Paul Njie BBC Africa, Yaoundé
AFP via Getty Images Pope Leo XIV will begin a 10-day visit to four African countries on 13 April, marking his first pastoral trip to the continent, the Vatican has announced.
He will travel to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
In Cameroon, the Pope will visit the capital Yaoundé, the economic hub Douala, and the Anglophone city of Bamenda in the restive
Quentin Sommerville International correspondent, in Culiacán, Mexico
Darren Conway/BBC Mexico's president has praised the special forces for "bringing down" the country's most wanted man, drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes.
But as the BBC's Quentin Sommerville found in another Mexican cartel hotspot – Culiacán in northern Sinaloa state – the vacuum left by the removal of a powerful cartel leader can trigger a surge in violence as warring
EPA The Swiss government has announced an emergency payout of 50,000 francs ($65,000; £48,000) for the victims of the deadly fire at the ski bar resort of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve.
The so-called solidarity contribution will go to each of the 115 injured and the families of the 41 who died, the Federal Council said
Lyse Doucet Chief international correspondent
EPA In a world on edge waiting to see what US President Donald Trump does next in the Middle East, he provided no clear signal when he presented the longest ever State of the Union address.
The world's most powerful commander-in-chief decided not to make his comprehensive case for possible military action against Iran during the biggest build-up of American might in the Middle East since the 2
NSW Police Two men in their 20s have been charged with the kidnap and murder of a Sydney grandfather.
Police say widower Chris Baghsarian, 85, was taken from his home in the northern suburb of North Ryde on 13 February, in what they believe was a case of mistaken identity. He was found dead on Monday.
Local media say the alleged attack may have been aimed at a family with links to organised crime.
The two men
Reuters Zimbabwe has rejected a US health deal that would have provided $367m (£272m) in funding over five years because of Washington's demand for sensitive data.
The decision has come to light after a government memo from December was leaked, revealing that President Emmerson Mnangagwa felt the deal was "lopsided".
A government spokesman has since explained the US was demanding access to biological
Reuters Bill Gates "took responsibility for his actions" and addressed his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a meeting with staff from his charitable foundation, the organisation said.
"Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail," the Gates Foundation said in a statement.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Gates apologised to staff, said he had two affairs with Russian women which Epstein later found out about, and in relation to the late financier said: "I did nothing illicit. I saw
Jake Horton, Lucy Gilder & Tom Edgington BBC Verify
Reuters President Donald Trump delivered his longest speech to Congress - lasting one hour 47 minutes - and told US lawmakers that the "country is winning again" as he touted his administration's achievements.
The US economy and affordability were key themes in the address - which was the longest in decades. Trump also made claims about illegal immigration as well as ending a series of wars around the world.
BBC Verify has looked into them.
Kelly Ng and
Hosu Lee , Seoul
Getty Images The ex-boss of NewJeans' record label has offered to forgo a 25.6bn won ($17.9m; £13.2m) payout if entertainment giant Hybe drops all lawsuits against the K-pop group.
Min Hee-jin said she "can no longer bear