Italy migrant boat shipwreck: More than 100 people feared dead
There are fears that more than 100 people, including children, have died after their boat sank in rough seas off southern Italy.
At least 62 migrants are confirmed to have died, with 12 children said to be among the victims, including a baby.
The vessel, thought to have carried some 200 people, broke apart while trying to land near Crotone on Sunday.
People from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Iraq and Iran were said to be on board.
Bodies were recovered from the beach at a nearby seaside resort in the Calabria region.
The coastguard said 80 people had been found alive, "including some who managed to reach the shore after the sinking", meaning many more remain unaccounted for. read more
There are fears that more than 100 people, including children, have died after their boat sank in rough seas off southern Italy.
At least 62 migrants are confirmed to have died, with 12 children said to be among the victims, including a baby.
The vessel, thought to have carried some 200 people, broke apart while trying to land near Crotone on Sunday.
People from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Iraq and Iran were said to be on board.
Bodies were recovered from the beach at a nearby seaside resort in the Calabria region.
The coastguard said 80 people had been found alive, "including some who managed to reach the shore after the sinking", meaning many more remain unaccounted for. read more
Settlers rampage in West Bank villages after Israelis killed
Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian villages in the northern occupied West Bank, after two settlers were shot dead by a Palestinian gunman.
One Palestinian man was killed and more than 100 others were injured in the violence near Nablus on Sunday night, the Palestinian health ministry said.
Dozens of cars and houses were also burnt, according to a local official.
It followed the killings of the two Israelis - brothers from a nearby settlement - along a highway.
The Israeli military said it was continuing to search for the Palestinian who shot Hillel Yaniv, 22, and Yagel Yaniv, 20, and that it had moved in hundreds of extra troops. read more
Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian villages in the northern occupied West Bank, after two settlers were shot dead by a Palestinian gunman.
One Palestinian man was killed and more than 100 others were injured in the violence near Nablus on Sunday night, the Palestinian health ministry said.
Dozens of cars and houses were also burnt, according to a local official.
It followed the killings of the two Israelis - brothers from a nearby settlement - along a highway.
The Israeli military said it was continuing to search for the Palestinian who shot Hillel Yaniv, 22, and Yagel Yaniv, 20, and that it had moved in hundreds of extra troops. read more
Canada bans TikTok on government devices
Canada will ban video app TikTok from all government-issued devices starting on Tuesday.
The decision follows a review by Canada's chief information officer, and the app "presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security", a government spokesperson said in a statement.
A TikTok spokesperson said the company was disappointed by the decision.
It comes just days after the European Commission announced a similar ban. read more
Canada will ban video app TikTok from all government-issued devices starting on Tuesday.
The decision follows a review by Canada's chief information officer, and the app "presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security", a government spokesperson said in a statement.
A TikTok spokesperson said the company was disappointed by the decision.
It comes just days after the European Commission announced a similar ban. read more
Iran investigates poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls with toxic gas
Almost 700 girls have been poisoned by toxic gas in Iran since November, in what many believe is a deliberate attempt to force their schools to shut.
No girls have died, but dozens have suffered respiratory problems, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.
"It became evident that some people wanted all schools, especially girls' schools, to be closed down," the deputy health minister said on Sunday.
However, he later said that his remarks had been misunderstood.
The prosecutor general announced last week that he was opening a criminal investigation. However, he said that the available information only indicated "the possibility of criminal and premeditated acts". read more
Almost 700 girls have been poisoned by toxic gas in Iran since November, in what many believe is a deliberate attempt to force their schools to shut.
No girls have died, but dozens have suffered respiratory problems, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.
"It became evident that some people wanted all schools, especially girls' schools, to be closed down," the deputy health minister said on Sunday.
However, he later said that his remarks had been misunderstood.
The prosecutor general announced last week that he was opening a criminal investigation. However, he said that the available information only indicated "the possibility of criminal and premeditated acts". read more
Carnage after trains collide near Greek city of Larissa
At least 32 people have died and dozens more injured after two trains collided in northern Greece, emergency services say.
A train said to be carrying around 350 passengers hit a freight train travelling in the opposite direction near the city of Larissa late on Tuesday night.
