During their stay, passengers will have to take two coronavirus tests - but a negative test result does not mean they can shorten their time in quarantine. They will not be able to end it early through the Test to Release scheme either.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said information about exemptions for nurses arriving from the Philippines "who are critical to supporting the NHS during Covid and the recovery" would be set out before Friday.
Travel bans are intended to reduce the risk from new coronavirus variants like the South Africa strain, the Department for Transport (DfT) said. They are based on advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre.
Data has shown that most cases of the South Africa coronavirus variant found in the UK so far have been linked to international travel, with very few having come from Europe, said the DfT.
No direct flight bans from the four countries will be put in place, but passengers are advised to check their travel plans before departing for England.
Which countries are on the red list?
Nearly 40 countries are currently on the UK government's red list of countries from which travel is banned:
Middle East: Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Africa: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Asia: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
The earliest date people from England will be able to travel abroad for a holiday is 17 May, when the government hopes to move to step three of its lockdown exit plan.
Pakistan, Kenya, Bangladesh and the Philippines have been added to England's coronavirus "red list".
The move, which will take effect from 4am on Friday, 9 April, is in response to concerns about new variants of COVID-19, like those first detected in South Africa and Brazil.
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PM's concern for France COVID situation
It means international visitors who have departed from or transited through those nations in the previous 10 days will be barred from entering.
British and Irish citizens and those with residence rights in the UK will be allowed to enter, but will have to arrive at a designated port and then pay to stay in a government-approved quarantine hotel for 10 days.
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Once in quarantine, they will have to take a COVID test on the second and eighth days of their self-isolation.
Flights arriving from the four countries will not be banned, with British and Irish nationals and UK residents advised to use commercial routes if they wish to return.
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The Department for Transport said: "The government has made it consistently clear it will take decisive action if necessary to contain the virus and has added these destinations to the red list to protect public health."
The decision is based on advice from the government-funded Joint Biosecurity Centre.
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February: What it's like staying in a quarantine hotel
According to the DfT, the data shows that the majority of cases of the South Africa variant detected in England have been linked to international travel and very few are thought to have come from Europe.
Overseas holidays are banned under England's coronavirus lockdown measures until 17 May at the earliest.
A new law came in on Monday threatening a fine of up to £5,000 for anyone who tries to leave England before 30 June without "good reason", although this could be lifted sooner if travel is allowed to resume.
Under plans discussed by ministers to resume foreign travel, holiday destinations could be ranked under a "traffic light system", with fewer restrictions for places with low coronavirus rates and high vaccination take-up.
Countries would be graded either green, amber or red, according to how well they are coping with the pandemic, reports suggest.
The additions mean a total of 39 countries are now on the "red list". They are:
• Angola • Argentina • Bangladesh • Bolivia • Botswana • Brazil • Burundi • Cape Verde • Chile • Colombia • Democratic Republic of the Congo • Ecuador • Eswatini • Ethiopia • French Guiana • Guyana • Kenya • Lesotho • Malawi • Mozambique • Namibia • Oman • Pakistan • Panama • Paraguay • Peru • The Philippines • Qatar • Rwanda • Seychelles • Somalia • South Africa • Suriname • Tanzania • United Arab Emirates • Uruguay • Venezuela • Zambia • Zimbabwe
At least 48 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a train carrying nearly 500 crashed and then derailed in a tunnel in Taiwan.
The eight-carriage train reportedly hit a construction vehicle that had slipped onto the tracks at the tunnel's mouth.
Rescuers combed badly damaged carriages inside the tunnel to find survivors, some of whom smashed windows to flee.
The train, from the capital Taipei to Taitung, was carrying people travelling for a long-weekend annual holiday.
Many people may have been standing because the train was so full.
The 408 train is one of the fastest deployed on a network that is generally considered safe. It can reach speeds of 130km/h (80mph).
Friday's crash is Taiwan's worst rail disaster in decades. President Tsai Ing-wen has sent her condolences to the families of the victims and ordered an investigation.
Reuters
The latest reports from the National Fire Agency say 490 people were on the train, with 48 dead and some 66 injured.
