US says it's cautiously optimistic that a deal to end fighting in Gaza is within reach

The German city of Magdeburg is in mourning after a Christmas attack killed five. We hear the possible motives of the suspect. Also: Albania shuts down TikTok, and in Guatamala children are rescued from a sect.

A man filmed playing the piano while homeless went viral. Now he's raising money for others and says it's saved his life. Also: showing love with Christmas lights; how a cat saved its owner; and AI spots dolphin accents.

A car has been driven into a crowd at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg. There have been a number of fatalities and injuries.

US diplomats are visiting Syria to hold talks with the new de facto leader. Also: a new attempt to find the wreckage of missing flight MH370, and a controversial new TV game show, Beast Games.

Luigi Mangione, the suspect accused of fatally shooting a US healthcare insurance executive, has been extradited to New York to face new federal charges. Also: the ground squirrels in California that are hunting voles.

In a major trial in France, Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men are jailed for repeatedly raping his wife Gisèle. Also, Israeli jets attack Houthi targets in Yemen, and Czech experts restore damaged Ukrainian artworks.

Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa told the BBC that Syria is exhausted by war and is not a threat to its neighbours or to the west. Also: listen to the 'earliest known country song' ever recorded.

Russia has detained an Uzbek man suspected of assassinating an army general. Russia says the suspect was recruited by Ukraine. Also: The UN warns Syria is unable to cope with large numbers of refugees returning home.

After months of deadlock, there are new signs that Israel and Hamas could be moving closer to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Also: repairs are to be carried out on Venice's "slippery" glass bridge.

Igor Kirillov died in the explosion on Tuesday. Also; a powerful earthquake flattens buildings and cuts communications in Vanuatu, and how one letter was delivered to the wrong address thousands of kilometres away.