Author: staff

Israel says it aims to drive Hezbollah away from the border so the thousands of Israelis displaced by months of almost daily cross-border fire can return to their homes. Powerful new explosions have rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight into Sunday as Israel expanded its bombardment in Lebanon, also striking a Palestinian refugee camp in the north as it targeted both Hezbollah and Hamas fighters.The strong explosions began around midnight after Israel’s military urged residents to evacuate areas in Dahiyeh, a collection of suburbs on Beirut’s southern edge.The IDF confirmed it was striking targets near Beirut and said about 30 projectiles…

In France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party garnered about 30 percent of the youth vote in the European election — a 10-point rise compared to 2019. And in the Austrian national election last Sunday, the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) came in first not only in the general population — but also among voters aged 16 to 34. Ahead of the federal election in Germany scheduled a year from now, the AfD, now polling second nationally, is hoping to emulate the FPÖ’s success in Austria, in part by reaching Germany’s youth. In Germany’s last federal election in 2021, young voters…

In this edition, we dissect a recent Austrian poll that saw the far-right Freedom Party claim victory, and hear why the Union Jack was flying again in the EU institutions. This week, we are joined by Tomi Huhtanen, the executive director of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, Bruno Waterfield, Brussels correspondent for The Times and Sophie Pornschlegel, the deputy director for the Europe Jacques Delors Institute.The panel reflected on recent parliamentary elections in Austria that saw an impressive victory for the far-right Freedom Party, led by Herbert Kickl. The 55-year-old promotes a “fortress Austria” and hopes to become…

A new report estimates the amount of money lost to the UK economy due to the lack of investment in women’s health issues is in the billions of euros. Women missing work due to painful periods, endometriosis, fibroids, and ovarian cysts costs the UK economy £11 billion (€13 billion) a year, according to a new report that calls for more investment in women’s health services.The report from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) Confederation, women’s health charity CREATE Health Foundation, and consultancy London Economics, found that roughly 60,000 women in the UK are unable to work due to the impact…

The protest was organised by Hungary’s most prominent opposition figure, Péter Magyar who heads the TISZA party, which has emerged in recent months as the most serious political challenge for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán since he took power nearly 15 years ago. Thousands of protesters have gathered outside the headquarters of Hungary’s public media corporation to demonstrate against what they say is a propaganda network operated by the nationalist government at the taxpayer’s expense.The protest was organised by Hungary’s most prominent opposition figure, Péter Magyar.He heads the TISZA party, which has emerged in recent months as the most serious political…

Biden said on Friday he didn’t know whether the Israeli leader was holding up a Mideast peace deal to influence the US election. President Joe Biden had terse words for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday:“No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None. None. None. And I think Bibi should remember that,” he said, referring to the Israeli leader by his nickname. “And whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know, but I’m not counting on that.”Biden, in a rare appearance in the White House press briefing room, was responding to comments made by one of…

At least 31 suspected Maoist rebels were killed in a battle with Indian soldiers in central India, police said on Saturday. The fighting erupted on Friday when counter-insurgency troops, acting on intelligence, cornered nearly 50 suspected rebels in the Abhujmaad forest area along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts in Chhattisgarh state, said state police Inspector General Pattilingam Sundarraj.Sundarraj said the operation was launched on Thursday, and the battle began the next day, lasting about nine hours. He said search operations were continuing in the area and that the troops had recovered some arms and ammunition, including automatic rifles.…

Here’s why under-the-radar Brno should be on your 2025 travel list. Midday is 11am in Brno, marked by the chiming astronomical clock which remains an enigma even to the locals. On the hour, this large, erect black granite structure releases a marble to one of three catch points – usually guarded by the hands of children.Every wonky piece of art and unusual sculpture here has a legacy or folk story that speaks of Brno citizens’ courage and lighthearted nature.Like many, I hadn’t heard of Czechia’s southern second city before. I associated the country with the busy capital and popular stag-do…

France views the mine as crucial for both its ecological transition and national sovereignty. A €1 billion lithium project due to become France’s largest mining operation in decades is provoking heated local debate.Five months of public discussions in Allier – a former industrial heartland in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region – show the local population’s divide over the plan.During 42 events organised by the nation’s commission for public debate (CNDP), residents have voiced their concerns over issues including potential water contamination, hefty energy consumption and chemicals used in the process to mine and process the materials.Some also challenged the necessity of the…

One of the Amazon River’s main tributaries has dropped to its lowest level ever recorded Brazil’s geological service said on Friday. The Negro river’s low level reflects has been caused by a severe drought that has devastated the Amazon rainforest and other parts of Brazil. The level of the river at the port of Manaus was at 12.66 metres on Friday, as compared with a normal level of about 21 metres. It is the lowest since measurements started 122 years ago. The previous record low level was recorded last year, but toward the end of October.The water level might drop…