Abounding Opportunities

Hollywood star Gal Gadot rallies behind two cosplayers from Sri Lanka to defend them from bullying.

Inefficient vacuum cleaner sales banned

Those using more than 900 watts and emitting more than 80 decibels are now banned in Europe's shops.

What happens in the brain to make us 'catch' yawns

Scientists have identified a part of the brain that is triggered when someone else yawns.

Deer causes 'unbelievable' damage to Australia funeral home

The animal ran into an Australian funeral home and hit furniture and walls, staff say.

In pictures

The festival is one of the most important in Islam, and is celebrated around the world.

Farc former rebels choose new political party name and logo

The former armed rebel group announces its new name and logo as it becomes a party.

Pregnant North Dakota woman's boyfriend finally meets baby after her death

The partner of a pregnant mother whose body was found in a river visits the child believed to be his.

Houston floods: White House seeks disaster aid from Congress

President Trump is expected to ask for $5.9bn in federal aid, and pledged $1m of his own money.

Race to stop disease

A team of UK experts is in Sierra Leone trying to prevent disease adding to the death toll from mudslides.

Blood, snakes and power

While many African traditions and cultures are under threat from modern life, there is one which is more than holding its own - voodoo, reports the BBC's Pumza Fihlani.

The man who makes prosthetic hands for free

Taiwan's Chang Hsien-liang makes free limb for those who need them, after losing his own hand.

A Nasty Boy: The Nigerian magazine breaking gender taboos

A Nasty Boy was founded to support gender fluidity and challenge stereotypes.

The wedding that broke centuries of tradition

In 1959, Japan's Crown Prince Akihito married a non-royal bride.

Venezuela investigates sacked prosecutor Luisa Ortega

Her successor, Tarek Saab, says that she knew about an oil industry scam yet did nothing.

Sky taxis

How Dubai may be winning the race to launch the first passenger-carrying flying drones.

US hands out first contracts for border wall prototypes

Four companies will be paid up to $500,000 each for a 30-foot segment of concrete border wall.

US police dashcam: 'We only kill black people'

An officer in the US was caught making the comments after pulling a woman over in Georgia in July 2016.

Houston flood: What Storm Harvey left behind

Newsnight's Gabriel Gatehouse walks through part of Houston where the flood waters have receded.

Air Transat probed after flights delayed for hours on Ottawa runway

Passengers on one of two Air Transat flights kept on Ottawa runways for hours rang 911 for help.

Hurricane Harvey: Man plays piano in flooded Texas home

Aric Harding played the piano at his home in Friendswood, Texas, after it was flooded by Harvey.

Case against Auschwitz Nazi, 96, to be thrown out

Hubert Zafke, who faced 3,681 counts of being an accessory to murder, has severe dementia.

Canadian university loses $10m in phishing scam

Phishing cons staff into making payments into a fraudulently created account.

Houston floods: Storm Harvey 'affected 100,000 homes'

The administration will ask Congress for emergency funding to help recovery, a White House aide says.

'Proud Boys' back in Canada military after crashing indigenous ceremony

Five members of the military were suspended after interrupting an indigenous ceremony in Halifax.

Houston flood: Arkema chemical plant fire

A smoke plume in Houston, Texas, is causing fears over whether it could become harmful.

Inside Brazil's school for magic

This castle has been transformed into a school for magic.

Macron government reveals French labour reforms

France's president was swept to power vowing change, so the plans are a key test for his government.

Manchester bomber's brother faces trial in Libya

Hashem Abedi was arrested in Libya shortly after the attack which killed 22 people in May.

From Chile to Montreal

For Canada's 150th anniversary, we're sharing the stories of those who immigrated to the country.

Two worlds collide

Having survived genocide by German troops in the 1900s, Namibia's Himba people are now facing a bigger threat to their way of life - encroaching modernity, writes the BBC's Pumza Fihlani.

One man's march for indigenous rights

Clinton Pryor is walking across Australia to fight for justice for the Aboriginal community.

North Korea: Talking is not the answer, says Trump

But the US president's own defence secretary says there is still room for diplomacy.

Pentagon raises Afghanistan troop estimate to 11,000

Officials say the new tally includes temporary and covert units as well as regular forces.

North Korea

What would military action against Kim Jong-un's regime look like?

Houston floods: Human chain 'was people coming together'

Texas residents are praised for risking their lives to save a man whose car was becoming submerged.

Female Witchsy founders use fictional male to beat sexism

The women behind online art seller Witchsy say developers responded better to emails from "Keith".

Trump: 'It's time' for tax reform

US President Donald Trump wants to lower taxes on businesses and simplify the tax code.

Historic 'living drug' gets go-ahead

US authorities approve a treatment which re-designs a patient's own immune system to attack cancer.

Two million Muslims begin Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca

Iranians are participating this year after missing the last Hajj over a deadly stampede in 2015.

Trial raises Parkinson's therapy hope

Work restoring nerve cell function in monkeys could lead to human trials by the end of the next year.

Storm Harvey: People form human chain to rescue elderly man from floods

An elderly man had to be rescued from his SUV.

Rafting up

The tiny creatures clump together to survive the floods - steer clear of their rafts.

Brazil court blocks Amazon mining decree

The order prevents the government from exploiting a protected area bigger than Denmark.

Venice Film Festival - and the 2018 Oscars race - officially begin

The Hollywood actor opens the Venice Film Festival with a film already tipped to be "a leading awards contender".

US-led strikes in Syria block IS militants evacuated from Lebanon

The attacks aim to prevent buses carrying hundreds of militants reaching a town on the Iraqi border.

Sean Spicer, former Trump spokesman, meets Pope Francis

The ex-White House press secretary achieves his ambition of meeting the head of the Catholic Church.

French police: Photo contest aims to show job misery

Broken-down cars, blocked urinals and run-down buildings are among images taken by disgruntled staff.

India doctor fight during operation goes viral

The two are seen arguing, while standing over a pregnant patient at a hospital in northern India.

Citizens in Azeri exclave told to read Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway among authors that the leader of Nakhchivan decrees all citizens should read.

Iraqi troops face fierce IS resistance near Tal Afar

One officer says the fighting in Ayadiya is "multiple times worse" than the battle for Mosul.

Houston reels as Storm Harvey moves on to Louisiana

The tropical storm makes landfall in the state after leaving large parts of Houston underwater.

Hurricane Harvey: Saving displaced pets

Animal safety groups are working to help pets displaced or left behind.

Women dressed as nuns attempt Pennsylvania bank robbery

Two women wearing black habits and veils threaten bank tellers in Pennsylvania before fleeing.

Jackie Chan joins fight to save endangered pangolin

Martial arts superstar wants an end to consumption of pangolin products for meat and medicine.

Transgender people in US military may serve for now, says Mattis

Those already in the military will be allowed to serve pending a study, the defence secretary says.

Sharjeel Khan: Pakistan batsman banned for five years after match-fixing inquiry

Pakistan batsman Sharjeel Khan is banned for five years for his part in a match-fixing ring following a Pakistan Cricket Board corruption inquiry.

Kangaroo killing prompts investigation by animal charity

The viral clip shows a man in Australia repeatedly cutting the throat of an injured kangaroo.

Footage of N Korea missile launch over Japan

State television showed footage of the launch of a ballistic missile which flew over northern Japan on Tuesday.

Myanmar Rakhine: Thousands flee to Bangladesh

Aid workers in Bangladesh say more than 18,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled recent fighting in Myanmar.

Bangladesh v Australia: Shakib Al Hasan inspires hosts to historic Test win

Bangladesh secure an historic first Test win over Australia as Shakib Al Hasan produces a 10-wicket haul during an engrossing match in Dhaka.

India floods: Heavy rain in Mumbai kills five

The Mumbai rains follow floods across a swathe of South Asia, which have killed more than 1,200.

Terry Pratchett's unpublished works crushed by steamroller

It is thought up to 10 incomplete novels were destroyed, as per the author's final wishes.

