Twitter to make job cuts after Elon Musk takeover
Twitter says it will inform its staff on Friday about whether they will be laid off following the firm's takeover by Elon Musk.
In an internal email, the social media company said the cuts are "an effort to place Twitter on a healthy path".
The firm added that its offices would be temporarily closed and badge access would be suspended.
The multi-billionaire will be Twitter's chief executive after buying the firm last week in a $44bn (£39.3bn) deal. read more
Twitter says it will inform its staff on Friday about whether they will be laid off following the firm's takeover by Elon Musk.
In an internal email, the social media company said the cuts are "an effort to place Twitter on a healthy path".
The firm added that its offices would be temporarily closed and badge access would be suspended.
The multi-billionaire will be Twitter's chief executive after buying the firm last week in a $44bn (£39.3bn) deal. read more
Iran security forces and state media cover up protester's death - source
Iranian security forces are working with state media to claim falsely that a killed protester was a loyalist Basij militiaman, BBC Persian has found.
Milad Ostad-Hashem, 37, was shot in the back with a live round in Tehran on 25 September, his death certificate says.
His family alleged that security forces fired it, a close source told the BBC.
However, security officials pressured them to go along with state media reports that he was a Basij member killed by "rioters", the source added.
"Security forces threatened to kill their [Milad's parents] two other sons and bury Milad's body secretly in a remote place if they did not co-operate," the source said. read more
Iranian security forces are working with state media to claim falsely that a killed protester was a loyalist Basij militiaman, BBC Persian has found.
Milad Ostad-Hashem, 37, was shot in the back with a live round in Tehran on 25 September, his death certificate says.
His family alleged that security forces fired it, a close source told the BBC.
However, security officials pressured them to go along with state media reports that he was a Basij member killed by "rioters", the source added.
"Security forces threatened to kill their [Milad's parents] two other sons and bury Milad's body secretly in a remote place if they did not co-operate," the source said. read more
Twitter: Musk defends deep cuts to company's workforce
Twitter's new owner Elon Musk has defended sacking about half the company's workforce, saying he had "no choice" as Twitter was losing more than $4m (£3.5m) a day.
A tweet from Yoel Roth, Twitter's head of safety and integrity, referred to "approximately 50% cuts company-wide".
But Mr Musk said the social media giant's commitment to content moderation was "absolutely unchanged".
Mr Musk, the world's richest man, took over Twitter in a $44bn (£38.7bn) deal.
The billionaire insisted in his own tweet that all those losing their jobs were offered three months of severance pay, "which is 50% more than legally required". read more
Twitter's new owner Elon Musk has defended sacking about half the company's workforce, saying he had "no choice" as Twitter was losing more than $4m (£3.5m) a day.
A tweet from Yoel Roth, Twitter's head of safety and integrity, referred to "approximately 50% cuts company-wide".
But Mr Musk said the social media giant's commitment to content moderation was "absolutely unchanged".
Mr Musk, the world's richest man, took over Twitter in a $44bn (£38.7bn) deal.
The billionaire insisted in his own tweet that all those losing their jobs were offered three months of severance pay, "which is 50% more than legally required". read more
Tanzanian Precision Air plane crashes into Lake Victoria
A Tanzanian passenger plane has crashed into Lake Victoria as it attempted to land in the lakeside town of Bukoba, killing at least three people.
The Precision Air flight was carrying 43 people, 26 of whom have been rescued and sent to hospital, an official said.
The two pilots survived the crash but remain trapped inside the cockpit and have been speaking to local officials.
Rescue workers and local fishermen are on the scene trying to rescue those still inside the aircraft. read more
A Tanzanian passenger plane has crashed into Lake Victoria as it attempted to land in the lakeside town of Bukoba, killing at least three people.
The Precision Air flight was carrying 43 people, 26 of whom have been rescued and sent to hospital, an official said.
The two pilots survived the crash but remain trapped inside the cockpit and have been speaking to local officials.
Rescue workers and local fishermen are on the scene trying to rescue those still inside the aircraft. read more
Twitter users jump to Mastodon - but what is it?
In the wake of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, some users have been seeking alternative platforms. One of the biggest beneficiaries has been Mastodon. But what is it?
The social network says it now has over 655,000 users - with over 230,000 having joined in the last week.
On the surface Mastodon looks like Twitter - account users write posts (called "toots"), which can be replied to, liked and re-posted, and they can follow each other.
