Finland to join Nato military alliance on Tuesday
Finland will become the 31st member of Nato on Tuesday, the Western military alliance's secretary general has announced.
The application was prompted by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, with which Finland shares a long border.
Turkey had delayed the application, complaining that Finland was supporting "terrorists".
Sweden applied to join Nato at the same time last May, but Turkey is blocking it over similar complaints.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused it of embracing Kurdish militants and allowing them to demonstrate on the streets of Stockholm. read more
Finland will become the 31st member of Nato on Tuesday, the Western military alliance's secretary general has announced.
The application was prompted by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, with which Finland shares a long border.
Turkey had delayed the application, complaining that Finland was supporting "terrorists".
Sweden applied to join Nato at the same time last May, but Turkey is blocking it over similar complaints.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused it of embracing Kurdish militants and allowing them to demonstrate on the streets of Stockholm. read more
Donald Trump hunkers down in New York ahead of arraignment
Former US President Donald Trump has arrived at Trump Tower in New York, where he is expected to spend the night before facing criminal charges.
Mr Trump's trip to Manhattan will see him indicted for his alleged role in hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
The exact charges he faces will be disclosed in full at the hearing, at around 14:15 local time (19:15 BST).
Mr Trump, 76, is the first US president in history to face a criminal case.
He denies wrongdoing.
"WITCH HUNT," Mr Trump, a Republican, wrote on his Truth Social platform shortly before travelling from his home in Florida on Monday, a phrase he has used to criticise other investigations he has faced. read more
Former US President Donald Trump has arrived at Trump Tower in New York, where he is expected to spend the night before facing criminal charges.
Mr Trump's trip to Manhattan will see him indicted for his alleged role in hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
The exact charges he faces will be disclosed in full at the hearing, at around 14:15 local time (19:15 BST).
Mr Trump, 76, is the first US president in history to face a criminal case.
He denies wrongdoing.
"WITCH HUNT," Mr Trump, a Republican, wrote on his Truth Social platform shortly before travelling from his home in Florida on Monday, a phrase he has used to criticise other investigations he has faced. read more
Dutch rail crash: One dead after passenger train derails
At least one person has been killed and about 30 injured - some seriously - after a passenger train derailed in the western Netherlands.
Emergency services say the overnight crash happened after the train transporting about 50 people hit construction equipment near the village of Voorschoten.
Earlier reports had said this followed a collision with a freight train.
Rescuers and medics are now working on the scene, helping the injured.
The crash happened at about 03:25 local time (01:25 GMT) on Tuesday.
Pictures from the scene showed overturned carriages and a plume of smoke rising in the night sky. read more
At least one person has been killed and about 30 injured - some seriously - after a passenger train derailed in the western Netherlands.
Emergency services say the overnight crash happened after the train transporting about 50 people hit construction equipment near the village of Voorschoten.
Earlier reports had said this followed a collision with a freight train.
Rescuers and medics are now working on the scene, helping the injured.
The crash happened at about 03:25 local time (01:25 GMT) on Tuesday.
Pictures from the scene showed overturned carriages and a plume of smoke rising in the night sky. read more
Nato's border with Russia doubles as Finland joins
Finland has become the 31st member of the Nato security alliance, and its flag will soon be raised at the alliance's headquarters.
The Finnish foreign minister handed the accession document to the US secretary of state who declared Finland a member.
Finland's accession is a setback for Russia's Vladimir Putin, who repeatedly complained of Nato's expansion before his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The length of Russia's border with Nato member states has now doubled.
Finland shares a 1,340-km (832-mile) eastern frontier with Russia and formally applied to join Nato with Sweden last May because of Russia's war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia would be "watching closely" what happens in Finland, describing Nato's enlargement as a "violation of our security and our national interests". read more
Finland has become the 31st member of the Nato security alliance, and its flag will soon be raised at the alliance's headquarters.
The Finnish foreign minister handed the accession document to the US secretary of state who declared Finland a member.
Finland's accession is a setback for Russia's Vladimir Putin, who repeatedly complained of Nato's expansion before his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The length of Russia's border with Nato member states has now doubled.
