North Korea ICBM had range to hit US mainland - Japan
North Korea has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with sufficient range to hit the US mainland, Japan's defence minister says.
The missile landed in the sea roughly 210km (130 miles) west of Hokkaido.
The US has condemned the launch, while South Korea has ordered stronger deterrence measures against the North.
On Thursday North Korean FM Choe Son Hui warned of a "fiercer" response to any increased US military presence.
It also launched a short range ballistic missile the same day.
That followed Sunday's meeting between Mr Yoon, US President Joe Biden and Japan's PM Fumio Kishida in Cambodia. read more
North Korea has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with sufficient range to hit the US mainland, Japan's defence minister says.
The missile landed in the sea roughly 210km (130 miles) west of Hokkaido.
The US has condemned the launch, while South Korea has ordered stronger deterrence measures against the North.
On Thursday North Korean FM Choe Son Hui warned of a "fiercer" response to any increased US military presence.
It also launched a short range ballistic missile the same day.
That followed Sunday's meeting between Mr Yoon, US President Joe Biden and Japan's PM Fumio Kishida in Cambodia. read more
Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi leader given US immunity over Khashoggi killing
The US has determined that Saudi Arabia's de facto leader - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - has immunity from a lawsuit filed by murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancé.
Mr Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi critic, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
US intelligence has said it believes Prince Mohammed ordered the killing.
But in court filings, the US State department said he has immunity due to his new role as Saudi prime minister. read more
The US has determined that Saudi Arabia's de facto leader - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - has immunity from a lawsuit filed by murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancé.
Mr Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi critic, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
US intelligence has said it believes Prince Mohammed ordered the killing.
But in court filings, the US State department said he has immunity due to his new role as Saudi prime minister. read more
Bbc
Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi leader given US immunity over Khashoggi killing
Mohammed bin Salman now has immunity against a lawsuit due to his new role as prime minister.
Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi leader given US immunity over Khashoggi killing
The US has determined that Saudi Arabia's de facto leader - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - has immunity from a lawsuit filed by murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancé.
Mr Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi critic, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
US intelligence has said it believes Prince Mohammed ordered the killing.
But in court filings, the US State department said he has immunity due to his new role as Saudi prime minister. read more
The US has determined that Saudi Arabia's de facto leader - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - has immunity from a lawsuit filed by murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancé.
Mr Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi critic, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
US intelligence has said it believes Prince Mohammed ordered the killing.
But in court filings, the US State department said he has immunity due to his new role as Saudi prime minister. read more
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes jailed for fraud
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for defrauding investors in her blood testing start-up that was once valued at $9bn (£7.5bn).
The former Silicon Valley star falsely claimed the technology could diagnose disease with just a few drops of blood.
Holmes, 38, who is pregnant, tearfully told the court she felt "deep pain" for those misled by the scam.
She was found guilty in January after a three-month trial.
Holmes is expected to appeal against the sentence, which was handed down on Friday in a California court. read more
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for defrauding investors in her blood testing start-up that was once valued at $9bn (£7.5bn).
The former Silicon Valley star falsely claimed the technology could diagnose disease with just a few drops of blood.
Holmes, 38, who is pregnant, tearfully told the court she felt "deep pain" for those misled by the scam.
She was found guilty in January after a three-month trial.
Holmes is expected to appeal against the sentence, which was handed down on Friday in a California court. read more
Musk lifts Donald Trump's Twitter ban
Twitter's new owner Elon Musk has said Donald Trump's account has been reinstated after running a poll in which users narrowly backed the move.
"The people have spoken," tweeted Mr Musk, saying that 51.8% of more than 15 million Twitter users voted for the ban to be lifted.
But the former US president may not return to the platform, earlier saying: "I don't see any reason for it".
His account was suspended in 2021 due to the risk of incitement of violence.
Twitter's previous management acted just days after Donald Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol in Washington DC on 6 January. read more
Twitter's new owner Elon Musk has said Donald Trump's account has been reinstated after running a poll in which users narrowly backed the move.
"The people have spoken," tweeted Mr Musk, saying that 51.8% of more than 15 million Twitter users voted for the ban to be lifted.
But the former US president may not return to the platform, earlier saying: "I don't see any reason for it".
His account was suspended in 2021 due to the risk of incitement of violence.
