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Sunset bathed the north of Gaza City in golden light Tuesday evening as Izzat Al-Qawasmeh and his 11-year-old son Mohamed climbed through rubble to the top of a building that once housed hundreds of people. The duo had decided to visit the tent city with gifts, dressed in Santa Claus costumes.

The Trump administration’s recent recall of 30 career diplomats from around the world as part of its "America First" priority push is unprecedented, according to experts who say it may serve to politicize the American Foreign Service while populating it with those who lack the skills to deal with challenging diplomatic issues.

This year brought us our third-known interstellar visitor, beautiful displays of the northern lights and the opening of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory that will change our views on the universe in ways we have yet to understand. But now, we look ahead to just some of the cool things skywatchers might want to keep an eye on in 2026.

The coming year will see some changes to existing tax measures, the abandonment of others and some help for personal support workers. But overall changes to the taxes individuals pay will be minor in 2026.

Cole Beaudoin and Brady Martin each scored twice as Canada topped Finland 7-4 at the world junior hockey championship on Wednesday.

Avalanche Canada says three snowmobilers were riding about 35 kilometres southwest of Tumbler Ridge when the avalanche was remotely triggered from the base of the slope.

The U.S. military said Wednesday it struck five alleged drug-smuggling boats over two days, killing a total of eight people while others jumped overboard and may have survived.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his New Year address to the nation, said late Wednesday that Kyiv wanted the war to end, but not at any cost, adding he would not sign a "weak" peace agreement that would only prolong the war.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he's dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Ore., a move that comes after legal roadblocks hung up the effort.

Raptors star scores 30 points but can't beat the clock with game-tying three-pointer.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed seven Canadians were injured Tuesday. Global Affairs Canada is providing consular assistance.

According to Michael Kerzner, instances of intimidation were recently reported at a pro-Palestinian protest at the Eaton Centre on Dec. 26.

Police said a 48-year-old Toronto man has been charged in the fatal hit-and-run Wednesday morning. A second driver is still sought.

It's meant to level the grocery playing field in Canada, which is dominated by five big chains. But will it actually help consumers?

BARRIE - The City of Barrie is cancelling its outdoor New Year’s Eve celebration due to severe winter weather.

As of Nov. 30, close to 1.4 million people have repaid approximately $3.3 billion in debts related to individual COVID-19 benefits, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.

The most recent $80-million jackpot went unclaimed for five straight draws before Tuesday night's win in the final draw of 2025.

Opposition parties say the government is giving itself 'unlimited powers' and opening the door to 'backroom deals.'

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon revealed the list of honourees, which includes Supreme Court justices, scientists, authors, athletes, and an array of artists.

Many others injured in blaze at bar in Crans-Montana, authorities say

Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, taking the oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan.

Military statement says some people jumped overboard but does not clarify whether they survived or were rescued

Local city leaders have said deployments are unnecessary and accuse administration of overreach

As drones damage apartment buildings, Putin expresses confidence in eventual victory

Queen Camilla recalls fending off a man who attacked her on a train in the 1960s when she was a teenager

Two trains crashed near Machu Picchu on Tuesday, killing at least one passenger and injuring around 30

Finnish police say vessel was en route from St. Petersburg to Israel at time of incident

Operation, an initiative of BRICS, could draw ire from the Trump administration

Mamdani takes oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan

The historic milestone arrives amid political instability and skepticism among ordinary people fueled by fears of prices rising in the eastern European country.

Russia's defence ministry released video footage on Wednesday of what it said was a downed drone used to attack a presidential residence.

A train coming from Machu Picchu collided with a train heading there on Tuesday, according to the company that operates the railway. A rail worker was killed, police say.

The attack came as Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in his country's eventual victory in the nearly four-year war against its neighbor.

The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels, according to two people familiar with details of the operation.

South Pacific countries are the first to bid farewell to 2025. Clocks strike midnight in Auckland18 hours before the famous ball drops in New York’s Times Square.

From Washington to war zones, Canadians say the U.S. shaped nearly every major story they followed this year.

U.S. ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker cast doubt on Tuesday on Russia’s accusation that Ukraine attacked President Vladimir Putin’s residence.

Canada and other nations are calling on Israel to boost the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza as the country reportedly moves to suspend more than two dozen organizations.

Police said the perpetrators gained access to the savings fund building through a parking garage and escaped with the loot.

The police said the fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. after an explosion at a bar in Crans-Montana. The number of deaths and injuries was unknown.

After a year of Russian advances, the goal for 2026 is simply to survive, said one officer in eastern Ukraine. “It’s hard to make any plans,” he said.

Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, put his hand on Islam’s holiest book at his swearing-in ceremony.

