US

Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has been killed by a US airstrike in Afghanistan, US President Joe Biden has confirmed. Addressing the nation from the balcony off the White House Blue Room, Mr Biden said he authorised the strike which killed the man who was one of the masterminds of the 9/11 terror attacks. Al-Zawahiri

It’s been another awful day for Sheriff Joe Engle and his teams. On the banks of one or so many creeks in this stunning corner of Kentucky, they lift a body onto a stretcher. Three days since the water swept through these rural communities, they are still finding those who didn’t make it. “This is

Actor Nichelle Nichols, who found worldwide fame and led the way for black women in TV by starring in the original Star Trek TV series, has died. Her son, Kyle Johnson, said she died on Saturday in Silver City, New Mexico. She was 89. Her role in the 1966-69 series as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura earned

It’s the amount of water that passed through these rural Kentucky creeks that is so astonishing. I’m standing by the banks of the river which runs through the town of Hazard. I’m at least 30ft above the current water level. Yet there is mud and debris all around. The water level two nights ago was

Joe Biden has again tested positive for COVID-19 in what doctors say may be a “rebound” infection. The US president, 79, has “experienced no re-emergence of symptoms and continues to feel quite well”, White House physician Dr Kevin O’Connor said. Mr Biden also tested positive nine days ago, on 21 July, when he was said

In this rural part of Kentucky, it’s easy to see how so much rain in such a short time could be so devastating. The topography is perfect for flash floods. Steep hillsides, narrow valleys. And some of America’s poorest communities living in this stunning part of the central United States. From the air, Kentucky’s governor,

A man who helped Islamic State by narrating recruitment videos has been sentenced to life in prison in the US. Saudi-born Mohammed Khalifa was described by the US Department of Justice as a “leading figure” in the terrorist group’s English language media unit. Prosecutors said the unit produced videos such as the ones showing the

San Francisco has declared a state of emergency in response to the growing spread of monkeypox cases across the city. As of 27 July, 261 people had confirmed or probable monkeypox infections, with health officials warning the figure is likely to rise. The city’s mayor London Breed tweeted: “San Francisco is declaring a Local Public Health Emergency

The world’s largest economy has contracted for a second consecutive quarter, although the downturn is yet to be officially termed a recession. The US recorded a 0.9% decline in output on an annualised basis between April and June, when economists had forecast an increase of 0.5%. The early data would meet the international criteria for

Relatives of America’s gun violence victims have told Sky News of their disappointment and anger after listening to exchanges between politicians and gun firm bosses at a congressional hearing in Washington “They have no heart. If it was their child they would be moving mountains to get these laws changed. Honestly,” Javier Cazares said. He

The US Attorney General has given his clearest indication yet that former President Donald Trump could be prosecuted for his role in attempting to overthrow the result of the 2020 election. In an interview with NBC News, Merrick Garland spoke more explicitly than he has ever before about the Justice Department investigation into the 6

A flashy Rolls Royce-driving Gucci suit-wearing New York priest says his showy lifestyle was not to blame for a gunpoint robbery that happened during one of his live-streamed services. Dramatic footage shown on Bishop Lamor Miller-Whitehead’s social media live platforms captured the moment three hooded, masked gunmen burst into his service and stole the hundreds

Ghislaine Maxwell has been moved to a low-security prison in Florida, according to official documents. The 60-year-old was found guilty of luring young girls to massage rooms for disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein to molest between 1994 and 2004. She lodged an appeal against the sex trafficking conviction and 20-year sentence earlier this month. Prison documents

US actor Paul Sorvino, most famous for his role as gangster Paulie Cicero in the hit movie Goodfellas, has died aged 83. Sorvino, also known for portraying police sergeant Phil Cerretta on TV series Law and Order, had worked in film and television for more than 50 years. “I am completely devastated. The love of

A six-year-old girl and her parents have been shot dead while camping in Iowa, police have said. The US state’s public safety department said the bodies of Sarah and Tyler Schmidt, both 42, and their daughter Lula were found in their tent in the Maquoketa Caves State Park. A relative said the couple’s nine-year-old son,

China’s military has become significantly more dangerous and aggressive over the past five years, the US’ top military officer has warned. Speaking in Indonesia, General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the number of intercepts by Chinese aircraft and ships in the Pacific region on US and other partner forces has

A state of emergency has been declared in California’s Mariposa County after thousands were ordered to evacuate because of a fast-moving wildfire near Yosemite National Park on Saturday. The Oak Fire exploded into one of the state’s largest wildfires of the year, with officials issuing evacuation orders and shutting off power to more than 2,000

A man charged with trying to kill his sister – who recently woke from a two-year coma to name him as her attacker – has died. Daniel J Palmer III died on Thursday at a hospital in Charleston, West Virginia, six days after he was charged with attempted murder and malicious wounding of his sister

Joe Biden intermittently coughed his way through a virtual White House meeting, a day on from his testing positive for COVID. Mr Biden, who at 79 is the oldest person ever to serve as US president, appeared in good spirits but had a noticeably deeper voice and apologised for repeatedly breaking away from his speech

Donald Trump’s former adviser, Steve Bannon, has been found guilty of contempt of Congress after refusing to appear before the US Capitol riots hearing. Bannon was charged with two counts of criminal contempt – each carrying up to a year in jail. He will be sentenced in October. Outside the courtroom, he said he respected