Six O'Clock News

The BBC has heard reports of hospitals being overwhelmed in Iran as officials have issued fresh warnings to those taking part in the anti-government protests that have spread across the country for almost a fortnight.Kyiv's energy supply is cut for emergency repairs to infrastructure hit by Russian air strikes as temperatures in Ukraine fall even lower.And there's FA Cup euphoria for Macclesfield as the non-leaguers beat Premier League club and FA Cup holders, Crystal Palace

Downing Street has expressed outrage at changes introduced by the social media platform, X, to address concerns about its AI tool Grok. Also: Iran's Revolutionary Guard has warned it won't tolerate the current unrest in the country, as protests continue for a thirteenth day. And the National Grid says it is working to restore power to tens of thousands of homes after Storm Goretti brought heavy snow to parts of Wales and England.

The Met Office has put in place a rare red weather warning for this evening in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, meaning there is a danger to life. Also: Protesters have clashed with federal agents in the US city of Minneapolis, where a woman was shot dead by immigration officers. And the England cricketer, Harry Brook, has apologised after being involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer.

The United States says it has apprehended two oil tankers which are part of a "ghost fleet" linked to Venezuela. One flying under a Russian flag was seized in the North Atlantic, with the assistance of the British military. Also: The American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says he'll meet Danish officials about Greenland next week, after President Trump renewed his threat to seize the territory. And despite England's woeful Ashes performance, the head coach and the director of cricket look set to stay.

Greenland's Prime Minister welcomes support from European leaders in the face of the Trump administration's warning it could take over the territory. Also: The authorities in the Swiss ski resort where dozens of people died during a blaze at a bar admit there wasn't a fire safety inspection for five years. And a "major incident" has been declared in Aberdeenshire as snow continues to grip the north of Scotland.

The ousted Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, has appeared in court in New York, two days after he was seized by US special forces during a raid in Caracas. Also: 10 people have been found guilty of cyberbullying the French President's wife, Brigitte Macron. And there will be a public holiday in Scotland to celebrate the country's return to the men's football World Cup.

The Trump administration has warned Venezuela's remaining leaders to "do what is right" or "pay a big price". But the Venezuelan military has vowed to confront American aggression. Also: Sir Keir Starmer tells the BBC he wants closer alignment with parts of the EU. And a memorial service is held for the victims of the Crans-Montana fire in the Swiss Alps.

US launches strikes on Venezuela, captures its president, Nicolas Maduro, and takes him to New York. President Trump says he'll face "the full might of American justice" for alleged drug-trafficking offences. Venezuela condemns the attack but the opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, says the country's "hour of freedom" has arrived. But Mr Trump has dismissed the idea of her leading Venezuela.

Swiss officials say they believe the fire that killed 40 people in a bar in Crans-Montana during New Year's celebrations was "caused by sparklers attached to champagne bottles."

Officials in Switzerland say around 40 people have been killed, after a fire broke out in a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana. 115 people were injured; many of them are being treated in specialist burns and respiratory units across the country. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, but the region's chief prosecutor said there was "no question" of an attack. At a briefing this afternoon the Swiss President - Guy Parmelin - said this was "one of the worst tragedies" his country had experienced.

Queen Camilla has praised the courage of BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his family - after his wife, Carol, and two daughters, Louise and Hannah, were killed by Louise's ex-partner.Israel's ban on almost 40 aid agencies working in Gaza and the West Bank is described as "unacceptable" by countries including the UK. The Israelis say the organisations must vet their staff more thoroughly.Plus: our political editor Chris Mason reflects on the prospects for Labour and the Prime Minister in 2026.

Thousands of travellers have their New Year plans disrupted by a power failure that closed the Channel Tunnel. Alaa Abd El-Fattah, the British-Egyptian activist who apologised yesterday for historical social media posts, is alleged to have endorsed new claims that he is the victim of a "smear campaign" initiated by Zionists and spies. Plus the world's oldest professional footballer – 58-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura in Japan – joins a new club.

