More than 40 dead as heavy rains trigger landslides and floods across Sri Lanka
Severe rains in Sri Lanka have triggered deadly landslides and floods, killing more than 40 people, cutting off major roads, and forcing emergency rescues in several regions. [Continue Reading]
Alabama priest leaves clergy after woman alleges ‘private companionship’ beginning when she was 17
Robert Sullivan’s self-imposed removal comes after accusations he provided financial support in exchange for arrangement which included sexA longtime Roman Catholic priest in Alabama has voluntarily left the clergy after a woman alleged to his superiors that he provided her financial support in exchange for “private companionship” including sex beginning when she was 17.Robert Sullivan’s self-imposed removal from the priesthood – known as laicization – was announced Wednesday, the day before the US holiday of Thanksgiving, in a public statement from Birmingham, Alabama, by Bishop Steven Raica. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine corruption scandal threatens Zelenskyy’s special relationship with top aide
Police raid at the home of Kyiv’s main peace negotiator is causing shock waves across Ukraine’s political sceneThe revelations that anti-corruption police are searching the property of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, could have huge repercussions for the Ukrainian political scene and possibly for peace negotiations as well.It is hard to overstate the significance of Yermak in the Ukrainian political system. He combines multiple roles for Zelenskyy: most trusted sounding board, domestic political enforcer, controller of access to the president, main point of contact for foreign politicians and chief peace negotiator. Yermak is such a powerful chief of... [Continue Reading]
Tunisia hands long prison sentences to opposition, business, media figures
A court sentences suspects over charges on 'conspiracy against state security' and 'belonging to a terrorist group'. [Continue Reading]
Iran to boycott FIFA 2026 World Cup draw in US over visa dispute
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being staged in United States, Canada and Mexico, with Washington DC hosting December's draw. [Continue Reading]
Venezuela explained in 10 maps and charts
Al Jazeera visualises Venezuela’s political and economic landscape, oil riches, migration crisis and tensions with US. [Continue Reading]
India’s Olympic ambition in spotlight as Commonwealth Games build-up begins
India are expected to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games but the 2030 Commonwealth Games must first cover for past mistakes. [Continue Reading]
Will Bangladesh’s Hasina face the hangman?
Bangladesh wants former Prime Minister Hasina to hang, waits on India to formally respond to extradition request. [Continue Reading]
Pope Leo XIV begins Turkiye visit with prayers and unity message
The pontiff leads prayers in Istanbul, emphasising the Nicene Creed as the core of Christian unity and faith. [Continue Reading]
Search for British man who fell from cruise ship off Tenerife coast
The Spanish coastguard has been coordinating search and rescue efforts since Thursday morning. [Continue Reading]
Beth Cordingly ‘in love’ with Emmerdale co-stars who ‘changed her for the better’
She has looked back at her time in the village. [Continue Reading]
Headteacher who said ‘inspect this, miss’ and exposed himself struck off
The hearing heard how Richards' behaviour left multiple women traumatised. [Continue Reading]
Strictly star forced to quit 2025 series due to injury ‘making comeback’
She's coming back with a bang. [Continue Reading]
Derelict London house requiring ‘hazmat suit’ to visit on sale for £1,000,000
'If you’re feeling brave, this house is having an open day.' [Continue Reading]
Long Covid turned my life upside down, says scientist
Five years on from contracting Covid, medical scientist Rebecca Broni is still living with its effects and now faces a cut in financial support. [Continue Reading]
Man sentenced to life in prison for murder of mother
A 55-year-old man found guilty of the murder of his mother in Co Kerry more than three years ago has been sentenced to life in prison. [Continue Reading]
Putin demands Kyiv withdraw from eastern Ukraine and ‘promises’ not to attack Europe
The Russian president reiterated his maximalist demands over occupied areas of Ukraine, and insisted Moscow has no plans of slowing down its full-scale invasion or even negotiating with Kyiv. [Continue Reading]
Who is Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s powerful chief of staff?
Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdogs searched the premises linked to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff on Friday morning. Who is Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s most trusted ally and Ukraine’s “number two”? [Continue Reading]
Trump hints at ground operations in Venezuela to combat drug trafficking
Tensions with Venezuela further escalated earlier this week after Washington designated the so-called Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organisation. [Continue Reading]
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies search home of Zelenskyy’s chief aide
Investigators focus attention on to Andriy Yermak as part of inquiry into nuclear energy kickback scandalEurope live – latest updatesUkraine’s anti-corruption agencies have said they are conducting searches at the home of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s powerful chief aide and lead negotiator in the latest round of peace talks, Andriy Yermak.Journalists filmed about 10 investigators entering Kyiv’s government quarter in a widening of the investigation into a nuclear energy kickback scandal allegedly run by an associate of the Ukrainian president who has fled the country. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Weather tracker: Snowfall cuts power in Poland and flooding devastates Sri Lanka
Temperatures dip to -8.5C in Poland and 250mm of rain falls in 24-hour period across Sri Lanka Temperatures plummeted this week across the eastern half of Europe, with the Alps dipping as low as -20C and to -8.5°C in the Polish town of Zakopane in the Tatras Mountains.Heavy snow also affected other parts of Poland with 15-20cm of snow falling in much of the central swathe of the country and more than 40cm in the south towards the mountains. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
ICC rejects ex-Philippine leader Duterte’s appeal for provisional release
Appeals Chamber of The Hague court cites risk of flight and possibility of the accused evading trial in denying appeal. [Continue Reading]
Israel looks at Syria as “part of a warzone”
“Israel is still in the mood of, I would say, not full-fledged war, but unrest and instability.” [Continue Reading]
N.Y. Lawmakers Put Pressure on Hochul to Sign Prison Reform Bills
The bills, which have already passed the State Legislature, would help prevent brutality in prisons, supporters say. But the governor has yet to enact them. [Continue Reading]
Hondurans Fear Unrest Ahead of Election as Trump Endorses a Candidate
On Sunday, voters will choose between a left-wing presidential candidate and two conservatives, one backed by President Trump. The results are likely to be bitterly contested. [Continue Reading]
At Last, a Name for the Murderous Face in a Holocaust Photo
With the help of A.I., a historian has identified the killer in a 1941 image that defined the savagery of the Nazi regime. [Continue Reading]
Did Myanmar’s Junta Demolish Scam Centers Just for Show?
Myanmar’s junta made a grand display of demolishing buildings that hosted the centers, even broadcasting the explosions. But the scammers have found new homes. [Continue Reading]
Aftershocks of an Epic Art Crime Reverberate in Japan
At least four works by a famous convicted forger have been discovered in Japan. Transparency about the mistakes, however, has sparked as much curiosity as scandal. [Continue Reading]
‘Hey, Lemonade!’: A Backstage Fixture at the Grand Ole Opry
Legions of backstage workers have helped the Grand Ole Opry thrive for a century in Nashville. Diana McBride is known for her lemonade — and much more. [Continue Reading]
Why Nadine Menendez Still Hasn’t Visited Her Husband in Prison
Robert Menendez, a former Democratic senator, has been in prison since June. He hasn’t seen his wife, who is set to begin serving her sentence next summer. [Continue Reading]
Shoppers Head Into the Holidays With Spending Plans Intact
Prices are higher, and the job market is weakening, but many people plan to spend heartily this season. [Continue Reading]
What to Know About the Deadly Fire at a Hong Kong Apartment Complex
This was the worst fire in Hong Kong in nearly 70 years. At least 128 people were dead and the authorities said they expect to find more bodies in the charred towers. [Continue Reading]
New Old Trafford stadium on 2035 World Cup list
Manchester United's proposed new Old Trafford stadium is one of 22 venues named in the UK's bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup. [Continue Reading]
Singer Olivia Dean wins refunds for fans after criticising Ticketmaster
The pop star took action after tickets for her US tour were resold for 14 times their original cost. [Continue Reading]
France to intercept small boats after pressure from UK
The change in policy comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote to President Emmanuel Macron. [Continue Reading]
Minister defends 'pragmatic' U-turn on unfair dismissal manifesto pledge
Bridget Phillipson told the BBC the climbdown would enable wider benefits to be delivered quickly. [Continue Reading]
EastEnders icon shows off body transformation after ‘five stone weight loss’
A whole new them! [Continue Reading]
Namibian politician called Adolf Hitler asks people to stop calling him Hitler
Despite his namesake, Hitler is a very popular politician in his small town with 5,000 residents, working on anti-apartheid efforts. [Continue Reading]
Britain’s only carpet museum to close down after visitors fall to just six a day
The museum was a hit when it opened in 2012 and has lots of five-star reviews. [Continue Reading]
Trump lays into another female reporter and asks ‘are you a stupid person?’
