Belarus frees 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctions

"Belarus frees 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctions."

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Russ Roberts (https://trendsingeopolitics.blogspot.com).

Belarus frees prisoners amid US sanctions

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300+7h

Opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova is among those released in exchange for a deal with the US.

Two US soldiers and interpreter killed by IS gunman in Syria, US military says

US soldiers and civilian killed in Syria

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100+3h

Three other US service members were injured in the attack, during which the gunman was "engaged and killed", according to the US Central Command.

Angry fans throw chairs and bottles at Messi event in India

Messi event chaos leads to arrests

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100+10h

The Inter Miami and Argentina forward is in India for a tour, taking in events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

Today

BBC captures celebrations as Belarus frees political prisoners

Southern & Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford reports from Lithuania, where some of the released prisoners were taken.

Israel targets senior Hamas official in deadly Gaza strike

Israel targets Hamas leader Raed Sa'ad

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324h

The strike killed Raed Saad, a senior commander in Hamas' Qassam Brigades, the Israeli military said.

Street art festival sees Lagos turned into 'open-air gallery'

206h

Nigeria's biggest city is known for its vibrant arts scene, nightlife and creativity, but street art is relatively unknown.

Watch: Furious fans invade pitch at Messi event in India

Messi's India tour sparks chaos

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Thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133) to catch a glimpse of the football star.

Yesterday

A new Bollywood film is dividing opinions in India and Pakistan

Dhurandhar sparks viral satire debate

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3411h

An espionage thriller set in Pakistan, Dhurandhar has provoked a sharp debate over its political messaging.

Watch: A Niagara Falls wreck and the rescue that saved two Americans

14h

The barge that wrecked in 1918, famous for a dramatic rescue, is now shifting closer to the falls as recent movements carry it further from its original resting spot.

Six injured as house explodes in California

4314h

A natural gas line leak triggered the house explosion, injuring six people and damaging several nearby properties.

A Niagara Falls wreck and the joint rescue that saved two Americans

14h

Watch:

One million households without power in Ukraine after Russia attacks energy grid

Trump urges Ukraine to hold elections

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200+16h

The latest overnight attacks come as US envoy Steve Witkoff prepares to hold more talks with Ukraine's president.

From booze to black belts: Virginia's drunk raccoon suspected in karate shop break-in

500+18h

The "trashed panda" is also suspected of burglarising snacks from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Ukraine's health supplies hit in series of Russian strikes on medical warehouses

100+18h

Warehouses supplying the vast majority of Ukraine's pharmacies have been destroyed over recent months.

Cambodia shuts border crossings with Thailand as fighting continues

Thailand Cambodia agree to ceasefire

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300+18h

It comes despite US President Donald Trump saying both sides had agreed to a ceasefire deal.

Trump's 'historic' peace deal for DR Congo shattered after rebels seize key city

M23 rebels advance in Uvira

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8819h

The recent Washington Accord was hailed as "historic" by the US president but the fighting continues.

An eyebrow tip and McDonald's footage: Takeaways from Luigi Mangione's evidence hearing

UnitedHealthcare CEO shot in NYC

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2520h

Prosecutors played dozens of body camera videos and interviewed witnesses from the day of his arrest.

Online gaming escaped Australia's social media ban - but critics say it's just as addictive

5420h

Parents and experts say gaming poses many of the same risks for kids as social media, and want them included.

The making of a WWE legend: John Cena faces his final fight

20h

The man behind the "You Can't See Me" catchphrase will bow out on a stellar career on Saturday night. But who is he, really?

As Trump targets Venezuela, its allies Russia and China show little signs of support

8320h

Experts say that Russian and Chinese support for Venezuela has largely dried up, with no prospect of real military or financial aid.

Turkish car ferry damaged in strike at Ukrainian port

Russia strikes Turkish cargo ship

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611d

Ukraine's president has blamed Russia for the attack as Turkey called for a suspension of strikes on shipping and ports.

New photos from Epstein estate show Trump, Andrew and Bill Clinton

Epstein photos link Trump Clinton

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500+1d

The photos, which do not imply wrongdoing, are part of a trove of images the House Oversight Committee received from Epstein's estate.

Thailand and Cambodia agree to halt fighting, Trump says

Thailand Cambodia agree to ceasefire

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300+1d

The leaders of the two countries have not commented on Trump's announcement which follows days of hostilities.

Farmers call for French blockades over cow disease cull

Farmers protest cattle culls disease

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641d

Farmers have staged protests in several parts of France in recent days after vets culled a herd suffering from the disease.

