Niger coup: US envoy holds 'difficult' talks with junta
A senior US official has held face-to-face talks with Niger's military leaders following last month's coup.
Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said the conversations had been "extremely frank and at times quite difficult".
Washington has said the coup can still be ended diplomatically and President Mohamed Bazoum reinstated, but has suspended aid payments in the meantime.
West African countries are set to meet on Thursday to discuss the crisis. read more
A senior US official has held face-to-face talks with Niger's military leaders following last month's coup.
Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said the conversations had been "extremely frank and at times quite difficult".
Washington has said the coup can still be ended diplomatically and President Mohamed Bazoum reinstated, but has suspended aid payments in the meantime.
West African countries are set to meet on Thursday to discuss the crisis. read more
Amazon nations fall short of agreed goal to end deforestation
The eight countries that share the Amazon basin have fallen short of an agreed goal to end deforestation.
Delegates from the countries are meeting in the Brazilian city of Belém for a two-day summit on the issue, the first such gathering in 14 years.
A joint declaration on Tuesday created an alliance to combat deforestation, but left each country to pursue its own conservation goals.
Preserving the Amazon is a central part of efforts to tackle climate change. read more
The eight countries that share the Amazon basin have fallen short of an agreed goal to end deforestation.
Delegates from the countries are meeting in the Brazilian city of Belém for a two-day summit on the issue, the first such gathering in 14 years.
A joint declaration on Tuesday created an alliance to combat deforestation, but left each country to pursue its own conservation goals.
Preserving the Amazon is a central part of efforts to tackle climate change. read more
Hawaii wildfires burn historic town of Lahaina 'to the ground'
Raging wildfires fanned by hurricane winds have devastated the historic town of Lahaina on Hawaii's island of Maui.
Brian Schatz, a US senator from the state, said on social media that Lahaina is "almost totally burnt to the ground".
At least six people were killed in Maui County, officials said on Wednesday.
Maui's hospital system has been overwhelmed with burn patients and people suffering from smoke inhalation.
"Firefighters are still trying to get the fires under control, and our first responders are in search and rescue mode," Mr Schatz said. read more
Raging wildfires fanned by hurricane winds have devastated the historic town of Lahaina on Hawaii's island of Maui.
Brian Schatz, a US senator from the state, said on social media that Lahaina is "almost totally burnt to the ground".
At least six people were killed in Maui County, officials said on Wednesday.
Maui's hospital system has been overwhelmed with burn patients and people suffering from smoke inhalation.
"Firefighters are still trying to get the fires under control, and our first responders are in search and rescue mode," Mr Schatz said. read more
Hawaii fires deadliest natural disaster in state history
The Hawaii wildfires have reached a grim milestone as the death toll rose to 67, making it the deadliest natural disaster in the state's history.
Hundreds more have been reported missing and the toll may still rise.
It comes as some Lahaina residents are being allowed to briefly return home on Friday to take stock of the damage to their fire-ravaged town.
They returned amid warnings they would be greeted by "destruction like they've not ever seen in their lives". read more
The Hawaii wildfires have reached a grim milestone as the death toll rose to 67, making it the deadliest natural disaster in the state's history.
Hundreds more have been reported missing and the toll may still rise.
It comes as some Lahaina residents are being allowed to briefly return home on Friday to take stock of the damage to their fire-ravaged town.
They returned amid warnings they would be greeted by "destruction like they've not ever seen in their lives". read more
Hawaii wildfires: Crews may find 10 to 20 wildfire victims a day - governor
Recovery crews combing through homes and vehicles burned to a cinder in Hawaii are likely to find 10 to 20 more victims per day, the governor has warned.
The death toll grew to 96 on Sunday, making this the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century.
Governor Josh Green told CBS News it could take up to 10 days to learn the full death toll.
The number of missing now stands at around 1,300, he said. read more
Recovery crews combing through homes and vehicles burned to a cinder in Hawaii are likely to find 10 to 20 more victims per day, the governor has warned.
The death toll grew to 96 on Sunday, making this the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century.
Governor Josh Green told CBS News it could take up to 10 days to learn the full death toll.
The number of missing now stands at around 1,300, he said. read more
Hawaii wildfires: Joe Biden vows to visit soon amid criticism
US President Joe Biden says he will travel to Hawaii "as soon as he can" amid criticism of his response to the island's deadly wildfires.
Speaking in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Mr Biden said he wanted to ensure that the people in the state had "everything they need".
The death toll from the fires is now 101 with some 1,300 people missing.
Hawaii residents have complained about the pace of the federal government's response to the disaster.
While at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, over the weekend, Mr Biden was asked by a reporter about the rising death toll in Hawaii, and responded: "No comment." read more
US President Joe Biden says he will travel to Hawaii "as soon as he can" amid criticism of his response to the island's deadly wildfires.
