Taylor Swift fans

It's been quite a year for the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. She was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year, she is also the most-streamed woman on Spotify and Apple music and the highest-grossing female performer ever. We hear a conversation with some of her fans, known as Swifties, from across four continents about what is so special about the artist and her songs.

The leading Russian dissident, Alexei Navalny has been found alive and well, after apparently disappearing from the country's prison system. Our Europe regional editor explains.

We also hear about demonstrations in Serbia where police in the capital Belgrade have used tear gas to disperse crowds protesting over alleged fraud in last week's general election.

Orthodox Christians in Ukraine are celebrating Christmas on the 25th of December for the first time. We hear from some of them.

The Chinese capita Beijing is currenty seeing its coldest December since records began in 1951. We hear some messages from people about what's it been like for them.

Presenter: Karnie Sharp.

(Photo: Fans wait in line outside Nilton Santos stadium for the Taylor Swift concert, following the death of a fan due to the heat during the first day concert, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 20, 2023. Credit: Ricardo Moraes/File Photo/Reuters)