NewsIsrael carries out air strikes on Lebanon, state media says, as Iran claims deal with US nearThe strikes come as Iran's foreign minister says a deal to end fighting with the US is close.4 hrs agoMiddle EastSwitzerland to vote on plan to cap population at 10 millionThe right-wing Swiss People's Party calls the plan a "sustainability initiative", but opponents say it is a recipe for chaos.4 hrs agoEuropeUSA start World Cup in style - but will they finally join the elite?If there were any doubts the USA were ready to live up to the pressure of being a World Cup host, they were dispelled in a 4-1 win over Paraguay.11 hrs agoUSAAs the Knicks eye their first NBA title in 53 years, New York's Spurs fans keep a low-key vibeIn a Knicks-dominant city, San Antonio Spurs fans living in New York City carve out spaces to celebrate their team's run in the NBA Finals.3 hrs agoUS & CanadaMarried at First Sight Australia stars not told partners had drug and violence convictionsStars of the hit TV show say they did not know their on-screen husbands had previous convictions.11 hrs agoCultureElon Musk's stratospheric rise to trillionaire status - in chartsThe BBC breaks down how the tech mogul's fortune has grown.17 hrs agoWhy is Trump hosting a cage fight at the White House?Critics have questioned whether seven bouts in a 92-ft structure called The Claw is a suitable celebration of US independence.Royal Family cheered by crowds at King's official birthdayThe annual event marks the King's official birthday and features more than 1,400 members of the armed forces.1 hr agoUKAnthropic suspends new AI tools over US government security concernsTrump's name being removed from Kennedy Center after judge orderPopular US movie critic Gene Shalit dies aged 100US kills leader of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang in airstrike, Trump saysFrench town buries murdered child as questions mount over police failingsWorld CupWhy is football called 'soccer' in the US and Canada?Football is life for millions of fans around the world, but in two World Cup co-host nations, they tend to call it by a different name.The trauma and hope behind Haiti's rare World Cup appearanceHaiti's first appearance at a men's World Cup for 52 years is as much about hope as it is goals for the conflict-torn nation.Niagara Falls: Is there a better spot to watch a World Cup game?Football fans gathered at a FIFA World Cup watch party at Niagara Falls for the Canadian and USA teams' opening matches.'It's all they're talking about': Scotland gripped by football feverExcitement is building ahead of Scotland's first game in the men's World Cup for 28 years.The costs and challenges facing the World CupThe World Cup officially kicked off this week - but alongside the football, there are questions around heat, cost, the environmental impact and travel restrictions.More to exploreHarry Styles revisits X Factor as he kicks off Wembley residencyThe pop star reminisces about his X Factor audition, which took place near Wembley Stadium in 2010.14 hrs agoCultureThe nuclear challenge at the heart of Trump's Iran negotiationsUS officials say the deal will lead to the destruction of Iran's enriched uranium, but details are still to be worked out.2 hrs agoMiddle EastThe night people in Belfast fled their homes because of racist violenceReporter Richard Morgan recalls the chaotic scenes he witnessed when reporting on days of disorder in Northern Ireland.17 hrs agoNorthern IrelandThe college scam that promised students fleeing war a new life in FinlandBBC speaks to students from war-torn Myanmar who say they were cheated after paying to study abroad.18 hrs agoWorldWatch: Why is Trump not at the World Cup?All three leaders of the North America host nations have missed the tournament opening matches.15 hrs agoEd Sheeran found this record in a second-hand store - now it's finally getting attentionAllan Taylor is receiving overdue recognition after Ed Sheeran found his 1978 LP in a second-hand shop.17 hrs agoCultureDavid Hockney depicted a 'peaceful, gay paradise' when homosexuality was a crimeThe painter broke social taboos by celebrating same-sex relationships in his art.14 hrs agoCultureMost watched1How much did these fans pay for their World Cup tickets?2The costs and challenges facing the 2026 World Cup3Watch: Why is Trump not at the World Cup?4Niagara Falls: Is there a better spot to watch a World Cup game?5Watch: Four UFO videos newly declassified by US governmentAlso in newsElon Musk becomes world's first trillionaire as SpaceX soars in stock market debutMusk is now worth $1.11tn according to the Bloomberg rich list, while SpaceX listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange with a value of $2.2tn.18 hrs agoUS & CanadaWarner Bros $111bn sale to Paramount approved by US justice departmentThe approval marks a key development in the merger that will reshape media, allowing the continue of the takeover of the Hollywood studio, which owns CNN and HBO. 12 hrs agoUS & CanadaWatch: David Beckham receives star on the Hollywood Walk of FameThe former footballer was joined by his wife Victoria Beckham and their children, as well as actor Tom Cruise.19 hrs agoI have a duty to stay on, says UK PM as he justifies defence spending decisionsSir Keir Starmer argues he has made "hard-edged" decisions, one day after his defence secretary quit in a row over money.19 hrs agoPoliticsKing leads tributes to 'giant of the art world' David HockneyThe artist, who has died at the age of 88, "was one of life's true originals", King Charles says.21 hrs agoCultureLinkin Park to make history at UK's biggest rock festivalLinkin Park will make history as the first female-fronted band to headline Download Festival.7 hrs agoNewsbeatMost read1Switzerland to vote on plan to cap population at 10 million2Royal Family watch Red Arrows flypast on palace balcony3Trump's name being removed from Kennedy Center after judge order4Israel carries out air strikes on Lebanon, state media says, as Iran claims deal with US near5Married at First Sight Australia stars not told partners had drug and violence convictions6Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney begins two-day visit to Ireland7'We planted some trees upside down for a joke'8Ed Sheeran found this record in a second-hand store - now it's finally getting attention9Elon Musk's stratospheric rise to trillionaire status - in charts10World Cup kicks off in the US with performances from Katy Perry, Future and Tyla SportMight Scotland throw midfield curveball at Haiti?BBC Scotland looks at the midfield conundrum facing Scotland boss Steve Clarke.3 hrs agoScotland MenLIVERussell pips Hamilton to pole for Barcelona-Catalunya GP - reactionFollow live text updates and listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 commentary of Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix qualifying.Raducanu battles into Queen's semis but Boulter goes outEmma Raducanu overcomes an injury scare to beat Kamilla Rakhimova but fellow Briton Katie Boulter loses in the Queen's semi-finals.2 hrs agoTennisLIVEPrem Rugby semi-final: Exeter complete stunning turnaround to lead at Bath - radio & live textListen to live BBC Radio commentary and follow live text updates as Bath host Exeter Chiefs in the English Prem play-off semi-final.Can Vinicius finally convince Brazil in Neymar's absence?Vinicius Junior is considered one of the best players in the world, but can he make the Brazilian public fall in love with him at the World Cup?2 hrs agoWorld CupLIVEWomen's T20 World Cup: Australia reduce SA to 7-2 in chase of 173Follow live text, BBC Radio 5 Live Sport commentary and in-play video highlights as Australia face South Africa in the Women's T20 World Cup at Old Trafford.Russell beats Hamilton to Barcelona poleGeorge Russell bounces back from the disappointments of the past few races to take pole position for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.7 mins agoFormula 1