Author: DW

Large parts of China have been put on alert for extreme weather as sweltering heat threatens drought in the north while at the same time, southern regions have been battered by heavy rain and flooding. State television reported on Monday that flooding in the southern province of Guangxi had caused total economic damage of around 329 million yuan ($45 million, €42 million) after it blocked transport routes and impacted homes and crops. Farmland in Fujian province has already suffered direct losses of around $225 million across 12,350 hectares. The capital Beijing has issued its second-highest heat warning, with temperatures expected to…

One would think that Judaism, with its more than 3,000 years of history, also has something to say about one’s love life, especially as Judaism has produced formative love experts like King Solomon and Sigmund Freud. An exhibition at the Jewish Museum Berlin now explores the question and how the social perception of sexuality has evolved in the community. Featuring more than 100 exhibits, the show has a tongue-in-cheek title: “Sex: Jewish Positions.” How the incompatible come together Two pictures hung next to each other form a kind of visual declaration of intent in the exhibition: “A Jewish Wedding” by the Dutch-Jewish painter Jozef Israëls…

Lamine Yamal breaks records as easily as he dismantles defenses. On Saturday, at 16 years and 338 days old, he became the youngest player in European Championship history. He was already the youngest to play for Barcelona, and for Spain. The youngest goal scorer in the history of La Liga, the Spanish Cup and his national team. The word prodigy barely does him justice. “A talent that only the chosen ones have,” summarized his coach Luis de la Fuente in the buildup. “It’s like he has been touched by the wand of God. Very few have that quality, that incredible ability. They’re…

European Union environmental ministers on Monday approved a contested conservation law that seeks to restore habitats to their natural condition. The Nature Restoration Law aims to regrow forests, re-wet moors and return rivers to their natural, free-flowing states. The law has proven controversial, due to concern over the heavy restrictions that could be placed on farmers. It was passed by the European Parliament earlier in the year. Environment ministers of EU member states backed the policy at a meeting in Luxembourg, meaning it can now pass into law. Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius said on X, “We are still on track to…

European Union leaders will gather in Brussels on Monday for an informal meeting focused largely on discussing the choice of people to fill key positions in the bloc. Three jobs are up for grabs: president of the European Commission, currently held by Ursula von der Leyen; president of the European Council, a position held now by Charles Michel; and that of foreign policy chief or “high representative,” which is currently in the hands of Josep Borrell. The dinner debate on top jobs comes against the background of the gains made by the far right in recent European Parliament elections, which have triggered snap elections in key EU…

A dejected Rory McIlroy was filmed leaving the US Open without congratulating his rival Bryson DeChambeau after the American denied him a fifth major victory.After a strong start at Pinehurst No 2 in North Carolina, the Northern Irish golfer spectacularly collapsed at the finish with bogeys on three of his final four holes. Watching from the scoring room, McIlroy, 35, witnessed DeChambeau produce a remarkable 55-yard pitch from the sand to four feet and convert the putt on the 18th to complete a one-shot win.McIlroy was pictured with his hands on his hips before leaving the room and making a…

After the Scotland fans had shown the home fans what it was to dance and Germany had shown Europe what a conservative opening ceremony looked like, it was time for some football. Both Germany, the country and the team, have been waiting for Euro 2024 to finally begin. Indeed, in the last two weeks alone, the team has faced a debate about its goalkeeper and form, while the country is still reeling from the revealing results of the recent European elections. Football was never going to change that, but it certainly felt like after all the talking about what a…

A Philippine ship lightly collided with a Chinese vessel in the South China Sea on Monday, the Chinese coast guard said. The incident occurred in waters adjacent to the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. Beijing claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea. Parts of the region are disputed by Taiwan, the Philippines and several other Southeast Asian countries. Trillions of dollars in ship-borne trade pass through the South China Sea each year and oil and gas deposits are believed to lie under its seabed. What did the Chinese coast guard say about the collision? The Chinese coast…

Suppliers of cannabis seeds, gardening equipment, fertilizers and grow lamps will benefit from Germany’s decision to legalize cannabis, Dirk Heitepriem of the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) told DW. Germany partially legalized cannabis in April, relaxing rules to allow adults to cultivate up to three cannabis plants for personal use. Those unable or unwilling to grow plants but looking to legally source the drug can join cannabis social clubs as of July 1. These nonprofit cooperatives may cultivate and distribute cannabis to members under strict conditions. Compo, a German horticultural supplier, is one of the companies already seeing business picking up…

The world’s nine nuclear-armed states spent altogether $91.4 billion (€85.4 billion) on their arsenals in 2023, a $10.7 billion increase on the year before, according to a report by the Geneva-based International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). Global spending on nuclear weapons was equivalent to $2,898 per second. The United States was responsible for the vast majority — 80% — of the increase in spending. Washington invested $51.5 billion in modernizing its nuclear arsenal, more than all other nuclear-armed countries put together.   Spending up, number of warheads down Spending in 2023 by the nuclear-armed states jumped more than 33% from the $68.2 billion spent…