World News Hub

Italy approves elections overhaul as opposition accuse Meloni of 'scam'

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the move will deliver more stable government, but opposition parties say her aim is to stay in power.

Egypt arrests 6 journalists from fact-checking website over ‘terrorism’, ‘fake news’ charges

It’s time for China to offer more than statements on Hormuz

Two summits in five months between US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping have produced shared language but not an open Strait of Hormuz. After the May meeting in Beijing, there was little sign the two sides agreed on how to end the war. Xi’s visit to Washington yielded no breakthrough on Iran, though Xi backed a return to the interim US-Iran agreement. Last week, Trump rejected a truc...

First Thing: Trump endures protests in Texas as DNC sues over adverts

The president was repeatedly interrupted at a rally and faces a legal challenge over taxpayer-funded adverts. Plus Jonathan, the giant tortoise who may have the secret to longevityGood morning. Donald Trump suffered a torrid night at a rally in Texas that was rocked by repeated protests. The US president briefly stepped away from the microphone after one protester appeared to approach the stage. A...

UK’s Burnham ‘open’ to Germany joining GCAP fighter jet programme

GCAP pact between the UK, Italy and Japan to build a new fighter jet welcomed Canada as an ‘observer' in July

Explosions heard in Saudi capital as Middle-East conflict intensifies

The blasts came as Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have targeted the kingdom's infrastructure, though there was no word on what had caused the explosions.

Three sisters who drowned in Brighton took their own lives, inquest finds

Jane Adetoro, Christina Walters and Rebecca Walters from London visited late mother’s former home shortly before their deaths in MayThree sisters who drowned in the sea in Brighton collectively decided to end their own lives, a coroner has ruled.The bodies of Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, all from London, were recovered from the sea off Brighton in the early hou...

Trainee solicitor Archie Hunt broke Dracula's 14-year marathon record in costume

Can Sánchez convince Spanish voters he is their best hope for fairer housing?

Recent death of 87-year-old woman likely to focus attention on crisis in run-up to general election at end of NovemberEurope live – latest updatesEven before María del Carmen Abascal died on Wednesday night, a mere fortnight after her eviction from the Madrid flat where she had lived for most of her life, the frail 87-year-old woman had become the enduring face of Spain’s housing crisis.Her plight...

EU trade envoy eyes yawning goods deficit on first day of China visit

The EU's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, arrived in Beijing this Thursday for two days of talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao. Sefcovic stated his goal of "rebalancing" an "unsustainable trade deficit". One particular area of concern is the auto sector, where Chinese hybrid vehicles have increased their European market share to 25 percent. Also in this edition: Microsoft unveils its...

Ethiopian drones hit Eritrean forces accused of backing rebels in Tigray

Drone strikes hit Eritrean vehicles around the northern city of Adigrat overnight, with witnesses reporting destroyed lorries and retreating troops, days after Ethiopia expelled Eritrean diplomats and Eritrea severed ties.

John Paul DeJoria’s Texas ranch sold for $6.93 million; 120 exotic animals included

In a remarkable real estate deal, the sprawling Texas ranch of Patrón Tequila co-founder John Paul DeJoria has been acquired for $6.93 million. Spanning 96 acres, this unique property was home to over 120 exotic African animals, including gazelles and wildebeest. Complete with a luxurious main residence and an underground shelter, the estate also boasted a well-stocked pond.

Kazakhstan seeks to build an AI-powered economy and manufacturing sector

Kazakhstan wants artificial intelligence to become more than a digital tool: the country is seeking to make it a new engine of economic growth, from universities and factories to energy and infrastructure.

Italian law to give election winners bonus seats: Why that’s controversial

Critics say the proposed law is undemocratic, potentially granting a winning coalition outsized power in parliament. 

Why the traditional Chinese practice of nominal age makes people up to 2 years older

Age calculation in China is probably one of the most confusing aspects of Chinese culture, even for Chinese people themselves, because two systems are used. One system is the international standard: a person’s age is calculated from their date of birth. The other, the traditional nominal-age system, or xu sui, adds a year at the start of each lunisolar year. Under the xu sui system, a person’s nom...

Meet Advay Jain: Indian-American kid who made Guinness record as the youngest person to publish a book. He was 3 when he wrote 'Dino Learns Not To Waste Food'

Pink hair and powerful plaids: Tate Britain celebrates the chaotic creativity of 90s culture

Tate Britain's nostalgic new showcase highlights a lost era of optimism, rebellion and culture-defining creativity.

Teacher who sexually abused pupil back in Indonesia jail after BBC investigation

Mochamad Subchi Azal Tsani had been secretly released on parole in 2025, after serving less than half his sentence.

Sri Lanka arrests ex-President Rajapaksa’s wife in graft case

Sri Lanka’s former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been arrested in a corruption case.

Racial and religious hate crimes at record high in England and Wales, data shows

Offences targeting Muslims increased most in 12 months to March – up 15% – while antisemitic hate crimes rose by 10%UK politics live – latest updatesRacially and religiously motivated offences have reached record highs in the UK, as the government’s main Islamophobia partner says attacks on mosques are increasing in severity.New Home Office figures show police recorded 146,825 hate crimes in the y...

Italy overhauls electoral system after fiercely contested debate

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the move will deliver more stable government, but opposition parties say her aim is to stay in power.

Watch: Why was the sign at the British consulate in East Jerusalem removed?

The consulate, first established in 1838, was set to be closed by the Israeli government in retaliation for UK sanctions.

At least 33 dead in Russian bomb blast in east Ukraine stronghold

A ⁠Russian bomb attack on ⁠the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk ⁠killed at least 33 people, authorities said on Thursday, describing it as a targeted strike on civilians in the key stronghold sought by Moscow. Another 18 people were wounded in one of the largest single attacks this year, ‌which took place on a street where police said two city buses were operating at the time of the strike. Pr...

How expanded Japan-US military exercises could complicate PLA planning over Taiwan

Japan and the United States will rehearse moving anti-ship missiles, air defences and communications networks onto islands near Taiwan this month in an expanded military exercise that analysts say could complicate Beijing’s planning for a Taiwan or East China Sea conflict. Keen Sword 27, which runs from October 19 to 29, will involve about 45,000 Japanese personnel, 6,100 vehicles, 40 ships and 26...

Amid battle for AI edge, Hong Kong presses HSBC over Singapore hub decision: sources

As Hong Kong and Singapore compete for leadership in businesses ranging from foreign exchange trading to wealth management, the battleground has extended to artificial intelligence, with both cities vying to attract investment from HSBC Holdings and other major corporations, according to industry players. The issue came into focus after the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) questioned HSBC about...