Thousands of people rallied across Italy at the weekend despite a government crackdown, and some briefly broke into the Colosseum in Rome. Police said they arrested nine people and briefly detained 371 others, including 110 minors. Italy's Culture Ministry reported no damage or injuries at the site. Clashes broke out in central Rome, where officers used water cannons. The protests form part of a wider wave of youth-led demonstrations across Europe over housing, living costs and education.
Scientists estimate a record 50,000 people died from heat in European cities this summer, according to new research. The study attributes about two-thirds of these deaths to climate breakdown, up from roughly 40% at the start of the century. Italy, France, Spain, Germany and the UK recorded the highest absolute death tolls. Researchers say the figures are estimates based on temperature data and models, not recorded deaths. Doctors have urged governments to cut fossil fuel use and help vulnerable people, especially the elderly, stay cool.
France has confirmed the death of the first person known to have been infected with Shamonda virus, a disease previously thought unable to pass to humans. The patient died earlier this month in Lyon and had a severely weakened immune system. Officials say neurological complications were most likely linked to the infection, but the case is considered exceptional. Preliminary evidence suggests the patient was bitten by an insect. The French government says there is no risk to the general public, while investigations continue.
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Meta's advertising revenue growth in Europe slowed in the three months through September, lagging behind North America. Revenue in the region grew 18 percent year-on-year, compared with 33 percent in the US and Canada. Chief financial officer Susan Li had earlier warned that less personalised ads were having an impact in Europe. Meta introduced the less-personalised option earlier this year after EU regulators found it breached digital markets rules. Meta says the option uses 90 percent less data, which it argues leads to weaker returns for advertisers.
Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has set out a vision for Europe built on robotics, AI agents and modular data centres. Speaking at Nvidia's conference in Berlin, he said Europe could both use and produce artificial intelligence. His first major announcement was a pre-assembled data centre unit called the DSX Pod, which he said could be running within 14 days. Huang also named humanoid robotics as the next major industry and said Europe was well placed to lead it. Two Greenpeace protesters interrupted the speech with a banner.
A power problem at a Google Cloud data centre in London disrupted services across Europe for hours. Banks, websites and court live streams were affected, with UK institutions hit hardest. Customers of Revolut and Halifax reported trouble accessing their accounts and apps. Court live streams, including the trial of Russell Brand, also went down. Google says services have been restored for most customers and that it will investigate the cause.
Protests have spread across six European countries, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets. France has imposed curfews in parts of Paris and Lille after some rallies turned violent, with hundreds arrested. The unrest began with teachers and students protesting staffing shortages in Paris on September 17, and has since widened to cost-of-living concerns and public sector cuts. In Spain, snap elections are set for November 29 after housing reforms were rejected. Analysts warn the discontent could spread to more countries in the coming weeks.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has returned from a trade mission to Germany and the United Kingdom with new links aimed at growing Canberra's tech industry. Discussions covered research commercialisation, cyber security, digital infrastructure, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. Barr said the goal is more high-value jobs and more private investment by 2030. The mission also sought more European visitors, with a joint marketing campaign with Tourism Australia and Qatar Airways supporting the airline's daily Canberra-Doha service from December.
Noosa businessman James Hay and his wife Elena are well into a 15-month motorcycle journey to Europe. They have ridden thousands of kilometres through Australia, Timor-Leste and Indonesia. Ferry delays, challenging roads and Google Maps routes have tested them along the way. Highlights include swimming with whale sharks and watching a traditional buffalo race on Sumbawa. The couple are now in Bali, preparing to take a ferry to Java.
George Clooney is reportedly urging Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber to leave Los Angeles for good, according to insiders. The move follows the death of their son, Presley Gerber, 27, who was found dead at a Santa Monica rehab facility on September 26, just hours after checking in. Insiders say Clooney, who has lived in Europe for about two decades, believes a slower European lifestyle would give the couple privacy. Clooney has described the death as "the worst thing that could ever happen to a family". The family has asked for privacy while they grieve.
Tesla has renamed its Full Self-Driving feature to Tesla Assisted Driving in Europe while it seeks approval to use the system on public roads. The German Transport Ministry said Tesla offered the change, and that Transport Minister Steffen Bilger found the old name somewhat misleading. The feature still requires drivers to stay alert and take control at all times. The EU is likely to vote on approval by the end of the year. Tesla has previously resisted renaming the feature, and a US federal probe into the system is also under way.
