Spain has declared a national state of emergency and imposed a night-time curfew in an effort to help control a new spike in Covid-19 infections.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the curfew, between the hours of 23:00 and 06:00, would come into force on Sunday. Under the emergency measures, local authorities can also ban travel between regions, he said.Mr Sánchez said he would ask parliament to approve an extension of the new rules from 15 days to six months.Spain was hit hard during the first wave of the pandemic earlier this year and imposed a much more restrictive lockdown - one of the...…Spain has declared a national state of emergency and imposed a night-time curfew in an effort to help control a new spike in Covid-19 infections.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the curfew, between the hours of 23:00 and 06:00, would come into force on Sunday. Under the emergency measures, local authorities can also ban travel between regions, he said.Mr Sánchez said he would ask parliament to approve an extension of the new rules from 15 days to six months.Spain was hit hard during the first wave of the pandemic earlier this year and imposed a much more restrictive lockdown - one of the...WW…

The two-week quarantine period for contacts of those who test positive for Covid-19 could be cut to 10 or seven days, amid criticism of Test and Trace.Writing in the Telegraph, Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said a was affecting compliance.Tests could be offered to people after a week of isolation, the paper said.Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told the BBC the government would be "led by the science" on the issue.And Prof Sir Ian Diamond, a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), added there was "work going on" to look at the length of...…The two-week quarantine period for contacts of those who test positive for Covid-19 could be cut to 10 or seven days, amid criticism of Test and Trace.Writing in the Telegraph, Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said a was affecting compliance.Tests could be offered to people after a week of isolation, the paper said.Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told the BBC the government would be "led by the science" on the issue.And Prof Sir Ian Diamond, a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), added there was "work going on" to look at the length of...WW…

Police are dealing with an "ongoing incident" on board an oil tanker situated off the Isle of Wight.The crude oil tanker, the Liberian-registered Nave Andromeda, is thought to have stowaways on board and was due to dock in Southampton earlier. Lawyers Tatham and Co, representing the vessel's owners, said the incident was "100% not a hijacking" despite reports.Hampshire Constabulary said the vessel was currently situated south of the Isle of Wight.The owners' lawyers said it had been known for a while there were stowaways were on board.The Maritime Coastguard Agency said it was assisting...…Police are dealing with an "ongoing incident" on board an oil tanker situated off the Isle of Wight.The crude oil tanker, the Liberian-registered Nave Andromeda, is thought to have stowaways on board and was due to dock in Southampton earlier. Lawyers Tatham and Co, representing the vessel's owners, said the incident was "100% not a hijacking" despite reports.Hampshire Constabulary said the vessel was currently situated south of the Isle of Wight.The owners' lawyers said it had been known for a while there were stowaways were on board.The Maritime Coastguard Agency said it was assisting...WW…

With the worst infection rate in western Europe, Belgium’s government has warned that parts of the country could soon see a “tsunami of cases” with the virus spreading uncontrollably. Brussels and Wallonia are at the epicentre of this second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic.Europe Correspondent Gavin Lee reports from Liege.Video produced by Bruno Boelpaep and Xavier VanpevenaegePublishedSectionSubsection…With the worst infection rate in western Europe, Belgium’s government has warned that parts of the country could soon see a “tsunami of cases” with the virus spreading uncontrollably. Brussels and Wallonia are at the epicentre of this second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic.Europe Correspondent Gavin Lee reports from Liege.Video produced by Bruno Boelpaep and Xavier VanpevenaegePublishedSectionSubsectionWW…

Ninety per cent of women whose unborn babies are diagnosed with Down's syndrome choose to have an abortion, which is legal right up until birth. But campaigners say expectant parents are routinely given outdated advice and encouraged to have a termination. We hear from three mothers who want the system to change.Jaxon Buckmaster is, in many ways, a typical six-year-old boy. He loves swimming, cars, dinosaurs, Mickey Mouse and performing on stage with his musical theatre group.The youngest of five children, he is described as "a little comedian" with a "really cheeky" sense of humour.Jaxon...…Ninety per cent of women whose unborn babies are diagnosed with Down's syndrome choose to have an abortion, which is legal right up until birth. But campaigners say expectant parents are routinely given outdated advice and encouraged to have a termination. We hear from three mothers who want the system to change.Jaxon Buckmaster is, in many ways, a typical six-year-old boy. He loves swimming, cars, dinosaurs, Mickey Mouse and performing on stage with his musical theatre group.The youngest of five children, he is described as "a little comedian" with a "really cheeky" sense of humour.Jaxon...WW…

