Aukus deal: US, UK and Australia agree on nuclear submarine project
The US, UK and Australia have unveiled details of their plan to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, aimed at countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the Aukus pact Australia is to get its first nuclear-powered subs - at least three - from the US.
The allies will also work to create a new fleet using cutting-edge tech, including UK-made Rolls-Royce reactors.
Beijing has strongly criticised the significant naval deal.
Its foreign ministry on Tuesday accused the three nations of "walking further and further down the path of error and danger". read more
The US, UK and Australia have unveiled details of their plan to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, aimed at countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the Aukus pact Australia is to get its first nuclear-powered subs - at least three - from the US.
The allies will also work to create a new fleet using cutting-edge tech, including UK-made Rolls-Royce reactors.
Beijing has strongly criticised the significant naval deal.
Its foreign ministry on Tuesday accused the three nations of "walking further and further down the path of error and danger". read more
Russia pilots 'reckless' in drone collision - US
The US has accused Russia of reckless behaviour after an American surveillance drone crashed into the Black Sea following an encounter with Russian fighter jets.
The US says the drone was on a routine mission in international airspace when two Russian jets tried to intercept it.
The incident highlights the increasing risk of direct confrontation between Russia and the US over the Ukraine war.
Russia denied that the two aircraft made any contact. read more
The US has accused Russia of reckless behaviour after an American surveillance drone crashed into the Black Sea following an encounter with Russian fighter jets.
The US says the drone was on a routine mission in international airspace when two Russian jets tried to intercept it.
The incident highlights the increasing risk of direct confrontation between Russia and the US over the Ukraine war.
Russia denied that the two aircraft made any contact. read more
Stock markets hit again by banking worries
Banking shares have fallen sharply again as investors remain nervous following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in the US last week.
The failure of SVB has raised fears that other banks could also be facing problems.
Shares in Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse hit a new low after they plunged by 20%.
The fall came after Credit Suisse's largest investor said it could not give the bank any more financial help.
Share indexes across Europe - including the UK's FTSE 100 - were down by about 2.5% by mid-morning.
The FTSE 100 has fallen 6% in the past week to reach a three-month low. read more
Banking shares have fallen sharply again as investors remain nervous following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in the US last week.
The failure of SVB has raised fears that other banks could also be facing problems.
Shares in Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse hit a new low after they plunged by 20%.
The fall came after Credit Suisse's largest investor said it could not give the bank any more financial help.
Share indexes across Europe - including the UK's FTSE 100 - were down by about 2.5% by mid-morning.
The FTSE 100 has fallen 6% in the past week to reach a three-month low. read more
North Korea fires long range missile ahead of Japan-South Korea talks
North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) just hours before the leaders of South Korea and Japan were due to meet for landmark talks.
Both Japanese and South Korean officials confirmed the long-range missile's launch on Thursday morning.
It flew about 1,000km (620 miles) landing in waters west of Japan.
It is Pyongyang's fourth missile launch in a week and comes as the US and South Korea hold joint navy drills.
The other missiles launched - last Thursday, on Saturday and on Monday - had been short-range ballistic missiles. read more
North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) just hours before the leaders of South Korea and Japan were due to meet for landmark talks.
Both Japanese and South Korean officials confirmed the long-range missile's launch on Thursday morning.
It flew about 1,000km (620 miles) landing in waters west of Japan.
It is Pyongyang's fourth missile launch in a week and comes as the US and South Korea hold joint navy drills.
The other missiles launched - last Thursday, on Saturday and on Monday - had been short-range ballistic missiles. read more
Video shows moment Russian fighter jet hits US drone over Black Sea
The US military has released footage of a Russian jet crashing into one of its drones over the Black Sea.
The US said the damage to the large drone meant it had to be brought down into the water near Crimea on Tuesday.
Russia denied its Su-27 fighter jet clipped the propeller of the drone, but the video appears to back up the American version of events.
It was in the Pentagon's interest to release this video - not least to verify its version of events.
The BBC has not seen the events before or after the collision. The US initially said the confrontation lasted around 30-40 minutes, but the released footage lasts for less than a minute. read more
The US military has released footage of a Russian jet crashing into one of its drones over the Black Sea.
The US said the damage to the large drone meant it had to be brought down into the water near Crimea on Tuesday.
