Your morning briefing: What you should know for Thursday, January 23

PM calls for 'divisions' to end after Brexit deal passes final hurdle in Commons

Boris Johnson has called for "rancour and division" to be left behind Brexit deal has completed its passage through Parliament and is set to become law.

The PM said it felt at times that the "finish line" would not be crossed but heralded having "done it" after peers ended a legislative battle last night.

Mr Johnson said the nation would now "move forwards as one United Kingdom".

Now the legislation just needs Royal Assent to be formally granted by the Queen and the agreement to be approved by the European Parliament by Brexit day on January 31.

China stops public transport in virus-stricken city and tells people not to leave

Officials fighting against the spread of the deadly coronavirus in China have told people not to leave the city hit by the disease, with its public transport network being shut down.

Chinese state media said outbound flights and trains have been halted in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province.

It comes as the World Health Organisation prepared to make a decision on whether to declare an international public health emergency.

The UK Foreign Office issued a warning against "all but essential" travel to the area.

At least 540 people have contracted the mysterious Sars-like virus, which so far has killed 17 people.

Trump accused of 'corrupt scheme' as impeachment prosecutors launch case

Donald Trump has been accused of a “corrupt scheme” to pressure Ukraine into helping him win re-election as Democrats tore into the president at his impeachment trial.

In a two-hour opening argument, lead prosecutor Adam Schiff warned that the US’s global prestige would suffer if the Senate was to acquit Mr Trump.

But the US leader sounded a defiant note, saying Democrats did not have enough evidence to find him guilty and remove him from office.

Meghan's dad opens up about dramatic fall out with duchess

The Duchess of Sussex’s father has told how he feels like he doesn’t know who his daughter is anymore.

Thomas Markle said that he misses “who she was” before their relationship broke down.

He spoke of his pain in a tell-all documentary on his dramatic fallout with Meghan and her and husband Prince Harry's move to break away from the royal family.

Speaking to Channel 5 from his home in Mexico, Mr Markle said when his daughter was born he “could not have been happier”

“I just knew she was going to be special,” he added.

Stars gather for Vanity Fair party in London

Up-and-coming stars last night gathered at London’s The Standard hotel for the Vanity Fair EE Rising Star party.

The annual event marks the BAFTA awards, with the 73rd ceremony is set to take place February 2.

The celebration more specifically honoured nominees for the EE Rising Star Award, which were announced earlier this month.

Awkwafina, Jack Lowden, Kaitlyn Dever, Kelvin Harrison Jr and Micheal Ward make up the 2020 nominee list.

On this day...

1556: An earthquake in Shensi Province, China, killed 830,000 people.

1943: The British captured Tripoli from the Germans.

1963: Kim Philby, double agent, defected to Russia.

1985: A House of Lords debate was televised live for the first time.

1990: Gales of up to 115mph caused great damage and at least four deaths in Britain.