Elon Musk's SpaceX firm set to fly giant Starship rocket system
The most powerful rocket ever developed is about to attempt a maiden launch.
The vehicle, known as Starship, has been built by the American entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX company.
It stands almost 120m (400ft) high and is designed to have almost double the thrust of any rocket in history.
Monday's uncrewed demonstration will lift off from Boca Chica in Texas. The aim is to send the upper-stage of the vehicle eastward, to complete almost one circuit of the globe. read more
The most powerful rocket ever developed is about to attempt a maiden launch.
The vehicle, known as Starship, has been built by the American entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX company.
It stands almost 120m (400ft) high and is designed to have almost double the thrust of any rocket in history.
Monday's uncrewed demonstration will lift off from Boca Chica in Texas. The aim is to send the upper-stage of the vehicle eastward, to complete almost one circuit of the globe. read more
SpaceX halts Starship launch at last minute
- Elon Musk's company SpaceX postpones the debut launch of the most powerful rocket ever built
- The entrepreneur says a frozen valve meant the giant rocket could not take off as planned, but they will try again in a few days
- The vehicle is being put to the test in the belief it could eventually usher in an era of interplanetary travel
- Thousands of people had gathered on beaches along the Gulf of Mexico hoping to witness the spectacle
- When it does eventually take off, the planned test flight should fly most of the way around the Earth and splash down in Hawaii
- Ahead of the launch Musk said he wanted to lower expectations, and said afterwards that the team had learned a lot read more
- Elon Musk's company SpaceX postpones the debut launch of the most powerful rocket ever built
- The entrepreneur says a frozen valve meant the giant rocket could not take off as planned, but they will try again in a few days
- The vehicle is being put to the test in the belief it could eventually usher in an era of interplanetary travel
- Thousands of people had gathered on beaches along the Gulf of Mexico hoping to witness the spectacle
- When it does eventually take off, the planned test flight should fly most of the way around the Earth and splash down in Hawaii
- Ahead of the launch Musk said he wanted to lower expectations, and said afterwards that the team had learned a lot read more
Sudan fighting: Blinken says US diplomatic convoy fired upon
A US diplomatic convoy came under fire in Sudan on Monday but nobody was hurt, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.
"This action was reckless, it was irresponsible and of course unsafe," he told reporters in Japan after G7 talks.
Sudan has been gripped for days by deadly fighting between rival forces.
Earlier, it was reported that the EU's ambassador in Sudan, Aidan O'Hara, has been assaulted at his home in the capital Khartoum.
Around 185 people have been killed and more than 1,800 injured in three days of fighting in Sudan, according to the UN. The city has seen air strikes, shelling and heavy small-arms fire. read more
A US diplomatic convoy came under fire in Sudan on Monday but nobody was hurt, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.
"This action was reckless, it was irresponsible and of course unsafe," he told reporters in Japan after G7 talks.
Sudan has been gripped for days by deadly fighting between rival forces.
Earlier, it was reported that the EU's ambassador in Sudan, Aidan O'Hara, has been assaulted at his home in the capital Khartoum.
Around 185 people have been killed and more than 1,800 injured in three days of fighting in Sudan, according to the UN. The city has seen air strikes, shelling and heavy small-arms fire. read more
Ukraine war: Putin visits occupied Kherson region in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited occupied parts of the Ukrainian region of Kherson.
He attended a military meeting to hear reports from commanders, according to the Kremlin.
Mr Putin is also thought to have visited the Luhansk region. Russia annexed Kherson and Luhansk last year.
Such trips by the Russian leader are rare, although he made a surprise visit to the city of Mariupol in March.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted that Mr Putin was touring "the occupied and ruined territories" of Ukraine "to enjoy the crimes of his minions for the last time". read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited occupied parts of the Ukrainian region of Kherson.
He attended a military meeting to hear reports from commanders, according to the Kremlin.
Mr Putin is also thought to have visited the Luhansk region. Russia annexed Kherson and Luhansk last year.
Such trips by the Russian leader are rare, although he made a surprise visit to the city of Mariupol in March.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted that Mr Putin was touring "the occupied and ruined territories" of Ukraine "to enjoy the crimes of his minions for the last time". read more
Trigger IX: $5bn of drugs seized in Latin American operation
Police in Latin America have seized cocaine and other drugs worth $5bn (£4bn) in an operation lasting three weeks and spanning 15 countries.
They also seized more than 8,000 illicit firearms and carried out almost 15,000 arrests.
Police forces from Mexico in the north to Argentina in the south exchanged information in the operation, which was co-ordinated by Interpol.
