Why Iranians look dimly on first chance to vote since unrest

Turnout is seen as a crucial test for the regime - but how far is the choice a real one?

Seven arrested over murder of South African rapper AKA

The shooting dead of the performer and his friend at a restaurant last year shocked South Africans.

Grenfell-style cladding fear after Valencia fire

Construction pictures suggest the cladding used on the building may be of a type now banned in the UK.

DNA test confirms dying man was Japan's most wanted

Alleged bomber Satoshi Kirishima's deathbed confession came after 49 years on the run.

Depardieu faces new allegation of sexual assault

In the latest of a string of accusations, a set designer accuses the French actor of grabbing her in 2021.

Medical students find out school will be tuition-free

Students broke into cheers and tears as a former professor at a New York college announced a $1bn donation.

The Indians ‘duped’ into fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Their families have appealed to the Indian government for help getting them back home.

Mexico poll frontrunner deluged with hate messages

Claudia Sheinbaum, a close ally of President López Obrador, has had her phone number leaked online.

In pictures: Celebrating the Lantern Festival

The festival marks the end of Lunar New Year festivities - this year is Year of the Dragon.

Israel mulls ceasefire plan as progress reported

It comes as police break up protests in Tel Aviv calling for the prime minister's resignation.

Eiffel Tower set to reopen after six-day strike

Workers first walked out on Monday in a dispute over the way the tower was managed.

Navalny's body returned to mother, spokeswoman says

Alexei Navalny's body has been returned to his mother more than a week after he died in a Russian prison.

SA's ANC pitches for votes as majority threatened

President Ramaphosa says the government "will do better" as other parties eat away at its support.

Gaza desperately needs more aid but agencies can’t cope

Paul Adams examines why agencies are unable to get desperately needed aid into the Gaza Strip.

Germany set to legalise cannabis, but it's complex

If MPs vote yes, possession will be legal, but strict regulations will make it difficult to buy.

The young Bollywood star taking on Hollywood

Actress Alia Bhatt, adored by fans in India, is making her mark around the world.

Witnesses recount horror of Valencia tower block fire

Firefighters In the Spanish city rescued some of those trapped, but were unable to save others.

Palestinian gunmen kill one person in West Bank

Eight others were wounded when three gunmen opened fire on several vehicles, Israeli police say.

Footballer Dani Alves guilty of nightclub rape

A court in Spain has sentenced Alves, who played for Barcelona and Brazil, to four and a half years.

Kremlin lashes out after Biden aims barb at Putin

Moscow responds to Joe Biden's remarks about the Russian president at a California fundraiser.

Mexico volcano spews column of ash and gas

A yellow alert for areas close to the volcano is currently in place, according to local media.

The rise and fall of a parenting influencer

A woman who shot to fame giving parenting advice has been jailed for at least four years for child abuse.

Israeli strike on Damascus flat kills two - Syria

Israel's military has not commented on the reported attack on a building in the Syrian capital.

Polish farmers block Ukraine border in grain row

President Zelensky has said the protests show solidarity between Poland and Ukraine is waning.

Putin gifts luxury car to North Korea's Kim

The Kremlin says it was an Aurus, a full-sized sedan of the type used by the Russian president himself.

Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine 'shot dead'

Maxim Kuzminov - who fled Russia on a military helicopter - was found dead in Spain, according to reports.

Brightest and hungriest black hole ever detected

Astronomers report an object that shines with a brightness equivalent to 500 trillion suns.

Two police and a medic killed in Minnesota shooting

A lengthy standoff at a family home leaves three first responders dead - as well as the attacker.

'Brutal' donkey skin trade banned in 55 countries

Animal welfare charities welcome the African Union decision to ban the donkey skin trade across the continent.

US and UK ambassadors to Russia lay Navalny tributes

Diplomats in Moscow pay their respects to the Russian opposition leader who died in prison on Friday.