Rescuers have been working through the night to find survivors, the fire service said.
The cause of the crash is not known.
The passenger train had been travelling from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki when it crashed head-on with the other train, leading to a fire in at least one of the carriages. read more
At least 32 people have died and dozens more injured after two trains collided in northern Greece, emergency services say.
A train said to be carrying around 350 passengers hit a freight train travelling in the opposite direction near the city of Larissa late on Tuesday night.
Rescuers have been working through the night to find survivors, the fire service said.
The cause of the crash is not known.
The passenger train had been travelling from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki when it crashed head-on with the other train, leading to a fire in at least one of the carriages. read more
Station master arrested after dozens killed in Greece train crash
We're just hearing now the station master of the city of Larissa has been charged with manslaughter by negligence.
Police say the 59-year-old has also been charged with grievous bodily harm by negligence.
The station master, who is in charge of signalling, denies any wrongdoing and has blamed the accident on a possible technical failure.
Investigators are trying to find out why the two trains were on the same track when they crashed near Larissa. read more
We're just hearing now the station master of the city of Larissa has been charged with manslaughter by negligence.
Police say the 59-year-old has also been charged with grievous bodily harm by negligence.
The station master, who is in charge of signalling, denies any wrongdoing and has blamed the accident on a possible technical failure.
Investigators are trying to find out why the two trains were on the same track when they crashed near Larissa. read more
Man arrested after explosive found in luggage at US airport
FBI agents have arrested a man who allegedly brought an explosive device to a Pennsylvania airport on Monday.
Mark Muffley, 40, is accused of putting the device in his checked bag for a flight to Orlando, Florida.
He fled the airport after his name was called over the loud speaker, agents say, and was arrested at home later that evening.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials say they spotted the device during a routine screening.
Officials say Mr Muffley checked in for Allegiant Air Flight 201 at Lehigh Valley International Airport, 65 miles (105km) north of Philadelphia, on Monday morning.
About an hour later, TSA screeners discovered the suspicious item and called FBI specialists, including a bomb technician, to examine the device. read more
FBI agents have arrested a man who allegedly brought an explosive device to a Pennsylvania airport on Monday.
Mark Muffley, 40, is accused of putting the device in his checked bag for a flight to Orlando, Florida.
He fled the airport after his name was called over the loud speaker, agents say, and was arrested at home later that evening.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials say they spotted the device during a routine screening.
Officials say Mr Muffley checked in for Allegiant Air Flight 201 at Lehigh Valley International Airport, 65 miles (105km) north of Philadelphia, on Monday morning.
About an hour later, TSA screeners discovered the suspicious item and called FBI specialists, including a bomb technician, to examine the device. read more
Greece train crash: Rail workers strike as anger over crash grows
Rail workers across Greece have begun a one-day strike after Tuesday's train crash which killed at least 43 people.
"Pain has turned into anger for the dozens of dead and wounded colleagues and fellow citizens," the workers' union said in a statement.
The walkout follows protests in Athens, Thessaloniki and the city of Larissa, near the site of the disaster.
Rescue workers are still going through burned and buckled carriages, searching for victims.
This was the "most difficult moment", rescuer Konstantinos Imanimidis told Reuters news agency, as "instead of saving lives, we have to recover bodies". read more
Rail workers across Greece have begun a one-day strike after Tuesday's train crash which killed at least 43 people.
"Pain has turned into anger for the dozens of dead and wounded colleagues and fellow citizens," the workers' union said in a statement.
The walkout follows protests in Athens, Thessaloniki and the city of Larissa, near the site of the disaster.
Rescue workers are still going through burned and buckled carriages, searching for victims.
This was the "most difficult moment", rescuer Konstantinos Imanimidis told Reuters news agency, as "instead of saving lives, we have to recover bodies". read more
Putin accuses Ukraine of border 'terrorist act' in Russian village
Russian President Vladimir Putin says a Ukrainian sabotage group entered a Russian border region on Thursday and opened fire on civilians in a "terrorist act".
