*) Four Turkish soldiers killed in Syria

We begin in Syria where regime shelling killed least four Turkish soldiers and wounded nine others in northern Idlib province.

The shelling took place despite Turkish positions being shared with the regime beforehand, the Turkish defence ministry said.

Meanwhile, regime air strikes killed at least 14 civilians on Sunday in Idlib province’s Sarmin and in Aleppo’s Atareb cities.

*) Coronavirus death toll jumps

The death toll from the novel coronavirus has jumped to at least 361 in China and the total number of people affected in China to 17,205.

There are now at least 157 cases reported in at least two dozen countries outside China.

A hospital dedicated to treating patients with the coronavirus is set to open in Wuhan today after ten days of construction.

*) Iraq protest death toll rises to 556

Anti-government protesters have rejected the nomination of Mohammad Allawi as caretaker prime minister.

Protesters slammed the former communication director’s appointment, saying Allawi is part of the system they want reformed.

Meanwhile, the death toll from violence against protesters since October has risen to 556, Iraq's Independent High Commission for Human Rights said.

*) Somalia declares locust emergency

Somalia has declared a national emergency over a locust infestation across the Horn of Africa.

The insects have been devastating food supplies in one of the poorest and most vulnerable regions in the world.

The declaration was made to focus efforts and raise funds to contain the swarms before harvests in April.

And finally,

*) Mendes wins big but BAFTA lacks diversity

Sam Mendes’ World War One film “1917” has dominated the British Film and Television Awards in London.

Renee Zelwegger won Best Actress for her titular role in biopic “Judy” and Joaquin Phoenix picked up Best Actor for his role in “Joker”.

There was some dismay at the lack of racial diversity among the acting nominations, as well as the all-male line up for Best Director.

*) Britain's years-long battle over Brexit

Britain finally leaves the EU after more than three-and-a-half years of disagreements and delays.

Brexit has ended the careers of two prime ministers, eight cabinet ministers and over 80 members of parliament.

It has also forced two elections and tested the country's unwritten constitution to its limits.

*) World Health Organization declares a global emergency

The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus an 'international emergency'.

China has so far counted 9,692 confirmed cases, with a death toll of 213, including 43 new fatalities.

There are now more than 120 cases reported in at least 22 countries outside China.

*) International crisis looms as 700,000 flee Syria's Idlib – US envoy

The Syrian regime’s latest assault has raised the spectre of an international crisis, US Special Envoy for Syria James Jeffrey said.

The onslaught in the country’s north has forced some 700,000 people to flee toward the Turkish border, he added.

Turkey has hosted around 3.5 million Syrian refugees since war broke out in the country nine years ago.

*) Suspected Hindu nationalist opens fire at Delhi student demo

A suspected Hindu nationalist opened fire at students protesting a controversial citizenship law in the Indian capital.

A student, reportedly of Kashmiri origin, was shot in the hand as a line of riot police looked on.

The suspect, who live-streamed himself on Facebook minutes before opening fire, was later arrested.

*) Bionic jellyfish? Yes, and they are here to help

And finally,

Researchers have created bionic jellyfish by embedding microelectronics into the marine invertebrates.

Prosthetics enable the jellyfish to swim three times faster and more efficiently without causing any apparent stress.

Scientists hope to deploy these jellyfish to monitor and explore the world's oceans.

*) Abbas to rebuff Trump peace plan at UN meeting

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will address the UN Security Council about the US Middle East plan.

Palestinians have furiously rejected Trump's plan that attempts to legitimise Israel's illegal annexations.

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour hopes the 15-member Security Council would also vote on a draft resolution on the plan.

*)China sees deadliest day yet as global virus fears mount

China reported its biggest single-day jump in novel coronavirus deaths, with the total number of fatalities crossing the 170-mark.

More than 7,700 cases have now been confirmed across 18 countries globally.

Another 81,000 people have been under observation for possible infection.

*)Trump signs new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico

US President Donald Trump signed the new North American trade pact with Canada and Mexico into law.

The new deal replaces the NAFTA Agreement, which Trump had campaigned against in 2016.

Mexico ratified the USMCA trade deal on December 10 and Canada is expected to follow suit in coming weeks.

