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- Greek authorities investigate Giorgos Mazonakis’s sudden death at clinic
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Europe
The investigation into the unexpected death of popular Greek singer Giorgos Mazonakis has captured significant attention in Greece and Cyprus. Mazonakis collapsed during a scheduled plasmapheresis at a central Athens medical practice, raising critical questions about the procedure’s handling and the facility’s compliance with health regulations.
August 2026 was officially confirmed as the hottest month on record, matching July 2023, with a global average temperature of 16.96°C, 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels. This trend indicates a continued climate crisis exacerbated by global warming, significantly impacting European weather patterns and ecosystems.
Norway held a minute of silence during King Harald V’s funeral, attended by European royals and global leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Britain’s Prince William. This event concludes 13 days of national mourning for the 89-year-old monarch, who died on 28 August.
Belgium’s three regions have announced the introduction of a road tax starting 1 May 2027, affecting both domestic and foreign drivers. The tax requires vehicle registration, with annual fees ranging from €90 for zero-emission cars to €125 for higher polluting vehicles.
The French government has activated the “Orsec extreme heat plan” for nine departments due to a persistent heatwave, with red alerts extended to 24 areas, including Ile-de-France. This unprecedented measure is aimed at protecting vulnerable populations amid increasing wildfires, which have already burned twice as much land as last year.
Andy Burnham, a veteran politician, has garnered support from 322 Labour MPs in his bid to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader. With nominations closing on 16 July, Burnham stands poised to become the sole candidate, potentially taking office on 20 July following a special conference.
Jamie Shea, former NATO security adviser, articulates a shift towards NATO 3.0, emphasising it will predominantly be “a European show” rather than an American-led initiative. He notes the US is expected to play a reduced role in collective defence, diverging from its historical influence during the Cold War.
More than 6,500 participants began a peace march in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 8 July, commemorating the victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. Over three days, walkers will cover 100 kilometres, visiting significant sites of the tragedy before arriving in Potocari for the memorial on 10 July.
Barcelona recorded its highest ever temperature of 40.5C on Wednesday, exceeding the previous record of 40C set in July 2024. The heatwave, which began on Sunday, is expected to persist, prompting AEMET to issue red warnings for extreme heat across Catalonia and Valencia.
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