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Palestinians in West Bank call for ceasefire | BBC News I #Israel #Gaza #BBCNews In a show of solidarity with war-torn Gaza, shops were shuttered, and businesses, schools, and universities closed across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem on Monday. Palestinian activists were demonstrating after the United States vetoed a UN resolution that would have called for a ceasefire. The US said it failed to condemn Hamas, which it designates a terrorist group. BBC News Arabic's Muhannad Tutunji reports from Ramallah.

Russian diamonds set for ban under new EU sanctions | BBC News I #Russia #Ukraine #BBCNews Russia's rough diamonds are one of the few major exports still untouched by sanctions in response to President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine last year. But the European Union (EU) and the G7 are about to impose a ban on them. Russia is the biggest producer of rough diamonds cut from hundreds of mines beneath the Siberian permafrost, where a third of the world's diamond supply comes from. Critics have said revenue from the industry helps to finance the war in Ukraine.

Israel orders Gaza civilians to flee centre of Khan Younis as tanks approach | BBC News I #Israel #Gaza #BBCNews Israel's army has issued another call for Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City in the north and Khan Younis in the south as it says it is closing in on "full control" of northern Gaza. Khan Younis is the second largest city in the Gaza Strip. Over the weekend, Israeli tanks started to move from the east, after they captured most of the four main villages. Intense air strikes have been seen in northern Gaza, as Palestinian rocket fire targets southern and central Israel. Key mediator Qatar says the chances of a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are "narrowing", but has vowed to keep up the pressure on both sides.

Russian diamonds set for ban under new EU sanctions | BBC News I #Russia #Ukraine #BBCNews Russia's rough diamonds are one of the few major exports still untouched by sanctions in response to President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine last year. But the European Union (EU) and the G7 are about to impose a ban on them. Russia is the biggest producer of rough diamonds cut from hundreds of mines beneath the Siberian permafrost, where a third of the world's diamond supply comes from. Critics have said revenue from the industry helps to finance the war in Ukraine.

Colossal sea monster unearthed in UK - BBC News I #Palaeontology #SeaCreatures #BBCNews The skull of a colossal sea monster has been extracted from the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, UK. It belongs to a pliosaur, a ferocious marine reptile that terrorised the oceans about 150 million years ago. The 2m-long fossil is one of the most complete specimens of its type ever discovered and is giving new insights into this ancient predator. The skull will be featured in a special David Attenborough programme on BBC One on New Year's Day.

Elite Afghan troops face deportation from Pakistan to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan | BBC News I #Afghanistan #UK #Pakistan #BBCNews About 200 members of Afghan special forces, trained and funded by the UK, face imminent deportation to their Taliban-controlled homeland, the BBC has learned. The figures gathered by a network of Afghan veterans reveal the scale of what one former UK general calls a "betrayal" and a "disgrace". The soldiers fled to Pakistan, which now has said it will expel Afghan refugees. The UK said it has brought thousands of Afghans to safety.

Meta launches interactive Holocaust education tool using Al - BBC News #Holocaust #Meta #BBCNews Meta is launching a new interactive Holocaust education tool using Al. It takes users into the memories of Inge Auerbacher, a survivor of the Nazi regime. Users can ask Inge questions by simply talking, and the Al system will play out her response. BBC Click went to find out more.

UN warns half of Gaza's population is starving - BBC News I #Israel #Gaza #BBCNews A senior UN aid official has warned that half of Gaza's population is starving, as fighting there continues. Only a fraction of supplies needed have been able to enter the Strip and nine out of 10 people cannot eat everyday, a spokesperson said Conditions in Gaza have made deliveries "almost impossible". Israel has said it must continue air strikes on Gaza to eliminate Hamas and bring Israeli hostages home.

Saudi Arabia sports minister calls 'sportswashing' claims 'very shallow' - BBC News I #SaudiArabia #WorldCup #BBCNews The Saudi Arabia sports minister says claims of 'sportswashing' against the country are "very shallow", as he defended its right to host the men's football World Cup in 2034. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal told the BBC "A lot of the people that accuse us of that haven't been to Saudi, or seen what we are doing." The Gulf kingdom has been accused of investing in sport and using high-profile events to improve its international reputation.

