EU seeks energy alternatives after spending over $113B extra since Iran war began
European Union nations have spent over an extra 100 billion euros ($113.5 billion) on energy imports since the outbreak of the Iran war, pushing politicians to seek alternatives to fossil fuels as prices skyrocket. Consumers in some European countries pay nearly 50% more at the pump, equivalent to »»»
Lavrov on Poland's Proposal on Patriot Missiles: Study Russia's Military Doctrine
ISTRA, Russia (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday called for studying Russia's military doctrine, commenting on Poland's proposal to host Patriot missile production on its territory. On Europe"Listen, we have a doctrine on this matter. A military doctrine that [Russian] Pr»»»
Why Europe Is Suddenly Talking About War With RussiaOpinions
The language European leaders use about Russia has shifted noticeably in recent weeks. Warnings that were once heard mostly in Warsaw, Vilnius and Tallinn are now coming from Paris, London, Berlin and even Bern, while in Moscow the Kremlin is presenting its parliamentary election as a public endors»»»
UK tries to stop Trump's diesel export ban
London scrambles for contingency plans as US weighs diesel export curbs The United Kingdom is holding urgent talks with US authorities over President Donald Trump’s threat to halt American diesel exports, as London prepares contingency measures to cushion a potential supply shock, Chancellor John H»»»
Trump denies offering to sell arms to China's Xi
WASHINGTON: Donald Trump on Monday denied asking Xi Jinping if he would like to buy American weapons, after the US ambassador to Beijing said the US president made the offer to his Chinese counterpart. "I've never heard of that one," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the comm»»»
Trump asked China’s president if he wanted to buy US arms, ambassador says
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if he wanted to buy weapons from the United States, the US ambassador to China said. David Perdue said Trump raised the prospect of the arms sales from the US to its ascendant geopolitical rival, an unlikely offer that if con»»»
Court finds 3 guilty of kidnapping, killing student
Court ruling offers partial justice as murder charge remains unresolved A Rome court on Monday convicted three Egyptian security officers of kidnapping an Italian student who was tortured and killed a decade ago, in a case that has strained Italy's diplomatic relations with Cairo. The officers, who»»»
Fitch predicts Poland’s GDP growth in ‘27 to be 3.0%
Fitch raised its forecast for Poland's 2026 GDP growth to 3.5% from 3.3%, citing strong Q2 results and upward revisions for Germany and the eurozone. It expects growth to slow to 3.0% in 2027 (previously 2.9%) and 3.1% in 2028 (previously 3.2%), as investment cools after EU recovery fund (KPO) spen»»»
US sanctions on Iran's aviation industry make travel less predictable as countries cancel flights
BusinessAsiaCan US sanctions ground Iran's aviation industry?Amir SoltanzadehThe threat of secondary US sanctions is putting pressure on airports, fuel suppliers and aviation companies that service Iranian airlines. Some countries have already canceled flights. https://p.dw.com/p/5NOx2Mahan Air has»»»
How Israel’s regional neighbors see its upcoming elections
CAIRO: Israel’s upcoming elections are being followed closely by its regional neighbors, who are aware that any outcome will have ramifications far beyond the country’s borders. In his Likud party’s campaign launch this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his refrain that he “has chan»»»
Trump asked China's president if he wants to buy US arms, ambassador says
President Donald Trump has justified the pending U.S. arms sale to Taiwan to Chinese President Xi Jinping by downplaying it as just one of many sales Washington makes around the world — even asking Xi if he'd be in the market for U.S. arms, Trump's ambassador to China said on Sunday. David Perdue s»»»
Trump asked Xi to buy US weapons – ambassador
US President Donald Trump asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping whether Beijing would be interested in buying US weapons, according to Washington’s ambassador to China, despite longstanding restrictions on military exports to the country. Ambassador David Perdue revealed the exchange during an interview »»»
How Israel's regional neighbors see its upcoming elections
Israel's upcoming elections are being followed closely by its regional neighbors, who are aware that any outcome will have ramifications far beyond the country's borders. In his Likud party's campaign launch this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his refrain that he "has changed the»»»
MP urges tighter border controls after Ukrainian man kills priest in Poland
Poland should tighten its border controls following a deadly knife attack by a Ukrainian national, former Polish Deputy Prime Minister and current Law and Justice (PiS) MP Henryk Kowalczyk has said, warning that the killing could fuel another wave of anti-Ukrainian sentiment. A 31-year-old Ukrainia»»»
BNB Warns Bank Tax Could Raise Cost of CreditOpinions
The proposed 33% tax on banks’ “excess profits” could affect lending, investment, economic growth and the cost of government financing, in addition to generating budget revenue, according to the position of Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) Governor Dimitar Radev. Radev stressed that tax changes are pa»»»
Coal energy plants require extensive maintenance
Poland is unlikely to face a coal shortage this winter, provided weather conditions are not severe, according to the head of grid operator PSE. A mild, wet and windy winter could raise renewable generation and reduce coal use, while power plants have inventories or contracted deliveries. However, c»»»
Russia Welcomes All Positive Agreements Between China, US – Putin
ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik) - Russia welcomes US-China talks and all positive agreements reached between Beijing and Washington, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. "Any positive agreement between China and the United States is welcome," Putin told reporters. The United States and China»»»
Where Is the Middle East Heading After America’s Final Withdrawal?
