The flashy playboys taking over the mafia

Sicily’s Cosa Nostra is stronger than ever – but its new young bosses are doing ‘business’ differently

This week's top stories from around the world

Battleship Melnichenko heads to sea

Russian billionaire christens his futuristic superyacht 'A' so nothing can precede it in the list of all-time great vessels

World news in brief

Over and out

Why a former para commander quit the army after Afghanistan

Britons lose out as Spanish property firm folds

Thousands of British holiday-home owners are facing losses of as much as £150,000 each with the collapse of Martinsa-Fadesa

Gay bishop’s row ‘like Iraq war’

Senior Church of England bishop said both events showed Americans disregarding others and acting 'how they pleased'

British troops may be home from Iraq in a year

Gordon Brown gave the clearest hint yet as he visited the country that most British forces will be withdrawn from Iraq next year

British hostage: why have you abandoned us?

Video from a hostage known only as Alan helps kidnappers increase the pressure on Britain to negotiate Britons' release

EU rediscovers taste for bendy cucumbers

The European Commission is to reform strict rules governing standards on such matters as the bendiness of cucumbers

The mutant gene that makes horses white

White horses are actually mutants whose defective DNA carries a gene that accelerates ageing, scientists have discovered

Sextet agree to hold off on new sanctions against Iran

Talks held in Geneva today have ended with no clear answer from Tehran on proposed incentives for suspending its nuclear programme

Brown agrees to cut British troops in Iraq

The decision was made during a surprise visit to the country today, however the Prime Minister declined to set a timeframe for their departure

Iran rules out freeze on nuclear work

At a meeting being held today in Geneva the Iranian ambassador said it was not in Iran's agenda to discuss the issue

Pope apologises to child victims of sex abuse

But victims' groups say it's too little too late and apology does not cover adults abused

Pawnbrokers are busy as rich hit hard times

With America's banks refusing to lend money to even wealthy customers there is increased demand for the traditional alternative

Frau mit Herz exclusive!

The Queen is to abdicate - at least in the world of German pulp ficition

Disgraced but France still loves le Tour

For its home nation the latest disgrace in the race does little to dim the magic of a Gallic rite that goes beyond sport

Steelworks' move lets Beijing breathe

The Chinese capital is so keen to cut pollution in time for the Olympics that it has moved one of its plants 140 miles away

Gathering storm in tea gardens of Darjeeling

As a Gurkha separatist campaign is relaunched, the region’s most famous export is hit by a strike and the eviction of tourists