Ukraine ceasefire: What do Russia, US, EU want?
Washington and Kyiv are both pushing for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but so far Russia has rejected the proposal. What interests are at play here — for Russia, Ukraine, the
Germany: Cannabis limit set for drivers
Germany has set a limit of 3.5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood for drivers. Among other restrictions, there is to be a complete ban on the simultaneous use of cannabis
South Africa: ANC want to form national unity government
South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress, failed to win an outright majority in May’s general election. President Cyril Ramaphosa is now seeking to form a coalition government. South African President Cyril
EU elections: Exit poll suggests big gains for Wilders
An exit poll in the Netherlands suggests Geert Wilders and his far-right Freedom Party have made big gains in the European Parliament elections. The Dutch vote is seen as an early litmus
Israel-Hamas war: Israeli strike on Gaza school kills dozens
At least 35 people have been killed in an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in central Gaza. Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier was killed in a clash with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy in France for D-Day anniversary
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Normandy on Thursday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings on
Germany: Scholz briefs Bundestag on national security
Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to deport migrants who commit crimes to countries previously considered unsafe. He also discussed the recent floods and Germany’s support for Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday morning addressed
Sudan: ‘Up to 100’ killed in RSF attack on village
Scores have been killed in a paramilitary attack on a village in Gezira state, a pro-democracy group said. Thousands have died and almost 9 million have been displaced since the start of
Israel-Hamas war: Israeli strike on Gaza school kills dozens
At least 35 people have been killed in an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in central Gaza. Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier was killed in a clash with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Germany: Scholz briefs parliament on national security
Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed whether or not to deport migrants to countries previously considered unsafe, recent floods and the decision to allow Ukraine to use German arms against targets inside Russia. German
IEA: Clean energy investment to reach $2 trillion in 2024
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), more money is being invested in solar power than in all other sources of electricity combined. Global investment in clean energy will reach $2 trillion (€1.84 trillion)
McDonald’s loses Chicken Big Mac trademark in Europe
McDonald’s has lost a legal dispute against an Irish fast food chain. A top EU court ruled the global giant could not exclusively call its chicken burgers “Big Mac.” McDonald’s lost a long-running
Several killed in Czech train crash, dozens injured
At least four people were killed when a passenger train collided head on with a freight train in the Czech city of Pardubice, according to rescue services. Four people died and more
US: Trump’s election interference trial in Georgia halted
Donald Trump is accused in Georgia of participating in a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election result in the southern state. Donald Trump’s election interference trial in Georgia has been frozen by
French counterterrorism police detain Russian-Ukrainian man
The man was seriously injured earlier this week in an explosion at a hotel in Roissy, on the outskirts of Paris. Materials intended to make explosive devices were found at his hotel
Yulia Navalnaya: Free speech is our ‘most important weapon’
Yulia Navalnaya said in Berlin that, although Vladimir Putin killed her husband, “he didn’t silence him and his ideas.” She said Alexei Navalny showed that “truth makes even an all-powerful dictator tremble
Slovakia: Robert Fico makes first comments since shooting
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said in a video posted to Facebook he hopes to return to work at the end of June following an assassination attempt last month. He said blamed
India elections: World leaders congratulate Modi on win
World leaders congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the NDA alliance led by his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wins the elections. However, the BJP failed to secure an outright parliamentary majority. World
Germany considers Afghan deportations after police stabbing
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said she is doing “everything possible” to restart deportations of criminals to countries like Afghanistan and Syria after a refugee allegedly stabbed a police officer in Mannheim. Germany
Germany: Far-right AfD says candidate attacked in Mannheim
A local candidate for the far-right AfD party was attacked with a knife in Mannheim according to media reports. The victim was allegedly injured and the perpetrator was arrested. A local council
Record number of dollar millionaires worldwide, study says
The world has never had so many rich people, according to the World Wealth Report. And they are richer than ever, thanks to their investments in the stock market boom. Last year’s
UK: King Charles banknotes enter circulation
Banknotes bearing the image of King Charles have begun to appear in British wallets. They will gradually replace the previous banknotes adorned with the face of his mother, Queen Elizabeth. Banknotes bearing a
Lebanon: Shots fired at US Embassy in Beirut
One assailant has been hospitalized after being shot and wounded by the Lebanese army. The embassy said no staff were harmed in the incident. The Lebanese army said it had shot and injured a Syrian man
Donald Trump requests New York trial gag order be lifted
Trump’s legal team has asked a judge to lift the gag order imposed on him a few weeks before his New York hush-money trial. He argues that he should be allowed to
Biden signs order to limit migrants crossing Mexico border
The United States will temporarily close its Mexico border to asylum seekers from Wednesday after President Joe Biden signed off on sweeping measures aimed at curbing illegal migration. US President Joe Biden on Tuesday
Holocaust survivors urge young EU voters to shun far right
A group of eight Holocaust survivors drew parallels between the current political climate and that of Germany in the 1930s. Some of them condemned the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD). Eight Holocaust survivors
Mannheim knife attack: Authorities suspect Islamist motive
German federal prosecutors have begun investigating a knife attack which left a police officer dead in Mannheim. On Monday, thousands of people gathered in the southwestern German city to pay their respects.
