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France Heatwave Overwhelms Funeral Homes as Death Toll Rises

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France’s record-breaking late-June heatwave has placed immense pressure on funeral homes, hospitals, and elderly care facilities as excess deaths continue to rise. Funeral director Gautier Caton said his company received bodies at up to three times the normal rate, forcing him to rent refrigerated containers and even assist overcrowded funeral services in Paris.

Preliminary figures show at least 2,025 excess deaths during the heatwave, with temperatures reaching 43.8°C. Authorities said deaths increased sharply in Paris and several other regions, exposing the growing risks posed by extreme heat, an ageing population, and inadequate infrastructure despite improvements made after the deadly 2003 heatwave.

Experts and healthcare workers say France needs long-term investment in cooling hospitals, nursing homes, and public facilities to better cope with increasingly frequent heatwaves. Many elderly care homes still lack sufficient air-conditioned spaces, while officials warn that the final death toll could rise further as more data becomes available.

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Thousands Back Turkish Governor Dismissed Over Cycling Attire

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Thousands of people have signed an online petition supporting former Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli after he was removed from office following controversy over videos showing him cycling in sports tights. Although no official reason was given for his dismissal, critics accused him of focusing more on social media content than his official duties.

Çiçekli defended himself, saying he simply wore appropriate sports clothing while promoting cycling and healthy living. He had organised cycling events, encouraged sports participation among young people, and shared videos of rowing and outdoor activities to showcase the region and promote sports tourism.

The petition, which has attracted more than 9,400 signatures, argues that Çiçekli made valuable contributions to youth development and cycling tourism in Ardahan and should be reinstated. Responding to the controversy, Çiçekli said he would continue cycling regardless of his dismissal, adding that sports are an important part of life at any age.

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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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Judit Polgar Declines Hungary’s Presidential Nomination

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Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar has declined the nomination to become Hungary’s next president, a day after Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced his intention to nominate her for the largely ceremonial role. Polgar thanked the government for its confidence but said she did not feel capable of taking on the responsibility of uniting a divided nation.

The nomination came as part of the new government’s broader political reforms following Peter Magyar’s election victory, which ended the 16-year rule of Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party. Hungary is also preparing to draft a new constitution, and parliament is expected to elect an interim president until the new constitutional framework takes effect.

Widely regarded as the greatest female chess player in history, Polgar is the only woman to have been ranked among the world’s top 10 players and the only female player to surpass the prestigious 2700 Elo rating. Her decision keeps the search for Hungary’s next president open as lawmakers move ahead with the country’s political transition.

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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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