Australia same-sex marriage vote: 'No' advert draws criticism

The advert, linking same-sex marriage to school gender education, comes ahead of national vote.

Venezuela: New assembly approves treason trials for opposition

The new assembly votes for treason trials for opposition figures it says support US sanctions.

Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed as Uber's new boss

Dara Khosrowshahi told US news outlets he is aware of challenges and is "not in this to coast".

Chinese men sent home in Australia people-smuggling probe

The men had tried to enter Australia on a boat operated by people smugglers, authorities say.

North Korea: 'Japan missile was first step in Pacific operation'

Pyongyang says the missile fired over Japan was the 'first step' in military operations in the Pacific.

Storm Harvey - In Numbers

The numbers behind Storm Harvey, which hast left thousands displaced in Texas.

Houston floods: Night curfew bid to stop robbery and looting

The storm-ravaged city bans people from the streets during the night, amid reports of looting.

Mismatched?

The TV show had attracted a lot of negative attention right from its launch last month.

That'll teach them

There are big national and political divides in what people expect from a school system, say researchers.

Losing your voice

Katrina Esau is working hard to save the language of her childhood from dying out - she is one of just three speakers, as the BBC's Pumza Fihlani discovers.

After Barcelona

The data behind the jihadist attacks that killed 400 people in the West - and how it could stop others.

You v Neymar

Test how your wages stack up against a selection of the world’s leading footballers

Sarah Palin's defamation case against New York Times thrown out

The former vice-presidential candidate has her case against the New York Times thrown out.

Houston flood: Helicopter rescues resident from water

The US Coast Guard release footage of a person being airlifted to safety.

Couple charged over pregnant North Dakota woman's death

Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind was eight months pregnant when she went missing in August in North Dakota.

Trump on Houston flood: 'Texas can handle anything'

US President Donald Trump is in Texas to see the devastation caused by Storm Harvey.

Why is Tropical Storm Harvey so extreme?

Three factors have come together to bring unprecedented rainfall.

Houston flood: Trump visits Texas amid 'epic' rainfall

The US president arrives to view the devastation as rising water engulfs thousands more homes.

Mumbai flooding causes transport chaos

Residents told to stay at home as monsoon rains flood streets and train lines.

Sri Lanka's Jagath Jayasuriya wanted for war crimes

Rights groups accuse the former army chief of overseeing the killing of thousands of Tamils in 2009.

Barcelona attacks: Las Ramblas gifts to go to city museum

All offerings will be documented, then either kept or recycled, says Barcelona's mayor.

North Korea missiles: Trump warns 'all options' on table

Pyongyang insists its latest missile launch is the result of provocation by the US and its allies.

Germany trial: 'Far-right' gunman denies police murder

A suspected member of a far-right group says his killing of a police officer cannot be deemed murder.

Keeping up with the Kims

South Korean intelligence suggests Kim Jong-un's wife has had her third child.

Burger King launches WhopperCoin crypto-cash in Russia

The virtual cash will be given out when people buy food in Burger King restaurants.

Niger floods force thousands from homes in Niamey

More than 40 people have been killed by flooding in Niger since the rainy season began in June.

South African minister Motsoaledi blasts African leaders' 'health tourism'

South Africa's health minister made the comments at a conference in Zimbabwe - President Mugabe had left.

Storm brewing

A UK-expat tells us how the residents of Hokkaido reacted to Tuesday morning's air raid alert.

Houston dam begins overspilling

Major Houston dam begins overspilling as Storm Harvey pushes reservoir past capacity - Texas official

Icelandic committee bans 'foreign' horse names

Keepers of the country's official stud register put their hoof down.

The man who went skydiving in the nude with a violin

Why a 15,000ft plunge in nothing but a harness was a particular triumph for one musician.

Canada cycle police arrest top US suspect in Montreal

A man held in a routine arrest on a cycle path is on a list of 10 most wanted in the US.

Chile leader sends gay marriage bill to congress

President Michelle Bachelet signs a bill legalising same-sex marriage and adoption by gay couples.

Rana Plaza collapse: Sohel Rana jailed for corruption

A Bangladesh court finds the owner of a garment factory that collapsed in 2013 guilty of corruption.

Italy drought: Rome forced to cut water pressure at night

It has hardly rained in Rome for months, so the city's water company is to lower supplies at night.

Australian channel apologises for 'racist' rugby video

Host apologises for video accused of "casual racism" against Pacific Islanders.

France fears for girl Maelys missing since Isere wedding

The nine-year-old vanished during wedding celebrations and extensive searches have found nothing.

Residents in Hokkaido and Tokyo fear a North Korea attack

Early on Tuesday Korean time, Pyongyang fired a missile over Hokkaido, Northern Japan, which then landed in the sea.

Houston floods: Harvey rains to worsen Texas city's plight

The inundated US city could see up to a further 12 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Harvey.

Scooter sharing gets rolling in sweaty Singapore

New businesses hope scooters will be a popular alternative to walking in Singapore's heat.

Euro rises to 18-month high against dollar

The euro buys $1.20 for the first time since January 2015 as the prospect of a US rate rise recedes.

Argentine tango comes to Toronto

Toronto's dance community holds an open air "milonga" to bring the Argentine tango to the city's streets.

Mark Zuckerberg tells new daughter to play outside

The social media titan has written about the magic of childhood in a letter to his newborn daughter.

David Torrence: Olympic runner dies aged 31 in Arizona

American middle-distance runner David Torrence is found dead at the bottom of a swimming pool in Arizona at the age of 31.

India rapist guru: Judge calls Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh 'wild beast'

The controversial Indian guru has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping two disciples.

Yazidis rebuilding their lives after escaping IS

Several thousand Yazidi women and girls were captures by militants three years ago.

Sea Shepherd to stop intercepting Japanese whaling vessels

The anti-whaling group says it cannot match Japan's funding or surveillance technology.

Trump restores police surplus military equipment scheme

A presidential executive order is signed which provides police with weapons and other equipment.

North Korea missile triggers Japan warning alarms

Footage appears to show Japanese warning alarms, after North Korea fired a missile over the country.

Guatemala President Jimmy Morales under fire for UN expulsion

The US and the EU condemn a decision to expel a UN anti-corruption investigator from Guatemala.

'I was groomed and sexually abused by 30 or 40 adult men'

From the age of 13, 'Ben' was groomed and sexually abused by older men but says he was dismissed and even blamed by the authorities.

Fatwa kiosk opens in Cairo metro

The Egyptian government is trialling new fatwa kiosks on the Cairo metro.

The car speeding up Tokyo's road repairs

Vehicles kitted out with laser sensors are helping pinpoint problems on the Japanese capital's roads.

Grave memories

Survivors and relatives of the dead react to the tracing of the USS Indianapolis, 72 years on.

Where's the frisson?

What prompted the sudden slump in President Macron's ratings? The BBC's Lucy Williamson investigates.

Banking bonanza

Many of Europe's largest banks have already announced their intention to relocate jobs to Frankfurt as Brexit talks go on.

Love and hate

She was a violent white supremacist. But an encounter in prison changed Angela King's life forever.

Chapter and verse

Osama bin Laden, like other jihadists, wrote poems. These might not win any literary prizes, but Elisabeth Kendall believes they could help fight extremism.

Actor Ed Skrein quits Hellboy after whitewashing criticism

Deadpool star Ed Skrein says he did not know the character was of Asian heritage when he took the role.

N Korea holds fresh missile test

North Korea holds fresh missile test, triggering warnings in Japan, but projectile lands in sea, South Korea says

Iran building missile factories in Syria and Lebanon - Netanyahu

PM Benjamin Netanyahu accuses Tehran of turning Syria into a "base of military entrenchment".

Fall of the godman

Sent to prison for 20 years, his fall from grace is complete, writes the BBC's Geeta Pandey.

Full speed ahead

US inventor Elon Musk runs tests for vacuum-propelled pods that may revolutionise transport.

German police carry out searches over 'plot to kill leftists'

Two suspects, one a policeman, were motivated by anger over immigration policies, authorities say.

