Oliver Devereaux

Outrage as Saudi Arabia picked to head women’s rights forum

The UN has chosen Saudi Arabia to chair a commission on gender equality, to the dismay of rights groups. Amnesty International has described the kingdom’s record on women’s rights as “abysmal.” Saudi

1 year ago

World

China lifts wine tariffs on Australia amid improving ties

China enforced heavy tariffs on Australian wine in 2020 due to political grievances, among them Australia’s backing of a global inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. China’s and Australia’s ties as trade partners look to

1 year ago

Business

Schröder: Good relationship with Putin may still be helpful

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder says his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin could help end the war in Ukraine. He also called the prospect of an alleged nuclear attack by Putin

1 year ago

Politics

South Korea: Striking Seoul bus drivers to return to work

A rare bus drivers’ pay strike ended after agreement with their union and employers after earlier causing commuter chaos in South Korea’s capital. A wage strike involving thousands of bus drivers in

1 year ago

Politics

Germany’s postal service ceases domestic mail flights

Deutsche Post will no longer use aircraft to carry letters within Germany after more than six decades of doing so. The move aims to cut costs and reduce CO2 emissions — but

1 year ago

Innovations

German court rules Mercedes knew about cheat devices

German court rules Mercedes knew about cheat devices The Stuttgart Higher Regional Court on Thursday found that Mercedes Benz staff had deliberately fitted unauthorized devices to rig emissions levels in some models.

1 year ago

World

France set to commission new nuclear plant

France’s state-owned energy company EDF says it has approval to load a new nuclear plant with fuel. France plans to expand its nuclear sector, unlike Germany, which has shut it down France’s

1 year ago

Business

Nobel-prize winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman dies

The psychologist and author Daniel Kahneman, who won the Nobel Prize in economics in 2002, has died aged 90. He became well-known to the lay public in 2011 with his best-seller “Thinking,

1 year ago

Society

Germany star Rüdiger slams Islamist gesture allegation

German international footballer Antonio Rüdiger says “third parties” have sought to spread division — portraying him as an Islamist over a Ramadan gesture that he posted online. Germany and Real Madrid defender Antonio

1 year ago

World

Colombia expels Argentine diplomats over Milei remarks

The action comes after Argentine President Javier Milei called Colombia’s Gustavo Petro a “terrorist” in a recent interview. Colombia has ordered the expulsion of Argentine diplomats after President Javier Milei called his Colombian counterpart Gustavo

1 year ago

Politics

Macron says Mercosur-EU deal is ‘very bad’ for both sides

French President Emmanuel Macron told Brazilian business leaders that a proposed trade deal between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc is outdated and needs to be reworked. A potential trade

1 year ago

Business

Baltimore bridge collapse: Divers recover two bodies

The remains of two of the six missing road workers were recovered from the river after a container ship collapsed a major bridge in Baltimore. Four more workers are still missing. The

1 year ago

World

Slovakia says bear that wounded 5 shot dead

The bear had bit and scratched people in Slovakia, with one individual almost losing an eye. The Slovakian government wants to implement safety zones near towns and villages as a means to

1 year ago

Earth & Climate

Lufthansa, Verdi union reach deal for ground staff

The agreement means an end for now to mass strikes of ground personnel that had paralyzed German airports. Earlier strikes caused mass cancellations of Lufthansa flights. The airline Lufthansa and Verdi labor

1 year ago

World

Japan’s yen dips to 34-year low against US dollar

The Japanese yen has hit a decades-long low against the dollar, even after Japan’s central bank announced a hike in interest rates. Currency markets saw Japan’s yen dip to its lowest point against the

1 year ago

Innovations

What does Putin’s farcical ‘re-election’ mean for the EU?

