Latest in World Highlight
Latest in World
Another temple in Syria’s Palmyra severely damaged
Activists say the self-styled “Islamic State” has damaged another temple in the Syrian city of Palmyra. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is being systematically razed following occupation by the Islamist militants
Eni finds ‘supergiant’ gas field off Egypt’s coast
Italian energy giant Eni SpA says it has discovered the “largest ever” natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea off Egypt. According to the company, the find could meet Egypt’s natural gas needs for decades to come
IMF changing tack on Greece
Latin Americans and Asians are happy that they do not need the help of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). But, Europe can no longer function without it. What’s behind the IMF’s interest in Greece?
Dozens killed in Saudi strike on Yemen
More than 30 civilians, said to be workers at a bottling factory, have been killed in a Saudi-led airstrike on Yemen. Meanwhile, unknown gunmen have assassinated the head of security in the port city of Aden
‘Greece needs a grand coalition’
Greeks vote again on 20 September. Even though the governing party Syriza has split, its leader – Alexis Tsipras – is in a strong position. He’ll continue implementing reforms, says political scientist Heinz-Jürgen Axt. Professor Axt, you already predicted new elections in mid-July. Were they inevitable? It was to be expected because the upheavals and …
Thousands converge on Beirut to protest government
A rally in Beirut has drawn huge crowds as people voice their frustration over government corruption and the crisis created by uncollected garbage. Organisers of the campaign have issued an ultimatum to the government
Turkey launches first coalition airstrikes against IS
Turkish fighter jets have hit “Islamic State” targets in Syria – for the first time as part of the US-led coalition. Turkey took on a more active role in the fight against IS in July, ending months of indecisiveness
Suspects in Austrian migrant tragedy appear in court
A Hungarian court has ordered four men arrested over the deaths of 71 migrants found in a truck in Austria to be remanded in custody until 29 September . Police believe the suspects are part of a people smuggling gang
Turkey’s President Erdogan approves caretaker cabinet ahead of elections
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has approved a power-sharing caretaker cabinet put forward by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The interim government is to lead the country into elections to be held in November.
‘I could no longer live in Syria’
Syrian refugee Alaa Houd left his job and family and hired people smugglers to make his way to the wealthy countries of Western Europe. Hiring people smugglers was his only way of leaving war-torn Syria. DW reporter Diana Hodali spoke with Syrian Alaa Houd and recounted his story for him.
Turkey ready for anti-IS strikes: Pentagon
Turkish officials have said they are now ready to fully participate in US-led coalition strikes against the “Islamic State” group. The Pentagon said joint strikes may begin within days. US and Turkish officials have concluded “technical talks” over plans to cooperate military operations against the “Islamic State” (IS) terror group, Turkey’s foreign minister announced Tuesday. …
Turkey ready for anti-IS strikes: Pentagon
Turkish officials have said they are now ready to fully participate in US-led coalition strikes against the “Islamic State” group. The Pentagon said joint strikes may begin within day
Doctors report treating Syrian victims of chemical weapon attacks
According to humanitarian groups, doctors in Syria have been treating patients showing signs of exposure to chemical agents. The patients were from the town of Marea, which has experienced recent bombardment. In a press release on Tuesday, Doctors Without Borders (“Medecins Sans Frontiers”, MSF) said it treated four members of the same family who showed …
UN Security Council discusses Islamic State violence against gays
The UN Security Council has discussed violence against gays committed by the “Islamic State” in Syria and Iraq during an informal meeting Monday. The debate was the first of its kind to focus solely on gay rights
Blatter defends FIFA record, says he is clean
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has defended his organization’s bruised reputation. In a television interview, Blatter said he is clean and there is no organised corruption at world soccer’s governing body
‘Islamic State’s’ destruction of Palmyra temple ‘war crime’: UNESCO
The UN’s cultural agency UNESCO has called the destruction of a famed Roman temple in the Syrian city of Palmyra a “war crime.” The site was considered the second-most significant in the ancient city. “This destruction is a new war crime and an immense loss for the Syrian people and for humanity,” UNESCO head Irina …
Ashley Madison leak could affect large number of European users
Canadian police say suicides might be linked to the Ashley Madison hack. While most potential affected users come from North America, the leaked data suggests hundreds of thousands of Europeans might be implicated too
Why are the Afghans wary of Pakistan?
