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>

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<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>
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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

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

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

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

Israeli police increased their presence in Jerusalem's Old City, ahead of the first Friday prayers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque since US President Donald Trump unveiled a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-tells-vladimir-putin-mideast-deal-a-new-opportunity-277570">controversial peace plan</a>.

The plan released on Tuesday was seen as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jared-kushner-meet-the-man-behind-middle-east-peace-plan-277295">heavily biased towards Israel</a> and was angrily rejected by Palestinians, with one of the key bones of contention being its classification of Jerusalem as Israel's "undivided capital."

Palestinians&nbsp;have long seen the city's eastern sector, which was occupied by Israel in 1967, as the capital of their future state.

At the Al-Aqsa compound in east Jerusalem, a group of Palestinians gathered after dawn prayers and "began a procession with nationalist calls," Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

Police "responded and dispersed the gathering," the official added. Thousands of Palestinians were expected to attend the main prayers at noon, which are often a rallying point for demonstrations.

The Al-Aqsa mosque is Islam's third holiest is also revered by Jews as the location of their Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

Rosenfeld said "heightened security" measures would be in place across the Old City and "police units will respond if necessary".

The Trump plan gives Israel the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trumps-west-asia-plan-most-of-west-bank-recognised-as-israel-277297">green light to annex</a> the strategic Jordan Valley, which 30 per cent of the &nbsp;West Bank, as well as all Israeli settlements, which now number more than 200, including those in annexed east Jerusalem.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/has-donald-trump-proposed-a-middle-east-peace-plan-or-terms-of-surrender-for-the-palestinians-277760">Has Donald Trump proposed a Middle East peace plan – or terms of surrender for the Palestinians?</a>

The settlements are home to some 600,000&nbsp;&nbsp;are considered illegal under international law. Immediately after Trump presented the plan&nbsp;flanked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,&nbsp;officials said they would swiftly send an annexation bill to the&nbsp;cabinet on Sunday.

But the situation seemed less clear on Friday, after Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner seemed to row back from initial comments by US ambassador David Friedman that Israel could move ahead with annexation immediately.

Jared said a decision would be best left until a new government has been formed after a general election scheduled for March 2, even though both major parties support it.

Gaza protests, rockets

Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left at least 30 Palestinians wounded since Tuesday, although the demonstrations have mostly been small.

In Hamas-controlled Gaza, thousands gathered for demonstrations this week. Many more donned badges proclaiming "no to the deal of the century".

There has been some rocket fire from Gaza into on nothing like the scale of barrages launched during multiple flare-ups last year.

Israel carried out on Hamas targets in Gaza early Friday after three rockets were fired the previous evening, causing neither casualties nor damage, the army said.

One rocket was fired on Wednesday evening drawing similar retaliation.

Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008 but over the past year, the Islamists an informal truce with Israel, under which the Jewish state has slightly eased its crippling blockade of Gaza in exchange for calm.

Quest for Arab support

The Palestinians have sought to rally international support against the plan, which they see as illegal and a violation of their rights.

"What we're trying to do here is to get behind us, behind president Mahmud Abbas and his determination to achieve&nbsp;peace," said Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.

But there was a muted response, even within the Arab world.

Both Egypt and the Gulf Arab states held off on any immediate criticism of their US ally, saying they would study the plan's contents.

Those governments have quietly moved closer to Israel in recent years amid shared hostility towards Iran. Abbas will try to rally opposition at an emergency meeting of the Arab League in Cairo on Saturday.

Israeli police increased their presence in Jerusalem's Old City, ahead of the first Friday prayers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque since US President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial peace plan.

