Author: DW

The US has launched airstrikes on Iraq and Syria targeting Iranian-backed militias.The move comes in retaliation for a drone attack on an American base in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three US service members.It is the latest escalation in the Middle East that has been growing increasingly unstable since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October.Middle East latest: US begins wave of airstrikes in Iraq and SyriaHere’s what we know so far about the strikes:Where has been hit?The US has hit seven facilities, four in Syria and three in Iraq, where it believes Iranian-backed militias operate.At least…

The European Union’s approval of a €50 billion (approximately $55 billion) aid package for Ukraine was a “vital decision,” said Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for the European and Euro Atlantic integration of Ukraine. In an interview with DW on Friday, Stefanishyna said the aid was not only offering support to those fighting the war, but also to the citizens who have to live through it. “And first and foremost, it’s a message to all Ukrainian people, Ukrainian medical workers, social workers, teachers, that they will have their necessary payments and to Ukrainian society, which has the signal that it will…

In 1985, musician and activist Bob Geldof organized the now-legendary Live Aid benefit concerts in London and Philadelphia to raise money in response to the devastating two-year famine in Ethiopia. Nearly four decades later, Geldof might need to come out of retirement to plan another event of such proportions if the latest predictions and calculations by experts specializing in hunger in Ethiopia become a reality. According to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), some 20 million people in Ethiopia urgently need food assistance. A former head of the WFP, who doesn’t want to be named, told The Associated Press that the Horn…

Tyson Fury has said he is “absolutely devastated” after a “freak” sparring injury forced him to postpone his fight against Oleksandr Usyk, the winner of which will be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion.The British boxer, the WBC champion, was scheduled to meet his Ukrainian opponent, who holds the WBO, WBA and IBF belts, in Riyadh, later this month. Fight promoters, Queensberry Promotions, published a picture of Fury showing a cut over his right eye. Image: Tyson Fury suffered a ‘freak cut’ during a sparring session. File pic: PA X This content is provided by X, which may be using cookies and…

Hamas officials said on Friday that the group was studying a proposed cease-fire deal that would include prolonged pauses in fighting in Gaza and swaps of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.  However, the group also appeared to rule out some key components of the proposal.  Hamas’ top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, has been in Cairo for the past two days to evaluate the offer.  Haniyeh said in a statement on Friday that negotiations must “completely end” Israeli military operations in Gaza and bring about the withdrawal of Israeli forces — terms Israel has rejected. …

The European Union says it wants to deepen ties with the Indo-Pacific, the region stretching from the west coast of Africa to the South Pacific, often seen as a geopolitical battleground between the world’s big powers. As delegations from 70 countries crammed into meeting rooms in Brussels on Friday, the bloc reiterated its thinly veiled pitch to rival China and become the Global South’s partner of choice. “The European Union has a lot to offer; we are a transparent and reliable partner,” EU top diplomat Josep Borrell said, listing off commitments to work more closely to combat climate change, boost trade,…

Punxsutawney Phil has revealed his annual weather prediction on Groundhog Day in a tongue-in-cheek ritual in Pennsylvania.As the sun rose in Gobbler’s Knob, the furry forecaster emerged from his burrow, with his handlers from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club announcing he had not seen his shadow. The group says this means America can expect an early spring.Gobbler’s Knob is the scene of the largest and best known Groundhog Day celebration in the US.Some 10,000 people made their way to Punxsutawney in recent years for the festivities, which begin at night and culminate in the midwinter forecast. Tradition dating back to 1887…

02/02/2024February 2, 2024Ukraine says Russia is refusing to return bodies of plane crash victimsRussia has repeatedly refused Ukrainian requests to hand over the bodies of 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) allegedly killed when a Russian military transport plane was downed by a missile, according to a Ukrainian intelligence official. Moscow and Kyiv have traded accusations over the January 24 crash, with the Kremlin accusing Ukraine of killing its own men, suggestions which Ukraine has dismissed as “rampant Russian propaganda.” Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied that its forces downed the Il-76 transport plane, and Russia’s claim that the crash killed Ukrainian…

For days, certain pictures of small children lying huddled together on muddy ground or in front of tents have been shared on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter. They are often accompanied by a Palestinian flag or comments suggesting the children are located in the Gaza Strip.  That people in Gaza — and children in particular — are suffering in dire conditions without sufficient access to food, clean water and medical care has been well documented by the United Nations, human rights organizations, international media and the people themselves. DW contacted several aid organizations with…

Guests on board a floating sauna helped rescue two people after their car plunged off a quay into a fjord in Oslo.The vehicle shot into the water at speed on Thursday near the Akershusstranda, an area where ships dock close to the Norwegian capital’s medieval fortress and castle. A witness told Norway’s VG newspaper that the car was stationary before it suddenly accelerated and ended up in the water.The driver is reported to have hit the accelerator by mistake.As the car sank, the motorist and their passenger climbed onto its roof – as the sauna raft sped over to help.…