Muted celebrations for London and New York, but Australia and NZ welcome in 2021

New Year's Eve celebrations were muted by coronavirus restrictions in London and New York, while countries including Australia and New Zealand welcomed in 2021 with impressive firework displays. https://ift.tt/2WX6weO

Russia's Bolshoi dances on through pandemic with Nutcracker

The opening scene of the Nutcracker is the Christmas none of us had. https://ift.tt/3rJARvD

The show must go on: Russia's Bolshoi dances through pandemic with Nutcracker

The opening scene of the Nutcracker is the Christmas none of us had. https://ift.tt/3rJARvD

Brexit transition ends as UK-EU trade deal takes effect

The UK has begun a new relationship with the European Union with the Brexit transition period coming to an end. https://ift.tt/3oaI3yQ

Health worker sacked after deliberately spoiling 500 vaccine doses

A health worker in Wisconsin has been sacked after deliberately spoiling 500 doses of a coronavirus vaccine. https://ift.tt/3pEDwF3

Bangladesh rejects claims it is forcing Rohingya to move to cyclone-prone island

The government of Bangladesh is angrily rejecting claims it is forcibly moving Rohingya refugees to a remote cyclone-prone island against their will. https://ift.tt/3o4BTQC

Hong Kong tycoon and democracy campaigner returns to jail after bail revoked

A Hong Kong media tycoon and democracy campaigner is returning to jail after the territory's highest court accepted prosecutors' demands to revoke his bail. https://ift.tt/3pJKQPT

Britain and Spain reach initial agreement on Gibraltar's post-Brexit status

Britain and Spain have reached an initial agreement over Gibraltar's post-Brexit status, Spain's foreign minister has said. https://ift.tt/37YFiLc

World begins muted 2021 celebrations as 2020 comes to an end

The Pacific Island of Tonga has become the first country to mark the start of 2021, with millions around the world celebrating the New Year at home because of COVID-19. https://ift.tt/2Ld0nsb

World begins muted 2021 celebrations as 2020 comes to an end

The Pacific Island of Tonga has become the first country to mark the start of 2021, with millions around the world celebrate the New Year at home because of COVID-19. https://ift.tt/37ZsfJu

Most prolific serial killer in US history dies in hospital

A convicted murderer, considered by the FBI to be the most prolific serial killer in US history, has died at a hospital in California. https://ift.tt/3rHon7L

Sydney to ring in New Year with crowd-free fireworks display

For the first time in 25 years I won't be able to watch the world's most spectacular fireworks in the flesh. https://ift.tt/2X0mLb7

Argentina becomes largest Latin American nation to legalise elective abortion

Argentina has become the largest nation in Latin America to legalise elective abortion despite a last-minute appeal by Pope Francis. https://ift.tt/38Sebk4

'Extremely serious': Ireland returns to full lockdown for at least a month

Ireland will return to Level 5 restrictions for a least one month in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the prime minister Micheal Martin has said. https://ift.tt/3mYrKDO

Ten injured and 26 missing after landslide in Norway

Ten people have been wounded and 26 are missing after a landslide in southern Norway, police said. https://ift.tt/3htkeiV

Boeing 737 MAX aircraft resume passenger flights in the US

Boeing 737 MAX aircraft have resumed passenger flights in the US for the first time since a 20-month safety ban was lifted last month. https://ift.tt/3hqgkaL

Bangladesh moves more Rohingya refugees to isolated island

Bangladesh has sent a second group of Rohingya refugees to a remote island, despite concern from human rights groups. https://ift.tt/3mXvjtK

Earthquake hits Croatia, with reports of injuries and damaged buildings

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake has hit Croatia, with reports of injuries and damaged buildings near Zagreb. https://ift.tt/2KMLVHJ

Fashion designer Pierre Cardin dies aged 98

Fashion designer Pierre Cardin has died at the age of 98, according to France's Fine Arts Academy. https://ift.tt/3ryIYuS

Australia reports first case of South Africa coronavirus variant

Australia has become the latest country to confirm the presence of the new South African coronavirus variant. https://ift.tt/34QvpNH

Russia admits COVID death toll is three times higher than reported

Russia has admitted its coronavirus death toll is more than three times higher than previously reported. https://ift.tt/37TlTes

Who is boring now? Belgium defies stereotype by deeming chocolate and beer 'essential'

Chocolate. An indulgence. An occasional treat. A staple at Christmas. But an essential food item? That's what the Belgian government defined it as this year when allowing only certain shops to stay open during lockdowns. https://ift.tt/34QMrLC

Thailand's first COVID death in two months leads to tough new lockdown rules

Thailand has brought in a range of new restrictions after the country's first coronavirus death in nearly two months. https://ift.tt/3aKTTf3

Suspect held after possible poisoning of Game Of Thrones video game tycoon

A suspect has been detained over the potential poisoning of the billionaire founder of a Chinese company that makes a Game Of Thrones video game, police in Shanghai have said. https://ift.tt/34MFP0z

