ABS news

As of 1 January, intersex Germans can now legally identify themselves as a third gender. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2EYktkU via IFTTT

Villagers in flood-prone Bangladesh are learning to survive by building floating farms. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2LFWU1I via IFTTT

Shilpa Mitha quit her job to pursue her hobby of making miniatures of classic Indian dishes. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2rXL2PA via IFTTT

Nasa's New Horizons spacecraft is due to fly past the most distant object ever explored in the Solar System. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Tk2vNU via IFTTT

Ex-army captain Jair Bolsonaro is a divisive figure who won on a promise of driving down crime. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2CJ9Xws via IFTTT

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says he hopes to extend his high-stakes nuclear summitry with President Donald Trump into 2019, but also warns Washington not to test North Koreans' patience with sanctions and pressure. from CBNNews.com http://bit.ly/2CISX9t

By THE NEW YORK TIMES from NYT World https://nyti.ms/2EZQIkz via IFTTT

By NEIL MacFARQUHAR from NYT World https://nyti.ms/2CIEbzD via IFTTT

By KENNETH CHANG from NYT Science https://nyti.ms/2RqYh9J via IFTTT

By Unknown Author from NYT Podcasts https://nyti.ms/2EYPndB via IFTTT

By HILLARY FRANK from NYT Opinion https://nyti.ms/2Qcr3Gv via IFTTT

By WALT BOGDANICH and MICHAEL FORSYTHE from NYT World https://nyti.ms/2GMPX00 via IFTTT

By TYLER PAGER from NYT New York https://nyti.ms/2CHhv2E via IFTTT

Retailers endured a tough 2018 but technology like artificial intelligence could secure the future. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2Sxk9xu via IFTTT

The street, sealed off to traffic, was packed with people heading to a shrine for New Year's prayers. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2GQSfeu via IFTTT

By SIMON ROMERO from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2Qfmrzc via IFTTT

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and EMILY COCHRANE from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2Qc6fih via IFTTT

The UN urges Colombia to do more to protect former Farc rebels after 85 were killed in two years. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2GPy68J via IFTTT

Consumer groups say that loyal customers will benefit but could still save more by shopping around. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2SBKhXS via IFTTT

The North Korean leader wants the US to "keep its promises" in exchange for denuclearisation. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2EWh1Ig via IFTTT

A year ago China imposed a ban on waste imports, so what's happened to the UK's plastic? from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2EXOSzO via IFTTT

From global superstars to lower league footballers, sportspeople are spending money and time to back causes close to their hearts. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2F0FtYZ via IFTTT

Kenyan journalist Joseph Warungu writes about what he will be looking out for in 2019. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2VoCONJ via IFTTT

From global superstars to lower league footballers, sportspeople are spending money and time to back causes close to their hearts. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2F0FtYZ via IFTTT

By BEN ROTHENBERG from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/2SrnTAw via IFTTT

Urbana 18, InterVarsity’s 25th student missions conference, has drawn over 10,000 college students and others to St. Louis for a 5-day conference. The conference, which is held every three years, has been challenging each generation of college students to find their place in the Great Commission for 75 years. from CBNNews.com http://bit.ly/2QhNR7X via IFTTT

The singer, who was known for his distinctive eye patch and cowboy hat, has died aged 81. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SsMlBF via IFTTT

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2Rnssyp via IFTTT

The nation’s oldest World War II veteran has died. Richard Overton, an African-American soldier who fought during segregation, was 112 years old. from CBNNews.com http://bit.ly/2TiFw5z via IFTTT

Instead of Christmas being a season of joy and glad tidings, it became a time of horror and persecution for some of India's Christians. from CBNNews.com http://bit.ly/2EZdeJG via IFTTT

A Northern California church was shocked to learn Sunday that their pastor suddenly had died during a skiing trip just a few days earlier.  from CBNNews.com http://bit.ly/2EXsFSs via IFTTT

By JASON GUTIERREZ from NYT World https://nyti.ms/2AqsfRv via IFTTT

Seaborne Freight will not receive cash unless it runs a ferry service, the Department for Transport says. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2ApThbC via IFTTT

Texas police arrested a man carrying a gun, extra ammunition, and outfitted in tactical-style clothing who was reportedly on his way to church to fulfill what he called a 'prophetic' mission. from CBNNews.com http://bit.ly/2s2OHeY via IFTTT

Skies are illuminated above cities around the world as revellers welcome the arrival of the New Year. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Tm9qWJ via IFTTT

Paul Mock filmed the toads riding the python after a thunderstorm in Kununurra, Western Australia. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SvOY5y via IFTTT

Day-trippers will pay up to €10 each as the city struggles to cope with mass tourism. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Tjd6IU via IFTTT

