China said it would prioritize small projects and push for greater use of the Chinese currency through its

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell for the fourth time in as many weeks, more positive news for prospective homebuyers who have been held back by sharply higher borrowing costs and heightened competition for relatively few homes for sale

Formula One bosses were facing up to one of the most embarrassing days in the sport’s recent history after practice for the much-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix was completed at 4am in an empty arena. After months of hype leading up to the £500million race, the first running was abandoned with just eight minutes on the clock. Second practice was then delayed by two and a half hours, and played out in front of vacant grandstands after furious fans were ejected to comply with local laws. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the order, with Max Verstappen sixth and Lewis Hamilton ninth, but the event - billed by F1 chiefs as the greatest show on earth - dramatically unravelled more than seven hours previously. A water valve cover broke free from the newly laid tarmac and tore into the underbelly of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari at 210mph on the Las Vegas Boulevard. The force of the impact visibly jolted Sainz in the cockpit and, amid a flurry of white smoke and orange sparks, disabled his machine. Race director Niels Wittich red-flagged the session, but not before Esteban Ocon also struck the debris. On-board footage from Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin captured the 42-year-old dramatically dodging the loose drain cover. Eleven minutes later, at 8:49pm, it was announced practice would not be resumed. Both Sainz and Ocon escaped without injury - but their cars were severely damaged. A giant hole tore through Sainz’s Ferrari leaving his mechanics facing an extensive repair job. Team principal Frederic Vasseur, who appeared in a pre-arranged press conference moments later, was furious. “We completely damaged the monocoque, engine and battery,” he said. “It is just unacceptable.” Second practice had originally been scheduled to start at midnight. But it was postponed as all 30 drain covers along the 1.2-mile Las Vegas Boulevard - which runs against the backdrop of Caesars Palace, Bellagio and Venetian hotels - were inspected. The covers were removed and holes filled with concrete and quick-drying resin in a hasty repair job. The track was finally deemed fit-for-purpose at 2:30am local time. However, when the running resumed the stands were empty after strict labour laws posed a security risk. Some disgruntled fans, who refused to leave, were moved on by police. A general admission ticket for the three-day event costs 500 US dollars (£400), while a hospitality suite was sold at an eye-watering 150,000 US dollars (£120,000) for the three days. The disastrous failure in Las Vegas comes 48 hours after a Superbowl-like opening ceremony, and a day on from triple world champion Verstappen heavily criticising the staging of the Grand Prix - the first here in four decades - as “99 per cent show, and one per cent sport”. F1 executives are keen to build on the sport’s growing popularity in the United States. The race in Nevada joins Austin and Miami as the third in America. Yet the mess here drew parallels with the 2005 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis where only six drivers took part amid tyre safety fears. Leclerc finished half-a-second clear of team-mate Sainz. Verstappen, a winner of 17 of the 20 rounds so far, was nine tenths adrift with Hamilton 1.3 sec back in his Mercedes. Third practice is due to begin at 8.30pm on Friday (4.30am GMT on Saturday) with qualifying for Saturday’s 50-lap race taking place at midnight (8.00am GMT on Sunday). PA Read More Carlos Sainz handed ‘ridiculous’ penalty after drain cover crash at Las Vegas GP Empty grandstands at Las Vegas GP as chaotic practice session takes place at 3am Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GP Empty grandstands at Las Vegas GP as chaotic practice session takes place at 3am Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GP Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Sainz’s car

Russia’s former leader has warned Moscow could annex more of Ukraine a year on from when they first claimed four regions. Dmitry Medvedev made the announcement to mark the anniversary of the Kremlin annexing Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaprizhzhia and Kherson oblasts - to declare them as part of Russia. Dmitry Medvedev, who serves as the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council said, as reported in RTE:“”The special military operation will continue until the complete destruction of the Nazi regime in Kyiv,” said Mr Medvedev, who now serves as deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council. “Victory will be ours. And there will be more new regions within Russia.” The four regions remain occupied by Moscow but they do not have complete control of any of the regions and Russian troops face a tough Ukrainian counteroffensive. Kyiv began its counteroffensive in early June to try to recapture territories seized by Russia, which still controls about 18% of the Ukrainian territory. Ukraine reported advances in several directions and liberated over a dozen villages, but so far has not managed to retake any major cities. Read More Ukraine ‘hits power substation’ in drone attacks on Russian border regions Putin’s shameless UN charm offensive - with stolen grain from Ukraine Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva's Olympic doping case will resume for two more days in November Ukraine's Zelenskyy taps celebrities for roles as special adviser and charity ambassador

A 79-year-old Florida man was bitten by a nearly 7-foot-long alligator Thursday morning at a golf course in Naples, according to local authorities.

Pennsylvania’s state Senate wants to move up the state’s 2024 primary election by five weeks to March 19

'He was a beautiful person and I'm grateful to have known him,' Mia St John said in tribute to Bryan Randall

Challengers to Georgia’s voting district maps are telling a federal judge that the state is legally required to provide more political opportunities to Black voters

Guillermo Raya Leon shot Jeremy Brown and escaped in a car with his brother, Abran Raya-Leon, and his brother’s wife, Misty Raya, court records show

Sergio Ramos has revealed he turned down offers from Saudi Arabia and MLS in order to return to Sevilla.

The Golden State Warriors face an important contract deadline next summer, Chris Paul shines in his debut, and Kevin Durant opines about a jersey retirement.

Previewing Orlando City vs Inter Miami in MLS.