Appeasement is off the table. Europe needs to unite and get serious about the truly existential threat that Putin’s brutal regime poses, Michael Emerson writes. Vladimir Putin now adds another six years

1 year ago

World

EU defence a priority even for eurosceptics: exclusive poll

Nearly half of Europeans agree Brussels should sharpen its military strategy, as the bloc faces up to a belligerent Russia and wavering US. More than one third of the most eurosceptic voters

1 year ago

Innovations

Tunisia sentences 4 to death over politician’s assassination

A Tunisia court has sentenced four people to death over the murder of prominent political leader Chokri Belaid. His death in 2013 sparked mass protests against the country’s then-ruling Islamists. A court

1 year ago

World

German economic institutes cut 2024 growth forecast to 0.1%

A combined report from leading economic think tanks in Germany has revised 2024 growth forecasts from 1.2% down to 0.1%. The country is also expected to dip into a technical recession after

1 year ago

Innovations

India summons US diplomat over Kejriwal comments

India’s Foreign Ministry has protested after the US joined Germany in raising concerns over the arrest of a leading opposition politician, Arvind Kejriwal. New Delhi summoned a US diplomat on Wednesday. India’s

1 year ago

Politics

Thailand parliament passes same-sex unions bill

The bill passed in the lower house still needs Senate approval and the king’s endorsement before it becomes law. Thailand’s lower house of parliament passed on Wednesday a bill that would legalize same-sex unions in

1 year ago

Society

China’s Xi Jinping meets with US executives

Chinese authorities are seeking to spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy, which is facing decreasing demand for exports. US companies in China have increasingly complained of an unfair business environment. Chinese President Xi

1 year ago

Politics

Germany: Several dead in long-distance bus crash

German police say several people have died in a crash involving a bus operated by transport company Flixbus. Police in the eastern German state of Saxony said at least five people were

1 year ago

Breaking news

US says it did not carry out airstrikes in Syria

The Pentagon has said that the US has not carried out air strikes in Syria after Syrian and Iranian state media blamed Washington for a dawn bombing on Tuesday. The United States

1 year ago

World

Brazil, France announce €1 billion Amazon investment plan

The two countries say they will raise an investment fund over the next four years to protect the Amazon rainforest. Relations between Paris and Brasilia have improved since Lula da Silva’s became

1 year ago

Politics

Brussels: Farmer protests turn violent, as EU ministers meet

Police fired tear gas and deployed water cannons to keep protesting farmers at bay as agriculture ministers from the bloc met a few steps away to revise proposals to ease the crisis.

1 year ago

Politics

Football: Germany’s Rüdiger sues over Ramadan gesture

German international footballer Antonio Rüdiger is pressing defamation charges against a journalist who accused him of supporting Islamic extremism. Experts differ in their interpretations of the gesture. Germany and Real Madrid defender Antonio

1 year ago

World

EU asks Facebook, TikTok to identify and label AI deepfakes

The European Commission asked big social sites, like TikTok and Facebook, to clearly label political advertising and reduce “virality of content” that threatens the integrity of European elections this summer. The European Union

1 year ago

Innovations

Germany to set up border controls for the UEFA Euro 2024

As European countries like France raised terror alert levels after the attack on Moscow, Germany’s interior minister said border security will be bolstered ahead of this summer’s European Football Championship. Germany will introduce

1 year ago

World

Pakistan: 5 Chinese workers killed in bombing

A convoy of Chinese engineers was targeted by an attacker driving an explosive-laden vehicle, according to local authorities. Authorities in Pakistan said on Tuesday that five Chinese nationals were among six people killed in a suicide

1 year ago

World

Germany: Bahn, train drivers agree to 35-hour week in deal

Deutsche Bahn and the GDL train driver’s union have given more details of a pay-and-terms deal they struck on Monday, ending a long-running industrial dispute marked by several strikes. Germany’s national rail

1 year ago

Politics

Julian Assange can appeal extradition, UK High Court rules

The High Court in London has ruled that Julian Assange can continue his legal battle, unless the US promises within three weeks that he won’t face the death penalty. The legal saga

1 year ago

Politics

Evan Gershkovich: Russia extends pre-trial detention

The Wall Street Journal reporter accused by Moscow of spying has been ordered to remain behind bars. Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023. A court in Moscow on Tuesday ordered Wall Street Journal (WSJ)

