Abounding Opportunities

The country is to significantly lift military spending amid rising US-China instability, its PM says.

Hong Kong: 'Anti-protest' law kicks in as city marks handover

As the city marks 23 years since British rule ended, critics say the new law is "the end of Hong Kong".

Coronavirus: Czechs hold party to 'farewell' pandemic

Thousands attended the festive event in Prague, sharing food and drink with people around them.

The Cameroonian waging war against a French war hero’s statue

Essama Andre has repeatedly attacked the statue of French war hero Gen Philippe Leclerc in Doula.

Persuading China to switch to 'fake' pork

Pork is China's favourite meat dish, but will new meat substitutes tempt consumers to give up meat?

Coronavirus: The human cost of fake news in India

False and misleading reports have surged in the country during the coronavirus pandemic.

Facebook bans 'violent' Boogaloo-linked network

It said the group seeks violence and is loosely affiliated with the far-right Boogaloo movement

Coronavirus: Joe Biden will not hold campaign rallies

"This is the most unusual campaign, I think, in modern history," the Democratic nominee said.

Coronavirus: What's behind new US outbreaks?

Cases are rising in Texas, Florida, Arizona and California - here's a look at the data and the theories.

Coronavirus: US officials warn 'this is just the beginning'

A top US health expert says the US is not like other countries, because it has "way too much virus".

Carl Reiner: US comedy star dies at 98

The veteran actor, comedian and writer also starred in Ocean's Eleven as conman Saul Bloom.

Ruhollah Zam: Iran sentences journalist to death for fanning unrest

Ruhollah Zam ran a site that Iran accuses of inciting the nationwide protests of 2017-18.

Mystery over monster star's vanishing act

A huge star has disappeared - did it become a black hole?

Mexico missing students: Suspect detained in 2014 case

The man is accused of being part of the drugs gang linked to the disappearances in 2014.

Ai Weiwei: 'The darkest day for Hong Kong'

Artist and activist Ai Weiwei warns lawyers and activists could be "disappeared or sentenced" after China passed a controversial security law.

Roblox accounts hacked to support Trump

Video game avatars have been changed to display pro-Trump messages in a hack targeted at children.

Hong Kong security law: Anger as China's Xi signs legislation

The UK, EU and Nato express grave concern for Hong Kong autonomy as China's president signs the law.

Johnny Mandel: Michael Buble leads tributes to 'genius' Mash composer

The Oscar and Grammy-winner also wrote The Shadow of Your Smile and Emily.

Koalas face extinction in New South Wales by 2050, report finds

Populations will be ravaged by habitat loss and climate change without urgent action, a report finds.

Afghanistan war: Trump got written briefing on 'Russia bounties', reports say

The president received details about the killing of US troops in Afghanistan this year, reports say.

Two teenagers shot in Seattle's Chop autonomous zone

Officials are considering dismantling the zone, set up amid protests over the killing of George Floyd

France's Fessenheim nuclear plant shuts down oldest nuclear plant

Fessenheim on the Rhine provided thousands of jobs but activists had long called for it to close.

Ban on Chinese apps surprises India content makers

The Indian government says it has banned 59 apps with links to China on national security grounds.

Hachalu Hundessa: Popular Ethiopian protest singer shot dead

Hachalu Hundessa sang about the plight of the Oromo ethnic group, which partly inspired protests.

Belgian king expresses 'deepest regrets' for DR Congo colonial abuses

King Philippe expresses his "deepest regrets" to DR Congo's president for Belgium's colonial rule.

Coronavirus: Human trial of India vaccine in July

This is the first Indian vaccine and developed from a weakened strain of the virus isolated locally.

China passes controversial Hong Kong security law

Beijing has passed the law, the BBC has learned, deepening fears for the city's freedoms.

Coronavirus-hit Arizona reverses course on reopening

Arizona emerges as a new US virus epicentre, joining other Sun Belt states like Florida and Texas.

Kweichow Moutai: 'Elite' alcohol brand is China's most valuable firm

Kweichow Moutai's share price rockets thanks to its popular and sought-after baijiu drink.

Venezuela tells EU ambassador to leave country

Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa's expulsion comes after the EU placed sanctions on 11 Venezuelan officials.

Coronavirus overwhelms Afghanistan’s war-ravaged hospitals

Corruption, medical supply shortages and militant attacks have deepened the country's health crisis.

Coronavirus: How much does your boss need to know about you?

Firms are collecting a lot more information about staff as they try to contain coronavirus risks.

China forcing birth control on Uighurs to suppress population, report says

A report says China is carrying out a campaign of forced birth control to limit the minority group.

Could a boycott kill Facebook?

As several big brands shun the social network, should Facebook be worried?

How UK museums are responding to Black Lives Matter

With museums reopening in July, the return of looted cultural objects is in the spotlight again.

Lazarus Chakwera: Malawi's president who 'argued with God'.

Malawi's new leader, Lazarus Chakwera, had to square his church leadership with secular ambitions.

US top court strikes down law limiting abortions

In a landmark ruling, the court struck down a Louisiana law restricting abortions as unconstitutional.

Qasem Soleimani: Iran seeks Trump's arrest over killing of general

Iran issues an arrest warrant for the US president over the killing of its top commander in January.

Bangladesh ferry crash: At least 32 dead as boat capsizes

Reports say a ferry carrying about 50 passengers crashed with another vessel on the Buriganga river.

Kim Kardashian West sells $200m stake in cosmetics brand

The reality TV star and businesswoman will sell 20% of her business to beauty giant Coty.

Coronavirus: Gütersloh lockdown extended around meat factory

German authorities extend the Gütersloh lockdown for a week after an outbreak at the Tönnies site.

Argentina and Brazil crops threatened by locust swarm

The insects have already caused damage to crops in Paraguay and could head for Uruguay next.

Wildfire raging in Nevada turns Las Vegas sky red

A wildfire raging in Mount Charleston, Nevada, has sent up a large plume of smoke visible from nearby Las Vegas.

'Fake jobs': French ex-PM François Fillon and wife jailed

Ex-French PM François Fillon and his Welsh wife Penelope found guilty over "fake jobs" scandal.

Children in Syria IS camps 'a time bomb'

The Islamic State group says it will try to free women and children from detention camps in Syria.

Beyoncé: Vote like our life depends on it

The star highlights racial injustices as she accepts a BET honour for her humanitarian work.

How hackers extorted $1.14m from US university

BBC News witnesses a negotiation between ransomware hackers and a 'cash-strapped' university.

Christie's urged to cancel auction of 'looted' Nigerian artefacts

A historian says they were taken from shrines in south-eastern Nigeria during the 1960s civil war.

Nornickel: Russia probes new pollution at Arctic mining firm

Workers are suspended after waste water, said to contain heavy metals, was pumped into the wilderness.

Syria faces mass starvation or mass exodus without more aid, WFP says

A million Syrians are severely food insecure and some are already dying, the head of the WFP warns.

In pictures: Huge Nevada wildfire turns Las Vegas sky red

The fire in Mount Charleston, Nevada, engulfed about 5,000 acres (20 sq km) within an afternoon.

Gunmen attack Pakistani stock exchange in Karachi

Gunmen attack the stock exchange in Karachi, with local media reporting a number of people killed or wounded.

Brexit: Where are we now?

It's been out of the headlines for the past few months, but Brexit is back on the political menu.

Hebei: China locks down 400,000 people after virus spike near Beijing

It's a small spike in Hebei near Beijing - but enough for officials to reinstate a strict lockdown.

How the world celebrated 50 years of Pride - despite the pandemic

Most LGBT Pride events were cancelled or moved online because of coronavirus, but not all.

France municipal elections: Greens score gains in second round

President Macron's party is punished by voters in a poll held amid coronavirus restrictions.

Poland presidential election heads for second round - exit poll

President Andrzej Duda finishes first but without enough votes to win outright, exit polls indicate.

Louisville: Man in custody after shooting at Breonna Taylor protest

A shooting at a Louisville protest over Breonna Taylor left one man dead and a suspect in hospital.

Russia denies its nuclear plants are source of radiation leak

Scandinavian states have reported elevated, but not dangerous, radiation levels in the atmosphere.

Whale freed from fishing net off Italian coast

The Italian coastguard cut the trapped sperm whale free off the coast of Lipari, north of Sicily.

Starbucks suspends social media ads over hate speech

The coffee company said it would suspend advertising on some platforms in an effort to address hate speech.

Coronavirus: Number of Covid-19 infections tops 10m worldwide

The virus, which has led to almost 500,000 deaths, is spreading rapidly in many parts of the world.