'Sudden violent jolt'
Some people at the back of the train were able to walk away unscathed, while 100 were rescued from the first four carriages. Many of the dead, injured and trapped were in four crumpled carriages inside the tunnel.
"It felt like there was a sudden violent jolt and I found myself falling to the floor," one female survivor told Taiwan's UDN. "We broke the window to climb to the roof of the train to get out."
Another rescued woman said: "My whole body fell to the floor. I hit my head and it started bleeding."
Reuters
The crash took place at about 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT).
Local media reports say the train driver is among the dead.
Images show a large, yellow flatbed truck lying at the side of the tracks. A construction project has been under way near the north end of the tunnel.
It is not known how the vehicle slipped down the embankment.
Survivors on stretchers
Other pictures showed people walking along the tracks with their belongings as they were evacuated from less badly affected carriages.
Other survivors were being carried away on stretchers with their necks in braces.
EPA
Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang visited the crash site on Friday afternoon.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Twitter: "I offer my sincere condolences to all those affected by this morning's rail accident in Taiwan."
Many of those on the train are believed to have been travelling to celebrate the Tomb Sweeping festival - a time when people pay their respects to the dead by visiting the graves of friends and family, sprucing them up and making offerings to their spirits.
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
At least 48 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a train carrying nearly 500 crashed and then derailed in a tunnel in Taiwan.
The eight-carriage train reportedly hit a construction vehicle that had slipped onto the tracks at the tunnel's mouth.
Rescuers combed badly damaged carriages inside the tunnel to find survivors, some of whom smashed windows to flee.
The train, from the capital Taipei to Taitung, was carrying people travelling for a long-weekend annual holiday.
Many people may have been standing because the train was so full.
The 408 train is one of the fastest deployed on a network that is generally considered safe. It can reach speeds of 130km/h (80mph).
Friday's crash is Taiwan's worst rail disaster in decades. President Tsai Ing-wen has sent her condolences to the families of the victims and ordered an investigation.
Reuters
The latest reports from the National Fire Agency say 490 people were on the train, with 48 dead and some 66 injured.
'Sudden violent jolt'
Some people at the back of the train were able to walk away unscathed, while 100 were rescued from the first four carriages. Many of the dead, injured and trapped were in four crumpled carriages inside the tunnel.
"It felt like there was a sudden violent jolt and I found myself falling to the floor," one female survivor told Taiwan's UDN. "We broke the window to climb to the roof of the train to get out."
Another rescued woman said: "My whole body fell to the floor. I hit my head and it started bleeding."
Reuters
The crash took place at about 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT).
Local media reports say the train driver is among the dead.
Images show a large, yellow flatbed truck lying at the side of the tracks. A construction project has been under way near the north end of the tunnel.
It is not known how the vehicle slipped down the embankment.
Survivors on stretchers
Other pictures showed people walking along the tracks with their belongings as they were evacuated from less badly affected carriages.
Other survivors were being carried away on stretchers with their necks in braces.
EPA
Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang visited the crash site on Friday afternoon.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Twitter: "I offer my sincere condolences to all those affected by this morning's rail accident in Taiwan."
Many of those on the train are believed to have been travelling to celebrate the Tomb Sweeping festival - a time when people pay their respects to the dead by visiting the graves of friends and family, sprucing them up and making offerings to their spirits.
The last major train derailment in Taiwan was in 2018, which left 18 people dead.
The island's worst crash in recent history was in 1991, when 30 passengers were killed and 112 injured after two trains collided.
Are you in the area? Did you witness what happened? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
At least 48 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a train carrying nearly 500 crashed and then derailed in a tunnel in Taiwan.
The eight-carriage train reportedly hit a construction vehicle that had slipped onto the tracks at the tunnel's mouth.
Rescuers combed badly damaged carriages inside the tunnel to find survivors, some of whom smashed windows to flee.
The train, from the capital Taipei to Taitung, was carrying people travelling for a long-weekend annual holiday.
Many people may have been standing because the train was so full.
