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Thousands Return Home in Spain as Fresh Heatwave Fuels Wildfire Fears

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Thousands of residents across Spain have been allowed to return home after authorities lifted evacuation orders in parts of Madrid, Toledo, Ávila and Castellón following recent wildfires. More than 24,000 people in the Madrid region alone have returned, while restrictions affecting another 20,000 residents have also been removed. Despite the progress, emergency services remain on high alert as another intense heatwave approaches.

The massive wildfire near Burgohondo in Ávila, now considered the largest recorded wildfire in Spanish history, has burned more than 43,000 hectares and displaced around 40,000 people. Firefighters have managed to contain its spread, but officials warn that soaring temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds could quickly reignite the flames. Another wildfire near Vall d’Uixó, north-west of Valencia, remains out of control.

The wildfire threat extends beyond Spain, with France, Portugal and Greece also battling active blazes amid extreme summer temperatures. Authorities across southern Europe have increased emergency measures as climate change continues to fuel longer heatwaves, drier landscapes and more destructive wildfires, raising concerns over further damage in the coming days.

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Thousands of Audi Workers Protest Over Possible Neckarsulm Plant Closure

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Thousands of Audi employees gathered in Neckarsulm, Germany, to protest against the possible closure of the automaker’s manufacturing plant as parent company Volkswagen continues a major restructuring programme. According to the works council, around 6,000 workers took part in the demonstration, expressing concerns over job security and the future of the facility.

Volkswagen has warned that the Neckarsulm plant could face closure after 2030 if no long-term solution is found. The site employs around 15,000 people and manufactures several Audi models, including the A5, A6, A8 and the all-electric e-tron GT. Company officials are exploring alternatives, including new production opportunities, but no final decision has been made.

The protest comes as Germany’s automotive industry faces mounting pressure from rising production costs, growing competition from Chinese manufacturers and U.S. tariffs. Local leaders warned that shutting the Neckarsulm plant would have serious economic consequences for the region, while upcoming negotiations between Volkswagen management and labour representatives are expected to play a key role in determining the factory’s future.

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Oscar-Winning Irish Musician Glen Hansard Dies in Motorcycle Crash

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Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, best known for co-writing and performing the Academy Award-winning song “Falling Slowly” from the 2007 film Once, has died at the age of 56 following a motorcycle crash in Dublin. His management confirmed he passed away early Wednesday after a single-vehicle road accident.

Hansard began his musical journey as a teenage busker on the streets of Dublin before founding the acclaimed rock band The Frames in 1990. He later achieved international recognition through Once, starring alongside Markéta Irglová, with whom he formed the folk duo The Swell Season. Their music helped turn the low-budget film into a global success and inspired an award-winning Broadway musical.

Tributes poured in from fans and public figures across Ireland, including Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who praised Hansard’s lasting contribution to Irish music and culture. Police said the musician died after a single-vehicle motorcycle collision in west Dublin during the early hours of Wednesday.

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Pressure Grows on German Chancellor Merz After Cabinet Reshuffle

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing growing political pressure after a cabinet reshuffle triggered internal divisions within his conservative CDU/CSU alliance. Lawmakers are set to vote on his nomination of Thorsten Frei as parliamentary faction leader, with the outcome expected to be closely watched as a measure of support for Merz’s leadership.

The reshuffle follows the resignation of senior party figure Jens Spahn and comes as Merz’s government struggles with declining public approval. Recent opinion polls show the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leading national support, while Merz’s personal approval ratings have fallen sharply. The AfD has also overtaken the conservatives on voters’ perceptions of competence, increasing pressure ahead of key state elections in September.

Further criticism emerged after changes to the cabinet angered members of Merz’s own party, including regional leaders and ministers who said they were not properly consulted. Despite the backlash, Merz has expressed confidence that tensions will ease before parliament reconvenes in September, as his government focuses on advancing economic reforms and countering the AfD’s growing influence.

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UEFA Opposes FIFA Investment Plan

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UEFA Opposes FIFA Investment Plan

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UEFA and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham have strongly criticised FIFA’s proposal to allow private investors to take a minority stake in a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). FIFA says the move aims to expand global football development funding to more than $10 billion, while retaining full control over governance, competitions, and regulations. The proposal will require approval from FIFA’s 211 member associations.

FIFA expects an investor group led by American venture capital firm Thrive Eternal to support the initiative, with member associations potentially receiving up to $20 million each for football development. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the plan would help ensure football’s commercial success benefits every nation and supports the sport’s long-term global growth.

