Europe Live

UK PM to announce support for France in setting up missile assembly lines during his Kyiv visit, as coalition of willing the meets later todayBurnham visits Ukraine with promise of boost for Kyiv’s long-range missilesHello and welcome to our live coverage of Europe. I am kicking us off but Jakub Krupa will be taking over a little later on.UK ⁠prime ⁠minister Andy ​Burnham arrived in ⁠the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Monday alongside a number of European leaders ⁠to mark ​the ‌country’s independence ‌day. Continue reading...

• Real Madrid is currently facing difficulties increasing their lead in a match against Espanyol. • The live updates indicate a struggle for Madrid to secure a dominant position on the scoreboard. • This result is significant as it reflects Madrid's current form and their ability to break down defensive opponents.

Zelenskyy says Russia had been preparing for a long time, combining different types of missilesAt least 12 people were killed and 40 injured in a series of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.“It was a massive attack – the Russians had been preparing for a long time, combining different types of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, aiming to cause as much damage as possible to civilian infrastructure. There is destruction in Kyiv and the region, as well as in the Odesa and Chernihiv regions,” Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Continue reading...

Investigation into unnamed lawmakers comes hours before parliament is due to to vote on successor to Mykhailo Fedorov as he calls for electionsDefence and security editorArtem Bronzhukov, a Ukrainian political analyst, questioned whether it would be practical to hold elections given that Russian bombing was continuing.“Today there is no clear understanding of how to ensure people’s safety in the context of a full-scale war.” Continue reading...

• The UK labour market showed continued loss of momentum in June, characterized by weaker hiring conditions and a cooling in wage growth. • Private-sector wage growth slowed to 2.8%, marking its weakest pace since 2020, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.9%. • A decline in job vacancies further reinforces the trend of a softening labour market across the United Kingdom.

Estonia’s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna condemned the overnight Russian attacks on UkraineSome first pictures from this morning’s earthquakes in Granada are emerging on social media…Andalusian president Juanma Moreno urged residents to maintain “maximum caution” as more seismic movements and aftershocks may happen. Continue reading...

Wildfire thought to be largest in Belgium’s history creeps closer to German border prompting evacuationsBelgium’s King Philippe will visit the area affected by what is believed to be the largest wildfire in the country’s history this morning, after a weekend of intense firefighting in the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve.The fire has been raging since Friday afternoon, burning more than 3,000 hectares of land, provisional figures show. Continue reading...

• Day three of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham featured standout performances from top athletes, including a gold medal win for Finland's Silja Kosonen. • Kosonen, 23, secured the women's hammer title with a mark of 76.28m, followed by Italy's Sara Fantini (74.35m) and Norway's Beatrice Nedberge Llano (72.88m). • Matthew Hudson-Smith continued his record-breaking run, placing him among the most successful male medallists in the competition's history alongside figures like Mo Farah and Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

Four people taken to hospital in Stourbridge, West Midlands with 500 people evacuated in southwest FranceFour taken to hospital and homes damaged in West Midlands firesUK prime minister Andy Burnham also responded to the wildfire in West Midlands, saying his thoughts are with everyone affected.“I’m in touch with local leaders like [West Midlands Mayor] Richard Parker and will be speaking to emergency services on the ground as they continue their response.Our firefighters are working in incredibly difficult conditions and putting themselves at risk to keep others safe. A huge thank you to them and everyone supporting the effort tonight.”“Please stay safe and follow their advice.” Continue reading...

In France, 80 departments have been placed on an orange heat warningWell, that was quick.Straight off the back of the solar eclipse last night, we’re heading into a solar inferno as extreme heat returns today, with temperatures above 40C in parts of Spain and up to 38C in London and Paris. Continue reading...

Eclipse to be witnessed by tens of millions across western Europe as enthusiasts gather along path of totalityNicola Davis and Oliver HolmesA wide band of north and central Spain, plus a sliver of Portugal and parts of Greenland and Iceland will experience a rare total eclipse. Continue reading...

Russian attacks on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least six people and injured 20, officials saidOvernight Russian attacks on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least six people and injured 20, officials said. Another six people were killed and 16 injured in attacks on Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk, Reuters reported.Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Zaporizhzhia “was struck with North Korean ballistic missiles, Zircons, and guided aerial bombs.”“Every step Russia takes – increasing ballistic missile production, bringing in North Korean equipment, preparing for mobilisation – all of this shows that Moscow is preparing not for peace, but for escalation. And the world needs to respond now, not wait.” Continue reading...

• The European Athletics Championships 2026 will be hosted in the UK for the first time in 92 years. • The seven-day event will take place at Birmingham's Alexandra Stadium, featuring the continent's elite track and field athletes. • This event marks a historic return of the championships to British soil, highlighting the UK's role in hosting major international athletics.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that strikes on such facilities were directly linked with putting more pressure on MoscowMeanwhile, at least five people died in a Russian strike on Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, regional prosecutor’s office said.“On 10 August, Russian forces carried out a massive artillery strike on the residential area of the village of Bugaivka in the Chuguiv district. Various houses were destroyed as a result of the enemy attack. Five people were killed,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Telegram, quoted by AFP. Continue reading...

Zelenskyy says military managed to hit two refineries in targeted attacks At least six people were killed and 36 injured in another round of Russian overnight attacks on Ukraine, targeting the eastern city of Balakliia and the northern region of Sumy.But the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, noted that Ukraine’s military managed to hit two Russian refineries in targeted attacks, hitting “Russia’s oil revenues, which it uses to finance the war and the killing of Ukrainians.” Continue reading...