Twitter's previous management acted just days after Donald Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol in Washington DC on 6 January. read more
Two prominent Iranian actresses arrested - state media
Two prominent Iranian actresses have been arrested for publicly supporting mass anti-government protests, the country's state-run media reports.
Hengameh Ghaziani and Katayoun Riahi are accused of collusion and acting against Iran's authorities, Irna news agency says.
Both women earlier appeared in public without their headscarves - a gesture of solidarity with demonstrators.
The protests erupted in September after the death of a woman in police custody.
Mahsa Amini, 22, was detained by morality police in the capital, Tehran, for allegedly breaking the strict hijab rules. She died on 16 September, three days later. read more
Two prominent Iranian actresses have been arrested for publicly supporting mass anti-government protests, the country's state-run media reports.
Hengameh Ghaziani and Katayoun Riahi are accused of collusion and acting against Iran's authorities, Irna news agency says.
Both women earlier appeared in public without their headscarves - a gesture of solidarity with demonstrators.
The protests erupted in September after the death of a woman in police custody.
Mahsa Amini, 22, was detained by morality police in the capital, Tehran, for allegedly breaking the strict hijab rules. She died on 16 September, three days later. read more
Indonesia: Java quake kills 56 and injures hundreds
An earthquake has struck the main Indonesian island of Java, leaving at least 56 people dead and hundreds injured, local officials say.
The 5.6 magnitude quake struck Cianjur town in West Java, at a shallow depth of 10km (six miles), according to US Geological Survey data.
Videos on social media showed some buildings reduced almost entirely to rubble and debris strewn on streets.
Officials warn of possible aftershocks and say the death toll could rise.
The area where the quake struck is densely populated and prone to landslides, with poorly-built houses. Rescuers have been trying to evacuate people from collapsed buildings, and managed to save a woman and her baby, according to local reports.
West Java governor Ridwan Kamil confirmed to local media that 56 people had died and more than 700 were injured. read more
An earthquake has struck the main Indonesian island of Java, leaving at least 56 people dead and hundreds injured, local officials say.
The 5.6 magnitude quake struck Cianjur town in West Java, at a shallow depth of 10km (six miles), according to US Geological Survey data.
Videos on social media showed some buildings reduced almost entirely to rubble and debris strewn on streets.
Officials warn of possible aftershocks and say the death toll could rise.
The area where the quake struck is densely populated and prone to landslides, with poorly-built houses. Rescuers have been trying to evacuate people from collapsed buildings, and managed to save a woman and her baby, according to local reports.
West Java governor Ridwan Kamil confirmed to local media that 56 people had died and more than 700 were injured. read more
Club Q Colorado shooting: Police hail 'heroes' who tackled gunman
Two bystanders have been hailed as heroes for subduing a gunman who opened fire at an LGBT nightclub in the US state of Colorado, killing five people.
The attacker left 17 others with gunshot injuries at Club Q in Colorado Springs on Saturday night.
Police named the pair who tackled the body armour-clad gunman as Richard Fierro and Thomas James.
Mr Fierro has described tackling the suspect before striking him with his own pistol.
At a Monday afternoon press conference, police identified the victims as Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh and Raymond Vance. Family members say Aston and Rump were both bartenders at Club Q. read more
Two bystanders have been hailed as heroes for subduing a gunman who opened fire at an LGBT nightclub in the US state of Colorado, killing five people.
The attacker left 17 others with gunshot injuries at Club Q in Colorado Springs on Saturday night.
Police named the pair who tackled the body armour-clad gunman as Richard Fierro and Thomas James.
Mr Fierro has described tackling the suspect before striking him with his own pistol.
At a Monday afternoon press conference, police identified the victims as Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh and Raymond Vance. Family members say Aston and Rump were both bartenders at Club Q. read more
Indonesia earthquake: Many schoolchildren killed as toll soars to 268
Many of those killed and injured in a major earthquake on the Indonesian island of Java were children, rescuers say, as the death toll soars to 268.
Aprizal Mulyadi, 14, was at school when the quake hit, saying he was trapped after "the room collapsed and my legs were buried under the rubble".
He said he was pulled to safety by his friend Zulfikar, who later died after himself becoming trapped.
More than 1,000 people were wounded, officials say.
