Her comments come at the end of a year in which Britain has been stunned by terrorist atrocities, from the mass shootings and bombings in Paris last month to the gun attack at a Tunisia resort during the summer. Reflecting on the past 12 months, the monarch said: “It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year. But the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it'.” [John 1:5]

In a year that marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Queen offered renewed thanks for the service and sacrifice of those who took part in the conflict. "One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 70 years since the end of the Second World War," she said. "On VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in the Far East, as well as remembering the thousands who never returned."

At the end of a year which saw the head of state become the nation's longest reigning monarch, the Queen acknowledged the influence of her great-great grandparents on the nation's Christmas traditions. She explained that the popularity of the Christmas tree is “due in part to my great-great grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert”.

A 19th century image of Victoria and Albert around a candle-lit tree was shown as the Queen said: "After this touching picture was published, many families wanted a Christmas tree of their own, and the custom soon spread." Queen Charlotte, the German-born wife of George III, is credited with introducing the Christmas tree to Britain. But it was Prince Albert who popularised it, presenting large numbers to schools and Army barracks.

Mr Cameron had initially demanded that Britain is able to stop EU migrants claiming in-work benefits for four years. However, this was overwhelmingly rejected by EU leaders, who said that it threatened the principle of "freedom of movement". The news that Mrs Merkel and Mr Hollande have offered the deal will be welcomed by Downing Street and will allow Mr Cameron to claim that his renegotiation has been largely successful.

One other potential solution being offered by Brussels is to give the UK an “emergency brake”, meaning that the Government could stop paying migrants benefits for a set period of time if it is able to convince Brussels that the number of foreigners coming to the country is harming public services.

The arrival of hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and poverty in countries such as Syria and Iraq in Europe this year has frayed ties between European nations that were already strained by the euro zone financial crisis. Added to that, rising nationalism could endanger Europe's wealth, economic success and security, the presidents of Germany's most prominent business groups told Reuters.

"Next year will be a crucial year for Europe," BDI industry association leader, Ulrich Grillo, said. "I'm very worried about the future of the European Union." Lack of solidarity within the bloc meant Europe was risking all the achievements of the previous decades, Association of Skilled Trades president, Hans Peter Wollseifer, said.

"I would like to see a strong symbol for the unity of Europe," he said. Germany's BGA wholesalers and exporters body leader, Anton Boerner, said Europe pulling further apart was one of the biggest risks for next year. Germany is looking to EU partners to help manage the refugee crisis but is running up against resistance from some countries, particularly in Eastern Europe.

The United States and Japan - the world's largest and third-largest economies, respectively - have notably declined to join the bank, which is expected to begin operations early next year, though others such as Australia, Germany and Britain will take part. The bank's establishment came after 17 funding members of the AIIB, which account for just over 50 percent of its share capital, ratified an agreement on the bank, state television quoted Finance Minister Lou Jiwei as saying.

"The AIIB is legally established as the Articles of Agreement take effect today,” said Mr Lou said. "The establishment of the AIIB marks a milestone in the reform of the global economic governance system."

It will be operational once its board of directors and executive council have met for the first time at an opening ceremony scheduled for January 16-18, the ministry of finance said.

The campaign - led by the Swiss Sovereign Money movement and known as the Vollgeld initiative - is designed to limit financial speculation by requiring private banks to hold 100 percent reserves against their deposits. "Banks won’t be able to create money for themselves any more, they’ll only be able to lend money that they have from savers or other banks," said the campaign group.

If successful, the sovereign money bill would give the Swiss National Bank a monopoly on physical and electronic money creation, "while the decision concerning how new money is introduced into the economy would reside with the government," says Vollgeld.

“Can I be honest with you about, say ISIS, or any other jihadist Islamic organization? It’s not about revenge. You might think it is because they’re out dealing with who they consider to be infidels. But the reason they’re such a threat and need to be taken seriously is that militant Islam, jihad, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, you name it, they are conquerors, folks. They’re not getting even with anybody for mistreatment or what have you.

It might be politically correct to say, somebody like Obama might try to justify what they’re doing based on the Crusades, which he constantly does, but it has nothing to do with this. They are conquerors. Islam is a conquest ideology. Not even a religion. And this is one of these things, if people aren’t even willing to admit what we’re up against, there’s no way we’re ever going to come to a fabled consensus in dealing with it.

And then, furthermore, if we’re gonna protect it by enshrouding it with political correctness, then we are only dooming ourselves. And there are many of us who recognize all of this and remain dumbfounded that so many others fail to see it. And their failure to see it is putting us all at risk. It really isn’t any more complicated than that.

But we have a president who grew up in Madrases and was educated in Madrases and has a different opinion. The morning call to prayer is among the most beautiful sounds in the world. So it’s a challenge. But it’s conquest, folks. It isn’t revenge. It’s not trying to get even with people for what they’ve done in the past. It’s trying to eliminate what and who are considered to be nonbelievers.”

These are the results from a modest slowing of demand growth and — more importantly — the decision of the Saudi Princes to wage the first financial war against next-gen oil producers, those that tap oil sands, shale fields, and deep ocean deposits.

This is how Bloomberg put it: “Saudi Arabia won’t be satisfied with another temporary rebound in oil prices, such as the one that occurred last spring: Their US competitors would just increase output again. They must inflict permanent damage by demonstrating to investors that with shale, they can’t bet on any kind of predictable return.”

This will not end quickly; the list of casualties will be long. Goldman found $1 trillion in “stranded” or “zombie” investments in oil fields — a year ago at $70 oil. At $35 oil the total would be much larger.

"We think TB is a disease of developing countries or of days gone by, but TB is a disease of today. It certainly was a disease of yesterday, and we need to make sure that it isn't a disease of tomorrow," says Dr Onkar Sarhota, who is chair of London's Health Committee. TB is one disease often synonymous with poverty, affecting the most vulnerable. And it is not the only such disease worrying London's doctors.

Recent studies for Britain's National Health Service found that other diseases, widespread in the 19th and early 20th centuries, are making a comeback. "There has been a huge rise in scarlet fever - 14,000 [suspected] cases in the last year, the highest since the 1960s," says Dr Nuria Martinez-Alier, a London immunologist. "We have seen a rise in the cases of tuberculosis, we've seen a rise in cases of whooping cough, we have seen more measles in the last 10 years than in the last 10 years before that," she warns.

Over the past five years in England, hospital admissions for scarlet fever have risen 136%, scurvy by 38% and cholera by 300%, though the number of scurvy and cholera cases is very small.

Officials also say Texas and Oklahoma could suffer a "historic blizzard", bringing up to 16in (41cm) of snow. The storms across the South have been unusually powerful for winter. Reports from Texas said churches were destroyed, cars mangled and trees toppled across a wide area.

Garland police believed that "winds from a tornado that passed through" the town late on Saturday were the cause of car accidents, Melinda Urbina from the Dallas County Sheriff's office told the BBC. At least five people were reported dead in the cars. Ms Urbina said the winds "tossed the cars around", and the vehicles were later found below Interstate 30, about 15 miles (24km) north-east of Dallas. She also urged local residents to stay off the roads.

The deaths in Dallas come as much of the south-central region of the US is hit by severe weather. In previous days, ten people earlier had died in Mississippi and six in Tennessee. Arkansas and Alabama have each reported one fatality. In Mississippi, where 20 tornadoes hit, officials reported that 56 people had been injured and more than 400 houses destroyed or damaged in storms.

One large tornado reportedly touched land in Mississippi and tore a path more than 100 miles long to Tennessee. While extreme weather in the US before Christmas is not unknown, meteorologists say that unseasonably high temperatures in some areas contributed to the severity of the storms.

Hundreds of flood alerts and warnings are in place for England, Wales and Scotland, including more than 25 severe warnings - indicating danger to life. The environment minister said the government will review flood defences. Liz Truss said there had been "unprecedented" levels of rainfall in parts of northern England, saying it was "right to say" flood defences had been "overwhelmed".

She warned some rivers had not yet reached their expected high peak, saying the Army had been deployed in York, Leeds, and parts of Lancashire. PM David Cameron is due to chair an emergency conference call later and will visit some of the flood-affected areas on Monday. Resident Brian Marshall said flood waters in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, had been running with such force on Saturday night that sandbags had been "ripped up". He said: "It was just impossible to do anything."

Lieutenant Colonel Hamish Cormack, from the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, said levels in York were still rising - saying "we've not probably seen the worst of it yet". On Saturday, Lancashire bore the brunt of the flooding, along with parts of Yorkshire. People in 3,500 York properties near the River Foss, a tributary of the Ouse, were advised to move belongings upstairs and to be ready to leave.

Areas of Greater Manchester, including Salford, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale and Wigan, were also badly affected by flooding, with more than 300 flood-related calls to the fire service in 24 hours.

Between threats of gun confiscation at the federal level, and repeated incidences of SWAT teams and military-like police forces abusing their power against people in their homes and at protests, there are many reasons to think things have gone too far. The PATRIOT Act, the NDAA, the TSA and Homeland Security all represent the occupation of the American people and the complete destruction of civil liberties. Will something spark a revolution or a civil war, or will the powers that be lose the ability to pit people against each other?

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes said:

“If we defend it together, we can avoid bloodshed here at home. But if we allow our police to militarize and turn into an occupying army, or we allow our military to be used here at home domestically against the people, there will be another fight. And there should be.”

As Rhodes notes, many law enforcement officials have spoken out about the unconstitutional acts of this government, and have indicated that they will stand with the people. This is the best outcome, but not the only one that may happen. Even at the top of the system, there are many who have rebelled and dissented against the unconstitutional and delusional acts of the sitting president. How much more can the system bear before it cracks at the foundation?

How many more abuses will the people take before they fight back? Will those in power back off if people refuse to cooperate any longer? Or will this country roll over and descend into full-blown tyranny like so many others before it?