Many Afghans associate the Taliban with neighboring Pakistan and blame Islamabad for their misery and decades-long armed conflict in their country. DW analyzes the reasons behind the Afghans’ wariness with Pakistan. Many Afghans were euphoric when they heard the news of the death of Pakistan’s former intelligence chief, Hamid Gul, earlier this month. Scores of …
Israel’s former defence minister says army blocked 3 planned attacks on Iran
Israel’s former defence minister Ehud Barak has said that three separate planned attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities were blocked in recent years. The attacks were allegedly blocked by senior ministers. In an interview broadcast on the privately run Channel 2 television station, Barak said that plans drawn up between 2009 and 2010 which had been …
US Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid to back nuclear deal with Iran
A key US politician has become the 27th Senate Democrat to back the nuclear agreement with Iran made with world powers in July. Harry Reid’s support will make it difficult for Congress to block the deal. Harry Reid is the highest ranking Democrat in the Senate and he expressed his backing for the Iran nuclear …
‘Islamic State’ blows up Baal Shamin temple in Syria’s Palmyra
‘Islamic State’ (IS) militants have blown up the temple of Baal Shamin in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. The head of antiquities at the Roman-era site was beheaded by Islamists just a week ago. Conflicting reports over when the temple was actually destroyed are yet to be confirmed. Syria’s antiquities chief Maamoun Abdul Karmin …
Study links gun ownership rates to mass shootings
A recent study by a US criminal justice expert presents data from 171 countries that show a link between gun ownership and mass shooting rates. It claims to be the first study to provide global statistics on this topic. The research reveals that a nation’s civilian firearm ownership rate is the strongest predictor of its …
Lebanese police clash with protesters in Beirut
Lebanese police have used a water cannon to disperse anti-government demonstrators on a second day of protests in the capital, Beirut. The protests have been triggered by a crisis over rubbish disposal.
British and Iranian embassies to reopen in Tehran and London
Iranian and British embassies are due to be reopened in London and Tehran. The move comes almost four years since protesters ransacked the British ambassadorial residence in Tehran and burned the Union flag.
Palestinian President Abbas steps down from PLO leadership ahead of internal poll
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stepped down as head of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). He remains president of the Palestinian Authority.
Turkish soldier killed in alleged PKK attack amid government offensive
A Turkish army captain has been killed in an attack on a military outpost blamed on Kurdish PKK militants. The government has vowed to keep up its military campaign against the group, which has left a truce in tatters. The captain died of his wounds after an attack on a military outpost in Beytussebap district …
Deadly Syrian government attacks on Damascus suburb: Activists
Several civilians have been killed in air strikes and shelling by Syrian government forces in Douma, a rebel-held suburb of Damascus. The suburb has been under aerial attack for more than a week.
Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen residential area kill 65 civilians
Humanitarian group Doctors without Borders has reported Saudi-led airstrikes on a residential area in Yemen destroyed seventeen buildings and left 65 civilians dead. A Saudi helicopter crashed near the border. If the reports of the attack on Yemen’s south west city of Taiz are confirmed, the Saudi-led strikes would be one of the deadliest since …
IS no. 2 killed in US airstrike: White House
The senior deputy to the leader of ‘Islamic State’ has died in Iraq. Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali was in charge of logistics for the terrorists, and the White House said his death thus constituted a serious blow to IS
US: Tests of ‘IS’ shells ‘showed’ traces of mustard gas
Fragment from mortar shells fired by the “IS” have tested positive for sulfur mustard, a US general said. The US is examining reports that the terror group has used chemical weapons against Kurdish forces