Unit 731: Japan’s Human Experiment Lab and the US Deal That Shielded Its Doctors
“For the surgeons, it was a regular workday.” This is how, many years later, one of the doctors from Unit 731 recalled the autopsies performed on living humans in a Japanese military laboratory near Harbin during the Second World War. This is neither a mistake nor an exaggeration: human vivisection»»»
Putin’s EEF Speech Shows Russia Sees No Path to Peace in West’s Ukraine Strategy – Expert
The West is not interested in Ukraine’s security and well-being, but rather in continuing the war against Russia and inflicting maximum damage on it, ideally leading to its strategic defeat, Dmitry Suslov of the Russian Council on Foreign and Defense Policy told Sputnik commenting on President Puti»»»
Zambia bonds shrug off election turmoil as Hichilema starts second term with rival facing treason charge
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second five-year term on September 1 after an election that delivered policy continuity but left a trail of disputed results, a contested attempt to challenge the outcome in court, and treason charges against his main rival. Zambians voted on »»»
Disturbing: Hungarian couple abuses and starves woman to death
A 34-year-old vulnerable woman was held as a slave, forced to work and repeatedly abused before dying from extreme neglect, prosecutors say. A Hungarian couple convicted of abusing and starving a vulnerable 34-year-old woman to death could face significantly harsher sentences after prosecutors appe»»»
Norway seizes Russian Arctic science vessel at Kiev’s request
The Norwegian authorities have seized a Russian research vessel in Svalbard at the request of Ukraine’s state-owned energy company, Naftogaz, amid growing tensions between Moscow and NATO states over access to and control of the Arctic. The Professor Molchanov was detained on Wednesday while docked»»»
Court of Cassation rejects appeals in case known in media as “Conspiracy Against State Security 1”
Tunis, Sept. 3 (TAP) - The Court of Cassation in Tunis on Thursday examined 46 appeals filed in connection with what has been referred to in the media as the “Conspiracy Against State Security 1” case.It ruled to reject 44 appeals on the merits and...»»»
CEO of Qatar International Court highlights its role in developing country's judicial, legal thought
Doha, Qatar: Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar International Court Faisal bin Rashid Al Sahouti affirmed that over the past 15 years, the Court has played an important role in advancing judicial and legal thought in the country and contributing to the consolidation of the principles of the rule »»»
11 EU members push to curb foreign policy vetoes as bloc weighs wider reform
Eleven European Union countries have called for an overhaul of the bloc's foreign policy decision-making, urging it to explore a shift from unanimity to qualified majority voting as repeated national vetoes have exposed the difficulty of acting collectively in a more volatile geopolitical environme»»»
Iliana Iotova Names BTA Director General Kiril Valchev as Running Mate for Presidential Election
Speaking to journalists at the Sofia Philharmonic on Thursday, President Iliana Iotova has named Bulgarian News Agency Director General Kiril Valchev as her candidate for vice president. Iotova announced her running mate for the upcoming presidential election in October while attending the opening »»»
Germany greenlights $930 million worth of arms exports to Israel
The German government approved nearly €800 million ($930 million) in weapons exports to Israel between January and June, Der Spiegel reports, citing a government response to a parliamentary inquiry. The sum is already four times higher than the total value Berlin greenlighted last year. Around one-»»»
Press Review - Supreme Court corruption scandal rocks Brazil
PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, September 3: There's outrage in Malta after a tycoon was found not guilty of masterminding the murder of high-profile investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. In Brazil, a Supreme Court justice who was pivotal in sentencing former President Jair Bolsonaro »»»
Eye on Africa - Kenyan editor found safe after abduction
In tonight's edition: Media rights groups in Kenya call for an investigation after a top journalist is abducted overnight by heavily armed men. Also, trials for three potential vaccines against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola are due to start over the next couple of months. Plus Senegalese»»»
LPP focuses on more selective expansion
