Today's Headlines: Battle to retake Mosul from IS begins, Freed Chibok girls reunite with families, China launches manned space mission

Battle to retake Mosul from IS begins

Having difficulty reading this email? View it online Today's Headlines October 16

Top News Stories Battle to retake Mosul from IS begins A military operation to recapture the Iraqi city of Mosul from so-called Islamic State has begun, PM Haider al-Abadi says. Freed Chibok girls reunite with families Twenty-one schoolgirls who had been kidnapped by the Islamist group Boko Haram in the Nigerian town of Chibok have been reunited with their families. China launches manned space mission China launches a rocket carrying two astronauts to its orbiting space station in a mission designed to develop the country's ability to explore space. Brazil prison clashes 'kill 25 inmates' Clashes between two rival factions kill at least 25 inmates in an overcrowded prison in northern Brazil, local media report.   Trump: Vote 'rigged at polling places' Presidential runner says the election is rigged by the media and "at many polling places", despite his running mate saying he would accept the result. Stories from India China backs Brics' long term prospects China's president says the long-term prospects of Brics nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are still positive despite global uncertainty. Many pilgrims killed in India stampede At least 24 people die in a stampede as tens of thousands of people attend a religious event in Varanasi, northern India. Jains say 'many children have fasted' India's Jain community members say at least 19 children have undertaken religious fasts for "long periods".

From the BBC Cultural Calendar Opening this week: Rajasthan International Folk Festival The classical and modern Indian folk music event to Jodhpur from 13 to 17 October.   Find out more about exciting events around the world in the BBC Cultural Calendar.   Top Videos Chinese space mission blasts off Republican office attack 'political terrorism' Crafty cuttlefish change colour to outwit mating rivals Royal memorabilia sales skyrocket in Thailand Magazine Can song lyrics ever be poetry? Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize reignites the debate about whether song lyrics can ever be considered literature - is it time to finally tear down the cultural barriers? Sport Munster coach Foley dies in team hotel Munster Rugby's head coach Anthony Foley, who won 62 caps for Ireland, dies suddenly at Munster's hotel in Paris. Sprinter Gay's daughter killed in shooting Former world champion sprinter Tyson Gay's 15-year-old daughter has been killed in a shooting in the US state of Kentucky, police and local media say. Lack of Man Utd identity makes Liverpool favourites - Scholes Manchester United lack "identity" under new boss Jose Mourinho and are underdogs against Liverpool, says Old Trafford great Paul Scholes.

Business China backs Brics' long term prospects China's president says the long-term prospects of Brics nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are still positive despite global uncertainty. More airlines impose Samsung Note 7 ban Airlines in Australia, Europe and Asia ban Samsung's Galaxy Note 7, after reports some phones have caught fire.   Technology Google News launches fact check label Google launches a new fact check label, which will appear in search results for news stories. YouTuber denies gambling offences Two men - one a YouTuber - appear in court and plead not guilty to gambling offences.

Autos Redesigning the Swiss utility vehicle Pininfarina's Symphony is a stylish upgrade to Europe's highest transport system   The city car with hypercar roots Top Gear drives McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray's three-seat urban wonder Capital The perils of 'sudden wealth syndrome' There's a little-known downside to becoming rich   Sick? You're probably working anyway The psychology behind the subtle pressure to show up Culture The most famous letter never sent? A revolutionary love letter written in prison   The art of man and machine The world's first 'Cybathlon' Earth There could be Martian life on Earth Microbes may have been carried here from Mars   The force that shaped the Milky Way Why our galaxy looks like a fried egg Future Why billionaires have more sons The strange factors influencing a baby's sex   The man who couldn't stop eating The Frenchman with a super-sized hunger Travel The last of the Greek sponge divers There used to be hundreds of sponge boats – today, there are only five left   The labyrinth a city forgot It was sealed off in the early 1950s, and wiped from the communal memory

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