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Five Killed, 40 Injured in Bus Crash Near Swiss Alpine Village

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Five people were killed and 40 others injured after a bus carrying a Dutch tour group overturned near the Alpine village of Susch in eastern Switzerland, police said. The bus was carrying 45 adults, all of whom were Dutch nationals, according to Dutch emergency service provider Eurocross.

Three of the injured people were in serious condition, while seven suffered moderately serious injuries and 30 had minor injuries. The crash occurred on a section of road that had been closed for maintenance work, although police have not yet determined what caused the bus to overturn.

Emergency teams responded at the scene, where the bus was found lying on its side beside the road. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima expressed their condolences to the victims, their families and those injured in the crash.

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Proposed EU Rules Would Curb Airbnb, Short-Term Rental Homes

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The European Union is considering new rules to restrict Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms in areas facing housing shortages. The proposal aims to address rising housing costs in popular tourist destinations, where residents have protested the growing number of holiday rentals.

The draft Affordable Housing Act would allow authorities to identify areas under housing pressure based on factors such as housing affordability, population growth and the balance between housing supply and demand. Instead of outright bans, governments could introduce limits on short-term rentals or protections for existing operators.

European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera is expected to present the proposal on September 9. It will then need to be debated by EU member states and the European Parliament before becoming law. The plan follows new EU rules requiring short-term rental platforms to share listing data with authorities, while industry groups have warned against disproportionate restrictions.

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Person Fined for Waking Sleeping Polar Bear With Foghorn

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A person in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago has been fined 50,000 kroner (£3,890) for using a ship’s foghorn to wake a sleeping polar bear. The incident took place earlier this month as a vessel was sailing through a fjord in north-western Svalbard, around 1,000 km (620 miles) from the North Pole.

According to Svalbard Governor Lars Fause, people aboard the vessel spotted the polar bear sleeping on land and one person sounded the foghorn. The noise woke the animal, which then moved to another location. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, agreed to pay the fine.

Polar bears have been protected in Svalbard since 1972, and local regulations prohibit people from unnecessarily disturbing, attracting or pursuing them. The archipelago is home to an estimated 250 polar bears, based on the most recent scientific count in 2015. Authorities have previously fined tourists for disturbing wildlife, including a visitor who was penalised in 2024 for getting too close to a walrus.

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Mount Etna Ash Cloud Disrupts Flights to Malta

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An ash cloud from Sicily’s Mount Etna volcano drifted over Malta on Tuesday, forcing airlines to cancel flights during the peak summer tourism season. Malta International Airport said volcanic ash over the islands had caused significant disruption to air travel.

By mid-afternoon, 19 flights had been cancelled, while several others faced major delays. Passengers travelling through Malta were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Mount Etna, located about 220 km north of Malta, is one of Europe’s most active volcanoes and resumed eruptive activity last week. The eruption also disrupted operations at Sicily’s Catania airport, where the suspension of arrivals and departures was extended until Wednesday morning.

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Italy’s Beach Access Debate Intensifies as Free Beach Campaigners Clash with Lido Operators

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Italy’s coastline has become the centre of a growing debate as campaigners demand greater public access to beaches, while private lido operators defend the paid services they provide. Popular seaside destinations such as Santa Severa feature stretches of privately managed beaches where visitors pay for amenities including umbrellas, sun loungers, restaurants, lifeguards and family-friendly facilities. Operators argue these services ensure safety, cleanliness and a better beach experience for visitors.

Campaigners, however, say free public beaches are often limited to less desirable locations, including rocky shorelines or areas near drainage outlets, making access unequal for those unable or unwilling to pay. They argue that public beaches should receive better maintenance and essential facilities such as showers, rubbish bins and lifeguard services from local authorities rather than relying on private operators. The issue has become increasingly visible during the busy summer tourism season as demand for affordable beach access grows.

The dispute also has legal and political dimensions. The European Union has long urged Italy to adopt a more transparent system for awarding lucrative beach concessions, but reforms have progressed slowly. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government extended existing beach licences until September 2027, with a possible extension to March 2028. Meanwhile, concession allocations in several coastal towns are under review by Italy’s highest administrative court, as campaigners continue to push for beaches they believe should remain accessible to everyone.