Saudi women's rights activist handed almost six years in prison

One of Saudi Arabia's most prominent women's rights activists has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison under vague counter-terrorism laws, according to state-linked media. https://ift.tt/34KSlhl

Concern over China's 'secret' trial of group accused of trying to flee Hong Kong

British diplomats have been barred from attending the trial of 12 people accused by China of trying to flee Hong Kong by speedboat, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said. https://ift.tt/3nYOO6s

Chinese citizen journalist who reported on Wuhan outbreak jailed for 'picking quarrels'

A Chinese citizen journalist who reported on the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan has been jailed for four years. https://ift.tt/38Fj6F4

Vaccination delays in Spain due to 'Pfizer logistics issue'

Spain is facing a delay in a fresh delivery of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, due to a Pfizer "logistics issue", the country's health minister says. https://ift.tt/2KwPMss

COVID variant first identified in UK found in South Korea

South Korea has become the latest country to confirm the presence of the new coronavirus variant. https://ift.tt/3prDjov

Trump signs COVID relief bill to avert government shutdown

Donald Trump has signed a COVID relief and spending bill, averting a government shutdown that could have seen millions of Americans deprived of unemployment benefit. https://ift.tt/34P6nyl

The black soldiers who risked their lives and only got a bicycle in return

In south Johannesburg, the streets are full of people on the move at Christmas time. https://ift.tt/2Jspp6m

Nashville bombing suspect died in Christmas Day explosion, police say

The man suspected of being behind a bomb in the US city of Nashville is believed to have died in the explosion, federal authorities have said. https://ift.tt/3ppWDTa

Around 200 British tourists 'flee Swiss ski resort after being forced into quarantine' - report

Hundreds of British tourists forced into quarantine at an upmarket ski resort due to fears about the new, more contagious variant of COVID-19 have fled under the cover of darkness, according to a report. https://ift.tt/2McOoeU

'A real turning point': Vaccine rollout begins in Italian city where COVID crisis shocked the world

Flanked by a police escort, a paramedic emergency vehicle, its hazard lights flashing, speeds through town towards the main hospital. https://ift.tt/3mOxMa1

At least 10 killed as rare deadly avalanches strike Iranian mountain range

A series of avalanches in Iran have killed 10 people, according to state TV. https://ift.tt/2KD2R3j

Decision due on Sydney New Year fireworks - but which cities are still set to celebrate?

Sydney officials are under pressure to make a decision over whether its traditional New Year's Eve fireworks display can go ahead. https://ift.tt/3aMo6tZ

'Disgusting' smells of fish, burning and even toast may be long COVID symptoms

People suffering from 'long COVID' are reporting a strong smell of fish, sulphur and a sweet sickly odour, as further symptoms of the virus emerge. https://ift.tt/2KVF0f9

Ancient street food shop discovered at Pompeii

Archaeologists have found a frescoed hot food and drinks shop at the ancient city of Pompeii. https://ift.tt/3nWMugo

'The key to getting our lives back': Europe begins COVID vaccination push

Europe has launched a vaccination programme that it hopes will end the coronavirus pandemic and allow a return to normal life. https://ift.tt/3mMUVJH

The spies that betrayed Britain - the Cambridge Ring

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. https://ift.tt/3nREFsp

British-Soviet double agent George Blake dies aged 98 in Moscow

Cold War British-Soviet double agent George Blake has died aged 98 in Moscow, according to Russian state news agency RIA. https://ift.tt/37PdZD3

South Korea braced for 'third wave' as daily COVID cases hit new highs

South Korean officials have warned of a third wave of coronavirus, as a resurgence in cases continues over the Christmas period. https://ift.tt/3mPq0wv

Boeing 737-8 MAX forced into early landing after engine issue

A Boeing 737-8 MAX was forced to make an unscheduled landing and have one engine shut down after it ran into issues. https://ift.tt/3rtglz4

China to become world's biggest economy in 2028 thanks to COVID response

China is set to overtake the US to become the world's biggest economy five years earlier than previously thought, thanks in part to its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a think tank. https://ift.tt/2M0vbwM

France discovers its first case of the new coronavirus variant

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. https://ift.tt/3rtuBYH

222 killed in Ethiopia village massacre as ethnic tensions flare - Red Cross

Some 222 people have been killed following an attack in Ethiopia, a Red Cross volunteer has said. https://ift.tt/3aF34xy

Police investigate Navalny ally 'who visited spy accused of poisoning'

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says police raided his ally's apartment after she allegedly visited the home of a spy accused of poisoning him. https://ift.tt/3mPmhz9

Pope Francis urges nations to share COVID vaccine in Christmas message

The Pope has used his Christmas message to urge countries to share COVID-19 vaccines, saying nationalism should not be a factor in granting access to the new treatments. https://ift.tt/3rsOTSd

US insists on negative COVID test for all travellers arriving from the UK

Anyone wanting to travel to the US from the UK will have to have tested negative for coronavirus within 72 hours of the proposed departure time in order to board their flight. https://ift.tt/34HSXo1

'Emotion and hope': Notre-Dame choir sings at cathedral for the first time since fire

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. https://ift.tt/3hpbJWk