Lee Kun-hee, the chairman of South Korea's largest conglomerate, Samsung Group, has died aged 78.Mr Lee helped to grow his father's small trading business into an economic powerhouse, diversifying into areas like insurance and shipping.During his lifetime, Samsung Electronics also became one of the world's biggest tech firms.He was the richest person in South Korea, according to Forbes, with a net worth of nearly $21bn (£16bn).Samsung said Mr Lee died on Sunday with family by his side, but did not state the exact cause of death. A heart attack in 2014 had left him living in care."All of us...…Lee Kun-hee, the chairman of South Korea's largest conglomerate, Samsung Group, has died aged 78.Mr Lee helped to grow his father's small trading business into an economic powerhouse, diversifying into areas like insurance and shipping.During his lifetime, Samsung Electronics also became one of the world's biggest tech firms.He was the richest person in South Korea, according to Forbes, with a net worth of nearly $21bn (£16bn).Samsung said Mr Lee died on Sunday with family by his side, but did not state the exact cause of death. A heart attack in 2014 had left him living in care."All of us...WW…

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. Please let us know if you agree to all of these cookies.AcceptRejectGunmen have stormed a private school in a restive area of Cameroon killing at least six children and wounding a dozen others, officials say.Officials in the south-western city of Kumba blamed Anglophone secessionists for the attack. This has not been independently confirmed.A local education official said the victims were aged between 12 and 14.Parts of Cameroon have been gripped by unrest since Anglophone groups stepped up their push for independence in 2016.Some...…We use cookies to give you the best online experience. Please let us know if you agree to all of these cookies.AcceptRejectGunmen have stormed a private school in a restive area of Cameroon killing at least six children and wounding a dozen others, officials say.Officials in the south-western city of Kumba blamed Anglophone secessionists for the attack. This has not been independently confirmed.A local education official said the victims were aged between 12 and 14.Parts of Cameroon have been gripped by unrest since Anglophone groups stepped up their push for independence in 2016.Some...WW…

People who are told to go into isolation in an alert from the NHS Covid-19 app in England and Wales will not be eligible for government support. Anyone on low income who is instructed to self-isolate in a phone call from NHS Test and Trace can claim a £500 payment from their local authority.Now the Department of Health has said the payments will not be available to app users, as reported by Sky News.However, the government is exploring ways of changing that.A spokesperson said: "The NHS Covid-19 app is voluntary with users of it remaining anonymous, which means that currently people are not...…People who are told to go into isolation in an alert from the NHS Covid-19 app in England and Wales will not be eligible for government support. Anyone on low income who is instructed to self-isolate in a phone call from NHS Test and Trace can claim a £500 payment from their local authority.Now the Department of Health has said the payments will not be available to app users, as reported by Sky News.However, the government is exploring ways of changing that.A spokesperson said: "The NHS Covid-19 app is voluntary with users of it remaining anonymous, which means that currently people are not...WW…

looking at whether it can be used to fight Covid-19.Fourteen new donation centres are opening in England over the next few months including in places such as Lancaster and Leeds.But what is plasma in the blood? How could blood plasma donations be used to treat people who are seriously ill with coronavirus?BBC health correspondent explainsVideo by Mattea Bubalo, Laura Foster and Terry Saunders.PublishedSectionSubsection…looking at whether it can be used to fight Covid-19.Fourteen new donation centres are opening in England over the next few months including in places such as Lancaster and Leeds.But what is plasma in the blood? How could blood plasma donations be used to treat people who are seriously ill with coronavirus?BBC health correspondent explainsVideo by Mattea Bubalo, Laura Foster and Terry Saunders.PublishedSectionSubsectionWW…

Videos of a potential war crime have emerged as fighting rages around the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians.One video posted on a messaging app shows what appears to be two Armenians in military uniforms being captured by troops from Azerbaijan.A second video seemingly shows the same Armenians being shot with their hands behind their backs. Armenian authorities have identified the men as Benik Hakobyan, 73, and 25-year-old Yuri Adamyan. Azerbaijan has dismissed the videos as fake.Europe's top human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, has said...…Videos of a potential war crime have emerged as fighting rages around the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians.One video posted on a messaging app shows what appears to be two Armenians in military uniforms being captured by troops from Azerbaijan.A second video seemingly shows the same Armenians being shot with their hands behind their backs. Armenian authorities have identified the men as Benik Hakobyan, 73, and 25-year-old Yuri Adamyan. Azerbaijan has dismissed the videos as fake.Europe's top human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, has said...WW…