Interpol said the arrests had disrupted the workings of several powerful gangs.
Dubbed Trigger IX, the international effort was mainly aimed at fighting the trafficking of illicit firearms. read more
Police in Latin America have seized cocaine and other drugs worth $5bn (£4bn) in an operation lasting three weeks and spanning 15 countries.
They also seized more than 8,000 illicit firearms and carried out almost 15,000 arrests.
Police forces from Mexico in the north to Argentina in the south exchanged information in the operation, which was co-ordinated by Interpol.
Interpol said the arrests had disrupted the workings of several powerful gangs.
Dubbed Trigger IX, the international effort was mainly aimed at fighting the trafficking of illicit firearms. read more
Fox News settles Dominion defamation case for $787.5m
Fox News has settled a defamation lawsuit from the voting machine company, Dominion, over its reporting of the 2020 presidential election.
In a last-minute settlement before trial, the network agreed to pay $787.5m (£634m) - about half of the $1.6bn initially sought by Dominion.
Dominion argued its business was harmed by Fox spreading false claims the vote had been rigged against Donald Trump.
The deal spares Fox executives such as Rupert Murdoch from having to testify.
The judge in the case is not required to give his approval for the agreement.
Fox said Tuesday's settlement in one of the most anticipated defamation trials in recent US history reflected its "commitment to the highest journalistic standards". read more
Fox News has settled a defamation lawsuit from the voting machine company, Dominion, over its reporting of the 2020 presidential election.
In a last-minute settlement before trial, the network agreed to pay $787.5m (£634m) - about half of the $1.6bn initially sought by Dominion.
Dominion argued its business was harmed by Fox spreading false claims the vote had been rigged against Donald Trump.
The deal spares Fox executives such as Rupert Murdoch from having to testify.
The judge in the case is not required to give his approval for the agreement.
Fox said Tuesday's settlement in one of the most anticipated defamation trials in recent US history reflected its "commitment to the highest journalistic standards". read more
Ukraine war: The Russian ships accused of North Sea sabotage
Russia has a programme to sabotage wind farms and communication cables in the North Sea, according to new allegations.
The details come from a joint investigation by public broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
It says Russia has a fleet of vessels disguised as fishing trawlers and research vessels in the North Sea.
They carry underwater surveillance equipment and are mapping key sites for possible sabotage.
The BBC understands that UK officials are aware of Russian vessels moving around UK waters as part of the programme. read more
Russia has a programme to sabotage wind farms and communication cables in the North Sea, according to new allegations.
The details come from a joint investigation by public broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
It says Russia has a fleet of vessels disguised as fishing trawlers and research vessels in the North Sea.
They carry underwater surveillance equipment and are mapping key sites for possible sabotage.
The BBC understands that UK officials are aware of Russian vessels moving around UK waters as part of the programme. read more
Dozens die in Ramadan crush in Yemen's capital Sanaa
At least 78 people have been killed in a crush at a school in the Yemeni capital Sanaa during a distribution of charity for Ramadan, officials say.
Video footage on social media shows chaotic scenes after the incident in the Bab-al-Yemen area of the city.
Reuters news agency reports that hundreds of people crowded into the school to receive donations which amounted to about $9 (£7) per person.
Houthi rebels have run the city since they drove out the government in 2015.
Those responsible for the distribution have been detained and an investigation is under way, the interior ministry said.
A spokesman for the ministry blamed the crush on the "random distribution" of funds without co-ordination with local officials. read more
At least 78 people have been killed in a crush at a school in the Yemeni capital Sanaa during a distribution of charity for Ramadan, officials say.
Video footage on social media shows chaotic scenes after the incident in the Bab-al-Yemen area of the city.
Reuters news agency reports that hundreds of people crowded into the school to receive donations which amounted to about $9 (£7) per person.
Houthi rebels have run the city since they drove out the government in 2015.
Those responsible for the distribution have been detained and an investigation is under way, the interior ministry said.
A spokesman for the ministry blamed the crush on the "random distribution" of funds without co-ordination with local officials. read more
SpaceX Starship: Elon Musk's firm to try again with big rocket launch
Elon Musk's SpaceX company will have another go on Thursday at launching its mammoth new rocket, Starship. Watch our live coverage here.
An attempt to fly the 120m-high vehicle on Monday was thwarted nine minutes from lift-off by a frozen valve.
Airspace and ocean restrictions are again in place to allow Starship to head skyward from Texas' east coast.
A 62-minute window, starting at 08:28 local time (14:28 BST), has been set aside to get Starship up and off Earth.
