Ukraine war: Kyiv not attacking Russian territory - Zelensky
Ukraine has no plans to hit targets in Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said in Germany, where Kyiv secured a big new defence aid package.
"We are not attacking Russian territory," he said after talks in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
"We are preparing a counterattack to de-occupy the illegitimately conquered territories," Mr Zelensky added.
Mr Scholz vowed to back Ukraine "for as long as it is necessary", promising €2.7bn (£2.4bn) worth of weapons.
This includes advanced German Leopard tanks and more anti-aircraft systems to defend Ukraine from almost daily deadly Russian missile and drone attacks. read more
Ukraine has no plans to hit targets in Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said in Germany, where Kyiv secured a big new defence aid package.
"We are not attacking Russian territory," he said after talks in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
"We are preparing a counterattack to de-occupy the illegitimately conquered territories," Mr Zelensky added.
Mr Scholz vowed to back Ukraine "for as long as it is necessary", promising €2.7bn (£2.4bn) worth of weapons.
This includes advanced German Leopard tanks and more anti-aircraft systems to defend Ukraine from almost daily deadly Russian missile and drone attacks. read more
Turkey's Erdogan appears to have upper hand after tense night
Turkey's battle for the presidency looks set to go to a run-off, with both contenders adamant they have victory in their grasp.
After 20 years in power, Recep Tayyip Erdogan stood on the balcony of his party HQ saying he was convinced he would win another five.
Everything appeared to have fallen into place for his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu to win.
But incomplete results put him behind the president in the first round.
And Mr Erdogan's alliance could also be heading for a majority in parliament.
For months, Turkey's disparate opposition parties had pooled their resources in a bid to bring an end to a president who has extended his power dramatically since a failed coup against him in 2016. read more
Turkey's battle for the presidency looks set to go to a run-off, with both contenders adamant they have victory in their grasp.
After 20 years in power, Recep Tayyip Erdogan stood on the balcony of his party HQ saying he was convinced he would win another five.
Everything appeared to have fallen into place for his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu to win.
But incomplete results put him behind the president in the first round.
And Mr Erdogan's alliance could also be heading for a majority in parliament.
For months, Turkey's disparate opposition parties had pooled their resources in a bid to bring an end to a president who has extended his power dramatically since a failed coup against him in 2016. read more
Cambodia: Opposition Candlelight Party barred from July vote
Cambodia's main opposition party and the sole credible challenger to the country's long-time leader Hun Sen has been barred from contesting July's election.
Electoral authorities disqualified the Candlelight Party on Monday for not having the right paperwork.
Party insiders had warned for weeks they were being stymied by red tape.
Critics say with this move, Hun Sen has again eliminated any real challenge for the second election in a row.
In 2018, his Cambodian People's Party won every single seat in the 125-seat National Assembly after the main opposition alliance was dissolved by the politically controlled courts. read more
Cambodia's main opposition party and the sole credible challenger to the country's long-time leader Hun Sen has been barred from contesting July's election.
Electoral authorities disqualified the Candlelight Party on Monday for not having the right paperwork.
Party insiders had warned for weeks they were being stymied by red tape.
Critics say with this move, Hun Sen has again eliminated any real challenge for the second election in a row.
In 2018, his Cambodian People's Party won every single seat in the 125-seat National Assembly after the main opposition alliance was dissolved by the politically controlled courts. read more
Durham report: FBI criticised by special counsel for Trump-Russia inquiry
A long-awaited report has strongly criticised the FBI's handling of its investigation into alleged ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.
In a 306-page report, special counsel John Durham said the agency's inquiry had lacked "analytical rigor".
He concluded the FBI had not possessed "actual evidence" of collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia before launching an inquiry.
The FBI said it had addressed the issues highlighted in the report.
In the report, Mr Durham - who was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr in 2019 - accused the FBI of acting on "raw, unanalysed and uncorroborated intelligence". read more
A long-awaited report has strongly criticised the FBI's handling of its investigation into alleged ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.
In a 306-page report, special counsel John Durham said the agency's inquiry had lacked "analytical rigor".
He concluded the FBI had not possessed "actual evidence" of collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia before launching an inquiry.
The FBI said it had addressed the issues highlighted in the report.
In the report, Mr Durham - who was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr in 2019 - accused the FBI of acting on "raw, unanalysed and uncorroborated intelligence". read more
US debt ceiling: Republicans hopeful of deal to avert default
After emergency talks at the White House, US President Joe Biden and Republican congressional leaders are sounding hopeful that a deal to raise the US debt ceiling is within reach.
But House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters the two sides are still far apart.
