Champagne harvest starts early in France as heatwave speeds ripening
Aerial and close-up footage shows an early Champagne grape harvest in Tours-sur-Marne as heatwaves force smaller crews and faster picking schedules
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Latest news bulletin | August 18th, 2026 – Evening
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this August 18th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
New Expedia data shows autumn travel can still be more affordable than summer – if you know where to look
Expedia data reveals where hotel prices are falling after summer, while interest in lesser-known destinations including Luxembourg, Albania and Montenegro is soaring.
EU supports repatriation of unaccompanied migrant minors from Ceuta to Morocco
The European Commission confirmed on Tuesday that returns are covered by EU law.
This new budget airline is launching direct flights to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela
The launch is timed with 2027’s Holy Year, when more pilgrims than ever are expected to complete the Camino de Santiago.
France: drones are becoming a new way to smuggle goods into prisons
In Villefranche-sur-Saône, more than 1,800 deliveries have been recorded in less thantwo months, while in Strasbourg, drone flights now disrupt rescue helicopters.
Why do astronauts get constipated in space? Blood tests offer new clues
Blood tests from 52 astronauts suggest that gut bacteria break down more protein during spaceflight. The findings may also be relevant for patients on Earth.
UAE issues alert warning of 'potential missile threats'
Tuesday's alert was the first in months after a false alarm in June and a July alert for an attack that ultimately did not enter UAE territory. Before that, the last missile warning came in early May.
Midnight showdown looms as US and Canada meet to sidestep Trump’s tariff blitz
The US and Canada are locked in last-minute talks to prevent a fresh wave of tariffs from striking at 00:01 ET on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump has vowed to slap 50% duties on $20 billion (€17.2bn) worth of Canadian products if a deal is not reached in time.
Belgian and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers meet in Kyiv bomb shelter amid air siren
Air raid sirens have become a familiar sound in Kyiv. One website tracking air alerts in the city shows that eight have already gone off on Tuesday, with one active at the time of writing.
Phyllida Law, celebrated actress and Emma Thompson's mother, dies aged 94
Phyllida Law acted alongside her daughters Emma and Sophie in numerous film projects, in a career spanning eight decades.
One third of global travel spending last year was in Europe, new report finds
Europe accounted for a third of global leisure travel receipts in 2025, with countries such as Italy, Spain, Türkiye and France expected to drive further growth this year. Here’s what your travel itinerary could look like.
Record-breaking investment in renewables could cement Canada as new clean energy superpower
The slated green energy plans could light, heat and cool all the homes in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver combined.
South Korea and Japan stress stress 'critical' US alliance as Trump slashes military drills
Trump made the surprise announcement about the troop drawdown in a social media post just before US and South Korean soldiers began Monday's annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.
Eight non-EU countries to adopt EU sanctions on Belarus
The measures tighten restrictions on trade and technology that could support Belarus's military and industrial capabilities.
UK will 'support Ukraine 100%' despite Russian threat of 'consequences,' PM says
"We are providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself," UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Tuesday.
Drought reveals Emperor Nero's bridge beneath Rome's Tiber river
Weeks without rain have caused Italy's Tiber River to fall to unusually low levels, revealing the remains of an ancient Roman bridge near the Vatican. Traditionally known as Nero's bridge, archaeologists believe the structure may actually date back to the reign of Emperor
From code to reasoning: AI reshapes the skills of young programmers
At the International Olympiad in Informatics in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 386 young programmers from 97 countries faced six algorithmic problems as AI reshapes coding, problem-solving and computer science education.
Qatar says it repatriated body of Iranian pilot and denies claims of holding three others
Doha said it invited Tehran to send a technical team to review its search operation but received no response, calling Iran's accusations "false" and "illogical" and suggesting they were aimed at a domestic audience. Qatar's foreign ministry also said US-Iran talks were "far"
When the city lights up: discovering Uzbekistan after sunset
Summer evenings bring people back into the streets of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent, where restaurants, parks and historic squares remain busy long after sunset.
Everything you need to know about Meta's biggest legal battle yet
A landmark trial in California could force Meta to overhaul Facebook and Instagram after four states accused the company of designing its platforms to hook young users and hiding what it knew about the harm.
British couple on honeymoon killed in helicopter crash on Greek island
The newlyweds, named as Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, were killed alongside their Greek pilot.
Porcupines spread near Warsaw: 'It tasted some garden plants and got into the house'
Porcupines have appeared in Mazovia and are increasingly visiting gardens and even homes. Authorities are searching for more and urging caution. How did these exotic animals end up in Poland?
University of Granada: basic advice on how to deal with an earthquake
The Andalusian University Institute of Geophysics and Seismic Disaster Prevention is offering a set of basic recommendations on how to respond to these events.
OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens with new safety guardrails
The AI company is rolling out age-specific protections for 13- to 17-year-olds, as researchers and parents raise growing concerns over teenagers' emotional reliance on chatbots.
Picasso print stolen in broad daylight from Milwaukee gallery found eight years later
A local landlord discovered the stolen artwork while clearing out a vacant apartment and took it to police after an antique dealer recognised it.
