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Prosecutors Seek Long Jail Term in Norway Royal-Linked Trial

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Norwegian prosecutors have called for a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Høiby, who is on trial over multiple serious charges including rape and assault. They argued he should be convicted on 39 out of 40 charges, stressing the gravity of the allegations. Høiby denies the most serious accusations, maintaining that all sexual encounters were consensual.

The case, heard at the Oslo district court, has drawn intense public and media attention due to Høiby’s connection to the royal family through Mette-Marit. While he is not a formal royal, he grew up within the royal household. During the trial, he admitted to some lesser offences such as drug possession, traffic violations, and breaching a restraining order, but rejected key accusations including multiple rape charges.

Prosecutors emphasized that several alleged victims were asleep or otherwise unable to consent, and said prior consensual relations were irrelevant to the charges. The defence is expected to argue against the most serious claims, with a verdict pending after judges review the case. The trial has lasted several weeks and is expected to conclude shortly.

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Sadiq Khan Urges Labour to Back EU Rejoin

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the Labour Party to commit to rejoining the European Union in its next general election manifesto. In an interview, he described Brexit as damaging economically, socially, and culturally, and said returning to the EU was “inevitable.” He also urged the government to first rejoin the customs union and single market before the expected 2029 election.

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has repeatedly ruled out rejoining those structures. The Conservatives criticized Khan’s remarks, suggesting they reveal divisions within Labour leadership. Meanwhile, Khan hinted that rejoining the EU might not necessarily require another referendum, though he did not explicitly confirm this.

The comments have added to broader political debate, with figures like Angela Rayner raising concerns about immigration policies, and former Prime Minister John Major warning that Brexit has harmed trade and economic stability. Other parties remain split, with some supporting closer EU ties while others strongly oppose any move to rejoin.

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Russia Warns of Threat to Gas Pipelines

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Russia has raised concerns over what it describes as a surge in Ukrainian attacks on key gas infrastructure, particularly compressor stations operated by Gazprom. According to Moscow, these facilities support the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines, which transport natural gas across the Black Sea to Turkey and onward to parts of Europe. While recent attacks were reportedly repelled, officials say their increasing frequency poses risks to critical energy routes.

The pipelines in question are among Russia’s last operational gas links to Europe, supplying countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia. The warning comes at a time when global energy markets are already under strain due to geopolitical tensions, including conflict in the Middle East that has driven gas prices higher.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the attacks threaten both infrastructure and broader energy stability, calling them destabilizing during an already volatile period. Ukraine has not commented on the claims, though it has previously targeted Russian energy assets as part of its strategy, while Russia continues strikes on Ukraine’s power grid.

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Spain Seeks $208M Fine on BBVA Over Spying

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Spain’s anti-corruption prosecutor has called for BBVA to be fined 181.8 million euros ($208.16 million) over allegations that the bank hired a private investigation agency to conduct illegal spying between 2004 and 2016. The case is part of a broader inquiry into several Spanish companies using the agency run by former police commissioner Jose Manuel Villarejo.

BBVA has acknowledged hiring the agency but denied any evidence of spying, stating in its 2025 annual report that the facts under investigation do not imply criminal liability. The probe has involved some former executives, while no current board member is implicated. The scandal has caused reputational concerns but limited direct business impact since the investigation began in 2019.

The prosecutor is also seeking up to 173 years in prison for BBVA’s former chairman Francisco Gonzalez, though Spanish law caps his potential sentence at 15 years. Gonzalez, who stepped down in March 2019 as honorary chairman to protect the bank’s reputation, denies wrongdoing. Spain’s High Court has yet to formally open the trial, marking a potential first for former top corporate executives facing such charges.

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Poland to Ban Phones in Schools

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Poland plans to introduce a nationwide ban on mobile phone use for students under 16 in schools starting September 1, 2026, the country’s education minister said. The move is part of a broader legislative change aimed at improving classroom focus and reducing digital dependency among children aged 7 to 15 in primary education.

Education Minister Barbara Nowacka said the government is finalizing the law, stressing that phone use in schools “cannot be the norm” due to growing concerns over children’s reliance on the internet. The proposal also follows earlier discussions about restricting social media access for children under 15.

Poland joins countries like the Netherlands, South Korea, and Italy that have already imposed similar restrictions. These measures reflect a global trend to limit screen time and address its impact on students’ concentration, behavior, and overall well-being.

