Italy’s five-year deal to send irregular migrants rescued at sea to processing camps in Albania has hit a major roadblock, as a special immigration court in Rome ruled that 12 migrants sent to a camp near Gjader must be returned to Italy. The court determined that the individuals originated from countries deemed unsafe for deportation. The ruling comes just days after the first group of migrants arrived in Albania, putting pressure on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, which intends to appeal the decision.

The controversial €800 million deal, aimed at repatriating around 3,000 migrants a month, has been under scrutiny. Opposition leaders, including Elly Schlein of the Democratic Party, criticized the expense, suggesting that the funds could have been better spent on domestic issues like healthcare. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has defended the plan, insisting it will eventually become part of European law, despite the legal challenges.

The agreement is closely watched across Europe, with leaders from the UK and EU showing interest in similar solutions. However, the ruling could complicate ongoing efforts to speed up migrant returns in the region. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently stated that new proposals were in development, further indicating that the issue remains at the forefront of European politics.

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A baby has tragically died after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of northern France while attempting to cross the Channel toward Britain. The overloaded boat, carrying 65 people, started sinking near Wissant on Thursday night. Rescuers found several passengers in the water, and although most were saved, an unconscious baby was pulled from the sea but later declared dead.

French coastguards responded to multiple SOS calls from small boats in the area. A total of 132 people were rescued across various vessels that night, with the passengers from the capsized boat taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer. The incident adds to the mounting death toll, making 2024 the deadliest year for Channel crossings with at least 53 migrants having died so far.

Humanitarian organizations and critics have called for urgent reforms to immigration policies, stressing that these tragedies are preventable. They argue that without safe and legal routes for asylum seekers, more lives will be lost in desperate attempts to reach the UK.

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Italy’s space agency and industry ministry have urged for tighter collaboration among European nations to remain competitive in the growing global space race. Speaking at a major space agency meeting in Milan, ASI President Teodoro Valente emphasized that no single European country could bear the financial burden alone, calling for a balance between cooperation and healthy competition to boost efficiency.

Valente highlighted the need for faster decision-making and clearer rules within the European Union to ensure the bloc can compete internationally, particularly as geopolitical rivalry intensifies in space exploration. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso echoed these sentiments, pushing for harmonized EU regulations that take national legislation into account, with a focus on investing in the EU’s space launcher capabilities.

As Europe seeks to strengthen its presence in space, it faces challenges following its severed ties with Russia, which have limited its capacity. Italy’s Vega-C rocket, expected to return to flight in December, is a key element of Europe’s efforts to remain competitive in the space sector.

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The UK Treasury is currently investigating 37 UK-linked businesses suspected of breaching sanctions on Russian oil, according to a BBC report. Introduced after Russia invaded Ukraine, the sanctions include a price cap of $60 per barrel on Russian oil, limiting UK businesses from facilitating its transportation. Despite 52 companies being under investigation since December 2022, no fines have been issued so far. Critics argue this reflects a lax approach to enforcing sanctions, with some firms thought to be evading rules through maritime insurance loopholes.

Sir William Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, labeled the lack of prosecutions an “embarrassment” and suggested the UK struggles to enforce economic sanctions effectively. Louis Wilson from Global Witness expressed surprise that no penalties had been imposed, describing the oil cap as a “paper tiger.” He emphasized that the government must stop enabling Russian profiteering to set an example for other countries.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) received £50 million in funding to bolster its enforcement of sanctions but has only recently issued its first penalty — a £15,000 fine to a London concierge firm for sanctions violations unrelated to oil. Calls for stronger action continue, especially as some suspect Russian oil may be entering the UK through third-party refineries.

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George Baldock, a former Sheffield United defender and Greece international, has died at the age of 31. Baldock was found unresponsive in the swimming pool of his home in Glyfada, southern Athens, on Wednesday evening. Authorities confirmed that he had drowned, ruling out foul play. Despite efforts by police and emergency services to resuscitate him, Baldock was pronounced dead at the scene. The tragedy has left the football community in shock, with tributes pouring in from his former clubs and teammates.

Baldock had recently joined Greek side Panathinaikos after spending seven years at Sheffield United, where he made 219 appearances. A key player during their promotions to the Premier League, Baldock was also capped 12 times by Greece, qualifying through his grandmother. Panathinaikos, Sheffield United, and the Greek Football Federation expressed their condolences, with both clubs mourning the loss of a talented player and dedicated professional.

Friends and former teammates from across the football world, including Harry Maguire, Dean Henderson, and Gus Poyet, shared heartfelt tributes, remembering Baldock as a brilliant player and family man. Panathinaikos, Greece, and UEFA all plan to honor his memory, with Greece requesting to wear black armbands and hold a moment of silence before their upcoming Nations League match against England.

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Christian Brückner, the primary suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has been acquitted by a German court on charges of rape and sexual abuse in an unrelated case. The 47-year-old, already serving a seven-year sentence for a previous rape conviction, was cleared of five offenses said to have occurred in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. The court cited insufficient evidence and unreliable witnesses in its decision, leading to Brückner’s acquittal.

Prosecutors had sought an additional 15-year sentence but are now planning to appeal the verdict, which they insist is not legally binding until the Federal Court of Justice rules. Brückner’s defense team argued the acquittal was justified due to a lack of credible evidence, a view supported by the presiding judge. His acquittal has sparked widespread attention, particularly due to its potential implications for the ongoing McCann case, though legally the two cases remain unrelated.

Despite the court’s ruling, German investigators maintain their belief that Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in Portugal in 2007, is no longer alive. However, the judge’s characterization of some witnesses as unreliable has raised concerns about their potential involvement in future trials related to McCann’s disappearance.

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