The Economist magazine stated in an editorial that the United States appears to be stuck in the Middle East, with no easy way out. However, the current war may signal something completely different: a moment of American withdrawal from the region, meaning that Washington is finally abandoning its d»»»
Parliament Approves Temporary Zero Excise Duty on Natural Gas, LPG for Motor Fuel
Parliament has given final approval to a zero excise duty rate on natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used as motor fuel for the period from October 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. The amendments to the Excise Duties and Tax Warehouses Act were adopted at first and second reading in a sing»»»
How Bulgaria become a global leader in battery storage and what it means for the country's energy market
BusinessBulgariaBulgaria's battery boom: From zero to global leaderMihail Ivanov in SofiaIn under two years, Bulgaria has become one of the world's most battery-intensive energy markets. Can the surge last — and what will it mean for conventional power generators? https://p.dw.com/p/5NGvRPowerhouse»»»
Scottish island welcomes its first baby in 34 years
Two midwives were flown in by helicopter as tiny North Ronaldsay celebrated a rare arrival For 34 years, no baby had been born on the tiny Scottish island of North Ronaldsay. That changed at 4.05am on September 15, when Duncan Wilder Thorstein Traill Suarez Ford entered the world in an ancestral fa»»»
Deputy Finance Minister: Tax on My Apartment Will Rise by 15 Euros Next YearOpinions
Property tax valuations in Bulgaria will increase by 30% next year and by 35% in each of the following two years, while the change will not affect the household waste fee, Deputy Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova said. The Ministry of Finance is proposing the three-stage increase in tax valuations,»»»
How Bulgaria become a global leader in battery storage and what it means for the country's energy market?
BusinessBulgariaThe Bulgarian battery boom: from zero to global leaderMihail Ivanov in SofiaIn under two years, Bulgaria has become one of the world's most battery-intensive energy markets. Can the surge last — and what will it mean for conventional power generators? https://p.dw.com/p/5NGvRPowerho»»»
Binance expands its financial super app offering with the launch of bStocks in the UAE
bStocks gives UAE users 24/7 access to tokenised US stocks and ETFs Abu Dhabi: Binance, the global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users, today announced the launch of bStocks for eligible users in the UAE, marking another mil»»»
Pope Leo in France: The issues on the table
Pope expected to face key issues while on first official visit to France Paris: Pope Leo XIV is to begin an official visit to France on Friday, with several thorny issues hanging over the trip, from clerical sexual abuse to the country’s new assisted dying law. Here are some of the key issues the p»»»
Canada studied ‘extreme’ US military scenario – Carney
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed that his government carefully examined the possibility of US-led military action against his country, despite President Donald Trump having ruled out using force against America’s northern neighbor. In an interview with the New York Times published o»»»
Oldest Hungarian brokerage delivers grim euro adoption forecast
Hungary’s oldest brokerage firm has poured cold water on hopes of early euro adoption, warning that the earliest realistic date for joining the single currency is much later than the Tisza government promised. Tisza’s 2030 ambition meets scepticism Following their landslide election victory, Péter »»»
How to stop Houthi expansion in Yemen
From 9-11 September, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen seized the towns of Hays, al-Khokha, al-Mokha and Dhubab, advanced onto Zuqar and Hunaish Islands, and reached Mayyun/Perim Island in the middle of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Within days, they occupied most of Yemen’s south-western coastline al»»»
Oldest Hungarian brokerage delivers grim euro adoption forecast
Hungary’s oldest brokerage firm has poured cold water on hopes of early euro adoption, warning that the earliest realistic date for joining the single currency is 2033. Tisza’s 2030 ambition meets scepticism Following their landslide election victory, Péter Magyar and the Tisza party spoke of intro»»»
US AI Slow Down Tug-Of-War Designed to Contain China Before It Closes Tech Gap — Experts
As debate intensifies in the US over whether to "slow down" or "not stop" artificial intelligence (AI) development, Chinese experts said that the two ostensibly opposing positions share a common underlying logic: containing China's AI development and preserving US technological hegemony, motivated »»»
Bulgaria Fuel Prices Carry 20-Cent-Per-Liter Markup, Expert SaysOpinions
Fuel prices in Bulgaria are likely to remain closely tied to international oil and refined-fuel prices despite domestic supply exceeding demand by 20-30%, energy expert Martin Vladimirov of the Center for the Study of Democracy said in an interview with Nova TV. Vladimirov said Bulgaria currently h»»»
Media Review: September 24
HEADLINES Tax changes, the presidential election campaign and scrutiny of private flights taken by Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Chair Delyan Peevski feature prominently in Thursday’s coverage. Other reports examine defence spending, consumer protection, regional inequalities and shortcomi»»»
Fiscal Council president: Forming government Romania's top priority; S&P unlikely to rush downgrade
Romania's most urgent priority is to form a government, while rating agency S&P is unlikely to rush into downgrading the country's sovereign rating, Fiscal Council President Daniel Daianu said on Wednesday."What is the priority now? The country's first priority is to have a government. And I would »»»
Comic inspires unlikely kabaddi dreams for Japan's Asian Games amateurs
Nagoya, Japan: Kabaddi has its roots in ancient rural communities in South Asia and India is the superpower, but Japan has developed a niche taste for the team contact sport -- thanks to a comic. At a gymnasium on the outskirts of the port city of Nagoya, hosts Japan face another unlikely kabaddi p»»»
