Week in pictures: 18-24 March 2023

A selection of striking images from around the world, taken in the past seven days.

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Donald Trump and his 'perp walk' moment explained in 60 seconds

How will the former US President handle his courthouse entry if he has to turn himself in?

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Rare show of Northern Lights dazzles North America

One of the most intense geomagnetic storm in years paints skies across the region green, purple and pink.

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Scottish paedophile jailed for directing Philippines child abuse

Gary Campbell, 59, paid for abuse to be carried out as he watched from his home in Sutherland.

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France protests: Macron takes off 'luxury' watch during TV interview

The president's team say the watch was banging on the table - but critics say it was a bad look.

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Tawang: The town living in the shadow of India-China war

Memories of a painful past are still fresh in Tawang, but its people hope for a better future.

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Australia has a 'pokies' gambling problem, but is change coming?

The country is controversially home to a fifth of the world's slot machines, known locally as "pokies".

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Africa's week in pictures: 17 - 23 March 2023

A selection of the best photos from across Africa and beyond this week.

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Bordeaux town hall set on fire in France pension protests

Fire engulfs the building's front as violence flares in several cities during pension reform protests.

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Do Kwon: Fugitive crypto mogul believed caught in Montenegro

Police believe they have arrested Do Kwon, the crypto boss accused of a multibillion-dollar fraud.

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Masked man with loaded gun stopped from entering Florida strip club

Security guards fight off the man in Tampa, Florida, possibly preventing a mass shooting, police say.

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Watch moment Australian police swoop on secret drugs flight

The plane carried 52kg of meth from PNG to Australia with flight monitoring switched off in an effort to avoid detection.

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Inside Somalia's hidden world of sex work

Two Somali sex workers describe how they were drawn into the dangerous illegal underground scene.

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Lindsay Lohan and Jake Paul hit with SEC charges over crypto scheme

Eight stars including Soulja Boy did not disclose payments for touting cryptocurrencies, the SEC says.

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Coppola Jr becomes film family's latest star, with viral TikTok clip

The next generation in the famous film-making dynasty inadvertently becomes a social media star.

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Oldest most complete Hebrew Bible goes on display in Israel before sale

An Israeli museum is showing the 1,100-year-old Codex Sassoon before it is sold for as much as $50m.

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US raises interest rates despite banking turmoil

The Federal Reserve moves borrowing costs higher as it focuses on efforts to stabilise prices.

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From street truce to Olympic battles - breaking's 40-year odyssey

When peace broke out among New York's gangs, breaking was born. But few foresaw it conquering the world and morphing into an Olympic sport.

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Badger tunnels halt traffic on Dutch railways

Trains in the north and south of the Netherlands are affected, with some services stopping for a week.

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Conspiracy theorists led family to death in Switzerland

Swiss investigators say adults in the family were obsessed with conspiracy theories.

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Ukraine war: UK defends sending uranium shells after Putin warning

The UK says the depleted uranium shells, which it is sending to Ukraine, are "standard".

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Putin: China peace plan could be basis to end war

But after talks with President Xi in Moscow, Mr Putin claims the West and Ukraine are not ready for peace.

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Memorial raids: Russia targets leaders of banned Nobel Prize-winning group

Nine leaders of Memorial are targeted, months after their organisation was shut down by the courts.

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US police forces on alert ahead of possible Trump arrest

Police in New York, Washington DC and Los Angeles are expected to mobilise in case of potential unrest.

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Dreams of space that ended in shipwreck off Italy

Maeda, 17, wanted to be an astronaut - and took huge risks to pursue her goal.

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Adani Group: Chhattisgarh tribes' year-long protest against tycoon's coal mine

Why Chhattisgarh's tribal people are against a new coal mine owned by the Adani Group?

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The 'dear' friendship of Xi and Putin... in 62 seconds

As Putin welcomes Xi to Moscow, the BBC examines the relationship between the two world leaders.

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Jeffrey Epstein banks to face sex trafficking case

A US court says the banks must face claims they enabled the deceased financier's sex trafficking.

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EU gives Ukraine €2bn of ammunition after shell plea

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hailed the "game-changing decision" from the EU.

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Putin to Xi: We will discuss your plan to end the war in Ukraine

China's leader, whose Ukraine plan has been criticised in the West, gets a warm welcome in Moscow.

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Central banks to boost flow of US dollars amid market unease

Six central banks move to keep credit flowing worldwide after two big institutions collapsed.

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Safety pin: A tiny tool Indian women use to fight sexual harassment

Almost every day women in India face sexual harassment in public places. So how do they deal with it?

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Saudi Arabia invited Iran's President Raisi to visit, Tehran says

The visit - not yet confirmed by Riyadh - would build on a thaw in tensions, brokered by China.

