EU needs 'Team Enlargement' coalition to drive next expansion push, think-tank says
The European Union needs a coalition of key member states to overcome political divisions and prepare the bloc for its next enlargement wave, including the possible accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Western Balkan countries, a report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) said. The rep»»»
Record low water levels halt Danube shipping
The Danube's water level in Budapest fell to 26cm on July 28, breaking the previous record low of 33cm set in 2018 and the river’s flow rate is round 60% below its average level. The drought affecting the broader region has brought water freight transport to a halt on much of the Danube, which is a»»»
Senate passes Graham's “hellish sanctions” package during Zelenskiy's trip to Washington in coup for Bankova
The US Senate passed the “sanctions from hell” package advanced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham on July 29 with an overwhelming majority of 86 to 12 in favour, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in attendance. Zelenskiy was in Washington to visit US President Donald Trump to consolidat»»»
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs holds phone conversation with German Foreign Minister
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany HE Johann Wadephul held a phone call, where they discussed cooperation relations between Qatar and Germany and explor»»»
EU needs 'Team Enlargement' coalition to drive next expansion push, think-tank says
The European Union needs a coalition of key member states to overcome political divisions and prepare the bloc for its next enlargement wave, including the possible accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Western Balkan countries, a report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) said. The rep»»»
Ivan Aivazovsky and the cultural front of the Russia-Ukraine War
In the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, few historical figures are as awkwardly placed as artist Ivan Aivazovsky. Born in Feodosia, Crimea, on the Black Sea coast in 1817, the city of Aivazovsky’s birth now under Russian occupation but still internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. In »»»
EU needs 'Team Enlargement' coalition to drive next expansion push, think-tank says
The European Union needs a coalition of key member states to overcome political divisions and prepare the bloc for its next enlargement wave, including the possible accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Western Balkan countries, a report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) said. The rep»»»
Germany, Syria connect with direct flights for first time in 14 years
LONDON: Dusseldorf became the fourth European city — after Amsterdam, Bucharest, and Moscow — to be directly connected to the Syrian Arab Republic following a flight on Wednesday by German carrier LEAV Aviation that landed at Damascus International Airport. The flight restored a direct aviation rou»»»
BMW to cut up to 8,000 jobs
BusinessGermanyBMW to cut up to 8,000 jobs Isaac Holmberg with AFP, Reuters, dpaNearly half of BMW's German staff will receive a voluntary redundancy offer in the carmaker's bid to reduce staff by about 8,000 people. https://p.dw.com/p/5HxfLLast year, BMW's vehicle deliveries in China were already »»»
Russia charges Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with 'promoting terrorism' - UPI.com
Telegram fouinder and CEO Pavel Durov was the target of a international warrant issued by Moscow which wants him on charges the app was used to organize terror attacks in Russia. File Photo by Nick Lubushko/Wikipedia Commons July 29 (UPI) -- Russia issued an international arrest warrant Wednesday f»»»
First LEAV Aviation flight from Germany arrives at Damascus International Airport
Damascus, July 29 (SANA) The first direct flight operated by German carrier LEAV Aviation arrived at Damascus International Airport on Wednesday after departing from Düsseldorf, Germany, carrying Syrian passengers.The flight restores direct service between Düsseldorf and Damascus after a hiatus of »»»
Europe’s queer ‘conversion’ therapy crisis is an invisible trauma for victims, but a difficult practice to ban
“Every day, I would be given shock treatment.” Edward was 27 when he started his conversion treatment in London. He would be faced with the photo of a shirtless male, and for six weeks, would get shocked on his arms if he wanted to keep looking at the picture. “I was black and blue. I could never r»»»
BMW aims to cut 8,000 jobs by end 2027: company source
