By Lucy Williamson BBC Paris correspondent In an open space near Châtelet in central Paris, lanky young men – their knees and elbows folded around BMX bikes – dodge skateboarders out practising their moves. For some of them, France’s regional elections this month are their first ever opportunity to vote. But when polls opened for […]
A tornado has swept through several villages in the Czech Republic, killing five people and leaving more than 150 others injured. Thursday night’s storm blew the roofs off buildings in the south-eastern Breclav and Hodonin districts, uprooting trees and overturning cars. Winds of at least 219km/h (136 mph) were recorded and the worst-hit areas were […]
Pope Francis has put French statesman Robert Schuman, one of the founders of modern Europe, on the path to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican said the Pope approved a decree recognising Schuman’s “heroic virtues”, an early stage of the long process that can lead to canonisation. One miracle would have to be […]
By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online Coronavirus pandemic UK coronavirus infections have risen slightly in the last week, with an estimated 119,000 people – up from 110,000 – now positive for the virus. The Office for National Statistics figures, up to 12 June, suggest one in every 540 people is infected. The more infectious […]
Coronavirus pandemic The EU has lost a legal battle in Brussels to force Anglo-Swedish drug maker AstraZeneca to supply 120m doses of Covid-19 vaccine by the end of June. It went to court last month after the company delayed shipment of the vital vaccines, having originally committed to supply 300m doses by the same […]
Italy’s public broadcaster Rai has faced strong criticism for airing leaked CCTV footage of a fatal cable car crash that killed 14 people. The cabin is seen nearing its final stop before suddenly rearing up, then speeding back down the mountain and crashing to the ground. The prosecutor in the case spoke of “the absolute […]
US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are meeting for their first, highly-anticipated summit. The talks in Geneva, Switzerland, come at a time when both sides describe relations as being at rock bottom. Discussions are set to include arms control and US allegations of Russian cyber-attacks. No major breakthroughs are expected but […]
Ryanair Belarus flight diversion The pilot of a flight that was diverted to Belarus, allowing the arrest of an opposition journalist, had been warned that a bomb would detonate if it continued to Lithuania, according to Ryanair’s boss. Michael O’Leary said the pilot tried to seek advice from the airline, but was given false […]
Nato leaders meeting for a summit in Brussels have warned of the military threat posed by China, saying its behaviour is a “systemic challenge”. China, they said, was rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, was “opaque” about its military modernisation and was co-operating militarily with Russia. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg warned China was “coming closer” to […]
Ryanair Belarus flight diversion Authorities in Belarus have paraded the detained opposition blogger Roman Protasevich at a news conference in Minsk, where they gave their version of the Ryanair plane diversion of 23 May. A BBC reporter who was initially at the media briefing says Mr Protasevich, 26, was clearly appearing under duress. An […]
