Abu Dhabi Dialogue set for new push on migrant worker protection
Fair recruitment, social protection, and skills development among key priorities Dubai: The Philippines is preparing to put migrant worker protection high on the agenda of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue as it takes over the chairmanship of the regional labour migration forum for 2026 to 2028. The Philippin»»»
Lifting of Sanctions on Russian Oil Supplies Requires EU-Wide Decision, Radev Says
Lifting sanctions against Russia concerning oil supplies is a matter requiring an EU-wide decision, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said responding to a question from Vazrazhdane MP Kostadin Kostadinov about the possibility of importing cheaper Russian oil and lifting the sanctions related to oil suppli»»»
Eastern flank drone incidents test Nato's defences
Three drone incidents in 36 hours last week highlighted the growing security challenge facing Nato's Black Sea flank, culminating in Romania scrambling an F-16 to destroy an explosive-laden naval drone near the country's biggest new offshore gas project. European officials have warned that repeated»»»
Philippines assures support for families after two seafarers killed in Strait of Hormuz
Manila coordinates repatriation of surviving crew, remains after deadly security incident Dubai: The Philippines has assured the families of two Filipino seafarers killed in a security incident in the Strait of Hormuz that the government will provide immediate assistance and ensure they receive all»»»
Drone incident in Germany has ‘hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism’, EU's Kallas says
Last month's incident involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport bears "all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Wednesday. Germany has blamed Russia for the "hybrid attack". The EU has summoned the Russian envoy, and member states we»»»
What was behind Europe’s mass ‘Russian drone’ hysteria?
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a well-timed ploy to ramp up defense spending? Germany's evidence-free claim that a drone found lying between Ukrainian cargo planes on the canopy of Leipzig/Halle airport is part of a pattern. Last year's late-autumn drone sighting hysteria that swept across Norw»»»
Usmanov’s lawyers urge EU to review sanctions, citing thousands of media corrections
The lawyers of sanctioned tycoon Alisher Usmanov sent a letter seen by IntelliNews to the EC leadership calling on sanctions to be lifted after thousands of media reports that were used as the basis for imposing the sanctions have since been deemed erroneous and deleted. Dated August 14 and address»»»
Usmanov’s lawyers urge EU to review sanctions, citing thousands of media corrections
The lawyers of sanctioned tycoon Alisher Usmanov sent a letter seen by IntelliNews to the EC leadership calling on sanctions to be lifted after thousands of media reports that were used as the basis for imposing the sanctions have since been deemed erroneous and deleted. Dated August 14 and address»»»
Bulgaria's Border Security Could Become EU Model
Bulgaria's border security measures could serve as a model for the entire European Union, Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said during a meeting with Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens. The two officials agreed that Frontex should provide stronger and more active support to EU member states»»»
Media Review: September 2
POLITICS - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Andrey Gurov and Georgi Kandev’s entry into the presidential race has reshaped the field, with their campaign seeking to unite pro-European and democratic voters while reaching beyond the traditional right-wing electorate. Coverage focuses heavily on the role of GER»»»
What do Canada and Iran have in common? The US bullies both
Canada has very few similarities with Iran – to Canada’s own shame. Let’s leave aside the basic differences, such as location, demographics, weather, and cuisine, and focus on the essentials: Historically, Iran is old and firmly based on an ancient civilization; Canada, like the US, is young and a »»»
Germany blames Russia for Leipzig airport drone attack, orders Russian consulate closed
Germany's government on Tuesday blamed Russia for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on 4 August using an explosive-laden drone, and announced that it would shut down a Russian consulate among other measures against Moscow. French President Emmanuel Macron said he support»»»
Germany blames Russia for airport drone incident, hits back with sanctions
Berlin accuses Moscow of hybrid warfare, tightens sanctions and expulsions Germany on Tuesday (Sept. 1, 2026) blamed Russia for an attempted "hybrid attack" involving an explosive-laden drone at a strategic airport last month and announced diplomatic counter-measures. The European Union expressed "»»»
Germany: Leipzig airport drone attack was Russian - UPI.com
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (R) and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrive for a press conference Tuesday at Leipzig airport in Berlin. Photo by Filip Singer/EPA Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Germany on Tuesday accused Russia of responsibility for a drone attack at Leipzig's airport last»»»
