among nominees. Brexit: What do the common people think? ×

Morning News Brief: Coronavirus toll, London stabbing and more

Australia's capital, Canberra, was on high alert on Sunday as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baby-flying-foxes-orphaned-by-australian-bushfires-get-a-foster-home-276599">bushfires burned</a> nearby, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-bushfires-to-fuel-biggest-annual-rise-in-co2-concentration-this-year-276424">smoke and dust engulfed</a> large parts of the country's east, prompting warnings from health authorities. Fire in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), home to the capital city, has spread to more than 55,000 hectares (136,000 acres), close to a quarter of the territory's entire landmass.

Local fire authorities said cooler conditions would support containment efforts on Sunday but that residents should closely monitor any change in fire activity.

"There are still days, and possibly weeks, of firefighting ahead of us," ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr told the media. There were fears&nbsp;that the blaze, fuelled by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/bushfires-can-ecosystems-recover-from-such-dramatic-losses-of-biodiversity-275472">temperatures exceeding 40 degrees</a> Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), could reach Canberra's southern suburbs, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/businesses-in-australian-town-hopes-receded-bushfires-will-draw-tourists-back-275522">threatening homes and lives</a> as they did in 2003 when fires destroyed almost 500 houses and led to four deaths.

<img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fbc2ae4-b66f-4010-addd-ec69b650cf0d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T122306.220.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;A helicopter carrying out aerial firefighting operations flies through the smoke of a bushfire (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-news-australia-bushfire-threat-emergency-declared-in-australian-capital-canberra-277652">Amid bushfire threat, emergency declared in Australian capital Canberra</a>

But containment lines supported by airdrops of fire retardant helped keep the blaze back, even in the face of wild winds and elevated temperatures which only fell to 26.7 degrees Celsius in the capital overnight, according to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. Australia's devastating and prolonged bushfire season has killed 33 people and an estimated 1 billion native animals since September. About 2,500 homes have been destroyed and more than 11.7 million hectares (2.8 million acres) of tinder-dry bushland have been razed.

<img alt="bushfire australia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2e5f6ce5-d470-4c9f-a4f2-ceda7398fe22" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T122352.948.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;A firefighter from a local brigade works to extinguish flames after a bushfire burnt through the area (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

The fire in the southern tip of the ACT also crossed into the state of New South Wales (NSW) and destroyed some homes, authorities said on Sunday.In NSW, 63 fires were burning across the state on Sunday morning, with more than a third uncontained. NSW Health issued a statement saying air quality would be poor in parts of the state, including Sydney, due to a combination of bushfire smoke and dust blowing in from drought-hit areas.

Affected residents were urged to stay indoors and minimise physical activity, NSW Health said, adding those with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular conditions are particularly at risk. Parts of the ACT and NSW are bracing for forecast thunderstorms later on Sunday - a weather event that could bring cooling rains but also cause damage and even trigger new fires through lightning strikes. 
&nbsp;

Australia's capital, Canberra, was on high alert on Sunday as bushfires burned nearby, while smoke and dust engulfed large parts of the country's east, prompting warnings from health authorities.

Australia's capital, Canberra, was on high alert on Sunday as bushfires burned nearby, while smoke and dust engulfed large parts of the country's east, prompting warnings from health authorities. Fire in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), home to the capital city, has spread to more than 55,000 hectares (136,000 acres), close to a quarter of the territory's entire landmass. Local fire authorities said cooler conditions would support containment efforts on Sunday but that residents should closely monitor any change in fire activity. "There are still days, and possibly weeks, of firefighting ahead of us," ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr told the media. There were fears that the blaze, fuelled by temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), could reach Canberra's southern suburbs, threatening homes and lives as they did in 2003 when fires destroyed almost 500 houses and led to four deaths. [ A helicopter carrying out aerial firefighting operations flies through the smoke of a bushfire (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Amid bushfire threat, emergency declared in Australian capital Canberra But containment lines supported by airdrops of fire retardant helped keep the blaze back, even in the face of wild winds and elevated temperatures which only fell to 26.7 degrees Celsius in the capital overnight, according to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. Australia's devastating and prolonged bushfire season has killed 33 people and an estimated 1 billion native animals since September. About 2,500 homes have been destroyed and more than 11.7 million hectares (2.8 million acres) of tinder-dry bushland have been razed. [ A firefighter from a local brigade works to extinguish flames after a bushfire burnt through the area (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The fire in the southern tip of the ACT also crossed into the state of New South Wales (NSW) and destroyed some homes, authorities said on Sunday.In NSW, 63 fires were burning across the state on Sunday morning, with more than a third uncontained. NSW Health issued a statement saying air quality would be poor in parts of the state, including Sydney, due to a combination of bushfire smoke and dust blowing in from drought-hit areas. Affected residents were urged to stay indoors and minimise physical activity, NSW Health said, adding those with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular conditions are particularly at risk. Parts of the ACT and NSW are bracing for forecast thunderstorms later on Sunday - a weather event that could bring cooling rains but also cause damage and even trigger new fires through lightning strikes.

Excess smoke and dust trigger health warnings from Australian government; Canberra on fire alert

Japan confirmed an additional three <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-tells-citizens-to-avoid-non-essential-travel-to-china-277709">cases of the new coronavirus</a> among evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan, including one who initially tested negative, the Health Ministry said, bringing the country's total to 20 cases.

One of the three, a man in his 40s who had symptoms such as fever and coughing, first tested negative for coronavirus, the ministry said. But the man, who was initially diagnosed with pneumonia, later confirmed positive for the virus with an additional test, it said.

The government plans to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-sends-plane-to-virus-hit-wuhan-to-evacuate-citizens-277129">send another chartered plane</a> mid-week or later to bring back Japanese nationals who are still in China's Hubei province and the capital Wuhan, where the disease is thought to have originated, the foreign ministry said on Sunday.

<img alt="Coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3c778734-975d-4611-be1f-0639a5142890" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2873%29_1.jpg" /> 
[ Extreme precautions are being taken to counter the coronavirus - Representative Image (Courtesy: Reuters)

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-reports-first-case-of-mystery-virus-behind-china-outbreak-274738">Japan reports first case of mystery virus behind China outbreak</a>

Japan has emailed its citizens in the province to tell them of its plan, and is negotiating with China about Chinese spouses of Japanese citizens who also wish to travel to Japan, it said.

China is facing mounting isolation amid increasing international travel curbs and flight suspensions as the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rose to 259. Japan on Saturday moved to contain the economic impact of the outbreak as strict new measures aimed at limiting the spread of the virus came into effect.

Japan confirmed an additional three cases of the new coronavirus among evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan, including one who initially tested negative, the Health Ministry said, bringing the country's total to 20 cases.

Japan confirmed an additional three cases of the new coronavirus among evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan, including one who initially tested negative, the Health Ministry said, bringing the country's total to 20 cases. One of the three, a man in his 40s who had symptoms such as fever and coughing, first tested negative for coronavirus, the ministry said. But the man, who was initially diagnosed with pneumonia, later confirmed positive for the virus with an additional test, it said. The government plans to send another chartered plane mid-week or later to bring back Japanese nationals who are still in China's Hubei province and the capital Wuhan, where the disease is thought to have originated, the foreign ministry said on Sunday. [ Extreme precautions are being taken to counter the coronavirus - Representative Image (Courtesy: Reuters) Also Read: Japan reports first case of mystery virus behind China outbreak Japan has emailed its citizens in the province to tell them of its plan, and is negotiating with China about Chinese spouses of Japanese citizens who also wish to travel to Japan, it said. China is facing mounting isolation amid increasing international travel curbs and flight suspensions as the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rose to 259. Japan on Saturday moved to contain the economic impact of the outbreak as strict new measures aimed at limiting the spread of the virus came into effect.

Three more Japanese citizens evacuated from Wuhan test positive for nCoV

China faced mounting isolation in the face of increasing international travel curbs and flight suspensions on Saturday, as the death toll from a spreading coronavirus outbreak rose to 259.