Finland shares a 1,340-km (832-mile) eastern frontier with Russia and formally applied to join Nato with Sweden last May because of Russia's war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia would be "watching closely" what happens in Finland, describing Nato's enlargement as a "violation of our security and our national interests". read more
- Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony criminal charges during a court hearing in New York
- The former US president was accused of falsifying records to hide damaging information during the 2016 election
- The charges focus on a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. She claims to have had an affair with Trump, which he denies
- But the indictment also details other such pay-offs to suppress potentially damaging stories, one involving a doorman and another to a former Playboy model
- BBC News is reviewing full details of the charges - you can also watch live video coverage at the top of this page
- Judge Juan Merchan did not issue a gag order on Trump, but asked both sides to be mindful of their language and rhetoric
- Trump - running for the presidency in 2024 - is now flying to his home in Florida, where he is expected to give a speech
read more
- The former US president was accused of falsifying records to hide damaging information during the 2016 election
- The charges focus on a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. She claims to have had an affair with Trump, which he denies
- But the indictment also details other such pay-offs to suppress potentially damaging stories, one involving a doorman and another to a former Playboy model
- BBC News is reviewing full details of the charges - you can also watch live video coverage at the top of this page
- Judge Juan Merchan did not issue a gag order on Trump, but asked both sides to be mindful of their language and rhetoric
- Trump - running for the presidency in 2024 - is now flying to his home in Florida, where he is expected to give a speech
read more
Jerusalem: Clashes erupt at contested holy site
Israeli police have clashed with dozens of Palestinian worshippers at Jerusalem's contested holy site.
Police say they conducted a pre-dawn raid after what they called "agitators" with fireworks, sticks and stones shut themselves inside the al-Aqsa mosque.
Palestinians say 14 people were hurt after the police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to clear out the group.
At least nine rockets were later fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, with air alert sirens sounding near Sderot.
The Israeli army said five rockets were intercepted, and another four "landed in open areas". read more
Israeli police have clashed with dozens of Palestinian worshippers at Jerusalem's contested holy site.
Police say they conducted a pre-dawn raid after what they called "agitators" with fireworks, sticks and stones shut themselves inside the al-Aqsa mosque.
Palestinians say 14 people were hurt after the police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to clear out the group.
At least nine rockets were later fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, with air alert sirens sounding near Sderot.
The Israeli army said five rockets were intercepted, and another four "landed in open areas". read more
Trump indictment: US going to hell, says ex-president
The US is "going to hell", Donald Trump has said in a defiant address after pleading not guilty to falsifying business records to hide damaging information ahead of the 2016 election.
The former president was charged with 34 counts in a Manhattan court in New York on Tuesday.
These relate to a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, who says they had an affair.
Mr Trump is the first US president in history to face a criminal trial.
"The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it," the 76-year-old told supporters gathered at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida after he appeared in court. read more
The US is "going to hell", Donald Trump has said in a defiant address after pleading not guilty to falsifying business records to hide damaging information ahead of the 2016 election.
The former president was charged with 34 counts in a Manhattan court in New York on Tuesday.
These relate to a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, who says they had an affair.
Mr Trump is the first US president in history to face a criminal trial.
"The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it," the 76-year-old told supporters gathered at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida after he appeared in court. read more
Macron and von der Leyen: Europe’s good cop and bad cop to meet Xi Jinping
As Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen meet Xi Jinping, they will be sending a message of unity - even as China seeks to exploit potential cracks in Europe's alliances.
The French president and the head of the European Commission flew into Beijing on Wednesday and will be welcomed by the Chinese president on Thursday.
Their joint trip is the latest in a noticeable push from European leaders to engage with China, which has seen German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez paying visits in recent months.
Like them, Mr Macron and Ms von der Leyenwill be pressing Mr Xi on taking further steps to halt the Ukraine war, while also finessing the increasingly fraught trade relationship between the European Union and China, its biggest trading partner. read more
As Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen meet Xi Jinping, they will be sending a message of unity - even as China seeks to exploit potential cracks in Europe's alliances.
The French president and the head of the European Commission flew into Beijing on Wednesday and will be welcomed by the Chinese president on Thursday.
Their joint trip is the latest in a noticeable push from European leaders to engage with China, which has seen German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez paying visits in recent months.
Like them, Mr Macron and Ms von der Leyenwill be pressing Mr Xi on taking further steps to halt the Ukraine war, while also finessing the increasingly fraught trade relationship between the European Union and China, its biggest trading partner. read more
Tsai-McCarthy meeting: Is Taiwan in danger of being loved to death?
