TURKEY Concerns are growing for a dissident Belarusian sports official who has gone missing in Turkey. Anatol Kotau, the former secretary general of the Belarusian Olympic Committee, was last heard from shortly after arriving in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, on August 21. Turkish police told DW they had no record of Kotau's disappearance in their systems, despite his wife filing a missing persons report electronically on August 25. Such reports must be submitted in person, the police said. While Kotau's wife and colleagues fear he was abducted, a report by Turkish news agency IHA has added further mystery to his disappearance. Without citing any sources, the report claimed that Kotau flew to Trabzon, on Turkey's Black Sea coast, on the same day he arrived in Istanbul, before leaving the country via the sea border. No signs of 'depression or crisis' Kotau is one of the founding members of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), which was created in 2020 to support Belarusian athletes who oppose the country's leader, Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as Europe's last dictator. His missing persons report, which has been seen by DW, details phone messages between him and his wife on the day of his disappearance on August 21. At 12.26 p.m. Polish time, Kotau writes that he has landed at Istanbul Airport. His wife then asks him where he is staying. Just under two hours later, he replies: "I'll send it when I know." His last contact is said to be at 9.28 p.m. Polish time; a hotel address was never sent. Show additional content? This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”. Always show content from X / Twitter. BSSF Director Alexander Opeikin told DW that Kotau's behavior had been "usual" before his trip to Istanbul, which was due to last two to three days. "There were no signals about any depression or any crisis in his life," Opeikin said. Kotau active in Belarusian opposition circles As part of their work, Kotau and the BSSF also successfully pushed for Belarus to be stripped of hosting international sports competitions, most notably the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Hockey is Lukashenko's favorite sport. The 45-year-old Kotau's political activism saw him sentenced to 12 years in prison in absentia in July 2024, on charges including "conspiracy to seize power" and "promoting extremist activities." "Anatol was responsible for strong actions against Lukashenko's regime," Pavel Latushka, a prominent Belarusian opposition politician, told DW. "He was a high-level official, [so] in Lukashenko's eyes he must look like a traitor. "The regime is waging an open, systemic, large-scale war without any restrictions against democratic institutions and democratic activists abroad. Lukashenko's hands are already everywhere. It doesn't matter where the Belarusians are. He persecutes them even abroad." BSSF: Kotau also wanted by Russia In posts on social media, the BSSF said that Kotau had traveled to Istanbul "on professional matters," understood to be unrelated to the BSSF and his day job with a Polish events agency, although he was also known to be involved with other Belarusian opposition groups. Opeikin said he didn't know whom Kotau was intending to meet in Turkey. "I'm really concerned," Opeikin said. "We are very close on many projects. He's a great defender of athletes' rights and a real political figure on the Belarusian political stage." 29th August,2025

EUROPEAN FIGHTER JET It's the most expensive single defense project in Europe, with a projected cost of at least €100 billion ($116.6 billion). From 2040, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) aims to combine a new European fighter jet with fleets of drones controlled via a European defense cloud. "It's more like a flying combat system," Christian Mölling, a German security expert, told DW. The goal is to reduce European dependence on the United States and the F-35 fighter jets, equipped with stealth technology, that the US produces. However, the two companies involved — Dassault in France, and Airbus in Germany and Spain — are embroiled in a dispute, primarily about the manufacture of the plane itself. Pressure from the French manufacturer Dassault This row has now escalated to the point that the big bosses have had to step in. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, unexpectedly announced that they would be attending the Franco-German Defense and Security Council meeting in the French city of Toulon on Friday. The council meets twice a year, usually without attracting much attention from the general public. Mid-shot of Merz (left) and Macron (right), both in dark blue suits, just outside a building. Merz is pointing past the camera; Macron's right hand is on Merz's left elbow. A crowd of people with cameras is just visible inside the building.Mid-shot of Merz (left) and Macron (right), both in dark blue suits, just outside a building. Merz is pointing past the camera; Macron's right hand is on Merz's left elbow. A crowd of people with cameras is just visible inside the building. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Berlin in JulyImage: Ralf Hirschberger/AFP In recent months, however, Eric Trappier, the CEO of the French fighter jet manufacturer Dassault, has been piling on the pressure. His company makes key components for France's nuclear deterrent, which is a fundamental part of the country's military independence. In April, Trappier played the national card before the defense committee in the French parliament. Some people, he said, were of the opinion that the "weakening of this independence," which the FCAS project would bring about, "was not that damaging" as the mutual dependence of the European partners would compensate for it. Trappier, however, argued that "once you take this step, there's no going back." 29th August,2025

ISRAELI MILITARY TARGETS The team – Senior International Correspondent Fanny Facsar, a DW cameraman and a local colleague – was in Ramallah to document risks faced by media professionals in the occupied West Bank when Israeli soldiers aimed their weapons at them during filming. All three wore protective gear clearly marked "PRESS." Nevertheless, the soldiers fired tear gas, hitting the group, but no one was injured. The same day, an Israeli operation in Ramallah left dozens of people injured. DW has published footage of the attack on DW News (from 2:30 min). Earlier in July, another DW team was attacked with stones and chased by radical Israeli settlers in the village of Sinjil, north of Ramallah. That team escaped without injury, though the cameraman's vehicle was heavily damaged. Read the full report. DW Director General Peter Limbourg issued a strong statement on the current situation: "The repeated attacks on our journalists in the West Bank are absolutely unacceptable. There is no justification for threatening press representatives – neither by the military nor by radical settlers. We call on the Israeli government to ensure the safety of all journalists. Press freedom and the protection of media professionals are fundamental pillars of any democracy." DW will continue to report on developments in the region and advocate for the safety of its staff and for press freedom worldwide. 29th August,2025

PRESSURE ON RUSSIA Moscow vehemently denounced Emmanuel Macron for what it termed "vulgar insults" after the French president characterized Russian leader Vladimir Putin as a "predator" and an "ogre." During an interview with LCI last week, Macron cautioned European leaders against trusting Putin. "For his own survival, he needs to keep eating... That means he is a predator, an ogre at our gates," Macron said. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow that Macron constantly makes strange statements that sometimes cross the line of decency and turn into "low-grade insults." "This is unworthy of a head of state," she said. Russia has long criticized France's support for Ukraine, accusing Paris of provoking the conflict. 29th August,2025

PROTESTS ESCALATE Mass protests in Indonesia reignited on Friday following the death of a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver who was run over and killed by an armored police vehicle as security authorities tried to contain student protests. Affan Kurniawan, the driver, died on Thursday evening near the parliament in Jakarta during violent clashes as police tried to disperse demonstrators protesting a number of issues, including lawmakers' pay and education funding. The incident sparked outrage. Early Friday morning, protesters marched to the headquarters of the anti-riot police Mobile Brigade in central Jakarta. Some of the protesters attempted to storm the compound. The police responded by using tear gas to disperse the crowd. An angry group of protesters then set fire to a police post and cars parked near the compound. People stand near a burned vehicle near the Mobile Brigade Corps Brimob headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia on August 29, 2025.People stand near a burned vehicle near the Mobile Brigade Corps Brimob headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia on August 29, 2025. Following the death of their colleague, fellow riders demonstrated outside the headquarters of the Mobile Brigade in central JakartaImage: Agoes Rudianto/Anadolu Agency/IMAGO What did the police say? Indonesia's national police chief, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, offered a public apology and promised that the police would investigate. "I deeply regret the incident and extend my sincerest condolences to the victim, his family and the entire ride-hailing community," he said. In a specially recorded video message, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called for calm and expressed his condolences for the death of Kurniawan. "I am shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of the officers," Prabowo said, adding that he has ordered "a thorough and transparent investigation, stressing that "officers involved must be held accountable." 29th August,2025

UNEMPLOYMENT RISES Germany's unemployment figure has risen above three million for the first time in more than a decade, according to the Federal Employment Agency (BA). The increase raises the stakes for the centrist coalition government's huge investment plans to deliver quick results. "This will be the focus of the federal government," Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on the sidelines of Franco-German ministerial talks in Toulon in southern France on Friday. The increase in unemployment, he added, was not unexpected. How do the figures stack up? The number climbed in August by 46,000 to 3.025 million. The unemployment rate ticked up 0.1 percentage points to 6.4%. The seasonally adjusted trend was slightly better than feared in August, showing an actual fall by 9,000 in August compared with July — defying forecasts of a 10,000 rise. Compared with August last year, however, joblessness was still up by 153,000. However, labor demand is slowing. There were 631,000 job openings in August — 68,000 fewer than a year 29th August,2025

FOREIGN MEDIA When Portuguese public broadcasters RTP and RDP, and the news agency Lusa, were suddenly blocked in Guinea-Bissau on August 15, one of the first to feel the effects was Indira Correia Balde. "It started when our colleague Fatima Tchuma Camara, a Guinean working for RDP, was denied access to the presidential palace. Later, I was excluded from covering government matters for RTP Africa. Broadcasts by RTP and RDP were repeatedly blocked," the head of Guinea-Bissau's journalists' union, SINJOTECS, told DW. She said the expulsions were "anti-democratic" and described an atmosphere of growing fear since President Umaro Sissoco Embalo came to power in 2020. Balde said journalists are being "systematically obstructed in their work, publicly insulted, and prevented from doing their jobs" and called for an "immediate reversal of this decision and to protect jobs." Indira Correia Baldé, president of the Guiné-Bissau journalists' unionIndira Correia Baldé, president of the Guiné-Bissau journalists' union Indira Correia Balde, president of the Bissau-Guinean journalists' union said the suspension of Portuguese media was part of a wider pattern of attacks on press freedomImage: DW/Braima Darame International condemnation Several international organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the European Newsroom (ENR), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have strongly criticized the expulsions. Sadibou Marong, RSF's West Africa director, told DW the government's shutdown of the media networks closure was a "severe blow to press freedom." "To this day they have given no official explanation. All indications point to an arbitrary measure. RSF urges the government to immediately lift the suspension," Marong said. Asked whether independent reporting during the election campaign was at risk, Marong said: "This shutdown, imposed three months before the elections, suggests the authorities intend to restrict and influence coverage." Marong pointed to attacks in recent attacks on journalists, citing an armed attack in 2022 on the private station Capital FM, and multiple reporters being arrested and intimidated during demonstrations. "We fear the remaining journalists will come under increasing pressure and will no longer be able to report freely and independently," he said. 29th August,2025

MERZ AND MACRON Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will co-chair a Franco-German Ministerial Council in Toulon, the first since Germany’s government change. Ten ministers from each side will join to focus on economic and security policy, with both leaders calling their partnership central to Europe's future. Such meetings are usually held once or twice a year, alternating between Germany and France as hosts, to align policies and initiatives. Meanwhile, Germany's defense and foreign affairs ministers are meeting counterparts in Copenhagen seeking to bolster support for Ukraine. Stay tuned for the latest news and analysis on a range of issues connected with Germany from Friday, August 29: Skip next section Number of electric cars on German roads nudges up 08/29/2025August 29, 2025 Number of electric cars on German roads nudges up The number of cars in Germany continues to rise, edging closer to the 50-million mark, though electric vehicles still account for only a small share. As of July 1, 3.7% of all cars registered in the country were fully electric, up from 3.1% a year earlier, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) said. In new registrations, the share is much higher: in July, 18.4% of newly registered cars were electric. Volkswagen leads the market with more than 320,000 of the 1.8 million electric cars on German roads. Tesla follows with about 195,000, though the US company has recently struggled with sales in Germany, a downturn observers link to CEO Elon Musk’s political activities. Musk has since withdrawn from US politics. The total number of cars registered in Germany reached a record 49.5 million, up from 49.4 million the year before. Compact cars remain the largest group with 11.2 million, followed by SUVs at 6.89 million. Including trucks, buses, motorcycles, and tractors, the total number of motor vehicles stood at 61.4 million. https://p.dw.com/p/4zheH Copy link Skip next section Body found in suitcase near Stuttgart 08/29/2025August 29, 2025 Body found in suitcase near Stuttgart A heavily decomposed, partly skeletonized body has been discovered inside a suitcase in a residential area near the southern city of Stuttgart. The suitcase was reported near a playground by a stream on the outskirts of Filderstadt-Bonlanden, in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Municipal workers who responded noticed a strong odor, opened the suitcase, and found the body. A 44-member special commission has been set up by the Esslingen criminal police to investigate. An autopsy on Friday is expected to provide more information about the victim’s gender, age, cause of death, and time of death. Police are appealing for witnesses and asking who may have noticed suspicious activity in the Bonlanden residential area in recent weeks, including anyone seen with a suitcase or any unusual vehicles. 29th August,2025