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Pope Leo Declares Universal Healthcare a Moral Imperative

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Pope Leo XIV has called on nations to ensure universal healthcare access, describing it as a “moral imperative” for any just society. Speaking at a healthcare conference in Vatican City, he emphasized that access to medical services is essential to human dignity and social justice.

The pope stressed that healthcare must not become a privilege for a few, urging governments to prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations. He warned that inequality in access to healthcare could lead to broader social injustices and even conflict if left unaddressed.

Building on the stance of his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo highlighted the importance of solidarity and collective responsibility in building inclusive healthcare systems. He encouraged global cooperation to create systems that ensure care for all, reinforcing the idea that health is a fundamental right, not a luxury.

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Cattle Disease Outbreak Spreads Across Russia Amid Doubts Over Diagnosis

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A cattle disease outbreak has spread across at least 10 regions in Russia, with authorities identifying cases as pasteurellosis or rabies. Quarantine measures have been imposed in affected areas, including Chuvashia, while a state of emergency has been declared in Novosibirsk as officials attempt to contain the situation.

However, farmers and veterinary experts have raised concerns over the diagnosis, arguing that pasteurellosis is treatable and should not require mass culling. Critics say authorities are acting hastily by destroying livestock without confirmed test results, sparking protests and growing distrust among farmers, particularly in heavily affected regions.

A government commission has been deployed to investigate the response, as the outbreak threatens Russia’s agricultural ambitions, including export growth to Asian markets like China. The situation could impact the country’s efforts to expand its livestock industry and maintain global veterinary standards.

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Macron and Merz Set Talks to Save Europe’s FCAS Fighter Project

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Leaders of France and Germany are set to discuss the future of the troubled Future Combat Air System (FCAS) during an upcoming EU summit. The project, which also includes Spain, aims to develop a next-generation air combat system but is now at risk due to ongoing disputes between major industry players.

The conflict centers around disagreements between Dassault Aviation and Airbus over control and leadership of the fighter jet program. While Dassault is pushing for greater authority over the aircraft’s core development, Airbus insists on maintaining equal partnership terms, creating tensions that threaten to derail the €100 billion initiative.

Despite growing concerns, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz are expected to explore ways to keep the project alive. A collapse of FCAS could significantly reshape Europe’s defense industry, potentially shifting alliances and boosting rival programs like the UK-led GCAP fighter initiative.

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Drifting Russian LNG Tanker Sparks Explosion Fears in Mediterranean

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A damaged Russian LNG tanker, Arctic Metagaz, is drifting uncontrolled in the Mediterranean Sea, raising serious concerns among European officials. The vessel, carrying large quantities of liquefied natural gas along with fuel oil and diesel, suffered major damage earlier this month and is now unmanned, with a visible breach in its structure.

Authorities in Italy have warned that the tanker poses an “environmental bomb” risk and could explode at any moment. The ship is currently moving away from Italian waters toward Libya, while officials continue to monitor its path closely. The incident is believed to be linked to a suspected drone attack, though Ukraine has not confirmed involvement. Earlier, Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for the attack.

Environmental groups, including the World Wildlife Fund, have issued high-alert warnings, highlighting the risk of a major ecological disaster. A potential spill or explosion could severely impact marine life and protected ecosystems in the region, making the situation both a geopolitical and environmental crisis.

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Far-Left Candidate Exits Marseille Mayoral Race to Block Far-Right

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Sebastien Delogu, representing the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, has withdrawn from the second round of Marseille’s mayoral election in an effort to prevent the far-right National Rally (RN) from winning the city. Delogu had secured nearly 12% of votes in the first round, trailing Socialist incumbent Benoit Payan and RN candidate Franck Allisio, who received 36% and 35% respectively. His withdrawal leaves a three-way contest between Payan, Allisio, and conservative Martine Vassal in the upcoming vote on Sunday.

Delogu stated that he was pulling out to avoid endorsing a strategy that could threaten the city, while criticizing Payan for declining a formal alliance to unify opposition against the far-right. The RN, known for its anti-immigration and eurosceptic policies, has historically struggled in urban areas, but Marseille’s security challenges, including drug- and gang-related violence, have given the party a chance at a significant victory.

The withdrawal comes amid last-minute negotiations between left-wing parties across France to block RN candidates, with agreements reached in some cities such as Lyon and Toulouse, but not in Marseille, Paris, and Lille. In the capital, LFI candidate Sophia Chikirou urged the Socialists to merge lists, emphasizing the urgency for the left to act responsibly and prevent right-wing control of city halls.

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