Tears as families reunited in Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange

The BBC's Will Vernon reports amid emotional scenes as freed prisoners arrive in Ukraine.

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Iran confirms arrest of Italian journalist

Cecilia Sala could be used as "political leverage" after an Iranian citizen was detained by Italy, a US state department spokesman has said.

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Watch: A look back at Jimmy Carter's life

The former US president and Nobel Peace Prize winner has passed away at the age of 100.

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Tourist killed in shark attack off Egyptian coast

Egypt's environment ministry says the attack occurred in "deep waters outside of the designated swimming area".

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Nigerians take to the streets for Calabar Carnival

Pictures of revellers from the Calabar Carnival marking Christmas in the southern Nigeria.

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Watch: Huge waves strike Peruvian coastline

Videos show waves reported to be up to four metres high upending boats and deluging towns.

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Three dead in suspected Christmas cake poisoning

Police say arsenic was detected in the blood of family members who ate the cake in Torres.

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Model Dayle Haddon dies in carbon monoxide leak

The 76-year-old appeared on the front of magazines including Sports Illustrated and Vogue Paris.

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S Korean president accused of ordering use of guns to stop martial law vote

Yoon Suk Yeol told authorised soldiers to break down doors and drag politicians out of parliament, prosecutors say.

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Cracks appear in Maga world over US foreign worker visas

Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk argue for skilled visas - but Trump and other supporters disagree.

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Man charged with murder, arson in NYC subway killing

Sebastian Zapeta is accused of setting a woman on fire and fanning the flames.

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US sanctions billionaire founder of Georgia Dream party

State secretary Antony Blinken accuses Bidzina Ivanishvili of undermining democracy to Russia's benefit.

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UK economy had zero growth between July and September

The downward revision will be a blow to Labour which has made boosting the economy its top priority.

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Israeli strikes hit Yemen airport and power station

Video shows chaos inside an airport terminal in Sanaa, as passengers flee the strikes.

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Two die in Sydney to Hobart yacht race

The two crew members died in separate incidents, both after being hit by a boat's boom.

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Illegal trade booms in South Africa's 'super-strange looking' plants

A biodiversity hotspot has become the stomping ground of poachers.

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Bird flu kills 20 big cats at US animal sanctuary

The animals - including a Bengal tiger, cougars and bobcats - have died of the virus over the past several weeks.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/c2psSfH

Hundreds escape Mozambique prison amid election protests

The prisoners took advantage of ongoing political unrest triggered by disputed poll results, police say.

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Modernism and Islamic motifs: How Indian artists envisioned Christ's birth

Over the centuries, painters in India have depicted Jesus's birth from a uniquely local perspective.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/yTG1bYL

Toxic spill fears follow deadly Brazil bridge collapse

Lorries containing pesticides and sulphuric acid plunged into the Tocantins river in the north of the country.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/7XjNR8w

Pope opens Holy Door to kick off special jubilee year

More than 30 million Catholic pilgrims are expected to head to Rome for the jubilee, which takes place once every 25 years.

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Blake Lively's claims put spotlight on 'sinister' Hollywood tactics

The actress' explosive legal case claims to lift the lid on tactics used to destroy stars' reputations.

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Former US President Bill Clinton admitted to hospital with fever

The 42nd president is at a Washington DC hospital, and is in "good spirits", according to a spokesman.

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Israel confirms it killed Hamas leader Haniyeh in Tehran

Ismail Haniyeh was Hamas's most prominent leader until his death in July.

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Trump ally Gaetz paid 'tens of thousands' for sex and drugs, ethics report says

An investigation details allegations of drug use and payments for sex - which the former US congressman denies.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/2jZ4yJl

Scientists unveil 50,000-year-old baby mammoth remains

"Yana" is the latest pre-historic discovery in a crater in a remote region of Russia.

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Trump threatens to try and regain control of Panama Canal

It prompts a sharp rebuke from Panama's president, who says "every square metre" of the canal belongs to his country.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/7PFlmvb

Heroism attributed to suspect Luigi Mangione alarming - Mayorkas

The US Homeland Security Secretary says rhetoric about the murder suspect is concerning.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/hmtJAG4

Watch: Police officer dressed as the Grinch leads drug raid

An officer in Peru smashed a suspected drug dealer's door in, while clad as Dr Seuss' famous character.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/7vwzSYy

Children among dozens killed in Israeli strikes, Gaza officials say

A school sheltering displaced families was hit, according to Gaza's civil defence agency.

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Blake Lively accuses co-star Justin Baldoni of smear campaign

Mr Baldoni's lawyer says the allegations are "categorically false" and a "desperate attempt to 'fix' her negative reputation".

