BBC director general Tim Davie and his head of news, Deborah Turness, have resigned.

The BBC had come under fire over a Panorama documentary that was accused of misleadingly editing a speech by Donald Trump to make it look like he was urging people to attack the US Capitol.

In emails to staff, both Davie and Turness said mistakes had been made.

Who are Tim Davie and Deborah Turness?

Tim Davie was appointed director general of the BBC in September 2020. He was in charge of overseeing the corporation's services and was its editorial, operational and creative leader.

He was not a new figure to the BBC; prior to becoming director general, he had been chief executive of BBC Studios for seven years.

Before joining the BBC, Davie worked for organisations such as Procter and Gamble, and PepsiCo.

Deborah Turness had been the CEO of BBC News since 2022, overseeing BBC News and current affairs programmes

In her role, she had responsibility for a team of around 6,000 people, broadcasting to almost half a billion people across the world in more than 40 languages.

She was previously CEO of ITN and was president of NBC News from 2013.

Why have they resigned?

Their departures come after controversy over a Panorama documentary called Trump: A Second Chance?, which was broadcast last year.

In her statement, Turness said: "The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love.

"As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me - and I took the decision to offer my resignation to the director general last night."

She added: "While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong."

Davie did not mention the Panorama documentary in his statement, although said: "While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.

"Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director general I have to take ultimate responsibility."

What were the claims over the Trump documentary?

Last week, the Daily Telegraph published an exclusive report, saying it had seen a leaked internal BBC memo.

The memo came from Michael Prescott, a former independent external adviser to the broadcaster's editorial standards committee. He left the role in June.

The memo suggested that the one-hour Panorama documentary had edited parts of Trump's speech together so he appeared to explicitly encourage the Capitol Hill riots of January 2021.

In his speech in Washington DC on 6 January 2021, Trump said: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol, and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women."

However, in the Panorama edit he was shown saying: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol... and I'll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell."

The two sections of the speech that were edited together were more than 50 minutes apart.

The "fight like hell" comment was taken from a section where Trump discussed how "corrupt" US elections were. In total, he used the words "fight" or "fighting" 20 times in the speech.

According to the Telegraph, the document said Panorama's "distortion of the day's events" would leave viewers asking: "Why should the BBC be trusted, and where will this all end?"

When the issue was raised with managers, the memo continued, they "refused to accept there had been a breach of standards".

The BBC has come under scrutiny over a number of other different issues in recent weeks.

The Telegraph also reported that Mr Prescott raised concerns about a lack of action to address "systemic problems" of anti-Israel bias in the coverage of the Gaza war by the BBC Arabic news service.

The report also said Mr Prescott had raised concerns about the BBC's coverage around trans issues.

And on Thursday, the BBC upheld 20 impartiality complaints over the way presenter Martine Croxall earlier this year altered a script she was reading live on the BBC News Channel, which referred to "pregnant people".

Why did Davie resign now?

Tim Davie has weathered many scandals and crises during his five years at the helm of the BBC - including the Gary Lineker furore, Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, the Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone documentary, and the transgressions of a string of high-profile presenters.

Davie was nicknamed "Teflon Tim" by some in the media because nothing seemed to stick.

He had tried to ride out the latest controversy, too, but it has gathered steam and the BBC was expected to issue an apology tomorrow over the Panorama documentary.

This comes at a sensitive time for the BBC, with the government set to review the corporation's Royal Charter - which essentially gives it the right to exist - before the current term expires in 2027.

In his statement, Davie said: "You will ask why now, why this moment?"

He said he was "BBC through and through", and cares deeply about the corporation and wants it to succeed.

"That is why I want to create the best conditions and space for a new DG to come in and positively shape the next Royal Charter. I hope that as we move forward, a sensible, calm and rational public conversation can take place about the next chapter of the BBC."

He added: "This timing allows a new DG to help shape the next Charter. I believe we are in a strong position to deliver growth."

How will the BBC choose Tim Davie's replacement?

The director general is appointed by the BBC Board, which is responsible for ensuring it delivers the corporation's mission and public purposes.

The BBC Board is led by chair Samir Shah and he is one of 10 non-executive members, plus four executive members, including the director general.

When Tim Davie was appointed in 2020, the process for choosing who would get the role was led by the BBC Board's nominations committee.

The director general's appointment is made under the terms of the BBC's Charter.

BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness have resigned, after a newspaper report suggested a BBC Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump.

They announced their resignations in separate emails to all BBC staff, at 18:00.

The BBC's chair Samir Shah also released a statement.

Here are their statements in full:

Director general Tim Davie

Dear all

I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years. This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the chair and board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure including during recent days.

