Europe

Switzerland is increasing water discharge from Lake Lugano to aid Lake Maggiore amid severe water shortages affecting northern Italy. The flow will rise from 3 to 8 cubic metres per second, a temporary measure to support irrigation needs and lake levels, coordinated through the Italian-Swiss Bilateral Consultation Body.

Major wildfires are ravaging parts of Greece, Spain, Italy, and France as temperatures soar due to an intense heatwave. In Greece, nearly 200 firefighters tackled a new blaze near Athens, while Spain evacuated 800 due to ongoing wildfires in Huelva. Italy reported 80,325 hectares scorched this year, and France raised fire risk alerts.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has replaced four-star General Oleksandr Syrskyi with Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as commander-in-chief amid protests following the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. This leadership change aims to restructure military command and respond to internal criticism.

Spain’s national football team celebrated their World Cup victory with an open-top bus parade through Madrid, drawing over one million supporters. Celebrations featured jubilant fans chanting and displaying mobile phones, as players raised the trophy, marking Spain’s return home after 16 years since their last win.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated a possible government reshuffle following the resignation of CDU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn. Merz aims to announce Spahn’s successor by month-end, amid growing pressure from key state elections. Chancellery Minister Thorsten Frei is a leading candidate for the role.

Two significant wildfires are currently active in Spain, notably in Guadalajara and Zaragoza provinces, with emergency services combating a blaze near La Mierla that has scorched nearly 9,900 hectares. Evacuations have affected 16 villages as authorities report extreme conditions exacerbated by strong winds.

The US National Transportation Safety Board has released findings from its investigation into the helicopter crash that killed Agustín Escobar, head of Siemens’ Spanish division, and his family. The report identified remains of geese in the rotor blades, highlighting the risks posed by bird strikes in aviation.

Venezuela has reported 5,069 fatalities from two powerful earthquakes that struck on 24 June. Rescue operations, involving international teams, continue amid severe damage, particularly in La Guaira. The interim government has secured $346 million from the IMF for reconstruction, as over 20,000 are displaced into temporary camps.

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