Under the bonnet, though, it works in a different way.
That's one of the reasons it is attracting fresh users, but it has caused some confusion to new people signing up. read more
In the wake of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, some users have been seeking alternative platforms. One of the biggest beneficiaries has been Mastodon. But what is it?
The social network says it now has over 655,000 users - with over 230,000 having joined in the last week.
On the surface Mastodon looks like Twitter - account users write posts (called "toots"), which can be replied to, liked and re-posted, and they can follow each other.
Under the bonnet, though, it works in a different way.
That's one of the reasons it is attracting fresh users, but it has caused some confusion to new people signing up. read more
Twitter will ban unlabelled parody accounts, says Elon Musk
Elon Musk says Twitter accounts engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying they are a parody will be permanently suspended.
Twitter previously issued a warning before suspending accounts, but there would now be no warning, he announced.
A number of accounts that changed their name to Elon Musk and mocked the billionaire have already been suspended or placed behind a warning sign.
Twitter's billionaire new owner took over the company late last month.
At the end of last week he laid off around half of the company's workforce.
He has also confirmed plans to allow users to buy blue-tick, verified status. read more
Elon Musk says Twitter accounts engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying they are a parody will be permanently suspended.
Twitter previously issued a warning before suspending accounts, but there would now be no warning, he announced.
A number of accounts that changed their name to Elon Musk and mocked the billionaire have already been suspended or placed behind a warning sign.
Twitter's billionaire new owner took over the company late last month.
At the end of last week he laid off around half of the company's workforce.
He has also confirmed plans to allow users to buy blue-tick, verified status. read more
US midterms: Millions of Americans to vote with Congress at stake
Millions of Americans will vote in the midterm elections on Tuesday, with the balance of power in Congress at stake.
The entire US House of Representatives, about a third of the Senate and key state governorships are up for grabs.
President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and ex-President Donald Trump, a Republican, made their closing arguments in duelling rallies.
Mr Biden's ability to pass laws will be stymied if Republicans take the House, as most projections expect.
Democrats currently control the White House and - by razor-thin margins - both chambers of Congress. read more
Millions of Americans will vote in the midterm elections on Tuesday, with the balance of power in Congress at stake.
The entire US House of Representatives, about a third of the Senate and key state governorships are up for grabs.
President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and ex-President Donald Trump, a Republican, made their closing arguments in duelling rallies.
Mr Biden's ability to pass laws will be stymied if Republicans take the House, as most projections expect.
Democrats currently control the White House and - by razor-thin margins - both chambers of Congress. read more
Iran International: TV channel says Iran threatened UK-based journalists
Two British-Iranian journalists for the UK-based Persian-language TV channel Iran International have been warned of a possible risk to their lives, a UK law enforcement source has confirmed.
Parent company Volant Media said the Metropolitan Police had notified the pair of a recent increase in "credible" threats from Iranian security forces.
It denounced the "escalation of a state-sponsored campaign to intimidate Iranian journalists working abroad".
Iranian authorities have not commented. read more
Two British-Iranian journalists for the UK-based Persian-language TV channel Iran International have been warned of a possible risk to their lives, a UK law enforcement source has confirmed.
Parent company Volant Media said the Metropolitan Police had notified the pair of a recent increase in "credible" threats from Iranian security forces.
It denounced the "escalation of a state-sponsored campaign to intimidate Iranian journalists working abroad".
Iranian authorities have not commented. read more
Key Democrat wins push US Congress battle to the wire
- Results are being declared in the US midterm elections, with control of Congress hanging in the balance
- Republicans are likely to take control of the House of Representatives, according to projections, but the Senate fight is on a knife-edge
- If Democrats lose control of either, Republicans will be able to block President Joe Biden's agenda
- Democrat John Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May, defeated his Republican seat opponent Mehmet Oz to flip a key Senate seat in Pennsylvania
- But the results of several tight Senate races have yet to be called, and in Georgia, the race is likely to go to another vote in early December
- Former President Donald Trump, who is expected to announce he will run for president in 2024, has seen some of his endorsed candidates fail
- Meanwhile Florida's Republican governor Ron DeSantis has won a large victory to stay in office, setting him up for a potential 2024 presidential bid
- Pro-choice advocates are celebrating victories to enshrine abortion rights in Vermont, Michigan and California read more
- Results are being declared in the US midterm elections, with control of Congress hanging in the balance
- Republicans are likely to take control of the House of Representatives, according to projections, but the Senate fight is on a knife-edge
- If Democrats lose control of either, Republicans will be able to block President Joe Biden's agenda
- Democrat John Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May, defeated his Republican seat opponent Mehmet Oz to flip a key Senate seat in Pennsylvania
- But the results of several tight Senate races have yet to be called, and in Georgia, the race is likely to go to another vote in early December
- Former President Donald Trump, who is expected to announce he will run for president in 2024, has seen some of his endorsed candidates fail
- Meanwhile Florida's Republican governor Ron DeSantis has won a large victory to stay in office, setting him up for a potential 2024 presidential bid
- Pro-choice advocates are celebrating victories to enshrine abortion rights in Vermont, Michigan and California read more
Kherson Russian-appointed deputy governor Stremousov 'killed in car crash'
The Russian-installed deputy governor of Kherson, Kirill Stremousov, has been killed in a car crash, local officials and media say.
