Ukraine regains Kherson villages from Russians
Ukrainian forces have liberated a key village in the southern region of Kherson, hastening another Russian military retreat.
The defence ministry in Kyiv posted a video showing the 35th marine brigade hoisting a Ukrainian flag above Davydiv Brid, amid reports of several other nearby villages being recaptured.
Russian forces have already been forced to retreat in Ukraine's north-east.
They are now being pushed back in the south as well.
Their latest setbacks came as President Vladimir Putin was due to sign into force decrees annexing four Ukrainian regions, while war was raging in all four. read more
Ukrainian forces have liberated a key village in the southern region of Kherson, hastening another Russian military retreat.
The defence ministry in Kyiv posted a video showing the 35th marine brigade hoisting a Ukrainian flag above Davydiv Brid, amid reports of several other nearby villages being recaptured.
Russian forces have already been forced to retreat in Ukraine's north-east.
They are now being pushed back in the south as well.
Their latest setbacks came as President Vladimir Putin was due to sign into force decrees annexing four Ukrainian regions, while war was raging in all four. read more
Ukraine war: Putin signs Ukraine annexation laws amid military setbacks
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has signed the final papers to annex four regions of Ukraine - even as his military suffered further setbacks.
The Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions are "accepted into the Russian Federation" the documents say.
But in two of those areas - Luhansk and Kherson - Ukraine said it has been retaking more villages.
Mr Putin also signed a decree to formalise Russia's seizure of the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia.
Last Friday, the Russian leader held a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, where he signed agreements with the Moscow-installed leaders of the four regions. read more
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has signed the final papers to annex four regions of Ukraine - even as his military suffered further setbacks.
The Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions are "accepted into the Russian Federation" the documents say.
But in two of those areas - Luhansk and Kherson - Ukraine said it has been retaking more villages.
Mr Putin also signed a decree to formalise Russia's seizure of the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia.
Last Friday, the Russian leader held a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, where he signed agreements with the Moscow-installed leaders of the four regions. read more
Ukraine war: Biden says nuclear risk highest since 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
US President Joe Biden has said the risk of a nuclear "Armageddon" is at its highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Mr Biden said Russia's President Vladimir Putin was "not joking" when he spoke of using tactical nuclear weapons after suffering setbacks in Ukraine.
The US was trying to discern Mr Putin's way out of the war, Mr Biden added.
The US and the EU have previously said Putin's nuclear sabre-rattling should be taken seriously.
However, the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan last week said that despite Moscow's nuclear hints, the US had seen no signs that Russia was imminently preparing to use a nuclear weapon. read more
US President Joe Biden has said the risk of a nuclear "Armageddon" is at its highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Mr Biden said Russia's President Vladimir Putin was "not joking" when he spoke of using tactical nuclear weapons after suffering setbacks in Ukraine.
The US was trying to discern Mr Putin's way out of the war, Mr Biden added.
The US and the EU have previously said Putin's nuclear sabre-rattling should be taken seriously.
However, the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan last week said that despite Moscow's nuclear hints, the US had seen no signs that Russia was imminently preparing to use a nuclear weapon. read more
Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin gets a tractor for his 70th birthday
A tractor is one of the odder gifts for Vladimir Putin, as Russia's president, a pariah in the West since his invasion of Ukraine, turns 70.
It was given him by his Belarusian ally, Alexander Lukashenko, whose country boasts a tractor works.
Mr Lukashenko confirmed the news as he visited his fellow strongman's home city, St Petersburg, for talks.
Mr Putin was hosting other leaders of ex-Soviet states as the war fanned by his invasion raged. read more
A tractor is one of the odder gifts for Vladimir Putin, as Russia's president, a pariah in the West since his invasion of Ukraine, turns 70.
It was given him by his Belarusian ally, Alexander Lukashenko, whose country boasts a tractor works.
Mr Lukashenko confirmed the news as he visited his fellow strongman's home city, St Petersburg, for talks.
Mr Putin was hosting other leaders of ex-Soviet states as the war fanned by his invasion raged. read more
Crimea bridge: Putin accuses Ukraine of 'terrorism'
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of attacking the bridge to Russian-annexed Crimea, saying that it was an "act of terrorism".
