Western Europe got its first hint of an unusual summer in May 2026, when a heat dome produced exceptional temperatures that shattered records in several countries. Remarkable as it was, that early heat wave turned out to be only the opening salvo. By mid-August, Europeans were sweating through their fifth heat wave of the season,
A combination of severe heat and little rain has left many of Europe’s rivers drier than normal this summer, revealing formerly submerged relics and blind spots in the continent’s supply chain. The two rivers at the center of the crisis are the Danube and the Rhine. Both serve as major arteries for shipping and freight
A statue of the Virgin Mary believed to be Europe’s tallest has been formally unveiled in a small Polish village. The 55.6-metre (182ft) concrete figure is roughly two double-decker buses longer than Rio de Janeiro’s smaller – if more prominently placed – Christ the Redeemer monument, though it still pales in comparison to a 98m
Prof Andrew Challinor, from the University of Leeds, said the images were “consistent with widespread water stress”, which “does not bode well” given much of Europe’s land is covered by crops meaning it could hit the agriculture industry and food production. In the worst-affected areas, soil moisture is lower than on about 98% of comparable
In a year without Glastonbury, music lovers have turned to other festivals in the U.K. and Europe to fill the void. There’s Primavera Sound in Barcelona, with its proximity to the beach and genre-diverse lineup, or Reading and Leeds in England for those who want a true camping experience with a rock-focused flair. But look
Europe’s stock market is firing on all cylinders and drawing money managers who say this rally will be more durable than just another short-term trade. Whether it’s earnings, economic growth, sentiment surveys or fund flows, market metrics across the board show a major shift is underway in European stocks. The price action reflects that. The