Frankfurt, Germany: Premium carmaker BMW is to offer almost half its German staff voluntary redundancy in a bid to cut 8,000 jobs by the end of 2027, a company source told AFP Wednesday. About 40,000 of BMW's roughly 85,000 permanent German employees would receive the offers from October, the sourc»»»
Investigators find apparent claim of responsibility after Berlin Pride attack
Investigators have found what appears to be a claim of responsibility by the suspect in the fatal attack near Berlin's Pride festival, German authorities said Tuesday. The 21-year-old suspect, Abdul Rahman Ballout, was killed in a confrontation with police on Sunday, the day after investigators say»»»
Al-Ittihad and Jens Wissing draw parallels with Jeddah rivals Al-Ahli and Matthias Jaissle
AUSTRALIA: When looking at the appointment of Jens Wissing as the new manager of Al-Ittihad, it is hard not to make the comparison to Matthias Jaissle. The 38-year-old Jaissle has transformed Al-Ahli over the past three seasons, won back-to-back continental titles and has them as ready as any team »»»
Filipinos should not fear Pax Silica — Here's why
Every generation has its defining technology. Steam power transformed the 19th century. Electricity and internal combustion vehicles reshaped the 20th. The internet connected the world at the turn of the millennium. Artificial intelligence (AI) and electrified transport are poised to define the 21s»»»
Seven in ten Romanians overseas rule out returning next year
Six in ten Romanians in the diaspora (61%) have already invested in Romania, through various methods - financial support for the family, real estate, although 70% exclude returning to the country in the next 12 months, show the results of an opinion poll released on Tuesday.According to the researc»»»
Ivan Aivazovsky and the cultural front of the Russia-Ukraine War
In the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, few historical figures are as awkwardly placed as artist Ivan Aivazovsky. Born in Feodosia, Crimea, on the Black Sea coast in 1817, the city of Aivazovsky’s birth now under Russian occupation but still internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. In »»»
Ivan Aivazovsky and the cultural front of the Russia-Ukraine War
In the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, few historical figures are as awkwardly placed as artist Ivan Aivazovsky. Born in Feodosia, Crimea, on the Black Sea coast in 1817, the city of Aivazovsky’s birth now under Russian occupation but still internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. In »»»
Syria, KSB discuss localizing pump, valve manufacturing in Syria
Damascus, July 28 (SANA) The Ministries of Economy and Industry and Energy met on Tuesday with representatives of Germany‘s KSB, a global leader in pump and valve manufacturing, to discuss establishing a production plant in Syria as part of efforts to attract specialized industrial investment, tran»»»
Germany: Low Rhine River levels could weigh down economy
ClimateGermany: Low Rhine River levels could weigh down economyRichard Connor with dpa, ReutersRecord-low water levels on the Rhine are forcing cargo vessels to run with sharply reduced loads, driving up transport costs. Economists warn the disruption could wipe out Germany's already weak summer gr»»»
Europe's summer heat has broken the Bell curve, as record El Niño builds
This summer’s extreme temperatures have broken the normal “Bell curve” distribution of temperature variations and pushed it sharply to the right into record breaking highs. This is not normal – literally. That is the other name for the Bell curve: “the normal distribution.” First you’ll need a quic»»»
Europe's summer heat has broken the Bell curve, as record El Niño builds
This summer’s extreme temperatures have broken the normal “Bell curve” distribution of temperature variations and pushed it sharply to the right into record breaking highs. This is not normal – literally. That is the other name for the Bell curve: “the normal distribution.” First you’ll need a quic»»»
China and Russia cement their grip on global manufacturing
China now accounts for roughly 28% of global manufacturing value added, more than any other country or bloc and over triple its share in 2004, according to World Bank data. The US share has fallen to about 17% from 22% over the same period, while the Eurozone has slipped to around 15% and Japan to »»»
Hungarian passport remains one of the world’s strongest
The Hungarian passport is ranked alongside those of Croatia, Poland, South Korea and Malta as one of the world’s most powerful travel documents. But how does a country rise ever higher up the rankings — and what explains Hungary’s success? Hungary’s passport remains highly prized Many people assume»»»