President Putin said Ukraine's intelligence forces had aimed to destroy a critically important piece of Russia's civil infrastructure.
He was speaking at a meeting with the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin.
Officials say three people were killed in the blast on the bridge. read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of attacking the bridge to Russian-annexed Crimea, saying that it was an "act of terrorism".
President Putin said Ukraine's intelligence forces had aimed to destroy a critically important piece of Russia's civil infrastructure.
He was speaking at a meeting with the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin.
Officials say three people were killed in the blast on the bridge. read more
Iran protests: Mahsa Amini's family receiving death threats, cousin says
The family of Mahsa Amini - the 22-year-old Kurdish woman whose death in police custody three weeks ago sparked protests across Iran - say they have received death threats and have been warned not to get involved in the demonstrations.
Mahsa became a symbol of Iranian repression after her arrest by the morality police, who accused her of wearing her hijab improperly. Her face, and her story, are now known around the world.
"Our family have been under immense pressure from the Islamic Republic's officials, so we don't talk to human rights organisations or channels outside of Iran and inform anyone from the outside world about her passing," her cousin Erfan Mortezai tells me when we meet across the border in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. read more
The family of Mahsa Amini - the 22-year-old Kurdish woman whose death in police custody three weeks ago sparked protests across Iran - say they have received death threats and have been warned not to get involved in the demonstrations.
Mahsa became a symbol of Iranian repression after her arrest by the morality police, who accused her of wearing her hijab improperly. Her face, and her story, are now known around the world.
"Our family have been under immense pressure from the Islamic Republic's officials, so we don't talk to human rights organisations or channels outside of Iran and inform anyone from the outside world about her passing," her cousin Erfan Mortezai tells me when we meet across the border in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. read more
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Ex-wife of Dubai royal pleads for help from UN in child custody battle
Lawyers for the former wife of a member of Dubai's ruling family have lodged a request to the UN Human Rights Council.
They want the council to intervene with authorities in the UAE to ensure Zeynab Javadli and her children's safety.
The request claims that Ms Javadli has faced abuse, harassment and intimidation by authorities during a bitter custody battle with Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His lawyers have argued Ms Javadli is an unfit mother, which she has denied.
It's the latest case in Dubai to reveal rifts within the ruling family. read more
Lawyers for the former wife of a member of Dubai's ruling family have lodged a request to the UN Human Rights Council.
They want the council to intervene with authorities in the UAE to ensure Zeynab Javadli and her children's safety.
The request claims that Ms Javadli has faced abuse, harassment and intimidation by authorities during a bitter custody battle with Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His lawyers have argued Ms Javadli is an unfit mother, which she has denied.
It's the latest case in Dubai to reveal rifts within the ruling family. read more
Tales of bloody Iran protest crackdown at border crossing
Soran raises two fingers to his left temple and motions firing a gun. "If you talk, they will put a bullet in your head," he tells me.
Around us, the Iranian mountains reach skywards. We're at a bus station in Penjwen, a town in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region that is close to the crossing post on the border with Iran. Cars sporadically pull in and discharge their occupants into the dusty courtyard. Some pause and drink tea, while others climb straight into the small minibuses that'll take them to the nearby Iraqi city of Sulaimaniya.
Soran uses his hands often when he talks. His feet too, as he kicks out to show me how he was beaten by Iranian security forces.
"It happened a few days ago when I was protesting," he says. "The regime beat me in the back, they kicked me and used truncheons to hit me. They shot my friend, and others too. All because I took part in the demonstrations." read more
Soran raises two fingers to his left temple and motions firing a gun. "If you talk, they will put a bullet in your head," he tells me.
Around us, the Iranian mountains reach skywards. We're at a bus station in Penjwen, a town in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region that is close to the crossing post on the border with Iran. Cars sporadically pull in and discharge their occupants into the dusty courtyard. Some pause and drink tea, while others climb straight into the small minibuses that'll take them to the nearby Iraqi city of Sulaimaniya.
Soran uses his hands often when he talks. His feet too, as he kicks out to show me how he was beaten by Iranian security forces.
