- World News
COVID: India sees a surge in underage marriages
Neelam, a 15-year-old girl in Murshidabad, got married in May just days before Cyclone Yaas hit the West Bengal state in eastern India. Already under pressure because of the pandemic, her family decided to marry her off knowing that the cyclone would further damage their livelihood. West Bengal is one of the five states in India that have a high…
- World News
Thailand: Hazing rituals in universities foster authoritarianism
Thai universities’ infamous orientation activities have again come under the spotlight following the tragic death of a 22-year-old student Veeraphan Tamklang in the capital, Bangkok, this month. He was kicked to death by a group of 12 senior students as punishment for not pitching any ideas for hazing activities. These sorts of stories still regularly make headlines in Thailand, in…
- World News
Japan proposes four-day working week to improve work-life balance
Japan’s famously hard-working salarymen — and, increasingly, salarywomen — are to be encouraged to reduce the amount of time they spend in the office environment as part of the government’s initiative to improve the nation’s work-life balance. The recently unveiled annual economic policy guidelines include new recommendations that companies permit their staff to opt to work four days a week…
- Sports News
Euro 2020: Pressure mounts on UEFA and DFB to take a stand for LGBTQ+ rights
Calls for UEFA and the DFB to make a statement of support for LGBTQ+ rights at the Euro 2020 match against Hungary is gathering traction. A Hungarian parliamentarian has said mixing sport and politics is “dangerous.” SOURCE: DW News
- Sports News
Euro 2020: Memphis Depay the architect of another Dutch masterclass
Another classy display by the Dutch sees them maintain their 100% record at this year’s European Championship. This victory over North Macedonia was inspired by Memphis Depay, a player whose career was once on the rocks. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Africalink 21.06.21 – 16 UTC – MP3-Stereo
Ethiopia goes to the polls +++ Malawians scrambles for COVID weeks after incinerating 19,000 doses +++ Interview- Has Buhari Failed Nigerians? +++South Africa maternal health care in crisis SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Philippines: Families of war on drugs victims welcome ICC probe
Katherine Bautista burst into tears when she received the news about the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to seek a full investigation into Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs that killed thousands of mostly suspected drug dealers from poor urban communities. Her stepson, John Jezreel David, was killed during a drug operation conducted by the police in 2017. “We’ve…
- World News
Twitter’s India troubles show tough path ahead for digital platforms
Twitter holds a relatively low share of India’s social media market. But, since 2017, the huge nation has emerged as Twitter’s fastest-growing market, becoming critical to its global expansion plans. In February, the Indian government introduced new guidelines to regulate digital content on rapidly growing social media platforms. The so-called Intermediary Guidelines are aimed at regulating content on internet platforms…
- Sports News
Up to 10,000 fans to be allowed to attend Olympic events
Spectators will be allowed to attend events at this summer’s delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Only domestic fans will be granted access to venues, and there are limits on the number of people who may attend. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
In Egypt, online group Qawem saving hundreds of women from sextortion
Last summer, Mohammed Elyamani was hit by the news that a 17-year-old girl who had reached out to him for help after her ex-boyfriend threatened her with “sextortion” had committed suicide. When the girl messaged Elyamani about her case, the 35-year-old social activist — who uses Facebook to raise awareness about sexual harassment and sextortion, threats to distribute private and…
- World News
Who is Iran’s new President-elect Ebrahim Raisi?
Ebrahim Raisi won the election by such a clear margin that a second round of voting won’t be necessary — and yet, his victory was tainted by historically low voter turnout. Many observers have said Friday’s election was tailor-made for the archconservative judiciary chief: the most promising opponents were prevented from running against him, and competitors with similar views withdrew…
- Sports News
Euro 2020: Havertz, Gosen and own goals help Germany past holders Portugal
Second half goals from Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens added to two Portuguese own goals to carry Germany to a first win of Euro 2020. Cristiano Ronaldo put Joachim Löw’s team behind, but the 2016 winners were second best. SOURCE: DW News
- Sports News
Euro 2020: Proposal to illuminate Munich arena in LGBT colors for visit of Hungary
After the Hungarian parliament passed new anti-LGBT legislation this week, Munich councilors have put forward a motion to light up the city’s football arena in rainbow colors for Germany’s match against Hungary. SOURCE: DW News
- Sports News
Euro 2020: Portugal vs. Germany – ‘Ronaldo does more than just move Coke cans around’
After defeat to France in their opening game, life doesn’t get any easier for Germany as they prepare to face reigning European champions Portugal. Leon Goretzka could return to face Cristiano Ronaldo and co. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Juneteenth: An important holiday, that changes little
The US has made June 19, or Juneteenth, a public holiday. This second independence day, as it were, commemorates the liberation of enslaved Afro-Americans. It dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed the abolition of slavery in Galveston, Texas. It brought to an end the second genocide on US soil — after the forced…
- Sports News
Euro 2020: Portugal vs. Germany – buildup
After defeat to France in their opening game, life doesn’t get any easier for Germany as they prepare to face reigning European champions Portugal. Leon Goretzka could return to face Cristiano Ronaldo and co. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Why are sanctions against Belarus not more effective?
