Four hostages kidnapped by Hamas freed from Gaza
Four hostages kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival during the 7 October attacks have been rescued in a daylight raid deep in central Gaza.
Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrei Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, were freed during a "high-risk, complex mission" from two separate buildings in the Nuseirat area, the Israel Defense Forces said.
The IDF said the four are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations - where they have been pictured embracing family members waiting at the facility. read more
Four hostages kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival during the 7 October attacks have been rescued in a daylight raid deep in central Gaza.
Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrei Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, were freed during a "high-risk, complex mission" from two separate buildings in the Nuseirat area, the Israel Defense Forces said.
The IDF said the four are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations - where they have been pictured embracing family members waiting at the facility. read more
Israel rescues four hostages in Gaza; Palestinians say 50 dead in Israeli assault
The Israeli military said it rescued four hostages held since October in a raid in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday while Palestinian officials said an Israeli attack in the same area killed more than 50 people.
It was not immediately clear if the hostage rescue and the deadly Israeli assault were part of the same operation but both took place in al-Nuseirat, an often embattled area in the eight-month-old war between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas. read more
The Israeli military said it rescued four hostages held since October in a raid in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday while Palestinian officials said an Israeli attack in the same area killed more than 50 people.
It was not immediately clear if the hostage rescue and the deadly Israeli assault were part of the same operation but both took place in al-Nuseirat, an often embattled area in the eight-month-old war between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas. read more
South Korea to resume loudspeaker broadcasts over border in balloon row
South Korea has said it will resume propaganda broadcasts against North Korea for the first time in six years in response to Pyongyang's campaign of sending rubbish-filled balloons across the border.
Over 300 North Korean balloons were detected over Saturday and Sunday with around 80 landing in the South carrying scrap paper and plastic sheets.
North Korea is yet to respond to the announcement, but Pyongyang considers the loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts an act of war and has threatened to blow them up in the past. read more
South Korea has said it will resume propaganda broadcasts against North Korea for the first time in six years in response to Pyongyang's campaign of sending rubbish-filled balloons across the border.
Over 300 North Korean balloons were detected over Saturday and Sunday with around 80 landing in the South carrying scrap paper and plastic sheets.
North Korea is yet to respond to the announcement, but Pyongyang considers the loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts an act of war and has threatened to blow them up in the past. read more
Europe's night of election drama capped by Macron bombshell
France's President Emmanuel Macron has called a bombshell snap parliamentary election after being defeated by the far right in the European elections - in a night of drama that overall saw the centre-right tighten their grip on the EU Parliament.
Mr Macron made the announcement after losing to his rivals Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella and their National Rally party.
France’s result was one of the big gains that Europe’s far-right parties had expected, and confirmation came with all the exit polls giving National Rally more than 30% of the vote, double that of Mr Macron’s centrist Renaissance party. read more
France's President Emmanuel Macron has called a bombshell snap parliamentary election after being defeated by the far right in the European elections - in a night of drama that overall saw the centre-right tighten their grip on the EU Parliament.
Mr Macron made the announcement after losing to his rivals Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella and their National Rally party.
France’s result was one of the big gains that Europe’s far-right parties had expected, and confirmation came with all the exit polls giving National Rally more than 30% of the vote, double that of Mr Macron’s centrist Renaissance party. read more
Malawi VP's plane found with no survivors, president says
The wreck of a plane carrying Malawi's vice-president has been found with no survivors, President Lazarus Chakwera has said.
Saulos Chilima and nine others were flying within the country on Monday morning when their aircraft disappeared from airport radars.
The plane, a military aircraft, was flying in bad weather.
Soldiers were searching Chikangawa Forest in an effort to find the plane. read more
The wreck of a plane carrying Malawi's vice-president has been found with no survivors, President Lazarus Chakwera has said.
Saulos Chilima and nine others were flying within the country on Monday morning when their aircraft disappeared from airport radars.
The plane, a military aircraft, was flying in bad weather.
Soldiers were searching Chikangawa Forest in an effort to find the plane. read more
Evidence of Iran and UAE drones used in Sudan war
Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been accused of violating a UN arms embargo by supplying drones to the warring sides in the 14-month conflict that has devastated Sudan. We look at the evidence to back up the claim.
