Alireza Akbari: Iran executes British-Iranian dual national, state media says
British-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari, who was sentenced to death in Iran, has been executed, Iranian state media says.
Mr Akbari's family had been asked to go to his prison for a "final visit" on Wednesday and his wife said he had been moved to solitary confinement.
The ex-deputy Iranian defence minister was arrested in 2019 and convicted of spying for the UK, which he denied.
The UK had urged Iran to halt the execution and immediately release him.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had described the death sentence as a "politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life".
The Iranian judiciary's official news outlet Mizan reported that Alireza Akbari had been hanged, without specifying the date when the execution took place. read more
British-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari, who was sentenced to death in Iran, has been executed, Iranian state media says.
Mr Akbari's family had been asked to go to his prison for a "final visit" on Wednesday and his wife said he had been moved to solitary confinement.
The ex-deputy Iranian defence minister was arrested in 2019 and convicted of spying for the UK, which he denied.
The UK had urged Iran to halt the execution and immediately release him.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had described the death sentence as a "politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life".
The Iranian judiciary's official news outlet Mizan reported that Alireza Akbari had been hanged, without specifying the date when the execution took place. read more
More classified material found at Joe Biden's Delaware home
An additional five pages of classified material has been found in US President Joe Biden's family home in Delaware, the White House has said.
Mr Biden's lawyer Richard Sauber said he discovered the additional documents on Thursday which were immediately handed to the Justice Department.
Mr Biden's lawyers have said the documents relate to his time as Barack Obama's vice-president.
A special counsel is investigating Mr Biden's handling of the files.
The discovery of documents throughout the investigation has been called a political embarrassment for Mr Biden, as it comes during an ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump's own alleged mishandling of classified files. read more
An additional five pages of classified material has been found in US President Joe Biden's family home in Delaware, the White House has said.
Mr Biden's lawyer Richard Sauber said he discovered the additional documents on Thursday which were immediately handed to the Justice Department.
Mr Biden's lawyers have said the documents relate to his time as Barack Obama's vice-president.
A special counsel is investigating Mr Biden's handling of the files.
The discovery of documents throughout the investigation has been called a political embarrassment for Mr Biden, as it comes during an ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump's own alleged mishandling of classified files. read more
Italy's most-wanted mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro arrested in Sicily
Italy's most-wanted mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested in Sicily after 30 years on the run.
Messina Denaro was reportedly detained in a private clinic in Sicily's capital, Palermo.
He is alleged to be a boss of the notorious Cosa Nostra mafia.
Italian media reported that he had been receiving treatment when he was captured just before 10:00 (09:00 GMT) and taken to a secret location by the Carabinieri.
More than 100 members of the armed forces are said to have been involved in the arrest.
A video circulated by Italian media appears to show people standing in the street and applauding the Italian police as Messina Denaro is led away. read more
Italy's most-wanted mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested in Sicily after 30 years on the run.
Messina Denaro was reportedly detained in a private clinic in Sicily's capital, Palermo.
He is alleged to be a boss of the notorious Cosa Nostra mafia.
Italian media reported that he had been receiving treatment when he was captured just before 10:00 (09:00 GMT) and taken to a secret location by the Carabinieri.
More than 100 members of the armed forces are said to have been involved in the arrest.
A video circulated by Italian media appears to show people standing in the street and applauding the Italian police as Messina Denaro is led away. read more
Nepal air crash: Indian passenger's video caught plane's last moments
In the hours after Nepal's deadliest plane crash for 30 years, a video went viral in India - it showed one of the victims, Sonu Jaiswal, livestreaming from the plane just seconds before the crash.
He was part of a group of four friends from Ghazipur in India who were visiting Nepal, and were on the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
In the footage, Pokhara airport's surroundings are visible from the doomed plane as it comes into land, those on board unaware they are just moments from death. read more
In the hours after Nepal's deadliest plane crash for 30 years, a video went viral in India - it showed one of the victims, Sonu Jaiswal, livestreaming from the plane just seconds before the crash.
He was part of a group of four friends from Ghazipur in India who were visiting Nepal, and were on the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
In the footage, Pokhara airport's surroundings are visible from the doomed plane as it comes into land, those on board unaware they are just moments from death. read more
China's population falls for first time since 1961
China's population has fallen for the first time in 60 years, with the national birth rate hitting a record low - 6.77 births per 1,000 people.
