South Africans are casting ballots in local elections viewed as an important test for the African National Congress (ANC), the movement that helped end white minority rule in 1994 but has seen its backing weaken over the last 10 years. Polling stations opened at 7am (05:00 GMT) on Wednesday and will close at 9pm (19:00 GMT). The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says a record 29.2 million people are registered at 23,696 voting stations. More than 1.4 million special ballots were

Kim Kardashian’s first major turn as a leading actor was supposed to be a defining moment, but last year’s legal series All’s Fair drew such harsh reviews that it became a streaming phenomenon as viewers tuned in to see the controversy for themselves. Kardashian, widely known for her work in media and business, tells the BBC that she had to embrace the reaction and return for another season. “We genuinely thought we were making a legal series about serious subjects,” she says with a laugh.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said that Russia’s war against Ukraine could end in the coming months, while also suggesting that the conflict could grow into a wider global confrontation. His remarks were reported by Belarusian and Russian state-aligned media following his speech at the Fourth Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security. “There is no strength left and no resources left. Everyone is tired of the war. Even Europe has begun to understand where this escalation came

Cyclone Murasu has struck India’s eastern coastline, uprooting trees, knocking down power lines and inundating low-lying parts of Andhra Pradesh. It is the second cyclone to hit the area within a week, following Cyclone Arnab. The severe storm made landfall close to Ongole in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district at around 1am on Tuesday, or 19:30 GMT on Monday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Related Coverage • Thousands moved to safety as India prepares for a second

• Ukraine’s air force said it believed the nationwide air-raid alert application may have been compromised. On Sunday, the app briefly displayed nuclear and chemical warnings for Kyiv and several other regions. It also falsely reported that Russia had launched its hypersonic Oreshnik missile. The air force said the alert service appeared to have been affected by hostile interference and stressed that there was no radiation danger, urging residents to remain calm and rely on official updates.

The largest oil companies in the world are expected to collect more than $95bn (£71bn) in profits during the third quarter, as conflict in the Middle East pushes fossil fuel prices higher. These wartime gains have renewed demands for companies including Saudi Aramco and BP to contribute towards environmental repair and support the shift to renewable power. Research from investment platform AJ Bell suggests that nine of the largest publicly traded oil producers could generate more than $95bn

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Russia and Ukraine to halt attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, while agreeing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pursue a new grain transport route through the region. Erdogan delivered the appeal on Saturday during a joint press conference with Zelenskyy in Istanbul, stressing that strikes on non-military ships were unacceptable regardless of which side was responsible. Related coverage • Ukraine expands its military

Hungry and exhausted residents of the Russian-controlled Ukrainian town of Oleshky have arrived in Ukraine during a large-scale civilian evacuation, made possible by the first humanitarian ceasefire of its kind in more than four years of Russia’s war. The six-day truce for the town was secured through mediation involving US First Lady Melania Trump and support from Pope Leo XIV. It marks the longest local halt in hostilities since Russia launched its full invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Ukrainians evacuated from Oleshky arrived at Gomel Airport in Belarus on three separate flights, according to reports from the local news agency BelTA. Residents of Oleshky were first transported by bus to the Russian Black Sea city of Anapa. They then spent several hours traveling by air to Gomel. Upon arrival, they were met by emergency service personnel, medical teams, and Red Cross volunteers. Reports said that evacuees were also able to bring their pets with them. At the airport, the

The United States has said it approved the potential sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles to Ukraine, in a deal estimated at $2.1bn. The proposed package, which includes missiles, spare parts and support services, was announced by the US State Department on Friday. It would mark one of the largest moves to provide Kyiv with defensive weaponry since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025. Recommended Stories • list 1 of 3Concerns grow in Europe over alleged

My earliest reading memory My mother read to me every night before bed, but by the time I was about three I had begun to focus less on the illustrations and more on the words themselves. Soon afterwards I was reading alone, regularly bringing home four library books a week. My favourite book growing up As a child, I loved Alison Goudge’s The Little White Horse. Its blend of history and gothic fantasy made a lasting impression on me. It is grounded and enchanting, unsettling without ever

A Ukrainian delegation has safely arrived in occupied Oleshky, where the evacuation operation has begun. The announcement was made by Davyd Arakhamia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction. “Evacuation and the distribution of humanitarian aid have started. The ceasefire remains in effect. More details will follow,” he said. Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, shared footage of his meeting with residents of occupied Oleshky in the Kherson region. In the

In mid-October, Starlink connectivity in Ukraine’s combat zone was restricted, causing drone flights to halt and military operations to be suspended. According to reports, experts warn that the consequences could become even more serious. The worst-case scenario—a complete shutdown—could ultimately give Russia a major advantage in the war. There is currently no full-scale alternative to Starlink. European efforts to build a comparable satellite network remain far from reaching the same

Police in South Carolina have determined that the death of US actress Hayden Panettiere was accidental, bringing their local investigation to a close. The Heroes and Nashville actor died in August at the age of 36 after experiencing the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax and other substances found in her body. After the medical examiner reported last month that Panettiere had died from a drug overdose, the Greenville Police Department said it had completed its investigation into the case. The US

One moment I’m pedalling across a wide sweep of dusty-pink heath, with gentle sand dunes rising on the far horizon; the next, I’m gliding into a sweet-smelling Scots pine forest. Sunlight slips between the red-barked trunks, scattering shifting white patterns across the path in front of me. I’m in Hoge Veluwe National Park, a 5,400-hectare nature reserve in Gelderland, roughly 90 minutes from Amsterdam. Around 40km of cycle routes run through its landscapes, while some 2,000 distinctive white

A leading African health official has warned that the unusually wide spread of the Ebola outbreak could eventually put the UK and other countries at risk. With the outbreak now surpassing 10,000 reported cases and nearing 5,000 deaths, Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said the situation carried echoes of the Covid-19 pandemic. That crisis began in China before rapidly spreading worldwide, causing millions of deaths and placing enormous

It is easy to keep postponing a once-in-a-lifetime journey: Move it to next season, next year, after a renovation, or simply leave it as a dream. For travelers hoping to stop delaying, National Geographic’s 2027 selection of 25 essential places to visit offers a particularly timely collection of immersive, experience-led ideas. The list includes new attractions, including Chile’s Cape Froward National Park, alongside major commemorations such as a Leipzig, Germany, festival honoring 200 years

Jordan launched air strikes in Syria in what it described as retaliation for last week’s deadly attack on a church, while Syrian officials said at least seven people, including three children and a woman, were killed in the raids. The strikes on Monday led Syria to shut its main border crossing with Jordan. Recommended Stories • list 1 of 3Suwayda remains tense as the United States shows differences with Israel over Syria • list 2 of 3Jordan detains three suspects in early raid linked to church

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, “Hope,” the new film by South Korean director Na Hong-jin, sparked a considerable reaction. Known for the crime thrillers “The Chaser” and “The Yellow Sea,” the filmmaker returned with a large-scale monster story that left audiences divided. Although the movie went home without awards, some praised it as an inventive take on creature features, a bold dismantling of familiar genre conventions, and a surprisingly sharp satire. Others criticized its excessive

The administration of Donald Trump is reportedly considering former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for the position of UN secretary-general. Orbán, widely known for his Russia-friendly views, was allegedly encouraged by the United States to enter the race. According to reports, the initiative came directly from the American side. A US State Department representative admitted that the proposal may initially sound unusual. However, based on preliminary contacts with Washington, Russia and