Saudi Arabia: Biden raised Khashoggi murder with crown prince
US President Joe Biden says he raised the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Mr Biden is in Saudi Arabia to rebuild relations, having previously promised to make the country a "pariah" over its human rights record.
He said he had made it clear the killing in 2018 was "vitally important to me and the United States".
But he also said the two countries reached agreements on other issues.
Mr Biden's visit has been criticised as validating the Saudi government following the murder of the US-based Saudi dissident journalist Khashoggi in October 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. read more
US President Joe Biden says he raised the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Mr Biden is in Saudi Arabia to rebuild relations, having previously promised to make the country a "pariah" over its human rights record.
He said he had made it clear the killing in 2018 was "vitally important to me and the United States".
But he also said the two countries reached agreements on other issues.
Mr Biden's visit has been criticised as validating the Saudi government following the murder of the US-based Saudi dissident journalist Khashoggi in October 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. read more
Shaking head and mean goose among new emojis
A shaking head, new heart colours and a familiar goose are among a new group of emojis set to be released this year.
Unicode Consortium's list contains only 31 new emojis, which expand what can be said through pictures and symbols in text and online messages.
This is a much smaller release than last year's 112 emojis, which included pregnant people, a crutch and a low battery sign.
The succinct release has been met with a mostly positive response online.
The emojis will go through a final round of approval in September before they are released. read more
A shaking head, new heart colours and a familiar goose are among a new group of emojis set to be released this year.
Unicode Consortium's list contains only 31 new emojis, which expand what can be said through pictures and symbols in text and online messages.
This is a much smaller release than last year's 112 emojis, which included pregnant people, a crutch and a low battery sign.
The succinct release has been met with a mostly positive response online.
The emojis will go through a final round of approval in September before they are released. read more
Europe heatwave: Deadly wildfires spread in Mediterranean
Thousands of firefighters are battling wildfires in Portugal, Spain and southwestern France, in the grip of a heatwave that shows no sign of easing.
In northern Portugal, a pilot died when his waterbombing plane crashed in the Foz Coa area, near the Spanish border.
Fires are ravaging areas of France's Gironde region, where more than 12,000 people have been evacuated.
In southern Spain, near the Costa del Sol, about 2,300 people had to flee a wildfire spreading in the Mijas hills. read more
Thousands of firefighters are battling wildfires in Portugal, Spain and southwestern France, in the grip of a heatwave that shows no sign of easing.
In northern Portugal, a pilot died when his waterbombing plane crashed in the Foz Coa area, near the Spanish border.
Fires are ravaging areas of France's Gironde region, where more than 12,000 people have been evacuated.
In southern Spain, near the Costa del Sol, about 2,300 people had to flee a wildfire spreading in the Mijas hills. read more
Pacific Islands urge unity in face of China ambition
The Pacific Islands Forum calls itself a family.
Fourteen islands scattered across the vast Pacific Ocean, along with Australia and New Zealand, connected by their natural environment, faith, culture and traditional knowledge.
Nowadays they also share challenges: a very real threat from rising sea levels, more frequent storms and economies crippled by Covid-19.
But the regional bloc's first face-to-face meeting in almost three years in Fiji's capital Suva didn't turn out to be the warm reunion many expected.
A day before the event began, Kiribati - one of the most isolated islands in the world - made a surprise announcement that it wouldn't attend the summit and quit the bloc altogether. read more
The Pacific Islands Forum calls itself a family.
Fourteen islands scattered across the vast Pacific Ocean, along with Australia and New Zealand, connected by their natural environment, faith, culture and traditional knowledge.
Nowadays they also share challenges: a very real threat from rising sea levels, more frequent storms and economies crippled by Covid-19.
But the regional bloc's first face-to-face meeting in almost three years in Fiji's capital Suva didn't turn out to be the warm reunion many expected.
A day before the event began, Kiribati - one of the most isolated islands in the world - made a surprise announcement that it wouldn't attend the summit and quit the bloc altogether. read more
Ukraine war: Zelensky fires security chief and top prosecutor
President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired the head of Ukraine's security agency (SBU) and the prosecutor general, citing many cases of treason in the two powerful organisations.
He said more than 60 former employees were now working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied areas.
A total of 651 collaboration and treason cases had been opened against law enforcement officials, he added.
The sacked officials, Ivan Bakanov and Iryna Venediktova, have not commented.
In his video address late on Sunday, Mr Zelensky said: "Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the national security of the state... pose very serious questions to the relevant heads [of the two organisations]. read more
President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired the head of Ukraine's security agency (SBU) and the prosecutor general, citing many cases of treason in the two powerful organisations.
He said more than 60 former employees were now working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied areas.
A total of 651 collaboration and treason cases had been opened against law enforcement officials, he added.
The sacked officials, Ivan Bakanov and Iryna Venediktova, have not commented.