China faced mounting isolation in the face of increasing international travel curbs and flight suspensions on Saturday, as the death toll from a spreading coronavirus outbreak rose to 259. The epidemic has led to mass evacuations of foreign citizens as world airlines halt flights, and risks exacerbating a slowdown in growth in the world's second-largest economy. China's National Health Commission said there were 2,102 new confirmed infections in China as of Friday, bringing the total to 11,791. Around two dozen other countries have reported more than 130 cases. All of the reported deaths from the virus have been in China. The Russian military was to start evacuating Russian citizens from China on Monday and Tuesday, Interfax and TASS news agencies reported. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying the evacuations would be from regions that had been most affected by the outbreak. Russia, which has already restricted direct flights with its biggest trading partner, also said it was suspending visa-free travel for Chinese visitors and halting work visas. Most international cases have been in people who had recently travelled to or were visiting from Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak. Hubei has been under a virtual quarantine for the last week, with roads sealed off and public transport shut down. Elsewhere, Chinese authorities placed growing restrictions on travel and business. In Beijing, counters were set up at the entrances of housing estates, where volunteers wearing red armbands and masks noted details of residents coming back from their hometowns after the Lunar New Year holiday. [ A woman wears a face mask in a market alley in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China. (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Coronavirus: China toll climbs to 304; Philippines becomes first country outside China to report first death In Hubei, the provincial government extended the holiday break to Feb. 13 in a bid to contain the outbreak, the Hubei Daily reported. The World Health Organization, which this week declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, has said global trade and travel restrictions are not needed. But Singapore and the United States announced measures on Friday to ban foreign nationals who have recently been in China from entering their territories. Australia followed suit on Saturday. "We're operating with an abundance of caution in these circumstances so Australians can go about their daily lives with confidence," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney. The Chinese data would suggest the flu-like virus is less deadly than the 2002-03 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 800 people of the some 8,000 it infected, although such numbers can evolve rapidly. Evacuations The list of international airlines suspending all or some flights to China is growing. The latest was Qantas Airways Ltd and Air New Zealand, who said travel bans forced them to suspend their direct flights to China from Feb. 9. All three major U.S. airlines said on Friday they would cancel flights to mainland China. The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific banned travel to China for all service members and civilian personnel under his authority and ordered those now in China to leave immediately, officials said. U.S. health officials on Saturday confirmed an eighth case of the virus, a person in Massachusetts who recently returned from Hubei province. Many nations have sent charter flights to repatriate citizens from China and then place them in isolation for around two weeks, believed to be the incubation period of the virus. German Health Minister Jens Spahn called for calm and warned against hysteria as more than 100 Germans and family members landed in Frankfurt, none showing any symptoms of the virus. As of Saturday evening Germany had eight confirmed cases. Britain, which has had two confirmed cases, said it was withdrawing some staff from its embassy and consulates in China. Many of the private clinics catering to foreigners in China have started to turn away people with fevers. Disruptions Infections have jumped in two cities flanking Wuhan, where the new virus is believed to have originated, raising concerns that new hot spots are emerging despite strict transport restrictions. In Huanggang, authorities asked households to designate one individual who can leave the home, a local newspaper said. The mayor of the city of about 7.5 million people said there could be a significant rise in cases this weekend. The northern city of Tianjin, home to some 15 million, suspended all schools and businesses until further notice. Efforts to contain the virus risk slowing economic growth in China. The virus impact prompted Goldman Sachs to cut its estimate for first-quarter growth to 4% from 5.6%. China's central bank said the impact was temporary and economic fundamentals remained sound, but that it would increase credit support, lowering lending costs for affected companies. Apple Inc said on Saturday it would close all of its official stores and corporate offices in China until Feb. 9, the latest of dozens of major companies, including IKEA and Walmart Inc, to restrict travel and operations due to the outbreak.

Coronavirus death toll rises; China faces global isolation deemed unnecessary by WHO

New Zealand announced on Sunday it would bar entry into the country from all foreign nationals arriving from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-death-toll-climbs-to-213-277727">mainland China</a> due too the increasing threat from the <a href="WHO declares Coronavirus as global health emergency">coronavirus epidemic</a>. The ban is in effect from Monday and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also raised its travel advice to New Zealanders for all of mainland China to “Do not travel”, the highest level.

"We have been advised by health officials that while there is still a range of unknowns in the way the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-outbreak-fresh-cases-being-detected-in-several-countries-spain-confirms-its-first-case-278026"> virus is being transmitted</a>, we should take a precautionary approach,” New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement. New Zealand citizens and permanent residents can still enter the country, as can their immediate family members, but will be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival back in the country.

The ban will be in effect for up to 14 days, reviewed every 48 hours and includes all foreign travellers who left or transited through mainland China after February 2. There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in New Zealand.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-soars-to-259-as-chinas-isolation-grows-278028">Coronavirus: Death toll soars to 259 as China's isolation grows</a>

<img alt="New Zealand PM" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0680b2e1-8934-4c16-a02f-4bc212c9f06c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T111752.225.jpg" /> 
[ New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the media (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

New Zealand's announcement followed a similar decision announced on Saturday by neighbouring Australia, where 12 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed. China is facing mounting isolation amid increasing international travel curbs and flight suspension. Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand both said they were suspending direct flights to mainland China.

Australia announced during the week that it would evacuate locals from the Chinese city of Wuhan as part of a joint operation with New Zealand. 
Some health officials have criticized Australia's decision to move its evacuees to Christmas Island - about 1,500 kilometres (900 miles) from Australia, which had been used to hold thousands of refugees between 2002 and 2018.

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday he expected Australians to be airlifted from Wuhan soon and that a medical assessment team and mobile hospital was ready to greet them. "Personnel are in place to receive the passengers from Wuhan and we expect that the flight will be collecting within the next 24 hours," Hunt said. 
&nbsp;

New Zealand announced on Sunday it would bar entry into the country from all foreign nationals arriving from mainland China due too the increasing threat from the coronavirus epidemic.

New Zealand announced on Sunday it would bar entry into the country from all foreign nationals arriving from mainland China due too the increasing threat from the coronavirus epidemic. The ban is in effect from Monday and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also raised its travel advice to New Zealanders for all of mainland China to “Do not travel”, the highest level. "We have been advised by health officials that while there is still a range of unknowns in the way the virus is being transmitted, we should take a precautionary approach,” New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement. New Zealand citizens and permanent residents can still enter the country, as can their immediate family members, but will be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival back in the country. The ban will be in effect for up to 14 days, reviewed every 48 hours and includes all foreign travellers who left or transited through mainland China after February 2. There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in New Zealand. Also Read: Coronavirus: Death toll soars to 259 as China's isolation grows [ New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the media (Courtesy: Reuters) ] New Zealand's announcement followed a similar decision announced on Saturday by neighbouring Australia, where 12 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed. China is facing mounting isolation amid increasing international travel curbs and flight suspension. Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand both said they were suspending direct flights to mainland China. Australia announced during the week that it would evacuate locals from the Chinese city of Wuhan as part of a joint operation with New Zealand. Some health officials have criticized Australia's decision to move its evacuees to Christmas Island - about 1,500 kilometres (900 miles) from Australia, which had been used to hold thousands of refugees between 2002 and 2018. Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday he expected Australians to be airlifted from Wuhan soon and that a medical assessment team and mobile hospital was ready to greet them. "Personnel are in place to receive the passengers from Wuhan and we expect that the flight will be collecting within the next 24 hours," Hunt said.

Foreigners from China barred entry to New Zealand; travel ban to last fortnight

Facebook's massive settlement in a class-action case over violating a state law on how it uses facial recognition is being hailed as a watershed moment for "biometric privacy.

Facebook's massive settlement in a class-action case over violating a state law on how it uses facial recognition is being hailed as a watershed moment for "biometric privacy." The leading social network said it agreed to the $550 million payout after failing to win dismissal of the case alleging it illegally collected biometric information for "face tagging" in violation of a 2008 Illinois privacy law. The settlement could have wide-ranging implications for Facebook and other tech firms using facial recognition technology and highlights the potential for state laws to force changes in privacy practices. Plaintiff attorney Jay Edelson said the case helps establish the principle of biometric privacy or the right of users of tech services and products to control access to their data used for facial recognition. "Biometrics is one of the two primary battlegrounds, along with geolocation, that will define our privacy rights for the next generation," Edelson said in a statement. "We hope and expect that other companies will follow Facebook's lead and pay significant attention to the importance of our biometric information." Attorney Nathan Wessler of the American Civil Liberties Union, which backed the plaintiffs' legal arguments, said the settlement could mark a turning point for consumers and biometrics. "Companies are going to have to take this seriously," Wessler said. "Hopefully, a settlement of this size will be a deterrent." The deal is one of the largest settlements in a US privacy case, topped only by Facebook's $5 billion deal with the Federal Trade Commission on its data practices. Both are awaiting court approval. Also Read: Facebook sued in US federal court for alleged anti competitive conduct [ Facial Recognition and Facebook - Representative Image (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Facial recognition growing The legal case comes amid an array of deployments of biometric technologies such as facial recognition for law enforcement and border control, but also for "tagging" in social networks and in applications for retail stores or unlocking personal devices and cars. Several US cities including San Francisco have passed bans on the use of facial recognition technology. There are concerns about creating large databases with the potential for errors in identifying some individuals. "We have seen growing recognition in the courts and in the public for the last few years on the need for reasonable but strong limits on the collection and use of our most private information," Wessler said. Illinois law does not apply to government entities or contractors. At least two other states have similar laws, but Illinois is the only one allowing for private lawsuits for damages when companies collect data without consent. Alan Butler of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, which also supported the plaintiff arguments, called the case "hugely significant" with a potential impact for all Facebook users. Butler noted that the courts ruled the case could proceed merely on the basis of showing a violation, without evidence of specific harms. Unintended consequences? But the Illinois law and similar restrictions may have negative consequences as well, according to Daniel Castro of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a think tank often aligned with industry. The ability to sue without showing damages has unleashed a flood of litigation and some firms "are even blocking their services in Illinois to avoid the risk of penalties. That's not good for consumers," Castro said. "At the same time, it does not do much to actually address many specific concerns, such as police use of facial recognition to track citizens." Castro said the "patchwork" of state laws could make it difficult for tech firms to launch new products, leaving them at a disadvantage compared to their Chinese counterparts. The settlement comes as US lawmakers are debating federal privacy legislation, with some proposals that could pre-empt laws such as those in Illinois. Wessler argued that some states have been taking the lead in offering strong privacy rules and that a federal law could weaken overall data protection.

