Russian oil tanker docks in Cuba ending near-total blockade

A Russian oil tanker has docked in Cuba, providing temporary relief after months of shortages.

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Teenager died after asking ChatGPT for ‘most successful’ way to take his life, inquest told

Luca Cella Walker asked chatbot for best way for someone to kill themself on railway line before his death

A 16-year-old boy killed himself after asking ChatGPT for the “most successful” way to take your own life, an inquest has been told.

Luca Cella Walker, a private school pupil from Yateley, Hampshire, died on 4 May last year.

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CEO of Epic Games apologizes after laying off employee with terminal brain cancer

Tim Sweeney, chief of firm that created Fortnite, received backlash after worker’s wife revealed loss of life insurance

The chief of the company that created Fortnite, a popular online game, has issued an apology following backlash after recent mass layoffs cost an employee with terminal brain cancer his job – and his life insurance.

On Sunday, Tim Sweeney, the Epic Games chief executive, apologized after Jenni Griffin, the wife of Mike Prinke, a laid off employee, revealed on social media that the loss of her husband’s job also meant he was losing his life insurance.

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How the US could try to seize Iran's Kharg Island

Donald Trump has indicated he could send troops to take control of Iran's key oil export terminal.

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Frosting, sprinkles and layers of fun: Giant cake picnic hits Sydney

Hundreds of bakers head to the city's botanic gardens to share and savour their colourful creations.

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NHS restructure is greatest danger to Streeting’s effort to revive service

Health secretary still confident of success but critics say scrapping of NHS England has been ‘a total car crash’

• NHS to miss targets for cutting A&E wait times and performance in England

In the Great Hall at the University of East London last Wednesday, the perennially upbeat Wes Streeting was exuding even greater positivity than usual. After years of neglect under the Conservatives, he said, the NHS was starting to revive thanks to Labour’s medicine.

In a bravura performance in front of an audience of health service bosses, policy experts and student nurses in their blue and green uniforms, Streeting reeled off a long list of improvements in his 20-month tenure as health secretary.

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Potential Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping could further damage global economy

The Iran-backed group could bring a second crucial waterway to a standstill, writes Sebastian Usher.

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Fulton county accuses FBI of ‘callous disregard’ over ballot seizures

Lawyers say agency made misrepresentations in affidavit to obtain search warrant for January raid of election offices

Lawyers arguing in federal court for the FBI to return Fulton county’s 2020 election records said the agency’s affidavit to obtain a search warrant relied on misrepresentations that rise to the legal standard of a “callous disregard” for the county’s rights.

“The only element that turns the election into a crime is intent, and nothing in the affidavit shows intent,” Abbe Lowell, who is representing Fulton county, said during the Friday hearing at the Richard Russell courthouse in Atlanta. He argued that the FBI is pursuing crimes for which the statute of limitations has expired.

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Is Trump's pause on attacking Iranian energy for diplomacy or an escalation?

The US president's commitment to deadlines is fluid but he uses them for a purpose, writes the BBC's James Landale.

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Guthrie on missing mother: 'We cannot be at peace without knowing'

In her first interview since the disappearance, Savannah Guthrie recounts the moment she learned her mother was missing and wrestles with the idea that her fame may have made her mother a target.

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‘Perfect storm’ of staffing shortage and upcoming World Cup, warns acting head of TSA

Ha Nguyen McNeill testified before House committee about airport wait times amid DHS funding shutdown

The acting head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said on Wednesday that airports across the country are experiencing the “highest wait times in TSA history”, as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enters its sixth week.

At a House homeland security committee hearing, Ha Nguyen McNeill said her agency has been shut down for 50% of the fiscal year so far – a stretch that includes last year’s record-breaking 43‑day lapse in federal funding. She told lawmakers that by Friday, TSA employees will have missed $1bn in paychecks as a result of the closures.

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Maternal mortality rises in US aid-dependent countries under Republican presidents, study shows

Cuts to family planning aid are linked to an 11% increase in deaths during pregnancy and childbirth in some countries

When Republican presidents win power in the US there is a stark consequence for many pregnant woman around the world – a significant rise in maternal mortality as aid is withdrawn, a new study has found.

Global family planning aid typically drops under Republican presidents and then rises again by 48% once Democratic presidents are elected, the research, published in BMJ Global Health, finds.

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Democratic rising star extends ‘love’ after Hegseth pastor prays for his death

Senate nominee in Texas James Talarico says ‘Christian nationalism kills’ in response to Brooks Potteiger remark

James Talarico, the Texas Democratic state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, has said he forgives Pete Hegseth’s pastor for praying for his death. On Tuesday, Texas’s popular Democratic nominee for a US Senate seat pushed back against comments from Brooks Potteiger, the defense secretary’s closest spiritual adviser, who said: “We want him crucified with Christ.”

