What’s New??

Richard Sharp: BBC chairman made errors on Johnson loan, MPs sayA committee says Mr Sharp did not give the “full facts” while applying for the job at the BBC. BBC News – UK

US and Canada military shoot down new unidentified objectThe flying object “violated airspace” over north-west Canada, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. BBC News – US & Canada

Namibia baby abandonment law: 'I wanted someone to take better care of my son'Namibia no longer prosecutes women who abandon their babies but not everyone is aware of the new law. BBC News – Africa

RMT union rejects latest offers in rail disputeThe union calls the deals from both Network Rail and the train operating companies “dreadful”. BBC News – Business

Turkey-Syria earthquake: Freezing weather adds to despair as quake toll passes 22,000Tens of thousands of people have spent a freezing-cold fourth night in makeshift shelters. BBC News – Middle East

Nicaraguan prisoners freed: 222 opposition figures deported to USThe critics of the government arrive in the US after being released from jail. BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

Turkey-Syria earthquake: New-born and mother saved after four days in rubbleTen-day-old Yagiz was retrieved from ruins in southern Turkey after almost 100 hours trapped. BBC News – Europe

UK economy avoids recession but not out of woods – HuntThe economy saw zero growth in the final three months of 2022 but strike action took a toll in December. BBC News – UK

President Biden says balloon was not a major security breachThe president has been criticised for not shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon sooner. BBC News – US & Canada

Ethiopia Orthodox Church split: Social media restrictedA fallout between the Orthodox Church and a splinter group of clerics is inflaming tensions. BBC News – Africa