China has launched military drills in response to a much-anticipated meeting between Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
They met in California on Wednesday, a week after President Tsai was feted in New York with a leadership award.
Ms Tsai hailed their "strong and unique partnership", and Mr McCarthy said that arms sales to Taiwan must continue.
Beijing, in turn, has vowed a "resolute response" and sent warships into the waters around the self-governed island.
Taiwan, it appears, is caught in the middle of a dangerous love triangle. read more
China has launched military drills in response to a much-anticipated meeting between Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
They met in California on Wednesday, a week after President Tsai was feted in New York with a leadership award.
Ms Tsai hailed their "strong and unique partnership", and Mr McCarthy said that arms sales to Taiwan must continue.
Beijing, in turn, has vowed a "resolute response" and sent warships into the waters around the self-governed island.
Taiwan, it appears, is caught in the middle of a dangerous love triangle. read more
Macron counting on Xi to 'bring Russia to senses'
French leader Emmanuel Macron has urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to help stop Russia's war in Ukraine.
"I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses, and bring everyone back to the negotiating table," he told Mr Xi in Beijing.
Mr Xi said China and France had the "ability and responsibility" to safeguard world peace.
But Moscow said there were "no prospects for a peaceful settlement" so far and its offensive would continue.
Mr Macron is on a state visit to China that is being highly scrutinised after years of deteriorating relations between the West and China, which has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. read more
French leader Emmanuel Macron has urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to help stop Russia's war in Ukraine.
"I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses, and bring everyone back to the negotiating table," he told Mr Xi in Beijing.
Mr Xi said China and France had the "ability and responsibility" to safeguard world peace.
But Moscow said there were "no prospects for a peaceful settlement" so far and its offensive would continue.
Mr Macron is on a state visit to China that is being highly scrutinised after years of deteriorating relations between the West and China, which has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. read more
Israel strikes Lebanon and Gaza after major rocket attack
Israel's military says it has struck targets linked to Palestinian militant group Hamas inside Lebanon and across the Gaza Strip.
The attacks come after a major rocket barrage on Israel from Lebanon, which the Israelis blamed on Hamas.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hamas' "terrorist" infrastructure was hit in southern Lebanon.
Tensions are high after Israeli police raided Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque on consecutive nights earlier this week.
The mosque is Islam's third holiest site, and the Israeli raids have triggered violent confrontations with Palestinians inside and caused outrage in the wider region. read more
Israel's military says it has struck targets linked to Palestinian militant group Hamas inside Lebanon and across the Gaza Strip.
The attacks come after a major rocket barrage on Israel from Lebanon, which the Israelis blamed on Hamas.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hamas' "terrorist" infrastructure was hit in southern Lebanon.
Tensions are high after Israeli police raided Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque on consecutive nights earlier this week.
The mosque is Islam's third holiest site, and the Israeli raids have triggered violent confrontations with Palestinians inside and caused outrage in the wider region. read more
Two Israeli women killed in West Bank shooting attack
Two Israeli women have been killed and another seriously injured in a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military and medics say.
The women were in a car that crashed after being shot at near the settlement of Hamra, in the Jordan Valley.
Local media reported the women who died were sisters in their 20s. The third woman, said to be their 48-year-old mother, is in a critical condition.
The military said its troops had "started a pursuit of the terrorists".
The shooting took place hours after Israeli warplanes carried out air strikes in southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. read more
Two Israeli women have been killed and another seriously injured in a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military and medics say.
The women were in a car that crashed after being shot at near the settlement of Hamra, in the Jordan Valley.
Local media reported the women who died were sisters in their 20s. The third woman, said to be their 48-year-old mother, is in a critical condition.
The military said its troops had "started a pursuit of the terrorists".
The shooting took place hours after Israeli warplanes carried out air strikes in southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. read more
One tourist killed and seven wounded in car ramming attack in Tel Aviv
An Italian tourist has been killed and seven other people wounded in a suspected car ramming attack near a beach in Tel Aviv, Israeli medics say.
Italy's foreign minister said Israel had identified the man killed as Italian citizen Alessandro Parini.
Footage from the scene showed an overturned car near a promenade and an Israeli police officer opening fire.
