Charlotte Tobitt

A man who claims to be equipped with explosives is in a stand-off with police at a Ukrainian post office, with nine adults and two children reportedly being held hostage.

Erica Garner, the eldest daughter of police brutality victim Eric Garner, has died aged just 27. She became an outspoken Black Lives Matter campaigner after her father's death.

Jacob Lavender, 11, was last seen on the evening of 30 December in Shalvey, Australia. Police officers searched the surrounding area but could not find him.

Following four terror attacks in London in 2017 and the threat level at 'severe', the Metropolitan Police plans to have fewer officers on London's streets on New Year's Eve.

The Nepali government voted to ban foreign solo climbers from Everest following concerns over the number of deaths on the world's highest mountain, plus certain disabled climbers.

A report predicts millennials will enjoy the biggest and most wide-reaching inheritance boom of any post-war generation, but that it still won't be enough to even out inequality.

Two years after the mass sex attacks by migrants in Cologne on New Year's Eve, Berlin's main street party will host a tented safe zone for women.

Metropolitan Police detectives are appealing for witnesses after two teenage boys were shot in a Plaistow fast food restaurant on Friday 29 December.

No great white sharks are currently kept in captivity anywhere in the world - and the longest they have ever survived was just over six months at Monterey Bay Aquarium in the US.

A photo depicting three young Moroccan migrants getting some rest in washing machines at a Paris launderette has attracted attention online.

The Arrels Foundation in Barcelona is fighting to end homelessness and has released an innovative series of images featuring people who have lived on the streets.

Kevin Pietersen was travelling back to Australia to continue presenting Big Bash League cricket after spending Christmas at home when he was plagued with problems.

Donald Trump drew anger online on 29 December after he claimed the US east coast, which is going through a severe cold spell, could use some "of that good old global warming".

Syrian Refugee Support Group of Calgary members will donate blood and recruit new donors on New Year's Day to help during the Canadian blood shortage.

Is a rock and roll revolution around the corner? U2's Bono does not seem sure, saying music has "gotten very girly" and that is not good for young male anger.

Is it time for the robot uprising? Amazon and Google's devices have been coming out with some funny responses this Christmas - but people are worried about their creepiness, too.

The near-earth asteroid 2017 YZ4 will pass closely between the Earth and the Moon at 3.56pm on 28 December, the first known asteroid to fly by within one lunar distance this month.

Scott Sears became the youngest person to reach the South Pole solo on Christmas Day, but he is still being described as Andy Murray's brother-in-law.

The Alexandra pub in Wimbledon launched a search for Mariusz, who left a pay packet "stuffed with cash" in the bar on 21 December.

Adam Nicholls and Alexandra Knight both spent Christmas working in children's intensive care wards but spent Boxing Day searching for their missing cat after a callous burglary.

Newly engaged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent Christmas with the royal family, breaking tradition for unmarried partners to attend. The day was "fantastic" according to Harry.

Yusuf Sonko was brutally murdered by being shot in the head in a busy Liverpool street on 2 June. His parents are now appealing for information in a heartbreaking letter.

A witness recorded the scene in Pueblo, Colorado, when a robbery suspect's trousers fell down during an altercation with a staff member. Jeremy Aragon, 26, was later arrested.

Former congressman Pete Hoekstra was caught in a tricky situation on Dutch TV programme Nieuwsuur after a reporter asked him about claims Netherlands has "no-go zones".

The Sun announced it had won a campaign to bring back the UK's "iconic" blue passports after Brexit - but people are worried they will not be able to afford to travel anyway.

Poundland and Dealz have caught attention online with their cheeky Elf on the Shelf posts this month, the latest of which appears to feature the elf 'teabagging' a doll.

Pots Bar in Northumberland finds cheeky way to mark Mad Friday or Black Eye Friday - the booziest night of the year.

Christmas charity song title and lines including "Tonight, thank God, it's them instead of you" slammed by critics for perpetuating sense of White Man's Burden.

Reddit users collecting good karma by hiding train tickets and gift vouchers in railway stations for other users to find.