Taiwan stages LGBT pride parade 'for the world'

Taiwan has escaped the worst of the pandemic while hundreds of parades around the world have been axed.

Coronavirus: Delta to extend caps on passenger numbers

The airline has been capping the numbers on board its flights to no more than 60% of capacity.

Boeing set for critical 737 Max flight tests

US regulators may start tests this week as Boeing bids to clear a milestone for the crisis-hit aircraft.

Trump retweets video of supporter shouting 'white power'

The president is criticised for sharing video from a pro-Trump rally at a Florida retirement home.

Lazarus Chakwera sworn in as Malawi president after historic win

The opposition candidate won nearly 60% of the vote to defeat the incumbent.

Mississippi moves to strip Confederate emblem from state flag

The southern state of Mississippi is the last in the US to feature the emblem on its flag.

Bridesmaids star Rose Byrne on her double helping of political movies

Rose Byrne plays a political shark and a feminist icon in two new productions about to hit the small screen.

Coronavirus: How Delhi 'wasted' lockdown to become India's biggest hotspot

India's capital now has the country's highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases.

Afghanistan war: Russia denies paying militants to kill US troops

US reports say a Russian intelligence unit offered rewards for killing US and allied troops.

Rolling Stones warn Trump not to use their songs - or face legal action

The president's campaign could face legal action if it ignores "cease and desist directives".

Li Zhensheng: Photographer of China's cultural revolution

Li Zhensheng captured a time when China was plunged into a decade of chaos and turmoil.

'The love letter to my neighbourhood that helped me flee my country'

José Gregorio Márquez was ashamed of the place he grew up, but he came to love it before leaving it forever.

Mahmoud Dicko: Mali imam challenges President Keïta

Mahmoud Dicko is spearheading mass protests against the West African state's embattled president.

Coronavirus: How coming-of-age rituals were interrupted - and reinvented

How coming-of-age rituals were interrupted - and reinvented - amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Zimbabwe's Cook Off: How an $8,000 romcom made it to Netflix

Zimbabwe's first film to be featured on the streaming service is a tale of hope in a chaotic country.

Coronavirus: Cut negatives capture the isolation of lockdown

Photographer Aletheia Casey talks about her series To Dance With Shadows, made during the pandemic.

Poland's clash of values in presidential election

If President Andrzej Duda loses, the opposition could force a change in Polish politics.

To Italy with Love: Postcards from a Covid-America

An Italian student in Ohio watched her country reel from the coronavirus pandemic.

How prosthetics transformed a circus performer's art

Circus performer Erin Ball thought her career was over when she lost her feet in an accident in 2014.

Malawi opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera wins historic poll rerun

Lazarus Chakwera wins nearly 60% of the vote to defeat the incumbent and become Malawi's president.

Princeton to remove Woodrow Wilson's name from policy school

The prestigious US university says Woodrow Wilson's racist views made him "an inappropriate namesake".

Galwan Valley: China to use martial art trainers after India border clash

The move follows deadly fighting between Indian and Chinese troops in an area where guns are banned.

Mexico launches raids after assassination attempt of police chief

Three people were killed in Friday's extremely violent ambush but Mexico's police chief survived.

India locusts: Swarm sweeps into Delhi suburb Gurgaon

Parts of Delhi are placed on alert and residents are forced to close windows and doors.

Yemen crisis: Five years of hunger, five years of war

Yemen's humanitarian crisis is worsening as coronavirus compounds the impact of the conflict.

Coronavirus: Florida and Texas reverse reopening as infections surge

Florida and Texas reverse moves to reopen business as total cases across the US are set to hit 2.5m.

ICYMI: Dog goggles and a plant audience

Some of the stories you may have missed this week.

Coronavirus: Delhi struggles to cope with Covid-19 surge

As cases soar in India's capital, its chief minister warns of health care shortages and more deaths.

Narriearra: New South Wales creates national park for rare species

Narriearra station is the largest purchase of private land for conservation in New South Wales history.

First Viking ship excavation in a century begins in Norway

Just three other well-preserved vessels from the period have been discovered in the Scandinavian country.

Milton Glaser: Graphic designer behind 'I ♥ NY' logo dies aged 91

Milton Glaser also created a famous poster of Bob Dylan and co-founded New York magazine.

Jeyaraj and Fenix: Outrage mounts over India police custodial deaths

The two men died after allegedly being tortured in police custody, raising calls for justice.

Poles in UK fear Brexit and Covid may end 'British Dream' hopes

Should I stay or should I go is the top question for many Polish people in the UK, says one charity.

Simpsons ends use of white actors to voice people of colour

The decision by the US comedy show follows years of criticism over a white actor playing an Indian.

Trump orders statues be protected from 'mob rule'

"Anarchists" who damage US monuments should face up to a decade in prison, the president says.

US imposes visa restrictions on Chinese officials over Hong Kong security law

The sanctions aim to punish Beijing over a planned security law that could erode Hong Kong's autonomy.

Toronto officer guilty of assault after blinding black man

A black man loses an eye in a beating by an off-duty Toronto officer, who accused him of car-hopping.

Coronavirus: 5G and microchip conspiracies around the world

We've been tracking the global spread of two of the most popular coronavirus conspiracy theories.

How Facebook scammers target people at risk of suicide

Dozens of Facebook pages claim to be selling a deadly chemical to people at risk of suicide - but it's all a fraud.

Kirill Serebrennikov: Russian film and stage director convicted of fraud

Supporters say the case against Kirill Serebrennikov is aimed at muzzling the arts in Russia.

Australia caps toilet roll sales in new panic-buying

Supermarkets impose one or two-pack limits on toilet roll as Covid-19 cases in Victoria spike.

UN chief 'shocked and disturbed' by video of car sex act in Israel

A video apparently showing a sex act in a UN-marked vehicle in Israel is under investigation.

Russian hacker group Evil Corp targets US workers at home

Hackers are using a new computer virus to hold company files to ransom for millions of dollars.

Fortnite Movie Nite: Christopher Nolan's hit films screen in-game

Christopher Nolan's movies play inside Fortnite while his latest film is delayed again.

Coronavirus: US hits record high in daily cases

More than 40,000 infections recorded in a day as surge prompts some states to halt reopenings.

Coronavirus in Ethiopia: 'Incredible recovery of man aged over 100'

Aba Tilahun, who is 114 according to his family, was discharged after two weeks of treatment.

Yemen: Coronavirus aid loss 'harming millions of children'

"Huge shortfalls" in aid due to coronavirus could lead to mass starvation, UN charity warns.

Imran Khan criticised after calling Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr'

Pakistan's opposition rounds on PM Imran Khan, who said the US "martyred" the 9/11 mastermind.

Coronavirus: Sweden says WHO made 'total mistake' by including it in warning

Sweden's state epidemiologist says the agency misinterpreted data underpinning alarm over infections.

Coronavirus in Kenya: Police kill three in motorcycle taxi protest

The police order the arrest of the officers involved, as they come under scrutiny for excessive force.

Obamacare: Trump asks Supreme Court to invalidate Affordable Care Act

The US president launches a new legal challenge to his predecessor's signature law.

Virgin Australia to fly again with new US owner Bain Capital

The struggling airline was pushed into administration by Australia's pandemic travel ban.

George Floyd: US phone giant Verizon joins Facebook ad boycott

The move makes the US telecoms company the biggest advertiser to join the Stop Hate for Profit campaign.

Nascar releases photo of noose found in garage

Nascar said it was right to fear a hate crime had been committed against driver Bubba Wallace, which was later dismissed after an FBI investigation.

Shaoquett Moselmane: Australian lawmaker's office raided 'amid China probe'

The state politician's office is the subject of an investigation by police and intelligence officials.

Coronavirus: Singapore bans Britons for lockdown 'bar crawl'

The men, who visited three bars in 45 minutes, have been banned from working in Singapore.

US House passes sweeping police reform bill

The White House has threatened to veto the measure, which Senate Republicans reject as an overreach.

Che Guevara's birthplace put up for sale

The flat where the revolutionary icon tired out his first steps is in Argentina's city of Rosario.

Can you remove a statue without erasing the past?

What is the best thing to do with unwanted statues - and is it an option to leave a divisive statue standing?

Eurovision: How Ariana Grande's songwriter got involved in Will Ferrell's new movie

Pop songwriter Savan Kotecha and Swedish singer Molly Sanden are among those who helped make the fictional movie about the Eurovision Song Contest.

George Floyd death: What US police officers think of protests

Some think change needs to come from the top, others say they are doing a tough job and under attack.

Coronavirus: What's happening in Peru?

Peru has one of the highest case totals and excess death rates in the world - but why?