Portugal’s new government tightens immigration rules
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has vowed to put an end to the “wide-open doors” policy with new limitations on one of Europe’s most liberal immigration regimes. Portugal repealed a key migration policy on
Toyota apologizes as Japanese car testing scandal widens
The head of the Japanese car making giant gave an apologetic press conference after an internal review found Toyota had cheated on certification tests. Japan’s government is also investigating. Toyota Motor Corporation
Germany floods: Scholz visits hard-hit areas
The German chancellor visited southern Germany after numerous streams and rivers burst their banks and flooded entire towns and villages. At least four people have died in the floods. German Chancellor Olaf
Nigeria: Electric grid crippled as workers go on strike
After two major trade unions called for an open-ended strike in Nigeria, the country’s electrical grid collapsed and its airports were shut down. The striking workers are calling for a higher minimum
Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu views Biden’s plan as incomplete
The Israeli prime minister sees the cease-fire plan presented by US President Joe Biden as a “partial outline,” a government spokesperson said. Egypt says Hamas has “positively” reacted to the proposal. Israeli
Germany to miss 2030 climate goal: experts
Germany wants to be climate neutral by 2045. But a panel of government climate advisers says it’s already in danger of missing a key target to cut planet-heating emissions by the end
Pakistan’s Imran Khan acquitted of leaking state secrets
The jailed former prime minister will, however, remain in prison after being convicted in another case relating to his marriage. He and his supporters claim the various cases against him are politically
Burkina Faso world’s worst forgotten crisis: report
The Norwegian Refugee Council has said ongoing conflicts and a chronic lack of funding have led to the neglect of millions of displaced people. It has compiled a grim ranking of the
South Korea to halt pact with North over trash balloons
South Korea’s National Security Council wants the Cabinet to suspend a military agreement after North Korea sent balloons carrying garbage south. Pyongyang said it was responding to a southern propaganda campaign. South
Airline revenues, passengers to reach record highs in 2024
The number of people traveling by plane is set to hit a new high this year, as the airline industry bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic with record revenues for airlines, an
Suspected Israeli strikes kill several in Syria: reports
A suspected Israeli airstrike killed several people in the vicinity of the Syrian city of Aleppo. It was the second reported attack in the country in less than one week. A number
Mexico: Sheinbaum wins presidential election
Claudia Sheinbaum will become the first woman to lead Mexico following the weekend’s presidential election. The vote took place under a heavy security presence although that didn’t stop some incidents of violence.
