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Volkswagen Faces Crucial Vote on Major Restructuring Plan

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Volkswagen is set to face a critical decision as its supervisory board meets to discuss a sweeping restructuring plan that could reshape Europe’s largest automaker. The proposal reportedly includes cutting up to 100,000 jobs and closing four factories in Germany as the company grapples with rising production costs, excess manufacturing capacity, stronger competition from Chinese automakers, and U.S. import tariffs.

CEO Oliver Blume is expected to seek approval for the overhaul despite strong opposition from labor unions and employee representatives. Workers across Germany have staged protests, urging the company to protect domestic manufacturing and jobs. Union leaders argue that the company should focus on expanding production rather than reducing its workforce and factory network.

Volkswagen says the restructuring is necessary to simplify operations, reduce overcapacity, and strengthen its competitiveness in a rapidly changing automotive market. The board’s decision is expected to play a key role in determining the future direction of the company as it navigates the transition to electric vehicles and increasing global competition.

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German Palliative Care Doctor Sentenced to Life for Murdering 15 Patients

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A German court has sentenced a 41-year-old palliative care doctor to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of murdering 15 patients between September 2021 and July 2024. The victims, aged between 25 and 94, were seriously ill but were not considered to be at immediate risk of death. Prosecutors said the doctor administered lethal doses of medication without the patients’ consent and, in some cases, allegedly set fires to conceal the crimes.

During the year-long trial, the doctor admitted to killing 12 patients, claiming he believed he was ending their suffering. However, relatives of the victims rejected that justification, telling the court that their loved ones still had plans for the future and wanted to continue living. The court described his crimes as particularly serious and imposed a lifetime ban on practising medicine, along with preventive detention after his prison term.

Authorities are now investigating 76 additional suspected cases, raising the possibility that the convicted doctor could become one of Germany’s most prolific serial killers if more charges are proven. Prosecutors believe the confirmed murders may represent only a fraction of the alleged crimes.

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Western Europe Sees Hottest June Ever

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Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record in 2026, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The region recorded an average temperature of 20.74°C, more than 3°C above the 1991–2020 June average. The extreme heatwave disrupted power supplies, forced school closures, and pushed temperatures to record levels across several countries.

The heatwave had severe consequences, with authorities reporting over 4,700 excess deaths in France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands during June. The prolonged high temperatures also fueled wildfires across parts of Spain, Portugal, and France while worsening drought conditions. Scientists warned that climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and increasingly intense across Europe.

Globally, June 2026 ranked as the second-warmest June ever recorded, while sea surface temperatures reached a record high for the month. Climate experts said rising greenhouse gas emissions continue to drive global warming, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events. Although a developing El Niño contributed to higher global ocean temperatures, researchers found that Europe’s record-breaking heatwave was primarily intensified by climate change.

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Hungary Suspends State News Broadcasts to Reform Public Media

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Hungary has temporarily suspended news broadcasts on its main public television channel, M1, and halted programming on the state-run Kossuth radio station as part of a major media reform announced by Prime Minister Péter Magyar. A message aired on M1 apologised for “lying for years” and said public media would be restructured to become independent and trustworthy.

The move follows the defeat of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government was widely accused of maintaining tight control over state media during his 16 years in power. Magyar called the development a “historic day” and described it as the end of propaganda in Hungary’s public broadcasting system.

State broadcaster MTVA said M1 would return with a new format and editorial team before gradually reintroducing news bulletins. Orbán criticised the decision, calling it an example of government overreach, while the reforms are being presented by the new administration as a step toward strengthening media independence and press freedom.

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French Lawmakers Approve Controversial Police Shooting Bill

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French lawmakers have approved a controversial bill that would presume police officers acted lawfully in fatal shootings unless proven otherwise. The proposal, backed by the government, passed the lower house of parliament by 313 votes to 199 and now moves to the upper house for final approval.

Supporters, including Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, say the measure is necessary to protect police officers working in dangerous situations. However, critics argue the bill could make it harder to hold officers accountable and may increase the number of fatal police shootings. Human rights groups have described the proposal as a “licence to kill.”

The debate comes amid growing concerns over police violence in France, where fatal police shootings have risen in recent years. High-profile cases, including the 2023 killing of Nahel Merzouk, sparked nationwide protests and renewed calls for police reform. Opponents warn the proposed law could weaken investigations and reduce justice for victims’ families.

