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
Mitch McConnell freezes for second time during press event
For the second time in just over a month, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze while speaking to reporters.
At a press event in Covington, Kentucky, the 81-year-old paused for more than 30 seconds when asked whether he would run for-re-election in 2026.
Aides attempted to prompt the senator, but it took several more seconds for Mr McConnell to recover.
He then answered two more questions, which had to be repeated by staff.
He made no comments about his health, before leaving with aides. read more
For the second time in just over a month, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze while speaking to reporters.
At a press event in Covington, Kentucky, the 81-year-old paused for more than 30 seconds when asked whether he would run for-re-election in 2026.
Aides attempted to prompt the senator, but it took several more seconds for Mr McConnell to recover.
He then answered two more questions, which had to be repeated by staff.
He made no comments about his health, before leaving with aides. read more
Andrew Tate: Chats in 'War Room' suggest dozens of women groomed
Evidence that dozens of women were groomed into online sex work by members of influencer Andrew Tate's "War Room" group has been uncovered by the BBC.
Leaked internal chat logs identify 45 potential victims between March 2019 and April 2020 but the total number is likely to be higher.
The texts also appear to show the techniques used by War Room members to exploit possible victims.
Mr Tate denies any wrongdoing and says he is prepared to defend his innocence. read more
Evidence that dozens of women were groomed into online sex work by members of influencer Andrew Tate's "War Room" group has been uncovered by the BBC.
Leaked internal chat logs identify 45 potential victims between March 2019 and April 2020 but the total number is likely to be higher.
The texts also appear to show the techniques used by War Room members to exploit possible victims.
Mr Tate denies any wrongdoing and says he is prepared to defend his innocence. read more
Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years for Capitol riot
A leader of the far-right Proud Boys has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, one of the longest sentences yet handed out over the US Capitol riot.
Prosecutors said US Army veteran Joe Biggs, 38, was an "instigator" of the storming of Congress on 6 January 2021.
The former Infowars correspondent was convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges in May.
In court, Biggs pleaded for leniency and expressed remorse for his actions. read more
A leader of the far-right Proud Boys has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, one of the longest sentences yet handed out over the US Capitol riot.
Prosecutors said US Army veteran Joe Biggs, 38, was an "instigator" of the storming of Congress on 6 January 2021.
The former Infowars correspondent was convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges in May.
In court, Biggs pleaded for leniency and expressed remorse for his actions. read more
Berliners rave against the motorway as extension threatens 20 cultural venues
Forget gluing yourself to the road in protest. On Saturday Berliners demonstrated for the climate by blocking a main road with a giant rave.
Smoke machines, glitter balls and drinks stands were set up amid the road signs and traffic lights, as thousands of clubbers, climate activists and local residents turned a kilometre stretch of main road in the eastern Berlin district of Friedrichshain into an outdoor dancefloor.
With the permission of Berlin authorities, local night-clubs blocked the busy road throughout Saturday afternoon and evening, pumping out music from impromptu stages. read more
Forget gluing yourself to the road in protest. On Saturday Berliners demonstrated for the climate by blocking a main road with a giant rave.
Smoke machines, glitter balls and drinks stands were set up amid the road signs and traffic lights, as thousands of clubbers, climate activists and local residents turned a kilometre stretch of main road in the eastern Berlin district of Friedrichshain into an outdoor dancefloor.
With the permission of Berlin authorities, local night-clubs blocked the busy road throughout Saturday afternoon and evening, pumping out music from impromptu stages. read more
Teacher suicide exposes parent bullying in S Korea
On 5 June, Lee Min-so* described in her diary the fear that overtook her body as she entered her classroom to teach: "My chest feels too tight. I feel like I'm going to fall somewhere. I don't even know where I am."
On 3 July the primary school teacher wrote that she had become so overwhelmed by the craziness of work she "wanted to let go".
Two weeks later, the 23-year-old was found dead in her classroom store cupboard by her colleagues. She had taken her own life.
This tragedy has unleashed a wave of anger from primary school teachers across South Korea. read more
On 5 June, Lee Min-so* described in her diary the fear that overtook her body as she entered her classroom to teach: "My chest feels too tight. I feel like I'm going to fall somewhere. I don't even know where I am."
On 3 July the primary school teacher wrote that she had become so overwhelmed by the craziness of work she "wanted to let go".
Two weeks later, the 23-year-old was found dead in her classroom store cupboard by her colleagues. She had taken her own life.
This tragedy has unleashed a wave of anger from primary school teachers across South Korea. read more
Burning Man: Revellers begin to leave as boggy conditions improve
Weather conditions at the Burning Man festival in the US have eased enough to allow revellers to start leaving.
Heavy rain had turned the event, held in a desert in Nevada, into a mud bath.
The ground is now dry enough for vehicles to drive on it without getting stuck, and pictures show campervans driving out of the event.
Some 72,000 people had been stranded at the festival, but organisers say they are ready for a mass exodus from Monday morning, local time. read more
Weather conditions at the Burning Man festival in the US have eased enough to allow revellers to start leaving.
Heavy rain had turned the event, held in a desert in Nevada, into a mud bath.
The ground is now dry enough for vehicles to drive on it without getting stuck, and pictures show campervans driving out of the event.
Some 72,000 people had been stranded at the festival, but organisers say they are ready for a mass exodus from Monday morning, local time. read more