US

A handwritten note from Prince Philip in which he apologised to the then US president Richard Nixon for a “lame” toast in which he forgot to propose his host’s health has been made public for the first time. The Duke of Edinburgh wrote to the 37th American leader that he’d woken “in a cold sweat”

Eight people have been killed in a shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. More people are reported to be injured and have been transported to different hospitals in the area following the incident late on Thursday. The shooter is among the dead after taking his own life and police have said they believe there

Human cells have been grown in monkey embryos by scientists in the US, sparking ethical concerns and warnings that it “opens a Pandora’s box”. Those behind the research say their work could help tackle the severe shortage of transplant organs as well as enable better overall understanding of human health, from the development of disease

People are “likely” to need a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine within 12 months of getting the first two, Pfizer’s chief executive has said. Dr Albert Bourla said a booster jab could be necessary “somewhere between six and 12 months” after the second one – and every year thereafter. “A likely scenario is that

Bodycam footage of a police officer fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy last month appears to show the teenager holding his hands up before he is shot. Adam Toledo can be seen running away from police down an alley in Chicago as the officer shouts for him to stop and show his hands. The boy stops

The punishment inflicted by the United States on Russia for a massive cyber breach, election meddling and other alleged “destabilising activities” is notable. A series of sanctions, diplomatic expulsions and the naming and shaming of Russia’s foreign intelligence agency, the SVR, was designed to send a message to President Vladimir Putin that US policy on

Former police officer Derek Chauvin has refused to testify in court over the killing of George Floyd as the defence rested its case and the murder trial was adjourned. At the start of Thursday’s proceedings Chauvin informed the court that he would not testify, invoking his 5th Amendment right not to take the stand. “Is

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has vowed to make his company a better place for its workers. Mr Bezos was writing in an annual letter to shareholders after a union battle at one of the business’s warehouses in the US state of Alabama. “While the voting results were lopsided and our direct relationship with employees is

The US economy continues to show signs of recovery, as newly-vaccinated Americans head out to spend their stimulus cheques. Retail sales were up by a seasonally-adjusted 9.8%, having dropped about 3% the previous month, the Commerce Department said on Thursday. The rise was much better than the 5.5% increase economists had forecast. Image: President Joe

US President Joe Biden has announced new sanctions on the Russian government and the expulsion of 10 diplomats in retaliation for hacking and election interference. Mr Biden said Russia’s efforts to undermine free elections in the US were an “unusual and extraordinary” threat to security. The actions represent the first retaliatory measures announced against the

Vine star Adam Perkins, behind the viral ‘Welcome to Chili’s’ video, has died at the age of 24. His death was confirmed on Instagram by his twin brother Patrick. The cause of his death, on 11 April, isn’t known. Patrick wrote: “I can’t even really put into words what this loss means for me. I’m

Democrats are planning to increase the number of US Supreme Court justices from nine to 13 in an attempt to swing the court away from a heavy conservative majority. Conservative justices currently outnumber liberals by six to three after former president Donald Trump was able to appoint three justices during his four years in office.

The US is expected to announce new sanctions on Russia as early as today over the hacking of government agencies and alleged election interference. Thirty entities are set to be blacklisted and about 10 Russian officials will be expelled as part of the measures, according to officials speaking anonymously to AP and Reuters news agencies.

A long-time suspect in the disappearance of California student Kristin Smart almost 25 years ago has been charged with her murder, while his father is accused of helping to conceal her body. Paul Flores, 44, was the last person seen with Ms Smart when she vanished on 25 May 1996. She had been returning to

The withdrawal from Afghanistan is a bold move by President Joe Biden but ultimately he had no choice but to end a campaign in which victory was impossible. It will be for historians to decide the legacy but a snap conclusion is unavoidable – the Americans have been humbled by their experience and have achieved

Derek Chauvin’s defence team was evidently relying heavily on the testimony of retired medical examiner Dr David Fowler to persuade the jurors of the former police officer’s innocence. He was the only witness called to give evidence on day 13 of the trial. The forensic pathologist, serving as an expert witness, outlined to the jury