I am working through exact timings with the Board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months.

I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will be delivering.

In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious. Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision. Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director general I have to take ultimate responsibility.

Our organisation is a critical ingredient of a healthy society, as well as a thriving creative sector. We should champion it, not weaponise it.

Despite a hugely competitive market, I am proud that the BBC remains the most trusted news brand globally. We have continued to ensure that it is used by almost everyone in the UK as well as hundreds of millions of people globally. Despite the inevitable issues and challenges, our journalism and quality content continues to be admired as a gold standard. Our transition to a digital organisation has been deeply impressive, and our thriving commercial businesses are admired globally. Also, our work together on ensuring that we have the right culture has been important and motivating. I could not be more impressed by what you are achieving.

You will ask why now, why this moment?

I am BBC through and through, having spent the last 20 years of my life working for this organisation as director of marketing, communications and audiences, director of audio and music, acting director general and chief executive of BBC Studios. I care deeply about it and want it to succeed. That is why I want to create the best conditions and space for a new DG to come in and positively shape the next Royal Charter. I hope that as we move forward, a sensible, calm and rational public conversation can take place about the next chapter of the BBC.

This timing allows a new DG to help shape the next charter. I believe we are in a strong position to deliver growth.

Thank you again, it has been a wonderful ride, which I have loved. I count myself very lucky to have served as DG no.17. I will have a proper chance to see many of you before I go but I have been incredibly proud to lead the BBC as DG for over five years. It is a precious UK institution and you are a world-class team. Thank you all for the tireless support and friendship.

I will always be a passionate cheerleader for civilised society, a strong BBC and a thriving UK.

Best wishes,

Tim

CEO of News Deborah Turness

Dear all,

I have never been more proud of the work that you do every day. You really are the best of the best.

I have taken the difficult decision that it will no longer be my role to lead you in the collective vision that we all have: to pursue the truth with no agenda.

The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love.

As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me - and I took the decision to offer my resignation to the Director-General last night.

In public life leaders need to be fully accountable, and that is why I am stepping down. While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.

In a polarised world, BBC News journalism is more vital than ever, and I could not be prouder of the work that you do. Together we have bucked the global trend, to grow trust in BBC News, and I want to thank you, wherever you are in the world, for your courageous work to deliver that.

My plea to you: please keep the courage to continue our mission. I'm only sorry that I won't be there to lead and champion your brilliant journalism.

It has been a great privilege to work with you all.

I will now work with Tim to plan an orderly handover to ensure that my decision to step away causes the least disruption possible to the important work that you do.

With very best wishes,

Deborah

BBC chair Samir Shah

Dear all,

I write to you all on a very difficult day, following the news that our director general Tim Davie will be stepping down. The CEO of News Deborah Turness has also resigned.

On behalf of the BBC Board I want to extend my sincere gratitude to both of them for their unwavering service and commitment to the BBC.

This is a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding director general for the last five years. He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.

He has had the full support of me and the board throughout. However, I understand the continued pressure on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this decision today. The whole board respects the decision and the reasons for it.

Tim has given 20 years of his life to the BBC. He is a devoted and inspirational leader and an absolute believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting. He has achieved a great deal. Foremost, under his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competition is well underway.

Personally, I will miss his stamina, good humour and resilience and I will miss working with him. I wish him and his family the very best for the future.

I also want to thank Deborah for her leadership of BBC News over the past three years. She has transformed the operation of News with real commitment and a clear vision of the future.

She has acted with integrity in challenging circumstances and leaves a strong legacy from which to build for the many millions around the world who rely on and trust the voice of BBC News every day.

Tim has also asked me to pass on the following words in relation to Deborah's resignation. He says: "In the past three years, Deborah has led the newsroom with extraordinary energy, changing the way that it works and cementing BBC News as the most used and trusted news outlet in the UK and the most trusted news provider internationally.

"She has been a valued colleague and a passionate advocate for her team of more than 5,000 people who work round the clock and around the world, on and off air, to report without fear or favour in an age where press freedom has never been under greater pressure. Deborah offered her resignation to me last night, and I want to thank her for all that she has done and to wish her the very best for her future."

I fully understand this has been a difficult period for everyone connected to the BBC and it goes without saying this is an incredibly important time for the organisation.

On behalf of the board, I want to assure you all that we will do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition as we appoint Tim's successor. We will continue to work with Tim in this interim period.

In terms of News, Deborah has agreed to support the organisation to work through an orderly handover.

I fully understand this is unsettling for all of us, but I remain resolute that the BBC will continue to deliver world class public service broadcasting in the days, weeks and months ahead.

