- World News
Inside the EU’s offer to scrap most Northern Ireland checks
The European Union says its new proposals to solve the post-Brexit Northern Ireland conundrum go far beyond tinkering around the edges: halving customs paperwork on goods entering Northern Ireland from the British mainland and scrapping the majority of checks on food. EU officials are already in London to discuss their suggested changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol, but, with big…
- World News
AfricaLink on Air – 13 October 2021
Rwanda education sector in shock after 60,000 students fail+++Ethiopian offensive in two northern regions intensifies+++Guinea’s military ruler, Col. Mamady Doumbouya, force some 42 military generals to early retirement+++Nigeria approves electronic transfer of election results+++Elderly fend off sexual predators through learning Karate SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Benin: An Afro-descendant in the land of her ancestors
“I was absolutely told through my research, through what I’ve talked to people about that you definitely have to come and visit Ouidah. And so coming here into the Sacred Forest has been eye-opening. Getting to see the rituals, getting to understand a lot more about the religion of Vodun, it also helps me as a tourist and a visitor…
- World News
World in Progress: How Niger is fighting radicalization with education
This report by Bettina Rühl is presented by Ineke Mules. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
COVID: Will European tourists return to Southeast Asia?
It’s little wonder Southeast Asia is now in a rush to welcome back tourists: in 2019, the sector was worth $393billion (€340 billion) for the regional economy. For countries like Cambodia and Thailand, tourism accounted for around a third and a fifth of their entire GDP, respectively. But the COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard. The region welcomed 143 million tourists…
- World News
Scandal-hit Austria: New chancellor, same policies
After being engulfed in political drama over the last few days, Austria has a new head of government; however, apparently, a reluctant one. Alexander Schallenberg, who has taken over from Sebastian Kurz, describes himself as being “chancellor against his will.” At his inauguration in the chancellery on Vienna’s Ballhausplatz, the former foreign minister said the post was an honor that…
- World News
AfricaLink on Air – 12 October 2021
International court backs Somalia in sea dispute with Kenya++ EU places temporary visa restrictions on Gambians++Turkey: Social media under increased threat from government SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Japan bids to harness the energy of super typhoons
At the peak of its power on September 27, Mindulle was classified as the third super typhoon to form in the Western Pacific this year, with winds gusting up to 195 kilometers (121 miles) an hour. The powerful storm, which had originated close to the Pacific island of Guam, made its way north and by the last week of September…
- Sports News
Germany win in wet Skopje to secure 2022 World Cup spot
Thanks to a big win over North Macedonia, Germany have qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A lot has changed since their last meeting. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
An inquiry exposed sexual abuse within French Catholic Church — now what?
Editor’s note: The following article contains graphic details of sexual assault and child abuse. “The father took me to his tent and closed it,” said the victim. “He kissed me on the lips, with his tongue. It was disgusting. He caressed me. I was petrified,” the victim continued. “He taught me words I didn’t know — like masturbation and fellatio.…
- World News
AfricaLink On Air – 11 October 2021
News+++ Sankara trial begins in Burkina Faso+++South Africa fears COVID surge as local election campaigns start+++Rwanda’s circumcision plan to stop HIV+++Flavored ARVs in Kenya help children take HIV medication+++Sports SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Kashmir: Minority killings increase amid violent demographic tensions
Last week, two Hindu schoolteachers and a pharmacist in Srinagar were killed by militants who claimed their victims were right-wing Hindu nationalists implementing New Delhi’s “occupation designs” for Kashmir. Their deaths are part of a recent spate of killings, which are being blamed on an Islamist militant insurgency challenging New Delhi’s rule in the restive region. Hindus, also called “Pandits”…
- World News
Philippines: What does Maria Ressa’s Nobel Peace Prize mean for the rights movement?
The Nobel Peace Prize for Filipino journalist Maria Ressa has brought global attention to the struggle for human rights and press freedom in the Philippines. It is also the first time the prize, whose previous recipients include Mother Teresa, was awarded to a journalist. Ressa shares the award with Russian journalist, Dmitry Muratov. “The Nobel Prize upholds the sanctity of…
- World News
Afghanistan: What will the Taliban do without an enemy to fight?
In the first half of August, Taliban forces toppled the previous, internationally backed Afghan government in a lightning offensive. This swept Taliban fighters, who had spent years “in the mountains” — an often literal euphemism for waging guerrilla warfare — into cities, towns, and regular army bases abandoned by former government forces. Now, the militant group wants to build “strong…
- World News
Croatian politicians deny culpability in border pushbacks
Standing in the Croatian parliament in front of a dozen TV cameras, Sandra Bencic asked the question of the day: “Do we want to live in a state in which lawless groups run around beating people up?” Bencic, who leads the left-wing green opposition party Mozemo (We Can), called on Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic to explain what is happening at…
- World News
Let’s talk about sex, habibi!
