UN top court says Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal
The UN's top court has said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is against international law, in a landmark opinion.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel should stop settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and end its "illegal" occupation of those areas and the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the court had made a "decision of lies". read more
The UN's top court has said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is against international law, in a landmark opinion.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel should stop settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and end its "illegal" occupation of those areas and the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the court had made a "decision of lies". read more
Biden has endorsed Harris. What happens next?
President Joe Biden surprised American voters on Sunday when he announced he would drop out of the race for president after weeks of resisting calls to step down.
Though he will carry out the rest of his presidency, he has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place as the Democratic Party's nominee.
The decision throws the party into uncharted waters with just a month to go before the Democratic National Convention. read more
President Joe Biden surprised American voters on Sunday when he announced he would drop out of the race for president after weeks of resisting calls to step down.
Though he will carry out the rest of his presidency, he has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place as the Democratic Party's nominee.
The decision throws the party into uncharted waters with just a month to go before the Democratic National Convention. read more
Kamala Harris slams Trump at first rally as he hits back
US Vice-President Kamala Harris has gone on the offensive against Donald Trump in the first rally of her White House campaign, portraying November’s election as a choice between a former prosecutor and a convicted felon.
Speaking to a crowd of about 3,000 in the battleground state of Wisconsin, Ms Harris likened her Republican opponent to fraudsters she said she had prosecuted.
Trump, meanwhile, assailed her record on the border, and posted on social media: “Lyin’ Kamala Harris destroys everything she touches!” read more
US Vice-President Kamala Harris has gone on the offensive against Donald Trump in the first rally of her White House campaign, portraying November’s election as a choice between a former prosecutor and a convicted felon.
Speaking to a crowd of about 3,000 in the battleground state of Wisconsin, Ms Harris likened her Republican opponent to fraudsters she said she had prosecuted.
Trump, meanwhile, assailed her record on the border, and posted on social media: “Lyin’ Kamala Harris destroys everything she touches!” read more
Biden says he quit US presidential race to 'save democracy'
US President Joe Biden has told Americans in a televised address that he decided to end his faltering re-election campaign in a bid to save US democracy.
Mr Biden, 81, said he felt his record as president "merited a second term" but that "nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy".
He said he endorsed US Vice-President Kamala Harris to unite their fellow Democrats and the country. read more
US President Joe Biden has told Americans in a televised address that he decided to end his faltering re-election campaign in a bid to save US democracy.
Mr Biden, 81, said he felt his record as president "merited a second term" but that "nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy".
He said he endorsed US Vice-President Kamala Harris to unite their fellow Democrats and the country. read more
Venezuela's Maduro declared winner in disputed vote
President Nicolás Maduro has won Venezuela's presidential election, according to partial results published by the electoral council.
The head of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso, who is a close ally of Mr Maduro, said that with 80% of votes counted, President Maduro had 51.2% of the vote, compared to 44.2% for his main rival.
The Venezuelan opposition has alleged widespread fraud in the counting of votes, and has vowed to challenge the result. read more
President Nicolás Maduro has won Venezuela's presidential election, according to partial results published by the electoral council.
The head of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso, who is a close ally of Mr Maduro, said that with 80% of votes counted, President Maduro had 51.2% of the vote, compared to 44.2% for his main rival.
The Venezuelan opposition has alleged widespread fraud in the counting of votes, and has vowed to challenge the result. read more
Venezuelans clash with police after disputed election result
Security forces in Venezuela have fired tear gas and rubber bullets against people protesting over Sunday’s disputed election result.
Thousands of people descended on central Caracas on Monday evening, some walking for miles from slums on the mountains surrounding the city, towards the presidential palace.
Protests erupted in the Venezuelan capital the day after President Nicolás Maduro claimed he had won. read more
Security forces in Venezuela have fired tear gas and rubber bullets against people protesting over Sunday’s disputed election result.
Thousands of people descended on central Caracas on Monday evening, some walking for miles from slums on the mountains surrounding the city, towards the presidential palace.
Protests erupted in the Venezuelan capital the day after President Nicolás Maduro claimed he had won. read more
Venezuelans clash with police after disputed election result
Security forces in Venezuela have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at people protesting Sunday’s disputed election result.
Thousands of people descended on central Caracas on Monday evening, some walking for miles from slums on the mountains surrounding the city, towards the presidential palace.
Protests erupted in the Venezuelan capital the day after President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory. read more
Security forces in Venezuela have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at people protesting Sunday’s disputed election result.
Thousands of people descended on central Caracas on Monday evening, some walking for miles from slums on the mountains surrounding the city, towards the presidential palace.
