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Fire at Russian Oil Refinery Extinguished After Drone Attack

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A fire at Russia’s Ilsky oil refinery in the southern Krasnodar region was extinguished on Saturday after debris from a Ukrainian drone caused a blaze at the facility, local authorities said.

Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces had targeted both the Ilsky and Syzran oil refineries overnight, reporting fires at both sites. Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defences had destroyed 397 Ukrainian drones across several regions, while officials in the Samara region confirmed that drones had targeted an industrial facility without identifying it.

The attacks are part of Ukraine’s ongoing strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, which Kyiv says are aimed at disrupting resources used to finance Russia’s war effort. The Ilsky refinery has an annual processing capacity of more than 6 million tonnes of crude oil, while the Syzran refinery can process around 8.5 million tonnes. Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims from either side.

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Rare Serbian Eagle Feliks Freed After Rescue From Poachers

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A rare eastern imperial eagle named Feliks has been rescued from animal traffickers and released back into the wild in Serbia after months in captivity. The critically endangered bird was captured by poachers in Syria after leaving its nest last year, with the traffickers later demanding a ransom for his release. Serbian conservationists refused to pay, fearing it would support the trafficking network.

After lengthy negotiations, Feliks was transferred to a wildlife centre in Beirut, Lebanon, where he spent more than six months recovering. Serbian peacekeepers later transported him to Palic Zoo on a military aircraft, where his health was closely monitored following the difficult journey. After more than a month of rehabilitation, Feliks was released into the wild on Thursday.

The rescue is significant for Serbia’s conservation efforts, which have helped increase the country’s eastern imperial eagle population from just one breeding pair in 2017 to 29 pairs this year. Conservationists hope Feliks will regain his strength, establish a territory and eventually breed, helping support the recovery of the endangered species.

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Trump Administration Pays $1.2 Billion to Halt RWE US Wind Projects

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German energy company RWE will abandon its offshore wind projects in the United States after reaching a $1.2 billion payout agreement with President Donald Trump’s Department of the Interior. The company will relinquish leases off the coasts of California, Louisiana and the New York Bight, saying there was no foreseeable path to securing permits for the projects.

RWE plans to redirect the investment toward conventional energy projects, including about $900 million for a liquefied natural gas export terminal in Louisiana. Despite ending the wind projects, the company said it expects to invest around €17 billion in the US over the next six years to expand its generation capacity.

The deal is the latest move by the Trump administration to curb offshore wind development and encourage fossil fuel investment. Similar agreements have been reached with TotalEnergies and Duke Energy this year, with the companies redirecting planned offshore wind investments toward LNG and conventional oil and gas projects.

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Bus Driver Knocks Explosive Drone Away at German Airport

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A bus driver at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany reportedly kicked an explosive-laden drone out of the air after spotting it flying at low altitude, potentially preventing a major attack, a senior German lawmaker said. The drone crashed nearby and was later found to have been equipped with professional explosives and a detonator. Authorities have launched a counterterrorism investigation into the incident.

Leipzig/Halle is an important cargo and military logistics hub, serving as the main operational base for NATO’s Strategic Airlift International Solution and handling operations for companies including DHL. German media reported that the drone was found close to Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft. Authorities have not identified the drone’s origin or explained how it entered the airport’s restricted area.

Officials praised the driver’s bravery but warned that his actions were extremely dangerous and should not be repeated. Saxony’s Interior Minister Armin Schuster said alerting authorities would have been sufficient. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also discussed the incident with senior government officials as investigators examine whether the drone was part of a planned attack.

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Spain Pressures Italy to Lift Border Controls Amid Ceuta Migration Crisis

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Spain has threatened to impose restrictions on travellers from Italy unless Rome removes border controls introduced after a mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Madrid called the Italian measures unjustified and discriminatory, giving Italy until Sunday to reverse the restrictions. Italy, however, rejected what it described as ultimatums from Spain and said the controls would remain in place for now.

Italy suspended parts of the EU’s Schengen free-travel rules for non-EU nationals arriving from Spain, citing concerns over a possible new migration wave. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government said it would reconsider the decision only after receiving assurances that there would be no fresh influx, security or terrorism threats, or movement of irregular migrants towards other parts of Europe. Spanish authorities have warned of online calls for another attempted border crossing into Ceuta on August 15.

The dispute has deepened tensions between the two EU allies, whose governments have taken different approaches to migration policy. Spain argues that migrants who entered Ceuta cannot simply access the wider Schengen area, while Italy maintains that the controls are necessary as a precaution. The crisis has also highlighted the growing political divide between Meloni’s tougher immigration stance and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s comparatively more liberal approach.

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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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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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