France's record heat slashes corn output by up to 30% and kills hundreds of thousands of poultry, hitting Europe's top farming nation amid extreme temperatures.

142.7 million people from Kansas to Maine under extreme heat warnings as 152 warm-weather records may fall across the eastern US, the Weather Prediction Center says.

About 142.7 million people from Kansas to Maine are under extreme heat warnings and 152 warm weather records may be threatened, tied or broken in the eastern half of the US, the Weather Prediction Center said.

Marine Le Pen faces pivotal July 7 court ruling on her bid to overturn an election ban that could decide her eligibility for France's 2027 presidential race.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces a make-or-break court ruling on July 7 on her bid to overturn an election ban, a verdict that could knock her out of the 2027 presidential race or clear the way for her to seek the top job for a fourth time.

Germany's Merz to end telephone sick leave, requiring medical certificates from first day of illness to curb post-COVID absence levels he calls a competitive disadvantage for the economy.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announces a plan to end sick leave by telephone and require a medical certificate from the first day of illness, saying Germany can no longer afford the competitive disadvantage caused by prolonged absences since the COVID pandemic.

UK PM Keir Starmer apologises on behalf of the government for historical forced adoptions, declaring "the shame is ours" in a formal statement.

"The shame is ours" - UK PM Keir Starmer apologises on behalf of the government for historical forced adoptions.