"It happened a few days ago when I was protesting," he says. "The regime beat me in the back, they kicked me and used truncheons to hit me. They shot my friend, and others too. All because I took part in the demonstrations." read more
Nato countries to boost Ukraine's missile defence after massive Russian strikes
Ukraine's Nato-led allies have announced deliveries of advanced air defence weapons to Kyiv, after a spate of Russian missile strikes.
The weaponry promised by the UK, Canada, France and the Netherlands includes missiles and radars. The US earlier made a similar pledge. One high-tech system from Germany is already in Ukraine.
The pledges come as Ukraine's allies from 50 countries meet at Nato headquarters in Brussels.
Kyiv hailed the summit as "historic".
Hours later Russian shelling hit the southern city of Mykolaiv on Thursday morning, officials said. read more
Ukraine's Nato-led allies have announced deliveries of advanced air defence weapons to Kyiv, after a spate of Russian missile strikes.
The weaponry promised by the UK, Canada, France and the Netherlands includes missiles and radars. The US earlier made a similar pledge. One high-tech system from Germany is already in Ukraine.
The pledges come as Ukraine's allies from 50 countries meet at Nato headquarters in Brussels.
Kyiv hailed the summit as "historic".
Hours later Russian shelling hit the southern city of Mykolaiv on Thursday morning, officials said. read more
Ukraine war: UN General Assembly condemns Russia annexation
The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia's attempts to annex four regions of Ukraine.
The resolution was supported by 143 countries, while 35 states - including China and India - abstained.
As well as Russia, four countries rejected the vote, namely Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Nicaragua.
Although symbolic, it was the highest number of votes against Russia since the invasion.
Last week, in a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin signed documents to make the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson part of Russia. read more
The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia's attempts to annex four regions of Ukraine.
The resolution was supported by 143 countries, while 35 states - including China and India - abstained.
As well as Russia, four countries rejected the vote, namely Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Nicaragua.
Although symbolic, it was the highest number of votes against Russia since the invasion.
Last week, in a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin signed documents to make the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson part of Russia. read more
Ukraine war: Putin says no more massive strikes - for now
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there is no need for more massive strikes on Ukraine, days after the heaviest bombardment of the country since the war began.
He said most designated targets of the strikes had been hit, adding that it was not his aim to destroy Ukraine.
Moscow's goal of mobilising 300,000 men would be met within two weeks, he said.
Mr Putin's words come as Russian forces seem stalled and Ukraine advances, almost eight months since the invasion. read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there is no need for more massive strikes on Ukraine, days after the heaviest bombardment of the country since the war began.
He said most designated targets of the strikes had been hit, adding that it was not his aim to destroy Ukraine.
Moscow's goal of mobilising 300,000 men would be met within two weeks, he said.
Mr Putin's words come as Russian forces seem stalled and Ukraine advances, almost eight months since the invasion. read more
Musk says SpaceX cannot keep funding Ukraine Starlink
Elon Musk has said his rocket firm SpaceX cannot continue indefinitely paying for Ukraine's Starlink internet service in his latest spat with Kyiv.
In February, the world's richest man activated his company's satellite internet system in Ukraine to keep its military and people online.
But last month the Tesla owner asked the Pentagon to fund the programme instead of him, according to US media.
He recently provoked Kyiv's ire by suggesting it cede territory.
"SpaceX is not asking to recoup past expenses, but also cannot fund the existing system indefinitely," Mr Musk tweeted on Friday, referring to his space company that makes the Starlink system. read more
Elon Musk has said his rocket firm SpaceX cannot continue indefinitely paying for Ukraine's Starlink internet service in his latest spat with Kyiv.
In February, the world's richest man activated his company's satellite internet system in Ukraine to keep its military and people online.
But last month the Tesla owner asked the Pentagon to fund the programme instead of him, according to US media.
He recently provoked Kyiv's ire by suggesting it cede territory.
"SpaceX is not asking to recoup past expenses, but also cannot fund the existing system indefinitely," Mr Musk tweeted on Friday, referring to his space company that makes the Starlink system. read more
Evin prison fire: Gun shots and sirens heard at Iran's notorious detention centre
A major fire has broken out at Iran's notorious Evin prison, known for housing political prisoners, journalists and foreign nationals.