If it can be made to work, the innovative rocket system will be used to take people and cargo into orbit, to the Moon and even Mars. read more
Elon Musk's SpaceX company will have another go on Thursday at launching its mammoth new rocket, Starship. Watch our live coverage here.
An attempt to fly the 120m-high vehicle on Monday was thwarted nine minutes from lift-off by a frozen valve.
Airspace and ocean restrictions are again in place to allow Starship to head skyward from Texas' east coast.
A 62-minute window, starting at 08:28 local time (14:28 BST), has been set aside to get Starship up and off Earth.
If it can be made to work, the innovative rocket system will be used to take people and cargo into orbit, to the Moon and even Mars. read more
Toronto airport gold heist: Police says $15m of valuables stolen
Police are investigating a gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a location often used to ship gold mined in the Ontario province.
Canadian officials say more than $14.8m (£12m) of gold and other valuables were stolen on Monday, 17 April.
The "high-value" aircraft container arrived at the airport in the evening and it was transported to a cargo holding facility.
Police believe that is where the heist took place.
The theft could mark one of the bigger heists in Canadian history, including the 2011 and 2012 Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, when 3,000 tonnes of syrup valued at $18.7m were stolen from a storage facility in Quebec.
Peel Regional Police inspector Stephen Duivesteyn said their team is investigating "all avenues" and described Monday's incident as "isolated" and "rare". read more
Police are investigating a gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a location often used to ship gold mined in the Ontario province.
Canadian officials say more than $14.8m (£12m) of gold and other valuables were stolen on Monday, 17 April.
The "high-value" aircraft container arrived at the airport in the evening and it was transported to a cargo holding facility.
Police believe that is where the heist took place.
The theft could mark one of the bigger heists in Canadian history, including the 2011 and 2012 Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, when 3,000 tonnes of syrup valued at $18.7m were stolen from a storage facility in Quebec.
Peel Regional Police inspector Stephen Duivesteyn said their team is investigating "all avenues" and described Monday's incident as "isolated" and "rare". read more
Cocaine smuggling submarine reveals Europe's drug crisis
I'm about to climb into the first "narco-sub" known to have brought cocaine from South America to Europe.
It's 20 metres (65 ft) long, carbon fibre and - remarkably - homemade.
After clambering on top, I lift up the wonky manhole cover and descend into the hull where three men survived for 27 long days and nights, as they voyaged across the Atlantic Ocean just under the surface of the crashing waves.
It's cramped, claustrophobic and incredibly primitive.
The sunlight tries to creep in from faint cracks in the walls. There are a red steering wheel, a couple of basic dials and a rusted key still wedged in the ignition. read more
I'm about to climb into the first "narco-sub" known to have brought cocaine from South America to Europe.
It's 20 metres (65 ft) long, carbon fibre and - remarkably - homemade.
After clambering on top, I lift up the wonky manhole cover and descend into the hull where three men survived for 27 long days and nights, as they voyaged across the Atlantic Ocean just under the surface of the crashing waves.
It's cramped, claustrophobic and incredibly primitive.
The sunlight tries to creep in from faint cracks in the walls. There are a red steering wheel, a couple of basic dials and a rusted key still wedged in the ignition. read more
Mifepristone: US Supreme Court preserves abortion drug access
The US Supreme Court has preserved access to a commonly used abortion pill, ruling the drug can remain available while a legal case continues.
In a split decision, it also rejected restrictions on mifepristone implemented by a lower court, essentially maintaining the status quo.
The future of the drug was called into question after a Texas judge sought to invalidate its long-standing approval.
The case could have wide-ranging implications for abortion access.
It comes after the Supreme Court - which has a 6-3 conservative supermajority - overturned Roe v Wade in June last year, ending the nationwide guarantee to abortion and giving states the power to ban the procedure. read more
The US Supreme Court has preserved access to a commonly used abortion pill, ruling the drug can remain available while a legal case continues.
In a split decision, it also rejected restrictions on mifepristone implemented by a lower court, essentially maintaining the status quo.
The future of the drug was called into question after a Texas judge sought to invalidate its long-standing approval.
The case could have wide-ranging implications for abortion access.
It comes after the Supreme Court - which has a 6-3 conservative supermajority - overturned Roe v Wade in June last year, ending the nationwide guarantee to abortion and giving states the power to ban the procedure. read more
Montevideo Maru: Australia finds wreck of Japanese WW2 disaster ship
Deep-sea explorers have found the wreck of a Japanese transport ship which sank off the Philippines, killing nearly 1,000 Australian troops and civilians in World War Two.
It was Australia's worst maritime disaster: a US submarine torpedoed the ship unaware that it was packed with prisoners captured in Papua New Guinea.
