Ukraine war: Putin being misled by fearful advisers, US says
Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misled by advisers who are too scared to tell him how badly the war in Ukraine is going, the White House says.
Meanwhile, British intelligence says Russian troops in Ukraine are demoralised, short of equipment and refusing to carry out orders.
Mr Putin is also not being told about the full impact of sanctions on the Russian economy, the White House said.
The Kremlin said the US had a "total misunderstanding" of the situation.
Mr Putin's chief spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists: "They simply don't understand what's happening in the Kremlin, they don't understand President Putin, they don't understand how decisions are taken and they don't understand the style of our work." read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misled by advisers who are too scared to tell him how badly the war in Ukraine is going, the White House says.
Meanwhile, British intelligence says Russian troops in Ukraine are demoralised, short of equipment and refusing to carry out orders.
Mr Putin is also not being told about the full impact of sanctions on the Russian economy, the White House said.
The Kremlin said the US had a "total misunderstanding" of the situation.
Mr Putin's chief spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists: "They simply don't understand what's happening in the Kremlin, they don't understand President Putin, they don't understand how decisions are taken and they don't understand the style of our work." read more
Sri Lanka imposes curfew amid food, fuel and power shortage protests
A 36-hour curfew has been announced in Sri Lanka as a state of emergency is enforced amid violent protests against food and fuel shortages.
The move is aimed at stopping new protests - two days after crowds were accused of setting vehicles ablaze near the president's private residence.
The military has since been deployed and now has the power to arrest suspects without warrants.
Sri Lanka is in the midst of a major economic crisis.
It is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which is used to pay for fuel imports. read more
A 36-hour curfew has been announced in Sri Lanka as a state of emergency is enforced amid violent protests against food and fuel shortages.
The move is aimed at stopping new protests - two days after crowds were accused of setting vehicles ablaze near the president's private residence.
The military has since been deployed and now has the power to arrest suspects without warrants.
Sri Lanka is in the midst of a major economic crisis.
It is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which is used to pay for fuel imports. read more
Ukraine war: Bucha street littered with burned-out tanks and corpses
A suburban avenue in Bucha became one of the first graveyards for Russia's hopes of encircling and entering Kyiv and then deposing the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The moment came two or three days after the first Russian forces crossed into Ukraine on 24 February, when Ukrainian forces destroyed a column of Russian tanks and armoured personnel carriers moving through the town of Bucha to the city of Kyiv.
The convoy was destroyed in one of the first of many Ukrainian ambushes that stopped the Russian advance dead. read more
A suburban avenue in Bucha became one of the first graveyards for Russia's hopes of encircling and entering Kyiv and then deposing the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The moment came two or three days after the first Russian forces crossed into Ukraine on 24 February, when Ukrainian forces destroyed a column of Russian tanks and armoured personnel carriers moving through the town of Bucha to the city of Kyiv.
The convoy was destroyed in one of the first of many Ukrainian ambushes that stopped the Russian advance dead. read more
Pakistan: Court to decide embattled PM Imran Khan's fate
Pakistan's supreme court is expected to decide the fate of embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan, following a day of political turmoil.
Mr Khan has faced an attempt to oust him from office in recent days.
But in a move that has roiled the country, members of Mr Khan's party on Sunday blocked a vote of no-confidence in the PM and dissolved parliament.
Mr Khan had claimed the vote was part of a US-led conspiracy to remove him, but the US has denied this.
Furious opposition politicians have now filed a petition to the Supreme Court to rule on whether the move to block the vote was constitutional. read more
Pakistan's supreme court is expected to decide the fate of embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan, following a day of political turmoil.
Mr Khan has faced an attempt to oust him from office in recent days.
But in a move that has roiled the country, members of Mr Khan's party on Sunday blocked a vote of no-confidence in the PM and dissolved parliament.
Mr Khan had claimed the vote was part of a US-led conspiracy to remove him, but the US has denied this.
