Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95
Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.
He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.
Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican.
His successor Pope Francis said he had visited him there frequently.
The Vatican said in a statement: "With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
"Further information will be provided as soon as possible."
Although the former pontiff had been ill for some time, the Holy See said there had been an aggravation in his condition because of advancing age. read more
Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.
He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.
Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican.
His successor Pope Francis said he had visited him there frequently.
The Vatican said in a statement: "With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
"Further information will be provided as soon as possible."
Although the former pontiff had been ill for some time, the Holy See said there had been an aggravation in his condition because of advancing age. read more
Dubai scraps 30% alcohol tax and licence fee in apparent bid to boost tourism
Dubai has scrapped its 30% alcohol tax in an apparent bid to boost tourism.
It will also stop charging for personal alcohol licences - something residents who want to drink at home must have.
Dubai has been relaxing laws for some time, allowing the sale of alcohol in daylight during Ramadan and approving home delivery during the pandemic.
This latest move is thought to be an attempt to make the city more attractive to foreigners, in the face of competition from neighbours.
The two companies which distribute alcohol in Dubai, Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI), and African & Eastern, said they would reflect the cut in tax for consumers. read more
Dubai has scrapped its 30% alcohol tax in an apparent bid to boost tourism.
It will also stop charging for personal alcohol licences - something residents who want to drink at home must have.
Dubai has been relaxing laws for some time, allowing the sale of alcohol in daylight during Ramadan and approving home delivery during the pandemic.
This latest move is thought to be an attempt to make the city more attractive to foreigners, in the face of competition from neighbours.
The two companies which distribute alcohol in Dubai, Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI), and African & Eastern, said they would reflect the cut in tax for consumers. read more
Makiivka: Russia blames missile attack on troops' phone use
Russia has said a new year missile attack that killed at least 89 Russian soldiers happened because troops were using their mobile phones.
Ukraine hit a college for conscripts in Makiivka, in the occupied Donetsk area, shortly after midnight on 1 January.
Soldiers' use of banned phones allowed the enemy to locate its target, the Russian military has now said.
While the number of people killed is unverified, it is the largest death toll acknowledged by Russia in the war.
Ukraine claims the figure is far higher, saying 400 soldiers were killed in the attack and a further 300 wounded. read more
Russia has said a new year missile attack that killed at least 89 Russian soldiers happened because troops were using their mobile phones.
Ukraine hit a college for conscripts in Makiivka, in the occupied Donetsk area, shortly after midnight on 1 January.
Soldiers' use of banned phones allowed the enemy to locate its target, the Russian military has now said.
While the number of people killed is unverified, it is the largest death toll acknowledged by Russia in the war.
Ukraine claims the figure is far higher, saying 400 soldiers were killed in the attack and a further 300 wounded. read more
Pope Benedict XVI: Around 200,000 attend lying in state
Almost 200,000 people paid homage to former Pope Benedict XVI during his lying in state over the last three days, the Vatican says.
His body has been sealed in a coffin ahead of his funeral on Thursday.
Pope Francis will preside over the funeral - the first time a sitting Pope has led his predecessor's funeral in over 220 years, the Vatican says.
The former Pope died on New Year's Eve at the age of 95, almost a decade after standing down because of ill-health.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral in St Peter's Square, in front of St Peter's Basilica, at 9:30 local time (8:30 GMT).
The event will be marked by simplicity, in line with what Benedict had asked for, the Vatican says. read more
Almost 200,000 people paid homage to former Pope Benedict XVI during his lying in state over the last three days, the Vatican says.
His body has been sealed in a coffin ahead of his funeral on Thursday.
Pope Francis will preside over the funeral - the first time a sitting Pope has led his predecessor's funeral in over 220 years, the Vatican says.
The former Pope died on New Year's Eve at the age of 95, almost a decade after standing down because of ill-health.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral in St Peter's Square, in front of St Peter's Basilica, at 9:30 local time (8:30 GMT).
The event will be marked by simplicity, in line with what Benedict had asked for, the Vatican says. read more
Kevin McCarthy elected US House Speaker after 15 rounds of voting
Kevin McCarthy has been elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives after heated exchanges which almost saw fellow Republicans come to blows.
It took 15 rounds of voting for Mr McCarthy to win the job, despite his party having a majority in the chamber.
It came after a dramatic pressure campaign played out live on the House floor as party rebel Matt Gaetz was urged to vote for Mr McCarthy.
