Deutsche Welle (English edition)
Fact check: Fakes spread online amid Syria's power shift
Syria is undergoing a dramatic transformation just over a year after Islamistled rebels ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and 15 years after the civil war plunged the country into chaos. The new leadership under President...
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How bringing back a humble algae to Arctic waters makes all the difference
When Norwegian researcher Hans Christian Strand stepped aboard a research boat in the arctic waters of northern Norway last May, his expectations weren't very high. He had grown used to seeing a gray and lifeless sea, even in the...
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Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap more than 160 in church attacks
A leader at Nigeria's Christian Association said that 163 worshippers were kidnapped during Sunday services from two churches Kaduna state. "The attackers came in numbers and blocked the entrance of the churches and forced the...
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Iran protest crackdown: What are the US's military options?
For most of the last two weeks, Donald Trump has been publicly mulling over what to do in Iran. Amid a brutal crackdown on antiregime protesters in the Islamic Republic, the US president had promised "very strong action" before backing...
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Fact check: AI fakes and old videos mislead on Iran protests
Iran has been witnessing antiregime protests for more than two weeks, with demonstrations reported in several cities and towns. Verifying protest-related content has become increasingly challenging. Internet restrictions and...
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Germany and Iran: Merz calls Tehran leadership 'weak'
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has dubbed Iran's suppression of protests "brutal and disproportionate." A government spokesperson in Berlin backed taking one step at a time, but many in Germany want faster action. After being...
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US troops in Germany are legacy of World War II, Cold War
Germany has been a vital part of national defense strategy for the United States in Europe since US soldiers were among the Allied forces who occupied it forces for 10 years following the end of World War II. Though troop numbers have,...
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Germany: Local governments face financial collapse
It wasn't so long ago that Weissach, a half-hour drive from Stuttgart, was the richest local authority in Germany. The small town in southern Germany is home to 7,700 people and the development center for luxury carmaker Porsche....
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Fact check: These fakes are circulating about Venezuela
On the night of January 2, the United States attacked Venezuela and captured leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. According to the Cuban government, 32 people were killed in the attack. Meanwhile, politicians and...
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Berlin blackout: How dangerous are left-wing extremists?
According to security authorities, the assault on a gas power station in southwest Berlin was carefully planned. On Saturday, January 3, 2026, attackers deliberately destroyed cables using incendiary devices. The...
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Why plastic bans aren't working and what needs to change
Singleuse plastic is like the toxic ex that just keeps reappearing. Plastic straws, cutlery and Styrofoam boxes still show up on takeaway counters, coffee shops and restaurants across Europe, despite being blocked and officially...
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Why plastic bans aren't working and what needs to change
Singleuse plastic is like the toxic ex that just keeps reappearing. Plastic straws, cutlery and Styrofoam boxes still show up on takeaway counters, coffee shops and restaurants across Europe, despite being blocked and officially...
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Almost half of all Germans want a ban on fireworks
In the early hours of Monday, December 29, residents in the state of Thuringia called the police out to a local supermarket, warning that thieves were trying to break in. But when the authorities arrived, they found a group of young...
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Almost half of all Germans want a ban on fireworks
In the early hours of Monday [December 29], residents in the state of Thuringia called the police out to a local supermarket, warning that thieves were trying to break in. But when the police arrived, the group of young men, armed with...
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Trump warns Iran against rebuilding nuclear program
US President Donald Trump said Iranian leaders "know the consequences" should Iran try to rebuild its nuclear program after June's brief war. He was speaking as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Florida. Donald...
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Japan Cabinet approves record defense budget to deter China
The 122.3-trillion-yen ($782 billion) budget will include more than 9 trillion yen for defense, setting an all-time record. This comes as Tokyo looks to strengthen its coastal defense due to the rising tensions in the region, while...
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Germany's empty churches repurposed as congregations shrink
On its final day, St. Anna's is almost full again. A choir is singing and the small organ is supporting them. But this is the last mass in the small Catholic church in Gildehaus, a district of Bad Bentheim near the GermanDutch border. In...
