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26.12.2020 / 23:53

From the lab to the jab: The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine

It was over breakfast on the wintry morning of 24 January that Ozlem Tureci and her husband Ugur Sahin decided, "we need to fire the starting gun on this".

Ugur Sahin city Wuhan Germany World Coronavirus

Covid-19: 1,296 more cases, six further deaths

The Department of Health was notified of 1,296 new cases of Covid-19 today.

Tony Holohan Ireland Coronavirus

Business 2020: Empty skies as Covid-19 grounds aviation's growth ambitions

As 2020 draws to a close, RTÉ News takes a look at seven ways in which the Irish and global economy was changed fundamentally this year.

Aer Lingus Britain Ireland Eu business RyanAir Coronavirus growth

Covid-19 vaccine deliveries begin across Europe

The rollout of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 across Europe is under way following approval on Monday by the European Medicines Agency.

Spain Belgium vaccine Coronavirus

Millions of Americans lose job aid as Trump refuses to sign bill

Millions of Americans saw their jobless benefits expire today after President Donald Trump refused to sign into law a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package, protesting that it did not do enough to help everyday people.

Donald Trump Usa World

Northern Ireland enters extended lockdown as cases remain high

All non essential retail has closed as part of a new six-week coronavirus lockdown in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Ireland Coronavirus

Ireland to receive first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

The first delivery of almost 10,000 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is due to arrive in Ireland today.

Tony Holohan Paul Reid Britain Ireland Coronavirus

France confirms first case of British virus variant

France has confirmed the first case of a new coronavirus variant that recently emerged in Britain, its health ministry said.

Britain France city London World Coronavirus

Pope calls for nations to share Covid-19 vaccines

Pope Francis has called in his Christmas message for nations to share Covid-19 vaccines, saying walls of nationalism could not be built to stop a pandemic that knows no borders.

Vatican World Coronavirus

Don't squander sacrifices of 2020: WHO chief

Millions of people around the world are celebrating Christmas under coronavirus restrictions impacting a holiday typically marked by travel and large gatherings.

Adhanom Ghebreyesus World Coronavirus

Thousands of lorry drivers still stranded in Dover

Thousands of international lorry drivers look set to spend Christmas Day cooped up in their cabs at the English Channel border as slow progress was made to return hauliers home to their loved ones.

Grant Shapps Christmas Eve Britain France county Kent city Dover World UK Coronavirus

People urged to limit social contacts over Christmas

The Chief Medical Officer has renewed his appeal for people to limit their contacts as much as possible over Christmas.

Tony Holohan Ireland Eu Coronavirus

US to require negative Covid-19 tests for all UK passengers

The United States will require all airline passengers arriving from the UK to test negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours of departure starting on Monday amid concerns about a new coronavirus variant that may be more transmissible.

Usa Britain World US Coronavirus

Parts of UK report sharp rise in positive Covid-19 tests

Positive cases of Covid-19 are increasing sharply in parts of the UK, with around one in 60 people now testing positive in Wales and one in 85 in England, figures suggest.

Britain World UK Coronavirus

1,000s of lorry drivers set to spend Christmas stranded on UK roads

Thousands of lorry drivers are likely to spend Christmas stranded in Kent as the UK government has indicated queues will not start to move for at least another 24 hours.

Grant Shapps Britain France Eu county Kent UK Coronavirus

Difficult to keep NI schools open if variant Covid-19 becomes dominant

Northern Ireland's chief scientific officer has said it will be very difficult to keep schools open if the new variant of Covid-19 becomes dominant there.

Northern Ireland Ian Young Ireland Coronavirus

Austria ski resorts reopen despite looming third lockdown

Austria allowed its more than 400 ski stations to open, just two days before the country enters its third nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

Austria World Coronavirus

Surge in Covid-19 cases sees millions face further restrictions

Millions of people around the world have been forced to cancel plans or limit festivities under fresh Covid-19 lockdowns.

Germany Australia Vatican World Coronavirus

Unsung heroes: Ireland's volunteers reflect on a remarkable year

Over one million people in Ireland volunteer each year.

Ireland Coronavirus

Businesses to close today as further restrictions come into effect

Some businesses will close from 3pm as further restrictions come into effect in an effort to curb a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Britain Ireland Coronavirus

'Spirit of solidarity' can be guiding light next year - President

President Michael D Higgins has said the spirit of solidarity that has seen the country through this year amid Covid-19 can be our guiding light toward next year, which he said will offer challenges.

Michael D.Higgins Ireland Coronavirus

Covid-19: 938 more cases and 13 further deaths

The Department of Health has confirmed 938 more cases of Covid-19 and 13 further deaths.

Ireland Coronavirus

Prisoners turn down temporary release over virus fears

Far fewer prisoners are to avail of temporary release for Christmas this year, with concern over the risk of contracting Covid-19 whilst in the community among a number of factors for the reduced number.

Justice Helen Macentee Ireland Coronavirus

'I'll wave from the bedroom window' - arrivals from Britain asked to self-isolate for Christmas

Following a decision by the HSE yesterday to upgrade restrictions requirements for those entering Ireland from Britain, anyone who arrived here since 8 December is advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

Colm Henry Rte News Britain Ireland city London testing Coronavirus

Further coronavirus variant identified in UK as new measures announced

Millions more people in England will face escalated Covid-19 lockdown measures from St Stephens Day, as ministers acknowledged mounting concern about the spread of coronavirus.