I will be back in touch to update you all as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Samir Shah

Tim Davie's resignation as the BBC's top boss brings to an end his 20-year career at the corporation.

He stepped down on Sunday after saying "mistakes were made" following criticism a Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump.

The 58-year-old reached the top of the organisation in June 2020, when he was named the BBC's 17th director general.

At the time of his appointment, he said: "I have a deep commitment to content of the highest quality and impartiality," and when he took the helm, said one of his top priorities would include negotiating with the government over the future of the licence fee.

One of the BBC's longest-serving executives, he first joined the broadcaster from Pepsi to become director of the Marketing, Communications & Audiences division in 2005.

He then took over responsibility for radio stations including Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4 as director of the Audio & Music division in 2008.

A month after being named chief executive of the corporation's commercial arm BBC Worldwide in 2012, he stepped in to become acting director general after the resignation of George Entwistle.

Davie returned to BBC Worldwide after Tony Hall was appointed as George Entwistle's permanent successor, with Davie overseeng the merger of BBC Worldwide with the BBC's production arm to form BBC Studios in 2018.

After landing one of the most high-profile jobs in Britain - and globally - his tenure as director general saw huge challenges.

Former BBC media editor Amol Rajan described the job as "hellish" when Davie first took over.

And while Davie has won praise for successfully overseeing the BBC's move towards digital, putting measures in place to change its workplace culture and focusing on boosting the BBC's commercial success, overall, it's not been an easy ride.

In 2024, the disgraced BBC News presenter Huw Edwards was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted charges of making indecent images of children.

Davie told the press in September last year that there was "shock" and "a lot of upset" within the BBC over Edwards, who had been the BBC's highest-paid journalist.

There was also controversy over comments made online by former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.

Lineker left the BBC sooner than planned in May 2025 after sharing a social media post about Zionism that included an illustration of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic insult.

Davie said at the time of Lineker's exit that the former footballer had "acknowledged the mistake made" but thanked the presenter and former footballer for "his passion and knowledge" in sports journalism.

Further scrutiny over his leadership came over the summer, as more unwelcome headlines dogged the corporation.

There was a crisis at BBC flagship series MasterChef, after both of its presenters - Gregg Wallace and John Torode - were sacked following a report which upheld allegations against them..

Asked about poor workplace culture as he faced questions from the the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Davie said he thought "we're at a moment in society where we're calling it out".

Davie added he was "not letting anything lie" when it came to rooting out abuses of power within the corporation

The spotlight also fell on Saturday night stalwart Strictly Come Dancing, with Davie apologising to contestants after complaints of abusive behaviour on the show.

The BBC has also faced strong criticism for a live broadcast of Bob Vylan's performance at the Glastonbury festival, during which the band's singer led crowds in chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]" and made other derogatory comments.

Davie said that what had happened was "deeply disturbing", adding: "The BBC made a very significant mistake broadcasting that."

He said that he had done the "right thing" at the time, by pulling it off the iPlayer and that the measures which have since been put in place would "categorically prevent what happened".

Davie also said he thought the corporation made the "right decision" to not air Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, a controversial documentary which was later picked up by Channel 4.

The BBC shelved the programme due to impartiality concerns it had surrounding the production.

Earlier in the year, a separate documentary, Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone, was pulled from iPlayer after it was found that the narrator was the son of a Hamas official.

The film, made by independent production company HOYO Films, was later found by a review to have breached editorial guidelines on accuracy.

The BBC board also had to apologise over "missed opportunities" to tackle "bullying and misogynistic behaviour" by former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood.

An independent report into what the BBC knew about Mr Westwood's conduct was published in February, highlighting a series of incidents and allegations it said amount to a "considerable body of evidence" which it failed to investigate properly.

Westwood, who has always denied claims of misconduct, has since been charged with four counts of rape.

Davie's tenure also included overseeing cuts to BBC local services which he defended as being "the right thing", but admitted were "very difficult and unpopular".

He's also had to deal with issues surrounding equal pay at the BBC.

It was only six months ago, in a speech to civic and community leaders in Salford, that Davie insisted the BBC could help tackle a "crisis of trust" in British society.

He set out measures he said would allow the broadcaster to play a leading role in reversing a breakdown in trust in information and institutions, as well as tackling division and disconnection between people.

But in his resignation letter on Sunday, Davie said "the BBC is delivering well but there have been some mistakes made and as director general I have to take ultimate responsibility".

BBC chairman Samir Shah described Davie as "a devoted and inspirational leader and an absolute believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting".

"He has achieved a great deal," Shah added. "Foremost, under his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competition is well under way."

