Finland Nato: Russia threatens to retaliate over membership move
Russia has said it will be forced to take "retaliatory steps" over its neighbour Finland's move to join Nato.
A foreign ministry statement said the move would seriously damage bilateral relations, as well as security and stability in northern Europe.
Earlier, Finland's president and PM called for the country to apply for Nato membership "without delay".
It comes amid a surge in public support for Nato membership following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. read more
Russia has said it will be forced to take "retaliatory steps" over its neighbour Finland's move to join Nato.
A foreign ministry statement said the move would seriously damage bilateral relations, as well as security and stability in northern Europe.
Earlier, Finland's president and PM called for the country to apply for Nato membership "without delay".
It comes amid a surge in public support for Nato membership following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. read more
Elon Musk puts Twitter deal on hold over fake account details
Elon Musk has said his $44bn (£35bn) deal to buy Twitter is on hold after he queried the number of fake or spam accounts on the social media platform.
He said he was waiting for information "supporting [the] calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users".
Mr Musk has been vocal on cleaning up spam accounts.
However, analysts speculated he could be seeking to renegotiate the price or even walk away from the takeover.
Following Mr Musk's tweet, Twitter's share price fell as much as 25% in pre-market trading. read more
Elon Musk has said his $44bn (£35bn) deal to buy Twitter is on hold after he queried the number of fake or spam accounts on the social media platform.
He said he was waiting for information "supporting [the] calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users".
Mr Musk has been vocal on cleaning up spam accounts.
However, analysts speculated he could be seeking to renegotiate the price or even walk away from the takeover.
Following Mr Musk's tweet, Twitter's share price fell as much as 25% in pre-market trading. read more
Shireen Abu Aqla: Violence at Al Jazeera reporter's funeral in Jerusalem
Israeli police have hit mourners at the funeral of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Aqla, whose killing in the occupied West Bank has caused a surge of anger.
Her coffin almost fell as police, some using batons, waded into a crowd of Palestinians gathered around it.
Police said they acted after being pelted with stones.
Abu Aqla was shot dead in disputed circumstances on Wednesday, with Israel and Palestinians trading blame. The killing has been widely condemned.
Footage showed a standoff between police and Palestinians gathered around the coffin in the hospital compound, before officers push the crowd back, with some beating and kicking mourners. Police said officers "were forced to use riot dispersal means". read more
Israeli police have hit mourners at the funeral of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Aqla, whose killing in the occupied West Bank has caused a surge of anger.
Her coffin almost fell as police, some using batons, waded into a crowd of Palestinians gathered around it.
Police said they acted after being pelted with stones.
Abu Aqla was shot dead in disputed circumstances on Wednesday, with Israel and Palestinians trading blame. The killing has been widely condemned.
Footage showed a standoff between police and Palestinians gathered around the coffin in the hospital compound, before officers push the crowd back, with some beating and kicking mourners. Police said officers "were forced to use riot dispersal means". read more
Buffalo shooting: Ten dead in attack at supermarket in New York state
Ten people have been killed in a shooting in New York state that is being investigated as a racially-motivated hate crime.
An 18-year-old man was detained after a stand-off at the scene in the city of Buffalo. Police have not named him.
The suspect entered a busy supermarket on Saturday afternoon before opening fire. He used a camera to live-stream the attack online, police said.
The FBI described the shooting as an act of "violent extremism". read more
Ten people have been killed in a shooting in New York state that is being investigated as a racially-motivated hate crime.
An 18-year-old man was detained after a stand-off at the scene in the city of Buffalo. Police have not named him.
The suspect entered a busy supermarket on Saturday afternoon before opening fire. He used a camera to live-stream the attack online, police said.
The FBI described the shooting as an act of "violent extremism". read more
Ukraine war: Finland confirms Nato bid despite Putin warning
Finland has confirmed that it will apply for Nato membership, despite warnings from Russia's President Vladimir Putin that abandoning neutrality would be a "mistake".
President Sauli Niinisto called it a "historic day". He says the shift in policy is in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Nato foreign ministers say they want a rapid accession process for Finland.
Sweden could also announce its intention to join as soon as Monday.
Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia. Until now, it has stayed out of Nato to avoid antagonising its eastern neighbour. read more
Finland has confirmed that it will apply for Nato membership, despite warnings from Russia's President Vladimir Putin that abandoning neutrality would be a "mistake".
President Sauli Niinisto called it a "historic day". He says the shift in policy is in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Nato foreign ministers say they want a rapid accession process for Finland.
Sweden could also announce its intention to join as soon as Monday.
Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia. Until now, it has stayed out of Nato to avoid antagonising its eastern neighbour. read more
Full lunar eclipse creates rare super blood Moon
Stargazers have been treated overnight to a stunning and unusual sight - a super blood Moon.
