Author: DW

Two British citizens have been detained in Iran, the government has said.Both are being supported by the UK Foreign Office, according to a spokesperson. It comes following reports of the detention from Iranian state media yesterday.A spokesperson said: “We are providing consular assistance to two British Nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities.”Iranian state media said on Wednesday that a man and woman were in custody in Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman on security-related charges. The Foreign Office warn that people are at risk of “arrest, detention and a death sentence” if they travel to…

Just a few years ago, Portugal, Italy, Spain, and especially Greece were considered the problem children of the European Union (EU), especially within the group of 20 countries that form the so-called eurozone. This has fundamentally changed, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently emphasizing at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos that the EU’s southern periphery could also “contribute solutions to common problems.”Prime Minister Sanchez even asserted he would make Spain ‘the best economy in the world’Image: JAVIER SORIANO/AFP More than a decade after the European sovereign debt crisis brought the four countries close to financial collapse, robust…

What you need to know Reported gonorrhea infections across Europe are at an all-time high according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Condom use is declining, making it easier for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to spread Sexually transmitted infections continue to rise across European nations, according to annual data released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The most recent release, published on Monday, covers data from 2023. It shows rates of bacterial infections, such as gonorrhea and syphilis, rose again across the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA). Almost 100,000 new cases of gonorrhea…

“It’s not five to 12, it’s five past 12,” Markus Waldner said a few weeks ago. The chief race director of the World Ski Federation (FIS) was commenting on the high number of serious crashes in the Alpine Ski World Cup and the numerous, often serious injuries that have occurred this winter. Several top skiers have been forced out of the season’s highlight, the Alpine World Ski Championships, which run until the weekend in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria – due to injury. Their absence has been particularly noticeable in the high-speed disciplines, the downhill and super-G. Serious injuries to Kilde, Sarrazin and Shiffrin Alexander Aamodt Kilde,…

North Korea is destroying a facility at its Mount Kumgang resort used for gatherings between families separated after the Korean War, South Korea said on Thursday. In the latest sign of tensions between the two Koreas, a spokesperson for Seoul’s unification ministry said: “The demolition of the Mount Kumgang Reunion Center is an inhumane act that tramples on the earnest wishes of separated families.” South Korea “sternly urges an immediate halt to such actions” and “expresses strong regret.” “North Korea’s unilateral demolition cannot be justified under any pretext, and the North Korean authorities must bear full responsibility for this situation,” the spokesperson added.…

More than 10 people were wounded, some seriously, after a grenade was thrown into a bar in the city of Grenoble, France. The incident occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. (1900 GMT) at the bar in the Olympic Village neighborhood, built when the city hosted the 1968 Winter Olympics. “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the criminal act of unprecedented violence that took place in a shop in the Olympic Village district, which caused more than 10 injuries, several of them serious,” Grenoble Mayor Eric Piolle said late on Wednesday. “I thank the rescue and security forces for their rapid intervention.”…

The 75th Berlin International Film Festival, which runs from February 13-23, kicks off on Thursday with the world premiere of “The Light,” by Tom Tykwer. The German filmmaker behind “Run Lola Run” (1998) and the series “Babylon Berlin” returns with a drama starring Lars Eidinger and Nicolette Krebitz. It depicts a middle-class family whose routine is upturned when a housekeeper from Syria enters their lives. During the opening event, Tilda Swinton will receive the Honorary Golden Bear, which recognizes her lifetime achievement. The Scottish actor has attended the Berlinale many times over the years, whether as jury president in 2009…

A light-hearted petition has been launched in Denmark to buy the state of California after Donald Trump said he wanted to take over Greenland.The petition, which promises to “bring hygge to Hollywood”, asks: “Have you ever looked at a map and thought: ‘You know what Denmark needs? More sunshine, palm trees, and roller skates?’ “Well, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make that dream a reality.”The petition’s website claimed more than 200,000 people had signed it by Wednesday lunchtime, although it is not clear how long it has been running.The petition adds: “It is in the national interest to promote…

Former Spanish football federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales told the National Court in Madrid on Tuesday that he was “totally sure” that national team forward Jenni Hermoso had consented to the kiss seen by millions after Spain had just won the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Sydney. “I asked her if I can give you a little kiss and she said ‘okay’, that’s what happens,” Rubiales said. “In that moment it was something completely spontaneous.” An expert in lip reading testified earlier that Rubiales had asked Hermoso, “Can I give you a kiss?” based on video footage shown in the court,…

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has secured the release of an American detained in Russia during a trip to the country, the White House said on Tuesday.  Marc Fogel was released on Tuesday and flew back to the US with Witkoff, arriving several hours later, according to a post by the White House on social media. Why was Marc Fogel arrested in Russia? Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was detained in August 2021 at a Russian airport, for possession of what he and his family said was medically prescribed marijuana. “President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the president’s advisors negotiated…