Europe

Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst highlighted ongoing plague cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar, stating the laboratory connection makes the current incident more concerning. He also noted that COVID-19 has returned this winter in a milder form, differing from previous years.

Former German intelligence chief August Hanning is under investigation by Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly obtaining classified information, including state secrets, from a former employee of the Federal Intelligence Service. Accusations involve espionage and the continued receipt of confidential documents after his tenure.

The investigation into the unexpected death of popular Greek singer Giorgos Mazonakis has captured significant attention in Greece and Cyprus. Mazonakis collapsed during a scheduled plasmapheresis at a central Athens medical practice, raising critical questions about the procedure’s handling and the facility’s compliance with health regulations.

August 2026 was officially confirmed as the hottest month on record, matching July 2023, with a global average temperature of 16.96°C, 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels. This trend indicates a continued climate crisis exacerbated by global warming, significantly impacting European weather patterns and ecosystems.

Norway held a minute of silence during King Harald V’s funeral, attended by European royals and global leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Britain’s Prince William. This event concludes 13 days of national mourning for the 89-year-old monarch, who died on 28 August.

US forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday after a series of missile attacks on American warships, according to US Central Command. In response, Iran launched missiles at US targets in Jordan, though Jordan reported no casualties from intercepted threats. The conflict escalates amid ongoing hostilities.

Passengers travelling to and from the UK faced severe flight disruptions on Tuesday after a technical glitch impacted air traffic control systems. Over 1,000 flights were cancelled, with significant delays reported at major airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, as NATS worked to resolve the issue.

Russia resumed drone strikes on Kyiv following a three-day halt coinciding with US envoy visits. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported attacks in Boryspil and Fastiv districts, while air raid alerts prompted residents to seek shelter. Peace discussions between US envoys and both Russian and Ukrainian leaders continue.

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