The global financial markets have yet again tumbled after being spooked by intensified measures put in place by governments around the world scrambling to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.

Major European stock markets have fallen, with Italian stocks bearing the brunt of the shocks with the FTSE (Footsy) MIB nose diving by 17%, in the greatest loss in a single day ever.

Wall Street was also not spared, with stocks dropping by 10% causing a 15-minute suspension of trading making it the biggest drop since the 1987 Stock Market crash.

Fabio Wajngarten, Communications secretary and aid to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested for COVID-19, after travelling with the Brazilian President and other officials to a meeting with U.S President Donald Trump at his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort on Saturday.

Wajngarten’s diagnosis was confirmed by Brazilian officials on Thursday upon his return to Brazil, causing concern as he was photographed in very close proximity to both Mr. Bolsonaro and Mr. Trump.  

The Formula One Grand Prix event has now been confirmed cancelled. 

Fans outside the gates at Albert Park were notified via social media before ground crew confirmed the news. 

The ground crew had earlier been using megaphones to inform the crowd that the event would go ahead without spectators and would have a delayed start. 

The cancellation comes after a team member of McLaren racing tested positive to coronavirus, prompting the team to withdraw from the race.

A GP clinic in Launceston, Tasmania, has refused to see any patients presenting typical cold symptoms during business hours, due to the rising coronavirus fears.  

Practice manager Kat Martyn said this decision aims to minimise the risk to staff and patients, particularly vulnerable members of the community.

The practice plans to implement a dedicated clinic for patients with symptoms showing symptoms that could be linked to the virus such as a fever, cough or sore throat.

Queensland's former chief scientist is possibly facing jail time for defrauding the government of about $75,000.

Suzanne Miller pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday to committing fraud during her time employed by the Queensland Museum between February 2014 and July 2017.

She was first charged in 2017, by the Crime and Corruption Commission with fraud valued about $45,000 relating to a false claim for private health insurance.

Plastic straws, cutlery and plates may become a thing of the past in Queensland due to a planned ban of single use plastics by the Palaszczuk government.

The government is currently committed to speaking with businesses, industries and sectors that will be most affected by the ban such as the disability and aged care sectors. 

The Palaszczuk government is aiming to introduce these laws at the end of the year to come into effect in 2021. 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been put into self-isolation today after his wife Sophie Trudeau fell ill with flu-like symptoms. 

The announcement comes amid wider concern in Canada as schools close across the province of Ontario and the suspension of the National Hockey League. 

Mr Trudeau is not reporting any symptoms, and will continue to work from home until the results of his wife’s test are known.

A US Judge has ordered the release of former US Intelligence Analyst Chelsea Manning from prison. 

Manning who was convicted of espionage in 2013 after leaking classified military files to wikileaks, has been held in prison in Virginia since May on contempt of court. 

Manning was set to appear before court on Friday however it has been ruled that she is no longer required to testify on the investigation into Wikileaks. 

Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the Australian Formula One Grand Prix will go ahead in Melbourne, without spectators.

Earlier reports suggested the event would be cancelled after McLaren racing withdrew from the race following the positive coronavirus diagnosis of a team member. 

Fans queued at Albert Park from the early hours of this morning for the 8:45am opening of the event have been told to leave the venue.