Speaking in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Mr Biden said he wanted to ensure that the people in the state had "everything they need".
The death toll from the fires is now 101 with some 1,300 people missing.
Hawaii residents have complained about the pace of the federal government's response to the disaster.
While at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, over the weekend, Mr Biden was asked by a reporter about the rising death toll in Hawaii, and responded: "No comment." read more
Britney Spears' husband Sam Asghari says their marriage is over
Britney Spears' husband Sam Asghari has said the pair have decided to end their "journey together" after 14 months of marriage.
A divorce petition filed on Wednesday and seen by BBC News cited "irreconcilable differences" between Mr Asghari, 29, and Ms Spears, 41.
The couple got engaged in September 2021 and were married in a small but star-studded ceremony in June 2022.
Rumours of their marital struggles were reported in US tabloids this year. read more
Britney Spears' husband Sam Asghari has said the pair have decided to end their "journey together" after 14 months of marriage.
A divorce petition filed on Wednesday and seen by BBC News cited "irreconcilable differences" between Mr Asghari, 29, and Ms Spears, 41.
The couple got engaged in September 2021 and were married in a small but star-studded ceremony in June 2022.
Rumours of their marital struggles were reported in US tabloids this year. read more
Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: Deaths from starvation after aid halted - official
At least 1,400 people have starved to death in Ethiopia's northern Tigray since food aid was suspended because it was being stolen, an official has said.
The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) and the US's leading aid agency halted food aid to Tigray about four months ago.
A subsequent investigation by Tigrayan authorities found that almost 500 people were involved in the theft, the official told the BBC.
Tigray was hit by a brutal conflict in 2020, causing famine-like conditions. read more
At least 1,400 people have starved to death in Ethiopia's northern Tigray since food aid was suspended because it was being stolen, an official has said.
The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) and the US's leading aid agency halted food aid to Tigray about four months ago.
A subsequent investigation by Tigrayan authorities found that almost 500 people were involved in the theft, the official told the BBC.
Tigray was hit by a brutal conflict in 2020, causing famine-like conditions. read more
Canada wildfires: British Columbia province declares emergency
A state of emergency has been declared in Canada's western British Columbia province, as a fast-moving wildfire threatens to destroy more homes in the area around the city of West Kelowna.
Premier David Eby warned that "the situation has evolved rapidly and we are in for an extremely challenging situation in the days ahead".
The McDougall Creek wildfire has grown from 64 to 6,800 hectares in 24 hours.
Some 4,800 people are now under evacuation orders. read more
A state of emergency has been declared in Canada's western British Columbia province, as a fast-moving wildfire threatens to destroy more homes in the area around the city of West Kelowna.
Premier David Eby warned that "the situation has evolved rapidly and we are in for an extremely challenging situation in the days ahead".
The McDougall Creek wildfire has grown from 64 to 6,800 hectares in 24 hours.
Some 4,800 people are now under evacuation orders. read more
Chandrayaan-3: India's lunar lander Vikram searches for safe Moon landing spot
India's space agency has released images of the far side of the Moon as its third lunar mission attempts to locate a safe landing spot on the little-explored south pole.
The pictures have been taken by Vikram, Chandrayaan-3's lander, which began the last phase of its mission on Thursday.
Vikram, which carries a rover in its belly, is due to land on 23 August.
The photos come a day after Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft crashed into the Moon after spinning out of control. read more
India's space agency has released images of the far side of the Moon as its third lunar mission attempts to locate a safe landing spot on the little-explored south pole.
The pictures have been taken by Vikram, Chandrayaan-3's lander, which began the last phase of its mission on Thursday.
Vikram, which carries a rover in its belly, is due to land on 23 August.
The photos come a day after Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft crashed into the Moon after spinning out of control. read more
Ukrainian drone destroys Russian supersonic bomber
A flagship Russian long-range bomber has been destroyed in a Ukrainian drone strike, according to reports.
Images posted on social media and analysed by BBC Verify show a Tupolev Tu-22 on fire at Soltsy-2 airbase, south of St Petersburg.
Moscow said that a drone was hit by small-arms fire but managed to "damage" a plane. Ukraine has not commented.
Later, Russian air defence downed two attack drones over the Moscow region, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.
Defence officials said two other drones were intercepted over the Bryansk region, north-east of the Ukrainian border. read more
A flagship Russian long-range bomber has been destroyed in a Ukrainian drone strike, according to reports.
Images posted on social media and analysed by BBC Verify show a Tupolev Tu-22 on fire at Soltsy-2 airbase, south of St Petersburg.
