Mediterranean embayment between Europe and Asia
Insurers warn Europe’s disaster costs are outpacing coverage as wildfires devastate parts of France, Spain, Greece and Portugal. Heatwaves push temperatures past dangerous levels and drive up resilience costs, while authorities urge action to close the protection gap.
Israel has secured a nearly €3 billion defense export deal with Greece, delivering a multi-layered air‑defense array including David’s Sling, SPYDER and BARAK MX, plus radars and a national command system. A supplementary €26 million deal covers Rafael’s Drone Dome. The package elevates relations amid regional tensions and Europe’s security recalibration.
Travel pieces reflect on Europe’s summer hotspots, with some destinations gaining calm after peak season and readers weighing where to go next despite mixed experiences.
Bularia has reported that sea and aerial drones have attacked two merchant vessels 70–80 nautical miles off its eastern coast, sinking the Togolese‑flagged Alfa Watan and setting the Palau‑flagged Able on fire. Eighteen crew from the Able have been rescued, two are hospitalized; the fate of the Alfa Watan crew remains unknown. The strikes follow a separate grain‑ship fire off Romania a day earlier that Ukraine blamed on Russian drones.
Twelve migrants have died after boats capsized in separate incidents near Lesbos and Samos as Greek authorities pursue smugglers and step up rescue operations. Around 15 people have been rescued, with a suspected smuggler detained. The EU reports a continued surge in irregular crossings despite occasional declines.
The Kurdish activist Abdullah Ocalan has been moved to a newly built section of Imrali prison. Kurdish lawmakers say the relocation underscores a push to accelerate the peace process after years of stasis, with conditions reportedly improving but details limited. The move follows PKK disarmament talks and a Turkish pardon law for fighters.