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Epstein documents release may take 'few weeks,' DOJ says
The US Justice Department said Wednesday it may need several more weeks to release the socalled Epstein Files after finding more than a million documents that are potentially relevant to the case. A deadline set by a...
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Germany's Steinmeier: 'A light is shining in the darkness'
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier used his Christmas address on December 24 to highlight the importance of community, communication and cooperation, and called on his fellow Germans to work together and help each...
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Trump unveils new class of warship named after himself
US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled plans for a new class of Navy ship named after himself. While speaking at his Mar-aLago residence in Florida, the president claimed the "Trumpclass" Navy vessels "will be the largest...
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Germany news: Tendency to save money highest since 2008
A new poll suggests consumers are returning to economic uncertainty, amid rising inflation fears and debates about the future of pensions. Meanwhile, lawmakers are discussing GermanUS relations. DW has the latest. Skip next...
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TikTok signs deal to sell US unit in joint venture deal
TikToksigned a deal on Thursday that sees 80% of its US assets sold to a group of three investors, Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX. The deal ensures the social media platform can continue operating in the United States. The sale means...
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Germany news: Lawmakers back €50 billion defense package
The Bundestag budget committee has signed off on more than €50 billion in military purchases. The Cabinet is proposing tighter rules for welfare recipients. Skip next section What you need to know The Bundestag budget committee...
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Fact check: Fake news spreads after Bondi Beach shooting
At least 16 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australia's deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades, despite strict gun control laws. Around 1,000 people had gathered to mark the first...
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What Russia's 'undesirable' designation means for DW
Russian media reports say that Germany's international public broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, will soon be declared an "undesirable organization" in Russia by the Prosecutor General's Office. There has been no official...
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Catastrophic US floods linked to hotter climate
Days of relentless rainfall in the west of Washington state has forced authorities to order tens of thousands of residents to evacuate as catastrophic flooding hits. As rivers reach near historic levels, the state's governer, Bob...
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Germany revokes pledges to grant asylum to Afghans
Afghans who had been told they could move to Germany will be informed in the next few days "that there is no longer any political interest in their admission." With these terse words, the spokeswoman for the Germany's Interior Ministry,...
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Australia social media ban: Children feel isolated, ignored
At midnight on Wednesday, Australians under the age of 16 were blocked from most social media sites, as the country introduced a world first ban. Despite their opposition to the plans, sites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat,...
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'America First' - Donald Trump's new security strategy
It's long been a key slogan for Donald Trump, but 'America First' appears closer to reality than ever, after the release of a key US strategy document outlining the administration's foreign policy. "In everything we do, we are...
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Benin: ECOWAS troops deployed after failed coup attempt
ECOWAS troops from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Sierra Leone will be deployed to Benin, where President Patrice Talon stressed in a TV address that the situation was "under control" after a failed coup. ECOWAS, West Africa's...
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Germany: New military service law polarizes society
It is snowing, and 16-year-old Carlotta is standing on the vast military training ground in Grafenwöhr watching a howitzer 2000 fire live ammunition. It is cold and very loud when the shells are fired, so Carlotta has to wear...
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Germany: Far-right AfD lawmakers accused of insulting women
When Health Minister Nina Warken takes her seat on the government bench in the Bundestag, she finds herself in close proximity with the parliamentary group of the largest opposition party, the far-right Alternative for Germany...
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Germany's schools failing to fight child sexual abuse
At least one child in every class in Germany - meaning one in 25 to 30 kids - is affected by sexual abuse perpetrated by teachers, other school staff, or fellow students, often with serious consequences for their lives and...
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How German parties are driven by their youth wings
Noisy youths can be a pain. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first job in December has been to face down a potential rebellion from the youth wing of his conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - named the Junge Union (JU) - over...
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German business group backtracks after inviting farright AfD to talks
To talk or not to talk with the far-right and right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD)? That is the question that is dividing Germany's business community right now. The debate was sparked back in October when a business...
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SIPRI: War in Ukraine boosts arms manufacturers' profits
Arms manufacturers have never earned as much as they did in 2024. This is according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on the 100 most important arms manufacturers worldwide. Their...