Israeli police increased their presence in Jerusalem's Old City, ahead of the first Friday prayers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque since US President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial peace plan. The plan released on Tuesday was seen as heavily biased towards Israel and was angrily rejected by Palestinians, with one of the key bones of contention being its classification of Jerusalem as Israel's "undivided capital." Palestinians have long seen the city's eastern sector, which was occupied by Israel in 1967, as the capital of their future state. At the Al-Aqsa compound in east Jerusalem, a group of Palestinians gathered after dawn prayers and "began a procession with nationalist calls," Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. Police "responded and dispersed the gathering," the official added. Thousands of Palestinians were expected to attend the main prayers at noon, which are often a rallying point for demonstrations. The Al-Aqsa mosque is Islam's third holiest is also revered by Jews as the location of their Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Rosenfeld said "heightened security" measures would be in place across the Old City and "police units will respond if necessary". The Trump plan gives Israel the green light to annex the strategic Jordan Valley, which 30 per cent of the West Bank, as well as all Israeli settlements, which now number more than 200, including those in annexed east Jerusalem. Also Read: Has Donald Trump proposed a Middle East peace plan – or terms of surrender for the Palestinians? The settlements are home to some 600,000 are considered illegal under international law. Immediately after Trump presented the plan flanked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, officials said they would swiftly send an annexation bill to the cabinet on Sunday. But the situation seemed less clear on Friday, after Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner seemed to row back from initial comments by US ambassador David Friedman that Israel could move ahead with annexation immediately. Jared said a decision would be best left until a new government has been formed after a general election scheduled for March 2, even though both major parties support it. Gaza protests, rockets Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces in the West Bank have left at least 30 Palestinians wounded since Tuesday, although the demonstrations have mostly been small. In Hamas-controlled Gaza, thousands gathered for demonstrations this week. Many more donned badges proclaiming "no to the deal of the century". There has been some rocket fire from Gaza into on nothing like the scale of barrages launched during multiple flare-ups last year. Israel carried out on Hamas targets in Gaza early Friday after three rockets were fired the previous evening, causing neither casualties nor damage, the army said. One rocket was fired on Wednesday evening drawing similar retaliation. Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008 but over the past year, the Islamists an informal truce with Israel, under which the Jewish state has slightly eased its crippling blockade of Gaza in exchange for calm. Quest for Arab support The Palestinians have sought to rally international support against the plan, which they see as illegal and a violation of their rights. "What we're trying to do here is to get behind us, behind president Mahmud Abbas and his determination to achieve peace," said Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat. But there was a muted response, even within the Arab world. Both Egypt and the Gulf Arab states held off on any immediate criticism of their US ally, saying they would study the plan's contents. Those governments have quietly moved closer to Israel in recent years amid shared hostility towards Iran. Abbas will try to rally opposition at an emergency meeting of the Arab League in Cairo on Saturday.

Israel tightens security for first Friday prayers since Trump plan

Iraq's top Shiite cleric called Friday for parliamentary elections "as soon as possible" to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/these-american-clowns-who-lie-says-khamenei-in-friday-sermon-referring-to-trump-274902">ease the political crisis</a> gripping the country since anti-government protests erupted four months ago.&nbsp;

His appeal echoed that of the demonstrators in Baghdad and across the mainly-Shiite south who have demanded a snap vote and an independent figure to replace the current caretaker premier.

In a sermon delivered by his representative in the shrine city of Karbala, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani said it was "imperative to speed up holding early elections so that the people will have their say."&nbsp;

He said Iraq must "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-qasem-soleimani-will-lead-to-the-strengthening-of-iranian-hardliners-272109">accelerate the formation of a new government</a>" and "take the necessary steps to hold free and fair elections as soon as possible".

Parliament has passed a new electoral law, but it failed to address most of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-tensions-washington-turns-down-iraqi-request-to-remove-troops-273509">protesters' specific demands</a> and President Barham Saleh has yet to sign it into effect.&nbsp;And while the pressure from Sistani and the street forced Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi to resign in December, he has stayed on in a caretaker capacity as political parties have yet to agree on a consensus replacement.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/irans-khamenei-delivers-friday-sermon-bid-to-quell-public-anger-274853">Iran's Khamenei delivers Friday sermon, bid to quell public anger</a>

According to Iraq's constitution, parliament's largest bloc must nominate a prime minister within 15 days of legislative elections.&nbsp;The candidate is then tasked by the president with forming a government within one month.

But Iraq is in a legal gray area, as the constitution makes no provisions for the premier's resignation and the 15-day period since Abdel Mahdi stepped down has long since expired.&nbsp;

This week, Saleh told the deeply divided parliament it had until Saturday to name a candidate, otherwise he would nominate someone unilaterally.

As the clocked ticked, political parties were in crisis talks to agree on a replacement, but the absence of two key powerbrokers has complicated the meetings.&nbsp;

Top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad on January 3 that rocked the region.