Harvey vs Katrina

Will Houston avoid the mistakes seen after the 2005 New Orleans disaster.

Trump administration sued over transgender military ban

Two lawsuits have been filed against the Trump administration's ban on transgender service personnel.

Russian taxi drivers sacked for green-dye smearing of women

A clip showed two women being forced to paint their faces with green antiseptic dye.

France's President Macron adopts black dog called Nemo

The young labrador-griffon cross is named after the submarine captain in a classic novel.

Myanmar Rakhine: Rohingya women weep on Bangladesh border

Thousands of Muslim Rohingya families are fleeing the violence in Myanmar.

Dust fills Tokyo's Shinjuku rail station

Platforms at one of the world's busiest stations took on a spooky appearance after a nearby incident.

Storm Harvey: 'Catastrophic' flooding expected to worsen

Record water levels are only expected to surge further following a huge storm in Texas.

World Scrabble champ crowned after 74-point 'carrels'

David Eldar put down the word "carrels," a type of desk, to claim the title in Nottingham.

Shock and fear amid South Africa cannibalism case

Villagers in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal region are living in fear after the discovery of an alleged cannibalism ring.

Russia's controversial Crimea bridge gets giant arch

Russia installs a huge railway arch for a bridge seen as a key link to annexed Crimea.

German killer nurse Niels H probed over 84 more murders

New potential charges emerge against the man, who is already serving life for killing two patients.

MTV VMAs: Highlights

Kendrick Lamar was the big winner, while the mother of Heather Heyer received a standing ovation.

Storm Harvey: Reporter rescues stranded lorry driver

A local TV reporter in Houston, Texas, actions a flood rescue while broadcasting on local TV.

Migrant crisis: France hosts summit with African leaders

President Macron wants the EU to oversee new "hotspots" in Africa to deal with asylum claims.

S Korea man fined for Dr Dre and first lady wedding rumour

He claimed the late president's 95-year-old widow was to marry the rapper to launder "slush funds".

India and China end Himalayan border stand-off

China says India will withdraw troops from a disputed area following a tense border stand-off.

India rape victim, 13, seeks court approval for abortion

The pregnancy was discovered after her parents took her to a doctor to seek treatment for obesity.

Dean Mercer: Former Australian Ironman champion dies

Dean Mercer, 47, suffered a cardiac arrest while driving in Queensland, his family says.

India guru rape: Inside huge temple complex

The BBC gains access to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's temple compound, which includes its own hotel.

Storm Harvey: Viral photo prompts care home rescue

Texas nursing home residents are rescued after a photo of them waist-deep in water is widely shared.

Storm Harvey: Houston battles 'unprecedented' floods

Up to 2,000 people have already been rescued in the area, Texan authorities say.

India guru rape: High alert ahead of Ram Rahim sentence

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is expected to receive a prison term of at least seven years.

Kendrick Lamar tops VMA winners in Los Angeles

With six prizes, including best video and best hip-hop artist, Lamar is the big winner in Los Angeles.

Uber names ex-Expedia boss Dara Khosrowshahi as CEO pick

The ride-sharing firm has named the Expedia boss as its chief executive pick, sources say.

Brexit: UK officials in Brussels for latest talks

Britain says the EU should be more flexible - the EU says there has to be progress before talks can widen.

Kenya plastic bag ban comes into force after years of delays

The government says the ban will protect the environment, but manufacturers say jobs will be lost.

Colombia's Farc begins first congress after peace deal

Delegates meet in Bogota to choose a new name for the group, which will become a political party.

Poisonous progress

The arguments nearly a century ago over the use of leaded petrol.

Silenced

Hisham al-Omeisy's detention has raised concerns about freedom of speech in war-torn Yemen.

Hidden computers

In a cramped Harvard basement, a team of women is documenting the rich history of their predecessors.

Airbnb targets Asia

The US start-up wants to expand in the region, but faces fierce competition and regulatory hurdles.

Meet the Indian women sailing round the world

Six women from the Indian navy are about to embark on a historic mission to sail around the world.

South Africa's boxing grannies

Old age won't discourage these South African grannies from becoming lean, mean, fighting machines.

Freight trains: The new immigration front line?

The Austrian authorities are struggling to prevent migrants travelling from Italy to Austria via goods trains.

Afghanistan bomb attack: 13 killed in car blast in Helmand

Soldiers are targeted in a car bomb attack on a military vehicle near a market in Helmand province.

Guatemalan president orders out UN anti-corruption investigator

The presidential order was made via video message, but a court has already halted the action.

Jeff Immelt of General Electric quits race to be Uber boss

General Electric's chairman decides "not to pursue a leadership position" at the taxi service firm.

Sri Lanka v India: Tourists win ODI series after crowd trouble in Pallekele

India clinch a one-day international series win in Sri Lanka, but bottle-throwing spectators halt the match towards the end in Pallekele.

Tropical Storm Harvey: Streets turned into rivers in Houston

Floodwater is causing major problems in Texas.

Where is Santiago Maldonado? Argentina searches for missing protester

The country is gripped and angered by the disappearance of a man at an indigenous rights protest.

Myanmar Rakhine: Thousands flee to Bangladesh border

Bangladeshi border guards are turning back Rohingya Muslims fleeing an outbreak of fighting.

Lewis Hamilton holds off Sebastian Vettel to win in Belgium

Lewis Hamilton cut his championship deficit to Sebastian Vettel with victory in the Belgian Grand Prix - his 200th race.

Massive bridge pillars felled in Limburg, Germany

Workers in Limburg checked the two remaining pillars before triggering a second round of blasts.

Highlights: 'Truly astonishing night in Vegas'

Listen to 5 live commentary and the funniest social media reaction as Floyd Mayweather seals victory against Conor McGregor in round 10 of an enthralling fight in Las Vegas.

Storm Harvey: 1,000 rescued as Houston hit by 'catastrophic floods'

There are reports of five deaths in the metropolitan area, the National Weather Service says.

Five die in Austria climbing accident

Five climbers die in accident in the Zillertal Alps in southern Austria, officials say

Barcelona attack: German woman dies in hospital

The woman's death brings to 16 the number of people killed in the Spanish attacks 10 days ago.

Tobe Hooper, Texas Chain Saw Massacre director, dies at 74

The master of horror, who also directed Poltergeist and TV miniseries Salem's Lot, dies at 74.

India guru rape: Followers start to leave Ram Rahim's HQ

Followers of Indian sect leader Ram Rahim leave his compound in Sirsa under close guard.

Ceasefire with 'Islamic State' on Syria-Lebanon border

Lebanon's army, the Syrian army and Hezbollah pause their operations against Islamic State fighters.

Hurricane Harvey downgraded to tropical storm

But Texas still braces for further bad weather.

Stranded by the storm

Rockport residents describe the moment the great storm hit their homes in Texas.

Floyd Mayweather stops Conor McGregor in 10th round in Las Vegas

Floyd Mayweather beats Conor McGregor with a 10th-round stoppage in a fight expected to be the most lucrative in boxing history.

Top Republican Paul Ryan condemns Joe Arpaio pardon

Paul Ryan is the latest Republican to criticism the US president's pardon for the controversial sheriff.

Harvey: Fears grow over severe flooding risk

Governor Greg Abbott says that another 40in of rain could fall before the storm subsides midweek.

Labour wants single market for Brexit transition

Labour clarifies its position on what deal Britain should seek immediately after it leaves the EU.

Fishy business

It's seafood - but there's no "sea" required.

Spain attacks: Suspects' sister condemns violence

The sister of two terrorist suspects has condemned the attacks in Spain which left 15 people dead.

'I saw them die in the sea'

Yaya Sangare lost his wife and sons as they tried to reach Europe but still fights for a better life.

King of Spain joins Barcelona march of defiance against terrorism

Thousands rally in Barcelona, carrying banners telling jihadists "I'm not afraid".

Hurricane Harvey: 'Catastrophic' flooding to hit Texas

Torrential rains will continue for days, forecasters warn, as Hurricane Harvey moves inland.

