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France Bans Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls

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France has introduced a nationwide ban on unsolicited telemarketing calls, a move consumer advocates have described as a major victory for privacy. Businesses across all sectors can no longer make marketing calls without prior consent, except when contacting customers about an existing contract.

Consumer group Que Choisir Ensemble welcomed the change, saying people should have the right to peace and privacy without being treated as potential customers in their homes. A 2025 parliamentary report found that 97% of French people are annoyed by telemarketing calls, while 72% said they received such calls on their mobile phones at least once a week.

The restrictions have drawn criticism from business groups and raised concerns in Morocco, whose call-centre industry depends heavily on French clients. One Moroccan government minister estimated the changes could threaten up to 50,000 jobs. France now joins countries including Germany, Austria and Italy in imposing significant restrictions on unsolicited marketing calls.

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Meta and TikTok Agree to Fact-Check Content After Deadly Ceuta Border Rush

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Meta and TikTok have agreed to work with fact-checkers to address misleading content about migration routes into Spain following a deadly rush at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The agreement was announced by EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, who said the move aims to prevent criminal networks from using false information to encourage migrants to attempt dangerous crossings.

More than 70,000 people reportedly rushed toward Ceuta from Morocco on July 30, with nearly 100 people reported dead. Viral videos on social media were among the content that helped fuel the rush. Under the new crisis mechanism, Meta and TikTok will cooperate with fact-checkers and take action against content linked to people smuggling.

European Commission officials and Europol are monitoring the situation closely and holding daily discussions with the platforms. The EU said the companies can voluntarily block or reduce the visibility of harmful content, while the Commission does not directly order them to remove posts. Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two enclaves in North Africa, remain key routes for migrants seeking to enter Europe.

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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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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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Ceuta Struggles After Massive Migrant Border Crossing

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Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta is struggling to cope after a massive migrant surge last week, with local authorities estimating that between 3,000 and 5,000 people remain in the territory. Hundreds of migrants have set up makeshift camps on local beaches, while reception centres for adults and minors have exceeded capacity. Spain says around 69,500 migrants have already been returned to Morocco in recent days.

The crisis has placed particular pressure on services for children, with more than 860 migrant minors currently under protection in Ceuta. Many migrants said they remained in the enclave after facing food shortages, closed shops, hostility from locals, and being unable to continue their journey to mainland Spain. The official death toll stands at 72 on the Spanish side and 11 on the Moroccan side.

The border crisis has also triggered diplomatic tensions within the European Union and renewed debate over migration policy. Spain praised Morocco for cooperating in the return of thousands of migrants but also called for stronger support from EU partners. Meanwhile, questions are being raised over whether Spanish intelligence services had sufficient warning before the mass crossing occurred.

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Spain Installs Floating Barrier After Deadly Ceuta Border Rush

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Spain has begun installing a 500-metre floating barrier along the coast of its North African enclave of Ceuta after migrant crossings fell to nearly zero overnight. The move follows a massive border rush in which around 50,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco, with authorities saying more than 48,000 were returned within 48 hours.

The incident claimed at least 67 lives, with many migrants drowning or being crushed while attempting to cross the border. Spanish officials blamed human-smuggling networks for spreading misinformation and exploiting vulnerable migrants. The government said additional police and military forces will remain deployed while border security measures continue.

The crisis has sparked concern across Europe, prompting 22 EU member states to call for an emergency meeting on border security. Spain has urged a coordinated European response while reaffirming that Morocco remains a key partner in managing migration and maintaining the security of the EU’s external border.

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Ceuta Declares Emergency After Surge in Migrant Arrivals

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Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta is facing a humanitarian and security emergency after around 1,500 migrants reached the territory by swimming from Morocco over the past week. Local leader Juan Jesus Vivas said the sudden influx has overwhelmed reception facilities, with hundreds of migrants forced to sleep outdoors and shelters for unaccompanied minors operating far beyond capacity.

Vivas described the situation as a national emergency and called for an immediate, coordinated response from the Spanish government. In response, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is set to visit Ceuta to meet local authorities as the government works to strengthen border controls and expand humanitarian assistance. Moroccan security forces are also helping to reduce further arrivals.

Officials said migrant arrivals are averaging about 300 people per day, raising concerns of a repeat of the 2021 migration crisis, when nearly 10,000 people entered Ceuta within days. Vivas also highlighted the human cost of the dangerous sea crossings, noting that dozens of bodies have been recovered in recent months, and urged reforms to Spain’s immigration laws following a recent Supreme Court ruling on migrant returns.

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Spanish Cardinal Suspends Himself Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

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Cristóbal López Romero, the Spanish cardinal and Archbishop of Rabat, has suspended himself from public ministry after allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward adult women. The Vatican confirmed that a preliminary investigation has been launched following the accusations.

According to reports, at least five women have accused the 74-year-old cardinal of sexual assault. López Romero has denied all allegations, stating that he committed neither assault, violence, nor sexual harassment. He also pledged to cooperate fully with the Vatican’s investigation.

To avoid influencing the inquiry, López Romero said he would refrain from leading public religious celebrations and participating in pastoral activities until the investigation is completed. A cardinal since 2019, he has been regarded as a progressive figure within the Catholic Church and was previously considered a potential papal candidate.

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Europe and NW Africa Hit by Floods and Freezing Cold

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Weeks of persistent wet and cold weather have caused widespread disruption across Europe and north-west Africa. Storm Leonardo forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with emergency services and the military assisting residents. In Portugal, the government extended a state of emergency as heavy rain continues, while Storm Marta is expected to bring additional rain, strong winds, and mountain snow to the region.

Southern Europe has experienced record rainfall, with areas like Grazalema in Spain receiving 672mm in just 36 hours, nearly equal to London’s annual rainfall. Flooding has closed over 100 roads and disrupted high-speed rail services, while north-west Africa has seen severe rain and evacuations, especially in Morocco, where more than 140,000 people have been displaced due to overflowing rivers and full dams. Authorities continue to warn residents in flood-prone regions to leave immediately.

Meanwhile, Scandinavia and the Baltic have been gripped by extreme cold due to a persistent high-pressure system over the region. Lithuania recorded -34.3°C, while northern Sweden experienced its second coldest January on record. This high-pressure area has blocked milder Atlantic weather, leading to ongoing floods in southern Europe and freezing temperatures in the north. The pattern is expected to continue, with the possibility of cold air spreading further west, bringing frost, ice, and snow to other parts of Europe.

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