The head of the World Health Organization on Tuesday warned the novel coronavirus was a "very grave threat" for the world as he opened a conference to combat the epidemic.

'Very Grave' global virus threat issued by WHO

A team of UK scientists believe they are one of the first to start animal testing of a vaccine for the new coronavirus that has killed more than 900 people and spread around the world.

China virus vaccine trials commence on mice by UK scientists

Russia's foreign minister on Friday slammed US sanctions against Venezuela during a visit to Caracas, providing a public show of support for President Nicolas Maduro as Washington mulls ramping up pressure on the South American nation.

Russia foreign minister slams US sanctions during visit to Venezuela

Five British nationals including a child have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in France, after staying in the same ski chalet with a person who had been in Singapore, French health officials said on Saturday.

Five British nationals four adults one child infected at French ski resort

Iran should increase its military might to prevent a war, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a gathering of air force commanders on Saturday, dismissing the US sanctions on the country as "criminal act".

To prevent war, Iran must increase its military might: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Irish voters look likely to dump Prime Minister Leo Varadkar from power in an election on Saturday amid a surge by Sinn Fein that could alter the political landscape, even though the nationalist party is unlikely to win a place in government this time.

The end for Varadkar is nigh; Irish vote may give Sinn Fein a surging lead

US experts on infectious diseases, including government officials, are awaiting approval to enter China to help fight the coronavirus epidemic, having been included on a list proposed by the World Health Organization, a US embassy spokesman stated.

US still waiting on China's approval to send experts to join the WHO team

A tropical cyclone expected to hit Western Australia on Saturday was forecast to bring ferocious winds and potentially dangerous storm tide, while much of the bushfire-battered east coast faced flood warnings due to torrential rains.

Cyclone approaches Western Australia with heavy winds, risk of storm tide

With Democratic presidential candidates fighting for their political lives ahead of New Hampshire's primary to choose who will face Republican Donald Trump in November, rivals debating on Friday took shots at one another and tried to separate themselves from the pack.

Presidential Candidates fight for survival in New Hampshire debate

Platforms and services aimed at providing verified information about the coronavirus outbreak have been launched by Chinese tech giants to help the nation win against this virulent outbreak.

Chinese tech giants launch platforms and services aimed at providing verified information about nCoV

Coronavirus affects Japanese cruise: The journey so far

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

'Bat tornado' wreaks widespread havoc in Australian town

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

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

Winners and losers from impeachment and acquittal of Donald Trump

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.

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 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 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.

Channel island politicians back proposal that mandates equal rights for women

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.

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

The total number of coronavirus infections surpassed 17,000 nationwide in China with the fatalities now exceeding the SARS outbreak-related deaths in 2002-2003. Meanwhile, Turkish and Syrian troops traded deadly fire in Syria's northwest on Monday.

Top 10 world news: Coronavirus outbreak, deadly flare-up between Turkey and Syria, NFL Superbowl and more

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.

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

Trump, White House seek to quash Bolton testimony at Senate trial Donald Trump and White House lawyers pushed back on Wednesday against Democratic efforts to have John Bolton testify at the Senate impeachment trial of the president, arguing that the former national security adviser could reveal government secrets.

Top 10 world news today: WHO warns nations against coronavirus, White House seeks to quash Bolton testimony and more

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

Morning News Brief: January 21, 2020

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

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