Top UN court orders Israel to allow food and medical aid into Gaza
The UN's top court has ordered Israel to enable the unhindered flow of aid into Gaza in order to avert a famine.
In a unanimous decision, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel had to act "without delay" to allow the "provision... of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance".
This follows warnings that famine could hit Gaza within weeks.
Israel has called allegations it is blocking aid "wholly unfounded". read more
The UN's top court has ordered Israel to enable the unhindered flow of aid into Gaza in order to avert a famine.
In a unanimous decision, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel had to act "without delay" to allow the "provision... of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance".
This follows warnings that famine could hit Gaza within weeks.
Israel has called allegations it is blocking aid "wholly unfounded". read more
Man holds several hostages inside Dutch nightclub
Several people have been taken hostage at a popular nightclub in an eastern Dutch town, police say.
A man entered the premises of Café Petticoat, in Ede, early in the morning threatening to blow himself up, local media reported.
Armed police evacuated the area, but said there was "no indication of a terrorist motive at this time".
They later said three people had been released, but the "situation is not over yet". read more
Several people have been taken hostage at a popular nightclub in an eastern Dutch town, police say.
A man entered the premises of Café Petticoat, in Ede, early in the morning threatening to blow himself up, local media reported.
Armed police evacuated the area, but said there was "no indication of a terrorist motive at this time".
They later said three people had been released, but the "situation is not over yet". read more
UN observers wounded by shelling in southern Lebanon
Three United Nations observers and a translator have been wounded by shelling in Rmeish, southern Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping mission said.
Lebanon's state news agency reported that an Israeli drone strike was behind the explosion, but the Israeli military denied it was responsible.
The UN mission, Unifil, said those hurt were receiving treatment and that it was investigating the blast's origin.
It comes after rising tensions along the unofficial Israel-Lebanon border. read more
Three United Nations observers and a translator have been wounded by shelling in Rmeish, southern Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping mission said.
Lebanon's state news agency reported that an Israeli drone strike was behind the explosion, but the Israeli military denied it was responsible.
The UN mission, Unifil, said those hurt were receiving treatment and that it was investigating the blast's origin.
It comes after rising tensions along the unofficial Israel-Lebanon border. read more
Pope Francis calls for ceasefire in Gaza and Ukraine in Easter message
Pope Francis has used his traditional Easter message to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The 87-year-old pontiff led Easter Mass at the Vatican in front of thousands, despite concerns over his health.
Referring to conflicts around the world, the Pope pleaded not to "yield to the logic of weapons and rearming".
"Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts," he said. read more
Pope Francis has used his traditional Easter message to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The 87-year-old pontiff led Easter Mass at the Vatican in front of thousands, despite concerns over his health.
Referring to conflicts around the world, the Pope pleaded not to "yield to the logic of weapons and rearming".
"Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts," he said. read more
Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu protests put political divides back on show
Israel's deep political divisions are back on public display.
They were put to one side for a while, as shock and national unity followed the 7 October attacks by Hamas - but six months later, thousands of protesters are once again on Israel's streets.
The war has turbocharged their determination to unseat Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. read more
Israel's deep political divisions are back on public display.
They were put to one side for a while, as shock and national unity followed the 7 October attacks by Hamas - but six months later, thousands of protesters are once again on Israel's streets.
The war has turbocharged their determination to unseat Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. read more
World Central Kitchen halts operations in Gaza after strike kills staff
International food charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) is suspending its operations in Gaza following the death of seven of its workers in an Israeli air strike.
The charity said those killed were part of an aid convoy that was leaving a warehouse in central Gaza on Monday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was conducting a "thorough review" into the incident.
Gaza's Hamas-run media office also blamed Israel. read more
International food charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) is suspending its operations in Gaza following the death of seven of its workers in an Israeli air strike.
The charity said those killed were part of an aid convoy that was leaving a warehouse in central Gaza on Monday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was conducting a "thorough review" into the incident.
