Beethoven and Marie Curie compete with birds to appear on new euro notes

European Central Bank picks two themes for redesign submissions: ‘iconic personalities’ or rivers and birds

He was a master of notes, and now the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven could be one of the faces of the redesigned euro, the first time the EU currency’s banknotes have been revamped.

In a process that started in 2021 and has already involved a public inquiry and two multidisciplinary advisory groups, the European Central Bank (ECB) has selected two themes for the redesign.

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‘Did they learn nothing?’: Auschwitz survivor to return German honour over AfD vote role

Albrecht Weinberg ‘horrified’ that MPs relied on far-right party to pass anti-immigration motion

A 99-year-old Holocaust survivor has said he will return his federal order of merit to the German president in protest over MPs passing an anti-immigration motion in parliament with the support of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland.

Albrecht Weinberg, whose parents were murdered in Auschwitz, told the Guardian he was “horrified” on learning that a proposal submitted by the conservative parties had relied on the anti-immigrant, xenophobic AfD to get it over the line.

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Eight Israeli and Thai hostages released from Gaza

Three Israelis and five Thais were freed by Hamas amid chaotic scenes in Gaza.

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Ukraine reels from ‘worst-case scenario’ suspension of US foreign aid

USAid pause affects projects such as veteran rehabilitation, independent media and humanitarian assistance

Ukraine is reeling from the shock decision by the Trump administration to pause all US foreign aid programmes immediately, as a variety of projects in the country – from military veteran rehabilitation programmes to independent media and anti-corruption initiatives – have effectively been stopped overnight.

It was seen as inevitable that the incoming administration would overhaul USAid, the US development agency, but there was an expectation that spending on Ukraine, or at least some of the most critical programmes, would be subject to a waiver – or there would at least be a winding-down period.

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Massive avalanche kills skier in French Alps

The Brazilian-Portuguese national was found dead by mountain rescuers.

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Israel says Netanyahu invited to meet Trump at White House next week

The 4 February meeting would come after comments from Trump on relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan.

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Selena Gomez's tears dismissed by Trump's 'border tsar'

The star was seen sobbing in a now-deleted Instagram post about the president's immigration crackdown.

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Swedish national security adviser quits after mislaying classified documents

Henrik Landerholm left behind documents at a hotel, a phone at an embassy and a notebook after a radio interview

Sweden’s national security adviser has announced his resignation as police opened an investigation after he inadvertently left classified documents at a hotel, one of a series of mishaps that Swedish media have revealed in recent weeks.

Henrik Landerholm, whose appointment two years ago sparked debate due to his longstanding friendship with the prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, also left a notebook behind after an interview and left his phone at the Hungarian embassy, incidents particularly embarrassing given his sensitive national security role.

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German opposition leader vows to push asylum law change after killings

Friedrich Merz, favourite to become next chancellor, will bring proposals before parliament despite possible need for support from AfD

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s opposition conservatives, has vowed to bring proposals for an immediate change to the country’s asylum law before parliament this week, even if it ends up being passed with the support of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland.

Merz, who is expected to become Germany’s next chancellor, has been accused of shifting his position on the country’s “firewall” against the party with the proposed law change, which would aim to dramatically increase the number of deportations.

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My opponents choose jail and exile, Lukashenko tells BBC

On election day, the unchallenged Belarus leader exchanges arguments with the BBC Russia editor.

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Capital cities expecting hot public holiday as Melbourne braces for 41C

Hot, dry and windy weather for Australia’s south-east prompts bushfire and heatwave warnings

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Multiple heatwave and bushfire warnings are in place for the Australia Day public holiday, with every Australian capital city expecting maximum temperatures above 30C and Melbourne forecast for a scorcher.

On Monday Melbourne was forecast to hit 41C before a late cool change. Sydney was due for 31C, Brisbane 30C, Adelaide 35C, Perth 32C and Hobart 32C.

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Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Colombia as deported migrant flights denied

It comes after Colombian President Gustavo Petro denied entry on Colombian soil of US military planes carrying deported migrants.

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Trump fires at least a dozen government watchdogs

Democrats described Trump's late-night firing of the federal agency inspectors general as an 'attack on Democracy'.

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‘Move closer to Europe – not Trump’ voters tell Starmer in major UK poll

Pressure growing on Labour to improve trade with EU as Rachel Reeves admits Brexit damaged UK

Keir Starmer is under growing pressure to forge closer economic links with Europe five years on from Brexit, as a major new poll shows voters clearly favour prioritising more trade with the EU over the US.

