Oleksiy Danilov interview: Ukraine counter-offensive 'ready to begin'
Ukraine is ready to launch its long-expected counter-offensive against Russian forces, one of the country's most senior security officials has told the BBC.
Oleksiy Danilov would not name a date but said an assault to retake territory from President Vladimir Putin's occupying forces could begin "tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week".
He warned that Ukraine's government had "no right to make a mistake" on the decision because this was an "historic opportunity" that "we cannot lose".
As secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Mr Danilov is at the heart of President Volodymyr Zelensky's de facto war cabinet.
His rare interview with the BBC was interrupted by a phone message from President Zelensky summoning him to a meeting to discuss the counter-offensive. read more
Ukraine is ready to launch its long-expected counter-offensive against Russian forces, one of the country's most senior security officials has told the BBC.
Oleksiy Danilov would not name a date but said an assault to retake territory from President Vladimir Putin's occupying forces could begin "tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week".
He warned that Ukraine's government had "no right to make a mistake" on the decision because this was an "historic opportunity" that "we cannot lose".
As secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Mr Danilov is at the heart of President Volodymyr Zelensky's de facto war cabinet.
His rare interview with the BBC was interrupted by a phone message from President Zelensky summoning him to a meeting to discuss the counter-offensive. read more
US debt ceiling: Democrats and Republicans agree deal in principle, Joe Biden says
The White House and the Republicans have agreed in principle to raise the US debt ceiling and avert a default after weeks of bitter negotiations.
The deal still needs to be approved by a divided US Congress.
President Joe Biden described the agreement as a "compromise", while House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said it "has historic reductions in spending".
The US Treasury earlier warned the country would run out of money to pay its bills on 5 June without a deal.
Such a default would upend the US economy and disrupt global markets.
The US must borrow money to fund the government because it spends more than it raises in taxes. read more
The White House and the Republicans have agreed in principle to raise the US debt ceiling and avert a default after weeks of bitter negotiations.
The deal still needs to be approved by a divided US Congress.
President Joe Biden described the agreement as a "compromise", while House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said it "has historic reductions in spending".
The US Treasury earlier warned the country would run out of money to pay its bills on 5 June without a deal.
Such a default would upend the US economy and disrupt global markets.
The US must borrow money to fund the government because it spends more than it raises in taxes. read more
Ukraine war: Kyiv hit by new massive Russian drone attack
Russia has carried out a new massive drone attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv.
Kyiv's mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said a man died when drone wreckage fell near a petrol station. A woman was injured.
Overall, Russia launched a record 54 so-called kamikaze drones on Ukrainian targets, 52 of which were shot down, Ukraine's Air Force reported.
Russia - which launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 - has stepped up its attacks on Kyiv, seeking to overwhelm the capital's defences.
At least two high-rise buildings in different districts of the capital caught fire after being hit by falling drone fragments. read more
Russia has carried out a new massive drone attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv.
Kyiv's mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said a man died when drone wreckage fell near a petrol station. A woman was injured.
Overall, Russia launched a record 54 so-called kamikaze drones on Ukrainian targets, 52 of which were shot down, Ukraine's Air Force reported.
Russia - which launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 - has stepped up its attacks on Kyiv, seeking to overwhelm the capital's defences.
At least two high-rise buildings in different districts of the capital caught fire after being hit by falling drone fragments. read more
Turkish election victory for Erdogan leaves nation divided
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's supporters celebrated well into the night after Turkey's long-time president secured another five years in power.
"The entire nation of 85 million won," he told cheering crowds outside his enormous palace on the edge of Ankara.
But his call for unity sounded hollow as he ridiculed his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu - and took aim at a jailed Kurdish leader and pro-LGBT policies.
The opposition leader did not explicitly concede victory.
Complaining of "the most unfair election in recent years", Mr Kilicdaroglu said the president's political party had mobilised all the means of the state against him. read more
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's supporters celebrated well into the night after Turkey's long-time president secured another five years in power.
"The entire nation of 85 million won," he told cheering crowds outside his enormous palace on the edge of Ankara.
