Author: DW

The ground actually shuddered as the intercontinental ballistic missile launchers thundered past.They were the final flourish of a 61-strong line-up of military hardware, and seeing the colossal Yars system up close was unnerving to say the least. And that’s the point. This was a demonstration of military might and menace.But those watching on in the Red Square lapped it up. Perhaps it’s no surprise they have been immersed in a narrative which presents these weapons of mass destruction as tools to secure peace. Image: Russia’s Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system. Pic: Reuters Image: Olga Please use Chrome browser for a…

When India’s Yamuna River, which runs through the country’s capital region, overflowed its banks last year, New Delhi found itself plunged into a flood emergency. At the height of the crisis, Bhagwati Devi, who runs a small vegetable farm in the low-lying Yamuna plains on the outskirts of New Delhi, had to be evacuated to higher ground. “We spent the entire night stranded up on a tree before we were evacuated,” she said. The 37-year-old said she spent the following weeks in abysmal conditions on the capital’s highway as her shanty was washed away — along with many of her belongings. Devi’s…

Major trade unions in Argentina have called for a countrywide general strike on Thursday for the second time in less than five months. People in Argentina are protesting against austerity reforms and measures by the country’s libertarian President Javier Milei.  For 24 hours, public transport including trains, buses and flight services will be shut down. Last time, the general strike in January,  saw demonstrations nationwide. It was organized by the largest umbrella union — the General Confederation of Labor (CGT). Why are people protesting in Argentina? Since taking office in December, Milei has announced a raft of public spending cuts and asked lawmakers to approve…

A Chinese zoo has been accused of painting dogs black and white in a bid to fool zoo visitors into seeing “pandas”.Social media posts showed Taizhou Zoo unveiled a new exhibition featuring “panda dogs” on 1 May. Visitors were also charged 20 yuan (£2.22) to see the new attraction. But those who travelled to the zoo in Jiangsu province discovered the animals were actually chow chows – a dog breed known for its thick double coat of fur from northern China – which were dyed to resemble pandas.According to Chinese state media outlet The Global Times, lawyers said “inevitably the…

For many young people on social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, it’s hard to escape the beauty ideals and standards that are circulating, and these trends can be dangerous. At the moment, what seems to be “in” are a slim waist, round buttocks, and skinny legs. Ten years ago, the “thigh gap” was all the rage. This is a space between the inner thighs that remains visible when women stand upright with their feet touching. Also known as “legging legs,” its proponents argue that anyone can achieve the look — with enough dieting and exercise. Though for most…

Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to hold talks with Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, on Thursday in Budapest.  Xi arrived in Hungary on Wednesday evening, after meeting leaders in France and Serbia on his first state visit to Europe since 2019. In the Hungarian pro-government daily Magyar Nemzet, Xi wrote that he “developed deep friendships” with Hungarian politicians. He also described Hungary as “the number one target in the central eastern European region for Chinese investment.” China’s Xi arrives in Serbia to boost tiesTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video What is…

Miss Teen USA has given up her crown, just two days after Miss USA resigned to prioritise her mental health.UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, said she was stepping down from the role because her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organisation”. Posting on Instagram, she said: “I am grateful for all the support from my family, my state directors, my sister queens, and the fans who have cheered me on since I won my state title.”I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as…

A British toddler born deaf has become the first person to have their hearing restored via gene therapy. The 18-month-year-old Opal Sandy has been reportedly enjoying playing the drums and babbling with her parents after the groundbreaking therapy.   Opal was born with hearing loss due to a rare genetic mutation in the OTOF gene. She underwent a 16-minute surgery where a harmless virus called AAV1 was injected into her cochlea. It delivers a working copy of the OTOF gene into the cochlea, restored functionality in her ear. Opal is the first patient globally to receive the therapy.  CRISPR gene therapy restores vision The news…

Russia will hold its tradition military parade at Red Square in Moscow on Thursday marking Nazi Germany’s 1945 capitulation in World War II.  President Vladimir Putin is expected to deliver a speech, and most likely to speak in defense of the war in Ukraine.  Russian media reported that some 9,000 soldiers, including some who have been fighting in Ukraine, would participate. An air show, canceled the last two years, is also anticipated. Western leaders will not be in attendance. But the Kremlin has said that heads of state or government from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenista, Cuba, Laos and Guinea Bissau…

Vladimir Putin used his Victory Day speech this year to warn that Russia’s combat forces were “always ready”.Every year, Moscow wraps itself in patriotic pageantry for Victory Day, a celebration of its victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. Today marks the 79th anniversary and Mr Putin addressed the parade in the Red Square, trying to talk up his country’s military capabilities in a speech aimed as much at the foreign audience as a domestic one.During this year’s speech, Mr Putin said his country would “never forget” the Second World War but did say that Russia was going…