Python escapes apartment in French city of Rennes

The snake, named Isis, got loose in an apartment block in Rennes, terrifying residents.

Coronavirus: 'Very significant' resurgences in Europe alarm WHO

If left unchecked the resurgences will "push health systems to the brink once again", the WHO warns.

Unilever renames Fair & Lovely skin cream after backlash

The Black Lives Matter movement has spurred companies to reassess their products and marketing.

DR Congo's deadliest Ebola outbreak declared over

More than 2,000 people died in an area where decades of conflict have led to widespread mistrust.

Tech giant collapses amid €1.9bn accounting scandal

The once high-flying payments firm Wirecard files for insolvency after a €1.9bn accounting scandal.

Curious shark sends surfers in South Africa to shore

A great white shark swimming in Plettenberg Basy, South Africa caused surfers to head to shore.

Galwan Valley: Satellite images 'show China structures' on India border

The construction along the disputed frontier is near the site of clashes that killed 20 Indian troops.

Massive Saharan dust cloud shrouds the Caribbean

The cloud has swept from Africa over the Atlantic, affecting Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico.

Italy bear faces cull after attack on father and son

A regional leader in northern Italy says bear numbers are out of control but wildlife groups protest.

Mary Jackson: Nasa to name HQ after first black female engineer

Mary Jackson was among the African-American women whose story was told in the film Hidden Figures.

Coronavirus: Australia sends 1,000 army personnel to Victoria to fight outbreak

The unprecedented move comes after the south-eastern state saw a spike in infections.

Russians vote on Putin's reforms to constitution

The changes would enable the Russian leader to serve two more terms and stay in power until 2036.

Coronavirus: US Secret Service staff self-isolating after Trump rally

Two involved in President Donald Trump's event in Tulsa reportedly tested positive for Covid-19.

How George Floyd's death transformed US

The 30 days since his death have seen new policies, Confederate statues removed and countless other changes.

Bayer to pay $10.9bn to settle weedkiller cancer claims

The chemical giant is settling almost 100,000 US lawsuits from users of its popular Roundup herbicide.

Jessi Combs: US racing driver given female speed record in 2019 fatal crash

Jessi Combs is awarded the fastest land-speed record by a female, a feat she died trying to achieve.

Coronavirus: Qantas to axe 6,000 jobs due to pandemic

The airline says the collapse in billions of dollars of travel revenue means it has "little choice".

Trump administration claims Huawei 'backed by Chinese military'

The US Defense Department has compiled a list of 20 firms it says are backed by Chinese military.

Russian parade defies pandemic as Putin stages power bid

Moscow has moved swiftly out of lockdown and many ask if the president is more worried by a national vote.

Nigeria's Yoruba women announce their arrival in style

A Nigerian photographer reimagines Yoruba fashion from the 1970s.

Israel annexation plans for West Bank leave Palestinians in despair

Tom Bateman goes to the West Bank to see how Israeli annexation would shape life with Palestinians.

'Our time is now': I’m running for office because of George Floyd

Four black women from Minnesota tell the BBC why Mr Floyd's death has pushed them to run for office.

Can India afford to boycott Chinese products?

Anti-China sentiment is high in India after a border clash, but can it go beyond rhetoric?

Russia WW2 parade goes ahead despite coronavirus fears

President Vladimir Putin said the parade could go ahead as coronavirus had retreated in the country.

Coronavirus vaccine trials in Africa: What you need to know

Joice Etutu explains why Covid-19 vaccine trials in Africa are both important and controversial.

Madison Cawthorn: Newcomer beats Trump nominee in NC congressional primary

The motivational speaker and businessman turns 25, the minimum age to serve in Congress, in August.

Kosovo President Thaci faces war crimes indictment

A Special Prosecutor in The Hague charges President Hashim Thaci and other over nearly 100 murders.

Coronavirus: US cases at highest level for two months

The US reported 34,700 new cases on Tuesday - the third highest rate since the outbreak began.

Ghana apologises to Nigeria for embassy demolition

Armed men reportedly stormed the compound and destroyed a building under construction.

IMF says decline in global growth worse than forecast

The International Monetary Fund lowers its economic forecast for this year and next, with Europe facing a big hit.

France Colbert row: Statue vandalised over slavery code

The words "state negrophobia" are sprayed over Jean-Baptiste Colbert outside the French parliament.

Steve Bing: Film producer took his own life, coroner says

Sir Mick Jagger pays tribute to the filmmaker and philanthropist, who died this week aged 55.

Pakistan plane crash was 'human error' - initial report

An initial report into the disaster - which killed 97 people - blames the pilots and controller.

Mel Gibson and Winona Ryder at odds over anti-Semitism claims

Winona Ryder claims Mel Gibson used the term "oven dodger", which he says is "100% untrue".

Segway: End of the road for the much-hyped two-wheeler

The self-balancing vehicle was launched 19 years ago with the aim of revolutionising personal transport.

Coronavirus: EU considers barring Americans from travel list

The EU aims to start reopening external borders on 1 July, but US travellers may have to wait.

ABC job cuts: Australian public broadcaster to shed 250 staff

Staff will be shed across "every division" to meet recent budget cuts by the government, the ABC says.

Black women scientists missing from textbooks, study shows

Scientists portrayed in biology textbooks are predominantly white men, according to a US study.

George Floyd: Ben & Jerry's joins Facebook ad boycott

The Stop Hate For Profit campaign is calling on the tech giant to take tougher action against racist content.

Eurovision movie: Rachel McAdams on working with Will Ferrell and Graham Norton

The actress stars with Will Ferrell in a comedy about two small-town singers competing in the song contest.

Australian fugitive 'found hiding in ship's air vent'

The sexual assault suspect had disappeared after being rescued from a yacht in rough seas, police say.

Mexico quake kills at least five and causes panic

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake has killed at least five people and damaged buildings.

Will the 'War on Terror' ever end?

The BBC's Frank Gardner looks at the legacy of the US counter-terrorism response to 9/11.

'No crime' in Bubba Wallace noose case

The noose found in the garage of Bubba Wallace was actually the handle of a garage door and had been there since last year, an FBI investigation concludes.

Jon Stewart: 'There will always be room for political satire'

The former host of The Daily Show has written and directed a new political comedy film.

Zimbabwe's Cook Off: How a Netflix romcom was made for $8,000

Zimbabwe's first film to be featured on the streaming service is a tale of hope in a chaotic country.

Kenya policeman charged with murder after curfew killing of teenager

Duncan Ndiema pleads not guilty to the murder of a 13-year-old while imposing Covid-19 restrictions.

Novak Djokovic: World number one becomes latest tennis player to test positive for coronavirus

World number one Novak Djokovic becomes the latest tennis player to test positive for Covid-19.

Wirecard: Former boss arrested over €1.9bn scandal

Former chief executive Markus Braun arrested in Germany as investigators probe €1.9bn hole in accounts.

Coronavirus: Germany outbreak sparks fresh local lockdown

Authorities re-impose lockdown in a German region after an outbreak linked to a meatpacking plant.

US ex-marine Paul Whelan will not appeal Russian spying sentence

Paul Whelan hopes to be released from his 16-year sentence via a prisoner swap, says his lawyer.

North Korea: Balloons and speakers raise Korean border tensions

Propaganda balloons have become a symbol of a worsening relationship between North and South Korea.

Japanese supercomputer, crowned world's fastest, is fighting coronavirus

The newly crowned Fugaku system is analysing droplet spread in offices and public transport.

H-1B visa: New US law is bad news for India tech firms

Washington's decision to ban visas for highly-skilled workers will hurt Indian and US IT firms.

Coronavirus: Newborn Mexican triplets test positive in 'unprecedented' case

Experts are investigating whether coronavirus could have been passed through the mother's placenta.

Rethink: Will companies help us improve our sleep habits?

In one of a series of essays for the BBC, sleep scientist Matthew Walker says work routines may change.

BeiDou: China launches final satellite in challenge to GPS

The completion of the BeiDou-3 navigation system comes as tensions rise between Beijing and Washington.

Malawi presidential election: Polls to open in historic re-run

President Peter Mutharika battles for re-election after irregularities voided last year's result.

Seattle to end police-free protest zone after shootings

Mayor Jenny Durkan says the violence is "increasingly difficult" for businesses and residents.

Trump targets foreign workers with new visa freeze

Foreign tech workers, non-agricultural seasonal helpers, au pairs and executives will be affected.

US soldier accused of planning attack on own unit

Ethan Melzer stands accused of sending information about his US Army unit to a neo-Nazi group.