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Nigeria elections 2023: Counting under way in governor polls marred by violence

Violence has marred polling in several states including the commercial city of Lagos.

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Ukraine war: Putin pays visit to occupied Mariupol, state media reports

The Russian president toured the Ukrainian city devastated by Russian shelling, the Kremlin says.

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Kenya's plan to curb alcohol abuse: One pub per town

The deputy president has suggested a radical step to reduce alcohol abuse - closing nearly all pubs.

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Credit Suisse bank: UBS said to be in takeover talks with troubled rival

Emergency talks are reported in Zurich as regulators seek a deal for Credit Suisse before Monday.

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French pension reforms: Is Macron's government doomed by crisis?

No-confidence motions face the Macron government as it tries to force its unpopular changes into law.

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Cyclone Gabrielle: The New Zealand flood victims too scared to go home

Cyclone Gabrielle has sparked a nationwide debate about climate change and vulnerable homes.

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Southern Ecuador earthquake kills at least 12

A strong earthquake off Ecuador's southern coast left people trapped in collapsed houses.

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Russia and Ukraine extend grain deal despite disagreement

The renewed accord means exports can continue via Ukraine's Black Sea ports, but it is unclear how long for.

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Italy leaves children of same-sex parents in limbo

Italy's right-wing government prompts an outcry by halting registration of children of same-sex parents.

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How Australia wrote the 'stop the boats' playbook

The policy slogan used by Rishi Sunak is the same as that used 10 years ago in Australia.

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Thousands may have lost out to crypto trading app

Experts who investigated iEarn Bot say it could be part of one of the biggest-ever crypto scandals.

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Cyclone Freddy in Malawi: Searching for my daughter-in-law in the mud

Rescue teams continue to look for victims after Cyclone Freddy's destructive path through Malawi.

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Lance Reddick, star of The Wire and John Wick, dies aged 60

Reddick, who played Charon in the John Wick action-thriller movies, died of natural causes.

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Turkey's Erdogan seals deal on Finland joining Nato

A vote on Finland's membership now goes to Turkey's parliament, but Sweden's bid is still held up.

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Gangs sow terror in Brazil cities for third night

Organised crime members are carrying out attacks in several cities to protest against prison conditions.

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Australian shreds record for longest surf session

Blake Johnston has been riding waves for over 30 hours and plans to keep going.

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Russia Ukraine invasion: Indians are braving war to study in Ukraine

More than 1,000 students have returned to finish degrees after fleeing fighting a year ago.

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Africa's week in pictures: 10-16 March

A selection of the best photos from across Africa and beyond this week.

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Jenin: Four Palestinians killed in Israeli raid

The dead include at least two senior militants and a 16-year-old boy, Palestinian officials say.

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What China’s baby woes mean for its economic ambitions

The country's ageing population and shrinking workforce are a threat to its economic growth.

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Protests in Paris as Macron pushes through pension reform in France

The French government has invoked a power that means no vote is needed for the reforms to go ahead.

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Abhimaan: A Bollywood marital drama that's relevant even after 50 years

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan's iconic 1973 film Abhimaan continues to wow audiences even as it turns 50.

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Why Vietnam doesn't want to claim Ke Huy Quan

The actor has openly acknowledged his Vietnamese roots but the reaction to his historic win has been muted.

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Turkey floods: Truck overturned by surge of water in earthquake zone

Deadly floods in southern Turkey follow February's earthquakes that killed more than 44,000 people.

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Russian spy network accused of sabotage arrested in Poland

The group of foreign citizens were arrested in Poland accused of a sabotage plot.

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Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt: Football fans throw chairs at Naples riot police

Police respond with tear gas as Eintracht Frankfurt fans charge through the streets.

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San Francisco reparations plan proposes $5m for black residents

The city is also considering homes in San Francisco for $1 per family under the reparations plan.

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Officials investigate latest close call at US airport

The incident in Washington, DC is the latest in a string of reported near-collisions on US airport runways.

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US drone crash: A moment fraught with danger

The encounter between a Russian jet and a US drone raises some difficult questions for President Biden.

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German military boost fails to spend single euro

A plan to strengthen the army in the wake of the Ukraine war has been "pitiful" so far, an MP says.

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Imran Khan: Clashes as Pakistan police try to arrest opposition leader

The ex-PM says he is "mentally prepared" for sleeping in a cell, as police do battle with his supporters.

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US court rules Uber and Lyft workers are contractors

Labour groups had opposed contractor status, saying it robbed them of rights like sick leave.

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Canada: Truck ploughs into pedestrians, killing two

Two people have died and nine have been injured after being hit by a truck in Quebec province.

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Timed Teaser: When might the asteroid hit Earth?

Test your knowledge of the news these last few days - 10 questions, 10 seconds each. Go!