Ukrainian president tells allies that anti-ballistic measures could have saved lives as at least 17 die and more than 40 are injured in huge attackUkraine shot down 98 of the 115 drones fired by Russia overnight, the country’s air force said. But it was unable to shoot down any of the missiles, preliminary statistics from the air force showed.Kyiv can intercept the vast majority of drones, but still relies on supplies from allies to counter missiles, AFP noted. Continue reading...

PM Péter Magyar says country nearly forced into decision as extreme heat and low water levels in Danube pose challenges in regionHungary has come “within millimetres” of having to shut down its nuclear power plant overnight, prime minister Péter Magyar said, as low water levels in the Danube continue to pose challenges for countries in south-eastern Europe.“Around 1:30 a.m. we were a few millimetres away from completely shutting down the Paks Power Plant, but then the water level stopped falling and by morning it had risen 1.5 centimetres. The last turbine is currently operating safely,” Magyar said on social media. Continue reading...

Farmers warn impact of high temperatures, drought and wildfires on range of foodstuffs means costs will increaseFarmers across Europe are warning of a slump in food production and rising prices as crops from maize to salads suffer as a result of extreme heat, drought and wildfires.Olive groves have also been hit as the climate crisis drives temperatures across the continent to fresh record highs, meaning the cost of olive oil – already at elevated levels – is expected to start rising again. Continue reading...

Temperatures forecast to reach 37C in Budapest and Vienna as Hungary switches off vital nuclear plant with falling water levels in Danube affecting cooling capabilitiesThe latest heatwave seen in western Europe last week are now moving eastwards, with large parts of central and southern Europe set to experience extreme temperatures near 40C, and putting countries at risk of an energy crunch.Hungary was forced to shut down most of its sole nuclear power plant, which generates a large part of the country’s energy supply, for the first time in 44 years as the drying out of the Danube made it impossible to cool safely. The nuclear plant ‌is expected to ​be completely powered down later ⁠this week ​as water ​levels ​on ​the ‌Danube ​river are projected ​to fall further. Continue reading...

• New European Union regulations now require that users be explicitly notified when they are interacting with AI or viewing AI-generated and edited content. • The European Commission’s newly established AI Office will monitor compliance among model developers, including major firms like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind. • Experts express concern over "disclosure fatigue," fearing that constant warnings may lead users to ignore the labels as AI becomes more integrated into daily life.

• French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that France will not seek Spain's removal from the Schengen visa-free travel zone following a mass border crossing crisis in the enclave of Ceuta. • The statement follows accusations from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who slammed some EU nations, including Italy, for "selfish" and "polarising" responses to the influx of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco. • Sánchez argued that calls to suspend Spain from the Schengen area were fueled by "prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest" rather than factual necessity.

Twenty-two people were injured in overnight attack in which Kyiv said it was able to shoot down just one of 27 Russian ballistic missilesThere has been an update by the Spanish government on the Ceuta border crisis, with officials saying the death toll has risen to 67. The government also announced plans to install a containment barrier extending from the breakwater into the sea to deter further crossings after tens of thousands of migrants entered the Spanish enclave from Morocco this week, AP reported.The Spanish foreign minister, José Albares, said that “practically the entirety of those who entered Ceuta have already returned to Morocco”. In a post on X, he added:It is not possible to travel from Ceuta or Melilla to mainland Spain without presenting identification at a police checkpoint. The integrity of the Schengen area is fully guaranteed. Continue reading...

• European markets saw major indices reach new highs during the morning session on July 31, 2026. • The USD/JPY pair extended its rebound above 160 following a Bank of Japan decision and speculation regarding market intervention. • Eurozone inflation experienced a slight uptick in July, adding volatility to currency and bond markets.

PM Pedro Sánchez expected to visit territory today as Italy demands Spain be suspended from the Schengen area amid concerns over fresh migration crisisAt least 19 people died as thousands of migrants breached the Spanish-Moroccan border in Cueta yesterday, prompting concerns about a fresh migration crisis and questions over the implications for the European Union.A spokesperson for the Guardia Civil force, which polices Spain’s borders, said ⁠the migrants were “massively entering from the sea” through the Tarajal breakwater, but could not provide an estimate of the numbers. Continue reading...

Huge missile and drone attack on Ukraine as Poland’s Tusk prepares to travel to impact site discovered in east of countryAt least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in another night of heavy Russian attacks on Ukraine, with neighbouring Poland also investigating an reported airspace violation and explosion on its territory.Russia launched 74 missiles and 284 drones against targets in Ukraine, with casualties reported primarily in Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions. Continue reading...

Authorities fear progress in containing the fires in the Gironde and Madrid regions may be set back by temperatures expected to hit the low 40sFrance and Spain are braced for the fourth heatwave of the summer to hit just as they were making progress battling destructive wildfires, with temperatures once again expected to cross into high 30s and low 40s celsius later today.Sophie Brocas, the ⁠prefect of Gironde and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, said overnight that the fire remained contained this morning, with several flare-ups quickly brought under control. Continue reading...

Emmanuel Macron warns that ‘we have to hold out’ as fires burn near city; Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez warns of ‘difficult hours’ aheadFrance and Spain race to contain huge wildfires before fresh heatwave beginsThe return of searing temperatures, from today in France and tomorrow in Spain, will complicate efforts to fight massive wildfires raging in the Bordeaux region and a number of sites in Spain.On a visit to a crisis centre in Bordeaux, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, warned:“The coming weeks will be tough and we have to hold out.” Continue reading...

• A new European live show, modeled after the TBPN style, has launched following a $1.6 million seed funding round announced on Monday. • The investment comes from a diverse group of media powerhouses, including Powerhouse Capital, Axel Springer SE, LadBible, and angel investors from OpenAI and DeepMind. • The project aims to foster cross-cultural collaboration by bringing together different minds and creative perspectives to develop unique media products.