Philippines accuses China of swarming reef in South China Sea
The Philippines has accused China of "swarming" a reef off its coast after more than 135 military boats were spotted in the South China Sea.
The coast guard said the boats were "dispersed and scattered" in the vicinity of Whitsun Reef, which it says is within its exclusive economic zone.
They said the growing presence of these military boats was "alarming".
The South China Sea is at the centre of a territorial dispute between China, the Philippines and other countries. read more
The Philippines has accused China of "swarming" a reef off its coast after more than 135 military boats were spotted in the South China Sea.
The coast guard said the boats were "dispersed and scattered" in the vicinity of Whitsun Reef, which it says is within its exclusive economic zone.
They said the growing presence of these military boats was "alarming".
The South China Sea is at the centre of a territorial dispute between China, the Philippines and other countries. read more
Israel-Gaza war: Israeli forces pushing into south Gaza
Israeli ground forces are pushing into southern Gaza, after three days of heavy bombardment.
Initial reports from Israeli army radio effectively confirmed Israel has launched a ground operation to the north of Khan Younis.
The BBC has also verified images of an Israeli tank operating near the city.
The head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later told troops the IDF was also fighting "strongly and thoroughly" in south Gaza. read more
Israeli ground forces are pushing into southern Gaza, after three days of heavy bombardment.
Initial reports from Israeli army radio effectively confirmed Israel has launched a ground operation to the north of Khan Younis.
The BBC has also verified images of an Israeli tank operating near the city.
The head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later told troops the IDF was also fighting "strongly and thoroughly" in south Gaza. read more
COP28: Head of UN talks hits back at climate denial claims
The president of the ongoing UN climate talks Sultan al-Jaber has hit back at claims that he denies a core part of climate science.
It follows his earlier comments that there was "no science" behind requiring the end of fossil fuels in order to limit temperature rise to 1.5C.
"We very much believe and respect the science," he said on Monday.
The talks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, aim to make progress on tackling climate change. read more
The president of the ongoing UN climate talks Sultan al-Jaber has hit back at claims that he denies a core part of climate science.
It follows his earlier comments that there was "no science" behind requiring the end of fossil fuels in order to limit temperature rise to 1.5C.
"We very much believe and respect the science," he said on Monday.
The talks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, aim to make progress on tackling climate change. read more
Forest City: Inside Malaysia's Chinese-built 'ghost city'
"I managed to escape this place," Nazmi Hanafiah laughs, slightly nervously.
A year ago, the 30-year-old IT engineer moved to Forest City, a sprawling Chinese-built housing complex in Johor, on the tip of southern Malaysia. He rented a one-bedroom flat in a tower block overlooking the sea.
After six months, he'd had enough. He didn't want to continue living in what he calls "a ghost town".
"I didn't care about my deposit, I didn't care about the money. I just had to get out," he said. We had arranged to meet in the same tower block he used to live in. read more
"I managed to escape this place," Nazmi Hanafiah laughs, slightly nervously.
A year ago, the 30-year-old IT engineer moved to Forest City, a sprawling Chinese-built housing complex in Johor, on the tip of southern Malaysia. He rented a one-bedroom flat in a tower block overlooking the sea.
After six months, he'd had enough. He didn't want to continue living in what he calls "a ghost town".
"I didn't care about my deposit, I didn't care about the money. I just had to get out," he said. We had arranged to meet in the same tower block he used to live in. read more
Mount Marapi: Indonesia volcano death toll rises to 22
The death toll from a volcanic eruption in Indonesia has gone up to 22, after rescuers found nine more bodies.
The search for the 10 missing hikers on Mount Marapi resumed on Tuesday after being paused due to safety worries.
Officials said that nine bodies had been recovered by afternoon, with one of them still missing. Twelve other injured hikers are undergoing treatment in hospital.
Frequent volcanic eruptions in Marapi have hampered rescue efforts for days. read more
The death toll from a volcanic eruption in Indonesia has gone up to 22, after rescuers found nine more bodies.
The search for the 10 missing hikers on Mount Marapi resumed on Tuesday after being paused due to safety worries.