*)Regime forces capture key town in Syria’s rebel-held Idlib province

Syrian regime forces are in full control of a key rebel-held town in the country's northwest.

The capture of Maarat al Numan follows days of intense fighting and air strikes that displaced tens of thousands of people.

Regime forces now control most of Syria after a nearly nine-year conflict.

*)Climate change linked to African locust invasion

And finally,

Climate change may be powering the swarms of desert locusts that have invaded eastern Africa, experts said.

Hundreds of millions of the insects swept over the Horn of Africa in the worst outbreak in the past 25 years, the UN says.

The hungry swarms threaten to exacerbate food insecurity in the drought and flood-affected region.

*)Trump unveils contentious plan rejected by Palestinians

US President Donald Trump has unveiled his plan for the Middle East alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump insists Jerusalem would remain undivided, but also says some of it would be the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Palestinians rejected Trump’s plan, which he said could be the last opportunity for an independent Palestinian state.

*) Coronavirus death toll crosses 130, more than 6,000 cases globally

More than 6,000 people have been infected by the coronavirus across 17 countries.

The total number of suspected cases in China stood at 9,239, with at least 132 dead.

Meanwhile, Australian scientists say they will share a lab-grown version of the virus to hasten vaccine efforts.

*)Major quake hits Caribbean, triggering evacuations

A major 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean between Jamaica and Cuba.

The quake triggered a brief tsunami alert and sent hundreds of people pouring onto the streets of Havana.

The tremors were felt as far as the US mainland and a few buildings were evacuated in Miami as a precaution.

*)Trump's legal team wraps up opening arguments

The fight over calling witnesses to testify in US President Donald Trump's impeachment trial has intensified.

Democrats say Trump obstructed their probe in a way that threatens the nation's three-branch system of checks and balances.

Trump's lawyers closed their defence calling the abuse of power charges against him politically motivated.

*)Rescue mission aids starving lions in neglected Sudan zoo

And finally,

An international animal rescue organisation is providing lifesaving medical treatment to four starving lions in Sudan.

The plight of the rail-thin lions at a zoo in Khartoum set off an outpouring of sympathy and donations from around the world.

At least five lions, both male and female, once inhabited the zoo but one lioness died of starvation last week.

*)China confirms 4,500 cases of virus, 45 counted elsewhere

China has confirmed more than 4,500 cases of a new coronavirus, with 106 deaths.

More than 45 cases have been confirmed in other countries, with nearly all of them involving Chinese tourists or people who recently visited Wuhan.

The novel coronavirus will afflict tens of thousands of people and last at least several months, researchers estimate.

*)Witness push grows as Bolton revelations roil Trump trial

Donald Trump’s lawyers are pushing back at his Senate impeachment trial against new allegations from former national security adviser John Bolton.

Bolton, in his forthcoming book, says Trump told him he wanted to freeze aid to Ukraine until Kiev helped investigate Democrat candidate Joe Biden.

As Clinton impeachment investigator Ken Starr and others defended Trump, three Republican senators indicated they were open to Bolton testifying.

*)US military jet crashes in Taliban territory in Afghanistan

A US military jet crashed in Taliban territory in eastern Afghanistan, the Pentagon has confirmed.

A US forces spokesman confirmed the aircraft was a US Bombardier jet but rejected Taliban militants’ assertions that it was shot down.

The aircraft crashed in Ghazni province, which is largely controlled or under the influence of Taliban militants, making access difficult for officials.

*)Trump unveils controversial Middle East plan

US President Donald Trump is expected to unveil a controversial Middle East peace plan today, ignoring accusations of pro-Israel bias.

The plan, a long-held secret, will be jointly aired by Trump and visiting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

And finally,

*)Washington Post suspends reporter over Kobe Bryant rape story

The Washington Post suspended reporter Felicia Sonmez for tweeting a Daily Beast story on a rape case against Kobe Byrant, hours after his death.

Sonmez said she was bombarded with abuse and death threats after her tweets.

The Post is now under fire, with its own guild slamming the publication for not protecting Sonmez, whose home address was shared by abusers online.

*)Rockets hit US embassy in protest-hit Iraqi capital

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi confirmed that the US embassy in Baghdad was hit by rockets.

