WORLD

Precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus mean Pope Francis will not recite the traditional Angelus prayer on Saturday before thousands of pilgrims, as in the past, but instead will declaim it from the calm of a Vatican library. The Vatican moved the location for Saturday’s noon-time (1100 GMT) …

The Neverland ranch of the late pop star Michael Jackson has reportedly been sold to a billionaire investor for a quarter of its initial asking price. Ron Burkle, a former friend of Jackson, recently bought the estate in Los Olivos, California, his spokesman said. He paid $22m (£16.2m) for Neverland, the …

EU ambassadors have received a Christmas Day briefing on the post-Brexit trade deal reached with the UK. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier updated them on the agreement, reached after months of fraught talks on fishing rights and business rules. MPs will vote on the deal in Parliament on 30 December, …

Pope Francis has called on world leaders to ensure unfettered access to coronavirus vaccines for everyone. In a Christmas Day address delivered online for the first time, the pontiff warned against putting up “walls” to treatments. The pandemic meant this year the annual Urbi et Orbi message was not presented …

One of the many slaves to have left the shores of Ghana did so in the year 1730. At age four, the story of his life began, not on a good note, but little did he know it will lead to something great. Anton Wilhelm Amo was his name, born …

Former United States President, Barack Obama, on Saturday, shared a list of his favourite music of 2020. The list, which was shared on Twitter, according to Mr Obama, was compiled with “valuable consultation from our family music guru, Sasha” who seems to have a considerable influence on her famous father’s …

Italy has ordered a nationwide lockdown over much of the Christmas and New Year period in an effort to combat a rise in coronavirus cases. The country will be under “red-zone” restrictions over the public holidays, with non-essential shops, restaurants and bars closed, and Italians only allowed to travel for …

France’s President, Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19, the Elysee Palace said in a press release on Thursday December 17.   “The President of the Republic has been diagnosed positive for Covid-19 today,” the statement read.   It said the president was diagnosed after he was tested “at the …

Germany has entered a hard lockdown, closing schools and non-essential businesses in an attempt to stop a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections. The measures will be in place until 10 January. Christmas will see a slight easing, with one household allowed to host up to four close family members. The …

A top member of US President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has congratulated Joe Biden on winning the presidential election last month. Senator McConnell spoke after the electoral college formally confirmed Mr Biden’s victory over Mr Trump. The Democrat won 306 electoral college votes to Mr …