Germany arrests 25 accused of plotting coup
Twenty-five people have been arrested in raids across Germany on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government.
The group of far-right and ex-military figures are said to have prepared to storm the parliament building, the Reichstag, and seize power.
A minor aristocrat described as Prince Heinrich XIII, 71, is alleged to have been central to their plans.
According to federal prosecutors, he is one of two alleged ringleaders among those arrested across 11 German states. read more
Twenty-five people have been arrested in raids across Germany on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government.
The group of far-right and ex-military figures are said to have prepared to storm the parliament building, the Reichstag, and seize power.
A minor aristocrat described as Prince Heinrich XIII, 71, is alleged to have been central to their plans.
According to federal prosecutors, he is one of two alleged ringleaders among those arrested across 11 German states. read more
Peru's President Pedro Castillo replaced by Dina Boluarte after impeachment
Peru has a female president for the first time, after ex-president Pedro Castillo was impeached - hours after he tried to dissolve parliament.
Dina Boluarte - previously the vice-president - was sworn in after a dramatic day in Lima on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Mr Castillo had said he was replacing Congress with an "exceptional emergency government".
But lawmakers ignored this, and in an emergency meeting impeached him. He was then detained and accused of rebellion.
Ms Boluarte, a 60-year-old lawyer, said she would govern until July 2026, which is when Mr Castillo's presidency would have ended. read more
Peru has a female president for the first time, after ex-president Pedro Castillo was impeached - hours after he tried to dissolve parliament.
Dina Boluarte - previously the vice-president - was sworn in after a dramatic day in Lima on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Mr Castillo had said he was replacing Congress with an "exceptional emergency government".
But lawmakers ignored this, and in an emergency meeting impeached him. He was then detained and accused of rebellion.
Ms Boluarte, a 60-year-old lawyer, said she would govern until July 2026, which is when Mr Castillo's presidency would have ended. read more
Pedro Castillo: Mexico considers asylum for Peru's impeached president
Mexico says it is considering granting asylum to Peru's former President Pedro Castillo, who was impeached and then accused of rebellion in a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday.
Mr Castillo, 53, is now in custody in Lima. His asylum request has been sent to Mexico's president via a lawyer.
The two countries are now discussing the issue, says Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard.
Mr Castillo was removed from office after he tried to dissolve Congress.
Facing an impeachment vote, Mr Castillo announced he was dissolving the opposition-controlled legislative body.
But Congress defied him, voted overwhelmingly to remove him from office, and his bodyguards stopped him from seeking refuge at the Mexican embassy in the capital Lima. read more
Mexico says it is considering granting asylum to Peru's former President Pedro Castillo, who was impeached and then accused of rebellion in a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday.
Mr Castillo, 53, is now in custody in Lima. His asylum request has been sent to Mexico's president via a lawyer.
The two countries are now discussing the issue, says Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard.
Mr Castillo was removed from office after he tried to dissolve Congress.
Facing an impeachment vote, Mr Castillo announced he was dissolving the opposition-controlled legislative body.
But Congress defied him, voted overwhelmingly to remove him from office, and his bodyguards stopped him from seeking refuge at the Mexican embassy in the capital Lima. read more
Ukraine war: US says Iran now Russia's 'top military backer'
Russia and Iran's relationship has warmed to a fully fledged defence partnership, the US has said.
Russia is giving an unprecedented level of military support, says US national security council spokesman John Kirby.
The US has seen reports that the two countries are considering joint production of lethal drones, he adds.
It comes after Ukraine accused Iran of supplying Russia with "kamikaze" drones used in deadly attacks on 17 October, which Tehran initially denied.
The Middle Eastern country later admitted sending Moscow a limited number of drones, "many months" before the war. read more
Russia and Iran's relationship has warmed to a fully fledged defence partnership, the US has said.
Russia is giving an unprecedented level of military support, says US national security council spokesman John Kirby.
The US has seen reports that the two countries are considering joint production of lethal drones, he adds.
It comes after Ukraine accused Iran of supplying Russia with "kamikaze" drones used in deadly attacks on 17 October, which Tehran initially denied.