A British man has died after being shot during a robbery in Ghana on Friday, police say.

Ashraf Qarmar Parvez, 68, was shot after he tried to stop an attempt to steal his phone at a drinking spot in Tema, a city to the east of the Ghanaian capital, Accra. He later died in hospital, police said.

Authorities in Ghana are searching for the shooter - one of a group of six suspects who they say were at the scene and fled on motorbikes.

The BBC has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment.

A 9mm spent bullet shell was recovered from the shooting site and police have interviewed witnesses as part of their investigation.

The incident has raised security concerns in the industrial city of Tema, but a local police spokesperson told the BBC that the shooting was a rare incident.

"Efforts are ongoing to contact the British Embassy to officially notify them of the death of their national," the police said in a statement.

Flight delays and cancellations continue to snarl US air travel for a third day as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned air traffic will be "reduced to a trickle" if the US government shutdown continues.

Roughly 1,400 flights to, from, or within the US were cancelled and 2,700 delayed on Sunday morning, according to flight tracker FlightAware. The longest delays were reported in Newark, New Jersey – more than two hours on average.

In a hopeful sign, lawmakers are working on a possible deal to reach a compromise on government funding and end the shutdown, according to US media reports.

The Senate was scheduled to convene on Sunday in a rare weekend session.

Duffy warned the impacts on air travel will grow dire if they do not break the stalemate soon.

"You're going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle," he said on CNN on Sunday. He added that travellers trying to fly home for the Thanksgiving holiday later this month may not be able to get there.

"Many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane, because there are not going to be that many flights that fly if this thing doesn't open back up," he said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced last week that it would be reducing air travel capacity by up to 6% this weekend and 10% by next weekend at 40 of the nation's busiest airports. The cuts do not apply to international flights, but some airlines may choose to also cancel some of those flights, the FAA said.

Air traffic controllers, who are not being paid during the shutdown, are reportedly fatigued and not coming to work, triggering the reductions in air traffic allowances.

Duffy said Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth offered to have military air traffic controllers step in to help but he declined the offer because they are not certified to direct air traffic at the civilian airports.

Altogether, hundreds of thousands of federal workers are not being paid since the Government ran out of money on 1 October. Food-assistance for low-income Americans also have been in limbo, with the administration agreeing to pay only half of monthly benefits.

Sunday marked the 40th day of the longest shutdown in history as Republicans and Democrats still have not agreed on a funding resolution to reopen the government.

Republicans and Democrats have blamed each other for causing the impasse and for the travel disruptions.

Democrats have refused to back any Republican spending plan unless money for health insurance subsidies be included, while Republicans want to provide funding for the without anything else attached.

President Donald Trump suggested over the weekend money should be sent directly to Americans to buy health insurance rather than to insurance companies.

Republican senators are working on a compromise package that could end the impasse with a vote to advance legislation possibly coming on Sunday.

Iran - especially its capital, Tehran - is facing an unprecedented drought this autumn, with rainfall at record lows and reservoirs nearly empty. Officials are pleading with citizens to conserve water as the crisis deepens.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that if there is not enough rainfall soon, Tehran's water supply could be rationed. But he said that even rationing might not be enough to prevent a disaster.

"If rationing doesn't work," Pezeshkian said, "we may have to evacuate Tehran."

His comments have prompted criticism in Iranian newspapers and on social media. Former Tehran mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi called the idea "a joke" and said "evacuating Tehran makes no sense at all".

Iran's meteorological officials say no rainfall is expected over the next 10 days.

Meanwhile, the water crisis is already affecting daily life in the capital.

"I'm planning to buy water tankers to use for toilets and other necessities," a woman in Tehran told BBC Persian.

In the summer, Iranian rapper Vafa Ahmadpoor posted a video on social media showing a kitchen faucet with no running water.

"It's been four or five hours," he said. "I've bought bottled water just to be able to go to the toilet."

Dams nearly empty

The manager of the Latian Dam, one of Tehran's main water sources, says it now holds less than 10% of its capacity. The nearby Karaj Dam — which supplies water to both Tehran and Alborz provinces — is in a similarly dire condition.

"I have never seen this dam so empty since I was born," an elderly local resident told Iranian state TV.

According to Mohammad-Ali Moallem, the manager of the Karaj Dam, rainfall has plummeted dramatically.

"We had a 92% decrease in rain compared to last year," he said. "We have only eight per cent water in our reservoir — and most of it is unusable and considered 'dead water.'"

Fears of water cuts

The government is now pinning its hopes on late autumn rain, but forecasts are bleak. Iran's Minister of Energy, Abbas Ali Abadi, has warned the situation could soon force authorities to cut water supplies.