The Montevideo Maru sank in July 1942.
An estimated 979 Australians died, along with 33 Norwegian sailors and 20 Japanese guards and crew.
An Australian maritime archaeology group, Silentworld Foundation, organised the mission, helped by a Dutch deep-sea survey company called Fugro. read more
Deep-sea explorers have found the wreck of a Japanese transport ship which sank off the Philippines, killing nearly 1,000 Australian troops and civilians in World War Two.
It was Australia's worst maritime disaster: a US submarine torpedoed the ship unaware that it was packed with prisoners captured in Papua New Guinea.
The Montevideo Maru sank in July 1942.
An estimated 979 Australians died, along with 33 Norwegian sailors and 20 Japanese guards and crew.
An Australian maritime archaeology group, Silentworld Foundation, organised the mission, helped by a Dutch deep-sea survey company called Fugro. read more
Sudan fighting: US military evacuates diplomats from Khartoum
The US military has evacuated American diplomats and their families from Khartoum, President Joe Biden has said.
"Today, on my orders, the United States military conducted an operation to extract US government personnel from Khartoum," he said in a statement.
A US official said fewer than 100 people were evacuated early on Sunday, when three Chinook helicopters landed near the US embassy to collect them.
Fierce violence erupted last week in Khartoum between two opposing armies.
The power struggle between Sudan's regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has seen heavy bombardment in the capital city, with hundreds killed and thousands more injured. read more
The US military has evacuated American diplomats and their families from Khartoum, President Joe Biden has said.
"Today, on my orders, the United States military conducted an operation to extract US government personnel from Khartoum," he said in a statement.
A US official said fewer than 100 people were evacuated early on Sunday, when three Chinook helicopters landed near the US embassy to collect them.
Fierce violence erupted last week in Khartoum between two opposing armies.
The power struggle between Sudan's regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has seen heavy bombardment in the capital city, with hundreds killed and thousands more injured. read more
Twitter restores blue tick to high profile accounts
Some Twitter accounts with more than one million followers have had their blue tick badges re-instated by Twitter without paying to subscribe.
Beyoncé, Harry Kane, Richard Osman and Victoria Beckham are among those to have their blue tick back.
The BBC News Twitter account also has its gold badge again, but has not paid for it.
Before the platform was bought by Elon Musk, the blue tick was a badge of verification given for free by Twitter.
It was originally used as a tool of authentication, designed to help stop fake accounts and the spread of misinformation. read more
Some Twitter accounts with more than one million followers have had their blue tick badges re-instated by Twitter without paying to subscribe.
Beyoncé, Harry Kane, Richard Osman and Victoria Beckham are among those to have their blue tick back.
The BBC News Twitter account also has its gold badge again, but has not paid for it.
Before the platform was bought by Elon Musk, the blue tick was a badge of verification given for free by Twitter.
It was originally used as a tool of authentication, designed to help stop fake accounts and the spread of misinformation. read more
Sudan fighting: Diplomats and foreign nationals evacuated
A growing list of countries have evacuated diplomats and citizens from Sudan's capital as fierce fighting continues to rage in Khartoum.
The US and UK announced on Sunday they had flown diplomats out of the country.
France, Germany, Italy and Spain are among other nations that also carried out evacuations.
A vicious power struggle between the regular army and a powerful paramilitary force has led to violence across the country.
US authorities said they had airlifted fewer than 100 people with three Chinook helicopters on Sunday morning in a "fast and clean" operation. read more
A growing list of countries have evacuated diplomats and citizens from Sudan's capital as fierce fighting continues to rage in Khartoum.
The US and UK announced on Sunday they had flown diplomats out of the country.
France, Germany, Italy and Spain are among other nations that also carried out evacuations.
A vicious power struggle between the regular army and a powerful paramilitary force has led to violence across the country.
US authorities said they had airlifted fewer than 100 people with three Chinook helicopters on Sunday morning in a "fast and clean" operation. read more
China disowns ambassador's remarks questioning Ukrainian independence
China has distanced itself from the remarks of one of its envoys who questioned the sovereignty of Ukraine and other former Soviet countries.
Paris ambassador Lu Shaye's comments last week caused widespread outrage, leading on calls to Beijing to clarify.
On Monday, China's foreign ministry said it respected the independence of all post-Soviet republics.
China is a major ally of Russia and has not condemned President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine last year.
It sees itself as a major player in attempts to bring peace to Ukraine, but has become an increasingly important trading partner for Russia amid Western sanctions prompted by the invasion, and many in the West doubt its impartiality on the issue. read more
China has distanced itself from the remarks of one of its envoys who questioned the sovereignty of Ukraine and other former Soviet countries.
