Ukraine war: Iranian drone experts 'on the ground' in Crimea - US
Iran has deployed military experts in Russian-occupied Crimea to help launch drone attacks on Ukraine, the White House says.
The Iranians are trainers and tech support workers, a US spokesman said.
The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was struck by so-called "kamikaze" drones on Monday, deployed by Russia but believed to be Iranian-made.
The UK has announced sanctions on Iranian businesses and individuals responsible for supplying the drones.
"We assess that Iranian military personnel were on the ground in Crimea and assisted Russia in these operations," White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters. read more
Iran has deployed military experts in Russian-occupied Crimea to help launch drone attacks on Ukraine, the White House says.
The Iranians are trainers and tech support workers, a US spokesman said.
The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was struck by so-called "kamikaze" drones on Monday, deployed by Russia but believed to be Iranian-made.
The UK has announced sanctions on Iranian businesses and individuals responsible for supplying the drones.
"We assess that Iranian military personnel were on the ground in Crimea and assisted Russia in these operations," White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters. read more
Italy Meloni: Far-right leader poised to govern despite Putin row
Italy's far-right leader Giorgia Meloni and her coalition allies have met President Sergio Mattarella and say they are ready to form a government "as quickly as possible".
He is set to ask Ms Meloni in the coming hours to become prime minister.
Veteran ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi attended the brief talks, despite shaking the coalition's unity with leaked pro-Putin remarks.
Ms Meloni has sought to assure Italy's Western allies nothing will change.
The Brothers of Italy leader could be sworn in as early as this weekend as the country's first female prime minister - and first far-right leader since World War Two. She said her coalition of right-wing and far-right parties was unanimous that she should lead Italy. read more
Italy's far-right leader Giorgia Meloni and her coalition allies have met President Sergio Mattarella and say they are ready to form a government "as quickly as possible".
He is set to ask Ms Meloni in the coming hours to become prime minister.
Veteran ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi attended the brief talks, despite shaking the coalition's unity with leaked pro-Putin remarks.
Ms Meloni has sought to assure Italy's Western allies nothing will change.
The Brothers of Italy leader could be sworn in as early as this weekend as the country's first female prime minister - and first far-right leader since World War Two. She said her coalition of right-wing and far-right parties was unanimous that she should lead Italy. read more
Ukraine war: US and Russian defence ministers discuss Ukraine in rare talks
The US and Russian defence secretaries have spoken in a phone call, in a rare moment of high-level contact between the two countries since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu spoke on Friday, the two countries confirmed.
Both sides said the situation in Ukraine was discussed.
It is the first time they have spoken since a call on 13 May.
After Friday's call, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told the BBC that the US was "eager to keep lines of communication open". read more
The US and Russian defence secretaries have spoken in a phone call, in a rare moment of high-level contact between the two countries since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu spoke on Friday, the two countries confirmed.
Both sides said the situation in Ukraine was discussed.
It is the first time they have spoken since a call on 13 May.
After Friday's call, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told the BBC that the US was "eager to keep lines of communication open". read more
Hu Jintao: ex-president escorted out of China party congress
Chinese former leader Hu Jintao has been led out of the closing ceremony of the Communist Party Congress.
The frail-looking 79-year-old was sitting beside President Xi Jinping when he was approached and led away by officials. No explanation was given.
After its week-long congress, the party is expected to confirm Mr Xi, 69, for a historic third term.
The event, held in Beijing every five years, cemented his position as China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. read more \
Chinese former leader Hu Jintao has been led out of the closing ceremony of the Communist Party Congress.
The frail-looking 79-year-old was sitting beside President Xi Jinping when he was approached and led away by officials. No explanation was given.
After its week-long congress, the party is expected to confirm Mr Xi, 69, for a historic third term.
The event, held in Beijing every five years, cemented his position as China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. read more \
Xi Jinping announces third term in power and new top team
- Xi Jinping has a third term as China's leader, in a break with recent precedent
- He has also introduced his new top team - which includes former Shanghai party chief Li Qiang as the new premier
- Saturday's closing ceremony saw Xi's predecessor Hu Jintao escorted out, apparently unwillingly, with state media later saying he had not been well
- Xi, 69, is arguably the most powerful party chief since the first communist-era leader Mao Zedong who died in 1976
- Xi Jinping has a third term as China's leader, in a break with recent precedent
- He has also introduced his new top team - which includes former Shanghai party chief Li Qiang as the new premier
- Saturday's closing ceremony saw Xi's predecessor Hu Jintao escorted out, apparently unwillingly, with state media later saying he had not been well
- Xi, 69, is arguably the most powerful party chief since the first communist-era leader Mao Zedong who died in 1976
Ukraine war: Kyiv denounces Russia's 'dirty bomb' claims
Ukraine has condemned unsubstantiated claims by Russia that Kyiv might use a "dirty bomb" - conventional explosives laced with radioactive material.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said this meant Russia itself could be preparing an attack of this kind.
