Russia's ambassador to Turkey, who was murdered by a man shouting "Allahu Akbar" and "Don't forget Aleppo", has been laid to rest at a ceremony in Moscow attended by President Vladimir Putin.
Diplomats and family members gathered at the Foreign Ministry building in the centre of the capital to pay their respects to Andrey Karlov, who was shot dead at an art exhibition in Ankara on Monday.
Television footage showed the 62-year-old's body lying in an open casket in the marble-clad lobby of the building, flanked by uniformed honour guards.
Mourners, who also included Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, approached to lay flowers.
Turkey has identified the assassin as Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22, who had worked for Ankara's riot police. He was killed in a shootout with police.
Mr Karlov's body was repatriated to Moscow on Tuesday.
During a ceremony at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport the diplomat's widow wept as his coffin was carried from the runway to a hearse.
Earlier, the same plane carried 18 Russian investigators and officials to Ankara to participate in an investigation into the killing.
The Kremlin has refused to speculate whether Altinas was operating as a lone wolf or as part of a bigger operation, but said the murder was a blow to Turkey's prestige.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed Altintas was a follower of Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Muslim cleric who was blamed for orchestrating a failed coup in July.
Mr Erdogan said Altinas was part of what he calls the "Fethullah Terror Organisation".
He added that Turkey's intelligence agency was also looking into Altintas' possible foreign connections, saying there were "certain clues" indicating overseas links.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby dismissed "absolutely false" claims there was American involvement or support in the assassination.
He said: "We need to let the investigators do their job and we need to let the facts and the evidence take them where it is before we jump to conclusions."
Russia and Turkey have said the murder will not harm relations between the two countries, which have been strained over Syria.
Turkey's state-run news agency said authorities have released six members of Altintas' family who were detained for questioning in the aftermath of the killing.
A total of 11 people were detained, including his parents, sister and three other relatives. Those still in custody include Altintas' roommate.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
'Bionic eye' implants offer hope for blind NHS patients
Ten people with an inherited form of blindness will be fitted with "bionic eye" implants in a procedure funded by NHS England.
Five patients with retinitis pigmentosa will be treated at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and five at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London in 2017.
They will be given a pair of glasses mounted with a camera which captures light and sends wireless signals to an implant in the retina.
The implant then sends information to the brain to help patients regain some sight.
Professor Paulo Stanga, from Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, was involved in trials using the Argus II Bionic Eye to treat the condition.
Video:Bionic Eye Helps Man See His Wife
He said: "I'm delighted that our pioneering research has provided the evidence to support NHS England's decision to fund the bionic eye for the first time in patients.
"It surpassed all of our expectations when we realised that one of the retinitis pigmentosa patients in Manchester using the bionic eye could identify large letters for the first time in his adult life."
The procedure will be funded as part of a scheme that assesses treatments that show promise for the future.
Patients will be monitored for a year to see how they implant improves their lives.
Video:Bionic Eye Helps Blind To See
Keith Hayman, from Lancashire, had the bionic eye fitted during a trial at the Manchester hospital in 2009.
The 68-year-old, who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in his 20s, had to retire as a butcher in 1981 when he became blind.
He said: "Having spent half my life in darkness, I can now tell when my grandchildren run towards me and make out lights twinkling on Christmas trees.
"When I used to go to the pub, I would be talking to a friend, who might have walked off and I couldn't tell and kept talking to myself."
Dr Jonathan Fielden, director of specialised commissioning at NHS England, said: "This highly innovative NHS-funded procedure shows real promise and could change lives.
"Now once again the NHS is at the forefront of harnessing ground-breaking science for the benefit patients in this country."
The Argus II retinal implant, made by Second Sight, has also been trialled to treat those suffering from age-related macular degeneration - the most common cause of sight loss in the developed world with between 20 and 25 million sufferers worldwide.
Five patients with retinitis pigmentosa will be treated at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and five at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London in 2017.
They will be given a pair of glasses mounted with a camera which captures light and sends wireless signals to an implant in the retina.
The implant then sends information to the brain to help patients regain some sight.
Professor Paulo Stanga, from Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, was involved in trials using the Argus II Bionic Eye to treat the condition.