'Speak and be heard': Why black media matters

Sara Lomax-Reese owns WURD, one of a handful of black-owned and operated radio stations in the US.

Wildlife scientists examine the great 'human pause'

Tracking wildlife before, during and after lockdown will aim to analyse the slowdown in human activity.

Li Wenliang: 'Wailing Wall' for China's virus whistleblowing doctor

Thousands in China still talk every day to the Wuhan doctor who raised the alarm about Covid-19.

Coronavirus: Are Australia's numbers at risk of escalating?

A rise in Covid-19 cases in one state has sparked concerns that Australia could slide backwards.

Eton College: Nigerian author recalls racist abuse

Nigerian Dillibe Onyeama was the first black student to complete his studies at the elite British school.

Coronavirus: How to fly during a global pandemic

Jumping on a plane looks and feels different to how it did at the start of 2020.

The virus hunter who got Covid

Professor Peter Piot, one of the world’s leading infectious disease experts, was struck down by Covid-19.

'Coronavirus hit our business like a hidden tsunami'

Singapore is slowly emerging from its coronavirus lockdown, but Modesto's pizza parlour is closing its doors for good.

Cédric Chouviat: French police investigated over death of delivery driver

Cédric Chouviat, 42, was heard shouting "I'm suffocating" as officers allegedly pinned him down.

Meet the TikTok grandma behind the 'no-show protest' campaign

Mary Jo Laupp posted a video on TikTok condemning the Trump campaign for choosing to host the first rally of his re-election campaign in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Juneteenth.

Joel Schumacher: Director of The Lost Boys and two Batman films dies

The filmmaker behind St Elmo's Fire, Flatliners and two Batman films had been ill with cancer.

Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia bars international pilgrims for Hajj

Only a very limited number of Muslims currently living in the kingdom will make the Hajj this year.

Apple Mac computers make jump to its own chips

The firm will now custom-design the chips that power its future desktop and laptop computers.

Dyson Heydon: Inquiry finds top Australian ex-judge harassed women

The country's highest court apologises to six women after an inquiry finds they were sexually harassed.

Climate change: Planting new forests 'can do more harm than good'

Large-scale tree planting to fight climate change may backfire, two new studies have found.

Arctic Circle sees 'hottest-ever' temperatures

Temperatures are believed to have hit 38C (100F) in one Siberian town after a persistent heatwave.

Trump held off sanctioning Chinese over Uighurs to pursue trade deal

The US president says he put off sanctions over China's detained Muslims to seal a "great" deal.

Coronavirus: French defy lockdown with Festival of Music

Thousands gathered across France and ignored social distancing rules to celebrate the annual event.

Mexican city of Celaya rocked by cartel violence

Twenty-six people have been arrested after clashes between the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel and police.

Wirecard: Scandal-hit firm says missing €1.9bn may not exist

In recent days the German payments company's chief executive has quit and its shares have slumped.

WWE star The Undertaker has 'no desire to get back in the ring'

After a career spanning three decades, the WWE wrestling star says there's "nothing left to conquer".

Theodore Roosevelt statue to be removed by New York museum

The statue depicts the ex-president on horseback flanked by a Native American man and an African man.

Coronavirus: South Korea confirms second wave of infections

The country was praised for its handling of the virus, but now cases are back on the rise.

Arianna Huffington: 'Take time to recharge'

The author and founder of Thrive Global says companies need a new leadership playbook during the virus.

Bubba Wallace: Noose found in garage stall of black US racing driver

Bubba Wallace recently campaigned to have the Confederate flag banned from events.

Panama exhumes remains of 19 victims from 1989 US invasion

The remains of 19 people are removed from a cemetery in a fresh bid to identify all the victims.

Coronavirus: Brazil becomes second country to pass 50,000 deaths

The grim milestone comes days after Brazil confirmed more than one million Covid-19 cases.

Glastonbury Festival: 50 years of memories

Images from attendees of Glastonbury Festival, which was due to celebrate a big anniversary this year.

Rethink: Pope Francis warns poor have become part of landscape

Pope Francis laments the "hypocrisy" of certain politicians in one of a series of essays for the BBC.

Christian Li: The young Harry Potter fan on his music stardom

Christian Li, 12, Decca Classics' youngest artist, reveals how he relaxes when he isn't practising.

'I used to hate road cycling, now I design biking gear'

Remi Clermont is the founder and boss of cycling clothing firm Cafe du Cycliste.

Coronavirus in Nigeria: Changing women's representation through photography

Etinosa Yvonne's photographs challenge stereotypical representations of women during the pandemic.

Black Lives Matter: Parents and children talk about racism

Three black parents and their children discuss raising a black child, racism and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Germany coronavirus: Extra police enforce German tower block quarantine

The move follows clashes with residents who tried to break through a police cordon.

Coronavirus: UN condemns Afghan healthcare attacks amid pandemic

A report finds health workers and facilities have been deliberately targeted during the pandemic.

Grigor Dimitrov: Bulgarian tests positive for coronavirus after Adria Tour events

Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, who played in both of Novak Djokovic's Adria Tour events, has tested positive for coronavirus.

Yemen crisis: Separatists take over 'Galapagos of Indian Ocean'

Socotra, prized for its flora and fauna, falls to separatists further complicating the Yemen crisis.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation writes to major sports bodies after WTO report

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation acknowledges it has a "responsibility" to help fight broadcasting piracy.

Donald Trump: TikTok users and K-pop fans said to be behind poor Tulsa turnout

Teens across the US reportedly ordered tickets without intending to turn up to ensure empty seats.

Zimbabwe anti-corruption body starts audit of the rich

The anti-corruption commission threatens to take people's assets if they cannot explain their origin.

Coronavirus: Spain welcomes tourists back as emergency ends

For three months Spain has been under one of Europe's toughest lockdowns to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Kurt Cobain's MTV Unplugged guitar sells for $6m at auction

The Nirvana frontman played the acoustic-electric guitar in concert just five months before he died.

In pictures: Rare solar eclipse darkens Asia on the summer solstice

Skywatchers photographed the "ring of fire", where the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.

Seven die in separate Somali bomb attacks

Militants blow up their car at a military checkpoint and detonate bombs at a military official's house.

Germany riot: Gangs smash shops, attack police in Stuttgart

A night of mayhem leaves shops smashed up and looted in the industrial south German city.

Living through the threat of eviction in the pandemic

The BBC meets a single father of three as he navigates trying to keep his apartment.

'Cashpoint aid' and Africa: Who benefits?

The UK's new hard-nosed approach to African aid is greeted with cynicism, writes the BBC's Andrew Harding.

500 high school senior portraits in Virginia

Photographer helps 500 high school seniors honour their commencement through portraits.

Dad school: How to be a better father

Dads in Rwanda are taking classes to learn how to be better fathers and husbands.

Coronavirus: Five reasons why it is so bad in Yemen

Five reasons why Yemen could be the worst place for coronavirus in the world.

Last of Us Part II: Is this the most accessible game ever?

A hotly-anticipated game release brought tears to some purely because of its options menu.

Ethiopian maids dumped outside Beirut embassy

Domestic workers have been left homeless and unpaid amid an ongoing economic crisis in Lebanon, heightened by the coronavirus pandemic.

America trying to 'rule the world', says Russian spy chief

In an exclusive interview the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service discusses the growing tension with the West.

Gelsenkirchen: Controversial Lenin statue erected in German city

The statue was unveiled by a far-left party, despite fierce objections from the city council.

Geoffrey Berman: Trump fires top US prosecutor who refused to quit

The president removes Geoffrey Berman from office, a day after he said he was not stepping down.

Donald Trump: Crowds gather for Tulsa rally despite coronavirus fears

The US president will hold his first rally since March, when the US coronavirus lockdown began.

Beyoncé releases surprise new song, Black Parade, on Juneteenth

The new track, released on Juneteenth, calls for "peace and reparation for my people".

Vital Kamerhe: DRC president's chief of staff found guilty of corruption

Vital Kamerhe was sentenced to 20 years hard labour after a trial marked by the murder of a judge.

John Bolton: Judge rejects Trump bid to ban ex-adviser's book

A US judge denies the Trump administration's bid to halt publication of John Bolton's memoir.

ICYMI: A flying bus and an audience of dummies in masks

Some of the stories you may have missed this week.

Beijing to set up new security office in Hong Kong

China's new law for the territory will also override any conflicting local law, state media says.

Mariana Trench: Son repeats historic ocean dive

Sixty years after his father did it first, Kelly Walsh dives to the deepest point in Earth's oceans.

Paralympian Zanardi in serious condition after crash

Former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi is in a "serious but stable" condition after surgery on a head injury sustained in a handbike accident.