Trump gives Xi rare airport welcome as Chinese leader begins US state visit
US President Donald Trump personally welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at a military airfield outside Washington on Wednesday, kicking off a lavish state visit focused on trade, artificial intelligence and Iran, as the two powers seek to preserve a fragile diplomatic and economic truce. US Pres»»»
Giant shark swims into Busan canal — then 20,000 people turn up
The 3.5-metre visitor has become an unlikely attraction after failing to leave A giant shark that swam into an artificial canal in the South Korean city of Busan has become an unlikely tourist attraction, drawing around 20,000 visitors over a single weekend. The shark, estimated to be about 3.5 met»»»
Media Review: September 23
The October 25 presidential election is the dominant topic in Wednesday’s news coverage, with media outlets focusing on the presidential tickets and the candidates’ positions. POLITICS The Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reports that Vazrazhdane announced its presidential ticket on Tuesday, wit»»»
Worries about an AI internet takeover gain new urgency among doomsday scenarios
Experts warn rogue-like AI bots could target critical global infrastructure In a summer filled with revelations about artificial intelligence's (AI) rapid development, researchers were especially alarmed by runaway bots finding their way onto the internet and, in at least one instance, coordinating»»»
WEF's Chief Economists expect global economy to stabilise
Economists see steadier growth amid rising geopolitical and AI-driven risks NEW YORK: The global economy is stabilising, but the fiscal support that cushioned successive shocks since 2020 is unlikely to play the same role in the year ahead, according to the World Economic Forum's Chief Economists' »»»
Smart ring maker Oura targets $2.2 billion in US listing
The smart-ring maker plans to offer 50 million shares priced between $40 and $44 each Smart ring maker Oura Inc and a couple of its investors are looking to raise as much as $2.2 billion through a US initial public offering, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monda»»»
Trump makes unusual visit to New York Mayor Mamdani's residence
Unlikely allies: Trump backs Mamdani’s ambitious rail yard housing project New York: Donald Trump made an unusual visit for a sitting president to the official residence of the city's mayor for a meeting with Zohran Mamdani. The visit, marked by bonhomie, came as a surprise on Monday because Mamdan»»»
Bab Al Mandab: Houthi aggression threatens a vital gateway for global trade
Houthi control of Yemen’s western coast raises stakes for shipping and regional security Another global chokepoint is under threat. For more than a decade, the war in Yemen was viewed as a contained regional conflict. Now it has extended into the Bab Al Mandab Strait, disrupting trade, energy flows»»»
Kaczynski recalls Zelensky’s attempts to drag Poland into war with Russia
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky sought to drag Poland into war with Russia in 2022, even floating the prospect of creating a single state, Polish opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski has claimed. The head of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party recalled how the government of Prime Minister Mate»»»
Poland’s pushback drive and EU asylum ‘emergency’ plan put rights ‘on a cliff edge’, warns Europe’s top rights chief
Europe’s human rights framework is on a cliff edge and risks unravelling everything achieved since World War Two, following fresh Polish and EU efforts to restrict asylum, according to Europe’s top rights defender. “Political leaders really have to become much more sensitive to how fragile the mome»»»
Five takeaways from Germany's regional elections after far-right gains
Sunday's elections in two German states resulted in the defeat of the country's ruling CDU, a result described as a “disaster” by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, in the northeast of the country, the far-right AfD became the strongest party while the hard-»»»
Russia election 2026: What does Putin’s victory mean for Hungary?
President Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party has strengthened its grip on parliament in the Russia election 2026, securing nearly 58% of the vote and remaining on course for a constitutional majority in the State Duma. For Hungary, the result does not immediately change bilateral relations»»»
Russia Not Threatening Any State in Europe - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia does not threaten any state in Europe, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. On Europe and NATO"Russia does not threaten France or any state in Europe. Russian President Putin has repeatedly said this," Peskov told reporters. Russia has no disputes with European »»»
Germany’s Merz admits ‘disaster’ in state elections, vows to press ahead with reforms
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday described his CDU party's heavy losses in two regional elections as a "disaster", but vowed to push ahead with a reform drive. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party took first place in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, e»»»
Voting begins in German elections threatening fresh defeat to Chancellor Merz
Germans began voting Sunday in two closely watched state elections that could deliver fresh gains for the far right and far left, piling pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz as he struggles with low approval ratings and tensions within his governing coalition. Germans began voting Sunday in two st»»»
A millisecond software glitch led to more than 2,000 cancelled flights
Tiny coding defect triggered hours of UK air traffic chaos affecting thousands A software defect that unfolded in a millisecond triggered an air traffic control failure that ultimately led to more than 2,000 flight cancellations across the UK, according to a preliminary investigation. The September»»»