Spain experienced its first total solar eclipse in over a century on Wednesday, transforming day into night for a brief period. Crowds gathered across the country to witness the spectacle, as the lunar shadow journeyed from the northern coast to the Balearic Islands, captivating onlookers with the Sun’s shimmering corona.

Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption, now in its sixth day, has severely disrupted air traffic in Sicily, prompting Catania–Fontanarossa Airport to suspend all flights. Approximately 443 flights have been cancelled or diverted, affecting travel plans and local events amid peak summer season activity.

Switzerland is increasing water discharge from Lake Lugano to aid Lake Maggiore amid severe water shortages affecting northern Italy. The flow will rise from 3 to 8 cubic metres per second, a temporary measure to support irrigation needs and lake levels, coordinated through the Italian-Swiss Bilateral Consultation Body.

Major wildfires are ravaging parts of Greece, Spain, Italy, and France as temperatures soar due to an intense heatwave. In Greece, nearly 200 firefighters tackled a new blaze near Athens, while Spain evacuated 800 due to ongoing wildfires in Huelva. Italy reported 80,325 hectares scorched this year, and France raised fire risk alerts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia is set to deploy additional North Korean troops and has acquired more ballistic missiles from Pyongyang. He urged Japan and South Korea to enhance air defence support amid escalating military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang.

A significant fire near Niebla, west of Sevilla, has forced the evacuation of approximately 400 individuals as it spreads across over 4,000 hectares. Ongoing firefighting efforts involve 150 personnel on the ground, facing complex conditions due to shifting winds and burning embers, according to Andalusia’s Forest Firefighting Service.