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Fact check: Trump's remarks after National Guard shooting in DC - what's true and what's not?
One of two National Guard members who were critically injured in a shooting near the White House on Wednesday has died, while the other is fighting for his life. According to US law enforcement sources, the suspect is a 29-year-old...
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US: Two National Guard members shot in Washington
Two West Virginia National Guard soldiers are in critical condition after they were shot near the White House in Washington DC. Police said one suspect is in custody. Two National Guard soldiers were shot on Wednesday near the White...
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Deadly floods hit southern Thailand after heavy rains
Severe rainfall caused destructive flooding in southern Thailand, leaving the tourist city of Hat Yai waistdeep underwater and prompting the government to declare a state of emergency in Songkhla province on Tuesday. Officials said...
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Are Europe's fashion brands as green as they say?
Twenty years ago, sustainability was barely a footnote in the public communications of most fashion companies. With increased attention on climate change, pollution and labor practices, things have changed. Now, companies boast...
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Germany: Kessler Twins' death fuels assisted suicide debate
The death of entertainers Alice and Ellen Kessler, aged 89, on November 17 at their home in the Grünwald district of Munich has sparked renewed calls for reform of Germany's assisted suicide legislation. The identical twin sisters...
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Fact check: False claims circulate after Mamdani elected NYC mayor
Zohran Mamdani's New York City mayoral election campaign was accompanied by many false and misleading claims circulating online, and his win on November 4 did not put an end to them. Many posts on social media now focus on alleged...
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What will become of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance?
At a press conference on Monday, Sahra Wagenknecht, for decades one of Germany's best-known and most divisive political figures, announced that she will not run for a leadership position for her Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW)....
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Lula urges action as COP30 climate talks kick off in Amazon
Last year's UN climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, opened with the country's president, Ilham Aliyev, calling oil - the fossil fuel that, alongside gas and coal, drives global warming - a "gift of God." The opening statements at this...
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Trump orders US food aid to be slashed for November
Donald Trump's administration has directed US states to halt full food assistance benefits for November and issue around 65% of the value of the payments following a Supreme Court pause. In guidance issued late Saturday, the US...
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Trump: No US officials attending G20 in South Africa
President Donald Trump on Friday announced that no US officials would attend the Group of 20 summit in South Africa later this month, citing the country's treatment of white farmers. "It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in...
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Disinformation rife ahead of climate summit in Brazil
This year's pivotal UN climate summit in Brazil faces a tidal wave of fake news and disinformation that aims to deflate any unified front on a rapid energy transition away from fossil fuels. Between July and September there has been...
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Trump administration orders 10% flights cut amid shutdown
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Wednesday that it will cut air traffic by 10% across 40 "high-volume" markets, a move supported by the federal government. The cutback will begin on Friday and is intended to...
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Fact check: Mamdani, a communist and prostitution advocate?
Voters in New York City face a pivotal decision that reflects a broader generational and ideological divide with national implications as they choose the next mayor of the United States’ largest city. The race pits Democratic...
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German defense industry hit by rare earths supply risks
Rare earths are extremely valuable metallic elements that are not only found in smartphones and electric cars, but also in weapons. Among other things, they are used in the construction of fighter jets and submarines. In addition, rare...
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What US school kids are learning about climate
That Jeff Grant signs off his emails with "science on!" says something about his commitment to the subject he teaches to Illinois high schoolers. Lately, that dedication has meant teaching a topic that makes some educators...
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Berlin airport briefly halts flights due to drone sightings
Similar to other incidents across Europe, flights at Berlin Brandenburg Airport were suspended for nearly two hours due to unidentified drone sightings. Officers in a patrol car observed a drone, but couldn't locate it. Air...
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Trump's proposed nuclear tests: What you need to know
It has been 33 years since an explosive US nuclear weapons test. But, on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump appeared to give the order to reinstate them "immediately". A post from the president on his Truth Social platform...
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Trump says South Korea can build nuclear-powered submarine
Nuclear submarine technology is among the most sensitive and highly guarded technologies in the United States. President Donald Trump says that South Korea can build the vessel in Philadelphia. US President Donald Trump said on...
