Prince Harry could be on the brink of a settlement with the publisher of The Sun newspaper, just as their High Court battle is due to start in London.

Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping yesterday discussed how to build ties with Donald Trump, prospects for a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine and Moscow&s firm support for Beijing&s position on Taiwan.

Israel&s top general resigned yesterday, taking responsibility for security failures tied to Hamas& surprise attack that triggered the war in Gaza and adding to pressure on prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has delayed any public inquiry that could potentially implicate his leadership.

A fire raged through a 12-storey hotel at a popular ski resort in north-western Turkey early yesterday, killing at least 76 people & two of them when they jumped from the building to escape the flames, officials said.