Heatwave in Europe: UK braces for record temperatures; Italy issues red alert for 16 cities
Europe is facing an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C in the UK, while Italy has declared a red alert in 16 cities, including Rome and Milan.
France recorded the hottest day in its history, with over 90% of the population facing extreme temperatures and 40 people losing their lives while bathing in unattended areas.
The heat wave is expected to spread towards Eastern Europe, bringing warnings and emergency measures to the Netherlands, Poland, Croatia and Hungary.
Merz backs plans to raise Germany's retirement age to 70 in pension changes
Germany is planning to gradually raise the retirement age to 70 from the early 2090s, as part of reforms to protect the pension system in the face of an aging population.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports the proposals, which also include linking the retirement age to life expectancy and abolishing early retirement after 45 years of work.
The changes have sparked debate, as critics argue they will particularly affect workers in physically demanding professions, while the government insists they are necessary to guarantee the sustainability of the system in the future.
Crimea isolated as Putin acknowledges 'huge influx' of Ukrainian drones
Crimea is facing increasingly tough restrictions as Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian infrastructure on the peninsula, hitting railway bridges, fuel depots and energy facilities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time that a "huge wave" of Ukrainian drones is causing problems in energy supplies and the tourism sector, while local authorities have closed sports activities, summer camps and imposed restrictions on transport and trade.
Meanwhile, fighting continues to cause casualties in Ukraine, while diplomatic tensions between Russia, Ukraine and Western allies remain high.
Israel continues to commit genocide by targeting children in Gaza, UN investigation finds
A new report by the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel continues to commit genocide in Gaza by deliberately targeting Palestinian children, who make up about 30% of the war's victims according to the report's findings.
The investigators argue that attacks on children, forced displacement, restrictions on humanitarian aid and damage to the health system are undermining the ability of the Palestinian people to survive and build their future.
Israel has rejected the accusations, calling the report biased and defamatory, while the international debate over its actions in Gaza continues to rage.