Officials said that nine bodies had been recovered by afternoon, with one of them still missing. Twelve other injured hikers are undergoing treatment in hospital.
Frequent volcanic eruptions in Marapi have hampered rescue efforts for days. read more
Video shows stripped Palestinian men detained in Gaza
With fighting raging around Khan Younis and in the north of Gaza, a video has emerged on social media showing dozens of Palestinian men detained by Israel.
The footage, verified by the BBC, shows them stripped to their underwear, kneeling on the ground and being guarded by Israeli soldiers.
The men are thought to have been arrested in Beit Lahia, in the far north of the Gaza strip.
A local media outlet says one of the men is a respected journalist. read more
With fighting raging around Khan Younis and in the north of Gaza, a video has emerged on social media showing dozens of Palestinian men detained by Israel.
The footage, verified by the BBC, shows them stripped to their underwear, kneeling on the ground and being guarded by Israeli soldiers.
The men are thought to have been arrested in Beit Lahia, in the far north of the Gaza strip.
A local media outlet says one of the men is a respected journalist. read more
Israel-Gaza war: Half of Gaza's population is starving, warns UN
A senior UN aid official has warned that half of Gaza's population is starving, as fighting there continues.
Carl Skau, deputy director of the UN World Food Programme, said only a fraction of supplies needed have been able to enter the Strip - and nine out of 10 people cannot eat everyday.
Conditions in Gaza have made deliveries "almost impossible", Mr Skau said.
Israel says it must continue air strikes on Gaza to eliminate Hamas and bring Israeli hostages home. read more
A senior UN aid official has warned that half of Gaza's population is starving, as fighting there continues.
Carl Skau, deputy director of the UN World Food Programme, said only a fraction of supplies needed have been able to enter the Strip - and nine out of 10 people cannot eat everyday.
Conditions in Gaza have made deliveries "almost impossible", Mr Skau said.
Israel says it must continue air strikes on Gaza to eliminate Hamas and bring Israeli hostages home. read more
Tennessee: At least six dead as tornadoes rip through state
At least six people died after tornadoes and severe storms tore through parts of Tennessee on Saturday.
Buildings were reduced to rubble and communities were plunged into blackouts when extreme weather battered parts of the southern US state.
Three of the deaths were reported in a northern suburb of Nashville, the state's capital.
Two adults and a child were killed in the city of Clarksville, around 50 miles (80.4km) to the north-west. read more
At least six people died after tornadoes and severe storms tore through parts of Tennessee on Saturday.
Buildings were reduced to rubble and communities were plunged into blackouts when extreme weather battered parts of the southern US state.
Three of the deaths were reported in a northern suburb of Nashville, the state's capital.
Two adults and a child were killed in the city of Clarksville, around 50 miles (80.4km) to the north-west. read more
Javier Milei: New president tells Argentina 'shock treatment' looms
Argentina's new far-right president has vowed to deliver economic "shock treatment" in his first speech after formally taking office.
Javier Milei warned Argentines "there is no money" and recommitted to a programme of harsh austerity measures.
The populist outsider won a surprise election victory in November with radical pledges to overhaul the South American nation's ailing economy.
Mr Milei's inauguration was held in Buenos Aires on Sunday. read more
Argentina's new far-right president has vowed to deliver economic "shock treatment" in his first speech after formally taking office.
Javier Milei warned Argentines "there is no money" and recommitted to a programme of harsh austerity measures.
The populist outsider won a surprise election victory in November with radical pledges to overhaul the South American nation's ailing economy.
Mr Milei's inauguration was held in Buenos Aires on Sunday. read more
Eyal Waldman: Israeli tech billionaire hopes for peace despite daughter's killing
Danielle Waldman danced the last dance of her young life some time before dawn on 7 October. Soon afterwards she and her friends had to run for their lives, but they never made it home.
There is a record of her final moments - a brief video, recorded on a phone. It gives only a hint of the horrors to come.