1 year ago

World

Baltimore bridge collapses after ship collision

A large chunk of a 1.6-mile-long bridge was seen in a video completely collapsing into the water after a cargo ship collided with a pillar. Rescue efforts are ongoing. A portion of

1 year ago

Innovations

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ homes raided in sex trafficking probe

Footage of the raids at Combs’ properties showed helicopters circling. The hip-hop star has been accused of serious sex offences by multiple women. US Homeland Security agents probed two properties of hip-hop

1 year ago

World

Brazil probes Jair Bolsonaro’s stay at Hungarian embassy

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro faces multiple criminal investigations and had his passports confiscated last month. Police would not have been able to arrest him while he was staying at a foreign

1 year ago

Politics

Florida passes law restricting teen social media access

At a time when US federal government is pushing for a ban on TikTok, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a law restricting children’s access to social media. The law will come

1 year ago

Innovations

US, UK accuse China-linked hackers of spy campaign

US and UK officials accused Chinese hacking group APT31 — an abbreviation for “advanced persistent threat”— of targeting political figures. The US said their aim was to “repress” critics of Beijing. The

1 year ago

Innovations

Malawi: Call for ‘urgent support’ after disaster declared

Malawi’s President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera declared a state of disaster in 23 of its 28 districts on Saturday, hot on the heels of neighboring Zambia, which has also appealed for aid. The

1 year ago

Earth & Climate

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to step down by end of 2024

Boeing’s CEO will step down by the end of the year as part of a broader management shakeup at the company, which has been rocked by a series of safety mishaps in

1 year ago

World

Spain: Judge halts blocking of Telegram pending probe

A Spanish court has reversed course and halted a controversial order to temporarily suspend the Telegram messaging app nationwide. Media firms had complained of intellectual property rights violations. Judge Santiago Pedraz of

1 year ago

World

Papua New Guinea: Earthquake kills at least 5

The 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit the western part of Papua New Guinea, with officials saying hundreds of homes have been destroyed. Authorities in Papua New Guinea said at least five people were

1 year ago

Earth & Climate

Philippines summons Chinese envoy over latest reef clash

Manilla has dared Beijing to take legal action over its claims to a disputed reef in the South China Sea. China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea were already dismissed by

1 year ago

World

Germany’s brown hare population jumps to record high

Germany’s brown hare populations have declined massively since the 1980s. However, Germany’s hunting association has said population numbers increased last year, as dry weather allowed for more offspring. Germany’s population of brown

1 year ago

Earth & Climate

North Korea says Japan requested summit with Kim Jong Un

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said high-level talks with North Korea are “important to resolve issues,” such as the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea decades ago. North Korean state

1 year ago

World

Senegal: Faye nears victory in presidential election

Several opposition candidates have congratulated Bassirou Diomaye Faye after he appeared to be ahead in preliminary tallies. However, the governing coalition has said it was sure there would be a runoff. Senegalese opposition

1 year ago

World

Simon Harris to become Ireland’s prime minister

Simon Harris has taken the helm of Ireland’s Fine Gael party after Leo Varadkar’s surprise resignation. Its left-wing rival, Sinn Fein, has been leading in opinion polls. Simon Harris on Sunday took

1 year ago

Politics

Brazil: Hundreds of homes destroyed in deadly floods

A severe storm has triggered flooding and landslides in southeastern Brazil, with heavy rain forcing thousands to flee. Heavy rains have brought destruction to Brazil, killing at least 25 people and forcing thousands

1 year ago

World

Senegal votes in presidential election to replace Macky Sall

The incumbent Macky Sall is not competing in the race, after wrapping a second term. Sall’s popularity has slumped after he unsuccessfully tried to postpone the vote to December. Voters in Senegal headed to

1 year ago

Politics

France raises terror alert after Moscow theater attack

France is increasing armed patrols after an “Islamic State” (IS) affiliate claimed an attack that killed over 130 in Moscow. IS has carried out multiple attacks in France, including on the Bataclan