The population in 2022 - 1.4118 billion - fell by 850,000 from 2021.
China's birth rate has been declining for years, prompting a slew of policies to try to slow the trend.
But seven years after scrapping the one-child policy, it has entered what one official described as an "era of negative population growth".
The birth rate in 2022 was also down from 7.52 in 2021, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics, which released the figures on Tuesday. read more
China's population has fallen for the first time in 60 years, with the national birth rate hitting a record low - 6.77 births per 1,000 people.
The population in 2022 - 1.4118 billion - fell by 850,000 from 2021.
China's birth rate has been declining for years, prompting a slew of policies to try to slow the trend.
But seven years after scrapping the one-child policy, it has entered what one official described as an "era of negative population growth".
The birth rate in 2022 was also down from 7.52 in 2021, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics, which released the figures on Tuesday. read more
Italian Pier Antonio Panzeri held in EU-Qatargate bribery probe agrees to tell all
An alleged leader of a criminal network involved in an EU corruption scandal has agreed to reveal which countries were involved and how it operated.
A lawyer for Pier Antonio Panzeri said his client had agreed to "tell all" after reaching a deal with prosecutors.
The former member of the European Parliament is one of four suspects being held in Belgium.
They are suspected of accepting bribes from Qatar and Morocco in return for influencing the Parliament in Brussels.
Qatar has strenuously denied that it tried to gain influence through gifts and money while Morocco has also strongly rejected allegations that it sought influence on issues such as fishing rights and the disputed status of Western Sahara. read more
An alleged leader of a criminal network involved in an EU corruption scandal has agreed to reveal which countries were involved and how it operated.
A lawyer for Pier Antonio Panzeri said his client had agreed to "tell all" after reaching a deal with prosecutors.
The former member of the European Parliament is one of four suspects being held in Belgium.
They are suspected of accepting bribes from Qatar and Morocco in return for influencing the Parliament in Brussels.
Qatar has strenuously denied that it tried to gain influence through gifts and money while Morocco has also strongly rejected allegations that it sought influence on issues such as fishing rights and the disputed status of Western Sahara. read more
Ukraine's interior ministry leadership killed in helicopter crash
The three main figures in Ukraine's interior ministry have been killed in a helicopter crash beside a nursery in an eastern suburb of the capital Kyiv.
Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, 42, died alongside his first deputy minister and state secretary.
Fourteen people died when the helicopter came down in Brovary around 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT), including one child, authorities said.
There is no indication the crash was anything other than an accident.
But the SBU state security service said it was following several possible causes for the crash, which included sabotage as well as a technical malfunction or breach of flight rules. read more
The three main figures in Ukraine's interior ministry have been killed in a helicopter crash beside a nursery in an eastern suburb of the capital Kyiv.
Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, 42, died alongside his first deputy minister and state secretary.
Fourteen people died when the helicopter came down in Brovary around 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT), including one child, authorities said.
There is no indication the crash was anything other than an accident.
But the SBU state security service said it was following several possible causes for the crash, which included sabotage as well as a technical malfunction or breach of flight rules. read more
Jacinda Ardern: New Zealand PM to step down next month
Jacinda Ardern has announced she will quit as New Zealand prime minister next month, saying she no longer has "enough in the tank" to lead.
Ms Ardern choked up as she detailed how six "challenging" years in the job had taken a toll.
She will step down as Labour Party leader no later than 7 February. There will be a vote in the coming days to determine her replacement.
New Zealand will hold a general election on 14 October.
Ms Ardern, 42, said she had taken time to consider her future over the summer break. read more
Jacinda Ardern has announced she will quit as New Zealand prime minister next month, saying she no longer has "enough in the tank" to lead.
Ms Ardern choked up as she detailed how six "challenging" years in the job had taken a toll.
She will step down as Labour Party leader no later than 7 February. There will be a vote in the coming days to determine her replacement.
New Zealand will hold a general election on 14 October.
Ms Ardern, 42, said she had taken time to consider her future over the summer break. read more
Ukraine war: Allies to meet as Kyiv requests tank donations
Dozens of countries allied with Ukraine will meet on Friday to coordinate arms supplies for Kyiv, which has ramped up its requests to be provided with tanks.