In the closing remarks of his sermon, Sistani also spoke out against the controversial Middle East peace plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"The marjaiyah (the Shiite religious leadership) strongly condemns the unjust plan, which was recently revealed, to grant legitimacy to the occupation of more usurped Palestinian lands," he said.

&nbsp;

Iraq's top Shiite cleric called Friday for parliamentary elections "as soon as possible" to ease the political crisis gripping the country since anti-government protests erupted four months ago.

Iraq's top Shiite cleric called Friday for parliamentary elections "as soon as possible" to ease the political crisis gripping the country since anti-government protests erupted four months ago. His appeal echoed that of the demonstrators in Baghdad and across the mainly-Shiite south who have demanded a snap vote and an independent figure to replace the current caretaker premier. In a sermon delivered by his representative in the shrine city of Karbala, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani said it was "imperative to speed up holding early elections so that the people will have their say." He said Iraq must "accelerate the formation of a new government" and "take the necessary steps to hold free and fair elections as soon as possible". Parliament has passed a new electoral law, but it failed to address most of the protesters' specific demands and President Barham Saleh has yet to sign it into effect. And while the pressure from Sistani and the street forced Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi to resign in December, he has stayed on in a caretaker capacity as political parties have yet to agree on a consensus replacement. Also Read: Iran's Khamenei delivers Friday sermon, bid to quell public anger According to Iraq's constitution, parliament's largest bloc must nominate a prime minister within 15 days of legislative elections. The candidate is then tasked by the president with forming a government within one month. But Iraq is in a legal gray area, as the constitution makes no provisions for the premier's resignation and the 15-day period since Abdel Mahdi stepped down has long since expired. This week, Saleh told the deeply divided parliament it had until Saturday to name a candidate, otherwise he would nominate someone unilaterally. As the clocked ticked, political parties were in crisis talks to agree on a replacement, but the absence of two key powerbrokers has complicated the meetings. Top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad on January 3 that rocked the region. In the closing remarks of his sermon, Sistani also spoke out against the controversial Middle East peace plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. "The marjaiyah (the Shiite religious leadership) strongly condemns the unjust plan, which was recently revealed, to grant legitimacy to the occupation of more usurped Palestinian lands," he said.

Top Iraq cleric urges elections 'as soon as possible'

A Thai taxi driver has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, health officials said Friday, in the kingdom's first case of human-to-human transmission of the deadly sickness which has sparked a global health alert.

The finding makes Thailand only the sixth country alongside China, Germany, Japan, France and the US with confirmed domestic infections.

It also comes as the Chinese death toll topped 200 on Friday and warnings intensified over the potential for the SARS-like virus to spread through countries with less well maintained public health systems.

"Today (Friday) there are five more patients with coronavirus, four are Chinese who came in from Wuhan," Sukhum Kanjanapimai, a Health Ministry official told reporters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-coronavirus-impact-on-the-tourism-industry-277803">Coronavirus impact on the tourism industry</a>

"The fifth was a Thai national - a taxi driver - who hasn't travelled to China... but may have had contact with Chinese tourists."

He stopped driving after falling ill "so passengers shouldn't be worried," Sukhum said, adding 13 people who had close contact with the taxi driver had shown no signs of infection so far and were not under quarantine.

Officials did not immediately reveal which city the taxi driver worked but said his symptoms had eased.

Still the revelation will send a shudder through megacity Bangkok - as well as Thailand's second-tier cities - in a country where taxis are cheap and ubiquitous. &nbsp;

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-coronavirus-outbreak-air-india-flight-leaves-for-wuhan-to-bring-back-indian-students-277772">&nbsp;China coronavirus outbreak - Air India flight leaves for Wuhan to bring back Indian students</a>

Thailand now has detected 19 cases of the virus, the most declared outside of China.

Thai authorities are trying to balance screening of inbound Chinese visitors with the economic needs of its tourist sector, which is heavily reliant on arrivals from the mainland.

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said thorough airport screening of all arrivals from China meant the kingdom "doesn't have to ban all flights" from the mainland, moreso as passenger numbers are already down "80 per cent" as parts of China remain in lockdown.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-portugal-set-to-evacuate-citizens-from-wuhan-as-coronavirus-death-toll-increases-277578">Several countries seal border with China as coronavirus death toll increases</a>

The government is also battling public criticism it has been slow to evacuate scores of its citizens from Hubei province, the ground zero of the virus.