Furious opposition politicians have now filed a petition to the Supreme Court to rule on whether the move to block the vote was constitutional. read more
Elon Musk becomes Twitter's biggest shareholder
Elon Musk has taken a 9.2% stake in Twitter, according to a US securities filing.
The announcement sent Twitter shares soaring by more than 27% in New York trading on Monday.
Tesla's chief executive owned 73,486,938 shares in the social media platform as of 14 March, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The stake is worth $2.89bn (£2.2bn), based on Twitter's closing price on Friday.
It makes him the largest shareholder in the company, with more than four times the 2.25% holding of Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. read more
Elon Musk has taken a 9.2% stake in Twitter, according to a US securities filing.
The announcement sent Twitter shares soaring by more than 27% in New York trading on Monday.
Tesla's chief executive owned 73,486,938 shares in the social media platform as of 14 March, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The stake is worth $2.89bn (£2.2bn), based on Twitter's closing price on Friday.
It makes him the largest shareholder in the company, with more than four times the 2.25% holding of Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. read more
Ukraine War: Western leaders to impose further sanctions on Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he "cannot tolerate any indecisiveness" ahead of the West imposing further sanctions on Russia.
The US said on Tuesday the measures will target financial and state-owned bodies, some officials and oligarchs.
Media reports suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters will be among those on the list.
The European Union is also expected to cut off Russian coal imports as concern over alleged war crimes increases. read more
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he "cannot tolerate any indecisiveness" ahead of the West imposing further sanctions on Russia.
The US said on Tuesday the measures will target financial and state-owned bodies, some officials and oligarchs.
Media reports suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters will be among those on the list.
The European Union is also expected to cut off Russian coal imports as concern over alleged war crimes increases. read more
Twitter confirms it is working on an edit button
Twitter has confirmed that it is working on an edit button that would allow users to change tweets after they have been posted.
It comes after new board member, Tesla boss Elon Musk, asked his followers in a Twitter poll whether they wanted the feature.
Many users have long called for an edit button but there are concerns about how to execute it.
Twitter said it would start testing the idea in the coming months.
The social media firm's communications team tweeted: "Now that everyone is asking… yes, we've been working on an edit feature since last year! read more
Twitter has confirmed that it is working on an edit button that would allow users to change tweets after they have been posted.
It comes after new board member, Tesla boss Elon Musk, asked his followers in a Twitter poll whether they wanted the feature.
Many users have long called for an edit button but there are concerns about how to execute it.
Twitter said it would start testing the idea in the coming months.
The social media firm's communications team tweeted: "Now that everyone is asking… yes, we've been working on an edit feature since last year! read more
Will Smith banned from Oscars for 10 years over slap
Will Smith has been banned from the Oscars gala and other Academy events for 10 years after the US actor slapped comic Chris Rock at the ceremony.
In a statement, the Academy said the 94th Oscars had been "overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behaviour we saw Mr Smith exhibit on stage".
Smith has apologised for his actions and resigned from the Academy.
The actor hit Rock for joking about his wife's shaved head, a result of the hair-loss condition alopecia.
Less than an hour later, he was awarded the best actor award for his role in King Richard, where he played the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. read more
Will Smith has been banned from the Oscars gala and other Academy events for 10 years after the US actor slapped comic Chris Rock at the ceremony.
In a statement, the Academy said the 94th Oscars had been "overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behaviour we saw Mr Smith exhibit on stage".
Smith has apologised for his actions and resigned from the Academy.
The actor hit Rock for joking about his wife's shaved head, a result of the hair-loss condition alopecia.
Less than an hour later, he was awarded the best actor award for his role in King Richard, where he played the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. read more
Full embargo on oil could stop war - ex-Putin aide
A "real embargo" on Russian energy by Western countries could stop war in Ukraine, President Putin's former chief economic adviser has suggested.
Dr Andrei Illarionov said Russia "did not take seriously" other countries' threats to reduce their energy usage.
Despite trying to reduce its reliance on Russian sources, Europe is continuing to buy oil and gas.