"Some nights we might decrease the water flow to zero," he said.

Officials have also announced plans to penalise households and businesses that consume excessive amounts of water.

Pipes, war damage - and a widening crisis

Iran's energy minister Ali Abadi has said Tehran's water crisis is not only due to a lack of rainfall. He blamed water leakage caused by the capital's century-old water infrastructure and even pointed to the recent 12-day war with Israel.

During that conflict, Israel targeted the northern Tehran neighbourhood of Tajrish on 15 June. Afterwards videos showed heavy flooding in the area.

The day after the strike, the Israel Defence Forces said it had targeted Iranian military "command centres".

But the crisis extends far beyond the capital.

The head of Iran's National Centre for Climate and Drought Crisis Management, Ahmad Vazifeh, has warned that, apart from Tehran, dams in many other provinces — including West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan and Markazi — are also in a "worrying state", with water levels in the single-digit percentages.

In Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, officials are sounding the alarm as well.

The Governor of Khorasan Razavi Province in north-east Iran, said the water reserves in Mashhad's dams have dropped to "less than eight percent," warning that the province faces a "mega-challenge of drought."

CEO of Mashhad's Water and Wastewater Company put the figure even lower.

"The storage level of the city's main dam is below three percent," Hossein Esmaeilian said.

"Only three percent of the combined capacity of Mashhad's four water-supplying dams — Torogh, Kardeh, Doosti, and Ardak — remains. Apart from Doosti Dam, the other three are out of operation."

A crisis long foreseen

Iran's water crisis has been decades in the making.

Even Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has repeatedly acknowledged the looming threat — speaking about water shortages in his Nowruz addresses in 2011 and on other occasions in the following years.

Yet little has changed.

Today, Tehran, Karaj and Mashhad — home to more than 16 million people combined — are facing the real possibility of their taps running dry.

The Philippines is bracing for the arrival of another potentially devastating typhoon, less than a week after a different storm killed at least 200 people and left a trail of destruction.

Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan, is forecast to intensify to a super typhoon - with sustained winds of at least 185km/h (115mph) - before making landfall on the island of Luzon on Sunday evening local time at the earliest.

The Philippine meteorological service (Pagasa) says the storm will also bring heavy rain and the risk of life-threatening storm surges.

Several schools have either cancelled classes on Monday or moved them online, while Philippine Airlines has cancelled a number of local flights.

Typhoon Fung-wong is expected to weaken rapidly once it makes landfall but will likely remain a typhoon as it travels over Luzon.

Eastern parts of the Philippines have already begun experiencing heavy rains and winds, a Pagasa official said in a briefing on Saturday evening local time.

While much of the country is expected to be impacted, there are particular concerns about those areas that could take a direct hit - including the small island of Catanduanes, which lies off the coast of southern Luzon.

Residents there, as well as in other low-lying and coastal areas, have been urged to move to higher ground ahead of the storm's arrival.

A civil defence spokesman said evacuations had to be carried out by Sunday morning at the latest and should not be attempted during heavy rain and strong winds.

• How do hurricanes or typhoons form and are they getting stronger?

Typhoon Fung-wong has also forced the suspension of rescue operations following the passage of Kalmaegi, one of the strongest typhoons this year.

Heavy rainfall sent torrents of mud down hillsides and into residential areas. Some poorer neighbourhoods were obliterated by the fast-moving flash floods.

At least 204 people are now known to have died in the Philippines as a result of the earlier storm, while more than 100 are still missing.

Five people also died in Vietnam, where strong winds uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and smashed large windows.

The Philippines government declared a state of calamity across the country after Typhoon Kalmaegi and in preparation for the coming storm.

It has given government agencies more power to access emergency funds and fast-track the procurement and delivery of essential goods and services to those in need.

For some Filipinos, the devastation wrought by Typhoon Kalmaegi earlier this week has left them even more anxious about the storm to come.

"We decided to evacuate because the recent typhoon brought floods in our area, and now I just want to keep my family safe," Norlito Dugan told the AFP news agency.

He is among those who have taken shelter in a church in the city of Sorsogon in Luzon.

Another resident, Maxine Dugan said: "I'm here because the waves near my house are now huge, I live near the shore. The winds there are now very strong, and the waves are huge."

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to tropical cyclones, due to its location on the Pacific Ocean where such weather systems form.

About 20 tropical cyclones form in that region every year, half of which impact the country directly.

Climate change is not thought to increase the number of hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones worldwide.

However, warmer oceans coupled with a warmer atmosphere - fuelled by climate change - have the potential to make those that do form even more intense. That can potentially lead to higher wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and a greater risk of coastal flooding.

