Daily News Summary – 2026-04-01 – en

The European Union experienced its worst wildfire season on record in 2025, with over 1 million hectares burned, doubling the average and affecting 25 of 27 member states. Climate change intensified heatwaves, leading to earlier fire seasons and northward expansion, prompting a new EU strategy for prevention and response.

A federal judge ordered President Trump to halt construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, ruling that congressional approval is required for significant modifications to federal property. The injunction stops all work on the project, which aimed to replace the historic East Wing, citing the president's role as steward, not owner.

A Russian military transport plane crashed in Crimea, killing all 29 people on board, in one of the deadliest aviation incidents in the region since Russia's annexation. Preliminary investigations point to technical problems, with the aging Antonov An-26 aircraft disappearing during a scheduled flight amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

India launched the world's largest national census, aiming to count over 1.4 billion people for the first time in 15 years, with a budget of $1.24 billion and 3 million officials. The census includes comprehensive caste data collection, marking a significant step for policy planning and social justice in the most populous nation.

Criminals are using AI to orchestrate sophisticated cargo thefts through deepfake identities and fake carriers, exploiting vulnerabilities in global logistics. The Benelux region is a hotspot, with ports like Antwerp and Rotterdam targeted, driving the need for enhanced verification and international cooperation to combat these digital threats.