Biometric Privacy: Topical issue gains spotlight after Facebook's settlement

Today in History: Treaty of Tartu, inauguration of New York Grand Central Terminal and more

Democratic presidential candidates fanned out across Iowa on Saturday for a frenzy of rallies and last-ditch speeches with just two days to go before the rural state kicks off the nominating process.

Public opinion polls show a tight race for the right to take on Republican <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">President Donald Trump</a> in November. US&nbsp;Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden are in a dead heat for first place, with US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg close behind.

The final campaigning before Monday's caucuses took on extra urgency as Sanders, Warren and fellow senators have been stuck in Washington serving as jurors in Trump's impeachment trial and are due to return by Monday morning for closing arguments. Here is what is happening in Iowa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-debate-six-candidates-face-off-in-iowas-capital-city-des-moines-274306">on the campaign trail</a>:

Settle for Biden

A comedy troupe confronted Biden on Saturday at a town hall in North Liberty, Iowa, prompting an awkward exchange. One of the men stood as Biden was getting underway with his speech and asked the former vice president for advice on how to get his wife back. Biden offered to speak to the man afterwards, but the man persisted.

"I’m beginning to see why your wife left you," Biden said to cheers and laughter at a packed campaign event. Moments later, another man stood up wearing a shirt that mimicked the colours and style of Biden campaign attire but instead said, "Settle for Biden." People chanted "Let’s go Joe" as the comedians exited. The men did not identify themselves to reporters but matched the descriptions of a comedy troupe called The Good Liars that confronts politicians at public events.

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f507c59f-4b4a-4525-9275-405a1006e1bc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T120135.102.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;A woman attends a Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

That's your job

US&nbsp;Senator Amy Klobuchar <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/democratic-debate-in-iowa-274401">zipped around Iowa</a> on a charter plane to try to hit as many campaign events as possible. Klobuchar is trying to mount a late surge and beat expectations after struggling for the past year to break 10 per cent&nbsp;in polls. Her campaign strategy has relied on spending time on the ground in Iowa, which got derailed by the impeachment trial.

Her final Saturday night event in Beaverdale, a suburb of Des Moines, at her fourth event of the day, she joked about being stuck in Washington. "I'm trying to make up for being gone for 10 days in two days," she said. "I may be the juror in that chamber but you are the jurors in this election. That's your job."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where</a>

This is our moment

Warren may have hit the ground running in Iowa on Saturday, but she took a moment to offer new remarks reminiscing on a year on the campaign trail. “You’ve pressed notes into my hand, you’ve whispered your dreams into my ears, you’ve told me about your lives, about issues, about your ideas on how we can make things better,” she said at an event in Cedar Rapids.

At a Saturday morning event in Des Moines, signs behind her declared "Unite the Party," suggesting that she is best positioned to bring Democrats together to defeat Trump, a new addition to her campaign message in the closing stretch.

<img alt="Warren" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="403e38e5-7e5b-485f-9949-19cc50e69dd5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T120505.783.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Emma Patty runs with a sign supporting Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;presidential candidate and US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Warren fled Washington on Friday night as soon as the impeachment proceedings ended for the day, arriving in Des Moines for a late-night event at a crowded brewery. The bar ran out of clean glasses to keep pouring beer before Warren emerged, holding her husband's hand and dragging him into the crowd.

The pressing need to play catch-up after having been taken off the campaign trail for Trump's trial was evident on Saturday. To save time so she could get to another event, Warren skipped her usual "selfie" line.

“I need to get around to a lot of places in Iowa today and tomorrow,” she said after one event. But she had a worthy substitute: Bailey, her golden retriever, who has become perhaps her most beloved campaign surrogate, would stay for a photo line. “He’s been working on his smile,” she said, as the crowd cooed at a happy-looking Bailey. “He’s ready.”

Sanders supporter boos Clinton

At a Sanders campaign rally on Friday night, one of his high-profile supporters waded into an ongoing fight with Hillary Clinton, his Democratic primary opponent in the 2016 White House contest. In an interview last month, Clinton said no one in the Senate liked Sanders, and she criticized how his supporters treated her after she won the nomination four years ago.

On Friday, when the crowd at Sanders' rally began to boo at the mention of Clinton's name, the moderator interjected, "We're not going to boo here, we're classy here." But US&nbsp;Representative Rashida Tlaib, speaking on a panel at the event, was not having any of it. "No, no. I'll boo. Boo," the congresswoman said. "You all know I can't be quiet, no, we're going to boo. That's all right, the haters will shut up on Monday when we win." On Saturday, she voiced regret.

"I allowed my disappointment with Secretary Clinton's latest comments about Senator Sanders and his supporters get the best of me," Tlaib said in a statement on Twitter, adding the movement "deserved better."

Union flips to Biden

A labour union representing 200,000 transit workers endorsed Biden on Saturday, a shift after having backed Sanders in the 2016 campaign. Sanders has been racking up union endorsements, support that played an important role in his failed 2016 bid for the nomination.

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) announced it is encouraging members to support Biden after a survey of the union's membership found a majority believe the former vice president is the best positioned to beat Trump.

"Joe Biden has been a true champion of working Americans throughout his career," said ATU International President John Costa in a statement. "We know he will fight to rebuild the middle class by restoring the rights of labour, advancing racial justice and equity, and bolstering our economy through an unprecedented investment in public services like transit."

Democratic presidential candidates fanned out across Iowa on Saturday for a frenzy of rallies and last-ditch speeches with just two days to go before the rural state kicks off the nominating process.

Democratic presidential candidates fanned out across Iowa on Saturday for a frenzy of rallies and last-ditch speeches with just two days to go before the rural state kicks off the nominating process. Public opinion polls show a tight race for the right to take on Republican President Donald Trump in November. US Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden are in a dead heat for first place, with US Senator Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg close behind. The final campaigning before Monday's caucuses took on extra urgency as Sanders, Warren and fellow senators have been stuck in Washington serving as jurors in Trump's impeachment trial and are due to return by Monday morning for closing arguments. Here is what is happening in Iowa on the campaign trail: Settle for Biden A comedy troupe confronted Biden on Saturday at a town hall in North Liberty, Iowa, prompting an awkward exchange. One of the men stood as Biden was getting underway with his speech and asked the former vice president for advice on how to get his wife back. Biden offered to speak to the man afterwards, but the man persisted. "I’m beginning to see why your wife left you," Biden said to cheers and laughter at a packed campaign event. Moments later, another man stood up wearing a shirt that mimicked the colours and style of Biden campaign attire but instead said, "Settle for Biden." People chanted "Let’s go Joe" as the comedians exited. The men did not identify themselves to reporters but matched the descriptions of a comedy troupe called The Good Liars that confronts politicians at public events. [ A woman attends a Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa (Courtesy: Reuters) ] That's your job US Senator Amy Klobuchar zipped around Iowa on a charter plane to try to hit as many campaign events as possible. Klobuchar is trying to mount a late surge and beat expectations after struggling for the past year to break 10 per cent in polls. Her campaign strategy has relied on spending time on the ground in Iowa, which got derailed by the impeachment trial. Her final Saturday night event in Beaverdale, a suburb of Des Moines, at her fourth event of the day, she joked about being stuck in Washington. "I'm trying to make up for being gone for 10 days in two days," she said. "I may be the juror in that chamber but you are the jurors in this election. That's your job." Also Read: US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where This is our moment Warren may have hit the ground running in Iowa on Saturday, but she took a moment to offer new remarks reminiscing on a year on the campaign trail. “You’ve pressed notes into my hand, you’ve whispered your dreams into my ears, you’ve told me about your lives, about issues, about your ideas on how we can make things better,” she said at an event in Cedar Rapids. At a Saturday morning event in Des Moines, signs behind her declared "Unite the Party," suggesting that she is best positioned to bring Democrats together to defeat Trump, a new addition to her campaign message in the closing stretch. [ Emma Patty runs with a sign supporting Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Warren fled Washington on Friday night as soon as the impeachment proceedings ended for the day, arriving in Des Moines for a late-night event at a crowded brewery. The bar ran out of clean glasses to keep pouring beer before Warren emerged, holding her husband's hand and dragging him into the crowd. The pressing need to play catch-up after having been taken off the campaign trail for Trump's trial was evident on Saturday. To save time so she could get to another event, Warren skipped her usual "selfie" line. “I need to get around to a lot of places in Iowa today and tomorrow,” she said after one event. But she had a worthy substitute: Bailey, her golden retriever, who has become perhaps her most beloved campaign surrogate, would stay for a photo line. “He’s been working on his smile,” she said, as the crowd cooed at a happy-looking Bailey. “He’s ready.” Sanders supporter boos Clinton At a Sanders campaign rally on Friday night, one of his high-profile supporters waded into an ongoing fight with Hillary Clinton, his Democratic primary opponent in the 2016 White House contest. In an interview last month, Clinton said no one in the Senate liked Sanders, and she criticized how his supporters treated her after she won the nomination four years ago. On Friday, when the crowd at Sanders' rally began to boo at the mention of Clinton's name, the moderator interjected, "We're not going to boo here, we're classy here." But US Representative Rashida Tlaib, speaking on a panel at the event, was not having any of it. "No, no. I'll boo. Boo," the congresswoman said. "You all know I can't be quiet, no, we're going to boo. That's all right, the haters will shut up on Monday when we win." On Saturday, she voiced regret. "I allowed my disappointment with Secretary Clinton's latest comments about Senator Sanders and his supporters get the best of me," Tlaib said in a statement on Twitter, adding the movement "deserved better." Union flips to Biden A labour union representing 200,000 transit workers endorsed Biden on Saturday, a shift after having backed Sanders in the 2016 campaign. Sanders has been racking up union endorsements, support that played an important role in his failed 2016 bid for the nomination. The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) announced it is encouraging members to support Biden after a survey of the union's membership found a majority believe the former vice president is the best positioned to beat Trump. "Joe Biden has been a true champion of working Americans throughout his career," said ATU International President John Costa in a statement. "We know he will fight to rebuild the middle class by restoring the rights of labour, advancing racial justice and equity, and bolstering our economy through an unprecedented investment in public services like transit."

