Pelicot mass rape trial reaches verdict

Hello. Today we bring you a number of developing stories. First to France, where Dominique Pelicot has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping his ex-wife Gisèle, and inviting dozens of others to abuse her. Fifty other men have been sentenced alongside him. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin has delivered his annual end of year address, taking questions on the economy and Ukraine war. Meanwhile, China's shadowy "magic weapon" has been thrust onto the global stage amid growing scrutiny about espionage - but what do we actually know about it?

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Guilty verdicts in Pelicot mass rape trial

Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity, saying she wanted to make "shame swap sides". Credit: Reuters

A man who repeatedly drugged his then wife, raped her and invited dozens of strangers to abuse her has been jailed in the French city of Avignon. The 50 men on trial alongside Dominique Pelicot have been convicted of aggravated rape or sexual assault, and between them their sentences cover decades. The victim, Gisèle Pelicot, was greeted by cheering crowds outside the court and has become a feminist icon, after waiving her right to anonymity to ensure the extent of what happened to her could be reported.

Putin addresses Russians in end-of-year speech

In a mammoth four-hour, end of year speech, Vladimir Putin has addressed Russians and taken part in a phone-in. The economy appeared to be a concern for listeners, with inflation at 9.1%. Putin also fielded several questions about the Ukraine war, saying Russian forces are "regaining" territory and that "victory is nearer", but was unable to say when they would regain control of the Kursk region. Our Russia editor Steve Rosenberg is there.

WORLD HEADLINES

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

China's 'magic weapon' caught in a spy controversy

China's United Front Work Department is an arm of the Communist Party. Credit: Getty Images

China has a "magic weapon", but before last week's controversy about Prince Andrew's links to alleged spy Yang Tengbo, many in the West were not aware of the United Front Work Department (UFWD). While exactly what the department does is slightly unclear, it's beginning to raise as much alarm as Beijing's growing military arsenal.

And finally...

A New York resident has unearthed a mastodon jaw protruding out of the topsoil in the backyard of their home, the first such find in more than 11 years.

Mastodons are related to the modern day elephant and now-extinct mammoths. "When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts," the homeowner said. Take a look.