- Sports News
Tokyo Olympics digest: Nigerian sprinter Okagbare provisionally suspended for doping
Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been provisionally suspended for doping. The ruling came hours before the former world championships silver medalist was due to run in the semifinals of the women’s 100 meters. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Shell’s Niger Delta cleanup: Ogoniland’s uncertain future
The conflict between the indigenous people of Ogoni in Nigeria’s Niger Delta is a perennial one. This year’s court ruling by an appeals court in the Netherlands — in favour of Milieudefensie/Friends of the Earth Netherlands and four Nigerian farmers — was heralded by some of them as justice. The court delivered its judgment at the end of a long-running…
- World News
Shell’s Niger Delta cleanup: What hopes for the Ogoni?
The conflict between the indigenous people of Ogoni in Nigeria’s Niger Delta is a perennial one. This year’s court ruling by an appeals court in the Netherlands — in favour of Milieudefensie/Friends of the Earth Netherlands and four Nigerian farmers — was heralded by some of them as justice. The court delivered its judgment at the end of a long-running…
- World News
COVID: Will India be able to meet its vaccination target?
Over 450 million Indians have received one jab of a coronavirus vaccine and 98 million have received both shots — that means just over 7.2% of the country’s 1.3 billion populationare vaccinated. Based on available data, statisticians say India needs to accelerate its vaccination drive by six to achieve its target of immunizing its entire adult population of 940 million…
- World News
Bangladesh: Deforestation leaves Rohingya refugees vulnerable
Days of heavy rainfall have pelted the Rohingya refugee camps in southern Bangladesh, destroying dwellings and sending thousands of people to live with extended families or in communal shelters. In just 24 hours from Tuesday to Wednesday, more than 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) of rain fell on the camps in the Cox’s Bazar district, which houses more than a million…
- World News
Global Freedom Report: Fundamental rights highly restricted for billions of people worldwide
Some five billion people around the globe live in countries where the fundamental rights have been highly restricted or in crisis. The Global Freedom Report (GxR), published by British human rights organization Article 19, depicts a grim picture of eroding freedoms, being exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Article19’s Executive Director Quinn McKew suggests we are at a tipping point where…
- Sports News
Tokyo Olympics digest: Alexander Zverev to play for gold after Novak Djokovic upset
Germany’s Alexander Zverev ended Novak Djokovic’s quest for a golden slam, eliminating the Serbian the semifinals of men’s tennis. Follow the latest from Tokyo on DW. SOURCE: DW News
- Sports News
Tokyo Olympics Digest: American swimmer Ryan Murphy voices doping concerns
American swimmer Ryan Murphy said the 200m backstroke final was “probably not clean” after losing his Olympic title to Russian Evgeny Rylov. The 26-year-old, however, backtracked when asked to clairfy his comments. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
The wondrous Lake Wonchi
Have you ever heard of Lake Wonchi? The lake fills a volcanic crater that lies 100 km southwest of the capital Addis Ababa. It is surrounded by tree-covered mountains, lush valleys and natural hot springs. 2,800 m above sea level, the crater is also Ethiopia’s highest volcano. The 14th century monastery of Tana Kirkos is also located here. Tourists are…
- World News
How Russian money keeps Belarus afloat
Russia has supported its western neighbor Belarus for decades — long before the European Union and the United States imposed sanctions on Minsk and President Alexander Lukashenko. Earlier this summer, Moscow loaned its ally $500 million (€423 million) — six months prior, it had issued Lukashenko’s regime a similar sum. Looking on from the outside, such figures appear to be…
- World News
Tanzania starts vaccine campaign in COVID-19 U-turn
The launching of Tanzania’s belated vaccination campaign is the most decisive signal yet of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s break from the coronavirus policies of her late predecessor, John Magufuli. Magufuli, who died in March, was a devout Christian and a coronavirus skeptic. Saying God would protect his people, he championed prayers over face masks and home remedies such as steam…
- World News
COVID: Why India’s economy cannot afford another lockdown
As a delayed monsoon finally reaches New Delhi, shopkeepers at a local market duck under covers and frantically attempt to keep their merchandise from getting wet. They say they cannot afford any further blow to their small business following more than a year of erratic income due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now there is fear of another crippling COVID-induced lockdown.…
- Sports News
Olympic athlete’s positive COVID test highlights everpresent risk
Pole vaulter Sam Kendricks’ positive coronavirus test sent shockwaves through the Tokyo Olympics. The case has put the pandemic center stage as infections in Japan’s capital hit a record high. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Kashmir lockdowns put houseboats’ survival at risk
Traditional houseboats on Dal Lake in Srinagar draw tourists from around the world. But environmental degradation and the pandemic are keeping this heritage from staying afloat. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Empowerment through livestock breeding