US Ebola patient treated in Germany makes recovery
Frankfurt, Germany: An American Ebola patient transferred to Germany for treatment last month has made a recovery, Frankfurt's university hospital said Tuesday. The man, previously identified by the World Health Organisation as a humanitarian worker who had been at the epicentre of the outbreak in »»»
Kerala looks to Arab travelers to drive tourism growth
NEW DELHI: Kerala will prioritize travelers from Arab countries and is setting aside 20 percent of its promotion funds to attract them to visit, the state’s tourism minister said on Tuesday, as the sector plays an increasing role in the region’s growth. Located on India’s southwestern coast and bor»»»
Likelihood of return among Romanian diaspora significantly drops after five years abroad – MKOR study
Romanians living abroad are increasingly settled in their host countries, while maintaining strong economic and civic ties with Romania, according to the MKOR “Diaspora Sentiment 2026” study. While 61% of respondents have invested money in Romania and 65% voted in the country’s latest parliamentary»»»
Russia-US Contacts on Ukraine Settlement Constantly Continuing in Working Order - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The contacts between Russia and the United States on the Ukrainian settlement are constantly continuing in a working order, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. "As for the Ukrainian track, contacts are constantly ongoing and continued to be carried out," Peskov told »»»
German govt vows to toughen laws after jihadist attack on Pride event
The German government has pledged tougher security laws following a deadly vehicle and machete attack blamed on a known jihadist militant near Berlin's Pride parade. The attacker on Saturday ploughed a rented minivan into a crowd before slashing away at people with a machete, killing a 65-year-old »»»
How can you keep yourself safe from forever chemicals and cadmium in food? (Part 2/2)
Food-related health warnings have become increasingly frequent in recent years, to the point where maintaining a diet free of contaminants can seem almost impossible. So what’s the best way to limit your exposure, and will there ever be a way to fully remove these harmful pollutants from our blood?»»»
Why the race to AI dominance has echoes of the Cold War
For years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been the subject of a great power competition in technology, but midway through 2026, AI is increasingly a key arena for great power competition in contemporary geopolitics, too. When the US-led ‘unipolar’ order of the post-Cold War era gradually gave way»»»
Chinese BRI investment announcements in Africa rise 254% y/y in H1 to record $33.5bn
Chinese investment announcements in African countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) rose 254% year on year to a record $33.5bn in the first half of 2026, making the continent the largest regional destination for investment under the programme. The increase lifted the total to »»»
Magyar to Fidesz MPs: ‘What you have done is a disgrace, a disgrace, a disgrace’
The government is continuously working to fulfil Tisza's commitments and to create a genuinely functioning and humane Hungary, guided throughout by the aim of ensuring the everyday safety, livelihoods and dignity of Hungarians — said Prime Minister Péter Magyar at Monday's session of the National A»»»
Germany now pays five times more for gas after ditching Russian imports
Germany is paying roughly five times more for natural gas than it did before abandoning long-term Russian supply contracts, Berliner Zeitung reported on July 24. German importers paid €12 per megawatt-hour in 2020 under those contracts, which were largely insulated from external shocks such as the »»»
Tanker crew held hostage off Somalia: security officials
Somali pirates who seized the chemical tanker M/T Asana in the Gulf of Aden are holding the vessel and its crew hostage at anchorage in Somalia, security officials said Monday. The Tanzanian-flagged ship, hijacked on July 16, is located near the northeastern fishing town of Jifle, two local securit»»»
European stocks close flat after Trump suspends strikes on Iran
London, July 27 (SANA) European stocks closed flat on Monday, with gains from easing US-Iran tensions and falling oil prices offset by losses in technology stocks, led by ASML, according to Reuters. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed flat at 644.52 points after hitting its highest level since »»»
Man killed by police after Berlin attack had served prison term in Beirut
