Jan 6 hearings: Ex-aide paints devastating picture of Trump
Up until now, the congressional committee investigating the 6 January attack on the Capitol was missing a key piece of the puzzle - the testimony of someone who could offer a first-hand account of the situation in the White House in the hours before and during the attack.
Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, filled in the blanks. And she has painted a devastating picture, including an allegation, which Trump denies, that he tried to grab the steering wheel of the car he was travelling in and wrestled with a Secret Service officer in an attempt to divert his motorcade to the Capitol, where his supporters were gathering. read more
Up until now, the congressional committee investigating the 6 January attack on the Capitol was missing a key piece of the puzzle - the testimony of someone who could offer a first-hand account of the situation in the White House in the hours before and during the attack.
Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, filled in the blanks. And she has painted a devastating picture, including an allegation, which Trump denies, that he tried to grab the steering wheel of the car he was travelling in and wrestled with a Secret Service officer in an attempt to divert his motorcade to the Capitol, where his supporters were gathering. read more
Russia invasion: Putin still wants to take most of Ukraine - US
Russian President Vladimir Putin still wants to capture most of Ukraine, US intelligence agencies believe.
Moscow's troops have been so weakened by combat, however, that US officials assess they are only capable of making slow territorial gains.
It means the war could last for a long time, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines says.
In March Moscow refocused its efforts on seizing Ukraine's Donbas area after failing to take Kyiv and other cities.
Mr Putin still has the same goals as the ones he held at the start of the conflict, the US's top intelligence officer Ms Haines said - to take most of Ukraine.
But, she says, Russia is unlikely to achieve that goal any time soon. read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin still wants to capture most of Ukraine, US intelligence agencies believe.
Moscow's troops have been so weakened by combat, however, that US officials assess they are only capable of making slow territorial gains.
It means the war could last for a long time, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines says.
In March Moscow refocused its efforts on seizing Ukraine's Donbas area after failing to take Kyiv and other cities.
Mr Putin still has the same goals as the ones he held at the start of the conflict, the US's top intelligence officer Ms Haines said - to take most of Ukraine.
But, she says, Russia is unlikely to achieve that goal any time soon. read more
China's President Xi arrives in Hong Kong for handover anniversary
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Hong Kong to mark 25 years since the former British colony returned to Beijing's rule.
It is his first visit outside mainland China since the start of the pandemic nearly two-and-a-half years ago.
He said Hong Kong had "risen from the ashes" after a series of challenges.
China took control over the territory after pro-democracy protests in 2019-20 and has been accused by critics of crushing Hong Kong's freedoms.
Mr Xi, who travelled by high-speed train, was greeted at the station by pupils holding flowers and waving flags of China and Hong Kong. read more
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Hong Kong to mark 25 years since the former British colony returned to Beijing's rule.
It is his first visit outside mainland China since the start of the pandemic nearly two-and-a-half years ago.
He said Hong Kong had "risen from the ashes" after a series of challenges.
China took control over the territory after pro-democracy protests in 2019-20 and has been accused by critics of crushing Hong Kong's freedoms.
Mr Xi, who travelled by high-speed train, was greeted at the station by pupils holding flowers and waving flags of China and Hong Kong. read more
Missing Cryptoqueen: FBI adds Ruja Ignatova to top ten most wanted
Ruja Ignatova, also known as the "missing Cryptoqueen", has been placed on the FBI's top ten most wanted list.
The Bulgarian woman is wanted for her alleged role in running a cryptocurrency scam known as OneCoin.
Federal investigators accuse the fugitive of using the scheme to defraud victims out of more than $4bn (£3.2bn).
She has been missing since 2017 - when US officials signed a warrant for her arrest and investigators began closing in on her.
Ms Ignatova is wanted for her role in running OneCoin, a self-described cryptocurrency that beginning in around 2014 offered buyers commission if they sold the currency on to more people. read more
Ruja Ignatova, also known as the "missing Cryptoqueen", has been placed on the FBI's top ten most wanted list.
The Bulgarian woman is wanted for her alleged role in running a cryptocurrency scam known as OneCoin.
Federal investigators accuse the fugitive of using the scheme to defraud victims out of more than $4bn (£3.2bn).