In his video address late on Sunday, Mr Zelensky said: "Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the national security of the state... pose very serious questions to the relevant heads [of the two organisations]. read more
Amazon targets 10,000 fake review Facebook groups
Amazon is taking legal action against the administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups, the BBC has learned.
It says the groups are generating fake reviews on Amazon marketplaces in the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Japan.
The tech giant says the groups offer money or free goods in exchange for reviews being posted on Amazon.
One of the groups, removed earlier this year by Facebook's parent company Meta, had 43,000 members.
It was called "Amazon Product Review".
Once the people in the group had purchased selected products and left their reviews, the administrators would refund them. A wide range of goods was involved, including car stereos and camera tripods. read more
Amazon is taking legal action against the administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups, the BBC has learned.
It says the groups are generating fake reviews on Amazon marketplaces in the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Japan.
The tech giant says the groups offer money or free goods in exchange for reviews being posted on Amazon.
One of the groups, removed earlier this year by Facebook's parent company Meta, had 43,000 members.
It was called "Amazon Product Review".
Once the people in the group had purchased selected products and left their reviews, the administrators would refund them. A wide range of goods was involved, including car stereos and camera tripods. read more
Forwarded from Cryptordinary
ApeCoin price eyes 45% rally following Otherside metaverse demo
ApeCoin (APE) rallied to start the week as traders considered Yuga Labs’ decision to open its Otherside metaverse for selected users. In doing so, the token broke out of a technical pattern that hints at another 45% price rally by September 2022. read more
ApeCoin (APE) rallied to start the week as traders considered Yuga Labs’ decision to open its Otherside metaverse for selected users. In doing so, the token broke out of a technical pattern that hints at another 45% price rally by September 2022. read more
Ukraine war: Putin to visit Iran in rare international trip
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Iran on Tuesday in just his second foreign trip since he launched the invasion of Ukraine in February.
Mr Putin will meet Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Grain exports, Syria and Ukraine will be discussed in Tehran, a Turkish official said.
The Russian leader has limited his international visits to former Soviet states since war broke out in Ukraine.
In June, Mr Putin made his first international trip since February when he visited Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, both former members of the USSR now led by authoritarian rulers and Russian allies. read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Iran on Tuesday in just his second foreign trip since he launched the invasion of Ukraine in February.
Mr Putin will meet Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Grain exports, Syria and Ukraine will be discussed in Tehran, a Turkish official said.
The Russian leader has limited his international visits to former Soviet states since war broke out in Ukraine.
In June, Mr Putin made his first international trip since February when he visited Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, both former members of the USSR now led by authoritarian rulers and Russian allies. read more
Ukraine war: Russia plans to annex Ukrainian land - US
Russia plans to annex more Ukrainian territory using a similar "playbook" to its takeover of Crimea, the US says.
Citing US intelligence, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Russia is already laying the groundwork for annexation.
Occupied regions of Ukraine could hold "sham" referenda on joining Russia as soon as September, he said.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 after a referendum which was widely viewed as illegitimate. read more
Russia plans to annex more Ukrainian territory using a similar "playbook" to its takeover of Crimea, the US says.
Citing US intelligence, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Russia is already laying the groundwork for annexation.
Occupied regions of Ukraine could hold "sham" referenda on joining Russia as soon as September, he said.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 after a referendum which was widely viewed as illegitimate. read more
Apple settles US butterfly-keyboard legal action for $50m
Apple has agreed to pay $50m (£41.6m) to settle a legal action by claimants in the US, over its MacBook keyboards.
Customers in seven states claimed the technology giant had sold the "butterfly" keyboards, on MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops, from 2015 to 2019, knowing they had unresponsive and sticky keys that could be damaged by dust or debris.
Apple did not immediately respond to a BBC News request for comment.
But the company denies any wrongdoing. read more
Apple has agreed to pay $50m (£41.6m) to settle a legal action by claimants in the US, over its MacBook keyboards.
Customers in seven states claimed the technology giant had sold the "butterfly" keyboards, on MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops, from 2015 to 2019, knowing they had unresponsive and sticky keys that could be damaged by dust or debris.
Apple did not immediately respond to a BBC News request for comment.
But the company denies any wrongdoing. read more
Italian PM Mario Draghi fails in bid to revive government
When Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that Italians had persuaded him not to resign, for much of Wednesday it looked as if his national unity government would survive.
He called for a new pact and a vote of confidence in the Senate.
But hours later three parties in the coalition said they would not take part in the vote.
Now, after a year and a half, his broad-based government encompassing right and left is set to collapse. read more
When Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that Italians had persuaded him not to resign, for much of Wednesday it looked as if his national unity government would survive.
He called for a new pact and a vote of confidence in the Senate.
But hours later three parties in the coalition said they would not take part in the vote.