The governor of Bryansk region said "saboteurs from Ukraine" had fired at a civilian car in Lyubechane, a border village, killing two men and wounding a 10-year-old boy.
Kyiv strongly denied the Russian claim.
The alleged incident has not been independently verified.
Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, tweeted that it was "a classic deliberate provocation". "RF [Russia] wants to scare its people to justify the attack on another country," he said. read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin says a Ukrainian sabotage group entered a Russian border region on Thursday and opened fire on civilians in a "terrorist act".
The governor of Bryansk region said "saboteurs from Ukraine" had fired at a civilian car in Lyubechane, a border village, killing two men and wounding a 10-year-old boy.
Kyiv strongly denied the Russian claim.
The alleged incident has not been independently verified.
Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, tweeted that it was "a classic deliberate provocation". "RF [Russia] wants to scare its people to justify the attack on another country," he said. read more
Kem Sokha: Cambodia opposition leader given 27-year sentence for treason
Cambodia's most prominent opposition leader has been sentenced to 27 years under house arrest for treason.
Kem Sokha, the former leader of the now-dissolved Cambodian National Rescue Party, has also been barred from standing or voting in elections.
He was accused of conspiring with foreign powers to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen's government.
Hun Sen is one of the world's longest-serving autocrats, who has been in power since 1985.
Cambodia will hold a general election in July. Most expect he will run again, although some believe he is planning to hand over power to his eldest son, Hun Manet. read more
Cambodia's most prominent opposition leader has been sentenced to 27 years under house arrest for treason.
Kem Sokha, the former leader of the now-dissolved Cambodian National Rescue Party, has also been barred from standing or voting in elections.
He was accused of conspiring with foreign powers to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen's government.
Hun Sen is one of the world's longest-serving autocrats, who has been in power since 1985.
Cambodia will hold a general election in July. Most expect he will run again, although some believe he is planning to hand over power to his eldest son, Hun Manet. read more
Ukraine latest: Numerous Bakhmut attacks still being repelled, says Kyiv
Numerous attacks have been repelled in the area of eastern Donetsk over the last 24 hours, Ukraine's military says.
Russian forces claim they are about to take the eastern city of Bakhmut - the focus of intense fighting for many months.
The head of Russia's Wagner private army claims it is "practically encircled" with limited routes out.
And the UK Ministry of Defence said Bakhmut is under "increasingly severe" pressure. read more
Numerous attacks have been repelled in the area of eastern Donetsk over the last 24 hours, Ukraine's military says.
Russian forces claim they are about to take the eastern city of Bakhmut - the focus of intense fighting for many months.
The head of Russia's Wagner private army claims it is "practically encircled" with limited routes out.
And the UK Ministry of Defence said Bakhmut is under "increasingly severe" pressure. read more
Bakhmut: Fighting in the street but Russia not in control - deputy mayor
Russian and Ukrainian forces are fighting in the streets of Bakhmut - but Russia does not control the eastern city, its deputy mayor has said.
Oleksandr Marchenko also told the BBC the remaining 4,000 civilians are living in shelters without access to gas, electricity or water.
Mr Marchenko said "not a single building" had remained untouched and that the city is "almost destroyed".
Bakhmut has seen months of fighting, as Russia tries to take charge.
"There is fighting near the city and there are also street fights," Mr Marchenko said. read more
Russian and Ukrainian forces are fighting in the streets of Bakhmut - but Russia does not control the eastern city, its deputy mayor has said.
Oleksandr Marchenko also told the BBC the remaining 4,000 civilians are living in shelters without access to gas, electricity or water.
Mr Marchenko said "not a single building" had remained untouched and that the city is "almost destroyed".
Bakhmut has seen months of fighting, as Russia tries to take charge.
"There is fighting near the city and there are also street fights," Mr Marchenko said. read more
Two Sessions: China looks at reforms to deepen Xi Jinping control
Xi Jinping is set to deepen his control of China's government and economy, as lawmakers meet in Beijing to pass far-reaching reforms.
The National People's Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, will confirm Mr Xi's third term as president, and the appointments of his top team.
They will also name a new premier, the second-in-command after Mr Xi, as the incumbent Li Keqiang departs.