BEIRUT: A German man of Lebanese origin who was killed by police following an attack in Berlin had previously served a prison sentence in Lebanon over links to people suspected of association with Daesh. Abd Al-Ballout, 21, was shot dead by police on Sunday night following the incident near a Chris»»»
Panama named best country for expats for third straight year - UPI.com
A view of a mangrove area on the east coast of Panama City, Panama, on Wednesday. Panama has been named the world's best country for expatriates for the third consecutive year, Photo by Carlos Lemos/EPA July 27 (UPI) -- Panama has been named the world's best country for expatriates for the third co»»»
German lawmakers call for changes to anti-terror laws after Pride attack - UPI.com
1 of 2 | German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a press conference at the CDU headquarters in Berlin on Monday. Photo by Clemens Bilan/EPA July 27 (UPI) -- German lawmakers called for stricter anti-terrorism laws Monday, two days after a 21-year-old drove a vehicle into a crowd at Berlin's »»»
Gunther Von Hagens, inventor of plastination, dies at 81 - UPI.com
German anatomist Gunther von Hagens stands next to plastinated human bodies on display in the exhibition "Body Worlds and The Cycle of Life" in Warsaw, Poland, on Dec. 1, 2018. File Photo by Jacek Turczyk/EPA July 27 (UPI) -- Gunther Von Hagens, the inventor of the method of preserving the human bo»»»
Ukraine Attacking Multiple Countries, Already Hit Germany, Iran, and Kazakhstan - Kremlin
Ukraine is attacking various countries, it already attacked Germany, and now it has attacked Iran and Kazakhstan, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. "Ukraine is attacking various countries. Previously, Ukraine attacked Germany by blowing up a facility of critically important energy inf»»»
German auto maker Porsche to cut 5,000 jobs by 2035
Frankfurt, Germany: German luxury sports car maker Porsche, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, said Monday it would cut 5,000 jobs by 2035 as part of a strategic realignment to boost competitiveness. The plan includes the "socially responsible reduction of a further 5,000 jobs by 2035, largely t»»»
Two German airlines to begin scheduled direct flights to Syria
Damascus, July 27 (SANA) Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced Monday the launch of scheduled direct flights between Syria and Germany through two German airlines, in a move aimed at strengthening air connectivity between the two countries and expanding the network»»»
Rheinmetall to more than double gunpowder output at Bavaria plant
German arms maker Rheinmetall plans to more than double gunpowder production at its Aschau am Inn plant near Munich, ramping up annual capacity from 1,700 tonnes to 4,200 tonnes and over 1mn propellant charges a year by 2028, the company said on July 22, CNBC reported. Rheinmetall is investing €350»»»
The all-new Mercedes-Benz VLE is now available to order in a wider range of attractive variants
From 23 July 2026, Mercedes-Benz will be expanding the range of its new Grand Limousine, the electric VLE. Customers can now choose from further attractive variants of the VLE 300, giving them even more options for tailoring their vehicle precisely to their individual needs. In addition to the stan»»»
Berlin Pride parade attacker of Lebanese origin, previously held in Lebanon
German police said Sunday they had shot and killed the chief suspect in what officials described as a deadly Islamist attack near the Berlin Pride parade the previous night, the latest ramming assault to hit the country. The attack late Saturday -- the first such incident to target the German capit»»»
Planning a trip to Europe? flydubai is resuming flights to top holiday spot
Dubai: Travellers flying from the UAE to Hungary will soon have another direct option, with flydubai resuming non-stop flights between Dubai and Budapest from July 31. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Dubai-based carrier said it will initially operate three weekly f»»»
Media Review: July 27
As Bulgaria prepares for the autumn presidential election, Monday's media attention focuses on President Iliana Iotova's decision to seek a full term, Bulgaria's security position amid the US-Iran conflict, and the country's defence commitments to NATO. Other key stories include possible US efforts»»»
Polish and British Tourists Replace Germans as Bulgaria's Largest Beach Holiday MarketOpinions
Bulgaria's tourism industry has reported a 9% decline in foreign visitors during the 2026 summer season, while the country's key inbound markets continue to shift, according to Ivan Groshev, Chairman of the Association of Incoming Agencies. For the first time in years, Germany has lost its position»»»