English

Gavin Blackburn

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.

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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.

Belgium

DAZN to continue Belgian league broadcasts after arbitration ruling

DAZN announced last month it had no choice but to let its contract expire under Belgian law because it was impossible to fulfil the distribution condition of the deal.

Finland

Authorities investigating damage to undersea cables in Gulf of Finland

Helsinki police have opened an investigation into potential aggravated criminal damage and aggravated interference with telecommunications.

Germany

Thieves drill into German bank vault and steal millions of euros

A fire alarm summoned police officers and firefighters to the bank branch shortly before 4 am on Monday.

Gaza

Israel says it will halt operations of some aid groups in Gaza in 2026

Earlier this year, Israel changed its registration process for aid groups, which included a requirement to submit a list of staff, including Palestinians in Gaza.

Travel News

Channel Tunnel partially reopens but Eurostar advises delayed travel

The suspension in services impacted thousands of travellers on both sides of the Channel who were aiming to reach end-of-the-year holiday destinations as 2025 draws to a close.

USA

Trump says 'there'll be hell to pay' if Hamas does not disarm

Trump said he expected the reconstruction of Gaza to begin "pretty soon" but gave no further details about a timeline or who would be responsible for the construction.

North Korea

North Korea says it fired long-range cruise missiles in Sunday test

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim expressed "great satisfaction" over Sunday's launches, which occurred off the country's west coast.

Taiwan

China stages drills near Taiwan in warning to 'separatist forces'

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said in a post on X that rapid response exercises were under way, with forces on high alert to defend the island in case of escalation.

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