Italian authorities have extended emergency measures to cover the entire country in an attempt to stop the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Global stock markets yesterday added to losses accumulated over the past two weeks following a massive drop in global oil prices. The dramatic drops were attributed to growing fears over the impact on global oil market demand and the overall economy from the coronavirus.

Academia Sinica, Taiwan's national research academy, says it has synthesized monoclonal antibodies that are able to identify the protein of the virus that causes Covid-19.

Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released a series of guidelines for the hosting of large events, which are defined as those being attended by at least 1,000 people.

Taiwan has been ranked the second freest country in Asia with a total score of 93 points in the latest edition of the "Freedom in the World" report by the US-based NGO, Freedom House. That ranking was the same as that of last year.

The European Commission has unveiled the "European Climate Law". According to the EU's official website, Europa, the proposed legislation would enshrine into law the EU's political commitment to be climate neutral by 2050, to protect the planet and its people.

Taiwan's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose by 1.4 points to 52.7 in February from the month before, according to the monthly survey conducted by the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER).

A slew of events and activities scheduled to be held in Taiwan have been postponed or cancelled over fears of contagion from the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19), including international shows, religious, school and sporting events.

Global stocks fell sharply last week over fears that the ongoing spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) will severely hurt the economy.