US President Donald Trump said he had a “very productive” call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. Trump said Putin congratulated him on the Middle East peace deal, calling it a “great accomplishment.” Trump added that the success could help in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Putin also praised First Lady Melania Trump for her work with children. Trump confirmed that top US and Russian advisors will meet next week, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said he and Putin will meet in Budapest to seek peace. Trump will meet Ukraine’s President Zelensky on Friday in Washington.

Israel has returned 30 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, the Hamas-run health ministry says. This is part of a ceasefire deal where Israel returns 15 Palestinian bodies for every Israeli body. Earlier, Hamas returned the remains of two Israelis and all 20 living hostages. Nine of the 28 dead hostages have been returned so far. Hamas says it needs special equipment to locate the remaining bodies. The delay has raised worries about the ceasefire, but senior US advisers say the deal is likely to hold. Israel is preparing to open the Rafah crossing, while aid will enter through other checkpoints. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Thursday that the “ball is in the Afghan Taliban’s court” for a permanent ceasefire. This follows deadly cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which killed dozens of civilians and soldiers. A 48-hour truce was agreed upon, with both sides halting fighting temporarily. Sharif said Pakistan is ready to address issues if Afghanistan meets its demands, including stopping Taliban militants from using Afghan territory for attacks. Tensions remain high, but officials report no violence overnight. Additional paramilitary forces have been deployed along the border to prevent further clashes. (PC: HT)

   The British Library has reissued a reader’s card to Oscar Wilde, 130 years after it was revoked over his conviction for homosexuality. Wilde was banned from the library’s reading room in 1895 after being jailed for “gross indecency.” The new card, expiring on the date of his death, 30 November 1900, will be received by his grandson, author Merlin Holland. The library said the move honours Wilde’s legacy and recognises the injustice he suffered. Holland called it a “lovely gesture of forgiveness” and said Wilde’s spirit would have been “touched and delighted.” (PC: BBC)

The US has downplayed threats to the Gaza ceasefire after Hamas said it needs more time to recover the remaining bodies of Israeli hostages. Under the first phase of the peace plan, Hamas returned 20 living hostages and nine bodies. Two bodies handed over Wednesday night were identified by Israel as Sergeant-Major Muhammad al-Atarash, 39, and Inbar Hayman, 27. Senior US advisers described talks with mediators as “positive” and said Hamas intends to honour the agreement. Meanwhile, Israel is preparing to open the Rafah crossing for civilians, though aid continues to enter through other checkpoints. (PC: BBC)

A 10-year-old girl from Mid-Wales has been highly commended in the BBC’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 awards. Her photo, taken on a cold, frosty morning, shows an orb-weaver spider curled up inside its silken hideaway. The image won praise in the 10 Years and Under category of the international competition. She captured the picture near her home in Mid-Wales, UK. The young photographer said she loves exploring nature and spotting small creatures. The annual competition, run by the Natural History Museum in London, highlights the wonder and beauty of wildlife photography worldwide. (PC: BBC)

Migrants coming to the UK will soon need stronger English skills under new government rules. From 8 January 2026, applicants for skilled worker, scale-up, and high potential individual visas must reach B2 level English — equal to A-level standard. The current requirement is B1, or GCSE level. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said migrants must “learn our language and play their part.” The new rule aims to cut immigration and ensure better integration. Critics say the standard is too high and may stop skilled workers from coming. The government says the changes could reduce migration by 100,000 people each year. (PC: Reuters)

Ismael Ayala-Uribe, 39, died after falling ill in a US immigration detention centre in California. He had lived in the US since he was four. His mother said he suffered from fever and cough but did not receive proper care. He was later taken to hospital for surgery but died before the operation. His family learned of his death only after police informed them. Ayala-Uribe had been detained for five weeks after an immigration raid. His death has raised concerns over poor medical care in detention centres. At least 15 people have died in US immigration custody this year. (PC: Sky News)

Three thousand UK claimants are suing Johnson & Johnson, alleging the pharmaceutical giant knowingly sold baby powder contaminated with asbestos-linked minerals since the 1960s. Internal documents reveal J&J identified tremolite and actinolite fibers both asbestos forms causing deadly cancers in its talc-based powder. A 1973 memo allegedly discussed keeping findings "confidential." The lawsuit claims J&J pushed US regulators to accept lower sensitivity standards tolerating up to one percent asbestos contamination while marketing the powder as pure. Many claimants suffer ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after prolonged use. J&J denies wrongdoing, stating its powder "was compliant with regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer." UK damages could reach hundreds of millions. (PC: Bloomberg)

US President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that Israeli forces could resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas refuses to disarm, stating Israel would return "as soon as I say the word." In a CNN phone interview, Trump emphasized the fragile ceasefire depends entirely on Hamas's compliance with disarmament terms. He revealed Israel's eagerness to continue military action, saying, "If Israel could go in and knock the crap out of them, they'd do that." Trump disclosed tensions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating "I had it out with Bibi" while pressing for restraint. The President portrayed himself as the key restraining force, repeatedly saying he "had to hold them back" from resuming the Gaza campaign. (PC: X)