Why Li Keqiang's death is dangerous for Xi Jinping
The death of a leader in China can usher in big changes, it did after Mao Zedong, or can lead to political upheaval, like it did when grieving for Hu Yaobang morphed into the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
For this reason, the passing of former premier Li Keqiang has already triggered various measures to ensure that stability is maintained.
A crackdown on VPN use is under way to reduce the access of Chinese citizens to the parts of the internet not controlled by the Communist Party.
The Party doesn't want mourning for a popular, liberal, former number two leader to generate wider criticism of the current administration, led by Xi Jinping. read more
The death of a leader in China can usher in big changes, it did after Mao Zedong, or can lead to political upheaval, like it did when grieving for Hu Yaobang morphed into the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
For this reason, the passing of former premier Li Keqiang has already triggered various measures to ensure that stability is maintained.
A crackdown on VPN use is under way to reduce the access of Chinese citizens to the parts of the internet not controlled by the Communist Party.
The Party doesn't want mourning for a popular, liberal, former number two leader to generate wider criticism of the current administration, led by Xi Jinping. read more
Maine mass shooting suspect found dead
A man suspected of killing 18 people in a shooting in Maine has been found dead after a three-day manhunt, police say.
Robert Card, 40, was found dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Sauschuck said.
The news comes hours after police lifted a stay-at-home order for the normally quiet community.
Among the dead are a grandfather, a talented young bowler, and four deaf locals, ranging in age from 14 to 76. read more
A man suspected of killing 18 people in a shooting in Maine has been found dead after a three-day manhunt, police say.
Robert Card, 40, was found dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Sauschuck said.
The news comes hours after police lifted a stay-at-home order for the normally quiet community.
Among the dead are a grandfather, a talented young bowler, and four deaf locals, ranging in age from 14 to 76. read more
Matthew Perry obituary: Friends brought fame but couldn't quell personal demons
While on screen he was making millions laugh on TV's biggest show, Matthew Perry was locked in a painful cycle of addiction, and a battle with demons that stemmed from a damaged childhood.
In 1986, after moving to Los Angeles, Matthew Perry was convinced fame would wash all his problems away.
"I yearned for it more than any other person on the face of the planet," he wrote in his candid memoir last year.
"I needed it. It was the only thing that would fix me. I was certain of it."
Perry would eventually get his wish, becoming one of the six central stars of the most beloved sitcom of the past 30 years. read more
While on screen he was making millions laugh on TV's biggest show, Matthew Perry was locked in a painful cycle of addiction, and a battle with demons that stemmed from a damaged childhood.
In 1986, after moving to Los Angeles, Matthew Perry was convinced fame would wash all his problems away.
"I yearned for it more than any other person on the face of the planet," he wrote in his candid memoir last year.
"I needed it. It was the only thing that would fix me. I was certain of it."
Perry would eventually get his wish, becoming one of the six central stars of the most beloved sitcom of the past 30 years. read more
Anti-Israel mob storms Dagestan airport in Russia
Israel has urged Russia to protect "all its citizens and all Jews" after a large mob, some shouting antisemitic slogans, stormed a Dagestan airport.
Video footage on social media showed an angry crowd running through the airport in Makhachkala, reportedly seeking people arriving from Tel Aviv.
Some of the crowd ran onto the runway and surrounded aircraft there.
Russia's aviation agency said the situation was under control after authorities had arrived on the scene.
Rosaviatsia added that the airport would be "provisionally closed" until 6 November. read more
Israel has urged Russia to protect "all its citizens and all Jews" after a large mob, some shouting antisemitic slogans, stormed a Dagestan airport.
Video footage on social media showed an angry crowd running through the airport in Makhachkala, reportedly seeking people arriving from Tel Aviv.
Some of the crowd ran onto the runway and surrounded aircraft there.
Russia's aviation agency said the situation was under control after authorities had arrived on the scene.
Rosaviatsia added that the airport would be "provisionally closed" until 6 November. read more
Andhra Pradesh: India train crash kills 13 and injures dozens
At least 13 people have died and about 50 are injured after two passenger trains collided in India's southern Andhra Pradesh state on Sunday.
A rescue operation was launched and hundreds of emergency workers were at the site to clear the wreckage.
Officials said a preliminary investigation has found that a "human error" had led to the collision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and said he was in touch with the railways minister.
The crash took place in the Vizianagaram district on Sunday evening. read more
At least 13 people have died and about 50 are injured after two passenger trains collided in India's southern Andhra Pradesh state on Sunday.
A rescue operation was launched and hundreds of emergency workers were at the site to clear the wreckage.
