- Saturday, 23 August 2025
BBC
Taliban ban women from Afghan universities
The Taliban have banned women from universities in Afghanistan, sparking international condemnation and despair among young people in the country. The higher education minister announced the regression on Tuesday, saying it would take immediate effect.
Poachers target hippos for giant teeth in place of ivory
Deepening restrictions on ivory trafficking have led to an increase in the trade in hippopotamus teeth, wildlife campaigners are warning, with potentially serious effects for a species already listed as "vulnerable to extinction".
Twitter users vote in favour of Musk stepping down
Twitter users have voted in favour of Elon Musk stepping down as the platform's chief executive after the billionaire ran a poll on his future. A total of 57.5% voted "yes" after Musk asked his 122 million followers whether he should stand down. Musk, who bought Twitter for $44bn (£36bn), said before the poll closed that he would abide by the result.
Nations reach 'historic' deal to protect nature
Nations have agreed to protect a third of the planet for nature by 2030 in a "historic" deal aimed at safeguarding wildlife biodiversity. There will also be targets for protecting vital ecosystems such as rainforests and wetlands and the rights of indigenous peoples.
India couple wed in France, Argentina football shirts
A couple stood out in their devotion to the beautiful game. Sachin R and R Athira's wedding date coincided with the final on Sunday. While they agreed on most things about their wedding, they didn't want to compromise on which team they supported in the final. Sachin is an ardent fan of Argentina star Lionel Messi, while Athira is a passionate supporter of the French football team.
Australia beat South Africa within two days
Australia claimed victory over South Africa within two days of the first Test as 19 wickets fell on the second day's play in Brisbane.
Angelina Jolie steps down as UN refugee envoy
Oscar-winning US actress Angelina Jolie says she is stepping down from her role as an ambassador for the UN refugee agency UNHCR after more than 20 years. "I believe in many things the UN does, particularly the lives it saves through emergency relief," Jolie, 47, said.
Thai princess collapses from heart condition - palace
The Thai King's eldest daughter collapsed from a heart condition on Wednesday evening, Thailand's royal palace says. Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest daughter of King Vajiralongkorn, collapsed while training her dog north-east of Bangkok, the palace said.
Io volcano world comes into view of Juno probe
Nasa's Juno probe is bearing down on Io, the most volcanically active world in the Solar System. It's in the process of making a series of ever-closer flybys. Already, the spacecraft has passed by the Jupiter moon at a distance of 80,000km, to reveal details of its hellish, lava-strewn landscape.
World-record nonuplets return home to Mali from Morocco
The world's only nonuplets - nine babies born at the same time - have safely returned home to Mali after spending the first 19 months of their lives in Morocco. The babies broke the Guinness World Record for the most children delivered in a single birth to survive.
Six dead in shooting at remote Australian property
Six people, including two police officers, have been shot dead after a suspected ambush at a remote Australian property. Police said they had been searching for a missing person in Wieambilla - 270km (168 miles) west of Brisbane, Queensland - when they were fired upon.
Messi and Modric's last chance for World Cup glory
Two iconic Ballon d'Or-winning number 10s. Two beaten World Cup finalists. Two captains. One last chance to finally reach the peak of football and lift the famous trophy before they retire. It is hard to look past Argentina's Lionel Messi and Croatia's Luka Modric as the two difference-makers in Tuesday's first World Cup semi-final.
Afghanistan-Pakistan border shelling kills civilians
Afghan Taliban forces killed six civilians in Pakistan and injured at least 17 others in an "unprovoked" bombing and gunfire attack on a border town on Sunday, Pakistan says. The attack at Chaman on Sunday was condemned by Pakistan's military who said the Afghan side launched "indiscriminate fire".
Messi, Mbappe, Modric & Morocco set to light up World Cup semi-finals
Saturday's defeat by France means the World Cup dream is over for England. But four teams - Argentina, Croatia, France and Morocco - remain in Qatar, each still hoping to lift the trophy in a week's time. It is a semi-final line-up few could have predicted, but one with plenty of intriguing storylines which could play out over the coming days...
Iran carries out new execution linked to protests
Iran has carried out its second public execution linked to the nearly three-month wave of anti-government protests. Majid Reza Rahnavard was hanged in the city of Mashhad, the country's judiciary said.
