Stunning waterfalls on Uluru after freak storm hits the Australian rock

A freak storm has turned one of Australia's most famous and driest attractions into a series of spectacular waterfalls.

Uluru in Central Australia normally gets on average just 22cm of rain a year.
Image Caption:Water runs off Uluru after the storm. Pic: @BiancaH80 and @waginski

But a huge Christmas night storm saw more than 23cm fall in 24 hours - a record amount - sending water cascading down the enormous sandstone rock and turning small canyons into raging torrents.
Image Caption:Water tumbling down the landmark is highly unusual. Pic: @BiancaH80 and @waginski

Described as a once-in-50-year event by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the downpour was photographed by school teachers Bianca and Lee Hewes.
Image Caption:The heavy downpour has shut Uluru national park. Pic: @BiancaH80 and @waginski

Their pictures, posted on social media, show the dramatic change in an area where the average daytime temperature in December is more than 36C.
Image Caption:It was a record amount of rain for the area. Pic: @BiancaH80 and @waginski

The heavy rain has caused flash flooding, shutting Uluru national park and leading to evacuations in nearby communities.
Image Caption:Storm clouds hang over Uluru. Pic: @BiancaH80 and @waginski

Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, lies 208 miles (335km) from the nearest large town, Alice Springs, and is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area.

It is visited by up to 500,000 tourists each year.
Image Caption:Uluru, pictured in drier times, normally only gets around 22cm of rain annually

Berlin truck attack suspect travelled on train from Lyon

Surveillance footage has shown the Berlin truck suspect travelled through the French city of Lyon by train after the attack.

Anis Amri, 24, was seen on CCTV at the Lyon-Part-Dieu station wearing a cap and carrying a backpack and then on a platform on Thursday, three days after the attack in the German capital.

A French source told the AFP news agency: "A man corresponding to the killer was spotted on the afternoon of Thursday, December 22, on a platform at the station wearing a cap and backpack.

"He appears alone in these images."

After arriving in Chambery, Amri was then spotted buying a ticket for the fast train to Milan, via Turin, again in cash.

French President Francois Hollande had earlier opened a hospital just hours earlier in Chambery, amid tight security.

Amri was shot dead after he was asked for identification papers and then opened fire on police in Milan on Friday morning.

Police have confirmed he is in the footage in Lyon and that he is also seen buying a ticket for Milan in cash, with a changeover in Chambery.

It is not known how, where or when he entered France.

Last week, British woman Anne Lomax claimed she spotted the Tunisian national in Chamonix, a French resort close to the borders with Switzerland and Italy.

Italian police also said he had been in Chambery, France, before starting his train journey to Milan.

Amri was the subject of a four-day Europe-wide manhunt after he was suspected of hijacking a truck in Berlin and ploughing into crowds of people at a Christmas market, killing 12 people.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, and released a video last week in which Amri apparently pledges his allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.

German investigators are still looking into whether he had help before or after the attack.

Donald Trump aide Wilbur Ross: 'Use Brexit to steal UK trade'

Donald Trump's new trade chief has urged Britain's rivals to profit from Brexit and take business away from the UK, it has been reported.

Wilbur Ross, the US commerce secretary designate, said Britain faced a "period of confusion" following the EU vote, according to The Times.

He said that it was "inevitable" there would be "relocations" of businesses and institutions.

The billionaire businessman added that the UK's withdrawal from the EU was a "God-given opportunity" for London's financial rivals.

In particular, he named Frankfurt and Dublin.

Mr Ross will be responsible for negotiating a free trade deal with the UK.

His reported comments will raise concerns the incoming US administration will seek to exploit Britain's isolation following Brexit.

Mr Ross was said to have made his comments to an audience of Cypriot financiers in the days following last June's referendum vote.

The comments were made before he had been appointed to Mr Trump's cabinet.

"I recommend that Cyprus should adopt and immediately announce even more liberal financial service policies than it already has so that it can try to take advantage of the inevitable relocations that will occur during the period of confusion," he is quoted as saying.

Labour said his comments, should be a "salutary warning" that other countries were ready to take advantage of the UK's vulnerability.

Divers find more fragments in search for crashed Russian military jet

Divers have found more fragments from the military plane which crashed into the Black Sea with 92 people on board, Russia's emergency ministry has said.

More than 3,000 rescuers have been involved in the search after the plane came down on its way to Syria, according to the defence ministry.

All 84 passengers and eight crew members on the Tu-154 aircraft are believed to have died when it crashed two minutes after taking off from Sochi airport on Sunday.

Among the passengers were dozens of singers in Russia's world-famous military choir.

Searchers on 32 ships were combing the crash site at sea and along the shore, the defence ministry said.