Nagelsmann slams ‘racist’ survey by German broadcaster
The poll within a WDR documentary asked participants if they would like more white players to represent Germany. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann said that people need to “wake up” and that
German police officer injured in Mannheim knife attack dies
A police officer has succumbed to his injuries after intervening in a knife attack earlier this week at an anti-Islam rally. He had been in a coma with stab wounds to the
Mediators urge Israel and Hamas to accept new cease-fire bid
Qatar, Egypt and the US are trying to drum up support for the latest proposal for a truce and potentially a lasting cease-fire in Gaza floated by Joe Biden. US officials say
North Korea to stop flying trash-filled balloons south
North Korean officials say they will temporarily halt sending balloons filled with trash into South Korea but are ready to resume if Seoul sends leaflets north. After sending hundreds of balloons loaded with
Germany: Knife attack in Mannheim, suspect shot
Several people were injured after a knife-wielding assailant reportedly attacked a right-wing protest in Germany’s Mannheim. A police officer was reportedly among the people injured during a stabbing rampage in the German
Germany’s Scholz disrupted by protesters at Catholic event
“You need to keep your mouth shut now for a bit, then I will even answer your question,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told “Last Generation” protesters after the group crashed the event
Eurozone inflation up more than expected in May
Inflation in the 20-nation eurozone has risen faster than expected in May. But the European Central Bank is still expected to cut interest rates at a June 6 meeting. Consumer prices in
Slovak PM Fico released from hospital after shooting
Robert Fico was shot with four bullets in an assassination attempt in mid-May. Slovakian media has reported that the prime minister was flown out of the hospital to continue recovery at his
US, China defense ministers meet at Shangri-La Dialogue
All eyes are on US-China relations at the Shangri-La Dialogue where Philippines’ President is expected to discuss the nation’s claim on the disputed South China Sea. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
South Africa election: ANC losing majority in early results
The African National Congress could lose its parliamentary majority for the first time, according to partial election results. It remains unclear who a potential coalition partner would be if that came to
Biden allows Ukraine’s use of US arms to hit Russia: reports
According to media reports citing US officials, President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territories with US weapons to defend Kharkiv. US President Joe Biden has reportedly given the go-ahead for Ukraine to
Germany pledges €500 million in arms support for Ukraine
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new arms package for Ukraine focusing on air defense and including 1 million rounds of small arms ammunition. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced a
NATO chief: Time to rethink restrictions on Ukraine weaponry
Jens Stoltenberg said it was time to “consider some of these restrictions” as allies mull allowing Kyiv to use Western weapons on Russian territory. He’s following in the footsteps of several other
Syria’s Assad offers condolences in Iran after Raisi death
Syrian President Bashar Assad has met Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei soon after the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi. His visit comes as Iran gears up to choose Raisi’s successor. Syria’s president,
German government sued over weapons sold to Israel
Human rights lawyer Alexander Schwarz told DW there was “reasonable grounds to believe” Israel was committing war crimes in Gaza with the kind of weapons it is getting from Germany. The German
Rheinmetall becomes Borussia Dortmund sponsor
Bundesliga football club Borussia Dortmund have announced a three-year sponsorship deal with German arms manufactuer Rheinmetall. German football club Borussia Dortmund have signed a three-year sponsorship deal with leading German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall. The Düsseldorf-based firm,
Spain gives final approval to Catalan amnesty bill
Spain’s parliament has finally approved a disputed amnesty bill for Catalan separatists involved in an unsuccessful 2017 secession bid. Spanish parliamentarians voted on Thursday by a small margin to finally approve amnesty for hundreds
New Zealand: Thousands protest ‘anti-Maori policies’
Tens of thousands of people have protested the government’s new budget with critics saying it comes at the expense of Indigenous people. An opposition party has said it will launch a Maori
Hong Kong: 14 democracy activists convicted in landmark case
The verdict comes several years after a pro-democracy movement sparked major protests in the city against a Beijing-imposed national security law. Only two of the accused were acquitted. Hong Kong’s High Court
Europol hits malware network in major cybercrime operation
Germany, France and the Netherlands have headed a sting operation against cyber infrastructure used for criminal purposes. Four arrests were carried out and more than 100 internet servers were taken down or
Mexico: Second mayoral candidate killed days before election
Videos published by local media show a person approaching Alfredo Cabrera before shooting him several times. Two other candidates were shot the day before the latest attack. A mayoral candidate was fatally shot
Trump hush money trial: Jury deliberations continue
During the first day of deliberations, the jury asked for the transcripts from two of the witnesses and for the judge to repeat his instructions to them. Meanwhile, Trump compared himself to
South Africa election: Vote count underway amid high turnout
Polls have closed for pivotal elections that could see the ruling ANC party led by President Cyril Ramaphosa lose its majority. Authorities indicated a bumper turnout after long queues at voting centers.