The Middle Eastern country later admitted sending Moscow a limited number of drones, "many months" before the war. read more
Serbian leader holds security talks over Kosovo unrest
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has met his national security council as tensions rise in Kosovo between the authorities there and ethnic Serbs.
On Saturday a stun grenade was thrown at EU police in north Kosovo, where Serbs form a majority, and local police exchanged fire with unknown groups.
Ethnic Serbs set up road blocks after Kosovan police were deployed in a dispute over car number plates.
Serbia refuses to recognise Kosovo as an independent state.
Kosovo, which has an overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian majority, broke away from Serbia after a war in 1998-99. read more
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has met his national security council as tensions rise in Kosovo between the authorities there and ethnic Serbs.
On Saturday a stun grenade was thrown at EU police in north Kosovo, where Serbs form a majority, and local police exchanged fire with unknown groups.
Ethnic Serbs set up road blocks after Kosovan police were deployed in a dispute over car number plates.
Serbia refuses to recognise Kosovo as an independent state.
Kosovo, which has an overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian majority, broke away from Serbia after a war in 1998-99. read more
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried arrested in Bahamas
The Bahamas police have arrested Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, the country's attorney general has said.
He will appear in a magistrates court in The Bahamas on Tuesday, authorities in the Caribbean country said.
Police said Mr Bankman-Fried was arrested for "Financial Offences" against laws in the US and The Bahamas.
Last month FTX filed for bankruptcy in the US, leaving many users unable to withdraw their funds.
It is unclear how much people who have funds in the exchange will get back at the end of bankruptcy proceedings, though many experts have warned it may be a small fraction of what they had deposited. read more
The Bahamas police have arrested Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, the country's attorney general has said.
He will appear in a magistrates court in The Bahamas on Tuesday, authorities in the Caribbean country said.
Police said Mr Bankman-Fried was arrested for "Financial Offences" against laws in the US and The Bahamas.
Last month FTX filed for bankruptcy in the US, leaving many users unable to withdraw their funds.
It is unclear how much people who have funds in the exchange will get back at the end of bankruptcy proceedings, though many experts have warned it may be a small fraction of what they had deposited. read more
Breakthrough in nuclear fusion energy announced
A major breakthrough has been announced by US scientists in the race to recreate nuclear fusion.
Physicists have pursued the technology for decades as it promises a potential source of near-limitless clean energy.
On Tuesday researchers confirmed they have overcome a major barrier - producing more energy from a fusion experiment than was put in.
But experts say there is still some way to go before fusion powers homes. read more
A major breakthrough has been announced by US scientists in the race to recreate nuclear fusion.
Physicists have pursued the technology for decades as it promises a potential source of near-limitless clean energy.
On Tuesday researchers confirmed they have overcome a major barrier - producing more energy from a fusion experiment than was put in.
But experts say there is still some way to go before fusion powers homes. read more
Ukraine war: Explosions in central Kyiv amid air raid warning
Ukrainian officials say they shot down over a dozen drones during a Russian attack on the capital city of Kyiv early on Wednesday morning.
BBC reporters heard loud blasts shortly after the air raid siren sounded.
Explosions rocked the central Shevchenkivskyi district as air defences shot down what were said to be Iranian-made Shahed drones.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure since October with missiles and drones. read more
Ukrainian officials say they shot down over a dozen drones during a Russian attack on the capital city of Kyiv early on Wednesday morning.
BBC reporters heard loud blasts shortly after the air raid siren sounded.
Explosions rocked the central Shevchenkivskyi district as air defences shot down what were said to be Iranian-made Shahed drones.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure since October with missiles and drones. read more
US-Africa summit: Joe Biden says US is 'all in' on Africa's future
US President Joe Biden has announced billions of dollars in support and investment for Africa at a summit with the continent's heads of state.
"The United States is all in on Africa's future," President Biden told the 49 African leaders attending the Washington DC meeting.
It is the first such gathering hosted by Washington for eight years.
The summit is seen as a US attempt to re-assert its influence in Africa to counter Chinese involvement. read more
US President Joe Biden has announced billions of dollars in support and investment for Africa at a summit with the continent's heads of state.
"The United States is all in on Africa's future," President Biden told the 49 African leaders attending the Washington DC meeting.
