Australia has called for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus in the Chinese city of Wuhan, and how it was handled.
The country's foreign minister Marise Payne questioned China's transparency and insisted the World Health Organisation (WHO) should not run the inquiry.
"The issues around the coronavirus are issues for independent review, and I think that it is important that we do that," Payne told ABC television. "In fact, Australia will absolutely insist on that."
This comes following strained ties between the two countries and increased criticism from US President Donald Trump over how the health crisis was initially handled.
"My trust in China is predicated in the long-term," Payne said. "My concern is around transparency and ensuring that we are able to engage openly."
China, however, has dismissed the allegations.
So far, Australia has reported more than 6,500 positive cases and 70 deaths.
The Syrian government and Kurdish forces declared a ceasefire deal on Friday that sets out a phased integration of Kurdish fighters into the state, averting a potentially bloody battle and drawing US praise for a 'historic milestone'.
US President Donald Trump said it was dangerous for Britain to be getting into business with Beijing, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer lauded the economic benefits of resetting relations with China during a visit there on Friday.
Israel has released 15 bodies of Palestinians killed during its war in Gaza, three days after recovering the remains of the last hostage, in moves mediators hope will pave the way to carrying out the next stage of US President Donald Trump's peace plan.
There is a low risk of the deadly Nipah virus spreading from India, the World Health Organisation said on Friday, adding that it did not recommend travel or trade curbs after two infections reported by the South Asian nation.
President Donald Trump has endorsed a spending deal negotiated by US Senate Republicans and Democrats on Thursday that would stave off a government shutdown while lawmakers continue negotiating guardrails to rein in immigration agents.
Police in Vietnam have launched a criminal investigation into a warehouse accused of producing fake coffee made from soybeans following a raid earlier this week, the Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday.
Israeli fire killed at least two Palestinians in Gaza on Thursday, health officials said, in the latest violence rattling a fragile ceasefire as Hamas and Israel looked to implement the second phase of the US-brokered Gaza peace plan.
US border czar Tom Homan, newly installed as commander of President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis, said on Thursday that federal agents would focus on 'targeted' operations, shifting away from the broad street sweeps that have drawn widespread outrage.
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