1 year ago

World

Germany: Massive Autobahn pileup leaves 2 dead

Two people were killed and dozens injured in a series of crashes leading to a mass pileup in Bavaria. Rescue helicopters landed on the freeway, which was entirely closed, to assist police

1 year ago

World

Germany approves partial legalization of cannabis from April

The new law will allow adults to carry up to 25 grams of cannabis for their own consumption and store up to 50 grams at home. It is now slated to come

1 year ago

Innovations

UN: 2.2 billion people have no access to clean water

Almost 3.5 billion people do not have access to safe sanitation and one in two globally suffer from water scarcity for several months a year, a UN report says. It adds that

1 year ago

Earth & Climate

Blinken lands in Israel for Gaza talks with Netanyahu

The US secretary of state said he would advise Israel against going through with its planned ground assault in Rafah. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council will vote on a US-sponsored cease-fire resolution.

1 year ago

World

Haiti crisis worsens as transition council nears completion

As Haiti’s political parties verge on forming a security council, gangs have made advances in the capital city and reports of gunshots have emerged. Haiti’s gangs have made advances in Port-au-Prince, a

1 year ago

World

Venezuela neighbors decry latest arrests ahead of election

The latest arrests targeted two top aides of opposition leader Machado. Caracas has detained several politicians, rights activists and journalists ahead of its July presidential election. Several countries condemned on Thursday Venezuela’s arrest of

1 year ago

Politics

UN General Assembly adopts first AI resolution

Proposed by the US and co-sponsored by 123 other countries including China, the UN General Assembly’s resolution on artificial intelligence is meant to be an “important first step.” The United Nations General Assembly unanimously

1 year ago

Innovations

Football: North Korea loses 1-0 to Japan, cancels next game

Japan’s football association head told domestic media after the win over North Korea in Tokyo. He said he’d been told next week’s game could not take place in Pyongyang and asked if

1 year ago

World

India: Opposition says BJP froze its accounts ahead of vote

Congress, India’s main opposition party, has said it has been crippled ahead of elections starting next month. It accused Modi’s ruling party of freezing its bank accounts. India’s Congress party said on Thursday

1 year ago

Politics

Israel-Hamas war: Blinken calls Rafah offensive a ‘mistake’

US Secretary of State Blinken warned a major Israeli military operation in Rafah would be “a mistake.” The EU called for a pause to fighting in Gaza. DW rounds up developments in

1 year ago

World

Sweden joining NATO bolsters Baltic Sea security — Billstrom

Sweden’s foreign minister told DW that Sweden and Finland joining NATO would “significantly” improve Baltic Sea security and stability. Meanwhile, he predicted that the conflict with Russia would be “prolonged.” The accession

1 year ago

World

Indonesia elections: Opposition candidate contests result

Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan is seeking a new vote following Prabowo Subianto’s confirmation as the new leader of Indonesia. An unsuccessful presidential candidate filed a complaint at the Constitutional Court on Thursday,

1 year ago

Politics

Nuclear energy offers fossil fuel alternative — IAEA chief

Nuclear can play a key role combating global warming, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has told DW. But it is not without its challenges, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. International Atomic Energy

1 year ago

Politics

Afghanistan: 3 killed in suicide attack

A suicide bombing killed three people and injured twelve in front of a bank in the Afghan city of Kandahar. No ones has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. On Thursday, a

1 year ago

World

Germany: Wild boar shot after wandering through Mainz

Emergency services used a thermal imaging drone to track the sauntering swine. The incident comes after a wild boar sparked panic in Berlin last year when it was mistaken for an escaped

1 year ago

Earth & Climate

Germany’s Lufthansa values cost of strikes at €250 million

Lufthansa’s CFO has said strikes have had long-term impacts on the company’s operations. The airline had recorded bumper profits in 2023. Lufthansa, Germany’s flagship airline, estimated that industrial action by its staff

1 year ago

Innovations

LA Dodgers fire Ohtani interpreter for alleged theft

Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend Ippei Mizuhara has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and “massive theft.” Major League Baseball (MLB) team