Matt Hancock Britain South Africa county Norfolk county Suffolk World UK Coronavirus

WATCH: Latest Covid-19 briefing from the HSE

The HSE's Chief Clinical Officer said there had been an extraordinary growth in Covid-19 over the past week - beyond even the worst case predictions - and all disease indicators are deteriorating.

Colm Henry Ireland Coronavirus

HSE asks arrivals from Britain since 11 Dec to spend Christmas alone

The Health Service Executive's Chief Clinical Officer has said the new advice for all arrivals from Britain since 8 December to self-isolate is "painful" but necessary.

Colm Henry Britain Ireland Scotland Coronavirus

36% people whose linked to Covid-19 in NI also had a form of dementia

More than a third of people whose deaths were linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland also had a form of dementia, statistics show.

Ireland Ulster Coronavirus

Czech Republic moving to tough holiday restrictions

The Czech government will close non-essential shops, services and ski lifts and enforce a stricter curfew from Sunday as it seeks to curb another rise in Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations.

Jan Blatny county Will Czech Republic World Coronavirus republic

Sturgeon apology over breach of face mask rule

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has apologised after she breached Covid rules by taking off her face mask at a funeral wake.

Nicola Sturgeon Scotland UK Coronavirus

Unsung Heroes: Ireland's funeral workers say grieving 'changed overnight'

Among the most profound changes to have occurred in 2020 is the way in which we grieve our dead.

Ireland Coronavirus

Mass testing of lorry drivers as French border reopens

A mass testing programme for lorry drivers is to get under way to alleviate congestion at ports after an agreement was reached to reopen the border between France and Britain.

Grant Shapps Britain France county Will business World Coronavirus

New restriction requirements for arrivals from Britain

As the upward trend in Covid-19 cases continues, businesses and families are preparing for the imposition of tighter restrictions from Christmas Eve.

Leo Varadkar Christmas Eve Britain Ireland Scotland Coronavirus

Covid reaches end of the world as Antarctica sees cases

The coronavirus has landed in Antarctica, the last continent free from Covid-19, Chile's military has announced, as health and army officials scrambled to clear out and quarantine staff from a remote research station surrounded by ocean and icebergs.

Chile Antarctica World Coronavirus

Covid-19: 970 new cases and 13 further deaths

The Department of Health has confirmed 970 more cases of Covid-19 and 13 further deaths.

Tony Holohan Ireland city Dublin county Wexford Coronavirus

UK reports record number of new Covid-19 infections

The UK has reported a record number of new Covid-19 infections today as it battles a surge in cases caused by a variant strain of the disease.

Boris Johnson Britain World Europe Infections

Pope adapts Christmas plans as cardinals test positive for virus

Pope Francis will deliver his Christmas Day message indoors due to coronavirus restrictions, the Vatican has said, as two cardinals close to the pontiff tested positive for Covid-19.

Italy county Hall Vatican city Vatican World Pope Francis

O'Neill calls for all-island ban on non-essential travel

Sinn Féin's leader in Northern Ireland has said there should be an all-island ban on non-essential travel to combat the potential spread of the new variant of Coronavirus.

Britain Ireland Coronavirus

Arrangements in place to pay PUP to people who lose their job between now and New Year

The Department of Social Protection has unveiled special arrangements for people who lose their jobs between now and the New Year to claim the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Christmas Eve business Coronavirus

First vaccinations to be administered here on 30 or 31 December

The first Irish vaccinations are to take place before New Years, on either 30 or 31 December.

Micheál Martin Ireland Coronavirus

At a glance: What's in the new restrictions?

As Covid-19 cases continue to surge in Ireland, the Cabinet met this morning to discuss the latest recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

Christmas Eve Ireland Coronavirus

Ryanair to fly 2 repatriation flights from UK today

Ryanair is working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and is providing two repatriation flights from the UK to bring Irish people back home today.

Eddie Wilson Britain Ireland business RyanAir Coronavirus

VFI calls for more support for pubs after new curbs announced

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland has called on the Government to provide a comprehensive new package of supports if the pub industry is to survive until the new Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Christmas Eve Padraig Cribben Ireland business Coronavirus

Britain 'working on resolution' to French freight ban

The British government is working with France in an attempt to find a way to lift border closures that have snarled one of Europe's most important trade routes just days before the Brexit cliff edge.

Priti Patel Britain France business Brexit

Ministers to review 48-hour travel ban from Britain

Government ministers will this morning review the 48-hour travel ban from Britain imposed to safeguard against the appearance of a more contagious form of coronavirus in southeast England.

Britain Ireland politics

US Congress approves $900bn stimulus package

US politicians have approved a $900 billion relief package that will provide a long-sought boost for millions of Americans and businesses hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Donald Trump Mitch Macconnell Usa business World

Unsung heroes: Ireland's supermarket workers reflect on a 'mind-blowing' year

Supermarkets across Ireland saw a surge in grocery sales during the pandemic. As more people cocooned, there was a sharp spike in home deliveries requests.

Ireland Coronavirus

United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

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