US coronavirus cases have hit a record daily high as states grapple with a renewed wave of infections.Citing data from local state health authorities, the Covid Tracking Project reported 83,010 new cases on Friday.US Surgeon General Jerome Adams has warned that hospital admission numbers are growing, but mortality rates are falling due to better patient care.It comes as pharma giants AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson resume US vaccine trials after approval from regulators.The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned that countries in the Northern Hemisphere are at a "critical...…US coronavirus cases have hit a record daily high as states grapple with a renewed wave of infections.Citing data from local state health authorities, the Covid Tracking Project reported 83,010 new cases on Friday.US Surgeon General Jerome Adams has warned that hospital admission numbers are growing, but mortality rates are falling due to better patient care.It comes as pharma giants AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson resume US vaccine trials after approval from regulators.The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned that countries in the Northern Hemisphere are at a "critical...WW…

The president of the United States is not just the leader of his country, he is probably the most powerful person on Earth. What he does changes life for all of us. Donald Trump is no exception. So how exactly has Mr Trump changed the world?President Trump has repeatedly declared the US "the greatest country in the world". But according to by the Pew Research Center, he hasn't done much for its image overseas.In many European countries, the percentage of the public with a positive view of America is at its lowest for almost 20 years. In the UK, 41% had a favourable opinion, while in France...…The president of the United States is not just the leader of his country, he is probably the most powerful person on Earth. What he does changes life for all of us. Donald Trump is no exception. So how exactly has Mr Trump changed the world?President Trump has repeatedly declared the US "the greatest country in the world". But according to by the Pew Research Center, he hasn't done much for its image overseas.In many European countries, the percentage of the public with a positive view of America is at its lowest for almost 20 years. In the UK, 41% had a favourable opinion, while in France...WW…

A dated line drawing of two children stealing cookies behind their mother's back is being used by an artificial intelligence system to detect the onset of Alzheimer's disease.The system uses voice samples of people describing the scene to predict whether healthy people may get the disease.It could predict onset seven years earlier than human doctors with 70% accuracy.The UK's Alzheimer's Society said the research was encouraging.Fiona Carragher, director of Research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Getting a dementia diagnosis in good time is critical to living well with the condition....…A dated line drawing of two children stealing cookies behind their mother's back is being used by an artificial intelligence system to detect the onset of Alzheimer's disease.The system uses voice samples of people describing the scene to predict whether healthy people may get the disease.It could predict onset seven years earlier than human doctors with 70% accuracy.The UK's Alzheimer's Society said the research was encouraging.Fiona Carragher, director of Research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Getting a dementia diagnosis in good time is critical to living well with the condition....WW…

Ninety wastewater treatment sites in England, Wales and Scotland will start testing more sewage for coronavirus.The aim is to create an early warning system to detect local outbreaks before they spread. Scientists established earlier this year that fragments of the virus's genetic material could be identified in human waste.A successful trial in Plymouth has detected a cluster of infections in the local area.And scientists in Scotland have found evidence of the virus in waste water samples from most of its health board areas. The results are consistent with areas where there are confirmed...…Ninety wastewater treatment sites in England, Wales and Scotland will start testing more sewage for coronavirus.The aim is to create an early warning system to detect local outbreaks before they spread. Scientists established earlier this year that fragments of the virus's genetic material could be identified in human waste.A successful trial in Plymouth has detected a cluster of infections in the local area.And scientists in Scotland have found evidence of the virus in waste water samples from most of its health board areas. The results are consistent with areas where there are confirmed...WW…

Wales has entered a national 17-day lockdown in an effort to slow the rise of Covid cases and hospital admissions. to people's lives came into force at 18:00 BST on Friday.People can leave home for limited reasons including to buy food and medication, provide care, exercise or to work if they cannot do so from home.All but essential businesses have closed with economists warning the measures may cost the Welsh economy more than £500m.The Welsh Government said any delay would have caused greater harm.But opposition parties have called for clarity on what happens at the end of the period.The...…Wales has entered a national 17-day lockdown in an effort to slow the rise of Covid cases and hospital admissions. to people's lives came into force at 18:00 BST on Friday.People can leave home for limited reasons including to buy food and medication, provide care, exercise or to work if they cannot do so from home.All but essential businesses have closed with economists warning the measures may cost the Welsh economy more than £500m.The Welsh Government said any delay would have caused greater harm.But opposition parties have called for clarity on what happens at the end of the period.The...WW…