Israel claims control of corridor along Gaza-Egypt border
Israel alleges that numerous smuggling tunnels belonging to Hamas run beneath the corridor. Israel’s military on Wednesday said it had achieved full operational control of the so-called Philedelphi Corridor along the length
Iceland: Grindavik volcano eruption prompts new evacuations
A volcano located near the famous Blue Lagoon has erupted once again — the fifth such eruption since December. Icelandic authorities have declared a state of emergency but air traffic has not
Colombia moves to ban bullfighting
Colombian lawmakers voted to ban bullfighting from 2027, sending the bill to the President Gustavo Petro for signing. Animal rights groups say the sport does not represent culture, but rather torture. Colombia
Venezuela disinvites EU election observers
Venezuelan officials said the July 28 presidential elections would be open to international observers, but has now made an about-turn regarding the EU mission. Venezuela rescinded an invitation to European Union observers to monitor the
Mexico: Mayoral candidate killed ahead of elections
A wave of pre-election violence continued to spread across Mexico on Tuesday, with another candidate wounded. This comes ahead of elections over the weekend. One mayoral candidate was murdered and another shot
Ukraine updates: Ukrainian air force says drones shot down
Ukraine’s military said it shot down 13 of 14 drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack on three regions. Meanwhile, Sweden announced €1.16 billion in military aid for Ukraine. Ukraine’s air
India: Heat alert as Delhi posts record high temperature
Temperatures in parts of Delhi reached a record 49.9 degree Celsius on Tuesday amid a weeks-long heatwave in northern India which has spiked water shortages and heat strokes. Temperatures in India’s capital city
South Korea decries trash balloons dropped by North
More than 150 balloons with trash from the North were detected in South Korea. The North had vowed to retaliate against South Korean activists for sending anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border.
Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin to be indicted over royal insult
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is being taken to court over an alleged insult to the Thai royal family in an interview to foreign media in 2015. Thailand’s attorney general is set
Haiti transitional council names Garry Conille PM
The UN development specialist previously served as Haiti’s prime minister for a brief period. His selection comes as Haiti grapples with a major security crisis. UN development specialist Garry Conille has been
Executions worldwide at highest record since 2015: Amnesty
Almost three-quarters of the recorded executions were carried out in Iran alone. Human rights group Amnesty International said in a report released on Wednesday that 1,153 executions were recorded worldwide in 2023. The figure
Trump defense slams key witness as hush money trial wraps
Donald Trump’s defense lawyers told the jury they could not trust the evidence of his former lawyer Michael Cohen. The prosecution argued the case’s substance “could very well be what got President
Macron, Scholz: Ukraine can strike some targets in Russia
The two leaders said they were in lock-step when it came to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. Macron called for Kyiv to be allowed to strike military positions in
Germany records highest number of naturalizations since 2000
Over 200,000 people from 157 different countries obtained German citizenship in 2023 — a record since the turn of the century. From June 2024, it will become easier to become a German
Australia: Man arrested after running naked through plane
A domestic flight was forced to land early after a man allegedly ran naked down the aisle of the plane. Police have arrested the suspect who is being seen to in hospital.
Pope uses homophobic slur in meeting with bishops — reports
Italian media has said that the pope used a highly derogatory slur against LGBTQ+ people at a bishops conference. The remark may sour attempts by the pope to make the church more
India: Several killed, trapped in quarry collapse
The deadly cyclone Remal, which has already claimed lives in coastal India and Bangladesh, has now caused a quarry collapse in the remote Indian state of Mizoram. Torrential rain brought on by cyclone
Argentina’s Milei replaces cabinet chief in major shakeup
Nicolas Posse, the highest-ranked minister, has resigned and will be replaced by someone who played an important role in the president’s austerity program. Argentine President Javier Milei accepted the resignation of cabinet chief
Papua New Guinea: Thousands asked to flee ‘active’ landslide
Some 7,900 people in Papua New Guinea have been ordered to evacuate the path of what authorities say is a still active landslide that has already buried an estimated 2,000 people. Thousands
Bill Walton: Ex-NBA Hall of Fame player dies at 71
Basketball icon and former MVP Bill Walton has died after a prolonged battle with cancer. Tributes from his friends and former colleagues poured in on social media. Hall of Fame center Bill
Memorial Day: Biden honors fallen US soldiers
US President Joe Biden marked Memorial Day by reminding Americans that “freedom has never been guaranteed.” Donald Trump used the day to blast political rivals. US President Joe Biden marked Memorial Day by welcoming
California: 81-year-old ‘serial slingshot shooter’ arrested
Police said the suspect had been harassing residents in the city of Azusa, near Los Angeles, for nearly a decade. An 81-year-old man will appear before court on Tuesday for harassing residents
North Korean spy satellite launch ends in failure
North Korea said it launched a rocket that was carrying a spy satellite but exploded mid-air. However, the US claimed the rocket involved technologies related to Pyongyang’s intercontinental ballistic missile program. North
Poland presents plan to fortify border to Russia, Belarus
Defense officials in Poland have shared details on a plan to strengthen the country’s eastern border. They say Poland is at constant risk of hostile actions by Russia and its ally, Belarus.