GERMANY TO BOOST MILITARY In light of the growing threat posed by Russia and new NATO commitments, the German government is hoping to turn around the Bundeswehr's chronic under-recruitment. To that end, the cabinet on Wednesday (27.8.) approved a new plan to have 260,000 active soldiers by the early 2030s, compared to 183,000 today. They also want the number of reservists to double in that time, with a goal of 200,000. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) called the law "a giant step forward." Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) expressed confidence in the draft, sure that the targeted personnel numbers were within reach. Under the new law, which still must be approved by parliament, military service itself remains voluntary. Nevertheless, the new law includes an obligation for all men to fill out a questionnaire when they turn 18. Germany aims to boost Bundeswehr recruit numbers 01:16 In Germany, conscription is enshrined in the constitution, but it was suspended in 2011. It could be reinstated, but only in its previous form, which allowed only for men to be drafted, while military service remains voluntary for women. So the new questionnaire will be mandatory for men only. Young people who respond positively to the questionnaire will be invited to attend a medical examination to assess their fitness for service. Beginning in July 2027, the examination will become obligatory for men, even if they opt out of serving. Free accommodation, healthcare, and travel The Ministry of Defense wants to have an overview of the number of men eligible for the military. Since conscription was suspended, authorities no longer have any data on who would be available for service. The return to so-called ?military registration? is intended to close this gap. Under the new law, recruits will be trained over a period of six to 23 months. The first six months will be taken up with basic training, after which they can pursue further qualifications in one of the branches of the armed forces – the army, air force, navy, or cyber command. Also part of the package is a plan to increase salaries, as well as provide them with free medical care, free accommodation, and free rail travel. According to the Ministry of Defense, some 15,000 young people have signed up for basic training this year. "There is good reason to believe that we will see an increase of several thousand each year, reaching around 30,000 by 2029," Pistorius said. If the personnel targets are not met or Germany's security situation deteriorates dramatically, the government could order a return to compulsory military service. This, however, would require parliamentary approval. Is mandatory military service on its way back in Germany? 41:59 Conservatives are skeptical of the voluntary scheme Lawmakers from Chancellor Merz's center-right CDU/CSU bloc wanted to see an automatic activation of conscription in the case that the scheme attracts too few volunteers. Conservative lawmakers have voiced significant doubts that the plan will provide the promised numbers. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) and Markus Söder, chairman of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) have expressed criticism of the new law. Söder said he sees "no way around" reintroducing conscription, echoing conservative lawmakers' worries that the new plan will simply waste time and not increase recruitment at all. The Bundestag's Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte (CDU), accused Pistorius of shying away from unpopular decisions and jeopardizing the strength of the Bundeswehr. The Bundeswehr Association, which represents the interests of soldiers, has also called for clearer targets and a mechanism that would allow a quick switch back to conscription. The Social Democrats are fundamentally skeptical about the reintroduction of compulsory service. Pistorius has stressed that the Bundeswehr would currently be unable to accommodate and train all eligible men if they were conscripted at once. Even Merz echoed this sentiment after the cabinet meeting, saying: "We don't have enough barracks and we don't have enough trainers. That means everything has to be rebuilt from the ground up." German army needs more volunteers to fulfill NATO tasks 27th August,2025

SYRIA AND ISRAEL For the first time in decades, Syrian and Israeli officials held high-level face-to-face talks. Earlier this week, the US-brokered summit in Paris was attended behind closed doors by Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and the US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack. Key points on the agenda were the de-escalation of tensions between Syria and Israel, non-interference in Syrian domestic affairs and reactivating a 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria. A further issue was humanitarian assistance for Syria's Druze minority. On Wednesday, an Israeli government spokesperson told DW that Israel refrained from commenting on the Paris meeting. But Syria's national SANA news agency reported that the meeting concluded with the commitment to further talks. A previous round of talks with supporting officials in late July had ended without an official agreement. These direct talks mark a diplomatic shift after 25 years of virtually no communication at all. The two countries have technically been at war since 1967. That year, Israel occupied Syria's Golan Heights — a strategic plateau along their shared border — and later annexed it in 1981. The international community continues to regard the Golan Heights as Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation. To date, only the United States and Israel officially recognize it as part of Israel. A ceasefire deal in 1974 set up a demilitarized UN buffer zone in the Golan Heights along the Israel-Syria border. However, tensions between the countries have been soaring since the fall of Syria's long-term dictator Bashar Assad in December 2024. Israel deployed troops beyond the demilitarized zone and carried out around 1,000 strikes on Syria — which has not retaliated. Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa condemned the attacks but repeatedly said that he doesn't want to go to war with Israel. 22nd August,2025

MAJESTE CHARGES A Bangkok court on Friday cleared Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of royal defamation charges that saw him facing jail time. The 76-year-old faced up to 15 years in prison, but judges found him not guilty, easing a serious legal threat to his family's political movement. What were the charges against Thaksin? Prosecutors accused Thaksin of breaching Thailand's lese majeste law, which criminalizes criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family. The law, among the world's harshest, carries penalties of three to 15 years in prison for each offense. The charges stemmed from remarks made in a 2015 interview with South Korean media. He had commented on the 2014 coup that removed his sister Yingluck Shinawatra from power. Prosecutors argued that the remarks amounted to defamation of the monarchy. Thaksin's legal team rejected the allegations, saying his comments had been misinterpreted. The Bangkok Criminal Court ruled that the evidence was insufficient to convict. Why does the verdict matter? The ruling is considered unusual, as acquittals in lese majeste cases are rare in Thailand. Prosecutors have not yet said whether they will appeal. Thaksin appeared briefly outside the court after the ruling, smiling and telling reporters the case was "dismissed" but offered no further comment. The verdict relieves one of the most serious legal threats facing Thaksin, who remains a central figure in Thai politics. His political dynasty has shaped Thailand's modern political landscape for more than 20 years. Thailand: How high is the risk of a coup? 22nd August,2025

SCHOLARSHIPS Many Gaza students are unable to leave the Palestinian enclave despite securing places — and even scholarships — at foreign universities. DW's Tania Krämer met two Palestinian women holding onto hope amid the conflict. https://p.dw.com/p/4zKZy ADVERTISEMENT Malak el-Swirki and Farah Ruqa, two young women from Gaza, face immense challenges as war rages in Gaza. El-Swirki was awarded a scholarship to study at Cambridge, but she now has no access to a UK embassy and could lose her spot due to visa issues. Both women describe life under Israeli bombardment, food scarcity and the collapse of infrastructure. Despite the devastation, they hope that studying abroad will enable them to contribute to the rebuilding of Gaza's future. 22nd August,2025

43% EXPECT AFD A new poll for Bild am Sonntag newspaper revealed that more than two-thirds of Germans expect one of the country's state premiers to come from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party by next year. Meanwhile, Germany's center-left Social Democrats (SPD) continues to push for tax cuts for low-income groups, despite resistance from its main coalition partner, the conservative CDU/CSU alliance. And on the international front, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for peace talks with US President Donald Trump. 19th August,2025

GAME RACISM The German Football Association (DFB) has launched an investigation into the incidents of alleged racist abuse at two German Cup matches on Sunday. "The supervisory committee is investigating the incidents and initiating investigations against the respective clubs," a spokesman for the DFB told Germany's DPA news agency on Monday. What happened at the weekend matches? Schalke's 1-0 win after extra time away at Lokomotiv Leipzig was briefly suspended in the 13th minute after Schalke's Christopher Antwi-Adjei confronted fans. The match was interrupted for around three minutes. The stadium announcer then urged supporters to refrain from using racist or discriminatory language. After the game, the German-born left-winger, who represents Ghana internationally, said he had reported the incident to the assistant referee. "It's not acceptable, not in this day and age, not at all," Antwi-Adjei said. "I don't want to repeat the words that were used, but it's disappointing. I'm not the type to go home and cry, but still it's disappointing that it happens on the field these days," he told Sky TV. Lok Leipzig said no one else had reported the alleged racist abuse. After the game had resumed, the Schalke player was booed by the home fans whenever he touched the ball. Show additional content? This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”. Always show content from X / Twitter. Meanwhile, during the middle of the second half of lower-league Eintracht Stahnsdorf's fixture against second-tier Kaiserslautern, a visiting player who was warming up on the sideline appeared to be insulted by the crowd. The perpetrator was identified quickly with the help of spectators and security at the Karl Liebknecht Stadium in Potsdam. The match, which Kaiserslautern won 7-0, continued without interruption. Hermann Winkler, the president of the Northeast German Football Association (NOFV) warned against jumping to conclusions following the incidents. Winkler attended the match between Lok Leipzig and Schalke and said he didn't "notice any xenophobic atmosphere." "While it is necessary to deal with this serious issue quickly, let's stop speculating and assigning blame before the match report and the results of the police investigations have been evaluated," Winkler told DPA. Gianni Infantino calls on DFB to punish perpetrators FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned both incidents, saying he expected the DFB to clarify what happened and to punish the perpetrators. "I will repeat myself and I will keep doing it: In football, there's no place for racism or other forms of discrimination," Infantino said. "FIFA, the players' committee and the entire football community stand by those affected by these incidents – we are determined to ensure that players are respected and protected and that competition organizers and law enforcement agencies take appropriate measure. 19th August,2025

CHINA China is closely watching the ongoing US-led diplomatic efforts to stop Russia's war in Ukraine. After US President Donald Trump held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, White House envoy Steve Witkoff said Moscow had made "some concessions," including agreeing that the US could provide NATO-like protection to Ukraine. Calling it a "historic decision," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the Trump administration's pledge to provide security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy is meeting Trump in Washington on Monday, along with a host of key European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Ahead of Monday's meeting, China — a close ally of Russia — called for "all parties" to agree to peace "as soon as possible." "China welcomes all efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis and the contacts between the US and Russia," said Chinese government spokesperson Mao Ning in Beijing. European leaders head for the White House 01:55 Trump-Putin talk signals negotiation opportunity to China Ja Ian Chong, assistant professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, told DW that the Trump-Putin summit was "a useful point of departure" for Beijing to look at "how Trump negotiates in high-stakes situations." Despite the US pledge of security guarantees for Ukraine, Trump, following talks with Putin, appeared to shift his position from pressuring Russia for a ceasefire to urging Ukraine to accept a final peace deal involving territorial concessions. During the meeting, Putin reportedly offered to freeze most front lines if Kyiv ceded all of Donetsk — an industrial region that is one of Moscow's main targets. Russia currently controls about 70% of the territory. Trump later told Fox News that he had advised Ukraine to "make a deal" because "Russia's a very big power and they're not." Zelenskyy reportedly rejected the deal and wrote on the social media platform X that Russia's refusal to agree to a ceasefire "complicates the situation." Wen-Ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, said "it gives off a vibe that everything's up for negotiation," referring to the Trump-Putin summit. "That's music to China's ears because China likes to put those political values [and] differences aside when dealing with other countries. And it seems like that's the way Trump likes too," he added. EU, US, Ukraine meeting may include 'security guarantees' 02:29 China remains cautious on 'sensitive issue' However, Chong said, Trump's "inconsistency" also signals unpredictability to China. "Beijing might also want to treat Trump with some caution because he may take one position in a meeting and then change his mind. And it's not entirely clear in which direction he might change his mind," he said. The US-Russia summit has offered Beijing an opportunity to draw lessons for its own approach toward dealing with disputes with Washington, including tensions over trade, Taiwan and the South China Sea, say experts. Ahead of talks with Putin, Trump told media that Chinese President Xi Jinpinghad once told him China would not invade Taiwan while Trump was in office. The Chinese embassy in Washington later stated that the topic of Taiwan is "the most important and sensitive issue" in China-US relations, without referring to Trump's statement. The US and its allies have long sought to deter China from taking military action against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own and has threatened to take over by force if necessary.Taiwan rejects China's sovereignty claims. Chong said Trump's message on the Taiwan issue was probably more geared toward the outside world than Beijing. "What we've seen that is consistent from Trump so far is that he wants to couch himself as some sort of a peacemaker," Chong underlined. Zelenskyy hails 'historic' US security guarantees 19th August,2025