Angry army wives protest in Paris over military working conditions

The women say troops are living in deplorable conditions, some with cockroaches and lice.

Philippine mourners vent anger at Duterte's anti-drugs campaign

The funeral of a teenager in Manila hears demands for an end to the president's anti-drugs drive.

Tal Afar battle: Iraqi forces 'dealing with final IS pockets'

Troops clear the old citadel to close in on the final pockets of IS resistance, a spokesman says.

Australia's first human 'body farm'

More than 500 people have donated their bodies to the research facility.

Yingluck trial: Thailand ex-PM 'fled to Dubai' before verdict

Yingluck Shinawatra failed to show up on Friday for the ruling in her negligence trial.

Wind-whipped flames engulf buildings in Texas

Three buildings on Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, are burnt down as Hurricane Harvey whips up flames.

India guru rape: Troops patrol after Ram Rahim Singh verdict

Troops are patrolling Panchkula town, where 30 died after a religious leader was convicted of rape.

Trump adviser Gorka is latest White House departure

He says forces inside the White House are undermining the president and promises to remain loyal.

Hurricane - seen close up and from space

Heavy winds from Hurricane Harvey have battered Texas' central coast as the storm nears.

Trump restores military ban on transgender people

But he leaves his defence secretary to decide whether to retain existing transgender recruits.

Hurricane Harvey's high winds make landfall in Texas

The category 4 storm is likely to be the worst to hit the US in 12 years, as Texas faces huge floods.

Odd cargo

Eastport, Maine has survived for more than 200 years by changing how it lives off the sea.

President Trump pardons controversial sheriff Joe Arpaio

The US president had already hinted that he was ready to pardon Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Somalia's age of cool

The recent rediscovery of more than 10,000 recordings has tantalised enthusiasts.

Familiar faces

President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is expected to maintain his influence after leaving office.

Heading for the door

Officials in Brussels are not optimistic about the next round of Brexit talks, Adam Fleming reports.

International food fight

The international food fight about which nation has the tastiest recipe

North Korea fires 'several projectiles'

North Korea fires "several projectiles" into sea off its eastern coast, South Korean military says.

Fake branches mean dismissal from Russian competition

Branches taped to trees disqualify a competitor from a Russian urban park competition.

HIV status of thousands of patients revealed in envelopes

The so-called window envelope exposed details that the recipient was taking medication for the virus.

Is Canada's official residence in Ireland haunted?

Could an executed 1916 nationalist be haunting the ambassador's official residence in Dublin?

Man shot after attacking Brussels troops

A man has been shot in the centre of Brussels after attacking soldiers with a knife, reports from Belgium say.

Venezuela decries new US sanctions

Its foreign minister also accuses the US of "fake news" in exaggerating its economic crisis.

Hurricane Harvey 'will be major disaster': Texas governor

Texas' governor says the state faces a "very major disaster" and calls for more federal aid.

VW engineer jailed for emissions scandal

A US judge opts for a harsher penalty than prosecutors had recommended in the VW emissions case.

Barcelona attack: Father of youngest victim hugs imam

Xavier Martinez, the father of three-year-old Xavi who died in the Barcelona attack, hugs Imam Driss Salym.

How Africa's population boom is changing our world

See how Africa's population boom, driven by high birth rates, is shaping the world's future.

Akon on creating 'iTunes for Africa'

Akon reveals why he thinks the music business in Africa is bigger than in the US.

Toronto orchestra closed after fat-shaming singers

The Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras asked women to wear dresses that hide their "dietary indulgences".

Kim Wall case: Peter Madsen denies murder and mutilation

An inventor suspected of murdering a journalist on board his submarine denies all charges.

Tal Afar battle: Iraqi forces 'breach IS defences to reach city centre'

Troops reach the centre of the city in north-western Iraq, a spokesman says.

'He's behind you'

Joao Lourenco has a huge challenge, looking set to become Angola's first new president in 38 years, succeeding the world's second-longest second leader, Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

Angola's ruling MPLA wins parliamentary election, commission says

With nearly two-thirds of the vote, the MPLA party's João Lourenço will take up the presidency.

Janet Yellen defends US regulations

Ms Yellen said rules instituted since the financial crisis had made the financial system safer.

Sonic attack?

US diplomats in Cuba are unwell after a suspected acoustic attack - how could that be done covertly?

Rare double waterspout caught on camera

The sight, off the coast of Florida's Anna Maria Island, was filmed on Thursday afternoon.

Farmers convicted in SA coffin case

South African farmers who forced man into coffin are convicted on charges of attempted murder and kidnapping

Alps melting?

A huge rockfall in Val Bondasca raises questions about how climate change is affecting the Alps.

Shia mosque attacked in Afghan capital, Kabul

Witnesses say that hostages may have been taken in the attack in the Afghan capital.

Aerial footage of Brazil ferry disaster

Survivors of the latest incident said the ferry capsized when it was hit by a powerful wave.

Popular Indian guru convicted of rape

Popular Indian guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh convicted of rape, sentencing set for Monday

Yemen war: Children dead after Sanaa airstrike

At least nine people are killed in a strike on a residential area in Yemen's rebel-held capital.

The UK's national anthem as you've never heard it before

A Libyan military band tried to perform the UK's national anthem for the arrival of Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, as he arrived in Benghazi.

Teenager caught smuggling tiger cub into US from Mexico

The cub is now being taken care of at California's San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Africa's week in pictures: 18 - 24 August 2017

A selection of the best photos from across Africa and of Africans this week.

France probes ex-boss of anti-drugs agency Octris

François Thierry is suspected of complicity in drug-trafficking, prosecutors say.

Texas prepares for Hurricane Harvey

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, including children from a intensive care unit.

Tony Abbott: Australian ex-PM was 'too drunk' to make vote

Malcolm Turnbull chides his predecessor, Tony Abbott, for once missing parliament in 2009.

Ex-PM Yingluck 'flees Thailand'

Thai ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra has fled country ahead of court verdict, sources close to her party say

Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong faces verdict in his bribery trial

Lee Jae-yong could face 12 years in jail if found guilty of bribery, embezzlement and hiding assets.

Meghan Trainor used anti-gay marriage ad

The same-sex marriage supporter said it was "wrong" that her face was used in Australian "vote no" ad.

Yingluck trial: Thai court verdict due for former PM

The former Thai leader is on trial for negligence over a rice subsidy scheme which cost billions.

Jack Bobridge: Olympic cyclist accused of selling drugs

The three-time world champion cyclist is charged by police in his native Australia.

'Housing terrorists'

The US is threatening Pakistan and praising India, but the relationship between the three nations is complicated.

'I can walk'

A family holiday to Paris ends in a nun believing she has performed a miracle on a surly teenager.

Praying for asylum

Thousands of Iranian Muslim migrants and refugees in the Netherlands are converting to Christianity - why?

Hurricane Harvey: Texas braces for category-three storm

The category-three storm is to make landfall on Friday and could bring devastating winds and floods.

Bent on victory

The commanders of Syria's army in the east made their names by crushing rebels with brutal efficiency.

Florida inmate Mark Asay to be executed by experimental injection

A judge warns the untried drug cocktail amounts to turning the inmate into a "guinea pig".

Guru Ram Rahim Singh rape verdict draws crowds

Tens of thousands of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's devotees flock to see the Guru, who is due in court.

Boy copied favourite movie scene to save drowning brother

The 10-year-old remembered a life-saving move from a film starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

Pardon-by-tweet

Donald Trump has hinted several times at a pardon, but could the Twitter president do it by keystroke?

Sixteen US staff in Cuba hurt in 'acoustic attack'

Embassy staff in Havana began noticing symptoms late last year and several needed treatment.

Why is the heir to Samsung on trial?

Lee Jae-yong has pleaded not guilty - a South Korean court's verdict is due on Friday.

Massachusetts winner of record $758m lottery jackpot quits job

Her payout is estimated at $443m.

Angola's ruling MPLA party takes strong election lead, commission says

The governing MPLA party receives nearly two-thirds of the vote, provisional results suggest.