Local police said the suspected attacker had been shot dead by officers.
The attack comes after two British-Israeli sisters were killed and their mother injured in a shooting in the occupied West Bank earlier on Friday. read more
An Italian tourist has been killed and seven other people wounded in a suspected car ramming attack near a beach in Tel Aviv, Israeli medics say.
Italy's foreign minister said Israel had identified the man killed as Italian citizen Alessandro Parini.
Footage from the scene showed an overturned car near a promenade and an Israeli police officer opening fire.
Local police said the suspected attacker had been shot dead by officers.
The attack comes after two British-Israeli sisters were killed and their mother injured in a shooting in the occupied West Bank earlier on Friday. read more
Chinese military rehearsing encirclement of Taiwan
China's military has begun rehearsing the encirclement of Taiwan during three days of military drills.
Beijing - which views Taiwan as a breakaway province of China - called the operation a "stern warning" to the island's government.
The exercises began hours after President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a trip to the United States.
The Taiwanese Defence Ministry said 71 Chinese military planes and nine ships crossed the Taiwan Strait median line.
The line is an unofficial dividing line between Chinese and Taiwanese territory. read more
China's military has begun rehearsing the encirclement of Taiwan during three days of military drills.
Beijing - which views Taiwan as a breakaway province of China - called the operation a "stern warning" to the island's government.
The exercises began hours after President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a trip to the United States.
The Taiwanese Defence Ministry said 71 Chinese military planes and nine ships crossed the Taiwan Strait median line.
The line is an unofficial dividing line between Chinese and Taiwanese territory. read more
Iran installs cameras to find women not wearing hijab
Iranian authorities have begun installing cameras in public places to identify unveiled women, the police have announced.
Women seen not covering their hair would receive a "warning text messages as to the consequences", police said.
This would help prevent "resistance against the hijab law", police said.
Protests were sparked last year by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman arrested for allegedly violating the hijab rule.
Since Ms Amini's death a growing number of women have been discarding their veils, particularly in larger cities, despite the risk of arrest. read more
Iranian authorities have begun installing cameras in public places to identify unveiled women, the police have announced.
Women seen not covering their hair would receive a "warning text messages as to the consequences", police said.
This would help prevent "resistance against the hijab law", police said.
Protests were sparked last year by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman arrested for allegedly violating the hijab rule.
Since Ms Amini's death a growing number of women have been discarding their veils, particularly in larger cities, despite the risk of arrest. read more
US urges China to show restraint amid Taiwan drills
China has carried out a second day of naval drills around Taiwan, as tensions continue to mount after President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the US last week.
The drills - which Beijing has called a "stern warning" to Taipei - have used naval and air forces to simulate the encirclement of the island.
Taiwan said dozens of Chinese jets flew sorties around the island on Sunday, while nine ships were also spotted.
The operation, dubbed "Joint Sword" by Beijing, will continue until Monday.
Taiwanese officials have been enraged by the operation, and on Saturday defence officials in Taipei accused Beijing of using Ms Tsai's visit - where she met with US House speaker Kevin McCarthy - as an "excuse to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability and security in the region". read more
China has carried out a second day of naval drills around Taiwan, as tensions continue to mount after President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the US last week.
The drills - which Beijing has called a "stern warning" to Taipei - have used naval and air forces to simulate the encirclement of the island.
Taiwan said dozens of Chinese jets flew sorties around the island on Sunday, while nine ships were also spotted.
The operation, dubbed "Joint Sword" by Beijing, will continue until Monday.
Taiwanese officials have been enraged by the operation, and on Saturday defence officials in Taipei accused Beijing of using Ms Tsai's visit - where she met with US House speaker Kevin McCarthy - as an "excuse to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability and security in the region". read more
China simulates hitting 'key targets' on Taiwan
China has simulated precision strikes against key targets on Taiwan and its surrounding waters during a second day of military drills.
The drills - which Beijing has called a "stern warning" to the self-governing island - are a response to Taiwan's president visiting the US last week.
As the Chinese military simulated an encirclement of the island, the US urged China to show restraint.
Taiwan said about 70 Chinese aircraft flew around the island on Sunday.
Eleven Chinese ships were also spotted. read more
China has simulated precision strikes against key targets on Taiwan and its surrounding waters during a second day of military drills.
