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As midterm elections approach in the United States, one of the key issues Republicans have been keen to focus on is crime. They have spoken of record crime levels in Democrat-run cities, and accused them of being "the party of crime" under President Joe Biden. We've taken a look at the violent crime trends across the US. Is violent crime going up? According to data released by the FBI, violent crime fell by an estimated 1% in 2021 compared with the previous year. However, the number of murders increased by more than 4%. The fall in violent crime was largely driven by a drop of nearly 9% in the robbery rate over that period. According to one analysis, nearly 40% of law enforcement agencies have failed to report their 2021 crime...

Emergency workers battling to extinguish a fire on the slopes of Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, have managed to contain parts of it, an official says. "We have seen great success in controlling the fire," said Prof Eliamani Sedoyeka from Tanzania's natural resources and tourism ministry. The fire started on Friday night near one of the mountain's most popular climbing routes. It is not clear how the fire started. Videos posted on social media on Saturday appeared to show large flames and a blanket of smoke engulfing parts of the forest surrounding the mountain. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter Hundreds of emergency workers and volunteers flocked to the...

A powerful hurricane made landfall in western Mexico on Sunday, causing heavy rains, flash flooding and landslides. Roslyn, a category 3 hurricane, came ashore in Nayarit state, with maximum winds of 195km/h (120mph). The hurricane has since been downgraded to a tropical cyclone and is expected to dissipate overnight. Images of its aftermath showed flooded roads and upturned vehicles in Nayarit, with collapsed rooves and damaged homes in the worst affected area Tecuala. Further south along the coast in Sayulita, people were pictured wading through and clearing mud from the streets in the area. Flash flooding and power outages also hit the town of Puerto Vallarta in neighbouring Jalisco state, but only minor damage was caused, accor...

India's streets and homes are lit up with colourful lanterns and glowing lamps as millions celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali. But the celebrations are also sparking concerns about air pollution, including in the national capital, Delhi. A time for feasts, prayers and fireworks, Diwali is one of the most important festivals in India. It is known as the festival of lights as people illuminate oil lamps or candles to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. People illuminate their homes with oil lamps and draw rangolis - traditional designs made using colourful powders - outside their doors to welcome good luck and positivity into their lives. Families gather to offer prayers, light fireworks and enjoy festive meals....

Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon is facing up to six months in jail for refusing a summons to testify before Congress about the January 6 US Capitol riot. Bannon, 68, was found guilty in July of two counts of contempt for defying a congressional committee's legal summons. Prosecutors say his refusal to cooperate has "exacerbated the assault on the Capitol". He has denied any wrongdoing. Earlier this week, the Justice Department called on Bannon to receive six months in prison as well as a $200,000 (£176,916) fine - on the high end of what's permitted under sentencing guidelines for the two counts. Each count is punishable by between 30 days to one year in prison and a fine ranging between $100 to $100,000. A key fi...

Argentines are celebrating the return of football legend Diego Maradona's World Cup final shirt to the country. Thirty-six years after Argentina beat Germany in the 1986 World Cup final, the shirt which Maradona wore in the first half has been handed back to the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Former Germany midfielder Lothar Matthäus, who had swapped shirts with Maradona at half time, donated it to the Argentine people. The AFA thanked him in a moving video. Another Maradona shirt, which the Argentine wore when he scored the "Hand of God" goal against England in the quarterfinal of the 1986 World Cup, was sold for a record £7.1m earlier this year. That shirt was put up for auction by former England midfielder Steve Hodge. Bu...