Scorching heat across the Northern Hemisphere threatened to break records and whip up wildfires on Monday as the dire consequences...

Penn State fans trolled Michigan and Jim Harbaugh ahead of their big Week 11 game, and hours after the Wolverines head coach was banned for the final three-games of the regular season.

A top Oklahoma education official prompted swift criticism on Thursday by falsely claiming the 1921 Tulsa race massacre wasn’t about race. Ryan Walters, who took office as superintendent of public instruction, mades the comments during a forum at the Norman Public Library on Thursday, after he was asked how accurately teaching about the infamous white supremacist massacre which killed as many as 300 Black people wouldn’t violate a state ban on teaching critical race theory. “I would never tell a kid that because of your race, because of the color of your skin, or your gender or anything like that, you are less of a person or are inherently racist,” Mr Walters said in response. “That doesn’t mean you don’t judge the actions of individuals. Oh, you can. Absolutely, historically, you should. ‘This was right. This was wrong. They did this for this reason.’ But to say it was inherent in that because of their skin is where I say that is critical race theory. You’re saying that race defines a person.” “Let’s not tie it to the skin colour and say the skin colour determined it,” he added. The Tulsa race massacre is considered one of the worst acts of white supremacist terror in US history. During the 1921 massacre, rumours about a young Black man’s encounter with a white woman prompted a mob of white vigilantes, in some cases armed and deputised by Tulsa officials, to raze the thriving Greenwood district, a bustling centre of Black business in the city. The violence killed as many as 300 Black people, injured more than 800, and left tens of thousands of people homeless, according to the Tulsa historical society. After the massacre concluded, nearly all residents of Greenwood were arrested en masse, and could only be released on the application of a white person. No one was ever prosecuted for the violence. The state official’s coments attracted swift condemnation. “No matter what anyone says or does, Tulsa will continue teaching a full, honest, and complete history of our city, state, country, and world,” Tulsa superintendent Deborah Gist wrote on Twitter. “After 100 years we have an Oklahoma elected official still fighting the Tulsa Race Massacre,” Oklahoma congressional candidate and former FBI agent Dennis Baker added on Twitter. “MAGA State Superintendent Ryan Walters believes the Tulsa Race Massacre wasn’t about race. The Klan hide behind a white robe – Walters proudly displays his red cap.” Many were incredulous that Mr Walters didn’t see the role of race in the mob violence. “I’m sure in his opinion, the Civil War and the Holocaust had nothing to do with race either,” state representative Monroe Nichols tweeted. “[Ryan Walters] is a notorious sympathizer of the darkest moments of history and all those who perpetuated them.” The Independent has contacted Mr Walters for comment. The Tulsa controversy isn’t the first time the education official has provoked controversy. Last month, he called on Oklahoma schools to promote Christianity and display the Ten Commandments to encourage “Western heritage.” Read More Tulsa race massacre survivors are fighting for justice 102 years after catastrophic attack Scientist: Progress in identifying Tulsa massacre victims Indiana school board candidate under fire for saying “all nazis weren’t bad” Kansas attorney general sues to prevent transgender people from changing driver's licenses Toby Keith's shows at his Oklahoma music venue mark return to stage after revealing cancer diagnosis Viola Ford Fletcher, oldest living Tulsa Race Massacre victim, publishes memoir

A red sweater adorned with a flock of sheep worn by the young Princess Diana is expected to sell for more than $50,000 at auction

A suspicious couple appear to have been caught in the act - on Google Street View. The man and woman were standing on a vacant plot of land full of rubbish. The duo apparently travelled to the secluded area on a motorbike to enjoy a frisky encounter away from prying eyes. The woman appears to be half-naked while the man seems to be zipping himself up. They both seem to notice the Google Street View car. The couple was caught in the act in the neighbourhood of Paseo de Santa Fe, Juárez, Mexico. Google uses vehicles equipped with high-resolution cameras to capture every corner of the planet for their Street View service. However, the cameras occasionally capture people in compromising situations. In Mexico, residents have been filmed brawling, face planting the ground, and taking part in sex acts by the roadside, along with other unflattering incidents. Those captured in awkward situations by the cameras can ask Google for the images to be removed. Offended citizens can fill out a form in the Google support section and mention that the images were published without their consent.

In many ways, raising a baby gorilla is very similar to nurturing human newborns, says Chad Staples, a father of four and the director of Mogo Wildlife Park, a small private zoo in the town of the same name on Australia's southeastern coast.

By Lewis Krauskopf NEW YORK Growing volatility in U.S. stocks is driving a search for defensive assets, though

The Atlanta Braves have acquired right-handed pitcher Yonny Chirinos off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays and optioned right-hander Michael Soroka to Triple-A Gwinnett

The first half of 2023 has been a strange and volatile one for markets. Investors have had to contend with the possibility of recession and war in Europe, interest rate hikes (and pauses), sticky inflation and a softening US economy.

Bryce Miller limited Oakland to two hits over six shutout innings to continue his spectacular early success, and the Seattle Mariners used a big inning to beat the Athletics 6-1 on Wednesday night

An unconfirmed Russian media report says four transport planes have been damaged at Pskov airport.

He is the latest banker to be prosecuted under Chinese President Xi's anti-corruption crackdown.