The Conservatives call on the Home Secretary to take action over the British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who has apologised for past tweets about killing Zionists and the police. Also: Russia revises its stance on peace negotiations, after accusing Ukraine of targeting one of President Putin's official residences. And the next instalment in our series about next year's local and devolved elections in England, Scotland and Wales.

Brigitte Bardot, the French actress and singer who became an international sex symbol, has died at the age of ninety-one. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, called her a "legend of the century". She rose to fame in the 1950s and starred in almost fifty films before turning her back on celebrity to devote her life to animal welfare, saying she was sick of being beautiful. But she continued to court controversy with her outspoken remarks on race and homosexuality.

A full NHS investigation is under way after Scotland's biggest hospital released the wrong body for a cremation. The mistake was made by mortuary staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. They have been suspended. The error involved incorrect labelling. It emerged only after the funeral service and cremation had taken plac

Ukraine's President Zelensky says he'll meet Donald Trump in Florida this weekend for talks on ending the war with Russia

President Zelensky has set out a new 20-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, and has indicated for the first time that he is willing to negotiate with Russia about territory. Also: European countries have denounced travel bans on five people the White House has accused of censoring US social media platforms. And it's been 100 years since one of the world's most famous children's characters, Winnie the Pooh, first appeared in a printed story.

Two men have been found guilty of planning a gun attack on the Jewish community in Manchester. Also: The latest release of documents relating to the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, contains a number of references to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and President Trump. And the Government waters down inheritance tax plans for farmers.

The musician Chris Rea, whose hits include the festive song, Driving Home for Christmas, has died at the age of 74. Also: Russia says it's investigating whether Ukraine was responsible for a car bomb that killed a senior general in Moscow. And 15 people had to be rescued after a large hole opened in a canal in Shropshire.

US forces are reported to have intercepted an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela. The South American country has accused the US of international piracy. The Trump administration says the vessels were carrying sanctioned oil. Also: Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is booed at an event held to remember the victims of the Bondi Beach attack. Israel approves 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. In Cricket, England's winless run continues, losing the Ashes in three tests.

Further questions are raised about Andrew Mountbatten Windor's links to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell after US authorities release a photo of the former Prince lying across some women's laps at Sandringham. Also: President Zelensky says the US has proposed fresh face-to-face negotiations between officials from Ukraine and Russia. Manchester City move up to the top of the Premier League standings. And: a German engineer becomes the first wheelchair user to go into Space.

President Putin has accused the west of "making Russia the enemy" and says he wants to end the war in Ukraine, but only on his terms. Also: The children's author, David Walliams, has been dropped by his publisher. And Kylie Minogue beats Wham! to land her first UK Christmas number one.

The government has outlined its long-term plan to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade. Also: The Bank of England cuts interest rates and says there'll be no growth for the rest of the year. And Peter Arnett, who put CNN on the map while bringing the First Gulf War to our television screens, has died.

The Chief Constables of the Greater Manchester and Metropolitan police forces have said they plan to take a more "assertive" approach to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Also: Resident doctors are condemned as "utterly irresponsible" by the Prime Minister as the latest five day strike gets underway. And the government has rejected claims by the Consevatives that re-joining the Erasmus student exchange scheme is a betrayal of Brexit.

The man who drove his car into crowds celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title win in May has been jailed for 21 years and 6 months. Also: The BBC says it will defend itself against a multi billion dollar lawsuit brought by Donald Trump. And a couple from mid Wales have won 1 million pounds on the National Lottery for the second time.

The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, says the father and son gunmen who killed 15 people at a Jewish religious festival on Bondi Beach were motivated by 'extreme ideology'. Also: a five day strike by resident doctors will go ahead this week as government proposals for a deal are rejected. And the Royal Horticultural Society has predicted that more people will be growing what are known as “tabletop vegetables” in the new year.

11 people have been killed after gunmen opened fire on crowds at the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach in Sydney. Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, described the attack as “evil beyond comprehension.” Also: Police in Rhode Island have arrested a man in connection with a deadly mass shooting at Brown University. Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky says he is willing to compromise on NATO membership, and Sunderland beat Newcastle United in their first Premier League derby in nine years.