AIR DISASTERS In recent months, Africa's skies have been under intense scrutiny as a series of fatal crashes have raised questions over pilot training, regulatory enforcement, maintenance standards, weather preparedness and other key issues pertaining to the safety of the continent's aviation industry. On August 6, a Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter used by Ghana's air force slammed into a forested mountainside in the southern Ashanti Region, killing all eight passengers, including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment and Science Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed as well as other senior political and security figures. Ghana debates prophecy in politics after deadly crash 04:05 Just one day later, this tragedy was overshadowed by another crash, when a Cessna air ambulance operated by AMREF Flying Doctors in Kenya crashed into a residential area near the capital Nairobi shortly after takeoff, claiming six lives — four on board and two on the ground. In January, a chartered Beechcraft 1900D carrying oil workers from South Sudan's Unity State to the capital Juba went down just minutes after departure from the GPOC Unity Airstrip in Rubkona County, killing all 21 on board. In June 2024, Malawi lost Vice-President Saulos Chilima and former First Lady Patricia Shanil Muluzi to another fatal crash when a Malawi Defence Force Dornier 228 plane plunged into the Chikangawa Forest Reserve en route to the city of Mzuzu, causing nine fatalities. Growing reports of severe turbulence incidents, which have left multiple passengers injured during civilian flights, have also intensified the attention towards African aviation. Workers are seen loading a helicopter with body bags believed to be those of Malawi's Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others who died on June 11, 2024Workers are seen loading a helicopter with body bags believed to be those of Malawi's Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others who died on June 11, 2024 Malawi's Vice President Saulos Chilima and former First Lady Patricia Shanil Muluzi both died in a plane crash in June 2024Image: Zambia Air Force via REUTERS Human error — and hubris Industry experts say the machines themselves are not the problem, stressing that human error, systemic negligence, an insufficient safety culture, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns are the factors that, over time, have resulted in this worrying track record. "Airplanes are faithful machines. They are built to serve. They are built so well that [they're] loaded with a lot of redundant components in such a way that before anything goes wrong, the airplane faithfully tells the pilots and the engineers at every point in time," Nigerian aviation consultant Godwin Ike told DW, highlighting the abundance of backup systems in modern planes and helicopters. In his view, aircraft will typically only "fall out of the skies because human operators can be very unfaithful and more often than not, horribly dishonest." A man is seen laying down flowers in tribute to the victims of the military helicopter crash in Ghana on August 10, 2025A man is seen laying down flowers in tribute to the victims of the military helicopter crash in Ghana on August 10, 2025 Ghana announced three days of national mourning for the five government officials and three military personnel who died in the military helicopter crashImage: Seth/Xinhua/IMAGO According to Ike, there's a certain element of human pride that can still get in the way of otherwise perfectly operational aircraft. Ike insists that taking simple actions like refusing take-off when automated systems detect a fault can make all the difference between life and death, adding that adhering to regular maintenance schedules are also just as important. "Turn that plane in for maintenance that is due. In that way, you can be guaranteed usage without any issues," he said, adding this is not a form of weakness but safety in action. 19th August,2025

END RUSSIA'S WAR IN UKRAINE Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House to revive peace efforts in Ukraine. The US President expressed optimism about deterring future Russian aggression and proposed territorial talks. While Ukranian President Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv’s readiness for leadership-level negotiations, including a possible trilateral meeting with Russia, European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO’s Mark Rutte, emphasized shared responsibility and warned of further sanctions against Moscow. 19th August,2025

US'S ANTAGONISM South Africa has staunchly rejected a report published on the website of the US Department of State about human rights practices in the country. The document claims that South Africa's human rights situation had "significantly worsened during the year," and references the ongoing debate on land reform. In particular, the paper highlights the signing of the now infamous Expropriation Bill last year, classifying this move as a "worrying step towards land expropriation of Afrikaners and further abuses against racial minorities in the country." Signed into law in January, the Expropriation Act states that the South African government can legally take private property for public use — but also spells out fair compensation and only allows seizure in certain instances. The South African government meanwhile has stressed on multiple occasions that the Expropriation Act only aims "to provide for the expropriation of property for a public purpose or in the public interest." Why is Trump going after South Africa over land reforms? 04:06 Farms, land reform and two disturbing pigs The document by the US Department of State further alleges that the rate of extrajudicial killings in South Africa has also been growing. It singled out recent reports about two women who were murdered on a farm and whose bodies were later fed to pigs, attempting to link this incident to the government. US President Donald Trump's administration had previously gone as far as accusing South Africa of deliberate violence against the minority white Afrikaner group, saying that thousands were actively fleeing the country. Some who are or were close to Trump, including his billionaire former top adviser Elon Musk, even claimed that South Africa was committing a genocide against white people — a claim which has widely been rejected by the vast majority of South Africans. Show additional content? This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”. Always show content from X / Twitter. Analyst and author Hamilton Wende — himself a white South African — told DW earlier this year that anyone who thinks that white people are being massacred is part of a "right-wing extremist viewpoint, which is not reflective of ... what the government thinks, and of what the country thinks generally." President Trump launched a resettlement program for white Afrikaners to the US as refugees earlier this year, doubling down on his unfounded narrative that authorities in South Africa were allegedly complicit in actions that amount to an infringement of the rights and lives of these people. South Africa hits back, calls US report 'ironic' As was the case with all previous accusations leveled against South Africa, the government has also dismissed the latest reports squarely, saying they were "deeply flawed" and "inaccurate" while failing "to reflect the reality of our constitutional democracy." While expressing its general disappointment with the US Department of State document, the government also clarified the facts behind some of the specific claims made in the report, saying that the report had been compiled in a manner which was based "on acontextual information and discredited accounts." Among other things, the government stressed that it had nothing to do with the deaths of the two women, pointing to independent media reports which explain that the women had been killed by a farm owner who is also accused of forcing one of his workers to feed their bodies to pigs. Furthermore, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) also said in a statement that is was "ironic" that as a country which had recently withdrawn from the United Nations Human Rights Council, the US should make assessments on the issue of human rights in the first place. The first group of Afrikaners are seen arriving for resettlement in the US in May 2025The first group of Afrikaners are seen arriving for resettlement in the US in May 2025 So far, fewer than 100 white South Africans have managed to come to the US under Trump's refugee programImage. 19th August,2025

WASHINGTON SUMMIT The mood at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday appeared quite different from the debacle earlier this year when US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance scolded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in front of the cameras. On Monday, Zelenskyy walked into the Oval Office in a crisp navy suit, not his trademark olive fatigues, and handed Trump a personal letter from his wife, Olena, to First Lady Melania Trump. The letter, thanking her for raising the plight of Ukraine's abducted children with Putin, seemed to set a more diplomatic tone. European leaders were determined to support him. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were among those who made the trip to Washington on short notice. They sat in a protective semicircle around Zelenskyy, keen to ensure that another Oval Office humiliation was avoided and that the trans-Atlantic alliance held. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and France's President Emmanuel Macron participate in a meeting with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and France's President Emmanuel Macron participate in a meeting with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Many European leaders came to support Zelenskyy in WashingtonImage: Alex Brandon/AP Photo/picture alliance "This was a meeting where Europeans had the chance to show their unity and determination," said Almut Möller, Director of European and Global Affairs at the European Policy Centre, to DW. "Europe is not powerless." Progress on security guarantees The European leaders' clearest goal of the White House talks was Trump's public endorsement of security guarantees. The US president delivered; standing beside Zelenskyy, he pledged that the US would "coordinate" with Europe on protections for Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described them as "Article 5-type guarantees" without NATO membership. Article 5 is the alliance's mutual defense clause, stating that an attack on one member nation is an attack on all. That reassurance mattered in Europe, as fear had risen that Trump might again lean towards Russia after he met President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Yet the details of the security guarantees remain undefined. Trump equally pushed back on Europe's call for a ceasefire as a starting point. No unacceptable decisions were made: Volodymyr Zelenskyy 19th August,2025

DEADLY BLAZES Wildfires continued to blaze across Europe on Thursday with progress being reported on some fronts and deaths on others. In Greece, firefighters made progress in their fight with at least four major fires, one of which had threatened the country's third-largest city, Patras. A fire department spokesman said "scattered" pockets of fires were "still active" in the western port city of 200,000 but that the situation was largely under control. Three people have been arrested in connection with the fire, which authorities said may have been deliberately set. On Wednesday, authorities in Patras ordered the evacuation of a children's hospital and a retirement home to protect residents from the approaching flames. Citizens have joined efforts to beat back the fires and more than a dozen firefighters have been hospitalized or received emergency medical treatment. Despite reduced wind speeds on Thursday evening, officials warned that the fire risk remained "extremely high across much of the country." "Under such conditions, even a single spark is enough to trigger an uncontrollable fire," said Ioannis Kefalogiannis, the civil protection minister. "This combination of weather and geographical factors leaves us no room for complacency." Two men, one with his T-shirt wrapped around his face, the other carrying a dog, seen in a thick haze as dark smoke approaches behind them Two men, one with his T-shirt wrapped around his face, the other carrying a dog, seen in a thick haze as dark smoke approaches behind them Flames and smoke have forced tens of thousands of people to leave everything behind as they flee to safetyImage: Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images Fire knows no borders — Albania and Turkey report deaths As is the case across all of heat-soaked Europe, Greece's firefighting resources — 600 ground crews and nearly 30 water-carrying aircraft — are stretched thin. Beyond fighting four major fires at home, Athens has assisted neighboring Albania, joining an international effort to combat dozens of wildfires there. In central Albania, authorities say dozens of houses were destroyed and four villages had to be evacuated when a sea of flames approached a former army ammunition depot. That came as explosions from buried World War II munitions were reported near Albania's border with Greece. Fire near the capital, Tirana, killed an 80-year-old man. Prime Minister Edi Rama promised that police would work "day and night" to apprehend arsonists suspected by the government of causing some of the fires intentionally. In Turkey, where fires have raged since June, a forestry worker was killed in an accident involving a fire truck said authorities. Four individuals were injured. Fires in Turkey killed 18 people in July, 10 of them volunteer rescuers and forestry workers. Across the Mediterranean Sea, authorities in Morocco said water-dropping aircraft and more than 450 personnel successfully contained a blaze near Bab Taza, in the north of the country. A second wildfire near Tetouan was also brought under control 15th August,2025

STOP PLASTIC CRISIS The collapse of the latest UN plastic treaty negotiations once again laid bare a fault line in global environmental diplomacy: the clash between countries pushing for plastic production cuts and those defending fossil fuel-linked industries. "At one end of the spectrum are the small island states, which are confronted with immense plastic pollution on their coasts and in their seas without contributing significantly to the pollution themselves," said Jochen Flasbarth, Germany's state secretary for the environment. At the other end, he added, are "those countries whose economies are dominated by oil or the raw materials for plastic." Plastic pollution in the seaPlastic pollution in the sea Plastic pollution is having devastating impacts on ecosystems, the climate and human healthImage: Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images While the failure to reach an agreement was widely anticipated, the sixth round of talks in Geneva revealed how entrenched interests , particularly from oil-producing states and major plastic manufacturers, continue to shape the trajectory of global efforts to curb plastic pollution. "It is deeply disappointing to see some countries that are trying to block an agreement, a treaty that will give us the instruments needed to tackle plastic pollution, one of the biggest pollution problems we have on Earth," Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke told DW early Friday morning after more than 180 nations failed to reach a deal. No agreement on cutting plastic production Negotiations on a binding UN treaty began in 2022. After three years of talks, securing a decisive commitment to reduce plastic production remained the central sticking point in Geneva. Roughly 100 nations, including in Africa, Latin America, and the European Union, pushed for deep production cuts, regulation of toxic chemicals and a phase-out of single-use plastics in favor of reusable alternatives. 9 images 1 | 99 images But major producers and oil states in the "like-minded" group, including Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, resisted any binding limits. They favored focusing on waste management, leaving production largely untouched. A revised draft presented Friday morning recognized that current plastic output levels are "unsustainable" and require global action to reverse the trend but stopped short of imposing binding limits. Such limits were a red line for many countries in the like-minded bloc. Saudi Arabian and Kuwaiti negotiators criticized the final proposal for addressing plastic production, which they consider outside the scope of the treaty. Yet scientists have warned that capping production is essential to curb pollution and protect water, soil, oceans and human health. Marine scientist Melanie Bergmann of the Alfred Wegener Institute argues the world has already exceeded its planetary limits for plastic waste. How these companies tried to greenwash their plastic waste 15th August,2025

PLAN ILLEGAL A plan presented by an Israeli minister would divide the occupied West Bank and complicate efforts for a two-state solution, a German Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. "The German government calls on the Israeli government to stop settlement construction and will only recognize changes to the borders of June 4, 1967, that have been agreed upon by the parties to the conflict," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said late on Thursday. "The settlement construction violates international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions," the spokesperson added. "It complicates a negotiated two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, as demanded by the International Court of Justice." What is the new West Bank settlement plan? Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Thursday announced the plan for construction of 3,400 housing units in the so-called E1 area between East Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement, saying it "buries" the possibility of an independent Palestinian state. Israeli Finance Minister threatens West Bank takeover 02:24 Construction in the E1 area is especially controversial as it links the major West Bank cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem and would effectively divide the Palestinian territory into northern and southern sections, making a contiguous territory for a future independent state unviable. 15th August,2025

