The Church of England faces ongoing debates about same-sex blessings as Dame Sarah Mullally prepares to become the Archbishop of Canterbury. Previously agreed trials for stand-alone same-sex blessing services are now dependent on a stronger vote from the General Synod amid internal divisions. The tensions reflect broader issues the Church must address under new leadership.
Key Facts
Dame Sarah Mullally will take over as Archbishop of Canterbury on January 28.
The Church of England has agreed to trial same-sex blessings, subject to a stronger vote.
Justin Welby resigned as Archbishop last year after handling controversies.
The Church's General Synod approved prayers for blessing same-sex couples.
Some conservative churches within the Church of England oppose changes related to same-sex blessings.
The Church of England's past leadership, including archbishops, has historically supported decriminalizing sex between men but maintained moral objections.
Divisions within the Church about same-sex relationships have persisted for decades.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will host their last "Strictly Come Dancing" episode on Christmas Day. They have been presenting the show together for more than a decade. The announcement of their departure led to much attention on who might replace them as hosts.
Key Facts
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will end their hosting roles on "Strictly Come Dancing" with a final episode airing on Christmas Day.
They announced their decision to leave in October, surprising many fans and contestants.
Daly has been with the show since it started 21 years ago, while Winkleman joined in 2014.
Together, they made up the first all-female duo hosting a prime-time Saturday night TV show in the UK.
Various personalities, including Zoe Ball and Holly Willoughby, are speculated as potential replacements.
Daly and Winkleman hosted a 24-hour danceathon in 2019 for charity, raising over £1 million.
This final episode ends their tenure just before the show's 20th anniversary.
Both hosts were awarded MBEs from King Charles III for their services to broadcasting.
An explosion occurred at a mosque in Maiduguri, Nigeria, during evening prayers, killing and injuring several people. The cause of the explosion is not yet known, and authorities are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
The explosion happened around 6pm on Wednesday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Witnesses and media reports claim several people were killed, though the exact number is unclear.
Police confirmed the explosion and sent an explosive ordnance team to the scene.
Mosque leader Malam Abuna Yusuf reported at least eight deaths.
The city of Maiduguri is a longstanding conflict zone due to armed groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.
The ongoing conflict in the region has caused about 40,000 deaths since 2009, with millions displaced.
While violence has decreased since its peak, attacks still occur, raising concerns about future violence.
Maiduguri has been relatively calm since the last major attack in 2021.
Nasry "Tito" Asfura, the National Party candidate supported by President Donald Trump, won the presidential election in Honduras. The vote saw technical issues and fraud claims, but officials found no evidence of widespread fraud.
Key Facts
Nasry "Tito" Asfura was declared the winner of the Honduras presidential election.
Asfura won 40.27% of the vote, while his closest competitor, Salvador Nasralla, received 39.39%.
The election faced delays due to technical problems and allegations of fraud.
President Trump claimed on social media that officials tried to change results but provided no evidence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Asfura on his victory.
The U.S. emphasized the importance of respecting election results for a peaceful transition.
Héctor Corrales, linked with the EU's observer mission, found no widespread fraud evidence.
Rob and Dianne Parsons invited a homeless man named Ronnie Lockwood into their Cardiff home during Christmas 1975. This act of kindness led to Ronnie living with them for 45 years, forming a strong bond until his death. Ronnie, who had autism, had been homeless since age 15 and became a beloved part of the Parsons' lives.
Key Facts
Rob and Dianne Parsons were a young married couple living in Cardiff in 1975.
They invited Ronnie Lockwood into their home at Christmas when he was homeless.
Ronnie had autism and was homeless since age 15.
Ronnie had been in a care home but was sent away at age 15, leaving him without support.
The Parsons treated Ronnie with kindness, providing him a home for 45 years.
Ronnie became close to the family and helped with their children.
The Parsons helped Ronnie find a job as a waste collector and supported him with clothes and care.
Ronnie lived with the Parsons until he passed away, enriching their lives greatly.
Nasry Asfura, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, won the presidential election in Honduras. The election faced technical delays and accusations of fraud, leading to protests and tensions. The National Electoral Council declared Asfura the winner with 40.3% of the vote against Salvador Nasralla's 39.5%.
Key Facts
Nasry Asfura won the Honduras presidential election with 40.3% of the vote.
Salvador Nasralla, from the Liberal Party, received 39.5% of the vote.
The election results were delayed by technical issues and fraud claims.
President Trump supported Asfura and spoke out against reversing the election results.