Sudan is to normalise relations with Israel - the latest in a series of Arab League countries to do so.At the same time, US President Donald Trump has removed Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, unblocking economic aid and investment.Announcing the normalisation, Mr Trump said "at least five more" Arab states wanted a peace deal with Israel.The Sudan deal comes weeks after similar moves by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.The two Gulf states became the first in the Middle East to recognise Israel in 26 years.Sudan and Israel said in a three-way statement with the US...…Sudan is to normalise relations with Israel - the latest in a series of Arab League countries to do so.At the same time, US President Donald Trump has removed Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, unblocking economic aid and investment.Announcing the normalisation, Mr Trump said "at least five more" Arab states wanted a peace deal with Israel.The Sudan deal comes weeks after similar moves by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.The two Gulf states became the first in the Middle East to recognise Israel in 26 years.Sudan and Israel said in a three-way statement with the US...WW…

Two in five children aged 11 to 16 feel the coronavirus lockdown has made their lives worse, an NHS report on mental health suggests.They said their biggest anxieties were about missing school and family and friends contracting Covid-19.Mental disorders have risen in boys and girls since 2017 and now affect 16% of children, a large survey suggests.The children's commissioner for England said the increase was "extremely alarming".Anne Longfield said a properly-funded children's mental health service was needed and every school should have its own NHS-funded counsellor.Mental health charities...…Two in five children aged 11 to 16 feel the coronavirus lockdown has made their lives worse, an NHS report on mental health suggests.They said their biggest anxieties were about missing school and family and friends contracting Covid-19.Mental disorders have risen in boys and girls since 2017 and now affect 16% of children, a large survey suggests.The children's commissioner for England said the increase was "extremely alarming".Anne Longfield said a properly-funded children's mental health service was needed and every school should have its own NHS-funded counsellor.Mental health charities...WW…

Contaminated water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant contains a radioactive substance that has the potential to damage human DNA, a report by Greenpeace says.The claim from the environmental campaign group follows media reports suggesting the government plans to release the water into the ocean.Many scientists say the risk is low but some environmentalists oppose the idea. The government has not yet responded to the Greenpeace report.For years Japan has debated over what to do with the more than a million tonnes of water used to cool the power station, which went into meltdown in 2011...…Contaminated water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant contains a radioactive substance that has the potential to damage human DNA, a report by Greenpeace says.The claim from the environmental campaign group follows media reports suggesting the government plans to release the water into the ocean.Many scientists say the risk is low but some environmentalists oppose the idea. The government has not yet responded to the Greenpeace report.For years Japan has debated over what to do with the more than a million tonnes of water used to cool the power station, which went into meltdown in 2011...WW…

A scientist advising the government on ethnicity and Covid says "structural racism is not a reasonable explanation" for black and south Asian people's greater risk of illness and death.An earlier report by Public Health England said may contribute to the unequal death toll.Dr Raghib Ali suggested it was time to stop using ethnicity when deciding who needed help.He said focusing on factors like jobs and housing would help more people.The newly appointed expert adviser said this approach would help prevent everyone at risk - including poorer white groups living in crowded housing - from...…A scientist advising the government on ethnicity and Covid says "structural racism is not a reasonable explanation" for black and south Asian people's greater risk of illness and death.An earlier report by Public Health England said may contribute to the unequal death toll.Dr Raghib Ali suggested it was time to stop using ethnicity when deciding who needed help.He said focusing on factors like jobs and housing would help more people.The newly appointed expert adviser said this approach would help prevent everyone at risk - including poorer white groups living in crowded housing - from...WW…

US regulators have given full approval for the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat Covid-19 patients in hospitals.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Veklury, the drug's brand name, cut the recovery time on average by five days during clinical trials."Veklury is the first treatment for Covid-19 to receive FDA approval," The World Health Organization (WHO) said last week .The WHO said this was based on its own study - but the drug's manufacturer Gilead rejected the findings of the trial.Remdesivir had been authorised for emergency use only in the US since May.In the US it will cost...…US regulators have given full approval for the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat Covid-19 patients in hospitals.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Veklury, the drug's brand name, cut the recovery time on average by five days during clinical trials."Veklury is the first treatment for Covid-19 to receive FDA approval," The World Health Organization (WHO) said last week .The WHO said this was based on its own study - but the drug's manufacturer Gilead rejected the findings of the trial.Remdesivir had been authorised for emergency use only in the US since May.In the US it will cost...WW…

