Latest in World Highlight
Latest in World
NATO exercise in the Mediterranean is largest in 13 years
An experienced NATO diplomat – who would like to maintain anonymity – formulates the problem clearly: The fact that 28 members with different priorities and skills have to be coordinated is a “huge military disadvantage” especially with regard to Russia.
MSF releases a new report on ‘brutal’ Kunduz hospital bombing
The medical charity Doctors Without Borders has published a report on the US airstrike on their Kunduz facility, based on eyewitness accounts. There was no fighting and no armed militants at the site, the group claims.
South Sudan: UN report casts doubts on formation of unity government
A UN experts’ report suggests that both government forces and rebel groups have been rearming despite plans to reunify their forces as agreed in the peace deal of August 2015.
Austria bears brunt after Germany toughens refugee stance
This week Austria has averaged between 500 and 600 asylum requests per day, up from about 400 per day in previous weeks, according to Karl-Heinz Grunboeck, a spokesman for Austria’s Interior Ministry.
Sieren’s China: No fast peace in Syria
China is barely visible in the Syria conflict but Beijing’s plans are becoming increasingly important – for Germany too, says DW’s columnist Frank Sieren. China’s policy of non-intervention sounds good, but the country also has interests in Syria. It provides the most reliable access to the Mediterranean, which is important in political, military and economic …
UK suspends Sinai flights amid fears ‘explosive device’ downed Russian jet
The office of British Prime Minister Cameron has said an “explosive device” may have caused the Metrojet crash in Egypt. Egyptian authorities had earlier released information about the black boxes. A statement from Downing Street, the office of British Prime Minister David Cameron, on Wednesday said the Metrojet Airbus A321 that crashed in Egypt over …
Russia hits militants using data provided by Syria ‘opposition’
Moscow has set “coordination groups” with opposition factions in Syria, and hit dozens of “terrorist” targets using their data, Russia says. It is the first time the Kremlin has claimed to work with Al-Assad’s rivals.
Turkey after elections: Autocracy or democracy?
The victory of Turkey’s Islamist rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) – on what critics argue was a campaign built on fear and polarisation and party supporters contest was affirmation of its support among voters – now leaves open the question of how the AKP will rule in the deeply divided country.
FIFA’s official Marin extradited to US to face bribery charges
Switzerland has handed over former Brazilian football chief Jose Maria Marin to US authorities. Marin is one of the seven FIFA executives arrested on bribery charges during the large Zurich raid.
Sinai plane crash: unusual noise and heat flash detected
US media have reported that a heat flash was picked up by an infrared satellite over the Sinai Peninsula at the time of the crash. The black box recorders taped unusual noises on the flight deck, say Russian sources. The black box flight recorders on board the Metrojet Airbus A321 picked up an unusual noise …
John Kerry ends visit to Central Asia with promises of further security cooperation
The US Secretary of State has reiterated to Central Asian leaders they are not being neglected by Washington. His visit comes as the US withdraws troops from neighboring Afghanistan.
In probe into supporters of Erdogan foe Gulen, Turkey detains senior bureaucrats, police
Police in Turkey have detained 35 people, including senior bureaucrats and police officers, local media reported. It’s part of a probe targeting supporters of President Erdogan’s arch-enemy, cleric Fethullah Gulen. Turkish police raided several addresses across the western coastal city of Izmir on Tuesday, the private Dogan news agency reported. The raids were part of …
Russia bombs ancient Syrian city of Palmyra
Russia’s defense ministry confirmed that Su-25 jets hit a fortified “Islamic State” (IS) position in the historic city on Monday. “As a result of a direct strike, a fortification, an underground bunker and anti-aircraft artillery were destroyed,” said the defence official, adding that more than 237 IS targets had been hit by Russian fighter jets from the skies over the war-torn country in the past two days.
Saudi prince charged with multi-million-euro drugs smuggling in Lebanon
The prince was charged on Monday together with nine others – five of them in absentia – with smuggling and selling drugs. Lebanese officials have yet to name him and Saudi Arabia has not commented on the case.
Azerbaijan ruling party wins majority, observers raise concerns
The ruling party in Azerbaijan has won a comfortable majority in the country’s parliament. The weekend election, which was boycotted by the major opposition parties, went ahead in a ‘calm and peaceful’ manner.
Iran hints at quitting Syria talks amid spat with Saudi Arabia
Iran has said it might opt out of Syria talks, citing the ‘negative’ role of its regional rival Saudi Arabia. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also called on Riyadh to end ‘intrusions’ in Middle Eastern affairs.
