WORLD NEWS

Wildfire-hit town wins €468m in Spain’s Christmas lottery

The town of La Bañeza, which has a population of around 11,000, was badly affected by wildfires in the summer.

WORLD NEWS

Trump unveils plans for ‘Golden Fleet’ battleships named after himself

The US president has vowed to revive American shipbuilding after lagging behind China in naval capacity.

WORLD NEWS

Amazon blocks 1,800 job applications from suspected North Korean agents

The firm’s chief security officer said North Koreans tried to apply for remote working IT jobs using stolen or fake

WORLD NEWS

Russian general killed by car bomb in Moscow, officials say

Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov is the third military official to have been killed in bomb attacks in the Russian capital

WORLD NEWS

NGOs fear Israel registration rules risk collapse of Gaza aid operations

International organisations not registered by 31 December face closure in Israel, but the Israeli government says aid delivery will not

WORLD NEWS

Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella dies in California car crash

The influential video game developer died after his car crashed and caught fire on a highway in Los Angeles.

WORLD NEWS

US regulator approves pill form of Wegovy weight-loss drug

Wegovy becomes first pill of its kind to be approved, shifting weight-loss drugs beyond injections.

WORLD NEWS

Élysée Palace staff member to stand trial over theft of precious tableware

Thomas M is accused of stealing solid silver and porcelain used for state banquets from France’s presidential palace. 

WORLD NEWS

Ecuadorean soldiers jailed for 34 years over boys’ forced disappearance

The four boys were picked up by a military patrol and their bodies were later found mutilated and burned.

WORLD NEWS

Gold and silver hit records as investors hunt for safety

Investors are flocking to precious metals amid geopolitical tensions and expectations of more US interest rate cuts.

WORLD NEWS

Russia escalates attacks on key Ukrainian region of Odesa

President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the attacks were an attempt by Moscow to block Ukraine’s access to maritime logistics.

WORLD NEWS

Ghana official rejects ‘Detty December’ label

The term is widely used to describe Ghana and Nigeria’s wild, end-of-year party seasons.

WORLD NEWS

US lawmakers threaten legal action against Attorney General over Epstein files

A Republican and a Democrat who have led calls for transparency say the justice department failed to meet legal obligations.

WORLD NEWS

Baby back in hospital in Gaza after returning from treatment overseas

The BBC revisits one-year-old Siwar Ashour who was temporarily evacuated to Jordan for medical treatment during the Gaza war.

WORLD NEWS

US and Ukraine call Miami talks productive despite no breakthrough

Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, issued a statement with the top Ukrainian negotiator after discussing the latest peace plans.

WORLD NEWS

Trump names envoy to Greenland, sparking fresh row with Denmark

Denmark warns Washington to respect its sovereignty, while Greenland says it will decide its own future.

WORLD NEWS

Australian move to fast-track new gun and protest laws after Bondi shooting draws criticism

Civil liberties advocates say laws ‘damage our democracy’ while others say they scapegoat gun owners.

WORLD NEWS

All pupils kidnapped from Nigeria Catholic school now free – officials

The authorities confirm the remaining students abducted in Niger state last month have been released.

WORLD NEWS

US pursuing third oil tanker linked to Venezuela, official says

The move comes days after President Donald Trump said that he was ordering a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering

WORLD NEWS

Thailand and Cambodia to hold ceasefire talks, says foreign minister

At least 41 people have been killed and nearly one million others displaced on both sides, officials said.