Talarico said on X: “Jesus loves. Christian Nationalism kills. You may pray for my death, Pastor, but I still love you. I love you more than you could ever hate me.”

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Jamie Lee Curtis to lead Murder, She Wrote reboot movie

Oscar winner will take on role of Jessica Fletcher in 2027 film from Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore

Oscar-winning actor Jamie Lee Curtis has been confirmed to take on the role of Jessica Fletcher in a big-screen reboot of Murder, She Wrote.

The 67-year-old star of Halloween and Everything Everywhere All at Once will play the mystery author and amateur detective made famous by Angela Lansbury in the long-running television series.

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Baltimore sues Elon Musk’s AI company over Grok’s fake nude images

Lawsuit argues XAI failed to disclose risks, limitations and exposure to harm that come with using chatbot

The mayor and city council of Baltimore, Maryland, filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s xAI company on Tuesday, alleging that its Grok chatbot violated consumer protections by generating nonconsensual sexualized images.

Baltimore’s lawsuit argues that xAI deceptively marketed Grok as a general-purpose AI assistant and X as a mainstream social media site, failing to disclose the risks, limitations and exposure to harm that come with using the platform and chatbot. The suit, filed in the circuit court for Baltimore city, argues that the court has jurisdiction over xAI given that the company advertises and operates in Baltimore.

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Nigerian police arrest 15 after viral videos of alleged sexual assault at festival

The videos sparked widespread anger, leading to the hashtag #StopRapingWomen to trend on social media.

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Russian attacks kill six in Ukraine, officials say

The deaths were reported in four south-eastern Ukrainian regions in the past 24 hours.

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Watch: Thick smoke billows from South Korea car parts plant in deadly fire

Eleven people were killed and dozens injured when a huge blaze engulfed a car parts factory in the central city of Daejeon.

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Petrol theft expected to rise in Australia as police call for more CCTV and prepaid pumps

Amid a surge in fuel prices and fear of shortages, SA police chief signals officers might stop investigating ‘drive-offs’ unless service stations install prepaid pumps

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The rusty green fuel trailer hardly looks like it is worth stealing. But some time before 1 March it was hooked up to the back of a vehicle and taken from a property at Huntley, south of Orange, in the New South Wales central tablelands.

It was just another in a series of thefts that police across Australia are keeping a watchful eye on.

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Arizona desert town breaks record for hottest March temperature in US history

Martinez Lake, about 145 miles west of Phoenix, reached 110F (43.3C) on Thursday amid scorching south-west heat

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A small community in the Arizona desert has broken a record for the highest March temperature ever recorded in the US, as the south-west bakes in a blistering late-winter heatwave.

The astonishing temperature was recorded just outside Martinez Lake, Arizona, which reached 110F (43.3C) on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

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Cryptocurrency firms suffer heavy losses in Illinois primaries after spending big

Cryptocurrency’s biggest Pac spent more than $10m for their candidates, only to be defeated by those who are anti-crypto

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The cryptocurrency industry spent big and lost often in this week’s Illinois primaries.

As the industry prepares to make massive donations in the 2026 midterm elections to replicate its success in 2024, the Illinois losses mark an early setback for firms that are trying to establish themselves as power players in American politics.

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Death toll at start of Covid-19 pandemic likely higher than US count, study says

Finding suggests as many as 155,000 deaths, likely occurring outside of hospitals, not recognized at Covid related

The Covid-19 pandemic’s early death toll was much higher than the official US count, according to a new study that spotlights dramatic disparities in the uncounted deaths.

About 840,000 Covid-19 deaths were reported on death certificates in 2020 and 2021. But a group of researchers – using a form of artificial intelligence – estimate that as many as 155,000 unrecognized additional deaths likely occurred in that time outside of hospitals. That would mean about 16% of Covid-19 deaths went uncounted in those years.

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Arizona charges Kalshi, alleging illegal gambling with election bets

Kalshi calls Arizona’s case ‘paper-thin’ and says the platform should not be overseen by ‘inconsistent state laws’

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Arizona’s attorney general on Tuesday filed criminal charges against Kalshi, accusing the prediction markets platform of operating an illegal gambling business in the state and unlawfully allowing people to place bets on elections.

The charges filed by Kris Mayes, the Arizona attorney general, marked the first time a state has pursued a criminal case against Kalshi, which has been at the center of an escalating battle over the ability of state gaming regulators to police prediction markets operators.

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US west coast prepares for 'dangerous' heatwave in early spring

Severe weather is plaguing the US from coast to coast, bringing a mix of extreme heat and bitter cold.

