EU signs contract for 66 more satellites in its own communications network
The European Commission has signed a contract to add 66 satellites to IRIS², a planned European satellite network for secure communications.
Archive 2026
World ✳
Taiwan's President Joins Overnight Evacuation Drill in War Games
Taiwan's president, William Lai, took part in a night-time drill practicing how leaders would be evacuated if China attacked, during the island's largest-ever military exercise.
World ✳
US intelligence warns Putin could test NATO with a small attack
US intelligence believes Russian President Vladimir Putin might try a small military attack on a NATO country to test the alliance's response, according to the Wall Street Journal.
EU migration chief urges pressure on Morocco to prevent another Ceuta crossing
The EU's migration commissioner, Magnus Brunner, says Brussels should use trade deals and visa rules as leverage over Morocco to stop another mass crossing like the one a week earlier, when tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the coast of North Africa.
World ✳
Explosive drone found near Ukraine-bound plane at German airport
German officials found an explosive drone near a jet at Leipzig airport and are calling it a serious attack on Germany.
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Daily recap — Aug 6, 2026: Tanker blast near Hormuz, new Russia sanctions, allies weigh own nuclear options
A tanker reported explosions near the Strait of Hormuz just as Iran and Oman were close to a deal to reopen it; it's unclear if the blast was deliberate sabotage or unrelated.
Analysis ✳
Pentagon shifts to smaller nuclear weapons as allies weigh backup plans
The US military has finalized a new plan focused on tactical nuclear weapons, which are smaller and shorter-range than the country's main nuclear arsenal.
EU Says Ukraine Can Use Its Loan Fund to Buy US Patriot Missiles
The European Commission says Ukraine can use the EU's SAFE loan fund to buy Patriot missiles, which are made in the United States, not the EU.
World ✳
EasyJet board backs $7bn US takeover after rival bidder drops out
EasyJet's board has chosen a takeover offer from Apollo Global Management, a US investment firm, worth £5.7bn, after a rival bidder, Castlelake, withdrew.
World ✳
UK sanctions Russian bank and oil tankers that dodge Western limits
Britain announced new sanctions on Russia, targeting Ozon Bank, a Russian online banking service, and ships from the 'shadow fleet,' a group of aging tankers with hidden owners that Russia uses to keep selling oil despite Western restrictions.
Czechia ✳
EU considers Czech countess for new euro banknote
The European Union is considering putting Bertha von Suttner, a Czech-born countess, on a redesigned euro banknote, reportedly the 200-euro note.
World ✳
Tanker hears two explosions in Strait of Hormuz as reopening deal nears
An oil tanker near Oman reported hearing two explosions in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow sea passage Gulf countries use to ship oil to world markets.