In its latest announcements on Tuesday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) added that 151 people were still missing.
It also said that 22,000 houses had been damaged, and that more than 58,000 people had taken shelter in several locations in the region. read more
Many of those killed and injured in a major earthquake on the Indonesian island of Java were children, rescuers say, as the death toll soars to 268.
Aprizal Mulyadi, 14, was at school when the quake hit, saying he was trapped after "the room collapsed and my legs were buried under the rubble".
He said he was pulled to safety by his friend Zulfikar, who later died after himself becoming trapped.
More than 1,000 people were wounded, officials say.
In its latest announcements on Tuesday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) added that 151 people were still missing.
It also said that 22,000 houses had been damaged, and that more than 58,000 people had taken shelter in several locations in the region. read more
China Covid: Angry protests at giant iPhone factory in Zhengzhou
Protests have erupted at the world's biggest iPhone factory in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, according to footage circulated widely online.
Videos show hundreds of workers marching, with some confronted by people in hazmat suits and riot police.
Those livestreaming the protests said workers were beaten by police. Videos also showed clashes.
Manufacturer Foxconn said it would work with staff and local government to prevent further violence.
In its statement, the firm said some workers had doubts about pay but that the firm would fulfil pay based on contracts. read more
Protests have erupted at the world's biggest iPhone factory in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, according to footage circulated widely online.
Videos show hundreds of workers marching, with some confronted by people in hazmat suits and riot police.
Those livestreaming the protests said workers were beaten by police. Videos also showed clashes.
Manufacturer Foxconn said it would work with staff and local government to prevent further violence.
In its statement, the firm said some workers had doubts about pay but that the firm would fulfil pay based on contracts. read more
Zero-Covid China asks: Is World Cup on another planet?
Chinese state media have given huge attention to the World Cup this week, but the matches are fuelling frustrations that people in the country are being left out of the celebrations.
On top of China's men's national team not qualifying for the event, scenes of maskless celebrations and raucous gatherings in Qatar have irritated viewers, who have been discouraged from gathering to watch the games.
Many have used the World Cup to complain online about China's existing strategies. The country maintains a zero-Covid policy, where entire communities are locked down over single cases of the virus, in order to prevent it from spreading. read more
Chinese state media have given huge attention to the World Cup this week, but the matches are fuelling frustrations that people in the country are being left out of the celebrations.
On top of China's men's national team not qualifying for the event, scenes of maskless celebrations and raucous gatherings in Qatar have irritated viewers, who have been discouraged from gathering to watch the games.
Many have used the World Cup to complain online about China's existing strategies. The country maintains a zero-Covid policy, where entire communities are locked down over single cases of the virus, in order to prevent it from spreading. read more
Anwar Ibrahim sworn in as Malaysian PM after post-election deadlock
Malaysia's veteran opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been sworn in as the country's new prime minister, after several days of post-election deadlock.
The new leader was appointed by King Sultan Abdullah, after elections over the weekend resulted in an unprecedented hung parliament.
Neither Mr Anwar nor ex-premier Muhyiddin Yassin had won the simple majority needed to form a government.
It is not immediately clear who Mr Anwar will go into coalition with. read more
Malaysia's veteran opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been sworn in as the country's new prime minister, after several days of post-election deadlock.
The new leader was appointed by King Sultan Abdullah, after elections over the weekend resulted in an unprecedented hung parliament.
Neither Mr Anwar nor ex-premier Muhyiddin Yassin had won the simple majority needed to form a government.
It is not immediately clear who Mr Anwar will go into coalition with. read more
Gold coins worth €1.6m stolen in nine-minute heist from German museum
Thieves have stolen a hoard of Celtic gold coins worth about €1.6m (£1.4m) from a museum in Germany.
Hundreds of coins were taken from the museum in Manching, Bavaria, in the middle of the night in a nine-minute raid, police said.
The thieves may have sabotaged the museum's alarm system. Just before the break-in, nearby internet cables were cut causing widespread outages.
Police are exploring whether the theft is linked to previous raids.
The outages meant the alarm system was not triggered when a door was pried open, although it was able to record when the robbery happened.
Employees discovered shattered glass on the museum floor and the coins missing from their display case the next morning. read more
Thieves have stolen a hoard of Celtic gold coins worth about €1.6m (£1.4m) from a museum in Germany.
