
General Brice Oligui Nguema: Who is Gabon's coup leader?
Who is General Brice Nguema, the man who overthrew the president he was supposed to protect?
1970-01-01 08:00

Tropical Storm Idalia drenches Carolinas as Florida counts cost
Up to 9in (23cm) of rain and life-threatening flash flooding could hit parts of eastern North Carolina.
1970-01-01 08:00

Lewis Hamilton has ‘unfinished business’ after signing new Mercedes contract
Lewis Hamilton said he has “unfinished business” after signing a new £100million contract to extend his Formula One career beyond his 40th birthday. After months of negotiations, the seven-time world champion finally concluded a new two-year deal – understood to be worth £50m-a-season, a salary hike of £10m – at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix. The announcement ends speculation surrounding the seven-time world champion’s future with his current deal up for renewal at the end of the season. Hamilton’s extension – which draws him level with Max Verstappen as the grid’s highest earner – will take him to a month shy of his 41st birthday. It will also allow him to continue his pursuit of a record eighth crown. Hamilton will still be partnered by George Russell after Mercedes also confirmed they 25-year-old’s stay for at least another two years. “I have had such an incredible journey with Mercedes, and we still have unfinished business,” said Hamilton ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. “We want to get back to the top, and back to fighting for world championships. We are in this together. “We have a lot of work to do, but there is nowhere else I would rather be. You are all stuck with me for a little bit longer.” Hamilton has won a record 103 races, and was carried to six of his seven championships by Mercedes, but he has not tasted victory since the controversial Abu Dhabi decider of 2021 – a losing run of 36 races. Hamilton is fourth in the championship, an eye-watering 183 points behind Verstappen, with Mercedes unable to challenge the Dutchman’s all-conquering team. Verstappen has won 11 of the 13 rounds so far – with Red Bull unbeaten this season. But Hamilton added: “It is not about revenge or redemption. Abu Dhabi is in the past and there’s nothing you can do about it. “In life, you have ups and downs, and last year everyone was questioning whether they wanted to continue. But that thought quickly went away, and you put your mind and energy into being the best you can be. “I truly believe we can win more world championships and more races together and that’s where all my energy is going. “I’m not thinking that it’s going to take another four years to get to where we need to be. I’m aware that it does take time. “But I’m so hopeful the decisions we are taking will put us in that target zone. In my heart I truly believe if it’s not next year it will be the year after that we can challenge.” Hamilton, who made his F1 debut in 2007 aged 22, once scoffed at the idea of racing into his forties. But after signing up for his 18th and 19th seasons, he revealed the careers of NFL star Tom Brady, who retired at the age of 45, and Fernando Alonso, who turned 42 last month, is proof he can continue to compete at the highest level. “I definitely didn’t think I would get to the age that I am and feel the way I do, physically and mentally, and still love what I’m doing as much as I do,” he added. “That’s something I’m incredibly grateful for. “I look at people like Tom Brady, who has been such an incredible athlete, and has shown what can be done today. He’s a role model in that respect. “I’ve been fortunate in being able to speak to him and to understand what he has done and what he does consistently to keep himself in shape. “It is also great seeing Fernando. He was here way before I was and is still doing an amazing job. “It just shows that your talent never really leaves you so long as you have that passion and commitment to continue.” Russell joined Hamilton at Mercedes in 2022, out-scoring his team-mate in their first season together. He also claimed his maiden victory – Mercedes’ sole triumph of last year – at the penultimate round in Brazil. “Lewis wouldn’t have stayed if he didn’t think the team was capable of winning again,” added Russell. “That reinforces the confidence that I have in the team.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How Max Verstappen equalled Sebastien Vettel’s record for consecutive race wins Max Verstappen reveals Sebastian Vettel prediction as he closes on GP record run Max Verstappen is one of the best drivers in F1 history – Lando Norris
1970-01-01 08:00

Fishing with fear as Philippines stands up to China
Fishermen are on the frontline of a worsening territorial standoff as Manila asserts itself against China.
1970-01-01 08:00

Clarence Thomas: US Supreme Court judge acknowledges 'gifts' for first time
Critics are pushing to reform ethics standards for the nine justices of the US Supreme Court.
1970-01-01 08:00

Israeli soldier killed, Palestinian teen attack suspect shot dead amid violent surge
A group of soldiers was hit during a spate of violent incidents in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
1970-01-01 08:00

Johannesburg fire: 'Others jumped too, but they didn't make it'
One survivor tells of his escape, another says she was powerless with her children trapped inside.
1970-01-01 08:00

South Africa fire: What are Johannesburg's hijacked buildings?
Many blocks in inner-city Johannesburg, the scene of a deadly fire, are deemed unfit to live in.
1970-01-01 08:00

Samuel Newey: British volunteer, 22, killed fighting in Ukraine
The family of Samuel Newey say he died fighting alongside Ukrainian forces on Wednesday.
1970-01-01 08:00

UK Census Shows Dual Citizenship Numbers Doubled Since Brexit
The UK said the number of residents in England and Wales with dual citizenship doubled in the decade
1970-01-01 08:00

Women Basketball Players Have Been Stuck Playing in Men’s Shoes
For Courtney Williams, a guard for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, breaking in her shoes to get them to
1970-01-01 08:00

Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract
Lewis Hamilton has signed a new contract with Mercedes, extending his stay with the Silver Arrows until the end of 2025. The 38-year-old joined Mercedes from boyhood team McLaren in 2013 and has won six of his seven world titles under the guidance of boss Toto Wolff. George Russell, who joined as Hamilton’s team-mate in 2022, has also extended his deal to the end of 2025. Hamilton has been linked with Ferrari this season but the Brit has finally put all the speculation to bed by putting pen-to-paper on a fresh deal, reported to be in the region of £50m-a-year - a rise of approximately £10m. “We have never been hungrier to win,” Hamilton said after the contract was confirmed. “We have learnt from every success but also every setback. “We dream everyday of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal. “Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time, it takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team. “We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again. I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. “Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do.” Hamilton has not won a race since his contentious championship defeat to Max Verstappen at the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi - and is currently fourth in this season’s Drivers’ Standings. Hamilton won his first world title with McLaren in 2008, before claiming success again in 2014 and 2015. He missed out in a tight title battle with team-mate Nico Rosberg in 2016, before sealing four straight titles from 2017-2020. Hamilton has claimed 82 of his 103 race victories at Mercedes, while 2022 was the first season in his career when he failed to register a victory. He has not won a race since Saudi Arabia in December 2021. More to follow... Read More Lewis Hamilton says ‘totally wrong’ weather forecast cost Mercedes a podium spot Max Verstappen survives dramatic rain chaos to claim record-equalling victory at Dutch GP Lewis Hamilton, an 18-month drought and an eighth world title further away than ever Lewis Hamilton gives update on F1 movie starring Brad Pitt amid Hollywood strikes F1 2023 calendar: All 23 Grand Prix this year Toto Wolff insists George Russell’s loss of form is a ‘myth’
1970-01-01 08:00