Deutsche Welle: DW.com - Europe

Hungary's Orban woos voters with cash incentives and smears Hungarians are tired of Viktor Orban’s autocratic rule. To lure voters away from his popular young challenger, the prime minister is offering costly incentives while financially squeezing opposition strongholds. Ukraine's Kremenchuk hit by Russian airstrikes — mayor Russian drones and missiles struck the central industrial city overnight, its mayor has said. The attacks came despite ongoing US-led peace efforts. Unknown volcano eruption claimed as cause of Black Death Though its route through Central Asia remains elusive, two German researchers believe they have discovered how — and why — the plague made it to Medieval Europe. Greece: At least 17 dead in boat capsize off Crete Two survivors attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea were rescued after a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Crete. Authorities have not said where the vessel came from. Ukrainians say it's 'absurd' to abandon Donbas to Russia One of the proposals of the US peace plan is that Ukraine concede the Donetsk region to Russia. The estimated 200,000 civilians who still live there are incredulous but fear that Ukraine might succumb to US pressure. UK: 4 arrested after throwing custard at Crown Jewels This is the second demonstration claimed by "Take Back Power" activists in recent days. Many valuable treasures and famous artworks have been targeted in attempts to bring attention to political causes. Ukraine hit by new Russian strikes on infrastructure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s massive drone and missile barrage that injured at least eight and left thousands without power or water. US security plan: EU's Kallas downplays fear of rift in ties The EU's top diplomat said the US was still "our biggest ally" despite differences on numerous topics. Kaja Kallas was commenting on a US national security plan that slammed Europe along economic and cultural lines. Finland: The money woes of the world's happiest country Finland cut Russian energy imports and closed the shared border after the Ukraine war, erasing €12 billion in trade. The shocks deepened the Nordic nation's deficit, already strained by defense and welfare spending. Heavy fighting for Pokrovsk: Is Ukraine losing the city? Russia claims it has occupied Pokrovsk. According to Ukrainian and Western observers, fighting for the city continues. What happens there could also determine the fate of the nearby city of Myrnohrad.