Interior Minister Praises Security of Bulgaria's Borders During a Meeting with Head of Frontex
During a meeting between Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) Executive Director, Hans Leijtens, Demerdzhiev said that the security of Bulgaria's borders and the measures Bulgaria is implementing could serve as a model for the entire European U»»»
Shake-up of EU Commission regions department sparks fears for future of cohesion policy
Concern is rising after reports that DG Regio, the EU Commission department for urban and regional development, will be the latest victim of Ursula von der Leyen’s ‘simplification’ drive. In a bid to streamline myriad DG offices, EU budget commissioner Piotr Serafin was charged with simplifying the»»»
US irks Germany, Europe with Russian G20 invite, press bans
PoliticsUnited States of AmericaUS irks Germany, Europe with Russian G20 invite, press bansMark Hallam with AFP, AP, dpa, ReutersRussia's finance minister is at the G20 meeting in Asheville but some key US press corps members are not. The mood was already tense amid the lengthy Iran war and Trump's»»»
Frozen EU funds: all conditions met, says PM Magyar
Hungary has met all the European Union’s requirements to access “thousands of billions” of forints in EU funding, “in line with its commitments and by today’s deadline”, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Facebook on Monday. “Now the funds from Brussels are welcome to arrive,” Magyar said, thankin»»»
Interior Minister Demerdzhiev to Pay Working Visit to Poland
Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev is set to pay a working visit to Poland, the Ministry’s press centre said here on Monday. The programme of the visit to Warsaw includes a bilateral meeting between Minister Demerdzhiev and his Polish counterpart Marcin Kierwinski. Coordination and closer cooperati»»»
Four EU foreign ministers reopen the fight over Russia's €210bn
Four EU foreign ministers have told Brussels the money already promised to Ukraine will not be enough, and that the question of how to use Russia's frozen Central Bank of Russia (CBR) reserve funds must come back onto the table. The letter, dated August 27 and signed by Sweden's Maria Malmer Stener»»»
Four EU foreign ministers reopen the fight over Russia's €210bn
Four EU foreign ministers have told Brussels the money already promised to Ukraine will not be enough, and that the question of how to use Russia's frozen Central Bank of Russia (CBR) reserve funds must come back onto the table. The letter, dated August 27 and signed by Sweden's Maria Malmer Stener»»»
EU gas storage hits record lows amid Iran war and Russian energy phase-out
EU gas storage is now at one of the lowest seasonal levels on record, with the shortfall feeding a “winter panic” among traders amid the Iran war and Brussels’s continued push to phase out Russian energy, according to The Guardian. EU gas stocks are at around 64% as of Friday, far below the 80% ave»»»
[Interview] Irish liberal MEP Barry Andrews: ‘Trade measures are the EU’s only real leverage over Israel’
Irish MEP Barry Andrews’ active lobbying in the European Parliament to sanction illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine, as well as his humanitarian work, have made him a vocal player in the centrist European party Renew. On Tuesday (28 July), he spoke to EUobserver about his pragmatic, t»»»
Ukraine is slowly losing the war – Fedorov
Ukraine warned that Ukraine is slowly losing the war and has months, not years, to change course, according to the ex-Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in an exclusive interview with Reuters on August 25. "I think that there's now a turning point which will determine our future trajectory, but it l»»»
Slovenia blocks joint EU statement condemning Israeli settlement plans
Slovenia blocked a joint EU statement condemning Israel's plans to build new homes for settlers in the occupied West Bank, saying the statement would not bring added value at this time, according to EUobserver. The article said that Ljubljana has weakened the EU’s response to Israel’s plans to expa»»»
REVIEW: ‘Lion’ — captivating tale of a young lion’s life with distracting Disneyfication
DUBAI: “Lion” is an extraordinary undertaking: a documentary filmed over four years in Kenya’s Masai Mara reserve that follows a lion named Kio from his first weeks, reared with heart-tearing devotion by his mother, Summer, to adulthood and his rise to primacy within a pride of his own. The four-pa»»»
Green Balkans Sends Vulture Poisoning Case List to Interior Ministry
The Green Balkans environmental organization has sent a list of all known cases of vulture poisoning in recent years to the Interior Ministry at its request, the organization’s Environmental Protection Director Ivelin Ivanov told BTA on Wednesday. On August 19, nine birds - eight vultures and one c»»»
Qatar’s former health minister HE Dr Hanan Al-Kuwari nominated for WHO Director-General post
Doha, Qatar: Former Minister of Public Health of the State of Qatar HE Dr Hanan Al-Kuwari has been nominated for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), succeeding current Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus when his term ends on August 15, 2027. “Drawing»»»
