pictureoftheday
Santas flock to the Venice canalPeople dressed as Santa Claus row boats through the fog on the Venice canal. REUTERS 24/12/12 11:24 CET
world news
Egypt gives Islamist constitution a chanceWill an Islamist referendum victory calm Tahrir Square and the opposition, or will there be a… 24/12/12 17:22 CET
Judges investigate Egyptian vote fraud claimsIn Egypt, judges are looking into allegations from the opposition that a referendum on the… 24/12/12 22:55 CET
Two US firefighters killed by gunman at NY blazeThe men were shot dead and another two injured when they went to put out a house fire in Webster… 24/12/12 22:35 CET
Spain: protests against Bankia cutback plansThere have been protests in cities across Spain by bank workers, angry at plans by the country’s… 24/12/12 20:48 CET
Navalny faces fresh charges of theftTop Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has learned he is to be the subject of a third… 24/12/12 19:35 CET
Weather extremes across EuropeChristmas is looking very different across Europe and further east this year. Russia, which will… 24/12/12 18:55 CET
NATO murder sets dangerous Afghan precedentThe killing of a NATO advisor in Afghanistan by a uniformed policewoman, for reasons that remain… 24/12/12 18:15 CET
Syria: Christians rustle up some Christmas cheerIn Syria, the country’s two million Christians have been trying to summon up some Christmas cheer… 24/12/12 17:55 CET
Nigeria searches for pirates who seized 4 peopleThe Nigerian navy is looking for pirates who kidnapped four crew from an Italian-registered ship… 24/12/12 17:54 CET
Ukrainian central banker appointed First Deputy PMUkraine has appointed its new cabinet ahead of the new year holidays. The former head of… 24/12/12 17:54 CET
Catalonia: ceremony for President MasArtur Mas has taken up his post as Catalonian President in a ceremony at the Generalitat Palace… 24/12/12 17:54 CET
Nigeria: Islamist Ansaru behind French kidnappingIslamist group Ansaru says it was behind the kidnapping of a French engineer in Nigeria… 24/12/12 17:45 CET
Monti’s ManifestoItaly’s outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti has published his reform agenda online. It comes a day… 24/12/12 17:36 CET
Christmas in Bethlehem has extra significance for PalestiniansMany Palestinian and Christian pilgrims say Christmas in Bethlehem has even more meaning following… 24/12/12 16:17 CET
Russia and India announce arms dealsSales of military aircraft topped the agenda, as Russian President Vladimir Putin met Indian Prime… 24/12/12 14:45 CET
Syria: Several killed by Homs gas attackActivists in Homs claim Syrian government forces used poisonous gas on a rebel-held neighbourhood… 24/12/12 14:25 CET
Syrian peace envoy in talks with AssadThe UN-Arab League joint special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, has been in talks with President… 24/12/12 13:05 CET
American police adviser shot dead by Afghan officerNATO has confirmed that a US police adviser has been shot dead by an Afghan policewoman. The… 24/12/12 12:36 CET
Egypt opposition alleges referendum “fraud”Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi faces further turmoil after his opponents complained of voting… 24/12/12 11:45 CET
Indian PM appeals for calm amid rape protestsPolice in New Delhi clashed with protesters enraged by the rape of a young woman on Monday… 24/12/12 11:25 CET
American police adviser shot dead by Afghan officerNATO has confirmed that a US police adviser has been shot dead by an Afghan policewoman in the… 24/12/12 09:35 CET
UK floods expected to worsen over ChristmasYou could be more forgiving if it was snow preventing you from getting home for Christmas. But in… 24/12/12 08:55 CET
Many die and are displaced in Sri Lanka floodsAt least 32 people have been killed and nine are reported missing after more than a week of heavy… 24/12/12 07:08 CET
Volcano erupts on Chile-Argentina borderChile is on its highest level of alert after a 3,000 metre Copahue volcano just over the border in… 24/12/12 07:08 CET
Western Antartica melting faster than thoughtWestern Antarctica is warming almost twice as fast as previously believed. Figures show… 24/12/12 07:08 CET
Shock reverberates as Syrian bakery obliteratedThere is not much left that is recognisable after a bakery has been obliterated a missile. This… 24/12/12 04:06 CET
Mario Monti hedges his bets ahead of Italy pollPlaying his cards close to his chest while keeping his options open. This is the Machiavellian… 24/12/12 02:06 CET
Egypt’s main opposition demands an inquiryEgypt’s main opposition party is demanding an inquiry into the referendum on the draft… 24/12/12 00:15 CET