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Gibraltar Ends 118-Year Border Controls with Spain

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Gibraltar is set to remove its 118-year-old border controls with Spain from July 15 under a post-Brexit agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The move will allow smoother travel between Gibraltar and Spain, ending decades of routine border checks that often caused long delays for the thousands of cross-border workers who commute every day.

The agreement is expected to boost trade, tourism and employment on both sides of the border. Businesses in Gibraltar anticipate increased visitor numbers, while neighbouring Spanish towns, where many residents depend on jobs and customers from Gibraltar, are expected to benefit from easier movement of people and goods. Gibraltar will also become part of the EU customs union and the Schengen free travel area under the new arrangements.

While the deal is being welcomed as a historic step towards closer cooperation, it also introduces new obligations for Gibraltar. Goods sold in the territory must now comply with EU regulations, and a new transaction tax will gradually replace import duties. Despite concerns about additional paperwork and compliance costs, business leaders say the agreement brings long-awaited certainty after years of Brexit-related uncertainty.

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Russian-Installed Authorities Declare Economic Emergency in Crimea

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Russian-installed authorities in Crimea have declared a state of economic emergency following a series of Ukrainian attacks that have disrupted fuel supplies and affected daily life on the peninsula. The emergency measure is intended to speed up decision-making and ensure the continued functioning of essential services, although officials have not detailed what practical changes it will bring.

The announcement comes after local authorities suspended tourism, cancelled children’s summer camps and halted fuel sales in response to mounting supply shortages. Residents have reported long queues at petrol stations and rising fuel prices as repeated drone strikes have strained logistics and energy infrastructure.

Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian energy facilities and supply routes in an effort to weaken Moscow’s military capabilities and disrupt access to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure to create unrest among the population, while the conflict continues to affect economic activity across the region.

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Crimea Suspends Summer Camps as Ukraine Strikes Trigger Fuel Crisis

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Russian-held Crimea has suspended tourist activities and children’s summer camps until September as a growing fuel crisis disrupts the region. Authorities say Ukrainian attacks on sea routes, supply roads, and Russian oil infrastructure have severely affected fuel deliveries, forcing petrol stations across Crimea to halt sales to the public and businesses.

The fuel shortages are part of a wider problem across Russia, where repeated Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries have reduced gasoline and diesel production. Several Russian regions have reported supply disruptions, while some fuel stations in Moscow have also experienced shortages of certain fuel grades.

The Kremlin said officials and oil companies are working to stabilize the domestic fuel market. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has directed agencies and producers to prepare measures to boost supplies, maintain prices, and increase output as Russia faces declining fuel production and exports amid continued attacks on its energy sector.

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Sardinian Beach Limits Visitors and Bans Most Umbrellas

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Authorities in Sardinia have introduced strict new rules at Punta Molentis beach following devastating wildfires that damaged the coastline, dunes, and nearby car park last year. To protect the fragile ecosystem and support recovery efforts, visitor numbers will be capped at 150 people at a time, with mandatory reservations required for beach access through October.

Under the new regulations, visitors arriving by land must pay an entry fee of €10, while those arriving by boat will be charged €5. Vehicle access has also been restricted to just 70 cars per day. In one of the most unusual measures, beach umbrellas are prohibited for most visitors and are only allowed for families with children under 10 years old or adults aged over 65.

Local officials say the restrictions are necessary to reduce human impact and preserve one of Villasimius’ most valuable natural attractions. While some residents have criticised the rules as excessive, authorities argue they are essential to ensure the long-term protection of Punta Molentis, one of Sardinia’s most popular and environmentally sensitive beaches.

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Poland Revives Famous ‘Highway to Hel’ Bus Route With Number 666

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Poland’s controversial bus route numbered 666 has returned after coach operator FlixBus announced a new service connecting Kraków to the coastal town of Hel. The route revives the nickname “Highway to Hel,” which gained international attention due to the combination of the number 666 and the destination’s name.

The original route, operated by PKS Gdynia, was renumbered to 669 in 2023 following pressure from religious groups who viewed the association as promoting satanic symbolism. In Christian tradition, 666 is known as the “number of the beast,” leading to years of complaints from conservative organizations.

FlixBus said the return of route 666 is intended as a marketing move to boost visibility for the popular holiday destination. Located on the scenic Hel Peninsula along Poland’s Baltic coast, Hel attracts visitors with its beaches, historic sites, and wildlife attractions, making it one of the country’s most popular summer destinations.

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