Latest in World Highlight
Latest in World
The ‘War on Terror’ after Mullah Omar and Bin Laden
Taliban leader Mullah Omar provided sanctuary to Osama bin Laden. Both men are now dead. But with the rise of Islamic State, there’s no end in sight to America’s 14-year-running “War on Terror.” He had a $10 million bounty on his head for more than a decade. But the justice of the Old American West …
Why Pakistani Islamist Malik Ishaq became an ‘obstacle’
In a DW interview, Islamism expert Arif Jamal says that slain Lashkar-e-Jhangvi leader Malik Ishaq had become a threat to the Pakistani military establishment, which “got rid” of him in a “fake police encounter.” Malik Ishaq, former head of Pakistan’s banned militant Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) group, and his thirteen associates were killed by police on July …
Egyptian court postpones verdict in Al Jazeera journalists’ retrial
A court in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, has postponed the verdict in the retrial of three Al Jazeera journalists, jailed for aiding a terrorist organization with false reporting. The case has caused a global outcry. A court in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, postponed a session on Thursday that had been expected to bring a verdict …
Washed-up debris ‘very likely’ from MH370: Aviation expert
Investigators are examining plane debris found on La Reunion Island, to determine if it came from Flight MH370. DW speaks to aviation expert Heinrich Grossbongardt about what this could reveal about the fate of the plane. It is a discovery that could shed light into one of the biggest mysteries in aviation history. A two-metre …
Ebadi: Now is the time for a ‘human rights deal’ in Iran
Following the nuclear agreement, Iranians are hoping for an improvement not only of their finances but also of the rights situation in the country. In a DW interview, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi tells why. DW: Opinions differ as to how the recent nuclear deal will impact the human rights situation in the county. …
Mullah Omar: An Islamist who fought against two world powers
Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader who fought a protracted war against both Soviet Union and NATO in Afghanistan, has died due to illness. With his death the militant group has lost its most charismatic and unifying figure. Not much is known about one-eyed Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, who fought long wars against the Soviets, …
Opinion: end of an era
With Mullah Omar’s death, the Taliban have lost a unifying figure. The possibility of another Taliban regime in Afghanistan might be over, but that also puts the ongoing peace talks at risk, says DW’s Florian Weigand. There is no doubt that the death of Mullah Omar has closed a chapter in the recent history of …
Opinion: KMW-Nexter merger creates European arms giant
The German tank manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has merged with its French competitor Nexter. DW’s Sven Pöhle fears that the alliance could weaken German guidelines on arms exports. Last November, Frank Haun, CEO of German tank manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), openly complained about being treated like a mistress. “Everyone needs what we have to offer, but …
Germany clamps down on corruption in health sector
The German government plans a law to tackle illegal deals between doctors and pharmaceutical companies. Anti-corruption groups say the law doesn’t go far enough, but doctors’ associations hardly consider it necessary.
Özdemir warns of ‘Mini-Pakistan’ in Turkey as Germany sharpens travel advisory
German politician Cem Özdemir has slammed Turkey’s president, saying the country was turning into a “mini-Pakistan.” The German foreign office has warned of possible terror attacks on transport systems in Istanbul. The co-chair of the Green party in Germany’s Bundestag, Cem Özdemir, issued strong words Wednesday against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying Turkey would be …
The lives and loves of Tinderella
Online editor Caroline tried out Tinder and between the overweight weirdos, the drug addicts and the shy nerds, life (and love) happened. Love takes a lot of balls, and I’ve always been a little better at getting involved in Hollywoodesque drama than at real, lasting love – if there even is such a thing. I’ve …
Afghan talks: Tough demands make peace deal unlikely
Demands made by Taliban representatives, including the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan, make a peace deal with Kabul unlikely. To achieve this, the militants must change their position, say experts. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently said his delegation would receive a list of demands in the second round of the peace talks with …
Afghan talks: Tough demands make peace deal unlikely
Demands made by Taliban representatives, including the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan, make a peace deal with Kabul unlikely. To achieve this, the militants must change their position, say experts. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently said his delegation would receive a list of demands in the second round of the peace talks with …
Erdogan’s move means dark days for Kurds in Turkey
Turkey’s President Erdogan has shaken up the domestic political sphere with his decision to end the peace process with the Kurds. As Dalia Mortada reports from Istanbul the repercussions could be powerful. Following a week of violence between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), including airstrikes over the weekend on PKK outposts in northern …
German defense minister von der Leyen pledges aid to Tunisia
On a trip to Tunis, Ursula von der Leyen assured Tunisia of German support in fighting terrorism. She promised fresh funds and military equipment before meeting President Beji Caid Essebsi. Von der Leyen has pledged 1.2 million euros in aid ($1.32 million) in aid to Tunisia’s government as well as military equipment like a floating …
Disneyland Paris faces EU probe over claims German and UK visitors pay more
The European Union has launched a probe into whether Disneyland Paris is charging customers more depending on their country of purchase. German and UK customers have allegedly been excluded from promotional offers. British newspaper “The Financial Times” reported that Disneyland, Europe’s biggest amusement park, had been charging German visitors up to 2,447 euros ($2,711) for …
The diversion of supersymmetry?
