Author: DW

Arms exports from Germany rose 30% in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period a year earlier, Economy Ministry data published Sunday showed. Between January 1 and June 18, the government approved total weapons exports worth at least €7.48 billion ($8.01 billion). By June 18, exports had already reached 60% of 2023’s total, the ministry data showed. If the trend continues for the remainder of the year, the total value of arms sales is set to reach a new record. Germany’s weapons exports for the whole of last year hit an all time high of €12.2 billion, mostly…

The governor of Turkey’s largest city of Istanbul has once more banned the LGBTQ+ community from holding a Pride Parade, without giving any reasons for his move except to say that “illegal groups” were wanting to hold a protest march without authorization. The governor’s office said the area around the central Taksim Square had been sealed off to traffic and that pedestrian traffic was being monitored. At last year’s parade, which was held despite being banned, several arrests were made. LGBTQ+ people in Turkey have been a regular target of scorn for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has depicted them…

A 13-year-old boy carrying a “realistic appearing” replica firearm has died after being shot by police in New York state, US authorities have said.The shooting happened after two youths were stopped by officers investigating robberies in Utica, about 240 miles northwest of Manhattan, on Friday evening.They were approached because they “matched the robbery suspects’ descriptions”, police said.One of them ran before pointing what appeared to be a handgun at the officers, Utica police chief Mark Williams told reporters. Image: Police said the boy was carrying a replica gun. Pic: Utica Police Department Video on social media shows the boy being…

Skip next section Polling stations open in exceptional parliamentary elections06/30/2024June 30, 2024Polling stations open in exceptional parliamentary electionsVoters across mainland France have begun casting their ballots in the country’s snap election, with polling stations opening at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT/UTC). First projections of results are expected at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT/UTC), which is when the final polling stations are scheduled to close. Preliminary official results are then expected later on Sunday evening. Voters in France’s overseas territories cast ballots earlier in the weekend. Some 49 million people are eligible to vote. The election was called by President Emmanuel Macron after his party suffered a…

Skip next section Who are the competing parties in France’s snap election?06/30/2024June 30, 2024Who are the competing parties in France’s snap election?The election features four major blocks competing for seats in the National Assembly: The New Popular Front is a coalition of left-wing parties and the Greens. It was formed earlier this month after the snap elections was called by President Emmanuel Macron. Its platform includes overturning immigration and pension reforms, a wealth tax and increasing minimum wage. It currently holds 149 seats. Macron’s Renaissance party is part of the Ensemble (Together) coalition. The centrist, pro-EU and pro-NATO alliance aims to make…

How did we go from fans adopting Gareth Southgate’s waistcoats to plastic beer cups being hurled towards him?From singing “Southgate you’re the one” to being turned off by him? The relationship between the England faithful and their manager has become strained to the point of fracturing during these Euros.”We’ve had different problems to solve as a team over the last few weeks,” Southgate said.”And I’m the leader trying to connect all of that and keep the juggernaut that is the England football team on the right path.” But it will be the end of the road for Southgate and England…

A mosquito infestation, a thunderstorm, the loss of a defensive starter and a host of VAR decisions – Germany have faced almost everything in the last few days (except a train delay)! But, they overcame it all to reach their first quarterfinal of a major tournament in eight years. The 2-0 win against Denmark in their Euro 2024 Round of 16 match was wild in the way only international knockout football can be. A furious start, a pair of disallowed goals and a thunderstorm that saw the game suspended for 25 minutes.  It was the kind of stirring performance that will…

In a corner of Tenerife, a winding, narrow road takes you towards a small village called Masca. At points on the route, the view of the sea below and the mountains above is breathtaking.This place, with its handful of houses and cafes, nestled among ravines and rockfaces, is about a 40-minute drive from the parts of the island most British tourists know, but it might as well be a world away. There isn’t the bustle of the resort towns in the south, with their clubs and bars. Instead, there are vast expanses of land that are arid and difficult to…

Germany scored two second-half goals as they defeated Denmark in Dortmund to reach the quarterfinals of Euro 2024. The hosts’ Round of 16 match proved chaotic as the first half was delayed by 25 minutes due to a thunderstorm and torrential rain. However, Kai Havertz’s 53rd-minute penalty was followed by a brilliant strike from Jamal Musiala 15 minutes later as Germany reached the last eight of a major tournament for the first time since 2016. Thunder and lightning take first half center stage  Thunderstorms had been predicted in the lead up to Germany’s first knockout game of the tournament, but…

Holders Italy have been knocked out of Euro 2024 after a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the last 16.Italy defeated England on penalties to secure victory at the last men’s Euro final in 2021. But Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas’s goals secured a comfortable victory for the Swiss on Saturday.It was the first victory for Switzerland over their southern neighbour in 31 years.Luciano Spalletti’s side exiting the tournament means the Swiss team advance to the quarter-final of the European Championship for only the second time in their history. They will face either England or Slovakia in Düsseldorf on 6 July.The…