Wildfires in Spain burn ten times more land than last year
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), part of the Copernicus European Environmental Monitoring Programme, shows that 411,315 ...
Germany has seen a 28% surge in military enlistment this year, with over 13,700 new recruits, as the government prepares a new voluntary service law and weighs reintroducing national conscription by 2027.
A growing number of young people in Germany are joining the country's armed forces, according to a new report published by Der Spiegel on Tuesday.
Data released by the German Federal Ministry of Defence shows that 13,750 new recruits had joined the Bundeswehr — Germany’s federal armed forces — by 21 July, representing a 28% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
This uptick includes both fixed-term voluntary soldiers and young people entering the military through Germany’s voluntary military service programme. The latter allows a six-month probationary period before a long-term decision is made.
The total number of uniformed personnel in the Bundeswehr now stands at approximately 183,100 — about 2,000 more than a year ago. The number of participants in voluntary military service has also climbed by 15%, now reaching around 11,350.
Officials attribute the rise to focused media outreach and heightened awareness due to shifts in Europe’s security environment. “Germany’s changing security landscape and international responsibilities have made military preparedness a greater national priority,” the ministry said.
In response, the German cabinet is preparing to vote on a new defence law proposed by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. The law, expected to be decided at the end of August, would launch a revised military service model in 2026. It would remain voluntary but include improved pay and more appealing service conditions to draw in up to 15,000 new conscripts per year.
Under the planned system, a mandatory pre-service assessment is due to be introduced in 2027 — a step that could pave the way for a broader reactivation of national service, more than a decade after Germany suspended conscription in 2011.
A new poll by the Forsa Institute conducted on 28 to 29 July highlights changing attitudes toward defence. According to the survey, 61% of Germans support reinstating mandatory service if voluntary enlistment proves inadequate.
However, enthusiasm to serve remains low: just 16% of respondents said they would definitely be willing to take up arms in defence of Germany if attacked. Among younger Germans aged 18 to 29, 61% were opposed to the idea of conscription.
Germany suspended compulsory military service in 2011 amid broader NATO downsizing, but recent geopolitical developments — including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rising global instability — have reignited debate over national defence capabilities.
The Defence Ministry's recruitment push comes amid broader efforts to revitalise the Bundeswehr, following longstanding criticism over equipment shortages and military readiness.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
A major fire has broken out at Hamburg’s city port, leaving several people injured.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), part of the Copernicus European Environmental Monitoring Programme, shows that 411,315 hectares of forest and rural land have burned in Spain so far this year — roughly ten times more than the 42,615 hectares affected in 2024.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered a reinforcement of the “Relámpago del Catatumbo” operation, extending it to Tachira state under Peace Zone One.
North Korea has criticised the joint military exercises between the US and South Korea, with state media reporting that the drills demonstrate Washington’s intent to “occupy” the Korean peninsula and target its regional adversaries.
On Monday, Russia claimed its forces had carried out extensive strikes on Ukrainian drone bases and other military targets over the past 24 hours, while Ukraine reported having destroyed a significant amount of Russian military hardware.
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