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South Korea has recorded its highest temperature since weather records began more than 100 years ago, as an intense heatwave continues to grip the country and authorities urge people to avoid outdoor activities. The Korea Meteorological Administration said the southeastern city of Yangsan reached 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday afternoon, setting a new national temperature record. Yangsan has remained at the centre of the prolonged heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days. Other major cities, including Daegu and Busan, have also experienced temperatures climbing into the upper 30s. The extreme weather has forced many people to seek shelter in air conditioned shopping centres, cafes and other indoor spaces. In Seoul, residents gathered in public places with cooling facilities to escape the dangerous heat. Office worker Ju Dong Yeol said staying outdoors had become almost impossible and that spending time in air conditioned buildings was the only practical way to cope with the soaring temperatures. Authorities have issued emergency heatwave alerts in more than 20 areas across the country. The warning system, introduced this year, is activated when the expected heat index reaches 38 degrees Celsius or when actual temperatures are forecast to climb to at least 39 degrees Celsius. Weather officials advised residents to stop all outdoor activities immediately, remain in cool locations and drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of heat related illnesses. The Korea Meteorological Administration also warned that indoor spaces without air conditioning could become dangerous during the ongoing heatwave. Officials encouraged people, particularly children, older adults and those with health conditions, to use designated cooling centres whenever possible. Weather data show that South Korea has experienced a sharp increase in the number of extremely hot days over recent decades. During the past five years, the country has recorded an average of 19 heatwave days each year, compared with only eight days annually during the 1970s. A heatwave day is officially defined as one in which temperatures reach at least 33 degrees Celsius. The severe weather has also disrupted sporting events. South Korea’s professional baseball league cancelled a second consecutive game in the city of Changwon after temperatures climbed to 39.5 degrees Celsius. The Korea Baseball Organisation said the decision was made to protect the health and safety of players, officials and spectators while the heatwave warning remained in effect. Scientists have repeatedly warned that human induced climate change is making extreme weather events such as heatwaves more frequent and more intense around the world. Experts also point to the return of the El Nino climate pattern this year, which increases sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and can contribute to unusually hot weather in many regions. South Korea is not alone in facing extreme heat. Several European countries have also experienced prolonged heatwaves this summer, with temperatures rising above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of southern and central Europe. Governments across the region have issued health warnings, battled wildfires and advised residents to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day. Italy has also placed many of its major cities under the highest level of heat alert as temperatures continue to rise.

The death toll from flash floods and landslides in China’s northwestern Gansu Province has risen to 25 as rescue teams continue recovery efforts while heavy rainfall threatens more areas across the country. According to Chinese state media, the disaster struck Weiyuan County in Dingxi City after torrential rain triggered floods and landslides on July 26. Earlier reports had confirmed 10 deaths, but updated figures released on Sunday showed that at least 25 people have now lost their lives while another 23 were injured. Rescue workers remain active in the affected areas as authorities assess the full extent of the damage. China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief has instructed Gansu provincial authorities to carry out detailed investigations and damage assessments following the deadly disaster. Officials are also working to identify areas at risk of further landslides as persistent rainfall continues during the country’s annual flood season. Local authorities in Gansu have warned residents to remain alert because unstable hillsides and saturated ground could trigger additional landslides, particularly around Dingxi and nearby districts. Emergency services have been placed on standby to respond quickly if weather conditions worsen. The severe weather has not been limited to Gansu. China’s national weather agency issued fresh warnings on Sunday for several regions, including Beijing and Inner Mongolia, where heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms are expected. Forecasters said a broad stretch of the country from the southwest to the northeast could experience dangerous weather over the coming days. Sichuan Province has also been hit hard by continuous rainfall. State broadcaster CCTV reported that more than 64,000 people have been evacuated from high risk areas, while over 881,000 residents have been relocated since the beginning of this year’s flood season. Local governments are continuing emergency operations to protect communities vulnerable to flooding and landslides. Weather officials have also warned of another potential threat developing in the western Pacific. Super Typhoon Dolphin is moving towards East Asia and is expected to begin affecting China’s southeastern coastal regions from Wednesday. Authorities are closely monitoring its path and preparing emergency response measures in case the storm brings strong winds and heavy rainfall to coastal provinces. China experiences frequent flooding during the summer monsoon season, with mountainous regions particularly vulnerable to landslides caused by prolonged rainfall. In recent years, extreme weather events have become more common, prompting authorities to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve emergency response systems to reduce the impact on local communities. As rescue and recovery efforts continue in Gansu, officials are urging residents in vulnerable areas to follow weather updates and evacuation orders to minimise the risk of further casualties as heavy rain continues across large parts of the country.