Last year, soaring prices meant oil and gas revenues accounted for 36% of Russia's government spending.
Much of that income comes from the European Union, which imports about 40% of its gas and 27% of its oil from Russia. read more
A "real embargo" on Russian energy by Western countries could stop war in Ukraine, President Putin's former chief economic adviser has suggested.
Dr Andrei Illarionov said Russia "did not take seriously" other countries' threats to reduce their energy usage.
Despite trying to reduce its reliance on Russian sources, Europe is continuing to buy oil and gas.
Last year, soaring prices meant oil and gas revenues accounted for 36% of Russia's government spending.
Much of that income comes from the European Union, which imports about 40% of its gas and 27% of its oil from Russia. read more
Elon Musk will not join Twitter board, says boss
Elon Musk has decided not to join the board of Twitter, the company's chief executive Parag Agrawal says.
Mr Musk's appointment was due to become effective on Saturday after revealing last week that he had bought a 9.2% stake in the social media platform.
However, Mr Agrawal tweeted: "Elon shared that same morning that he will no longer be joining the board."
The Tesla boss remains Twitter's largest shareholder and the firm will remain open to his input, he added.
Just over an hour after Mr Agrawal's announcement, Mr Musk cryptically tweeted a single emoji. The tweet has since been deleted. read more
Elon Musk has decided not to join the board of Twitter, the company's chief executive Parag Agrawal says.
Mr Musk's appointment was due to become effective on Saturday after revealing last week that he had bought a 9.2% stake in the social media platform.
However, Mr Agrawal tweeted: "Elon shared that same morning that he will no longer be joining the board."
The Tesla boss remains Twitter's largest shareholder and the firm will remain open to his input, he added.
Just over an hour after Mr Agrawal's announcement, Mr Musk cryptically tweeted a single emoji. The tweet has since been deleted. read more
Ukraine war: Putin says Russian invasion will achieve 'noble' aims
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said his invasion of Ukraine will achieve what he called its "noble" aims.
Speaking alongside Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko, Mr Putin claimed that a clash with Ukraine had become "inevitable".
Mr Putin said he had been left with no choice but to launch the invasion in a bid to protect the Russian speaking Donbas region.
The UN says 10 million people have fled their homes since the invasion began.
But during a public appearance marking the 61st anniversary of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first man in space, Mr Putin insisted that his forces are aiding oppressed people in separatist regions of Ukraine. read more
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said his invasion of Ukraine will achieve what he called its "noble" aims.
Speaking alongside Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko, Mr Putin claimed that a clash with Ukraine had become "inevitable".
Mr Putin said he had been left with no choice but to launch the invasion in a bid to protect the Russian speaking Donbas region.
The UN says 10 million people have fled their homes since the invasion began.
But during a public appearance marking the 61st anniversary of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first man in space, Mr Putin insisted that his forces are aiding oppressed people in separatist regions of Ukraine. read more
Ukraine War: Finland to decide on Nato membership in weeks says PM Marin
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin says her country will decide whether to apply to join Nato "within weeks".
She said she saw no reason to delay the decision, at a joint news conference alongside Sweden's prime minister.
Her comments coincided with a report to the Finnish parliament that said membership of the bloc could result in "increased tensions on the border between Finland and Russia".
Moscow has warned Finland and Sweden against joining Nato in recent weeks. read more
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin says her country will decide whether to apply to join Nato "within weeks".
She said she saw no reason to delay the decision, at a joint news conference alongside Sweden's prime minister.
Her comments coincided with a report to the Finnish parliament that said membership of the bloc could result in "increased tensions on the border between Finland and Russia".
Moscow has warned Finland and Sweden against joining Nato in recent weeks. read more
Elon Musk makes offer to buy Twitter
Tesla boss Elon Musk has offered to buy Twitter, saying he is the right person to "unlock" the social media platform's "extraordinary potential".
In a surprise announcement, Mr Musk said he would pay $54.20 a share for Twitter, valuing it at about $40bn.