Ukraine's allies also dismissed the claims, with the US saying it "rejected any pretext for Russian escalation".
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu made the dirty bomb remarks in a call with his UK counterpart Ben Wallace.
He said he was "concerned about possible provocations by Kyiv involving the use of a dirty bomb".
On Sunday, Mr Shoigu also held a flurry of phone calls with defence ministers of the US, France and Turkey, voicing Moscow's alarm. He provided no evidence to back up his accusations. read more
Ukraine has condemned unsubstantiated claims by Russia that Kyiv might use a "dirty bomb" - conventional explosives laced with radioactive material.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said this meant Russia itself could be preparing an attack of this kind.
Ukraine's allies also dismissed the claims, with the US saying it "rejected any pretext for Russian escalation".
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu made the dirty bomb remarks in a call with his UK counterpart Ben Wallace.
He said he was "concerned about possible provocations by Kyiv involving the use of a dirty bomb".
On Sunday, Mr Shoigu also held a flurry of phone calls with defence ministers of the US, France and Turkey, voicing Moscow's alarm. He provided no evidence to back up his accusations. read more
Sunak is next PM as Mordaunt drops out of Tory leadership race
- Rishi Sunak will be the UK's next prime minister after Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the Tory leadership race in the final minutes before nominations closed
- Sunak will succeed Liz Truss seven weeks after she defeated him in the previous Tory contest
- The ex-chancellor gained the support of well over half of Tory MPs, with Mordaunt struggling to reach the threshold of 100 MPs to get on the ballot
- He will become the UK's first British Asian PM and at 42, the youngest in more than a century
- Labour have reiterated their call for a general election, as have the Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats
- Rishi Sunak will be the UK's next prime minister after Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the Tory leadership race in the final minutes before nominations closed
- Sunak will succeed Liz Truss seven weeks after she defeated him in the previous Tory contest
- The ex-chancellor gained the support of well over half of Tory MPs, with Mordaunt struggling to reach the threshold of 100 MPs to get on the ballot
- He will become the UK's first British Asian PM and at 42, the youngest in more than a century
- Labour have reiterated their call for a general election, as have the Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats
Several Palestinians killed in major Israel raid in West Bank city of Nablus
Five Palestinians, including several gunmen, have been killed in a major Israeli raid against a militant group in the occupied West Bank.
A sixth Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli troops who were attacked with stones in a protest against the raid, Palestinian medical sources say.
The operation in the northern city of Nablus targeted the recently formed Lion's Den group.
The group killed an Israeli soldier in a shooting earlier this month.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had locked down Nablus for the past two weeks amid an intensive search for the killer of 21-year-old Staff Sergeant Ido Baruch, shot dead in an ambush close to a nearby Israeli settlement. read more
Five Palestinians, including several gunmen, have been killed in a major Israeli raid against a militant group in the occupied West Bank.
A sixth Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli troops who were attacked with stones in a protest against the raid, Palestinian medical sources say.
The operation in the northern city of Nablus targeted the recently formed Lion's Den group.
The group killed an Israeli soldier in a shooting earlier this month.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had locked down Nablus for the past two weeks amid an intensive search for the killer of 21-year-old Staff Sergeant Ido Baruch, shot dead in an ambush close to a nearby Israeli settlement. read more
China accused of illegal police stations in Netherlands
The Chinese government has been accused of establishing at least two undeclared "police stations" in the Netherlands.
Dutch media found evidence that the "overseas service stations", which promise to provide diplomatic services, are being used to try to silence Chinese dissidents in Europe.
A spokesperson for the Dutch foreign ministry said the existence of the unofficial police outposts is illegal.
The Chinese embassy says it is not aware of their existence.
The investigation was sparked by a report entitled Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild, by the Spain-based NGO Safeguard Defenders. read more
The Chinese government has been accused of establishing at least two undeclared "police stations" in the Netherlands.
Dutch media found evidence that the "overseas service stations", which promise to provide diplomatic services, are being used to try to silence Chinese dissidents in Europe.
A spokesperson for the Dutch foreign ministry said the existence of the unofficial police outposts is illegal.
The Chinese embassy says it is not aware of their existence.
The investigation was sparked by a report entitled Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild, by the Spain-based NGO Safeguard Defenders. read more
Putin watches first Russian nuclear drill since invasion of Ukraine
Vladimir Putin has overseen annual nuclear exercises by Russia's strategic nuclear forces at a time of heightened tensions with the West over his eight-month-long war in Ukraine.
Ballistic and cruise missiles were launched in the Far East and Arctic, the Kremlin said.
The US was told about the drill under the terms of the New Start arms treaty.
The launches took place as Russia makes unsubstantiated claims that Ukraine is plotting to use a "dirty bomb".
It is an explosive device mixed with radioactive material and the Russian allegations have been widely rejected by Western countries as false. read more
Vladimir Putin has overseen annual nuclear exercises by Russia's strategic nuclear forces at a time of heightened tensions with the West over his eight-month-long war in Ukraine.
Ballistic and cruise missiles were launched in the Far East and Arctic, the Kremlin said.
The US was told about the drill under the terms of the New Start arms treaty.
The launches took place as Russia makes unsubstantiated claims that Ukraine is plotting to use a "dirty bomb".
It is an explosive device mixed with radioactive material and the Russian allegations have been widely rejected by Western countries as false. read more
Ukraine war: Russian tactics on eastern front 'crazy', says Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian commanders of "craziness" in their efforts to capture the eastern town of Bakhmut.
The town - which sits in the Donetsk region and had a pre-war population of 70,000 - has been the centre of Russian attacks for months.
Despite a looming Ukrainian advance on the key city of Kherson, Mr Zelensky said the attacks continued in force.
Taking the town would be a symbolic victory for Russia.
"This is where the craziness of the Russian command is most evident," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address from Kyiv. "Day after day, for months, they are driving people to their deaths there, concentrating the highest level of artillery strikes." read more
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian commanders of "craziness" in their efforts to capture the eastern town of Bakhmut.
The town - which sits in the Donetsk region and had a pre-war population of 70,000 - has been the centre of Russian attacks for months.
Despite a looming Ukrainian advance on the key city of Kherson, Mr Zelensky said the attacks continued in force.
Taking the town would be a symbolic victory for Russia.
"This is where the craziness of the Russian command is most evident," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address from Kyiv. "Day after day, for months, they are driving people to their deaths there, concentrating the highest level of artillery strikes." read more
Iran protests rage as thousands defy security forces
- Protests raged overnight in Iran as thousands turned out to mark 40 days since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini
- She died in police custody on 16 September, sparking a wave of unrest
- Young women have since burned their headscarves and confronted security forces in a movement that shows little sign of abating
- Wednesday's marches were some of the largest seen since the protests began
Police are reported to have fired on protesters in Saqqez, Amini's home city
- Mourners marching to her grave chanted "woman, life, freedom" and "death to the dictator"
- Amini was arrested by Iran's notorious morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab "improperly"
read more
- Protests raged overnight in Iran as thousands turned out to mark 40 days since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini
- She died in police custody on 16 September, sparking a wave of unrest
- Young women have since burned their headscarves and confronted security forces in a movement that shows little sign of abating
- Wednesday's marches were some of the largest seen since the protests began
Police are reported to have fired on protesters in Saqqez, Amini's home city
- Mourners marching to her grave chanted "woman, life, freedom" and "death to the dictator"
- Amini was arrested by Iran's notorious morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab "improperly"
read more
Elon Musk completes $44bn Twitter takeover
The world's richest man, Elon Musk, has completed his $44bn (£38.1bn) takeover of Twitter, according to US media and an investor in the firm.
He tweeted "the bird is freed," in an apparent reference to the deal closing.
A number of top executives, including the boss, Parag Agrawal, have reportedly been fired.
It brings to a close a saga that saw Twitter go to court to hold the billionaire to the terms of a takeover deal that he had tried to escape.
Twitter has not yet confirmed the takeover, but an early investor in the company told the BBC that the deal had been completed. read more
The world's richest man, Elon Musk, has completed his $44bn (£38.1bn) takeover of Twitter, according to US media and an investor in the firm.
He tweeted "the bird is freed," in an apparent reference to the deal closing.