The WFP demands that Yemen's rebel Houthi movement stops diverting food aid meant for civilians. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2QeLBOw via IFTTT

The opposition says the government ordered the move to avoid broadcasting their win. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Rs2aew via IFTTT

Survivors of the Florida school shooting hit out after the comic poked fun at them in a stand-up set. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2GNMaQ4 via IFTTT

By ASTEAD W. HERNDON and ALEXANDER BURNS from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2AnrSHv via IFTTT

A man was arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance after a 30-minute closure. from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2Aqvqsn via IFTTT

The US president confirms reports that the withdrawal of US forces will be slower than he promised. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2TeFz2q via IFTTT

President Donald Trump has ordered a slowdown to the withdrawal of US forces in Syria. Nevertheless, for some Syrian Christians, the pending US pullout is hard to accept. from CBNNews.com http://bit.ly/2R0EX3U

Evangelist Franklin Graham has revealed that he was recently suspended from Facebook for taking a stand for his biblical beliefs. from CBNNews.com http://bit.ly/2GPWHKu via IFTTT

Royal Mail says returns of online purchases will rise by 80% on 2 January. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2Qg4Ffg via IFTTT

The US Democratic senator announces she has set up an exploratory committee to consider a 2020 bid. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2s3Y6Tz via IFTTT

By KATIE HAFNER from NYT Obituaries https://nyti.ms/2GPMUUH via IFTTT

Dr Roberts was chief scientist in charge of designing and building the tech that became the internet. from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2EVSmDX via IFTTT

Alexandra Black, 22, had recently graduated and started working at the centre only 10 days before. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2EXJcWs via IFTTT

Organisers had planned to release 130,000 balloons at a Manila nightclub to ring in the new year. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2s13rLt via IFTTT

Investors will be glad to see the back of 2018 after major markets end with biggest falls in a decade. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2AkCp5Z via IFTTT

A regional TV channel broadcast Jackie Chan's Shinjuku Incident without censoring an "immoral" part. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2EZkNRs via IFTTT

The NYPD will use camera-equipped drones to watch over New Year's Eve celebrations. from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2CHUA7m via IFTTT

By SANDRA E. GARCIA from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2CH9f2G via IFTTT

Donald Trump's offer on trade cannot happen if the PM's Brexit deal goes through, says Woody Johnson. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2RukV0O via IFTTT

Auckland has said goodbye to 2018 and got the world's New Year celebrations officially underway. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Ss0PBN via IFTTT

Roger Federer and Serena Williams will meet on court for the first time at the Hopman Cup on Tuesday. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2AmrZTG via IFTTT

Amal Fathy faces two years in jail for criticising the state for failing to tackle sexual harassment. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Rkn27y via IFTTT

Paul Mock filmed the cane toads riding the python, known as Monty, after a bad storm in Kununurra. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2GOcA4a via IFTTT

Dr Nancy Grace Roman, the first woman to hold a senior leadership position at NASA, has died at 93. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SoZ7kp via IFTTT

The FSB security agency says a US man named Paul Whelan has been charged with spying. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2CHzCFI via IFTTT

Rights groups call Rodrigo Duterte's comments "repulsive" and "unworthy of his position". from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2VjtESU via IFTTT

At least three people died in a suspected gas explosion in the city of Magnitogorsk. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2EYqvTq via IFTTT

An official says people did not take precautions as the storm was not classed as a typhoon. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2VkEYy4 via IFTTT

The malware, which affected papers owned by Tribune Publishing, is believed to be from outside the US. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2Q8aWd2 via IFTTT

In its first public statement, HES confirms that all 400 UK staff are now redundant. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2AkCCGD via IFTTT

Fishers can no longer discard fish to avoid busting quota - but that could put boats off the water. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2ApOAyD via IFTTT

The Premier League says its prospective new chief executive, Susanna Dinnage, has told the organisation she will not be taking up the position. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2AmuO7f via IFTTT

The malware, which affected papers owned by Tribune Publishing, is believed to be from outside the US. from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2Q8aWd2 via IFTTT

Germany will assume greater international responsibility, Angela Merkel says in her New Year address. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SzaEhv via IFTTT

Afro-Argentines often feel like they’ve been written out of history and are mistaken for foreigners in their own country. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2s2fJ6c via IFTTT

Lederhosen and dirndl dresses are making a comeback in Austria. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2AmkSL1 via IFTTT

A look at the year's most influential hashtags used by women on social media. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2RntUB7 via IFTTT

By AMY CHOZICK and MOTOKO RICH from NYT Business https://nyti.ms/2QWUmSE via IFTTT

