Spain
A 30-year-old tourist from the United States died after being struck by lightning on Mount Etna while climbing a closed section during a thunderstorm. Another tourist died in South Tyrol, and four Spaniards were evacuated.
Intense heatwaves and drought have led to catastrophic vegetable and grain harvests in Europe. Corn production in France will fall by 35%, while losses in Italy exceed €3 billion.
The remains of three kings of Aragon were moved to a museum in Huesca due to the threat of fires. The monastery is currently undamaged, but the evacuation continues.
Geely Automobile's second-quarter profit rose 36% to 4. 9 billion yuan, in line with expectations. The company announced the resignation of Li Shufu as chairman, appointing him honorary chairman for life.
The man is suspected of illegally registering a deceased person's apartment, causing losses of UAH 1 million. He was extradited from Spain and taken into custody.
Moroccan authorities arrested 294 migrants and 61 Moroccan citizens for aiding attempts to cross the border into Ceuta. This happened after calls on social media for a mass border crossing.
During the night of August 16, a Spanish F-18 fighter jet shot down a drone that had entered Romanian airspace from the direction of Moldova. The debris fell in an uninhabited area of Galați County.
Since the beginning of summer, 474 people suspected of intentional or accidental arson have been detained in France. Fires have also affected Croatia, Germany, Greece, and Spain.
On August 15, Moroccan security forces used tear gas and detained some of the migrants who were trying to cross the border. This followed a mass influx at the end of July, when at least 94 people died.
Ukrainian race walker Liudmyla Olyanovska finished third at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, setting a national record. This is Ukraine's third medal at the tournament.
Spain and Morocco have stepped up security along the Ceuta border following calls on social media for a new mass migrant breakthrough on August 15. An additional 300 police officers and 2,000 military personnel have been sent to the enclave.
Strong winds caused a forest fire in the Croatian town of Omiš, which engulfed homes and forced around 1,000 people to evacuate. 36 people received medical attention, 14 were hospitalized, and seven are in serious condition.
Morocco’s justice minister said that the extradition agreement with Spain could be suspended over the legalization of migrants. Rabat is also demanding the immediate return of more than 1,300 Moroccan minors from Ceuta.
Due to the drought affecting 38% of the EU's territory, farmers are forced to use their winter feed stocks early. This is leading to a reduction in livestock numbers and lower milk production in France.
During the live broadcast of the solar eclipse, NASA showed a map of Europe on which Crimea was separated from Ukraine by a border line. The peninsula was depicted as if it belonged to Russia.
Millions of people in Britain and Europe saw a rare solar eclipse, which became the largest for Britain since 1999. A total eclipse could be observed in Spain, Greenland and Iceland, and it lasted less than two minutes.
Former "Barcelona" player Xavi Hernández has become the new head coach of the Netherlands national team, replacing Ronald Koeman. The Spaniard's contract will run until the 2030 World Cup.
On Wednesday, millions of people in Spain gathered to see a total solar eclipse that lasted less than 2. 5 minutes. This is the first such phenomenon in the country in more than a hundred years.
The SBU dismantled an international drug smuggling channel, arresting 10 participants. The value of the seized cocaine and psychotropic substances is approximately UAH 70 million.
Millions of people in Spain and Iceland are preparing to watch a total solar eclipse. Authorities expect up to 6 million visitors in Spain and up to 80,000 in Iceland.
Ahead of the total solar eclipse on August 12, hotel prices in Reykjavik rose by 140%, while in A Coruña they more than doubled. A tourism boom has swept Iceland and Spain, where additional tourist spending of €342 million is expected.
Record heat in the EU will result in losses of €180 billion, equivalent to 1% of GDP. Labour productivity and agriculture will be hit hardest.
A total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, visible in the Arctic and parts of Europe. In Ukraine, the partial phase will be visible in the western regions, with the best conditions in Uzhhorod.
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will occur in the sign of Leo. Astrologer Kseniia Bazylenko advises avoiding hasty decisions during this period.
Spain has introduced border controls at all air and sea crossings with Italy due to a dispute over migrants. Italy had previously suspended the Schengen Agreement, citing an influx of migrants into Ceuta.
The Financial Times reports that Ukraine is a "complex dilemma" for the EU: its army is valuable, but corruption and other issues raise concerns. Brussels is considering reforming the accession process, proposing phased integration.
The United States confirmed Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, accusing the Sánchez government of being unable to protect its borders. Around 72,000 illegal migrants arrived in Ceuta last week.
Vilnius University climatologist Arūnas Bukantis stated that Europe is already experiencing its fourth heatwave this summer, which will not be the last. Temperatures in Western Europe reached 43 degrees, setting records for certain months.
The partial solar eclipse on August 12 will lead to a reduction in solar power generation in the EU by nearly 9,700 MW. No disruptions to electricity supplies are expected, as the eclipse will occur after the production peak.
EU interior ministers expressed full solidarity with Spain following the influx of migrants into Ceuta. Of the approximately 72,000 people who crossed the border, 70,000 have already been returned to Morocco.