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Poland and Hungary Tighten Foreign Worker Rules Amid Labour Shortages

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Poland and Hungary have introduced stricter measures to limit the employment of non-EU workers as both governments seek to address public concerns over immigration. Poland has reduced work permits for non-EU citizens, while Hungary has stopped issuing worker visas to applicants from several countries, including the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia.

Business groups and economists have warned that the restrictions could worsen labour shortages and slow economic growth. Many industries in both countries rely heavily on foreign workers due to ageing populations and declining birth rates, with employers saying they are already struggling to fill vacancies.

Companies have also raised concerns about delays in processing work and residence permits, prompting some skilled workers to relocate to other European countries. While the governments say they are balancing economic needs with immigration policies, businesses fear tighter rules could affect expansion plans and long-term competitiveness.

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Wildfires Rage Across Spain and France as Heatwave Intensifies

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Firefighters in Spain and France are battling major wildfires as extreme heat and dry conditions continue to grip southern Europe. Spain’s largest wildfire of the year has scorched around 32,000 hectares in Guadalajara, though the blaze has begun to stabilise, allowing some evacuated residents to return home. In France, firefighters are working to contain multiple fires, including one in the Var region that has burned thousands of hectares and forced hundreds of people to evacuate.

Authorities have blamed the combination of intense heat, drought, and human activity for the growing number of fires. Two firefighters lost their lives in southwest France after their vehicle was engulfed by flames, while officials have imposed barbecue bans and urged the public to avoid activities that could spark new fires. Spain has already recorded 22 major wildfires this year, burning more than 100,000 hectares nationwide.

Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires across Europe. While some regions are expected to see a brief drop in temperatures, weather agencies caution that fire risks remain extremely high and another surge in heat is likely in the coming days.

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Modelling Scout Linked to Jeffrey Epstein Found Dead in France

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Daniel Siad, a 69-year-old modelling scout linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been found dead at his home in Colombes, a suburb of Paris. French prosecutors confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of death, with an autopsy expected to provide further details.

Siad’s name appeared numerous times in documents related to the Epstein case. One of Epstein’s alleged victims previously claimed that Siad introduced her to Epstein, while several women in France had also filed complaints against Siad, including allegations of rape. He consistently denied all accusations and maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities.

Lawyers representing several complainants expressed disappointment that Siad died before being questioned by investigators, saying it has deprived victims of an opportunity to seek justice and uncover further information about Epstein’s network. His death comes four years after Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel was found dead in a Paris prison while facing similar allegations.

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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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