Author: DW

Germany has been a vital part of national defense strategy for the United States in Europe since US soldiers were among the Allied forces who occupied it forces for 10 years following the end of World War II. Though troop numbers have, of course, fallen significantly since those days, the US military still maintains a major presence in Germany, and over the intervening decades, US military communities have formed around a handful of German towns. The total number of US military personnel has also risen significantly in the past few years, from fewer than 39,000 in 2019 to over 50,000 in 2024.…

Japan has criticized new Chinese restrictions on exporting so-called dual-use goods to the country, imposed after comments from its prime minister on Chinese military drills near Taiwan upset Beijing.  “A measure such as this, targeting only our country, differs significantly from international practice, is absolutely unacceptable and deeply regrettable,” Japan’s top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara saidd.  Dual use items are goods, software or technologies that can have both civilian and military applications, and can include certain key rare earths used to make items like drones and computer chips.  Minoru Kihara called the Chinese step ‘deeply regrettable,’ with Japan…

The Bundesliga’s winter break was less than three weeks long this season, due to the need to get league play done in time to make way for the World Cup, which kicks off in the United States on June 11. Mexico and Canada are also to host a few matches. Due to the brevity of this winter break, only six of the Bundesliga’s 18 clubs traveled abroad for their winter training camps. The others, including the record German champions and defending Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich stayed home. Could Bayern squander their chance for a 35th German title? In theory, yes, but…

Accordionist Matthias Matzke has a deep passion for his instrument, and his inspiration goes beyond its sound. “You can really push yourself to the limit, and there’s a correlation between muscle power and the sound produced,” he said.  Matzke’s appreciation for the accordion began in his childhood. Now, he serves as one of the ambassadors for the instrument of the year in 2026. “The accordion sparks the imagination. Sometimes it sounds like an orchestra with wind instruments, but you can also cover pop songs wonderfully,” he told DW. Germany’s state music councils have been selecting an instrument of the year since…

The Nürburgring in the Western hills of Germany is the world’s longest permanent race track. It’s almost a century old and was the site of many Formula One Grand Prix races. The track’s main part is called the Nordschleife, or the Northern Loop. The 20.8-kilometer (12.9-mile) track is nicknamed the “Green Hell” — because of the surrounding forests of the Eifel region, and its punishing layout. German carmakers test their vehicles to the maximum at NürburgringImage: Thomas Frey/imageBROKER/picture alliance To understand the importance of engineering and performance in German carmaking, the Nordschleife is a good place to start, said Misha Charoudin, car…

A ski suit that’s too short, a second insole hidden in a sock, and banned fluorinated wax on the skis. The latest edition of the Four Hills Tournament, the sporting highlight of the ski-jumping season for fans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland since 1953, has been marred by several cases of cheating and disqualifications. Red card for Timi Zajc Slovenia’s Timi Zajc, who had been expected to be in the hunt for the overall victory, was disqualified in each of the first two Four Hills Tour events because his jumping suit was found to be too short. He was subsequently…

In the early hours of 3 January 2026, US forces captured disputed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Both were transferred to the US, where Maduro now deposed, faces charges of narco-terrorism.    The US operation, illegal according to international law, marks the latest in a long history of US interventions in Latin America, often justified by Washington with claims of regional security.  Many of these interventions can be traced back to the Monroe Doctrine, a foreign policy principle which despite its 19th century origins has continued to influence US foreign policy over the past 200 years.   What is the Monroe Doctrine?  The Monroe Doctrine dates back to 1823, when President James Monroe warned European powers against meddling in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere.   The doctrine was later expanded by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, in what’s known as…

What exactly did Trump say? US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday evening that he has struck a deal with Venezuela’s interim authorities for the transfer of a large quantity of oil to the United States. In a post on his social media network Truth Social, Trump wrote that the Latin American nation would be “turning over” between 30 and 50 million barrels of “sanctioned oil.” The Venezuelan government has yet to confirm the deal. Venezuelan oil is under US sanctions because Washington accuses the government of ousted leader Nicolas Maduro of corruption, repression and rigging elections. Trump’s deal comes days after the…

India’s victory over Pakistan at the Asia Cup finals this weekend bore stark testimony to how the two fierce rivals turn everything — including cricket — into just another arena for their decades of acrimony. Cricket matches between the two national teams have always been viewed as epic confrontations, akin to a “war” where victory is crucial for national pride. At the Dubai tournament, however, cricket faded into the background as politicians on both sides fanned the tensions over an actual armed conflict. No trophy for Indians after 90-minute standoff During a pre-tournament press conference, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was…

Eva Schloss, a Holocaust survivor and the stepsister of Anne Frank, has died at 96. In a tribute, her family voiced hope that Schloss’ legacy would “continue to inspire through books, films and resources” the Auschwitz survivor left behind.  “We are incredibly proud of all that Eva stood for and accomplished, but right now, we are grieving.” Tributes to Schloss poured in, including from Britain’s King Charles III, who said he was “privileged and proud” to have known her personally, adding both himself and Queen Camilla “admired her deeply.” Austrian-born Schloss was the honorary president of the Anne Frank Trust UK. She dedicated her life…