About this Episode
A severe heatwave is affecting large parts of Europe, pushing temperatures above 40 degrees and putting public services under strain. Italy placed all 27 monitored cities under its highest heat alert, while Austria recorded a national temperature record of 41.2 degrees. Hungary reduced output at its Paks nuclear plant because low Danube water levels restricted access to cooling water. France and several Balkan countries remain on high wildfire alert. Authorities say the extreme heat is also disrupting transport, tourism and electricity supplies.
A German court has sentenced an Afghan man to life imprisonment for last year’s Munich car-ramming attack, which killed a two-year-old girl and her mother and injured dozens of people. Farhad N. was convicted of two murders, 23 attempted murders and 22 counts of bodily harm. Judges found a particularly grave level of guilt, making early release unlikely. Prosecutors said he acted from religious motives after becoming radicalised through online content. Experts concluded that his mental health did not reduce his criminal responsibility.
Student protests in India’s Jharkhand state have entered their thirteenth day over alleged irregularities in government recruitment exams. More protesters have joined an indefinite hunger strike in the state capital, Ranchi. Students are demanding the cancellation of several examinations, federal investigations and reforms to recruitment bodies. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has invited protesters for talks and promised that his government will address their concerns.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino will remain in office after the organisation’s management board backed him during a crisis meeting. FIFA apologised over a proposal to sell a 20% stake in a new World Cup commercial rights company to private investors in a deal valued at €3.6 billion. The plan was withdrawn following opposition from football organisations. UEFA had threatened a World Cup boycott, while several confederations criticised the lack of consultation. FIFA has promised an internal review, and Infantino is expected to seek re-election at the FIFA Congress in March.