The MRP survey of almost 15,000 people by YouGov for the Best for Britain thinktank shows more people in every constituency in England, Scotland and Wales back closer arrangements with the EU rather than more transatlantic trade with Washington. MRP polls use large data samples to estimate opinion at a local level

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Slovak opposition protests as PM Fico warns of coup

Tens of thousands come onto the streets, as Robert Fico threatens to deport foreigners he says are fomenting a coup.

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Belize removes Queen Elizabeth’s image on banknotes as ‘step in decolonisation’

New dollar bills will honor national heroes including George Cadle Price, considered country’s father of independence

Belize has taken a “significant step” toward removing the remnants of colonialism by replacing the image of the late Queen Elizabeth on its dollar bills with those of national heroes.

Unveiling the new design of the bank notes late on Thursday, the governor of Belize’s central bank, Kareem Michael, said that along with improved security and anti-counterfeit features, the “new family of notes also allows us to recognize and celebrate our heritage and the rich history of Belize”.

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Scientists point to Andes potato pathogen as origin of Irish famine

Researchers say study may help global efforts in controlling disease that still destroys crops today

It was a disaster that killed about 1 million people, devastating 19th century Ireland, but while the potato disease linked to the Irish famine is well known, a battle has raged over where it originated.

Scientists have long been divided over whether the fungus-like pathogen Phtytophthora infestans cropped up in the Andes or originated in Mexico.

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‘Shameful’: Rome mayor dismayed after Lazio thugs attack Real Sociedad fans

• Nine supporters injured before Europa League tie
• Victims set upon with clubs, chains, knives and hammers

Nine Real Sociedad football fans were injured, one seriously, in central Rome late on Wednesday, allegedly after being violently attacked by hardcore “ultra” Lazio supporters.

According to reports in Italian media, the Spanish fans were among a group of about 70 allegedly set upon by what appeared to be about 80 Lazio ultras, who were armed with clubs, chains and knives and hammers, outside a pub on Via Leonina in the Monti district of the Italian capital. Security in the city has been upped before the Europa League match at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night.

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'My daughter's bones were scattered on the ground' - the harrowing search for the missing of Gaza

Palestinian health authorities estimate 10,000 people are likely to be dead beneath Gaza's ruins.

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Purdue and Sackler family agree $7.4bn opioid settlement

Under the terms, the opioid maker agreed to pay $900m, and the family behind it agreed to pay up to $6.5bn.

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Trump threatens Putin with taxes, tariffs and sanctions over Ukraine war

US president tells his Russian counterpart to ‘settle now and stop this ridiculous war’ or face repercussions

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Donald Trump has threatened Russia with taxes, tariffs and sanctions if a deal to end the war in Ukraine is not struck soon, as the new US president tries to increase pressure on Moscow to start negotiations with Kyiv.

Writing in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said Russia’s economy was failing and urged Vladimir Putin to “settle now and stop this ridiculous war”.

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BBC Verify: Can Donald Trump really rename the Gulf of Mexico?

The new US President wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. How would that work?

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Zelenskyy says Russia-Ukraine peace deal would require 200,000 allied troops

Ukrainian president tells Davos that Europe must establish itself as an ‘indispensable’ player on the global stage

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that “at least 200,000” allied troops would be needed to enforce any peace deal in Ukraine as he urged Europe to “take care of itself” as Donald Trump returns to power in the US.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelenskyy said European leaders should not ask themselves what Trump would do next, and said that they instead needed to take collective steps to defend their continent at a time when it is under an aggressive attack by Russia.

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Ukrainian chief army psychiatrist arrested on $1m corruption charge

The man owned several properties as well as four BMW luxury cars, the Ukrainian security service said.

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Australian oysters’ blood could hold key to fighting drug-resistant superbugs, researchers find

Protein found in Sydney rock oysters’ haemolymph can kill bacteria and boost some antibiotics’ effectiveness, scientists discover

An antimicrobial protein found in the blood of an Australian oyster could help in the fight against superbugs, new research suggests.

Australian scientists have discovered that a protein found in the haemolymph – the equivalent of blood – of the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, can kill bacteria itself and increase the effectiveness of some conventional antibiotics.

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'I came back to life,' says freed British-Israeli hostage

The 28-year-old is among the first three people to be released from captivity in Gaza.

