Yolande KnellMiddle East correspondent, Bethlehem Watch: Bethlehem Christmas tree lights up for first time since Gaza war For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank – where Christians believe Jesus was born. But after the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that

Suranjana TewariAsia Business Correspondent, Tokyo Getty Images Around seven million people suffer from dementia in Japan Last year, more than 18,000 older people living with dementia left their homes and wandered off in Japan. Almost 500 were later found dead. Police say such cases have doubled since 2012, underscoring a growing strain on the world’s

Getty Images Hongkongers are mourning the worst blaze the city has seen in more than 70 years Hongkongers are voting in an election seen as a test of public sentiment following a deadly fire that angered some in the city. The government has mounted a huge campaign to encourage Hongkongers to choose members of the

Qatar Foundation A new museum in Doha is spotlighting the Indian artist’s legacy in an imaginative way At the edge of Doha, a new grey-blue building rises like a drawing on its skyline, its shimmering tiles shifting with the sun and casting geometric shadows. The building seems to be leaning forward, as if eager to

Reuters The death toll in Indonesia from recent flooding has passed 900, with hundreds still missing. More than 100,000 homes were destroyed when a rare and powerful cyclone formed over the Malaca Strait last week, bringing torrential rain and landslides to parts of the South East Asian country. Efforts to reach people in areas still

BBC/Jessica Hromas Isobel is convinced the social media ban won’t stop kids like her It took 13-year-old Isobel less than five minutes to outsmart Australia’s “world-leading” social media ban for children. A notification from Snapchat, one of the ten platforms affected, had lit up her screen, warning she’d be booted off when the law kicked

Buying the right dividend stocks in December can set your portfolio up for 2026 gains. You shouldn’t buy a dividend stock just for its yield, but some companies combine attractive payouts with long-term tailwinds. One of the companies on this list will likely reach a $1 trillion valuation in 2026, while the other may achieve

Few automotive collectibles carry the mystique and rarity of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1’s LT5 Phase 5 engine. This January, Mecum Auctions will present one such treasure: a 1995 Corvette ZR1 Phase 5 engine, still sealed in its original crate, offered at no reserve during the Kissimmee 2026 sale. For enthusiasts and historians, the event marks

There had been some concerns among fans that late fixtures could curtail celebrations as next summer’s tournament will take place in the US, Canada and Mexico, meaning some games will not start until 3am UK time. Dates, kick off times and stadiums for group stage matches were confirmed on Saturday, with Thomas Tuchel’s side to

On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch A mass shooting carried out Saturday by multiple suspects in an unlicensed bar near the South African capital left at least 12 people dead, police said. The victims included