Δευτέρα 17 Αυγούστου 2026
5 άρθρα
Drought grips half of Europe
Record-low rivers are simultaneously squeezing Europe’s electricity, freight and food systems. Romania has shut its only nuclear plant, French and Hungarian reactors have lost output, Rhine barges are running nearly empty, and saltwater is invading the Po Delta—forcing countries to rely on neighbours whose own buffers are rapidly shrinking.
Ukraine stopped zero ballistic missiles
Russia’s 16 August salvo exposed the weakness behind Ukraine’s stronger drone interception numbers: none of the ballistic missiles was stopped. Europe’s new Patriot production will not begin until 2027, leaving Germany and Poland to weigh transfers from limited national stocks as winter approaches and Russian strikes increasingly damage Ukraine’s industrial base.
Turkey Draws Two Parks Into Disputed Waters
Presidential decrees place formal conservation zones near Kastellorizo, Rhodes, Lemnos and Samothrace, where Greek and Turkish maritime claims collide. The parks cannot create sovereignty, but permits, patrols or vessel restrictions could turn Ankara’s maps into a practical test of control. Athens plans to raise the issue with the EU and NATO, which have yet to respond.
EU’s €3 duty cuts parcels, not cargo
July’s first results show low-value shipments falling 40% in Slovenia and 41% at Liège Airport, yet Belgian cargo tonnage rose as sellers bundled orders or stocked EU warehouses. The duty raised €42.5 million in Belgium and weakened platform audiences in Poland, but customs data cannot yet separate lower demand from a rapid restructuring of trade.
Germany revokes 1,900 Syrian statuses, deports three
BAMF’s negative decision rate surged to 23.2% in early 2026 after Assad’s fall prompted wider reviews. Yet withdrawal is only the first step: residence authorities, court challenges and human-rights protections determine whether anyone can be returned, leaving 825 Syrians with revoked protection still living in Germany.