The Philippines is bracing for the arrival of another potentially devastating typhoon, less than a week after a different storm killed at least 200 people and left a trail of destruction.

Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan, is forecast to intensify to a super typhoon - with sustained winds of at least 185km/h (115mph) - before making landfall on the island of Luzon on Sunday evening local time at the earliest.

The Philippine meteorological service (Pagasa) says the storm will also bring heavy rain and the risk of life-threatening storm surges.

Several schools have either cancelled classes on Monday or moved them online, while Philippine Airlines has cancelled a number of local flights.

Typhoon Fung-wong is expected to weaken rapidly once it makes landfall but will likely remain a typhoon as it travels over Luzon.

Eastern parts of the Philippines have already begun experiencing heavy rains and winds, a Pagasa official said in a briefing on Saturday evening local time.

While much of the country is expected to be impacted, there are particular concerns about those areas that could take a direct hit - including the small island of Catanduanes, which lies off the coast of southern Luzon.

Residents there, as well as in other low-lying and coastal areas, have been urged to move to higher ground ahead of the storm's arrival.

A civil defence spokesman said evacuations had to be carried out by Sunday morning at the latest and should not be attempted during heavy rain and strong winds.

• How do hurricanes or typhoons form and are they getting stronger?

Typhoon Fung-wong has also forced the suspension of rescue operations following the passage of Kalmaegi, one of the strongest typhoons this year.

Heavy rainfall sent torrents of mud down hillsides and into residential areas. Some poorer neighbourhoods were obliterated by the fast-moving flash floods.

At least 204 people are now known to have died in the Philippines as a result of the earlier storm, while more than 100 are still missing.

Five people also died in Vietnam, where strong winds uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and smashed large windows.

The Philippines government declared a state of calamity across the country after Typhoon Kalmaegi and in preparation for the coming storm.

It has given government agencies more power to access emergency funds and fast-track the procurement and delivery of essential goods and services to those in need.

For some Filipinos, the devastation wrought by Typhoon Kalmaegi earlier this week has left them even more anxious about the storm to come.

"We decided to evacuate because the recent typhoon brought floods in our area, and now I just want to keep my family safe," Norlito Dugan told the AFP news agency.

He is among those who have taken shelter in a church in the city of Sorsogon in Luzon.

Another resident, Maxine Dugan said: "I'm here because the waves near my house are now huge, I live near the shore. The winds there are now very strong, and the waves are huge."

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to tropical cyclones, due to its location on the Pacific Ocean where such weather systems form.

About 20 tropical cyclones form in that region every year, half of which impact the country directly.

Climate change is not thought to increase the number of hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones worldwide.

However, warmer oceans coupled with a warmer atmosphere - fuelled by climate change - have the potential to make those that do form even more intense. That can potentially lead to higher wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and a greater risk of coastal flooding.

Iran - especially its capital, Tehran - is facing an unprecedented drought this autumn, with rainfall at record lows and reservoirs nearly empty. Officials are pleading with citizens to conserve water as the crisis deepens.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that if there is not enough rainfall soon, Tehran's water supply could be rationed. But he said that even rationing might not be enough to prevent a disaster.

"If rationing doesn't work," Pezeshkian said, "we may have to evacuate Tehran."

His comments have prompted criticism in Iranian newspapers and on social media. Former Tehran mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi called the idea "a joke" and said "evacuating Tehran makes no sense at all".

Iran's meteorological officials say no rainfall is expected over the next 10 days.

Meanwhile, the water crisis is already affecting daily life in the capital.

"I'm planning to buy water tankers to use for toilets and other necessities," a woman in Tehran told BBC Persian.

In the summer, Iranian rapper Vafa Ahmadpoor posted a video on social media showing a kitchen faucet with no running water.

"It's been four or five hours," he said. "I've bought bottled water just to be able to go to the toilet."

Dams nearly empty

The manager of the Latian Dam, one of Tehran's main water sources, says it now holds less than 10% of its capacity. The nearby Karaj Dam — which supplies water to both Tehran and Alborz provinces — is in a similarly dire condition.

"I have never seen this dam so empty since I was born," an elderly local resident told Iranian state TV.

According to Mohammad-Ali Moallem, the manager of the Karaj Dam, rainfall has plummeted dramatically.

"We had a 92% decrease in rain compared to last year," he said. "We have only eight per cent water in our reservoir — and most of it is unusable and considered 'dead water.'"

Fears of water cuts

The government is now pinning its hopes on late autumn rain, but forecasts are bleak. Iran's Minister of Energy, Abbas Ali Abadi, has warned the situation could soon force authorities to cut water supplies.