The attack follows another day of violence amid a crackdown on anti-government protests in several cities.

Two people were reportedly killed as security forces used live bullets and tear gas on protesters in Baghdad and Nasiriyah.

*)Kobe Bryant, daughter among nine killed in chopper crash

NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles.

The 41-year-old was one of the NBA's all-time greats, whose international stardom transcended basketball.

Thousands of fans gathered near the Lakers' home arena in downtown Los Angeles to mourn the death of “Black Mamba.”

*)Death toll from coronavirus rises

The death toll from the Chinese coronavirus epidemic rose to 80, with those affected worldwide approaching 3,000.

Fears over the global economic impact of the virus sent oil prices plunging more than 2 percent.

The outbreak led China to lock down the epicentre of the disease, Wuhan city, while also imposing tight travel restrictions.

*)Death toll from earthquake in Turkey reaches 39

Authorities confirmed the deaths of 39 people after an earthquake struck eastern Turkey last week.

The magnitude 6.8 quake, whose epicentre was situated in Turkey’s Elazig province, injured more than 1,600 people.

*) Efforts to rescue survivors continue almost 48 hours after the disaster.

And finally,

*) Billie Eilish, Finneas win big at Grammys, tribute paid to Kobe Bryant

Siblings Billie Eilish and Finneas made a big splash at the 2020 Grammy Awards, winning 11 honours for the musical family.

Rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was slain last year, also won two posthumous Grammy Awards.

The music awards ceremony in Los Angeles came as the city mourned the loss of NBA icon Kobe Bryant.

*)China confirms second virus death outside of epicentre

China confirms a second coronavirus death outside Hubei province in the epicentre, bringing the death toll to at least 25.

More than 830 people are infected. Nearly a dozen cities in central China are under lockdown, as officials try to contain the coronavirus.

Cases have been reported in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and the US.

The World Health Organization has held back on declaring the flu-like virus a global emergency.

*)Trump abused power like no other president – Democrats’ case

Democratic prosecutors made an expansive case at Donald Trump’s impeachment trial that he abused power like no other president in history.

Prosecutors argued that Trump abused power for personal gain, swept up by a “completely bogus” Ukraine theory.

On Friday, Democrats will press their final day of arguments, focusing on the second article of impeachment: obstruction of Congress’ investigation.

*)'Sopranos' actor says Weinstein raped her in mid-1990s

A New York court has heard gruesome testimony from actor Annabella Sciorra, who says Harvey Weinstein raped her 25 years ago.

Sciorra is one of 80 women who have come forward since 2017 with allegations of sexual assault against the disgraced movie producer.

Weinstein could face life in prison in New York state if convicted of being a serial sexual predator.

*)UN court orders Myanmar to protect Rohingya from genocide

The UN's highest court has ordered Myanmar to take urgent measures to prevent genocide against the country's Rohingya Muslim minority.

The International Court of Justice made the initial ruling on a case brought against Myanmar by the Gambia.

Myanmar and its army are accused of carrying out a systematic campaign of elimination against the Rohingya.

And finally,

*)Grammys set to honour music's best as scandal overshadows gala

Los Angeles is gearing up for the Grammys as the Recording Academy’s former head, Deborah Dugan, filed a discrimination complaint.

Dugan says she was suspended after raising concerns over sexual harassment, voting irregularities and other misconduct within the Academy.

The Academy, which has accused Dugan of misconduct, says it has launched an investigation.

*)Democrats urge Republican ‘courage’ at Trump impeachment trial

Democrats have accused President Donald Trump at the Senate impeachment trial of cheating to ensure re-election in November.

They called for “courage” by the president’s fellow Republicans while considering the case against him.

The Senate was hearing opening arguments from the prosecution on the second day of Trump's impeachment trial.

*)China locks down Wuhan to stop virus spread

China has shut down the city of Wuhan as the number of cases and deaths from a novel coronavirus type rise.

The virus appeared last month in Wuhan, and the vast majority of China's 571 cases have been in the city.

Other cases have been reported in the United States, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

*)Rockets target Libya airport ahead of regional peace talks

Libya has been forced to close Tripoli’s airspace once again, following threats from warlord Khalifa Haftar to shoot down commercial planes.

