Author: DW

Amid the intense focus on the European Union’s efforts to reduce imports of Russian gas and oil over the past few years, a significant product has slipped under the radar: fertilizer. Russia is a major global producer and exporter of fertilizer, which is used by farmers and food producers to provide nutrients to plants and crops. While the EU has largely cut out Russian oil and gas from its import list, it has ramped up its purchases of the country’s fertilizer since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Russia’s share of EU fertilizer imports has grown from 17% in 2022 to about 30%…

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 BerlinTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to…

What to know: Leprosy is one of the oldest human diseases and originated in Eurasia or Africa. A new study has found a different species of leprosy-causing bacteria existed in the Americas before European settlement.    Scientists once believed Europeans brought leprosy to the American continents via infection from the bacterial species Mycobacterium leprae. But now a new study published in the journal Science reveals that a different form of leprosy-causing bacteria — called Mycobacterium lepromatosis — was already circulating in the Americas for at least one thousand years.  Leprosy was therefore already affecting American indigenous peoples well before European…

A football fan died after falling from the stands during the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain in Munich on Sunday, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) said. The supporter fell from the central tier into the media area below during the first period of extra time amid rising tensions among the fans. Emergency services responded immediately, but the fan succumbed to their injuries. A UEFA spokesperson confirmed to news agencies that a fan had “sadly” died during the match. Both teams express condolences Addressing the incident following the match, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said, “I would like…

China’s export growth slowed to a three-month low in May as shipments to the United States dropped following tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, according to customs data released on Monday. While exports rose 4.8% year-on-year, it was down from 8.1% in April, with shipments to the US falling almost 12% month-on-month. The report of the slowdown comes just hours before another round of trade talks between US and Chinese officials in London. In May, China exported $28.8 billion (€25.23 billion) worth of goods to the US, down from $33 billion in April. Analysts say the strong trade figures in…

The European Central Bank’s rate-setting council on Thursday cut the institution’s benchmark rate a quarter-point to 2% — and hinted that a trend of succession reductions over the past year may be coming to an end. The reduction comes with growth slow to pick up and further gloom over US President Donald Trump’s most recent threat to raise tariffs on goods from the European Union to 50%. What did the ECB say about the eurozone outlook? As it announced the rate decision, the ECB was measured in its tone about the US levies and possible retaliation.  It said the “uncertainty surrounding trade policies is expected to weigh on business…

“Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.” Wise statements like this can be found in the “Meditations” of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 C.E.). He had never intended these reflections for publication, having written them purely for himself, but they have become some of the most widely read writings after the Bible and the Quran. A bestseller, so to speak, which has been translated into numerous languages worldwide. Known today as a philosopher-king, Marcus Aurelius ruled at a time marked by crises and catastrophes. He ascended to the…

An AI program trained to study the handwriting styles of ancient manuscripts suggests many of the Dead Sea Scrolls might be older than previously thought, as reported in a study published in the journal Plos One on Wednesday.  The study is the latest entry in a new era of antiquity studies that has researchers use AI to reveal the secrets written on frayed and crumbling scrolls.  The new method combines AI, radiocarbon dating, and handwriting analysis to more accurately estimate an ancient text’s age.  The now proposed redating could reshape our understanding of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and of Judaism and early…

The evening started with a weather warning: a major storm was approaching, delaying the start to the game and perhaps also delaying the goals. This was supposed to be Joshua Kimmich’s night. Not only did the Germany captain make his 100th appearance with the national team. He also assisted the first goal of the match played at his home stadium, Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.Germany captain Joshua Kimmich made his 100th appearence with the teamImage: Wunderl/Beautiful Sports/IMAGO But opponents Portugal had other plans and ended up stealing the show with a 2-1 away win to reach the Nations League final, putting another dent…

On Thursday, two years after France’s controversial retirement age increase, the National Assembly voted to withdraw the reform. While the news was politically explosive because the far-right National Rally helped the left-wing opposition gain a majority in the vote, the decision hasn’t yielded any actual legal results. The situation reflects the country’s ongoing failure to address structural reforms since the parliamentary elections last summer, which left the government won without an absolute majority. But in the area of remembrance policy there has been significant movement. In the same week as the toothless retirement resolution, parliamentarians adopted three texts that reclassify historical events or offer…