Gaza's Hamas-run media office also blamed Israel. read more
China's ageing population: A demographic crisis is unfolding for Xi
Ask 72-year-old farmer Huanchun Cao about his pension and he reacts with a throaty cackle.
He sucks on his home-rolled cigarette, narrows his brow and tilts his head - as if the very question is absurd. "No, no, we don't have a pension," he says looking at his wife of more than 45 years.
Mr Cao belongs to a generation that witnessed the birth of Communist China. Like his country, he has become old before he has become rich. Like many rural and migrant workers, he has no choice but to keep working and to keep earning, as he's fallen through a weak social safety net. read more
Ask 72-year-old farmer Huanchun Cao about his pension and he reacts with a throaty cackle.
He sucks on his home-rolled cigarette, narrows his brow and tilts his head - as if the very question is absurd. "No, no, we don't have a pension," he says looking at his wife of more than 45 years.
Mr Cao belongs to a generation that witnessed the birth of Communist China. Like his country, he has become old before he has become rich. Like many rural and migrant workers, he has no choice but to keep working and to keep earning, as he's fallen through a weak social safety net. read more
Taiwan: Rescue efforts continue after 700 injured in earthquake
Rescue efforts are under way in Taiwan after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the island's eastern coast, killing at least nine and injuring more than 800.
Some 127 people are trapped in collapsed tunnels and on mountainous roads along the rugged coastline.
The epicentre was 18km (11 miles) south of Hualien city, but strong tremors were felt all the way in the capital Taipei, more than 100km away.
This is the strongest quake to hit Taiwan in 25 years. read more
Rescue efforts are under way in Taiwan after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the island's eastern coast, killing at least nine and injuring more than 800.
Some 127 people are trapped in collapsed tunnels and on mountainous roads along the rugged coastline.
The epicentre was 18km (11 miles) south of Hualien city, but strong tremors were felt all the way in the capital Taipei, more than 100km away.
This is the strongest quake to hit Taiwan in 25 years. read more
World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés says Israel targeted staff in Gaza 'car by car'
World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder José Andrés has accused Israeli forces in Gaza of targeting his aid workers "systematically, car by car".
Monday's strike which killed seven members of his staff was not a mistake, he said, repeating that Israeli forces had been told of their movements.
WCK workers from Australia, Canada, Poland, the UK and the US were killed as well as their Palestinian colleague.
Israel says the strike was a "grave mistake" and has apologised. read more
World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder José Andrés has accused Israeli forces in Gaza of targeting his aid workers "systematically, car by car".
Monday's strike which killed seven members of his staff was not a mistake, he said, repeating that Israeli forces had been told of their movements.
WCK workers from Australia, Canada, Poland, the UK and the US were killed as well as their Palestinian colleague.
Israel says the strike was a "grave mistake" and has apologised. read more
Taiwan earthquake: The mountain 'rained rocks like bullets' - survivor
Rescuers in Taiwan are working to reach more than 600 stranded people, a day after the island experienced its worst earthquake in 25 years.
One survivor has recounted how tremors unleashed rockslides "like bullets" around the coal mine he was working at.
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit near the eastern county of Hualien, killing nine and injuring more than 1,000.
Some stuck in tunnels and near a national park have been rescued by helicopters, but 34 are still missing. read more
Rescuers in Taiwan are working to reach more than 600 stranded people, a day after the island experienced its worst earthquake in 25 years.
One survivor has recounted how tremors unleashed rockslides "like bullets" around the coal mine he was working at.
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit near the eastern county of Hualien, killing nine and injuring more than 1,000.
Some stuck in tunnels and near a national park have been rescued by helicopters, but 34 are still missing. read more
New Yorkers mostly unshaken by rare earthquake
On Friday morning, New Yorkers were all asking each other the same question: "Did you feel that?"