The Florida Congressman was among six holdouts who relented late on Friday.
Earlier, amid heated scenes in the chamber, Mr Gaetz had almost come to blows with Rep Mike Rogers - a supporter of Mr McCarthy. The Alabama congressman had to be physically restrained by colleagues as he bellowed and jabbed his finger at Mr Gaetz. read more
Kevin McCarthy has been elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives after heated exchanges which almost saw fellow Republicans come to blows.
It took 15 rounds of voting for Mr McCarthy to win the job, despite his party having a majority in the chamber.
It came after a dramatic pressure campaign played out live on the House floor as party rebel Matt Gaetz was urged to vote for Mr McCarthy.
The Florida Congressman was among six holdouts who relented late on Friday.
Earlier, amid heated scenes in the chamber, Mr Gaetz had almost come to blows with Rep Mike Rogers - a supporter of Mr McCarthy. The Alabama congressman had to be physically restrained by colleagues as he bellowed and jabbed his finger at Mr Gaetz. read more
Jack Ma to give up control of fintech giant Ant Group
The billionaire founder of Ant Group, Jack Ma, is to give up control of the Chinese fintech giant after a regulatory crackdown.
Ant Group said that after the change no-one would have overall control.
The formerly flamboyant Mr Ma has seldom been seen in public since criticising China's financial sector in 2020.
Following that criticism, Ant Group's planned stock market flotation was abruptly halted.
Ant Group runs Alipay, the main online payment system in China, which has eclipsed cash, cheques and credit cards.
Mr Ma, a former English teacher who founded e-commerce giant Alibaba, directly and indirectly controls more than 50% of Ant Group. read more
The billionaire founder of Ant Group, Jack Ma, is to give up control of the Chinese fintech giant after a regulatory crackdown.
Ant Group said that after the change no-one would have overall control.
The formerly flamboyant Mr Ma has seldom been seen in public since criticising China's financial sector in 2020.
Following that criticism, Ant Group's planned stock market flotation was abruptly halted.
Ant Group runs Alipay, the main online payment system in China, which has eclipsed cash, cheques and credit cards.
Mr Ma, a former English teacher who founded e-commerce giant Alibaba, directly and indirectly controls more than 50% of Ant Group. read more
Brazil Congress: Lula vows to punish supporters of Bolsonaro after riot
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vowed to punish supporters of the country's ex-leader, Jair Bolsonaro, after they stormed Congress.
Supporters of the ousted far-right leader also stormed the Supreme Court and surrounded the presidential palace.
But police regained control of the buildings in the capital Brasilia on Sunday evening after hours of clashes.
Arriving in the city, Lula toured the Supreme Court building to see the damage for himself.
Justice Minister Flavio Dino told local media that some 200 people had already been arrested. read more
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vowed to punish supporters of the country's ex-leader, Jair Bolsonaro, after they stormed Congress.
Supporters of the ousted far-right leader also stormed the Supreme Court and surrounded the presidential palace.
But police regained control of the buildings in the capital Brasilia on Sunday evening after hours of clashes.
Arriving in the city, Lula toured the Supreme Court building to see the damage for himself.
Justice Minister Flavio Dino told local media that some 200 people had already been arrested. read more
China Covid: More than 88 million people in Henan infected, official says
Nearly 90% of people in Henan, China's third most populous province, have now been infected with Covid, local health officials say.
Provincial official Kan Quancheng revealed the figure - amounting to about 88.5 million people - at a press conference.
China is battling an unprecedented surge in cases after abandoning zero-Covid policies in December.
The move followed rare protests against lockdowns, quarantines and mass tests.
Mr Kan did not specify a timeline for when all the infections happened - but as China's previous zero-Covid policy kept cases to a minimum, it's likely the vast majority of Henan's infections occurred in the past few weeks. read more
Nearly 90% of people in Henan, China's third most populous province, have now been infected with Covid, local health officials say.
Provincial official Kan Quancheng revealed the figure - amounting to about 88.5 million people - at a press conference.
China is battling an unprecedented surge in cases after abandoning zero-Covid policies in December.
The move followed rare protests against lockdowns, quarantines and mass tests.
Mr Kan did not specify a timeline for when all the infections happened - but as China's previous zero-Covid policy kept cases to a minimum, it's likely the vast majority of Henan's infections occurred in the past few weeks. read more
Brazil Congress: Big pro-democracy rallies held to condemn rioters
Tens of thousands of people in Brazil have held pro-democracy rallies, in an angry response to the storming of Congress by ex-President Jair Bolsonaro's supporters.
