Author: DW

The European Space Agency (ESA) on Wednesday released its first batch of data from the Euclid space telescope’s mission to create a 3D map of the universe in unprecedented detail.  The telescope, launched from Florida in 2023, is currently hovering 1.5 million kilometers (932,000 miles) from Earth.  Over the course of its six-year mission, Euclid is expected to chart one-third of the sky, encompassing 1.5 billion galaxies.  While in orbit, it’s tasked with gathering data on how the universe has expanded over time and shedding light on the mysterious forces of dark energy and dark matter. The new data released Wednesday covers only…

The debate about transgender women athletes in competitive sports has been going on for years. In the United States, President Donald Trump recently signed a decree banning trans women athletes from women’s sports nationally.  Many federations have tightened their participation rules. At the World Athletics Association, for example, no one who has gone through male puberty has been allowed to participate in women’s competitions since 2023. And even stricter and exclusionary criteria could soon follow. The results of internal consultations on this could soon become known.  With the new IOC presidency, changes could also be in the offing for the…

Pope Francis no longer requires non-invasive ventilation for breath support and his condition is “improving,” the Vatican said on Wednesday. The Argentine pontiff was admitted to a hospital in Rome in mid-February with a severe respiratory infection, which has required evolving treatment. “The Pope’s doctors have said that his lung infections are under control, although not eliminated,” the Vatican statement read. The pope, who is 88 years old, was assisted by non-invasive ventilation — the supply of oxygen with the help of a mask that delivered air with the help of pressure. He no longer requires that respiratory support, his doctors said, adding that the pope is still receiving oxygen via…

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RI) is suing the administration of President Donald Trump to try to reverse an order canceling funding for the US-backed broadcaster. The media group’s president and CEO Stephen Capus said he believes the network has a “very strong case.” “It is an unlawful act to withhold the funds that have been appropriated by Congress,” Capus told DW from Washington, D.C., where he was holding meetings with congressional staffers to make his case. “It’s time to release the funds. It’s time to respect this work that’s being done, and it’s of vital nature both for the United States…

Germany’s industrial backbone is facing an unprecedented challenge. Once the leader in high-end manufacturing, the country has witnessed a five-year decline in industrial production, which threatens up to 5.5 million jobs and 20% of gross domestic product (GDP), according to a recent report by the London-based Centre for European Reform (CER). Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine forced Germany to reduce its reliance on Russian oil and gas, sending energy prices soaring and severely hurting industrial sectors like chemicals and steel. Additionally, post-pandemic supply chain disruptions reduced demand for German exports. Another major factor is China’s speedy shift from low-value manufacturing to high-tech and…

A migrant has died after getting into difficulty while trying to cross the English Channel, the French coastguard has said.A rescue operation was launched after reports that a group of people tried to board a dinghy in the Equihen-Plage area, in northern France, shortly after 9am on Wednesday.Two people were rescued from the water, with one suffering from hypothermia while the other was in cardiac arrest.The pair were taken to the city of Boulogne-sur-Mer for treatment.The person who suffered cardio-respiratory arrest was declared dead despite efforts to save them.The coastguard added search operations are continuing off the coast of Pas-de-Calais…

The international world of classical music needs opportunities to celebrate from time to time. One of the industry’s big bashes are the upcoming International Classical Music Awards, or ICMA for short, a gala celebration held on March 19 that will feature a concert with both established stars and newcomers to the classical music scene. Each year, ICMA is held in a different location — last year, it took place in Valencia, Spain, while this year Germany takes the lead. Düsseldorf’s Tonhalle will be filled with music as countertenor Andreas Scholl, pianist Anna Gourari and violinist Gidon Kremer and others present works by the likes…

Serbia has seen a growing protest movement since a train station canopy in the town of Novi Sad collapsed in November 2024, killing 15 people. The collapse was blamed on corruption by officials. The largest protest against government corruption so far took place on Saturday, March 15, with at least 100,000 people taking to the streets of Belgrade. Participants accuse the police of using a sonic weapon to dispel the crowds.  Videos on social media show protestors quietly standing in the streets during a period of silence for the Novi Sad victims, when suddenly a whooshing sound is heard and…

The NFL (National Football League) is the world’s most valuable sports league. The average team is worth $5 billion (€4.6 billion), the league generated $18 billion in revenue in 2023 and regular-season games have been played in Brazil, Germany and the UK. The next logical step in the league’s dominance is to internationalize its playing group. This year’s International Player Pathway (IPP) class is made up of 14 players from 13 countries around the world, with kickers and punters joining later. The group is currently in the midst of a 10-week training camp at the IMG Academy in Florida before…

Skip next section Ukraine in constant communication with key European allies: Zelenskyy03/19/2025March 19, 2025Ukraine in constant communication with key European allies: ZelenskyyUkraine President Volodymr Zelenskyy talked to several European leaders on Tuesday evening following the Trump-Putin call. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated Britain’s “unwavering support” to Ukraine in a phone call, according to a statement by the British government, while Zelenskyy provided an update on the frontline situation. During an online briefing on Tuesday, Zelenskyy told reporters that he had also spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, both key European allies of Ukraine. “We…