She has been missing since 2017 - when US officials signed a warrant for her arrest and investigators began closing in on her.
Ms Ignatova is wanted for her role in running OneCoin, a self-described cryptocurrency that beginning in around 2014 offered buyers commission if they sold the currency on to more people. read more
Hong Kong: Xi Jinping defends China's rule at handover anniversary
China's "one country two systems" model of ruling Hong Kong has worked in protecting the city and must continue long term, says Xi Jinping.
The Chinese leader mounted a stern defence of the political system in a speech in Hong Kong, following recent international criticism.
Hong Kong is marking 25 years since Britain returned the city to China.
It is under tight security as it hosts Mr Xi, who is on his first trip outside of the mainland in two years.
Under "one country two systems", Hong Kong is supposed to be governed in a way that gives it a high degree of autonomy and protects freedom of speech and assembly, and other rights not found in mainland China. read more
China's "one country two systems" model of ruling Hong Kong has worked in protecting the city and must continue long term, says Xi Jinping.
The Chinese leader mounted a stern defence of the political system in a speech in Hong Kong, following recent international criticism.
Hong Kong is marking 25 years since Britain returned the city to China.
It is under tight security as it hosts Mr Xi, who is on his first trip outside of the mainland in two years.
Under "one country two systems", Hong Kong is supposed to be governed in a way that gives it a high degree of autonomy and protects freedom of speech and assembly, and other rights not found in mainland China. read more
Roe v Wade: Women travelling for abortions will be protected - Biden
US president Joe Biden has said that women travelling for abortions will be protected by the federal government.
Millions of women in the US lost the constitutional right to abortion in June, after the Supreme Court overturned its 50-year-old Roe v Wade decision.
The judgement has paved the way for individual states to ban the procedure.
They have become local battlegrounds in the fight to overturn or uphold abortion services.
At the same time, Google says it is taking steps to remove data from users' location histories that could be used to prosecute people for visits to US abortion clinics. read more
US president Joe Biden has said that women travelling for abortions will be protected by the federal government.
Millions of women in the US lost the constitutional right to abortion in June, after the Supreme Court overturned its 50-year-old Roe v Wade decision.
The judgement has paved the way for individual states to ban the procedure.
They have become local battlegrounds in the fight to overturn or uphold abortion services.
At the same time, Google says it is taking steps to remove data from users' location histories that could be used to prosecute people for visits to US abortion clinics. read more
Hormozgan: Quake near southern Iran coast kills five
At least five people have been killed and more than 50 injured by a powerful earthquake and aftershocks in Iran's southern province of Hormozgan.
The quake struck at 02:00 local time on Saturday (21:30 GMT Friday) near the coast, 100km (60 miles) south-west of the provincial capital Bandar Abbas.
The victims died in magnitude-six quake, state media reported, though two aftershocks were equally strong.
A village, Sayeh Khosh, was flattened, local officials said.
"No-one was harmed in the next two severe quakes as people were already outside their homes," said Foad Moradzadeh, governor of Bandar Lengeh, a town near the epicentre. read more
At least five people have been killed and more than 50 injured by a powerful earthquake and aftershocks in Iran's southern province of Hormozgan.
The quake struck at 02:00 local time on Saturday (21:30 GMT Friday) near the coast, 100km (60 miles) south-west of the provincial capital Bandar Abbas.
The victims died in magnitude-six quake, state media reported, though two aftershocks were equally strong.
A village, Sayeh Khosh, was flattened, local officials said.
"No-one was harmed in the next two severe quakes as people were already outside their homes," said Foad Moradzadeh, governor of Bandar Lengeh, a town near the epicentre. read more
Taiwan: China attack not imminent, but US watching closely, says Gen Milley
A Chinese attack on Taiwan is not imminent, the top US general says, but the US is watching "very closely".
China is clearly developing the capability to attack at some point, but deciding to do so would be a political choice, Gen Mark Milley told the BBC.
China says Taiwan is a breakaway province that must be re-unified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
It has accused the US of supporting Taiwan's independence, and vowed to "resolutely crush" any such attempt.
There has been a marked escalation recently between China and the US - Taiwan's most powerful ally. read more
A Chinese attack on Taiwan is not imminent, the top US general says, but the US is watching "very closely".