WHO says Gaza hospital raided by IDF not functional

Israeli forces say intelligence suggested hostages were being held at the Nasser site by Hamas.

Tel Aviv protesters call on Netanyahu to resign

The Israeli prime minister's popularity has declined among Israelis after the 7 October Hamas attacks.

Sacked Twitter staff in Ghana finally get pay-off

Former workers at X's Africa base say they have got their severance pay after a year-long campaign.

'We're brown artists mixing Bollywood with Beyoncé'

British south Asian artists have historically been overlooked but now they are becoming mainstream.

Trump hit where it hurts most in New York fraud ruling

A scathing judgment limits the former president's ability to do business in the city where he made his name.

Cambodia jails Taiwanese YouTuber for fake kidnap

The influencer was detained after claiming to have been abducted in the port city of Sihanoukville.

Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny dead, says prison service

Navalny, an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin, had been held in a Russian jail since 2021 on charges widely viewed as politically motivated.

Brian Wilson's family seeks conservatorship

The Beach Boys star will "remain at home" and "continue to work" at his discretion, the family says.

Trump to appear at key hearing in hush money case

The US ex-leader may make a last-minute bid to get the case dismissed before it goes to trial in March.

Tribute to black women wins at Rio Carnival parade

Samba school Viradouro is crowned champion of the highly contested event held at Rio's Sambadrome.

Israel special forces enter besieged Nasser hospital

Israel's military says its special forces are inside Gaza's besieged Nasser hospital

War-weary Ukrainians endure as Russia's invasion drags on

Two years into Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukrainians carry deep wounds from the fight.

Turkey mine: 'Race against time' to free workers after landslide

There are also concerns chemicals from the site could spread into the nearby Euphrates River.

Video shows chaotic moments after car crashes into US emergency ward

The driver was killed and five others injured when a vehicle collided into an emergency ward in Texas.

Video appears to show Ukrainian sea drones sink Russian landing ship

The video released by the Ukraine's military intelligence agency appears to be filmed by cameras onboard the drones.

Oscars 2024: 10 things we spotted in the Academy Awards class photo

Margot Robbie was among 179 nominees who gathered for the annual Academy Awards luncheon in Los Angeles.

Katy Perry to leave American Idol after seven seasons

The singer reveals this season of the talent show will be her last after seven seasons.

Super Bowl 2024 was most watched US TV broadcast since 1969 Moon landing

The Taylor Swift effect is thought to be a contributing factor as 123.4 million tuned in on Sunday.

Dutch court orders halt to F-35 jet parts exports to Israel

Judges sided with groups who said sending spares from the Netherlands contributed to law violations in Gaza.

Dariush Mehrjui and Vahideh Mohammadifar: Man sentenced to death for murders of Iranian director and his wife

Dariush Mehjuri and his wife, Vahideh Mohammadifar, were stabbed to death in their home in October.

Watch: Kelce and Swift celebrate at the Super Bowl

The pop icon flew in from Japan to watch her boyfriend play in Las Vegas at the 2024 championship game.

Senegal election crisis: 'We feel betrayed by President Macky Sall'

Imams and protesters unite in anger at a poll delay rocking Senegal's democratic credentials.

Pope and Milei meet as Argentina gains first female saint

Argentine President Javier Milei had previously criticised the Pope's views on social justice.

Nigerian bank chief Herbert Wigwe killed in US helicopter crash

The head of Nigeria's largest bank has been killed when a helicopter he was flying in crashed in California desert.

Myanmar's military government enforces conscription law

Young people will have to serve at least two years in the army - which is struggling to contain insurgencies.

Ros Atkins on… How the Ukraine war has stagnated

Almost two years on from Russia’s invasion, the BBC’s analysis editor examines why the front line has barely moved in 12 months.

Virat Kohli: India batter to miss rest of England Test series

India batter Virat Kohli will miss the rest of the Test series against England for personal reasons.

From Poland to Spain, Europe's farmers ramp up protests

Europe's farmers block roads in several countries complaining about EU measures and rising prices.