Coronavirus: Zimbabwe health minister in court on corruption charges

The charges against health minister Obadiah Moyo relate to alleged procurement irregularities.

Protesters topple statues in US states

Hundreds of protesters gathered in several states to topple statues associated with slavery.

Galwan Valley: China accuses India of 'deliberate provocation'

A spokesman says Indian troops attacked Chinese soldiers but gave no details of Chinese casualties.

What has Greta Thunberg been doing in lockdown?

The Swedish environmental activist spoke to the BBC about how she's been spending the last few months.

US Attorney Geoffrey Berman denies he is stepping down

Geoffrey Berman discovered he was resigning in a press release from the US Attorney-General.

Serbia election: Vote in EU candidate state scorned as sham

Serbian democracy looks fragile as many opposition groups boycott Sunday's general election.

Debbie Kaore: The attack that highlighted an epidemic of abuse

After an assault on rugby player Debbie Kaore went viral, will things change in Papua New Guinea?

How football can help displaced people 'heal, develop and grow'

A new photo project highlights the experiences of refugees through the language of football.

Coronavirus: 'Deadly masks' claims debunked

The BBC's anti-disinformation team has been investigating misleading claims about the health risks of face masks.

Coronavirus: Is the pandemic getting worse in the US?

Some states are seeing a spike in cases, but the White House says not to worry. So what's going on?

Galwan Valley: India PM Modi says military will keep borders secure

Narendra Modi says no foreign troops are on Indian territory, following deadly border violence.

Trump's Oklahoma rally can go ahead, court rules

Oklahoma's Supreme Court rules that the president's Saturday rally can take place as planned.

Breonna Taylor: Louisville officer to be fired for deadly force use

The police chief accused the officer of "blindly" firing into Breonna Taylor's apartment.

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor: Canada renews calls for China to release charged pair

Their arrests are seen as retaliation for the detention of a Huawei boss - something China denies.

Fears over US media independence as Trump-appointed chief fires editors

Democrats call the sackings of three US federal media agency editors an attack on democracy.

Coronavirus: EU leaders in tense talks on rescue package

An EU video summit focuses on €750bn of aid to revive stricken economies.

Malala Yousafzai graduates from Oxford University

The campaigner survived a shot to the head by Taliban soldiers for her views on girls and education.

Coronavirus was already in Italy by December, waste water study finds

Scientists say samples from Milan and Turin showed virus traces long before cases were confirmed.

Twitter labels Trump tweet 'misleading media' for first time

Twitter continues to apply warning labels to the president's tweets despite a high-profile row.

India coronavirus: The stranded sailor yet to meet his daughter

Indian sailor Abhiram Oak has been stuck on his ship with little hope of replacement due to Covid-19.

'Into The Wild' bus removed from Alaska wilderness

Tourists hiking to the remote area to visit the bus were getting into difficulties, officials said.

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor: China charges Canadians with spying

Their arrests were seen as retaliation for the detention of a Huawei boss - something China denies.

What you need to know about Juneteenth

The historic holiday, which celebrates the official end of slavery in the US, has taken on renewed significance this year.

Colgate reviews China's Darlie brand amid race debate

The popular Chinese brand features a caricature and translates as "black person toothpaste".

Colombian army rescues abducted Swiss and Brazilian tourists

The Swiss and Brazilian tourists were kidnapped by dissidents from the former Farc rebel movement.

New Zealand police shooting: Two officers 'seriously injured'

The shooter fled the scene in a vehicle in Massey, west Auckland, and has not been caught.

Colonial abuses haunt France's racism debate

Lucy Williamson examines France's struggle to deal with the painful legacy of empire.

Trump in Tulsa: City faces up to violent past ahead of rally

The city in Oklahoma was the site of the deadliest single act of racial violence in US history.

Galwan Valley: The soldiers killed in the India-China border clash

"I would have rather lived in poverty...than lose my son," the mother of one soldier tells the BBC.

Australia targeted by 'state-based' cyber attack, PM Morrison says

The country is being targeted by a "sophisticated" state actor, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.

Keedron Bryant: Warner Records signs black protest singer, 12

Keedron Bryant's song I Just Wanna Live was posted one day after the death of George Floyd.

Belarus: Rival of President Lukashenko arrested ahead of election

Viktor Babaryko was held amid pressure on opposition figures before August's presidential election.

Trump's bid to end Obama-era immigration policy ruled unlawful

US Supreme Court rules against the president's bid to end Obama-era programme that protects children.

Coronavirus in South Africa: Restrictions ease as Covid-19 cases rise rapidly

South Africa is trying to balance dealing with the virus and supporting a damaged economy.

Coronavirus: American Airlines passenger removed for not wearing mask

The conservative activist, who was flying with American Airlines, called their mask policy "insane".

Israel set to have record number of openly gay MPs

A sixth MP from the LGBTQ community will take his seat following a number of resignations.

Coronavirus: How many more people are dying?

Why looking at 'excess deaths' reveals Covid-19's true death toll.

John Bolton: White House makes last gasp bid to stop book's release

The book by a former national security adviser paints a damning picture of President Trump.

Jean Kennedy Smith: Last JFK sibling and US envoy dies aged 92

Jean Kennedy Smith, a US envoy who played key role in the Northern Ireland peace process, dies at 92.

Germany accuses Russia of Berlin park assassination

Prosecutors say Russia ordered the murder of a Georgian man killed in broad daylight last summer.

EU top court rules against Hungary's NGO law

A law requiring NGOs to disclose foreign funding is "discriminatory", the EU's top court said.

John Bolton: Ten biggest claims in his Donald Trump book

The White House is trying to stop its release, but extracts have already been widely published.

Coronavirus: Covid-denying priest Father Sergei Romanov seizes Russian monastery

Father Sergei Romanov entered the women's monastery in Russia with help from armed supporters.

Rayshard Brooks widow: 'I felt everything that he felt'

The widow of Rayshard Brooks gives her reaction as the district attorney shares details of the death.

Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh kicked out for calling rival 'racist'

Jagmeet Singh was thrown out of the House for not apologising after he called another MP "racist".

Galwan Valley: India rebuts China's land ownership claim

Galwan Valley, where China and India fought a deadly brawl, is known for its harsh climate and terrain.

Coronavirus Beijing: Why an outbreak sparked a salmon panic in China

Beijing is seeing a rise in virus cases - but is frozen salmon really the cause?

Pacific Light Cable Network: US-China row moves underwater in cable tangle

In another sign of growing tension, a high-speed internet cable looks set to be blocked by the US.

Paulinho Paiakan: Amazon indigenous chief dies of coronavirus

Paulinho Paiakan was best known for the fight against the Belo Monte hydroelectric project in Brazil.

Coronavirus: Qantas axes most overseas flights until October

The Australian airline said it will still fly to New Zealand and ramp up its domestic services.

Coronavirus: What will happen to pets after lockdown?

Many people brought pets into their lives during lockdown. A pet behaviourist explains how animals will react to their owners' return to work.

Racism in Russia: Stories of prejudice

People of colour in Russia tell the BBC how racism has affected their lives.

How reliant is Australia on China?

As their relationship sours, can Australia realistically "diversify" from its biggest trading partner?

Tanzania's Magufuli - taking on coronavirus and imperialism

Will Tanzania's President John Magufuli controversial statements help or hinder his re-election campaign?

What happened when a city disbanded its police force

Camden, New Jersey, created a brand new police force to forge better ties with the community.

Coronavirus: Blackpool Pleasure Beach prepares to reopen

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is preparing to reopen, but how can visitors stay safe?

How honeybees perform queen duets

Scientists have decoded honeybee queens' "tooting and quacking" duets in the hive.

Van Gogh and Gauguin letter about brothel visit sells for 210,000 euros

Van Gogh and artist Paul Gauguin penned the "exceptional" letter while living together in late 1888.

Venezuela's top court ousts leaders of two opposition parties

An election is due to be held in the crisis-hit country and there are fears of government tampering.

Syrian President Assad's uncle jailed for money laundering

Rifaat al-Assad is sentenced to four years in prison for laundering money to build a property empire.

Why Trump's plan to withdraw US troops has dismayed Germany

Germany fears President Trump's plan to cut 9,500 US troops will weaken transatlantic security.

Carlos Lehder: Pablo Escobar's crime partner freed from US jail

Carlos Lehder, who co-founded the Medellín cartel and was captured in 1987, will live in Germany.

Syria war: New US sanctions target Assad government's foreign backers

There are fears the measures will make the plight of ordinary Syrians even more desperate.