Eastern flank drone incidents test Nato's defences
Three drone incidents in 36 hours last week highlighted the growing security challenge facing Nato's Black Sea flank, culminating in Romania scrambling an F-16 to destroy an explosive-laden naval drone near the country's biggest new offshore gas project. European officials have warned that repeated»»»
Zelenskiy marks 35 years of independence asking allies for money and missiles
Ukraine turned 35 on August 24 and its president spent the occasion asking for two things: money and missiles. Volodymyr Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv on August 23 that ballistic missile defence and war funding were Ukraine's "two major challenges". The defence ministry is carrying a budget shor»»»
EPP, Renew urge EC to warn Romania that 'Fritz amendment' endangers EUR770 mln RRF tranche
The European Parliament's European People's Party (EPP, centre-right) and Renew Europe (liberal) groups have urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to make clear to Romania that the disbursement of funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) is conditional on impl»»»
Eastern flank drone incidents test Nato's defences
Three drone incidents in 36 hours last week highlighted the growing security challenge facing Nato's Black Sea flank, culminating in Romania scrambling an F-16 to destroy an explosive-laden naval drone near the country's biggest new offshore gas project. European officials have warned that repeated»»»
EU rules out new push to steal frozen Russian assets – EurActiv
The EU is highly reluctant to revive plans to steal more than $200 billion in frozen Russian sovereign reserves and hand them over to cash-strapped Ukraine, EurActiv reported on Tuesday, citing sources. On Monday, European leaders flocked to Kiev in a show of solidarity for Ukraine, which marked it»»»
British PM Andy Burnham pledges to share long-range missile tech with Ukraine - UPI.com
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham followed up his first official meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Portsmouth Naval Base in July, by traveling to Kyiv on Monday for Independence Day celebrations. File Photo via Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/UPI | License Photo Aug. 24 (»»»
EU releases new $7.1 billion aid boost for Ukraine
Brussels, Belgium: The European Union said Monday that it had released another 6.1 billion euros ($7.1 billion) in military aid for Ukraine to boost its air defences against Russian missile attacks. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced the move ahead of talks on Monday betwe»»»
Ukraine hits Russia's Ozon for the first time, Russia hits major Kryvyi Rih supermarket with a deadly double-tap drone strikes
Ukrainian drones set fire to a 135,000 square metre Ozon warehouse in Russia's Samara region overnight, the first confirmed strike on the country's second-biggest online marketplace. The attack came a day after Russian missiles made a day time attack on a major shopping mall in Ukrainian President »»»
Veteran actor Aasha Jaiswal, India’s first female mimicry artist, dies at 83
Veteran actress and mimicry artist Aasha Singh Jaiswal has died in Mumbai at the age of 83. She passed away on August 22 at around 7.30pm, her son Akkash Bharadwaj confirmed. Speaking to ANI, Bharadwaj said the family performed her last rites and cremated her at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai»»»
Asia's nuclear arms race stops being hypothetical
China has told Japan not to test its patience over nuclear weapons, in an exchange that has moved an Asian arms race from a strategist’s tabletop war-game to debates on policy priorities that foreign ministries are arguing about in public. Beijing issue Tokyo with a stringent “do not play with fire»»»
Asia's nuclear arms race stops being hypothetical
China has told Japan not to test its patience over nuclear weapons, in an exchange that has moved an Asian arms race from a strategist’s tabletop war-game to debates on policy priorities that foreign ministries are arguing about in public. Beijing issue Tokyo with a stringent “do not play with fire»»»
Saudi aviation’s changing landscape: Riyadh Air and Saudia Airlines shape new era
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector is emerging into a new era as the Kingdom aims to expand its global connectivity through the introduction of Riyadh Air alongside the established Saudia Airlines. The growth in the Kingdom’s airline sector has sparked conversation on the difference in airline »»»
Drone destroyed in Romania: EC President vows swift, united EU response to emerging threats
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday denounced a "hybrid-war campaign" targeting the European Union after a Romanian Air Force fighter jet destroyed a small marine drone in Romania's exclusive economic zone near the Neptun Alpha offshore platform, AFP and Reuters report.In»»»
This airline made a hoodie for people who hate seat recliners
Dubai: There's that one moment at a boarding gate when a person's true character shows itself. The first boarding call sounds — group one, mind you — and suddenly half the waiting area rises as if to a starting gun only they could hear. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & BalancesS»»»