Video:Bionic Eye Helps Man See His Wife
He said: "I'm delighted that our pioneering research has provided the evidence to support NHS England's decision to fund the bionic eye for the first time in patients.
"It surpassed all of our expectations when we realised that one of the retinitis pigmentosa patients in Manchester using the bionic eye could identify large letters for the first time in his adult life."
The procedure will be funded as part of a scheme that assesses treatments that show promise for the future.
Patients will be monitored for a year to see how they implant improves their lives.
Video:Bionic Eye Helps Blind To See
Keith Hayman, from Lancashire, had the bionic eye fitted during a trial at the Manchester hospital in 2009.
The 68-year-old, who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in his 20s, had to retire as a butcher in 1981 when he became blind.
He said: "Having spent half my life in darkness, I can now tell when my grandchildren run towards me and make out lights twinkling on Christmas trees.
"When I used to go to the pub, I would be talking to a friend, who might have walked off and I couldn't tell and kept talking to myself."
Dr Jonathan Fielden, director of specialised commissioning at NHS England, said: "This highly innovative NHS-funded procedure shows real promise and could change lives.
"Now once again the NHS is at the forefront of harnessing ground-breaking science for the benefit patients in this country."
The Argus II retinal implant, made by Second Sight, has also been trialled to treat those suffering from age-related macular degeneration - the most common cause of sight loss in the developed world with between 20 and 25 million sufferers worldwide.
Celebrity deaths: The big names mourned in 2016
The world lost many of its best-loved celebrities in 2016. Here are the stars the world has said goodbye to this year.
:: January
Music legend David Bowie passed away early in 2016 following an 18-month battle with cancer. We also lost broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan, actor Alan Rickman and The Eagles frontman Glenn Frey.
Image Caption:Sir Terry Wogan was renowned for his work on Radio 2's breakfast show and Children In Need
:: February
To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee died in February. Her 1960 novel about a child's eye view of racial injustice in a fictional Alabama town in the 1930s became standard reading for millions of young people.
Frank Kelly - best known for playing the character of Father Jack in the comedy Father Ted - died in the same month.
Image Caption:Author Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, died aged 89 on 19 February
:: March
Comedian Ronnie Corbett, famous for his TV partnership with Ronnie Barker, died in March, surrounded by his family.
Magician Paul Daniels, Beatles producer George Martin, Coronation Street creator Tony Warren and legendary footballer Johan Cruyff also passed away.
Image Caption:Beatles producer Sir George Martin died aged 90 on 8 March
:: April
Prince was found unresponsive and alone in an elevator at his complex in Paisley Park, Minnesota, in April. He died of an accidental overdose.
Comedian and actress Victoria Wood also died in April at her home in London. In a statement, her older brother Chris said her death "has robbed us of one of the brightest talents of our generation".
We also said goodbye to reality TV star and music producer David Gest, and agony aunt Denise Robertson.
Image Caption:Prince died of an accidental overdose in April
:: May
TV writer Carla Lane, who was behind a number of sitcoms including Bread, Butterflies and the Liver Birds, died in May.
Image Caption:The TV writer Carla Lane passed away in May
:: June
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed away in June. The three-time world heavyweight champion had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, three years after he retired from the sport.
Also in June, Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin died in a freak accident after becoming pinned between his own car and a brick mailbox at his home in Los Angeles.
Image Caption:Cassius Clay in May 1963 - the year before he changed his name to Muhammad Ali
:: July
The comedian, writer and actress Caroline Aherne - famous for The Mrs Merton Show and The Royle Family - died in July.
Image Caption:Caroline Aherne arrives at an awards show in 2007
:: August
Comedy legend Gene Wilder, who starred in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, died in August.
We also mourned Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars film franchise.
Image Caption:Gene Wilder pictured in 1996
:: September
Golf legend Arnold Palmer, who won seven majors, passed away in September.
He drew thousands of fans to the game in the 1950s and 1960s and his keen fan base earned the moniker "Arnie's Army".
Image Caption:Arnold Palmer with Tiger Woods in 1997
:: October
Jean Alexander, who played Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street, died in October.
We also lost Dad's Army and Hi-de-Hi! writer Jimmy Perry in the same month, along with American singer Bobby Vee - known for Rubber Ball and Take Good Care of My Baby.
