BBC News Briefing

18 October, 2024

Jules Darmanin

Hello. Today I bring you a report from Emma Vardy and Samantha Granville, who retrace the meteoric rise of rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs, and the lavish parties that led to his downfall. We're also reporting on Indian architecture, the Georgian scrap car industry, and Irish rock music. Finally, you will likely fare better than Andy and I at today's quiz of the week. We both scored a paltry 3/7.

GET UP TO SPEED

North Korea has started sending troops to fight with Russia in Ukraine, South Korea's spy agency has said, as Seoul warned of a "grave security threat".

The United States has charged a former Indian intelligence officer for allegedly directing a foiled plot to assassinate an American citizen advocating for Sikh separatism.

In Lagos, Nigeria, our reporter Nkechi Ogbonna has spoken to families of victims of a fuel tanker explosion that claimed the lives of at least 170 people. The explosion took place as people were trying to scoop up fuel from the overturned vehicle.

AT THE SCENE

Los Angeles, USA

'He thought of himself as a king'

Sean 'Diddy' Combs is wearing sun glasses dressed in white. He looks over a white guardrail smiling.

Sean "Diddy" Combs is set to go on trial in May 2025. Credit: Getty Images

The fall from grace of rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has been swift, with an extensive federal criminal case charging him in a sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. More than a dozen civil lawsuits have also been filed. Mr Combs has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, whether in relation to the criminal or civil allegations.

Emma Vardy and Samantha Granville, BBC News

The rapper lived on what has become known as Beverly Hills’s most expensive street. The high fences allow celebrities to hide from prying eyes. Hugh Hefner’s Playboy mansion sits a few doors down. The towering gates of Mr Combs' estate have flaming torches burning day and night.

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Neighbours told the BBC they often called police over his parties. A freedom of information request by the BBC has revealed that officers were dispatched to parties at the P Diddy mansion 14 times over seven years. On a street where discretion and privacy are of the utmost importance, no-one wished to be named, but neighbours described privately to the BBC what they witnessed, saying they were fed up and disturbed by what they saw. “For six or seven years it was just parties, parties, parties,” one neighbour said, adding she saw females at all hours “coming out and sitting down on the street, they didn’t know where they were”. She said they appeared "lost" and "their underwear was showing".

Keep reading

The latest: More than a dozen people have filed civil suits alleging sexual assault and physical violence, some going back to the 1990s. The rapper has denied any criminal wrongdoing.

The timeline: From the lawsuit from his former partner, singer Cassie, to his indictment last month, here's how things unfolded.

Questions answered: Will Diddy's trial be public? Could he face prison time? Our explainer piece has what you need to know.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Buildings on a narrow street with steps are painted in an unusual deep blue colour.

India's vanishing 'blue' city

The famed blue houses of Jodhpur are slowly losing their charm - and their colour.

Read more >

A heavily damaged yellow car on a forklift in a parking lot.

Scrap car heaven

Thousands of US cars beaten up by accidents find their way to the Russian market through Georgia.

Here's how >

Hands of a woman are typing on a mint green smartphone.

How to cash on chats

WhatsApp and other messaging apps are free. So how are they making money?

Read the story >

A close-up shot of a black man looking at the camera. He looks tired and his expression is neutral.

Your weekend listening: 'Try or die'

The BBC’s Africa Eye has been following one man’s journey on the Atlantic, hoping to reach Spain's Canary Islands from Senegal.

Listen here >

THE BIG PICTURE

Analysing footage of Hamas leader's killing

A picture of Yahya Sinwar wearing a jacket and a shirt.

The Hamas leader was the key figure behind the 7 October attacks on Israel. Credit: Getty Images

In our previous newsletter, we reported on how a chance encounter led to the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. My BBC Verify colleagues have been analysing drone footage released by Israeli forces, who say they show Sinwar's final moments. They were able to confirm it was taken in the north of Rafah, in southern Gaza.

Watch the video

The latest: US President Joe Biden says a ceasefire in Lebanon is possible but ending the Gaza war will be harder. More on our Middle East live page.

Actor Arnod Schwarzenegger has short dark hair and wears large sunglasses in a close-up image from the film The Terminator

FOR YOUR DOWNTIME

Hasta la vista

How The Terminator foresaw our fears about AI, 40 years ago.

Read now

And finally... in Ireland

The National Museum is preparing to display the guitar used by Irish rock and blues legend Rory Gallagher, after it was snapped up at a London auction for more than £889,000. The 1961 Fender Stratocaster was bought by concert giant Live Nation Gaiety Ltd, which had been in talks with the Irish government about donating it to the Dublin museum since its listing among memorabilia being sold by Gallagher's estate. The Cork-born musician, who died in 1995, had shelled out £100 for the guitar in 1963 and used it throughout his career. It certainly looks like it has seen some rock 'n' roll times.

Six Steps to Calm

Discover a calmer future with this course of six science-backed techniques, weekly to your inbox.

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– Jules

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