A number of top executives, including the boss, Parag Agrawal, have reportedly been fired.
It brings to a close a saga that saw Twitter go to court to hold the billionaire to the terms of a takeover deal that he had tried to escape.
Twitter has not yet confirmed the takeover, but an early investor in the company told the BBC that the deal had been completed. read more
Ukraine war: Kyiv set for longer power cuts after air strikes
The Ukrainian authorities have warned people in the capital Kyiv to expect longer power cuts, lasting more than four hours, because of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Rolling blackouts are hitting not only Kyiv but also central regions of Ukraine, including the city of Dnipro.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said about four million people were affected but "shelling will not break us".
This month Russia launched dozens of missiles and Iranian-made drones.
Ukraine's energy infrastructure is being pounded by the air attacks - Mr Zelensky says about a third of the country's electric power stations have been destroyed. read more
The Ukrainian authorities have warned people in the capital Kyiv to expect longer power cuts, lasting more than four hours, because of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Rolling blackouts are hitting not only Kyiv but also central regions of Ukraine, including the city of Dnipro.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said about four million people were affected but "shelling will not break us".
This month Russia launched dozens of missiles and Iranian-made drones.
Ukraine's energy infrastructure is being pounded by the air attacks - Mr Zelensky says about a third of the country's electric power stations have been destroyed. read more
South Korea mourns after Halloween crush kills 153
- 153 people have died in a crush in South Korea's capital, Seoul
- Another 133 were injured, Yonhap news agency reports
- Twenty foreign nationals are among the dead, the government says
- The jam of people developed as huge crowds gathered in Itaewon - a popular nightlife area - for Halloween
- Most victims were teenagers and adults in their 20s, the fire service says
- Reports say the crush began in a narrow alley when people in a crowd fell over
- It was the first outdoor no-mask -Halloween event since the pandemic
read more
- 153 people have died in a crush in South Korea's capital, Seoul
- Another 133 were injured, Yonhap news agency reports
- Twenty foreign nationals are among the dead, the government says
- The jam of people developed as huge crowds gathered in Itaewon - a popular nightlife area - for Halloween
- Most victims were teenagers and adults in their 20s, the fire service says
- Reports say the crush began in a narrow alley when people in a crowd fell over
- It was the first outdoor no-mask -Halloween event since the pandemic
read more
Brazil election: Lula makes stunning comeback
Brazil has taken a turn to the left as former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva beat far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential election.
After a divisive campaign which saw two bitter rivals on opposite sides of the political spectrum go head to head, Lula won 50.9% of the votes.
It was enough to beat Jair Bolsonaro, whose supporters had been confident of victory.
But the division which this election has highlighted is unlikely to vanish.
It is a stunning comeback for a politician who could not run in the last presidential election in 2018 because he was in jail and banned from standing for office. read more
Brazil has taken a turn to the left as former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva beat far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential election.
After a divisive campaign which saw two bitter rivals on opposite sides of the political spectrum go head to head, Lula won 50.9% of the votes.
It was enough to beat Jair Bolsonaro, whose supporters had been confident of victory.
But the division which this election has highlighted is unlikely to vanish.
It is a stunning comeback for a politician who could not run in the last presidential election in 2018 because he was in jail and banned from standing for office. read more
Ukraine war: Power and water supply hit across Ukraine in 'massive' Russian missile strikes
Ukraine says power and water supply across the country has been badly hit after Russia launched more than 50 missiles targeting critical facilities.
In the capital Kyiv, 80% of residents were without water, and about 350,000 apartments had no electricity, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said.
In the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, energy facilities were struck.
Russia said its long-range high-precision weaponry targeted Ukraine's military command and energy systems.
The country's defence ministry added that all "designated objects were hit".
The strikes come after Russia blamed Ukraine for a drone attack on its Black Sea Fleet in the annexed Crimea. read more
Ukraine says power and water supply across the country has been badly hit after Russia launched more than 50 missiles targeting critical facilities.
In the capital Kyiv, 80% of residents were without water, and about 350,000 apartments had no electricity, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said.
In the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, energy facilities were struck.
Russia said its long-range high-precision weaponry targeted Ukraine's military command and energy systems.
The country's defence ministry added that all "designated objects were hit".
The strikes come after Russia blamed Ukraine for a drone attack on its Black Sea Fleet in the annexed Crimea. read more
Itaewon crush: First emergency call came hours before crush
The first call to police from Itaewon came at 18:34 local time - several hours before the deadly crush took place.
