World

Extreme weather in Europe has seen heat records set in parts of Spain with temperatures reaching 40C, while some regions in Germany were hit by ferocious storms with tornadoes injuring at least 30 people. The contrast in conditions across the continent could not be more evident with blistering heat baking Spain while dangerous storms sweep

A crime network which used young women to trick lonely men into handing over more than €1m (£848,000) in savings has been busted in an international police sting. The family-based gang, mainly Romanian nationals, employed women as domestic workers to prey on elderly victims aged between 70 and 90. Image: Law enforcement from four European

Ukrainian troops, thought to be the last fighting Russian forces in Mariupol, have been told to stop the defence of the city. Reuters news agency reported the Azov regiment had been ordered only to “save lives of soldiers” in the port – a key military objective for Vladimir Putin, which has been under bombardment for

The famous cherry blossom season in Kyoto, whose pink hue heralds spring, is happening earlier due to climate change and urban development, a new study has found. The delicate flowers now come into full bloom 11 days earlier than if no human-induced climate change or urban warming had happened, according to a study published in

The “most valuable car in the world”, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz, has sold for a record €135m (£114.4m). The car is just one of two ultra-rare original 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Collection and has been sold to a private collector. Proceeds of the auction will be used to establish a worldwide Mercedes

Australia has reported its first case of monkeypox in a traveller in his 30s who recently returned from Britain. The man’s case was confirmed on Friday after he arrived in Melbourne with symptoms earlier this week. A second, probable infection has also been reported in a man in his 40s who developed a mild illness

The road to Severodonetsk in Ukraine has to be negotiated at a furious pace. The route incorporates a vast open stretch of land leaving vehicles exposed and vulnerable to attack. The journey is pitted with risks as the Russians try to cut off this, the only route into the city and the one remaining pocket

A 21-year-old Russian soldier has asked a woman to forgive him for shooting dead her husband as he rode his bike. Sergeant Vadim Shishimarin admitted murdering Oleksandr Shelipov, a civilian, as Russian soldiers drove into the village of Chupakhivka four days into the invasion. He pleaded guilty to the 28 February murder when proceedings started

The head of the United Nations has said there is a looming global food crisis because of the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Surging inflation – boosted by higher energy prices as the West disengages from Russian oil and gas supplies – has been exacerbated by rising food prices, leading to fears that many

The head of the United Nations has said there is a looming global food crisis because of the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Surging inflation – boosted by higher energy prices as the West disengages from Russian oil and gas supplies – has been exacerbated by rising food prices, leading to fears that many

Female football referees will work at matches at a major men’s tournament for the first time ever during the Qatar World Cup. FIFA has announced three female referees and three assistant referees have been among 129 match officials for the tournament. French referee Stephanie Frappart has already officiated men’s games in World Cup qualifying matches

All female television presenters in Afghanistan have been ordered by the Taliban to cover their faces while on air – as at least one host hit out at the move, saying it was “erasing” women. The “final and non-negotiable” order came from the virtue and vice ministry as well as the information and culture ministry,

The head of Germany’s domestic intelligence service has said levels of espionage are at least as high as during the Cold War – and warned they could be “significantly higher”. Thomas Haldenwang, chief of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), warned of an increased risk of sabotage as Russia continues to

A captured volunteer medic’s bodycam footage shows the horrors taking place in the ruined city of Mariupol after it was smuggled out in a tampon. Yuliia Paievska is referred to as Taira in Ukraine, a moniker from the nickname she chose in the World Of Warcraft video game. Using a body camera, the 53-year-old recorded

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are making a Netflix docuseries as part of their £80m ($100m) streaming deal, according to reports. The cameras will be revealing life at home with the Sussexes in their Montecito mansion in Santa Barbara, California, according to the US news source, Page Six of the New York

A suspect armed with a crossbow is on the run in Germany after a school shooting. A manhunt is under way after shots were fired at the Lloyd high school in the northern city of Bremerhaven, according to local media. One person was seriously injured in the attack, the Bild newspaper reported. One suspect was