TRILATERAL SUMMIT US President Donald Trump told Fox News on Thursday he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin would make a deal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that while the Alaska summit might succeed in bringing a halt to the fighting in Ukraine, a long-term resolution to the war will need more time. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has warned of predicting the outcome of the summit. In London, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as European leaders prepare a unified stance on Ukraine ahead of the summit. This blog is now closed, please click here to follow developments on the Trump-Putin talks in Alaska. Here is a roundup of news about Russia's war on Ukraine on Thursday, August 14: Skip next section Merz: Putin has 'opportunity' to agree to Ukraine ceasefire 08/15/2025August 15, 2025 Merz: Putin has 'opportunity' to agree to Ukraine ceasefire German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will have "an opportunity" to end the war in Ukraine when he meets with US President Donald Trump in Alaska. However, he said that peace must be agreed upon with Ukrainian participation. "The goal must be a summit also attended by President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy" of Ukraine where "a ceasefire must be agreed", Merz said on social media. He added that Trump "can now take a major step toward peace" more than three years since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Trump: 'I think President Putin will make peace' 15th August,2025

FOOD PRODUCTION Microplastics are believed to disrupt photosynthesis — the biological process central to life on earth that provides the basis for global food chains as well as the oxygen we breathe. The tiny shreds of plastics — often originating from the disintegration of larger plastic items — have found their way into the most remote corners of the planet and even human organs. Now there is growing concern that these particles, once inside plant cells, can interfere with photosynthesis — the process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into energy in the form of sugars. This may impede plant growth, with potentially serious consequences for food production and climate change. Tractor on an agricultural fieldTractor on an agricultural field Microplastics could harm food productionImage: Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON/picture alliance What impact could microplastics be having on food production? Microplastics can reduce photosynthesis by up to 12%, according to an assessment led by a team of mostly China-based researchers. The study, published earlier this year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed terrestrial crops, marine algae and freshwater algae. Seafood yields could plunge 7%, and staple crops could see a loss of up to 13.5%, according to the study. The scientists behind the paper warned this could leave hundreds of millions of people without reliable access to food. But cutting microplastic levels by just 13% could prevent nearly a third of photosynthesis loss, they found. Still, Peter Fiener, a soil and water expert, warned that there isn't enough data to reliably project the paper's findings on a global scale when it comes to photosynthesis loss and the resulting impact on food production. 9 images 1 | 99 images Microplastics are usually absorbed through soil when a plant sucks up water and other nutrients through its roots, Fiener told DW, adding if the particles are small enough they can pass into its cells. To understand the impact microplastics are having on food production around the world you would "need to have a global map of the plastic contamination of our soils and we just don't have such a map," said Fiener, who is a professor at Augsburg University in Germany. One of the biggest problems is the lack of data for the Global South, said Victoria Fulfer, a microplastics scientist at 5 Gyres, a US nonprofit tackling plastic pollution. "The other issue is that microplastics are made up of hundreds of different polymers and thousands of chemical additives and so we obviously haven't been able to test as scientists the impact that all of these have on plants," said Fulfer. While research into the impact of microplastics on plant growth is a very new field, it's "definitely something that we need to be concerned about and need to be focusing on," Fulfer told DW. Plants growing in soilPlants growing in soil There is a lack of data on the presence of microplastics in soil around the worldImage: MISEREOR/Achim Pohl Where does microplastic pollution come from? Microplastics absorbed by plants often come from tarps used to cover crops in agriculture and the spreading of fertilizers, said Fulfer. "But also microplastics are in our air and in our water." Agricultural mulch films are often used to cover crops and boost growth. While they're meant to be biodegradable, many still contain chemical additives and microplastics. As they break down, these substances seep into the soil, said Winnie Courtene-Jones, marine biologist and plastic pollution expert at Bangor University in Wales. Other sources include tiny fragments from car tires and fibers from clothing, which end up in sewage sludge later used as fertilizers. "So we're adding them directly to these ecosystems where the plants and the crops are growing and once they're at that small level of microplastics and nanoplastics, it's very difficult to get rid of them," said microplastics scientist Fulfer. Microplastics are usually defined as plastic pieces measuring between 1-5 millimeters, while nanoplastics are even smaller. Once in the soil, they can disrupt water movement and nutrient breakdown, affecting the growth of plants and other small organisms, said Courtene-Jones. Microplastics have been found throughout the human body and linked to a range of potential health problems, including strokes and heart attacks. Why recycled ocean plastic is (often) a lie 13th August,2025

A CEASEFIRE MUST COME FIRST European and Ukrainian leaders have talked with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon. During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin following a teleconference with Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that any agreement regarding Ukraine must first include a ceasefire. Merz added that a legal recognition of Russian ownership of Ukraine cannot happen. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stressed that "there can be no discussions about Ukraine without Ukraine." He also said that Trump assured him he would contact him after the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to discuss the results and next steps. This is a roundup of news about Russia's war in Ukraine on Wednesday, August 13: 13th August,2025

CZECH TOURISTS For about a hundred years, the "Czech Riviera" was located on the Croatian coast. Year in, year out, most holidaymakers from the landlocked Czech Republic, which has a population of about 11 million, took their vacation in the Croatia, with its stunning Mediterranean coastline and myriad islands. But the tide has well and truly turned: A growing number of Czechs now travel north to Poland's Baltic coast instead. "The climate has changed," explains 50-year-old Ludmilla. "I no longer want to holiday in the heat of Croatia or Greece. I'd like to enjoy my vacation in peace — without tropical temperatures." Direct rail link The Czech Republic's state-owned railway company has reacted to the trend. The direct train link to Split in Croatia, which ran for decades, has been replaced by the Baltic Express, which travels four times a day from the Czech capital, Prague, to Gdynia, Sopot and Gdansk in Poland. It is often completely booked out in the summer season. A blue-and-white train stands in a railway station. The words 'Baltic Express' and (in Czech) 'from the Sea to Czechia' are written on the side of the locomotive. Beside the train on the platform is a sign that reads 'Prague Central Station' in Czech, Prague, Czech Republic, December 15, 2024A blue-and-white train stands in a railway station. The words 'Baltic Express' and (in Czech) 'from the Sea to Czechia' are written on the side of the locomotive. Beside the train on the platform is a sign that reads 'Prague Central Station' in Czech, Prague, Czech Republic, December 15, 2024 The Baltic Express links Prague with Poland's Baltic coastImage: Michal Krumphanzl/CTK Photo/IMAGO Hundreds of thousands of other Czech tourists drive to Swinoujscie, Szczecin and Sopot on the Polish coast, making the most of the brand new, toll-free Polish motorways linking the two countries. And unlike their German neighbors, the Poles don't delay traffic coming from the Czech Republic with checks at the border. Holidays in Poland — a trending topic Poland's media and politicians have been watching this "Czech invasion" closely. Articles about holidays in Poland are among the most widely read on Czech news websites, and all major Czech newspapers and television channels have sent special correspondents to the Baltic coast to report. Social media are full of posts about the Polish Baltic coast, and the pros and cons of holidaying there are debated in numerous online forums. Right across Poland's Baltic coast "The presence of Czech tourists on the Baltic coast has been really noticeable since last year," journalist Jakub Medek of the Polish radio station TOK FM told DW. "I have the feeling that they make up the largest group of foreign tourists this year." Medek says that initially, Czech tourists mostly traveled to destinations on the western part of the Polish coast, but that this has changed since the express train was launched: Now, many Czech tourists travel to Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot in the east. Medek says that this development is "clearly seen as positive" in Poland. 'Massive increase' in Czech tourists This is confirmed by official statistics, too. "Statistics on overnight stays show a massive increase in the number of Czech tourists in Poland," says Pavel Trojan of the Czech branch of the Polish Tourism Association. "They already constitute the fourth largest group of tourists: right after the Germans, the British and the Americans." Poland's Office of Statistics said that 410,000 Czech tourists stayed in hotels in Poland last year. That's in addition to those who opted for private holiday rentals. "When mobility in the border region and day-trippers are taken into account, we are second only to the Germans in terms of the number of tourists visiting Poland," says Trojan. Initial estimates suggest that 2025 will be a record year. According to a report on the Polish website Gazeta.pl, the number of Czechs on the Baltic Coast could hit 800,000 — a figure that puts Croatia, which used to be the darling of Czech tourists, firmly in the shade. Very different from Croatia Nevertheless, a vacation on Poland's Baltic coast, where it can rain in August and the water temperature sometimes fails to get above 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), can be a disappointment for Czechs — or at least for those who are used to heat, warm sea water and sunbathing when they go on a foreign holiday. 13th August,2025

ANOTHER COUP The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has strengthened the hand of the pro-junta leaders in Bangkok at the expense of the civilian government. Thailand has experienced at least 12 military coups since 1931, and the army has long been a dominant force in politics. After the 2014 coup, a junta ruled the country until a civilian government returned following the 2023 elections. And while another coup may not be imminent at the moment, the military seems to be expanding its already immense influence in the wake of the latest border clashes. Cambodia-Thailand truce remains shaky 01:58 Civilian oversight 'minimal' Tensions with Cambodia have been simmering for more than a year but flared in April, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief skirmish with Thai troops along the border. On July 24, after Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine, five days of fighting left over 40 people dead and hundreds wounded on both sides. The two nations agreed on a ceasefire at the end of the month. The conflict has "effectively given the Thai military free rein to operate with little civilian oversight, which was already minimal to begin with," Napon Jatusripitak, visiting fellow at Singapore's ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, told DW. Thailand's politics in chaos The 2023 general election ended with the Move Forward party poised to take power in Thailand. However, post-election negotiations saw the second-placed Pheu Thai party form an unexpected coalition with its former adversaries, including the militarist United Thai Nation Party of former junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha. The coalition was unpopular from the start, but it only began to unravel during the latest hostilities with Cambodia. In June, then-Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra sought to de-escalate tensions with a telephone call to Cambodia's Senate president and former prime minister Hun Sen. During the call, the 38-year-old Thai prime minister addressed Hun Sen, who was then nearing his 73d birthday, as "uncle" and professed love and respect for the veteran leader. She also appeared to criticize her own army's actions and hinted that some of the Thai generals were using the conflict for political purposes. Hun Sen soon leaked the recording of the call in what could be seen as an attempt to weaken Thailand during the border crisis. Shinawatra clan faces new attack The fallout in Thailand was swift. The conservative Bhumjaithai party quit the coalition, and Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party faced accusations of treason. In June, General Nattaphon Narkphanit of the United Thai Nation Party became acting defense minister, while generals have also captured some other key posts. The prime minister was suspended by the Constitutional Court in early July, pending trial. Paetongtarn Shinawatra is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted by the military in 2006, and the niece of Yingluck Shinawatra, who removed in the 2014 coup. 'No need to wait for orders' The shift has "effectively handed the defense ministry to the military to run as the generals see fit," Thitinan Pongsudhirak, senior fellow at the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University, told DW. This is especially evident in Thailand's border regions, which "have long been effectively under martial law… giving soldiers control over border policy and limiting civilian control," Paul Chambers, a Thailand expert, wrote in Fulcrum, an online publication issued by ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, last week. According to Chambers, the army has consistently undermined civilian-led de-escalation efforts since January. A soldier pokes his head from an armored personnel carrier on the Thailand side of a Thai-Cambodian borderA soldier pokes his head from an armored personnel carrier on the Thailand side of a Thai-Cambodian border A peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia has yet to be fully implementedImage: Athit Perawongmetha/REUTERS When Thai soldiers were injured by Cambodian-laid landmines in mid-July, General Boonsin, commander of the Thai Second Army Region, openly stated that retaliation was necessary and that "there is no need to wait for orders from the government." Thai voters trust the military more than the government Analysts told DW that the Thai military was riding a surge of public nationalism, with celebrities and politicians harassed on social media with accusations of not being patriotic enough. A poll published by the National Institute of Development Administration last week found that Thais trust the military the most in protecting the national interest and resolving the conflict with Cambodia. Only 15% of respondents said they had any level of trust in the civilian government over these matters. The ceasefire with Cambodia came after US President Donald Trump warned both Bangkok and Phnom Penh they would face stiff export tariffs unless they halted hostilities. Truce talks were mediated by Malaysia, the current chair of ASEAN, but the agreement has been only partially upheld. Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire 13th August,2025

