Author: DW

05/17/2024May 17, 2024Ukraine says it has partially halted Russian advances in Kharkiv Ukrainian military officials on Thursday said their units have managed to partially halt Russian forces in the northeastern Kharkiv region, though a Moscow official claimed they would continue to keep going. “Our task at the moment is to stabilize the front line,” said Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said reinforcements had been sent to the area. Zelenskyy met military leaders in Kharkiv city to assess the situation. Ukraine’s general staff said the Russian attempt to capture the town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv (5 kilometers, 3.1…

If you want a reminder of the security threats faced by the world today, take a look at how much governments have hiked defense spending. Global military budgets reached $2.44 trillion (€2.25 trillion) last year, nearly 7% higher than in 2022. It was the steepest year-on-year rise since 2009, recorded during the second year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For every man, woman and child, world military spending is now at its highest since the end of the Cold War — at $306 per person. With Kyiv unprepared to fight such a large-scale conflict, Western countries ramped up military aid to…

China on Friday announced steps hoping to stabilize its crisis-hit property sector, with the central bank releasing an additional 1 trillion yuan ($138 billion, €127.6 million) in funding, as well as loosening mortgage regulation. As part of the measures, Beijing cut the minimum downpayment for first-time buyers and suggested the government could buy up commercial real estate, as China tries to boost an ailing housing market amid and property developer debt crisis.How Xi Jinping’s authoritarianism is killing China’s economyTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video ‘Historic’ decision as Evergrande and others struggle…

At least four people have been killed after severe thunderstorms hit southeastern Texas for the second time this month.The storms blew out windows in high-rise buildings, downed trees and knocked out power to nearly 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. Mary Benton, chief of communications and senior adviser to the mayor, confirmed the four deaths.Flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for multiple counties, with damaging winds and even tornadoes possible into the evening, Houston’s National Weather Service (NWS) office said.”Take shelter now if you’re in the path of this storm. Head to the lowest floor!” the…

Somalia’s breakaway province of Somaliland is commemorating the anniversary of its unilateral declaration of independence on May 18, 1991 — even though its claims of sovereignty have remained unrecognized by the international community.   Amid the preparations, Somaliland’s authorities have been preparing to conclude a controversial deal with neighboring Ethiopia. Once signed, the agreement would cement Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state — despite strong objections from Somalia’s government. In return for landlocked Ethiopia’s official recognition, Somaliland will lease out 20 kilometers (12 miles) of sea access for 50 years while also allowing Ethiopia to build a military base on its coast. Somaliland’s…

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing this week, and poured praise on “hard-earned” diplomatic relations between China and Russia that have “stood the test” of a changing international landscape. And now, Moscow’s close cooperation with China is taking on even more significance. After Russia launched a war of aggression on Ukraine in February 2022, just days after Putin and Xi lauded their “no limits” partnership, Russia has become more internationally isolated due to US and EU sanctions. Since then, China has provided a vital economic lifeline to Russia, and has held back from explicitly condemning Russia’s invasion. A week ago,…

French police have shot and killed an armed suspect outside of a synagogue, the interior minister has said.The incident in Rouen, northern France, on Friday morning happened after the individual was intent on setting fire to the town’s synagogue, Gerald Darmanin said. “I congratulate [national police officers] for their reactivity and their courage,” he added.According to regional authorities, police rushed toward the man as smoke was rising from the synagogue. Image: Pic: AP He was carrying a knife and an iron bar when an officer shot him dead. His identity and motive are unclear. Local broadcaster France 3 reported firefighters…

When heavy metal bands like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath emerged in the 1970s, the scene was dominated by men. It was mainly due to gender roles back then. Metal was considered hard, aggressive and loud, which did not correspond to “traditional female” attributes. Metal queen Doro Pesch on stageImage: picture alliance/dpaYet from the very beginning, women were part of the scene as fans and musicians. In 1990, Ax’n’ Sex, a band with a female lead singer, performed in Wacken. In the following years, the band from Kiel played there again repeatedly. The same goes for metal icon…

What happened? At the FIFA Congress in Bangkok, the president of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), Jibril Rajoub, asked football’s world governing body to suspend Israel and ban Israeli teams from FIFA events. Rajoub, who stated in March that he would bring the matter to the Congress’ attention, said Israel had violated multiple FIFA statutes, including over the Gaza conflict and the inclusion in Israeli leagues of teams located in Palestinian territory. “FIFA cannot afford to remain indifferent to these violations or the ongoing genocide in Palestine,” he said. “I ask you to stand on the right side of history… If not now, when?” Rajoub…

With Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party (VCP) in turmoil, and the EU irritated by Hanoi flirting with Moscow, the expected visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin will likely not materialize this weekend. The Russian leader on Friday capped off a two-day state visit to Chinain a conspicuous show of friendship between Moscow and Beijing. Rumors ahead of the trip indicated Putin would make a stop in Hanoi before flying back to Moscow. China and Russia — true friends or marriage of convenience?To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video However, this scenario seems unlikely. This…