The 408 train is one of the fastest deployed on a network that is generally considered safe. It can reach speeds of 130km/h (80mph).
Friday's crash is Taiwan's worst rail disaster in decades.
Reuters
The latest reports from the National Fire Agency say 490 people were on the train, with 48 dead and some 66 injured.
Some people at the back of the train were able to walk away unscathed, while 100 were rescued from the first four carriages. Many of the dead, injured and trapped were in four crumpled carriages inside the tunnel.
"It felt like there was a sudden violent jolt and I found myself falling to the floor," one female survivor told Taiwan's UDN. "We broke the window to climb to the roof of the train to get out."
Another rescued woman said: "My whole body fell to the floor. I hit my head and it started bleeding."
Reuters
The crash took place at about 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT). Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen issued a statement saying "rescuing those trapped is our highest priority now".
Local media reports say the train driver is among the dead.
Images show a large, yellow flatbed truck lying at the side of the tracks. A construction project has been under way near the north end of the tunnel.
It is not known how the vehicle slipped down the embankment.
EPA
Other pictures online showed people walking along the tracks with their belongings as they were evacuated from less badly affected carriages. Other survivors were being carried away on stretchers with their necks in braces.
Many of those on the train are believed to have been travelling to celebrate the Tomb Sweeping festival - a time when people pay their respects to the dead by visiting the graves of friends and family, sprucing them up and making offerings to their spirits.
The last major train derailment in Taiwan was in 2018, which left 18 people dead.
The island's worst crash in recent history was in 1991, when 30 passengers were killed and 112 injured after two trains collided.
Are you in the area? Did you witness what happened? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
Myanmar’s military junta marked Armed Forces Day last week in the capital Naypyidaw with a parade featuring tanks, missiles and a flyover of military aircraft, including Russian-made MiG-29 combat jets.
Seven Asian countries sent low-profile delegations to the event hosted by coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing last week. But the highest-ranking official to attend was from further afield: Alexander Fomin, Russia’s deputy defence minister.
Russia is striding into a diplomatic void left by the world’s other leading powers, as they deliberate whether — and to what extent — to engage with the junta that on February 1 seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government. Moscow’s attitude has echoes of its 2015 decision to lend military support to President Bashar al-Assad’s pariah regime in Syria, helping turn the tide of the civil war in the dictator’s favour.
“In terms of appearance, yes, it’s a big middle finger to the west: ‘We can do what we want’,” said Alexander Gabuev, chair of the Russia in the Asia-Pacific Program at the Carnegie Moscow Center, of the decision to send a top official to Naypyidaw.
As Min Aung Hlaing surveyed his troops last weekend, an estimated 169 people were killed by the regime, including at least 14 children, a nurse and a Mandalay snack vendor who was shot and burnt alive by troops, according to local media.
The conflict has shown signs of broadening into an international one in recent days. Refugees escaping air strikes in an area of eastern Myanmar controlled by an ethnic Karen militia army have fled into Thailand. Three other minority armed groups said they planned to join what they called the “spring revolution” being fought in Myanmar’s cities if the military did not stop its killing, according to Reuters.
“Myanmar could easily become a failed state within a matter of months, with violent urban unrest, a fast escalation of ethnic-based armed conflicts, and a widespread humanitarian emergency,” said Thant Myint-U, a historian and author. “The economy is in freefall, imperilling the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions of people.”
Russia’s decision to deal openly with a government most of the world has shunned was opportunistic, driven largely by the prospect of increased arms sales, analysts said. But Moscow also has less to lose from the worsening civil conflict than Myanmar’s Asian neighbours.
“Myanmar is not on Russia’s doorstep, so they don’t have to worry about the fallout, and don’t have to deal with the refugee crisis,” said Hervé Lemahieu, director of the Power and Diplomacy Program at the Lowy Institute, an Australian think-tank.
Russia’s ties with Myanmar date to the country’s former military regime and continued during the decade of democracy. Moscow has courted closer political and economic ties with Asian countries since being targeted by western sanctions after its 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Fomin also has longstanding relationships with Myanmar officials thanks to his former job as head of the defence ministry’s military-technical co-operation department. He helped to sell some of the Russian hardware displayed in the armed forces parade.