It is the first such gathering hosted by Washington for eight years.
The summit is seen as a US attempt to re-assert its influence in Africa to counter Chinese involvement. read more
Thousands of unedited government JFK assassination files released
The White House has ordered the release of thousands of documents on the murder of US President John F Kennedy in full for the first time.
With the publication of some 13,173 files online, the White House said more than 97% of records in the collection were now publicly available.
No huge revelations are expected from the papers, but historians hope to learn more about the alleged assassin.
Kennedy was shot during a visit to Dallas, Texas, on 22 November 1963.
A 1992 law required the government to release all documents on the assassination by October 2017.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden issued an executive order authorising the latest disclosure. read more
The White House has ordered the release of thousands of documents on the murder of US President John F Kennedy in full for the first time.
With the publication of some 13,173 files online, the White House said more than 97% of records in the collection were now publicly available.
No huge revelations are expected from the papers, but historians hope to learn more about the alleged assassin.
Kennedy was shot during a visit to Dallas, Texas, on 22 November 1963.
A 1992 law required the government to release all documents on the assassination by October 2017.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden issued an executive order authorising the latest disclosure. read more
Berlin AquaDom aquarium: Police not seeking suspects over explosion
Berlin police say they are not seeking suspects following the explosion of the "AquaDom" aquarium on Friday, warning the public about what they say is a fake tweet suggesting they are.
The explosion in the Radisson Blu hotel spilled one million litres of saltwater, flooding the hotel and nearby streets.
Hundreds of fish died and two people were injured by falling glass.
Inspectors have now declared the building safe.
A police source told local media on Friday there was no evidence the blast in the 15.85m high (52 ft) aquarium was the result of a targeted attack. read more
Berlin police say they are not seeking suspects following the explosion of the "AquaDom" aquarium on Friday, warning the public about what they say is a fake tweet suggesting they are.
The explosion in the Radisson Blu hotel spilled one million litres of saltwater, flooding the hotel and nearby streets.
Hundreds of fish died and two people were injured by falling glass.
Inspectors have now declared the building safe.
A police source told local media on Friday there was no evidence the blast in the 15.85m high (52 ft) aquarium was the result of a targeted attack. read more
Salah Hammouri: Israel deports Palestinian lawyer to France
Israel's interior ministry says it has deported a Palestinian-French human rights lawyer after accusing him of security threats.
Salah Hamouri, 37, was escorted onto a flight to France by police early on Sunday morning, the ministry said.
A lifelong resident of Jerusalem, he was stripped of his residency rights after officials accused him of being a member of a terrorist organisation.
Mr Hamouri denies the charges and rights groups have condemned the move.
But in a statement, the interior ministry said Mr Hamouri had "organised, inspired and planned to commit terror attacks" against "citizens and well-known Israelis". read more
Israel's interior ministry says it has deported a Palestinian-French human rights lawyer after accusing him of security threats.
Salah Hamouri, 37, was escorted onto a flight to France by police early on Sunday morning, the ministry said.
A lifelong resident of Jerusalem, he was stripped of his residency rights after officials accused him of being a member of a terrorist organisation.
Mr Hamouri denies the charges and rights groups have condemned the move.
But in a statement, the interior ministry said Mr Hamouri had "organised, inspired and planned to commit terror attacks" against "citizens and well-known Israelis". read more
Thailand navy ship sinks stranding more than 100 sailors
A Thai naval ship capsized during a storm in the Gulf of Thailand on Sunday night, leaving more than 100 sailors needing to be rescued.
Authorities said there were still 28 sailors stranded in the water on Monday, after the HTMAS Sukhotai sank.
No fatalities have been reported, but three crew members are in a critical condition.
Officials said the ship went down after it took on water, flooding its hull and short-circuiting its power room.
With the power lost, crew battled to retain control of the ship which listed onto its side before sinking around 23:30 local time Sunday (16:30 GMT). read more
A Thai naval ship capsized during a storm in the Gulf of Thailand on Sunday night, leaving more than 100 sailors needing to be rescued.
Authorities said there were still 28 sailors stranded in the water on Monday, after the HTMAS Sukhotai sank.
