- Tuesday, 23 December 2025
BBC
Dozens dead in 'total devastation' left behind by Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa has continued its devastating sweep across the Caribbean, decimating homes and infrastructure, flooding neighbourhoods and leaving dozens dead.
Thailand's former queen Sirikit dies aged 93
She passed away "peacefully" in a Bangkok hospital at 21:21 local time (14:21 GMT) on Friday, according to the Thai Royal Household Bureau.
Gaza doctors struggle to investigate 'signs of torture' on unnamed dead returned by Israel
Out of a single room, with no DNA testing facilities or cold storage units of its own, the forensics team at Gaza's Nasser hospital face the challenges brought by peace.
Smuggler jailed for 40 years after shipping ballistic missiles parts from Iran
A weapons smuggler who used a fishing boat to ship ballistic missile parts from Iran to Houthi rebels in Yemen has been sentenced to 40 years in a US prison.
China has found Trump's pain point - rare earths
The announcement detailed sweeping new curbs on its rare earth exports, in a move that tightens Beijing's grip on the global supply of the critical minerals - and reminded Donald Trump just how much leverage China holds in the trade war.
Bangladesh garment factory fire kills at least 16
At least 16 people have died after a huge fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with officials warning that the toll could rise.
Strong 7.4 magnitude quake hits southern Philippines
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Philippines, prompting tsunami warnings from Philippine and Indonesian authorities.
Death toll from Indonesia school collapse rises to 54
The death toll from the collapse of a school in Indonesia has risen to 54, authorities said, with rescuers still searching for more than a dozen missing people. Hundreds of students, most of them teenage boys, had gathered for prayers at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java when it collapsed last Monday while undergoing construction.
State of calamity in Philippines province as earthquake kills 69
At least 69 people have been killed and dozens injured after a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines late on Tuesday. The province of Cebu, which suffered the brunt of the damage, declared a state of calamity early on Wednesday, after thousands spent the night on the streets amid repeated aftershocks.
From former president to future prisoner: Sarkozy's conviction divides France
Nicolas Sarkozy is back where he used to be – dominating the news and dividing the nation.
Colombia's president calls US attacks on alleged drug boats 'act of tyranny'
US airstrikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea are an "act of tyranny", Colombia's President Gustavo Petro told the BBC in an interview where he also called for criminal proceedings against US officials if investigations find Colombians were killed in the attacks.
Strongest storm of the year kills 14 in Taiwan and brings Hong Kong to standstill
At least 14 people have been killed in Taiwan in the wake of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which is now headed for China's southern coast.
Casualties from Israeli strikes overwhelm Gaza City medics
Doctors at one of Gaza City's last functioning hospitals say they are overwhelmed with casualties from Israeli strikes and are having to carry out operations in filthy conditions with few or no anaesthetics.
France formally recognises Palestinian state
Speaking at the UN in New York, President Emmanuel Macron said "the time for peace has come" and that "nothing justifies the ongoing war in Gaza".
Trump adds $100,000 fee for skilled worker visa applicants
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that will add a $100,000 (£74,000) fee for applicants to the H-1B visa programme for skilled foreign workers.
