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Despite thousands of protests, Michel Barnier, a conservative, was appointed as the new French Prime Minister, causing outrage among the left. The left-wing alliance, which won the most seats in the parliamentary elections, is upset that their candidate, Lucie Castets, was rejected. Demonstrations took place nationwide, with cities like Paris, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, and Strasbourg participating. Barnier has stated his willingness to include ministers from all political camps, including the l..

The United States has pledged additional military aid worth $250 million to Ukraine in the face of ongoing conflict with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has personally appealed for permission to target Russian territory with Western long-range weapons. However, both the US and Germany have responded cautiously to this request. The US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, announced that President Joe Biden has signed an additional aid package for Ukraine, including air defense systems,..

German Chancellor Scholz grapples with rising far-right support post-regional elections, despite announcing stricter immigration measures. The SPD leader faces scrutiny over his policies as fragmentation in German politics persists. Expert discussions ponder Scholz's political future amidst ongoing tension. Meanwhile, a €200 million fine dispute with Hungary unfolds, and Austria plans deportations to Afghanistan and Syria with German cooperation. Scholz advocates for more Ukrainian refugees to..

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in France to protest against the appointment of Michel Barnier, a conservative politician, as Prime Minister by President Emmanuel Macron. Left-wing parties, including the New Popular Front, accuse Macron of ignoring the election results. The protests come as Barnier emphasizes reforms in healthcare, pensions, and migration measures. Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far-left, promises a vote of no confidence. The appointment of Barnier has raised..

The Ukrainian armed forces report a massive Russian drone attack, with 67 long-range drones launched and 58 shot down. Ukrainian flamethrower drones are causing problems for the Russian forces. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warns that Russia is building a militarized society that is starting to repeat Hitler's path. The US refuses to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons to attack Russia. Iran is said to have delivered ballistic short-range missiles to Russia, escalating the conflict. The IAEA..

Michel Barnier, the newly appointed Prime Minister of France, has vowed to address the 'anger', 'suffering', and 'injustice' felt by the French people. Barnier, a long-time politician and former EU Commissioner, plans to take a tougher stance on migration policy and implement measures to control immigration flows. Despite criticism from left-wing voters, he also supports raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. Barnier's appointment, which aims to foster unity, has caused controversy as he co..

Israeli strikes on a school and residential building in Gaza killed 13 Palestinians as clashes continue in various areas. An American activist was killed while protesting in the West Bank, prompting calls for investigation. The UN warns of a 'beyond catastrophic' humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with a polio vaccination campaign underway. Israeli forces have withdrawn from Jenin after a 10-day raid, but the Palestinian foreign ministry accuses Israel of transferring destruction to the West Bank. The..

ING Germany, a direct bank with 9 million customers, is getting a new CEO Lars Stoy, who recently led the retail bank of Deutsche Bank in Germany. Retail banking board member Daniel Llano is leaving ING for JP Morgan. The succession in the Private Banking & Wealth Management Germany division at Deutsche Bank is still open. Claudio de Sanctis, retail banking board member at Deutsche Bank, praises Stoy's performance. At Deutsche Bank, Dominik Hennen is set to report directly to de Sanctis.

Israeli military operations in the West Bank have caused massive destruction, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 Palestinians. The operations, which have been ongoing for 10 days, have led to power and water cuts in the region. Israeli military officials argue that these operations are necessary to prevent attacks on Israeli civilians. Since October 2023, more than 680 Palestinians have been killed. In a separate incident, Israeli forces recently withdrew from Jenin after a 10-day siege, l..

The National Weather Service issued warnings of dangerously high temperatures as a heat wave intensifies in California and the southwestern United States. Los Angeles is expected to reach scorching temperatures, with parts of the city possibly hitting 48 degrees Celsius. The increased heat poses a significant wildfire risk in rural areas surrounding Los Angeles, attributed to human-induced climate change. While heat waves are common in the desert landscapes of the Southwest, experts link the s..

Recent heavy rainfall in northern Italy led to extensive flooding and rising river levels in Milan and Piedmont. Dozens of individuals in Turin, including in Mattie and Susa valley, were isolated. A 58-year-old man went missing after being swept away by the Orco river in Feletto. Roads were closed in several areas, while the A10 motorway and railway line in Liguria have since reopened. The severe storms followed a heatwave affecting North and Central Italy, causing damage, evacuations, and del..

The Democratic Republic of Congo receives its first Mpox vaccine doses as the EU donates 175,420 doses to combat the outbreak, declared a public health emergency by the WHO. WHO Director-General Tedros urges more countries to contribute. Information campaigns are launched, although the actual number of suspected cases surpasses 18,000. Rapid distribution plans aim to reach high-risk regions swiftly. Challenges remain, including distribution hurdles and low vaccine acceptance rates, reminiscent..