Dead or Alive singer and former Celebrity Big Brother star Pete Burns also died after suffering a cardiac arrest, aged 57.
Image Caption:Former Coronation Street actress Jean Alexander died in October
:: November
Andrew Sachs, best known for his role as Manuel in Fawlty Towers, died in November.
Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen also passed away, along with the actor Robert Vaughn, Brady Bunch actress Florence Henderson and broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young.
Image Caption:Andrew Sachs as Manuel in Fawlty Towers
:: December
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor died in December. She starred in dozens of films and TV shows, but was perhaps better known for her love life, having married nine times.
Rock superstar Greg Lake also passed away in December, as did Sunday Times critic AA Gill and actor Peter Vaughan, who appeared as Harry 'Grouty' Grout in TV sitcom Porridge and as Maester Aemon in Game of Thrones.
Image Caption:Peter Vaughan in Game of Thrones
:: January
Music legend David Bowie passed away early in 2016 following an 18-month battle with cancer. We also lost broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan, actor Alan Rickman and The Eagles frontman Glenn Frey.
Image Caption:Sir Terry Wogan was renowned for his work on Radio 2's breakfast show and Children In Need:: February
To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee died in February. Her 1960 novel about a child's eye view of racial injustice in a fictional Alabama town in the 1930s became standard reading for millions of young people.
Frank Kelly - best known for playing the character of Father Jack in the comedy Father Ted - died in the same month.
Image Caption:Author Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, died aged 89 on 19 February:: March
Comedian Ronnie Corbett, famous for his TV partnership with Ronnie Barker, died in March, surrounded by his family.
Magician Paul Daniels, Beatles producer George Martin, Coronation Street creator Tony Warren and legendary footballer Johan Cruyff also passed away.
Image Caption:Beatles producer Sir George Martin died aged 90 on 8 March:: April
Prince was found unresponsive and alone in an elevator at his complex in Paisley Park, Minnesota, in April. He died of an accidental overdose.
Comedian and actress Victoria Wood also died in April at her home in London. In a statement, her older brother Chris said her death "has robbed us of one of the brightest talents of our generation".
We also said goodbye to reality TV star and music producer David Gest, and agony aunt Denise Robertson.
Image Caption:Prince died of an accidental overdose in April:: May
TV writer Carla Lane, who was behind a number of sitcoms including Bread, Butterflies and the Liver Birds, died in May.
Image Caption:The TV writer Carla Lane passed away in May:: June
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed away in June. The three-time world heavyweight champion had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, three years after he retired from the sport.
Also in June, Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin died in a freak accident after becoming pinned between his own car and a brick mailbox at his home in Los Angeles.
Image Caption:Cassius Clay in May 1963 - the year before he changed his name to Muhammad Ali:: July
The comedian, writer and actress Caroline Aherne - famous for The Mrs Merton Show and The Royle Family - died in July.
Image Caption:Caroline Aherne arrives at an awards show in 2007:: August
Comedy legend Gene Wilder, who starred in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, died in August.
We also mourned Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars film franchise.
Image Caption:Gene Wilder pictured in 1996:: September
Golf legend Arnold Palmer, who won seven majors, passed away in September.
He drew thousands of fans to the game in the 1950s and 1960s and his keen fan base earned the moniker "Arnie's Army".
Image Caption:Arnold Palmer with Tiger Woods in 1997:: October
Jean Alexander, who played Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street, died in October.
We also lost Dad's Army and Hi-de-Hi! writer Jimmy Perry in the same month, along with American singer Bobby Vee - known for Rubber Ball and Take Good Care of My Baby.
Dead or Alive singer and former Celebrity Big Brother star Pete Burns also died after suffering a cardiac arrest, aged 57.
Image Caption:Former Coronation Street actress Jean Alexander died in October:: November
Andrew Sachs, best known for his role as Manuel in Fawlty Towers, died in November.
Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen also passed away, along with the actor Robert Vaughn, Brady Bunch actress Florence Henderson and broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young.
Image Caption:Andrew Sachs as Manuel in Fawlty Towers:: December
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor died in December. She starred in dozens of films and TV shows, but was perhaps better known for her love life, having married nine times.
