Deutsche Welle: DW.com - Europe

Germany news: Study shows welfare spending tops neighbors A new study says Germany now spends more on social security than its nearby European peers. Meanwhile, a survey shows most Berliners are unenthusiastic about the prospect of hosting an Olympic Games. DW has the latest. Ukraine talks loom large over EU business summit with Africa EU and African Union leaders were meeting in Angola for a two-day summit to strengthen ties. But a meeting of EU leaders on the sidelines of the summit amid ongoing revisions to a Ukraine peace plan captured attention. Ukraine: Wadephul hails Geneva talks as European success Germany's top diplomat says talks in Geneva on a peace plan for Ukraine have put the EU's stance more in focus. DW has more. Ukraine: Europeans push back on US plan during Geneva talks Kyiv's allies are working on revisions to Washington's peace plan as US and European officials meet in Geneva. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has hailed the talks as "the best so far." Separatist candidate wins vote in Bosnia's autonomous Republika Srpska Sinisa Karan, an ally of ousted Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, will become the new president of Bosnia's autonomous Republika Srpska. In Croatia, resurgent far right shifts political climate For years, Croatia has been a shining example of Balkan progress and a cooperative partner within the European Union. But over the past year there's been a worrying shift in the country's domestic politics. Germany's Merz, Brazil's Lula reconcile after Belem comments German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently came under fire in Brazil for comments he made after his trip to the COP30 Summit in Belem. Ornella Vanoni, iconic voice of Italian music, dies at 91 Ornella Vanoni’s seven-decade career made her a defining voice of Italian music, bridging styles and generations. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Vanoni and her "unmistakable" voice. Serbia scrambles to ensure its winter energy security Serbia's balancing act between its EU ambitions and close ties with Russia faces a severe test this winter. The unresolved fate of Serbia's Russian-owned oil and gas company NIS threatens the country's energy security. Ukraine's European allies say US peace plan needs 'additional work' Kyiv's allies in Europe have called a US draft proposal that seems to favor Moscow a "basis" that needs more work. Donald Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to accept the deal.