- Verstappen wins fourth consecutive Formula One world title
- Survivors, sniffing dogs join anti-mine march at Cambodia's Angkor Wat
- Far right eye breakthrough in Romania presidential vote
- Jaiswal slams majestic 161 but Australia fight back in Perth
- Edinburgh's alternative tour guides show 'more real' side of city
- IPL teams set to splash the cash at 'mega-auction' in Saudi Arabia
- Olympics in India a 'dream' facing many hurdles
- Wounded Bangladesh protesters receive robotic helping hand
- Majestic Jaiswal 141 not out as India pile pain on Australia
- Giannis, Lillard lead Bucks over Hornets as Spurs beat Warriors
- Juan Mata agent slammed as 'cowardly' by angry A-League coach
- Marta inspires Orlando Pride to NWSL title
- Palestinian pottery sees revival in war-ravaged Gaza
- Main points of the $300 billion climate deal
- Robertson wants policy change for overseas-based All Blacks
- Israel retreat helps rescuers heal from October 7 attack
- Afghan women turn to entrepreneurship under Taliban
- Mounting economic costs of India's killer smog
- At climate talks, painstaking diplomacy and then anger
- Uruguayans head to polls with left hoping for comeback
- Trump's mass deportation plan could end up hurting economic growth
- Iran director in exile says 'bittersweet' to rep Germany at Oscars
- US consumers to bargain hunt in annual 'Black Friday' spree
- Cheers, angst as US nuclear plant Three Mile Island to reopen
- Scientists seek miracle pill to stop methane cow burps
- Australia ditches plans to fine tech giants for misinformation
- Developing nations slam 'paltry' $300 bn climate deal
- Red Bulls win 'Hudson River derby' to reach conference final
- Neuville wins world title after Tanak crashes at Rally Japan
- Neuville wins world rally title after Tanak crashes in Japan
- Colapinto cleared for Las Vegas GP despite heavy crash
- 'Smiling One' Amorim vows he has ruthless streak Man Utd need
- Marseille down Lens to stay in touch with Ligue 1 leaders, Lyon draw
- New Zealand beat 'proud' Italy in Cane's Test farewell
- Barca collapse in Celta draw without Yamal, Simeone hits milestone
- Thailand's Jeeno equals Yin for lead at LPGA Tour Championship
- New Zealand beat Italy in Cane's Test farewell
- Marseille down Lens to stay in touch with Ligue 1 leaders, Lyon held to draw
- Liga leaders Barca suffer late collapse in Celta draw
- Retegui fires Atalanta top of Serie A ahead of Inter
- Greaves hits maiden Test century as West Indies dominate Bangladesh
- Venezuela opposition calls for mass anti-Maduro protest on Dec. 1
- 'Fragile' Man City in uncharted territory, admits Guardiola
- Erasmus hails Springbok strength in depth after thrashing Wales
- Postecoglou calls for consistent Spurs after Man City rout
- 'We've never lived this situation' admits Guardiola
- Lebanon says more than 55 killed in Israeli strikes
- 'We've never lived this situation' admits Guardiola as Man City lose five in a row
- Under-fire Gatland 'motivated' to continue as Wales coach
- South Africa send Wales crashing to 87-year low in Test rout
Five dead as storms pummel Europe
At least five people were killed as severe storms lashed Europe on Thursday, with winds of up to 181 kilometres per hour (112 miles per hour) causing widespread travel disruption.
In Poland, gusts of up to 125 kilometres per hour seriously damaged more than 500 homes, felled hundreds of trees and left 324,000 households across the country without power overnight.
Police said two people died and two were injured after storms toppled a large crane at a construction site in Krakow.
Another person was killed by a tree that fell on his car in the west of the country.
In neighbouring Germany, falling trees killed two drivers, a 37-year-old near the northern town of Bad Bevensen and a 55-year-old in the central village of Schwenda.
The Czech Republic was also hit, with more than 300,000 households left without power and extensive traffic disruptions as fallen trees blocked roads and railways.
The strongest winds with gusts of 181 kph were recorded on Snezka, the highest Czech mountain, in the north.
Three children were taken to hospital with injuries after a car accident in the southwest of the country. Wind lifted the bonnet of a car, causing the driver to swerve and crash into another car head-on.
Gales also damaged or destroyed roofs across the country.
In the Netherlands, the high winds injured three people including a police officer.
The officer was injured by roofing that had blown off a commercial building in Duiven, near Arnhem, public broadcaster NOS said.
- Flights grounded -
Firefighters also had to cut two people from a car after a tree fell on it in the southern town of Maasluis. They were later taken to hospital.
Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport reported flight delays of up to 45 minutes, while some rail services were cancelled.
Britain's army was placed on standby after the meteorological service issued a rare "red weather" alert for Thursday and Friday, warning of "danger to life" from severe gusts in southwestern England and south Wales.
Ireland also warned of "severe and damaging winds" and the possibility of coastal flooding.
In Germany, dramatic images of a wave smashing through the windows of a ferry on the Elbe River circulated widely on social media.
The operator said no-one was injured.
Schools were closed in several states and police warned residents to stay at home and avoid parks or forests.
The strongest winds were felt on Brocken, the highest point in the Harz highlands in central Germany, with speeds of up to 152 kph.
Long-distance trains were halted throughout northern Germany, including in Hamburg, Berlin and Bremen, national rail operator Deutsche Bahn said.
Airline Lufthansa cancelled 20 flights destined for Hamburg, Berlin and Munich, departing from Frankfurt, the country's largest airport.
The storms are expected to persist through Friday and into Saturday, with hurricane-force gales expected in many areas.
Belgium said it was placing its coastal regions on orange-level alert, the second highest level after red.
The north and northwest of France were also placed on orange alert.
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F.Pavlenko--BTB