- Monday, 23 February 2026
BBC
Melting Swiss glacier uncovers missing 1986 climber
Human remains found on a glacier close to Switzerland's famous Matterhorn have been confirmed to be the body of a German climber missing since 1986. The discovery is the latest in a number of long-held secrets that the Alpine glaciers, now rapidly shrinking due to climate change, have revealed.
Singapore executes first woman in almost 20 years
Singapore on Friday executed a woman for the first time in almost 20 years, officials confirmed. Singaporean national Saridewi Djamani, 45, was found guilty of trafficking 30g (1.06oz) of heroin in 2018.
The world's most liveable cities for 2023
The Austrian capital is no stranger to the number one spot in the liveability index, only losing the accolade briefly in 2021 when pandemic closures impacted its museums and restaurants. With perfect scores in stability, healthcare, education and infrastructure, Vienna is more than the sum of its parts, according to residents.
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Niger soldiers declare coup on national TV
By Laurence Peter, July 27: Soldiers in the West African country of Niger have announced a coup on national TV.They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders.Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday.He was promised Washington's "unwavering support" in a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said he had spoken to the president and offered the UN's full support.Bazoum is a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy in West Africa.Two neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, have experienced coups triggered by jihadist uprisings in recent years.In both countries, the new military leaders have fallen out with France, the former colonial power, which also formerly ruled Niger.In the TV announcement on Wednesday, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, alongside nine other uniformed soldiers behind him, said: "We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you know."This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation and poor economic and social governance."He also said that all of the country's institutions had been suspended and that the heads of the ministries would take care of day-to-day business."All external partners are asked not to interfere," he went on. "Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised."He added a night curfew would take effect from 22:00 until 05:00 local time until further notice.Col Maj Abdramane said the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).After the soldiers' TV announcement, Blinken called for the release of President Bazoum.He told a news conference in New Zealand that "what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution".AFP, President Bazoum's detention conditions remain unclear (2022 photo)In neighbouring Mali, heavily armed Russian Wagner mercenaries are helping the military regime to fight jihadist insurgents. Niger's unrest comes on top of existing Western anxiety about Wagner operations and the Sahel region's instability.President Vladimir Putin, keen to expand Russian influence in Africa, is hosting African leaders in St Petersburg on Thursday.The West African economic bloc Ecowas has said it "condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force" in Niger.On behalf of Ecowas, Benin's President Patrice Talon has arrived in the capital Niamey on a mediation mission.Talon said "all means" would be used, if necessary to restore constitutional order in Niger, "but the ideal would be for everything to be done in peace and harmony".Earlier on Wednesday, crowds in Niamey took to the streets in support of Mr Bazoum. A BBC reporter also saw heavily armed forces loyal to the president stationed around the national broadcaster.The city was mostly peaceful, although soldiers behind the coup attempt fired shots to break up the protests.AFP, Supporters of President Bazoum rallied in Niamey earlier on WednesdayNiger is grappling with two Islamist insurgencies - one in the southwest, which swept in from Mali in 2015, and the other in the southeast, involving jihadists based in north-eastern Nigeria.Militant groups allied to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State are active in the country.President Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, is a close ally of France, and other Western nations.Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous attempted coups.
North Korea: China and Russia in first post-pandemic visits
North Korea had sealed itself off from all trade and diplomatic ties in early 2020, even with Russia and China, its main economic and political partners.
Deadly Mediterranean wildfires kill more than 40
More than 40 people have died in Algeria, Italy and Greece as Mediterranean wildfires threaten villages and holiday resorts, and thousands have been evacuated. Greece is preparing for more evacuation flights from Rhodes, as fires also rage on the islands of Corfu and Evia.
Cambodia's Hun Sen to resign and appoint son as PM
Cambodia's Hun Sen, one of the world's longest-serving leaders, has announced he will resign as prime minister and hand over to his son in the coming weeks.
India opposition seeks no-trust vote against government
Indian opposition parties have moved two no-confidence motions in parliament against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government amid a deadlock over violence in the state of Manipur.
Cambodia leader faces no challengers at election
Voting is underway in Cambodia, where the country's long-term leader is virtually certain to extend his party's rule in an election where there are no serious challengers.
Earth in uncharted waters as climate records tumble
A series of climate records on temperature, ocean heat, and Antarctic sea ice have alarmed some scientists who say their speed and timing are "unprecedented". Dangerous heatwaves in Europe could break further records, the UN says.
Can houseplants purify the air in your home?
Most people don't realise just how many pollutants are swirling around indoors, where they typically spend most of their time. For example, many of the products we use for cleaning and freshening our homes, schools and workplaces are adding invisible toxins to the air. "The smell of fresh is not a smell," says Anne Hicks, a paediatric pulmonary specialist at the University of Alberta.
16 dead, dozens trapped in deadly India landslide
Sixteen people have died and dozens are feared to be trapped after a massive landslide hit a village in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.
What is killing rare cheetahs in India?
A lot of prestige is attached to the cheetah project in India - Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself travelled to Kuno last September to release the first batch of eight cheetahs from Namibia into the national park. (Another 12 of the big cats were brought in from South Africa earlier this year.) So it's no surprise that every death - and birth - makes headlines.
Deadly shooting in Auckland hours before Women's World Cup
A shooting has left two people dead in the centre of Auckland, New Zealand, hours before the city opened the Fifa Women's World Cup.
2026 Commonwealth Games in doubt after Australia cancel
The 2026 Commonwealth Games are in doubt after the Australian state of Victoria cancelled its plans to host due to budget blowouts. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) struggled to find a host before Victoria volunteered in April 2022.