On the morning of 12 March 2024, Sudanese government soldiers were celebrating an unprecedented military advance. They had finally recaptured the state broadcaster’s headquarters in the capital, Khartoum.
Like most of the city, the building had fallen into the hands of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the start of the civil war 11 months earlier. read more
Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been accused of violating a UN arms embargo by supplying drones to the warring sides in the 14-month conflict that has devastated Sudan. We look at the evidence to back up the claim.
On the morning of 12 March 2024, Sudanese government soldiers were celebrating an unprecedented military advance. They had finally recaptured the state broadcaster’s headquarters in the capital, Khartoum.
Like most of the city, the building had fallen into the hands of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the start of the civil war 11 months earlier. read more
Tesla investors back $56bn Musk pay deal
Tesla shareholders have backed a record-breaking pay package for boss Elon Musk and approved a plan to move the firm's legal headquarters to Texas.
The deal was blocked earlier this year by a judge in Delaware over concerns it was unfair to shareholders.
The vote is a victory for the multi-billionaire, who had campaigned fiercely for the payout, which is worth up to $56bn (£43.9bn). The exact amount depends on the Tesla share price. read more
Tesla shareholders have backed a record-breaking pay package for boss Elon Musk and approved a plan to move the firm's legal headquarters to Texas.
The deal was blocked earlier this year by a judge in Delaware over concerns it was unfair to shareholders.
The vote is a victory for the multi-billionaire, who had campaigned fiercely for the payout, which is worth up to $56bn (£43.9bn). The exact amount depends on the Tesla share price. read more
Israel announces military pause on Gaza road to let in aid
The Israeli military says it will hold a daily "tactical pause of military activity" along a road in southern Gaza to enable more humanitarian aid to enter, but emphasised that there is no ceasefire and combat would continue in Rafah.
The pauses, which are said to have begun on Saturday, will last from 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) until 19:00 local time until further notice.
They will only affect a route that leads northwards from the key Kerem Shalom crossing, which Gaza shares with Israel. read more
The Israeli military says it will hold a daily "tactical pause of military activity" along a road in southern Gaza to enable more humanitarian aid to enter, but emphasised that there is no ceasefire and combat would continue in Rafah.
The pauses, which are said to have begun on Saturday, will last from 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) until 19:00 local time until further notice.
They will only affect a route that leads northwards from the key Kerem Shalom crossing, which Gaza shares with Israel. read more
Greek coastguard threw migrants overboard to their deaths, witnesses say
The Greek coastguard has caused the deaths of dozens of migrants in the Mediterranean over a three-year period, witnesses say, including nine who were deliberately thrown into the water.
The nine are among more than 40 people alleged to have died as a result of being forced out of Greek territorial waters, or taken back out to sea after reaching Greek islands, BBC analysis has found.
The Greek coastguard told our investigation it strongly rejects all accusations of illegal activities. read more
The Greek coastguard has caused the deaths of dozens of migrants in the Mediterranean over a three-year period, witnesses say, including nine who were deliberately thrown into the water.
The nine are among more than 40 people alleged to have died as a result of being forced out of Greek territorial waters, or taken back out to sea after reaching Greek islands, BBC analysis has found.
The Greek coastguard told our investigation it strongly rejects all accusations of illegal activities. read more
Greek coastguard threw migrants overboard to their deaths, witnesses say
The Greek coastguard has caused the deaths of dozens of migrants in the Mediterranean over a three-year period, witnesses say, including nine who were deliberately thrown into the water.
The nine are among more than 40 people alleged to have died as a result of being forced out of Greek territorial waters, or taken back out to sea after reaching Greek islands, BBC analysis has found.
The Greek coastguard told our investigation it strongly rejects all accusations of illegal activities. read more
The Greek coastguard has caused the deaths of dozens of migrants in the Mediterranean over a three-year period, witnesses say, including nine who were deliberately thrown into the water.
The nine are among more than 40 people alleged to have died as a result of being forced out of Greek territorial waters, or taken back out to sea after reaching Greek islands, BBC analysis has found.