1 year ago

World

Vietnam approves president’s resignation amid graft purge

Vietnam’s parliament has accepted the resignation of President Vo Van Thuong over alleged “violations and shortcomings.” The approval, amid a corruption crackdown, came after days of speculation. The Vietnamese parliament on Thursday

1 year ago

Politics

US unveils new, softened vehicle emissions targets

The US has revised its targets for future vehicle emissions after facing pushback from carmakers on more stringent original plans. Nevertheless, the government sought to tout the cuts that would still be

1 year ago

Earth & Climate

Reddit valued at $6.4 billion in Wall Street IPO

US-based social media platform Reddit makes its debut on the New York stock market exchange, after the first big tech IPO in years. American social media company Redditmakes its trading debut on

1 year ago

Business

Haiti: Gang violence spreads as talks continue

Negotiations to form a Haitian transitional council advanced on Wednesday as gang violence spread to an upmarket suburb. The United States airlifted more citizens to safety but said no military decisions have

1 year ago

World

Japan: 5.3 magnitude earthquake north of Tokyo

A medium-sized earthquake, with its epicenter north of Tokyo, has rattled buildings in Japan. No tsunami warning was issued in the aftermath. An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 hit the east of Japan on Thursday

1 year ago

World

German birth rate drops steeply against backdrop of unease

Germany’s birth rate has fallen to its lowest level in 15 years, according to a study. The authors suspect that global crises may have played a role in putting potential parents off,

1 year ago

Society

Fossil fuel majors miss the mark on climate targets

Despite corporate messaging touting a low-carbon future, many of the world’s top oil and gas companies are failing to meet global climate goals. And they’re making plans to expand. Nearly a decade

1 year ago

Earth & Climate

IMF initially agrees to disburse $1.1 billion to Pakistan

The sum is the final tranche of a $3 billion rescue-package Islamabad had secured last summer. The newly-elected administration of the South Asian cash-strapped country is already seeking another IMF loan. The International

1 year ago

Business

Aung San Suu Kyi’s iconic home on sale for $150m tag

The house where Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi lived for years under house arrest has gone up for auction — but attracted no bids. The home was subject to a legal battle

1 year ago

World

Finland ranked world’s happiest country for seventh year

The annual World Happiness Report has again ranked Finland and other Scandinavian countries the most cheerful nations on Earth. Costa Rica and Kuwait entered the top 20 in place of the United

1 year ago

Society

Pakistan mine explosion: 12 killed in Balochistan

Eight other miners have been injured following an explosion in a private coal pit, with an official suspecting the incident to be caused by methane gas. An explosion inside a coal mine in southwest Pakistan has

1 year ago

World

Texas migrant arrest law back on hold after brief greenlight

After taking effect for several hours, the controversial law was again blocked by a federal appeals court. The law would allow the police to arrest and detain people crossing the border illegally.

1 year ago

World

US: China-based Canadian accused of stealing Tesla secrets

A Canadian resident of China has been arrested in the US for allegedly pilfering technology from a US-based EV company that appears to be Tesla. Two men have been accused of starting

1 year ago

World

Australia seeks to ‘manage differences wisely’ with China

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong have held talks in Canberra. While both sides sought to hail improvements in ties of late, they also noted tensions. Chinese

1 year ago

Politics

NASA spacecraft also changed shape of Dimorphos asteroid

NASA’s DART rocket not only altered an asteroid’s orbit by smashing into it; it has also changed its shape. Scientists say the Dimorphos asteroid previously resembled a squashed ball but is now

1 year ago

Earth & Climate

Germany detains two IS suspects over Swedish attack plan

German police have arrested two suspected Islamists for allegedly planning a firearms attack near the Swedish parliament. Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday said two suspected supporters of the so-called “Islamic State” (IS)

1 year ago

World

Ukraine updates: US won’t let Kyiv fail, says Pentagon chief

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin underscored Washington’s commitment to supporting Kyiv in a meeting with allies at the Ramstien Air Base in Germany. Meanwhile, Russia has replaced its navy chief. US Defense

1 year ago

World

Hong Kong lawmakers near passing national security law

The government of the semi-autonomous city is set to have greater power to crush dissent, after Hong Kong leader John Lee called for the bill to be pushed through “at full speed.”