Germany opens new drone security centre in Saxony-Anhalt amid rising threats
The facility will research and test technology designed to detect and counter unauthorised drones around airports, major events and critical infrastructure.
This new tool from Skyscanner helps pick your ideal beach based on vibes, distance and budget
From quiet coves to lively Caribbean hotspots, Skyscanner’s new Paradise Guide reveals the best beaches for every kind of traveller.
How Cyprus became one of Europe's biggest video game hubs
A small Mediterranean island now ranks among Europe's top 10 gaming markets by revenue — and third in the world for mobile downloads, behind only China and Vietnam.
Ukrainian national convicted by German court over links to Russian sabotage plot
Germany is Ukraine's most important backer in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion and has been on high alert for suspected sabotage and espionage operations emanating from Moscow.
European bond yields hit multi-year highs on Iran war inflation fears
European government bonds came under significant selling pressure on Tuesday, with France’s 10-year bond yield hitting a 17-year high and Germany’s 10-year Bund yield reaching its highest level since 2011.
Kazakhstan’s Next Chapter: Reform, Resilience, and Partnership with Europe
by Roman Y. VASSILENKO, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium. Europe has long viewed Kazakhstan through the lens of geography: a vast country at the heart of Eurasia, between Russia and China and thousands of kilometres from Brussels. But geography
These are the world’s best airlines according to flyers – and Asian carriers dominate the rankings
The preferred airlines in Europe were named as British Airways, Lufthansa and KLM.
Europe’s €2.5tn spending power could go green as business coalition presses EU to act
A broad coalition of business and civil society groups is urging the European Commission to introduce mandatory purchasing criteria to create demand for low-carbon products, effectively making procurement part of Europe's industrial strategy.
Latest news bulletin | August 18th, 2026 – Midday
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this August 18th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Trump says 'no talks' taking place with Iran and claims Strait of Hormuz is 'open and operating'
The president had earlier posted an image of a map showing the Strait as a new US territory, appearing to restate his threat to claim sovereignty over the passage from last week.
New Lorca works emerge: a love letter cut short by Spanish Civil War and an unpublished poem
Scholars keep uncovering works by the Granada-born poet and playwright, shot 90 years ago by Nationalist forces for his politics and sexuality. Two feature films about him will premiere between 2026 and 2027.
Lorca's latest works found: a love letter cut short by the Civil War and an unpublished poem
Scholars are still uncovering works by the Granada poet and playwright, shot 90 years ago for his politics and sexuality. Two biopics about him are due between 2026 and 2027.
UK wage growth lags as Iran war weighs on cost of living
The ongoing Middle East crisis has led to soaring energy prices across the UK and much of Europe, further contributing to higher living costs.
Laura Cardoso, legend of Brazilian soap operas, dies aged 98
Her death was confirmed by relatives via the actress's official Instagram. On TV she shone in telenovelas including "Chocolate com Pimenta", "Caminho das Índias" and "Gabriela".
Y2K travel is the nostalgia-fuelled holiday trend taking millennials back to the 90s and 00s
New research reveals that 65% of millennials travel in search of “simpler times”, with everything from Lizzie McGuire Vespa tours in Rome to Barbie dream houses and retro gaming adventures driving the rise of Y2K travel.
Foot-and-mouth disease: Lesvos cheese ban lifted amid tourist season
Free transport of cheese products by Lesbos visitors - tourists and locals can now take them off the island
'Niu Lai': How is a 'disaster-level' Chinese animated film rivalling 'The Odyssey' at the box-office?
A low-budget and shoddy-looking animated film has emerged as this summer’s most unexpected box-office hit in China. Here’s how ‘Niu Lai’ has transformed online mockery into big bucks and a viral phenomenon.
Rhine drought, heatwaves and deaths: Is it time for Germany to enshrine climate protection in law?
Germany’s coalition government is split over putting climate protection in the constitution.
FIFA confirms COO Kevin Lamour has left after criticising Infantino's World Cup plans
The senior FIFA executive had warned speaking out against Infantino's controversial investment plan could cost him his job.
Leap of faith: Firefighter's ladder too short, woman jumps from 11th floor blaze in Berlin
The video shows how the woman made the two-storey drop and land safely in the basket of the ladder next to a firefighter.
Nasdaq confirms 23-hour trading from December with new overnight session
Nasdaq will begin trading US stocks for nearly 23 hours a day from 6 December, adding a new overnight session from 9pm to 4am ET, as the exchange races to compete with round-the-clock crypto and tokenised markets and with investors abroad clamouring for access.
Firefighters pushing to 'definitively encircle' east Belgium wildfire, authorities say
Europe has been swept by weeks of devastating wildfires fuelled by dry conditions and a historically hot summer, with France, Greece, Portugal and Spain also battling major fires.
Wladimir Klitschko says he is in 'profound shock' following death of ex-partner Hayden Panettiere
In an emotional Instagram post, Klitschko reflected on their time together, writing: “Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives.”
Ebola outbreak in Congo becomes country’s worst as virus spreads at “exceptional pace”
Congo’s latest Ebola outbreak has killed more than 2,300 people, making it the deadliest outbreak of the disease ever recorded in the country.