Polish fashion group LPP is taking a more selective approach to expansion, cutting its 2026 target for new Sinsay stores to around 750 from 950 as it focuses more closely on location profitability. Crucially, the reduction applies to international expansion, not Poland. In Poland, Sinsay’s rollout »»»
Developers regaining optimism according to Developers’ Mood Index from Tabelaofert
Polish residential developers are becoming significantly more optimistic about sales. In August, 57.5% of surveyed companies expected apartment sales to increase, up from just 18.2% in June, while only 4.7% anticipated a decline. The sales momentum index rose to 0.53, its highest level this year, d»»»
Poland lags in implementation of EU’s Right to Repair directive
Poland has missed the July 31, 2026 deadline to implement the EU’s Right to Repair directive, with the legislation still undergoing government review. The delay could affect consumers buying products now, as some new protections may apply only to purchases made after the law enters into force. The »»»
European Parliament’s Metsola on Daphne Caruana Galizia verdict: ‘We will not give up, we will not give in’
“We will not give up and we will not give in,” European Parliament president Roberta Metsola wrote on Facebook post on Thursday (3 September), reacting to Wednesday’s court verdict relating to the 2017 murder of the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia that shook Europe. Yorgen F»»»
11 EU members push to curb foreign policy vetoes as bloc weighs wider reform
Eleven European Union countries have called for an overhaul of the bloc's foreign policy decision-making, urging it to explore a shift from unanimity to qualified majority voting as repeated national vetoes have exposed the difficulty of acting collectively in a more volatile geopolitical environme»»»
11 EU members push to curb foreign policy vetoes as bloc weighs wider reform
Eleven European Union countries have called for an overhaul of the bloc's foreign policy decision-making, urging it to explore a shift from unanimity to qualified majority voting as repeated national vetoes have exposed the difficulty of acting collectively in a more volatile geopolitical environme»»»
Euro Coins Are Coming: What Bulgaria's Currency Switch Means for Everyday Digital PaymentsOpinions
Sofia's exchange bureaus have started quietly shutting their shutters. Not because business dried up, but because the business they were built for is disappearing. Since January 1, 2026, Bulgaria has been a full member of the eurozone, and the lev that priced everything from a loaf of bread in Loze»»»
11 EU members push to curb foreign policy vetoes as bloc weighs wider reform
Eleven European Union countries have called for an overhaul of the bloc's foreign policy decision-making, urging it to explore a shift from unanimity to qualified majority voting as repeated national vetoes have exposed the difficulty of acting collectively in a more volatile geopolitical environme»»»
Putin rules out talks with Kyiv after Zelenskiy threatens to close Russia's skies
Russia does not negotiate with terrorists, President Vladimir Putin said, after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned airlines that Ukrainian drones would make Russian airspace unsafe. "I hadn't heard such statements, but if this was said publicly, then it amounts to a declaration of state terrorism»»»
11 EU members push to curb foreign policy vetoes as bloc weighs wider reform
Eleven European Union countries have called for an overhaul of the bloc's foreign policy decision-making, urging it to explore a shift from unanimity to qualified majority voting as repeated national vetoes have exposed the difficulty of acting collectively in a more volatile geopolitical environme»»»
Health Minister Ivkova: Health Inspectorates Will Not Close, Reimbursement Council to Be Restructured
Regional Health Inspectorates are to become territorial directorates under the Health Ministry rather than be closed, Minister of Health Katya Ivkova told the parliamentary Health Committee on Thursday. The discussion concerned plans to streamline the Health Ministry’s administration and secondary »»»
Taiwanese invest PLN 655 mln in Polish data center cooling company
Taiwan’s LiteOn Technology will invest USD 176 mln, or PLN 655 mln, in Polish data center cooling specialist DCX, acquiring a 25% stake and valuing the company at nearly PLN 2 bln before the transaction. DCX will become LiteOn’s technology hub for liquid cooling solutions, a rapidly growing market »»»
Direct Link Arctic—Pakistan's Southern Ports: Fantasy or Near Future?