Officials said a preliminary investigation has found that a "human error" had led to the collision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and said he was in touch with the railways minister.
The crash took place in the Vizianagaram district on Sunday evening. read more
Matthew Perry cause of death inconclusive pending toxicology tests
The cause of Matthew Perry's death is unknown and has been "deferred" pending further investigation.
The LA Times and TMZ, which first reported the Friends actor had died, said the star was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his house on Saturday.
Perry's post-mortem examination was inconclusive, while officials await the results of toxicology tests.
There were no obvious signs of trauma, an LA Police spokesperson confirmed to CBS News, the BBC's US partner. read more
The cause of Matthew Perry's death is unknown and has been "deferred" pending further investigation.
The LA Times and TMZ, which first reported the Friends actor had died, said the star was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his house on Saturday.
Perry's post-mortem examination was inconclusive, while officials await the results of toxicology tests.
There were no obvious signs of trauma, an LA Police spokesperson confirmed to CBS News, the BBC's US partner. read more
Israel Gaza: US rejects global calls for ceasefire
The US has rejected global calls for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, arguing it is not the "right answer right now".
National Security spokesperson John Kirby made the comments on Monday, suggesting instead "pauses" to allow aid to be delivered inside Gaza.
Currently, supplies of food, water, fuel and medicines for Gaza's 2.2 million residents are dangerously low.
But Israel has vowed there will be no ceasefire until Hamas is dismantled. read more
The US has rejected global calls for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, arguing it is not the "right answer right now".
National Security spokesperson John Kirby made the comments on Monday, suggesting instead "pauses" to allow aid to be delivered inside Gaza.
Currently, supplies of food, water, fuel and medicines for Gaza's 2.2 million residents are dangerously low.
But Israel has vowed there will be no ceasefire until Hamas is dismantled. read more
Bolivia severs diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza war
Bolivia has cut diplomatic ties with Israel over what it describes as "aggressive and disproportionate" military actions in Gaza.
Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani said Bolivia called for a ceasefire and would be supplying the blockaded Gaza Strip with aid.
It is the first Latin American country to cut ties with Israel over the war.
The presidents of Colombia and Brazil have also both criticised the actions of Israel in Gaza.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for Israel's ambassador to leave the country before stepping back the comments. read more
Bolivia has cut diplomatic ties with Israel over what it describes as "aggressive and disproportionate" military actions in Gaza.
Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani said Bolivia called for a ceasefire and would be supplying the blockaded Gaza Strip with aid.
It is the first Latin American country to cut ties with Israel over the war.
The presidents of Colombia and Brazil have also both criticised the actions of Israel in Gaza.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for Israel's ambassador to leave the country before stepping back the comments. read more
Uganda court fines US couple $28,000 for child cruelty
A US couple has been fined ($28,000; £23,000) by a Ugandan court after they pleaded guilty to child cruelty and "inhumane treatment" of their 10-year-old foster child.
Nicholas and Mackenzie Spencer accepted the charges under a deal which saw far more serious charges dropped.
They had been charged with child trafficking and torture, for which they could have faced life in prison.
The pair made the boy sleep on a wooden platform and fed him cold food. read more
A US couple has been fined ($28,000; £23,000) by a Ugandan court after they pleaded guilty to child cruelty and "inhumane treatment" of their 10-year-old foster child.
Nicholas and Mackenzie Spencer accepted the charges under a deal which saw far more serious charges dropped.
They had been charged with child trafficking and torture, for which they could have faced life in prison.
The pair made the boy sleep on a wooden platform and fed him cold food. read more
Arvind Kejriwal: Delhi chief minister to be questioned in corruption case
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's chief minister and leader of the governing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is set to be questioned by India's financial crimes agency.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating an alleged fraud case related to a now-scrapped liquor sale policy in the state.
AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh have been arrested in the case.
AAP has denied the allegations against its leaders and accused the federal government of political vendetta. read more
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's chief minister and leader of the governing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is set to be questioned by India's financial crimes agency.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating an alleged fraud case related to a now-scrapped liquor sale policy in the state.
AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh have been arrested in the case.
AAP has denied the allegations against its leaders and accused the federal government of political vendetta. read more
'Crypto King' Sam Bankman-Fried guilty of FTX fraud
Sam Bankman-Fried, who once ran one of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, has been found guilty of fraud and money laundering at the end of a month-long trial in New York.
The jury delivered its verdict after just a few hours of deliberations.
It concludes a stunning fall from grace for the 31-year-old former billionaire and one of the most public faces of the crypto industry.