The Greek coastguard told our investigation it strongly rejects all accusations of illegal activities. read more
Biden is walking immigration tightrope - but he's under fire no matter what
US President Joe Biden has vowed not to "play politics" with the southern border and immigration - a potentially tall order as the US hurtles toward the November presidential election.
Mr Biden's comments came on what he called a "good day" in which he announced an executive order aimed at protecting hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation and allowing them to work in the US. read more
US President Joe Biden has vowed not to "play politics" with the southern border and immigration - a potentially tall order as the US hurtles toward the November presidential election.
Mr Biden's comments came on what he called a "good day" in which he announced an executive order aimed at protecting hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation and allowing them to work in the US. read more
Putin and Kim pledge mutual help against 'aggression'
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have signed an agreement pledging that Russia and North Korea will help each other in the event of "aggression" against either country.
The Russian president made the announcement following talks with Mr Kim during a lavish visit to Pyongyang, his first since 2000.
Mr Kim said it took their relationship to "a new, high level of alliance". read more
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have signed an agreement pledging that Russia and North Korea will help each other in the event of "aggression" against either country.
The Russian president made the announcement following talks with Mr Kim during a lavish visit to Pyongyang, his first since 2000.
Mr Kim said it took their relationship to "a new, high level of alliance". read more
Putin in Vietnam: A friendship that refuses to die
The leaders of Vietnam and Russia have said they want to boost ties as the pair met in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.
Vietnamese President To Lam was full of praise for his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, congratulating him on his recent re-election.
Mr Putin, in return, said strengthening a strategic partnership with the south-east Asian country was one of Russia's priorities.
His trip to Vietnam, which comes on the heels of his lavish visit to North Korea, is being interpreted as a demonstration of the diplomatic support Russia still enjoys in the region. read more
The leaders of Vietnam and Russia have said they want to boost ties as the pair met in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.
Vietnamese President To Lam was full of praise for his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, congratulating him on his recent re-election.
Mr Putin, in return, said strengthening a strategic partnership with the south-east Asian country was one of Russia's priorities.
His trip to Vietnam, which comes on the heels of his lavish visit to North Korea, is being interpreted as a demonstration of the diplomatic support Russia still enjoys in the region. read more
North Korea building border ‘wall’, satellite images reveal
North Korea is building sections of what appears to be a wall in several places near its border with South Korea, new satellite images reveal.
Images analysed by BBC Verify also show that land inside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) has been cleared, which experts say could be a violation of the long-standing truce with South Korea.
The DMZ is a 4km (2.5 miles) wide buffer zone between North and South Korea, who are still technically at war having never signed a peace treaty. The DMZ is split in two, with each side controlled by the respective nations. read more
North Korea is building sections of what appears to be a wall in several places near its border with South Korea, new satellite images reveal.
Images analysed by BBC Verify also show that land inside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) has been cleared, which experts say could be a violation of the long-standing truce with South Korea.
The DMZ is a 4km (2.5 miles) wide buffer zone between North and South Korea, who are still technically at war having never signed a peace treaty. The DMZ is split in two, with each side controlled by the respective nations. read more
Putin warns South Korea against arming Ukraine
Vladimir Putin has warned South Korea it would be making "a big mistake" if it arms Ukraine in the war against Russia.
His comments come after Seoul said it was considering such a possibility, in response to Russia and North Korea's new pact to help each other in the event of "aggression" against either country.
Moscow "will... [make] decisions which are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea" if Seoul decides to supply arms to Kyiv, Mr Putin told reporters on Thursday. read more
Vladimir Putin has warned South Korea it would be making "a big mistake" if it arms Ukraine in the war against Russia.
His comments come after Seoul said it was considering such a possibility, in response to Russia and North Korea's new pact to help each other in the event of "aggression" against either country.
Moscow "will... [make] decisions which are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea" if Seoul decides to supply arms to Kyiv, Mr Putin told reporters on Thursday. read more
Red Cross says 22 killed in strike near its Gaza office
The International Committee of the Red Cross says its offices in Gaza have been damaged by shelling, which killed 22 people who had sought shelter around its compound.
