Latest in World Highlight
Latest in World
Japan struggles with growing cannabis use
The consumption of drugs in Japan still lags behind some Western nations, but a new generation of young and curious Japanese is willing to break the rules for a new experience. Julian Ryall reports.The flippant responses given by a group of high school pupils arrested in mid-May in Kochi Prefecture, southern Japan, for possession of …
Thai report: Buddhist monk seeks asylum in Germany
Thai media claim a senior Buddhist monk has fled to Germany and applied at Frankfurt Airport for asylum. Thai police visiting Germany to seek his return are said to want him for alleged temple embezzlement in Thailand.The Bangkok Post reported Tuesday that German authorities had denied visiting Thai police permission to meet the detained asylum-seeker …
Malaysia: Ex-PM Najib’s wife questioned by anti-graft office
Rosmah Mansor, the wife Malaysia’s embattled former prime minister, faced questions over her involvement in a multi-billion dollar scandal. Authorities confiscated her jewelry and over 400 luxury handbags last month.Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former Prime Minister Najib Razak gave a statement to anti-graft commissioners on Tuesday over a scandal involving state fund 1Malaysia Development …
French bank SocGen agrees with US to pay $1 billion in penalties over bribery, manipulation
France’s second-biggest bank Societe Generale has agreed with the US to pay penalties exceeding $1 billion to settle allegations it bribed officials in Libya, and manipulated the Libor interest rate benchmark.In a statement issued by the US Department of Justice on Monday, French bank Societe Generale (SocGen) and one of its subsidiaries agreed to pay …
Early Van Gogh landscape sold in Paris auction for record €7 million
The early oil painting by Vincent van Gogh is to be displayed in Brussels and New York following its sale to a buyer in North America. ‘Fishing net menders in the dunes’ was painted when the artist was 29 years old.A buyer based in North America paid €7.07 million ($8.27 million) for the 1882 painting …
China warns US against imposing tariffs as latest trade talks end inconclusively
Beijing’s warning came as trade talks aimed at lowering China’s burgeoning trade surplus with the US came to an end. Earlier in the week, the US renewed a threat to impose tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods.Any trade agreement the United States and China reach would not stand if Washington goes ahead with …
Clairvoyant cat Achilles to predict World Cup winners at Russia 2018
Animals purported to have psychic powers have become a tradition at soccer’s showpiece events. Now a cat has been put forward to predict the winners and losers at the tournament that kicks off Russia.Achilles, the supposed psychic cat, will turn his talents to the beautiful game’s most prestigious event: the World Cup, after he predicted …
UNICEF: Nearly half of children in Afghanistan do not go to school
The UN’s children’s agency, UNICEF, has said at least 3.7 million children in war-torn Afghanistan cannot go to school. Girls are at a particular disadvantage, it added.The continuing conflict and poor security situation in Afghanistan have led to a rise in the number of out-of-school children for the first time since 2002, according to a …
Angela Merkel on Italy: Solidarity in eurozone should not lead to debt union
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated Italy’s new prime minister, Giuseppe Conte. However, she later appeared to dismiss the Italian government’s calls to the European Central Bank for debt forgiveness.German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks with Italy’s new populist prime minister, Giuseppe Conte on Saturday and invited him to Berlin for further discussions on the …
Eschede: Germany’s worst train disaster remembered 20 years on
Germany’s worst train accident, 20 years ago, is being remembered at Eschede, northeast of Hanover. A high-speed ICE train derailed, killing 101 people, and left Deutsche Bahn facing deep scrutiny over design and safety.Eschede, a town of 6,000, and its adjacent regional hub, Celle, were on Saturday and Sunday recalling the 1998 train disaster that …
China’s New Silk Road faces resistance from India, partners
The highly ambitious Belt and Road Initiative promises to fortify China as an economic superpower. But negotiations around the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Economic Corridor are proving contentious.China’s Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the New Silk Road project, has been featured prominently in the media ever since President Xi Jinping initiated the …
World Cup 2026: Morocco in runoff bid against North America
Despite being ranked behind North America by FIFA in its technical evaluation, Morocco is going ahead with its bid to host the 2026 World Cup. In April, US President Donald Trump warned against any opposition to the bid.After an inspection of facilities and infrastructure ahead of the 2026 World Cup, global soccer body FIFA gave …
Full-face veil ban: How laws differ across Europe
Denmark’s parliament has passed a ban on wearing clothes in public that conceal the face. A number of European states have introduced similar legislation. DW takes a look at how other countries approach the issue.In Europe, veil bans are generally aimed at items of clothing which cover large portions of the face, including masks and …
Africa needs unified regulations against cheap Chinese imports
