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Heatwaves Worsen Europe’s Prison Overcrowding Crisis

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Europe’s intense summer heatwaves are exposing severe overcrowding and poor conditions in ageing prisons across France, Italy, and Belgium. Inmates, prison officials, and rights groups say extreme temperatures inside overcrowded cells have made living conditions increasingly unbearable, with many facilities lacking proper ventilation, air conditioning, or cooling equipment.

Prison occupancy rates have reached 141.3% in France, 139.7% in Italy, and 121% in Belgium, placing additional strain on ageing infrastructure. Authorities have introduced temporary measures such as increased access to water, extra showers, fans, and sun cream, while prison directors report rising tensions, more inmate clashes, and greater stress among staff during heatwaves.

Governments and prison rights groups say long-term solutions require reducing overcrowding and modernising prison facilities. Italy has pledged to expand prison capacity and introduced measures allowing some inmates with addiction issues to serve sentences under rehabilitation programmes, while officials across Europe acknowledge that ageing prison infrastructure remains a major challenge as climate change intensifies heatwaves.

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US Ski Resort Giants Face Price-Fixing Lawsuit

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Major U.S. ski resort operators, including Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company, have been sued in a federal court in Colorado over allegations of price-fixing. The proposed class-action lawsuit claims the companies worked with a ski industry association and a research firm to coordinate prices for lift tickets and multi-mountain season passes, affecting thousands of customers.

The lawsuit alleges the resort operators shared confidential pricing, revenue, and cost data with research firm RRC Associates, which then produced reports that helped guide pricing strategies across the industry. Plaintiffs also claim the widespread use of a shared dynamic-pricing platform contributed to coordinated pricing and reduced competition.

The defendants have not yet responded to the latest lawsuit. This is the second major antitrust case filed against Vail and Alterra in recent months, following an earlier lawsuit accusing the companies of unfairly bundling access to multiple ski resorts through season pass programmes.

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Germany Investigates Suspected Drone Attack at Airport

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German federal prosecutors have launched an investigation into a suspected drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, describing it as a potential threat to national security. Authorities said a drone carrying professional explosives and a detonator was found near the runway, while another suspected drone reportedly collided with a cargo aircraft, which later landed safely with minor damage.

The incident temporarily disrupted operations at the airport, a major cargo hub used by DHL, Lufthansa Cargo, Amazon, and NATO’s Strategic Airlift programme. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the event as a hybrid attack, and investigators are examining whether it was an attempt to target critical transport infrastructure.

No suspects have been identified, and officials have not confirmed who was behind the incident. However, authorities have not ruled out the involvement of foreign actors, and the investigation remains ongoing as Germany assesses the security implications of the attack.

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Spain Identifies Victims After Ceuta Migrant Tragedy

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Spanish authorities have deployed additional police and forensic experts to identify the 80 migrants who died following last week’s mass crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. Most of the victims will be buried in Ceuta in the coming days, while fingerprints and DNA samples are being collected to help identify those who remain unnamed.

The unprecedented influx overwhelmed Ceuta’s forensic services, prompting authorities to establish a larger temporary morgue and bring in additional staff. Officials have also opened a border office where families can report missing relatives and provide DNA samples, as many continue searching for loved ones who disappeared during the crossing.

According to officials, many of the victims died from drowning-related cardiopulmonary arrest. Only a handful of bodies have been identified so far, with further DNA testing underway. Authorities said burials will follow Muslim funeral practices, while identified victims may later be repatriated to their home countries if requested by their families.

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Europe Races to Build Next-Generation Water Bombers

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European startups are accelerating efforts to develop new firefighting aircraft as wildfires become more frequent and severe across the continent. With nearly 500,000 hectares burned in Europe this year, companies are designing new or converted water-bombing aircraft to reduce reliance on the ageing Canadair fleet that has dominated aerial firefighting for decades.

French startups Positive Aviation and Kepplair are leading the push by converting ATR-72 aircraft into firefighting planes, while other companies in France, Italy, and Belgium are working on entirely new amphibious aircraft. However, experts warn that designing, certifying, and manufacturing these specialised aircraft requires significant funding, technical expertise, and years of development.