Cameroon’s 93-year-old President, Paul Biya, the world’s oldest sitting head of state, has enacted a strategic reshuffle of the country’s military leadership from abroad, issuing decrees to promote senior officers and appoint new commanders while remaining in Geneva, Switzerland. Among the key appointments, Biya promoted five colonels to the rank of brigadier general. Notably, Brigadier General Raymond Jean Charles Beko’o Abondo was reappointed to lead the elite Presidential Guard, an essential security unit responsible for the president’s personal protection that he has commanded since 2013. The administrative shifts coincide with growing domestic anxiety regarding Biya’s absence from Cameroon, which has extended to nearly two months following his departure on 7 June for what officials termed a “brief private stay”. Opponents and civil society groups have voiced concern over an institutional vacuum, noting that a newly created vice-presidential seat remains vacant and a promised cabinet overhaul has yet to materialise. Government representatives, including Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi, dismissed claims of administrative paralysis or health crises, maintaining that the president remains fully operational and continues to sign official decrees and financial agreements from abroad.

Russia has raised concerns over reports that the United States and Türkiye may facilitate the transfer of a large stockpile of American-made weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said recently released documents from the US Congress indicate that the proposed shipment could include a substantial quantity of offensive weapons. According to her, the documents refer to 12 multiple rocket launch systems, more than 2,500 unguided cluster munitions for those systems, around 47,000 203mm cluster artillery shells and 70 ATACMS short-range missiles. Zakharova said Moscow was particularly concerned about what she described as unanswered questions surrounding the reported re-export arrangement. She questioned who initiated the proposal, how the weapons would be transported and when the reported shipment could reach Ukraine. The Russian spokeswoman also criticised Washington and Ankara for their alleged involvement, arguing that both countries have previously presented themselves as potential contributors to diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. According to Zakharova, supplying additional weapons to Ukraine would not fundamentally alter the military situation but could increase the scale of destruction and casualties. She warned that further arms deliveries could also have broader consequences for Russia’s relations with both the United States and Türkiye. Moscow also questioned Türkiye’s position because Turkish authorities have previously made assurances about limiting the supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine. Zakharova said that adopting peace-oriented rhetoric while simultaneously facilitating military support for Kyiv could damage mutual trust between the countries involved. The Russian Foreign Ministry has reportedly sought explanations from both Washington and Ankara following the information contained in the US congressional documents. Zakharova urged the parties involved to reconsider the situation before any reported transfer moves forward. She said there was still an opportunity for the countries concerned to assess the potential consequences of the proposed arms shipment. The allegations come as international efforts to address the Ukraine conflict continue alongside ongoing military operations

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is preparing a major new sanctions package targeting Russia, describing it as potentially the bloc’s most extensive list since the war in Ukraine began. In an interview with German newspaper Welt, Kallas said she plans to present the proposed measures in the coming months. She said that if the package is approved, the number of sanctioned Russian individuals, companies and organisations could rise by about one-third. Kallas argued that continued pressure on Moscow was necessary and welcomed signs of closer coordination between the European Union and the United States. She pointed to the US Senate’s approval of a sanctions bill earlier this month as a development that could bring Washington and European capitals closer on Russia policy. The EU foreign policy chief also warned of what she described as a growing hybrid threat facing Europe. She cited alleged incidents involving sabotage, espionage and cyberattacks, which she said were frequently linked to Russia. Kallas also referred to recent reports of Russian missiles and drones entering the airspace of Poland and Romania. She said such incidents should not be treated lightly, arguing that Moscow was testing the readiness and defensive capabilities of European countries. She welcomed Germany’s plans to reform its intelligence services, saying stronger intelligence capabilities would be important in responding to emerging hybrid security threats. Kallas also discussed diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Iran. She said negotiations aimed at resolving tensions were continuing but warned that their outcome remained uncertain because of a lack of trust between the two sides. She highlighted the economic consequences of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy and maritime trade. Kallas said freedom of navigation should remain unrestricted and argued that reopening the waterway should be treated as a priority. She also said efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons should remain an important part of the international agenda. On the Israel-Palestine conflict, Kallas reiterated the European Union’s support for a two-state solution, describing it as the only viable long-term framework for allowing Israelis and Palestinians to live securely alongside each other. She said EU missions were continuing efforts to preserve the possibility of such a settlement and suggested that a US-backed Gaza peace initiative could provide an opportunity for progress.