Bankman-Fried was arrested last year after his firm, FTX, went bankrupt.
He now faces decades in prison. read more
Sam Bankman-Fried, who once ran one of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, has been found guilty of fraud and money laundering at the end of a month-long trial in New York.
The jury delivered its verdict after just a few hours of deliberations.
It concludes a stunning fall from grace for the 31-year-old former billionaire and one of the most public faces of the crypto industry.
Bankman-Fried was arrested last year after his firm, FTX, went bankrupt.
He now faces decades in prison. read more
Nepal earthquake: More than 100 killed in remote western Nepal
More than 100 people have been killed after an earthquake struck remote western Nepal on Friday.
Security forces have been deployed to help rescue efforts in the rugged districts of Jajarkot and West Rukum, 500km (310 miles) west of Kathmandu.
Strong tremors were felt far away in the Nepalese capital and in cities in neighbouring India, including Delhi.
The army spokesman said more than 100 people had been injured. Jajarkot's hospital is packed with the wounded.
Three more tremors were felt within an hour of the quake, and many people have spent the rest of the night in the open because of fear of further quakes and damage to their houses. read more
More than 100 people have been killed after an earthquake struck remote western Nepal on Friday.
Security forces have been deployed to help rescue efforts in the rugged districts of Jajarkot and West Rukum, 500km (310 miles) west of Kathmandu.
Strong tremors were felt far away in the Nepalese capital and in cities in neighbouring India, including Delhi.
The army spokesman said more than 100 people had been injured. Jajarkot's hospital is packed with the wounded.
Three more tremors were felt within an hour of the quake, and many people have spent the rest of the night in the open because of fear of further quakes and damage to their houses. read more
Moussa Dadis Camara: Guinea ex-ruler sprung from jail by armed men
Guinea's former military ruler, Moussa Dadis Camara, has been sprung from prison by armed men, the country's justice minister says.
The group stormed a jail in the capital, Conakry, early on Saturday morning - freeing Capt Camara and three others. One has since been found.
The fugitives are currently on trial for their alleged roles in deaths of more than 150 people in a 2009 protest.
The country's borders have been closed as the authorities hunt for them. read more
Guinea's former military ruler, Moussa Dadis Camara, has been sprung from prison by armed men, the country's justice minister says.
The group stormed a jail in the capital, Conakry, early on Saturday morning - freeing Capt Camara and three others. One has since been found.
The fugitives are currently on trial for their alleged roles in deaths of more than 150 people in a 2009 protest.
The country's borders have been closed as the authorities hunt for them. read more
Hamburg Airport hostage drama is over, police say
A hostage situation at Hamburg Airport involving a young child has ended after 18 hours, according to local police.
The man drove through a security barrier and on to the airport tarmac on Saturday night with his four-year-old daughter in the car and parked under a plane.
He eventually gave himself up to the authorities "without resistance", according to police, and was arrested.
"The child appears to be unharmed," they wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The incident caused the disruption of several flights in and out of the airport. Efforts are now under way to resume operations. read more
A hostage situation at Hamburg Airport involving a young child has ended after 18 hours, according to local police.
The man drove through a security barrier and on to the airport tarmac on Saturday night with his four-year-old daughter in the car and parked under a plane.
He eventually gave himself up to the authorities "without resistance", according to police, and was arrested.
"The child appears to be unharmed," they wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The incident caused the disruption of several flights in and out of the airport. Efforts are now under way to resume operations. read more
Donald Trump clashes repeatedly with judge during New York testimony
Former US President Donald Trump clashed repeatedly with a judge while testifying in New York at a civil fraud trial that threatens his property empire.
An exasperated Judge Arthur Engoron told Mr Trump the hearing in Manhattan was not a political rally.
New York's attorney general is seeking a $250m (£202m) fine and severe restrictions on the family business.
Judge Engoron has already ruled the Trump Organization committed fraud. read more
Former US President Donald Trump clashed repeatedly with a judge while testifying in New York at a civil fraud trial that threatens his property empire.
An exasperated Judge Arthur Engoron told Mr Trump the hearing in Manhattan was not a political rally.
New York's attorney general is seeking a $250m (£202m) fine and severe restrictions on the family business.
Judge Engoron has already ruled the Trump Organization committed fraud. read more
Ohio votes to enshrine abortion rights in state constitution
Ohio voted to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution on Tuesday, marking a major victory for pro-choice campaigners in the state.
The BBC's US partner CBS News projected a decisive victory for the amendment.
Early returns showed almost 58% of voters in the conservative-leaning state had backed it.