Protests erupted in the Venezuelan capital the day after President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory. read more
Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran - group says
Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Iran, the group has said.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hamas said Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli raid on his residence in Tehran.
A number of other senior Hamas figures, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, have described Haniyeh's death as an "assassination" and vowed to retaliate. read more
Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Iran, the group has said.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hamas said Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli raid on his residence in Tehran.
A number of other senior Hamas figures, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, have described Haniyeh's death as an "assassination" and vowed to retaliate. read more
Why Putin thinks he's the winner in prisoner swap
It’s something Vladimir Putin does rarely: go to the airport to meet people off a plane. Personally.
But he was there last night: on the tarmac at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport to meet and greet those Russians whose release he’d secured from foreign jails; part of the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
Out of the plane and down the steps came 10 people, including spies, sleeper agents and a convicted assassin. read more
It’s something Vladimir Putin does rarely: go to the airport to meet people off a plane. Personally.
But he was there last night: on the tarmac at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport to meet and greet those Russians whose release he’d secured from foreign jails; part of the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
Out of the plane and down the steps came 10 people, including spies, sleeper agents and a convicted assassin. read more
Countries urge nationals to leave Lebanon as Mid-East war fears grow
Several countries have urged their nationals to leave Lebanon, with the US warning its citizens to do so on “any ticket available”, as fears grow of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has vowed “severe” retaliation against Israel, which it blames for the death of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. Israel has not commented.
His assassination came hours after Israel killed Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. read more
Several countries have urged their nationals to leave Lebanon, with the US warning its citizens to do so on “any ticket available”, as fears grow of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has vowed “severe” retaliation against Israel, which it blames for the death of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. Israel has not commented.
His assassination came hours after Israel killed Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. read more
Japan stocks jump 10% after global markets slump
Japanese shares rebounded in Tuesday morning trade after plunging on Monday in a rout that sent shockwaves through global financial markets.
The Nikkei 225 stock index rose by as much as 10% after slumping by over 12% the previous day.
Monday's market rout in Tokyo came after the Bank of Japan's second rate hike in 17 years sent the yen soaring against the dollar making Japanese stocks - and the country's exports - more expensive for foreign investors and buyers. read more
Japanese shares rebounded in Tuesday morning trade after plunging on Monday in a rout that sent shockwaves through global financial markets.
The Nikkei 225 stock index rose by as much as 10% after slumping by over 12% the previous day.
Monday's market rout in Tokyo came after the Bank of Japan's second rate hike in 17 years sent the yen soaring against the dollar making Japanese stocks - and the country's exports - more expensive for foreign investors and buyers. read more
Iran keeps region guessing as it mulls revenge attack
In the Saudi city of Jeddah on Wednesday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a group of 57 countries, held an emergency meeting at Iran’s request to discuss, among other things, the assassination of the Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week.
The gathering was an opportunity for Iran, whose Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has vowed “harsh punishment” for the killing, to lay out the reasons for an expected retaliation.
Both Iran and Hamas say the 31 July assassination was carried out by Israel, which has not commented but is widely believed to have been behind it. read more
In the Saudi city of Jeddah on Wednesday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a group of 57 countries, held an emergency meeting at Iran’s request to discuss, among other things, the assassination of the Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week.
The gathering was an opportunity for Iran, whose Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has vowed “harsh punishment” for the killing, to lay out the reasons for an expected retaliation.
Both Iran and Hamas say the 31 July assassination was carried out by Israel, which has not commented but is widely believed to have been behind it. read more
Plane crash in Brazil's São Paulo state kills all 61 on board
A plane has crashed in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, killing all 61 people on board.
The twin-engine turboprop was flying from Cascavel in the southern state of Paraná to Guarulhos airport in São Paulo city when it came down in the town of Vinhedo, Voepass airline says. read more
A plane has crashed in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, killing all 61 people on board.
The twin-engine turboprop was flying from Cascavel in the southern state of Paraná to Guarulhos airport in São Paulo city when it came down in the town of Vinhedo, Voepass airline says. read more
Kamala Harris says 'too many' civilian deaths in Gaza
US Vice-President Kamala Harris has condemned the loss of civilian life in an Israeli air strike against a school building in Gaza on Saturday.
More than 70 people were killed at the building which sheltered displaced Palestinians, the director of a hospital has told the BBC.
Ms Harris said "far too many" civilians had been killed "yet again"and reiterated calls for a hostage deal and a ceasefire, echoing comments made by the White House. read more
US Vice-President Kamala Harris has condemned the loss of civilian life in an Israeli air strike against a school building in Gaza on Saturday.