It recently emerged that Mr Musk was Twitter's biggest shareholder after he built up a large stake in the firm.
He said that if his offer was not accepted: "I would need to reconsider my position as a shareholder".
Twitter's share price rose by 5.3% to $48.32 in early trading. read more
Tesla boss Elon Musk has offered to buy Twitter, saying he is the right person to "unlock" the social media platform's "extraordinary potential".
In a surprise announcement, Mr Musk said he would pay $54.20 a share for Twitter, valuing it at about $40bn.
It recently emerged that Mr Musk was Twitter's biggest shareholder after he built up a large stake in the firm.
He said that if his offer was not accepted: "I would need to reconsider my position as a shareholder".
Twitter's share price rose by 5.3% to $48.32 in early trading. read more
Depp and Heard marriage ended in 'mutual abuse', says therapist
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's former couples therapist said the pair engaged in "mutual abuse" during the final months of their stormy marriage.
Video testimony by Dr Laurel Anderson was played for jurors on the third day of the $50m (£38m) defamation trial in Virginia.
Mr Depp has sued his ex-wife over a story she wrote in which she described herself as a victim of domestic violence. He denies any abuse.
Ms Heard filed a $100m counterclaim. read more
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's former couples therapist said the pair engaged in "mutual abuse" during the final months of their stormy marriage.
Video testimony by Dr Laurel Anderson was played for jurors on the third day of the $50m (£38m) defamation trial in Virginia.
Mr Depp has sued his ex-wife over a story she wrote in which she described herself as a victim of domestic violence. He denies any abuse.
Ms Heard filed a $100m counterclaim. read more
Ukraine war: Russia bans Boris Johnson from country over Ukraine war
Russia has banned Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other senior ministers from entering Russia over the UK's "hostile" stance on the war in Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and 10 other senior politicians - mostly members of the Cabinet - have also been barred.
Moscow said the decision had been made in retaliation to the UK's sanctions against it since it invaded Ukraine.
In March, Moscow imposed a similar ban against US President Joe Biden. read more
Russia has banned Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other senior ministers from entering Russia over the UK's "hostile" stance on the war in Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and 10 other senior politicians - mostly members of the Cabinet - have also been barred.
Moscow said the decision had been made in retaliation to the UK's sanctions against it since it invaded Ukraine.
In March, Moscow imposed a similar ban against US President Joe Biden. read more
Ukraine war: Trucks stuck at Poland-Belarus border as EU sanctions deadline passes
A huge queue of trucks has formed on the Poland-Belarus border as Russian and Belarussian drivers try to leave the EU following a sanctions deadline.
In the run-up to the Saturday deadline, the line extended to 80km (60 miles), with some stuck for up to 33 hours.
The EU has banned lorries from Russia and Belarus - except those carrying medicine, mail or petroleum products - from entering or staying in the bloc.
The move is part of sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Drone footage filed by Reuters news agency showed long queues remaining as the midnight deadline neared. read more
A huge queue of trucks has formed on the Poland-Belarus border as Russian and Belarussian drivers try to leave the EU following a sanctions deadline.
In the run-up to the Saturday deadline, the line extended to 80km (60 miles), with some stuck for up to 33 hours.
The EU has banned lorries from Russia and Belarus - except those carrying medicine, mail or petroleum products - from entering or staying in the bloc.
The move is part of sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Drone footage filed by Reuters news agency showed long queues remaining as the midnight deadline neared. read more
Shanghai: China reports three dead in latest Covid outbreak
China has reported the deaths of three people from Covid in Shanghai for the first time since the financial hub entered lockdown in late March.
A release from the city's health commission said the three people were aged between 89 and 91, had several comorbidities, and were unvaccinated.
Until now, China said no-one had died of Covid in the city - a claim that has increasingly come into question.
Officials also said the city recorded 22,248 cases on Monday.
