BBC News (World)

Ukraine Russia war: US House passes crucial aid deal worth $61bn

The House of Representatives has finally approved billions of dollars in new US military aid for Ukraine as it struggles to resist Russia's invasion.

The much-delayed measure had vocal opponents in Congress and it took a fragile bipartisan deal to get the $61bn (£49bn) package through.

Now the focus shifts from "whether" to "when" lethal aid arrives, with reports suggesting it could begin within days.

President Joe Biden spoke of a "clear message" about US leadership abroad. read more

A man who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan court where former President Donald Trump's hush-money trial is being held has died.

Maxwell Azzarello, 37, doused himself in a liquid before throwing conspiracy-theory pamphlets into the air.

It happened as the jury selection for Mr Trump's trial was completed.

He was taken to hospital on Friday in critical condition, where he later died, CBS News - the BBC's US partner - confirmed.

Mr Trump was in the building to attend jury selection, where he has had a security detail, but the former president left during the incident.

New York City police said early on Saturday that Mr Azzarello was declared dead by hospital staff, NBC reported. read more

Man held over Paris bomb threat at Iran consulate

Armed police have made an arrest after reports that a man was seen entering the Iranian consulate not far from the Eiffel Tower in Paris,

Elite officers from France's BRI intervention brigade surrounded the building after a witness saw a man apparently carrying a grenade or explosive vest.

French reports said the suspect eventually left the building.

A man was detained by police shortly after 14:45 (12:45 GMT). read more

- An Israeli missile has struck Iran, two US officials have told the BBC's US partner CBS News
- Iranian state media are citing unconfirmed reports of explosions in central province of Isfahan
- Flights have been suspended over several cities, state media say
- Iran has been on high alert after Israel said it would respond to an Iranian attack against it on Saturday night
- More than 300 drones and missiles were fired at Israel by Iran during its unprecedented attack read more

Dubai airport re-opens after UAE suffers heavy rain

Operations at Dubai International Airport remain severely disrupted after heavy rains battered the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring countries.

The storm pounded the UAE on Tuesday, flooding roads and the sections of the busy international airport.

Flash floods have now killed 20 people in Oman and one in the UAE.

Some inbound flights have resumed on Thursday, but on the whole Dubai international airport, a major travel hub, is struggling to function. read more

Ukraine warns of WW3 ahead of long-stalled Congress aid vote

Ukraine's prime minister has told the BBC there will be a "Third World War" if Ukraine loses its conflict with Russia, as he urged the US Congress to pass a long-stalled foreign aid bill.

Denys Shmyhal expressed "careful optimism" that US lawmakers would pass the hotly contested measure, which has $61bn (£49bn) earmarked for Kyiv.

The House of Representatives is set to vote on the package this Saturday.

The proposal includes funding for Israel as well as the Indo-Pacific. read more

Whistleblower 'would not' put family on Boeing 787 jet

Boeing is expected to face criticism at a US Senate hearing from a whistleblower who says he feared its planes could fall apart mid-air.

Engineer Sam Salehpour told NBC News he had raised concerns about the 787 Dreamliner, which Boeing dismissed.

The company is under scrutiny after a number of safety incidents, including a mid-air panel blow-out in January.

But it has sought to defend its practices, and says it is co-operating with the Senate inquiry. read more

US and EU eye new sanctions on Iran after attack on Israel

The United States and the European Union say they are looking at imposing further sanctions on Iran, after its attack on Israel at the weekend.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she expected to take action "in the coming days", while EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc was working on it.

Israel has urged its allies to sanction Tehran's missile programme.

United Nations sanctions over the programme expired in October. read more

Jeremy Bowen: Iran's attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline

It wasn't many days ago that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was under enormous pressure.

After seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen were killed by the Israeli army in Gaza on 1 April, US President Joe Biden seemed finally to lose patience with his troublesome ally.

On the same day, Israel attacked the Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus, killing a senior general, at least six other officers, and violating legal conventions that prohibit attacks on embassies. read more

Israeli war cabinet meets to discuss response to Iranian attack

Israel's war cabinet has met to discuss its response to Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack.

Israel did not make public whether a decision had been reached.

Its allies have strongly condemned Iran's actions, but urged Benjamin Netanyahu's government to show restraint.

While Iran has signalled it considers the matter closed, the Israeli military's chief of staff said the attack would not go unanswered. read more

Sydney church stabbing: Bishop attacked during sermon

A bishop and several other people have been stabbed during a sermon in Sydney that was being streamed online, local media report.

The incident reportedly happened on Monday night in the suburb of Wakeley.

Police responded to reports that a number of people had been stabbed but said none of their injuries were life-threatening.

They added that a man had been arrested and was helping with their inquiries. The motive for the attack is unknown. read more

US tells Israel it won't join any retaliatory strikes on Iran

The White House has warned Israel that the US will not participate in any retaliatory strikes on Iran, senior administration officials have said.

Over 300 drones and missiles were fired at Israel overnight, which Iran said was in response to an 1 April strike on its consulate in Syria.

Almost all weapons were shot down by Israeli, US and allied forces before they reached their targets.

Officials said Joe Biden urged Israel to consider its response "carefully". read more

Israel's Netanyahu says defences are 'ready' as Iran attacks

Iran has launched aerial drones and missiles at Israel, marking a widely anticipated reprisal attack.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack was aimed at "specific targets".

Israeli military sources said more than 100 drones had been launched. The US had shot some down, CBS News reported.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they were on high alert and "monitoring all targets". Israel's prime minster convened a meeting of his war cabinet. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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