Finland investigates suspected sabotage of Baltic-connector gas pipeline
Finland says damage to an underwater natural gas pipeline with Estonia on Sunday may have been deliberate and was probably caused by "external activity".
The Baltic-connector pipeline was shut down after a sudden drop in pressure. A telecoms cable was also damaged.
Finland's prime minister said on Tuesday that the source of the leak had been found and was being investigated by both countries.
Petteri Orpo added that the cause was not yet clear. read more
Finland says damage to an underwater natural gas pipeline with Estonia on Sunday may have been deliberate and was probably caused by "external activity".
The Baltic-connector pipeline was shut down after a sudden drop in pressure. A telecoms cable was also damaged.
Finland's prime minister said on Tuesday that the source of the leak had been found and was being investigated by both countries.
Petteri Orpo added that the cause was not yet clear. read more
Afghanistan hit by second earthquake in days
A second large earthquake has hit Afghanistan just days after a 6.3 magnitude quake in the same region killed more than 1,000 people.
The latest quake, of the same magnitude, struck at around 05:10 local time (00:40 GMT) on Wednesday.
The epicentre is 28km (17 miles) north of the city of Herat.
The impact of the new quake is not yet clear, but many are already sleeping in the open after their homes were destroyed on Saturday.
There is also a shortage of blankets, food and other supplies.
Saturday morning's earthquake hit Zindajan, a rural district some 40km (25 miles) from Herat city. read more
A second large earthquake has hit Afghanistan just days after a 6.3 magnitude quake in the same region killed more than 1,000 people.
The latest quake, of the same magnitude, struck at around 05:10 local time (00:40 GMT) on Wednesday.
The epicentre is 28km (17 miles) north of the city of Herat.
The impact of the new quake is not yet clear, but many are already sleeping in the open after their homes were destroyed on Saturday.
There is also a shortage of blankets, food and other supplies.
Saturday morning's earthquake hit Zindajan, a rural district some 40km (25 miles) from Herat city. read more
Kenyan publisher recalls book after uproar over Prophet Muhammad image
A Kenyan publisher has withdrawn a school book that included a drawing depicting Prophet Muhammad following an outcry by Muslim leaders and parents.
They complained that it was blasphemous to draw the prophet and to ask pupils to colour in the illustration.
Mentor Publishing Company said it regretted the "grave" mistake in the book on Islamic studies for pupils in the second year of primary school.
About 11% of Kenyans are Muslims, the second largest religious group. read more
A Kenyan publisher has withdrawn a school book that included a drawing depicting Prophet Muhammad following an outcry by Muslim leaders and parents.
They complained that it was blasphemous to draw the prophet and to ask pupils to colour in the illustration.
Mentor Publishing Company said it regretted the "grave" mistake in the book on Islamic studies for pupils in the second year of primary school.
About 11% of Kenyans are Muslims, the second largest religious group. read more
Why Republican Steve Scalise is not House Speaker yet
Republicans have picked Steve Scalise as their choice to be the new Speaker of the House of Representatives after a secret vote.
He beat the other candidate, Jim Jordan, 113 votes to 99, in a closed-door meeting at the US Capitol.
The Speaker is one of the most important posts in the US government, running the lower chamber of Congress.
There will now be a vote of the full House where a simple majority of votes, 217, is required to win the job.
The House was adjourned on Wednesday evening as Mr Scalise scrambled to find enough votes in his party. read more
Republicans have picked Steve Scalise as their choice to be the new Speaker of the House of Representatives after a secret vote.
He beat the other candidate, Jim Jordan, 113 votes to 99, in a closed-door meeting at the US Capitol.
The Speaker is one of the most important posts in the US government, running the lower chamber of Congress.
There will now be a vote of the full House where a simple majority of votes, 217, is required to win the job.
The House was adjourned on Wednesday evening as Mr Scalise scrambled to find enough votes in his party. read more
Roberto Saviano fined for insulting Italian PM Giorgia Meloni
A prominent Italian journalist has been found guilty of libel after insulting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a television interview.
Roberto Saviano used a swear word to describe Ms Meloni while attacking her stance on migration in December 2020.
He has been handed a suspended fine of 1,000 euros (£864).
Though he will only have to pay it if he repeats the offence,campaignerssaid the verdict sent a "chilling message" about press freedom.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Mr Saviano said Ms Meloni's government had sought to "intimidate" him for calling out "lies" about migrants, news agency AFP reported. read more
A prominent Italian journalist has been found guilty of libel after insulting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a television interview.
