Laughing matters: Refugees forge links through the art of comedy

In Athens, a handful of novice standups are at the mic after taking part in a series of comedy workshops. One of the organisers, Vasileia Vaxevani, compares the experience to the first time you have sex. "It ends quickly. It hurts a little.

A sofa, $4m and a rising scandal for Ramaphosa

Local media have called it "Farmgate". Astonishing details have leaked over months, embroiling Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa's affable president, in a plot that might be lifted directly from a gritty TV crime series.

Meloni twist: Draghi's fall from power may open door to the far right

If last Wednesday marked an undignified end for Mario Draghi's government, one person who enjoyed the spectacle from the sidelines was Giorgia Meloni. The leader of Brothers of Italy, a party with neofascist origins, is in pole position to become prime minister after elections this year.

Between bombings and air raids, life in Odesa goes on

Barely 12 hours after Moscow signed a deal with Ukraine to allow monitored grain exports from Ukraine's southern ports, Russia targeted the country's main port of Odesa - through which grain shipments would take place with cruise missile strikes.

Capitol crimes: A conspiracy was laid barebut where does it end for Trump?

During its landmark hearings, the House select committee investigating the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol has sought to show that Donald Trump was at the centre of a conspiracy to seize a second term in office, accusing him of having "summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack".

Prima facie?

The Capitol riot hearings have set out shocking evidence against Donald Trump - but in the key swing state of Wisconsin, Republicans aren't changing their views of the ex-president

Lucky dip Bathers flock to cleaned-up beaches

0n the beach in Sheikh Ijlin, a neighbourhood south of Gaza City, no one is paying attention to a nearby] Islamic Jihad military drill.

Anger rises in Jenin, two months after murder of journalist

It's early morning in Jenin in the north of the occupied West Bank, but the summer sun is already hot.

In Trump's footsteps Does Carlson want to be president?

He entered to rapturous applause, flattered his hosts shamelessly, told them about his political vision and sold them merchandise bearing his name.

Biden forced to tread a pragmatic path back to Saudi Arabia

For all the careful choreography of Joe Biden's Middle East tour last week, the White House made a major miscalculation when the president finally came face to face with Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, for the first time.

Treat your guests to salty nibbles that leave them hungry for more

Ixta Belfrage, whose debut book Mezcla was released this month, is also a big fan of tinned fish.

Forecasters warn of 'heat apocalypse' as thousands flee wildfires

Extreme heatwave brought temperatures of over 40C to southern Europe before sweeping northwards

UN chief: 'Half of humanity is in the danger zone'

Wildfires and heatwaves wreaking havoc across the globe show humanity facing "collective suicide", the UN secretary general has warned, as governments scramble to protect people from extreme heat.

The price of corruption How Sri Lanka's crisis came about-and what might happen next

Not so long ago, Sri Lanka was regarded as a south Asian success story, with clean streets, impressive infrastructure and free healthcare and education. But all of this costs money, and for years the government relied on foreign loans. We are now witnessing the fallout. How did Sri Lanka get to this point and where does it go from here?

Still bouncing back, after 45 years Wickremesinghe, the wily fox with a talent for survival

There are few who have been stalwarts of Sri Lankan politics in the past half a century quite like the man often referred to as "the fox".

Out of the picture

The fall of Gotabaya Rajapaksa offers both hope and uncertainty to a beleaguered nation - but will it lead to the structural changes that protesters want?

Out of the picture

The fall of Gotabaya Rajapaksa offers both hope and uncertainty to a beleaguered nation - but will it lead to the structural changes that protesters want?

UN chief: 'Half of humanity is in the danger zone'

CLIMATE CRISIS

Forecasters warn of 'heat apocalypse' as thousands flee wildfires

Extreme heatwave brought temperatures of over 40C to southern Europe before sweeping northwards

How cities can adapt to the climate crisis

In parts of the Middle East, outdoor air conditioning is one response to soaring temperatures. But reflective roofs, waterways and street trees offer far more sustainable solutions

Salvage mission Britain's big recycling problem

Despite much grand talk of sustainable living, the UK has a glaring refuse problem. Who- or what is to blame?

Vive le village Community project turns Paris district into a party

It was a distinctly un-Parisian revolution although it began on an inner city street. No barricades were assembled to block the nearby boulevards and no radical students hurled cobblestones ripped from the pavement. Not a single monarch had their head chopped off.

Anger rises in Jenin, two months after murder of journalist

It's early morning in Jenin in the north of the occupied West Bank, but the summer sun is already hot. Shopkeeper Salih Farah is getting ready for the day, sweeping up the spent bullet cases littering the entrance to the slum-like refugee camp on the city's western edge.

As cold as ice

Distant, mysterious Uranus poses myriad questions for astronomers. Nasa has been charged with finding answers

In Trump's footsteps Does Carlson want to be president?

He entered to rapturous applause, flattered his hosts shamelessly, told them about his political vision and sold them merchandise bearing his name.

Biden forced to tread a pragmatic path back to Saudi Arabia

For all the careful choreography of Joe Biden's Middle East tour last week, the White House made a major miscalculation when the president finally came face to face with Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, for the first time.

THE NEW TRADE WINDS

Global freight depends on huge, dirty container ships. Now a team of French shipbuilders wants to reinvent the tradition of sail-powered cargo vessels

'I HATE MY REALITY'

As Roe v Wade is overturned and abortion bans are reinstated in the US, women from across the world who felt pressured to have children speak out

As UK death toll passes a grim milestone, just what have we learned?

0n 17 March 2020, the UK chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, said that keeping the number of UK deaths below 20,000 would be a good outcome from the pandemic.

Is the era of shameless, corroded leaders behind us at last? Brigid Delaney

In a just and fair city, according to Plato, it's the philosophers who rule. These philosopher kings combine politics with philosophy - leading from a more rarefied plane than those beholden to factions, favours and personal enrichment. These idealised rulers were less concerned with raw power than the application of wisdom, justice, temperance, courage and reason.