On the campaign trail: Democrats deliver closing arguments with dogs, comedians and planes

Violent attacks in Afghanistan's war jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, a US government watchdog said Friday, underscoring the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-plane-crashes-in-afghanistan-top-us-intel-officers-dead-277184">conflict's continued toll</a> despite relative calm in Kabul. The nation's capital and other urban areas have enjoyed a rare stretch of more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-recovers-two-bodies-from-bombardier-aircraft-crash-site-in-afghanistan-277343">two </a>months without the sorts of large-scale bomb attack that frequently rock the city and cause mass causalities.

Despite the lull, which has come as the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/despite-defeats-the-islamic-state-remains-unbroken-and-defiant-around-the-world-277491"> US and the Taliban continue talks</a> over a possible deal for American forces to leave Afghanistan, fighting in rural provinces has continued unabated, with reports of skirmishes appearing daily. According to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), "enemy-initiated attacks" rose sharply last year, with the fourth quarter seeing a total of 8,204 attacks -- up from 6,974 in the same period in 2018.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-bombing-of-afghanistan-hits-10-year-high-us-air-force-277324">United States bombing of Afghanistan hits 10-year high: US Air Force</a>

September, when the first round of presidential voting was held, saw the highest number of casualty-causing attacks since recording began in 2010. SIGAR noted that attacks appeared to mirror progress in US-Taliban talks, with incidents dropping earlier in the year, then picking up again after US President Donald Trump temporarily halted negotiations in September.

"A turbulent last six months resulted in increases in overall enemy attacks (6 per cent) and effective attacks (4 per cent) in 2019 compared to the already high levels reported in 2018," SIGAR said in its quarterly report to the US Congress. The Pentagon has also continued to up the tempo of operations, with American warplanes dropping more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade, according to the US Air Force.

Washington and the Taliban are continuing to wrangle over a possible agreement that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees.&nbsp; The US has for months been calling on the militants to reduce violence, but both sides have said little in recent days about the status of talks and the Kabul government wants the US to push for a full ceasefire.

SIGAR's report also found that Afghanistan's security forces struggled to take the fight to the Taliban, relying on US support for more than half their ground operations. SIGAR also highlighted a slight increase in the number of casualties among Afghan military members, who have sustained massive losses over the past five years.

Violent attacks in Afghanistan's war jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, a US government watchdog said Friday, underscoring the conflict's continued toll despite relative calm in Kabul.

Violent attacks in Afghanistan's war jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, a US government watchdog said Friday, underscoring the conflict's continued toll despite relative calm in Kabul. The nation's capital and other urban areas have enjoyed a rare stretch of more than two months without the sorts of large-scale bomb attack that frequently rock the city and cause mass causalities. Despite the lull, which has come as the US and the Taliban continue talks over a possible deal for American forces to leave Afghanistan, fighting in rural provinces has continued unabated, with reports of skirmishes appearing daily. According to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), "enemy-initiated attacks" rose sharply last year, with the fourth quarter seeing a total of 8,204 attacks -- up from 6,974 in the same period in 2018. Also Read: United States bombing of Afghanistan hits 10-year high: US Air Force September, when the first round of presidential voting was held, saw the highest number of casualty-causing attacks since recording began in 2010. SIGAR noted that attacks appeared to mirror progress in US-Taliban talks, with incidents dropping earlier in the year, then picking up again after US President Donald Trump temporarily halted negotiations in September. "A turbulent last six months resulted in increases in overall enemy attacks (6 per cent) and effective attacks (4 per cent) in 2019 compared to the already high levels reported in 2018," SIGAR said in its quarterly report to the US Congress. The Pentagon has also continued to up the tempo of operations, with American warplanes dropping more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade, according to the US Air Force. Washington and the Taliban are continuing to wrangle over a possible agreement that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees. The US has for months been calling on the militants to reduce violence, but both sides have said little in recent days about the status of talks and the Kabul government wants the US to push for a full ceasefire. SIGAR's report also found that Afghanistan's security forces struggled to take the fight to the Taliban, relying on US support for more than half their ground operations. SIGAR also highlighted a slight increase in the number of casualties among Afghan military members, who have sustained massive losses over the past five years.

Amid US-Taliban peace talks, violence in Afghanistan rises: Watchdog

President Donald Trump's hopes for a speedy acquittal by the Senate received a boost on Thursday as Democrats suffered a setback in their efforts to introduce new witnesses at his impeachment trial.

President Donald Trump's hopes for a speedy acquittal by the Senate received a boost on Thursday as Democrats suffered a setback in their efforts to introduce new witnesses at his impeachment trial. Democrats had sought to have Trump's former national security advisor John Bolton testify but a key Republican senator said he would vote "no" when the question of calling further witnesses is put to the Senate on Friday. If the witness motion is rejected, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a key Trump ally, could conceivably call for a vote to acquit the president of the impeachment charges as soon as Friday. A two-thirds majority - or 67 senators - is needed to remove a president from office, and the 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate means Trump is virtually certain to be acquitted. Democrats were particularly eager to hear from Bolton following reports that he claims in an upcoming book to have been personally told by Trump that military aid to Ukraine was tied to Kyiv investigating his Democratic rival Joe Biden. The charge is at the heart of the December 18 impeachment of the 45th US president for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives. Also Read: Trump Impeachment Poll: 47% Want Trump Out Of White House Four Republican votes are needed to allow new witnesses but Republican Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who had been considered a possible swing vote, issued a statement late Thursday saying there was no need for more evidence. "It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation," Alexander said. "But the Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year's ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate," he said. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she would support the call for witnesses, and Utah Senator Mitt Romney has said he was "very likely" to do so. Another wavering Republican - Lisa Murkowski of Alaska - has said she will announce her decision Friday morning. In the event of a 50-50 tie, US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial, could be called upon to end the deadlock. If he declines to vote, the motion calling for witnesses would fail. 'Purely partisan impeachment' Chief Democratic prosecutor Adam Schiff, in a last-ditch bid on Thursday to win over Republican senators wary of a drawn-out process, proposed a one-week time frame to secure new witness testimony. "Let's have a reasonable accommodation here," the California lawmaker told the 100 senators sitting as jurors at the historic trial. "We'll take one week, and you'll continue with the business of the Senate." Trump's defence team rejected the Democratic calls for more witnesses. "They said for weeks it was an overwhelming case," said White House deputy counsel Patrick Philbin. "If that's their position, why do they need more witnesses?" White House counsel Pat Cipollone argued for an early acquittal, saying it "would be the best thing for our country. We're dealing with a purely partisan impeachment," Cipollone said, accusing Democrats of using impeachment "as a political weapon." Voters - not the Senate - should decide Trump's fate in the November presidential election, he said. Cipollone and Schiff made their remarks during an occasionally testy Senate session during which Democratic and Republican senators directed questions to the House prosecutors and White House defence team. House impeachment managers expressed outrage over an assertion by one of Trump's lawyers, Harvard professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, that a president can do almost anything he wants if he believes his re-election was "in the public interest." Schiff said the claim echoed the Watergate case of disgraced president Richard Nixon 45 years ago. "What we have seen in the last couple of days is a descent into constitutional madness," Schiff said. "Almost half a century ago, we had a president who said, 'Well, when the president does it that means it is not illegal.'" "Have we learned nothing in the last half-century?" Schiff asked. "That is the normalization of lawlessness," he said. "I would hope that every American would recognize that it's wrong to seek foreign help in an American election." 'Disgrace' Trump's defence team has argued alternatively that the impeachment is politically driven, that Trump did not tie Ukraine aid to the investigations he sought, that he had reason to seek a probe into his political rival and that he had the legal right to do so as president. The president has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, calling the entire process a politically driven "witch hunt" and a "disgrace." Speaking at a campaign rally on Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump said, "We're having the best years in the history of our country and I just got impeached." Democrats are to hold their first vote in Iowa on Monday in the process of selecting a candidate to face Trump in November's presidential election.