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Watch: Three freed Israeli hostages arrive in Israel

Doron Steinbrecher, 31, Emily Damari, 28, and Romi Gonen, 24, were seen getting out of a Red Cross vehicle, in footage released by the Israeli Defense Forces.

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NSW psychiatrists threatening to resign say it’s not about money - it’s about the ‘collapse’ of the system

Psychiatrists say higher salaries needed to retain doctors and attract new ones to care for mental health patients

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When Dr James Leeder goes to work as a psychiatry registrar in North Sydney he sees some of the most challenging patients in medicine – sometimes in a single night – “horrific acts of self harm, hopelessness, people in the throes of psychosis, those who may be deeply substance affected and may be agitated and aggressive”.

“This is a hard job done by people who want to help,” he says. However, he sees the toll it is taking on his colleagues when – amid a workforce crisis where one in three psychiatrist positions in the state are vacant – they provide care for double the number of patients they are meant to.

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Trump illegal migrant raids to start on day one

Tom Homan, the incoming "border tsar", has promised a big raid on illegal immigrants in Chicago and elsewhere.

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'Once-in-a-century' discovery reveals spectacular luxury of Pompeii

A huge private bathhouse is found after lying hidden for 2,000 years under volcanic rock and ash.

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Starmer urges world leaders to ‘double down’ on support for Ukraine

PM stressed shared ‘unbreakable commitment to Nato and Ukraine’ with Poland in meeting with Donald Tusk

Keir Starmer has urged world leaders to “double down” in their efforts to support Ukraine during a visit to Poland, days before Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency risks jeopardising international solidarity on the issue.

Speaking alongside the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, after the pair discussed a proposed defence-focused treaty, Starmer dodged questions on the possible impact of Trump, but insisted the only way forward was “peace on Ukraine’s terms”.

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Russia and Iran move to strengthen military ties

The two countries sign a 20-year treaty covering areas ranging from defence and technology to energy and trade.

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Adopted wild boar Rillette can stay with her owner, French court rules

Authorities had threatened to remove and even euthanise the animal farmer Elodie Cappe had taken in as a piglet

A wild boar adopted by a French horse breeder can remain with her owner, a court has ruled, after authorities’ threats to remove and even euthanise her triggered a storm of protest.

Found as a tiny piglet near rubbish bins outside a horse farm in Chaource, central France, in April 2023, Rillette has grown into a large sow who runs around with the horses and dogs on the farm.

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Ghanaian music legend who founded Afro-rock band Osibisa dies

Osibisa was one of the first African bands to gain international recognition, in the 1970s.

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Watch: Huge clouds of water and fire retardant dumped on LA wildfires

Fire crews have been dropping water and fire retardant on blazes around Los Angeles since last week.

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‘Homecoming’ show for artist Frank Auerbach to be held at Berlin gallery

Exclusive: First show of figurative painter’s work to be displayed in city he fled in 1939 to escape Nazi regime

Frank Auerbach is to be the subject of what has been billed as a homecoming show in Berlin, at which some of his final paintings will be displayed in the city he fled as a child.

Auerbach, who died in November last year, never had a show in the city of his birth, which he left due to persecution by the Nazis. Both of his parents were later killed in Auschwitz.

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Australia news live: Brisbane tops list for most expensive private schooling; Albanese to campaign in Tasmania

Prime minister to spruik NBN and housing spending in latest early campaign visit. Follow today’s news live

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Australia’s peak mining lobby group promoting nuclear to young women on social media

We’re reporting today how Australia’s peak mining lobby group is promoting nuclear energy to young women with a social media campaign generating millions of views on TikTok through memes about Wicked, The Grinch, and seasoning steak with sawdust.

The rise of antisemitism is abhorrent and there is no place for the kind of hate speech and attacks we have seen recently in our country.

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France must stand firm in face of ‘new world disorder’ embodied by Musk, says PM

François Bayrou said France must look global powers ‘face on’ in reference to Donald Trump’s return to office

The French prime minister, François Bayrou, has said France must stand firm in the face of figures such as the tech billionaire Elon Musk, who represents a “new world disorder”.

In his first policy speech to the French parliament on Tuesday, Bayrou, a veteran centrist, said there was “a new world order, or rather a new world disorder, that threatens all equilibrium and all rules of defence. There are a certain number of people who embody this without complex, such as Elon Musk.”

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Ghana to investigate controversial $400m cathedral project

Critics say the money could be put to better use in at a time when the country is struggling economically.

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Austrian woman kidnapped by unknown assailants in Niger

The woman has lived in Niger for over two decades and is a fixture in her community, reports say.