But his call for unity sounded hollow as he ridiculed his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu - and took aim at a jailed Kurdish leader and pro-LGBT policies.
The opposition leader did not explicitly concede victory.
Complaining of "the most unfair election in recent years", Mr Kilicdaroglu said the president's political party had mobilised all the means of the state against him. read more
Uganda's President Museveni approves tough new anti-gay law
Uganda's progress in tackling HIV is in "grave jeopardy" after the president approved tough new anti-homosexuality legislation, the UN and US have warned.
An increasing number of people are being discouraged from seeking vital health services for fear of attacks and punishment, they added.
President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law after parliament watered it down.
It is still among the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world.
Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda but now anyone convicted faces life imprisonment. read more
Uganda's progress in tackling HIV is in "grave jeopardy" after the president approved tough new anti-homosexuality legislation, the UN and US have warned.
An increasing number of people are being discouraged from seeking vital health services for fear of attacks and punishment, they added.
President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law after parliament watered it down.
It is still among the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world.
Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda but now anyone convicted faces life imprisonment. read more
Lula welcomes back banned Venezuelan leader Maduro
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has visited Brazil for the first time since he was banned by former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in 2019.
Mr Maduro was received by the new president, fellow leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, ahead of a summit of Latin American leaders in Brasilia.
"What's important about Maduro coming here is that it's the beginning of Maduro's return," Lula said.
Mr Maduro talked of a "new era" in bilateral relations.
Lula said the region should tackle poverty.
A number of countries question the legitimacy of Mr Maduro, who is described by opponents as a dictator. read more
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has visited Brazil for the first time since he was banned by former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in 2019.
Mr Maduro was received by the new president, fellow leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, ahead of a summit of Latin American leaders in Brasilia.
"What's important about Maduro coming here is that it's the beginning of Maduro's return," Lula said.
Mr Maduro talked of a "new era" in bilateral relations.
Lula said the region should tackle poverty.
A number of countries question the legitimacy of Mr Maduro, who is described by opponents as a dictator. read more
Elon Musk: Tesla boss on first China trip in over three years
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk is in China, on his first trip to the world's second largest economy in over three years.
He arrived in Beijing on Tuesday and is also expected to visit Tesla's huge manufacturing plant in Shanghai.
The multi-billionaire met China's foreign minister Qin Gang within hours of arriving in the country.
Mr Musk has not yet publicly commented on the trip, which comes amid tensions between the US and China.
He also declined to make any comments about his plans for the trip when asked by reporters as he left a hotel in Beijing on Wednesday. read more
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk is in China, on his first trip to the world's second largest economy in over three years.
He arrived in Beijing on Tuesday and is also expected to visit Tesla's huge manufacturing plant in Shanghai.
The multi-billionaire met China's foreign minister Qin Gang within hours of arriving in the country.
Mr Musk has not yet publicly commented on the trip, which comes amid tensions between the US and China.
He also declined to make any comments about his plans for the trip when asked by reporters as he left a hotel in Beijing on Wednesday. read more
UFOs: What we learned from Nasa's public meeting
A Nasa panel investigating unidentified flying objects has collected around 800 mysterious reports - but only a small fraction are truly unexplained, researchers say.
The agency set up the panel last year to explain its work on what it calls unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP).
UAP are defined as sightings "that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective".
The panel, which will issue a report later this year, held its first public meeting on Wednesday. read more
A Nasa panel investigating unidentified flying objects has collected around 800 mysterious reports - but only a small fraction are truly unexplained, researchers say.
The agency set up the panel last year to explain its work on what it calls unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP).
UAP are defined as sightings "that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective".
The panel, which will issue a report later this year, held its first public meeting on Wednesday. read more
Ben Roberts-Smith: Top Australian soldier loses war crimes defamation case
Australia's most-decorated living soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has lost a historic defamation case against three newspapers that accused him of war crimes in Afghanistan.
The outlets were sued over articles alleging he killed unarmed prisoners.
The civil trial was the first time a court has assessed accusations of war crimes by Australian forces.