Senate poised to acquit Donald Trump as witness motion appears doomed

US President Donald Trump campaigned on Thursday in Iowa - the state that kicks off the presidential nominating race next week - basking in the support of his base while the US Senate trial considering his impeachment continued in Washington.

Reviving some of the most polarizing speech lines from his 2016 campaign and mocking his potential Democratic opponents, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-top-court-sides-with-trump-on-immigrant-welfare-benefits-276959">Trump regaled the crowd</a> with a series of campaign promises, including revamping the US healthcare system and continuing to build a wall along the country's southern border with Mexico.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/democratic-debate-in-iowa-274401">Democratic contenders</a> for their party's nomination to challenge Trump in the November election face their first electoral test in the Iowa caucuses on Monday. Trump, who is seeking a second term, is expected to easily win the Republican caucus.

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c628d394-3e03-449a-b53b-89fba6cfa78e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2818%29_5.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;U.S. President Donald Trump mocks House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff&nbsp;as he rallies with supporters (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

His campaign, regardless, is making a show of force in the state and several of his supporters, including both of his adult sons, will be in the state on Monday. Trump's speech on Thursday was squarely focused on the general election. He won Iowa in 2016 and Democrats are not expected to invest many resources trying to flip it back to their column this year.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-swing-district-democrats-back-joe-bidens-presidential-bid-272511">Three swing-state Democrats back for Joe Biden's presidential bid</a>

But Democrats have dominated the airwaves in Iowa for the past year, making Trump the focus of their appeals to the state's Democratic voters. 
Trump repeated his criticism of his potential Democratic opponents, denigrating former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg for his height and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for his last name, and repeating his reference to US Senator Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas.”

"Democrats stand for crime, corruption and chaos, Republicans stand for law, order and justice," Trump said. Trump renewed a 2016 campaign promise to make Mexico pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border, a vow he made daily while campaigning the first time but has rarely mentioned since taking office.

"Illegal aliens from Mexico are going to pay for the wall ... through remittance, 100 per cent," Trump said. He also revisited a line from his 2016 campaign, maligning some migrants trying to enter the United States as criminals.

Fresh from signing a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada on Wednesday and a separate pact with China earlier this month, the president said the Democrats would be bad for Iowa’s farmers - warning they would "kill your cows." "If we don't win, your farms are going to hell," he said. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump campaigned on Thursday in Iowa - the state that kicks off the presidential nominating race next week - basking in the support of his base while the US Senate trial considering his impeachment continued in Washington.

US President Donald Trump campaigned on Thursday in Iowa - the state that kicks off the presidential nominating race next week - basking in the support of his base while the US Senate trial considering his impeachment continued in Washington. Reviving some of the most polarizing speech lines from his 2016 campaign and mocking his potential Democratic opponents, Trump regaled the crowd with a series of campaign promises, including revamping the US healthcare system and continuing to build a wall along the country's southern border with Mexico. Democratic contenders for their party's nomination to challenge Trump in the November election face their first electoral test in the Iowa caucuses on Monday. Trump, who is seeking a second term, is expected to easily win the Republican caucus. [ U.S. President Donald Trump mocks House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff as he rallies with supporters (Courtesy: Reuters) ] His campaign, regardless, is making a show of force in the state and several of his supporters, including both of his adult sons, will be in the state on Monday. Trump's speech on Thursday was squarely focused on the general election. He won Iowa in 2016 and Democrats are not expected to invest many resources trying to flip it back to their column this year. Also Read: Three swing-state Democrats back for Joe Biden's presidential bid But Democrats have dominated the airwaves in Iowa for the past year, making Trump the focus of their appeals to the state's Democratic voters. Trump repeated his criticism of his potential Democratic opponents, denigrating former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg for his height and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for his last name, and repeating his reference to US Senator Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas.” "Democrats stand for crime, corruption and chaos, Republicans stand for law, order and justice," Trump said. Trump renewed a 2016 campaign promise to make Mexico pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border, a vow he made daily while campaigning the first time but has rarely mentioned since taking office. "Illegal aliens from Mexico are going to pay for the wall ... through remittance, 100 per cent," Trump said. He also revisited a line from his 2016 campaign, maligning some migrants trying to enter the United States as criminals. Fresh from signing a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada on Wednesday and a separate pact with China earlier this month, the president said the Democrats would be bad for Iowa’s farmers - warning they would "kill your cows." "If we don't win, your farms are going to hell," he said.

Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats

A new section of President Donald Trump's signature wall along the <a href="Migrants gather at U.S.-Mexico border for Christmas party">US-Mexico border</a> has been blown over in strong winds, US officials say. Steel panels from the fence in the town of Calexico, California were knocked down on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;Strong winds have damaged Trump yet again, but this time it is the President's precious border wall that was blown over and not his hairpiece.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Great photos from a SOUTHERN BORDER WALL Briefing with Secretary of Defense, Mark <a href="https://twitter.com/EsperDoD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EsperDoD</a>! <a href="https://t.co/rpGHpdoIa6">pic.twitter.com/rpGHpdoIa6</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1222973224092258304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Steel panels from a <a href="Longest smuggling tunnel discovered under US-Mexico Border; possible connections to Sinaloa cartel">fence bordering</a> the town of Calexico, California were knocked down by gusts of around 48 km/h. According to officials, the concrete used to anchor the 9-meter tall panels in place had not set, causing the collapse of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-frees-36-bn-for-wall-construction-on-mexican-border-247477">border panelling</a>. The wall was part of this administration's construction project to deter illegal immigration across the 3,145 kilometre US-Mexico border.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/build-that-wall-barriers-back-30-years-after-berlin-wall-259802">Build that wall! Barriers back 30 years after Berlin Wall</a>

The day before the wind took with it the wall, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">Donald Trump</a> was conducting a campaign event in New Jersey and boasting of the "record speed" with which the border wall is being constructed.&nbsp;The newly installed panels flew off with the wind a day later in Mexicali, a city on the Mexican side of the border. Thankfully, authorities were able to divert traffic from the nearby street and no property damage or injuries have been reported.

Donald Trump had claimed that the steel slats and concrete constituting the border wall was "virtually impenetrable" when visiting a section of the wall in California last year. The project has progressed, albeit slowly due to the multitudes of legal obstacles faced by the Trump administration. They had claimed to have built around 100 miles of brand new border walls, even though most of it was to repair and replace existing structures.

Trump had declared a government-shutdown last February to funnel taxpayers' money into the border wall and later declared a national emergency on the pretext of lax southern border security. US Appeals Court lifted a legal block earlier this month on $3.6 billion in defence funds which the President used for his border wall

A new section of President Donald Trump's signature wall along the US-Mexico border has been blown over in strong winds, US officials say. Steel panels from the fence in the town of Calexico, California were knocked down on Wednesday morning.

A new section of President Donald Trump's signature wall along the US-Mexico border has been blown over in strong winds, US officials say. Steel panels from the fence in the town of Calexico, California were knocked down on Wednesday morning. Strong winds have damaged Trump yet again, but this time it is the President's precious border wall that was blown over and not his hairpiece. Great photos from a SOUTHERN BORDER WALL Briefing with Secretary of Defense, Mark @EsperDoD! pic.twitter.com/rpGHpdoIa6 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2020 × Steel panels from a fence bordering the town of Calexico, California were knocked down by gusts of around 48 km/h. According to officials, the concrete used to anchor the 9-meter tall panels in place had not set, causing the collapse of the border panelling. The wall was part of this administration's construction project to deter illegal immigration across the 3,145 kilometre US-Mexico border. Also Read: Build that wall! Barriers back 30 years after Berlin Wall The day before the wind took with it the wall, Donald Trump was conducting a campaign event in New Jersey and boasting of the "record speed" with which the border wall is being constructed. The newly installed panels flew off with the wind a day later in Mexicali, a city on the Mexican side of the border. Thankfully, authorities were able to divert traffic from the nearby street and no property damage or injuries have been reported. Donald Trump had claimed that the steel slats and concrete constituting the border wall was "virtually impenetrable" when visiting a section of the wall in California last year. The project has progressed, albeit slowly due to the multitudes of legal obstacles faced by the Trump administration. They had claimed to have built around 100 miles of brand new border walls, even though most of it was to repair and replace existing structures. Trump had declared a government-shutdown last February to funnel taxpayers' money into the border wall and later declared a national emergency on the pretext of lax southern border security. US Appeals Court lifted a legal block earlier this month on $3.6 billion in defence funds which the President used for his border wall

Gone with the wind; Trump's 'impenetrable' border wall blown away by strong winds

Thousands of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-some-eu-countries-are-struggling-to-relocate-migrants-265965">migrants facing the perilous journey</a> from Turkey to the Aegean islands on Europe’s periphery are now supposed to face another obstacle as the Greek government announced that it will build a floating barrier to deter them. The centre-right administration revealed the project to deny entry to undocumented migrants accessing the country.