The search operation covered more than 100 sq km (38 square miles) and involved planes, helicopters and drones.

Deep-water equipment and more than 100 divers were hunting below the surface.

Powerful spotlights were brought in so the search operation could continue around the clock.

The cause of the plane crash is likely to be pilot error or a technical fault, the Russian transport minister has said.

Terrorism was not among the main theories, Maxim Sokolov added.

Experts said there were several factors that could suggest a terror attack, such as the crew's failure to report any malfunction and the fact that plane debris was scattered over a wide area.

The plane was taking the Alexandrov Ensemble - better known as the Red Army Choir - to perform at a New Year's concert at the Russian air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia.

Valery Khalilov, the choir's conductor, perished in the crash.

Also on board were nine Russian journalists and a Russian doctor famous for her work in war zones and helping homeless people.

Shoppers set for £4bn Boxing Day bargain hunt

Boxing Day bargain hunters are hitting the sales today and are expected to spend nearly £4bn.

Almost a quarter of Britons (23%) will shop in the Boxing Day sales, down from 32% last year, according to Barclaycard.

Figures suggest the incentive to buy in the sales has weakened following widespread discounting that continued well into December.

But shoppers are still due to spend £2.95bn on high streets and £900m online, said VoucherCodes.co.uk.

The New West End Company is among those expecting a bumper Boxing Day, projecting a spend of £55m.

They attribute the spending to a sustained increase in trade from international shoppers after the Brexit vote.

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive, said: "We expect a significantly higher number of Chinese tourists to come over specifically to bargain hunt."

Myf Ryan, chief marketing officer, Westfield UK and Europe, said: "Boxing Day continues to be Westfield's busiest day of the Christmas trading period.

"Last year over 330,000 shoppers visited our two Westfield centres in London and again this year we are expecting similar numbers.

"During the Christmas period last year, shoppers spent over £500,000 per hour."

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.

JanuaryStarman, the voice of radio and Hans Gruber

Music legend David Bowie died from cancer three days after releasing his 25th studio album, Blackstar. We also lost broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan, actor Alan Rickman and The Eagles frontman Glenn Frey.
Image Caption:Bowie died at the age of 69 on 10 January

FebruaryTo Kill A Mockingbird author

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

MarchThe last of the Two Ronnies and the 'Fifth Beatle'

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, legendary footballer Johan Cruyff and Emerson, Lake and Palmer founder and keyboard player Keith Emerson also passed away.
Image Caption:Beatles producer Sir George Martin died aged 90 on 8 March

AprilMusic icon and creator of The Ballad of Barry and Freda

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:Victoria Wood died in April

MayBread creator

TV writer Carla Lane, who was behind a number of sitcoms including Bread, Butterflies and the Liver Birds, died in May, as did actor Burt Kwouk, who was best known for playing Inspector Clouseau's manservant Cato Fong in the Pink Panther films.
Image Caption:The TV writer Carla Lane passed away in May

June'The Greatest'

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

JulyMrs Merton

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

AugustWilly Wonka and R2-D2

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

SeptemberGolfing legend

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

OctoberCorrie star and Dead or Alive frontman

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

NovemberFawlty Towers' Manuel and Leonard Cohen

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

DecemberGoodbye 'Dahlinks'

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, Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt, 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

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.

JanuaryStarman, the voice of radio and Hans Gruber

Music legend David Bowie died from cancer three days after releasing his 25th studio album, Blackstar. We also lost broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan, actor Alan Rickman and The Eagles frontman Glenn Frey.
Image Caption:Bowie died at the age of 69 on 10 January

FebruaryTo Kill A Mockingbird author

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

MarchThe last of the Two Ronnies and the 'Fifth Beatle'

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, legendary footballer Johan Cruyff and Emerson, Lake and Palmer founder and keyboard player Keith Emerson also passed away.
Image Caption:Beatles producer Sir George Martin died aged 90 on 8 March

AprilMusic icon and creator of The Ballad of Barry and Freda

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:Victoria Wood died in April

MayBread creator

TV writer Carla Lane, who was behind a number of sitcoms including Bread, Butterflies and the Liver Birds, died in May, as did actor Burt Kwouk, who was best known for playing Inspector Clouseau's manservant Cato Fong in the Pink Panther films.
Image Caption:The TV writer Carla Lane passed away in May

June'The Greatest'

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

JulyMrs Merton

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

AugustWilly Wonka and R2-D2

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

SeptemberGolfing legend

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

OctoberCorrie star and Dead or Alive frontman

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

NovemberFawlty Towers' Manuel and Leonard Cohen

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

DecemberGoodbye 'Dahlinks'

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, Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt, 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