Finland closed its border to Russian tourists as Friday started. Footage from Finnish broadcaster Yle showed seven cars and a beaming young man on a bicycle managing to make it across the border at the Vaalimaa border crossing at 0:02 am (2102 GMT on T…
Norway and Finland secure their borders to Russia
Norway and Finland are tightening border controls to Russia, a reaction to its invasion of Ukraine and, particularly, President Vladimir Putin’s recent partial mobilization of Russian reservists. Considering the fact that Moscow might ban Russians from…
Russia advises caution in nuclear weapon speculation
Speculation that the Kremlin could use nuclear weapons in fighting for Russian-annexed territories in Ukraine are only spreading fear, says Moscow. “People who talk about nuclear escalation are acting very irresponsibly,” according to Kremlin spokesper…
Four occupied regions of Ukraine to be annexed to Russian Federation
Four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine are due to be annexed into the Russian Federation later on Friday, an event that sparking outrage in Ukraine and the West and signalling that the Kremlin wants to cement the gains it has made since February. Rus…
EU ‘condemns’ deadly Zaporizhzhya attack, top diplomat says
The European Union’s top diplomat said on Friday on Twitter the bloc “condemns” the deadly rocket attack near the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya. “Another heinous attack by Russia on civilians: this time a humanitarian convoy bringing vital help to peo…
Germany’s final report inconclusive on cause of mass fish deaths
A final report released by German experts on Friday regarding the mass fish deaths in the Oder River this summer leaves the question of the exact cause of the disaster unanswered. A group of experts led by the Environment Agency presented the results o…
IOC says it has reached gender equality in its commissions
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday it has reached full gender equality in the membership of its commissions. The IOC said that its president Thomas Bach has appointed 273 women and men each for the 546 positions in 31 commissions….
Germany’s Habeck calls for joint gas purchases to lower prices in EU
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck called for EU-wide joint gas purchases to bring down prices as he arrived at a meeting in Brussels. The European Union should use its “market power wisely” and “act in a coordinated way” when purchasing gas from th…
Mercedes launching its luxury EQS electric as an SUV
Mercedes has announced plans to expand its luxury electric EQS saloon into a tougher, taller and pricier SUV under the same name in December. Prices for the EQS-badged SUV are to start at €110,658 in its home market of Germany, making it €3,000 more th…
Is the huge success of the bucket hat here to stay?
How can it be that the fisherman’s hat has become one of the biggest style accessoires worldwide? But hold on a second: If you think of the hat with the turn-up brim is only something worn by hobby anglers and fishermen, then you have missed something….