Mr Stremousov, 45, was appointed to his job two months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
He was one of the most prominent proponents of the Russian occupation and became known for aggressive statements on social media.
He was wanted for treason by the Ukrainian police.
Kherson's Russian-appointed governor Vladimir Saldo said his deputy had been killed, but Ukrainian officials have expressed scepticism about the reports, which cannot be independently verified. read more
The Russian-installed deputy governor of Kherson, Kirill Stremousov, has been killed in a car crash, local officials and media say.
Mr Stremousov, 45, was appointed to his job two months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
He was one of the most prominent proponents of the Russian occupation and became known for aggressive statements on social media.
He was wanted for treason by the Ukrainian police.
Kherson's Russian-appointed governor Vladimir Saldo said his deputy had been killed, but Ukrainian officials have expressed scepticism about the reports, which cannot be independently verified. read more
FTX: Cryptocurrency giant Binance walks away from bailout
Binance, the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange, has walked away from a bailout deal of its smaller rival FTX.
Binance said that after due diligence, it would not pursue the deal.
It said reports of "mishandled customer funds and alleged US agency investigations" had swayed its decision.
FTX had been struggling with a surge in withdrawals that caused a "liquidity crunch".
Concerns about FTX's financial health reportedly triggered $6bn (£5.2bn) of withdrawals in just three days.
The Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was investigating FTX's handling of customer funds and its crypto-lending activities. read more
Binance, the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange, has walked away from a bailout deal of its smaller rival FTX.
Binance said that after due diligence, it would not pursue the deal.
It said reports of "mishandled customer funds and alleged US agency investigations" had swayed its decision.
FTX had been struggling with a surge in withdrawals that caused a "liquidity crunch".
Concerns about FTX's financial health reportedly triggered $6bn (£5.2bn) of withdrawals in just three days.
The Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was investigating FTX's handling of customer funds and its crypto-lending activities. read more
Taraneh Alidoosti: Top Iranian actress poses without headscarf
A top Iranian actress has posted an image of herself on Instagram without a headscarf to signal solidarity with anti-government demonstrations.
Taraneh Alidoosti - best known for her role in the Oscar-winning film The Salesman - also held a sign reading "Woman, Life, Freedom" in Kurdish.
The slogan has become a common rallying cry among protesters.
Demonstrations sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody are entering their seventh week.
The 22-year-old died after she was arrested by morality police in Tehran for allegedly violating Iran's strict rules requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab, or Islamic headscarf. read more
A top Iranian actress has posted an image of herself on Instagram without a headscarf to signal solidarity with anti-government demonstrations.
Taraneh Alidoosti - best known for her role in the Oscar-winning film The Salesman - also held a sign reading "Woman, Life, Freedom" in Kurdish.
The slogan has become a common rallying cry among protesters.
Demonstrations sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody are entering their seventh week.
The 22-year-old died after she was arrested by morality police in Tehran for allegedly violating Iran's strict rules requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab, or Islamic headscarf. read more
Midterm elections results: Rivalry spills open as Trump lashes out at DeSantis
Rivalry between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis has spilt open after the Republican ex-president came swinging out against his one-time acolyte on Thursday night.
Mr Trump belittled the Florida governor as an "average" politician whose success was owed to his patronage.
Mr DeSantis, 44, stormed to re-election in Tuesday's midterms, making him the Republicans' biggest rising star and a clear challenger to Mr Trump.
The ex-president warned him against it.