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US oil prices could see another day of wild fluctuation as Iran war drags on

One analyst predicting that prices at the pump might hit $3.85 per gallon on Monday as war enters third week

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US oil prices could see another day of wild fluctuation as the US-Israel campaign against Iran extends into a third week, with one analyst predicting that prices at the pump might hit $3.85 per gallon on Monday.

Petroleum prices have spiraled upward as the broadening conflict has imperiled oil and gas production infrastructure in the region. On Friday, the US conducted strikes on Kharg Island, an essential oil processing hub in Iran. Tehran, meanwhile, continues to block ships from passing through the strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the international oil supply typically passes through.

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Ecuador deploys 75,000 soldiers and police to combat drug gangs

Citizens of the most violent-wracked provinces have been warned the government is "at war" with the gangs.

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Airline CEOs urge Congress to end shutdown and pay airport TSA officers

Nearly month-long funding lapse has disrupted US air travel and caused long wait times amid security officers’ absences

The CEOs of major US airlines urged Congress on Sunday to move quickly to end a 29-day partial government shutdown that has forced 50,000 airport security officers to work without pay, warning it could further disrupt US air travel.

Absences by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers had already disrupted travel at some major airports over the previous week, raising alarm as the busy spring break travel season continues.

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'Gruesome' war bets fuel calls for crackdown on prediction markets

Predictions markets have hosted millions of dollars of bets related to the war in Iran.

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UK faces ‘seismic moment’ as nationalists target election wins, says John Swinney

SNP leader hails prospect of success for parties in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that want to break up union

The UK is facing an “absolutely seismic moment”, John Swinney has said, with the prospect of the election of first ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in May who are all committed to the break-up of the union.

Speaking at the Scottish National party’s campaign conference ahead of the Scottish parliament elections, the first minister told delegates: “For people watching around the world, there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is up.”

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German philosopher and social critic Jürgen Habermas dies at 96

One the most influential thinkers in post-war Germany, he linked philosophy and political action throughout his life.

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Charges filed against man accused of selling gun to Old Dominion shooter

Kenya Chapman was arrested for allegedly selling firearm to Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, who killed one person on Thursday

The US Department of Justice on Friday charged a man who authorities say sold a gun to the Old Dominion University (ODU) shooter despite the gunman’s previous conviction in a terrorism case.

Kenya Chapman is facing federal charges in connection to the sale of the weapon to Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former army national guard member who yelled “Allahu Akbar” before he opened fire in a classroom at the Virginia school on Thursday, according to authorities.

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Rachel Reeves to set out extra support for UK households facing surge in heating oil costs

Exclusive: Chancellor plans help for vulnerable and low-income customers due to conflict in Middle East

Rachel Reeves will set out extra support next week for households across the UK facing a surge in the cost of heating oil due to the conflict in the Middle East.

The chancellor is expected to set out plans to assist those on low incomes or with other vulnerabilities, particularly in rural areas. The help will be delivered in England via councils using the new crisis and resilience fund.

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KPop Demon Hunters sequel confirmed at Netflix: ‘This is only the beginning’

The streamer’s biggest film of all time, also nominated for two Oscars, is getting a followup

A sequel to record-breaking hit KPop Demon Hunters has been officially confirmed at Netflix.

The film will again be a collaboration between the streamer and Sony with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the writer-directors, returning.

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US student’s parents charged in teacher’s death express remorse after prank goes wrong

Jason Hughes died after slipping into the road as Georgia teens fled a prank involving toilet paper

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The parents of a high school student charged in the death of his teacher after a prank gone wrong, have released a statement saying that the teacher “meant the world to our son” and their family is in “deep remorse and grieving”.

Jason Hughes, 4o, a teacher at North Hall high school in Georgia, died last week after being run over by a student driving away from a prank involving toilet paper.

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Ukraine says it has hit Russian 'missile component' plant

Russia says the attack hit civilians and could not have been carried out without British help.

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Noma loses major sponsors for Los Angeles events after reports of abuse

American Express and Blackbird cut ties with restaurant after René Redzepi accused of abusing his staff

After allegations emerged this week that René Redzepi had abused his staff at Noma, once considered the world’s best restaurant, sponsors on Tuesday announced they would end their support for the chef’s upcoming events in Los Angeles.

The New York Times reported that American Express and the hospitality company Blackbird have cut ties with Noma ahead of the Copenhagen restaurant’s four-month pop-up in LA, which was set to kick off this week.

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BBC visits key Dubai port in Iran's firing line

Trade at the Middle East's biggest port has been hit hard since Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began.