Syria war: UN urges pause in assault on IS bastion Raqqa

Up to 25,000 civilians are believed trapped in Raqqa as fighting rages with so-called Islamic State.

EU needs migrant labour reform - France's Macron

The French president says "social dumping" of cheap migrant workers puts the whole EU at risk.

Police and refugees clash in Rome

Officers using water cannon and batons evict 100 people from a square they had been occupying.

Brazil ferry sinks near Salvador killing at least 22 people

The boat was on a short route from the island of Itaparica, which is popular with tourists.

Venezuela takes two Colombian TV channels off air

Colombian TV channels Caracol and RCN are the latest foreign media to be pulled from the airwaves.

German supermarket clears foreign goods from shelves to make point about racism

Shoppers in a supermarket in Hamburg get when they find all foreign products removed to prove a point about racism.

Russian Sudan envoy, Mirgayas Shirinsky, found dead in pool

Mirgayas Shirinsky is the fourth senior Russian diplomat to die in service in the past year.

Father and son charged over dark web drugs

The pair, from New York, allegedly sold fentanyl and oxycodone on the AlphaBay marketplace.

Was Louise Linton trip on official plane timed for eclipse?

A watchdog questions if Louise Linton's journey was to "secure a viewpoint of the totality".

Game of Thrones street name in Australia causes upset

The name is changed after someone pointed out it was used by an incestuous couple in the series.

'#PunchNazis'

An investigation reveals that far-right activists are using images from domestic violence campaigns.

Powerball jackpot of $758m won by Massachusetts single ticket

The winner - whose lucky numbers were 6, 7, 16, 23 and 26, and 4 - has not yet been identified.

Kim Wall case: Murder charge sought for Peter Madsen

Ms Wall's torso was found in waters off Denmark, weighted down with metal to stop it floating.

Extravagant military parade in Mecca ahead of pilgrimage season

A military parade is held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, before the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Chechen leader Kadyrov presses divorcees to reunite

Ramzan Kadyrov sends out officials to reunite divorced couples under Islamic law.

India teen's hand cut off in dispute over mobile charger

Police have said the man attacked the girl over a mobile phone charger.

Charlottesville violence: Rabbis cancel Trump call over remarks

Prominent groups cancel an annual call because of Mr Trump's response to the Charlottesville unrest.

North Korea flaunts plans for new ballistic missiles

Photographs of Kim Jong-un at a factory inspection show plans for two untested weapons systems.

Prague cyclists to have a remarkable trees route

Cyclists in Prague now have a special route that showcases the city's wooded areas.

White House gets the builders in for renovations

The West Wing, the Navy mess kitchen and the lower lobby have all been upgraded.

Grace Mugabe's alleged victim in bid to annul immunity

South Africa acted unlawfully by giving Zimbabwe's first lady immunity, her alleged victim says.

Switzerland landslide: Eight missing in Val Bondasca region

Villagers are evacuated after rocks and debris plummet down a mountainside in the Val Bondasca area.

Mont Blanc: Three bodies found on Miage glacier

It is thought the three people died on Europe's highest peak in the 1990s.

Colin Kaepernick supporters rally for jobless NFL player

Colin Kaepernick, who staged protests during the US anthem, is jobless weeks before the season starts.

'Amazing' rediscovery of rare Australian tree-rat

The black-footed tree rat was thought to be extinct in the north of Western Australia.

Dutch arrest after Rotterdam gig cancelled amid terror threat

A 22-year-old man is held by police hours after a tip-off prompts a Rotterdam concert to be cancelled.

Australian spy chief criticised for Duterte fist photo

An Australian spy chief should not have clenched his hand alongside the president, critics say.

Clear-up operation begins after Typhoon Hato destruction

Typhoon Hato has left 12 people dead in Macau and southern China.

Typhoon Hato: Twelve killed as storm sweeps south China

The powerful storm caused widespread flooding and destruction in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

Rio: Organised crime on the rise

Gun crime is becoming increasingly common in Rio de Janeiro due to organised crime.

Brazil opens vast Amazon reserve to mining

The area, which spans the northern states of Amapa and Para, is thought to be rich in gold.

Pay up or pack up

Cambodia's free press fears silencing as leader Hun Sen is emboldened by US President Donald Trump.

'Disturbing behaviour'

Indian cricketers are among those disgusted by the girl's treatment, reports the BBC's Geeta Pandey.

Trial of rice

The fate of former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, on trial for corruption, will shape Thailand's future.

War footing

A year after hosting the Olympics, Rio is battling a wave of violence amid financial constraints.

Will fairy tale Białowieża forest survive Poland’s fight with the EU?

Campaigners in Poland are worried about the future of one of Europe's last primeval forests, as the Polish government defies an EU order to stop logging there.

Orange boom

The Italian island has found a range of innovative and sustainable ways of re-using citrus rinds.

Canada government giving migrants 'false hope'

The country is seeing a surge in refugee claims as migrants cross the border from the US.

My mum the sex worker

“Laal Batti Express” is more than a play - exploring the struggles faced by 15 girls whose mums are sex workers in Mumbai, but they have found success in the power of forgiveness.

But is it art?

Choi Sangkyun has one of the largest collections of North Korean propaganda art in the world.

Macarena teenage dancer released in Saudi Arabia

Authorities had accused the 14-year-old boy of "improper public behaviour" after a viral video hit.

Mosaic from 1,500 years ago discovered in Jerusalem

The well-preserved find is believed to be from the floor of a hostel for the city's religious pilgrims.

Kirill Serebrennikov: Russian protesters demand director's release

Protesters in Russia believe the charges against director Kirill Serebrennikov are political.

Dutch gig cancelled over terror tip-off

Rotterdam's mayor says a concert by US band Allah-Las was cancelled after an alert from Spanish police.

Venezuela ex-prosecutor: I have proof of Maduro corruption

The sacked prosecutor who fled Venezuela says she has evidence of the president's alleged corruption.

Donald Trump softens tone to urge 'a new unity'

The US president's conciliatory message contrasts sharply with his raucous rally the night before.

Why Sardinia's tourists taking sand as souvenir face fine

Famed for its pristine beaches, the Mediterranean island hits back at tourists pinching its sand.

Saudi police release teenager detained for doing Macarena

The 14-year-old was summoned for questioning in Mecca over a video of him dancing in the street.

Cat and mouse

Shaun Davidson tunnelled out of a Bali prison in June and remains on the run, taunting police.

Thailand charges dropped against BBC reporter

Jonathan Head faced up to five years in jail if he had been convicted of criminal defamation.

Where 'spirits' come to life

Egungun - the festival where "spirits" come to life.

Canadian town refuses to remove swastikas from park

The mayor says the swastikas are part of local history, since the anchor was found by divers 25 years ago.

Hillary Clinton: Trump was a creep during our debates

Extracts from the former presidential candidate's new book says Donald Trump made her skin crawl.

Brazil boat sinks killing at least seven in Amazon region

The boat was travelling along the Xingu river when it sank with about 70 people on board.

Chile's Atacama desert: World's driest place in bloom after surprise rain

Flowers are blooming in the Atacama desert in northern Chile after unusual rainfall in the region.

Hillary Clinton: 'My skin crawled' in Trump debate

She says she wishes she had told her Republican rival: "Back up, you creep!"

Nickelodeon scraps plan for underwater Philippines resort

It follows fierce criticism from environmentalists who said the plan would damage marine life.

Russian crowd demands director Serebrennikov's release

Supporters chant "freedom" as Kirill Serebrennikov is placed under house arrest on fraud charges.

Yemen war: Air strike on hotel outside Sanaa 'leaves 30 dead'

Rescuers are pulling bodies from the rubble of the two-storey building on the outskirts of Sanaa.

Who will win soccer's battle of the signing videos?

Who will win soccer's battle of the signing videos?

Polish bishops for total ban on Sunday shopping

The Polish Catholic Church backs a ban on shopping on Sundays.

Email prank 'tricks' Breitbart editors

The same prankster that reportedly fooled top White House officials strikes again.