African markets are full of cheap bootleg Chinese versions of their textiles. As China comes under US pressure to respect laws on intellectual property rights, should Africa also take a stand?I walked into a dusty wooden booth known in Sierra Leone as a ’boutique’ to shop for fresh clothes. The airline hadn’t delivered my luggage …
DW’s Health News: Diagnosing breast cancer sooner
Did you know that the current screening method for breast cancer isn’t the best? Or that EEGs could be used to fight depression? DW brings you this week’s health news, all in one handy guide right here!How to boost your energy levels We all suffer from low energy at times, but if you enjoy being …
Italy: Political turbulence spooks global
The euro has fallen to its lowest value against the dollar in almost a year. Investors fear Italy is heading toward fresh elections by the end of the summer, after populist parties there failed to form a government.The euro and US and European stock markets fell on Tuesday amid fears that political uncertainty in Italy …
Bayer wins US government approval for Monsanto takeover
German pharma giant Bayer has won approval from the US Justice Department for its planned $62.5 billion takeover of Monsanto. Under the deal, Bayer will be required to carry out largest divestiture in US history.German pharmaceutical giant Bayer cleared a major hurdle in its planned $62.5 billion (€54 billion) takeover of US agrochemical company Monsanto …
France shed 1 million daily smokers in 2017: Health Ministry
French authorities are hoping to continue the downward trend with an ambitious strategy against tobacco use. Even Parisians have started to kick the habit, according to the Health Ministry.France's Health Ministry has announced that the country had 1 million fewer smokers in 2017 compared to the year before. Daily smoking in France dropped from 29.4 …
French Open: Drive from Barcelona to Paris pays off for 'lucky loser' Marco Trungelliti
World number 190 Marco Trungelliti has upset Bernard Tomic, defeating the Australian in four sets. The Argentine “lucky loser” took to the court just 11 hours after driving up to Roland Garros from his Barcelona home.Argentine tennis player Marco Trungelliti had already returned to his base in Barcelona after losing in last week's French Open …
EU Commission plans ban on plastic waste
Plastic utensils, straws, coffee stirrers and cotton swabs may soon be a lot harder to come by in Europe. The EU Commission presented a draft directive to ban the single-use products in the fight against plastic waste.The European Commission proposed new EU-wide rules on Monday aimed at reducing plastic pollution in cities and oceans by …
Mahathir Mohamad: World’s oldest prime minister
His victory in elections marks return of nation’s hero
Alan Bean, astronaut and moonwalker, dies at 86
Bean was selected to be part of NASA’s third ever group of astronauts in 1963. He was one of only twelve men to ever walk on the moon.Apollo astronaut Alan Bean has died at the age of 86 after a brief illness, NASA said on Saturday. Bean was the fourth man to walk on the …
Swiss win top prize at 16th Venice Architecture Biennale with House Tour
The top award among the 65 countries and 100 studios participating has gone to a Swiss display focused on optimal living quarters. The theme of this year’s show in Italy’s La Serenissima is Freespace.For the next six months, the International Architecture Exhibition with participants from all round the world is set out in pavilions and …
Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein surrenders on rape charges
Arrest came on same day actor Morgan Freeman issued statement apologising for alleged sexual misconduct
South, North Korean leaders meet in bid to save Kim-Trump summit
Trump changes tune, says summit may take place on same date or after
Saudi women’s rights activist Madeha Alajroush: ‘Finally, I am celebrating’
Saudi Arabia has detained several rights activists without explanation as the kingdom is set to allow women to drive. Before her unexpected detention, one longtime activist spoke with DW’s Fanny Facsar in Riyadh.Update: Saudi authorities have released four detained activists in custody since last week but arrested another one, pressing ahead with a sweeping crackdown …
Colombia to become a member of the OECD international economic organization
Colombia is set to be the third Latin American country in the Paris-based economic group. President Juan Manuel Santos praised the membership as key to the country’s efforts to modernize.The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced on Friday that Colombia would be officially invited to join the group. The Paris-based economic organization was …
Trump says summit with North Korea’s Kim may be delayed
Last week Pyongyang threatened to pull out of meeting over US national adviser’s statements on Libya, US-South Korea joint drills
Australian lawmaker claims billionaire conspired in UN bribery scandal
A Chinese-Australian billionaire has been accused of involvement in a UN bribery scandal. His ties China’s Communist Party have also been called into question.An Australian lawmaker has accused a Chinese-Australian billionaire business and a prominent political donor of plotting to bribe a top United Nations official. Andrew Hastie, who chairs Canberra’s intelligence and security committee, …
Paraguay opens its Israel embassy in Jerusalem
Paraguay is the third country after the United States and Guatemala to move its embassy to the disputed city. The status of Jerusalem remains a major hurdle to a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.Paraguay opened its new Israel embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, following in the footsteps of the United States and Guatemala. …