A declassified report finds no direct evidence the virus came from a lab, but adds it can't be ruled out.

The body of the victim, 56-year-old Margaret Dubignon, was found stuffed in a suitcase in the closet of the apartment the couple shared

Lawyers for the president’s son Hunter Biden sent Donald Trump a cease-and-desist letter on Thursday, alleging that the former president’s frequent hostile comments about Mr Biden are defamatory and likely to inspire violence. “We are just one such social media message away from another incident,” the letter, obtained by Law360, claims, citing the violent attack on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband as a cautionary tale of the dangers of online rhetoric. “You should make it clear to Mr Trump – if you have not done so already – that Mr Trump’s words have caused harm in the past and threaten to do so again if he does not stop,” the letter adds. The letter points to recent examples of Mr Trump’s aggressive statements about Mr Biden, such as a March social media post allegedly implying Mr Biden should get a “death sentence” and July message claiming cocaine found in the White House “was for use by Hunter”. The letter claims such provocations could inspire one of Mr Trump’s “easy-to-trigger followers.” Donald Trump’s lawyers Joe Tacopina declined to comment when contacted by The Independent. In June, Mr Biden reached a tentative agreement with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to two misdemeanour counts of failing to pay taxes and to admit the facts of a gun charge in exchange for likely avoiding jail time. The plea still needs to be approved by a federal judge, and a hearing is scheduled for later this month. Republicans in Congress and beyond have alleged that Mr Biden is benefitting from his famous name to avoid harsher prosecution. During a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee this week with FBI Director Christopher Wray, GOP members sharply criticised the agency, alleging a political bias. “Here’s what the American people know and believe about the FBI today, sir,” Rep Wesley Hunt told Mr Wray. “If you are a Trump, you will be prosecuted. If you are a Biden, you will be protected.” “I obviously disagree with your description of the two standards,” the FBI director said in response. “In my view, at least under my watch, we have one standard. And that is we’re going to pursue the facts wherever they lead, no matter who likes it. Read More Trump news – live: Hunter Biden lawyer warns Trump over ‘inciting violence’, as Kushner testifies over Jan 6 Secret Service ends probe into mysterious bag of cocaine found in White House: ‘No fingerprints or DNA’ GOP lawmaker compares Hunter Biden to glitter: ‘You cannot get rid of him. We’re sick of it’ GOP lawmaker compares Hunter Biden to glitter: ‘You cannot get rid of him’ FBI director set to clash with Republicans on the Trump case, Hunter Biden and more Gal Luft claimed he had dirt on the Bidens – now he’s facing charges

Russia fired deadly missiles across six cities in Ukraine this morning with two reported dead, fatalities are expected to rise as dozens are trapped under rubble. The strikes coincided with the International Day of Peace and United Nations General Assembly summit in New York where President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech and presented a ‘peace formula’ Putin’s troops targeted the southern city of Kherson, Kyiv, the Slobidkysi district of Kharkiv, Cherkasy in central Ukraine, an industrial zone in the region of Lviv and the northwest city of Rivne. Moscow targeted commercial and residential buildings, injuring atleast 21, as well as a nine-year-old girl. Blazing fires are causing further damage The attack comes as Poland said they will stop providing Ukraine with further weapons in their military efforts against Russia. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the decision was not related to a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports despite the escalation of diplomatic disputes. Morawiecki said: “We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because now we will arm ourselves with the most modern weapons,” he said in an interview on the private TV broadcaster Polsat News late Wednesday. Read More Ukraine rejects defective Leopard 1 tanks from Germany after finding ‘serious faults’ Zelensky tells UN to not make deals with ‘evil’ Russia: ‘Ask Prigozhin whether Putin can be trusted’ How Ukraine’s battle for the Black Sea is inflicting serious pain on Putin’s forces

Hunter Biden is expected to attend the state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday evening, according to a guest list released by the White House, marking his first public appearance at the White House since his plea agreement was announced.

The publishers of two UK newspapers on Friday lost a bid to have a case for unlawful information gathering brought against them by Prince Harry and others thrown out of court...

Alex Murdaugh is set to appear in court this week to face a string of financial fraud charges – in what marks his first court appearance since he was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul. The convicted killer will attend a status conference before Judge Clifton Newman in Beaufort County on Thursday morning. Two former friends and alleged co-conspirators in his financial crimes – former Palmetto State Bank CEO Russell Laffitte and former attorney Corey Fleming – are also due in court after they were previously convicted of charges. Murdaugh is facing more than 100 state and federal charges over his alleged financial crimes – many of which he admitted to on the witness stand at his murder trial. The court appearance comes as the deadline is looming for the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office to respond to a bombshell motion filed by Murdaugh’s attorneys last week in which they demand a new trial and accused Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill of pressuring jurors to return a guilty verdict against him. The AG’s office had 10 days to respond to this motion – giving them until Friday. Read More An Alex Murdaugh juror gained infamy with a dozen eggs. Now she’s at the centre of his bid for a new trial Will Alex Murdaugh be granted a new trial? Legal expert weighs in Alex Murdaugh accuses ‘fame seeking’ court clerk of jury tampering at his murder trial

British designer Daniel Lee presented his second collection for Burberry at a star-studded show in London on Monday, unveiling summer versions of the famous trench coat and...

By Nate Raymond and David Thomas An Indiana judicial watchdog on Monday accused Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita

Two thousand euros for the world premiere of the latest "Indiana Jones", or how about 20,000 for an evening in...

The Internal Revenue Service said Thursday it will pause accepting claims for a pandemic-era tax credit until 2024 due to rising concerns that an influx of applications are fraudulent

Nearly 40% of US fast attack submarines are in repair or awaiting maintenance as shipyards face a shortage of workers and and supply chain issues, according to a new report from the Congressional Research Service.