Author: DW

In early February, German media outlets reported on the strains affecting Germany’s gas reserves. The news magazine Focus warned that the “cold snap devours our gas reserves.” At the same time, the TV broadcaster ntv said that “Germany’s gas reserves would theoretically last for about six more weeks,” and warned: “There is hardly any room for additional strain.” The focus on gas reserves is a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, the German government decided that it no longer wanted to buy oil and gas from Russia. That led to the question of whether Germany could satisfy its energy…

German skier Emma Aicher won silver in a dramatic Olympic downhill race in Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo on Sunday, securing Germany’s first medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, celebrations on the podium were somewhat overshadowed after US star Lindsey Vonn suffered a fall and was taken to the hospital. How did Germany win its first medal of the games? Aicher finished second in the downhill, earning a silver for Germany. The 22-year-old was beaten by just 0.04 seconds by US world champion Breezy Johnson, who clinched gold. Italy’s Sofia Goggia took bronze in front of a home crowd. The result marks…

Anger over scam texts, chat messages and fraudulent calls has been easing, though it remains widespread, according to new figures from Germany’s Federal Network Agency. The regulator said it received 85,158 complaints about number misuse last year, down from a record 154,624 in 2024. The agency did not give a specific reason for the sharp decline. Most attempts involved scam SMS messages, such as fake parcel notices claiming a customs fee is still owed, as well as contact via chat apps or direct calls. Parcel-related fraud, which was especially common in 2024, has decreased, with criminals apparently shifting tactics. The…

In a classroom in Chennai, India, around 20 nurses are learning German at breakneck speed. They have six months to become fluent enough to work in Germany. Ramalakshi, one of the nurses, says her family struggled financially, but still managed to pay the equivalent of several thousand euros for her nursing college. Ever since completing her education, she felt the need to give back.  “My aim is to work abroad,” she told DW. “I want to settle my family financially, and I want to build my own house.”Why are skilled workers from India coming to Germany?To view this video please enable…

The Epstein-Barr virus is a herpes virus and is considered a contributory cause of various cancer and autoimmune diseases. It is transmitted via droplets such as in saliva. That’s why one of the diseases caused by the virus, Pfeiffer’s disease, or Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, is also known as the kissing disease. It has been known for a long time that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is also a contributing cause of multiple sclerosis. The problem, however, is this: Almost every human is infected with EBV and carries it in their body for life. Multiple sclerosis, however, affects less than 1% of the population. How…

Protests take to the streets to show their displeasure at the presence of ICE in MilanImage: Alkis Konstantinidis/REUTERSBefore the show tonight, there were protests on the streets of Milan as hundreds of people, mostly students according to reports, voiced their unhappiness at the presence of American ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents in Italy. Our correspondent Elisabetta Galla was at the protests today and passed on the following information: Many were protesting about the social issues in Milan, such as rising rent costs and how spending money on an Olympic Games was not the right choice right now. Others were upset…

A reward of up to €1 million has prompted a wave of tip-offs, Germany’s interior minister said. In other news, experts say pandemic, war, and trade-related disruptions cost the German economy €1 billion. DW has more.

A flurry of announcements this week is reshaping efforts by the United States and the European Union to loosen China’s grip on rare earth minerals, the building blocks of next-generation technology. US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled Project Vault, a plan to build a US strategic stockpile of critical minerals, expand domestic rare-earth processing capacity and secure long‑term supply deals with manufacturers. In another development, the EU on Tuesday set out plans for a rare-earth alliance with US to bolster its own resilience. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance gave a keynote speech to delegates from key mineral‑producing countries on Wednesday, seeking to secure a rare-earth trading bloc to…

There’s a body of research going back at least 40 years, with scientists asking whether hormonal shifts in women influence strength, fatigue and recovery.  Over time, that research has filtered into gyms and social media, often simplified into rules like “take it easy during your period” or “push hard mid-cycle.” The menstrual cycle is a monthly rhythm of hormones. During the month, two key hormones, estrogen and progesterone, rise and fall, shaping how many women feel, move and recover. Fitness professionals often divide the cycle into four stages:  Week one: during menstruation, also known as the bleeding phase or “period”…

Kazakhstan will replace Saudi Arabia as the host the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Thursday said Kazakhstan’s largest city Almaty would be the new venue for the event. The 2029 Asian Winter Games had originally been planned to be held in Neom, a planned city and mega-project on the Red Sea in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Announcing the decision on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamas Al Thani thanked Kazakhstan for its commitment to and development of winter sports. “Almaty is a city with deep connections to…