1 year ago

Politics

EU foreign ministers meet on Ukraine aid, Hamas sanctions

EU foreign ministers met in Brussels on Monday to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, Belarus, the situation in the Middle East and other current affairs. The meeting was led by the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who

1 year ago

Politics

Bank of Japan announces first interest rate hike in 17 years

The move marks an end to Japan’s famous and long-running negative interest rate policy. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced on Tuesday the end of its negative interest rate policy and increased

1 year ago

Business

China’s foreign minister begins New Zealand, Australia tour

On Wang Yi’s agenda: Wellington’s defense arrangements, Canberra’s business interests and diplomacy in the South Pacific. China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi started a whistle-stop tour of New Zealand and Australia with a series of

1 year ago

Politics

Blinken reaffirms ‘ironclad’ resolve to defend Philippines

The top US diplomat’s visit to Manila is part of a broader Asia tour aimed at strengthening security and economic ties with allies, amidst rising regional tensions with China and North Korea.

1 year ago

World

Argentina: Riot police confront Milei austerity protests

Police and demonstrators clashed in Buenos Aires on Monday as protests against social cuts by Javier Milei’s libertarian Argentinian government escalated. The violence comes one hundred days into Milei’s presidency. Argentinian police

1 year ago

World

Putin’s reelection hailed by allies, decried by West

Vladimir Putin’s “record” victory is hailed by allies such as China and Iran, while the West denounces the election as “illegal” and a “farce”. Russia’s election commission on Monday hailed what it

1 year ago

Politics

UK dispute over deportations to Rwanda heats up

The British House of Commons is once again about to negotiate the controversial Rwanda bill, which is intended to enable deportations to Africa regardless of asylum-seekers’ origin. When it comes to refugees,

1 year ago

World

Australia: Man falls to death from hot-air balloon

The body of a man who fell down from a hot-air balloon,was found in a suburban area in Melbourne. The balloon landed safely several miles away. Australian police are not treating the

1 year ago

World

Germany launches online registry for organ donation

The move is meant to encourage people to easily register their willingness to donate organs after their death. As of Monday, people in Germany can sign up to in an online registry to indicate

1 year ago

Society

Escaping to Thailand: Fleeing military service in Myanmar

The quiet villages along the Thailand-Myanmar border become escape routes for Myanmar’s youth dodging the draft. Julian Küng reports from the border region. In the village of Wale, Thailand and Myanmar are connected by a small

1 year ago

World

Russia altering Crimean identity — Amnesty

The rights watchdog accused Russia of working to “alter the ethnic makeup” of Crimea, which marks 10 years of Russian annexation on Monday. Meanwhile, Putin warned of direct conflict with NATO. UK-based

1 year ago

World

Israel-Hamas war: IDF raids Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital

Israel said it had information indicating that the hospital had been used by “senior Hamas terrorists.” Meanwhile, an Israeli delegation was expected to head to Qatar for cease-fire talks. The Israeli Defense Forces

1 year ago

World

Taliban say 8 killed in Pakistani strikes on Afghanistan

The Taliban government says Pakistani airstrikes hit civilian homes, two days after insurgents killed seven Pakistani soldiers in a suicide bombing. A Taliban government spokesperson said on Monday that Pakistani airstrikes killed at least eight

1 year ago

World

North Korea tests ballistic missiles as Blinken visits Seoul

South Korea and Japan said Pyongyang fired multiple ballistic missiles into the sea. Meanwhile, Blinken is in Seoul for the third Summit for Democracy. North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters

1 year ago

World

Spanish farmers protest in Madrid despite EU concessions

The demo, organized by the Union of Unions, is in response to EU regulations on the environment which they see as cost-prohibitive. The EU said it would take steps to ease its

1 year ago

Politics