Angolans choose new leader to replace Jose Eduardo dos Santos

Jose Eduardo dos Santos, the world's second-longest serving president, is stepping down.

Melania Trump thanks Chelsea Clinton for defending son Barron

Ms Clinton spoke up after a news site criticised President Trump's 11-year-old son's dress sense.

Should this street be named after Maria Von Trapp?

Should a street in the Austrian town of Salzburg be named after The Sound of Music's Maria von Trapp?

ESPN reassigns commentator Robert Lee over 'name coincidence'

The commentator is pulled from a Charlottesville game as he shares a name with a Confederate general.

Egypt criticises US decision to withhold military aid

Egypt's foreign ministry says the move - not yet announced by Washington - reflects "poor judgement".

Teen voters change Estonian election dynamic

Promises of skate parks as 16- and 17-year-olds take part in forthcoming poll.

Walmart and Google to offer voice-enabled shopping

Step aside Amazon Alexa - soon you will be able to order Walmart products using Google Assistant.

Wife of ex-Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif diagnosed with cancer

Kulsoom Nawaz is diagnosed weeks before contesting the seat her husband vacated in a corruption row.

Typhoon Hato batters Hong Kong

The storm has uprooted trees and forced most businesses to close.

'Soul of the rose'

How synthetic smells are threatening the future of exquisite scents from the 'soul of the rose'.

Kim Wall: Headless body identified as missing journalist

A headless torso found in Copenhagen belongs to missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall, Danish police say

Trump vows to 'close government' to build Mexico wall

The US president also takes aim at the media during a rally for his supporters in Arizona.

Great Wall Motor dampens Fiat bid speculation

The Chinese automaker says it has not spoken with Fiat Chrysler over a possible acquisition.

Bulldozer rampage: Australian man guilty of endangering lives

A man is found guilty of endangering a family after destroying four cars, a boat and a house.

'Left with nothing'

Nawal al-Maghafi meets Yemenis struggling to survive severe food and medical shortages caused by war.

Selling citizenship

Amar Al-Sadi and her family escaped war-torn Yemen and are among thousands who have bought Maltese passports.

The man who wants to sell rhino horns

Rhino breeder John Hume says open trade is the only way to raise funds for the species and stop poaching.

Population boom

Alastair Leithead assesses the consequences for a country where women have an average 7.6 children each.

Has Harry Potter cursed Indonesia's owls?

Has the popularity of Harry Potter caused a surge in demand for keeping owls as pets in Indonesia?

Pet acupuncture

Thousands of vets now use the controversial method, which advocates say can aid chronic ailments.

Venezuela seeks arrest warrant for prosecutor

Luisa Ortega has gone to Brazil and is expected to seek asylum in the US.

'I made a hole in the roof'

Five survivors of Sierra Leone mudslide give harrowing accounts of their loss and how they escaped death.

Mont Blanc marvel

In July 1965 an 11km tunnel deep beneath the Alps was opened to traffic.

How children are starving in Yemen's war

No food and intermittent electricity: a BBC team sees what medics are up against in a rebel-held city.

The Catholics protesting Manila's drug war

Churches in Cubao will ring their bells every night in protest against President Duterte's war on drugs.

US Afghanistan: Tillerson ups pressure on Pakistan

The US urges Pakistan to stop sheltering Taliban forces amid a new US pledge to support Afghanistan.

Teenager arrested for dancing Macarena on Saudi street

A 14-year-old is arrested in Saudi Arabia after a clip of him dancing in the street went viral.

Ischia earthquake: Three brothers pulled from rubble

The siblings, aged between seven months and 11 years old, were pulled from the rubble by fire crews.

US hits Chinese and Russian firms over North Korea

Ten companies and six individuals in Russia and China are subject to a new round of US sanctions.

Nigeria's Boko Haram conflict: Huge rise in child 'human bombs'

There have been 83 cases so far this year - four times as many as all of last year, the UN says.

Saving Grace

Diplomacy has triumphed over justice in the assault case against Zimbabwe's First Lady Grace Mugabe in South Africa, writes the BBC's Pumza Fihlani.

A black bear got punched after entering a Canadian home

The aggressive bear was eventually killed by authorities after it chased a man down the street.

Against the grain

President Trump made the wrong decision, says Professor Andrew Bacevich of Boston University.

Kim Wall: Unidentified torso 'deliberately mutilated'

Danish police say they do not yet know if the torso belongs to missing journalist Kim Wall.

Nigerian president to 'work from home' after rat infestation

Muhammadu Buhari has just returned from extended medical leave, but now has an office infestation.

Sixty migrants found locked in icy truck on US-Mexico border

The migrants were found lying on sheets of ice by border patrol agents in Texas.

Jollof rice: West Africa’s culinary king?

Food lovers in Nigeria have been attending the inaugural Jollof festival in the commercial capital Lagos.

Barcelona to sue Neymar over move to Paris St-Germain

Barcelona are to sue former player Neymar over his 222m euro (£200m) world record move to Paris St-Germain.

Barcelona attack: Police raid homes of suspects

Spanish police have released footage of raids on three homes in the town of Ripoll, north of Barcelona.

Angry protest at Charlottesville meeting over far-right rally

The city council is harangued over its handling of a white supremacy rally that ended in tragedy.

Uganda police: Arrests over ritual serial killings

Police say most victims were sex workers who had been raped and strangled.

China relaunches world's fastest train

The high-speed trains will be able to run at speeds of 350km/h following safety checks on rail lines.

'Donald Trump-shaped' ecstasy pills seized by German police

The drugs were due to have been sold online under the slogan "Trump makes partying great again".

Pair sell home to repair Russian suspension bridge

Two Russian men sell an apartment, car and a garage in an attempt to reconstruct a suspension bridge in Russia's Far East.

Afghanistan hails Trump support in 'joint struggle'

President Ghani thanks Donald Trump for supporting Afghanistan's battle against the Taliban.

IS conflict: Iraqi forces enter outskirts of Tal Afar

Troops and militiamen are fighting their way into the biggest city in Iraq still under IS control.

Star-gazing

The best pictures and moments from a day when millions in North American gazed upwards in wonder.

German foreign minister blames Erdogan over family 'threats'

Sigmar Gabriel blames the Turkish leader's angry rhetoric for threats made against his wife.

Australia Zoo asks public to name white koala joey

Australia Zoo has asked the public to name a white koala joey.

US Navy collision: Remains found in hunt for missing sailors

Remains found in the hunt for 10 US sailors missing after a collision near Singapore, naval officials say.

Triple talaq: Why I fought instant divorce

Atiya Sabri tells the story of her legal fight to abolish instant divorce in India.

Syria war: 'Dozens of civilians killed' in Raqqa air strikes

Activists say 19 children were among those who died when US-led warplanes bombed the Syrian city.

US Navy collision: Divers join search for missing sailors

Ten sailors are still missing after the USS John McCain collided with a tanker near Singapore.

Russian theatre director Serebrennikov held in fraud case

Kirill Serebrennikov is suspected of embezzlement and is a critic of Russian censorship in the arts.

Bear bites man in China 'tiger death' wildlife park

The man rolled down his car window at the drive-through park to feed bears despite warnings.

Barcelona attack: Surviving suspects face judge

The surviving suspects will hear the charges against them and could be questioned if they testify.

Baby rescued from Italian earthquake

The earthquake on the Italian island of Ischia has left many people injured.

Australian zoo welcomes rare white koala

The joey does not have albinism and would struggle to survive in the wild, experts say.

India court suspends instant divorce

India's top court suspends instant Islamic divorces for six months, but says parliament must legislate

Trump pledges support for Afghanistan

A hasty US withdrawal from Afghanistan would leave a vacuum for terrorists, the president said.

Melbourne terror charges: Men face court over mosque fires

The men set a mosque ablaze after being inspired by so-called Islamic State, police allege.

High view

BBC correspondent James Cook views the total eclipse from 40,000ft above the Pacific Ocean.

