Entertainment
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Greece introduces ‘MyCoast’ App to tackle beach violationsIn an effort to enforce newly implemented stringent beach regulations, Greece has launched the ‘MyCoast’ app, empowering users to report beach violations effortlessly.03 May 2024Read More...
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European Court of Human Rights rejects Kirkorov’s case against Lithuania entry banThe European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has dismissed a complaint filed by Russian pop star Philipp Kirkorov against Lithuania's decision to bar his entry into the country.23 April 2024Read More...
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Risnjak National Park: Croatia's hidden gem wins Europe's top spotNestled within Croatia's picturesque Gorski Kotar region, Risnjak National Park emerges as a beacon of untouched beauty, earning recognition as one of Europe's premier destinations sans the23 April 2024Read More...
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Swiss castles experience record visitor numbersIn 2023, the National Association of Swiss Castles witnessed a historic milestone, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors to its 28 castles. This achievement marks a new record for the organization,23 April 2024Read More...
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Underground surge: Belgium grapples with 2,214 illegal gambling websitesResearch conducted by gambling analysis firm Yield Sec has unveiled a concerning trend in Belgium's online gambling landscape. According to their findings, a staggering 2,214 illegal gambling14 April 2024Read More...
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Flanders and Brussels Embrace Slow Art Day, inviting visitors to savor artistic experiencesOn April 13th, several museums in Flanders and Brussels will once again host a variety of activities as part of Slow Art Day, an annual tradition aimed at encouraging a deeper12 April 2024Read More...
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4 Croatian beaches named Europe’s bestAs Croatia gears up for what promises to be its most spectacular summer season yet, the BookRetreats Summer 2024 Report has officially unveiled the top beaches across Europe, catering to10 April 2024Read More...
Politics
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EU investigates Meta over Russian disinformation concernsThe European Commission has initiated formal investigation proceedings against Meta regarding its management of political content, including a suspected Russian influence campaign, amidRead More...
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Commission proposes association agreement with Andorra and San Marino to the CouncilThe European Commission has taken a significant step forward today by adopting proposals for Council decisions regarding the signing and provisional application, as well as the conclusion,Read More...
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Macron open to discussing nuclear European defense strategyFrench President Emmanuel Macron expressed his readiness to engage in a debate concerning the role of nuclear weapons in a unified European defense, according to an interview publishedRead More...
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Germany's Scholz expresses concern over allegations of far-right China spy activityGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced deep concern over recent allegations of espionage linked to a far-right politician's aide, reportedly involving China. Speaking alongside British PrimeRead More...
News
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Wealthy family to clear debts for 3,000 Rotterdam families, mirroring Arnhem's initiativeFollowing Arnhem's announcement to absolve debts for around 50 households in Immerloo, recognized as the most financially distressed area in the Netherlands, a Rotterdam-based family,Read More...
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'Good to be together': celebrating 20 years of Poland in the EUPoland's government has initiated a special social and informational campaign titled "Good to Be Together: 20 Years of Poland in the European Union," marking a significant milestone in theRead More...
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ÖBB unveils Summer Train Timetable with construction updatesAs summer approaches, Austria's ÖBB gears up for extensive construction activities in the eastern region, leading to adjustments in train schedules along certain routes.Read More...
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Rare book theft: Europol cracks down on international gangIn a collaborative effort involving European law enforcement agencies, Europol successfully apprehended four suspected individuals involved in the theft of antique and rare books.Read More...
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Embark on a journey: University of Porto launches free online Portuguese language courseThe University of Porto has unveiled an exciting opportunity for language enthusiasts with the launch of a free online course designed to introduce learners to the Portuguese language.Read More...
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New study reveals camp Amersfoort's undisclosed role as a Holocaust concentration campRecent research conducted by historian Amanda Kluveld of Maastricht University has shed new light on the historical significance of Camp Amersfoort during the Second World War.Read More...
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Bpost workers strike in Brussels and WalloniaThe ongoing strike at Bpost, the Belgian postal service, which commenced on Monday, has caused significant disruptions to its operations.Read More...
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NATO Secretary General honored with Belgium's highest distinctionJens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO since 2014, was awarded Belgium's highest honor, the Grand Cordon in the Order of Leopold, on Friday. Stoltenberg,Read More...
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Amsterdam sees doubling of recent immigrants in ten years, mainly from Italy, UK, and USThe number of Amsterdam residents classified as recent immigrants—those born abroad and relocating to the Netherlands within the past decade—has surged twofold between 2013 and 2023,Read More...
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Economics
Moscow on Wednesday called Britain's decision to expel 23 Russian diplomats over the poisoning of an ex-spy a sign that London was choosing confrontation with Russia, adding that
There is growing concern about how Ukraine is funding its farmers. Critics describe the current subsidy distribution policy as woefully unfair and lacking transparency.
Humanitarian work has been suspended until next weekend in a remote town in northeast Nigeria after a Boko Haram attack killed three aid workers, the UN said on Saturday.