China is clearly developing the capability to attack at some point, but deciding to do so would be a political choice, Gen Mark Milley told the BBC.
China says Taiwan is a breakaway province that must be re-unified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
It has accused the US of supporting Taiwan's independence, and vowed to "resolutely crush" any such attempt.
There has been a marked escalation recently between China and the US - Taiwan's most powerful ally. read more
Copenhagen shooting: Gunman kills three in Field's shopping mall
A gunman has killed three people and wounded others, three of them critically, at one of Denmark's biggest shopping malls, police say.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the attack which sparked panic among shoppers at Field's mall in south Copenhagen.
Police chief Soeren Thomassen said the motive was unclear and he could not rule out an "act of terrorism".
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark had suffered a cruel attack.
Sending condolences to those who had lost loved ones, she said she wanted to encourage Danes to stand together and support each other in this difficult time. read more
A gunman has killed three people and wounded others, three of them critically, at one of Denmark's biggest shopping malls, police say.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the attack which sparked panic among shoppers at Field's mall in south Copenhagen.
Police chief Soeren Thomassen said the motive was unclear and he could not rule out an "act of terrorism".
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark had suffered a cruel attack.
Sending condolences to those who had lost loved ones, she said she wanted to encourage Danes to stand together and support each other in this difficult time. read more
Prices in Turkey rise at fastest pace for 24 years
Prices in Turkey are rising at their fastest rate in 24 years, according to the latest official figures.
The annual rate of inflation, the pace at which prices rise, hit 78.62% in June, which was slightly higher than expectations.
Transport costs and housing saw some of the sharpest price rises, worsened by the Ukraine war.
Inflation has surged since last year, when the Turkish president cut interest rates to try to boost the economy.
Usually countries would increase interest rates in an attempt to cool inflation. But President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described interest rates as "the mother and father of all evil", and has used more unorthodox policy to try to dampen prices including intervening in foreign exchange markets. read more
Prices in Turkey are rising at their fastest rate in 24 years, according to the latest official figures.
The annual rate of inflation, the pace at which prices rise, hit 78.62% in June, which was slightly higher than expectations.
Transport costs and housing saw some of the sharpest price rises, worsened by the Ukraine war.
Inflation has surged since last year, when the Turkish president cut interest rates to try to boost the economy.
Usually countries would increase interest rates in an attempt to cool inflation. But President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described interest rates as "the mother and father of all evil", and has used more unorthodox policy to try to dampen prices including intervening in foreign exchange markets. read more
Highland Park shooting: Man arrested after 4 July mass shooting
US police have arrested a suspect after six people were killed in a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
Robert E Crimo III, 22, was detained after a brief chase, police said.
The gunman climbed on to a roof, shooting randomly at spectators using a high-powered rifle.
It is the latest mass shooting to hit the US - there has been one in every week of 2022. President Joe Biden said he was "shocked" by the violence.
Hours later, two police officers were wounded in a shooting in Philadelphia during a Fourth of July fireworks display. read more
US police have arrested a suspect after six people were killed in a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
Robert E Crimo III, 22, was detained after a brief chase, police said.
The gunman climbed on to a roof, shooting randomly at spectators using a high-powered rifle.
It is the latest mass shooting to hit the US - there has been one in every week of 2022. President Joe Biden said he was "shocked" by the violence.
Hours later, two police officers were wounded in a shooting in Philadelphia during a Fourth of July fireworks display. read more
Roe v Wade: Mississippi judge refuses to block abortion ban
A judge in Mississippi has rejected a request from the state's only abortion clinic to temporarily block a ban on almost all abortions.
It means that - providing there are no further legal developments - the ban will take effect on Thursday with the clinic closing the day before.
The ban can come into force because the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v Wade ruling last month.
The 1973 decision guaranteed the constitutional right to an abortion.
The decision to overturn it was met with scenes of protest and joy around the country, as both pro-choice and anti-abortion supporters reacted to a development that will transform abortion rights in America for years to come. read more
A judge in Mississippi has rejected a request from the state's only abortion clinic to temporarily block a ban on almost all abortions.
It means that - providing there are no further legal developments - the ban will take effect on Thursday with the clinic closing the day before.