More than 70 people were killed at the building which sheltered displaced Palestinians, the director of a hospital has told the BBC.
Ms Harris said "far too many" civilians had been killed "yet again"and reiterated calls for a hostage deal and a ceasefire, echoing comments made by the White House. read more
US sends submarine to Middle East as tensions grow
The US has sent a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, as tensions grow in the region.
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also said an aircraft carrier which was already heading to the area would sail there more quickly.
The move comes in response to fears of a wider regional conflict, after the recent assassination of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. read more
The US has sent a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, as tensions grow in the region.
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also said an aircraft carrier which was already heading to the area would sail there more quickly.
The move comes in response to fears of a wider regional conflict, after the recent assassination of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. read more
Iran rejects Western calls to refrain from attack on Israel
Iran has dismissed calls from the UK and other Western countries to refrain from retaliation against Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month.
Amid a flurry of international diplomacy to de-escalate tensions, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to "stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack” in a rare telephone conversation on Monday.
But Mr Pezeshkian said retaliation was a “way to stop crime” and Iran’s “legal right”, according to Iranian state media. read more
Iran has dismissed calls from the UK and other Western countries to refrain from retaliation against Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month.
Amid a flurry of international diplomacy to de-escalate tensions, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to "stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack” in a rare telephone conversation on Monday.
But Mr Pezeshkian said retaliation was a “way to stop crime” and Iran’s “legal right”, according to Iranian state media. read more
Japan set for new PM as Kishida bows out as party leader
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will not seek re-election as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which he says needs a "new start".
The 67-year-old LDP veteran is expected to step down as PM after the party elects a new leader in September.
Support for Mr Kishida, who has been PM since 2021, has fallen in the wake of a corruption scandal involving his party, rising living costs and a slumping yen. read more
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will not seek re-election as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which he says needs a "new start".
The 67-year-old LDP veteran is expected to step down as PM after the party elects a new leader in September.
Support for Mr Kishida, who has been PM since 2021, has fallen in the wake of a corruption scandal involving his party, rising living costs and a slumping yen. read more
US says it aims to 'lower temperature' in Middle East
The US is aiming "to turn the temperature down" in the Middle East, the country's ambassador to the UN has said, as fears of an Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel loom.
On Tuesday, Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council in New York the US wanted to "deter and defend against any future attack and avoid regional conflict". read more
The US is aiming "to turn the temperature down" in the Middle East, the country's ambassador to the UN has said, as fears of an Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel loom.
On Tuesday, Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council in New York the US wanted to "deter and defend against any future attack and avoid regional conflict". read more
'Ketamine Queen' and cover-ups: Five things discovered in the Matthew Perry probe
When Friends actor Matthew Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home last year, it seemed like it could have just been an accident.
He'd been treating his depression with ketamine infusion therapy, wasn't found with drug paraphernalia or anything suggesting foul play, and appeared to have drowned.
He'd spent decades fighting addiction, but the actor had said he was finally clean. read more
When Friends actor Matthew Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home last year, it seemed like it could have just been an accident.
He'd been treating his depression with ketamine infusion therapy, wasn't found with drug paraphernalia or anything suggesting foul play, and appeared to have drowned.
He'd spent decades fighting addiction, but the actor had said he was finally clean. read more
Travellers advised to consider mpox vaccine
Travellers should consider getting vaccinated against mpox if they will be visting affected areas in Africa, new advice says.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has updated its recommendations in response to outbreaks of a new strain of the virus. Other continents, including Europe, can expect some cases too, it says.
ECDC says the risk of it spreading everywhere is low, despite the World Health Organization recently declaring the mpox situation a global emergency. read more
Travellers should consider getting vaccinated against mpox if they will be visting affected areas in Africa, new advice says.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has updated its recommendations in response to outbreaks of a new strain of the virus. Other continents, including Europe, can expect some cases too, it says.
ECDC says the risk of it spreading everywhere is low, despite the World Health Organization recently declaring the mpox situation a global emergency. read more
Israel accepts 'bridging proposal' for ceasefire deal - Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to an American "bridging proposal" for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
It is now up to Hamas to agree, Mr Blinken added.
The pair met in Tel Aviv for talks that Mr Netanyahu has described as "positive", with his office adding that he had reiterated his commitment to an American proposal on the release of the hostages still held by Hamas, which took into account Israel’s security needs. read more
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to an American "bridging proposal" for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
It is now up to Hamas to agree, Mr Blinken added.
The pair met in Tel Aviv for talks that Mr Netanyahu has described as "positive", with his office adding that he had reiterated his commitment to an American proposal on the release of the hostages still held by Hamas, which took into account Israel’s security needs. read more