Protests occurred in Honduras due to allegations of voting fraud.
The U.S. Secretary of State called for all parties to respect the election outcome.
Outgoing president Xiomara Castro accused external interference, including from Trump.
The counting delays led to manual verification of around 15% of voting tallies.
Nasry Asfura, a conservative backed by President Trump, won the presidential election in Honduras. The election council announced the final results over 20 days after voting day, showing Asfura with a narrow lead over his closest rival.
Key Facts
Nasry Asfura won the Honduran presidential election with 40.3% of the votes.
He was backed by President Donald Trump in the race.
The results were announced by Honduras' election council (CNE) after more than 20 days.
Asfura's main opponent, Salvador Nasralla, received 39.5% of the vote.
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, congratulated Asfura and called for respect for the election results.
Earlier, President Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is associated with Asfura’s party.
Syria's Interior Ministry reported that Taha al-Zoubi, an important ISIS leader, was captured in the Damascus area. The arrest came from a well-planned security operation where a suicide belt and weapon were found with him.
Key Facts
Taha al-Zoubi is a leader within the ISIS group.
He was arrested in the Damascus countryside.
Syria's Interior Ministry announced the arrest.
The operation was described as "tightly executed."
A suicide belt and a military weapon were found on al-Zoubi.
The information was reported by Syria's SANA news agency.
Eleven people were arrested for a mass shooting at a tavern near Johannesburg, South Africa, where nine people were killed. The police believe the attack may be linked to illegal mining turf wars. During the arrests, authorities found several unlicensed guns.
Key Facts
Eleven suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting.
The incident occurred at a tavern in Bekkersdal, near Johannesburg.
Nine of the suspects are Lesotho nationals, one is from Mozambique, and another is a South African mineworker.
The shooting could be linked to conflicts over illegal mining areas.
Attackers used unlicensed firearms, including an AK-47 rifle.
The shooting happened just weeks after a similar attack in Pretoria where eleven people died.
South Africa has a high rate of murders, often linked to arguments, robberies, and gang violence.
The country has a significant number of both legally and illegally owned firearms.
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in Plymouth, UK. The boy was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening. Police are continuing their investigation and have increased their presence in the area.
Key Facts
A 14-year-old boy was stabbed in Plymouth, United Kingdom.
The incident happened near Notte Street and Athenaeum Street around 18:50 GMT on Monday.
The boy was taken to the hospital; his injuries are not life-threatening.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The suspect is currently in police custody.
Devon and Cornwall Police are asking for information from the public to assist in the investigation.
There will be more police in the area as inquiries continue.
Israeli forces reportedly killed a Palestinian person and injured several others in Gaza amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel warned of retaliatory actions following an explosion that injured an Israeli soldier. The ceasefire, which was part of a plan by U.S. President Donald Trump, is reportedly being violated, affecting the delivery of aid to Gaza.
Key Facts
Israeli forces killed one Palestinian and wounded six others in Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a warning to retaliate after an explosion injured an Israeli soldier.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reported over 400 people killed since the ceasefire began in October.
Gaza's Government Media Office claimed Israel breached the ceasefire agreement 875 times.
The healthcare situation in Gaza is critical, with a lack of medical supplies worsening the conditions.
President Trump's September plan includes a ceasefire, but further steps have yet to be fully implemented.
Israel continues to block essential humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Hamas stated it would disarm only when a Palestinian state is created, a condition Israel opposes.
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and her daughter, Princess Charlotte, recorded a piano duet for a Christmas carol service. Their performance, featuring a piece by Scottish composer Erland Cooper, aired during the "Together at Christmas" event at Westminster Abbey. The event highlighted the theme of love and togetherness and included various readings and musical performances.
Key Facts
Catherine and Princess Charlotte recorded a piano duet for a Christmas carol service.
The duet featured a piece by Scottish composer Erland Cooper.
Their performance was pre-recorded at Windsor Castle for the event's broadcast on ITV1.
The "Together at Christmas" event took place at Westminster Abbey.
This event had a theme focusing on love and togetherness.
There were readings from actors like Kate Winslet and musical performances from artists like Katie Melua.
Guests at the event included royals, celebrities, and community heroes.
The Prince of Wales participated by giving a Bible reading during the service.
Several Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall have been cancelled or postponed due to a weather warning for strong winds. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning from early morning until late on Christmas Day, prompting event organizers to prioritize safety.
Key Facts
Swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled or postponed because of strong wind warnings.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for the South West of the UK.
The warning is in effect from 04:00 to 23:59 GMT on Christmas Day.
