December 2024
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Car drives into crowd at Christmas market
A car has driven into crowds at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg, killing at least five people. More than 200 people have also been injured.
Reported by BBC News - 21/12/24
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US government funding package rejected
Update:
The government shutdown has been avoided thanks to a last minute deal.
Original article:
US lawmakers have rejected a package for funding that would allow the government to continue operating into March 2025.
The original proposal did not gain enough votes after pressure from President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk, but the alternative deal that they supported was also rejected during a vote. If a new deal can't be agreed upon then the government could be forced to shut down as early Saturday 21st December.
Reported by BBC News - 20/12/24
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Sentencing for husband who organised the mass rapes of his ex-wife
A man who repeatedly drugged his wife and invited strangers to rape her while she was unconscious has been sentenced to 20 years in prisonin France.
Dominque Pelicot had confessed to all charges and admitted to mixing sedatives in the food and drink of his wife Gisele Pelicot.
Reported by Sky News - 19/12/24
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Water bills to rise in 2025
Average water bills in England and Wales will increase by 36% over the next five years, as authorised by the water regulator Ofwat.
The rise is equivalent to an average extra of £31 per year.
Reported by Sky News - 19/12/24
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German Chancellor loses no confidence vote
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a vote of confidence in parliament, triggering early elections for 23 February 2025.
The Chancellor called Monday's vote and had expected to lose it, but is believed to have done so deliberately to force early elections.
Reported by BBC News - 16/12/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg36pp6dpyo
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Two killed in shooting at US school
A student has carried out a shooting at a private Christian school in Wisconsin, injuring six people and killing a teacher and a teenage student.
Authorities say the attacker was in attendance at Abundant Life Christian School before opening fire and was found dead at the scene.
Reported by BBC News - 16/12/24
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Royal Mail takeover approved
The sale of Royal Mail's parent company to a Czech billionaire has been cleared by the government.
The £3.6bn takeover by the Daniel Kretinsky headed EP Group has been given the go-ahead after agreeing "legally binding" undertakings.
Reported by BBC News - 16/12/24
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Russian oil tankers wrecked in Black Sea
Two Russian oil tankers with 29 crew members on board have been heavily damaged in the Black Sea, triggering an oil spill, authorities in Russia have said. The incident took place in the Kerch Strait.
At least one crew member was reportedly killed. The second ship was said to have drifted after sustaining damage and conflicting reports suggested it may have later run aground.
Reported by BBC News - 15/12/24
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Israel to close embassy in Ireland
Israel will close its embassy in Dublin over "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government", its foreign minister has said.
Reported by BBC News - 15/12/24
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Shooting in Harlesden
A triple shooting in London has left one woman dead and two men injured. The woman, who was in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene in Harlesden, northwest London.
Reported by Sky News - 15/12/24
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Georgia votes for new president
Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player,has been appointed president by Georgia's disputed parliament. This follows 17 days of pro-EU protests that have swept this country's towns and cities.
He was a former MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Reported by BBC News - 14/12/24
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South Korean president impeached
South Korean lawmakers have voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law, which sparked massive protests across the country.
He was suspended after some members of Yoon's own People Power Party (PPP) voted with the opposition.
Reported by BBC News - 14/12/24
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UK economy shrinks 2 months in a row
The UK economy shrank for the second month in a row in October.
Official figures showed a 0.1% drop, despite expectations that the economy would return to growth after a fall in September.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that activity had stalled or declined with pubs, restaurants and retail among sectors reporting "weak months".
Reported by BBC News - 13/12/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5lw84w1yeo
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French president names new PM
French president Emmanuel Macron has named François Bayrou as France's next prime minister.
Bayrou is the leader of the MoDem party.
Reported by BBC News - 13/12/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx04pmnrgo
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Sara Sharif's father and stepmother guilty of her murder
Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool, the father and stepmother of Sara Sharif, have been found guilty of her murder. Her uncle Faisal Malik is found not guilty of murder but guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child.
Sara died on 8 August 2023 at her home in Woking, Surrey and her body was found with dozens of injuries two days later.
Reported by BBC News - 11/12/24
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Man charged with murder of CEO
A 26-year-old man has been charged with murder over last week's fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan.
Luigi Mangione was taken into custody in the town of Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday (09/12/24).
Reported by BBC News - 10/12/24
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Storm Darragh batters England and Wales
Strong winds will continue to hit the UK on Sunday in the wake of Storm Darragh, which left two people dead and widespread power ouitages.
A yellow weather warning for wind remains in place for England and Wales into Sunday evening. Gusts of up to 58mph inland and 67mph in coastal areas have been recorded so far.
Reported by BBC News - 08/12/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4ngnw2qr01t
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South Korean president survives impeachment vote
South Korean officials have narrowly failed to impeach the nation's president over his attempt to declare martial law.
A bill to censure Yoon Suk Yeol fell five votes short of the 200 needed to pass, with many members of parliament in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotting the vote.
Reported by BBC News - 07/12/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpw22k2z0rdo
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Three-Vodafone merger gets conditional approval
The competition watchdog has approved the creation of the UK's biggest phone network by allowing the merger of Three and Vodafone. The deal is believed to be in the region of £16.5bn.
Regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued the decision despite previously saying tens of millions could pay more as a result of the amalgamation.
Reported by Sky News - 05/12/24
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-biggest-phone-network-created-as-three-vodafone-merger-gets-conditional-approval-13267238
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Health insurance CEO murdered
A health insurance CEO has been murdered in New York. UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson was shot in the back just before 07:00 EST (12:00 GMT) outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on 04/12/24.
The attacker fled the scene without taking any of Thompson's belongings. Police believe he was targeted in a pre-planned killing.
Reported by BBC News - 05/12/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7ve36zg0e5o
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French Prime Minister loses vote of no confidence
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has lost the vote of no confidence held on 04/12/24 and will resign. He had only been in the role for 3 months but had drawn criticism when he forced through a budget without allowing the rest of Parliament to vote on it.
Reported by BBC News - 05/12/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyd5j0dwkno
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South Korea's president declares emergency martial law
Update:
The president was forced to lift the martial law order hours after declaring it following a vote from the Parliament, which gathered immediately after the order was put in place. Some MPs had to break into the Parliament building to take part. There are now calls for impeachment proceedings against the president.
04/12/24
Original Article:
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law.
In an unannounced late night television address he says the move is necessary to protect the country from North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-State elements.
Reported by BBC News - 03/12/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn38321180et
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French government on verge of collapse
France's minority government is on the brink of collapse after Prime Minister Michel Barnier used special powers to force through his budget without a vote in parliament.
Opposition parties have indicated they will call a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister, expected on Wednesday (04/12/24).
Reported by BBC News - 02/11/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn8g7zp0q79o
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President Biden pardons son
US President Joe Biden has issued an official pardon for his son Hunter Biden, who was set to face sentencing this month on federal felony gun and tax convictions.
He had previously said that he would not interfere with the case.
Reported by BBC News - 02/12/24
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4ngnw2qr01t