Ukraine has halted Russian gas supplies to European customers through its pipeline network, almost three years into Moscow’s all-out invasion. The move comes after a prewar transit deal expired during the final hours of 2024 and as the continent braces itself for a plunge in temperatures that could hasten the drain on gas reserves. Ukraine’s…
Israeli strikes killed at least 12 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on New Year’s Day, mostly women and children, officials said, as the nearly 15-month war ground on into the new year. One strike hit a home in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza, the most isolated and heavily destroyed part of the territory, where…
Donald Trump said Tuesday that he’s planning to attend the funeral of former president Jimmy Carter. Asked about it as he walked into a New Year’s Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, the president-elect responded: “I’ll be there.” Pressed on whether he’d spoken to members of Carter’s family, Trump said he’d rather not…
Thousands of people gathered in the centre of Birmingham on New Year’s Eve despite a police warning that the announcement of a fireworks display was a hoax. Police and the city council had urged revellers not to travel after false reports there would be a spectacular show in Centenary Square. Images from the scene indicated…
The father of Stephen Lawrence has said he would accept one of the teenager’s killers being released if he can show remorse. A parole hearing could take place this year in the case of David Norris, one of only two of the killers of the 18-year-old to have been brought to justice. Stephen’s father, Neville…
An Australian man has been sanctioned by the US treasury department over his alleged involvement in the global narcotics trade. Australian David Jonathan Thackray and New Zealand national Ho Kai Leung were among 12 individuals and eight entities sanctioned by the department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (Ofac) in an action it said was being…
Belgium has become the EU first country to ban the sale of disposable vapes in an effort to stop young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and to protect the environment. The sale of disposable electronic cigarettes is banned in Belgium on health and environmental grounds from 1 January. A ban on outdoor smoking in…
Russian gas has ceased flowing to Europe via Ukraine, causing power cuts in parts of Moldova and concern in some EU capitals about making up the deficit. In others, however, there was celebration over a further step towards weaning Europe off Russian energy. Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, called the development “a new victory” for…
Richmond Tigers star Noah Balta has been charged with assault after an incident in country New South Wales. The AFL club has released a brief statement to confirm a media report that the defender had been charged. NSW police said officers were called to a sports club in the Riverina town of Mulwala at 12.30am…
Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has spent New Year’s Eve with US president-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Morrison posted a photo on X featuring himself and his wife, Jenny, alongside Trump and his wife, Melania, at the Palm Beach, Florida club. “[Happy New Year] 2025 from Mar-a-Lago,” the post said. The annual…