As commissioner of New York City’s Department of Transportation, Michael Flynn will seek to implement one of the new mayor’s central campaign planks.

Zohran Mamdani officially took office as mayor after the New Year’s Eve ball drop, in a private ceremony held at a shuttered relic of the city’s subway.

Ukraine’s president should stop pressing for U.S. security guarantees and pursue more effective means of self-protection.

The new mayor is an entirely familiar type of New York politician.

The U.S. military attacked a convoy of three boats in the eastern Pacific on Tuesday, and two more on Wednesday, as part of the Trump administration’s campaign against people suspected of drug trafficking.

The assessment rebutted a claim that the Russian leader made to President Trump in a phone call this week.

Syracuse, N.Y., has received nearly twice its usual monthly amount of snow in December.

The FDA approval of the Wegovy pill highlights many of the key themes Novo Nordisk will have to face in 2026.

Shares of Alphabet rallied in 2025 as the company responded to skepticism of its position in artificial intelligence with new products that excited investors.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield moved higher on Wednesday, yet ended 2025 lower amid Federal Reserve rate cuts and sticky-but-trending-lower inflation.

Mom-and-pop investors bought the dip at key points, giving them outsized benefits from the market's run this year.

In a social media post on X, the Scion Asset Management founder responded to a user asking if he would bet against Tesla by saying: "I am not short."

The moves come at the end of a blockbuster year of annual gains for the precious metals.

In 1998, Karl Bushby set off on the "Goliath Expedition," a mission to walk around the world. Here's the number one lesson he learned about happiness.

European markets closed mixed on Wednesday, the last trading day of the year, with defense stocks taking the lead.

Reports of human trafficking and the mistreatment of workers, and even several deaths during the 2023 harvest, provoked scandal around the Champagne industry.

Beijing and Amsterdam are locked in a war of words over technology transfer.

Russia invaded Ukraine to restore it to Moscow’s orbit, but President Donald Trump’s peace plan would increase Kyiv’s security, economic and other ties with the West.

A fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, police said in a statement. Crans-Montana is a ski resort in the Swiss Alps.

In a radio discussion about violence against women, Queen Camilla for the first time described fighting off an attempted sexual assault as a teenager in Britain.

Israel, citing security needs, has imposed strict new conditions on international NGOs that the U.N. and aid groups say could cripple the relief effort in Gaza.

One Russian official called the outage “a break from the endless viewing of unnecessary videos” and urged citizens to deliver holiday greetings in person.

Around 3,000 safe-deposit boxes were breached as thieves drilled through a basement wall and got away undetected, according to police in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

The demonstrations, triggered by a collapse in Iran’s currency, started with shopkeepers and phone vendors before drawing in students, workers and others.

Supporters of a casino project say it’s an economic lifeline for Saipan; detractors raise questions about money laundering and ties to Chinese criminals.

A night to let loose or an uncontrolled moment of dangerous mayhem? Germans debate a ban on the New Year’s Eve tradition.

As President Donald Trump’s second term heads toward its second year, his doctrine for the Western Hemisphere, once seen as impractical, is taking real shape.

The ECHR questions whether it was considered if Shamima Begum was a victim of grooming and trafficking.

BBC Sport looks at some of the players hoping for a big 2026 for various reasons.

The 2025 total is the highest since 2022, when nearly 46,000 migrants made the crossing.

The centuries-old verdict has been scrapped after decades of controversy about its use in Scottish criminal trials.

Brazil and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos is "recovering well" after undergoing what he describes as "a preventative medical procedure".

The building was used as a base by Shackleton while he orchestrated the famous rescue of his stranded crew

With the January transfer window opening in the Women's Super League, which players could be on the move and who is out of contract?

Australia spinner Todd Murphy is prepared to be a target for England in the final Ashes Test in Sydney.

Antoine Semenyo is widely expected to complete a move from Bournemouth to Manchester City shortly, but which other Premier League players could be on the move in January?

Millions around the UK have attended firework displays and street parties to usher in 2026.

Officials are ‘devastated’ by the decision

Explosion at Crans-Montana venue triggers deadly fire as revellers welcomed 2026

Officials say the couple have ‘strong personal, professional and family ties’ with France

British mining, defence, and finance shares led the charge with significant gains over 2025

Forecasters are predicting the country could see snow on the first day of the new year

Kyiv is discussing possibility of hosting US troops as part of peace talks with Trump

Exclusive: Campaigners slam spending as ‘a waste and scandal’ and urge the government to sell the land back

Our community said the NHS is under intense strain, with long GP waits, under-resourced out-of-hours care, and systemic underinvestment forcing many patients to attend A&E for minor ailments

Britain rings in 2026 with big celebrations in London and Edinburgh

Most major supermarkets are open with time variations