Reuters By Laurence Peter BBC News Russia has blamed Ukraine for a spate of arson attacks on military recruitment centres, alleging that callers in Ukraine are tricking elderly Russians into committing such crimes. The claim is not backed by evidence. The prosecutor-general’s office says Ukrainian agents posed as police or creditors in the calls and…

By Kathryn Armstrong BBC News Russia’s Wagner mercenary group is “taking advantage” of instability in Niger, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told the BBC. The country has been ruled by a junta following the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum more than two weeks ago. There have been suggestions the coup leaders have asked…

Reuters By Ruth Comerford BBC News More than 1,000 buses have begun ferrying scouts at an international event in South Korea out of a campsite due to an incoming tropical storm. Helicopters and police cars were escorting the buses from the disaster-hit jamboree. The threat of the storm comes just days after hundreds at the…

PA Media A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) after a man was stabbed close to the British Museum. The man was attacked in the arm at the junction of Russell Street and Museum Street at about 10:00 BST. He was taken to hospital by paramedics. It is understood…

Getty Images By Paul Glynn Entertainment reporter DJ Casper, best known for the hugely successful dance hit the Cha-Cha Slide has died aged 58, his family confirmed. The US MC and songwriter, real name Willie Perry Jr, topped the UK singles chart with the song in 2004. The Chicago-born star, who also created its accompanying…

Reuters By Ian Youngs Entertainment & arts reporter Megan Thee Stallion has said she will “never be the same” after being shot in the feet by fellow rap star Tory Lanez, as a judge prepares to sentence him. Megan, a triple Grammy Award winner, wrote a victim impact statement that was read in court on…

Getty Images By Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter Actress Sandra Bullock’s long-term partner, photographer Bryan Randall, has died at the age of 57. His family confirmed he died after being diagnosed three years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In a statement, Randall’s family said they were “immensely grateful to the tireless doctors who navigated the…

Getty Images By Azizullah Khan BBC Urdu, Peshawar When former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested over the weekend over corruption allegations, there was barely a whimper of protest. Not a single major demonstration was reported anywhere in the country. Compare this to a few months ago, when the 70-year-old was arrested and taken from…

Getty Images By Tiffanie Turnbull BBC News, Sydney Two Saturdays ago, five people sat down for a family meal in a tiny Australian town. Within a week, three would be dead, a fourth fighting for life, and the fifth under investigation for potentially poisoning her guests with wild mushrooms. But the 48-year-old woman who cooked…

Reuters By Derek Cai BBC News, Singapore Renowned Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre’s son has been charged with murder for killing and dismembering a man in Thailand. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, pleaded guilty to the murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, 44, in a Thai court on Monday. Police discovered parts of Arrieta’s body at a…