Russia's defence ministry says an Amnesty International report accusing Moscow of indiscriminate air strikes in Syria is "total lies".

The Black Lives Matter group disrupts shopping and air travel in two US states in a pre-Christmas protest over police killings of black men.

The UK and US governments warn their citizens about "possible threats against Westerners" in the Chinese capital Beijing on or around Christmas Day.

Belgian police arrest a ninth suspect in connection with the 13 November gun and bomb attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people.

Syria's foreign minister says the government is ready to take part in UN-brokered peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in the country.

Twelve people are hurt in a suspected arson attack on neighbouring refugee hostels in the south German region of Bavaria.

At least 18 people, including several children, drown after their boat capsizes trying to cross from Turkey to Greece - the third such sinking this week.

Australian police charge three people after a child was allegedly locked inside an elaborate underground drugs compound north of Sydney.