BBC News with Jerry Smit

    President Xi Jinping has told the thousands gathered for the start of the communist party congress that China should take centre stage in the world and work to build a great power. The address provided policy clues for the direction of China. Mr. Xi asserted his confidence in communist ideology saying {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    A senior official of the Kenyan electoral commission has quit saying she doubts the country can hold credible elections next week. Speaking to the BBC from New York Das Roslin Acumben says that while in Kenya she received numerous threats. The main opposition candidate Raila Amolo Odinga pulled out of the poll re-ran saying he did not believe {#blank#}2{#/blank#} could be held.

    A US judge has largely blocked the latest version of president Trump's travel ban hours before it was due to {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. The judge in Hawaii said the ban broke US immigration law. The White House said his ruling was floored.

    Iraqi forces have taken control of {#blank#}4{#/blank#} previously held by Kurdish forces in Nenevas province in northern Iraq. Officials said positions retaken from Kurdish Pesh Merga fighters included the most of the Mosudan, Northwest of city.

    The European Commission is due to announce a wide ranging package of counter terrorism measures later today {#blank#}5{#/blank#} in Europe. Officials say they have concerns about eight thousand Islamic fighters who could potentially return from Syria and Iraq.

    Six Pakistani police officers have been killed in a bomb blast in the southwestern city of Queta. Reports say a roadside device {#blank#}6{#/blank#} as a police vehicle passed by.

    And German chancellor Angela Merkel is embarking on coalition negotiations today following last month's elections that reduced her share of vote now showed the far-right into the parliament. Ms Merkel's Christian Democrat party will hold talks with the Liberal Free Democrats.

BBC news