The Prime Minister has warned Vladimir Putin that there would be “significant consequences” if Russia invades Ukraine. Boris Johnson spoke to and Mr Putin by telephone on Monday to reinforce the UK’s commitment to Ukraine and tell the president that any destabilising action in the region by Moscow would be a “strategic mistake”. His call
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for coronavirus amid the growing prevalence of the Omicron variant in the country. It is not yet known if the 69-year-old is carrying the Omicron variant, which is believed to make up more than 70% of cases in the nation. He is receiving treatment for mild symptoms,
On the drive into the small town of Mayfield, we’re given no hint of what’s to come. Tornadoes are among the most frightening of weather phenomena but they are also so localised. They are cruelly selective. The edge of the town is unscathed. We even questioned if we were in the right place. But then,
Celebrations and prayers ring out at the Singhu border where farmers and their supporters held a victory march today. It’s been more than a year of protests against three farm laws, led by people from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Not allowed to enter the national capital, they laid siege on some of the border
A father and son have pleaded not guilty to starting a massive California wildfire that destroyed 1,000 homes and forced tens of thousands of people to flee. David Scott Smith, 66, and Travis Shane Smith, 32, are charged with reckless arson over the Caldor fire which started on 14 August. Five people were injured and
Sir Lewis Hamilton has failed in his bid to win a record eighth F1 world title after a last-lap drama in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. After leading for almost all of the race, the 36-year-old British driver was overtaken on the final lap by championship rival Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances. It means Red
Foreign ministers of the world’s most powerful free nations converge on Liverpool this weekend for a meeting likely to be dominated by Russia’s threatening military build-up on the borders of Ukraine. The gathering comes days after Britain’s new head of armed forces issued a stark warning about the risk of war with Russia. Admiral Sir
Omicron coronavirus cases have surged by as much as 400% in some parts of South Africa – although the country’s health ministry has said there is mounting evidence the variant causes milder infection. South Africa reported more than 22,000 new infections on Thursday, a record during the fourth wave but still below the more than
As the world grapples with the challenge posed by the Omicron variant, scientists and residents in South Africa are coming to grips with the real-world impact of this worrying strain. This country has already seen two weeks of mass infection and the experience is generating the sort of anecdotal information and scientific observation that will
Australia, the UK and the United States will pay the price for their “mistaken acts”, after deciding not to send government delegations to February’s Winter Olympics in Beijing, China’s foreign ministry has said. It comes after the countries announced diplomatic boycotts over human rights concerns. However, France on Thursday said it will not be boycotting
A full Russian invasion of Ukraine would be on a scale “not seen in Europe since World War Two”, the new head of the armed forces has warned. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin described as “deeply worrying” an escalating crisis over Ukraine – where a build-up of tens of thousands of Russian troops has raised Western
The man detained in Paris over suspected links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is thought to be a namesake of the wanted suspect, a Saudi diplomatic source has told Sky News. France has 48 hours to verify the identity of the man arrested, with the Saudi Embassy calling it a case of mistaken
US president Joe Biden is anticipated to have the most difficult phone call of his presidency so far when he speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin at 3pm UK time on Tuesday. Mr Biden will warn that if Russia invades Ukraine as is feared, he will bring down the might of US sanctions on Mr
US President Joe Biden has spoken to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European leaders to share growing concerns about Russia’s behaviour towards Ukraine. Mr Biden, Mr Johnson, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Angela Merkel, and Italy’s Mario Draghi all “shared concern about the Russian military build-up on Ukraine’s borders and Russia’s increasingly harsh rhetoric”, the White
Italians face tougher rules from Monday if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19. The ‘Super Green Pass’ will require vaccination, rather than including those who have received a recent negative test result, and it will be needed to attend sports events, concerts, theatres, indoor restaurants, and public events. The normal Green Pass, which can be
Myanmar’s deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi has received a four-year jail sentence as a court delivers the first verdicts in a number of cases which could see her imprisoned for decades. The 76-year-old has been in detention since 1 February when the military seized power in a coup. Ms Suu Kyi has been charged
Belgian police used tear gas and water cannon on protesters in Brussels to disperse crowds demonstrating against new coronavirus restrictions. Thousands gathered to reject new measures introduced by the government on Friday, the third week in a row measures have been tightened, following a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Most of the protesters marched peacefully,
There is a little park in Addis Ababa with a bench and some flowers and a big red wall. It was built on scrap land by the manager of a local hostel, and there is a five-year-old who comes to draw every afternoon. Her name is Kidist, and she sketches on the wall with small
The tallest volcano on the Indonesian island of Java has erupted, killing at least one person and sending huge clouds of ash into the air. TV footage shows Mount Semeru in the Lumajang district of East Java spewing giant clouds of ash at around 7pm local time (12pm UK) on Saturday as villagers run for
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will be investigated after he claimed coronavirus vaccines may increase the chance of contracting AIDS. Brazilian supreme court Justice Alexandre de Moraes instructed the country’s top prosecutor, Augusto Aras, to look into the accusation raised by a pandemic inquiry conducted by Brazil’s Senate. Mr Bolsonaro said in a live broadcast on