Mining magnate Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest and media mogul Kerry Stokes drew widespread outrage for calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to dump an inquiry into the origin of coronavirus.

The Defence Secretary reignited a war of words over whether China suppressed information about the virus which prevented other countries from taking steps to save more lives.

At least 3,506,729 people have been sickened by the virus since it emerged in China late last year, according to Johns Hopkins University figures.

China's 'bullying' responses to Australia's calls for an international coronavirus inquiry were slammed as 'outrageous' as experts rethink the diplomatic relationship.

Contributors on the Channel 4 show mocked Boris Johnson's description of COVID-19 as 'an unexpected mugger', with several pointing out it was 'no surprise'.

Sadam Abdusalam's wife and Australian citizen son have been trapped in China's Xinjiang province for three years as part of the communist regime's systemic persecution of its Uyghur population.

The index of Britain's biggest firms dropped by nine points to 5,763, with further losses in the eurozone markets which were 3.5 per cent lower at close today.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, panned the conspiracy theory that the coronavirus was accidentally leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology on Monday.

Multiple activists, journalists and ordinary internet users have already vanished after criticising Beijing's approach to the crisis as the country tries to control the COVID-19 narrative.

Documents released today from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) show that UK scientists believed that the number of cases was vastly higher than admitted by Beijing.

The Seattle-based coffee chain is aiming to have 90 percent of its cafes opened by June. It temporarily shuttered half of its 8,000 US stores in late March after the COVID outbreak.

One Chinese study found school closures can lower a peak in coronavirus cases by 40% to 60% and a Germany study found children carry as high levels of the virus as adults can.

Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek revealed Disneyland Shanghai (left) will reopen its gates on Monday, becoming the first Disney theme park to start operating again after COVID-19.

Preparations for the opening are underway as the theme park in China is set to welcome visitors again in mid-to-late May, a source revealed to the Chinese media on Monday.

Local authorities from the north-eastern Chinese province Heilongjiang has issued a new set of guidelines as precautions against the spread of the killer bug in lifts and escalators.

London markets opened flat today as Asian shares continued to climb after China's central bank fixed the yuan in a bid to ease US trade-war tensions.

The Foreign Investment Review Board's annual report shows the value of Chinese investment approvals across all sectors fell from $23.7 billion in 2017/18 to $13.1 billion in 2018/19.

The patient, named as Cui An, tested positive for COVID-19 in early February and had been hooked to a life-support machine for more than two months when surgeons performed the operation.

Touching images showed the little girl taking lessons online with her laptop and naked light bulbs in the confined space under the market stall in the outskirt of Yichang city, Hubei province.

A video filmed Wednesday showed two rows of students running around the field track during 'weight-loss classes' at the Shuguang Bilingual School in Huai'an, Jiangsu province of eastern China.

The report by Israeli cyber-security company Check Point said hackers known as Naikon targeted a worker in the office of the Western Autralian premier.

Researchers in China looked at semen samples of 38 men who had tested positive for COVID-19. One in six had traces of the virus in their semen - including some who were no longer sick.

A Chinese scenic spot has built a huge swing on the edge of a 2,300-foot-tall cliff and is planning to apply for the world record of the largest swing. The swing is roughly the height of a 30-storey building.

The European Union has excised reference in a public letter that the coronavirus pandemic originated in China, after receiving pressure to do so from the Chinese foreign ministry.

The report, which was based on commercially-available cellphone location data - indicates that there might've been a 'hazardous event' at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology in early October.

The politician recalls his travel adventures including nearly being arrested in Nepal when he was accused of being in Al-Qaeda just after 9/11 - and eating his most unpleasant meal, in China.

US Navy said on Friday that the littoral combat ship USS Montgomery and the replenishment ship USNS Cesar Chavez were sent to conduct a 'presence operation' in the South China Sea.

Phil Mickelson, looking to seal the career Grand Slam after finishing runner-up six times at the US Open, shot an opening round of one-over par to leave himself seven shots behind leader Justin Rose.

The 119th US Open continues at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Friday, with Justin Rose leading after a stunning six-under-par first round of 65. You can keep up with all the latest scores right here.

DEREK LAWRENSON AT PEBBLE BEACH: A thrilling weekend is in prospect at the US Open with Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy in contention behind leader Gary Woodland.

Several spectators were injured by a runaway golf cart during the second round of the US Open at Pebble Beach. Reports varied on the number injured with some saying four and some five.

The third round of the US Open takes place at Pebble Beach in California on Saturday. Here are all the tee times and pairings as the main contenders look to make their move.

The 119th US Open continues at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Saturday, with Justin Rose two shots behind overnight leader Gary Woodland.

Reed broke the wedge over his thigh after leaving the ball in the rough on a delicate chip from right of the 18th green. After taking it out on the wedge, he tossed the club shards toward his bag.

DEREK LAWRENSON AT PEBBLE BEACH: Rhys Enoch has spoken movingly in the past about thinking about his brother Ben whenever he enjoys a good moment on the golf course.

DEREK LAWRENSON AT PEBBLE BEACH: One month to go until the biggest sporting event the province has seen, and the boys from Northern Ireland are building up a head of steam.

MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER AT PEBBLE BEACH: Is it possible to win a major golf tournament without actually playing well? Justin Rose appears determined to find out.

Rose heads into the final round just a shot behind American Gary Woodland and knows the pressure will be on the world No 25 as he seeks a first major title on the Monterey Peninsula.

The US Open reaches it climax at Pebble Beach in California on Sunday. England's Justin Rose sits just one shot off the lead held by American Gary Woodland heading into the final day.

The 119th US Open continues at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday, with Justin Rose one shot behind leader Gary Woodland in the final round. Get latest score and updates here.

MARTIN SAMUEL AT PEBBLE BEACH: Gary Woodland was born in Kansas, in the city of Topeka, which translates from the original Siouan as 'a good place to dig potatoes'.

DEREK LAWRENSON AT PEBBLE BEACH: Nothing in the record of Gary Woodland suggested he would hold on to win the US Open. He had just two top tens in majors to his name in 30 attempts.

European tour golfer Clement Berardo has had what must go down as one of the most shocking rounds to ever grace the sport. A round so bad that he had to be disqualified for losing all of his balls.

This was a major season that had it all. From Tiger Woods's remarkable comeback to Ireland's Portrush party of all parties, here are the biggest and best of this Grand Slam season.

Phil Mickelson came up short on Sunday in his bid to win one of the oldest events on the PGA Tour, the Pebble Beach pro-am, for a record sixth time.

The US Open is set to become the third American major to be postponed and will now be played in early September, according to a report in the New York Post.

After the The Open was cancelled for the first time since the Second World War, the ongoing pandemic has also forced the US Open and PGA Championship to take place later this year.

DEREK LAWRENSON - WORLD OF GOLF: The Open will not be staged this year for the first time since 1945, after the R&A took the momentous decision to cancel the championship set for July.

The Vogue editor-in-chief, 69, appeared on day five of the US Open Friday. She attended Federer's match against Great Britain's Dan Evans.

The defending champion sparked fears that he may have to pull out of the tournament after delaying a practice session, but Djokovic showed no obvious discomfort in a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Kudla.