Biden meets with Congressional leaders to hash out debt agreement

US President Joe Biden is set to meet again with Congressional leaders later on Tuesday in an attempt to break a stalemate and strike a deal on America's impending debt ceiling crisis.

The United States has already reached its borrowing capacity limit — in excess of $31 trillion.

But following months of special measures to keep paying the nation's bills, the Treasury now says the ceiling needs raising by June 1st, or else the country would have to default on its debt, as Benji Hyer reports. 

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UN: Plastic pollution will be eliminated by 2040

The United Nations Environment Programme says global plastic solutions
could be slashed by 80% by 2040.
The ambitious target it believes can be met with practical and
affordable methods.
Jody Jacobs reports.

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Ukraine shoots down hypersonic missiles

Ukraine claims to have downed a volley of Russian hypersonic missiles for the first time.

Kinzhal missiles can travel at up to 10 times the speed of sound and are among Moscow's most powerful weapons.

If the announcement is confirmed, it would suggest that Western military aid could be making an impact.

Meanwhile Russia's ministry of defence says it destroyed an American Patriot missile defence system with one of its Kinzhal missiles.

Ukraine, however, says it intercepted all 18 missiles fired by Russia overnight, many of which were aimed at the capital Kyiv.

From there, Shelby Wilder has more.

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EU stats agency confirms Eurozone grew by 0.1% in Q1

The European Union's statistics agency has confirmed the Eurozone grew by 0.1 percent in Q1 of this year, compared to the previous quarter.

That's as the IMF warns that growth in the Eurozone's biggest economy, Germany, will remain sluggish in the short term.

Giles Gibson has more from Rome.

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Giuliani sued for $10m for sexual harassment

Rudy Giuliani is being sued for $10m by a former employee for sexual harassment

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer is also accused of trying to sell pardons for
$2m - accusations he "vehemently" denies.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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The 4th Council of Europe meets in Iceland

European leaders are meeting in Iceland this week for the fourth sitting of the Council of Europe. 

The two-day summit in the Icelandic capital will look to reaffirm its support for Ukraine and set a firm tone on widespread human rights violations.

Turkey's future in the council is also expected to dominate the agenda. 

Natalie Malgas has more...

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RISHI SUNAK HEADS TO ICELAND IN BID FOR MIGRATION SUPPORT

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will push for a united approach to tackling migration - when he addresses a Council of Europe meeting in Iceland. Mr Sunak is also expected to meet with representatives from the European Court of Human Rights. Laura Makin-Isherwood reports.

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UK unemployment rises

The unemployment rate in the UK has risen to 3.9% as the labour market starts to show signs that it's being impacted by a slowing economy. The latest data also shows that wages are failing to keep pace with inflation. Julia Chapman has more.

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French president wants to cut taxes as part of policy relaunch

The French president says he wants to cut taxes by more than two billion dollars.

Emmanuel Macron says he wants ministers to put a bill before Parliament to enact the tax cuts by 2027.

Ross Cullen reports.

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Devastating Cyclone Mocha Batters States in India

One of the strongest storms to ever hit Myanmar has left a train of destruction in its wake.

Cyclone Mocha brought wind speeds of almost 250 kmph, devastating a number of countries.

In India, 9 deaths have been reported in the state of West Bengal.

Sreoshi Mukherjee has more.

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FRESH AIR STRIKES ACROSS UKRAINE

Air raid sirens have been sounding across much of Ukraine - with several explosions in the capital, Kyiv.

It follows President Zelensky's trip to visit several western allies in recent days, receiving pledges of further military support.

And it comes ahead of an anticipated counter-offensive by Ukraine against Russian forces.

Tobias Ellwood - chair of the Defence Select Committee in the UK's Parliament says Kyiv needs long-term backing from allies.

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China tries to boost birthrate amid ageing population

China is experimenting with new ways to encourage women to marry and have more children. The population shrank last year for the first time since the early 1960s, and the very low birth rate is causing concerns over how to support the ageing population. 

Andrew Wood reports from Hong Kong

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78-year-old US citizen jailed for life in China over spying charges

A Chinese court has sentenced a 78-year-old US citizen to life in prison for spying. The ruling comes as Beijing is strengthening nationwide rules to combat espionage. 

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Cambodia Bars Sole Opposition Party from July Elections

Cambodia has disqualified the only opposition party that was slated to contest elections in July.

The country's election commission disqualified the Candlelight Part for failing to submit the right paperwork.

Patrick Fok reports

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Pressure mounting on G7 host Japan over LGBT rights

Japan is coming under mounting international pressure to improve LGBT rights ahead of this week's G7 summit in Hiroshima. 

The government has declined to respond to a video by 15 diplomatic missions calling on it to take action on marriage equality. 

Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo. 

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FBI criticized over Trump investigation in new report

The FBI's probe into alleged ties between Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia has come under heavy criticism in a new report.

However the new investigation  - carried out by a special counsel appointed by Trump's attorney general William Barr - has only resulted in only one conviction.

US Correspondent Ira Spitzer has more

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Debt-ceiling dominates sentiment on Wall Street

There were gains on Wall Street Monday as traders wait for the next
round of debt ceiling talks.

President Joe Biden says talks will resume Tuesday on whether a deal
can be reached to prevent the U.S. defaulting on its debt.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Congressman's staffers attacked with baseball bat

A man looking for a US congressman has allegedly attacked two of his staffers with a metal baseball bat at his district office.

Virginia democrat representative Gerry Connolly said his staff were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

Police say the suspect is in custody.

Kate Fisher reports 

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US Debt meeting scheduled for Tuesday

US president Joe Biden is scheduled to hold talks at the White House
on Tuesday to try and avert a debt ceiling crisis.

The US Congress must increase the amount it can borrow by June 1st or
risk defaulting on its debts.

Nick Harper sends this report from Washington.

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The EU predicts it has avoided a recession

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The European Union is forecasting better than expected growth for this year and next according to its Spring Economic forecast. Despite positive expectations for growth, the forecast also predicts that inflation will remain doggedly persistent, creating yet another dilemma for central banks

Alex Cadier reports from Brussels

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