Oct 10, 2026, 04:30 AM UTC

Extreme weather continues across Western and Southern Europe as recurring summer heatwaves cause historical temperature spikes, health alerts, and thousands of excess deaths.

Italian health authorities issued red weather warnings for 27 major cities during the country's fourth heatwave of the season, advising residents to take precautions as temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius. In Austria, a meteorological station near Vienna registered a new national record high of 40.8 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, French officials reported over 7,300 excess deaths across 52 heatwave days recorded between May and July. Meteorological services in France and the United Kingdom are now bracing for an additional surge of heat with temperatures again approaching 40 degrees Celsius, alongside ongoing drought conditions and elevated wildfire risks across the continent.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, DR, TV 2 Nyheter, VG (Verdens Gang)

Hungarian Transport Minister Dávid Vitézy announced that a private equity fund linked to businessman Lőrinc Mészáros has reimbursed 2.27 billion forints to the state. The repayment follows an official audit into a 64.5 billion forint transaction involving three electronic toll management companies acquired under former minister János Lázár.

Following the financial recovery, state authorities are expanding their investigation to target IT entrepreneur Gábor Emőri. Emőri spent twelve years developing and operating Hungary's national electronic toll network, becoming one of the primary beneficiaries of state technology contracts. Investigators are currently reviewing historical procurement agreements to determine whether additional public funds should be reclaimed.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex

Norway's economic crime agency, Økokrim, has rejected assertions by defense counsel John Christian Elden minimizing the corruption probe into former diplomats Mona Juul and Terje Rød-Larsen. First State Prosecutor Marianne Bender confirmed the high-priority investigation is far more extensive than claimed and faces delays while awaiting formal responses from US authorities.

Investigators are also scrutinizing an Oslo apartment linked to the couple. Juul is charged with gross corruption, while Rød-Larsen faces complicity charges; both deny criminal wrongdoing. Rød-Larsen recently expressed remorse over his past connection to Jeffrey Epstein, stating, "Jeg beklager i dag dypt det forholdet jeg hadde til Epstein," and acknowledging he should have severed ties earlier.

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

Czech child welfare authorities are facing increased pressure as reports of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation reached over 10,000 cases in the past year. In response to rising statistics and more than 3,600 child removals, the Czech Ministry of Justice proposed streamlining court procedures in domestic violence and custody disputes to bypass lengthy expert evaluations.

However, legal experts and child protection advocates emphasize that structural issues remain unaddressed. The Czech ombudsman and social welfare organizations noted that the system lacks standardized guidelines and specialized support services for vulnerable families. Experts warn that official figures represent only a fraction of actual abuse cases, while debate continues over whether the statistical surge reflects worsening social conditions or heightened public vigilance.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Deník N, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Seznam Zprávy

A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Panama on Friday, triggering tsunami alerts across Central and South America. The United States Geological Survey initially recorded the tremor at magnitude 8.0 before revising the figure to 7.6. The epicenter was located near Pitaloza Arriba at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Tremors shook buildings in Panama City, roughly 300 kilometers away, and were felt as far as Colombia and Costa Rica. The main shock was followed by several significant aftershocks, including tremors measuring 6.0 and 6.6 in magnitude.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas in Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico, warning of potential hazardous waves.

Sources: Aftenposten, DR, Morgunblaðið, NRK, Svenska Dagbladet