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Swedish PM says country neither at war nor at peace as armed forces enter Baltic

Ulf Kristersson says ‘hostile intent cannot be ruled out’ as increased surveillance follows suspected cable sabotage

The Swedish prime minister has said that his country is neither at war nor at peace as he announced that Sweden would be sending armed forces into the Baltic sea for the first time as part of increased surveillance efforts amid a spate of suspected sabotage of undersea cables.

The country announced it will contribute up to three warships and a surveillance aircraft to a Nato effort to monitor critical infrastructure and Russia’s “shadow fleet” as the alliance tries to guard against sabotage of underwater infrastructure.

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Dozens injured after Strasbourg tram collision

Two trams collide at the French city's main train station, a prefecture spokesperson says.

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Two killed and four seriously injured in bus crash on German motorway

Coach en route from Berlin to Polish city of Szczecin ended up on its side near Prenzlau, north-east of German capital

A bus accident on a motorway in northeastern Germany on Saturday left two people dead and another four seriously injured, police said.

The accident happened on an exit from the A11 motorway that leads to a car park close to an interchange near Prenzlau, north-east of Berlin, German news agency dpa reported. Seven people were slightly injured.

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Tram collision in Strasbourg leaves dozens injured

Rescue services treat 100 more people for shock or stress after collision in tunnel leading to central train station

Two trams collided in Strasbourg in eastern France on Saturday, causing dozens of injuries, though none critical, authorities said. The accident took place during the afternoon in a tunnel leading to the city’s central train station.

An additional 100 people, though uninjured, were assessed for shock or stress, said René Cellier, director of the Bas-Rhin fire and rescue service. Emergency services deployed 130 firefighters, 50 rescue vehicles and established a wide safety perimeter.

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Over 100 famous works by Australian authors rescued from oblivion by literary heritage endeavour

Three-year project returns out-of-print classics – including six Miles Franklin winners – to circulation and into ebook format for the first time

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More than 160 books by noted Australian authors have been rescued from oblivion, including six winners of the Miles Franklin literary award.

The three-year project, which culminated at the end of last year, has put out-of-print titles by Thea Astley, Mem Fox, Charmian Clift and Anita Heiss back in circulation and into ebook format for the first time.

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Passengers evacuate plane on snowy tarmac amid storm

The Delta flight, with more than 200 passengers on board, was suspended shortly after takeoff due to engine issues.

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Ukraine’s highest profile combat unit to recruit English-speaking soldiers

Azov, a volunteer brigade, plans to form international battalion to boost numbers as Ukraine heads into fourth year of war

• The Britons killed fighting for Ukraine against Russia

Ukraine’s highest profile combat unit is seeking English-speaking recruits at a time when the impending presidency of Donald Trump means that Kyiv is expected to come under intense pressure on the battlefield.

Azov, a volunteer brigade whose decade-old nationalist origins have made it a target of Russian propaganda, plans to form an international battalion to boost its numbers as Ukraine heads into a fourth year of full-scale war.

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Gaza war death toll could be significantly higher, researchers say

A study in The Lancet suggests Gaza ministry of health figures over a nine-month period might be too low.

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Elon Musk heaps praise on AfD’s Alice Weidel during live talk on X

X owner and far-right politician appear to agree on everything, as Musk faces accusations of meddling in German election

Elon Musk has praised the co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland party, as he repeated his claim that “only the AfD can save Germany” during a controversial live talk on his social media platform X.

The virtual encounter between Musk and Alice Weidel on Thursday took place amid growing criticism over the US billionaire’s vocal support of far-right, anti-establishment parties across Europe, and accusations he is meddling in the campaign for Germany’s 23 February election.

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Italian mayor vows to stop sale of Neapolitan islet to wealthy speculator

Bacoli mayor says his administration wants to buy Punta Pennata and turn it into an ‘open-air museum’

An Italian mayor has vowed to do everything in his power to stop Punta Pennata – a slice of island paradise close to the heart of Naples, from where a fleet departed to rescue survivors of the AD79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius – being sold to a wealthy speculator.

Located within the pristine waters of Bacoli, a fishing town located in the vast volcanic area of the Campi Flegrei, and described as a “historical and natural gem”, the strip of land was put up for sale to the highest bidder this week.

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BBC reporter surrounded by LA fire destruction

Emma Vardy assesses the damage along Pacific Coast Highway, as winds continue to worsen the fires in the area.

