Record-breaking heatwaves and droughts, devastating wildfires, torrential rain and hailstorms all across Europe are costing lives, damaging infrastructure, diminishing biodiversity and hitting tourism, harvests and the economy. Some governments have imposed rules to ensure the safety of their workers and are calling for rigorous measures to combat climate change.
Slovakia sends firefighters to the Greek island of Rhodes to fight a forest fire. The first European Summer School on Artificial Intelligence opens in Slovenia. No party won a clear majority in Sunday’s general elections in Spain.
This week in Europe: Four planes from the EU firefighting fleet have been sent to France from Greece and Sweden, following a request from the French authorities, as forest fires ravage the southwest of the country. Furthermore, Italy requests the opening of proceedings against Slovenia over balsamic vinegar rules.
The EU Court of Justice has decided: Vessels belonging to humanitarian organizations such as Sea Watch can be inspected, if the state can prove “serious indications” of a risk. More news of this week: According to the Digital Economy and Society Index, even the most advanced EU countries have gaps in digitization, and Slovenia plans to apply to EU fund for the mitigation of damage caused by fires.