IS Retakes Syrian City of Palmyra

he Islamic State (IS) group has retaken the Syrian city of Palmyra, hours after Russian air strikes appeared to have driven it back.
The governor of Homs province, Talal Barazi, said government forces were now regrouping outside the ancient city, preparing to launch a fresh assault.
IS held the city from May 2015 until it was forced out in March this year.

The US president-elect Donald Trump has dismissed the CIA's assessment that Russia tried to influence the US presidential election in his favour. He said his Democratic rivals were just trying to find another excuse for their defeat.

Taiwan could soon become the first place in Asia to recognise same-sex marriage. In October politicians from the ruling and opposition parties introduced bills to legalise it. But there has been growing opposition, especially from religious groups.