- Munich mayor taps keg, officially opening Oktoberfest 2026 festival
- Russia holds parliamentary vote in territories seized from Ukraine
- Canada engages in trade dispute with the US as voter impact remains unclear
- Appeals court rules against Trump’s third-country deportation policy, citing due process rights for detainees
- S&P Global downgrades Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company: how coverage differs
- Deliveroo driver sentenced to 21 years for raping semi-conscious woman
- Former KLM CEO causes in-flight fire by charging power bank against rules
- Russia attacks Ukraine, killing two in Balakliia and striking Kyiv.
Europe
Munich’s Oktoberfest officially commenced today with the traditional keg tapping by Mayor Dominik Krause at noon. The event is expected to attract millions, following last year’s attendance of 6.5 million, as beer tents and fairground rides opened, welcoming revelers to the famed Theresienwiese.
Russia has intensified its military operations, launching attacks across Ukraine including a strike in Balakliia that resulted in two fatalities. Additionally, Kyiv now faces ballistic missile strikes, prompting officials to advise civilians to seek shelter as air defence systems engage.
The trial of Rachida Dati commenced at the Paris criminal court, where the former justice minister faces charges including passive corruption linked to €900,000 received from Renault-Nissan’s Dutch subsidiary between 2009 and 2013. Carlos Ghosn, the company’s former head, is being tried in absentia.
Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation as Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras, shifting focus to international affairs, including defence and trade. His departure will necessitate a by-election, following his leadership of the Labour party and a landslide victory in 2024.
US defence contractor Covenant plans to produce medium-range missiles near Leipzig, targeting up to 1,000 units annually from 2027. The missiles, expected to exceed 1,500 kilometres in range, are part of Germany’s strategy to enhance its long-range strike capabilities with cost-effective armament solutions.
Research reveals a rise in digital addictions, notably among adolescents, with 11% exhibiting problematic social media use, up from 7% in 2018. Experts highlight issues such as gaming disorder and nomophobia, stressing the impact of excessive screen time on sleep, mental health, and social relationships.
More than 200 people in Ukraine’s Bucha district were evacuated after a Russian drone strike ignited a significant fire at a warehouse, injuring at least six and causing fatalities. Emergency teams are on-site, while a pre-trial investigation into potential negligence regarding storage conditions has been launched.
A Russian drone strike on a shopping centre in Zaporizhzhia injured four people and ignited a significant fire, with damage spanning 2,000 square metres. This attack forms part of an intensified Russian offensive across Ukraine, which includes strikes in Kyiv and Kherson, prompting evacuation warnings for residents.
At least 306 people in Belgium have contracted salmonella linked to contaminated eggs from Laerco, a Geel-based producer. The Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain identified ongoing contamination in two henhouses, prompting multiple recalls across major supermarkets and alerts to several European countries.
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