Russia denied its Su-27 fighter jet clipped the propeller of the drone, but the video appears to back up the American version of events.
It was in the Pentagon's interest to release this video - not least to verify its version of events.
The BBC has not seen the events before or after the collision. The US initially said the confrontation lasted around 30-40 minutes, but the released footage lasts for less than a minute. read more
China's Xi to meet Putin in Moscow next week
China's President Xi Jinping will travel to Moscow next week to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials say.
The Kremlin said they would discuss a "comprehensive partnership and strategic co-operation".
The visit comes as Beijing, an ally of Russia, has offered proposals to end the war in Ukraine, to which the West has given a lukewarm reception.
Western countries have warned Beijing against supplying Moscow with weapons.
Beijing's foreign ministry said Mr Xi will be in Russia from 20 to 22 March at the invitation of Mr Putin. read more
China's President Xi Jinping will travel to Moscow next week to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials say.
The Kremlin said they would discuss a "comprehensive partnership and strategic co-operation".
The visit comes as Beijing, an ally of Russia, has offered proposals to end the war in Ukraine, to which the West has given a lukewarm reception.
Western countries have warned Beijing against supplying Moscow with weapons.
Beijing's foreign ministry said Mr Xi will be in Russia from 20 to 22 March at the invitation of Mr Putin. read more
Ex-US President Donald Trump expects to be arrested on Tuesday
Donald Trump says he expects to be arrested on Tuesday and has urged his supporters to launch mass protests.
However his lawyer said there had been no communication from law enforcement and the former president's post was based on media reports.
Prosecutors have been looking at a possible indictment of Mr Trump. Reports say it could come next week.
If he is indicted, it would be the first criminal case ever brought against a former US president. read more
Donald Trump says he expects to be arrested on Tuesday and has urged his supporters to launch mass protests.
However his lawyer said there had been no communication from law enforcement and the former president's post was based on media reports.
Prosecutors have been looking at a possible indictment of Mr Trump. Reports say it could come next week.
If he is indicted, it would be the first criminal case ever brought against a former US president. read more
UBS agrees 'emergency rescue' of Credit Suisse
Troubled bank Credit Suisse has been rescued by its Swiss rival UBS in a government-backed deal.
Sunday's announcement came after a weekend of emergency talks in Switzerland between the two banks and the country's financial regulators.
The Swiss National Bank said the deal was the best way to restore the confidence of financial markets and to manage risks to the economy.
Credit Suisse said it was not expecting "any disruption to client services".
"We are fully focused on ensuring a smooth transition and seamless experience for our valued clients and customers," a spokesperson for the bank told the BBC. read more
Troubled bank Credit Suisse has been rescued by its Swiss rival UBS in a government-backed deal.
Sunday's announcement came after a weekend of emergency talks in Switzerland between the two banks and the country's financial regulators.
The Swiss National Bank said the deal was the best way to restore the confidence of financial markets and to manage risks to the economy.
Credit Suisse said it was not expecting "any disruption to client services".
"We are fully focused on ensuring a smooth transition and seamless experience for our valued clients and customers," a spokesperson for the bank told the BBC. read more
China's President Xi Jinping condemns killings of miners in CAR
China's President Xi Jinping says the killers of nine Chinese goldmine workers in the Central African Republic (CAR) must be "severely" punished.
Two Chinese workers were also wounded when gunmen stormed a mining site near the central town of Bambari on Sunday.
The local mayor blamed a rebel group for the killings.
But the rebels said Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group were behind the attack.
The Wagner group has not yet commented on the claim.
Its fighters are widely reported to have been deployed to mineral-rich CAR to help government forces defeat the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), an alliance of rebel groups. read more
China's President Xi Jinping says the killers of nine Chinese goldmine workers in the Central African Republic (CAR) must be "severely" punished.
Two Chinese workers were also wounded when gunmen stormed a mining site near the central town of Bambari on Sunday.
The local mayor blamed a rebel group for the killings.
But the rebels said Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group were behind the attack.
The Wagner group has not yet commented on the claim.
Its fighters are widely reported to have been deployed to mineral-rich CAR to help government forces defeat the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), an alliance of rebel groups. read more
US urges Xi to press Putin over 'war crimes' in Ukraine
The US has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to press Vladimir Putin on ceasing the "war crimes" being carried out by Russia in Ukraine.
