Author: DW

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…

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,…