Rock superstar Greg Lake also passed away in December, as did Sunday Times critic AA Gill and actor Peter Vaughan, who appeared as Harry 'Grouty' Grout in TV sitcom Porridge and as Maester Aemon in Game of Thrones.
Image Caption:Peter Vaughan in Game of Thrones
Armed police carry out raids as Berlin suspect sought
Heavily armed police carried out overnight raids in Berlin as a Europe-wide manhunt for the main suspect in the lorry massacre continues.
A spokesman for Germany's chief federal prosecutor denied reports in Bild that four people who were in contact with Tunisian Anis Amri have been arrested.
Amri, an asylum seeker who was known to police, is suspected of being at the wheel of a hijacked 25-tonne lorry which ploughed into a crowd of shoppers at a busy Christmas market.
:: Trump - Attacks in Berlin and Ankara prove I was right on Muslim ban
German officials said the 24-year-old came to their attention in March after a tip-off that he might be planning a robbery to raise money for automatic weapons to use in an attack.
They followed him until September, when it was decided there was no evidence to back up the original suspicions.
Rainer Wendt, the head of a union representing German police, said civilians are "rightly outraged and anxious that such a person can walk around here, keep changing his identity and the legal system can't cope with them".
Meanwhile, German newspaper Der Spiegel criticised authorities who "had (Amri) in their crosshairs and he still managed to vanish".
On Wednesday, it was reported that police searched a refugee centre in Emmerich, west Germany, where Amri stayed a few months ago, as well as two apartments in Berlin.
Prosecutors have warned that the suspect could be armed and have offered a €100,000 (£84,000) reward for information leading to his arrest.
Twelve people were killed and 48 others injured in Monday evening's attack, which has been claimed by the Islamic State terrorist group.
:: Sky Views - Trump's terror comments exploit fears
It emerged on Thursday that two British nationals suffered minor injuries.
A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said: "Earlier today, German officials informed us that two British nationals had received medical attention for shock and minor injuries and were discharged a short time later.
"We stand ready to provide assistance to any more British nationals caught up in the attack."
Amri is described as being 5ft 8in tall, with black hair and brown eyes.
He is thought to have used six different aliases and three different nationalities.
The Christmas market in Berlin will reopen on Thursday, although the section where the truck hit will be kept bare.
A spokesman for Germany's chief federal prosecutor denied reports in Bild that four people who were in contact with Tunisian Anis Amri have been arrested.
Amri, an asylum seeker who was known to police, is suspected of being at the wheel of a hijacked 25-tonne lorry which ploughed into a crowd of shoppers at a busy Christmas market.
:: Trump - Attacks in Berlin and Ankara prove I was right on Muslim ban
German officials said the 24-year-old came to their attention in March after a tip-off that he might be planning a robbery to raise money for automatic weapons to use in an attack.
They followed him until September, when it was decided there was no evidence to back up the original suspicions.
Rainer Wendt, the head of a union representing German police, said civilians are "rightly outraged and anxious that such a person can walk around here, keep changing his identity and the legal system can't cope with them".
Meanwhile, German newspaper Der Spiegel criticised authorities who "had (Amri) in their crosshairs and he still managed to vanish".
On Wednesday, it was reported that police searched a refugee centre in Emmerich, west Germany, where Amri stayed a few months ago, as well as two apartments in Berlin.
Prosecutors have warned that the suspect could be armed and have offered a €100,000 (£84,000) reward for information leading to his arrest.
Twelve people were killed and 48 others injured in Monday evening's attack, which has been claimed by the Islamic State terrorist group.
:: Sky Views - Trump's terror comments exploit fears
It emerged on Thursday that two British nationals suffered minor injuries.
A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said: "Earlier today, German officials informed us that two British nationals had received medical attention for shock and minor injuries and were discharged a short time later.
"We stand ready to provide assistance to any more British nationals caught up in the attack."
Amri is described as being 5ft 8in tall, with black hair and brown eyes.
He is thought to have used six different aliases and three different nationalities.
The Christmas market in Berlin will reopen on Thursday, although the section where the truck hit will be kept bare.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Ikea warns teens to stop 'overrated' store sleepovers
Ikea has warned teenagers to stop sneaking into its stores for illegal sleepovers.