Erdogan says Turkey vote results should be ‘respected’, currency and markets strengthen
Speaking to reporters after prayers at an Istanbul mosque on Monday, Erdogan called for unity in Turkey and for the result to be accepted, attacking the global media for its critical coverage of him.
‘Islamic State’ takes central Syrian town near key highway
IS has reportedly seized a central Syrian town from government forces. The capture of Mahin, near a strategic road, marks a new effort from the jihadists to expand their presence in the country’s centre.
A Russian death in Syria
How significant is Russia’s first military death in Syria? Fiona Clark in Moscow takes a look at the polls and finds that support is still strong – but for how long? Vadim Kostenko was buried earlier this week. The 19-year-old’s open casket was carried through the streets of his home town by fellow soldiers to …
Black boxes recovered from Russian flight crash site, says Egypt
Egypt has recovered both black boxes from a Russian aircraft that crashed in Sinai, leaving all 224 passengers dead. Egyptian officials also commented on the consequences the tragic incident could have on tourism. Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Hossam Kemal said both black boxes of Russia’s Kogalymavia flight 9268, which crashed in Egypt’s northern Sinai …
Israel commemorates Rabin assassination as hopes of Mideast peace continue to fade
Twenty years after Yitzhak Rabin was murdered, Israel is more divided than ever over the fading Mideast peace process. The young people who back then lit candles and sang songs for peace are now increasingly skeptical. “The time now is fifteen minutes past eleven. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is dead.” Not a single Israeli who …
UN chief calls for Syria solution with future of Assad ‘decided by the Syrian people’
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned that disagreements over the fate of Syrian President Assad must not impede efforts to end the four-year Syrian civil war. Diplomats meet again in two weeks to discuss a political solution. United Nations General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon said Saturday that this week’s talks on the Syrian war had been taken …
Locals caught between army and militants in Sinai
In Sinai, the Egyptian army is battling an Islamist uprising with links to the “Islamic State” group. Amidst the crackdown, the local population is suffering, as Naomi Conrad reports.
UN fires staffers over child porn distribution, drug trafficking
The UN has dismissed four staffers for distributing child pornography via the organization’s email system. Another staffer was fired for transporting 173 kilograms of marijuana in a UN vehicle. A report from the UN Under-Secretary General for Management said that four UN staff members were dismissed from their positions for storing “pornographic material, including pornography …
US ground troops set for Syria deployment
The US has announced it will be sending a small group of special forces in support of rebels fighting the “Islamic State” militant group. Defense Secretary Carter said the move was in line with US strategy in Syria. The US announced on Friday the first deployment of ground troops to Syria, while diplomats from external …
Bacteria in space – ‘You cannot just open the window’
Are the microbes found in the ISS harmful to astronauts’ health? The German Aerospace Center’s Ralf Möller breaks down the bacteria – and explains how to create a cleaner spaceship. DW: What kinds of bacteria are inside the International Space Station? Ralf Möller: Staphylococcus species have been found on the skin. And they will be …
EU says no to funding for bullfighting
Lawmakers have declared their opposition to subsidies that go to farmers who raise bulls for fighting. Their position reflects growing international criticism of the traditional Spanish sport. Lawmakers in the European Parliament voted on Wednesday to approve an ammendment to the 2016 EU budget saying subsidies should not go to farms that raise bulls for …
Turkey now a country ‘with no interest in rule of law,’ experts say after raid
Just days before elections, the agenda in Turkey has switched to the Koza Ipek media group after it was raided for allegedly supporting a terrorist group. Aram Duran reports from Istanbul. The Ipek Media Group – known for its ties to Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s Hizmet movement – was raided on Wednesday by police, accompanied …
More than 1,000 migrants rescued off coast of Libya: Italian coast guard
Ships from several different EU countries have particpated in a rescue mission in the Mediterranean Sea. Some of the vessels were part of the bloc’s new anti-smuggling operation. The Italian coast guard said around 1,042 migrants were rescued from overcrowded boats on Wednesday while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. Vessels from Ireland, …
Erdogan and the ‘Islamic Calvinists’
Suppression of the Gezi Park protests, press censorship, erosion of the constitution. But Erdogan and ‘his’ AKP party are still popular in Turkey ahead of Sunday’s elections. Daniel Heinrich reports from Kayseri. “Respect for God and for work, those are the most important things in life.” Orhan Kara leaves no doubt as to what his …