Libya crisis: Benghazi shootings video mars 'victory'

Just weeks after the Libyan city was declared liberated from Islamists, footage shows more bloodshed.

Charlottesville violence: What Germans think seeing a US far-right rally

The display of Nazi symbols is illegal in Germany - so what was it like for Germans to see neo-Nazis joining white supremacists to march in Virginia?

Righting wrongs

Food firm Dr Oetker, says others should follow it and give back art they own that was looted by the Nazis from Jewish owners.

Long goodbye

Angolans go to the polls on Wednesday as President Dos Santos steps down after 38 years in power.

Hill 70

A new monument will commemorate the first time a Canadian commander led Canadian troops in WW1.

Pen pals

The BBC's Divya Arya asked two teenagers, Duaa from Srinagar and Saumya in Delhi, to become pen pals.

Revision time

From next month Turkish schools have a new curriculum and it is dividing parents.

Australia's shameful past

A school play about a shameful chapter in Australia's history caused anger, but was it justified?

Earthquake on Ischia leaves at least one dead and 25 injured

An earthquake on Ischia leaves at least one person dead, with reports of others trapped and injured.

Men in South Africa court on cannibalism charges

Arrests are made after a KwaZulu-Natal man complained to police he was "tired" of eating human flesh.

Australian terror plan to hide plane bomb in Barbie revealed

Details emerge of plans to hide bombs inside a doll and a meat grinder on an Australian flight.

Chile abortion: Court approves easing total ban

News of the judges' ruling by 6-4 led to celebrations among left-of centre parties in Santiago.

Trump to unveil Afghanistan war strategy

The US president is expected to outline a more aggressive US counter-terrorism policy in the region.

Kim Wall: Torso found amid search for submarine journalist

Police say it is too early to say if it belongs to missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall.

Trump travel drains Secret Service budget

The expenses include some $60,000 on golf cart rentals alone at President Trump's resorts.

Ambushed Ohio judge shoots gunman dead outside court

Judge Joseph Bruzzese was shot several times, but returned fire in a gunfight outside his chambers.

Solar eclipse 2017: Donald Trump looks directly at the Sun

The US president couldn't resist taking a sneaky peek without his protective glasses.

Solar eclipse: See it in 60 seconds

A Nasa telescope captures the total solar eclipse as it passes over the western US state of Oregon.

Angolans vote to replace long-serving president

Angola votes for a new president who will replace a man who has been in power since 1979.

Danish Crown Prince Frederik 'denied entry to Australian pub'

The royal was turned away because he and his entourage did not have proper identification.

Solar eclipse: Watch it happen

The US witnesses the spectacular effects of its first coast-to-coast solar eclipse in 100 years.

Morocco bus sexual assault: Four arrested over attack

Four men are arrested in Casablanca, after a video emerged showing a woman being assaulted on a bus.

South Korean forces simulate terror attack

Security forces rehearse their response to hostage and biochemical attacks in annual drills.

Gustavo Dudamel: Venezuela star conductor's tour cancelled

Gustavo Dudamel confirms his US tour with Venezuela's National Youth Orchestra has been cancelled.

Grace Mugabe: South Africa immunity decision condemned

South Africa's main opposition party accuses the government of protecting its "dodgy friends".

Renowned publisher reverses China censorship

Cambridge University Press restores access to sensitive China stories after academics protest.

US Navy orders fleet investigation after collision

The inquiry will look at "all related accidents at sea", US Defence Secretary James Mattis says.

University of Texas removes four Confederate statues

The monuments are symbols of "modern white supremacy and neo-Nazism", the school's president says.

Russia condemns US visa restrictions in diplomatic tussle

US consulates will no longer issue visas to Russians - only the Moscow embassy will do so.

James Dresnok, last US soldier to defect to N Korea, dies

James Dresnok was believed to be the last living US soldier to defect, crossing the DMZ in 1962.

'Man shot' in Barcelona suspect hunt

Man reported shot west of Barcelona by police hunting driver in Thursday's van attack

Spain attack: Hugs and defiance on Las Ramblas

People hug and chant "no terrorism" on the street where people were killed in last week's attack.

Spanish woman 'crushed between floors' in Seville hospital lift

The Spanish woman was being wheeled out of a lift when it began moving upwards, reports say.

‘Bad, bad, bad’

Twitter users hope The Day the Clown Cried may be released in the wake of the comic's death.

France's Brigitte Macron gets role but no 'first lady' title

An official charter gives the president's wife duties but no formal "first lady" role.

Final Big Ben chimes until 2021

This is the moment Big Ben chimed for the last time before major restoration work starts.

Dating app aims to boost Russian voter turnout

TV claims that instructions for the voting app come from the top of Russian politics.

US Navy ship: sleeping area and communication equipment damaged

The guided missile destroyer USS John S McCain was sailing east of Singapore when a collision with a Liberian-flagged tanker occurred.

Godzilla is 'great opportunity' for Mexico City

Film crews are shooting scenes for a new Godzilla film in the historic streets of Mexico's capital.

Dad gets tattoo of brain shunt after daughter's surgery

Briar Hickenbottom-Marriott says she doesn't feel lonely any more after her dad's show of support.

IS conflict: Iraq army makes advances on Tal Afar

The northern city was once a strategic IS supply route between Mosul and the Syrian border.

Personal bodyguard app to launch in northeast China

A mobile application is set to launch in northeast China for people seeking that VIP touch.

Olajumoke: 'Tinie Tempah photobomb transformed my life'

How a moment of pure chance turned a bread-seller into a national celebrity and model in Nigeria.

Kim Wall died in accident on submarine, Danish inventor says

Danish inventor Peter Madsen has said that he "buried" missing reporter Kim Wall at sea, police say.

Moroccan suspect named over Finland stabbings in Turku

An 18-year-old asylum seeker - shot in the leg - is to appear in court on Tuesday.

Car hits two bus stops in Marseille

One person killed, one hurt and driver arrested after car crashes into two bus stops in Marseille - French police.

Malaysia sites hacked after blunder over Indonesian flag

The Indonesian flag was printed upside down in a Malaysia-organised regional sports event guidebook.

Nigeria's President Buhari in plea for Nigerian unity

The leader urged Nigerians to come together following three months of medical leave in the UK.

Manhunt widened for Barcelona attacker

The hunt for the driver who killed 13 people in Barcelona has been extended across Europe - Catalan officials.

BBC starts Pidgin digital service for West Africa audiences

The World Service launches online and social media in Pidgin to serve audiences across West and Central Africa.

Eclipse spectacle set to grip US public

Skywatchers in the US prepare for an event that is without precedent in the country's 241-year history.

What the trees say

People from all over the world have been moved to write messages on the plane trees of Las Ramblas.

Qantas chief to campaign for Australia same-sex marriage

Alan Joyce, who was once struck with a pie over his support, will "be active" in Australia's debate.

Killer robots: Experts warn of 'third revolution in warfare'

A letter to the UN warns the world is getting closer to a dangerous "third revolution in warfare".

King of goofy comedy

Once Hollywood's best-paid star, who has died at 91, enjoyed a 10-year partnership with Dean Martin.

The village in Nepal cut off by floods

Aid agencies are warning of a humanitarian crisis following recent flooding.

24-year-old Lele Tao makes a fortune through live streaming in front of webcams to her 1 million fans - one super fan is about to have the first real face-to-face interaction with her. The second of a three-part series.

US-South Korea set for divisive military drills

Pyongyang has already lashed out at the annual drills, saying they were "adding fuel to the fire".

US Navy ship collides with oil tanker off Singapore

The incident off Singapore is the second serious collision involving a US Navy ship in two months.

'My body battleground'

The brutality of online attacks on some Muslim women in Malaysia have led to calls for changes in law.

The border between North and South Korea

The BBC visits the border between North and South Korea and talks to the European observers who monitor the ceasefire.

Masks for smear test patients in Thailand

A health clinic in Thailand is handing out masks to encourage more women to attend their cervical smear tests.