The Swedish furniture giant has lost its sense of humour over the escapades of young pranksters after 10 similar incidents in Britain, the US, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, Australia and Poland over the past year.
Most recently, two 14-year-old girls narrowly avoided arrest after they were caught in a branch in Jonkoping, Sweden.
Ikea spokeswoman Johanna Iritz said trespassers often hid in wardrobes at closing time.
She warned the company was taking the sleepovers "seriously" as it could not guarantee the safety of those involved.
She said the fun was "overrated" and anyone trying the stunt could face arrest.
Two Belgian YouTubers have been credited with starting the craze with their video of a 12-hour stay in a store, which has been viewed more than 1.7 million times.
The pair filmed themselves jumping on beds and reading bedtime stories before hiding in a wardrobe and leaving undetected after the store reopened.
A less successful British attempt, in which two young men were caught by a security guard three hours after the store closed has had more than 2.3 million views on YouTube.
Ikea - which has has 340 stores in 28 countries - might have to accept its own share of the blame for the fad - having staged its own "Big Sleepover" promotional event at stores around the world in 2011.
The Swedish furniture giant has lost its sense of humour over the escapades of young pranksters after 10 similar incidents in Britain, the US, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, Australia and Poland over the past year.
Most recently, two 14-year-old girls narrowly avoided arrest after they were caught in a branch in Jonkoping, Sweden.
Ikea spokeswoman Johanna Iritz said trespassers often hid in wardrobes at closing time.
She warned the company was taking the sleepovers "seriously" as it could not guarantee the safety of those involved.
She said the fun was "overrated" and anyone trying the stunt could face arrest.
Two Belgian YouTubers have been credited with starting the craze with their video of a 12-hour stay in a store, which has been viewed more than 1.7 million times.
The pair filmed themselves jumping on beds and reading bedtime stories before hiding in a wardrobe and leaving undetected after the store reopened.
A less successful British attempt, in which two young men were caught by a security guard three hours after the store closed has had more than 2.3 million views on YouTube.
Ikea - which has has 340 stores in 28 countries - might have to accept its own share of the blame for the fad - having staged its own "Big Sleepover" promotional event at stores around the world in 2011.
Trump: Berlin attacks prove I was right on Muslim ban
Donald Trump has said Monday's attacks in Berlin and Ankara proved he was right to propose curbing Muslim immigration in the US.
When asked if the attacks had changed his stance on a "complete shutdown" of Muslims entering the US, the President-elect said he was "100% correct" over the proposal.
He said: "You know my plans. All along, I've been proven to be right. What's happening is disgraceful."
Mr Trump added that the Berlin Christmas market lorry crash "was an attack on humanity and it's got to be stopped".
:: Putin to attend funeral of murdered Russian ambassador Andrey Karlov
During his Republican primary campaign, Mr Trump pledged to introduce a ban on Muslims entering the US "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on".
He claimed the proposal was in response to the level of hatred toward Americans among "large segments of the Muslim population".
The comments prompted a wave of criticism on both sides of the Atlantic, with former Prime Minister David Cameron calling them "divisive, stupid and wrong".
After becoming the Republican presidential nominee, Mr Trump shifted his rhetoric to focus on temporarily halting immigration from an unspecified list of countries with ties to terrorism.
Officials working for Mr Trump's transition team declined to comment on whether the President-elect would push ahead for a ban on Muslims, but said his policies "might upset those with their heads stuck in the politically correct sand".
A spokesman said: "President-elect Trump has been clear that we will suspend admission of those from countries with high terrorism rates and apply a strict vetting procedure for those seeking entry in order to protect American lives."
The proposal for a ban on Muslim immigration remains on Mr Trump's campaign website.
When asked if the attacks had changed his stance on a "complete shutdown" of Muslims entering the US, the President-elect said he was "100% correct" over the proposal.
He said: "You know my plans. All along, I've been proven to be right. What's happening is disgraceful."
Mr Trump added that the Berlin Christmas market lorry crash "was an attack on humanity and it's got to be stopped".
:: Putin to attend funeral of murdered Russian ambassador Andrey Karlov
During his Republican primary campaign, Mr Trump pledged to introduce a ban on Muslims entering the US "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on".