Stranded Thai citizens, including a pregnant 32-year-old, told AFP they felt abandoned by the government, while governments from the US to Japan hustled out plans to rescue their nationals. &nbsp;

Anutin vowed the government was poised to pick up "161 Thai citizens... as soon as possible".

A Thai taxi driver has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, health officials said Friday, in the kingdom's first case of human-to-human transmission of the deadly sickness which has sparked a global health alert.

A Thai taxi driver has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, health officials said Friday, in the kingdom's first case of human-to-human transmission of the deadly sickness which has sparked a global health alert. The finding makes Thailand only the sixth country alongside China, Germany, Japan, France and the US with confirmed domestic infections. It also comes as the Chinese death toll topped 200 on Friday and warnings intensified over the potential for the SARS-like virus to spread through countries with less well maintained public health systems. "Today (Friday) there are five more patients with coronavirus, four are Chinese who came in from Wuhan," Sukhum Kanjanapimai, a Health Ministry official told reporters. Also read: Coronavirus impact on the tourism industry "The fifth was a Thai national - a taxi driver - who hasn't travelled to China... but may have had contact with Chinese tourists." He stopped driving after falling ill "so passengers shouldn't be worried," Sukhum said, adding 13 people who had close contact with the taxi driver had shown no signs of infection so far and were not under quarantine. Officials did not immediately reveal which city the taxi driver worked but said his symptoms had eased. Still the revelation will send a shudder through megacity Bangkok - as well as Thailand's second-tier cities - in a country where taxis are cheap and ubiquitous. Also read: China coronavirus outbreak - Air India flight leaves for Wuhan to bring back Indian students Thailand now has detected 19 cases of the virus, the most declared outside of China. Thai authorities are trying to balance screening of inbound Chinese visitors with the economic needs of its tourist sector, which is heavily reliant on arrivals from the mainland. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said thorough airport screening of all arrivals from China meant the kingdom "doesn't have to ban all flights" from the mainland, moreso as passenger numbers are already down "80 per cent" as parts of China remain in lockdown. Also read: Several countries seal border with China as coronavirus death toll increases The government is also battling public criticism it has been slow to evacuate scores of its citizens from Hubei province, the ground zero of the virus. Stranded Thai citizens, including a pregnant 32-year-old, told AFP they felt abandoned by the government, while governments from the US to Japan hustled out plans to rescue their nationals. Anutin vowed the government was poised to pick up "161 Thai citizens... as soon as possible".

Thai taxi driver is kingdom's first human-to-human transmission of virus

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15804758481624880179160">emphasised</gwmw> Washington's support for Ukraine on a visit to Kyiv on Friday, as both countries sought to smooth over relations buffeted by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-i-am-legally-required-to-testify-will-be-happy-to-do-it-pompeo-on-trumps-impeachment-275980">impeachment trial of President Donald Trump</a>.

Ukraine was thrust into a domestic political battle in Washington last year as Trump faced allegations he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate the son of his Democratic rival, Joe Biden.

Pompeo has also walked back from comments <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/radio-reporter-says-pompeo-cursed-at-her-after-testy-interview-276466">he was accused</a> of making to a National Public Radio reporter before his trip that appeared to play down Ukraine's importance to Americans.

Pompeo is the highest-ranking US official to travel to Ukraine since the impeachment began. His visit comes as Trump's impeachment trial was set for a climactic vote on Friday or Saturday that is likely to acquit the president.

After meeting Zelenskiy, both men played down the fallout from impeachment. "Today I'm here with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-leaders-free-to-come-up-with-a-counter-offer-pompeo-277390">a clear message</a>: The United States sees that the Ukrainian struggle for freedom, democracy and prosperity is a valiant one. Our commitment to support it will not waver," Pompeo said.

Ukraine counts on Washington for diplomatic support, sanctions on Moscow and military aid to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles and other hardware as it battles Russian-backed fighters in a war that has killed more than 13,000 people.

Trump had frozen nearly $400 million in US security assistance shortly before speaking to Zelenskiy in a July phone call, prompting accusations from Democrats he had misused US foreign policy for personal gain.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-probe-possible-surveillance-of-ukraine-envoy-pompeo-274945">Will probe possible surveillance of Ukraine envoy: Pompeo</a>

Trump's camp has called on Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma.