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Watch: Germany grapples with another Christmas market attack

The BBC's Bethany Bell reports from the empty Magdeburg market, on what should be one of the busiest nights of the season.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/KNvOcjQ

Watch: Germany grapples with another Christmas market attack

Watch: Germany grapples with another Christmas market attack

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Worst major train stations for cancellations named

The latest figures show almost one in 10 trains were cancelled at Manchester Victoria.

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Volkswagen agrees deal to avoid German plant closures

VW and a union have, however, agreed to cut more than 35,000 jobs across the country by 2030.

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Car driven into crowd at German Christmas market, reports say

At least one person has been killed, Magdeburg's local public broadcaster reports, citing police.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/C0Txai1

Jeremy Bowen: Syria's new ruler is politically astute - but can he keep his promises?

Ahmed al-Sharaa is intelligent, astute and reluctant to say what sort of country he wants.

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When will interest rates fall?

Bank of England interest rates affect the mortgage, loan and savings rates for millions of people.

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Congress in disarray and shutdown looms as Trump, Musk slam spending deal

The president-elect and Elon Musk rejected the bipartisan spending plan that would prevent a government shutdown.

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Embattled Liberian speaker questioned by police over parliament fire

A huge fire breaks out at Liberia's Capitol building a day after it was the scene of a bitter dispute.

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How Facebook restricted news in Palestinian territories

Palestinian news outlets have seen a steep drop in audience engagement since October 2023.

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Fire erupts after lightning strike ruptures gas line in Tennessee

The damaged pipeline sparked a massive fire prompting road closures and emergency responses.

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Avanti West Coast strikes back on after offer rejected

Train managers at Avanti will now walk out on New Year's Eve and 2 January, as well as every Sunday from 12 January to 25 May.

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Ros Atkins On... Igor Kirillov's death

The BBC's Analysis Editor, along with BBC Verify, takes a look at material from the scene to assess what we know.

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Kenyan gets 50 years for murder of LGBTQ+ activist

Jacktone Odhiambo fell down and cried after the judge sentenced him for killing Edwin Chiloba.

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Turkey and sprouts drive down cost of Christmas dinner

The BBC digs into which bits of the festive feast have gone up and down in price.

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Fear of a reckoning simmers in Assad's Alawite heartland

Quentin Sommerville is on patrol with HTS in Latakia, as they pledge to protect minorities.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/0HFWq9K

What do we know about Royal Mail's new owner?

The sale of Royal Mail's parent company to the Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský has been cleared by the UK government.

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Influencer's brand faces backlash over bullying claims

Fans are outraged by allegations of body-shaming and a toxic workplace at fashion company Djerf Avenue.

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'We just need peace': BBC speaks to Syrians watching Israel's incursion

As Israel unveils plans to expand its Golan Heights settlements, Syrians living nearby say they want an end to conflict.

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Several hundred feared dead after Mayotte cyclone

A local official warns the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, with entire communities devastated.

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US confirms it is in 'direct contact' with Syria rebel group

The HTS rebel group is currently still designated a terrorist organisation by the US State Department.

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Watch: BBC sees "anger and frustration" on streets of Tbilisi

Large crowds of protesters gather outside the Georgian parliament to object to the appointment of a new president.

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Fears of heavy death toll after cyclone hits island Mayotte

There are reports of severe damage on the French Indian Ocean territory after it was struck by Cyclone Chido.

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Ukraine demands Fifa apology over Crimea map

During the draw for the 2026 World Cup a map which excluded Crimea from Ukraine's territory was shown

from BBC News https://ift.tt/pCyits1

Crown of Thorns returns to Notre-Dame Cathedral after fire

The relic, believed to be worn by Jesus Christ, was brought back after being rescued from a devastating fire in 2019.

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McKinsey to pay $650m to settle opioid charges

Prosecutors said the company gave Purdue Pharma advice on how to "turbocharge" sales of OxyContin.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/RtQgjiw

Nancy Pelosi in hospital after injury on overseas trip

The former House speaker suffered an unspecified injury while on an official trip to Luxembourg, her office says.

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After 50 years of Assad cruelty, Syrians search for dead loved ones - and closure

BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen finds Syrians desperate for answers about the missing and a reckoning for their killers.

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Nato must switch to a wartime mindset, warns secretary general

Mark Rutte urged members to "turbocharge" their defence spending to prevent future war with Russia.

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Uganda leader backs military trials as rival in jail for Christmas

Yoweri Museveni says any crime involving guns is dealt with by a military court for the nation's stability.

