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
Stock markets hit again by banking worries
Banking shares have fallen sharply again as investors remain nervous following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in the US last week.
The failure of SVB has raised fears that other banks could also be facing problems.
Shares in Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse hit a new low after they plunged by 20%.
The fall came after Credit Suisse's largest investor said it could not give the bank any more financial help.
Share indexes across Europe - including the UK's FTSE 100 - were down by about 2.5% by mid-morning.
The FTSE 100 has fallen 6% in the past week to reach a three-month low. read more
Banking shares have fallen sharply again as investors remain nervous following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in the US last week.
The failure of SVB has raised fears that other banks could also be facing problems.
Shares in Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse hit a new low after they plunged by 20%.
The fall came after Credit Suisse's largest investor said it could not give the bank any more financial help.
Share indexes across Europe - including the UK's FTSE 100 - were down by about 2.5% by mid-morning.
The FTSE 100 has fallen 6% in the past week to reach a three-month low. read more
North Korea fires long range missile ahead of Japan-South Korea talks
North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) just hours before the leaders of South Korea and Japan were due to meet for landmark talks.
Both Japanese and South Korean officials confirmed the long-range missile's launch on Thursday morning.
It flew about 1,000km (620 miles) landing in waters west of Japan.
It is Pyongyang's fourth missile launch in a week and comes as the US and South Korea hold joint navy drills.
The other missiles launched - last Thursday, on Saturday and on Monday - had been short-range ballistic missiles. read more
North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) just hours before the leaders of South Korea and Japan were due to meet for landmark talks.
Both Japanese and South Korean officials confirmed the long-range missile's launch on Thursday morning.
It flew about 1,000km (620 miles) landing in waters west of Japan.
It is Pyongyang's fourth missile launch in a week and comes as the US and South Korea hold joint navy drills.
The other missiles launched - last Thursday, on Saturday and on Monday - had been short-range ballistic missiles. read more
Video shows moment Russian fighter jet hits US drone over Black Sea
The US military has released footage of a Russian jet crashing into one of its drones over the Black Sea.
The US said the damage to the large drone meant it had to be brought down into the water near Crimea on Tuesday.
Russia denied its Su-27 fighter jet clipped the propeller of the drone, but the video appears to back up the American version of events.
It was in the Pentagon's interest to release this video - not least to verify its version of events.
The BBC has not seen the events before or after the collision. The US initially said the confrontation lasted around 30-40 minutes, but the released footage lasts for less than a minute. read more
The US military has released footage of a Russian jet crashing into one of its drones over the Black Sea.
The US said the damage to the large drone meant it had to be brought down into the water near Crimea on Tuesday.
Russia denied its Su-27 fighter jet clipped the propeller of the drone, but the video appears to back up the American version of events.
It was in the Pentagon's interest to release this video - not least to verify its version of events.
The BBC has not seen the events before or after the collision. The US initially said the confrontation lasted around 30-40 minutes, but the released footage lasts for less than a minute. read more
China's Xi to meet Putin in Moscow next week
China's President Xi Jinping will travel to Moscow next week to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials say.
The Kremlin said they would discuss a "comprehensive partnership and strategic co-operation".
The visit comes as Beijing, an ally of Russia, has offered proposals to end the war in Ukraine, to which the West has given a lukewarm reception.
Western countries have warned Beijing against supplying Moscow with weapons.
Beijing's foreign ministry said Mr Xi will be in Russia from 20 to 22 March at the invitation of Mr Putin. read more
China's President Xi Jinping will travel to Moscow next week to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials say.
The Kremlin said they would discuss a "comprehensive partnership and strategic co-operation".
The visit comes as Beijing, an ally of Russia, has offered proposals to end the war in Ukraine, to which the West has given a lukewarm reception.
Western countries have warned Beijing against supplying Moscow with weapons.
Beijing's foreign ministry said Mr Xi will be in Russia from 20 to 22 March at the invitation of Mr Putin. read more
Ex-US President Donald Trump expects to be arrested on Tuesday
Donald Trump says he expects to be arrested on Tuesday and has urged his supporters to launch mass protests.
However his lawyer said there had been no communication from law enforcement and the former president's post was based on media reports.
Prosecutors have been looking at a possible indictment of Mr Trump. Reports say it could come next week.
If he is indicted, it would be the first criminal case ever brought against a former US president. read more
Donald Trump says he expects to be arrested on Tuesday and has urged his supporters to launch mass protests.
However his lawyer said there had been no communication from law enforcement and the former president's post was based on media reports.
Prosecutors have been looking at a possible indictment of Mr Trump. Reports say it could come next week.
If he is indicted, it would be the first criminal case ever brought against a former US president. read more
UBS agrees 'emergency rescue' of Credit Suisse
Troubled bank Credit Suisse has been rescued by its Swiss rival UBS in a government-backed deal.
Sunday's announcement came after a weekend of emergency talks in Switzerland between the two banks and the country's financial regulators.
The Swiss National Bank said the deal was the best way to restore the confidence of financial markets and to manage risks to the economy.
Credit Suisse said it was not expecting "any disruption to client services".
"We are fully focused on ensuring a smooth transition and seamless experience for our valued clients and customers," a spokesperson for the bank told the BBC. read more
Troubled bank Credit Suisse has been rescued by its Swiss rival UBS in a government-backed deal.
Sunday's announcement came after a weekend of emergency talks in Switzerland between the two banks and the country's financial regulators.
The Swiss National Bank said the deal was the best way to restore the confidence of financial markets and to manage risks to the economy.
Credit Suisse said it was not expecting "any disruption to client services".
"We are fully focused on ensuring a smooth transition and seamless experience for our valued clients and customers," a spokesperson for the bank told the BBC. read more