Breeding livestock is an ancestral practice for women in the Zinder region of southeast Niger. It’s an important source of income for the women. Livestock breeding is the second most important economic activity in Niger after agriculture. The women either inherit their cows from their parents or buy them through anti-poverty programs. They check on their animals daily, feeding and…
- Sports News
Tokyo Olympics digest: San Marino become smallest nation to win medal
Trap shooter Alessandra Perilli became the first Sammarinese to win an Olympic medal. American Caeleb Dressel won his first individual gold and Germany picked up a medal in rowing in rowing. Follow the latest on DW. SOURCE: DW News
- Sports News
Tokyo Olympics digest: American Caeleb Dressel wins 100m freestyle
A photo finish decided the men’s 100-meter freestyle final as Dressel picked up his second gold in Tokyo. Germany picked up a medal in rowing, and extreme heat forced changes in tennis. Follow the latest on DW. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Patrolling Lithuania’s border with Belarus
Carefully, Justas moves through the undergrowth, using his flashlight to illuminate the dark forest. He’s pulled a brown balaclava over his face. The 22-year-old officer and his colleague Vitautas have been on patrol at Lithuania’s border with Belarus for hours. “Three days ago, a hole was cut into the fence to make crossing the border easier,” Justas tells me. Justas…
- World News
Ghana: Anti-gay bill seeks long jail terms for LGBTQ people
Ghana’s laws already criminalize gay sex by forbidding “unnatural carnal knowledge”. Now West African country wants to go a step further in its efforts to outlaw the LGBTQ community. If the bill is passed, people of the same sex who engage in sexual activity could be fined or jailed for between three to five years. The law would also make…
- World News
Africa’s shea trees are under threat
As the number of shea trees in West and East Africa rapidly declines, one group is trying to preserve shea parklands for generations to come. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Thailand: Is royal reform a far-fetched dream?
The youth-led, pro-democracy movement in Thailand began coalescing in mid-2020 and at its peak saw hundreds of thousands of protesters calling for the government’s resignation and a more transparent and accountable monarchy. The demonstrators — who in recent months have focused their complaints on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha’s handling of the pandemic as Thailand struggles with surging COVID-19 cases —…
- World News
Coronavirus lambda variant spreads across Latin America
Classified as a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 17, the lambda, or C.37, variant of the coronavirus has already been detected in some US states and at least 29 nations — many of them in Latin America. In Peru, where it was identified in August 2020, the lambda variant accounted for more than 80%…
- Sports News
Tokyo Olympics Digest: Ariarne Titmus tops Katie Ledecky again
Titmus won part two of her “duel in the pool” with Ladecky, the Australian winning gold in the 200-meter freestyle. Meanwhile, Germany won their first swimming medal in 13 years. Follow the latest on DW. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
China flood disaster: Passersby harass German reporter
“Are you that BBC guy?” a passerby asked Mathias Bölinger, a German journalist who has been reporting for DW and other broadcasters from the flooded regions in China. Ever since the BBC aired an investigative TV report on the origins of the coronavirus pandemic — a report Beijing considers “fictitious” — the British broadcaster has had a credibility problem in…
- World News
Afghanistan: What does NATO withdrawal mean for India?
The final stages of the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces from Afghanistan, coupled with the Taliban’s sweeping offensive, have forced regional stakeholders to recalibrate their position in the war-torn country. One of those stakeholders is India — the largest regional donor to Afghanistan. India has long supported the civilian government in Kabul, heavily investing in the country over the past…
- Sports News
Naomi Osaka crashes out of Olympics tournament
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has suffered a surprise shock loss in her home Olympics. The 23-year-old is a face of the Games, having lit the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony. SOURCE: DW News
- Sports News
Tokyo Olympics Digest: Flora Duffy wins Bermuda’s first-ever gold
Bermuda’s long wait for a gold medal finally ended after Flora Duffy’s stunning win in the women’s triathlon. Alaskan Lydia Jacoby also made history in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke. Follow DW for the latest. SOURCE: DW News
- Sports News
Tokyo Olympics Digest: Alaskan teen shocks defending champion
Lydia Jacoby produced a shock in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke, knocking off defending champion and teammate Lilly King. Flora Duffy won Bermuda’s first-ever gold medal in the triathlon. Follow DW for the latest. SOURCE: DW News
- Sports News
Singer Pink offers to pay fine for Norway’s beach handball team over ‘sexist’ clothing
The American singer has offered to pay the 1,500 Euro fine incurred by Norway’s beach handball team for breaking clothing rules. The team wore shorts instead of bikini bottoms at the European championships in Bulgaria. SOURCE: DW News
- Sports News
Tokyo 2020: Second withdrawal overshadows Israeli judoka Tohar Bulut’s Olympics
Judoka Tohar Bulut finished seventh in the under-73kg class. His sporting achievement has been overshadowed after Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool became the second judoka to withdraw from a bout against the Israeli. SOURCE: DW News