In the country's largest city of São Paulo, crowds chanted that Mr Bolsonaro must go to prison.
About 1,500 people have been held over Sunday's riots in the capital Brasília.
They came a week after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in after October's election that divided Brazil.
On Monday evening, the 77-year-old new leader - widely known as Lula - visited the damaged buildings of Congress, the presidential palace and Supreme Court together with the country's governors, condemning the "terrorist acts" and vowing to punish the perpetrators. read more
Tens of thousands of people in Brazil have held pro-democracy rallies, in an angry response to the storming of Congress by ex-President Jair Bolsonaro's supporters.
In the country's largest city of São Paulo, crowds chanted that Mr Bolsonaro must go to prison.
About 1,500 people have been held over Sunday's riots in the capital Brasília.
They came a week after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in after October's election that divided Brazil.
On Monday evening, the 77-year-old new leader - widely known as Lula - visited the damaged buildings of Congress, the presidential palace and Supreme Court together with the country's governors, condemning the "terrorist acts" and vowing to punish the perpetrators. read more
Brazil riots: Arrests ordered for top officials after capital stormed
Brazil's judicial authorities have ordered the arrest of top public officials after rioters stormed key government buildings in Brasília.
One official, the former commander of the military police, has been arrested, local media reported.
The officials also include Brasília's former public security chief Anderson Torres and others "responsible for acts and omissions" leading to the riots, the attorney general's office said.
Mr Torres denies any role in the riots.
Colonel Fábio Augusto, the police commander, was dismissed from his role after supporters of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court. read more
Brazil's judicial authorities have ordered the arrest of top public officials after rioters stormed key government buildings in Brasília.
One official, the former commander of the military police, has been arrested, local media reported.
The officials also include Brasília's former public security chief Anderson Torres and others "responsible for acts and omissions" leading to the riots, the attorney general's office said.
Mr Torres denies any role in the riots.
Colonel Fábio Augusto, the police commander, was dismissed from his role after supporters of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court. read more
Second batch of classified Biden documents found
US President Joe Biden's aides have found a fresh batch of classified government records at a second location, in a growing political embarrassment for the White House.
The first cache was found at a private office in Washington DC that Mr Biden used after his vice-presidency.
The matter is under review by the US Department of Justice.
Former President Donald Trump is facing a criminal investigation for allegedly mishandling classified files.
It was not yet clear on Wednesday when or where the additional tranche of files was found by Biden aides. read more
US President Joe Biden's aides have found a fresh batch of classified government records at a second location, in a growing political embarrassment for the White House.
The first cache was found at a private office in Washington DC that Mr Biden used after his vice-presidency.
The matter is under review by the US Department of Justice.
Former President Donald Trump is facing a criminal investigation for allegedly mishandling classified files.
It was not yet clear on Wednesday when or where the additional tranche of files was found by Biden aides. read more
Late Cardinal George Pell called Pope a 'catastrophe' in anonymous memo
Controversial Cardinal George Pell wrote an anonymous memo criticising the Pope's leadership as a "catastrophe", says the journalist who released it.
The Australian cardinal, who died on Tuesday aged 81, was one of Pope Francis' top aides until he stepped down to face child sex abuse charges.
The memo was published on a Vatican blog site under a pseudonym last year.
It detailed what the author deemed were failures of the current Pope and a list of priorities for choosing the next.
In the anonymous memo, the author wrote that "Christ is being moved from the centre" of the Church under Pope Francis, and that the Vatican's political prestige had fallen to "a low ebb" under his tenure.
"Commentators of every school, if for different reasons… agree that this pontificate is a disaster in many or most respects; a catastrophe," the memo says. read more
Controversial Cardinal George Pell wrote an anonymous memo criticising the Pope's leadership as a "catastrophe", says the journalist who released it.
The Australian cardinal, who died on Tuesday aged 81, was one of Pope Francis' top aides until he stepped down to face child sex abuse charges.
The memo was published on a Vatican blog site under a pseudonym last year.
It detailed what the author deemed were failures of the current Pope and a list of priorities for choosing the next.
In the anonymous memo, the author wrote that "Christ is being moved from the centre" of the Church under Pope Francis, and that the Vatican's political prestige had fallen to "a low ebb" under his tenure.