Impeachment overshadowed the first months of Zelenskiy's presidency, and he has voiced frustration about being constantly asked about it. He has repeatedly denied being pressured by Trump to launch investigations.

"I was wondering when this question would come up. When we speak with the USA, there is always a question about the impeachment of President Trump," Zelenskiy said on Friday when asked whether impeachment had spoiled bilateral ties.

"It seems to me honestly that, on the contrary, there are very good relations between our countries, not just in words. The US supports and defends Ukraine."

Pompeo also denied suggestions that Zelenskiy would only be granted a visit to the White House to meet Trump if Ukraine agreed to announce investigations into Hunter Biden and Burisma.

"No, there's no condition of the nature you described for President Zelenskiy to come to Washington and have that visit," Pompeo said in response to a question. "We'll find the right time. We'll find the appropriate opportunity."

Asked before the trip whether he would raise Burisma or the Bidens with Ukrainian officials, Pompeo had said, "I don't want to talk about particular individuals."

Democrats had hoped to hear from former National Security Adviser John Bolton as a witness in Trump's impeachment trial, but they do not appear to have enough support from Republicans to bring witnesses to the proceedings.

A report, which Bolton has not denied, said Bolton had written in an upcoming book that Trump told him he wanted to freeze military aid to Ukraine until it investigated both Bidens. 
&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasised Washington's support for Ukraine on a visit to Kyiv on Friday, as both countries sought to smooth over relations buffeted by the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasised Washington's support for Ukraine on a visit to Kyiv on Friday, as both countries sought to smooth over relations buffeted by the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Ukraine was thrust into a domestic political battle in Washington last year as Trump faced allegations he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate the son of his Democratic rival, Joe Biden. Pompeo has also walked back from comments he was accused of making to a National Public Radio reporter before his trip that appeared to play down Ukraine's importance to Americans. Pompeo is the highest-ranking US official to travel to Ukraine since the impeachment began. His visit comes as Trump's impeachment trial was set for a climactic vote on Friday or Saturday that is likely to acquit the president. After meeting Zelenskiy, both men played down the fallout from impeachment. "Today I'm here with a clear message: The United States sees that the Ukrainian struggle for freedom, democracy and prosperity is a valiant one. Our commitment to support it will not waver," Pompeo said. Ukraine counts on Washington for diplomatic support, sanctions on Moscow and military aid to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles and other hardware as it battles Russian-backed fighters in a war that has killed more than 13,000 people. Trump had frozen nearly $400 million in US security assistance shortly before speaking to Zelenskiy in a July phone call, prompting accusations from Democrats he had misused US foreign policy for personal gain. Also Read: Will probe possible surveillance of Ukraine envoy: Pompeo Trump's camp has called on Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma. Impeachment overshadowed the first months of Zelenskiy's presidency, and he has voiced frustration about being constantly asked about it. He has repeatedly denied being pressured by Trump to launch investigations. "I was wondering when this question would come up. When we speak with the USA, there is always a question about the impeachment of President Trump," Zelenskiy said on Friday when asked whether impeachment had spoiled bilateral ties. "It seems to me honestly that, on the contrary, there are very good relations between our countries, not just in words. The US supports and defends Ukraine." Pompeo also denied suggestions that Zelenskiy would only be granted a visit to the White House to meet Trump if Ukraine agreed to announce investigations into Hunter Biden and Burisma. "No, there's no condition of the nature you described for President Zelenskiy to come to Washington and have that visit," Pompeo said in response to a question. "We'll find the right time. We'll find the appropriate opportunity." Asked before the trip whether he would raise Burisma or the Bidens with Ukrainian officials, Pompeo had said, "I don't want to talk about particular individuals." Democrats had hoped to hear from former National Security Adviser John Bolton as a witness in Trump's impeachment trial, but they do not appear to have enough support from Republicans to bring witnesses to the proceedings. A report, which Bolton has not denied, said Bolton had written in an upcoming book that Trump told him he wanted to freeze military aid to Ukraine until it investigated both Bidens.

US state secretary Pompeo pledges support for Ukraine amid Trump impeachment trial

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.

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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>
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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.

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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>
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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.

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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>
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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

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