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France Votes on Social Media Ban for Under-15s

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French lawmakers are voting on a proposed law that would ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms. If approved, the legislation would require platforms to implement age verification systems approved by France’s privacy regulator, with the government aiming to enforce the rules before the next academic year.

Under the proposal, children younger than 15 would be barred from creating new social media accounts from September 1, while platforms would have four months to close existing accounts belonging to underage users. Educational websites and online encyclopaedias would remain accessible, while platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube would be affected by the restrictions.

The move follows similar action in Australia and reflects growing global concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental health and safety. President Emmanuel Macron has strongly backed the legislation, arguing that limiting social media use among young people will help improve their well-being, attention, and development.

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German Investor Confidence Jumps in July

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Investor confidence in Germany improved sharply in July, exceeding market expectations, according to the latest survey by the ZEW economic research institute. The economic sentiment index more than doubled to 26.3 points, up from 10.5 in June, outperforming analysts’ forecast of 17.5 points.

ZEW President Achim Wambach said the stronger outlook reflects growing optimism that the German government’s recent reform package is beginning to have a positive impact. The measures, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, include pension, tax, labour, and bureaucracy reforms aimed at boosting economic growth, employment, and competitiveness.

Despite the improved sentiment, the assessment of Germany’s current economic conditions remained negative, though it showed slight improvement. The current conditions index rose to -77.6 points in July from -81.0 points in June, indicating that while confidence is strengthening, economic challenges persist.

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Protests Erupt in Bologna After Arrest Death

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Violent clashes broke out in Bologna, Italy, after the death of Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan-born entrepreneur, during an attempted police arrest. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets after video footage of the incident circulated online, with some demonstrators confronting riot police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.

The footage showed Fakir lying face down while being restrained by officers, repeatedly calling for help before becoming unresponsive. According to media reports, police had been called to the scene after receiving reports of a man behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle. Officers allegedly used pepper spray and attempted to handcuff him before emergency services were called.

Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into the incident, while authorities said body camera footage from the officers involved would be handed over to investigators. The case has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and government officials urging the public to await the outcome of the official inquiry.

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Firms Develop Faster Drones to Counter Shaheds

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Defence companies are accelerating the development of high-speed interceptor drones as Russia deploys increasing numbers of jet-powered Shahed attack drones in the war against Ukraine. At the Farnborough International Airshow, Ukrainian drone manufacturer SkyFall unveiled its new P1-SUN Jetkiller, designed to intercept faster aerial threats with improved speed and battlefield performance.

The new interceptor can reach speeds of up to 370 km/h, compared to 310 km/h for its predecessor. SkyFall claims the drone has already been tested in combat and has successfully destroyed more than a dozen jet-powered Shaheds. Other companies, including Ukraine’s General Cherry and UK-Ukraine-based Firebolt Engineering, are also developing faster interceptor drones capable of exceeding 400 km/h.

As Russia expands its use of jet-powered Shaheds, defence firms are focusing on producing affordable, mass-manufactured interceptor drones that can respond quickly to evolving battlefield threats. While improving speed remains a priority, manufacturers say keeping production costs low will be essential for large-scale deployment.

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Rome Revives Corviale with Climate-Focused Renewal

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Rome is transforming the long-neglected Corviale housing complex through a €58 million EU-backed regeneration project aimed at improving climate resilience and social inclusion. Home to around 4,500 residents, the iconic 1-kilometre-long housing estate is being upgraded with renovated public spaces, greener landscapes, and energy-efficient community facilities to help residents cope with rising temperatures.

The redevelopment includes climate-friendly features such as a bioclimatic library that stays significantly cooler during summer, refurbished public buildings, shaded gathering areas, and expanded parks with thousands of new trees and shrubs. These improvements are designed to create more comfortable, sustainable, and accessible spaces while reconnecting the suburb with its natural surroundings.

Although much of the work has been completed, some residents remain cautious after years of neglect. Community leaders believe the project’s long-term success will depend on consistent maintenance and continued public engagement. With the remaining works expected to finish by the end of August, Corviale is emerging as a key example of climate-focused urban regeneration.