Host Germany faces growing pressure to allow its highly regarded Leopard tanks to be exported to Ukraine.
The crunch talks come a day after the US and several European nations pledged more equipment to help Ukraine fend off any further Russian offensives.
The UK also offered 14 of its battle tanks recently - but Kyiv wants more.
Ukraine's allies faced a "simple choice" on Friday, an adviser to the defence minister remarked ahead of the summit. read more
Dozens of countries allied with Ukraine will meet on Friday to coordinate arms supplies for Kyiv, which has ramped up its requests to be provided with tanks.
Host Germany faces growing pressure to allow its highly regarded Leopard tanks to be exported to Ukraine.
The crunch talks come a day after the US and several European nations pledged more equipment to help Ukraine fend off any further Russian offensives.
The UK also offered 14 of its battle tanks recently - but Kyiv wants more.
Ukraine's allies faced a "simple choice" on Friday, an adviser to the defence minister remarked ahead of the summit. read more
Australia's 'Toadzilla': Record-breaking cane toad found in Queensland
A cane toad so giant wildlife officers thought it was fake has been found in a north Australian rainforest.
The "monster" specimen is six times bigger than the average toad, weighs 2.7kg, and could break a world record.
Dubbed "Toadzilla", the animal was quickly placed in a container and removed from the wild.
Toads - which were first introduced to Australia in 1935 - are one of the country's most damaging pests and are now estimated to number in the hundreds of millions.
When park ranger Kylee Gray first spotted the massive amphibian while out on patrol in Queensland, she couldn't believe her eyes.
"I've never seen anything so big," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
"[It looked] almost like a football with legs. We dubbed it Toadzilla." read more
A cane toad so giant wildlife officers thought it was fake has been found in a north Australian rainforest.
The "monster" specimen is six times bigger than the average toad, weighs 2.7kg, and could break a world record.
Dubbed "Toadzilla", the animal was quickly placed in a container and removed from the wild.
Toads - which were first introduced to Australia in 1935 - are one of the country's most damaging pests and are now estimated to number in the hundreds of millions.
When park ranger Kylee Gray first spotted the massive amphibian while out on patrol in Queensland, she couldn't believe her eyes.
"I've never seen anything so big," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
"[It looked] almost like a football with legs. We dubbed it Toadzilla." read more
US files: Six more classified documents seized at Biden home
US Department of Justice (DoJ) investigators have found six more classified documents during a 13-hour search of President Joe Biden's home in Delaware, a lawyer for Mr Biden says.
Some documents seized at the Wilmington property on Friday were from his time as a senator and others from his tenure as vice-president under Barack Obama.
Lawyer Bob Bauer said "personally handwritten notes" and "surrounding materials" were also taken away.
Mr Biden and his wife were not present.
The president offered access "to his home to allow DoJ to conduct a search of the entire premises for potential vice-presidential records and potential classified material", Mr Bauer said in a statement on Saturday. read more
US Department of Justice (DoJ) investigators have found six more classified documents during a 13-hour search of President Joe Biden's home in Delaware, a lawyer for Mr Biden says.
Some documents seized at the Wilmington property on Friday were from his time as a senator and others from his tenure as vice-president under Barack Obama.
Lawyer Bob Bauer said "personally handwritten notes" and "surrounding materials" were also taken away.
Mr Biden and his wife were not present.
The president offered access "to his home to allow DoJ to conduct a search of the entire premises for potential vice-presidential records and potential classified material", Mr Bauer said in a statement on Saturday. read more
Monterey Park: Several people shot near Los Angeles - reports
Police in California are responding to a shooting that has left several people injured, according to US media reports.
The incident happened in Monterey Park, located about eight miles (13km) east of Los Angeles, after 22:00 local time on Saturday (06:00 GMT on Sunday).
Thousands of people had earlier gathered in the city for the Monterey Park Lunar New Year festival.
It is not clear yet how many people were shot or whether anyone has died. read more
Police in California are responding to a shooting that has left several people injured, according to US media reports.
The incident happened in Monterey Park, located about eight miles (13km) east of Los Angeles, after 22:00 local time on Saturday (06:00 GMT on Sunday).
