Coronavirus pandemic Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin has apologised for going clubbing after coming into close contact with a Covid-19 case. Sanna Marin went on a night out in Helsinki on Saturday, hours after her foreign minister had tested positive. She was initially told she did not need to isolate because she had been fully […]
Ukraine conflict The US says it is preparing “strong economic and other measures” over fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, after Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin spoke. In a video call, President Biden voiced worries over Russian troop build-ups near the border with Ukraine and called for a de-escalation of tensions. Russia says it […]
Ukraine conflict US President Joe Biden has held rare talks by video link with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, amid tensions on Ukraine’s eastern frontier. Few expected a breakthrough, but Moscow said talks were needed as tensions in Europe are “off the scale”. Russia has moved thousands of troops to the border, but insists […]
Killing of Jamal Khashoggi A Saudi man suspected of involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been arrested in France, police say. Khaled Aedh Alotaibi was arrested at Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Paris on Tuesday, a police source told the BBC. He is one of 26 Saudis wanted by Turkey over the journalist’s […]
Coronavirus pandemic Almost 70 medics who attended a large Christmas party in southern Spain have since tested positive for Covid-19, authorities say. Most of the 68 infected are doctors and nurses working in the intensive care unit at Málaga’s regional hospital. Health authorities said they were all at a party attended by about 170 […]
A climber who stumbled upon a treasure trove of emeralds, rubies and sapphires that had been buried for decades on France’s Mont Blanc has now been given half of the gems he found in a box. The climber, who has not been named, discovered the precious gems in 2013. It is believed that the box […]
Ukraine conflict US President Joe Biden and Russia’s Vladimir Putin will speak via video call on Tuesday, the White House says, amid mounting tensions over Ukraine. It comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US had evidence that Russia had made plans for a “large scale” attack on Ukraine. But he added it […]
Europe migrant crisis The Pope has denounced “narrow self-interest and nationalism” over the way European countries treats migrants. Speaking on the Greek island of Lesbos, Pope Francis called the neglect of migrants the “shipwreck of civilisation”. The Pope first visited Lesbos in 2016, when it was a major entry point for people trying to reach […]
Coronavirus pandemic European Union countries should consider mandatory vaccination to combat Covid and the Omicron variant, the head of its Commission has said. Ursula von der Leyen said vaccines would be crucial in the fight against the “highly contagious” new variant. Some two dozen countries have reported cases of Omicron, and the EU has […]
By Jessica Parker BBC Brussels correspondent The EU is to reveal details of a global investment plan that’s widely seen as a rival to China’s Belt and Road initiative. Insiders say it’ll set out “concrete” ideas on digital, transport, climate and energy schemes. It’s regarded as part of the West’s efforts to counter Chinese influence […]
