BBC News Briefing

14 October, 2026

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes and is wearing a green top

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. The trial of a Ukrainian man accused of blowing up Russia's gas pipelines to Germany has started in Hamburg - we have the details. In China, our correspondent speaks to the lonely people paying for companions. And finally, take a look at award-winning wildlife photography.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

How German police followed Nord Stream clues

Armed police escort Serhii K, whose face is digitally altered to conceal his identity. He is in handcuffs and wears a blue tracksuit.

The case is highly sensitive in Germany, which is seen as one of Ukraine's closest allies. Credit: Reuters

On 26 September 2022, vast quantities of gas began gushing through the surface of the Baltic Sea off the island of Bornholm. Explosions had targeted the Nord Stream pipelines from Russia to Germany, which have been inoperable ever since. The question of who was behind the sabotage has consumed investigators in Germany - correspondent Sarah Rainsford explains how police followed forensic crumbs leading to Ukraine, and accusations that some of the country's military personnel had plotted the attacks. The first of the suspects, identified as Serhii K, is now on trial following a lengthy extradition battle with Italy. He denies the charges, and Ukraine has denied any involvement.

More on the trial

Energy infrastructure: Ukraine's president said more than 600,000 people were left without electricity after a wave of deadly Russian strikes.

Russian bots: BBC Verify looks into claims that Ukraine's strikes on data centres have caused a drop in Kremlin-linked networks' activity.

Front-line status: Ukraine's former commander-in-chief told the BBC the country had "broken Russia's ability to advance".

WORLD HEADLINES

Photo of detention provided by Russia's Federal Security Bureau

Russia detains Japanese reporter on spying charges

The journalist, identified as Yuki Imai from the Hokkaido Shimbun, was arrested on suspicion of espionage.

More details >

A CCTV image of a man looking behind a television with a graphic added of a red circle around his face

Saudi employee charged with planting device at OpenAI

The company said it had discovered a "sophisticated recording device" in its San Francisco office and alerted the FBI.

What to know >

A close-up of nuns' hands holding up an image of Pope Leo XIV outside Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, 13 October 2026.

Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer, Vatican says

Large crowds gathered outside the Rome hospital where the pontiff underwent a 90-minute surgery on Tuesday.

What happened >

Two people in a courtroom, the woman to the left has short cropped blonde hair, a sad expression and is wearing a white hoodie. The man on the right has dark hair, a scruffy beard, and is wearing a blue blazer.

Selma Blair charged with additional assault counts

The actress was arrested after she allegedly attacked flight attendants on a plane from LA to New York. She has pleaded not guilty.

Read more >

Composite of Van Gogh painting of a tree on a rural street and a queue of people at a museum

Hong Kong crowds queue to see Van Gogh painting

The painter's Chestnut Trees in Blossom, which is going up for auction, had not been seen publicly in more than 60 years.

Watch now >

NEWS FROM THE UK

BBC investigates: With one car reported stolen every four minutes in the UK, my colleagues joined police on a hunt for vehicle thieves.

Tiger attack: The family of the man killed at a wildlife park has described him as "bright and warm" and said he had suffered from mental illness.

Barack Obama: The former US president talked about democracy and peace while receiving an honorary degree from Queen's University Belfast.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

The paid companions helping China's lonely

A smiling older woman, wearing a patterned red and navy sleeveless top, sits at a wooden table across from a smiling younger man in a black t-shirt, both holding round fans.

Zheng Ruizhi said Wang Yingwei's arrival lightened her mood.

A growing "loneliness industry" has emerged in China to try to alleviate people's feelings of isolation. Services offered include home visits, help to manage medical appointments and even support during hiking trips. But, as China correspondent Stephen McDonell discovered, at the core of many of these businesses, is a simple offering: human connection.

Read now

A modern looking home from the 1960s or 70s shows a girl and a woman sat by a pool. Mountains can be seen in the background and they are next to a house with lots of large windows.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

A century of Bel-Air

From a "gentleman's haven" to a refuge for celebs, here's how the LA suburb evolved.

Nine images