Thousands of people had earlier gathered in the city for the Monterey Park Lunar New Year festival.
It is not clear yet how many people were shot or whether anyone has died. read more
Erdogan tells Sweden not to expect Nato bid support
Sweden should not expect Turkey to back its Nato membership bid, Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, days after a copy of the Quran was burned in a Stockholm protest.
Sweden applied to join Nato after Russia invaded Ukraine - but needs Turkey, already a member, to approve.
Kurdish protesters in Sweden hung an effigy of Mr Erdogan this month, followed by the Quran burning.
"Sweden should not expect support from us for Nato," Erdogan said in response.
"It is clear that those who caused such a disgrace in front of our country's embassy can no longer expect any benevolence from us regarding their application."
Saturday's protest - but not the burning of the book itself - was given prior approval by Swedish authorities. read more
Sweden should not expect Turkey to back its Nato membership bid, Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, days after a copy of the Quran was burned in a Stockholm protest.
Sweden applied to join Nato after Russia invaded Ukraine - but needs Turkey, already a member, to approve.
Kurdish protesters in Sweden hung an effigy of Mr Erdogan this month, followed by the Quran burning.
"Sweden should not expect support from us for Nato," Erdogan said in response.
"It is clear that those who caused such a disgrace in front of our country's embassy can no longer expect any benevolence from us regarding their application."
Saturday's protest - but not the burning of the book itself - was given prior approval by Swedish authorities. read more
Top Ukrainian officials quit in anti-corruption drive
Several senior Ukrainian officials have resigned as President Volodymyr Zelensky begins a shake-up of personnel across his government.
A top adviser, four deputy ministers and five regional governors left their posts on Tuesday.
Their departures come as Ukraine launches a broad anti-corruption drive.
Recently, authorities have seen bribery claims, reports of officials buying food at inflated prices and one figure accused of living a lavish lifestyle.
Senior aide Mykhailo Podolyak said Mr Zelensky was responding to a "key public demand" that justice should apply to everyone. read more
Several senior Ukrainian officials have resigned as President Volodymyr Zelensky begins a shake-up of personnel across his government.
A top adviser, four deputy ministers and five regional governors left their posts on Tuesday.
Their departures come as Ukraine launches a broad anti-corruption drive.
Recently, authorities have seen bribery claims, reports of officials buying food at inflated prices and one figure accused of living a lavish lifestyle.
Senior aide Mykhailo Podolyak said Mr Zelensky was responding to a "key public demand" that justice should apply to everyone. read more
US and Germany ready to send tanks to Ukraine - reports
After months of reluctance, the US and Germany reportedly plan to send tanks to Ukraine, in what Kyiv hopes will be a game-changer on the battlefield.
US President Joe Biden's administration is expected to announce plans to send at least 30 M1 Abrams tanks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also reportedly decided to send at least 14 Leopard 2 tanks.
Russia's ambassador to the US blasted the news as "another blatant provocation".
Ukrainian officials have said such shipments could help its forces seize back territory from the Russians. read more
After months of reluctance, the US and Germany reportedly plan to send tanks to Ukraine, in what Kyiv hopes will be a game-changer on the battlefield.
US President Joe Biden's administration is expected to announce plans to send at least 30 M1 Abrams tanks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also reportedly decided to send at least 14 Leopard 2 tanks.
Russia's ambassador to the US blasted the news as "another blatant provocation".
Ukrainian officials have said such shipments could help its forces seize back territory from the Russians. read more
Jamia, JNU: India students angry after screenings of BBC Modi documentary blocked
Tensions have flared at two of India's best-known universities over the screening of a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his role in deadly religious riots in 2002.
Reports say police detained students at Jamia Millia Islamia university in Delhi ahead of a planned screening.
On Tuesday students at another Delhi university said power and internet was cut to stop them showing the film.
India's government says the documentary lacks objectivity and is "propaganda".
It has invoked emergency laws to block the documentary on YouTube and Twitter. read more
Tensions have flared at two of India's best-known universities over the screening of a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his role in deadly religious riots in 2002.
Reports say police detained students at Jamia Millia Islamia university in Delhi ahead of a planned screening.
On Tuesday students at another Delhi university said power and internet was cut to stop them showing the film.
