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.

Ukraine is launching arms exports to global markets, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This initiative, aimed at countries supporting Ukraine, includes “Drone Deals” for the supply of drones, ammunition, and expertise. The effort seeks to leverage Ukraine’s surplus production capacity while ensuring domestic military needs remain a priority.

US President Donald Trump asserts he facilitated the rescue of eight Iranian female protesters from execution. Meanwhile, social media users question the authenticity of the accompanying image, alleging it may be AI-generated. The situation raises significant concerns about the fate of the women depicted.

Italy has extradited Xu Zewei, a Chinese hacker, to the United States, where he is accused of spying for the Chinese government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arrested at Milan’s Malpensa airport, Xu allegedly targeted US government entities and institutions involved in vaccine research from 2020 to 2021.

Germany registered 2,656 conscientious objector applications in early 2026, exceeding two-thirds of 2025’s total. This increase follows new military service legislation requiring young men born in 2008 or later to register for potential conscription amid discussions on bolstering the Bundeswehr’s personnel numbers.

From our sponsors
Advertisement
Advertisement