BBC News

Charlie Kirk, the right-wing influencer and trusted ally of Donald Trump has been shot dead while speaking with students at a university in Utah.

Kirk was one of the most prominent conservative activists and media personalities in the United States, and a trusted ally of Donald Trump. Many credit his influence - particularly with young people - as a key reason behind Trump’s victory in last year’s election.

The president, visibly angry and upset, delivered a message to the nation last night in which he described Kirk’s killing as a “dark moment for America”.

Justin, Sarah and Marianna assess who Charlie Kirk really was. what made him so successful and how dangerous a moment this could be for America as a whole.

HOSTS:

• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

• Sarah Smith, North America Editor

• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent

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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni, George Dabby, Alix Pickles, Rufus Gray. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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At least 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace this week, four of which were shot down.

The moment was described by Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, as the closest Poland has come to open conflict since the second world war. Moscow insists it did not intend to attack any specific targets, but many in Nato are considering this a deliberate challenge to the ability and willingness of the alliance to defend itself.

For their reaction to the incursion, Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko are joined by BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson and security correspondent Frank Gardner. They consider the prospect of escalation, and explain why the western response might seem cautious.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0m279tg

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Israel's military operation in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed thousands of buildings, and severely restricted the supply of food.

The operation was launched after Hamas rampaged through villages, military posts and a music festival in Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. The United Nations' human rights body would later conclude that Hamas had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the time that "like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself". He argues his country's military operation in Gaza is a "just war" with the goals of destroying Hamas and bringing home all the hostages.

In January 2024, he said that "Israel's commitment to international law is unwavering". That commitment is coming under ever-increasing scrutiny.

More than 64,500 people have been killed by Israel during its campaign - almost half of them women and children, according to Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health.

BBC Verify has spoken to a range of international law experts to ask whether they consider Israel's actions to have been proportionate.

The BBC's Analyst Editor Ros Atkins reports.

Produced by Jemimah Herd

Graphic design by Jacqueline Galvin

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An estimated 218,000 people need evacuation from the Donetsk region, in eastern Ukraine, including 16,500 children.

The area, which is crucial to the country's defence, is bearing the brunt of Russia's invasion, including daily attacks from drones and missiles.

Some are unable to leave, other unwilling.

And despite the growing threat from Russian drones there are those who would rather take their chances than leave their homes.

From the frontline communities in Donetsk, described by the UN as some of the deadliest for mainly elderly civilians staying behind, our international correspondent Quentin Sommerville sent this report.

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The suspect in the killing of US activist Charlie Kirk has been named as 22-year-old, Tyler Robinson.

“We got him,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said during a news conference, adding that family and a friend helped bring him to custody.

Robinson's father recognised him from FBI images, sources say - after Robinson confessed, the father helped turn him in.

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The suspect in the killing of US activist Charlie Kirk has been named as 22-year-old, Tyler Robinson.

The FBI and law enforcement officials confirmed the name during a news conference on the hunt for Charlie Kirk's killer.

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US President Donald Trump says authorities have found the suspect in the Charlie Kirk shooting telling Fox News: "With a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody”.

The president says "somebody very close to him turned him in" - he says he expects officials to give an update later today.

Trump's comments came after a new video showing the suspect fleeing the scene was released by the FBI and Utah officials.

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Rescuers in Pakistan have told the BBC that they are struggling to respond to growing flood emergency in province of Punjab.

More than two million people have been evacuated in Punjab province as floods sweep the country's eastern region, authorities have said.

Another 150,000 have been evacuated in Sindh province, national disaster management chief Inam Haider Malik told reporters on Thursday, warning that the "number may rise over the coming days".

Climate change has worsened floods in Pakistan, as heavy rains cause rivers to overflow.

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Prince Harry has made a surprise visit to Kyiv, after an invitation by an organisation that supports Ukrainians with life-changing injuries caused by the war.

The Duke of Sussex said he wanted to do "everything possible" to help the recovery of injured military personnel.

He arrived by train on Friday morning and is understood to have a busy schedule for the day, but no official details can be expected until this evening.

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The manhunt for the Charlie Kirk shooting suspect continues with the FBI offering $100,000 for information.

FBI and Utah officials released a new video showing the gunmen fleeing the scene.

In the clip, a person runs across a roof where the fatal shot was fired from and drops several feet to the ground, before running into a wooded area.

Authorities said they are gathering all the evidence needed to "pursue the death penalty" for the suspect.

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