The fiscal impasse has forced President Biden to cut short a foreign trip to Asia.
Without a deal, the US could default on its $31.4tr (£25tr) debt by 1 June.
The White House said on Tuesday that Mr Biden is "optimistic" an agreement can be reached. read more
After emergency talks at the White House, US President Joe Biden and Republican congressional leaders are sounding hopeful that a deal to raise the US debt ceiling is within reach.
But House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters the two sides are still far apart.
The fiscal impasse has forced President Biden to cut short a foreign trip to Asia.
Without a deal, the US could default on its $31.4tr (£25tr) debt by 1 June.
The White House said on Tuesday that Mr Biden is "optimistic" an agreement can be reached. read more
Israel-Gaza: Palestinian family left homeless after strikes
Kamal Nabhan was screaming as he thrust the phone into his cousin's hands, unable to believe what the anonymous caller was telling him.
The men had just got ready to go to afternoon prayers in Jabalia refugee camp. But the routine patterns of life were about to give way to violent destruction, wrought from above with a warning call.
Kamal's cousin Ataf reached out to his relative.
"I took the phone from him and talked to the person on the line," says Ataf. "He said he was from Israeli intelligence, and you have five minutes to evacuate the house."
They began to rush back, telling the Israeli caller he must be mistaken because the building "was full" of disabled people. "[The intelligence officer] said: 'No, immediately evacuate the house,'" says Ataf. read more
Kamal Nabhan was screaming as he thrust the phone into his cousin's hands, unable to believe what the anonymous caller was telling him.
The men had just got ready to go to afternoon prayers in Jabalia refugee camp. But the routine patterns of life were about to give way to violent destruction, wrought from above with a warning call.
Kamal's cousin Ataf reached out to his relative.
"I took the phone from him and talked to the person on the line," says Ataf. "He said he was from Israeli intelligence, and you have five minutes to evacuate the house."
They began to rush back, telling the Israeli caller he must be mistaken because the building "was full" of disabled people. "[The intelligence officer] said: 'No, immediately evacuate the house,'" says Ataf. read more
Italy: F1 race cancelled as deadly floods spark evacuations in Emilia-Romagna area
Five people have been killed and several are missing after heavy rains caused flooding in Italy's northern Emilia-Romagna region, officials say.
About 5,000 people have been evacuated, and some had to be rescued from roofs by helicopter.
The authorities say 14 rivers have broken their banks, flooding 23 towns. The mayor of Ravenna says his city is now "unrecognisable".
The Emilia-Romagna F1 Grand Prix this weekend has now been cancelled.
Discussions on Wednesday between local authorities and organisers of the race at Imola concluded that the event could not go ahead. read more
Five people have been killed and several are missing after heavy rains caused flooding in Italy's northern Emilia-Romagna region, officials say.
About 5,000 people have been evacuated, and some had to be rescued from roofs by helicopter.
The authorities say 14 rivers have broken their banks, flooding 23 towns. The mayor of Ravenna says his city is now "unrecognisable".
The Emilia-Romagna F1 Grand Prix this weekend has now been cancelled.
Discussions on Wednesday between local authorities and organisers of the race at Imola concluded that the event could not go ahead. read more
Ukraine war: Russia launches ninth wave of missile attacks on Kyiv this month
Ukraine's capital Kyiv has been attacked from the air by Russia for the ninth time this month.
One person has been killed and two more wounded in a missile strike on Odesa, a Black Sea port city in the south west, officials say.
Blasts were also heard in central regions of Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky and Zhytomyr.
Kyiv's military administration said preliminary information indicated all incoming missiles had been destroyed.
This is the ninth time Russia has launched aerial strikes on the city this month. On Tuesday, Ukraine said it had shot down six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles as part of an "exceptionally dense" attack. read more
Ukraine's capital Kyiv has been attacked from the air by Russia for the ninth time this month.
One person has been killed and two more wounded in a missile strike on Odesa, a Black Sea port city in the south west, officials say.
Blasts were also heard in central regions of Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky and Zhytomyr.
Kyiv's military administration said preliminary information indicated all incoming missiles had been destroyed.
This is the ninth time Russia has launched aerial strikes on the city this month. On Tuesday, Ukraine said it had shot down six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles as part of an "exceptionally dense" attack. read more
Italy floods leave 13 dead and force 13,000 from their homes
More than 20 rivers have burst their banks in Italy, leaving 13 people dead and forcing thousands from their homes after six months' rainfall fell in a day and a half.
More bodies were found on Thursday after almost every river flooded between Bologna and the north-east coast 115km (70 miles) away.
Some 280 landslides have taken place.
