Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader who brought the Cold War to a peaceful end, has died aged 91. Mr Gorbachev, who took power in 1985, opened up the then-USSR to the world and introduced a set of reforms at home. But he was unable to prevent the slow collapse of the Soviet Union, from […]

Serena Williams extended her US Open farewell with a gritty opening win on an entertaining night packed with hope and celebration in New York. Williams, who is set to retire after the tournament, won 6-3 6-3 against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic. A near-capacity 25,000 crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium willed on their idol and she responded […]

One-third of Pakistan has been completely submerged by historic flooding, its climate minister says. Devastating flash floods have washed away roads, homes and crops – leaving a trail of deadly havoc across Pakistan. “It’s all one big ocean, there’s no dry land to pump the water out,” Sherry Rehman told AFP, adding it had created […]

Hardik Pandya led India to a dramatic final-over win over Pakistan in the sides’ opening match of the Asia Cup. With India chasing 148 from 20 overs, Hardik hit the fourth ball of the final over for six to seal a five-wicket win. The all-rounder struck three fours in the 19th over to reduce the […]

Pakistan is appealing for further international assistance after floods wreaked havoc across the country. The US, UK, United Arab Emirates and others have contributed to a monsoon disaster appeal but much more funds are needed, an interior ministry official told the BBC. More than 1,000 people have died and millions have been displaced since June, […]

Argentina beat the All Blacks for the first time in New Zealand to move top of the Rugby Championship. Winger Emiliano Boffelli kicked 20 points as the Pumas won 25-18 in Christchurch to pile the pressure on All Blacks coach Ian Foster. The Pumas triumphed over the All Blacks two years ago in Sydney in […]

Russia has blocked the adoption of a joint declaration by a United Nations conference on nuclear disarmament. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is reviewed by its 191 signatories every five years, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Russia objected to a draft text citing “grave concern” over military activities around Ukraine’s nuclear plants, in particular [...

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali says he does not expect a woman to race at the top level of the sport in the next five years. Domenicali said it was “crucial to give the maximum possibility for women to come to F1 – we are totally dedicated to that”. But he added: “Realistically speaking, unless […]

A Russian rocket strike on a Ukrainian train station has killed 22 people, Ukraine says, on the day marking six months since Moscow’s invasion began. It says five of the victims of the attack in the eastern town of Chaplyne burnt to death in a vehicle. An 11-year-old boy also was killed. President Volodymyr Zelensky […]

A former security chief for Twitter has turned whistleblower and testified that the company misled users and US regulators about gaps in its security. Peiter Zatko also claimed that Twitter underestimated how many fake and spam accounts are on its platform. The accusations could affect a legal battle between Twitter and billionaire Elon Musk, who […]

UK intelligence agencies are accused of tipping off Indian authorities about a British national before his abduction and alleged torture by Punjab police. Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, was in India in 2017 when his family say he was forced into an unmarked car. He says he was then tortured over days, including with electrocution. […]

Singapore will repeal a law that bans gay sex, effectively making it legal to be homosexual in the city-state. The decision, announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on national TV, comes after years of fierce debate. LGBT activists in Singapore have hailed the move as “a win for humanity”. The city-state is known for […]

Pakistan’s police have said the country’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, is under investigation. He is accused of making threats against the police and judiciary following a political speech he gave on Saturday. Tensions are high in the country, with the former leader’s supporters gathering outside his house vowing to “take over” if he is […]

Somali forces claim to have defeated the militants who stormed a hotel in the capital after a bloody siege. At least 12 people were killed in the deadly 30-hour ordeal, although local media reports the death toll could be even higher. The assailants used explosives to gain entry to Mogadishu’s Hayat Hotel on Friday before […]

The militant group al-Shabab says it has taken control of a hotel near the centre of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Police said attackers detonated two explosives outside the hotel, before entering the building and opening fire. In a statement, the Islamist group claimed to be in control of the complex and said they “are shooting […]

Emma Raducanu’s dominant form at the Cincinnati Open ended as seventh seed Jessica Pegula proved a sharp step up in class for the British number one. Raducanu had trounced veterans Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, but lost 7-5 6-4 to Pegula in the last 16. Now the 19-year-old switches her focus to defending her crown […]

Powerful storms have battered areas of central and southern Europe, killing at least 12 people including three children. The deaths, most from falling trees, were reported in Italy and Austria, and on the French island of Corsica. Heavy rain and winds wrecked campsites on the island, while in Venice, Italy, masonry was blown off the […]

Andy Murray set up a meeting with fellow Briton Cameron Norrie with a gutsy win over fellow veteran Stan Wawrinka in the Cincinnati Open. Former world number one Murray, 35, won 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 7-5 in the first-round match against his 37-year-old rival. The victory keeps alive world number 47 Murray’s hopes of being seeded […]

Deputy President William Ruto has been declared the winner of Kenya’s presidential election amid dramatic scenes. He narrowly beat his rival, Raila Odinga, taking 50.5% of the vote, according to the official results. The announcement was delayed amid scuffles and allegations of vote-rigging by Mr Odinga’s campaign. Four of the seven members of the electoral […]

Jersey have kept their dream of qualifying for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India alive, edging a valiant Uganda on net run rate to top their Challenge League group. Despite a defeat to Kenya and Uganda’s thumping win over Hong Kong, the Channel Islanders could bank on some of their big wins […]

Dozens of people have died after a fire broke out at a church in Egypt, many of them crushed during a desperate scramble to escape. Officials say the number of dead is at least 41, with dozens injured. Children are believed to be among the dead. An electrical fire broke out as 5,000 worshippers gathered […]

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At least seven people have been injured after gunmen opened fire at separate locations in the city of Jerusalem, Israeli officials have said. The attackers shot at a bus and opened fire in a car park near the historic Western Wall at 01:24 local time (22:24 GMT), emergency officials said. Police have launched a search […]

Salman Rushdie’s agent has said “the news is not good” after the author was stabbed at an event in New York state. He was attacked on stage, and is now on a ventilator and unable to speak, Andrew Wylie said in a statement, adding that the author, 75, may lose one eye. Mr Rushdie has […]

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