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
Mexico cartel turns in own men over US kidnappings
Reports from the Mexican border city of Matamoros say a splinter group of the Gulf Cartel, called the Scorpions Group, has apologised for kidnapping four US citizens last week, killing two of them, and has turned over the men it says are responsible.
On their front pages, many of Mexico's newspapers published a photograph that appears to show five men lying face down on the ground, their hands tied, and their T-shirts pulled up above their heads. It was apparently taken as police arrived on the scene.
A letter from the Scorpions Group was allegedly left with the men which apologised to the people of Matamoros, to the US victims and their families, and to a Mexican woman killed last week when the gang fired on a white minivan the Americans were travelling in.
The Associated Press says it has obtained a copy of the letter from a law enforcement official in the state of Tamaulipas. read more
Reports from the Mexican border city of Matamoros say a splinter group of the Gulf Cartel, called the Scorpions Group, has apologised for kidnapping four US citizens last week, killing two of them, and has turned over the men it says are responsible.
On their front pages, many of Mexico's newspapers published a photograph that appears to show five men lying face down on the ground, their hands tied, and their T-shirts pulled up above their heads. It was apparently taken as police arrived on the scene.
A letter from the Scorpions Group was allegedly left with the men which apologised to the people of Matamoros, to the US victims and their families, and to a Mexican woman killed last week when the gang fired on a white minivan the Americans were travelling in.
The Associated Press says it has obtained a copy of the letter from a law enforcement official in the state of Tamaulipas. read more
Hamburg shooting: Seven killed in attack on Jehovah's Witness hall
Seven people, including an unborn baby, have been killed in a shooting at a Jehovah's Witness meeting hall in the German city of Hamburg, police say.
They say the gunman acted alone in Thursday's attack, and later took his own life. His motives are unknown.
The suspect, named only as Philipp F, 35, is a former member of the religious community, who had "ill-feelings".
Dramatic footage has now emerged that appears to show the suspect firing many rounds through a window of the hall.
At a briefing on Friday, the police said four men and two women were shot dead. A seven-month foetus was also hit in the womb - it died but its mother survived. All the dead were German nationals.
Eight people were injured, four seriously. A Ugandan and a Ukrainian were among those hurt. read more
Seven people, including an unborn baby, have been killed in a shooting at a Jehovah's Witness meeting hall in the German city of Hamburg, police say.
They say the gunman acted alone in Thursday's attack, and later took his own life. His motives are unknown.
The suspect, named only as Philipp F, 35, is a former member of the religious community, who had "ill-feelings".
Dramatic footage has now emerged that appears to show the suspect firing many rounds through a window of the hall.
At a briefing on Friday, the police said four men and two women were shot dead. A seven-month foetus was also hit in the womb - it died but its mother survived. All the dead were German nationals.
Eight people were injured, four seriously. A Ugandan and a Ukrainian were among those hurt. read more
Li Qiang: China elects Xi Jinping ally as premier
The man nominated as China's next premier by President Xi Jinping has been formally elected by parliament.
Li Qiang, the former Communist Party leader of the country's biggest city of Shanghai, will now lead the government, replacing retiring Li Keqiang.
The 63-year-old received almost every vote from more than 2,900 delegates at the National People's Congress.
A close ally of Mr Xi, he is seen as a pragmatist and will be tasked with reviving China's struggling economy.
New ministerial appointments are expected to be announced on Sunday. read more
The man nominated as China's next premier by President Xi Jinping has been formally elected by parliament.
Li Qiang, the former Communist Party leader of the country's biggest city of Shanghai, will now lead the government, replacing retiring Li Keqiang.
The 63-year-old received almost every vote from more than 2,900 delegates at the National People's Congress.
A close ally of Mr Xi, he is seen as a pragmatist and will be tasked with reviving China's struggling economy.
New ministerial appointments are expected to be announced on Sunday. read more
Israel sees one of its biggest-ever protests
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken part in what some are calling the biggest protest in the country's history.
Protests against government plans for a radical overhaul of the judicial system have been running for 10 weeks.
Record numbers of demonstrators turned out in cities such as Haifa, while about 200,000 are believed to have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv.
Critics say the reforms will undermine democracy.
But Benjamin Netanyahu's government says planned changes are better for the electorate.
Organisers said as many as 500,000 pro-democracy protesters took to the streets nationwide on Saturday, in what the Israeli Haaretz newspaper called "the largest demonstration in the country's history". read more
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken part in what some are calling the biggest protest in the country's history.
Protests against government plans for a radical overhaul of the judicial system have been running for 10 weeks.
Record numbers of demonstrators turned out in cities such as Haifa, while about 200,000 are believed to have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv.
Critics say the reforms will undermine democracy.
But Benjamin Netanyahu's government says planned changes are better for the electorate.
Organisers said as many as 500,000 pro-democracy protesters took to the streets nationwide on Saturday, in what the Israeli Haaretz newspaper called "the largest demonstration in the country's history". read more
Aramco: Saudi state-owned oil giant sees record profit of $161bn
Saudi oil giant Aramco has announced a record profit of $161.1bn (£134bn) for 2022, helped by soaring energy prices and bigger volumes.