Israel-Gaza war: Palestinians who fled to Rafah fear Israeli assault

Forced to move time and time again, Palestinians insist fleeing to Egypt is not an option.

Switzerland: Police shoot dead axe-wielding hostage-taker on train

The emergency lasted several hours and hostages were freed unharmed.

Loose kangaroo bounces into trouble by Florida pool

The adventurous marsupial was captured after it was spotted hopping around near an apartment complex.

Kelvin Kangethe: US fugitive wanted for murder escapes custody in Kenya

Kelvin Kangethe allegedly killed his girlfriend in the US last October before flying to Kenya.

Nikki Haley loses to 'none of the candidates' in Nevada Republican primary

Donald Trump was not on the ballot but Nikki Haley still lost out as Republican leaders urged a protest vote.

Trapped orcas escape from drift ice near Japan

The pod of about a dozen killer whales were first spotted stranded on Monday north of Hokkaido.

Chile wildfires: Hundreds missing as thousands of homes burn

More than 120 people have been killed in the fires and the number of dead is expected to rise further.

Theo O Ebonyi: Nigerian pastor arrested over allegedly swindling followers of $1m

Theo O Ebonyi, accused of swindling his followers and others, dismisses news of his arrest as fake.

Country music legend Toby Keith dies aged 62

Toby Keith, one of country music's biggest stars, dies aged 62 - he had previously revealed he had stomach cancer

Drone footage shows Chile forest fire devastation

At least 112 people have been killed in Chile's Valparaiso region.

Dozens killed in strike on Russia-held Ukraine city

Russia blames Ukraine for the attack on a bakery, which the Kremlin said left 28 people dead.

Xiang Yang Hong 3: Chinese ship's port call in Maldives fans India tensions

A Chinese research ship's imminent arrival at Male has increased tensions between Beijing and Delhi.

Parisians vote for rise in parking fees for SUVs

The vote was called by mayor Anne Hidalgo, who says SUVs are dangerous and bad for the environment.

Atmospheric river: Evacuations ahead of 'life-threatening' California storm

People in some areas are told to evacuate ahead of "one of the most dramatic weather days in recent memory".

Chile wildfires: 51 dead as wildfire tears through Valparaiso region

Officials have warned the death toll is likely to rise as rescue teams reach the hardest hit areas.

Suspected French thief caught after phone-drop fiasco

The suspect called his own phone to try to arrange an exchange, after he lost it during an attempted robbery.

What are routes out of this 'dangerous moment' in Middle East?

BBC's Paul Adams asks whether US strikes on Iraq and Syria made a regional conflagration more likely.

Imran Khan: Pakistan ex-PM and wife Bushra Bibi jailed for illegal marriage

The court voids Khan's marriage with a faith healer, in the latest case against the Pakistani ex-PM.

New Mexico: Failed election candidate paid me to shoot officials, gunman says

The gunman says he helped a defeated Republican target the homes of Democrats in New Mexico.

Groundhog Day: Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?

America's favourite groundhog - and meteorologist - predicted an early spring at this year's ceremony.

Ukraine war: Two French volunteers killed in Russian drone strike - Macron confirms

President Emmanuel Macron condemns as "cowardly" Thursday's Russian drone attack in southern Ukraine.

Segun Aremu: Nigerian traditional monarch shot dead and wife kidnapped

Gunmen stormed the palace of traditional ruler Segun Aremu amid concern about a wave of abductions.

Western officials in protest over Israel Gaza policy

More than 800 officials in the US and Europe have penned a letter calling for more pressure on Israel.

Ukraine 'hits Russian missile boat Ivanovets in Black Sea'

Military intelligence says the Ivanovets, a small warship, was destroyed in a special operation off Crimea.

Christopher Steele: High Court throws out Trump ex-spy dossier case

A judge rules that the lawsuit over allegations made about the ex-US president could not continue.