BBC captures celebrations as Belarus frees political prisoners
Southern & Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford reports from Lithuania, where some of the released prisoners were taken.
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2 U.S. soldiers, civilian interpreter killed in attack in central Syria
A joint U.S.-Syrian security patrol was attacked in the city of Palmyra, the Pentagon and Syria’s state news agency said.
Three Americans killed by IS gunman in Syria, US military says
Two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in the attack, according to the US Central Command.
Israel kills senior Hamas commander in Gaza, challenging fragile truce
The Israel Defense Forces said Raed Saad had worked to reestablish Hamas’ capabilities and weapons manufacturing. Hamas said the strike violated ceasefire.
Belarus releases Nobel laureate, former candidate, more than 100 others
Belarus freed 123 political prisoners in exchange for relaxed sanctions, according to state news agency Belta and the presidential press service.
Israel targets senior Hamas official in deadly Gaza strike
The strike killed Raed Saad, a senior commander in Hamas' Qassam Brigades, the Israeli military said.
Iceland pulls out of Eurovision 2026, joining four other countries to do so
Saturday, December 13, 2025 Væb , the 2025 Icelandic Eurovision entrant, performing Róa in Basel . Image: Quejaytee . Music Related articles Iceland pulls out of Eurovision 2026, joining four other countries to do so Four countries back out of Eurovision 2026 amid
Street art festival sees Lagos turned into 'open-air gallery'
Nigeria's biggest city is known for its vibrant arts scene, nightlife and creativity, but street art is relatively unknown.
Belarus frees 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctions
Opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova is among those released in exchange for a deal with the US.
Watch: Furious fans invade pitch at Messi event in India
Thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133) to catch a glimpse of the football star.
Europe is panicking over its shrinking population
Governments are testing whether a mix of perks, incentives and ideology might reverse shrinking population trends. Here’s what they’ve learned.
Angry fans throw chairs and bottles at Messi event in India
The Inter Miami and Argentina forward is in India for a tour, taking in events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.
Oil executives once booed Canada’s prime minister. Now they cheer him.
Mark Carney, once a U.N. special envoy on climate action and finance, is now winning praise from industry but alienating former environmental allies.
Dublin embraced refugees, but some in Ireland have had enough
Protests and attacks have marked a backlash at resettlement centers in Ireland and have spread to neighborhoods where even longtime immigrants feel unsafe.
With an army of yes-men, how Putin’s world turned into an echo chamber
The Russian president has little incentive to compromise in the ongoing peace talks because everyone around him keeps reassuring him that Russia is winning.
One million households without power in Ukraine after Russia attacks energy grid
The latest overnight attacks come as US envoy Steve Witkoff prepares to hold more talks with Ukraine's president.
Six injured as house explodes in California
A natural gas line leak triggered the house explosion, injuring six people and damaging several nearby properties.
From booze to black belts: Virginia's drunk raccoon suspected in karate shop break-in
The "trashed panda" is also suspected of burglarising snacks from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Trump's 'historic' peace deal for DR Congo shattered after rebels seize key city
The recent Washington Accord was hailed as "historic" by the US president but the fighting continues.
An eyebrow tip and McDonald's footage: Takeaways from Luigi Mangione's evidence hearing
Prosecutors played dozens of body camera videos and interviewed witnesses from the day of his arrest.
As Trump targets Venezuela, its allies Russia and China show little signs of support
Experts say that Russian and Chinese support for Venezuela has largely dried up, with no prospect of real military or financial aid.
The making of a WWE legend: John Cena faces his final fight
The man behind the "You Can't See Me" catchphrase will bow out on a stellar career on Saturday night. But who is he, really?
Ukraine's health supplies hit in series of Russian strikes on medical warehouses
Warehouses supplying the vast majority of Ukraine's pharmacies have been destroyed over recent months.
A new Bollywood film is dividing opinions in India and Pakistan
An espionage thriller set in Pakistan, Dhurandhar has provoked a sharp debate over its political messaging.
King Charles says cancer treatment to be reduced, calls it ‘personal blessing’
Charles encouraged all Britons to undergo cancer screening, crediting early detection with “enabling me to continue leading a full and active life.”
Trump lifts sanctions on Brazilian judge targeted over Bolsonaro case
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes four months ago, calling former president Jair Bolsonaro’s prosecution a “witch hunt.”