Erected off the island of Lesbos, the bulwark of the 2.7km-long netted barrier will rise from pylons 50 metres above the water and will be equipped with flashing lights to demarcate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-die-as-storm-front-batters-greece-264668">Greece’s sea borders</a>. “In Evros, natural barriers had relative [good] results in containing flows,” stated Greece’s Defence Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, referring to the barbed-wire topped fence that Greece built along its northern land border with Turkey in 2012 to deter asylum seekers.

The plan was ridiculed the world over, and Amnesty International warned that it would enhance the dangers asylum-seekers and refugees encountered as they attempted to seek safety. “The plan raises serious issues about rescuers’ ability to continue providing life-saving assistance to people attempting the dangerous sea crossing to Lesbos. The government must urgently clarify the operational details and necessary safeguards to ensure that this <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/struggling-with-influx-greece-to-shut-down-three-refugee-camps-263414">system does not cost further lives</a>,” said Massimo Moratti, Research Director for Europe, Amnesty International.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twelve-dead-21-rescued-as-migrant-boat-sinks-off-greek-island-273697">Twelve dead, 21 rescued as migrant boat sinks off Greek island</a>

Calling this a "stupid idea" and adding that it was bound to be ineffective was Greece’s former migration minister, Dimitris Vitsas. “It’s not going to stop anybody making the journey,” he added. Human traffickers along Turkey’s western coast target Greece's outlying Aegean isles with renewed vigour, leading to a huge uptick in arrivals of refugees and migrants than any other part of Europe. Outposts designed to hold a maximum of 5,400 people are housing more than 44,000.

Greece fears a further surge in arrivals in the spring amid mounting tensions with Turkey over energy resources in the Mediterranean, despite numbers dropping radically since the EU struck a landmark accord with Ankara to curb the flows in March 2016.&nbsp;Blame for this humanitarian catastrophe has been thrown at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Prime Minister for exploiting the refugee drama as political leverage in dealings with Athens and the EU.

As Idlib, Syria's last opposition holdout falls, Greek officials fear that the number of arrivals will rise further. Recent attacks from regime forces are gradually becoming more and more frequent. It is hoped that the barrier is functional by April, with the Greek Defence Ministry asking private contractors to submit offers.

Officials have guaranteed that the project will be completed by the military and will cost approximately €500,000 and has reassured the masses that it will be done by “non-military specifications” to ensure international maritime standards. More parts will be added to the 15-kilometre fence if the initial pilot is deemed successful.

Thousands of migrants facing the perilous journey from Turkey to the Aegean islands on Europe’s periphery are now supposed to face another obstacle as the Greek government announced that it will build a floating barrier to deter them.

Thousands of migrants facing the perilous journey from Turkey to the Aegean islands on Europe’s periphery are now supposed to face another obstacle as the Greek government announced that it will build a floating barrier to deter them. The centre-right administration revealed the project to deny entry to undocumented migrants accessing the country. Erected off the island of Lesbos, the bulwark of the 2.7km-long netted barrier will rise from pylons 50 metres above the water and will be equipped with flashing lights to demarcate Greece’s sea borders. “In Evros, natural barriers had relative [good] results in containing flows,” stated Greece’s Defence Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, referring to the barbed-wire topped fence that Greece built along its northern land border with Turkey in 2012 to deter asylum seekers. The plan was ridiculed the world over, and Amnesty International warned that it would enhance the dangers asylum-seekers and refugees encountered as they attempted to seek safety. “The plan raises serious issues about rescuers’ ability to continue providing life-saving assistance to people attempting the dangerous sea crossing to Lesbos. The government must urgently clarify the operational details and necessary safeguards to ensure that this system does not cost further lives,” said Massimo Moratti, Research Director for Europe, Amnesty International. Also Read: Twelve dead, 21 rescued as migrant boat sinks off Greek island Calling this a "stupid idea" and adding that it was bound to be ineffective was Greece’s former migration minister, Dimitris Vitsas. “It’s not going to stop anybody making the journey,” he added. Human traffickers along Turkey’s western coast target Greece's outlying Aegean isles with renewed vigour, leading to a huge uptick in arrivals of refugees and migrants than any other part of Europe. Outposts designed to hold a maximum of 5,400 people are housing more than 44,000. Greece fears a further surge in arrivals in the spring amid mounting tensions with Turkey over energy resources in the Mediterranean, despite numbers dropping radically since the EU struck a landmark accord with Ankara to curb the flows in March 2016. Blame for this humanitarian catastrophe has been thrown at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Prime Minister for exploiting the refugee drama as political leverage in dealings with Athens and the EU. As Idlib, Syria's last opposition holdout falls, Greek officials fear that the number of arrivals will rise further. Recent attacks from regime forces are gradually becoming more and more frequent. It is hoped that the barrier is functional by April, with the Greek Defence Ministry asking private contractors to submit offers. Officials have guaranteed that the project will be completed by the military and will cost approximately €500,000 and has reassured the masses that it will be done by “non-military specifications” to ensure international maritime standards. More parts will be added to the 15-kilometre fence if the initial pilot is deemed successful.

Greek Defence Ministry plans to build sea barrier off Lesbos to deter migrants

After 16 years of observations that helped paint a more accurate picture of the universe, one of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/glimpse-of-nasas-private-space-home-unveiled-277215">NASA's greatest</a> telescopes will go offline. The Spitzer Space Telescope, which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/space-cookies-take-2-hours-to-bake-double-the-time-on-earth-276275">allowed scientists</a> to view objects that are cooler than stars that emit visible light, was launched in 2003 to observe the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum of the universe.

Paul Hertz, Director of Astrophysics at NASA issued a statement about the mission saying, "The advances we make across many areas in astrophysics in the future will be because of Spitzer's extraordinary legacy."

Operations of the Spitzer came to an end on January 29 and the mission team will be putting the spacecraft into a permanent hibernation mode, after which the Spitzer will continue its trajectory and travel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-spacex-launch-with-nasa-most-probably-to-take-place-between-april-and-june-this-year-elon-musk-275498">further away from Earth</a> over time. Team members have reason to believe that it will eventually crash into a debris field.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The legacy of <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAspitzer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASASpitzer</a> will live on! After more than 16 years of studying the universe in infrared, the space telescope's mission has come to an end. One of our greatest observatories will be remembered for its discoveries: <a href="https://t.co/SUYSh0m6nD">https://t.co/SUYSh0m6nD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpitzerFinalVoyage?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpitzerFinalVoyage</a> <a href="https://t.co/M8rL7pfszD">pic.twitter.com/M8rL7pfszD</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1223049026171539458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beyond-earth-designers-give-a-peek-into-what-life-could-look-like-on-mars-275336">Beyond Earth: Designers give a peek into what life could look like on Mars</a>

Interstellar dust was the Spitzer's primary concern, which cocoons baby stars and provides the building blocks for planets, thereby creating an invisible skeleton of galaxies across the universe. A technique called spectroscopy was used by Spitzer which allowed scientists to measure the chemical composition of space dust to learn more of the ingredients of the universe.

NASA stated that Spitzer was instrumental in revealing that galaxies in the early universe were heavier than was previously postulated, thus deepening our understanding of how galaxies evolve over time. Spitzer had to balance between being cool enough to not emit heat while travelling through space and to be far enough away from the Earth to get images without interference from the infrared environment around the planet and the moon.

The Spitzer Mission was not designed to function for 16 years, nor was it designed to be operational at its current distance from Earth. Joseph Hunt, the Project Manager issued a statement saying, "The team has had to adapt year after year to keep the spacecraft operating. But I think overcoming that challenge has given people a great sense of pride in the mission. This mission stays with you."

After 16 years of observations that helped paint a more accurate picture of the universe, one of NASA's greatest telescopes will go offline. The Spitzer Space Telescope, which allowed scientists to view objects that are cooler than stars that emit visible light, was launched in 2003 to observe the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum of the universe.