Gaza: US faces criticism after blocking UN call for ceasefire - BBC News #Gaza #Israel #BBCNews On Friday, the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, saying it was "imbalanced" and "divorced from reality", and that it failed to clearly condemn Hamas for its deadly 7 October attacks. As one of five permanent council members, the US has the power to veto any resolution. Washington's position attracted widespread criticism, including from China, which described the US as "self-contradictory" by expressing concern for civilian lives, but refusing to support a draft for a ceasefire.

Can we delay the menopause? - BBC News I #menopause #WomensHealth #BBCNews The menopause is becoming less of a taboo and more work is being done to better understand women's reproductive health. But could we, and should we, delay the menopause? Female scientists are at the forefront of innovation exploring the idea which could transform women's health. This video is from BBC Click, the BBC's flagship technology programme.

UN warns Gaza at "breaking point" as US vetoes ceasefire BBC News I #BBCNews An attempt at the United Nations to agree a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza has failed after the US opposed the proposal. The UN Secretary General called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that Gaza is at "breaking point" and the consequences of the war could be devastating for the entire region. 13 nations voted for the resolution but the US veto meant it failed to pass. More video has emerged showing dozens of Palestinian captives stripped to their underwear and being driven away in trucks by Israeli forces for interrogation. Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Jeremy Bowen in Jerusalem and Nada Tawfik at the UN in New York.

Russia fires cruise missiles at Ukraine for first time in two months - BBC News #Ukraine #Russia #BBCNews Russia fired cruise missiles at Ukraine on Friday for the first time in more than two months. The air raid in Kyiv lasted more than two hours and all missiles were intercepted and destroyed. It comes as Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced he will stand for re-election next year.

UN warns Gaza at "breaking point" as US vetoes ceasefire BBC News I An attempt at the United Nations to agree a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza has failed after the US opposed the proposal. The UN Secretary General called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that Gaza is at "breaking point" and the consequences of the war could be devastating for the entire region. 13 nations voted for the resolution but the US veto meant it failed to pass. More video has emerged showing dozens of Palestinian captives stripped to their underwear and being driven away in trucks by Israeli forces for interrogation. Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Jeremy Bowen in Jerusalem and Nada Tawfik at the UN in New York.

UN warns Gaza at "breaking point" as US vetoes ceasefire BBC News #BBCNews An attempt at the United Nations to agree a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza has failed after the US opposed the proposal. The UN Secretary General called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that Gaza is at "breaking point" and the consequences of the war could be devastating for the entire region. 13 nations voted for the resolution but the US veto meant it failed to pass. More video has emerged showing dozens of Palestinian captives stripped to their underwear and being driven away in trucks by Israeli forces for interrogation. Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Jeremy Bowen in Jerusalem and Nada Tawfik at the UN in New York.

Images emerge of Palestinian captives stripped and bound in Gaza | BBC News I #BBCNews Images have emerged from Gaza showing dozens of Palestinian men on their knees, stripped to their underwear and with their hands bound, being held by Israeli forces. It's not clear if the prisoners have surrendered or have been detained by the Israeli military. Some are pictured being loaded into Israeli army trucks. Israeli has not said who the men are but has confirmed that its forces are making arrests in Gaza. It comes as tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians stream into Rafah city near the border with Egypt, trying to escape the war in Gaza. The United Nations head of humanitarian affairs says there is no longer any humanitarian operation worthy of the name in the south of Gaza. Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Jeremy Bowen.

DR Congo asks East African regional forces to leave the country - BBC News #DRCongo #Africa #BBCNews The Democratic Republic of Congo has asked an East African regional force to leave the country, two weeks ahead of an election and amid security concerns in the eastern parts of the country. President Félix Tshisekedi is up for re-election after spending a first term fighting the M23 rebel group in the North Kivu region. 7 million people have been internally displaced as a result of the conflict, which saw an East African regional force deployed to the area in an hope to end the rebellion.

