Author: staff
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that incidents such as last month’s Russian drone sabotage in Germany had become the “new normal”, marking a further escalation of Russian activity on European Union soil. “Leipzig marks a new escalation on European Union soil directly attributed to Russia, but it is part of a broader pattern of increasingly dangerous incidents,” she said, alongside NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte at a press conference in Brussels. If the attack had succeeded, “this would have resulted in enormous damage, and possibly even loss of life.” “Europeans are faced with a hard truth,…
Published on 02/09/2026 – 5:52 GMT+2•Updated 6:43 Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security under a Beijing-imposed law that has effectively stifled the city’s once-thriving pro-democracy movement. It was the second prosecution of Wong – a former student leader in the pro-democracy movement and one of its most recognisable faces – under the national security law introduced in 2020 to quell massive anti-government protests that rocked the city a year prior. Wong, 29, who wore a blue shirt, appeared thinner as he entered his plea.…
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt on Tuesday for his first visit since 2016, as the two countries mark 70 years of diplomatic ties and push their relationship into new areas in what Beijing has described as a “comprehensive strategic partnership”. Since his last visit, some of Beijing’s megaprojects have become part of Egypt’s landscape. Chinese companies have helped build the central business district of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. Built by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, it consists of 20 skyscrapers. At its centre stands the 385.8-metre Iconic Tower, Africa’s tallest building. A light rail system built with Chinese…
Can’t wait until 2027’s “eclipse of the century” for your next celestial adventure? DarkSky International has given its seal of approval to two resorts in Saudi Arabia which offer guests the perfect vantage point to gaze into the night skies. DarkSky, which champions efforts to tackle light pollution while promoting responsible outdoor lighting that is “beautiful, healthy and functional”, kickstarted its Approved Lodgings & Resorts certification programme in August. Based on a set criteria, the certification process assessed factors, including whether a facility is located in a region with an exceptional dark sky resource, as well as understood sensitive nighttime…
Slovenia’s parliament on Wednesday allowed prosecutors to pursue a criminal case against former Prime Minister Robert Golob over allegations that he improperly meddled in police staffing after taking office in 2022. All 75 lawmakers present — including Golob himself — voted against granting him parliamentary immunity, allowing proceedings to move forward. The decision was taken without debate or explanations of the voting. Golob had already told parliament he would not invoke immunity and wanted the case resolved as quickly as possible.
Spain’s interior minister has asked police to check a report that a government agency blamed Moroccan security forces for July’s mass entry of migrants to the enclave of Ceuta, ministry sources said on Wednesday. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Monday that Morocco was not responsible, instead accusing Israel, Russia and the far right of spreading disinformation about the mass entry of around 70,000 migrants into Ceuta. Sánchez told Cadena SER radio that “no intelligence service with which the Spanish government normally cooperates” had suggested “any involvement in one way or another of the Moroccan authorities.” But online newspaper…
Balloons floated above a schoolyard in Kyiv’s Obolon district on Tuesday as children arrived to mark the traditional start of the new school year. The celebration came hours after Russian ballistic missiles struck the Ukrainian capital overnight, leaving parents and pupils tired but determined to continue with the ceremony. Their morning was soon interrupted when an air raid alert sounded. Families dispersed as distant explosions replaced music and children’s laughter. At Lyceum Obolon, principal Yevhen Poliakov had considered cancelling the event, knowing that repeated alerts could disrupt it. The school has a shelter, however, allowing pupils to reach safety quickly.…
America’s second-largest oil company is preparing to deepen its presence in a country most of its rivals abandoned two decades ago. An unnamed US official briefed reporters and said Chevron executives would appear alongside US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Venezuela to unveil fresh investment, which would be the first corporate move to follow the agreement that just cleared Venezuela’s National Assembly. Wright landed in Caracas late on Tuesday after the Venezuelan vote, with the signing set for Wednesday. Chevron is the only major American producer to have stayed in Venezuela since Hugo Chávez completed the nationalisation of the industry…
Published on 02/09/2026 – 12:30 GMT+2 As the hospitality world counts down the days to see which properties make the cut for The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 list, an extended ranking has revealed the hotels in 51st to 100th place. Unveiled by 50 Best, the 51-100 list features hotels from 23 different territories and 40 cities, with 16 properties in Europe, including nine in Italy. Determined by the votes of more than 800 anonymous experts, The World’s 50 Best Hotels ranking for 2026 will be unveiled in Paris on 15 September. Asia leads the way, followed by Europe In…
Greece’s Naima Gerasopoulou has been crowned world tango champion together with her Argentine partner, Lucas Gauto at the annual competition in Buenos Aires. The duo lifted the trophy after stealing the judges hearts with an impressive dancing display that was watched by thousands of people around the world who followed the event online As the bright lights shone on the dazzling couple as they completed their routine, they both shared their joy at winning the highly coveted crown. For Gauto, winning the title was a long held dream come true: “It was a dream I had twenty years ago, when…