"Did you feel that?" Medhi Mammadov's co-workers asked each other as their office on the 27th floor of the iconic Woolworth Building began to shake.
"Did you feel that?" Julie Hendricks-Atkins' colleagues chirped from their cubicles in Lower Manhattan.
"DID ANYONE FEEL THAT?" a resident of the Greenpoint neighbourhood in Brooklyn exclaimed as he burst out of his brownstone.
"What's going on!" A woman across the street shouted back. read more
On Friday morning, New Yorkers were all asking each other the same question: "Did you feel that?"
"Did you feel that?" Medhi Mammadov's co-workers asked each other as their office on the 27th floor of the iconic Woolworth Building began to shake.
"Did you feel that?" Julie Hendricks-Atkins' colleagues chirped from their cubicles in Lower Manhattan.
"DID ANYONE FEEL THAT?" a resident of the Greenpoint neighbourhood in Brooklyn exclaimed as he burst out of his brownstone.
"What's going on!" A woman across the street shouted back. read more
Laura Kuenssberg: West facing 'authoritarian' alliance, says Nato chief
An "alliance of authoritarian powers" is working more closely together against Western democracies, the head of Nato has warned.
Jens Stoltenberg told the BBC that Russia, Iran, China and North Korea are increasingly aligned.
He also said he was confident allies of the Nato military alliance would agree a long-term funding deal for Ukraine by July.
But he suggested Ukraine might have to decide on some "kind of compromises". read more
An "alliance of authoritarian powers" is working more closely together against Western democracies, the head of Nato has warned.
Jens Stoltenberg told the BBC that Russia, Iran, China and North Korea are increasingly aligned.
He also said he was confident allies of the Nato military alliance would agree a long-term funding deal for Ukraine by July.
But he suggested Ukraine might have to decide on some "kind of compromises". read more
Greta Thunberg: Activist arrested at Hague climate protest
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been arrested by Dutch police at a protest in The Hague.
The 21-year-old joined hundreds of protesters in a march against fossil fuel subsidies on Saturday.
The protest devolved into a standoff as dozens of police officers, some on horseback, attempted to stop protesters from blocking a main road.
Local police put Ms Thunberg on a bus full of demonstrators and she was driven away from the scene. read more
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been arrested by Dutch police at a protest in The Hague.
The 21-year-old joined hundreds of protesters in a march against fossil fuel subsidies on Saturday.
The protest devolved into a standoff as dozens of police officers, some on horseback, attempted to stop protesters from blocking a main road.
Local police put Ms Thunberg on a bus full of demonstrators and she was driven away from the scene. read more
Ukraine war: UN body urges restraint after Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant hit
A new drone attack on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia power plant has raised the risk of a "major nuclear accident", the UN's atomic watchdog has warned.
Russia said Ukraine was behind the attack, which it said injured three people. Ukraine has denied involvement.
The giant Russian-held nuclear plant, with six reactors, is on the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned against such attacks. read more
A new drone attack on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia power plant has raised the risk of a "major nuclear accident", the UN's atomic watchdog has warned.
Russia said Ukraine was behind the attack, which it said injured three people. Ukraine has denied involvement.
The giant Russian-held nuclear plant, with six reactors, is on the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned against such attacks. read more
Kangana Ranaut, actor and BJP election candidate, denies eating beef
An Indian actor running for election as a candidate for the ruling party has been forced to deny eating beef.
Kangana Ranaut, a vocal supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said the claims by her opponents are "shameful" and "baseless rumours".
The issue of beef consumption is highly sensitive in India as cows are considered sacred by Hindus, the country's largest religious group.
Some BJP politicians have pushed for bans on cattle slaughter. read more
An Indian actor running for election as a candidate for the ruling party has been forced to deny eating beef.
Kangana Ranaut, a vocal supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said the claims by her opponents are "shameful" and "baseless rumours".
The issue of beef consumption is highly sensitive in India as cows are considered sacred by Hindus, the country's largest religious group.