"Heavy-calibre projectiles landed within metres of the office and residences of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday afternoon," an ICRC statement said.
It added that all parties had an obligation to take precautions to avoid harm to civilians and humanitarian facilities. read more
The International Committee of the Red Cross says its offices in Gaza have been damaged by shelling, which killed 22 people who had sought shelter around its compound.
"Heavy-calibre projectiles landed within metres of the office and residences of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday afternoon," an ICRC statement said.
It added that all parties had an obligation to take precautions to avoid harm to civilians and humanitarian facilities. read more
Israeli army strapped wounded Palestinian to jeep
The Israeli military has said its forces violated protocol by strapping a wounded Palestinian man to the front of their vehicle during a raid in the West Bank city of Jenin.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the incident after it was captured on video and shared on social media. An IDF statement said the man was wounded in an exchange of fire during the raid, in which he was a suspect.
The injured man's family said that when they asked for an ambulance, the army took him, strapped him to the bonnet of their jeep and drove off. read more
The Israeli military has said its forces violated protocol by strapping a wounded Palestinian man to the front of their vehicle during a raid in the West Bank city of Jenin.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the incident after it was captured on video and shared on social media. An IDF statement said the man was wounded in an exchange of fire during the raid, in which he was a suspect.
The injured man's family said that when they asked for an ambulance, the army took him, strapped him to the bonnet of their jeep and drove off. read more
Deadly attacks on Dagestan synagogues and churches
Attacks on police officers, churches and synagogues in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have left many people dead.
Gunmen targeted the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on the Orthodox festival of Pentecost.
The dead include at least 15 police officers, a priest and a security guard. Six of the attackers are dead and police are hunting for others. read more
Attacks on police officers, churches and synagogues in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have left many people dead.
Gunmen targeted the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on the Orthodox festival of Pentecost.
The dead include at least 15 police officers, a priest and a security guard. Six of the attackers are dead and police are hunting for others. read more
Wikileaks: Julian Assange freed in US plea deal
After a years-long legal saga, Wikileaks says that founder Julian Assange has left the UK after reaching a deal with US authorities that will see him plead guilty to criminal charges and go free.
Assange, 52, was charged with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information.
For years, the US has argued that the Wikileaks files - which disclosed information about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars - endangered lives.
He has spent the last five years in a British prison, from where he has been fighting extradition to the US. read more
After a years-long legal saga, Wikileaks says that founder Julian Assange has left the UK after reaching a deal with US authorities that will see him plead guilty to criminal charges and go free.
Assange, 52, was charged with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information.
For years, the US has argued that the Wikileaks files - which disclosed information about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars - endangered lives.
He has spent the last five years in a British prison, from where he has been fighting extradition to the US. read more
Macron's election gamble puts French democracy on the table
Two neighbouring countries are approaching elections that were called out of the blue.
Both have governments that are expected to fall.
In both countries political tensions have divided families and friends.
Stop. At this point, all attempts to draw parallels between the British and French elections must cease. read more
Two neighbouring countries are approaching elections that were called out of the blue.
Both have governments that are expected to fall.
In both countries political tensions have divided families and friends.
Stop. At this point, all attempts to draw parallels between the British and French elections must cease. read more
Bolivian police arrest leader of coup attempt
Bolivian police have arrested the leader of an attempted coup, hours after the presidential palace in the capital La Paz was stormed by soldiers.
Armoured vehicles and troops had taken up position on Murillo Square where key government buildings are located. They all later withdrew.
The rebel military leader in charge, Gen Juan José Zúñiga, had said he wanted to "restructure democracy" and that while he respected President Luis Arce for now, there would be a change of government. He is now under arrest. read more
Bolivian police have arrested the leader of an attempted coup, hours after the presidential palace in the capital La Paz was stormed by soldiers.
Armoured vehicles and troops had taken up position on Murillo Square where key government buildings are located. They all later withdrew.
The rebel military leader in charge, Gen Juan José Zúñiga, had said he wanted to "restructure democracy" and that while he respected President Luis Arce for now, there would be a change of government. He is now under arrest. read more