Suspected PKK bombers blow themselves up to avoid arrest in Turkey

A "huge disaster" has been averted after two people believed to be preparing a car bomb attack detonated their explosives when challenged by police, Turkish officials say.

The explosion took place as police swooped on the pair at a remote building in Haymana, about 20 miles from Ankara.

Justice minister Bekir Bozdag said it was likely they were plotting a bombing in the capital.

"A huge disaster has been prevented. It is probable they would have attacked Ankara," he told CNN-Turk. "All signs are pointing to the PKK terrorist organisation."

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has been fighting the Turkish government for more than 30 years.

Ankara governor Ercan Topaca also linked the blast to the group, which is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and European Union. 

"The materials used, the construction and the way it was planned point to the PKK," he said.

He added that police moved in after a tip-off from Diyarbakir, a predominantly Kurdish province in the southeast.

Image Caption:Police are searching for a third person after the swoop

"The security forces launched the operation and warned (them) to surrender. A short while later (and) before any intervention, two terrorists confirmed to be a man and a woman detonated themselves," his office said in a statement.

A third person is being hunted by police.

Turkey has been hit by a series of bomb attacks since last summer that have been blamed on either the PKK or Islamic State.

Monday is the anniversary of the deadliest attack, which killed 103 people attending a peace rally, including many Kurdish activists. 

Turkey: Bombers detonate explosives after standoff

The blast occurred in the countryside of Haymana, near Ankara [Reuters]

Two suicide car bombers blew themselves up on the outskirts of the Turkish capital Ankara after police called on them to surrender, according to a Turkish official and local media.

Governor Erkan Topaca said the two bombers - a man and a woman - died on Saturday's incident outside a horse farm, The Associated Press news agency reported.

No one else was wounded in the blast.

Topaca said the assailants are thought to be linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which has carried out a series of suicide car bombings over the past year.

"The materials used, the construction and the way it was planned point to the PKK a little," he said, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.

The governor said that the suspects were sought by police after a tip from Diyarbakir, a mainly Kurdish province in Turkey's southeast.

In televised comments, Topaca added that the suspects were a male whom they had identified and a female whose identity they had yet to ascertain.

One hundred BBC presenters facing 'tax dodge' claims

About 100 current and former BBC presenters are being investigated over claims they have not paid enough income tax and National Insurance contributions, HMRC has revealed.

HMRC is examining the records of freelance staff at the corporation who used controversial personal service companies to reduce bills.

Staff may face backdated tax bills if they are found to have incorrectly declared themselves as self-employed, rather than as employees.

The inquiries were revealed in a tax tribunal judgment involving newsreaders Tim Willcox and Joanna Gosling, who have appealed against a ruling by HMRC to pay extra tax and National Insurance contributions.

In a statement published on the BBC News website, the corporation said it was "up to individuals to ensure they pay the right tax".

It read: "Since 2013, the BBC has adopted a new employment status test that provides a clear and consistent approach to the employment status of journalists and presenters."

A HMRC spokeswoman said: "Employment status is never a matter of personal choice and is always dictated by the specific facts.

"When the employment relationship does not accurately reflect the underlying reality of the relationship, the wrong tax is paid then we intervene to ensure the rules apply as parliament intended.

"While there can be many legitimate business reasons for workers being employed through their own companies, there are rules in place enabling HMRC to make sure people who provide their services in this way pay the right tax and National Insurance."

Will lewd remarks finally derail Donald Trump's presidential campaign?

It is one month from the day America decides its future.

Wikileaks has just claimed to have excerpts from paid speeches by Hillary Clinton.

The Washington Post has released a 2005 hot mic encounter with Donald Trump where he describes his sexual advances towards women.

There are countless convention-defying episodes in this election. It seems oddly predictable there should be two so close to the wire.

One, though, will dominate the headlines, its salacious and audible revelations too much to ignore.

Mr Trump has been in plenty of hot water before, of course, over his comments about women.

He has survived them, often blaming the media of bias and this week telling a reporter his sometimes insulting remarks were for the "purpose of entertainment". 

Mr Trump's unwavering base, full of new-found and devout voters, may be unaffected by his latest unguarded comments about his sexual advances towards women.

Many revel in his unorthodox, seemingly plain-speaking approach - or they just loathe his rival.

Image Caption:A video shows Donald Trump making sexually charged comments about women in 2005

Mr Trump has spent a year riding out apparent controversies, but the speed in which he responded to this one highlights what a make or break time it is for him.

:: Donald Trump's extensive back catalogue of controversial comments

His prepared statement was perhaps a party omen. Many Republican grandees were appalled.

Paul Ryan, a reluctant convert, swiftly distanced himself and announced they would no longer be sharing a stage the next day.

Washington was abuzz with rumours that Mike Pence might even take the top of the ticket, fresh from a strong VP debate.

But Donald Trump came out fighting, apologising while taking aim at Bill Clinton.

 A few days ago he said he did not want to make political collateral from Mr Clinton's infidelities.

Today, he name checked the former President in his own defence.