The Coverack swim in Cornwall postponed its event for the first time in 57 years.
Boxing Day swims, including those at Start Bay Inn and Teignmouth, were cancelled.
Organizers cited safety concerns as the reason for cancelling the events.
Torbay Council's Boxing Day Dip also got cancelled due to rough sea conditions, as advised by the RNLI.
North Korea is building a large nuclear-powered submarine and testing long-range missiles, as confirmed by leader Kim Jong Un. These actions continue despite international sanctions, with North Korea claiming they are necessary for national security against perceived threats, including South Korea's similar submarine plans.
Key Facts
North Korea is constructing an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered submarine.
Kim Jong Un observed a long-range missile test and the submarine construction.
Kim stated the submarine is necessary due to South Korea's plans for a similar vessel.
The missile tested has a reported range of up to 124 miles.
North Korea's actions continue despite United Nations sanctions on its weapons programs.
Photos of the submarine's construction were released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency.
President Trump mentioned North Korea's strong border in a recent statement.
More than a million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein have been found by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The documents are being reviewed, and their release will be delayed by a few weeks. The DOJ aims to follow a new law requiring them to share information on Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Key Facts
Over a million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein were found by the DOJ.
The release of these documents is delayed due to the need for careful review.
The DOJ is following the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a new law.
The DOJ is redacting, or hiding, sensitive information to protect victims.
12 U.S. senators urged a review of the DOJ's delay in releasing files.
The DOJ states the delay is to ensure victim protection.
More documents have been released in batches recently, despite the delay.
Christmas celebrations have returned to Bethlehem after being canceled for two years. The city, located in the West Bank, is holding events despite ongoing Israeli military raids and increased settler attacks in the region. These incidents have led to economic struggles and increased unrest.
Key Facts
Public Christmas events resumed in Bethlehem for the first time since 2022.
The Christmas tree has returned to Manger Square, a key location in Bethlehem.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa led the celebrations, urging for a bright Christmas.
Scout bands from the West Bank participated, showing Palestinian flags.
Israel's military has been conducting frequent raids in the West Bank.
Bethlehem's unemployment rate rose to 65% during the conflict in Gaza.
Local authorities reported increased resident departures due to economic issues.
International criticism was directed at Israel for formalizing illegal settlements.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has received over a million new documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's case from authorities in New York. These documents will be reviewed for possible release, with some potentially involving President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
The DOJ received more than a million new documents regarding Jeffrey Epstein.
These documents were handed over by the Southern District of New York and the FBI.
The review is ongoing as part of compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Legal redactions will be made to protect the identities of victims.
The DOJ is required to release these documents due to legal obligations.
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, had ties with many influential figures and died in custody in 2019.
The DOJ had previously been releasing thousands of related documents, some of which involved President Trump.
As 2025 ends, Sudan remains in conflict with no peace in sight. The ongoing battle between Sudan's army and the paramilitary group, RSF, has caused large-scale casualties and displacement. A new peace plan was presented to the UN, proposing that RSF disarm and relinquish its territory, though RSF criticized the proposal.
Key Facts
The conflict in Sudan started more than two and a half years ago.
The war involves Sudan's army and the paramilitary group called Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Tens of thousands of people have died, and millions have been displaced due to the conflict.
A peace plan was presented to the United Nations Security Council by Sudan's prime minister.
The plan suggests that the RSF hand over their weapons and the land they control.
RSF described the proposed peace plan as unrealistic.
The situation in Sudan remains uncertain with ongoing challenges to achieving peace.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested a possible compromise related to Russian-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine. This proposal is part of ongoing peace talks led by the United States, but Russia has not yet responded.
Key Facts
Ukraine's President is Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy proposed a compromise concerning eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have control.
This issue is one of the main obstacles in peace negotiations.
The United States is leading the peace talks.
Russia has not indicated whether it will accept Zelenskyy's proposal.
The situation involves disputes over territory in Ukraine.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) found over a million new documents potentially linked to Jeffrey Epstein. In separate incidents, a blast in Moscow resulted in three deaths, and authorities are investigating an explosion at a nursing home near Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Southern California is facing a significant storm before Christmas.
Key Facts
The DOJ discovered over one million new documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
An explosion in Moscow killed three people.
Authorities are looking into the cause of the blast at a nursing home near Philadelphia.
Southern California is experiencing a strong storm with heavy rain expected around Christmas.
The information involves various international and domestic incidents, highlighting ongoing investigations and weather concerns.
