Author: DW

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said in his televised New Year address that his country’s “reunification” with Taiwan is inevitable, renewing Beijing’s threats to take over the self-ruled island.Taiwan split from China amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to regard the island of 23 million people as its territory. In recent years, Mr Xi and his officials have been ramping up military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over democratically governed Taiwan.”China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose,” Mr Xi said…

Have you ever wondered why someone crying can make the room still? A new study shows that the smell of women’s tears can reduce aggression in men. Researchers found that male aggression reduced by 44% after they smelled women’s tears. The study, published in PLOS Biology, found the tears changed brain activity in parts of the brain that connect olfaction and aggression. The study provides at least one explanation for the long-standing evolutionary puzzle of why we cry — it may serve as a calming mechanism among groups. Tears contain social signaling chemicals Studies in mammalian species have shown that…

The latest bout of Russian and Ukrainian strikes and their toll on the civilian population took center stage at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council late on Saturday. Russia had called for the emergency meeting following reported attacks on Belogorod in which 21 people were killed. The emergency session was held less than 24 hours after the Council convened a meeting on Ukraine following large-scale attacks by Russia against Ukrainian towns and cities. “We unequivocally condemn all attacks on cities, towns and villages, in Ukraine and in the Russian Federation,”  said Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general in the UN Department of Political and…

North Korea plans to launch three satellites in 2024, state media reported on Sunday. Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that it is a “mistake” to pursue unification with the south. Pyongyang announces satellite plan at party meeting “The task of launching three additional reconnaissance satellites in 2024 was declared” as one of the key policy decisions for 2024 at a party meeting, the KCNA news agency said. The meeting lasted for five days and was attended by Kim. North Korea has carried out a record number of weapons tests in 2023 and aims to increase its military…

It is said to be worth more than its weight in gold, diamonds or cocaine.The rhino horn trade in Africa and Asia gave rise to criminality and profit on an industrial level, with buyers and sellers making millions. Steve Galster has made it his life’s work to go after people who brazenly take and sell animal parts.In 2011, museums and galleries – including some in the UK – reported thefts of rhino horn, with the practice and trade exploding. Image: Rhino horns that smugglers have attempted to get out of South Africa. Pic: BBC Studios/Sky As the artefacts dwindled in…

I get up at 5:30 a.m., answering my son’s lively questions after a round of exercise, before he goes to school and I head to work. For three weeks, this routine has been easier for me than ever before. Coincidentally, these were the three weeks in which I completely abstained from alcohol. Neither I nor Helmut Karl Seitz, director of the Center for Alcohol Research in Heidelberg, think this is a coincidence. A professor of internal medicine and gastroenterology, Seitz is certain that a lot has changed in my body during these three weeks. My son is an early riser, but…

A judge in Kathmandu has found the country’s best known cricketer, Sandeep Lamichhane, guilty of rape. The 23-year-old remains out on bail and will face sentencing on January 10. Lamichhane assaulted an 18-year-old in September 2022. The Kathmandu District Court concluded that the victim was not a minor at the time of the assault. The cricketer could face up to 10 years in jail. On the day of his conviction, Lamichhane had captained local club team PARSA Club XI to victory over the Nepal Army Club in a Nepal Pro Club Championship match in Birgunj. “We did not expect this judgement… we are frustrated,” lawyer…

“I will continue to come despite the holidays,” said a student, as she moved through the small crowd in central Belgrade. Many fellow demonstrators also brought along sleeping bags and blankets to the road blockade, ahead of an even bigger protest planned for Saturday. “We want proper electoral registers and new elections under fair conditions. I hope many more people will take to the streets,” she told DW on Friday evening. But despite these small daily protests in the Serbian capital, the vast majority of people are staying home. Few believe they can make a difference. Students in Belgrade have blocked intersections and held…

Albania’s right-wing opposition leader Sali Berisha was placed under house arrest on Saturday over a corruption case during his time as prime minister. A special court responsible for corruption and organized crime granted a request by public prosecutors to have the 79-year-old confined to his apartment in the capital Tirana until further notice, the ATA news agency reported. “No criminal charge or new evidence supported this new request,” Berisha’s lawyers  Genk Gjokutaj and Sokol Mengjesi said. “None of the legal criteria required for imposing or escalating such restrictions are met in this case.” Berisha’s legal team plans to appeal the decision, which also bans any foreign travel. Albanian…

Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem faced a second opponent during a match in Brisbane – one of Australia’s most venomous snakes.The former world number three was facing Australia’s James McCabe during a first round qualifier at the Brisbane International when the snake slithered on to the court. The umpire stopped play after the reptile was spotted by fans courtside.Thiem said he loves animals, “especially exotic ones”.”But they said it was a really poisonous snake and it was close to the ballkids, so it was a really dangerous situation,” he added. “It’s something that has never happened to me and…