A judge said four of the six murder allegations - all denied by the soldier - were substantially true. read more
Australia's most-decorated living soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has lost a historic defamation case against three newspapers that accused him of war crimes in Afghanistan.
The outlets were sued over articles alleging he killed unarmed prisoners.
The civil trial was the first time a court has assessed accusations of war crimes by Australian forces.
A judge said four of the six murder allegations - all denied by the soldier - were substantially true. read more
Congress approves debt deal, averting a US default
The US Congress has approved a deal to lift the country's borrowing limit, days before the world's largest economy is due to default on its debt.
The bipartisan measure sped through the Senate by a vote of 63-36, a day after it cleared the US House of Representatives.
President Joe Biden has said he will enact the measure into law.
His signature on the bill will spare the US from a catastrophic default on its $31.4tn (£25tn) debt.
The country is forecast to overshoot its current debt ceiling on Monday 5 June. read more
The US Congress has approved a deal to lift the country's borrowing limit, days before the world's largest economy is due to default on its debt.
The bipartisan measure sped through the Senate by a vote of 63-36, a day after it cleared the US House of Representatives.
President Joe Biden has said he will enact the measure into law.
His signature on the bill will spare the US from a catastrophic default on its $31.4tn (£25tn) debt.
The country is forecast to overshoot its current debt ceiling on Monday 5 June. read more
India train crash: More than 230 dead after Odisha incident
At least 233 people are now known to have been killed and 900 injured in a multiple train collision in India's eastern Odisha state, officials say.
More than 200 ambulances were sent to the scene in Balasore district, says Odisha's chief secretary Pradeep Jena.
One passenger train is thought to have derailed before being struck by another on the adjacent track late on Friday.
It is India's worst train crash this century. Officials say the death toll is expected to rise further.
Indian Railways said the two services involved were the Coromandel Express and the Howrah Superfast Express. read more
At least 233 people are now known to have been killed and 900 injured in a multiple train collision in India's eastern Odisha state, officials say.
More than 200 ambulances were sent to the scene in Balasore district, says Odisha's chief secretary Pradeep Jena.
One passenger train is thought to have derailed before being struck by another on the adjacent track late on Friday.
It is India's worst train crash this century. Officials say the death toll is expected to rise further.
Indian Railways said the two services involved were the Coromandel Express and the Howrah Superfast Express. read more
India train accident: Modi vows punishments over deadly Odisha crash
People found guilty over a deadly rail accident in eastern India will be "punished stringently", the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.
At least 288 people were killed and more than 800 injured in Friday's incident in Odisha state, involving two passenger trains and a goods train.
Rescue efforts have concluded, with officials saying all trapped and injured passengers have been retrieved.
Mr Modi has visited the scene, labelling the incident a "painful" one.
He also met victims of the disaster in hospital, and vowed that his government would leave "no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured". read more
People found guilty over a deadly rail accident in eastern India will be "punished stringently", the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.
At least 288 people were killed and more than 800 injured in Friday's incident in Odisha state, involving two passenger trains and a goods train.
Rescue efforts have concluded, with officials saying all trapped and injured passengers have been retrieved.
Mr Modi has visited the scene, labelling the incident a "painful" one.
He also met victims of the disaster in hospital, and vowed that his government would leave "no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured". read more
Odisha train crash: Why do trains in India go off tracks?
There are many unanswered questions on what exactly led to a deadly multiple train collision in India on Friday evening that killed at least 288 people and injured more than 800.
Two express passenger trains and a freight train were involved in a "three-way accident" near a small station in eastern state of Odisha, according to reports. One of them collided with the stationary freight train, and its coaches flipped over to a third track, causing an incoming train to derail. A preliminary report indicates that the accident was the result of signal failure.
Only a comprehensive inquiry will help uncover the truth behind the incident. Yet it has once again ignited fresh concerns regarding railway safety in India. read more
There are many unanswered questions on what exactly led to a deadly multiple train collision in India on Friday evening that killed at least 288 people and injured more than 800.
Two express passenger trains and a freight train were involved in a "three-way accident" near a small station in eastern state of Odisha, according to reports. One of them collided with the stationary freight train, and its coaches flipped over to a third track, causing an incoming train to derail. A preliminary report indicates that the accident was the result of signal failure.