French politicians urge the UK to take measures to stop migrant deaths in the English Channel. A boat carrying over 50 people capsized, resulting in 12 fatalities. The mayor of Le Portel highlights the need to protect migrants from such dangers. In Italy, the coast guard rescued seven men from a sinking vessel that had departed from Libya. The German NGO Sea-Watch conducted rescues in international waters off the coast of Libya, without permission. Another incident occurred off Lampedusa, where..

A powerful storm hits the Spanish island of Mallorca, causing the death of a British hiker and leaving another missing. The hikers were caught in a flash flood in the Torrent de Pareis gorge, a popular but dangerous hiking route in the Serra da Tramuntana mountains. The search for the missing hiker was suspended due to bad weather, with the second-highest alert level issued by the Spanish weather service. In addition to the tragic incident, the storm led to widespread flooding, road closures,..

Hungary's visa scheme for Russian and Belarusian citizens has caused a dispute with Baltic and Nordic countries, who view it as a potential security risk to the Schengen area. EU officials have expressed concerns about Hungary's decision to extend its 'National Card' system to citizens of these countries. The European Commission has sent a second letter to Hungary requesting further explanations for this move, citing potential security threats. Hungary's government, on the other hand, defends..

Two months before the US election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in a close race in key swing states. Harris, the first woman and person of Indian-African American descent, is running against billionaire Trump, who is the oldest candidate in US history. Trump refers to Harris as a 'communist' and 'radical left,' while she presents herself as the candidate for the middle class. The TV debate between Trump and Joe Biden ended in a defeat for Trump. Both parties are investing millions in adv..

According to reports, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is considering appointing an Italian right-wing politician as her deputy. Raffaele Fitto, a member of Italy's Fratelli d'Italia party, is reportedly being considered for the role of Vice President for Economy and Coronavirus Recovery Assistance. This would mark the first time a right-wing politician holds a key economic position in the EU Commission. While the report has not been confirmed by the Brussels authorities, criticism..

A report on the future of European agriculture was presented to Ursula von der Leyen, proposing the creation of a broad stakeholder body, the European Council of Agri-Food (EBAF), to continue the strategic dialogue and develop, implement, oversee, and refine the framework for sustainable practices. Von der Leyen defends the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including replacing direct payments to farmers per hectare with income support and sustainable agricultural practices. The..

The appointment of Raffaele Fitto, a far-right Italian politician, as Vice President for Economy and Corona Recovery Funds in the EU Commission, has sparked criticism. This comes amidst concerns over the shift to the right in Thuringia and Saxony. Additionally, the unequal gender distribution in the new Commission, with only 10 women compared to 17 men, has drawn backlash. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed frustration over the lack of female Commissioner picks from EU..

Alexander Zverev, the Olympic champion of 2021, was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the US Open against Taylor Fritz. Despite being the defending champion, Novak Djokovic was also eliminated early on. Zverev's lack of aggression and self-confidence led to a disappointing performance, resulting in him missing out on his first Grand Slam title once again. He struggled with his backhand and forehand, and his defeat in the tiebreaker of the first set was evident. Zverev appeared inhibited and p..

In Sweden, the trial of 11 individuals, including the ex-CEO Bella Nilsson, unfolds as they face allegations of illegally dumping over 200,000 tonnes of toxic waste across multiple municipalities. The accused were part of the prestigious waste firm Think Pink, now infamous for causing 260 million SEK in damages, notably in Botkyrka where waste piles burned for months. Prosecutors aim for a 10-year business ban against them. The company's collapse in 2020 coincided with the owners' arrests, mar..

Portugal's Minister Carvalho is urging the EU Commission and EIB to finance the country's water resilience, highlighting the need for significant investment due to rising droughts and floods. The government is developing a water strategy and investment plan, collaborating with Spain on water projects, including the Guadiana river initiative. Spanish Minister Teresa Ribera's appointment as an EU Commissioner presents an opportunity for alliance. Mediterranean countries push for an accelerated E..

The Dax index experienced a drop despite reaching a new record high, with analysts expressing concerns over market overbuying post a substantial price surge. German stocks hit highs amidst impending recession risks, boosted by SAP's growth and Generative AI cost efficiencies, despite declines in major automotive stocks. The ECB rate cut expectations and lower fossil fuel prices support the Dax, although structural issues in the German economy persist. Market expectations remain cautious as the..

Clearview AI, a company known for its controversial biometric database created from billions of photos scraped from social media users, has been fined €30.5 million by the Dutch data protection authority. The Netherlands has also banned the use of Clearview AI's technology, with data protection advocates condemning the company's practices as illegal. This significant penalty comes amid ongoing scrutiny in various European countries, including France and Italy, raising concerns about privacy vi..