Pakistan eyes Russia's Arctic route as a strategic trade alternative, but experts warn that tangible progress hinges on launching joint energy projects first. Shifting global logistics and mounting tensions in the Middle East are forcing nations to rethink traditional trade routes. Pakistan, whose »»»
BREAKING: Erasmus returns to Hungary – Hungarian university students can once again study abroad!
Hungarian university students will once again be able to participate fully in the EU’s Erasmus+ programme from the 2026/2027 academic year, the government has announced. The move comes after years of dispute between Budapest and Brussels over the governance of Hungary’s university foundations. Hung»»»
Qatar ranks first in MENA, top 5 globally in Standard of Living Index
Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar ranked fourth globally in the Standard of Living Index, leading the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region within the 2026 Legatum Prosperity Index, a result that reflects the continued improvement in quality of life for both citizens and residents. The State of »»»
Qatar ranks first in MENA, within top 5 globally in Standard of Living Index
DOHA: The State of Qatar ranked fourth globally in the Standard of Living Index, leading the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region within the 2026 Legatum Prosperity Index, a result that reflects the continued improvement in quality of life for both citizens and residents. The State of Qatar a»»»
Rafeeq launches Pearl Club, a five-tier loyalty program that turns every order into rewards
Doha, Qatar: Rafeeq today announced the launch of Pearl Club, a new loyalty program built into the Rafeeq app and designed to reward customers every time they order. Members join at the Bronze tier, collect Pearls on eligible orders and selected in-app activities, and progress through five membersh»»»
Parliament Approves Amendments to Higher Education Act at Second Reading, Student Scholarships Provisions Spark Debate
Parliament approved at second reading a bill amending and supplementing the Higher Education Act, submitted by the Council of Ministers. Some of the changes concern the awarding of student scholarships. The legislation clarifies the legal framework governing the right of students and PhD candidates»»»
European Uber drivers start class action against 'dynamic pricing'
Amsterdam: Uber drivers from across Europe have filed a class action lawsuit against the US ride share giant, claiming it violated privacy laws and used dynamic pricing algorithms to lower their revenue. Worker Info Exchange International said it was representing several thousand Uber drivers in Be»»»
EU, Lebanon launch Joint Monitoring Committee to boost cooperation
Lebanon and the European Union on Thursday launched the EU-Lebanon Joint Monitoring Committee, a new platform for strategic dialogue on EU-Lebanon cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bisat, serving as Vice-Chair on beha»»»
Customs Agency Names New Acting Director in Plovdiv
Bulgarian Customs Agency Director Nikolay Shushkov visited the agency's Territorial Directorate in Plovdiv Thursday, where he introduced Alexander Dimitrov as its new acting director, the Customs Agency said. Dimitrov, who has more than 26 years of experience in customs administration, began his ca»»»
Fraud risks that can change the story of a transaction
An opinion by Diana Răducanu, Senior Manager, Forensics, EY România One practical consequence of this reluctance is that patterns of organizational culture, together with governance and internal control deficiencies, may remain insufficiently analysed during typical due diligence. The lack of spec»»»
Is Germany's economic slump finally over?
