Societal structures are influenced by marital residence patterns, with patrilocality being common historically and matrilocality rare. In Britain, Iron Age social structures remain unclear, though notable female leaders like Cartimandua and Boudica suggest women could hold high status. Evidence from Celtic cemeteries indicates high female status, but British archaeological data is limited due to rare Iron Age remains. The Durotriges tribe is an exception, using formal cemeteries. Historical accounts of British women having multiple husbands are viewed skeptically, reflecting Mediterranean biases. Ava Sinclair 16/01/2025 3:00 pm
Maggie Oliver, a former Greater Manchester Police detective, has threatened legal action against Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Oliver, who founded a charity for abuse survivors, demands Cooper address public concerns over child exploitation gangs. She insists Cooper publish a timeline for implementing recommendations from Alexis Jay’s 2022 report. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch, addressing past Conservative inaction, supports a national inquiry into the issue, stating local inquiries are insufficient. Badenoch acknowledges the need for more comprehensive efforts to tackle the problem. Ava Sinclair 16/01/2025 3:00 pm
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Kyiv, pledging long-term security support for Ukraine. He and President Zelenskyy will sign a “100-Year Partnership” treaty covering defense, science, energy, and trade. This is Starmer’s first visit since taking office, amid heightened diplomatic activity before Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential inauguration, which may shift U.S. support for Ukraine. Starmer emphasized the importance of continued support in the ongoing conflict. Penelope Kingsley 16/01/2025 3:00 pm
Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed 73 people ahead of a planned ceasefire with Hamas, pending Israeli cabinet approval. The strikes targeted residential areas, causing significant casualties. Despite initial agreement, Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office claims Hamas has reneged on parts of the deal, delaying cabinet discussions. Hamas insists on its commitment to the agreement. Two right-wing Israeli ministers threaten to resign if the ceasefire proceeds, potentially triggering elections, but their resignations won’t block the deal if Netanyahu supports it. Penelope Kingsley 16/01/2025 3:00 pm
Adina Moshe, a former hostage, was freed after 49 days during an Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Her nephew, Eyal Nouri, protests for a hostage deal, expressing anxiety over the news. Meanwhile, Gaza’s death toll has reached 46,788, with 81 casualties in the last 24 hours. Aid trucks are preparing to enter Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement, with 600 trucks expected daily, though not all are humanitarian. The BBC plans to address questions about the ceasefire’s implications for the region. Ava Sinclair 16/01/2025 11:30 am
A group representing families of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza protested a ceasefire deal with Hamas, fearing it won’t dismantle Hamas and may release Palestinians convicted of crimes against Israelis. They displayed mock coffins in Jerusalem to symbolize the perceived cost of the deal. Some believe the incoming Trump administration could negotiate better terms. While many Israelis support the ceasefire to end the war and free hostages, some families oppose it, citing excessive concessions. Russia praised the agreement, hoping it will stabilize Gaza. Noah Prescott 16/01/2025 11:30 am
A drone attack hit an oil depot in Russia’s Voronezh region, reportedly downed by Russian defenses, causing a fire. This incident is part of ongoing energy-targeted exchanges between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian drones allegedly struck the depot in Liski, near the Ukraine-Russia border. Concurrently, a fire erupted at a Lukoil refinery in Volgograd, a major oil hub. Russia retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy sites, launching 43 missiles and 74 drones, primarily targeting western Ukraine. Noah Prescott 16/01/2025 11:30 am
In Stilfontein, South Africa, rescuers have retrieved 78 dead miners and over 160 survivors from an abandoned gold mine after a two-month standoff with authorities over illegal mining. Hundreds remain trapped, with the death toll expected to rise. Criticism has focused on the government’s decision to cut off supplies to “smoke out” the miners, leaving many to die from starvation or dehydration. A court-ordered rescue operation is underway, but progress is slow. Authorities claim miners could exit through another shaft, but activists argue it was too dangerous. Community volunteers are aiding the rescue. Noah Prescott 16/01/2025 11:30 am
India successfully achieved an unmanned space docking, becoming the fourth country to do so after the US, Russia, and China. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) conducted the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDex) with two small spacecraft, Target and Chaser, launched from Andhra Pradesh. This milestone is crucial for India’s future space missions, including satellite servicing and lunar exploration. The docking technology will enable material transfer between spacecraft, essential for India’s ambitions of a moon mission and building a space station. The mission also demonstrated electric power transfer between docked spacecraft. Penelope Kingsley 16/01/2025 11:30 am
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not participate in further questioning after his arrest over a failed martial law bid. His lawyer cited health reasons and stated Yoon had already explained his position. Yoon, the first sitting president detained, was arrested in a dramatic standoff and is held at Seoul Detention Center. Authorities can detain him for 48 hours without a new warrant. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is holding a second hearing in his impeachment trial, which could lead to his permanent removal or reinstatement. Noah Prescott 16/01/2025 11:30 am
