Aug 4, 2026, 09:30 AM UTC

Spanish and Moroccan authorities continue to face the aftermath of a major border crisis in Ceuta and Melilla. Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas stated up to 80,000 migrants attempted entry, with several thousand remaining in the enclave. Conversely, Moroccan officials acknowledged 40,000 entries into Ceuta and 1,135 into Melilla, while confirming 11 deaths in its territory.

Rabat denied accusations of relaxing border security, linking the migration wave to a Spanish court ruling and criticizing European political discourse. In Madrid, administrative strain emerged after the government dismissed a National Security Department official over published border statistics. Meanwhile, Spanish military personnel have been deployed to assist border management amid reported friction between Spanish ministries over crisis handling.

Sources: Canarias7, Diário de Notícias, El Día, El Mundo, La Vanguardia

US President Donald Trump claimed Washington is engaged in "very friendly" negotiations with Iran, describing the discussions as a final opportunity for Tehran to reach an agreement. Iranian officials previously denied that any talks were under way or planned.

The statements coincide with reports of cyberattacks against US municipal water infrastructure. Following disruptions reported in Minnesota, authorities in Michigan confirmed similar cyber activity in local communities, though officials stated that all systems remain secure and the issues were resolved. US authorities suspect Iranian involvement in the incidents, with reports suggesting the scope of the intrusions may be wider than initially acknowledged.

Meanwhile, recent polling conducted by The Economist and YouGov indicates a decline in approval ratings for President Trump ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

High temperatures across southern and central Europe are projected to linger between 35°C and 40°C through the end of the week, sustaining elevated wildfire risks. Recent blazes in France and Spain have already generated thick smoke plumes, exposing millions of residents to degraded air quality and public health hazards.

In response to intensifying summer conditions, municipal authorities and climate experts are stressing long-term structural changes over temporary fixes. Following a severe June heatwave, Rome announced a science-driven adaptation strategy aimed at expanding green spaces, protecting high-risk populations, and improving access to drinking water. Meanwhile, meteorologists emphasizing future-proof infrastructure warn that urban construction must align with emerging global climate realities rather than historical weather patterns.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Poslovni dnevnik

The United States Department of Defense has initiated its promised review of American troop levels in Europe, according to US Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby. The assessment targets the approximately 80,000 US military personnel stationed across the continent, with Washington aiming to shift primary responsibility for European security to regional NATO allies.

Concurrently, diplomatic efforts regarding the war in Ukraine continue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, following discussions in London with British Prime Minister Keir Burnham. The upcoming bilateral talks occur amid recent fatal Russian strikes in southeastern Ukraine, which left at least three people dead, and follow a gradual warming in rhetoric between Washington and Kyiv during recent NATO summits.

Sources: Der Standard, DW, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

The intense heatwave across Italy reached its peak on Monday, with the Ministry of Health maintaining maximum red alerts for 25 out of 27 monitored cities through Wednesday. Only Messina and Reggio Calabria remain at the lower orange alert level. Temperatures exceeding 40°C in several regions are expected to persist until at least August 9.

Widespread heat and drought are impacting infrastructure across Europe. In Romania, military forces detonated submerged rock formations along the Danube to redirect river currents and cool the Cernavodă nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, extreme temperatures are driving a 14.4% surge in visitors to Italy's alpine destinations as travelers seek cooler mountain climates.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, La Stampa.