Azerbaijan's ruling party, New Azerbaijan, has won the parliamentary election with 68 out of 125 seats. The opposition party, Musavat, has reported widespread violations, including multiple voting. The OSCE observers will release their findings later. The election was held early to avoid overlapping with the UN climate conference, COP29, in Baku. The parliament in Azerbaijan has limited influence due to the president's extensive power. Previous elections under President Aliyev's 20-year rule h..

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Mongolia, a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), despite the ICC issuing an arrest warrant for him over war crimes. The warrant accuses Putin of abducting Ukrainian children during the 2.5 years of fighting. This visit comes as Mongolia is economically dependent on Russia and China. The leaders will attend a ceremony commemorating a victory over the Japanese army in 1939. Despite the arrest warrant, Putin has been recently visiting other..

Belgium and Romania have put forward female candidates for European Commission positions, supporting Ursula von der Leyen's gender balance initiative. Hadja Lahbib and Roxana Mînzatu have been nominated, with women aiming to make up 9 of 27 top officials. Despite Belgium's missed deadline due to coalition talks, von der Leyen urges more countries to reconsider their nominations. In Romania, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced Mînzatu's nomination, emphasizing her strong professional backgr..

Recent Russian air strikes on Ukrainian cities like Kharkiv and Kyiv have left dozens injured, including children. The Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region faces increased resistance from Russian forces, potentially leading to a new front in the conflict. Despite facing setbacks, Ukraine plans to deploy ATACMS missiles against Russia. President Putin remains steadfast, stating that Kiew's advance in Kursk will not halt Moscow's Donbass offensive. The conflict has seen significant casualties,..

A mobile phone ban has been implemented at Dutch schools since Monday, aiming to reduce distraction and improve concentration among students. The ban allows exceptions for instructional purposes and medical reasons. Schools have taken on the responsibility of enforcing the ban, resulting in more sociable breaks for students. The decision to implement the ban sparked controversy with ministers of education and parents, who expressed concerns about the addictive nature of social media. Similar b..

The Mont Blanc Tunnel, a vital transportation link between France and Northern Italy, is closed for 15 weeks for extensive renovation work on two sections of the vault. This closure comes more than 60 years after the tunnel was completed. Alternative routes through the Fréjus Tunnel and the Great St. Bernard Tunnel are available for drivers. Additionally, construction is underway for a new underground rail connection at the Brenner Pass for passenger traffic. Meanwhile, the Gotthard Base Tunnel,..

NASA has uncovered Earth's weak electric field, termed the 'ambipolar electric field,' through data from the Endurance rocket and Svalbard rocket measurements. This field, influencing the ionosphere, shapes the Solar System's evolution and drives the known 'polar wind.' Similar electric fields may exist on Venus and Mars. The findings reveal particles ejected supersonically into space, experiencing forces exceeding ten times gravity. The half-volt potential change in measurements was vital in..

In the impending US presidential race, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump vie for dominance as polls predict a tight competition. Harris's camp, despite evident momentum and popularity, strategically portrays themselves as underdogs to prevent complacency. The upcoming debate rules have stirred public discourse, with conservative commentators scrutinizing Harris and liberals accusing Trump of creating alibis. Tensions rise as Harris's team advocates for live microphones during the debates, to which..

Greek authorities unveil a relief package for Volos following the arrival of over 100 tons of dead fish due to flooding from Lake Karla. The plan includes subsidies, tax suspensions, and activating the 'Thessaly Pass' to aid affected businesses. The lack of a net at the mouth of the lake caused the fish deaths, prompting a state of emergency declaration. Commercial activity plummeted by 80%, urging Chamber of Commerce actions. The situation poses a risk of a potential disaster, with concerns o..

A large-scale polio vaccination campaign has been launched in the Gaza Strip after the first case of polio in the region in 25 years. The World Health Organization had urged Israel to agree to humanitarian pauses in the Gaza conflict to allow for the vaccination of over 640,000 children. The vaccination efforts will first focus on the center of the Gaza Strip, followed by campaigns in the south and north of the area. Palestinian parents have brought their children to vaccination centers, where..

Israel attacked a convoy in Gaza, killing workers and causing international concern. The convoy belonged to the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) organization and was targeted by the Israeli army. The UN Security Council meeting highlighted that a UN Food Agency (WFP) vehicle was also fired upon. Meanwhile, a polio vaccination campaign was launched in Gaza, with the World Health Organization (WHO) urging for 90% coverage to prevent an epidemic. A total of 1.26 million vaccine doses have b..