Eritrea quits regional bloc as tensions rise with Ethiopia

Eritrea withdraws from IGAD bloc

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731d

Eritrea says it has been targetted by Igad and that the bloc is failing its founding principles.

Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi arrested in Iran, supporters say

Narges Mohammadi arrested in Iran

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100+1d

The women's rights activist, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, was arrested by Iranian security services at a memorial, her supporters say.

Ghanaian influencer charged over $8m scam targeting elderly Americans

Ghanaian influencer arrested for romance scam

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441d

He is accused of using romance scams to defraud $8m, with the profits flaunted on Instagram.

US sanctions six more ships after seizing oil tanker off Venezuela

US seizes Venezuelan oil tanker

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100+1d

The White House plans to move the tanker to a US port and seize the oil on board, a move Caracas has labelled as an act of "international piracy".

RSF commander linked by BBC Verify to Sudan massacre sanctioned in UK

UK sanctions RSF commanders Sudan

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241d

The UK accuses Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, also known as Abu Lulu, of committing acts of violence against civilians.

EU backs indefinite freeze on Russia's frozen cash ahead of loan plan for Ukraine

Euroclear risks €16 billion loss

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500+1d

After almost four years of Russia's full-scale war, Kyiv is running out of cash, and needs an estimated €135.7bn over the next two years.

Inside the Colombian cathedral built 180m underground

The idea came from the miners building makeshift altars in the mine in the 1930s, to pray for their safety before starting their shifts.

Disguises, freezing waves, and a special forces veteran: Inside mission to sneak Nobel winner out of Venezuela

Machado's secret sea escape成功

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100+1d

The man who led the operation says María Corina Machado crossed “very rough seas” in “pitch-black darkness”.

Germany accuses Russia of air traffic control cyber-attack

Germany accuses Russia of cyberattacks

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100+1d

The Russian ambassador is summoned over a cyber-attack on air traffic control and attempted electoral interference.

Prada to launch $930 'Made in India' Kolhapuri sandals after backlash

Prada launches sandals with Indian artisans

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421d

The deal comes months after Prada faced backlash for allegedly appropriating a sandal design made by Indian artisans.

Taylor Swift shown breaking down in tears after she met UK attack families

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour film December 12

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591d

Backstage footage shows the singer in tears after meeting survivors of the attack during her world tour.

Geminid meteor shower set to light up sky during weekend peak

100+1d

The meteor shower peaks this weekend with dark skies giving the UK a good chance of seeing them, weather-permitting

Thai PM dissolves parliament to 'return power to people'

Thailand calls early elections amid crisis

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881d

The dissolution order comes after Anutin Charnvirakul lost the support of the largest opposition bloc.

Russia could attack Nato within five years, says alliance chief in stark new warning

NATO prepares for potential conflict

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3K1d

Mark Rutte warns allies to start ramping up preparations "for the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured".

'It was little kids': Taylor Swift breaks down as she talks of Southport attack

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour film December 12

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281d

The singer met met families and victims of the Southport stabbing attack, backstage during her Eras tour last year.

Dec 11, 2025

Venezuelan Nobel winner tells BBC people risked their lives for her to come to Oslo

Machado escapes Venezuela for Nobel

•

The Venezuelan opposition leader talked about she escaped Venezuela after months in hiding.

About 200 West African soldiers in Benin for 'clean-up' after failed coup

200 troops aid Benin post-coup

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501d

This is the first time that officials have said how many foreign soldiers were deployed to help thwart the mutiny.

Famous crocodile wrangler jailed for evidence tampering

251d

Former Netflix star Matt Wright was found guilty of lying to police over a fatal chopper crash in 2022.

Trump signs order to block states from enforcing own AI rules

500+1d

California's governor Gavin Newsom issued a strongly-worded statement in response to the executive order.

Clair Obscur sweeps The Game Awards with nine wins

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 wins awards

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591d

The French-made role-playing game is named game of the year on a night of prizes and announcements.

Watch: Canadians and Americans on a social media ban for everyone under 16

The BBC asked people in Toronto and DC if they think an Australian-style, under-16 social media ban would work in Canada and the US.

Watch: Moment hiker is rescued from quicksand in Utah

The hiker said he thought the ground was solid before his leg sank into the muck, trapping him there until a rescue team arrived.

Three things to know after US seizes Venezuelan oil tanker

381d

The BBC's Ione Wells looks at how the incident marks a sharp escalation in an increasingly tense relationship between both countries.

Indiana Republicans defy Trump to reject new voting map

500+1d

Some say they were targeted with death threats and other forms of intimidation over the vote.

Austria bans headscarves in schools for under-14s

Austria plans headscarf ban in schools

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601d

A similar ban for girls under 10 was struck down by the Constitutional Court for specifically targeting Muslims.