Now, after a year and a half, his broad-based government encompassing right and left is set to collapse. read more
Nord Stream: Key Russian pipeline resumes pumping gas to Europe
Russia has resumed pumping gas to Europe through its biggest pipeline after warnings it could curb or halt supplies altogether.
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline restarted following a 10-day maintenance break but at a reduced level.
On Wednesday, the European Commission urged countries to cut gas use by 15% over the next seven months in case Russia switched off Europe's supply.
Russia supplied Europe with 40% of its natural gas last year.
Germany was the continent's largest importer in 2020, but has reduced its dependence on Russian gas from 55% to 35%. Eventually, it wants to stop using gas from Russia altogether. read more
Russia has resumed pumping gas to Europe through its biggest pipeline after warnings it could curb or halt supplies altogether.
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline restarted following a 10-day maintenance break but at a reduced level.
On Wednesday, the European Commission urged countries to cut gas use by 15% over the next seven months in case Russia switched off Europe's supply.
Russia supplied Europe with 40% of its natural gas last year.
Germany was the continent's largest importer in 2020, but has reduced its dependence on Russian gas from 55% to 35%. Eventually, it wants to stop using gas from Russia altogether. read more
Russia 'looting' steel bound for Europe and UK, says Metinvest boss
Russia is looting $600m (£500m) worth of steel from plants and ports in Ukraine, according to the boss of Ukraine's largest steel firm Metinvest.
The firm owns the Azovstal plant that became the last holdout of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians during the devastation of the city of Mariupol.
Chief executive Yuriy Ryzhenkov said steel was being transferred to Russia and sold on, some of which had been bound for customers in the UK.
The Kremlin has not commented. read more
Russia is looting $600m (£500m) worth of steel from plants and ports in Ukraine, according to the boss of Ukraine's largest steel firm Metinvest.
The firm owns the Azovstal plant that became the last holdout of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians during the devastation of the city of Mariupol.
Chief executive Yuriy Ryzhenkov said steel was being transferred to Russia and sold on, some of which had been bound for customers in the UK.
The Kremlin has not commented. read more
Food crisis: Ukraine grain export deal reached with Russia, says Turkey
Turkey says a deal has been reached with Russia to allow Ukraine to resume exports of grain through the Black Sea.
It is to be signed on Friday in Istanbul by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
The world shortage of Ukrainian grain since Russia's 24 February invasion has left millions at risk of hunger.
The invasion sent food prices soaring, so the deal to unblock Ukraine's ports is crucial. Some 20 million tonnes of grain is stuck in the country. read more
Turkey says a deal has been reached with Russia to allow Ukraine to resume exports of grain through the Black Sea.
It is to be signed on Friday in Istanbul by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
The world shortage of Ukrainian grain since Russia's 24 February invasion has left millions at risk of hunger.
The invasion sent food prices soaring, so the deal to unblock Ukraine's ports is crucial. Some 20 million tonnes of grain is stuck in the country. read more
Ukraine war: Deal signed to allow grain exports to resume by sea
Ukraine and Russia have signed "mirror" deals which will allow Kyiv to resume exports of grain through the Black Sea.
The agreement will allow millions of tonnes of grain, currently trapped in Ukraine by the war, to be exported.
The world shortage of Ukrainian grain since Russia's 24 February invasion has left millions at risk of hunger.
However, Kyiv refused to sign a direct deal with Moscow, and warned "provocations" would be met with "an immediate military response".
Both sides attended the signing ceremony in Istanbul but did not sit at the same table. Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu signed Moscow's deal first, followed by Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov signing Kyiv's identical agreement. read more
Ukraine and Russia have signed "mirror" deals which will allow Kyiv to resume exports of grain through the Black Sea.
The agreement will allow millions of tonnes of grain, currently trapped in Ukraine by the war, to be exported.
The world shortage of Ukrainian grain since Russia's 24 February invasion has left millions at risk of hunger.
However, Kyiv refused to sign a direct deal with Moscow, and warned "provocations" would be met with "an immediate military response".
Both sides attended the signing ceremony in Istanbul but did not sit at the same table. Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu signed Moscow's deal first, followed by Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov signing Kyiv's identical agreement. read more
Ukraine war: Explosions rock Ukrainian port hours after grain deal
Explosions have rocked a key Ukrainian port just a day after Kyiv and Moscow reached a landmark deal to allow the resumption of grain exports.
Two missiles hit the city of Odesa in the early hours of Saturday morning, Ukraine's military said.
Under the terms of Friday's deal, Russia agreed not to target ports while grain shipments are in transit.
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said the attack showed Russia's "total disregard" for international law. read more
Explosions have rocked a key Ukrainian port just a day after Kyiv and Moscow reached a landmark deal to allow the resumption of grain exports.
Two missiles hit the city of Odesa in the early hours of Saturday morning, Ukraine's military said.