Heavy snowfall and deadly blizzards lashed Europe Thursday, forcing airports to cancel or delay flights around the continent, as a deep freeze gripped countries from the far north to
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday launched what appeared to be the start of a new arms race with Washington, as he boasted of a new generation of "invincible" Russian weapons
Oxfam revealed Tuesday it was investigating 26 new cases of sexual misconduct since the crisis erupted over its handling of a 2011 prostitution scandal in Haiti, which the British charity
New Dutch Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra resigned Tuesday, after admitting he had lied about his presence at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Israel struck what it said were Iranian targets inside Syria on Saturday in "large-scale" raids after an Israeli warplane crashed under fire from Syrian air defences in a severe increase in tensions, the military said.
The confrontation was the most serious between arch foes Israel and Iran since the civil war in Syria began in 2011.
Israel's raids came after it intercepted what it said was an Iranian drone entering its airspace from Syria, which it labelled an "attack".
It was the first time Israel has publicly acknowledged attacking what it identified as Iranian targets in Syria since the conflict started.
Iran denounced Israeli "lies" and said Syria had the right to self-defence in response to Israeli strikes.
Separately, Iran issued a joint statement with the Syrian regime's other main allies -- Russia and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah -- denying the allegations regarding the drone.
Russia's foreign ministry called for "restraint" from all parties, adding it was "unacceptable to create threats to the lives and security of Russian soldiers" in Syria.
Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus warned that Syria and Iran were "playing with fire", but stressed his country was not seeking an escalation.
"This is the most blatant and severe Iranian violation of Israeli sovereignty in the last years," Conricus told journalists.
Israel said its reprisals after the exchange were "large-scale" raids that attacked Syrian air defence systems and Iranian targets.
"Twelve targets, including three aerial defence batteries and four Iranian targets that are part of Iran's military establishment in Syria were attacked," a military statement said.
Israel has repeatedly warned in recent weeks against the presence of Iranian forces in neighbouring Syria.
- 'Massive' fire -
The two Israeli crew of the crashed F16 were alive, although one was severely wounded, the military said.
Israel's military said the confrontation began with the drone entering its airspace before being intercepted by a combat helicopter.
Conricus said it was intercepted well inside Israel over the city of Beit Shean, near the border with Jordan.
He did not say whether the drone was armed or for reconnaissance, but alleged it "was on a military mission sent by Iranian military forces" from an "Iranian base" in the Palmyra area.
Eight Israeli aircraft then "targeted the Iranian control systems in Syria that sent the UAV" and confirmed hits, Conricus said.
He said the aircraft met "massive Syrian anti-air fire", and the F16 later crashed in northern Israel's Jezreel valley.
Conricus said the jet probably crashed as a result of the anti-aircraft fire, without saying definitively.
According to the military, the pilots ejected, landed in Israel and were taken to hospital.
Syria said its air defences repelled two Israeli raids on its military bases in the centre of the country, hitting more than one warplane during the first.
- 'Nobody tries us' -
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the seven-year civil war, said the earlier Israeli raids had targeted several military bases in the east of the central province of Homs.
It said the bases are used by both Iranian and Russian military personnel deployed in support of the regime.
Syrian state media said the later raids targeted military positions in the south.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said that "to cover their crimes in the region, Israeli officials are resorting to lies against other countries".
He said "Iran does not have a military presence in Syria, and has only sent military advisers at the request of the Syrian government".
Iran, Russia and Hezbollah -- the Syrian regime's main allies -- issued a statement calling Israel's drone allegations "lies".
It said Israel's strikes had targeted drones used against "terrorist organisations", mainly the Islamic State group.
The statement vowed a "relentless response" to "all further aggression".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met officials including Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and military Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot later Saturday.
He has held a series of talks in recent months with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Iran's influence in Syria and Lebanon.
Netanyahu has been seeking to persuade Russia to limit Iran's presence near Israel and to stop it from entrenching itself militarily in Syria.
In Moscow last month, Netanyahu reiterated concerns over what he called attempts by Iran to establish a military presence in Syria and produce weapons against Israel there.
"We won't accept either of those, and will act according to our needs," he said.
Israel remains technically at war with Syria and occupies a swathe of the strategic Golan Heights that it seized in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu took members of his security cabinet for a tour of the Israeli-occupied side, where they were briefed by the military.
Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the Syrian war, but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes there to stop what it calls advanced arms deliveries to Hezbollah.
Analysts said they did not expect a further escalation for now, but suggested the heavy anti-aircraft fire showed Syria was more emboldened to stop Israel's strikes.
Ofer Zalzberg of the International Crisis Group said Russia should mediate since "it is the only stakeholder which has strong relations with all sides today".
But he said "this incident signals a new phase in a way of the war in Syria". afp
Global stock markets greeted 2018 in mixed fashion Tuesday, with euro and pound strength depressing Europe while Wall Street and Asia gained ground.
Regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia snubbed its former ally Qatar at the annual summit Tuesday of Gulf monarchies as King Salman stayed away despite the presence of the Qatari emir.