"Commentators of every school, if for different reasons… agree that this pontificate is a disaster in many or most respects; a catastrophe," the memo says. read more
Russia claims control of salt mine town Soledar
Russia's military says it has captured the Ukrainian salt-mine town Soledar after a long battle, calling it an "important" step for its offensive.
The victory would allow Russian troops to push on to the nearby city of Bakhmut, and cut off the Ukrainian forces there, a spokesman said.
This was a very confident and ambitious statement from Moscow.
But Ukrainian officials said the fight for Soledar was still going on and accused Russia of "information noise".
The battle for Soledar has been one of the bloodiest of the war.
The town is relatively small, with a pre-war population of just 10,000, and its strategic significance is debatable. But if it is confirmed that Russian forces have seized control of it, then there will likely be a big sigh of relief in the Kremlin. read more
Russia's military says it has captured the Ukrainian salt-mine town Soledar after a long battle, calling it an "important" step for its offensive.
The victory would allow Russian troops to push on to the nearby city of Bakhmut, and cut off the Ukrainian forces there, a spokesman said.
This was a very confident and ambitious statement from Moscow.
But Ukrainian officials said the fight for Soledar was still going on and accused Russia of "information noise".
The battle for Soledar has been one of the bloodiest of the war.
The town is relatively small, with a pre-war population of just 10,000, and its strategic significance is debatable. But if it is confirmed that Russian forces have seized control of it, then there will likely be a big sigh of relief in the Kremlin. read more
Alireza Akbari: Iran executes British-Iranian dual national, state media says
British-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari, who was sentenced to death in Iran, has been executed, Iranian state media says.
Mr Akbari's family had been asked to go to his prison for a "final visit" on Wednesday and his wife said he had been moved to solitary confinement.
The ex-deputy Iranian defence minister was arrested in 2019 and convicted of spying for the UK, which he denied.
The UK had urged Iran to halt the execution and immediately release him.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had described the death sentence as a "politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life".
The Iranian judiciary's official news outlet Mizan reported that Alireza Akbari had been hanged, without specifying the date when the execution took place. read more
British-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari, who was sentenced to death in Iran, has been executed, Iranian state media says.
Mr Akbari's family had been asked to go to his prison for a "final visit" on Wednesday and his wife said he had been moved to solitary confinement.
The ex-deputy Iranian defence minister was arrested in 2019 and convicted of spying for the UK, which he denied.
The UK had urged Iran to halt the execution and immediately release him.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had described the death sentence as a "politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life".
The Iranian judiciary's official news outlet Mizan reported that Alireza Akbari had been hanged, without specifying the date when the execution took place. read more
More classified material found at Joe Biden's Delaware home
An additional five pages of classified material has been found in US President Joe Biden's family home in Delaware, the White House has said.
Mr Biden's lawyer Richard Sauber said he discovered the additional documents on Thursday which were immediately handed to the Justice Department.
Mr Biden's lawyers have said the documents relate to his time as Barack Obama's vice-president.
A special counsel is investigating Mr Biden's handling of the files.
The discovery of documents throughout the investigation has been called a political embarrassment for Mr Biden, as it comes during an ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump's own alleged mishandling of classified files. read more
An additional five pages of classified material has been found in US President Joe Biden's family home in Delaware, the White House has said.
Mr Biden's lawyer Richard Sauber said he discovered the additional documents on Thursday which were immediately handed to the Justice Department.
Mr Biden's lawyers have said the documents relate to his time as Barack Obama's vice-president.
A special counsel is investigating Mr Biden's handling of the files.
The discovery of documents throughout the investigation has been called a political embarrassment for Mr Biden, as it comes during an ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump's own alleged mishandling of classified files. read more
Italy's most-wanted mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro arrested in Sicily
Italy's most-wanted mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested in Sicily after 30 years on the run.
Messina Denaro was reportedly detained in a private clinic in Sicily's capital, Palermo.
He is alleged to be a boss of the notorious Cosa Nostra mafia.
Italian media reported that he had been receiving treatment when he was captured just before 10:00 (09:00 GMT) and taken to a secret location by the Carabinieri.
More than 100 members of the armed forces are said to have been involved in the arrest.
A video circulated by Italian media appears to show people standing in the street and applauding the Italian police as Messina Denaro is led away. read more
Italy's most-wanted mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested in Sicily after 30 years on the run.
Messina Denaro was reportedly detained in a private clinic in Sicily's capital, Palermo.