"It was a very bad 48 hours. Water and mud took over our whole village," said Roberta Lazzarini, 71.
Her home of Botteghino di Zocca, south of Bologna, was hit by a torrent on Wednesday. Streets, houses and gardens were inundated and Roberta said she was still scared. read more
More than 20 rivers have burst their banks in Italy, leaving 13 people dead and forcing thousands from their homes after six months' rainfall fell in a day and a half.
More bodies were found on Thursday after almost every river flooded between Bologna and the north-east coast 115km (70 miles) away.
Some 280 landslides have taken place.
"It was a very bad 48 hours. Water and mud took over our whole village," said Roberta Lazzarini, 71.
Her home of Botteghino di Zocca, south of Bologna, was hit by a torrent on Wednesday. Streets, houses and gardens were inundated and Roberta said she was still scared. read more
Assad to attend first Arab League summit since start of Syria war
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is to attend an Arab League summit for the first time since it was suspended from the regional body 12 years ago.
Mr Assad was shunned by many fellow leaders after his government's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests triggered a civil war in which half a million people have been killed.
Syria was readmitted this month after states which had backed the opposition accepted his grip on power was secure.
They include summit hosts Saudi Arabia.
The rapprochement accelerated following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and north-western Syria in February, when once-hostile powers decided to send humanitarian aid to Syrian government-controlled areas. read more
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is to attend an Arab League summit for the first time since it was suspended from the regional body 12 years ago.
Mr Assad was shunned by many fellow leaders after his government's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests triggered a civil war in which half a million people have been killed.
Syria was readmitted this month after states which had backed the opposition accepted his grip on power was secure.
They include summit hosts Saudi Arabia.
The rapprochement accelerated following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and north-western Syria in February, when once-hostile powers decided to send humanitarian aid to Syrian government-controlled areas. read more
G7 summit: Zelensky to travel to Japan to take part in G7 summit, reports say
Volodymyr Zelensky is planning to join the G7 summit in Japan, reports say, in a bid to secure strengthened support ahead of a planned counter-offensive in the Ukraine war.
The Ukrainian president is expected to arrive in Hiroshima on Sunday, although his office has not confirmed the visit.
On Friday, Mr Zelensky flew to Saudi Arabia to meet leaders of Arab nations.
The G7 summit kicked off on Friday with a renewed condemnation of Russia and an announcement of further sanctions. read more
Volodymyr Zelensky is planning to join the G7 summit in Japan, reports say, in a bid to secure strengthened support ahead of a planned counter-offensive in the Ukraine war.
The Ukrainian president is expected to arrive in Hiroshima on Sunday, although his office has not confirmed the visit.
On Friday, Mr Zelensky flew to Saudi Arabia to meet leaders of Arab nations.
The G7 summit kicked off on Friday with a renewed condemnation of Russia and an announcement of further sanctions. read more
F-16 fighter jets: US lets allies give jets to Ukraine
The US says it will allow its Western allies to supply Ukraine with advanced fighter jets, including American-made F-16s, in a major boost for Kyiv.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden "informed his G7 counterparts" of the decision at the bloc's summit in Japan on Friday.
US troops will also train Kyiv's pilots to use the jets, Mr Sullivan said.
Ukraine has long sought advanced jets and President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the move as a "historic decision".
The US legally has to approve the re-export of equipment purchased by allies and the move will clear the way for other nations to send their existing stocks of F-16s to Ukraine. read more
The US says it will allow its Western allies to supply Ukraine with advanced fighter jets, including American-made F-16s, in a major boost for Kyiv.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden "informed his G7 counterparts" of the decision at the bloc's summit in Japan on Friday.
US troops will also train Kyiv's pilots to use the jets, Mr Sullivan said.
Ukraine has long sought advanced jets and President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the move as a "historic decision".
The US legally has to approve the re-export of equipment purchased by allies and the move will clear the way for other nations to send their existing stocks of F-16s to Ukraine. read more
Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira: Brazilian former official indicted over murders
Police have indicted the former head of Brazil's Indigenous protection agency for his alleged role in the murder of British journalist Dom Phillips.
Police didn't identify the official, named as Marcelo Xavier by state media.
He was accused of "possible malice" for failing to act on information which police believe could have prevented Phillips' death.
Phillips and Brazilian indigenist Bruno Pereira were killed on a reporting trip in the Amazon rainforest last year.
Three men have separately been charged with carrying out the double homicide. read more
Police have indicted the former head of Brazil's Indigenous protection agency for his alleged role in the murder of British journalist Dom Phillips.
Police didn't identify the official, named as Marcelo Xavier by state media.