It represents a 46.5% rise for the state-owned company, compared with last year.
It is the latest energy firm to report record profits, after energy prices spiked following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
America's ExxonMobil made $55.7bn, and Britain's Shell reported $39.9bn. read more
Saudi oil giant Aramco has announced a record profit of $161.1bn (£134bn) for 2022, helped by soaring energy prices and bigger volumes.
It represents a 46.5% rise for the state-owned company, compared with last year.
It is the latest energy firm to report record profits, after energy prices spiked following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
America's ExxonMobil made $55.7bn, and Britain's Shell reported $39.9bn. read more
Oscars 2023: Michelle Yeoh becomes first Asian best actress winner
Michelle Yeoh has become the first Asian winner of the best actress Oscar, for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
The creative multiverse adventure won seven awards including best picture, director and original screenplay.
Accepting her statuette, Yeoh said: "For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities.
"And ladies, don't let anybody tell you that you are ever past your prime."
Yeoh's co-stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Quan also triumphed in the supporting categories. In the history of the Oscars, no other film has ever won best picture, best director and three acting prizes. read more
Michelle Yeoh has become the first Asian winner of the best actress Oscar, for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
The creative multiverse adventure won seven awards including best picture, director and original screenplay.
Accepting her statuette, Yeoh said: "For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities.
"And ladies, don't let anybody tell you that you are ever past your prime."
Yeoh's co-stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Quan also triumphed in the supporting categories. In the history of the Oscars, no other film has ever won best picture, best director and three acting prizes. read more
Silicon Valley Bank: Money in failed bank is safe, US government says
US authorities took emergency measures on Sunday to shore up the banking system after Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank collapsed.
People and businesses who have money deposited with SVB would be able to access all their cash from Monday, the government said.
Regulators also closed New York-based Signature Bank after mounting pressure.
President Joe Biden will address the dramatic weekend in the financial sector later on Monday.
In a statement, he promised to hold "those responsible for this mess fully accountable". read more
US authorities took emergency measures on Sunday to shore up the banking system after Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank collapsed.
People and businesses who have money deposited with SVB would be able to access all their cash from Monday, the government said.
Regulators also closed New York-based Signature Bank after mounting pressure.
President Joe Biden will address the dramatic weekend in the financial sector later on Monday.
In a statement, he promised to hold "those responsible for this mess fully accountable". read more
Silicon Valley Bank: Global bank stocks slump despite Biden reassurances
Shares in banks around the world slumped on Monday, despite reassurances from the US president that America's financial system is safe.
It comes after authorities had to step in to protect customer deposits when the US lenders Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank collapsed.
Joe Biden promised to do "whatever is needed" to protect the banking system.
But investors fear other lenders may still be hit by the fallout, sparking sharp falls in share prices globally.
Earlier on Monday, Spain's Santander and Germany's Commerzbank saw their share prices dive by more than 10% at one point. read more
Shares in banks around the world slumped on Monday, despite reassurances from the US president that America's financial system is safe.
It comes after authorities had to step in to protect customer deposits when the US lenders Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank collapsed.
Joe Biden promised to do "whatever is needed" to protect the banking system.
But investors fear other lenders may still be hit by the fallout, sparking sharp falls in share prices globally.
Earlier on Monday, Spain's Santander and Germany's Commerzbank saw their share prices dive by more than 10% at one point. read more
Aukus deal: US, UK and Australia agree on nuclear submarine project
The US, UK and Australia have unveiled details of their plan to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, aimed at countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the Aukus pact Australia is to get its first nuclear-powered subs - at least three - from the US.
The allies will also work to create a new fleet using cutting-edge tech, including UK-made Rolls-Royce reactors.
Beijing has strongly criticised the significant naval deal.
Its foreign ministry on Tuesday accused the three nations of "walking further and further down the path of error and danger". read more
The US, UK and Australia have unveiled details of their plan to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, aimed at countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the Aukus pact Australia is to get its first nuclear-powered subs - at least three - from the US.
The allies will also work to create a new fleet using cutting-edge tech, including UK-made Rolls-Royce reactors.
Beijing has strongly criticised the significant naval deal.
Its foreign ministry on Tuesday accused the three nations of "walking further and further down the path of error and danger". read more
Russia pilots 'reckless' in drone collision - US
The US has accused Russia of reckless behaviour after an American surveillance drone crashed into the Black Sea following an encounter with Russian fighter jets.
The US says the drone was on a routine mission in international airspace when two Russian jets tried to intercept it.
The incident highlights the increasing risk of direct confrontation between Russia and the US over the Ukraine war.
Russia denied that the two aircraft made any contact. read more
The US has accused Russia of reckless behaviour after an American surveillance drone crashed into the Black Sea following an encounter with Russian fighter jets.
The US says the drone was on a routine mission in international airspace when two Russian jets tried to intercept it.
The incident highlights the increasing risk of direct confrontation between Russia and the US over the Ukraine war.
Russia denied that the two aircraft made any contact. read more