After 16 years of observations that helped paint a more accurate picture of the universe, one of NASA's greatest telescopes will go offline. The Spitzer Space Telescope, which allowed scientists to view objects that are cooler than stars that emit visible light, was launched in 2003 to observe the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum of the universe. Paul Hertz, Director of Astrophysics at NASA issued a statement about the mission saying, "The advances we make across many areas in astrophysics in the future will be because of Spitzer's extraordinary legacy." Operations of the Spitzer came to an end on January 29 and the mission team will be putting the spacecraft into a permanent hibernation mode, after which the Spitzer will continue its trajectory and travel further away from Earth over time. Team members have reason to believe that it will eventually crash into a debris field. The legacy of @NASASpitzer will live on! After more than 16 years of studying the universe in infrared, the space telescope's mission has come to an end. One of our greatest observatories will be remembered for its discoveries: https://t.co/SUYSh0m6nD #SpitzerFinalVoyage pic.twitter.com/M8rL7pfszD — NASA (@NASA) January 31, 2020 × Also Read: Beyond Earth: Designers give a peek into what life could look like on Mars Interstellar dust was the Spitzer's primary concern, which cocoons baby stars and provides the building blocks for planets, thereby creating an invisible skeleton of galaxies across the universe. A technique called spectroscopy was used by Spitzer which allowed scientists to measure the chemical composition of space dust to learn more of the ingredients of the universe. NASA stated that Spitzer was instrumental in revealing that galaxies in the early universe were heavier than was previously postulated, thus deepening our understanding of how galaxies evolve over time. Spitzer had to balance between being cool enough to not emit heat while travelling through space and to be far enough away from the Earth to get images without interference from the infrared environment around the planet and the moon. The Spitzer Mission was not designed to function for 16 years, nor was it designed to be operational at its current distance from Earth. Joseph Hunt, the Project Manager issued a statement saying, "The team has had to adapt year after year to keep the spacecraft operating. But I think overcoming that challenge has given people a great sense of pride in the mission. This mission stays with you."

NASA shuts down Spitzer Space Telescope after 16 years of commendable service

Jyllands-Posten cartoon has been declared "an insult to China" by the Chinese Embassy in Denmark and has demanded a public apology from the cartoonist Niels Bo Bojesen as well as the paper in which the cartoon was published.

Similar to the outrage that the cartoon of Prophet Muhammad in 2005 spawned, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wuhan-coronavirus-dos-and-donts-symptoms-276479">coronavirus </a>cartoon furore has spread to social media.&nbsp; 
China's public have shared memes of Denmark's surrender to Nazi Germany in World War Two, stating that the surrender took place in four hours, while Danes vigorously defend Jyllands-Posten on Twitter.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-more-japanese-evacuated-from-china-virus-epicentre-death-toll-climbs-to-170-277434">&nbsp;Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to 170, the infection spreads to every Chinese region</a>

China was reminded by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that Denmark has the freedom of expression, be it spoken or drawn. Rushing to the defense of the paper were other Danish politicians who have stood by the paper's right to publish such a cartoon.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/tracking-chinas-sars-like-coronavirus-275537">grip of the coronavirus</a> on China has paralysed transit in and around the Hubei Province, which shelters about 60 million people. Wuhan, the provincial capital was the epicentre of the virus and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-china-reports-2744-confirmed-cases-of-80-deaths-276738">more than 100 people have died</a> from contracting it.

Jacob Nybroe, Chief Editor of Jyllands-Posten insists that his paper was not making light of the situation, saying "We cannot apologise for something we don't think is wrong. We have no intention of being demeaning or to mock, nor do we think that the drawing does. As far as I can see, this here is about different forms of cultural understanding."

Jyllands-Posten cartoon has been declared "an insult to China" by the Chinese Embassy in Denmark and has demanded a public apology from the cartoonist Niels Bo Bojesen as well as the paper in which the cartoon was published.

Jyllands-Posten cartoon has been declared "an insult to China" by the Chinese Embassy in Denmark and has demanded a public apology from the cartoonist Niels Bo Bojesen as well as the paper in which the cartoon was published. Similar to the outrage that the cartoon of Prophet Muhammad in 2005 spawned, the coronavirus cartoon furore has spread to social media. China's public have shared memes of Denmark's surrender to Nazi Germany in World War Two, stating that the surrender took place in four hours, while Danes vigorously defend Jyllands-Posten on Twitter. Also Read: Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to 170, the infection spreads to every Chinese region China was reminded by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that Denmark has the freedom of expression, be it spoken or drawn. Rushing to the defense of the paper were other Danish politicians who have stood by the paper's right to publish such a cartoon. The grip of the coronavirus on China has paralysed transit in and around the Hubei Province, which shelters about 60 million people. Wuhan, the provincial capital was the epicentre of the virus and more than 100 people have died from contracting it. Jacob Nybroe, Chief Editor of Jyllands-Posten insists that his paper was not making light of the situation, saying "We cannot apologise for something we don't think is wrong. We have no intention of being demeaning or to mock, nor do we think that the drawing does. As far as I can see, this here is about different forms of cultural understanding."

Danish cartoon sparks 'Twitterfeud' between China and Denmark: Publisher insists it was not poking fun

Japanese fashion billionaire <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-fashion-designer-yusaku-maezawa-is-giving-away-9-million-to-his-twitter-followers-273254">Yusaku Maezawa</a> has pulled out of a documentary search for a girlfriend to take on his voyage around the moon with Elon Musk's SpaceX, citing his "mixed feelings" about participating.

This month, the 44-year-old announced he was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-billionaire-yusaku-maezawa-to-be-spacex-moon-traveller-166267">seeking single females</a> over 20 willing to vie to become his girlfriend for a documentary to be aired on streaming service AbemaTV. Almost 28,000 people applied.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-japanese-billionaire-maezawa-who-seeks-girlfriend-for-moon-voyage-274172">Maezawa </a>said he is "extremely remorseful" about the decision to pull out, apologizing to the applicants and AbemaTV staff in posts to Twitter, where he is Japan's most-followed account with more than 7 million followers.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
お見合いにご応募いただきました皆さま、そしてAbemaTV関係者の皆さまには、心よりお詫び申し上げます。大変申し訳ございませんでした。 <a href="https://t.co/UvnhXov8xB">https://t.co/UvnhXov8xB</a>
— Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) 前澤友作 (@yousuck2020) <a href="https://twitter.com/yousuck2020/status/1222716480376098816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The translation reads thusly: " We sincerely apologize to all of you who have applied for the matchmaking, and to those involved in AbemaTV. I'm very sorry."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/billionaire-maezawa-seeks-for-a-life-partner-for-moon-spacex-voyage-273811">Fly me to the moon: Japanese billionaire Maezawa seeks girlfriend for SpaceX voyage</a>

Maezawa, the founder and former CEO of online fashion retailer Zozo, which he last year sold to SoftBank Group Corp, is known for launching big ideas with much fanfare - though some of them don't pan out as planned.

As CEO, he launched the Zozosuit, a polka-dot bodysuit that allowed users to collect body measurements to order custom-made clothes but which did not work well in practice. He also outlined an ambitious overseas expansion plan that wildly undershot targets, leading to a crash in the company's stock price.

Maezawa has pledged to give away $9 million to his Twitter followers in what he says is a "social experiment" to see if the payment boosts their happiness.

Japanese fashion billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has pulled out of a documentary search for a girlfriend to take on his voyage around the moon with Elon Musk's SpaceX, citing his "mixed feelings" about participating.

Japanese fashion billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has pulled out of a documentary search for a girlfriend to take on his voyage around the moon with Elon Musk's SpaceX, citing his "mixed feelings" about participating. This month, the 44-year-old announced he was seeking single females over 20 willing to vie to become his girlfriend for a documentary to be aired on streaming service AbemaTV. Almost 28,000 people applied. Maezawa said he is "extremely remorseful" about the decision to pull out, apologizing to the applicants and AbemaTV staff in posts to Twitter, where he is Japan's most-followed account with more than 7 million followers. お見合いにご応募いただきました皆さま、そしてAbemaTV関係者の皆さまには、心よりお詫び申し上げます。大変申し訳ございませんでした。 https://t.co/UvnhXov8xB — Yusaku Maezawa (MZ) 前澤友作 (@yousuck2020) January 30, 2020 × The translation reads thusly: " We sincerely apologize to all of you who have applied for the matchmaking, and to those involved in AbemaTV. I'm very sorry." Also Read: Fly me to the moon: Japanese billionaire Maezawa seeks girlfriend for SpaceX voyage Maezawa, the founder and former CEO of online fashion retailer Zozo, which he last year sold to SoftBank Group Corp, is known for launching big ideas with much fanfare - though some of them don't pan out as planned. As CEO, he launched the Zozosuit, a polka-dot bodysuit that allowed users to collect body measurements to order custom-made clothes but which did not work well in practice. He also outlined an ambitious overseas expansion plan that wildly undershot targets, leading to a crash in the company's stock price. Maezawa has pledged to give away $9 million to his Twitter followers in what he says is a "social experiment" to see if the payment boosts their happiness.