Roberto Saviano used a swear word to describe Ms Meloni while attacking her stance on migration in December 2020.
He has been handed a suspended fine of 1,000 euros (£864).
Though he will only have to pay it if he repeats the offence,campaignerssaid the verdict sent a "chilling message" about press freedom.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Mr Saviano said Ms Meloni's government had sought to "intimidate" him for calling out "lies" about migrants, news agency AFP reported. read more
French police break up pro-Palestinian demo after ban
Police in the centre of Paris used tear gas and water cannons to break up a pro-Palestinian rally, after the French government banned such demonstrations.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said those defying it should be arrested as "they are susceptible to disrupt public order.''
Despite the ban, thousands of protesters gathered in Paris, Lille, Bordeaux and other cities on Thursday.
President Emmanuel Macron appealed to people not to foment internal division. read more
Police in the centre of Paris used tear gas and water cannons to break up a pro-Palestinian rally, after the French government banned such demonstrations.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said those defying it should be arrested as "they are susceptible to disrupt public order.''
Despite the ban, thousands of protesters gathered in Paris, Lille, Bordeaux and other cities on Thursday.
President Emmanuel Macron appealed to people not to foment internal division. read more
North Korea sending Russia military equipment, US claims
US officials have accused North Korea of supplying vast amounts of military hardware to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Pyongyang has supplied up to 1,000 containers of "equipment and munitions" in "recent weeks", National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said.
Officials also released photos of what they said were 300 containers assembled for transport in Najin, North Korea.
Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia to discuss potential military cooperation. read more
US officials have accused North Korea of supplying vast amounts of military hardware to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Pyongyang has supplied up to 1,000 containers of "equipment and munitions" in "recent weeks", National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said.
Officials also released photos of what they said were 300 containers assembled for transport in Najin, North Korea.
Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia to discuss potential military cooperation. read more
Microsoft completes $69bn takeover of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard
Microsoft has completed its $69bn (£56bn) takeover of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard in the gaming industry's biggest ever deal.
It comes as Microsoft, which owns the Xbox gaming console, was given the green light for the global deal after UK regulators approved it.
The Competition and Markets Authority said its concerns had been addressed, after it blocked the original bid.
Microsoft's Phil Spencer said securing Activision was "incredible". read more
Microsoft has completed its $69bn (£56bn) takeover of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard in the gaming industry's biggest ever deal.
It comes as Microsoft, which owns the Xbox gaming console, was given the green light for the global deal after UK regulators approved it.
The Competition and Markets Authority said its concerns had been addressed, after it blocked the original bid.
Microsoft's Phil Spencer said securing Activision was "incredible". read more
Boy, 6, killed in anti-Muslim attack, say US police
A man has been charged with murder and hate crimes after allegedly stabbing two people because they were Muslim.
Joseph Czuba, 71, is accused of killing a six-year-old boy and injuring a woman, 32, in Plainfield, Illinois.
The victims were targeted because of the current conflict between Hamas and Israel, the Will County Sheriff's Office said.
Mr Czuba was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes and aggravated battery. read more
A man has been charged with murder and hate crimes after allegedly stabbing two people because they were Muslim.
Joseph Czuba, 71, is accused of killing a six-year-old boy and injuring a woman, 32, in Plainfield, Illinois.
The victims were targeted because of the current conflict between Hamas and Israel, the Will County Sheriff's Office said.
Mr Czuba was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes and aggravated battery. read more
Poland election earthquake: What happens next?
A second exit poll in Poland has predicted the governing right-wing populist Law and Justice party won the most votes in Sunday's election but will lose its majority in parliament.
If the official result, expected on Tuesday, confirms the second exit poll prediction - which has a 2% margin of error - it's up to President Andrezj Duda, a former Law and Justice MP, to appoint a new prime minister to form a government. read more
A second exit poll in Poland has predicted the governing right-wing populist Law and Justice party won the most votes in Sunday's election but will lose its majority in parliament.
If the official result, expected on Tuesday, confirms the second exit poll prediction - which has a 2% margin of error - it's up to President Andrezj Duda, a former Law and Justice MP, to appoint a new prime minister to form a government. read more
Displaced among dozens killed in Israeli strikes on southern Gaza
More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in air strikes in southern Gaza, officials say, as the Israeli military continues to target the area despite ordering civilians to shelter there.
Most of the dead reportedly fled their homes in the north ahead of what is expected to be a major ground offensive against the militant group Hamas.
The military said it struck a series of Hamas targets in the south.