Growing pains

Thirty years from now the population of Nigeria will have doubled. How can Lagos - Africa's largest city - cope?

'Right thing to do'

An anti-racism protester explains why she protected Trump supporters in a tense protest.

US comedian Jerry Lewis 'dies aged 91'

Entertainer Jerry Lewis, one of Hollywood's most successful comedians, has died aged 91, US media report

Barcelona attack: Ripoll, the town where suspects lived

Quiet Ripoll is in shock after becoming the focus of the Barcelona van attack investigation.

Indian court grants woman divorce over lack of home toilet

The court said forcing the woman to use open fields amounted to cruelty.

Syria war: Rocket 'hits Damascus trade fair'

The event is being held for the first time in five years. with reports speaking of five deaths.

Hong Kong protest: Thousands march for jailed activists

Thousands voice support for three men given jail terms by the court of appeal over protests in 2014.

Aryana Sayeed: Kabul concert goes ahead despite threats

Aryana Sayeed, known to fans as Afghanistan's Kim Kardashian, sang to hundreds of delighted fans.

BBC Pidgin: Meet the team

Meet the team bringing the BBC to tens of millions of Pidgin speakers in West and Central Africa.

Philippines drug campaign condemned by senior Catholics

It comes as questions are raised over the killing of a teenager by police during a week of violence.

Dogan Akhanli: Spain grants Erdogan critic conditional release

The German-Turkish writer must stay in Madrid while Turkey considers requesting his extradition.

Solar eclipse: Welcome to 'Eclipseville', Kentucky

Thousands are flocking to the little town of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in the US, to watch Monday's solar eclipse.

The winners and losers of Mexico's wind power boom

In 'windy' La Ventosa, a village 700km from Mexico City, residents are renting out their land for wind farms.

Lost WWII warship USS Indianapolis found after 72 years

The warship's sinking, weeks before WWII's end, remains the worst US naval loss in history.

It's the weekend, it's happy news

From an inspirational father and daughter to a cloakroom assistant who became a stage star.

Forklift truck used to steal ATM in Arkansas

Police in Arkansas are hunting thieves who stole the cash machine from a bank's drive-through area.

Sir Colin Meads: All Blacks legend dies of cancer, aged 81

All Blacks great Sir Colin Meads, who was named as New Zealand's best rugby player of the 20th Century, dies of pancreatic cancer, aged 81.

Grace Mugabe back in Zimbabwe amid SA assault claims

Robert Mugabe's wife is back in Harare despite allegations of an assault at a hotel in Johannesburg.

Back with Spain?

Hopes in Madrid that a common front against terrorism will dampen secessionism may be misplaced.

No peace in sight

The BBC's Alex Duval Smith reports on how the return of conflict is redefining life in northern Mali.

Barcelona attack: Royals to attend special Mass for victims

King Felipe and Queen Letizia will attend the Sagrada Familia to mourn the 14 killed in attacks.

Boston demonstrations: How the day unfolded

How a day of rival "free speech" and anti-racism protests in Boston unfolded.

How to watch a total solar eclipse

Ahead of Monday's eclipse in the US, here are four tips from the Faroe Islands, which experienced one in 2015.

US comedian and activist Dick Gregory dies aged 84

The family of Dick Gregory, who satirised racism with his stand-up, announce his death aged 84.

IS conflict: Iraq launches ground offensive in Tal Afar

Tal Afar, the last major city held by IS in Iraq, has been a target since the fall of Mosul in July.

Lebanese army recaptures third of IS stronghold of Ras Baalbek

A third of the north-eastern region of Ras Baalbek is recaptured in offensive launched on Saturday.

IS kids

On the streets of Europe, we meet teenage boys trained by IS. Their testimony reveals wide-ranging plans to turn children into killers.

Mum v Dad

A Spanish woman disappears with her children as a judge threatens her with jail in a custody row.

The migrants making a clean sweep in Rome

Two Nigerian men are paying their way in the city by volunteering to clean up the streets.

Usakos, a community scarred by apartheid

A new exhibition of photographs shows how apartheid changed this small Namibian town.

India train crash in Uttar Pradesh leaves 23 dead

Several carriages jumped the rails in Uttar Pradesh, leaving at least 23 dead and dozens injured.

Erdogan critic Dogan Akhanli arrested in Spain

Germany accuses Turkey of intimidation after the detention of German-Turkish writer Dogan Akhanli.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari returns from UK

The Nigerian leader spent three months in the UK seeking treatment for an unspecified illness.

Barcelona attack: Government says terror cell dismantled

The regional Catalan government disagrees as the hunt continues for Younes Abouyaaqoub.

Barcelona attack: CCTV shows van on Las Ramblas

Footage has emerged of the van attack on Las Ramblas which left 13 people dead.

Sierra Leone: Rescue workers search for mudslide bodies

On the outskirts of Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, rescue workers are looking for victims's bodies in the debris of their homes.

Trumps to skip Kennedy honours to avoid 'distraction'

The couple will not attend the Kennedy Center Honors to avoid political distraction, officials say.

Grace Mugabe fails to appear at leaders summit in SA

Police want to interview Mrs Mugabe about an alleged assault at a hotel in Johannesburg.

South Africa minister Mduduzi Manana resigns over assault claim

Deputy Education Minister Mduduzi Manana is accused of assaulting a woman in a nightclub.

Ruth Pfau: State funeral for Pakistan's 'Mother Teresa'

Ruth Pfau dedicated her life to treating tens of thousands of leprosy patients across Pakistan.

Congo mudslide death toll 'to rise to 200'

Households were buried after heavy rains caused parts of a nearby mountain to collapse.

Boston braces for rival protests week after Charlottesville

Police are reportedly investigating claims some radical counter-protesters might plan to throw acid.

Russian knife attacker wounds eight

A knife attacker wounds eight in the Russian town of Surgut before being killed by police.

Liu Xiabo's widow Liu Xia makes first appearance since funeral

Liu Xia, the widow of China's most prominent critic Liu Xiabo, had not been seen since his funeral.

ICYMI: Take a tour with Mr Despacito

Luis Fonsi becomes a tourist guide in Puerto Rico and some other stories you may have missed this week.

Finland killings: Stabbings in Turku a 'terror attack'

The man taken into custody after two people were stabbed to death is an 18-year-old Moroccan.

Barcelona attack: Crowd screams as man arrested

A third person is arrested in the town of Ripoll, where the main suspect in Thursday's attack lived.

'Online goddess' who earns $450k a year

24-year-old live streamer Lele Tao has one million fans, mostly young men. The first of a three-part series.

Steve Bannon vows to 'go to war' for Trump agenda after sacking

The fired Trump strategist vows to fight for the agenda which he says won the US presidency.

Woman raped by Roman Polanski asks for 'mercy' to end case

A Los Angeles court rejects a plea to dismiss the 40-year-old case by a woman raped by the director.

Cry Sierra Leone

Reporter Umaru Fofana reflects on a week that saw horrific mudslide and flooding in the capital, Freetown.

Scoop kings

A fledgling Hong Kong investigative news agency has quickly built a reputation for its scoops.

The power of colour

Graffiti artists turn a violent hillside neighbourhood in Pachuca into a colourful work of art.

Graven images

Trump's argument that the removal of Confederate statues is a slippery slope to changing history has recharged the perennial debate about America's tormented racial legacy.

US to review China intellectual property policies

China has voiced "serious concern" over the investigation, which could result in US trade sanctions.

Disputed Venezuela assembly takes parliament's powers

The opposition-led parliament says the move will be rejected by Venezuelans.

Finland stabbings: We won't give in, says eyewitness

Hear the defiant message of Anttoni Numminen, who was in a bar close to the attack in the city of Turku.

UN: Over one million South Sudanese refugees in Uganda

The number of South Sudanese who have fled to Uganda has hit one million.

Key Barcelona attack suspect confirmed dead

Key suspect in Barcelona attacks Moussa Oukabir identified as one of men killed by police in Cambrils

Pushing back

From bringing flowers to challenging haters, people are pushing back after the day of terror.

Chop and change