Author: DW

The US Supreme Court’s dramatic decision on Friday to rule most of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs illegal has left the country’s trade partners trying to figure out what the verdict means for them. Although Trump says he will press on with tariffs using other statutes, the ruling could halt his flagship trade policy and give countries and sectors affected by the tariffs an unexpected but welcome reprieve. European leaders have cautiously welcomed the decision. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the decision when speaking at an agricultural fair in Paris, saying, “It is good to have power and counterweights to power…

Who were the big winners and losers? Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway is the undisputed king of the Milano Cortina Olympic Games. With five gold medals, the 29-year-old cross-country skier equaled the record of US speed skater Eric Heiden at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid. With a total of 10 gold medals in his career, Klaebo is the most successful Winter Olympian in history.* His fellow Norwegian, Jens Luraas Oftebro, celebrated three Olympic victories in the Nordic combined. With three gold medals, Franjo van Allmen of Switzerland was the outstanding alpine skier. Among the women, Federica Brignone sparked euphoria…

It was still early in the morning when a rain of fire fell on the forts and trenches of Verdun. With 300 trainloads of ammunition, the Germans had been firing their artillery for hours on end. The thundering of cannons could be heard 150 kilometers (93 miles) away.The chief of the German General Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn, had given the order to attack the French. He wanted to end the trench warfare that had been raging along the Western Front between Belgium and France since September 1914, a few months after World War I broke out. His idea was to break through the front…

Is Christine Lagarde leaving the ECB early? Officially, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is not quitting her job early as head of the 21-member eurozone’s central bank. However, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Lagarde has told people close to her that she is considering stepping down before her eight-year term ends in 2027. According to the FT, Lagarde has been weighing the move for several months and has discussed it with senior European officials. The 70-year-old’s thinking, the report said, is to leave before France’s presidential election in April 2027. That timing would let French President Emmanuel Macron, who can’t seek a…

Cat lovers have more in common with the family feline than they may realize. New research published in the journal Science suggests cats and humans develop similar cancers due to similar tumor-causing genetic mutations. This finding could lead to new cancer treatments for both pets and people. The researchers created a cat “oncogenome” — a profile of gene mutations in cats that can cause cancer — using samples from nearly 500 cats in Canada, the UK, Germany, Austria and New Zealand.   Thirteen different types of cancer found in cats were analyzed for 1,000 genes known to cause cancer in…

“It offers the perfect combination of grueling climbs and exhilarating descents,” explains Tatjana Paller. The 30-year-old German finished fourth in the Olympic sprint and will also compete in the mixed team event of ski mountaineering, or” skimo” for short. Last year, Paller won bronze in the sprint at the World Championships in Morgins, Switzerland. She has been a ski mountaineer since 2020; before that, she was a successful junior track cyclist. Paller believes there are similarities between the two sports. “Endurance sports are endurance sports. You either have a motor, or you don’t. But ski mountaineering is even more strenuous. At least you’re sitting…

The first day of the Chinese New Year falls on February 17 this year. Also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, the festival marking the advent of spring is widely celebrated in China and several East Asian countries. Families traditionally gather during this time to share sumptuous meals, while children are often given money in red packets known as “hong bao.” The start of the Lunar New Year also marks the rotation of the Chinese zodiac, which runs over a 12-year cycle, each represented by an animal. There are several stories explaining the zodiac. One legend goes that…

Is Christine Lagarde leaving the ECB early? Officially, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is not quitting her job early as head of the 21-member eurozone’s central bank. However, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Lagarde has told people close to her that she is considering stepping down before her eight-year term ends in 2027. According to the FT, Lagarde has been weighing the move for several months and has discussed it with senior European officials. The 70-year-old’s thinking, the report said, is to leave before France’s presidential election in April 2027. That timing would let French President Emmanuel Macron, who can’t seek a…

It is one of the most universal post-breakup impulses. The relationship ends, the phone comes out, and, almost without thinking, you check your ex’s social media. Whom are they with? How are they doing? Have they moved on? For many people, it feels harmless — even helpful — a way to stay informed, to get closure, to steady yourself after an emotional shock.  But, over the past decade, psychological research has painted a less-comforting picture: Repeatedly checking an ex-partner’s social media does not ease heartbreak. In fact, it often keeps heartbreak alive. “Looking up your ex online — you’re strengthening…

Home advantage smaller than ever before, but still a factor Italian women playing a huge role in host’s success Familiarity with facilities the main reason for Italy’s strong display History shows negative spillover possible From Francesca Lollobrigida setting an Olympic record in the women’s 3,000-meter speed skating for Italy’s first gold to alpine skier Federica Brignone winning her second gold medal in three days, this has been Italy’s Winter Olympics in more ways than one. Their haul of 25 medals* is their best ever at the Winter Olympics, with their previous best of 20 coming in Lillehammer over 30 years ago. But…