Shortly after 03:30 GMT on Monday, Earth's orbit meant that for several minutes our planet was positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon.
In that time the Moon fell completely into Earth's shadow - temporarily turning it a dusky shade of dark red.
Its hue was created by sunlight being projected through Earth's atmosphere onto the Moon's shadowed surface.
The lunar eclipse coincided with a separate event - a super Moon. This is when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit and so appears larger than usual. read more
Stargazers have been treated overnight to a stunning and unusual sight - a super blood Moon.
Shortly after 03:30 GMT on Monday, Earth's orbit meant that for several minutes our planet was positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon.
In that time the Moon fell completely into Earth's shadow - temporarily turning it a dusky shade of dark red.
Its hue was created by sunlight being projected through Earth's atmosphere onto the Moon's shadowed surface.
The lunar eclipse coincided with a separate event - a super Moon. This is when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit and so appears larger than usual. read more
Buffalo shooting: Gunman deliberately sought black victims - mayor
The man suspected of shooting dead 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, deliberately sought a site with a high black population, authorities say.
The suspect, Payton Gendron, 18, drove more than 320km (200 miles) to carry out the attack, police say.
The attack is being investigated as an act of racially motivated violent extremism.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the suspect arrived intending to take "as many black lives as possible".
A 180-page document seemingly authored by Mr Gendron has emerged, in which he describes himself as a fascist and a white supremacist. read more
The man suspected of shooting dead 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, deliberately sought a site with a high black population, authorities say.
The suspect, Payton Gendron, 18, drove more than 320km (200 miles) to carry out the attack, police say.
The attack is being investigated as an act of racially motivated violent extremism.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the suspect arrived intending to take "as many black lives as possible".
A 180-page document seemingly authored by Mr Gendron has emerged, in which he describes himself as a fascist and a white supremacist. read more
Turkey threatens to block Finland and Sweden Nato bids
Turkey's president has restated his opposition to Finland and Sweden joining Nato - just hours after they said they would seek membership.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the two Scandinavian nations need not send delegations to convince Turkey, a key Nato member, of their bids.
He is angered by what he sees as their willingness to host Kurdish militants.
Earlier, Sweden said Europe was living in a dangerous new reality, referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. read more
Turkey's president has restated his opposition to Finland and Sweden joining Nato - just hours after they said they would seek membership.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the two Scandinavian nations need not send delegations to convince Turkey, a key Nato member, of their bids.
He is angered by what he sees as their willingness to host Kurdish militants.
Earlier, Sweden said Europe was living in a dangerous new reality, referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. read more
Drugs tunnel connecting US and Mexico found
A huge drugs tunnel has been found running from Tijuana in Mexico to a warehouse in San Diego in the US.
With a length of 1,744ft (531m), the passage had a rail track, electricity and a ventilation system.
US authorities had been carrying out surveillance at a property previously used as a stash house for smuggling cocaine when they made the discovery.
They seized cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. Six people are being held on drug-trafficking charges. read more
A huge drugs tunnel has been found running from Tijuana in Mexico to a warehouse in San Diego in the US.
With a length of 1,744ft (531m), the passage had a rail track, electricity and a ventilation system.
US authorities had been carrying out surveillance at a property previously used as a stash house for smuggling cocaine when they made the discovery.
They seized cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. Six people are being held on drug-trafficking charges. read more
Mariupol: Ukraine doing everything to save remaining fighters
Ukraine is doing "everything possible and impossible" to save the remaining fighters trapped in Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks, a senior official has said.
Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said Kyiv knew how many soldiers were still at the plant, but stressed that it was "sensitive information".
On Monday, 264 fighters - many badly wounded - were evacuated to areas held by Russian-backed rebels.
On Tuesday, another seven buses were seen leaving the site, Reuters said.
It added that the convoy later arrived in Olenivka, a village held by pro-Russian rebels in the eastern Donbas region. read more
Ukraine is doing "everything possible and impossible" to save the remaining fighters trapped in Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks, a senior official has said.
Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said Kyiv knew how many soldiers were still at the plant, but stressed that it was "sensitive information".
On Monday, 264 fighters - many badly wounded - were evacuated to areas held by Russian-backed rebels.
On Tuesday, another seven buses were seen leaving the site, Reuters said.
It added that the convoy later arrived in Olenivka, a village held by pro-Russian rebels in the eastern Donbas region. read more
Netflix cuts 150 US-based jobs after losing subscribers
Netflix has made about 150 staff redundant, a month after the streaming service said it was losing subscribers for the first time in a decade.
The redundancies, announced by the entertainment giant on Tuesday, will mainly affect its US office in California. They account for about 2% of its North American workforce.
