Hong Kong's protesters have welcomed a new decade via a New Year's Day rally, with tens of thousands joining a pro-democracy march. Though the gathering was largely peaceful, violence broke out in some areas and police fired tear gas. On New Year's Eve, demonstrators had

Bushfires have killed at least eight people in south-eastern Australia since Monday, with two others remaining unaccounted for. The latest fires, which raced towards the coast this week, have also destroyed more than 200 homes. Seven people have been confirmed dead in New South

US President Donald Trump has issued a threat to Iran after blaming it for an attack on the US embassy in Iraq. The compound in Baghdad was attacked by demonstrators furious over the deaths of militia members in US air strikes. Mr Trump tweeted that Iran "will pay a very big price"

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he is ending the suspension of nuclear and long-range missile tests put in place during talks with the US. Mr Kim also said his country would soon introduce "a new strategic weapon". But he left a door open for dialogue, and said the scope of

More than 200 homes have burned down in deadly bushfires racing along the Australian coast. At least 43 homes were destroyed in East Gippsland, Victoria, while another 176 were lost in New South Wales. On Tuesday, thousands of people who were unable to evacuate fled to beaches as

Europe, the Middle East and Asia have followed Australia and New Zealand in welcoming in 2020. Fireworks displays lit up the skies as the countries celebrated the start of the new decade. The display in Sydney, Australia went ahead despite calls to cancel its show due to the ongoing

Auckland in New Zealand has become the world's first major city to celebrate the start of 2020 with a bang. Watch the city's fireworks display erupt from its 328-metre tall Sky Tower. Source: BBC BDST: 1840 HRS, DEC 31, 2019 SMS

Some of the details may change, but year in and year out, these destinations around the world have a well-deserved reputation for traditionally throwing a great New Year's Eve shindig. Be sure to plan early for prime parties and the best viewing areas for fireworks. Some venues

General Manoj Mukund Naravane took charge as the 28th Chief of Army Staff on Tuesday even as General Bipin Rawat retired after serving three years as the Army Chief. After being appointed as the Chief of Army Staff, General Mukund Naravane said: "It is an honour to be given this

Thousands of people have fled to a beach in Victoria, Australia, to escape bushfires racing towards the coast. Locals in Mallacoota described a "terrifying experience" of camping on wharves and boarding boats under blood-red skies. Military aircraft and vessels are to be sent to

Sydney's iconic fireworks display on New Year's Eve will go-ahead despite calls for it to be cancelled due to the bushfire crisis. The New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service granted organisers an exemption from a total fire ban covering the region. NSW has been ravaged by

A scientist in China who said he had created the world's first gene-edited babies has been jailed for three years. He Jiankui was convicted of violating a government ban by carrying out his own experiments on human embryos, to try to give them protection against HIV. He was

Greta Thunberg's father has said he thought it was "a bad idea" for his daughter to take to the "front line" of the battle against climate change. Millions of people have been inspired to join the 16-year-old in raising awareness of environmental issues. But Svante Thunberg told

Scores of fires are burning out of control across Australia amid a heatwave which has seen temperatures exceed 40C (104F) in every state. On Monday, the most dangerous fires were in the state of Victoria. About 30,000 residents and tourists were urged to flee East Gippsland - a

A gunman has opened fire in a church in Texas, fatally shooting two people before being killed by an armed member of the congregation. The gunman stood up from a pew at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, a suburb of Fort Worth, pulled out a shotgun and began firing.

Tens of thousands of residents and holidaymakers in the Australian state of Victoria have been told to evacuate amid worsening bushfire conditions. Temperatures of over 40C (104F), strong winds, thunderstorms and a change of wind direction meant Monday would be a day of extreme danger,

Russia and Ukraine have begun the final phase of a long-awaited prisoner exchange, the office of the Ukrainian president said on Sunday. Authorities agreed to the swap - aimed at improving relations between the two countries - at talks in December. Ukraine is expected to hand over

At least five people have been stabbed at the house of a rabbi in New York state, police say. The house in Monsey, north of New York City, was hosting a religious celebration when the attacker burst in, according to the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC). The suspect

Boris Johnson was given an off-road motorbike by his girlfriend Carrie Symonds for Christmas, it has been claimed. The Prime Minister received a second-hand Yamaha TTR 125 from the 31-year-old, according to the Mail on Sunday. The bike, thought to be worth around £1,000, can reach

A complaint has been filed in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regarding the alleged manhandling of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra by Uttar Pradesh police in Lucknow on Saturday. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday alleged that she was strangulated by a