Hundreds of coins were taken from the museum in Manching, Bavaria, in the middle of the night in a nine-minute raid, police said.
The thieves may have sabotaged the museum's alarm system. Just before the break-in, nearby internet cables were cut causing widespread outages.
Police are exploring whether the theft is linked to previous raids.
The outages meant the alarm system was not triggered when a door was pried open, although it was able to record when the robbery happened.
Employees discovered shattered glass on the museum floor and the coins missing from their display case the next morning. read more
Naked volunteers pose for Tunick artwork on Bondi Beach
Some 2,500 naked volunteers have posed in the early morning light on Sydney's Bondi Beach for an artwork designed to raise awareness of skin cancer.
The installation is American photographer Spencer Tunick's latest project, aimed at encouraging Australians to get regular skin checks.
Legislation was changed to allow public nudity on the beach for the first time.
Australia is the country in the world worst affected by skin cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund says. read more
Some 2,500 naked volunteers have posed in the early morning light on Sydney's Bondi Beach for an artwork designed to raise awareness of skin cancer.
The installation is American photographer Spencer Tunick's latest project, aimed at encouraging Australians to get regular skin checks.
Legislation was changed to allow public nudity on the beach for the first time.
Australia is the country in the world worst affected by skin cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund says. read more
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen quits as party chair after local elections
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has resigned as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after its poor showing in local elections.
The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) won several major races on Saturday, including in the capital Taipei.
The vote has drawn global attention as Taiwan becomes a bigger geopolitical flashpoint between China and the US.
President Tsai had framed the election as a vote for democracy amid rising tensions with China.
"The election results were not as expected... I should shoulder all the responsibility and I resign as DPP chairwoman immediately," Ms Tsai, who will continue as president of the self-ruled island, told reporters. read more
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has resigned as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after its poor showing in local elections.
The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) won several major races on Saturday, including in the capital Taipei.
The vote has drawn global attention as Taiwan becomes a bigger geopolitical flashpoint between China and the US.
President Tsai had framed the election as a vote for democracy amid rising tensions with China.
"The election results were not as expected... I should shoulder all the responsibility and I resign as DPP chairwoman immediately," Ms Tsai, who will continue as president of the self-ruled island, told reporters. read more
China's protests: Blank paper becomes the symbol of rare demonstrations
So often one item comes to symbolise an entire protest movement. In China, that item is a humble piece of blank paper.
As dusk fell on Shanghai on Sunday evening, some of those who gathered at a vigil to remember the victims of a fire that catalysed the demonstrations came clutching sheets of paper.
Similarly, in the capital Beijing, protesters came armed with scraps of paper to a demonstration at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University, once attended by President Xi Jinping.
And in another striking video a young woman could be seen walking through the streets of Wuzhen - a town in the eastern province of Zhejiang - with chains around her wrists and duct tape over her mouth. In her hands was a sheet of unspoiled blank paper. read more
So often one item comes to symbolise an entire protest movement. In China, that item is a humble piece of blank paper.
As dusk fell on Shanghai on Sunday evening, some of those who gathered at a vigil to remember the victims of a fire that catalysed the demonstrations came clutching sheets of paper.
Similarly, in the capital Beijing, protesters came armed with scraps of paper to a demonstration at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University, once attended by President Xi Jinping.
And in another striking video a young woman could be seen walking through the streets of Wuzhen - a town in the eastern province of Zhejiang - with chains around her wrists and duct tape over her mouth. In her hands was a sheet of unspoiled blank paper. read more
Musk feuds with Apple over Twitter advertising
Elon Musk has said Apple has halted most of its advertising on Twitter and accused the company of threatening to remove the platform from its app store.
The feud comes as many companies have halted spending on Twitter amid concerns about Mr Musk's content moderation plans for the site.
Apple has not responded to requests for comment from the BBC.
Mr Musk has said Twitter has seen a "massive" drop in revenue, blaming activists for pressuring advertisers.
In a series of Tweets on Monday, he accused Apple of "censorship" and criticised its policies, including the charge it levies on purchases made on its app store. read more
Elon Musk has said Apple has halted most of its advertising on Twitter and accused the company of threatening to remove the platform from its app store.
