welcome to bbc news, i'm mike embley. our top stories: china confirms the new respiratory virus spreading across the country can be transmitted from person to person, as a fourth person dies. the world health organisation calls an emergency meeting. controversy over the rules for president trump's impeachment trial, democrats say the proposals amount to a cover—up. authorities in mexico have prevented hundreds of people from central america from crossing their border, on their way to the united states. and we'll find out why an attempt to set a world record in sri lanka for the largest gathering of twins seems to have failed.

it's been confirmed a new virus spreading across china can be transmitted between humans. more than two hundred people have been infected with the virus so far, and in the last hour a fourth death has been confirmed. cases have also been reported in japan, thailand, and south korea. the world health organisation will hold an emergency meeting later this week. our medical correspondent, fergus walsh reports: it's official. china's mysterious new virus can pass from person to person. health authorities there are urging the public not to panic. most cases have come as a result of direct contact with animals, but human—to—human transmission means this virus is potentially a far bigger threat. the outbreak centres on the city of wuhan, population 11 million, where the source is thought to be a seafood market. 170 people in wuhan are being treated in hospital. several are critically ill and three

deaths have been confirmed. there have been a handful of cases of the virus in south korea, thailand and japan, all travellers who had come from wuhan. the infection is a new type of coronavirus, which originated in animals. although person—to—person transmission has been confirmed, it does not, thankfully, spread easily. signs of infection include breathing problems, fever and cough. it's the height of the flu season, meaning it's hard to know initially what infection patients have. hundreds of millions of chinese are expected to travel over the coming week to celebrate the lunar new year, making further spread inevitable. at train stations and airports, temperature scanners are being used. some airports in the united states, singapore and japan are screening travellers. the outbreak is a reminder of the sars epidemic, also caused by a coronavirus, that killed nearly 800 people worldwide nearly 20 years ago. then, there was an initial cover—up by the authorities.

this time, global health officials say china has learned from past mistakes. it may be weeks or months, though, before we know how big a threat this new virus poses. fergus walsh, bbc news. stephen mcdonell is in beijing for us. what's the latest from their? i'm outside asian station, which is the old est outside asian station, which is the oldest station in beijing, where you can probably see behind me, people are moving through, travelling in big numbers, going home forthe lunar new year. there is news that

this virus can actually be spread from person to person is a concern when you have millions of people travelling around china, and also gci’oss travelling around china, and also across the world for that matter, and that is why there are these new screening procedures being put in place at train stations and airports. with millions on the move, i guess it can only spread? yeah, well, for example, even overseas we have now australia joining singapore, japan, thailand, and south korea and screening flights coming out of wuhan. a lot of chinese people travel to a country like australia, and thailand as well. millions of chinese travellers go to thailand, have been to thailand already, so at this time there will be a big influx of

passengers from here and the authorities are not taking any chances, even though when you consider the numbers of people who live in wuhan, there aren't that many people infected by this virus. however as we heard in the report earlier, it is sometimes hard to tell, because if you think you might just have a bit of a cold, a bit of a fluke, is that actually coronavirus related? a fluke, is that actually coronavirus related ? it a fluke, is that actually coronavirus related? it can go on to cause pneumonia stopping there could bea cause pneumonia stopping there could be a lot more people infected and we don't actually know about it. thank you very much indeed, we will be talking to an epidemiologistjust a little bit later in the bulletin. republican party leaders in the us senate have proposed rules for president trump's impeachment trial that could mean no witnesses are called and no new evidence is discussed. a resolution unveiled by mitch mcconnell, who leads the republican majority in the senate, could see a vote on impeachment as early as tuesday. chuck schumer, who leads the democratic minority in the senate, has called the proposals a cover—up and a national disgrace.

let's get more on this now from our north america correspondent, peter bowes. how is this likely to go, do you think? as far as the democrats are concerned, this is a very bad move and as you have just implied, they are livid but it seems as if the republicans are trying to push this process through very quickly. it is certainly what the white house has been saying in its pre—trial documents, that there should be a swift resolution to this, but it may not be that straightforward. essentially what has been announced is that each side will get 2a hours split over two days, so two days, 12 hours long, it will be a gruelling few days for all concerned that the initial first four days will be set aside for the opening statements from the house managers, the prosecutors in this case, and the president's lawyers, but within that framework, there is a possibility

that the president's lawyers could call for a vote to dismiss the charges. it seems unlikely at this very early stages that would pass, but it is possible. what chance do you think then, that the witnesses and the evidence that was not available to the house of representatives but is available now, will surely be heard with yellow if this framework were to proceed, it is looking less and less likely, but it isn't a far gone conclusion because there is a lot that can happen over the next days. one thing that could happen is that some of those republicans that are sitting on the fence, wavering a little bit may decide to side with the democrats and agree that there ought to be some witnesses and ought to be evidence, documents that have been revealed in the last two days. so at this stage you can't say that