There is also mounting concern about humanitarian conditions in Gaza. read more
More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in air strikes in southern Gaza, officials say, as the Israeli military continues to target the area despite ordering civilians to shelter there.
Most of the dead reportedly fled their homes in the north ahead of what is expected to be a major ground offensive against the militant group Hamas.
The military said it struck a series of Hamas targets in the south.
There is also mounting concern about humanitarian conditions in Gaza. read more
Hundreds feared dead in Gaza hospital blast as Biden heads to Israel
The deadly blast on a hospital in the Gaza Strip is "totally unacceptable", the UN human rights chief said.
"Words fail me," Volker Turk said in a statement.
"Tonight, hundreds of people were killed - horrifically - in a massive strike at Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza City, including patients, healthcare workers and families that had been seeking refuge in and around the hospital. Once again the most vulnerable." read more
The deadly blast on a hospital in the Gaza Strip is "totally unacceptable", the UN human rights chief said.
"Words fail me," Volker Turk said in a statement.
"Tonight, hundreds of people were killed - horrifically - in a massive strike at Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza City, including patients, healthcare workers and families that had been seeking refuge in and around the hospital. Once again the most vulnerable." read more
Russia's Lavrov hails deeper ties in N Korea visit
Moscow has pledged its "complete support" for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Mr Lavrov, who is on an official trip to North Korea, also thanked the country for its support in Ukraine.
His ongoing trip sets the stage for a possible visit to the country by President Vladimir Putin.
Last week, the US said North Korea had begun sending large shipments of arms to Russia for use in Ukraine. read more
Moscow has pledged its "complete support" for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Mr Lavrov, who is on an official trip to North Korea, also thanked the country for its support in Ukraine.
His ongoing trip sets the stage for a possible visit to the country by President Vladimir Putin.
Last week, the US said North Korea had begun sending large shipments of arms to Russia for use in Ukraine. read more
Aid delivery waits to enter Gaza from Egypt at Rafah crossing
About 20 trucks carrying food, water and medical supplies may be allowed to enter Gaza in the coming days.
Israel cut electricity, most water and stopped deliveries of food and medicine to Gaza following an attack by Hamas militants on 7 October.
Since then, Gaza's 2.1 million residents have been rapidly running out of basic supplies.
But leading humanitarian organisations warn the aid delivery will only be a drop in the ocean. read more
About 20 trucks carrying food, water and medical supplies may be allowed to enter Gaza in the coming days.
Israel cut electricity, most water and stopped deliveries of food and medicine to Gaza following an attack by Hamas militants on 7 October.
Since then, Gaza's 2.1 million residents have been rapidly running out of basic supplies.
But leading humanitarian organisations warn the aid delivery will only be a drop in the ocean. read more
China has sharply expanded nuclear arsenal, US says
China has significantly expanded its nuclear stockpile over the past year and is now holding some 500 operational warheads, the US has said.
An annual report released by the Pentagon also said Beijing hopes to double its arsenal to over 1,000 warheads by 2030.
But it said China remained committed to a "no-first strike" policy.
While the report said the growth exceeded projections, China's stockpile is still dwarfed by Russia and the US. read more
China has significantly expanded its nuclear stockpile over the past year and is now holding some 500 operational warheads, the US has said.
An annual report released by the Pentagon also said Beijing hopes to double its arsenal to over 1,000 warheads by 2030.
But it said China remained committed to a "no-first strike" policy.
While the report said the growth exceeded projections, China's stockpile is still dwarfed by Russia and the US. read more
Palestinians under attack as settler violence surges in the West Bank
Abed Wadi was getting dressed for the funeral when the message arrived.
It was an image, forwarded to him by a friend, of a group of masked men posing with axes, a petrol canister, and a chainsaw, with text printed on the image in Hebrew and Arabic.
"To all the rats in the sewers of Qusra village, we are waiting for you and we will not mourn you," the text said.
"The day of revenge is coming."
Qusra is Wadi's village, in the northern part of the West Bank near Nablus. The funeral that day was for four Palestinians from the village. Three had been killed the previous day - Wednesday 11 October - after Israeli settlers entered Qusra and attacked a Palestinian family home. read more
Abed Wadi was getting dressed for the funeral when the message arrived.
It was an image, forwarded to him by a friend, of a group of masked men posing with axes, a petrol canister, and a chainsaw, with text printed on the image in Hebrew and Arabic.
"To all the rats in the sewers of Qusra village, we are waiting for you and we will not mourn you," the text said.
"The day of revenge is coming."