The Two Sessions, as the meetings are known, are an annual affair.
But this year's sessions are particularly significant as delegates are expected to reshape several key Communist Party and state institutions. read more
Xi Jinping is set to deepen his control of China's government and economy, as lawmakers meet in Beijing to pass far-reaching reforms.
The National People's Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, will confirm Mr Xi's third term as president, and the appointments of his top team.
They will also name a new premier, the second-in-command after Mr Xi, as the incumbent Li Keqiang departs.
The Two Sessions, as the meetings are known, are an annual affair.
But this year's sessions are particularly significant as delegates are expected to reshape several key Communist Party and state institutions. read more
China boosts military budget while warning of escalating threats
China will increase military spending by more than 7% this year, while warning of "escalating" threats.
It was announced at the National People's Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, which is due to confirm President Xi Jinping's third term.
Beijing's military budget - around $225bn (£186bn) - is still dwarfed by that of the United States, which is four times greater.
But analysts believe China downplays how much it spends on defence.
Outgoing Premier Li Keqiang told the NPC that "external attempts to suppress and contain China are escalating".
"The armed forces should intensify military training and preparedness across the board," he said. read more
China will increase military spending by more than 7% this year, while warning of "escalating" threats.
It was announced at the National People's Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, which is due to confirm President Xi Jinping's third term.
Beijing's military budget - around $225bn (£186bn) - is still dwarfed by that of the United States, which is four times greater.
But analysts believe China downplays how much it spends on defence.
Outgoing Premier Li Keqiang told the NPC that "external attempts to suppress and contain China are escalating".
"The armed forces should intensify military training and preparedness across the board," he said. read more
Ukraine war: Russia's Wagner boss suggests 'betrayal' in Bakhmut battle
The head of Russia's Wagner private army has said it is not getting the ammunition it needs from Moscow, as it seeks to gain control of Bakhmut.
Russian troops - from Wagner and regular Russian forces - are trying to seize the eastern city from Ukraine.
But Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has complained of a lack of ammunition, saying it could be "ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal".
Relations between Wagner and Moscow seem increasingly tense. read more
The head of Russia's Wagner private army has said it is not getting the ammunition it needs from Moscow, as it seeks to gain control of Bakhmut.
Russian troops - from Wagner and regular Russian forces - are trying to seize the eastern city from Ukraine.
But Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has complained of a lack of ammunition, saying it could be "ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal".
Relations between Wagner and Moscow seem increasingly tense. read more
France braces for pension reform strikes
France is set for disruption to transport and public services, as unions protest against plans to raise the pension age from 62 to 64.
Most train and metro services are cancelled on Tuesday, and many schools will be closed.
It is the sixth day of strikes and protests since mid-January, and unions say it will be the biggest yet.
More than one million people are expected at demonstrations in Paris and other cities.
With the government showing no sign of backing down on its pension plan, one union leader has said there is talk is of escalation and "bringing the country to its knees". read more
France is set for disruption to transport and public services, as unions protest against plans to raise the pension age from 62 to 64.
Most train and metro services are cancelled on Tuesday, and many schools will be closed.
It is the sixth day of strikes and protests since mid-January, and unions say it will be the biggest yet.
More than one million people are expected at demonstrations in Paris and other cities.
With the government showing no sign of backing down on its pension plan, one union leader has said there is talk is of escalation and "bringing the country to its knees". read more
Japan forced to destroy flagship H3 rocket in failed launch
Japan was forced to blow up its new rocket during a failed launch on Tuesday, setting back efforts to crack a market led by Elon Musk's SpaceX.
Its space agency had to send a self-destruct command to the H3 rocket when its second-stage engine failed minutes after lift-off.
Observers say it is a significant setback for Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa).
The government called the test failure "extremely regrettable".
The H3 rocket is the first medium-lift rocket designed by Japan in three decades.
It has been presented as a cheaper alternative to SpaceX's Falcon 9 for launching commercial and government satellites into Earth's orbit. read more
Japan was forced to blow up its new rocket during a failed launch on Tuesday, setting back efforts to crack a market led by Elon Musk's SpaceX.
Its space agency had to send a self-destruct command to the H3 rocket when its second-stage engine failed minutes after lift-off.