it is impossible that it is going to happen, itjust it is impossible that it is going to happen, it just seems it is impossible that it is going to happen, itjust seems a little less likely and it seems as if it is what the republicans want to happen but the republicans want to happen but the democrats are putting up quite a fight. hundreds of people, mainly from honduras, who are trying to reach the united states, have waded into a river on mexico's border with guatamala. mexican national guard troops with riot shields have been trying to stop them climbing the river bank. mexico has cut off migration routes to the us under pressure from president trump. rich preston reports. on mexico's southern border, men, women, and children wading through this river. many of them eventually reaching mexican territory. they we re reaching mexican territory. they were met by mexico's national guard. they used shields and teargas to push the people back. the migrants held stones and rocks at the police lines. many of the migrants were thought to have originally been from

honduras. guatemala city several thousand migrants have crossed into its territory from honduras since wednesday. these migrants have been camped out in this town on the guatemalan side of the border, and wa nted guatemalan side of the border, and wanted to cross to mexico stopping when they were refused permission, they took to the water. those crossing the river are part of a larger group of between 2000 and 3500 people, which has been called 2020 caravan. many of whom are ultimately trying to reach the united states. translation: i'm a mother, i left my daughter there, i have to support herand i'm a daughter there, i have to support her and i'm a single daughter there, i have to support herand i'm a single mother. we daughter there, i have to support her and i'm a single mother. we only wa nt her and i'm a single mother. we only want to work. please, i am just scared and i don't want to return to my country. there is no work there, there is nothing stopping my daughter and i go hungry. mexican

officials say they have already taken in over 1000 people and that many will be allowed to stay and work, but will not be given free passage to america. amid tense relations with its northern neighbour, mexico is under increasing pressure to help stem the flow of migrants to the us. but despite the firm response on the border, many say they are so desperate, they will keep trying anyway. in iraq, three more protesters have been killed as demonstrators campaign for new elections and an end to corruption. most of the protesters are young iraqis who want an end to american — and iranian — interference. at least 500 people have been killed by security forces and pro—iranian militia in months of demonstrations. our middle east correspondent quentin sommerville, and cameraman nik millard, have spent the past few days following protesters in baghdad. iraq is both a country in gridlock and coming apart at the seams. for months, young iraqis have been on the streets, intent on sweeping away the old guard. they say their government isn't

listening, so these young iraqis are piling on the pressure — here in baghdad and in cities across iraq. they say their demands won't be forgotten and their protests won't end. they've already brought down the last government, but it's not enough. in a country of fierce division, they've emerged united — sunni, shia, christian, rich and poor. translation: we want a life, like the life others have, in europe, america and elsewhere. we want politicians who are of the people, not men who are supported by iran, saudi or the united states. but old iraq hasn't vanished. nearly 500 protesters have died, killed by security forces

and pro—iranian militia since october. today's push is to bring iraq to a standstill. they want a new prime minister and fresh elections, and they mightjust get their way. but not without a fight. after a long stand—off, the security forces are now coming down the off ramps. it looks like they're just using tear gas for now. they are also sick of iran and the united states fighting their battles on iraqi soil. chanting. both be damned, they chant.

three more young protesters were killed today. more names for a crowded memorial wall. this revolution already has too many martyrs. safaa al—saray is one of them. he wanted an iraq without corruption and sectarianism. an idealist and a revolutionary, safaa's face is now everywhere. he was shot on this bridge — unarmed, his brother says, and clutching only the iraqi flag. translation: safaa was a painter, a poet. he loved iraq very much and sacrificed his life for it. we were not surprised by his martyrdom, and we are all willing to sacrifice for iraq. their struggle now is to stop the movement being hijacked by those they oppose.

in iraq, power — religious, political and foreign — lies in the shadows. these protests may look familiar, but they're not — they transcend social class and religious sect. that and their scale make them unprecedented for iraq. the odds are stacked against these young people, but they say they have no choice. their lives and their future will depend on what happens on the streets. so tonight they're back at the barricades, resisting — and waiting for the new iraq. quentin sommerville, bbc news, baghdad. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: thousands of heavily—armed protesters march against stricter gun laws in the us state of virginia. donald trump is now the 45th president of the united states. he was sworn in before several hundred thousand people on the steps of capitol hill in washington. it's going to be only america first. america first. demonstrators waiting

for mike gatting and his rebel cricket team were attacked with tear gas and set up on by police dogs. anti—apartheid campaigners say they will carry on the protests throughout the tour. they called him ‘the butcher of lyon'. klaus altmann is being held on a fraud charge in bolivia. the west germans want to extradite him for crimes committed in wartime france. there, he was the gestapo chief klaus barbie. millions came to bathe as close as possible to this spot. a tide of humanity that is believed by officials to have broken all records. this is bbc news, our main headline: doctors confirm that a new virus in china can be transmitted from human to human, as the outbreak continues to spread, and a fourth person dies.