Putin described as 'most intelligent gentleman' by former Austrian foreign minister | BBC News #Austria #Russia #BBCNews The former Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl, who hit the headlines when she danced with Vladimir Putin at her wedding in 2018, has moved to Russia. In an interview, Ms Kneissl claimed that "political pressure" had forced her out of Austria and described President Putin as "the most intelligent gentleman". It comes as this month European Union leaders are set to discuss imposing additional restrictions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, in what would be a twelfth round of sanctions.

US steps up criticism of Israel's military offensive in Gaza - BBC News #Israel #Gaza #BBCNews Washington has stepped up its criticism of the way Israel is carrying out its military retaliation in Gaza. US Secretary of State Antony Blinker said there is a "gap" between Israel's promises to protect civilians and what is happening "on the ground" in Gaza. Israel maintains it is taking steps to minimise civilian harm.

Why is Western aid to Ukraine falling? - BBC News #Russia #Ukraine #BBCNews Commitments of aid to Ukraine are at the lowest since the invasion by Russia began. The country has been relying on Western support since the war began in February 2022, but new data shows an 87% fall in new commitments of aid compared to the same period last year. Ros Atkins examines the steep drop in payments.

Why is Western aid to Ukraine falling? - BBC News #Russia #Ukraine #BBCNews Commitments of aid to Ukraine are at the lowest since the invasion by Russia began. The country has been relying on Western support since the war began in February 2022, but new data shows an 87% fall in new commitments of aid compared to the same period last year. Ros Atkins examines the steep drop in payments.

UK PM Rishi Sunak urges Tory MPs to back his Rwanda asylum plan - BBC News #UK #Rwanda #BBCNews I UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged Conservative MPs to back his Rwanda asylum plan, after senior Tories warned him it was doomed to fail. Sunak was forced to call a news conference to shore up his authority after Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick quit over the revised policy, saying a law aimed at reviving the policy "did not go far enough". The PM said he was wrong - but insisted a Commons vote on the bill next week would not be a matter of confidence in his government.

Russia's planned naval base creates fears in Georgia | BBC Newsnight #Newsnight #BBCNews Satellite imagery analysed by BBC Verify and Newsnight reveal developments at a port in Georgia's breakaway region, Abkhazia. The region is internationally recognised as Georgian territory It has been controlled by Russian and separatist forces since the 1990s. A permanent Russian naval base on the Black Sea coast in Abkhazia was confirmed by its de facto leader, Aslan Bhzania, in October. There are fears in Georgia this could drag the nation into the war in Ukraine. Reporter Rayhan Demytrie Producer: Tetiana Kharchenko

US Republicans block Ukraine and Israel aid bill - BBC News #Ukraine #Russia #BBCNews US Senate Republicans have blocked a move to pass an aid bill for Ukraine after failing to secure border compromises they sought in exchange. The $110bn (£87.3bn) package included $61bn for Ukraine, as well as funds for Israel and aid for Gaza. The White House has warned that US funds for Ukraine could soon run out, and a Ukrainian official said that that failure to secure more US aid would mean a "very high possibility" that the war will be lost to Russia.

UNLV shooting: Las Vegas police say suspect in university shooting found dead | BBC News #LasVegas #UNLV #BBCNews Police in Las Vegas are responding to an active shooter alert at the Las Vegas campus of the University of Nevada. They said there appeared to be "multiple victims at this time" near the university's Beam Hall building. The university tweeted at around 11:53 local time (19:53 GMT) that police were responding to reports of shots fired on campus. Las Vegas police later said the suspect "had been located" and was dead. In a post on social media, the university had initially warned students at Beam Hall to "evacuate to a safe area" and to "RUN-HIDE-FIGHT", which is a common active shooter protocol in the US. In another post around 20 minutes later, the university alerted students to reports of shots near the Student Union building.