Under the terms of Friday's deal, Russia agreed not to target ports while grain shipments are in transit.
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said the attack showed Russia's "total disregard" for international law. read more
Oak Fire: Emergency declared as wildfire rages near Yosemite National Park
A state of emergency has been declared in part of California as the largest active wildfire in the US rapidly spreads near Yosemite National Park.
The Oak Fire has quickly grown since starting on Friday, and firefighters have struggled to get the blaze under control.
"Explosive fire behaviour is challenging firefighters", California's fire department said.
More than 6,000 people have been evacuated and 10 homes destroyed.
The state of emergency, which has been declared in Mariposa County, will allow the state to access some federal assistance to tackle the fires. read more
A state of emergency has been declared in part of California as the largest active wildfire in the US rapidly spreads near Yosemite National Park.
The Oak Fire has quickly grown since starting on Friday, and firefighters have struggled to get the blaze under control.
"Explosive fire behaviour is challenging firefighters", California's fire department said.
More than 6,000 people have been evacuated and 10 homes destroyed.
The state of emergency, which has been declared in Mariposa County, will allow the state to access some federal assistance to tackle the fires. read more
Myanmar military executes four democracy activists
Four democracy activists have been executed by Myanmar's military in what is believed to be the first use of capital punishment in decades.
Former lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw, writer and activist Ko Jimmy, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw were accused of committing "terror acts".
The executions, which were first announced by the military in June, drew international condemnation.
They come in the wake of a 2021 military coup.
The junta overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) in February last year, sparking huge protests which were swiftly crushed. read more
Four democracy activists have been executed by Myanmar's military in what is believed to be the first use of capital punishment in decades.
Former lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw, writer and activist Ko Jimmy, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw were accused of committing "terror acts".
The executions, which were first announced by the military in June, drew international condemnation.
They come in the wake of a 2021 military coup.
The junta overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) in February last year, sparking huge protests which were swiftly crushed. read more
Elon Musk denies affair with Google co-founder Sergey Brin's wife
Tesla boss Elon Musk has denied having an affair with Nicole Shanahan, the wife of Google co-founder, Sergey Brin.
Mr Musk's comments came after the Wall Street Journal reported that his friendship with Mr Brin had ended over the alleged affair.
Replying to a link to the story posted on Twitter, Mr Musk referred to the report as "total bs".
Mr Musk went on to say that he is still friends with Mr Brin and that they were "at a party together last night!" read more
Tesla boss Elon Musk has denied having an affair with Nicole Shanahan, the wife of Google co-founder, Sergey Brin.
Mr Musk's comments came after the Wall Street Journal reported that his friendship with Mr Brin had ended over the alleged affair.
Replying to a link to the story posted on Twitter, Mr Musk referred to the report as "total bs".
Mr Musk went on to say that he is still friends with Mr Brin and that they were "at a party together last night!" read more
Ukraine war: Russia waging gas war with Nord Stream 1 cuts - Zelensky
Ukraine has accused Moscow of waging a "gas war" against Europe and cutting supplies to inflict "terror" on people.
Russian energy firm Gazprom announced it is reducing gas flows into Germany to allow work on a turbine on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
But Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said this was simply "gas blackmail" against Europe.
It comes as hopes remain that grain exports from Ukrainian ports could resume this week following a deal.
Gazprom said on Monday it needed to cut gas supply to around half of current levels in order to carry out maintenance work - but the German government said there was no technical reason for it to limit the supply. read more
Ukraine has accused Moscow of waging a "gas war" against Europe and cutting supplies to inflict "terror" on people.
Russian energy firm Gazprom announced it is reducing gas flows into Germany to allow work on a turbine on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
But Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said this was simply "gas blackmail" against Europe.
It comes as hopes remain that grain exports from Ukrainian ports could resume this week following a deal.
Gazprom said on Monday it needed to cut gas supply to around half of current levels in order to carry out maintenance work - but the German government said there was no technical reason for it to limit the supply. read more
EU agrees to cut gas use over Russia supply fears
EU energy ministers have agreed for their countries to cut gas use in case Russia halts supplies.
Following talks on Tuesday, EU members agreed countries should voluntarily reduce gas use by 15% from August to March.
"This was not a Mission Impossible!", tweeted the Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency.
However, draft plans seen by the BBC suggest the deal had been watered down, with countries able to seek exemptions.
"In an effort to increase EU security of energy supply, member states today reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% this winter," the EU said. read more
EU energy ministers have agreed for their countries to cut gas use in case Russia halts supplies.
Following talks on Tuesday, EU members agreed countries should voluntarily reduce gas use by 15% from August to March.
"This was not a Mission Impossible!", tweeted the Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency.
However, draft plans seen by the BBC suggest the deal had been watered down, with countries able to seek exemptions.
"In an effort to increase EU security of energy supply, member states today reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% this winter," the EU said. read more