let's stay with that story now. professorjennifer nuzzo is an epidemiologist atjohns hopkins university. she joins us from maryland. thank you for your time. we are being told that this is a virus similar perhaps true sales but is not at least out as deadly as a seasonal flu. is that correct? not at least out as deadly as a seasonalflu. is that correct? is that fair? this virus seems to have jumped from animals to humans, one of the things we're looking now is to assess whether there is virus is capable of being transported between humans. so in other words if it can survive the initial contact between humans? we know they have become an ——we know humans have become infected, some people had become infected, some people had become infected ) cases which is not good

news but one of the things we are trying to see is whether the virus can continue to spread between people like seasonal influenza does. what is your thinking at the moment and how worried are you? early to tell. i haven't seen any data that suggests it can do that so that is good news but obviously this is an emergency situation at united collected every day, we continue to watch and learn to make sure this isn't more serious than it appears to be so far. what you think of the measures that china and other countries are taking? in rock measures you think there should be taken? i think china should be commended for how gasaway is going after the situation and how quickly it has been able to wrap up surveillance and it appears the initial cost of cases were reported to have helped authorities for doctors and nurses we have been helping patients and you are suspicious of the potential exposure. that is exactly what you wa nt to exposure. that is exactly what you want to see happen. and since we started realising this is a new

virus and capable of affecting humans has been an expansion of effo rts humans has been an expansion of efforts within china which is great to see. i know that other are trying to see. i know that other are trying to screen travellers and that is not something the world health organization recommends. they do recommend is that countries make it clear what the symptoms of this disease are and who they can call if they become ill and if they're concerned they have become infected from someone they know to have had ammonia. what date for this - i got would take for this to become a doubt the virus? we don't know a whole lot hollowed ——we don't know a whole lot hollowed ——we don't know a whole lot hollowed ——we don't know a whole lot about the virus, certainly we are watching people on this genetic analysis of the virus happening, but if the virus were able to transmit multiple generations of people, notjust

among very close contacts but more casually, in the community, then will be very worried about situation. thank you very much indeed. thousands of gun owners, heavily armed, have converged on the american city of richmond to protest against stricter gun laws in the state of virginia. they claim their constitutional right to bear arms would be violated if the state's democratic governor and newly—elected democratic—majority legislature presses on with moves to tighten controls. aleem maqbool is in virginia for us. all chant: usa, usa, usa! they came from all over the country, bearing arms, after this state, virginia decided it is going to try to push through what are very limited gun—control measures. well, we're just on a regular street in downtown richmond, virginia, and yet almost everyone around us is carrying a handgun or a rifle, and that is all perfectly legal. but they're out here to say they won't allow that right to ever be taken away from them.

no—one is even talking about that happening, though. politicians here just want to introduce rules that would, for example, only allow people to buy one weapon a month, and allow guns to be banned at some public events. that is too much for everyone here. if this saves one life, is it worth it? i mean, not if it's going to impede on my right to defend me and my family. that person who lost their life should have had a gun in their hand and should have taken their responsibility and had their second amendment exercised, and it would have saved their life. you don't just get to say there is mass shootings. i think it accounts for less than 0.001% of the population, but we're going to make it a nationwide... tens of thousands die as a result of, you know, gun violence. hundreds of thousands die of heart failure. like, come on. for all the arms on the streets and all the fears of violence, the protest did pass off peacefully,

but with the promise that, if any other states try to introduce even the smallest of measures to curb gun ownership... we have only begun to fight... ..more shows of strength are to come. aleem maqbool, bbc news, in richmond, virginia. japan's environment minister is taking time off to take care of his son. very few dads injapan take maternity leave at all. the bbc‘s respondent explains why. this dad is who everyone injapan has been talking about the past week. because he is about to go on leave to take ca re of he is about to go on leave to take care of his newborn son. as just because he is the first minister and the first male mp to do this, it's

also because hardly anyone injapan expects a father to take parental leave. it's nearly always mothers doing it. japan is one of the most generous maternity leaves. hardly anyone ta kes. maternity leaves. hardly anyone takes. only 6% of working dads did in 2018. basically young fathers are scared to go off at the bosses and say, can i take paternity because they fear that may kill their career. there have been claims of fathers being sidelined for taking