In a lengthy statement, Mr Trump dismissed Mr DeSantis as a political lightweight who had come to him "in desperate shape" when running for his first term in office in 2017. read more
Rivalry between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis has spilt open after the Republican ex-president came swinging out against his one-time acolyte on Thursday night.
Mr Trump belittled the Florida governor as an "average" politician whose success was owed to his patronage.
Mr DeSantis, 44, stormed to re-election in Tuesday's midterms, making him the Republicans' biggest rising star and a clear challenger to Mr Trump.
The ex-president warned him against it.
In a lengthy statement, Mr Trump dismissed Mr DeSantis as a political lightweight who had come to him "in desperate shape" when running for his first term in office in 2017. read more
Itaewon crush: Officer under investigation found dead at home
A South Korean police officer, under investigation over the deadly Halloween crush in Seoul, has been found dead at his home in a suspected suicide.
The 55-year-old, identified as Inspector Jeong, was an intelligence officer working with the local police.
Jeong was a suspect in an investigation over the police's response to the crush, which tragically killed 156 mostly young people, and injured 196.
He was suspended on Wednesday, after allegedly covering up police failings.
Jeong was accused of ordering colleagues to delete an intelligence report - written ahead of the Halloween event - which warned of the possibility of a serious incident taking place. read more
A South Korean police officer, under investigation over the deadly Halloween crush in Seoul, has been found dead at his home in a suspected suicide.
The 55-year-old, identified as Inspector Jeong, was an intelligence officer working with the local police.
Jeong was a suspect in an investigation over the police's response to the crush, which tragically killed 156 mostly young people, and injured 196.
He was suspended on Wednesday, after allegedly covering up police failings.
Jeong was accused of ordering colleagues to delete an intelligence report - written ahead of the Halloween event - which warned of the possibility of a serious incident taking place. read more
US midterms: Senate race neck and neck as Democrat Mark Kelly wins Arizona
US President Joe Biden's Democrats have inched closer to keeping control of the Senate, with a projected win in Arizona following the midterm elections.
Three days after Americans voted, the BBC's US partner CBS estimates Democrat Mark Kelly has beaten Republican challenger Blake Masters.
That would leave the Senate at 49 Democratic seats and 49 Republican seats.
Just Nevada and Georgia are yet to be decided.
The vote count in Nevada is neck and neck, while Georgia's race will be settled by a run-off election next month. read more
US President Joe Biden's Democrats have inched closer to keeping control of the Senate, with a projected win in Arizona following the midterm elections.
Three days after Americans voted, the BBC's US partner CBS estimates Democrat Mark Kelly has beaten Republican challenger Blake Masters.
That would leave the Senate at 49 Democratic seats and 49 Republican seats.
Just Nevada and Georgia are yet to be decided.
The vote count in Nevada is neck and neck, while Georgia's race will be settled by a run-off election next month. read more
Twitter drama continues with blue-tick confusion
Twitter halted its new $8 blue tick subscription offering on Friday in the latest head spinning reversal at the social media platform since billionaire Elon Musk bought the company.
The move came as a number of accounts impersonating big brands received the blue tick, previously a signal that the firm had verified the user as real.
In one instance, a user claiming to be drugs firm Eli Lilly said "insulin was free".
Twitter did not comment.
The incident added to the concerns about how Mr Musk's leadership was affecting the spread of misinformation on the platform. read more
Twitter halted its new $8 blue tick subscription offering on Friday in the latest head spinning reversal at the social media platform since billionaire Elon Musk bought the company.
The move came as a number of accounts impersonating big brands received the blue tick, previously a signal that the firm had verified the user as real.
In one instance, a user claiming to be drugs firm Eli Lilly said "insulin was free".
Twitter did not comment.
The incident added to the concerns about how Mr Musk's leadership was affecting the spread of misinformation on the platform. read more
US midterms: Democrats retain control of Senate after key Nevada victory
The Democrats will retain majority control of the US Senate after winning a pivotal race in the state of Nevada.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto is projected to defeat Republican challenger Adam Laxalt, who was backed by former President Donald Trump.
The results amount to the best midterm performance for a sitting party in 20 years.
US President Joe Biden said he was incredibly pleased, and it was time for Republicans to decide "who they are".
