- Saturday, 23 August 2025
BBC
Far-right Meloni accepts job as Italian PM
Italy's far-right leader Giorgia Meloni has formally accepted the job of forming the next government at the head of the country's most right-wing administration since World War Two. She was greeted by President Sergio Mattarella, less than a month after her Brothers of Italy party won the elections.
India destroys 100 million Covid vaccines
Indian vaccine maker Serum Institute of India (SII) has said it had to dump 100 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine after they expired. The firm stopped producing Covishield in December last year due to low demand, CEO Adar Poonawalla said.
Who could replace Liz Truss as prime minister?
Liz Truss has announced she will resign, which means there will now be another leadership election to decide who becomes the next Conservative leader and prime minister. The contest to replace her is expected to be completed by the end of next week.
Indonesia bans all syrup medicines after death of 99 children
The deaths of nearly 100 children in Indonesia have prompted the country to suspend sales of all syrup and liquid medication. It comes just weeks after a cough syrup in The Gambia was linked to the deaths of nearly 70 children.
Black Death 700 years ago affects your health now
The devastation of the plague pandemic left such an incredible genetic mark on humanity that it's still affecting our health nearly 700 years later. Up to half of the people died when the Black Death swept through Europe in the mid-1300s.
At least eight killed in Myanmar jail blasts
At least eight people have been killed in explosions at Myanmar's notorious Insein prison in Yangon. Locals told BBC Burmese two parcel bombs went off at the entrance to the jail on Wednesday morning, killing three prison staff and five visitors.
Ivory seized decades ago still turning up in raids
Confiscated ivory from elephants killed more than 30 years ago has turned up in recent raids, say scientists. The tusks were once part of a stockpile seized from poachers and held in sealed containers by the government of Burundi.
Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane dies aged 72
Actor Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, has died aged 72. He also appeared in ITV detective drama Cracker and the James Bond films Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough.
'All hope gone' after subject ban for Afghan women
For instance, at Nangarhar University where Fatima hoped to study journalism, in the province neighbouring hers, girls are now given the right to choose from only seven of 13 faculties. Women are not permitted to take subjects like journalism, agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering or economics. "All their hopes are gone now," says Fatima, of the girls who would have pursued studies in these areas if they'd passed the entrance exam.
Turkish mine blast kills 28 and leaves dozens trapped
At least 28 people have died and dozens remain trapped underground after an explosion in a coal mine in northern Turkey's Bartin province. Around 110 people were in the mine at the time of the blast on Friday, almost half of them at over 300 metres deep.
5 billion phones to be thrown away in 2022
This year, 5.3 billion mobile phones will be thrown away not recycled, the international waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) forum says. Its estimate, based on global trade data, highlights the growing environmental problem of "e-waste".
Japanese yen touches 32-year low against US dollar
The Japanese yen touched a 32-year low against the US dollar after official figures showed that prices had risen faster than expected in America. The yen fell to 147.66 against the US dollar before regaining some ground.
Incredible photos from Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022
It's a manic moment as male cactus bees envelop a single female. But who in this amorous scrum will emerge lucky and get to mate with her? This remarkable picture, captured by Karine Aigner, is the grand title winner in this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Indian teacher whose hand was cut off for an exam paper
In 2010, the hand of a professor in India was cut off by extremists after he was accused of insulting Islam in an exam paper. Last month, the government banned the controversial Muslim group Popular Front of India (PFI), whose members had carried out the attack.
India state stunned by 'human sacrifice' murders
Police in the southern Indian state of Kerala have arrested three people for allegedly murdering two women in a suspected case of human sacrifice. The remains of the women, who have allegedly murdered months apart, were found on Tuesday.