By DAVID M. HALBFINGER from NYT World https://nyti.ms/2QWdZKp via IFTTT

By MIHIR ZAVERI from NYT Obituaries https://nyti.ms/2EWec9p via IFTTT

By JAMES BARRON from NYT New York https://nyti.ms/2Tlh0Ru via IFTTT

By JO FIRESTONE from NYT Opinion https://nyti.ms/2BNoIfP via IFTTT

By KAMALA D. HARRIS from NYT Opinion https://nyti.ms/2QUBOTd via IFTTT

By ABBY GOODNOUGH from NYT Health https://nyti.ms/2RlLchN via IFTTT

By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS from NYT Well https://nyti.ms/2EPmJvy via IFTTT

By MAGGIE HABERMAN and SHERYL GAY STOLBERG from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2Qdoeov via IFTTT

A top Republican says President Trump remains determined, despite deciding to withdraw all US troops. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SrBV5i via IFTTT

Dylema leads us through key events on the continent this year in a specially commissioned poem. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2BZzjVp via IFTTT

Festival-goers are told that a "dangerous" drug is circulating in Australia, following a man's death. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2AmSDfb via IFTTT

Eli Melki looks for traces of a relative who was killed at 33 during a wave of attacks against eastern Turkey's Christians. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2BMln0I via IFTTT

From the ridiculous to the more ridiculous, here are the weird stories that caught our eye this year. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2s3oDAp via IFTTT

India's decision to decriminalise gay sex has taken the country back to its roots, some historians say. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2ApBWzF via IFTTT

Remembering some of the figures from music, film, TV, radio and literature who died in 2018. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2F03HlD via IFTTT

Are garment factories in Bangladesh safe five years after the Rana Plaza disaster? from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2s3oVat via IFTTT

A selection of the best photos from across and about Africa this year. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2GIKAyK via IFTTT

Sheikh Hasina wins a third consecutive term in a vote marred by violence and claims of vote rigging. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2EWFJbC via IFTTT

Outgoing chief of staff John Kelly appears to contradict the US president on the border wall plan. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2EXMmcP via IFTTT

By MAGGIE HABERMAN from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2EVGOQZ via IFTTT

Notre Dame’s mascot, a bald eagle, flew into the stands and landed on two fans’ arms. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2RnF7kV via IFTTT

Six Iranian migrants are found on the Kent coast as the home secretary cuts short a holiday to deal with the issue. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Ak3q9S via IFTTT

Police escorted Jermaine Massey out of the DoubleTree Portland after he called his mum in the lobby. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Tist3Y via IFTTT

Four die in a helicopter crash near the world's longest zipline, in the UAE's northern-most emirate. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2QXx536 via IFTTT

The state bans retailers from selling animals sourced from breeders, to cut down on "puppy mills". from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2EXbrFC via IFTTT

Clashes between ruling party and opposition supporters have resulted in 17 deaths. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Sv4fni via IFTTT

By ALEXANDRA ALTER from NYT Books https://nyti.ms/2An4rxO via IFTTT

Seaborne Freight was founded less than two years ago and has never run a ferry service before. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2EWL0jw via IFTTT

By ROBIN MARANTZ HENIG from NYT Style https://nyti.ms/2SsF7Oc via IFTTT

This Canadian man is being called the world's most extreme grandpa. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2AntDnS via IFTTT

An opposition leader condemned what he called a "farcical result", amid claims of vote rigging. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2CEKbtg via IFTTT

A bird named Clark goes rogue in front of 90,000 fans at a college game. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Tg7r6c via IFTTT

China's latest statement suggests trade negotiations between the two countries are progressing. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2VlOjWb via IFTTT

Why does the year begin in January? from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SwJ6t6 via IFTTT

By LINDA QIU from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2QVOBof via IFTTT

Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa vows to "take down" Floyd Mayweather in their three-round boxing exhibition match on Monday. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2QayXjF via IFTTT

By Unknown Author from NYT Opinion https://nyti.ms/2ES3ilL via IFTTT

In a rare letter, North Korea's leader vows to "frequently" meet the South's president in 2019. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2s0P5dN via IFTTT

Georges Loinger's inventiveness saved hundreds of children during World War Two. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2RmwI19 via IFTTT

Italy's parliament approves a budget for 2019, amid complaints it was revised to placate the EU. from BBC News - Business https://bbc.in/2Q9L0Ob via IFTTT

Three Venezuelans are being held in connection with an alleged plot to kill Colombia's president. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Rq1aYu via IFTTT

By MEREDITH KOLODNER and SARAH BUTRYMOWICZ from NYT Business https://nyti.ms/2ELe5xf via IFTTT

The dual Swiss-Spanish national was arrested in Marrakesh on Saturday, Moroccan authorities say. from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2BLjQI7 via IFTTT