The ban can come into force because the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v Wade ruling last month.
The 1973 decision guaranteed the constitutional right to an abortion.
The decision to overturn it was met with scenes of protest and joy around the country, as both pro-choice and anti-abortion supporters reacted to a development that will transform abortion rights in America for years to come. read more
Sri Lanka president asks Russia's Vladimir Putin for help to buy fuel
Sri Lanka's president says he has asked Russia's Vladimir Putin to help his cash-strapped nation import fuel, as it faces its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he "had a very productive" discussion with Mr Putin.
It comes after Sri Lanka's energy minister warned at the weekend that the country may soon run out of petrol.
On Wednesday, hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital Colombo to protest against the government. read more
Sri Lanka's president says he has asked Russia's Vladimir Putin to help his cash-strapped nation import fuel, as it faces its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he "had a very productive" discussion with Mr Putin.
It comes after Sri Lanka's energy minister warned at the weekend that the country may soon run out of petrol.
On Wednesday, hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital Colombo to protest against the government. read more
Boris Johnson: World reacts as UK PM endgame unfolds
The Kremlin in Moscow has taken a swipe at outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has overseen consistent British support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion.
President Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mr Johnson "really does not like us - and we (do not like) him either".
He said he hoped "more professional people" who can "make decisions through dialogue" would take over in London.
"But at the moment there is little hope for that," he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has developed a close relationship with Mr Johnson since the start of the war, has yet to comment publicly on the end of his time in office. read more
The Kremlin in Moscow has taken a swipe at outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has overseen consistent British support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion.
President Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mr Johnson "really does not like us - and we (do not like) him either".
He said he hoped "more professional people" who can "make decisions through dialogue" would take over in London.
"But at the moment there is little hope for that," he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has developed a close relationship with Mr Johnson since the start of the war, has yet to comment publicly on the end of his time in office. read more
Shinzo Abe: Japan ex-PM injured after reported gunshot attack
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has collapsed after he was shot at an event in the city of Nara.
Mr Abe was shot from the back and collapsed halfway during his speech, and appeared to be bleeding, broadcaster NHK reported. His attacker is in custody, it added.
Ex-Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe said in a tweet that Mr Abe was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest.
The term is often used before a death is officially confirmed in Japan. read more
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has collapsed after he was shot at an event in the city of Nara.
Mr Abe was shot from the back and collapsed halfway during his speech, and appeared to be bleeding, broadcaster NHK reported. His attacker is in custody, it added.
Ex-Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe said in a tweet that Mr Abe was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest.
The term is often used before a death is officially confirmed in Japan. read more
Japan's ex-leader Shinzo Abe assassinated while giving speech
- Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has been assassinated while giving a campaign speech in southern Japan
- Abe, 67, immediately collapsed after being shot in the neck and was rushed to hospital
- He was pronounced dead about five hours later at 5pm local time (9am UK time)
- The suspected attacker - reported to be a male in his 40s - was tackled at the scene and arrested
- Japan's current prime minister, Fumio Kishida, says he is "lost for words", describing Abe as a "personal friend"
- Abe - in office in 2006-07 and 2012-20 - remains the country's longest-serving PM and best-known political figure internationally
- Global leaders are reacting with shock; PM Boris Johnson says the UK stands with the Japanese people at a "sad and dark time"
- Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has been assassinated while giving a campaign speech in southern Japan
- Abe, 67, immediately collapsed after being shot in the neck and was rushed to hospital
- He was pronounced dead about five hours later at 5pm local time (9am UK time)
- The suspected attacker - reported to be a male in his 40s - was tackled at the scene and arrested
- Japan's current prime minister, Fumio Kishida, says he is "lost for words", describing Abe as a "personal friend"
- Abe - in office in 2006-07 and 2012-20 - remains the country's longest-serving PM and best-known political figure internationally
- Global leaders are reacting with shock; PM Boris Johnson says the UK stands with the Japanese people at a "sad and dark time"
Elon Musk pulls out of $44bn deal to buy Twitter
Elon Musk is seeking to end his $44bn (£36bn) bid to buy Twitter, alleging multiple breaches of the agreement.
The announcement is the latest twist in a long-running saga after the world's richest person decided to buy Twitter in April.
