Europe

• Ukraine: UK rejects Russian threats after drones are used offensively 21 August 2026
  Andy Burnham has rejected Russian threats after Moscow warned that the UK would ‘pay’ for supplying Ukraine with drones reportedly used in strikes deep inside Russia. British ministers said the government would not be bullied and would continue supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. The Russian embassy in London, accusing Britain…
• Ukraine: Zelensky under more pressure after another corruption scandal 21 August 2026
  Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Iryna Mudra as deputy head of his office, hours after anti-corruption investigators searched her workplace. The announcement gave no reason for the dismissal. Ukraine’s two anti-corruption organisations are investigating alleged criminal activities involving current and former lawmakers and senior presidential officials. The inquiry, called Operation Forrest…
• Europe: millions of people witness a total eclipse of the sun 14 August 2026
  A total solar eclipse has crossed parts of Europe for the first time in nearly thirty years, drawing millions of spectators from Greenland and Iceland to Spain. The eclipse’s path of totality initially crossed remote Arctic and North Atlantic areas before reaching Iceland and northern Spain, where observers experienced darkness…
• Europe: record low levels of water in major rivers 14 August 2026
  Record-low river levels have been reported across parts of Europe as prolonged heatwaves and drought continue to affect major waterways. The Rhine reached unprecedented lows at Cologne and Lobith, while extremely low levels were recorded at many monitoring stations along both the Rhine and Danube. Reduced water depth threatens commercial…
• Germany: drone with explosives found near Ukraine jet 7 August 2026
  German authorities are investigating after a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The incident prompted the temporary closure of both runways while bomb disposal specialists secured the device and safely removed its detonator. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the operation…