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Spain Declares National Emergency Over Deadly Wildfires

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Spain has declared a national emergency as massive wildfires continue to spread across several regions, forcing the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents from Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa, and Aldea del Fresno. The move places the response under the direct authority of the country’s Interior Ministry.

Under Spain’s National Civil Protection System, the Interior Minister will coordinate firefighting and emergency operations. Authorities said this is the first time a national emergency has been declared specifically due to a wildfire. More than 270 emergency personnel, 40 ground units, and Military Emergency Unit (UME) teams have been deployed to battle the fires.

The wildfires have already burned over 100,000 hectares across Spain this year, matching the country’s average annual burned area over the past decade. Officials said 13 people have lost their lives, making 2026 one of Spain’s deadliest wildfire seasons in recent decades.

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Russia Awaits New U.S. Peace Proposal on Ukraine

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Russia said it will wait for new proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, while continuing its military campaign. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow believes the Trump administration is sincere in seeking a peaceful settlement, but added that Russia will pursue its objectives on the battlefield until a viable agreement is reached.

Peskov claimed that previous U.S. peace proposals were accepted by Russia but rejected by Ukraine, accusing European allies of encouraging Kyiv to continue the conflict. He said the Kremlin remains interested in diplomacy and hopes U.S.-led mediation efforts will resume after disruptions caused by the Middle East crisis.

Although Russia welcomed Washington’s willingness to negotiate, Peskov noted that the United States continues supplying weapons to Ukraine, calling its position contradictory. He said Moscow would continue engaging with any peace initiatives that align with its interests while awaiting fresh diplomatic proposals from the U.S.

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EU Charges TikTok Over Child Safety Concerns

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The European Commission has accused TikTok of breaching the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), alleging that the platform’s design does not provide sufficient protection for children online. Regulators said some account settings could expose minors to cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and online predators, potentially leaving the company facing a fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.

According to the Commission, TikTok allows children to create public accounts and makes it possible for users to discover minors through followers and following lists, even when accounts are private. EU officials said stronger privacy protections for children should be enabled by default rather than requiring users to change settings manually.

TikTok said it would review the findings and continue cooperating with regulators. The company stated that accounts belonging to users under 18 are private by default and include more than 50 built-in safety and privacy features, including restrictions on direct messaging for younger teens. TikTok will now have the opportunity to respond before the EU reaches a final decision.

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Volkswagen Plans Deeper Cuts Amid Rising Chinese Competition

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Volkswagen has announced plans to deepen cost-cutting measures as Chinese automakers continue expanding into the European market. CEO Oliver Blume said the company faces growing competitive pressure from more than 150 Chinese brands, alongside challenges from tariffs and weakening demand in China. The automaker is seeking major restructuring to remain competitive.

The company has proposed increasing planned job cuts to 100,000 and warned that up to four German plants could face closure after 2030. While Volkswagen’s second-quarter operating profit fell 9.5% to €3.5 billion, analysts noted signs of business stabilisation, supported by stronger-than-expected revenue and healthy cash flow. However, negotiations with labor unions over the restructuring remain unresolved.

Volkswagen has retained its full-year profit margin forecast but has dropped expectations for revenue growth, now projecting sales could decline by up to 3% in 2026. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers such as BYD and Geely are strengthening their European presence by establishing local production facilities, intensifying competition in the region’s electric vehicle market.

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ICC Member States Vote on Whether to Remove Prosecutor Karim Khan

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Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are voting on whether to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan has strongly denied the accusations, with his legal team arguing that the dismissal process is unfair and unsupported by evidence. The outcome of the secret ballot is expected later on Friday.

The vote comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the ICC, with the United States renewing criticism of the court, particularly after Khan sought arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Several member states, including France and the Netherlands, have announced their support for Khan’s removal.

If enough member states vote to dismiss Khan, the ICC will begin the process of selecting a new chief prosecutor. However, any existing arrest warrants issued by the court will remain valid, as only ICC judges have the authority to withdraw them. The decision is expected to have significant implications for the court’s leadership and global standing.

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Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations in France

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Around 12,000 people, including nearly 10,000 tourists, have been evacuated from France’s Gironde region as severe wildfires continue to spread across south-western parts of the country. More than 2,000 hectares of land have been destroyed, prompting authorities to close roads, restrict access to forested areas, and ban the use of combustion and electric engines in high-risk zones.

