Author: DW

Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Monday fined TikTok $10 million over viral challenges that authorities say led to the deaths of three children. Judge Tania D’Amelio criticized the popular short video app for its negligence in failing to implement “necessary and adequate measures” to curb content promoting the challenges. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, was ordered to open an office in the South American country so that it adheres to local laws. It was given eight days to pay the fine. D’Amelio said the money would be used to “create a TikTok victims fund.” TikTok did not immediately respond…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday called Vladimir Putin his “dearest friend and comrade” in his letter to the Russian president praising the close ties between the two countries. Kim sent New Year greetings “to the fraternal Russian people and all the service personnel of the brave Russian army on behalf of himself, the Korean people and all the service personnel of the armed forces of the DPRK,” the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, using an acronym of the North’s formal name. He also expressed his readiness “to design and push ahead with new projects” after their “meaningful…

Russia’s unconventional attacks against NATO “look like war” and allies must set new red lines that will trigger a retaliation if crossed, a former foreign minister has warned.Gabrielius Landsbergis, who stepped down as foreign minister of Lithuania earlier this month after four years in the post, told Sky News he did not believe the alliance was responding with sufficient speed and urgency to the threat. Moscow is accused of a campaign of so-called hybrid attacks – designed to sit in a grey zone under the threshold of conventional war – that includes sabotage, the cutting of undersea cables, cyber hacks,…

As with any other year, 2024 saw its fair share of good and bad stories. But we pride ourselves at DW Science on bringing you a constructive take on developments, whether it’s in health and medicine, psychology or archeology. We’ve seen major leaps in artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Here’s our nine most read stories, starting at the top: 1. ADHD: Did the condition help our ancestors survive? Commonly called a disorder, ADHD may have helped our ancestors find food and survive. DW reporter Hannah Fuchs found an innovative study that asked participants to pick…

The German gymnastics federation DTB has pledged to launch an investigation into physical and mental abuse allegations made by 24-year-old retired gymnast Tabea Alt. On Sunday, the DTB told Germany’s DPA news agency that it “had concrete information on potential wrongdoing from coaches at the federal training center in Stuttgart.” “The subject of the investigation will be possible misconduct by coaches as well as errors in the high performance sports system at national bases,” the federation said. What do we know about the allegations? Alt, who competed for Germany at the Summer Olympics in 2016 at the age of 18, levied the allegations…

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Sunday won just under 50% of votes in the first round of presidential elections, according to official results. The result means that Milanovic is set to face off against conservative rival Dragan Primorac in an election run-off in two weeks. Croatia’s president commands the country’s armed forces and has a say in foreign policy, but most executive powers are in the hands of the prime minister elected by parliament.Milanovic won 49.11% of the vote to Primorac’s 19.37% in the first roundImage: Emica Elvedji/PIXSELL/picture alliance What were the results in the first round of voting? Milanovic…

A shark attack off Egypt’s Red Sea coast has left one tourist dead and another injured, authorities said on Sunday. “Two foreigners were attacked by a shark in the northern Marsa Alam area, which led to the injury of one and the death of the other,” the country’s environment ministry said in a statement. According to Italian media, both men were Italian nationals. What we know about the shark attack The attack occurred in deep water outside the designated swimming zone near the jetties in the popular resort town of Marsa Alam, Egypt’s environment ministry added. A 48-year-old man from…

Canada and Mexico are grappling with US President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to place 25% tariffs on exports into their most important trade market, with both governments weighing their approaches. Trump said he would sign executive orders putting the tariffs in place on his first day back in office. He linked the issue to what he says is Mexico and Canada’s failure to prevent illegal migration and drug trafficking at US borders. Economists say tariffs would be very damaging for both Canada and Mexico, with the latter particularly vulnerable. “Mexico is really tied to the US economy, and any trade dispute…

Former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili has been sworn in as the president of Georgia.The outgoing pro-Western president Salome Zourabichvili has insisted she is still the legitimate officer holder and does not recognise her opponent’s appointment. However, she said on Sunday morning that she will vacate her residence at the Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi.It comes in the wake of contested general election results, which were mired in allegations of corruption and fraud. “I will come out of here, come out to you and be with you,” Ms Zourabichvili told a crowd of supporters outside the palace. “This presidential residence was a…

Mariam and Shabnam Ruhin carefully prepare the football pitch in a district of Hamburg, in northern Germany. They have balls, small cones and colored jerseys with them and training is due to start in a few minutes. The two sisters founded the “Spielmacherinnen” (“playmakers”) project in 2021 and use it to support young girls who need help at school or are interested in playing football. “When we were children, we were interested in football,” Shabnam recalled in an interview with DW. However, it was difficult to find a team to join, the 33-year-old added. “That’s why we try to give girls the…