WAR IN GAZA "This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice." So begins the final post of Anas al-Sharif, a Palestinian journalist who worked for Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera and lived in and covered the Gaza Strip. His last message addressed his Muslim faith, Palestine and his family. The post, from April, was to be published in the event of his death. The text went online on August 11. Al-Sharif, 28, was killed by Israeli shelling along with correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa, all of whom worked for Al Jazeera. The journalists were staying in a tent assigned to them near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. In a statement put out after the attack, Al Jazeera said its journalists were victims of a "targeted assassination," constituting an "outrageous and deliberate attack on press freedom." In a rare move, Israel publicly admitted to killing al-Sharif. On X, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described al-Sharif as a "terrorist posing as a journalist for Al Jazeera," adding that he "was the head of a Hamas terrorist cell and advanced rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops." Palestinians carry the body of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif wrapped in a white clothPalestinians carry the body of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif wrapped in a white cloth Palestinians carry the body of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-SharifImage: Jehad Alshrafi/AP Photo/picture alliance The IDF provided screenshots of what it claimed were internal Hamas documents with entries purportedly proving al-Sharif's affiliation. Israel had repeatedly accused Al-Sharif of links to Hama in recent months. On the evening after al-Sharif's death, the BBC reported that prior to the Gaza war, al-Sharif had been working for a Hamas media team but had more recently expressed criticism of Hamas, the militant group that led the October 7, 2023, incursion into southern Israel. UN and journalism organizations dismiss allegations The United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the killing of the journalist, calling it a "grave breach of international humanitarian law." The German government similarly said international law must be respected and that an inquiry was needed. In July, UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan said, "I am deeply alarmed by repeated threats and accusations of the Israeli army against Anas al-Sharif, the last surviving journalist of Al Jazeera in northern Gaza." Rights groups decry killing of Al Jazeera reporters in Gaza 02:11 That same month, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international press freedom NGO, warned that al-Sharif was being subjected to a "smear campaign by the Israeli military." At the time, Al-Sharif was quoted as saying: "I live with the feeling that I could be bombed and become a martyr at any moment." CPJ published a statement by its regional director, Sara Qudah, after al-Sharif's killing, saying that "Israel's pattern of labeling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom. Journalists are civilians and must never be targeted." Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, the CPJ has recorded the deaths of 186 journalists in the coastal enclave. Martin Roux of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) told DW there had been "a smear campaign" to justify the killing of al-Sharif. He said al-Sharif was not only a prominent Al Jazeera journalist, but also the voice of Palestinians suffering in the Gaza Strip. "So targeting him with this smear campaign to justify his killing is just another aspect of the media blockade that was put in place by Israel." Two men stand amid the tattered remains of a tent 13th August,2025

FRIEDRICH MERZ Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has been in office for almost 100 days. This is the time to take stock of the new government's overall performance. Back in May, Merz stated in an interview that he could no longer understand what goals Israel was pursuing in the Gaza Strip. Most recently, the chancellor unequivocally called on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to alleviate the suffering of the approximately 2 million people living in the narrow coastal strip on the eastern Mediterranean. Unlike France, the UK and Canada, however, Germany is still hesitant to recognize a Palestinian state. On Friday, the German government imposed a partial export ban on military equipment to Israel. Germany will "not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," Merz said. Do people in Germany think this is the right course of action? According to the latest poll, a clear majority believes the chancellor should increase pressure on Israel. However, the fate of the hostages still being held captive by the Islamist terrorist group Hamas remains the main concern. Both Merz and his predecessor, Olaf Scholz of the center-left Social Democratic Party(SPD) — currently Merz's junior coalition partner — had always emphasized that they believed Germany still had a special responsibility for Israel's existence. But among voters surveyed this week, only 31% still think so. For the latest edition of public broadcaster ARD's Deutschlandtrend poll, the opinion research institute infratest-dimap surveyed 1,321 eligible voters between August 4 and 6. Only 4 out of 10 pleased with Merz Merz has been focusing primarily on foreign policy in his first few months in office. Aside from calling on Netanyahu to show restraint in Gaza, he also visited US President Donald Trump at the White House in June and showed support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. On the domestic policy front, he has been focusing on irregular immigration. The pension, nursing care and health systems are in desperate need of reform. However, the latest survey shows a lack of confidence in the government's ability to take the necessary measures to make these areas fit for the future. The results of the general election on February 23 saw a rise in support for the far right. More than five months later, this trend has continued: 24% of respondents now say they would vote for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The conservative CDU/CSU bloc remains in the lead with 27%. Support for the three other parties represented in the Bundestag — the SPD, the Greens and the Left Party — is unchanged. Merz has seen his popularity ratings decline. In February, before the election, voters expected Merz to effectively combat irregular immigration. Now, they aren't so confident. Four out of 10 respondents believe Merz is up to the job — only his own party's supporters are truly satisfied. Over the next few years, €500 billion (about $581 billion) has been earmarked to renovate railways, roads and build better schools, with at least the same amount again dedicated to upgrading the German army. This is a clear departure from the conservatives' campaign promise not to take out any new loans. Only 26% of those surveyed now believe Merz is someone who can be trusted, 3% less than in February. US tariffs represent a major concern for German economy US President Trump has imposed a 15% tariff on most goods from the European Union, and 50% on steel and aluminium. The US, in turn, is exempt from tariffs on exports to the EU. This agreement with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proven to be highly controversial. Germans remain concerned about economic stability. A clear majority of respondents to the latest poll are concerned or even very concerned that US tariffs will further hurt the German economy. However, the number of people expressing concern has gone down, a drop that is seen as a consequence of Trump's fluctuating policies. 11th August,2025

UKRAINE'S OCCUPIED LUHANSK "They tell us Russia has done a lot for us. But all I notice is that I don't have enough money to live like I did before. Before, I didn't just have a good life, I had a wonderful life. Now I'm struggling to get by." Oksana* is from the settlement of Novoaidar, some 60 kilometers (37 miles) northwest of the regional capital, Luhansk, which has been occupied since 2014. Soon after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in the spring of 2022, the Russian army also captured Novoaidar, as well as the cities of Lysychansk, Sievierodonetsk and Rubizhne, and took control of almost all of the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk. Since then, the population of Novoaidar has shrunk by a third. "Only older people have stayed. The young ones have fled to other parts of Ukraine, or abroad. The only place you see young people these days is in Luhansk," said Oksana. She told DW that her village is suffering because of the war. Her house is one of many that have been damaged by shelling, but the occupying authorities haven't provided any help for reconstruction. Bartering with neighbors for food Before the Russian invasion, Oksana, who cares for her elderly father, sold her own homegrown food. Now she no longer has livestock, and she's not permitted to sell vegetables, either. To do this, she would have to register a company according to Russian law. "We just grow vegetables for ourselves now, and barter with our neighbors," she said. A child in a woolly hat and hooded jacked peers anxiously out of a steamed-up bus window. A woman sitting beside her is also looking at the camera.A child in a woolly hat and hooded jacked peers anxiously out of a steamed-up bus window. A woman sitting beside her is also looking at the camera. Many families and children fled Sievierodonetsk and other cities and towns in eastern Ukraine in the early days of Russia's invasionImage: Vadim Ghirda/AP Photo/picture alliance Oksana estimates that you need to earn at least 40,000 rubles a month (around €440/$500) to lead a normal life here. Many of the villagers — the postmen, for example — earn less than €200. The jobs on offer in local social media groups are mostly in either the service industry or construction. In nearby Sievierodonetsk, jobs for "workers with plumbing skills" are advertised at a salary of 120,000 rubles (€1,320). The Alchevsk iron and steel works also pays well. There are also often posts on social media promoting contracts with the Russian army, for which the pay is 216,000 rubles (€2,376). Like many residents of the occupied territories, Oksana's father still draws a Ukrainian pension. To do so, he has to use a VPN (virtual private network) to access the web portal of the Ukrainian pensions office, which has been blocked by the occupying forces. "Without this pension, you can't survive," said Oksana. Her father receives the equivalent of €61 a month. "That's enough to buy cheap food for a week," said Oksana. She has to supplement her father's minimum basic pension by using her family's savings. She complained that food prices have risen, and that there are only two shops left in Novoaidar. "In Luhansk, you can buy a dozen eggs for less than half the price," she said. That's why she makes the trip there every two weeks to go shopping. She's also been to Sievierodonetsk and Starobilsk. "But those cities are completely destroyed," she said. "On TV, they say that almost everything there has been rebuilt, but you still see burnt-out houses with no windows, doors or roofs." People there are still waiting for new windows and doors. 11th August,2025

WOMEN REFUGEES Donya* came to Germany in 2016. The trained midwife fled from Afghanistan with her 19-year-old son after her husband disappeared and she received death threats. "On my first night in Germany, I slept better than I had in years. I will never forget that night," she told DW. While Donya appreciated the security offered by Germany, she continued to be tormented by sporadic fears for her own life and that of her son. Trauma is not quickly overcome and it makes concentrating difficult — a prerequisite for taking up a job. Despite her traumatic experiences, Donya made it back into employment. She has been working as a care worker for the elderly for two years now after completing an eight-month training program — and German language courses. The 53-year-old says she feels her work is unchallenging, but she cannot cope with switching careers again. The former midwife has also been helped by Work for Refugees, a project that is run by GIZ / Society for Intercultural Coexistence and other cooperation partners, and funded by the Berlin Senate (SenASGIVA). It is one of a number of publicly funded projects and nonprofit organizations that have been launched to address the diverse challenges facing refugees and help dismantle recruitment obstacles. Donya seen from behind, with a counsellorDonya seen from behind, with a counsellor Donya received counselling through the Work for Refugees projectImage: Afsaneh Afraze Female refugees face threefold disadvantage After eight years, some 68% of people who fled violence or conflict in their home countries to come to Germany found work, according to a rolling survey launched in 2016. But the representative study from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Germany's Federal Office for Refugees (BAMF) and the Socioeconomic Panel (SOEP) also shows that female employment levels are much lower than that of men. Some two-thirds of women refugees remain unemployed after eight years. That is in contrast to 15% of adult male refugees. "Studies show there is a threefold disadvantage for refugee women. They are disadvantaged as women, immigrants and refugees," explained Maye Ehab, an IAB researcher. Many men who flee to Germany are single, while many of the women come with young children. "That puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to attending German courses or taking up various services provided by the government," Ehab told DW. A shortage of child care workers means space at day care centers is not easily available. The difficulties in finding child care have also been an obstacle for many of the Ukrainian women who fled with their children to Germany after the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. While in 2015 and 2016, most of Germany's 1.2 million asylum-seekers came from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq and were disproportionately male, three-quarters of the Ukrainians seeking refuge are female. Some female refugees never worked at all in their home countries or worked in sectors, like education or health, which require considerable language skills and are highly regulated in Germany, according to Ehab. "Men can work in jobs that don't require good German skills, such as the construction sector or the services sector. That makes it easier for them to jump this hurdle," she added. 11th August,2025

FINANCE MINISTER German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is in Washington on his first official visit to the US since taking office office. Klingbeil is set meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss trade, global cooperation, and trans-Atlantic ties. The talks follow a key deal easing tariffs between the EU and the US, cutting duties on European imports to 15%. The finance minister earlier told German media that "weaknesses" had been "exposed" during the wrangling over US tariffs. Meanwhile, just 16% of Germans say they would be willing to take up arms in the event of an attack, a new study has revealed, while more than a quarter of those surveyed said they considered a military attack on the country within the next five years to be very or somewhat likely. And Bavarian State Premier Markus Söder has called for a reduction in benefit rates for Ukrainian refugees in Germany. Below you can read a roundup of events, backgrounders and analysis of stories from and connected with Germany on Monday, August 4: 4th August,2025