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Australia news live: $50m incentive to encourage EV switch; rescuers to debrief Kosciuszko hiker after hospital stay

Energy minister Chris Bowen will anounce the scheme for farmers and truck companies today. Follow today’s news live

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Thanks to Martin Farrer for kicking off the blog this morning.

I’ll be rolling your news updates through the day – let’s get into it.

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Death of Jean-Marie Le Pen reignites succession tussle between Marine and her niece

Marion Maréchal, Jean-Marie’s grand-daughter, has positioned herself further to the right of her aunt Marine Le Pen, who has attempted to ‘de-demonise’ the National Rally

The death of Jean-Marie Le Pen looked likely to reignite rivalries in his family over who is the rightful heir to the far-right political dynasty, as the French government condemned as “simply shameful” crowds of people who took to the streets to celebrate the politician’s demise.

Marine Le Pen, daughter of the National Rally co-founder and leader of the far-right party she has rebranded as the anti-immigration National Rally, on Wednesday paid tribute to her father, who died the previous day at the age of 96.

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Strasbourg court finds Greece guilty of ‘systematic’ pushback of asylum seekers

In ‘potentially trailblazing’ decision, European court of human rights finds country engaging in illicit deportations

The European court of human rights has found Greece guilty of conducting “systematic” pushbacks of would-be asylum seekers, ordering it to compensate a woman forcibly expelled back to Turkey despite her attempts to seek protection in the country.

In a judgment described as potentially trailblazing, the Strasbourg-based tribunal awarded the complainant damages of €20,000 (£16,500), citing evidence that the frontline EU state was engaging in the illicit deportations when she was removed.

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Europe leaders criticise Musk attacks

Although some of Europe's leaders have found favour with the billionaire, others are worried by his interventions.

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Trump threatens "very high" tariffs on Denmark over Greenland

Donald Trump also vows to change the Gulf of Mexico's name and repeats promises to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

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Trump asks court to postpone sentencing ahead of inauguration

Trump's lawyers said they would appeal the decision as sentencing in his New York criminal case looms

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Australia news live: Albanese says nuclear power poses $872bn threat to Queensland economy; Littleproud gives election date tips

Labor analysis claims Queensland will be $1tn worse off by 2050 with Coalition reactors. Follow today’s news live

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Nationals leader David Littleproud says “the firing gun has started” for this year’s federal election, which he predicts will be in March or April.

Speaking to ABC News Breakfast just earlier, he said he doesn’t think the government will deliver a budget this year:

I think we’re all ready for it. I think it will be in March, April, I don’t think they’ll do a budget, they don’t want to remind the Australian people with the sea of red ink in the budget. That’s my punt.

This road is of national significance but it’s also one of the most dangerous in our country. And I think it just needs a commitment, and we’re glad to see the government has finally adopted that, one we had, and one the state government can now get on with the job of delivering.

Labor can make up all the nonsense they like. They’re desperate. I mean, this is a government that’s been on the back foot, that got things wrong, that is sending Australians on a pathway to poverty, not a pathway to prosperity. And so they’re in a state of desperation, saying these sorts of things.

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Apple says it will update AI feature after BBC complaint

One of Apple's new artificial intelligence feature is facing criticism for generating inaccurate news alerts.

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Why the Trudeau era has come to an end now

A self-described fighter, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ignored calls for him to step down - until he couldn't.

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Saving a species: The slow return of the Iberian lynx

After edging close to extinction, there are now some 2,000 Iberian lynxes in Spain and Portugal.

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Channel migrants: The real reason so many are fleeing Vietnam

More Vietnamese attempted small-boat crossings in early 2024 than any other nationality - what makes them risk this dangerous journey?

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Australia news live: Labor announces $7bn for Queensland’s Bruce Highway; Etihad plane aborts take-off at Melbourne airport

The federal government’s announcement will fund about 80% of the upgrades needed to make the 1,600km stretch safer. Follow today’s news live

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Lambie says Albanese decision to campaign over holidays ‘bizarre’

Senator Jacqui Lambie has questioned whether Anthony Albanese would call an early election, amid his pre-election campaign blitz across multiple states this week.

Most people don’t want to see a politician over this … three weeks, you know, from about the 20th probably to about the 10th or 15th of January. So to be out there and campaigning now, I just I don’t know whether that will just annoy the people more or what …

Going out this early straight after Christmas, this would have to be a first, I reckon. This is phenomenal. So anybody would have to say that he’s going to call an election in late February or early March, surely.

