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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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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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Moscow Court Orders Arrest of Boris Nemtsov’s Daughter

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A Moscow court has ordered the arrest in absentia of Zhanna Nemtsova, the daughter of slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, over her involvement with an organisation that Russia has designated as “undesirable.” Nemtsova, who has lived outside Russia since 2015, co-founded the Germany-based Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom, which was banned in Russia in 2024.

Responding to the ruling, Nemtsova dismissed the court’s decision in a social media post, noting that the foundation operates legally from Germany. Under Russian law, participation in or support for organisations labelled “undesirable” can result in prison sentences.

Boris Nemtsov, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, was assassinated near the Kremlin in 2015. Although five men were convicted for carrying out the killing in 2017, his supporters have long argued that those who planned and ordered the murder have never been brought to justice.

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Italy’s Beach Access Debate Intensifies as Free Beach Campaigners Clash with Lido Operators

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Italy’s coastline has become the centre of a growing debate as campaigners demand greater public access to beaches, while private lido operators defend the paid services they provide. Popular seaside destinations such as Santa Severa feature stretches of privately managed beaches where visitors pay for amenities including umbrellas, sun loungers, restaurants, lifeguards and family-friendly facilities. Operators argue these services ensure safety, cleanliness and a better beach experience for visitors.

Campaigners, however, say free public beaches are often limited to less desirable locations, including rocky shorelines or areas near drainage outlets, making access unequal for those unable or unwilling to pay. They argue that public beaches should receive better maintenance and essential facilities such as showers, rubbish bins and lifeguard services from local authorities rather than relying on private operators. The issue has become increasingly visible during the busy summer tourism season as demand for affordable beach access grows.

The dispute also has legal and political dimensions. The European Union has long urged Italy to adopt a more transparent system for awarding lucrative beach concessions, but reforms have progressed slowly. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government extended existing beach licences until September 2027, with a possible extension to March 2028. Meanwhile, concession allocations in several coastal towns are under review by Italy’s highest administrative court, as campaigners continue to push for beaches they believe should remain accessible to everyone.

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Five Bosnian Climbers Die on Mount Elbrus

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Five climbers from Bosnia and Herzegovina have been confirmed dead after being caught in a severe storm on Russia’s Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. Rescue teams managed to evacuate two survivors, who were taken for medical treatment, while recovery efforts continue under difficult weather conditions.

Russian emergency authorities recovered the bodies of two climbers from an altitude of around 5,350 metres. The bodies of three more victims have been located, but poor weather and strong winds have delayed their evacuation from the mountain.

According to Bosnian media, the seven-member climbing expedition was from the town of Zenica and included a married couple and a female doctor. Mount Elbrus, standing at 5,642 metres near the Georgia border, is known for its rapidly changing weather, making rescue operations particularly challenging.

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ICC Member States Vote on Whether to Remove Prosecutor Karim Khan

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Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are voting on whether to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan has strongly denied the accusations, with his legal team arguing that the dismissal process is unfair and unsupported by evidence. The outcome of the secret ballot is expected later on Friday.

The vote comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the ICC, with the United States renewing criticism of the court, particularly after Khan sought arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Several member states, including France and the Netherlands, have announced their support for Khan’s removal.

If enough member states vote to dismiss Khan, the ICC will begin the process of selecting a new chief prosecutor. However, any existing arrest warrants issued by the court will remain valid, as only ICC judges have the authority to withdraw them. The decision is expected to have significant implications for the court’s leadership and global standing.

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Judit Polgar Declines Hungary’s Presidential Nomination

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Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar has declined the nomination to become Hungary’s next president, a day after Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced his intention to nominate her for the largely ceremonial role. Polgar thanked the government for its confidence but said she did not feel capable of taking on the responsibility of uniting a divided nation.

The nomination came as part of the new government’s broader political reforms following Peter Magyar’s election victory, which ended the 16-year rule of Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party. Hungary is also preparing to draft a new constitution, and parliament is expected to elect an interim president until the new constitutional framework takes effect.

Widely regarded as the greatest female chess player in history, Polgar is the only woman to have been ranked among the world’s top 10 players and the only female player to surpass the prestigious 2700 Elo rating. Her decision keeps the search for Hungary’s next president open as lawmakers move ahead with the country’s political transition.

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Germany Arrests Moldovan Man Over Suspected Drone Surveillance of Defence Facility

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German authorities have arrested a 37-year-old Moldovan man on suspicion of flying a drone over the premises of a major defence manufacturer in what investigators believe may have been an act of surveillance. The suspect was detained on July 15 after members of the public alerted police about the drone activity.

According to Munich prosecutors, the man is suspected of recording sensitive defence facilities on behalf of a foreign entity or a banned organisation. An arrest warrant has since been issued as investigators continue to examine the purpose of the drone flight and any possible links to foreign intelligence or prohibited groups.

A security source identified the targeted company as KNDS, the Franco-German defence manufacturer known for producing the Leopard 2 main battle tank and the Caesar self-propelled howitzer. The incident comes amid heightened security concerns across Europe over the use of drones near military and critical infrastructure.

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Italy Coalition Seeks Pardon for Jeweller

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Italy’s ruling coalition has called for a presidential pardon for 72-year-old jeweller Mario Roggero after the country’s Supreme Court upheld his prison sentence for killing two robbers during a 2021 jewellery store robbery. Roggero was sentenced to 14 years and nine months in prison after the court ruled that he exceeded the limits of legitimate self-defence by chasing and shooting the suspects after the immediate threat had ended.

The case has drawn strong support from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition, which argues that the jeweller was protecting himself, his family, and his business. Coalition leaders have announced plans to collect signatures for a pardon request, which would be reviewed by Italy’s Justice Ministry before being submitted to President Sergio Mattarella.

The incident continues to divide public opinion in Italy, with supporters viewing Roggero as a victim of violent crime, while critics maintain that the use of deadly force outside the shop went beyond lawful self-defence. Roggero has continued to assert his innocence and thanked supporters as he surrendered to begin serving his sentence.

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Ukraine Seeks Joint Investigation with Monaco in High-Profile Bombing Case

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Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko has called for a joint investigation with Monaco into a high-profile bombing that targeted a Ukrainian-born businessman. In a statement shared on Telegram, Kravchenko said he held consultations with Monaco’s prosecutor to strengthen cooperation and advance the cross-border investigation.

The request comes after a key suspect linked to the bombing was found dead near Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, earlier this week. Ukrainian authorities believe closer coordination between the two countries will be essential to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the attack and identify any additional individuals involved.

Kravchenko reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to full international legal cooperation, stating that the country is ready to work closely with Monaco in accordance with established legal procedures. He also expressed hope that Monaco would demonstrate the same level of cooperation as the investigation continues.

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