He is alleged to be a boss of the notorious Cosa Nostra mafia.
Italian media reported that he had been receiving treatment when he was captured just before 10:00 (09:00 GMT) and taken to a secret location by the Carabinieri.
More than 100 members of the armed forces are said to have been involved in the arrest.
A video circulated by Italian media appears to show people standing in the street and applauding the Italian police as Messina Denaro is led away. read more
Nepal air crash: Indian passenger's video caught plane's last moments
In the hours after Nepal's deadliest plane crash for 30 years, a video went viral in India - it showed one of the victims, Sonu Jaiswal, livestreaming from the plane just seconds before the crash.
He was part of a group of four friends from Ghazipur in India who were visiting Nepal, and were on the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
In the footage, Pokhara airport's surroundings are visible from the doomed plane as it comes into land, those on board unaware they are just moments from death. read more
In the hours after Nepal's deadliest plane crash for 30 years, a video went viral in India - it showed one of the victims, Sonu Jaiswal, livestreaming from the plane just seconds before the crash.
He was part of a group of four friends from Ghazipur in India who were visiting Nepal, and were on the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
In the footage, Pokhara airport's surroundings are visible from the doomed plane as it comes into land, those on board unaware they are just moments from death. read more
China's population falls for first time since 1961
China's population has fallen for the first time in 60 years, with the national birth rate hitting a record low - 6.77 births per 1,000 people.
The population in 2022 - 1.4118 billion - fell by 850,000 from 2021.
China's birth rate has been declining for years, prompting a slew of policies to try to slow the trend.
But seven years after scrapping the one-child policy, it has entered what one official described as an "era of negative population growth".
The birth rate in 2022 was also down from 7.52 in 2021, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics, which released the figures on Tuesday. read more
China's population has fallen for the first time in 60 years, with the national birth rate hitting a record low - 6.77 births per 1,000 people.
The population in 2022 - 1.4118 billion - fell by 850,000 from 2021.
China's birth rate has been declining for years, prompting a slew of policies to try to slow the trend.
But seven years after scrapping the one-child policy, it has entered what one official described as an "era of negative population growth".
The birth rate in 2022 was also down from 7.52 in 2021, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics, which released the figures on Tuesday. read more
Italian Pier Antonio Panzeri held in EU-Qatargate bribery probe agrees to tell all
An alleged leader of a criminal network involved in an EU corruption scandal has agreed to reveal which countries were involved and how it operated.
A lawyer for Pier Antonio Panzeri said his client had agreed to "tell all" after reaching a deal with prosecutors.
The former member of the European Parliament is one of four suspects being held in Belgium.
They are suspected of accepting bribes from Qatar and Morocco in return for influencing the Parliament in Brussels.
Qatar has strenuously denied that it tried to gain influence through gifts and money while Morocco has also strongly rejected allegations that it sought influence on issues such as fishing rights and the disputed status of Western Sahara. read more
An alleged leader of a criminal network involved in an EU corruption scandal has agreed to reveal which countries were involved and how it operated.
A lawyer for Pier Antonio Panzeri said his client had agreed to "tell all" after reaching a deal with prosecutors.
The former member of the European Parliament is one of four suspects being held in Belgium.
They are suspected of accepting bribes from Qatar and Morocco in return for influencing the Parliament in Brussels.
Qatar has strenuously denied that it tried to gain influence through gifts and money while Morocco has also strongly rejected allegations that it sought influence on issues such as fishing rights and the disputed status of Western Sahara. read more
Ukraine's interior ministry leadership killed in helicopter crash
The three main figures in Ukraine's interior ministry have been killed in a helicopter crash beside a nursery in an eastern suburb of the capital Kyiv.
Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, 42, died alongside his first deputy minister and state secretary.
Fourteen people died when the helicopter came down in Brovary around 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT), including one child, authorities said.
There is no indication the crash was anything other than an accident.
But the SBU state security service said it was following several possible causes for the crash, which included sabotage as well as a technical malfunction or breach of flight rules. read more
The three main figures in Ukraine's interior ministry have been killed in a helicopter crash beside a nursery in an eastern suburb of the capital Kyiv.
Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, 42, died alongside his first deputy minister and state secretary.
Fourteen people died when the helicopter came down in Brovary around 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT), including one child, authorities said.
There is no indication the crash was anything other than an accident.
But the SBU state security service said it was following several possible causes for the crash, which included sabotage as well as a technical malfunction or breach of flight rules. read more