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Services will shut, Mencap warns on National Insurance rise

The charity is one of a number of care organisations warning they will have to axe vital services.

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FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign before Trump takes office

He was nominated to the post by Donald Trump in 2017, but the president-elect has said he wants to replace him.

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Israel seizing on Syria chaos to strike military assets

Israel has attacked Syrian military assets and has troops operating in the Golan buffer zone and slightly beyond.

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Water giant uses accounting trick to inflate balance sheet by £1.68bn

A substantial Severn Trent Water investment is based on IOU notes - BBC Panorama finds.

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Jamie Foxx reveals he had a stroke in 2023

The Hollywood star said he cannot remember the first 20 days following the stroke in April last year.

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Google unveils 'mind-boggling' quantum computing chip

It solves in five minutes a problem computers now would need 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years to work out, Google says.

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Comeback victory confirmed for Ghana's John Mahama

The man who led Ghana from 2012 to 2017 is once again elected president, official results show.

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How Jaguar lost its way - long before that controversial advert

What is really happening behind the scenes at the car brand

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Footage shows people emerging from Assad's notorious prisons

Rebels have freed thousands of detainees from jails as they swept across the country.

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Prince William and Trump meet after Notre-Dame reopening

William joins other world leaders in Paris for the ceremonial reopening of the world-famous cathedral.

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Dorothy's ruby slippers to be auctioned off

The shoes, which could fetch as much as $3m, were worn by actress Judy Garland in the classic 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz.

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Embattled Macron seeks boost from Notre Dame reopening

With French politics in turmoil, Macron hopes to benefit from the reopening of the cathedral.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/akYNB8q

Romania's cancelled presidential election and why it matters

A court ruling follows intelligence allegations of Russian interference promoting a far-right candidate.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/JwmqQo5

Iran's uranium enrichment 'worrisome' - nuclear watchdog

The IAEA agency says Tehran’s nuclear programme has "spawned in every direction" over the last decade.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/ScJ0TgH

Syria in maps: Where have anti-Assad rebels taken control?

A visual guide to the latest developments as advancing Syrian fighters set their sights on Damascus.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/lFTzL6Q

One in five shop purchases now made in cash

Notes and coins used in a fifth of transactions, say retailers - a second consecutive annual rise.

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Shell and Equinor to combine forces in North Sea

The energy firms say the deal will see the creation of the North Sea's biggest oil and gas producer.

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From freedom fighter to Namibia's first female president

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has experienced exile, detention and a quarter of a century in top government posts.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/jRN9pHB

Five key takeaways from the Scottish Budget

Scrapping the two-child cap and changes to tax thresholds are among plans for the next financial year.

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Georgian opposition leader dragged from party offices by police

The prime minister had earlier vowed that the organisers of a week of pro-EU protests would face justice.

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Police officer uses child's bike to chase suspect on scooter

The suspect, wanted for felony theft, was later apprehended and charged.

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Stellantis boss abruptly quits in boardroom clash

Carlos Tavares will leave immediately, days after announcing plans to close a Vauxhall plant in Luton

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Georgia’s moment of truth: Protesters demand Western path not Russian past

The ruling party denies any Russian link, but its actions raise questions about Georgia's path to the EU.

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Ukraine’s exhausted troops in Russia told to cling on and wait for Trump

Ukrainian soldiers paint a bleak picture of a battle they don't understand, and fear they will lose.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/G3aYmHf

France faces months of political instability as government nears collapse

Prime Minister Michel Barnier's minority government's survival has always depended on the indulgence of its enemies.

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She fled Israeli bombing four times. It still found her

Rihab Faour's long journey to safety, from her small village in southern Lebanon, ended in the death of her young family.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/hJBq3Z4

Trump threatens 100% tariff on Brics nations if they try to replace dollar

The president-elect warned the group of nine nations against moving away from the dollar.

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Snoop Dogg helps Kai Cenat reclaim Twitch subscriber record

The American has been streaming continuously for 30 days to try reclaim the record he set last year.

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Syrian troops withdraw from Aleppo as rebels advance

Over 300 people have been killed since rebels launched an offensive against the government this week.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/WZG0iFP

Thousands visit site of Hassan Nasrallah's assassination

At the site of a crater left by the Israeli air strike that killed him, Nasrallah's supporters wept and chanted his name.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/YoTESpc

World Beekeeping Awards axe honey prize due to fraud

A report found that 46% of sampled honey products had likely been bulked out with cheaper sugar syrups.

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Five reported killed in Israeli strike in Gaza

Israel said the target of the strike was involved in the October 7 attacks and also worked at the charity World Central Kitchen.

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