The true scientists are those who admit when their experiments don’t yield anything new. That’s what’s just happened at CERN. But let’s give them a break. They were in search of the explanation of phyicial existence. New data from ultra high-speed proton collisions at Europe’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have displayed the the little-known “beauty …
In Austria, Glorious Bastards bust Facebook haters
An invitation-only Facebook group named Glorious Bastards is taking down the social network's hatemongers. The vigilantes have already gotten one teenager fired from his job for an anti-migrant comment. The weeks-old group first drew attention when a 17-year-old apprentice at Porsche posted a comment under the picture of a young Syrian girl playing in a spray of water. The picture…
Germany takes over command of EU training mission in Mali
Germany's defense minister Ursula von der Leyen is in in Mali. On Tuesday she was present at a ceremony to mark the handover of command of the European Training Mission in Mali (EUTM). Germany has now replaced Spain as the country in command of EUTM. Spain had previously occupied this role under General Alfonso Garcia-Vaquero Pradal. About 600 EU military…
Tech experts warn against ‘killer robots’
More than 1,000 leading scientists have penned an open letter condemning the possibility of an AI arms race. It is only a "matter of time" before dictators and warlords also get the technology, they said. A group of scientists, philosophers and technology experts including Stephen Hawking and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak issued a stern warning on Tuesday against a global…
Lack of trust between Turkey and China
Turkish President Erdogan is traveling to Beijing to mend ties between the two countries. The Turkish leader is expected to discuss a number of contentious issues with the Chinese leadership, including the Uighur crisis. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has a lot to discuss with his Chinese hosts in Beijing during his two-day official visit which ends on July 30….
Europeans move south to escape economic crisis
As many young, well-educated people can't find jobs in crisis-stricken Europe, they turn south in search for work. More migrants are moving from Europe to Latin America and the Caribbean than the other way around. Originally hailing from Seville in southern Spain, Magdalena Martín Sevilla decided to make Chile her new home after she couldn't find any work for months….
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan calls off peace process with Kurds
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has called of a peace process with Kurdish militants. He also encouraged parliament to strip politicians with links to "terrorist groups" of immunity. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday it was impossible to continue a peace process with Kurdish militants. "It is not possible for us to continue the peace process with those who threaten…
Sieren’s China: Asia leads United States in Africa race
Barack Obama cannot do much more in Africa. DW's Frank Sieren thinks that Asia, especially China, is so far ahead that the United States won't be able to catch up. Last weekend, US President Barack Obama traveled to East Africa with a big business delegation. In the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, he co-hosted this year's Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which took place…
Explosion shuts down Turkey-Iran natural gas pipeline amid increasing violence
The gas flow between Iran and Turkey has been shut down after an explosion on a natural gas pipeline in the Turkish province of Agri. The country's energy minister has suggested that Kurdish rebels were to blame. The fire, which began Monday in Turkey's eastern Agri province was quickly brought under control, Turkey's energy minister Taner Yildiz said on Tuesday….
Turkey’s ‘IS’ crackdown revives Kurdish conflict
Critics worry that Turkey's newest war against 'Islamic State' fighters is being eclipsed by the sudden revival of its oldest with the country's Kurdish minority. Noah Blaser reports from Istanbul. In the aftermath of the Suruc suicide bombing last week, Turkey ended its long reluctance to confront the self-declared "Islamic State" (IS), opening a key airbase to US warplanes, cracking…
Saudi FM lashes out at Iran amid rising tensions after nuclear deal
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has criticized Iran for making "aggressive statements." The foreign minister's statement comes amid growing tension between both regional powers following a nuclear deal. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Monday denounced "aggressive statements" by Iran on Monday following talks with EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini. "This does not represent the intentions of…
High expectations for Myanmar election
Myanmar's parliamentary elections are the next milestone in the country's ongoing reform process. But while the general requirements for the November vote have been approved, many crucial questions remain unanswered. On November 8, more than 50 million people will elect a new parliament in Myanmar. The importance of the election is immense, says Yangon-based journalist Zeya Thu. "The vote will…
Obama to close four-day visit with address African Union
During the final day of his visit to Africa, US President Barack Obama is set to deliver a message to the continent with a speech at the African Union (AU). He is later scheduled to meet with civil society delegates. Obama's address to the 54-member AU on Tuesday will be held at the Union's Chinese-built headquarters in the Ethiopian capital,…
Boston quits race for 2024 Olympic games
A bid for Boston to host the 2024 Olympics has been withdrawn, with officials citing a lack of support among residents. The US Olympic Committee must make a fast decision if it wants another city in the running. US Olympic Committee chief executive Scott Blackmun and the leader of Boston's 2024 bid, Steve Pagliuca, made the announcement in a joint…