Mr Musk said he had backed out because Twitter failed to provide enough information on the number of spam and fake accounts.
Twitter says it plans to pursue legal action to enforce the agreement. read more
Elon Musk is seeking to end his $44bn (£36bn) bid to buy Twitter, alleging multiple breaches of the agreement.
The announcement is the latest twist in a long-running saga after the world's richest person decided to buy Twitter in April.
Mr Musk said he had backed out because Twitter failed to provide enough information on the number of spam and fake accounts.
Twitter says it plans to pursue legal action to enforce the agreement. read more
Sri Lanka: Protesters storm President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence
Thousands of protesters have stormed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence in the capital of Sri Lanka.
Demonstrators from all over the country marched to Colombo demanding his resignation after months of protests over mismanagement of the country's economic crisis.
Reports say he has already been moved to a safer location.
The country is suffering rampant inflation and is struggling to import food, fuel and medicine. read more
Thousands of protesters have stormed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence in the capital of Sri Lanka.
Demonstrators from all over the country marched to Colombo demanding his resignation after months of protests over mismanagement of the country's economic crisis.
Reports say he has already been moved to a safer location.
The country is suffering rampant inflation and is struggling to import food, fuel and medicine. read more
Sri Lanka president flees as protesters storm palace
- Thousands of protesters have stormed the residence of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo
- Police fired shots in the air but could not stop crowds from overrunning the residence
- The country's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe has agreed to resign, his office says, to make way for an all-party government
- There have been months of protests over his handling of the worst economic crisis in Sri Lanka’s history
- The country has run out of foreign currency and is struggling to import basics like fuel, food and medicine
- Many blame the Rajapaksa family, in power for years, for mismanaging the economy and borrowing heavily from China
- Thousands of protesters have stormed the residence of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo
- Police fired shots in the air but could not stop crowds from overrunning the residence
- The country's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe has agreed to resign, his office says, to make way for an all-party government
- There have been months of protests over his handling of the worst economic crisis in Sri Lanka’s history
- The country has run out of foreign currency and is struggling to import basics like fuel, food and medicine
- Many blame the Rajapaksa family, in power for years, for mismanaging the economy and borrowing heavily from China
Sri Lanka: President Rajapaksa to resign after palace stormed
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has announced he will step down after protesters stormed his official residence and set the prime minister's house on fire.
Neither the PM nor the president were in the buildings at the time.
Hundreds of thousands descended on the capital Colombo, calling for Mr Rajapaksa to resign after months of protests over economic mismanagement.
Mr Rajapaksa will step down on 13 July. PM Wickremesinghe has agreed to resign.
The speaker of parliament said the president decided to step down "to ensure a peaceful handover of power" and called on the public to "respect the law". read more
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has announced he will step down after protesters stormed his official residence and set the prime minister's house on fire.
Neither the PM nor the president were in the buildings at the time.
Hundreds of thousands descended on the capital Colombo, calling for Mr Rajapaksa to resign after months of protests over economic mismanagement.
Mr Rajapaksa will step down on 13 July. PM Wickremesinghe has agreed to resign.
The speaker of parliament said the president decided to step down "to ensure a peaceful handover of power" and called on the public to "respect the law". read more
Canada's internet outage caused by 'maintenance'
One of Canada's largest mobile and internet providers, Rogers, has apologised for the country-wide outage of its services which began on Friday.
The company's CEO Tony Staffieri said the failure followed "a maintenance update in our core network".
Transport, banking and emergency services were all hit by Friday's blackout, with 911 hotlines and bank ATMs left unavailable.
Canadians flocked to coffee shops and libraries to find a connection.
The service outage began at 04:30 local time (08:30 GMT) on Friday and lasted for more than 15 hours, but most services have now been restored.
One of Canada's largest mobile and internet providers, Rogers, has apologised for the country-wide outage of its services which began on Friday.
The company's CEO Tony Staffieri said the failure followed "a maintenance update in our core network".
Transport, banking and emergency services were all hit by Friday's blackout, with 911 hotlines and bank ATMs left unavailable.
Canadians flocked to coffee shops and libraries to find a connection.
The service outage began at 04:30 local time (08:30 GMT) on Friday and lasted for more than 15 hours, but most services have now been restored.