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How climate change is making us sick
From heart attacks and heat exhaustion to mental health problems and spreading tropical diseases, the climate crisis is threatening more and more people worldwide, according to a report published today. The 128 leading...
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Forget planes. Meet the man who will only travel by train
It's a regular morning of hustle and bustle on Berlin Central Station's platform 12. Brakes screech as a train comes in. Passengers move to the tune of a loudspeaker announcement, then a whistle blows, doors slam and wheels start...
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Is Germany's far-right populist AfD spying for Russia?
Allegations of espionage against the Alternative for Germany (AfD) have been raised by the interior minister of the state of Thuringia. In an interview with Handelsblatt, Social Democrat (SPD) Georg Maier expressed concern that...
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Fact check: Comparing European rape statistics doesn't work
Warning: This article contains references to sexual assault, and other details that readers may find disturbing. A viral bar chart circulating on X (see screenshot below) paints a disturbing picture. At the very top, a red bar...
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Merz says Europeans fear 'public spaces' due to migration
On a visit to Potsdam last week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz talked about how his government was toughening up its migration policy. The primary aim, he said, was to continue to combat what he called illegal...
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Invasive Asian seaweed: An unwanted traveler on international ships
At the fish stall in the village of Aspra, near the Sicilian capital of Palermo, the day's catch is garnished in green. But far from being an ingredient to be cooked up as a side dish, it is the worst enemy of local fishermen. Known as...
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What is methane?
What's colorless, odorless, is the main component of natural gas and traps massive amounts of heat in the atmosphere? The answer is methane or CH4 Over a 20-year timescale, methane traps around 84 times as much heat as carbon dioxide...
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Lisbon funicular crash cable was substandard - report
The cable that snapped on the Lisbon funicular was not up to the standards laid out by the city's transport operator, according to a preliminary report released Monday. The crash in September killed at least 16 people and injured...
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Six surprising places solar power is taking off
A lot of space for solar panels already exists above roads and parking lots, as well as along noise barriers and on hard road shoulders. But its potential in these places has remained largely untapped. That's slowly changing, partly...
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US holding survivors from 'drug boat' off Venezuela
The US military is holding two individuals aboard a Navy ship in the Caribbean after two others on their vessel were killed in a targeted US strike, sources told news agencies on Friday. The US has conducted several strikes on what...
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How involved will Germany be in Gaza's future?
On Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a flying visit to the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh to be one of 20 heads of state and government on hand for the signing of the 20-point plan between Israel and Hamas. After...
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Energy of the future: Solar takes off to the final frontier
A lot of space for solar modules already exists above roads and parking lots as well as along noise barriers and on hard shoulders. But its potential in these places has remained largely untapped. That's slowly changing, partly because...
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Record renewable energy growth falls short of climate goals
Countries around the world are not on track to meet their renewable energy goals despite record growth last year, according to an interim report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released on Tuesday. IRENA...
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Fact check: Disinformation surges amid Gaza ceasefire
After 738 days in captivity, the remaining living Israeli hostages have been released from Gaza. At the same time, social media has been flooded with false and misleading claims surrounding the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza and...
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Religious holidays in Germany: Who gets the day off?
A recent agreement in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein sparked public debate after tabloid headlines claimed Muslims were being granted "extra holidays." The contract, signed between the state's Ministry of Education...
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Trump says he will impose additional 100% tariffs on China
US President Donald Trump has announced new 100% tariffs on all Chinese goods, in addition to already existing tariffs on Beijing, after China placed export controls on rare earths. The US president claimed the tariffs, which will...
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Bundestag nixes fast-track naturalization in Germany
Prior to June 2024, foreign citizens seeking naturalization in Germany had to wait at least eight years. This long waiting period was significantly shortened by the government that took office in 2021. The centerleft Social...
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France's political crisis impacts on Franco-German relations
France is in the midst of its most serious political crisis in decades. And there doesn't seem to be a quick way out. After less than four weeks in office, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned in frustration. Even before he had a...
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