Two adults and two children have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of northern France.

A large search and rescue operation began earlier after the vessel was seen in difficulty near Dunkirk.

Two children - aged five and eight - and a man and a woman, believed to be from Iran, have died. Fifteen others have been taken to hospital.

Pubs and restaurants in many areas of Scotland will be able to serve alcohol indoors again from next week, the first minister has announced.

Nicola Sturgeon said the move would allow licensed premises in level two of the country's new five-tier system to serve alcohol with a meal until 20:00.

Coronavirus restrictions should be the same across all four UK nations this Christmas, the Lib Dems and Alliance Party of Northern Ireland have said.

In a letter, the parties said travel between the nations was "inevitable" during the festive season and anti-Covid policies should acknowledge this.