Author: staff
The annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, now in its twenty-first edition, drew crowds eager to see competitors turn enormous gourds — some weighing over 1,000 pounds — into colourful floating boats. The event, first held in 2004, celebrates the region’s pumpkin growers and creative spirit. Using forklifts, organisers carefully lowered the massive pumpkins into the water before racers carved out their interiors, transforming them into makeshift vessels. Participants dressed in elaborate costumes — from elves to video game characters — competed in a series of friendly races, cheered on by hundreds of spectators lining the lake’s banks. The regatta…
The case, which dates back to 2005, centres on claims that Sarkozy’s associates struck an illegal deal in exchange for political favours. Supporters gathered outside his residence in the 16th arrondissement, where Sarkozy briefly appeared to greet them before departing for the prison. His family had called for a rally earlier in the morning as a show of solidarity. In a message posted on social media before leaving, Sarkozy said that the truth would prevail but that the personal cost had been immense. The 70-year-old former president maintains his innocence and has appealed the court’s decision, arguing that he is…
Das Update zum Interview mit Christina Stumpp und zur AfD-Debatte in der CDU – POLITICO Skip to main content
Their initiative, which focuses on growing traditional vegetables, is helping them strengthen cultural identity while addressing food insecurity and environmental challenges in one of Africa’s most densely populated areas. Founded in 2019, the Mazingira Women Initiative brings together around fifty members who cultivate indigenous crops such as amaranth, okra, and jute mallow — staples of Nubian cuisine. The group also recycles organic waste into fertiliser and promotes climate-resilient farming methods suited to the settlement’s limited land and resources. For many women, the project has become both an economic lifeline and a way to reconnect with ancestral traditions passed down through…
“Our regional and global order is being redrawn. And Europe must fight for its place in a world where some major powers are either ambivalent or hostile to us,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Tuesday. China — which dominates the supply of critical minerals — earlier this month announced broad export controls on rare-earth magnets and their raw materials on grounds of national security, prompting concerns from industry. The EU’s trade chief Maroš Šefčovič was on Tuesday set to talk with his Chinese counterpart to discuss a path forward. As part of its grand…
Published on 21/10/2025 – 14:46 GMT+2 Authorities in Poland have arrested eight people across the country on suspicion of preparing acts of sabotage, a spokesperson for the National Prosecutor’s Office has said. Prosecutors have accused one of the detainees, who is a Ukrainian national, of being involved in plans to send explosive materials to Ukraine. Two other Ukrainians, aged 21 and 24, are also thought to have been involved in the plot, which was allegedly orchestrated by the Russian intelligence services. The pair were detained in Romania, the Romanian authorities confirmed. They were arrested in Romania after depositing two parcels…
Published on 21/10/2025 – 15:39 GMT+2 The safest country in the world for travellers in 2026 has been revealed, as US tourists show considerable favour towards Europe. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has released its latest safety rankings using data from the Global Peace Index, Numbeo and an average of the GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country. It has analysed these statistics along with a survey of American travellers who have visited select countries within the last five years. World’s safest country for travellers in 2026 The Netherlands won first place due to its high ranking on…
Fico survived the attack after emergency surgery. In a message after the shooting, he publicly forgave the attacker and blamed the Slovak opposition for fueling the political climate that led to the attack. Cintula reportedly told police he didn’t intend to kill Fico, but only to injure him so he could no longer serve as the country’s leader. Cintula disagreed on Fico’s Ukraine policy, among other political issues. He was initially charged with attempted murder, but prosecutors later upgraded the charge to terrorism. He faced 25 years behind bars, but received a shorter sentence due to his age. Fico did not attend the trial himself and…
The prefecture confirmed that four of the injured remain in critical condition, while five sustained serious injuries. The storm, described as a “mini-tornado,” hit around 5:45 p.m., causing widespread destruction across several municipalities. Authorities said the tornado swept through a construction site, a medical-social facility, and a residential building, toppling cranes and tearing roofs from nearby structures. A 23-year-old construction worker was killed when one of the cranes collapsed on the site, according to local officials. Emergency services, including 80 firefighters, 50 police officers and 20 medical staff, were deployed to assist with rescue operations and secure the affected area.…
An initiative to raise a flat tax on short-term rentals has sparked debate in Italy, both within the ruling coalition and the opposition. The measure is part of Italy’s 2026 budget draft, due to be passed in Parliament by the end of the week before heading to the Senate. Lawmakers have suggested an increase in the flat tax to 26%, a levy that will apply to both individual landlords and platforms that manage these rentals. Currently, the rate is 21% on the first property rented and 26% on additional properties. Centre-right party Forza Italia and right-wing Lega were against the…