Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Sunday 16 August
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu meets Turkish President Erdoğan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met on the margins of the UN General Assembly to discuss deepening bilateral ties and advancing a potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal.
Torrential rain causes flooding and landslides in Spain
Torrential rain triggered flooding and landslides in rural north-western areas of Spain, killing two elderly women and injuring two babies.
England battles nearly 200 wildfires amid ongoing hot, dry conditions
Fire crews in England have tackled nearly 200 wildfires in the first part of August, amidst ongoing hot and dry conditions. Authorities urge public caution to prevent additional fires, highlighting strain on emergency services.
Eight states condemn Israel's rejection of US Gaza plan
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia issued a joint communiqué condemning Israel's dismissal of the US president's Gaza roadmap, warning it could derail diplomatic efforts.
Migrants demonstrate in Ceuta for asylum and regularization
Several hundred migrants who arrived during the late-July surge demonstrated in Ceuta, calling for asylum and regularization. Spain's Interior Minister stated that those who entered irregularly will not be allowed to remain in the enclave.
German direct investment in US drops 65% in first half of 2026
German companies reduced direct investment in the United States by nearly two-thirds in the first half of 2026, reaching 4.3 billion euros. This marks the lowest level since 2023, according to an IW study based on Bundesbank data, indicating a cooling economic relationship.
Hamas chief meets Egyptian intelligence head to advance Gaza peace plan
Hamas political chief Khalil al-Hayya met with Egyptian intelligence head Hassan Rachad in Cairo to advance the Trump administration's 15-point roadmap for Gaza, which Israel has rejected. Hamas reiterated its readiness to implement the plan.
US envoy Kushner holds talks with Hamas in Cairo
US negotiator Jared Kushner met with Hamas' leader in Cairo to advance the stalled Gaza disarmament and governance roadmap. Hamas reiterated its acceptance of the plan, contingent on Israel meeting its commitments.
US imposes up to 100% tariffs on drones, components, and docking stations
The US implemented tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones, components, and docking stations, citing national security. Lower rates apply to products from the EU and UK, signaling a transactional use of trade relief for security partners.
Polish Foreign Minister proposes European Legion
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski proposed a permanent 'European Legion' that would include Ukrainian veterans, suggesting a new structure for European defense. The proposal was made in an interview with Kathimerini.
European heatwaves expose insurance gap as business losses mount
The latest wave of extreme heat across western Europe is sharply increasing business losses, revealing a large "protection gap" between economic damage and insured payouts. This underscores how climate risks remain largely uninsured.
Russia conducts combined drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure
Russia’s defence ministry stated it carried out combined drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian logistics centres, as well as energy and transport infrastructure used by the Ukrainian military.
US administration presses Apple to avoid Chinese memory chip suppliers
The Trump administration is reportedly pressing Apple to avoid sourcing memory chips from Chinese manufacturers, citing national security and supply chain concerns.
Moroccan authorities intercept hundreds of migrants near Ceuta
Moroccan authorities intensified border enforcement near Ceuta, intercepting hundreds of migrants in coordinated operations two weeks after a mass crossing. This action reflects ongoing efforts to control irregular migration into the Spanish enclave.
Ukraine launches one of its largest drone attacks against Russia
Ukraine conducted one of its largest aerial drone attacks of the war, with Russia claiming to have intercepted 822 drones, including approximately 600 targeting the Moscow region. This resulted in at least six civilian deaths and damage to infrastructure.
Romania declares state of energy emergency after Danube drought forces nuclear shutdown
Romania declared a state of energy emergency and sought voluntary consumption cuts from businesses and households after record-low Danube levels forced the disconnection of its sole operating nuclear reactor.
Russia launched over 1,550 drones and 62 missiles against Ukraine in one week
President Zelensky reported that Russian forces launched more than 1,550 attack drones, nearly 1,560 aerial bombs, and 62 missiles against Ukrainian cities and communities over the preceding week.
Russia launches ballistic missiles and drones against Kyiv and Kryvyi Rih
Russian forces launched ballistic missile and drone attacks against Kyiv and Kryvyi Rih, causing fires and casualties. One person was killed and at least six wounded in Kryvyi Rih, while Kyiv reported one injury and damage to non-residential areas.
Romania disconnects nuclear reactor due to low Danube water levels
State-owned Nuclearelectrica began disconnecting its only operating reactor from the grid because Danube water levels are too low to safely cool the equipment.
Ukrainian drone reaches refinery in Siberia's Tyumen region
A Ukrainian drone struck an oil refinery in Siberia's Tyumen region, more than 1,600 km from Ukraine's border, among Kyiv's furthest deep strikes of the war. Regional governor Alexander Moor confirmed a fire at the refinery. The raid also targeted Yekaterinburg and Kirov.
