Amid Russia's war against Ukraine, defense aircraft and systems prevailed at this year's international show in Berlin. Focusing on innovation and sustainability, industry representatives, politicians, armed forces and aviation experts gathered at one of the world's largest aerospace and defense exhibitions.

Berlin

Berlin's International Airshow prominently featured military defense technologies amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This year's event showcased helicopters, transport aircraft, and air defense systems, highlighted by a dedicated defense park. The German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, utilized the opportunity to explore much-needed upgrades. An official emphasized that substantial improvements are essential to ensure the Bundeswehr's defensive capabilities.

In addition to defense systems, the airshow placed significant emphasis on sustainable aviation. Industry representatives discussed the necessity of designing climate-neutral airplanes, exploring alternatives such as green kerosene and hydrogen fuel. The aviation industry is actively seeking efficient transitions from traditional combustion to these sustainable options.

The resurgence of demand for flights since the Covid pandemic has positively impacted German manufacturers. The civil aircraft sector saw a turnover of 33 billion euros last year, while the defense and aerospace sectors generated 10 billion and 3 billion euros, respectively. The event also highlighted luxurious advancements in civilian aircraft, including premium business class and enhanced passenger comfort. Numerous contracts are expected to be finalized during the airshow, as industry experts negotiate deals.



Military defense dominates Berlin International Airshow

Helicopters, transport aircraft and air defence systems. Berlin's international air show looks more like a military exhibition. For the first time, this year's show includes a dedicated defence park, where the defence industry can show off its latest products and the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, can hunt for some desperately needed upgrades. We are starting from a relatively low level in terms of equipping the Bundeswehr. And now we have to take a big step in that direction again, to get to a level where we are capable of defence and war. And that level must then be maintained. I can see that the defence budget must remain at a certain level over the long term." But the show is not all about defence. Sustainable flying is also a key pillar of this year's exhibition, as the aviation industry searches for climate-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. We have to redesign our aeroplanes in such a way that they can be climate-neutral in the best-case scenario. There are several ways to get there. The simplest would be to make kerosene green. Another very good alternative, especially for aviation, would be hydrogen fuel. We are working hard to find ways to efficiently move from combustion to hydrogen. Four years after the Covid pandemic all but grounded the aviation industry, demand for flights is booming once more. The spike in demand has been good news for German manufacturers. Last year, turnover in civil aircraft construction rose to 33 billion euros. The defence sector saw a turnover of 10 billion, with another 3 billion in the aerospace industry. In total, 46 billion euros in sales. The boom has also seen more luxurious options appearing in civilian aircraft, including a premium business class and new concepts for passenger comfort, such as in this Airbus A380. Many contracts are likely to be signed over the next few days, as industry experts strike deals at the largest event of its kind in the European Union.

The Paris Olympic Games have officially opened with a ceremony in the rain along the River Seine. Athletes floated along on boats for the parade, while former French sprinter Marie-José Pérec and French judoka Teddy Riner lit the Olympic flame.

Paris

Paris Olympics

Paris Olympics underway after Opening Ceremony

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Taipei

Cargo crew rescued from Typhoon Gaemi

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Chico

Uncontrolled fires burn across California

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Tsim Sha Tsui

Climate Crisis

Thousands evacuated in China as Typhoon makes landfall

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El Paso

Mexican drug lords arrested in El Paso

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Palm Beach

Netanyahu meets Trump, says working on cease-fire

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Kansas City

North Korean charged in U.S. cyberattacks

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France rail network attacked before Olympics

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Saboteurs attack French railways ahead of Olympic ceremony

Typhoon Gaemi pummeled towns on China's coastal Fujian province on Friday with heavy rains and strong winds as the most powerful storm to hit the country this year began its widely watched trek into the populous interior.

Fujian

Typhoon Gaemi lashes China after pounding Taiwan, Philippines

Presidential candidates in Venezuela have held their final campaign rallies ahead of the election on Sunday. Opposition leaders are asking voters to oust President Nicolas Maduro, who's seeking a third term. But Maduro has warned the country risks a "bloodbath" if the opposition wins.

Caracas

Final rallies held ahead of Venezuela presidential election

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Washington

Israel-Gaza War

Harris strikes tougher tone on Gaza ceasefire deal

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Athletes navigate security risks at Paris 2024

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Typhoon Gaemi hits China after pounding Taiwan, Philippines

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Major security operation in place to guard Paris Olympics

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Biden meets with Netanyahu, presses for ceasefire in Gaza

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Miranda

Man with knife and explosives arrested at Westfield

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Canberra

Prime Minister set to reveal cabinet reshuffle

A limited curfew is still in place in Bangladesh after days of protests and a police crackdown. Some businesses and government offices are reopening, and partial internet service is being restored in some areas. Police have arrested more than 2,000 people. The United Nations has demanded an investigation of the Bangladeshi government's crackdown on student protesters.

Dhaka

UN demands investigation of Bangladesh's crackdown on protesters

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U.S. Presidential Election

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From Paris to Polynesia, final Olympic preparations underway

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North Carolina

Trump slams Harris as ‘radical’ in first rally since Biden’s exit

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Netanyahu blasts Gaza war critics, Iran in fiery speech to U.S. Congress

A passenger plane has crashed and caught fire shortly after taking off from Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, killing 18 people, aviation officials say. The pilot was the only survivor of the crash and was treated in hospital.

Kathmandu

Nepal plane crash kills 18; pilot only survivor

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Manila

Typhoon Gaemi brings heavy rain to Manila, forcing evacuation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told families of hostages held in Gaza that a deal that would secure their loved ones' release could be nearing, his office said.

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Wisconsin

Harris slams Trump at first campaign rally

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