US Air Force sergeant charged in 'boogaloo' murder

A man with far-right links is accused of a shooting outside Oakland courthouse during BLM protests.

Ramzan Kadyrov denies Georgia journalist murder plot

Ramzan Kadyrov denies local reports he ordered the assassination of a Georgian journalist.

Tshegofatso Pule killing: South African police make arrest

Police arrest a 31-year-old man after the pregnant woman's stabbed body is found hanging from a tree.

Men's 100m champ suspended for missed tests

World 100m champion Christian Coleman is provisionally suspended after missing a third doping test, says the Athletics Integrity Unit.

Australia shark encounter: Teenage siblings film 'really scary' escape

The siblings made "blood-curdling" screams as they swam 150m to safety, their father says.

Facebook to let users turn off political adverts

The decision comes after the social network faced criticism over false information in political ads.

North Korea tells 'mongrel dog' South why it bombed office

Kim Jong-un's sister said the South's president "put his neck into the noose of US flunkeyism".

India-China clash: Two sides blames each other for deadly fighting

At least 20 Indian soldiers died in the worst border incident in decades between the two countries.

Coronavirus in Beijing: 27 neighbourhoods not allowed to leave as spike continues

Schools are shut and travel is restricted, as the city reports another 31 Covid-19 cases.

Portugal finally recognises consul who saved thousands from Holocaust

Eighty years ago a Portuguese consul gave visas to thousands fleeing the invading Nazis in France.

Coronavirus: 'India's healthcare system failed my family'

Covid has brought India's health system to its knees. It devastated a BBC reporter's family.

The blogger who hit back against a hammer-wielding Russian ‘assassin’

Tumso Abdurakhmanov says Russia's security service must have helped Chechens plan an attempt to assassinate him.

How Elon Musk aims to revolutionise battery technology

Could the least exciting bit of Elon Musk's empire end up being the most transformative?

Kaesong liaison office: What does North Korea want?

Expert Ankit Panda pieces together the puzzle of why Pyongyang destroyed the Kaesong liaison office

Why Zimbabwean women are being dragged to court accused of lying

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is accused of reneging on promises he made after ousting Robert Mugabe.

US missionary Gregory Dow pleads guilty to sex crimes in Kenya orphanage

Missionary Gregory Dow, 61, admits to abusing four girls in an orphanage that he helped set up.

Apple faces two EU anti-competition probes

Firm is investigated for limiting app sales to its own store and imposing other rules on developers.

Coronavirus: Hungary votes to end Viktor Orban emergency powers

Opposition groups fear Prime Minister Viktor Orban has greatly expanded his powers amid the crisis.

Kim Yo-jong: Who is North Korea's Supreme Leader

What else do we know about Kim Jong-un's younger sister?

Yemen war: UN takes Saudi-led coalition off child rights 'list of shame'

Human rights groups accuse the secretary general of ignoring evidence of grave violations in Yemen.

George Floyd death: Eyewitness account

Panorama spoke to local people to piece together the moments leading up to George Floyd's death.

Walter Lübcke: Far-right suspects in court over politician's murder

Pro-migrant German politician Walter Lübcke was shot dead in his garden a year ago.

Diego, the Galápagos tortoise with a species-saving sex drive, retires

Diego, aged 100, returns his native Galápagos island after decades of breeding in captivity.

A Bee C: Scientists translate honeybee queen duets

Queens "quack" when ready to hatch - but if two are free at the same time, they fight to the death.

India soldiers killed in clash with Chinese forces

Three Indian soldiers are killed in a rare clash in Ladakh in the disputed Kashmir region.

Colin Kaepernick: Roger Goodell encourages NFL teams to sign quarterback

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he would "encourage" a team to sign former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Covid-19: The woman who has become India's 'corona voice'

Who's the voiceover artist who tells Indians how to stay safe when they make a telephone call?

North Korea 'blows up joint liaison office' with South

South Korea's Unification Ministry confirmed an explosion at the office, which is in the North.

George Floyd protests: Man shot in clash over Albuquerque statue

A group of armed men tried to stop protesters pulling down a statue of a colonist, reports say.

Robert Fuller: US to review black hanging deaths after outcry

Officials say they do not suspect foul play in the deaths of two black men in California.

North Korea threatens to send army into demilitarised border zone

The sister of North Korea's leader has instructed the army - and the military says it's ready to move.

New Zealand's first Covid cases in 24 days came from UK

Local media reports the two patients had been given special exemption to attend a funeral.

Mary Trump: Why has president's niece penned damning memoir?

Mary Trump is due to release a book that describes her uncle as the world's most dangerous man.

MSF Afghan maternity ward to close after deadly gun attack

The decision by Médecins Sans Frontières comes after 24 women, children and babies were shot dead.

Trump confirms plan to cut troops in Germany

The US president confirmed US plans on Monday to withdraw 9,500 troops from Germany.

Coronavirus: Alarm over 'invasive' Kuwait and Bahrain contact-tracing apps

Kuwait and Bahrain's apps put users' privacy and security at risk, Amnesty International says.

Dijon: Police brought in to tackle Chechen violence

Tension in Dijon, France, are rising over the alleged assault on the teenage boy by a drug dealer.

The family of Rayshard Brooks speaks to the media

Jymaco Brooks tells the media "life shouldn't be this complicated" after his cousin Rayshard was shot and killed by police on 12 June.

Indian embassy staff arrested over 'hit-and-run' in Islamabad

Reports say a pedestrian was critically injured and the two High Commission employees tried to flee.

He Xiangjian: China arrests five after attempt to kidnap billionaire

Five people have been arrested after an attempt to kidnap He Xiangjian, one of China's richest men.

Top US court backs protection for LGBT workers

Watershed moment for LGBT rights in US as Supreme Court rules workplace law protects gay and transgender employees.

Coronavirus: Contact-tracing apps face further hitches

Norway has to halt use of its app and researchers report a major flaw in Australia's tool.

Iran reins in family planning as population ages

Iran limits provision of family planning services at state hospitals to try to boost its population size.

Breonna Taylor: Beyoncé calls for criminal charges against officers

The star calls for charges against the officers involved in the killing of a black woman in the US.

Borders reopen across Europe as coronavirus restrictions ease

As the coronavirus restrictions ease, countries across Europe have started reopening their borders.

Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari orders probe into shooting at presidential palace

The shooting reportedly followed an argument about whether a presidential aide should self-isolate.

Colombia's ELN rebels free six more hostages amid peace talks plea

Six are released as the left-wing ELN group calls for peace negotiations to resume.

Spike Lee sorry for supporting accused director Woody Allen

Lee spoke about his fellow filmmaker and "friend", who denies accusations he abused his daughter.

Coronavirus: Blood clots targeted in treatment trial

Scientists from Imperial College London believe a hormone imbalance could be responsible.

RAF Lakenheath: US fighter jet crashes into North Sea

The F-15C Eagle, from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed shortly after 0940 BST.

Barbra Streisand invests in Disney for George Floyd's daughter

Six-year-old Gianna Floyd thanked the US star for the gift on Instagram.

BP faces hit of up to $17.5bn as it forecasts lower oil prices

The firm expects prices to be lower as plans to cut carbon emissions are sped up in the wake of coronavirus.

Atlanta police shooting: Rayshard Brooks death declared homicide

Protests continue after the 27-year-old became the latest African American to be killed by police.

Russia jails ex-US marine Whelan for spying

Ex-US marine Paul Whelan sentenced to 16 years hard labour on spying charges in Russia

Sushant Singh Rajput: Bollywood actor's death fuels mental health debate

The 34-year-old was found dead in his Mumbai home, in what police believe to be a case of suicide.

Coronavirus: Beijing spike continues with 36 new cases

The city had previously gone more than 50 days without a case, but has now had 79 in under a week.

Solar Orbiter: Europe's Sun mission makes first close pass

The UK-built Solar Orbiter will track by our star on Monday at a distance of just over 77 million km.

Maria Ressa: The celebrated Philippine news boss enraging Duterte

The award-winning journalist and presidential critic faces jail after being found guilty of libel.

Maria Ressa: Philippine journalist found guilty of cyber libel

In a case seen as a test of the Philippines' media freedom, journalist Maria Ressa has been found guilty of libel.

George Floyd death eases tensions between two communities

An immigrant community divided by the anti-racist protests rocking the US.

Rwanda genocide: 'I am a mother - I killed some children's parents'

Female perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide speak about their crimes and desire for reconciliation.

One family, two generations of protest

People in Los Angeles took to the streets to call for justice in 1992. Has anything changed since then?