Only a comprehensive inquiry will help uncover the truth behind the incident. Yet it has once again ignited fresh concerns regarding railway safety in India. read more
Sonic boom as US fighter jets intercept plane that later crashed
US fighter jets scrambled at supersonic speed to intercept an unresponsive plane as it flew over Washington DC on Sunday.
The F-16 jets caused a loud sonic boom that was heard around the region, prompting concern from some residents.
They were deployed after the plane entered some of the most heavily restricted airspace in the country and failed to respond to the authorities.
It then crashed in a rural area of Virginia after a rapid descent.
Police and rescuers reached the wreckage near the George Washington National Forest by foot hours later and said no survivors had been found. Four people were reportedly on board. read more
US fighter jets scrambled at supersonic speed to intercept an unresponsive plane as it flew over Washington DC on Sunday.
The F-16 jets caused a loud sonic boom that was heard around the region, prompting concern from some residents.
They were deployed after the plane entered some of the most heavily restricted airspace in the country and failed to respond to the authorities.
It then crashed in a rural area of Virginia after a rapid descent.
Police and rescuers reached the wreckage near the George Washington National Forest by foot hours later and said no survivors had been found. Four people were reportedly on board. read more
Russia has blown up major Ukrainian dam, says Kyiv
- Ukraine's military has accused Russian forces of blowing up a major dam in the Moscow-seized region of Kherson in the south of the country
- There are fears that thousands of houses downstream may now be flooded
- A Russian-installed local official said only the plant's upper was destroyed by shelling - but not the dam itself.
- Neither claims have been verified by the BBC
- Ukraine has been planning a counter-offensive for months and has been training troops while receiving Western equipment read more
- Ukraine's military has accused Russian forces of blowing up a major dam in the Moscow-seized region of Kherson in the south of the country
- There are fears that thousands of houses downstream may now be flooded
- A Russian-installed local official said only the plant's upper was destroyed by shelling - but not the dam itself.
- Neither claims have been verified by the BBC
- Ukraine has been planning a counter-offensive for months and has been training troops while receiving Western equipment read more
Odisha train accident: More than 80 bodies unidentified after India train crash
Five days after a deadly three-train crash killed 288 people in India, more than 80 bodies remain unclaimed.
The crash on Friday evening in the state of Odisha involved two passenger trains and a stationary goods train.
More than 1,000 injured were taken to hospitals for treatment. Many families say they are still looking for loved ones.
The deadly collision is India's worst rail accident this century.
On Tuesday, Odisha's chief secretary Pradeep Jen said the official death toll rose to 288 from the previous figure of 275 while 83 bodies remained unidentified. read more
Five days after a deadly three-train crash killed 288 people in India, more than 80 bodies remain unclaimed.
The crash on Friday evening in the state of Odisha involved two passenger trains and a stationary goods train.
More than 1,000 injured were taken to hospitals for treatment. Many families say they are still looking for loved ones.
The deadly collision is India's worst rail accident this century.
On Tuesday, Odisha's chief secretary Pradeep Jen said the official death toll rose to 288 from the previous figure of 275 while 83 bodies remained unidentified. read more
Ukraine dam: Thousands flee floods after dam collapse near Nova Kakhovka
Thousands of people are being evacuated downstream of a major dam which has collapsed in Russian-held Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said 80 towns and villages may be flooded after the destruction of the dam at Nova Kakhovka, which he blamed on Russia.
Water is surging down the Dnipro river, and is said to pose a catastrophic flooding risk to the city of Kherson.
Russia has denied destroying the dam - which it controls - instead blaming Ukrainian shelling.
Neither Ukraine nor Russia's claim has been verified by the BBC.
The Kakhovka dam, downstream from the huge Kakhovka reservoir, is crucial to the region. read more
Thousands of people are being evacuated downstream of a major dam which has collapsed in Russian-held Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said 80 towns and villages may be flooded after the destruction of the dam at Nova Kakhovka, which he blamed on Russia.
