EU calls DRC ambassador explosion 'completely unjustified'

The European Union says it is completely unjustified that the Democratic Republic of Congo has expelled its ambassador.

The explosion is believed to be in reaction to the EU extending its sanctions against the DRC earlier in December but comes on the eve of historic elections in the country.

Our Europe correspondent Jack Parrock reports.

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Manhunt continues in Vienna after church attack

Austrian authorities are still searching for two men suspected of robbing a church in Vienna and injuring five monks, one of them seriously.

Police say the exact motive for the attack is still unclear, although they don't believe it was an act of terrorism.

Ira Spitzer has more from Berlin.

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POLICE IN ICELAND WAIT TO TALK TO CRASH SURVIVORS

Police in Iceland haven't been able to talk yet to injured passengers in a crash which killed three tourists.

The three British tourists - including a child - died after their vehicle crashed off a bridge.

Four other people in the car were critically injured and have been airlifted to Reykjavik.

The accident happened in Núpsvötn.

Local journalist Bjorn Malmquist says the bridge wasn't built for the number of tourists it gets today.

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US congress meets, fails to reach deal to end 7-day shutdown

US Congress met briefly on Thursday in a bid to end the now week-long shutdown

However, little progress was made with lawmakers adjourning until the end of the month, increasing the likelihood of the shutdown dragging into the new year

Kevin McAleese has this from Washington...

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China and US seek to end trade war

China and the US will hold trade talks in the new year in an attempt to resolve the trade war between the two giant economies.

The talks have been announced by the Chinese commerce ministry.

As our Washington correspondent John Clarke reports, the world will be watching closely following recent stock market slumps across the globe.

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US lawmakers set to meet to discuss government shutdown

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A partial shutdown of the U.S. government is widely expected to
continue through a sixth day as lawmakers remain divided over the
President's proposed border wall.

Congress convenes on Thursday but there's little hope of an immediate
breakthrough when the Senate and House are slated to meet at 4pm local
time.

U.S. correspondent Laura Cantekin reports.

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U.S. markets loss momentum after record session

A substantial chunk of the gains posted on Wall Street Wednesday were
wiped out in early trading Thursday.

Wednesday's trading session ended a four day slide for the U.S.
markets but concerns over the health of the economy and the partial
government shutdown continue to linger.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Russia tests new inter-continental missile

Russia says it has successfully tested a new intercontinental missile system which could hit 'almost any point in the world'. President Vladimir Putin first announced the system in March, and now says it will be made available for armed forces in 2019. Moscow correspondent Lucy Taylor reports.

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German military considering EU-wide recruitment

The German military is considering recruiting EU citizens from other countries to address a shortage of skilled workers.

The news comes amid plans to add more than twenty thousand soldiers over the next six years.

Ira Spitzer reports from Berlin.

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Italian authorities watching Mt Etna after earthquake and eruptions

Experts in Italy are continuing to watch for any activity around Mount Etna after a 4 point 8 magnitude earthquake hit the city of Catania in Sicily.

The earthquake hit two days after Europe's most active volcano erupted covering nearby villages in ash.

Our Europe correspondent Jack Parrock reports,

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Pres. Trump makes first trip to combat zone, meets US troops in Iraq

President Trump and First lady Melania Trump made a surprise visit to US troops stationed in Iraq Wednesday

Their stop at Al-assad Air base, west of Baghdad, was Trump's first time in a combat zone as commander in chief, and came just days after Trump announced the withdrawal of some 2000 US troops from Syria

Kevin McAleese reports from Washington...

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Government shutdown enters 5th day

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The partial shutdown of the U.S. government has continued into a fifth day.
Negotiations between lawmakers and the White House were slated to restart Wednesday following the Christmas break.


But divisions over funding for a border wall remain a major stumbling block.


U.S. correspondent Laura Cantekin reports.

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U.S. markets seek rebound after record losses

U.S. markets bounced back in early trading Wednesday after posting
historic losses in the last session before the Christmas break.

Concerns linger over trade tensions, the President's ongoing row with
the Federal Reserve and the government shutdown.

But strong holiday spending has helped give the markets a boost.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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US immigration authorities criticised after death of second child

American immigration authorities have ordered medical checks on all children in their custody following the death of an eight-year-old Guatemalan boy in New Mexico.

As our US correspondent John Clarke reports, the case has put a new spotlight on the welfare of Central American migrants 

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US judge orders North Korea to pay $500m to parents of Otto Warmbier

A US judge is ordering North Korea to pay $500m in damages to the parents of Otto Warmbier, a student who died after being detained in the country.

North Korea did not contest the case in a federal court in the US capital.

Our Washington correspondent Giles Gibson has the details:

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AUSTRALIA: Brand new high rise apartment block in danger of collapse

It's a grim Christmas for some residents of a high rise in Sydney's Olympic Park precinct after authorities declared 51 units unsafe following the failure of an internal wall.
Arthur Stevens has more

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COURTESY AIR NEWS MELBOURNE

US markets plunge

American stock markets plunged on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing down over 600 points going in to the Christmas holiday.

President Trump is blaming the slide on the Federal Reserve raising interest rates.

Our Washington correspondent Rebecca Foster reports:

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US government shutdown enters third day with no end in sight

A partial shutdown of the US government is now in its third day, with Senators not expected to debate any new legislation until Thursday at the earliest.

Our Washington correspondent Giles Gibson has more:

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POLICE 'MISCOMMUNICATION' OVER DRONES

The UK government says police have 'miscommunicated' over the suggestion there may not have been any drones at Gatwick Airport.

Ministers have been holding a conference call to discuss the disruption caused last week when flights had to be suspended due to drone sightings.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

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QUEEN URGES RESPECT DESPITE DIVISIONS

The Christmas Day broadcast from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will call for 'greater understanding'.

The annual recorded message will urge people with differing views to treat each other with respect.

It's being interpreted as a possible reference to Brexit - with the UK's Parliament divided over how to leave the EU in March.

Royal commentator Alastair Bruce says the Queen's broadcast will strike the right tone.

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