Bangladesh has sent a second group of Rohingya refugees to a remote island, despite concern from human rights groups. About 1,800 refugees were moved from crowded camps in Cox’s Bazar and housed overnight at a transit centre. They then boarded naval ships at Chittagong and set off for the Bay of Bengal on the island
World
Thailand has brought in a range of new restrictions after the country’s first coronavirus death in nearly two months. Bangkok betting businesses will be shut, while bars, nightclubs and music venues in the capital will be forced to close at midnight until 4 January. It comes as the government tries to contain an outbreak that
A Chinese citizen journalist who reported on the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan has been jailed for four years. A Chinese court handed the term to Zhang Zhan, 37, on grounds of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, her lawyer said. Zhan, the first person known to have been tried on those charges, was among a
Flanked by a police escort, a paramedic emergency vehicle, its hazard lights flashing, speeds through town towards the main hospital. An emergency Christmas delivery handed to medical staff. A small green refrigerated bag then hurried inside the Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital, followed by two police officers. The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in the northern Italian
Europe has launched a vaccination programme that it hopes will end the coronavirus pandemic and allow a return to normal life. The European Medicines Agency approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on 21 December and the aim is for all adults to be vaccinated by the end of 2021. Some countries have called on doctors and nurses
George Blake – perhaps the most notorious double agent – has died, but his treachery was not the only scandal to befall Britain’s Secret Service in the 20th century. Blake’s double-crossing is often mentioned alongside the notorious Cambridge spy ring – another group of establishment Britons who leaked countless secrets to the Soviets. It was
South Korean officials have warned of a third wave of coronavirus, as a resurgence in cases continues over the Christmas period. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) recorded 1,132 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, which was the country’s second-highest daily increase after 1,241 on Christmas Day. South Korea has been seen as one
France has reported its first confirmed case of the new coronavirus variant which was first discovered in the UK, the country’s health ministry has said. The case is a French citizen who lives in England and had left London for Tours, France, on 19 December. He is currently self-isolating at home and is said to
The Notre-Dame cathedral choir has sung inside the gothic landmark for the first time since last year’s devastating fire – complete with hard hats and social distancing in place. The 20 singers also wore protective suits as they performed without an audience for the Christmas Eve concert. Members of the public are still not allowed
Brexit talks have continued through the night as hopes were raised that a trade deal could finally be on the brink of being agreed. Sources in London and Brussels told Sky News on Wednesday evening that an agreement could be close. Eric Mamer, the chief spokesman for the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,
The faster-spreading COVID-19 variant believed to behind a surge in cases in England has been detected in Ireland and Northern Ireland, officials say. This relates to the coronavirus strain first revealed by Downing Street last week, named VUI-202012/01 – not the second variant that has since been linked to contacts of travellers from South Africa.
Three police officers have been killed by a gunman who had taken his partner hostage in central France. The gendarmes had been responding to a report of domestic violence at a house in Saint Just, Puy-de-Dome, when the attacker began shooting at them. He then set fire to the building. After a lengthy stand-off, the
Caviar was the traditional delicacy of the Caspian Sea but these days production has a new headquarters: China. Qiandao (Thousand Island) lake lies 220 miles south of Shanghai. Fringed with mountains, it is a popular holiday spot for Chinese residents fleeing the summer heat of the city. But it is also home to Kaluga Queen,
Ireland will introduce stricter coronavirus measures on Christmas Eve, with Prime Minister Micheal Martin claiming the new variant is probably already circulating there. Under the fresh restrictions, restaurants and gastro pubs will be forced to close at 3pm on 24 December. Non-essential shops, as long as they do not host January sales, are allowed to
BioNTech’s boss has said he is confident the company’s vaccine will be effective against the new coronavirus variant. Ugur Sahin said more tests were needed before he could be completely sure of the efficacy of the drug. The Pfizer/BioNTech jab is the only vaccine approved for use in the UK so far. It is also
Like so many of us around the world, the people of Bethlehem have spent the year in and out of lockdown and they are spending Christmas under a strict curfew. It has been a devastating year, but Bethlehem is a town built on a story of faith. Its people have lived through huge challenges and