Author: DW

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on Sunday, following  symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue,” Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder said. In a statement, the Pentagon said Austin was transported by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center around 2:20 p.m. local time. “The Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been notified. Additionally, White House and Congressional notifications have occurred,” Ryder said. “At this time, the Secretary is retaining the functions and duties of his office,” he added. According to the spokesman, Austin traveled to the hospital with the unclassified and classified communications…

Former US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he would “encourage” Russia to attack members of NATO who had not met their financial obligations, in remarks that the White House rejected as “appalling and unhinged.” Speaking at a campaign rally in South Carolina Saturday, the Republican presidential nomination frontrunner appeared to recount a conversation with a fellow head of state at an unspecified NATO meeting. “One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ I said, ‘You didn’t pay, you’re delinquent?'”…

Throngs of thong-wearing protesters bared their bums on Australia’s Gold Coast as they showed their opposition to calls for a ban on G-string bikini bottoms.The demonstration, named “Free The Peach”, began at Kurrawa Beach at 6am local time on Friday (8pm Thursday UK time), according to reports in Australia. Dozens of locals wore their skimpiest swimwear as they fought for their right to wear what they want on the beach.They were rallying against remarks made by Ian Grace, a former Gold Coast Volunteer Of The Year award winner, who said women and girls who wore G-strings were “cheapening themselves”.Mr Grace…

President Joe Biden has warned Israel against launching a military operation in Rafah, southern Gaza, without a “credible” plan to protect civilians, the White House said on Sunday.Mr Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday amid Israel’s plans for an offensive in the region that borders Egypt, to the south of the strip.Despite the call, however, Mr Netanyahu appeared defiant during an interview with ABC News on Sunday.Netanyahu doubles down on Rafah plans; follow Middle East latestSpeaking to the US network he said: “We’re going to do it. We’re going to get the remaining Hamas terrorist battalions in…

What is the Bundesliga’s plan to bring an outside investor on board all about? On December 11, 2023, the 36 clubs of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 decided to allow an investor to buy into the German Football League (DFL). As the leagues’ governing body, the DFL is responsible for organization and marketing. However, the two-thirds majority vote required to adopt the plan was wafer thin – with 24 clubs voting in favor. One fewer vote in favor would have killed the plan – as happened in May 2023 when a similar vote failed to produce a two-thirds majority. The DFL…

Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb looked set to become Finland’s next president with almost all the votes counted after Sunday’s runoff election.  Stubb declared victory around the same time as his rival, Green party lawmaker Pekka Haavisto, who had decided to run as an independent candidate, acknowledged that the nearly-complete results looked “like defeat” for himself.  “Well, Alexander. Congratulations to Finalnd’s 13th president,” Haavisto told Stubb on live TV as a prognosis forecast that Stubb’s lead would hold. With around 90% of the votes counted, support for Stubb was at 52.3% compared to 47.9% for Haavisto. The roughly 4-5% margin between…

More than a dozen people have been hurt after a tree fell onto a rollercoaster in Spain.A total of 14 people were injured – including two “seriously” – on the Tomahawk ride at the PortAventura theme park on Sunday morning. A spokesperson for the park, in Tarragona, eastern Spain, blamed “strong winds”.They said: “The incident was caused by a tree falling close to the Tomahawk ride. Some of the branches hit visitors who were on the ride.”The statement added that it was “completely unrelated to the operation and maintenance of our attractions, which meet the highest safety standards and are…

The first day of the Chinese New Year falls on February 10 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 Year also sees the rotation of the Chinese zodiac that runs over a 12-year cycle, each represented by an animal. There are several stories explaining the zodiac: One legend goes that…

Polls closed in Finland on Sunday evening following the second and final round of the country’s presidential vote, which pits former prime minister Alexander Stubb, a conservative, against Green party lawmaker Pekka Haavisto, who had decided to run as an independent candidate. Both Stubb and Haavisto had at different points served as Finland’s foreign minister. Some 4.3 million people were eligible to vote in Finland. However, almost 46% of all voters cast their ballots early, before polling stations opened from 9 a.m.local time (0700 GMT). The voting ended at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT).  As polls closed, the Justice Ministry released counting data from the…

Las Vegas is hosting the Super Bowl, the biggest sporting event in the United States, on Sunday, with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the San Francisco 49ers and a halftime show headlined by Usher. The neon-lit gambling capital in the Nevada is buzzing in anticipation for the NFL championship game, surpassing the usual level of hype. Pop star Taylor Swift is rumored to be cheering on her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, adding another layer of excitement to this year’s event.  Sunday’s game is also expected to smash sports gambling and television viewing records. Glamor, pomp and sports Las…