You never see anybody running around campaigns during the Christmas period. This is really bizarre, so I’m not sure how that is going to go down with Australians. But quite frankly, the worst time to do it is the three weeks over the Christmas period. They just don’t like it very much.

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New Orleans attacker wore Meta smart glasses - what else do we know?

He placed explosives in the area before changing clothes and driving into pedestrians.

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Coalition talks between Austria’s two biggest centrist parties collapse

Chancellor Karl Nehammer to step down after failure to form government without far-right Freedom party

Talks between the two biggest centrist parties in Austria on forming a coalition government without the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) have collapsed, Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Saturday, adding that he would step down in the coming days.

The announcement came a day after a third party, the small, liberal Neos, threw the process into disarray by saying it was quitting the talks, blaming the other parties for failing to take the bold and decisive action it said it had called for.

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Watch: Michael J Fox, Bono and Anna Wintour awarded Medal of Freedom

President Joe Biden gave the US's highest civilian honour to 19 people, including Denzel Washington and Hillary Clinton.

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Washington Post cartoonist quits after Bezos satire is rejected

The newspaper decided not to run Ann Telnaes' cartoon of tycoons kneeling before Donald Trump.

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Australia’s crackdown on scams could cost digital platforms and banks more than $100m

Treasury has estimated how much industries including telecommunications, social media and banks will likely need to fork out

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Digital platforms and banks could incur more than $100m of costs to comply with new requirements to crack down on scams, according to modelling by the Treasury.

Treasury’s impact analysis found that banks – especially small and foreign-owned banks – were likely to fork out $101m in the first year and $32m each year thereafter to avoid multimillion-dollar fines for failing to prevent scams.

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Chilean president makes historic trip to south pole amid Antarctica sovereignty claim

Gabriel Boric is first Latin American leader to reach planet’s southernmost point, according to his office

Chile’s president Gabriel Boric has made a historic trip to the south pole to reaffirm his country’s “claim to sovereignty” over its part of Antarctica, his office said.

Boric is the first Latin American leader to reach the Earth’s southernmost point, according to his office.

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China's overqualified youth taking jobs as drivers, labourers and film extras

With high youth unemployment rates, Chinese graduates are resorting to working as waiters, cleaners and movie extras.

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Trump to be sentenced over hush money case but judge signals no jail time

Trump had attempted to use his presidential election victory to dismiss the case against him.

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Austrian liberal party quits coalition talks leaving negotiations in disarray

Surprise move by Neos raises doubts about viability of forming centrist government excluding far right

The smallest of three parties in talks to form Austria’s next government has unexpectedly quit the negotiations, throwing into disarray an effort to form a centrist ruling coalition without the far-right Freedom party (FPÖ).

The surprise move by the liberal Neos party raised serious doubts about the future of the coalition talks and buoyed the Eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPÖ. The FPÖ has railed against those negotiations since it was shut out despite winning the last parliamentary election in September with 29% of the vote.

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Number of migrants arriving in Canary Islands by sea set new record in 2024

Total of 46,843 people broke the 2023 record, with nationals from Mali, Senegal and Morocco the most common

A record 46,843 people reached the Canary Islands illegally in 2024 via the increasingly deadly Atlantic route, the second consecutive year of unprecedented arrival numbers, according to official data.

Last year Spain received 63,970 irregular migrants, the vast majority in the Canaries, up from 56,852 in 2023, the interior ministry said on Thursday.

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Rosita Missoni, co-founder of Italian label, dies aged 93

Lombardy's president, who confirmed the news, says Missoni's death is "a great loss for Italy".

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Person in exploded Cybertruck believed to be elite soldier

Las Vegas police said the the person found in the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head was Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger.

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Names of 425,000 suspected Nazi collaborators published

The names of Dutch people investigated for working with the Nazis during World War 2 are available online for the first time.

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What we know about the New Orleans attacker

The man who drove into a large crowd in the French Quarter was identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a US citizen and Army veteran.

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Phew, turtle doves: ban on annual shoot raises hopes for endangered bird

Western European population has risen 25% with ban and some UK sites have seen promising increases

There are signs of hope for the turtle dove, one of the most endangered birds that has been plummeting towards extinction in Britain.

After a temporary ban on the annual shoot of the migratory birds as they pass through France, Spain and Portugal, which began in 2021, there has been a remarkable 25% increase in its western European population, which includes the 2,000 individuals clinging on in England.

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