MIGRANTS: Italy’s coastguard searched by sea and air today for the more than 60 people, including 20 children, missing after a boat capsized in the Mediterranean earlier this week.

A fishing boat was the first to respond and rescued 12 people, one of whom later died. Doctors Without Borders said that the survivors have suffered both psychological and physical trauma, and “remained very confused.”

CHAD: At least nine people were killed and more than 40 injured after a fire set off explosions at a military ammunition depot in N’Djamena today, leaving locals fearing an armed attack was taking place.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, and while the president said an investigation would be conducted, locals called on the government to “come to our aid urgently” amid families recording deaths.

GREECE: Scores of firefighters and water-bombing aircraft fought to contain a large wildfire on the fringes of Athens today that saw authorities issue evacuation orders for nearby settlements.  

It came hours after the fire service managed to bring under control another blaze east of Athens as the country battles its wildfire season which has seen a large number of deaths in recent years.

EUROPE: France was among seven nations scolded by the European Union Commission today for running up a large amount of debt, recommending they start a so-called “excessive deficit procedure.”

The EU sets out targets for member states to keep their deficit within 3 per cent of GDP and overall debt within 60 per cent of output, although warnings are often disregarded by countries like France and Germany.