State funeral set to be held for Desmond Tutu - with reports anti-apartheid hero will be aquamated

Anti-apartheid hero Archbishop Desmond Tutu will be laid to rest at a state funeral in South Africa later, with reports he will be aquamated. https://ift.tt/3mM0F9C

How the world is celebrating New Year's Eve with widespread COVID restrictions

Despite COVID curbs hindering celebrations, street parties and gatherings are still taking place across the globe as each country rings in the New Year.    https://ift.tt/3HnosVa

Putin warns Biden it would be a mistake to impose new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has warned Joe Biden that new sanctions against Russia over Ukraine would be a big mistake, according to the Kremlin. https://ift.tt/3sM6GHd

COVID-positive woman self-isolates in plane loo for five hours to protect other passengers

A woman who tested positive for COVID during a transatlantic flight self-isolated for five hours in the plane's toilet to protect other passengers. https://ift.tt/3Hn7CWh

France suspends transit ban allowing Britons to pass through country to homes in other EU nations

Britons wanting to return to their homes in EU countries after spending Christmas with friends and relatives in the UK will be able to pass through France after the government in Paris suspended a transit ban. https://ift.tt/32NYNWw

Archbishop Desmond Tutu's body lies in state in 'cheapest coffin available'

The coffin carrying the body of Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been returned to a morgue after lying-in-state in St George's Cathedral in Cape Town. https://ift.tt/3ELKUFz

COVID-19 around the world: How have New Year's celebrations been scaled back amid Omicron surge?

As the world gears up to welcome in 2022, many New Year celebrations are being cancelled or scaled back amid rising infections due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. https://ift.tt/32QhicT

China bans footballers from getting tattoos so they can set 'good example'

China has banned footballers who play for the country's national team from getting tattoos - with those already inked told to get them removed or cover them up to set a "good example for society". https://ift.tt/31h3AzC

Djokovic casts doubt over Australian Open title defence after pulling out of Sydney event

Men's tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Serbia team for the ATP Cup in Sydney, casting further doubt on whether he will defend his Australian Open title next month. https://ift.tt/3FJ4Ieb

Hong Kong pro-democracy news outlet shuts down after police raid and arrests

A vocal pro-democracy website in Hong Kong has been shut down after police raided its office, froze its assets and arrested senior staff. https://ift.tt/3FEzkO2

Baked Alaska - warm spell in coldest US state sees records broken but brings heavy snow

An unusually warm spell in what is usually the coldest state in the United States has seen temperature records broken. https://ift.tt/32J67CM

Indian government blocks Mother Teresa charity from receiving foreign funds

India's government has blocked a charity founded by Mother Teresa from receiving foreign funds. https://ift.tt/3exz3AC

Russian Supreme Court orders closure of prominent human rights group

Russia's Supreme Court has ordered the country's most prominent human rights group to be liquidated. https://ift.tt/3ewN2GA

China complains to UN about Elon Musk's space satellites

Elon Musk has faced a backlash from Chinese social media users after China complained its space station was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision with the tech billionaire's Starlink satellites. https://ift.tt/3qtMtmG

Perfectly wrapped Egyptian mummy's layers 'peeled off' for first time in 'unique' study

The perfectly wrapped mummified body of the Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep I has been examined in "unprecedented detail" for the first time with the use of modern scanning technology. https://ift.tt/3pvvr8r

Biden's promises, China's threats and Russia's muscle-flexing - diplomatic relations in 2021

The year began with a promise.  https://ift.tt/3qsthFO

The famous faces and notable figures we said goodbye to in 2021

As the year comes to an end, it is time to commemorate the stars and notable figures we have said goodbye to over the last 12 months. https://ift.tt/3mBJPtX

Taliban says women should not make long taxi journeys without male chaperone

The Taliban has said women in Afghanistan should not be offered long distance taxi services unless they are accompanied by a male chaperone. https://ift.tt/3Fwz2Zf

Bird flu outbreak kills 5,000 wild cranes in Israel

Around 5,000 wild cranes have been killed by a bird flu outbreak in northern Israel. https://ift.tt/3etAIa5

Archbishop Desmond Tutu to lie in state as memorial services announced

A week of memorial services has been planned to pay tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. https://ift.tt/3qvQtmN

'Only one route to the top': Xander Parish shares his Cinderella story of leaving sheltered life for Russian ballet

Xander Parish describes his route to the top as a Cinderella story complete with fairy godfather, who plucked him from the ranks of the Royal Ballet and propelled him to principal dancer at St Petersburg's Mariinsky Ballet seven years later. https://ift.tt/3JjuurC

Around 8,000 flights cancelled globally over Christmas weekend due to COVID-19

Around 8,000 flights were cancelled globally between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day as airlines experienced staff shortages due to COVID-19. https://ift.tt/3HdOTMP

'Eye-watering losses': Costliest climate disasters of 2021 revealed

The 10 costliest climate-related disasters of 2021 led to over £120bn worth of damage, according to a new report by Christian Aid. https://ift.tt/3mCio3f

Desmond Tutu coined the phrase 'Rainbow Nation' and his hope lives on

In the summer of 2008 I was asked to interview Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Salisbury International Arts Festival. Although I had met him and interviewed him several times when I was based in South Africa, I was a little nervous beforehand and I think he could see it.  https://ift.tt/32DCHpy

Hundreds mistakenly told COVID-19 test result was negative on Christmas Day when they were positive

