Morning Report

The impeachment trial of President Donald Trump continues today and could go either of two directions.

After a debate senators will vote on whether to seek witnesses and documents, and if that resolution is defeated the trial could soon come to an end.

RNZ's correspondent in Washington is Simon Marks.

It's still very much summer but rugby season is upon us as Super Rugby kicks off tonight with the Blues hosting the Chiefs at Eden Park.

It's the earliest the competition has ever started but one thing remains the same - the Crusaders being favourites.

Can anyone stop the champions claiming an unprecendented fourth straight title?

Joe Porter reports.

This weekend is shaping up to be the hottest of the summer so far.

Temperatures will soar into the thirties with some areas peaking at 35C.

Elizabeth Thomson has more.

More than three years after Britons voted in a referendum to leave the European Union - and two general elections later - the day to go has finally arrived.

At 11pm on 31 January - that's noon tomorrow NZ time - the UK's 47 year relationship with the EU will end.

But with another year of negotiations ahead as they finalise the fine print of the exit deal, it's not yet clear what the effects for New Zealand will be.

David Parker is the Minister for Trade.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

It's Brexit day, with the United Kingdom set to leave the European Union at 11pm (local time).

BBC political correspondent Rob Watson speaks to Susie Ferguson from London.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says the charter plane that will bring New Zealanders home is "almost wheels-up" pending sign-off.

It's likely to leave within days.

It's still unclear what safety precautions will be taken for crew and passengers and what kind of quarantine might be required on their return.

Up to 40 Air New Zealand staff have volunteered to be part of the ten member cabin crew.

The union's head of aviation, Savage says whether any of them go depends on the safety assurances from the company.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield speaks to Susie Ferguson.

An Auckland mother who is stuck in lock down a few hours away from the epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak in China is in the dark about whether she can be evacuated home.

The Government says its focus is on evacuating people out of the city of Wuhan, rather than elsewhere in the Hubei region or in wider China.

A 300-seat Air New Zealand plane has been chartered to fly people out of Wuhan as soon as logistics are worked through.

The Government is trying to gauge how many New Zealanders want out.

Yesterday the number of registered travellers in Wuhan tripled from 50 to 150.

Anna An is in the city of Yichang, about three hours away by car, with her husband and two young children.

But the roads have been blocked by Chinese authorities though she hopes they might get permission to drive to Wuhan airport.

She told RNZ reporter Jordan Bond it will be unfair if her family can't be evacuated.

Novak Djokovic moved a step closer to retaining the Australian Open title with a straight-set semi-final win over injury-hit rival Roger Federer.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The National Party is calling for the government to act more urgently over foreign students arriving from China.

The Ministry of Education has advised schools to ask any students coming from China to stay away from school for two weeks.

But some Chinese students are being rejected by their homestays.

An Auckland student accommodation manager says it's difficult and costly to isolate students.

Nikki Kaye is National's education spokesperson.

She speaks to Corin Dann.