TRUMP'S TRIP SPLIT SCOTLAND Donald Trump may be the most powerful member of Scotland's diaspora, but most people in his mother's country of birth did not view the US president's recent trip as the return of a prodigal son. As Trump touched down in Ayrshire late last week to begin a golfing holiday heavy on global geopolitics, Scotland's nationalist-leaning newspaper printed a front page that summed up how many here see him: "Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland," it read. Show additional content? This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”. Always show content from X / Twitter. Anti-Trump protesters gathered under grey summer skies in Aberdeen on Saturday vented about the visit. "Deport Donald!" was scrawled on one cardboard placard. "Yer maw was an immigrant!" another sign read, adding some Scottish slang into the proverbial mudslinging. "Donald Trump does not represent the politics of the people of Scotland," demonstrator Alena Ivanova told DW. "He's not welcome here because he represents hate, and we support community and working together." Two police officers stand on a sandy road and talk to another officer on a quad bike. In front of them is a sign reading "Police. Restricted access beyond this point." Two police officers stand on a sandy road and talk to another officer on a quad bike. In front of them is a sign reading "Police. Restricted access beyond this point." A heavy police presence kept protesters far from Trump's golf coursesImage: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/dpa/picture alliance Did Trump get a chilly reception from most Scots? This outright outrage at Trump's visit may be confined to opposition and activist circles, but Ivanona does have a broader point: Evidence shows the US president's politics don't chime with the majority of Scots. When asked how much they like him, Scots scored Trump an average of 1.76 out of 10. "Even those people who are more positive about him aren't going to be love-bombing him — and aren't expressing great affection for him," political scientist Chris Carman told DW. "Scots tend to see themselves as being more communitarian and somewhat more progressive," Carman, a professor at the University of Glasgow who crunched the polling numbers, explained. For now, the biggest political battle lines in Scotland — a nation of 5.5 million — are not between left and right. In fact, the most popular parties are both center-left, and instead public opinion is split on whether Scotland should divorce itself from the rest of the United Kingdom. The anti-Trump mood goes right to the top here. First Minister John Swinney, who heads up the devolved Scottish government in Edinburgh, publicly backed Trump rival Kamala Harris in last year's US elections. In February, Swinney accused Trump of promoting "ethnic cleansing" over his comments about Gaza. Trump gestrues as he sits in a high-backed green leateher chair with the US flag behind him on July 28, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland.Trump gestrues as he sits in a high-backed green leateher chair with the US flag behind him on July 28, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. Trump played host to his UK and Scottish counterparts as guests in their own countryImage: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Holding court and ribbon-cutting But a lack of enthusiasm from the public did little to dampen Trump's mood this week. He seemed right at home as he cut the ribbon on his third Scottish golf resort, which includes a course named after his mother Mary Anne McLeod, who left Scotland for New York aged 18. To this day, Trump has first cousins living in the country. "We love Scotland," a visibly upbeat US president said on Tuesday. He even extended a rare compliment to journalists here. "They're not fake news — today they're wonderful news," he said. This kind of trip, mixing the private with the political — and business with pleasure — is unusual for a sitting US president. By now, America's allies are accustomed to Trump's tendency to upend diplomatic norms, but the sight of a US leader playing host to UK and Scottish counterparts as guests on their own soil was still striking. Trump was in control, but they seemed happy to play along — and all three will go back to their capitals claiming diplomatic or economic wins. US President Donald Trump, wearing a white cap wiht USA on it in gold, holds a pair of scissors in his had as he opens his new golf course at his Trump International Golf links resort on July 29, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland.US President Donald Trump, wearing a white cap wiht USA on it in gold, holds a pair of scissors in his had as he opens his new golf course at his Trump International Golf links resort on July 29, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland. US President Donald Trump has his scissors at the ready to open his new golf course in Balmedie, ScotlandImage: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Trump pressed on Gaza UK prime minister Keir Starmer and Scotland's John Swinney both pressed Trump to use his influence to end the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, and Trump appeared to toughen his position on Russia — music to the ears of European allies. On a more personal level, Trump seemed sold on Scotland's Swinney, calling him a "terrific guy" before leaving on Tuesday. But Swinney was more cautious in his assessment, reflecting the political tightrope he is walking. Swinney steered clear of his past Trump-bashing, but also dodged repeated questions on whether he "liked" the US president. "He was pleasant company," Swinney told Scottish broadcaster STV on Tuesday. "I think my personal feelings about people are irrelevant. I've got a job to do," he added. 30th July,2025

GERMANY'S RAILWAYS Emergency services were met with a scene of destruction. On Sunday evening, the grey-yellow cars of a regional train had derailed and crashed into each other near Riedlingen in southwestern Germany. It soon became clear that the train driver, a trainee, and one passenger were killed in the accident. More than 40 out of around 100 passengers were injured, some of them seriously. Heavy rain in the area had apparently caused a sewer shaft to overflow, triggering a landslide directly onto the railway line and derailing the train. As man-made climate change increases the frequency of heavy rain, storms and other extreme weather events, railways are increasingly affected. First responders enter the train compartments in search of missing peopleFirst responders enter the train compartments in search of missing people Heavy rain has caused the train to derail on Sunday, July 27Image: Thomas Warnack/dpa/picture alliance Trains still cleaner and safer than cars Overall, however, traveling by train is not only more sustainable than flying, it is also far safer than driving cars. Moreover, in recent years, the EU region has seen a decline in fatalities from train accidents. To prevent landslides and flooding of road underpasses during heavy rainfall, the German railway company Deutsche Bahn has been working on a heavy rainfall plan: When water damages a section of railway, it is usually detected before the next train approaches. Flooding has been a serious problem in the past, for example, with the 2021 flood disaster in the Ahr Valley in western Germany and neighboring regions, which killed 185 people. The railway lines through the Ahr Valley and the neighboring Eifel mountain range still remain partially closed to traffic. On the Ahr river, the floods destroyed a total of 15 railway bridges. Several bridges in the Eifel region need to be rebuilt. New bridges are being designed to better withstand extreme weather. The new structures will largely do without central pillars, to reduce exposure to water pressure and debris during floods. A large part of the investment of around €500 million ($578m) is being spent on the electrification of two lines, which were previously served by diesel engines. Once the electricity for the electric trains comes from renewable energy sources, they will emit significantly less greenhouse gases than diesel locomotives. 30th July,2025

: GUNMAN KILLS 5 A gunman opened fire and killed five people in a fresh food market in Bangkok on Monday, Thai authorities said. The victims include four security guards and a market vendor, according to local media. The gunman took his own life after the shooting. What do we know about shooting? That brings the total number of fatalities to six, according to Charin Gopatta, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Two women were also injured, according to the Erawan Medical Center. The Or Tor Kor market in the Chatuchak district, often visited by locals, is next to the Chatuchak Weekend Market popular with tourists. Though the motive is currently unclear, Thai police have stated they are "investigating the identity of the person and the motive for the incident." "It's a mass shooting," said Bang Sue deputy police chief Worapat Sukthai. He said that police are working to identify the gunman, as well as investigating "for any possible link" to the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, which ended in a ceasefire later on Monday. How common is gun violence in Thailand? Though Thailand has fairly strict gun restrictions, gun ownership in the country is not uncommon. While mass shootings are not frequent, Thailand has seen several deadly incidents in recent years. In 2023, a 14-year-old used a modified handgun to kill two people and injure five others in a luxury mall in Bangkok. Just one year earlier, one of the country’s worst mass killlings happened in 2022, when a police sergeant who had lost his job killed 36 people. 28th July,2025

EVACUEES SPEAK OUT The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Monday to a ceasefire in a bid to end their deadliest conflict in more than a decade. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet met on Monday morning at the official residence of Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. International pressure on Bangkok and Phnom Penh to end the fighting had been growing ahead of the mediation meeting in Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). What began as an exchange of small arms fire , intensified into a multi-weapon conflictwith rocket launchers, fighter jets, and drones deployed during a five-day flare-up. Ahead of the ceasefire, which is expected to come into effect at midnight (17:00 UTC/GMT), the governor of Thailand's Surin province, Chamnan Chuenta, said the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border was volatile amid intensifying skirmishes across several districts. Surin hosts an evacuation camp where more than 6,000 people have sought refuge from the border clashes. Samit Yaekmum, a local administrative officer and sheriff in Baan Sawai in Surin's Kap Choeng district, described the fighting from his bunker earlier on Monday. "I'm in the bunker right now, but there's still a signal," he told DW. "The fighting has been ongoing from 3:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. today. Several BM-21 rockets landed in Kap Choeng District, about 20 kilometers from the mountain, but fortunately, no one was injured." A man stands outside a bunker protected with sandbagsA man stands outside a bunker protected with sandbags Concrete bunkers protected with sandbags have long been built in Thai villages at border crossings with CambodiaImage: Tommy Walker Taking shelter in bunkers Concrete bunkers protected with sandbags have long been built in Thai villages at border crossings with Cambodia for fear of conflict breaking out. Boonlert Atyingyong has spent the past five days living in a bunker in the village. Even though conditions are currently damp at this time of the year in Thailand, the 60-year-old decided not to be evacuated like the majority of people in his village. "I just want to live a normal life like everyone else. I have pets and responsibilities. If I walk away, there's no one else to take care of them," he told DW. "These days, we have to live very cautiously. If we hear any unusual sounds, we have to stay inside." Thailand-Cambodia border spat revives old fears for locals 02:56 Surin also has the second-highest number of civilian deaths since the conflict broke out on Wednesday morning, with at least four fatalities and ten injured. Some of those injured are being treated at Surin Hospital. On Sunday, suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was visibly emotional after visiting the hospital to speak with some of those affected, not all of whom are civilians. One Thai soldier was fighting at the frontline on Wednesday morning at Ta Moan Thom, an ancient Khmer-Hindu temple near the Thai-Cambodia border. Mike, who comes from Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand, described his role in the military as a secret commander — so he wasn't allowed to provide his full name for security reasons. He has been hospitalized with injuries to his leg and arm from an explosion. "I was stationed on the frontline, doing my duty," the 35-year-old told DW. "I heard small arms gunfire at first and then it gradually escalated along the line, until it reached my position, around the Ta Moan Thom temple area." People stand outside Surin Hospital|s intensive care unitPeople stand outside Surin Hospital|s intensive care unit 28th July,2025

MILITANT ATTACK ON CHURCH At least 43 people were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a Catholic church was attacked on Sunday. Officials initially reported that Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels had carried out the attack in which terrorists raided the church located in the northeastern town of Komanda as worshippers gathered for prayer. Later on Monday, the self-named "Islamic State" group (IS) announced on the messaging app Telegram that it had been behind the deadly incident. What do we know about the attack on the Catholic church? Nine children were among those killed, according to MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. According to reports, houses and shops surrounding the church were also set ablaze by the rebels. "These targeted attacks on defenseless civilians, especially in places of worship, are not only revolting but also contrary to all norms of human rights and international humanitarian law," the mission's deputy chief, Vivian van de Perre, said in a statement. DR Congo conflict: Who are the main players? 01:38 Congo military denounces attack Sunday's attack marked the end of a months-long period of calm in the region of Ituri, bordering Uganda. In February, 23 people had died in an attack by the ADF in the province's Mambasa territory. The Congolese military condemned what it described as a "large-scale massacre" on Sunday. It said the ADF had decided to take "revenge on defenseless peaceful populations to spread terror." Eastern Congo is considered one of the world's most dangerous regions. Nearly 130 different armed groups are said to be active across the country, many of which are focused on controlling the region's vast and valuable reserves of natural resources like coltan, cobalt, gold and diamonds. Hostilities earlier this year between Congolese forces and the M23 rebel group ended in a truce on July 19. Who are the ADF? The ADF is a long-standing insurgent group originating in Uganda and operating in eastern Congo. They have been responsible for the killings of thousands of civilians. The group often uses hatchets and machetes to carry out attacks. In 2019, the ADF pledged allegiance to the "Islamic State" group. 28th July,2025