Observers say it is a significant setback for Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa).
The government called the test failure "extremely regrettable".
The H3 rocket is the first medium-lift rocket designed by Japan in three decades.
It has been presented as a cheaper alternative to SpaceX's Falcon 9 for launching commercial and government satellites into Earth's orbit. read more
Two dead, two alive after Americans kidnapped in Mexico
Two of the four Americans kidnapped at gunpoint in Mexico last week are dead and two are alive and now back in the US, Mexican and US officials say.
Four US citizens were kidnapped by armed men on 3 March while driving into the city of Matamoros in the north-eastern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico, across the border from Texas.
They had travelled there for cosmetic surgery, relatives told US media.
One man, named only as José "N", 24, from Tamaulipas, has been arrested.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: "We offer our deepest condolences to the friends and families of those who were killed in these attacks." read more
Two of the four Americans kidnapped at gunpoint in Mexico last week are dead and two are alive and now back in the US, Mexican and US officials say.
Four US citizens were kidnapped by armed men on 3 March while driving into the city of Matamoros in the north-eastern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico, across the border from Texas.
They had travelled there for cosmetic surgery, relatives told US media.
One man, named only as José "N", 24, from Tamaulipas, has been arrested.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: "We offer our deepest condolences to the friends and families of those who were killed in these attacks." read more
Tucker Carlson said he hates Trump 'passionately', lawsuit reveals
Fox News host Tucker Carlson said in a text message after the 2020 election that he "passionately hated" Donald Trump, according to new court filings.
Mr Carlson's message to a colleague in January 2021 emerged as part of a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News.
The electronic voting firm accuses the network of promoting baseless claims of vote-rigging in the election.
Fox News denies defamation and says on-air comments were taken out of context.
The latest filings in the case suggest Mr Carlson expressed his dislike of the outgoing US president two days before Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol to derail lawmakers from certifying Joe Biden's election win. read more
Fox News host Tucker Carlson said in a text message after the 2020 election that he "passionately hated" Donald Trump, according to new court filings.
Mr Carlson's message to a colleague in January 2021 emerged as part of a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News.
The electronic voting firm accuses the network of promoting baseless claims of vote-rigging in the election.
Fox News denies defamation and says on-air comments were taken out of context.
The latest filings in the case suggest Mr Carlson expressed his dislike of the outgoing US president two days before Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol to derail lawmakers from certifying Joe Biden's election win. read more
Ukraine war: Russian air strikes hit cities across country
Russia has launched missiles at targets across Ukraine, from Kharkiv in the north to Odesa in the south and Zhytomyr in the west.
Residential buildings and infrastructure were hit in Kharkiv and Odesa, and there are power blackouts in several areas.
The strikes come as bitter ground fighting continues for the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.
A US intelligence chief has suggested the war may grind on for years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion just over a year ago. Since then tens of thousands of combatants and civilians have been killed or injured and millions of Ukrainians became refugees. read more
Russia has launched missiles at targets across Ukraine, from Kharkiv in the north to Odesa in the south and Zhytomyr in the west.
Residential buildings and infrastructure were hit in Kharkiv and Odesa, and there are power blackouts in several areas.
The strikes come as bitter ground fighting continues for the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.
A US intelligence chief has suggested the war may grind on for years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion just over a year ago. Since then tens of thousands of combatants and civilians have been killed or injured and millions of Ukrainians became refugees. read more
Afghanistan blast: Taliban governor killed at his office
The Taliban governor of Afghanistan's northern Balkh province has been killed in an explosion at his office.
Mohammad Dawood Muzammil is the most senior official to be killed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Violence has decreased sharply since then, but there has been a string of attacks on prominent pro-Taliban figures and other targets.
Local police said what caused Thursday's blast was unclear. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. read more
The Taliban governor of Afghanistan's northern Balkh province has been killed in an explosion at his office.
Mohammad Dawood Muzammil is the most senior official to be killed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Violence has decreased sharply since then, but there has been a string of attacks on prominent pro-Taliban figures and other targets.
Local police said what caused Thursday's blast was unclear. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. read more