United Front: China's 'magic weapon' caught in a spy controversy The UFWD is a decades-old - and increasingly controversial - arm of China's Communist Party. What does it do?6 hrs agoAsiaRare accounts of life for women inside notorious Iranian prisonInterrogations, beatings, cramped quarters and the tight bonds women forge inside Tehran's Evin prison.2 hrs agoMiddle EastUnited Front: China's 'magic weapon' caught in a spy controversy The UFWD is a decades-old - and increasingly controversial - arm of China's Communist Party. What does it do?6 hrs agoAsiaRare accounts of life for women inside notorious Iranian prisonInterrogations, beatings, cramped quarters and the tight bonds women forge inside Tehran's Evin prison.2 hrs agoMiddle EastSyria not a threat to world, rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa tells BBCIn an interview with International Editor Jeremy Bowen, the leader of the rebel group HTS says sanctions on Syria should be lifted.6 hrs agoMiddle EastVerdicts due for 51 men in Pelicot mass rape trial that shook France Judges will deliver verdicts on the defendants in a case that turned a 72-year-old woman into a feminist icon.4 hrs agoEuropeCongress in disarray and shutdown looms as Trump, Musk slam spending dealThe president-elect and Elon Musk rejected the bipartisan spending plan that would prevent a government shutdown. 42 mins agoUS & CanadaThe mega trade deal that has French farmers in uproarThe EU wants a trade deal with four South American nations, but France is strongly opposed.4 hrs agoWorldNY homeowner makes jaw-dropping mastodon discovery in backyardThe complete mastodon jaw is the first of its kind to be unearthed in New York in over 11 years. 9 hrs agoUS & CanadaOnly from the BBCThe 20 best TV shows of 2024From an electrifying action thriller with Keira Knightley to Ted Danson's latest sitcom and a brutal Japanese period epic, we pick the year's greatest programmes to stream right now.17 hrs agoCultureThe controversial ocean device that eats CO2Equatic is among a wave of start-ups exploring how the ocean could be harnessed to capture and store carbon. But not everyone is sure it's such a good idea.18 hrs agoFutureMore newsWatch: BBC speaks to Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa5 hrs agoMiddle EastThirteen dead after naval speedboat hits ferry off Mumbai10 hrs agoAsiaRussia detains Uzbek man over general's killing in Moscow13 hrs agoEuropeUS Supreme Court to hear TikTok challenge to potential ban11 hrs agoTechnologyCara Delevingne plays Elton John in music video5 hrs agoCultureMust watchCanadians respond to Trump's jab that country could become 51st stateThe US president-elect recently referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the "governor" of the "Great State of Canada".12 hrs agoUS & CanadaThief complains after video stealing parcel appears onlineThe suspect, who stole a package off a front porch, returned days later after the victim shared footage of the theft on an app.7 hrs agoUS & CanadaThe little-known truth behind a Christmas taleScience says that Santa must have a crew of female reindeer. So why do we think Rudolph the reindeer is a boy?20 hrs agoCulture & ExperiencesGarage CCTV shows moment earthquake hits VanuatuFootage shows people running and items falling off shelves as the earthquake strikes.1 day agoAsiaAgony of period pain left woman in hospitalEmily Handstock has been suffering with severe period pain for more than 10 years.5 hrs agoWalesJesse Eisenberg cast Kieran Culkin based on his 'essence'Kieran Culkin reveals that he was cast in 'A Real Pain' without an audition.20 hrs agoFilm & TVRos Atkins On... Igor Kirillov's deathThe BBC's Analysis Editor, along with BBC Verify, takes a look at material from the scene to assess what we know.1 day agoEuropeTeacher was screaming 'help', recounts 8-year-old US school shooting survivorTwo people were fatally shot and several injured during a school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin.1 day agoUS & CanadaCultureMy kids saw my pain on set of Maria, says Angelina JolieThe Hollywood star plays famous opera singer Maria Callas in a role she describes as "most challenging".See moreEarthPolar bears losing 'big dinner plate' in Arctic townClimate change is making it trickier for residents in the world's "polar bear capital" to co-exist with increasingly hungry predators.See moreDiscover more from the BBCIn HistoryDiscover the headlines from this week in history. See the past come to life through the BBC's unique archive, in your inbox every Thursday.Download the BBC appClick here to download the BBC app for Apple and Android devices.Royal WatchThe full story on the Royal Family, in your inbox every Thursday.Listen to The Global StoryGlobal perspectives on one big story. In-depth insights from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.Register for a BBC accountDon't have time to read everything right now? Your BBC account lets you save articles and videos for later. The Essential ListThe week’s best stories, handpicked by BBC editors, in your inbox every Friday.Sign up to News