The startups also face competition from De Havilland Canada’s new DHC-515 water bomber, expected to enter service in 2028. Despite the challenges, European innovators believe growing concerns over climate-driven wildfires and increasing political support could create opportunities for a new generation of firefighting aircraft.

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Germany Warns of Russian Disinformation Ahead of State Elections

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German security sources say Russia has intensified disinformation campaigns ahead of next month’s state elections, with online content reportedly targeting political rivals of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Authorities believe the campaign aims to deepen political divisions and undermine Germany’s governing parties, including the CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP.

German officials said the operation, known as the “Matryoshka” campaign, spreads fabricated videos on social media using the branding of well-known news organisations to make false allegations against politicians. While the Interior Ministry says the campaign has not gained significant online traction, it continues to monitor the situation closely, calling it a serious threat.

Russia’s embassy in Berlin rejected the accusations, describing them as “anti-Russian hysteria” and denying any interference in Germany’s internal affairs. German security officials, however, maintain that the campaign is centrally coordinated from Russia, adding that the country remains alert to foreign influence attempts ahead of the elections.

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Gary Glitter Appears in Court Over Historic Sex Offence Charges

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Former British pop star Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, appeared before a London court on Wednesday facing new historic sex offence charges involving a young girl. Prosecutors allege the offences took place between 1978 and 1981 at his London home, when the alleged victim was between eight and eleven years old. She reported the allegations to police in 2025.

The 82-year-old denies the accusations and is charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14. Appearing via video link from prison, Gadd confirmed his identity and told the court he was “extremely deaf.” He has been remanded in custody until his next hearing at London’s Old Bailey on September 2.

Gadd is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence imposed in 2015 for sexually abusing three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980. He has also served previous prison terms in the UK and Vietnam for offences involving minors, making the latest case another chapter in his long history of criminal convictions.

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Ceuta Seeks Mainland Transfer for Migrant Minors

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Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta is seeking the transfer of more than 1,000 unaccompanied migrant minors to mainland Spain following last week’s massive migrant influx. While most of the 72,000 migrants who crossed into Ceuta have returned to Morocco, the remaining children cannot be immediately deported and are being housed in overcrowded shelters, warehouses, or temporary accommodation.

The local government says reception centres have exceeded capacity, prompting charities and residents to provide food, blankets, and shelter to vulnerable children and pregnant women. Under Spain’s immigration law, unaccompanied minors from overstretched regions must be relocated within 15 days after their cases are processed, though political disagreements could delay the transfers.

The Spanish government has approved €25 million in emergency funding for Ceuta and urged regional authorities to share responsibility for caring for the minors. However, several regional governments have opposed mandatory relocations, setting the stage for a political dispute as authorities work to identify and protect the children.

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Infantino Apologises, Stays FIFA President

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Gianni Infantino has apologised for mistakes linked to FIFA’s controversial proposal to sell stakes in major tournaments to private investors. After an emergency meeting in Rabat, Morocco, FIFA’s management board reaffirmed its full support for Infantino, allowing him to remain president despite growing criticism.

The proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan faced backlash from UEFA and several football officials, who criticised the lack of transparency. FIFA acknowledged errors in handling the proposal and its communication after the plans were leaked, while insisting all actions complied with its regulations and promising stronger governance.

Although Infantino retains strong backing from many member associations in Asia and Africa, opposition from UEFA continues to grow ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election. Critics, including former Portugal star Luis Figo, have called for his resignation, while FIFA says reforms will help restore confidence in the organisation.

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French Streamers Receive Suspended Jail Terms Over Livestreamed Death

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Two French livestreamers have been given suspended prison sentences after being convicted of assaulting and humiliating a man during a livestream that ended with his death. The victim, 46-year-old Raphael Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove, was subjected to days of abuse on the streaming platform Kick before he died.

A court in Nice found the two men guilty of violence and incitement to hatred but did not convict them of causing Graven’s death, which prosecutors said was likely due to his poor health. The defendants argued that the acts had been scripted and carried out with the victim’s consent, though the court ruled that some conduct could not be justified by consent.

One streamer received an 18-month suspended sentence and a €5,000 fine, while the other was handed a two-year suspended sentence and fined €15,000. Both were also banned from posting on social media for six months. The case has intensified scrutiny of online streaming platforms, with Kick remaining under investigation by French authorities.

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