No fatalities have been reported, but three crew members are in a critical condition.
Officials said the ship went down after it took on water, flooding its hull and short-circuiting its power room.
With the power lost, crew battled to retain control of the ship which listed onto its side before sinking around 23:30 local time Sunday (16:30 GMT). read more
Elon Musk: Twitter users vote in favour of boss resigning
Twitter users have voted in favour of Elon Musk stepping down as the platform's chief executive after the billionaire ran a poll on his future.
A total of 57.5% voted "yes" after Mr Musk asked his 122 million followers whether he should stand down.
Mr Musk, who bought Twitter for $44bn (£36bn), said before the poll closed that he would abide by the result.
The technology tycoon, who also runs Tesla and Space X, has faced much criticism since taking over the site.
Mr Musk is yet to comment since the poll closed. Even if he were to resign as chief executive, he would remain as Twitter's owner. read more
Twitter users have voted in favour of Elon Musk stepping down as the platform's chief executive after the billionaire ran a poll on his future.
A total of 57.5% voted "yes" after Mr Musk asked his 122 million followers whether he should stand down.
Mr Musk, who bought Twitter for $44bn (£36bn), said before the poll closed that he would abide by the result.
The technology tycoon, who also runs Tesla and Space X, has faced much criticism since taking over the site.
Mr Musk is yet to comment since the poll closed. Even if he were to resign as chief executive, he would remain as Twitter's owner. read more
Harvey Weinstein found guilty in second sex crimes trial
Former Hollywood film mogul Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty by a Los Angeles jury of raping a woman.
The two-month trial heard how Weinstein used his influence to lure women into private meetings before attacking them.
The 70-year-old Oscar winner is facing up to 24 years in prison when he is sentenced.
He is already serving 23 years in jail after he was convicted of rape and sexual assault at his first trial in New York two years ago. read more
Former Hollywood film mogul Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty by a Los Angeles jury of raping a woman.
The two-month trial heard how Weinstein used his influence to lure women into private meetings before attacking them.
The 70-year-old Oscar winner is facing up to 24 years in prison when he is sentenced.
He is already serving 23 years in jail after he was convicted of rape and sexual assault at his first trial in New York two years ago. read more
Elon Musk to quit as Twitter CEO when replacement found
Elon Musk has said he will resign as Twitter's chief executive officer when he finds someone "foolish enough to take the job".
The billionaire promised earlier to abide by the result of a Twitter poll which saw 57.5% of users vote "yes" to him quitting the role.
He says he will still run the software and servers teams after his replacement is found.
Changes on the platform since his takeover have been much criticised. read more
Elon Musk has said he will resign as Twitter's chief executive officer when he finds someone "foolish enough to take the job".
The billionaire promised earlier to abide by the result of a Twitter poll which saw 57.5% of users vote "yes" to him quitting the role.
He says he will still run the software and servers teams after his replacement is found.
Changes on the platform since his takeover have been much criticised. read more
Zelensky in Washington: Ukraine's leader heads to US for first foreign trip
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is on his way to Washington, where he will meet US President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
It is his first foreign trip since Russia invaded in February.
Details of how and when he travelled are unlikely to be made public, given the security risks involved.
The White House confirmed it would supply Ukraine with a Patriot missile system, significantly increasing the country's air defence capability.
"On my way to the US to strengthen resilience and defense capabilities of Ukraine," Mr Zelensky wrote on Twitter. read more
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is on his way to Washington, where he will meet US President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
It is his first foreign trip since Russia invaded in February.
Details of how and when he travelled are unlikely to be made public, given the security risks involved.
The White House confirmed it would supply Ukraine with a Patriot missile system, significantly increasing the country's air defence capability.
"On my way to the US to strengthen resilience and defense capabilities of Ukraine," Mr Zelensky wrote on Twitter. read more
Ukraine war: Biden tells Zelensky his country will never stand alone
President Joe Biden has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US will stick by Ukraine "for as long as it takes" in its war with Russia.
"You will never stand alone," Mr Biden told Mr Zelensky as he visited the White House on his first overseas trip since the Russian invasion began.
Mr Biden confirmed a new package of more than $2bn (£1.7bn) in assistance for Ukraine and promised another $45bn.