The caller to South Korea's 112 emergency number said they were on the main street to Itaewon and an alley next to the Hamilton hotel was becoming dangerously crowded.
"That alley is really dangerous right now people going up and down, so people can't come down, but people keep coming up, it's gonna be crushed. I barely made it to get out but it's too crowded. I think you should control it," the caller said.
The police officer asked if the caller meant that people weren't flowing well, that "they get crushed and fall, and then there's going to be a big accident?"
Yes, the caller responded - "this is so chilling right now". read more
The first call to police from Itaewon came at 18:34 local time - several hours before the deadly crush took place.
The caller to South Korea's 112 emergency number said they were on the main street to Itaewon and an alley next to the Hamilton hotel was becoming dangerously crowded.
"That alley is really dangerous right now people going up and down, so people can't come down, but people keep coming up, it's gonna be crushed. I barely made it to get out but it's too crowded. I think you should control it," the caller said.
The police officer asked if the caller meant that people weren't flowing well, that "they get crushed and fall, and then there's going to be a big accident?"
Yes, the caller responded - "this is so chilling right now". read more
North and South Korea fire missiles off each other's coasts for first time
North and South Korea have both fired missiles landing in waters off each other's coasts for the first time.
Seoul retaliated on Wednesday three hours after Pyongyang launched a missile that landed less than 60km (37mi) off the South's city of Sokcho.
The South's military said this was an "unacceptable" breach of its territory.
It fired three air-to-ground missiles in response, which officials said landed a similar distance past the Northern Limit Line (NLL).
The demarcation line marks the rough midway-point in the sea between North and South Korea, but the North has never accepted the boundary.
North Korea fired at least 10 missiles in both east and west directions on Wednesday, South Korean officials say. read more
North and South Korea have both fired missiles landing in waters off each other's coasts for the first time.
Seoul retaliated on Wednesday three hours after Pyongyang launched a missile that landed less than 60km (37mi) off the South's city of Sokcho.
The South's military said this was an "unacceptable" breach of its territory.
It fired three air-to-ground missiles in response, which officials said landed a similar distance past the Northern Limit Line (NLL).
The demarcation line marks the rough midway-point in the sea between North and South Korea, but the North has never accepted the boundary.
North Korea fired at least 10 missiles in both east and west directions on Wednesday, South Korean officials say. read more
South hits back as North Korea fires most missiles in a day
North and South Korea have fired a number of missiles into waters near each other's coasts in a marked escalation of hostilities.
The North launched its most missiles in a single day - at least 23 - including one that landed less than 60km (37 miles) off the South's city of Sokcho.
Seoul responded with warplanes firing three air-to-ground missiles over the disputed maritime demarcation line.
Later Pyongyang fired six more missiles and a barrage of 100 artillery shells.
The North says the launches are in response to large-scale military exercises current being held by South Korea and the United States, which it calls "aggressive and provocative". read more
North and South Korea have fired a number of missiles into waters near each other's coasts in a marked escalation of hostilities.
The North launched its most missiles in a single day - at least 23 - including one that landed less than 60km (37 miles) off the South's city of Sokcho.
Seoul responded with warplanes firing three air-to-ground missiles over the disputed maritime demarcation line.
Later Pyongyang fired six more missiles and a barrage of 100 artillery shells.
The North says the launches are in response to large-scale military exercises current being held by South Korea and the United States, which it calls "aggressive and provocative". read more
US midterms: Biden warns election denial is 'path to chaos'
US President Joe Biden has warned any candidates who refuse to accept defeat in next week's midterm elections could set the nation on "the path to chaos".
He also urged Americans to unite in opposition to "political violence" in the vote on 8 November.
Mr Biden, a Democrat, said former President Donald Trump and his supporters were peddling "lies of conspiracy and malice".
Republicans hit back that Mr Biden was seeking to "divide and deflect".
Control of both chambers of Congress and key state governorships are hanging in the balance in next week's elections. read more
US President Joe Biden has warned any candidates who refuse to accept defeat in next week's midterm elections could set the nation on "the path to chaos".
He also urged Americans to unite in opposition to "political violence" in the vote on 8 November.
Mr Biden, a Democrat, said former President Donald Trump and his supporters were peddling "lies of conspiracy and malice".
Republicans hit back that Mr Biden was seeking to "divide and deflect".
Control of both chambers of Congress and key state governorships are hanging in the balance in next week's elections. read more