The feud comes as many companies have halted spending on Twitter amid concerns about Mr Musk's content moderation plans for the site.
Apple has not responded to requests for comment from the BBC.
Mr Musk has said Twitter has seen a "massive" drop in revenue, blaming activists for pressuring advertisers.
In a series of Tweets on Monday, he accused Apple of "censorship" and criticised its policies, including the charge it levies on purchases made on its app store. read more
Ukraine war: Nato pledges to provide more weapons and fix power grid
Nato has pledged to give more weapons to Ukraine and help fix critical energy infrastructure badly damaged by massive Russian missile and drone strikes.
At a summit in Bucharest, the secretary general of the military alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, accused Moscow of "trying to use winter as a weapon of war".
The Russian strikes have left millions of Ukrainians without electricity and running water in freezing temperatures.
Ukraine has for months been asking Nato for more advanced air defence systems.
Under the Geneva conventions, attacks on civilians, or the infrastructure vital to their survival, could be interpreted as a war crime. read more
Nato has pledged to give more weapons to Ukraine and help fix critical energy infrastructure badly damaged by massive Russian missile and drone strikes.
At a summit in Bucharest, the secretary general of the military alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, accused Moscow of "trying to use winter as a weapon of war".
The Russian strikes have left millions of Ukrainians without electricity and running water in freezing temperatures.
Ukraine has for months been asking Nato for more advanced air defence systems.
Under the Geneva conventions, attacks on civilians, or the infrastructure vital to their survival, could be interpreted as a war crime. read more
Students killed as bomb blast hits Afghan school
At least 10 people have been killed after a bomb blast hit a religious school in northern Afghanistan, the ruling Taliban regime has said.
The blast took place in Aybak in the Samangan province and left many more injured, a spokesperson for the interior ministry told the BBC.
But the death toll remains uncertain, and hospital officials told the AFP news agency that 16 died in the blast.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The blast is said to have occurred as people were leaving congregational prayers, and a doctor at the local hospital said most of the victims were students at the school. read more
At least 10 people have been killed after a bomb blast hit a religious school in northern Afghanistan, the ruling Taliban regime has said.
The blast took place in Aybak in the Samangan province and left many more injured, a spokesperson for the interior ministry told the BBC.
But the death toll remains uncertain, and hospital officials told the AFP news agency that 16 died in the blast.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The blast is said to have occurred as people were leaving congregational prayers, and a doctor at the local hospital said most of the victims were students at the school. read more
Cyril Ramaphosa: South African president faces threat of impeachment over 'Farmgate'
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa is facing a possible impeachment threat over the "Farmgate" scandal.
The president has been accused of covering up a $4m (£3.3m) theft from his farm in 2020, including kidnapping and bribing the burglars into silence.
A leaked report from an independent panel has found that Mr Ramaphosa abused his position and may have broken an anti-corruption law.
He has denied wrongdoing, and said the money was from selling buffalo.
The panel's findings have been handed to parliament, which is set to examine them and decide whether or not to launch impeachment proceedings next week. read more
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa is facing a possible impeachment threat over the "Farmgate" scandal.
The president has been accused of covering up a $4m (£3.3m) theft from his farm in 2020, including kidnapping and bribing the burglars into silence.
A leaked report from an independent panel has found that Mr Ramaphosa abused his position and may have broken an anti-corruption law.
He has denied wrongdoing, and said the money was from selling buffalo.
The panel's findings have been handed to parliament, which is set to examine them and decide whether or not to launch impeachment proceedings next week. read more
Deadly landslide engulfs motorway in Brazil
A landslide on a motorway in southern Brazil has killed at least two people and left dozens missing.
A torrent of mud fell on to the BR-376 highway in the state of Paraná, hitting more than 21 vehicles, authorities said.
Rescue workers at the scene said bad weather and the remote location were complicating the search effort.
Firefighters are using a thermal camera to locate possible survivors. Up to 30 people are thought to still be missing. read more
A landslide on a motorway in southern Brazil has killed at least two people and left dozens missing.
A torrent of mud fell on to the BR-376 highway in the state of Paraná, hitting more than 21 vehicles, authorities said.
Rescue workers at the scene said bad weather and the remote location were complicating the search effort.
Firefighters are using a thermal camera to locate possible survivors. Up to 30 people are thought to still be missing. read more