Paris ambassador Lu Shaye's comments last week caused widespread outrage, leading on calls to Beijing to clarify.
On Monday, China's foreign ministry said it respected the independence of all post-Soviet republics.
China is a major ally of Russia and has not condemned President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine last year.
It sees itself as a major player in attempts to bring peace to Ukraine, but has become an increasingly important trading partner for Russia amid Western sanctions prompted by the invasion, and many in the West doubt its impartiality on the issue. read more
India's population to surpass China this week - UN
India will overtake China to become the most populous country in the world by the end of this week, the United Nations has said.
India's population is expected to reach 1,425,775,850 people by the end of April, the new data shows.
A different UN body last week predicted that India would overtake China by the middle of this year.
The Asian nations have accounted for more than a third of the global population for over 70 years.
"China will soon cede its long-held status as the world's most populous country," the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) said in a statement. read more
India will overtake China to become the most populous country in the world by the end of this week, the United Nations has said.
India's population is expected to reach 1,425,775,850 people by the end of April, the new data shows.
A different UN body last week predicted that India would overtake China by the middle of this year.
The Asian nations have accounted for more than a third of the global population for over 70 years.
"China will soon cede its long-held status as the world's most populous country," the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) said in a statement. read more
Haiti crisis: Mob burns suspected gang members to death
A group of 13 suspected gang members has been beaten and burned to death by a mob in Haiti's capital after being seized while police were searching their vehicle.
The suspects were reportedly beaten with gasoline-soaked tyres before being set alight in Port-au-Prince on Monday.
Police say they confiscated weapons from them just before the incident.
They have not explained how members of the public got hold of the suspects.
Haiti has descended into increasing lawlessness since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.
The United Nations said in a report published on Monday that insecurity in the capital has reached levels similar to countries at war. read more
A group of 13 suspected gang members has been beaten and burned to death by a mob in Haiti's capital after being seized while police were searching their vehicle.
The suspects were reportedly beaten with gasoline-soaked tyres before being set alight in Port-au-Prince on Monday.
Police say they confiscated weapons from them just before the incident.
They have not explained how members of the public got hold of the suspects.
Haiti has descended into increasing lawlessness since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.
The United Nations said in a report published on Monday that insecurity in the capital has reached levels similar to countries at war. read more
Taliban kill IS leader behind Kabul airport bombing
The Islamic State group mastermind thought to have planned the devastating 2021 bombing at Kabul airport has been killed by Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, US officials say.
The bombing that August killed 170 civilians and 13 US soldiers as people were trying to flee the country as the Taliban took control.
The IS figure was killed weeks ago but it took time to confirm his death, US officials told BBC news partner CBS.
His name has not been released.
US officials said they had determined through intelligence gathering and monitoring of the region that the leader had died, though they did not provide further details on how they had learned that he was responsible for the bombing. read more
The Islamic State group mastermind thought to have planned the devastating 2021 bombing at Kabul airport has been killed by Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, US officials say.
The bombing that August killed 170 civilians and 13 US soldiers as people were trying to flee the country as the Taliban took control.
The IS figure was killed weeks ago but it took time to confirm his death, US officials told BBC news partner CBS.
His name has not been released.
US officials said they had determined through intelligence gathering and monitoring of the region that the leader had died, though they did not provide further details on how they had learned that he was responsible for the bombing. read more
US and South Korea agree key nuclear weapons deal
The US and South Korea have secured a landmark deal to counter the North Korean nuclear threat.
Washington has agreed to periodically deploy US nuclear-armed submarines to South Korea and involve Seoul in its nuclear planning operations.
In return, South Korea has agreed to not develop its own nuclear weapons.
The Washington Declaration will strengthen the allies' co-operation in deterring a North Korean attack, US President Joe Biden said.
Concern has been rising on both sides about the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. Pyongyang is developing tactical nuclear weapons that can target South Korea, and refining its long-range weapons that can reach the US mainland. read more
The US and South Korea have secured a landmark deal to counter the North Korean nuclear threat.
Washington has agreed to periodically deploy US nuclear-armed submarines to South Korea and involve Seoul in its nuclear planning operations.
In return, South Korea has agreed to not develop its own nuclear weapons.
The Washington Declaration will strengthen the allies' co-operation in deterring a North Korean attack, US President Joe Biden said.
Concern has been rising on both sides about the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. Pyongyang is developing tactical nuclear weapons that can target South Korea, and refining its long-range weapons that can reach the US mainland. read more