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
Shanghai escalates Covid lockdown restrictions
Authorities in Shanghai have said they will tighten the enforcement of lockdown measures, as a Covid surge continues in China's financial capital.
New measures include placing electronic door alarms to prevent those infected from leaving, as well as evacuating people to disinfect their homes.
Earlier this week, hundreds were forcibly evacuated from their homes to allow for buildings to be disinfected.
The restrictions will take Shanghai's lockdown into its fifth week.
Shanghai city officials said all infected patients and close contacts will be transferred to government-run centralised quarantine. read more
Authorities in Shanghai have said they will tighten the enforcement of lockdown measures, as a Covid surge continues in China's financial capital.
New measures include placing electronic door alarms to prevent those infected from leaving, as well as evacuating people to disinfect their homes.
Earlier this week, hundreds were forcibly evacuated from their homes to allow for buildings to be disinfected.
The restrictions will take Shanghai's lockdown into its fifth week.
Shanghai city officials said all infected patients and close contacts will be transferred to government-run centralised quarantine. read more
Kardashians deny faking Roblox sex tape scene
A reality show scene where Kim Kardashian's son finds an advert for a sex tape on the game Roblox was not faked, a source close to the star says.
In the scene, Saint West, six, shows his mother a "Kim Kardashian experience" room he apparently stumbled across while playing the game.
Roblox said it removed the room and banned its creator - and no sex tape was ever available.
It also said only "a few dozen players" found it in the short time it was live. read more
A reality show scene where Kim Kardashian's son finds an advert for a sex tape on the game Roblox was not faked, a source close to the star says.
In the scene, Saint West, six, shows his mother a "Kim Kardashian experience" room he apparently stumbled across while playing the game.
Roblox said it removed the room and banned its creator - and no sex tape was ever available.
It also said only "a few dozen players" found it in the short time it was live. read more
Mike Tyson punched plane passenger 'after bottle thrown'
Former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson punched a fellow airline passenger after the person "threw a water bottle at him," Tyson's spokesperson has said.
Video taken on the plane shows Tyson leaning over his seat as he lands repeated punches an unidentified man.
A spokesperson for the boxing Hall of Famer confirmed Tyson had an "incident with an aggressive passenger" who was "harassing him".
Police were dispatched and temporarily detained two individuals.
One person was treated at San Francisco International Airport for non-life threatening injuries. read more
Former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson punched a fellow airline passenger after the person "threw a water bottle at him," Tyson's spokesperson has said.
Video taken on the plane shows Tyson leaning over his seat as he lands repeated punches an unidentified man.
A spokesperson for the boxing Hall of Famer confirmed Tyson had an "incident with an aggressive passenger" who was "harassing him".
Police were dispatched and temporarily detained two individuals.
One person was treated at San Francisco International Airport for non-life threatening injuries. read more
Ukraine war: Russia aiming for full control of south, commander says
Russia is aiming to take full control of southern Ukraine as well as the eastern Donbas region, a senior Russian commander says.
Maj Gen Rustam Minnekayev was quoted in state media as saying that goal would allow Moscow to form a land bridge to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
He also said it would give Moscow access to the Russian-backed separatist region of Transnistria in Moldova.
Transnistria is a small region that borders Ukraine's west.
It is unclear if Gen Minnekayev's comments were officially sanctioned by the Kremlin, but they were widely cited in Russian state media including the Interfax and Tass news agencies. read more
Russia is aiming to take full control of southern Ukraine as well as the eastern Donbas region, a senior Russian commander says.
Maj Gen Rustam Minnekayev was quoted in state media as saying that goal would allow Moscow to form a land bridge to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
He also said it would give Moscow access to the Russian-backed separatist region of Transnistria in Moldova.
Transnistria is a small region that borders Ukraine's west.
It is unclear if Gen Minnekayev's comments were officially sanctioned by the Kremlin, but they were widely cited in Russian state media including the Interfax and Tass news agencies. read more
French vote as Macron aims to beat far-right Le Pen
French voters are heading to the polls to decide whether to give centrist Emmanuel Macron five more years as president or replace him with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen.
After a divisive election campaign, Ms Le Pen faces an uphill battle with her 44-year-old opponent polling ahead.
In order to win they both need to attract voters who backed other candidates in the first round.
But these are two polarising figures in France and abstention is a key factor. read more
French voters are heading to the polls to decide whether to give centrist Emmanuel Macron five more years as president or replace him with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen.
After a divisive election campaign, Ms Le Pen faces an uphill battle with her 44-year-old opponent polling ahead.
In order to win they both need to attract voters who backed other candidates in the first round.
But these are two polarising figures in France and abstention is a key factor. read more
French election result: Macron defeats Le Pen and vows to unite divided France
Emmanuel Macron has won five more years as France's president after a convincing victory over rival Marine Le Pen, who nevertheless secured the far right's highest share of the vote yet.
He won by 58.55% to 41.45%, a greater margin than expected.
The centrist leader told jubilant supporters at the foot of the Eiffel Tower that now the election was over he would be a "president for all".
He is the first sitting president in 20 years to be re-elected.
Despite her loss, Ms Le Pen, 53, said her significant vote share still marked a victory. read more
Emmanuel Macron has won five more years as France's president after a convincing victory over rival Marine Le Pen, who nevertheless secured the far right's highest share of the vote yet.
He won by 58.55% to 41.45%, a greater margin than expected.
The centrist leader told jubilant supporters at the foot of the Eiffel Tower that now the election was over he would be a "president for all".
He is the first sitting president in 20 years to be re-elected.
Despite her loss, Ms Le Pen, 53, said her significant vote share still marked a victory. read more
Lab-grown meat and insects 'good for planet and health'
Dining on the likes of lab-grown meat or ground-up insects could lead to big savings in carbon emissions and water, as well as freeing up land for nature.
That's the finding of a study calculating the environmental benefits of "greener" foods hitting our plates.
Scientists say pressures on the planet could fall by more than 80% with such foods, compared with the typical European diet.
But it's not yet clear if consumers will want to shift their eating habits. read more
Dining on the likes of lab-grown meat or ground-up insects could lead to big savings in carbon emissions and water, as well as freeing up land for nature.
That's the finding of a study calculating the environmental benefits of "greener" foods hitting our plates.
Scientists say pressures on the planet could fall by more than 80% with such foods, compared with the typical European diet.
But it's not yet clear if consumers will want to shift their eating habits. read more
Ukraine war: Putin warns against foreign intervention
Any country trying to intervene in the Ukraine war will face a "lightning-fast" response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned.
"We have all the tools no-one can boast of... we will use them if necessary", he said, in what is seen as a reference to ballistic missiles and nuclear arms.
Ukraine's allies have stepped up the supply of weapons, with the US vowing to make sure Ukraine defeats Russia.
Western officials say Russia is being hampered in its efforts in the east.
Last week, Russia launched a major offensive to seize the Donbas region after withdrawing from areas around the capital Kyiv. read more
Any country trying to intervene in the Ukraine war will face a "lightning-fast" response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned.
"We have all the tools no-one can boast of... we will use them if necessary", he said, in what is seen as a reference to ballistic missiles and nuclear arms.
Ukraine's allies have stepped up the supply of weapons, with the US vowing to make sure Ukraine defeats Russia.
Western officials say Russia is being hampered in its efforts in the east.
Last week, Russia launched a major offensive to seize the Donbas region after withdrawing from areas around the capital Kyiv. read more
Iran executions: Alarming rise in use of death penalty in 2021 - report
Executions in Iran rose alarmingly by 25% last year and surged after hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi was elected president, two campaign groups say.
At least 333 people were put to death, according to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and France's Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM).
The number of executions for drug-related offences - 126 - was five times higher than in 2020, their report says.
The figures are based both on official announcements and sources inside Iran. read more
Executions in Iran rose alarmingly by 25% last year and surged after hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi was elected president, two campaign groups say.
At least 333 people were put to death, according to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and France's Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM).
The number of executions for drug-related offences - 126 - was five times higher than in 2020, their report says.
The figures are based both on official announcements and sources inside Iran. read more
Elon Musk sells $8.5bn worth of Tesla shares
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has sold roughly $8.5bn (£6.8bn) worth of shares in the electric car maker, just days after he agreed to buy Twitter.
The sale has led to speculation that it will help to finance his planned $44bn buyout of the social media platform.
Twitter's board agreed on Monday to accept a takeover offer from Mr Musk.
Shares in Tesla fell sharply earlier this week, amid speculation that Mr Musk would sell part of his stake in the carmaker to fund the deal. read more
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has sold roughly $8.5bn (£6.8bn) worth of shares in the electric car maker, just days after he agreed to buy Twitter.
The sale has led to speculation that it will help to finance his planned $44bn buyout of the social media platform.
Twitter's board agreed on Monday to accept a takeover offer from Mr Musk.
Shares in Tesla fell sharply earlier this week, amid speculation that Mr Musk would sell part of his stake in the carmaker to fund the deal. read more
Ukraine war: Resistance to Russian rouble in Kherson
The Russian rouble will be used in Kherson from Sunday, according to Russia-backed forces that have taken control of the southern Ukrainian city.
However, Kherson's Ukrainian mayor, Ihor Kolykhaiev, who has now been overthrown by Russian authorities, has said that he doesn't believe this will be possible while the only working banking system in the region is Ukrainian, not Russian.
Despite being occupied for 60 days, many residents are trying to find small ways to defy the Russian forces - like exchanging any roubles they receive back into Ukraine's currency, the hryvnia.
But there are very few ways to safely snub the Russian army when it occupies your streets. read more
The Russian rouble will be used in Kherson from Sunday, according to Russia-backed forces that have taken control of the southern Ukrainian city.
However, Kherson's Ukrainian mayor, Ihor Kolykhaiev, who has now been overthrown by Russian authorities, has said that he doesn't believe this will be possible while the only working banking system in the region is Ukrainian, not Russian.
Despite being occupied for 60 days, many residents are trying to find small ways to defy the Russian forces - like exchanging any roubles they receive back into Ukraine's currency, the hryvnia.
But there are very few ways to safely snub the Russian army when it occupies your streets. read more
Israel outrage at Sergei Lavrov's claim that Hitler was part Jewish
Israel has reacted with fury after Russia's foreign minister claimed that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler "had Jewish blood".
Sergei Lavrov made the comments to try to justify Russia's portrayal of Ukraine as "Nazi" despite the fact that its president is Jewish.
Israel's foreign ministry summoned Russia's ambassador for "clarification" and demanded an apology.
Nazi Germany murdered six million Jews in the Holocaust in World War Two. read more
Israel has reacted with fury after Russia's foreign minister claimed that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler "had Jewish blood".
Sergei Lavrov made the comments to try to justify Russia's portrayal of Ukraine as "Nazi" despite the fact that its president is Jewish.
Israel's foreign ministry summoned Russia's ambassador for "clarification" and demanded an apology.
Nazi Germany murdered six million Jews in the Holocaust in World War Two. read more
Shanghai: Authorities fire four officials after elderly patient blunder
Chinese district authorities have fired four officials after an elderly patient from a Shanghai care home was believed to be dead and loaded into a hearse.
On Sunday, online videos emerged showing two people who appear to be mortuary workers placing the body bag into a vehicle.
The workers are later seen pulling the bag open, and one can be heard saying the patient is still alive.
The incident has sparked widespread anger on Chinese social media. read more
Chinese district authorities have fired four officials after an elderly patient from a Shanghai care home was believed to be dead and loaded into a hearse.
On Sunday, online videos emerged showing two people who appear to be mortuary workers placing the body bag into a vehicle.
The workers are later seen pulling the bag open, and one can be heard saying the patient is still alive.
The incident has sparked widespread anger on Chinese social media. read more
Ukraine war: EU plans Russian oil ban and war crimes sanctions
The EU has proposed some of its toughest measures yet against Russia, including a total ban on oil imports and sanctions on war crimes suspects.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the package was aimed at maximising pressure on Russia while minimising damage to Europe.
Russian crude oil would be phased out within six months, she said.
Military officers involved in suspected war crimes in Bucha and Mariupol would also face new sanctions. read more
The EU has proposed some of its toughest measures yet against Russia, including a total ban on oil imports and sanctions on war crimes suspects.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the package was aimed at maximising pressure on Russia while minimising damage to Europe.
Russian crude oil would be phased out within six months, she said.
Military officers involved in suspected war crimes in Bucha and Mariupol would also face new sanctions. read more
Wealthy Russians flee to Dubai to avoid sanctions
Dubai has emerged as a haven for wealthy Russians fleeing the impact of western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
Russian billionaires and entrepreneurs have been arriving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in unprecedented numbers, business leaders told the BBC.
Property purchases in Dubai by Russians surged by 67% in the first three months of 2022, a report said.
The UAE has not put sanctions on Russia or criticised its invasion of Ukraine.
It is also providing visas to non-sanctioned Russians while many Western countries have restricted them. read more
Dubai has emerged as a haven for wealthy Russians fleeing the impact of western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
Russian billionaires and entrepreneurs have been arriving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in unprecedented numbers, business leaders told the BBC.
Property purchases in Dubai by Russians surged by 67% in the first three months of 2022, a report said.
The UAE has not put sanctions on Russia or criticised its invasion of Ukraine.
It is also providing visas to non-sanctioned Russians while many Western countries have restricted them. read more
Putin sorry for Lavrov's claim Hitler was part Jewish - Israel PM
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has apologised after his foreign minister said that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had "Jewish blood", Israel says.
Mr Putin made the apology in a call with Israeli PM Naftali Bennett, his office said in a statement.
Russia's account of the conversation did not mention an apology.
Sergei Lavrov made the initial comments to try to justify Russia's portrayal of Ukraine as "Nazi" despite the fact that its president is Jewish.
Mr Lavrov spoke to Italian TV on Sunday, days after Israel marked Holocaust Remembrance Day - one of the most solemn occasions in the Israeli calendar. read more
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has apologised after his foreign minister said that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had "Jewish blood", Israel says.
Mr Putin made the apology in a call with Israeli PM Naftali Bennett, his office said in a statement.
Russia's account of the conversation did not mention an apology.
Sergei Lavrov made the initial comments to try to justify Russia's portrayal of Ukraine as "Nazi" despite the fact that its president is Jewish.
Mr Lavrov spoke to Italian TV on Sunday, days after Israel marked Holocaust Remembrance Day - one of the most solemn occasions in the Israeli calendar. read more
Facebook's Australia news ban overblocked on purpose, whistleblowers claim
Facebook deliberately used an over-zealous blocking system that took down the pages of Australian emergency services last year as a negotiating tactic, whistleblowers claim.
The social network moved to block all news outlets in Australia over a row about paying news providers.
But fire services and state health services were also blocked, during fire season and Australia's vaccine rollout.
Facebook says blocking other pages had been an honest mistake.
Former employees, backed by the Whistleblower Aid charity, say the company intentionally "over-blocked" Australian pages at a critical time to gain leverage over the Australian government. read more
Facebook deliberately used an over-zealous blocking system that took down the pages of Australian emergency services last year as a negotiating tactic, whistleblowers claim.
The social network moved to block all news outlets in Australia over a row about paying news providers.
But fire services and state health services were also blocked, during fire season and Australia's vaccine rollout.
Facebook says blocking other pages had been an honest mistake.
Former employees, backed by the Whistleblower Aid charity, say the company intentionally "over-blocked" Australian pages at a critical time to gain leverage over the Australian government. read more
Ukraine war: Russia must withdraw to pre-invasion position for a deal - Zelensky
Any peace deal with Russia would depend on Russian forces pulling back to their pre-invasion positions, Ukraine's president says.
Speaking to a London think tank, Volodymyr Zelensky said that was the minimum that his country could accept.
He said he was the leader of "Ukraine, not a mini-Ukraine". But he did not mention Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.
Russia is currently battling to take full control of the city of Mariupol. read more
Any peace deal with Russia would depend on Russian forces pulling back to their pre-invasion positions, Ukraine's president says.
Speaking to a London think tank, Volodymyr Zelensky said that was the minimum that his country could accept.
He said he was the leader of "Ukraine, not a mini-Ukraine". But he did not mention Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.
Russia is currently battling to take full control of the city of Mariupol. read more