Japanese billionaire Maezawa pulls out of dating show that promised the moon trip

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-confirms-person-to-person-spread-of-the-new-virus-as-fourth-death-reported-275590">China confirms person-to-person spread of new virus as fourth death reported 
 
<img alt="SARS" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4461087c-9ec4-48e5-b403-b1b4f400a3ee" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_50.jpg" /></a>

The outbreak has spread from the central city of Wuhan to cities including Beijing and Shanghai, with more than 200 cases reported so far.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-confirms-person-to-person-spread-of-the-new-virus-as-fourth-death-reported-275590">READ MORE</a>

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-impeachment-trial-to-begin-in-us-senate-his-defence-team-calls-for-immediate-acquittal-275599">Trump's impeachment trial to begin in US Senate, his defence team calls for immediate acquittal</a>

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9707d11a-fc4c-4e0b-a653-b21f7d0605c0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/trump.jpg" /> 
The Democratic-led House of Representatives' had charged Trump with the abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-impeachment-trial-to-begin-in-us-senate-his-defence-team-calls-for-immediate-acquittal-275599">READ MORE</a>

<a href="http://cms.wionews.com/business-economy/zomato-acquires-ubers-food-delivery-business-in-an-all-stock-deal-275592">Zomato acquires Uber's food delivery business in an all-stock deal</a>

<img alt="zomato" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7896dda-a5c8-49f4-a5e1-a3c5230014b2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/zomato.jpg" /> 
Zomato has purchased this app in an all-stock deal, which will give the Uber a 10% stake in the company.&nbsp;<a href="http://cms.wionews.com/business-economy/zomato-acquires-ubers-food-delivery-business-in-an-all-stock-deal-275592">READ MORE</a> 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sharp-slwodown-in-india-a-drag-on-world-economy-275527">Sharp slowdown in India drag on world economy, says IMF</a> 
 
<img alt="IMF" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9427c43d-b0a9-47a6-990f-023a17c72326" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMF.jpg" /> 
 
The sharp drop for India "accounts for the lion's share of the downward revisions," the IMF said. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sharp-slwodown-in-india-a-drag-on-world-economy-275527">READ MORE</a> 
 
<a href="http://cms.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/wion-edit-china-set-to-gain-from-disruption-in-auto-industry-275555">WION Edit: China set to gain from disruption in auto Industry 
 
<img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="83566e08-6696-4c15-acc7-2f46ddd9af46" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/china.jpg" /></a>

China wants to become a global hub for batteries and electric vehicles, and it already controls more than 60 per cent of the global market share in batteries. <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/wion-edit-china-set-to-gain-from-disruption-in-auto-industry-275555">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-wobbles-leave-top-four-chase-wide-open-275591">Premier League wobbles leave top four chase wide open</a> 
 
<img alt="EPL" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="52b0c2ca-5405-43fb-b2ee-a06adf38e8b5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/EPL.jpg" /> 
A slump in form from Frank Lampard's men has left the door open for Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal to secure a much-needed return to Europe's top competition. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-wobbles-leave-top-four-chase-wide-open-275591">READ MORE</a> 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-to-now-have-autism-friendly-performance-275549">Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to now have autism-friendly performance</a>

<img alt="Harry potter" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ab2ac2db-ca78-4a50-8e45-f7c6e121a2c3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harry%20potter.jpg" /> 
Those interested can buy tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for March 1 when the efficiency will unveil. The same was announced by means of social media. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-to-now-have-autism-friendly-performance-275549">READ MORE</a>

&nbsp;

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. China confirms person-to-person spread of new virus as fourth death reported The outbreak has spread from the central city of Wuhan to cities including Beijing and Shanghai, with more than 200 cases reported so far.

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. China confirms person-to-person spread of new virus as fourth death reported The outbreak has spread from the central city of Wuhan to cities including Beijing and Shanghai, with more than 200 cases reported so far. READ MORE Trump's impeachment trial to begin in US Senate, his defence team calls for immediate acquittal The Democratic-led House of Representatives' had charged Trump with the abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress. READ MORE Zomato acquires Uber's food delivery business in an all-stock deal Zomato has purchased this app in an all-stock deal, which will give the Uber a 10% stake in the company. READ MORE Sharp slowdown in India drag on world economy, says IMF The sharp drop for India "accounts for the lion's share of the downward revisions," the IMF said. READ MORE WION Edit: China set to gain from disruption in auto Industry China wants to become a global hub for batteries and electric vehicles, and it already controls more than 60 per cent of the global market share in batteries. READ MORE Premier League wobbles leave top four chase wide open A slump in form from Frank Lampard's men has left the door open for Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal to secure a much-needed return to Europe's top competition. READ MORE Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to now have autism-friendly performance Those interested can buy tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for March 1 when the efficiency will unveil. The same was announced by means of social media. READ MORE

Morning News Brief: January 21, 2020

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-more-japanese-evacuated-from-china-virus-epicentre-death-toll-climbs-to-170-277434">Coronavirus: More Japanese evacuated from China virus epicentre; death toll climbs to 170</a>

<img alt="CAA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="937ba010-e277-4fb3-8bd4-fa64aa2e40cf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/CAA.jpg" />

Chinese health authorities said there were 7,711 confirmed cases of infection as of the end of Wednesday, mostly in Hubei province where the death toll rose by 37 to 162.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-more-japanese-evacuated-from-china-virus-epicentre-death-toll-climbs-to-170-277434">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-white-house-seek-to-quash-bolton-testimony-at-senate-trial-277433">Trump, White House seek to quash Bolton testimony at Senate trial</a>

<img alt="trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d8d1ce50-b66f-4bf4-a87e-f64f74429647" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/trump_1.jpg" />

Trump called on Republicans to reject a push for witnesses when the issue comes up for a vote on Friday and blasted Bolton.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-white-house-seek-to-quash-bolton-testimony-at-senate-trial-277433">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vote-on-caa-resolution-delayed-in-european-union-parliament-new-delhi-lauds-friends-of-india-277435">Vote on CAA resolution delayed in European Union Parliament; New Delhi lauds friends of India</a>

<img alt="CAA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="47e15c0f-a09b-4138-87a6-f6d63d2dec71" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/3_5.jpg" />

The European People's Party group or EPP group in a move called for the delaying the vote. The move was voted on and passed with 271 in favour, 199 against and 13 abstentions.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vote-on-caa-resolution-delayed-in-european-union-parliament-new-delhi-lauds-friends-of-india-277435">READ MORE</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-various-failed-west-asia-peace-deals-of-america-277422/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/hate-speech-is-not-free-speech-277298">Opinion: Hate speech is not free speech</a>

<img alt="hate speech" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ffc7f3a7-28ce-41e4-8f44-df8237aab376" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2_5.jpg" />

The right to defend one’s idea should not end up vilifying the other community.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/hate-speech-is-not-free-speech-277298">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/shah-rukh-khans-cousin-from-pakistan-former-district-councilor-noor-jehan-passes-away-277392">Shah Rukh Khan's cousin from Pakistan, former district councilor Noor Jehan passes away</a>

<img alt="Shah rukh" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79e833f2-2ff7-45ba-8402-b3396578e590" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_3.jpg" />

Khan's paternal sister had been politically active in Pakistan and has also served as a district and town councillor previously.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/shah-rukh-khans-cousin-from-pakistan-former-district-councilor-noor-jehan-passes-away-277392">READ MORE</a>

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Coronavirus: More Japanese evacuated from China virus epicentre; death toll climbs to 170 Chinese health authorities said there were 7,711 confirmed cases of infection as of the end of Wednesday, mostly in Hubei province where the death toll rose by 37 to 162.

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day with Wion’s daily news brief. Coronavirus: More Japanese evacuated from China virus epicentre; death toll climbs to 170 Chinese health authorities said there were 7,711 confirmed cases of infection as of the end of Wednesday, mostly in Hubei province where the death toll rose by 37 to 162.READ MORE Trump, White House seek to quash Bolton testimony at Senate trial Trump called on Republicans to reject a push for witnesses when the issue comes up for a vote on Friday and blasted Bolton.READ MORE Vote on CAA resolution delayed in European Union Parliament; New Delhi lauds friends of India The European People's Party group or EPP group in a move called for the delaying the vote. The move was voted on and passed with 271 in favour, 199 against and 13 abstentions.READ MORE Opinion: Hate speech is not free speech The right to defend one’s idea should not end up vilifying the other community.READ MORE Shah Rukh Khan's cousin from Pakistan, former district councilor Noor Jehan passes away Khan's paternal sister had been politically active in Pakistan and has also served as a district and town councillor previously.READ MORE

Morning News Brief: Coronavirus death toll climbs to 170, Bolton testimony at Senate trial and more