Kenya: Police brutality in the battle against coronavirus in Mathare

In one of Kenya's poorest settlements, brutal policing of a curfew is causing more problems than Covid-19.

Coronavirus: France announces significant lifting of restrictions

President Emmanuel Macron proclaimed that France had won its "first victory" against coronavirus.

Rayshard Brooks shooting: Use of deadly force by Atlanta police condemned

The death of another African-American man during an arrest prompts protests and official criticism.

UN ‘appalled’ by twin jihadist attacks in Nigeria

Islamist militants have killed dozens in two attacks in the northeast of the country.

Sri Lanka holds coronavirus-proof test vote ahead of election

Voters wear face masks and observe social distancing in queues to prepare for a general election.

Indro Montanelli: Statue of 'racist' journalist attacked in Milan

Indro Montanelli, who married a 12-year-old Eritrean girl in the 1930s, died in 2001.

Swiss search for owner of gold haul left on train

The hoard, worth around £152,000, was found left behind on a train in Switzerland last October.

Sushant Singh Rajput: Bollywood star dies at 34

The film and television actor was found dead in his apartment in the city of Mumbai, police said.

South African president's shame over surge in murders of women

Cyril Ramaphosa's remarks come after several femicides amid the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

Coronavirus: India to use 500 train carriages as wards in Delhi

New emergency plans are announced in Delhi to cope with a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Trump threatens NFL and US Soccer boycott

United States president Donald Trump says he will not watch the NFL or the US Soccer sides if players do not stand for the national anthem.

Polish election: Andrzej Duda says LGBT 'ideology' worse than communism

The favourite to win Poland's 28 June election denounces gay rights activism as an alien ideology.

Rayshard Brooks: Atlanta Wendy's restaurant set on fire over fatal shooting

US black man Rayshard Brooks was shot by police, who have released bodycam video of the incident.

Coronavirus: How sex workers are surviving in Uganda and Nigeria

While African governments give aid to their citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic, sex workers have seemingly been forgotten.

China explosion: Tanker truck blows up, killing 19 people

The vehicle reportedly caused a secondary blast after flying into a nearby factory.

Kathy Sullivan: The woman who's made history in sea and space

Kathy Sullivan is the first person to ever travel to both space and the bottom of the ocean.

Coronavirus: Island isolation over as Greece lets tourists back

The idyllic islands of Mykonos and Santorini reopen for tourists, but not everyone is happy.

Coronavirus in Singapore: The garden city learning to love the wild

Urban Singapore has burst into life with tall grass, wildflowers and butterflies in abundance.

My fake news whodunnit: Caught up in a Senegal fake news scam

A news story accusing a presidential candidate of corruption was written in my name, or almost in my name.

Coronavirus: Why Gujarat has India's highest mortality rate

Gujarat has the highest mortality rate in India, more than double the national average.

Harvard study: Did coronavirus start in August 2019?

Does a study suggesting the coronavirus was present in Wuhan months before the first reported cases stand up to scrutiny?

Police clash with anti-racism protesters as 15,000 defy ban in Paris

Around 15,000 people took to the streets in Paris to demonstrate against protest police brutality.

Coronavirus: France's ancient burial brotherhood defies Covid-19

The Charitable Brothers of Saint-Eloi were founded in the 12th century, during the Black Death.

Coronavirus: What will clothes shopping look like?

From Monday all non-essential shops are allowed to reopen in England.

Protests in Atlanta over police shooting of Rayshard Brooks

Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shield resigns, after Rayshard Brooks was fatally shot by police on Friday.

Businessman close to Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro arrested in Cape Verde

Colombian national Alex Nain Saab is wanted in the US on charges of corruption and money laundering.

Poland 'invades' Czech Republic in 'misunderstanding'

Poland admits its troops briefly invaded the Czech Republic last month but it was "not deliberate".

French police clash with anti-racism activists in Paris

Riot police fire tear gas as violence erupts during a Black Lives Matter protest in central Paris.

Coronavirus: Fear of second wave in Beijing after market outbreak

Parts of China's capital are locked down after its first new coronavirus cases in nearly two months.

Australian sentenced to death in China for drug smuggling

The man was arrested at a Chinese airport with methamphetamine in his luggage, Australian media say.

Indigenous chief arrest video shocks Canada

PM Justin Trudeau calls for an investigation after dashcam footage shows an officer beating Allan Adam.

Juneteenth: Trump changes Tulsa Oklahoma rally date 'out of respect'

The date of his first rally in months would have fallen on a holiday marking the end of US slavery.

Dalai Lama: 'Compassion and humanity important during coronavirus pandemic'

BBC correspondent Justin Rowlatt checks back in with the Dalai Lama by video call, three years after meeting him in person.

Celebrity chef José Andrés: 'We are a food planet'

World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés has been delivering meals to food-insecure areas during the pandemic.

Prince of Wales and Emmanuel Macron to meet on quarantine exempt visit

Charles and Camilla will be the first Royal Family members to hold a major event during lockdown.

Lebanon protests: Hundreds take to streets for second night

Protesters took to the streets for a second night over the government's handling of the economic crisis.

The Bachelor: ABC casts first black man in hit dating show

Matt James will be the first African American male lead on ABC's The Bachelor in 24 seasons.

Kiara Fox started a virtual pride to support the LGBT community during coronavirus

Kiara Fox started a virtual pride to support the LGBT community during coronavirus.

Dalai Lama: Seven billion people 'need a sense of oneness'

The leader of Tibetan Buddhism sees reasons for optimism even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus: Coming to terms with months on the front line

As restrictions in New York are eased, a paramedic reflects on the pandemic and its impact on his life.

Leopold II: Belgium 'wakes up' to its bloody colonial past

Campaigners want statues of King Leopold II, who killed millions in Central Africa, to be removed.

Week in pictures

A selection of news photographs taken around the world this week.

Coronavirus: Contact-tracing rumours debunked

We've been fact-checking misleading posts on social media about technology used to fight coronavirus.

John Nzenze: The founder of 'Africa's best band'

Kenyan John Nzenze, famous for love songs going back to the 1960s, has died aged 80.

Coronavirus: How pandemic turned political in Brazil

Brazil now has the world's second-highest coronavirus death toll but the peak may still be weeks away.

Why Nascar is banning the Confederate flag from its races

Driver Bubba Wallace, who is the only African-American in the series, led the charge to remove it.

George Floyd: Trump 'generally' supports ending chokeholds for police

The US president comes out against neck restraints after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Hello Kitty founder Shintaro Tsuji steps down as CEO aged 92

Shintaro Tsuj steps down after six decades at the helm of the company that created the character.

Jessica Mulroney: I Do, Redo removed from TV after 'white privilege' row

The Canadian host, a friend of Meghan Markle, apologises after a dispute over anti-racism protests.

Burundi court rules to end power vacuum

Burundi's Constitutional Court says the president-elect should be sworn in as soon as possible.

Putin makes first public appearance in weeks of lockdown in Russia

Russia's president marks a holiday by promoting a reform that could keep him in office until 2036.

Rafiki, Uganda's rare silverback mountain gorilla, killed by hunters

Four men face life imprisonment, if found guilty, after the silverback was found dead in a national park.

Zahra: Pakistan couple face polygraph over child maid 'tortured to death'

A Pakistan couple is accused of beating a seven-year-old child to death, reportedly for letting parrots escape.

George Floyd: Seattle protesters declare a police-free zone

The area taken over by activists has been called Chaz, short for Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.

Breonna Taylor: Louisville to ban no-knock warrants after police shooting

The killing of Breonna Taylor, who was shot dead by police in her home, prompts reform in Louisville.

French police dump handcuffs in protest to rebuff critics

Police across France are angered by accusations of racism and by a government ban on chokeholds.

Li Wenliang: Widow of Chinese coronavirus doctor gives birth to son

Li Wenliang was arrested by Chinese authorities after warning doctors when the virus outbreak began.

Coronavirus: Technicians held in Peru over false 5G Covid links

The Andean villagers mistakenly fear 5G will transmit coronavirus, the technicians' company says.

Gambian man charged in US with torture of coup plotters

Michael Sang Correa, found working in Denver, is accused of torturing opponents of ex-President Jammeh.

Lebanon protests escalate as currency dives

The prime minister calls an emergency meeting as the value of the Lebanese pound hits record lows.

Coronavirus: Twitter removes more than 170,000 pro-China accounts

The social media platform identified Beijing-linked accounts that have been posting misinformation.

Coronavirus in Tanzania: Has Covid-19 disappeared?

Several doctors in the country say Covid-19 is spreading fast despite the government's claims to the contrary.