BusinessGermanyIs Germany's economic slump finally over?Arthur SullivanDespite a slew of negative headlines, the German economy has posted its best figures in years. There are reasons for optimism but structural issues remain. https://p.dw.com/p/5KhUtThere are signs that Germany's economy may have »»»
UAE anti-fraud crackdown: 24 hours to remove fake goods or face action
Suppliers must pull fake and unsafe goods fast or authorities can step in Dubai: Suppliers in the UAE could have just 24 hours to remove counterfeit, adulterated or otherwise unsafe goods from sale once they are officially notified, under new Executive Regulations governing the country’s Anti-Comme»»»
Missile War Monitor: Putin orders massive strikes on Ukraine's energy grid
President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian armed forces to prepare massive strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, in what he cast as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries. "The Russian Armed Forces have been instructed to prepare and carry out massive strikes against Uk»»»
Supreme Judicial Council Approves Draft 2027 Judiciary Budget with EUR 868.1 Mln in Expenditure
The Plenum of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Thursday approved a draft judiciary budget for 2027 providing for expenditure of EUR 868.105 million, along with updated budget forecasts for 2028 and 2029. The SJC considered two versions and voted 16-0 in favour of the expert proposal drawn up i»»»
Paradox of Balladur's legacy: 'Highly popular' innovative Gaullist gradually became irrelevant
Sharon Gaffney is pleased to welcome Renaud Foucart, Senior Lecturer at Lancaster University. According to Foucart, Édouard Balladur’s political legacy mattered because he embodied a political model that was innovative and yet limited in scope and longevity. As PM under Socialist President François»»»
Norway seizes Russian ship to enforce $4.22 billion Ukrainian compensation claim
Norway said Wednesday it had seized a Russian ship as part of a Ukrainian effort to recover $4.22 billion awarded to state energy firm Naftogaz over Russia’s seizure of its assets in Crimea in 2014. The Professor Molchanov vessel was detained off the Arctic Svalbard archipelago after a Norwegian co»»»
15-Year-Old Accused in Georgi Kuzev Murder Seeks ReleaseOpinions
The Plovdiv Court of Appeals is considering behind closed doors whether to keep a 15-year-old boy in custody over the alleged killing of 37-year-old Georgi Kuzev on Mladezhki Hill. The teenager, identified as Hristiyan D., has asked for a lighter measure so he can return home, while protesters gath»»»
Prosecution Service Moves for Stripping Immunity of MP Dimitar Avramov
Acting Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova has moved for stripping of immunity Dimitar Avramov MP (Movement for Rights and Freedoms). An official announcement Thursday by the Sofia City Prosecution Office about the move only mentions the MP's initials, D. A., but Dimitar Avramov is the only one matc»»»
Dubai arrests singer over alleged Dh9,000 fake visa scam
Suspect allegedly used TikTok and YouTube to promote fraudulent freelance visas to people Dubai: A man previously known in the arts and entertainment scene in his home country has been arrested in Dubai for allegedly promoting fraudulent freelance visas in exchange for money, exploiting people seek»»»
Media Review: September 3
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Media outlets discuss at length the October 25 presidential election. Interviewed by Bulgarian National Television (BNT), presidential candidate Andrey Gurov said he owed services to no one, stressing that his only responsibility was to Bulgarian citizens. He said he had many »»»
Russia Castigates Norway’s Illegal Detention of Arctic Research Vessel
Russian Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, Alexey Chekunkov, has condemned Norway’s detention of the Roshydromet vessel Professor Molchanov in Svalbard as a violation of international law. "This is a violation of international law," Chekunkov said during the Eastern Econom»»»
Two Judges Nominated for Supreme Judicial Council from Judges' Quota
Sofia City Court Judge Stoyu Zgurov and Military Court of Appeal Judge Vasil Petkov have been nominated for election as members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) from the judges' quota, the SJC said on Thursday. Stoyu Zgurov was nominated by a group of judges from various courts, including the »»»
Azerbaijan's banks grow credit 15 times faster than the economy
Azerbaijan's banks are expanding credit more than 15 times faster than the economy they lend into, with profits up a quarter and a bad-loan surge abruptly stalling. Sector assets reached AZN61.0bn ($35.9bn) as of August 1, up 9.5% year on year, with net loans to customers of AZN30.1bn ($17.7bn) on »»»
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»»»
Leaders of Russia, China, India and middle powers holding face-to-face meetings at Bishkek SCO summit
The leaders of Russia, China and India arrived with other heads of state in Kyrgyzstan on August 31 for a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The SCO is widely viewed as offering a forum at which members, as well as 15 “dialogue partners” that include some important middle power»»»