US president

Donald Trump vows not to order Americans to wear masks

His comments came after the country's top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, urged state and local leaders to be "as forceful as possible" in getting people to wear masks.

Wearing face coverings, Dr Fauci added, is "really important" and "we should be using them, everyone".

The wearing of face coverings has become highly politicised in the US.

Trump’s Tulsa rally fails to draw expected crowds amid virus fears

Mr Trump had boasted earlier this week that almost a million people had requested tickets for the event at Tulsa's Bank of Oklahoma Center.

But the 19,000-seat arena was far from full and plans for him to address an outside "overflow" area were abandoned.

There had been concerns about holding the rally during the pandemic.

Those attending the rally had to sign a waiver protecting the Trump campaign from responsibility for any illness. Hours before the event began, officials said six staff members involved in organising the rally had tested positive.

Trump backs off proposed Special Olympics funding cuts

  His remarks came a day after education secretary Betsy DeVos was criticised for defending a proposed $17.6m (£13.5m) cut to the organisation, which is designed for disabled children.

The request was included in Mr Trump's $4.75tn federal budget, which was not expected to pass Congress.

Mrs DeVos responded she had pushed for funding "behind the scenes".

"I heard about it this morning. I have overridden my people. We're funding the Special Olympics," Mr Trump said of the world's largest sport organisation for people with intellectual disabilities.

Melania Trump backs NBA star LeBron James after Trump insults

James had said in an interview that Mr Trump was divisive and had emboldened racists.

In response, Mr Trump questioned James' intelligence, saying it was not easy to make the NBA player "look smart".

However, Mrs Trump's spokeswoman said James was "working to do good things" with a school in his Ohio hometown.

She said Mrs Trump wanted "to have an open dialogue about issues facing children".

Earlier this week, James told CNN during an interview with Don Lemon that sport had offered him the opportunity to meet people of different backgrounds and race.

US President Donald Trump endorses guns for teachers to stop shootings

He also said he would strengthen background checks on people buying firearms, and remove "gun-free" zones near some US schools.

Mr Trump was hosting a group of gun violence survivors at a "listening session" in the White House, as a student-led movement on gun control gains momentum.

The group also included survivors of other gun violence at US schools.

One student, Sam Zeif, said he was on the second floor at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland during the shooting there a week ago, which left 17 students dead.

New York bombing suspect warned Trump on Facebook

"Trump you failed to protect your nation," it read. The post by Akayed Ullah was revealed in charges filed by federal prosecutors on Tuesday.

They say the 27-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant carried out the bombing inspired by the Islamic State group.

He wounded himself and three others in Monday morning's attack.

Mr Ullah is accused of blowing up a crude device strapped to his body in an underpass at Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal during the rush hour.

Trump deletes tweets after backing Alabama primary loser

"Luther Strange has been shooting up in the Alabama polls since my endorsement," Mr Trump wrote in one now-removed post.

He campaigned for Mr Strange, but could not save him from defeat to ultraconservative firebrand Roy Moore.

The underdog's victory has sent shockwaves through Washington.

Things Republican Roy Moore believes

In one now-deleted Tweet, the president said Mr Strange "will never let you down!" according to news website ProPublica, which documents Mr Trump's posts.

In another, the president said "vote today for 'Big Luther'".

Trump: Firing 'nut job' FBI chief 'eased pressure'

Citing a document summarising the meeting in the Oval Office last week, the New York Times said Mr Trump called Mr Comey a "real nut job".

Mr Comey had been running an inquiry into possible collusion between Russia and Donald Trump's election campaign.

The White House has not disputed the language used.

The report was published just as Mr Trump took off on a flight to the Middle East for the first leg of his first foreign tour as president.

Everyone wants to run for US president in 2020

In an interview with GQ Magazine, the former wrestler turned actor says he has given the idea a lot of thought.

He says, "I feel that if I were president, poise would be important. Leadership would be important. Taking responsibility for everybody."

But Johnson's not the only star with their sights set on moving into the Whitehouse in 2021.

Mark Zuckerberg, the billionaire CEO of Facebook, may also be considering a career change.

Theresa May visit: UK and US 'committed' to Nato

Mrs May confirmed Mr Trump was "100% behind Nato" despite the president's recent comments calling the transatlantic alliance obsolete.

Both leaders said they would work to establish trade negotiation agreements.

Mrs May also said Mr Trump had accepted an invitation from the Queen for a state visit later this year.

"Great days lie ahead for our two peoples and our two countries," Mr Trump said.

The prime minister added that a trade agreement between the UK and US was "in the national interest in both our countries".