Videos shared online show flames and smoke at the site in Tehran, and gunshots and explosions can be heard.
An official quoted by state media said the situation was under control, but video footage appeared to show the fire continuing after this.
Iran has been gripped for weeks by anti-government protests.
They first erupted last month after the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody. Officials said she died of a heart attack, but her family disputed this, saying she was beaten by morality police. read more
A major fire has broken out at Iran's notorious Evin prison, known for housing political prisoners, journalists and foreign nationals.
Videos shared online show flames and smoke at the site in Tehran, and gunshots and explosions can be heard.
An official quoted by state media said the situation was under control, but video footage appeared to show the fire continuing after this.
Iran has been gripped for weeks by anti-government protests.
They first erupted last month after the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody. Officials said she died of a heart attack, but her family disputed this, saying she was beaten by morality police. read more
Ukraine war: Kyiv attacked by kamikaze drones, say officials
Russia has hit the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, with a wave of Iranian-made kamikaze drones - killing at least one person, says Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
"It shows their desperation," said Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's staff.
And in the port city of Mykolaiv, sunflower oil tanks were set on fire by similar drones, said the city's mayor.
A week ago, the capital was hit by Russian missiles at rush hour, part of nationwide attacks which left 19 dead.
A Ukrainian air force official said all the drones had flown into the country from the south. read more
Russia has hit the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, with a wave of Iranian-made kamikaze drones - killing at least one person, says Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
"It shows their desperation," said Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's staff.
And in the port city of Mykolaiv, sunflower oil tanks were set on fire by similar drones, said the city's mayor.
A week ago, the capital was hit by Russian missiles at rush hour, part of nationwide attacks which left 19 dead.
A Ukrainian air force official said all the drones had flown into the country from the south. read more
BTS: K-pop stars to take time out for military service
The world's biggest boy band BTS will be abandoning their fandom "army" to join the South Korean military for national service, their agents say.
The confirmation ends years of debate over whether the K-pop stars might be exempted from military duties.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18-28 must serve about two years.
The seven BTS members had been allowed to put off starting their military service until they turned 30. The oldest, Jin, is currently 29.
He will begin preparations next month, the band's management revealed on Monday. All seven members of the group - the youngest of whom is 24 - also plan on following through with their service, it said. read more
The world's biggest boy band BTS will be abandoning their fandom "army" to join the South Korean military for national service, their agents say.
The confirmation ends years of debate over whether the K-pop stars might be exempted from military duties.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18-28 must serve about two years.
The seven BTS members had been allowed to put off starting their military service until they turned 30. The oldest, Jin, is currently 29.
He will begin preparations next month, the band's management revealed on Monday. All seven members of the group - the youngest of whom is 24 - also plan on following through with their service, it said. read more
Ex-UK pilots lured to help Chinese military, MoD says
Former British military pilots are being lured to China with large sums of money to pass on their expertise to the Chinese military, it is claimed.
Up to 30 former UK military pilots are thought to have gone to train members of China's People's Liberation Army.
The UK is issuing an intelligence alert to warn former military pilots against working for the Chinese military.
Attempts to headhunt pilots are ongoing and had been ramping up recently, western officials say.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the training and the recruiting of pilots does not breach any current UK law but officials in the UK and other countries are trying to deter the activity. read more
Former British military pilots are being lured to China with large sums of money to pass on their expertise to the Chinese military, it is claimed.
Up to 30 former UK military pilots are thought to have gone to train members of China's People's Liberation Army.
The UK is issuing an intelligence alert to warn former military pilots against working for the Chinese military.
Attempts to headhunt pilots are ongoing and had been ramping up recently, western officials say.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the training and the recruiting of pilots does not breach any current UK law but officials in the UK and other countries are trying to deter the activity. read more
Elnaz Rekabi: Iranian climber flies home to crowds of supporters
A large crowd at Tehran airport greeted an Iranian sport climber considered a "heroine" by many for having competed with her hair uncovered.
