At least 21 people have died in one of the worst cold snaps to hit the US Midwest in decades. Ninety million people – a third of the US – have seen temperatures of -17C (0F) or below. Some 250 million Americans overall have experienced the “polar vortex” conditions. Hospitals have been treating patients reporting […]

At least eight people have died in the US Midwest as the region shivers in the grip of its worst cold snap in decades. An Iowa student found dead outside a college building is among victims of the deadly freeze. Hospitals have been treating patients reporting frostbite as life across a swathe of the nation […]

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has dismissed calls for new presidential elections amid fresh protests against his leadership. In a show of defiance, he insisted his victory in polls last spring had been legitimate. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president last week, prompting an escalating power struggle. In an interview with a Russian news […]

US and Taliban negotiators have agreed on a draft framework for a peace deal seeking to put an end to the 17-year conflict in Afghanistan, Washington’s top negotiator has said. US negotiators held six days of talks with the Taliban in Qatar last week. The Afghan president has made a new call for direct talks […]

Spain, Germany, France and the UK have warned Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that he must call elections within eight days – or they will officially recognise the opposition. Mr Maduro is under pressure after his rival Juan Guaidó declared himself “acting president” on Wednesday. Several countries, including the US, already back Mr Guaidó as president. […]

Russia has condemned foreign powers for backing a Venezuelan opposition leader who declared himself interim president, calling it a bid to “usurp power”. Moscow said that the move violated international law and was a “direct path to bloodshed”. Juan Guaidó declared himself interim leader on Wednesday – a move recognised by the US and several […]

  The White House is still planning to move ahead with next week’s scheduled State of the Union address, but the details remain up in the air after House Speaker Nancy Pelosistrongly urged the president to delay the speech or submit it in writing amid the government shutdown fight. According to multiple sources, it remains unclear […]

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is due to make a statement at 15:30 GMT on the way forward on Brexit after her planned deal was rejected by MPs last week. She hopes to win over Tory Brexiteer MPs and Northern Ireland’s DUP, by resolving their concerns over the “backstop” plan for the Irish border. Last […]

Mexican authorities now put the number killed in Friday night’s fuel pipeline blast at 66, with scores more injured. It is believed the explosion occurred after the line was ruptured by suspected fuel thieves in the town of Tlahuelilpan, in Hidalgo state. Officials say scores of people had been scrambling to fill up containers and […]

US President Donald Trump has hit back over a news report that he directed his then personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, to lie to Congress. Buzzfeed News said Mr Trump had instructed Cohen to lie about plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen was convicted over the case last month. Mr Trump said the […]