TOP OF THE AGENDA

Kyiv says Russia fired intercontinental ballistic missile

It's the first time Moscow has used such a weapon in the war. Credit: Reuters

Ukraine's air force has said that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) towards the country during an attack early this morning. This marks the first time that Russia - which has refused to comment on the reports - has launched this type of long-range missile during the conflict. The air force says the attack targeted Dnipro, where our diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams reports from. "It's not clear what it hit," he writes, "although four explosions were heard in the area of a large industrial complex not far from the city centre." ICBMs can travel at least 5,500 km (3,418 miles), meaning they can strike targets virtually anywhere in the world. They can also carry nuclear warheads - our weapons analyst Chris Partridge has more. The launch follow intensifying rhetoric from the Kremlin this week, which analysts say is driven by a desire to show Russia has the upper hand before Donald Trump enters the White House. Political scientist Tatiana Stanovaya, of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, argues that Vladimir Putin "believes he must scare the Western elites to show they are playing with fire".

‌

• Follow live: Details are still emerging on the strike. Our live page has all the updates.

‌

• Analysis: Trump's return to the White House in two months is looming large over the latest escalations, writes Paul Kirby. 

‌

• BBC investigation: High-tech war equipment made by a UK firm has been sold to companies in Russia connected to the military, shipped by a Kyrgyzstan-based company seemingly run by a swimwear model, customs documents suggest.

WORLD HEADLINES

• Deaths in Laos: Four tourists have died over the past week in the Laotian town of Vang Vieng, in a suspected mass poisoning involving drinks laced with methanol, often found in bootleg alcohol.

• Middle East: Hospital officials in northern Gaza say dozens of people have been killed in overnight Israeli air strikes. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Meanwhile, Syrian state media report at least 36 people have been killed and 50 others injured in Israeli air strikes in Palmyra.

• UK politics: Lord John Prescott, an old-style political bruiser who played a vital role as Tony Blair's deputy prime minister, has died aged 86.

• Competition rules: The US Department of Justice has demanded Google sells Chrome, the world's most popular web browser, to stop the tech giant from maintaining its monopoly in online search.

• US politics: US House Speaker Mike Johnson has backed plans to ban transgender women from using female bathrooms on Capitol Hill, following the election of the first transgender congresswoman Sarah McBride.

  ‌
  

MORE BBC NEWSLETTERS

• US Election Unspun: Cut through the noise in the US presidential election and its global impact, every Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe.

• World of Business: Gain the leading edge with global insights for the boardroom and beyond, every Wednesday. Subscribe.

• The Essential List: The best of the BBC, handpicked by our editors, in your inbox every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe.