Ukraine war: Zelensky says Russia controls a fifth of Ukrainian territory
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says that Russian forces have seized 20% of his country's territory, as Moscow's invasion nears its 100th day.
Addressing lawmakers in Luxembourg, he added that the front line extended for more than 1,000km (621 miles).
"All combat-ready Russian military formations are involved in this aggression," he told MPs via videolink.
Russian forces have been intensifying attacks on the city of Severodonetsk in the eastern Donbas region.
UK defence officials say Russia has seized most of the city and are making "steady local gains, enabled by a heavy concentration of artillery". read more
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says that Russian forces have seized 20% of his country's territory, as Moscow's invasion nears its 100th day.
Addressing lawmakers in Luxembourg, he added that the front line extended for more than 1,000km (621 miles).
"All combat-ready Russian military formations are involved in this aggression," he told MPs via videolink.
Russian forces have been intensifying attacks on the city of Severodonetsk in the eastern Donbas region.
UK defence officials say Russia has seized most of the city and are making "steady local gains, enabled by a heavy concentration of artillery". read more
Cuba floods: At least two dead as heavy rain hits island
At least two people have died in Cuba's capital, Havana, after the remnants of Hurricane Agatha brought heavy rain and floods to the Caribbean island.
The Cuban weather service said the downpours would last until Saturday afternoon, bringing more than 20cm (8in) of rain to some places.
Western and central areas of the country, including Havana, are the worst affected.
Hurricane Agatha hit Mexico last Monday, killing nine people. read more
At least two people have died in Cuba's capital, Havana, after the remnants of Hurricane Agatha brought heavy rain and floods to the Caribbean island.
The Cuban weather service said the downpours would last until Saturday afternoon, bringing more than 20cm (8in) of rain to some places.
Western and central areas of the country, including Havana, are the worst affected.
Hurricane Agatha hit Mexico last Monday, killing nine people. read more
Bangladesh fire: Over 40 killed, hundreds injured in depot blast
A fire and a huge explosion have killed at least 49 people and injured hundreds more at a storage depot near the city of Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Hundreds of people had arrived to tackle the fire when a number of shipping containers exploded at the site in Sitakunda.
It is thought that chemicals were stored in some of the containers.
Industrial fires are common in Bangladesh, and are often blamed on poor safety regulations.
Many of the injured are said to be in a critical condition and the number of people killed is expected to rise. read more
A fire and a huge explosion have killed at least 49 people and injured hundreds more at a storage depot near the city of Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Hundreds of people had arrived to tackle the fire when a number of shipping containers exploded at the site in Sitakunda.
It is thought that chemicals were stored in some of the containers.
Industrial fires are common in Bangladesh, and are often blamed on poor safety regulations.
Many of the injured are said to be in a critical condition and the number of people killed is expected to rise. read more
South Korea and US fire missiles in warning to North Korea
South Korea and the US launched eight missiles on Monday, in response to a volley of ballistic missiles fired by North Korea the previous day.
It comes as Pyongyang continues to escalate its missile tests.
South Korea's president Yoon Suk-yeol said his government would respond sternly to any provocation from its northern neighbour.
"We will make sure there isn't a single crack in protecting the lives and property of our people," he said. read more
South Korea and the US launched eight missiles on Monday, in response to a volley of ballistic missiles fired by North Korea the previous day.
It comes as Pyongyang continues to escalate its missile tests.
South Korea's president Yoon Suk-yeol said his government would respond sternly to any provocation from its northern neighbour.
"We will make sure there isn't a single crack in protecting the lives and property of our people," he said. read more
Elon Musk threatens to walk away from Twitter deal
Elon Musk has threatened to walk away from his $44bn takeover of Twitter, accusing the social media company of "thwarting" his requests to learn more about its user base.
In a letter filed with regulators, Mr Musk said he was entitled to do his own measurement of spam accounts.
The letter formalises a dispute that has simmered for weeks after Mr Musk declared the deal "on hold" pending further information.
Twitter has defended its estimates.
But Mr Musk has said he believes spam and fake accounts represent a far greater share than the less than 5% of daily users that Twitter reports publicly. read more
Elon Musk has threatened to walk away from his $44bn takeover of Twitter, accusing the social media company of "thwarting" his requests to learn more about its user base.
In a letter filed with regulators, Mr Musk said he was entitled to do his own measurement of spam accounts.
The letter formalises a dispute that has simmered for weeks after Mr Musk declared the deal "on hold" pending further information.
Twitter has defended its estimates.
But Mr Musk has said he believes spam and fake accounts represent a far greater share than the less than 5% of daily users that Twitter reports publicly. read more
EU deal links minimum wage to decent standard of living
An agreement for EU member states to ensure that minimum wages provide a decent standard of living has been struck by negotiators from the member states and Parliament.
Six of the EU's 27 member states do not have a minimum wage and will not be required to introduce one.
But under the deal the 21 that do would be required to follow common rules but not the same rates.
The deal first needs to be voted on before it becomes law.
An estimated one in 10 workers across the EU earns the minimum wage, but the levels vary dramatically from country to country. read more
An agreement for EU member states to ensure that minimum wages provide a decent standard of living has been struck by negotiators from the member states and Parliament.
Six of the EU's 27 member states do not have a minimum wage and will not be required to introduce one.
But under the deal the 21 that do would be required to follow common rules but not the same rates.
The deal first needs to be voted on before it becomes law.
An estimated one in 10 workers across the EU earns the minimum wage, but the levels vary dramatically from country to country. read more
Bola Tinubu: Lagos APC 'godfather' sets sights on Nigeria conquest
Bola Tinubu, 70, widely credited with shaping Nigeria's commercial hub Lagos, will lead the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) into next February's presidential election but he faces a reinvigorated opposition, allegations of corruption, and health issues as he eyes one of Africa's most daunting jobs.
Once forced into exile by military ruler Sani Abacha, Mr Tinubu knows the value of freedom and wears it as an insignia on his signature hat - a broken shackle that looks like a horizontal figure eight.
A trained accountant, it was the activities of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (Nadeco) group, where he was a member, that brought him into Abacha's crosshairs. read more
Bola Tinubu, 70, widely credited with shaping Nigeria's commercial hub Lagos, will lead the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) into next February's presidential election but he faces a reinvigorated opposition, allegations of corruption, and health issues as he eyes one of Africa's most daunting jobs.
Once forced into exile by military ruler Sani Abacha, Mr Tinubu knows the value of freedom and wears it as an insignia on his signature hat - a broken shackle that looks like a horizontal figure eight.
A trained accountant, it was the activities of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (Nadeco) group, where he was a member, that brought him into Abacha's crosshairs. read more
La Luz del Mundo megachurch leader jailed for child sex abuse
Naasón Joaquín García, the leader of the La Luz del Mundo megachurch, has been sentenced in a Los Angeles court to 16 years and eight months in prison.
García, 53, pleaded guilty last week to three counts of sexually abusing girls from his congregation.
His plea deal means his sentence is considerably shorter than the life imprisonment he could have faced had he been found guilty in a trial.
To his followers, Naasón Joaquín García is known as "the Apostle".
Warning: You may find some of the details of this story distressing
Naasón Joaquín García, the leader of the La Luz del Mundo megachurch, has been sentenced in a Los Angeles court to 16 years and eight months in prison.
García, 53, pleaded guilty last week to three counts of sexually abusing girls from his congregation.
His plea deal means his sentence is considerably shorter than the life imprisonment he could have faced had he been found guilty in a trial.
To his followers, Naasón Joaquín García is known as "the Apostle".
Warning: You may find some of the details of this story distressing
Britney Spears marries fiancé Sam Asghari
Britney Spears has married fiancé Sam Asghari, seven months after being freed from a conservatorship that she said had prevented her from getting wed.
The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Last year, the pop star, 40, told a court the controversial 13-year legal guardianship had meant she was "not able to get married and have a baby". read more
Britney Spears has married fiancé Sam Asghari, seven months after being freed from a conservatorship that she said had prevented her from getting wed.
The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Last year, the pop star, 40, told a court the controversial 13-year legal guardianship had meant she was "not able to get married and have a baby". read more
Energy and food drive US inflation to highest for 40 years
Prices in the US rose faster than expected last month, as rising energy and food costs pushed inflation to the highest rate since 1981.
The annual inflation rate rose to 8.6% in May, the Labor Department said, after easing in April.
The rising cost of living has been squeezing households and putting pressure on policymakers to bring the issue under control.
The US central bank has been raising interest rates since March.
Analysts had hoped that the moves were starting to work to cool economic activity, easing the price pressures. But the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has driven up the price of oil and commodities like wheat as it disrupts exports from the two countries, has made tackling the problem more difficult. read more
Prices in the US rose faster than expected last month, as rising energy and food costs pushed inflation to the highest rate since 1981.
The annual inflation rate rose to 8.6% in May, the Labor Department said, after easing in April.
The rising cost of living has been squeezing households and putting pressure on policymakers to bring the issue under control.
The US central bank has been raising interest rates since March.
Analysts had hoped that the moves were starting to work to cool economic activity, easing the price pressures. But the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has driven up the price of oil and commodities like wheat as it disrupts exports from the two countries, has made tackling the problem more difficult. read more
Putin and Peter the Great: Russian leader likens himself to 18th Century tsar
Vladimir Putin's admiration for Peter the Great is well known but he now seems to have ideas of 'Great'-ness himself.
He has openly compared himself to the Russian tsar, equating Russia's invasion of Ukraine today with Peter's expansionist wars some three centuries ago, and making his strongest acknowledgment yet that his own war is a land grab.
Mr Putin's apparent empire-building ambitions bode ill for Ukraine and have irked other neighbours, including Estonia, which called his comments "completely unacceptable." read more
Vladimir Putin's admiration for Peter the Great is well known but he now seems to have ideas of 'Great'-ness himself.
He has openly compared himself to the Russian tsar, equating Russia's invasion of Ukraine today with Peter's expansionist wars some three centuries ago, and making his strongest acknowledgment yet that his own war is a land grab.
Mr Putin's apparent empire-building ambitions bode ill for Ukraine and have irked other neighbours, including Estonia, which called his comments "completely unacceptable." read more
Russia hands out passports in occupied Ukraine cities
The Russian occupation authorities in southern Ukraine say they have started handing out Russian passports to locals in two cities - Kherson and Melitopol.
Ukraine condemns the creation of Russian citizens on its territory as "Russification". President Vladimir Putin is fast-tracking the procedure.
Russia's Tass news agency says the first 23 Kherson residents got Russian passports at a ceremony on Saturday.
Tass says thousands have applied for them, but its claim cannot be verified.
The Russian-appointed military governor in Kherson, Volodymyr Saldo, said "all our Khersonite comrades want to receive the passport and [Russian] citizenship as soon as possible". read more
The Russian occupation authorities in southern Ukraine say they have started handing out Russian passports to locals in two cities - Kherson and Melitopol.
Ukraine condemns the creation of Russian citizens on its territory as "Russification". President Vladimir Putin is fast-tracking the procedure.
Russia's Tass news agency says the first 23 Kherson residents got Russian passports at a ceremony on Saturday.
Tass says thousands have applied for them, but its claim cannot be verified.
The Russian-appointed military governor in Kherson, Volodymyr Saldo, said "all our Khersonite comrades want to receive the passport and [Russian] citizenship as soon as possible". read more
US gun control: Cautious welcome to bipartisan deal on new safety measures
US campaigners have welcomed a potential cross-party deal on gun safety reforms but stressed the proposals do not go far enough.
"This is progress even if small," said David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida.
Ex-lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords, injured in a 2011 shooting in Arizona, said it was an "important step forward".
The plans include tougher checks for buyers under the age of 21 and cracking down on illegal gun purchases.
They were announced by a cross-party group of US senators on Sunday. Crucially, the proposals are supported by 10 Republicans, meaning they have the numbers to be voted into law.
President Joe Biden also said the plans were "steps in the right direction" but they fell far short of what he and many Democrats have been calling for. read more
US campaigners have welcomed a potential cross-party deal on gun safety reforms but stressed the proposals do not go far enough.
"This is progress even if small," said David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida.
Ex-lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords, injured in a 2011 shooting in Arizona, said it was an "important step forward".
The plans include tougher checks for buyers under the age of 21 and cracking down on illegal gun purchases.
They were announced by a cross-party group of US senators on Sunday. Crucially, the proposals are supported by 10 Republicans, meaning they have the numbers to be voted into law.
President Joe Biden also said the plans were "steps in the right direction" but they fell far short of what he and many Democrats have been calling for. read more
UK will not copy EU demand for common charging cable
The UK government says it is not "currently considering" copying European Union plans for a common charging cable.
The EU has provisionally agreed all new portable electronic devices must, by autumn 2024, use a USB Type-C charger, a move it says will benefit consumers.
Critics say it will stifle innovation.
Under the current post-Brexit arrangements, the regulation would apply to Northern Ireland, according to EU and UK officials. read more
The UK government says it is not "currently considering" copying European Union plans for a common charging cable.
The EU has provisionally agreed all new portable electronic devices must, by autumn 2024, use a USB Type-C charger, a move it says will benefit consumers.
Critics say it will stifle innovation.
Under the current post-Brexit arrangements, the regulation would apply to Northern Ireland, according to EU and UK officials. read more
Ukraine war: Every bridge leading to key city Severodonetsk destroyed
All bridges to the embattled Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk have now been destroyed, the local governor says.
With the city effectively cut off, Serhiy Haidai says delivering supplies and evacuating civilians are now impossible.
Fierce fighting is taking place in the eastern city where Ukrainian officials said Russian artillery had driven its forces out of the centre.
For weeks capturing Severodonetsk has been a top military goal for Russia.
Taking Severodonetsk and the nearby city of Lysychansk would give Moscow control of the entire Luhansk region, much of which is already controlled by Russian-backed separatists.
All three bridges into Severodonetsk were destroyed, Mr Haidai posted on Telegram. Those residents remaining in the city were being forced to survive in "extremely difficult conditions", he added. read more
All bridges to the embattled Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk have now been destroyed, the local governor says.
With the city effectively cut off, Serhiy Haidai says delivering supplies and evacuating civilians are now impossible.
Fierce fighting is taking place in the eastern city where Ukrainian officials said Russian artillery had driven its forces out of the centre.
For weeks capturing Severodonetsk has been a top military goal for Russia.
Taking Severodonetsk and the nearby city of Lysychansk would give Moscow control of the entire Luhansk region, much of which is already controlled by Russian-backed separatists.
All three bridges into Severodonetsk were destroyed, Mr Haidai posted on Telegram. Those residents remaining in the city were being forced to survive in "extremely difficult conditions", he added. read more
People in Pakistan urged to drink fewer cups of tea
People in Pakistan have been asked to reduce the amount of tea they drink to keep the country's economy afloat.
Sipping fewer cups a day would cut Pakistan's high import bills, senior minister Ahsan Iqbal said.
The country's low foreign currency reserves - currently enough for fewer than two months of all imports - have left it in urgent need of funds.
Pakistan is the world's largest importer of tea, buying in more than $600m (£501m) worth last year.
"I appeal to the nation to cut down the consumption of tea by one to two cups because we import tea on loan," Mr Iqbal said, according to Pakistani media. read more
People in Pakistan have been asked to reduce the amount of tea they drink to keep the country's economy afloat.
Sipping fewer cups a day would cut Pakistan's high import bills, senior minister Ahsan Iqbal said.
The country's low foreign currency reserves - currently enough for fewer than two months of all imports - have left it in urgent need of funds.
Pakistan is the world's largest importer of tea, buying in more than $600m (£501m) worth last year.
"I appeal to the nation to cut down the consumption of tea by one to two cups because we import tea on loan," Mr Iqbal said, according to Pakistani media. read more
Gazprom: Germany accuses Russian gas giant of pushing energy prices up
Germany has accused Russian state-controlled gas giant Gazprom of attempting to push up energy prices by sharply reducing supplies.
Gazprom said it was limiting the amount of gas to Germany to under 70m cubic metres per day - well under half the current rate.
The reason it gave was to service equipment in the Nord Stream pipeline.
But German economy minister Robert Habeck said it was "a political decision" and not a technical one. read more
Germany has accused Russian state-controlled gas giant Gazprom of attempting to push up energy prices by sharply reducing supplies.
Gazprom said it was limiting the amount of gas to Germany to under 70m cubic metres per day - well under half the current rate.
The reason it gave was to service equipment in the Nord Stream pipeline.
But German economy minister Robert Habeck said it was "a political decision" and not a technical one. read more
Republican Senate gun negotiator walks out of talks
The lead Republican negotiator for what would be the US Senate's first gun control bill in a generation has walked out of talks with Democrats.
Texas Senator John Cornyn has played a key role in drafting the framework of a proposed firearms bill following mass shootings in Texas and New York.
Leaving Washington, he said: "I'm through talking."
The plans include tougher checks for buyers under the age of 21 and cracking down on illegal gun purchases.
The proposals have shown some rare cross-party cooperation on the issue of gun control, but still fall far short of what many Democrats and activists have been calling for. read more
The lead Republican negotiator for what would be the US Senate's first gun control bill in a generation has walked out of talks with Democrats.
Texas Senator John Cornyn has played a key role in drafting the framework of a proposed firearms bill following mass shootings in Texas and New York.
Leaving Washington, he said: "I'm through talking."
The plans include tougher checks for buyers under the age of 21 and cracking down on illegal gun purchases.
The proposals have shown some rare cross-party cooperation on the issue of gun control, but still fall far short of what many Democrats and activists have been calling for. read more
Russia's Putin condemns 'mad and thoughtless' Western sanctions
The sanctions imposed by the West on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine are "mad and thoughtless", President Vladimir Putin has said.
Speaking at a forum in St Petersburg, he said "the economic blitzkrieg against Russia had no chance of succeeding from the very beginning".
He said the restrictions were "more harmful" to those who imposed them.
Western nations have been seeking to strike a balance between punishing Russia and protecting their economies.
But speaking at the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Putin claimed the EU could lose more than $400bn (£326bn) because of its sanctions against Russia. read more
The sanctions imposed by the West on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine are "mad and thoughtless", President Vladimir Putin has said.
Speaking at a forum in St Petersburg, he said "the economic blitzkrieg against Russia had no chance of succeeding from the very beginning".
He said the restrictions were "more harmful" to those who imposed them.
Western nations have been seeking to strike a balance between punishing Russia and protecting their economies.
But speaking at the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Putin claimed the EU could lose more than $400bn (£326bn) because of its sanctions against Russia. read more
Ukraine war could last for years, warns Nato chief
The West must prepare to continue supporting Ukraine in a war lasting for years, Nato's chief has warned.
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the costs of war were high, but the price of letting Moscow achieve its military goals was even greater.
His comments came as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also warned of the need to brace for a longer-term conflict.
Both Mr Stoltenberg and Mr Johnson said sending more weapons would make a victory for Ukraine more likely. read more
The West must prepare to continue supporting Ukraine in a war lasting for years, Nato's chief has warned.
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the costs of war were high, but the price of letting Moscow achieve its military goals was even greater.
His comments came as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also warned of the need to brace for a longer-term conflict.
Both Mr Stoltenberg and Mr Johnson said sending more weapons would make a victory for Ukraine more likely. read more
Russia blockading Ukrainian grain is a 'real war crime' - EU
Russia's blockade of millions of tonnes of Ukrainian grain is a "real war crime", says EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
"It is inconceivable - one cannot imagine that millions of tonnes of wheat remain blocked in Ukraine while in the rest of the world people are suffering hunger," Mr Borrell said.
"We call on Russia to deblockade the [Ukrainian] ports."
EU foreign ministers are meeting to discuss the crisis.
Western countries have demanded Russia stop blockading Ukraine's Black Sea ports and allow vast stores of grain to reach world markets. read more
Russia's blockade of millions of tonnes of Ukrainian grain is a "real war crime", says EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
"It is inconceivable - one cannot imagine that millions of tonnes of wheat remain blocked in Ukraine while in the rest of the world people are suffering hunger," Mr Borrell said.
"We call on Russia to deblockade the [Ukrainian] ports."
EU foreign ministers are meeting to discuss the crisis.
Western countries have demanded Russia stop blockading Ukraine's Black Sea ports and allow vast stores of grain to reach world markets. read more