Netflix said the job losses were due to the slump in the company's revenue.
The streaming service is battling an exodus of viewers this year. read more
Netflix has made about 150 staff redundant, a month after the streaming service said it was losing subscribers for the first time in a decade.
The redundancies, announced by the entertainment giant on Tuesday, will mainly affect its US office in California. They account for about 2% of its North American workforce.
Netflix said the job losses were due to the slump in the company's revenue.
The streaming service is battling an exodus of viewers this year. read more
President Rodrigo Chaves says Costa Rica is at war with Conti hackers
The president of Costa Rica says his country is "at war", as cyber-criminals cause major disruption to IT systems of numerous government ministries.
Rodrigo Chaves said hackers infiltrated 27 government institutions, including municipalities and state-run utilities.
The Conti ransomware cartel, which is thought to be run from Russia, has upped its ransom demand to $20m (£16m).
The criminals posted an appeal online to Costa Ricans to "go out on the street and demand payment".
Mr Chaves held a press conference on Monday to outline his "Plan for Implementation of Cyber-security Measures". read more
The president of Costa Rica says his country is "at war", as cyber-criminals cause major disruption to IT systems of numerous government ministries.
Rodrigo Chaves said hackers infiltrated 27 government institutions, including municipalities and state-run utilities.
The Conti ransomware cartel, which is thought to be run from Russia, has upped its ransom demand to $20m (£16m).
The criminals posted an appeal online to Costa Ricans to "go out on the street and demand payment".
Mr Chaves held a press conference on Monday to outline his "Plan for Implementation of Cyber-security Measures". read more
Global stock markets fall as growth fears rattle investors
Fears about rising prices and slowing economies have spread to UK and European stock markets following sharp falls in the US and Asia.
The FTSE 100 index of leading companies sank 2.5% on Thursday while the main stock markets in France and Germany saw similar declines.
On Wednesday, US shares recorded their biggest one-day drop since the early days of the Covid pandemic in 2020.
Markets were spooked by gloomy forecasts from major US retailers. read more
Fears about rising prices and slowing economies have spread to UK and European stock markets following sharp falls in the US and Asia.
The FTSE 100 index of leading companies sank 2.5% on Thursday while the main stock markets in France and Germany saw similar declines.
On Wednesday, US shares recorded their biggest one-day drop since the early days of the Covid pandemic in 2020.
Markets were spooked by gloomy forecasts from major US retailers. read more
Canada to ban China's Huawei and ZTE from its 5G networks
Canada says it will ban two of China's biggest telecoms equipment makers from working on its 5G phone networks.
The restrictions against Huawei and ZTE were announced by the country's industry minister on Thursday.
Francois-Philippe Champagne says the move will improve Canada's mobile internet services and "protect the safety and security of Canadians".
But Huawei Canada said it was "disappointed" by the decision, which it said was "political". read more
Canada says it will ban two of China's biggest telecoms equipment makers from working on its 5G phone networks.
The restrictions against Huawei and ZTE were announced by the country's industry minister on Thursday.
Francois-Philippe Champagne says the move will improve Canada's mobile internet services and "protect the safety and security of Canadians".
But Huawei Canada said it was "disappointed" by the decision, which it said was "political". read more
Colonel in Iran Revolutionary Guard assassinated
A colonel in the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guards has been shot dead in a rare assassination in Tehran.
Two gunman on a motorbike are reported to have shot Colonel Sayad Khodai five times in a car outside his home.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for Sunday's attack, and a manhunt is under way for the gunmen.
It is the biggest security breach in Iran since 2020 when a leading nuclear scientist was killed, the BBC's Middle East Editor Sebastian Usher says. read more
A colonel in the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guards has been shot dead in a rare assassination in Tehran.
Two gunman on a motorbike are reported to have shot Colonel Sayad Khodai five times in a car outside his home.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for Sunday's attack, and a manhunt is under way for the gunmen.
It is the biggest security breach in Iran since 2020 when a leading nuclear scientist was killed, the BBC's Middle East Editor Sebastian Usher says. read more
The faces from China’s Uyghur detention camps
Thousands of photographs from the heart of China’s highly secretive system of mass incarceration in Xinjiang, as well as a shoot-to-kill policy for those who try to escape, are among a huge cache of data hacked from police computer servers in the region.
The Xinjiang Police Files, as they’re being called, were passed to the BBC earlier this year. After a months-long effort to investigate and authenticate them, they can be shown to offer significant new insights into the internment of the region’s Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities.
Their publication coincides with the recent arrival in China of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet, for a controversial visit to Xinjiang, with critics concerned that her itinerary will be under the tight control of the government. read more
Thousands of photographs from the heart of China’s highly secretive system of mass incarceration in Xinjiang, as well as a shoot-to-kill policy for those who try to escape, are among a huge cache of data hacked from police computer servers in the region.
