Author: DW

China has become the main supplier of microelectronics and machine tools for Russian weapons, and  NATO countries are worried that Russia may use these weapons on targets well beyond Ukraine. In late 2023, the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) concluded in an analysis that, in the worst-case scenario, NATO had only five more years to ensure that the 32-country bloc has the potential to deter a possible Russian attack on a NATO member. “[Russian President Vladimir] Putin needs the war to continue because he has conjured up so many specters that may be unable to accept peace,” the study’s author, Christian…

The prestigious Michelin Guide star was awarded to a 10-foot by 10-foot (3-meter by 3-meter) taqueria in Mexico City.  Tacos El Califa de Leon, in the scruffy-bohemian San Rafael neighborhood, is the first such restaurant to receive the prize from the coveted French dining guide. It is named after the celebrated Mexican bullfighter Rodolfo Gaona, whose nickname in the ring was “El Califa de Leon.” The parents of current owner Mario Hernandez founded the taqueria over 50 years ago. “My father said, ‘Do you want me to tell you the secret of the meat? There is no secret,” only “love and effort,” 66-year-old Hernandez said after his taco stand received the Michelin star.Owner…

Police are to dig again for the body of murdered Muriel McKay after her killer agreed to reveal where he buried her 54 years ago.The move follows a tireless campaign by her family who flew to Trinidad to persuade her killer Nizam Hosein to pinpoint the burial site earlier this year.Hosein was convicted of kidnapping and killing Muriel McKay, who he mistook for the then wife of newspaper magnate Rupert Murdoch, in one of the first British murder trials without a body.He spent 20 years in jail and many more after his release denying his involvement until he finally told…

Health authorities have confirmed that a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been spreading among dairy cattle in nine US states since March 2024. The H5N1 bird flu virus has been found in the raw milk of infected cows, including in samples of milk sold in grocery stores. US health agencies said milk products were safe to consume when pasteurized because the pasteurization process kills the virus. But they recommend against consuming raw milk products. H5N1 bird flu adapted to spread among other animals The H5N1 virus is primarily adapted to infect birds. Outbreaks have been common in wild birds in the past two decades. There…

European Union regulators have opened a formal investigation into Facebook and Instagram over child protection concerns, the European Commission said on Thursday. The Commission said in a statementthat systems of both Facebook and Instagram, including the algorithms, may “exploit the weaknesses and inexperience of minors and cause addictive behaviour, and/or reinforce so-called ‘rabbit hole’ effect.”  The rabbit hole effects “draw you in to more and more disturbing content,” according to the statement. The European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said the bloc was not convinced Meta had done enough to comply with the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Both Instagram and Facebook are designated as…

Germany’s Euro 2024 squad has been announced, with uncapped Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic, Hoffenheim’s forward Maximilian Beier and Stuttgart forward Chris Führich the big surprise inclusions. Alongside veterans Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, and captain Ilkay Gündogan, the preliminary squad also included Führich’s Stuttgart teammates striker Deniz Undav and defenders Waldemar Anton and Maximilian Mittelstädt. Leon Goretzka,  Mats Hummels and Julian Brandt were surprise omissions, with head coach Julian Nagelsmann preferring the aforementioned Pavlovic and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Robin Koch. The 27-man squad will be reduced to the tournament maximum of 26 by June 7 at the latest, when Germany play their final…

A newly agreed-upon four-party coalition laid out its governing plans in a proposal published Thursday that can steer Dutch policies toward the hard right.  Populist Geert Wilders’ party PVV reached the coalition deal late Wednesday, almost six months after a major election victory.  According to the agreement, the coalition will aim for the “strictest-ever asylum regime,” with stronger border controls and harsher rules for asylum seekers that arrive in the Netherlands. “An opt out clause for European asylum and migration policies will be submitted as soon as possible to the European Commission,” the coalition said in its pact.  The parties also want to curb labor migration and admittance of foreign students to Dutch universities. What are…

Benin’s concession was a decisive step towards resolving a trade conflict between the West African neighbors that threatened to cause significant economic damage to both countries. The rapprochement came through the mediation of the Chinese government and the Chinese companies operating the newly inaugurated pipeline between Agadem, in eastern Niger, and Seme Kpodji, in southern Benin. In recent months, the closure of the Niger-Benin border has primarily affected Benin’s state revenues and increased food costs, which led to protests over the high cost of living.  Military coup in Niger: trigger of the crisis Tensions between West African neighbors Niger and Benin began with the…

Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked Xi Jinping for China’s efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.The two leaders met in Beijing where the Chinese president said he hoped Europe will return to peace and stability soon. Ukraine war latest:Putin in China; Russia advancing Image: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchange bilateral documents in Beijing. Pic: Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via Reuters China offered a 12-point plan for peace last year – which Ukraine and the West rejected.It has yet to condemn Russia or describe the war in Ukraine as an “invasion” – and has also criticised Western sanctions…

On May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk is to fight Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 in one of the most eagerly awaited boxing matches in modern history. Fury enters as the current WBC heavyweight champion of the world, while Usyk remains undefeated in his professional career and has yet to be beaten since switching from cruiserweight where he was the undisputed champion. The pair were supposed to fight in February but Fury got a sparring injury above his eye that forced him to postpone. This boxingmatch is eagerly anticipated for sporting reasons – it’s…