The Italian Government has imposed a lock-down in the north of the country in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Overnight, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree banning people from entering or leaving the Lombardy region, as well as 14 provinces.
Around 16 million people, a quarter of the country’s population, are affected.
Museums, gyms and swimming pools will close. Cafes and restaurants can remain open – but people must stay a metre away from each other.
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A leading cancer doctor says protecting the sick and infirm from COVID-19 should be enough reason to cancel the St Patrick's Day Parade.
Professor John Crown says evidence from China shows cancer patients and survivors have the highest rates of critical illness if infected.
The St Vincent’s Hospital consultant oncologist said the health system is "mal-resourced" and warned that he is not convinced it can "cope with a sudden surge of very sick people."
Dr Crown said it is not good enough for authorities to say a bout of COVID-19 is a mild illness for most.
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A cruise ship that has been stranded off the coast of San Francisco because of the coronavirus will be allowed to dock tomorrow.
The Grand Princess has been under strict orders to keep its distance from the shore since 21 people onboard tested positive for COVID-19.
She is carrying 3,500 passengers and crew, some of whom are Irish.
Officials have now confirmed that the ship will dock in Oakland on Monday with passengers that require acute medical treatment and hospitalisation the first to disembark.
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Thousands of people are expected to march through London today, to mark International Women's Day.
Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer and singer Emeli Sandé are among the stars expected to join the march calling for gender equality.
Actress Rosamund Pike, who plays Marie Curie in the biopic 'Radioactive,' said the power to change the film industry lies in women’s hands.
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Six RAF jets have been used to intercept Russian aircraft as they tried to enter British airspace.
The British Ministry of Defence says they were tracked heading for the northwest of Scotland yesterday.
An RAF spokesperson insists it was a 'routine response' coordinated with several other NATO allies.
The RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon air-craft were launched from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby.