The 24-year-old sits in the back seat of a car with two friends - strands of her long curly hair escaping from her grey hoodie. All three are casually dressed. There are fleeting smiles and overlapping voices, and a glimpse of blue wrist bands from the Supernova trance music festival they have just attended. read more
Danielle Waldman danced the last dance of her young life some time before dawn on 7 October. Soon afterwards she and her friends had to run for their lives, but they never made it home.
There is a record of her final moments - a brief video, recorded on a phone. It gives only a hint of the horrors to come.
The 24-year-old sits in the back seat of a car with two friends - strands of her long curly hair escaping from her grey hoodie. All three are casually dressed. There are fleeting smiles and overlapping voices, and a glimpse of blue wrist bands from the Supernova trance music festival they have just attended. read more
Turkey referee punched: Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca arrested after attack
A Turkish football club president has been arrested after punching a referee following a top-flight match on Monday.
MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca ran onto the pitch and struck match official Halil Umut Meler after his team conceded a 97th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Caykur Rizespor.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Koca and two others were formally arrested for "injuring a public official".
All Turkish league football has been suspended. read more
A Turkish football club president has been arrested after punching a referee following a top-flight match on Monday.
MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca ran onto the pitch and struck match official Halil Umut Meler after his team conceded a 97th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Caykur Rizespor.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Koca and two others were formally arrested for "injuring a public official".
All Turkish league football has been suspended. read more
Israel losing global support over Gaza bombing, Biden says
US President Joe Biden has said Israel is starting to lose global support over its "indiscriminate bombing" of Gaza.
His comments, made to donors at a fundraising event on Tuesday, marked his strongest criticism yet of Israel's leadership.
Mr Biden has offered unwavering public support to the country since Hamas launched its attacks on 7 October.
And while he reiterated that Israel could count on US backing, he issued a direct warning to its government. read more
US President Joe Biden has said Israel is starting to lose global support over its "indiscriminate bombing" of Gaza.
His comments, made to donors at a fundraising event on Tuesday, marked his strongest criticism yet of Israel's leadership.
Mr Biden has offered unwavering public support to the country since Hamas launched its attacks on 7 October.
And while he reiterated that Israel could count on US backing, he issued a direct warning to its government. read more
Israel to continue Gaza war with or without international support, FM says
Israel's foreign minister has said it will continue the war in Gaza "with or without international support".
A ceasefire at this stage of the conflict would be "a gift" to Hamas and allow it to return, Eli Cohen warned.
Israel is facing mounting pressure over the number of Palestinian civilians killed by its military in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis there.
On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. read more
Israel's foreign minister has said it will continue the war in Gaza "with or without international support".
A ceasefire at this stage of the conflict would be "a gift" to Hamas and allow it to return, Eli Cohen warned.
Israel is facing mounting pressure over the number of Palestinian civilians killed by its military in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis there.
On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. read more
Hungary blocks €50bn of EU funding for Ukraine
Hungary has blocked €50bn ($55bn; £43bn) in EU aid for Ukraine - just hours after an agreement was reached on starting membership talks.
"Summary of the nightshift: veto for the extra money to Ukraine," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said after Thursday's talks in Brussels.
EU leaders said the aid negotiations would resume early next year.
Ukraine is critically dependent on EU and US funding as it continues to fight occupying Russian forces. read more
Hungary has blocked €50bn ($55bn; £43bn) in EU aid for Ukraine - just hours after an agreement was reached on starting membership talks.
"Summary of the nightshift: veto for the extra money to Ukraine," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said after Thursday's talks in Brussels.
EU leaders said the aid negotiations would resume early next year.
Ukraine is critically dependent on EU and US funding as it continues to fight occupying Russian forces. read more
Israel - Hamas war: France calls for 'immediate and durable' Gaza truce
France has called for an "immediate and durable truce" in the Israel-Hamas war, saying that it is deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza.
Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna added that too many civilians were being killed.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said a ceasefire would be an error, describing it as a gift to Hamas.
The UK and Germany earlier called for a "sustainable ceasefire", but stopped short of saying it should be immediate.
Ms Colonna arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday for a meeting with her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen. read more
France has called for an "immediate and durable truce" in the Israel-Hamas war, saying that it is deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza.
Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna added that too many civilians were being killed.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said a ceasefire would be an error, describing it as a gift to Hamas.
The UK and Germany earlier called for a "sustainable ceasefire", but stopped short of saying it should be immediate.
Ms Colonna arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday for a meeting with her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen. read more
Israel Gaza: Hostages shot by IDF put out 'SOS' sign written with leftover food
Three Israeli hostages mistakenly killed by soldiers in Gaza on Friday had used leftover food to write signs pleading for help, Israel says.
The men had been staying at the building next to where they were shot "for some period of time", according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Officials have admitted that killing the men who were holding a white flag was a breach of "rules of engagement".
Israel is under increasing pressure for a deal to free more hostages. read more
Three Israeli hostages mistakenly killed by soldiers in Gaza on Friday had used leftover food to write signs pleading for help, Israel says.
The men had been staying at the building next to where they were shot "for some period of time", according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Officials have admitted that killing the men who were holding a white flag was a breach of "rules of engagement".
Israel is under increasing pressure for a deal to free more hostages. read more
Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon's trial begins
Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is facing a Hong Kong court in a long-awaited trial over charges that he "colluded with foreign forces".
Mr Lai, 76, denies the charges. Jailed since December 2020, he faces life in prison if he is found guilty.
He was arrested under the National Security Law, which China has been accused of wielding to crush dissent.
His case has caused international uproar and is widely seen as a test of Hong Kong's judicial independence. read more
Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is facing a Hong Kong court in a long-awaited trial over charges that he "colluded with foreign forces".
Mr Lai, 76, denies the charges. Jailed since December 2020, he faces life in prison if he is found guilty.
He was arrested under the National Security Law, which China has been accused of wielding to crush dissent.
His case has caused international uproar and is widely seen as a test of Hong Kong's judicial independence. read more
Gazans trapped in church fear being shot, says relative
Civilians trapped in a church in Gaza City are living in an "unreal" sense of fear, a relative of one of those confined there has said.
Fifi Saba, whose sister is trapped inside the Holy Family Church, said people were scared to move out of fear of being shot.
Two women were killed inside the church by sniper fire on Saturday, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said.
Israel's army said it found no evidence its soldiers were involved. read more
Civilians trapped in a church in Gaza City are living in an "unreal" sense of fear, a relative of one of those confined there has said.
Fifi Saba, whose sister is trapped inside the Holy Family Church, said people were scared to move out of fear of being shot.
Two women were killed inside the church by sniper fire on Saturday, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said.
Israel's army said it found no evidence its soldiers were involved. read more
Egypt election: President Sisi wins third term
Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has won a third six-year term with 89.6% of the vote, the electoral commission has announced.
The former army chief beat three low-profile candidates, with the runner-up securing only 4.5%.
Leading opposition candidate Ahmed Tantawy had pulled out months before last week's poll, claiming intimidation and violence against his campaign camp. read more
Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has won a third six-year term with 89.6% of the vote, the electoral commission has announced.
The former army chief beat three low-profile candidates, with the runner-up securing only 4.5%.
Leading opposition candidate Ahmed Tantawy had pulled out months before last week's poll, claiming intimidation and violence against his campaign camp. read more
Iceland volcano erupts on Reykjanes peninsula
A volcano has erupted on the Reykjanes peninsula of south-west Iceland after weeks of intense earthquake activity.
About 4,000 people were earlier evacuated from the fishing town of Grindavik and the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa was closed.
The eruption started north of the town at 22:17 local time (22:17 GMT), the Icelandic Met Office said.
It will not bring the same level of disruption as one in 2010, which halted European air travel, an expert said. read more
A volcano has erupted on the Reykjanes peninsula of south-west Iceland after weeks of intense earthquake activity.
About 4,000 people were earlier evacuated from the fishing town of Grindavik and the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa was closed.
The eruption started north of the town at 22:17 local time (22:17 GMT), the Icelandic Met Office said.
It will not bring the same level of disruption as one in 2010, which halted European air travel, an expert said. read more