BriefingNews and expert analysis for every schedule. Get the morning and evening editions of our flagship newsletter in your inbox.US & Canada newsMotive 'combination of factors' in Wisconsin school shootingJust nowUS & CanadaMontana top court upholds landmark youth climate ruling2 hrs agoUS & Canada'Nothing nefarious': Biden seeks to reassure US over drone mystery6 hrs agoUS & CanadaHouse Ethics Committee votes to release Matt Gaetz reportThe report follows a years-long investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, which Gaetz denies.11 hrs agoUS & CanadaIsrael-Gaza warEighteen in court after pro-Palestine protest10 hrs agoWalesHow Facebook restricted news in Palestinian territories1 day agoTechnologyGaza ceasefire talks in final stage, Palestinian negotiator tells BBC2 days agoMiddle EastIsraeli foreign minister calls Ireland's premier 'antisemitic' This comes after Israel's decision to close its embassy in Dublin. 2 days agoEuropeWar in UkraineRussia detains Uzbek man over general's killing in Moscow13 hrs agoEurope'Wrapathon' event sees 25,000 gifts go to Ukraine21 hrs agoEnglandFamilies prepare for another Christmas in exile22 hrs agoEnglandMoscow's air of normality pierced by assassination far from Ukraine warThe killing of Igor Kirillov is a wake-up call for the Russian capital, writes Steve Rosenberg.1 day agoEuropeMore world newsEl Salvador scales back bitcoin bet to get $1.4bn loan8 mins agoLatin AmericaGoogle Street View image helps police unlock murder case5 hrs agoEuropeIrish parliament's first female speaker 'humbled' to serve6 hrs agoEuropeEmbattled Liberian speaker questioned by police over parliament fireA huge fire breaks out at Liberia's Capitol building a day after it was the scene of a bitter dispute.10 hrs agoAfricaVideoMountain goats: A death-defying battle to mateWatch the world's largest species of goat fight for the right to mate, teetering on the edge of perilous drops.See moreSport'He has rebuilt Arsenal' - now Arteta must clear 'hardest hurdle'6 hrs agoArsenalNewcastle cruise past Brentford into EFL Cup semisNunez scores as Liverpool sink Southampton cup hopes'You have to ride the wave' - Russo resurgence continuesAlessia Russo is being rewarded for hard work under interim boss Renee Slegers and her fine form continued in Arsenal's final game before the winter break.5 hrs agoWomen's FootballBusinessStocks slide as US central bank signals slower pace of rate cuts1 hr agoBusinessEl Salvador scales back bitcoin bet to get $1.4bn loan8 mins agoLatin AmericaThe mega trade deal that has French farmers in uproar4 hrs agoWorldBank of England expected to hold interest ratesAnalysts are forecasting rates will stay at 4.75% after inflation rose for the second month in a row.4 hrs agoBusinessTechThreat against UK 'smouldering', top counter terror officer warns 9 hrs agoUKThe city where shopkeepers fear their CCTV cameras could get them killed1 day agoAfricaCould this be what our home on Moon or Mars might look like?1 day agoAsiaTrump meets TikTok CEO as ban deadline loomsThe social media giant is currently seeking to delay a law that would see it banned or sold in early 2025.2 days agoAsiaScience & healthNasa astronauts Butch and Suni's homecoming delayed again17 hrs agoScience & EnvironmentDeaths from alcohol at record high in England2 hrs agoHealthEven morphine doesn't help my horrific period pain5 hrs agoWalesMajor report joins dots between world's nature challengesA new approach is needed to tackle the interlinked crises afflicting the planet, scientists warn.2 days agoClimateCultureSinger Elyanna on Palestinian identity, Coldplay and 'trusting the process'1 day agoMiddle EastKneecap shortlisted for two Academy Award nominations 1 day agoNorthern IrelandMufasa: The Lion King is a 'contrived cash-in' ★★☆☆☆1 day agoCultureListen to the 'earliest known country song' ever recorded A wax cylinder containing the oldest recorded country song was discovered in Pennsylvania. 1 day agoMusicArtsHow a 1990s Swan Lake changed dance forever27 Nov 2024CultureArtists imagine a new utopia for Kenya's capital30 Nov 2024AfricaHow The Devil Wears Prada went from movie to musical7 Dec 2024LondonPainting of Māori elder fetches record price in NZ auctionThe NZ$3.75m ($2.2m; $1.7m) sale makes it the most valuable Māori portrait in New Zealand history.27 Nov 2024AsiaTravelA freeski champion's guide to Whistler15 hrs agoTravelEurope's borderless town that embraces two cultures2 days agoTravelHow do you ski when there's no longer snow?3 days agoTravelThe addictive love cake only baked at ChristmasFruity, nutty and slightly tangy, this deliciously rich, spiced cake symbolises love and affection – and making it is a true labour of love.3 days agoTravelEarth'Murder hornets' eradicated in the US, officials say4 hrs agoExpert warns of public health emergency as Delhi's toxic air returns 22 hrs agoAsiaSeven climate wins you may have missed in 20243 days agoFutureIs climate change making hurricanes and typhoons worse?These powerful tropical storms are generally becoming more intense as the world warms.3 days agoScience & Environment