Some 53% of voters in 2012 were women, and both Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump have struggled to get women on side.

But with a 90-minute debate around the corner, what they do to appeal or alienate them could genuinely make the difference.

Burundi to leave the ICC six months after probe announced

Burundi's government has said the country intends to pull out of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The cabinet announcement comes six months after the court's prosecutor said she would investigate ongoing violence in the country.

"We are ready to face the consequences of withdrawal," Vice-President Gaston Sindimwo said.

Political turmoil began in April 2015 after President Pierre Nkurunzinza began his bid for a third term.

• Africa Live: More on this and other stories

Since then more than 400 people have been killed in unrest and more than 200,000 have fled their homes.

A draft law to begin the process of leaving the ICC is to be sent to parliament for approval.

The African Union (AU) has repeatedly complained that the ICC treats Africans and Africa unfairly.

---

The ICC and global justice:

• Came into force in 2002
• The Rome Statute that set it up has been ratified by 123 countries, but the US is a notable absence
• It aims to prosecute and bring to justice those responsible for the worst crimes - genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes
• In the court's 14-year history it has only brought charges against Africans.

What does the ICC do?

What South Africa leaving the ICC would mean

---

Countries like Kenya are also considering withdrawing from the ICC.

The Hague-based court came under intense pressure from the AU over the cases against Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, both were charged for their alleged role in the 2007 post-election violence. The cases were later dropped. 

South Africa's government also refused to arrest Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir when he visited the country last year. He is wanted by the ICC on genocide and war crimes charges allegedly committed in Darfur, allegations he denies.

The furore over the country's failure to act on an ICC arrest warrant led the governing African National Congress (ANC) to suggest at the time that South Africa should withdraw its membership.

Burundi's government says it sees its withdrawal as a way of regaining its sovereignty.

"We found that it was necessary to withdraw from that organisation so we can really be free," Mr Sindimwo told the state-run radio, the Reuters news agency reports.

Haiti likely to be 'critical' for 18 months after Hurricane Matthew

The situation in Haiti has been described as 'critical' after it was battered by Hurricane Matthew. 

Christian Aid told Sky News it was likely to remain that way for 18 months. 

Prospery Raymond from the charity said: "The south part of Haiti is really affected by Hurricane Matthew. 

"The population are really in need of water, shelter, materials and in the coming days there will be a resurgence of cholera. 

"Compared to the earthquake this emergency is very, very critical."

Image Caption:Les Cayes, in southern Haiti, has been flooded, its cathedral heavily damaged

Local officials said late on Friday afternoon that the number of dead had risen to 842. 

Thousands of homes have been destroyed, while more than 60,000 people have entered shelters. 

Britain is giving £5m to help the initial relief effort. 

International Development Secretary Priti Patel said: "We are now beginning to see the full scale of the devastation wrought by the worst storm to hit this region in almost a decade.

"The absolute priority right now is to reach those who are injured and provide them with water, sanitation, shelter and protection."

The US military is sending helicopters to Haiti and the USS Mesa Verde expected to dock soon.

The amphibious transport ship is carrying food, medicines, baby formula, nappies and first aid supplies.

It can also produce 72,000 gallons of fresh portable water each day. 

There is a surgical team on board and two operating theatres. 

Video:Christian Aid: 'Haiti situation critical'

Across the country, the International Red Cross said tens of thousands of people needed help as it launched a $6.9m appeal.

UNICEF said it required $5m to provide initial aid to children. 

Most deaths are believed to have occurred in the southwest, where Matthew slammed the sea into the coastline.

Roads were flooded by sea and river water and cellphone networks got cut off.    

In the farming village of Chantal, the mayor said 86 people had died. Most had perished after houses were crushed by trees. 

The mayor said another 20 people were missing. 

"Devastation is everywhere," said Pilus Enor, mayor of the town of Camp Perrin on the peninsula's south shore.

"Every house has lost its roof. All the plantations have been destroyed," he said. 

"This is the first time we see something like this." 

The southern city of Jeremie is said to have suffered "complete destruction", while a bridge over the La Digue river in Petit Goave has been destroyed.

In Les Cayes - home to a major port - a cathedral roof has been blown off, and banana and mango crops been destroyed. 

Syria's war: John Kerry wants war crimes probe

Rebels in eastern Aleppo are fighting back against a major government push [Reuters]

Syrian government troops are advancing gradually against opposition fighters inside Aleppo, even as the US secretary of state calls for Russia and Syria to face a war-crimes investigation for alleged attacks on Syrian civilians.

John Kerry spoke on Friday in advance of discussions on a draft UN Security Council resolution that would call for an end to the Russian-backed onslaught on Syria's second city.

The two-week assault by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces has led to a global outcry after air strikes on hospitals and a UN aid convoy.

"These are acts that beg for an appropriate investigation of war crimes, and those who commit these would and should be held accountable for these actions," Kerry said in Washington DC.

"They are beyond the accidental now … way beyond … years beyond the accidental. This is a targeted strategy to terrorise civilians and to kill anybody and everybody who is in the way of their military objectives."