this is bbc news. with me, david eades. the headlines: the us is to release 50 million barrels of oil from its reserves in an attempt to bring down soaring energy prices, particularly that of gasoline. the move is being taken in parallel with other major oil—consuming nations, including china, india, japan, south korea, and the uk. a man accused of ramming a car into a christmas parade in the us state of wisconsin has appeared in court to face charges of intentional homicide. darrell brooks is charged with six deaths after another victim, a child, died. nearly 50 people were also injured in the attack in waukesha. north macedonia and bulgaria have declared days of mourning to remember victims of a bus crash on a bulgarian motorway yesterday. at least 45 people, mostly tourists, were killed when the coach crashed in flames in western bulgaria. the cause of the crash is still unclear. people in northern ireland