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The Vancouver Giants' top CHL Import Draft selections, Slovak defencemen Jakub Floris and Oliver Botka, are aiming to play professionally in Europe this season rather than report to the WHL club, though GM/coach Michael Dyck remains hopeful they'll join later. Both players have pro commitments in Finland and Slovakia, respectively, and the Giants are working to recruit them while managing roster changes.
From record temperatures in Slovakia and Denmark to wildfires and drought across the continent, Europe's summer of 2026 has been marked by extreme weather. Reports highlight personal stories of struggle, a provisional toll of 32,000 excess deaths, and warnings from scientists about the need to curb emissions.
Blood Sacrifice, a Swedish crime thriller from Killing Eve writer George Kay, has become a global hit on Netflix, topping charts in numerous countries and earning an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score. The series follows a detective teaming up with his estranged father to hunt a ritualistic killer targeting police officers.
Germany's gas storage is just above half full, the lowest in years for mid-August, due to the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure. The government and industry warn about the November 1 target, while consumer groups advise on fixed-price contracts.
A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research projects that wildfires could burn 39% more land in Europe by century's end even under optimistic climate scenarios, with the risk nearly tripling under high emissions. Experts say improved fire management can mitigate but not eliminate the danger, as this summer's fires have already caused extensive damage across the continent.
France has recorded more than 7,300 excess deaths during a summer marked by three unprecedented heatwaves, with record 52 days of extreme temperatures. Officials caution the toll is provisional and may rise as final figures are expected in autumn. Meanwhile, across Europe, over 30,000 excess deaths have been reported, with scientists attributing the extreme heat to climate change.
Serbia has requested and received firefighting assistance from both the European Union and Russia as wildfires burn in the Deliblatska Pescara nature reserve and elsewhere. EU helicopters and crews are joining Serbian teams, while a Russian Il-76 water-bombing aircraft has been operating since mid-August. The blazes have also forced evacuations and road closures across the region.
A poll by French magazine L’Express ranked MI6 as Europe’s most powerful foreign intelligence service, with France’s DGSE second. The survey of 60 spies highlighted MI6’s human intelligence strengths and its leading role on Ukraine.
Record-low water levels in Europe's Danube River have exposed World War II warships and other relics, drawing attention to the impacts of drought on the region. The scuttled German fleet, sunk in 1944, is now visible near the Serbian port of Prahovo, while power plants and shipping face disruption.
The US Senate voted overwhelmingly to advance the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a bill that would allow President Donald Trump to impose sanctions and tariffs up to 100% on countries that are the top five importers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China. The bill also extends the Iran Sanctions Act until 2031, but critics warn it grants the president excessive tariff powers.
Central Europe faces record-breaking temperatures as a severe heatwave disrupts energy and transport systems. Austria and Slovakia have seen all-time highs, while Hungary and Slovakia's nuclear plants operate at reduced capacity due to low Danube water levels. Italy has issued its highest heat alert for all major cities, and wildfires and drought affect the wider region.
A record-breaking lack of rainfall and summer heatwaves have triggered an unprecedented electricity generation crisis across Central and Southeastern Europe, with Hungary and Romania most affected. Nuclear plants have been forced to reduce output or shut down due to low Danube water levels, while Bulgaria uses battery storage to mitigate shortages. Austria and Slovakia fare better thanks to diversified energy mixes and storage capacity.
Ukraine has lost about $1.05 billion in foreign exchange earnings since July 22 due to the blockade of its main Black Sea ports, with daily losses estimated at $70 million. The suspension of vessel calls has particularly hit agricultural exports, prompting talks with European nations on alternative routes.
A Russian overnight attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region killed at least 17 people and wounded dozens more. Ukraine's air force downed 98 of 115 drones but said it stopped none of the ballistic missiles, prompting President Zelenskyy to renew his call for more interceptor supplies.
EU countries have injected over 32 billion cubic meters of gas into storage since April, but levels remain well below targets amid competition for LNG and summer heat. The European Commission says it will continue seeking a complete ban on Russian energy supplies.
Romania's military used explosives to destroy an underwater rock in the Danube River to prevent the shutdown of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, as a prolonged drought and extreme heat pushed the river to record-low levels. The operation is part of a wider regional energy crisis, with officials in Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia reporting disruptions to power generation and shipping.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar says the Paks nuclear power plant could keep operating at reduced capacity until Monday or Tuesday, before a possible suspension due to record-low Danube water levels. The plant has already cut output at several units, while regional neighbours face similar hydrological challenges.
A heatwave moving eastwards is bringing extreme temperatures to central and southern Europe, forcing Hungary to shut down most of its nuclear plant due to low Danube water levels and Poland to close coal-fired power stations. Record highs have been registered across the region, while authorities urge voluntary electricity savings and set up cooling stations.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced the shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant due to record-low Danube River levels, the first full halt in 44 years. The plant, a key electricity source, will reduce output to 240 megawatts before closing, amid a broader European heatwave and drought.
As Europe marks the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day on August 2, Eastern European countries show varying degrees of official recognition, with some observing the day for decades and others not declaring it at all. The commemorations, rooted in the Nazi liquidation of the 'Gypsy Family Camp' at Auschwitz-Birkenau, also highlight ongoing Antiziganism.