The Metropolitan Police says it has decided not to investigate newspaper reports that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his close protection officer to gather information fourteen years ago about Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault. He has not commented on the reports, but has consistently denied all the allegations against him. Also: Buckingham Palace says the King's delighted with the worldwide reaction to his call for more people to be screened for cancer, and: it's believed that more than 600 migrants have crossed the channel today in small boats.

The former US President, Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and the film maker, Woody Allen, are also included in some of the 19 images. There is no suggestion that the photos imply any wrongdoing. Also: a man from Devon who was previously cleared of killing his wife on self-defence grounds in 2016 is convicted of her murder. And: the best selling author, Joanna Trollope, dies.

Last week, there was an average of 2660 people a day with flu in England's hospital beds, a 55% increase on the week before. A more virulent, mutated strain is being blamed for the spike in cases. Also: President Zelensky insists Ukraine must have a vote before ceding any territory to Russia. And: ticket prices for next year's football World Cup are revealed.

All 46 countries signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights, including the UK, have given themselves until next May to re-think how it should be applied to immigration cases.Lawyers for eight prisoners who are being held on remand — accused of offences related to Palestine Action — say they are at risk of dying from a hunger strike.The best-selling author Sophie Kinsella has died at the age of fifty-five from brain cancer.And the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy becomes the latest prisoner to publish his memoirs.

After months of delays it's been announced that the former children's commissioner and Labour peer, Baroness Longfield, will chair the national inquiry into grooming gangs in England and Wales.

Sir Keir Starmer has said any ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia must be just and lasting following talks in Downing Street. Also: A nurse says she's "beyond relieved and delighted" after winning a partial victory against NHS Fife over having to share a changing room with a transgender doctor. And the British driver, Lando Norris, has told the BBC he is looking forward to a chance to "just be normal" after being crowned the Formula One world champion.

Britain's Lando Norris has won the Formula 1 drivers' championship for the first time. The 26-year-old secured the title by finishing third at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris's victory makes him the first driver to break Max Verstappen's four-year winning streak and the first Briton to take the title since 2020.

A BBC investigation has found driving instructors are being offered hundreds of pounds by touts for access to their official accounts so they can bulk book tests. The touts then use social media to sell the slots on to learner drivers for hugely inflated prices.Four protestors have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage -- after food was thrown at a display case housing the Imperial State Crown at the Tower of London. A group called Take Back Power said its supporters had targeted the Crown Jewels as part of a campaign calling for the rich to pay more tax. Also:Ukraine's President Zelensky says he has agreed the "next steps" in efforts to end the war with Russia, after talks with senior US officials.

The BBC understands that the government will investigate the historical use of electric shock treatment in NHS hospitals which aimed to change people's sexuality. Also: The government has been outlining its strategy to reduce the number of children living in poverty by more than half a million by 2030. And Washington hosts a theatrical draw for next year's football world cup.

A public inquiry has found that Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, bears "moral responsibility" for the poisoning of a woman near Salisbury. Also: Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands withdraw from next year's Eurovision Song Contest in protest at Israel's participation. And the government has ordered an independent review of the rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services in England.

A nursery worker, 45-year-old Vincent Chan, has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing young children in his care in north London, in a case described by the Metropolitan Police as one of the "most harrowing and complex" it had ever undertaken. Also: European and NATO leaders are stepping up pressure on Russia, a day after Vladimir Putin accused them of blocking efforts to find peace in Ukraine; and the Women's Institute has announced that trans women will be banned from membership from next April.

David Lammy has announced serious crimes likely to lead to a prison sentence of less than three years will now be decided by a judge alone. Also: A report into the Hillsborough disaster says twelve police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings if they hadn't retired. And the Girlguiding organisation says trans girls and young women will no longer be allowed to join as new members.

The head of the Office for Budget Responsibility, Richard Hughes, has resigned after his organisation released details of the budget before the Chancellor had delivered her speech. Also: The Prime Minister has denied that the Rachel Reeves misled people about the state of the public finances. And the World Health Organisation calls for fairer access to weight loss jabs.

The Conservatives call on Rachel Reeves to resign

Sir Tom's best-known works include Arcadia, The Real Thing and Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.