Mr Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Washington's backing.
At Wednesday's joint news conference, Mr Biden told reporters he was "not at all worried" about holding the international coalition together. read more
President Joe Biden has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US will stick by Ukraine "for as long as it takes" in its war with Russia.
"You will never stand alone," Mr Biden told Mr Zelensky as he visited the White House on his first overseas trip since the Russian invasion began.
Mr Biden confirmed a new package of more than $2bn (£1.7bn) in assistance for Ukraine and promised another $45bn.
Mr Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Washington's backing.
At Wednesday's joint news conference, Mr Biden told reporters he was "not at all worried" about holding the international coalition together. read more
US winter storm will bring frostbite within minutes
Plunging temperatures wreaking havoc across the US and Canada can lead to frostbite on bare skin in only five to 10 minutes, experts are warning.
A powerful Arctic winter storm has placed more than 135 million people under weekend weather alerts ahead of the busiest travel days of the year.
The alerts stretch from coast to coast and reach as far south as the US-Mexico border and Florida, the Sunshine State.
Major airports have cancelled thousands of flights as the storm intensifies.
The cold snap could bring the iciest Christmas in decades, say forecasters.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said temperatures of -50F (-45C) and -70F were possible by the end of this week in some parts of the country. read more
Plunging temperatures wreaking havoc across the US and Canada can lead to frostbite on bare skin in only five to 10 minutes, experts are warning.
A powerful Arctic winter storm has placed more than 135 million people under weekend weather alerts ahead of the busiest travel days of the year.
The alerts stretch from coast to coast and reach as far south as the US-Mexico border and Florida, the Sunshine State.
Major airports have cancelled thousands of flights as the storm intensifies.
The cold snap could bring the iciest Christmas in decades, say forecasters.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said temperatures of -50F (-45C) and -70F were possible by the end of this week in some parts of the country. read more
FTX founder released to parents on $250m bail
Former FTX boss Sam Bankman-Fried will face home detention while awaiting trial in the US on charges that he defrauded customers and investors of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange.
A US judge said the 30-year-old former billionaire could be released to his parents on a $250m (£207m) bond.
At the hearing, Mr Bankman-Fried did not admit or deny guilt.
He has previously distanced himself from the charges, which have shaken the entire crypto industry.
"I didn't knowingly commit fraud. I don't think I committed fraud. I didn't want any of this to happen. I was certainly not nearly as competent as I thought I was," he told the BBC, shortly before his 12 December arrest in the Bahamas, where he lived, and FTX was based. read more
Former FTX boss Sam Bankman-Fried will face home detention while awaiting trial in the US on charges that he defrauded customers and investors of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange.
A US judge said the 30-year-old former billionaire could be released to his parents on a $250m (£207m) bond.
At the hearing, Mr Bankman-Fried did not admit or deny guilt.
He has previously distanced himself from the charges, which have shaken the entire crypto industry.
"I didn't knowingly commit fraud. I don't think I committed fraud. I didn't want any of this to happen. I was certainly not nearly as competent as I thought I was," he told the BBC, shortly before his 12 December arrest in the Bahamas, where he lived, and FTX was based. read more
Meta settles Cambridge Analytica scandal case for $725m
Facebook owner Meta has agreed to pay $725m (£600m) to settle legal action over a data breach linked to political consultancy Cambridge Analytica.
The long-running dispute accused the social media giant of allowing third parties, including the British firm, to access Facebook users' personal data.
The proposed sum is the largest in a US data privacy class action, lawyers say.
Meta, which did not admit wrongdoing, said it had "revamped" its approach to privacy over the past three years.
In a statement, the company said settling was "in the best interest of our community and shareholders". read more
Facebook owner Meta has agreed to pay $725m (£600m) to settle legal action over a data breach linked to political consultancy Cambridge Analytica.
The long-running dispute accused the social media giant of allowing third parties, including the British firm, to access Facebook users' personal data.
The proposed sum is the largest in a US data privacy class action, lawyers say.
Meta, which did not admit wrongdoing, said it had "revamped" its approach to privacy over the past three years.
In a statement, the company said settling was "in the best interest of our community and shareholders". read more