North Korea questions need to keep 'holding hands' with US

North Korea's remarks come on the second anniversary of a historic summit between Trump and Kim.

Trump threatens to 'take back' Seattle protest zone

The president says "Domestic Terrorists" run the area, but local leaders tell him not to meddle.

Coronavirus: Italy prosecutors to quiz PM Conte on crisis

Victims' relatives say the authorities fatally delayed a lockdown in northern Italy.

Man charged with poisoning homeless people in California

The suspect is accused of feeding his victims with a substance "twice as strong" as pepper spray.

King of Staten Island: 'There's comedy in the most difficult situations'

Pete Davidson and Judd Apatow tackle personal 9/11 trauma in their new film, King of Staten Island.

Kenyan police arrested after dragging suspect by motorbike

They accused the Kenyan woman of involvement in a robbery, as another man whipped her.

Couple finally meet son born to surrogate mother

Covid-19 travel restrictions mean newborn babies born to surrogate mothers can't be immediately united with their biological parents.

Slovakia: Deadly attack at primary school in Vrutky

A school employee has been killed and children wounded in the attack in the northern town of Vrutky.

German airline Lufthansa plans to cut 22,000 jobs

The German airline is struggling to deal with the fall in demand for air travel caused by the pandemic.

Coronavirus in Africa: Outbreak 'accelerating' in continent

Outbreaks are spreading from capital cities to rural areas, with supplies running short, says WHO.

Confederate and Columbus statues toppled by US protesters

Statues of colonisers and slavers face a reckoning as George Floyd protests continue across the US.

Norway court jails mosque gunman Manshaus for 21 years

Philip Manshaus murdered his teenage stepsister and opened fire at a mosque near Oslo.

Zoom suspends account of US-based Chinese activists after Tiananmen meeting

The video conference app is already facing scrutiny over its security and privacy controls.

Zimbabwe's MDC 'abductees arrested for lying about torture'

The opposition says three women tortured by state agents have been charged over their allegations.

Donald Trump to restart election rallies on key slavery date

The first campaign rally in months will take place in Tulsa, where black people were massacred in 1921.

JK Rowling responds to trans tweets criticism

The Harry Potter author writes a blog highlighting her reasons for speaking out on gender issues.

How Ghana paid tribute to George Floyd

The African-American is immortalised in the West African state where people were once enslaved.

Just Eat Takeaway to buy Grubhub in £5.75bn deal

The tie-up comes as demand for food deliveries has surged amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Thailand seafood fraudsters sentenced to 1,446 years in jail

However, in Thailand the maximum jail time for public fraud is capped at 20 years.

George Floyd: Amazon bans police use of facial recognition tech

The move comes after IBM ended its facial recognition activities amid concerns over racial bias.

George Floyd: US Soccer overturns ban on players kneeling

The decision comes after the NFL said players should be allowed to protest during the national anthem.

Indigenous Australian deaths in custody: 'Why I’m fighting for my uncle'

Kyah Patten says she hopes Black Lives Matter momentum will force a review into her uncle’s 1981 death.

George Floyd: The personal cost of filming police brutality

For bystanders who film acts of police violence, sharing their video can be a life-changing moment.

Surfing tragedy that stunned a Dutch beach community

Five young, skilled surfers were overcome by freak foam conditions in Scheveningen.

Coronavirus: Has a second wave of infections hit Iran?

Iran was one of the worst affected countries early on, so is the virus flaring up again?

The Indonesian fishermen whose bodies were thrown overboard

A video of a body being thrown into the sea has shone a spotlight on inhumane conditions on boats.

K-pop fans emerge as a powerful force in US protests

An international movement of fans have thrown their support behind the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Coronavirus: Belgium's Prince Joachim fined for breaking Spain's lockdown

Prince Joachim, who contracted coronavirus days after arrived in Spain, has been fined €10,400.

Tinder backlash over Black Lives Matter ban

Dozens of users complained they had been banned from the app for supporting the cause.

George Floyd death: 'Stop the pain', brother tells US Congress

Philonise Floyd, whose brother's killing by a white police officer led to global protests, urges reform.

George Floyd: The Minneapolis’ community at the heart of the protests

East Lake Street in Minneapolis is rebuilding after damaged was caused from nights of rioting

Kano state serial rapes: Man arrested after 40 rapes in Nigerian town

Police say the man was found in a child's bedroom and ran away but neighbours gave chase and caught him.

Tokyo 2020: Olympics will be 'simplified' in 2021

Tokyo 2020 will be a "simplified" Olympics, according to the chief executive of the organising committee.

NZ's Benji Marshall to self-isolate after kiss

New Zealand international Benji Marshall is forced into self-isolation - after kissing a TV reporter.

Mumbai overtakes Wuhan peak as India Covid cases spike

India has the fifth-highest number of infections in the world and its financial capital is the worst hit.

Banksy artwork stolen from the Bataclan in Paris is found in Italy

The mural, a tribute to victims of the 2015 attack, was reportedly found by police in a farmhouse.

Roger Federer to miss rest of 2020 after further knee operation

Roger Federer will miss the rest of the 2020 season after having a further operation on his right knee.

George Floyd protests: What do 'thug', 'white privilege' and 'ally' mean?

Protests following the death of George Floyd have brought some important phrases into the spotlight.

Gone with the Wind removed from HBO Max

The service says the 1939 film will return alongside a "discussion of its historical context".

Pakistan locust plague: Locals collect insects for chicken feed

In Pakistan, the ground literally crawls with insects, as farmers sell them for chicken feed.

Racism definition: Merriam-Webster to make update after request

Editors of the dictionary made the decision after receiving an email from a young black woman.

Italian woman prepares olives during brain tumour operation

The 60 year old had a tumour removed as she stuffed 90 olives in an operating theatre.

Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute sacked from Vanderpump Rules

Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute, original stars of the US reality show, will not be returning.

India and China: How Nepal's new map is stirring old rivalries

Nepal is redrawing its official map, fuelling simmering border tensions between India and China.

Mike Pompeo criticises HSBC for backing Hong Kong security law

The US Secretary of State says China's "browbeating" of the bank "should serve as a cautionary tale".

Olof Palme murder: Sweden identifies man who killed PM in 1986

Prosecutors say Stig Engstrom, who killed himself in 2000, was the man who shot Olof Palme in 1986.

William Callaghan: Boy with autism found after Australian mountain ordeal

William Callaghan, who has non-verbal autism, is "remarkably well" after getting lost for three days.

George Floyd: Twitter to make Juneteenth a company holiday

Juneteenth is celebrated on 19 June to commemorate the end of slavery in the US.

CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman out after joke about George Floyd

Greg Glassman acknowledged having caused a "rift" after joking about the dead Minneapolis man.

Dozens killed in attack in northern Nigeria

At least 59 people are reported to have been killed in the raid by jihadist militants on Tuesday.

Georgia: Chaos engulfs voting in White House battleground

Atlanta's mayor said the new voting machines did not work, but state officials blamed user error.

Chicago sees deadliest day in 60 years amid protests

As protests against George Floyd's death raged on 31 May, 18 people were killed in just one day,

Why were US Democrats wearing Ghana’s kente cloth?

The politicians caused a stir for having on scarves of African design as they knelt for George Floyd.

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza dies of 'cardiac arrest' at 55

Pierre Nkurunziza was admitted to hospital on Saturday after feeling unwell, the government says.

Coronavirus: China warns students over 'risks' of studying in Australia

China's education ministry issues an advisory, warning of "discriminatory incidents" in Australia.

Internet sleuths name wrong man in police appeal

The man's home address was shared online after a video showed a cyclist hurting a child in the US.

Honda's global operations hit by cyber-attack

Car-maker says cyber attack has affected production, sales and development worldwide.

Outcry in South Africa after woman found stabbed and hanging from tree

Tshegofatso Pule had been missing for four days before her body was discovered.

Joe Biden: I think Floyd will change the world

The Democratic US presidential hopeful held a private meeting with George Floyd's family in Houston.

Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman says she 'didn't do enough' for diversity

Marta Kauffman says she would now make "very different decisions" about the hit sitcom.

Adam Rapoport: Bon Appetit editor resigns over 'racist culture'

A "brownface" photo of Adam Rapoport has sparked a wave of allegations of racism at the outlet.

Malaysia detains 270 Rohingya refugees who had drifted at sea for weeks

Rohingya refugees had been stranded offshore for weeks, unable to dock because of Covid-19 lockdown.

Spain ex-king Juan Carlos probed over Saudi rail deal

A Supreme Court inquiry aims to find out if the king received any undeclared payments.

Coronavirus: Satellite traffic images may suggest virus hit Wuhan earlier