Its projected success is likely to bolster Democrats' hopes that abortion rights remain a winning issue ahead of elections in 2024. read more
Ohio voted to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution on Tuesday, marking a major victory for pro-choice campaigners in the state.
The BBC's US partner CBS News projected a decisive victory for the amendment.
Early returns showed almost 58% of voters in the conservative-leaning state had backed it.
Its projected success is likely to bolster Democrats' hopes that abortion rights remain a winning issue ahead of elections in 2024. read more
Optus outage: Millions affected by Australian network failure
Millions of Australians were left without mobile and internet after a network failure at telecoms firm Optus.
The failure caused transport delays, cut hospital phone lines, and shut down payment systems.
Optus, the country's second-largest provider, said more than 10 million people and thousands of businesses were affected.
Services were restored after around 12 hours of disruption. Optus said there was no evidence of a cyber attack. read more
Millions of Australians were left without mobile and internet after a network failure at telecoms firm Optus.
The failure caused transport delays, cut hospital phone lines, and shut down payment systems.
Optus, the country's second-largest provider, said more than 10 million people and thousands of businesses were affected.
Services were restored after around 12 hours of disruption. Optus said there was no evidence of a cyber attack. read more
European Commission calls for talks on Ukraine membership
The European Commission has recommended that formal talks should begin with Ukraine on joining the European Union.
The step takes Kyiv closer to the coveted prize of EU membership, five months after the 27 member states gave it candidate status.
Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen praised its "excellent progress, even as it's fighting an existential war."
She said talks should also start with Moldova and that Georgia should become a candidate, if it passed reforms. read more
The European Commission has recommended that formal talks should begin with Ukraine on joining the European Union.
The step takes Kyiv closer to the coveted prize of EU membership, five months after the 27 member states gave it candidate status.
Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen praised its "excellent progress, even as it's fighting an existential war."
She said talks should also start with Moldova and that Georgia should become a candidate, if it passed reforms. read more
'I’m calling from Israeli intelligence. We have the order to bomb. You have two hours'
The call to Mahmoud Shaheen came at dawn.
It was Thursday 19 October at about 06:30, and Israel had been bombing Gaza for 12 days straight.
He'd been in his third-floor, three-bedroom flat in al-Zahra, a middle-class area in the north of the Gaza Strip. Until now, it had been largely untouched by air strikes.
He'd heard a rising clamour outside. People were screaming. "You need to escape," somebody in the street shouted, "because they will bomb the towers". read more
The call to Mahmoud Shaheen came at dawn.
It was Thursday 19 October at about 06:30, and Israel had been bombing Gaza for 12 days straight.
He'd been in his third-floor, three-bedroom flat in al-Zahra, a middle-class area in the north of the Gaza Strip. Until now, it had been largely untouched by air strikes.
He'd heard a rising clamour outside. People were screaming. "You need to escape," somebody in the street shouted, "because they will bomb the towers". read more
Kenya's Ogiek people being evicted for carbon credits - lawyers
Kenya's government is illegally evicting hunter-gatherers from their ancestral lands to profit from carbon offsetting schemes, human rights lawyers say.
Hundreds of members of the Ogiek community are being evicted from the Mau Forest, say their representatives.
Ogiek leader Daniel Kobei said armed forest rangers were "pulling down the houses with axes and hammers".
Kenya's government says such operations are to protect the environment. read more
Kenya's government is illegally evicting hunter-gatherers from their ancestral lands to profit from carbon offsetting schemes, human rights lawyers say.
Hundreds of members of the Ogiek community are being evicted from the Mau Forest, say their representatives.
Ogiek leader Daniel Kobei said armed forest rangers were "pulling down the houses with axes and hammers".
Kenya's government says such operations are to protect the environment. read more
Macron calls on Israel to stop killing Gaza's women and babies
Israel must stop killing babies and women in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron has told the BBC.
In an exclusive interview at the Élysée Palace, he said there was "no justification" for the bombing, saying a ceasefire would benefit Israel.
While recognising Israel's right to protect itself, "we do urge them to stop this bombing" in Gaza, he said.
But he also stressed that France "clearly condemns" the "terrorist" actions of Hamas. read more
Israel must stop killing babies and women in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron has told the BBC.
In an exclusive interview at the Élysée Palace, he said there was "no justification" for the bombing, saying a ceasefire would benefit Israel.
While recognising Israel's right to protect itself, "we do urge them to stop this bombing" in Gaza, he said.
But he also stressed that France "clearly condemns" the "terrorist" actions of Hamas. read more