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Desert storm diary - Kuwait remembers Chux 17 January 2016   From the section Middle East Image copyright US Army Image caption Iraqi tanks lay abandoned on the road into Kuwait City On the morning of 17 January 1991, exactly 25 years ago, Kuwaitis woke up to the news that the war to liberate their country, after five months of Iraqi occupation, had begun. BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner interviewed Khaled Al-Sabah, who stayed on in Kuwait throughout the occupation, helping the resistance under an assumed name, about what he remembers of the day the US-led Operation Desert Storm began. Khaled:  It was 02:35 in the morning of 17 January. I was in my bedroom trying to listen to the BBC World Service. Although the Iraqis were doing their best to jam the airwaves, luckily I was able to listen to the breaking news that the Coalition had just started their air campaign and the war for liberation of Kuwait had begun. I was so overwhelmed with euphoria, jo...

Celine Dion's brother Daniel dies two days after her husband 16 January 2016   From the section US & Canada Image copyright Reuters Image caption Daniel and Celine Dion were two of 14 siblings, who performed together The older brother of Canadian singer Celine Dion has died of cancer, two days after her husband also died. Daniel Dion, 59, died on Saturday near Montreal, a statement by the singer's spokeswoman said. Ms Dion's family paid tribute to the father-of-two, calling him "a gentle and reserved man of many talents". Her husband and former manager, Rene Angelil, died on Thursday aged 73. His death in Las Vegas came after two bouts with throat cancer. Daniel Dion was the eighth of 14 children, and performed with his siblings in their parents' piano bar in Quebec province. He had been suffering cancer of the throat, tongue and brain,  his sister Claudette told the Journal de Montreal newspaper  (in French). "He was ready, an...

Bill Cosby to claim immunity in sex assault case  Chux 9 hours ago   From the section Entertainment & Arts Image copyright AP Image caption Bill Cosby's lawyers are attempting to get the case thrown out A key piece of evidence in the sex assault case against Bill Cosby has been called into question, according to reports. An email seen by CNN alleges that a prosecutor promised Mr Cosby's deposition in a 2005 civil case would not be used to bring criminal charges. In the deposition, Mr Cosby admitted drugging women during sexual encounters but said it was by mutual consent. The deposition now forms the basis of an aggravated indecent assault charge. Mr Cosby has denied the charge and his lawyers will now use the immunity claim to get the case in dismissed. Former Montgomery County district attorney Bill Castor was in charge when Andrea Constand sued Mr Cosby in a civil sex assault trial in 2005, after no criminal charges were brought. Mr Cosby settled t...

Iran: US imposes new sanctions over missile test Chux 1 hour ago   From the section US & Canada Image copyright Reuters Image caption New sanctions over Iran's ballistic missile programme - here, celebrated on a military truck during a parade in Tehran last year - come a day after international nuclear sanctions were lifted The US has imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian companies and individuals over a recent ballistic missile test. The new sanctions prevent 11 entities and individuals linked to the missile programme from using the US banking system. The move came after international nuclear sanctions on Iran were lifted as part of a deal  hailed by President Barack Obama  on Sunday as "smart". Four American-Iranians were also freed in a prisoner swap as part of the deal. Among them was Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian - whom President Obama described as "courageous". A fifth American was freed separately. Iran nuclear deal: Key de...