Author: DW

Back in the 1990s, conflict erupted when a small Balkan state that became independent after the collapse of Yugoslavia called itself the Republic of Macedonia. The move sparked anger in neighboring Greece and hurt its national pride. Greece argued that any state calling itself Macedonia may try to claim its northern territory, which is also called Macedonia. All this led to lengthy negotiations under UN mediation, with new state names suggested including Republic of New Macedonia and Upper Macedonia. Finally, six years ago, the then Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his counterpart Zoran Zaev reached a compromise. Greece’s northern neighbor was…

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, that Russia was advancing “on all fronts” in Ukraine. Still, Putin said he was “grateful” to China for trying to find a solution to the war in Ukraine.  “We are grateful to our Chinese friends and colleagues for the initiatives they are putting forward to resolve this problem,” Putin said, speaking along side Xi.   The EU and the US had recently called on Xi to use his influence to pressure Putin to end the war in Ukraine. The Russian president made the remarks during a two-day state visit to China,…

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is fighting for his life after yesterday’s assassination attempt, Slovak officials have said, as they condemned the attack as an “attempted assassination on democracy”.President-elect Peter Pellegrini made the remarks as he called for calm in a joint news conference with outgoing President Zuzana Caputova. “An attempted assassination of the prime minister is an attempted assassination on democracy,” Mr Pellegrini said.He added: “This assassination attempt needs to be condemned by all of us jointly … We must not respond to hate with more hate or else this evil will never be stopped.”Earlier today, the country’s defence…

Over the past three years, Catalonia has endured below-average rainfall, according to Spain’s AEMET weather forecaster. It has been the driest period ever for this part of northeastern since weather records began. Even recent rainfall hasn’t changed the situation. Andalusia, in southern Spain, is also affected by drought, while the Balearic and Canary Islands face serious water shortages as well. Spain’s most touristic regions, in other words, are hardest hit by the lack of rainfall. Yet given that the tourist sector is known for being especially water hungry, calls are now growing louder for the tourism industry to reduce its consumption.  Dante Maschio, a…

Czech professional footballer Jakub Jankto discussed his sexual orientation in a video posted on social media on Monday, saying that he is gay. “I am homosexual and no longer want to hide myself,” 27-year-old Jankto said in an emotional video on his Twitter account.  Jankto currently plays for Sparta Prague, which is part of the Czech First League. He is on loan from Spanish La Liga team Getafe, and has also played for the Czech national team. “Like everybody else, I also want to live my life in freedom, without fears, without prejudices, without violence, or love,” he continued. “I…

South Africa is set to request an order halting Israel’s offensive in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip from the UN’s top court on Thursday. The hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is part of South Africa’s broader case that accuses Israel of committing “acts of genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel denies the accusation and has previously highlighted its commitment to international law. Israel has called South Africa’s case “wholly unfounded” and “morally repugnant.”  In January, the court ordered Israel to ensure its troops do not commit genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza,…

China has become the main supplier of microelectronics and machine tools for Russian weapons. NATO countries are worried that they may be used on targets well beyond Ukraine. In late 2023, the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) analyzed that, in the worst-case scenario, NATO would have only five more years to ensure that it has the potential to deter a possible Russian attack on a NATO country.  “[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 Mölling, head of the…

Slovakia’s prime minister remains in hospital in a critical condition after being shot several times in an attempted assassination.Robert Fico was reported to be fighting for his life after being hit in the stomach on Wednesday. At least four shots were fired outside a cultural centre in the town of Handlova, around 85 miles northeast of the capital Bratislava, where the 59-year-old was meeting supporters, the government said.A 71-year-old suspect is in custody, but the motive for the shooting is still unclear.Who is Slovak prime minister Robert Fico? Image: Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico A message posted to Mr Fico’s…

Moises Spilere remembers the day of his election very well. “It was rather spontaneous and came about that way,” the 35-year-old told DW. In the past, elections at Caravaggio Futebol Clube were usually held where members turned to a group that was willing to take over the leadership and run the club. “I was ready this time, together with others, to take on that responsibility,” Spilere said. By the end of the day, he was elected unanimously and for the last few weeks, Moises Spilere has been the chairman of Caravaggio Futebol Clube. As a second-division club from Nova Venza, a…

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is in a “life-threatening condition” in hospital after being shot five times in what his office has called an “assassination attempt.” “Today, after the government meeting in Handlova, there was an assassination attempt on the prime minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico,” the government said. Local broadcaster TA3 reported that five shots were fired in the central Slovakian town, at least one hitting Fico in the stomach. Video footage from the scene showed Fico’s bodyguards dragging him into his car and police officers pinning down an apparent suspect.Slovak PM Fico severely injured after being shotTo view this…