World

US and Russia Compete for Influence in the Sahel

Abdoulaye Diop, the foreign minister of Mali, hosted a senior US official on Monday to chart a "new course" in relations between the United States and the junta-led nation. Nick Checker, who heads the US State Department's Bureau of African Affairs, reaffirmed Washington's respect for Mali's sovereignty.

Monitors: Gaza Death Toll Hard to Deny

Casualties in war are often disputed by opposing sides and counting true numbers is challenging. Yet after years of disputing the number of casualties reported by the Gaza health authorities since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have now reportedly concurred with estimates that 71,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Ukraine in Winter: Battered but Unbowed

Massive Russian drone and missile attacks on infrastructure and cities, 20 hours or more each day without water, electricity, and at times even heat, and outside temperatures of -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit): This is what many Ukrainians are being forced to endure this winter.

German Satirist Jacques Tilly Faces Trial in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin bathes in the blood of Ukraine, while US President Donald Trump tears up the climate protection agreement like an angry child: These Dusseldorf Carnival floats made by German artist and float builder Jacques Tilly are meant to provoke.

Bundeswehr launches major military spending and modernization drive

Germany's military, the Bundeswehr, is currently on a spending spree: it has more than €108 billion ($129 billion) at its disposal this year — a gigantic, unprecedented sum. This is being financed both by the official federal budget and special funds, for which the state is taking out loans.

Russia Showcases Anti‑Woke German Immigrants as Propaganda

Videos of Germans who have moved to Russia seeking "traditional values" garner hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok and YouTube. These new residents are regularly invited to appear on state television, while the Kremlin speaks of mass immigration from the West.

CAF fines and suspensions after chaotic AFCON final

Just over 10 days after one of the most chaotic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in history, the continent's football governing body (CAF) has issued fines worth more than $1m (€835,000) and banned players from both finalists.

Germany's Development Policy: Partnership with the Global South

The rule of the strongest is back: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke of a "new world of great powers" at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week. There was much talk of armament, economic might, power plays — and of course US President Donald Trump.

CDU and Merz Criticize 'Lifestyle-Part-Time' Work

"With a four-day week and an exaggerated work-life balance, prosperity cannot be maintained," Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in early January, despite OECD data that shows Germans work even more than they did in previous years.

Germany's Skilled Worker Shortage Reveals Migration Hurdles

In a classroom in Chennai, India, around 20 nurses are learning German at breakneck speed. They have six months to become fluent enough to work in Germany. Ramalakshi, one of the nurses, says her family struggled financially, but still managed to pay the equivalent of several thousand euros for her nursing college.