A major laboratory in Australia incorrectly told 400 people their coronavirus test result was negative on Christmas Day, when they had actually tested positive for the virus. https://ift.tt/3FJTNBb

Desmond Tutu, a South African icon who was loved far and beyond his native land

They stood hand in hand on the day Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first democratically elected president, for the pair had changed the nation. https://ift.tt/3yWXYXq

South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies aged 90

South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of the leaders of the anti-apartheid movement, has died at the age of 90, the President's Office has said. https://ift.tt/3szvGkE

Bodies of 16 migrants who drowned during Channel crossing repatriated to Iraq

The bodies of 16 Kurdish migrants who drowned while crossing the English Channel in November have been repatriated to Iraq, according to local reports. https://ift.tt/3emOTOr

Ireland's only wildlife hospital in need of 'serious funding' as it seeks new home

The first and only hospital for wildlife in Ireland is appealing for financial help as it tries to find a new location. https://ift.tt/3EpmGkp

More than 30 killed and bodies burnt in Myanmar, human rights group says

More than 30 people, including children, have been shot dead and their bodies burnt by government forces in Myanmar, according to a local human rights group and media reports. https://ift.tt/3Hf9BMC

The Ashes: England v Australia - third test

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At least 4,500 flights around the world cancelled as COVID causes travel chaos

At least 4,500 flights have been cancelled worldwide over the Christmas weekend, with the Omicron variant causing chaos for travellers. https://ift.tt/3HfFvbL

Parent tells Biden 'Let's go Brandon' during Santa tracker call - and the president agrees

A White House Christmas event took an awkward turn on Friday when a caller dropped a vulgar anti-Biden slogan into a conversation with the US president.  https://ift.tt/30XDrWl

More than 100 female judges and their families rescued by UK lawyers after Taliban takeover

More than 100 female Afghan judges and their families have been rescued by a team of pro-bono lawyers in the UK following the Taliban takeover.  https://ift.tt/3sy5ffa

Do aliens exist? The key mysteries that could be unlocked after the James Webb telescope launches today

Scientists say a "new era of astronomy" could be brought in as they prepare to launch the James Webb Telescope today. https://ift.tt/3enxPYv

Ethiopia's fight to win back looted treasures after descendants of UK soldiers 'try to sell on stolen goods'

Any historian determined to write a comprehensive account of the life and times of Ethiopia - and those who have lived there - will have to go back a long, long time.  https://ift.tt/3mw5t2R

Maskless Pope urges faithful to look 'beyond the decorations' as he celebrates Christmas Eve Mass

A maskless Pope Francis has urged people to look "beyond all the lights and decorations" this festive season. https://ift.tt/3yYzVr2

Christmas holiday plans abandoned as European nations impose new COVID rules on UK arrivals

Christmas holiday plans are being abandoned as European nations impose new, tougher restrictions on visitors from the United Kingdom. https://ift.tt/3Hbd0Mo

At least 37 people killed and 72 injured in Bangladesh ferry fire

A fire on-board a ferry has killed at least 37 people and injured 72 in Bangladesh, officials have said. https://ift.tt/3eC3y8B

Japan won't send government delegation to Beijing Olympics amid human rights concerns

Japan will not send a delegation of ministers to next year's Beijing Olympics following a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Games to protest human rights conditions in China. https://ift.tt/3EtjqEC

The top films and TV shows of 2021 - from Succession to Squid Game and Promising Young Woman to No Time To Die

Another year of restrictions, lockdowns and limited live entertainment meant more heavy reliance on screens, and TV and film certainly delivered - despite productions having to adhere to new COVID protocols in order to keep cast and crews safe. https://ift.tt/3EClyu5

Ireland's president commends courage in pandemic in Christmas message and urges commitment on climate

Ireland's president has commended the "courage, resilience, patience and deep commitment to others" in response to the global pandemic. https://ift.tt/3FpVQtH

Vladimir Putin reinforces notion of 'Fortress Russia' as he takes aim at NATO

"We are not threatening anyone!" https://ift.tt/3HcRUx9

TV you can taste - professor develops lickable TV prototype

An invention by a Japanese professor could take us one step closer to a multi-sensory viewing experience. https://ift.tt/3pk0vYG

China locks down 13 million people after city records 211 COVID cases

China has put 13 million people in the city of Xi'ian into lockdown in a bid to control a spike in coronavirus cases. https://ift.tt/3FnlWO0

Russia doesn't want Ukraine conflict but must receive 'unconditional security' guarantees, Putin says

Russia doesn't want conflict with the Ukraine but Western powers must provide Moscow with "unconditional security" guarantees, President Vladimir Putin says. https://ift.tt/3qnC1wO

'Pillar of Shame' statue marking Tiananmen massacre torn down

A monument at the University of Hong Kong which marks the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has been removed. https://ift.tt/3msjqi8

Former US senator and his wife taken to hospital after fire destroys their $5.5m mansion

A former US senator and his wife have been taken to hospital after their $5.5m mansion was destroyed in a fire. https://ift.tt/33HLh7m

Booster vaccine programmes 'likely to prolong the pandemic', WHO chief warns

The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that "blanket" COVID-19 vaccine booster programmes were "likely to prolong the pandemic". https://ift.tt/3plr3su

Putin threatens 'military-technical response' if West does not stop 'aggressive line' on Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has threatened a "military-technical response" if Western countries continue with what he calls "unfriendly" actions over Ukraine. https://ift.tt/3yMcRvI