Elnaz Rekabi, 33, defied Iran's strict dress code - but said her hijab had fallen off "inadvertently".
However many are sceptical about the explanation given on her Instagram, believing it was written under duress.
Iran is currently gripped by protests against compulsory hijab laws and the nation's clerical establishment.
Iranian women are required to cover their hair with a hijab and their arms and legs with loose clothing. Female athletes must also abide by the dress code when they are officially representing Iran in competitions abroad. read more
A large crowd at Tehran airport greeted an Iranian sport climber considered a "heroine" by many for having competed with her hair uncovered.
Elnaz Rekabi, 33, defied Iran's strict dress code - but said her hijab had fallen off "inadvertently".
However many are sceptical about the explanation given on her Instagram, believing it was written under duress.
Iran is currently gripped by protests against compulsory hijab laws and the nation's clerical establishment.
Iranian women are required to cover their hair with a hijab and their arms and legs with loose clothing. Female athletes must also abide by the dress code when they are officially representing Iran in competitions abroad. read more
Ukraine war: Russia begins evacuation from Kherson in south
Tens of thousands of civilians and Russian-appointed officials are being moved out of Ukraine's southern Kherson region ahead of a Ukrainian offensive, says the Russia-installed local leader.
Vladimir Saldo said 50-60,000 civilians would leave four towns on the west bank of the Dnieper river in an "organised, gradual displacement".
All Russian-appointed departments in Kherson city would cross the river too.
Russian TV footage showed a number of people gathering near the Dnieper.
As they queued for boats, it was not clear how many were leaving. The transfer or deportation of civilians by an occupying power from occupied territory is considered a war crime. read more
Tens of thousands of civilians and Russian-appointed officials are being moved out of Ukraine's southern Kherson region ahead of a Ukrainian offensive, says the Russia-installed local leader.
Vladimir Saldo said 50-60,000 civilians would leave four towns on the west bank of the Dnieper river in an "organised, gradual displacement".
All Russian-appointed departments in Kherson city would cross the river too.
Russian TV footage showed a number of people gathering near the Dnieper.
As they queued for boats, it was not clear how many were leaving. The transfer or deportation of civilians by an occupying power from occupied territory is considered a war crime. read more
Ukrainians told to 'charge everything' as power grid hit by Russia
Ukraine's national energy company has urged citizens to "charge everything" by 07:00 (04:00 GMT) Thursday because of expected power cuts caused by Russian missile strikes.
Energy plants were hit by Russian missiles again on Wednesday - part of a wave of such strikes since 10 October.
Outages of up to four hours at a time will affect the whole country on Thursday, grid operator Ukrenergo said.
It comes as Russia declares martial law in areas of Ukraine it has annexed. read more
Ukraine's national energy company has urged citizens to "charge everything" by 07:00 (04:00 GMT) Thursday because of expected power cuts caused by Russian missile strikes.
Energy plants were hit by Russian missiles again on Wednesday - part of a wave of such strikes since 10 October.
Outages of up to four hours at a time will affect the whole country on Thursday, grid operator Ukrenergo said.
It comes as Russia declares martial law in areas of Ukraine it has annexed. read more
Liz Truss resigns as prime minister after Tory revolt
Liz Truss has dramatically resigned as prime minister after just 45 days in the job.
The PM said her successor will be elected in a Tory leadership contest, to be completed in the next week.
Tory MPs urged Ms Truss to go after her government was engulfed by political turmoil, following the ditching of most of her economic policies.
Ms Truss was elected by the Tory membership in September, but she lost authority after a series of U-turns.
In a brief speech outside Downing Street, Ms Truss said the Conservative Party had elected her on a mandate to cut taxes and boost economic growth.
Liz Truss has dramatically resigned as prime minister after just 45 days in the job.
The PM said her successor will be elected in a Tory leadership contest, to be completed in the next week.
Tory MPs urged Ms Truss to go after her government was engulfed by political turmoil, following the ditching of most of her economic policies.
Ms Truss was elected by the Tory membership in September, but she lost authority after a series of U-turns.
In a brief speech outside Downing Street, Ms Truss said the Conservative Party had elected her on a mandate to cut taxes and boost economic growth.