Traditionally, in most Middle Eastern countries, “it” is expected to happen on the wedding night for the first time. “But for most women, this is also the first time they are naked in front of anyone and the first time they see a penis in real life,” Nour Emam, who runs Arab-English sex education courses, told DW. One doesn’t have…
- World News
Is Europe ready for a post-COVID migration wave?
For the many in Europe who have weathered the waves of the coronavirus pandemic, being in a crowd once again is a surreal feeling. As European countries emerge from the peaks of the pandemic, the masks are off and lockdowns seem to be a thing of the past. With high vaccination rates, many European Union countries are facing a brave…
- World News
Angela Merkel leaves lasting legacy in Israel
While Germany grapples with the task of forming a new government, outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel is heading to Israel. An earlier scheduled visit had to be postponed at the last minute in August because of events in Afghanistan. Originally described by officials as “a working visit,”it now has the aura of a farewell trip. On Sunday she will meet Israel’s…
- Sports News
Hansi Flick’s effect on Germany becomes clearer with victory over Romania
Germany overcame Romania with less gloss than in recent performances. Nevertheless, it is increasingly clear that Hansi Flick has changed the direction of this side. One more win will secure World Cup qualification. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Who is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov?
It’s truly amazing that, in today’s Russia, Dmitry Muratov is still in charge of the newsroom of the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper — and has not been killed, forced into exile or branded a “foreign agent,” as has happened to many other representatives of his craft. “With this award, we will campaign for Russian journalism, which is now subject to…
- World News
Koreans celebrate their language but fear foreign encroachment
October 9, a national holiday to honor the Hangul, the Korean alphabet, is a red-letter day on the South Korean calendar. The holiday was established in 1970, and purists are now warning that the writing system, which will mark its 575th anniversary this year, is increasingly threatened by foreign words. The words, purists say, are being adopted as a result…
- World News
The uphill battle facing Chad’s new transition council
Earlier this week, Chad officially swore in its interim parliament, the so-called National Transition Council (CNT). Chad’s military junta —which emerged after the death of longtime ruler Idriss Deby Itno — named the 93-member assembly. The CNT effectively replaces the former national assembly which existed under Deby’s regime. For now, Chad is ruled by a military junta. Deby, who was…
- World News
Who is Maria Ressa, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate?
Maria Ressa, the CEO and executive editor of Manila-based news outlet Rappler, received the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. The award also makes her the first Filipino to win a Nobel Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee handed her, along with journalist and Putin critic Dmitry Muratov, the award for “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition…
- World News
India: West Bengal state prepares for festival season amid COVID fears
India’s federal government has warned states that the Hindu religious festival season could lead to another spike in coronavirus infections. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Kenya: Students make smart air purifier from bamboo
A cheap solution to what is, at times, an invisible problem. Klind Air is a smart air purifier made of bamboo. It was developed by these Kenyan students. David, Caroline and Tonny want to bring the product to market. The filter can be used at home, and in cars and offices. It also monitors indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution…
- World News
When are pushbacks at the EU’s external borders illegal?
Between May and September 2021, investigative journalists from several European countries filmed so-called pushbacksat five locations along the Bosnian-Croatian border. The footage documents 11 cases in which migrants were forcibly expelled from Croatia. More than 140 people are said to have been deported across the green border without authorities ever looking into whether they qualified for protection. According to human…
- World News
UN targets on Afghan resettlements ‘doable’ says EU, but without commitments
EU member states failed Thursday to commit to a United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) demand for governments to resettle 42,500 Afghans who need protection over the next 5 years. Speaking after a EU-hosted online forum, European Commissioner for Migration Ylva Johansson said the target is “doable” but that it requires EU member states to make pledges. “Countries will also take…
- World News
Africalink on Air – 07 October 2021
South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu turns 90 +++ UN endorses world’s 1st malaria vaccine as ‘historic moment.’ What impact for Africa +++ Tanzania’s writer Abdulrazak Gurnah wins Nobel Prize for Literature +++ Nigeria’s president presents over 16 trillion Naira 2022 budget to the national assembly +++ Coups in Africa – what gains for young people? SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Are Rwanda’s dads ready for paternity leave?
Compared to elsewhere in Africa, Rwanda has relatively generous maternity benefits. Women who are formally employed are entitled to full pay for 12 weeks after giving birth and if they have delivery complications, they can take an additional month off. Now a coalition of civil society organizations is pushing to extend paid parental leave to Rwanda’s men, who currently only…
- Sports News
Saudi Arabia and Newcastle United: Would a takeover be possible in the Bundesliga?
After Saudi Arabia resolved a dispute with Qatari broadcaster BeIN Sports, the Kingdom is set to lead a takeover of Newcastle United. Such deals are common in England’s Premier League – but not in the German Bundesliga. SOURCE: DW News