However, UEFA warned the proposal “crosses a line,” arguing that football’s governance should never become a commercial asset. Critics also fear private investment could increase pressure to expand the World Cup or hold it more frequently to boost revenues, placing greater strain on the international football calendar. The proposal is expected to be discussed later this year before a possible vote at the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March.

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German Economy Shows Resilience in Second Quarter

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Germany’s economy likely recorded modest growth in the second quarter of 2026 despite challenges from the Middle East conflict, according to the Bundesbank. The central bank said strong industrial activity, steady exports, and resilient consumer spending helped offset the impact of higher energy and commodity prices.

The Bundesbank noted that Germany’s industrial sector benefited from robust foreign demand, while consumers continued spending despite rising energy costs and reduced purchasing power. Temporary factors, including supply shortages affecting some Asian competitors and early purchasing by customers anticipating future disruptions, also supported economic activity.

Looking ahead, the Bundesbank said economic pressures could ease if the conflict in the Middle East does not escalate further, though it warned that the war will likely continue to weigh on growth and inflation. The bank currently forecasts Germany’s economy to expand by 0.5% in 2026, with growth expected to improve to 0.8% next year.

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Jolie, Blanchett Urge Stronger Refugee Protections

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Actors Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett, along with Archbishop Sarah Mullally and other public figures, have called on governments to uphold refugee protections as the 1951 UN Refugee Convention marks its 75th anniversary. The appeal comes as the United Nations warns that growing restrictions on asylum systems are putting vulnerable people at greater risk despite continued public support for offering safe refuge.

The UN refugee agency released a statement titled “The Promise”, signed by celebrities, athletes, business leaders and faith leaders, reaffirming support for the convention. UN High Commissioner Barham Salih, a former Iraqi president and refugee, said the agreement has saved millions of lives and urged nations to honour the commitment made to protect people forced to flee conflict and persecution.

The call comes amid increasing global displacement, tighter border controls in several countries, and financial challenges facing the UN refugee agency after major donor cuts. Rights groups have also expressed concern over stricter asylum policies in parts of Europe and the United States, warning they could weaken long-standing international refugee protections.

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Finland Closes Airspace Near Russia Over Drone Risk

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Finland has temporarily closed part of its airspace and restricted maritime traffic along its southern coast near the Russian border due to the risk of stray drones entering the area. The Finnish military said the measures are intended to ensure authorities can respond safely if drones cross into the region and to protect the public.

The move follows several incidents this year in which military drones linked to the Ukraine-Russia conflict reportedly entered the airspace of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These events have raised concerns that the ongoing war could increasingly affect NATO’s northern borders.

Finnish military officials declined to reveal the source of intelligence regarding the possible drone activity, citing operational security. While Ukraine and NATO have blamed Russian signal jamming for causing some drones to stray into neighbouring countries, Russia has accused Ukraine of deliberately directing drones across international borders.

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Google Faces Wave of Lawsuits After EU Fine

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Google is facing a growing number of private lawsuits across Europe after receiving a record $1 billion fine under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Legal experts say the ruling could encourage more companies to seek damages, with total claims potentially reaching $10 billion. The EU found that Google unfairly favored its own services and restricted app developers from directing users to cheaper payment options outside Google Play.

Several companies, including price comparison websites and technology firms, have already filed multibillion-dollar claims, arguing that Google’s business practices harmed competition over many years. Google has rejected the allegations, saying the lawsuits are driven by companies seeking financial payouts instead of investing in innovation. More legal actions are reportedly being prepared in multiple European countries.

The new lawsuits add to the billions of dollars in antitrust fines Google has already paid in Europe over the past decade. While recent court decisions have strengthened the position of Google’s rivals, legal experts expect appeals and compensation cases to take several years before reaching a final outcome.

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Germany’s Sick Leave Debate Highlights Workplace Stress

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Germany’s proposed crackdown on sick leave rules is facing criticism from researchers, who argue that rising absenteeism is driven more by worsening workplace conditions than by misuse of the system. The government plans to tighten sick-note requirements to improve productivity, but experts say mental health challenges, staff shortages, and demanding work environments are the real causes behind increasing sick leave.

Healthcare, education, and social services have recorded the highest levels of absenteeism, with researchers pointing to chronic understaffing, low pay, emotional strain, and burnout. Mental health-related sick leave has risen significantly over the past decade, even though such cases account for a relatively small share of total illnesses.

Studies have found little evidence that generous sick-pay policies or telephone sick notes are being widely abused. Instead, experts say improved electronic reporting and waves of respiratory illnesses largely explain the rise in recorded absences. Critics argue that improving working conditions, rather than imposing stricter sick-leave rules, is the key to reducing long-term absenteeism.

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