Qusra is Wadi's village, in the northern part of the West Bank near Nablus. The funeral that day was for four Palestinians from the village. Three had been killed the previous day - Wednesday 11 October - after Israeli settlers entered Qusra and attacked a Palestinian family home. read more
Israel-Gaza war: UN agencies call for Gaza ceasefire as aid arrives
A group of UN agencies have called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza as conditions worsen in the territory.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) were among five agencies who described the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic" in a joint statement.
The UN's plea for a de-escalation of the conflict comes as Israel warns of intensified strikes on Gaza.
On Saturday, 20 aid trucks crossed from Egypt for the first time in two weeks. read more
A group of UN agencies have called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza as conditions worsen in the territory.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) were among five agencies who described the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic" in a joint statement.
The UN's plea for a de-escalation of the conflict comes as Israel warns of intensified strikes on Gaza.
On Saturday, 20 aid trucks crossed from Egypt for the first time in two weeks. read more
Argentina presidential election: Javier Milei and Sergio Massa head for run-off vote
Argentina's economy minister Sergio Massa has defied expectations by winning more than 36% of the vote in Sunday's presidential election, putting him on course for a run-off contest with far-right candidate Javier Milei.
With most ballots now counted, no candidate has received more than 45% of votes - the threshold to be elected.
Many pollsters believed voters would punish Mr Massa for presiding over a financial crisis.
Inflation in Argentina is nearing 140%. read more
Argentina's economy minister Sergio Massa has defied expectations by winning more than 36% of the vote in Sunday's presidential election, putting him on course for a run-off contest with far-right candidate Javier Milei.
With most ballots now counted, no candidate has received more than 45% of votes - the threshold to be elected.
Many pollsters believed voters would punish Mr Massa for presiding over a financial crisis.
Inflation in Argentina is nearing 140%. read more
World shift to clean energy is unstoppable, IEA report says
The world is on an "unstoppable" shift towards renewable energy but the phase down of fossil fuels is not happening quickly enough, a new report says.
The International Energy Agency, the global energy watchdog, predicted renewables would provide half of the world's electricity by 2030.
But it warned that emissions were still too high to prevent temperatures rising above a key threshold of 1.5C.
And the report said investment in fossil fuels needed to be cut in half. read more
The world is on an "unstoppable" shift towards renewable energy but the phase down of fossil fuels is not happening quickly enough, a new report says.
The International Energy Agency, the global energy watchdog, predicted renewables would provide half of the world's electricity by 2030.
But it warned that emissions were still too high to prevent temperatures rising above a key threshold of 1.5C.
And the report said investment in fossil fuels needed to be cut in half. read more
Republicans pick Mike Johnson as latest House Speaker nominee
Republicans have picked Congressman Mike Johnson as their latest nominee for the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He is the fourth nominee put forward after three others failed to win enough support from colleagues, and the second nominee of the day.
Mr Johnson was selected after three rounds of voting late on Tuesday.
The House has been without a Speaker and has been unable to pass bills since Kevin McCarthy was ousted on 3 October.
The selection of Louisiana's Mr Johnson, 51, was announced by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik. read more
Republicans have picked Congressman Mike Johnson as their latest nominee for the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He is the fourth nominee put forward after three others failed to win enough support from colleagues, and the second nominee of the day.
Mr Johnson was selected after three rounds of voting late on Tuesday.
The House has been without a Speaker and has been unable to pass bills since Kevin McCarthy was ousted on 3 October.
The selection of Louisiana's Mr Johnson, 51, was announced by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik. read more
Hurricane Otis smashes into Mexico coast
Hurricane Otis has made landfall on the coast of southern Mexico, bringing wind speeds of up to 165mph (270km/h).
It touched down near the popular Acapulco resort just after midnight on Wednesday (06:25 GMT), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Authorities have warned of a life-threatening storm surge and the possibility of landslides as heavy rain pelts the area.
The storm has already begun to weaken as it moves inland.
David Hall arrived at the Princess Mundo Imperial resort in Acapulco for a work conference hours before Otis made landfall. He told the BBC that the building had been damaged by the wind and rain. read more
Hurricane Otis has made landfall on the coast of southern Mexico, bringing wind speeds of up to 165mph (270km/h).
It touched down near the popular Acapulco resort just after midnight on Wednesday (06:25 GMT), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Authorities have warned of a life-threatening storm surge and the possibility of landslides as heavy rain pelts the area.
The storm has already begun to weaken as it moves inland.
David Hall arrived at the Princess Mundo Imperial resort in Acapulco for a work conference hours before Otis made landfall. He told the BBC that the building had been damaged by the wind and rain. read more