Moscow said that a drone was hit by small-arms fire but managed to "damage" a plane. Ukraine has not commented.
Later, Russian air defence downed two attack drones over the Moscow region, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.
Defence officials said two other drones were intercepted over the Bryansk region, north-east of the Ukrainian border. read more
Chandrayaan-3: India's Moon lander Vikram aims for historic lunar south pole landing
India is looking to make history on Wednesday with its third lunar mission set to land on the Moon.
If Chandrayaan-3 is successful, India will be the first country to land near the Moon's little-explored south pole.
One of its major goals is to hunt for water-based ice, which scientists say could support human habitation on the Moon in future.
India's attempt comes just days after Russia's Luna-25 crashed while trying to touch down in the same region.
If successful, it will also be only the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon - the US, the former Soviet Union and China have all landed near the equator. read more
India is looking to make history on Wednesday with its third lunar mission set to land on the Moon.
If Chandrayaan-3 is successful, India will be the first country to land near the Moon's little-explored south pole.
One of its major goals is to hunt for water-based ice, which scientists say could support human habitation on the Moon in future.
India's attempt comes just days after Russia's Luna-25 crashed while trying to touch down in the same region.
If successful, it will also be only the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon - the US, the former Soviet Union and China have all landed near the equator. read more
At least 17 dead in India railway bridge collapse
At least 17 people have been killed and more are feared missing after a railway bridge under construction collapsed in north-eastern India, officials said.
The incident occurred near the town of Sairang, in the state of Mizoram.
Up to 40 workers were at the site when part of the bridge toppled, according to local media reports.
The cause of the bridge's collapse is not yet clear. The state-run railway authority has opened an investigation into the incident. read more
At least 17 people have been killed and more are feared missing after a railway bridge under construction collapsed in north-eastern India, officials said.
The incident occurred near the town of Sairang, in the state of Mizoram.
Up to 40 workers were at the site when part of the bridge toppled, according to local media reports.
The cause of the bridge's collapse is not yet clear. The state-run railway authority has opened an investigation into the incident. read more
Yevgeny Prigozhin: Wagner defied Putin and now its leader may be dead
When Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner troops launched their insurrection two months ago, Vladimir Putin made his feelings more than clear. He called it "treachery" and a "stab in the back" of Russia. He promised that the perpetrators would be punished.
So there was incredulity in Russia when they were not. When a deal was cut between Mr Prigozhin and the Kremlin to end the mutiny; when all the charges against the Wagner founder and his fighters were dropped, despite the fact that Russian servicemen had been killed during the murky but brief insurrection.
It made President Putin look weak. read more
When Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner troops launched their insurrection two months ago, Vladimir Putin made his feelings more than clear. He called it "treachery" and a "stab in the back" of Russia. He promised that the perpetrators would be punished.
So there was incredulity in Russia when they were not. When a deal was cut between Mr Prigozhin and the Kremlin to end the mutiny; when all the charges against the Wagner founder and his fighters were dropped, despite the fact that Russian servicemen had been killed during the murky but brief insurrection.
It made President Putin look weak. read more
Nîmes shootings: Two killings in three days in small French city
An 18-year-old has been shot dead in the southern French city of Nîmes, days after a boy aged 10 was killed by gunfire in an attack linked to the drugs trade.
Both shootings took place in the Pissevin area of the city which has become plagued by drug violence.
The first victim, called Fayed, was fatally shot on Monday night while he was in a car with his uncle.
In the latest attack. the teenage victim was ambushed a few streets away. read more
An 18-year-old has been shot dead in the southern French city of Nîmes, days after a boy aged 10 was killed by gunfire in an attack linked to the drugs trade.
Both shootings took place in the Pissevin area of the city which has become plagued by drug violence.
The first victim, called Fayed, was fatally shot on Monday night while he was in a car with his uncle.
In the latest attack. the teenage victim was ambushed a few streets away. read more
Putin breaks silence over Prigozhin's reported death
Vladimir Putin has broken his silence over Yevgeny Prigozhin's reported death - some 24 hours after the Wagner chief's private jet crashed.
Russia's president said the head of the mercenary group was a "talented person" who "made serious mistakes in life".
Mr Putin also sent condolences to the families of all 10 people said to be on board the plane that went down north-west of Moscow on Wednesday evening.
However, he stopped short of explicitly confirming Prigozhin's death. read more
Vladimir Putin has broken his silence over Yevgeny Prigozhin's reported death - some 24 hours after the Wagner chief's private jet crashed.
Russia's president said the head of the mercenary group was a "talented person" who "made serious mistakes in life".
Mr Putin also sent condolences to the families of all 10 people said to be on board the plane that went down north-west of Moscow on Wednesday evening.