"Some nights we might decrease the water flow to zero," he said.

Officials have also announced plans to penalise households and businesses that consume excessive amounts of water.

Pipes, war damage - and a widening crisis

Iran's energy minister Ali Abadi has said Tehran's water crisis is not only due to a lack of rainfall. He blamed water leakage caused by the capital's century-old water infrastructure and even pointed to the recent 12-day war with Israel.

During that conflict, Israel targeted the northern Tehran neighbourhood of Tajrish on 15 June. Afterwards videos showed heavy flooding in the area.

The day after the strike, the Israel Defence Forces said it had targeted Iranian military "command centres".

But the crisis extends far beyond the capital.

The head of Iran's National Centre for Climate and Drought Crisis Management, Ahmad Vazifeh, has warned that, apart from Tehran, dams in many other provinces — including West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan and Markazi — are also in a "worrying state", with water levels in the single-digit percentages.

In Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, officials are sounding the alarm as well.

The Governor of Khorasan Razavi Province in north-east Iran, said the water reserves in Mashhad's dams have dropped to "less than eight percent," warning that the province faces a "mega-challenge of drought."

CEO of Mashhad's Water and Wastewater Company put the figure even lower.

"The storage level of the city's main dam is below three percent," Hossein Esmaeilian said.

"Only three percent of the combined capacity of Mashhad's four water-supplying dams — Torogh, Kardeh, Doosti, and Ardak — remains. Apart from Doosti Dam, the other three are out of operation."

A crisis long foreseen

Iran's water crisis has been decades in the making.

Even Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has repeatedly acknowledged the looming threat — speaking about water shortages in his Nowruz addresses in 2011 and on other occasions in the following years.

Yet little has changed.

Today, Tehran, Karaj and Mashhad — home to more than 16 million people combined — are facing the real possibility of their taps running dry.

Protesters targeted a new multi-million dollar museum in Nigeria and forced organisers to halt a preview event ahead of Tuesday's grand opening.

Videos showed a group insulting foreign guests and ordering them to leave after entering the grounds of the Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) in Benin City on Sunday.

The museum in Edo state was in part conceived as a home for the Benin Bronzes - artefacts looted from there by British soldiers in the 19th Century. The campus includes state-of-the art preservation and restoration facilities.

However, a bitter dispute over the control of the prized artworks has meant they are not at the museum, something that appeared to have angered the protesters.

All guests were safely escorted to secure locations, according to a statement from the museum.

"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this situation may have caused," Mowaa said.

A local resident told the BBC the frustration stems from what many see as a hijacking of an Edo project.

"The Benin Oba [king], traditional rulers and the government of Edo are not happy about it," the resident added.

"Edo" was initially in the museum's name, but this was later dropped. Executive director Phillip Ihenacho told the BBC the backers wanted the institution to serve a wider purpose beyond Nigeria.

In its statement, Mowaa said the protest "appeared to stem from disputes between the previous and current state administrations".

The museum emphasised it was an independent, non-profit organisation and, though a former state governor had backed the project, he had no interest in it "financial or otherwise".

Mowaa has now cancelled all preview events leading up to the opening and advised visitors to avoid the campus until the situation is resolved.

"We are deeply grateful to all our guests - many of whom travelled long distances to be here - for their understanding, patience and resilience," the statement said. "We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this situation may have caused."

You may also be interested in:

• Ghana, Nigeria and the quest for UK looted treasure
• Benin Bronzes declaration 'blindsides' museum officials
• The art dealer, the £10m Benin Bronze and the Holocaust

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

A British man has died after being shot during a robbery in Ghana on Friday, police say.

Ashraf Qarmar Parvez, 68, was shot after he tried to stop an attempt to steal his phone at a drinking spot in Tema, a city to the east of the Ghanaian capital, Accra. He later died in hospital, police said.

Authorities in Ghana are searching for the shooter - one of a group of six suspects who they say were at the scene and fled on motorbikes.

The BBC has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment.

A 9mm spent bullet shell was recovered from the shooting site and police have interviewed witnesses as part of their investigation.

The incident has raised security concerns in the industrial city of Tema, but a local police spokesperson told the BBC that the shooting was a rare incident.

"Efforts are ongoing to contact the British Embassy to officially notify them of the death of their national," the police said in a statement.

BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness have resigned, after a newspaper report suggested a BBC Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump.

They announced their resignations in separate emails to all BBC staff, at 18:00.

The BBC's chair Samir Shah also released a statement.

Here are their statements in full:

Director general Tim Davie

Dear all

I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years. This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the chair and board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure including during recent days.

I am working through exact timings with the Board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months.