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Silicon Valley Bank: Shares fall as fears persist about failed US bank

Stock markets ended lower despite efforts to limit the fallout from Silicon Valley Bank's collapse.

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Willow oil: Biden walks political tightrope over Alaska project

This big money oil project is very much about politics and the law - and not just the environment.

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TikTok users shrug at China fears: 'It's hard to care'

Political outcry about TikTok national security risks has made little dent among users.

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Rohingya camp fire was 'planned sabotage' - investigators

Militants set the fire to "dominate" the world's largest refugee camp, Bangladesh investigators say.

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Ukraine war: Heavy losses reported as battle for Bakhmut rages

Both Ukraine and Russia have reported inflicting significant losses in the eastern city.

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Ukraine war: Life in Mariupol under Russian occupation

Russia captured Mariupol in May after a brutal siege. Now, it's trying to win hearts and minds.

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Silicon Valley Bank: Money in failed US bank is safe - US government

Depositors with Silicon Valley Bank can access all their money from Monday, US officials say.

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Fashion on parade as stars hit champagne (not red) carpet at the Oscars

The famous carpet may have changed for this year's Oscars, but the glamour is the same as ever.

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US summit to finalise Aukus defence pact

The UK, US and Australian leaders are set to agree plans to supply Canberra with nuclear submarines.

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Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

Telugu song Naatu Naatu is up against heavyweights like Lady Gaga and Rihanna at the 2023 Academy Awards.

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Paying for prayer: I went into debt, trying to secure a miracle

The cost-of-living crisis is prompting people to borrow, in order to pay pastors to pray for them.

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Israel: Protesters take to streets in one of the biggest protests in its history

Protests against plans for a radical overhaul of the judicial system have been running for 10 weeks.

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Cyclone Freddy: Winds and rain lash Mozambique as storm nears

Freddy, which has caused at least 28 deaths over a month, is to hit mainland Africa for second time.

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DR Congo's M23 ceasefire: Angola to deploy troops after failed truce

Angola's soldiers are to help secure M23 rebel areas after a ceasefire it brokered failed.

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Watch: Murder suspect flees US courtroom

Edi Villalobos escaped from an Oregon courtroom during jury selection for his upcoming trial.

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US fight over abortion pills waged state by state

Tussles in California, Texas and elsewhere over the drug mifepristone could affect millions of US women.

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Maharashtra: Indian students who risk their lives to study

Three students in India's Maharashtra state undertake a treacherous journey to reach their school.

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Félicien Kabuga: Rwanda genocide trial halted over dementia claims

Judges in The Hague pause the trial of Félicien Kabuga, the alleged mastermind of Rwanda's genocide.

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Mexico kidnapping: A twisted moral code explains cartel's apology

Mexico's criminal gangs adopt a warped code of ethics - and the kidnap of Americans broke the rules.

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Italy migrants: Hundreds in trouble off Calabria coast

Rescue efforts are under way near the scene of a shipwreck in which dozens of migrants died last month.

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Sharon Stone says Basic Instinct role cost her custody of her son

Her famous flash in the 1992 erotic thriller made the judge rule for the father, she says.

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Libianca: The true story behind the star's 'more alcohol' song, People

People (Check On Me) is poised to enter the UK Top 10 this week - a first for a Cameroonian artist.

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UN buys huge ship to avert catastrophic oil spill off Yemen

The vessel will head to Yemen and remove 1.1m barrels of oil from a stricken tanker in the Red Sea.

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Ugandan bill threatens jail for saying you're gay

A bill is tabled in parliament to criminalise anyone identifying as LGBTQ+, and to imprison them.

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Berlin to allow women to go topless in public swimming pools

A woman complained after she was thrown out of an open-air pool for going topless.

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US black couple settles lawsuit over 'white-washed' home valuation

The couple's house was valued for nearly half a million dollars more when a white friend posed as the owner.

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Bao Fan: Why do Chinese billionaires keep vanishing?

The mystery over the latest missing business leader comes as Xi Jinping tightens his grip on China.

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Tawang: The Indian monastery town coveted by China

Tawang is home to India's largest Buddhist monastery - China claims it as part of Tibet.

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US six-year-old who shot teacher won't be charged - prosecutor

The "prospect that a six-year-old can stand trial is problematic", a prosecutor says in a media interview.

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Georgia protests: Controversial law highlights struggle for future

Divisions over a controversial law are the latest sign of a wider struggle over the country's future.

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The ex-RAF base in Essex that could house asylum seekers

The government is considering MDP Wethersfield in Essex, currently home to military police, as a centre for asylum seekers.

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The haters and conspiracy theorists back on Twitter

A BBC Monitoring investigation has found hundreds of reinstated accounts on Twitter promoting abuse and misinformation.

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Holi 2023: India celebrates festival of colours

Millions of people mark the occasion with processions and festive meals.

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