Monday's deaths were the first Covid-linked fatalities to be officially acknowledged by Chinese authorities since March. read more
China has reported the deaths of three people from Covid in Shanghai for the first time since the financial hub entered lockdown in late March.
A release from the city's health commission said the three people were aged between 89 and 91, had several comorbidities, and were unvaccinated.
Until now, China said no-one had died of Covid in the city - a claim that has increasingly come into question.
Officials also said the city recorded 22,248 cases on Monday.
Monday's deaths were the first Covid-linked fatalities to be officially acknowledged by Chinese authorities since March. read more
Ukraine war: Mariupol defenders will fight to the end says PM
Defenders of the besieged city of Mariupol will fight to the end against Russian forces, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says.
The port city has not fallen despite an ultimatum from Moscow to remaining fighters to give up, he said.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia has chosen to raze Mariupol to the ground.
Local officials said Russian forces have announced they will stop anyone from entering or leaving the city. read more
Defenders of the besieged city of Mariupol will fight to the end against Russian forces, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says.
The port city has not fallen despite an ultimatum from Moscow to remaining fighters to give up, he said.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia has chosen to raze Mariupol to the ground.
Local officials said Russian forces have announced they will stop anyone from entering or leaving the city. read more
Ukraine war: Russia bombards cities as eastern offensive begins
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia has launched an assault to seize the eastern Donbas region.
Moscow bombarded cities with rocket and artillery fire on Monday and in a video address Mr Zelensky said that the battle "for the Donbas has begun".
Ukraine's top security official, Oleksiy Danilov, said that Russia tried to break through Ukrainian front lines in the region.
The offensive has been long-expected after Russia failed to seize Kyiv.
Russia initially appeared to want to capture major Ukrainian cities and topple the government. read more
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia has launched an assault to seize the eastern Donbas region.
Moscow bombarded cities with rocket and artillery fire on Monday and in a video address Mr Zelensky said that the battle "for the Donbas has begun".
Ukraine's top security official, Oleksiy Danilov, said that Russia tried to break through Ukrainian front lines in the region.
The offensive has been long-expected after Russia failed to seize Kyiv.
Russia initially appeared to want to capture major Ukrainian cities and topple the government. read more
Sri Lanka crisis: One killed after police fire live bullets at protesters
Outrage has erupted over the death of a Sri Lankan man who was killed when police fired live bullets at protesters, also injuring 14 others.
Footage of police opening fire in the central town of Rambukkana has been widely shared on social media.
Police said they used "minimum force" to disperse protesters, but many have asked why live bullets were used.
The incident has been condemned by the UN representative to Sri Lanka as well as the US and EU envoys.
It comes as the nation is grappling with its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. read more
Outrage has erupted over the death of a Sri Lankan man who was killed when police fired live bullets at protesters, also injuring 14 others.
Footage of police opening fire in the central town of Rambukkana has been widely shared on social media.
Police said they used "minimum force" to disperse protesters, but many have asked why live bullets were used.
The incident has been condemned by the UN representative to Sri Lanka as well as the US and EU envoys.
It comes as the nation is grappling with its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. read more
Sophie Wilmes: Belgian foreign minister resigns to care for sick husband
Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès says she will temporarily step down to care for her husband, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Ms Wilmès, who also serves as deputy prime minister, will take leave until "the end of the summer", when her family will reassess the situation.
She says she made the move "in perfect consultation with the prime minister".
In a statement, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Ms Wilmès's choice "commands the greatest respect".
Mr De Croo added that the minister would not officially resign from government and that her powers would, instead, be temporarily transferred to other ministers by "a royal decree". read more
Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès says she will temporarily step down to care for her husband, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Ms Wilmès, who also serves as deputy prime minister, will take leave until "the end of the summer", when her family will reassess the situation.
She says she made the move "in perfect consultation with the prime minister".
In a statement, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Ms Wilmès's choice "commands the greatest respect".
Mr De Croo added that the minister would not officially resign from government and that her powers would, instead, be temporarily transferred to other ministers by "a royal decree". read more