Europe

As Oktoberfest reaches its halfway point this weekend, organisers are implementing enhanced crowd management measures to prevent overcrowding, following last year’s severe incidents. The “Italian weekend” sees a significant influx of visitors, prompting the use of AI and surveillance technology to ensure safety at the event.

Hundreds of skiers flocked to the Grande Motte glacier in Tignes seeking summer skiing relief from France’s heatwave. However, both visitors and experts highlight the glacier’s rapid shrinking, with scientists warning it may vanish within the next decade to 15 years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a significant government reshuffle, indicating a new prime minister and cabinet will soon be appointed. This decision follows ongoing Russian strikes that resulted in multiple fatalities, amid Zelenskyy’s efforts to renew political strategy and maintain support from lawmakers.

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.

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