Europe

Belgium’s three regions have announced the introduction of a road tax starting 1 May 2027, affecting both domestic and foreign drivers. The tax requires vehicle registration, with annual fees ranging from €90 for zero-emission cars to €125 for higher polluting vehicles.

The French government has activated the “Orsec extreme heat plan” for nine departments due to a persistent heatwave, with red alerts extended to 24 areas, including Ile-de-France. This unprecedented measure is aimed at protecting vulnerable populations amid increasing wildfires, which have already burned twice as much land as last year.

Russia has fired intercontinental missiles into Ukraine, marking the first time they have used such weapons. It comes after Ukraine fired British and American missiles into Russia. The ongoing escalations in the war dominate European news, as the EU leaders prepare for US support for Ukraine to come to a screeching end in January when Donald Trump takes office.

The ongoing discussions at COP29 continue to dominate European news as a climate finance deal has failed to break a stand-off between rich and poor nations.

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