The drills - which Beijing has called a "stern warning" to the self-governing island - are a response to Taiwan's president visiting the US last week.
As the Chinese military simulated an encirclement of the island, the US urged China to show restraint.
Taiwan said about 70 Chinese aircraft flew around the island on Sunday.
Eleven Chinese ships were also spotted. read more
Ukraine war: Who leaked top secret US documents - and why?
What to make of the dozens of classified American Defence Department documents - maps, charts and photographs - now circulating on the internet?
Complete with timelines and dozens of impenetrable military acronyms, the documents, some of them marked "top secret", paint a detailed picture of the war in Ukraine.
They tell of the casualties suffered on both sides, the military vulnerabilities of each and, crucially, what their relative strengths are likely to be when Ukraine decides to launch its much-anticipated spring offensive. read more
What to make of the dozens of classified American Defence Department documents - maps, charts and photographs - now circulating on the internet?
Complete with timelines and dozens of impenetrable military acronyms, the documents, some of them marked "top secret", paint a detailed picture of the war in Ukraine.
They tell of the casualties suffered on both sides, the military vulnerabilities of each and, crucially, what their relative strengths are likely to be when Ukraine decides to launch its much-anticipated spring offensive. read more
Louisville, Kentucky shooting: Five people dead, police say
Police in Louisville, Kentucky, have confirmed that at least five people have been killed in a shooting in the city.
An additional six people have been injured and taken to local hospitals, including a police officer.
Members of the public have been asked to stay away from a part of East Main.
Video from the area appears to show heavily armed police cordoning off a commercial property in the area.
In a brief news conference, Louisville Police said that officers responding to the report encountered active gunfire. read more
Police in Louisville, Kentucky, have confirmed that at least five people have been killed in a shooting in the city.
An additional six people have been injured and taken to local hospitals, including a police officer.
Members of the public have been asked to stay away from a part of East Main.
Video from the area appears to show heavily armed police cordoning off a commercial property in the area.
In a brief news conference, Louisville Police said that officers responding to the report encountered active gunfire. read more
US, Philippines begin largest-ever drills after China exercises
The US and the Philippines are holding their largest-ever joint military drills a day after China concluded its large-scale exercises around Taiwan.
Beijing staged three days of drills simulating blockades of Taiwan in response to the island's leader meeting the US House Speaker last week.
The US had called on Beijing to show restraint. Meanwhile, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday said China's actions were "irresponsible".
The US drills were earlier scheduled.
Both the US and Philippines flagged last month that their annual Balikatan exercise would be their largest-ever, after Washington earlier this year secured a new defence deal with the South-East Asian nation. read more
The US and the Philippines are holding their largest-ever joint military drills a day after China concluded its large-scale exercises around Taiwan.
Beijing staged three days of drills simulating blockades of Taiwan in response to the island's leader meeting the US House Speaker last week.
The US had called on Beijing to show restraint. Meanwhile, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday said China's actions were "irresponsible".
The US drills were earlier scheduled.
Both the US and Philippines flagged last month that their annual Balikatan exercise would be their largest-ever, after Washington earlier this year secured a new defence deal with the South-East Asian nation. read more
Evan Gershkovich: US says journalist is wrongfully detained in Russia
The United States has designated journalist Evan Gershkovich as being "wrongfully detained" by Russia and called for his immediate release.
Mr Gershkovich, an experienced Russia reporter, was arrested last month in the city of Yekaterinburg while working for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
He has since been formally charged with spying, but the WSJ denies this.
It is the first time Moscow has accused a US journalist of espionage since the Soviet era.
The "wrongfully detained" designation in the US means the case will now be transferred to the office of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs. This will raise the profile of the case and allow the government to allocate more resources to securing his release. read more
The United States has designated journalist Evan Gershkovich as being "wrongfully detained" by Russia and called for his immediate release.
Mr Gershkovich, an experienced Russia reporter, was arrested last month in the city of Yekaterinburg while working for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
He has since been formally charged with spying, but the WSJ denies this.
It is the first time Moscow has accused a US journalist of espionage since the Soviet era.
The "wrongfully detained" designation in the US means the case will now be transferred to the office of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs. This will raise the profile of the case and allow the government to allocate more resources to securing his release. read more