The 79-year-old was challenged over a statement from the Department of Justice which contradicted his claims about Afghan evacuees. [Continue Reading]
I took so much MDMA I’d forget to eat — addiction isn’t a badge of honour
'I took it in the morning, afternoon, weekdays and weekends.' [Continue Reading]
Historic city with 28°C summers and ‘world’s most beautiful sunsets’ gets new flights from UK
Roman ruins, delicious food, and one of the world's only sea organs. [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong fire toll rises to 128, 200 remain missing
The death toll from Hong Kong's worst fire in nearly 80 years has risen to 128 and about 200 people remain missing from the high-rise residential complex that was engulfed by the blaze, the city's security chief said today. [Continue Reading]
US regulators ‘taking seriously’ allegations of bankers’ support for Epstein
Exclusive: It follows calls from US senator Elizabeth Warren to investigate bank executives including ex-Barclays boss Jes StaleyUS regulators say they are taking allegations that top banks may have facilitated Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activity “very seriously”, as they faced calls to investigate executives including the former Barclays boss Jes Staley.In correspondence seen by the Guardian, bosses from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said they had reviewed a letter from the Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren, which raised concerns over bankers’ alleged support for the convicted child sex offender Epstein. Continue... [Continue Reading]
Business secretary claims workers’ rights bill U-turn doesn’t breach Labour’s manifesto – UK politics live
Peter Kyle denies unfair dismissal policy U-turn is breach of manifesto pledge but unions and Labour MPs criticise decisionBridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has said that school budgets will not be raided to pay for a budget black hole created by the soaring cost of special educational needs and disabilities (Send) provision in England.The budget, and the Office for Budget Responsibility’s report, highlighted the fact that by 2028 Send costs are likely to be £6bn higher than the funding allocation. At this point central government will take over full responsibility for the costs from local government.What we’ve been clear about... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities search properties linked to Zelenskyy’s chief of staff – Europe live
Andriy Yermak said authorities given ‘full access’ to his apartment, and that he is cooperating with the officers, with his lawyers presentPolitical analyst Viktor Shlinchak, of the Kyiv-based Institute for World Politics, described the searches as a “Black Friday” for Yermak and suggested Zelenskyy may be forced to dismiss him.“It looks like we may soon have a different head of the negotiating team,” he wrote in a Facebook post, quoted by Reuters. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Rescue efforts end at Hong Kong tower block fire as death toll reaches 128
Firefighters comb through high-rises with as many as 200 people still missing, according to officialsAnger swelling in Hong Kong over deadliest fire in more than 70 yearsHow the Hong Kong fire unfolded – visual guideThe death toll from the Hong Kong apartment complex fire that began on Wednesday has risen to 128 with as many as 200 missing, officials have said, as rescue operations were declared over.Firefighters were combing through the high-rises on Friday morning, attempting to find anyone alive after the massive fire that spread to seven of eight towers in one of the city’s deadliest ever blazes. Continue... [Continue Reading]
St Vincent opposition party celebrates historic election win
New Democratic party victory is crushing defeat for Unity Labour, which has held power since 2001The New Democratic party (NDP) in the Caribbean country of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is celebrating a historic landslide victory, taking 14 of 15 seats, according to preliminary results.The decisive vote was a crushing defeat for the Unity Labour party (ULP), which has been in power since 2001. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Africa’s forests transformed from carbon sink to carbon source, study finds
Alarming shift since 2010 means planet’s three main rainforest regions now contribute to climate breakdownAfrica’s forests have turned from a carbon sink into a carbon source, according to research that underscores the need for urgent action to save the world’s great natural climate stabilisers.The alarming shift, which has happened since 2010, means all of the planet’s three main rainforest regions – the South American Amazon, south-east Asia and Africa – have gone from being allies in the fight against climate breakdown to being part of the problem. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]