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US President Joe Biden has described changes to gender laws and treatment in Florida as "close to sinful" and said Republicans' efforts to block transgender rights are "cruel". In an interview with The Daily Show, he said federal laws should be passed to ban states from curbing trans rights. It comes amid an uptick in anti-trans bills being debated in Republican-controlled US states. Supporters say new laws are needed to protect children and help parents. "What's going on in Florida is, as my mother would say, close to sinful. It is just terrible what they are doing," Mr Biden said in a clip released ahead of the programme's broadcast on Monday. "It's not like a kid wakes up one morning and says, 'You know, I decided I want to become a man or I want to become a woman or I want to change'. "I mean, what are they thinking about here? They are human beings. They love. They have feelings. They have inclinations that are… it just to me, is, I don't know is, it's cruel."

Indonesian island Bali is planning to ban foreign tourists from using motorbikes after a spate of cases involving people breaking traffic laws. "You [should] not roam about the island using motorbikes, without wearing shirts or clothes, no helmet, and even without a licence," Governor I Wayan Koster said. Tourists will instead get around on vehicles provided by travel agents. The plan has been divisive as tourism continues to recover from Covid losses. More than 171 foreign nationals have violated traffic orders from late February to early March, according to local police records. Some tourists also use fake licence plates. "If you are a tourist, then act like a tourist," said the governor. Foreign tourists in Bali often prefer renting motorbikes to get around the island, which does not have a well-developed public transport system. The two-wheelers make for a good option for weaving in and out of traffic, as well as travelling through scenic back alleys.

BBC News China is to resume issuing visas to foreign tourists for the first time since the Covid pandemic broke out three years ago. The major easing of restrictions comes after Beijing declared victory over the virus and retreats from a zero-Covid strategy that has hurt its economy. Valid visas issued before China closed to the world on 28 March 2020 will be honoured starting on 15 March. Visa-free entry will resume in Hainan Island and Shanghai for cruise ships. Tour groups from Hong Kong and Macau will be allowed visa-free-entry while Chinese consular offices abroad will also resume processing visa applications. The removal of the last cross-border restrictions imposed to tackle Covid marks a major step towards the resumption of normal life in post-pandemic China. All changes take effect on 15 March. Tens of millions of international visitors came to China each year prior to the pandemic, and its tourism industry has been hard hit by strict anti-Covid measures.

It comes as a horrifying video shows the moment flesh-melting 'thermite rain' bombs descended on a town in eastern Ukraine, as Vladimir Putin's forces continue to employ brutal tactics to cling on to meagre gains.

Oil company Saudi Aramco has reported earning $161bn (£134bn) last year - the highest-ever recorded annual profit by a publicly listed company. Coming at a time of spiking energy prices as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, profits rose 46.5% when compared to the company's 2021 results of $110bn (£91.4bn). The profit by the Saudi firm, known formally as the Saudi Arabian Oil Co, came as Western sanctions limited the sale of Russian oil and natural gas. A vast majority of Saudi Aramco shares are owned by the Saudi government despite it being publicly listed.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis rallied against the government's judicial plans on Saturday night, in what organisers said were the biggest street protests in Israel's history. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the changes - which would curb the power of courts - will restore balance between the branches of government. Opponents say they threaten democracy. At one of Saturday's rallies, opposition leader Yair Lapid said this was Israel's "greatest crisis". In a separate development, Israeli troops shot dead three armed Palestinians near the West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, the Israeli army said. It said the gunmen had fired at an Israeli army post. Palestinian officials have not commented on the incident. There has been a marked surge in violence between Palestinians and Israel in recent months.

Prince Andrew is said to be “bewildered” by the King’s refusal to share out the wealth left to him by the Queen to other members of the Royal Family. The Queen’s entire estate - said to be worth £650million - was left to her eldest son and heir. Now palace sources say the disgraced Duke of York is unhappy the King has so far hogged the fortune, meaning neither he nor the Queen’s other kids have received any cash. A friend of the Duke’s told the Mail: “Andrew is in despair. He’s been left completely in the dark. Andrew’s a member of the family, for God’s sake, yet he had no idea this was coming.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is to fly to California later to discuss key details of a new defence agreement with his Australian and US counterparts. The 2021 Aukus pact aims to counter what the three nations see as China's threat in the Indo-Pacific region. At the time, China condemned the agreement as "extremely irresponsible". The meeting with US President Joe Biden and Australian PM Anthony Albanese is expected to agree the supply of nuclear powered submarines to Australia. Speaking ahead of the talks in San Diego, Mr Sunak said the UK's global alliances were "our greatest source of strength and security". During the trip - Mr Sunak's first to the US as PM - he is also set to unveil the UK's new integrated review of defence and foreign policy, which have been updated after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Hollywood is gearing up for the 95th Academy Awards, where Everything Everywhere All at Once is leading nominations. The organisers are rolling out the champagne carpet - and hoping to move past “the slap” from last year’s ceremony. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 Oscars, including when they are, where to watch the live show, and the latest controversies to envelop the 95th annual Academy Awards.

Indonesia’s Mount Merapi has erupted, spewing avalanches of searing gas clouds and lava, and blanketing surrounding villages in ash. The eruption forced authorities to halt tourism and mining activities on the slopes of the country’s most active volcano. Merapi, on the densely populated island of Java, unleashed clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, lava and gas that travelled up to 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) down its slopes on Saturday.

Prince Harry and Meghan's children have not been invited to the Coronation but the Queen Consort's grandchildren are expected to be invited in an official role, a report has claimed