Russia is Myanmar’s second-largest supplier of weaponry after China, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a think-tank. Myanmar’s military is awaiting delivery of six Sukhoi Su-30 advanced fighter jets ordered in 2019, and the two sides signed contracts for a Russian air defence system and a suite of tactical surveillance drones in January, according to the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, a Moscow-based defence think-tank.
“They see an opening here to increase their market share at the expense of China and others,” Gabuev said. “Even if there is a democratic government in the future, the more you sell now, the more you lock the armed forces into training programmes and additional sales.”
Moscow’s gambit in Myanmar also underscored the disarray and mixed messages emanating from the wider international community after the coup.
The US has been most blunt in denouncing the junta’s seizure of power, imposing sanctions on top military officials and their businesses. Washington also froze a trade deal with Myanmar this week. Japan, Myanmar’s biggest aid donor, suspended new development assistance in what its foreign minister called a “clear position”.
However, India and China, Myanmar’s big neighbours, have been more reserved in their public remarks and sent representatives to the military parade.
Beijing, which had good relations with Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, has been particularly guarded in its public stance after anti-Chinese sentiment erupted among anti-coup protesters.
Beijing’s most forceful remarks came last month when the foreign ministry voiced concern about “the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel” after some garment factories in Yangon were set alight.
The junta will have to seek business partners in Russia and elsewhere as more sanctions are imposed, investors withdraw and credit lines dry up. “We are waiting for your businessmen,” Min Aung Hlaing told the editor of Moskovsky Komsomolets, a Moscow-based newspaper, who was part of the Russian delegation.
Moscow, in turn, has made an early bet on what it believes is the likelier winning side, said analysts.
“Russia is gambling that the army will prevail,” said Thant Myint-U. “It’s a low-risk gamble as Russia has little to lose if Myanmar descends into civil war, but if the army holds on to power Moscow will have a new friend on the Indian Ocean.”
For the first time we've now seen what happened in the moments after George Floyd's arrest.
Two paramedics arrived at the scene and saw a number of police officers on top of him.
They assumed the patient was putting up a struggle. On closer inspection they found he was in fact unresponsive.
The court heard officers stayed on George Floyd's neck while one paramedic tried to detect a pulse. He didn't find one.
"In lay terms, I thought he was dead," said Derek Smith.
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More harrowing bodycam footage shows the other paramedic Seth Bravinder gesturing for the officers to move.
Image:George Floyd treated by paramedic. Image from court
They then pull George Floyd's "limp" body onto a stretcher and into the ambulance.
More from Derek Chauvin
A cardiac monitor showed George Floyd was flatlining - essentially there was no pulse.
It was only after the ambulance arrived that George Floyd received medical attention. By this point paramedics already believed him to be dead.
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'He was one of a kind'
It's going to be an uphill battle for the defence to justify Derek Chauvin's actions - keeping his knee on George Floyd's neck - when he was in the condition described by the paramedics as "unresponsive", "limp", and "dead".
The prosecution has once again sought to deal with the issue of George Floyd's drug use.
Emotional testimony from his girlfriend Courteney Ross described how they both suffered from an opioid addiction over a number of years.
Image:Derek Chauvin (R) listens during the opening of his trial
It's another pre-emptive strike by prosecutors seeking to take the wind out of the defence's sails, who will likely claim he died of a drug overdose.
The prosecution strategy is to show George Floyd had used drugs long-term - so why would opioids have killed him on 25 May last year?
The big difference that day, they will argue, is Derek Chauvin's knee was on his neck.
Prosecutors are seeking to appear transparent with the jury that George Floyd was no angel.
He took drugs and he may have been high and have resisted arrest on the day in question.
But they will seek to show he was a human being with flaws like the rest of us and none of those things killed him.
George Floyd Killing: The Trial - We will bring you live continuous coverage of court proceedings in the trial of Derek Chauvin on our website, app, YouTube and Sky Pop Up Channel on 524