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Portugal’s Migration Curbs Worsen Construction Labour Shortage

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Portugal’s stricter immigration policies are creating labour shortages in the construction sector, raising concerns over the country’s ability to tackle its growing housing crisis. Industry leaders say migrants make up a significant portion of the workforce, and tighter rules have reduced the number of workers available for major housing and infrastructure projects.

The country faces a shortage of around 300,000 homes and aims to build 150,000 affordable houses by 2030 through an EU-backed programme. However, construction groups estimate the sector still needs tens of thousands of additional workers, warning that labour shortages could delay projects, including Lisbon’s new airport and affordable housing developments.

Many migrant workers already living in Portugal also face uncertainty over renewing their residence permits under the revised regulations. While the government says the measures are intended to control immigration and improve living conditions, industry experts argue that foreign workers remain essential to supporting Portugal’s economy and addressing its housing shortage.

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Ryanair Says Foreign Object May Have Caused Boeing Window Incident

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Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said initial findings suggest that a foreign object may have caused the Boeing 737 window incident in which a passenger was partially sucked out of the aircraft. The suspected damage is believed to have occurred after an engine was struck during takeoff from Thessaloniki, although investigators have not yet confirmed the exact cause.

Speaking during the airline’s quarterly results presentation, O’Leary stressed that the findings are preliminary and that the investigation is still ongoing. He said the current evidence points toward possible foreign object damage but cautioned against drawing final conclusions.

A draft investigation report is expected within the next 28 days, followed by a more comprehensive final report. Authorities will continue examining the incident to determine the exact sequence of events and recommend any necessary safety measures.

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13-Year-Old Boy Dies During Spain’s World Cup Victory Celebrations

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A 13-year-old boy died after part of a fountain collapsed during Spain’s World Cup victory celebrations in Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca province. The incident occurred shortly after midnight when a group of young people climbed onto the Árbol Gordo fountain to celebrate Spain’s 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving multiple calls about the collapse. Two other young people were injured, including a child who was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg. Authorities also arranged psychological support for the victim’s family as an investigation into the incident began.

The tragedy overshadowed Spain’s historic second FIFA World Cup triumph, secured by Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner. Local officials expressed condolences to the victim’s family and wished a speedy recovery to those injured during what was meant to be a night of celebration.

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Spain Crowned World Champions

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Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute. Dominating possession, creating more chances, and conceding just one goal throughout the tournament, Spain capped off an outstanding campaign with a deserved victory. Captain Rodri lifted the trophy after a performance widely praised as one of the finest in recent World Cup history.

The Spanish side controlled the final from start to finish, recording 65% possession, 20 shots, and keeping Argentina without a shot on target during normal time. Goalkeeper Unai Simón claimed the Golden Glove after keeping his seventh clean sheet of the tournament, while young stars Pau Cubarsí and Lamine Yamal continued to showcase Spain’s bright future on the world stage.

Argentina struggled to match Spain’s quality and finished the match with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off late in normal time. Tempers flared after the final whistle, with clashes between players overshadowing the closing moments. Despite the disappointment, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted Spain were the better team and deserved to be crowned world champions.

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France and Germany Deepen Defence Ties to Boost Europe’s Security

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France and Germany have agreed to strengthen their defence partnership as Europe seeks greater military autonomy amid evolving global security challenges. During a joint meeting in Bruehl, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to expand cooperation on missile defence, long-range strike systems and broader security initiatives.

In a landmark move, German troops will participate in a French nuclear exercise for the first time, reflecting closer strategic coordination between the two countries. Macron reaffirmed that France would continue to fully finance its own nuclear deterrent, while Merz said any future cooperation would complement NATO’s existing defence framework rather than replace it.

The two leaders also voiced concerns over China’s industrial overcapacity and currency policies, arguing they place European industries under increasing pressure. Despite recent setbacks in their joint fighter aircraft programme, France and Germany confirmed that key elements of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project will continue, with improved oversight to strengthen future defence collaboration.

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