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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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Thousands Bid Farewell to AC Milan Legend Franco Baresi

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Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Milan on Tuesday to pay their final respects to football legend Franco Baresi, whose funeral was held at the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio. The former AC Milan and Italy captain passed away at the age of 66 after a period of ill health, leaving behind one of the greatest legacies in football history.

Baresi spent his entire 20-year professional career with AC Milan, making 719 appearances and captaining the club for 15 seasons. He won 18 major trophies, including six Serie A titles and three UEFA Champions League crowns, while also helping Italy win the 1982 FIFA World Cup and leading the national team to the 1994 World Cup final.

Football icons including Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Alessandro Costacurta and Dida attended the funeral to honour the legendary defender. AC Milan, which retired Baresi’s iconic number six shirt, will also pay tribute to their former captain ahead of their pre-season friendly against Inter.

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Germany’s Services Sector Nears Recovery in July

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Germany’s services sector showed signs of stabilising in July as business activity contracted at a much slower pace and demand began to recover. The HCOB Germany Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 49.8 from 48.6 in June, its highest reading in recent months and just below the 50-point mark that separates contraction from growth.

The survey showed new business increased for the first time in five months, signalling improving demand, while employment declined at the slowest pace since job cuts began earlier this year. Export orders continued to fall but at the weakest rate in five months, suggesting external demand is also stabilising.

Despite the improvement, rising input costs and higher prices charged by businesses highlighted persistent inflationary pressures. Analysts warned that uncertainty surrounding the Iran war, volatile energy prices, and supply chain disruptions continue to pose risks, although Germany’s broader economy returned to growth in July as stronger manufacturing activity lifted the composite output index above the expansion threshold.

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Euro Zone Business Activity Rebounds in July

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Business activity across the euro zone accelerated to an eight-month high in July, driven by a recovery in the services sector and continued strength in manufacturing. The S&P Global Euro Zone Composite PMI rose to 52.0 from 50.0 in June, moving back into expansion territory for the first time since March, while the Services PMI climbed to a five-month high of 51.7.

The improvement was broad-based, with Germany returning to growth and stronger performances recorded in Italy and Spain. France remained the only major economy still in contraction, although at a slower pace. New orders increased at their fastest rate since November, employment stabilised after six months of declines, and business confidence improved despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Analysts said the conflict in the Middle East, particularly the Iran war, continues to cloud the economic outlook. While inflation in input and output costs eased, euro zone inflation edged up to 2.9% in July, reinforcing expectations that the European Central Bank could raise interest rates again in September, potentially weighing on consumer spending and business demand.

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easyJet France Cabin Crew File Strike Notice

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Cabin crew unions representing easyJet France have filed a strike notice covering the period from August 7 to September 2, citing worsening working conditions. While industrial action could take place at any time during this period, unions are required to provide 48 hours’ notice before specific strike dates.

The unions said they remain willing to negotiate and could withdraw the strike notice if management responds positively. They added that an earlier labour dispute had been suspended due to the recent wildfires in France’s Gironde region.

According to the unions, cabin crew have faced ongoing schedule instability, last-minute roster changes, demanding trip rotations, and insufficient workplace protections for nearly a year. easyJet expressed disappointment over the planned action, saying it had already proposed adjustments and urging unions to cancel the strike ahead of scheduled negotiations in September.

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French Coastguards Rescue 157 from Burning Migrant Boat in English Channel

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French coastguards rescued 157 migrants after a small boat caught fire in the English Channel near the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Three coastguard vessels responded to the emergency, safely bringing everyone on board to shore, according to French authorities.

The incident comes just days after three people died attempting the same crossing, highlighting the growing dangers faced by migrants using overcrowded boats to travel from France to the United Kingdom. Human traffickers are increasingly packing more people into fragile vessels, raising the risk of fatal accidents.

The English Channel remains one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, with strong currents making crossings especially hazardous. The latest rescue has renewed calls from both French and British authorities to curb dangerous small-boat crossings and combat human trafficking networks.

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