However, he stopped short of explicitly confirming Prigozhin's death. read more
Historic Trump mugshot released after arrest in Atlanta, Georgia
Donald Trump has surrendered in Georgia on charges of plotting to overturn the state's 2020 election results in an arrest that saw the first ever mugshot of a former US president.
Mr Trump had to pay a bail bond of $200,000 (£160,000) to be released from the Atlanta jail while he awaits trial.
Afterwards, he described the case as "a travesty of justice".
It was his fourth arrest in five months in a criminal case, but this was his first police booking photo. read more
Donald Trump has surrendered in Georgia on charges of plotting to overturn the state's 2020 election results in an arrest that saw the first ever mugshot of a former US president.
Mr Trump had to pay a bail bond of $200,000 (£160,000) to be released from the Atlanta jail while he awaits trial.
Afterwards, he described the case as "a travesty of justice".
It was his fourth arrest in five months in a criminal case, but this was his first police booking photo. read more
France to spend €200m destroying wine as demand falls
The French government is allocating €200m (£171.6m) to destroy surplus wine and support producers.
It comes amid a cocktail of problems for the industry, including a falling demand for wine as more people drink craft beer.
Overproduction and the cost of living crisis are also hitting the industry.
Most of the €200m will be used to buy excess stock, with the alcohol sold for use in items such as hand sanitiser, cleaning products and perfume.
In a bid to cut back on the overproduction, money will also be available for winegrowers to change to other products, such as olives. read more
The French government is allocating €200m (£171.6m) to destroy surplus wine and support producers.
It comes amid a cocktail of problems for the industry, including a falling demand for wine as more people drink craft beer.
Overproduction and the cost of living crisis are also hitting the industry.
Most of the €200m will be used to buy excess stock, with the alcohol sold for use in items such as hand sanitiser, cleaning products and perfume.
In a bid to cut back on the overproduction, money will also be available for winegrowers to change to other products, such as olives. read more
Jacksonville shooting: Racist gunman kills three black people in Florida store
A gunman killed three black people in a racially motivated attack then killed himself in Jacksonville, Florida, the city's sheriff said.
The man, described as white and in his early 20s, entered a Dollar General store and opened fire, triggering a standoff with police.
Sheriff T K Waters said two men and a woman were killed by the gunman, who wore body armour and left manifestos.
Mayor Donna Deegan said it was a "hate-filled crime" driven by racist hatred. read more
A gunman killed three black people in a racially motivated attack then killed himself in Jacksonville, Florida, the city's sheriff said.
The man, described as white and in his early 20s, entered a Dollar General store and opened fire, triggering a standoff with police.
Sheriff T K Waters said two men and a woman were killed by the gunman, who wore body armour and left manifestos.
Mayor Donna Deegan said it was a "hate-filled crime" driven by racist hatred. read more
Jacksonville shooter, 21, who killed three 'wrote racist manifestos'
A man who shot dead three people in a racially motivated attack in Florida wrote of his hatred of Black people, police have said.
Twenty-one year old Ryan Christopher Palmeter fired eleven rounds at one woman sitting in her car in Jacksonville, before entering a shop and shooting another two people.
Sheriff T K Waters said he then turned the gun on himself.
Mayor Donna Deegan said it was a "hate-filled crime" driven by racist hatred. read more
A man who shot dead three people in a racially motivated attack in Florida wrote of his hatred of Black people, police have said.
Twenty-one year old Ryan Christopher Palmeter fired eleven rounds at one woman sitting in her car in Jacksonville, before entering a shop and shooting another two people.
Sheriff T K Waters said he then turned the gun on himself.
Mayor Donna Deegan said it was a "hate-filled crime" driven by racist hatred. read more
Ukraine war: 'Drone attack' on airport damages Russian transport planes
A drone attack on an airport in the north-western Russian city of Pskov has damaged two military transport planes, Russian news agencies are reporting.
The Ilyushin 76 transport planes caught fire in the attack, the reports say.
The local governor said earlier the military was repelling an attack. He uploaded video showing a large fire while an explosion could also be heard.
Pskov is more than 600km (372 miles) away from Ukraine, close to the border with Estonia.
Ukraine has not said it was involved in the latest attack but it rarely comments on attacks inside Russia. read more
A drone attack on an airport in the north-western Russian city of Pskov has damaged two military transport planes, Russian news agencies are reporting.
The Ilyushin 76 transport planes caught fire in the attack, the reports say.
The local governor said earlier the military was repelling an attack. He uploaded video showing a large fire while an explosion could also be heard.
Pskov is more than 600km (372 miles) away from Ukraine, close to the border with Estonia.
Ukraine has not said it was involved in the latest attack but it rarely comments on attacks inside Russia. read more