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Trump Ends Interim U.S.-Iran Peace Agreement

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Donald Trump has declared that the interim agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their conflict is “over.” Speaking ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said he no longer wished to engage with Tehran, following the collapse of indirect negotiations and renewed U.S. military strikes against Iran.

The temporary agreement, brokered by Pakistan, had created a 60-day window for talks on a permanent peace deal. However, negotiations held in Qatar failed to produce progress, and tensions escalated after the United States launched fresh strikes on Iranian targets earlier this week.

The U.S. also revoked a license that had temporarily allowed Iran to sell crude oil and petroleum products. The Treasury Department has given Iran until July 17 to wind down transactions previously permitted under the agreement, marking another step in the worsening relations between Washington and Tehran.

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Spanish Cardinal Suspends Himself Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

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Cristóbal López Romero, the Spanish cardinal and Archbishop of Rabat, has suspended himself from public ministry after allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward adult women. The Vatican confirmed that a preliminary investigation has been launched following the accusations.

According to reports, at least five women have accused the 74-year-old cardinal of sexual assault. López Romero has denied all allegations, stating that he committed neither assault, violence, nor sexual harassment. He also pledged to cooperate fully with the Vatican’s investigation.

To avoid influencing the inquiry, López Romero said he would refrain from leading public religious celebrations and participating in pastoral activities until the investigation is completed. A cardinal since 2019, he has been regarded as a progressive figure within the Catholic Church and was previously considered a potential papal candidate.

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Le Pen Launches Fresh Presidential Bid

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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has officially launched her fourth bid for the French presidency after an appeals court cleared her to run in the 2027 election. While the court upheld her conviction over the misuse of European Parliament funds, it reduced her electoral ban, allowing her to contest the vote. Le Pen said she will appeal the conviction while continuing her campaign, describing the legal battle as a challenge that has strengthened her resolve.

The decision marks a significant political comeback for Le Pen, whose presidential ambitions appeared uncertain after a 2025 ruling barred her from holding office. She is betting that French voters will look beyond her legal troubles and support her bid to become France’s first modern far-right president. Le Pen also confirmed that Jordan Bardella will remain her key political partner and would serve as prime minister if she wins the presidency.

Despite strong polling for the National Rally, the party still faces questions over its economic agenda. Internal debates continue over issues such as pension reforms, taxation, and public spending, as the party seeks to broaden its appeal among both conservative and working-class voters ahead of the 2027 election.

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France Cuts 2026 Economic Growth Forecast to 0.7%

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France has lowered its economic growth forecast for 2026 to 0.7%, down from the previously projected 0.9%, according to a mid-year public finance update presented to lawmakers by the Finance Ministry. The revised outlook reflects weaker-than-expected economic performance during the first half of the year.

Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the downgrade was driven by a slower start to the year, partly due to the impact of special budget legislation. He also cited the challenging international environment, including ongoing instability caused by the conflict in the Middle East, as a factor weighing on France’s economic prospects.

The updated forecast highlights the pressures facing Europe’s second-largest economy as it navigates domestic fiscal challenges alongside global geopolitical uncertainty. The government is expected to continue monitoring economic conditions while adjusting its fiscal strategy to support growth and maintain financial stability.

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WHO Warns Europe Faces More Deadly Heatwaves as New Extreme Temperatures Build

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Europe could face “more deadly weeks” as another powerful heatwave develops over the Atlantic. Temperatures in parts of Portugal and southern Spain are expected to reach as high as 43°C in the coming days. WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge urged governments to strengthen preparedness, noting that countries with established heat-health action plans responded more effectively during the recent extreme weather.

The previous heatwave, which swept across Europe between June 20 and June 28, is considered by experts to be the most severe ever recorded in the region. The intense heat disrupted power generation, damaged infrastructure, strained healthcare systems, and contributed to around 3,700 preliminary excess deaths in France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Scientists have linked the record-breaking temperatures largely to climate change.

The WHO emphasized that vulnerable groups, including elderly people living alone, care home residents, and homeless individuals, continue to face the greatest risks during prolonged heat events. With fewer than half of the WHO’s European member states having comprehensive heat-health action plans, the organization is urging governments to improve emergency preparedness and build more resilient healthcare systems ahead of future heatwaves.

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