SOUTH'S OVERTURES Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, on Monday dismissed the idea of a reset in relations with Seoul, despite dovish overtures from new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. In the North's first official comments on Lee's administration, Kim criticized what she described as Seoul's "blind trust" in its alliance with Washington. Why was Kim's sister making the comments? Since coming to power in June, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has broken with the hawkish approach of his predecessor to North Korea, ending loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts along the border. Seoul had started playing out loud political messages in response to North Korea flying trash-filled balloons across the frontier. The balloons were said to carry with them waste ranging from household garbage and cigarette butts to fertilizer, batteries, and parasite-contaminated soil. North Korea responded with its own cross-border broadcasts of unpleasant noises, such as sirens and scraping metal, into the South. President Lee has said he would seek talks with the North without preconditions after relations plummeted to their worst level in years under his conservative predecessor. What did Kim Yo Jong say? In a message in English carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Monday, Kim said the South should not expect any thawing of relations. "If the ROK [Republic of Korea]... expects to reverse all the consequences of (its actions) with a few sentimental words, there could be no greater miscalculation than that," she said, using the official name for South Korea. "We clarify once again the official stand that no matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither [any] reason to meet nor [any] issue to be discussed with the ROK," she added. As well as stopping the loudspeaker broadcasts, the South has tried to ban civilian activists from flying balloons with propaganda leaflets across the border. It has also repatriated six North Koreans who had drifted south in wooden fishing boats months earlier. The individuals had expressed a wish to return to the North. While Kim Yo Jong called such steps "sincere efforts" by Lee's government, she added that it would not ultimately by different from its predecessors. She cited the South's "blind trust" in its military alliance with the US and its attempt to "stand in confrontation" with North Korea. North Korea continues to back Russia's war against Ukraine 03:05 Kim also mentioned upcoming South Korea-US military exercises, which Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion. Kim Yo Jong is seen as her brother's closest confidante and has played a key role in shaping his public image and in policy decisions. How firm is North Korea's stance? North Korea has continued rejecting dialogue with South Korea and the US, focusing instead on strengthening its nuclear weapons program since Kim Jong Un's diplomacy with Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 over sanctions disputes during the US president's first term in office. In response to Pyongyang's rejection of Lee's efforts, Seoul said it "reaffirms the high level of mistrust between the two due to years of hostile policies." "We take this as a sign that the North is closely monitoring the Lee administration's North Korea policy," South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Koo Byung-sam told a press briefing. Trump, who began his second term in January, has frequently highlighted his personal rapport with Kim and said he is open to resuming negotiations. So far, North Korea has not responded publicly. Kim notably ordered the removal of peaceful unification as a constitutional goal in early 2024, labeling South Korea an "invariable principal enemy." The move was viewed as a historic break from past leaders' long-held aim of a unified Korea — albeit on the North's terms. The two Koreas technically remain at war, as the 1950–53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. 28th July,2025

DEADLY KNIFE British lawmakers and civil society groups have been fighting back for years, but social workers are convinced bans alone won’t solve the problem. DW | Documentary | London's Deadly Knife ProblemDW | Documentary | London's Deadly Knife Problem Image: BR England and Wales are now seeing more than 50,000 knife attacks per year, numbers that are alarming experts. London alone records more knife-related incidents than all of Germany. Social media is flooded with videos showing battles between rival gangs and individual youths — fought with machetes, swords, or kitchen knives. DW | Documentary | London's Deadly Knife ProblemDW | Documentary | London's Deadly Knife Problem Image: BR Easy access and widespread possession of knives have created a vicious cycle of weapons possession and violence. The problem is far from new, and Britain's lawmakers have tried to combat knife crime with bans, severe penalties, and crackdowns by law enforcement. At the same time, prevention programs are gaining broader support. DW | Documentary | London's Deadly Knife ProblemDW | Documentary | London's Deadly Knife Problem Image: BR Experts and social workers agree tougher laws aren’t enough. They are calling for sustainable, long-term initiatives, investments in underprivileged areas, and deeper engagement with young people. They say only a combination of these efforts will provide Britain’s youth with an alternative to violence and crime, adding that knife violence isn't just a public safety issue. It's a far-reaching social problem that will only be solved with a collective effort from both policymakers and civil society. 25th July,2025

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR The ministry is run by Hamas, which Israel, the US, Germany, the EU and other organizations designate as a terrorist organization. The United Nations and Israeli intelligence officials deem the numbers reported by Gaza's health ministry as reliable. Given Israel's ongoing military operation in the small enclave, numbers cannot be independently verified. Several third-party studies have indicated the true death toll could be nearly twice as high. According to a study by an international research team, more than 80,000 Palestinians are said to have been killed by January of this year. The scientific journal Nature reported on the study, which was conducted under the direction of Michael Spagat from Royal Holloway College, University of London, in late June 2025. The scientists worked closely with the research organization The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR), which is funded by the European Union, among others. PCPSR staff surveyed 2,000 families about deaths within their household and then extrapolated the figures. A study published in the Lancet in January of this year also found that deaths in Gaza were being underreported. For this study, obituaries on social networks were compared with the Health Ministry's lists. The war in Gaza was triggered by a terrorist attack Hamas led on Israel on October 7, 2023. Around 1,200 people were killed, and Hamas abducted 251 people as hostages in the Gaza Strip. According to official Israeli information, 50 people kidnapped from Israel are still being held in the Gaza Strip, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. According to the Times of Israel on Tuesday, 895 Israeli army personnel have also died in the war. How many people are starving in the Gaza Strip? After almost two years of war, the lack of basic goods entering the Gaza Strip has had dramatic consequences. Many Palestinians are suffering from hunger, often lacking most basic necessities. According to Welthungerhilfe, a German non-profit humanitarian assistance organization, the 25 remaining bakeries had to close at the beginning of April. Most of the 177 community kitchens have also run out of supplies, Welthungerhilfe told DW. Almost one in three people eat nothing for days on end, the UN World Food Program (WFP) told DW. For most of them, food aid is the only way to get any food at all. 25th July,2025

SCHOOL CHILDREN KILLED At least seven children have been killed and two critically injured as the roof of a school building partially collapsed in India's western state of Rajasthan on Friday. The news was reported by several Indian outlets, including the Indian Express newspaper and television channel NDTV. What do we know about the Rajasthan school roof collapse? The incident occurred at the Piplodi Government School around 8:30 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), according to NDTV's report. It cited officials saying around 40 children, in addition to teachers and staff members, were inside when the roof of class six and seven of the one-story building collapsed. "Seven children have lost their lives so far and 26 others are injured," Nand Kishore, a senior police officer in the state of Rajasthan, told AFP. Two of those children are critically injured and in the intensive care unit. All students were between the ages of eight and 11. Eyewitnesses told the media that the roof suddenly caved in due to persistent heavy rainfall over the past few days and that the building had been in a dilapidated state. Investigation underway Rescue operations conducted through the morning were completed by the afternoon. State leaders announced that an investigation was to be conducted to determine the reason of the collapse. Initial visuals from other news agencies showed locals gathered around the debris, helping rescuers to clear it. In a post on X, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma commented on the "heart-wrenching" incident. 25th July,2025

PALESTINIAN STATE French President Emmanuel Macron has said France will formally recognize Palestinian statehood in September. The announcement was met with a sharp rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Macron's decision "rewards terror." It comes as Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with media outlets urging Israel to open Gaza to journalists. Meanwhile, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff said the US is withdrawing from Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar. Witkoff accused Hamas of taking a "selfish position." Hamas, which carried out the October 7, 2023, terror attacks, continues to hold Israeli hostages. This blog is now closed. It was a roundup of developments in Israel, Gaza and the wider Middle East on Thursday, July 24. Skip next section US Secretary of State Rubio 'strongly rejects' Macron's plan 07/25/2025July 25, 2025 US Secretary of State Rubio 'strongly rejects' Macron's plan US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday sharply criticized France's intention to recognize a Palestinian state and called the decision "reckless." "The United States strongly rejects Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state," Rubio wrote on X. "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th." Show additional content? This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”. Always show content from X / Twitter. https://p.dw.com/p/4xzzW Copy link Skip next section Palestinians welcome Macron's decision 07/25/2025July 25, 2025 Palestinians welcome Macron's decision The Palestinian Authority on Thursday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's declaration that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' deputy Hussein al-Sheikh said the decision "reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state." Earlier on Thursday, Macron published a letter sent to Abbas confirming France's intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition. The militant group Hamas called Macron's pledge a "positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to self-determination." Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also welcomed the French decision to join Spain in recognizing an independent Palestinian state, saying it would "protect" a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution," the Spanish PM posted on X. 25th July,2025

UN CHIEF CALLS GAZA A 'HORROR SHOW' The US State Department has confirmed the death of Hosam Saraya, a US citizen, in the predominantly Druze region of Sweida in Syria last week. A State Department spokesperson said that they are providing consular assistance to the family. However, the spokesperson declined to provide further details. Earlier, ABC News reported that Saraya's friends and family confirmed seeing him and other relatives in a video showing people being shot. 23rd July,2025

TRUMP ANNOUNCES JAPAN TRADE DEAL US President Donald Trump said he had reached a trade deal with Japan on Tuesday. Under the new terms, the US will place a 15% tariff on goods imported from Japan, down from a previously threatened 25% tariff. Trump also claimed that Japan would invest $550 billion (€468.5 billion) in the United States "at my direction" and would "open" its economy to American autos and rice. "This deal will create hundreds of thousands of jobs — there has never been anything like it," Trump posted on Truth Social. He added that the United States "will continue to always have a great relationship with the country of Japan." How did Japan react to the announcement? Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was ready to meet or speak over the phone with Trump after being briefed on the details by Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, who has been in Washington for talks. "As for what to make of the outcome of the negotiations, I am not able to discuss it until after we carefully examine the details of the negotiations and the agreement," Ishiba told reporters in Tokyo after Trump's announcement. Meanwhile, Akazawa posted on X: "Mission accomplished." Shares in Japanese automakers jumped following the announcement, with Mazda up 12%, Toyota up around 10%, Honda up by over 8% and and Nissan up 6.5%. 23rd July,2025

RISE IN STUDENT SUICIDES Student suicides have reached an alarming scale in India, with students making up 7.6% of the country's total suicide deaths, according to a recently released report by National Crime Records Bureau. The report, which used the most recent data from 2022, showed that an estimated 13,000 students die every year by suicide in India. Official figures for suicides in 2023 and 2024 have yet to be published. Research and government reports point to a combination of academic and social stress, and lack of institutional support and awareness, as contributing factors. "I see these numbers as not just statistics but as signs of silent suffering buried under societal norms and expectations," Anjali Nagpal, a neuropsychiatrist who has studied the issue closely, told DW. "I have observed that children are not taught how to handle failure, disappointment, or uncertainty. We prepare them for exams, not for life," she added. "Mental health education should be a regular part of school life not limited to isolated sessions. Students need space to talk and be heard. Teachers must be trained to listen, not just lecture," Nagpal said. 23rd July,2025

GERMAN SHADOW ECONOMY BOOMS The German economy has been shrinking for more than two years, and 2025 offers only a slight glimmer of hope for an economic recovery. Surprisingly, the so-called shadow economy — encompassing all economic activity happening off the books — is surging. So what's behind the fact that the share of undeclared work has jumped to more than 11% of Germany's overall economic output in just one year? According to labor market expert Friedrich Schneider, who calculated this figure, the volume of undeclared work in 2024 was worth a total of €482 billion ($562 billion) — more than the entire government budget, and marking the highest level in nearly a decade. For 2025, the economist from Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria, projects a further rise to €511 billion, an increase of 6.1%. Schneider has been studying the phenomenon for over 40 years, and prefers to call it "shadow economy" rather than illegal work, he told DW. "[Undeclared] economic activities, like repairing a car or cleaning, are legal but they're carried out without paying taxes or social contributions," he said, adding that legal requirements such as minimum wage laws or working time limits are often ignored in the shadow economy. A group of workers on a construction site in Germany.A group of workers on a construction site in Germany. The construction sector is especially prone to undeclared work, as well as hospitality and cleaning servicesImage: picture-alliance/dpa/Winfried Rothermel With a shadow economy share between 11% and 12% of gross domestic product (GDP), Germany ranks in the middle compared to other industrialized countries, according to Schneider, with Romania topping the list with around 30%, and Greece coming in second at about 22%. When calculating shadow economy output, Schneider compares the amount of cash in circulation with official economic output figures. 23rd July,2025

ANTI-CORRUPTION BODIES The European Union's enlargement commissioner criticized a vote in the Ukrainian parliament to strip two anti-corruption bodies of their independence. Marta Kos stressed that the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and anti-graft prosecutor's office were "essential for Ukraine's EU path." Meanwhile, Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in an interview that she is likely to discuss a fresh loan program with the IMF next month. Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to hold the third round of peace talks in Istanbul on Wednesday. 23rd July,2025

DONALD TRUMP'S TARIFFS US President Donald Trump's reliance on tariffs rather than sanctions has been described as both the "world's worst bet" and "a powerful proven source of leverage" to protect the national interests of the United States. While tariffs essentially are taxes on imports to protect domestic industries, sanctions are penalties imposed on other countries to punish or influence their governments. Sanctions typically put restrictions on trade or finance. Since his return to the White House in January, Trump's tariff threats against dozens of countries have created great uncertainty among US businesses and global trading partners. What's become known as "tariff tango" — bold pledges of steep duties on foreign goods, followed by abrupt reversals — suits Trump's shifting political or economic goals. Yet, financial markets remain on edge, not knowing how or when the president may deploy tariffs next. The tariff on China, the biggest economic and military rival to the US, reached historic highs in April, soaring to 145% before being significantly cut the following month after trade talks in London. Trump's sudden increase and later rollback of tariffs show how he uses them as a flexible way to fix what he sees as unfair trade, based on past trade disputes. "What shapes the president's views is the rapid rise of Japan in the 1980s, and the feeling that the Japanese were out-competing the iconic American car industry because the US has been too generous in its trade terms," Jennifer Burns, associate professor of history at Stanford University, 21st July,2025

