The breadth and depth of human suffering in the Ethiopian region of Tigray is perfectly clear to humanitarian workers, human rights groups and the international diplomatic community. After four months of warfare between Ethiopia’s national defence force and fighters from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), observers are collecting a worrying selection of data. More
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Germany is suspending use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in order to investigate reports of blood clots. The country’s Health Ministry said the measure was a “precaution”. Germany is the latest European country to suspend use of the coronavirus vaccine amid concerns over possible links to the clots. Live COVID updates from the UK and
After a decade of war, you might expect every city in Syria to be in ruins, and many are. Aleppo, Idlib, Homs, Raqqa, the places which have become synonymous with the horror of this past 10 years, are all in pieces. But while the disintegration of a country at war begins with the deaths and
Ireland should temporarily halt its use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab after some reports of blood clots in vaccinated people, health authorities say. The call came after a review from the Norwegian Medicines Agency showed four new cases of “serious blood clotting in adults” had occurred after the jab. Ireland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan
The Metropolitan Police has launched a preliminary investigation into Asma al Assad, Sky News understands. The British-born wife of Syrian President Bashar al Assad is accused of supporting and encouraging terrorism. If charged, the Met could seek her extradition. Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers accuses her of being among a number of “influential actors” who
A homemade submarine capable of smuggling up to 2,000kg of drugs has been seized by police in Spain. Investigators discovered the 9m (30ft) narco craft while it was being built in Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, during an international drug operation. The light blue semi-submersible vessel, which is 3m (10ft) wide, is made of
Italy is set to impose another national lockdown over the Easter weekend to combat growing numbers of coronavirus cases. It will see non-essential shops closed from 3 April to 5 April, with people only allowed to leave their homes for work, health or emergency reasons, according to a draft government decree seen by Reuters news
Gunmen have attacked a school in northwestern Nigeria and snatched at least 30 students in the latest of a string of such kidnaps. The abduction happened at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization on the outskirts of Kaduna, nearly 400 miles from the capital Lagos. The gang struck at around 11.30pm on Thursday, according to
The family of a man who was fatally run over by a bulldozer that the police were using to chase him have been given $475,000 (£340,000) in compensation. Gregory Longenecker, 51, was being pursued by officers after he was caught growing 10 marijuana plants in Pennsylvania. The pursuit took place on public land, with Pennsylvania
The European Medicines Agency has launched an investigation into the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab after reports of blood clots in vaccinated people. At present there is no firm evidence to suggest the two are linked and incidents of clotting have not been reported in the UK. The Danish Health and Medicines Authority has suspended the use of the
The UK has seen a steep drop in COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions and deaths – but the picture in much of the rest of Europe is very different. Sky News analysis has found cases are rising in three-quarters of European countries, with the highest increases happening in central and eastern Europe. Only nine of the
As much of the world desperately seeks COVID vaccines, there is evidence in France that millions of people are reluctant to have a jab. The most recent polls suggest around half of the adult population may refuse a vaccination – leading health professionals to worry about public safety long term. Vaccine scepticism is high in
Myanmar has recalled its ambassador in Britain after he called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the civilian leader detained when the country’s military seized power last month. Kyaw Swar Min had released the statement on his own accord, state-run TV news channel MRTV said. “Since he did not conduct himself in accordance
A French schoolgirl has admitted to lying about a teacher before he was beheaded in an Islamist terror attack last year. Samuel Paty, 47, was killed after showing images of the Prophet Muhammad to his class during a lesson on free speech last October. On Sunday, French newspaper Le Parisien revealed that the girl, known
The Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine was able to combat the Brazil variant of COVID-19, it has been revealed. Scientists tested the blood of people who had received the jab and found it fared well against a laboratory made version of the virus similar to the one first discovered in Brazil. The research, published in the New
A nun in Myanmar told junta forces “you’ll have to come through me” – moments before they opened fire on protesters. At least two people were confirmed dead in the city of Myitkyina on Monday following clashes with security forces. Sister Ann Roza Nu Tawng previously said she was prepared to die to save others