Aug 13, 2026, 02:30 AM UTC

A document sent by French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin to the Interior Ministry, revealed by Le Monde, has highlighted significant structural failures within France's judicial and law enforcement systems regarding investigations into sexual violence against minors. Synthesizing feedback from 37 general prosecution offices following the death of a child named Lyhanna, the letter details problems including lost case files, abandoned investigations, untracked caseloads, and severe staffing shortages. Addressing child sexual abuse has become a central priority for the French government amid widespread public outrage over institutional oversights. Authorities are seeking to reform procedural tracking and allocate resources to eliminate delays in judicial proceedings.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération.

Norwegian track and field athletes are navigating a period of loss and impending transition as they compete at the European Athletics Championships.

The team is mourning the death of key support staff member Atle McAdam, with Olympic champion Karsten Warholm dedicating his performances to McAdam's memory. Warholm stated that the squad would run in his honor during the 4x400-meter mixed relay alongside Amalie Iuel, Henriette Jæger, and Andreas Ofstad Kulseng.

The championships also signal an upcoming shift for the successful training group led by coach Leif Olav Alnes. Iuel confirmed she will retire after the current season, marking the end of the long-standing core group that has featured Warholm, Iuel, and Elisabeth Slettum.

Sources: Aftenposten, NRK, VG

Norwegian authorities and courts are handling several prominent correctional and consumer disputes across the country. According to official statistics, Norway's prison waiting queue rose by 39 percent year-over-year to 603 individuals by the end of July.

In legal affairs, state lottery operator Norsk Tipping is considering a proposed settlement involving a 17,000-person class-action lawsuit, which would enter plaintiffs into a dedicated million-kroner draw to avoid trial. Meanwhile, a court issued a verdict in a dispute between fishermen and a landlord over canceled trips caused by closed salmon rivers. Additional consumer complaints emerged as a family was denied a refund by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) following a boat breakdown, and a mother demanded 350,000 kroner in damages from remediation firm Recover over mold contamination.

Sources: Aftenposten, Dagens Næringsliv, NRK, TV 2 Nyheter, VG

Former political figure Valter Lavitola appears before a judge at Rome's Rebibbia prison following his arrest over an alleged plot against Report journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, an investigation that has sparked fresh political friction over the investigative program.

Concurrently, a series of judicial and administrative matters have unfolded across Italy. In Puglia, a pioneer initiative is deploying 14 prison inmates as lifeguards to address coastal staffing shortages and support rehabilitation. Meanwhile, local health administrators in Treviso revoked private practice authorizations for three hospital surgeons after private investigators uncovered timekeeping and scheduling irregularities.

Additionally, former health official Dr. Roberto Rigoli publicly reflected on his acquittal in a long-running pandemic testing probe, while journalist Adriano Cappellari admitted to fabricating an arson attack in Enego.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, La Stampa.

Millions of observers across Western Europe gathered on Wednesday, 12 August, to witness a rare solar eclipse that darkened parts of the continent. The phenomenon began over northern Russia before sweeping across western Iceland and northern Spain, plunging those regions into total darkness.

In neighbouring countries, including France and Belgium, observers witnessed a significant partial eclipse during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Astronomical agencies noted that this event marked the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. Spectators gathered in major cities and coastal areas to watch the moon pass directly between the Earth and the Sun using protective eyewear.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, RTBF Info, Le Soir