Thousands of travellers have their New Year plans disrupted by a power failure that closed the Channel Tunnel. Alaa Abd El-Fattah, the British-Egyptian activist who apologised yesterday for historical social media posts, is alleged to have endorsed new claims that he is the victim of a "smear campaign" initiated by Zionists and spies. Plus the world's oldest professional footballer – 58-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura in Japan – joins a new club.

The Conservatives call on the Home Secretary to take action over the British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who has apologised for past tweets about killing Zionists and the police. Also: Russia revises its stance on peace negotiations, after accusing Ukraine of targeting one of President Putin's official residences. And the next instalment in our series about next year's local and devolved elections in England, Scotland and Wales.

Brigitte Bardot, the French actress and singer who became an international sex symbol, has died at the age of ninety-one. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, called her a "legend of the century". She rose to fame in the 1950s and starred in almost fifty films before turning her back on celebrity to devote her life to animal welfare, saying she was sick of being beautiful. But she continued to court controversy with her outspoken remarks on race and homosexuality.

A full NHS investigation is under way after Scotland's biggest hospital released the wrong body for a cremation. The mistake was made by mortuary staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. They have been suspended. The error involved incorrect labelling. It emerged only after the funeral service and cremation had taken plac

Ukraine's President Zelensky says he'll meet Donald Trump in Florida this weekend for talks on ending the war with Russia

President Zelensky has set out a new 20-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, and has indicated for the first time that he is willing to negotiate with Russia about territory. Also: European countries have denounced travel bans on five people the White House has accused of censoring US social media platforms. And it's been 100 years since one of the world's most famous children's characters, Winnie the Pooh, first appeared in a printed story.

Two men have been found guilty of planning a gun attack on the Jewish community in Manchester. Also: The latest release of documents relating to the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, contains a number of references to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and President Trump. And the Government waters down inheritance tax plans for farmers.

The musician Chris Rea, whose hits include the festive song, Driving Home for Christmas, has died at the age of 74. Also: Russia says it's investigating whether Ukraine was responsible for a car bomb that killed a senior general in Moscow. And 15 people had to be rescued after a large hole opened in a canal in Shropshire.

US forces are reported to have intercepted an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela. The South American country has accused the US of international piracy. The Trump administration says the vessels were carrying sanctioned oil. Also: Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is booed at an event held to remember the victims of the Bondi Beach attack. Israel approves 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. In Cricket, England’s winless run continues, losing the Ashes in three tests.

Further questions are raised about Andrew Mountbatten Windor's links to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell after US authorities release a photo of the former Prince lying across some women's laps at Sandringham. Also: President Zelensky says the US has proposed fresh face-to-face negotiations between officials from Ukraine and Russia. Manchester City move up to the top of the Premier League standings. And: a German engineer becomes the first wheelchair user to go into Space.