Eurotopics.net

A court in Damascus has sentenced Syria's former president, Bashar al-Assad, to death in absentia. He was charged with premeditated murder of multiple people, torture, arbitrary imprisonment, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Assad and his brother Mahir, who was also sentenced to death, fled to Russia in December 2024. At present there is no indication that they will be extradited.

Countries across Europe are reporting record-breaking temperatures this summer. Many are experiencing extreme droughts, water levels in rivers and lakes are at lower than ever before, and wildfires are causing mass evacuations.

In a video conference to discuss the migrant crisis in Ceuta, the EU interior ministers have made a show of support for Spain. "The EU is united and stands ready to support Spain", concluded Ireland's Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan, who chaired the meeting. Following last week's surge of more than 70,000 migrants into the Spanish exclave in North Africa, 22 EU member states led by Italy and Denmark had initially harshly criticised Madrid over the incident.

The record-breaking heat in many European countries is also causing significant water shortages. Groundwater and river levels are dropping, the soil is drying out and vegetation is withering. Commentators voice concern, but also make clear recommendations.