English

Gavin Blackburn

Israel

Netanyahu and Trump vow to block Iran's nuclear and missile programmes

Netanyahu's words come days after Trump said he wants to "eradicate" Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme after the two leaders met in Washington last week.

USA

Suspect arrested for vandalising US Vice President JD Vance's home

The home, in the Walnut Hills neighbourhood overlooking the city, was unoccupied at the time and Vance and his family were back in Washington, Vance said.

USA

Maduro pleads not guilty to drugs charges in first US court appearance

Maduro's lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state.

United Kingdom

Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim sacked after 14 months at Old Trafford

The Portuguese oversaw a slew of unwanted records at the 20-time English champion including its lowest finish in the Premier League era last season.

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Mexico

Magnitude 6.5 earthquake rattles southern and central Mexico

The quake interrupted President Claudia Sheinbaum's first press briefing of the new year as seismic alarms sounded.

Nigeria

Nigeria police charge driver in Joshua crash with dangerous driving

Joshua will initially stay in Nigeria as he recuperates from injuries sustained after the crash, his promoter said on Thursday.

Ukraine

Ukraine orders 3,000 children and parents to evacuate two regions

Meanwhile, Russia's battlefield gains in Ukraine last year were the highest since 2022, an analysis by the AFP news agency showed.

Ukraine

Ukraine's spy chief Budanov named as Zelensky's top aide

Budanov's appointment to lead the office of the president marks an unusual shift, placing a serving intelligence chief at the centre of Ukraine's political and diplomatic coordination.

Venezuela

US strikes five more alleged narcoboats killing at least eight

The latest attacks bring the total number of known boat strikes to 35 and the number of people killed to at least 115 since early September, according to official figures.

Taiwan

Taiwan vows to defend sovereignty after Chinese military drills

China has wrapped up two days of live-fire drills around the island featuring rocket launches, aircraft and warships.

Nigeria

British boxer Anthony Joshua staying in Nigeria to recover after crash

A vehicle carrying the former heavyweight champion and two of his associates crashed into a stationary truck on Monday on a major thoroughfare, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which links Ogun state to Lagos.

Finland

Officials: Ship seized in Finland carried EU-sanctioned Russian steel

Countries in the Baltic Sea region have been on high alert following a string of incidents which saw undersea power cables, telecoms links and gas pipelines damaged.

Iran

At least six killed as protests against Iran's economy spread

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian says there is not much he can do as the currency has rapidly depreciated, with $1 now trading at around 1.4 million rials.

Netherlands

At least two die in violent New Year Dutch police call 'unprecedented'

Meanwhile, similar incidents of the police being targeted by fireworks were reported in Belgium and two youngsters died in an accident involving home-made explosives in Germany.

Syria

Syria says IS plotted New Year attacks on churches and gatherings

The interior ministry said it had information that the Jihadist group planned "suicide operations and attacks ... by targeting churches and civilian gathering spots," prompting security to be tightened.

North Korea

North Korea's Kim hails 'heroic' troops fighting alongside Russia

Kim sent the troops to Russia under the mutual defence treaty both countries signed in 2024, the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party said in a statement.

China

Hong Kong greets 2026 without fireworks after deadliest blaze in years

The pyrotechnic displays against Hong Kong’s world-famous skyline of skyscrapers typically draw hundreds of thousands of people including many tourists to both sides of the promenade.

United Kingdom

Channel Tunnel power malfunction resolved but train delays continue

The tunnel operator, Eurotunnel, said the 50-kilometre undersea link was back to “full capacity" after a power fault inside it was fixed overnight on Tuesday.

Vatican

Pope Leo XIV asks that Rome welcome foreigners as 2025 draws to an end

The Vatican this week released statistics showing 3.2 million people had participated in Vatican liturgies, audiences, Angelus prayers and Jubilee audiences this year.

Iran

Iran appoints new central bank governor after currency hits record low

The US dollar traded at 1.38 million rials on Wednesday, compared with 430,000 rials when the previous governor took office in 2022.

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