Trump's Gaza peace plan struggles to progress as Israel and Hamas face tough choices

Hamas refuses disarmament amid conflict

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851d

Getting both sides to move onto the second stage is a huge challenge for Washington, as Gazans continue to suffer the longer it takes.

Venezuela says Trump wants its oil. But is that the case?

US military seizes Venezuelan oil tanker

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871d

The South American nation's output has plummeted and restoring its former glory would be a heavy lift.

Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest of Israel

Nemo returns Eurovision trophy protesting Israel

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300+1d

The Swiss singer sees a "clear conflict" between Israel's participation in the event and Eurovision's values.

Crypto fraudster sentenced for 'epic' $40bn stablecoin crash

Do Kwon faces legal uncertainties abroad

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441d

In August, Do Kwon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and wire fraud and apologised for his actions.

Tricked, abducted and abused: Inside China's schools for 'rebellious' teens

801d

Young people tell the BBC that military-style schools deceive and abuse students they claim to help.

Fears grow that world's rarest apes were swept away in Sumatran floods

100+1d

A carcass thought to belong to a Tapanuli orangutan, the world's rarest ape, has alarmed conservationists.

Myanmar's army says it wants to eradicate scam compounds. Is it really doing that?

631d

The junta has been demolishing buildings in KK Park, one of the largest and most notorious scam compounds.

Chief of S Korea's high-stakes exam quits over 'insane' English test

400+1d

Some critics say the questions were unnecessarily complex, while others argue that's their intended purpose.

US sanctions six more ships after seizing oil tanker off Venezuela

US seizes Venezuelan oil tanker

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100+1d

The White House plans to move the tanker to a US port and seize the oil on board, a move Caracas has labelled as an act of "international piracy".

Reddit launches High Court challenge to Australia's social media ban for kids

Reddit challenges Australia's under-16 ban

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441d

It said the landmark policy has serious implications for Australians' privacy and political rights.

Ethiopia arrests 'indecently' dressed social media stars after awards ceremony

100+2d

Adonay Berhane, Wongelawit Gebre Endrias and four others are accused by police of undermining public morality.

Cameras on killer whales record first evidence of joint hunt with dolphins

100+2d

Researchers say the footage, captured near the North-West Pacific coast, is the first recorded evidence of the two working together.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from immigration detention after court order

400+2d

A judge ruled that the government did not have the legal authority to continue detaining the Salvadoran national, who is married to an American citizen.

US wants 'special economic zone' in Ukraine's frontline region, Zelensky says

Russia Ukraine war continues escalating

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100+2d

Ukraine's president says territory and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power remain unresolved issues in a peace plan.

From Iran to China to Venezuela - how tanker seized by US hid true location

Cuba and Venezuela condemn US piracy

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100+2d

A seized tanker accused of smuggling sanctioned oil has long hidden its true location. BBC Verify examines how.

Bulgarian PM and government resign after mass protests

Bulgarian government resigns amid protests

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500+2d

Rosen Zhelyazkov's dramatic move came ahead of a vote of no confidence in parliament, and 20 days before Bulgaria joins the euro.

Thousands ready to evacuate as flooding hits Pacific Northwest

100+2d

Several days of heavy rain have swollen a number of rivers causing major flooding in parts of Canada and the US.

Venezuelan Nobel winner tells BBC she knows 'risks' of Oslo trip after months in hiding

Machado escapes Venezuela for Nobel

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1K2d

María Corina Machado, who has been threatened by her home country's government, speaks about her secret journey to Norway.

Pakistan's military sentences its former spy chief to 14 years in jail

100+2d

Faiz Hameed led Pakistan's ISI intelligence agency during the tenure of now-jailed former PM Imran Khan.

Moment skydiver's parachute wraps around plane tail

100+2d

Footage shows the skydiver stuck on the tail before cutting himself free and continuing with dive.

Poland arrests Russian archaeologist wanted in Ukraine

Russian scientist detained in Poland

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100+2d

The allegations against the suspect includes the illegal excavation of an ancient city in Crimea.

'Architects of AI' named Time Magazine's Person of the Year

100+2d

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang is among the influential tech figures that adorn one of the two covers.

Austria bans headscarves in schools for under-14s

Austria plans headscarf ban in schools

•

582d

A similar ban for girls under 10 was struck down by the Constitutional Court for specifically targeting Muslims.

Elite Coast Guard squad and 'dark fleet' ship - what we know about US seizure of oil tanker

Cuba and Venezuela condemn US piracy

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100+2d

The US seizure of a crude oil ship is the latest in a series of escalations in the Trump administration's pressure campaign on Venezuela.

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