Dictators like to win elections. In the past 27 years, Alexander Lukashenko has stood for election six times, and each time he was victorious. Or supposedly victorious, that is, in what has been widely seen as rigged elections. Sanctions against him have been in place for the majority of his rule, and stricter punitive measures are set to come into…
- World News
Made in Germany: Ukraine pendants without Crimea
S.W.W. Schmuckwaren is a company based in southern Germany that produces and sells jewelry, including gold and silver pendants shaped like the outlines of countries. They cost €22.95-€295.95 ($27-$350) and most of the countries are shaped in such a way that corresponds to their internationally recognized borders. There is one pendant, however, that is missing a region: Ukraine does not…
- World News
Namibia’s Herero Chief Rukoro dies
Vekuii Reinhard Rukoro was born in Otjiwarongo, a farming town in central Namibia — then known as South West Africa — in 1954, a decade before the beginning of the armed struggle to rid Namibia of South Africa’s apartheid regime. He attended secondary school in Döbra, then a tiny settlement north of Windhoek before training to be a lawyer, first…
- World News
Sierra Leone: Black Johnson Beach sold to China for industrial fishing harbor
Sierra Leone’s government cut a $55 million deal with China to finance the construction of a new harbor. The people living along the pristine beach fear losing their jobs and land. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
How is Beijing reshaping Hong Kong through the national security law?
A day after 500 police officers raided its newsroom and arrested five executives, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily printed 500,000 copies featuring the raid and the arrest on its front page. “We must press on,” read the headline, citing a passage from the paper’s CEO Cheung Kim-hung. On Friday, police formally charged Cheung and Editor-in-Chief Ryan Law with “collusion…
- World News
Ethiopa announces ‘period of silence’ ahead of elections
Ethiopia’s national electoral board ordered a “period of silence” before Monday’s parliamentary elections, which includes a ban on campaign rallies and new rules for local media houses. “Mass media outlets are not allowed to broadcast any kind of election-related activities during this period of silence. In addition, these institutions are not allowed to interview political party candidates,” the commission said…
- Sports News
Euro 2020 final: UEFA officials and VIPs may be exempted from quarantine rules
While fans likely won’t be able to watch their nation compete in the Euro 2020 final due to quarantine requirements, VIPs may be granted an exemption. The UK government is keen to ensure the final stays in London. SOURCE: DW News
- Thailand video news
Good Morning Thailand | Situation in Hua Hin, bars petition for overturn of alcohol ban, Sandbox
Today we talk with Steve Johnston about the situation in Hua Hin, Thailand bars petitioning the government to overturn the alcohol ban, Thais unable to re-enter Thailand through the sandbox program and Indonesian workers infected with Covid.
- World News
A third wave of coronavirus infections hits Africa
German Development Minister Gerd Müller’s first stop on his weeklong tour of West Africa trip was Lome, the capital of the small country of Togo. As in all African countries, there is a shortage of vaccines and medical equipment. Müller came with a donation of 30 ventilators and more than 5,000 oximeters to help support the country’s efforts to combat…
- World News
Nigeria: Has President Buhari lost control?
Less than a year after protests against police abuse turned into the largest anti-government demonstration in Nigeria’s 20-year-old democracy, an onslaught of political, economic and security crises along with various outbreaks of violence around the country have ensnared the government. Conflict Zone met with Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. The political brand and two electoral successes of President…
- World News
Afghanistan: District after district falls to the Taliban
The Taliban are intensifying attacks across Afghanistan to gain more territory ahead of NATO’s troop withdrawal in September. The militant group now controls vast swathes of land in the war-ravaged country. Heavy fighting in many Afghan districts in recent weeks has inflicted heavy losses on both the Taliban and Afghan forces. On Wednesday, more than 20 Afghan commandos were killed…
- World News
Can South Korea’s archbishop help pave the way for a papal visit to North Korea?
The first Korean appointed to a senior position in the Holy See has wasted no time in announcing his plans to arrange a groundbreaking papal visit to North Korea. However, analysts and rights activists caution that there can be several hurdles associated with arranging such a visit. Pope Francis named Lazzaro You Heung-sik, the bishop of the South Korean city…
- World News
Ghana is running out of time to reverse desertification
Ghana is one of the tropical countries that has suffered the most from deforestation in recent years. The area covered by forests has shrunk five times in 100 years. While the government promises measures, young people are seeking collective action to reverse desertification. SOURCE: DW News
- World News
Ethiopia’s Oromia region is volatile ahead of elections
Kidane Bekele is farmer and a community leader in his small village of 2,000 people. With elections approaching, he spends his evenings guarding polling stations and surrounding areas, a rifle slung over his shoulder. Every night after dinner, he puts on the khaki uniform of Oromia’s militia and makes his way to the small compound of the election station, where…