The two will meet again on Tuesday for official talks during Mr Xi's first visit to Moscow since the invasion.
The White House's National Security Council spokesman called on Mr Xi to urge his Russian counterpart to withdraw troops from Ukraine.
John Kirby said seeking a ceasefire would not be enough.
"We hope that President Xi will press President Putin to cease bombing Ukrainian cities, hospitals and schools, to halt the war crimes and atrocities and to withdraw his troops," he said. read more
The US has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to press Vladimir Putin on ceasing the "war crimes" being carried out by Russia in Ukraine.
The two will meet again on Tuesday for official talks during Mr Xi's first visit to Moscow since the invasion.
The White House's National Security Council spokesman called on Mr Xi to urge his Russian counterpart to withdraw troops from Ukraine.
John Kirby said seeking a ceasefire would not be enough.
"We hope that President Xi will press President Putin to cease bombing Ukrainian cities, hospitals and schools, to halt the war crimes and atrocities and to withdraw his troops," he said. read more
Putin: China plan could end war, but Ukraine and West not ready for peace
China's peace plan for Ukraine could be used as a basis to end the war, Vladimir Putin has said.
But Mr Putin said the plan could be put forward only when they are ready "in the West and Kyiv".
The Russian leader met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday in Moscow to discuss the conflict, and relations between the two countries.
China's plan, published last month, does not explicitly call for Russia to leave Ukraine.
Listing 12 points, it calls for peace talks and respect for national sovereignty, without specific proposals.
But Ukraine has insisted on Russia withdrawing from its territory as a condition for any talks - and there is no sign that Russia is ready to do that. read more
China's peace plan for Ukraine could be used as a basis to end the war, Vladimir Putin has said.
But Mr Putin said the plan could be put forward only when they are ready "in the West and Kyiv".
The Russian leader met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday in Moscow to discuss the conflict, and relations between the two countries.
China's plan, published last month, does not explicitly call for Russia to leave Ukraine.
Listing 12 points, it calls for peace talks and respect for national sovereignty, without specific proposals.
But Ukraine has insisted on Russia withdrawing from its territory as a condition for any talks - and there is no sign that Russia is ready to do that. read more
US raises interest rates despite banking turmoil
The US central bank has raised interest rates again, despite fears that the move could add to financial turmoil after a string of bank failures.
The Federal Reserve increased its key rate by 0.25 percentage points, calling the banking system "sound and resilient".
But it also warned that fallout from the bank failures may hurt economic growth in the months ahead.
The Fed has been raising borrowing costs in a bid to stabilise prices.
But the sharp increase in interest rates since last year has led to strains in the banking system.
Two US banks - Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank - collapsed this month, buckling in part due to problems caused by higher interest rates. read more
The US central bank has raised interest rates again, despite fears that the move could add to financial turmoil after a string of bank failures.
The Federal Reserve increased its key rate by 0.25 percentage points, calling the banking system "sound and resilient".
But it also warned that fallout from the bank failures may hurt economic growth in the months ahead.
The Fed has been raising borrowing costs in a bid to stabilise prices.
But the sharp increase in interest rates since last year has led to strains in the banking system.
Two US banks - Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank - collapsed this month, buckling in part due to problems caused by higher interest rates. read more
Indigenous Voice: Australia PM unveils plan for historic constitution vote
Australia's leader has unveiled crucial details of a planned referendum which could see it change its constitution for the first time in almost 50 years.
If approved, the vote later this year would establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - a formal body for Indigenous people to give advice on laws.
PM Anthony Albanese argues it would be a "very simple" but "momentous" change.
Constitutional referendums are fairly rare - only eight of 44 have succeeded.
The Voice is being fiercely debated with support and opposition across the political spectrum. read more
Australia's leader has unveiled crucial details of a planned referendum which could see it change its constitution for the first time in almost 50 years.
If approved, the vote later this year would establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - a formal body for Indigenous people to give advice on laws.
PM Anthony Albanese argues it would be a "very simple" but "momentous" change.
Constitutional referendums are fairly rare - only eight of 44 have succeeded.
The Voice is being fiercely debated with support and opposition across the political spectrum. read more
Bordeaux town hall set on fire in France pension protests
Bordeaux town hall has been set on fire as French protests continued over plans to raise the pension age.