The UN-backed Government of National Accord said Mitiga airport was hit with six rockets and called the strikes a violation of the ceasefire.

This comes after a truce was agreed with world leaders last weekend in Berlin.

*)Many killed in tribal attack in disputed South Sudan border region

Suspected Misseriya tribesmen killed at least 19 people in the Abyei border region of South Sudan, UN peacekeepers said.

There have long been tensions between the nomadic Arab Misseriya tribe who cross over from Sudan to graze livestock and the South Sudanese in the area.

Local Abyei authorities put the death toll at 32.

And finally,

*)New rules could bump emotional-support animals from planes

The days of passengers bringing pets on airplanes as emotional-support animals could be coming to an end.

The US Department of Transportation has proposed a plan to ban untrained service animals on flights.

This could mean untrained dogs and cats, and more exotic companions such as pigs, pheasants and snakes might lose flight privileges.

*)Senate approves rules for Trump impeachment trial

A dispute over rules kept Senate up on the first full day of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial.

Republicans and Democrats battled over summoning high-level White House witnesses.

But Senate leader Mitch McConnell mobilised his side’s 53-47 majority in the body to slap down the Democrats’ attempts to amend trial procedures.

*)China outlines measures to curtail coronavirus outbreak

China has stepped up measures to contain the outbreak of a Sars-like virus which has infected over 400 people and has spread to several countries.

Chinese authorities increased fever screening at transit points and cancelled several Lunar New Year events.

Patients with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in US, Japan, Thailand and South Korea.

*)Crisis-hit Lebanon’s new cabinet to meet for first time

Lebanon’s new cabinet meets for the first time on Wednesday, as ministers begin the urgent task of addressing a pressing economic crisis.

The government, under Prime Minister Hassan Diab, was formed after Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies agreed on a cabinet of 20 specialists.

Lebanon has been without government since Saad al Hariri quit as premier in October following widespread protests against the political elite.

*)Jeff Bezos’ phone reportedly ‘hacked by Saudi crown prince’

Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon and The Washington Post, was the victim of a phone hack by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, The Guardian reported.

An encrypted message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2018 to Bezos allegedly included a virus that hacked the billionaire’s phone.

Saudi Arabia denied the report but UN officials are expected to confirm there is enough evidence suggesting Saudi Arabia was behind the hack.

And finally,

*)NYC prosecutors to begin making rape case against Harvey Weinstein

US prosecutors will begin presenting their rape case against Harvey Weinstein on Wednesday.

Weinstein faces life in prison if convicted in a trial seen as a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement.

The 67-year-old Hollywood producer pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting two women but faces many more accusations of sexual assault.

*)Deadly virus kills four in China and infects over 200

A fourth person has died from a new strain of the coronavirus in China.

The deadly outbreak has infected over 200 people, with cases reported in Japan, Thailand and South Korea.

The World Health Organization has called an emergency meeting to discuss the outbreak.

*)McConnell proposes swift impeachment trial with long days

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has released his proposal for a speedy impeachment trial.

But Democrat leader Chuck Schumer calls the proposal an attempt at a cover-up.

Meanwhile, Trump rejected the impeachment charges and called for its immediate dismissal.

*)Clashes erupt between migrants and Mexican authorities

Mexican security forces fired tear gas at a large caravan of Central American migrants as they tried to cross a river between Guatemala and Mexico.

Mexican authorities say they've detained over 400 migrants from the clashes.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to 'punish' Mexico and Central American countries economically if they fail to curb migrant flows.

*)Huawei CFO extradition hearing begins

The extradition hearing of Huawei's Chief financial officer has started in Vancouver.

Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada and a month later, the US indicted her for breaching US sanctions on Iran and moved for her extradition.

The 47-year-old denies the charges, saying that her alleged conduct was not illegal in Canada, as the country didn't have sanctions against Iran at the time.

And finally,

*)Retailers slash prices of Harry and Meghan merchandise

The price of souvenirs with Harry and his wife, Meghan, are being slashed just days after their split from the British monarchy.

From bobbleheads to mugs and t-shirts, British gift shops are trying to clear their stock.

Shop owners say suppliers plan to stop production because the couple is no longer part of the royal family.