India's government says the documentary lacks objectivity and is "propaganda".
It has invoked emergency laws to block the documentary on YouTube and Twitter. read more
Donald Trump to be allowed back onto Facebook and Instagram
Donald Trump will be allowed back on to Facebook and Instagram, after Meta announced it would be ending its two-year suspension of his accounts.
The suspension will end "in the coming weeks", the social media giant said.
In a statement, Nick Clegg, Meta's president of global affairs, said the public "should be able to hear what their politicians are saying".
The then-US president was indefinitely suspended from Facebook and Instagram after the Capitol riot in 2021.
The firm had taken action following Mr Trump's "praise for people engaged in violence at the Capitol", Mr Clegg said. read more
Donald Trump will be allowed back on to Facebook and Instagram, after Meta announced it would be ending its two-year suspension of his accounts.
The suspension will end "in the coming weeks", the social media giant said.
In a statement, Nick Clegg, Meta's president of global affairs, said the public "should be able to hear what their politicians are saying".
The then-US president was indefinitely suspended from Facebook and Instagram after the Capitol riot in 2021.
The firm had taken action following Mr Trump's "praise for people engaged in violence at the Capitol", Mr Clegg said. read more
Nine Palestinians killed in Israeli raid in Jenin
Nine Palestinians have been killed during an Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials say - the deadliest in years.
An elderly woman was reported among the dead, in the flashpoint town of Jenin.
The Israeli military said its troops went in to arrest Islamic Jihad militants planning "major attacks".
The Palestinian presidency accused Israel of a "massacre" in the northern town, which has been the scene of repeated raids in recent months.
The incursions are part of what the Israeli military describes as an anti-terrorism offensive which began last April. read more
Nine Palestinians have been killed during an Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials say - the deadliest in years.
An elderly woman was reported among the dead, in the flashpoint town of Jenin.
The Israeli military said its troops went in to arrest Islamic Jihad militants planning "major attacks".
The Palestinian presidency accused Israel of a "massacre" in the northern town, which has been the scene of repeated raids in recent months.
The incursions are part of what the Israeli military describes as an anti-terrorism offensive which began last April. read more
Tyre Nichols: Five Memphis police officers charged over death
Five ex-police officers have been charged with second-degree murder after a man died following a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tyre Nichols, 29, died three days after his arrest on 7 January for alleged reckless driving.
The officers, who are all black, also face charges of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
The family of Mr Nichols, who was black, say he was severely beaten.
US President Joe Biden called for "peaceful protest" as authorities prepare to release the footage on Friday evening local time.
The city's police chief earlier also urged people to remain calm once the clip is made public. read more
Five ex-police officers have been charged with second-degree murder after a man died following a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tyre Nichols, 29, died three days after his arrest on 7 January for alleged reckless driving.
The officers, who are all black, also face charges of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
The family of Mr Nichols, who was black, say he was severely beaten.
US President Joe Biden called for "peaceful protest" as authorities prepare to release the footage on Friday evening local time.
The city's police chief earlier also urged people to remain calm once the clip is made public. read more
Haiti police riot after crime gangs kill 14 officers
Rebel police officers rioted in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince on Thursday in protest at the killing of more than a dozen colleagues by criminal gangs.
The rioting officers blame the government for not taking action.
More than 100 demonstrators blocked streets, burned tyres, broke security cameras and damaged vehicles.
Local media said several officers broke through the gates of the prime minister's residence and attempted to enter Haiti's international airport.
The National Union of Haitian Police Officers says 14 men have been killed since the start of the year in various gang attacks on police stations.
Seven officers were killed in shootout on Wednesday alone, according to Haiti's National Police. read more
Rebel police officers rioted in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince on Thursday in protest at the killing of more than a dozen colleagues by criminal gangs.
The rioting officers blame the government for not taking action.
More than 100 demonstrators blocked streets, burned tyres, broke security cameras and damaged vehicles.
Local media said several officers broke through the gates of the prime minister's residence and attempted to enter Haiti's international airport.
The National Union of Haitian Police Officers says 14 men have been killed since the start of the year in various gang attacks on police stations.
Seven officers were killed in shootout on Wednesday alone, according to Haiti's National Police. read more