Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption“Welcome to Raqqa”: Watch Gabriel Gatehouse’s full report So-called Islamic State is defending its Syrian “capital” against a major offensive by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters. The BBC’s Gabriel Gatehouse is one of the first reporters to reach the […]

Image copyright AFP Image caption European Council President Donald Tusk and Theresa May held bilateral talks at the Brussels summit EU citizens legally resident in the UK should have the same rights as British citizens after Brexit, the UK prime minister has told EU leaders. “No-one will face a cliff edge,” Theresa May said at […]

Image copyright EPA Image caption Mr Cosby (centre) alongside his two spokespeople outside the suburban Philadelphia courthouse Embattled comic Bill Cosby plans to embark on a town hall-style speaking tour to educate young people about sexual assault allegations. His spokespeople said on Thursday that due to changing laws, more young men will face sexual assault […]

Image copyright Getty Images A former US diplomatic officer has been arrested and charged with giving top-secret documents to a Chinese agent. According to an affidavit, Kevin Mallory, a 60-year-old from Virginia, is said to have travelled to Shanghai in March and April 2017. He also failed to declare $16,500 (£13,000) in cash found in […]

Leicester winger Demarai Gray marked his first start at the tournament with a goal England reached the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship for the first time since 2009 after comfortably beating 10-man Poland to finish top of Group A. Demarai Gray opened the scoring early on with a long-range effort before substitute Jacob Murphy […]

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionLeaders of the 28 member states have plenty to discuss during the two-day summit, Elaine Jung explains EU leaders are holding summit talks in Brussels, where they will hear the UK’s plans for protecting EU citizens’ rights after Brexit. UK Prime Minister Theresa May will brief them […]

Image copyright AFP Image caption Pakistan beat India by 180 runs Indian police have dropped sedition charges against 15 Muslim men arrested for allegedly shouting “anti-India and pro-Pakistan” slogans during the Champions Trophy cricket final. Police in Madhya Pradesh state told reporters sedition was “hard to prove”. The men have been charged with “disturbing communal […]

Image copyright Rebecca Burger Image caption Ms Burger described herself as a fitness, travel, and fashion enthusiast A well-known lifestyle blogger in France has been killed by an exploding whipped cream dispenser. Rebecca Burger’s death was announced on Facebook in what her family called a “domestic accident”. A warning against the faulty dispensers was posted […]

Image copyright AFP Image caption Donald Trump’s proposed wall on the US-Mexico border was a campaign rallying cry US President Donald Trump has told supporters that his proposed wall along the border with Mexico could have solar panels fixed to it. Addressing a rally in Iowa, he said the panels would provide cheap energy and […]

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Protesters gathered outside Kensington Town Hall last week to demand support The chief executive of Kensington and Chelsea council has resigned amid criticism over the borough’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire. Nicholas Holgate said Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid asked for him to go – this is denied […]

Image copyright Polk County Sheriff’s Office Image caption The prisoners’ heroic actions have earned them each a shortened prison sentence Six US prisoners are being rewarded for saving a prison officer who had suffered a suspected heart attack. Polk County Sheriff Johnny Moats said the Georgia prisoners, who all have committed minor crimes, would each […]

Highland Reel is cooled down with water after his sixth Group One win Highland Reel showed his class to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot for trainer Aidan O’Brien. The 9-4 shot, ridden by Ryan Moore, fought past runner-up Decorated Knight, with Ulysses in third. Highland Reel prevailed by one and a […]

Read succeeded Richie McCaw as captain following New Zealand’s triumph at the 2015 World Cup New Zealand v British and Irish Lions, first Test Venue: Eden Park, Auckland Date: Saturday, 24 June Kick-off: 08:35 BST Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app Number eight Kieran Read will return from injury to […]

England’s David Willey bowls South Africa opener JJ Smuts for a golden duck during their T20 match in Southampton. Source

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption In 1985 Becker became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon men’s singles Three-time Wimbledon tennis champion Boris Becker has been declared bankrupt by a London bankruptcy court. The 49-year-old owed a firm of private bankers a large sum and the court registrar said there was not enough […]

Image copyright ABC Image caption Police with sniffer dogs are searching the evacuated airport A police officer has been stabbed in the back and neck at an airport in Michigan, police say. The officer is in hospital recovering. “Please keep the officer in your prayers,” said Michigan State Police on Twitter. The Bishop International Airport […]

The claim: The Indian government is advising pregnant women to exercise, avoid eggs and meat, shun desire and lust, and hang beautiful photos in the bedroom. Reality Check verdict: Some of the advice is good, some bad, and some downright ridiculous. India’s Ayush ministry, which promotes traditional and alternative medicine, last week distributed a tiny […]

Extremely high temperatures in the US southwest have sent the mercury above 115F (46C), but duty still calls for the Phoenix Fire Department. Source

Many young Somalis risk everything trying to seek a better life in the Middle East or Europe – often because this is the only way they can afford to get married. Mohamud Ali and video journalist Christian Parkinson report from Hargeisa, capital of Somalia’s self-declared republic of Somaliland, on what it means for those left […]

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionPolice arrive after explosion in Brussels central train station Belgian soldiers have shot a man suspected of being a would-be suicide bomber at Brussels Central Station, officials say. He was shot after reportedly setting off a small explosion and no-one else is believed to have been injured. […]