GERMANY REJECTS EU'S €2 TRILLION BUDGET German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has rejected the European Commission's proposed long-term EU budget, calling it disproportionate amid economic pressures. Speaking at a G20 finance ministers meeting in Durban, Klingbeil said the €2 trillion plan for 2028–34 — which includes around €700 billion in new spending — would not be appropriate given current strains on national budgets. "We absolutely must remain proportionate regarding the finances. I do not see this as being given," he said. Germany is especially opposed to the commission's proposal for new revenue streams, including a levy on large companies with over €100 million in turnover and a cut of national tobacco tax revenues. Klingbeil said the tax ideas send "the wrong signal" and confirmed Berlin cannot support the tobacco measure. The EU's executive wants to redirect the budget toward defense and competitiveness while introducing new income sources like an e-waste tax. Germany, the EU's largest economy, typically contributes nearly a quarter of the bloc's overall funds. 17th July,2025

IRAN'S KHAMENEI MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended a mourning ceremony on Saturday, according to a video carried by state media. This is the first time Khamenei has been seen in public since the 12-day war with Israel, which started on June 13. His absence suggested a heavy security status for Iran's current leader, who has the final say on all matters. 9th July,2025

EUROPE MUST END US DEFENSE 'FREE-RIDE' German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for Europe to boost its defense spending and reduce reliance on the United States, warning that American support is no longer guaranteed. Speaking in Berlin, he emphasized the need for strategic independence, resilience against hybrid threats, and long-term support for Ukraine. Germany is targeting 2.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense-related spending this year and increase it gradually to 3,5% by 2029. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of Germans now back the idea of a European nuclear deterrent that doesn't rely on the US, according to a new Forsa poll. Support stands at 64%, with solid backing across age groups, regions, and party lines — something rare in German foreign policy debates. The blog, with major updates from Germany on Monday, June 24th June,2025

ISRAEL DOING 'DIRTY WORK ' The German chancellor's support comes amid fresh strikes launched by both Israel and Iran. Meanwhile, in Gaza, dozens were reported killed near a GHF aid distribution site. Germany's chancellor defended Israel's attacks on Iran, saying it was 'dirty work Israel is doing for all of us' US President Donald Trump says he wants a "real end" to the conflict, rather than a ceasefire Trump seemingly threatens to 'take out' Khamenei if civilians, US soldiers are targeted Israel's defense minister has issued a warning to Iran's supreme leader The IAEA says Israeli strikes have directly hit enrichment halls at the Natanz nuclear complex Israel has reported a fresh wave of Iranian missiles 18th June,2025

ISRAEL'S ECONOMY PROVES RESILIENT DESPITE MULTIPLE CONFLICTS With Israel defending itself on at least two fronts, the country's finances and economy are strained. The government hopes higher taxes can cover some of the bills while its high-tech industry remains a safe investment. https://p.dw.com/p/4w8Gc Drones are seen in a hangar at Israel Aerospace Industries, near Tel Aviv Israel's economy is proving resilient, especially with the backing of its high-tech industry as an economic engineImage: Oded Balilty/AP/picture alliance ADVERTISEMENT War is expensive. Besides causing destruction, personal tragedies and deaths, it costs a lot of money to buy and mobilize equipment. It also costs manpower as Isreal — and its economy — is finding out on multiple fronts. Since the militant islamist group Hamas attacked the Jewish state on October 7, 2023, Israel has been engaged in intense fighting in Gaza. After that, Israel launched airstrikes into Lebanon as retaliation for cross-border Hezbollah missile and drone attacks. Last week, Israel struck deep within Iran with the aim of disabling its nuclear capabilities. 18th June,2025

ITALY'S PECORINO CHEESEMAKERS For negotiators, the pressure to wrap up a deal is enormous. "We'll get this deal done in the best way possible," an EU official told DW on the condition of anonymity. "But it's very clear that not only in the EU institutions, but also around the member states, people just don't want to go through this anymore." "In the volatile world we're in, everyone wants to have reliable trading partners, and the US just isn't that right now," the source added. In the coming days, the G7 and NATO summits in Canada and the Netherlands respectively, might have presented an opportunity for Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to meet. However, the European Commission said on Thursday that no bilateral meetings were currently planned. "That could still change," Commission spokesperson Miriam Garcia Ferrer told reporters at a briefing in Brussels. 13th June,2025

UKRAINE'S AUDACIOUS DRONE ATTACK It's hard to exaggerate the sheer audacity - or ingenuity - that went into Ukraine's countrywide assault on Russia's air force. We cannot possibly verify Ukrainian claims that the attacks resulted in $7bn (£5.2bn) of damage, but it's clear that "Operation Spider's Web" was, at the very least, a spectacular propaganda coup. Ukrainians are already comparing it with other notable military successes since Russia's full-scale invasion, including the sinking of the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, the Moskva, and the bombing of the Kerch Bridge, both in 2022, as well as a missile attack on Sevastopol harbour the following year. Judging by details leaked to the media by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the latest operation is the most elaborate achievement so far. In an operation said to have taken 18 months to prepare, scores of small drones were smuggled into Russia, stored in special compartments aboard freight trucks, driven to at least four separate locations, thousands of miles apart, and launched remotely towards nearby airbases. 1:28 Watch: Footage shows attack drones homing in on their targets as they sit on the tarmac. "No intelligence operation in the world has done anything like this before," defence analyst Serhii Kuzan told Ukrainian TV. "These strategic bombers are capable of launching long-range strikes against us," he said. "There are only 120 of them and we struck 40. That's an incredible figure." It is hard to assess the damage, but Ukrainian military blogger Oleksandr Kovalenko says that even if the bombers, and command and control aircraft were not destroyed, the impact is enormous. "The extent of the damage is such that the Russian military-industrial complex, in its current state, is unlikely to be able to restore them in the near future," he wrote on his Telegram channel. The strategic missile-carrying bombers in question, the Tu-95, Tu-22, and Tu-160 are, he said, no longer in production. Repairing them will be difficult, replacing them impossible. The loss of the supersonic Tu-160, he said, would be especially keenly felt. "Today, the Russian Aerospace Forces lost not just two of their rarest aircraft, but truly two unicorns in the herd," he wrote. Beyond the physical damage, which may or may not be as great as analysts here are assessing, Operation Spider's Web sends another critical message, not just to Russia but also to Ukraine's western allies. My colleague Svyatoslav Khomenko, writing for the BBC Ukrainian Service website, recalls a recent encounter with a government official in Kyiv. The official was frustrated. "The biggest problem," the official told Svyatoslav, "is that the Americans have convinced themselves we've already lost the war. And from that assumption everything else follows." Ukrainian defence journalist Illia Ponomarenko, posting on X, puts it another way, with a pointed reference to President Volodymyr Zelensky's infamous Oval office encounter with Donald Trump. "This is what happens when a proud nation under attack doesn't listen to all those: 'Ukraine has only six months left'. 'You have no cards'. 'Just surrender for peace, Russia cannot lose'." Ukraine drones strike bombers during major attack in Russia Even more pithy was a tweet from the quarterly Business Ukraine journal, which proudly proclaimed "It turns out Ukraine does have some cards after all. Today Zelensky played the King of Drones." This, then, is the message Ukrainian delegates carry as they arrive in Istanbul for a fresh round of ceasefire negotiations with representatives from the Kremlin: Ukraine is still in the fight. The Americans "begin acting as if their role is to negotiate for us the softest possible terms of surrender," the government official told Svyatoslav Khomenko. "And then they're offended when we don't thank them. But of course we don't – because we don't believe we've been defeated." Despite Russia's slow, inexorable advance through the battlefields of the Donbas, Ukraine is telling Russia, and the Trump administration, not to dismiss Kyiv's prospects so easily. 2nd June,2025

TRUMP'S TARIFFS CAN STAY IN PLACE The latest turn in Trump's tariffs drama saw a federal appeals court reinstate his tariffs plan - after the Court of International Trade on Wednesday ruled that the US president did not have the authority to slap nearly every country with tariffs. The Court of Appeals accepted the White House's appeal to the earlier ruling - the one that requested they halt their tariffs within 10 days - saying that the tariffs plans could remain in place while the court "considers the motions paper". While Trump is yet to directly comment - on the trade court ruling yesterday or the appeals court ruling - one of his top advisors, Peter Navarro, took to the White House driveway to say the administration was prepared to take the case "up the chain of command" after the appeals court if necessary. This would mean asking the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of its tariff plan. Meanwhile, here's a quick reminder of what the markets looked like earlier today, following the trade court's ruling last yesterday: Asia's markets were up, with Japan's Nikkei 225 index up by 1.9%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng by 1.1%, and South Korea's Kospi index by 1.8% When the UK markets opened, the FTSE 100 was up by about 0.3%, but flattened within hours - while the pound was down 0.1% and trading between $1.34 and $1.35 The US markets also opened in positive territory, with the Nasdaq up 1.1%, the Dow Jones rising 0.2%, and S&P 500 gaining about 0.9% And with that, we will be ending our live coverage for the day. If you'd like to keep up with the latest on this story, the following article will be kept up to date: Trump tariffs reinstated as legal battle erupts 30th May,2025

ISLAND EMBODIES BERLIN'S TUMULTUOUS Berlin's Museum Island uniquely encapsulates Germany's modern history — from the ideas of the Enlightenment to the destruction of World War II, from the Cold War era to its current ultra-modern restoration that has turned the ensemble of museums into a tourist magnet. Standing as a testimony to Europe's architectural and cultural developments, the historical complex of museum buildings was recognized by UNESCO in June 1999 as a World Heritage Site , and this year it is celebrating its 200th anniversary since the first building's foundation stone was laid. #DailyDrone: The Museum Island Berlin 01:00 A legacy of the Enlightenment During the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815), when the French invaded the historic German kingdom of Prussia, many artworks were plundered from its capital, Berlin. When the looted works were returned after the war, Prussian leaders decided to create a museum to showcase the treasures publicly. The Altes Museum (Old Museum) was the first building in the series of five institutions that would later become known as Museum Island. Simply called the "Museum" in its early years, the Altes Museum's foundation stone was laid in 1825, and it opened in 1830. A historic black-and-white illustration from 1885 shows the Altes Museum, part of Berlin's Museum Island, and a treelined park in front of itA historic black-and-white illustration from 1885 shows the Altes Museum, part of Berlin's Museum Island, and a treelined park in front of it A historic illustration from 1885 shows the Altes Museum, the oldest building of Berlin's Museum Island complexImage: imageBROKER/picture alliance At the time, after decades of war, Prussia was economically and financially ruined, "and yet they invested in such a cultural building, hiring the best architect of the time, [Karl Friedrich] Schinkel," Hermann Parzinger, outgoing president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, tells DW. It's a fact he particularly likes to point out in the current context, as politicians question the importance of funding culture. Amid the ideals of the Enlightenment, education was recognized as a priority. Thinker and statesman Wilhelm von Humboldt viewed museums as an important pillar of the educational reform he developed. "The museum, as a space of the citizen's aesthetic education, was very important to him," explains Parzinger. "So it was more than just building a museum; there was a vision behind it, and art, together with science, played a very central role." 30th May,2025

TRUMP SAYS PUTIN IS 'CRAZY' AFTER STRIKES Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the Russian army has launched the largest number of drones against Ukrainian cities and communities since the start of the full-scale war. The attack included 355 attack UAVs, mostly "Shaheds," as well as nine cruise missiles. Zelenskyy reported that there had been injuries and damage to civilian infrastructure, and noted that the geography of the strikes extended across northern, central, eastern, and southern Ukraine. He added that it marked the third consecutive night of combined Russian attacks involving both drones and missiles. "Only a sense of total impunity can allow Russia to carry out such strikes and continue increasing their scale," said Zelenskyy. "There is no real military logic to this, but there is significant political meaning." Show additional content? This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”. Always show content from X / Twitter. "In doing this, Putin shows just how much he despises the world — the world that spends more effort on 'dialogue' with him than on real pressure." "Like any criminal, Russia can only be constrained by force. Only through strength — the strength of the United States, of Europe, of all nations that value life — can these attacks be stopped and real peace achieved." Zelenskyy added that the increase in Russian strikes and Moscow's "disregard for diplomacy" should be met with tougher sanctions. 26th May,2025