He was accused of "possible malice" for failing to act on information which police believe could have prevented Phillips' death.
Phillips and Brazilian indigenist Bruno Pereira were killed on a reporting trip in the Amazon rainforest last year.
Three men have separately been charged with carrying out the double homicide. read more
G7 takes stand against China’s “economic coercion”
As the G7 leaders sent a strong message to Russia by inviting Volodymyr Zelensky to Hiroshima, another rival was also on their minds - China.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said China posed "the greatest challenge of our age" in regards to global security and prosperity, and that it was "increasingly authoritarian at home and abroad".
And in not one but two statements, the leaders of the world's richest democracies made clear to Beijing their stance on divisive issues such as the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan. But the most important part of their message centred on what they called "economic coercion".
It's a tricky balancing act for the G7. Through trade their economies have become inextricably dependent on China, but competition with Beijing has increased and they disagree on many issues including human rights.
Now, they worry they are being held hostage. read more
As the G7 leaders sent a strong message to Russia by inviting Volodymyr Zelensky to Hiroshima, another rival was also on their minds - China.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said China posed "the greatest challenge of our age" in regards to global security and prosperity, and that it was "increasingly authoritarian at home and abroad".
And in not one but two statements, the leaders of the world's richest democracies made clear to Beijing their stance on divisive issues such as the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan. But the most important part of their message centred on what they called "economic coercion".
It's a tricky balancing act for the G7. Through trade their economies have become inextricably dependent on China, but competition with Beijing has increased and they disagree on many issues including human rights.
Now, they worry they are being held hostage. read more
Ukraine war: Bakhmut 'not occupied' by Russia, says defiant Zelensky
A defiant Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted Bakhmut "is not occupied" by Russia after a Moscow-backed mercenary group had claimed control.
Ukraine's president was speaking during a scene-stealing visit to Hiroshima, Japan, for the G7 summit.
Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin had earlier claimed victory in Bakhmut.
But Ukrainian military sources told the BBC they still had control of a handful of buildings on the outskirts of the city.
At a press conference on the final day of the summit, Mr Zelensky refused to provide precise details. But he said the city, where the war's longest and bloodiest battle has raged since August, was "not occupied" by Russia "as of today". read more
A defiant Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted Bakhmut "is not occupied" by Russia after a Moscow-backed mercenary group had claimed control.
Ukraine's president was speaking during a scene-stealing visit to Hiroshima, Japan, for the G7 summit.
Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin had earlier claimed victory in Bakhmut.
But Ukrainian military sources told the BBC they still had control of a handful of buildings on the outskirts of the city.
At a press conference on the final day of the summit, Mr Zelensky refused to provide precise details. But he said the city, where the war's longest and bloodiest battle has raged since August, was "not occupied" by Russia "as of today". read more
Greek election: Centre-right Mitsotakis hails big win but wants majority
Greece's conservative prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has won national elections, hailing his party's big victory as a "political earthquake".
His centre-right New Democracy party were heading for almost 41% of the vote, five seats short of a majority.
His centre-left rival Alexis Tsipras congratulated him, with his Syriza party set for a poor result of 20%.
Mr Mitsotakis said the result showed that Greeks had given his party a mandate for a four-year government.
"The people wanted the choice of a Greece run by a majority government and by New Democracy without the help of others," he said in a victory speech. read more
Greece's conservative prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has won national elections, hailing his party's big victory as a "political earthquake".
His centre-right New Democracy party were heading for almost 41% of the vote, five seats short of a majority.
His centre-left rival Alexis Tsipras congratulated him, with his Syriza party set for a poor result of 20%.
Mr Mitsotakis said the result showed that Greeks had given his party a mandate for a four-year government.
"The people wanted the choice of a Greece run by a majority government and by New Democracy without the help of others," he said in a victory speech. read more
US debt ceiling talks described as productive but no deal yet
US President Joe Biden and top Republican Kevin McCarthy have called their latest talks on the debt ceiling productive but no deal has yet been reached.
"I believe we can get a deal done," House Speaker McCarthy told reporters.
While acknowledging areas of disagreement, Mr Biden said "default is off the table".
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has reiterated that the US will likely default on its debt as early as 1 June.
The debt ceiling is a spending limit set by Congress which determines how much money the government can borrow.
Failure to raise it beyond the current cap of roughly $31.4tn (£25.2tn) by June could result in the US defaulting on its debt. read more
US President Joe Biden and top Republican Kevin McCarthy have called their latest talks on the debt ceiling productive but no deal has yet been reached.
"I believe we can get a deal done," House Speaker McCarthy told reporters.
