News in brief
Transparency International raised the alarm on Tuesday over a growing deterioration of democratic standards worldwide, warning that corruption is gaining ground even in long-established democracies. In its 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, the Berlin-based organization reported the lowest global average......
German authorities have arrested three suspects in the central state of Thuringia following a disruption to rail traffic caused by the theft of railway cables, police said on Sunday. According to the federal police, the incident was detected near a level crossing, where irregularities on the railway......
Italy has officially ruled out participation in US President Donald Trump’s controversial “Board of Peace,” citing constitutional constraints that prevent the country from joining an organization where decision-making is dominated by a single leader. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani......
German authorities are preparing for large-scale demonstrations as the Munich Security Conference opens next week, with tens of thousands of protesters expected to gather across the Bavarian capital. City officials estimate that up to 120,000 people could take part in various rallies held alongside the......
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Europe to strengthen its independence in the face of global instability and shifting power dynamics. Speaking at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's New Year reception in Eschborn, Merz highlighted the rise of major powers that prioritize influence over rules. He......
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has rejected accusations from Moscow that Germany’s support for Ukraine is motivated by revenge, calling such claims a diversion from Russia’s own aggressive actions. Russia recently described Berlin’s backing of Kyiv as driven by “revanchist......
Richard Duke Buchan III currently serves as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Kingdom of Morocco. With a career spanning finance, politics, and international diplomacy, he brings to Rabat a wealth of experience shaped by decades of global engagement and strategic......
Ukrainians gear up for an extreme cold snap that could plunge temperatures to minus 30 degrees Celsius next week, even as millions already lack heat and power from repeated Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. The State Emergency Service warned Thursday that the sharp drop starts February 1, hitting......
Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Wednesday with Syrian President Ahmed al-Chareh in Saint Petersburg, marking their second meeting since the 2024 overthrow of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The meeting comes amid Russia’s efforts to maintain its military foothold in Syria and growing......
The Middle East will take center stage at the upcoming Munich Security Conference, according to its chairman, Wolfgang Ischinger. Speaking ahead of the annual gathering, he said that discussions on regional stability and the implementation of a peace plan for Gaza would rank among the event’s most......
Berlin authorities have announced a record €1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for a massive power outage that left hundreds of thousands without electricity and heating earlier this year. The blackout, caused by an arson attack on a cable bridge, affected......
Air France announced on Friday that it has temporarily suspended its flights to Dubai due to the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East. The French airline said it is closely monitoring developments in the region to ensure the safety of its operations. As a result of the decision, two Paris–Dubai......
Authorities in the western German city of Aachen ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents after an unexploded bomb was uncovered during construction work in the city center. The discovery highlights the lingering dangers of wartime explosives, even decades after the end of World War II. The......