More than a million people took to the streets across France on Thursday, with 119,000 in Paris, according to figures from the interior ministry.
Police fired tear gas at protesters in the capital and 80 people were arrested across the country.
The demonstrations were sparked by legislation raising the retirement age by two years to 64.
Fire engulfed the front door of the town hall in the southwest city of Bordeaux on Thursday evening after a day of protests and clashes. read more
Bordeaux town hall has been set on fire as French protests continued over plans to raise the pension age.
More than a million people took to the streets across France on Thursday, with 119,000 in Paris, according to figures from the interior ministry.
Police fired tear gas at protesters in the capital and 80 people were arrested across the country.
The demonstrations were sparked by legislation raising the retirement age by two years to 64.
Fire engulfed the front door of the town hall in the southwest city of Bordeaux on Thursday evening after a day of protests and clashes. read more
Do Kwon: Fugitive 'cryptocrash' boss arrested in Montenegro
South Korea police say that Do Kwon, the fugitive cryptocurrency boss behind the $40bn (£32.5bn) collapse of the terraUSD and Luna tokens, has been arrested in Montenegro.
He has since been charged with fraud by prosecutors in the US.
Earlier this year US regulators accused Mr Kwon and his company Terraform Labs of "orchestrating a multi-billion dollar crypto asset securities fraud".
The firm did not immediately respond to a BBC request for comment.
South Korea authorities issued an arrest warrant for Mr Kwon last September as they believed Terraform Labs had violated capital market rules.
They had thought he was in Serbia, and even sent officials to Belgrade to negotiate, since the two nations do not have an extradition treaty. read more
South Korea police say that Do Kwon, the fugitive cryptocurrency boss behind the $40bn (£32.5bn) collapse of the terraUSD and Luna tokens, has been arrested in Montenegro.
He has since been charged with fraud by prosecutors in the US.
Earlier this year US regulators accused Mr Kwon and his company Terraform Labs of "orchestrating a multi-billion dollar crypto asset securities fraud".
The firm did not immediately respond to a BBC request for comment.
South Korea authorities issued an arrest warrant for Mr Kwon last September as they believed Terraform Labs had violated capital market rules.
They had thought he was in Serbia, and even sent officials to Belgrade to negotiate, since the two nations do not have an extradition treaty. read more
King Charles's France visit postponed after pension protests
King Charles III's state visit to France has been postponed, after a request by President Emmanuel Macron, Downing Street says.
The Elysée Palace said the decision was taken jointly, due to a 10th day of pension protests next Tuesday.
The trip to Paris and Bordeaux had been due to begin on Sunday, but France saw some of the worst violence on Thursday since demonstrations began in January.
Buckingham Palace said the delay was due to the "situation in France".
In a statement, it said: "Their Majesties greatly look forward to the opportunity to visit France as soon as dates can be found." read more
King Charles III's state visit to France has been postponed, after a request by President Emmanuel Macron, Downing Street says.
The Elysée Palace said the decision was taken jointly, due to a 10th day of pension protests next Tuesday.
The trip to Paris and Bordeaux had been due to begin on Sunday, but France saw some of the worst violence on Thursday since demonstrations began in January.
Buckingham Palace said the delay was due to the "situation in France".
In a statement, it said: "Their Majesties greatly look forward to the opportunity to visit France as soon as dates can be found." read more
Rare show of Northern Lights dazzles North America
Hues of pink, purple and green streaked the skies in North America overnight in a dazzling display of Northern Lights.
Weather officials said the aurora, which was seen from California to New York, as far south as Arizona and north into Canada, was "fairly unusual".
The event was categorised as a "severe geomagnetic storm" and received the second highest rating in strength, a G4. The strongest would be a G5.
A less severe storm is expected this weekend.
"We got more of an impact than we expected," Bill Murtagh, programme co-ordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather and Prediction Center, told the BBC. read more
Hues of pink, purple and green streaked the skies in North America overnight in a dazzling display of Northern Lights.
Weather officials said the aurora, which was seen from California to New York, as far south as Arizona and north into Canada, was "fairly unusual".
The event was categorised as a "severe geomagnetic storm" and received the second highest rating in strength, a G4. The strongest would be a G5.