Democratic Senate Majority leader, Chuck Schumer, said the results showed the American people had rejected what he called the "violent rhetoric" of the Republican Party. read more
The Democrats will retain majority control of the US Senate after winning a pivotal race in the state of Nevada.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto is projected to defeat Republican challenger Adam Laxalt, who was backed by former President Donald Trump.
The results amount to the best midterm performance for a sitting party in 20 years.
US President Joe Biden said he was incredibly pleased, and it was time for Republicans to decide "who they are".
Democratic Senate Majority leader, Chuck Schumer, said the results showed the American people had rejected what he called the "violent rhetoric" of the Republican Party. read more
Istanbul: Six dead, dozens wounded in Turkey explosion
At least six people have been killed and 81 wounded in an explosion in a busy area of central Istanbul, Turkish authorities have said.
The blast happened at about 16:20 local time (13:20 GMT) on Sunday on a shopping street in the Taksim Square area.
A suspect has now been arrested, the interior minister said.
Vice-President Fuat Oktay earlier said the blast was thought to be a terrorist attack carried out by a woman.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the perpetrators would be punished. read more
At least six people have been killed and 81 wounded in an explosion in a busy area of central Istanbul, Turkish authorities have said.
The blast happened at about 16:20 local time (13:20 GMT) on Sunday on a shopping street in the Taksim Square area.
A suspect has now been arrested, the interior minister said.
Vice-President Fuat Oktay earlier said the blast was thought to be a terrorist attack carried out by a woman.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the perpetrators would be punished. read more
Kherson 'beginning of the end of the war' - Zelensky in liberated city
The liberation of Kherson marks the "beginning of the end" of the war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on a visit to the city.
Ukraine is "moving forward" and ready for peace, he told soldiers.
Losing the southern city was a major setback for Russia - though Moscow insists it remains Russian territory.
Russia declared it the centre of the illegally-annexed Kherson region, and it was the only regional capital to be occupied since the invasion.
Kherson was captured in March, weeks after the invasion began. The region was then one of four to be illegally annexed after self-styled referendums in September. read more
The liberation of Kherson marks the "beginning of the end" of the war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on a visit to the city.
Ukraine is "moving forward" and ready for peace, he told soldiers.
Losing the southern city was a major setback for Russia - though Moscow insists it remains Russian territory.
Russia declared it the centre of the illegally-annexed Kherson region, and it was the only regional capital to be occupied since the invasion.
Kherson was captured in March, weeks after the invasion began. The region was then one of four to be illegally annexed after self-styled referendums in September. read more
Xi Biden meeting: US leader promises 'no new Cold War' with China
US President Joe Biden has promised there will be no "new Cold War" with China, following a conciliatory meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He also said he did not believe China would invade Taiwan.
It was the first in-person meeting between the two superpower leaders since Mr Biden took office.
The pair also discussed North Korea and Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the talks in Bali, a day before the G20 summit on the Indonesian island.
Both said they opposed the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Mr Xi, who has been urged to talk down Vladimir Putin, reiterated China's calls for peace while adding there was "no simple solution to a complex problem". read more
US President Joe Biden has promised there will be no "new Cold War" with China, following a conciliatory meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He also said he did not believe China would invade Taiwan.
It was the first in-person meeting between the two superpower leaders since Mr Biden took office.
The pair also discussed North Korea and Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the talks in Bali, a day before the G20 summit on the Indonesian island.
Both said they opposed the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Mr Xi, who has been urged to talk down Vladimir Putin, reiterated China's calls for peace while adding there was "no simple solution to a complex problem". read more
Ukraine: Zelensky snubs Russia as he addresses 'G19' at G20
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on "G19" world leaders to end the Russian invasion, in a pointed snub to Moscow at the G20 summit.
Mr Zelensky appeared in a video speech beamed to leaders gathered for the summit in Bali, Indonesia.
Russia is a G20 member but President Putin is not in Bali, sending his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov instead.
Mr Zelensky also pleaded for an extension of a Ukrainian grain export deal due to expire soon.
He repeatedly addressed the leaders as the "G19", excluding Russia. read more
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on "G19" world leaders to end the Russian invasion, in a pointed snub to Moscow at the G20 summit.
Mr Zelensky appeared in a video speech beamed to leaders gathered for the summit in Bali, Indonesia.
Russia is a G20 member but President Putin is not in Bali, sending his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov instead.
Mr Zelensky also pleaded for an extension of a Ukrainian grain export deal due to expire soon.
He repeatedly addressed the leaders as the "G19", excluding Russia. read more