Latest in World Highlight
Latest in World
Twin blasts kill scores in eastern Iraq
More than 40 people have died in eastern Iraq in twin attacks claimed by “Islamic State” jihadists. Diyala province residents had called on authorities in Baghdad to better protect their region. Two bomb attacks struck Iraq’s eastern province of Diyala on Monday evening, officials reported. At least 40 people were killed less than a month …
Mali: Jihadist attacks ‘scattered across the country’
Investigators say evidence found on the bodies of four gunmen killed in a siege at a hotel in the town of Sevare in Mali on Saturday suggests that a jihadist group, the Macina Liberation Front was behind the attack. The gunmen stormed the hotel on Friday. The Malian army – along with foreign Special Forces …
Peshmerga, US strikes fail to dislodge ‘Islamic State’
“Islamic State” still dominates parts of northern Iraq a year after forcing thousands of Yazidis to flee. US airstrikes have had little effect, and criticism of Kurdish Peshmerga has grown, Birgit Svensson reports. “We want the good people to hear our prayers and free our country as soon as possible,” said Johanna Boutros Moshe, the …
‘We were the first victims of the atomic bomb’
Seventy years after atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, New Mexicans say they’re still waiting for the US government to recognize them as the first victims. Teri Schultz reports from the US state of New Mexico. Tina Cordova’s grandfather Reynaldo Cordova was killed in Germany’s Hurtgen Forest in December 1944, one of hundreds of thousands …
Russia’s week: no food, cheap alchohol and ‘bling-bling’ watches
As the price of staples rises in Russia, the government has started destroying tons of imported food which critics say should be given to those in need. Fiona Clark in Moscow looks on in dismay. Earlier this week Russia started destroying the 552 tons of illegally imported food products smuggled into the country in the …
Fugitive Cambodian ex-governor surrenders to police
Chhouk Bandith surrendered to authorities over a conviction relating to shooting three female garment workers during a protest. Many saw his evasion of the sentence as symptomatic of an untouchable elite in the country. Ex-governor Chhouk Bandith of Bavet town, convicted in abstentia in 2013, turned himself into police Saturday after more than two years …
IS executed thousands since taking over Mosul
“Islamic State” militants have executed over 2,000 people in Iraq’s northern province of Nineveh, officials said. The jihadists reportedly created and circulated a list of the victims’ names. The latest figure applies only to the region around Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul, which was seized by IS in June 2014. “(Islamic State) assassinated in …
Iran rejects charges of cleaning up alleged nuclear research site ahead of inspections
Satellite imagery released by a U.S. think tank accuse Tehran of sanitizing a research site ahead of inspections. Iran has until Oct. 15 to verify it is not developing atomic weapons.
Egypt seeks to boost economy through expansion of Suez Canal
The expansion of one of the world’s most strategic waterways was inaugurated Thursday by Egyptian President al-Sisi. The opening comes two years after former army chief overthrew the Islamist-led elected government. The massive undertaking is the first major project opened since President al-Sisi came to power. French President Francois Hollande attended the opening which comes …
Deadly suicide bombing hits mosque in Saudi Arabia
A suicide bomber has blown himself up at a mosque in the southwest of Saudi Arabia. At least 13 people were killed and nine injured, according to the Interior Ministry.
Bayern Munich win Audi Cup friendly
Bayern Munich have claimed their third Audi Cup in four attempts, defeating Spanish giants Real Madrid. A late goal from Polish striker Robert Lewandowski secured the victory for the Bavarians. Bayern Munich sealed a 1-0 victory over Spanish giants Real Madrid in the Audi Cup final thanks to a late goal from Robert Lewandowski. The …
Russia and US ministers agree on "common threat" from ‘Islamic State’
Meeting in Malaysia the foreign ministers of Russia and the US have agreed on the “common threat” posed by IS. But Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there was no “joint approach” on how to fight the group. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has met with US Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of …
Jewish extremism leaves Duma village traumatized
The West Bank village of Duma is still struggling to come to terms with the arson attack by suspected Jewish extremists that left a baby dead. Daniella Cheslow talked to villagers about their fears. Jerusalem teacher Dallal Dawabsha walked her two sons through the charred door frames of two torched houses in the northern West …
Israel arrests second Jewish extremist
Israel has arrested a second Jewish extremist as part of its crackdown on ultra-nationalists. The arrests follow the death of a Palestinian baby in an arson attack in the West Bank. Authorities in Israel arrested Eviatar Slonim on Tuesday for belonging to an extremist organization, following the arrest of Meir Ettinger, leader of an ultra-nationalist …
Joe Biden: Tiptoeing into the presidential arena?