A less severe storm is expected this weekend.
"We got more of an impact than we expected," Bill Murtagh, programme co-ordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather and Prediction Center, told the BBC. read more
Vatican returns Parthenon sculptures to Greece
The Vatican has returned three fragments of the Parthenon sculptures to Greece in a move that has been described as a "gesture of friendship".
The decision to return the 2,500-year-old marbles was announced by Pope Francis last year.
One is a chunk of a horses head, the other a bearded man and the third a head of a boy.
Greece hopes the move will spur other overseas institutions that hold Parthenon sculptures to return them.
About 50% of the Parthenon's original sculptures have survived and almost half of them are in the British Museum. read more
The Vatican has returned three fragments of the Parthenon sculptures to Greece in a move that has been described as a "gesture of friendship".
The decision to return the 2,500-year-old marbles was announced by Pope Francis last year.
One is a chunk of a horses head, the other a bearded man and the third a head of a boy.
Greece hopes the move will spur other overseas institutions that hold Parthenon sculptures to return them.
About 50% of the Parthenon's original sculptures have survived and almost half of them are in the British Museum. read more
Tornado kills 23 and brings devastation to Mississippi
At least 23 people have died after a tornado tore through the US state of Mississippi on Friday night.
More people are thought to be trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
The twister caused devastation in several rural towns, where trees and power lines were torn down and tens of thousands of power outages were reported.
Several other southern states are also braced for powerful storms.
Hail the size of golf balls and heavy rainfall were reported in several areas of the state.
It is not yet clear whether one or several tornadoes hit the area. Although yesterday the National Weather Service warned that several tornadoes were forecast, it's possible the devastation was caused by a "skipping tornado" - a single twister that lifts from the surface only to touch down again. read more
At least 23 people have died after a tornado tore through the US state of Mississippi on Friday night.
More people are thought to be trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
The twister caused devastation in several rural towns, where trees and power lines were torn down and tens of thousands of power outages were reported.
Several other southern states are also braced for powerful storms.
Hail the size of golf balls and heavy rainfall were reported in several areas of the state.
It is not yet clear whether one or several tornadoes hit the area. Although yesterday the National Weather Service warned that several tornadoes were forecast, it's possible the devastation was caused by a "skipping tornado" - a single twister that lifts from the surface only to touch down again. read more
'God, guns and Trump': Thousands turn out for Texas rally
In his first public appearance since speculating a week ago that he would soon be arrested, Donald Trump lashed out against the multiple criminal inquiries that have bedevilled him since he left office in January 2021.
At an airfield rally in Waco, Texas, in front of thousands of supporters, the former president called the New York City investigation into hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels an expletive.
"The district attorney of New York under the auspices and direction of the 'department of injustice' in Washington, DC, is investigating me for something that is not a crime, not a misdemeanour, not an affair," he said, before belittling Ms Daniels' personal appearance. read more
In his first public appearance since speculating a week ago that he would soon be arrested, Donald Trump lashed out against the multiple criminal inquiries that have bedevilled him since he left office in January 2021.
At an airfield rally in Waco, Texas, in front of thousands of supporters, the former president called the New York City investigation into hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels an expletive.
"The district attorney of New York under the auspices and direction of the 'department of injustice' in Washington, DC, is investigating me for something that is not a crime, not a misdemeanour, not an affair," he said, before belittling Ms Daniels' personal appearance. read more
Deadly Mississippi tornado brings devastation to US state
At least 26 people have died in Mississippi and Alabama after a tornado tore through the southern US states.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing, and the Mississippi state government has declared a state of emergency.
In Rolling Fork, crushed cars, bricks and glass litter the streets - the town has been almost entirely wiped out.
One resident told the BBC he was lucky to survive after seeking shelter in his bath tub.
Approaching the neighbourhood in western Sharkey County, there is little indication of anything unusual. read more
At least 26 people have died in Mississippi and Alabama after a tornado tore through the southern US states.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing, and the Mississippi state government has declared a state of emergency.
In Rolling Fork, crushed cars, bricks and glass litter the streets - the town has been almost entirely wiped out.
One resident told the BBC he was lucky to survive after seeking shelter in his bath tub.
Approaching the neighbourhood in western Sharkey County, there is little indication of anything unusual. read more