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Two teens charged over ‘Islamic State-inspired’ attack outside Mamdani home

Pair charged with throwing explosive devices during anti-Islam protest described by mayor as ‘appalling’

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Two teenagers were charged on Monday with offenses including terrorism and using a weapon of mass destruction after they allegedly threw improvised explosive devices during an anti-Islam demonstration on Saturday outside the residence of New York mayor Zohran Mamdani.

According to a 10-page criminal complaint filed in federal court in the US southern district of New York, 18-year-old Emir Balat threw the devices at protesters after they were handed to him by Ibrahim Kayumi, 19. It said both declared allegiance to the Islamic State terror group.

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Police condemn ‘shameful’ behaviour of Celtic and Rangers fans in Ibrox clashes

• Police say arrests have been made after Scottish Cup tie

• ‘Officers and stewards faced with hostility and violence’

Police Scotland have condemned as “shameful” the behaviour of some supporters and said arrests have been made after clashes at the end of at the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox.

Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen said: “The behaviour of a number of supporters at the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox today was shameful. It must be condemned by everyone involved in football and wider society.

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Heavy rains and flooding kills at least 23 in Nairobi

Flights in and out of Nairobi Airport have been disrupted while some roads in the capital are submerged.

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Offer from Iran’s president to not attack neighbours provokes internal backlash

As Masoud Pezeshkian tries to deescalate conflict, hardliners urge installation of new Supreme Leader to marginalise the president

The surprise offer by the president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, to not attack countries in the neighbourhood so long as their airspace and US bases within their territories are not used to attack Iran has provoked a storm inside the country as the military appeared to contradict him, if not outright overrule him.

There were also calls for a new supreme leader to be installed as quickly as possible, as a means of marginalising the president. Attacks on facilities in Bahrain and elsewhere have continued, and there were unconfirmed reports that Bahrain had become the first Gulf country to fire back at Iran.

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Kristi Noem’s departure from the DHS won’t mean an end to agency’s violent tactics

A change of leadership means little to an agency ‘shielded from scrutiny and unchecked by oversight’

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Some of the most ostentatious enforcers of Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda have left or been forced out of the administration in recent weeks.

In January, the president withdrew Greg Bovino – the border patrol commander who was the face of the immigration crackdowns in Chicago and Minneapolis – from his frontline role. Top Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin – who had become notorious for her bombastic and blatantly false press statements – left her role last month. And on Thursday, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Kristi Noem, was fired.

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Beirut evacuees 'sleeping in tents and cars'

Some residents in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh have left their homes amid ongoing air strikes by Israel.

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Iran's high-risk war strategy seems to centre on endurance and deterrence

Tehran's approach appears to rest on a belief it can absorb strikes longer than its adversaries sustain pain and costs, writes BBC Persian's Amir Azimi.

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Watershed moment as Russia's sporting exile ends

Sports Editor Dan Roan analyses Russia's controversial return to global sporting action at the Winter Paralympics and what it might mean for other sports.

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Police misconduct cost New York City taxpayers more than $117m in 2025

More than 1,000 lawsuits were resolved last year, including multimillion-dollar payouts tied to overturned convictions

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Misconduct by the New York police department (NYPD) cost the city’s taxpayers more than $117m in 2025, a study of lawsuits resolved last year has found.

The figure, in an analysis by the Legal Aid Society reported by the Gothamist, is the third highest yearly total since 2018. But it is lower than the 2024 settlement amount, which topped $200m.

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Hegseth says US won’t get ‘bogged down’ in Iran – but doesn’t rule out sending troops

Defense secretary refuses to establish timeline for how long operation will continue in first public remarks since strikes

The US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, has called the joint US-Israeli strikes in Iran the “most lethal and precise air power campaign in history”, indicated the US did not plan to effect a democratic transition in Iran – and refused to establish a clear timeline for how long the US operation will continue.

In the first public remarks by an administration official since the war began on Saturday, Hegseth also said that the US did not have “boots on the ground” in Iran but that he wouldn’t speculate what “we will or will not do”. He also said that four US service members had been killed by a ballistic missile that managed to penetrate allied air defenses.

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A rap star might just beat a former PM - what this says about Nepal's Gen Z election

Many hope the vote could bring change after protests last year, and shatter decades of political paralysis.

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Celebrations around the world after strikes on Iran

People in the UK, Spain and the United States celebrated on Saturday following news of the strikes.

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Trump says Iran leadership agrees to talks after US and Israel strike Tehran

‘They should have done it sooner, they waited too long,’ says Trump but he doesn’t say when talks would take place

• US-Israel war on Iran – latest updates

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Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran’s political leadership have agreed to talks, a day after the US and Israel began to target the country’s military and political infrastructure, killing the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top officials.

“They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” Trump told a reporter for the Atlantic magazine on Sunday. “They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.”

Reuters contributed reporting

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