The Xinjiang Police Files, as they’re being called, were passed to the BBC earlier this year. After a months-long effort to investigate and authenticate them, they can be shown to offer significant new insights into the internment of the region’s Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities.
Their publication coincides with the recent arrival in China of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet, for a controversial visit to Xinjiang, with critics concerned that her itinerary will be under the tight control of the government. read more
Coronavirus: Argentine President Fernández pays 'fine' over lockdown party
Argentine President Alberto Fernández has made a large donation as part of a deal to end an investigation into a lockdown party he and his wife hosted.
The couple came under investigation after photos emerged showing them having a birthday dinner attended by about a dozen people while lockdown measures were in force.
At the time, public gatherings, including funerals, were banned.
The photos caused outrage and caused the president's popularity to plummet. read more
Argentine President Alberto Fernández has made a large donation as part of a deal to end an investigation into a lockdown party he and his wife hosted.
The couple came under investigation after photos emerged showing them having a birthday dinner attended by about a dozen people while lockdown measures were in force.
At the time, public gatherings, including funerals, were banned.
The photos caused outrage and caused the president's popularity to plummet. read more
North Korea fires missiles hours after Biden leaves Asia
North Korea fired three ballistic missiles early on Wednesday morning, South Korea's military has said.
Authorities in Seoul said the missiles were fired in the space of less than an hour from the Sunan area in Pyongyang.
It comes just a day after US President Joe Biden left the region, following a trip that saw him vowing to bolster measures to deter North Korea.
North Korea has been test-firing a flurry of ballistic missiles since the beginning of this year.
Japan confirmed at least two launches happened on Wednesday but acknowledged there may have been more. read more
North Korea fired three ballistic missiles early on Wednesday morning, South Korea's military has said.
Authorities in Seoul said the missiles were fired in the space of less than an hour from the Sunan area in Pyongyang.
It comes just a day after US President Joe Biden left the region, following a trip that saw him vowing to bolster measures to deter North Korea.
North Korea has been test-firing a flurry of ballistic missiles since the beginning of this year.
Japan confirmed at least two launches happened on Wednesday but acknowledged there may have been more. read more
Ukraine war: World Bank boss warns over global recession
The head of the World Bank has warned that Russia's invasion of Ukraine could cause a global recession as the price of food, energy and fertiliser jump.
David Malpass told a US business event on Wednesday that it is difficult to "see how we avoid a recession".
He also said a series of coronavirus lockdowns in China are adding to concerns about a slowdown.
His comments are the latest warning over the rising risk that the world economy may be set to contract. read more
The head of the World Bank has warned that Russia's invasion of Ukraine could cause a global recession as the price of food, energy and fertiliser jump.
David Malpass told a US business event on Wednesday that it is difficult to "see how we avoid a recession".
He also said a series of coronavirus lockdowns in China are adding to concerns about a slowdown.
His comments are the latest warning over the rising risk that the world economy may be set to contract. read more
Ukraine war: World Bank boss warns over global recession
The head of the World Bank has warned that Russia's invasion of Ukraine could cause a global recession as the price of food, energy and fertiliser jump.
David Malpass told a US business event on Wednesday that it is difficult to "see how we avoid a recession".
He also said that a series of coronavirus lockdowns in China is adding to concerns about a slowdown.
His comments are the latest warning over the rising risk that the world economy may be set to contract. read more
The head of the World Bank has warned that Russia's invasion of Ukraine could cause a global recession as the price of food, energy and fertiliser jump.
David Malpass told a US business event on Wednesday that it is difficult to "see how we avoid a recession".
He also said that a series of coronavirus lockdowns in China is adding to concerns about a slowdown.
His comments are the latest warning over the rising risk that the world economy may be set to contract. read more
Ukraine war: Putin urged to hold 'direct, serious negotiations' with Zelensky
The leaders of France and Germany have urged Russia's Vladimir Putin to hold "direct [and] serious negotiations" with Ukraine's president, the German chancellor's office said.
Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz spoke to Mr Putin by phone for 80 minutes.
The pair "insisted on an immediate ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian troops", the chancellor's office said.
Russia's leader said Moscow was open to resuming dialogue with Kyiv, according to the Kremlin. read more
The leaders of France and Germany have urged Russia's Vladimir Putin to hold "direct [and] serious negotiations" with Ukraine's president, the German chancellor's office said.
Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz spoke to Mr Putin by phone for 80 minutes.
The pair "insisted on an immediate ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian troops", the chancellor's office said.
Russia's leader said Moscow was open to resuming dialogue with Kyiv, according to the Kremlin. read more