Debt brake: How this fiscal rule could shape Germany’s election

Vladimir Putin's upbringing in post-war Leningrad, marked by hardship, contributed to his survival instinct and shaped his worldview, likening himself to a cornered rat. His early life, characterized by resilience, martial arts training, and a keen interest in espionage, led him to join the KGB after graduating in law. While stationed in East Germany, he witnessed the collapse of communism, where he was unable to receive support during a protest against the KGB, highlighting the...

A Florida woman, 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema, was killed by an alligator while canoeing with her husband near Lake Kissimmee in Polk County. The couple's canoe tipped over after hitting the alligator, and despite her husband's efforts to save her, Diekema was bitten and her body was later recovered. Wildlife officials are investigating the incident, noting that deadly alligator attacks are rare, and they advise the public to stay away from water edges to reduce risks....

Passengers on the London Underground are facing significant delays this morning, particularly on the Elizabeth Line, which has been impacted since 6:50 AM due to vandalism-related equipment repairs between Shenfield and Whitechapel. Transport for London (TfL) is allowing ticket acceptance on the Tube via any reasonable route, while the Piccadilly Line is also experiencing minor disruptions due to a track fault on Caledonian Road. Monitoring site True Tube Status reports that journeys are currently about...

Killing civilians wholesale, starving them to convince those unaffected to change course, and shepherding whole populations like livestock into conditions of further misery would all qualify as heinous crimes in international law. When it comes to Israel’s war in Gaza, this approach is seen as necessary politics, unalloyed by the restraints of humanitarianism. When confronted with these harsh realities on the ground, unequivocal denials follow: This is not happening in Gaza; no one is starving....

A grand jury in Hanceville, Alabama, has ordered the dismissal of nearly 60 felony cases due to a "rampant culture of corruption" within the local police department, which led to the indictment of four officers and the police chief for evidence mishandling. The audit revealed serious documentation failures, with significant amounts of evidence missing, prompting Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker to state that even one compromised case is unacceptable. Following polarized community debates, Hanceville's...

The risk of war between India and Pakistan escalated recently despite diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions following India's retaliatory strikes on Pakistan after a terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. Both nations have engaged in heavy shelling and military actions, with India claiming to have struck multiple sites in Pakistan and thwarted drone attacks, while Pakistan accused India of illegal aggression and reported casualties on both sides. Diplomatic talks involving regional players like...