Plus: Eurovision makes up its mind on Israel's participation ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. Following an inquiry into the death of a victim of the UK's Novichok poisonings, BBC security analyst Gordon Corera asks if lessons from the events of 2018 have been learned. Recovery work is starting at Gaza's war-damaged heritage sites - BBC Middle East correspondent Yolande Knell has the report. And finally, have you heard the one about the baby seal who walked into a bar... | |
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TOP OF THE AGENDA | Inquiry finds Putin 'morally responsible' for death of Novichok victim |
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| | Yulia Skripal and her father Sergei Skripal are believed to have made a full recovery. Credit: Reuters/BBC | The realisation that former Russian spy Sergei Skripal had been targeted with a nerve agent in the English city of Salisbury sent shockwaves through the world of British spies and raised important but difficult questions, writes security analyst Gordon Corera. Some were answered by a report published on Thursday, which held Russian President Vladimir Putin "morally responsible" for the death from Novichok of British woman Dawn Sturgess. Today, Russia, its spies and its proxies are engaged in a low-level conflict with the UK and other European countries which involves carrying out acts of surveillance and sabotage, our correspondent notes. Gordon writes that Russia's ability to carry out another nerve agent poisoning is almost certainly diminished, but that does not mean there are not other types of danger. |
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| DR Congo and Rwanda sign peace deal | The leaders of the two countries have signed a deal aimed at ending the long-running conflict in the region. | What to know > |
| | US Institute of Peace renamed after Trump | The president's name has been added to the US Institute of Peace building in Washington after a rebrand. | Read more > |
| | Israel allowed to compete in Eurovision | Countries including Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands say they will boycott next year's Eurovision Song Contest. | Follow our live coverage > |
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| Recovery work at Gaza's heritage sites | | Gaza City's medieval Great Omari Mosque was targeted by Israel's military during the past two years of war. Credit: Reuters | Recovery work is starting at war-damaged heritage sites in Gaza. Unesco has verified damage to 145 religious, historic and cultural sites in Gaza since 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led attacks on Israel triggered the war. Local groups which have carried out ground surveys say the level is far higher. |
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| | Yolande Knell, Middle East correspondent |
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| | The broken stump of the distinctive octagonal minaret of the medieval Great Omari Mosque and a few external walls are all that remain after it was targeted by the Israeli military during two years of war against Hamas.
Since the US-brokered ceasefire began almost eight weeks ago, work has begun to clear and sort the stones, but actual restoration cannot yet start. Israel is not allowing building supplies to enter Gaza via the crossings, saying this is in line with the truce agreement. |
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| SOMETHING DIFFERENT | Travel trends of 2026 | From quiet escapes to AI-created plans. Here's how next year's holidays could look. | |
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