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.

On June 6, 1944, D-Day marked a pivotal moment in World War II as nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy, France, initiating Operation Overlord. This year, the 82nd anniversary was commemorated by veterans and officials, honouring those who fought to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasised that Europe “must be the first to provide for its own conventional defence” during D-Day commemorations in Normandy. He urged allies, particularly France, to demonstrate commitment to strengthening their defences amid a backdrop of reducing US troop presence in Europe.

A court in Mali has sentenced a French embassy official to 20 years in prison on charges of espionage and undermining state security. The official, detained since August 2025, faces a €5,400 fine and a ban on entering Mali, escalating tensions between the military-led government and France.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended an invitation for a direct meeting with Vladimir Putin, proposing a “full ceasefire” in an open letter. This marks a rare direct appeal since Russia’s invasion in 2022, aiming to resolve the conflict through personal engagement.

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