maternity claims. it does sound familiar. this is a society where men rank as one of the least helpful in the world when it comes to housework. but they have been some political business leaders who have taken paternity leave political business leaders who have ta ken paternity leave and political business leaders who have taken paternity leave and they say the male staff have followed suit. this is the most high—profile person to do this and he says he wants to change mindsets. there are sceptics — there are sceptics, his erratic sign politics, his faced controversy where he was criticised for being politically inexperienced or too arrogant. critics say he is just trying to most is hot b.i.d. but if

it is done, this would send a message to other japanese it is done, this would send a message to otherjapanese a message to other japanese dads message to otherjapanese a message to otherjapanese dads to be that they too shouldn't be afraid to ask for time off. organism wanted to break a stretch, the size of the crowd was just recommends strict rules couldn't be met, this report does contain flash photography. if you happen to be visiting the sports stadium, you may have been be given bossing singular seeing double. this was a venue full of twins. lots and lots of twins. thousands of them, in fact. the call had gone out, a record was there to be broken. when i heard the news i thought, yes, this is the moment that we as twins should go and do best and have a responsibility to do that because being a ten is a placid

thing that can happen to anybody. but setting a record is easier said than done. the numbers are turned up —— the sheer numbers that turned up lead to long queues and that meant registering the trends wasn't straightforward so a new world record was very much in the balance evenif record was very much in the balance even if the organisers sounded fairly confident. while accounting is still going on, we have counted drop thousand 492. by that we have broken the world record. also but the final count and documentation back to the gasp on vehicle committee and i'm confident we will be informed in writing that behold the record. among those turning up was sri lanka's from esther, the brother, although not the twin of the president. they should find out ina the president. they should find out in a couple of weeks avenue record has been set, if not, they say they will trailer again. — make they said

they will try all over again. —— they will try all over again. —— they say they will try all over again. hello. monday brought some beautiful winter sunshine to large swathes of the uk. unfortunately, the prospects for the rest of this week are distinctly dull for one reason or another, be it a lot of low cloud lurking about, orfor this morning, some pretty stubborn fog. the high pressure that's keeping things dry is going to be staying with us, but it's just going to reorientate itself a little through the next few days, eventually shifting away south—westwards and pulling in more moisture from the atlantic. that's what's going to help to thicken our cloud. for this morning, the densest of fog likely to be an issue, i think, across the southern

counties of england and into south wales. a lot of our major motorways, of course, in this area. please do bear in mind when you take to the roads that the fog could be patchy, so you could be in it one minute, out of it the next, then back in, and that is particularly dangerous. and tuesday, as promised, a pretty grey affair. best of any breaks probably to the lee of higher ground, east of the pennines, sheltered spots to the east of scotland. further west, some rain actually for argyll and bute. topsy—turvy temperatures, actually, our mildest weather to the north of the uk, with that atlantic feed to the north of the high. to the south, just six or seven, colder if you get stuck by the fog that lingers. overnight tuesday into wednesday, plenty of cloud across the uk, plenty of moisture, generally very murky, and because of all that cloud around, our temperatures will be held up. so frost limited possibly to a few pockets across southernmost counties of england for first thing on wednesday. and you can see the high here, as promised, sitting a little bit further south—westwards. and i've put the colour on behind me here to show you the air mass, to show you the atlantic air tipping over the top of the high and spilling its way south into england and wales for wednesday. things on the ground not looking too

different, unfortunately. how many ways can you say cloudy and grey? best of any breaks in the east. but the temperatures do just nudge up a little, about 10—12 degrees typically across the uk, certainly the biggest increase to the south. and for the rest of the week, same old, same old. the high still with us, always slightly milder to the north, a little cooler to the south. some signs of more rainfall perhaps across scotland, for a time, as a front works its way in. but, by the end of the week, the high really does start to break down, and then friday into saturday, it looks like we'll get an area of low pressure sweeping across the uk. that gets rid of a lot of the murk. we should see the return of some sunny spells, but they will also be accompanied by showers, and look out — it will turn windier once again, as well.

this is bbc news, the headlines: doctors in china confirm a new respiratory virus that's spreading across the country, can be passed from person to person. officials say more than 200 people have been infected, four people have died. the world health organisation has called an emergency meeting later this week. the us senate republican leader, mitch mcconnell, has laid out plans for president trump's impeachment trial. under the proposals there's no guarantee that witnesses or new evidence would be allowed, and arguments for both sides would have to be presented injust 2a hours. democratic leaders say it would be a cover—up. the authorities in mexico have prevented hundreds of people from central america from entering the country on their way to the united states. after some skirmishes, security forces rounded up those who managed to cross the river marking the border