Following a fatal F-16 crash that claimed a pilot's life, President Zelenskyy dismissed the air force chief, appointing Kryvonozhko as the acting commander. Ukraine received at least 6 F-16s, with pilots advocating for these jets. The Defence Ministry is investigating the crash, while the cause remains uncertain. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for decisive actions to combat 'terrorism'.

Chancellor Scholz and President Steinmeier attend a memorial service for the victims of the knife attack in Solingen. The attack is claimed by ISIS, and the government responds by tightening gun laws and restricting irregular migration. Despite the attack, city festivals in Germany continue with increased security measures. The role of the green Minister of Refugees in the deportation debacle raises questions. A woman stabs and injures six people on a bus in Siegen, Germany. Thuringian Ministe..

Following the deportation of Afghans from Solingen, German officials, led by Scholz, are intensifying efforts to expel foreign criminals. The recent knife attacks in Solingen and Frankfurt have sparked debates on national security. Faeser, the Interior Minister, defends the expulsions for safety concerns. The deportation of a Syrian suspect, Issa Al H., highlights the government's strict stance. Despite controversy, Faeser justifies providing deported criminals with financial aid to support th..

Following a fire and launch ban, the FAA has granted SpaceX permission to operate the Falcon 9 rocket. The rocket successfully carried Starlink satellites into space, but one stage caught fire during landing. Further launches were postponed for data review. The Falcon 9, with its reusable stages, has been a successful and cost-effective option for over a decade. The ongoing investigation is examining the incident and issues with the second propulsion stage. The Polaris Dawn project, featuring a..

Sahra Wagenknecht, Germany's enigmatic politician, is causing a stir with her Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which combines far-right policies on immigration and culture with far-left policies on social spending and anti-Americanism. As the BSW gains ground in eastern Germany, it poses a challenge to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, alongside the rise of the far-right AfD. The AfD's extreme anti-immigration and anti-EU positions are exemplified by Björn Höcke's calls for 'large-scale re-..

A volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland has created 'witch’s hair' glass splinters, clogging filters and injuring locals in Reykjanesbær. These sharp glass needles, called Nornahár, are caused by high eruption jets, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Agency. Locals and officials have expressed astonishment at the phenomenon, with the Director of Sports Facilities stating that they have never seen anything like it before. Despite warnings about a contaminated military s..

Israel has agreed to temporary ceasefires in Gaza to allow for a polio vaccination campaign targeting 640,000 children. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations are collaborating with Israeli authorities to carry out the vaccinations in three parts of the coastal strip. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has proposed sanctions against Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for their inflammatory remarks against Palestinians. The EU member states are..

European stocks surged to record levels driven by easing inflation and potential ECB rate cuts, while Wall Street remained mixed on strong US GDP growth. Financial and Industrial sectors led gains, contrasting with Nvidia's 6.38% drop due to earnings disappointment. Meanwhile, Asian markets continued upward momentum, notably with Hang Seng rising 8% in August. The DAX slightly retreated post-record high, influenced by positive sentiment from Wall Street. In other news, UK house prices soared,..

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has proposed a government reimbursement for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments in the United States. The topic of IVF has gained attention in the lead-up to the November presidential election, with concerns that the recent Supreme Court decision on abortion rights could impact IVF as well. Trump also criticized the six-week abortion ban in Florida, stating that it is too short. However, his stance on IVF and abortion has led to mixed re..

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba is urging for the unlimited use of Western weapons to counter Russian airstrikes and support Ukraine's ground offensive. EU Foreign Policy Chief Borrell supports lifting restrictions on weapons. However, some EU countries are hesitant, and the US still has restrictions on long-range ballistic missiles. Ukrainian success depends on bold decisions from its partners. Ukraine urgently needs air defense systems. Despite promises of 39 billion euros in military supp..

Keir Starmer, the British Labour Prime Minister, has embarked on a visit to France with the aim of warming up post-Brexit relations between the UK and the EU. During his visit, he met with Emmanuel Macron and presented a treaty to relaunch economic collaborations, particularly in the energy sector. Starmer also attended the opening of the Paralympic Games in Paris and expressed his concerns about the rise of far-right populism in the UK. He advocated for progressive European parties to unite a..

The Paralympics are underway but Paris public transport remains inaccessible for disabled users. Franck Maille, a former para-athlete, faces challenges with broken elevators and limited accessibility in the RER inner-city train and Paris metro. The journey from Nanterre to the city center takes him 3 hours, compared to 1.5 hours for a non-disabled person. Lamia El Aaraje, deputy mayor, acknowledges more work is needed, while Valérie Pécresse, head of the regional transport agency, admits the m..