He claimed the proposal was in response to the level of hatred toward Americans among "large segments of the Muslim population".
The comments prompted a wave of criticism on both sides of the Atlantic, with former Prime Minister David Cameron calling them "divisive, stupid and wrong".
After becoming the Republican presidential nominee, Mr Trump shifted his rhetoric to focus on temporarily halting immigration from an unspecified list of countries with ties to terrorism.
Officials working for Mr Trump's transition team declined to comment on whether the President-elect would push ahead for a ban on Muslims, but said his policies "might upset those with their heads stuck in the politically correct sand".
A spokesman said: "President-elect Trump has been clear that we will suspend admission of those from countries with high terrorism rates and apply a strict vetting procedure for those seeking entry in order to protect American lives."
The proposal for a ban on Muslim immigration remains on Mr Trump's campaign website.
Final evacuations resume in Aleppo as snow hits
The final phase of evacuations from former rebel-held parts of Aleppo is under way, with families braving the sleet and snow to leave the city.
The last hospital patients in east Aleppo have now been moved, as have all residents needing urgent medical care, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Aleppo's hospitals and doctors were regularly targeted by Syrian government forces as they sought to get rid of opposition fighters this year.
Last month, the United Nations said it believed there were no functioning medical facilities left in the city.
Around 25,000 people have been bused out of Aleppo since last week as part of a deal overseen by the Red Cross and brokered by Syrian government backer Russia and rebel supporter Turkey.
Under the deal, all civilians and opposition fighters should be out of the area within two days, according to Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.
He also told reporters after a meeting with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts that they had agreed fighting terrorism was more of a priority than removing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Some of Aleppo's residents have described the evacuations as forced displacement.
Once eastern Aleppo has been evacuated - predicted to happen overnight - the Syrian government is expected to announce that it has complete control over city.
Among those saved earlier in the week was Bana Alabed who, with her mother, has been tweeting from the war-torn city.
On Wednesday she met Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace in Ankara, where she received an emotional hug from the leader.
It is not clear whether Bana and her family will stay in Turkey, a country hosting some 2.7 million refugees from Syria.
Earlier on Wednesday, eight buses of residents from two villages in Syria's Idlib province, where rebels remain in control, arrived west of Aleppo.
The evacuations from the Shia-majority villages of Foua and Kafraya were part of the Aleppo ceasefire deal.
Meanwhile, 14 Turkish soldiers were killed and more than 33 injured in fighting against Islamic State militants near the town of al Bab, about 25 miles north east of Aleppo, in northern Syria on Wednesday.
There were also 138 jihadists killed in the clashes, according to the Turkish military.
The last hospital patients in east Aleppo have now been moved, as have all residents needing urgent medical care, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Aleppo's hospitals and doctors were regularly targeted by Syrian government forces as they sought to get rid of opposition fighters this year.
Last month, the United Nations said it believed there were no functioning medical facilities left in the city.
Around 25,000 people have been bused out of Aleppo since last week as part of a deal overseen by the Red Cross and brokered by Syrian government backer Russia and rebel supporter Turkey.
Under the deal, all civilians and opposition fighters should be out of the area within two days, according to Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.
He also told reporters after a meeting with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts that they had agreed fighting terrorism was more of a priority than removing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Some of Aleppo's residents have described the evacuations as forced displacement.
Once eastern Aleppo has been evacuated - predicted to happen overnight - the Syrian government is expected to announce that it has complete control over city.
Among those saved earlier in the week was Bana Alabed who, with her mother, has been tweeting from the war-torn city.
On Wednesday she met Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace in Ankara, where she received an emotional hug from the leader.
It is not clear whether Bana and her family will stay in Turkey, a country hosting some 2.7 million refugees from Syria.
Earlier on Wednesday, eight buses of residents from two villages in Syria's Idlib province, where rebels remain in control, arrived west of Aleppo.
The evacuations from the Shia-majority villages of Foua and Kafraya were part of the Aleppo ceasefire deal.
Meanwhile, 14 Turkish soldiers were killed and more than 33 injured in fighting against Islamic State militants near the town of al Bab, about 25 miles north east of Aleppo, in northern Syria on Wednesday.
There were also 138 jihadists killed in the clashes, according to the Turkish military.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)