BBC News Briefing

24 December, 2025

Tom has a shaved head and dark eyebrows. He is wearing a hite T-shirt and had a blue lanyard around his neck

Tom McArthur

Hello and welcome. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has given details of an updated peace proposal, calling it a "framework for ending the war" with Russia. Venezuela has accused the United States of acts worse than piracy in seizing two oil tankers at sea. And there was a time when scores of turkeys were walked into London for Christmas.This is the last News Briefing until 29 December - so seasons greetings from the whole team.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Zelensky moves towards 'demilitarised zone' in east

Zelensky talkng at a podium in front of two ukrainian flgs.

Zelensky said the 20 points agreed with the US offered Ukraine security guarantees that mirrored Nato membership. Credit: Getty

Ukraine's President Zelensky has shared details of an updated plan to end the war in Ukraine that offers the potential withdrawal of some Ukrainian troops. Giving details of the 20-point plan agreed by US and Ukrainian negotiators in Florida at the weekend, Zelensky said a demilitarised zone or a "free economic zone" was a potential option for the key issue of Ukraine's eastern Donbas. He said the Russians would give their response once the Americans had spoken to them.

Fighting continues: Ukraine loses embattled eastern town

Russian raids: Villagers have been abducted and taken to Russia, Ukraine says

In maps: Here's a look at the situation on the ground as the war grinds on

Venezuela accuses US of 'extortion' over seizure of oil tankers

Washington's seizure of two Venezuelan vessels is "worse than piracy", the Venezuela's ambassador to the UN has told an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

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WORLD HEADLINES

an older man in a suit looks furtive away from the camera

The Andrew and Epstein story won't go away

There are more questions for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the latest documents from the Epstein files.

More on this >

the backs of two australian police officers in uniform

Man who endorsed Bondi attack had weapons stash

A shopping list for bomb materials was also found in the home of a man arrested after pledging support for the Bondi gunmen.

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a bald black man in a suit looks up and away from the camera in a courtroom scene

Claims of South Africa police corruption aired at hearings

Investigations into police wrongdoing in South Africa have revealed alleged links to a drugs cartel and a murdered witness.

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a man in a semi-formal military dress unifrom walks in front of a green, outside scene. He's an older man and is wearing a beret and holds a senior rank.

Libya's army chief killed in air crash in Turkey

Gen Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad was flying out of the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Tuesday evening.

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NEWS FROM THE UK

Gun plot: The Jewish community in Manchester has praised police for foiling plans for an attack
King's Speech: The monarch's Christmas address will come from Westminster Abbey and is set to focus on the "pilgrimage" of life.
Turkey droving: Look back on the day when scores of the birds were
walked to London for Christmas

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

How the Murdoch dynasty's new order is playing out

Rupert Murdoch and daughter Elisabeth Murdoch attend day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival on March 18, 2010

Elisabeth Murdoch, pictured here with father Rupert, has been frozen out of the family firm. Credit: Getty

Christmas is a time when families get together if they can - and, until this year, the Murdochs - headed by media mogul Rupert - were no different. Now, intense rivalries have reshaped the family, forcing some key members out into the cold, writes culture and media editor Katie Razzall.

A woman wearing a patterned dress holds a dish continaing a large cooked goose with sweetcorn and greens around it. It is on a table with lots of other dishes of food and a bottle of wine