Russia warships pass through English Channel

A squadron of Russian warships has passed through the English Channel in what the Royal Navy described as a "routine" movement. Nato dismissed reports by Russian media saying the flotilla was there to conduct military exercises. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the ships had been escorted out of UK waters by Royal Navy warship HMS Tyne. Nato has reported increased incursions by Russian military vehicles following months...

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US Black Friday quieter as bargains spread over two days

The traditional scrum of sharp elbows was notably less intense on Black Friday in the US this year. The crowds, gathering at the US's big shopping centres, appeared to have exhausted some of their shopping enthusiasm on Thursday. As last year, many retailers had opened their doors early to try to pull shoppers in ahead of rivals. "The consumer clearly enjoys shopping on Thanksgiving," said Target's chief executive, Brian Cornell....

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Pope Francis due in Turkey for historic visit

Pope Francis will arrive in Turkey shortly for what is billed as a historic trip to help interfaith dialogue in the country. At the start of the three-day tour he is set to meet newly-elected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. He then plans to visit Istanbul for a meeting with the head of the Orthodox Christian church. It will be only the fourth time in history that a pope has visited Muslim-majority Turkey. During...

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Phillip Hughes: Australian batsman dies, aged 25

Australia Test batsman Phillip Hughes has died aged 25, two days after being struck on the top of the neck by a ball during a domestic match in Sydney. Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said he passed away in hospital, never regaining consciousness. Hughes, who also played for Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire, was hit by a delivery from bowler Sean Abbott. "It's an understatement to say we're...

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Kenya bus attack: Military 'kills 100 Shabab militants

William Ruto said the armed forces had carried out two operations in Somalia, destroying equipment and a camp from which the bus attack was planned. However, al-Shabab refuted this, and said that its fighters were safe. In Saturday's attack, gunmen pulled non-Muslims passengers from a bus in northern Kenya, killing 28 of them. Al-Shabab has carried out a series of attacks in Kenya since 2011, the year that Kenya sent...

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