In Moscow the snow is melting ...

Around the World

RUSSIA An unseasonal thaw in Moscow has left eight people injured by falling icicles and snow. City officials promised an investigation and punishment yesterday for squads who are meant to remove potentially deadly icicles from buildings.

RUSSIA An unseasonal thaw in Moscow has left eight people injured by falling icicles and snow. City officials promised an investigation and punishment yesterday for squads who are meant to remove potentially deadly icicles from buildings.

CORSICA The Mediterranean island had three inches (7.6cm) of rain on Saturday night, compared with the usual monthly rainfall of four inches.

THE PHILIPPINES Tropical storm Soulik is brewing off the coast of the Philippines and is expected to hit the country in the next few days. The storm is unusually late; the stormy season normally finishes in November.

CUBA Four days of torrential rain has led to the death of two people, the destruction of 80 buildings and extensive damage to agricultural holdings. In Havana 600 people were evacuated because of floods and 400 homes were damaged in Villa Clara in the central province.

MEXICO A cold snap has been blamed for 19 deaths in the north of the country last week. Temperatures fell to 0C. Five people died from hypothermia or carbon monoxide poisoning from heating stoves. Fourteen others died from illnesses related to the weather, including at least four children. Strong winds, high waves and rain have forced the closure of two Gulf ports after a week of storms.

MOZAMBIQUE The country is braced for fresh floods after persistent rain in neighbouring Zambia, where the authorities have opened the floodgates of the Kariba dam. More than 150,000 people are at risk.