Deutsche Welle: DW.com - Europe

Serbia imports more arms than other Western Balkan states Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicates that while military spending across the Western Balkans has increased, Serbia is the Number 1 importer of major weapons systems in the region. Russia steps up drone attacks on Ukraine's railways Russia has been targeting Ukraine's railways in an effort to disrupt the country's economy and supply lines. How is Russia conducting the attacks? And can the strikes be stopped? Iran war: Tehran demands reparations to end conflict Iran's president has set conditions for an end to the war, including reparations and guarantees against future aggression. Meanwhile, the IEA's 32 member states agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil. Spain withdraws ambassador to Israel as rift intensifies Spain's government has formally dismissed its ambassador to Israel, six months after recalling her in a dispute prompted by the war in Gaza. Its Tel Aviv embassy will be led by a charge d'affaires until further notice. UK government releases Mandelson US appointment files Keir Starmer's government has released internal documents on the appointment of known Jeffrey Epstein associate Peter Mandelson as US ambassador in 2024. The prime minsiter was warned of a "general reputational risk." Polish opposition's PM candidate looks to attract far right Poland's populist Law and Justice party is losing voters to the far right. In a bid to reverse that trend, Catholic hard-liner Przemyslaw Czarnek has been tapped as lead candidate for the 2027 parliamentary election. Swiss police probe if deadly bus fire was 'deliberate act' A bus fire in the Swiss town of Kerzers killed at least six people and injured several others. Investigators say early indications point to a possible deliberate act. EU chief: Phasing out nuclear power was 'strategic mistake' Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union was "completely dependent" on expensive and volatile fossil fuel imports. She has announced new ambitions to harmonize nuclear regulations and roll out smaller reactors. Disruption hits undersea power cable between Finland and Sweden A high-voltage power cable between Finland and Sweden went offline for several hours before the connection was restored. Finland's grid operator said the cable itself appeared to be unharmed. Turkey: Heated trial of Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu opens The contentious trial of Istanbul's deposed mayor, once the main rival to President Erdogan, got off to a rocky start. The opposition CHP party calls the corruption investigation against it politically motivated.