Will US Vice President Joe Biden challenge Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination? According to media reports, he is mulling a presidential run – and many are speculating about his chances. Gero Schliess reports. Joe Biden exhibits many personality traits that Hillary Clinton does not: He’s cheerful, popular, emanates warmth, expresses emotion and is less …
Israel arrests most-wanted Jewish extremist
The leader of a Jewish extremist group has been arrested in Israel after a Palestinian baby died in a West Bank arson attack. The arrest follows a recent pledge by Israel to take a tougher stance on Jewish extremism. An ultra-nationalist group leader who topped Israel’s list of most-wanted Jewish extremists has been arrested after …
Obama climate plan derided by Republicans, hailed by green groups
US President Barack Obama’s plan to cut carbon emissions from US power plants has been hailed as visionary by the UN, EU and environmental groups. Republicans have vowed to do whatever it takes to halt the measures.
Syrian army warplane crashes in rebel-held town
At least a dozen people have died after a Syrian government fighter jet crashed into a busy market in the northwestern Idlib province. Activists have said scores of mostly civilians were injured. The Syrian military jet came down in a residential area in the rebel-held town of Ariha on Monday, killing at least 12 people …
Report: US to defend Syrian rebels from Assad with air power
US President Barack Obama has decided to allow airstrikes in Syria to defend US-backed rebels, claims a Wall Street Journal report. The move could bring the US military into direct conflict with the Syrian government. The president’s decision is aimed at protecting the rebels trained by US forces from attacks, including those from the forces …
FIFA’s Sepp Blatter ends stint on International Olympic Committee
FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s leadership role in another major world sporting body has ended. Blatter has decided against running for re-election as a member of the International Olympic Committee. The head of global football organization FIFA, which has been caught up in a wide-ranging corruption scandal, had informed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) he would …
UN aims to ‘end poverty’ with 2030 agenda for sustainable development
The United Nations member states have endorsed an agenda on sustainable development up to the year 2030. The ambitious, wide-ranging plan is to be ratified next month at a meeting of heads of government. United Nations member states agreed the agenda “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” on Sunday night. The 29-page …
US-Saudi alliance stays strong after Iran nuclear deal
Will the Iran nuclear deal strain ties between Saudi Arabia and the US? Hardly. The alliance between the world’s largest absolute monarchy and its oldest constitutional republic remains strong, Spencer Kimball reports. One is an officially Islamic nation ruled by the same family for 83 years, where religion dictates who drives (men) and what women …
German who fought for ‘IS’ in Syria denounces extremism
Back from Syria and charged with fighting for the “Islamic State,” the German Ebrahim B. no longer has illusions of “five-star jihad” and now advocates against extremism. His trial begins on Monday. Ebrahim B. wanted to be a hero. According to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office, he was even willing to sacrifice his life as …
Saddam Hussein, the Gulf War and the new Middle East
Iraq invaded Kuwait at the beginning of August 1990. The international community responded by launching a military operation. The conflict was quickly resolved, but it had a transformative effect on the Middle East.
Dozens face trial for planning ‘terrorist acts’ in United Arab Emirates
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have ordered 41 people to stand trial on charges of setting up a terrorist group seeking to overthrow the government and establish an extremist state. The United Arab Emirates’ top prosecutor Salem Saeed Kubaish said in a statement Sunday that the suspects were part of a highly organized cell …
Opinion: Germany’s Green Card was ahead of its time
Germany’s complicated and unattractive Green Card opened the national labor market to foreign IT specialists 15 years ago. The country has managed to learn quite a bit from this experience, DW’s Heiner Kiesel writes. Germany’s Green Card would probably have gone down as a footnote in the history of the country’s migration debate had it …
Three Turkish soldiers killed in attacks blamed on PKK
Three Turkish soldiers have been killed in two attacks blamed on Kurdish PKK rebels. The incidents come as Ankara continues a bombing campaign in northern Iraq directed at PKK positions.
Obama releases climate video ahead of clean power plan release
US President Obama has released a video highlighting the problems of climate change as he prepares to unveil a major plan to fight global warming. Opponents have said they will immediately contest the plan in court.
Why is Russia afraid of NGOs?
Why is Russia so concerned about the state of its constitution? Can NGO activity really undermine a country or are other factors required? Fiona Clark in Moscow goes in search of answers. This week Russia banned the activities of the US-Congress funded NGO, the National Endowment for Democracy or NED, on Russian territory. This is …
US Secretary of State Kerry begins Middle East tour
US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Egypt on the first leg of his Middle East tour. Kerry will also hold a meeting with his Russian and Saudi Arabian counterparts in Qatar and attend a Gulf summit. Ties between Washington and Cairo have been tumultuous since the popular revolt against former Egyptian President …