Water is surging down the Dnipro river, and is said to pose a catastrophic flooding risk to the city of Kherson.
Russia has denied destroying the dam - which it controls - instead blaming Ukrainian shelling.
Neither Ukraine nor Russia's claim has been verified by the BBC.
The Kakhovka dam, downstream from the huge Kakhovka reservoir, is crucial to the region. read more
Pope Francis, 86, to have abdominal surgery
Pope Francis will have surgery on his abdomen on Wednesday afternoon at Rome's Gemelli hospital.
He is expected to stay in hospital for "several days" to recover from the hernia operation, the Vatican said.
The hernia is "causing recurrent, painful and worsening" symptoms, added Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.
The 86-year-old has faced a series of health issues in recent years, and uses a cane and a wheelchair due to a persistent knee ailment.
In a statement, the Vatican said the pontiff's medical team had decided in recent days that surgery was needed. read more
Pope Francis will have surgery on his abdomen on Wednesday afternoon at Rome's Gemelli hospital.
He is expected to stay in hospital for "several days" to recover from the hernia operation, the Vatican said.
The hernia is "causing recurrent, painful and worsening" symptoms, added Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.
The 86-year-old has faced a series of health issues in recent years, and uses a cane and a wheelchair due to a persistent knee ailment.
In a statement, the Vatican said the pontiff's medical team had decided in recent days that surgery was needed. read more
Lily Naing Kyaw: Killing of Myanmar singer unnerves pro-military celebrities
Myanmar singer Lily Naing Kyaw died in a Yangon hospital a week after being shot in the head - allegedly by gunmen opposed to the military she championed.
Her death has not only shocked military supporters but also celebrities working with the pro-military media.
The 58-year-old was close to top junta leaders who seized power in 2021, plunging the country into war - she was also accused of being their informant.
Two men have been arrested and accused of her killing.
They are said to belong to an urban guerrilla group opposed to the military. Within hours of their arrest, two relatives of one of the men had been killed in apparent retribution. read more
Myanmar singer Lily Naing Kyaw died in a Yangon hospital a week after being shot in the head - allegedly by gunmen opposed to the military she championed.
Her death has not only shocked military supporters but also celebrities working with the pro-military media.
The 58-year-old was close to top junta leaders who seized power in 2021, plunging the country into war - she was also accused of being their informant.
Two men have been arrested and accused of her killing.
They are said to belong to an urban guerrilla group opposed to the military. Within hours of their arrest, two relatives of one of the men had been killed in apparent retribution. read more
France stabbing: Children attacked by knifeman in Annecy playground
Four young children have been stabbed in a park near Lake Annecy, in France's south-east.
Police overpowered and arrested the attacker, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said.
Authorities said the children were aged three or younger and were in a critical condition.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that one of the injured children was a British national. One of the other children is Dutch.
Police have confirmed that the suspect is a 31-year-old Syrian, who had refugee status in Sweden. read more
Four young children have been stabbed in a park near Lake Annecy, in France's south-east.
Police overpowered and arrested the attacker, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said.
Authorities said the children were aged three or younger and were in a critical condition.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that one of the injured children was a British national. One of the other children is Dutch.
Police have confirmed that the suspect is a 31-year-old Syrian, who had refugee status in Sweden. read more
Donald Trump indicted over classified documents case
Former US President Donald Trump has been charged over his handling of classified documents after he left the White House.
Mr Trump, 76, faces seven charges including unauthorised retention of classified files, US media reported. The charges are not yet public.
It is the second indictment of Mr Trump and the first ever federal indictment of a former president.
He is campaigning to make a return to the White House in 2024.
Legal experts say the indictment will not limit Mr Trump's ability to run for the presidency again. read more
Former US President Donald Trump has been charged over his handling of classified documents after he left the White House.
Mr Trump, 76, faces seven charges including unauthorised retention of classified files, US media reported. The charges are not yet public.
It is the second indictment of Mr Trump and the first ever federal indictment of a former president.
He is campaigning to make a return to the White House in 2024.
Legal experts say the indictment will not limit Mr Trump's ability to run for the presidency again. read more