Australian researchers trying to develop a vaccine for coronavirus can share in a $2 million federal fund designed to speed up the work.

The Australians preparing to be evacuated from a coronavirus-hit cruise ship in Japan will be tested for the illness five times before bunkering down for 14 days at a facility near Darwin.

Attorney-General Christian Porter has sent a warning to corporate Australia after Coles became the latest major company embroiled in an underpayment scandal.

Singapore Airlines Ltd will temporarily cut flights across its global network in the three months to May, it says, as a coronavirus epidemic hits demand for services to the Asian city state, as well as through the key transit hub.

Japan plans to trial HIV medications to treat patients infected with coronavirus as the growing number of cases poses an increasing threat to the country's economy as well as public health.

Coles is the latest major retailer to fess up to underpaying staff, with the company expecting a $20 million hit after managers at its supermarkets and liquor division were underpaid over the past six years.

St George Illawarra have been dealt a major blow just weeks away from the NRL season with captain Cameron McInnes ruled out for up to three months.

Apple has announced it will not meet its revenue guidance for the March quarter due to the coronavirus outbreak affecting both production and demand in China.

Ford Motor will commit $500 million to the Australian market in 2020 and is likely to hire more staff as global automotive giant General Motors prepares to quit by the end of the year.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plans to spend $US10 billion ($A15 billion) of his own fortune to help fight climate change.