Latest news bulletin | August 26th, 2026 – Midday
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this August 26th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
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Authorities in Greece issue code red wildfire alert for Ionian islands
The alert comes as Greece is at the height of the summer holiday season, with beaches packed with both domestic and international tourists.
'Mini jungle': Alaska is getting greener as the climate warms – with cascading effects
A lush knee-high jungle grows in the Arctic, but warming is changing Earth's mini-greenhouse.
Rare Mondrian unseen for 25 years heads to auction
A rare 1920 Mondrian painting, Composition III, unseen for 25 years, will sell at Christie's London in October with an estimate of £20m to £30m.
Putin signs decree allowing state seizure of businesses hit by drone strikes
The edict covers energy, transport, logistics and any facility deemed critical to national security, and can be imposed by presidential instruction alone. Experts called it "hybrid nationalisation," warning it would be used to seize assets from companies under the pretext of security failure.
More headlines
Frankfurt Airport employee dies after contracting malaria, operator Fraport says
The cause of the infections is believed to be a mosquito that travelled by plane from a malaria-endemic area to Germany, likely in July.
Zelenskyy awards Elon Musk Ukraine’s ‘Order of Freedom’ despite years of criticism
Zelenskyy awarded Musk one of Ukraine’s highest state honours, despite years of criticism from the South Africa-born tech mogul who has repeatedly attacked the Ukrainian president and questioned Kyiv’s strategy.
Second arrest over deadly sword attack at Swedish school
A 17-year-old girl was killed and three boys wounded in the attack, as investigators continue to examine the circumstances and possible motive.
Spain set for a ‘Super September’ as travellers chase shoulder season sun
September is having a moment among travellers as they swap the peak summer months for late-season sun, fewer crowds and more affordable fares.
Nvidia earnings preview: The report the entire market is waiting on
Nvidia will report its second-quarter results after the US market closes on Wednesday, with analysts expecting revenue of roughly $92 billion (€78.8bn) and investors treating the chipmaker's guidance as a verdict on whether the AI rally still has room to run.
Human rights in Myanmar hit 'new low,' fuelled by illegal mining and scam centres, UN warns
Myanmar's ruling junta seized power in a coup in 2021 that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, ending a 10-year experiment with democracy and plunging the country into turmoil and a humanitarian crisis.
In pictures: The world pays tribute to country music queen Dolly Parton
Fans, landmarks and institutions are honouring the beloved singer, songwriter and philanthropist, with Nashville landmarks and New York’s Empire State Building lighting up in pink.
ICE arrests hit nearly 50,000 in July, highest of Trump's mass deportation agenda
The month before President Donald Trump returned to office, immigration arrests stood at just over 8,000, mostly involving immigrants transferred from local or state detention facilities to ICE for deportation.
US Secret Service probes Iranian video threatening Barron Trump
The agency confirmed it was aware of the IRGC-affiliated broadcast on the US president's youngest son, which claimed a $10m bounty and alleged his movements were "fully monitored".
Remains of 16th-century hospital that treated sailors discovered in Peru
Archealogists uncovered a colonial-era hospital and adjacent church in Lima that treated sick sailors. According to experts, the hospital dates back to the 1570s and operated until shortly before 1821.
'Unique and irreplaceable': Dolly Parton tributes from public figures and celebrities
Tributes have been paid after the news that Dolly Parton, one of the most legendary artists in country music history, has died at the age of 80.
More than 1,000 volunteers pull historic castle back to its original site in Japan
More than 1,000 volunteers pull Japan’s Hirosaki Castle back to its original site in Aomori after a decade of renovation work on the 400-year-old keep.
Back-to-school reset: How to fix kids' summer sleep schedule
After a summer of holidays and late nights, it's time to set those back-to-school alarms.
Haze from El Niño-fuelled wildfires threatens health of millions in Indonesia, ministry warns
Fires between January and July burned more than 200,000 hectares of land, an area three times the size of the capital Jakarta, the government said last week.
More than 50 kidnapped as violent gang attack in Haiti leaves at least 47 dead
In a video posted on social media, the gang leader threatened to kill the hostages if any of his members were harmed.
Anthropic IPO: Five things to know before its Wall Street debut
The Claude developer is preparing for a potentially record-breaking initial public offering after rapid revenue growth, but its enormous losses and dispute with the Trump administration could concern investors.
Row over weight of half a loaf leaves German baker with €15,000 bill
A customer complaint over just 10 grams of missing bread forced the Bavarian baker to install new weighing equipment across his shops.
The world’s 10 best cities for nightlife have been revealed – and only three are in Europe
Berlin, Brighton and Amsterdam were the only cities on the continent to make the top 10 in the ranking from Time Out.
More than 200 migrants rescued off Crete at dawn
Three consecutive search and rescue operations for migrants were carried out at dawn in the sea area southwest of Ierapetra.
Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell loses 'frivolous' bid to overturn US conviction
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of supplying underage girls to Epstein, whose ties to powerful business executives, politicians, celebrities and academics have fuelled years of scrutiny and conspiracy theories.
Student rent costs: Demand for rooms soars in Portugal, with Lisbon topping €500
Almost 50,000 new students have been placed in higher education, creating fresh housing pressures as demand for rooms rises, supply shrinks and rents stay high.
Higher education: Renting a room in Lisbon costs over €500 as demand outstrips supply
Almost 50,000 new students have been placed in higher education, creating fresh housing pressures as demand for rooms rises, supply shrinks and rents stay high.
Higher education: renting a room in Lisbon costs over 500 euros as demand outstrips supply
Almost 50,000 new students have been placed in higher education, creating fresh housing pressures as demand for rooms rises, supply shrinks and rents stay high.
EU pours billions into maritime defence as threats to its seas persist
From undersea cables to warships, the EU is spending record sums to defend its waters. Watch the video.
Kyiv residents adapt to life under Russian bombardment
Kyiv residents describe how repeated Russian missile attacks have transformed daily life as the war reaches far beyond the front lines.