The wildfires come just days after two French firefighters lost their lives battling blazes near Bordeaux. The Gironde region remains under a red alert, while emergency services continue efforts to contain the fires. No new injuries have been reported, but officials warn that the extreme fire risk remains high due to ongoing heatwave conditions.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy and Spain are also battling major wildfires. Sicily has recorded hundreds of fires, including several large blazes that triggered precautionary evacuations, while Spain continues firefighting operations near Madrid. Climate experts say Europe is experiencing increasingly intense heatwaves and wildfire seasons, with record temperatures and burned areas highlighting the growing impact of climate change.

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EU Approves Paramount-Warner Bros Merger

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The European Commission has approved the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery after Paramount agreed to end its European film distribution partnership with Universal Pictures. Regulators said the move addresses concerns that the combined company could gain excessive control over cinema distribution across Europe.

Despite securing approval in Europe, the merger remains on hold in the United States. A coalition of 12 US states has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the deal, arguing it could harm movie theatres, cable distributors, and consumers. A federal judge has temporarily paused the takeover while the legal challenge is reviewed.

If the merger is not completed by September 30, Paramount could face daily financial penalties under the agreement. The deal has also drawn opposition from the Writers Guild of America, which says it could reduce opportunities and wages for writers. Meanwhile, UK regulators are continuing to assess the merger’s potential impact on local media and competition.

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Russian Attacks Disrupt Ukraine Grain Exports

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Shipowners have temporarily suspended vessel arrivals at Ukraine’s Black Sea ports for agricultural exports following a surge in Russian missile and drone attacks on ports and merchant ships. Ukraine’s Agriculture Ministry said the suspension was a decision taken by shipowners, while the government has not imposed any official restrictions.

According to traders and analysts, Ukraine has lost nearly one-third of its grain export capacity through the Black Sea due to the recent attacks. Although alternative export routes remain available, officials said they are currently underutilised. The disruption comes during the peak harvest season, raising concerns over global grain supplies.

Ukraine has requested an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting after reporting multiple attacks on civilian cargo vessels in recent days. Kyiv accused Russia of deliberately targeting maritime trade, while Moscow maintains it is striking infrastructure linked to Ukraine’s military. The escalating conflict has further disrupted shipping across the Black Sea region.

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Boeing Edges Airbus as Aircraft Orders Cross 300 at Farnborough Airshow

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Aircraft manufacturers secured more than 300 commercial aircraft orders at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK, with Boeing narrowly leading Airbus in total deals. According to a Reuters tally, around 327 firm orders were announced during the event, surpassing the previous Farnborough show in 2024. However, the total remained well below industry expectations of 800 orders due to ongoing supply chain challenges and production constraints.

Boeing’s biggest agreements included 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft ordered by SMBC Aviation Capital, additional 787 Dreamliners for Riyadh Air and Philippine Airlines, and new orders from Uganda Airlines, MSC Air Cargo, and Luxair. Airbus also secured major commitments, including 100 A320neo-family aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital, more A350s for Riyadh Air, additional aircraft for Flynas, and new orders from BermudAir and Shohin Airlines.

Brazilian manufacturer Embraer also recorded strong demand, receiving orders from Fuji Dream Airlines, Abra Group, and Binter for its regional jets. Meanwhile, engine makers announced significant deals, with British Airways selecting Pratt & Whitney engines for its Airbus fleet, BOC Aviation ordering up to 300 CFM International engines, and IndiGo signing an MoU to purchase more than 1,000 LEAP-1A engines, marking one of the largest engine agreements in aviation history.

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Poland and Hungary Tighten Foreign Worker Rules Amid Labour Shortages

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Poland and Hungary have introduced stricter measures to limit the employment of non-EU workers as both governments seek to address public concerns over immigration. Poland has reduced work permits for non-EU citizens, while Hungary has stopped issuing worker visas to applicants from several countries, including the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia.

Business groups and economists have warned that the restrictions could worsen labour shortages and slow economic growth. Many industries in both countries rely heavily on foreign workers due to ageing populations and declining birth rates, with employers saying they are already struggling to fill vacancies.

Companies have also raised concerns about delays in processing work and residence permits, prompting some skilled workers to relocate to other European countries. While the governments say they are balancing economic needs with immigration policies, businesses fear tighter rules could affect expansion plans and long-term competitiveness.