Colombian president asks Trump to suspend tariffs after earthquake
President Abelardo De la Espriella asked Donald Trump in a phone call to temporarily suspend US tariffs on Colombian goods. This request follows a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that killed nearly 300 people, citing the devastation as the reason for the tariff suspension.
Saturday 15 August
US Commerce Secretary warned Apple to avoid Chinese memory chip suppliers
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick publicly stated the administration is "not in favor" of Apple purchasing memory chips from Chinese firms CXMT and YMTC, warning the company to avoid these suppliers for its Mac product line.
Israeli airstrikes kill nine in southern Lebanon
Israeli warplanes struck the villages of Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani in southern Lebanon, killing at least nine people, including three children. This marks the deadliest attack since a fragile ceasefire took effect in June, straining the US-mediated framework.
Israeli airstrike kills seven in southern Lebanon
An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon killed seven people, including civilians, marking one of the deadliest incidents since the June 2026 truce and framework agreement. This event tests the fragile border security architecture between Israel and Lebanon.
EU officials counter Ceuta mass arrival disinformation
EU officials in Brussels responded to viral social media calls suggesting thousands would attempt to enter Ceuta, engaging major platforms like TikTok and Meta to address disinformation related to the alleged mass arrival.
Trump orders overhaul of US Navy and shipbuilding base
President Trump has ordered a major overhaul of the US Navy and its shipbuilding industrial base, citing rising costs and delivery delays. The directive aims to rebuild naval capacity and streamline procurement, potentially reshaping defense-industrial relationships with allies.
Lebanese Prime Minister calls for Israeli withdrawal timetable
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for a clear timetable for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon under the late-June Washington framework agreement. This comes amid concerns that continuing Israeli strikes are eroding public confidence in the deal.
Trump signs proclamation imposing tariffs on drone imports
President Trump signed a proclamation implementing tariffs on drone imports and components, citing national security concerns.
Spain tightens security in Ceuta and Melilla
Spain reinforced security measures, including new barbed wire, around its enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla following online calls encouraging attempts to cross from Morocco, emphasizing border hardening.
Trump administration implements new trade strategy with targeted duties
The Trump administration is shifting its trade strategy from broad tariffs to targeted sectoral duties, tighter rules of origin, and intensified enforcement against alleged circumvention.
Ukrainian forces strike Russia’s Savasleyka military airbase
Ukrainian forces reportedly struck Russia’s Savasleyka military airbase, which stores MiG‑31 aircraft capable of launching Kinzhal ballistic missiles. Kyiv presented this as targeting assets directly linked to Russia’s long‑range missile campaign against Ukraine.
Italy's Foreign Minister links Schengen suspension to Ceuta crisis
Antonio Tajani, Italy's Foreign Minister, connected the temporary Schengen suspension and tighter border checks with the Ceuta crisis, while simultaneously supporting large-scale regular labor migration under EU rules.
Israeli strikes kill 11 in southern Lebanon
Israeli air raids on southern Lebanon killed at least 11 people, including women and children, in one of the deadliest incidents since the June 20 truce and the June 26 framework agreement on Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament.
EU deploys aircraft to Belgium for record wildfire
The EU deployed three helicopters and two water-bomber aircraft to eastern Belgium after the country requested emergency assistance to tackle a blaze in the High Fens nature reserve, which has become Belgium's largest wildfire on record.
Ukraine targets Progress rocket and space center in Samara
Ukraine claimed long-range strikes against the Progress rocket and space center in Samara, using Flamingo cruise missiles. Russian regional authorities reported a rocket attack and localized damage to industrial infrastructure, confirming a fire at a plant in the city.
US imposes 100% tariffs on imported drones
The Trump administration introduced tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones and components, applying a 15% rate to some EU, Japanese, Swiss, and Taiwanese goods if hardware and technology originate from those places and the US, deepening the use of trade policy as leverage.
Lebanon and Israel open new direct border talks in Rome
Lebanon and Israel initiated a new round of direct border talks in Rome, aiming to stabilize their frontier despite recent escalations. These discussions follow a US-mediated framework agreement from June.
Morocco foils mass irregular migration attempt towards Ceuta
Moroccan authorities blocked a mass attempt by irregular migrants to cross from Fnideq into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, following intensified cooperation between Rabat and Madrid. This action comes amid online calls for another large-scale crossing.
Flooding in Spain kills two people amid extreme weather conditions
Flooding in Spain killed two people following heavy rainfall and flash floods, after weeks of heat and drought. This incident illustrates how climate impacts can rapidly shift between water scarcity and excess, stressing local infrastructure.
Zelenskyy congratulates Poland on Battle of Warsaw anniversary
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy marked the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw and Polish Armed Forces Day, recalling Ukrainian soldiers' role in 1920 and calling for Moscow's defeat today. This signal event highlights historical parallels in regional security.