Author: DW

The IG Metall trade union called for widespread labor strikes at all Volkswagen plants in Germany from Monday, after negotiations over looming job cuts fell through last week.  The German automotive giant says it needs to restructure and reduce production capacity amid sluggish car sales that are not expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels. What are both sides saying? VW has demanded wage cuts for workers, and has threatened plants closures and mass lay-offs as part of a major cost-cutting program.  Labor officials have promised to lead a bitter and intense struggle against any such cuts, and on Sunday promised “warning strikes” at all plants on Monday.…

We meet Mahbuba Maqsoodi in her Munich studio, sitting among sketches and colorful mockup drawings. One of this year’s special Christmas postage stamps issued in Germany features one of her artworks. “I’m happy. I feel honored.,” she told DW. Maqsoodi says that while making art, she “always tries to stimulate ideas and encourage the viewer towards contemplation, and also reflection, to move them. In this case, with respect to the subject of birth. It would be nice if this stamp made people think about this heavenly light again.” She was unaware that she is the first female artist ever be chosen for…

FIFA, the world’s governing football body, released a report Saturday on Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup. Saudi Arabia is the only nation seeking to host the tournament in 2034, and one whose de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is chummy with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.   FIFA’s report gave Saudi Arabia high marks, while assessing the kingdom’s bid as presenting “low” environmental and “medium” human rights risks. Late last year, Saudi Arabia submitted its bid to host the 2034 tournament (which was only open to Asia and Oceania nations) — while Morocco, Spain and Portugal submitted…

Georgians protesting the government’s decision to delay European Union membership talks clashed with security forces outside parliament in the capital Tbilisi on Saturday evening. Thousands of protesters took to the streets for the third night in a row. The protests, which have seen over a hundred arrested, have been the biggest since the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in October’s contested parliamentary elections.Georgia: Suspension of EU bid reignites protests in TbilisiTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video What happened at the protests? Police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and used…

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te arrived in the US state of Hawaii on Saturday, during a weeklong tour in the Pacific that has prompted Beijing’s anger. Lai’s two-day stop in the US is his first visit since taking office in May. The visit has provoked fierce threats from China, which sees the self-governing democratic island of Taiwan as its territory and opposes any international recognition of its sovereignty. How was Lai met in Hawaii? The Taiwanese president was met at Honolulu International Airport by American Institute in Taiwan official Ingrid Larson,  Hawaii Governor Josh Green, and others. “This is the first time…

Israel claims it has killed a Palestinian involved in the 7 October attack by Hamas.The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Saturday that it had carried out a strike in Gaza on a “vehicle with a terrorist that took part in the murderous 7 October massacre”. The IDF said it was investigating claims that the person worked for the international humanitarian organisation, the World Central Kitchen (WCK).”The terrorist was monitored for a while by IDF intelligence and was struck following credible information regarding his real-time location,” they said.”We emphasise that it was a civilian unmarked vehicle and…

Volkswagen said on Friday that a proposal presented by the IG Metall trade union and the company’s works council would not saved the costs it claimed it would, and would not have proved a long-term solution.  “Although there may also be positive effects in the short term, the measures will not lead to any sustainable financial relief for the company in the coming years,” VW said in a statement, adding that it would remain in contact with labor representatives.  The two sides are locked in difficult negotiations on pay, with VW calling for workers to accept pay cuts — arguing that…

A banana that had been duct-taped to a wall as an art installation was eaten on Friday by the man who bought it on auction, during a press conference meant to bring the artwork to its fruitful end.  Cryptocurrency entrepeneur Justin Sun acquired the work of art by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan for $6.2 million (€5.8 million) at an auction of the prestigious Sotheby’s auction house. Sun said the duct-taped banana, titled “Comedian,” was not just an artwork, but that it also represented “a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.” The founder of crypto exchange…

When lenacapavir test results were presented at a World AIDS Conference in July 2024, experts were thrilled: Lenacapavir was hailed as a long-awaited breakthrough in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “I [was] totally thrilled,” said Clara Lehmann, who heads the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) at the University Hospital of Cologne. “When these data were presented, there was an electrifying atmosphere in the hall. This was simply terrific.” What is special about lenacapavir? Lenacapavir is an antiretroviral drug that is said to be almost 100% effective in the prevention and treatment of HIV infections. As a preventative drug, also known as…

When the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021, successful sportswomen Nazima and Nazira Khairzad fled the country. In Germany, the sisters are now campaigning for women back home.