Some BJP politicians have pushed for bans on cattle slaughter. read more
Can US pressure deliver Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza?
A truce between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza was never going to be easy. Weeks of talks have failed to produce agreement. But international pressure is growing.
Perhaps the biggest sign is the Biden administration sending William Burns, the head of the CIA, for the latest round of talks in Cairo.
Hamas has, in public at least, stuck with its initial demands of a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern parts of the territory without restrictions. read more
A truce between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza was never going to be easy. Weeks of talks have failed to produce agreement. But international pressure is growing.
Perhaps the biggest sign is the Biden administration sending William Burns, the head of the CIA, for the latest round of talks in Cairo.
Hamas has, in public at least, stuck with its initial demands of a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern parts of the territory without restrictions. read more
Israel-Gaza war: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says three sons killed in air strike
Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh has confirmed that three of his sons and four of his grandchildren were killed in an air strike in Gaza.
Hamas-linked media said the car his sons were travelling in was hit in Al-Shati camp near Gaza City.
Haniyeh said that the incident would not change Hamas's demands in talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire deal.
Israel's military said the sons were members of Hamas's military wing. read more
Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh has confirmed that three of his sons and four of his grandchildren were killed in an air strike in Gaza.
Hamas-linked media said the car his sons were travelling in was hit in Al-Shati camp near Gaza City.
Haniyeh said that the incident would not change Hamas's demands in talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire deal.
Israel's military said the sons were members of Hamas's military wing. read more
Truong My Lan: Vietnamese billionaire sentenced to death for $44bn fraud
It was the most spectacular trial ever held in Vietnam, befitting one of the greatest bank frauds the world has ever seen.
Behind the stately yellow portico of the colonial-era courthouse in Ho Chi Minh City, a 67-year-old Vietnamese property developer was sentenced to death on Thursday for looting one of the country's largest banks over a period of 11 years.
It's a rare verdict - she is one of very few women in Vietnam to be sentenced to death for a white collar crime. read more
It was the most spectacular trial ever held in Vietnam, befitting one of the greatest bank frauds the world has ever seen.
Behind the stately yellow portico of the colonial-era courthouse in Ho Chi Minh City, a 67-year-old Vietnamese property developer was sentenced to death on Thursday for looting one of the country's largest banks over a period of 11 years.
It's a rare verdict - she is one of very few women in Vietnam to be sentenced to death for a white collar crime. read more
Netanyahu meets top officials as fears of Iran attack on Israel grow
Israel's prime minister is to meet top officials to prepare for a possible attack by Iran, local media say.
Tensions are high over the possibility that Tehran will retaliate for an air strike that killed senior Iranian commanders nearly two weeks ago.
Several countries have now warned their citizens about travelling in both countries.
US officials have told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that a major attack on Israel could happen imminently. read more
Israel's prime minister is to meet top officials to prepare for a possible attack by Iran, local media say.
Tensions are high over the possibility that Tehran will retaliate for an air strike that killed senior Iranian commanders nearly two weeks ago.
Several countries have now warned their citizens about travelling in both countries.
US officials have told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that a major attack on Israel could happen imminently. read more
Iranian troops accused of seizing Israel-linked ship
Iran has been accused of seizing a commercial ship with links to Israel early on Saturday morning as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
The MSC Aries was boarded by Iranian special forces about 50 miles (80km) off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a statement from MSC said.
Footage obtained by Reuters news agency appeared to show troops rappelling onto the vessel from a helicopter.
The Portuguese-flagged ship is linked to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. read more
Iran has been accused of seizing a commercial ship with links to Israel early on Saturday morning as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
The MSC Aries was boarded by Iranian special forces about 50 miles (80km) off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a statement from MSC said.
Footage obtained by Reuters news agency appeared to show troops rappelling onto the vessel from a helicopter.
The Portuguese-flagged ship is linked to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. read more