Armenia detains hundreds of anti-government protesters
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan over a deal giving Azerbaijan control over four border villages. Armenian police detained at least 226 protesters on Monday for blocking streets of the
Germany: Ex-military officer sentenced for Russia spying
A court in Düsseldorf has sentenced a former German military officer to three and half years in prison for slipping photographs of documents related to munitions systems and aircraft technology to the
US lawmakers visit Taiwan to show support amid China threat
A US delegation has traveled to Taiwan after China held drills around the self-governed island in a show of strength. The US is the island’s most important ally and supplier of military
China, Japan, and South Korea to push free trade talks
Chinese Premier Li Qiang described a trilateral summit in Seoul as a “new beginning.” Along with steps towards a free trade agreement, the three countries also reaffirmed their goal of a denuclearized
Papua New Guinea: More than 2,000 people killed in landslide
The search for survivors continues after a remote hillside village in Papua New Guinea was buried under a landslide. The UN says treacherous conditions have hampered rescue efforts. Papua New Guinea reported
Cyclone Remal causes death and damage in Bangladesh, India
Ten people were reported killed in Bangladesh, and some 30,000 homes were destroyed, after a powerful cyclone made landfall. The storm has weakened as it moves inland, but more heavy rain and
France to lift New Caledonia state of emergency
The unrest erupted as the French legislature in Paris debated amending the French constitution to make changes to voter lists in New Caledonia. The state of emergency in riot-hit New Caledonia will be lifted on
Spain: 4 dead in Mallorca restaurant collapse
Two German tourists, a Spanish waitress and a Senegalese man have been killed after a restaurant collapsed in Mallorca. Several Dutch tourists were also injured. A restaurant collapse on Spain’s Mediterranean island of Mallorca left
German police investigate ‘racist’ video on vacation island
A viral video shows people singing racist lyrics and performing Nazi salutes at a club on the northern German island of Sylt. The club has condemned the incident. Police in the northern
Armenia returns 4 border villages to Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan has taken control of four villages in the Gazakh district on the border with Armenia. The move follows an agreement with Yerevan. Armenia on Friday returned to Azerbaijan four border villages it seized decades
Enga province is situated inland and is not easy to reach
Ilaria Salis, an Italian activist, faces charges of attacking two participants at a far-right rally in Budapest. She is accused of being involved in an extreme left-wing criminal organization. The trial of
Papua New Guinea village hit by large landslide
The extent of damage and casualties from the overnight landslide is not yet clear, with locals in the remote area trying to clear rubble and seek survivors. A major landslide struck Papua New
Mexico: Heat wave kills several people, hotter days ahead
The so-called “heat dome” weather phenomenon has trapped hot air over the country, causing temperatures to soar to 45 degrees Celsius in some areas. Extreme heat in Mexico has killed dozens of people,
US issues sanctions over Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ bill
The US is imposing visa restrictions on individuals “undermining democracy” in the South Caucasus country, after the Georgian parliament passed a controversial bill. The United States said it is introducing new visa restrictions on Georgia after
Estonia says Russia removed navigation buoys near border
The buoys are placed on the border river to keep ships from entering foreign waters. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas called their removal a “border incident.” Estonian border guards said on Thursday that their Russian counterparts