I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will be delivering.

In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious. Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision. Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director general I have to take ultimate responsibility.

Our organisation is a critical ingredient of a healthy society, as well as a thriving creative sector. We should champion it, not weaponise it.

Despite a hugely competitive market, I am proud that the BBC remains the most trusted news brand globally. We have continued to ensure that it is used by almost everyone in the UK as well as hundreds of millions of people globally. Despite the inevitable issues and challenges, our journalism and quality content continues to be admired as a gold standard. Our transition to a digital organisation has been deeply impressive, and our thriving commercial businesses are admired globally. Also, our work together on ensuring that we have the right culture has been important and motivating. I could not be more impressed by what you are achieving.

You will ask why now, why this moment?

I am BBC through and through, having spent the last 20 years of my life working for this organisation as director of marketing, communications and audiences, director of audio and music, acting director general and chief executive of BBC Studios. I care deeply about it and want it to succeed. That is why I want to create the best conditions and space for a new DG to come in and positively shape the next Royal Charter. I hope that as we move forward, a sensible, calm and rational public conversation can take place about the next chapter of the BBC.

This timing allows a new DG to help shape the next charter. I believe we are in a strong position to deliver growth.

Thank you again, it has been a wonderful ride, which I have loved. I count myself very lucky to have served as DG no.17. I will have a proper chance to see many of you before I go but I have been incredibly proud to lead the BBC as DG for over five years. It is a precious UK institution and you are a world-class team. Thank you all for the tireless support and friendship.

I will always be a passionate cheerleader for civilised society, a strong BBC and a thriving UK.

Best wishes,

Tim

CEO of News Deborah Turness

Dear all,

I have never been more proud of the work that you do every day. You really are the best of the best.

I have taken the difficult decision that it will no longer be my role to lead you in the collective vision that we all have: to pursue the truth with no agenda.

The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love.

As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me - and I took the decision to offer my resignation to the Director-General last night.

In public life leaders need to be fully accountable, and that is why I am stepping down. While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.

In a polarised world, BBC News journalism is more vital than ever, and I could not be prouder of the work that you do. Together we have bucked the global trend, to grow trust in BBC News, and I want to thank you, wherever you are in the world, for your courageous work to deliver that.

My plea to you: please keep the courage to continue our mission. I'm only sorry that I won't be there to lead and champion your brilliant journalism.

It has been a great privilege to work with you all.

I will now work with Tim to plan an orderly handover to ensure that my decision to step away causes the least disruption possible to the important work that you do.

With very best wishes,

Deborah

BBC chair Samir Shah

Dear all,

I write to you all on a very difficult day, following the news that our director general Tim Davie will be stepping down. The CEO of News Deborah Turness has also resigned.

On behalf of the BBC Board I want to extend my sincere gratitude to both of them for their unwavering service and commitment to the BBC.

This is a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding director general for the last five years. He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.

He has had the full support of me and the board throughout. However, I understand the continued pressure on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this decision today. The whole board respects the decision and the reasons for it.

Tim has given 20 years of his life to the BBC. He is a devoted and inspirational leader and an absolute believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting. He has achieved a great deal. Foremost, under his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competition is well underway.

Personally, I will miss his stamina, good humour and resilience and I will miss working with him. I wish him and his family the very best for the future.

I also want to thank Deborah for her leadership of BBC News over the past three years. She has transformed the operation of News with real commitment and a clear vision of the future.

She has acted with integrity in challenging circumstances and leaves a strong legacy from which to build for the many millions around the world who rely on and trust the voice of BBC News every day.

Tim has also asked me to pass on the following words in relation to Deborah's resignation. He says: "In the past three years, Deborah has led the newsroom with extraordinary energy, changing the way that it works and cementing BBC News as the most used and trusted news outlet in the UK and the most trusted news provider internationally.

"She has been a valued colleague and a passionate advocate for her team of more than 5,000 people who work round the clock and around the world, on and off air, to report without fear or favour in an age where press freedom has never been under greater pressure. Deborah offered her resignation to me last night, and I want to thank her for all that she has done and to wish her the very best for her future."

I fully understand this has been a difficult period for everyone connected to the BBC and it goes without saying this is an incredibly important time for the organisation.

On behalf of the board, I want to assure you all that we will do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition as we appoint Tim's successor. We will continue to work with Tim in this interim period.

In terms of News, Deborah has agreed to support the organisation to work through an orderly handover.

I fully understand this is unsettling for all of us, but I remain resolute that the BBC will continue to deliver world class public service broadcasting in the days, weeks and months ahead.

I will be back in touch to update you all as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Samir Shah