While acknowledging areas of disagreement, Mr Biden said "default is off the table".
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has reiterated that the US will likely default on its debt as early as 1 June.
The debt ceiling is a spending limit set by Congress which determines how much money the government can borrow.
Failure to raise it beyond the current cap of roughly $31.4tn (£25.2tn) by June could result in the US defaulting on its debt. read more
Ukraine war: US distances itself from Belgorod incursion into Russia
The US has distanced itself from an incursion into Russia - which Moscow says ended in the defeat of armed insurgents who entered from Ukraine.
Parts of the border region of Belgorod came under attack on Monday, in one of the largest cross-border raids since Russia invaded its neighbour last year.
Russia later released pictures of abandoned or damaged Western military vehicles, including US-made Humvees.
The US insisted it did not "encourage or enable strikes inside of Russia".
A state department spokesman acknowledged reports "circulating on social media and elsewhere" that US-supplied weapons had been used, but said his country was "sceptical at this time of the veracity of these reports". read more
The US has distanced itself from an incursion into Russia - which Moscow says ended in the defeat of armed insurgents who entered from Ukraine.
Parts of the border region of Belgorod came under attack on Monday, in one of the largest cross-border raids since Russia invaded its neighbour last year.
Russia later released pictures of abandoned or damaged Western military vehicles, including US-made Humvees.
The US insisted it did not "encourage or enable strikes inside of Russia".
A state department spokesman acknowledged reports "circulating on social media and elsewhere" that US-supplied weapons had been used, but said his country was "sceptical at this time of the veracity of these reports". read more
Ron DeSantis Elon Musk interview: Campaign launch hits technical issues
Ron DeSantis's long-awaited entry into the 2024 race for the White House was hit by technical glitches after a Twitter livestream malfunctioned.
It meant the Florida governor's bid for the Republican presidential nomination got under way 20 minutes late.
He went on to use the event to champion his conservative credentials, his anti-lockdown stance and education reforms.
"I am running for president of the United States to lead our great American comeback," he said.
The Florida governor is viewed as former President Donald Trump's chief rival to be their party's candidate in the 2024 general election.
He joins a growing list of contenders seeking to unseat Mr Trump, who leads the Republican field by more than 30 points in national opinion polls. read more
Ron DeSantis's long-awaited entry into the 2024 race for the White House was hit by technical glitches after a Twitter livestream malfunctioned.
It meant the Florida governor's bid for the Republican presidential nomination got under way 20 minutes late.
He went on to use the event to champion his conservative credentials, his anti-lockdown stance and education reforms.
"I am running for president of the United States to lead our great American comeback," he said.
The Florida governor is viewed as former President Donald Trump's chief rival to be their party's candidate in the 2024 general election.
He joins a growing list of contenders seeking to unseat Mr Trump, who leads the Republican field by more than 30 points in national opinion polls. read more
Germany falls into recession as inflation hits economy
Persistent inflation has helped push Germany into recession in the first three months of the year, an upgrade to growth data shows.
Europe's largest economy was also badly affected when Russian gas supplies dried up after the invasion of Ukraine, analysts said.
The economy contracted by 0.3% between January and March, the statistics office said.
That followed a 0.5% contraction in the last three months of last year.
A country is deemed to be in recession when its economy shrinks for two consecutive three-month periods, or quarters. read more
Persistent inflation has helped push Germany into recession in the first three months of the year, an upgrade to growth data shows.
Europe's largest economy was also badly affected when Russian gas supplies dried up after the invasion of Ukraine, analysts said.
The economy contracted by 0.3% between January and March, the statistics office said.
That followed a 0.5% contraction in the last three months of last year.
A country is deemed to be in recession when its economy shrinks for two consecutive three-month periods, or quarters. read more
Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes sentenced to 18 years for Capitol riot
The leader of a far-right militia has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the US Capitol riot.
Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, was convicted on charges of seditious conspiracy and other crimes.
The sentence is the longest yet given to a Capitol rioter. Prosecutors had asked for 25 years.
Meanwhile, Kelly Meggs, the leader of the militia's Florida chapter, was jailed for 12 years.
Rhodes remained outside the Capitol, but co-ordinated with Meggs and other members who stormed the building. read more
The leader of a far-right militia has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the US Capitol riot.
Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, was convicted on charges of seditious conspiracy and other crimes.
The sentence is the longest yet given to a Capitol rioter. Prosecutors had asked for 25 years.
Meanwhile, Kelly Meggs, the leader of the militia's Florida chapter, was jailed for 12 years.
Rhodes remained outside the Capitol, but co-ordinated with Meggs and other members who stormed the building. read more