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.

Big Ben to bong for New Year as Britons warned off parties

People planning to celebrate the end of 2020 have been warned to avoid parties because "COVID loves a crowd" amid warnings of extra policing to stop mass gatherings.

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.

Further 20 million now under tougher Tier 4 restrictions as rules extended

A further 20 million people are under tighter restrictions after the government announced an extension of Tier 4 rules in England in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

COVID-19 variant discovered in UK reaches California

The new highly infectious variant of COVID-19 first discovered in the UK has now been detected in southern California, according to the state's governor.

Arise Sir Lewis! F1 legend Hamilton knighted in New Year’s honours list

Seven-time Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton has been given a knighthood in the New Year honours list.

PM ends the year with a promise of hope – but has he been over-optimistic?

At the end of 2020 Boris Johnson has finally conceded that he does indeed err on the side of optimism - over-optimism - when appearing in public, because he says he wants to be...

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

Ireland "must return to full-scale Level 5 restrictions for a least one month", the prime minister Micheal Martin has said.