A simple virus has brought life as we know it to a screeching halt.We have faced viral threats before, including pandemics, yet the world does not shut down for every new infection or flu season. So what is it about this coronavirus? What are the quirks of its biology that pose a unique threat to our bodies and our lives?In the early stages of an infection the virus is able to deceive the body. Coronavirus can be running rampant in our lungs and airways and yet our immune system thinks everything is a-ok."This virus is brilliant, it allows you to have a viral factory in your nose and feel...…A simple virus has brought life as we know it to a screeching halt.We have faced viral threats before, including pandemics, yet the world does not shut down for every new infection or flu season. So what is it about this coronavirus? What are the quirks of its biology that pose a unique threat to our bodies and our lives?In the early stages of an infection the virus is able to deceive the body. Coronavirus can be running rampant in our lungs and airways and yet our immune system thinks everything is a-ok."This virus is brilliant, it allows you to have a viral factory in your nose and feel...WW…

In between news and views from the campaign trail - we focused on "What the world wants from America"We had special global coverage looking at how things have changed under Trump, and how people see the futureUS President Donald Trump headed to the battleground state of Pennsylvania laterMelania pulled out of her first public appearance since her Covid bout, due to a "lingering cough"Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden will have their microphones muted for part of their final pre-election debate on ThursdayWe're pausing our US election live coverage for the day, now just two weeks from...…In between news and views from the campaign trail - we focused on "What the world wants from America"We had special global coverage looking at how things have changed under Trump, and how people see the futureUS President Donald Trump headed to the battleground state of Pennsylvania laterMelania pulled out of her first public appearance since her Covid bout, due to a "lingering cough"Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden will have their microphones muted for part of their final pre-election debate on ThursdayWe're pausing our US election live coverage for the day, now just two weeks from...WW…

An excerpt of a Hitler speech, calls for "Aryans" to make a brand new start and references to white power have all been found in songs on major music streaming services. Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and Deezer have now removed racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic content from their services, following a BBC investigation.Many of the examples we found on the platforms were linked to white supremacy.It comes three years after Spotify tried to crackdown on and updated its .Spotify said the content flagged by the BBC clearly violated that policy. YouTube said there was no place for hate...…An excerpt of a Hitler speech, calls for "Aryans" to make a brand new start and references to white power have all been found in songs on major music streaming services. Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and Deezer have now removed racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic content from their services, following a BBC investigation.Many of the examples we found on the platforms were linked to white supremacy.It comes three years after Spotify tried to crackdown on and updated its .Spotify said the content flagged by the BBC clearly violated that policy. YouTube said there was no place for hate...WW…

North Korea has warned its citizens to stay indoors over fears that "yellow dust" which blows in from China could bring coronavirus with it.The streets of the capital Pyongyang were reported to be virtually empty on Thursday following the warning.The secretive state claims to be coronavirus-free but has been on high alert since January with strict border closures and restrictions on movement.There is no known link between the seasonal dust clouds and Covid-19.However, they are not the only country to suggest a link. The BBC's Disinformation Team notes Turkmenistan also alleged virus-laden...…North Korea has warned its citizens to stay indoors over fears that "yellow dust" which blows in from China could bring coronavirus with it.The streets of the capital Pyongyang were reported to be virtually empty on Thursday following the warning.The secretive state claims to be coronavirus-free but has been on high alert since January with strict border closures and restrictions on movement.There is no known link between the seasonal dust clouds and Covid-19.However, they are not the only country to suggest a link. The BBC's Disinformation Team notes Turkmenistan also alleged virus-laden...WW…

Cancer patients are being targeted by a rogue website selling wigs which do not match the ones pictured in its adverts. Urhair.co.uk includes photographs of child models in wigs which it says are suitable for those "undergoing chemotherapy or other forms of medically related hair loss". Customers who have complained about the quality of the wigs they received say they have been refused refunds. The website has failed to respond to requests for comment from the BBC. Ellen is 16 and recovering from an aggressive form of blood cancer. She started wearing wigs after chemotherapy caused her hair...…Cancer patients are being targeted by a rogue website selling wigs which do not match the ones pictured in its adverts. Urhair.co.uk includes photographs of child models in wigs which it says are suitable for those "undergoing chemotherapy or other forms of medically related hair loss". Customers who have complained about the quality of the wigs they received say they have been refused refunds. The website has failed to respond to requests for comment from the BBC. Ellen is 16 and recovering from an aggressive form of blood cancer. She started wearing wigs after chemotherapy caused her hair...WW…